Project and Giveaway at my new URL!

Come check out this great wall hanging and a giveaway at my new blog url http://www.lifelovegreen.com/

The way I make cards.

I make my cards in batched, this is one of the ways that I make sure I use every scrap of paper. I know this isn't the most green of hobbies but hey everyone has a vice....

Anyway this was for valentines day, I pick a few papers and use them in different combinations for the cards. Then I make leftovers that I can use when something comes up alter. These could be used for anniversaries, notes to the spouse or other such occasions.

I don't know if you can see it but I like to use the negatives as well. For example the top middle red card and the bottom middle red card are the same cut out one has the negative and one is the shape. I start with basic embellishments and then add more once I know who the card is going to and why.


May is kinda a crazy month for me I have 14 separate events that need cards, so needless to say there isn't a lot of left over this month to leave as blanks...

Here are some close-ups of this month I started with 5 pieces of coordinating papers and just went to town. Each month I have one different thing I do, Feb was the Cricut for the shapes, this month was using brown in on everything and a few rub-ons and buttons. Here are some examples of the ink.Here is a example of how I use buttons. Don't forget to sew them on before you put the paper strips or squares on your card or you will have to sew through your card and have it showing on the inside. I've also found a little tape on the back of the paper makes it hold up to sewing a lot better.
The major tools I use are mostly from Creative Memories which is pretty much what I use for scrap booking exclusively, but for card making I'm less picky. I like the 12 inch rotary trimmer, the personal trimmer and the punches for card making.

So there you have it, let me see some of your cards so I can 'craft-lift.' ;)

Spring wreath.

I saw this wreath on Tater Tots and Jello earlier this year and decided I wanted it to be my spring wreath. So I craft-lifted her idea made a few tweaks and made my own wreath. For her wreath and institutions you can go to her website here:

1. First buy a wreath of any size just, remember the bigger the more flowers you have to make. I chose a 16" wreath and in my craft store it only came in the flat style not the rounded shape. Then cut strips of burlap 2"-4" wide depending on the size of your wreath. Hot glue the end to the wreath and start wrapping. Repeat this step till the whole wreath is covered.

2. Using various round objects cut out different sizes of burlap and fabric circles to make your flowers with. I used a plastic cup (left over from the wedding) a candle lid, and a few other things. Fold the fabric a few times so you can cut out 4 or 5 circles at at time. I cut out approx 25 of each size in both burlap and scrap fabric. All together it was around 100 circles if I had to guess.

3. Now start making your flowers . Its easy just build them from the bottom up largest to smallest alternating burlap and fabric. You can change it up on how many layers and if you want fabric on fabric or burlap on burlap just make a variety. Fasten them together with a brad. Most of the flowers I could poke through by hand but a few were thick enough that I used my big bite to punch a hole.

I also made some small folded bunches that you can see in the bottom left corner of this picture. I took two circles of the same size and put them back to back right side out then I folded it accordion style two or 3 times and fastened it with a brad.

4. Next I went through the pile and made about 85% of them have some texture and volume. I used hot glue and made a few folds here and there and then glued them together to give them more dimension.


5. Now just glue them to the wreath! I had a lot of one particular yellow fabric (since I was using scrap) so I put those flowers in their own pile and made sure to spread them out between the other flowers. I saved the little rosettes till the end and used them to fill in the bare areas.

There you have it!

A few notes:

This is made out of styrofoam so make sure if you hang it outside it is in a safe from rain area (ie on a door between the storm door or under a larger overhang.)

I need to start remembering to take pictures before its dark out or when I don't have time to upload them so I take them with my phone. Come back tonight for better pictures.

I had everything but the wreath and the burlap on hand. Plus I bought those to things with coupons! That made this a very cheap project!

If you make one please post it some where and either send me the link or a picture or put it in the comments I would love to see it!

PS come back tomorrow for some more 100 possibilities project pictures!

Giveaway hints,a freebie and project ideas.

First of all there is a giveaway on Pixiepine for a great looking cookbook called "Rabbit Food." its a vegan cookbook. It sounds like a great way to get some healthy food ideas! Here is the link to the giveaway if you want to enter:

Pixiepine

Now here is the hint if you want to know about all of the giveaways I'm aware of follow me on twitter @amberterp. I post them as soon as I hear about them

I just found this free 8x10 photo canvas all you do is pay shipping! Just click to read all about it.

Here are some great projects that I've added to my to do list (which has to wait until the bathroom is done.)

U-Create is the blog I have most bookmarked for things I want to try here are just a few. Just click on the picture for the blog link.