Some Silhouette projects ...

I thought I'd pop on here to share a couple more projects that I've been working on for Silhouette America.

This layout I created using the stipple feature on the Curio.  This machine has so many awesome uses and I'm still exploring them all.

Stippling is when you create a design with dots.  I created the globe design on this layout using the stipple feature.   Hop on over to the Silhouette blog and check out my tutorial on this fun feature HERE.

Another project that I've done recently for Silhouette is create a multi coloured stamp using the Mint stamping machine.  I love this little machine. First of all, because it's just so adorable and secondly it's like magic is happening right before your eyes.  It amazes me how this little machine can create a stamp in a matter of minutes - if not seconds!

The ice cream cone image is the stamp that I made.  I have a full tutorial on the Silhouette blog for creating this stamp and the background paper for my layout.  Click HERE to read all about.

I also used some kraft corrugated paper from Silhouette - I love that stuff. The added texture and dimension is so fun on a project.

This Friday I'm sharing another fun project on the Silhouette America blog .  I used the Silhouette UV Light Sensitive Fabric Inks. Super fun!!! So I'll hope you'll stop by & check it out!

This is our 2nd week of Spring Break here and I've been thoroughly enjoying the break from work.  Just hanging out with my kids, spelling in and prepping signs (for Branches of Grace Designs) for an upcoming May fair - the weekend of Mother's Day.  Hopefully my local peeps can stop by and check it out!

Anyways, thanks for stopping by today and hope you have a great week!!

I'm still here!

Wow!!! Where has the time gone!!
I'm a pathetic blogger!!!  I can't seem to keep up with this at all anymore - too many other things keeping me busy.
Before christmas I was busy with school and our big Christmas concert. Plus I started creating some signs so I had a few markets to go to and extra orders for friends to do. Kept me busy but I enjoyed it.


Thanks for stopping by though and not giving up on me. :)

I'd love to share some projects with you.  I was going to share a bunch of christmas/holiday related things but that's kind of over now so I'll just share a few things that I've been working on.


These are projects that I created for Silhouette America.
I love creating for this company!! Love it!!

This month I challenged myself to use the Silhouette MINT on my layouts.  It was so fun to create stamps that I can use over and over for years to come!!  That little machine is incredible.

Each of my layouts that I shared on the Silhouette blog have a full tutorial as well.  I'd love for you to pop by and check them out!! If you haven't seen the MINT in action or don't know about it then these tutorials will be very helpful. Click HERE to read my tutorial.

On this layout I used a stamped image of a cute little winter penguin.

I was thrilled with how this layout turned out and couldn't wait to share it.
I used the FREE shape of the week (which was a snowflake design and card base) to create a stamp design.  A full tutorial is posted on the blog HERE for this layout below.

Ah, my 3 munchkins!
I used a stamp design (which I altered & changed up a bit) to create the background design of my layout.
Again, there's a full tutorial on the Silhouette blog.

And ..... here's a sneak peek of something I'm sharing this Thursday on the Silhouette blog.
Another layout and another full tutorial. You won't want to miss it!!

Silhouette America Black Friday DEALS!!

Ok my fellow Silhouette lovers!!!

This post is for you!!!
Silhouette America is having the most amazing sales on right now .

Black Friday deals are happening right now!!! And you don't want to miss out on the amazing opportunity to stock up on all of your favourite items OR better yet ... get yourself an early Christmas present!!!

You can get these deals by using my promo code BLACK when you check out.  

The link you'll need to head to is www.silhouetteamerica.com/bf   

That is where you will enter the promo code.  

MAKE SURE TO ENTER THAT CODE otherwise you will note receive the discount!!

Here are all the amazing deals!

- Free Shipping on orders over $50.00 (Free shipping for orders over $50.00 ends December 4th, 2015 and is only available to the contiguous United States).

- 40% off almost everything in the Silhouette America store 

- 20% off Silhouette Design Store Subscriptions using code BLACK

- machine bundles as low as $99.99 including 

*Silhouette Mint $99.99

*Portrait & Mint $189.99

*CAMEO $199.99

*CAMEO & Portrait $289.99

Lots more bundles featured on the site!!

So make sure to hop on over and check it all out!!!

Summer Life

Hello again.
Summer life seems to be keeping us busy.  Which is good because we've been having such a heat wave here this year.
As of today we have another 5 week of summer vacation!! Yeah!!!
This month will be a bit different though as a couple of weeks the kids are going to camp so I'll have one less child sometimes.  That always feels a bit weird too.  And when they're gone I miss them terribly! Good thing it's only a week!!

I've been working on some DIY handyman type projects but not quite finished them yet so I'll share them later.

