Joyous Day of Gratitude....

Or, Happy Valentine's Day!

I made this to meet the criteria of a few challenges for the February holiday.

I followed, for the first time, the wonderful picture tutorial for the 12 Tags of 2015- February. 

Holy smokes! I had no idea he'd been cranking out tags for that many years...cripes.  I'm a bit behind, but hey...better late than never.  

Here's my gathering of stuff for that challenge....

Continuing to follow his techniques...

Wanted this little vintage boy on here to accentuate what is loved on this card; which is....

CHOCOLATE!!!

A play on words for "Eye Love You..."

 And a side glance from this little cutie!

I also selected the ephemera based on the current challenge happening over at Simon's Monday challenge where I got to pull my favorite Valentine colors together of Pink, Red, tans and rustic white as the balancing neutrals.  Also, but not least, I couldn't wait to join in another Craft Hoarder's Anonymous challenge where you have to include the world LOVE.  

And because I never know what to do with tags, I decided I would make a card base for this and now it makes me very happy!

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Lisa xx

Clothing Optional.... (a DIY tutorial)

Yes, you read that right. Clothing is completely optional when it comes to this project.

 So take those pants off and let's get to work!

Actually, it's kinda cold here and we're expecting snow, so I'm gonna leave mine on, So, go ahead and stay warm, but grab that old pair you've been holding on to that you want to recycle because we're going to make gift baskets!

I made both of these yesterday in about 2 hours. 

Super simple, super easy and super fun!

Here are a couple examples of uses you could use these for....but oh the possibilities.

Directions to assemble:

It doesn't take much material, so I estimate you could make 3 baskets just out of one leg.

1.) Cut desired length

2.) Turning inside out, sew up one end shut to form the base

3.) Turning right side out, begin the decorating process.

I decided to sew on a measuring tape for a Crafty Basket, but it would work great for Father's Day too!

I've cut off belt loops and added them to the top as well as buttons and pockets; it's whatever you want to use.

4.) Next add Mod Podge Stiffy-Fabric Stiffener (found mine at Walmart in the paint section)

Simply poured it over the material (only on the outside) and used a sponge brush to rub it in.  

5.) Using a heat tool I applied heat to quicken drying and hardening; making sure to shape jeans into a basket shape of sorts.

These stiffen really quickly and hold desired shape perfectly!

Here you see I've added floral foam in the bottom to hold elements for the gift basket.

And here is the other that I made.

6.) Simply add a tag and some goodies and viola, you have a recycled and useful gift.

Or you can fill them up with fun stuff just for you!

Hope you've enjoyed this idea and will give it a go yourself. I'd love to see your ideas if you do.

Hugs to you all and have a wonderful weekend!

Lisa x

A REALLY Love-REALLY Hate Kinda Valentine Thing....

Hate might be too strong a word, but loath, abhor and dread are runner's up.  Now I'm not referring to love or the celebration of love, I'm referring to making tags.  If you want to see a grown woman throw a full on tantrum; sit me in a chair and tell me that I have to make a tag.  

I could admire other people's tags all freaking day long and well past the cows having come home, but making my own gives me a butt pucker of 10.

So what did I do yesterday?  I decided to combine one of my favorite things with one of my least favorite things and see how it went.  

A favorite thing - Kewpies

Step 2

Still having fun because I'm just playing with colors, inks and sticky things....

And then the (gasp) tag!  

I decided that in order to keep the hyperventilating to a minimum, I'd start from the beginning of Tim Holtz 1st book Compendium of Curiosities I and re-learn and practice the techniques. Here I used Wrinkle Free Distress (pg.33), Scribble Stain Distress (pg.34), and Double Distress- brick wall (pg.40).

And here is the finished tag.

In the end, it made me smile so I cut that very word out and now it's on my shelf for a Valentine gift to me :)

Yeah to persistence overpowering belligerence!

Hugs and Happy Facing Your Crafting Fears,

Lisa x 

Special Delivery.....

Good grief! It's been one month and a day since I've posted on my blog, so please excuse the cobwebs.  I haven't maintained this place very well, but I hope to be up and running more consistently with random whatnot's and so forth's.  But for now, I have a very special little Valentine mailbox to show you that comes from the genius mind of Regina at The Cutting Cafe.  

Follow this link here for more details.

A forest fairy has teamed up with Cupid and left their love child in our living room where the beautiful mailbox has taken up residency on a branch. 

Awwwww......

In other news, I'd like to announce that I am 2 weeks along in gestation of a bouncing baby kidney stone that is hell bent on trying to kill me,   We're baffled for a name, so we're taking suggestions. With any luck we'll have a delivery any day now.

Happy February and for those of you that celebrate, Happy Almost Valentine's Day!

Enjoy the video :)

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Lisa xx

The Cutting Cafe

Stuff is Awesome. Stuff is Good...

Have paper? Then you make this.....

A NEW CAR!! (No, just kidding,not a car) but a A NEW STORAGE BOX!

I made this in a few short hours and you can too with the incredible file from The Cutting Cafe called Dresser Set Box.  If you click here, you'll see how it can be altered from three adorable drawers on a dresser to twelve, like I have done below.

The file comes with alternating drawers to choose from. You can either have a straight edged drawer or a drawer with a curve. I chose to use both. The possibilities of this file are endless!

Once boxes and drawers were assembled together with glue, I added cardstock around the edges to give a finished clean look, then I added folder embossed foil tape to the edges and began grunging it all up to fit my craft room.

STUFF was created by having the cutting machine cut out each style of the letter in various fonts, several times each. Gluing the layers together for depth and then adhering them onto a base board of cardstock.  I meant to glue some of the letters backwards for a neater 'letterpress' look, but totally forgot in the fun of it all...

Great way to use those scraps you're holding on to by decorating the drawers.

Added some buttons and knobs to the stratight edged drawers and my stuff holder box is complete 

and all thanks to

The Cutting Cafe!

If  you save this blog website on your sidebar, you'll never miss the fabulous makes of the DT and you'll also catch the great sales that Regina posts weekly! 

Thank you so much for your visit.

Hugs n' Happy Crafting,

Lisa x

Ready, Set, Wrap....

Are your chestnuts roasting yet?   Are your sleigh bells ringing? Is Jack Frost nipping at your nose? If so, then it's the tale tale signs of Christmas and we need to make sure we have our checklists completed.
 Decorations - check, Tree - check, menu planned - check, presents under the tree - ? 

 I said, "Presents under the tree???" 

Oh wait...you need this cut file from The Cutting Cafe and you can finally check that last box off the list.  Here is Regina's fabulous design, Gift Bow Template.

The file comes with two widths for bow sizes and simply by sizing the file down, I made a range of different width bows, all in music sheets.

Here are the other five that I made and instead of the looped center that comes with the file, I've added a rose center.  

These bows are so wonderfully versatile.  Simply change the paper style and you're ready for any and EVERY holiday or celebration.

Thank you so much for your visit and big hugs to you,

Lisa x

12 Tags of Christmas Ornament 12

Mason Jar Lid 12

I've reached the finish line and it's here on The 12 Tags of Christmas, tag 12. Hosted by the fabulous Linda Coughlin at The Funkie Junkie and sponsored by her store The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

Linda's work inspires me to recreate her tags in a close resemblance to colors and textures and then adding a personal touch of my own. What I loved about her tag was the wood texture, the window, the foliage and the red pops of color.

I embossed foil tape and applied to the rim of the mason jar and coated with Gesso and then DI paints.

Elements were cut on my Silhouette Cameo and then later decided what I could make work on the given space.

A closeup of the scene I've created in the window.

Thank you so much for your visit.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Lisa x