Patchwork Pumpkin

Today I wanted to share a fun craft for the Halloween/Thanksgiving season!  This is an idea that I got from Alisa Burke.  She decorates real pumpkins in different ways every year and I fell in love with this patchwork pumpkin!  I began with a plastic pumpkin that I purchased at the craft store.  I wanted to have a pumpkin that I could use every year.  Then I cut small rectangles of different cotton fabrics.  Next I mixed Matte Mod Podge with some water and applied the fabrics to the pumpkin with a foam brush and the Mod Podge mixture.  I found it helpful to work on a piece of freezer paper.  I covered the entire pumpkin and let it dry and then I used a Sharpie White Paint Pen to add the stitch marks.  I love how it turned out!  Thanks for the inspiration Alisa!!!

Cottage Box Of Cards by Regina Andari

Cottage Box of Cards! – Regina Andari
You will be amazed at how quick and simple it is to make this cottage-style box with its stone-like exterior—a technique that you are sure to use again and again.   The assortment of greeting cards feature the Hearth & Home Thinlits dies, and two of the cards are styled for Christmas but could
easily be made for winter events and occasions.  You will definitely appreciate the many design and embellishment ideas featured from beginning to end in this tutorial, and don’t be surprised if you find a use/need for cottage boxes in several rooms of your house.  This ensemble would be great for a stamp camp or class project.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of October over at Craft Project Central!

Mandala Art Journal Page

It's been a long time since I've shared my daily personal posts.  Life became busy.  Time seemed to shrink.  Energy was focused elsewhere.  Through it all though, I haven't stopped creating.  As the season starts to change, hopefully my focus will change with it.  I want to return to these posts.  Share what I am creating with you.  To inspire you.  To give witness to my creative life.  So today I take a first step and share this Mandala Art Journal page that I created for Paper Crafter's Library.  Making mandalas can be incredibly meditative.  You can lose yourself in the symmetry, the detail, the repetition.  This mandala was created on watercolor paper and then cut out to be adhered to the art journal page.  If you are interested in the full step-by-step video for how I created the page, feel free to head on over to Paper Crafter's Library by clicking on the badge in the upper right-hand corner of my blog.  This is one of many art journal pages I have created for Paper Crafter's Library and you can access all the pages and videos for them if you become a Paper Crafter's Library subscriber.  I will continue to share photos of the finished pages with you here on my blog as well :)  Thanks for stopping by!

Fry Box Card File & Treat Box by Buffy Cooper

Fry Box Card File & Treat Box!  – Buffy Cooper

The holidays are fast approaching! Have you ever found yourself needing one more card, last minute gift, small treat, or party favor?  In this tutorial, you’ll learn alternative ways to use the Stampin’ Up! Fry Box Bigz L Die to make a mini treat box that’s perfect for overnight guests’ “pillow gifts,”
table favors, or hostess gifts for workshops, and a larger file box that holds note cards. This box is a perfect way to organize your fall and winter cards, and it also makes a thoughtful gift. Instructions for the cards are included in the tutorial. This would make a great class project as well!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of October over at Craft Project Central!

Thankful for Thirty Days by Julie Beltramo

Thankful for Thirty Days! –  Julie Beltramo
Get ready to give Thanks every day during the month of November by creating this project in October!! You will make thirty cards that you can send out, one for each day of the entire month. They are cute and flat for easy mailing! Plus you’ll make an Open-Top Box so that the cards are easy to store and access when you need one. And you’ll learn how to alter a pre-made journal to
coordinate with the cards. Use the journal to document, and keep track of those that you are thankful for! Make this for yourself, and make a set to give – what a wonderful gift of thanks to give and also to pay forward to another!!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of October at Craft Project Central!

Happy Howl-O-Ween To You! by Wendy Klein

Happy Howl-O-Ween To You!  – Wendy Klein

It’s time to decorate for Halloween – a most fun holiday!  This can be a fun time of year for the fun little treats you can leave on your co-workers’ desks or give to your child’s classmates and teachers.  And what better time for a little fun than Halloween!!  :)   This collection encompasses a fabulous Twisted Easel card decoration and Halloween treat gifts perfect for anyone in your life.  This project uses the wonderful new Howl-o-ween Treat Stamp Set, coordinating Boo to You Framelits set, the new Sweet Hauntings Stamp Set, and our fabulous Envelope Punch Board to create some fun goodies.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to Craft Project Central for the month of October!

