Category Archives: Crafts & DIY’s

Art Therapy Magazine Review

Art Therapy Magazine Review

About 5 years ago I went through a severe health scare and with that came many, many hours in waiting rooms and testing facilities. During those long days I wished I would have had a distraction to get me thinking about something other than the reason I was in the waiting rooms.

When you are stuck in the waiting rooms of medical facilities the options for amusement are limited and usually consist of using ones smart phone, bringing a book to read and if courageous enough, making small talk with the other medical waiters. Time takes forever and is fleeting all at once. I tried all these things to distract me, and despite my best attempts they never worked. It is nice to have something to start and have completed in a tumultuous time.

The newest trend making a roaring comeback into the 20-teens is Adult Coloring – which is not different then the coloring we did as a children other than the designs are more grown up. I was recently send 2 issues of Art Therapy Magazine for review, which is a coloring periodical.

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The Botanical Hand-Lettering Workbook Review

The Botanical Hand-Lettering Workbook Review and Giveaway

I love my hand-writing and especially my cursive writing. I am very lucky in that I can write in a straight line, despite not having any lines. I have always found this to be a priceless talent when I am creating or addressing cards. I have mentioned in the past that I believe the art of hand-writing is become a lost art in this world of gaming, chatting and geo-tagging. If we do not practice and renew our education in this art, we will lose it forever.

I am always looking for books that will help me expand upon my knowledge of hand-writing and different techniques. I love the ability of integrating floral motifs to the design, being able to combine cursive and hand-writing while looking fluid, and anything else that can liven up an otherwise boring envelope.

I recently received the new book by Bethany Robertson entitled “The Botanical Hand-Lettering Workbook: Draw Whimsical & Decorative Styles and Scripts“.

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My Paper Pumpkin November 2015 Review

My Paper Pumpkin November 2015 Kit Review and Giveaway

When I was a child and teenager my job during the holidays was to do the annual holiday cards. It is important to understand that this is something I looked forward to each year. As soon as holiday cards were available at our neighborhood warehouse store, I made sure to impress upon my father their importance. What usually happened is that people we only spoke to once a year would be inspire to call and to do that once yearly checking.

As I have gotten older I no longer do cards on behalf of my father, but my own household. When Jason and I met, one of the first thing I shared was my love of sending holiday cards and he was tasked with getting his families addresses for me. As we have progressed into spouses so have my level of cards into handmade. I generally hand make cards for the holidays as well as thank you cards and invitations.

I remembered this ritual when I saw this months My Paper Pumpkin kit as I had the chance to review My Paper Pumpkin’s kit box’s previous months box (click here). As if made for me and the season the box for November was called “Mistletoe & Holly”.

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DIY Maxi Dress to Skirt with Scrunchie

DIY: Maxi Halter dress to a Skirt with Matching Scrunchie!

Jason and I bought a house over 3 years ago and while home-ownership is great, we lack adequate storage and closet space. Space is something we are always looking for new ways to gain more of. The one advantage to the limited space is that it gives me the perfect excuse to finally give my closet a real cleaning.

During the cleaning process I devised a “system” of organization that included a donation pile and an “to be decided” pile. The first pile was a simple donation to our local organizations, but the second pile involved “sub” piles. One of the “sub-piles” was a “up-cycled” pile. The “Up-cycled” pile consists of clothes that are good and salvageable, but need a minor (or major) change to make it wearable. The clothes sits in a pile and whenever I get in a sewing mode I go to that pile and choose a project.

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Crafting with Wood Pallets Review

Crafting with Wood Pallets Review and Giveaway

If you are anything like me, you have not given wood pallets much more then a passing thought. When I brought this topic up to Jason he almost laughed while confirming that yes, in fact he knew about pallets and they were more then a passing thought in his world.

When Jason was younger, apparently much younger, he would rally his friends together and they would go to a secluded area known as Spooks Canyon. Now remember this was in the day BEFORE cell phones, email and mass messaging so this really was a feat when anywhere from 50-100 people would show up. In a secluded area the need for fire sustainment is essential and since Jason had a truck he was the official wood pallet collector. Over the years he estimates that he had gathered and used close to 1,000 pallets if not more.

Naturally when I recently received the new book by Becky Lamb entitled “Crafting with Wood Pallets: Projects for Rustic Furniture, Decor, Art, Gifts and More” I remembered the stories of Jason’s pallet collection days. While different and much more usable then Jason’s use of pallets, this new book shows the reader over 25 different ideas to re-purpose a wood pallet.

