365 Designs continued

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 July

Amazon.com Widgets

Photoshop/Illustrator practice...

Photography Color Swatches

Household Tips for Re-purposing, Reusing and Saving Time

Don't you just love those tips and tricks that make your daily routine just so much easier. Well this section of my blog is dedicated to just that. I've compiled a great list of the best household tips that I know you'll love.

1. Use an ordinary cheesecloth to completely clean a dry erase board.

2. Save tops from yogurt containers, coffee cans etc. to use as saucers under small houseplants.

Emoji Pumpkins

Show everyone how you're feeling this Halloween with these pumpkin emojis. Paint a craft/foam pumpkin yellow. Use a heart paper punch for eyes; cut a smile out of black card stock. Glue onto the pumpkin. That's all there is too it.

Glittered Stem Pumpkins

I wanted to add just a little something special to these tiny pumpkins. I think this black glitter gives the perfect touch. Many times when people craft for autumn or Halloween they overlook glitter. Martha Stewart Crafts makes such a huge variety. For Halloween there are some great choices. You can try neon purple or lime green. For these pumpkins I used onyx. Another great product from MSCrafts is the glittering glue - it comes with it a built in brush. So what are you waiting for... get glittering!

Monday, March 17, 2014

CRAFT STORAGE DRAWERS LARGE ENOUGH FOR THOSE OVER-SIZED PAPERS, SCORING BOARD AND CUTTING MAT

I was determined to get something done today despite the weather. Here on the East Coast it is snowing once again. Sure it's middle of March but what fun would the great winter of '14 be without one last snow storm. And I really really .... really hope it's the last:) Anyway, I was at my local Target when I came across what I've been needing for a while, a storage drawer. Not just any ole storage drawer but ones big enough to fit 12x12 card stock, my scoring board and cutting mat (which are approx. 14" square.) I couldn't believe I found one. It was the perfect size, plus it was super inexpensive, only $20. I'll post a picture and a link. I have absolutely no affiliation or sponsorship with Target whatsoever . I just though someone might be in need of something like this and maybe didn't think to try a store other than Michael's, ACMoore, JoAnn's etc.

So despite a day of snowy weather, I managed to finally find a home for my score board, cutting board, circle cutter, stencils and extra 12x12 papers.

Mission accomplished.

Please feel free to comment if you have any storage/spring cleaning ideas.

Thanks for stopping by.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING...

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Great new website to purchase crafty type materials

I just discovered this website that is totally new to me and I love it. My immediate thought is that I have to share it. Since most of my blog thus far has taken a 'crafting' turn to it, this is a great website for anyone wanting some inspiration and/or supplies. By the way I have no affiliation what-so-ever with this site, I just needed share. Anyway, I need to go explore further and just wanted to make a quick post.
Stayed tuned for more DIY Christmas Tree ornaments......

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/christmas.html

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Quote to sleep on...

Tonight after a busy day I decided to sit down before bed and read an old book of with quotes and stories and inspirational 'things'. I kind of like this quote simply because of its simplicity. And isn't it so true. You just can't be afraid to take risks. Sometimes they yield the greatest rewards. I think tomorrow I'll try something new. Not just any ole' something new but something with a physical or emotional or creative risk. Hmmm what will it be....
I'll sleep on it.

Monday, November 11, 2013

One of my favorite quotes. I superimposed it over a photo I took thispast summer

Personalized Mugs

One of my favorites place to go to for supplies while I'm working on new crafts is the local dollar store. You can find so many things to practice on before splurging on the final items.

For this next project I wanted to try out adhesive stencils and glass paint on a plain mug. Martha Stewart's line of glass paints claim to be permanent and dishwasher safe. They also are water based with low odor and soap and water clean up. I thought I'd give this a try. I bought a white plain mug for a dollar, some glass paints and went to work.

Here's what you'll need for this project.

The stencils are so easy to apply. They stick well and are washable and reusable. Make sure you peel them off while the paint is still wet. Be careful you don't smudge the paint while removing.

After the Letters dry you can paint the dots over them. This glass paint has a special fine tip. The paint has a thick consistency and remains dimensional when dry.

