Crafting with Kids - Summer Foods Challenge

It's time to get busy crafting with your kids again.  This month our challenge is to make something with a summer food theme.  Here is a photo of what the girls made for you. 

All it took was a couple simple cirlces cut with my Cricut and they could do the rest.  How easy is that!  Below is another example from a junior member of the Bugaboo design team.  Looks like we both think of watermelon when we think of summer! 

Scrappy daughter from the Bugaboo Design team

Not it's your turn.  Any creation having to do with a summer food.  Blog about it and then link up here.  You could win 7 free images from our generous sponsor, Bugaboo Digi Stamps.

Introducing Jilly Bear Designs!

It's summer time and I've had some stress free time to really think about my Etsy shop.   With our recent move, new craft space, and increased sales I really wanted to get everything organized before school started again and I had more responsibilities on my plate. 

I contacted a Becca over at Jumping Jax Designs.  She makes printable invitations as well as blog design and business branding.  With her help, patience, and expertise we created the new logos, banner, and business items for Jilly Bear Designs!  Before I show you her wonderful work I wanted to tell you a little about the name. 

My youngest daughter (3) is named Jillian.  It had gotten shortened to Jilly pretty much immediately and then soon I was calling her "my little Jilly Bear."  That has been my pet name for her for the last 3 years and it just seemed logical since most of my designs are kid and baby oriented that the name would fit for my shop. 

Jilly is a Wizard of Oz (or if she pronounces it "Lizard of Boz") fanatic.  If she's not falling to the ground "melting" she's prancing around the house singing "we're off to see the Wizard."  We are currently decorating her new room.  The Owls have flown out the window (to my sorrow) and are being replaced with blue gingham, poppies, scarecrows, tinmen and Dorothy's.  Anyway... you get the picture.  I have Oz on the brain.  

So in her honor the inspiration behind the new logos and banner are Dorothy related.  Without any further delay why don't you take a look and see for yourself.

Here's the Etsy banner:

                               


Shop logos:

We are still working on the business cards and mailing labels, but I'm very please with what she has done so far. 

Another change in store is packaging.  I've finally had a little time to try different bags and packaging.  In addition to making the packages adorable and very attractive to buyers, I've actually designed some more tags for my own shop. 

Here are a few of my favorites:

I'm still working on a few more things in the shop, so keep watching for more changes.  So far I'm really liking how things are looking.  It has been a productive summer so far!



Time for some new cards

Somehow over the last couple of days I've been on top of things.  I've actually found myself with a little time to try out some new stamp sets and themes I've been want to do for a while.  Here's a little of what I've been up to.

The first two are baby cards.  I had this paper combination on the table from an invitation design and liked it so much I ended up making two more cards. 

This little sweet pea card was from a Papertrey Ink stamp set that was on my Christmas list.  I hadn't really gotten a change to play with it.  I ended up paperpiecing the pea pod because I didn't like the plain stamped look.  I thnk it worked out pretty good that way.

The last one is my current favorite, but at the moment that doesn't mean much.  My favorite tends to change every day.  LOL!  Anyway  The sentiment is a combination of 2 stamps.  Sweet Smile was a stamp from Close to My Heart that I just bought off Ebay.  The Summer was part of a Papertrey Ink sentiment.  I had to do a little piecing to get the phrase together, but I think it fits the card perfectly.  Watermelon slices are definitely summer smiles.

Crafting with Kids - Beach Challenge

Well it is definitely feeling like summer here on the Texas gulf coast.  The girls have spent their fair share of time at the pool.  We went to Galveston last weekend, but you can only spend some much time out in the heat.  To keep them busy indoors we decided to do a "beachy" themed craft.

My oldest girls just love mermaids.  It is the theme of their new bathroom, and they always choose the mermaid or princess images for coloring or drawing.  I was working on a mermaid card for my shop, and they decided they needed to make one too.

In order to keep things easy and to help keep track of all the little pieces I precut everything and put all the pieces in ziplock bags.  It definitely kept me from having to recut pieces once we started.  You can even do this the night before or while the kids are napping (if you're lucky.)  This keeps things organized and you from getting too frustrated.

This one is more detailed than some of their other crafts, so we had to work one on one.  I had to help with adding the glue to the tiniest pieces, but they were able do the majority of it.

