Crafts

New Project Life Just Add Color Kit Perfect for Instagram

6 · Sep 9, 2013 · 7 Comments

// This post brought to you by American Crafts & Project Life //

I adore Becky Higgins and her Project Life brilliance! Raise your hand if you have also fallen in love with the Project Life system. It takes chore out of documenting life and turns it into something fun and enjoyable. Here is a post that I wrote a while back talking about Project Life, how to use it and why I love it. I've even used left over cards to create some fun projects for my little guy, like these Flash Cards. Needless to say, I'm a fan!

This month the Project Life crew is introducing a new kit with a whole new twist on HSN (the Home Shopping Network.) It's the Just Add Color kit on HSN. You are going to love this kit and especially love the price!

Soooo… other than the fun new colors and graphics, do you notice something different? If you've been working with Project Life before, you'll notice the new square format perfect for Instagram photos. Here's a quick run down of what's new in this new release…

I decided to take my very first Instagram photos and work on a few pages…

Gager's was so small back then, just a baby! I LOVE how the fun 2×2 squares and the stickers add so much to the page. Check out some of the stickers, they are great…

Not in the mood for color? Don't worry! This kit has a stunning collection of black and white cards as well…

These black and white cards were perfect for when Gage broke his leg… I'm still not feeling to colorful about that. 😉

Isn't this kit so fun? Don't forget… A Limited amount of Just Add Color kits will be available at an amazing price at HSN on September 17th. Shop early because they will sell out for sure!!

Disclaimer // This is an American Crafts sponsored post. I received product and payment for this post however, all thoughts, idea and opinions are my very own. I will only post about stuff that I adore!

Black & White Halloween Pumpkins for The Great Pumpkin Challenge

29 · Sep 4, 2013 · 15 Comments

The Great Pumpkin Challenge brought to you by Michaels Craft Stores // I CAN"T WAIT FOR FALL!! I've thoroughly enjoyed summer, ate it up really but, I'm over the heat and the bugs and I'm ready for those cool crisp fall days. More than anything I'm ready to start decorating for fall and all the fun holidays that come with the cool temperatures. Not too long ago, Michaels sent me some of their famous pumpkins and invited me to participate in The Great Pumpkin Challenge and this is what I came up with…

A classic black & white Halloween display. As much as I love color, there is just something stunning about black & white when it comes to Halloween. Here's a breakdown of each pumpkin…

This one is just a simple decorative ribbon that I found at Michaels and wrapped it using small t-pins to secure the ribbon at the top and bottom of the pumpkin. Super easy!!

Love, love, love this one that I stenciled using Black DecoArt Patio Paint and their Mixed Media Stencils. This one was a little more challenging. I pinned the stencil to the pumpkin and then carefully laid each section of the stencil down onto the pumpkin using my finger to press each section down. Going section by section, I used a makeup sponge as a pouncer and carefully went around the clock, making sure not to overload the pouncer and it turned out great. Slow & steady wins the race on this one.

I also painted an orange pumpkin black with the Patio Paint. This stuff is amazing!! This was ONE coat…

I'm going to be using that paint a whole lot more now that I know how amazing it is.

For my polka dot pumpkin I used the DecoArt Patio Paint again, on the inside of the pumpkin and then a Hot Knife from Micheals to cut out the polka dots. That tool is a must when it comes to working with this type of pumpkin. It cuts like butter!!

These two are just wrapped in ribbon with a couple of cute bows. For these I used t-pins and a couple of glue dots to secure the ribbon in place. Again, super easy.

What's your favorite way to dress up your pumpkins for Fall or for Halloween? Michaels is hosting a fun Great Pumpkin event on October 5th from 1:00-3:00. For $6 your kiddos can design their very own pumpkin and there will be a face painter on hand for even more festive fun.

A little intimidated to carve you own pumpkin? Not to worry, Michaels is also offering professional carving services at their store. You can choose from 25 designs and then personalize them as well. Prices start at $19.99 and if you want it by Halloween, you need to place your order by October 13th.

So… What are you going to create for The Great Pumpkin challenge this year? Take some photos and tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can see what you create!

New Silhouette Stamping Kit Promotion + GIVEAWAY

2 · Sep 4, 2013 · 238 Comments

Silhouette Affiliate Post // You aren't going to believe this… Seriously, this is super cool! Silhouette now has a cool new way to create your very own stamps with the Silhouette Stamping Kit!!

