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!

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!