Die-Cut Hacks & Money Saving Tips!

Hi friends! I love to think of new ways to use old supplies, especially if it makes my current supplies more versatile.

In today’s video we will use some tried and true supplies to make a lovely card!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry  Use coupon code: LINDSAY and receive 15% off your retail order of $10 or more of peg stamps, peg stamp sets, and unmounted stamps! Coupon expires a week from this video publication. Continue to receive great deals by becoming a PegStamp VIP here. As a PegStamp VIP you’ll get a weekly deal via email plus links to fabulous tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers

Supplies:

• Fresh Lemonade Peg Stamp Set
• Dye Based ink in yellow, green and pink
• Ink blending brushes
• Ink sponges
• White cardstock
• Pattern paper to match ink colors
• Grossgrain ribbon
• Plastic canvas circle and rectangle
• Needle tool or thumbtack
• Foam mat or mouse pad
• Die cuts in basic shapes
• Flower and leaf die cuts (make from pattern paper scraps)
• Jewel or button for flower center
• Envelope template (optional)

 

Directions:

1. Make a 5” square top fold card from white and an envelope to fit (I use a WeR Memory keepers punch board for this) using pattern paper and save the scraps for die cutting.
2. Tape a nesting die onto a piece of white cardstock making sure the tape does not go inside the die window and use a blending brush to apply ink (like a stencil) to the inside of the die. Cut out the shape and set aside. At this time die cut any other items you will want such as a 3” circle from white and leaves and flowers for yellow and green.
3. Place a piece of plastic canvas over your die cut panels and line up the edges with a row of holes and use a needle to poke a stitched line along the edge. Repeat with all panels.
4. Stamp a wreath of lemons on the round panel.
5. Layer elements on your card base but tie a ribbon around the middle panel before adhering.
6. Embellish with die cut flowers and leaves.

I hope that this gives you some new ideas for old supplies and til next time happy crafting!

Make Pretty Dimensional Elements with Scraps!

Hi friends! Today I have a quick tip for making page titles and embellishments using stuff you probably already have!

This is the year title on the scrapbook calender I made my parents for Christmas. All you need is small scraps of craft foam (aka fun foam or foamies) something with texture like a rubber stamps and a heat source like a light bulb or heat tool. You can also use pigment ink like I did for a more dramatic effect. Watch the video to see how!

I hope you are enjoying the last few days of 2018 and til next time happy crafting!

Sew a Quilted Sketchbook & Pencil Wrap!

Hi friends! Today I have a fun sewing project for you using the quilt as you go (AKA fun and done) technique. We will make a sturdy cover to hold a sketchbook, pencils and other supplies.

This is a fairly quick project to make and wonderful for beginners. Watch the step by step video to see how it’s done!

Sponsored by Annie’s Creative Quilters Fabric Club! Join today and get your first kit for $9.99 and three free gifts just for trying! Use coupon code “FRUGAL”.

Supplies:

• 6 fat quarters of fabric in coordinating colors
• Sewing machine threaded with coordinating color thread
• Batting or felt for inner layer
• Chalk
• 1/4″ sewing elastic
• Button
• Needle and thread for hand sewing
• Rotary cutter and quilting rulers/mat

Measurements to fit a 6″x9″ sketchbook (adjust to make other sizes)
Batting/felt: 10″x14″
1/4″ Elastic: 18″ long
Fabric: I stacked 5 of the fat quarters and cut a 3 1/2″ x 18″ strips. I cut the stack to 10 1/4″ for the body and I made the pocket from the remaining 7 3/4″ long strips.
Backing fabric 14″x18″ (this is the 6th fat quarter you didn’t cut)

Directions:
1. Center the batting/felt on the backing fabric and sew down the strips using the quilt as you go method shown in the video.

2. Sew the shorter strips together to make a larger piece of fabric for the pocket.

3. Trim the excess backing fabric to an even 1″ all the way around and fold-over twice to overlap the striped side of the fabric neatly and press to make a nice looking binding. *Trim excess fabric from the corners to avoid bulk.

4. Press seams flat on the pocket fabric, fold it in half long-ways and stitch closed on the long side and one short side. Turn right-side out and tuck raw ends in.

