Uncategorized – Page 58 – Craft With May

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.

Fabric Elements by Rebekah Meier

Know what I love? Playing with color + texture + mixing my mediums. So when I got an email asking if I’d like to blog about the Rebekah Meier mixed media line? Sure thing! I wasn’t sure what would be in the package I was sent – but I was excited to try something new and embrace a new adventure. Today I’ve got a bit of information to share including a new challenge/contest for this line, as well as two mixed media cards.

The products were developed by Rebekah Meier following the success of her books about Fabric Art Collage. There are 32 SKUS now on sale at Joann Fabric and Craft stores, and also a new book by Rebekah called “Techniques in Mixed Media” which shows step-by-step mixed media projects. The products include pre-cut substrates such as Wool Felt, Lutradur, Peltex, Batting, Waffle Muslin, Osnaburg, all in neutrals so that ANYTHING can be created. There is also tissue and stencils designed by Rebekah Meier as well.

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I really love the colors that are used, but also that there is so much neutral in this product line so that I can do anything! I ended up being most inspired by the stencil – and I really love the size of this stencil. If you’ve been following my blog you know already I’m a HUGE fan of her stencils in general – such amazing detail and it just speaks to my inner artist. So I was excited to layer the various images from this stencil. My approach for this was to use paste, inks, and sprays to vary the color intensity and texture.

I could talk all day about my favorites – from the wool felt (a favorite supply in general!) to the trims to the tissue… so here’s a quick video walk-through of the products I tried as well as a bit of card making fun:

link to YouTube

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Here are some details on the challenge that I mentioned before – going on now!

Fabric Elements Creative Challenge
Fabric Editions, Inc. wants to see how mixed-media artists can adopt and play within the new fabric substrates of the Fabric Elements product line. To kick off the product launch we are having a Creative Challenge using the Fabric Elements products. Each of the 20 finalists will receive a copy of Rebekah Meier’s book, “Techniques For Mixed Media”. The Grand Prize Winner will receive 1 of each the items in the Fabric Elements product line, plus a Fabi Sizzix cutter and 3 dies: Prize valued at $379.00 (no cash prizes). Click here for the full details on how to enter, and for more details on this line.

The products are in Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores and on joann.com. Fore more Fabric Editions information check out: the blog, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter

Thank you to Rebekah Meier for inviting me to play with these fabulous products! You’ll be seeing more from me with them later this month – I can’t stop making stuff!

Looking for more inspiration? Check out Cheryl Boglioli’s apron post here, and watch Rebekah’s blog for the future designers participating and full schedule. I will update this post

Wplus9 fall leaves: video tutorial

Who’s ready for a quick technique video? I ended up finishing this into a card – well a card front. I need to mount it still. Really liking these Wplus9 stamps though!

link to YouTube

These stamps are available directly from Wplus9, and from retailers (affiliate links) like Ellen Hutson and Simon Says Stamp. I really love all the possibilities, and how this first card came out as well.

May’s Picks: September 2015

This month I’m featuring three crafty shops that are new to me! None of them know me, none of them are sponsoring or even are aware of this post. I just always like to feature and share when I find pretty things.

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Neat&Tangled is a sweet little stamp shop- they have a great punchinella stamp (pictured above) that I just can’t get enough of.

LeaseAPenny etsy shop makes me want to wear more brooches! I love the handmade Disney inspired goodness and creativity of this maker.

Felicity Jane is a new to me kit club/shop I’ve only just stumbled across (thanks, Instagram!) and I’m keeping an eye on them! You know I so love exclusive products and their site is so lovely.

That’s it from me for this month – what crafty boutiques are catching your eye these days? Let me know!

More ideas than time.

It’s just a fact that I have come to accept. I will always have FAR more ideas than I will have hours in the day! So how do I pick? Well there are several factors.

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What am I feeling most passionate about? This is always at the top.
What can I break down into small (5-10m) sessions? Projects that are easily started + stopped without a lot of fuss are favorites.
What sounds fun?
What will have a big impact and make me feel like I’ve really accomplished something?
Can I make it with supplies I have on hand?

Another factor, which of course bumps it to the top of the list would be if there is a deadline, or if someone else is needing me to create the project for some reason (birthday, promised, etc).

Above you see ribbons I went out and got to create a banner/flag for fall. I’ve been wanting to do one of these for a LONG time but it takes SOOO much ribbon that I’ve been waiting for a mega sale since I don’t have whole spools/loads of yardage here. And yet another factor – if I go out and buy supplies for something I want to do I have to make sure and actually do it!

way easier said than done!

Stay tuned here for plenty of seasonal crafting as I try to fill my home with more homemade touches this fall, and yes I will share the tutorials, details, and photos with you here and on my YouTube channel.