Z is for Zebra print paper

30 Apr 2020
A to Z Challenge
Z is for Zebra print paper

Today's letter is Z. In my crafting stash at one time I had all kinds of animal printed papers.

I did a scrapbook album project for a friend several years ago. I scrapped over 2000 photos and she ended up with 18 scrapbook albums.

I was able to incorporate Zebra print paper on several of her photos.

Since that time, I have given away all of my animal-Zebra printed papers.

I've had a blast blogging this month in the A to Z Challenge. It was a pleasure reading everyone's comments that were left on my posts. I look forward to the next time we can blog together!

Z is for Zebra printed paper. 

Heart to Heart Soul Creations
H2hsc2020

#AtoZChallenge, #challenge, #scrapbooking, #papercrafting, #drivethrusafari, #zoo, #funtimes, #zebras

Y is for Yellow

29 Apr 2020
A to Z Challenge

They call me Mello Yellow...

or

So we sailed on to the sun
Till we found a sea of green
And we lived beneath the waves
In our yellow submarine

(lyric excerpt from the Beatles song, Yellow Submarine)

The sun is yellow or is it?

Flowers are yellow.

Egg yolks are yellow.

Cheese is yellow.

Clothes are yellow. Although, I don't have any in my closet! LOL

Have you figured out that today's letter in the A to Z Challenge is "Y"?

Y E L L O W

There is one day left after today in the A to Z Challenge. I can't believe it...I've managed to stay with my theme the entire month. CRAFTING - - I'm ecstatic! I have met many wonderful people by participating in the April challenge. Many of those have commented on my posts and I have commented on many.

Looking through my crafting supplies, it donned on me, I don't have many things of the yellow nature. At this moment, I am a bit red as I've been having technical issues with a new printer. I may be yellow by the time I finish with it! Equipment - - I hate when things don't work the way they are supposed to work when a button is pushed. LOL The display reads 'clear paper jam'. I've checked it through and through, turned it off, unplugged it, cleaned the rollers and nothing seems amiss. Yet the message continues to show on the display. I've wasted enough time fiddling around with the printer I need to just walk away from it. YELLOW things...Bees are yellow. Wasps are yellow. 

Paper is yellow. In fact, I have some cardstock that is in this color. 

It isn't something I normally keep in my stock. I purchased this a few months ago when I made a folio for a friend. Her colors were yellow and black. (I forgot to take pictures of the end result). UGH, I hate when I do that...

There is a yellow meated watermelon. Squash is yellow. The canaries are yellow. 

In my stash, I have yellow pencils, yellow markers, yellow distress ink, and yellow paint. I also have a yellow flower that was sent to me by a Great Aunt. I always thought I'd use it on the cover of a Junk Journal. So far, that hasn't happened. 

I also have a few sheets of yellow scrapbook paper. I have yellow ribbons and yellow lace that I dyed a few years back. Yellow is not a color I gravitate towards...but like many other colors, there are times that I do need 'yellow' something or another. 

My plan today is crafting something YELLOW. It might be in my Glue book with yellow napkins (Oh yea, I have plenty of those!) It might even be a junk journal or a Traveler's Notebook (TN) Hmmm, I do have a new laminating machine I received for Christmas that I need to try out. A TN may just be what I make in "yellow" of course...! Whatever I may just craft a giveaway! How many of you would like an opportunity of receiving a Junk Journal or a Travelers Notebook in 'yellow'? I don't think it would be completely yellow, but there would definitely be the presence of yellow in the creation of it! 

I have yellow towels. There are yellow hair ties in the drawer. The rubber duck is yellow. A school bus is yellow and so are the Taxi Cabs. Lemons are yellow but I prefer limes. Bananas are yellow and I always have some on hand. I've seen yellow butterflies before. There are also yellow fish.

I made a yellow Loaded Envelope once. It had tags, embellishments, and special little goodies inside.

But YELLOW crafting supplies? The next time I can make it to a crafting store, I'm going to browse the aisles for "yellow" crafting supplies. I may just have to pick up a few goodies to add to the rest of my stash! 