5. Stitch down binding as neatly as you can.

6. Sew pocket on the backing side of the quilted project.

7. Mark a straight line on backing fabric where you want the elastic to run and sew on the elastic every 1″ or so. Leave a loop at the end for closing.

8. Hand sew a button on the striped side of the fabric where the elastic starts.

9. Divide the pocket if desired by sewing. Measure to make sure the sketchbook will fit.

I hope you found this project inspiring. I have several people mention that they would love to make something like this but did not have a sewing machine. While you can hand-stitch the project I think an easier method for hand sewists would be to find a fabric place mat and fold up one edge to from the pocket and hand stitch on the elastic. It would save you some seams and still be sturdy! Will you make this project? Let me know in the comments below! Til next time happy crafting!

More cute gift card holders!

Hi friends! Today I have some cute decorated gift card or gift certificate holders that you can make!

I like to have a bunch of packaging options made ahead of time so that when the holidays arrive I can enjoy them. And I enjoy crafting these before the season gets too hectic. I don’t like to be rushed when I create. Watch the video to see how I made these and read on for more handy tips!

Video!

This video is sponsored by Storyblocks, Start your free 7 day trial today!

Supplies:

• Autumn Forest Clip Art Set (Storyblocks)
• Cardstock and patterned paper
• Brads (Jumbo and standard)
• Glue
• Fun foam (craft foam or old mouse pad you can cut up)
• Needle tool or thumbtack/pushpin
• Computer and electronic die cutter (optional-you can also print out the clip art onto white cardstock and cut it by hand)
• Bakers twine/string

Project tips!

• I used the EPS file of the clip art set as a die cut file. In your software go under file and import and select the eps file. If your die cutter does not support .eps files you can use a free online file converter such as zamzar. If you just want to print out the clip art download the JPG file from Storyblocks.
• A simple way to make an envelope is to drag two rounded rectangles over each other laid out perpendicular to each other. Use the union or weld feature in your die cutting program to make them one shape and cut. Then fold in the flaps to make an envelope. Just make sure when you design the envelope that the flaps are long enough to overlap a bit.
• You can add more dimension to your die cuts by chalking or inking the edges before gluing them up. You can add details with markers or colored pencils too!
• If you are using the vector file as die cuts like i did you will notice that there are many details you will want to omit. Keep it simple!
• To create a solid base for the fox and owl I made a copy of the clip art and welded (union) it so I had a sold shape to work on.

I hope you got a bit of inspiration from this project and til next time happy crafting!

Make a Trendy Hanging Shelf for Under $20 with The Idaho Painter!

Hi friends! Today Chris Berry, the Idaho Painter is going to teach you how to make this stylish hanging rope shelf in under 2 hours and for under 20 bucks! If you enjoy this DIY check out the other home improvement projects on The Idaho Painters YouTube channel!

Watch the step by step tutorial to see how it’s done!

I think this looks great and would really go with a beach themed cottage. Is it summer yet? Thanks again to Chris The Idaho Painter for allowing me to share this video with you. Til next time happy crafting!

Last Minute DIY Gift Idea & Rubber Stamp Giveaway!

Hi friends! Do you need a last minute gift for your coworkers or your kids scout troop or maybe your children’s school teachers? Here is a practical gift displayed in a pretty way! DIY Lip balm purses and suitcases!

Everyone needs an extra tube of chapstick this time of year. It doesn’t cost much but it is useful and thoughtful. In today’s video I will show you how to make a display card for them that looks like a suitcase or purse and you could even hang then from the Christmas tree if you wanted too!

Video!

Sponsored by Art Neko *Save 10% off your next order of any size or get free shipping on orders over $50 (whichever discount is greater you get!) just by mentioning thefrugalcrafter!

Supplies:
Cardstock
Stamps: Spring in Paris set
Scissors
Ribbon/trim
Postage edge punch or deco-scissors
lip balm
Double sided tape
Hot Glue

Directions:
Die cut a rectangle, oval or fancy label from cardstock. Stamp on it if desired. Fold up edges so you have a 1/2″ space in the center to adhere a lip balm tube to. Add handles and decorate if desired.

Giveaway!!!!

