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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!

Published in Cricut Magazine

One of my cards was published in Cricut Magazine’s March issue.

This was a really big deal for me because I have submitted many projects to many magazines many times over and this was the first that said, “yes.”

It’s funny because I don’t really consider myself a great cardmaker, but there it is in living color.

This card is made with papers from My Mind’s Eye, a stamp from Tim Holtz and Dickie, the name my friends and I gave this adorable bird in the 3 Birds on Parade cartridge by Cricut. I like how easy the die cuts are to layer when cut with the Cricut. It gives the die some dimension. For additional dimension, I covered him in Diamond Glaze by JudiKins. It gives him the look of an epoxy sticker and makes him really stand out.

Birthday in a Tube

My daughter Korie turned 19 the other day.

With our current situation, a large birthday celebration was not an option. Even though the day was low-key and her gift small, I still wanted it to be a special day for her. After all, it is the day that celebrates her entry into the world — a day I anticipated for over a year.

So, I decided to get a little creative and this is what I came up with:

I started with a clear tube and rolled bills in all different directions and placed them inside.

Then, I used my Art Philosophy Cricut Cartride and Stamp Set from Close to My Heart to make the cupcake. I used Distress Ink and Distress Stickles to “spice” it up a bit.

Finally, I added a bit of twine from My Mind’s Eye and an eyelet and tied it to the bottle. Simple, but much better than handing someone a wad of cash, don’t you think?

And here’s my beautiful daughter on her 19th birthday:

Sparkly Valentines

Everybody loves to receive valentines.

The best ones have a little sparkle and come with a little treat.

I created this one to be simple enough that you could easily make enough for an entire class (or let the kids make them) — but interactive enough to make it stand out.

I started with a little white bag that I’ve been carrying around for years. I don’t remember where I got it from originally.

I added a piece of Bo Bunny paper to the front and then used my Big Shot to cut out a heart and foldable strip from QuicKutz/Lifestyle Crafts.

I used Close To My Heart alphabet stamps to stamp the sentiment on the inside and another stamp from CTMH to stamp the Happy. (It was part of a Happy Birthday stamp, but I only inked the happy portion).

For the heart, I spread a bit of Designer Dries Clear Adhesive with my finger and then covered it in Pink Azalea Ultrafine Transparent Glitter 147. When dry, I adhered it to the front of the folded strip. Then, using Designer Dries Clear Adhesive again, I attached the strip and the string (from My Mind’s Eye) to the bag. Tying the string into a small bow keeps the strip closed and invites people to untie it and read the sentiment inside.

I tucked three Smarties into the bag, but you could put in a sucker, a few Hershey’s Kisses, or any wrapped candy.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

A Traveling Tray

In the digital age in which we live, words, books and the entire printing process seem to be going away. For someone who has spent the majority of her life hanging out in bookstores and libraries and working  for a newspaper, the change is sad. While I appreciate the ability to carry dozens of books on my Nook and love the speed of e-mail and the convenience of text messaging, I am still nostalgic for the smell of ink, the feel of the pages in a brand-new book and the excitement that comes from finding a card in the mailbox. Yes, I am that crazy girl who rather look up a book in a digital database, but dreams of owning her own card-catalog cabinet. And, while I would never trade a computer to go back to the old days of setting type, I would give just about anything to own a wooden cabinet that once held the letters.

So, when Tim Holtz came out with a printer’s tray as part of his Configurations line through Ideaology, I knew I had to buy it — even though I had absolutely no idea what I was going to make with it. It sat in my craft room for a few months while I thought of the possibilities.

Then, Matt & I took a vacation in Manistee, along Michigan’s west coast, and had such a wonderful time that I knew it was worthy of recording in the tray. Here’s what I came up with …

You can click on the photo for a larger view.

I used quite a few techniques and wanted to share a few with you …

I started by painting the outside of the tray, along with the insides of the boxes I planned to put photos in, with an Adirondack Paint Dabber. Then, I created some glazes with Perfect Pearls and went over the outside with them. The end result looks kind of like wood and has a soft, silky feel.

