Wrapping Up Project 100 {Baby Cards and Crafts}

I started PROJECT 100 back in January as a personal challenge to use up my "stash" by creating 100 different projects before buying any more paper, buttons, stickers, etc.  In retrospect, I made a couple of exceptions to the rules.  When Scrapbook Steals had Silhouette accessories available, I bought the starter kit for fabric (along with all the fabric paint) and rhinestones.  I've purchased some random stamps and stickers (like two $3 stamps and five packs of $1.50 thickers) from TJ Maxx and Marshalls.  But for the most part, I've stuck to the original rules of only buying supplies as needed for specific projects or Vanlikethecar Design orders.  I would give myself a B+ for following the rules. 

It took me almost four months but I am now exceedingly proud to announce that I have successfully completed PROJECT 100!!!!  As of the last blog post, I had five projects left in my countdown.  So here they are (plus one) - all super cute ideas for the little baby in your life.

1.  Baby Bib Cards.  Addie B Designs released three new bibs for their summer collection.  (Make sure to check out their Facebook page for super cute bibs, booties, hair accessories, and everything else adorable and monogrammed for baby!) 

So, new baby bibs means new baby bib cards!  Here are the cards (4) I created inspired by Addie B's adorable bibs.

Supplies:  Patterned Paper (My Mind's Eye); Cardstock (American Crafts); Stamps (Lawn Fawn, Unity Stamps); Brads (Oriental Trading Company); Digital Files (Lettering Delights); Other (Silhouette Cameo, Tim Hotlz Distress Ink, American Crafts Zing Embossing Powder, Versamark Ink, Memento Black Ink).

2.  Painted Baby Onesie.  To go along with this adorable bib I ordered from Addie B Designs...

...I made this hand painted onesie featuring a design from the new Lawn Fawn Critters Ever After collection, my Silhouette Cameo and Silhouette fabric vinyl. 

3.  Button Monogram.  Here is a button monogram I made for a client.  I seriously need to make one for Charlotte - so cute!!

Here is a link to the blog post with another button monogram I made a few weeks back.  And if you want to make one yourself, here is a link to the tutorial by the oh so fabulous Jana Paddington on the Scrapbook Steals blog.

So, we have a total of 6 project (4 cards, 1 onesie, and 1 monogram) bringing our grand total to 101 PROJECTS!!!!  

Thanks so much for following along and encouraging me to craft my way through this goal.  I'll probably restart a similar challenge once we get settled back in California for the next few months.  I still have way too much paper.  :)

As always, thanks for stopping by!!

Tutorial - DIY Love Message Board (Silhouette Cameo and Adhesive Vinyl)

I originally posted a photo of this love message board on the Valentine's Day blog post.  

The idea originally grew from this project I saw on pinterest which simply has a printed sentiment on patterned paper (you can totally do that without a fancy die cutting machine)!  But for mine, I went a tad bit fancier by cutting some adhesive vinyl with my Silhouette Cameo.  Here's how I did it.

1.  Buy a Frame.  I got this one with a weathered wood look from TJ Maxx for $8.  If we weren't living in such temporary accommodations, I'd probably swipe the frame my mother has with my hideous second grade photo.  

2.  Cut Patterned Paper to Fit Inside the Frame.  I used this adorable heart argyle paper from We R Memory Keepers.  While this paper is relatively busy, I would steer clear of anything too busy or dark.

3.  Cut a Sentiment out of Adhesive Vinyl.  I used a sentiment from Kerri Bradford's "All About You" digital shape set.  I simply opened the image in my Silhouette Studio software, loaded up my Cricut adhesive vinyl and cut away.  I personally found that setting the blade to a setting of "2" (versus the "1" that the software suggests) gave me a much cleaner cut.

4.  Adhere Transfer Tape onto the Cut Image.  Cut down your transfer tape to fit your cut image.  Peel the backing off and place the sticky side down onto the vinyl image.  (Remember to not throw away the backing though - I use my transfer tape about 3-4 times before I throw it out.)  Using transfer tape ensures that your image doesn't get all warped while "transferring" it from the vinyl backing to whatever surface you are adhering it to.  I would also use a popsicle stick or credit card to burnish that tape well onto the image just to make sure it's completely on.

