Stay-at-Home Artist

a long time coming...

2012-04-23T14:23:00.000-06:00

Hello dearest blog friends!

You may have noticed that things have been pretty slow {a.k.a. dead} around here. Sometimes real life requires more of my time and attention and blog life has to take a back seat. You know how it is, right?

But don't you worry. I haven't been slacking off.

I assure you I have been very busy with my latest project...

I'm expecting a baby in November!

You may or may not know that this is an announcement a long, LONG time coming. We're talking years here, people. Years full of very difficult things. Needless to say, my husband and I are beyond excited. It's kind of surreal to have happy news after so many heartaches. We're just praying that this little guy or gal makes it here safe and sound. We are so in love already.

So I hope you'll forgive my lack of posts. Growing a human is hard work! I have an ever-growing crafty "to-do" list to go along with this ever-growing belly, so stand by for more project posts soon. (I'm expecting that second trimester burst of energy to kick in any day now. Haha.)

"The great gift of Easter" free printable...

2012-03-30T08:00:00.000-06:00

Easter is an under-appreciated holiday, I think.

People get all caught up in plastic eggs and marshmallow peeps.

The meaning of Easter gets overshadowed in favor of a bunny.

(How sad is that?)

This short, beautiful phrase sums up the joy of Easter for me...

This inspiring 8x10 printable is available in 2 colorways.

Frame it. Hang it on the fridge. Pin it to a cork board.

Whatever works for you!

Download the watermark-free blue version HERE.

And grab the watermark-free green version HERE.

While jelly beans and mini cadbury eggs are fun (and delicious)...

...let's not forget "the reason for the season."

I wish you all hope and joy this Easter!

spring toothpick flags (free printable)...

2012-03-12T08:00:00.000-06:00

I don't know about you, but I am itching for spring.

It's such a happy time of year with emerging flowers, raindrops, and soft sunshine.

LOVE it.

With the coming season in mind, I've created a cheerful, spring-inspired free printable to share.

These darling little toothpick flags are so simple to put together.

Just print, cut, and glue!

(They can be used on other items besides toothpicks as well--drinking straws, cake pop or sucker sticks, skewers, etc.)

To print some of your own, all you have to do is download the file HERE.

Then decorate for a party or special occasion (like Easter or a birthday)...

...or make an ordinary spring day a little special!

an infographic...

2012-03-11T08:00:00.000-06:00

While this is a crafty sort of blog, I occasionally like to write about other aspects of my life, too. A big part of my life is my religion...so if you're not into that kind of thing, feel free to skip this post and come back later. :)

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (We are often referred to as "Mormons" because we have a book of scripture called The Book of Mormon...but we like to use the full name of The Church or the term "Latter-day Saints" to refer to ourselves.)

The Church has been in the spotlight lately because of a few presidential candidates, some pop culture references, etc. I thought I'd share this awesome infographic that explains a little bit about what we actually believe...

The source of this image can be found HERE (along with a great FAQ list).

We are a faith centered on Jesus Christ. We focus a lot on strengthening families, serving others, and developing Christ-like characteristics. It's a really happy life! :)

I am more than willing to answer any questions or you can do some research at mormon.org.

I'd also love to hear about your views.

Does religion impact your creative life?

*P.S. Please be respectful of my beliefs and the beliefs of others while making comments. All faiths are welcome here!

caution: hot glue is, in fact, hot...

2012-03-02T16:31:00.000-07:00

I was making headbands yesterday when I suddenly fell victim to a freak hot glue accident.

I had just put a fresh, piping-hot layer of glue onto a little felt circle and when I pulled my glue gun away, the tip of the glue gun stuck to the edge of the circle and flipped it up onto my hand...

I burn my finger tips all the time, but--yeowzers!--this one hurt.

(Don't worry, I burned the same finger that I jammed playing basketball 3 weeks ago. My knuckle is still swollen...hence the fake pearl in lieu of my wedding rings. It's been a rough month for my ring finger, apparently.)

Careful with those glue guns, kids!

petite felt roses headband deal...

2012-02-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Leap Day, everyone!

