Easy 4th of July Kids' Craft!

Looking for a last minute craft to entertain the kiddos or get them ready for the neighborhood parade? Put together this fun flag (this is a great project if you need to make multiple flags) using just a few scraps and your Xyron machine!

Supplies:
white cardstock cut to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
5 strips of assorted red patterned papers and cardstock cut to 1/2" x 5 1/2"
blue cardstock cut to 2 1/4" x 2 3/4"
star patterned paper cut to 2" x 2 1/2"
Xyron Magic Sticker Maker (or any other Xyron adhesive machine)
WRMK Crop-A-Dile
wooden BBQ skewers
patriotic stickers (if desired)

If you are working with small children, pre-run the pieces needed for each flag through your Xyron machine (older kids will enjoy running the paper through themselves).  Apply the red strips to the white cardstock first, then add the blue cardstock in the top left corner, then add the star paper on top of the blue cardstock.

Punch two holes on the left of the flag with the Crop-A-Dile and thread the wooden skewer through the holes.  If you've got leftover patriotic stickers from your scrapbooking/cardmaking, the kids will love putting those on their flag as well!

Happy 4th Everybody!  Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Kids Crafts Saturday - Potato Painting for St Patrick's Day!

Looking for a fun and easy St. Patrick's Day crafts for the kiddos?  A potato, some paint and paper, and a little creativity makes for the perfect project!

SUPPLIES
potato
knifewhite cardstockmarkersWRMK Crop-a-Dile (or hole punch)ribbon
washable craft pain
paper plate/bowl 

Cut the potato in half, then carve your shape on the exposed edge (we used a chipboard heart for a template but you can also cut your shape freehand).


Use a bowl (or plate with raised sides) for the paint, so excess can be wiped off before stamping the potato on to the paper.

To create a clover - get paint on the potato, stamp the heart, then rotate 45 degrees for each leaf.  The kids used their fingers to create the stems - their favorite part!




Working with younger kids?  Don cut out a "handle" on one of the potatoes by cutting away the sides of the potato about halfway, then cutting a hole through the center.






To complete the project, let the kids write their names on the paper, then punch holes at the top, tie with ribbon, and set aside to dry.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

CHA Giveaway Friday (and a bonus giveaway from Xyron)!

Who is ready for a CHA giveaway?  I posted on my FB page earlier this week that I was SO excited and lucky to meet Jen Allyson who is one of the designers for My Mind's Eye.  Here she is below - standing next to her newest line - Miss Caroline.

Now - I don't know how many of you out there are like me - I have no daughters and so really have nowhere to use pinks and purples and flowers and butterflies in my scrapbooking - but I LOVE THEM ANYWAY!!!!! I have piles and piles of pretty pastel papers and embellishments that I only break out about once a year, but they just make me happy - and so does Jen's new line! She was SO incredibly generous to let me bring some home with me - so I am sharing them with you!  Reply to this blog post and tell me how YOU would use these papers.  Contest will end at midnight on Monday (February 6th) and on Tuesday morning I will randomly pick a winner who will receive the following from the the Miss Caroline Dolled Up collection:

6 sheets 12x12 paper
6x6 pad
pins & buttons 
twine
pearl shapes
rub-ons
wooden die cut butterfly

I mean - come on...look at this stuff!

In addition - to celebrate Xyron's new collaboration with the fabulous Teresa Collins the winner will also receive one of her new Xs - pink with a houndstooth pattern!  These are GORGEOUS!

The winner will be announced on my FB page and notified by email.  Good luck everybody - can't wait to send this to a lucky winner!

**BONUS GIVEAWAY!!!!!!** Xyron is celebrating our collaboration with Teresa too!  Head to this link on Xyron.com and be entered to win one of three prize packs that include a Xyron 9" Creative Station, a Teresa Collins Signature Series Book and a 3-issue subscription to the rest of the series! 

Stay tuned for more CHA giveaways next week!

 

 

Make a Change Monday - don't be afraid to ask for what you want

As pretty much every much crafter knows, CHA is being held this weekend. It is an amazing opportunity to get together and share ideas, products and inspiration with others in the industry and I LOVE coming here. However - I came to a realization about myself this weekend that I think applies to a lot of women. I am afraid to ask for what I want.

