So.. I turned 30 Yesterday

I had the big 3-0 yesterday.  I gotta say it doesn't feel so bad.  I thought I was going to have a big revelation or something but not really. I still feel like my old self. I think it may have something to do with the fact that I don't really act my age.  I'm still a huge kid at heart and I seem to project that a lot in the way I act and my likes.

I had a pretty good day.  My husband took me to an Antique mall I've been wanting to go to for a while but was always afraid to do so with the baby since those places always seem to be cramped and I didn't know if I would be able to maneuver with a stroller.  But it actually was pretty roomy and they had carts which made it so much easier. I didn't purchase anything but I did see a stainless steel Clarinet that I cried over but had to leave with the holidays being so close it was something that I just could not splurge on. I played clarinet all through middle school, high school and the two years I attended college. Everyday I ask myself why did I not keep with it since it was such a huge love of mine. I think I'm going to make it a goal now. Try and get back into it.

On my way to the Antique mall, I received an email that my new Embroidery/Sewing/Quilting machine had arrived. I ordered it on black Friday from a local shop and I was not expecting it to come so fast. But it did and it's absolutely beautiful. I got the Janome Memory Craft 11000 SE. It's a wonderful machine. I've been playing with it since last night. The embroidery part is easy. The computer aspect of it is not. My husband figured it out for me and tried to teach me. I though I had it down but I got on it this morning and was not able to figure out 1/2 of what I wanted to do. I'm not very good with computers and technical stuff so I'm not surprised I'm having such a hard time with it. I named her Audrey.  I'm planning on making some vinyl letters so I can decorate her with her name. LOL!

In the afternoon My husband ordered pizza got me a cake/cupcake mix thing. He decorated it with 30 candles. It was pretty funny how much light it projected.  He turned the lights off and the room lit up pretty good.  The kids sung me happy birthday and they helped blow out the candles. Then I just went back into my craft room to figure the new machine out and played with it until I went to bed.  All in all it was a pretty good chill day.

Thanks for stopping by
Yaritza

Black Friday Sale

Now it's the time time to take advantage and purchase  Lifetylecrafts dies.  Right now until November 30th 2012 you can get 40% off all boarders, boxes and bag dies. Plus free shipping on orders over $50 within the continental US.  Best of all you can use my affiliate 20% code on top of the 40% off and all orders will receive sticky thumb dimensionals. Just go to the right hand side of my blog. Click on the Lifestyle Crafts button and enter YARITZA  in the discount section.

There is also a special gift set that has been put together. The Holly Jolly Craft kit which includes a Revolution tool, Sticky thumb adhesive runner, Elf Stocking die, Candy Cane Tag Die and Light bulb die all for $39.99.

Some really really great deals going on. As always thanks for stopping by and for your support.
Yaritza

Halloween Treats 2

Hello again,

For todays post I have another set of treat bags I created.  This set is for my daughter's class.  They wanted a Harvest theme for their party and I knew the Paper Smooches stamp set "Autumn Groves" would be perfect for it.  I kept it pretty simple. I had to make 25 of these so I didn't want anything that was going to be too time consuming.  Hope you like the project. If you have any questions please let me know and as always all products will be linked at the bottom of the post.

Picture of the Project:

Video:

Supplies Used:

Paper Smooches Stamp Set

 -Autumn Groves

Jenni Bowlin for Ranger Inks:

 -Brown Sugar, Fountain Pen and Seed Packet 

We R Memory Keepers

 -1/8 and 3/8 Corner Chomper

Tonic Studios

 -6.5 Spring Cut Fine Tip Scissors

Tim Holtz

 -Tiny Attacher

3M

 -ATG Gun

Target

 -Bag Goodies

Darice

 -Whispers Markers

Thanks for watching and stopping by:

Yaritza

Halloween Treets 1

Hello,
For todays post I have a video on some treats I put together for my cousins.  All the dies used on the video are from Lifestyle Crafts/Quickutz. I'll make sure to link for them at the bottom of the post.

Here is the project I'll be making:

 Video:

Supplies:

Lifestyle Crafts/Quickutz:

 -Witches Die

 - Scallop Edges Die

 -Nesting Circles Die

Ranger:

 -Pumice Stone Distress Ink and Wild Honey Distress Ink

 -Ink Blending Tool

Unity Stamp Company:

 -Bubbly Stamp

Whisker Graphics

 -Divine Twine Halloween

We R Memory Keepers

 -1/8-3/8 Corner Chomper

Tim Holtz

 -Tiny Attacher

EKSucess

 -Pink Bone Folder

3M

 -ATG Gun 

Target

 -Bag Treats

If you're interested in any of the Lifestyle Crafts/Quickutz products don't forget to click on the button on the right hand side of the blog, enter YARITZA in the coupon code area to receive 20% off.

