Making a Christmas Present for your Cat

I am participating in a round-up of Christmas in July posts. I am sharing a post for an animal gift, specifically for our new kittens. This fish is sewn, stuffed, and filled with catnip. The fabric is also painted using Marabu fabric sprays.  Of course, I had to give it to them now in order to share this post, they took a minute to warm up to it but they love it.

Links below are Amazon affiliate links, thank you for using them.

Materials:

Directions:

If you want the pattern, it is a free download here. [fish]


print out and pin to fabric


cut two

Video Tutorial:
painting the fabric


pin wrong sides of fabrics together


sew most of the way around, leaving an open space


remove pins and turn inside out


fill the fish with stuffing


put a desired amount of catnip into the fish


with needle and thread sew the opening closed


the cats checking it out!

Every day in July, a participating blogger will release new free crochet, knitting, sewing pattern, or craft tutorial. Each week will have a theme.

I am posting towards the end of the round-up so you will be able to see a lot of the projects at the following link.

[Christmas in July]

How to Celebrate with Etching

This is such a fun way to celebrate. It could be a birthday, wedding, anniversary, new job, graduation, so many different opportunities to etch a fun statement onto a bottle. For this post, I used Sparkling Cider but a bottle of wine or even a glass bottle of soda would work. The glass etching can take a drink to the next level making it a special statement I am sure one that will be appreciated.

The following links are affiliate links, I appreciate your consideration to use them.

Materials:

Directions:

Using Cricut design space on my phone I typed out the word I wanted to use, then I sent it to the Cricut Joy to cut out. It was so quick and easy. I could have added names and a date too.

I weeded the vinyl, removing the parts I want to etch, and used the transfer tape to place the vinyl on the bottle. Notice there are air bubbles and wrinkles, but they don’t matter as long at the seam along the letters is pressed tight to the glass.

Using a wooden popsicle stick I placed a generous amount of etching cream over the letters. I left it on the bottle for 15 minutes, following the Etchall directions. Then I removed it from the bottle using the same popsicle stick and put it back into the jar because Etchall cream is reusable. Because it was a small area, I was able to use a baby wipe to clean off the bottle and I removed the vinyl.

Here is the etched glass. I wanted to enhance the etching so I applied some rub-on metallic color in silver.

I used a q-tip to rub on the silver cream and then used a baby wipe to remove the excess. I really like the enhanced look.

Creating a Greeting Card with Maker’s Movement

This cute little hello mushroom card is a part of the DCC (Designer Craft Connection) Blog Hop for the month of July. The hop is sponsored by Maker’s Movement, they provided me with some of the items I used in this post.  I used the Not Mush To Say stamp and die set from Maker’s Movement.

Materials:

  • stamp and die set
  • Mini Maker
  • cardstock – white, blue, green
  • Markers – Spectrum Noir
  • black ink pad
  • adhesive
  • Nuvo Shimmer Powders

Directions:

To begin making the card, I created the background using Nuvo Shimmer Powders.


These are the three colors of shimmer powder I used.
 


I applied them to white cardstock and then spritzed it with water.
 


I used the same process on green cardstock.


Then I die-cut the green cardstock.
 


The next step was to stamp the images.


Using Spectrum Noir Markers, I colored the images.


I then aligned the dies, using a little bit of washi tape to hold everything in place, I then ran it through the Mini Maker.
 


Now it is time to start placing all the images. 

A video tutorial for some of the process.




final card

Make sure to check out all the other Maker’s Movement projects on the DCC website.

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook

Scraperfect Best Glue Ever
Scraperfect Best Glue Ever
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AZ | SSS
Scraperfect 32 Clog Writing Cap, Medium
Scraperfect 32 Clog Writing Cap, Medium
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AZ | SSS
Nuvo Shimmer Powder
Nuvo Shimmer Powder
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AZ | SB
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Noir Markers
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AZ | SSS | SB
Intense Black Ink Pad
Intense Black Ink Pad
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SSS

Making Awesome Art with an Inspirational Word

I am working on a piece of art for Denise Boddey’s design team. I used a variety of different techniques beginning with alcohol ink, foiled paper, chipboard,  and foiled paper origami. I will share all the materials and directions (or links to directions) below. I hope you enjoy and try some of these techniques. The inspiration for this piece started with the chipboard word “awesome” from Denise Boddey.

Materials:

  • Chipboard work – Denise Boddey
  • Foiled paper – Rinea Foil
  • Adhesive pen and foil – Thermoweb
  • Yupo like surface
  • dried baby wipe
  • adhesive – The Best Glue Ever

Directions:

The following video will take you through the techniques used.


finished and framed

If you are interested in learning how to fold the foil paper butterfly, there is a tutorial on the Rinea YouTube channel. [Rinea butterfly]

Suggested Materials:
Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook

Scraperfect Best Glue Ever
Scraperfect Best Glue Ever
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AZ | SSS
Rinea Foiled Paper - gold
Rinea Foiled Paper – gold
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R
 Deco Foil Adhesive Pen
Deco Foil Adhesive Pen
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AZ | SSS | SB
Deco Foil
Deco Foil
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AZ | SSS
Marabu Alcohol Inks
Marabu Alcohol Inks
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AZ

Create with Cricut’s New Infusible Ink Blanks

Follow along as I use the new infusible ink blanks from Cricut.