Halloween Squash Book With Punch Art by Yapha Mason

Halloween Squash Book with Punch Art! – Yapha Mason
Preserve your Halloween memories in this fun and festive faBOOlous squash book! Featuring the Happy Haunting Designer Series Paper and some too-cute-to spook Halloween punch art, this
squash book is the perfect showcase for your photos. It would also make an excellent product based class, club project, or a fun gift to give with the matching card. Note: Includes instructions for both full sized and smaller sized squash books.  And remember, if you don’t celebrate Halloween, this
project can easily be adapted to any theme or occasion!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of October at Craft Project Central!

Magic Of The Season Accordion Scrapbook Box by Michelle Suite

“Magic of the Season” Accordion Scrapbook Box – September Bonus Project!  – Michelle Suit

Introducing a fun and festive accordion scrapbook for the holiday season. It’s quick and easy to assemble, takes just a few supplies, and it makes the perfect gift for moms, grandmas, teachers, friends, coworkers and more. Follow the tutorial and you’ll be adding photos in no time! And remember, this great accordion scrapbook can be adapted to any season or occasion!
Want the full step-by-step instructions for making this great scrapbook box???  Bonus projects can be obtained by subscribing to two or more months in a row at Craft Project Central, putting the Craft Project Central badge on your blog, or by referring a friend and when they subscribe, letting Craft Project Central know.

Halloween Mixed Media Gift Set by Amanda Corbet

Halloween Mixed Media Gift Set! – Amanda Corbet

Deck your haunted halls with this canvas that mixes Stampin’ Up! Products with other media to make this lovely ghoulish canvas. Give this has a spooky gift with the matching card. This would make a hauntingly fabulous class project or hostess gift! And remember, if you don’t celebrate Halloween, this project can be adapted to an any occasion gift set!  Get the full instructions for this haunting set by subscribing to the month of September over at Craft Project Central!

Men Need Cards Too by Boni Montano

Men Need Cards Too!  – Boni Montano

This nautical themed project includes five cards, five note cards, and five mini cards. All cards come with matching envelopes, and are contained in a coordinating box. The cards are blank, but this set includes assorted messages that can easily be attached to a card as needed. This set is a great gift for husbands, brothers, and sons that enjoy writing letters, but have difficulty finding cards without butterflies, flowers, and pastel chevrons.  Get all the instructions for this manly project by subscribing to the month of September over at Craft Project Central!

Howl-O-Ween Fun by Sue Plote

Howl-o-ween Fun!  – Sue Plote

It’s time for some old fashioned Howl-o-ween Fun!  This project features the Howl-o-ween Treat Stamp Set and the coordinating Boo to You Framelits Dies.  Also highlighted is the Happy Haunting Designer Series Paper…and bit of sparkle from Silver and Black Glimmer Paper!  The project set includes a sweet 3 -1/2” x 5” note card and lined envelope…perfect to send out a few spooky words to a friend or loved one!  There’s also a wand for your little one to wave in casting a spell on a friend or foe…and there’s also two games to keep everyone busy.  First up…there’s Trick or Treat Tic-Tac-Toe!  What will you choose?  The crossbones X or the skull O?  Either way it’ll be hauntingly good fun...and fun that you can take with you using the game packaging made featuring the Envelope Punch Board!  Finally, who doesn’t remember the ball-in-the-hole game?  Super easy to make, there’s nothing ghostly about these little games…they’re just good old fashioned fun! And remember, if you don’t celebrate Halloween, this project can be adapted to an any occasion fun set!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of September.

Halloween Lantern Gift Set by Amanda Corbet

Halloween Lantern Gift Set! by Amanda Corbet

Decorate for Halloween with this adorably spooky lantern complete with bats and spider webs. Gift this lovely lantern as a gift with the coordinating card and gift box perfect for packing up a sweet spooky treat! This would make a great class project or hostess gift!  And remember, if you don’t celebrate Halloween, this project can be adapted to an any occasion gift set!  Get all the spooky instructions for this great set by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of September!

