"My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue?
It rather denotes a lack of courage."


~Practical Magic~

Digital Freebie Update

Just to let you know.
The digital freebies found on the right hand sidebar have been updated and now are ready for downloading.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Inspiration Challenge Goes Green


It has been some time since I have worked on a Scrapbook layout and have really been feeling the urge to get one done.

I thought it might be fun to try one of my favorite type of challenges and see if I could incorporate "Going Green " into it .
The Sisterhood of Scrap posted an Inspiration Challenge for Monday Aug.24 .

Create a layout inspired by an article of clothing.
My inspiration came from my Grand daughters shirt that she wore one day this week.

Such a sweetheart...she took her first steps this week !!! Fun stuff !!

Using cardboard inserts from a pack of photo paper to create my chipboard flowers and flourishes.
Using the negative space, from a pack of chipboard shapes I had used previously.

I hope you have enjoyed this months projects for "Going Green". Thanks Deanne for hosting this month long challenge !! I have discovered so many creative ways to "Craft My Trash" from all your wonderful projects.

There is still time to try out one of Deanne's Challenges for a chance to win a set of stamps, she is generously offering.

Good luck to you all !!!
Thanks for stopping by : )

Friday, August 28, 2009

Tin Goes Green

A good day to you : )

A little project for you using your household tin. Tin and Faux Tin Luminaries!

I have wanted to try this technique for some time, my first attempt at tin punching.
Hopefully it will get better with practise.

Though, I really do need to learn how to photograph objects in the dark..I apologise for the blurry candle shots.
With that said, I am pleased with the outcome and look forward to trying this project again.



Wash and dry your cans.
Fill with water and let set over night in the freezer to harden
Laying out a towel to catch the chips of ice and water that thaws.
Draw a pattern or tape your pattern (all the way around the can, to the other side of paper)
Using a nail and small hammer, punch out your design.
Paint or decorate to suit your taste. ( I first used Gesso to give it some tooth)


Next up is a faux tin punch




Using a empty pickle jar, cleaned and dry, with label removed.
Using that pesky last strip on the aluminium foil roll, that just never really seems to fit anything.
Size to jar and fold over ends smooth.
tape your pattern to the middle of the foil strip.
Using a needle punch out your pattern. ( make sure you have a piece of foam under your foil)
tape foil at the back to the jar.
This would make a great party decoration , easy to adapt for any theme.
Thanks for stopping by...hope you have a Crafty Trash your Craft Day : ) !



Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Cookie Recipe With Character

Time for another Recipe Card Challenge .

This weeks challenge is to use a character on your Recipe layout.
Searching ,through my Stamps, I sadly realized I do not have any characters so to speak.
A little frustrated over this, I turned to the Internet to find some inspiration.

I happened upon a blog called Creative Dreams and found a freebie of Halloween Digital Papers that had the cutest Halloween characters.
I knew right away they would be perfect for my Witches Fingers Cookie recipe.


Sized down to suit my needs and colored over with some glitter gel pens.
I also added some witches fingers to the sides of this hybrid layout.
Always a favorite treat at my house on Halloween !!
Thanks for stopping by My World : )

Monday, August 24, 2009

Priority Mail Goes Green

This Recycle Project has been a favorite of mine for some time now.
Posted by Nicole Wozniak of Lumpy Page Designs Blog, for a tutorial on the former Scrap Galaxy forum.
Now known as We Scrap.com.

For those of you who have visited my blog before I am sure you have seen this.
But, in my opinion it bares repeating ... just in case there are some of you out there that have never seen this project before.

A new Altered Vertical Paper Holder I created last night.

Really a great recycling project for those of you who subscribe to Kit clubs.
This project is created using a Priority box I received in the mail.
Following the tutorial by Nicole. (Tutorial Link at the end of post)





I will use this holder for my Green & Blue card stock.


Close up of Buckle created with Utee ,alcohol Ink and Rubber Stamp.



Here are a few older Storage Containers I have made, just to give you an idea of how they may be altered to suit your need and space.






August has been flying right by and only a week left of Deanne's Going Green Challenges.
Stop by and try out one of her many Green projects posted for a chance to win a set of Stamps she is generously offering.
Again thanks for stopping by and hope you have found some inspiration here to Craft your Trash. : )

Friday, August 21, 2009

Local Paper Goes Green

It has been years since I have played with good old fashion paper mache.

After reading through our local Bargain paper, instead of tossing it out ...I thought why not make this my next Go Green project.


I have had these Styrofoam balls that had been left over from my son's wedding decorations a few years back that we did not use.

Also a wooden skewer from my kitchen.



The local bargain paper after I was finished reading it.



Paper Mache Mix
1 cup flour
1 cup hot water
Tbs Salt
The end result is a Halloween Tower of Pumpkins.


Finished off the end with adhesive backed felt.
Here is the basics of how this came together if you would like to give it a try.
Slice off the bottom ball to lay flat.
Push the wooden skewer through the Styrofoam, dab with hot glue to hold them together.
Using 3 layers of Paper Mache to cover the Styrofoam....make sure each layer has completely set and is dry before applying the next layer of Mache.
Acrylic paint for the first layer
Next a layer of sponged on alcohol Ink, a spritz of Glimmer Mist.
Paint on your faces.
Finish off with sponged on Distress Stickles and Mod Podge.
Most important !!! Let each layer dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
Lots of fun to create!!
Thanks for stopping by : )... have a great weekend .



Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Flowers & Onions

This weeks Recipe Card Challenge , FLOWERS !!
Either use them in your layout or in a recipe.
What better than a Blooming Onion appetizer.




A couple of tips when preparing this recipe.
1. If you use your favorite brand of soda instead of beer, your onion batter will be sweeter.
2.Refrigerating your onion after coating will help set the batter.
3.Make sure you completely dry your onion after soaking in water.
4. you can use any of your favorite seasonings after onion has been cooked or mix into flour.
Tasty....tasty !!! Just make sure you have plenty of breath mints on hand after eating : ) !
Flower Tutorial Links.
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by My Crafty World !

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Boxing up Green Style

This little box came in the mail this week for my husband.

Looking it over before he had the chance to toss it out, I noticed it was the perfect size to hold the recipes cards I have been creating.

Following the same principles that Deanne has posted on her blog for her August 4Th Go Green Challenge.
The paper I used for my box, goes back to 2005 from a kit that Wal-Mart sold back then. (Waste not, Want not) !



Thought this was as good as time as any, to use up some of those endless amount of buttons I have been hoarding.





See how nicely my 6x6 Recipe cards fit in !!

Paint , paper, a little ribbon & some Mod Podge brought this project together.
Thanks for stopping by :) and hope you have a happy crafty week !



Wednesday, August 12, 2009

"Camping Out" Chili Recipe Layout

This weeks "Recipe Card Challenge Blog " layout...the great outdoors !

Very easy Chili recipe that tastes better as the night gets colder and the campfire brighter.
May be easily adjusted for the amount of folks you have warming up by your fire.

When no one is watching I try to substitute Ground Turkey for ground beef....just as tasty ; )

Thanks for stopping by : )

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Hats off to Going Green

My dog, finished up the last of his special treats this weekend and left me with this plastic jug to ponder over.


I thought of many different ways that I could recycle this plastic jug .
Finally committing myself to turn it into a fall decoration.

With paint, card stock, ribbon ,hot glue and a couple of Dollar Tree finds, this plastic throw away will make it's way as part of the Seasonal decorations in my home.
This would be a fun and easy project to get the children involved creating.
A couple of tips.
1. Cut your circle 2 inches wider than the base , so you will have a nice wide rim.
2. I whip stitched around the edge of the circle to give it more texture.
3. After priming , painting and drying your jug and card stock, seal with some Mod Podge and adhere together using a hot glue gun .

That's it !! I just love the little blackbird peeking out from the leaves !
Hope you have a green week and thanks for stopping by my little corner of the world :)
And don't forget to stop by "Am I a Scrap Addict" and see what fun projects Deanne has created with her trash this week !

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Going Green & Grungy

Here's the Grunge.....



and here's the Green !
Week One- Day One "Going Green Challenge"
Create a project with an empty container.
Rescued 3 glass containers from making it into the county landfill this week.
A pickled egg jar, was my first rescue and started me looking out for others through out the week.
An ice tea bottle and an empty canning jar also made there way into this project.
With fall knocking on the door....perfect time to begin thinking about Halloween Decorations for the home !
I came across these wonderful spooky labels while surfing around the web , and knew exactly what I would do with my bottles.
Not sure on how to begin grunging glass, I surfed around the web and came away with the basic idea of grunging .
Taking the basics and throwing together my own personal products of choice.
I ended up with what I think are fun Halloween Decorations for a kitchen pantry or shelf.
Witches Jars!!! Spooky ?? Yes?... I think so to : ) ...But what fun to create !!
Now I have my eyes peeled out for more jars to grunge !
embellish tops of jars to suit your taste.
Placing battery operated tea lights from the Dollar store inside the jars.. help lend an extra spooky touch !
Close up of the small details that are in these labels.

Here are a couple of links I found helpful in creating this project.
LABELS designed by Johnny Love of Love Manor
As always thanks for stopping by and a big thanks to all those who generously share their inspiration and the " how to do " of crafting !

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

A Lemon of a Challenge


This weeks Recipe Card Challenge is taken it's inspiration from Pink Lemonade!

My favorite recipe for Lemon Squares...YUMMY !
Very rich and lemony with a crusty bottom.
This recipe makes it's way once a year into my Holiday Cookie tray...always a favorite.


Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Going Green Napkin Rings

"Am I a Scrap Addict" has Gone Green!

For the month of August, Deanne will be sharing ideas and projects for recycling everyday trash into fun craft projects.
She has invited us to join her in the Challenge of Going Green !
So be sure to stop by and say hello.

While you are there, why not pick out one of the challenges ...and get yourself started towards crafting your trash.

My effort at crafting my trash this week resulted into napkin rings, using a cardboard insert from an empty paper towel roll.

Scraps of felt , embroidery thread, ribbon,and buttons brought these four different napkin rings together, held fast by some tacky glue.

Cut across the paper towel insert at the 1 1/4 inches mark.

Cut your ribbon or felt to size and tacky glue onto the insert both inside and out.

If you will be Inking your edges... do so before applying felt or otherwise finish off your edges with your favorite border stitch.

Add your favorite embellishments giving it your own personal touches .

A few other ideas you can craft using an empty Paper towel holder.

Pen Holder

Snowflakes

Napkin Rings

Hurricane Cover

Candle Storage

One less Paper towel roll into the landfill or waterway...every little bit helps : ) !