So Many Shells Summer Ensemble by Beth Rush

So Many Shells Summer Ensemble by Beth Rush

Summer is here and many think of time spent on family vacations or just relaxing at the beach.  These projects are meant to evoke the feeling of the beach in all its sandy splendor. This tutorial will show you how to make a pretty beach themed card, perfect for any occasion, as well as a scrapbook page with holder and Memory Bottle. You’ll learn how to make a ‘Glitter Splatter’ accent that resembles a splash of sand, as well as some stitching detail.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of July at Craft Project Central!

Christmas in July by Karen Hallam

Christmas in July by Karen Hallam

If you want to get a head start on some Christmas projects this summer, here is an adorable boxed set of cards and tags that you can make up for someone special (it looks like a Christmas present!). This compartmentalized box holds three or more standard sized cards, three or more 3” x 3” card/tags, and three or more regular gift tags. This boxed set will get you singing Christmas carols in the middle of summer!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of July at Craft Project Central!

Collage Identity

I attended a wonderful workshop at the Art Students League of Denver that was a part of the Visiting Artist Series.  The workshop was led by artist Xochi Solis who currently has work on exhibit at the Denver Art Museum.  She created such a wonderful environment for experimenting and playing with collage!  The afternoon session focused on the theme of Identity.  This is the collage I worked on...I still am not sure if it is done, but I decided I would share it with you anyway :)  I haven't played much with collage and I'm beginning to wonder if it might be a great challenge for me to create a collage a day for 30 days...I will let you know what I decide :)

Butterfly Frame & Card by Sue Lehrer

Butterfly Frame & Card by Sue Lehrer

Do you ever worry about giving someone a handmade gift because it may not match the colors in their home or office? Well, worry no more. This 12” x 12” Butterfly Frame was designed using neutral colors that will fit any décor. The butterflies look like they are in flight, with their wings fluttering to and fro. The frame can stand on a bookcase or it can be hung on a wall. There is also a coordinating butterfly greeting card.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of July at Craft Project Central!

Street Poetry

At the Cherry Creek Arts Festival this weekend they had an interactive exhibit.  A box filled with word blocks and an invitation to create poetry on the street with the blocks.  This is the poem I gave to the street.  I had to.

Creating Pretty Cards – Card Sketch #73! – Regina Andari

Creating Pretty Cards – Card Sketch #73 by Regina Andari

Each month in addition to the great 3D projects that Craft Project Central has for you, they also host a monthly card challenge – Creating Pretty Cards!! To help you recreate the sketch each month, they also provide a free Sketch Mini Tutorial! This mini tutorial has information about how the inspiration card (using the sketch) was created, supplies used, and basic measurements!!  For every ten cards submitted, they’ll pick one winner of a free one month subscription! The winner(s) will get to select the month of their choice! Head over to Craft Project Central to learn more and submit your creation!!

Hellouise Is Her Name

I finally decided to give her a name.  She is always there - chiding me, trying to get me riled up.  She makes me weary.  Sometimes, I admit, I feel defeated.  It's a constant battle.  So I decided to give her a name.  After all, isn't there some theory out there that says if you give your fear a name - if you label it - if you call it out - it no longer has the same power over you?

I'd like to introduce you to Hellouise.  She is my inner critic.  She loves to show up - especially when I am creating or contemplating more fully embracing the life of an artist.  I'm not sure where her name came from.  Maybe from her.  Maybe some type of divine intervention.  But once her name was there I couldn't help but notice how significant her name was.  When I heard her chatting with me I said to her "Hello Hellouise!"  Then I realized how funny her name was - in two ways.  The first is when I said her name aloud I realized it was a combination of hello and ease.  That by saying her name I was actually combating the purpose she tries to serve (which is anything but ease)!  I also realized that her name gives me a constant choice.  Another way to break down her name is hell o' ease?  Her name is a constant reminder that I have a choice.  I can listen to her and encourage her negative chatter and feel like I'm on the road to hell.  Or I can choose ease - I can acknowledge that she has her prerogative, but I am choosing to follow another voice.

So Hellouise and I are going to make some art today.  I have a feeling that she is going to get bored because I'm going to keep going and she'll realize she can't stop me! :)

This LIttle Piggy Kids' Card Kit by Buffy Cooper

This Little Piggy Kids’ Card Kit!   – Buffy Cooper

It’s never too early to teach children to send greeting cards. This card kit makes it easy for them to create beautiful cards to send to family and friends. You’ll use the Wood Words Bundle and This Little Piggy Stamp Set to create an extended crate for the Very Vanilla Note Cards and Envelopes, as well as elements for children to adhere to their cards. They’ll enjoy painting the piggies with water and watching color magically appear, and then using their creativity to add the layers, sentiments, and embellishments. The crate holds materials for four cards; you’ll complete a fifth card to send with the kit as an example for putting the cards together. This kit could be two classes – one for parents to create the kit, and a second to help the children complete the cards.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of July at Craft Project Central!

Seasonal Shadow Boxes – June Bonus Project!* by Buffy Cooper

Seasonal Shadow Boxes – June Bonus Project!*  – Buffy Cooper

Celebrate all four seasons with this shadow box ensemble. Using the Colorful Seasons Bundle and the Color Theory Memories & More Card Pack and Designer Series Paper Stack makes this project a snap to create. This group of shadow boxes will brighten any room, and they’re so simple to create, you can make one set for yourself and one to give away. The beautiful card can be sent separately or used as a gift card. This would make a wonderful class project.

*Bonus projects can be obtained by subscribing to any of the three, six or 12 month subscription packages, that include the month for which you would like the bonus.  For further information about receiving bonus projects go to Craft Project Central!