Halloween Matchbox Treat Holders by Laurie Zoellmer

Halloween Matchbox Treat Holders! –  Laurie Zoellmer

These Matchbox Treat Holders are made using the Envelope Punch Board and go together in a snap!  Make several of them to give out at Halloween to your special “trick or treaters”!  Or you can change up the design for any occasion – these boxes will also hold a gift card with still enough room for a little treat or small gift.   Want the full step-by-step instructions for how to make these adorable matchbox treat holders?  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of September!

Howl-o-ween Treats Ensemble by Julie Beltramo

Howl-o-ween Treats Ensemble!  – Julie Beltramo
Get ready for Halloween this year with this array of treats! You’ll make the Trick or Treat Bag plus all the treats that can fit inside - the Candy Bar Pocket, Candy Corn Box, Pumpkin Lollipop Treat and the Nugget Sleeve. Not only will you learn how to make all the treats, but also you’ll learn a lot of new “Tricks” showing the versatility of your Ornate Tag Topper Punch. And the quick 3” x 3” Love Note tops off the ensemble!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of September over at Craft Project Central!

Using Negative Space for Fabulous Fall Leaves by Yapha Mason

Using Negative Space for Fabulous Fall Leaves by Yapha Mason

When is a negative a positive? When you use the negative space of a die cut to make a fabulous card! In this project we will make four cards that each use negative space in a different way, as well a great box to hold them. We will combine the Leaflets Framelits with some great fall colors as we welcome autumn. This project would make a lovely gift as well as a class or club project.  Get full step-by-step instructions for this wonderful project by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of September!

Wings and Things Gift Bow Bigz Set

This Wings And Things Gift Bow Bigz Set is my September project for Craft Project Central.  Have you ever wondered if there was more you could do with the Gift Bow Bigz L Die and the Big Shot than just make bows?  Well the answer is a resounding YES!  In this Wings and Things Tutorial you will learn a few creative ways to put the Gift Bow Bigz L die to use.  Yes, you can make a bow with it.  But how about feathers for a whimsical chicken home décor wall hanging!  Or a matching chicken eye mask to play dress up with!  Bring your creativity to this Wings and Things Gift Bow Bigz Set and let’s have some fun!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of September!

Assorted Cards with Stitches & Piercing by Regina Andari

Assorted Cards with Stitches & Piercing!  – Regina Andari

Paper-piercing is one of the easiest ways to add design and texture to projects, and this tutorial will demonstrate an array of designs created with Stampin’ Up!’s Eclectic and Updated Essentials Paper-Piercing Templates to finish an assortment of greeting cards with stitches and piercing.  Do you know what to do when you pierce a hole where you don’t want one?  There’s a fix for that in this tutorial!  You will also create a box to hold the six cards and envelopes, and there’s even a gift box in this tutorial to hold all six paper-piercing templates!  Any part of this project would be great for a workshop demonstration or stamp camp.  Get full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of September over at Craft Project Central!

Long Fall Basket Décor & Card by Christy Fulk

Long Fall Basket Décor & Card! – Christy Fulk

It’s time to decorate for Fall! This project includes a cute long basket full of pumpkins, and decorated with sunflowers and leaves. It would look great on any end table or bookshelf. Make one as a gift, and make another one for yourself. There’s also a coordinating card that would finish off the gift perfectly. The long basket is made with the Berry Basket Bigz L Die, and the pumpkins are made with the Gift Bow Bigz L Die. The Vintage Leaves Stamp Set and Farmer’s Market Designer Series Paper are also featured.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of September!

Butterfly Box Card Set - August Bonus Project by Christy Fulk

Butterfly Box Card Set – August Bonus Project! by Christy Fulk

Butterflies are all the rage right now, and this cards set has a lot of them! The card box has a beautiful shiny butterfly on it, along with a handle for easy carrying. The box easily carries six cards with envelopes.  There are three different card designs in the card set. Make two of each, and the box is full! The box and each card design have different butterflies, too. The set features the Watercolor Wings stamp set and Timeless Elegance Designer Series Paper. It also features the Butterfly Thinlits and Bold Butterfly Framelits sets. This would make a great card class.

Bonus projects can be obtained by subscribing to two or more months in a row over at Craft Project Central, putting the Craft Project Central badge on your blog, or by referring a friend and when they subscribe, letting Craft Project Central know.  Head on over to Craft Project Central to learn more!

Road Trip Memory Bundle by Boni Montano

Road Trip Memory Bundle! by Boni Montano

This bundle is perfect for your next road trip adventure. It includes a keepsake box to hold mini treasures you collect along the way, a journal to jot down notes for documenting your journey, and a mini album for photos of sweet memories. Take this perfectly coordinating bundle on your next road
trip.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of August over at Craft Project Central!

Box Of Bangles Gift Set

It’s time to do some upcycling with my August project for Craft Project Central!  Let’s turn some water bottles into wearable jewelry for this Box of Bangles Gift Set!  In this month’s project we are going to create Bohemian bangles and earrings using a plastic water bottle.  We will walk you through the simple steps to make this fun, wearable jewelry and we will also create a pretty gift box to hold the jewelry and a card for gift giving.  That water bottle in your recycle bin is waiting to be transformed!  Let’s get started!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of August over at Craft Project Central!

Autumn Leaves Ensemble by Buffy Cooper

Autumn Leaves Ensemble! by Buffy Cooper

Don’t you just love fall when the weather is crisp and cool and the leaves look like a colorful shawl spread over the trees? In this tutorial, you’ll learn to replicate those beautiful fall leaves with the Vintage Leaves stamp set and a little ink and cardstock. You’ll use them to create a beautiful fall bowl and greeting card. And I’ll show you a fun way to use the new Stampin’ Up! Cotton Paper Assortment to dress up an ordinary candle. Each of these projects would make a fun class, or you could offer all three together as a stamp camp.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of August over at Craft Project Central!

Zoo Babies Mini Album by Laurie Zoellmer

Zoo Babies Mini Album! by Laurie Zoellmer

This adorable Mini Album is so easy to put together and would make a perfect gift for the “new mom” or Grandma!  You can easily customize this album for any occasion such as birthdays, vacations, graduations, retirement, etc., the possibilities are endless!  Pair it up with this darling mini easel card and you have a special gift for that “special someone”.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of August over at Craft Project Central!

Autumn Leaves Ensemble by Buffy Cooper

Autumn Leaves Ensemble! by Buffy Cooper

Don’t you just love fall when the weather is crisp and cool and the leaves look like a colorful shawl spread over the trees? In this tutorial, you’ll learn to replicate those beautiful fall leaves with the Vintage Leaves stamp set and a little ink and cardstock. You’ll use them to create a beautiful fall bowl and greeting card. And I’ll show you a fun way to use the new Stampin’ Up! Cotton Paper Assortment to dress up an ordinary candle. Each of these projects would make a fun class, or you could offer all three together as a stamp camp.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of August over at Craft Project Central!

Watercolor Wings Framed Art by Wendy Lee

Watercolor Wings Framed Art! by  Wendy Lee

Do you need a one of a kind gift for someone special or a unique framed art piece to decorate your home this season? This stunning wall decor featuring the Watercolor Wings Stamp Set is full of beautiful details. This tutorial also includes instructions to make three coordinating cards.  For full step-by-step instructions head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of August.

Lunchbox Love Notes by Yapha Mason

Lunchbox Love Notes! by Yapha Mason

This set of five adorable shaped mini cards uses different Framelits in combination with the Schoolhouse Designer Series Paper and the Words of Truth stamp set to create the perfect notes to tuck into a loved one’s lunch. Complete with a fun paper sack to store them in, this project is
great to have on hand for the start of the school year. This set would also make an excellent gift (possibly for a teacher) as well as a class or club project.  Subscribe to August at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Field Of Flowers Art Journal Page

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Let It Flow...Literally!
Today I am sharing an art journal page that I created for Paper Crafter's Library.  I love bringing different supplies together to see if they can co-mingle :)  This page was the result of a co-mingling between alcohol ink and metal tape.  I literally let the ink flow and then went from there.  What two supplies can you co-mingle today????

