Rockets Red Glare

Hello faithful readers.  Thanks for stopping by again to check out my latest project.  If you are coming from my Trendy Twine post, I thank you too for visiting.  Stop and stay awhile and oogle all my other Trendy Twine related projects.  There are quite a few.  I am rather obsessed with my Trendy.  ^__^

Anyhoo, on to my project.  Seeing as my nephew is obsessed with Buzz Lightyear lately, I decided to make him a rocket ship mobile with trailing stars to hang in his room.  He loves it already and has been caught a few times walking around with it while Aunt Becki was still putting it together.

I really need to rig up a bigger lightbox for larger projects like this one.  Just couldn't get good light when it was hanging in any room.  I don't like taking pictures outside because it is so windy here and everything blows around. *shrugs*  I just hope you guys can get an idea of how this will hang and see the stars good enough.

Speaking of stars, these are super easy to make.  Time consuming but easy.  I just happen to have three different sized plastic star cookie cutters.  You need a star shaped cookie cutter, foam brush, Stiffy, and Trendy Twine.  I slowly wrapped the twine around the outside of the cutter, sponging Stiffy as I went to stick the twine, making sure it was bending to the nook and crannies.  It was be messy but I made sure to really soak it.  Otherwise, the twine will want to pop up and not keep its shape.  I let them sit overnight to insure they were dry all the way through.

When I was ready to slide them off the cutter, I took a butter knife and ran it around the edges like you would for brownies (mmmm, brownies...) in the pan.  There may be some extra Stiffy attached to the stars.  Just cut that away.  The stars are going to be soft, so I wouldn't man handle them too much.  But the good news about that is if a 2 year old comes by and tries to make them a square, you can just bend them back into shape.  Ask me how I know that.  If you have any other questions about the stars or my project in general, just leave a comment and I will get back as soon as possible.  I am working on only a few hours of sleep and not sure my explanation is making sense.  But most of you should be used to my nonsensical ramblings by now.

Supplies:
Rocket Ship Cut-It by Lettering Delights
Fishing line
Stiffy fabric stiffener by Plaid
Star shaped cookie cutters
Berry & Blue Berry Trendy Twine

Super Hero Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the Super Hero Blog Hop! If you have arrived from Crystal's blog, then you are on the right track, if you would like to start at the beginning, see Candace's blog.

  

Here's the awesome lineup of some seriously talented ladies:

Candace - http://papercraftsbycandace.blogspot.com/

Yolanda - http://www.yoliebean.blogspot.com/

Wendy - http://gilbyscraftster.blogspot.com

Michelle - http://scrappinwithmybug.blogspot.com/

Kate - http://www.scrapperscreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Janis - http://pausedreamenjoy.blogspot.com/

Gale - http://www.thehappystamper.com/

Crystal - http://crystalscreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Becki - http://www.happycardfactory.com (you're here!)

Ashley - http://thebloghopprincess.blogspot.com/ (next)

Amanda - http://amandascraftsandmore.blogspot.com 

Ruthie - www.SeptemberNinthDesigns.com

Before I give the great giveaway details, let me first show you my superhero project.

This was a super easy Print n' Cut card.  I used the Superhero set by ZenWare Designs, available at MyGrafico and found the skyline from the Microsoft Office free clipart.  I did bring the skyline graphic into Make the Cut and pixel traced it so I would just have the buildings.  I wanted to cut that out separately to give the card more dimension.  Also, as in real life, I can never choose between Batman and Superman.  That's why my card has both.  I mean, could you decide between Tom Welling and Christian Bale?!? Seriously!

Now for the blog hop goodies. You could win a YourStory Photo Personal Bookbinding Kit. WooHoo! To be eligible to win, please leave a comment on this blog post. Want more entries? I encourage you to leave a comment on each blog in the hop, so that you will have the maximum chances to win. You will have until Sunday night 12pm (PST) to leave a comment. A winner will be chosen at random and announced Tuesday July 31st over at September Ninth Designs.