Cricut has a variety of new infusible ink blanks. Cricut sent me a few samples in order to write this review and promote their new products. The new materials include cosmetic bags, pillow covers, wine bags, and toddler-sized t-shirts. I made my daughter this bag to hold her drawing supplies from the cosmetic bag set. 

Links are affiliates and help support this site, thank you for considering to use them.

Materials:

Directions:

To begin, I created the graphic I used in Design Space. The following video tutorial shows you how that was done.

Cutting the infusible ink on the Cricut Maker.
On the mat, I aligned the cut to the center utilizing the blue and red section of the design.

Then I weeded away the parts I didn’t want.

Placing the infusible ink, if you look closely you will see a slight fold in the bag and the infusible ink.
This is a trick I use to align the center of the image and blank.


Using my heating guide, I set my EasyPress and pressed.

Using a warm peel, my project is done!

Beach Shadowbox with Makers Movement

Oh, how I want to visit the beach, sand in my toes, playing in the water. It is such a fantastic summer activity. Since I can’t go, I made this shadowbox to remind me of how fun it can be. This shadowbox can be placed on a shelf as a decor item or as a Christmas tree ornament. Wouldn’t it be fun to send to a friend that also loves the beach? Thanks to Maker’s Movement for sending me the stamp and die set, Beach Vibes to use with this project. 


Beach Vibes

Materials:

  • Mini Maker Die Cut Machine
  • Beach Vibes – stamp and die set
  • black stamp pad
  • stamping block
  • Spectrum Noir markers
  • washi tape
  • scissors
  • white cardstock
  • Marabu fabric spray
  • double stick tape
  • foam tape squares

Directions:

I began with a box I made using a past tutorial here. [picture frame SVG]


Using the stamps, I stamped onto white cardstock.


Then I colored the images with alcohol ink markers. 


Using a bit of washi tape, I placed the dies and sent them through the Mini Maker from Maker’s Movement.


And here are the pieces all cut-out.


I used Fashion Spray from Marabu and a torn piece of cardstock to color the frame.


Using double-stick tape, I placed the castle into the frame.


Next, I cut a bit of the bottom of the bucket and placed it in the frame with foam tape to lift it up.
I used a double layer of foam squares.

The other shapes were placed with double-stick tape. 


And here is the finished piece.

Do you have a favorite beach? Let me know in the comments.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook

Westcott 14849 8
Shop at:
AZ
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Noir Markers
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Intense Black Ink Pad
Intense Black Ink Pad
Shop at:
SSS
Double Sided Tape
Double-Sided Tape
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AZ
Marabu Fashion Spray
Marabu Fashion Spray
Shop at:
AZ
Westcott 14849 8
Shop at:
AZ
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Noir Markers
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Intense Black Ink Pad
Intense Black Ink Pad
Shop at:
SSS
Double Sided Tape
Double-Sided Tape
Shop at:
AZ
Marabu Fashion Spray
Marabu Fashion Spray
Shop at:

An Easy Stamping Technique Using the Perfect Crafting Pouch

pouch

Product links are affiliates.

I have a video tutorial on the ScraPerfect Blog today showing how the Perfect Crafting Pouch from ScraPerfect works and what it can do to assist with your stamping and embossing. [https://scraperfect.com/?p=27652&preview=true]

I am a member of the ScraPerfect design team and I post on their blog twice a month. I am given products in exchange for creating these posts.

Glamping – Free SVG

glamping mug

It’s summer and time to hit the road, get back to nature, and do some glamping. Share your enthusiasm with this free campy SVG file. Don’t forget to go and grab all the other free SVG camping files in the July SVG blog hop. 

glamping

Check out all the fun free SVG file pictured above and linked below.

Christmas in July – Recycled Ornament

With the temperature outside reaching close to 100 degrees, it is really hard to be creative with a Christmas theme. But, for Christmas in July, a blog hop with the Creative Crafters, I made a recycled Christmas Ornament. The ornament is made from pull tabs from soda cans. 

Materials:

  • Hot glue
  • Hot glue gun
  • pull tabs
  • beads
  • thread
  • needle

Directions:

I have to apologize, I was so busy trying to figure this out, I didn’t take photos. I will try to walk you through the steps with my words.

To begin, I drew a circle on a scrap piece of paper. Then I laid out the soda tabs around the circle (as pictured above). 

Using hot glue, I glued the second layer of soda tabs onto the original circle. This time I staggered their placement.

Next, I threaded an embroidery needle with a green cord. I sewed it in and out around the soda tabs. 

In the second round of sewing, I added a bead. Then I joined the cord and made a loop for hanging. 

The hot glue doesn’t fully hold the soda tabs long-term. This is why I added the cord. 

Having finished, I would have liked to have red beads in the right size for this project. I would also like to add some ribbon or a floral pik, center top. 

Check out the other projects made for this Christmas in July blog hop. After the 17th, feel free to add your own Christmas in July project to the hop. The link-up will be open until the 22nd.

Free Travel Printable

Fun travel images to download and craft.

travel

Summertime usually means vacation traveling. These images would be fun to use in your scrapbooking, journaling, planner, and more…Grab the free download PDF file by clicking on the button below.

This is a free PDF file, use the button above to access.