Thanks for stopping by and for your support.

Yaritza

Lifestyle Crafts Affiliate

Hello everyone,

It has been a long long time.  I don't even know what happened. I have been crafting. I always am but I just haven't been updating my blog.  You want to know the main reason why. I'm on my phone 99% of the time. My computer is almost obsolete. LOL! I do post my projects on twitter. I find twitter so much easier cause I can just tag the manufacturer to the project and can upload the photo using my phone.  I have recently discovered that Blogger has an iphone app. Downloaded it but I havent' had a chance to play with it yet. Hopefully it'll let me add pics and video links straight from my phone which would be awesome since I haven't used my digital camera in like 6 months.

I've also recently became an affiliate of Lifestyle Crafts. I find their dies so cute and easy to use and so reasonable priced. I'm so so excited for this opportunity. I have made a few project with their dies that I've posted here on the blog. I believe a few had videos. I'll make sure to link them up at the bottom of this post and the best part is: By using the button link to the right hand side of my blog and putting in YARITZA in the coupon code section before checking out you will receive 20% off your WHOLE order ANYTIME! This is not a one time use only this is ALWAYS! Pretty cool huh? With this new venture in my crafting I'm going to start making a monthly video using my latest purchase from them.  It can vary between layouts, cards, mini books and altered projects. They will be posted on youtube and as well as on here with a blog post. I have also added underneath the Lifestyle Crafts button where you can find me in cyber world.  Click on the button and it'll take you straight to my page.

I guess this is all for now. Here are the link to my previous projects:

1. Halloween decorations
2. Bottle Cap Pin Cushion
3. Kindergarten Teacher Gift

Thanks for stopping by and for your support:
Yaritza

School B-Day Gifts

Hello,
My daughter celebrated her birthday a few weeks back and I needed to come up with something to take to school for her class. There were a lot of birthdays last month and I wanted to come up with something different that she hadn't brought home yet. This is what I came up with:

I made a quick video walking you through how I created one of them. I also have pics at the end of the video of all 4 color combos. 

Video:

Supplies:

Walgreens: Mini Notebooks

Papertrey ink: Butterfly die and Take Note stamp set

Spellbinders: Classic Scallop Circle die and Classic Inverted Scallop Circle die

Ranger: Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen Ink

Silhouette America: Cameo

     Files: Double Sided Pencil Topper Star, Nested Star and Double Sided Pencil Topper Heart

Fiskars: Fingertip Detail knife

Whisper Graphics: Cotton Candy, Green Apple, Purple Plum and Oyster Divine Twine

Martha Stewart: 3-in-1 Classic Butterfly Punch

Xyron: Cheetah 2 Inch Runner

Stampin' Up!: Patterns Pack II

Thanks for stopping by:
Yar!tza

Washi Tape Flags

Hello,
I made a quick video showing how I created the Washi Tape Flags on my layout.  I was all into trying new things for this layout.  First I made a two page spread of 8.5x11. That's a different size for me. I'm  normally a 12x12 girl. Then I was playing around with washi tape. Even though I think they're really cute I never jumped on the band wagon but my Studio Calico kits started containing them so I thought it would be fun to play around and see what I can come up with. Then I got into the whole octagon thing too. Never used that shape on any layout in any form whether it was embellishments or pattern paper. I gotta say. Love it.  I think the last thing I tried was the splattering. Also very cool.

Layout:

Video:

Supplies used:

Studio Calico Kits: Snow Cone and Printers Drawer

Stuido Calico: Mister Huey's Calico Shine and Opaque White

Spellbinders: Large Octagon

Martha Stewart: Skyland Edge Punch 

Thanks for stopping by:

Yar!tza

Christmas Thank You cards

Hello,
I finally got around to making my Christmas Thank You cards last week. I think all of my family has already received them so I can show you guys how I made them. Used very little supplies and maintained it pretty flat, but I came up with a few ideas on how to make it have some texture and dimension as well. Hope you guys like the video. As alway if you have any questions please let me know.

Video:

Supplies:
The Paper Company: Kraft Cardstock
Papertrey ink: Parision Lace Doily Die
Stampabilies: Gracias Stamp
We R Memory Keepers: Corner Chomper
Xyron: 1.5 create a sticker
Martha Stewart: Garnet Glitter
Echo Park: Winter Park 6x6 Paper Pad
Hampton Art: A la Mode White Embossing Powder
Tsukineko: Versamark
Quickutz: Holly and Berry die
Deco Art: Dazzling Metallics White Pearl
Folk Art: Vintage White Acrylic Paint
Winsor and Newton: Iridescent Medium

Heidi Swapp inspired mini

I've been addicted to Mycraftchannel.com's Create to Remember Channel. Heidi Swapp is the host of that one. Love it. She's got two videos that inspired this mini. Clip Frames and Back to Back Book Binding.