Next, I covered the edges of each of the interior boxes with Tissue Tape. It was too light/bright for my project, so I covered it in Walnut Distress Ink to tone it down a bit.

Then I glued each of the boxes into the tray with Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear adhesive and added metal photo corners, also from Tim Holtz. At that point, I was ready to decorate.

I cut photos to size and placed them in many of the boxes. I used paper from Simple Stories to accent a few of the boxes. The brads and embellishments are, for the most part, from Tim Holtz. The metal flower is from Graphic 45 and the decorative brad shown here is from Bo Bunny. I also added a few rocks and the saying in the top photo was cut from a travel magazine.

In this box, I filled one of Tim’s tiny jars with sand taken from the beach. I added a label from 7 Gypsies, fiber from We R Memory Keepers and a tiny lock and key from My Mind’s Eye.

The Frankfort sign was cut from a photo.

I created another jar for this square. The compass was stamped, embossed and cut out. I added a brad and game spinner and attached it to the box. The tag is also from Tim Holtz — I cut the die on my Sizzix Big Shot and then stamped the image, distressed it and added it to the box.

The tiny sign at the bottom was cut out from a travel magazine. I then used Glossy Accents to attach it to a clear fragment charm and glued it on the bottom so it stands out from the photo.

I used the same technique to make the charm in this photo.

The No. 2 is Grungeboard that I colored with Distress Ink and then covered with Diamond Glaze.

The book plate is another of Tim’s brilliant creations. The stamp is from his ticket set and the paper is cut with the tag die. They were designed to work together, but also to fit in the metal book plates! Cool, eh.

I used the same stamps and the ticket die to make the title … then I cut out the letters using a QuicKutz/Lifestyle Crafts die set.

The flowers are from Prima. I so love these!

And, although you can’t see them too well, the word Escape is made from Tim’s letter and blocks Grungeboard set. I colored the letters with Distress Ink and painted the block with Adirondack paint. When dry, I glued the letters to the blocks and then covered them with Diamond Glaze. I love the way they flow together!

When I finished, my husband decided it said Escape 2 West Michigan. It really didn’t … I had separate squares for escape (as in relax), Just the 2 of us, and the destination, but, from a distance, it does say “Escape 2 West Michigan.” Sometimes I think my fingers know more than my brain!

 

 

 

 

 

And the Eagle will Fly

I’ve been doing a lot of cards lately … mostly because I have been having fun coloring with Copics!

But, I thought it was time to share some of the scrapbook pages I have been making lately.

This one features a photo that my husband took on one our trips to the Detroit Zoo. I wanted to highlight what the eagle symbolizes — America, freedom, the stars and stripes, etc.

Here’s what I came up with …

The papers are from Tim Holtz (they’re the back sides). I love them because they are solids, but with the built-in distressing, they have depth and are not boring. I edged each piece with Distress Ink and layered them. The Betsy Ross image is cut out from another sheet of paper.

Next, I added a strip of ribbon from Maya Road and attached it with a few Craft Glue Dots. I’m not sure who made the lace ribbon, but I inked it with Distress Ink to match and then attached it with the Tiny Attacher.

Then, I added a few cardstock stickers (also from Tim Holtz).

The stars are from Close To My Heart — they are corrugated kraft paper and were just released a few days ago. I painted them, unevenly, with Distress Crackle Paint. When that dried, I brushed the tops with a bit of Distress Ink. Then, I added a bit of gold Paint Dabber in spots and, finally, edged them in Black Soot Distress Ink. I love the effect. You can click on the photos for a closer look.

I wanted the page to reflect some of the hardworking, blue-collar labor that has made this country what it is today. So, I added some brads, washers and a game spinner from Ideaology and a couple of star charms from My Mind’s Eye. Then, I added some staples, using the Tiny Attacher, as additional accents.

