Sunday, January 26, 2014

Leftovers…

I was cleaning up my craft room that’s been needing it desperately since before Christmas and found a few leftover pieces of cardstock, stickers, and ribbon so I threw this card together to use them up.  So now I’m one card ahead for Christmas 2014.

 

Snowflakes in December_apieceofheartblog

Saturday, January 25, 2014

The Creating Blog Hops Café January Snowflake Hop

January Hop with Creating Blog Hops Cafe


Our group is here to inspire you every month with many different projects that have been made by some of the most amazing crafters that I know. We are dedicated to be here to inspire you every single month, on the last Saturday of the month, all year long, whether it be a specific theme, season, or event.  So, grab yourself a Latte and hop along with us while we proudly show off our projects to you each and every month.

If you are following along, you should have arrived here from Robin Lane’s blog -- Create-A-Latte which just happens to be our first stop of the hop.

A little about my contribution to this hop…

This month’s theme is snowflakes.  When I was thinking about what to do I wanted to do something different than my usual card creations.  Since I had this glass block on hand I decided I may as well use it.  I know it’s Christmas oriented but I figure I can always add to my decorations and..well..it’s only 343 days away!

I used my Silhouette Cameo software to create the design for the front of the block.  I found a snowflake I liked and welded it to the letter “C” – why “C”, you ask? – well, that’s the first letter of my last name but it could also stand for the “C” in Christmas.  I cut it all out using Silhouette black vinyl.  Before I adhered it to the glass, I used some Rust-Oleum Specialty Frosted Glass Spray Paint to make the block look nice and frosty.  I pushed some sparkling mini lights into the hole on the bottom of the block to give it a glow.  I used lights on a green cord for this because it’s all I had but I am going to look for some on a white cord to see if it shows through less.  Then I added the bow.  I’m not sure I like it with the bow but that’s easily removable. 

Let me know what you think I should do in the comments below.  (And please, don’t forget to follow my blog) :-)

 

Seasons Greetings Christmas Light Box_snowflake_apieceofheartblog

 

This block is based on this pretty tile by my friend, Lori Apgar and these tutorials here and here.

 

 
Seasons Greetings Christmas Light Box Closeup_snowflake_apieceofheartblog
**close-up*
 
 
Seasons Greetings Christmas Light Box no bow_snowflake_apieceofheartblog
**without bow**

 

By now you are probably saying, “show me the candy”, lol, so here it is.

Prize picture for January Hop with Creating Blog Hops Cafe

This month we will be giving one lucky person a Becky Higgins Project Life Season's Mini Kit. For your chance to win this amazing blog candy you must hop through each one of our talented crafters blogs, be sure to leave everyone a little blog lovin', and if you are not already a follower please become one to each of the ladies so that you do not miss a single project that they make. 

Your next stop will be with Aisha Hall - www.londonskyedesigns.net  

If you get lost along the way here is the entire line-up of today's hop for you to get back on track and not miss a single project. And don't forget to leave everyone a little blog lovin' and become a follower for your chance to win some blog candy.


1.   Robin Lane with - http://create-a-latte.blogspot.com

2.   Sharon with - http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com *you are here*

3.   Alicia with - http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com

4.   Lori Apgar with - http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/

5.   Janet Royer with- http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/

6.   Ann Strecko Koeman with - http://annmakes.blogspot.com

7.   Cathy Derouche with - http://cathyplus5.blogspot.com/

8.   Candice Fields with - http://stampinpearls.blogspot.com

9.   Tami Smith with - http://scrappinmykids.blogspot.com/

10.  Nancy Kirkup with - http://alwaysastorycreationsbynancy.blogspot.com/

11.  Lucy Kelleher with - http://love2createitall.com

12.  Robin Scott with - www.scrapandchat.blogspot.com/

13.  Jessica Wilson with - http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com

14.  Nanné Harry with - http://nannes-creations.blogspot.com

15.  Angela Chamness with - http://angelascraftyspot.blogspot.com/

16.  Jearise Havenga with - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com

Thank you for hopping along with us today and helping us to start our hopping year with a bang!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Baby Dedication Gift Reveal (and bonus download)

I’ve been working hard on a dedication gift for my grand-niece.  I thumped my brain as to what to get her that could be a keepsake… a pretty little locket?, a Children’s Bible?, an engraved sterling silver bracelet? … none of those really felt right.  And then I thought to myself, “Sharon, you are crafty … make her something she will always treasure (I hope, lol).  So here is what I came up with (sorry in advance for the photo but it was hard to take without getting a reflection from the glass)…

 

Baby Dedication Shadow Box Frame-WM_Square 1 Masterpiece_apieceofheartblog

 

It’s a Shadow Box Frame that has the bible verse from Jeremiah 29:11-13 (word art created by me) as well as a couple of pictures of her; one of her momma holding her and the other of her sleeping so preciously (is that a word, lol?).

 

Baby Dedication Shadow Box Frame-2-WM_Square 1 Masterpiece_apieceofheartblog

 

I covered the backing with some light pink patterned paper and added some pink & white pearls inside for an extra added touch.  Her name was cut-out with my handy dandy Cameo and, of course, using my Square 1 “vinyl” (I put that in quotes because it’s not really vinyl, it’s more of a textured, tightly woven adhesive backed fabric but that too complicated so I simplified it, lol).   

 

 

Baby Dedication Shadow Box Frame_WM-Square 1 Masterpiece_apieceofheartblog

 

 

You can’t really tell in the photos but I printed 2 pictures of her sleeping, cut around the arm and part of the sleeper on one of them, and popped it up over top the other one with pop dots to give it some added dimension.   I also popped up the photo of her in momma’s arms.

 

 

 

 

I’m really happy with the way it turned out.  Even my husband said it was amazing and he never pays attention to anything I make, lol.

As an added bonus, here is a download file of the word art in both black and greyscale (PNG & JPG) for you. The quality may not be quite up to par because I didn’t originally set out to do this so I had to go back and alter a flattened version instead of creating from scratch.  I think it’s still good enough to share, however, but I’ll let you be the judge.  DOWNLOAD HERE

As well as continuing to post my cards, I’m also going to be sharing some of the home décor items that I plan to make on this blog.  It’s an area that I’m beginning to delve into and hope to make a few dollars from sometime down the road so I’d love to get your opinions first before attempting to sell any to people in my community.   I hope you don’t mind :-)