Category Archives: Uncategorized

Hello! My Name is Long Hiatus

Posted on November 3, 2017 by apieceoflifespie

Hello! Yes, I have been on a long hiatus from this domain. Apparently, I was swallowed up by the school volunteer monster for the past 4 years. It was a gift to be able to be soo involved in my kiddo’s school and sit on a PTA/PTO board. . . says no one ever! If you think the movie, Bad Moms, was satirical, think again! In all seriousness, it was an experience that I am glad I committed to and experienced. There were some pretty amazing bright spots in working along-side my kiddo’s teachers, dean, principal and some very dedicated parents, now dear friends.

Another thing I have been cookin’ for the past few years is being a Girl Scout leader for 20+ girls. Yes, I think I am crazy, but so worth the possible asylum issued straight jacket. It has been a treat to watch these kiddos grow up! I will be sharing some of our fun ideas, tricks and planning I have come up that helped navigate such a large troop.

As I write this, I feel like a bear coming out of hibernation and just wanting to gorge myself on every creative thing I see! So. . . in saying that, be forewarned! 😉

The first order of business in getting me pointed in the right creative direction, the hubs and I worked on relocating my craft space and giving it a HUGE facelift. I have to say, I am obsessed with rainbows. Living in Southern California, they are like finding unicorns. So the only logical remedy to my desire of chasing rainbows (outside of moving to Maui), is use them as the inspiration to brighten up my creative lightbulb hub.

Here are some shots of my new favorite room in the house. I plan on posting a video tour and organizational tips and tricks in the very near future!

20171029_134726

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Posted in Craft room, Uncategorized and tagged Craft organization, craft rooms, crafting, Creative spaces, DIY, home decor ideas, Organizing. Bookmark the permalink.

DIY Postcards

Posted on July 3, 2014 by apieceoflifespie

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Happy Almost 4th! Today is my lucky day to showcase a fun project I made using Lawn Fawn Stamp Set – So Much to Say and my trusty and I do mean trusty Xryon Mega Runner, that is up on the Xyron blog today. (Side note: I have used several Advanced Tape Guns and the Xyron Mega Runner is by far the BEST I have ever used- No fuss in the refill process and strong adhesive – I think I am in love!)

DIY Postcard

It is summer and if any of your are like me, you are in a fun whirl-wind of road trip travels, camping and kiddo camps. Since I have a 1st grader and a Kindergartner, I wanted to drag along some postcards they could ~~practice their writing~~ share their adventures with family and friends. I needed these to be bigger than the normal postcard due their ~~giant chicken scratch~~ eagerness of being early writers, so these will take a normal postage stamp. These are a cinch to make and you can even have your kiddos help or make on their own.

Here is how I did it (full supply list at the end):

For the Front of the Postcard: I found blank white card stock quality cards at the local craft store with the measurements of 6.5 inches wide and 4.5 inches tall. Using a paper trimmer, cut down some desired design paper with the measurements of 6.25 inches wide and 4.25 inches tall. I stamped the sentiment and image on the design paper. Using Xyron Mega Runner, adhere the design paper to the plain white card stock.

DIY Postcard3

For the Back of the Postcard: Measure the card and find the middle. Using a ruler, draw a line using a Jelly Roll pen and added some dashes for interest. I printed “To” on the right side and stamped a coordinating image from the front.

DIY Postcard1

I set up an “assembly line” and mass produced these in no time. You can go as simple or as detailed you want – keep in mind these are postcards and they need to be flush.

DIY Postcard2

Supply List:

Lawn Fawn – So Much To Say stamp set
Xryon Mega Runner
Paper Trimmer
Recollections Chevron Paper
Recollections Blank White Cardstock Cards (6.5×4.5 inches)
Ruler
Black Jelly Roll Pen
Stamp Block
Stampin’ Up Ink (Classic Black and Pumpkin)
Close to My Heart Ink (Slate – used for the yellow card)

Happy 4th and Happy Summer!

Arin

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Posted in Uncategorized, Xyron and tagged chevron, DIY, DIY postcards, easy crafts for kids, how to make postcards, Lawn Fawn stamps, summer craft ideas, Xyron, Xyron Mega runner. Bookmark the permalink.

