Desktop Card Organizer & Notepad Holder by Stephanie Purvis

Desktop Card Organizer & Notepad Holder! – Stephanie Purvis

As crafters we all probably make a ton of cards. But when it comes to sending out those cards, sometimes we don’t get them out as often as we would like. We have to find the card, an envelope, stamps, address label, and even a pen. Sometimes that simple task takes a lot of effort and causes us to miss sending out a card! Here is a desktop organizer that can hold several types of cards, the envelopes to match them, and a drawer underneath that can contain a pen, stamps and even a few return address labels. This makes it so much more convenient to get those cards out! Everything you need is all in one place – right on top of your desk. This would also make a wonderful gift! Also in this project tutorial is a notepad holder to keep track of birthdays, events, or other notes!  Subscribe to the month of September at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Colorful Seasons Card Set & Gift Box by Monika Davis

Colorful Seasons Card Set & Gift Box!  – Monika Davis

Is your craft room getting full of too many stamp and die sets? Do you find you don’t get enough use out of your products? Here is a card set using the same stamp and die sets, paired with different techniques. The cards can be easily reproduced to make a number of sets. The coordinating box is also very easy to make and can be reused as a small gift bag. This is a fun card set showcasing the beautiful images of Colorful Seasons Stamp Set, the coordinating Seasonal Layers Thinlits Dies and the sets versatility.  Subscribe to the month of September at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Bike Ride Note Card Set by Jennifer Sootkoos

Bike Ride Note Card Set!  – Jennifer Sootkoos

Create a fun and whimsical notecard gift set using the Bike Ride Bundle. You will learn how to create four unique note cards using the Bike Ride Stamp Set. You will also learn other ways to use the Striped Treat Bags. This fun set is sure to brighten anyone’s day! Subscribe to the month of September at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Painted Harvest Home Décor by Buffy Cooper

Painted Harvest Home Décor! – Buffy Cooper

Fall is here, and Stampin’ Up!® has some amazing products to help you create beautiful autumn cards, home décor items, gift packaging and more. In this tutorial, you’ll create a beautiful home décor piece using the Painted Harvest and Gourd Goodness Stamp Sets from the 2017 Stampin’ Up!® Holiday Catalog. You’ll also learn how to create a simple water colored background and discover a new way to use household products with Embossing Paste. This set would make a perfect housewarming or hostess gift, and would be a fun stamp camp project as well.  Subscribe to the month of September at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Creating Pretty Cards – Card Sketch #75!

 

Creating Pretty Cards – Card Sketch #75!

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!! This month I was the guest designer for the card challenge!  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!!

Coffee Break Gift Ensemble by Liz Miller

Coffee Break Gift Ensemble! – Liz Miller

Some people firmly believe that coffee is life and whether that's you or not, you certainly know someone who feels that way.  With this tutorial, create a gift that evokes a feeling that is about catching up with good friends or just starting your day off right featuring the Coffee Café Stamp Set.  This would make a quick and easy class project or hostess gift!  Make one to gift to a friend or keep it just for yourself.  So, go and grab a cup of coffee (or water if that's your thing), and start creating.  Subscribe to the month of September at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

A Blog By Another Name

I feel like I need a place to post my artwork - and only my art work  A place where I can experiment and play.  So I have started another blog www.michellejoywecksler.blogspot.com.  Right now I only envision posting photos of my work and what I am working on.  No narrative.  Please feel free to check it out if you're interested.  I will still continue to post here, but I was feeling like I needed a space without clutter :)  Just wide open space to create in....

Flower Shop Notebook Set– July Bonus Project!* by Monika Davis

Flower Shop Notebook Set– July Bonus Project!*  – Monika Davis

Do you like taking notes or doodling? Do you like giving handmade gifts? Than this is a project for you! Make this cool notebook with a coordinating card and bookmark. Dress up a simple notebook with craft sticks and make it durable and reusable. This cover will not wear down easily. Learn a simple and fast bookbinding technique that is easy enough to do for adults and kids alike.

*Bonus projects can be obtained by subscribing to any of the three, six or 12 month Craft Project Central subscription packages, that include the month for which you'd like the bonus. Head to Craft Project Central to learn more!

Stamped & Glazed Canvases & Cards

Stamped & Glazed Canvases & Cards

Stamping supplies and art supplies can be married together to create some beautiful and original pieces of art!  Let’s get your art flowing in my July tutorial for Craft Project Central by combining your stamps and ink with gesso and glazing liquid!  In this tutorial you will learn how to use stamps and some of the lids from your stamping supplies to create amazing texture on canvases.  You will also learn how to create original works of textured art on Watercolor Paper to decorate your card fronts.  These techniques are fun for adults and children alike! Let’s get your art flowing!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of July at Craft Project Central!

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!