CCL Monthly Theme - All About Frames!

Knock, knock! Who's there?!?! SUMMER! Hello, June, and hello, warm temperatures... *finally!* Have you all been enjoying the outdoors? Maybe you've been a shut in, like me, overcome with crazy allergies. No problem -- being indoors means time to get Krafty, with a capital "K!"

For June at Creating the Craft Life our theme is FRAMES! Frames are so fun because there are so many things you can do with them. I have covered them in fabric or paper, glued all kinds of junkies to them, and painted them. Next on my agenda will be to try mixed media on a frame, but I'm still standing on shaky ground when it comes to mixed media, so for my inspiration project, I opted to alter a frame to make it look like one of those nifty photo trays. I got my divided frame at my local thrift store for $1.99! Score! I had tons of fun adhering little trinkets and goodies to it to dress up the gentlemanly vintage theme I was going for:

I started with the frame itself, and sprayed metallic inks and pearl inks all over it. Then I sprinkled embossing powder here and there and heated it to give the frame a grainy look. ((This technique would work really well on a whitewashed frame in a beach theme... the sprinkles look kind of like sand!)) I knew I was going to use photos of my sister, mom, and myself dressed in tuxes and gentleman 'staches, so I wanted add vintage items, such as bottles, keys, and timepieces. I was very happy with the look I achieved.

You can buy those really nice photo trays at any of the big craft stores (be sure to always bring your 40% coupon, as those bad boys are pretty costly!) but be sure to also check your local thrift store(s) for a cheaper alternative, as well as some uniquely shaped frames that can be turned into faux photo trays.

'Til then,

Krolli

New PLUM SEED Collection from Webster's Pages!

I was already a *HUGE* fan of Webster's Pages, but I am totally in love with their new collection! It has all the "in" colors and fun, trendy geometric pattern prints, but still maintains a soft prettiness. It's really so beautiful! I must get my hands on it:

Isn't it great? I don't have too much WP, but I have adored every single thing I've ever gotten from them. I'll be sure to post some projects I've made with some of this new collection.

'Til then,

Krolli

CCL Monthly Theme - All About TAGS!

With the arrival of May comes the new monthly theme over at Creating the Crafty Life. This month, we're going to be doing our tips, techniques, and challenges all about TAGS! Who doesn't love a good tag? The sky's the limit when it comes to making tags; you can use them in every paper crafting project imaginable. And, of course, on gifts. Or *AS* gifts. I've seen some really amazing tags!

For CCL's May challenge, you will need to create/alter a tag (any tag!) but the twist is that it must include a pocket somehow. Here's my sample project for a little inspiration:

I made the pocket out of small wooden tiles that I altered with alcohol inks, stamps, and Glossy Accents and then adhered to a square chipboard backing. The smaller tags pull out of the tile pocket and can be used for journaling, a quick note, or small photos. (Tags within tags? Tag-ception!) I was really pleased with the unique pocket on my tag, and I really look forward to seeing what tag/pocket combinations you all can come up with! Be sure to head over to Creating the Crafty Life to submit your tag(s)!

'Til then,

Krolli

CCL Monthly Theme - Lace & Trim!

Spring appears to FINALLY be stabilizing here in SW Ohio... and I couldn't be happier! This flippy-floppy weather has had me headache-induced for weeks, depressed, and just plain cranky a lot of the time. One of the things that is keeping me smiling these days is my crafting. If you read my recent post, you'll remember I've started to dabble in the world of mixed media, and I'm going to share my SECOND mixed media project as this month's challenge inspiration:

This month at Creating the Crafty Life our theme is LACE & TRIM. You really can't get more fun than that! Trims and lace can be used for so many things; you can use them to dress up ANY project! I have used it in four separate places just on this one tag!  For the tie at the top, I used a piece of purple crochet trim that I cut in half down the center. I used the other half of it as a tie around the little glass bottle. There is lace folded  and used as a shadow backing for the sentiment, and I used some of Webster's bloomers to decorate the bottom of the tag. There are so many ways to incorporate lace & trim into your crafts!

Be sure to head over to CCL this month and submit your lace & trim project for this month's challenge!! Can't wait to see all the ways you guys use it!  (And, if you're having trouble finding that "perfect" trim, Misty has some of the most awesome options in her store here -------> MB's Treasurista )

'Til then,

Krolli

Welcome to Creating the Crafty Life's Spring Fever Blog Hop! If you're coming from Mariam's blog, then you're right on track. If not, then be sure to start at the beginning at Misty's blog, as she is our hostess!  :)

For my SPRING FEVER project, I decided to create my first ever mixed media layout. I had never played with modeling paste, so I'm sure I still have a lot to learn, but I had tons of fun getting messy and trying out this new (to me) technique. I sure do LOVE the spring colors, and I hope my layout puts you  in a cheery spring mood!

There is a lot of hidden blog candy along the way, so be sure to follow all the blogs on the hop, leaving comments on each one as well! The hop will run March 24th - March 30th.

This blog hop is sponsored by MB's Treasurista and here is the AWESOME grand prize:

To be eligible for the grand prize, don't forget to:

~Follow and comment on ALL the blogs on the hop!
~"Like" the MBT Facebook page here: MbsTreasurista !

GOOD LUCK!

Here is the blog lineup:

Misty

Deb

Malinda

Leslie

Mariam

Carli   <---- YOU ARE HERE!

Milissa  <---- GO HERE NEXT!

Johnna

CCL Monthly Theme - Bags, Boxes, & More!

Well, March is here, which means spring is about to rear its much-desired flowery, warm, joyful head! This month at Creating the Crafty Life, our theme is BAGS, BOXES, & MORE! Think containers, people... and what better month to celebrate containers than one that includes Easter? There are so many opportunities for bags, boxes, pails, baskets, buckets, crates, tins, and any other containers you can conjure up! Pick your favorite, dress it up and/or alter it with a March holiday theme (St. Patty's Day or Easter, for example), and submit it to CCL for a chance to win a prize for this month's challenge! As always, I have created a project to share as an example for the month's challenge:

I chose to alter one of those cutesy little balsa boxes that you can get in the Michael's dollar bins. I love Easter, so I chose that holiday for my theme. (There were more chocolate eggs, but they, er.. mysteriously disappeared during the crafting of this project.) Since Easter and spring in general are my favorite time of year, I look forward to seeing your wonderful (and cheery!) submissions at CCL!

'Til then,

Krolli

CCL Monthly Theme - Flowers!

As I sit here on one of the most frigid mornings this winter season, I am happy to think about this month's theme over at Creating the Crafty Life. February's theme is FLOWERS! It's so wonderful to get in the mindset of something warm and cheery, when my body feels like it's been sleeping in a meat locker. Hopefully tomorrow ol' Punxsutawney Phil will bring me even more smiles. Until then, I will just enjoy spending my February crafting with various handmade flowers. To join us, head over to CCL (membership is FREE!) and be welcomed into the folds of inspiration, tutorials, classes, challenges, and peer-produced talent!

Each month, a challenge is set forth to CCL members to produce a project meeting the theme. Since February's theme is flowers, it's pretty simple: make something with (handmade) flowers of any kind! Submit a photo of or link to your project under the challenge post for a chance to win a prize from Misty! Here is a sample I came up with:

I made the roses using the smallest flower on the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die -- 3 flat die-cut flowers for each rose, inked and layered to create small roses. Easy-peasy, with a charming result. Can't wait to see your handmade flower(s) on your project submission!

'Til then,

Krolli