Thrifty Thursday :: Christmas In July

I have decided to reinstate my Thrifty Thursday. Also, I will have themed days throughout the week. This will help me with more regular posts, and I won't get stressed out about not having a new project everyday!

So the week will be:

Monday (whatever I post)

Tutorial Tuesday

Paper Craft Wednesday

Thrifty Thursday

Feature Friday:Etsy Edition

Saturday (whatever I post)

Having this schedule will also help hold me accountable when life gets too crazy.

So lets kick off Thrifty Thursday! This week, I'm featuring a way for YOU to be thrifty! 

Christmas In July!

Between now and the end of July you can save 25% when you purchase from Our Daily Chocolate Boutique de Papier

Now is the time to stock up on Christmas Gifts!

Bloom!

Has anyone seen her? Is she away? Have you seen her online? Is she still ALIVE????

Yes, yes, I am still alive! 

I tell you, when life hits me, it hits pretty hard! But I am now back to (what I hope to be) my regular posting schedule! 

A few days ago I was able to get some crafting done and I came up with such a cute little idea. I had a frame, buttons, paper, and chipboard letters.

So I came up with this adorable BLOOM frame!

You can find this in my Etsy Shop now! I think I may have to make a second one, because I am just lovin' it!

Box of Craft Goodies :: Keeping it Organized

I have shown you all how I keep the craft cabinet organized. This craft cabinet is for the items I don't mind my children getting into without my supervision/permission.

But then there are items that are only allowed to come out when I am there and can supervise. These items are out of arms reach. But how do I keep them all together in one easy-to-grab spot? Simple!

Below are photos of how I have organized these items. All in one easy-to-grab case. Perfect for art projects, everything we need is at hand in one location. Also makes clean up a breeze.


Items included are:

• 2 pks Watercolors (I have two children)
• 1 pack of oil pastels
• 1 pack of chalk pastels
• 1 small watercolor
  
• 1 pack of paintbrushes (for mommy)
• 4 other paint brushes for children
• watercolor pencils (mostly for me, but my oldest will be using them soon)
• 6 bottles of tempera paint
• 2 paint trays
• 4 paint cups
• 2 pairs of scissors
• 2 pencils
• one paint marker (for me)
• Pack of watercolor paper
• Pack of drawing paper
• Pack of construction paper
• 6 mat frames for artwork
  
• 2 plastic cups for water
• One bottle of white glue
• glue sticks
  

The container I found at T.J Maxx for $3. The little Christmas bucket was a gift from one my husbands co-workers (filled with candy). I figured since it's inside the container, it didn't matter that there were Christmas trees on it.

This works perfectly for us. I don't have to worry about items getting messed up, lost, or ruining my home. I love this little container.

Just seeing it all sitting there, together, makes me want to create. I mean really, just LOOK at those watercolors, so beautiful!




How do you store your art supplies?

Simple Recipe Book :: Fill in your own

Just a quick little tutorial to show you how I have made the best thing ever since sliced bread! Ok, well, sliced bread is much yummier, but this is a close second, not that you can eat this.... or that you would want to...

First, you want to start with a blank spiral bound pack of index cards. Then get yourself some cute font stamps, great ink, super cute paper and matching ribbon.

Measure (or in my case, trace) the pad onto the cute paper and cut out. Do this for both side of the pad.

Glue those down and then stamp "recipes" however you would like it appear on your pad.


Once both sides are glued on tie some matching ribbon on the spirals for a little pizazz. Hey, every great item needs it accessories. And a ribbon accessory is a must!

Now that you have successfully completed decorating your "recipes" book, it needs to be filled. I have a very special method for filling this beauty. It will make your cooking, your week, your month and yes, your entire life, so much more enjoyable! You will actually WANT to cook every night, and you will be able to! How?

Become a follower and find out tomorrow. ;-)

Paper Craft Wednesday

Getting back in my mode with Paper Craft Wednesday. :)

Here is a card I made for a swap I did for Mother's Day.

Thanks to Kelli for the design idea!



Matching magnet and envelope seal.

Below is the whole swap I sent to her.


I sent her a gift receipt so she could exchange the dish towels. She asked for these but not specifically in these colors. Hope she likes them!! :-)

Shameless Plug

Here is my newest card for Easter. So cute! This card is ready to ship to ensure timely arrival for Easter. Just hit that handy paypal button at the bottom and it will direct you to check out.

