April 2024 – Try It – Like It

Tag it Tuesday

This week for Tag it Tuesday we are dual embossing. So what is that exactly? Using two embossing folders at the same time gives your cardstock two different embossed designs.

After embossing and cutting out the tag, I swiped VersaMagix ink onto the designs. Using a paintbrush I then painted in the blank space between the embossing.

Video Tutorial:

The word hello is die-cut from green cardstock covered with packing tape before cutting.

I liked the results so much that I took my test sample and turned it into a notecard. Let me know what you think about the dual embossing technique in the comments.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, O – Other

Cut Cardstock Shop at: O	Gemini Die Cut Machine Shop at: AZ	Glassboard discount code JANET20 Shop at: AZ \| O	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ
Paper Trimmer Shop at: O	Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ	Temu Glue Bottles Shop at: O
VersaMagic Shop at: AZ

Learn the hottest new painting technique in 22 step-by-step projects! Use a squeegee and acrylic paint to scrape and swipe your way to gorgeous abstract art. This book has a variety of different techniques you probably haven’t considered.

Clara Cristina de Souza Rego (@aclaracris) first went viral for a squeegee painting video that she posted on social media. Her hundreds of thousands of followers frequently ask for her for tips and techniques. In Squeegee Art Revolution (Walter Foster Publishing | April 2, 2024 | $22.99), Clara offers them in abundance so you can learn to make abstract art in her signature style.

A copy of Squeegee Art Revolution was provided to me for review.
All opinions are my own.

Video Overview:

Giveaway:

Enter to win a copy of Squeegee Art Revolution provided by Quarto Publishing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DIY Nail File Folio

with Gwen Studios

Using nail files from the Dollar Tree to measure the necessary length of Gwen Studio ribbon, I sewed them together to make a nail file folio. This is a great way to protect items in your handbag from rough nail files. These folios also make great gifts.

This project was created for Gwen Studios. You can find all the design team projects listed on the Designer Crafts Connection website. Gwen Studios products can be found at Walmart and Michaels.

Sewing the ribbons together side by side, do not overlap. To do so you will need a stitch that covers enough area to hold the ribbons together. Use a bit of washi tape to place the ribbons together at the top and then begin stitching just below the tape.

After joining the two ribbons together, fold them in half and sew a straight stitch along each side to form a pocket.

Cut the folded ribbon along the top edge just shy of the length of the nail file. Then use a lighter to finish off the ends of the ribbon folio.

Video Tutorial:

Tag, Tabs, and Pockets

Freebie Friday Printable

This week’s freebie contains a tag, a few tabs, two pockets, and three decorative bars. The blue and yellow leaves are perfect for spring crafting. This printable is great for a variety of different paper crafts.

Grab the free PDF file here [tag,tabs,pockets]

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My favorite printer brand for many years has been HP. I also use their ink supply service where I pay a monthly fee and they send me ink cartridges as needed. It comes out to be a lot less money this way. The HP Envy Inspire is a great-priced machine that will produce beautiful prints.

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And if you are looking for a great crafting weight paper for printables, I have been using HP Project Paper. It is heavier than copier paper but not quite as heavy as cardstock. It is a great medium weight for layering, folding, and more!

Crop a Dile Chart

Do you have a Crop-a-dile and wonder if you are using it correctly? Did you know there is a printable chart available for different settings? I didn’t either until I stumbled upon it. It really should have come in the package but now that I know, I will print it out and keep them together. No longer do I have to wonder if I have everything set correctly. This chart is a game changer and a definite peace of mind.

You can grab the printable version of this chart and instructions in PDF form here: [crop-a-dile]

Create-it Link Party #429

Last week’s Feature

Given the color of this project, I had a feeling I knew who shared it. I was right, Purple Hues and Me. This weaving technique isn’t new however the materials being used are updated and create a very professional result.

On to the Party

This is a great opportunity to share your latest blog post, recipe, craft tutorial, or any other creative work you’ve been working on lately. We’re always excited to see what our readers come up with! However, we have a few simple rules to ensure the party runs smoothly.

