Art by Debbie Saenz

It's Never Too Late for Love

I hope everyone enjoyed a beautiful day of celebrating Love Yesterday on Valentine's Day, but  since Love should be celebrated everyday, I want to share a few "Love" projects I recently did for Plaid's "Paint Me Plaid" Blog". They are all super easy to make; and I'll show you each step of the way.

Whenever I finish a batch of projects for Plaid, I always have a favorite. This Polka-Dotted Heart Frame was my favorite this time. Go here for the tutorial and I'll show you how to use bubble wrap to create distressed looking polka-dots...easy easy! 

Go here for the tutorial for this Handmade Valentine's Day Glitter Photo Cube. The fun thing about this project is that you can change the colors and make it have a totally different look. I just love the way it glitters especially the little bird on top!

Why not serve it up with love, everyday! Once you learn now easy it is to make one of these decoupaged plated, I'll bet you won't just make one! You can use photos too! Come on, I'll show you how here.

With lots of Love!

Debbie xo

I'm thrilled to tell you about this....

Quick & Easy Decoupage e-book

Free to Download

I'm super excited to tell you about this new e-book I'm publish in! I was invited by Plaid. to contribute projects to this new and exciting book, "Quick & Easy Decoupage". My friends, Amy Anderson from Mod Podge Rocks!, and Holli Long also contributed some of their projects. You can download it absolutely FREE from Fave Crafts right here.

This e-book has full instructions for each and every project. If you've never tried a decoupage project before, now is the time!  If you have any questions, you can just ask me and I would be glad to help you out!  Your gonna love it!

Enjoy! 

Blessings xo,

Debbie

If you haven't already,  I would love for you to join my Facebook page!

A Pumpkin Contest Along with Everything Else!

Plaid is really keeping me busy!  I recently designed two pumpkins as samples for their Pumpkin Contest and now  have 13 more projects in the works. Christmas projects and projects for images that will be used in the packaging of some really cool new products they have coming out soon. You'll have to keep your eye out because I can't tell you what it is just yet! 

 

Yes, Plaid is having a Pumpkin Contest!

The contest runs until October 16th.

You can find out all the details here.

 

These are the samples I designed for Plaid. It was really fun decorating these pumpkins! 

I used napkins to decorate this pumpkin. I call it "Pumpkin Elegance" and you can find the complete instructions here. If you want to enter the contest, you'll have to come up with something different...but this will give you some ideas! 

It's ok to think outside the box. Here I didn't want green leaves, so I painted them black and white.

This "Pumpkin Spider" is just plain FUN! You can get the complete instructions here. 

 

 This would look really cute as a Halloween decoration hanging from the front porch!

 Well, now it's your turn! What can you do with a pumpkin?

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

I guess I don't give this celebration much thought. I actually forgot about today being Cinco de Mayo and we lived in Mexico for two years! My son said to me this evening, "Hey mom, did you know that today is Cinco de Mayo?".                          

Oh well, now I know... 

I designed this fun fiesta tray for Plaid's website a while back. 

You can find the complete instructions here.

Hasta la vista XO,

Debbie

'Love' Tote

Every girl needs a tote bag. Right? I think so. This one is so easy to make; any girl would love to have one or make their very own! This would make a great Saturday afternoon craft project. 

All you need is a small plain canvas tote bag, some stencils, fabric, Fabric Mod Podge, and a little paint. Oh, and of course some satin ribbon and rhinestones!

If you jump over to Plaid's website, you will find the complete instructions. 

Lots of Love XO,

Debbie

Valentine Caddy with Tag

Who doesn't love to receive special Valentine treats? Especially fresh baked heart cookies with lots of icing?  Yum Yum! This Valentine's caddy that I designed for Plaid's website would make the perfect container to present your delicious treats to that special someone. Just wrap the whole thing up with clear cellophane, tie it with a pretty red ribbon, and add a tag with a special Valentine message. So simple, yet so sweet! 

 The full instructions can be found on Plaid's website.

Now I'm inspired to bake some big yummy heart cookies and lather them up with lots of icing :)

Sweet Blessings,

Debbie XO

Valentine's Day Card

Ok, since I posted a girls craft yesterday,

 here's one for a boy... 

 Don't all little boys love shiny rockets? I thought so, so I designed a really cool Valentine's Day card that allows the rocket to blast right out of the envelope! And into a special someone's heart. 

I used Plaid's Simply Stencils to create the rocket, hearts and letters. I drew a patten for the envelope and used cardstock, fun star and hologram papers, and of course, silver glitter to give it even more shine. 

 

You can find the full instructions on Plaid's website.

I hope this was fun!

Blessings XO,

Debbie 

Valentine Card Holder 'Purse'

I transformed this 1/2 gallon ice-cream container into 

this cute little Valentine Card Holder 'Purse'. It's just perfect for a little girl to store her collection of special Valentine cards! I only wish I had thought of this when my girls were younger!  

 

 

I had vision for this container as Sarah was serving herself the last scoop of ice-cream, I quickly rescued it from the trash, washed it out, and disappeared into my craft room.  Then wholla! A cute little purse!

It's amazing what pretty papers, ribbons, and some sparkly glitter can do. I also used Plaid's Sparkle Mod Podge. That has got to be my favorite Mod Podge formula, especially for girly projects! It's hard to see in this photo, but it really has a nice sparkle. I just love that stuff. The full instructions are on Plaid's website.  

XO,

Debbie

Shimmer 'JOY' Box Set

I designed this Shimmer 'JOY' Box Set for Plaid's website and  was excited to discover that it's the current featured project on their website!

I used Shimmer Mod Podge, one of Plaid's special formulas of Mod Podge to decoupage scrapbook papers onto plain wooden boxes. I painted the edges and added some green and red glittery ribbon.

I added wooden ball knobs to each lid. 

I painted and glittered chipboard letters then framed them with various layers of colored scrapbook papers...and of course, it wasn't complete without some rhinestones!

 

You can hop on over to Plaid's website for the complete instructions on how to make this project.

 I pray that the JOY of Christmas fills your heart today!

Blessings XO

 

Debbie

Thanksgiving Cone Ornament Favor

Several months ago I designed several ornaments for Plaid's Ornament Extravaganza. Thanksgiving was one of the requested themes...So I designed a  Thanksgiving Cone Ornament that can be filled with candies or other goodies. This would make a perfect gift or favor to give as a thankful gesture.

Cereal boxes get many different uses around my house!

Between the Shimmer Mod Podge, Extreme Glitter, and tinsel yarn,this little cone really glistens.

I made the fall leaves out of cereal boxes too. 

We have so much to be thankful for... I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends! 

Debbie  XO