Mommy Misfit

Product Bundles....

2012-01-09T20:14:00.001-07:00

Bundle #1 $30

Bundle #11 $30

Bundle #2 $30-- Gingham ribbon about 20-25 yards each color

Bundle #3 $30

Z1270 Flexi Labels (missing oval label, but extra "make a wish" label)
3 packs- Mini Medley Summer Celebration packs (2 full packs; one partial)
2-Sassy Strands Spring Harmony
Sassy Strands Autumn Harvest (partial)

Z818 Autumn Sunflower Just Blooms
Z1266 Just Blooms Spring Blossom (flowers, shapes, butterflies, etc)
Misc small white flowers, small pink and purple, few medium size

Z1319 Opaques Cherry-O
2 packs-Connection Club rhinestone flowers

Bundle #4 $30

HUGE Bulk bag of sequins, beads, etc CTMH (not sure what it was from, but lots of little embellies)

z284 Cranberry My Accents tube full z286 Outdoor Denim My Accents tube (missing a few buttons only)
z285 Garden Green My Accents tube (missing large spirals only)
x7116C My Stickease Sweet Home

Bundle #5 $30

Bag of assorted buttons (approx 50) Opaques licorice partial pack (about ½) Connection Club adhesive backed pearls (1 package) X1409 Journaling Spots Bulk 113 Cordouroy brads twilight

Z4128 Metal Foundary Frame
Assorted Summer buttons (10)
Ready-Made frame Trifold
Z1386 Sweetheart Expoxy Stickers
Z5746 About me Journaling Prompts
X5748 Seasons Journaling Prompts
2- sheets color ready letters (one sheet has two letters missing)
2- X143 Door hangers with pouches (10 per package)

Bundle #6 $30

Z284 Cranberry My Accent tube partial (missing brads only) Z286 Outdoor Denim My Accents tube full Z285 Garden Green My Accents tube full

3- Connection Club 6x6 Preprinted Base Pages (outdoor denim) 6- Connection Club Metal charms (4 charms per package)

Bundle #10 $30
Ready-to-Make Frame (4 ¾ x 3 opening)
X106 Door Hangers package (10 per package)
4 packs- X143 Door Hanger with pouch (10 per package)
2 packs- X273 Pillow box (10 per package)
X138 Flower Petal box (5 per package)
X140 Small Cube box (5 per package)
3 packs- Z202 Large Carry-all box (white box can be stamped on decorated there are 3 boxes per package)

Scrapbook and Craft Clearance....Part 1

2012-01-09T12:25:00.002-07:00

I am clearancing a large amount of scrapbook and craft items. I just have too much stuff and not enough time to use it.

I will start my clearance sale with the CTMH stamp sets that I have available for purchase.
Each set is individually priced under the photo and if you need it shipped that is $2 for the first set and $.75 each additional stamp set.

If you would like to purchase these products you can send payment via Paypal to mksrussell@msn.com (please use the personal tab to avoid fees when sending payment or if you do not have a Paypal account I can invoice you in your email box and you can still pay with a credit or debit card via Paypal.

KILLER CRAFTY DEALS.....Product Clearance Blowout......

The first group are D-size Close to my Heart acrylic stamp sets (most sets are retired or no longer available through CTMH; these sets used to retail for $19.95)

Each set will be priced underneath the picture. If you need to have your sets shipped see pricing above.

Limited Edition 2-sheet stamp set CC11014 Pair-a-Phrase new $12

D1352 It's Your Day New $10

This is the first Phase of the SALE the end of the stamps...more product and other items to come.
Please email me mksrussell@msn.com with any questions. If you are local you are welcome to pick up any items you would like to buy at my house and pay cash. Thanks for looking.

Tubular Scarves...

2011-10-10T14:45:00.000-06:00

I made these scarves out of tee shirts; really easy and turned out cute. Just cut the bottom part of a cotton tee shirt into strips and stretch them out so that the fabric rolls and makes little tube-like rolls. Check out the pictures. My daughter wears hers all the time and looks very cute and stylish.

