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

Read more »

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.

Read more »

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:

Read more »

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

Read more »

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

from ucreatewithkids.blogspot.com

1 Fish 2 Fish Red Fish Blue Fish cards

 from prekfun.com

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

from  instructables.com

 

recycle a milk carton into a goodie or snack box

 from elmundodelreciclaje.blogspot.com

Family Guess Who Game

 from madsmemories.blogspot.com

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

from  showtellshare.blogspot.com

 

Repin DIY: heart-shaped paper clips

from unknown pin

Cork boats

from  belladia.typepad.com

tutorial for this wallet- reuse orange juice boxes

from  familyfun.go.com

Pipe cleaners make great bubble wands! 

from  ohdeedoh.com

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

Read more »

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

from  kokokokids.ru

okra stamp

from  bkids.typepad.com

celery stamp

from  maureencracknellhandmade.blogspot.com

I love a yummy solution!

Read more »

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...

from ohmyhandmade.com

giftbox templates from

diegomattei.com.ar

cute! diy button clock

 from burdastyle.tumblr.com

tin foil flower

 from gedane.over-blog.com

Hanging Burlap Earring Display

 from sarahndipities.blogspot.com

How to Make Garden Lanterns Tutorial

 from finegardening.com

I love you this much card ;)

 from tiffkeetch.blogspot.com

How to marbleize paper.

from: www.marthastewart.com

 Feeling inspired yet?!

Read more »

Made My Own Background Paper (and destroyed a book!)

Hi friends. Today I found a book under my bed that I started, hated, and never finished. I've been wanting to use book pages for new layouts...

Here is my first ever attempt. I ripped a book page out, stamped it with a few different stamps, added the purple lace, stamped the LOVE ribbons on extra book paper, dabbed them with ink, added the bow.

TIP: After stamping tags with black ink, you can quickly "color" them by dabbing them with ink pads. I used ColorBox Pigment Brush Pad.

This was a lot of fun and I still have 300 more pages to work with. :)

PS-- don't read the words too carefully... they are a bit inappropriate! Ooops! :)

I'd like to join the fun in these challenges:

Totally Gorjuss - ribbon and lace
Karen's Doodles - Perfect Purples
Creative Craft Challenges - make your own backing paper
Shopping Our Stash - recycle something (book paper)
The Stamping Boutique - no designer paper
Top Tip Tuesday - T is for... tearing, tags
Stamp With Fun - lilac and cream
Dream Valley Challenges - ribbon
House of Gilli - ribbons and bows
Craft Your Days Away - vintage
Cheerful Stamp Pad - favorite background
The Paper Shelter - anything goes
Anything Goes Challenge - D is for... double tags

Read more »

First Card Camp Card - Mixed Sentiments

I need to get my butt in gear for card camp. Here's our first color combo:

It's a little intimidating. I actually forgot to add blue, but I'm going to go back and add blue bling to the middle of the 2 flowers! 

It was my first time trying to use sentiments as the focal point- a really neat idea over at The Spotlight Challenge. I mixed them from 3 sets!

It says, "tweet, tweet     

buzz, buzz     

ROAR!"

:)

The inside squares are shimmery purple and orange- quite reflective and beautiful!

I'd like to enter:

Simon Says Stamp and Show - a word

Dream Valley - ribbon 

Stampin For The Weekend - favorite things (pink!)

Easy Craft Projects - gold

Our Creative Corner - your style

Joyful Stamper - Inspire Me Fridays

Make It Monday - anything goes

CCEE Stampers - pink

Paper Crafting Journey - anything goes

The Shabby Tea Room - favorite things (pink, paper and bow)

Top Tip Tuesday - T is for... tweet tweet!

Read more »

Octopus Card in Craft It Forward Competition!

Oh my goodness! One of the cards I made is in the Craft It Forward competition! I made this card for an org that sends cards to sick children in hospitals! Now I can win a $500 donation to that org. PLEASE vote for me? It only takes a click!

And check out the lovely Send A Smile 4 Kids and send some of your cards to hospitalized children!

Read more »

Octopus For A Sick Kid!

When I read about Send a Smile 4 Kids, I just knew I had to participate. The week's challenge is to use animals-- an actual challenge for me, as they are not my forte. :)

 Check this embossed blue guy out:

The stamp is from Paper Source and the center of the floss bow is a brad from Recollections.

I'm going to be sending it to Send A Smile and they'll give it to a hospitalized kid who could use the cheering up! :) I encourage you do to the same!

Challenges I'm entering:
*Send A Smile For Kids Challenge - animals
*Card Makin' Mamas - for a child
*Penny Black Saturday Challenges - pesky critters (it counts, right? :)
*Just Some Lines - spotty dotty
*Crazy For Challenges - floss
*Aly's Sunday Sketch - all about kids
*Design Dollies - sketch:

*Forever Friends Challenge - spots and dots
*Tuesday Morning Sketches - sketch:


*Tuesday Throwdown - masculine card

Read more »

A Card I Have Pride In!

After my previous card turned out rather blah, I took some quiet time to think about why. I realized it! The previous card used no colors, styles or papers I love. I'm going back to pinks and ribbons and embossing and bling! =D

My college roommate is having a her first baby! It's a girl, so naturally, I have to make a cute card. I find that I work best when inspired, so I was pumped to see this card at the CASE challenge at Fussy & Fancy:




I set out to create an envelope-looking background. It's like a jigsaw trying to get the stripes to go the same way:

 Congrats is over-used, so I went with JOY on a peachy paper:

 I used glittery gold embossing powder:

 I also added purple bottles. Next I hand-stitched a border:

Add a ribbon border, blingy-bling, and crunch the edges of the peach paper. TA-DA:

I love the details and pinks:

I'm also entering these challenges:
*Designed2Delight - pink & orange

*DrunkedStampers - inspiration

*Etsy Inspired Challenge - Home & Weddings
*Just Some Lines - Spotty Dotty
*Secret Crafter Sat. Challenge - Something from around the house
*Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays - Inspiration
*Crafts 4 Eternity - embellishments that start with "R"
*Fairy Knoll - sparkle
*Stamp Something - pretty paper
*CRAFT Challenge - stitches
*Crafty Purple Frog - favorite things (stitching and bling!)
*Sassy Studio Designs - bling it up!
*Bling It On - embossing
*My Mum's Craft Shop - seeing spots
*High Hopes Rubber Stamps - stars or stripes
*Sweet Stamps - embossing
*Paper and Such - inspiration
*Happileigh Scrappin - embossing
*Stamping Scrapping Challenge Central - embossing
*Paper Cakes - pick two: gems & ribbon


 Thanks for stopping by! :)

Read more »

Congrats With Soaring Balloons

I don't like this card! :) I can't figure out the missing piece. I was shooting for a masculine congrats card with some different heights. 

Balloons! Unknown stamp.

 It's hard to see the contrast that is added by the space between the light paper and the base.

 Stamp by Kolette Hall. Saying: "Life is a great bundle of little things. -Oliver Wendell Holmes" 

Here is the sketch I based it on: 

It's a Lily Pad challenge here.

I also entering these challenges: 

*Crazy 4 Challenges C4C92- string
*Bugaboo Stamps - masculine 

Read more »