Canvas Art

Heart garland

You have seen them posted all over, at least I have.  This year I actually got around to putting one together.  Easier said than done.  Here is my list of do's and don'ts for making a stringed garland.

Don't-  use cheap paper, unless you are willing to work with the deficiencies.  I bought the pack of Valentine paper from Target in the $1 section.  Didn't plan on using the same garland next year cuz I figured it would get too easily tangled in storage  The down side of this was that the paper is one sided and very lite.

Do- use double sided paper, unless you like the white side in your arrangement.

Do- use a real sewing machine.  I tried to cut a big corner and use my tiny craft sewing machine and it was more trouble that it was worth.  The stitching is way obvious and easily comes unraveled.

Don't- sew through the middle.  Unless you were smart and used two sided paper.  Since the top of my hearts were heavier they tended to go to the bottom making it the upside down and back of each heart.  I remedied this by applying a dab of glue to the back/bottom of the conflicted hearts to weigh the bottoms down.  Being cheeper thin paper they then puckered from this but from a distance you can't tell.

So Do- sew across the top.

The one thing I do like about the lighter paper is that they flutter so much prettier when hung.

Storage- if you love it and want to keep it for years to come I am sure you could, with patience, fold them accordion style and paper clip them together to prevent tangling. )

Happy Valentines Day!

Wanted to share the love before it hits the mailbox.  Using one of my very first stamps sets (probably from 2006) and one my most recent sets.  Here is one of my Valentine creations.

Happy Valentines Day!

New Spring/ Summer CTMH Products

 The new catalog is out and not much else can get my spring fever started like this can. I've got my list of "needs" written up and am planning my strategy for the length of the book.   Take a gander at this beautiful Idea book.  Filled with not only great scrapbooking ideas but fabulous home decor and gift ideas too.

Not only is there new products but for the month of February you can get all caught up using Studio J.  Save on each layout this month!  What are you waiting for!

Paper Owls

I pinned it and finally did it.  My Pinterest board said I pinned it 11 months ago.  I had bought the paper and the canvas and was just waiting till the motivation hit I guess.

The original owl was taken from Close To My Heart but my pin leads to nowhere so I can't link you to where I found it, it may have been on our Consultant page.  

Anyways here they are and please excuse the photographs.  The weather is really gloomy so lighting was nil.  Then I made the owls a bit glossy making using the flash a frustration. Somethings look  better in person, lol.

Size may be deceiving.  The base under the owls is a 12X12 card stock.  The original  project that I was basing mine on was just the 12x12 size canvas, but I had trouble finding inexpensive 12x12 canvas so I purchased bigger and added the embellishments to the sides.

The pieced owl was done free hand so don't go searching for the template like I did at first.  You can do it!  The embellishments or "yo yo's" were made using the Artiste cartridge from Close To My Heart.  Paper used was Elemental which is discontinued, I had bought it early last year for this project.  I dry embossed the 12x12 backing by scoring lines then sanding the raised area.  The beak and wings were adhered using foam tape to give them height.

Warning:  I used modge podge for the final adhering.  Wasn't ready for the end result.  It made my paper pucker.  So if you like your flat finish use another strong glue.  I had wanted a shiny finished look and thought it was the way to go.   It added to the look for sure.  Just be warned it will warp a bit.  Makes it look a bit plastic like, perhaps more durable ;)

 I added some stamp distressing to the canvas.  Wanted something other than just a white background.

These little cuties are going on my baby's room walls in a month or so. Yay!

Memories shared

I have said this a few times, whether in type or by word of mouth but it seems that any time I get to craft is when I am asked to help do something for someone else.  I love this.  Twist my arm and make me be creative.  Whether its handouts for a class or helping a neighbor create her Christmas gifts it gives me the excuse.  Last week my sweet Grandmother passed away, quite quickly actually.  My mother asked me, "since I do that sort of thing", lol, to collect pictures of our family with grandma and put them on a poster board.  Well I had thousands of pictures to sift through and only 2 days to get it together but I did create something somewhat presentable I think.  I was grateful that I had ordered the Clementine paper kit on a whim and had it on hand, it worked perfectly.
Hope this gives you some creative inspiration next time you are under the clock ;)

My Grandmother loved clocks, she had more than we could count all over her house.  She also loved birds.  So I incorporated those memories in as well.  I loved having all of the supplies on hand for such project.  It made me happy.

And the new year begins!

Getting the house tidied after a busy Holiday season.  Then its off to the craft room and I hope to have something to share.  These Valentine goodies are on the top of  my list.  I think they will be great teacher gifts when filled with school supplies!  So fun.  Check the whole kit out on my website.
I still have tons of scrapbooking to do but also have a baby on the way and hope to add a few touches to his room before he comes.  Good luck to me.
I hope you find some time and some creative inspiration during these cold winter months!