Tuesday Trigger March 29, 2011 at Moxie Fab World

Another day, another crafty project! This time a get well card for my boys Great Grandmother. Since, my Mother passed away before I married, I have been soooo thankful that my boys have been blessed to have a Great Grandmother! So, as soon as I started working on her get well card, I checked the Moxie Fab World blog for inspiration. And once again, they came through at Moxie Fab. Why not send a jar of hugs and kisses with a get well wish!?
Above you can see the Tuesday Trigger, a dish towel from Etsy. I loved the colors! And who doesn't love pretty glass! So, I pulled out my Stampin Up Sizzix Texturz Plate called Harlequin to get the look of the smaller canning jar in the inspiration piece. I ran some of my salad packing through my Big Shot and used my Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink in Denim to get the look of the blue glass. The cut is from Lara's Life it What You Make It Blog. Thanks Life is What you Make It and Moxie Fab World! Stamp sets used:
Close to My Heart February Word Puzzle tag
Close to My Heart For Every Occassion Get Well
Close to My Heart Soul Mates XOXO
Close to My Heart Best Wishes Bracket
Stampin' Up Friendly Flowers Round medallion

Overcoming Scrappers Block

I have been trying to scrapbook this photo for a year and a half! Such a special event, that I wanted the page to be perfect. I cut some lace paper, and flowers and kept pulling out the paper, and photo and then putting it back. Something was just not right.
So here is how I overcame my scrappers block: first I tried a challenge. I found this blog called Show Us Your Stuff and decided to give there March sketch challenge a try.
I also had to use a number and a hand made item in the sketch. Since, this photo is from a 90th birthday, that was an easy title! I hope this meets the rules, as no one said the number could not be spelled out! And you know I love to make my own embellies. I made the red flower with the blue and white center with paper and the red rolled rose with felt.
Second, I changed my paper. I pulled back out the photo and some favorite paper. The card stock is Close to My Heart and one of my all time favorites. I love the look of black, cream, tan and red together. So, elegant and timeless. Then when I put the photo on it I noticed the blue flowers in my Mother-in-Laws blouse and tried adding some blue buttons to match.
Now I am happy with this page and happy to have this special birthday scrapped! Thanks Show Us Your Stuff for the inspiration and the chance to win! Check out the Show Us Your Stuff blog for more great flowers!
Supplies:
My Favorite Things Rolled Rose Die
SVG 3 D flower Begonia
Close to My Heart Silhouette Paper

EIC Challenge 131: Dollybirds

It's been awhile since I have had the time for a challenge, but this weeks Etsy Inspired Challenge #131 has a wonderful shop: Dollybirds and a wonderful sponsor: SRM Stickers! So, I took a look at Dollybird and found a little something that inspired me. It's called Grab and Go Wristlet/Mini Purse. I love the print on this bag! I thought it would make a great doily cut file! And I get the best color inspiration from fabric! So, I got out my SCAL2 and made up this cut file.
After I cut my file I used my Stampin Up Build a Blossom Stamp set petal stamp to stamp around the larger scallops and the leave stamps to stamp inside the ovals in the center of the doily. I think it looks like I bought this at the LSS or made it with an Imagine. Love a look for less! And now I have another use for my Build a Blossom Stamp set.

Supplies Used:
Build a Blossom Stamp Set by Stampin Up
Cardstock by Bazzill
Creative Charms Vintage Jewels (red tear drop bling)
Marvy Uchida flower punch
Red Patterned paper Me and My Big Ideas
Stickles Christmas Red
Bling
Close To My Heart Ink

I've Been Tealinated!

Ever since I subscribed to Lolly Chops' Blog, my love of teal has grown. Some of my family members would say I've been Tealinated, or Lolly Chopped! I used to love cobalt blue and dutch blue, but lately I am tending towards teal. It's even appearing in my scrap book pages. And there's more evidence of a conversion: buttons from Paper Trey Ink that I had to have at this years CHA

I just finished up a custom order, with Michael Miller fabric and love it (photo at top of the post). The rich tones of the dark chocolate and pumpkin butter Orange with the teal are soo rich! So, in case your not convinced of the beauty of teal, check out these covers below and visit Lolly's Blog for a fun contest to win some craft "booty". She is using the Wheel of Fortune theme and calling it The Teal of Fortune. I think there's some teal in the kit! The comments on the contest are so funny. I really think creative people are some of the funniest people I know!

I'm a Guest Designer at Art Glitter!

It's been a busy week. Lot of goodness going on! My work is featured at the Art Glitter Blog where I am a guest designer! You can find my post below or use this link here. Find all my instructions there.
And I have been busy making items for a booth at the Creative U Crop in DeKalb, IL. I will have my items for sale and you can see them live and in person. Yes, you can drop in just to shop! Here is the event flyer and the address is on the flyer. Other vendors include Close to My Heart, Creative Memories, Stampin Up and Serendipity Sales.

