DIY Gratitude Bank

I have found that gratefulness is what the heart needs for peace and contentment. Whether this Gratitude Bank is used this coming Thanksgiving or all year long, it is the first step to writing gratefulness down tangibility and keeping it close at hand for the family to see!

DIY Notebooks

Anyone else love long walks down aisles of paper, notebooks, pens and organization supplies? I love back to school supplies. I love cute supplies that are just-my-style. This is the time of year I find plain notebooks and pencil pouches and make them unique! These plain kraft notebooks got a makeover and I can't wait to show you what I did!

Heidi Swapp - Art Screen Leather Cuff

The hardest part about being a creative working with a craft store is wanting to learn every craft. In fact, at my local craft store they know me by name. I have no fear in asking as many questions about how to make something that is in my mind with the supplies in their store. So when I saw the leather strips in the jewelry department, I knew I had to try out Heidi Swapp's new Art Screens on them and make my own cuff.

Pink Paislee - You are My Sunshine

With Easter around the corner, I like to count my many blessings. Just having eggs around this time of year reminds me of how many years we couldn't do egg hunts or Easter egg dying because my son was allergic to just touching them. We have come a long way.

When I saw this stamp at Craft Warehouse I had to get it. I mean, aren't they darling. I still know several people in my life that would love getting a cute card like this in the mail. Something that will just make them smile. Don't you?

The weather has been teasing as usual Spring weather does. The sun comes out one moment with blue skies and the next it downpours! Pink Paislee's Citrus Bliss is filled with spring colors that get me in the mood for the season!

I hope you are taking advantage of all that comes with Spring! I know I am!

Create Well: Who in your life is your sunshine? Send them a card to tell them so.

Craft Warehouse and Unity Stamp Company - I Love Your Heart and Soul

My sister gave me such a great Christmas present. She signed me up for the Unity Stamp Company Stamp of the Week Club. So, it has been like Christmas every week since the first week of December. I love opening up my package for a surprise. The deal was that if she was to do this that I couldn't sneak on to the site to see what the stamp of the week was going to be. I think that's fair.

This little guy is so sweet and the sentiment can be used over and over again. I chose to use the exclusive Authentique Two Valentines 12x12 paper pad! Really, there are so many universal patterns in this pack that I could use for so many other projects other than a holiday!

I can't wait to show you some more of the stamps I have added to my collection these last few months!

Create Well: Good surprises can come in small packages.

Heidi Swapp - Craft Warehouse Store Minc Demo

Join me at Craft Warehouse stores in February and March to see how the Heidi Swapp Minc Foil Applicator works! You will love to see how easy it really is to use! To get a sneak peek at how you can use the Minc for scrapbooking, card making, DIY, home decor, and party decor watch this introduction video below from Heidi!


Create Well: Learn. Be inspired. Make pretty stuff. 

Heidi Swapp - Boo Bucket!

 

I have always wanted to try out the new Booing tradition in my own neighborhood. When Heidi challenged me to create an "off the page" Halloween project using her new September Skies collection, I had to try my hand at making a boo bucket! You can see my full post about it on Heidi's blog right here!

I originally got the "boo bucket" idea from Craft Warehouse last year.  I spent some time designing these free signs for Craft Warehouse but didn't even get a chance to use them! So, when I saw these little legs by Darice and that they matched the paper I wanted to use and also the sign I created, I had to get them! 

You can get this free printable and the free boo poem download that matches right here!

Create Well: Spread some random acts of kindness in your neighborhood.

Craft Warehouse - Bailey's Irish and Cream

Last week a friend came by with the yummiest homemade Bailey's Irish and Cream. When my husband and I tried it we both looked at each other and said we had to make our own! Our friend had it in a recycled snap bottle which made me think of the coolest snap bottles Craft Warehouse carries. Which then spun the thought of all the cool gifts I could give this coming holiday season!

I share the recipe on the Craft Warehouse blog here along with this "game day" version!

Create Well: Keep those friends with recipes close.

Craft Warehouse - Glamping Welcome Sign

This was such a fun project to make for my daughter's first birthday party! You can see the entire Glamping Birthday Party post right here! Today it is featured at the Craft Warehouse blog with the full step by step tutorial.

I would totally create it again with different lettering for garden decor during the summer months. Maybe even make it more shabby chic!

Create Well: Customize your own sign using unfinshed wood boards or arrows, Hazel and Ruby Stencil Masks, and paint!

Craft Warehouse - We R Memory Keepers Indian Summer Layout

I forgot how much I love feathers in the summer. Well, I love them all year long - but it seems like at my age I can get away with wearing them during the summer. The love of all things "feather" came out in this new layout for Craft Warehouse stores.

We R Memory Keepers' new Indian Summer collection is perfect for any event, age group, or gender! I can think of so many things to use this paper for! I created this layout and a step by step tutorial for the Craft Warehouse blog today! Check it out right here.

Create Well: Have fun with feathers this summer!

Craft Warehouse - Glamping DIY Photo Booth Tent

It has been three weeks since my daughter had her birthday party and this photo tent is still hanging up in my backyard. I love it so much I don't want to take it down! It was such a simple project that I had to share it with you!

I picked a fabric that was neutral so that when it was hanging the wrong side of the fabric wouldn't take away from the look of the tent. This fabric is from the Winter Wonderland by Bunny Hill for Moda Fabrics collection, available at Craft Warehouse stores. 

Supplies:

Two panels of 92 inches long of fabric
1 10 inch Embroidery Hoop (remove the outer part of the hoop and save for another project)
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
String or Ribbon
Cardboard Pieces and Large Long Nails

Directions: (*Note: this project is easier with two people. Try not to burn your helper with the glue gun like I did - so sorry Becca!)

