Count Your Blessings Table Decor

Take time to count your blessings during the upcoming holiday season!  This set includes a blessings bank, gratitude cards to fill out and insert into the bank, place cards to gather blessings from your guests and a blessings list that your guests can fill in and take home with them.  This set can be used to adorn your holiday table or you can use the box, gratitude cards and lists as a way to remind yourself how blessed you truly are each and every day!  This is my November project for Craft Project Central.  If you want to get the full step-by-step instructions for making this entire set, head on over the Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of November.

Mini Collage Challenge - #2

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Allow Fate To Intervene
This is the second 2"x 2" mini collage that I created.  I began by adhering bits of torn painted paper to the watercolor paper with Utrecht matte medium.  You can also use painted tape, washi tape, masking tape...and you don't have to worry about having glue or matte medium with you :)  As I continued to put the torn pieces down I began to worry about what else I would add...and while I was worrying, I turned one of my pieces of painted paper over and saw these words staring right at me!  I had done some paper painting on one side of a page from a book!  And fate brought me to these exact words at the exact right moment.  So I cut them out and added them to my mini collage with matte medium.  I love it when I am open to allowing fate to intervene!

Christmas Survival Kit by Amanda Corbet

Christmas is fast approaching and there are always those last minute cards you forget to send or gifts you need to give and you’re out of time! Oh no! Well this Christmas Survival Kit by Amanda Corbet includes five cards with envelopes, four gift bags, 10 gift tags, and 8 gift card holders as well as space to put other necessities, all tucked away in this beautiful gift shaped box. Just lift off the lid and one side falls down to show the beautiful row of drawers and two back pockets. Make this for yourself or someone special to save a little headache around Christmas. Or change up the patterns and colors to make a gift set ready for any holiday!

This Christmas Survival Kit is the October Bonus at Craft Project Central.  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.  Head on over to Craft Project Central for more details!

Mini Collage Challenge #1

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Make It Manageable
As some of you may know from reading my blog, I sometimes find it challenging to head into the Craft Room and start creating.  The idea of picking up materials and getting started can feel overwhelming.  So I have decided to make it manageable for myself.  After all, why would anyone be intimidated by a 2"x 2" piece of watercolor paper?  So I went ahead and cut a small stack of 2" x 2" pieces of watercolor paper and I have decided to try to make at least one small 2"x 2" collage a day.  This feels doable to me.  Even if I am traveling I always have a glue stick with me and there are likely to be bits and pieces of receipts, ticket stubs, trash that I can incorporate into a mini collage.  My hope is to share this journey with you - sometimes one at a time - sometimes maybe a few at a time.  Feel free to join in the challenge with me!  Right now I will commit to 30 days...but who knows...it might turn into a year-long affair!  The nice thing about these mini collages?  You can always use them on a card front or incorporate them into other paper crafting projects.
Since I wasn't sure where to begin...even with a 2" x 2" piece of watercolor paper...I went with an easy start - the shape of a heart.  I have tons of scrap papers around the craft room that I like to paint on and this is the perfect way for me to start putting those little papers to use!  I am using Utrecht matte medium for adhering my pieces down, but I may play with adhesives a bit the more I make these mini collages.  I hope you'll enjoy this journey with me!

Creating Pretty Cards - Sketch Challenge #40

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Of all the reasons for being an artist, there is one that outweighs all others:  Art offers a path to our souls. - Nick Bantock
The path has definitely been bumpy so far for me!  Bumps, bruises, stumbles and falls.  But I keep getting back up because there is no other path I would rather be on!
Today I am sharing my submission for this month's Creating Pretty Cards - Sketch Challenge #40 over at Craft Project Central!  There are still a few days left for you to join in the challenge...and you might just win a free one-month subscription to Craft Project Central!  Come on over to Craft Project Central and play!!!!!

Autumn Wreath by Jen Arkfeld

It’s time to create something fun for your autumn home décor!  This Autumn Wreath by Jen Arkfeld screams fall with its warm colors, feathers and touches of raffia. The great thing about this design?  You can easily use other Designer Series Paper for summer, spring or winter!  It’s a versatile design.  Happy Crafting!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of October!

