Cute as a Button!

It's Monday, again, and that means it's time for another challenge at The Kraft Journal. The theme for this week is "Cute as a Button". This theme has so many possibilities, I was almost overwhelmed trying to make a decision on what to make. Then, as I was searching through my stash, I found a cork board in a frame that I picked up at the $1 store a long time ago knowing that I could make something out of it...someday.

Well that someday arrived and I think it really is "Cute as a Button"!!

I will be giving this to little William's mama to use at their house. I think this is just  adorable as is, but you could certainly add a picture to it. Oh, another idea just hit me...I could have removed the cork piece and added metal behind it and it could have held up pictures with magnets and I could have made matching magnets with the bottle caps...oh the wheels are turning my friends!!

I used a piece of precut chipboard to reinforce the back of this frame, it was pretty flimsy and it really sturdied it right up....is sturdied a word?

I hope you enjoy this project and are inspired to create your own "Cute as a Button" themed piece of craftiness. Head on over to The Kraft Journal and see what the other amazing designers came up with for this challenge.

Kraft Outlet Supplies Used:
#142 Bottle Caps
#34 Precut Chipboard
#925 Xsmall Grungy Prim Tag

Other Supplies Used:
DP - Snips & Snails (Three Bugs in a Rug)
Buttons - (Stampin Up)
Paint - Light Buttermilk (Deco Art)
Ink - Tea Dye Distress Ink (Ranger)
Sealer - Mod Podge Matte (Plaid)
Tools - 1" Circle Punch, Hot Glue Gun, Fine Sand Paper

Project PageMaps 1-6

This is my 2nd post for the day. Scroll down if you are looking for the Kraft Journal tutorial.


This past weekend I was able to drive up to my local Archivers store and I was in heaven. They recently got in some new products and I had to be very careful not to go bonkers in there. I did pick up 3 new lines of paper, Springtime and For the Record from Echo Park and Stella and Rose from My Mind's Eye. Let me just say this.....YUMMO!!!

I couldn't resist breaking open one of these yummy collections for this week's Project PageMaps. I used the 6th sketch from the 1st book (I think it's on page 18). The sketch is an 8 1/2 x 11 sketch, but you know me...I changed it to a 12x12.

This layout really came together quite quickly and I am just loving this paper!! It's not quite my usual, it has a bit of a vintage touch, but I love it. Oh, by the way, did I happen to mention that  I LOVE THIS PAPER! 

I am going to try to do a 2nd layout this week and post on Friday, if not, I'll be back next Wednesday with the 7th sketch.

I hope you are having a great week!!

Faux Leather Vase Tutorial

I have another tutorial for you this week for The Kraft Journal. Grab some popcorn and pull up a seat, I hope you enjoy!

This week's challenge at The Kraft Journal is all about "Bling". Use this week's theme to inspire you to create a project and then link it up by 6pm (Eastern) on Sunday Feb 27th. Everyone who enters the challenges for the month of February has a chance to be featured on the "Feature You Fridays" posts as well as be entered to win a $15 Kraft Outlet Store Voucher! The more challenges you enter this month, the more chances you have to win!! Just remember the challenge rules,  include either Kraft cardstock or products from Kraft Outlet on your project to be eligible for the prizes.

An Update and A Sneak Peak

It's Monday again!! At least it's a holiday and there is no work or school!!!! I hope you are all able to enjoy a long weekend like we are.

This weekend I was hard at work on a tutorial for The Kraft Journal. I love the project that I did and I'm sure hoping that you will too!! Here is a sneak peak at what I created,

We have been busy with lots of other things this weekend too. My husband bought, yet another, motorcycle. This is his 7th motorcycle in 10 years.....yes.....SEVEN...LOL
He doesn't still have all 7 though, he only has 2 right now. I can't really complain, he indulges my love for my dogs and it seems like they have been costing us as much as a motorcycle recently with tons of vet bills. They all have bad teeth, except Piper, and Harley had to have 2 ACL repairs. Now Piper has to have both of her knees worked on. We won't go into detail about how high the tab is running, let's just say...I didn't complain when Rick went and bought, yet another, motorcycle this weekend. He put it simply...."you have your hobby (meaning my dogs), and I have mine...."

Enough Said.

We also have a dog trainer coming in to help us with Ziva tomorrow. I am super excited! She is so good  and obedient in the house but when we go outside, she acts like she doesn't know who I am or what her name is. It's all about her nose and eyes out there. I am hoping the trainer will help me get better control over her outside. Other than that, she is doing awesome. She is putting on weight and her coat is more shiny and we only need to help her put on about 2 more pounds until the vet said she will be at a perfect weight for her size.

She likes to watch all of the action in the playroom and lick the baby when he comes up to  the gate.

Well, that's about it for me today. Be sure to come back on Wednesday to watch the Kraft Journal tutorial video.

Have a good day!!

Challenge 33 at Papercraft Star!

It's already the 33rd challenge over at Papercraft Star, can you believe it? This month we are being sponsored by Copic Markers and My Favorite Things!! You DO NOT want to miss out!!

This week is a Sketch Challenge. Here is a look at the sketch,

And here is what I came up with using the sketch,

I absolutely LOVE this paper line from BasicGrey!! I have just enough of it to squeak out a few more cards. I couldn't resist pairing it up with this stamp set by BasicGrey as well. It just makes me happy :0)

I hope that you will play along with us at PCS this week. You have until Noon (Eastern) Saturday Feb 19th to get your project linked up before the voting begins. Also, if you haven't stopped by the PCS Message Board you really should. Lots of fun conversations going on over there from everything craft related, kids, reading and weight loss...something for everyone!

Supplies Used:

CS - White (Georgia Pacific)

DP - Nook & Pantry (BasicGrey)

Stamp - Cakes (BasicGrey)

Ink - Rouge Chalk and Chestnut Roan Chalk (Color Box)

Markers - R20, T1, E55 (Copic)

Tools - Tiny Attacher (Tim Holtz)

Project PageMaps 1-5

Week 5 of my personal Project PageMaps!! YEAH!! I have to be honest..I started working on this layout and then had to walk away from it before it was finished. I left everything in place on my craft desk, it was all ready to stick down. Well, yesterday was just beautiful here and I was able to open the windows in the house for some much needed fresh air. When I went around closing windows last night....and I got into my craft room...my layout and all of my mess had been BLOWN TO THE FLOOR!! GGRRRrrrrr, stupid breeze coming into my house making everything feel new and fresh!! Needless to say, I had to put it all back together this morning. It's okay, I added a few more things and I like the layout even better now :0)

Here is what I did with the 5th sketch from the first book,

Wanna know my favorite part? It's the little teeny tiny flower I put by her ear...how cute is that!?! Sorry, I can't help it...I am IN LOVE with this dog. She is just an amazing little angel in my life. 

I hope you are all having a fabulous week!! I will be back on Friday with my take on Challenge 33 at Papercraft Star, hope to see you then.

Supplies Used:

CS - ?? Color (Bazzill), White (Georgia Pacific)

DP - Dear Lizzy Enchanted (American Crafts)

Letters - Thickers "Sunny" (American Crafts)

Trim - Little Flower Trim (from my stash)

Pearls - Light Pink (Recollections)

Dies/Punch - Tattered Florals (Tim Holtz), Itty Bitty (Stampin Up)

Ink - Tattered Rose Distress Ink (Ranger)

and my Sewing Machine

It's Hip to be Square

That's the theme for this week's challenge at The Kraft Journal! Why is it that every single time I say that I hear the song in my head? Is that happening to you right now? Your Welcome!!

With a theme like "square" I just had to make a square card. I started out by making a 5 x 5 inch square base and then went from there. Here is my square card,

I made a 4 x 4 square design on the card by cutting A LOT of 1 x 1 squares from two sided pattern paper and folding them in half. After inking them up I attached the half squares back to back to make a dimensional pattern of...what else...squares. It was really fun and I really like how it turned out. The flower is made with a great new product that the Kraft Outlet is offering. It's called Gaffer Tape and is put out by 7 Gypsies. If you haven't used it before it's pretty much like fabric tape. I topped the flower off with a button and a sentiment stamped on a Grungy Tag. 

I hope you will join us over at The Kraft Journal this week, it's hip to be square ya know!!

2/16 UPDATE: I'm entering this card into the Square Card Challenge @ Creative Craft World

Kraft Outlet Supplies Used:

#81 Brown Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock

#958 Twill Tying Tape

#421 Grungy Prim Tag 2

#982 Gaffer Tape, Venice Collection

Other Supplies Used:

DP - Subtles Designer Collection - Rose Red (Stampin Up)

Button - Subtles Collection - Rose Red (Stampin Up)

Stamp - Elements of Style set (Stampin Up)

Ink - Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger), Rose Red (Stampin Up)

Papercraft Star and The Kraft Journal

Happy Friday!!

I just wanted to give you all a quick reminder about the challenges going on this week at Papercraft Star and The Kraft Journal.

This week at Papercraft Star there is a sketch challenge happening. You have until Noon (Eastern) Saturday Feb 12th to get your submission linked up before the voting begins. The prize sponsor this week...and heck this whole month...is Copic Markers! Yes, you heard me correctly...COPIC MARKERS!! So what are you waiting for my friends...get crafty! Here is a look at the sketch,

This week at The Kraft Journal the challenge theme is "LOVE". Create a "love" inspired project and get it linked up by 6pm (Eastern) Sun Feb 13th. All participants in the challenges for the month of February have a chance to be featured on "Feature You Fridays" posts as well as be entered to win a $15.00 Kraft Outlet Store Voucher!! If you haven't visited the Kraft Outlet yet, you really should. It's a fantastic store! I know you must have at least one more "love" creation left in you before Valentines Day! Your project just needs to include either kraft cardstock or products from Kraft Outlet to be eligible for prizes.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!

Project PageMaps 1-4

Happy Wednesday!!

It's been interesting around here weather wise recently. One day it's 68 and sunny, then 2 days later it's 7 below -0- and freezing, then back up into the 50's and now it's 5 degrees and snowing again. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some spring weather!!

I was able to get back on track with my Project PageMaps. I worked with the 4th sketch from the first book. It's a two page 12x12 layout so I had to do some adjustments since I don't really do two page layouts.

Here is my take on the sketch,

This layout took far TOO long!! I was having problems with a title for this page. When I finally came up with the 1 2 3 idea I didn't have any chipboard or Thickers letters that matched my color scheme. I decided to cut the title out on my Cricut with the Hello Kitty Font cartridge. I did it in white and it just looked too flat. So, I decided to ink up the letters with some Tattered Rose Distress Ink. That helped but it still just wasn't looking great to me. So, I decided to use some UTEE on it. I swear this simple layout took me about 4 hours. Between trying to pick the picture, then paper, adjusting the sketch to fit my needs and that darn title I thought I was never going to be done! All in all I think it turned out pretty cute. I really like this paper by Bo Bunny, sorry I can't recall the name of the line. I didn't do well with keeping track of all of the supplies I used on this one. 

I will be working with the 5th sketch next week and maybe if I can find the time I will tackle the 6th one too. If you want to play along with me, email me your layout by next Tuesday and I'll post it along with mine next Wednesday.

I hope you are having a great day and are keeping warm wherever you are!!

Love is in the air!!

Happy Monday and welcome to the 5th challenge at The Kraft Journal!! The theme for this week is "LOVE".  I hope you will join in on the fun, be sure to visit The Kraft Journal for all of the challenge details!

I found a tutorial on YouTube on how to make this journal. It's super easy to make and I had a lot of fun decorating it. Let's take a look and then I'll give you some details.

With Rick working nights right now it seems like we don't see each other that much. I thought it would be a great idea to make a journal to leave him Love Notes in that he could read when he got home. I wanted it to be a little rustic and not too frilly but when it comes to LOVE there has to be a little frilly involved...right? I made this flower out of mini cupcake liners and I just adore it!! Lot's of embossing created the background, cute beads created the title and baker's twine was used for the binding and bows.

I hope that you enjoy this project and are inspired to make your own "LOVE" creation. Head on over to The Kraft Journal and see what our other amazing designers did with this challenge.

Have a fabulous day!!

Kraft Outlet Supplies:

#926 Round Metal Edge Grungy Prim Tag
#81 Brown Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock
#933 Red Baker's Twine

Other Supplies Used:


Flower: Mini Baking Cups (Celebrate It)
Buttons: Creative Collection-Red (Dress It Up)
Mini Clothespin - Made with Love Heart Clip (Celebrate It)
Beads: Plastic Letter Beads - Glamorous (Studio 18)
Ink: Distress Ink - Tea Dye (Ranger), Versamark Dazzle (Tsukineko)
Stamp: "R" & "K" (Michaels
White Get Pen - Signo Broad (Uni-Ball)

Crazy Week here in My World!

Okay, so I didn't get my layout for Project PageMaps done this week :(

I have a few excuses though...wanna hear em?

1. Monday....well that's a pretty good reason to me. (just kidding)
Actually on Monday I had a benign mass removed from my arm.

2. Tuesday...no school. They cancelled school because it was so cold here. If I remember correctly it was something like -7 degrees with a windchill of -27 degrees.

3. Also on Tuesday, we adopted a new family member. Meet Ziva, she is amazing!!

4. Wednesday...no school AGAIN! It was still really really cold. 

And that brings me to today...I think I will just consider this week a wash. I am going to try very hard to double up next week so I will be back on track. I'm going to take the rest of this week to rest my arm and spend time with Ziva to make her feel like a member of our family.

I will be back on Monday with another project for The Kraft Journal. The theme for next week is "LOVE".  Here is  a sneak peek at the project I made. It's a gift for my husband.

I hope you are all warm and cozy in your neck of the woods!  Enjoy the rest of your week and I'll be back on Monday.