Giveaway Winner Announcement

Well, folks the giveaway is closed.  It was a wild ride.  I got a little nervous there for a while.... This was my first giveaway and I couldn't have asked for a better product to review. 

Now, on to the winner!  I'm proud to announce that the winner of this absolutely random selection was my very first blog-loving-friend!  She has always been super supportive of ArfullyCraft, so it is my pleasure to announce that Brandy had won this giveaway!  She took advantage of all 3 ways to win and it sure paid off! 

Brandy, I'll be in touch with the details of how to get your copy of the software.


If you didn't win, stay tuned.  You never know when there's gonna be another great giveaway!  Thanks to everyone who participated... I thought this was fun!

Quotable Canvas

I do have a giveaway going on right now.  Click HERE to get in on it!

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer.  It sings because it has a song." -Maya Angelou

I love quotes.  I can find an inspirational quote to go with just about any feeling I'm having or any motivation I require.  I have them posted on post-it's and index cards all over my bedroom and bathroom.  I've been fiddling around with making quotes on canvas for a little over a year.  I've tried acrylics under spray paint, paint-by-number under acrylic, and everything in between.  I finally figured out one that I love enough to share with you, so here it is, quotes on canvas.  There's just one other thing you should know.  I love bird silhouettes.  Owl, sparrow, crow, whatever... I love the way they look and I'm sort of making that a theme in my room.

NOTE: you do NOT need the spray paint.  as I said, I've done it with spray paint before so I had it on hand because I wasn't sure how the acrylic was going to come out.

The pictures of the first few steps show a different piece that I haven't even finished yet, but I didn't take pics of the first steps on the finished product for this tutorial.  To start, I bought two canvases from Michael's.  The day I went, the 2-packs were buy one get one free, so I now have 2 bonus canvases to play with next time.  I took some scrapbook paper and pasted it to the canvas with mod podge and made a pretty background.   I let this dry for a couple of hours because you're going to be putting stickers on and you don't want to peel off the mod podge with them.   So once it's dry, get some foam stickers you like the shape of.  They have these EVERYWHERE.  Michael's, Walmart, you name it... I found these at Dollar Tree, but when I went back to get more last week they were gone.  :(  So if you find some you love at a good deal, BUY THEM ALL!  haha.  I use them for a lot of projects.  At this point, lay them out and then stick them on where you want them.

So once you have all your stickers stuck you can start painting.  To clarify,  your letters are going to be in the pattern of the scrapbook paper while your background is solid.  So you paint a pretty solid layer of acrylic paint over the canvas.  My layer was pretty thick and I could still almost see through it in some spots, so let it dry completely and if you need a second layer, go for it.  I did.

I would caution you not to "overload" with paint.  I made sure and spread mine out  with the brush pretty good to avoid pools of paint.  You're going to get "walls" of paint when you peel the stickers if you make it super thick.  Let it dry.  I have timed my peel pretty good and get the best results if I peel it riiiiight before it's completely dry all the way down.  I know that's confusing, but if you can time it to where the top layer is dry, but it's still a little gooey in the middle, you're golden.  This project is pretty hard to really mess up.  You can pretty much peel stickers whenever you want.  Fair warning:  you're going to smudge it if you do it right after you paint.  How do you peel those stickers off when they're covered in paint?  Get creative!  I have used a pencil, a steak knife, a screwdriver, a pointy-nail-file-thing.  You can really use anything you can get under the sticker.  I did discover that with this project, it was nice to have the steak-knife on hand to nab any little bits of paint that went where they weren't supposed to.  They came off very nicely.

Peeling the stickers is my favorite part because you can really start to see how it's going to come out.  When they're all peeled and you've dealt with any "whoopsies" you can seal in your end result with another two good layers of mod podge.  Your paint needs to be completely, honestly, you-would-press-your-face-to-it-in-public dry before you mod podge or it's going to stay soft.  You want this to be a sealing layer. This will keep your little paint ledges from scratching or peeling off.  It also gives that flat acrylic a nice glossy look if you use glossy mod podge.  It will stay flat but look more uniform and sealed if you use the flat mod podge. 

When you're done with this step, you could be done.  I took mine a step further.  I sketched a little silhouette of a bird that could be sitting on a wire, and cut it out, I then traced that shape to make a mirror image on another contrasting color.  Stick 'em down with a thin layer of mod podge and do another layer to seal 'em in and TADA!    This step literally took less than 10 minutes and I'm not very good at cutting along the lines.  I think it added a whole new level of awesome to them.  What do you think?

I'm going away this weekend for Christmas, but I would like to do a post this weekend that shows how all these crazy things I'm making look together on my wall.  At this point, I'm thinking aloud, because my blog schedule is PACKED.  Keep your eyes peeled for my next few blogs and give me all the feedback you've got.

Want something for free?  GIVEAWAY!!!

