One of the things I’ve been doing a lot lately, is looking for where I can put little touches of creativity into my everyday life. Ways to craft a prettier life in small ways.
Last week, I planted a few little succulents in some containers that have long been unused. Thinking about how the soil does not (should not!) be too moist, and that dirt wasn’t the most attractive, I thought why not add some beads & buttons?!
So I took a sewing tin I’ve had forever and made it a treasure! So much fun adding details and the best part? Everything will be reusable. Nothing is ruined, nothing will be used up. It’s all totally able to be removed/changed/used elsewhere! I think the key is low water plants. I wouldn’t do this with my fern that has to be kept moist all the time.
I also got out some jewelry charms so play with – love having happy sayings here.
Here is a shot of my studio window – and all the lovely plants + embellishments!
Out of space (haha!) I began thinking about other possibilities. One in particular? Gifts! So I got a pretty red flowering succulent and got a new container ready for Elizabeth’s room!
She loves all the red treasures – and I love this new idea on using (even if temporarily) my stash of embellishments in this way! I think buttons & beads are best – if using metals I made sure they wouldn’t rust/be in places that get wet.
Today I’m back with two cards- these cards were inspired by lessons #3 and #4 in my free scrapbook.com class. I had such fun raiding my die cut drawer and stacking details up!
note: affiliate links are used in this post – should you use them they help support this site at no additional cost to you.
I pulled out some die cuts, layered, and stitched them into place. Then I added a few more – and added a deer head on foam adhesive. When creating a card like this I like to pick a few pieces at a time. I also like to add texture! The stitching worked well, but I also added in some buttons & embellishments from the Attic Findings kit (link to scrapbook.com)
Here is my finished card:
As you can see just a few strategic embellishments and the card was done! I used some Heidi Swapp (link) from an embellishment pouch and then some Crate Paper bits and pieces as well.
For my second card I edged cardstock and stamped in Lawn Fawn Guava (link) – my current absolute favorite color ink!
From there the process was similar – but fewer pieces. I really love ephemera packs from Crate Paper – I hope they never stop making them! This one is a few years old and I’m glad I got it out and used up.
Happy Friday, everyone! Today’s post is extra fun because I have two projects to share, there’s a hop going on (see end of my post for others participating!) featuring 28 Lilac Lane, and I’m giving away a kit! Before we get going let me tell you there are some affiliate links in this post (thanks for supporting the site!) but also some regular links as well – no difference on your end I just always disclose that!
Let’s get started with a holiday box featuring the Holly Jolly kit. It’s a little Christmas gift action in July!
I used the Holly Jolly kit, PPA adhesive, and the box I used was from the container store though any box would do.
Looking for 28 Lilac Lane? It’s all over! Some online shops that are carrying the line include A Cherry on Top, Ellen Hutson, Scrapbook.com, Simon Says Stamp, and you can also purchase items directly from the Buttons Galore website.
There are, of course, many other ways you can do a project like this, and you could also create a treasure box for yourself vs a giftable box! In fact, I tried just this with a metal tin and the Hello, Cupcake kit.
For this project, place all the items onto a layer of Ice Resin! The lip around the edges kept everything contained – though waiting 24hrs for it was hard! I’ve found Ice Resin (available many shops including scrapbook.com here) or PPA adhesive (available many shops including Ellen Hutson here) are definitely my favorite adhesives for 28 Lilac Lane. These projects would work for absolutely any kit – or even bottle of my embellishments. Giveaway:Buttons Galore and More will be giving away some 28 Lilac Lane kits! Each blogger participating today is picking a favorite kit and one winner per blog will be selected. To be entered for your chance to win, leave a comment by July 11th, 2016. For more chances to win be sure to leave comments on all of the blogs participating today. A list of winners will be posted here on July 12 with instructions on claiming your prize!
I will be giving away an Attic Findings kit (below) – while I love all of the kits this is definitely a favorite!
Thank you for joining us today – hope you enjoy all the ideas and don’t forget to leave comments (and check back here!) for several chances to win a prize!Chari Moss
Buttons make me so happy – always have enjoyed playing with them. It’s hard to see a rainbow and not smile. This week has been rough on so many, with so much tragedy. I can’t even believe it every time I think that has got to be it… there is more. Before I share my tutorial video I want to share a few thoughts on what inspired this therapeutic mixed media piece.
Originally I had a lengthy rant here about fear mongering, encouraging people to turn against each other, and hate filled speeches encouraging a divided nation. But I don’t want to add to that particularly gnarly fire.
Tearing at others does not build you up, and it definitely doesn’t help in the wake of tragedy. Deeply disturbed by both recent events in the country and so many of the the voices of “leadership” I knew I needed to get in the studio and recenter. Do something happy. Wonderful. Silly and small but that I could enjoy. Because I know one thing with absolute certainty:
Spreading love, happiness, kindness, smiles, and positivity is never a bad thing.
There will always be sick, twisted, even evil people in this world. I can’t stop that. But I can take every opportunity to make things better. To try and bring a smile to someone else or share a kind word. To fuel, feed, and embrace positivity and be more of what I want to see in this world. That, I can do. Maybe what I do is very small and doesn’t matter much, but those little things add up and the more of us who try to unite, build each other up, and be the positive change we want to see the better!
I share all of this because this is what inspired me to pull out almost EVERY 28 Lilac Lane bottle and kit. I pulled out every one available to me (except the browns) and spent a little time building myself back into a positive state of mind. If you’re wanting the how-to on a project like mine, you can view my YouTube video here.
I hope you enjoyed that tutorial – the process really is simple! PPA matte finish is a great adhesive choice. You can work with a specialty paste like the snowflake paste I used, or plain, or just glue! I also ended up sealing this project with glossy accents but that’s optional. I just wanted to make sure this rainbow that I created over a few hours this week lasts!
Looking for 28 Lilac Lane products? They’re available online and in local shops now. I used every single kit and bottle as I said before. If there’s a particular one you want pointed out I’m happy to do so. I have some affiliate links posted below if you want to shop the line as well.
I hope you liked my bit of rainbow and crafty happiness. It is going to hang here in the studio to remind me that in the darkest times, you can always look for the light. The rainbow. Seek the love.
How are we approaching Father’s day already? The time I tell you is really flying by! Today I’m excited to share a card that features some new Close to My Heart stamps (find out more info at their website). Wait, not some. The ENTIRE STAMP SET! That’s right I went for it and used them all. This card didn’t need much embellishing either – but a few nautical accents from my embellishment line 28 Lilac Lane “At Sea” kit (available in stores now) and some twine were the perfect accents.
This card actually began as a watermark stamping idea… but I decided with the awesome urban papers (from CTMH) I could not just use up my stamps… but a good number of inks too! It’s easier to show – so here’s my YouTube video
I really love how this one turned out – now if I can only find a gift for the great dad that lives here in this house… hmmm.
I hope that I’ve inspired you today to use ALL THE STAMPS (yes, all caps) to create a card like mine. This one happens to be Father’s Day – but any theme would work! I love that instead of having to pick a favorite I was able to make this collage of fun. Until next time – I wish you very happy crafting!