Fall Banner & Candle by Christy Fulk

This Fall Banner & Candle by Christy Fulk would be wonderful Fall décor for your home. The banner is made with coaster board, and the matching candle is stamped, along with other embellishments.  Make one set to keep as your own, and make another set to give as a gift. This would also make a great Fall-themed class.  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of October for full step-by-step instructions!

Take Flight Art Journal Page

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes Beginning Is The Hardest Part
I walk by the craft room, peer inside, and keep walking.  I think of every excuse to not go in - I'm tired; I'm not motivated; I can't.  It's all the little gremlin voice trying to prevent me from taking the risk of creating.  And I succumb.  Often I just let the gremlin win.  Yesterday I decided to slay the gremlin and just picked up a piece of paper that had been sitting on the craft room table.  It had some ink stains and paint drips on it and I just began to add to it.  That's all it takes to slay the gremlin.  Just beginning.  Just picking up the pen, brush, stamp and putting it onto the paper.  A small move of your hand.  A small risk in the grand scheme of things.  Yes, the gremlin will be back.  But for now, I feel victorious!
Today I am sharing an art journal page I created for Paper Crafter's Library.  For a supply list and full step-by-step video instructions, head on over to Paper Crafter's Library by using the badge in the upper right-hand corner of my blog and look into becoming a member.  I create projects for Paper Crafter's Library every month and enjoy stretching my creative limits!  Come join us!

Perfect Blend Thank You Card by Doris Male

Today I am sharing the final card that Doris shared with me on our visit.  I love how she used the Alphabet rotary stamp to customize the greeting!  I hope you enjoy this inspiration as much as I did!

Fall Favors & Table Décor by Buffy Cooper

How cute is this Fall Favors & Table Décor project by Buffy Cooper?!?!  Fall is here (and so is my birthday today!!!!) with beautifully colored falling leaves, scarecrows, pumpkins and family gatherings.  Create simple and adorable favor boxes for your fall parties and dinners, a beautiful centerpiece, and a card to send to family and friends using fun fall colors and the Color Me Autumn suite.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of October!!!!

Traveler Card by Doris Male

Today I wanted to share a wonderful card created by Doris Male (thanks Doris!).  On my recent visit with her she shared cards that she had created or altered from designs she found online.  I love how Doris uses Designer Series Paper to come up with unique color combinations and this card is no exception.  Doris has also inspired me to pay more attention to the inside of my cards.  Her cards always have a special stamped surprise inside!

Twenty Days of Thanks by Heidi King

Now is the season of refection and thankfulness.  This Twenty Days of Thanks advent project by Heidi King is a perfect way to remind us of our blessings.  Add treats for little ones and each day add a slip of paper with what you are thankful for.  Thanksgiving Day is the perfect time to read them and reflect!  For full step-by-step instructions head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of October!!!!!

Seasonally Scattered Cards

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  See Colors In A Whole New Light!
I love seeing what other people create with Stampin' Up! stamps!  Colors that I pass right over suddenly attract my full attention when I see the used in unique combinations.  Doris shared these two cards with me during our recent visit and the second card just popped!  I love that color combo and I'm sure it will be inspiring my own creation in the near future!  Both of these cards use the Seasonally Scattered stamp set from the Holiday Catalog.  Click HERE to shop now!

Baby Shower Ensemble by Monika Davis

What an adorable Baby Shower Ensemble designed by Monika Davis!  Make these sweet baby shower decoration pieces for a sweet friend who is expecting. This set contains a shaker card, a sweet baby carriage treat box, a book mark and a wand/straw decoration. You will be the talk of the party. These pieces can be mass produced easily and the greeting card can serve as the invitation and/or the baby announcement. Great for a stamp camp, or as a class project.  Subscribe to the month of October over at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions for creating this great project!

Kinda Eclectic Card Assortment

Today I wanted to share three gorgeous cards that my wonderful friend Doris showed me during our recent visit.  Each card uses the Kinda Eclectic stamp set in a unique way!  These cards incorporate original designs as well as layouts that Doris found on-line.  How can you use the Kinda Eclectic stamp set in a new way?