I'm celebrating February 29th with a sweet deal on Very Jane.

These darling headbands are available at 50% off the regular price.
Can't beat that!

They make great little baby gifts.

Snag a few for your own girls, granddaughters, or a friend with a little lady on the way!

striped artist quote printable...

2012-02-23T14:46:00.001-07:00

I stumbled across this quote a few years ago, and I've loved it ever since...

"An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one."

-- Charles Horton Cooley

Some projects may not work out as planned, but that doesn't make one a failure. Being a creative person is a success in itself.

I turned these inspiring words into a fun striped printable to add to the craft room gallery wall I'm working on...and I thought I'd share the love.

I've created 8x10 images in 4 colorways, all available for download.

***

P.S. Thanks to those of you who sent me kind birthday wishes yesterday!

(Here's a blurry 10 o'clock at night birthday picture...)

I enjoyed some lovely gifts, a shrimp & steak dinner, surprise movie tickets to a chick flick, and way too many fancy cupcakes from a local bakery.

I may or may not have eaten one for breakfast...

28...

2012-02-22T12:58:00.001-07:00

Today is my birthday.

Normally I love birthdays, but I'm having some mixed feelings this year.

I thought I'd be in a different place in life long before 28...

...but I'm trying not to think about that.

Instead I will think about spending a little birthday money at Target. :)

Maxi dresses in bold colors? Yes, please.

Plus, my hubby has surprise birthday plans for me tonight. I do love surprises!

magnetic pin dish...

2012-02-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

When I am sewing, pins end up everywhere.

I have a pin cushion, but when I'm taking pins out while sewing a long seam, it's easier for me to just set them on my table rather trying to poke them into my little tomato. I always think I'll clean them up when I'm done. But I don't. So they are all over my table, on the floor, under my machine, etc.

I decided to remedy this problem with a homemade pin dish.

I know you can buy magnetic pin dishes...

But mine is cuter. And cheaper. And I made it.

Cute, cheap, and DIY is always better in my book!

To make this simple sewing convenience, I used a thrifted candle plate, some paint, and an adhesive magnet sheet.

I wiped off my dish and painted it with regular ol' craft paint and sealed it with mod podge. (Spray paint would probably be more durable and less brushstroke-y...but it's snowy where I live, so there way no way I was freezing my butt off outside to paint a pin dish.)

Next, I drew a shape on the back of my magnet sheet that would fit in the bottom of my dish. A plain oval would have sufficed, but I did scallops because I'm fancy.

Then I cut out my fancy scalloped oval magnet, peeled off the backing paper, and stuck it in place.

Now my pins have a happy home.

My bare feet are sure to thank me.

last-minute valentine's day cuteness...

2012-02-10T12:26:00.000-07:00

Valentine's Day is 4 days away...

If you've procrastinated and need some low-maintenance cuteness ASAP, here's a quick roundup of printables and easy decor I've posted about in the past.

Bring a treat to a neighbor with this baggie tag printable.

Make your honey a love muffin or a batch of cupcakes with these sweet little toppers. All you need are some toothpicks, a punch, and the free printable.

Get your kiddos involved (or indulge your inner child) with some "color your own valentines."

Your hubby will love this printable coupon book full of acts of kindness just for him!

Print out this "lovely" garland for instand party decor.

This doily garland would work great for school parties (or surprise for your family when they wake up on the 14th)...so fast and easy.

If you need a centerpiece for your romantic dinner at home, this candlestick topiary would be perfect...for Valentine's day or any special occasion.

Happy Love Day to you all!

a scrappy little collage thing...

2012-02-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

Happy February, blog friends!

I've been up to my eyeballs in orders lately, so there hasn't been much time for other projects. I needed a break from hair accessories, though, so I took a few minutes to fill an Ikea frame I had lying around. I have an empty spot on a wall that I haven't quite figured out what to do with yet, so I figured a little scrapbook-paper-doodle-collage-thing would work for now.

All you need are some pretty papers, a small image, a glue stick, and frame.

I trimmed some patterned paper to size and added a brown paper scallop that I cut out. Then I drew a little flower and glued on some hand drawn letters. (You could easily use an image printed from your computer or cut off a notecard if you're not the drawing type.)

