Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Thank You Card



I recently had surgery and wanted to create some thank you cards to give to all those who were so thoughtful of me and my family while I was down.  I also got a new embossing folder and these thank you stamps and wanted to use them. This is what I came up with.  My stamp platform made making a bunch of these so easy!    I love it!








Monday, December 4, 2017

Christmas Jar Tags





I LOVE how this turned out.  I still need to add some twine on my tag, but LOVE it.  On the back I did a print and cut that says "From our house to yours" and then our names.  I think these will look so cute on our neighbor gifts.  So much fun!  This was modified from a file from My Scrap Chick.  Instead of a card, I just made a tag.  So fun!   I don't remember what stamp set my Merry and Bright came from, but it was a perfect fit on my tag!  

http://alohafridaychallenges.blogspot.com/2017/12/109-anything-goes-woptional-twist.html AG
http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/2017/12/challenge-136-christmas-song.html Christmas song... It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas – “With candy canes and silver lanes aglow”











Thinking of You Cards



What do you do after you have had surgery and you can't lift or do anything for a few weeks?  Well, you make cards of course.  I recently got some new embossing folders and was watching some youtube videos on different ways to use them and one of them was to ink them.  Since I had never tried that, I gave it a try.  I decided that using a brayer works better when your pattern is smaller and close together.  When the pattern is farther apart, the brayer made marks in the white space.  Still pretty, but a lesson none the less!

http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/2017/11/ch-345-thinking-of-you.html thinking of you
http://4craftychicks.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/4-cc-379-anything-goes.html AG
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/#  AG

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Mr. and Mrs. Layout

We recently had the opportunity to go to our nieces wedding.  What a fun time for family to gather and spend time together!  It was beautiful!  I have no idea where the cut file of the couple was shared, as it was hanging out unused on my computer, but if it's yours, please let me know and I will give you proper credit!  Love it.  The titles I just created in MTC so I can't refer you to those either!  LOL. I love this paper pack and finally found a good use for all that beautiful foil paper!  For some reason the hearts on the bottom right look red, but are really a pink color.  Beautiful paper for a beautiful day!

http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.com/2017/07/ch-129-wedding-winners-from-ch-128.html wedding

A Day at the Zoo Layout





These layouts were so much fun!  I used files from everyone!  Little Scraps  of Heaven, Too Cute by Jessica, Miss Kate's Cutables, and Cuddly Cute Designs!  It was fun to mix them all up and what a perfect layouts to use them on....zoo!

http://giveacrafteracookie.blogspot.com/ zoo
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2017/07/winners-for-pile-it-on-131-fancy-folds.html birds parrot and bluebird and goose
http://www.lawnfawnatics.com/challenges/lawn-fawnatics-challenge-8-summertime-fun summertime
http://cardztv.blogspot.com/2017/07/cardz-tv-card-crazy-crafters-anything.html AG



July 4th Layout


This cute little frog is a Marjorie Ann Designs file.  Isn't she cute.  I happened to have one lone frog left over from a layout I did on the fourth of July from pictures from a couple years ago.  I had intended to put her on a card or something, but never did.  While I was putting together this quick layout, I snagged her and put her on. I think she looks like she was meant to be here.  There are so many cute designers out there and she is one of my favorites.  Always such cute files.  The flower was jut a basic shape I found somewhere but it looks cute on the top!  

http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/2017/06/challenge-125-patriotic-red-white-and.html red white blue
http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/2017/07/sos-challenge-311-cas-for-simplicity-day.html simple
http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2017/07/lm-352-4th-of-july-adventures.html 4th
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2017/07/pile-it-on-132-primary-colors.html primary colors
http://4craftychicks.blogspot.si/2017/06/4cc357-crazy-egganything-goes.html AG
http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com/2017/07/connie-can-crop-monthly-challenge-60.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FPaFIR+%28Connie+Can+Crop%29 stash - all my paper and frog






Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Star Valley Temple Openhouse Layout



What a wonderful way to spend the day.  We grabbed Grandma and Grandpa and drove to see the Star Valley Temple openhouse.  It rained on the way there and home, but was just a little overcast while we were there.  So fun to see the stain glass picture of Christ that they bought from another church and installed in our temple.  It was absolutely stunning.   Wish I had a picture of that, but these will have to do.  Families are forever!  So grateful for mine!

http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/2017/06/june-2017-challenge-1-tic-tac-toe.html rainbow, 2 borders, layout
http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2017/06/lm-349-june-20th-summer-solstice.html something long
http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/2017/06/june-2017-challenge-2-take-six.html 6 different papers
http://viviansdesk.blogspot.com/2017/06/studio-challenges-dreaming-with-eyes.html anything but squares and rectangles
http://justusgirlschallenge.blogspot.com/2017/06/just-us-girls-color-week-398.html yellow and aqua paper and brown inking on all of it
http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/2017/06/himcr-305-feminine.html feminine






