Package Tree

Sorry to be MIA. So many things I'd like to post are gifts and I really like to keep those a secret before giving them away. But...here's a quick project, inspired by this cake stand tree I found on Pinterest. (If you haven't discovered it yet, it is addictive inspiration for all sorts of ideas, projects, photos and recipes...and so much more! Leave your email if you need an invite.)

I needed a centerpiece for our family get together. Somehow I'm always intimidated by centerpieces. I'm not gifted with flowers and I never want to spend money on them. So...here's my inexpensive, Pinterest inspired centerpiece.

I used scrapbook paper so I could get a good monochromatic look. I stacked two little boxes for the trunk and attached the trunk to the tree with glue dots.

A "Latte" Possibilities

My Scrap Chick has Friday Freebies. (Hint: Sign up for the newsletter!) This latte cup was one of them. After they've been a freebie, they are sold for a dollar. I made this hybrid card for Thank You's after my birthday. I found the cup ring as a freebie too, from deviantart. There are so many possibilities for other "latte" cards. Thinking of You a Latte...A Whole Latte Love...Happy Birthday a Bit Latte... etc...I think I'll continue to have fun with this!

Chandelier Addition

Ever since I put the new funky hutch in the craft room, I've wanted to add a chandelier. I found this votive holder at a garage sale for fifty cents. The welding had come apart on one side where the ring holds the glass part and it was missing 25% of it's beads. So my daughter and I headed down to Michael's to choose beads. She talked me into using pink ones.

Here's the before...

 Here's after...

Nativity Project

I've been trying to get some of my projects done for Christmas. I purchased the three Nativity sets from My Scrap Chick with this particular craft in mind. It took me a few days of planning, since this set didn't have registration marks to help with sizing. I spent a couple of weekends cutting and chalking and finally getting it assembled. I'm happy with how it turned out, but have to admit it was a LOT of work. Not sure I'll make more at this point.

Lots of Mini Brads were used for the eyes. I highlighted them with a white gel pen. I also used a ton of mounting tape to add dimension to most everything.

 

I used Shimmer Mist on the Angel as well as many of the Kings' elements.

I used my Zyron with the Permanent Adhesive cartridge on the star and then used Ultra Fine Prisma Glitter on it. Also...notice the mini stars. They're from a finger nail bling set from the Target dollar section.

 

 

Ran the camel saddle through the Cuttlebug and then rubbed VersaMark ink on it, before sprinkling with gold embossing powder and heated.

 

 I used the Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots folder on the sheep to give them some texture.

Here's the collection all finished.

Chubby Toed Pets

After spending a couple of weeks, getting ready for homeschooling, rearranging rooms and generally being busy, I finally got to retreat to the craft room. I really wanted to play around with more of the files I purchased from My Scrap Chick, specifically the Chubby Little Cats and Chubby Little Puppies. Here is what I came up with...I think any of these files would be cute on a Baby Layout, but for now they're content to be on cards.

 

Teddy Bear Baby Gift

I've still been enjoying the Bears Parts and Pieces from My Scrap Chick. I made this cute frame for a good friend's new baby. I designed the whole thing using Make the Cut...even the positioning of the bears. That really helped with scaling them to the size I liked. I'm lovin' the ease of use of the My Scrap Chick patterns as well as Make the Cut!

Shabby, Funky, Eclectic Hutch

For the past two weeks I've been revamping this hutch. It all started as we were re-purposing our office/ guest room/ homeschool room to a Mac Room. My husband collects vintage Macintosh computers. He really needed a place to be able to set the machines up and work on them. The hutch was used to store all the school supplies. Since we moved the school books to a closet upstairs, we didn't need it in that room anymore. I was ready to Craig's List it when my hubby said..."You could paint it and use it in the craft room." The thought of a project was irresistible. So I set out to transform it to something fun and funky. Here is what I started with...

DISCLAIMER!-Just to let you know, I had no idea what I was doing. I checked a few blogs and just went for it. Definitely learned some things in the process!

I found a really cute hutch online that inspired me here. I didn't have the same cute designs to work with, but liked the black and white. Many of the blogs mention that a furniture piece has great "bones." My hutch is a 1970's pressboard cabinet. Does that mean it has osteoporosis?

 Since the inside was paper covered pressboard on fixed shelves, I decided to spray paint it.

 I ripped out the ratan. Woohoo! The hardest part was deciding how to fill it in. Read on to see my solution.

  I painted a darker brown first, hoping it would show up when I sanded/distressed it. (It didn't work so well....) I tried using a foam roller. Didn't work so well either. Paint went on really thin and when I went to put another coat on, it seemed to pick up paint instead of spreading it evenly. I started using a roller with some nap and that helped a great deal!

And here's the finished product...

 

I filled the gap from the rattan caning with black beads.

 I used a tablecloth I found at a garage sale for a dollar, to make the valance.

