Updating my Craft Desk

I have been working on the same desk for two decades and though I love it, it is time to bring it into this century. I purchased this desk as part of a set as Costco. It has been in a few different rooms in my home, but about seven years ago it finally found its resting place in my craft room. I like how much work space I have on it. It also is well made and sturdy.

 Not only did I want to change the color, I also wanted to clean and cover many of the paint and mist spots I had on it from creating. I wanted to go with a color that would benefit from my mess -- add character. I gave it a good cleaning and tried to remove as much of the dried on glue as I possible. I then had my boys cover my work area with a large plastic tarp.

 I decided to first paint the desk in Ivory followed by Jade . I purchased two jars of it.

 I was skeptical when the instructions stated the desk did not need to be prepped. I just needed to make sure it was free from dust. However, not only did the Ivory paint go on beautifully, it dried fast! I did let it set over night before I applied the Jade just to be on the safe side, but it was unnecessary.

I painted the Jade over the white.

 I used Painter's Tape to tape around my knobs as to not get paint on those. I wanted to replace them, but they ended up being to cumbersome to remove.

The Jade dried as fast as the Ivory.

I took a piece of sandpaper to distress the edges and let the white show through. However, I did not finish it because this is my craft desk and it would distress, scratch and ding up in time with as hard as I am on it.

I was able to move my supplies back on my desk rather quickly after applying the paint.

 I am so pleased with how it turned out. It really makes the desk pop and brings a smile to my face every time I walk into the room.

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting! 

BLOG HOP with Rita Barakat and Technique Junkies! NEW RELEASE!

 We are celebrating a new Illustrator at Technique Junkies Stamps.

We have 10 new stamps from Rita Bakarat in the Technique Junkies line! You can see all of the new stamps HERE.

If you’ve come from Geovana Smith's blog you are in the right place. If not head to the Technique Junkies Blog for the start of the hop.

Make sure you comment on all the stops along the hop. One lucky person who comments will receive a $25 Technique Junkies Gift Certificate! Comments will be open until Saturday May 19th and the winner will be announced May 20th on the Technique Junkies Blog.

I created these cards with the new Rita Barakat stamps through Technique Junkies:

Here is a video on how to use Copic Markers to shade in hair and skin:

And here are some close ups of the cards and tag!

Here are the links to the new stamps I used: Sweetie , Sassy Sue and Zoe AND a 10% off coupon for my readers!TJ10Betz 

I had so much fun creating these projects! My favorite style is bright and colorful. These stamps are perfect for adding a whimsical focal piece to any project. Please make sure you hop on through the blogs.

Now hop on over to Ceal Pritchett!

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Hop links (in order). Full list will be posted on the Technique Junkies blog

TJ Blog - https://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-illustrator-hop.html

Rita Barakat http://RitaBarakat.com

Giovana Smith https://giovana-believe.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-illustrator-blog.html

Betz Golden - http://scrappycafe.blogspot.com/

Ceal Pritchett https://simplybeautifulcreations.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-illustrator.html

Jenn DuBell - http://yvonnebijouxcrafts.blogspot.com/

Jeanne Streiff - http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tjrita5-18/

Rebecca Parsons - https://www.cre8tivecompass.com/

Lee Ann Barrett - https://greytpapercrafts.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-illustrator-hop.html

Cheri Weston https://stampnboomer.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-illustrator-blog.html

Janelle Stollfus - https://rainpuddlesdesign.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-illustrator-hop.html

Karen Jiles - http://stampinakapalace.blogspot.com/

Ro Donner https://rodonner.blogspot.com/2018/05/welcoming-new-stamp-artist-at-technique.html

Yolie Burke - http://www.justyolie.com/

Judy Jackson - https://judysstampart.blogspot.com/2018/05/a-mid-month-blog-hop-for-new-stamps.html

Kathryn Morrow - http://whimseygirl.blogspot.com/?m=1

Beth Norman http://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/60937/technique-junkies-new-illustrator-hop/

Stephanie Eaton - http://inkedartist.com/

Lynda Pleckan https://paperartscafe.blogspot.com/2018/05/technique-junkies-new-rita-barakat.html

Pat Huntoon https://patstamps.blogspot.com/2018/05/blog-hop-celebration-new-rita-barakat.html

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Links to new stamps (links will be live before the hop time)

