Where’s Alice? Wonderland Bookmark Set!

Hi friends!  I am a big Alice in Wonderland fan (I have a binder full of children’s storybook stamps and more than a few are Alice in wonderland!) and now these lovelies have joined the collection!

I’m not gonna lie, these bookmarks were time-consuming (I watched the entire Casual Vacancy mini series on HBO while making them!) but they were so fun and isn’t that the point of crafting, To enjoy taking your time? And enjoy it I did! Watch the video for instructions!

This tutorial is sponsored by Top Flight Stamps!  SAVE 10% off your next order with coupon code: thefrugalcrafter10 *USA orders of $50+ ship free!

Supplies:

• Alice in Wonderland Stamps & Stencils
• Fibers stencil
• Dots stencil
• Time tunnel stencil
• Scan ‘n Cut2 CM350 (what I used to cut out stamped and colored images instead of dies)
• Distress oxide inks
• Alcohol ink markers
• Memento ink (for use with alcohol markers)
• Cheap watercolors in cute tin
• Shipping tags (10pt large)  *This is a box of 1000 on amazon with free shipping, I got mine at Papermart where they are $16.61 for 500 plus shipping so Amazon is a better deal if you can use that many (or just cut your own from cream cardstock, the size is 3 1/8″ x 6 1/4″)
• Tassels
• Laminator
• Laminating pouches
• Paint pens for opaque details
• Wet glue
• Patterned paper scraps

Tips for making bookmarks:

1. If the media you used may migrate to a book be sure to laminate them. You can use contact paper, clear packing tape or a laminator (I must confess, I take any chance I can to laminate something LOL!)
2. Make sure the tags (including all wet glue) is fully dry before laminating or you can trap moisture in the plastic and it might not seal well.
3. If you laminated slightly damp bookmarks (don’t ask me how I know this…) run it through the laminator a few times and it will help.
4. Feel free to use any yarn, string, ribbon, fibers, rope or tassel you want in your bookmarks! Or leave it out, it’s your bookmark:)

I hope you try your hand at making bookmarks. They are the perfect tiny canvas to try out new stamps, mediums and ideas without fear of messing up a card. Even if it doesn’t turn out the way you like it will still mark your place in a book just fine! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

 

Craft Fairs, Bookmarks & Squirrels in my Van…

Hi friends! This has been such an unusual week with a lot of stuff going on that it seems like it must be Thursday or Friday but nope, only Tuesday. Do you ever have weeks like that? I think it might be because I did a craft fair on Saturday. I haven’t done one in a while. Look at my booth!

I can’t remember the last time I did an outdoor show, probably the sidewalk art festival back in 2002 when I was pregnant with Jackson! The weather was nice and I figured it would be slow as it was the premier year for this show so I brought along my trusty Meeden fan watercolor palette and some bookmarks I cut from watercolor paper. I use the 6″x9″ aquabee paper and made them 2 1/4″ x 6″ so I got 4 per sheet.

I even sold a few on the spot so that was cool. I am really glad I brought them as the event went from 9-4 but there were no more customers after 2pm. The organizers gave vendors permission to leave at 2:15 because it was so slow but I personally have a problem packing up early when I have advertised I would be there til 4. I felt bad because a family traveled an hour to see the pets there were up for adoption from a local charity (it was a vendor fair and not strictly a craft fair, the library was having a huge used book sale too) and they had left. Maybe I am an uptight fuddy-duddy but I think if an event is advertised for a certain time vendors should stay til the end. I have made too many “last 15 minute of the show” sales in the past to pack up early.  Having the extra time I was able to organize all of my inventory and pack it carefully rather than the last-minute dash I usually have and then the mess to sort out later. I enjoyed painting the bookmarks so much I made some more out of the Shizen Indian handmade watercolor paper I bought myself on my birthday. That paper was 5″x7 so I got two 2.5″x7″ bookmarks per sheet. I also tried that Meeden palette with my regular brushes and water as opposed to the waterbrush that it came with. I like the combo of real brushes on this textured paper for loose techniques and for pennies a bookmark I can afford to experiment!

