Christmas Tree Pallet

  I wasn't sure if this would be an epic fail or win.  The Christmas tree made from pallets is going viral. I am sure you have seen the post I speak of. 

 

Here is my take on a Christmas Tree pallet.

 

I started off with a pallet and kinda gauged where I wanted to cut.  I knew I wanted some of the nails and or nail holes to be present on my tree.  Added rustic look!  So I cut and placed the 'branches' in the order I wanted.  I used a stake I had laying around, however, I wouldn't use a brand new one again.. It needs to be 'roughed up' to go with the pallets.. Unless you are using a brand new pallet.

 

I then took some scrapbook paper and mod podged it onto the pallet.  I did let this set over night.  If I were to do this again, I would for sure make the paper fit the 'branch' .. not just the 12 inches in length the paper is.  The morning after, I took my sander and  roughed up the scrapbook paper a bit.  I didn't want it to be perfect. 

 



For my other branches I took some acrylic paint and just randomly painted with a bunched up paper towel. Again, I wasn't going for a 'perfect' look.  I wanted to be a bit messy and primitive if you will. You can make the tree any color you wish.. I'm a purple fan to the extreme, so I did purple.

 

After I the paint dried, I put a thick layer of mod podge over every part of the tree.  The paint dries quick as you only put a thin layer .. Unless you do thick painting.

 

I added some buttons and a star that I scuffed some paint up.  Screwed it all onto my stake and there you have it!  I did paint over the stake.  As I said earlier, it was too new looking.  I'd stain it or just get some wood that looks used next time.

 





Thanks for stopping by!

~Kara



Harbor Freight Revolving Storage ** made girly

Hello!  I am so excited to share the make over I did to the Harbor Freight Revolving Storage!  I am certain I spend more at Harbor Freight than my husband does!   Who says Harbor Freight is for men?!?!?  They carry items perfect for craft rooms!

 

I went to Harbor Freight with my 20% off coupon in hand and knew this was going to be mine!

 

I knew in my head that I didn't want that drab color in my craft room... Purple is my color for life and just makes me happy happy!  So off to Walmart I went to purchase some purple.  Once I got home, I remembered that I had some pink left over from painting my Raskog from Ikea.

 

I laid all of the parts out. My driveway is the painting booth for all things. that need spray painted.

 

I used Rustoleum Grape for my purple (it was on clearance at Walmart) and the Pink is Valspar Gloss Frosty Berry.

 

I knew it needed to dry for more longer than I wanted to let it.. I was EXCITED to assemble this baby and see it in the beauty!  Unfortunately, the night was nearing and I hurried along.. and it did NOT dry completely.  I had quite a few dings in the paint. I am not bothered by this as I plan on using this for crafty storage.. I don't plan on it staying perfect.  So I was ok with the chips here and there.  For a perfectionist, I might recommend to let it fully dry.. the chips will bother you, LOL.

 

Have you ever assembled anything from Ikea??? If so, you will understand when I say 72 nuts, bolts and washers reminded me of Ikea furniture.  I said to my husband as I assembled it, what in the world would need 72 nuts, bolts and washers.. His reply was.. I'm fairly certain this purchase was not intended to be purple, pink and hold glitter and glue.. OHHHHH I said.. LOL!  Made me chuckle.

 

 

Assembled, painted and BEAUTIFUL!  I absolutely love it!  It matches perfectly in my craft room and will hold TONS of items.

 

 

I placed a few items in the bins to see what kind of storage I was looking at.

 

This is the Revolving Storage from Harbor Freight and the Raskog from Ikea!  Near perfection in my MESSY craft room and messy Raskog.  I always say, if I clean it all up, then I won't find anything.

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy crafting

 

 

Thank you box card

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by today.  When I said before, that box cards would be my go to.. I wasn't joking!

 

My Dad and Step Mom had over 10 Monarch Butterflies hatch this year.  This was a childhood event we always did as I grew up.  I was thrilled to hear my Dad found some caterpillars this year.  If you have never experienced this part of life, it's amazing and I definitely recommend you do this some fall.

 

So, when I created this card I knew I wanted Monarch Butterflies and I also needed to send them a Thank you for everything they do for me.

 

I started off going through my collection and my go to sets are always from Heartfelt Creations.  I adore these sets (any of them) and low and behold.. the Butterfly Medley was PERFECT!.

 

I started my box card following the directions I previously had followed.  I found a stellar tutorial on YouTube and wrote all of her exact measurements down.  It comes out perfectly each time I make this style of card.

