Tag it Tuesday

A new series of mixed media tags called “Tag it Tuesday!” #tagitTuesday

finished tag

I am starting a new series I am calling “Tag it Tuesday.” Using a variety of different materials and mediums, a tag will be created. It’s a fun way to get our creative juices flowing. A tag isn’t too large of a project – something quick and easy to try out new ideas.

Tag Tutorial Video:

If you follow my other posts you will see that this project uses a variety of different materials from past posts. The tea cup is from a Cricut Cut n Paste tutorial and the word is from Die Cutting a Box.

I’d love for you to join along and make your own tags, and if you do, remember to tag the project with this hashtag #tagitTuesday.

February Calendar Transformation

Transform a colored image into a greeting card. #freeprintable #freecalendar #cardmaking #cardtutorial

final card

As I sat there, admiring my colorful calendar image for the month of February, I couldn’t help but feel inspired. The vibrant hues and playful design gave me an idea. Why not turn this into a one-of-a-kind, personalized greeting card for a loved one? With a few adjustments, I was able to create a beautiful, unique piece that was sure to brighten someone’s day.

Materials Used:

  • purple cardstock
  • white cardstock
  • February Calendar Image – free printable
  • velum
  • die cut and machine
  • various adhesives
  • paper trimmer
  • rhinestone gems

The free Calendar is available here: https://tryit-likeit.com/2023-printable-calendar/

pencils and pens

The February calendar image was colored using mostly pencils from Staedtler and fineliners from Stabilo.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, C – Cricut, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
Cricut Portable Trimmer
Cricut Portable Trimmer
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AZ | C
Cut Cardstock
Cut Cardstock
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O
Double Sided Tape
Double Sided Tape
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AZ
Glue Bottles
Glue Bottles
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AZ
Mini Maker
Mini Maker
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O
Reptile Glue
Reptile Glue
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AZ
rhinestones
rhinestones
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AZ
Stabilo Fineliner
Stabilo Fineliner
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AZ | O
Staedtler colored pencil triangular 48Pc
Staedtler colored pencil triangular 48Pc
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AZ | O
Tape Runner
Tape Runner
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AZ | SSS | SB
Teflon Craft Mat
Teflon Craft Mat
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AZ
Temu
Temu
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O

Glitter and Mica Powder Ornament

with Ceya

ornament

When I got products from Ceya I wanted to combine glitter and mica powder. On the first try, I decided to make an ornament. Having not done this before, I wasn’t sure of the outcome, but I am thrilled with the results and can’t wait to try other applications.

Materials:

  • plastic ornament
  • polyacrylic
  • chunky glitter
  • mica powder
  • small spoon
  • disposable cups

Video Tutorial:

If you’d like to see more products from Ceya I have an unboxing video here:

DIY Printable Booklet

A one page printable to make a mini booklet. Just add your own embellishments.

mini booklets

These mini booklets are all made from the same printable with additional ephemera. You can print, fold, and glue your own mini booklet and then decorate. They are great additions to your junk journal, scrapbook, card-making, paper crafting, or gift-giving. Personalize them for your own use.

printable

The images used are a beautiful collection of blues and coordinate well. The images can also be printed and cut out to use without making the booklet making this printable very flexible.

materials
materials

First print out the booklet. There are two included on one 8.5″ x 11″ page. Follow the folding instruction sheet included. Then add your details.

The one-page printable is available in the store [mini booklet]

Video Tutorial:

Etching a Fall Votive

How to etch a votive with dip n’ etch for a nice upcycle project.

with etchall

votive

Today I am making a votive for fall using Etchall Dip. The glass is a recycled Oui yogurt container. Instead of applying a cream to the glass you actually submerge the glass into the etching liquid. The etching results are the same, just the process is different.

The links provided are for your use and may contain affiliate links.
They cost nothing for you to use.
Thank you in advance for supporting this site with its use.

cricut maker

To begin, you’ll want to clean your glass with rubbing alcohol. Using hand sanitizer with a high alcohol content will also work well. I cut a small acorn shape on my Cricut Maker.

vinyl applied

Then I applied the vinyl to the glass like you would stickers in a random pattern. The acorn SVG is free and can be found in the store at the following link [acorn SVG]

dipping

Use a plastic container for the dip n’ etch liquid. Measure how much liquid is needed by testing with water first. Details for this technique can be found in the video tutorial below. You will also want something to weigh down the project so the glass doesn’t float.

dip n etch

The time to etch is the same as the etchall cream, 15 minutes. The liquid is reusable so make sure to put it back into the etchall container when finished.