Bright & Beautiful and Festival of Trees Cards

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  The Same Materials In The Hands Of Different Makers Can Create Wonderful Results!
I am always amazed by how one single stamp set can be used by many different crafters to create cards and paper crafting projects that are incredibly varied!  During my visit with Doris I was able to see a huge variety of cards she had created!  Some of them were her own original designs and some were adaptations of cards she had seen on-line.  Stamp sets that hadn't even caught my eye in the catalog were brought to life by her creations!  Of course, my wish list grew and grew! :)  For a few days I'm going to share some of the cards she shared with me.  I hope they inspire you to use your sets in new ways...or maybe they will inspire you to look at a set that you had passed by and see it in a new way.  Enjoy!  The top card uses the Bright & Beautiful stamp set and the bottom card uses Festival of Trees. I love how there is always a beautiful surprise inside each of Doris' cards!

Fold Out Mini Album & Card by Julie Beltramo

What a sweet Fold Out Mini Album & Card designed by Julie Beltramo!  Everyone loves to remember an event with photos! So why not make this quick and easy Fold Out Mini Album to capture those moments and share them with someone you love! The album has two fun fold out ‘pages’ that will give you a total of five spots for pictures, or just spaces for writing your thoughts! Whatever you choose to put inside, the recipient is sure to have a smile on their face when they see the surprise inside!! And the coordinating card completes the sentiment!  Head on over to Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions.  Just subscribe to the month of October!

Halloween Ensemble by Regina Andari

Bwaaaahaaahaaaa!  Check out this Halloween Ensemble by Regina Andari.  This ensemble includes a quick-to-make triangle treat holder, a fun, interactive Waterfall card, and a candy dispenser that everyone can enjoy.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of October!

A Special Visit!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Connections can come from the places you least expect them!
I had the wonderful pleasure of visiting Calgary for work earlier this week!  I also had the amazing pleasure of meeting up with my wonderful friend Doris!  Doris is a phenomenal human being and an outstanding Stampin' Up! demonstrator!  If I lived in Calgary, Doris would be my demo!!!! :)  Doris and I met in a place I would have least expected it...here on-line!!!!!  Our friendship is something I treasure!  Doris was sweet enough to present me with this great gift when we met up for dinner!  I love the ring with all of the card stock colors.  It's going to come in quite handy as I design cards and projects!  I love the gift wrapping as much as the gift!  One of my favorite parts is that Doris stamped the Eclectic starburst in the middle of the doily!  So pretty!!!!  I plan to share with you some of the amazing samples Doris shared with me during her visit!  I hope you find the pieces as inspiring as I do!

In Beauty May I Walk Art Journal Page

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Commit To Creating Every Day
This is not a demand I have of you.  It is one that I have for myself.  I find, especially when I travel for work, that I can let my creating fall by the wayside.  I allow (yes, I take full responsibility) for all of the excuses to take over...I'm too tired; I don't have my craft room; Someone will see what I'm doing (if I'm thinking about doing something creative on an airplane or on a park bench)...you know, the regular excuses.  So yesterday I decided I was done with the excuses!  I have chosen one thing that I want to work on - trying to draw...or maybe I should frame it as "putting pen to paper in a visual way" - somehow even the word "draw" brings sweat to my forehead!  It feels so intimidating!  My commitment is to put pen to paper in a visual way to create pictures (or representations) of people...starting with myself.  If I am brave, maybe I will share my first two pictures with you.  The first one I did without looking down at the paper (which is quite obvious :)  The second one I did without lifting my pen from the page and only looking down at the paper a couple of times.  Both of the pictures are quite abstract...to say the least :)  And, at least I am following through on my commitment!  The best part?  Each one has only taken about 5 minutes!  I can't find an excuse to stop me from keeping this commitment! :)
Today I am sharing an art journal page I created for Paper Crafter's Library.  For full step-by-step videos on how I created the page (yes, that is a dryer sheet that is giving texture to the background!), feel free to head on over to Paper Crafter's Library by clicking on the badge on the upper right-hand corner of my blog and become a member of PCL!  I create a set of videos for the site each month with the hope of keeping your and my creative juices flowing!