Feature You Friday - Shades of Blue Blog

Good morning CraftyStealers!

I hope you all had a fantastic holiday weekend, and got the chance to do a little bit of creating.  Today's feature is a blog by your fellow CraftyStealer, Serene, called Shades of Blue.  Serene is quite the mini-album maker, and if you like minis, you will get to see some gorgous ones if you visit her blog. 

A little about Serene...

I’m Serene Blascovich, a full-time working mom and wife from NY.  I’ve always been a creative person but until I discovered scrapbooking, I never really found my niche.  After being introduced to scrapbooking by my aunt about 4 years ago, I slowly ventured into this wonderful world.  Once I’d made my first layout, I was hooked.  I love learning new techniques and finding ways to incorporate them into my projects.   While I immensely enjoy making layouts, I especially like making mini albums.  Upon completion of a mini album, I get such a feeling of accomplishment.  

This fulfilling hobby has become my passion which allows me a creative outlet, a way to relieve stress, and at the same time I am creating a legacy for my family.  Scrapbooking has also allowed me to meet amazing and talented people who fill my life with joy and inspiration.

Here are a few of Serene's creations.

A baseball mini for her son...

A very cool expandable mini...

And her latest mini... 

So colorful and fun! Be sure to go say hi to Serene and check out her Shades of Blue blog. 


Have a great weekend!

Would you like to be featured on a future “Feature You Friday”? It’s a great way to show off your skills, share your talents, or promote a business, blog or cause that’s dear to you.  All you need to do is send us a photo (or photos) of a project (layout, card, altered item, your imagination is the limit!) to the CraftySteals blog at blog@craftysteals.com. If you are chosen, your work (and links) will be seen by all of our CraftySteals Blog readers and Facebook fans.  Submit your photos today – we can’t wait to see what you have come up with!

Feature You Friday - Bling-ing Tees

Good morning CraftyStealers!

We always love to see CraftySteals in action - especially showing up in the creations of a stay-at-home mom run business! Bling-ing-tees.  Shannon makes custom shirts, onesies, diaper cloths, burp cloths and more for anyone who needs a little bling in their lives.  (Don't we all?)  She got started with some rhinestones from a steal and now can't stop blinging things...

 "As a mom of boys I never get to sparkle my kids out; however I do love some bling for myself. I have started making custom designed shirts for girls, mommies, and yes even the boys (minus the bling, of course!). Birthday shirts, holiday shirts, Soccer Mom, Cheer Mom, the possibilities are endless. I can design something for you or you can pick something I have already created."

Here are a few of Shannon's creations:

 
 

There are many more fun items to see on her Facebook Page, Bling-ing-tees (and you can also ask Shannon any questions or request a custom item through her page).  Go check it out and you just might have to "like" her bling!
Have a great Friday everyone. 

Would you like to be featured on a future “Feature You Friday”? It’s a great way to show off your skills, share your talents, or promote a business, blog or cause that’s dear to you.  All you need to do is send us a photo (or photos) of a project (layout, card, altered item, your imagination is the limit!) to Andreana at blog@craftysteals.com.  If you are chosen, your work (and links) will be seen by all of our CraftySteals Blog readers and Facebook fans. Submit your photos today – we can’t wait to see what you have come up with!

Feature You Friday - An "A"dorable Party

Good morning CraftyStealers!

A while back, I wrote a blog post over at StitchSteals about some aprons I had made (using Silhouette heat transfer) for a couple of sweet girls who were turning 5.  I thought I was being pretty darn crafty with those aprons. See?

Well, when I got to the party, I was BLOWN AWAY at the craftiness of their mama, Lori, a friend and CraftySteals fan.  The decorations and little touches - most of them made by the Silhouette - were fabulous.  Stephanie was there as well, and we decided that we HAD to share this party with all of you.  So here goes...

Here is the sign on the front door.  Now when I walked up, I thought to myself, "How cool! I wonder where she got that."

Then I walked in and saw this... 

And these hanging...

And then this on the table with an assortment of coordinated colorful goodies. 

