Stars and Stripes Forever

I thought we should be a bit patriotic today, so I brought back this classic page from 2014 … This one was cut by hand, but you could do the same thing with the dies …
By the way, this is still one of my favorite pages of all time and it still lives in my sample book!

 

 

I captured the moments from our Fourth of July celebration on this Mosaic Moments layout.

Hop over to Journella to see how I created it and cheer me on!

Adding Ovals to the Grid

This is my cousin and her family … They live in Ohio, so I don’t get to see them often, but she posts lots of pictures on Facebook and I steal them all.

I’ve “adopted” her and her kids (a baby boy is due in April) to serve as my daughter and grandchildren. This way, I can enjoy the benefits of being a “grandmother” now, since my real grandkids are a long way away. It works for her because it gives her another person to rely on and one more person to spoil her kids, in addition to her mom and her incredible aunt. And it works for my kids because these ones keep me busy enough that I don’t hound my own asking them when they will finally give me a baby! lol

Anyhow, these are pictures she took during Thanksgiving. I paired them with the Oval Frame Set, Mist Grid Paper and Page Pattern #257. I used paper and stickers from Simple Stories to complete the look.

Click here to watch the video and see how easy it is!

DIY Film Strips

Filmstrips, vintage cameras and anything related to photography are all the rage in crafting these days. And, it is a trend I love. So, I was thrilled when Mosaic Moments brought out this Filmstrip Die. One die cuts out the film strip and whatever paper or photos you wish to put inside the strip.

I created this page after taking my new camera to Chesaning and photographing the city at night. They do amazing holiday window displays! Sort of like a mini Macy’s. The embellishments and accent papers are from Close to My Heart.

I created a video to show you how easy it is to use this new die … click here to watch it.

This post is sponsored by Mosaic Moments.

It’s been a while …

It has been more than two weeks since my last post … I cannot believe how time has flown.

Although my blog may disagree, I have not been ignoring my job. Rather, I have been working day and night — or so it feels — creating things to sell.

I have been making garden fancies, altered cans and altered spoons for craft shows. This was a quick snap shot before packing them up last weekend.

And, I have been working on page kits …

I still have lots to do and more to make … fingers crossed I’ll be participating in a large craft show next month.

I’ve also been doing a bit of number crunching and soul searching … I’m changing things up a bit with my retail business. To make room for new stock, I’ll be doing grab bags during the crop this weekend at Holy Family in Grand Blanc. Stop by for some GREAT deals!!

And, I promise to get back to tutorials and ideas ASAP!

Christmas in July

I am loving the new dies from Elizabeth Craft Designs. I have been making plenty of cards to send to the company for samples, as well as for my friends and family. But, my first love is still scrapbooking.

Since the new dies are large enough to make beautiful accents on scrapbook pages, I decided to create a layout of last Christmas. With my children grown and no grandchildren in my future, Christmas is a pretty low-key event these days. So, I opted to just showcase a few highlights of the day.

 

The paper, letter stickers and word stickers are from Webster’s Pages.

I used several dies from Elizabeth Craft Designs, including the Candle, Holly Flourish, Holly Leaves & Berries, Ornaments and Stockings.

I added Glitter Dots and a little ink to bring out the shapes.

These dies will be available at the end of July. You can order them from Elizabeth Craft Designs, here,check with your local scrapbook store, or contact me to get these amazing new dies.

 

Searching for Spring

This winter has been cold and snowy and really, really long … I am not sure spring will ever come.

But that did not stop me from completing my Mosaic Moments assignment … a spring scavenger hunt.

I used lots of dies, a little glitter and Shimmer Sheetz to make the page springy.

For details, close up photos and more, click here … 

While you are there, cheer me on or leave a comment!

Create a Holiday Snowglobe

Last year, I created a snowglobe out of a mason jar. I loved it, but I cannot find it anywhere!

So, I decided to create a new-and-improved one. I had intended to offer it as a class, but there is a lot of dry time and unless we sit in class all day, it just isn’t going to work.

I do have one kit available for $20 if you are interested. Just send me an e-mail and let me know what color tree you would like. You will need Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive, Washi Tape and silicone to complete the project.

If you prefer to find the products yourself, here are the directions for creating this snowglobe …

1. Combine 2-3 drops of Distress Reinker into a Mini Mister and fill with water. Shake and spritz on tree until desired color is reached. Let dry.
2. When tree is completely dry, apply Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive to the edges of the branches. Roll in Art Glitter Glitz (a combination of glitter, beads and Vintage Glass Shards). Let dry.
3. Apply large glob of silicone to the bottom of the inside of the jar and press the base of the tree into it. Let dry overnight.
4. Clean mason jar with glass cleaner.
5. Cut out reindeer from Tim Holtz die. Run through Xyron and attach to jar.
6. Add fake snow to inside of jar.
7. Cut out circle to cover the top of the jar lid. Adhere.
8. Cut out Snowflake Rosette with Tim Holtz die. Apply Washi tape to the back side and fold. Use DDCA to glue ends together. Hold until dry. Flip and adhere to 1” circle with Craft Glue Dots. Repeat for second rosette. Glue together and add snowflake punches to top. Adhere to jar lid.
9. Assemble lid and wrap Washi Tape around the ring of the jar.
10. Tie tinsel to the top.

Enjoy!

 

 

Breaking News!!

I have great news to share!

You may have heard that I will soon be teaching in Millington, MI (east of Birch Run).

I will also begin teaching out of my home! These classes will be small, but I will try to help you with new techniques, make projects and more.

My first class will be Copic 101. In this class you will learn what these special markers are, how to use them, how to keep them cost-effective and much, much more. This class is just $20 and is set for Saturday, June 22 at 10 a.m. You must register for this class by e-mailing me at candyspiegel@yahoo.com.

I am also offering to teach at your house, church, business, etc. Wherever you can gather a few of your friends, I can come and teach. I can even work up unique projects just for you.

Until we meet again, here is one of my recent layouts.

Last year, my nephew was obsessed with fireworks. He kept smelling them and telling us how much he love the smell. He was so excited to send them off, I had to showcase the emotions of the day.

This layout features the new line by Authentique and corrugated cardstock by Fancy Pants.

I used cutouts from one of the sheets of paper as embellishments. I distressed them with the Tonic/Tim Holtz Distress Tool and Distress Ink and added staples with the Tiny Attacher.

 

Winter Fun

When I saw the new winter line by Bo Bunny, “Powder Mountain,” I fell in love — not an uncommon occurence with Bo Bunny, but this one really touched me. I love the colors … blues and browns … and I love the variety of options available in a single line … snowmen, birds, trees, skiing, snowflakes … all wrapped up in one coordinating package. The pages are a mix of all-over patterns, journaling and title blocks, and ones with border art (like the one above) that require very little embellishing.

So, when it came into my local store, I naturally bought one of each … and two or three or four of some!

Here are a few of the pages I created … the ribbon is from May Arts. The rest are Bo Bunny products.

I still need to add a title and journaling to this one …

 

On a side note, I apologize for how dark my photos are. One of my lights broke. Hopefully Santa will bring me a new set!

 

Under the Mistletoe

Well, not really UNDER the Mistletoe, but that was the first thing I thought of when I heard Bo Bunny’s new Christmas line was named Mistletoe.

Before you start thinking of kissing or anything romantic, let me tell you that this new line from Bo Bunny is young, childish, whimsical and fun in traditional Christmas colors and a beautiful light blue.

Here’s one sample page I made for Capture-A-Memory:

 

This is the last portrait of my family before my son left for bootcamp in the U.S. Navy. I added a bit of black cardstock, some ribbon and a few Maya Road pins. The flowers were cut out of Bo Bunny paper using the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Tattered Flowers die.

This one features a much older photo … for a $5 donation to a pet-rescue organization, we got this Polaroid of my children and my cat with Santa. Cute, huh? The Bo Bunny paper made this layout so easy. Everything — title, patterned paper, tree, “stamping” is all part of one sheet of paper. I used some others to make a photo mat, added a bit of ribbon and cut the journaling block (cut from another sheet of paper) and it’s done. It took all of about 5 minutes, yet looks like I spent hours. Thank you, Bo Bunny!

With a piece of leftover Bo Bunny paper, I made this quick little card. It uses two stamps from Stamps by Judith, Copic Markers and a bit of Stickles for some sparkle and shine. The base of the snow globe is colored in Y28 and then AtYou Spica pen in gold. It is the closest look to actual metal I have been able to achieve with Copic markers.