Tag Archives: DIY

Every Little Thing Review

Every Little Thing: A Flat Vernacular Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

When I was in school there was a requirement to “wrap” our books. What this exercise entailed was gathering paper bags and cutting them to the size of the textbook, and with a couple strategic folds and little tape the book would be covered. What resulted was a black space, and a spine to create whatever I chose to think appropriate and thematic for that book.

The best part was the blank canvas and being able to create the cover of my dreams. This normally took longer than and usually detracted from the real purpose of the books. I always went for bright colors, and something inspiring and happy – think rainbows and butterflies.

There have been books throughout my life that I have thought could do well as an outline, and give the reader the ability to color. This long thought of mine has come to fruition with the release of Every Little Thing: A Flat Vernacular Coloring Book by Payton Cosell Turner.

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My Paper Pumpkin December 2015 Review

My Paper Pumpkin December 2015 Kit Review and Giveaway

I have a “New Years” confession for you – despite my best intentions I always want to make a calendar for our house but I rarely finish in time.

Let’s roll back the clock one year ago and my wide-eyed optimism. I gathered all the materials I needed in order to create a calendar that would be used the next 12 month of our lives. In theory it would be packed with dates, moments and more memories than the days can handle. I plugged away and after about 6 hours I had a perfect acceptable homemade calendar that would fit perfect in the space I had in mind. I was proud and could not wait until I could use it and fill the days.

The reality of the matter is that despite my efforts there were a couple of months were the previous month lingered longer than it should have and a lot of space that stayed blank. I decided that for the new year coming I would still make a calendar but I would scale down my expectations.

As we begin this march into the new year this months My Paper Pumpkin kit arrived at the perfect time. As if again Stampin Up knew the projects in my mind the box for December was called “One Great Year” and provided the perfect calendar for the coming year.

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Make Garbage Great Review

Make Garbage Great Review and Giveaway

As any regular reader of this blog can say, I love to up-cycle. I love the idea that I can turn everyday trash into something useful and relevant. In our house we try our best to recycle when able, and we also like to up-cycle when able.

Recently the town that I live in had banned the use of plastic bags in stores – which while good for the environment, hard on the forgetful people who leave the house without cloth bags. I understand why the plastic was banned, and while that was the obvious choice plastic is in more than just our grocery bags. There is plastic in items such as hip replacements, wire insulation and even in certain types of lumber.

When I opened my eyes and looked at what is already around us I began wondering if I could really make a difference in this mounting garbage filling the landfills issue. Due to my heightened awareness of re-cycling and up-cycling I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to review Make Garbage Great: The Terracycle Family Guide to a Zero-Waste Lifestyle.

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Paper Goods Projects Book Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of BloggingforBooks. This in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

Paper Goods Projects:

Coffee Filters Flowers, Doily Butterflies, Cupcake Paper Cards, and 57 more crafts made with supermarket finds

Review

I have always seen something that many people consider trash and seen the potential in it. I have always taken trash items and tried to create something meaningful out of it. I tend to keep these type items for use down the line. A great example of this is a situation that occurred today: I have been collecting Coke Reward Points for quite sometime, which means I have A LOT of caps around. I have been diligently washing them and drying them with the intention of making something great.

Today I had to come to the harsh reality that my collection skills far surpassed my imagination. I decided to turn to the pin board online to see if any inspiration would hit – it did not. What I saw was projects that looked more trash than treasure.

I mention often how timing in life is a funny thing, and again I am reminded that life is truly random but amazing. I received a book that takes me trash to treasure concept and makes it into something amazing – Paper Goods Projects: Coffee Filter Flowers, Doily Butterflies, Cupcake Paper Cards, and 57 More Crafts Made with Supermarket Finds.

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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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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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Hand-Lettering for Everyone: A Creative Workbook Review

Hand-Lettering for Everyone: A Creative Workbook Review and Giveaway

Anyone who has read my reviews in the past knows that I am not only a Scrapbooker and card maker but I am a big believer in the art of handwritten cards and invitations. As time passes I notice more and more how younger generations rely on computers and phones as ways of communication. The alternative to this is handwriting and handwritten notes and invitations. I have also noticed a trend that penmanship of the younger generations is lacking while typing skill are increasing. There is an entire art of handwriting and the options within are as endless as they are creative.

It appears as though I am not the only person that feels this way. I recently received the new book by Cristina Vanko titled “Hand-Lettering for Everyone: A Creative Workbook“. This new book has over 220 pages of exercises to get you thinking creatively about your hand-lettering.

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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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