April 28th Topic: Paint

Happy Monday!

This week we are working this a product that people either love or hate....paint.  Why hate paint, cuz it's messy of course. :)

Just like last week I will be working with four additional products randomly chosen from my stash.  This week I decided to change it up a bit and created a short video of what I will be using.




Are you joining me this week?  What products and projects will be you working on?
Jeri'

Ribbon: Projects #32, 33, 34 and 35.

It's Friday!

And that means it is time to share our work.  Since I LOVE ribbon....this was an easy week for me. :)

Project #32: Project Inspiration
To me, the best part about ribbon is that it comes in so many styles, textures and colors.  The possibilities are endless.

Supplies:  Ribbon, card stock, die (Spellbinders) and brads.

Project #33: Hello
Remember those four supplies I said I would work with.  Here they are. I did have to make a change...I opted to watercolor paper instead of white card stock.  The white card stock did not work well with the misting spray.  As I said in my Monday post, limiting my supplies pushes my creativity.  For me, that is always a good thing.:)

Supplies:  Card stock, watercolor paper, Glimmer Mist, die (Spellbinders), epoxy stickers, ribbon/trim (Maya Roads), brown pen, sentiment stamp and black ink.

Project #34: This is Family

One of my many favorite types of ribbon is printed twill ribbon.  I love the extra texture it can bring to my scrapbooking.

Supplies:  Printed twill ribbon, card stock, pattern paper (DCWV), die-cuts (Fancy Pants), photo turns, brads, stamps (Bo Bunny and Magnetic Poetry), black ink, embossing powder and button.

Project #35: Top of the Class

Supplies:  Printed twill ribbon, card stock, pattern paper (DCWV), stamps (Bo Bunny), die-cut (Fancy Pants), black ink, embossing powder, photo turns, brads and button.

Now it's your turn.....so me your ribbon love. :)
Jeri'

An InLinkz Link-up

Project Storage: Ribbon

Hey Crafters,

It is time to talk storage.  Since I have a HUGE love of ribbon...storing it has become a challenge.  And as usual there is no perfect solution.  There rarely is with craft supplies.  I guess if I had an unlimited budget and unlimited space I can find the perfect solution.  But most likely I would continue to buy more until that perfect solution no longer worked.

Last summer I decided it was time to upgrade my ribbon storage.  Years ago I re-organized my ribbon my color, which I love and highly recommend.  But I had long outgrown the plastic shoe boxes I was using.  I decided it was time to de-spool my ribbon.  WOW....I never realized how much room that cardboard spool took up.  I could have opted to put the loose ribbon back into the shoe boxes, but I really wanted a place to also keep my other green fibers and embellishments....so I went shopping. :)

I opted for these deep drawer storage containers.  You can find them in the office section and they run around 5-7 dollars.  You can buy them from Amazon too.  I place the ribbon into to plastic bags (also purchases via Amazon).  The I added buttons, brads, eyelets and other embellishments.

This were where I store most of my ribbon, which is part of my work table.  But one solution never seems to fit all situations.  I also have a small basket for my most used ribbon.  And I still need to work on ribbon that is multicolored.  I have a plan...just not enough hours in the day.  I would much rather be creating then organizing. :)

I also updated the Pinterest board.  I found some amazing ideas for storing ribbon.  So tell me how do you store you ribbon?  And don't forget to join me for my new class: For the Love of Ribbon.  Sign up today and save!

Jeri'

April 21st Topic: Ribbon

Happy Monday!

It is a new week and that means a new challenge....this week we are working on ribbon!  I was super excited when I saw the topic.  I created the list way back in December, so each week is a surprise even to me. :)  I am a HUGE ribbon fan.  Which means of course, I have way too much ribbon.  But I must say, ribbon is one of the few items I actually run out of.  I use it a lot!  Thankfully my ribbon is now organized much better then the photo below.  But I will share that on Wednesday.

After a year and a half of doing these challenges, 1st with Use Every Stamp and now with My Creative Life 2014, I decided it was time to change things up a bit.  This week I decided I would also limited my supplies to handful of items.....excluding tools of course. :)  I was organizing a bit over the weekend (imagine that) and once again I was overwhelmed by the amount of things I have that I never use.  

So I decided to push myself a bit more.  I like the challenge of it.  It gets my creativity going.....maybe I am weird that way. LOL!

This week I will be using:

• Ribbon of course....my choice.
• One sentiment stamp of my choice.
• One Spellbinders set....pictured above.
• One bottle of Glimmer mist.
• Blue and white card stock.
• Epoxy stickers.  This are really old and I have no idea where they came from. :)

I know I will be making a card from these supplies.  But I may also use them to create my ATC card for Project Inspiration.  

So tell me, are you more creative with lots of supplies?  Or is it easier with just a few?

Jeri'

Alcohol Inks: Projects # 28, 29, 30 and 31.

Happy Friday,

I had a ton of fun this week playing with alcohol inks.  I leaned news ways to use them and discovered just how versatile they can be.

But before we start with my alcohol ink projects we have a re-do from last week.  My charm ATC was just not cutting it for me.  So I re-did it over the weekend.  Much better.  I still love the bow.  I am happy so say that I have finally mastered the bow.  If you want to learn my secrets join me for The Love of Ribbon.

Project #28: Project Inspiration-Alcohol Inks
I used alcohol inks both to color the image and the edges of this ATC card.

Supplies:  Alcohol Inks, blending solution, butterfly stamp (Martha Stewart), transparency (I actually used left over product packaging and cut it to ATC size, then layered it over the pattern paper), pattern paper, white paint, Stazon ink and brads.

Project #29: Have a Great Day
An added benefit this week is that I was also able to use some unused stamps.  That always makes me happy. :)

Supplies:  Alcohol Ink, blending solution, blending tool, cardstock, glossy paper, woven paper (DWCV), stamp (Hero Arts), Stazon Ink, black ink, baker's twine, banner die (Spellbinders), rhinestones and pop-dots.

Project #30: Thinking of You

Supplies:  Alcohol Inks, blending tool, die-cut (Maya Roads), stamp (Fiskars and Tim Holtz), ink, die (Spellbinders), card stock, ribbon, pearls and brads. 

Project #31: Happy Birthday

I think this is my favorite project of the week.....but it is hard to choose.  So many ideas and so little time.  I still have a number of techniques I would like to try.

Supplies:  Alcohol Inks, metal sheets (QuicKutz-you could also use plumber's tape), gesso, standing block, black and white ink, embossing folder, stamp (sentiment), bottle cap, epoxy sticker, dies (Papertrey Ink), circle punch, card stock and ribbon.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and crafty Easter weekend.  I am currently putting the finishing touches of my son's Easter egg hunt.  Should be a fun one this year.
Jeri'

An InLinkz Link-up

Project Storage: Alcohol Inks

Hey Crafters!

This week we are focusing on alcohol inks.  This has been a fun week for me.  I don't use my alcohol inks very often so I took the opportunity to really play with them this week.  It has been quite fun and I look forward to posting my work tomorrow.

Since I do not have many bottles I store them neatly inside a plastic container and placed on a shelf.  I also have a small plastic palette that I use when working with them.  This is a technique I found via Tim Holtz.  You can leave the ink on the palette and re-activated it with blending solution.  A pretty neat trick. :)

I also updated the My Creative Life 2014 Pinterest board.  As always I am amazed by people's creativity.  The picture below is actually for Stickles, but it would be wonderful for alcohol inks too.

So how do you store your alcohol inks?  What tips and tricks can you share?

Jeri'

April 14th Topic: Alcohol Inks

Happy Monday!

This week we will be exploring alcohol inks.  While I own several colors I hardly ever use them.  Imagine that!  So this week will be about exploration and playing.  On Friday I will post my results.

So what is your favorite technique for using alcohol inks?
Jeri'

We have a winner!

The winner of the free seat to "Cricut: Crafting with Fabric" with Shirley Pando goes to...

GinaAApril 12, 2014 at 4:23 AM

It would be very useful to know what fabric to use and the best way to prepare it. 

Congrats, Gina! Email us at support.mcc@gmail.com so we can get you all set for class.

If you didn't win, there's plenty of time to register. Click here to register!

 

 

Course Description

Have you been secretly longing to use your Cricut machine to cut fabric but are afraid to try? Maybe you tried, but gave up in frustration. There are some limitations, but with just a little know-how, you, too, can successfully cut fabric with your Cricut. Create fun little fabric shapes for cards, T-shirts, pillows, tote bags, aprons, quilts and more. Take your crafting to a whole new level!

In this class students will:

• Learn which fabrics and Cricut images will work the best
• Learn how to prepare and cut fabric with their Cricut
• Create several projects of their choice using the fabric appliques

In this class students can create projects which require absolutely no stitching or finish off the projects with hand stitching or your sewing machine.Please see Supply List for specific lesson projects.
Students will receive two downloadable Cricut Craft Room file for the various projects. Use any Cricut machine and any cartridge you own. Students must have basic knowledge of their Cricut machine and the Cricut Craft Room (CCR) if they will be using it in class.

The course materials and projects in this class are totally new and different from the lessons in "Crafting with the Cricut: Beyond Paper".

Click here to register for class!

Projects: #26 and #27

This week I focused on Project Inspiration.  I know many of you are doing your own projects.  I hope it is going well.  I would LOVE to know how you are progressing.  I am really looking forward to the end of the year and seeing them all on my wall.  I know they will be a constant source of inspiration for years to come.

This week I finished my ATC cards for stickers and charms.  I actually used charms for both cards.  Charms have always been one of my favorite embellishments to use.

Project #26: Project Inspiration-Stickers
I don't use stickers as often I used to.  But now that I am scrapbooking more I find myself turning to them more often.

Supplies: Stickers, pattern paper, white paint, bottle cap, charm, trim and Crackle Accents by Ranger.

Project #27: Project Inspiration-Charms
As I already stated, charms are one of my favorite embellishments.  These cards represent two of my favorite ways to use charms.  When I think about charms I see them dangling from ribbon and bows.  I recently purchased a Bow-it-All and have fallen in LOVE!  I tend to hold off purchasing tools.  I always think....do I really need that?  But now that I have it I wish I would not have waited so long.  My bows look so much better.

Supplies: Ribbon, charm, safety pin, card stock, stamp, embossing powder and ink.

Thanks for stopping by,
Jeri'

Charm Storage

Happy Wednesday,

It's Wednesday and that means it is time to talk storage.  Last week we covered sticker storage so let's talk charm storage today.  I purchased this cabinet (I actually have two of them side by side) 10-15 years ago from The Container Store.  I LOVE The Container Store.  So many storage options.  I don't live closed to one now...so I have to shop online.  Which is probably a good thing.  A girl could run up quite a bill in that store. :)

Each drawer is pretty deep and holds a lot of embellishments.  I store way more then just charms in each drawer....but the charms fit nicely too.  The drawer below is labeled hearts.  It includes charms, buttons, eyelets, words and more.

I also updated the My Creative Life 2014 Pinterest board.  There was not much to choose from this week, but as always I am impressed with the many, many ways crafters use spice racks.  I wonder if anyone actually uses them for spices?!

Be sure to take a minute and share how you store your bits and pieces.
Jeri'

Online class giveaway!

Hi, I'm Shirley Pando, instructor at My Creative Classroom and part of the website support team. In fact, if you email the MCC help desk (support.mcc@gmail.com), I'm the person you'll hear back from. :-)

For each of the first four months of 2014 I've introduced another brand new online Cricut class:

• January - "Cricut: Crafting with Stencils" - Register now for immediate access!
• February - "Cricut: Crafting with Coloring Tools" - Register now for immediate access!
• March - "Cricut: Crafting with Vinyl" - Register now for immediate access!
• April - "Cricut: Crafting with Fabric"  - Class begins Monday April 21st!

I call these mini classes, but if you  know me you know I don't do anything in a "mini" way. All my classes are packed to the gills, and these will be no different. A lesser price, sure, but no less info and projects. You just can't lose! :-)

****************

Our fourth and last class in the series, "Cricut: Crafting with Fabric", begins on Monday April 21st and I'd love for you to join me.

 

Course Description

Have you been secretly longing to use your Cricut machine to cut fabric but are afraid to try? Maybe you tried, but gave up in frustration. There are some limitations, but with just a little know-how, you, too, can successfully cut fabric with your Cricut. Create fun little fabric shapes for cards, T-shirts, pillows, tote bags, aprons, quilts and more. Take your crafting to a whole new level!

In this class students will:

• Learn which fabrics and Cricut images will work the best
• Learn how to prepare and cut fabric with their Cricut
• Create several projects of their choice using the fabric appliques

In this class students can create projects which require absolutely no stitching or finish off the projects with hand stitching or your sewing machine.Please see Supply List for specific lesson projects. Students will receive two downloadable Cricut Craft Room file for the various projects. Use any Cricut machine and any cartridge you own. Students must have basic knowledge of their Cricut machine and the Cricut Craft Room (CCR) if they will be using it in class.

The course materials and projects in this class are totally new and different from the lessons in "Crafting with the Cricut: Beyond Paper".

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS!

****************

GIVEAWAY!!
Enter for your chance to win a FREE seat to the brand new class, "Cricut: Crafting with Fabric".  There are three ways to participate in the Giveaway. Do all three and increase your chance of winning!

1. Leave a comment on this post below and let me know if you've used your Cricut to create with fabric before.
2. For another chance to win, head to MY BLOG and follow me. Just click the little blue "Join This Site" button on the left column. If I see you in my list of followers, your name goes into the hat another time.
3. Comment on ANY POST on my blog and get another chance...your name goes into the hat once again!

So what are you waiting for? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! ;-)

This giveaway ends on Sunday April 13th at midnight. I will post the winner on Monday April 14th. Already enrolled in class? No worries! If you are the lucky winner we'll refund your tuition.

Good Luck!

April 7th Topics: Revisiting Stickers and Charms

Good Monday Morning!

It is a very good morning at my house.  Everyone is finally back on their feet. This week we are doing a do over...a mulligan. :)  We are going to revisit charms and stickers.

I still have several projects I want to complete with these supplies.  So let's get busy!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jeri'

A brief delay on our charm storage and projects.

Happy Thursday Crafters!

A very nasty stomach bug has taken up residence in our home this week.  So today I must wave a white flag of surrender.  I will be back with regular posts next week.

Until then happy crafting!
Jeri'