You're the Beary Best

Hey, Crafty Friends!! Today, I have an adorable card using Oak Tree Stamps' Bear Hugs stamps set.

I know Halloween is around the corner but there's big part of me that is still clinging onto hot sunshiny days.

Supplies Used

 Bear Hugs (Oak Tree Stamps)

Scallop Waves Dies (Pink and Main)

eBrush (Craftwell)

Sharpie Markers - Green, Yellow, Lt. Blue

Assorted Patterned Paper (Playshop Hawaii)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

White Cardstock (Bazzill Basics)

VersaFine- Onyx Black Ink Pad (Tsukineko)

Diamond Glaze (Judikins)

Chalklets (EK Success)

3D Dots (EK Success)

1. Start by stamping your image 3 times... twice on a brown, and once on tan patterned paper with Onyx Black .

2. Cut out the entire first brown bear. From the second bear cut out the head (without ears) and both arms. From the tan bear cut out the the insides of the ears, muzzle, tummy, and paw prints.

3. Pieces together as shown. Place foam adhesive behind earless head and under arms to create dimension.

1. Add Diamond Glaze onto eyes and nose.

2. Set aside to dry.

3. Once dried, add pink chak to cheeks and add white highlights to both cheeks and eyes.

1.  Stamp trees 5 times... 4 times in green and once in brown polkadot patterned paper.

2. Fold each green tree in half and cut off their trunks.

3. Ebrush the backsides of the trees green.

Use the brown tree as a base. Glue the center of each tree to the center of the brown. Each sprayed side should be touching the nex tree. Glue the touching sides together creating one three-dimensional tree.

 Create the rolling hills using Scallop Waves dies from Pink & Main.

The sun and clouds were hand drawn, cut by hand, and then ebrushed.

More 3D dots were used to give the sun, clouds, and bear more added dimension.

 You can really see the dimension from these angles.

As a final touch I glued a rhinestone bow to the front of one of the bear's ear

I hope you enjoyed today's project!!

Until next time...

HAVE A VERY CRAFTY DAY!!
~ Mitsy

Ice Cream Teddy card

Oh my I forgot to hit publish  on this post from a couple days ago!!

Hey friends... It seems that I've been making quite a bit of cards lately. I've shied away from huge layouts and shifted gears and focus mainly on cards now. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. I mean, can you blame me when projects look as cute as this:

This is exactly my point!! I have been on a card making and paper piecing spree and I just can't help it! With each card I make, they just get cuter and cuter!  

The adorable Teddy above is from a KaDoodle Bug Designs file called A Cherry On Top! 

Doily is from Craftwell by Teresa Collins... it was part of an autoship with my Cut'n'Boss from HSN.

Framed label is an Originals die from Sizzix called Bookplates Designer (retired).

"Sweet" stamp is by Pink and Main from the Little One set.

You're Amazing!!

Welcome back crafty friends!! I'm on card making overload!! And, I'm back, yet again, with another paper pieced and ebrushed card!

This cute little bear is from KaDoodle Bug Designs and is from the School Teddies file.

ERMERGERD!! How stinkin' cute are they?! I'll tell ya... "BEARY" cute!! Pun totally intended... Sorry, just couldn't help myself!!

I cut out my teddy using my Sizzix eclips machine with ecal software. Once all the pieces were cut out, and before I assembled the pieces, I airbrushed them using my Sharpie markers and eBrush machine.

If you follow my blog you'll probably recognize the blinged out frame. I just had to make another one of these gleaming bits of awesomeness!!I am so glad DCWV makes whole sheets of BLING (Adhesive Jeweled Sheets) because I just ran another piece through my Big Shot with my Sizzix Scalloped Oval Frame die*(retired), then gave it a quick spray with my ebrush, and presto a custom rhinestone frame!

*Important side note: It's important when cutting you jewel sheets that you use a steel rule die and not a sizzlet or wafer type die. The blades in the thinner dies just aren't deep enough to cut through the gems. Also, when cutting with steel rule dies, cut with the paper side to the blade. As we know the paper shifts slightly while rolling through the machine and the blades may damage the the rhinestones in the process, so always face your bling away from the cutting blades.

The "you're amazing" sentiment, ticket, and houndstooth background are all stamps from Pink and Main. Sentiment and houndstooth are from the "Mister" stamp set. And the stitched ticket stamp is from the "Stitched Greetings" stamp set.

