Home Is Where the Heart Is...

Hey y'all! Hope everyone has been enjoying some fabulous early spring weather like we have. Seriously, it has been just beautiful in central Oklahoma lately! And like I told y'all earlier, all this lovely weather has put me in a springy-type of crafting mood. So here I am again this week sharing a spring inspired project for Your Memories Here! I don't do much mixed media type art, but this week I thought - bring it on!

I decided to create a wall hanging using some wonderful Prima products. I just love, love, love this paper!! YMH has a fabulous selection of Prima papers, ribbon, bling, stamps, kits and more that you can check out RIGHT HERE! I did use a template for the house, but all the items are hand cut and I had so much fun creating. It really got me out of the craft funk I've been in and helped re-energize my mojo! I'm also thinking that I might create a pretty wreath and use this in the center of it. Not sure yet, but if I do, I'll make sure to share it with y'all! Oh, and are those two lil' chip board birdies covered with music notes not darling?!

Supplies
Patterned Paper/Flowers/Rhinestones - Prima
Distress Ink - Tim Holtz/Ranger
 Tiny Type - Cosmo Cricket
Cardstock - The Paper Studio
Letter Stickers - Echo Park
Chipboard Embellishments - American Crafts
Large Chipboard Heart - Heidi Swapp
Ribbon - May Arts
Baker's Twine - The Twinery
Scallop Punch - Stampin' Up
Adhesive - Glue Glider Pro, Pop Dots, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Well, I hope you liked my project and it inspires you to create some crafty goodness of your own. In the meantime, hop on over to the YMH DT Blog for even more terrific inspiration HERE. And for some great prices on amazing goodies, check out the YMH Store RIGHT HERE. You will be so happy that you did! Well, I'm off to juggle the rest of the week and try to get some crafting in too. My mother had knee replacement surgery, I've got a parent/teacher conference tonight, kiddo is still having physical therapy on his shoulder, the hubby's big 4-0 birthday is Thursday and then the entire family is coming for Easter...whew! Ya know, sometimes life just isn't the same (or as fun!) unless it's crazy - LOL! ;0)
Until next time, Happy Crafting!!

I'm also entering my mixed media piece in the following fun challenges!

Lexi's Creations - Focus on the Sentiment
Southern Girls - Something to Say
Inspire Me Fridays - Inspiration Link Party
Party Time Tuesdays - Flowers
Delicious Doodles - Texture
Kaboodle Doodles - Anything But a Rectangle
Paper Crafting Journey - Photo Inspiration (inspired by the Spring feel!)
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturdays - Spring (yay - lol!)
Inky Impressions - Flower Power
Catch the Bug - Easter or Spring Theme (again, yay Spring!)

SPOOK-tacular Frame...more dollar store decor w/YMH!

Hey y'all! I'm back again to share some more dollar store decor that is sure to dress up your home just right for Halloween! See, as most of ya know, Halloween is our favorite holiday here in the Beshear household. And, like a lot of crafters out there right now, I'm a crafter on a budget. This project I'm showing ya today cost me $1 buck...yep, just a dollar cause all I had to buy was the frame. So, I'm here to show you how to make the most of your goodies while getting the most bang for your buck...by using your scraps, shopping your local dollar tree & scoring some amazing deals at Your Memories Here! I've designed for YMH for over a year now & am so happy to do so. I love sharing how just a few products can really jazz up a project, as well as how to get the most out of things. Kristina, YMH owner, is absolutely fabulous & really does have some amazing bargains....so check them out HERE in the YMH Store!

Okay, so my little spooky project started out with a frame from my local dollar tree, just like last week's home decor project did. You can check that shabby Halloween frame out HERE. Then I started using some fun products like Tattered Angels stamps, mists & papers, as well as some Prima papers & a Donna Downey stamp...most of these items can be found RIGHT HERE in the YMH Store too. I'm tellin' y'all, one stop shopping rules...lol! This project is fab-u-lous for scraps. That's actually what I made it all out of too, which makes it even better. And you can make one too cause it is soooo easy....just grab you a frame, measure your papers, and embellish to your little heart's content. You can't go wrong with this project so don't be afraid to make it yours!

