[project] puzzles

Elle loves puzzles so I decided to make her a set of puzzles that would be a fun activity for her to work on during one of our meetings at church. They're the perfect size to put together right on top of a hymn book.

If you have a QuicKutz Revolution or Epic tool, I used the 4x4 puzzle die to create each puzzle. However, I'm sure you could create the same concept by just cutting out pieces that fit together.

Print out a photo and cut to 4x4. I just printed mine on plain copy paper so it would be thin enough to cut using my die-cutting tool. Adhere the photo to a thick material like chipboard. I used QuicKutz adhesive-backed white chipboard which made it really easy...no glue required.

Die cut or cut the photo mounted on chipboard into a puzzle shape. If you want the puzzle pieces to be thicker, die cut or cut an additional piece of chipboard and see step below. If it's thick enough for you, skip the next step.

Turn the photo/chipboard piece over and layer the other die cut puzzle pieces on top to add thickness. Be careful to line up the pieces exactly so the puzzle will still fit together nicely.

Take the puzzle apart and spray each piece with a clear acrylic coating to help make the printed photo more durable.

Create and print a label for the puzzle and place in small ziploc bag.

Repeat process with more photos - you're going to need more than one to keep her entertained during that hour of church.

Place puzzles in small clear file folder. I found mine in the dollar section at Target a while ago.

This project seems a little labor intense, but it was so fast and easy. I made the entire thing in less than an hour. She loved it and really enjoyed putting together the puzzles which had her picture.

thanksgiving table

This Thanksgiving, I went with a natural theme for the table decor so I focused on natural textures and elements in neutral colors with green accents.

I printed the menus and placecards on L Letterpress paper in cream and then used the L Letterpress to blind emboss the matching design on both pieces. 

For additional table conversation, I printed Thanksgiving trivia on L Letterpress paper and then die cut it using a QuicKutz leaf die cut.  The leaf has a fun pop up element that added extra texture and dimension to the decor.

I had originally anticipated going with a more modern design theme, but found these harvest -themed ceramic dinner and salad plates at Shopko for only $.50 each.  Secretly I had wanted to purchase plates for the dinner, but hadn't figure out how I could justify it. I had been thinking white square dinnerware, but at only $.50 each for this style, it was a deal I couldn't pass up.  I ended up loving the way the plates turned out.

The pictures below show how the finished product. There were 31 people seated at the table (my mother-in-law's dinner table combined with two fold up tables next to each other). I used branches, pumpkins (painted off-white), floral greenery for the centerpieces, votives, cream candles, bronze candle holders, twine and twig balls, wire twig garland, stick placemats and burlap.

thankful tree

For Family Home Evening last week, we made a thankful tree.  I die cut and glued a tree trunk to a piece of white paper and then die cut leaves from adhesive-backed cardstock.  We each took turns listing things we were thankful for and then stuck the leaf to the paper. I'm not sure she really grasped the concept of being thankful - she was much more interested in getting to stick another leaf down.  But, it was funny to hear some of things she was thankful for...family was followed by dogs and swimming at the hotel.

michaels contest

Michaels is having a handmade holiday contest where the winner can win a trip to the Martha Stewart show in NYC. Two of my favorite things...New York and Martha. You can submit a project up until December 20th. I've got to start thinking about that perfect project....

Plus, the background pattern Michaels is using on the website looks like the QuicKutz Holiday Gift Set box design from last year. I love that diamond stitch pattern in a deep, rich red.

[kids focus] leaf walk

For one week, Elle and I focused on leaves. The first day we went on a leaf walk in our backyard and gathered all types of leaves from our trees. After we had gathered a sack of leaves, we took them inside and organized and sorted them by color.

Fortunately (or unfortunately if you are my husband and hate having to rake so many leaves every year - so far we've taken over 22 leaf trash bags to the dump), our backyard is full of leaves. Our "leaf week" fell at the perfect time where there were plenty of leaves on the ground and still in the trees.

If you don't have access to a lot of leaves, you can also make your own. Simply cut leaves (we made leaf die cuts with the Epic Die-Cutting Tool and QuicKutz die REV-0249-S) in several colors and let your child sort those into color piles.

With both options, she had a great time and loved practicing her colors on both the real and paper leaves. On another day, we used the paper leaves to make up "falling leaf" songs. As we sang the songs, we threw the leaves into the air to let them fall to the ground. Baby Liv found this quite entertaining.

halloween treat bags

Here are the treat bags Elle and Liv made for their friends and cousins. Clear bag was in the $1 bin at Target. We made the bag header with black cardstock and used a QuicKutz die to cut a spider web and spider to embellished the header. We put glossy accents on the spider to make it stand out against the black cardstock. We filled the bags with spider rings, bubbles, bracelets and vampire teeth. We can't wait to give them out tonight!

cha summer

image from here

I just got back from CHA (Craft and Hobby Tradeshow) in Orlando late last night. We had a great time demoing the L Letterpress and the new QuicKutz products.