I realized then that she had done it all.  Front door to backyard. And that wasn't even it!  Here are the cupcakes with their Silhouette made toppers,

and here's the "Happy Birthday" banner that she HAND-CUT out of corrugated cardboard with a box cutter and painted, (This is even cuter in person!)

and the party favors with their dimensional sentiments (my kids went crazy for the little bubble gum dispensers that were inside of them).

Thanks, Lori, for letting us showcase all of your hard work! It was a beautiful party (and so much fun!). Yes, it was so much fun that my 6-year-old jumped into the pool with his clothes on!! Right before I had to take him to play in a baseball game.  (At least he took off his shoes, right?)  I hope you all enjoyed seeing this fabulous party - and maybe take away a little inspiration from your fellow CraftySteals fan.

Enjoy your Friday!

Do you have any party pictures you want to share? Would you like to be featured on a future “Feature You Friday”? It’s a great way to show off your skills, share your talents, or promote a business, blog or cause that’s dear to you.  All you need to do is send us a photo (or photos) of a project (layout, card, altered item, your imagination is the limit!) to the blog@craftysteals.com.  If you are chosen, your work (and links) will be seen by all of our CraftySteals Blog readers and Facebook fans.  Submit your photos today – we can’t wait to see what you have come up with!

Feature You Friday - Charmed by Heather (and a GIVEAWAY)

Good morning, CraftyStealers!

Do you have a picture of your family or children or even pets that you absolutely LOVE and want to do more with than just put it on a layout tucked into an album, or stick them in a frame?  Well, today’s feature is for you!  We are featuring the Etsy business of a CraftySteals friend, Heather.

Heather is a fellow craft lover and stay-at-home mom who got a creative itch and “discovered a passion for making and designing jewelry.”  A few years ago, she started making glass pendants for her family and friends.  These early gifts were the springboard for her website, Personally Charmed, and her etsy shop, Charmed by Heather.  She makes beautiful custom photo jewelry, as well as gorgeous hand-forged silver and copper jewelry. 

 

 

 

 

The custom photo jewelry is such a fun way to make a gift personal for anyone in your life (I know I’ll be gifting myself as well as my loved ones!).  There are cuff links for dad (just a note, that if you want them in time for Father’s Day, you’ll have to order by today!), necklaces, bangles, bracelets, key chains, even custom bobby pins!  Please don't forget to check out the hand-forged stuff.  There are sterling silver and copper rings and earrings and more that are utterly beautiful and very unique.

Heather has done something very special for all of our CraftySteals fans.  She is offering all of you a 25% off coupon code (she told us this discount is the BIGGEST she’s ever given!).  Just do your shopping at Charmed by Heather on Etsy, and enter CRAFTYSTEALSFAN at checkout.  (This code is good for one month and will expire on July 10^th).

Heather has also very generously offered to give away one of her fabulous custom pieces to one of our lucky CraftyStealers!  The winner will get to choose between a custom 1-inch square necklace or a custom 1-inch key chain.  Here is an example of the necklace:

I know you want it! All you have to do for your chance to win, is to head over to Charmed by Heather’s Facebook page and "like" it.  Then leave us a comment on the CraftySteals Facebook wall, letting us know that you are a new fan of Charmed by Heather.  We’ll even give you an additional chance to win if you “heart” her Etsy store, Charmed by Heather.  Just leave us another comment on the CraftySteals Facebook wall and let us know you “heart” her store.  We’ll take comments for 24 hours and make our winner known tomorrow morning.

Good luck, and have a wonderful Friday!

By the way, I’m sorry we have to have you comment on our Facebook wall for this giveaway.  We know you have had issues commenting on our blog  (heck, I can’t even comment here!), and we are so sorry for the inconvenience. Believe me, I would love to read your comments!  We are making some changes soon that will make our blog more fan friendly!  Until we've gotten it fixed, just let us know what you think on Facebook!