      

I stamped the houndstooth image in Versa Magic's Sahara Sand on white cardstock about 9 times. I was very careful to align them correctly so the pattern looked continuous... and since the stamps are made of clear polymer, alignment is a breeze! I also stamped my ticket and sentiment onto white cardstock, this time using Momento's Tuxedo Black. Then quickly cut it out with a pair of scissors and ebrushed the edges of my ticket so the white wasn't so stark.

One of the reasons I love paper piecings is my ability to add tons of dimension on a whim. My cards are very rarely flat and a 3D card is absolute favorite too make! I want my cards to look and feel as though the images are reaching out at you! 

And here is my finished card. I hope I succeeded!

Hope you all enjoyed today's project!

~ Mitsy

Supplies Used

School Teddies (KaDoodle Bug Designs)

Mister, Super Mom stamp sets (Pink and Main)

eBrush with Sharpie (SP) Adapter

Sizzix eclips (with ecal software)

Scalloped Frame Die (Sizzix Originals)

Sharpies (brown, tan/ mustard, red, bright blue)

Adhesive Jeweled Sheet (DCWV)

White Gel Pen (Ranger)

Momento Ink Pad (Tuxedo Black)

VersaMagic Ink Pad (Sahara Sand)

Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Foam Adhesive

Double-sided Adhesive (Scotch)

Patterned Paper (Craft Smith- Typecraft, Natural Luxury)

Cardstock (white, light brown. dark brown, black)

Scissors (Cutter Bee)

Super quick & easy bath salts

Hello Crafty Friends! Just poppin' in to show off these super cute, super quick, and super easy gifts in a jar! I made these super simple and very pocket friendly bath salts. I made a few of these for teacher's gifts for my girl's last day of school before they went on winter break. 

You can find more info here  from a previous post.

I packaged my salts in simple glass jars I bought from my local dollar store. Wrapped the base of the neck with this adorable stitched grosgrain. And, tied cute handmade gift tags to each.

To make these super cute tags I used Pink and Main's Frosty Friends and Snow Globe stamp sets. And for the cute scalloped edge on the bottom of the tag I used Martha Stewart's Eyelet Lace border punch. Then I added bling to the centers of each snowflake as well as in between each scallop.

Marshmallow Pops

I've been super busy lately... so busy that I hadn't had time to update my blog or even craft very much (oh, no!).So, I'm glad to say I've finally posting treats I made for my daughter's 1st grade class Valentine's Day.

I dipped HUGE marshmallows in chocolate then added sprinkles for a special homemade treat. These were the campfire sized marshmallows.. they are about 3 inches tall and about 2 inches wide. I found these humongous monsters at my local Walmart right next to the little ones. I've been wanting to buy them for a while just for the sheer novelty. I mean these are HUGE!! One marshmallow easily filled the palm of my hand!

I used Design on Cloud 9's Smarty Pants Bears (bear) and Scallops (heart) cutting files to make the toppers.

I made a total of 28. Lucky little girl! I wish I had a mama like me growing up!! LOL

Sorry for posting this one so late... but to make it up I have another project to share...

I haven't done one in a while so I decided to make a scrapbook layout. I used one of Designs on Cloud 9's (of course!) new cutting files called April Showers. I also used their Scallops file for the scalloped square background., The Short Borders 2 for the decorative border below the picture mat, And... for the ribbons for the title I used the ribbon from the Noel Wreath Card file.

Patterned paper is from DCWV's Sky's the Limit Stack. I love this stack! It's filled with glossy & glittery deliciousness!

I  LOVE LOVE LOVE this stack!

The font used is called Bubbleboddy. 

Embossing folder used is an old Quickutz (now Lifestyle Crafts) border embossing folder called Retro Diamonds.

That's all for now crafty friends... Until next time, CRAFT HAPPY!!!

Sock Snowmen & Animals

Hello Crafty Friends! 

Sorry I've been MIA for so long. The whole family had came down with severe colds and the flu... yay,fun times... NOT! Everyone here is almost fully recovered with the exception of the baby who is teething. It really kicked my butt sideways and had me out of commission for about a month. But now I am back and crafting and not a moment too soon!

All last week I've been seeing a lot of my crafty friends posting on facebook these super cute snowman creations made from socks... yes, SOCKS! One friend had posted a link to an easy-peasy tutorial on how to make them. The best part... it is entirely NO-SEW!

 I used a tutorial by Kim Landmesser from Ms. Kimm Designs to make my snowman.  So, here it is... my very first sock snowman.

I was ecstatic! It came out soooooo cuuuuutttee! I enjoyed looking at my newly finished creation and pondered... "hmmm, how can I make the different?"... then I thought... "why not change the sock color and make something else?"... "ooooh, what about a penguin or a bear?". So, here they are...

&

My little sock family was growing. And each of them turned out better than I imagined. 

I had lots of great feedback from family & friends and sooo many requests for a tutorial that I decided to include it in my blog post.

Supplies needed to make the penguin & bear are very similar to the ones needed to make the snowman but with a couple additional items. 

Penguin Supplies

black socks

cozy socks

rice 

rubber-bands 

white felt

assorted buttons & embellishments

flat-back pearls & black sharpie or black buttons (these are for the eyes)

hot glue gun & glue  (high temp preferred)

Orange 3D fabric paint

scissors

steel rule die (optional)

pink chalk & q-tips for the cheeks(optional)

I started off by using the Kim's tutorial but didn't see the need to start off with two ends open just to close them back up again... so instead of using the tube of the sock I used the foot... already shaved time & work off.

Cut socks like so...

When turned open side up the ends should be straight across.

Fill a tall glass with rice. You'll need about 2 1/2- 3 cups of rice. You may need a second glass ready on the side.

 Place sock over filled glass of rice.

Turn glass over.

Now the sock should hold it's shape and hold itself open. Pour the remaining rice into the sock.

Tie open end close with rubber-band. I like using hair ties instead of rubber and I do this because rubber and elastic over time gets old and brittle. Excessive heat (especially if stored in attics and storage sheds) will speed this process up. And, even if the elastic breaks the threading covering it will still hold hold it close. Set aside.

For the face and tummy I used my old Sizzix  steel rule dies. They cut through felt like butter. I used the Original die Hearts (item#38-0157) & Oval #2 (item#38-0815).

 

If you don't have these dies and have an electric die cutting machine or are cutting by hand you need an oval that is 2 3/4" tall and a heart that is 1 3/4" tall. Set aside. 

Color flat-back pearls with black sharpie. Set aside to dry. 

If you don't have or cant find flat back pearls black buttons also work fine. 

Hot glue heart & oval to sock with heart slight touching the top of the oval.

Then hot glue flat-back pearl eyes in place.

With Orange 3D fabric paint...

Draw a rounded diamond shape for the penguin's mouth...

Fill in the shape completely with an extra line of paint going across for the beak. Set aside to dry.

Once dry stand up your penguin and shape it like so.

I only could find the cozy socks with toes at my local dollar store so I improvised the snow caps.

Still kept to the basic pattern as Kimm's. Cutting the ankle band as the main (neck) part of the scarf. And about a 2 inch wide segment for the tie. And the rest for the hat.

Cut the 2 inch wide piece so that it becomes a strip.

Your pieces should now look like this

Insert strip into the band like so...

And tie it off.

With a rubber-band and the remaining piece of sock...

Gather all the toes as pictured above...

Tie off with rubber-band.

Flip open end up to create a cuff.

Now dress your penguin. And hot glue in place.

Add embellishments with more hot glue.

 And, with q-tips lightly dust checks in a circular motion till you get desired affect. Tip: Apply small amounts at a time.

Your penguin is done! Yay!!

Now, for the bear! Which is really close to making the penguin but with a couple differences.

Bear Supplies

brown socks

cozy socks

rice 

rubber-bands

light brown/ tan felt 

flat-back pearls & sharpie

hot glue

scissors

assorted buttons &embellishments

steel rule dies(optional)

pink chalk & q-tip for the cheeks (optional)

Just follow the previous tutorial on how to make the body. But instead of heart and oval you're going to need 2 circles.

Top circle measures 1 3/8" and the bottom circle measures 3 3/4".

Hot glue eyes and nose.

And for the ears cut out 2 - 1 inch circle from the remaining brown sock material. and put a dab of glue on one end of the circle as shown above.

Pinch that end together making a semi-cupped shape.

Dress bear & hot glue ear to top of the hat.

Repeat and glue remaining ear to other side.

Embellish & chalk.

Add three dots on each cheek with a sharpie, creating muzzle.

TA-DAH!! Sock bear is done! 

Here's something extra...

Repeat the same steps for the bear but cut the ear circles at 2 inches and it becomes a mouse!!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

Now, go make some awesome sock creations of your own!!