Monday, November 7, 2011

Make It Monday - Working With White!

I'm a colorful person... I find white paper difficult to work with. :) I think simplicity is nice but it can't always express ME. Today on Make It Monday, I'm giving white a try. What do you think?


I used one of my favorite embossing folders from The Paper Studio for the background. The look is classy, but I needed some color!

I created the flower using my favorite Provo Craft die (it's for Cuddlebug, but I use it in my good, ole' Sizzix).

Oh, you don't recognize the paper? It's pretty hard to find-- it's scraps from a Boden catalog. Boden is one of the few catalogs that comes in non-shiny paper-- perfect for trendy card accents.

Oh course I needed a BRIGHT color to cheer this card up, so I used a bright blue ribbon for the border. It's hard to tell, but the dark border is brown and the inside paper is beige. Great contrast with white. I also picked up an absolutely HUGE bucket of gems at Joann's, so I'm using them generously.

What fun supplies:


I've still never, ever made a white on white card, but this is a big step for me. :) It's Monday: get creating!

Join me at:
Make It Monday #62
My Partner In Crafting Crime - use something free or recycled
Simon Says Stamp and Show - upcycling or recycling
Card Cupids - bling
The Hybrid Chick - homemade flower
One Stop Craft Challenge - 3 is the magic number
Card Makin' Mamas - diecuts
Crafty Ann's Challenge - flowers
Crafting For All Seasons - texture
Crafty Ribbon Challenge - BINGO: gems, ribbon, handmade embellishments

Thursday, October 13, 2011

How To: Add A Watermark To Photos

I've seen many bloggers using watermarks to display their name or blog name on their photos. Watermarks reduce image stealing and copy right infringement.

When I searched for the easiest way to add such marks to my photos, I came across Easy Sector's free Batch Photo Watermarker software. This free software allows me to add a watermark logo or phrase to my photos individually or in batch!


Above is what the software looks like. The right side allows me to choose my watermark and the right side lets me save a batch of watermarked images AND the watermark itself for later.

Some tips I've found helpful while using this program:

1. The program uses photos in their original size. If you plan to display them smaller (like on a blog), you need to make your text big or it will be too small to read. I plan to use a larger watermark next time:



2. Don't put your watermark in the center of your photos. I find that tacky and I'm much less likely to click on images with obtrusive watermarks when I see them on Google Image Search or Pinterest.

3. Put your name or blog name as your watermark if it can be easily Googled. If your name is common or your blog isn't easily found with a simple Google search, adding a URL to your watermark might be a good idea.

4. Set the opacity to a number under 55 so the watermark is somewhat see-through like on professional photos.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Balloon Card Re-do

When I created my Congrats With Soaring Balloons card, I wasn't perfectly pleased with the outcome. The card just didn't pop the way I originally envisioned. I decided to spruce it up for another first birthday party.

The original with "dull" surfaces:



The re-do! A first birthday card with a bit more pizzazz:



I covered the "Congratulations" with a J sticker and outlined it with Stickles in Waterfall. I also grabbed the "1" sticker that arrived on the party invitation to replace the quote. Here's the final product, the card glued to a blue gift bag with baby flipflops tied on with silver ribbon:


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Happy 1st Bday- Using my fav stamp set!

I finally have an occasion to make a birthday card-- a friend's baby's 1st birthday! So I broke out my FAVORITE stamp set by Close To My Heart. It's called Nursery Bash and it's adorable!




I fussy-cut the giraffe. His feet and mane have some dimension (they are sticking out). The giraffe dots have brown glitter. I can't wait to give this to the birthday boy!


I'd like to enter this card in a few challenges:
-Clear It Out, glitter it!
-A Spoon Full Of Sugar, birthday cards
-Ladybug Crafts Ink, favorite stamp
-The Stamping Boutique, stripes and dots
-Tuesday Throwdown, dimension and texture
-Cards For Men, anything goes
-Make It Monday, anything goes
-Paper Playtime, anything goes
-Sentimental Sundays, birthday cards
-If The Shoe Fits... Scrap It, Jungle
-Wee Memories, masculine

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Pinterest Projects For Kids

Are you trying to keep kids entertained during the long summer months? :) Pinterest has lots of inspiration for just that! Check out some of my fav finds for kids crafts:

Tutorial: Spring Butterflies…with the TP rolls

1 Fish 2 Fish Red Fish Blue Fish cards

crayons in summer!!!this would be a cool thing to do with your kids in the hot aussie summer. so fun for them too see them melting. and how amazing does it look
from  etsy.com

mini moss terrarium from a reused lightbulb

 
recycle a milk carton into a goodie or snack box

Family Guess Who Game

DIY Bleach Pen T-Shirts. Draw your picture in chalk first then go over it with a bleach pen!

 
Repin DIY: heart-shaped paper clips

Cork boats

Carton Wallet | Recycled Crafts Projects for Kids -- Recycling Crafts Gallery |
tutorial for this wallet- reuse orange juice boxes

Pipe cleaners make great bubble wands! 

Looks like a lot more fun than video games, huh? :)

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Pinterest for Crafts Using Food!

Pinterest has amazing hidden treasures for the artist in you or your kids. Use these clever ideas and use FOOD objects for masterpieces! :)

apple stamp

okra stamp
from  bkids.typepad.com

Maureen Cracknell Handmade
celery stamp


I love a yummy solution!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Pinterest for DIY Crafts!

My newest obsession and one that I think won't die any time soon is Pinterest. This new website and iPad app allows users to create boards and pin anything from the web. You can follow others and "repin" their finds too. The pictures lead to the original articles or blog posts. I've garnered tons of inspiration in just a few weeks.

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest!

Here are some DIY and crafts from my DIY + Crafts board which look so fun:

how to make sidewalk chalk...

giftbox templates from

cute! diy button clock

tin foil flower

Hanging Burlap Earring Display

How to Make Garden Lanterns - Fine Gardening Article
How to Make Garden Lanterns Tutorial

I love you this much card ;)

How to marbleize paper.


 Feeling inspired yet?!

 
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