One Fish, Two Fish, Undead Blue Fish (Val's Annual Zombie Swap 2020 - Dr. Seuss Zombies!)

 It's a wrap on Val's 2020 Zombie Swap - this year's theme was Dr. Seuss - so much fun and rather challenging me!  But I present to you.... One Fish, Two Fish, Undead Blue Fish!

A rotting, undead fish sitting on his pile of victims!  I used glitter and sequins for scales, and his fangs actually glow in the dark!

Details:

Part of my process creating him:

My zombies are usually on the "cute" side, but I think Undead Blue Fish definitely came out on the "creepy" side - and I am liking it!

I had a love / hate relationship with this project - but once I added the glitter & sequins - - I fell in love!  It is always hard to send my little zombie children off to their new home - hoping my swap partner, Clare loves him!

And remember!  Val's Swaps are open to the public - and not just zombie swaps!  Val hosts the best handmade Christmas Ornament Swap every year - - check it out here:

Yarnigras Swapper Spot

Thanks for stopping by today! 

Have a creative week!

Shelly

How to Create a Beautiful, Floral Scrapbook Layout for Easter

Hello and thanks for popping by - today I am sharing a beautiful, floral scrapbook page documenting sunrise services on Easter.  This elegant floral design is perfect for any spring inspired page.

While I have created this layout as a 2 page design, each page strongly stands alone as a single page.

Let's break it down....

Supplies:

Best Glue Ever
No Clog Writing Cap
Embellie Gellie
Best Cleaner Ever
Perfect Cleaning Cloth

White Textured Cardstock (cut to 8 x 8)
Patterned Paper - "Painted Blooms" Stampin Up (2 pieces cut 3x8, 2 pieces cut .25 x 8)
Twine - Stampin Up
Acrylic Butterfly - Color Cast Designs
Sequins - The Crafty Pickle
Ink - Colorbox
Foam Dimensional Adhesive

Optional Specialty Tools Used:

Sewing Machine
Banner Punch - Stampin Up
Alpha Stamps - Felicity Jane
We R Memory Keepers Typewriter

I began by stamping my journaling/title and then typing the same words over the top of my stamped words

Are you tired of your polymer stamps looking grungy & discolored?  The Perfect Cleaning Cloth is SO GOOD for cleaning ALL TYPES of stamps!  Spritz on some Best Cleaner Ever and scrub - so gentle but SO EFFECTIVE!

I used foam dimensional stickers to give dimension to my banner pieces - but I always add a bit of Best Glue Ever to make sure they do not come unstuck in the future!

The No Clog Writing Cap works on ALL mediums and allows for precise application (saving your adhesive!)

Embellie Gellie is the perfect applicator for tiny embellishments like sequins and Best Glue Ever dries clear under these opaque beauties.

My favorite thing about this layout?  The very last picture - my boss's daughter and her faithful companion sound asleep together in the back seat on the way home!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Have a creative weekend!

Shelly

How to Safely Clean Sticky Grime on Furniture

When life gets messy, you need Best Cleaner Ever!  Shelly with you today sharing my latest "AH-HA" cleaning moment with Best Cleaner Ever.

We recently had our millennial grandson living with us.  After he moved out, I had to do a little cleaning.

This night stand was an icky, sticky MYSTERY MESS.  The room is furnished with inexpensive discount store furniture, so I have to be careful what kind of cleaner I use on it.

After trying multiple different "gentle" cleaners and scrub sponges, I finally had my "AH HA" moment and grabbed my Best Cleaner Ever from the craft room.

I sprayed cleaner directly on mess, let set JUST a minute, and literally WIPED the mess off with my fingertips!  FANTASTIC!

After I finished getting the muck off, I wiped it down with my Perfect Cleaning Cloth (run under cold water and well wrung) and wiped with a dry Perfect Cleaning Cloth (you know you can't just have one Perfect Cleaning Cloth - they are too handy!)

Best Cleaner Ever is:

• SAFE for hands, tools, brushes, clear & rubber stamps, fabrics, & more
• Contains 99.9% active ingredients. No water, alcohol, or abrasives
• Non-Toxic
• Non-Hazardous
• Biodegradable
• Has NO Harmful Fumes

I am always amazed at how well and how easy this cleaner works!  Now, I just need to remember to keep an extra bottle with my regular cleaning supplies!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today - have a creative week!

Shelly

How to Add Quick and Easy Foil Accents with No Tools

I've got a post on the ScraPerfect Blog demonstrating the EASIEST, FASTEST way to add foil accents to your craft projects with absolutely beautiful results using Designer Transfer Foils from ScraPerfect.

Designer Transfer Foils from ScraPerfect – NO TOOLS NEEDED!

A little background... I am creating a scrapbook cookbook of my "go to" recipes.  This recipe comes from the plaid, Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook - my very first cookbook - a Christmas gift from my mother when I was still a teen (who else owns this cookbook? give me shout out in the comments!)

Using Designer Transfer Foils from ScraPerfect is just SO EASY!! And a foil accent just gives such a great POP of WOW on your layout!

• Apply Best Glue Ever to area to be foiled - a thin layer is all it takes
• Let BGE "set" until it changes from white to clear
• Place Designer Transfer Foil over area to be foiled - SHINY SIDE UP!
• Use your finger to rub foil
• Pull foil paper away quickly
• ENJOY your gorgeous results!

Check out this YouTube tutorial:  Designer Transfer Foils

While finishing this layout - I always add Best Glue Ever to my "self stick" Alphas -  better safe than sorry - add that extra bit of glue to make sure your titles STAY STUCK!

