Garden in a Can

Walking through a chain craft store  one day, I saw a cute little collection of cans that were perfect to sit on the desk or work bench. I figured I could make something cuter and more personalized.

I started with empty Progresso Soup cans. I took off the labels and ran them through the dishwasher — the cans can be sharp and I didn’t want to take the chance of slicing open my hand while washing them.

Then I covered the outside and inside with paper from Graphic 45″s Secret Garden line. I measured the height and then cut strips of paper that high. Then I attached it with Designer Dries Clear Adhesive by Art Glitter. For the inside, I placed the adhesive on the can itself, rolled up the paper and then let it expand into the can. Then I held it in place until the glue set.

 

I added ribbon and twine to each one.

I also used a Lifestyle Crafts die to cut out a circle out of velvet paper for the bottoms. It gives them a finished look and won’t scratch furniture.

Then I added some additional cut outs from the paper ….

Some Piccolo pieces coated with Real Rust and Shamrock Green Embossing Powders …

 

And some Dew Drops from Robin’s Nest. I even made a little tag for this one (I wrote on it with a Sharpie).

Aren’t they adorable?!

 

 

Chicken Butt

I spend hours each week watching my chickens. They make me smile and usually they do something silly enough to make me giggle.

So, for the next challenge for the Mosaic Moments Design Team, I created a page showing off my chickens. I added paper from Authentique, a little ribbon and some hearts from Globecraft & Piccolo, colored with 3D Enamel Gels. I love how the page turned out. (click on it to see a bigger image)

Click here to read the details of how I created it and to cheer me on!

 

Warning: This post may offend

I used to keep a spotless house. I used to wash walls every few months, mop the floor every week, clean the bathroom and dust the house every day. Then, I went to work full time and found myself struggling to be a mom and housekeeper while working. I finally decided life was more important that a clean house and I lowered my standards. Yes, it took some time, but eventually I found myself able to cope with dust on the ceiling fan and spots on the windows.

Even though I no longer have a full-time, outside-the-house job and my children are grown, I still find so many things to do that cleaning my oven is not a priority.

A few weeks ago, a friend posted this on Facebook:

And I knew I had to have it hanging in my house. Of course, I didn’t want my husband to think I should be in heels and a dress everyday, nor did I want a reminder to clean the tub, so I created this:

I started with a 6×6 canvas. Then I used metal stencils (the chicken is from Dreamweaver, the dots are from Lasting Impressions) and Claudine Hellmuth’s Studio Gesso to create the texture. I just laid the stencil where I wanted it and used a puddy knife to spread the gesso and then lifted it off.

I washed my tools immediately (this stuff is permanent if left to dry) and let it dry overnight.

Then, I used Claudine Hellmuth’s Studio paints and water and painted on the colors in my house … browns, blues, yellows …

I used my Non-Stick Craft Sheet as a pallet and didn’t worry about cleaning my brush between colors. I started with the light and then went darker. Sometimes I used a dry brush, sometimes I made the paint into a glaze with lot of water … I heat set the paint between some coats and used a paper towel to wipe off the excess on others. I kept going until I had the look that I wanted …

Then, I decided it needed a little metal, so I added metal corners from Tim Holtz. I wanted them to be a little more aged, so I painted them and then wiped the paint off like this:

The one on the far right hasn’t been wiped off yet …

I glued them in the corners with Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive.

Finally, I used American Crafts Cardstock and a Lifestyle Crafts letter die to create the wording. They, too, were a bit too bold when I was done, so I took my paintbrush and smeared just a hint of paint to the letters as well …

Now everyone knows my philosophy on cleaning!

 

 

 

 

 

 

So Much To Be Thankful For

Sometimes life is tough. It is easy to get caught up in the negativity that surrounds us. So, it is important to keep reminding ourselves what is the most important.

In my life, I am thankful that I have two beautiful children who are happy and healthy and starting their own adult lives.