Y is for yellow! 

Heart to Heart Soul Creations

H2hsc2020

#AtoZChallenge, #yellow, #Yistheletter, #junkjournal, #travelersnotebook, #papercrafting, #crafting, #art, #inspiration, #yellowsupplies, #yellowstuff, #inspiration, #fun, #storytelling, #blogging

X is for eXcellent

28 Apr 2020
A to Z Challenge
X is for eXcellent, eXact and eXploratory

I can't believe we are almost at the end of April and the A to Z Challenge. This was my first time participating in the Blogging A to Z Challenge. I have had a blast! I've met some amazing individuals from around the world. Not to mention taking part in reading many eXcellent blogs.  I enjoy seeing the many variations of writing skills, themes, content, and, photos.

Today's letter is X. Oh my...as I sit here and rack my brain on something in the crafting world with this particular letter, it has proven to be quite difficult. Don't fret though because I have come up with a plan.

Anytime I'm crafting, measurements have to be eXact. If not, my projects might be out of kilter. For instance, if I'm working on a junk journal and it is an 8 1x2 x 11 size - I don't want my cover to be 6 x 5. In some instances that might work, but more times than not - it isn't. eXact measurements with a ruler, a paper trimmer, a sewing mat are key to creating a beautiful creation.

When I want to eXplore something I know nothing about in crafting, I do my research. I watch YouTube videos, and I browse Pinterest. If I can't find what I'm looking for, I will post questions to other crafters. eXploratory preparation is oftentimes needed especially if I am wanting to craft something for the first time.

I'll never forget when I was introduced to a Traveler's Notebooks (TN). I had no idea what I was doing. I needed a crafters' map. There were so many different parts to crafting one of these handy notebooks. The cover, the signatures, the dashboard, the shaker page, and the list goes on and on. Once I made one -I had it down. I ended up making over 100 TN's for the members in my crafting group. I used the Theodosia paper line. (Vintage). I had a blast. Each one was different.  They are so easy and fun to make. They can be compleX or easy. That depends on the individual. Here are a few photos from this project.

eXploring new techniques, new crafts, and learning how to put my own twists and turns into them is eXciting for me. Being eXcellent at what I craft is eXtremely important as well. I don't want to craft something that looks like I've just thrown it together. I can't tell you how many times I've had to scratch something and start all over. I take pride in my crafty creations and I still haven't achieved being the 'very' best at what I create, but I am an eXperienced crafter and I take pride in the quality of my work. I strive to learn something new daily...my motto is, "if I'm not learning - then I'm not growing".

Be eXcellent in all that you do. Be eXact in what you want. eXplore what you don't know.

Today's letter is X.

Heart to Heart Soul Creations
H2hsc2020

#AtoZChallenge, #letterX, #papercrafting, #inspiration, #art

W is for WASHI Tape

27 Apr 2020
A to Z Challenge
W is for Washi Tape

My WASHI collection

Today's letter in the A to Z Challenge is W. Staying with the crafting theme I chose for this challenge, w is easy for me. WASHI tape!!!! I had never even heard of washi tape until 3 years ago when my daughter bought me a few rolls from the Target dollar bins. oh my, I was in heaven and I needed to get more of these amazing rolls of tape! 

Washi tape is unlike scotch tape because once you place it on a project, it can easily be moved to another position. It is kind of like masking tape, tears easily and doesn't leave a residue behind. Washi tape is thin, durable, and made of natural fibers like hemp and bamboo.  I have found washi tape in just about any store in some way, form, or fashion. They can be in single strips, or in rolls like above. Washi tape can be narrow, wide, and in every color and theme, a person can think of. They ARE amazing and fun to use in crafting projects! What's even better is they are INEXPENSIVE!!! 

I've used washi tape on scrapbook layouts, on cards, on tags, in mixed media. I've even used washi tape in my glue books like this page. (I'm no Michael D'Angelo, so please don't laugh at my artwork!) LOL

I have two different strips of washi tape on this page. One at the to that says, "HELLO SUNSHINE" and one at the bottom that says, " LIVE - LOVE - LAUGH". 

A glue book page of mine

 I placed these strips on the page to show them. 

I enjoy having washi tape in my crafting supplies and I'm guilty, when I go into stores now - I look for unusual rolls of washi tape that I can add to my crafting supplies. 

Have fun crafting with washi!!!

W is for WASHI TAPE 

Heart to Heart Soul Creations

H2hsc2020

#AtoZChallenge, #washitape, #papercrafting, #art, #gluebooks, #crafting, #inspiration, #creativity

V is for Vellum

25 Apr 2020
A to Z Challenge
V is for Vellum

Continuing with crafting as my theme, today's letter is V. When I craft, from time to time I use Vellum in my projects.

This particular product is a bit tricky when I want to adhere it to something. Normal adhesives will not secure it on the project. I use vellum as an overlay in many of my projects because of this very reason. Using vellum on a scrapbook layout takes a little bit of creativity to secure it in place. Sometimes I will use assorted brads to secure the corners of the vellum sheets to the paper and that works great! I have also sewed vellum into my layouts. The only downside of sewing - that may leave holes in the vellum and sewing may cause the vellum to rip or tear.

Many times, I have to get creative with the way I secure the vellum on the projects I'm creating. For instance, on the tag below, the area that says, "Music is the voice of the Soul" - that is a piece of vellum. I remember trying double-sided tape. That didn't work. I tried wet adhesive, that didn't work. In fact, I recall trying several different types of glue. I ended up taking a Q-Tip and dabbing some E6000 on the tip and sparingly placed the glue around the edges and down the center of the vellum piece. It worked well.

Music is the Voice of the Soul tag I made a few years back

There are several different types of vellum in my crafting supplies. I have 12 x 12 single sheets that have designs on them. I have sheets of vellum that are off white, white, and colored ones. Several years ago, I acquired several books of vellum through a haul I snagged on Facebook Marketplace a few years ago. They are 8 1/2 x 11 sheets and very beautiful.

I enjoy crafting with the vellum sheets as they bring another dimension to my crafting projects.

V is for VELLUM. 

Heart to Heart Soul Creations

H2hsc2020

#AtoZChallenge, #papercrafting, #art, #creativity, #vellum, #letterV, #inspiration, #scrapbooking, #mixedmedia

U is for Umbrella Magnets

24 Apr 2020
A to Z Challenge
U is for Umbrella magnets

Umbrella Parasol magnets

Staying with my theme of crafting for the A to Z Challenge, today's letter is U. I racked my brain trying to come up with things I do in my crafty creations that start with the letter U.

I remembered about a year or so ago, I took part in a crafting swap where we had to make fanned magnets that looked like umbrellas or parasols.

They are easy to make. Take a piece of paper, fold it back and forth. Then pinch the bottom and adhere it with something to keep it together. I secured mine from the backside. Embellishments can be added to jazz them up some. For the handle, you can use pipe cleaners, beaded beads on wire, or anything else you can come up with.

On the back, I glued a small to a medium-sized magnet on the back. I used hot glue to adhere the magnet to the paper.

These are fun little creations to make. Here's another great idea to use up some of those scrap papers laying around.

Have fun creating cute crafts! U is for Umbrella Parasol Magnets. 

Heart to Heart Soul Creations
H2hsc2020
 

#AtoZChallenge, #funcrafts, #LetterU, #papercrafting, #paperscraps, #crafting, #creativity, #homeschoolmoms,

T is for TAGS

23 Apr 2020
A to Z Challenge
T is for TAGS

One of my TAGS

TAGS, TAGS, TAGS, I never can find any when I am looking for one!! At one time, I kept plenty on hand. Like my handmade flowers - it is a process, so I will take one day out of my crafting week and do nothing but tags. Those days are far behind me...now I make them only when I need one or two!

Scrapbook layouts, journals, loaded envelopes, altered bags - whatever the case may be need a tag of some kind. I have made small tags, large tags - skinny tags, wide tags. Tags can be used as identifiers, to tell a short story on or just as a filler.

Unlike cards, I enjoy creating tags. Most of the time, I make my own tag versus using a Cricut or other type of cutting machine like a Sizzix Big Shot or Cuttlebug. I own a Cricut and a Big Shot. From time to time, I use my Cricut to cut out many tags. In fact, I have used the same TAG and altered paper choices. I have also used smaller pieces of scrap papers to make tags with my Sizzix Big Shot.

There are fancy tags and simple tags - it just depends on how the person creating them envisions them. I have embossed tags, painted tags, distressed tags, and even used different embellishments on tags before. (like the one pictured above).

In some cases, TAGS that I make have been embossed like these below. (These were my very first tags made many years ago). 

First tags I ever made

Handmade TAGS are fun to make. I enjoy giving them away as small gifts. Tags can be made for any holiday or celebration.

Tag with a napkin 

Simple Tags

Vintage Tag

Small Tags

St Patty's Tags (small ones)

Small Fun Tags

Tag with handmade flower

Elegant Tag I made for my mom

The next time you need a TAG, why not make it yourself? T is for Tags. 

Heart to Heart Soul Creations
H2hsc2020

#AtoZChallenge, #Tags, #papercrafting, #creativity, #homeschoolmoms, #homeschooleducators, #art, #DIY, #funprojects, #journals, #loadedenvelopes, #Cricut, #SizzixBigShot, #Cuttlebug

Disclaimer: In this post are my affiliate links if you click on the links and make a purchase, I will make a small percentage of the items you purchase.

S is for Stamps

22 Apr 2020
A to Z Challenge
S is for Stamps

SOME of my stamp Collection

Thinking about the next letter in line on the A to Z Challenge for the month of April, today - it's S. When I planned the month out with my topics I wanted to write about, I had something different and decided since I wasn't feeling all that well - I'd shift the topic for today.

S is for Stamps. Rubber and Acrylic stamps...these are used by crafters young and old. Most of my stamps were purchased through Facebook Buy and Sell sights, while a few others were inherited from an Aunt a few years ago. I have bought new stamps myself in the past.

I'm not a big stamp user as I just haven't been able to get the hang of it. I get more aggravated when I use them than I find joy. Yet, I keep them in my supplies. I do however use them in my journals that I create. In fact, I was looking through my stamps yesterday and saw a few that I want to use in the next journal I make. It's for a friend...

Many of my stamps are from Stampin' Up. A few are from Spellbinders and Simon Says. I also have some from Tim Holtz and Anna Griffin.

If I am honest, I enjoy using acrylic stamps over the rubber ones. I can't sit here and tell you why I prefer them over the rubber ones other than, I don't make mistakes with them like I do with the others. If any of you have used stamps before, you will agree that stamping is unforgiving. If you make a mistake - sometimes, it can't be undone. I can't tell you how many scrapbook layouts I've messed up because my stamping didn't do well. Talk about having some serious internal discussions with self!!! At that point, I'd have to reach for other embellishments or something to cover up those booboos!!! Frustrating isn't the word especially when I had spent hours upon hours creating a beautiful layout - only to have it destroyed by a stamped image. I quickly put away my stamps and ink.

more of my stamps

close up of some of my stamps before they made it to the bookcase

another look

and more

Last year, I was introduced to the Mini Misti. I want to eventually invest in the larger one. It helps a crafter like me place the stamp and the paper in just the right place. It is flawless. The only downside is, I have the 'mini'. I only use it for tags and smaller pages versus the larger projects.

I have watched tutorial after tutorial in hopes of honing my technique - somewhere though, I am having a mental block as to exactly 'how' to use rubber stamps. Maybe one day I'll get the hang of it, but in the meantime...they are on display!

S is for STAMPS! 

Heart to Heart Soul Creations
H2hsc2020

#AtoZChallenge, #letterS, #Stamping, #rubberstamps, #acrylicstamps, #papercrafting, #art, #creativity, #inspiration, #Misti, #journaling, #storytelling