Layout Details:

• Base: 8x8 Kraft/Silver Foil Cardstock - Stampin Up
• Accent Strip:  4 x 8 Foil Cardstock - Stampin Up
• Optional:  Machine stitching around both cardstock pieces
• Recipe/Journaling: 4 x4 white cardstock, black cardstock mat

Embellishments:

• Chipboard Flatware - QuickQuotes 
• Crown - Michael's Craft Store Brand
• Diamond Dew Drops - The Robin's Nest

Thanks for stopping by the blog today - hope you will be inspired to FOIL your next project!!

Shelly

I need a nurse - STAT! (Zombie Swap 2018)

It’s that time of year.... Val’s Annual Zombie Swap.  Cute, creepy and fun — I am always blown away by the crafty talents of the participants.  This year’s theme was “Employable Zombies” and I received amazing Nurse Josie.....  wouldn’t you love to see her stagger into your hospital room...

The details are amazing!

The nurse shoes are perfection!

And of course, the wonderful little "tuck ins".....

I am mesmerized by this hand made pumpkin!

Thank you, Debbie Walter for a true work of zombie art!

My working girl will be arriving at her new home shortly.... can't wait to share!

Shelly

Reel Girl's Animal House

How to Create a Beautiful Butterfly Card for Any Occasion

Hello and welcome to the blog today.

I have created this beautiful butterfly card that can be used for any occasion - give as shown, or add a banner with a sentiment.  Make up several at time so you're ready for any card giving situation.

To make this card, I used:

My card making must haves:

• Best Glue Ever
• No-Clog Writing Cap
• Embellie Gellie 

Paper and dimensions:

• Card base - Smooth White Cardstock cut to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 folded in half
• Yellow Textured Cardstock (Bazzill) cut to 4 x 5-1/4
• Smooth White Cardstock cut to 3-3/4 x 5
• Scraps of Smooth White CS and Textured Yellow CS for Die Cuts

Everything else:

• Dew Drops Originals - Pearl
• Diamond Dew Drops - Pearl
• Stampin Up Ink - Barely Banana
• Stampin Up Thinlits Die "Butterflies"
• QuickKutz Embossing Folder "Flowers"

Now let's make it!

• Using the Butterflies Die, cut butterflies from white and yellow cardstock - set aside
• Emboss 3-3/4 x 5" White CS
• Ink edges of embossed CS and Yellow Card stock

• Using Best Glue Ever, adhere embossed CS to yellow CS and adhere this stack to card base *remember, a little dab will do ya with Best Glue Ever!
• Attach Diamond Dew Drop to body of large white butterfly.  The No-Clog Writing Cap allows you add a controlled amount of  BGE in tiny spaces and Embellie Gellie makes picking up placing tiny embellishments a cinch!
• Attached large white butterfly to yellow butterfly (applying BGE to center of butterfly bodies only to allow them to have movement!)
• Attach your butterflies to upper 1/3 of your card

• Next, apply Pearl Dew Drops to the embossed flowers - Embellie Gellie is a remarkable medium that allows you pick up and place embellishments - it's a must for card making!

• As a final touch, my hand made cards always receive this stamp on the back

This simple card design can truly be used for any occasion!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today - have a creative week!

Shelly

Altered Paper Clip Challenge at ScraPerfect - Accept the Challenge for a Chance to Win!

Hello and Welcome Crafty Peeps!

In honor of Earth Day, ScraPerfect is running an altered paper clip challenge with a chance to win AMAZING products from ScraPerfect - get all the details on Amy's Post to ENTER and grab your coupon for FREE SHIPPING.

Here is my take on the challenge:

Another view:

Great little project for using up bits & pieces and scraps.  These clips are perfect to add to scrapbook layouts, cards, journals and planners.

I've had the journaling tickets and cool metal tassels FOREVER in my stash - this was the perfect project to dig them out!

Best Glue Ever never fails me in crafting for all kinds of surfaces and mediums. From my delicate antique book page butterflies to the clear acrylic Dew Drops  and metal embellishments - BGE is my "go to" glue (and the No Clog Writing Cap allows me use just right amount and apply it with precision!)

Check out the ScraPerfect blog everyday for a different take on this challenge - and join in! Be sure to leave a comment naming the ScraPerfect product you would love to win!

This blog post has all the details you need to get free shipping on any order and how to enter the challenge:

Celebrate Earth Day with FREE S/H ~ WIN a PRIZE!

Thanks for stopping by the blog - have a creative week!

Shelly

The Robin's Nest - Making Creativity Easy with Unique Products

Hello and welcome to my blog today!

Today I am sharing some recent crafty projects I have created using products from The Robin's Nest

I so enjoy designing and working with The Robin's Nest line of products -- there is simply no creative project that cannot be made better with the addition of Dew Drops!  I love these little bits of color and sparkle!

Head on over to The Chattering Robin's Blog for full length tutorials and videos for creating scrapbook layouts, cards, ATC's and a myriad of altered items and home decor

Harry Potter ATC created with Flame Card Kit

Treat Box and Card gift set created with a Friendship Wrap, Robin's Nest Papers, and "Straw"

Magnetic Bookmark using CanvaStock

Fun & Easy Coaster Valentines with a Treat

Dew Drop embellished terra cotta pot

"Crib Cards" a special project for the babies in the NICU at our local hospital

Treat box created from a bathroom tissue roll

Thanks for stopping by - have a creative week!

XOXO