My Mini:

I purchased the frame at Ikea. It's called Virserum. It was only $2 and it's for 5x7 pictures. I used a bit Vintage Photo Distress ink since it was so white in comparison to the mini and wiped off the extra with a paper towel. I also distressed the mat and put a bit of scrap paper where the picture would be so when the album is removed there is still something pretty to look at. I did one change that I felt would work better for me.  Instead of hot glueing the clip on to the frame I ran a piece of Seam Binding through the frame and tied onto the clip. I could not get the clip to stay when I was playing around taking the mini in and out.  I tried not to make it too dimensional but I did add a few buttons and gems and I think that's the reason that It was so hard to take it out and put it back on without the clip de attaching from the frame.

For the album I used my Cameo to cut the pages. I used one of the files from 12x12 background frames and just sized it to fit within my frame. I used Recollection's Kraft cardstock for all my pages. Scored it in half using my Martha Stewart Scoring Board. I distressed all the edges with Vintage Photo Distress ink.  For the layering pattern paper I cut the same shape slightly smaller out of Kraft and then I layered them over the pattern paper and cut them by hand. That way I could control which way the design is facing and reserve the paper also. 90% of my pattern paper and embellishments I got from my Studio Calico kits: Handmade, Thimble, and Pin Cushion. 

For the cover I hand made the Rosettes using my Martha Steward scoring board and the valley and hill technique using various withs and lengths of pattern paper to achieve the different sizes. The leaves are white Prima mulberry leaves I sprayed with Olive Vine Glimmer Mist.  The photos were all edited to 2.5x2.5.

Inside Pages:

Now to pack this up and send it off to My husband's Grandma as a birthday gift.

Thanks for stopping by:

Yar!tza

Creating 3D flowers

Hello,
I have a quick video today demonstrating how you can create 3D flowers out of flat flower shapes, but first I want to give you a background on the picture. My daughter has been big on taking pictures lately. She's got one of our old digital cameras. It's really big and bulky but it's easy for her to hold. One day she was playing around taking picture and she took this wonderful picture of herself. I knew right away I needed to print it and make a layout with it.

Video:

Completed Layout:

Supplies:

Studio Calico: Handmade Kit and Pin Cushion Kit

Ranger: Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Pumice Stone Distress Ink and Glossy Accents

We R Memory Keepers: Corner Chomper (1/2 inch)

Fiskars: Jenni Bowlin  Tab Squeeze Punch

K & Company : Date Stamp

Whisker Graphics: Oyster Divine Twine
Imaginisce: Fabric Petal Roller and Paper Petal Roller

12x12 Layout share

I completely forgot to share this layout. It's one of my favorites I've completed this year.

There are so many different layers. I hope I can explain it and make sense. For the layout I used October Afternoon's Modern Homemaker 8x8 Paper Pad. I started with a 12x12 piece of cardstock.  I cut the house from the Paper pad. Once the house was popped up I cut a 4 fences using Martha Stewarts Iron Fence deep edge punch. I trimmed the bats off and double layered them with a pop dot in between. Glued it down. Then I took some crafting moss and did a think layer going all the way across the fences and on the window planters.  Next I took 4 Petal Caps from Bottle cap Inc., punched all of our faces using Fiskars Medium Round 'n Round squeeze punch, added four 1 inch epoxy dots to the top of the photos and then adhered them in the center of the petal cap using a double layer of pop dots. I then started to layer mini roses from Recollections and Prima around them. Added some white Prima leaves through out which I stained with Tattered Angels Olive Vine Glimmer Mist. Punched a few butterflies out of the same paper pad with Martha Stewarts 3-in-1 classic butterfly punch and layered them over the flowers. For the Window planters I took lose flower petals and folded them until the resemble flower buds. For the sky I punched a few clouds out of the same paper pad with Fiskars Extra Large, Large and Medium Cloud Squeeze Punch.  The Plane is a EK Success medium punch. I tied a banner with Lemon Divine Twine. The banner itself was just created by me cutting a strip of cardstock and then making the angled cut at the end. For our last name, date and hearts coming out of the fire place I used Martha Stewarts Numbers Large Punch and Alphabet Punch Set.  That's it for that layout. WOW! That was a lot.

Thanks for stopping by:

Yar!tza

Valentine crafts series 2012

Hello,
I figured I'll do a little Series of Valentine Crafts. I've seen some things online I've liked and some things I've thought of on my own so why not share.  I'll be posting videos on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next three weeks. That way you still have a week before Valentine's incase there is something you would like to try.  For today's video I made heart shaped crayons.  They came out super cute if I do say so myself.

