It's my 17th anniversary today and it was time to make a card for my husband. I didn't want to make your typical, serious, lovey-dovey anniversary card. I wanted a fun, cheery, playful one. So, this is what I came up with.
Wouldn't this look perfect as a birthday card, too?
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Don't forget to grab your copy of Scrapbooks etc's latest June '12 issue!
The artwork on the cover is mine. It was a blast creating the cute little tags for this frame. Something different -- so pretty and spring-y. {Lots of Pink Paislee products here.}
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This Mother's Day, why not create a beautiful wooden frame to tell a special Mom how wonderful she is? Whether it's for you, your mom, grandmother, aunt, sister, or a dear friend, this altered wooden frame would make a great gift that they would be proud to display in their home. Happy crafting!
Download the free printable instructions below.
Supplies needed: unfinished wooden frame (Michael's), patterned paper (Pink Paislee), Mod Podge glue, 2 foam brushes, acrylic paint, ribbon, fabric flower, X-actro knife, fine sandpaper or fine sanding file.
Steps:
Download the free printable instructions: Click here
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Since returning from our Spring break trip to historical Washington DC, this new Pink Paislee line makes me feel even more patriotic!
To see this up close, click here and enter to win the entire set by leaving a comment on the Pink Paislee blog post.
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I wanted to share a card I made for little miss Fleur, Ingrid's daughter. I hope it helped make her day a little bit brighter. :)
I featured it in a recent class video in the Got Sketch 107 class, that is on its 5th week. The workshop is going well and has been keeping me very busy.
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Finally, I wanted to let you know that I finally joined Twitter & Instagram. LOL. I know I'm always late in the game. Just click on the icons below to follow me.
Instagram: valeriesalmon
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Have a great week!
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My latest class, Got Sketch 107, just kicked off today -- and what an awesome start it is!
Not only is this an 8-week class, we've added weekly "Tips & Techniques" VIDEOS, and a chance to get additional bonus sketches for your gallery participation!
Click here for the details on how to join the many Got Sketch fans in another inspiring workshop.
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I'm ready for Spring, aren't you? Let's welcome it with a new seasonal craft! This colorful butterfly canvas art makes a quick and cheery home decor item. Set some time to create this simple project and bring the theme of Spring into your home!
Supplies needed: 5" x 7" wrapped canvas, assorted patterned papers, small rhinestone sticker strips, butterfly punch (Fiskars), hot glue gun.
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View the Project Page at Michaels.com.
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This tag is the perfect accompaniment to go with those tasty Valentines goodies!
View the Project Page as Michaels.com.
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This beautiful 4-inch x 3-inch x 7-inch decorated goodie box holds sweets for the sweet.
View the Project Page at Michaels.com.
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View the Project Page at Michaels.com
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Aren't these little guys cute? I loved creating these little owls.
Get my owl paper-piecing pattern: Download Valerie's SBEValentineOwl
Turn our owl paper piecing into a cute cupcake topper by adhering a toothpick to the back with nontoxic adhesive. Prefer cake? Serve up a bigger helping by enlarging our pattern on a photocopier and securing the owl to a crafts stick.
SOURCES Cardstock: Prism Papers (pink, lime), Bazzill Basics Paper (all other). Font: Century Gothic. Flower: Prima Marketing, Inc. Gem: Making Memories. Cutting tool: Fiskars.
Find this and other adorable Valentine Treat Crafts by going to the Scrapbooks etc. website.
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With Valentine's Day just around the corner, Moms like me have to think of treat ideas for their children's classmates. Sure, it's always easy to get the store-bought Valentines, but if this is the year you want to do something different, you'll have to try this 3-D idea. Although this personalized photo card idea is easy and inexpensive, your kids' Valentine cards will definitely be a standout in class.
If you have a camera, an X-acto knife, and have a bag of lollipops, you are set. (For a non-candy treat, pencils are a great substitution.)
Not crafty? No problem! This project is so simple -- You can even have the kids help out by sliding the lollipops into the photos.
In minimal time, you can have a set of cards that are as unique as your kids!
Here's how:
Step 1: Take a photo of the child, arm outstretched, and their hand in a closed fist.