Supplies

Orange Patterned Paper/Tree & Spider Stamps/Glimmer Mists - Tattered Angels

(mists used: key lime, mimosa, sand, fall breeze, charcoal)

Black & Green Patterned Paper/Donna Downey Stamp/Recycled Packaging - Prima Marketing

Distress Ink - Tim Holtz (walnut stain)

Twine - The Twinery

Numbers - American Craft Thickers (rain boot font)

Flocked Letters - Dollar General

Sentiment Stamps - Studio G

Ink - Staz On

Patterned Paper - Authentique, Reminisce

Cardstock Stickers - Target

Dimensional Stickers - Wal Mart

Adhesive - Pop Dots, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Frame - Dollar Tree

So there you have it...easy & inexpensive, but totally cute, Halloween decor for the crafter on a budget. Now, what are you gonna make? I would love to see it! I'd also love it if you hopped on over to the YMH DT Blog for inspiration HERE & the YMH Store for terrific products HERE. And, do not forget that all month long we are having a Halloween link party at Paper Issues! It is so completely awesome & I hope you'll join us for your chance to be featured, or win a great mini kit from the Paper Issues store! Go HERE to link up your Halloween creations. Whew! This was kind of a long post, huh? Sorry about that, but thanks for hangin' in there with me! Make sure to check back for more Halloween/Fall projects comin' your way, plus a very special Guest Design Spot I can't wait to announce...until next time, Happy Craftin'!!

I'm also entering my altered frame into the following fun challenges/parties!

Paper Issues - Halloween Link Party (all month long!!)

PaperCrafting Journey - Die Cuts &/or Punches (i'm a GDT for this challenge...yay!)

Blue Cricket Design - Show & Tell Link Party

Inspire Me Fridays - Inspiration Link Party

Skip to My Lou - Made for You Monday Link Party

Lollipop Crafts - Critters (they're everywhere on my project!)

The Paper Variety - Include a Forest Friend (my cutie owl!)

All Things Thrifty - All Things Spooky Link Party

Delicious Doodles - Tales of the Unexpected

Fresh Brewed Designs - Pumpkins (got one or two on my frame!)

Fab n Funky - Die Cuts or Punches (lots of die cuts!)

Crafty Creations - Create a Crafty Decoration

Delightful Sketches - Make it Dimensional

PaperPlay - Autumn Colors

Dollar Decor w/Tattered Angels from YMH!

So good to see y'all again! I've been hiding away in my crafty cave trying to get an insane amount of projects done. Not only do I have my regular DT projects due, but also some GDT stuff & lots of Fall/Halloween home decor craftiness taking place. Seriously, you should see my craft room. It looks like a tornado & earthquake happened in there...at the same time. I will clean it though. Soon. Maybe. Anyway! I'm here today to share with you a super cheap, super cute & shabby Halloween home decor frame made with some awesome supplies from the Your Memories Here Store. First off, this project cost me $1. Yes, $1. I had everything on hand but the frame, which called my name when I was at my local Dollar Tree the other day. I instantly knew what I wanted to do with it.

I have a bunch of old, vintage books that I use for projects like this. I grabbed one, ripped out some pages with the binding still in tact, & cut out a pumpkin shape. I used my Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam (grab it HERE) and Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (get that HERE) to give it some pretty orange sparkle & shimmer. I also put a few drops of charcoal glimmer mist in a ziploc baggie & added my ribbon. I smooshed it around & then pulled it out to dry. This is easiest way to "mist" your ribbons without getting mist everywhere. I cut my paper to fit the frame, found me a cutie stick & set to getting everything glued down. I also added that cute little Halloween tag...which I found in a pack at Target for $1. So maybe the project cost me $2...but technically I didn't buy the tag just for this frame so I'm not gonna count it. That's just how I roll...LOL!

Now, hop on over to the YMH Store HERE to grab some fabulous Tattered Angels goodies at amazing prices. And visit the YMH DT blog HERE for awesome inspiration. Plus, don't forget to check out the brand new linking party at Paper Issues...it's all about Halloween! You'll also have the chance to win some fun mini kits from the Paper Issues store & the party will last all month long RIGHT HERE...woo-hoo! Make sure to check back soon for a very special GDT post...until then, Happy Craftin'!

Supplies

Glimmer Mists/Glams - Tattered Angels (charcoal, mimosa, & copper kettle)

Patterned Paper - Tattered Angels

Frame - Dollar Tree

Halloween Tag - Target (check out their $1 spot...awesome stuff!)

