Altered Wooden Spoon Tutorial!

Hi there! Happy Friday to you all! I have a tutorial on how I created my altered wooden spoon photo album! If you missed my first altered wooden spoon, click HERE to see it! Since it is October I thought I'd create a Halloween photo album to share some of my favorite photos!

Here is my Halloween Spoon...... : )

Step 1: I purchased several spoons at Wal-Mart. I took spray paint I had on hand and sprayed it a cream color. After the paint is dry, lightly sand the edges to distress it.

Step 2: I took my designer paper (My Mind's Eye) and Modge Podged it to the handle of the spoon. Again, when it is dry, lightly sand the edges to distress it.

Step 3: Cover the designer paper with glossy accents and sprinkle with glitter.

Step 4: Depending on the size of your spoon, the Spellbinder's ovals can vary. Just find the size that fits inside the spoon! I used the Petite scalloped oval as well. : )

Step 5: I printed my pictures at a 2 x 3 size, but again, this may vary depending on the size of your spoon.

Step 6: I took my oval die and placed it over my image. I took artist's tape, which is a low tack tape, and taped the die down, so it doesn't shift while I am die cutting.

Step 7: Here are all of my pictures die cut! : )

Step 8: Using my scalloped oval die, I die cut 9 pieces.

Step 9: Adhere the photos to the scalloped ovals.

Step 10: I took black seam binding and glued my pictures to the seam binding side by side. Be sure to leave "tails" at both ends of your album.

Step 11: My cover which is an image from the Crafty Secret's Halloween Journal Booklet, was glued to the backside of my first image.

Step 12: Since the spoon has some depth, I added dimensional foam circles, and added a bit of glue to make sure it was more secure.

Step 13: Since this spoon was particularly deep, I added circles......

Step 14: Add a bit more glue, so the album doesn't go anywhere!

Step 15: Place your last image on those dimensional foam circles.

Step 16: To keep my album closed and secure I use some velcro cut into small pieces.

Step 17: To fold your album, use an accordian fold. (Back and forth, back and forth). Between folds use a small piece of velcro on the top layer and bottom layer.

Step 18: Tie the seam binding into a bow to secure the album's closure. Then embellish the spoon and pretty it up! I used my Cricut Expression and the Happy Haunting's cartridge to cut the bat. I added black glitter to his wings. The sentiment is by Crafty Secrets and is part of the Costume Cuties' set.

I hope my directions were clear! If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment here and I will answer any questions you might have!

Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

Halloween Altered Printer's Tray!

Good morning to you my friends! It is Wednesday already and almost half way through the work week! : ) I picked up a mini printer's tray at Hobby Lobby earlier this month and decided to decorate it for Halloween. I love these new papers by MME, Mischievous line! I love the softness to them and their vintage feel. I used my Cricut Expression and the Happy Hauntings cartridge to cut the pumpkins. I popped the second one up using a dimensional foam circle. I added a few leaves that I cut using the Mother's Day Bouquet cartridge, some buttons and twine. I added a bit of Spanish moss for my pumpkins to rest on!
These are my two goofy guys last year with their finished masterpieces!

......and my girl dressed as Hannah Montana! Is she rocking that wig or what?! ; )

I used a paper drinking straw to hang my lil' banner from. I bought a bunch of them and now am dreaming up ways to use 'em! The owl image is by Crafty Secrets. I enclosed it in a Melissa Frances frame and added crackle accents to it.

In my house, Halloween wouldn't be complete without taking some silly pictures of my dog in his costume. This year we opted for a squirrel! Doesn't he look absolutely thrilled?

......such a good sport my Skippers!

I am so glad you stopped by! I appreciate your visits!!!

Best of Cluck!

Good morning! I am so excited to have today off! This means I get to stay in my PJ's and craft allllllll day! Yahooooo! Cort has school, Kyle is off too, but unfortunately has been down for the count since yesterday. Poor kid is running a fever and has a sore throat. He fell asleep about 6 last night and is still sleeping. (12 hours and counting).

