Spring Banner

In the last week and a half, the weather in Northern Michigan has greatly improved.  The sun has been shining (a little) and the temperature outside has been around 35-40 degrees.  It makes me wish for Spring Break where I can go somewhere warm and relax a bit.  So with that thought in mind, I decided to make a Spring Themed banner for my scraproom.  Check it out and I hope it inspires you to "Think Spring!"

And the CUC Blog Hop RAK Winner is . . .

Sandy!  One of my students - Addison picked your number from the groups and VOILA!  I have a cute little prize pack on it's way to you!

CUC's Blog Hop

Welcome to your 3rd stop on the “Stirrin' Up a Li'l Love at Cookin' Up Creations” Blog Hop! If you are following the links from the beginning of the hop, you should have come from Jenny's Blog . If not, and you wish to participate in the blog hop, please start at the Cookin' Up Creations Blog.

Today, I am excited to share my Hugs and Kisses Game with you, made especially for this blog hop.  I was inspired to make this project by the X's and O's that of course denote Hugs and Kisses for Valentines day.  I wanted to create a portable game for my kids to play (shockingly everyone still gets into this game when we are at a restaurant) and I wanted something that would fit into Dd's purse when we travel or go out.


So I found a small tin that housed 12 round smaller tins.  I filled each smaller tin with flowers, glitter, and other pink embellishments.  Then I glued the lids on tight and used some Making Memories  rub-ons to create the Hugs and Kisses.  I decorated the outside with some paper scraps, Making Memories Valentine's signage, some lace and gem trim and voila!  I hope that it inspires you to create something fabulous!

Your next stop on the blog hop will be Tamara's Blog.   Be sure to leave a comment here, and on each stop on the blog hop. Then, make sure you finish up at the Cookin' Up Creations forum and post that you have completed the hop. Your name will be entered into a drawing for a fabulous prize! We're also hosting a weekend crop from Friday, February 4 through Sunday, February 6 on the forum – hope you will join in the fun!

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the rest of the hop!

In addition to the blog hop prize, I am also offering a RAK of my own! To be entered into my drawing, just become a follower of this blog AND leave me a comment. Hopefully then you will come back and visit me again!  The winner's name will be drawn on February 7th and posted here on the blog.

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the rest of the hop!

Upcoming Crop at CUC

Bookpage Ruffle Tutorial

I was inspired by Leah Fung's flower tutorial and decided to twist it up a bit.  I used old book pages to create this distressed and "fluffy" ruffle.  Here is the layout that I created using this idea.

So I started with the list of materials.  I used a scalloped circle sizzix die, old bookpages cut using that die, some smootch sprays and glimmer mists, and inks, a piece of sturdy thread, and of course (not pictured - a sewing machine.)

Then I spritzed the ruffles, crumpled them and uncrumpled them, then inked them and let them dry.

Then I layer the flowers in half (in groups of four) and fold them in half over the piece of string.  Then when I have them folded over the string, I feed them through the sewing machine.

Here is the final product.  Then I scrunched them up again to create the distressed look on the layout.

Hope this inspires you to try this technique.

DT Reveal for Monday 1-17 at CUC!

Here is my DT Reveal for Monday at Cookin Up Creations.  Our challenge has been to use our stash rather than to buy something new for a layout.  So I used a ton of old stuff - skeleton leaves, tickets, pearls, die cuts, etc.  I also added these really cute embellishments from the Laughing Quilter.  She has an etsy store and does custom orders too.  I love the cute little felties!

Cookin' Up Creations Stash Challenge

For the month of January, Cookin' Up Creations is doing a "Out with the Old, In with the New" - use up your stash challenge.  Each day, our amazing DT is putting out a Blue Plate Special Challenge to give you unique ideas on using that stash of items that you have built throughout the years.  There have been some amazing challenges so far.  It is a must see - Come check out the forum!

Cookin' Up Creations