Adhesives - Pop Dots, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Vintage Book/Button/Ribbon - Stash

Stick - Outside (seriously, go outside & grab some stuff...see what ya can create!)

I'm also entering my home decor project into the following challenges!

Paper Issues - Halloween

Lollipop Crafts - Halloween

 Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Anything But a Card

Inspire Me Fridays - Inspiration Link Party

Blue Cricket Design - Show & Tell Link Party

Really Reasonable Ribbon - Halloween

Creative Inspirations - Buttons

Wedding Shadowbox w/Your Memories Here

Whew! I am plum tuckered out after a long weekend...after both a graduation party & wedding, plus a movie date with my mommy in law before she headed to New York for work, I am posting this late so please forgive me! A busy weekend, but full of fun! So, I am back again this week with another frame for Your Memories Here...except this one is a shadow box & was quite the undertaking for me. However, I love how it turned out & I hope the bride & groom from Saturday night's wedding love it as well, because that's to whom it was given!!

Supplies

Patterned Background Paper/Mini Roses - Prima

Cardstock & Script Paper - The Paper Studio

Shadow Box Frame - Michael's (actually a t-shirt frame & LO's fit perfectly!)

Black & Gray Flowers - Recollections

White Silk Flowers - Michael's

Leaves - Wilton

Stickles - Ranger

Distress Ink - Tim Holtz (walnut stain)

Adhesive Rhinestone Swirls - Joleene's

Adhesive Die Cut Scallop Border - Echo Park (for the record kit)

Adhesive - Glue Glider Pro, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue, Scotch Double Sided Tape
Vintage Metal Button - Stash

I absolutely adore Prima products & they were just perfect for this frame! I loved the gorgeous paper & the mini roses are so fabulous. You can get plenty of beautiful Prima products RIGHT HERE at the YMH Store so make sure to visit! The inspiration for this frame came from one I seen at Michael's. And if I can say so myself, I don't think theirs was as nice, plus they wanted $20 for it! I decided to create my own version & am so glad I did! And those cute little spiral green stems you see as accents? Those are simply the wire stems from the Prima roses! Yep, just cut them off, curl them around a pencil, stretch out a little bit, & adhere with some strong, fast drying glue. I really like the realistic look they give to the flowers, don't you? By the way, those cute rhinestone swirls, they are a new product from Joleene's I believe, well at least new to my Michael's, & are very dimensional & made out of resin, or something similar. Love that they were adhesive too. Very cool.

I had so much fun creating this frame for the YMH DT & for our friends...I can't wait to see what photo they add to the shadow box from their amazing & gorgeous wedding! Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me again today & I hope you check out the YMH Store. There are always fab products at amazing prices up for grabs, with wonderful shipping too! And don't forget about the YMH DT Inspiration Blog...we'd love to have you come take a peek at what we've been up to. I am blessed to be on such a talented DT because those other gals' projects are so amazing! I'll be back soon with another fun project & until then, lots of hugs, blessings, and Happy Craftin'!

I'm also entering my shadow box into the following fab challenges!
Catered Crop - FTR#12 (red, brown, ink, die cut scallop border)
If the Shoe Fits - Black, White & a Splash of Red
My Graffico - Anything Goes

Paper Issues - Summertime (summer wedding, flowers!)
Top Tip Tuesday - Flower Frenzy
Penny's - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
Cupcake Craft - In the Garden

Goodwill Power of Work Blog Hop + an Altered Frame for YMH & Blog Candy!

Welcome to Goodwill “Power of Work” Blog Hop! You should've arrived here from Madison's blog, Funky Cards. If not, go to the first blog in the hop - Dalis at Stamper Girl! The first week of May is “the power of work” week for Goodwill, we want to end this week with a BANG. I want you ladies (and gents) to get inspired by items you find in a Goodwill store (or a store like it). Think of vintage clothing, laces, buttons, children’s table games, puzzles, old magazines or books. Goodwill has helped thousands of families and gave them the chance of a new beginning. To learn more about Goodwill and their efforts to help your community please visit them  HERE.