                                         

Here are the finished cards.  Each one is slightly different based on the mermaid and colors they chose.  Addy had a little problem stamping so we had to stamp on a separate piece and cover up the mistake.  I think it made the wording stand out and looks nice.  They are very ready for a friend to have a birthday, so they can use them.

Here are some fabulous cards made by the kids of design team members over at our sponsor, Bugaboo Digistamps.

Design team member Yvonne (Scrappy) – Annabella’s card

Design team member Jennifer   - Samuels’ Card

Now it is your turn.  To enter our challenge get your kids to make any kind of "beachy" craft.  Make a card or sign.  Decorate some flip flops.  Anything beach related will do.  Link up and have some fun.  I'd love to see what your kids come up with. 

All entries will be entered into a random drawing for 7 free digital stamps of your choice from our generous sponsor Bugaboo Digi Stamps! 

RRR Challenge #49 Flowers and Ribbon

While I had the sunny BoBunny paper on my table last night I decided to try for one more challenge.  This one is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  Their challenge #49 is to use ribbon and flowers somewhere on your project. 

I started with this inspiration card I had pinned on Pinterest a while back.  I have some many ideas pinned on their and never seem to take the time to use them.  This particular card was created by Niki Estes over at Papertrey Ink.   It caught my eye because of the colored paper matted on the black cardstock. 

I found a pack of Basic Grey Bloomers in my drawer of flowers and the colors match perfectly to my new BoBunny paper.  I needed to include a flower somewhere, so I put it in place of the large message used in the inspiration piece.

Here is the finish product:

I needed a sentiment, but I didn't want anything too defined.  I'd like the card to be pretty versatile and not specifically for a birthday or a thank you.  I thought this sentiment suited it best.

Products used;
Bo Bunny: Patterened papers
Basic Grey: Felt flower
Ivory and black cardstock from my stash
Papertrey Ink: Ribbon and sentiment stamp

Card Sketch Inspiration Challenge

Tonight I was working on the Make it Monday Challenge over at the Papertrey Ink blog.  They presented a variety of sketches they created from advertisements, photographs, scrapbook pages, etc.. Basically to show you that you can find card inspiration anywhere. 

The challenge was to create a card based on one of the sketches.  The sketch I chose was taken from a section of a scrapbook page.

I had just purchased some new BoBuny paper today at my favorite local scrapbook store.  So using that paper paired with some scrap and some items from my new Papertrey Ink stash.  I put together this take on the sketch.



I really wanted to keep this one simple and quick and I thought the banners would make for a perfect celebration card.  It just so happened the Papertrey Ink Cupcake Collection stamp set arrived in the  mail today.  That gave me the perfect sentiment.  I couldn't resist adding buttons instead of flowers..  This will keep this a more gender neutral card  for later use.

Products used:

Papertrey ink Products: sentiment stamp, Hawaiian shores Ink and button, Summer sunrise cardstock and button, white cardstock

BoBunny Products: Patterned paper, dark teal cardstock

Twine and green button are from my stash

Help me Destash!

I'm putting my new Scrapbook/Craft room together, and I don't want to fill it with things that I know I won't be using.  I have set up a Destash list on my Facebook page.  There are some prices on things or you can make me an offer.  I have Stampin up stamps, paper, new albums, felt embellishments, paper pads, Tim Holtz, Technique Tuesday, etc.  If you'd like some cheap supplies have a look! 

Playing along with Little Hands Challenge Blog

We have finally moved and have spent a whole week in our new home.  Yea!!  The girls are still struggling to get into a new routine in the new house.  They were driving me particularly crazy this morning, so I we put their energy to use. 

The Little Hands Challenge Blog started a new challenge on Friday.  Its' theme was Cupcakes!  Yum!!  I found a few digi images for the girls to choose from, and they both chose the same adorable cupcake and chick image from Pink Cat Studios. 
 

The girls did their own coloring and chose their own supplies.  I did help with the cutting.  They were both particularly excited to get to "stamp" the sentiment to make the tag.   I guess you can see that they definitely watch me make my cards.  They ended up using a lot of the same elements I put in mine.

Head on over to Little Hands and check out the first challenge of June and get your kids involved.

