Busy Hands Crafting Blog

Now that the boys are going to a private school, they get to experience all the fun school activities! I have been working on these scarves in their school colors for awhile, now. I finished them just in time for Spirit Week, thankfully. Really pleased with the way they came out and so are the boys -- they are so cozy and warm! Pattern: School Spirit Striped Scarf by Reed Piernock Yarn: I Love This Yarn! by Hobby Lobby

I am quite pleased with how this year's Christmas cards came out. It took me awhile to finish them, especially since I had to play nurse instead of crafter when my husband went in for knee surgery the day before Thanksgiving. But he's headed back to work tomorrow, so I took the opportunity to finish up our cards and get them out this week. I wanted a vintage/old fashioned Christmas look to them. My favorite part are the metallic on dark backgrounds. They make my cardmaker heart swoon. Merry Christmas to you and yours! Products Used: (Coming Soon)

I have been wanting this set FOREVER. Okay, maybe not forever, but as soon as I saw it. It's perfect for masculine birthday cards! Life has gone sideways on me, lately. I haven't felt like making cards or doing any challenges. I managed to start Christmas cards, though. I'm hoping and praying things will finally chill the freak out so I can get back into doing what I love most! Products Used: Honey Bee Stamps Car Show Honey Bee Stamps You're A Classic MFT Blueprints 33 Fancy Pants Good Fellows 6x6 Paper Pack SSS Intense Black Ink VersaMark Ink WOW Embossing Powder Copic Sketch Markers Pinkfresh Studio Enamel Dots

When I fist saw this tutorial on YouTube on how to make beaded crochet rope bracelets, I was OBSESSED. Truth be told, that's how it usually starts for me. I see a craft and I HAVE to try it. HAVE TO. I'm a hot mess like that. After a few fiddly starts, I finally got the hang of it. Thankfully, it's just a simple crochet slip stitch, but with beads. These are so much fun to make and Fusion Beads has a HUGE selection of colors to choose from. If you're into bead work, jewelry making, or just want to try a new craft, I highly recommend you check them out.

I'm later than usual on this, but depression robbed me of my weekend. Really like the clean and simple way this turned out. Fall with a subdued color palette. Drug out some oldies, but goodies for this one. Since it's made of mostly die cuts, it was super fast and easy. Really happy with it. Also, finally excavated part of my sewing table to make a photo spot. What do you think? Do you like it better than my usual set up? I'll probably get some more interesting backgrounds in the future, but this is what I have for now. Products Used: MFT Falling Leaves Die-namics MFT Arrow Greetings Die-namics MFT Circle Shaker W & F Die-namics MFT Stitched Scallop Basic Edges Die-namics MFT Wood Plank Background MFT Itsy Bitsy Polka Dots 6x6 Paper Pack MFT Premium Dye Ink

Not much to say about this one. It's cute. It's fall-ish. I'm semi-happy with it. Products Used: MFT Fall Friends Unknown (SSS?) Plaid Builder MFT Falling Leaves Die-namics MFT Skinny Strips Die-namics Cottage Cutz Basic Circle Dies VersaFine Clair Ink Distress Ink Arteza TwiMarkers

Again, NOT an artist. Drawing is NOT my forte. Had fun sketching a Lighthouse Lion for the boys, regardless. Too chicken to color him right now, so he may just stay as he is. Ah, who'm I kidding? I'll color him! Eventually. Waiting for the Birthday Fairy to bring me some Polychromos for my birthday. *wishful thinking*

I fell in love with this lovely, HUGE stamp from Simon's STAMPtember release. I decided to test out some new markers by watercoloring with them. I was hoping to go for a more fall theme, but ended up in spring. Wrong season, but I still really like it. It was a joy to color. Products Used: SSS/Memory Box Fresh Cut Bouquet Arteza TwiMarkers VersaMark Ink WOW Embossing Powder Gansai Tambi Watercolors

Went a slightly different direction than what I had in mind, but isn't that how it usually goes? #PlotTwist Products Used: MFT Fresh-Cut Flowers Background MFT Essential Sentiments MFT Slanted Sentiment Strips Die-namics Prismacolor Colored Pencil VersaMark Ink WOW Embossing Powder Ranger Enamel Accents