 

As I assembled this card, the paper was way to plain for my liking.  I took a large stamp from a collection and stamped white on what I wanted to show.  Since I already had the cardstock glued down, I had to lay the section and press on the stamp to give it the stamped image.  I was ok with whatever came out.  I really didn't want a 'perfect' image..  It turned out fabulous!!  I stamped the large back panel as well.  I was still able to write my sentiment as I made this stamped image as light as I could.

 

 

 

I stamped the butterfly medley (using the MISTI tool) and embossed with clear powder. It was then time to color my butterflies to resemble Monarch's.  I used my Zig Brush markers.  I absolutely love these markers.  I never claim to be a color professional, but I do like the outcome with these markers.

 

Behind all of these beautiful butterflies, I wanted some sort of flower to be in the background.  When all of the butterflies were hatching, I was away and so my Dad sent me pictures of each butterfly on a flower.  So I wanted to incorporate a flower of some sort.

 

I used the perfect stamp and colored again with my Zig Brush Markers.  I tried my best to use the ink where I wanted it most.  I then embossed to make the coloring a bit easier.

 

 

I attached the butterflies using transparency film.  I wanted them to 'sway' a little so this works perfect.  I put dabs of liquid pearls (Opal White) on the wings of the butterflies to resemble Monarchs.

 

This card turned out incredible.  Purple is my favorite color, so of course I thought it was near perfection. LOL!  I used some liquid pearls for the buds in the flowers.  The purple I had colored with mixed with the white opal I put down.  It turned out ok, however I'd wait longer for the Zig's to dry next time. 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed this Monarch Butterfly card.

 

~Kara

 

 



September is Prostrate Cancer Awareness month!

Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping by!  I am honored and thankful to be on the DT team for Die-Versions.  I thought for my first project that I would share a card I made.  September is Prostrate Awareness Month and what a way to honor my ahhhhmazing Dad (Prostate Cancer SURVIVOR).  He lights up a room with is whistle and smile! 

 

I started off using the Awareness-Heart from the Whispers Collection and knew I wanted to make it light blue for the Prostrate Awareness. 

 

 

 

 

I took Versa Magic Brilliance ink and inked away.  The brilliance line doesn't always photograph nice, but in person I assure you it gives a gorgeous shine and shimmer.

 

 

 

I knew I wanted to make this a shaker card (who doesn't love a shaker card).  So I then took transparency film and attached it to the heart. 

 

 

Added some foam to make it stand away from the cardstock.  I then added some random blue glitter, sequins and microbeads.  I purposely added a few pink hearts because after all my Dad was the first guy to ever have my heart.

 

 

I used the stamp set 408 Pink Ribbon Background from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  Stamped the background using the MISTI (seriously this tool is amazing).  I then embossed with Hero Arts Clear.

Also, on that stamp set comes a survivor stamp.  I stamped this 2 times along each side and again embossed with clear.

 

 

I decided the hearts on the background stamp needed to be blue.  So I took a colored pencil and lightly colored in the hearts.

 

 

I then pieced everything together and attached my shaker portion to the main card.  I absolutely love how this turned out and what a way to honor my Dad.  Cheers to him being a survivor!

Thank so much for taking time to read my blog post!  I'd love to hear any feedback you may have.   Please be sure to check out the other blog posts for the Die-Versions amazing design team here.

 

Stop by and shop, shop, shop at Die-Versions.  If you love to save money, be sure to use coupon code: kara15 to save 15% (not valid with any other discounts or sales).

 ~Kara



Die Versions creative design team announcement

Hello!  Thank you for stopping by Create By Kara

 

I have some amazing news that I'd love to share with you.  I have been chosen to be on the Die Versions design team.  I am over the moon excited to share my creations and I hope to inspire you!

 

I have a special coupon code that will be just for YOU!  (keep reading to the end)

 

I have been a scrapbooker for YEARS and this will be an outlet for me to share.  I love the craft community, because one person can inspire many.  There are so many beautiful ideas on the internet and I am thrilled to be sharing mine with you.

 

If you love working with dies, this blog will be for you.  If you have never worked with dies, this blog is for you.. tricky, huh!  I'd love to answer any questions you have, if you are just starting out.  I never claim to be a professional, but I do claim to love crafting.

 

The link to check out and purchase from Die Versions is Die-versions  .  ANY purchase you make will give you 15% off your total purchase.  ** Code not valid with other discounts/sales **  Enter code:  kara15

 

 

~Kara