How to Make Background Paper Using Chalkola Makers and Chalkola Markers Review

First I would like to thank Chalkola for sending me their pens to review. I loved using them in the traditional ways to write on nonporous surfaces, but my favorite use was to make background papers with them.  In the following video, I talk about the pens and then  demo how to make unique and vibrant background papers.

Now a few words from Chalkola….. They recommend that you use the markers on Non Porous Surfaces only (So it’s best to test a small area). Like - Chalkboards, Whiteboards, Glass, Plastic, and Windows. The reason being that porous surfaces have small holes that can absorb the liquid chalk ink and sometimes it gets difficult to completely erase them.



Chalkola is offering readers a 15% flat discount on all Chalkola Products when you use the Coupon Code - 15OFFSTR (Applicable on their  Website  and Amazon)

To buy the 6mm Pens from Amazon, click here. (Different Packaging).

To buy the 15mm Markers from Amazon, click here.

Have a great day!

Cricut Maker….. First Impressions

I just bought a Cricut Maker and want to share some of my initial impressions with you. I am mostly a paper crafter, but want to try cutting fabric, felt and wood. I thought the Cricut Maker would be perfect for me.

This card is a Make it Now project and was cut on my new Cricut Maker.

I used paper for my first project so I could compare the Maker to my Anna Griffin Cricut Explore Air when doing intricate cuts. I also have the Cricut Explore Air hooked up to a computer in my family room and the Cricut Maker connected to my laptop in my craft room. That way, I can compare cuts from both machines. I plan to keep both machines until I am more comfortable with the Maker.

The first thing I noticed was no dial. And when I went to cut paper, I discovered there is no setting for regular card stock, even in the custom material settings. I shared my discovery with Cricut’s help desk.

In the custom material settings, medium cardstock has a pressure of 273 and light cardstock has a pressure of 279. In my opinion, medium cardstock should have a heavier pressure than light. I also shared this potential error with Cricut. Their team is amazing and they are so kind.

I also compared my Cricut Explore Air default dial settings to the new Maker settings just to get an idea of what pressures I used to use for cutting light, medium and regular cardstock. After numerous tries, I found that for most of my cardstock, I need to use the medium cardstock setting on the Cricut Maker. However, if my paper was slightly heavier, I set the pressure default to “more” and if my paper was lighter, I set the default to “less”. This card was cut using Recollections paper and set on medium card stock.

Cricut said their cardstock should be cut on medium setting. In the material settings, you will see a Cricut logo by the settings for some of the Cricut materials and papers.

I am still experimenting with the pressure setting for regular cardstock and made a custom setting for a single cut with a pressure of 299. The regular cardstock default setting on the Cricut Explore Air dial is set to a single cut and pressure set to 299. The 299 pressure seemed to work well on the Maker too. My Maker now cuts Anna Griffin cardstock perfectly using my custom setting of a single cut with a pressure of 299.

Thanks to Cricut and their wonderful instructions, setting up my new machine was very easy. I love the new software and I am so excited to be able to right-click again! At this point, I am very impressed with the Cricut Maker.

I just ordered the fabric pen and felt, and can’t wait to try a felt project. I am beyond excited for the knife and new blades to come out. The Maker is solidly built and a very stunning machine. It is now front and center in my craft room.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the new Maker! I am still learning and would love to share any tips and techniques that you have discovered.

Have a great day!

Fab Five Friday

Welcome to Fab Five Friday. For those of you that are new to this blog, every Friday I showcase five blogs, websites or posts that I think you will enjoy.

I love this mini album created by Joanna.

Click here for more beautiful photos.

This adorable card made by Bridget from Bridget’s Scraps made me smile. Be sure to check out her stunningly beautiful blog!



Check out this video from Over the Big Moon. Pam shows how to cut 25 different materials with the new Cricut Maker. Wow!

Be sure to check out Silhouette’s blog to design you own gift card. I love how they created the tabs using a circle shape and the eraser tool.

I love fresh corn on the cob and had to smile when I saw this post. Click here for 10 brilliant hacks for easy and delicious corn on the cob from One Good Thing.

Thanks for visiting and have a fabulous Fab Five Friday!

Forever Friends

A few weeks ago, Jennifer McGuire made several cards using the June Hero Arts of the month kit and I fell in love with the kit. I rushed to order, but they were sold out. I was determined to make similar cards using my Silhouette Cameo. This is my second card and I love the safari theme.

Since, I did not have the stamps that came in the kit, I used the safari file (#18473) that I purchased from the Silhouette on-line store.

Then I used my new distress oxide inks to do a blend that looked like a sunset. I used fired brick, spiced marmalade and fossilized amber. Once the ink dried, I cut a rectangle measuring 2 ¼ x 4 ¼ inches. I am loving the new distress inks! They blend perfectly!

