Cards, cards and cards

The first week (well, half week) that the kids were in school I spent some time in the studio. Let me tell you, I had no idea just how much I had missed being all crafty until I had time to do it again!
I used one main image stamp, 5 coordinating colors of cardstock and inks and some sentiments to create 10 multipurpose cards.

 Here is a peek of 8 of the cards- I used 2 right away.

 Here is a close up.
I used Blended Bloom from Stampin' Up and the 2013-15 In Colors cardstock and ink.
After stamping the images on white cardstock I used coordinating Copic markers to color them.
I used the the matching In Color inks to stamp the image on my color cardstock for a tone on tone background.

I LOVE this flower and I have a feeling I will be using this stamp way too often!! :-) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Quick tip

I have been busy stamping and making cards since the kids when back to school. My acrylic blocks had some how gotten inky (nope, not completely my fault) and were in need of a good cleaning. I grabbed a paper towel and a small bottle of hand sanitizer and got busy.

 All clean and shiny!

After a good cleaning I put them back into a plastic zippered bag that my window treatment came in, good way to upcycle, huh?

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Back to school 2014 2 Layouts

The kiddos headed back to school last week. I now have a 2nd grader and a 4th grader- I am amazed at how fast time flies!! I think my kids attend THE best school!
I used a couple of die cuts from the Silhouette store to whip up a couple of quick 12x12 scrapbook layouts.

 This is my layout once all of the paper was ready to be adhered. Cute enough layout, but I wanted to add a little more to it, step it up a bit more.

 This was after I added a few little touches. I added some Washi tape, a couple of things hand cut from the coordinating paper stack, buttons, a flower, a dew drop and some twine. I only need to add Hailey's photo and the year and her teacher's name will be added to the apple.

 I kept Hunter's layout more basic and less embellished. This is more suited towards him.

And here are my cuties!! Gosh, can you believe how much they have grown?? I keep telling them that they need to slow down...but they do not listen. LOL

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Goodnight, Ark Children's book review

 

We received Goodnight, Ark today. Right away my daughter wanted me to read it to her. She enjoyed the story, but the illustrations are incredible!!
 The author tells a story about Noah and the animals at night during a thunderstorm. I thought it was cute that the animals were afraid of the storm. My daughter identified with the animals wanting to crawl in bed with Noah, she might have done that a time or two. :-) The pages have short, rhyming sentences- just what little ones find appealing.

There are no scripture quotes and the illustrations are more modern than we are used to with the story of Noah, but Goodnight, Ark is still a five star book for us.

I received this book from the publisher through the BookLoook program in exchange for an honest review.
The hard covered book will stand up to lots of re-reading.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until later~

Book review- Arms Open Wide by Sherri Gragg

 

Come near. Stop striving. The Master of the banquet has raised His glass to welcome you as His dear child.
So often Christians view Christ as someone who’s far away and can’t be approached until they have their lives in order. In Arms Open Wide, author Sherri Gragg proves that Christ is a kinder, more tender, more loving Savior than many understand Him to be.
Sherri writes in fictional narrative form while mixing biblical history with scripture, creating a setting that transforms readers back in time and places them right in Jesus’ presence. For thirty-five days readers walk with the Savior to witness miraculous healings and events, and give fresh insight into His power by thinking and feeling with people whose lives became instantly transformed by His love and grace. Readers journey with Jesus and His disciples in the most important time in history.
Hearts will be stirred and lives will be changed as readers draw near and walk with the Savior as never before.

Before choosing books to read from the BookLook program I always look at reviews for that particular book. Seeing that Arms Open Wide very good reviews I decided to give it a read. 

Some things I like about Arms Open Wide:

 My copy is a hardcover. That is always a huge selling point for me!
The cover is very visually appealing and blurb on the back cover had me excited to dig in and start reading right away.

The chapters are short and easy to read.

I think that the Arms Open Wide book would make a good gift.

The author’s heartfelt prayers at the end of each chapter add a good touch to the stories.

Sherri Gragg’s Arms Open Wide is okay to be used as a devotional.

What I didn’t care for were the actual “stories”. The author has chosen several well know Bible accounts and has rewritten them adding her own ideals of how the event played out. I have never been a fan of this type of story telling. I guess I am a purest when it comes to the Bible. J

 I never did find the “Call to Linger in the Savior’s Presence” which is a part of the book’s title.

Even though Arms Open Wide is not the style I prefer, I do have friends that like that style, and I will be passing along my copy.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through the BookLook program. 

Thanks for Stopping By!!

Until later~

Glitter Glue Holder made with the Cameo

I love projects that come together in a snap! I was looking for something in my Cameo cut files and came across this little project, a glitter glue holder. And seriously it came together in less than 2 minutes!!

 

 I made one for Hailey so she can store her sparky glue and one for myself.
Hint: You know when you buy a paper pad and you are not crazy over all of them? Well, this is a good way to use those papers.

The holder is made with 2 pieces, the Cameo cuts the holes and the score lines making this a truly effortless project. I was very surprised at how sturdy the holder is.

Supplies-

Paper from my stash

Adhesive-ATG

Cut file- Glitter Glue Holder Silhouette store

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

4th of July Mantle Projects

Hailey helped make this canvas for the 4th of July for our mantle. She loves getting crafty, I love spending time with her while we work on various projects!! There is nothing better than being creative with little ones!! :-)

 Hailey used Buttermilk Acrylic paint to paint the canvas and once it dried we added our die cuts. Super easy and super cheap- under $5 total!!
(Tip: The parade silhouette was cut 14" long, my mat is 12x12. I used my software to place my image on a diagonal in the center of my mat, lower left corner to upper right corner to get a longer die cut.)

 I love this 3D paper banner!! The kids laughed when I drug out my hubby's cordless drill to "scrapbook!" The wooden beads would not work with my twine, I had to hold each bead with the vise gripes and drill the holes a little bigger, hey it worked!  LOL

 Looks like the mantle is all ready for the 4th!! I plan to add more crafty projects for next year!

Supplies-

Cut files- God Bless America, 3D star and bunting kit, It's a parade- Silhouette Online store

Paper - cardstock- black and kraft

Designer paper-Vintage Nation by Paper Studio

Misc- buttermilk acrylic paint, red mini brads, canvas, hot glue, twine, wooden beads, Tombow multi Mono glue, Distress ink and applicator, and a foam brush

Happy 4th of July!!

I would love to see your 4th of July home decor crafts, please leave a link in the comments!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until later~