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My Paper Pumpkin October 2015 Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of My Paper Pumpkin/Stamping Up, but this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

My Paper Pumpkin October 2015 Kit Review and Giveaway

I have mentioned that I have been personally affected by breast cancer, as most of us have. The moment that you discover somebody you love has breast cancer, is a life changing moment. The life change effects not only the cancer patient but everybody around them.

Jason had his own life changing moment approximately 2 months after we began dating. Jason and I were driving and he received a call from a fellow family member telling him that another close family member had been diagnosed with stage 4 Breast Cancer. Ahead of him was a lot of unanswered questions and a lot of worries – all the while balancing a new relationship and falling in love – a conflict of emotions to say the least.

Due to Jason’s close connection to the breast cancer cause and due to my connection to breast cancer, we support the many breast cancer organizations and awareness agencies. So it goes without saying that I was thrilled with this months My Paper Pumpkin box.

The first thing that I noticed was that the box was not its typical red color, but a bright pink! On the opening flap was the Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon and the words “Together we make a difference”. Also included in this months box was a flyer stating that for every subscriber they donated $1.00 and an additional $1.00 if this was your first month receiving the monthly box to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation,

I had the chance to review My Paper Pumpkin’s kit box’s previous months box (click here). I was excited to be given the chance to review this months box as well. The box for October was called “Blissful Bouquet”.

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My Paper Pumpkin by Stampin Up Review

My Paper Pumpkin September 2015 Kit Review and Giveaway

If we like it or not, time is marching on and the fall holidays are approaching. The kick off to the fall holiday season for many people is Halloween. I love this time of year, and I used to dress up accordingly. I learned last night that many of us kids of the 1980’s had a “go-to” costume. The one that I choose each year to fall back to was a “witch” and as it turns out Jason;s was a “vampire”. There is something about knowing what your costume is and the preparation needed.

In the spirit of witched and vampires of days past began thinking. Recently we have had a turn over of neighbors and this is the first holiday season, I was thinking of candied apples and was wondering how I would package these and when I received this months My Paper Pumpkin Kit I knew I had found my solution.

I had the chance to review My Paper Pumpkin’s kit box’s previous months box (click here). I was thrilled to be given the chance to review this months box as well. The theme for September was called “Wickedly Sweet Treat”.

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Skyhorse Publishing – Adult Coloring Books Review

Skyhorse Publishing – Adult Coloring Books Review and Giveaway

Being a child of the 1970’s it was before the age of computers and before the use of technology overtook time outside. When it rained outside and bikes could not be ridden and trees were unable to be climbed our choices took on a more creative tone. Many of my friends liked to draw or paint, but I was always a fan of coloring. My absolute favorite thing was when I not only had a new coloring book but a new set of crayons or colored pencils.

Flash ahead about 30 years, give or take a couple of years, and I still love to color. When I was young it was Rainbow Brite, Smurfs and Cabbage Patch Kids. Today the leaning is a little more towards shapes, Paisley and mandalas so I accepted when I received an opportunity to review Skyhorse Publishing’s range of coloring books.

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My Paper Pumpkin August 2015 Kit Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Stampin’ Up.

My Paper Pumpkin August 2015 Kit Review and Giveaway

This past holiday season we were at our cousins house, as he has recently taken over as official Christmas Eve host. While we were getting drinks I looked up and discovered the cutest tins with chalk writing announcing its contents. I mentioned that I loved the kitchen decorations and the hostess mentioned she was loving the chalk look and she wanted to expand upon it. When I received the August My Paper Pumpkin kit I was immediately brought back to that conversation.

I had the chance to review My Paper Pumpkin’s kit box’s previous months box (click here). I was thrilled to be given the chance to review this months box as well. The theme for August was called “Chalk It Up To Love”.

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Colortime Crafts and Markers Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Colortime Crafts and Markers. This post may have affiliate links but this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

Colortime Crafts and Markers Review & Giveaway

I live in a city that has outlawed and banned the use of plastic bags. I am truly torn about this development as the plastic bags have their own use in a house with 2 cats but the environmental impact caused by these bags is hard to ignore. Being that I am in this plastic bag less town we have invested a good amount of money into different variation’s of the “recyclable/reusable” bag.

I recently was sent a 4 piece kit that helps add to our collection of recyclable bags. Colortime Crafts and Markers was generous enough to send me 1 “Recycle” tote bag and 3 fabric markers (Blue, Yellow and Green) for me to make my own bag. Colortime Crafts and Markers offers ready to color craft items as well as fabric markers.This allows kids and adults to decorate and personalize products themselves.

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