I used the print and cut feature to do the sentiment. The font is Forget Me Knot HMK and sized at 21.35, but any font you like will work. I added a black border and my finished card measures 4.5 x 5.75 inches.

Have a wonderful day!

Simply Organized Sunday

Welcome to Simply Organized Sunday…SOS for short. Every Sunday I showcase blogs, websites or posts that provide innovative approaches to organizing and designing your craft space as well as other areas in your home.

I love before and after photos, especially if they involve organizing my drawers with cereal boxes!

I can’t believe Jen made these adorable drawer organizers from cereal boxes. I saw this post several years ago and I totally forgot about it.

I really love the look of these.

Click here for step by step details.

I hope you are having a simply organized Sunday!

Fab Five Friday

Welcome to Fab Five Friday. For those of you that are new to this blog, every Friday I showcase five blogs, websites or posts that I think you will enjoy.

This fun project from Oh Happy Day made me smile. Who doesn’t love giant pinwheels?

Speaking of smiling, this post From Tatertots and Jello will have you and your children smiling too!

Do you remember spin art? Dianne from Back porch used a salad spinner to recreate spin art.

A special thanks to my sister for sending me this post!

Be sure to visit So Sew Easy for all the info! I love the lavender book tote!

Please click here to download a free copy of their catalog.

Thanks for visiting and have a fabulous Fab Five Friday!

Simply Organized Sunday

Welcome to Simply Organized Sunday…SOS for short. Every Sunday I showcase blogs, websites or posts that provide innovative approaches to organizing and designing your craft space as well as other areas in your home.

I love before and after photos, especially if they involve creating room to live and play.

This family used products from IKEA to recreate their living room.

The after photo is stunning. I so wish we had an IKEA store in Montana.

This homework area is perfect!

And I love the TV/ area.

Be sure to visit IKEA’s blog for all the info!

I hope you are having a simply organized Sunday!

Fab Five Friday

Welcome to Fab Five Friday. For those of you that are new to this blog, every Friday I showcase five blogs, websites or posts that I think you will enjoy.

I took a couple of needed days off and I am happy to be back.

I can’t wait to make this recipe from Practically Functional. Yum!

I love learning new ways to use my sentiment stamps and this card and video from Kristina Werner is going to help.



Thanks for the great video!

Be sure to visit Ginny K Designs for the details. Adorable!

According to Cricut the extra deep knife blade slices through materials up to 2.4 mm (3/32”) thick. It is expected to be available in October. I can’t wait! This blade can only be used on the new Cricut Maker.

Click here for more information on the new Cricut Maker.

Be sure to visit Anna’s blog and scroll down for info on how to use her flocking kit. I have her kit and love it!

Thanks for visiting and have a fabulous Fab Five Friday!

Simply Organized Sunday

Welcome to Simply Organized Sunday…SOS for short. Every Sunday I showcase blogs, websites or posts that provide innovative approaches to organizing and designing your craft space as well as other areas in your home.

I love before and afters, especially if they involve making room for an office desk or crafting.

This before looks great, but the after is even better.

The headboard makeover is stunning!

I love how she created a mini office in her bedroom.

Click here for more info and a source list from Design Sponge.

I hope you are having a simply organized Sunday!

Fab Five Friday

Welcome to Fab Five Friday. For those of you that are new to this blog, every Friday I showcase five blogs, websites or posts that I think you will enjoy.

Be sure to check out Silhouette Blog for six additional date ideas made with the Cameo. I want to try the balloons.

I am always checking out new font combos and I love these by The Girl Creative. Wow!

I am so thankful for Silhouette School and I can’t wait to check out Melissa’s tutorials.

Be sure to click here to start Simon Says Blog Hop.

This is one of my favorite cards from the Encouraging Words blog hop. Love it! While you are there, be sure to check out Lime Doodle Designs blog.

Thanks for visiting and have a fabulous Fab Five Friday!

Cricut Maker is Here!

I am so excited about Cricut’s new Cricut Maker! This machine is amazing and I can’t wait to get one!

I am so grateful to Melody Lane, Lia Griffith, Debbie O’Neal and many more bloggers for providing wonderful videos from the Cricut Mountain Makeathon. Below are just a few of my favorites. And a special shout-out to my friend Donna for discovering and sharing some of these videos!



This is the official video posted by Cricut. It is over an hour, but makes you feel like you were at the unveiling event which took place yesterday! Thanks Cricut for another wonderful machine and two additional products!



This is a two minute overview from Cricut.



And another two minute official video. Wow!



A special thanks to Debbie O’Neal for all her live posts on Facebook and YouTube. Thanks to my friend Donna for sending me this informative video and thanks Debbie for answering a lot of our questions.



This is one of my favorite videos from Melody Lane. I am beyond excited that I can cut thick leather, fabric, wood, felt and more. These flowers are stunning and are cut on the Cricut Maker.

The machine will be available in late August and retails for $399.99 and has 10 times more power!

Have a wonderful Wednesday.