Would you like to be featured on a future “Feature You Friday”? It’s a great way to show off your skills, share your talents, or promote a business, blog or cause that’s dear to you.  All you need to do is send us a photo (or photos) of a project (layout, card, altered item, your imagination is the limit!) to the CraftySteals blog at blog@craftysteals.com  If you are chosen, your work (and links) will be seen by all of our CraftySteals Blog readers and Facebook fans.  Submit your photos today – we can’t wait to see what you have come up with!

Feature You Friday - EK Success Canvas Frames by Lynn

Good morning CraftyStealers!

Today, we are featuring your fellow CraftyStealer, Lynn.  We've featured her beautiful cards on the blog previously (she is a very talented cardmaker!)  This time, she took today's CraftySteal, EK Success canvas frames, and turned plain, white and boring into some fabulous fun graduation gifts. 

Lynn used the following supplies: Stamps:  Pink Paislee "Daily Junque" and "Soiree", Ippity/Unity "Authentic Man", Marah Johnson "Journey" stamp, Ink:  Unity "Noir" and "Burnt Umber", Tim Holtz: Trinket Pins and "Timeworks" Masks (masculine frame), Letter:  Pink Paislee, Tattered Angels "Fanciful Stencils" (feminine frame), Glimmer Mist "Coffee Shop" & "Bronze", Prima flower, Acrylic paint in tans and gold tones

Aren't they gorgeous? Thanks for sharing with us Lynn!  If you'd like to see more of Lynn's work, go check out her blog, From My Bungalow.  It is chock full of stamping, cards and altered project eye candy!  Today, especially for her fellow CraftySteals fans, she's posting some cards she has made using her latest Crafty Steal, Unity's Spotted Owl stamps - be sure to head over and take a peek!

Have a great Friday, and Happy Crafting!

Would you like to be featured on a future “Feature You Friday”? It’s a great way to show off your skills, share your talents, or promote a business, blog or cause that’s dear to you.  All you need to do is send us a photo (or photos) of a project (layout, card, altered item, your imagination is the limit!) to the CraftySteals blog at blog@craftysteals.com.  If you are chosen, your work (and links) will be seen by all of our CraftySteals Blog readers and Facebook fans.  Submit your photos today – we can’t wait to see what you have come up with!

Feature You Friday - Operation Write Home

Good morning CraftyStealers!

This weekend, many of us will be firing up our grills, maybe hitting the local swimming hole, or finding some way to celebrate a 3-day weekend.  I thought that on this Friday, before Memorial Day, we should feature an organization that might give us a little reminder of why we really have Monday off.

Operation Write Home is an organization that sends handmade cards to servicemen and women - so they can send them home to their loved ones.  Donations are sent to volunteer shippers who log, sort and box them up (along with 20-30 letters of support from kids and adults) and send them off to our military men and women. 

Want to help? Check out their "Needs" page, to find out what kind of cards the different shippers are looking for.  There are also a few guidelines that will help navigate the specifics of making and sending the cards.  So next time you're sitting down to make a card, consider making an extra to send along to Operation Write Home.  It's tax-deductible, a great way to use up scraps, try out new techniques and most of all, it's such an easy way to give back to those who give so much for us!


Be sure to visit the Operation Write Home Facebook Page or their Blogger's Circle for inspiration, card galleries, and sketch challenges.

Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting!

Would you like to be featured on a future “Feature You Friday”? It’s a great way to show off your skills, share your talents, or promote a business, blog or cause that’s dear to you.  All you need to do is send us a photo (or photos) of a project (layout, card, altered item, your imagination is the limit!) at blog@craftysteals.com.  If you are chosen, your work (and links) will be seen by all of our CraftySteals Blog readers and Facebook fans.  Submit your photos today – we can’t wait to see what you have come up with!

Feature You Friday - Tina Walker

Good morning, CraftyStealers!

We have a layout to share, from your fellow CraftyStealer, Tina Walker.  Tina is a working mom who loves scrapbooking and photography.  She has been a scrapper for 15 years, and a lover of crafting since childhood. She created this fabulous page using the CraftySteal Crate Paper Cottage Collection.  I think she is so creative with paper and love the stitching she uses on so many pages.

