Crafty Stars for the Fourth of July

I always think about stars when it's time to celebrate the 4th of July ! 

They are a symbol in my heart. A symbol to shine bright and let freedom ring!

I always have dies on hand to make them too! My fave right now is the "Star-Dom" die from Fun Stampers Journey!

I layered different sizes together using pop dots. This helps add a lot of dimension to the front of your card.

For a touch of shine, I added sequins and a sparkle drop to the center of the smallest star.

To make it more festive, I even added a "Celebrate" greeting using the "Greet and Shout" stamp set.

The Fun Stampers Journey convention wrapped up a couple of weeks ago and there is a new catalog full of great products. If you'd like to find out more about FSJ visit HERE!

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies Used:
Cardstock: white, denim days, candy apple
Stamps: greet & shout
Dies: star-dom, cloud dreams, journey rectangles
Ink: candy apple
Misc: confetti sparkles and sparkle drops

Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop - Java Gift Set

If you follow me on my Instagram account then you know how much I love coffee! I'm always taking pics of my coffee cup collection among other things!

I just had to join in on all the crafty fun at the Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop. Here's what I came up with...

I used some of my fave products to make a Starbucks coffee gift set. 

This idea first popped into my head when I saw these clear square box containers from SRM Stickers. 

Here's a close-up of how I mixed stamping and stickers. 

The clear container and the "just for you" sentiment is from SRM's "Sentiment/Thinking of You" sticker set. 

The polka-dotted coffee cup and "coffee time" sentiment is from Richard Garay's Celebrations line. It's called "Cup for Two". You can find the entire Celebrations line here!

I stamped my coffee cup then used dies to make a circle. I adhered it to a felt flower before adding it to the front of my container. 

For extra added fun, I even added a Starbucks stirrer as well. 

Tip: I poured a different Starbucks flavor coffee inside of a small clear treat bag before adding it to the SRM container. This will help avoid leakage of the coffee grounds. 

Your friends will love the big bagged coffee too! 

You can also use multiple containers and add different flavors of coffee. The possibilities are endless!

I'm off to enjoy my second cup of joe! I'm off for summer, but I keep waking up early. (I must reset my internal clock!) sigh...

Crafty Summer Camp Snack Bag Tutorial

Summer craft time is here! And you don't have to craft alone either. You can get the kiddos involved with fun projects just like the one that I have for you today.

I used some amazing products from Richard Garay's Celebrations line! Here's what I came up with...

Didn't you just love summer camp when you were a kid? I made some snack bags for the kiddos to enjoy. 

These would be perfect for summer day camp since most parents pack little goodies for their kiddos to enjoy. You could even make extra bags for their friends.

Write a sweet message inside the mini card too. They will love it! 

Here's how to make your own:

Grab some Celebrations cardstock and cut and score to make a mini card. Mine are 3" x 3" in size.

Next, grab your Celebrations "Brush Strokes" stamp and "Pretty Plum" ink. I love the look of this stamp because it gives an artsy watercolor look to your paper. 

Clean your stamp and ink it up again using Celebrations "Odacious Orange" ink. Layer the orange a little over the outer edges. 

I then used the Celebrations "Fun Sentiments" die to cut the word "Fun". Use adhesive and center it on top of your inked mini card.

 Grab a kraft bag and staple the mini card to the edge of your bag. Don't forget to write something sweet inside the card.

I made loads of these for my sweet nephew and some of my students. They were a hit!

You can shop the entire Celebrations collection here. 

Project Life - My Trip to Sedona

I flew on a jet plane back in March and experienced the beauty of Sedona for the first time. I even blogged about it here!

I am finally getting around to adding this adventure to my Project Life Album. 

I got to go on a fun road trip to see the beauty of Sedona, Arizona. It was my first time there! My crafty friends and I had so much fun seeing the sights, taking photos, and eating some great food.

I really love the 8 - 1/2" x 11" ring album way more than the 12" x 12" one. The smaller size is so much easier for me to fill for some reason. 

I used loads of Me & My Big Ideas, Project Life, and Hip Kit Club products on this one. 

I even got the opportunity to take a photo with a GIGANTIC cactus. I've never seen one that big! I'm so glad that we pulled over and captured that moment!

And woo hoo!!!! I'm off for summer so I will be posting loads of Project Life pages. I'm so behind!

Stay tuned!!!

DIY Gift Wrap with Butterflies and Bows

I love pretty packages! There's just something about giving one to someone and watching their face light up with happiness!

My latest project will give you some ideas on making your own for family and friends. Of course I used loads of crafty goodies from Fun Stampers Journey! They have great dies and stamps that can dress up your packages.

Here's what I came up with!

I love using kraft boxes for gifting. The kraft set against patterned paper really make the colors pop.

I used the Create-A-Bow die. It's one of my faves!

I used FSJ cardstock and the Butterfly Prints Stamp with coordinating dies. 

It's so fun to make. Just stamp your butterfly first then use the coordinating die to cut it. Place a pop dot under the butterfly and place it in the center of your bow.

You can also layer butterflies like I did here on the small box. I also used the Pennants Die on the small box as well.

You can place small gifts in your boxes such as jewelry, candy, handmade items, etc. The possibilities are endless!

To find out more about becoming a Fun Stampers Journey coach please visit the website here!

Donuts for Dad with Xyron Tutorial

Father's Day is quickly approaching. It's time to start thinking about fun things to do for dear old dad!

My head has been swirling with crafty ideas ever since I got the new Xyron Creative Station. 

I finally figured out what I want to make. The kiddos will enjoy helping you with this too!

Here's what I came up with!

This project idea popped into my head after visiting the dollar spot at Target! I found this cute little basket. It's just the perfect size to hold donut holes too!

Keep reading to see how I dressed this little basket up using the new Xyron Creative Station!

First I cut my patterned paper to fit the width properly. The Creative Station adhesive is strong enough to adhere paper to the material of the basket.

FYI - Once you run your paper through there is a cutting blade on the machine and readily available to cut it evenly off.

Next, peel back the top film. The back of your paper will be full of adhesive. Now place it on the front of your basket.

I did a little die cutting and made several shapes. I then ran them through the Creative Station. These shapes will be used on the basket and for a fun addition to this project. 

I found these foam letters in my stash. They had fallen off the original adhesive paper and would no longer stick to anything. Instead of throwing them away, I ran them through the Creative Station. They are all brand new again! 

I placed the oval shape and the letters on the front of my basket.

I wanted to use this die cut heart shape too. I ran it through the Creative Station and added it to cardstock for more reinforcement.

I love using lollipop sticks. They are a great way to feature shapes and sentiments for your project.

Here are more fun shots of my "Donuts for Dad" project!

 The new Xyron Creative Station will be available in the following stores:

JoAnn's - June 

Michael's Craft Store - July

Hobby Lobby - September

A Crafty Birthday Box

Certain color combinations really make me happy! I really love coordinating orange and blue. They go so well together!

I used these fun colors on my latest craft project!

 I used a fun mixture of dies and stamps from Fun Stampers Journey to make a little birthday box. 

And check out those cute little birdies on the designer paper. Aren't they TWEET and super cute? This adorable paper matches the Bird Tweet stamp and coordinating die set. 

I think this would make a great favor for a kids party too!

I also did some stamping. I love the look of these birthday balloons and birthday sentiment. The orange creamsicle ink is fun and really pops off the paper.

To find out more about Fun Stampers Journey or to become a coach please visit the website here!

I hope you enjoyed my fun party box!

Supplies:

Stamp - Birthday sketch

Ink - Orange Creamcicle

Dies - Treat box, Journey Ovals, Cloud Dreams