Our challenge to you is to use a Goodwill find in your project. Think of all the possibilities - it could be an altered item or some buttons or fabric from a vintage shirt. Through out the blog hop you will find fabulous inspiration from all those joining in the fun. What are the prizes you might ask? How about a $20 Gift Certificate from Cropstop.com AND 2 Cutting files or Digital Stamps by Paper Crafting World AND Emma Aguilar from My Creative Time with Emma has donated the “Just a Little Note” stamp set!  In addition to that, some of the ladies along the hop have some giveaways too!  And that’s not all - use code CTAA-01 for a 10% off your purchases from Cropstop.com.

You have 2 ways to get your name into the winning pot:
1. Leave a comment at every stop of the blog hop (12 stops = 12 comments), then GO BACK to Stamper Girl's Blog HERE and leave your NAME in MR. LINKY.
2. Leave a comment at every stop of the blog hop (12 stops = 12 comments) AND play with us with our Goodwill challenge. GO BACK to Stamper Girl's Blog HERE and leave your NAME (and the word "PROJECT") in MR. Linky. If you don’t have a Goodwill store near you, then try another store like Goodwill. This gives YOU 2 CHANCES TO WIN & You have until MONDAY to join in by commenting, creating, or BOTH!

Now, onto my project, a fabulous Goodwill find that is also doubling as my Your Memories Here DT project this week! I discovered a plain, brand new, ready to alter frame at the store for 99 cents...yep, 99 cents compared to the the $4 bucks it is at the craft store. I also found a brand new, unopened package of Wilton wedding style silk leaves for 27 cents! Woo-hoo! All other items I had on hand so not only was this project super duper cheap, it was super duper easy & turned out really cute...I just love it!! However, if you want to get this yummy paper for yourself, check out the YMH Store HERE! But not only does the YMH Store carry all things Prima, but also Tattered Angels products (such as the mist I used), Imaginisce goodies and much, much more!! Ya know, like the Cosmo Cricket yummies I love so dearly...hehehe!!

After painting the edges of the frame with some black craft paint, I Mod Podged a gorgeous piece of Prima paper to the surface. While that dried I spritzed some white silk flowers with some Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Vintage Rose. I absolutely love how the flowers turned out. Now, my flowers were on hand but the Goodwill does carry silk flowers too so make sure to check there first!

After the flowers & frame were dry, I hot glued the roses & some leaves to the frame. I cut some of the green wire off the flower/leaves stems, curled them around the pencil & added them with hot glue for more dimension. I finished off by drawing some swirls on the frame & using my Imaginisce irock tool to adhere the pink glimmer studs. If you don't have one of these, you must get one! I absolutely love mine! I just recently got it & this was my first time using it but it was so easy & the result was fabulous. I cannot rave enough about this product!

I haven't yet added a photo to the frame since I am still deciding on one. However, the mat I threw in there for now is simply the backside of the same Prima paper. So you can use 1 full size sheet of a pretty 12x12 paper & that's all you'll need!! Now, I must admit that while I was at the Goodwill, I not only picked up my craft supplies but also some books & a cool retro desk fan for our kiddo. It is a great place to shop around for great finds...just think of it as upcycle heaven! Also, I would love to share with you that Goodwill shares a special place in my heart. Where I live, they have a training center & employ those with various physical & mental disabilities. My little sister, who passed away nearly 11 years ago, was both physically & mentally challenged, and the most wonderful, compassionate & beautiful human being you could ever hope to meet. They trained her, she worked there for years, and she loved it. It was a wonderful place that does wonderful things for people from all walks of life. So please, support your local Goodwill...not only are you supporting those in need, you are supporting jobs & your community!

Now, back to the hop!! The next gal on the list you need to visit is the wonderful Melin at PaperCrafting World! Hop over there to continue the journey & don't forget to leave a comment on everyone's blog. If you need a little help, or get lost along the way, here is the full Power of Work Blog Hop list to help you along!

Blog Hop Linky List

1. Dalis - Stamper Girl 

2. Gaby - Gaby Creates 

 3. Maria Elena - Maria Elena World 

 4. Madison - Funky Cards 

 5. Crystal (THAT'S ME!) 

6.  Melin - PaperCrafting World 

 7. Helen - Helen's Craft Haven 

 8. Christel - One Scrappin' Sista 

 9. Roberta - Texas Scrapper Mom 

10. Vicki - Validation of Vicki 

11. Heidi - Heidi's Happy Stamping 

12. Michelle - Inspiration Blooms

And now for MY blog candy...yay! I am offering up a couple of mini scrap books/albums to be altered that are NIP Studio K &  Basic Grey! They are either ready for some fun photos or add your own personal charm to them with papers & fun embellishments. Either way, these two books are cuties! All you need to do in order to be eligible for my blog candy is become a follower (if you already are...yay me!) & leave me a comment. That's it...no jumpin' through hoops on this gal's blog...LOL! I hope you decide to play along with the challenge (and visit the YMH Store or DT Inspiration Blog) so I can see what you create but first, let's get to hoppin' y'all!!

