Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Keeping it in the family

           I love love love creating for my ETSY store. But every now and then I create something that I just love so much, that I have to keep it for my own. And with two little princesses, I find myself keeping a ton of projects to decorate their room with.




          Here is an example of just one of the many projects that will be kept in the family. I can't wait to show my girls their new rustic "Pretty In Pink" banner.



Thursday, November 22, 2012

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Time To Start Upcycling!

I am always on the look out for new projects to work on. I love love love these bottles. What an awesome and simple way to upcycle!! Wine bottles, mason jars... heck... even a beer bottle will work!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Something is better than nothing....

I finally got my Etsy store up and running. I don't have nearly as many things for sale yet... but I figured.... something is better than nothing.


Friday, November 9, 2012

Working With What I've Got...

        It always amazes me how every year the seasonal product lines just keep getting better and better. Its so wild how the new lines are cohesive with the older lines, but they bring so much new life to the brand as well. Back in my *major* crafting days, I had a few brands that we my top favorites. And year after year, whether I am crafting or not, I am drawn to look (and often buy) their new products. Here are a few of my favorite brands with their winters collections.

Basic Grey's Aspen Collection
                                                                           






       
                   
                                 But......... seeing as how I am trying to be resourceful and work with what I've got.... I have decided to steer clear of the paper and embellishment racks this year (as much as possible) and stick to mainly buying adhesive and other materials that I need. Forcing myself to use up what papers and embellishments I have at home has turned in to quite the challenge. I was lucky enough to work/design for an amazing Scrapbook Store for a few years (this was over 2 years ago) and I definitely stocked up on enough supplies to last me many years. Hundreds of sheets of paper... I don't think I will ever use it all (that's where my 2 crafty daughters come in. I go through my supplies from time to time and create a box for them with left overs that I know I won't use. The LOVE it.)
          Keeping with this rustic theme that I can't seem to shake, last night I decided to work with some papers that I bought last year. These papers are soooo gorgeous. I used the Recollections line. And for the life of me I can't remember the name :-/
     Here are a few of the projects that I worked on last night. Again, I hate the photos. I just can't seem to take pictures of my creations and have them look presentable.



Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Christmas is coming!

       I can't even begin to explain how excited I am that Christmas is right around the corner!! I love the lights... I love the music... I love the (general) spirit of everyone. Christmas is (with the exception of when you are in shopping malls) the happiest time of the year!

      With a little over a month before Christmas  I decided it was time to start working on my Christmas crafts and cards (I usually start at the beginning of October, but my inspiration has been completely kaput lately). I walked into Michael's Craft Store and I could barely hide my excitement  Every where I looked there was glitter and lights. Garland was hanging from all of the shelves. Candy canes were lined up on the shelves. To be honest, I am a little embarrassed at how excited I became. I probably spent about an hour walking around and taking it all in.

 
   I think this year, I am leaning towards a more rustic look. I found a few things on Pintrest (Click here to check out my pins) that I am so in love with. I can't wait till I go home and try to draw some inspiration from these!!


 





Monday, November 5, 2012

Finally......

         After weeks upon weeks upon weeks of little to NO inspiration, I finally sat down and spent 4 hours on crafts! I don't know if it had something to do with the fact that I had the house completely to myself for the first time in forever or with the fact that I have slipped back into my past obsession and broke down and drank a Red Bull (it was delicious by the way). Either way, I am so excited that I was finally able to create something!!!!

     I worked on 2 different projects. I have to say that Pintrest ( Click here to follow me on Pintrest!!) has definitely become one of my biggest obsessions and sources for inspiration. And with an empty house I was finally able to try out a few new ideas!

Materials needed:
* yarn/twine/string
*Mod Podge or Elmer's Glue (I actaully found that I liked working with the Elmer's Glue more than the Mod Podge- maybe because it reminded me of doing crafts as a child. But both worked just fine)   
*Balloons
*Deep dish (to fill with glue and soak the twine/yarn in)
* glitter (optional)
*Exacto Blade or needle (something sharp and pointy to pop the balloons)


Step 1: Blow up balloons! I blew up different sized balloons so that I would have a variety of sizes to work with.

Step 2:  Fill your bowl with the glue or Mod Podge (if you are using the glitter, add now and mix thoroughly).  As you can see in the picture below, its going to get very messy. So make sure you put down something so you don't get glue on your work surface!

 Step 3: Dip the yarn/twine in the Mod Podge and begin to wrap the yarn/twine around the balloon. Continue to wrap the twine/yarn around the balloon until you have a good majority of the balloon covered.

Step 4: Once you have finished wrapping the balloon in with the yarn/twine, set it down on a flat surface to dry. I let the balloons dry over night (8 hours). 

Step 5: Popping time! Take a needle or a Exacto blade and pop the balloons. The balloons will shrink down and pull away from the twine/yarn. And you are left with gorgeous orbs. 






Friday, October 26, 2012

Baby Steps...

            I have been 120% completely blocked lately when it comes to creating/writing anything. I have ideas swarming my mind, but when it comes time to create or to put them down on paper I draw a blank.

        My youngest daughter Melanie has suddenly become Little Miss Attitude. She can be the sweetest little girl, but without warning, she can turn into a little devil. In an effort to help her and her older sister, Ashleigh, become more responsible I have created a weekly chore chart. Melanie's school uses one, and it does wonders for the kids in her class. This is what I have come up with so far.
     

      This is still a work in progress, but at least I am creating something right now. Hey, you have to start some where.

Jessica

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Oh my goodness.............. 

Pin Of the Day

I want to make little critters like these!!!  Find me here!!!



Think I found my inspiration....

Been in a crafting funk lately and I have not been inspired AT ALL. I came across this site and I fell in love. These fabrics are gorgeous. The colors are so vibrant and full of life... it definitely makes me want to start sewing again. Looks like it is time to invest in another sewing machine....











Friday, September 21, 2012

Getting back into in...........

Researching new crafts to try tonight that do NOT involve me spending more money!! I have a ridiculous amount of scrapping/paper crafting supplies at home and it is time to dive back into some crafting.

Possible crafts for tonight:





I think this might be the winner!!!!