For the current Sketch and Color Challenges. I saw the Sketch and instantly thought of a wall with wainscoting. I obviously didn't plan for the height of the flowers, but I really didn't want to cut them off or go with something else, so I'll just have to put the card in a bigger envelope. Roll with it, right? Products Used: MFT Kitschy Kitchen MFT Greetings & Salutations Cottage Cutz Basic Square Dies Spellbinders Fancy Edges Oval Dies MFT Wood Plank Background MFT Homespun Gingham 6x6 Paper Pack MFT Premium Dye Inks

Abstract isn't really my thing -- too much what the inside of my brain is like. Ha! But I enjoyed making this fun, crazy card. Products Used: MFT Abstract Doodle MFT Label Maker Sentiments MFT Premium Dye Inks SSS Intense Black Ink VersaFine Ink Pinkfresh Studio Enamel Dots

Swoon. I just love autumn cards! I love the leaf cut outs, leaving the lovely fall color ink blending exposed underneath. 🍂 Products Used: MFT Falling Leaves Die-namics MFT Skinny Strips Die-namics MFT Greetings & Salutations Spellbinders Grid Embossing Folder Distress Inks VersaMark Ink WOW Embossing Powder

I have adored these sweet 'lil sheepies for so long! As a knitter/crocheter, I am a big fan of the critter! 🐑 Products Used: MFT Over the Moon For Ewe MFT Skinny Strips Die-namics MFT Spring Scene Builder Die-namics MFT Blueprints Cottage Cutz Basic Circle Dies MFT Mini Cloud Edges Stencil Distress Inks MFT Extreme Black Ink VersaFine Ink Copic Sketch Markers Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Pen Sakura Glaze Pen

A friend needed some fall-ish thank you cards, so I jumped at the chance. I LOVE the gold heat embossing with the fall ink blending! Inspired by a card I found on Pinterest. Products Used: Stamp Simply Give Thanks Concord & 9th Lace Leaf MFT Thank You Die-namics Spellbinders Labels Seventeen Nestabilities Distress Inks VersaFine Ink VersaMark Ink WOW Embossing Powder

After a forced hiatus, I'm back with this take on the Sketch. Stupid adult life getting in the way of crafting! 🤬 Products Used: MFT Kitschy Kitchen MFT You Bake Me Happy MFT Trail Mix 6x6 Paper Pack Spellbinders Overlapping Circles MFT Premium Dye Inks VersaFine Ink Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen

I needed a thank you card for a guy (which I always struggle with). Thankfully, this one came together real quick and easy! Almost TOO easy... 🤔 Products Used: Spellbinders May 2018 Small Die of the Month Spellbinders Wonky Diamonds Embossing Folder

This is my very loose interpretation of this week's Sketch. 🤣 It was going to go a different way, but I just ended up going with it. I spent the majority of the day, diligently coloring and didn't have anything left in me to make another card. This is my first attempt with no-line coloring with colored pencils. I'm not good at coloring, but I'm trying to get better. 😒 Products Used: MFT Wonderful Woodland Friends MFT Scene Builder MFT Simply Thanks Die-namics Distress Ink Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Fun, little freebie set in fun, summery colors! Products Used: MFT Sea Life Freebie MFT Essential Sentiments MFT Simply Thanks Die-namics MFT Skinny Strips Die-namics MFT Blueprints MFT Premium Dye Ink Distress Inks

I've wanted this gnome set forever and today I finally get to play with it! 😍 I had so much fun coloring this little guy and the mushrooms that come with him! I just wish I had the coordinating dies that went with this set. Fussy cutting is so not my thing. Products Used: MFT You Gnome Me MFT Greetings & Salutations MFT Blueprints 33 MFT Oval STAX Die-namics Darice Clouds Background Embossing Folder MFT Grassy Edges Stencil Copic Sketch Markers Distress Ink MFT Extreme Black Ink VersaFine Ink Momento Dual Marker

I'll repost what I posted on my Facebook page yesterday: Going on a rant here. You've been warned. Ravelry has gone off the deep end. They are currently on a crusade to kick anyone off their site who supports Trump or anything that goes against (what they think does, anyway) LGBT+, minorities, etc. They posted their stance on Instagram [yesterday], so I asked the simple, non-snarky question, "Why does it even have to be about politics at all?" My question was promptly deleted, without response or explanation, purely because I asked a question that went against their new policy . Supposedly. For those of you who don't know, Ravelry is (or used to be) an incredibly useful website for all things yarn and yarn crafts. I, myself, have been a member since 2010 and it's my go-to source for patterns, yarn resources, and keeping track of my projects. I have never once questioned who I was crafting along side of or cared what their ethnicity or sexual preferences ...

