Crafts

Cre8time Movement // Vanilla Bean Cake

0 · Mar 18, 2013 · 2 Comments

Cre8time Movement // As long as I can remember, I've been a creative type person. To a fault really… If I haven't created something for awhile, I get a little cranky. Ask my husband… he has finally come to terms with this crazy creative side that I have. I know that if I'm feeling a little stressed or blue, all I need to do is find a project to work on. I've dabbled in many different mediums; yarn arts, paper arts, cake decorating, beading, vinyl arts… You name it, I've probably dabbled in it. When Michaels approached me to share about the Cre8time Movement, it was something I knew I could easily get behind.

The bottom line is, our lives are busy. The older we get, it seems the more responsibilities we have and the time we have to be creative starts to disappear. We get bogged down with school, soccer practice, dance rehearsal, dinner, house keeping, work, church… I could go on and on. The first thing that seems to go is our creative time. For me that wasn't a good thing. I have an deep seeded need to create and when I can't, I'm not happy. I'm going through the motions of life, but the joy I find when creating something for or with my family is truly missed. That's what the Cre8time Movement is all about. It's about reclaiming just 8 hours a month to do something creative. Here is a video that explains it all…

Michaels challenged me to reclaim my 8 hours, which wasn't too hard considering I'm a creative blogger. Regardless, I was game in hopes that it will inspire some of you, my favorite friends, to do the same. Here is what I created…

A fun cake for my little guys birthday. I know that Michaels will always have what I need when it comes to my cake decorating needs. I made just a basic white cake with my Simple Vanilla Buttercream frosting with a special addition. I will have the new recipe along with some cake decorating tips later this week on Thursday. I just love how it turned out. My little guy was in awe and I love that he knew that I created that cake just for him.

Are you like me? Do you require some creative time in your life? What inspires you? How are you going to reclaim your cre8time?

Disclaimer

This is a paid post sponsored by Michaels Craft Stores

Valentine Vignette with DecoArt // Giveaway

0 · Feb 3, 2013 · 102 Comments

DecoArt Giveaway // Who's ready for another giveaway? This one completes the trifecta… The fun started on Friday with our ULTIMATE Getaway Giveaway, then on Saturday we had a fun weekend Silhouette Portrait Giveaway and now it's time to bulk up your paint supplies for Valentine's Day with DecoArt! But before we get to the giveaway, I want to share with you my Valentine Vignette that I created with some DecoArt paint that I just LOVE!!

I, of course started the vignette with my Winter White Wreath that I will be transforming throughout the year. For Valentine's Day, I just added a simple felt heart in the center of the wreath and left it at that, because I wanted my paint projects to be the stars of the show this time. The two colors I decided to use this time were the DecoArt Americana, Red Alert and the Metallics Champagne Gold. I started with a piece of Birch wood that I scavenged out of my neighbors trash. Shhhhh, it's not weird at all!! I carved an iconic heart into the wood and then highlighted the carving with the two paint colors and then painted the top of the stump and added some stripes.

I just adore the rustic, yet elegant simplicity of this element. Next, I created a sign using some design elements from Rhonna Designs Insta Kiss digital kit that may be one of my favorite signs to date…

I actually have a separate tutorial for how I made this sign coming up soon and I have an extra special, top secret technique that I used to make the letters really stand out, so stay tuned! I also used the Red Alert paint to dress up this decorative frame that I found at Hobby Lobby and added a bit gray chevron fabric to tie everything together.

I tossed in a few found objects that I just love, my Westinghouse fan that I purchased at a garage sale for $2 and my Anthropologie beach radio that was NOT $2 but I love it non the less. All in all, I thought the whole vignette turned out lovely, thanks to DecoArt!

So… who's ready for some DecoArt fun of their own for Valentine's Day? I have a fun little gift box up for grabs… All you have to do is follow the directions on the Rafflecopter box below and you may just be in luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gift Giving with Styled by Tori Spelling

1 · Jan 30, 2013 · 3 Comments

Gift Jar with Styled by Tori Spelling Key Chain // Hello my friends! We're running slow today with another snow day here in Lincoln. Can't complain at all in my book. Snow days are the BEST!!!! We've settled down with a Harry Potter marathon and I, of course had to do a little creating on the side. With Valentine's day around the corner I thought it would be fun to make some simple little gifts for teachers and such with some of my favorite Styled by Tori Spelling goodies…

I thought it would be fun to create a gift jar (of course) and make a little key chain for my daughters teacher this year. For the jar I just took a little 4 oz. jelly jar and cut some craft paper to fit the lid and glued on a gem flower from Styled by Tori on top…

Toss in some coordinating tissue paper and you have a simple yet beautiful little gift jar. Couldn't be any easier than that. The jar, quite frankly is also part of the gift. The person who receives it will be able to use it to store little items in and they will adore it!!

Next, I created a fun peacock key chain for the "gift" in the pretty jar…

This one is super simple as well. I found this lovely peacock charm from the Styled by Tori line and then I bought a nice clip to attach to it to make the key chain…

You may need to use some needle nose pliers to open the ring up a bit to attach the clasp and peacock. Close the ring and voila, you have a fancy new key chain…

Many of the Styled by Tori charms will work perfect to make a fun decorative key chain. Next, all you need to do is to attach your key ring with your keys and you are in business. I always like to have little clip on my keys so I don't lose them in my bag, so that was a must!

Won't this be a fun little gift for teachers or friends for Valentine's Day, teacher appreciation, mother's day, birthdays, anything really. You can make up a bunch and keep them in your gift stash and always be ready with a fun gift at hand.

Add a Little Glam with Styled by Tori Spelling

0 · Jan 29, 2013 · 2 Comments

Add a little glam with Styled by Tori Spelling // It’s no secret… I’m in love with the fun little trinkets from the Styled by Tori line of customizable jewelry collection. I’ve been having a ball creating fun items over the last few months, but I thought I would show off some of the glam that I’ve found from around blogland to wet your whistle a bit more.

This Winter Mantel from Positively Splendid is truly stunning!! The gold and navy theme is perfect for a little gold pop of glam from Styled by Tori. I just love the little details…

Divine!! It’s so fun to add the little pops of glam to mantel displays or vignettes that you create to decorate your home though the seasons. I loved my New Years vignette where I used some of the gold glam like Amy…

These little trinkets are perfect to take a project to a whole new level. They are also a wonderful way to embellish gifts to share with your friends, teachers, neighbors, anyone really! These lovely bookmarks made by Christina from An Intimate Wedding…

I would LOVE to receive one of these bookmarks. You can tell that the person gifting these really took the time to make something special for you. Tori’s line of glitz is also fun to make hair accessories out of…

These Downton Abby inspired hair accessories created by Cindy from Haute31 are just to die for. Who wouldn’t want to travel back in time for a bit, to live like the ladies from Downton Abby? Thanks to Styled by Tori we can do just that. Amy from Positively Splendid also made a wearable accessory… A felt poppy flower that is just luscious..

It’s perfect for dressing up a bag or outfit or even dressing up your home decor. Because the Styled by Tori line is so affordable, you can even use it to add a special touch to your party or event. I love the vintage brooch escort cards that Christina made from An Intimate Wedding…

It’s a fantastic way to add a little vintage glam without the vintage price! And… Let’s not forget the jewelry that we can make with these little gems.

This DIY Brooch Necklace form Wearing It On My Sleeves is just too fun! I also just adore the statement ring that I made a few months ago as well…

You know you can find the full line of Styled by Tori at Michaels and select pieces at JoAnns as well. What have you made? Share a link in the comments section. I would love to see what you guys have created with these fun items!

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