Make me a Calendar and a Bank

Make me a Calendar.  Just for Die Cut Divas, I needed a calendar so I would know when to schedule my posts.   I made one just for me.  These Bugaboo gals are great to color in to make my own special calendar. There's a free digital stamp every Friday - the Friday Freebies!  I make sure I visit Bugaboo on Fridays.  Why don't you?

Close-up of my calender and "Friends are your umbrella" This is the bright close-up - I have the dark close-up too.  There is NO in-between.

This is better, but the umbrella gals are still pretty small to me. I never did get a good shot of my calendar on my cork board above my desk.  I didn't write in what I was posting because you would peek!

A BANK?

I finished a can of Cashews and wondered what I could use it for, rather than just tossing it. Now, make me a bank.   Let's go through the birth of a bank.

Empty can!  Cut quarter size hole in plastic lid.  Apply glue to can and wrap can with white paper.  Decorate as desired.

                                                                     Decorated Sides

My bank is neither glued shut or otherwise securely attached.  I want to be able to RAID my BANK!  This is mostly for quarters so I can pay my meter for work.

Have fun making your homemade projects for fun, laughter, and because you CAN!

Remember to post your "Anything but a Card" here!

Thank you to Bugaboo Digital Stamps, our Sponsor

Arlene and the DCD team

Before & after Tea box

Hi Lovelies,

Its Paula here to share with you a before/after recycle of a tea box.

As you can see it's a small box, perfect for something tiny to give to that someone special.  I colour in this cute Clyde the Dragon from Bugaboo, with Copics (see below for colour list).  I covered the box with pp & then cute strips (using the other side) to make two sliders to hold the lid down.  I added a paper bow complete with a green brad, to the top & used glue dots to stick it to one of the sliders.  I adhered the digi image in the same way.  I just love how cute this box is, now all I have to do is find someone to give it too lol.

Don't forget that there is still time to enter our May Challenge Anything but a card.  Proudly sponsored by
Bugaboo & the winner will recieve seven digi stamps.  Plus if you use a Bugaboo stamp you get three entries instead of one.

Supplies
Empty box
Double sided pattern paper
Bugaboo Digi image - Clyde Birthday
Green brad
Copics - YG03, YG23, YG17, YG11, Y11, Y15, Y17, B000, B00, B01, B06
Cuttlebug
X-cut Ornate Frames

Framed!

That's RIGHT!  I was FRAMED!  I tell ya, I WAS FRAMED.... so says little Bugaboo Rabbit.  

AND guess what, he's right.  He's on the wall above my bed for now.  I think he'd look great in a nursery.  I printed, colored, cut and glue-dotted the guy.  I've been so into Washi tape lately, that's what I thought of to add just a little something to the panel.  I don't think everything should remain UNDER the glass, so I popped this beautiful die-cut butterfly on the glass.

He looks rather mournful, but he is cute.

He's peeking at you!

Hope you liked the framed rabbit.  My granddaughter really liked it!  Who knows where this framed rabbit may go.

Be sure to join our "Anything but a Card" challenge here.

And be sure to visit our wonderful sponsor, Bugaboo Digital Stamps. 

Arlene and the DCD Team

Where does Paula store her Copic markers?

Aren't these the darlingest - I say "darlingest" IS a word...  Thank you to Paula, who is responsible for these delightful containers.  She is just so creative.  I NEVER thought to store my Copics in some cute containers.  She used three different Digi images by Bugaboo. 

Thank you so much for showing us what you do with your Copics and your Bugaboo stamps.  You've inspired me, but I will have to take ACTION and I don't know if I have time this month.  But you never know what will pop up the next time Bugaboo sponsors one of our challenges.  Yes, they'll be back!  Hop on over to see our Sponsor's stamps, so you too, can decorate your containers. 

Also, be sure to join the challenge - the Die Cut Divas' challenge here!  Why?  For the chance to WIN!

I love Bugaboo Stamps badges.  They are sooo much fun!