While I could probably write 700 blog posts about how this affects my personal life, this weekend I discovered how much it affects my professional life. Part of my job at Xyron is to build partnerships with other manufacturing companies - whether it is cross promoting through videos, supplying product for HSN, coordinating make and takes, or making sure our design team has the latest and greatest, I work with other companies to make it happen. I LOVE this part of my work - and have made some amazing friendships because of it. As I have been thinking about you guys this weekend - my followers on this blog and my FB page friends - I wanted to make sure I came home with some fun new products to use as giveaways. Before I came to work at Xyron I remember what it was like to see all the photos of CHA and wish I could be there, and I wanted to bring a little of that home for you. HOWEVER - yesterday as I was walking the show floor I realized I was AFRAID to ask anyone for anything. Now you are talking to a woman who works for a company that has given away THOUSANDS of dollars worth of adhesive to other companies for this show, yet I would walk up to a booth where we donated runners and Xs and refills and I couldn't seem to say "Hey - I'd love to take a pack of your new rubons home with me for a giveaway". Couldn't do it. I also could not walk up to Theresa Collins (who is working on an AMAZING partnership with Xyron and who I ACTUALLY know) and say "could I get a photo of us together?" - it just wasn't me. Until last night.

On the shuttle back to the hotel I was having a conversation with Jenn Mason from Cloth Paper Scissors and some of my Xyron peeps, and a woman sitting in front of us suddenly turned around and said "Can I have your card?" and started telling us her story.  Turns out her products are a perfect match for a partnership with Xyron so we are going to stop by her booth tomorrow, but I was SO impressed with this cool chick (whose name I didn't catch) who saw a chance to interact with some established companies, and was proud/motivated/confident enough in herself and her product that she jumped in with both feet. First time exhibitor, new business woman, she knew what she wanted and asked for it. Can I have your card? Will you come by our booth? She inspired me to just take a deep breath and ask - and today was a whole different story. So I am coming home with a bag full of goodies, some new partnership ideas, and the kick in the pants I needed to not be afraid to ask for what I want. Yay me - and lucky you! Stay tuned this week and next for some AMAZING giveaway goodies!

Smoked Salmon and Horseradish Dip - healthy and heavenly!

In preparation for Passover and Good Friday, my local grocery store was kind enough to offer a BOGO deal on one of my MOST favorite food products...Salmon!  I am actually sitting here singing a little song to my dogs that goes something like "Saaamonnn, Saaamonnnn, pink and tasty saaaamonnnn", but I digress.

If there is one thing I love more than Salmon, it is dip.  So why not combine the two for a low-fat, low-calorie, high-fabulousness dish that is quick and easy to make!  With only 15 calories and .6g of fat per creamy, incredible tablespoon full, I give you...

Smoked Salmon and Horseradish Dip
3 oz smoked salmon
1/2 c low fat sour cream
1/2 c fat free sour cream
1 tsp dill (I used dried, but if you can find fresh - even better!)
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp prepared horseradish

Put salmon in to a blender/food processor and finely chop.  Add remaining ingredients and mix until just combined.

Can be made ahead - cover and refrigerate overnight or up to three days.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday weekend - and for those of you who are coming to casa Kingston for Easter dinner on Sunday, I'll try to save you a spoonful!

Valentine Album Giveaway on Paper Crafter's Corner!

Anybody wanna win a FREE Valentine Album donated by MEEEEE?  Then head on over to Paper Crafter's Corner

PCC is a treasure trove of crafty gossip, events, and more, created EXCLUSIVELY for scrappers and card makers in the SouthEast.  It has store listings, event information, local consultants, retreat locations, links to scrapbooking consignment/garage sales, AND Susan writes product reviews, has contests and giveaways, it is literally a one-stop shop for all things crafty down here in the South!  I encourage you to check out her site and sign up for her feed (scroll down the home page and you will find the sign up block on the right-hand side), and/or become a fan on Facebook!

I've just returned from CHA and as soon as I unpack I'll be posting some fun photos...INCLUDING photos of the new Xyron Creatopia Shapez component! Can't wait to show you!