Finished project:

The video:

Supplies:

My Minds Eye 6x6 Designer pad Love Me.

Divine Twine Peppermint twine

Stampin' Up Full Heart Punch (I have the old style)

Target  Dollar Spot Heart Shaped Muffin Pans

Lawn Fawn Just My Type, Too

The Stamps of Life Jar4Candy

Jenni Bowlin for Ranger Fountain Pen ink

Papertrey Ink Double-Ended Banners die

Hobby Lobby Small Treat Bags

Thanks for stopping by:

Yar!tza

Stamp storage

Hello,
Today's video I walk you though how I store my stamps to make them able to all fit in the storage binders from Office Depot.

Video:

Supplies:

Office Depot CD/DVD Binders.

Wilson Jones Pink Binder (In stores the have more sizes. I used 1.5)

EZ Mount

Storage panels

Thanks for stopping by:

Yar!tza 

Scraproom Tour Video

Hello everyone,
For today's post I have a video of my scrap room.



Here are a few links to the supplies I have used for storage.
Ikea Expedit: Large, Medium, Legs, Wheels, Desk, Pink Boxes
Ikea DVD shelves
Making Memories shelves: With Drawers, Desk organizer
Cropper Hopper Paper Holder, Value Pack
Joanns: Cone Thread organizer
Michaels: Bead Organizer
Studio Calico: Crop Bags

Thanks for stopping by:
Yar!tza

Making fabric covers for your tools

Hello,
I received an email from a lady who was interested in knowing how I cover my machines.  Well I'll tell you the same thing I told her. I can barely work my way around a sewing machine. After making covers for all of my machines I figured out a way to make them quick and it's really quit simple.  The fabric I'm using is a heavy weigh cotton fabric I bought at Hancock's fabrics. It was a clearance bolt. I paid $3.50 a yard. I believe I bought 6 yards of it. I've been able to make covers for all of my machines and curtains and still have a bit left over. Not much.  I wish I knew where I could purchase more because I love this fabric and it will be a shame when I run out.

I made a picture tutorial and I'll explain my process of how I make the covers. Like I said I'm not very good at the sewing machine but having the animals running around my scrap room specially the cats I needed to make something to cover them up so that they don't get jammed up with cat hair. I had to take the pics with my iPhone. Sorry if they're not the best, but if you read my post yesterday you know I'm having all sorts of camera issues.

Tutorial:

The first thing I do is I lay the fabric over the machine, I tuck it under and cut giving myself about an extra inch all the way around. I like to do the whole cover inside out. I find it easier.

Using pins I then trace the outline of the machine.

Slowly and carefully I do a straight stitch with my sewing machine. I follow the contour of the pins.

Trim off excess fabric.

Fold up all the bottom edges and secure with pins.

Do a straight stitch all the way around and cut off the excess.

Turn the cover right side out and you're done!!

I keep my covers very simple, but with the remnants you could die cut some flowers and add them to your front cover to jazz them up a bit. I'm conserving as much of the fabric as possible until I find more so I don't do that.  I save all my scraps in the event that I have to end up sewing them all together to make a small cover for something. 

I hope this gives you some ideas. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks for stopping by:

Yar!tza

Where have I a been?

I found myself exhausted.  I was trying to do too much. The kids, the house, they gym, my crafts, the blog, the animals and so on and so on and I was going to bed at 2 a.m. sometimes waking up the next day and trying to do it all over again.  I had to take a break. My mojo was seriously lacking anyways.  Was starting projects not even finishing them. I have two boxes of half started things. I needed a breather to just be. Still kept up with a few things.  Went to the gym a few times a week instead of everyday for 2 hrs. I know crazy.  Hardly did anything craft related except for thank you cards. Thank goodness I had made Christmas cards for random challenges ahead of time so I had something nice to present Gift Cards in to my family.  I'm now starting to get back into the swing of things.  Got a new crafting island for my craft room.

LOVE!

Organized a little bit more. There were a few things I felt were out of place. Today I'm starting to sew covers for some of my new machines. I need to make a covers for the Imagine and I got the Cameo for Christmas so I need to make a cover for that as well.  All my machines are covered.  My animals roam free, specially the cats. They climb all over my stuff and there is animal hair everywhere. I don't want my machines getting jammed up with hair.

I'll be starting more videos soon.  I've been having all sorts of issues with cameras. Some stopped working, rechargeable batteries died, one needed special sd card ( I mean why would if be too easy to use one of the 20 others I have laying around) didn't have any extra money cause of the holiday to resolve those issues.

Money is getting caught up and I'm feeling good so back to regular programing!!  My first few videos are going to be organization videos.  I have a stamp organization one started and I want to do a room tour since everything is pretty much done. Well that's it for today.
Thanks fors topping by:
Yar!tza