Grill Master

I can’t believe it’s been since OCTOBER since I last posted! I know I’ve been busy but I didn’t know it had been THAT long. I’ve still been crafting, scrapping and creating, just not blogging! I’m setting a goal of posting at least once a month to get me motivated again. Maybe I’ll post more than that! We’ll see.

I’ve finished several projects: Seattle Mini book for big sis, graduation cards (2) and several cards including another wallet like this one, but alas, have FORGOTTEN to take pictures of them. *EEK!*

So, I thought with this being Father’s Day this weekend, I would start the new year of blogging with my gift to J and a chance to win over at Today's Mama and Cricut:

This was so incredibly EASY to do!

I think I've mentioned I have a die-cutting machine, right? It’s the Cricut Expression. I’ve not used it as much as I would have like as I got it right before E' was diagnosed but I’m trying to make up for lost time using it whenever I can!

Do you remember freezer paper as a child? We used it as kids for arts and craft projects. It’s so versatile! Well, I saw (on a blog of course!) tee shirt creations using freezer paper as their STENCIL. What an awesome idea. The shiny side of the paper adheres to your fabric so it makes a great barrier and when you’re done you just pull it off.

So, I used:

• Cricut Expression
• Freezer paper
• Acrylic paints
• Fabric Painting Medium
• Iron

I designed what I wanted in Design Studio, remembering that text must be REVERSED and FLIPPED in order to be able to read the text after it’s ironed on:

I then cut it out on a 12x12 mat with the freezer paper shiny side UP as the shiny side will not stick well to the mat.

Then once cut out, you then place it on your fabric item where you want it and take a hot iron and iron it on place. Don’t forget if you have letters I, E, O etc that you need those INSIDE pieces.

I then took my arsenal of acrylic paints (if I lay them out it’s like a rainbow!) and mix two parts acrylic to one part fabric medium. The fabric medium is what makes them fabric paints! No need to go out and purchase the expensive fabric paints. Just mix in a little medium and volia! Then paint away! Here’s what I used in case I’ve confused you.

Here is a picture of E’s shirt to her daddy just after she painted it before we took off the stencil.

Isn’t the freezer paper so cool? Will you try it? Come back and comment if you do! I’d love to see what YOU create.

New Creations!

Hi everyone! So sorry I've been MIA. Things just have been CRAZY that I really haven't had a chance to update my blog. I've been creating, just not updating!LOL!


Anywho, I thought I'd show a few things I did for my daughter's Pre-school teachers for end of year gifts. This is a mini scrapbook I created from one sheet of 12x12 cardstock. Thanks Vicki for the tutorial! I took a couple pics and matted them, added some teacher quotes and voila, a cute gift! I bound it with BIA and added ribbons to each pull out, so it was easy to look at each "tag". Here's the outside:

And the inside:


For presentation I took this (on sale at M's for less than $2)


And covered it with coordinating paper (run through my Cuttlebug). I then added their set of note cards and beaded pen, and a gift card (all coordinated colors). I even took the cello bags and stamped flourishes on them then tied them with silver twine with a monogram tag.



They were a big hit since they weren't the traditional apple, candle, etc. type of gift. Especially the gift card (American Express!). My daughter's teachers have been wonderful to her this year and I wanted them to feel special that I took the time to create something just for them for all they've done for her and us.

Hope each of you have a wonderful weekend. Here in the USA it's Memorial Weekend, which is a time to pay tribute to all those soldiers that have fallen giving their lives for our freedom and to say thank you to those that are still serving (or have served). If you know someone that has/is part of the military, let them know you appreciate them, their sacrifice and their dedication. I know I will.

Until later,

Valentine Gifts DONE

I fully expected to have a great weekend creating however, having my dear husband come down with some sort of flu like illness really put a damper on my time and creative juices. Instead of gating myself up in my scrap room, I ended up taking care of both DH and DD. See, DD had chemo on Thursday and by Friday and Saturday she ended up having her first side effects. :( Add that with DH being quarintened in our room (can't risk E getting what he has otherwise she'll end up in the hosptial), the kids were ALL MINE during the day.

So, I made up for it at night. I stayed up until 1AM each night (including right now when I should be SLEEPING) to get the girls Valentine's Day gifts completed along with DH's. See, I was terrified that I would end up sick like him and not having any time to finish theif gifts. I only have two things left to do: Print out the saying for S's card (Whoooo love ya?) and buy some chocolates/candy to fill their mailboxes.

Here they are:

Here is a close up of S's card. The matting is crooked! :( Do you think my two year old will notice???

I used copics for the first time too! I only had a few, so I had to make due but I LOVE them and need more. If I could just get my hands on the glitter ones...

And a close up of E's card below. She really loves cats right now so this is fitting for her! I again used the copics for the cat. SU ink for the You're Purfect and embossed it with clear powder to make it pop more. The colors didn't really come out right because some of the dots on the paper are the same as the mat. Gotta figure that out.

Thanks for looking! I'll post DH's book in a day or two.