Life Is Good...

A few years back, Stampin' Up! offered a line called Decor Elements.  This included vinyls and stencils.  Most of them matched some stamp set in the catalog.  They had lots of cute ones, and I bought a few while they were available.  So plan on seeing a few more vinyl projects in future posts.  :)

When I bought this one, I couldn't decide what to do with it.  I knew I wouldn't be living where I was at the time for too long.  So I didn't really want to put it on the wall because it wouldn't be re-usable once removed. Flash forward 2 moves and a different state to now.

I bought my first ever home (by myself!) and decided it was time for decorating.  By this time, Stampin' Up! had discontinued their decor elements line so I was hesitant, again, to put it directly on the wall.  Would if I wanted to paint the walls?  Would if after a few years I upgraded to a bigger home?  I don't think it would be appropriate to cut out that piece of wall...would it?

By this time, pinterest was a common thing and pallet projects were All.The.Rage.  I saw lots of DIY headboards, garden planters, tables, etc.  So I thought, why not put this on some pallet board and that way it moves with me!!

I have this AWESOME friend who works in a model shop.  He is a genius with his job and I have been blessed to have his help with many of my home projects.  His expertise, time, and willingness to help me has been a godsend.

So I talked to him about what I wanted to do.  I wanted to get some pallet boards, make them really thin and light so I could hang this without anchors.  I said I wanted to whitewash it to look kinda like weathered.  And he took on the challenge with a big smile.

I whitewashed each slat individually with just cheap acrylic paint from Michael's, mixed with water.  I did a few layers until I was satisfied with the look.  I wanted to still be able to see the wood grain through the paint.  Then he put some slats across the back to hold all the front pieces together and to give me something to attach to the wall.  I chose to use a screw on each end and wire across.  Applied the vinyl and DONE!!!

Here is the final result!  I love it and couldn't be happier!!

Sympathy Card

A friend/co-worker lost his dad recently.  My heart has been breaking for him and his family.  I wanted to let him know we all were thinking about him so I made this card for everyone in my department to sign.  He and his dad are ranchers so I was trying to come up with something masculine, simple, and rustic.  This is what I came up with.

I liked the simplicity of it.  The inside was left blank so everyone would have space to write a short note to him.  You can't see from the picture, but I used the woodgrain embossing folder on the matte and DSP to add some texture to the card.

Thanks for looking!

Products Used:

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso
Designer Series Paper: Well Worn
Ink: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze
Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Embellishments: Linen Thread
Tools: Big Shot, Labels Framelits, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Sponge

Added more PDF inserts!!

I've had a great response to my inserts for the clear cases that SU! sells.  Thank you!!

I've added more stamp sets and if you have some sets not listed, I can do them.  All I need is an image, stamp quantity, and item number.

The holiday catalog will be coming soon!!  I'll be able to add the new framelits they will offer as soon as the catalog goes live.  So check back with me then!

So go check out my PDF Inserts page HERE  and make sure to click on the link "How do I order?" for more information.

Thanks again!!  Have a wonderful day!!

Palm Tree Birthday Card

My sister and I love, and I mean LOVE the beach!!!  We live in landlocked states, but try to take vacations to beaches whenever possible.  I saw a super cute card while scrolling through pinterest one day and saved it.  Because I just knew it would make the perfect birthday card for her.  I do want to give credit to Jenny Engelke @ GiddyStamper for the idea!  My sister loved her card, and I loved creating it for her.

Products used:

Punches: Modern Label, Oval, 1/2" Circle
Framelits: Squares, Bitty Banners
Stamp Sets: Tropical Party, Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Garden Green, Summer Sun, Positively Pink, Welcome Neighbor DSP
Embellishments: Basic Jewels-Rhinestones

PDF Inserts are now available!!!

Wow, as I looked back on Stampin' Connection (a SU! demo only site), the first time I posted inserts I had made for the markers was July 1, 2011.  Its crazy I've been doing these for 4 years!!!  The first ones were okay, served their purpose.  After some sad news of hearing my files were being altered (removed my name), copied and sold, I decided to re-vamp them.  They look so much better!  I tried to stay consistent with the styling of all inserts.  The only ones with their own design are the markers and ink refills.  I wanted to use colors from their color families instead of the standard green.  I tried to make the framelits and stamp inserts similar to what Stampin' Up! offers.

Here's the reason I started making these.  When I originally ordered the markers, I bought the whole set at once.  They came in this nice box where each marker had a slot.  But trying to find "the one" became an annoyance.  Then Stampin' Up! came out with their clear DVD cases.  Guess what...a color family of markers fit PERFECTLY in them!!  So I moved mine over right away.  But had no way of knowing which case had which family.  After measuring, creating and printing I tried them out.  They didn't fit quite right, the information on the spine wasn't centered.  So back and forth I went until I was satisfied they looked good.
Then came the framelits and edgelits.  They came in an envelope which didn't have an image of what they looked like.  So back to the computer I went!  Most of the framelits fit in the case, and if you buy some of those magnetic vent covers, you can cut them to fit and hold the framelits as well.

Speed ahead 4 years, Stampin' Up! changed the case their stamp sets came in.  They stack wonderfully on a shelf.  So I started the big project of moving all my stamp sets into the new cases.  By this time, Stampin' Up! created their own case inserts you could download and type in the stamp set name, item number and quantity of stamps.  Personally I didn't like how they worked.  It left a white box where my stamp set name was.  And I couldn't add stamp images to the front or spine.  So again, I decided to make my own.
During this process, I decided to purge my supplies.  I found a lot of sets I didn't need anymore, so I sold a lot.  But what I had left were moved to the new cases.  I think my shelves look so nice and organized now!

If you're interested in getting the files I've created, click on the 'PDF Inserts' on the top right side of my blog.  That will give you all the information you need to know and how to get them.  

Thanks for stopping by!  

Happy Fourth of July!!!

It's almost Independence Day!!  I cannot believe that half of 2015 is already gone.  Wow!  I wanted to show off my cute door hanger to you.  Isn't it cute?  I bought the unfinished wood at a store here in Utah last year.  I couldn't decide how I wanted to paint and decorate it.  It was too big to use a sheet of 12x12 for the back star and I really didn't want to cut out paper for all the beadboard on the front star.  So this is what I came up with.

I used acrylic paint on the back star in cherry cobbler.  With the beadboard star, I used some gel stain I had left over from my kitchen cabinets.  Rubbed that all over, set it out on the back patio to dry.  Wait, wait...then I used acrylic paint in white on top of it.  Lightly sand, then used wood glue and some heavy books to let it set overnight.
Embellishing it was an even harder decision than the initial star painting.  But I really like the simplicity of it.  I wanted to add some navy but all I had was that skinny ribbon.  Luckily I also had some burlap ribbon from Stampin' Up!.  I cut enough to wrap the front and used scotch tape to hold it on the back.  That way I didn't waste a bunch wrapping all the way around.  Then I took some navy ribbon, taped one end and looped it around the burlap.  Taping it securely on the other side.  I also used some rusty wire I picked up at a craft store in Salt Lake City to make the hanger portion. Wrapped the ends around a pencil a few times and woo lah!!