Upcycled Christmas Card Ornament

We're on Day 4 of the Upcycled Christmas Card Series and today, I have another photo ornament for you!  Instead of a frame, this adorable ornament has a cardstock base.

I cut the incredibly sweet picture of a friend's daughter from an older photo card.

Next, I cut a base from an old macaroni noodle box.  After layereing the photo on top of coordinating layers of scrapbook paper and an embossed layer of Kraft-colored cardstock, I adhered them to the base.  A little hot glue adhered to attach the ribbon hanger and another personalized accessory for next year's tree!

Hope you are enjoying my ideas!

Warm Regards,

Kimberly

Upcycled Christmas Card Layout

If you've been visitng this week, you know I'm posting some ideas on how to reuse those sweet Christmas cards you received.  It seems like everyone is sending photo cards these days and they are just right for scrappin'!  When I looked through my growing pile of holiday cards for a great picture to scrap, this cutie pie and his infectious grin jumped right out!

 I cropped the picture and "Happy Holidays" sentiment from the Christmas card, added some bling, twine and layered it on top of a chevron gift sack and some coordinating holiday papers.

The Merry and Bright sticker is from "Soft Spoken" and the journal card is from Heidi Swapp's "Believe" collection.  Super easy, 15-minute 8 1/2 x 11 layout that I can't wait to send to this little cutie pie's mama!  This would be a great idea for your own cards as well :)

Have you ever scrapped any old cards?

Thanks for stopping by!

{{Hugs}}

Kimberly

Upcycled Christmas Card Ornament

It did occur to me not everyone still has their Christmas decor up like me :)  Most people know couldn't wait to take everything down.  So, why am I sharing Christmas-related anything?  Well, many people pick up gifts here and there throughout the year, so I thought why not share some ideas for those who like to make a few gifts here and there as well?  `

Today's project is an ornament you can make for gifting...wouldn't you love to have some presents ready before when Christmas rolls around?

For this project, I used some cute frames I picked up from the dollar bin at Michaels.  I cropped a family picture out of an old card and added it to the frame.  I hot glued some ribbon on the back for hanging and added a sentiment sticker.  Guess what this family is getting for Christmas later this year?

Thanks for stopping by!

{{Hugs}}

Kimberly

Upcycled Christmas Card Book

Thinking of tossing those Christmas cards or just tucking them away never to be seen again?  Waaaait!  I've got five, fast and fun ways for you  to repurpose them for next Christmas.  Each day this week, I'll be sharing a new project to help you upcycle those cards.

The 1st is so quick and easy, I wondered why I hadn't done it sooner!  To create this mini card album, grab:

- that stash of cards you've been hoarding saving- a coordinating piece of 8 1/2 x 11 piece of cardstock - paper trimmer - Christmas scrapbook paper (optional) - stickers or stamps for the date- 1 inch or smaller book ring and festive ribbon

I stacked the cards on top of each other (I like the look you get from using different sizes of cards).  I chose a landscape (horizontal) orientation for my book, but you could do a portrait (vertical) layout if you want.  Cut a piece of colored cardstock the same size as the top and bottom cards and you've got covers.

Next, I cut a strip of scrapbook paper from Heidi Swapp's "Believe" collection to fit the center of my front cover, adhered it and added the date with some really old silver stickers (using up that stash, baby).  To finish off your book, just punch a hole in the top left corner of your book, bind it with a book ring and ribbon.  Now, you've got a cute book to display for next Christmas!

What are you doing with your old cards?  

Thanks for stopping by!

{{Hugs}}

Kimberly

Best of 2013

Hey Polka Dotted Friends!!!  It's hard to believe the year is coming to a close.  The past 12 months have been jam-packed with a lot of fun for my family and I.  I wanted to share some of the year's highlights with you.

One of my favorite projects was my craft room makeover here.  We put a pretty coat of aqua on the walls, added some contemporary pieces to the room for organization and a few vintage-inspired finds.  I was able to purge a lot of craft supplies I no longer need, but there's still more to do in 2014!  I see more shelving in my future :)

My new blog series "Saturday Spaces" kicked off in the early part of the year, showcasing some incredibly inspiring spaces that I plan to borrow some ideas from, like this one from lilhoneybeestudios here.  Look for more studios in 2014.

June brought our annual trip to North Carolina to visit close friends AND I met my awesome facebook friend Paula from Scrap Your World for the 1st time!  We met up with DonnaK and her sweet mama, Sandra, for hours of crafting, laughing and some serious fun.

July brought the surprise 50th anniversary for my parents I planned with help from my brother and good friends of my folks.  My parents are a true testament that love CAN conquer all ♥  Read more about the handmade party goodness in this post here.

In August, 2 of my kids were baptized in front of dear family and friends...a life-changing event for us all.

On the one-year anniversary of Polka Dotted Bliss, my sweet and talented friends helped me celebrate with a fun twist on a Halloween Blog Hop.  See all the Cute & Spooky goodness here.

At the end of 2012, I decided to make more of an effort to reconnect with long-time friends in 2013, and I am so glad I did!  While in St. Louis and here in Virginia, I got to hang with some of my oldest and dearest friends...you know the kind where you can just let your hair down (or out, in my case) and be YOU?  I plan on doing more of this in 2014 and I've got a lot more in store,
so hope you'll visit often :)  What  was the best part of 2013 for you?

Wishing you and yours a wonderful, prosperous, light-filled New Year!

{{Hugs}}

Kimberly

Count Your Blessings Upcycled Shadow Box

Do you see potential in other people's junk?  I sure do.  

A friend asked me to link up a project for a Thanksgiving linky party and I thought of this 50 cent yard sale find to alter. 

 A little gold paint sponged on, just the right sentiment, coodinating embellies and bam!  Sweet little wall hanging to go above the kids' coat rack, reminding them they are blessed.

Do you make re purposed or upcycled crafts?

Materials used:

White shadow box frame

Antique gold paint

Sponge brush 

Dimensional Stickers ~ Recollections

Felt flowers ~ Recollection 

Buttons ~ Hobby Lobby

This project is linked up to Craftin Desert Desert Divas here. 

Thanks for stopping by!

{{Hugs}}

Kimberly

Posted via Blogaway

Let the Craft Fair Prep Begin!

I can't believe how quickly this year is coming to a close, which means the holiday fair season is starting!  I was looking at doing a few different shows but decided on just one this year...between school events, holiday parties and fair prep, my house is complete chaos (not to mention cluttered) for a couple of months.  So I am going to wait until all my littles are in school to start doing multiple shows again.  I have a few weeks left until the Garfield Orchestra Boosters Holiday Craft Show, here's a sneak peek at what I'm working on...

The fair is held at a local high school, so my altered journals seem to go over well with this audience!

I saw this paper line, "Fabulous Girl" by Recollections and knew it was just sassy enough for these altered composition notebooks.

This distressed wooden box made a great display piece for my journals last year, by making it easy for shoppers to easily browse my selection.   I try to be economical with my booth display and use found items from the house, so I was surprised to read on Etsy's blog you should actually build your "dream" booth! Oooo, the possibilities!  Find more helpful craft fair tips here.

I'll be posting more on what I'm creating for the show and what my booth will look like this year, so be sure and stop in over the coming weeks!

Do you/have you done fairs?  What's the most useful thing you've learned?

Thanks for stopping by!

{{Hugs}}

Kimberly