A Journal, A Coin Purse and a Banner! Oh my!

Have you heard?

Eileen Hull has a NEW COLLECTION coming!

You're going to LOVE it!

The whole team is so excited about the whole collection! 

The new collection is called HEARTFELT! It is so appropriately named, as you can see it can be used with felt.

My first project was made with two of the dies. First the Journal and second is the House/Pocket Stitchlet.

I made my journal into a to-go color journal for kids. So easy, stitch outside the journal and stitch the house into a pouch and add onto the front of journal. I added some paper to the inside and tied it shut. This can be refilled one all the paper is used!

 So FUN for the kids!

I had to make a little coin purse, just because the front of the journal turned out sew cute!

I used Eileen's Twist and Style tool for the handle. How adorable is this?

Last, I have a sweet little banner I made with the new Sizzix Thinlets Die Set, it is a 11 pack word Stitchlets. This was so quick and easy!

Again the handle was made with the Twist and Style tool.

Please check out the teams projects this month, they will blow you away! This collection is so fun and so easy to make each journal your own style! Head over to Eileen's HERE!

Makin's Clay® "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" Pin

Now that Valentines Day has come and gone, it is time for the Irish to get the dancing shoes and beer mugs out of the closet. I have made a sweet pin for all the Irish who want some free loving on that special day! If you are Irish or know someone who is, this is a pretty simple project to make. 

Supplies needed:

Makin's Clay®-Green

Makin's roller

Makin's mat

Makin's cutter - 4 leaf clover

Printer-paper

Thread or ribbon for bow

Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive

White paint

Instructions:

1. Gather all materials

2. Roll out clay to about 1/8" and use cutter to cut out clover

3. Roll out four balls of clay and work them onto the clover.

4. Work the clay together as you add each piece.

5. Smooth clay together. Let dry overnight. Once dry, add a coat of white paint and wipe off. This step is optional.

6. Print out on heavy card stock "kiss me, I'm Irish"  and adhere it to the clover with Beacon 3-in1.

7. Adhere a pin to the back of piece and let dry. Adhere a bow onto clover.

Hope you enjoyed this cute pin! If you're Irish, Enjoy your day!

Explore Air 2 is "EASY"

 Welcome!

I am so glad you are here. A few weeks ago I shared my new Cricut Explore Air 2. (see here) This week I am here to share how EASY it is to work!

Yes, I said EASY!

Project for today

+Official Cricut  has made it so EASY to use the Cricut Explore Air 2! I selected my design in the Cricut Design Space and it showed me everything I needed to complete my design. When it was time to start, it reminded me to set the dial to cardstock. I took some photos of the screen to show you how EASY it is!

Find project.

Clicked on photo and it gives the description, materials needed and the instructions.

Want to make this project? Cricut has made that really EASY! 

Make it now-Click on it and it will take you to the project page. That EASY!

Here is the project page. It shows which paper and what it will cut. Push GO when you are ready!

I am extremely excited about this, see that tool? That tool is a score tool and when placed into the machine it scores the paper for you! It SCORES!

This is really that EASY!!!

Here are the flowers cut. Just assemble as the instructions show or assemble your way!

I chose to put my branch into a vintage spool instead of a vase. That is how I made this project my own.

Here it is all finished! I LOVE how EASY and fun this project was!

Dare I say it again? EASY!

Start to finish, with me never running this machine before....45 minutes! 

Thanks for stopping by! Go check out the amazing projects you can do using your Cricut Explore Air 2.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Watercolored Caddy Bag

Welcome, I am so excited to share with you today!!!

This month on Eileen Hull's blog the team is using Eileen's Color Box Blends inks by Clearsnap®. The team is trying all different types of techniques. We would like to inspire you to try your Blends in different ways! So make sure you check Eileen Hull's Blog all month long for new techniques!

My thought was, "I wonder if the Blends would work like a water color?" 

YES! Yes they do and they look how awesome!

What you will need to make this project

Color Box Blends by Cleasnap®

• Sunshine
• Golden
• Nutmeg
• Beach
• Leaf
• Stop

Sizzix Little Sizzles Mat Board

Sizzix Die Caddy Bag by Eileen Hull

iCraft Easy-Cut Adhesive

Watercolor Paper 

Permanent Ink - Black

Brush

Paint Tray

Water-Container

Stamendous Stamp Fran's - Daisy Thanks

Here is how I did it!

Using the Sizzix die Caddy Bag by Eileen Hull, I covered both sides of Sizzix Mat Board with iCraft Easy Cut Adhesive and adhered the watercolor paper. Once covered I cut it out.

Stamp your pieces using permanent ink. You don't want any smearing once your water is added.

