create with a kit – Page 2

Elle’s Studio: September Kit feature

It’s September… and it’s time for a new kit feature! Today the Elle’s Studio September 2015 releases – and it’s a great one! Elle was kind enough to send me the kit + stamps + new stars so that I could work up some ideas to share with you here. Thanks, Elle!

I picked this kit for several reasons for this month’s feature:

I love that it’s a kit of fun shapes, journaling cards, and inspiring bits at a great low price
There are coordinating stamps available
The colors are always coordinated, but also coordinate with other products and lines easily

I had no idea what would be coming or what this kit would look like – and let me tell you. I am delighted!

Those blue hearts are just the best! I love them! For this first project my idea was to create a layout with most of the dog stuff (there is a little dog, and a little cat within the monthly kit) and really try to use the kit first and foremost.

I focused in on my doggies and walking the girls to school since that will only be our routine for a few short years! All of the paper bits, including the hearts are from the kit. All I added in were buttons, washi, the background cardstock, and white ink for stamping.

I really love how this page turned out and I am thrilled to have a teeny tiny paw print stamp now! Be sure to stay tuned – I’ll be doing some video tutorials and more projects with this kit, as well as tips & tricks too! Want more info on this kit? Visit Elle’s Studio for the full kit details and reveal.

Crafternoon by Hazel & Ruby: Crepe Paper Flowers

find all the info (and videos) on the Hazel & Ruby site here.

Hazel & Ruby released a new line, perhaps the most brilliant of 2015. “Crafternoon” is now available at JoAnn fabrics (and I am guessing elsewhere after an exclusive time period…) that I have heard about via instagram where the various designers are chatting it up and sharing photos. Why is it brilliant?

Kit including instructions and all supplies (outside basics like glue and scissors) included.
It’s like taking a craft class in a little pouch
Videos available on-line so you can check them out before or after you buy the product! In other words you can preview what you’ll make before you buy
Quality projects and great DIY kits
Great for novice or seasoned crafters
Interesting designs you can be inspired by for future

The idea that this will take you not much time (or at most just a few hours) is so inspiring! To me, it sparked my love of learning and getting a mini class part online (Video) and a kit ready to rock. The other thing that makes me love this so very much is that they have all different crafters participating. In other words, you’re getting a wide variety of talented bloggers who are sharing things they excel in – love that!

I picked out three different DIY kits at my local JoAnn fabrics and I’m starting with the one I wanted to test out WITHOUT video to see how I did with their written instruction. I did ok… but I think the way to approach these is to watch the video then begin the craft project and use the written instructions as a reminder. I think it’s a really great touch that they did both written and video!

The written instructions are well done but enough detail is missing that if you’re brand new to the craft it could make for less than stellar results. I was ok with my finished flower but after watching the video I had major “AHA!” Moments that I’ll take into the future flowers I can make from this kit.

This was just one flower (of many) I can make, and now armed with additional information and having seen the video I know my next will turn out even better. I’m so very impressed with these kits I just had to share right away! I will be back next week with #2 (A embroidery hoop!) and this time I’m watching the video first.

For more about this line you can find all the info (and videos) on the Hazel & Ruby site here.

Simon Says: August 2015 kit project #4

affiliate links used when possible in this post, at no additional cost to you – it just helps keep the blog running…

I’m still using, loving, and generally having a ball with the August 2015 Simon Says Stamp card kit! Some of the papers are destined to become punched or die cut, and some things will stay here on my desk until used up.

I made a video for this project:

link to YouTube

DSC_4048 copy

SUCH a fun tag to make – and now I’ve got a fun delivery system for this gift card! If I’m sending a package or something to someone it isn’t uncommon for me to put a fun tag (vs card) inside.

I’ve had SUCH a fun time featuring the August 2015 Simon Says Stamp kit this month! If another project gets made in the next week or two with this kit I’ll be sure to post it. And remember – each month I’ll be featuring a different kit here on my blog so stay tuned!

Links to the previous posts featuring this kit:

“bits and pieces” card

grid layout

card #1 and kit walk-thru

Project #3: Simon Says Stamp August Kit

affiliate links used when possible in this post, at no additional cost to you – it just helps keep the blog running…

Continuing on with my new monthly feature – here is my card with the August 2015 Simon Says Stamp kit! This one I made as I just kind of picked at bits & leftover pieces. What I like about this kind of creating is that it uses up what is on the desk, puts my kit to use, and sometimes opens up new ideas like in this case how much I like the “hello” stamp with paint!

This is a really fun kit – next week I will be back with a “leftovers/now what” post #4 with it. For more information on the kit itself or to purchase the kit you can visit the Simon Says Stamp website.

Project #2: Simon Says Stamp August 2015 Card Kit

summer2

As I posted last week – I’ll be featuring a different kit each month and creating with it. This month? The August 2015 Simon Says Stamp card kit.

Don’t let that name fool you!

What is a kit? A coordinated grouping of supplies.

There aren’t rules about “you must make —- with the supplies”. No way! Here’s a layout I made with the supplies from this kit.

summer

I added in the sequins and the 12″ background cardstock, but I believe pretty much everything else is the kit! These adventures are detailed in my camping albums but these photos didn’t make the cut and I like having a page (or two) in the yearly album that share highlights too.

If you would like to see my video process for this page, be sure you’re signed up for my FREE 2015 class! I’m going to be closing down the registration page for this class very soon so it’s last call…