I filmed a proper review of these paints today but I probably won’t have the video up til next week. So you might be wondering about the squirrels, well I took my minivan to the shop today to get an oil change and inspection sticker and look what they found under the hood!

they made a nest with leaves and pine needles and chewed on one wires! Naughty squirrels! I have a hard time believing that my sweet grey squirrels did this, I think it was the red squirrels at camp because I left my van in the same spot all week (I take lazy vacationing very seriously) and I also fed the red squirrels some peanuts I had in my car. Probably not the best idea in hindsight. I also gave them some bread and pizza. Luckily The damage was repaired and it wasn’t very expensive. I had thought I might be waiting in the shop for a while so I brought my sketchbook and worked on some upcoming rubber stamp designs I have coming out soon! I knew if I didn’t have anything else to distract me (like my other craft supplies and the internet) I could focus better. I’m like a squirrel in that way. That’s what I can’t get too mad at them I guess LOL! Well, that’s about it from here. The birthday special in my teachable school (Any class for $42 with coupon code HB42 ) is good til Friday. I’ll be back tomorrow with a fabulously fun and frugal card making video and til then happy crafting!

Crafting with Easter Egg Dye!

Hi friends!  I bought this Easter egg dying kit a month ago with the best intentions of dying eggs with my kids but between the school play and their busy schedules we never got around to it. I knew if I saved the kit until next year I’d forget where I put it so I thought I would mix up the dyes and color some craft materials. My girls loved these bookmarks and they will last longer than an egg for sure.

I liked the soft colors I was able to get on the ribbons. They have a vintage vibe too because of the crinkled seam binding and vintage art supply stamps. Watch the video to see how fun it is to work with egg dye! I bet you can pick up some of these kits on clearance right now too!

This tutorial is sponsored by Top Flight Stamps!  SAVE 10% off your next order with coupon code: thefrugalcrafter10 *USA orders of $50+ ship free!

Supplies: *may contain affiliate links

• Art supplies from Darkroom Door
• Egg Dying kit *Note these can be found at dollar stores and clearance at department store dirt cheap. If you can’t find this use food coloring diluted with water.
• Shipping tags *You can cut tags from cardstock if you don’t have any as the come in massive quantities.
• Seam binding (natural or white):  *I have also used this kind before and it is $5 cheaper
• Ranger black archival ink

Directions:
1. Dissolve dye tablets in water.

2. Stamp images on manilla tags with waterproof ink and color with clear crayon if desired.

3. Dip tags and seam binding in dyes. Let dry.

4. Re-dip tags if a darker color is desired.

Tips:
1. Use less water or leave materials in the dye longer for stronger color.
2. Do not add vinegar as you would for eggs because the acid could damage paper over time.
3. Keep leftover dyes in spray bottles if desired for other craft projects that won’t need to be washed.

This project came out much nicer than I expected and I am glad I have some dyed and crinkled seam binding leftover for other projects. I just love the soft vintage feeling it gives a project especially in the pastel colors. I also love that you can get a 100 yard roll of white for about $12 and make tons of colors to suit your needs. When it doubt buy white as you can always alter it! Thanks for spending some of you day with me today and til next time happy crafting!

Fun ideas with Sequins!

Hi friends! Today I have a couple of card and bookmark ideas for you:

Watch the video to see the tutorial!

This tutorial is sponsored by Top Flight Stamps! SAVE 10% off your next order with coupon code: thefrugalcrafter10 *USA orders of $50+ ship free!

Supplies:

• Heart & Bird Stamp Set
• Tall Wildflowers Stamp Set (bookmarks)
• Floral Postcard
• Ink compatible with alcohol markers (memento)
• Cardstock for alcohol markers
• Alcohol markers
• Fuse tool or wood burner
• Sequins *I often get good deals at the dollar tree or grab them on clearance at the craft store!
• Clear acetate paper pad
• Tassels, string or ribbon for bookmark.
• Punch and eyelet for bookmark
• Adhesive (double-sided tape, hot glue and foam tape)
• Heat proof surface

*Note: To make the sealed pockets I am using a wood burning tool from Walnut Hollow called a Creative Hot Marks. If you have the Fuse tool it will work even better. If you don’t have any hot tools like that you can cut the page protectors (or clear plastic bags) with scissors and seal them with tape and it will be just as cute!

