Another Cheap Marker Review:)

Hi friends! Today I am going to review and show you how to color with Ohuhu alcohol markers.

I have seen them online and was curious if they would perform well because they were so inexpensive and the company sent me a set for review purposes. Here is a swatch of the colors in the set:

Here is a link to the set I am reviewing and a coupon code good for 15% off this set: 15Frugal Offer good through 11/15/17 11:59pm PDT. Want tosee how they preform? Watch the video!

Supplies:

• Ohuhu set of 80 dual end markers (15% off coupon 15Frugal)
• Cardstock I worked on: Neenah Classic Crest Solar white
• Black ink pad (Memento)
• Face stamp (Stampendous)
• Butterfly Stamp (Stampendous)  *Dies available
• Leaf stamps (Stampendous)  Leaf dies
• Ohuhu White acrylic paint pen *I will be reviewing these in the future  (10% off code 10Frugal good through 11/15/17 11:59pm PDT)
• Clear blender pen (Prismacolor)

Review: These double ended art markers feature a fine tip bullet nib and a chisel tip and are filled with alcohol ink*. They have an oval barrel much like a Copic marker. *3 markers are fluorescent water-based markers/highlighters.
(Pros)

• Low Price-Around 50 cents a marker.
• Great selection of colors (77 alcohol pens)
• Good blending ability.
• Gray identification band on the end with bullet tip to make finding the fine tip end easier.
• Markers provided crisp lines on the paper I used with no feathering.
• Good layering ability (you can layer up colors to get darker shades.)

(cons)

• There is no brush nib so blending over a large area or palette blending is limited.
• One marker arrives with a loose cap but it was easily fixed with a few drops of denatured alcohol-Just make sure you cap them tightly as with ANY alcohol pen.
• This set could use a medium light violet and medium light brown to round out the colors but you could add those colors in from other brands is you like as long as they are alcohol based.
• The 3 waterbased highlighters were an odd choice, I’d rather have 3 more alcohol pens (a clear blender, mid violet and light brown) instead of those.

Bottom line these pens are a steal, I have never tried alcohol pens that were this inexpensive, they are half the price of a Sharpie! I think this is the perfect set for someone starting out or someone who want’s an extra set for travel or for a teen who is getting into markers on a budget. This set is NOT for someone who must have a brush tip marker. I think they are a great buy. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. Til next time happy crafting!

 

Happiness vs. Pleasure

Hi friends! I posted this video earlier this week on YouTube. I recorded it a couple of weeks ago and honestly I almost did not post it. I know some people don’t care for my “Konmari” videos but on the other hand some of the most thoughtful engaging comments come out of those videos from viewers so I know they are reaching people in a positive way.  A few weeks ago I read an essay on Seth Godin’s blog called The Pleasure Happiness gap and it really made me think. Just about that same time I read a really insightful comment from a viewer on my Hedonic Treadmill video that said something to the effect of “Even-keel being just fine” and it hit me that we are expected to be trying to be happy all the time and it is making us stressed and unhappy. How ironic? So, there is the backstory for today’s random Sunday chat:) Enjoy!

Video!

 

I think that trying to live in the moment and enjoy what we have (in real life) instead of constantly searching for something else (that we think we need because we compare our lives to others) is the key.

I also wanted to apologise if I came down too harshly on social media. Truth is that I can get sucked in, waste time and scroll on, I was speaking of my failings. I did not consider that Facebook and other outlets may be the only point of outreach for some people and for that I am sorry. Thank you, as always for sharing your points of view in the comments. Understanding each other is how we all grow and I am very thankful for that! I’ll be back tomorrow with a marker demo and review, til then happy crafting!

Nifty Gift Ideas!

Hi friends! The holiday’s will be here before you know it! I love the time spent with family and friends but I don’t like feeling stressed out or rushed so I decided to do some things today that will make the holidays easier. One of these things is pre making gift packaging.

I have also had a big mindset shift this year. I had minimized so much excess clutter from my life that I really want to be mindful of what I give to others this Christmas. That is what I am giving consumable gifts like wine, coffee, fine tea or gift cards because they are small and hopefully will bring joy to the recipient. I am also striving to make my packaging reusable. The wine tag I am sharing today can be easily used over and over again to give a bottle of wine or homemade vanilla extract or other bottled homemade gifts. I hope you find this tutorial useful. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, or you need a gift for another occasion, you can switch up the stamps and paper to a more appropriate gift topper.

Video! (If reading this in your email click here to see the video)

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry! Use coupon code: FRUGALNOVEMBER17 – 20% off ALL STAMPS! Coupon expires November 30, 2017. Become a Peg Stamp VIP here & get the deepest weekly discounts available

Supplies:

• To/From Stamp
• Cardnail Resting in Holly peg stamp set
• Holiday Garden peg stamp set
• Poinsettia Flourish peg stamp set
• Memento Mini Ink pads
• What and kraft cardstock
• Christmas pattern paper
• Leaf/flourish dies
• Glitter pen in red and gold
• Adhesive
• Something round to trace (like a cup or coin)
• Scissors/paper trimmer
• 1.5″ circle punch or circle cutter

Follow the step by step directions in the video for complete instructions on how to make a wine bottle gift tag and gift bag toppers. Happy crafting!

