How to Make a Frontgate-Inspired Doll Bench | #StashCraft19 Week 1

In The Studio

For the first week of the #StashCraft19 challenge I decided not only to craft from my stash, but also complete a project I’ve been meaning to do for a few months, now.

I began work on a doll room over the summer and made the first of the benches then. It turned out so well that I knew I needed to not only make another, but also share how easy it was.

As far as the challenge is concerned, this one is 100% stash–not a single cent was spent in the making of this bench and I still have enough supplies to at least do another bench or ottoman before having to scrounge up some more foam core.

The video includes the supply list and full instructions on how to make the bench for a 12-inch (or similar) doll.

Coming up next week: An altered board book!

 

 

Up for a Challenge? Introducing #StashCraft19

In The Studio

‘ve come to realize that I’m very bad at putting myself first. It’s something I’ve been working on, on a personal level, and now I’m addressing the creative needs.

For 2019 I applied for absolutely no design teams so that I could work on more of my own projects. BUT! One of the nice things about being on a team is the deadlines and accountability you have to the organizer. When it’s just me? That’s harder.

Enter the wonderful thing that is public accountability! I’ve created a challenge (and some supporting goals) and I’m putting it all out there in the hopes that it’ll help keep me motivated when the going gets tough.

Here, have a video of me explaining it:

But if you’re not in a place where you can watch a video, here’s the basics:


The Challenge

Create one project a week–with a video–using mostly (if not completely) materials I already own.


Goal #1: Use of the supplies I’ve hoarded over the years.

Let’s face it, my craft stash is considerable, with so many things I’ve purchased, collected, or been given over the years (decades!) with plans to use them someday. Well, someday is now! Time to blow off the dust and finally get to the projects I’ve meant to do for so very long.

Goal #2: Declutter the Abyss

Use it up, move it out, make something awesome! I’ll be able to organize as I go while using the supplies up and weeding out any items that are too old, dried up, or otherwise no longer viable.

Goal #3: Save Money by Using What I Have

Not only do I have tons of supplies to be creative with already, my budget is currently not in favor of spending a lot of supplies to fuel a year’s worth of projects. I’m aiming for 90-75% stash supplies for each project (the 75% in deference to the inevitable using-up that’ll happen by the end of the year) but many things can be accomplished strictly with the stuff I already own. Each project will include a run-down of supplies and what, if anything, I spent.

Goal #4: Make Some Money, If Possible

This is a stretch-goal, sure, but it’s not exactly unrealistic. Blog/Vlog business schtuff alert: First, creating weekly videos is bound to increase my subscriber count and watch time which will enable me to go back to monetizing my videos. Not that it’s a huge revenue source, but it’s something. Second, of the items I’ll be making as part of the challenge, some will undoubtedly be personal projects while others may be suitable for sale and will be available in my Etsy shop.


So that’s it! Every Monday, starting January 7th, I’ll post a new video of a new project created from my craft stash. All posts here, on YouTube, and on social media will be tagged with #stashcraft19 and I invite anyone who wants to join in to do so by using that same tag.

I’d love to know what you’re creative goals are for the year. Leave a comment here or on the YouTube video and grab a little public accountability for yourself!

Imagine That: I’ll Be Missing You

In The Studio

And I will!

Today on the Imagine blog I’ve got another interactive card–this time a shaker card–that uses both our color challenge as well as the new Dewlet dies as stencil and shaker window. Make sure to check out the video to see the whole process.

This card has another layer to it, though: it’s my final project as an Imagine Artist in Residence! It’s been a fabulous three years on the team and while I’ll miss them all terribly, I chose not to apply for the 2019 team (their’s or anyone else’s) so that I can spend more time on my own projects.

I hope you’ll follow along here on the blog, my instagram page, and–most of all–my YouTube channel to see what I have planned for the upcoming year. I’ll be announcing my personal challenge right after Christmas and I’d be thrilled to have you participate, too!

Stay tuned for more and have a creative day!

 

Imagine That: Snowflake Spinner Card

In The Studio

I love things that move or are otherwise interactive. My latest card over on the Imagine blog features a spinner element and a gorgeous (yet simple!) peek-a-boo background.

Our color of December is Frosted Blue, so I used a muted blue to “frost” the inside scene of the card with tinted Creative Medium and stencils.

Then I paired it with some die cut snowflakes from Rinea Foil suspended within the frame on the front of the card.

The Rinea foil held up very well as I cut it on my Cricut. After a couple of false starts, I discovered the aluminum foil setting did the best, allowing me to carefully pop out the snowflakes after the cutting was finished. I might try it again and bump the pressure up a notch to see if it made separating the shapes from the rest of the foil sheet a little easier, but I didn’t want to chance it on these delicate shapes (and under deadline!).

Make sure to head over to the Imagine blog to see the video of how this card comes together!

Imagine That: No-Bake Gingerbread House Banner

In The Studio

The color of the month over on the Imagine blog is Gingerbread and the idea that wouldn’t leave my mind was gingerbread houses.

Basically, this project has all the fun of decorating gingerbread houses/cookies without having to clean up the kitchen. It’s fabulous for crafting with kids, and the sky’s the limit on how much or how little you want to decorate the houses.

Using chipboard or craft cardstock and whatever house die or cut file you want takes care of the base of the banner, getting you closer to the the real fun that much sooner.

And here’s something I’ve learned about working with the Cotton White StazOn Studio Glaze: you can’t be stingy if you actually want it to show up as white rather than clear. Let the Cotton White build up or go back and add a second layer, if need be, especially against dark backgrounds. And layering one color of StazOn Studio Glaze over another while both are still wet works just like layering royal icing on cookies–beautifully!

Make sure to head over to the Imagine blog to see the video of how this project comes together!