Crafting Tip of the Week#172- Caps as Cups?

Hello crafters!

Yes, I know...curious title right?
I do try to get your attention, can't blame a girl for trying.

This one is all about using your "laundry detergent caps as cups".

You know the ones, they look like this: (But not the ones with the spout in the center)

I simply use them as vessels for mixing paint or pouring in inks, gesso, gel medium, etc...I think you get the idea. They have a small footprint making it easy to set it aside on my work space & it will stay in place. I also appreciate the high wall giving you plenty of space to fill the cap as you would a cup.

You can pour your medium of choice in gradually & in increments. I always like to start with a little & add more as I need to. It saves from waste and has helped me avoid spills. My smaller / shorter paint brushes and foam brushes fit inside well and can actually stand in the caps too.

It's yet another way to craft-cycle everyday items around the house that you would otherwise discard. 

P.S. Is it crazy that as I was finishing the post I thought of another tip for these?
I'll share it just in case you're wondering- even though I have not tried it myself. What if...

You took a bunch of these and lined the inside of a kitchen or cabinet drawer from end to end and used them to store stuff? ( I suppose you could adhere them/connect them with a strong adhesive like E6000).

You know...like brads, clips, buttons (oh...using the coordinating color of cap to indicate the color of whatever button is inside)...the hamster wheel in my head is spinning!

I am sure you can think of more ways to put these functional caps new life in your craft space or around the house by recycling.

Thanks for tuning in. 

I Made Something, Wan't to See?

Hello Crafty Friends!

I wanted to post some pics of these metal chalkboards I made for my daughter's upcoming wedding reception. 

I also embellished the little magnetic erasers that you see on the chalkboard.  My daughter plans on having these at the photo booth for guests to write them wedding messages & pose with in the photo booth. I thought it was a great idea! As always, I am happy to oblige.

I have been making things for her shower too but can't show those as her shower is next week. That reminds me, I should be taking pics of those before I take them to the shower that way I can share them with you!

Hope to be crafting more & sharing them here with you all real soon.

Thanks for tuning in.

Have a terrific week ahead!

Fabulous Friday Find- Tim Holtz Distress Paints

Really, need I say more? 

Check out the video below as the King of Crafts shows us all about it: 

Oh...isn't he...oops...aren't the paints dreamy? 

Those colors are so rich and love how you can use them on all kinds of surfaces. And once they dry they are waterproof. 

Gotta love it!

Tool Time Tuesday- Tim Holtz Alterations Sizzix Die Cuts

Hello Crafters! 

Yes, I am sharing Tim Holtz latest Alterations Die Cuts by Sizzix that he debuted at Winter CHA 2013 by way of the awesome Noell Hyman of Paperclipping.com.

These fantastic die cuts are so innovative and dynamic. They are most definitely useful tools for any crafter's arsenal.

Check out her video below:

Aren't these wonderful? 

That picture wheel is to "die" for!!!!

How in the world will we ever afford all this stuff? 

I am well aware that it is easy to love & covet all of Tim Holtz's goodies, I think I need a part time job just for craft goodies!

Oh well, no harm in looking right?  Just add to your wish list on the Tim Holtz App, drop hints to your loved ones and maybe some of these lovelies will magically appear. 

Hope you enjoyed. 

C-ya back here next time-thanks for coming!

Crafting Tip of the Week#171- Paper Piercing Perfection

...yes, paper piercing perfection crafters. It's over-rated the art of piercing right? Well, not really but sometimes getting it right can be as much of pain as stabbing your finger with the piercing tool.

For today's tip I hope to take the stigma out of it for you so you can reach paper piercing perfection in 2 easy steps.

Ready...here goes: 

1- USE FOAM AS YOUR BASE UNDER YOUR PIERCING MEDIUM. Whether it's paper, plastic, fabric, vinyl the FOAM will be of great help.

The foam provides a great barrier between your fingers and of course your actual crafting surface. You should still use a cutting mat but you will get one with a lot less scratches, raised bumps or tiny holes from your piercer. It also allows for steady, controlled insertion & removal of your piercing tool for more even and uniformed stitched holes.

You can purchase  inexpensive fun foam you can find at arts & crafts stores, Walmarts and/or Targets and keep it on hand.

2-GRAB A HOLD OF ONE OF THESE: 

THEY ARE PLASTIC NEEDLEPOINT CANVAS MESH.  These will help give you even, straight & perfectly aligned piercing holes every time. Any of these will work for random piercing. If you are looking to pierce those shapes specific to the canvas mesh,  they will be of greater assistance then.

Best thing is you can pierce that same shape in many sizes by simple selection. You can use a pencil, pen or marker in place of the piercer first to draft your shape. The closer to the center of the canvas mesh you are the smaller your shape will be. You can remove the mesh, review the "draft" then if you are happy with it-proceed to piercing. ( OR...leave as is)
You must use the PLASTIC MESH. It provides a little more stability & rigidity than the other ones on market. I believe there are ones of varying materials like raw canvas, burlap & materials.
The plastic ones are lightweight but have more stability within each of its' tiny "walls". Not to mention they are easy to store & work with as well.

These can be found in craft stores like Joann's, Michael's, A.C. Moore &  Hobby Lobby but I am not sure about Walmart & Target. I know they have them online as well at Consumer Crafts.

Both the foam & the canvas mesh are relatively inexpensive averaging from .29 cents & up (U.S.) for one sheet of foam to .59 cents & up (U.S.) for the canvas mesh. Pricing varies depending on retailer & size you select of the product.

Personally, I think they are a relatively inexpensive solution to  sometimes pesky problems with piercing. Two well known ones being the proverbial accidental pricking of the finger and misalignment.

If you are plagued with the same piercing dilemmas give this tip a try.
*Painless Paper Piercing Recipe*
1-Cutting Mat
2-Fun Foam
3-Plastic Canvas Mesh

Until next time,

Fabulous Friday Find- Webster's Pages Modern Romance Collection

Happy Friday All!

Today's find is brought to you by Webster's Pages & it's their Modern Romance Collection.

Check out all the goodies: 

Isn't this collection divine? 

I simply adore Webster's Pages. I love how this line covers everything. It is versatile enough to use for all occasions. I also appreciate how they offer "quick picks" for $1. 

What do you think? Have you had a chance to see this collection newly released during Winter CHA 2013?

Glad you stopped by today and hope you enjoyed the little sneak peek.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Tool Time Tuesday- E6000 Spray Adhesive

Yes crafty friends, you read that right!

It's E6000 spray adhesive. If you already use & love the E6000 gel adhesive tube you know how truly strong and reliable it is. And so when I saw in my research that the fantastic folks of E6000 were offering it in a spray medium I just flipped. 

Adhesive for us crafters is such an important thing that I view it as a tool so that is why I decided to feature it as this week's tool.

This new version of E6000 adhesive has no odor, the same strong adhesion factor & the ability to be cleaned up with water.  It works on paper, plastic, wood, foam and many other materials. 

Check out the video shared by Craft Test Dummies: 

E6000 spray adhesive is going to be released for retail purchase really soon and will start at $8.99 USD retail price & up for 8 ounces depending on the retailer and region. 

I already use the gel but can see myself using this amazing method of adhesive delivery as well. 

How about you?