Get Well Soon Tissue Box!

 

This week I really decided to step 'outside the box' (bad pun intended!) & challenge myself to whip up this cute little tissue box using some super adorable clip art images by AiFactory. The cutie "Boo Boo Fixer" images are perfect for so any get well projects, especially for the kiddos, & you can grab your own set (which features 12 different images for both boys & girls) right HERE! Now, the inspiration for this tissue box came from Dorcas Designs who was the FTR7 winner over at Catered Crop. I absolutely love Catered Crop as Linda always has such fab inspiration & challenges. Right now she is featuring a variety of pretty paper box tutorials so make sure to visit HERE & be prepared to create!

 

Supplies

Little Doctor Medical Clip Art Kit from AiFactory

Tissue Box - Kleenex

Cardstock - The Paper Studio

Patterned Paper - Making Memories, Cloud 9 Design, My Mind's Eye

Embossing - Cuttlebug Embossing Borders

Ink - Tim Holtz Distress (walnut stain)

Adhesives - Glue Glider Pro, Pop Dots

Stash - Baker's Twine

I had so much fun creating this tissue box & can't wait to make a few more! Definitely easy & the perfect gift for someone under the weather...it would definitely brighten someone's day! I hope you take time to join us over at AiFactory for this week's challenge, which is to create a get well project. Such a fun & easy challenge & you don't want to miss out on your chance to win some images from the AiFactory store or place in the Top 3! And if you decide to whip up your own tissue box, I would love to see it so make sure to send me a link so I can visit. Make sure to check back Sunday as I'll have 2 super fun posts to share with you for Your Memories Here & Pile It On! Until then, Happy Craftin'!

I'm also entering my project into the following fun challenges...check 'em out!

AiFactory - Get Well

Catered Crop - FTR8 (tissue box, tissues, patterned paper, mini print, blue, brown, green, children, ribbon, circles)

Delicious Doodles - 3 Dimensional

Tuesday Throwdown - Anything But a Card

All Sorts - Make A Gift Box

Paper Sundaes - Embossing

You & Me. Always. - A Wall Hanging w/YMH!

This is one of my favorite photos...& I finally got around to scrapping it! It's a photo of when my hubby asked me to marry him on Christmas Eve 5 1/2 years ago. After being set up on a blind date by mutual friends, we had been dating a 1 1/2 years when he popped the question. He did so in front of both our families & it was so wonderful! As you can see in the pic, I instantly burst into tears before saying yes. His sister snapped the shot at the perfect time & this is one of my most treasured possessions. So with that in mind, I made sure to use lots of beautiful Prima flowers, lace, & bling from Your Memories Here for this wall hanging! 

Supplies:

Patterned Paper/Title - Cosmo Cricket (hey sugar & circa 1934 collections)

Flowers/Studded Bling/Lace - Prima

Glimmer Mist - Tattered Angels (vintage rose)

Die Cut Plastic - KI Memories

Journaling & Date Spot - Shabby Chic Crafts

Ink - Tim Holtz Distress (walnut stain)

Adhesive - Glue Glider Pro, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Tulle Ribbon/Pen - Stash

I love the background paper I used too...but well, it's not actually paper. It is this lovely, thick, patterned plastic & I adore it's die cut shape. I also liked the masculine edge it gave to the LO. With the various shades of blue & that strong pattern, it contrasted well with the soft pinks & creams...kinda like our personalities! And the Cosmo Cricket kit from YMH keeps on giving....the kit (which is just $10 & there are 2 to choose from!) is chock full of fabulous goodies that you can use on soooo many projects! I know there are just a few left in the YMH Store so visit HERE & grab one of your own before it's too late! I also used my Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist to dye the pretty Prima lace that sweet pink...I love how I can always use their product to make what I already have work for me! And, the YMH store is full of fun Tattered Angels products...you can check them out HERE!