Rita blog hop links
techniquejunkies.com/special-release-rita-barakat-designs/
techniquejunkies.com/ballerina/
techniquejunkies.com/reflections/
techniquejunkies.com/sweetie/
techniquejunkies.com/sing/
techniquejunkies.com/floral-border/
techniquejunkies.com/monica-fairy/
techniquejunkies.com/sassy-sue/
techniquejunkies.com/picnic-princess/
techniquejunkies.com/relaxed-fairy/
techniquejunkies.com/zoe/

and these will also be online and available:
techniquejunkies.com/be-true-to-yourself/
techniquejunkies.com/dance-with-your-heart/
techniquejunkies.com/beautiful-minds/
techniquejunkies.com/delight/

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Using Scribble Sticks and Watercolor Pencils

If you did not see my three minute video on how to use Rita Barakat stencils, please find it here:

This is the follow up of coloring in my girl! I took a ton of pictures of each step that are self explanatory. This is the stencil I used on the video and what she looked like after I connected all the lines:

 I used these to color in her face:

 I added several shades and I colored in her eyes with Scribble Sticks:

 I used a wet paint brush to smooth out the texture. I traced around her face with a darker color:

 I filled in her eyebrows with one of the darker pencils. I used the black pencil to give her eyelashes (I love a lot of eyelashes!):

 I used scribble sticks to fill in her lips by tracing around the edges and pulling the color into her lips with a wet paint brush.

 I colored in the stars:

 Now it got fun! The hair! I absolutely love to create hair! I used scribble sticks and a wet paint brush to color.

 I finished her with a little bit of glitter streaks in her hair and white dots on the purple strand:

I can not draw, but this stencil made it super easy! I can't wait to create more in my art journal with Rita Barakat Stencils! 

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting! 

How to Make a Page Flag

I love to use up every single thing  I have --including the packaging! It is hard to throw out cute packaging, so I  like to turn it into something useful. I created a page flag from the packaging in the January 2018 Planner Society Kit.

 I used the following supplies to make it:

First I adhered the gold week to the base with craft glue. I like this better than a tape runner because I can slide it around before it sets up:

 Repeat with second base:

Run a line of glue on the backside of the top base:

Create a shadow of the word by moving the second base up and over about 1/8 of an inch. Use washi tape for decoration  and extra support:

Finish it off by adding any extra elements:

To use the flag simply slide it over the page you want to hold.

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting! 

Globe Shaker Card!

One of my favorite things are the globes and all the places in them! I love to make shaker cards to mail my friends and family when I am visiting a new place. I like to make about a dozen cards up before I leave and mail them from my destination. To make the card I first stamp the image on white cardstock:

Using the Globe die that fits all of the stamps I cut 12 3 by 4 black pieces of cardstock making sure to set the globe aside:

Adhere the stamped image to a base. I used a sparkly silver piece of cardwtock cut 1/4 inch larger than my image piece:

Using Brutus Monroe craft glue, carefully line up the globe frame to the image and adhere. Repeat the process until you have one black frame left:

Carefully place sequins and glitter in the shaker. Glue a sheet of acetate over the shaker and top it off with the last black frame:

Adhere to the card and shake away!

Check out the Brutus Monroe shop for the globes!

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!

Cold Brew Coffee

In the afternoon I hit a low and need a pick me up. Today I am sharing with you how to make a delicious cold brew coffee.

As crafters we usually have something we are sipping on as we create. It can range between water to wine. However, we all have our stand by and this is mine! Sometimes to kick it up a notch I will carefully pour some chocolate syrup around the inside of the cup, add my cold brew and top it off with 2 ounces of vodka! Regardless of what is added to it: vanilla, a scoop of ice cream or cinnamon -- this is so yummy! 

Cold Brew Coffee

1 small can Ground Espresso

1 can Sweet and Condensed Milk 

1 can Coconut Milk (make sure it is coconut milk and not oil or water)

--Add Espresso to a pitcher of water (half gallon)
-- Place in refrigerator for 24 hours
--Strain grounds out in a clean pitcher
--remove solid from Coconut milk (set it aside and use it in sweet potatoes later!)
-- dump the cans of milk in
--whisk until blended
--serve over ice

Please check out my video on how to make this drink. I give an indepth explanation and show how to make it . You can watch it here:

Until next time ~ Happy Crafting!