Video Tutorial:

with light

I chose to finish off the votive with a wrap of raffia tied in a knot. The votive can be used in a variety of different ways. The image above uses an electric tea light. It also makes for a cute pencil cup. What a nice way to upcycle!

Back to School Bookmarks

DIY bookmarks with Gwen Studios ribbon.

with Gwen Studios

Now that it is time to head back to school, I am making a few versions of bookmarks using ribbons from Gwen Studios. These bookmarks would pair well with gifting a book as well. My family often gives what we call a moment gift consisting of a good book and a bag of M&Ms. I think we now need to add a handmade bookmark to the gift.

The links provided are for your use and may contain affiliate links.
They cost nothing for you to use.
Thank you in advance for supporting this site with its use.

As a design team member for Gwen Studios, I was recently sent this great box full of ribbon samples. There are satin and grosgrain ribbons. It was fun choosing different widths and colors to work together for the bookmarks.

Gwen Studios ribbons can be found at Walmart and Michaels. To see all the back-to-school themed projects made with Gwen Studios ribbons, make sure to visit the Designer Crafts Connection website.

Ruffled Ribbon Bookmark

This first bookmark I am calling a ruffled bookmark because of the folded/ruffled green ribbon. The brown and burgundy ribbon had the ends melted with a lighter to keep them from raveling. All the layers were glued together using Fabri-Tac.

The central ribbon that appears to be ruffled was actually folded and glued. Each fold was glued twice – front and back. You could choose to sew instead of glue but I didn’t want a line of thread to show so I glued it.

Blue Fringe Bookmark

blue bookmark

The blue bookmark was similar in that it used three layers of ribbon. All the ends were sealed with a lighter so they don’t fray except the end of the blue ribbon. One end of the blue ribbon was fringed. To do this, the very thin edge of the ribbon needed to be cut away where the fringe is. This made making the fringe easy to do.

The blue ribbon bookmark was put together using double-sided tape. The glue will also work but might seep through the light-colored ribbon so tape was used instead as a precaution.

Magnetic Bookmark

magnetic bookmark

This is a magnetic bookmark. It only uses one piece of ribbon.

stamping

I stamped the yellow ribbon with bees using Staz-on black ink in a random pattern.

paint magnets

To use magnets, I used a thin advertising magnet that is easily cut with scissors. Since the ribbon was light-colored, the ad showed through the ribbon so I painted the advertisement side with white paint.

glue magnets

Once the paint was dry, I glued the magnets to the back side of the ribbon leaving a very small space between the magnets. In hindsight, the double-sided tape might have worked better.

The excess ribbon was folded and glued to the magnets creating a nicely finished folded edge. Because the magnet I used wasn’t that strong, I left a small area of each magnet exposed. It would look a lot better to cover the entire magnet so using a strong magnet really would help.

Let it Snow – Free SVG

Grab this free SVG file with the theme of Snow and visit all the others included in the hop.

This month I am participating in a group SVG hop. We each created a free SVG file using the them Snow. I love the colors used in the mug giving it a frosty winter feel.

Of course, you can make it in whatever colors you desire.

Here are all the other SVG files for the month of December with the theme of snow. Enjoy and stay warm!

DIY Candy Advent

Create your own Candy Advent with this free SVG file.

Making your own advent for Christmas lets you customize it your own way. I made mine into a candy advent but it would also be fun as coins, dollars, or any other little items.

Special thanks to Cricut for providing materials that were used in this post.

Materials:

  • Cricut Maker
  • Cardstock – 12″ x 12″
  • candy
  • Cricut Markers
  • Glue Dots
  • SVG file

Directions:

To begin, download the free SVG file – Candy Advent.

The SVG file can be used to cut and draw. I chose to draw the type and numbers but you can cut them out of vinyl or card stock too. Then the shape was cut from the 12 x 12 card stock.