Here's the next link in the hop to make it easier for you:  ASHLEY


Supplies:
Superhero by ZenWare Designs
White card stock

Just a Note....

....or two or four to be exact.  Hey everyone, Becki here again and I have the cutest note card set to show you today.  They even have their own widdle box.  hehe  So, let's take a look!

The last picture is the inside.  This was one of those perfect uses for double-sided paper.  Just adds a little extra pretty to the cards, don't you think?  I just can't stop using the "Thoughts" sets that are available.  They are just too perfect for every occasion.  The specific set I used here are the More Mini Thoughts and in my mind they are not so mini.  Let me just say, BEST PURCHASE EVER!  That is all.....

Digging for Buried Treasure

What says summer more than getting a bucket full of dirt poured on your toes?  Maybe it would be more summery if it was sand but since I don't live in Florida, my nephew only has the dirt in my backyard as filler.

I thought a shovel and pail, personalized of course, would be a nice birthday present for a 2 year old boy.  I know he likes to pick up the dirt in my garden and throw it in the air.  Maybe this will help him keep it at a more acceptable height.  I found the bucket dirt cheap (pun intended) at Michaels for about 60 cents.  I figure that would be a reasonable price for something that is going to stay dirty all the time.

Sorry for all the pictures but I thought you might want to see all the cool stickers and vinyl I put on.  I used white and light blue vinyl for the name and the sentiment.  While the skull & crossbones, treasure chest, Pirate flag, and tricorne hat were originally cut files, I needed an excuse to use my new Print n' Cut motherboard that I installed recently into my Gazelle.  Oh what fun!  I will make my nephew a bucket to dig for treasure in style!

First, I colored the files the way I thought would look cool against the bright green (I know, why lime green?  The selection was limited) and print them out with registration marks.  Next comes loading the printed sheet into my Gazelle, use the laser to detect the marks and let my beauty cut away!  You might be wondering what kind of paper I used - sticker?  Nope, I didn't use paper at all.  I have a pack of printable, repositionable and removable adhesive-backed fabric from Square1.  This stuff is awesome!  It's great for these kinds of projects because it is very flexible and will come off if you want it to at any time without stickiness.  One word of caution, it's not waterproof so I would hit it with a few coats of matte sealer before applying to a project like this.  I am sure this bucket will get plenty wet.


Supplies:
Bucket
White vinyl
Light Blue vinyl
Skull and Crossbones by Boss Kut
Pirate Hat by Boss Kut
Pirate Flag by Boss Kut
Treasure Chest by Boss Kut
Adhesive Fabric by Square1 Masterpiece
Black Adder font with shadow layer

Wood Tile Coasters

Hi fellow crafters, I'm back again with another fun project.  This time I decided to go with a little gift idea rather than my usual cards.  It's because I love bringing simple gifts that my hosts will use when my family and I are invited to dinner or a summer BBQ.  Coasters are inexpensive and easy to make.  Believe it or not, coasters are super appreciated and you can never have enough.  Especially when you do a lot of entertaining.  Plus there are so many ways you can make them. So let's take a look at the supply list for the ones I made above.

Supplies:

• Krylon Triple-Thick Crystal Clear Glaze
• 4 packs of Wood Tiles
• E-6000 glue
• Cork coasters

Before you start, decide how big and what your coasters are going to say (if anything at all).  I choose to make them 4 wood tiles wide and 4 down.  I also wanted words that represented drinking.  The great thing about these wood tiles is there are no letters printed on them.  That way it is easier for you to add your own without running out of letters for your project.  I did use a marker to add my letters but I must have had too much caffeine today because my handwriting was terrible.  I found some alphabet stickers laying around and decided it would be easier on everyone if I just used them.  Since I am going to be using a sealant, the stickers will work fine.

Once you have your tiles all worded up, you are ready to glue them onto the cork.  The cork on the bottom is great as it acts as a stabilizer for the tiles and also a surface protectant.  We wouldn't want to give a present to someone and have it scratch up their coffee tables, now would we?

