My Mind's Eye Blog

Upcycled Thrift Store Plaque

Hi everyone Laurel here.  I have an addiction...to patterned paper. I love patterned paper and some of it just makes my heart super happy. 

 

The Record It Pretty Things is one of those lines. I just love to look at it. The shabbiness, the roses, the woodgrain...sigh.

 

My other addiction is thrift store/garage sale finds. Yep I have a garage full and of course am always on the lookout for more.  I decided to use one of my wooden plaques for today’s project.

 

 

Now did you know you can use journal cards for altered art projects?  I did use a paper from the 6 X 6 pad but pretty much everything else is from journal cards. 

 

I started off just covering the front of the plaque with 2 journal cards and one piece of patterned paper that coordinated and had the same pattern. I was going to stop there because like I said, shabby, woodgrain and white roses need I say more?!

 

 

Well then I started to fussy cut.  It began with a sentiment or two.  I played around then then turned the plaque vertically and then I knew what I wanted to do.

 

I used it as a display for the most recent photos of my daughters and grand daughter (aren’t they beautiful??)

 

 

I fussy cut a few more items and then just began to layer and piece until I was happy with it. 

 

As always the final touches include adding a die cut title and some stitching.

 

 

I love the end product and one would never know that this is an upcycled thrift store find created using journal cards!

 

Now I challenge you to see what other things you can do with your journal cards.  Don’t be afraid to cut them apart they can be so versatile!

 

Laurel

Just Sayin' Card Duo

Hi everyone Laurel here.  I have a couple of cards to share with you today.  I just love the soft colors and pretty patterns of the Just Sayin’ collection.

 

Supplies: Just Sayin’-: 6X6 pad; Mixed Bag; Alpha Word Stickers

 

I hadn’t used it for cards yet so I figured it was about time .

 

 

A little bit of simple layering and stitching and these cards went together quite quickly.  If you haven't had a chance to pick up one of our Mixed Bags, you must. These little packs of goodness make any papercrafting project so easy!  Title, layering pieces, and special touches all in one bag. This set made my cardmaking a breeze!

 

 

My projects never seem complete without a simple die cut title and staples... so of course I had to include them as well.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by. Have you used our Mixed Bags on your projects? If so, share in the comments. I'd love to see them!

 

Have a wonderful day-

 

Laurel

Motivational Wall Hanging

Hi everyone, Laurel here.  I decided to create and inspiration project to hang above my work desk.  I love quotes and sayings so I chose ones that will help keep me on track for my goals.  My one word for this year is Thrive.  I hope to Thrive in my health, fitness, family and career goals.  We all know that there are times when we need a little push.  I will be using this to jot little notes and such.

 

Supplies:Jubilee Sherbet:  6 X 6 pad; Mixed Bag; Flair buttons;  Rubons;  Journal Cards, Decorative Brads, Sticky Notes;  Chipboard Elements

 

I have used the Jubilee Sherbet...Such a lovely blend of colors and patterns, one of my favorites.  Makes me happy because I used a lot of scraps for this too!  Yay me!

 

 

First I cut a bunch of panels at 3 1/2 X 5 1/2 and 3 X 5 then just went about layering them, adding the embellishments, stamps and whatever else would work (and fit, LOL!) 

 

I love layers, stitching and anything else that I can incorporate when making fun projects like this for myself.

 

 

Now I feel like eating some chocolate, so I better get this project up on the wall... need the reminders!

 

Laurel

 

Holiday Tags

Hi everyone Laurel here.  I love making tags (I don’t always use them, but I love to make them !)

 

Having handmade tags to attach to a gift just gives a gift that special touch.  But don’t stop there.  I like to add them to my cards and scrapbook pages too! 

 

Supplies:  Sleigh Bells ring: 6 X 6 pad;  Chipboard Frames; Cardstock Tags; Mixed Bag

 

Having tags on hand is just a good idea. 

 

 

I used the Sleigh Bells Ring collection as I love the warm homey feel of it.  The check, plaid and touch of black... sigh!

 

As always, I layered them up, adding bits and pieces here and there.  A bit of a challenge on such a small area, but I like a good challenge.

 

 

I have added these tags to my tag drawer, an upcycled sewing machine desk drawer, and they are currently on display in my home. 

 

 

Laurel

December Challenge

 

Hi everyone Laurel here.  It's time for the December challenge!

 

This month we are challenging you to make small gifts/stocking stuffers with MME products.

I'm so excited to share my take on the challenge with you!

 

I like to give little gifts to our mailman and newspaper boy.  This year I decided to alter some tins with the Sleigh Bells Ring collection.  I love the rustic feel with the touch of black, I can see so many fun projects with this.

 

 

 

These were such easy projects to create and at this time of year, quick and easy is what I need, especially this year since I have a 2 month old grand daughter that I just can’t get enough of!

 

 

I just trimmed, layered and stitched some of the pattern paper then adhered it to the top of the tins. I then added some glitter to the edges of the tags, to add a bit of interest.

 

Finally I topped them off with some of the fun Bows that are so easy to assemble!

 

 

I will fill the tins with some chocolates and a Starbucks or Tim Horton’s gift card. 