The drawn text is done as an outline. I chose to fill it in with a marker. A thick permanent marker was used to fill in the numbers. I did so in a rough, quick manner to make the advent appear more handmade. You can choose to do yours as you desire.

I used snack sized candy and attached them to the advent with Glue Dots.

Here is a close up of the numbers and the candy attached to the advent.

What will you use on your advent?

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, 0 – Other, C – Cricut
Cricut Maker® Machine
Cricut Maker® Machine
Shop at:
AZ | O | C
Glue Dots
Glue Dots
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Cricut Markers
Cricut Markers
Shop at:
AZ | C

Making a Motion Card with a TLC Die

Follow along as I made a motion card using a die from TLC Designs.

title card

I received this Double Dial Die from TLC Designs. This is my first time using a die with motion or activity and making a motion card. The process is rather two-fold in that you put the mechanism together and then design the visual elements for the card. It was fun trying to decide what images would work well with the motion.

Many of the items used in this post have be provided by companies I work with in order to promote there company and products.

Materials:

  • Double Dial Die
  • Hampton Art stamp set
  • CrossOver II
  • Mini Maker
  • leaf die
  • 3 ink pads
  • Simons Says intense black ink
  • Distress Oxide Inks
  • Blending brush
  • WRMK Works Board
  • double-sided tape
  • foam tape
  • foam tape squares
  • scissors
  • white card stock
  • brads

Directions:

This is the die and stamp set that was used.
The die pieces laid out on the CrossOver II. The pie shape needs to be placed into the largest die piece.
Distress Oxide being used to blend onto the front of the motion card.
These are the three inks used and the finished front piece.

Video Tutorial:

finished card

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, M – Michaels
We R Memory Keepers - All-In-One Tool - The Works
We R Memory Keepers – All-In-One Tool – The Works
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Professional Makeup Brush Set
Professional Makeup Brush Set
Shop at:
AZ
Gina K foam tape
Gina K foam tape
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Crossover II
Crossover II
Shop at:
AZ
Intense Black Ink Pad
Intense Black Ink Pad
Shop at:
SSS
Double Sided Tape
Double Sided Tape
Shop at:
AZ
Distress Ink Bundle
Distress Ink Bundle
Shop at:
AZ
Layer Butterfly
Layer Butterfly
Shop at:
AZ

My Spiral Ornament for the Cricut Ornament Exchange

I am participating in a Cricut Ornament Exchange. We were challenged to make a Christmas Ornament using our Cricut machine and then we sent them to another participant. I sent my ornament to Kara at Happy Go Lucky. The ornament I made is from an original design and the SVG file will be included below. The inspiration for this ornament was the red and white spiraled hard candies as well as candy canes.

Materials:

  • Doubled sided scrapbooking card stock
  • 2 brads
  • Personal cutting machine (I used a Cricut Explore Air 2)
  • SVG Spiral Ornament Pattern 

Directions:

The process for this ornament is more hands-on after the cutting of the design. When I cut out the design, I wasn’t getting through the card stock. I finally went to change the blade and found that my blade had some form of material stuck around it. Once this problem was resolved, the cutting was so easy. I really like using two-sided paper. I chose red which had burgundy on the other side. The only downside to using this kind of paper is the core of the paper is white and shows a bit on the edges of the paper. 

showing process
Design Space showing the progress of cutting the paper.

cut paper
The cut paper before weeding.

cut pieces
The cut shapes.

brads
The two brads, you can use any color.

curve paper
Take the bow shape, using your fingers, curve the bow shape.

bow
To begin you are going to stack the elements in order on the brad. Here is the bow we began to curve in the above image.

bow 2
Then add the ends of the ribbon to make the bow.

curl paper
Stacking all six similar pieces together, curve the paper by rolling it in your hand. This will help form the ornament in a later step.

add sides
Add the six pieces to the brad and then add the brad to the bottom. Make sure all pieces are facing the same direction if you are using a two-toned paper. Fan open the brads but not the full amount so there is some movement available.

start to seperate
Begin to seperate the ornament shape once piece of paper at a time.

finished
Now you can tighten up the brads by reaching into the ornament. You can manipulate the shape as needed even by pushed top and bottom towards each other until you are happy with the rounded shape.

I sent the file to my sister and that same night she went a bit crazy and made these two.

Take a peek at all the other entries:
An InLinkz Link-up