Here are a few simple rules:

Link to a specific post, not your homepage.
Link up something YOU made/wrote/created.
Giveaways, other link parties, or business links are not accepted.
Don’t link and run. Try to visit at least one link and show them some love. You may make a new friend.

Unsung Hero – Movie Review

Based on the true story of the Smallbone family comes Unsung Hero. The film shows the strength of faith and the bonds of family connections. Sometimes starting over isn’t what pulls us apart but joins us together.

When David Smallbone’s successful music company collapses, he moves his family from Australia to the United States in search of a brighter future. With nothing more than their six children, their suitcases, and their love of music, David (for KING + COUNTRY’s Joel Smallbone) and his pregnant wife Helen (Daisy Betts) set out to rebuild their lives from the ground up. Based on a remarkable true story, a mum’s faith stands against all odds; and inspires her husband and children to hold onto theirs.

Buy tickets today to see Unsung Hero in theaters starting April 26th!
Website: LINK
Buy Tickets: LINK

Many thanks to Kingdom Faith Marketing Services, LLC for providing a sample of the product for this review. My opinions are 100% my own.

Paint Swiping Technique

Tag it Tuesday

This week’s tags use a paint-swiping technique that can end with very different results each time you do it. I am using premium paint from DecoArt that has a slightly transparent appearance.

The image above shows the tags in process after the paint has dried. The colors are so vibrant on their own, that it was hard to add additional items on top of the paint.

Video Tutorial:

The close-up image shows how the paint bends together. *This premium paint by DecoArt has been discontinued. If you find it available, buy it now. I am happy to have a few tubes of it for future use.

Floral Coloring Sheets

Spring Printable Blog Hop

Spring is all about new growth. These three printable coloring sheets feature three different spring flowers. Enjoy the free digital download zip file that includes all three images.

printable download [coloring sheets]

Here are the other free spring printables that are a part of this blog hop. Visit and support each designer and enjoy their offerings this month.

Homemade Heather	Spring Color By Number
Smiling Colors	Butterfly Coloring Pages
Try it – Like it – Create it	Spring Flowers Coloring Pages
Artsy-Fartsy Mama	Spring Activity Pack
Me and My INKlings	Strawberry Puzzles
Tried & True Creative	Teacher Appreciation Seed Packs
The Crafty Blog Stalker	Spring Printable Art Bundle
Hand lettered Printables	printable spring jokes for kids
Laura’s Crafty Life	Spring Bookmarks
The Benson Street	Spring Dot to Dot Pages
Sunshine and Munchkins	Preschool Spring Flower Colors Scavenger Hunt
Sage and Solar	Spring-Themed Table Tent Cards
Michelle James Designs	Garden Expense Tracker Printable

Making Little Houses with Kokorosa

These little houses were so fun to make using a die from Kokorosa. This is a great project to use up small pieces of cardstock. The dies also work well with small die-cutting machines.

The dies fit perfectly in a Sizzix Sidekick machine. I was able to cut a variety of little houses in no time at all. It was really fun to mix and match the different colors to make the houses.

The following links are affiliates. Thank you for using them.

For a 25% discount use the code: L44991
Kokorosa
Kokorosa Metal Cutting Dies with Mini House $5.99

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

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

Cut Cardstock Shop at: O	Glassboard discount code JANET20 Shop at: AZ \| O	Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ	Scrapbook Scissors Shop at: SB
Sizzix Sidekick Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB	Temu Glue Bottles Shop at: O

Month: April 2024

How to Dual Emboss

Tag it Tuesday

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Book Review and Giveaway

Video Overview:

Giveaway:

DIY Nail File Folio

with Gwen Studios

Video Tutorial:

Tag, Tabs, and Pockets

Freebie Friday Printable

Crop a Dile Chart

Unsung Hero – Movie Review

Paint Swiping Technique

Tag it Tuesday

Video Tutorial:

Floral Coloring Sheets

Spring Printable Blog Hop

Making Little Houses with Kokorosa

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials: