Crystal and Akiko

How-to Video: Dinosaur Punch Art

LOOOOVE the punch artwork over HERE.  Her artwork is so creative.  I lifted this card from HERE as I couldn't help myself when I saw how darn cute this little dude was.  Just thought this idea was so super cute that I wanted to share it with everyone and put together a how-to video for ya.  Enjoy!

 
RECIPE
Paper (SU!):  Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black & Dusty Durango(expired)
Paper (Other):  Bright Yellow cardstock
Stamps (SU!):  Priceless
Inks (SU!):  Rich Razzleberry
Punches (SU!):  Wide Oval, Large Oval, Small Oval, Boho Blossoms and 1/2" Circle
Punches (Other):  Hole Punch Circle
Other:  Stampin Up! Uniball Signo White Gel Pen and Dollarama Shoelace & Dimensionals

Stampin Up! How To Video: Inspirational Felt Magnet

Felt Embellishments & Inspirational Magnets

This project took me quite some time to post on the blog. It is something that I have been wanting to do for a very long time, but I had to do my research. I am very excited to tell you all about felt die-cutting! That's right, you can die-cut felt! And I am going to show you how....along with a really, really cool project ;)

This project contains several techniques: felt die-cutting, sewing, stamping, eyelet setting, and more! Its a a lot of fun to do, and would make a really great gift. I originally wanted to use my sewing machine, but I can't figure out what is wrong with my bobbin :( So I hand sewed everything instead. It didnt take too much time, but if anyone tries these techniques on a machine PLEASE fill me in on the deets!

Enjoy ;)

PS - I apologize for the poor video quality, I am in the process of switching programs to create more clear and better vids....stay tuned!

 
 
 
Please try it out yourself and let me know how you like it by posting a comment!

Pinwheel Bows

I'm obsessed with making little goodies for my doggies hair.  She looks so darn cute with a bow and since it was Easter, thought I would spread the love and make my nieces some goodies for their hair too.  Yessss....more reasons to create!

I loooooove making these since they're so quick and adorable.  My how-to video is almost 9 minutes, but it really only takes 5.  More pinwheel bows are definately in my future....hehe....I want to put them on pins this time and decorate a cute tee for the little girls in my fam - this way the bows are removable and they can add them to any cute outfit =)

Our 100th POST GIVEAWAY is coming to an end so don't forget to leave us some love!

 

 

Here's my cute little furry nugget Kibi - she's such a furball I LOVE IT!  muah

 

 

 

I used old jewellery boxes I had to put the bows in then used my scallop edge punch to cover the bottom where it had the company's name and used the Eggcoutrements stamp set from Stampin Up! to add the Easter touch.  The same stamp set was used for the tag.  Aren't those eggs filled with elastics so darn cute?

   

Add some chocolate eggs and voila, you've got the sweetest homemade gift for your lovies.

 

 

Hope they liked it =)

How-to Video: Fabric Flower Rosette Headband

YAY!!!  I had time to finally do a video....well, not really, my house is in desperate need of a cleaning but made time for my video instead...haha  I have been receiving a lot of requests to do more headband videos and since I love my blog family, how could I not <wink>  It's also the perfect way for me to get some Easter gifts done for the little girls in the family and since there's like....uhhh....8 of them, there will be a lot more vid's to come.  Wohoo!

I LOVE MAKING THESE ROSETTES!!!!!  Did I just yell? haha, seriously....soooo much fun!  Picked up this fab set of fabrics from Wal-Mart called "The Diva Kit" by Simple Crafts.  Kit comes with 6 fun prints at 18" x 42" each and instructions on how to make 4 different projects like a messenger bag, apron, etc.  When you're not the greatest at sewing LIKE ME these kits are perfect.  Will sooo be picking up more this weekend.  Crafting with fabrics is my new thing =P  and our GIVEAWAY is still going on!

P.S.  Aren't those goodies Akiko made for my bachelorette so fabulous?!  She's an awesome friend =)

 
SUPPLIES:
Fabric:  Diva Kit by Simple Crafts from Wal-Mart (2" x 42" strips for small rosettes & 2" x 84" for large rosette)
Headband:  From Dollarama
Other:  Needle and thread same colour as fabric OR Hot glue gun, scissors and a pin

HOW-TO VIDEO: Stamping with Bleach

Stamping....with Bleach??

I know...normally I dont keep bleach in my home, I use all natural cleaning products. But I had to try this technique!

This technique I learned from a book that I have called "The Rubber Stampers Bible". It is a GREAT book, filled with lots of basics along with neat new techniques to try!

Stamping with Bleach can create stunning results, but there are some rules when you stamp with bleach:

-make sure you are in a well ventilated area - its gets smelly really fast!

-wear white! (in case of any accidents)

-clean your stamps immediately after - if you let your stamps sit in bleach it will ruin them over time. I just use a simple wet wipe to get the bleach off, scrubbing in a circular motion, and then dry with a paper towel, applying pressure to get in all the cracks.

-put bleach in either a ceramic dish, or a plastic container that you do not plan on using for food anymore. Make this container dedicated to bleaching.

-experiment and have fun! :)

 

 

 

How-to Video: Magic Birthday Card

Ben and I have really been enjoying our time with my brother Clyde and I think Ben is in workout heaven.  Mr. Energizer Bunny is constantly having to keep his body or brain active and with Clyde around they've been the bestest workout buddies...I dunno how they do it, both being dancers as their careers but yet STILL needing something more.  All I can say is after I'm done dancing...there's no more working out for me, it's on the couch with salt & lime crispies in one hand, water and a little Grey's Anatomy on tube - wait, that doesn't sound like much fun either..let's pretend I have all dressed chips in one hand and grape crush in the other....that sounds better...haha 

Check out Clyde's post HERE about their workout yesterday.  Yep, that's my hubby in the pic...I'm so proud....lol

HOW-TO VIDEO TIME!!!  Yay =)  I learnt this technique a couple of years ago from Kulbir Kirkland and wanted to share it with you...<smiling>  I'm crazy addicted to the new clear stamps from Stampin Up!  Where have you been all my life??

 

 

 
SUPPLIES
Paper (Stampin Up!):  Rose Red, Bermuda Bay and Whisper White
Inks (Stampin Up!):  Versamark, StazOn, White Gel Pen, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay and Rose Red
Stamps (Stampin Up!):  Happy Moments SAB and Hostess Level I in Occasions Mini
Punches (Stampin Up!):  1" Circle, 1 3/4" Circle, Scallop Border and Word Window
Other:  Glitter and Ribbon from Micahels, Brads from Stampin Up! and Acetate from Pearl Packaging from Dollarama

OH! and Happy St. Pattie's Day....Mmmm...yum
 
Photo from http://epicute.com/2009/03/17/happy-st-patricks-day/

Stampin Up! Refill Inks/Alcohol Inks

I picked up this technique from Jennifer McGuire's blog....she is super fan-tab-ulous!  She was the very first blog I ever came across 2 years ago and I became immediately addicted to what she had to say.  She has the perfect tips about EVERYTHING!  Totally suggest you check her out.

This video shows you how to use Stampin Up's refill inks on a project and you can also do the same thing with Tim Holtz's alcohol inks.  I picked up my Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Applicator and Blending Solution from Michaels with my coupon, you can also get these from Scrapbook.com.  The white glossy paper is from Stampin Up! and works PERFECTLY with this technique.  Now I'm dying to get a hold of more ink refills....just one of the million items on my list...tee hee..I think we're all guilty of this?  If not, pretend, it'll make me feel better....haha =)

 
SUPPLIES
Paper (Stampin Up!):  Glossy White, Bermuda Bay and Whisper White
Stamps (Stampin Up!):  Baroque Motifs and French Filigree
Inks (Stampin Up!):  Versamark, Basic Black Classic, Rich Razzleberry Ink Refill and Melon Mambo Ink Refill
Other:  Black Twine and Clear Embossing Powder from Stampin Up!, Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Applicator and Blending Solution, Button from Dollarama and Prima Flower

 
SUPPLIES
Paper (Stampin Up!):  Glossy White and Melon Mambo
Stamps (Stampin Up!):  Baroque Motifs and Whimsical Words
Inks (Stampin Up!):  Basic Black Classic, Bermuda Bay Ink Refill and Crushed Curry Ink Refill
Punch (Stampin Up!):  Heart to Heart
Other:  Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Applicator and Blending Solution, Pearls from Dollarama

STAMPIN' UP! HOW TO VIDEO: CUPCAKE CARD

CRAFT CLASS EXTRAVAGANZA!!

Crystal and I had a very successful craft class today. Thank you to all who came and had a crafty good time! Here are a few pics of the class in action:

 

 And Now, the How to Video!

This card was a lot of fun to create. Its actually quite simple, and uses a lot of neat techniques. Have fun!

 

 

Tools Used:

Paper:

Stampin Up! Rose Red, Taken With Teal, Whisper White, Sahara Sand, and Thoroughly Modern Designer Paper 

Ink:

Stampin Up! Rose Red Marker, Basic Black Classic Ink

Stamps:

Stampin' Up! Whimsical Words, On a Pedestal, Level 3 Hostess
 
 Embellies:

Martha Stewart Turqoise glitter

Ribbon from Michaels

Tools:

Stampin Up! Spritzer, paper crimper
 

How-to Video & 2 Giveaways...what?!

Exciting, exciting...I love giving away things!  I am giving away a FREE BLOCKHEAD over at my 2some Dance blog.  What is a blockhead?????  Swing over to my other blog to find out =)

Aaaaaand......Akiko will be announcing the winner of our OTHER GIVEAWAY we're doing right here on this blog on Thursday morning...so leave us some love..xoxo

YAAAY!!!  How-to video time!  I was going crazy with constantly wrapping my hair pins in elastic bands and well....da da da daaaa....a solution.  I had a couple of left over tins from these ice breaker candies I love to eat and, well, voila! 

Okay...I'm soooo running to catch the rest of Canada vs Germany....COME ON BOYS, I believe!!!!  Wohoooo

 

How to Video: Tie-Dye Brayering Technique

Creativity works in mysterious ways....

So all Day yesterday I was trying to figure out my 3D project for our upcoming craft class, and I was not having much luck. :( So I decided to put it away and work on my video. I was playing with my brayer trying to find something new and cool to do with it, and I discovered a new technique WHILE CLEANING IT!

I am so uber excited for this technique.....your gonna LOVE IT. I gasped with delight when I tried it out!

I used:

Stampin' Up! In color inks - bermuda bay, melon mambo and rich razzleberry and craft white ink with clear embossing powder

SU cardstock - whisper white, taken with teal

SU block stamp - sanded

brayer, wet wipe, prima flower and button