Thanks for sharing with us Tina! Everyone, don't forget to check out Tina's blog, A Dog's Life, to see more of her layouts and work - I promise you will get a lot of inspiration there!

Be sure to check in tomorrow, we've got a little something fun planned for National Scrapbook Day. 

Happy Crafting!

 

Would you like to be featured on a future “Feature You Friday”? It’s a great way to show off your skills, share your talents, or promote a business, blog or cause that’s dear to you.  All you need to do is send us a photo (or photos) of a project (layout, card, altered item, your imagination is the limit!) to the blog@craftysteals.com.  If you are chosen, your work (and links) will be seen by all of our CraftySteals Blog readers and Facebook fans.  Submit your photos today – we can’t wait to see what you have come up with!

Feature You Friday - Fidel Caps

Good morning CraftyStealers!

Today, we are featuring our very own Mrs. CraftySteals herself, Stephanie!  We wanted to show you all of the fabulous caps she has created using with today's CraftySteal, Alternative Apparel Fidel Caps.  You can paint them, bling them, use heat transfer or sew on them. The sky's the limit with the different ways you can put your signature on these caps!

As an added bonus, Alternative Apparel is an company concerned not only with the environment, but making the people who work with and for them are treated fairly in the making of their products.  You can feel good about "stealing" caps made by this company!

Here's a few of the caps Steph has made so far (also using the Silhouette Fabric Interfacing)

Cute, right? These caps are adorable on, (and a life-saver when you wake up late but still have to drop your kid off at school!) Go get yours at CraftySteals before they are gone!

Happy Crafting, and make sure to check out CraftySteals tomorrow - it's National Scrapbook Day soon and we'll be celebrating with a special deal!
 
Would you like to be featured on a future “Feature You Friday”? It’s a great way to show off your skills, share your talents, or promote a business, blog or cause that’s dear to you.  All you need to do is send us a photo (or photos) of a project (layout, card, altered item, your imagination is the limit!) to the CraftySteals blog at blog@craftysteals.com.  If you are chosen, your work (and links) will be seen by all of our CraftySteals Blog readers and Facebook fans.  Submit your photos today – we can’t wait to see what you have come up with!

Feature You Friday: Recycled Cards

Good morning CraftyStealers!

Happy Earth Day! For 41 years, Earth Day has been a reminder to all of us that we need to take care of our planet - and take action to ensure that our resources will continue to be here for future generations.

In keeping with that idea, I thought today that we should "feature" a way for all of the people who like to play with paper, to get involved.  Here's what I came up with.  Recycling card fronts. 

Even if you do not make cards, I can bet you have received them.  Lots of them.  And if you are anything like me, you save them.  I tend to save all cards right after holidays and birthdays and then purge them into the recycling bin about two years later. (I'm not a hoarder, just sentimental - or that's what I tell myself!).  After December, which includes Christmas, my daughter's birthday, husband's birthday, and my wedding anniversary, I had a huge stack of cards.  So I went searching for something better to do with them than the recycle bin.  I found St. Jude Children's Ranch. 

St. Jude Children's Ranch (not to be confused with the also fantastic and worthy St. Jude Children's Research Hospital) is a place where abused, abandoned or neglected children are cared for and helped to heal.  There are three locations - one in Nevada, two in Texas.  It is a non-profit, non-sectarian home for children of all races and faiths. 

St Jude's Children's Ranch has a recycled card program.  The children take donated card fronts (for all occasions), and turn them into cards for resale.  All you have to do is mail in the fronts of those cards and you will be giving them new life!

Here are the details for donating cards (taken from the St. Jude Children's Ranch website):

To Donate Cards:

We welcome your donation and ask that you please review the below tips before sending your donation. Currently, we have found the least expensive way to mail large quantities of card donations is through the USPS in a Flat Rate Box which holds up to 70 pounds (available at the Post Office).

Card Donating Tips:

All types of greeting cards, including Christmas are used.

