Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Using Vinyl to Create Watercolor Cards + How to Video


Recently I have seen watercolor cards popping up everywhere ! So I had to jump on board and give them a try!


Before I even got started I watched tons of you tube videos but I have to say I fell in love with Kristina Werner Design videos. What a talented artist! I even went out and purchased some masking fluid to create something like I saw from one of her tutorials. But then one night, I had a light bulb moment and thought to myself why not try making a card using vinyl rather than the masking fluid. With the fluid you need to be really steady with your hand and have great calligraphy skills. But, with vinyl all you need is a nice font and a electronic cutting machine. The designs with the Silhouette are endless!

So then came the experiment and I am pleased to say I am truly happy with the results. I have to admit I had so much fun working with watercolors that I am positive this will be the first of many projects using them!

Take a look as I flub my way through my first actual (speaking) video tutorial. I thought it would be cool for you to see as I saw my experiment come to life! Hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think :)


Here is a look at all 3 cards I made created using this same technique. Mini works of art!


Stamps I used come from Snarky Stamps found here.

Hope you enjoyed this fun and unique way of personalizing watercolor cards using vinyl :)

Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Crafting  :)


Saturday, July 18, 2015

DIY Growth Chart Ruler + Video Tutorial


Hey Everyone!

I am super excited to share with you my latest DIY project, a growth chart ruler! I have been wanting to make one forever. I can't believe it took me this long! In fact I had wood stashed in my garage for years... it is actually one piece of a bi-fold door that I kept from when we built our house over 10 years ago! Talk about hoarding, I know right!?!

A friend from work (hey Katie!) had asked me if I could cut out some numbers for her to create a growth chart ruler on my silhouette. Of course I said yes, but at the time I had way too much other stuff going on. Fast forward a couple of months and finally I had sometime this past week to work on it. So since I was making a template for her, I thought why not make one for myself.  Finally I could check it off my to do list!

There are many ways to make these growth chart rulers but I wanted mine to last forever as a family keepsake and treasure, not sure how vinyl was going to hold up over the years and that is why I chose to do it like I did. I am SO happy with how it turned out and how simple it was to make. The hardest part was being patient and waiting for things to dry! 


For this tutorial I thought I would try doing things a little differently. Rather than having tons of pictures, I decided to create a little video! Hope you find this step by step instructional video helpful on creating your own growth chart. I used the paint, vinyl, paint, peel technique all the time (PVPP) and wanted to show you exactly how it works.

I have to apologize in advance as you may need to pause the video as it is jammed packed with great tips and I didn't want the video to be super long! So with out further adieu, hope enjoy my first ever You Tube video... and as they say all the time on You Tube "please give me a thumbs up if you liked my video and leave me a comment"!


Here is the list of supplies I used:
  • Wood (piece of a bi-fold door re purposed)
  • Modpodge
  • Acrylic paint
  • Foam roller and brush (could use a paint brush as well)
  • Paper plates (for paint an Modpodge, easy clean up)
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors
  • Vinyl (cheap kind that you can line drawers with, got mine at the dollar store)
  • Silhouette Machine (to cut out the growth chart)
  • FREE file from the Silhouette School (see details below)
  • Heat gun or blow drier (if you are impatient like me ;)
  • Hanging hardware
  • OPTIONAL: stain or paint for the wood (If you choose do this, prep your wood by using the stain or paint before starting this tutorial. VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure you sand your wood lightly if using a stain before applying the Modpodge, this will give the Modpodge something to grab on to, or it may all peel off!)

For those of you with a Silhouette Machine, Melissa from the Silhouette School has the growth chart ruler Studio cut file for FREE on her blog! While you're there check out some of her amazing tutorials and projects :)

Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Crafting  :)


PS. For those of you wondering why Modpodge? Well I had lots of it around, and it is the perfect top coat sealer. Plus it gave the wood a natural look that I was going for!


Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Pocket Watch Treat Box


Hey Everyone!

Lately my life has been a bit crazy busy, with the kids at home and summer activities there never seems to be enough time. I think you will agree today's project is perfect for what is going on in my life right now and probably in many of yours too! So, without further adieu, check out this cool little pocket watch treat box... my latest Fleurette Bloom Design Team Project. 


Here is the list of files I used to create this cutie!

Box - Hooked on Fishing SVG Kit
Rosette - Lush Flowers SVG Collection
Pocket Watch SVG File

I used the reel box to create the base of the box. The pocket watch elements were then resized to match up with the base of the reel box. For fun I used a clear acetate circle to create the face on the watch. I then I also used some Tim Holtz Game spinners to create the hands. Finished it off by attaching a metal chain to the pocket watch handle and embellishing it with a couple rosettes.


This stamp couldn't be more perfect for this project. 
It comes from Craftin Desert Diva's - Blooming for you
The paper I used comes from Fancy Pants Designs - The Good Life 


 I think this would make a really great birthday gift for someone. It would also make a a really cool guys gift or maybe even a retirement treat. So many possibilities for this, you just need a little imagination and think about who you are making it for :)

Hope you enjoyed my Pocket Watch Treat Box, now go take time to smell the flowers!

Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Crafting  :)