What do you think?

Altering a Notebook

I found this little notebook in my scrapbooking room. It’s cute, but it’s not really my style. So, I decided to alter it to my own tastes.

This is what I came up with …

Not wanting to mess with the spiral binding, I decided to leave a bit of the original cover and incorporate it in my design.

I started by applying paper that didn’t quite go to the edge of the notebook. I used papers by My Mind’s Eye and a bit of Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

Then, I added the flock paper, also by My Mind’s Eye, this time going all the way to edge on the right side, but off center on the left. I used Glue Lines to attach the papers since I wanted the adhesive to be near the edges.

Then, I added the blue ribbon (My Mind’s Eye) with a few more Glue Lines.

Next I added the flower. It is from Prima, but it was white. I sprayed it with Adirondack Color Wash and then, when dry, added a bit of Gold Adirondack Paint Dabber to the tips of the petals. I attached it with a Craft Glue Dot.

Next, I attached the gems (also from Prima).

The frame is from Tim Holtz, as is the stamped saying. I selected pink cardstock to help tie in the background color and stamped with Ranger Archival Ink. I used a Craft Glue Dot to hold the cardstock in place. The frame is attached with brads.

Then, I wrapped a sheer ribbon (from May Arts) around the inside of the cover and tied it on the front. I used a Craft Glue Dot discretely hidden under the knot to hold it in place. Be careful not to pull too tight or you will bend the cover. And, don’t leave it too loose or it will shift around.

As a final touch, I added a tassel, pin and button onto the knot. All three are from Tim Holtz. For the button, I cut off the shank and used a couple of Craft Glue Dots to hold it in place.

Now the notebook is covered in flocked paper and trimmed in a bit of bling, metal and elegance. What do you think?

I’m back!

Wow! I can’t believe how time flies when you’re having fun. It’s been forever since I posted anything. I’ve been crafting, planning classes, preparing for my daughter’s graduation and open house and, finally, going on a much needed vacation.

So, now I’m back with all sorts of things to share.

For starters, I want to share my latest page — featuring my husband and me at the Sleeping Bear Dunes along the shore of Lake Michigan.

I created this page for Glue Dots, which I love since they are strong enough to hold metal embellishments.

The papers are all from We R Memory Keepers. I cut the ones in the middle to 8×8. Then I inked the edges of each paper with Walnut Distress Ink. For the background paper, I folded the corner and used a Craft Glue Dot to secure.

For the smaller papers, I used a distress tool to add a bit of texture and added a few tears here and there. Then, I layered them and used Ultra Thin Glue Dots to hold them in place.

I cut a piece of white card stock to serve as my photo mat and then inked it with Distress Ink and attached my photo and then attached it to the page.

Next, I added twine from My Mind’s Eye. I wrapped it around the back of the page, secured it with a Glue Dot and then cut out a small piece of leftover paper and layered it over the top.

For the title charm, I attached a clear charm by Tim Holtz to one of my photos of the dunes with Glossy Accents. This takes a long time to dry — I let mine dry over night. Then, I trimmed the charm, added a bit of twine and attached it to my page with Craft Glue Dots. Finally, I used the Zig Photo Writer Pen to write the title on top.

For the final touches, I used metal flowers by 7 Gypsies. The one at the bottom features a button from Tim Holtz, which is attached with Craft Glue Dots to the flower and then I used Craft Glue Dots to adhere the flower to the page. The top one is adhered with a brad from Bo Bunny. The little coin is also from Tim Holtz and is also attached with a brad.

I like how the page turned out … simple, rustic and relaxed — just like my trip!

Happy Father’s Day

For Father’s Day, I wanted to do something a little different. So, like I do with many of my projects, I combined products from several different companies to come up with a unique Father’s Day “Card.”

