Handmade Glue Dots - yes it works!

So since I have been using a lot of these lately, I finally decided to break down and try making my own.  I had heard that they worked and since they are a bit pricey, I thought that I would give it a try.

I had saved the paper stips from my Glue Dots pkgs that I had bought.  Then I cut them into strips to fit on an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of chipboard.  I stapled the ends down and broke out the Aleene's Tack it Over and Over glue.  I made dots of all sizes and thicknesses - some pop and big, some small for ribbon and such, and then some larger flat ones for flowers. I let them dry until they turned clear - around  hours.  Then I cut a piece of parchment paper to cover and VOILA!  They work like a charm!

I am told to keep them covered because if you leave them out for a long time, they will dry out but they are just like the real thing!

So in terms of savings, it cost $3.99 for a bottle of glue.  I got around 150 dots on this time around and probably can get at least 5 times that from a bottle of glue.  For around 150 to 300 (depending on size) it costs around $4.99 at my LSS.  That is a great savings!!!!

Make-up Monday at CUC!

If you haven't checked out the Blue Plate Special challenges at Cookin' Up Creations, you must check out this week's challenges.  The are just amazing and will inspire you to create something new for sure!

Make-Up Monday at CUC

Tye-Dying using SEI Tumble Dry

For my Design Team Reveal at CUC this week, we were given some SEI Tumble Dry to alter something with.  Of course, I got lime green - my daughter's favorite color and she just had to have a hand in the creation.  So we tye dyed a tank from Max Ezra and then added a peace iron on transfer - she has been all about the peace symbol since she was 8.  It was so easy to dye - tye, spray, air-dry, then tumble dry for 20 minutes - SIMPLE and she loved it.  It was nice to do something together since we seem to be so busy during this time of year!

Christmas Photo Tray

I decided that since my grandmother is always complaining about not having current photos of my kids that for Christmas, I would try to come up with a photo gift for her.  I needed something quick and easy and this photo tray from Paper Studio was perfect.  It came painted and all I had to do was scrap a bit, add some photos and embellishments and VOILA!

Letter C - Cookie Cutter Wreath

I decided to add a little spice to my kitchen for the holidays and designed this cookie cutter wreath for my DT spot at CUC!  I used a strong adhesive, glue dots, and some berries and ribbons to create this wreath and embellished the cookie cutters themselves with some photos to make it more personal.  Here is the link with the directions and video that inspired me!

Transformation Thursdays at CUC!

Letter B - Altered Gift Box

For the letter B, I chose to alter a gift box that was really sturdy that my mom gave for Christmas two years ago.  I had just participated in a handmade flower swap at CUC - check out our link at the right - and needed something to store all of the flowers in so that they wouldn't get smushed.  So, I painted the edges of the box first.  Then I used Echo Park pp and even the packaging front page to embellish and cover the box.  The label cover on the front was also part of the packaging.  I covered the title of the paper with a flower and then added the "handmade" alpha stickers.  Love that paper line too!

Sketchy Saturday at CUC!

I am a huge sketch person!  Totally love them and when CUC introduced their Sketchy Saturday, well I could hardly resist!  This week's sketch was by Julie Bonner and was totally inspiring.  I created this adorable layout about my niece who is too cute for words.  Not only that, I reused some Prima Packaging - plastic doilies from a flower package background.  It was too pretty to throw away! 

A - Apothecary Jar

I decided to challenge myself since I am the self-prescribed AlteredDiva and decided to alter something for every letter of the alphabet.  So for the letter A, I chose to alter a pickle jar with some trims, flowers, jewels, chipboard, patterned paper scraps, and two candle holders - one flipped upside down and adhered to one right side up which was then adhered to the bottom of the pickle jar.  The top is a jeweled lid with a round bead that I painted brown.  It was perfect for holding all of my ric rac.  (Though it is almost overflowing!)  Shhhhh . . . don't tell anyone!  See ya soon for letter B!

Alphabet Challenge to ME and anyone else who wants to join me!

I have decided that I needed to challenge myself a little with my altering and scrapbooking talents and so I decided to take each letter of the alphabet and alter or scrapbook something around that letter.  I have some ideas for the letter "A."  Be checking back this week for my surprise!!!

Challenging Myself

One of the hardest things to do for me is to scrap and frankly, photograph myself.  I actually like this photo of me and so I decided to use it to let people know some little known facts about myself.  Ali Edwards actually was my inspiration for this layout. 

Altered Teacher's Gift

I have been holding on to these older Maya Road tins for a couple of years and decided to try something different and alter them.  They could be put on a tray for a gift, like the picture shown, or you could add magnets and they could attach to a dry erase board of file cabinet!  They were so easy to alter and I used my scraps!

I cut 6, 3/8" x 8" strips of paper.  Then I used my handy dandy Tombo Mono-adhesive - green bottle only - to attach them.  I used the same glue to add 8 1/2" ribbon scraps to the lid. 

Then I did a shredded flower, painted it with some Shimmerz and glitter, layered it with a prima and a school brad and added a jewelry tag.  The tray is from a dollar store and it is magnetic also so they could stay here!  I shredded some paper to add color!  Hope you like it!

Baby Jayden

I just became a great-auntie today and now will have some baby photos to scrap real soon!  Welcome Baby Jayden, 5 lbs. born at 8:50 am - Thursday, August 18th!

Come join us!

Join us for an amazing time!

New Scraproom - Finally almost finished!

Well here it is.  It is almost ready.  I am waiting for a countertop for a cabinet but honestly, I am pretty happy with the results.  Everything is basically repurposed.  I only spent around $150.00!  Not bad!!!

Please ignore the dirty window behind the curtain!

This is my acrylic stamp storage.  I thought that I would be sticking forever!  It is a 3' x 5' piece of plexiglass!  Underneath is my swap storage area.  Just a curtain rod with clips.  As I use some of them, I will replace them with more.  I find that if I can see things while I am scrapping, I will use them more!

 

 

My great-grandmother's old hutch with old jars for 

 

 

 

ribbon storage.

Spinning Storage Rack from Walmart!

Mounted Stamp Storage

Wall Storage - chalkboards from Big Lots and the center piece was from a little shop on the Florida coast.  Used to have plants in the pots.  Now it fits my extra pencils, wire tools, markers, etc.

Chipboard storage!

Sunday, August 8th, 2009

My first post - yeah!  I want to thank all of the ladies at Cookin' Up Creations for the inspiration and encouragement to set up this blog.  I don't have much to add today, but in the next week, I will post pictures of my new scraproom.  I have decided to go with a Flea Market theme.  I managed to be lucky enough to get a countertop from my husband's work place and as soon as it is installed, I will post!  Thanks again ladies!  And Happy Scrappin'!