This post was shared on the following Linky Parties:  Sunday Blog Love, Not Baad Sundays, Sundae Scoop,  Just something I whipped up,  Lovely Crafty Weekend, Calling All Crafters Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Make Something Monday, Market Yourself Monday, More the Merrier Mondays, Show It Off Mondays,  Meet Me Monday, So Creative Party Time, The Gunny Sack, T Time and Link Party

Delish Breakfast in 3 Minutes

This is what you'll get to make if you make it to the bottom of the post, but first I get to talk at you!   Let the mouth watering commence.

Okay, blog pals.  I am so far behind, but I'm about to get all kinds of caught up.  Finals were nuttier than squirrel poop, but I'm past all that and I'm ready to get on a crafting binge.  I already have about 8 crafts finished and with pictures, but I need to write up the blogs in addition, I am taking on a couple of HUGE projects this week (we're talking 12 feet across, huge... if everything goes according to my plan...which it never does) so keep on the lookout for that.  And now, the big one!   So, let's kick off this craft-mania with a super speedy recipe that every single person should have on hand for breakfast in a pinch!

Now, on to the yummies...

I don't know about you, but my roommates and I are starving in the morning, but it's not worth getting up 20 minutes early to make a good breakfast.  I was inspired to try this one morning after seeing my roommate "Struggles" leave in a frenzy for the doctor.  See, she had a doctor's appointment, so she had gotten up about an hour before she had to leave.  That's plenty of time, right?  Well, she had to get ready, which doesn't take too long, but she decided to have a "good" breakfast of cinnamon rolls as well.  They were just your typical unwrap the can, put 'em in a pan kind.  You know the name brand... with the little ticklish fellow... but they take 30 MINUTES to prepare!  20 to cook, then they need to cool enough to ice (another 5) and it takes at least 7 minutes for our oven to heat up.  Needless to say, I had just come in the kitchen sniffing around for breakfast when Struggles took one bite and realized she was going to be late for the Doctor.  So she ran out the door, leaving her two sad cinnamon rolls with only one bite missing, sitting on the counter.  I was sad for Struggles.  Thus was born my greatest yummy to date!

What you need:
A waffle iron
A can of cinnamon rolls
Some non-stick spray
3-5 minutes

What you do:
Crack open the can of cinnamon rolls.  4 can fit on the iron at a time, and the rest will keep in a tupperware in the fridge (but I don't recommend leaving them for more than a week.) so only use as many as you plan to eat right that second.  Heat up the waffle iron (which takes less than a minute in my house).   Spray that hot waffle iron with the non-stick spray of your choice and plop your cinnamon rolls on the iron and close it.  Now, don't use the waffle-iron timer, just time it yourself.  Caution:  there's usually one side of the iron that gets done faster than the other.  The half on the "opening" side takes 2 1/2 minutes to cook and the closed side takes 3.  If you leave them too long, you've got yourself some burnt cinnamon rolls, which are still quite edible given enough of the icing. 

Once your rolls are done, fork them onto a plate (WATCH OUT, THOSE PUPPIES ARE HOT!) and ice 'em.  Possible the best part of this is that the waffle iron has created cups for the icing to sit in, so you don't have to worry about all of it running off the roll like it does on traditional cinnamon rolls.  They cool pretty fast, too.  I usually take a bite as soon as it's iced without burning my mouth.  So there it is:  a super yummy cinnamon roll breakfast in less than 5 minutes from the time you crack the can open.  I'm calling them "Cinn-fully Delicious Waffle Rolls"  or... "Waffled Cinnamon Rolls"  or... "Yummy in my Tummy".  What do you think I should call 'em?   Have a great Saturday!  I know what's for breakfast tomorrow!  ;)

Oh, and I read this last week in Women's Health Magazine, and thought you'd like to know... Check out this month's issue for more about it! [Sorry about the quality of the pic, I was riding the bus and snapped it on my phone.]

Shared on Calling All Crafters Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Make Something Monday, Market Yourself Monday,  More The Merrier Mondays,  Muffin Mondays, Show It Off Mondays, Meet Me Monday, So Creative Party Time

Being a Student Blogger...

...means that during finals, the student comes first.  So I've been slammed this past week, but I'm getting all caught up this weekend.  I'm taking advantage of the fact that I'm not going home for Thanksgiving by crafting all weekend and setting up a blog schedule... 

I have super exciting news for my few faithful followers:  my first giveaway!!!!  It is coming soonish (I just got the offer) and I can't wait to share it with you!  It's something I'm excited to get for free, so you should be too.  Keep a look out.

Much blog love coming soon.  <3 Steph

What do I do with this blog now? Linky Party?

So I've been home sick for a few days and it has been nice having all the spare time in the world to get this thing off the ground while sipping tea and soup.  The thing is, I'm a full time student with an after-school job, a rigorous course load, a church life, and had virtually no spare time before I started the blog.  So, I'm probably going to make up a weekly schedule and release new blogs on certain days.  I'm thinking a recipe day and a tutorial day, maybe two tutorials... So I'm thinking that since I love love love linky parties (and that and stumbleupon are equally responsible for the launch of this blog into the blogosphere) .  So, dear readers, I come asking for advice. 

