hand made cards

I love cards, I love making them and giving them. I was flipping through a Stampin' Up idea book the other day and found a card I really liked but I didn't have the stamps or the ink they used so I made a similar one in different colors and used paint and bulky stamps. I have tons of these bulky stamps. They are pretty affordable, my kids even buy their own with their allowance.

I started with kraft colored card stock , chambrae blue, pineapple yellow, and a brown. An 8 1/2 x 11 sheet cut in half twice will make the front to four cards.

Next you cover the foam stamp with an even coat of paint.


Press it down firmly and evenly on the paper.

Continue with different stamps in other paints until you have the paper covered with your design. I just stamped randomly. Let it dry and then cut in half lengthwise and width wise. You should have four pieces that are 4 1/2 x 5 1/2. I trim off about a centimeter extra from each side so I can mount it on a different color of card stock and have it peek through around the design. Next choose a color for your base. Remember to choose a lighter color because this will be the inside of the card where you write.

Glue the painted cards stock on top of the folded cardstock. You can leave as is, or I like to tear an edge and ink it, or add ribbon. Here is a scanned images of four of the cards I made, two each on blue and two on yellow. If you really wanted to mount it on a darker card stock, you can use a lighter color cut slightly smaller glued inside to write on.

These are simple and inexpensive - and an easy project to do with kid. The bulky foam stamps are easy for them to hold.
Have fun!

Wood projects

I mentioned earlier that while my husband was out of town I got a lot of projects done. For some reason, even though I have an awesome craft room, most of my painting gets done on the kitchen counter (I think it might be because of the sink - or the awesome view out the window, altough I actually kinda like the non-view out my craft room/ office window as well, it's just not as "pretty") .

Here is all the painting...

Sanding, and sanding.....

Staining and finishing spray.

I managed to get done the spring flowers and butterfly, the word "thanks" and the block with "give" before it, the angels from Christmas, an 'X' and 'O' for Valentines, a heart on a stick, and most of a little easter chick - he just needs some glitter bling. I'll post a picture of him when he's done since he's going up next, and the spring flowers, the rest you'll just have to check back around that holiday.

needed some luck last night

Valentines is down and I have St. Patricks day decor up. I love these chunky wood letters I found unfinished at a local craft store. They make it easy to do a quick decoration for those little odd holidays. I spent some time this weekend while the hubby was out of town catching up on some letters and other chunky wood cutouts for other holidays. I'll post those pictures latter.

I wish I'd had luck on my side last night. I ended up in a hit and run car accident. Actually, I suppose luck was on my side. Andrew was with me and we weren't hurt (and it wasn't my fault), my car is still drivable (only the bumper was banged up) unlike my last accident. AND I was able to get the other cars license plate. The police found her and are bringing her in to the station and pressing charges in court for hit and run.

a little love - tutorial

I finished a Valentines project I was working on. Just like "snow" you start by lightly sanding the wood. I painted the plaque and the letters with a base coat, then sanded the edges. Glued the letters on and then used a clear finishing spray. I didn't stain this one. The paint colors I used are all by Delta Ceramcoat and are: Rose Mist, Sachet, Rose Cloud, Ice Storm, and Dusty Plum. I've seen similar items displayed by either drilling small holes in the upper corners or attaching small hooks to the back and running ribbon through them, but I think I'm going to stand it on a small easel. I think maybe some polka dots would look good on it somewhere~ maybe it's not finished. :)

"snow" wood project

I wanted to post some pictures of a winter project I finished just after Christmas because it will be coming down soon to make way for Valentines. I actually have a few of these projects going on as you can see in the picture. I have my own saw, but I've never gotten really good at using it and right before Christmas I found a wonderful local wood store and got a little excited.

I started this project before I started the blog so I don't have pictures of every step, but I was contemplating it so I did think a bit ahead.

To start, you lightly sand the whole letter, and then just paint the front of the letter. Iused Delta Ceramcoat acrylics. I was busy talking to friends and accidentally painted the whole S rather than just the front - at least it was the first letter of the word so it doesn't seem so odd that it is different, it turned out okay. Sand the corners down a bit and then you stain the entire letter. I used Minwax Early American. Finish with a clear spray and then for a little bling, sprinkle the letter with ultrafine glitter while the clear spray is still wet. I only put glittler on the first letter.

Finished project.
Up close of the Snowman.I also have a new follower - a sweet lady named Tammy whom I've never met who encouraged me to start this thing in the first place. I really wasn't worried about followers since the main idea was to keep my family connected, but I have to admit it was a little special to see her added to my list and to have some one I've never met intrested. So you all have her to thank.