Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts

Monday, March 13, 2017

Spring Is In The Air Printable and (Mini) PicMonkey Tutorial



Well it is somewhere right? Not in the Northeast which I understand is expecting quite the snow storm. And here in the PNW it's been rainy and cold. 

The calendar tells me there's a week until the beginning of Spring so I played around with "Dream Bouquet", a collection of watercolor flowers from designbundles.net. It's their freebie of the week (only free  for three more days!!)  and maybe some wishful thinking will speed Spring along? I also made a version with pink text. 


I created them in PicMonkey using a transparent background and then adding the images using the Add Overlay function. PicMonkey's not new so this may be old news but it's one of my go to tools.

Basic steps: 

1.) Go to PicMonkey. 

NOTE: It's free unless you want to upgrade to a Royale Membership which grants you access to additional features and fonts.  I had one, let it lapse and so far I'm good since you can add your own overlays and use most of your own fonts which was my main reason for getting it.  

2.) Select "Try Templates" 

3.) This will bring up pre-populated templates you can play with ( they'll indicate whether they're free or not) but you can also search / select what you want. I usually do printable 8.5x11 so I selected that from the Print Size pull down


4.) Once you've chosen your size, you want to make your background transparent which takes the click of a button: 


Under the "Basic Edits" option ( first one on the left) click on Canvas Color and then click on Transparent Canvas.  Your background will show as a grey and white checked pattern but this will not show once you print or use online. I prefer the .PNG format so that if I want to print on a colored or patterned paper it doesn't obstruct it. Of course if you want your background to be a color you choose that color from the slide bar that's shown. 


4.) Add your images using the Overlay tool. This is the butterfly, 4th option down the left side. There are many many free overlays within PicMonkey so you can mix and match between theirs and your own ; use just your own ; use just theirs. To use your own click on the Add Your Own button at the top and then you can use your library of either png or jpg images. 

From here it's a matter of adding, sizing, and layering your images and adding text. Using your own fonts is similar to using the Overlay tool but instead you click on the Tt on the left, choose Your Own on the fonts menu and go from there. 



C'mon  Spring! We KNOW you're out there! 



Monday, March 6, 2017

Scrappy Spring Tags and a Giveaway


Who else is excited that it's almost Spring? Not that it's been a particularly bad Winter (OK wettest February on record in the PNW)  but there's something about Spring...the sense of freshness and renewal (probably associated with longer brighter days and things sprouting from the ground) that's invigorating. 

One of my 2017 challenges to myself was to work outside my usual color palette. Another was to use up things I have in my stash, especially when it comes to my paper collection and paper scraps. Those came together this weekend when I worked on some tags just because that was what I was in the mood to do. No rhyme. No reason. 


Aren't they Spring-y? 




I went through my paper scraps and pulled out a bunch of coordinating Spring-y scraps to play with. 


Got out my favorite tool for small projects, the Xyron 2.5 sticker maker, and cut out some tags on my Silhouette. 

I think the reason I love making tags so much I there's no plan. I just like tearing papers, seeing what goes together, embellishing them w/ bits and pieces. 


I used some paper flowers, punched some more from glitter paper scraps, added bits of washi tape ( glittery and otherwise) and some adhesive pearls. I think I'm happiest when I'm making for the sake of making. Ya know? These put me in a really good mood. And what's the best thing to do when you're in a good mood? SHARE! 

So I'm giving them away. Two sets of eight. With Spring holidays like Easter and Mother's Day approaching, or Spring birthdays, showers etc. who can't use a tag to dress up a gift? 

Here's how to enter. The giveaway will run through Friday 3/17! 




Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Spring Cards ...$5 Goes A Long Way!


What's this? An actual post? You thought I stopped making things? I know it seems like it. I've actually been making stuff but just been kinda lazy about posting. Trying to get back in the groove.

Paper is my kryptonite. I am helpless around it. And when Michaels does their $5 "Hot Buy" deals on paper stacks well, game over.  You can pay $5 for one card these days! I did restrain myself to just one pad this time.


This is my current fave color palette. Neutrals with black and white and turquoise.


This card used one sheet of paper from the stack that coordinated with a sheet of sentiments. I cut one out, trimmed, and matted it.  Easy Peasy.  All I really had to do was accent it with some coordinating Stickles (Cool Mint)


I used the remainder of the floral sheet for this one along with some coordinating scraps. The sentiment was from my stash. Finished this one off w/ Stickles and coordinating glitter tape. 



This is one I made last month but never posted. Papers are from Michaels and the stamp is from Impress. How could I resist a Seattle stamp?! The umbrella image I cut using my Silhouette. 



Happy Spring! 

Monday, March 16, 2015

Mod Podged Spring Basket Makeover


DCWV Primrose Stack Easter Basket

Sometimes you save something without a specific plan in mind for it but because you know based on the design that it’s a perfect candidate for a makeover. At least that’s the way my brain works and was the case with this project. Mr. Chocolate gave this to me a few years ago for Easter ( filled with chocolate of course) but ever getting it I’ve wanted to play with the basket itself because it was perfect for altering.

Sees Basket Makeover

The shape and surface of this basket made it really easy to alter. I chose the Primrose Stack from DCWV which is a gorgeous combination of Spring designs and color.

