Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Big Shot Projects

First let me say I am loving my Big Shot die cutter.  I have been busy doing all kinds of things with it.  I have done several paper projects and now I am onto fabric projects.  I have started quilting by cutting some appliques out with it.  My most recent project is just so cute that  I have to share it.  It is so easy too. I CASEd this idea from a fellow demonstrator, Janet Wakeland.  I used the SU Top Note, leaves, flowers and circle dies to create this cell phone case.  I used felt so I would not have to finish the edges. I like this country look.  The entrie project is hand sewn.  I am looking into felting for my next try.  I included a button and felt ribbon to make a knot and closure.  It was quick and easy.  Believe this, my 13 yo daughter thinks it is cute and wants me to make one for her IPOD she just bought. She usually does not do "cute".   So I am thinking I need to have some friends over to make these fabulous cases.  There is a wide variety of colors and different dies I have to make it your own.  Buttons, beads, ribbons or embroidery floss can change the look.  Too much Fun!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Valentine Wreath



Made this cute little valentine wreath.  Way easy.  Used glue dots, heart punches and ribbon.  Used a wreath I had.  But could cut one out of cardboard.  Fun.

Don't Worry Bee Happy!


That is one of my favorite sayings and songs. I started playing that song for Michael when he started Kindergarten.  Played it every first day of school all the way through college and the fire academy.  I torture my two other kids now.  In the old days I had to call the radio station to request it be played and then listen to hear it for Mike.  Now I own the CD.  :)

Very early this morning I woke up and thought "I could make a bee with  that ornament punch."  Woo hoo, could not sleep thinking about it.  So I got up and made it.  Tori got up shortly after me saying "Mom you got issues!"   yes, but crafting is fun!  I made this picture to put in my divider, but plan to make some really cute cards to mail out as well.  Mandy, I know you are dying to do this bee!  LOL  Call me I can bring it over and we can make some bees.

The picture really does not do it justice as the eye is a rhinestone brad and the wings are glittery and very delicate looking.  So cute.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Ornament punch art



I have a black room divider that is actually 12 - 8x10 picture frames.  I have been doing some paper crafts to fill the frames.  I also have this punch from SU that is in the shape of a Christmas Ornament. I got this stamp set for Valentine's and it had these cute little fishy kissing.  So I thought why not make some fish.  So I made these fish and they are so dang cute I just had to post them.  After I came up with the idea of making fish from this punch I saw some posted on the new SU connections website.  There are some differences, but I guess great minds think alike.  I did use the 3 heart punch for the fins and the lips.  I also used the large heart punch for the big heart.  I think it turned out cute.While I was on the SU website I saw a post from Pat Richardson for making a Cardinal out of the same ornament punch.  Since Liberty High's mascot is the Blue Jays, I thought of changing out the colors and making Blue Jays instead.  I have included pictures, if you want more directions or if you want to get together to make these fabulous crafts contact me.




Saturday, January 16, 2010

Bulletin Board


I have been wanting a bulletin board for above my desk. My desk is located in my dining room so I need the bulletin board to fit into my decor.  I love the weathered old look.  I have been looking at bulletin boards with nice frames and they are too expensive for me.  I found one that I really like and it was $56 and then I found one I could settle for and it was $45.  Still too much.  So I started looking for frames and I actually found a frame at a thrift store and bought it for $2. It measures 21 1/2 inches wide by 18 1/4 inches high.   It was a really ugly golden color with a hand made print in it and the frame was covered with nasty glitter.  I tried to sand it but the glitter would not come off.  So I just painted over it.  I used wicker white craft paint and it took a couple of coats.  Then I took sand paper to it and sanded it to give it the weathered look.  It still did not quite do it for me.  So I took some black paint and poured a little into a bowl and then added water to it.  Mixy mixy and then using a wet paper towel applied it to the frame a little at a time.  Before the paint had time to dry I used another wet paper towel and wiped off all the excess paint.  The black paint kind of settled into the grooves making the frame look old and weathered.  When it dried I added a ribbon to the frame to hang some things.  I colored with my Stampin' Up! markers some mini clothes pins to use with the ribbon.  I took out the backing on the frame and glued some cork to it that I bought from Hobby Lobby. (I had looked at several places and found Hobby Lobby the least expensive and was able to use a coupon as well.)  I bought some cork in a roll from them for about $2.5 per linear foot.  (1 foot by 2 feet wide)  I used wood glue and placed books to weigh it down while it dried over night.  Then I put it all together and hung it up.  It looks pretty much like I wanted it to look.  I added a paper butterfly and flower to decorate the ribbon. ( I will tell you how I made them in another post) I really wanted to add a ribbon to the top like it was hanging from the ribbon.  But I have not found a knob that I like to hang it from.  So for now it is complete.  It cost less than $10, paint and all.  What a deal!  and I love it.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Blog design accomplished

My first craft project of the year was to design my background for this blog.  First I had to do some research.  I looked at http://leeloublogs.blogspot.com/2008/12/tutorials.html and http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/blog-secrets.html because they offer some tips and tutorials for free.  After my research I used a new software from Stampin' Up! called My Digital Studio.  This is a fabulous software that I have been certified by Stampin' Up! to use. Since I am a demonstrator I can use it to design my blogs.  After I worked with My Digital Studio choosing my pages, colors and embellishments, I pulled up Publisher and then designed my page to the correct size and saved it as a jpeg.  I then used Photobucket to upload the large file to get an url to use in the html code I got from Leelou Blogs.  I then followed the directions to add a background that LeeLou blogs recommends.  It did take some time as I am a novice at all this.  I had to tweek it and tried to work out some of the kinks.  It is not perfect, but it is my layout and design and so I like it for now.  I will probably continue to work with this so that maybe eventually I will write my own html for my own background.  I actually really enjoyed doing it.  I also designed the background on my Losing It blog page.  As well as a couple of buttons on that blog.

I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator because of My Digital Studio.  I just love it.  I have made a couple of scrapbooks with it already.  The really neat part about it is if you have your creations printed through Stampin' Up!, all the colors will match the papers and embellishments we sell. You can then add to your digital creations making them three dimensional. This new software is very easy to use and comes with premade templates to make your designs quick and easy.  Or you can design you very own creations.  The possibilities are endless as Stampin' Up! will continue to add to the product line with downloadable digital products and updates.  Making this software something that will keep up with current trends.  It is can be used in coordination with other design programs because everything in it can be used as a jpeg file.  I have found it very versatile.  I have made cards, fliers, books, blog pages, and scrapbooks.  If you would like to learn more about My Digital Studio or any of the Stampin' Up! products, just contact me.  Or you can visit my online store by clicking on the icon on the right.  I plan to upload some pictures of my recent creations soon.