I hope you enjoyed this fun idea and til next time happy crafting!

Stamp School 9: Branching out with heat embossing!

Hi friends! Wow, I thought I would only do 8 weeks of stamp school but I am having so much fun, I hope you are too! We really did a lot with a few basic supplies and today I want to add another helpful set of supplies to the mix: embossing powders. They are great for resist effects and adding a look of class and professionalism to a project like these bookmarks we will make today:

This video is sponsored by ArtNeko, they have a cool bookmark kit that contains a gorgeous set of bookmark stamps, 10 bookmark sleeves and 10 tassels. I will also list all of the products I used a ‘la carte below. As a stamp school member you get 10% off any order or free shipping on orders over $50 if you mention “the frugal crafter” when ordering. I thank them for their support making this summer Stamp School series free for everyone!

Now, on to the video!

OK, that was a lot of info on embossing, it might bore the long time stampers but beginners need to know this stuff!

For heat embossing you will need:
Embossing powder
Clear embossing ink or pigment ink
Stamps
Bookmark stamps
Gingko Leaves stamps
Washi Paper
Bookmark plastic sleeves
Tassels

How to Heat Emboss:
1. Dust paper with embossing pouch (cornstarch, baby powder, or talc)
2. Stamp image with clear embossing ink, pigment ink or glycerin.
3. Sprinkle with embossing powder.
4. Heat with a heat gun.

I hope you liked this addition to stamp school, I think heat embossing gives you a lot of bang for your buck and makes all the stamps you have more versatile. Embossing powder can be found at any large craft store. Thanks to ArtNeko for sponsoring this post and thank you for reading it! Happy crafting!

A Thoughtful Gift for Dad!

Hi friends! I heard recently that the best thing you can give someone is time. What better way to make Father’s Day more special than giving dad back some time by doing one of his chores. This is a thoughtful gift for a child to make and they will also learn to appreciate all the things dad does for them after tackling one of his chores (and what kids doesn’t like to wash a car?)

I also like that the tags can be used as bookmarks too. You could even give a book to go along with it, there is some good “dad humor” in Jim Gaffigan’s book Food-A Love Story but if you have any other suggestions leave them in the comments. My hubby was laughing out loud at Food so I read it too and it was super funny and clean so no worries if your kids pick it up:)

Watch the video to see how easy and affordable these IOU chore coupons are to make using supplies from Papermart!

Video!

Supplies:
Kraft tags
Kraft Jewelry Boxes (I used 5 1/8″x6 1/8″)
Washi Tape
Baker’s Twine
Pattern Paper (I used a 6″x6″ paper pad by Teresa Collins)
Dies: (Darice, Spellbinders)
Glue Sticks and Wet glue
Stamp (IOU ticket from Inkadinkado)
Ink
Cream card stock
Small office hole punch

Directions:
1. Cut shapes out of kraft tags and adhere tag over patterned paper. Die cut or punch complimentary shapes from paper scraps.

2. Stamp IOU ticket with brown ink on cream cardstock and cut out. Adhere to tag with washi tape. Add extra die cuts with wet glue.

3. Re-punch hole in tag and add bakers twine.

4. Write what the “coupon” tag is good for (such as a car wash, raking the yard, sweeping the driveway etc.) on the ticket and package in a kraft jewelry box that you can decorate with paper and tie with string.

Think of other ways YOU can adapt this idea to your needs, maybe make a set of bookmarks to give someone with a gift card to a local bookstore or a booklet of “free babysitting” coupons for a friend or sister. What you are giving someone is time to do something they enjoy and time, like all the best things in life, is free and priceless. Thanks so much for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

It’s Almost Library Appreciation Week!

