Friday, June 7, 2013

Freebie Friday ~ "Dad" Printables

Just in time for Father's  Day...

I visited one of my favorite freebie sites today and came across these wonderful printables that were just too good to keep to myself (thanks, Free Digital Stamps for these and the multitude you put up daily!).

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There is a darling little "DAD" tie pennant banner (and also printable for matching card) at Hubby Made Me Blog, which she shared last year (along with a matching mug she created).

The card would be perfect if you don't have time to make a banner or card.  Or better yet, print two sets of the pennants and use one set to make your own card.  :)

These files are pdf form and do require Adobe reader, but she kindly provides a link to make sure your Adobe reader is the latest version.

To go directly to the page with the pennant printables, click HERE!

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Next, if you're into more decorative "art" than a card and pennant, Craft Gossip has a free printable subway art-styled poster you can print and frame.  It was created by Eighteen25 and comes in two sizes (16"x20" or 8"x10")

To go directly to the page with subway art printables, click HERE!

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Hope you have fun with these.  Would love to hear how you used them!  :)

Happy Creating,

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Throwback Thursday ~ Pennant Banner


There are so many old projects that I never had a chance to get up here and so I'm hoping to do at least one a week and call it Throwback Thursday.



This is a more recent project that I created for the Project Pink conference.  The theme for 2013 was Believe and the person wanted a shabby chic feel to it all.  

It's a very easy project if you'd like to tackle it yourself!  NOTE:  It does take a somewhat steady hand and patience because you have to go over it a few times and wait for it to dry in between.  It does not have to be perfect, those little "mistakes" can add to the charm.  Do recommend that on your first try you use letters that aren't so "busy".

Maybe I'll make a tutorial one day but for now, here's how it came about.

Items needed:
 ~ Burlap (from a 6"x5yd roll, you will not use it all)
 ~ template to cut the pennant pieces (I didn't use one but you can print one from the internet if you're not comfortable making your own)
 ~ letters (I sized my letters in Word and printed them out)
 ~ Acrylic Paint (You won't need an entire bottle)
 ~ Fine point paint brush (like an artist's brush)
 ~ Jute
 ~ Other items:  glue gun/glue sticks, waxed paper, light box (I have one but there are instructions online to DIY one if you don't have one)

Directions:
1)  Cut the burlap pennants.
2)  Create, size and print out the letters/numbers/symbols you will need.
3)  Set the letter on the light box, cover with a piece of waxed paper then lay burlap pennant on top.
4)  Dip your fine point brush into the paint and then very lightly go over the letter, trying to fill in the spaces you see in black.
5) Set aside and let it dry a bit, do the other letters.

NOTE:  It doesn't take long for this to dry, especially in the beginning stages when there isn't much paint.  For example, by the second pass, I could start it almost immediately after I finished the other letters.  By the fourth stage though, I needed to wait 15 minutes after finishing the last letter otherwise the new paint pulled up the wet paint and I was set back a stage.

6)  Repeat steps 4 and 5 until satisfied with the look.   

TIP:  A great way to keep paint from drying out in small dish--as well as your paintbrush--is to cover it with aluminum foil in between drying periods.  It keeps the paint moist so you don't have to repeatedly get new brushes or new paint.  

NOTE: Each pass (time you go over with the paint) will create a more "filled" in look.  That's why I did not give you a specific number.  Some people prefer less and some like a more "solid" look.  

7)  Once each pennant is dry, simply glue the top of the burlap pennant to the jute line.  It does help to lay them out first in a rough manner and measure spaces between them so you can make sure you don't have a wonky-spaced pennant!

8)  ENJOY!


This particular banner used seven passes with the paint.  By the seventh pass I was simply filling in the "holes" that were left behind in other passes.



And just for fun, here's a pic of me and my mom at the conference.  


Isn't she lovely?   I have to tell you, I am blessed with a creative family and am very grateful for all of those years watching my mom DIY around the house.  She made the house a home with her creativity and passed it on so that I could bless others too!  Not to mention, don't know what I'd do without her.  Aside from my husband, she's my best cheerleader and one of the first to always lend a hand when I need it.  She's the best!   

Hope you enjoyed the throwback!  Look for more in the upcoming weeks!

Happy Creating!

Monday, June 3, 2013

OWH Sunday Sketch Challenge #175

Good morning!  I didn't get this up yesterday, but managed to complete the Sunday Sketch Challenge on Sunday.   Woot, woot!

This Operation Write Home sketch challenge blog post can be found HERE.  I encourage you to go read it and click the internal link to read about the wonderful OWH cardmaker who has left such a wonderful legacy and touched so many lives.

Here's this week's sketch:


It's a fairly straight-forward sketch, making it really great for you beginners out there, or even those long-timers who have just run out of ideas!  :)

Thursday night on OWHtv (Episode #102, I believe), Sandy did a very helpful (sweet'n'simple) instructional on using patterned papers together, not exactly a strength of mine so I decided to work on that during this challenge.  Since I had so many papers included, my card does not have a sentiment.  Didn't want to make it too busy.



INFO: 
Plain cardstock:  Bazzill Sour Lemon and Bazzill Licorice Twist
Patterned cardstock:  Authentique - Renew collection
Misc.: Grosgrain ribbon, jolees 3-d sticker


What a fun way to start the week!   I hope you participated and if not, there is still time.  Get off the computer and into the craft room and make some beautiful cards with the sketch!

Happy Crafting!