Category Archives: Crafts & DIY’s

The Hippie Hobby Box – DIY Floating Candles Review

The Hippie Hobby Box: DIY Floating Candles Review and Giveaway

I am not going to lie, I love DIY’s and this months The Hippie Hobby Box is a great one.

I have always enjoyed making candles and since I have been spending so much time outside this year learning to make some simple citronella candles is a welcome craft. One of my favorite things is to fuse something I want with my love of DIY.

Each month the spirit of DIY and up-cycling are fused into one monthly do-it-youself project with the The Hippie Hobby Box.

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GoWashi – Upcycling Projects using Washi Tape

Allton Tape: Go Washi –

Projects using Washi Tape and Giveaway!!

Regular readers know that I love to up-cycle otherwise useless items. A couple of years ago my father moved out of the house I grew up in. On the walls were each years school pictures from kindergarten to senior year (1981-1994),

Since these were one the wall, each one was lovingly put in a wooden frame. Each frame varied in size, depending on the picture package chosen that year. What resulted was a “Wall of Jennifer” and almost 13 photo frames that were long overdue to come down off the wall.

At the time I decided to not only take my school photos, but I also took the frames. I knew that one way or another I would reuse these in my crafts. So far they have been recovered, turned in dry erase boards and reused for Jason and I’s photos.

Back in March I had the opportunity to review Allton’s Go Washi Tape and I loved it! Since I am always looking to up-cycle an other wise lifeless items, I decided to do a second round of washi tape projects, with an up-cycled twist.

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Thoughtful Branches Bundle by Stampin’ Up Giveaway

Stampin’ Up – Thoughtful Branches Stamp and Thinlet Die Bundle – Giveaway

I have been a crafter for years, but was never a stamper until a couple of years ago. It was my 35th birthday and I could not find invitations that fit what I wanted in the invitations. I began to rifle through my limited craft collection, since most was in storage at that time, and hatched a plan. I went to the craft store with a concept in my head, a budget on my wallet and a deadline on the date, as it quickly approaching. After an exhaustive search I decided to embark on a craft medium that I had never tried before – Stamping.

Since I am not a stamper, and really knew very little about stamping I was nervous to say the least. After my first couple stamps, and with Jason encouraging me, I realized that this was a great way to get a base image, and accent it in the colors I chose.

Recently I was informed that for the month of August Stampin’ Up was offering a bundle outside their normal catalog. The bundle being offered is the Thoughtful Branches Photopolymer Bundle.

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Paper Pumpkin July 2016 Kit Review

Paper Pumpkin – What A Gem – July 2016 Kit Review and Giveaway

I live in a neighborhood that is full of friendly people, and we all watch out for one another. This is fortunate for us since this is where we decided to invest our money and purchase our home. Since we have such a friendly grouping of neighbors I like to reward them with niceness and kindness. Due to this the necessity arises for packaging that is similar and easy to put together.

As luck will have it, the July 2016 Paper Pumpkin kit “What A Gem” is a simple easy way to put together cute packaging that allows for a uniform gift for each of my neighbors.

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Watercolor Wishes Card Kit Review

Stampin’ Up – Watercolor Wishes Card Kit – Review and Giveaway

As regular readers will know I love a good craft project. The other thing that I love is to spend the time making a card and sending it to a loved one to let them know I am thinking of them.

A couple of years ago I married into a large family that happens to live locally. What this means is that there is a constant need and desire to know everybody’s names, spouse names and most importantly, which child belongs to which cousin. I am going to be honest and say that this was almost a struggle to learn in the beginning and many times I verified the familial connection with my husband.

Since the family is so large, there is always a birthday, anniversary or other note-worthy event which necessitates many cards being sent throughout the year. When I was looking through the latest Stampin’ Up catalog, and I came across the Watercolor Wishes Card Kit.

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Win a copy of Dragon World and Gothic Halloween

Mythically Mysterious Combo: Dragon World and Gothic Halloween Adult Coloring Book’s Giveaway

I am fascinated by the concept of scaley old time creatures such as dragons. I sit and wonder if it is possible that such things ever flew in our airspace. When you look at dragons, there are characteristics of modern-day alligators, and yesteryear dinosaurs. Most dragons are depicted as these large imposing creatures, that look would look at us as mere food. I love imagining an alternate existence in which our world’s are one.

That being said, there are few nights of the year when the moon rises, and you believe that anything is possible. The magical night I am referring to is Halloween. Halloween is the one time of the year that no matter what reality is, imagination finds a way to become real.

In the spirit of the this endless route to imagination and making the make-believe real, I give you an opportunity to win a copy of Dragon World: Adult Coloring Book and Gothic Halloween: A Scary Adult Coloring Book.

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Imaginating: Bubbles Cross Stitch Kit Review

Imaginating: Bubbles Cross Stitch Kit Review and Giveaway

I am a craft connoisseur, which means I love all kinds of crafts. One of the first crafts that I discovered was cross stitching. I remember the day clearly – When I was in the latter (way latter) part of my teens I remember I was waiting for my boyfriend of the time, and decided that I would get to know her better. As I a walked in I saw her working on this intricate dream catcher image that would eventually be framed and on a wall.

As it turns out she was working on a piece called Dreamcatcher, and it was one of the most gorgeous things I had seen. I was amazed that with the combination of symbols, the proper color and a counting ability the gird on paper would become what I was seeing. I decided to take a moment and watch her – I was hooked.

When I was walking around the Craft &Hobby Show I came across a company called Imaginating. Imaginating carries patterns for cross stitching, embroidery, furnishing items, hand applique, pattern darning, quilting and wearable. Imaginating was generous enough to send me the kit called Bubbles in cross stitch for review.

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Soul of the Woodland Adult Coloring Book Review

Soul of the Woodland: A Stress Relieving Adult Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

When I married Jason I knew that at some point I would go camping. You see, Jason was an outdoors kid, and as an adult became adept at fishing in Mammoth, and camping in Yosemite. Each year Jason’s parents spend their anniversary in the mountains, merging glamping and camping into one 3 week adventure.

I, on the other hand, have never been camping, and really the thought somewhat scares me. While I love hearing bear stories, and fishing tales and the diversity of flowers and wildlife.

When I received a copy of Soul of the Woodland: A Stress Relieving Adult Coloring Book by Suzy Joyner Jason was finally able to share his love of the woodland with me.

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ColoringNotebook Review

ColoringNotebook Review

When you typically think of notebooks they are simple spiral bound lined pages that vary in thickness from 25 to 125 pages. These are also the same notebooks that are synonymous with note taking and studying. These are typically standard size and the cover is nothing more than a solid color.

Until recently I never considered combining coloring with a lined book, until I was approached to review the new ColoringNotebook. At first glance it is clear this is not the notebook that held all those chemistry notes so many years before.

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Paper Pumpkin June 2016 Kit Review

Paper Pumpkin – June 2016 Review and Giveaway

Since I am a summer baby I have always viewed the summer as an exciting time. The summer months use to mean vacation, lazy days and my birthday. I am not going to lie, my favorite part of my birthday is the cards and the decorations. Ever since I was young I have loved banners. With each banner, it is almost a proclamation of the event you are attending. The banners can announce names, and even the reason for the event.

Since I will turning a tad over 40 this year, I need to have a banner announcing it. As luck will have it, the June 2016 Paper Pumpkin kit “Banner Surprise” is a banner and card making kit in one!

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