Friday, August 18, 2017

Summer Bliss Topped with a Hint of Fall

Hope everyone has been enjoying the summer!  Have you been traveling or enjoying local festivals, and farmers' markets? Or have you been chilling in the hammock and sipping ice tea?

While much of the country may still be in toasty hot mode, Chicagoland and neighboring parts of the Midwest have been enjoying a more moderate summer. In between the record breaking rain (and subsequent flooding), our temps have been comfortable enough to keep windows open part of the day and throughout the night.  That definitely saves on our air conditioning bills!

However, temps like these also remind me of what is just around the corner. Since it feels a little bit like autumn, it seemed logical to stamp some fall-like cards--especially after I received my "happy mail" with samples of my brand new fall stamp images from Impression Obsession!

Happy stamping!



Thursday, August 10, 2017

Color Pencil Guide

Looking for help with coloring stamped images with color pencil?  Good news!  My new guide and tutorial "How to Color: Colored Pencil Basics for the Crafter" is now live on the Favecrafts website!

This article is totally STUFFED with great information, including basic color theory, pencil strokes, color layering steps and more. Best of all, I've also included a step-by-step tutorial to help you in your journey.

Please check it out...and leave a comment!

How to Color: Colored Pencil Basics for the Crafter


Thursday, August 3, 2017

Decoupage and Beer

It isn't often that "decoupage" and "beer" come up in the same sentence. However, this is one of those rare occasions when the combination is perfectly logical!

Empty beer (or other glass beverage) bottles are some of my favorite items to repurpose. While there are multiple techniques and mediums that can be used to transform a simple glass bottle, one of my all time favorites is decoupage!  I love the simplicity of decoupage and that it is a relatively inexpensive craft for all ages and skill levels.  Decoupage mediums like Mod Podge make it super easy since you can attach and seal using the same product.  Paired with torn book pages and printed paper napkins, and embellished with beads, buttons, and/or silk flowers, this project becomes the perfect mixed media vase for all those beautiful summer flowers!

I like to get  an early jump on the holidays and have already made several for gifting. These would also make great craft fair items.

So sit back and enjoy a summer brew...then hop over to the Favecrafts site for a full tutorial with step-by-step instructions!