• Only the card front can be used (please check to be sure the back side is clear of any writing, etc.)
• We can not accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards.
• 5" x 7" size or smaller is preferred.

Mail donations to : St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

What a great way to help the earth, help others, and make sure those gorgeous cards that we know people spent either time, money or energy on, don't go to waste!

If you'd like to look for an Earth Day event near you, please visit the Earth Day Network website.  Or, with a busy weekend ahead for many of you with many of us celebrating Good Friday and Easter as well, you can make a "green" pledge - and be part of the "Billion Acts of Green."

We even have an earth-friendly CraftySteal going on today! The K&Co Amy Butler stamps are in post-consumer waste recycled packaging that has designs and words printed on it - also making it REUSABLE! So with a clear conscience, go check out these gorgeous stamps that are perfect for spring projects!

Have a wonderful weekend and feel free to share with us any other ways you are getting "green" today!

Would you like to be featured on a future “Feature You Friday”? It’s a great way to show off your skills, share your talents, or promote a business, blog or cause that’s dear to you.  All you need to do is send us a photo (or photos) of a project (layout, card, altered item, your imagination is the limit!) to the CraftySteals blog.  If you are chosen, your work (and links) will be seen by all of our CraftySteals Blog readers and Facebook fans.  Submit your photos today – we can’t wait to see what you have come up with!

Feature You Friday: Paper Mobile by Carly

Good morning, CraftyStealers!

Today we have a little something fun for you! We are featuring your fellow CraftyStealer Natasha's paper mobile. 

I'm Carly Lucier from Windsor, ON and I'm 20 years old. I have always enjoyed crafting, but my passion started about two years ago when I was looking up origami crane instructions and instead found these origami star-ball instructions!  I started out selling just the balls at Made In Windsor Crafters Markets. A few people suggested that I use the star-balls to make mobiles, so I did!

For this project, Carly used her American Crafts Valentine's ribbon CraftySteal.

Cute, right?  I'm thinking this project has so many possibilities beyond a baby's room decoration!  Depending on the paper, it could be a solar system or sports balls for bigger boys, transformed into flowers or butterflies for a little girl, or a great holiday decoration for any season - you could even make a very cool Christmas tree covered in handmade origami ornaments!  If you'd like to see more or purchase one of Carly's origami creations, go check out her Origami Mobiles Facebook Page.  Thanks again for sharing, Carly!

Have any projects you'd like to share? Have an Etsy or Ebay business you want everyone to know about? Or maybe a crop or cause you'd like to get the word out about? Send in your submissions to the StitchSteals blog for consideration for future Feature You Fridays.  We'd love to share your talents with all of your fellow CraftyStealers!

Have a fabulous start to your weekend. Happy Crafting!

Feature You Friday:

Good morning CraftyStealers!

Just in time to give you inspiration for your weekend projects, we are featuring some layouts this Friday from your fellow CraftyStealer Natasha.  First, a little bio from Natasha: 

I am known as “Mommy” to my 2 little boys (6 and 2) and “Dear” by my Hubby of 7 years, and my wonderful friends refer to me as “Tash”.  I live in Marystown, NL  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marystown), a smaller community, but one we love to call home!  I am blessed to have the opportunity to be a Stay At Home Mom to all of my boys.  My background is very oddly diverse, and I like to dabble into everything… and paper-crafting has become a passion!!  I LOVE paper!!!  Hence the reason why I LOVE CraftySteals!!  It is part of my morning ritual to check out the site and see what new goodies are available.  I have been scrapbooking for about 8 years now, and I love everything about paper crafting!!  It has become such a positive outlet for creativity, creating memories for my children (I LOVE making all the décor for their parties), AND then I get to preserve those memories for them for later years!!!

Natasha used her My Mind's Eye Love Me Do CraftySteal to create those layouts.  Thanks, Natasha, for sharing with us!   If you'd like to see some more of her layouts, check out her  personal gallery.