Crafting with Kids May Challenge - For the Teacher or Grad



Well I'm running a day behind, but better late than never....  It is time for the Crafting with Kids challenge.  This month your task is to have kids create something for a Teacher or a Grad.  Feel free to use any medium you wish.  Here is a fabulous piece made by Miss Annabella over at Bugaboo.  I love this tag!

Created by Ms. Annabelle (dtr of Yvonne)

Are your kids ready to get busy?  Link up with me before the challenge closes on May 20th and be entered to win a set of 6 digi stamps of your choice from Bugaboo Digi Stamps.  This is a such a fabulous prize.  Bugaboo always has such a great selection to choose from. 

Appreciate your Teachers - Apple Oreo cookies



Check out tutorial on www.thecraftingchicks.com

I wanted to share a super cute idea I found while searching the web.  These little cookies are absolutely precious.  I haven't made my batch yet.  I wanted to wait until next week so they stay fresh, but I wanted to share a link to them now.  This way you have time to plan if you want to try them out yourself. 

Basically you coat mini oreos in red candy melts.  You then shape a piece of green Air Head candy into a leaf and use part of a straight pretzel for the stem.  As the candy coating dries it holds the leaf and pretzel to the candy.

I saw this idea at The Crafty Chicks blog.  They have a fabulous tutorial on there explaining how.  I will post a photo of my finished product next week after I have had a try at making them.   They show a couple cute ways to display them, but I'm thinking about a little take out box from Michael's with a scalloped tag. 

If you haven't already please take a minute to check out the giveaway that I have running right now.  If you enter by 9:00 central time tonight  you could win 6 of my mini hedgehog notecards to give to a favorite teacher. 

Appreciate your teachers - A third gift idea.

I can't believe I've made it to day 3!  Phew.... creating something new and blogging about it each evening after work is difficult. 

Well this one comes with an amusing story.  So I have been pinning and planning away for a couple weeks now trying to find a cute idea for each day and I loved this idea from Everyday Scrapbook.   A water cup and pencils... very usable and easy to come by.  I figured I make a cute tag and be all set.  Well as I was putting this together this evening I go to drop the pencils in for the photograph and they are in inch to tall!  Who would have thought it??  So my husband has agreed to cut an inch off the pencils but not until the weekend.  So.... you'll have to imagine these cups full of pencils.  I guess then my advice to you is take the cup with you to buy your pencils unless you want to make this a paper craft and wood shop project all in one.

I do have to say the little flags are my favorite part, and they are pretty simple.   First measure out a regular piece of notebook paper to fit your message.  Stamp your message and add your little embellisment. 

If you've been reading much about me, you know that I LOVE buttons and was very happy to get to use them on this today.  The stem and leaf are from Papertrey ink as is the message.  Add a little red button and you're all set.

After the pencils are cut we'll be all set. 

Before you leave be sure to check out my Teacher Appreciation Giveaway.  You have until tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. to comment and enter to win.  Follow the link below to enter.



Teacher's Appreciation Giveaway!

Before we get to the giveaway I wanted to share the second gift idea.  Today's gift is made using my favorite Cricut die cut -- the hedgehog!  These little guys are so cute and very versatile.  I can adapt him to nearly any season or occasion. 

I figured everyone could always use a little thank you notes so that's how I decided on the "note of Thanks" notecards.  I couldn't resist adding the apple shaped gift bag.... It is for a teacher after all.  If I get a few extra minutes I plan on making a little white scallop tag to hang from the stem.

Materials used:
Hedgehog: Cricut cartridge B is for Boy

Small apple: on Silhouette studio by Jamie Koay

Apple basket: on Silhouette studio by Samantha Walker

Cardstock - Bazzill

These little cards measure 3 x 3 inches. The hedgehog was cut using B is for Boy cartridge and cut at 1 3/4 inches.  The apple was cut using my Silhouette and the message was computer printed before I cut the white cardstock. 

Don't have a diecut machine to make your own notecards?  Make your own without a diecut using pretty decorative cardstock OR you can enter to win a set of 6 of these little cards for yourself!!  That's right, I'll send you 6 of these mini cards and envelopes.  You can give them away or keep them for yourself. 

You get one entry for each of the following:
Following my blog

Tweet about my teacher giveaway

Become a Facebook fan (www.facebook.com/stitchesandscraps) or let me know you are already a fan

Please make sure you leave a comment letting me know what you have done, so I know how many entries to give you and a way to contact you.  While I welcome all International fans I can only ship these to US addresses.  I will randomly draw a winner on Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. central time.  I'll post and contact the winner.  I will ship out as soon as I have a mailing address. 