Step 2: Have the photos printed in a 4" x 6" size. (Optional: If you are handy in Photoshop or other image-editing program, overlay a Valentine sentiment on the digital image prior to printing.)
Step 3: On each photo, carefully cut horizontal slits above and below the fist with an X-acto knife.
Step 4: Insert a lollipop (or pencil) through the slits. Secure it with a piece of tape on the back of the photo.
For other Valentine-related crafts, click here.
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I have been in a crocheting frenzy since before the holidays -- I seriously think I haven't stopped. After creating one cute project, I'm anxious to start another! Many of you may not know, I've been crocheting since learning at the age of 12. I've been doing it on and off for so many years, in between all my other crafty obsessions. Perhaps it's the cold midwest weather, but I'm glad I've picked up the use of my crochet hooks once again. So much fun!
'Been making these adorable hats lately. Every close girlfriend and female family member of mine probably got one for Christmas -- lucky them! :) And I have been wearing them myself every chance I get! It totally makes the outfit!
I shared them on Facebook and got an insane amount of messages from friends who wanted to order. At first, I was unsure that I wanted to go the route of selling them ... but I admit, they are too cute not to share.
So, I made a large bin of extras in a variety of colors. They got snapped up too quick, before I could even announce them on my blog! Unfortunately, I don't have any made at the moment, but don't you worry, I will be making more to order.
I had closed up my Boutique indefinitely because I just did not have the time to keep up with the handcrafted items I used to offer there. So, I am reopening it, with my one and only (for now) product -- The Lauren hat.
If you want your very own, here is the page to check it out, the colors available, and ordering info. You will love it!
Another thing I wanted to share are these too-cute-for-words baby hats! They are for my sister Liaa's baby Summer, who is arriving in early February. I am expecting a photo shoot of Summer wearing these hats. :D
Hope you are all having a great week!
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Happy New Year!! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday celebration with your loved ones. I sure did.
I wanted to share a couple of Valentine's cards with you. Both are featured in the February 2012 issue of BHG Scrapbooks etc. magazine.
I'm proud to add that the card on the cover is one of mine.
Here's a closer look of the owl card:
The owl is made using a variety of punches, which are my favorite tools. I could probably seriously create a whole zoo scenery with my punch collection. Haha!
This next card is also among the projects featured within the issue's pages. It's an easy design to produce in multiples!
There's a whole lot of eye candy in this magazine, so you must check it out.
Till the next post.
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It's always a bonus when you can find alternative uses for punches to create other shapes. Punching multiple shapes out of the Fiskars Evergreen punch and forming it in a circle, it creates a wreath large enough to be a focal point on a holiday card. The punched jingle bells are the perfect size to adorn the wreath. With the addition of a perfect bow, you can spread the holiday cheer.
Find the step-by-step instructions for this card by going to the Fiskars site.
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I can't believe this year is almost over! Christmas is just weeks away -- insane! My "to do" list is a mile long and I don't even know where to start. Which reminds me, I still have to order my annual Christmas cards. You didn't think that I handmade my cards each year, did you? I know, I know. One day, I'll have time to do that, but not this year. I'm trying to have a stress-free holiday season. :)
'Thought I'd share some card ideas. These were created for BHG Scrapbooks etc's December 2011 issue.
Enjoy all the holiday preparations and keep warm!!
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It took me a little while to get these posted, I know. But here is the complete set of travel paper-piecing designs I created for Scrapbooks etc. magazine's August '11 issue, also seen on my "Greece" layout.
Grab the patterns to these below!
You can download the patterns to these piecings by clicking on links below:
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What a fantastic trip that was, especially since I spent it with my Mom. Got to tour the beautiful sights of Greece and a bit of Turkey.
(I had the worst luck getting there: got stuck in London for 9 hours because I missed my flight to Athens... then they lost my luggage for 2 days. Thank goodness for having packed some necessities in my carry-on bag!)
Here is a layout made for BHG Scrapbooks, etc. magazine's August 2011 issue. Piece Talk article. I created several paper-pieced designs, which I will share very soon. You can see two on this layout (plane/globe and camera).
Thanks for peeking!
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You can find this pull-tab card in the August '11 issue of Scrapbooks etc. mag, along with the instructions on how to create the accordion card base. (Pages 54-55)
... with the message pulled out
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