 

Now it's your turn! What quick little gifts and stocking stuffers are you making this year?

 

Here are the rules:

1. You can submit a layout,card,album,altered item,etc.

2. The project must consist of mainly MME. It must "look" like a MME project. :) It must fit the theme.

3. The project must be created new for this challenge. You may only submit one project.

4. Upload the project to the InLinkz link tool at the end of this post by the end of the day on Sunday, December 14

5. A random winner will be chosen and announced with the December sketch challenge on December 15. The prize is any MME collection- the choice is yours.

Check back later for the November sketch winner!

Thanks so much for stopping by today- Can't wait to see what you create!

laurel

 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Wonderful | Traditional Scrapbook Layout

Hi everyone, Laurel here.  I had a lot of fun shooting these photos of my daughter and granddaughter (who was 7 weeks old at the time).  The weather was perfect and the baby had a full tummy so she was quite content!  I love how the baby’s jacket and my daughter’s headband coordinate and they work so well in a fall photo shoot!

 

Supplies: Jubilee Sherbet:  paper – (Pretty Bubbly; Happy Ombre; Happy Lovely; Enjoy Pizzaz;  Enjoy Sunshine; )  Mixed Bag; Sticky Notes; Chipboard Elements; Necessities: Woods

 

Of course I had to use the Jubilee Sherbet collection as it has the perfect pop of purple.  I also wanted a shabby feel so I used one of the Necessities Woodgrain papers as a background and it worked well.

 

 

This layout went together fairly quickly and easily, the hardest part was choosing the photos!  I had so many great ones it was hard to narrow it down!

 

 Laurel

 

Christmas Cards

Hi everyone Laurel here.  It is never to early to get started on Christmas cards.  Have you started making yours yet?  How many do you send out each year? 

 

I send about 50 to 100 cards and since our postal rates went up a lot this past year, I have been making trying to make more postal friendly cards.  That is hard for someone like me who likes to layer lots of goodies !!!

 

 

I used the Sleigh Bells Ring collection to create this group of cards.

 

 

First up, I loved the die cut reindeer and thought an enamel dot would work perfectly on his nose to create Rudolph.  I then adhered a couple of mini bells.  So  much for postal friendly on this one!

 

 

Next, I had to use the Santa die cut.  I love anything Santa – just ask my kids.  The sticker fit perfectly between his raised hands!

 

 

Finally, using some scraps from the previous card I finally created a more postal friendly card. 

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

 

Laurel

Halloween Home Decor

Hi everyone Laurel here.  As a child I was never really a fan of Halloween (well I loved the candy but the dressing up part I could do without).  As an adult I still am not a huge fan of it – I have never been creative enough to come up with good costumes!  However, I LOVE to decorate my house for it, especially if I am able to create my own items. 

 

Supplies: Frightful:  12 X 12 paper – Zig Zag;  Mixed Bag;  Decorative Brads

 

Today I have an altered witch’s hat for you.  I picked it up on clearance after Halloween last year.  I was happy to put it to use this year.

 

 

I used the Frightful collection and just went to work.    It really didn’t take that long and will look great with the candlesticks and witch’s shoe that I have on my hearth.

 

I wrapped some black tulle around the base and then tied it into a bow.  I then just tucked in some of the ephemera from the mixed bag.  One of the spiders is cut with my Silhouette and embellished with a brad.  The others are fun glittery plastic ones I picked up from the Dollar Store. 

 

 

 

My favorite thing about making my own decor pieces is that they are then one of a kind and that is fun!

 

Laurel

 

Non-Traditional Fall Cards

Hi everyone Laurel here with some non-traditional fall cards.  I love using non themed paper to create themed projects.  I was given the fall card assignment and I challenged myself to use one of the collections that wouldn’t be thought of for fall.  I decided on the Jubilee Sherbet collection.  I paired it with the Necessities Wood Grain collection for a bit of shabbiness.

First upis this sweet card. Of course when I think of fall I think of leaves so I created this simple card using some of the Jubilee post its which tied perfectly into the theme I was aiming for.

 

 

I then thought of the cooler fall days and what better way to warm up than coffee with a friend.  Some stamping and paper piecing and a simple quick and easy card was created.

 

 

Finally, I decided to really layer it up to create an out of the ordinary fall card. 

 

 

Products Used:

Jubilee:  Sherbet 6 X 6 pad, post its, enamel dots

Necessities: Woodgrain – 6 X 6 pad, brads, enamel dots

 

Thank you! Have a wonderful day!

 

Laurel

Wild Child

Hi everyone Laurel here.  I have been saving this photo for the right collection and the Jubilee Wild Berry was it!  Even the name is perfect for this is my wild one !

 

 

The colors and patterns were perfect for a teen theme page and the bit of grunge (splatters) were perfect for the photo.  I punched out some circles from the pattern paper and scattered them down the side, stitched and added some messy threads and accents.

 

 

The title was cut with my Silhouette.  I love all the bits in the ephemera pack and sprinkled a few of them here and there.  Finally, I added a couple of our Flair buttons.

 

This chipboard sentiment is perfect because my little (who is not so little anymore) one is a ‘one of a kind wild berry’.

 

Laurel