Today I have a country inspired rooster card to share with you! I used Crafty Secret's Farm Chicks set. I colored it with Prismas and Gamsol. I did a bit of hand stitching around the rooster with black thread to make him pop a bit more. I pulled out a little kraft envelope and stamped the wire fence image on it. I swiped it with a bit of white acrylic paint. I added some cute rooster paper I had in my stash and did some crazy machine sewing around the perimeter! ; )
I added a bit of lace, ribbon, twine, and a stick pin to finish it off!

Wishing you a very happy Monday!!

Homecoming.....

Kyle had his first homecoming dance. My neighbor's daughter, Amanda, was going as a senior and these two have known each other since the day Kyle was born. She used to come around my house to see the "baby." That baby was Kyle. They have always been friends despite the fact that there is a 3 1/2 year age difference. She is like his older sister. They have fought like brother and sister, but have always been loyal to one another.......like a brother and sister. I think maybe the fact that her brother has special needs has built a certain camaraderie between them.....an understanding that most kids don't have. They can be comfortable with each other and never have to explain themselves. They have a special bond these two.......

Amanda went her separate way to be with her date.......And my handsome guy waiting for his date..........

Kyle and Nah on their first "date." : )

Kyle had a great time, met up with friends, danced the night away, went for pizza afterwards.........*sigh* When did he grow up?

Fairy Dust.....

Good morning and happy Friday to you! It is going to be an exciting weekend here in the Kovack household, as Kyle goes to his very first dance.......Homecoming! The suit has been bought, the flower ordered, and we are embarking on a new stage in his life. As a mom it is exciting, and scary........and even a wee bit sad. I am leaving my baby behind and embracing the man he is becoming.

Today I have a card that appropriately uses the cartridge, A Child's Year. I added several rhinestones, and glitter to her wand. The scalloped oval comes from the Elegant Edges Cartridge, and the flowers from Mother's Day Bouquet. I added pops of red here and there, and a rhinestone swirl for the end of her wand. (Some magic is happenin' there!)

This card was featured over at the Cricut Blog, if you are looking for specific cut info take a peek over there! ; )

Have a great weekend my friends! : )

Do You Like Cotton Candy?

I was wondering through the aisles at Michaels one day and came across a package of wool felting. The color was a perfect cotton candy pink.....and it made me wonder if I could make a "cotton candy" card? I cut the base of the cotton candy using my Cricut Expression and the Carousel Cartridge. I pulled and tugged at the wool felting to soften it a bit and to make sure I had covered the paper. Once it was the right shape and size I glued it down to the paper with Aleen's Tacky Glue. I rubbed a bit of glossy accents over the top of it and sprinkled a bit of glitter. The paper is by Imaginisce. I loved the ticket paper and cut out a strip of it and popped it up on pop dots.

So......what do you think? Cotton candy good enough to eat?

My card was posted on the Cricut Blog, so if you would like detailed cut info, please pop on over there! ; )

Have a great Wednesday my friends!

JustRite's New Release Day 6! And Blog Candy Winner!

Good morning and happy Tuesday to you! Today is JustRite's last day of new releases! Today's set is a clear set that stamps beautifully! I adore the leaves which look so incredibly realistic when stamped! This set is called Autumn Words.


For my project today, I decided to make a couple of fall ornaments. I filled the insides with Spanish Moss and painted the tops a cream color. I added a bit of vintage lace to tuck just under the top. I stamped the leaves with ink in shades of red, brown, yellow, and orange. I folded the leaves and inked the edges a bit in brown. I had some small sticks from a floral arrangement I had received last year and hot glued them to the side of the ornament. I added my leaves, twine, and stamped sentiment.

For more inspiration be sure to visit these lovely ladies' blogs! : )

Sankari Wegman

Michele Kovack <------ Me! : )

Angela Barkhouse

Sharon Harnist

Kazan Clark

Kellie Fortin

Heidi Blankenship

And last but not least.........my blog candy winner is........#8! Janee you are the winner!

She said: Thanks for the chance to win a great cart. My fave costume is what my mom made for me when I was a kid. It was an almond Hershey's kiss. You would stuff it will newspaper and have a hat with the ribbon hanging down. It was so cute. And all the love my mom put into it meant a lot.

Thank you so much everyone for playing along! I so enjoyed reading about your favorite costumes! : )