Frame it, hang it with a bright ribbon, and you're done.

An easy little project to pretty up an empty space!

blue cricket design & another very jane deal...

2012-01-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

Lots of excitement going on around here...

First of all, I've been accepted as a contributor at Blue Cricket Design!

If you don't have BCD in your reader or blog roll, you should change that ASAP. It's an awesome blog. So pumped to be working with Becca and the rest of these talented ladies!

Secondly, my satin flower clips are running on Very Jane again...

There are 9 different colors available for 56% off the regular price. They sold out last time, so don't miss out!

"create" quotation printable...

2012-01-18T08:00:00.002-07:00

The theme for the 3rd round of One Month to Win It was Buntings & Banners. Although I didn't get the chance to compete in Week 3, I had to have a project ready in case I did. Fortunately, I decided to make something that I have been meaning to do anyway...so it worked out great!

I mentioned way back in November that I'm working on a colorful gallery wall for my art room. It's still a work-in-progress, so I designed this printable with that project in mind. (Once I get the all the frames filled, I'll be sure to show it to you!)

The quote comes from Happiness Your Heritage, a message about the joy and growth that can come through creativity. It inspires me--especially during moments of self-doubt--so I thought these words would be perfect for my creative space. When I screw up a sewing project, I can look up, gaze upon this printable, and feel better about the stitches I'm ripping out. :)

If you'd like to print one for your own crafty space, I have a watermark-free version available for download HERE. I put mine in a document size frame, but the image will fit in an 8 x 10 as well.

***

I made this printable using the MyMemories.com design software.
I'd highly recommend it!

It's easy to use and VERY inexpensive compared to other design programs. Plus, you can get $10 off when you enter code STMMMS86047 at checkout!

style selection: shrinky dink

2012-01-17T12:45:00.001-07:00

In honor of my vintage floral statement necklace, I thought I'd investigate the wonderful world of shrink plastic via the good ol' world wide web. My search yielded some fun finds, thus Style Selection: Shrinky Dink was born. Here are the goods...

I'm madly in love with this geometric necklace tutorial at livlig.

Those bold patterns are just so striking!

A 2007 issue of N.E.E.T Magazine boasts these cute little key keepers.

Cathe over at Just Something I Made shows off these darling charms made by scanning vintage ephemera and printing the images on shrinky dink.

Her project was featured in a magazine, and the tutorial includes a free download so you can make your own!

Sew Nancy made these shrink plastic decorative pin heads using a tutorial by Wee Wonderfuls.

Check out these gorgeous butterfly necklaces from Happy Together.

There's something irresistible about vintage butterfly graphics.

Aren't these shrink plastic rings cool?

PlanetJune has a full tutorial with great pictures.

She stamped hers, but it would be fun to try some hand drawn designs.

Of course Martha had to get in on this shrinky dink action.

You can make custom pet ID tags with her free downloadable template.

Last, but certainly not least, I couldn't leave out these nostalgia-inducing, spirograph-inspired shrinky dink push pins by craftlog.

I need spirograph push pins. BAD.

(I have no choice but to buy one of these. No choice, I say!)

Turns out Shrinky Dink is a lot cooler than you remembered, huh?

I hope my selections have inspired you to try out some shrink plastic creations of your own!

make bold striped vases using enamel...

2012-01-13T10:04:00.006-07:00

Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the third round of One Month to Win It...but all of the projects were so cute I knew it would be tough. It was super fun to participate, though! If you ever get the chance to be in a crafty competition--do it! It's fun to push yourself and try new ideas.

Anyway, here's the tutorial from my Week 2 challenge - use a DecoArt product.

***

I have used several DecoArt products in the past. (Their acrylic craft paints and pearlizing mediums work great on wood, paper, and canvas.) But I wanted to challenge myself and try something new, so I picked up some DecoArt Gloss Enamel and painted on glass!

I turned some plain ol' glass cylinders into a pair of bold striped vases. The best part? The whole project cost me less than $7. (I love expensive decor projects, don't you?)

