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!

Wonderful Washi Tape by Regina Andari

Wonderful Washi Tape!  by Regina Andari

Washi Tape is an affordable product that we love to have, look at, and hold, but do you use yours?  With this tutorial, you’ll use Washi Tape to decorate a generously-sized twist container and a handmade home decor item— mini wooden pallet—that could be used to embellish a gift bag or box or hang on a door knob or hook.  The two most exciting things about this tutorial are (1) learning how to add text (a custom sentiment/message) to your tape without using stamps and (2) making a 3D flower with vertical bunches of curly petals!  There are a lot of little surprises in this tutorial!  Intrigued?  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of the July!

You Are Unlimited Potential

This is you.  Full of unlimited potential.  On the verge of bursting through.  About to show the world your full and true colors.  You are precious, complete, perfect in your existence.  Be brave!  Be courageous!  Honor what is true.  Let yourself bloom!

Summer Garden Tote Gift Set by Julie Beltramo

Summer Garden Tote Gift Set! by Julie Beltramo

Make this super sweet Summer Garden Tote Bag as a Thank You to that special friend. The coordinating Covered Notepad and Pen are simple but functional gifts that fit neatly inside the Tote. And, of course, the Thank You Card is a must to top off a perfect gift! In this tutorial you’ll also learn an essential tip - the perfect ‘stay put knot/bow’ – you’ll never tie a knot or bow any differently after learning it!  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of July for full step-by-step instructions!

Bohemian Stationary Desktop Organizer – June Bonus Project by Amanda Corbet

Bohemian Stationary Desktop Organizer by Amanda Corbet

This bright and bold desk organizer is complete with 10 note cards, 10 envelopes, 12 gift card holders, and 12 gift tags. The organizer keeps it all nice and neat and ready for the next occasion that you need to send a little note. The drawer in the organizer is the perfect place to keep the twine for the gift tags and thread for the gift card holders. Not to mention stamps or other items. There is just enough room in the organizer to hold all these goodies and leave a space perfect for a pen. Put together this lovely desk organizer for yourself or give it as a gift to someone who could use a note card or gift tag in a hurry!

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.  Head on over to Craft Project Central for more details!

Boys Will Be Boys Birthday Party by Boni Montano

Boys Will Be Boys Birthday Party! by Boni Montano

This complete birthday party set is bound to make your lil’ guests feel entertained! It includes an interactive place setting that will keep the kids busy while you are serving lunch. A personalized mason jar keepsake.  Mini gift bags that are perfect for goodies or snacks. A birthday banner that coordinates with the party supplies. Finally, cupcake toppers are the perfect touch to tie the party together. This is a one of a kind party. It is perfect for your lil’ boy!  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of June for full step-by-step instructions!

Flower Patch Card Box Set by Christy Fulk

Flower Patch Card Box Set!  by Christy Fulk

Summertime is here, and flowers are everywhere! This card box set would make a perfect gift, and the four cards are perfect for any summer greeting.  The card box is covered with a decorated sleeve that can be slid off and on.  The set features the Flower Patch Stamp Set and the coordinating Flower Fair Framelits Dies. Three of the new 2015-2017 In Colors and the new Banner Triple Punch are used, too! This would also make a great card class.  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of June for full step-by-step instructions!

Paper Cloth Bird Sculpture and Card!

This is my June project for Craft Project Central!  Do you have Designer Series Paper that you wish you could turn into fabric?  Now is your chance!  This Paper Cloth Bird Sculpture and Card will show you how you can make a sewable, pliable fabric from your Typeset Designer Series Paper.  What a fun way to turn your paper into a 3-dimensional home décor item!   Create a gorgeous coordinating card in case you decide to gift your sculpture to a lucky friend!  You might even let your friends or children join in the fun of creating fabric of their very own to turn into all types of wonderful creations!!!  Want to find out more?  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of June!