Is it too soon for me to host a linky party?

What other posts could I fill my days with?

What is your favorite/least favorite thing about my blog?

Lay it on me.  I'm going to sleep to the smell of melted crayons and acrylic paint overwhelming my room.  It's not easy being a crafter when you live with a mischievous cat. 

And on a side note:  I have to thank my "real world" friends who have been so insanely supportive of this blog from the moment it was just a tiny idea in my head to getting this far (and of everything else in my live).  Luckie, Bester, StaciB, Brandy, RoomieM, RoomieJ, and my most beloved sister, Fred.  You people are my heroes.  I wouldn't be who I am today without you.  <3 

Me with my sister "Fred"

L.O.V.E.,
Steph (or Bob, depending on who you ask)

P.S.  I can see 1,000 views from where I'm sitting.  Just saying.

My First 500 Views!!!

7 days 1 hour and 40 minutes ago, I posted my introduction to this blog.  I just received my 500th view.  My mind is blown!  You guys are the best!  I can't wait to find a way to pay you back.  Now... how do I get more than 5 followers?  Hahaha!  Oh, the trials of a blogging rookie.  :D  I'm floating on cloud nine right now, you have no idea!

Love Love Love,

Stephanie

Update 11/16/11 19:00 PST:  I'm at 800 and at this rate, I'll hit 1,000 sometime tonight or early tomorrow.  I am just BLOWN AWAY by your support!  I am so excited for where this blog is going to take me.  If you haven't already, I'd love for you to follow me.  Thanks a million!

"Her"vival Kits!!!

Get it? Like a survival kit... but for "her"! Who is "her"? Why it's all of us, of course! [Christmas Spoiler] I'm making these for all my female family members for Christmas because I love this one and I'm NOT about to give mine away! So here's this tutorial I hope you love:

How great is this?!  Sorry to brag, but this is the first tutorial I'm really excited about.   I like all the other ones (or I wouldn't have shared) but I LOVE LOVE LOVE this one!  Honestly, with all the useless junk we carry around every day, why not throw something in your purse that could save your day?  Okay, enough tooting my own horn, here we go:

First, you need to make the pouch to hold your kit.  The very best thing about this is that it fits in the palm of your hand... sort of.  I was blog surfing the other day and saw this Travel Sewing Kit and absolutely loved it.  The only problem is, I don't really do much sewing on the go.  Carol from Rosey Corner Creations was gracious enough to let me repurpose her genius creation it in this tutorial, so I'm not going to link up the steps (because her pics are better anyway ;)) so just go there to see how to make the wallet container.  Seriously, how brilliant is she? 
In some future versions, I am planning to put an initial on the front rather than the accent band, but we'll see...

So, what's inside?  Let's see! 

2 Needles:  One with white and the other with black thread.

3 Safety Pins:  Because you can never find one when you need it!
2 Band-Aids:  Because beauty is pain, especially when it comes in the form of new heels.
A stain wipe:  For the unexpected lunch invite to a mexican restaurant when you're wearing your favorite white blouse... dang salsa!
And here's the kicker: a spongey piece...

"A spongey piece," you ask?  Whatever could that be for? It's a brilliant secret I've kept to myself for far to long and I now gladly share with you (but you have to let me ramble for it).  When I worked in retail (way back when) the worst thing that happened every day was when someone would come try on black clothes right after applying deoderant or white clothes with 6lbs of makeup on.  Do I hate them for smelling and looking nice?  No.  But what do we do?  Well, my manager taught me that the little foam strip on retail hangers can be used to rub it away.  Is it magic?  MAYBE!  ...but it seriously works every time.  Now, flash to my moment of genius.  A few weeks ago I got all ready to go out in my fave little black dress and then changed bras (I had to give in to the strapless... ugh) and when I put my dress back on  DUN DUN DUUUUUUN it was bad.  I was frantic to get it off.  Nothing was working!  I had 5 minutes before my friends left me and I no longer own any foamy hangers!  Why oh why did I ever switch to all matching hangers?  What would I do!?!?  That's when I spotted it:  The sponge paintbrush.  It is exactly the same foamy sponge.  Night saved. 

This is why it's a perfect addition to this Her-vival kit.  Fair warning:  I've only ever used it on cotton or poly fabrics.  I think it might not work as well on silk or fine fabrics because of the finer knit, but I could be totally wrong.  It is a magic sponge, after all.  All you have to do to make your own is remove the sponge from the brush.  The glue sticks pretty good at the edge, but just slide your finger under the ledge and separate it from the base.  I made two per sponge-brush by cutting the sides, then across the top of the slot already cut out of the sponge. 

What do you think?  I'm planning to give this to all the ladies on my gifting list this year!  I don't know how I'm going to top it next year, but luckily I'll have a whole year to figure it out. 

Do you love love love it?

Linked on: Wicked Awesome Wednesday , What I Made Wednesday , Totally Tutorials Tuesday , It's a Party - A Creative Princess , Hookin' Up with HoH , Show Off Your Stuff