 The Eiffel Tower was cut using Make the Cut. It took three sheets of Vinyl. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Teddy Bear

I have thoroughly been enjoying the "Bears Parts and Pieces" from My Scrap Chick! I've had some velvet paper sitting around waiting for the right project. It cut without any problem in the die cutter, yea! Here is a card I made for all the baby girls that are showing up right now. I sponged the edges to make them "pop" a bit. The hardest part for me is to glue the pieces together, since there are so many different options. The bottom pieces are the most difficult to get it the right spot. I'm getting better at eyeballing it though.

Wish you could feel the fuzziness through the screen. It's a subtle, but fun, extra on the bear :) I'll have to try fun flock next.

By the way...I updated my Make the Cut. The latest version (3.3.3) is awesome! I'm most excited about the single line cuts and puzzle making add on. It still works on my machine...woohoo and phew! I am looking to upgrade to the new "Zing" so I can quit worrying about it. Will wait to see how everyone likes it once it's out.

Lil' Tomina

I made this collage for a friend from church. Her little one arrived this past week. She is named after her very special Aunt. I wanted it to coordinate with the one I made for her brother, Kaelen, but wanted to girlify it a bit. I used the same Monkey (Cricut, New Arrival) and foliage (Cricut, Paper Doll Dress Up) as I used for Kaelen's but ventured out with My Scrap Chick's "Jungle Zoo Safari Too" to make the little girl explorer and hippo.

Lucy

This baby collage was for my second cousin's little one. (I think that makes Lucy my second-cousin-once-removed :) ) She was born in early June, but I was finally able to get it to her this past weekend. (On which, by the way, my nephew Ari made his official appearance into the world!) My daughter Melissa made the crocheted flowers. If you love crochet or other yarn crafts she has a blog, Joy 2 Crochet, dedicated to it.

I finally broke down and ordered from My Scrap Chick. I am so glad I did! I absolutely love the look as well as the ease of use with Make the Cut. Both the bird and birdhouse are from their website. There should be lots more projects to come, because I went back and ordered a second time once I found out how easy the svg files were to size and break apart for colors.

Student Driver Warning

My second born is taking Driver's Ed right now. I was given some vinyl and a chunk of magnet sheet last week and was inspired to make a sign to warn others of her student driver status. (As well as the panicked Mom riding along :) ) So far, this has helped other drivers to give much more space and hopefully they are more tolerant to boot. (In case you're wondering, the font is Cheri.)

A Really Special Baby Gift

I am so excited to finally be able to post this baby collage. It's for my little nephew due in just a few weeks. The first baby (other than my own) for my side of the family. I really like how this turned out!

Verse reads: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

The name Ari means "Lion"

I used the lion from the cartridge, Everyday Paper Dolls. It's cut three times (2 in beige and one in brown.) trimmed and chalked around the edges. I then layered using mounting tape. The bushes and grass are from the same cartridge.

Froggie Frame

I hope you're not tired of baby frames...lots more babies expected this summer ;) Here is another of the latest that I've finished.

The verse is Psalm 28:7
"The LORD is my strength and my shield;
   my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
   and with my song I praise him."

Cricut Cartridges used: Frog from New Arrival and Lilly Pad from Kate's ABCs.

Child Training

Yet another baby frame...

Train is from Cricut Cartridge: New Arrival.

Knitting Meets Paper Crafts

While away for a Girl's Weekend, my daughter and I visited a fun yarn store. They were selling some cards that inspired us. I am not a knitter, luckily "M" is. So here is our take on the cozy card.

And, yes, she did actually knit with toothpicks :) If you enjoy yarn crafts, her blog is Joy 2 Crochet. Check it out!

Little Lamb Baby Frame

Another baby plaque.  Really like how this turned out. When I asked about nursery theme, there really wasn't one, but the mom-to-be liked Irish stuff, (including the baby name)...so this is what I came up with.

The verse is Isaiah 40:11"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."

 The sheep is from the Paper Dolls Dress Up cartridge and the tree is from Serenade. 

Sports Themed Baby Plaque

We have a bunch of babies coming in our family. I made this plaque for my cousins little one who is coming soon.

Here is the nursery set I was working to coordinate with. It's "Junior Varsity" from Pottery Barn Kids.

Sweet Little Birdie Photo Plaque

Here is one of the latest photo plaques for a new baby in the family.

First Try...something was missing!

Second Try...Ahhh, it was some flowers :) Much better!

This is the nursery set I was trying to coordinate with. It's "Penelope" from Pottery Barn.

Candle for Wedding

My Sister-in-law asked me to make a candle for my nephew and his bride to be. Here is what I came up with (minus the heart mask.) Hope they like it :)

My daughter crocheted the flowers for me, since yarn is not my craft medium. (Check out her blog at www.joy2crochet.blogspot.com) I used pearl headed pins to attach the flowers.  Notice the bling added to the ring too ;)

Here's a close up of a flower. Cute!