The June Trifecta

Posted on June 9, 2014 by apieceoflifespie

Traveling On. . .

Posted on May 23, 2014 by apieceoflifespie

Bonjour! All week Xyron and Paper House have been traveling the world together! If this is your first stop, please head over to Xyron’s and Paper House blogs and see what they got cookin’ in the areas of inspirations and awesome giveaways.

Since I am so lucky to be on both design teams I had a change to take a stab at two projects! My first project is a travel journal I made for my daughter. This summer we are going to travel the world . . . OK we are going to the Vegas strip to give a “Cliffnotes version” of what Paris, Rome, Italy, New York, Seattle and Egypt is like to my 5 and 6 year old. In that spirit, I whipped up a cute travel journal for my 6 year old to record her adventures in each place.

Here is how I took an ordinary $ bin composition book and turned it to this (fully supply list included at the end of this post):

DIY Travel Journal 1

Xyron 1

Xyron 2

xyron 4

Add embellishments to cover and use faux stitching on the pennant banner. Use letter stickers for the name and Baker’s Twine for the accents. To secure the bow along the spine, use a Xyron Dot.

xyron 5

Supply List:

Paper House Productions – Paris Canvas Stickers
Paper House Productions – Enjoy the Journey
Paper House Productions – 12×12 Garden Pix Paper Pad
Xyron 3 inch Sticker Maker
Xyron Double Sided High Tack Tape
Xyron Dots
Twinery Bakers Twine
Target $ Bin Composition Book
Washi Tape – Pick Your Plum
Stamp Ink
Scissors
Pencil

Now since I am playing double time designer, I made a fun layout (yes, I said I made a layout) of my time so long ago in Yellow Stone using Xyron 5 inch Creative Station and Paper House Yellowstone Collection to represent Paper House. Whew wearing so many hats can get a tad bit sticky (pun intended)! 🙂 How fun is this collection, it brought me back to some fun memories and I almost felt I was there while working with the collection. So if you have Yellowstone on your adventure list this summer, this collection is a must!

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Posted in Paper House Productions, Uncategorized, Xyron and tagged amazing adhesive, amazing scrapbooking kits, crafts, DIY, diy travel journal, paper crafts, paper house, paris crafts, scrapbooking yellowstone, travel journal, Xyron, yellowstone layouts. Bookmark the permalink.

Mickey Mini Book

Posted on May 14, 2014 by apieceoflifespie

Mickey Mouse Mini Book Well today we are hopping along with Out on a Limb Scrapbooking over at Xyron and my project was a BIG stretch for me. I made my FIRST EVER mini book using Out on a Limb’s Mouse Memories- Mickey collection! I have to say I did throw my whole Xyron inventory at the making of this baby, but it was fun.

Me and my princesses recently headed off to Disneyland for 3 days with a dear friend and her princess. I made this book with her in mind to give as gift to fill with her favorite memories from the trip.

Mickey Mouse Mini Book 3

It was super easy to make and my base was just a $ bin find from the craft store. I covered it with some pre-embossed paper I had on hand and went nuts! Not to shabby for my first go at it, I must say!

Mickey Mouse Mini Book 2

Be sure to head over to Xyron and check out the fun hoppin’ goodies up for grabs and all the other fabulous Out on a Limb meets Xyron inspirations the DT has in store for you this week.

Mickey Mouse Mini Book 4

Supply List:

Out on a Limb – Mouse Memories- Mickey
Xyron 3 inch Sticker Maker
Xyron 5 inch Creative Station
Xyron Dots
Xryon Mega Runner
Xyron Double Sided High Tack Tape
Bazzill embossed paper
Chip board plain mini book – Recollections
Washi tape – Pick Your Plum
Buttons – Recollection
Baker’s Twine
Close to My Heart Holiday Red and White Daisy Stamp Ink
Paper Trimmer
Chomp-A-Dial
Recollections Circle Paper Punches

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Posted in Uncategorized, Xyron and tagged Mickey Mouse crafts, mickey mouse mini books, Mini Book, out on a limb, paper crafting, scrapbooking, Xyron. Bookmark the permalink.