Thanks so much for stopping by again & letting me share this personal (& photo heavy post...LOL!) LO with you. I can't wait to finish it up with some sweet journaling! This project is also pulling double duty this week for a project over at Pile It On! Our challenge this week is Bling or Sparkle so whip something up & join us in some fun for your chance to win a fab prize! I would also love it if you would hop on over to the YMH Store & check out all of Kristina's wonderful products. And new to the store are some fab Helmar Adhesive products!! As well, don't forget to visit the YMH DT blog for some fabulous inspiration...just the other day, one of the DT gals altered a gorgeous bird cage with some beautiful Prima products! There are altered canvas ideas, mini books, cards, LO's, & more so make sure to take a peek right HERE. Well, I'll be back in a few days with another post for AiFactory so until then, Happy Craftin'!

I'm also entering my LO/Wall Hanging in the following challenges! 

Pile It On! - Bling or Sparkle
Creative Scrappers - Sketch #147

ScrapFit - Glitter & Glam
Catered Crop -  FTR8 (mini print, blue, brown, ribbon, flowers, border punch, die cut, spring colors, scallops, circles)
Cupcake Inspiration - Inspired by the flowers & spring colors in the Inspiration Photo!
Paper Cutz - Anything Goes
My Graffico - Anything Goes

If the Shoe Fits - Aquamarine

EIC - Inspired by the flowers, blues, & pinks of THIS @ Dollbirdies!

Moxie Fab World - Tuesday Trigger (inspired by that lovely blue ribbon, the cream, & the soft feel!)
Crafty Ann's - Spring

Whoopsi Daisy - Pile On the Flowers
Southern Girls - Flowers

Amber's Crafts - Stashbuster/Anything Goes
Delicious Doodles - 3 Dimensional Project
DYSU - Add a Bow
Tuesday Throwdown - Add Lace

Shabby Flower Tutorial & a Winter Wreath!

It's a beautiful Sunday in my neck of the woods today & I hope it is where you are also! For the past several weeks we have been dealing with A LOT of snow & I am so very glad to see it warming up...we are even supposed to get into the mid 70's later this week - yay! However, it's still technically winter so I wanted to share a winter themed wreath I whipped up for the Your Memories Here DT this week. I'm also gonna share with you a lil' tutorial on how to make these gorgeous shabby flowers as well. So get ready for some fun...& a kind of lengthy post!

I have been noticing a lot of these yarn wreaths in the blogosphere lately & wanted to try my hand at one. I had this gray yarn sitting around for a scarf I was gonna make for our fur baby (yes, doggies need scarves too!) & decided to use it. BTW, I love gray...everything gray! Dark gray, light gray, heather gray, gray sweatshirts, gray sweatpants, gray t-shirts...bring on the gray! Silly I know, but that's just me! I picked up the 12" foam wreath form for a buck at my local $ Tree & that is pretty much all that this wreath cost me since I had all the other items on hand...cool, huh?! Also, all of the paper I used was leftover from other YMH projects...a perfect project for scraps! A gal can never go wrong with cheap, fabulous home decor!! To make the wreath, I simply wrapped yarn around the wreath frame, making sure to keep it taut, & secured it at the end. Very simple. I did use my Tattered Angels glimmer mist to dye the Prima lace that lovely shade of orange & that tulle, which was recycled from a past gift, used to be a crisp white until I made it that fab grungy color, again using my much loved & adored glimmer mists!

The inspiration for the handmade shabby flowers came when I stumbled upon this blog HERE. It was totally by accident that I discovered Irene's blog, Crafty Girls Workshop, & that the first post I seen was for these gorgeous flowers! I knew right off the bat that I would be making these & they would be going on this wreath. I came up with my own little tutorial to share with you crafty peeps, but do take the time to visit Irene's blog HERE...you will definitely be glad you did because she has some awesome ideas!

Step 1 - Cut 8, 3" circles out of double sided patterned paper ( i went ahead & distressed mine in the pic & for some of the flowers I also used 2" circles.)

Step 2 - Layer them, poke a hole in the center, & add a brad (you won't see it so any will do!)

Step 3 - In the sink, starting w/the 1st layer, wet the paper & begin to crumple it. Work from the top to the bottom until you get it all ruffly & tight..just like a flower bud.

