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Around here: April 2018

Hello there! It’s been a busy time around here and I’ve got a lot to share so here is a rundown of what’s up here in the studio! My new online class is up and running (join in the fun here) and I’m LOVING it! Creating + sharing is such a passion of mine – so thank you for being a part of my adventures.

Speaking of my adventures, in my spare time I’ve been prepping for the Flaum family’s very first overseas adventure! We will be going to Europe (Paris, Barcelona, and more- feel free to share recommendations!) this summer and I’ve been planning the trip, making lists, and getting excited! I will be doing a whole new scrapbooking class after the trip detailing the making of what is sure to be an epic album!

Under things I’m into: rainbows are dominating my world! I’ve been really digging new color combos and taking photos in stores of displays and colors that inspire me. I love color!

Another big thing for me here is that I’ve been on a GREAT streak of eating super healthy + exercising! Last month I got a box from Fairytale Brownies that contained a number of small (SO DELICIOUS) brownies. What to do? The girls and I worked out that we could only have one AFTER an especially excellent workout.

I am not one to use sugar to motivate myself (because that works too well – and I eat too much!) but this was perfect because these rich brownies are small and the perfect portion and calorie size. The Toffee Crunch was my favorite (pictured above) – and it really helped to have an occasional and appropriate sized treat. (here’s their website)

The dogs are all well – Ranger has to have a tooth removed but the littles remain vigilant and on watch keeping the neighborhood in order.

While I love the cold of winter, I am enjoying the brighter colors and blooms of spring! Orange blossoms and lilacs are filling the backyard and it is wonderful!

I’ve been working on some jewelry projects in my spare time (and of course – Disney/travel posts on AdventurelandGirls.com!), and I’m excited to make this a really healthy month full of creativity, exercise, and strong productivity habits! I hope that you’re doing well – I’d love to hear what projects you’re working on and any current favorites.

 

Supply focus: Washi tape notebook

Using up my stash, creating more, and living my best crafty life in 2018 are goals of mine. How to make this happen? I’ve been doing a lot of small things to work towards this, as well as establishing new habits, goal setting, and more. I have also created a brand new online class Creative Fitness that starts NOW – that I hope you’ll join!

Today in this post I want to create a simple little project designed to get some washi tape used up in a fun way.

Continue reading “Supply focus: Washi tape notebook”

let’s go shaker tag

Sometimes when I look through my supplies, I look for inspiration. I look at what I’ve got and see if an idea sparks – and run with it! This is a great way to get going if you’re unsure what to create next. In this case, a tag sticker (from Pipsticks) inspired my creation.

Continue reading “let’s go shaker tag”

Create Canvas & Give Away

National Craft Month is always a favorite time for me – why wouldn’t it be? As a part of this month I am hosting a giveaway of some of my favorite ScanNCut cut file designs. Both Disney, and both Tattered Lace collections- read on for details. Thank you so much to Brother for sponsoring this generous give-away!

As I always disclose – I am a paid consultant for Brother. The ScanNCut is a machine I regularly use, love, and totally recommend – all ideas and opinions shared here are always my own.

Today I am making a canvas project to hang in my studio featuring the Tattered Lace collection. I keep this collection on a USB drive so any time I want to utilize it, I just insert that into my ScanNCut.

Once the pattern I want is loaded, insert the universal pen holder and a watercolor pen to draw the design in a pale color on watercolor paper.

This is one of my favorite techniques! Once the ScanNCut has done the hard part, I get out my watercolors and pens, and get to work!

I like to add a bit of water, then spread it around a lot – or just a little. Play with this and just see what looks you enjoy.

Once dry, feel free to go back through and layer on more color.

Once you are happy with the look, and the paper is dry, place it back on a standard ScanNCut mat and insert into the machine. From here, you’ll want to select a pattern (I picked a basic oval), then press the scan button so that your mat gets scanned and you can see where your floral pattern is.

Then in the edit screen, resize your shape as needed and cut it out! I absolutely love this because it lets me see what size, shape, and design will look best for the colored image.

Now that this is cut out, it’s assemble time! I layered onto torn cardstock (and onto a canvas), then got out my liquid adhesive and embellishments and got to work.

Letter stickers, sequins, buttons, dots of mist, and even word stickers – just arrange and glue as you’d like!

Now that this project is complete, it will hang in my studio. I’m so happy with it – and love all the positive messages it has on it. I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial and project!  Looking for project videos? I have a playlist with over 100 ScanNCut videos which you can find on my YouTube channel here.

Would you like the chance to win both Tattered Lace collections and both Disney ScanNCut collections? Here are the rules: this is a give-away open to those in the continental USA and a winner will be drawn on the 25th and notified via email.

For your chance to win, leave a comment on this blog post between March 18th-March 24th 2018. To recap, the prize: Tattered Lace Collection 1, Tattered Lace Collection 2, Disney Collection 1, Disney Collection 2 (MSRP: $159.96). The winner will be drawn using a random number generator. Good luck to everyone – and thank you again to Brother for providing the generous prize!