Build-A-Garden with Altenew

Subscribe before July 25th!

 Enjoy Altenew's Build-A-Garden project set, an exciting monthly package that is sure to get the creative juices flowing! Each month includes a stamp set along with a coordinating stencil set and/or die set PLUS a customer-favorite Mini Blending Brush! Build your collection of brushes from month to month so you will never be left looking for the perfect tool while crafting. Note that these products are not sold separately.

Each month Altenew releases a new Build-A-Garden Design. The monthly subscription means that they will send you the newly released Build-A-Garden Set without you having to go to their website to order it each month.

Sign up before July 25th and get early access to Altenew's NEW Build-a-garden design before it is released in their store.  What are you waiting for?  Click here!

Don't Want to Leave Your Crafts Behind?

 

It's the middle of summer, and many of us are traveling or setting in for a good stay-cation.  But maybe you don't want to leave your crafts behind.  It's easier than you think to take along a hand-craft, IF you keep it simple and portable.  Consider these:

Choose small, low-mess projects. Embroidery, hand stitching, crochet, knitting, coloring, fussy cutting, card kits, or pre-cut scrapbook embellishments travel better than anything involving wet glue, paint, glitter, or lots of tiny loose pieces.

Pack a project kit. Put everything for one project in a zip pouch: supplies, tools, thread, adhesive, embellishments, and a small pair of scissors if allowed.

Prep before you leave. Cut papers, sort photos, stamp images, thread needles, or make little card kits ahead of time so you can simply create instead of hauling your whole craft room.

Use containers that close securely. Zipper pouches, pencil boxes, bead organizers, and small photo cases keep supplies from spilling in your bag.

Bring fewer choices. Limit yourself to one color palette, one theme, or one project. Too many options can make crafting on the go feel stressful.

Think about travel rules. For flights, check whether scissors, needles, blades, or liquids are allowed in your carry-on. When in doubt, pack sharp tools in checked luggage or use safer alternatives.

Include a “pause and pack” bag. Keep a small empty zip bag for scraps, loose pieces, thread ends, or anything unfinished so cleanup is quick.

The goal is relaxed creativity — not bringing your entire craft room along for the ride.

What a weekend!

Over last weekend, My sister and I were able to scrapbook at a retreat center that is only about an hour from my home. It sure is better than going 3.5 hours away! And the owner is so sweet! Unlike the sassy, snarky hostess/former owner, from our recent place. I will never go back there.  Anyway, I got many scrapbook pages done at the one I did go to! These are three of them.

Don't forget to build in time in your schedule  to do something creative!  Have a great weekend!

And if you're interested in using Creative Fabrica (they have great fonts and other things.) You should check out their current offer!  It's really helping me with my Harry Potter pages.  Happy Crafting!

Do you have to finish what you've started?

 My craft retreat was a blast, and I am ready for another one!  In fact, in a couple of weeks, I will be going to another one, this time by myself.  I've always gone with my sister in the past.  I am going to get soooo much done!  And let me tell you, my craft planner came in so handy!  I absolutely love using it!

Today's quick tip:

Have you ever looked at a shelf full of unfinished craft projects or a table full of UCPs and felt a little guilty? You're not alone! But here's the truth: unfinished doesn't mean wasted.

Every unfinished project represents something positive. It shows you were learning a new technique, trying a creative idea, or making time for a hobby you love. Even if you never complete it exactly as planned, you've gained experience and inspiration along the way.

Unfinished projects can also become valuable resources. That half-finished scrapbook page might provide the perfect layout idea for a future album. Leftover die cuts, paper scraps, or partially completed cards can often be repurposed into something entirely new.

Instead of viewing unfinished projects as failures, think of them as creative pauses. Your interests, skills, and style change over time. When you're ready, you may return with fresh ideas—or decide to transform the project into something even better.

So the next time you come across an unfinished craft, don't be discouraged. Celebrate the progress you've already made, keep what still inspires you, and let go of the rest without guilt. Creativity is a journey, not a race.

Remember: Every finished masterpiece was once an unfinished project.

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Quick Tip

💗 Before starting a new project, take five minutes to look through your unfinished ones. You may discover supplies, ideas, or inspiration you forgot you had!

Craft Weekend

 

While everyone else in the USA is celebrating the 4th of July, I'll be crafting my heart out.  I'm so excited to be able to go to a craft retreat that weekend.  My sister and I have been to three previous retreats at a place called The Nest in Willis, Texas.  We like that it is smaller than our previous retreat location so we have made friends with other card makers, scrapbookers, and even quilters.  Plus it's closer to home. It's going to be great!  

And I have my own organization tool to help me get ready.  It is a printable Craft Weekend Planner Bundle.  The project planners are invaluable in helping me make the most of my creative time.  It's available on Etsy, and you can use code FAVORITE to save 10% on the bundle or any of my other printables.  Hope you have a crafty week!

Quick Tip to Bring on the Creativity!

This is almost a challenge rather than a tip. But the TIP is to get your creative juices flowing! 

 Try creating a card, scrapbook page, paper craft, wood craft, or any type of crafting you enjoy using only one main tool. It can definitely be done! 

 For example, if you sew, your one main tool is probably your sewing machine, But no heat press, scissors, and of course you need thread and fabric. Those don't count. Just like if your tool is a hammer, nails don't count.

Challenge Accepted! Share in the comments what you will be doing, and if possible, share a photo!

The main tool here was a paper-piercer

Quick Tip Tuesday

 

I love sewing, but it does take some preparation getting a pattern and fabric ready.  Before you cut your fabric, take a few minutes to iron it. Wrinkles and folds can distort measurements and cause pieces to be cut too small, too large, or uneven. For example, a wrinkle hidden under your ruler could make a quilt block come out the wrong size, while folded fabric may cause pattern pieces to shift and not match up correctly later.

Ironing helps the fabric lie flat, making your cuts more accurate and your finished project look more professional. A few minutes with the iron can save a lot of frustration—and wasted fabric—later!

Quick Tip: If you're working with cotton fabric, consider pressing it after pre-washing and before every major cutting step for the best results. ✂️🧵😊