1st Day of My Lent Journaling

Well, I am off to a good start on my lent journal day one. I found some quiet time after the boys were at school. I am finding some empherma in my Church bulletin and online. I look at my page and think it is lacking artistically, but this is not about the perfect page for me. It's about making a season of meaning and being accountable by journaling it all.
Yesterday, we celebrated with Punchkies. A Polish tradition of eating jelly filled donuts the day before Lent starts. So, we started Try it Tuesday a day early and the boys loved the donut, but not the jelly filling! We talked about what they would give up and they both chose the Wii. My seven year old was wavering my 7:00am this morning and thinking of changing his mind already.

March Featured Etsy Blogger: MysticWynd

This month the Etsy Blogger Teams featured blogger is MysticWynd. Karen makes lovely jewelry and I chose to share a piece I thought perfect for St. Patrick's Day. Such a beautiful green! You can Find Karen's Blog HERE and her Etsy Store HERE. I really enjoyed visiting her blog and reading it! I loved the Paradoxical Commandments by Dr. Kent M. Keith and adapted by Mother Theresa. And the visit was well timed for my plans for lent, it is between me and my God isn't it?

Work the Stash Wednesday: Zippers!

Have you ever heard that you can tell a lot about a woman by the contents of her purse? Well, I think the same applies for our craft stash! So, my stash says I sew too! I have to confess that I have a stash or should I say roll of zippers. It's called "Make-A-Zipper" and has 3 yds of zipper tape and many pulls so you can make your own zipper. I got it at my local quilt shop Tammy Tadd Designs.
This week I pulled out my zipper tape to try the Maya Road Zipper Flower Tutorial. You can find it HERE. I loved their idea of cutting extra petals! Their zipper tape had metallic teeth that popped on the flower. My zipper teeth were the same color and I wanted some contrast, so I hit my stash of glitter and above are the results. Isn't it pretty!?
To get the glitter to stick to my zipper teeth, I used my Art Glitter Ultra fine tip again.
The tiny bead of glue was perfect for the zipper teeth. You will see as you use this that the glue will drop to the spots in between the teeth after applying. Just sprinkle the glitter onto the teeth and flip the zipper tape over, then sprinkle on again on the underside and allow to dry before sewing and gluing.
I can't wait to use this flower on a vintage sewing box I got at an estate sale last week. It's shaped like an iron. So, what's in your stash? Try pulling something out today and kicking it up a notch with some Art Glitter!

Try it Tuesday: Art Glitter!

I have a new addiction: Art Glitter! Not only do I love their glitter, but I love their glue. Glitter adds that bling factor and lasts forever! You pour out what you like over a glitter tray or a coffee filter and just pour the excess back into the jar! You will think you haven’t used any!
And, if you paper craft, you probably have one or more favorite glues and you are a loyal customer. Their Ultra fine tip is the best!
I love the control I can get with it the tip and the consistency of the glue. I have added a new glue to my go to glues!
Today, I am sharing how to recycle your plastic packaging into embellishments. I like to use my salad boxes and strawberry packaging to create flowers. Love a look for less that's green! Here’s how:

Supplies:
Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Glue and Ultra Fine Tip
Art Glitter in two colors
Salad or Strawberry container plastic
Scissors or Cricut with Deep Cut Blade and Housing or Sizzix or other flower die
Glitter tray or Coffee Filters
Tweezers
1) Remove the top of your salad packaging and recycle the base
2) Remove the sticker from the top carefully, and wash and dry your top
3) Be SURE to remove any left over adhesive glue from the sticker. I use my UNDO adhesive remover if needed.
4) Carefully trip off the lip of your plastic container
5) Cut your flower using a pattern or Cricut machine. I use my SVG Cuts 3 Dimension flower kit: Begonia and my Deep cut blade and housing. Using the Cricut will make your edges less sharp and safe to work with. You may find that your blade does not cut through your plastic completely. Just snip into the cut image to start popping the cut out and punch the rest with just your hands carefully.
6) Shape your petals before adding glitter by bending down petal edges
7) Using the Art Glitter Dries Clear Glue and the fine tip applicator, apply glue to the outside edge of your petals and three lines towards the center. Working over your glitter tray or coffee filter, sprinkle your glitter on the glue. I like to use my darkest color on the outside.
8) Tap excess glitter back into jar.
9) Now apply your glue and second color, LEAVING 1/3 of the inside of the petal and the entire center free of glue and glitter so you can glue the flower together later. Don’t worry about bare spots, you will be layering the flower and adding a center embellishment that will cover bare spots.
10) Tap off excess glitter and place aside to dry.
11) Rinse the fine point tip in water, immediately. I like to close my sink drain, so it is not lost and dry as best you can. Allow inside to dry before storing.
12) Assemble your flower and glue layers together using a low temp hot glue gun or glue dots
13) Embellish flower center with beads, button, or brad. I used some pearl beads.
My first version of the flower is made with the Art Glitter Transparent Glitter, in Juicy Fruit (99), and Berren (213). The colors of glitter are closer in value, and it looks very fairy tale like to me. And my second with the Art Glitter Pearlescent Glitter, in Varsity Blue 185 (dark blue), and Blue Angel 183 (light blue). What glam!
For more ideas on how to use Art Glitter, check out their blog and their Website under Projects for project ideas and instructions. Find their glitter for sale locally at Peddlers Den in Somonauk, IL and The Art Glitter online at their online store HERE.