Altered CD

Four Ways Friday will return next Friday!  Today I've decided to share an altered CD with you instead - I hope you don't mind :)  I love that you can turn an old disc into something spectacular with a bit of adhesive, paper and ink!

This is one side of the CD.  I used Mod Podge to adhere the Garden Gala designer paper to the disc and then used a gold leaf marker to add a touch of gold around the edge.  The letters are from various alphabet and regular stamp sets and one word was cut out of a book :)  I hope you notice the little butterflies!  I used the butterfly embosslit with vellum card stock and then sponged them with classic ink and let them dry.  A bit of glass glitter creates their bodies :)  Did you know that your Crop-a-dile can cut through a CD like butter?!  What a great way to make this altered CD into an ornament.  Here is the reverse side:

I die cut the letters using the Timeless Type dies and added a bit of embossing with the floral image from Eastern Blooms.  Define Your Life provided the wonderful definition of "create."  I added more vellum butterflies and the wonderful basic pearls jewels!  I hope you like it!  Now go get an old CD that you would normally discard and see what you can do!  I would love to see your creations!!!!!  PS...I'm off to run the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC...wish me luck!!!!!! :)

Lovely As A Tree Acrylic Block Stamping

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Count On Your Preparedness!

It's hard to believe that my 8-month journey is about to reach it's pinnacle!  The Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC is something I have been training for for the past 8 months.  It's even harder for me to believe that 8 months ago I couldn't even run a block, let alone a mile...or 26.2!  I have now done what I can to be in shape to make it the full 26.2 miles on Sunday.  Now I just need to maintain my confidence!!!!!  If you find yourself needing something to do on Sunday, feel free to send a bit of positive energy my way! :)
I wanted to share another acrylic block stamping card with you.  For this one I used the size D acrylic block with an image from Lovely As A Tree and the greeting from the Curly Cute stamp set.  A touch of dazzling diamonds on the leaves finishes the look.  I hope you like it!

Card Play #14 - Apple Blossoms Acrylic Block Stamping Video!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Life Works In Mysterious Ways!

I had a number of things to do for work today and, I have to admit, I really wanted to spend time in the craft room!  And I guess the Universe heard my cry since one of my work calls was moved to tomorrow...so off into the craft room I went!  Life works in mysterious ways sometimes - and I love it when it's both mysterious and wonderful!!!! :)
I am loving stamping with my acrylic blocks!  It's like getting a new toy to play with!  Here's another video of a very simple and elegant card that will take you no time to make!  Enjoy!

Card Play #13 - Acrylic Block Stamping Video!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Creativity Relieves Stress!

I'm no doctor and no, I don't have any scientific research that I have collected to support this claim (although I have a feeling that data is out there)...what I do have is personal experience and I am here to tell you, creativity relieves stress!!!!!  I had a stressful call for work the other day and when I hung up the phone I immediately knew that I needed a timeout in the craft room!  And, it worked!!!!  I was able to lose myself in the process of creativity and I walked out of the craft room a changed woman!!!!!  So, when you find yourself stressed out, give yourself a creativity time out!  It's wonderful medicine!!!!

Today I wanted to share more acrylic block stamping with you.  Here's a video on how I created this card.  Enjoy!

Acrylic Block Stamping

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Shop With A Friend!

You may find this strange, but I'm really not a fan of shopping...except, of course, in craft stores!  When it comes to shopping for clothes or shoes my enthusiasm goes right out the door.  That all changed yesterday!  I went shopping with a friend and it made the whole experience fun!  I loved having someone with me who would tell me her honest opinion and also just bring me stuff to try on so I didn't have to keep getting dressed and heading out of the dressing room over and over!  If you're like me and find clothes shopping to be a drag, try heading out with a friend.  It may totally change your perspective!!!!

Did you know that you can apply ink directly to your acrylic blocks and then stamp onto card stock with them?  You get a wonderful rectangle that you can then stamp on or embellish with punched out pieces!  I began with Pink Pirouette on Whisper White card stock and stamped the acrylic block 3 times.  I used post-it notes to mask the edges and stamped the floral image in Basic Gray.  Next came the big hearts and finally the punched hearts coated with Crystal Effects.  I hope you like it!