First, I cleaned my glass with rubbing alcohol according to package directions. Then I measured my vases and taped off my stripes using blue painters' tape. (Tip: Use the metric system when measuring stripes. It is SO much easier to do the division!) Next, I painted the entire inside of my vases turquoise and then painted my white stripes on the outside. Once I got the coverage I liked, I carefully removed the tape and dried the enamel in the oven as directed. Viola! I now have two graphic vases to use however I please.

For the time being, I added fresh flowers. The bold glassware adds a whimsical twist to some traditional flower arrangements. How fun would these be for a party! You could customize the colors to coordinate with any palette. (I'm envisioning black & white stripes with red roses for an Alice in Wonderland theme...or gray & white stripes with yellow craspedia for a contemporary wedding centerpiece...so many possibilities.) I can't wait to experiment with more colors and designs!

OMTWI round 2 voting...

2012-01-10T13:22:00.003-07:00

On to Week 2 of One Month to Win It! Voting is now open.

Once again, the voting is anonymous, so I can't tell you which entry is mine.
Just go vote for one you like.

All of the entries are REALLY cute this week. I don't know if I'll make it through, but it's been fun to participate with so many talented ladies!

vintage floral statement necklace...

2012-01-06T10:10:00.003-07:00

I made it through Round 1 of One Month to Win It...phew! :)
Thanks to all those who voted. Stay tuned for Round 2 next week.

In the meantime, here's the tutorial for my vintage floral statement necklace...

***

Week 1 Challenge - use vintage graphics from The Graphics Fairy

When I checked out all of the gorgeous vintage graphics The Graphics Fairy has to offer, I knew I had to create a piece of jewelry. (The images are so beautiful I wanted to wear them!) I remembered those Shrinky Dink charm bracelets people used to make and was thrilled to discover that there is now printable Shrinky Dink. I had to try it. However, I hate wearing bracelets... so I made a bold statement necklace instead. I love how it turned out!

First, I chose the images I wanted to use--Stunning French Fan & Postcard with Floral Spray. I cropped/resized the images on my computer, then printed them on a sheet of Shrinky Dink according to package directions. Then, I cut my floral shapes out and punched holes so I could add jump rings later.

Next, I baked my pieces (once again, following package directions). I put them in the oven one at a time, so I could monitor their progress individually. Once they were done shrinking, I pulled them out, covered them with a sheet of parchment, and placed a heavy book on top for a few seconds so they would be nice and flat. Finally, I added my findings, a chain, and a satin bow just for an extra dose of femininity... as if a necklace of roses isn't girly enough. :)

Now I get to wear these beautiful blooms around my neck. This lovely necklace turned out so well, I can't wait to make a few more!

need a new dress?

2012-01-05T13:28:00.002-07:00

The folks over at Shabby Apple sent their affiliates an email about a couple of great promotions they have going on right now, so I thought I should give you a heads up...

Take advantage of their site-wide sale--20% off pretty much everything!

Just enter code NEWYEAR at checkout through the month of January.

They also have a free necklace offer...

Now would be a great time to pick up a new dress for yourself of your daughters. (Plan ahead for Easter, maybe?) They have women's and kids' sizes...plus maternity, swimwear, and accessories!

"it's a new year!" resolution printable...

2012-01-04T09:00:00.020-07:00

Well, now that we've rung in 2012, it's time to make some resolutions, right?

I don't always do resolutions, but I decided now was a good a time as any to make some positive changes in my life. And I figure if I'm going to set some goals, they might as well look good...

You can snag my snazzy list template for yourself right HERE.

I tried to set goals for different areas of my life--spiritual, physical, intellectual. And I hung my list on my magnet board so I'll see them regularly and maybe {hopefully} remember to work on some of them.

We'll see how it goes...

What goals do you have for 2012?

week 1 voting is open!

2012-01-03T09:35:00.001-07:00

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I was chosen to compete in this season of One Month to Win It! The first round of projects have posted and voting is open.

I can't tell you which entry is mine, so just go vote for your favorite.

(There are lots of gorgeous projects...it will be hard to pick just one.)

