April 2026 – Try It – Like It

Create-it Link Party #444

You are invited to share your creative posts with Create-it Link Party.

Cindy’s Online Recipe Box shared her recipe for Rice Crab ball and they sound so good I want to give them a try.

Weekly Features are now being shared in the Pinterest Create-it Link Party Board. You can see them all here: [Create-it Link Party on Pinterest]

On to the Party

This is a great opportunity to showcase your latest blog post, recipe, craft tutorial, or any other creative project you’ve been working on! We love seeing the incredible ideas from our community.

To keep things fun and organized, we have a few simple rules to ensure the party runs smoothly. Happy sharing!

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.

Water + Paint = Fun Technique

One technique, two unique tags—see how water and paint transform the same colors into completely different designs!

Combining water and paint creates a really fun technique, especially when you allow the materials to interact in unexpected ways. This week’s tag tutorial actually gives you two finished tags from one creative process, making it both efficient and inspiring. The color palette for these tags was pulled directly from a free printable I shared a few weeks ago, tying the projects together in a cohesive and creative way.

By introducing water to the paint, the pigments begin to move, blend, and soften, creating organic textures and subtle variations that are hard to achieve with dry techniques alone. Each tag develops its own personality depending on how much water is used and how the colors are layered, making every result unique.

If you take a closer look at the finished tags, you’ll notice the beautiful transitions of color and the soft edges created by the water. These details add depth and interest, turning a simple tag into a small piece of art.

Here are the finished painting techniques that use the same colors yet produce beautifully different results. By adjusting how much water is added and how the paint is applied, each piece takes on its own unique look—one with softer, blended transitions and the other with more defined, textured areas of color.

Once the tags were cut out, it was time to finish them off. Just like the painted backgrounds, each tag’s final details take on a different direction. The finishing touches enhance the unique look of each tag and bring the overall design together beautifully.

Video Tutorial:

The close-up images of the finished tags highlight both the differences and similarities in the designs. You can really see how the same colors and techniques create unique results, while still maintaining a cohesive look across both tags.

If you are interested in the free printable I used in this tutorial you can find it here: [Bird Stamps]

Suggested Materials:

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

Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	Crop a dile Shop at: AZ	DecoArt Paint Shop at: AZ	DecoEarth Shop at: AZ
Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: AZ \| SB	Foam Tape Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ
Gwen Studios at Walmart Shop at: O	HP Envy Inspire Shop at: AZ	HP Paper Shop at: AZ	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ
Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ

Free Camping Sticker Printable

Camping vibes are here! Grab my free printable camping sticker sheet and start crafting your next adventure.

This month I am excited to be participating in a camping-themed printable blog hop! For my contribution, I’ve created a fun and versatile printable page of camping-themed stickers. From cozy campfires and tents to nature-inspired elements, these stickers are perfect for adding a rustic, outdoorsy touch to your cards, scrapbook pages, journals, and more. Simply print, cut, and start creating—whether you’re documenting a real camping trip or just dreaming of one!

Grab the free Camping themed PDF here: [Camping stickers]

My go-to printer brand for 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 and I don’t have to keep track because they do all the tracking for me. The HP Envy Inspire is a great-priced machine that will produce beautiful prints.

If you are looking for a great crafting-weight paper for printables, I have a new favorite. It is double sided matte photo paper by Koala. It is heavier than copier paper but not quite as heavy as cardstock. It is a great medium weight for layering, folding, and more! They have different weights, I have been using the 48lb double sided photo paper for printables. It is available on Amazon.

And I found a new sticker paper I really like. It is A-Sub. It comes in Glossy Sticker and Matte Photo Sticker, 25 or 55 sheets. You can find it at Amazon.

You can easily turn clip art images into magnets using Printable Magnets Sheets from Cricut.

Blog Hop:

Take a moment to visit all the wonderful free printables being shared this month with a Camping theme.

Artsy-Fartsy Mama	Camping Bingo
Laura’s Crafty Life	Camping Bookmarks
Smiling Colors	camping word search
The Benson Street	Camping Taboo Game
Try it – Like it – Create it	Camping Stickers

DIY Hello Sign with Buttons

Turn a handful of buttons into a bright and welcoming piece of decor—this easy canvas project is full of color, texture, and springtime charm!

Button crafts have been popping up everywhere lately, and it’s easy to see why—they’re colorful, textured, and a great way to use up those extra bits we all seem to collect. When I received a box filled with buttons, a canvas, and a suggested floral garden design, I couldn’t wait to dive in. While the floral idea was beautiful, I decided to take things in a slightly different direction and create a welcoming sign that could brighten up an entryway or craft space.

