Mini Albums for Mini Moments

Summer 2020 has turned out to be a bit different than we all expected. Many had to postpone trips or events not really knowing when they will happen. Though these most recent months (and those still to come) have not been as exciting as we originally thought, it gives us time to slow down and enjoy more of the mundane moments we may have otherwise missed. Spend the day you were supposed to go on that trip or attend that event (now free of any major plans) creating your own versions of today’s Make & Take albums. These projects focus on being the blank canvases to document whatever memories you want! You and your family can look back at the summer of 2020 as “the one with all the tiny but beautiful memories.” You’ll thank us one day. ;)

Crafter's Companion- Leather Notebook

Watch as our friend Jennifer Tryon (follow her Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_tryon/) walks us through the 7 easy steps to create your Crafter's Companion Leather Notebook.

Project Sheet: https://bit.ly/2AjQiEC

Shop Now! https://bit.ly/3fC5RaJ

“Done! That was neat to do.” -Alana M.

Teresa Collins - 3-Flap Mini Book

Teresa Collins (follow her Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/teresacollinsstudio/) always seems to be motivating us daily and we absolutely love it! She is our biggest inspiration of the phrase “every moment counts” and has the projects to fit.

Project Sheet: https://bit.ly/2SZnt6Y

Shop Now! https://bit.ly/2T1MDSi

Dedicate this summer to the “mini moments” because there is always something special to capture every day, you just have to pay close attention.

“If you haven't been journaling through this, now is a good time to start. One day, you and people who love and loved you and people who will never know you may want to look back to understand how you survived.”

― Darnell Lamont Walker

Let's Stay Home & Make Cards!

Although Notions Commotion was meant to be an in-person event, so many vendors stepped up and created videos and worked with last-minute changes so that we could still follow along and create their beautiful projects in the safety of our own homes. Each project is from a different vendor, with directions and shopping links provided. Everything is right here for you to easily create your own trendy cards. 

With that being said, it’s finally time to share more of our Make & Take projects from our virtual retailer education event. 

Pinkfresh Studio - Stronger Together Card

 

Pinkfresh wanted to help remind us that we are Stronger Together with their design. Watch as Marketing Director Lea Lawson (Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lealawsoncreates/) walks us through the process of creating their featured card project.

This design received a lot of engagement. Check out the comments from those who participated in the event as it was live. Just goes to show much of a hit this card is! 

Project Sheet: https://bit.ly/2Wr66xG

Shop Now! https://bit.ly/2WsnimO

 

Waffle Flower - Rainbow Unicorn Birthday Card

Think of two happier things that can be combined other than rainbows and unicorns. You really can’t! 

 

I MEAN...😍😍😍

The unicorn trend has been going strong for a while now and it doesn’t look like it’s going to die down anytime soon. Waffle Flower designed a project that can brighten even the darkest of days with their ADORABLE rainbow unicorn card. 

 

“I love how this card turned out. The ‘Be A Unicorn’ die is so cute and pairs beautifully with that gorgeous rainbow pattern paper. I love the subtle lines and the box and how we were able to use that divide in the pattern with our lid and base of the box.”  

-Waffle Flower artist Channin Pelletier 

(Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channinpelletier/) 

Project Sheet: https://bit.ly/3cqXxJ1

Shop Now! https://bit.ly/3fJtEpe

 

We are still very much excited to get back to our in-person event next year however with all the positive feedback received from the virtual event, we might just go crazy and host both! Each with different vendors and projects. If you’re interested in participating both events, please let your Sales Rep know and we can try and make it happen for our customers.

 

Make sure to revisit this post as often so that you are able to soak up all the tips and tricks from these craft professionals. Then (when in-person classes begin again) turn around and teach these cards to your customers flawlessly!  

 

Supplying you with creativity every two weeks. See you back here July 30^th. Until then, be sure to add #supplyingcreativity on Instagram so we can check our your creations and you might just see your card(s) displayed on our platforms. 

Heidi Swapp DIY Doormat!

With the quarantine continuing to go on (and on and on...) and being stuck in the house, we've started to look at all the projects in the house we've been putting off. One of those many things with my house that has not escaped my notice is our grimy, old front porch doormat. With the cherry tree in the front yard constantly dumping its goey mess on the porch, the old doormat has gotten pretty nasty! It's past time for an upgrade to the porch decor, so why not try this fun, super easy DIY from American Crafts and Heidi Swapp? It'll be a perfect addition for when we are finally allowed to have guests again!



For this project, we're working with the Heidi Swapp DIY line by American Crafts. There are a bunch of fun options for your doormat project, with borders, scripty fonts and more.





I chose the Heidi Swapp Doormat, "Hello/Goodbye" stencil and the black outdoor paint for my doormat. You're going to need other materials as well, like a plastic or paper plate to use as your palette, some painters tape (or masking tape) and a stiff brush.

American Crafts makes the perfect brushes for these stencils in 1 inch and 1.5 inch sizes (not pictured) but if you're like me and just have your favorite "trusty-rusty" (you know the one I'm talking about, the one that's too stiff for cutting in when painting a wall, but too good to throw out) it will work as well. If you're not using the stencil brush, you just have to be more careful with how you apply your paint.



The first step is to center your stencil.



Tape the corners down so it doesn't move around while you're tapping your paint onto it.



The technique here is to tap the paint onto the stencil, rather than sweep or stroke. You want to keep your brush straight up and down and avoid "smooshing." There are delicate cutouts in this stencil, and they will move on you if you aren't careful. If you're not afraid of getting a little dirty, hold down the delicate parts with your fingertip and pat the paint right over your finger. It washes off, I promise! ;)



Once your stencil is completely covered, carefully lift the tape and stencil to remove it. I stopped here because I didn't want to overcomplicate the design (I just love the cleverness of this one!), but if you want to add a border, make sure to let the first step dry completely first. You don't want to smudge your beautiful handiwork!



That's it! A super simple DIY that adds instant front door appeal to your house or apartment!