Embossed Rose Card



Ok...so I ordered a bunch of the cheap embossing folders from China and I have to say, I love them.  They do a nice job and this one was only about $1.30.  It took a while to arrive, but it is so pretty.  I ordered like 15 of them so I just had to play with a couple since they just arrived.  Love how it looks on this card.  Hope you can see it.  The disadvantage of using my phone versus my camera but look close.  The white is embossed with the prettiest rose folder.  I think this one is my favorite out of all of them I ordered!  I love it!

http://sparklesforumchallenges.blogspot.com/2017/06/challenge-93-embossing-heat-or-dry.html dry embossing
http://avenue613.blogspot.com/2017/06/challenge-198-anything-goes-optional.html AG
http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/2017/06/himcr-305-feminine.html feminine



Retreat Party Explosion Box



 


So I have never done an explosion box but they had the cutest birthday set over at Dreaming Tree that I just had to have!  One of files in the set was an explosion box.  Can I say, oh my goodness!  How absolutely fun and easy is this!!!!  I have a retreat coming up soon so I decided this was a good time to try to make this.  I hope she likes it.  I think I'll fill it with some kind of treats....chocolate maybe?  LOL.  Everyone loves chocolate right?  I think I'll make one of these for my daughter and put a gift card in it.  What teenager doesn't like money?   Now I need to make the cupcake gift box.  It is adorable also.  If it's as easy to work with as this file, I'm sold!  I love the balloons and party hat!  Doesn't this just scream party and have fun!  I LOVE it!







Summer Days Layout


With summer FINALLY arriving, I couldn't resist these cut little ants and watermelon because doesn't summer time scream watermelon?  Love these little guys!  Miss Kate's Cuttables files.  Super cute.  Not the best photo but I'm to lazy to go get my good camera so my phone will have to do!  LOL.

http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/2017/06/challenge-124-picnic.html picnic
http://mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2017/06/challenge-348-summertime.html summer
http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.com/2017/06/ch-128-summer-fun-winners-from-ch-127.html summer


 

Treat Gift Trio


Here is the whole set together.   My treat box trio. This will be day one of my secret sister gift at my scrapbooking retreat that I am going to.  I'm going to put some type of chocolate in the too.  I hope she likes it.  I think it turned out cute.  Two more gifts to go.  

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/2017/06/shopping-our-stash-308-think-pink.html think pink
http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.com/2017/06/dt-call-challenge-117-anything-goes.html die cuts /punches
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2017/06/dlart-june-linky-challenge.html linky
http://cardztv.blogspot.com/2017/06/cardz-tv-mailbox-smiles-anything-goes_16.html anything goes



Fox Cards

My Scrap Chick had their dollar days the other day and I couldn't resist a couple of them!  I got this Fox set that had this little guy.  I still need to make the box but these cards were super cute.  I thought with the right sentiment, they could be used for anything.  Love that!  I think this little fox turned out cute.  Not sure I like the background papers so much, but the fox himself is adorable!

http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/2017/06/ch-322-campin-critters.html

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Happy 46 Birthday Layout



Have I mentioned that I am beginning to love print and cut?  LOL.  I don't know about you, but it seems that birthday photos and Christmas photos are the last to get done around my house.  I have several years of everyone's birthdays because with the friends party, family party, birthday activities etc, there are always tons of pictures and to make the piecings for all those photos takes a ton of time!  So in comes print and cut.  Now I can cut a bunch a piecings in the time it would take me to just make a couple of only 1 pattern.  I love the dimension of paper piecing, but let's face it, sometimes I need a quicker option.  For that reason, I am loving print and cut.  Maybe I will get some of those birthdays and Christmas' done yet!  Two birthdays done just today.  Gotta love that!  These little cuties are Marjorie Ann Designs.  Cute huh!  These designers sure make some adorable files.  Love all their talent.  I was asked who my favorite designer was.....why all of them of course!  I couldn't pick just one if I had too.  They are so talented and I love them ALL!  


http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/2017/03/little-red-wagon-challenge-384-plaids.html polka dots
http://paperissues.blogspot.com/2017/03/take-5-tuesday-challenge-march.html take 5-more than 1 photo, circles, patterned paper, cardstock, blue
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2017/03/dlart-march-linky-challenge.html linky
http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/2017/03/himcr-291-springs-colors.html spring colors




Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Giddy Up Mazatlan Layout



This was a fun little layout.  Aren't these little donkey's cute!  Love them!

http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/2017/02/challenge-382-down-on-farm.html farm animals




