Wednesday, February 29, 2012

happy hello


Can you say "expired"?

I used this great neighborhood set that I got last year (I think) from Sale-A-Bration, FOR FREE!

I used ink that is no longer available (Soft Sky).

The gingham ribbon was from like 2006 or so, definatly NOT available!

Bottom line: No matter the date of the product, Stampin' Up! has amazing stuff! Like it never gets old! Well, it gets old, but not old enough to make it not cool enough to use.

NEW STAMPS!

This is one of my new sets from Stampin' Up!

Is it just me, or are birds, bird cages, and chandeliers all the rage right now? I personally, also love owls. There's some super cute stuff out there!

I stamped the bird first in Lavender Lace, then stamped the cage over it in basic black.

I attempted to dye the satin ribbon with ink, it didn't turn out the way I wanted it, so I just flipped it over! :)

See the stamp set HERE

Monday, February 27, 2012

bigger frames

This is the before. Plain white frames with some detail on them. Almost like wood-work. These are GREAT frames! I am so lucky to get to play around with this stuff!
This one is my favorite! I love the way it came out. I think the paper just makes it, you know? It just wouldn't be the same without that great paper. The ribbon being on the outside of the glass is cool, too.
I like this one, it turned out ok. To be honest, something's wrong with it. I think it might be the thin ribbon. I think it needs to be bigger or a different color, or something. I don't know, but it needs something.
These are two other large frames, I covered their mats with tissue paper (polka dots) and wrapping paper (map). I was thinking for a childs room and a travel photo. As long as they sell to make money for the residents, my job is done!

before & after picture frames


Here is the before. Plain, white picture frames donated to the retirement home from Michael's arts & crafts store. They've been so generous in their giving! We're hoping to have a craft sale with all the projects that we've been working on here in the next month or so. I'll keep you updated on it!
And the finished products.
We covered the mats in the white frames with some great scrapbooking paper (also donated, thanks Michael's!!). For the black frames, we glued rhinestones to them (donated) in different patterns. The residents had fun, and they look great!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Make & Take book


Made this the other day for the "Make it, Take it" event at my local Michael's store.

I typically don't like construction paper, especially since I've been spoiled with such great cardstock and specialty papers! But was amazed at what could be done with 4 white lunch sacks, white glue, construction paper, and decorative scissors.

AMAZING!!

Sweet Treats


Made over 60 of these beautiful

--double flavored--

cupcakes for my girls to take to school. They are a combination of Strawberry and Brownie batter cakes. Got a new cake tip to try out on the frosting. Used Strawberry & Vanilla frosting, topped with extra large chocolate conversation hearts.

They were a hit!!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

in store demo


made these the other day doing an in-store demo. Fun, Fun!! i got to stand in the front of the store with my supplies interacting with customers, teaching them tricks on the fly.

demo'd lots of distressing techniques (imagine that, my FAV!!) and how to use ink to color lace using ink pads & smooch spritz.

Michael's promotion board


we're having an open house at my local Michael's on March 3rd, 1pm-3pm. you can come in and meet the instructors, get info on the classes they offer, and sign up for them at a discounted price! check your local store, this will be a nation-wide thing!

so here is my board promoting some of the classes that i teach. lot's of fun, come craft with me!


see what classes your local Michael's is offering
click HERE

Monday, February 6, 2012

mini paper bag album


i will be teaching a great class at my local Michael's store later this month on paper bag albums.

these are super easy
-my kids are making one
cheap to make
-hello?! paper bags?!
-use the sticky tape OR hot glue
perfect size for scraps
-goodbye pile!

for info on these super cute paper flowers, click here.


love the distressed look on any (and every) thing.

it's almost better with the great earth tones of a good 'ol lunch sack!

worlds cheapest adhesive? dollar store glue gun, with glue sticks found at thrifts stores or the dollar store. i know not everything works with hot glue, but if it does, *cheap* *cheap*

every page is lined with scraps from my pile

all ink distressed, of course :)

you don't have to have scrap paper inside,

you can doodle, draw, or just adhere pictures

tabs are circle cut outs glued back to back around the edge of the sacks. great little page turners that can be customized!



you can also combine the paper with the doodles

here i did a two-tone page with coordinating paper

and "attatched" them with faux stitches (doodling)

you can "stitch" borders for another amazing sewn look

the word "spot" was me using the cricut to cut out the word "spotted" for another project.

here i used the negative of the word to let the bag show through

just another way to use scraps

the bookmark tag is cut out paper, placed back to back, with the ribbon adhered to the inside of them

for the back i continued with the negative use of die cut words and flowers

i love this little book. can't wait to fill all the little nooks & crannies with memories and treasures!

you can see a great tutorial here

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

scrapbook page


this is a page that i made to promote a new class that i am offering at my local michael's store called "sketched out 2". don't worry, #1 is also still available if you missed it :)

lots of stuff going on here, but i'm loving the shabby-ness of it. yes, that is a word, just not sure if i spelled it correctly ;)

if you want to learn to scrapbook, there are lots of classes available now. and don't tell anyone i said anything, but i think in march, all classes will be half off!!!