5.  Peel Off the Adhesive Vinyl Backing.  The stick side of the vinyl should now be facing up.  

6.  Transfer the Vinyl Image onto the Glass.  I first place the image down where I want it then burnish it to make sure that the vinyl is actually sticking to the glass where you want it.

Once you're sure that the image is adhered to the glass, slowly peel back the transfer tape.

Then... viola!!!  A beautiful vinyl image right on your frame!

To make "love" stand out a bit more, I cut out just that work in a coordinating colored paper and then taped it right on the vinyl.  

Seriously easy and this idea/ technique can be applied for so many different projects.  Think menu boards, decorated photo frames...possibilities are endless.  So stay calm and craft on.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Happy Valentine's Day - Ten Crafty Projects

I've been crafting up a storm this Valentine's Day and wanted to share all the adorable cards, tags and projects I've been making for Vanlikethecar Designs!!

1.  Chanel-Inspired Valentine.  My friend request a card for his Chanel-loving wife so I wanted to somehow mimic those gorgeous quilted Chanel bags.

Supplies:  Patterned Paper (My Mind's Eye); Cardstock (American Crafts); Stamps (Lawn Fawn, Inkadinkadoo); Digital Files (Silhouette Online Store).

2.  Marine Corps Valentine.  This valentine was custom ordered for a Marine Corps dad from his Navy daughter.  The flag and Marine Corps seal are both hand stamped, hand colored and then covered in glossy accents for a three dimensional look.

Supplies:  Cardstock (American Crafts, Bazzil); Stamps (Unity); Other (Glossy Accents).

3.  Conversation Hearts Pop-Up Valentines.  I love the look of long cards that fit inside a business envelope.  These are embellished with a rainbow of conversation hearts and have a pop up greeting on the inside.

Supplies:  Cardstock (American Crafts, Martha Stewart); Baker's Twine (Twinery); Digital Files (Silhouette Online Store).

4.  Love Bites Valentine.  This is a shape card for a little boy who loves sharks.  I initially wanted to place the heart banner on the outside but it didn't look right for some reason.  So I placed it on the inside along with some letter stickers saying "Love Bites."

Supplies:  Cardstock (American Crafts, Martha Stewart); Stamps (A*Muse); Letter Stickers (Echo Park); Digital Files (Hero Arts).

5.  Curious George Loves You.  My daughter is a Curious George fanatic so I made this cute little card to look like Curious George is holding a banner holding her name.  Super simple but I think she'll love it.

Supplies:  Cardstock (American Crafts); Stamps (Lawn Fawn). 

6.  I Cereal-ously Like You Valentine Tags.  This was inspired by something a friend saw on Pinterest and she wanted to make them for her daughter's preschool classmates.  I couldn't resist also making some for Charlotte.

Supplies:  Cardstock (American Crafts, Georgia Pacific); Embossing Folder (Provocraft); Digital Files (Silhouette Online Store). 

7.  I Like You a Ton Valentine Tags.  These are some cute tags for a friend to add to her son's treat bags.

Supplies:  Cardstock (Georgia Pacific, Martha Stewart); Baker's Twine (Twinery); Digital Files (Lettering Delights). 

8.  I Like You to the Core Valentine Tags.  I made these tags for Charlotte's classmates.  I wrapped a bag of apple chips in the lunch bag and just tied it all together with some green yarn.  

Supplies:  Cardstock (Georgia Pacific); Digital Files (Lettering Delights). 

9.  Candy Boxes and Tags.  These are the little candy boxes I made and filled with homemade chocolates for Charlotte's teachers.  For the tags, I simply hand stamped some cute images/ sentiments onto shipping tags and colored them in.

Supplies:  Shipping Tags (Avery); Stamps (A*Muse); Cardstock (Recollections; Martha Stewart); Digital Files (Loni Stevens). 

10.  I Love You Frame.  And finally, here is a frame I made for Justin and I.  Since you can use dry erase markers on glass, Justin and I write reasons why we love each other on the frame every day.  It's a good way for us to keep things in perspective.  I will post a tutorial on how to make your own soon.

Supplies:  Patterned Paper (We R Memory Keepers); Vinyl (Silhouette); Digital Files (Kerri Bradford).

Whew...that was a lot of crafting for Valentine's Day!!!  Thank you again for all the support and for dropping by.

Project 100 Update:  46 down, 54 to go.  There were three conversation heart cards and I'm counting each candy box as a separate project.