Summertime Project Fun

Oh so long since I've posted! 

Life does keep one busy sometimes! 

I have been crafting quite a bit tho, and I've

got some fun projects that were created

for the Clear Scraps blog.  You can see

all the details over there....check out the

links at the end of this post!

Are you familiar with Clear Scraps?

If not, stop over to their store, you can

find it HERE.  The blog is always full of 

inspiration and great ideas to use their products!

So here are a few of the projects created this

summer using the Clear Scraps goodies!

How cute is this beach frame?  Clear Scraps +

 Bella Blvd Splash Zone = adorable!

They have adorable shaker mini albums!

I'm a little obsessed with mason jars

at the moment....you too?

This one was from a cross over with Stampendous

stamps....they have amazing stamps, and are a

perfect pair with the Clear Scraps DIY Medium Pallet!

One of my favorite things to unleash some creativity,

the 12x12 Acrylic Sheets and stencils.  They 

have so many great ones to choose from and

yep, even the chipboard is from Clear Scraps!

Another patriotic project, and another DIY 

Medium Pallet shape!

This one was another cross promo this time with

Joy Clair stamps!  And this time a mini pallet!

Love, Love, LOVE Clear Scraps!

Hope you are inspired to do some fun summer crafting....

even great ideas of things to do with the kids over there!

Thanks for stopping by today!

LINKS:

Beach Frame 

Mason Jar Shaker Album

Life in the Jungle Pallet

12x12 Acrylic Beach LO

Patriotic Heart Pallet

Home Decor (Our Home)

New Year.....Let's Create!

Ahhh.....another year goes by.....and January FLEW already.....I was sorta sick for a good chunk of it unfortunately.....as were many people, but at least I got in some crafty time!  Time to play a little catch up!

I was both excited and honored to have several of my projects at the big Creativation show this year!  Clear Scraps had a booth there, and they have truly knocked it out of the park with their new releases!

So here's a little of what I was up to in late December, early January:

This sign was made with one of the many new stencils in the Clear Scraps collection!  And the perfect size wooden pallet is theirs too!  You can find all the details on THIS POST over on the Clear Scraps blog.

Next up.....the absolutely ADORABLE new medium size DIY Pallets from Clear Scraps.....they come in all different shapes.....I'm seriously in LOVE!!!

And you guessed it.....all the details on where to find them and how I created this one, are over on the Clear Scraps blog RIGHT HERE.  The "I Love Us" is also a Clear Scraps newbie.....along with sooooo many others. These are great for home decor projects like this. You can find them all in the Clear Scraps store HERE.

Maybe I was needing a perk up in a dreary January, but this project sure did it.....how can you look at the
bright fun colors on this one and not "Choose Happy"?!!

And yep.....you know the drill.....check out the Clear Scraps blog for all the deets!  You'll find it HERE.

Well thanks so much for stopping by today!  I've got sooooo much more to share.....I have a bunch of projects I just completed.....stop back soon!

Fall Crafting and Home Decor

Well, in the last week we went from our week long fall into the start of winter here in the midwest!
Since fall is my favorite season....it's disappointing when it seems so short, so I'm going to keep fall crafting going, even if the weather is telling me different.....lol.

One item I recently created was this cute little frame project.....it's using some items from Clear Scraps, their Damask Stencil, and their Blank Wood Cards.

The best part, you can interchange these pieces to create a home decor piece that you can change with the seasons!  If you want to see how this one was created and a few more details, check out the Clear Scraps blog HERE.

Another item I crafted up using the Pumpkin Wood Shaker Album.....instead of an album (which is super cute too!) I used the album to create this fall home decor banner:

If you'd like to know how this one was created and a little more about it, check out the blog HERE.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Make sure to stop by the Clear Scraps blog to check out all the great inspiration!

The Great Outdoors Fishing Kit and Paper House Productions!

Hi everyone!  Sharing a sneak of a project I've done for Paper House using one of their amazing kits!

Just a sneak yes....but you can see the entire project over on the Paper House blog HERE.  Stop by and say hi and find out more about their amazing Great Outdoors kits!  These are an amazing value with a 12x12 sticker sheet (amazing quality too!), papers, and even 3D stickers!  And guess what *hint hint* you can find them at Hannah's in Antioch, IL too!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Always more creative fun coming!  Stop back soon! 

Top Ten Blog Hop 2017

ETA:  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  Congrats to the winner of my prize pack.....Random Generator picked #12.....Nicole!  Please pop me an email at lauracox@lycos.com!!  Again Congrats.....and thanks for all those who left a comment and participated in the hop!!

Welcome to your next stop in our Top Ten of 2017 hop!!!  You should have hopped over here from Marcia Dehn-Nix's blog and your next stop will be Irit Shalom!

I'm so excited to be blog hopping with these talented crafters.....make sure you visit everyone!  A lot of talent, a lot of giveaways, and soooooo much inspiration!  See the bottom of this post for the entire list to make sure you don't miss anyone!

