May 2013 – Page 3 – Craft With May

Mondays with May: Amy Tangerine (and a discount code!)

It’s Monday, and it’s still my month and I’m over sharing yet another project at the Simon Says Stamp blog. This week it is all about Amy Tangerine – true story I scrapbooked more with Amy’s products last year than ANY OTHER! Why? well she’s got a fantastic mix of colors + patterns and they go so well not just with each other but other brands and lines too. As a scrapbooker she’s got such a great style and that definitely shines in her products.

Here’s a card I made (with some surprisingly easy stitching too!) to share here today.

For two more new (and exclusive) projects, hop on over to the Simon blog where you can see them. Amy’s stitching templates has me inspired to branch out on my own once again (as I did here) and add more texture to my projects. I like to do this when watching TV – gives my hands something to do!

Supplies Used + 4 favorites from Amy’s latest release:

InLinkz.com

and finally today, as promised I have a code for a SimonSaysStamp.com exclusive discount!!

use code: 5bucks for $5 off any purchase. This coupon is valid 5/20-5/24 11:59 PM EST STD TIME

quick decorated boxes

Quick! I need something cute for this box!

Whether it is for a gift or favor, big or small, there is one surefire way to quickly and easily decorate boxes – no wrapping paper required. You’ll need:

* several ribbons of various colors/textures/widths

* a doily

* something to adorn the top (flower, accent, feather, gift tag….

It only takes a minute, and the results are always WOW. If you have a gift that is in a box, just wrap it with some kraft wrapping paper or even a grocery bag and then do this! First pick your doily and set it down. For this one it goes over the edges, but it doesn’t have to. It could be smaller. Then you tie the ribbon around (just one way, don’t need to do all four sides), tie it in a knot, and add your top accents.

I found these birds and feathers on clearance at Michael’s yesterday and since these are tea party favors, I thought them the perfect thing! What I love about this easy wrap formula is that it can work with any number of themes or variations. Going for a more masculine look? Skip the doily and use a simple circle of colored paper or a large die cut such as a star. Want it to be baby friendly? Use a baby toy as your topper! Of course you can also add a name tag and any amount of other accents to this, or you can keep it simple.

With my crafty stash, most of the time I can do a box or two without ever having to leave my studio.

For now I need to pack these (4×4″) boxes with the whoopie cookie favors, and prepare for tomorrow’s party! I will be sure to share photos and details of that here. It’s not everyday I throw myself a tea party…

Countdown to Camp Scrap: Just 3 more weeks!

It is Thursday – and that means it is Camp Scrap countdown day!!

Today I’m going to give you a peek at the fourth and final make & take for class. I made an 8×8 canvas featuring a (4×6) photo, and using my regular scrapbooking supplies, For those who are joining me in class I thought I’d give you the heads up. You could use any size canvas and really you could make a card or layout instead of using a canvas too. LOTS of ways to easily substitute in my classes. The only funky thing I really pulled out was paint for the edges, which is of course totally optional!

In all of the make & takes I will share substitution ideas, and indeed you could use any variety of products to create similar projects! In the M&T videos I always share thoughts on “or you could use…” and you never ever have to use exactly what I did. In fact, just to prove it I’m going to go make a new video just for next week’s Countdown to Camp Scrap post and I will share it here. We are down to three weeks before Camp – I can hardly wait!! If you have any questions please feel free to ask via email or in the comment section on my blog.

If you’re in the mood for some crafty fun, I invite you to check out Camp Scrap. The class info can be found here.

So this happened. aka that time we got filmed by Food Network.

Soma food truck park (in SF- amazing place) + food network crews there to film their summer food truck show + food truck hopefuls + us on mom’s day = good times.

And glorious food. Oh yeah, and we might be seen on the show when it airs in August. The Great Food Truck Race is basically teams (3 people) working together, on a food truck, and whoever makes the least $ each week gets booted off each week. They have challenges and setbacks of course – and in the end, after they’ve traveled across the whole country, the winner get cash + the food truck. It’s a lot of fun to watch, but I gotta tell you it was even more fun to see the behind the scenes there in SF. To watch the camera crews, to hear the producers prompting the teams and even re-shooting when something didn’t work. All of it.

The food was good too, though it seemed their challenge only allowed for a single item on the menu which was a bummer. It meant we didn’t order from about 1/2 the trucks. But the girls didn’t mind too much because three INSANELY GOOD local (unrelated to the show) trucks were there with Bao, Bulgogi beef, and Frozen Custard. SO good – and we kept sampling one of each and sharing. I love that my kids are adventurous in their eating! It makes days like this super fun.

Rebecca even got interviewed – which was HILARIOUS to watch because whatever the producer asked her to do/talk about to the camera she did. With extra fancy flair. Of course. I’m not sure any of us will be able to live with her ego should she make it onto the TV show. Ha! That child is not at all shy, to say the least.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth was eating, eating, eating and hiding from all cameras. She was all about the food and observing – totally more my speed! Above you can see two of the competitor trucks – Aloha Plate and The Slide Show. Seriously such a trip to watch behind the scenes but I will save all my geeky iPhone pics for an actual scrapbook page and share with you here on my blog later.

This was an adventure, and the kind of thing that is just so much fun because it wasn’t planned but all worked out. I’m so glad we jumped in the car and went for it!

Mondays With May: Basic Grey [and discount code!]

MondaysWithMay

Another week goes by, and it’s my favorite day – Monday – once again! This week over at the Simon Says Stamp blog I’m sharing my love for all things Mint Julep. NOT the drink, the adorable line from Basic Grey!! Here are some of my faves:

InLinkz.com

and here’s a new card I whipped up with some extras!

I love playing with + layering BG stickers! I also created a layout with this line – if you’d like to see it I made it just for the Simon Says Stamp blog.

What could make this day sweeter? How about a discount code to Simon Says Stamp?

(code: luvbg5 ) 20% off BasicGrey Items. Coupon Valid 5/13 – 5/17 11:59 PM EST STD TIME

You can use that code at check out – there is a spot for it. Thanks Simon for the chance to save on Basic Grey! Until next time – I wish you very happy crafting.