Thanks for taking the time to vote...wish me luck! :)

2011 in review...

2011-12-29T22:34:00.001-07:00

After a nice, long, lovely Christmas vacation with my in-laws in California, I'm happy to be back! With all of the fantastic "Top 10" and "Project of the Year" posts popping up all over the blog-o-sphere, I thought I should join in the fun!

2011 has been unbelievable for this little blog of mine. When I posted my first couple of tutorials in December 2010, I had no idea people would actually see them...and keep coming back for more! I can't believe all of the positive feedback and growth the past year has brought. I couldn't be more grateful. Thanks to all of you for your readership and kind words.

With that said, many of you have discovered Stay-at-Home Artist rather recently, so I thought it would be fun to recap some of my popular posts and favorite projects of 2011. Let's get started!

It seems appropriate to begin with my Stenciling with Freezer Paper/Harry Potter Tee. This post got picked up by StumbleUpon and has gotten more hits than I ever could have imagined! (Right now we're at +700,000...what?!?)

I still get shirt orders almost daily...

you guys love your Harry Potter, that's for sure. :)

(Convo me through my etsy shop if you want one, too!)

My favorite project from the past year might be my Reversible Sewing Machine Cover. That colorful bunting paired with polka dots just makes me happy...

This T-shirt Yoga Skirt is a cinch to make and so comfy to wear.

Another popular post is my Concentric Circles Canvas Art. You don't have to be a great artist to get beautiful results. (It's fun for kids, too!)

And I happen to be rather partial to this Butterfly Wall Hanging.

I can't wait for spring so I can hang it up again!

Typography is still all the rage in home decor right now...and making Wood Plaque Wall Decor is inexpensive and simple. (Plus, this post includes a little image-transferring trick.)

My Candlestick Topiary is such a versatile project.

I've gotten tons of emails and messages from people who have used the idea to decorate for all kinds of events--weddings, parties, anniversary celebrations, etc.

I wear my ModCloth-Inspired Color Wheel Pendant all the time. I'm an art nerd! :)

This Lace Overlay Pendant turned out really pretty. I think they would make such great gifts for friends' birthdays. Who wouldn't love a little handmade piece of jewelry?

And I'm no cooking professional or anything, but I thought I'd throw in a few of my favorite recipe posts, too. These Lemon-Berry Bars are so SO SO good.

Once I recover from my post-holiday sugar overload I might have to make myself a batch. I'm a sucker for anything lemon and anything berry...so lemon and berries with a shortbread crust is irresistable.

And I happen to think this Snickerdoodle recipe is the best one ever. :)

But my favorite dish posted this year has to be my Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup. I like to make a batch and eat a bowl everyday until it's gone. If you look forward to the same meal for a week straight, that has to be a good recipe, right?

Thanks again for all of your love and support this year.

Here's to hoping 2012 is full of even more creativity!

merry christmas!

2011-12-24T09:00:00.001-07:00

Wishing you all a beautiful holiday...

May you find joy as we celebrate the Savior this Christmas season. :)

one month to win it...

2011-12-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

As if it wasn't crazy enough around here trying to make last-minute Christmas gifts and finish the influx of Harry Potter t-shirt orders, I recently got some fun news...

I'm going to be a contestant for Season 7 of One Month to Win It!

OMTWI is a 4-week crafting competition with voting/eliminations each week until only one winner remains. I'll be participating in January. I totally entered my printable ornaments on a whim, thinking I'd never get picked anyway. (10 people are chosen by the judges and 2 competitors are selected randomly. I think I was probably one of the randoms. Ha.) So I'm a little nervous, but it will be fun.

The project categories for each week of Season 7 are:

Week 1 - Vintage Graphics

Week 2 - Decoart Products

Week 3 - Banners/Buntings

Week 4 - Furniture

I'm pretty excited about the first 3 weeks...but week 4 is a doozy. I'm not one of those people that hoards thrift store/Craigslist furniture in the garage for future re-finishing projects. :) I guess I'll cross that bridge if I come to it. But I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with each week. The other participants submitted some great projects. So many creative people in the world. Love it.

