Explosion Album

I love these cute little explosion albums. I had a hard time finding a really good tutorial to make them. Finally I combined a couple and gave it my own twist.

Here are the instructions for the smaller album 3x3
Materials Needed:
All cardstock should be double sided:
1 9x9" that coordinates with 1 6x6" as this will be the outside of the box and the lid
1 8 5/8" x 8 5/8"
1 8 1/4 x 8 1/4"

Adhesive
Scoring & cutting tools
Corner Rounder
Bone Folder
Clamps or paper clips

Scoring:
9x9" score 3" in from each edge
8 5/8 x 8 5/8 score 2 7/8 in from each edge
8 1/4" x 8 1/4" score 2 3/4" in from each edge

6x6 score 1 1/2 " in from each edge

Cut outer squares away from each sheet of card stock (not the lid). They should all look like a plus sign (+). Using your bone folder crease each scoreline.

Adhere the bottoms down working from the largest sheet to the smallest. The largest sheet should not have any adhesive on it's back (outside). Embellish as desired and adhere photographs to flaps.

Lid: In addition to scoring 1 1/2" in from each edge, score from each outer square from the inside corner to the outside corner. Pinch the square so that the diagonal scoreline is inside, fold flap over to the side and glue into place. I recommend wet/tacky glue so it is sure to stay secure.

Large Box (4x4")

Use same procedures with the following cardstock:
12x12" scored at 4" in from each edge
11 5/8x 11 5/8" scored at 3 7/8" in from edge edge
11 1/4" x 11 1/4" scored at 3 3/4" in from each edge
Lid: 8x8" square scored at 2" in from each edge.

Homemade Laundry Soap and Dishwasher Soap

I have always had trouble finding laundry soaps without scent. I have found I have a sensitivity to fragrance in soaps. I decided to try some recipes I found on the internet and I finally found two that I think work very well and I continue to use them to this day. With this economy we're all trying to save money and this is one little way I do...

Powdered Laundry Detergent
Use face mask and place a wet towel over food processor as process creates fine dust
We have soft water and I use approximately 1/4 cup per large load
2 bars grated soap such as Ivory (Must be pure soap... Grate it in food processor)
1/2 cup Washing Soda (This can be found in the laundry aisle, by Arm and Hammer)
1/2 cup Borax (This can be found in the laundry aisle also by 20 Mule Team)

Powdered Dishwasher Soap
(If you use Jet Dry, instead fill rinse agent reservoir with white vinegar)
I use approximately 1/4 cup per load, depending on soil

1 1/2 cups Borax
1 1/2 cups Baking Soda
1 cup Salt (This can be increased for more scrubbing power)

I'd love to hear how this works for you or how you modify it to make it work better. That's my little money saving tid bit for this time!

ATC/Photo Carousel

Do you love the 7 Gypsie's carousels? I certainly do, but they are a bit pricey if you need more than one. Those of us into ATC know there is no such thing as too many!! I have put together by my own original design for once, a similar type of carousel made with easily found items. If you want to make your clay from scratch, here are some recipes.

You can download and print the instructions here.

Coupon Caddy

Helping With a School Project

It's been a long time since I was asked to help with a school project, but this one was a pleasure! My niece (nephew's wife) has a niece that is doing a school project where they need to get valentines from every state. I asked her if it was OK if I made one and was thrilled when she said yes! I also haven't been able to make a card with pink and glitter for a long time either! Here is the finished product which I think turned out cute!

Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse...and for heaven's sake....make it CUTE!

One of my goals for this craft room project is to recycle, repurpose and reuse...and of course redecorate...and make cute, as many things as I can for this room. Most of the crafters I know are very thrifty buyers and have that eye for a bargain as well as making something work for a new purpose.

Let's have those ideas artists everywhere!! I may not use them, but I'll post them for others to see and put to use in their own worlds.

Remember.....I LOVE the Wizard of Oz so I'm going to try to stay with my theme without going too far off the deep end!

Craft Room Transformation Step 1--Embellishment Organization

This is my first video in a series during the transformation of my craft room to functional....to fabulous....and on a budget!

All your ideas and comments welcome! I hope I can share them all with you!

Craft Room Organization and Improvements

Tonight I posted a video I vowed never to do....give the world a look into my craft room. Now even the most organized person in the world can get messy when they are crafting. Ideas and inspiration appear...and our little hands go to work.

I've decided to do a series of videos just on the transformation of my craft room. We purchase a new home (new to us) just one year ago. I have, by choice, migrated my craft room to the basement which is partially finished (just the ceiling is open on part of the area). I am going to transform my craft room from it's purest form...which is spacious and functional...to organized, coordinated and by all means cute!

Here are some of the pictures before I moved my things down there. The photo of my husband is where my space actually is now. We moved his office, or most of it upstairs. The other photos are of the rest of the basement which you can clearly see are very spacious.

I am vowing to do this project on a budget. We've discussed in the last months that we need to evaluate want versus need like most Americans.

I'm going to do my very best and take all my crafter friends along for the ride. I would be very appreciative if any of you have ideas or tips to help along the way!

Please be patient as this is not going to happen like it does on TV! It will be over a span of time like most of us have to work into our lives and check books!

New ATC Rolodex Group

As everyone can see I love to make ATC's. If you haven't already tried this fun project, give it a try! I like the jams better than just theme trades. If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, here's a condensed version:

ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) Rule 1: Cards are 2.5" x 3.5"(baseball card/playing card size) unless otherwise specified, Rule 2: ATC's are traded, never sold.

ATC Jams: Cards are created in multiples of 3. The first person creates 3 base cards with a backgrounds and anything else they choose, they then send it onto someone else in the group and they put their artwork on the card, as well as a label with their information on the back, then they send it onto a 3rd person who adds their artwork and label, then keeps one card and sends the other 2 to the first person, the first person keeps one and sends the last one onto the second person. That's a Jam! Most of the people I jam with also add 3 or more new backgrounds along with the Jam they are in onto another person.

I've decided to put a twist on ATC's. I've created a Yahoo Group for Rolodex Jams. All rules of an ATC Jam still apply, except that we are putting them on Rolodex cards. There are several sizes of Rolodex cards, but we will be using; the small ones are 2.25" x 4", the larger ones (usually on the rotary files) are 3" x 5". If you'd like a better view, check out www.rolodex.com and you can see all the items.

Rolodexes can be purchased very inexpensively on eBay or at WalMart.

Click Here To Join ATC Rolodex Jams

Large Recipe Card File

I created this box for those who would rather use the larger (4x6") size recipe cards. The dividers are made from coordinating card stock and the tabs on the dividers are a Quickutz die. If you have any questions about the template please leave a comment and I'll be happy to clarify it.




Recipe Card File Base Diagram

Recipe Card File Lid Diagram