With the scarf shown I cut the tubular rings and braided each side at the top then knotted the sides for decoration. I also added a silver chain as an embellishment. It is more like a scarf/necklace.

Recycled Plastic Shopping Bag Holder

2011-02-18T19:48:00.000-07:00

Our activity days group which are 8 and 9-year-old girls did an activity with empty "Clorax or Lysol" wipes containers. We were talking about recycling and the importance of recycling and repurposing items.

Scrapbook paper scraps were used to decorate the container. These cute containers were repurposed and used to hold and organize the plastic shopping bags that you get when you go grocery shopping (if you are not using your earth-friendly totes).

In order to create these you will need an empty large Clorax wipe container, some scrapbook or patterned papers, a strong adhesive and some embellishments (I used ribbon, brads and a paper flowers).

This is how my container turned out; at the activity each girl was able to personalize her own container.

Classroom Valentines

2011-02-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

Classroom Valentines are so much fun for the kids to make. I have to rack my brain every year to think of something unique and creative for the kids to do because they think the "store bought" version of the Valentines are boring.

This year my preschooler and kindergartner are doing airplanes for their Valentines. We have to have things that are not too "girly" since I have three boys. So here is what we came up with. I am sad to say again this is not my original creation, but I tweaked it a little to fit our needs. I got the idea from the family fun website.

Here is what I came up with:

In order to make these Valentine planes you will need a package of Smarties candy (we got the big ones in the Valentine packaging called Love hearts, but you can use the regular size as well)
You will also need a stick of gum and a rubber band or hair band (I bought the clear hair bands because they were cheaper and the right size).
Some packages of gum have the white wrappers around them that you can stamp directly on the wrapper (the gum that I bought in the big package did not so I made my own wrappers our of the CTMH B&T paper from the new Sweetheart Level 2 paper pack X7134B )
Simply cut the papers to fit around the stick of gum and then stamp as desired or just use the pattern on the paper).
Wrap the band around the wings and the Smarties to attach and then cut or punch out a heart for the back wings.

Your finished product will be a Valentine airplane perfect for sharing with friends and classmates. The card that we are giving with the airplane treat says: "Valentine, you are just "plane" cool".

Valentine Fuzzy Cupcake

2011-01-28T11:01:00.001-07:00

I saw these little fuzzy sock cupcakes on a CTMH art board so I am sad to say that they are not my original idea, but I altered the project to fit my needs. This is what my kids are going to give their teachers this year for Valentine's Day. They are so easy to make and are a calorie-free option for a holiday that is usually full of so many sweets.

I found the fuzzy socks on Aeropostale's website they were on sale $4.49 for a three pack so I got an awesome deal.

Here are instructions if you want to make these darling cupcake creations:

Cut a piece of B&T paper or stamped cardstock 3"x9" (this measurement may need to be adjusted depending on how thick your socks are). Use a decorative punch to punch out a design on the top edge. Run your paper through a paper crimper to make it look more like a cupcake wrapper.

Roll the socks and push them up slightly to make the top layers tiered. Wrap your paper around the cupcake and secure the wrapper (I used double-sided tape). Cut a 1x8 strip of paper to wrap around the middle (decorate the strip with stamps or other embellishments). Tape the paper strip into place and package your cupcake as desired. Here is the finished product:

Handmade Christmas Gifts

2010-12-07T14:28:00.000-07:00

I did a handmade gift swap with fellow Close to my Heart consultants for easy inexpensive gifts. Here is what I received. All of the ladies did a wonderful job with their items. I am so excited to use this ideas and to give cute unique gifts away for this holiday season and others to come!