All of the rest of you CraftyStealers, keep sending your submissions to the blog@craftysteals.com - we are continually impressed with all your creativity and talent!  Plus, if you have a blog, business or cause - we'd love to share that as well!

Have a great weekend - hopefully you all get lots of time to create. I've been itching to play with some paper, and am hoping to sneak some time in between baseball and soccer games and teaching kindy Sunday School this weekend!  Wish me luck!

Happy Crafting!

Feature You Friday: Perpetual Calendar by Sandy Ang

Hello again! After all of that giveaway excitement, it's back to normal (for now), and we've got something fun for you to see this Friday!

I'm sure all of you have scraps. Especially from patterned papers that you adore and can't bear to get rid of any little piece.  Well, our feature this week is a way to use up a few of your favorite scraps and turn them into something beautiful AND useful!

Here's a little about your fellow CraftyStealer:

Hi, this is Sandy Ang from sunny, little Singapore. I’m a crafter who loves card-making, paper construction and creating altered objects. Always interested in trying out new papercraft techniques and ideas. I get inspired by all sorts of things around me : from high fashion, through origami techniques to graphic design. 

Sandy made this perpetual calendar:

Cute, right? If you'd like to create one yourself, she posted a tutorial on her blog.  Take a look around while you are there. She's done some beautiful work (and there are more tutorials, yay!) and the photos are gorgeous!  Thanks for sharing with us Sandy!

I hope you have a great weekend (and don't get TOO many April Fool's jokes played on you - I am little nervous about what my kindergartner will be hearing - and learning - from his friends at school and trying out on his ol' mom).  Keep sending in your creations to the CraftySteals blog for consideration for future Fridays!

Oh, and be sure to head over to CraftySteals.com for one (or all) of today's Sassafrass steals. They would be great for making a calendar pretty :) Not only would you get such a great deal, but there's FREE shipping on today's steals too!

Happy Crafting!

Feature You Friday: Waterfall Card by Vickie

Good morning CraftyStealers!

This morning, we have a beautiful card from fellow CraftyStealer Vickie, to get those creative juices flowing in time for the weekend.

A little bit about Vickie:

"I am a single Grandmother with 6 Grandsons.  I have been scrapbooking for about 15 years now and had a retail and online scrapbook store called “Victoria’s Keepsakes” about 9 years ago.  I just recently retired so almost all my time is spent scrapbooking, card making, and anything else scrapbook or paper craft related.  I have really gotten hooked on card making recently and learning all the new techniques. I have a BFF that shares the same passion and joy I share in creating as well as shopping. We are attempting out first Craft Show in April so we have been really busy getting things made for that. She has a lake house near Lake Texoma that we go to as often as we can and scrapbook the weekend or week away.

I also love anytime I can get great buys on scrapbook items and Crafty Steals has lots of those. I loved the My Mind’s Eye paper pack from the Ohh La La collection.  In fact I liked it so much and it was such a “steal”, I bought a set for me, my best friend and my daughter-in-law."

And a little bit about the card, made with her CraftySteal, My Mind's Eye Ohh La La paper...

"The cards I created from this set used a new technique I found called the “waterfall” technique where when a ribbon is pulled, the card opens up to reveal several ovals with sentiments."

Love the waterfall technique! If you'd like to see some more of Vickie's work, you can visit her at her blog, Victoria's Keepsakes or "like" her Facebook page Victorias-Keepsakes  She's also selling her fabulous creations on eBay! (She's doesn't have any items currently on eBay, as she's getting ready for a craft show in April, so if you are in the DFW area, you might be able to score one in person).

Thanks, Vickie, for sharing with us!

All of you other CraftyStealers, don't forget to send in your paper-craft project pictures to blog@craftysteals.com.  You (and your blog, charitable cause or business if you have one) could be featured on a future Friday.

We are also so excited to say that CraftySteals is getting close to 20,000 fans on Facebook.  We have fabulous prizes in store for you when we get there - so please help us spread the word and suggest us to all of your friends!  Let's see how fast we can get to 20,000!

 Have a great weekend and happy crafting!