This is my first blog giveaway so please go spread the word.  Good luck!

Appreciate your Teachers - Gift ideas

Next week is Teacher Appreciation week.  This is probably not a big priority in most people's lives, but have you stopped a minute to send a quick thank you to your child's teacher this year?  Why not use the upcoming week as a way to show them how much you appreciate what they have done to help your child this year?

I have a week of ideas lined up to share with you.  Most of these ideas can be put together for under $5, so make a week of it and really show them you appreciate what they do.  Believe me... most of them don't hear it enough.

For our first gift we are going to be quenching their thirst.  I found the original version of these on a post from The Idea Room.  I adapted it with what supplies I had and to include some fabulous Chevron paper I found on Pinterest.  I just love the citrus colors and it gave me a reason to use my lime and white twine!

I wanted a simpler way to attach the packet of lemonade instead of the pouch in the original design.  I finally just used some of my strongest adhesive tape and just glued it to the tag.  Some times the simplest method works out for the best.

Check back tomorrow for another gift option.

Supplies used:
Chevron paper - Created by MelStampz and it was FREE!
Lemon diecut - Silhouette studio, designed by Jamie Koay
Divine twine (green and white)
Yellow twine

Crafting with Kids - Make something for Mom Challenge

I hope everyone had a fabulous Easter.  We are in the midst of packing for our move.  I'm frantically trying to finish up my Etsy orders before the move and get my scrapbooking supplies packed up and ready to go.  Phew!  I'm sure glad we don't move very often.

Anyway it's time for the next Crafting with Kids Challenge.  With Mother's day about a month away I decided it's time to make something for Mom.  Feel free to use whatever crafting things you'd like:  paper, felt, paint, icing, fabric, etc.  Get crafting with your kids and post a picture of what they created just for you.

Here are some ideas from my challenge sponsor - Bugaboo Digi Stamps.

By Samuel Zeeb

Created by Lily.

Created by Miss Annabelle

You have until Sunday, April 22nd to link up your design below.  I'll randomly draw a winner who will recieve 6 free digi images from our sponsor Bugaboo Digi Stamps.  Fabulous!!

Now get crafting!

Easter treats Tutorial

Easter is nearly here and I had to make something for the girls' PreK classes.  I was cruising Pinterest and found a cute carrot shaped treat I thought would be great for the kids.  What I think I liked the most was they were filled with goldfish instead of jelly beans or other candies.  We all know they get enough sugary treats at Easter anyway.  I changed them up a little to add some Easter tags and ribbon.

These are very easy, and I put together a quick tutorial to give everyone an idea about the amount of supplies they would need if you are making them for a whole class. 

Supplies needed:
Large carton of goldfish (1/2 cup of fish in each bag, makes 26 bags)
12" Icing bags (Wilton brand was all I found on short notice, but it has the big purple symbol on it.)
glue
ribbon for tags
2" circle punch
Crop a dile (holes in tags)
Kraft colored cardstock
Paper for bunnies (I used Custom Corps, yellow and ivory dot paper)
Brown marker
Tiny white pompoms

To make the tags:

I used the 2" punch to cut the circles and my Silhouette SD to cut the bunnies.  The bunny was a cut file created by Lori Whitlock that you can purchase from the Silhouette site.  Ink the edges of both to give it a slightly distressed look. 

I then drew the whiskers on the bunny.  Before gluing him down I estimated placement and drew additional whiskers on the tag.  I then lined the bunny up with the whiskers and attached him to the tag.

Next use glue dots to attach the little white tail and use the Crop a dile to punch the whole for the ribbon.
That finishes up the tags for now. 

To fill the bags use 1/2 cup of goldfish in each bag.  I then ran the ribbon through the tag and tied to the filled bag.  There will be some room left at the top.  If you have fewer kids you are making these for you can always add more fish.  If you are trying to conserve goldfish just trim it off like shown.

I really liked how the tag turned out.  Kraft cardstock and ribbon are 2 of my go to scrappy things.  I hope these little treats helped inspire you to make some treats of your own this weekend. 

Have a safe and blessed Easter!