"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.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Earth Day Blog Hop - Day One

Please



Welcome to Create It- Green's Earth Day Blog Hop!! Thanks so much for joining us!

If you are following along you should have arrived here via the very creative Jennifer.

Is her project today just about the cutest !! love it!

If you just happened upon this blog and didn't realize a blog hop was taking place, please go back to Create It Green and start the hop.

You won't want to miss all the Earth Day inspiration or the amazing prizes from our generous sponsors! Make sure you leave a comment on each blog on the hop since winners will be drawn from the comments!!


Today's project I would like to share with you is a child's hat created from 3 t-shirts that were destined for my Husbands rag bin.
Also a very simple way to gussy up a child's T-shirt and help get the message out, to help protect our environment.

After all, isn't this all about saving the Earth and her many resources for future generations!
You will find the pattern and simple instruction here for the infant hat provided by Prudent Baby.

I did end up creating my own pattern from a smaller hat that was very similar in style to the one in the link. I needed to enlarge it to fit my lovely granddaughter's head.
Follow the instructions for putting this hat together in the link provided.

Found a tutorial here by "Material Magic by Shar" for the adorable flower for the top of the hat.

Turning it upside down and sewing it on.

Coloring this cute "Earth Day" Graphic generously provided by "Meljen's Delights" and transferred it onto Iron on Transfer Paper and applied the image to my hat.

For her T-shirt I used this sweet "Save Our Trees"digital image provided by another generous sponsor "Digital Delights".

Colored it scanned it into my computer,then again printing onto Iron on Transfer Paper.

Easy and fun way to get the message out there!!

After all one is never to young to be taught to appreciate the environment and resources that surround us!


Stop back by on Sunday Day Four of our Earth Day Blog Hop.
I will have another project to share with you
This blog hop will run from today, April 22ND until Sunday, April 26TH, midnight PST. We will be drawing for winners on April 27TH.

Follow along in our blog hop! your next stop will be one creative and earth friendly lady Ali !

EDITED/ I apologize to everyone , but due to family matters out of state I will be unable to continue with the hop.

Thank you all for your generous comments on my projects and my Grandaughter.

Have fun with the hop and good luck to you all on the wonderful prizes donated by our sponsers!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Upholstery Flowers


It's that time again!

Time for another Create It- Green Design Team Reveal !


I really look forward to the monthly reveal.

Each month this group of creative women present us with so many different ways to look at objects around us.

Objects that might normally be found in the trash bin by the end of the day, become useful in our creative process.


Stop by and check out what the DT has to share with you this month.While your visiting why not check out past project reveals!
My project this month is a Flower Basket for my Kitchen.
The basket I located at our local Thrift Store for .50 cents. Excellent Bargain!!
The material for the flowers came from a Upholstery Fabric Sample Album that a friend donated to me. Their store was upgrading their sample books and this one was destined for the bin.Apparently this is what happens when they are dated.
If your ever out checking out furniture ...why not check with the store and see if they have any books that are outdated. They may be more than happy to share!
You will be surprised at the size of the sample once you pull them out of the book!
I used a free Primitive pattern found on "Crafting With Lillie Mae's" blog for my flowers.
Check out all the wonderful free patterns she has shared with everyone. Love her Primitive and Country patterns !
Her Potted Country Flower template and tutorial may be found here
The buttons for my flowers came from a tin that once belonged to my G G Aunt Alice.
I switched up my flower stems a little by using wooden skewers found in my kitchen drawer and wrapped them with hemp twine.
I also added some leaves to my stems.
The flowers are held into the basket with a piece of foam that came in a package delivery to my home.
Poking a hole and adding a touch of glue to secure in my flowers.
topped off with some Spanish Moss.
That's it ...fairly easy and fast to come together.Makes my kitchen just a touch more happy.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Crop & Hop

Hello Scrapbookers!
Are you looking for some Scrappy fun? Would you like to get caught up on some of those pages you have been wanting to Scrap?

Well .....the Sisters at the "Sisterhood of Scrap" Blog will be hosting a combination Crop & Blog Hop!! In celebration of their 3 year Anniversary!!
Starting tomorrow April 9Th through the 16Th you will find many Challenges to get you motivated! Plus there will be RAK prizes to boot!

If you would like to find out more about the details you may read all about it here!
While you are visiting check out the weekly challenges that are posted every day.
This months sponsor is a new Online store "Timeless Daydreams" they have donated a lovely prize for this months giveaway.

Hope to see you at the Sisterhood! A fun & friendly place to share ideas & creations!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Create It-Green DT Reveal

Hello Crafty Bloggers :)
Time for another Create It- Green Design Team Reveal!
The Challenge for the Altered Team this month, use a paper bag, tissue paper or lined paper to create an Eco- friendly project.

I decided to use paper bags for my project this month.
The end result a Paper Bag Wreath.
I used a total of 3 Paper Bags to create this Wreath.
Two of the bags coming from one of my favorite places to buy bread, Paneras Bread! Yummy!!!
They give you those lovely heavy brown bags with the twisted paper handles, the other from my local grocery store.

All items contained in this wreath are created from the brown bags, with exception of a little hemp rope that intertwined in with the braiding.


Using the handles from my bags for the centers of my flowers and the curly vines I also unrolled one ever so gently for the Bow.
Next time I think I will use 2 handles for the bow so it will be larger.
To create this wreath
Open 2 bags very gently so you have a large rectangle.
Cut 3 strips of equal width horizontally from the 2 bags.
Gather 3 Strips and bind at one end.I used twine to hole my end together.
Twist each strip before braiding.
With Glue add in your other 3 Strips onto the bottom of each of your first strips.
Binding with glue.
then twist this addition of Paper bag.
I clamped each of my 3 strips together using clothes pins until the glue was nice and set.
Begin to braid your Paper Bag strips together.
Form your Wreath , then secure by wrapping twine around the ends.
Now your Wreath is ready to decorate how ever you choose.
I created flowers using my 3rd Paper bag .
Finishing off with Ink, Glimmer Mist and a Clear Acrylic Sealer to set the Wreath.
That's it fairly easy and fast project to complete.
Don't forget to stop by and check out all the other fantastic creations created by the DT members at Create It-Green this month.
You will find projects, Scrapbook and Card Sketches.
All using everyday items that we find around the home everyday.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Think Green ( it is almost Saint Patrick's Day after all) :)!!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Spring is in the Air

Finally the sun has been shining the temperature rising and the snow melting.
Spring is in the air!
Cleaning up the yard and raking out the flower beds have been the priority for the last week.

While waiting for the snow to melt I have been working on a few crafty and scrapbook projects in my free time.

Something new for me has been ATC cards.
I never real understood what is the purpose of an ATC card besides a way of introducing yourself in Craft and Art circles.

I discovered they are a fun way to mix and try out different techniques on a smaller scale.

My first ATC (ARTIST TRADING CARDS) I was really pleased with until after it's completion.

I discovered that I should have done a little googling to discover the ins and outs of ATC's.
First mistake I left out all designer information!
2ND mistake ...I misquoted the quote!!
3rd mistake I submitted it into a challenge!!!!!
So for all those who are interested in trying an ATC for the first time here is a link
explaining the basic rules of ATC.

All in all I am happy again, by slapping a magnet to the back, I have redeemed myself by turning my mistakes into a refrigerator magnet!!

Vintage ATC #1 "Dancer"



This next ATC was created for a RAK Challenge posted on the "Sisterhood of Scrap".


With a little more of an understanding on ATCs and feeling a little more confident .This little project came together without a hitch!
Using free vintage images from the Graphics Fairy (link in the right hand sidebar).

Vintage ATC #2 "Secret Garden".



I discovered they really are fun to create. If nothing else they can come in handy as a visual reference for different techniques.
They are also a great way to fill the need to create when the desire hits you but your time is limited.
They can be as simple or complex as you would like, no wrong or right...just a few simple rules to follow.


I also managed to complete 5 new Scrapbook layouts during the Winter Olympics
by participating in the "Olympic Crop" that was hosted by the "Sisterhood of Scrap".
Great fun to watch the Olympics while having your own challenges to complete.
If you would like to check them out they may be found here.


If you are in the mood for a Challenge all March Challenges have been posted for the "Sisterhood of Scrap" links may be found here.

Also tomorrow the Sisters will be hosting their One Hour sketch Challenge .
Beginning at 7:00 pm EST you will have until 8:00 pm to complete and post on the forum by 8:20 pm. Great fun and a real challenge!!!
Also you have a chance at a wonderful and generous prize!

Don't forget to stop by Create It-Green Blog on March 15Th for the design Team Reveal.You will find many ways to recycle ,up cycle and refurbish everyday items into your creative process.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Friday, February 19, 2010

Tree Branch Video Tutorial

Here is a video tutorial I put together to help add you in creating your own tree branches.

I hope you will find this helpful and easy to follow along.

If you have any questions about this tutorial, please post them in the comment section and I will get back to you as promptly as possible.

Thanks for taking the time to view this tutorial and hope you found it helpful.

Have fun!

Thanks for stopping by My Craft World have a great weekend :)

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Create It-Green DT Reveal

This month's Create It-Green Design Team Reveal comes to you this month in 2 parts.

I am just in awe with all the wonderful refurbished projects , cards and Scrapbook layouts that the DT has put together for this reveal!

Check out the card and Scrapbook layout sketches that Victoria provided to inspire the design team...fantastic ideas were created inspired by the sketches!

The altered Design Team Projects are full of wonderful gift ideas and some recipes to boot!!! Yummy!


When you have the time stop by and check out all the creations for this month and give the girls a shout out ...I am sure they will appreciate it !


Part 1 Reveal
Part2 Reveal

The project challenge for this month was to refurbish a vase , can or bottle.


Here is what I came up with. All the snowy weather we have been having in my neck of the woods has me longing for spring.





I started this project with a vase I had saved from flowers received a few years back. I tend to save my vases as they always come in handy during the spring and summer months for cut flowers from the back yard.


1. Make sure your vase is clean and dry before you begin.


2. Using dimensional paint apply your shapes...I made hearts, allow to dry completely.

3. Taking tissue paper from a gift package I had saved .
Rip into pieces, beginning at the top with small pieces.
Apply small areas of vase with a light coat Mod Podge and lay down your tissue paper over lapping at the rim. Smooth out to remove air and wrinkles.
As you move down to the larger section of the vase your tissue paper may be in applied in bigger pieces.


3. Once dry apply another light layer of Mod Podge...dry completely
Next apply one more light layer of Mod Podge , while still tacky spritz your vase with some Glitter Mist.
Turning upside down and right side up , allowing the Glitter Mist to fill in the crevices .Let set a minute then lightly dab with a sponge to remove the excess.
4.After completely dry. With a sponge dab on distressed Stickles.
for good measure I added another light coat of Mod Podge.



Trim off the extra tissue paper at the top of the vase with your exacto knife.

Continue on to embellish your vase with what ever you would like.
I used some beads that I had using generous amounts of tacky glue.
Or you can just leave it plain as it looks very nice that way also.

So that's it ! Hope my instructions are not to hard to follow :)

I also created my Cherry blossoms and Branches.
I am in the process of putting together the how to of creating your own tree branches.
So stop back by this week if you would like to know how they were created.
Hope you are having a Crafty Green Week!
Thanks for stopping by :)