How cool is that? They have this fabulous new cutting mat made just for the clear stamp material that you can use to create any kind of custom stamp. I made a quick stamp to dress-up Emily's lunch sack each day.

It turned out so cute, and I love that I can keep it and use it all year long. No more boring old brown bags for little Miss Em!

I would have to admit I was a little skeptical with this new product. I thought for sure there was no way that the stamp material would cut well with my Silhouette Portrait. I had visions of gummed up parts and hours of frustration on my part. Oh ye of little faith… I couldn't believe how well the clear stamp material cut with my Portrait! It was like butter! The lines were clean and I didn't have one single problem cutting out my design. The clear stamp material is just like any clear stamp that you would find at any craft store. It clings directly to the clear blocks that come with the Stamp Kit and can be used over an over. I LOVE that I can create stamps for my projects that have personality to them now.

I'm telling ya, this stamp kit is a keeper!! Here is what comes with the starter kit…

Pretty much everything you need to create your own custom stamps. Three sheets of stamp material, the clear stamp blocks in three sizes, ink, images from a download card, the new cutting mat and so much more! All you need is a Silhouette CAMEO or Portrait to get started. No worries if you don't have one of those yet… Silhouette is running a fabulous promotion this month for you to be able to stock-up on everything!!

Um, hello… That's a smokin' deal!!

To visit the Silhouette Shop to have access to this amazing deal, CLICK HERE!

If you're feeling lucky, you can enter to WIN a Silhouette Portrait of your very own!!

All you have to do is follow the directions in the Rafflecopter box below…

This giveaway is open to anyone with a shipping address within the United States.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer // I am a Silhouette Affiliate and I did receive free product to review for this post. However, all thoughts ideas and opinions are my very own!

Instagram Photo Frame

0 · Aug 22, 2013 · 4 Comments

Hey Whipperberry fans, it's Jenn from My Fabuless Life and today I'm going to show you a super simple way to actually take those beautiful life moments sitting in your Instagram feed and put them to good use!

I get some grief about what an Instagram addict I am, buuutttt…this is why! It's such an easy way to capture those day to day moments, when you wouldn't normally be carrying your camera or you just don't want to mess with getting it out. Basically, for me, Instagram is a photo journal, and I don't have to mess with editing all of those pictures at once, because I've already done it, easily, before the pictures are posted, which also makes them perfect for displaying. This is one of the ways I decided to display mine and it's super easy.

I picked up a large frame at a local home decor store (it was on crazy clearance because it was missing the glass) and spray painted it with Krylon's Gold (I also love Valspar's gold spray paint). Then, I actually picked up the "chicken wire" from the trash pile at a house being built in my neighborhood–it's the wire mesh they put under stucco. I'm pretty sure my neighbors think I'm nuts, because I can be seen on a regular basis pushing a stroller and carrying handfuls of scrap wood, tree branches, and other treasures. Am I embarrassed about it? A little (my husband a lot), but I can suck up a lot of pride for free stuff ; ). Anyway, if you don't have a local construction site to borrow from, I think you can buy chicken wire at any local farm supply. And it probably goes without saying, but don't go stealing the stuff. I pulled this out of a pile that was clearly trash–no one wants to see you on an episode of Cops. Now that the legal stuff is out of the way back to our regularly scheduled project: Lay the mesh over the back of the frame. Don't cut it down to size yet! It's much easier if you do it after it's attached.

With a staple gun, just staple the mesh on around the back of the frame. If you don't have a staple gun (it's totally worth the $10 purchase) you can use brass thumb tacks and some hot glue. Put some glue on the back of the tack and then press it into the frame to hold the mesh (the glue will keep the tack from popping out). Then go around and cut all of the excess off with some wire cutters. BE CAREFUL! This stuff is sharp! And that's about it. Time for hanging.

I hung my pictures with some embellished paper clips, and some Basic Grey cards I scored at SNAP!.

Then to add a little more variety and color, I added some free Project Life-sized printables I found here & here, and a miniature version of one of my own prints.

I know Instagram printing can be pretty pricey, so as a bonus, I've created a few templates and a tutorial on how to print your own at home, or wherever you normally have your photos printed. You can find the free downloads and tutorial over at My Fabuless Life.

Embellished Picture Clips // Repurposed Kitchen Cabinet

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