Using my plastic paint tray, I sponged the Blends onto the tray and started to paint. I just dipped my brush into water and then picked up the color of choice with the wet brush. 

Here is how the layering began. I just started with the Sunshine, added Golden and shaded a bit with Nutmeg on each of the petals. Centers are Nutmeg with a touch of Ebony. Background is Beach. (wish I was at the Beach) LOL! I really wet my brush and added Beach to it and gave the pieces a splatter.

You can blend these together to make other colors! I made orange by mixing Stop and Sunshine! 

Works great! 

Look at those cute little note cards to put in the "Caddy"! I simply cut card stock 3 1/4" X 3". Took a swipe of water and Beach to the top corner, added a splatter and let dry and stamped sentiment.

I love!!! 

So EASY!

We all LOVE easy!

I hope you enjoyed the technique I fell in LOVE with! I sure hope you give it a try!

Again make sure you visit Eileen Hull's blog all month long for the team's different techniques!

It's Here! My New Cricut Explore 2

I am so excited to share that I have received my new Cricut Explore Air 2!

I have been a long time fan! I purchased my first Cricut many years ago, it was the first one Cricut introduced. I remember it only cut 6" X 12", but oh how I loved it! 

Than came the Cricut Expression and it would cut 12" X 12" and would cut a wider range of items! I still have this one and still use it and LOVE it!

But now my options have gone to a whole new level! I am so excited to start to use the new Cricut Explore Air 2. I am able to design in the Design Space! I can do this on my phone! My PHONE! 

Amazing!

My first impression while looking at the box was how pretty it was! I was wondering if this would be a hard transition from one machine to the next. I have all these cartridges and was worried if they would be of no use 😩! Guess What! I can still use them! I can, I really can! Cricut has done a beautiful job at the transition from one machine to another.

Cricut made it extremely easy to start. I was ready to start creating in minutes. The download onto my computer was fast and easy. Cricut walks you though it step by step!

Did you know that the Cricut Explore Air 2 is able to cut out many different materials? It cuts canvas, card stock, cereal boxes, heavy chipboard, glitter stock and so much more! I can't wait to try some of these! 

The tools and supplies that are available now is mind blowing! Cricut has Vinyl, markers, tools, Washi Sheets and so much more. 

 I was scanning the project website and I am so excited to try so many of the great projects shown! This is just one tiny glimpse into the site!

Oh, I can't wait to get started!!!!

To be Continued!!!!!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Tags and Cards!

This month the Inspiration team is sharing different card and tag ideas. 

I am sharing a secret that I have! 

If I need a quick tag or card, I grab my Eileen Hull Cookie Box Die. 

Yes, that is right! 

This is the part I use. It is the top and bottom of the box. 

I cut two and one 1" x 2" to attach them together.
I also cut out some flowers from Eileen's Heart and Soul.

Add adhesive to each side of 1" x 2" and adhere to the two front and back of cards.

 Just like this!

Add flower and sentiment and you are done!

For tags, cut out, punch hole and add twine.

So easy and fast!

Two cards and two tags! Done, boom, bam!

Now you know my secret!

Beautiful Sculpted Clay Dress on Wood Canvas

Oh my goodness, has it really been so long since I have posted?

Time flies!

Well I am back and I have a fun project to share!

I have been playing with some of my Makin's Clay® and I have come up with a great piece that I am loving! I hope you do too!

This is a 5 X 7 wood canvas that I have covered with Makin's Clay and then I sculpted a dress on top.

Would you like to see how it is done?

What you need:

Makin's Clay®

Wood Canvas

Palette Knife

Deco Art Media Paint - Acrylic

• Colbalt Teal Hue
• Titan Buff
• Burnt Umber

Paint Brushes

Paper Towels

First thing I did was to Soften up some of my Makin's Clay by placing it into a plastic bas with some bottled water and let it sit overnight. I don't want it soupy, just softer then normal.

 I used a palette knife to add the clay onto the canvas.

I started to shape my dress using the knife and my hands. I smoothed the dress with water and a paintbrush.

I rolled out clay and cut a thin piece to make the ribbon and shaped it onto the dress.
I let it all dry.

Using DecoArt® Media Fluid Acrylics Cobalt Teal Hue and Acrylic Glazing Liquid I paint on and wipe off paint. I then too DecoArt® Titan Buff and added to areas to tone it down. Once I achieved the look I was wanting I set aside to dry. 

I could have stopped at this step and just sealed my piece and call it a day. It is beautiful just the way it is. However I took it on step further.

I added a mix of DecoArt® Burnt Umber and Glazing together and applied it over the top, working fast. I wipe it with a paper towel to achieve the look I desired.

I LOVE the way it turned out!

I hope you enjoyed my piece and hope you give it a try!

 Thanks for stopping by!