It’s a Wine-Thirty Clock!

Posted on April 30, 2014 by apieceoflifespie

At the tone, the time will be . . . CHEERS! Oh my did I have fun making this project for Xyron’s Paper Smooches Blog Hop we are in the throws of this week. As some of you may know I have a love affair with fermented grape juice and lucky for me, I live in California so I can tromps around in local vineyards where I was inspired to make this clock to help me keep track of when it is WINE TIME! 🙂

When I saw Paper Smooches “Free Spirits” stamp set I knew I wanted it! I gathered up some cute Die Cuts With A View cork sheets (because when there is wine there is cork) and with the help of Xyron 3 inch Sticker Maker and 1.5 inch and 1 inch punches I turned an old craft clock base into the best time teller on the planet!

The designed cork sheet already had an adhesive backing so that was easy peasy to trace, cut, and adhere to the face. I used the 1/2 inch punch for the “in between number” spots using the design cork sheet.

I used the 1.5 inch punch on a plain cork sheet and stamped it using black and white ink. I inked the edges and ran through the Xyron 3 inch Sticker Maker and adhered to the clock face.

I inked the edges of the clock and added the clock motor and hands and called it done.

There you have it, another super easy home decor project that has some fun character and at least for me, some important time telling abilities.

Be sure to head over to Xyron’s Blog to check out all the fun projects made with Paper Smooches Products!

Supply List:

Paper Smooches – Free Spirit Stamp Set
Xyron 3 Inch Sticker Maker
Recollections 1 and 1.5 inch circle punches
DCWV cork sheets
Stampin’ Up Classic Black Stamp Ink
Stampin’ Up Early Espresso Stamp Ink
Close To My Heart White Daisy Stamp Ink
Ink Dauber

5 Comments

Posted in Blog Hops, Uncategorized, Xyron and tagged crafting with cork, crafts, DCWV cork sheets, DIY, DIY Clock, home decor, Paper Smooches Stamps, wine, Wine lover crafts, Xyron 3 inch Sticker Maker. Bookmark the permalink.

A View Fit for an Office – Easy Wall Decor

Posted on April 25, 2014 by apieceoflifespie

Hello it is Arin here and if you are joining me from the Xyron Teresa Collins Designs/CardMaker Blog Hop you are in the right place. If not, you will need to head over to the Xyron Blog and see what all the fabulous designers have cooked up using the cute and very versatile collections of Teresa Collins Designs.

What I did was some thing super simple. In my Teresa Collins box of “happy mail” I scored the” You Are My Happy” collection and her Basically Essential stencils and combining it with Xyron’s Double Sided High Tack Tape, I decided to cook me up some wall art for the office.

Wall Art

Here is how I did it!

First I took a 8×10 wooden wall plaque base and painted it white and lightly sprayed a paper towel with Heidi Swapp Color spray and rough covered the wooden plaque.

Then I measured out and cut the 12×12 “You are My Happy- Spectacles Paper”. Using some washi tape, I taped down the 8×10 stencil over the design paper.

Using some Heidi Swapp Color Shine, I lightly sprayed the surface and allowed some time to set and dry. Once I carefully removed the stencil, I used some wet wipes and cleaned up perfectly.

Using Xyron Double Sided High Tack Tape, I applied it to the 8×10 painted wooded base and then secured the altered design paper pressing down gently to smooth out. I am telling you this top sheet isn’t going anywhere! That stuff sticks better than anything I have used! One of those products were if you have issues with commitment, you better shy away! 🙂

I then sanded down and inked the edges using Close to my Heart Slate ink pad.

Wall Art with edging done

I know you see me say, “There you have it! Easy peasy!” all the time, but seriously, you could not get any easier for something that will add some fun whimsy to any wall.

