Tag Archives: Crafts

I Modify IKEA Review

I Modify IKEA: Furnishings from Everyone’s Favorite Store, Customize for Your Home – 50 Fun & Creative Decorating Projects Review and Giveaway

When I was young I gave very little consideration to my dressers, bath mats, books shelves and all other storage items. As I have gotten older I have noticed that many times I find the items I am looking for but many times it is not the right color or there is a minor thing that could be changed for the piece to be perfect.

Often times this fact is driven home to me when I go to my local IKEA and I see the rows and stacks of boxes. I see those boxes, and dream of all the possibilities inside. From the colors, to the adding of elements – each piece really can be personalized.

When I received the book I Modify IKEA: Furnishings from Everyone’s Favorite Store, Customized for Your Home by Charlotte Rivers and Elysse Major for review it was clear that I was not the only person in the world that also sees this world of possibilities.

Continue reading →

Paper Pumpkin October 2016 Kit Review

Paper Pumpkin – Season of Gratitude – October 2016 Kit Review and Giveaway

It is hard to imagine that we are starting to enter the holiday season. I have officially seen my first holiday commercial complete with music!

What is often overlooked is in our march towards this time of year, it is also important to remember to show gratitude. When I think of this coming time of year, I always reflect on what I am thankful for and the people I appreciate the most.

When I received the October 2016 Paper Pumpkin kit “Season of Gratitude” I knew I had received the cards I wanted that would show all the people I care about some gratitude.

Continue reading →

Stampin’ Up: Stitched with Cheer Project Kit Review

Stampin’ Up – Stitched with Cheer – Project Kit Review + Giveaway

One of my favorite times of the year is when I start to receive holiday cards. I love to hear from people that I lose touch with throughout the year, and seeing the happy photos.

When I was young I was in charge of the yearly holidays cards and I would look forward to it. Each year I would look forward to choosing the perfect cards for the recipient. I loved verifying addresses and updating my “master list” spreadsheet. I credit this yearly ritual to giving me the handwriting ability I have today. Now that I am older and have a home and “furmily” of my own I tend to do our own holiday cards.

Instead of purchasing cards I tend to make them by hand. I begin my search early in the season and many times I purchase the supplies throughout the year. This year my card making will be made easier since receiving the Stitched with Cheer Project Kit by Stampin’ Up which is a 18 card kit and the perfect way to show my appreciation for friends and family.

Continue reading →

Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Paisley Patterns Review

Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Paisley Patterns Review + Giveaway

I am a child of the 70’s – the mid 70’s. What this means is that I was dressed in what is arguable the ugliest fabric patterns. When I began school it was the dawn of the 1980’s and it was still not the best patterns. By the late 80’s the fabrics became more palatable to the eyes. Now that we are in the zero teens the fabrics are circling back to those patterns of the 70’s. The one constant in all times and all patterns are paisleys.

Paisleys are timeless almost because they are a reflection of the times and the popular colors. Paisleys are of a Persian origin and are made of droplet-shaped motif. It is named for a town in Scotland where the paisley fabric originates from. Oddly enough Paisley became identified with psychedelic style due to a resurgence in the pattern’s mainstream popularity leading up the mid and late 1960s.

When I received a copy of Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Paisley Patterns by Blue Star Coloring I was transported to a different time.

Continue reading →

Exotic Animal Designs Adult Coloring Book Review

Exotic Animal Designs: A Stress Relieving Adult Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

When Jason and I were kids we were surrounded by nothing but open land for as far as the eye could see.

There are stories of Jason bringing home buckets full of baby rattlesnakes. Apparently one afternoon Jason ventured into the wide open land we had and went snake hunting (he even had special pants for this endeavor). While he was hunting snakes he also came upon the all two common alligator lizard and blue belly lizards.

When I received a copy of Exotic Animal Designs: A Stress Relieving Adult Coloring Book by Blue Star Coloring I asked Jason to tell me the tales of his hours of snake hunting. Continue reading →

Paper Pumpkin September 2016 Kit Review

Paper Pumpkin – Something Good To Eat – September 2016 Kit Review and Giveaway

The neighborhood I live in is one in which we all know each other, and are friendly. Last year during the holidays I gave each of my neighbors a gift that I thought they might enjoy. The gifts ranged from mugs to pet gifts. The best part was that everyone loved it, and it inspired another neighbor who made all the neighbors fleece blankets.

In an effort to become best neighbor ever, I wanted to do something special for people for the upcoming Halloween holiday since we do not get trick or treaters. I had not decided the exact way I was going to deliver this treat, but as I often say, timing is everything.

When I received the September 2016 Paper Pumpkin kit “Something Good To Eat” happens to be the perfect way for me to deliver a small amount of treats to many neighbors.

Continue reading →

Epsom Salt Rainbow DIY

Epsom Salt Rainbow DIY + Giveaway!!!!

There are few items as versatile as Epsom Salt.

Epsom Salt is a magnesium sulfate that is in an inorganic, which means that it does not consist of or derives from living matter or that are not organic. This is a salt that contains magnesium sulfur and oxygen. While it sounds complicated, really what you have is a versatile salt that can not be eaten but can be used on your body, beauty products and even stubborn dishes.

The largest issue that we have is stubborn dishes, the food gets caked on and making the clean up near impossible. Since Epsom Salt when used before you scrub your dishes, makes the clean up a little easier, I wanted a pleasing yet functional way to store my salt near the sink. After some contemplation, I decided on making a Rainbow of Epsom Salt.

Continue reading →

Coloring Bird Mandalas Review

Coloring Bird Mandalas: 30 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation Review and Giveaway

I have always loved coloring and when I can combine coloring and elements of nature I am more than game.

Up until the last year I had not had much interaction or knowledge of mandalas. Since that time I have come to love and appreciate these circular works of art. I not only love the mandalas, but when elements of nature are included it makes the image mean something.

When I received the new coloring book Coloring Bird Mandalas: 30 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation by Wendy Piersall I saw this combination come to reality and something I could be a part of.

Continue reading →

Stampin’ Up: Pretty Kitty Stamp Set Review

Stampin’ Up – Pretty Kitty Stamp Set Review + Giveaway

Sometimes as cat guardians we are put into funny and odd positions. As the humans we are the source of love and attention, but we are also responsible to clean their litter boxes and clean up hairballs when they invariable come up.

It is difficult for non-cat owners to understand why after the bad we would continue to love these furry mess makers. One of the best ways that I express my cat lady love to my friends is through the sending of cards. The stamps that I like the best are the ones that integrate my love of cats.

Since I am always on the search for cute, high quality and useful cat themed items, when I saw the Pretty Kitty Clear-Mount Stamp Set I knew that it was the stamp set I had been wanting.

Continue reading →

Coloring Flower Mandala Postcards Review

Coloring Flower Mandala Postcards: 20 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation Review and Giveaway

I am a fan of sending happy mail to friends, family and acquaintances. I believe the art of sending postcards and cards through the mail has been replaced by quick messages on social media and two-line emails.

Since cards can take time to create and assemble it is nice to have an easy alternative. When I received the book Coloring Flower Mandala Postcards: 20 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation by Wendy Piersall for review I knew I found my easy way to send a personalized greeting via mail.

Continue reading →