Step 4 - Now that it is all crumpled, let it dry for a bit, at least a 1/2 hour or so.

Step 5 - Now that it has dried a bit, start to shape the flower very carefully by unfolding some of the layers until you achieve the effect you want. Now, you get to let it dry some more!

Step 6 - Once it is dry, which will take a full 24 hours, you can add some glimmer mist to accent those gorgeous layers you've got going on. It should be noted I went ahead & sprayed on my glimmer mist while the flowers were still wet. I figured since they were already wet, why add more drying time! It worked like a charm, but I definitely recommend making these flowers at least 1 day in  advance of a project. Definitely not a last minute embellishment due to the length of drying time & patience required! Also, trying to speed up the drying time using a hairdryer doesn't really work too well. I tried it & failed so you don't have too...LOL!! All the flowers were attached with a hot glue gun as well...those babies aren't goin' anywhere! ;)

Supplies
Patterned Paper/Crystals/Lace - Prima
Glimmer Mist & Glimmer Glam - Tattered Angels (orange, fall breeze, & sand)
Additional Patterned Paper - SEI & Pebbles, Inc.
Crackle Accents/Distress Ink - Ranger
Chipboard - Melody Ross
Decorative Pins - Jillibean Soup
Yarn/Tulle/Adhesives - Stash

I have to admit, I just LOVE how these flowers turned out! Even my hubby & son thought they were pretty cool, which says a lot! The kiddo of course loved the whole crackle technique I used on the butterfly...kinda like magic the way it works! I can't wait to make some more of these because they really were simple & would look beautiful on some cards or layouts. And speaking of cards and layouts, don't forget to visit the YMH DT blog for some fab inspiration! The DT gals have really been making some great projects, including home decor items, using lots of new Prima goodies! And if you want to get some of the items I used in my wreath, simply visit the YMH Store! There are some gorgeous Prima, Tattered Angels, SEI & Pebbles, Inc. products there for you to check out. Plus, there is always a sale going & more new goodies coming in every day... especially since so much fun stuff was just released at CHA!

Make sure to check back soon for another PIO post & later this week for something I'm "cookin'" up for AiFactory! Until then, Happy Craftin'!!!!

Linking up to this rockin' challenge!

Moxie Fab World - Shimmer Sprays Challenge

I'm also linking my wreath up to the following link parties!

Cutie Patootie Paper Wreath!!

Happy Thursday crafty peeps! I was totally inspired earlier this week when I seen a post about these awesome paper wreaths. I instantly fell in love & knew I would be whipping up one right away! And not only is it easy peasy, it is uber cheap. As in it only cost me $1...yes, $1 - I had everything on hand but the 12" round foam wreath I picked up at my local $ Tree. Super cool, huh?! So, how do you whip up one of these bad boys for yourself? First, visit this amazing post HERE on Two Girls...Being Crafty for amazing inspiration! That is where I found myself totally falling in love. They actually have 2 tutorials for 2 different paper wreath styles & trust me, you'll want to check out both! Now, what you'll need to gather is:

5-6 sheets of double sided 12x12 patterned paper (i used Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl line)

Handy, dandy glue gun

12" foam wreath (you can always go bigger, just add more paper)

Ribbon (if you want to add a bow...)

Paper Trimmer

~ i also used my Glue Gun Pro to adhere the ends of paper together, but you can use your trusty glue gun! ~

So now you're ready to cut your paper! I cut each piece of paper into 1"x6" strips. After all that cutting, I used my Glue Gun Pro (love this gadget, so easy to use & no glue gun burns for me!) to adhere the end of each strip. Then, I simply started attaching them to my wreath form & added a bow (upcycled from a Christmas gift again!) when I finished. Again, visit Two Girls...Being Crafty's post HERE for a great instructional photo when it comes to attaching the pieces of paper to the wreath. I'm tellin' y'all, I love their web site...and that name is simple, to the point & adorable as they are! I'd love to see what you create using this idea too...leave me a link & I'll be sure to visit ya! I've also seen these wreaths made with recycled cards, magazines, & wrapping paper so this is definitely a great recycling/upcycling idea too. Now I have to go whip up some more of these bad boys!! Happy Craftin'!

I'm also linking up to the following linky parties...woo-hoo!

House of Hepworth's

Blue Cricket Design

The DIY Show Off

Somewhat Simple

The Shabby Chic Cottage