To get started, I felt the canvas needed a little personality before adding any buttons. A plain white surface just wasn’t going to do justice to all that color and texture. I chose to paint the background first, giving it a soft, inviting base that would help the buttons stand out while tying the whole design together.

Buttons Galore & More sent me a beautiful variety of spring-colored buttons, including traditional round shapes along with fun novelty designs like flowers and butterflies. The mix of sizes, colors, and shapes made it easy to start envisioning how everything could come together, adding both dimension and a playful, seasonal feel to the project.

Before committing anything in place, I needed to get a feel for the overall design, so I started by loosely arranging the buttons across the canvas. This step really helps to visualize placement, balance, and color distribution. I moved pieces around until the composition felt just right, making sure the shapes and colors worked together to create a cohesive and welcoming look.

Now that I had a good idea for the arrangement, it was time to paint the canvas. I chose to use DecoArt Earth paint for a natural, warm base. The yellow I started with felt a bit too bright on its own, so I mixed in a touch of tan to soften it. This created a more muted, earthy background that would complement the buttons without overpowering them.

To build out the design, I chose more DecoArt paints in a variety of greens to add hand-painted leaves throughout the canvas. I paired those with some paper leaves cut using my Cricut cutting machine, layering them in for added dimension and texture. The combination of painted and cut elements really helped bring the whole piece to life.

After the leaves were painted and the paper pieces were securely glued in place, it was time for the fun part—adding the buttons. I used hot glue to attach each one, working section by section so the design stayed balanced. The dimension really started to build at this stage, and seeing the colors and shapes come together made the whole project feel complete.

A few final touches were still needed to bring everything together. I used a paint marker to add small stems and extra leaves wherever the design needed a little fill-in or flow. Those tiny details really help connect all the elements visually. And finally, I added a “hello” cut with my Cricut cutting machine right to the center of the canvas, giving the piece a welcoming focal point and a polished finish.

And if you want a closer look, the image above highlights the details of how all the materials work together—the layered buttons, painted background, and added elements coming together to create a cohesive and inviting design.

Suggested Materials:

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

Adtech Glue Gun Shop at: AZ	Buttons Galore and More use Janet10 for a discount Shop at: AZ	Cricut Maker® Machine Shop at: AZ \| O \| C	Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C
Cut Cardstock Shop at: O	DecoEarth Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ
Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ

Free:: Blue Marbled Labels, Tags, and More

This week’s free printable features gorgeous blue marbled tags, labels, and tabs—perfect for adding a soft, elegant touch to all your paper crafting projects!

This week’s free printable is a beautiful collection of blue marbled tags, labels, and tabs designed to bring a soft, elegant touch to your projects. Featuring flowing watercolor textures and calming shades of blue, these versatile elements are perfect for everything from card making and journaling to scrapbooking and mixed media. Whether you’re adding subtle accents or creating a cohesive theme, this page offers plenty of options to enhance all your paper crafting applications.

Link at the bottom of the page!

And I found a new sticker paper I really like. It is A-Sub. It comes in Glossy Sticker and Matte Photo Sticker, 25 or 55 sheets. You can find it at Amazon.

You can easily turn clip art images into magnets using Printable Magnets Sheets from Cricut.

Grab the free Blue Marbled PDF here: [Blue Marble]

Create-it Link Party #443

Share your creativity and join the weekly Create-it Link Party!

This has to be one of the best reasons to craft – gifting to needy children. Visit Craft Attic Resources and read about how her crafting is blessing others.

Weekly Features are now being shared in the Pinterest Create-it Link Party Board. You can see them all here: [Create-it Link Party on Pinterest]

On to the Party

To keep things fun and organized, we have a few simple rules to ensure the party runs smoothly. Happy sharing!

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.

Specialize a Wine Glass

Turn a simple wine glass into a bold custom piece with etching creme—this skull design is edgy, easy, and perfect for gifting!

When you get a request for a wine glass with a skull on it, you know exactly how to make it—and you reach for etchall etching creme. There’s something so satisfying about transforming a plain glass into a custom, permanently etched piece with just a few simple steps. Using a cut vinyl stencil and a bit of patience, you can create a crisp, professional-looking design that feels both edgy and elegant. It’s one of those techniques that looks complicated but is surprisingly approachable, making it perfect for both quick gifts and custom orders.

Before starting any etching project, you want to make sure the glass is clean. Using rubbing alcohol to clean the glass removes dirt and grease quickly and easily, giving you a smooth, residue-free surface. This step is essential for helping your stencil adhere properly and ensuring the etching cream works evenly, resulting in a crisp, clean design without any unwanted imperfections.