Elizabeth Gilbert: Your Elusive Creative Genius

Some days you are led to exactly what you need.  That happened to me today.  I was listening to a podcast and it led me to this Ted Talk.  I am in tears. It is just what I needed.  And maybe it is just what you need too...since here you are...and here it is:

I also want to give a shout out to Doris, Lorraine and Helen.  I love you women!  You are on my mind and in my heart always and I so appreciate you and your creative spirits!!!!!  Ole!!!!!

Variety of VersaMark Refill Techniques

Variety of VersaMark Refill Techniques

Do you love to make the most of your supplies?  My June tutorial for Craft Project Central is all about stretching the limits of your VersaMark refill!  You will learn to use your VersaMark Refill in the bottle for simple and complex freehand drawings.  You will also sketch and apply VersaMark using a paintbrush.  Finally, you will discover how to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper and apply VersaMark to create works of art that are suitable for framing! From simple to more challenging, these techniques can be fun for adults and children alike! Let’s stretch your VersaMark refill to its limits…and beyond!  For full step-by-step instructions go to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of June!

Pick a Daisy, Make a Smile by Cindy Brumbaugh

Pick a Daisy, Make a Smile by Cindy Brumbaugh

A Daisy…the rose among wildflowers, a friendly flower that puts a smile on one’s face. In this step-by-step tutorial, you will make a bouquet of daisies that never wilts to brighten up a room or give as a gift along with a sweet little note card. You will also get instructions to make two fun fold cards using the new Daisy Delight Suite in the brand new 2017-2018 Annual Catalog.  For full step-by-step instructions go to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of June!

Boxed Card Set & Candy Holder by Julie DeGuia

Boxed Card Set & Candy Holder by Julie DeGuia

This matching card box set and cute candy holder project makes a wonderful gift-from-the-heart. Who wouldn’t love a set of handmade cards and a jar of flowers with a hidden chocolate surprise?! The card box is a simple design and holds four cards with envelopes. This set of cards features the Jar of Love Stamp Set and coordinating Everyday Jars Framelits, and the Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper highlighting new 2017-2019 In-Colors. This project requires a lot of Big Shot work, but it is worth it in the end!  For full step-by-step instructions go to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of June!

Versatile Work of Art Card Set by Regina Andari

Versatile Work of Art Card Set by Regina Andari

The images in the Work of Art Stamp Set may not look very exciting, but they are so versatile!  In this tutorial, you will learn to put those images to work in a way that creates a focal point or a jazzy background.  This tutorial also includes instructions for the pocket portfolio with a diagonal cut across the front to reveal a glance of the awesome cards inside.  For full step-by-step instructions go to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of June!

Creating Pretty Cards – Card Sketch #72 by Monika Davis

Creating Pretty Cards – Card Sketch #72 by Monika Davis –   - posting date 6-3

Each month in addition to the great 3D projects that Craft Project Central has for you, they also host a monthly card challenge – Creating Pretty Cards!! To help you recreate the sketch each month, they also provide a free Sketch Mini Tutorial! This mini tutorial has information about how the inspiration card (using the sketch) was created, supplies used, and basic measurements!!  For every ten cards submitted, they’ll pick one winner of a free one month subscription! The winner(s) will get to select a subscription to the month of their choice! Head over to Craft Project Central to learn more!

Beautiful You Purse Card Set by Christy Fulk

Beautiful You Purse Card Set by Christy Fulk

Do you like purses made from cardstock and paper, but think they’re too hard and time-consuming to make? Well, you’re going to love this purse! It’s super easy to put together, and it’s big enough to hold four cards with envelopes. This tutorial shows how to make the purse, along with four different cards. The project features the Beautiful You Stamp Set and the new 2017-2019 In Colors! This would make a great gift and a great product-based class.  For full step-by-step instructions go to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of June!

Window Box Creations - April Bonus Project by Christy Fulk

Window Box Creations–April Bonus Project!*  – Christy Fulk

The Window Box Thinlits make the most beautiful boxes, but they also make more than that! This tutorial teaches how to make three different projects with this die set, other than the one the dies were designed for. The projects include a basket, a long window box, and a window box that opens across the middle. These make wonderful gift packages, and they would make a great product-based class, too!

*Bonus projects can be obtained by subscribing to any of the three, six or 12 month subscription packages at Craft Project Central.   Head to Craft Project Central to learn more!!!!

Ink Refill Roundup!

Ink Refill Roundup

Sometimes the most beautiful cards can be created with the simplest of supplies!  In my Craft Project Central tutorial this month you will learn to use your Classic Stampin’ Ink Refills in new and creative ways!  This Ink Refill Roundup Set includes a beautiful collection of ink-decorated tissue papers, a set of four abstract art cards and a case that is perfect for storing your cards and your ink-decorated tissue papers!  This is a fun project for adults and kids alike!  Let’s put those ink refills to some creative use and allow our inner abstract artist to come out and play!!!!!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of April at Craft Project Central!!!!

Princess Birthday Party Pack by Monika Davis

Princess Birthday Party Pack!  – Monika Davis

What little girl wouldn’t want their own crown and magic wand on their birthday? This is your chance to learn how to make a sweet little crown that could double as a table decoration, a wand, a small gift bag and a birthday card... all fit for a princess. Jazz up your creations with butterflies and tulle to make someone’s birthday magical.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of April at Craft Project Central!!!!

May Door Hanger & Accessories by Stephanie Purvis

May Day Door Hanger & Accessories!  – Stephanie Purvis

May Day might not be a big holiday in your area, but it’s always fun to put together little gift baskets to hang on your neighbor’s door to celebrate the arrival of Spring. Even if you don’t celebrate May Day, you can use this door hanger to give little gifts to your neighbors, roommates, or even hang one on your child’s door for any occasion you choose!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of April at Craft Project Central!!!