Cheater Crafting - a guilty pastime

Its not really cheating, I know.

Add caption

Its a craft. It takes knowledge and skill, the tools and the time.
But, it is. Cheating. Using a machine to electronically and perfectly cut out card elements.
The cards though, they do come out great!! Lookit these cuties I made for my moms birthday:

Making handmade cards takes time and effort and skill. Its not a really quick process. When I use my Silhouette to make cards, I do it for the fancy results and it STILL takes time and effort and skill. But I always feel like its cheating because the machine makes all the detailed cuts and I just do the front and back end of the job - designing, setting up the cuts, and then assembling. Its that one step closer to automation, I think, that does me in!

But on to the cheater cards! I gave my mom a travel mug that will fit perfectly in her Keurig, and a gift certificate to a restaurant for a nice dinner. And this cool tray I made for her -  These are the two cards I made:

Smart girl, I missed a photo of the card sitting out.  

The Coffee card is a Double-Z Fold, 5 x 5" and says Coffee is a Hug in a Mug. I'd love to show you the stunning detail and my cute color choices, but I have 3 kids and sometimes I forget what the heck I am doing...so it was packed up nice and pretty before I immortalized my craftiness with detailed photos. Sorry.

cute little mug, and not-as-cute paper bow from scraps

I especially like the one from our dog! (its the restaurant certificate)

Looks almost just like Zoey 

 Its a modified gift card holder pattern. I needed it to hold an envelope with a large certificate. The top is like a belly band, it just slides off. And shows a cute little message from Zoey LOL

Shes good with a pen, that doggie!

Because who doesn't love some leftovers!! 

"Cheater Crafting" does have its rewards. My hand and back are not wrecked by hand cutting intricate shapes, and the resulting cards are worth those guilt pangs I end up with at the end of the night!
And. My mom really enjoyed them. :-)
Which is the real goal at the end of the day, right? Make your recipient feel the love that you've poured into the card.

Happy Crafting!
-Angie

Shop Securely any time of day at my online Stampin' Up Shop - Click HERE

Join me for crafting in Patterson, CA - see upcoming Events HERE

Read More »

Personalized Tea Tray Gift Idea

My mama had her birthday this past week, Happy Birthday Mom!!

Our family trip to Disneyland last fall. 

I made a tray for her with some photos of the grand-babies. I think it came out pretty good - for my first time working with Resin! She loved it. (( of course!! I mean... its of her grandchildren and from her daughter :: Love ;-) ))

Mix and Match. So hard for me to do "random"!

I got a wooden tea-tray from the magical Tarszhay.  I used some scraps from a (really) old Stampin' Up! Project Life set I found when I was organizing. Amazing the things you find when you clean a craft room. hahaha.  I mixed up the patterns, but as with all the Stampin' Up  paper sets, its a given that they will mix and match well!

I was PLANNING on adding cute little drawings or notes from the kids. But. They were not particularly cooperative. Kids. Gotta love 'em. #killedmyCraftBuzz
So I went ahead and added some more photos.

Aren't they CUTE!!! 

 These awesome snapshots from my favorite photographer Rachel Azevedo. You can see more of her **gorgeous** work at www.rachelazevedophotography.com

And More photos. Because. Cute Kids. Love.

The next step was to Modge Podge the heck out of all the layers. All. The. Layers. I mean, this step took much much longer than I expected. I used the Dishwasher Safe kind, and waited as long as I could between coats. My friend had warned me to seal it first so the resin didn't seep into the papers or photos. It was a lot of waiting, but that gave me time to make the cards I had for her. You can see those in another post. :-)

Modge. Podge. Like Crazy. 

Then I had the interesting experience of pouring the resin onto the tray. Let me tell you, STINKY stuff!! I had added a bunch of little embellishments, and thankfully listened to my friend (again) who told me to go with the Big bottle of resin since it was difficult to tell how much you'd need to cover it all pretty well. I guesstimated ok. It covered all of it with just over 1/8" of resin. There are a couple of the buttons that are juuuust poking through, but I believe I doused the center holes so they should not make it a water trap.

Anyhow. This was was an easy, albeit super time consuming, craft to make if you find you have any really old extra paper sets in hiding! ;-) Keep those craft stashes under control!