Friday FUN! Let’s paint Live Loose Florals Today @12:30pm ET!

Edited to add the finished piece from the live broadcast. 😀

Hi friends! Today we are going to paint a loose floral bouquet! Below is the practise painting I did before the live stream.

We will have fun and let the paint do the work. I hope you will paint along. Please use whatever watercolor paint and paper you have on hand (even the kids supplies!) I will link the supplies I used below if you want to check them out. There was a great deal on the paints I used and I do earn a small commission when you shop through my affiliate links. 🙂 You can watch the live show or the replay in the player below but if you want to chat with fellow painters live or ask me questions be sure to tune in on the YouTube watch page at 12:30pm ET.

Supplies:

• Cotman Watercolors (Permanent Rose, Cad Yellow Pale Hue, Hookers Green Light, Turquoise, Burnt Umber) *This is a great deal on the set of 45 pans I have. I recommend you remove the 5 colores we are using and put them on a palette or plate so you don’t get confused with all of the other colors in the kit. 🙂 I used poster putty to stick them in my palette🙂
• Watercolor Brushes (Royal & Langnickel Majestic)
• Watercolor paper: Aquabee #140 100% cotton (my practise paper) and the live painting will be done on Arches 9″x12″ 140# CP

We will sketch together and paint from out imagination! (That’s what happens when my printer breaks and I have printed out a reference photo yet LOL!)

Want more watercolor? Try a Class! Use coupon code TRYME for 20% off!

 

 

Reminder, next week we will be on Daylight Saving Time so if you don’t turn your clocks back you will need to adjust for your time zone (we will be on at 12:30pm ET Daylight Saving Time which converts to 1:30pm ET standard time.) Happy crafting!

Lovely and Inexpensive DIY Gift for ladies! {Great for Craft Fairs!}

Howdy friends! Tonight I have a beginner jewelry project for you and a super cute packaging idea!

I wanted to design a holder hor handmade earrings that could double as a gift wrap and I came up with a sweet matchbook style display card that I think is adorable! Follow along with the video for the easy step by step instructions. I’ll also post the template below.

Video!

Here is the template. I actually took a 12″x12″ piece of kraft cardstock and did all of my scoring (using the measurements os a guide I scored all the marks on the left side and then the right side) and then cut the cardstock in half and then in 2″ strips and it was quick and easy!

Supplies: * Note, I have lined products to Consumer Crafts and Amazon where I am an affiliate and also Oriental Trading where I am not affiliated but I have had good luck with their products.

• Ear wires CC  or Amazon
• Needle Nose pliers CC or Amazon
• Flat charms *Note, the exact charms I used are no longer available but this pack is a good deal and has a really cute penguin plus other winter motifs
• Kraft cardstock 
• White Carstock
• Christmas Patterned paper
• Office Stapler 
• Needle Tool (or thumbtack) CC  or Amazon
• Double sided tape or glue CC  or Amazon
• 1 1/2″ square punch
• Red ink (from this pack)
• To & From Stamp *I could not find the stamp I used, it is discontinued 😦 but these are cute and inexpensive

Directions:
1. Remove jump ring from charm if needed. Open loop on ear wire and slide on charm. Make 2.

2. Cut a 2″x6″ strip of kraft cardstock and score/fold at 5/8″, 3 1/4″ and 3 3/4″.

3. Stamp “To & From” on the back of the cardstock as shown and glue a 2.5″ square of pattern paper on the part that will be the front.

4. Cut a 1 1/2″x2 1/2″ piece of white cardstock and poke 2 holes near the top. Nestle this into the folded kraft cardstock and staple at the bottom.

5. Insert earrings in the holes and tuck the top flap into the bottom lip to close.

This is such a simple project and I think it would be a great first earring project for a your girl to make for her classmates and inexpensive enough to make a bunch! Let me know what you think of this and if you enjoy this project please consider sharing it using one of the handy sharing buttons below. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

 

Power is Back On! Happy November!

Hi friends! I hope my fellow northeasterners are warm and safe after the big and somewhat unexpected windstorms Sunday-Monday this week. We just got power and internet back late last night. Some towns recommended postponing Trick-or-Treating at the last-minute but since we had a generator we had our annual pot-luck Halloween Shindig and was able to pass out candy and host a hoard of teenagers (how are my kids teenagers?!?) My only regret is that I didn’t get any photos. I think many people are doing Trick or Treat on Friday so we all might costume up again, at least I’ll grab another bag of candy incase kids come around. I love Halloween!

Photo by Julia Raasch on Unsplash

The storm we had was nothing compared to the hurricanes earlier this fall down south. My friend Sandy Parker for Crafting for Almost everyone posted a video to gather supplies to help out our fellow crafters that lost everything during the floods and hurricanes. Her goal is to help crafters replenish their craft supplies and she has been receiving many donations from crafters! There have been fewer people requesting supplies though so if you were affected by the hurricanes and need supplies, or you want to help, check out this video and get in touch with Sandy.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween and til next time happy crafting!