I started with the Lifestyle Crafts Folder with Insert die. I used Real Wood Paper by Creative Imaginations to keep it masculine. I folded on the scored lines and added a bit of Distress Ink to the edges. Then, I used Memory Book Glue Dots to adhere the pieces together, making a little folder with pockets. Memory Book Glue Dots are perfect for this project because they are so thin, you don’t even notice they are there.

Next, I stamped the image (Crafty Secrets) on Cryogen paper, using Memento Ink and colored it with Copic Markers. I used Memory Book Glue Dots to adhere it to a piece of cardstock and then to adhere that to the cover.

I added Robin’s Nest Dew Drops with Micro Glue Dots. They fit perfectly and hold great.

Inside, I handcut a cardstock liner to serve as the background and added a cardstock label (part of the die set). Then, I tied some May Arts string to the charm (My Mind’s Eye) and adhered it to the label with Craft Glue Dots.

Then, I added a few pages (again, part of the die set) where messages and photos can be added. They can be tucked into the folders.

Finally, I adhered a photo to the folder with Memory Glue Dots.

I love the way it turned out!

Summer Party

Who says a backyard BBQ can’t be a fun and elegant event?

Glue Dots asked me to create summer party decorations and while that idea was bouncing around in my head, I found this paper by My Mind’s Eye. The rest, shall we say, was serendipity. I love the juxtaposition between formal and playful created in this table setting.

I have directions for each piece, so you might want to grab a cup of coffee before reading …

First is the place mat. I used one sheet of 12×12 paper for the middle. Then, I cut 2 4×12 strips for each side.

I applied Continuous Line Glue Dots to the front of blue pattern so 1 inch of the paper ended up behind the middle piece for stability. The final size is 18×12.

Finally, I used Memory Book Glue Dots to attach strips of paper and cut outs from My Mind’s Eye to the front. Simple and cute!

Candy’s Tip: When working with punch out die cuts, use a sanding block (I love the one by Tim Holtz) to take off the little paper nubbies where the die cut was attached to sheet of paper.

For the place card, I used a leftover piece of paper, folded and scored. I then used one of the labels from the die cut sheet by My Mind’s Eye, attached with Memory Book Glue Dots, along with a portion of the die cut border, attached with Mini Glue Dots, and a star attached with a Pop Glue Dot for extra dimension.

For the napkin ring, I tied raffia around the napkin. Then, I punched out one of the die cuts from My Mind’s Eye. I added a brad to the center and then attached it to the raffia with a Craft Glue Dot.

The jar is my favorite part of the collection. It started life as a mini milk jar filled with Prima flowers. I cut a strip of paper that would fit the jar, applied Glue Lines to one edge of the paper and then carefully wrapped it around the jar, securing with more Glue Lines at the end. I used the same technique to add the red star border.

For the decorative edge, I attached Mini Glue Dots at each of the red dots and then wrapped it around the jar. I added a few stars from the cut-out sheet as well.

Finally, I took another cut out, added a few brads and attached with Craft Glue Dots.

I filled the jar with some decorative rocks left over from another project.

And now, the pinwheels.

I wanted them to be able to spin in the breeze, so after a bit of online research and trial and error, this is what I came up with …

Start with a square of double-sided paper. I made mine with two different size squares.

Then cut a diagonal line from each corner almost to the center. Put a Craft Glue Dot on every other corner and then attach it to the middle, but don’t crease it. You want it to be rolled rather than folded so it catches the wind.

Then, put an eyelet in the center of each one.

Next, I used a QuicKutz (Lifestyle Crafts) die cut to cut out two stars for each pinwheel. I poked a hole in one and threaded a bit of wire through it. Then, I folded it 90 degrees and added Craft Glue Dots, topping it with another star to make a sandwich.

Next, I poked a hole in a straw. Then, I picked up my star/wire sandwich and put a bead under the star, then the pinwheel, then another bead (or two if you have a larger pinwheel) and then stuck the wire through the straw. Finally, I wrapped the remaining wire around the straw and they are ready for a breeze!

This post was created while serving on the Glue Dots Design Team.