1. Mark your hoop with a pencil at equal parts around the hoop. (at the middle of the top, middle of the bottom, at quarters, and sixths)

 2. Iron your fabric. Take one short end of one panel (with right sides facing out) and hot glue it to the outside of the hoop at the middle mark. Glue the other end to the other end of the middle mark. Glue the middle of the fabric at the middle of that half. Start pleating the fabric and gluing it so the entire fabric's edge is covering the one half of the hoop.

3. Repeat with the second panel on the second half of the hoop.

4. Take twine and hang it from the top of the hoop and tie it to a tree branch.

5. To help the bottom stay in the ground without ripping the fabric, create cardboard washers by folding the edge of the fabric around a small piece of cardboard and placing it to the ground. Use a long nail and hammer the fabric to the ground. Repeat on all four sides.

To see the entire party including decor and all the homemade projects, visit Craft Warehouse's blog today! It was such a beautiful day with memories we will always treasure!

Create Well: If you ever want your helpers to help you again, try not to burn them with the hot glue gun. (Just sayin').

Craft Warehouse - Vintage Hollywood Inspired Feather Headband

I can't stand the cuteness and neither could my family. When I got this little one dressed for her big day Sunday, her outfit wasn't complete without this darling headband. It completed the outfit.

It was just beautiful. She sat for her photos perfectly while we all clapped and laughed at how perfectly darling she was. We couldn't help it. She is our little princess!

You can get the directions to this headband at the Craft Warehouse blog today!

Create Well: A 15 minute DIY gave me priceless photos and memories.

Craft Warehouse - Lawn Fawn S'more Favors

When I sent my husband to get chocolate for my daughter's birthday party he came back with a "pound brick"! How was I to make s'more favors with that? Well, let me tell you - carefully and with a chef knife. After the mess of cutting the squares they turned out pretty cute.

I have the directions on the Craft Warehouse blog today!

Create Well: When making s'more favors always forgive yourself for sneaking a few bites for yourself.

Craft Warehouse - DIY Gold Glitter Vases

We had a fun filled 4th of July weekend! I hope you did too! We celebrated my daughter's first birthday! I can't believe it has been a year already. I feel so blessed to have her a part of our lives. I created several beautiful projects for the party and one of them is featured on Craft Warehouse's blog today! These glitter mason jars are just so perfect and have such shine! The glitter is in a spray can and doesn't come off onto your hands when touched. It is like a miracle.

Check out the blog post here and also a tutorial in making your own flower arrangements!

Create Well: A little bling never hurt anyone.

Craft Warehouse - Project Life Meets Heidi Swapp

We have all caught a cold at the same time at my house. I am getting lots of snuggles in between the tears. Every child is so different. One just wants to be left alone unless they need something and the other can't stop crying, "Maamaa..." Which of course melts me.

I am thankful to have got in some scrapbooking last weekend. One of the pages I did was featured on the Craft Warehouse blog! I love how fun it and quick it was to make just keeping to the 4" width of the Project Life cards. Feel free to check out the details and more photos there!

Create Well: Take time out for the snuggles and "maamaas"...

Craft Warehouse - Arm Knitting

Yesterday I shared a new craft Craft Warehouse asked me to learn. Well, this week, I got another request from the Craft Warehouse yarn buyer. "Jen can you post some Arm Knitting projects on the blog?" Arm Knitting?! Now how fun does that sound?! I had just heard of the technique and new trend sweeping the nation last week. So, I rushed to Craft Warehouse to gather several yarns to try it out!

I had so much fun! When you get started you don't want to stop! The stitches are large and so fun looking! Each scarf can look different depending on what yarn or strands of yarn you use! Plus, it only takes between 20-30 minutes to make a scarf!

You can watch the video tutorial and see what yarns I used to get this look on the Craft Warehouse blog here.

Create Well: Take time to learn something new. It could be fun!

Craft Warehouse - Rubber Band Bracelets

One thing I love about working for Craft Warehouse is the chance to learn new things. So when Craft Warehouse said, "Jen, we need you to make some rubber band bracelets." I was like... hmmm, that sounds fun and looks easy enough. It is pretty easy but I noticed the older I get the harder it is to learn something as fast as my almost seven year old!

Here are a few of my favorites that I have featured on the Craft Warehouse blog...

You can find all the tutorials for these right here on the Craft Warehouse blog!

Create Well: Keep young by trying new things with your kids!

Craft Warehouse - Project Life

 

This Project Life page is featured on the Craft Warehouse blog today, come on by and take a look! 

Craft Warehouse - Beginning Project Life

I am beyond excited that Craft Warehouse is now carrying Becky Higgin's Project Life. I am excited to finally start the journey of documenting our every day. Although, I am not doing a "week by week" album I am still making sure that my album has plenty of every day photos and lots of journaling!

The first few pages were difficult to say the least. The two page spread above was using Echo Park's Photo Freedom product and page protectors and took me just as long (if not longer) than a 12x12 scrapbook page. But, now it is getting easier and I am looking forward to sharing more pages and details on my blog soon!

Create Well: Make sure to document your everyday.

Craft Warehouse - Carta Bella Well Traveled Collection

How easy would it be if you had your travel mini book already done before you left for vacation? No pressure, no fuss... it would be ready for you to just add your photos and journaling when you came home! Sounds like a dream, right?

Actually, I created this mini book for Craft Warehouse stores with that in mind! Using Carta Bella's Well Traveled collection, I sewed several double sided pages together...

including title and journal cards.  Then, I had fun embellishing the front and inside with the stickers, washi tape, and other items in the collection.

 

Now it is perfect! All I need to do is go on vacation and take a ton of photos to put inside! 

Create Well: Create a simple travel mini book by sewing your favorite pages together.  Then, have fun on your trip, take pictures, and add them to your album when you get home!