What Everybody Ought to Know About Crafting

Crafting isn't easy.   It looks easy and it sounds easy, but it's really hard!    Another thing, blogging isn't easy.   Everyday, every post, I learn something that I did wrong.   Yesterday I made the mistake of declaring that I was going to decoupage this file box.  The mistake was not deciding to decoupage the box, the mistake was telling ~you~ that I was going to decoupage the box before I had even tried to do it!  Decoupaging is hard....don't children decoupage?  So before I show you my box (umm...cough)...I'm going to list the important things I learned NOT to do when decoupaging.  (editing to add; at least not as a beginner)

1. Do not use thick paper meant for scrapbook pages (no matter how much you love it)

2. Do not decoupage on curvy items with corners.

3. DO NOT decoupage on anything with a one piece hinged lid.

4. Do not let your dog have access to your paint brush.

5. Do not try to layer more thick paper over your mistakes.

I will say I am not totally hating my box, it is going to be just my box after all. I do think though that I might order some special paper and redo it at some point. I found this paper that I think is the same as the scrapbook page that I used. I think even the corners and hinged lid would have worked with thinner paper. Without further ado....my 3D index box! (yes, that's what I'm calling this project now. 3D Decoupage) It's ok to laugh....I'm laughing! :)

So you remember the before....



the beginning...(this part was fun..)



and the first few larger pieces were looking sweet....



but then I started noticing the layered look it was taking on....

I thought the layers of mod podge I was going to apply would level these out...lolololol



Anyway, don't laugh....finished project (actually, you can laugh. It's ok cause I can't hear you!)



Just kidding...but I did consider posting the pictures just like that!







All of the above pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.   I just didn't want to freak anyone out that just happened by and I certainly didn't want to spend the time writing a badly done craft disclosure to post at the top of my blog.

As you can see  though,  all my little cards are back in place.  This is important so I don't forget to brush my teeth before I crawl in between the sheets tonight! ( that's a joke...sort of) ps...I think that's going to be my new tag line.

Speaking of sheets, it's time to go wash mine! (the little weekly card is telling me so)

Hope you're all enjoying your day! (it's one a kind)

Happy Midsummers Day!

Hope everyone is enjoying this Summer Solstice day! We had a crazy busy weekend with a family wedding Saturday night and of course Fathers day yesterday. So today I should be getting the house back in order...but no....I'm working on a little project. This project makes me feel 10 again...well maybe 13. It's hard to remember really the last time I decoupaged.

Said project involves this.....



and this....



Ya, I know! Exciting eh?  Bet you can't wait to see the outcome...right?

Ok seriously, remember when I ordered that spring cleaning index box and card system?  I promised to write about it but just have never gotten around to it.  It came and it was just adorable but really didn't meet my needs.  As a long time user of the "I survive with 3x5's" general system I guess I am somewhat set in my ways.  I know what works for me and what doesn't. First off I need space, I keep everything in there including a my whole address book!   I also need a slant so I can see right in there.  Slanted, tilted or laddered file boxes are not that easy to find, at least not the pretty ones.  So there in lies my project.  That picture above is the speckled index box I wrote of as being my first.  I loved the practicality of that box just not the looks, so that's my project.  I know....childlike, but it's been fun.  Messy but fun.

Alrighty then, back to the messy goo.  Pretty sure it's time for another layer of the stuff and really, I need to get all of my cards back in there so I know how to spend my days!  (that's a joke...sort of) *g*