Wish me luck and (send some creative vibes my way)!

mod podge ornaments with free printable...

2011-12-09T11:53:00.004-07:00

It's always nice to have some cute ornaments to give as neighbor gifts or add a little something special to gift wrap. If they are handmade--even better. With a few simple supplies, you can make a whole bunch of these fun mod podge ornaments in no time.

I made a free printable to share with you all, so the hard part is already done! It includes 8 different ornament designs. Just print on regular ol' paper or cardstock and you're good to go.

Download the pdf file HERE.

Here are the supplies you will need:

the free ornament printable
wood circles larger than 2.5" (mine are just a smidge under 2.75")
scissors
craft paint & brushes
mod podge
mod podge dimensional magic (optional)
ribbon
craft glue

Start by cutting out the ornament designs.
I'll be using these 4 for this tutorial...

Next paint your wood circles the colors of your choice. I painted around the edges, but I should've just painted the whole thing. You can kinda see the paint line through the ones with white backgrounds. It's not a big deal, but it would've been easy to just paint the entire surface. Silly me.

(And you can paint the backs or leave them raw if you're lazy like I might be. But there is no photo evidence, so you'll never know...)

Once your paint is dry, it's time to podge! Spread your decoupage glue all over the surface of your circle, carefully position your paper ornament design, then seal the whole thing with mod podge and allow to dry.

If you want, you can call it good at this point.

I, however, decided to take my little ornaments one step further with some mod podge dimensional magic. If you follow my blog, you know that I've used it multiple times before to make jewelry--the sparrow pendant, my color wheel necklace, and the lace overlay pendant. It creates a lovely glossy finish that's a bit more impressive...and it turned out fabulous on these ornaments.

Start by pouring a generous pool onto the surface of your ornament.

Then use a toothpick to work out any little air bubbles and spread it out to the edges.

The package says to let it dry 3 hours, but I always leave it overnight so I know its set.

Once they are dry, glue some ribbon loops to the back to finish.
(Or you can drill holes if you'd prefer to go that route.)

Now you can use them as gift tags or add them to some treats to take to your neighbors...

Or keep them for your own tree.

You can always make more. :)

***
Want to design your own ornament printable?
I used the MyMemories Suite 3 scrapbooking software.
It's rather inexpensive for design software and so easy to use.
Get $10 off the software using coupon code:
STMMMS86047
(Plus you'll get a $10 coupon for the kit store after purchase!)

mistletoe pomander ornament...

2011-12-07T16:05:00.001-07:00

I found a package of very small styrofoam balls at the dollar store and thought, "How cute would some mini-pomanders be?!" So I bought 'em.

And came up with this...

A mini mistletoe pomander ornament!

The best part is you can use this tutorial to make one of any size. The ornament pictured is made using a 1.5" styrofoam ball, but you could easily make a larger version to hang above your door.

(I made my own mistletoe last year, so I'm using my pomanders as ornaments.)

Okay, to make your own you will need...

styrofoam balls

green felt (this moss-colored felt came from Michaels)

ribbon

pearls or tiny white pom poms

glue of your choice

I started by cutting out 2 small circles and glued them to the top and bottom of my foam ball.

Then I cut out a bunch of teardrop shapes for my leaves. Just cut freehand--the varying shapes and sizes will look more organic. If they are too perfect they look kind of fish scaly.

I used maybe half a sheet of felt total.

Then I just glued them on willy-nilly. I overlapped, but avoided perfect rows.

(Rows = fish scales.)

I just glued until all the foam was covered.

It kind of looks like a tiny artichoke.

So if you like tiny artichoke Christmas ornaments, you are done! :)

If you'd like it to look more mistletoe-ish... glue on some pearls or teensy white pom poms for the berries.

I decided I wanted to add a little somthin'-somethin' to my pomander, so I cut a scrap of fabric and used a sharpie to write a saucy little message. (But you could leave this step out if you are opposed to sauciness.)

I glued my "smooch!" to the top of my pomander...

...then added a loop of ribbon and a bow.

Finished!

Now this cute little guy is hanging on my tree, demanding kisses from passers-by.