Are you like me with a bunch of scrap papers left over from scrapbook pages, and extra pre-cut pocket cards just waiting to be used? I'll admit, in the past I've thrown out perfectly good scraps and given away pocket-cards I knew I was never going to get around to using...because really how many “best day ever” cards can a girl have and use? But now I've decided to stop buying cut back on the amount of artsy stuff I'm buying an make do with what I already have...hello, I can paint over those best day cards or even just use them to practice new techniques on!

So in order to use up the stuff I have I started cutting down white textured cardstock scraps  to 3" x 4", which is the perfect size for pocket cards. Now originally I used these papers for testing out some  fun products for Faber-Castell and wound up having a bunch of them with the same stencil pattern gesso'd onto them. So today I'm sharing with you what I did with two of those cards...you can check out this short video below to see the process of how I created them.

As I said, I started by using a stencil and applying gesso over it. After I removed the stencil I let the gesso dry.

 Next, I rubbed some Gelatos® from the Bright collection over the gesso and activated it with a wet paint brush.  I love how easily the color spreads and how well the colors blend together.

Easy peasy! Now I have a great background to work with in my pocket page scrapbooking.

Next up is another white cardstock card that had the same stencil & gesso technique done to it. Once it was dry I just used my handy-dandy fine point Sharpie pen to outline the raised portion of the gesso.

Notice it's NOT perfect! Perfection is over rated.  ;)

Once I finished outlining the sectioned I just made quick hash marks down each of the "aisles".

It's not even or straight...which makes it perfect in my book. While you probably can't see it in this photo, the gesso texture is really cool in real life.  It would be fun to mix in some colored paint or Gelatos in the gesso too to give it another look.

How are you stretching your supplies and making authentically YOU art to use in your projects? I'd love to hear your ideas so comment below.

Disclosure: Erin is a paid consultant for Faber-Castell and has received  products from them to evaluate. However, the opinions expressed are entirely her own and based on her use of the products.

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy from these links it won't cost you a penny more but Erin will make a little bit of money (not enough for a pony). 

It's back to school time!

Make this fun clipboard for yourself or kiss up to your new teacher by making them one!

My favorite thing about using clear acrylic clipboard is that you can create a design on the back side of them so the front side is smooth & usable!

Supplies:

• ScanNCut machine and accessories

• USB stick

• Clear acrylic clipboard

• Vinyl (or adhesive shelf paper)

• Spray paint (I used 3 different colors)

• Mixed media, scrapbooking papers, tissue paper, deli paper, etc.

• Decopage medium

• Ribbon

Instructions:

If you're a visual learner, I made this video just for you!

1. Use your photo editing program and any font you desire to create the text you want on your clipboard...save it as a .jpg. Open up ScanNCutCanvas and use the Image Tracing function to import and trace your text. Add other designs if desired and then save as an .fcm file onto your USB stick.

2. Pop your USB stick into your ScanNCut and retrieve your design. Flip the text so that when you apply it to the back side of your clipboard it will be readable. Cut out the design using vinyl.

3. Weed out the vinyl to remove the negative area. Use transfer tape to transfer the vinyl onto the BACK side of your clipboard.

4. In a well ventilated area spray paint the backside of the clipboard making sure to be careful not to get any paint on the front side. Allow to dry as instructed in the manufacturer's instructions.

5. Remove the vinyl and allow to cure overnight.

6. Decoupage mixed media papers (I used deli papers that I had created with my gelli plate) or patterned scrapbook paper, etc onto the back side of the clipboard. Allow to dry overnight.

7. Tie a coordinating ribbon onto the clip.

This clipboard is so fun to make and is long lasting so it will really hold up to being used daily!

sponsor: Brother International 

Disclosure: I am a paid consultant for Brother International Corporation and have received a ScanNCut from Brother to evaluate. However, the opinions expressed are entirely my own and based on my use of the product. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy from this link it won't cost you a penny more but I make a little bit of money (not enough for a pony)

You guys (or I should probably say ladies since I'm pretty sure that's who most of you are), this is a book you need to read. Especially if you're hard on yourself, or hard on other people and looking for grace. Now "grace" is one of those words Christ followers use a lot and expect that the rest of the world knows what we're talking about...but a lot of words have different dictionaries for different people, so when I say "grace" I mean getting the good we don't deserve. On the vertical relationship between God and myself He's given me the grace of eternal life instead of the judgment I deserve.  (Romans 5:7-8) And because He is so gracious with me, I can be gracious with others horizontally.  (Colossians 3:12-17) So ask yourself...Are you piling shame and guilt on people (or yourself), or are you freeing them? Are you consistently pointing out your kids strengths or their failures? Are you loving the unlovable people in your life?  

Ok, so if your heart is heavy get ready because now is the time for grace. Jen Hatmaker's book is both light-hearted and deep. I laughed, I felt convicted. It's good!! Now, I will tell you that it's wrote in a very conversational essay style, which is not the type of book I usually read so it took me a bit to adjust to that style and think of it as sitting down for coffee with Jen and chatting about life. Real life.

So now I envite y'all (Jen's from TX so I'll go with that LOL!) to join me in reading For the Love. There's an online book club starting up September 15th, and you get some freebies for signing up too. Check out what Jen has to say about it in this video:

Disclaimer: I am part of the launch team for this book and was giving a free copy of it and invited to the launch party, however I truly would not recommend this book, or any other product on my site unless I really did like it. Trust me, I turn a lot of stuff down because it's not good! ;)

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy from this link it won't cost you a penny more but I make a little bit of money (not enough for a pony)