And here we go with my Top Ten of 2017:


#10: BoBunny, Blessings, and Kreaxions

This shaker card combined stenciling, die-cutting, bright cheerful distress inks with BoBunny papers for my #10 fave....more info.....check THIS POST.


#9:  Halloween Blocks.....Carta Bella is always a fave....and you can see that in several of the projects I've created this year....these blocks were one of my fave projects.....and on display at Hannah's (local scrapbook store and gift store in Antioch, IL)....this one with the Haunted House collection.

#8: Christmas Blocks....Carta Bella for the win again....their Very Merry Christmas collection (also live and in person at Hannah's)

#7: Fall Flip.....

This home decor project was a two-fer.....fall on one side, and Halloween on the other....and all made with the Pebbles Midnight Haunting collection.



#6:  Cozy Winter LO....more Carta Bella love....the Cabin Fever collection....
 

 
Ok....had to share this one even tho my pic isn't perfect (this one is on display at Hannah's also, and the lighting was sub-par that day)....but I'm anxiously awaiting some snow so I can fill this one with pretty snow pics....it's SO fun....right down to the sparkling copper gold deer ribbon border. ;)


#5:  Home is Where the Heart Is.....and where home-made home decor is....

Carta Bella's Welcome Home Collection and a little creativity = adorable every day home decor.....this collection is one I have more projects in mind.....just LOVE.


#4:  He Pulls at My Heart Strings....and even more of a fave since it's this little guy that has just left for college....time flies!  Perfect with the Fancy Pants Sweet Nothings collection.

More info on this post HERE.


#3:  Julie Nutting Halloween Home Decor

I'm a huge fan of these doll stamps....and seldom get the chance to play.....so this project was a fun one to do at one of the crops I attended this year!

#2:  Believe and BoBunny

This memory verse clipboard with it's twine and tags and bright colors....love....more info HERE.


and drum roll for my #1 of 2017.......

My first try at mixed media/art journal creating.....a combination of Color Burst, Distress Crayons, stencils/paste, stamps, black ink, and a Julie Nutting doll ended up in a colorful bold statement that reminds me every day and in every way that:  I. AM. BLESSED. 


Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I have a fun little giveaway....I'm kinda into the buffalo plaid craze this year.....are you?  If you are, make sure to leave a comment today....you'll be entered to win a sweet little buffalo plaid set of goodies, and a few fun scrappy/paper crafting goodies too.  Not going to spoil the surprise, but will be a great prize pack--so make sure you comment....will post a winner on January 1st to start 2018 with a bang!

Blog Hop List

Christine Meyer

Kathy Skou

Kathleen Graumüller

Teri Anderson

Susie Bentz

Janice Daquila-Pardo

Giorgia Rossini

Laurel Seabrook  

Aimee Kidd

Mary Ann Jenkins

Keren Tamir

Lee-Anne Thornton

Heather Leopard

Tifany DeGough  

Sue Eldred

Melissa Elsner

Laura Whitaker

Anita Mulcahey

Ashley Smith

Simone Schermann

Shelly Kurth

Monique Liedtke
Suzanna Lee

Marcia Dehn-Nix  

Laura Cox

Irit Shalom

Nicole Martel

Carolyn Johnson

Tenia Nelson

Samantha Taylor  

Rebecca Keppel

Judy Hayes

Isha Gupta

Traci Penrod

Tracy McLennon

Karen Hunter

Lyne Blodgett

Anna Sigga

Lisa Moen
Kat Benjamin
Wendy Antenucci  

Believe Clipboard and Tag Home Decor

Hi all!  I've got another project using the ever versatile butterfly border punch from Just Imagine Crafts! It's a pretty tag set with some memory verses, and a clipboard to hold them in place....I used the BoBunny Faith paper collection to create this one!

It's easy to add tags, or other sayings or inspirations I'd like to remember by just making more pretty tags.  If you'd like to see a close up of the entire set of tags, stop by the Just Imagine blog HERE.

The delicate lacy bottom edge of each tag is created using the Just Imagine Crafts Kreaxions punch #901.  I've used this on several projects over the last month.  I've varied how much the punched edge is peeking out from the tag....so it gives a different look.  A little Distress Ink adds a little color too...here are a couple of close ups:

The butterfly punch might just have one more project coming in a week or so....check back to see!  Thanks for stopping by today, and remember you can find this pretty punch HERE.

Home Decor Sweet Nothings

Sharing my last project with the Fancy Pants Sweet Nothings collection (for now!).  I created a set of blocks as a kit for the LSS (Hannah's in Antioch IL) so they were out as a sample for the store....I've now gotten to take pictures to share!

Because this project is so wide.....over 2 feet....I took pics of the individual blocks so you can see the details up close!

Here is the complete project as it would be displayed:

Thanks for stopping by today!  Might stick with the love theme this week....check back soon to see ;)

PS: You can find all the Sweet Nothings collection HERE (I used the ephemera and most of the papers, and some bling and hearts I had). 

New Year....New Crafting!