Game On Layout

I absolutely love these little bears.  A few months ago, I saw the cutest layout with little black bears. I was going to buy some when I found this little guy in my collection.  He was originally a brown bear, but I thought "I bet he will be cute as a black bear."  And I was right.  He is a cute little black bear!  I made a few of him and did a layout called "Love you 2 pieces" with puzzle pieces, but I had a few left over.  We had the opportunity to go to a cabin for a family vacation and when we go, we often play games.  I thought wouldn't those little guys look cute on a cabin layout with all of us playing cards....yep, yep, and yep again!  LOL.  Sadly, all these little guys now have homes.  I like him well enough, maybe he'll show up another time somewhere else.  But until then, he looks adorable on this Game On layout!

http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.ca/2017/02/challenge-305-animals.html animals
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2017/02/dlart-february-linky-challenge.html AG
http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2017/02/lm-322-colorphoto-inspiration-challenge.html red, white, black
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.com/2017/02/tuesday-throwdown-331-favorite.html favorite embelishment - die cuts of course!  Are there any other embelishments?  LOL





Monday, February 13, 2017

Bathroom redo using General Finishes Java Gel Stain

Well, it was time to do some updating in our home.  Having used General Finishes Java Gel Stain on many furniture projects and a kitchen in a cabin, I decided it was time to do some updating at home.  Here's my bathroom before and after.  It took me about a week to stain and paint and it took my hubby 2 days to do the tile but all in all, I love it.  I wanted to do my kitchen also, (which I did in another post) but I didn't want my cabinets to be quite this dark.  This bathroom has no real light in it so the stain which is actually a really dark brown, looks black.  Not the look that I wanted in my kitchen, but I love this look in my main bath which my son uses and he loves it too!  Not bad for a couple weeks of work!  Do you love it too?  If you want to see my kitchen, go here:   Kitchen Redo - General Finishes Gel Stain Completely different look with a mixture of java gel stain.  Love that stuff!

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Kitchen Redo General Finishes Gel Stain - Mixed Stain


What a labor of love!  After many years in our home, our flooring in the kitchen needed to be replaced.  Well, since we were updating the floors and the fridge shelves had broken and ice maker quit working, and the kitchen faucet was corroded in hard water that wouldn't come off anymore, I decided it was time to redo the whole kitchen, cabinets as well.  Our cabinets were in wonderful condition and I still loved them but they needed a little updating.  I thought about painting them white but really like the warmth of wood.  So...what is a girl to do?  I refinish furniture and have used General Finishes Java Gel stain, but I knew that I wanted my cabinets darker, but not that dark.  So I bought brown mahogany, antique walnut, and then Georgian cherry.  None of them produced the color that I was looking for.  So....what is a girl to do when tackling a project of this size by myself and knowing that this was the product I needed to use in order for my sanity to make it out alive but also knowing the color wasn't right?  Start mixing stains of course and when you get it right, you'd better make sure you mix enough to do the whole project!  LOL.  

So after mixing a few batches of stains, I decided I had found the perfect color.  It even matched the wood floors in my dining room.  It's funny how it works on a project like this.  After only 1 coat of stain, I decided that the color that I was going to do (2 to 3 coats), might be a little too dark still on so much surface.  So I continued on with one coat and loved the result.  It is just dark enough to update them, I can still see the wood grain, and if I want to go darker another time, I still can!  All in all, I am loving the result.  We have the floors done, cabinets done, new faucet, and all new appliances.  Now we need to do lighting, counter tops and back splash, but for now we are taking a break until spring when we can open the windows while we work.   What do you think?  Dark enough?  Not dark enough?  I actually love the warmth and color and it's my house, so it's a win win for me but I just wanted to throw this out there in case their are other people who would like to update their cabinets, but maybe not quite as dark as the General Finishes Gel Stain.  Mixing it was easy, so give it a try.  In my case, I had already bought all the colors.  Might as well try to use them and it worked perfectly!  Maybe you can find just the right color for you too!  Good luck! Oh, just so you know.....I have used gel stain on probably a dozen projects and the ONLY way I have found that you can get away with anything less than 3 coats is to apply with a foam brush and then DRY brush immediately.  To do this kitchen, I actually used 3 boxes of  2" chip brushes.  The color is actually more even in person than the lighting shows in the after photo, but hopefully you get the idea.  Give it a try, especially if you are just going to replace your cabinet anyway.....what could it hurt?  Start with a junk dresser, a thrift store shelf or something that is inexpensive and you'd get rid of anyway.  That's what I did and now I've done a ton of projects, even selling some pieces for fun!  It's time consuming, but in my opinion, so worth it!  
(And just in case you were wondering what color I was going to do and ended up going lighter....here is the same stain with 2 coats.  Still love it but afraid it might have been too dark in my kitchen.)