Now that all my tiles are glue down together, this gives me the opportunity to make sure I have them lined up correctly.   I also check if I like the placement and then letting them dry for a bit before trimming.

After about 20 minutes, I trimmed as close to the edges as possible with my craft knife.  I made sure the sides looked nice and clean with no crumbs hanging.   Then it was time to seal the wood.  I sprayed one coat with the Krylon Triple-Thick glaze.  The great thing about this glaze is one coat equals three coats, dries to the touch in 15 minutes and can be handled in about 4 hours.  I love the extra high-gloss finish that looks like glass and it gives the illusion of depth to the coasters.  I also love how the glaze darkened the wood.

These cute little coasters are just the right size for a mug or glass of Sweet Iced Tea!  Refreshing in those long summer nights!

That's all there is to it.  Told you it was simple.  Thanks for stopping by and checking out my guest project for Crafts Unleashed.  Take your time and look around at all the amazing projects they have to offer. There is some serious talent there!  

Have a great day and happy crafting!

Etched Glass

Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't been around in a while but I have something big, big in the works that I pray you all will enjoy (no, it's not another DT ^__^).  It is just taking up all of my time lately, I can barely get any crafting done for my blog or Design Teams.  I better learn some time management skills pronto!  LOL  That also includes babysitting my two year old nephew and a visit from my mother-in-law.  Busy, busy...anyway, check out my project I made for my mother-in-law to take home for her birthday.

Her birthday isn't until October but I don't know when we will see her again.  She pretty much loves any craft I made and is really easy to make something for.  For the masking, I used contact paper cut with my new Silhouette Cameo.  I adore this mum flourish designed by Samantha Walker, available in the Silhouette Store.

Hope you enjoyed today's project and stick around for my big announcement in the middle of August! Thanks for stopping by and if there is anyone who knows why all of the sudden my camera can't take a decent white picture (after I had the WB perfect!) anymore.

Supplies:
Glass jar at thrift store for less than $2 (shhh, don't tell MIL I'm cheap)
Silhouette Cameo
contact paper
Amour Etch
Fancy Flourished Mum by Samantha Walker

Hello Summer

Hello everyone, I'm back with a fun card using the new mini Hello Summer set.  It is such a cute little mini set and goes great with all the new Summer paper stacks.  This set has bright and cheery all over it!  So let's get to my card.

I used all three stamps on the card. The sun was inked in yellow chalk ink and outlined with a darker yellow and orange color pencil. The sentiment was first stamped with the same yellow chalk ink and then stamped over with Tuxedo Black by Memento. I thought I would add a little interest to the inside, so I stamped the adorable beach ball inside in black.  You like?  Let me know in the comments and don't forget to enter the Summer challenge right here at My Thoughts Exactly!

Supplies:
Sweet Summertime by Echo Park Papers
Sea Creatures digi stamps by Zenware
Mimosa Seam Binding

*entered in The Sweet Shop and the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenges

Fun Summer Coasters

With the start of summer, my mind wanders off to evening BBQs and tall glasses of Sweet Iced Tea.  So naturally, it also wanders to fun crafting ideas.   Especially ones that I can give as gifts when attending said BBQs.  Here's a look at one of the first of many crafty gifts I will be bringing to my friend's homes.

If you would like a tutorial on how I made these, check out my post from last year when I made my first set of coasters.  Pretty much the same technique with different designs.  I used my Gazelle this time. The die-cut comes from Boss Kut too.  It is the Florette III. I like the circle design against the square tile.  I love these for quick and easy gifts and to try out designs you love on a small scale versus having to incorporate them into a card with other elements.  It lets the design shine through.

Glad you stopped by today to check out my latest set of coasters.  Yes, I love coasters.  They are much better than the water rings I get on my coffee tables when guest leave.  ^__^  Have a great day and happy crafting!

Supplies:
Florette III by Boss Kut
4.25" ceramic tile in white
ModPodge
felt circles for bottom
spray sealant