If you would like to win the stamps I used from ArtNeko then simply leave a comment! I will draw a winnter at random in one week. This giveaway is open worldwide. If you enjoyed this quick last minute gift idea please consider sharing it using one of the handy sharing buttons below. Thanks and til next time happy crafting!

DIY Notepad // Great Gift for Teacher!

Hi friends! School is almost back in session in Maine and kids have already gone back to school in other parts of the country. Why not make this cute notepad for your teacher this year!

No teacher? That’s OK use your favorite colors and images and make one for yourself, it is fast, frugal and fun!

Video!

Sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry Use coupon code: TEACHER to get a free Mini Apple Peg Stamp, OR any mini peg stamp of your choice, when you spend $25 or more. Coupon expires on Sunday, August 28, 2016.

Supplies:
White copy paper (Cut 3 1/2″ x 8 1/2″)
Cardboard 4″ x 8 1/2″
Grossgrain ribbon (Offray)
Stamps (Rubber Stamp Tapestry) Fruit Wreath, Cherry Blossoms (big branch), Bittersweet (little branch)
Hot glue
Scissors
Paper trimmer
Cardstock/Patterned paper
Dies or Punches
Clothespins or binder clips
Die inks
Silicone spatula or scrap of cardboard
Buttons & twine (optional)

Directions:
1. Trim copy paper and clip stack together, apply glue to short edge and smooth with a silicone spatula or scrap of cardboard.
2. Stamp apple and branch motif on white cardstock, punch out and set aside. Die cut any other elements you might want from cardstock or patterned paper.
3. Fold an 8 1/2″ x 11″ patterned cardstock in half and warp around the pad of paper to determine fit and score and crease to make a neat spine.
4. Cut a notch on the cover and feed ribbon through if desired, glue both layers of cover together.
5. Glue the other piece of ribbon for the tie closure to the cardboard backing. Also glue on a loop of ribbon for a pen/pencil holder. Glue the paper pad on top.
6. Attach the cover to the back of the pad (cardboard side) so it wraps around and the ribbon closures meet at the open side.
7. Embellish as desired.

The options with this litte notebook are endless, you can make stocking stuffers, party favors or even handly list pads to keep in your pocketbook. Add a magnet to the back and you can even put it on your fridge and best of all you can use up some of your pretty paper and ribbon scraps:) Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Let’s Make Mosaics!

Hi friends! Today I have an easy mosaic project using supplies from the March Smart Art kit!

I loved the tiny tiles in the kit so much I made some wire wrapped earrings too. Since I had leftover tiles from another project I added it to my coaster for interest, feel free to use flat marbles or broken dishes in your design as well. Watch the video for a full tutorial!

Video!

Supplies:
Mosaic tiles
Coaster mold
Contact paper
Mosaic cement
Sealer and brush

For the earrings:
Wire
Earring findings
Chip beads

Please refer to the video for full instructions. Thanks to Smart Art for sponsoring this video and thank you for spending some of your day with me! Happy Crafting!

 

Snapdragons in Watercolor & 10 Giveaways!

Hi friends! I have another (or should I say 10) giveaway for you today but first I am going to show you how to paint this picture of snapdragon flowers:

Here is a pattern you can print out and trace on your watercolor paper. I recommend graphite paper but if you do not have that you can scribble a pencil on the back of your printout and trace. You can also see my DIY graphite paper tutorial here.

And this is the reference photo I took at the Common Ground Fair this year. I created the pattern because all of these flowers might be confusing to deal with. This will provide color reference though.

And now, here is the video!

You can find the products I used at our sponsor Jerry’s Artarama!
Turner watercolor 18 color set-5ml tubes (List $150 SALE $29.99!)
Mimik Kolinski Brushes (vegan synthetic)
Mimik Squirrel (the large grey handled wash brush I used)
Brush Stand
Arches Watercolor Paper (up to 65% off list on all sizes of blocks!)
Palette

This painting is part of the Creative Arts Collaboration #ThinkPinkArt collaboration and in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month Jerry’s Artarama is giving away 10 pink wristwatches. Leave a comment below and I will select 10 winners at random next Saturday. This contest is open to US residents only so just let me know that you live in the US in your comment to be eligible. I want to thank you for spending some of your weekend with me tonight, take care and til next time happy crafting!