Placing vinyl on a curved surface can be a bit tricky, especially on something like a wine glass. Don’t worry if you get a few wrinkles—as long as they’re outside of the image area, they won’t affect your final result. The key is to make sure any wrinkles along the design itself are fully smoothed down so the edges are sealed. This helps prevent the etching cream from seeping underneath and keeps your design looking sharp and clean.

Apply a generous layer of etchall etching creme over the entire design area, making sure it fully covers the exposed glass. Let it sit for about 15 minutes to achieve a nice, even etch. Since the creme is reusable, carefully scrape off as much as you can and return it to the container before rinsing. Once that’s done, wash the glass thoroughly and peel away the vinyl stencil. What’s left is a beautifully etched design that’s permanent and ready to use or gift.

If you are interested in the free SVG file, you can grab it from the store section here: [Skull]

Suggested Materials:

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

Cricut Maker® Machine Shop at: AZ \| O \| C	Cricut Standard Grip Mat Shop at: AZ \| C	Dollar Tree Shop at: O	Etchall Shop at: AZ \| O
Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ	Oracal Vinyl Shop at: AZ	Spray Bottles Shop at: AZ

Mixing Media Tag

Layered textures, coordinated colors, and a mix of mediums come together to create this dimensional mixed media tag.

This week’s tag tutorial features a mix of different mediums layered together to create both visual and tactile texture. While the color palette is coordinated and inspired by the printed cardstock, the added elements vary in scale to create balance and interest across the overall composition.

A variety of materials were used to bring this tag together, including a printed cardstock base, stamping ink, texture paste, ink pen details, and layered cardstock. Each medium adds its own unique dimension, working together to enhance both the visual appeal and physical texture of the design.

While cleaning up the stencil, I wiped the excess with a baby wipe through the stencil onto another leftover piece of printed cardstock, creating a slightly different take on the design. This version appears softer and more subtle, with less dimension than the original application. I have to admit, I may even prefer this look over the first—it has a gentle, understated charm.

Video Tutorial:

In the close-up image, you can see the added dimension created by the foam tape and the texture paste. It also offers a great view of the inked edges of the cardstock, which help define each layer and add depth to the overall design.

Suggested Materials:

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

Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	Cut Cardstock Shop at: O	Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: AZ \| SB	Expanding Mousse Shop at: AZ
Foam Tape Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ	Palette Knife Shop at: AZ
Pit Pen Shop at: AZ	Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Simon Says Black Ink Shop at: C	Vintage Word Stamps Shop at: AZ

Don’t Toss It—Transform It:

Don’t throw away that “meh” card—see how I turned one design into three better ones with a simple rework!

Turn One Card Design
into Three Better Creations

We’ve all been there—you finish a card or design and it just doesn’t feel right. Instead of tossing it aside, consider it an opportunity. In this tutorial, I’m sharing how I took a card I didn’t love, cut it apart, and transformed it into three new cards that are not only usable, but much better designed. Sometimes all a project needs is a fresh perspective (and maybe a pair of scissors) to turn it into something you truly enjoy.

Here is the original design—it isn’t terrible, but it isn’t great either. The background is really pretty, but the sentiment just floats in the center without much purpose or connection, leaving the overall design feeling a bit unbalanced.

If you are interested in the original design, here is that video tutorial: https://youtu.be/zdHDU_0ig1M

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

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

Cut Cardstock Shop at: O	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ
Paper Trimmer Shop at: AZ	Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ	Sizzix Intricate Craft Tool Shop at: AZ	Tape Runner Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB

Free Printable – Vintage Seed Packets

This week’s free printable is a page of vintage seed packets.

This week’s free printable is a charming page of vintage seed packets. These timeless designs are perfect for all your paper crafting projects—from handmade cards and tags to scrapbook pages and mixed media creations. Whether you’re adding a touch of nostalgia or layering them into your designs, these seed packets are a versatile addition to your crafting stash.

Grab the free Seed Packet PDF here: [Seed Packet]

And I found a new sticker paper I really like. It is A-Sub. It comes in Glossy Sticker Paper and Matte Sticker Paper, 25 or 55 sheets. You can find it at Amazon.

You can easily turn clip art images into magnets using Printable Magnets Sheets from Cricut.

On to the Party

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Blog Hop:

Suggested Materials:

On to the Party

Suggested Materials:

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Turn One Card Designinto Three Better Creations

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Turn One Card Design
into Three Better Creations