Primrose Stack Basket

DCWV Primrose Stack


The papers are gorgeously patterned so there was no need to really stamp or alter them. I used a couple of the fully patterned sheets and one sheet with borders for the basket. Using the basket as a tracing template, I cut pieces to cover each side and then coordinated with pieces from the border sheet.  I used Mod Podge to apply the papers to the basket and then painted the sides and handle with white craft paint.
DCWV Primrose Basket 2


Unlike the rest of the country , we’ve had a mild Winter and early Spring and I’ve been picking up fallen twigs and branches while out on walks. I grabbed a handful of these and combined them with rolled roses and leaves made from the paper scraps to decorate each side of the basket.

DCWV Primrose Stack Rolled Flowers

I haven’t quite decided what I’m putting in my basket yet but I like looking at it just on its own.

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Monday, April 7, 2014

Spring Cards Using What's On Hand

Sympathy Card

My creative process is usually to survey what supplies I have on hand and then kind of “feel” a project. Sometimes I look at things, take them out, put them back. Sometimes it's instant. Other times it takes a while.

Right now half of my craft room is packed up  (  Mr.  Chocolate says “How can you tell” ).  I still used that process but could feel the absence of other stuff. ( I really can Mr. C.)


Still, I needed to make some cards so used what I had . All my dies and embossing folders are packed up. I have my neutral papers , a bin with miscellaneous embellishments and some stamps on hand.

Sympathy Cards Grey and White

For these cards, I used a combination of silver, gray and white papers. Stamped the floral medallion on white paper with grey chalk ink, and layered with torn silver paper circles. Embellished with rhinestones and self adhesive sticker borders.

Spring Card

For this card, I used a natural color scheme with fossilized leaves and a metal frame and tree as the focal.

Spring Card Closeup

For the last card, I used gray and white with a splash of color from  fern and 3D Iris stickers and a metal butterfly I found in the $1.50 bin at Michaels.

Metal Butterfly Card

Butterfly and Iris Card


Happy Spring ! 

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Spring Spring Spring... Printable


Haven't been up to much creatively in the past couple of days. 

But it's been a bit Spring like here today, so I whipped up a quick printable in PicMonkey that I thought I'd share. 

If you use, I'd love to see how. 

Hugs creative peeps. 

Sharing At: 



Sunday, March 10, 2013

Easter / Spring Decor: Real Eggshells Under Glass

Eggshells Under Glass

Today was one of those days when a project just clicked for me. It started at breakfast when I remembered to save some eggshells. I keep meaning to try blowing some eggs out, but don't remember until usually right after I crack them into a bowl. Even though I forgot AGAIN, this time I decided to keep them broken just as they were and use them in this little Easter / Springtime vignette.

For this project you will need:
  • Egg shells ( I used the shells from 2 eggs)
  • Cheese cloche ( I found mine on a “Goodwill Thrift Hunting” trip)
  • Craft paints ( I used Martha Stewart Feldspar and Smoky Quartz Glitter)
  • “Nest materials” I used bark covered wire, coffee filters, and shredded crepe streamers)
  • Decorative paper to coordinate w/ your paints
Easter Cloche Vignette

Here are the basics of my project before I started. I painted the wood cheese board and the outside of the egg shells  with the Feldspar. While that was drying, I cut out a circle of decorative paper the same size as my board (I had this Japanese washi paper in my stash) and then tore around the edges. Once the paint was dry, I used Mod Podge to apply the paper to the wood.

Washi Decoupage

While the MP was drying, I “speckled” my egg shells using the Smoky Quartz glitter paint. Just kind of glop it on until your satisfied.

Martha Stewart Smoky Quartz Glitter Paint

I also went around the edge of the wood board with the Smoky Quartz.

While everything was drying I made my nest. I used bark covered wire I found in the floral section at Michaels and just kind of made a free form nest by loosely wrapping in in circles until I was satisfied then twisting the ends together.

Coffee Paper Filter Nest

I tore the centers from two natural coffee filters, scrunched them then tucked them into the “nest”. I also wanted some type of grass but didn’t have any and was too lazy to go outside and dig up moss. I grabbed a roll of crepe paper streamer from my stash, pulled out a length I didn’t measure, folded it and cut in strips. Crumpled then uncrumpled it. Now it’s time to assemble everything!

Speckled Eggs In Nest

I placed some of my streamer grass on the board then placed the nest in the center and added a couple of my painted egg shells. Positioned the others, and added some more crepe grass and then put the lid on. I didn’t glue it down so I’ll disassemble the whole thing when I put it away and if the eggs survive storage they do. If they don’t, they’ll be quick to re-create next year.

Speckled Eggs Nest

I added some bits of jute twine in the middle because birds use whatever they find to build nests right?

Butterfly Tag

I didn’t want to paint the top of the cloche but I felt it needed a little something so I covered a small manila tag with a scrao of leftover washi and kraft papers, added an eyelet and a butterfly charm. Tied the tag to the top of the cloche with plain cotton baker’s twine.

Easter Cloche

The funniest thing about this is Mr. C didn’t even bat an eye when he saw the eggshells drying by the sink after breakfast. You know how there's a meme "You know you're a crafter when..." We may need to start a new meme called “You know you’re married to a crafter when…”

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