True To Life Photo Cube

I like unique ways of displaying my pictures.  My scrapbooks are for when you have the time to go through and give attention to the story being told.   Not all of my guests have the time (or desire) to spend with and get lost in my scrapbooks.   Some of them just want to casually skim over the pictures as they pass by, or steal a quick peek when they are perched on the couch.

So, I made a photo cube!  This way I can smile every time I see it because I will recall the memories of those trips, and other people can laugh and say to themselves "Wow, what a weird looking family."

I used one sheet of Kraft paper to score and cut a pattern to make a 3x3 block.  The Artiste cartridge has a cut for this (page 45), but I just get in the habit of sketching things and doing it myself.  Although the Cricut would make it easier now that I'm thinking this through...

I used some jubilee paper scraps from last year and coordinating cardstock and inks because they were just so summery and blended well with the kraft paper.

This cube holds 4 pictures.  Each picture is popped with a fun sentiment from various stamp sets in my collection. Some sets are retired but I just can't get rid of them because they are perfect for big statements in little spaces.

I've said it before...when you find a stamp set you really like...you better get it because you never know when it will be retired.

My husband is always about "the adventure", so I thought it was perfectly fitting to use this sentiment on the top of the block.  Every day I wake up, I'm thankful for my happy, fun, never-ending chore filled adventure.

Stamps:  True to Life, Hello Blooms, Washi Wonder, It's Your Day.

Inks:  Honey, Cranberry, Indian Corn Blue, Black

Paper:  Kraft, Jubilee, Honey, Cranberry, Indian Corn Blue, Sweet Leaf

Thanks for looking!

  

View the 2014-15 Inspirations Book and NEW Seasonal Expressions online 

and when you are ready, please order HERE then click "Kathy's Online Gathering".  

After you order, place a comment or send me an email and I will send you a FREE gift!

2014-15 Annual Inspirations

NEW Seasonal Expressions 2

Two jars, Six holidays, Twelve wraps!

We recently wrapped up a two-part workshop creating a total of 12 wraps for some glass canisters where the idea is that they can stay out all year long and all you have to do is interchange the wraps according to the time of year.  I know...brilliant! 

Everyone received 2 jars.  We used the Cricut to create a stencil out of vinyl for the jars and then used glass etching cream on them.  Each set of jars read "Sweets" and "Treats".  Then we designed 2 wraps each for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  After the first of the year, we got together for part 2, and created wraps for Valentines day, Easter, and 4th of July.

This was not my Mom's favorite project.  She reminds me of that quite often.  I, on the other hand love love loved it!

As always, it's super exciting to see how each person changes the projects to accommodate their tastes, and sometimes I find myself thinking "Darn...why didn't I think of that!"  I just love all the creative people I am surrounded with every month when we get together to create!

We needed 15" to reach around the canisters, so I just added a 3 1/4" section to the 12" length, and it worked perfectly.  After it was all put together, we used Velcro type fasteners to attach them in the back.  When using the ribbon, we found that the Velcro didn't adhere very well, so we ended up Stapling it to the ribbon and now those suckers stay on the jar until you take them off!!

The Halloween jar wraps used images from the CTMH Artbooking cartridge.  You cant see the spider hanging over the web very well in the picture, but I have it attached by a piece of clear acetate backing leftover from the bitty sparkles embellishments packaging (I know...brilliant...again!).   "Waste Nothing"...isn't that the crafters motto?  The spider sort of bounces and vibrates a little every time the jar is moved.  It's a little freaky.

We only needed 2 pieces of self adhesive Velcro for each jar.  Worked very well.  After the wrap was designed, the Velcro was the last thing to apply.  We applied half of the Velcro (the fuzzy side) first, and left the rough side attached.  Then we pulled the adhesive backing off the rough side, wrapped the wrap around the jar, and pressed the edge of the wrap on top of the exposed Velcro, making sure the wrap was aligned when the ends met. 

I only have one of the Fall/Thanksgiving wraps to show here...someone mistakenly walked off with my wrap and left me theirs which was all messed up.  (I HAVE to believe it was a mistake...'cause who would do that...right?)  The one that they left me was not meeting my attention to detail standards at all.  Oh wait...it was my son...That little sneak!  And he took it to his teacher, so that was the end of that! 

I had such fun creating the Christmas wraps.  I think they were the easiest to design and put together.  But then again...everything with Christmas is fun!

The Valentines wraps however were a different story.  I had such a hard time coming up with designs for that one.  I don't know why.  So let's move on...

Easter was such a hoot with the bunny head in the front, and the bunny "buns" in the back.  I think that one was everyone's favorite.

I can't wait for the 4th of July to wrap my wraps.  These turned out so well, I might just consider putting them on in June so I can look at them for a whole extra month!  With a house full of boys, I can kind of do what I want with the decorations.  I think the only reason they notice these jar wraps is because they are wrapped around jars FULL OF CANDY!  Hey...I know how to get their attention.

 
To decorate the top of the jars, I'm looking for that "just perfect" knob, or drawer pull to sit on top and finish it off.  I have one of those super powerful neodymium magnets under the lid, and it will hold the knob very tightly to the lid.   So that too can be interchanged with the holidays.  This gift just keeps on giving!

