Another retreat has come and gone!!!

This past weekend I attended my 6th Sisterhood of scrapbooking retreat! It was so much fun. I was able to spend time with some of my favorite scrappy friends and I got started on a major project! I am doing a Breast Cancer 3-Day book for my girlfriend that is doing a different city every year. She has already done 3 (Detroit, San Diego and Tampa Bay) I am so honored that she has asked me to put together something that means so much to her!

We also got to let loose and have some fun since there were no husbands or children in sight! We live for these weekends and cherish the time we get to spend together!!

Ok this girl is exhausted! Time for bed!

LOVE Block Tutorial

Supply List:
Creative Imagintations Bare Elements "LOVE"
4 Coordinating Pattern Papers
Adhesive
Craft Knife
Embellishments as desired
Ink
Sand Paper or Sanding block

1. Pick out (4) coordinating patterned papers, you only need a 6x6 square of each. (I chose to use the Trinity Sincerely line)

2. Pick out your coordinating embellishments (I chose to use Ribbon, Chipboard, and bling)

3. Use adhesive to adhere patterned paper to block letters. Be sure to get all edges very well.

4. Use a craft knife to cut patterned paper around each letter. (If you do not have a creft knife you can trace the letter on the back of your pattern paper and cut out with scissors then adhere to the block.)

5. Sand edges to give the distressed look, this also allows you to hide any imperfections that may have occured when using the craft knife.

6. Ink and Embellish as desired.

6. Sign the back of your blocks!!! I can't stress enough how important this is! Especially if you are giving them as a gift! BE PROUD AND OWN IT!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here is a cute Valentine's Day card I made for my Grandma!

Trinity Paper Arts "Sincerely" Sanded Edges, Hand drawn heart sanded and inked with Color Box Cat eye chalk. Easy Peasy!

Valentine Cards

I made these for a customer that is battling a serious illness! I hope she loved them as much as I do!

"Home" Blocks

As I was driving to hobby lobby, i was racking my brain for a fun project... For some reason decorating 4X4 blocks came to mind... Now I was on a mission! I found the perfect paper BUT... I went to craft store after craft store looking for blocks with no luck... Finally it clicked, HOME DEPOT! Even though I am a woman sometimes it helps to think like a man! Now time to create!

Here is a step by step tutorial...

1. Even though your local home improvement store says that the wood is 4x4 it really isn't! I found that vary some are 3 5/8 some are 3 3/4, make sure you measure your diameter before cutting the wood. Cut the blocks the same length so that you have a cube.

2. Sand edges and corners so that the block is smooth.

3. Pick out coordinating patterned paper. you will need 5 pieces of paper for each block.  each square should be the the same size as your block ( 3 5/8 x 3 5/8 or however your block size came)

4. Cut your paper to fit the block. Each square should be the the same size as your block ( 3 5/8 x 3 5/8 or however your block size came)

5. Spread modge podge on one side of the block making sure to get the edge very well. Then spread the modge podge on the back of the patterned paper.

6. Lay the square piece onto the block and use a brayer to smooth out paper so that there are no bubbles.

7. Apply another coat of modge podge over the top of the patterned paper to seal the paper to the block. Make sure the edges are coated well. This will act as a seal. Repeat until all sides are covered.

8. Embellish as desired. I used Tim Holtz distressing stain and applied it with a foam dauber. Chipboard letters were stained with alcohol ink. I used bling, twine, rub ons, misc. embellishment stickers, ribbon, buttons, charms and epoxy stickers, flowers and chipboard.