Hi Friends! Can I get a cheer for the library? I have always loved libraries. I love that anyone can take any book home for free! I am not one to read a book more than once unless it is a reference book so it cuts down on the clutter in my home not to mention the way my kids devour books, I would go broke without my library. The library is the heart of a community but often people take it for granted because it is “free” well really, it is not. It is free for you to use and enjoy but it costs money to operate so if it is not used funds might be cut SO go to the library, it won’t cost you a dime (unless you have overdue fees and my library does not charge them) but it will keep the lights on. And if you are planning a trip to the library this month why not whip up a batch of these goodies to give yo your librarians…

…and if my librarian is reading (Hi Audrey!) you will find these in a box over overdue library books next week. Backstory, we borrow a lot of books out at a time and when it gets a little crazy I ask the librarian to email me a list of all the books we have out and we do a scavenger hunt and the kid that finds the most books wins. We call this “Library book scavenger hunt time!!!!” Feel free to copy this idea, we moms need all the help we can get. Plus this game is way more fun than “missing lunchbox scavenger hunt” and way less stinky…unless an overdue book is found in a missing lunchbox and well, then we need to buy the library a new book. 🙂  Are you ready to make some groovy bookmarks? Watch the video to see how:

Supplies:
Shipping tags (I used 3″x6″ manila tags)
Crochet lace
Baker’s twine
Paper ribbon
Mesh ribbon
Stamps (Glitz)
Ink Pads in black and shades of plum
scrap fabric, hot glue

Directions:
1. Stamp background design and ink edges of tag with plum ink.
2. Stamp lace and postmarks in black ink.
3. Glue on mesh, fabric and lace using hot glue.
4. Thread paper ribbon through the hole and knot it.
5. Tie bakers twin around paper ribbon.
6. Give to your librarian!

You can find many of the supplies I used at our sponsor Papermart! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Watercolor Bookmarks!

Hi Friends! Small projects are a great way to try out new techniques. I used a combination of stamping, drawing and water-coloring to make these 3 bookmarks:

I used a few Caran D’ache watercolor pencils I recently purchased at MerriArtist, I ordered these and some other goodies last Saturday and got them on Tuesday! Fast service, great prices and wonderful customer service. I am not affiliated with them but they did give me a coupon code to share: 10off for $10 off an order of $100 or more and free shipping. Today I am reviewing the Caran D’ache Supracolor pencils, Caran d’ache water brush (a gift from MerriArtist) and Aquabee 90lb watercolor paper (a real bargain!) Have a look at the video for the tutorial and review.

Video!

After the picture was dry I cut it into 3 panels. I inked the edges and added some stamping with black ink. The edge swirls are by Autumn Leaves, the corner flourish is by Inkadinkado and the Chinese calligraphy is retired from PSX. When I was happy with the look I ran it through my laminating machine (I got my laminator from LTD commodities for $17 and the refill pouches come in a 100 variety pack for $5, another steal of a deal and it has worked well for me for a couple of years, unfortunately I could not find a link to this online.) You can also use contact paper or packing tape to laminate them even cheaper! The lamination really enhances the color and will protect the bookmarks (and your books) from color migration. I also wanted to mention the there is another watercolor pencil by Caran d’ache called “museum” which are more light-fast and expensive that are probably better in quality. I did not know about them when I ordered these or I would have bought a few to compare. I do not know how light-fast these are but the laminating will help prevent fading.

I think I see more bookmarks in my future! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Cute, Easy & Cheap Desk Accessories you can make!

OK, I want you to file this idea away for the next time you need a teacher appreciation gift or secretaries day gift. I love altering ordinary things. It’s more fun to sit at your desk and pay bills (or do homework) is your desk is cute, its everyday art! A couple of weeks ago I showed you how to make a cute desk caddy organizer using supplies from Papermart and today we are going to fill it!

You will need Jumbo paperclips, thumbtacks, paper scraps (use the ones left over from the desk caddy project!), hot glue gun, buttons, clear flat backed marbles, ribbon and a container to put it all in! We will use the divided wooden box we decorated in the desk caddy tutorial. Watch this video to see how it’s done!

Let’s take a look at the finished goodies:

The next time you are in the office supply store have a look at the supplies with an artist’s eye. You can color paper fasteners to make designer brads, binders and page protectors can become scrapbooks OR storage binders for stamps and dies. Cute clips can decorate your cards or scrapbook pages and don’t forget the storage aisle! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!