Happy Crafting!
-Angie

Shop Securely any time of day at my online Stampin' Up Shop - Click HERE

Join me for crafting in Patterson, CA - see upcoming Events HERE

Read More »

How to have the perfect cards on hand for every occasion

When you subscribe to Paper Pumpkin, you’re always prepared with perfectly put-together projects for every sharing occasion—from birthdays to holidays and everything in between. I'm having a Paper Pumpkin Preview night on February 9th at 6:30 PM where I can show you how easy and fast it is to create the perfect cards with this all inclusive kit, Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up!

Come by and take a peek at the sweet project that came in the mail for January! 

RSVP so I can reserve a bag o' goodies for you:  https://www.facebook.com/MidnightCrafting/events

I'll have a couple projects you can make, and I'll have out some of the past kits for you to see. There are some awesome cards and gifts that really just wow you in person. You can feel the quality materials you get in every kit, and see the little details that just add that special touch to these handmade cards! These are premium craft kits! All inclusive, so you don't need to do more than open the box and follow the instructions!

 I will have information for you about how easy it is to sign up for your own HAPPY MAIL and get these awesome creative craft kits by Paper pumpkin delivered to your door each month.  -- BONUS - when you purchase a 3 month pre-paid subscription, you'll get to choose a fabulous free item from our customer appreciation event, Sale-A-Bration.

To have the perfect cards on hand for every occasion, sign up for Paper Pumpkin today! Find out more info on my Paper Pumpkin page OVER HERE

Happy Crafting!
-Angie

Shop Securely any time of day at my online Stampin' Up Shop - Click HERE

Join me for crafting in Patterson, CA - see upcoming Events HERE

Read More »

For people looking to Try before you Buy : Paper Pumpkin Preview Night

Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up - creative subscription kits for the crafty (and Not so crafty) set!

Just made some sweet Valentines Day cards with my gal pal and we both love how easy they came together!! The secret??

I'd like to say my fabulous craft skills, but....
It's a Paper Pumpkin Kit!!


If you'd like to make some of these easy and fast little cards, stop by my house on Friday, February 9th about 6:30 PM. I'll have more info on what exactly Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! kits bring you, and samples of past kits for you to see in person. RSVP so I can give you the address info and prepare your samples. https://www.facebook.com/MidnightCrafting/events




If you're looking for more information on Paper Pumpkin craft subscription kits right now, check out my informational Paper Pumpkin Page OVER HERE

Here's a little video showing the kit and how easy the cards are to make :




Happy Crafting!
-Angie

Shop Securely any time of day at my online Stampin' Up Shop - Click HERE

Join me for crafting in Patterson, CA - see upcoming Events HERE

Read More »

2018 Goals for my crafty life

I am happy to say that I made it out of 2017 with my ankle restored to (decent) working order and many fun memories with family and friends. My crafting in 2017, however, suffered greatly!!!!
So the three Crafting Goals I have for 2018 are a little general at this point, but I hope they get me back on the path to the relaxation and joy I remember from craftier times.

First, I will be focusing on my Paper Pumpkin Club and sharing the invitation to enjoy Creativity in a Box with me! Paper Pumpkin was a sanity saver for me when I spent a few months on the couch with that darn ankle accident! It really is easy to make something pretty when everything is ready to go in this little box. I appreciated the simple and fast projects so I didn't get tired out. (Funny - not - how you get tired out just sitting on the couch.) That red box really was Happy Mail each month!

Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up!

Second, I will be starting up my classes and workshops again to share crafty goodness with the locals. I want to find people who will come make stuff with me, learn new techniques, and try new projects. The workshops will be for kits, cards, and various projects. The classes will focus on card making. I look forward to meeting new people, and to sharing craft time with my family and friends.

My Stampin' Sisters, that I haven't seen in far too long! 

Last, I will be reorganizing my craft room to reflect these new goals. It will become a calm place for me to plan ahead and research new projects and ideas for sharing and teaching crafts. It will be a clean and organized room where I can let my creativity go wild in designing and making cards and projects. It will be a warm and welcoming room where I can share craft secrets with my crafty group. That is perhaps a lot to expect out of one regular room, but I have confidence in my Craft Room!

In Progress... (LED Candles - there are a lot of flammables in there! lol)

I hope you will join me in new adventures in crafting! If you're in Patterson, California, or our sweet little neighboring towns of Newman, Westley, and Gustine, (Or you feel like driving into the westside wilderness to visit!!) check out my event calendar on Facebook or contact me to be added to email notifications.

Here's to Happy Crafting in 2018!
-Angie

Shop Securely any time of day at my online Stampin' Up Shop - Click HERE

Join me for crafting in Patterson, CA - see upcoming Events HERE

Read More »