Have you ever started thinking about your next craft project and thought, “Man. I need to go buy ___” or “I can’t do this project because I need ___.” That’s exactly where I was. I know we all wish we had an endless budget when it comes to our craft rooms and supplies. (I know my room would be more like a Craft Apartment! Soo many rooms. Soo many supplies.)
As a family of five, budgeting is key. Some months you can go out and get that new stamp set, inks, tools or whatever. Other times you can not. That is when you have to think outside the box. Shop your supplies.
This week, I wanted to do some Spring/Easter inspired cards. All of my local craft stores (Michaels, AC Moore, Jo-Ann fabrics) were having some amazing Spring sales. All of the new Spring releases! The temptation was REAL! However, this month I am on a budget–which means no extra, “just-gotta-have-it” craft supplies. 😦 What is a girl to do? Use what you have and think outside the box. After all, Spring is a time for new and fresh ideas (not just supplies).
Shop your supplies! Go through your existing craft supplies. You will be amazed at how much stuff you actually have and all the supplies/tools you forgot about. Be sure to keep an open and fresh mind. Look for that one thing that catches your craft eye and go from there. It could be anything–patterned paper, die cuts/cartridges, stamp sets, stencils, colors or tools. We all have stuff that that we have purchased with the thought of “Oooh! This will be real cute for something.” And never used it. Well, today is the day to use that something, try out that new technique or use that tool.
So, I have the Cricut Rock Princess cartridge that I found on clearance one weekend. I have been dying to use it for a craft project. I know what you’re thinking, “How are you getting Springtime from Rock Princess?!” There are some really cute shapes on this cartridge. It has some flowers, butterflies and some cute rock princesses. It’s just a matter of thinking in a new light/view. Come at Springtime from a different perspective.
Here We Go!
I am going to do 2 cards-Religious Easter and fun Easter.
Supplies:
- Bazzill Basic Paper cardstock
- Recollections cardstock paper
- Jen Wilson La Paperie-My Mind’s Eye patterned paper
- DCWV The Music Stack cardstock
- Cricut cartridges: Doodlecharms and Rock Princess
- colors: acrylic paint, colored pencils and Marvy Brush Markers
For the fun Easter card, I wanted to do something other than the usual basket full of eggs
and animals. I wanted something fun and funky! I thought of Converse All-Star hi-tops. I cut out a shoe from the Cricut Rock Princess cartridge.
I picked out this really cute, Spring-like floral print from the DCWV-The Music Stack cardstock. I used the Cricut Doodlecharms cartridge to cut out the eggs. I chose a few large eggs and lots of little eggs. After jazzing up the eggs and the hi-top, I figured out the placement of everything on the card. I
added a light blue background that I water colored.
The finishing touches for this card
were the sentiment and butterfly. I used acrylic paint for the sentiment and a marker watercolor technique for the butterfly.
For my Religious Easter card, I chose my sentiment first. When I think of the word rejoice, I image dancing. Doing a happy dance. So, I chose “Kim” from the Cricut Rock Princess cartridge.
I jazzed “Kim” up and gave her life with some acrylic paints.
For the sentiment, I chose a background of a nice shade of yellow. I did some brushlettering/calligraphy with some Titanium White acrylic paint. Once dry, I went over it with a fine gold glitter and Mod Podge mix. My homemade version of the Wink of Stella pen. 😉 Then just printed the rest of the sentiment with a Navy Blue Marvy Brush Marker.
To put it all together, I trimmed the down the sentiment paper with these
fun scissors. It just added a little something extra. Then I “popped up” Kim with my foam tape.
Here are the final products. I just love them.
Leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Until next time…Keep Crafting!
Crafty Lotus 