I have to say, I'm not a big fan of these colors together, but I tried to make the best of it. This was not originally how my card looked. This was my attempt to salvage all that stamping. I'm not 100% thrilled with it overall, but I'm cranky, hungry, headachy, and it's hot in this craft room right now. So...tada! 😂 Products Used: MFT Flower Silhouettes Hero Arts Many Everyday Messages MFT Premium Dye Inks VersaFine Ink

I simply adore these Birthday Cake Die-namics from MFT! The possibilities are endless! Needed a birthday card for my oldest, who is turning 11 in a couple weeks, and I figured this was probably the last birthday that I could get away with adding glitter to his cards before it's "uncool" or "girly". 😂 As I type this (or right after, rather), I'm attempting to add a confetti flinger to inside, because boy, oh boy, do we love to prank this kid! He's even getting a prank cake, too, with money inside. Should be a fun birthday! Products Used: MFT Birthday Cake Die-namics Unknown Brand Star Dies MFT Blueprints Essentials by Ellen Confetti Flinger Dies MFT Big Birthday Sentiments Distress Inks VersaFine Ink Pinkfresh Studio Enamel Shapes

It's been such a rough week, I really struggled making this card. SO tired and SO stressed. I picked the sentiment to console myself. 😆 Products Used:  MFT Plentiful Petals MFT Greetings & Salutations MFT Oval STAX Die-namics MFT Blueprints MFT Party Patterns 6x6 Paper Pack MFT Premium Dye Inks VersaFine Ink Pinkfresh Studios Enamel Dots

I needed a baby card, so I opted for something really simple. I swear, with everything that's going on right now, I'm thisclose to having a mental breakdown. Not even kidding. Thank goodness for cute dies that basically do the work for me. Products Used: MFT Welcome Baby MFT Bundle of Baby Clothes Die-namics Cottage Cutz Basic Square Dies MFT Dots & Stripes Confection 6x6 Paper Pack MFT Homespun Ginham 6x6 Paper Pack VersaFine Ink Pinkfresh Studios Enamel Shapes

This was definitely another labor of love card. But when it comes to your mom's birthday, you better go big or go home! We got my mom hooked on Doctor Who (at least until recently when it started going downhill), so I've had this card in mind for quite awhile, but never got a chance to actually make it (because I'm lazy, folks...let's be honest, here). I was inspired by Jennifer McGuire's inside shadow box cards and thought it would be a perfect design for this kind of card. I mean, I had to fit the whole universe in a card! 😉 I watercolored the background for the gears, the galaxy background, and the TARDIS itself (I decided to ink blend the actual window background because I didn't have any cardstock big enough for the piece and watercolor would have warped it too much). I think it's so fun that when you open the card, the TARDIS zooms around! I can't wait to send this to my mama! Oh, and the message I wrote? "I wish I could change...

Ugh. I think I complain about this every year, but I'm going to do it again, regardless. It. Is. So. Stinking. Hard. To. Make. Father's Day cards! I love sending my dad and father-in-law cards, but it is so hard to come up with designs for them. Masculine cards will always be the bane of my card making existence, but Father's Day cards, for some reason, are even harder for me. BUT, that being said, after I finally got past the planning part, I was pretty happy with what I was able to come up with. Really loving the ombre ink blending with the white heat embossing. Clean, simple, and masculine. I'll enjoy my temporary victory, for now. Products Used: MFT Happy Birthday to You Spellbinders Freebie Sentiments MFT Abstract Background MFT Blueprints 33 Distress Inks VersaFine Ink VersaMark Ink WOW Embossing Powder

UPDATE: I FINALLY WON A CHALLENGE !!! WOOT!!! 😃🎉 Made this sweet, simple card using an oldie, but goodie. Love these adorable birds and their cages! Products Used: MFT Tweethearts MFT Dots & Stripes Confection 6x6 Paper Pack MFT Watercolor Wash Brights 6x6 Paper Pack Copic Sketch Markers MFT Extreme Black Ink VersaFine Ink Aqua Shimmer Pen Ranger Glossy Accents