What a little bag can do

This is the story of a little paper bag.  I'm sure it began its journey like any paper bag, brown and plain.  Some bags become the stuff that artists make into art and some sadly fall by the wayside.  First it became a printed bag with all sorts of yesteryear ads on it.  It was destined to arrive at The Stamp Art Shoppe and hold art supplies for the paper crafter in someone's life.  This bag and another like it came home with me last year.  A flat little bag that waited on its chance for greatness.  Time passed.

I had to choose a challenge for May and the first thought in my mind was "anything but a card."  When I look back on it, I think "why", why did I want to host a challenge that was a "challenge" to me too!  I found a cardboard box that was shaped like a book, not large, but not too small either.  I wanted something I can actually use, not just another pretty thing!.  Here's where paper meets box.

I used Claudine Hellmuth's Studio multi-medium matte to glue the paper onto the box.  I also used it to seal the box.  As I type, the box is sitting beside me drying.  As you can see below, I streaked the outer sides and the inside with acrylic paints, using Apple Barrel Khaki as the foundation, Chocolate Bar mixed with Khaki and Deco Art Dazzling Metalics Glorious Gold streaks along the sides.  No, they don't look much like pages here, but it's not bad from a foot                    away.

The box is covered and painted. 

A little decorating with a lovely Copics colored rose from Bubaboo Digi Stamps and this little paper bag has completed its journey.  I'll finish by decoupaging the box.

I hope you enjoyed the journey of the little paper bag.

Arlene and the DCD Design Team

Anne's Works of Art

Our last day with the super talented Anne Gaal.  Anne is the epitome of the true artist.  From photography to painting, Anne's love of life shows through.  I'm so glad I could share just some of the projects Anne's created.   Be sure to visit and I'm sure you'll follow Anne's blog with as much interest as I do.

What a beautiful set of cards.  

Anne has made available the secrets to this wonderful card and jar set here.  There's also something special about the lid. You must follow this link to see the metallic lid Anne handmade.  Anne just can't help herself from being a unique and talented artist. 

Find out how to make this beautiful Table Topper

Five Steps to a Table Top Tree

Anne guides us through the steps to make this fantastic tree.  I think I might try something like this for next Christmas season.

Anne is a mixed media artist too.  Check out the pieces below here.

Three Muses - an original mixed media piece

Gold Star Memorial for a Fallen Hero

Serendipity Lotus Blossom mixed media original

Arlene and the DCD Design Team

The artist in Anne Gaal

Featured artist for the month of May is Anne Gaal of Gaal Creative (rhymes with "smile").  I follow Anne's blog  as she is so creative, artistic and articulate.  I find tutorials and so many unique items of interest on Anne's blog.  

Now, I'd like to introduce you to her Esty store and a few of the items that may be found there.  I am falling in love with Anne's unique style in the creation of her jewelry pieces. And I think you will too.

Beautiful Periwinkle paired with Gunmetal (I am falling in love with the color)  

I find freshness in her style.

.  Don't you love the asymmetrical design to this piece?

Perfect Earrings!

What a marvelous navy and white necklace.  

Don't leave those earrings behind either. 

 Beautiful earrings.

Cat's eye beads seem to come alive! You have to visit Anne's store.

Love the modern feel to these earrings.

 I'm wondering over to Anne's Etsy's store.

Porcelain beads and luminescent pearls are dazzling partners.

Reminiscent of the old world.

Anne's art ranges far and wide!

Three Muses - an original mixed media piece

Gold Star Memorial for a Fallen Hero

Beating Heart - an original painting with custom metallic frame

Serendipity Lotus Blossom mixed media original

Arlene and the DCD Design Team

A notepad by any other name...

A notepad by any other name is still a notepad.

I started with a donated TISSUE BOX... yes, really...

THEN,  like a frog, it turned into, if not a prince, at least a dude that can wear whatever he wants!

I got a toy to play with... the CINCH and it is a cinch.  I think I'm going to love it... and getting back to the notepad, the tissue box is the cover.  Then Gus came out in his manly beach wear to attract a crowd of keen Gus aficionados, just adding to the overall outrageous swirly atmosphere here.  

Close-up

See, there is a back to it and it's just about as outrageous as the front - not quite... 

Here's my recycling tip - you never know what you have in your hand.- trash or treasure!  

Visit Bugaboo Digi Stamps to find a charmer just like Gus!