Happy Father's Day Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It Doesn't Take A Lot To Show How Much You Care
A simple card made with love with your own hands.  Sometimes I want to make a card and I don't feel like I have the time or energy to really make one that I will be proud of or that will be perfect enough for the person I am sending it to.  That's when I need to stop myself and realize that it doesn't take a lot to show someone how much I care.  My card doesn't have to be complicated.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  And, it doesn't need to take a lot of time or energy.  I can use the time and energy that I have and work with that!  I arrived home late Thursday night after a substantial work trip and we wanted to get a Father's Day card in the mail early Friday so that it could make it in time for Father's Day.  I needed to do my best given what time and energy I had and I found washi tape was a great and simple way to decorate this card in a flash!  I die cut Basic Gray cardstock with the Hello You thinlits dies.  I then stamped the "Father's Day" with Basic Gray ink and the Crazy For You stamp set.  These were both adhered to a Mint Macaron card stock panel.  Next came the Everyday Chic designer washi tape and some silver sequin stars.  Quick, simple, and made with a ton of love!!!!

Summer Fun Craft Party by Buffy Cooper

Summer Fun Craft Party! by Buffy Cooper
It’s summer! The kids are out of school and looking for something fun to do, so how about throwing a craft party? Send a cute “Summer Funday” invitation to your children’s friends, create a craft pack with basic supplies for each attendee, and let their imaginations take over. The cut whirly ladybugs are fun and simple to create, and preparation is a snap with the Big Shot and Circles Collection Framelits. The invitation uses simple marker techniques to customize photopolymer stamps. This would also make a fun Kids’ Stamp Camp or class.  Subscribe to the month of June over at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Paper Cloth Heart Ornament

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Think Beyond The Texture Of The Material
I love paper!  And, sometimes I am looking for something a bit more lasting and enduring.  Making paper cloth is a great way to turn your paper into a new material that you can sew and get creative with!  I had some leftover paper cloth that I had made using the Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper and I decided to turn it into a stuffed heart ornament for an incredibly special friend!  How can you think beyond the texture of the material you are given?

Sewn Road Trip Collage

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Always Have Something With You To Create With!
My travel schedule can get a bit nuts sometimes and I can find myself away from the craft room and the over abundance of art supplies that live there.  So I now travel with a kit of random supplies...just in case the urge to create comes over me and I am in a hotel room, an airport, or some other place far far away.  Lately I've added some cotton thread to the travel craft kit and I have been enjoying sewing into watercolor paper.  This collage began when I was inspired by the sleeve on my drink from Caribou Coffee.  The quote spoke to me and I began by adhering it to the center of the watercolor paper.  Next I added some random painted papers and tapes that were in my kit.  The sewing was the last addition.  Lots of little meditative stitches in a combination of black and purple.  Sometimes I take the kit with me and it never gets open.  Other times it is the respite in my travels.  Either way, it is always with me in case the urge to create strikes!

“By the Tide” Gift Ensemble! by Regina Andari

“By the Tide” Gift Ensemble! –  Regina Andari

It’s time to welcome summer, and you’re going to need the right packaging for treats and gifts.  With this tutorial, you will make a trio of boxes, learn a quick and easy way to decorate push pop containers that won’t interfere with whatever you choose to fill them, and create a beautiful open-top box with the capacity to hold a lot of treats.  It’s so decorative that you (or whomever you give it to) will want to keep it on display.  Go to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of June for full step-by-step instructions!

Fabric Scrap Ornament

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Put Your Scraps To Good Use!
I don't like going over to a friend or neighbor's house empty handed.  A few weeks ago our neighbors invited us over for dinner and I didn't have much time to figure out what to bring.  So I walked into the craft room and saw some scrap pieces of fabric and ribbon staring back at me!  So I did a bit of stamping on the fabric and then walked over to the sewing machine.  A quick fabric scrap ornament, perfect for a doorknob, kitchen cabinet knob or holiday tree!  How can you put your scraps to good use?

Summer Camp Stationery Set by Yapha Mason

Summer Camp Stationery Set!  – Yapha Mason
This Summer Camp Stationery Set is perfect to send to sleep away camp with your teen or tween. Featuring the Epic Alphabet Stamp Set and the bright and fun Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper Stack and matching Washi Tape, this set contains six single-sided notecards (for short notes home) and six square cards (for longer letters), as well as two pens and two pencils. It all fits nicely in the decorated plastic case to keep it safe from the elements. This would make an excellent gift as well as a class or club project.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of June over at Craft Project Central!