Lighted Canvas tutorial

Okay , as I promised .. I took photos of the steps as my sis and I worked on the lighted canvases for my nieces wedding reception.  I took a quick video on my phone of them all together if you want to check it out.  3 canvases ( each 3'x4'). 

Of course this is by no means our original idea. lol It's been all over pinterest, and I've seen a number of "how to's" but as happens often when you are doing things on your own.. it seems you run into things you hadn't read about, heard of , or planned for. lol
I promise to share those things with you :)

The first thing we found out.. was the very thing I was wondering about all along when I envisioned doing this.  Would those lights stay in place just being poked thru the canvas???   My thoughts... not securely.  Some say they used hot glue to hold them in place..but boy what a job, and what if the lights burn out at the last minute?    Here is the solution we came up with and it worked really well.  We ran to Dollar General and got foam core.  Cheap and easy solution to the problem.   We used packing tape to put the two pieces together and to attach it to the wood braces.  The foam core really gave enough stability to hold the lights in place when we started poking holes and adding them.

We weren't planning and any specific design, just a burst of lights, but you will still want to draw it out by making dots on the back of your foam cork.   Now.. here is the other things we found out.
 1) Keep in mind.. your design will have to work around the wood braces.
 2) When planning out how many lights you will have  to work with take into consideration how far apart your holes are. If they are too far apart and more than the distance from one light to the next, you may have to leave some lights unused. ( so you wont be able to count those into your design plan)
We planned for a string of 100 lights, so we were going to do three groups, 33, 34, and 33, BUT..... (you will loose lights not being used) just going from one space to another, if they are too far apart.   That's fine.. you can just add more lights. ...just be aware.
3) You can use battery operated lights if you want, but we just used plug in lights. Just keep in mind that you will want to start working with adding your lights at the top of your canvas and working to the bottom , so that your plug ends up there. We planned ahead and taped extension cords right to the back of the canvases, so we are read to go the day of the wedding.

We used and Awl to  make the holes for the lights.

Pretty easy to punch thru the foam core and the canvas. We just found that it was better to poke the holes as we went instead of poking all the holes at once.

This works best as a two person job.  As Jan held the canvas stable, I poked the hole thru from the backside of the canvas and then pushed the light thru.

Starts looking like some kind of crazy switchboard in the back huh? lol

 

 

They really do look so pretty when they are lit up.

One more wedding project checked off the list :)

Vicki

"Sweet Pea" card using Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage

Hey friends....     I know... once again the week got away from me. I haven't been spending as much time at my desk, while trying to get my neck/shoulder feeling better.  Good news is, it finally is.  Even managed to get my hair cut and colored this week... which was greatly needed! yay! It's amazing how much better that can make you feel.
The card I'm sharing today is made with and image from Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage "Creative Scraps" and papers from the "Creating with Vintage Patterns CD"
Have you seen all the new Spring and Easter things from Crafty Secrets?  You can see them on the Heartwarming Vintage Blog here and here.

 

I'm SO ready for Spring!  Along with many others... I know.   I know I cant rush it .. so I decided to bring a little color "inside".  I've been thinking about adding some orange to my living room colors .. for Spring and Summer.  Not a lot .. just a bit.  Here is the 5 minute solution to the problem for now.   Pillow, flowers , candle...

If someone would have told me I'd like this orange pillow a couple of years ago, I would have laughed. Oh how my tastes are changing.

I had gotten this lamp 40% off a couple of weeks ago, and  I love it.
I needed some orange on that side of the room so I just popped the mat of that photo frame and got out my exacto knife and some orange scrapbook paper to cover it.
$12 pillow, 3-$2 Poppies, $5 candle, $1 piece of paper = $24 worth of happy today :)
Well, considering I just ran for groceries. lol

 

My sis and I had a great time working on the big lighted canvases I was talking about in my previous post.  I took photos of the steps and plan to do an upcoming blog post showing how we did them and giving a few tips.   I think they will be really pretty at my nieces wedding reception.

 

 

Hope you have all been doing well.  I'm so glad you took time to stop by. Thanks!

 

Vicki

 

 

 

 

 

"As you wish" Fancy Pants Card Trio

Time to share a few cards done with  the new Fancy Pants Designs "As You Wish" Collection .   You can see all the new lines here.   And how ..not only to they have their Chalk products.. but foil and vellum papers too!   I used the vellum on one of my cards below, as well as some of the Cork shapes.  I've been with Fancy Pants since the beginning and I am amazed how they constantly outdo themselves. Always kicking it up a notch! About the time I think they have covered it all.. they come up with another great product.

 

 

 

 

I used the Vellum behind the blue piece and also as a second heart stitched over the first. 

 

I love all the new lines... but I think this is my fave!

The cork pieces are so fun.. and have a peel off sticky back, so they are easy to use.

I love using my Scrapbook Adhesives By 3L Foam Squares to give these smaller elements lift and dimension.

 

 

What has my week consisted of?  Well, I haven't spent much time in my studio or at my desk, simply because I seem to have pinched a nerve or something in my neck/shoulder again.   Sitting its at my desk seems to irritate it.  I went to see the massage therapist the Monday and that is seeming to help some.   Other than that it's been fairly quiet. Wes stopped by today to that gave to the opportunity to use up the avocados I had and make some guac. Dan doesn't care for it, so I always try to wait until there's going to be someone to share it with:)    Wes and I both love it.

 

 

Tomorrow my sis and I are going to work on lighted canvases and cutting fabric banners for Neely's wedding.   May is coming quite quickly, so we need to kick this wedding planning into high gear. We always have fun working on these things together.  I'm looking forward to it. I'll take some photos to share.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by, it means so much to me:)

 

Vicki

 

Whatevers TWO February "Bye Bye Winter Blues"

Here it is .. time for February "Whatevers"  with my friends, Nat, Cat, Cuchy, and Martha. You will want be sure to pop over and see what they have created this month.
If your not familiar with how we have fun bringing these old photos to life by giving them a story, you can read more about it here.   And there is also more about it at the bottom of this post. We would love to have you play along!

I've been looking forward to working with this fun photo.  Here is my story.

 

"Bye Bye Winter Blues"

 

  It's mid February. More now then ever the days seemed long, dark, and dreary in the halls of the nursing home, but when Miss Kayleen came thru the door all that changed.

 Everyone always looked so forward to the days that Miss Kayleen came to visit.

She sang and danced around the room, without a care as to how silly she might look. She sat on the lap of her put together snowman boyfriend, and sang one tune after another. Everyone came from their rooms to gather around the activity. They clapped  and smiled as she took time to chat and joke with all of them.  Miss Kayleen has been coming for many years now, not just to visit her aging father but to try to brighten the days of everyone there. No winter Blues with Miss Kayleen around!

I had some fun with a snowflake stencil, some mists, paint, papers, stitching and bits and pieces of stickers, for the letters. For the back edge I used Carolees Creations Texture Templates 12x12 sheets.  The smaller chipboard letters on the photo are from Fancy Pants Designs.

 

 

Here is Februarys photo

 

Don't for get to see what they girls created this month

 

 

Cat

Martha

Cuchy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a bit about how it works if you'd like to join in

 

Here is how it works

• Nat, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Martha and I and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
• Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
• If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!
• There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER
• Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.
• These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
• If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.
• You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

Thanks so much for stopping!

I hope the rest of your day is fantastic!

Vic

"Cupids Arrows" Altered Tray .... Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!    I have one last Valentine themed project to share before I have to put away the pink and red glitter and hearts for another year ;)
I made this from a old metal tip tray. I loved the shape , so I had picked up a number of them for a steal at a flea market some time ago, but just hadn't done anything with them yet.  Well, I had spray painted this one with chalkboard paint... which worked perfectly for this project... so the altering began.    All the Valentine papers and images are from Crafty Secrets and are digital.  You can see all their products here.
I just made the arrows with wooden dowels, and paper hearts I cut for the tips.

 

I wanted to take plates of goodies to some friends for Val Day, so I did some baking.  I love peanut butter kiss cookies, but it seems like the only time I ever make them is at Christmas ( this is probably a good thing... because like I said... I love them)  but these are basically that... only with colored sugars and chocolate hearts.  I love to bake..but I certainly don't need it around here tempting me.  Dan is an skinny as a rail, but doesn't eat sweets.  (Makes sense).

 

 

I have to say I did not past this up. My friend Lynda, makes and sells these gourmet caramel apples and gave us these. OH MY! wow,.... best caramel EVER!

 

 

Tomorrow is "Whatevers" so please stop by by!

Until then.... Happy Valentines Day my friends!

Sending you a virtual hug!

 

 

 

Vicki

"Be Loved" Fancy Pants Designs Card Trio 2 and 12x12 LOVE Canvas

Hey everyone .... I Have a blog post up on the Miss Fancy Pants blog, sharing some Valentine cards, that I'd love for you to pop over and see.  here.

 

This is such a amazing Valentine collecting.  You can see it all here. 

 

 

 

Here is also a canvas I created with some of the papers a while back when the girls and I got together to craft.

 

Valentines Day is coming fast now and I still have a couple "love" themed posts to squeeze in this week.

 

It's almost Valentines day, and I hadn't even used my heart shaped muffin tin yet this year :(  I make muffins quite often so that's kind of a surprise really. hmm.. couldn't let that happen so yesterday I decided to put to use some blueberries I had in the frig. I did something different. I used my original Blueberry Muffin recipe but cut the sugar in half and added two grated carrots.  They were really yummy!

 

 

 

Who watched the Beatles Grammy Salute? Wow! What a show!

 

Hope everyone has a FANTASTIC start to their week!!

 

Vicki

 

"Valentine Greeting" Pillow and card / Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage

Valentines day is approaching and I still have a number of projects to share with you so I better get moving.   Today I wanted to show you a couple of projects I made using Crafty Secrets Digital Vintage Valentines kit.  For those of you who get nervous the minute I say "digital" the way I used to... don't.  Why?  Because you don't have to be a master at digital to create with this.  This was as simple as sizing it to the size I wanted and printing it .    I know I've shown you this before but this is one of the things I love best about using printable images... other than the fact that I can print as many as I want.  SIZE!   I created the card below with one of the images from the kit, just by sizing the image and printing it on cardstock.  I had the image that I wanted, in the size I wanted and was ready to create a card as I normally would.

But.... I can also take that same image and print it off much larger on fabric, and create something like this pillow.

I chose to print the image on a canvas sheet. I used Claudine Hellmuth sticky back canvas sheets, but actually left the backing on, since I don't plan to wash this pillow.

I've used these canvas sheets many times.. and love them.

You can see even with the image printed large.. how crisp the image is.   I'm not much of a seamstress for sure...but this was simple.  I was so glad when we were going thru some of moms things that I kept some of the fabric scraps because these matched perfect for this image. yay!

I have been keeping up with my Everyday photos I just haven't been posting them here as often because there has been so many other things to post. lol    So today I thought I'd get back in the swing of that.

Everyday Photo #1

My dog walk.  Up to the ditch and back.  Daisy is always ready for more..but that is enough for Miss Molly. Daisy is a little over 2 years old and Molly is 12.  Our place is up there where that group of trees is on the right.

Everyday photo #2
The view out the bedroom window when I get up in the morning ( it snowed yesterday)

Everyday photo #3 
This is the farm place of the people up the road that I just love.... so pretty.  I drive by most every day. Every Season .. it's just so beautiful!  See their horse watching me??

Remember we'd love to have you play along with us in the Crafty Secrets Linky Party!!    You can read about it here on the Heartwarming Vintage blog.

I hope all of you are having a great week!
Thanks always for stopping by!!

Vicki

Crafty Secrets February DT Challenge and Linky Party - Altered Sweeheart Frame

February is here! Hard to believe isn't it?  It's the first Monday of the month so that means it's Crafty Secrets DT Challenge and Linky Party time.  If you aren't familiar with it, The first Monday of every month the fun begins.  The DT shares a project and a bit of a "how to" on each of their blogs, and then we also invite you to share a project. ( how to, not necessary for yours).  You can pop over to the Heartwarming Vintage blog and Link up to share your project... and to be able to see everyone else's projects that play along.   I will post the links to the individual DT member blogs below in this blogpost.
Below is the framed project I created.

The Beautiful Couple in the photo is Sandy Redburn's ( owner of Crafty Secrets) parents. If you read the Heartwarming Vintage Blog you may be aware that Sandys Dad recently pass away.  My heart has been with Sandy and her family.. and very much with her mom Rachel. I've been lucky enough to get to know Rachel through my many visits to Sandy's over the years. I started out with the idea of making a card for her and then it graduated into this layout/altered frame.    Below you can see the layout "outside" the frame.
I used the Crafty Secrets "Digital Vintage Valentine Kit"  for this project.  It's great that there are so many "love" themed papers and elements that will work things like this, other than just Valentines.  

This project is Hybird. Incorporating digital and traditional scrapbooking.     I started with one of the Beautiful papers in the kit and cropped it to the shape of my frame.

From there I could just open up different elements on the CD and drag them over onto the page, and start arranging and layering.

I'm still learning as you know :) I love that I can manipulate these images and photos so easily like this, but I do also love that I can still just print and cut out what I wan to add to my project also.

I printed off the tickets below to cut them out and add them, and then add a couple of vintage buttons.
About the frame.  I found this frame at a thrift store, and have been wanting to alter it. It started out all gold. I used a foam brush to apply white acrylic paint to it, and then while it was still wet, I lightly wiped way the top layers of paint.

 

And it's hard to tell here from this straight on photo, but I also printed this put twice, so that I could cut out the Birds and roses on the second printed sheet, and add them to the other sheet using foam squares for more dimension.

 

Finished it off with some pretties.

Now... here are the links to the Design Team girls blogs so you can see their amazing projects. I've seen sneak peeks, and I'm telling you.. you wont be disappointed!

Kathy Clement Team Leader

Michele Kovack

Darlene Pavlick

Sheila Rumney

 Elizabeth Lincoln

Cherry Nelson

And remember to pop over to the Heartwarming Vintage Blog. I hope you'll join us and play along. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Vic