Cute playing cards stocking stuffer created by Kelley Balzola

Decorated candle created by Kelley Balzola

Kids kit created by Michelle Johns

Here are the contents of the "kids kit" it has a tic tac toe game, crayons and papers

Friendship goodies created by Michelle Johns

Card with chocolates created by Michelle Johns

Brownies in a bottle created by Michelle Johns

Snowman soup can created by Twyla Norris

Fantastic Christmas mug created by Twyla Norris

Nugget tin gift created by Kelley Balzola

Dominos necklace created by Ellen Newson

Cookie sheet magnet noteboard created by Therese Purchase

Custom checkbook cover created by Kelley Balzola

Arcrylic desk calendar created by Therese Purchase

Singed flower headband created by Milenna Russell

Altered canvas panel board created by Milenna Russell

Altered metal barn star created by Milenna Russell

Altered notepad created by Ellen Willis

Fall Decorative Blocks

2010-11-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

I made these blocks at a craft night for my Relief Society. They turned out cute. They are made of different size wooden blocks and covered with patterned papers and vinyl letters.
Start by staining the wood blocks with dark colored stain (dark walnut was used on these blocks). Wipe off your blocks and let stain dry completely. Then cover with papers by spreading Modge Podge on the wood block first and then laying the paper over the top (you will need to make sure that you papers are precut). After you have covered with the papers then apply the vinyl letters onto the paper, then seal the top with Modge Podge. I did not let the stain dry long enough because of time restraints so I had a little problem with the stain soaking though the papers. In order to fix the problem I simply inked the papers on the blocks to make it look like they were supposed to be like that.

Here is how they turned out. I measured the dimensions of the blocks if anyone is interested. The papers should be cut just slightly smaller than the block. The vinyl letters can be cut on a Cricut machine or purchased (you will have to scale the letters according to the block size as well). Here is the breakdown:

G v H k --3 1/4" x 3 3/4"
T S-- 3 1/4" x 4 3/4"
e -- 2 1/4" x 4 1/4"
n -- 2 1/4" x 3 3/4"
a -- 2 1/4" x 3 1/4"
I -- 2 1/4" x 4 3/4"

I love how they turned out and I might be making more next year for gifts. Not many people have a lot of Thanksgiving decorations or fall decor so I think this would make a fabulous gift!

Elections are over.....more crafting to come!

2010-11-06T21:37:00.000-06:00

My dad ran for the legislature and won this week. He is one of the new members of the House of Representatives for the State of Utah. I am so proud of him. This week has been crazy busy with a late night Tuesday staying up to see results on the elections and then a few sick kids, parent/teacher conferences, etc.

Most of my craft projects have been put on hold, but I am working on my swap items. I am hosting a swap on the CTMH bulletin boards for Christmas gift ideas. Here is the altered canvas panel that I created for one of my spots in the swap.

I used the Simple Pleasures paper packet (retired). I made my own paper flowers and the saying is from the Make it Count stamp set. The metal embellishments are the filigree charms and the ribbon is the colonial white crochet ribbon.
I am working on creating more of the satin flower bracelets (singed flowers) and I will post them with instructions later this week.

Satin Flower Necklace and Bracelet set

2010-10-28T20:55:00.000-06:00

I am so excited, I finished a little jewelry set that was inspired by Tresa Black blog. I made a satin flower necklace and bracelet set with singed flowers and beads. I like how they turned out. I cannot wait to make more. I am going to do some headbands with these cute flowers as well. My pictures are not that great but here is a a peek at my project. I will post more as I make them. I think that they are so cute.

Tresa is very talented and I watched a tutorial that she had on Ustream and then added my own flair to the project.

I plan on making these for some of my friends and sister-in-laws and maybe my nieces as well.

Swap Spoiler--Fall Catalog Paper Packet 12x12 Layout Swap 2010

2010-10-27T15:25:00.000-06:00

I have been hosting a swap on the CTMH Bulletin Boards quarterly for about 2 years now. I swap 12x12 layouts with talented consultants. We use the new paper packs so that we can showcase the new papers that are in the current catalog. Here are the 12x12 pages that I received:

Created by Milenna Russell using X7130B Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Packet

Created by Holly Maatman using X7130B Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Packet

Created by Angie Clemons using X7129B Hooligans Level 2 Paper Packet

Created by Ilona Campinha using X7128B Olivia Level 2 Paper Packet

Created by Christine Bivens using X7127B Magnifique Level 2 Paper Packet

Created by Nadine Lefkof using X7127B Olivia

Created by Nadine Lefkof using X7127B Magnifique

These layouts are all so beautiful I cannot wait to put photos on them. I will try to post the finished product later with my photos.

