Uncategorized – Page 54 – Craft With May

Custom iron-on transfer pillowcase featuring ScanNCut

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Do you want to customize a pillowcase you already have, or perhaps want an easy idea for (affiliate link) iron-on transfer sheets like the ones I use? Today I’ll be creating a custom shape using three circles – and yes this entire project and tutorial works for ANY ScanNCut model!

Before I share my video tutorial how-to for the glitter iron-on, let me explain the quick & easy steps to sewing a pillowcase. A sewing machine will make this faster – but you could do it with hand stitching too! You’re just going to straight stitch in 4 spots. First though, get a piece of fabric the right size.
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You’ll want to stitch the two far ends (aka the far left and right shown above) after folding over so you have a nice edge and not a raw end. Then you’ll want to fold this fabric inside out to create the pillowcase. Overlap it so that the width is the same as the front of your pillow. Then stitch the top and bottom (using photo above as reference) and you’re done!! Flip it right side out and you’ll have a pillowcase with a flap to get your pillow into.

Such an easy project – and a long time favorite! Now let’s talk glittery iron-on goodness, and Mickey Mouse!
Link to YouTube video

Disclosure, as always that Brother provided me my ScanNCut machine to use and review, but that all ideas and opinions here on my blog are my own.
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Looking for a ScanNCut of your own? Independent retailers that carry Brother products will have the model I use (650), otherwise online shops (affiliate links) such as Amazon or Scrapbook.com have the more familiar aka “seen on HSN” 350 model.

Guest post & give-away!

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Hi friends! I am really excited to be sharing a card video + several examples over on the Ellen Hutson blog today – they invited me to be their guest this month. So fun! I have a video tutorial as well as process photos for this easy and super fun card that you could use to make up those holiday cards in no time – or take your creating one masterpiece.

This is a card style shared in my Tried & True Cards class – and yes, you can still sign up! Lot of new material coming to students this week – loving the class!

Speaking of love, there’s a give-away…. of some of my favorite clean color pens AND the awesome elf stamps!

Leave a comment any time today through November 19th, 2015 and be entered for your chance to win these goodies! Thanks to my friends at Ellen Hutson for this fun give-away, and for inviting me to be their guest!

11-12-13: Happy Birthday to my site!

craftwithmay500px On this day, two years ago, I opened www.craftwithmay.com – it took almost a year to get the site open, and it’s been a steep learning curve for sure. I love new challenges, learning, and growing and this site has definitely been all of those things.

I also love connecting with fellow crafters, and this site has given me the opportunity to present both free and paid classes, and interact with so many of you lovely creative people out there and I’m grateful for every email, chat, and discussion. Today as a special birthday celebration (and yes, I picked the date 11-12-13 because while it was ready to rock on the 3rd of November I wanted something I could remember!) I have a discount code for you, as well as a peek at four of my all-time favorite projects shared in classes:

First up, a favorite from the very popular Supplies On Hand class!

The brad collection hasn’t been going down. At all! This project was super satisfying because I used op lots of things and made something that I truly treasure.
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I never did give this box away- fell in love with it!
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Another favorite, also from Supplies on Hand:

The best design (and most under-used design here in my studio!) for using up lots of small things is definitely to create a grid. I love how many random Project Life cards, as well as other little items I got to utilize on this layout.
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The format allows me to remain organized, helps me add more detail and journaling, and was tremendously fun to make.

Another favorite, this one from the 2014 Winter Retreat is this card:

I don’t think I can stress how much fun this project was. When I began, I had no idea where I was going except that I was going to do something that had a circle element.

I love the mixed media feel of this piece, and though I went wild at times, I feel like the end result really came together.

Finally, here’s a student favorite from the May’s Guide to Vacation Scrapbooking class:

Notes:

Use a mix of colors and sizes
Don’t get weird trapped spaces! Better to overlap than have odd gaps
Center those photos! The 4 1/2″ square and 4×6″ photos I used are in the middle, and everything else is grounded by coming out from them/being attached.
Get the paper bits down, then add dimensional accents
Spray/mist or a small scale stamp repeated can help tie everything together

To be honest, I love ALL the projects from all the classes, and I hope to bring you even more inspiration both paid and free in 2016! To say thanks, I’ve got a special birthday discount code to give! Use THIS LINK and 25% will be taken off the class of your choice at check-out. No code needed, you just need to use THIS LINK for the discount to come off automatically, and you’ll see the adjusted price when you go to check out. This is good on new purchases only, and the offer is only good though 11/13/2015.