But I do have a few layouts (that I created last month) that I can share with you, if you're interested. :)

These 2 were created for the Simple Stories blog. Love the fun new collections.

This layout below I used a photo flip booklet so that I could add more photos. They are super great to use on layouts when you don't have enough room on your page to show them all.

I also created some layout for the Silhouette America blog.
The one below was a tutorial on using the 'stitched' files.  This took a bit of time but I love the way it turned out.

And here's another Silhouette layout that I made last month.  I used the Silhouette Rhinestone template material on this one (this really helps you create a clean design).

Well that's it for now.
Hope all my Canadian friends have a great holiday Monday!!

DIY Kitchen Sign

We're enduring a rather hot spell right now and it takes the energy right out of me. So I'm trying to get as much done as possible in the morning hours before we all melt with the afternoon heat.

Last week I finished up a sign for my kitchen.  I love how easy & fun this little project was.

I bought a piece of wood  (pine - approx. 48"in length by 6" wide and 1" deep) from Home Depot.

I first covered the bare wood and brushed on some Wood Conditioner.  This product helps your stain go on evenly.  It's not a must but I recommend it.

Once is was dried I applied a stain (Espresso coloured) overtop. I didn't leave the stain on for very long and then wiped it off with a rag. I love how the stain brings out the grain of the wood.
I could have applied another layer if I wanted it darker but I liked the way it was.

(and no!!  I didn't spill any stain .... that was from other DIY projects)

I let the stain dry for several hours (actually still the next day) and then I brushed on another stain called Pickling.  It's like a whitewash. I wanted to have a grey weather look. (Sorry I don't have a picture of the can. ) But THIS is what I used.
I worked in small sections when I applied this.  Once you 've brushed it on you immediately wipe it off and you'll notice a 'whiter' look to the wood.  IF you're wanting a more whitewashed look then you can leave it on longer.


Once the board was completely dried I applied a stencil that I made using my Silhouette CAMEO and some Stencil material.

I used some white paint overtop of the stencil to fill in each letter.

Before it was completely dry I took off the stencil.
I loved how it turned out.

I then just lightly sanded the edges of the wood and a little bit over the white letters to rough things up a wee bit.

Well that's it.  I've already got a dozen more ideas rolling around in my head and can't wait to get started on them!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Have a great week!!

Happy Easter Weekend.

Happy Easter everyone!!
I hope that you have had a blessed weekend.  This has to be one of my favourite times of year. Celebrating my Saviour's resurrection and the fact that I have been redeemed!!!

I was also busy baking this weekend.
I made some Paska (Easter Bread) - something that my Grandma used to make every year.  So it brought back a lot of memories.

It's the tradition to have icing & sprinkles on top!

And yes, it was quickly devoured!!

I also made this fun little cake for our family gathering.  The inside layers were filled with a homemade custard. Yummy.  Everyone loved it. But it was on the sweet side.

I also wanted to share some easter crafts with you. I realize that Easter is over but hopefully this will give you some inspiration for next year!
I made these little projects using my Silhouette CAMEO.

I made this pop-up card with lots of fun details and 2 fun shaped pillow boxes to hold some yummy Easter treats!

First off, let's take a look at the pillow boxes.

I found these cute designs in the Silhouette America online store. I simply cut out the shapes for the design in various pieces of coloured card stock and adhered them together onto the pillow box.

Here's a look at the bunny pillow box ....

Here's a look at the duck pillow box ...

And how could we forget their cute BE-hinds!!

You will notice that I did adhere some of the pieces with foam squares - just for some added dimension & visual interest.

Then I found this fabulous card (one of many amazing designs that you can find in the online store)!

I wanted to keep the colours subtle but still bright & cheerful!  I knew I wanted to have some sparkly eggs so I cut out the egg shapes from some card stock & Double-Sided Adhesive Sticker paper. I then began adhering the Double-sided Adhesive Sticker pieces (eggs) to the card stock making sure to layer them one on top of each other.

First peel off the yellow paper.

Then place this onto the card stock.  (the white side will be on top).  Then peel that white sheet off and you'll be left with the sticker clear piece.

Repeat this process until all of the eggs have been adhered to the card stock.

I then sprinkled some Silhouette Glitter over the sticker eggs.  I first sprinkled some blue glitter, then little bits of copper (I was going for the speckled blue egg look). I then sprinkled a bit more blue glitter to cover up any missing spots.

The bunny I cut out of grey card stock, Double Sided Adhesive paper and then covered with some grey Flocking Powder.  I wanted the bunny to look soft.

The basket layer I cut from some kraft coloured Adhesive Corrugated Paper.

I love how the title pops up too!  This is definitely a fun card to create.  There's a variety of them to choose from too.  Have fun creating!!!

Hope you have a wonderful week!!!