Wedding Table Décor! by Monika Davis

Wedding Table Décor! by Monika Davis

Make this elegant wedding (or birthday) table décor set to dress up any table. You will make a decorative fan that can later be put in a shadow box, a box for treats or small favors, a wand style table décor, and a greeting card that can be an invitation or a thank you card. Add elegance with gold embossing and water coloring. Great for a stamp camp, or as a class project.  Subscribe to August over at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Have A Beautiful Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It Doesn't Have To Be Complicated
Sometimes I find myself staring at the blank card stock wondering what to do.  I put all kinds of pressure on myself to create something detailed, intricate, over the top.  All of that pressure can cause me to step away from the card stock and not create anything.  I continually have to remind myself that it doesn't have to be complicated.  It can be simple.  It can be clean.  It can be whatever you want it to be.  It was in that spirit that this card was born :)

Gift Bag Punch Board Creations by Christy Fulk

Gift Bag Punch Board Creations! by Christy Fulk

This tutorial teaches three different projects that can be made with the Gift Bag Punch Board, other than the regular gift bag. There’s a bag with a flap lid, a gable box, and a gift box. They are all perfect for packaging treats or little gifts. The projects feature the Tag Talk Stamp Set and the Pretty Petals Designer Series Stack. This would make a great product-based class.  Subscribe to August over at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Butterfly Framelits Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes What Brings You Stress Brings You Solace
Airplane travel can make me a bit nuts.  I travel quite a bit for work and getting on and off planes, sitting too close to people I don't know, dealing with delays, turbulence, unhappy passengers and staff can sometimes create a lot of stress.  So I found it incredibly funny to find that stress turned to solace when I found myself on a recent trip to San Francisco staying at an airport hotel!  The hotel looked out over the water and there was a walking path along the water where you could watch the planes landing and taking off.  So there I sat.  Watching the planes and the people coming and going.  The loud roar of the engines.  The miracle of flight as those huge masses of metal lifted gently into the air.  Sometimes what brings you stress can also bring you solace!
Today I am sharing a birthday card I created for Michael's mom.  I die cut watercolor paper and then used a combination of ink with water and a bit of shimmery acrylic paint to add dimension to the butterfly.  I hope you like it!

Cherry On Top Monogrammed Cards

I love making quick monogrammed cards to give as gifts!  I always keep a few large alphabet sets around so that making these cards just takes a bit of stamping, paper and love!  I used a few different patterns of Cherry On Top designer series paper and added some cotton ribbon for a decorative touch.  Why not try making a monogrammed set for yourself?

Farmers Market Produce Stand Ensemble by Regina Andari

Farmers Market Produce Stand Ensemble! by Regina Andari

Create an adorable produce stand (card box), complete with decorative awning and banner, to hold a pretty set of greeting cards—at least six cards and envelopes!  This ensemble features the gorgeous Farmers Market Designer Series Paper, and you will learn two fun and decorative paper techniques
that create pretty focal points on some of the cards.  Also included in this tutorial is a Mini Muslin Bag with a stamped and colored image—you won’t believe how easy it is to create!  The Mini Muslin Bag is a great companion to the “produce” stand, especially when filled with an assortment of postage
stamps (and some chocolate, too).  Subscribe to the month of August at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Straw Bale Garden Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Trust Your Inner Artist
Sometimes I can rely on my rubber stamps too much.  They become a crutch.  I start to believe that if I don't have the exact right stamp for a card then I am stuck.  So I love when I get a request to make a special card for a special someone.  I was asked to create a thank you card for a couple who love to use straw bales in their garden.  My first thought was, "I don't have a straw bale stamp!"  My next thought was, "Trust your inner artist!"  So I did :)  It may look a bit like a rectangular nest and, if I had it to do over again, I might lighten the color of the straw bale.  But what I love is the trust I gave myself! :)  How can you trust your inner artist?