After about an hour you can start to cure the paint in the oven.

Place the mug on a cookie sheet in a cold oven. Set the oven to 350F. After the oven preheats and reaches the temperature of 350F set a timer to go off in 30 minutes. After 30 minutes turn the oven off and leave the mug in the oven until completely cool. This entire process ensures a gradual heating. Slowly heating prevents dramatic temperature changes which can cause cracking or breaking.

(*I know these are all MSC products. I have no affiliation; I just happen have them and like them)

how to ....

I saw these new products from Martha Stewart Crafts a few months ago. They are included with the Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage Line but they are actually gilding materials. I've always loved the look of gilding but never found the right time or practical need for it. I thought this would be the best time to try my hand at gilding. Not to get to overwhelmed, I promised myself I'd start out with something simple.......Of course in my head this is what I immediately want to try......but I think it best to stick with a simple Christmas ball.

SO TO BEGIN YOU'LL NEED:

CARDBOARD CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT
MARTHA STEWART CRAFTS GILDING ADHESIVE*
MARTHA STEWART CRAFTS GILDING BRUSHES
MARTHA STEWART CRAFTS GOLD LEAF
MARTHA STEWART CRAFTS COTTON GLOVES

It is possible to find all sorts of gilding supplies at craft stores, I just happened to go with the Martha Stewart Crafts Line of products. If you are on a budget you will can find similar materials to use. *The exception is the gilding adhesive. I've actually always know it as "sizing" or "size" and I have no idea why they wouldn't call it that. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that it is water based? The main attribute is the fact that it remains tacky instead of drying in order for the leaf to stick to it. ANYWAY... let's begin.

These very steps basically require you to:

Apply the adhesive (aka size) with a brush. To achieve the worn antiqued look apply sparingly and don't completely cover with the adhesive.

To make applying easier, rest ornament on a glass or mason jar.

Using cotton gloves gently peel the gold leafing off it's backing and gently apply it to the adhesive covered ornament. The cotton gloves keep the oils from your hands sticking to the delicate leafing.

Press the gold leaf onto the ball and leave areas blank.

I actually grabbed the ball and gently squeezed it to secure the bits of flaking leaf.

Now just let the gilding dry to the adhesive.

An hour or so would probably be good but I usually get into the habit of letting things dry overnight.

Now,

using the natural bristle soft brush, sweep away any excess leafing.

Normally you would want to apply a spray of a Crystal Clear Gloss Acrylic Sealant.

This is important to keep the metal leafing from tarnishing

(unless you are using actual 24K gold leafing which you can get away with not sealing
since it will not corrode or tarnish for years.

It's also a lot more expensive and for this purpose there was no need.)

SO THAT'S IT YOU'RE DONE!

So easy right. And the look is so rustic yet chic. I love it.

>>>I might try adding crackle effect. I'm thinking of that as I am writing this and have long since completed the ornament. You know I think I'm going to try it. I'll keep this post and then update with the new photo. Stay tuned.....<<<

Christmas Card for 2013...

To make this card or some variation of it you'll need:

Pre-made folded white A7 (5x7) cards (if you use regular 8 1/2 x 11 or 12 x 12 card stock you'll need to make smaller cards [size A2]or use a lot more paper for the A7 5x7 cards.)
Red Glitter A7 (5x7) pre-made folded cards
4.5 x 6.5 standard white cardstock
Red glitter embossing powder & versamark (or any slow drying ink)
A holiday Greeting Stamp
Heat gun
Martha Stewart Crafts snowflake punch
Snowflake embossing folder (with embossing machine or rolling pin[I hear people have used plain ole rolling pins to emboss with])
Bakers twine, colorful string or hemp cording

See the easy steps to make this

Tim Holtz Tag for August

Finally decided to actually post something on my blog.
I wanted to try a tag from the Tim Holtz blog of August so I needed to put it on this site first to connect it to his site. So anyway, I'm going to post it here.....

I believe the theme of the tag was:
a. lots of stamping
b. travel
c. masking

So here is my first attempt. It's a paris/butterfly theme.
I used mostly Ranger/Tim Holtz products