Handmade Holidays 2015 Blog Hop

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When Buttons Galore asked me if I’d like to play with some buttons and make a project for this blog hop I said – of course! Normally my handcrafted holiday fun is more about gift wrapping, card making, and home décor but I’m always up for a new challenge. If you’re new to my blog and finding me via the blog hop – welcome! Please do leave me a comment.

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For a project like mine you’ll need a blank notebook, a bunch of buttons (I used buttons galore wood, plum pudding, and purple passion mixes) as well as some clear-drying liquid adhesive, alphabet stickers, beads, and glitter glue.

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To start off with in a pale color pen draw your desired shape on the cover. This is just a marking to help you place your adhesive.

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Next up, fill the shape with liquid adhesive.

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Now the fun really begins! Add your alphabet stickers first (if using any), and then begin filling one side of your shape. Note that a lone wood veneer heart got into the mix with mine – I’m all for using what you’ve got!

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The next step is simply to continue filling in your shape. LOTS of liquid adhesive is a good thing! I also recommend working with some larger shapes first, then filling in with smaller buttons.

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Once the shape really starts looking good you can layer some buttons (small) atop other buttons for more dimension and to take care of any awkward gaps.

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Once you’re done with buttons it’s time to have some fun with beads!

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Any beads will work here. Epoxy dots, glitter glue, tiny micro beads or buttons, and other small items also are good choices. We’re going to just pour some beads all over, then shake off the excess.

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If some are sticking where you don’t want beads stuck, just grab a paintbrush and assist them either to where you would like some more beads, or just scoop them off the project entirely.

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Let your project fully dry, and then if desired add in dimensional paint or glitter glue to fill in any final spots that need it.

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This project is so much fun, and you can decorate the cover of a simple notebook, journal, artist sketchbook, art journal, or even scrapbook album and customize a gift for a loved one while having a lot of fun too. This is also a great project to have school age children help out with – I know mine sure do love playing with buttons!

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HANDMADE HOLIDAYS SPONSORS Thank you to Buttons Galore for asking me to rock some button craftiness today (you know I’m always up for that!) it was a lot of fun. I love how this project turned out and can’t wait to delight a friend with it this Christmas.

Below you will find information from the organizers including their information about how to find the other stops on this hop, the link to their give-away, and more. The link-up list curated by the organizers is at the end of this post, and you’re welcome to click around and maybe find new to you creative blogs and people! I always love discovering new people via blog hops it is one of my favorite parts of the whole process.

Note that you may need to click onto my website (if reading via email or rss reader) to view/click/etc.

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my thoughts: kindness

we are suggesting something very simple: to STOP the competition, STOP the cattiness, STOP the hate, and to BE KIND.

-the Kind Campaign

If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know that I’m a huge advocate of taking small steps to add kindness to other people’s days. Of saying nice things to people, encouraging fellow creatives, and doing what I can to empower anybody I come in contact with to be their best (happiest) selves.

When a box showed up last week with cards and stamps designed to help me do just that – well I had to jump right in. Thank you to Jennifer McGuire for the encouragement and for sending these supplies my way. To Hero Arts for making these stamp sets and donating part of the proceeds. And to organizations like the Kind Campaign that strive to make our world a better place and devote themselves to a good cause.

I created a video (link to YouTube) sharing a few thoughts, as well as video of me creating with the cards and stamps that Jennifer sent. Cards that I’ve mailed out into the world and that you see here.

I wasn’t asked to blog this, but I felt compelled to because this is exactly the kind of movement and message I’m always trying to work into my daily routine. Sharing kindness can take many forms, handmade kindness can vary from cookies for a neighbor to making dinner for new parents or simply saying hi and asking if you can do anything for someone.

You can check out Jennifer McGuire’s Share Handmade kindness site and challenge here, the Kind Campaign here, and Hero Arts will have the stamps up on their website very soon. You can also find these stamp sets at some retailers that carry Hero Arts products.

I love seeing others passing along kind words, sharing homemade treasures, and generally making the choice to uplift others. I am using this as a reminder to always look for ways to spread the love – crafting and in general. I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts on ways to spread more positive into our lives. Such a simple idea, and one that brings so much joy to both giver and recipient…