Schoolhouse Book Gift Set by Julie Beltramo

Schoolhouse Book Gift Set! by Julie Beltramo

Get ready for Back to School with this fun and festive gift set for your favorite teacher and/or friend! You’ll make a Faux Book, with a secret slide out drawer that holds a stack of note cards. The inside of the book holds a special message as well! You’ll also make a simply Covered Pen, to smoothly
write out all those little note cards. The Treat Bag is a perfect way to show off a sweetly wrapped snack – and you’ll learn the exact measurements to neatly fill out our Gusseted Cellophane Bags. And, finally, the simple but sweet card tops it all off as the complete gift!  Subscribe to the month of August at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Watering Can Décor Gift Set – July Bonus Project by Amanda Corbet

Watering Can Décor Gift Set – July Bonus Project!  – Amanda Corbet

This bright and cheerful watering can is a beautiful décor piece that is guaranteed to add some sunshine into any space. The watering can hangs at a downward angle showering crystal water droplets downward that catch and reflect the sunlight. The watering can also features a bright and beautiful bouquet of flowers. Pair it up with the matching card and this is the perfect gift to give to brighten someone’s day!

Bonus projects can be obtained by subscribing to two or more months in a row, putting the Craft Project Central badge on your blog, or by referring a friend and when they subscribe, letting Craft Project Central know.  To learn more, head on over to Craft Project Central!

Faux Etched Glass Butterflies by Buffy Cooper

Faux Etched Glass Butterflies! – Buffy Cooper

Nothing says warm weather like fluttering butterflies, and these delicate and beautiful “faux etched glass” butterflies will live forever. With just a few Stampin’ Up! products and this simple “Faux Glass Etching” technique, you’ll have enough faux glass butterflies for two home décor projects and an all-occasion card to send to a friend. This would make a fun class or stamp camp project, as well.
Get full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of July!

Birthday in the Barnyard by Sue Plote

Birthday in the Barnyard!  – Sue Plote

This Birthday in the Barnyard party set is perfect for the birthday celebration of your darling little girl.  This set features the Barnyard Babies Stamp Set... with the support of sentiments from the Something to Say and A Dozen Thoughts Stamp Sets.  Also highlighted are Farmers Market Designer Series Paper and Pretty Petals Designer Series Paper Stack…in combination with bright, fun Calypso Coral, Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry Cardstock.  Gold Metallic Doilies and Gold Embossing provide a lovely bit of sparkle to this ensemble, and baker’s twine provides just the right amount of country feel.  This party set includes a 3-1/2” x 5” party invitation, a barn shaped thank you party favor, a cupcake pick, a milk bottle medallion and a party banner.  And…there’s a bonus!  This set is also incredibly versatile in that, with a small color change it would be a fabulous foundation for the birthday celebration of any handsome little guy.  And there’s more…a simple sentiment switch on a couple of the pieces would easily convert this party set to the perfect background for a baby shower…for a boy or a girl!
Get full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of July!

House of Cardstock!

What can you do with simple Whisper White Cardstock, a Bone Folder, a cutting blade and some Stampin’ Dimensionals?  The truth is, you can make a whole lot!!!!  Sometimes we begin to believe that we need a ton of supplies and shiny new products to make something special.  My July project for Craft Project Central is here to show you that with the simplest of supplies you can make an incredibly special gift for yourself or a friend!  This House Of Cardstock project will walk you through the steps for making a replica of your home, or the home of a friend or loved one, out of Whisper White Cardstock!  Whata great way to turn your simple supplies into a wonderful gift!!!  The beauty is that the supplies are right there in your own home, just waiting for you to begin!
Get full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of July!

Swallowtail Card Set & Box by Amanda Corbet

Swallowtail Card Set & Box! – Amanda Corbet
Explore different ways to use the large and magnificent Swallowtail stamp in the card box and set of six cards. This project uses six different methods for accenting the beauty of this butterfly each with a unique card design. The coordinating butterfly box is a great way to present these cards as a gift with matching envelopes. This would make a great hostess gift or class project!  Get full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of July!