New Year, new beginnings, right?  I always have so many things I'd like to do....but don't like the whole "resolutions" thing.  Too much pressure?  I don't know....but I do like to push myself every year to improve. 

I've recently had the dubious honor of living with an auto-immune disease.  A huge part of treatment is healthy, clean eating, and after a year of doing amazing...last year I slipped a bit and by the end of the year....a lot.  So this year....back to better choices.

I've also decided to start a home detox....not only the products I use....which I've been working on, but also in just clutter.  So much clutter it's hard to stay organized.  That's a toxic, stressful situation!  I know this is a big movement now, but for me the driving force was helping a friend get her home ready to put on the market.  WOW the stuff we don't even realize when we just live in our home "the way it is" every day.  Now I realize there are many of you that are very organized, but that is not me.  It's always a struggle.  But I've decided to really DO THIS!  So every day I've decided to pick a project....might be large, might be small, but something, to de-clutter.  I've done drawers, closets, cabinets....all in these first few days of the year.  I'm looking forward to a de-cluttered home....even if it takes me a year to get there....I've got this!

Well, ramble ramble....haha!  I'm going to share a project today.....it's been an entire MONTH plus since I've shared....partially the holidays, partially the holidays and working in retail, and partially just feeling poorly because I haven't been taking care of myself.  But this is another on my list of to-do this year....get creating even more!  I've got a lot of fun projects to blog about already, but first up is a project using a Just Imagine Kreaxions #916 punch and a super cute start to some Valentine's crafting:
 

 

To create the borders on the sides, I used the punch with the "A" guide.  Super simple, but a pretty scroll design that makes me think of frilly Valentines.

I've also made a set of circles using the Just Imagine Kreaxions Circle Cutter....this thing ROCKS....such an easy and portable circle cutter....easy to adjust and easy to use.  I've also punched one of the circles around to create a doily effect lining it up like this:
 

It creates a doily effect like this: 

The other two sides are fun also, but no punches....love this Fancy Pants Sweet Nothings collection!

And the finished top with the doily, and some fluffy, glittery tulle:

I suggest getting the Circle Cutter the templates, and a punch or two and play, play, PLAY!!  So many fun and creative ways to use these!  A lot of great video tutorials online to check out too!

Thanks for stoppin' by today!  You can find the scroll punch #916 HERE and the Circle Cutter HERE.

And a quick thanks to Fancy Pants for the rockin' new Sweet Nothings collection!  I'm having a blast creating with this one!
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September Hop with Practical Scrappers!

Time to hop along with some great designers with some amazing projects!  If you came here from Wendi's blog, then you are doing this right!  If not, make sure to go to Wendy's (that's indeed Wendy without the "i") blog and start from the beginning to get all the inspiration!  I've got a fun fall project for you of course....

Aren't these so cute?  I used the new Halloween collection from Carta Bella--Haunted....love love the designs on this one!

I used a wooden craft box made to alter, painted it up with black acrylic paint, then decorated it with the papers to create a book look.  They will be a fun part of my Halloween decor this year!

Here is a peek at the inside of both "books":

I used the sticker sheet to create a lot of the details....the Haunted collection has a great 12x12 sheet!

Here is the back view:
 

 

And finally the "spine" of the books:

Make sure to continue the hop and enjoy all of the inspiration along the way! Thanks for hopping with us today, and you are on to the next stop.....Christine's blog.  You'll find some amazing creativity on her blog so make sure to stop by!

And just in case....here's the complete list! 

Wendy www.stampingrules.com
Majken http://chocoscrapaholic.blogspot.com/
Alison http://alisondaydesigns.com/
Wendi http://scrappydayinparadise.blogspot.com/
Laura http://scrapaddict4life.blogspot.com/
Christine http://scrappingwithchristine.blogspot.com

Ready for Summer?

Ahhh....life in the Midwest....it's winter time, cold, gray and icy.  Course, we don't have 30 inches of snow....I feel for my East Coast friends!

So I decided....who couldn't use a little sunshine right now?  I know I could, so I'm sharing a project that I had published in Scrap n' Art magazine this summer:

It was created using Paper House products...including their cute cork and die cut cardstock stickers!

The die cut sand castle has just a sprinkle of glitter....the cork'd stickers match up with the Colorways perfectly!

To give this an even more beach feel....I used a sanding block around the edges of the photo.

Another gorgeous die cut sticker....the seashell looks real, right?  It's wrapped in a piece of net and foam taped to the block.

The starfish is another die cut, and the glass knob was a dollar find at a craft store.

This is one of my favorite projects of our beach trip this past summer....I love home decor that is pretty and functional....and better yet....captures those precious memories! 

I really hope you are enjoying sunshine wherever you are....if not....it's time to create your own!

Supplies:
Paper:  Paper House Colorways--Sapphire
Embellishments: Paper House--Sunshine Cork'd stickers; Fun Beach die cut stickers;  Recollections enamel dots
Adhesive: Xyron Mega Runner; Scor Tape
Other:  netting, wooden block, wooden feet, Snow Cap Adirondack paint, glass knob.