Supply List:

Xyron 1/2 inch Double Sided High Tack Tape
Teressa Collins You are My Happy Spectacles design paper
Teresa Collins Basically Essentail stencils
Heidi Swapp Color Shine – Georgia Peach
8×10 wooden plaque
DecoArt- Warm White
Foam brush (for applying the paint to the plaque)
Washi Tape (for securing the stencil to the design paper)
Close to My Heart ink pad -Slate
Ink Dauber
Sandpaper
Paper Trimmer

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Posted in Blog Hops, DIY, Uncategorized, Xyron and tagged crafts, DIY, Heidi Swapp Color Shine, home decor, Teresa Collins Basically Essential stencils, Teresa Collins Designs, Teresa Collins You are My Happy Collection, Wall Art, Xyron Double Sided High Tack Tape. Bookmark the permalink.

Thank You, Thank You Very Much Card

Posted on April 23, 2014 by apieceoflifespie

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Hi there! Today I have a fun Elvis card up over at Paper House! One day I will get to Graceland, but until then I am sure glad Paper House has a fun Elvis Collection. Pop over and check out how I made this little number!

Elvis Thank You Card 1

Linking Up to:

Paper Issues Pitch Perfect

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Posted in Paper House Productions, Uncategorized, Xyron and tagged crafts, DCWV, DIY, Elvis cards, Elvis crafting, Xyron. Bookmark the permalink.

It is All About the Kiddos Hop!

Posted on April 18, 2014 by apieceoflifespie

Kids Blog Hop

Woot! Today is the day for the Paper House Productions “Hop, Skip & Jump” Kids Blog Hop this weekend! The Design Team has some fun kiddo inspired creations cooked up that you will not want to miss! There are amazing goodies up for grabs that are just must haves for any crafty stash.

How to ENTER:

by liking us on Facebook
AND commenting on each of our designers’ posts! If you do, you’ll get +10 entries into our drawing!

Easy peasy lemon squeezy just like this fun project I made with the Owls Hoot Collection! All I did was reclaim a tabletop house shaped bookcase I found on clearance for $5 at Target and turn it into a dog house for my kiddo’s American Girl pets! My kiddos love owls so this collection came in handy since I made all their American Girl Doll bedding with owl fabric. Love when crafty kismet happens!

American Girl Doll Pet House

What I did was measure and cut down the design paper and attache using my Xyron Mega Runner and for the ribbon, I cut down American Crafts ribbon ran it though my 5 inch Creative Station and dressed the internal and external edges. I traced out some flower stencils using Kiwi Lane Designs Tiny Accents, inked the edges and ran through my Xyron Creative Station and attached to the roof. I dressed the house with flower accents I had on hand and the collection 3D stickers and Puffy stickers.

American Girl Doll Pet House2

Now how is that for turning $5 and some cute crafty supplies into something that will be cherished and played with for many play-times to come?

Now make sure to hop through each designer down the list to be eligible for the most entries! When you’re done, just hop over to Paper House Blog and let us know! The hop will be running all weekend, so you have until Sunday at 11:59pm EST to get your entries in!

Kids’ Blog Hop Designers

Arin Flynn You are here

Posted in American Girl Doll, Blog Hops, Kiwi Lane Designs, Uncategorized, Xyron and tagged American Crafts, American Girl Doll crafting, American Girl Doll Dog house, blog hops, crafts, DIY, Doll dog house, kids crafts, owl crafts, Paper House Productions, Xyron. Bookmark the permalink.

Gettin’ Hoppy with an Easy Easter Banner

Posted on April 16, 2014 by apieceoflifespie

Up over at Samantha Walker, you can see how I made this cute bunny banner using her Samantha Walker Bunny cut file just in time to greet Mr. Cottontail!

This banner was super easy to make thanks to Pick Your Plum wooden pennants, DCWV Linen Sheets, and only one cut used as a stencil! Having my Xyron Creative Station handy just added to the ~~laziness~~ ease of the project.

I had the help of Hemptique Baker’s Twine to add a little extra bounce in the bunny tail and to be the support of project for holding together the pennants.

I addes some buttons, faux stitching and fabric letters (yes you see them on all my projects! I just love them).

This project was not only super simple and easy to do, but there is something therapeutic about just simply tracing and cutting and with this bunny cut from Samantha Walker, it could not have been any easier. Full tutorial and supply list is up over on Samantha Walker’s Blog!

Supply List: