Zebra Wall Art

During my excursion to Hobby Lobby to pick up the ornaments... I happened upon a few "artist boards".  These beauties were on clearance for less than $4!  My creative mind was brainstorming away just "knowing" these would be necessary in a future project.  I could only imagine what my Cameo could do with something like this.   

Well, it didn't take long.  After making a sign for my daughters door with her new Zebra craze she is going through, I couldn't help but wonder how hard it would be to make some wall art for her room.  So looking for pictures we could convert to vinyl art we went.  One of the pictures she picked out was this one.

  Pretty simple, black and white with clean lines.  I didn't think it would be too hard to trace - WRONG... Especially when you haven't done it before.  It was still easy, once I figured it out.

If you know me... you know I dive into everything.  Without reading directions.  I just do it.  Then, when something doesn't work right..  I pull out the owners manual!  Brahaahaa... just a little FYI for you.  Anyway, after deciding vinyl was just too precious to waste, I read up on how to trace designs in both Silhouette Studio Designer and Make a Cut.  To be honest.. there is a VERY detailed and wonderful tutorial on Youtube for Studio, but the program really lacked what I want... EASE! I honestly think I spent several hours reading and watching videos, just to find out what is what.  Make a cut is SO much easier!!  Especially, if you're like me and are only using black and white.

 

 

Once I had the design traced, I cut it out and voila!  Not hard at all.  She LOVED it!  I was pretty proud of it too. 

Personalized Ornaments

I'm still lovin' my Cameo!  I just wished I had more time to play around with it.  Since I'm home for a few weeks, I called my TRUSTY side kick over (My wonderful Mom!) and we tinkered around with making ornaments.

Super Duper Easy Peasy!  These are the easiest things to do.

We got the 2 5/8 balls and ribbon at Hobby Lobby (as always, I used my 40% coupon) and I had the vinyl that I purchased from H&H.  We started out using clear ornaments with the thoughts of putting in the metallic gift shred, but it drowned out the lettering on the ornament, so we changed our minds.

We created the design in the Silhouette Studio Designer and cut, then transferred them to the ornaments.  The biggest thing we had to be careful about was the dot on the "i" pulling up.  It would sometime catch on the Silhouette and other times it would stick when weeding.


There are several blogs and posts about using two colors and putting them on at the same time, but I was too chicken.  The vinyl ain't expensive,  but it ain't free so I opted for a chicken route! LOL!  One at a time... and it worked perfectly for us chickens.




I think they turned out wonderful! 

 



SoftOrbits Photo to Sketch Converter

This is another goodie I've ran across from Give Away of the Day.  If you want to turn your photo into a sketch, this is the best software I've ran across to do just that.   Works better than actions and filters in Photoshop too!

Here are a few pictures from their website:

Numerous presets are available to allow converting photos into pen or pencil sketches, creating color drawings or watercolor paintings in just a few moments. You can tweak each preset to create a drawing that matches your desired style just perfect.

Create Colorful Pencil Sketches in a Click of a Button

Creating a wonderful colorful sketch with accurately laid pencil strokes could not be made easier. You don’t have to be able to hold a color pencil or even own one! All you need to turn a photo into a color sketch is Sketch Drawer.

Sketch Drawer allows producing color and black-and-white sketches equally easy. Draw with colored pencils by ticking the "Color Sketch" box to convert a photo into a color sketch, or clear the box to draw with a graphite pencil. Converting images to sketches and saving them as JPEG files will only take a few clicks and tweaks. Change photos to sketches with multiple art options.

Batch Photo to Sketch Conversion

Want a number of photos converted into sketches with all the same options? Turn photos into sketches no matter how many you have! The available batch mode allows Sketch Drawer to convert pictures to sketch easily even for beginners. In batch more, Sketch Drawer can convert a single picture or process entire folders. Just make sure to adjust all the settings before you begin, and you’ll be rewarded with a bunch of perfect sketches in just minutes

The Silhouette Cameo does SO MUCH!

I got the neatest gift for Christmas!  A Silhouette Cameo.  That is the coolest thing in the world!  I have been going nuts making stuff!  My first project was to add Syd's name in vinyl to a frame with all her pre-school stuff.  She wanted it in the Taylor Swift handwriting font.  Thankfully, I found it and its called "Satisfaction".  You can find it here. 
Here is a quick pic

That was so easy that I kept playing around.  My next thought was  the Laundry Room.  For some reason, My kids NEVER could get the right clothes in the right baskets.  To be totally honest- the baskets were labeled.  I had which type should go in each one.  I had a sign about 5" high in a page protector and taped to each one.  BUT this looks so much nicer!  Sorry for the blurry pic, but you get the idea! This font is ST Honeymoon. 

















With Valentine's Day around the corner, and especially since her years of passing them out is coming to an end- I wanted to do something a little creative so...  VIOLA!

I'm pretty proud of that!  It was so easy!  The font is ST Cursive Hand and the paper is from a pack I picked up at Wal-mart called Confetti by Colorbok.  It all fit nicely into a snack sized ziplock bag.

Photo Collage Maker by Artensoft

Try this really cool program to jazz up your pictures!  I found this on Giveaway of the day.  That's a whole 'nother story!  Anyway, PHOTO COLLAGE MAKER is a unique program! Here are a few examples from there website.  It takes lots of "little pictures" to make one of your own.  It's something I HAVE to recommend!

Go download it for yourself here http://www.artensoft.com/ArtensoftPhotoCollageMaker!  Just imagine what you can do with all those Christmas pictures you have coming up!! 

Look at the detail around the kitty's eye. Too Cool!

Have you tried the Glade Expressions Mist and Oil

My thoughts of  Glade Expressions... 

I joined was chosen to join the BzzCampaign for the new Glade Expressions.  These are pretty neat.  If you're not aware of Bzzagent, you have GOT to check it out!  bzzagent.com.  I adore being a Bzzagent!!!

Now.. on to the review

I was excited when I received the coupons in the Bzzkit for the Glade Expressions Mist and Oil Diffuser. I purchased the Lavender & Juniper Berry diffuser and picked up a Pineapple &
Mangosteen refill; and I also chose the Cotton and Italian Mandarin mist. I really wanted a chance to try out the Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice- but I guess everyone else did too! There were N-O-N-E! Not anywhere to be found.. they were all sold out. As far as how good the Glade Expressions Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice must smell.. I guess that’s says it all! I'll just have to soldier on...

I was trying to decide which of our rooms would benefit the most from the Glade Expressions- with a teenage and preteen daughters and a husband who loves to be outdoors.. I opted for the bathroom and our Game room. (these are the smelliest rooms)! After opening the Glade Expressions diffuser.. I was a little taken aback. It looked exactly as it does in the photo's but, to me.. it just looked cheap. Its not something that I want sitting out. Of course, I don't want the little round things out either. I just prefer my home fragrance be "incognito". I'm not a fan of clutter and to me, with limited space available.. I'd count this as clutter. The mist is in a very nicely packaged can, but this too is not anything I want out. It will stay put up in my laundry room until needed.

I put the Lavender & Juniper Berry diffuser in our bathroom. I liked it right away. It made my bathroom smell, well.... nice. I don't know that I would want to say that it was "inviting"... who wants to be invited in there, right?!?! But it was very pleasant. You could immediately smell it. After about a day... I didn't notice it anymore. I don't know if its me, and I have adapted to the smell, or if its played out. The Pineapple and Mangosteen.. YUCK. I didn't like the fragrance at all! I can't put my finger on why not. Its just not me.

The mist is very pleasant! I use this mostly in our Game Room. This is the door we always use coming in from the outside. Its where my husband always takes off his shoes. He has three pair that I cannot get him to remove. The ones I hate the most are his "outdoor shoes". They just plain stink. Especially if he gets caught out in the rain.. pe-yew! There is a smell I DO need to get rid of! Well, the Glade Expressions Cotton and Italian Mandarin mist did the trick. That room DOES smell fresh and inviting! I'm not sure if it disguised or removed the smell of his nasty shoes, but it got rid of the smell and that’s all that mattered to me!

 

My friends were grateful for the coupons I shared with them from Bzzagent.  Then we happened across the rebates that you can use in addtion to the coupons, which make them TOTALLY FREE!  Here's a link for you.. be sure to get them in the mail before  2/15/13.

 

This one is for the mist...

 

This is for the diffuser

 

I'm very grateful I was able to to join the BzzCampaign for the Glade Expressions Mist and Oil Diffuser, I'm glad I was able to check them out, but will I continue to purchase the Glade Expressions Mist and Oil Diffuser? They are right pricey, and the only benefits are the aromas. Its not going to be on the top of my grocery list. I think I prefer using Essential Oils for my home fragrances, but if a good coupon and sale comes out... I just might.

Is this really fashion?

I don't get the Fashion Industry.... do you??

The September Issue of Elle was just too much for me.  I loved the Katy Perry cover, the ads are unbelievable. I have to keep asking myself why I continue to support such things. 

I'm all about trying to find a new way of doing things.  Applying makeup, pampering, cool new outfits, etc.. but the ads these companies use completely mystify me. 

Here is an example.


I'm thinking she's gonna shoot me!

Sick, traveling, zombie.. you tell me.

I "think" they're selling handbags with this... Looks like she's flashing us.. look familiar?



My main question is... are they trying to inspire us... or scare us?!?!

There are many other ads in the book showing somewhat normal people, but the fashion world should think about what normal people want to look like instead of gothic zombies. I don't know of anyone who would actually or would even want to go out looking like any of these models.



Bzzagent's Dell 1355CN MultiFunction Printer

Laser Color Printer Anyone?

I just can't say enough about Bzzagent and the campaigns they offer.  This time, I was lucky enough to be selected to particitpate in the Dell Laser Printer Campaign.

Talk about a fantastic output and easy set up!! I opted for the Dell 1355CN and received it within a few days of ordering. Set up and hooked up right away. You do need to purchase either a USB or Ethernet cable to install, its not included. Once done, it pretty much sets itself up. Need help? Use the Set up assistant. Once everything was hooked up and ready to go, I printed a few pages to see how it looked and Oh my goodness, I'm nothing less than impressed! The text is sharp as can be. I printed an old Spanish project of my daughters that contained not only text, but also clipart and a photo and all were extremely impressive with the sharpness and clarity.

Finally had a chance to check out the scanning and copying capabilities of the Dell 1355CN. Still nothing short of impressive! The scanning for both digital and media output were very nice. Crisp and clear. When purchasing online at Dell, I intended to go ahead and get the extra toners... UNTIL I saw how much they were... Oh my goodness, it was unreal. Almost $70 for ONE color. I don't think so. But anyhow, I thought for what this is costing me, the ink for my current printer runs that much so, why not. Luckily, I decided to look elsewhere for the toner. Glad I did too. Sam's Club carries them at a fraction of the price. You can get the l400 page toner for right at $39 at Sams (Be sure to check the LOCAL PRICE, not the online price). They're $69.99 thru Dell. That was a real plus for me! When you actually look at and read the manual, its quite easy... but for some reason, I think I don't need to?!?! I was a little confused at first looking at the menu panel. I guess its because I was expecting to see exactly what we have on our several thousand dollar copier at work. But that was my fault. To sum up my experience with "the whole package" of Dell 1355cn Multifunction Color Printer, I am very impressed with the quality and the price. While the discount offered to Bzzagents was "MY" deciding factor, knowing how it has printed, copied, scanned, etc I would definitely recommend this product!

Back to School Time!! Who's ready?!?!

We aren't!  That's for sure!  I just have one burning question...  Why is it that the school system has their open house on Thursday before school starts on Monday?  I don't get it.  The kids don't get their supply list until the open house so you HAVE to get to one of the few stores we have, fight with all the other parents and kids to find whats left of the supplies that have been scavenged through by the others parents who either have a supply list or are in a neighboring school system.  Not to mention that the "No-Tax" weekend was the week before.  Not that I'm crazy enough to fight that crowd either.  But how can you send your kids to school prepared to learn on the first day, when you can't even get the supplies they need? 

And these people are supposed to be prime examples of Higher Education?  Hmmm..  to me, it looks like a prime example of do as I say and its my way or no way.... 

Happy Valentine's Day people!  Can you believe it here?  It was just Christmas!!  Wait a sec... what's that I'm smelling?  Could it be?  YES!  Spring is right around the corner!  This winter has been WONDERFUL though! Most days are 60+ !  Snow is okay, but I hate driving in it.  I like having CONTROL of my car.. he he he. 

Hope you get the everything your hearts desire for V Day!  Hope its filled with Chocolate covered strawberries, whip cream and a nice glass of wine!  What a mix!!

January's Cravebox is here!

I joined Cravebox in December and have been getting the neatest things!  This month, they had "GOOD FOR YOU" items!  Take a look-  I borrowed this pic from anther blog as mine was dug into with complete disregard for my picture taking.. he he he.  Anyway, this is an awesome opportunity!  Check it out from SheSpeaks!!!

We're getting better at this stamping than I expected.  Little Diva is by far better at it than her sister or I.  I guess you just have to have knack... or time to sit and practice endlessly, LOL!  Here are a few of their creations...  not too dramatic... yet!

Doing all this uhmm.. "nail art" has increased our polish collection by quite a bit!  I cannot stand the clutter so we decided to do something about it.  SO... to Amazon.com we go looking for some sort of polish organizer...  Brahaaahaaa.. have you ever priced that kind of stuff??  Its crazy!  No way am I paying $40 plus for something to hold a $2 bottle of polish.  So .. on to youtube, who didn't let me down.  I was able to go from this....

 to this... 

in only a few hours.  I don't know who came up with it, but I love it!!