Here are some of the things people are saying about the product....

Craft Critique (click to see the full review)

Here's something that has everybody buzzing... a letterpress machine for the crafter. That's right. Letterpress. At home. QuickKutz has launched a new brand: Lifestyle Crafts (also known as L), and is about to release what crafters have been clamoring for: elegant letterpress....

Scrapbook Trends Blog (click to see the full review)

So one of the most exciting products is the “L” from Quickutz. It is a home letterpress kit. The letterpress kit is part of the Lifestyle Craft brand....

The Scrap Review (click to see the full review)

My fave product of the day was imPRESSive. (Sorry, I'm a little slap happy from not sleeping for more than 6 hours total since I've been in Florida!) Yes, QuicKutz has come up with the new amazing product that will do letterpress (printing & debossing), called... wait for it... Letterpress....

here it is...

Introducing L - a brand new lifestyle craft brand focused on developing products that enable creativity! With L products, you can add that personal handmade touch to all of life's events from simple everyday occurances to special occasions like weddings and babies.


I'm really excited about the first product launch in the L brand...the L Letterpress line. This collection of products is desigend to let the home crafter create elegant letterpress projects with an easy-to-use, convenient and affordable method.


Below is a picture of the L Letterpress Combo Kit which includes everything you need to start creating letterpress projects. Check out the L website - lifestylecraft.com - to see all of the products in this initial launch, and be sure to check out the 15 printing plate sets. The designs really turned out great!

If you're not familiar with letterpress, below is a quick explanation. The photo on the left shows the design pressed into the paper with no ink so you can easily see the debossed element of letterpress. The photo on the right is that same design pressed into paper with ink. The letterpress result has a fantastic texture and feel.

Here are a few projects made with the L Letterpress...

happy father's day

Remember how I thought it would be fun to make a tie that matched outfits for Elle and Liv?  Well, it pays to have your sister (a fashion design major at Auburn) living with you.  We made a tie, two skirts and an applique/embroidery onesie yesterday as a gift for Adam.  I thought it would be fun to get some pictures of him with his girls on Father's Day.  Unfortunately, the picture taking didn't go so well (the one below is the only one with Elle smiling and looking at the camera - she looks like she is choking Liv in at least 1/2 of them).  I also made a card to coordinate.

The card is letterpressed with QuicKutz die cuts embellished with Glossy Accents.

create in color

QK spring gift sets are available in stores May 2nd! Gift sets are some of my favorite products to develop and are usually some of our best sellers.  This year we went with a color theme creating 4 gift sets that explore the personality of color.

For blue, we created the RELAX gift set which includes fun summer/beach shape dies, a retro style alphabet set and a clear tote perfect to take to the beach.

For pink, we created the FLIRT gift set which includes a selection of girly shape dies, a flirty script alphabet set and a small pink tote perfect for make up, holding your wallet, keys etc.

For red, we created the ENJOY gift set which includes summer/BBQ shape dies, a fun alphabet set and a red tote perfect to pack full of things to take to the park, a picnic etc.
For green, we created the REUSE gift set which includes nature/earth/recycle shape dies, a classic versatile alphabet with optional leaf and recycle embellishments and a green reusable shopping bag.

All of the dies are in the Cookie Cutter format which work perfectly with the QK Revolution tool.  QK is also sponsoring a Create in Color contest where you can win a trip to Hawaii (I wish I was eligible - I could use a trip to a nice relaxing warm beach!).  Get yours before they're gone!

back to basics QK release

My "day" job is Director of Product Development for QuicKutz, Inc. We release new products every month designed for paper crafting and scrapbooking. Today is the launch of our "Back to Basics" themed release which includes a variety of die-cutting shapes and designs including the instant photo die used in the image above (which features the fantastic QK sales team). This release is especially versatile making it great for a variety of projects. Check out the whole release here.

happy birthday olivia

Today is Olivia's birthday! She is my youngest sister, and I love when she comes to stay with me and we get to create a ton of fun projects.

Here's an idea from a recent birthday idea book we created at QuicKutz. Just cut letters from vinyl on your Silhouette and apply to balloons for an easy and creative way to personalize party decor.

revolution

More self promotion...The Revolution is a tabletop die-cutting tool designed to primarily cut cardstock with thin steel dies. At QuicKutz, we primarily design and promote the tool to a scrapbooking consumer. However, I love the tool for all the non-scrapbooking things it can create. Check it out at QuicKutz and watch for more posts on creative projects this tool is perfect for like baby announcements.

silhouette

Yes...this post qualifies for shameless self-promotion (seeming that I'm responsible for this product and product line)...however it really is an amazing tool. There are endless applications for this tool including cards, paper crafts, posters and home decor. Check it out at QuicKutz and watch for more posts in the future showing creative projects ideas with the tool!