I am also incredibly thankful for my amazing husband who does everything humanly possible to make me smile — even if it means telling bad jokes or doing silly dances — things he would probably deny if questioned.

To help keep me focused on the positive and important things in life, I created this 8×10 canvas to hang in my home. (click on the photos for a larger view)

I created the background with Glimmer Mists in oranges and yellows.

The paper is Authentique’s new Thankful line.

I used dies from Tim Holtz/Sizzix to cut out the leaves, then added a bit of Distress Ink and molded them with my fingers to be dimensional.

Then, I added a few acorns, cut out from the paper, and topped them with Distress Stickles. They give a soft sparkle without it being in-your-face bling.

The word Thankful is cut out with my Cricut and the smaller words are cut with a Lifestyle Crafts die.

The globe is from Globecraft Memories. I ran the frame through an embossing folder and then coated it with enamel powder. I made the family photo sepia toned to match.

For the final touch, I added a few Piccolos — tiny, laser cut pieces made from compressed chipboard — and coated them with enamel powder. I love the elegance they provide.

 

What are you thankful for?

 

 

 

Jakob’s Seeds

A few years ago, my nephew came home from school with a green bean plant he grew from seed planted in a styrofoam cup. My in-laws helped him transplant the tiny seedling into the garden and watched it grow. At the end of the season, they saved some of the seeds to plant again.

Now, each year, we enjoy fresh green beans from that tiny plant — well, most of us do. My husband hates them, but the rest of us eat them.

So, as the garden is coming to an end this year, my husband harvested some of my nephews seeds and asked me to make a little seed packet for them. Here’s what I created …

I used Cricut’s Garden Soup cartridge to make the seed packet and green bean. The seed packet has cutout in it, so I covered that with acetate so we could see the beans inside.

Then, I cut out a layered bean in the same size to mount over part of it.

I used Mowed Lawn and Walnut Stain Distress Inks to keep it “boyish”.

Finally, I cut out letters with a Lifestyle Crafts font to add to the packet.

Now, my nephew’s beans have a special place to live until we plant them again next year.

 

Merry Christmas Card

It may be the beginning of Autumn, but I’m feeling a lot like Christmas.

I decided this is the perfect time to get started making Christmas cards.

This year, I have a special project I am doing in conjunction with Capture A Memory. I am creating holiday cards using only items the store has in stock. Then, I am putting the cards, a recipe to make them, and all of the products needed to create them in a special section in the store. Think of it as one-stop-card shopping. I think it will be fun for both me and the customers and I am excited to get started.

Naturally, with my brain that easily gets overloaded, I left the new stamps and papers I purchased to make some of the cards at the store last Thursday. Then, my husband offered to go with me to the store on Sunday to pick up the items and run a few errands. We were almost to the store when I realized I didn’t bring my keys and since the store isn’t open on Sunday, I wasn’t getting anything!

So the project is already behind schedule, but I despite all of my issues, I did manage to create one card this weekend …

Supplies: Authentique papers, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Festive Berries Distress Ink, stamp by Stampers Anonymous, die cut by Lifestyle Crafts, Wreath by Globecraft Memories, Mossy Glen Enamel Powder, Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paints, Glastique, and a little gold cord.

Most of the items are available at Capture A Memory in Flint Township. The Globecraft Memories products (Wreath, Mossy Glen, Enamel Powder Adhesive and Glastique) can be purchased through the new link on the right side of my blog. Easy, easy!

If you choose to make your own version of this card, please send me a link or jpeg and I’ll share it with everyone!

Thanks for reading …

 

Non-Stick Craft Sheet Storage

I cannot live without my Non-Stick Craft Sheet. It is a tool I use on almost every project I do, one I require in most of my classes and one I put on the must-have list for new croppers.

The sheet can be used as a palate for paint or a protective surface when working with ink or heat. And, it wipes clean every time.

The only problem is that it is made with glass and if you fold or bend it, it will eventually break down. So, I carry mine in the box it came in, which is fine, but not very attractive.