I will be adding new cards to my etsy shop today so keep an eye out. Like always, if you have a request for a type of card, please contact me and we will work it out. :-)

Easter Card $3.95

Paper Craft Wednesday

*Don't forget to enter my recent giveaway! Ends Friday.*

Here are a few paper crafts I worked on this past week. The first is an altered journal I made for my swap partner on Swap-Bot.

The second is a plaque for my sons teacher's aide. Her last day is the 24th and his teacher is putting together a gift basket for things she will need when she has her own classroom. I hope she likes it. :)

This plaque started out like this (from the $$$ store):

I just covered it with scrapbooking paper, cut a template out of freezer paper, and painted the name on. I added a few flower embellies to help make it look pretty.

What do you think?

Card Making

*Don't forget to enter my giveaway, ends today at noon*

I have been making a lot of paper crafts this past week. I know it's not Paper Craft Wednesday, but I will have plenty more to show you tomorrow. Today, I wanted to show you another Birthday card I made for another woman at church.


I love making cards. And I am in love with my newest design. I have made three cards using this style and everyone Loves them. Their first reaction is always "You made this?!" They then like it more. I love being able to Bless others with something so simple. It truly is the thought that counts! :-)


I was thinking of adding a few cards to my Etsy shop. What do you think? I would add this one, the other (which I forgot to take a picture of) and the Rooster card, along with others.


What's your opinion? Honesty here people, you will NOT hurt my feelings! :-) Thanks so much you wonderful Bloggy people. I can't wait to hear what you think.

Spring Frame

I have been itching to make a Spring/Easter craft this morning. So, instead of doing laundry, I made a spring themed frame.

I found the frame at the $$$ store yesterday, they only had one. I am going to check other stores and see if I can find any more. They are perfect to use. The window opening is 4x4.

I found some inspiration on Etsy this morning and the juices just started flowing. I love when that happens! :)

The paper is Amy Butler and Making Memories (garden party). 

Paper Craft Wednesday

Here we are on our weekly Paper Craft Wednesday. I can't believe I have managed to keep up with this for 3 weeks now! :) 

I am just getting back to feeling 100% so I have been a  little sluggish in the craft department this past week. 

I was able to get three things done, two of which I needed, the other, just for fun.

The first item is a box I made for my daughters hair accessories. I needed something to corral them and I wanted it to be cute. I had all the items on hand so the project was free! :-) I still need to seal it. I always use poly-acrylic. I don't really like Modge Podge for these kinds of crafts. Just my preference I guess. 

The next item is card for a friend at church. She just got home from being in the hospital for several weeks. She had diabetes and has recently (this past year) lost her leg. She had a prosthesis but it apparently didn't fit well, she fell and broke her leg. She has also been having problems with her transplant. She is such an amazing woman and I am so Blessed to know her! She has truly been able to Glorify God in the midst of all she is going through. I hope she enjoys her cards (she LOVES getting cards in the mail) ;-) She also loves purple.

This tag was for me ;-) I just love it! It has everything I love, expect those are not my colors. It's funny, because I'm not typically drawn to purple. But, when I saw this paper, I just fell in love, the colors just worked perfectly. I heart this little tag. I think it's going to be a part of my mini scrapbook. I am making tags to reflect each one of our personalities. I think it will turn out pretty cute.

So that completes this weeks Paper Craft Wednesday. I hope you were inspired. 

As always, I would love to see your creations! :) Feel free to share anytime! 

Paper Craft Wednesday

Of course, when I decide I am going to start a routine, life would happen! :)

I have been so sick since Friday. I was able to muster up some energy to get a paper craft done for today, but it's not what I had planned. 

I saw this done earlier last week and thought these would make such cute little Easter gifts for the reader in your life.

Paperclip Bookmarks! Theses are just too cute, and so super simple to make. You can even craft them while sick! :}

All you need to make these little guys is a few basic scrapbooking supplies. I used the Making Memories Garden Party line. I heart this line soooo much!

Choose a template and the paper you want to use. Trace the image on the back of the paper.

Cut the image out and embellish as desired. Attach it to co-ordinating paper. 

Cut a small piece of co-ordinating paper to attach to the bag of the bookmark. This will hide the paperclip.

Now you have an incredibly adorable and super easy-to-make bookmark! Makes a great gift! And it's perfect because you are using items you already have on hand. The cost: FREE!

These are sure to make every recipient so happy to start that new book. :)