Perfect Pennants Make A Wish Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Let Clean Up Time Do Your Creating For You!
I had purchased a number of new foam ink pads to replace some old fabric ink pads that I had.  When it came time to unwrap them, I decided it would be smart to just test them out.  So I grabbed a stamp from the Flower Patch stamp set and a piece of Whisper White card stock and I used the stamp to test out each of the ink pads.  I ended up with quite the festive background in an assortment of colors that I would have likely never put together had I not let my clean up time in the craft room do my creating for me!  How can you let clean up time do your creating for you?

English Garden Card Box by Laurie Zoellmer

English Garden Card Box! by  Laurie Zoellmer

This beautiful card box is easy to assemble and sure to impress!  You can easily change up the colors and papers it to suit anyone!  This box will hold four decorated handmade cards and envelopes.  What a great gift idea for birthdays, hostesses, and teacher gifts or even to sell at Craft Shows! Once you start making these card boxes, you’ll want to make them for everyone on your gift list!  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of July!

Kissed Background Thank You Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Let doubt, anxiety, and worry melt away...into play! - Marney K. Makridakis
Duck, duck, goose.  Telephone.  Hopscotch.  Jacks.  Hide and Seek.  Kick ball.  These are some of the ways I played as a child.  Not to mention the hours spent making up imaginary stories and creating all kinds of crafts!  I realize now that part of why I craft and make art is because it allows me to play (when I send the inner critic away somewhere!).  In play, I find that my doubts, anxiety and worry do melt away.  I focus on what is in front of me and I enjoy exploring.  I am excited about the unknown.  I try new things.  When was the last time you played????
Today I am sharing a card I created while playing.  I made the background by kissing an inked up embossing folder with an inked up stamp!  I guess I could say that kissing is a new form of play :)

Rainbow Note Cards by Yapha Mason

Rainbow Note Cards!  by Yapha Mason

Nothing says happy more than rainbows, and Stampin’ Up has a new stamp set celebrating just that! This set of six rainbow colored note cards features the new Brights Designer Series Paper Stack and the Over the Rainbow stamp set. The note cards fit perfectly in a modified pizza box and come with a
matching oval shaped card. This set would make an excellent gift as well as a class or club project. Want the full step-by-step instructions?  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of July!

Butterfly Greeting Card Set & Caddy by Monika Davis

Butterfly Greeting Card Set & Caddy! by Monika Davis

Make this feminine greeting card set with a matching caddy that will hold your cards and envelopes. The caddy is easy to make and can be refilled with other stationery items later. It is also a pretty décor item on any desk. Make four greeting cards to go in the caddy, using the same butterfly embellishments and lay-outs, but with different background techniques that will come in handy for future craft projects. Great for a stamp camp, or as a class project.  Want the full step-by-step instructions?  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of July!

Art Journal Experiment: Wet on Wet with Crayon Resist and Salt!

Today I am sharing a video that is part of a series I am calling Art Journal Experiment!  An experiment is defined as "a course of action tentatively adopted without being sure of the eventual outcome."  This is how I view my art journal pages.  A place to try new things - to branch out - to risk - without being sure of the eventual outcome.  I hope these videos encourage you to experiment as well!

Floral Monthly Card Organizer & Cards by Christy Fulk

Floral Monthly Card Organizer & Cards! by Christy Fulk
If you need something to organize the cards you give out throughout the year, you need this organizer. This sturdy, accordion-style organizer has file tabs for each month for easy filing of your cards. It has ribbon ties on each side to adjust the depth of the organizer, along with jute ribbon handles on top for easy carrying. This tutorial also includes two cards to get you started on your card collection. The organizer and cards feature the stamp set, Garden in Bloom, and the designer series paper, English Garden.  Want the full step-by-step instructions?  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of July!

Defining Beauty Art Journal Page

 

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Open Your Eyes To The Beauty Around You

It's there.  Right in front of you.  Right inside of you.  Beauty.  All we need to do is be open to it.  Be willing to see it.  Be willing to share it with others.  In this art journal page I explored defining beauty.  This page was created for Paper Crafter's Library.  For full step-by-step videos for how I created the page and for a full supply list, head on over to Paper Crafter's Library by clicking on the badge in the upper right-hand corner of my blog and consider becoming a member!