More Fun, Easy, Classroom Halloween Treat Ideas

2010-10-14T15:02:00.000-06:00

Here are a few more things I am making for classroom Halloween treats. They are not really fancy, but my kids are excited (I don't want to spend too long creating them because I know that they will probably just get thrown away, but these are fun to give).

First is a matchbook eyeball treat. I just created a simple matchbook shape and stapled in individually wrapped lifesaver candies then punched out black circles to make the eyeballs. I decorated the front with the CTMH Hooligans (X7129B) paper and stamped it with the Merry Monsters (B1333) stamps.

The second treat idea is the door hanger pouches (CTMH discontinued them, but I think you can find them at craft stores). I just stamped one stamp from Thriller stamps (September 2010 SOTM) for the middle and inked around the entire box with black and cranberry ink. I put fun packs of M&M's and a Twix in this little box.

The third idea I found while searching for ideas for a fun craft for my activity days girls. They are ping pong ball eyeballs. You simple glue black felt circles on the ping pong ball and then use a furry material for the eyebrows. I found a small hot pink boa for cheap at Michael's craft and I cut it for the eyebrows which worked well; you can also use craft fur to make the eyebrows (I figured the brighter the better).

These are not new ideas I have seen them before but they are easy and fast to make.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN and I hope you have some "spooky fun"!

Halloween Fun Treat Ideas

2010-10-08T14:38:00.000-06:00

I am making some cute "treats" for my kids school classes. I am going to post the crayon box treats that I am making for my son's preschool class (if I can figure out how to post pictures). I will be posting some other creations later too. But for now this is what I have come up with (I actually used this idea a couple of years ago, but I like them so much I am doing them again.

These are actually boxes of crayons. I figured preschoolers would like to get crayons (moms might like it too since they will be getting so much candy).

The mysterious "Mummy"

"Franky" the friendly Frankenstein fellow

Introduction

2010-10-07T16:09:00.000-06:00

I am a mother of 4. One girl and three boys. I call this the "Mommy Misfit" blog because most of the time I feel like a "misfit" when it comes to this whole "mommy" thing. You would think after 11 years I would be used to it, but I don't know if I ever will be completely comfortable in my "mommy skin". Don't get me wrong I love being a mom and I would not trade it for the world, but dang it is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. With a preteen girl and 3 active boys I never know what will happen next!

In addition to being a mom I am a freelance writer (right now I mostly just write for web content sites). I do have some articles on http://www.craftbits.com/
http://www.craftbits.com/project/altered-coasters-photo-hangup
http://www.craftbits.com/project/altered-tin-lunch-box
http://www.craftbits.com/project/altered-scrapbooking-scrapbook-in-a-box
http://www.craftbits.com/project/word-bloom-album
http://www.craftbits.com/project/altered-cookie-tray-notice-board
http://www.craftbits.com/project/soda-can-treat-holder

Some of my other articles can be found at http://www.ehow.com/, http://www.associatedcontent.com/writinfool and http://www.scrapbook.lifetips.com/
I wrote a tip book entitled "101 Scrapbook Tips" with Lifetips you can find it on their website http://www.lifetips.com/Writers/SiteBooks.asp or also on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lifetips+books+101+scrapbook+tips

I also scrapbook frequently and I am a consultant for Close to my Heart Scrapbooking http://www.loveyourstamps.myctmh.com/ You can check out my site and for all of you who would like to try digital scrapbooking you can do it all with CTMH. Go to my site and try out the Studio J digital scrapbooking with CTMH. You can use the pictures already on your computer and create beautiful layouts with the click of a button.