Another student in a class I took recently had this incredible case for her Non-Stick Craft Sheet. I fell in love with it and she gave me permission to take the idea and run with it. So, I’ve created my own version and plan to teach it as a class.

In this class, we’ll use Graphic 45 paper, bits and pieces from the Ideaology line by Tim Holtz, Piccolo pieces and enamel powder by Globecraft Memories, May Arts ribbon, Grungepaper, dies by Tim Holtz and Lifestyle Crafts, Distress Ink and more.

The class is set for Aug. 30 from 6-7 p.m. at Capture a Memory in Flint Township. Call the store to register … I look forward to helping you create your storage tube.

Welcome Home Banner

My son just finished a two-year tour in Guam with the U.S. Navy. His next tour is attached to the Marine Corps, so he is headed off for training in San Diego and will then be moving to Hawaii.

I am certainly proud of Christopher, but I miss him terribly.

Naturally, when I found out he was coming home for a few weeks, I had to do something special to welcome him home.

I created this banner that says “Welcome Home” to hang in the window and put out a few flags in the flowerbeds. I know the glare is awful, but that is my beautiful son standing under the banner.

I created it with a Lifestyle Crafts die. The set cuts both the outer pennant and the inside for a perfect mat.

I used papers from My Mind’s Eye American Made collection, and added cardstock from American Crafts for the mats and letters. The embellishments are also from My Mind’s Eye (leftover from another project I made). The letters are Street Sign, cut on my Cricut.

Mounting the banner is easy … I used a bit of baker’s twine. The dies create these tabs, you just put adhesive on them and fold them over the string and it is done.

The project is quick and easy, but it provides a large “punch”.

Since then, we have had a BBQ and fireworks, gone on a boat ride around the lake, visited Cabela’s and endured several days without power. Welcome home, Christopher!

A One-Paper Card

I love layering patterned paper in both my layouts and cards. However, creating a card with lots of layers can get quite pricey. In this card, for example, I used seven different patterned papers, plus a blank card. If I was to buy those to make just this one card, it would cost me about $8 — before I added the pearls, Distress Stickles and roses.

But, when KaiserCraft makes a single sheet of double-sided paper with multiple patterns on it, I can buy one sheet of paper for about $1 and create this beautiful card! Even better, I have four squares left to make another. Pretty cost-effective, don’t you think!?

SUPPLIES:

Paper, flowers, pearls: KaiserCraft

Card Base: Michael’s

Distress Ink, Distress Stickles: Ranger/Tim Holtz

Die cut: QuicKutz

Pop Dots: EK Success

A Home for the Fairies

When I saw this little wooden birdhouse at a big box craft store, I knew I had to have it. I immediately thought of how cute the little fence would be covered in white crackle paint and how adorable the roofs would be if they were embossed metal.

So, I bought the house and set to work covering it with paper, stickers and flowers  from the Paradise line by Little Yellow Bicycle. I love their little flower kits — they come with a variety of flowers, scored paper to make some, leaves, centers and more. I used one as a medallion on the front and several on the back …

But, I also used some of the pre-scored pieces as gingerbread trim along the roofs’ edges.

For the roofs themselves, I used three different techniques — all with Tim Holtz/Sizzix embossing folders and adhesive-backed metal sheets from QuicKutz (Lifestyle Crafts).

The one to the left in the photo above is simply embossed and adhered.

The one at the top is embossed and then treated with alcohol ink.

The colorful one uses a technique my friend Linda showed me, with gesso and alcohol inks. You can watch it yourself, here. It’s very cool!

Anyhow, once my fairy house was complete, I covered it (except for the tin roofs) with Ranger’s Glue n’ Seal, which creates a waterproof seal.

Then, I tucked it in my fairy garden …

I’m not sure how the sealant will hold up in the weather, but I figured it would be worth it just to enjoy it for as long as it lasts. It looks so cute tucked in there, doesn’t it?!