This project was so popular, we had people asking for extra kits and custom etching stencils to give  as Christmas gifts.  Some hid gift cards inside, some stuffed them with things individual to the recipient.   Again...surrounded by uber creative peeps and I love it!

Thanks for visiting!

3 layouts from 1 Paper Packet

Scrapbookretreat

So recently we learn of this thing where people go away for the weekend with no kids, no cooking, and all they do is crafting.  It was ah-mazing!  I only have one question: “Where have you been all my life?!”

This retreat was in Flagstaff, AZ, and was just full of friendly, talented, wonderful ladies that have been doing this for several years.  How come I never knew about this?  I'm telling you...this was the most FUN, RELAXING, and REWARDING weekend I've had in a looooong time.  (sorry honey - it totally beats out baseball practice and housekeeping in 100+ degree weather!)   Oh yah...I took that picture from the front door of the cabins craft room.  Say it with me:  "aaaahhhhhh"!

Among other craftabulous things, I made 3 separate layouts using the new paper pack BRUSHED.  I was amazed at how many layouts I could get out of one paper packet!  I spent $9.95 on the paper packet, and had tons of scraps leftover (which I will be making cards and other little Cricut goodies later!)  I did add a few pieces of pear and pixie from my scrap pile from another project because I wanted different colors...but there certainly was MORE than enough paper to use from this paper packet in it's place if I wanted to.

Layout#1

Layout #1 uses:
  Paper:  Brushed paper packet X7190C
  Inks:  Whisper Z2172 and Pixie Z2644 - both for shading with the daubers
  Cricut images:  Artbooking - Cherish (pg 46), and flowers (pg 48)
  3-D Foam tape
  Paper piercing tool for folding the flower petals.

 Layout#2

Layout #2 uses:
  Paper:  Brushed paper packet X7190C
  Stamps:  Your own Kind of Wonderful D1627
  Inks:  Whisper Z2172 for shading with daubers and WARM GREY7 ShinHan marker Z2468 for
             inside the flowers.
  Cricut Images:  Art Philosophy - Frame (pg 26), Flowers (pg 50), and leaves (pg 43)
  Clear Sparkles assortment Z1752
  Scallop Border Punch Z1851

Layout#3

Layout #3 uses:
  Paper:  Brushed paper packet X7190C
  Stamps:  Marquee Uppercase E1029, and Your own Kind of Wonderful D1627
  Inks:  Archival Black 44751, and ShinHan markers Tender Pink Z2464 and Golden Yellow Z2452
  Cricut Images:  Artiste - Bows (pg 55)
  Clear Sparkles assortment Z1752

Yes.  I used a few different products.  But that's because I have them in my craft arsenal.  (Hey!  don't judge...I've been collecting for a looooong time!)   If you want to recreate all 3 of these layouts and are trying to do it on the cheap or are just starting out, here's what you can't do without:

  Paper:  Brushed paper packet X7190C              $  9.95
  Stamps: Your own Kind of Wonderful D1627    $17.95
  Inks:  Whisper Z2172                                             $  5.95
  Clear Sparkles assortment Z1752                      $  2.95
            
I'll do the math for you...it's only $37.00!  Here's the benefits to these specific items:

• You will have a lot of paper scraps of substantial size leftover (gift tags, bag toppers, endless scrapbooking embellishments, cards, teacher gifts, dress up some jars or candlesticks, etc.)

• The stamp set is versatile for other projects like cards, home dec. items, and scrapbooking

• The ink will last you forever (not really, but close!)and is versatile for use on almost all  projects because it's a shade of black

• The clear sparkles include 108 pieces...so yah...those babies will go far!

Make any purchase over $25 through my website and I'll send you a thank you gift!  (make sure your mailing address and email are entered correctly when you place your order.)  

So what are you waiting for?  Get crafting!

Gift Box filled with cards

Augustworkshop

School is back in session here in Arizona...translation:  It’s time to get crafty!  We hit the ground running this month with a full house on both days – 22 beautiful ladies came over to create a gift box filled with cards.  I love love love hosting workshops because of the people I meet.  I met some super funny women this weekend – shout out to “the rebels” Dawn, Susan, and Kay!

We used retired papers, Laughing Lola, combined with some new stamps like A Quick Hello and Have a Happy Day.  Although laughing Lola paper is retired now, we had several requests to use it so we fell to the masses.  I guess when a paper packet you really like comes around…you buy a few sets of it!  Lesson learned.

The gift box can be cut using the Artiste cartridge, however I was not anywhere near my Cricut so I cut them by hand.  The lid and flowers were cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Loving these new "M" sized stamps by the way...only $2.95!

 

This sassy card uses the Paisley Perfect stamp set. 

The front of this card uses the Chevron embossing folder, which matches perfectly with the new  Have a Happy Day stamp on the inside of the card. 

 

Workshops are held the fourth Saturday and following Monday every month.  Contact us to reserve a spot in September.  Spaces fill up fast!