Framed!

I know this isn't a card, but this is still fun and crafty!  I've been seeing picture frames with chicken wire in them lately, and thought that this would be a fun craft to brighten up a space!  I found some old frames at Goodwill and painted them with my preferred colors.  Then, I stretched chicken wire across the back, and used a staple gun to keep it in place.  Next, I used wire cutters to cut off the excess wire, and to bend any dangerous pieces inward.  You may want to wear gloves when making this project, as the chick wire can be quite evil on your hands with one wrong move (read:I was stubborn and thought I didn't need gloves, so I ended up with multiple puncture wounds.).  The next CRITICAL STEP, is to take a hot glue gun, and patiently COVER all those little exposed ends of chicken wire on the back of the frame.  DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!  Also, don't be stingy on the hot glue.  Those little pieces can be pretty pokey, so make sure you really cover the entire spot before going to the next.  This will protect you, and your walls!  Lastly, add a hanger or piece of wire on the back, so you can easily mount it on a wall, and get some mini clothespins.  The mini clothespins will hold on your pictures, cards, or whatever you want to hang up.  ~Hoppy Crafting!

Happy Birthday, Bro!

I made this birthday card for my brother!  It was another good reason to use the Stampin' Up set "The Open Sea", which I am IN. LOVE. WITH!!!!  I found the background paper from Imaginisce and loved the travel/vintage/masculine look.  I wrapped that with some Denim Twine from The Twinery, and layered it onto a SU Basic Gray base. 
Next, I cut Spellbinders Reverse Wonky Rectangles (S4-307) in three sizes, out of SU Crumb Cake, SU Marina Mist, and White.  I stamped the Crumb Cake layer with the captian's log, in Staz-on Black.  Next, I took the Marina Mist layer, and stamped the globe all over it in Black, also.  Finally, I took the white layer and stamped the ship on it in Staz-On Black.  I swiped the sizes of the layers on the ink pads to add dimension, then I got out my SU blender pen.  I used the blender pen to pick up ink from the ink pad lids, and shade/watercolor the ship and water.  I used Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, and Crumb Cake on the picture.  For the "stormy/cloudy" sky, I used a sponge with some SU Basic Gray. 
If you've never used the blender pen, they're SUPER easy!!!  I like to carefully squish the lid of my ink pads into the top before opening, then you have a palette of color to work with.  You cold also use a drop of reinker in the lid.  Carefully dip you pen into the color, and, Voila!  You essentially have a paintbrush, without all the mess!  Cleanup is easy, too!  Just use a scrap piece of paper and swipe your blender pen on it until it runs clean.  Easy-peasy, and look at the effect!  You'll look like a watercolor master!  :o)  ~Hoppy Crafting!

Baby Berkley

 New baby Berkley made her way into this world recently, and here's a crafty little banner I made for her room.  I used some Spellbinders die cuts for the banner, and the Cricut Cindy Loo cartridge for the letters.  The flowers are from a Tim Holtz flower die, and the gorgeous twine is from The Twinery.  Congrats to Berkley's parents and siblings! ~Hoppy Crafting!

Handy Man Tools

 A few weeks ago, we had a garage sale, and sold a cute little kid's tool bench. My friend wanted to refinish it and give it to another family member, so she sanded it all down and repainted everything.  Well, in that process, the original artwork that was in the background, was covered.  Sooooo....she asked me if I could make some tools and a clock for her to replace them.  I got out my handy dandy Cricut, and found some tools from the Handy Man cartridge, and a clock from another.  I think the finished products look great, don't you?!?  

Mickey Birthday

Happy 3rd birthday to a Mickey Mouse fan!  He didn't turn out too shabby, if I don't say so!  I used my Mickey Cricut cartridge to cut Mickey, and used some Sizzix Dies to cut the "#3".  After layering, adding packages and some awesome twine, I used the Stampin' Up stamp set "Itty Bitty Banners", and their coordinating die cuts "Bitty Banner Framelits" for the Happy Birthday.  I also used an embossing folder to add character to the background.  ~Hoppy Crafting!