Happy Spring folks!! Check out the new Multimedia Crafts Digital spring themed Etsy kit called, “Pink Blossom.” Get it now with 20% off savings until May 8, 2023.
Also check out the matching Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook and blog freebie kits. Add more to your journal and craft projects with the free journal cards found on the blog and the background papers found on Facebook. To access these FREEBIES click on the blog photo or corresponding text. For the Facebook freebie, simply visit the page, click on Photos, then Albums, then Freebies, and scroll down to see and download your digital. These freebies are a thanks for your support in this craft community.
Happy New Year 2023! I hope you all have had a wonderful Holiday season and are ready for a fresh start. If you are like me and you have a slew of projects that you never completed last year, or the year before that, nor the years before those, then you should continue to read on and see some ideas that can help you simplify your crafting endeavors.
First of all, what do you feel is stopping you from finishing your cards, scrapbooks, canvases, junk journals, and other gifts or mixed media crafts? You really need to have an answer for that because knowing it is the key to the root of your procrastination. Have unforeseen life changes happened, such as a new move? Maybe you no longer have the same craft space and access to materials that you used to have. Perhaps health issues may have hindered your progress in completing your works.
Even if none of those or similar unpreventable things in life have occurred, and your crafting journey came to a halt as a result of sheer dilly dallying there is still a solution to your problems.
Simply define a list of what you know you will commonly make through out the year. In January, do you typically make cards or gifts for anyone’s birthday, anniversary, or for something routine that happens at this time of year? Do you create gifts for Mother’s Day?
Make a monthly list of birthdays, occasions, and holidays. Use the free Multimedia Crafts Digital Yearly Craft Worksheet provided as a download. This page contains important 2023 dates in it to aid you with your checklist. It will not only help you remember what you need to make, but it keeps them in chronological order according to priority. Is your child’s birthday coming before your best friend’s graduation? Do you have a craft fair coming up and need to make a host of items to sell as well as bake cookies for your church’s community yard sale happening in the same month? By recognizing when each project is due will give you time to plan accordingly..
After you have made your list, assess what types of supplies you’ve got on hand. USE WHAT YOU HAVE. I can’t stress that more than anything. Part of my problem was coming up with gift ideas that I felt like needed craft materials that I didn’t own at the time. I would then purchased some just to still not use them. I would get overwhelmed and have crafting cramps (in other words my mind would go blank). I thought my projects had to be over the top and elaborate when they didn’t.
Sometimes LESS is better than more. Only you know what your recipient likes when it comes to gift giving. What are their styles? Do they like certain themes and colors? Do they like bulky type cards or prefer a minimalist appeal? Look and see what kind of papers, fabrics, and tools you have in your stash to make these projects. If you don’t have all you need you can do swaps with fellow crafters who like to do the same types of things you enjoy. If you do the swaps early enough, you may receive some goodies that you didn’t have and make what you planned on creating without having to buy the extra supplies.
Many facebook groups do swaps. A few are Where Baking & Crafting Meet, The Maker Exchange, and Makers of Mixed Media Art/ Artists. There are a plethora of other ones. They are so much fun because they provide all sorts of ideas and techniques you can employ. They are a fun way to find inexpensive items in case you still need to purchase some. Many offer free digital downloads, discount codes, sales, and links to free or very low cost supplies.
The Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page offers freebies like the latest paper kit called, “Icy.” You can access this 5 page digital printable by going to the page, then “Photos,” then “Albums, ” and then “Freebies.” Scroll down until you see which kit you want. Click on the photo of the kit and the corresponding link will bring you to the download link.
When you are shopping around, set yourself a budget. Don’t go overboard. Once again, sometimes LESS is better. The less you have the fewer decisions you have, which can be a good thing, especially if you need to make a last minute gift. Sometimes the more you have gives you more choices, which could then delay your decision making process. Keep it simple and just do it.
Stores like Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, and Michaels are great places to start. Go to the clearance isle and see what things have been marked down. You may even find supplies that may have been opened or returned, but are still in good shape. Often times the stores will reduce the price in order to help with loss prevention. A sale at a discounted price is better than no sale and having to throw the item away. If you decide not to go for brick and mortar stores, then there are always online shops. Etsy and Ebay are great places to check out. With Etsy you can find handmade goods, supplies, digitals, great gifts, and so much more. The same can be found with eBay, only you can even get things in bulk with the option to purchase it right away, make an offer, or even bid on an item that is being auctioned off. With eBay people bundle all sorts of things together, giving you a better deal than buying supplies separately.
Which ever portal or store you choose to purchase your acquisitions from, remember to be resourceful with them. Most of all have fun creating!
I hope that this article has been helpful. Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!
Disclaimer:
Some of the links within this article are affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase I will receive a monetary percentage of the cost of your item(s). Thank you in advance. Happy New Year!
Layout of my two sons and grandmother whom has passed away a few years ago. These were great moments with her.
It’s time for the last and final blog challenge of the year. This month we are focusing on holiday themed projects that speak to your heart. Bring out your favorite mediums, fabrics, embellishments, found objects or whatever you have on hand and create something amazing.
If you want to get a head start on future blog challenges, you can download the “Monthly Craft Challenge 2022” form to get access to the whole years worth of prompts.
You may choose 3 items from the prompt list below.
December- Holiday Theme- Things That Shine
Use hashtag #decfav2022
Glitter
Gems
Glossy accents, Stickles, Liquid Pearls, Nuvo drops, etc.
Jewelry findings
Gold paint
Cheesecloth
Lace
Doily
Fake snow
Here are some downloads to help you kickstart your project. These two digital freebie kits are from the Multimedia Crafts Digital blog and Facebook Page. They are each called, “Christmas Charm”. The kits have a vintage, warm holiday vibe.
The facebook freebie is an envelope with a matching printable back page. You can find it along with many other Facebook Freebies by visiting the page. Simply go to “Photos> Albums>Freebies. Then scroll down until you see the photo of the kit you want. Click on that kit and you will see the corresponding link for the download.
The Multimedia Crafts Digital Blog freebie is a part of the DigitalScrapbook.com December 2022 Blog Train. It consists of 8 papers in both sizes 12″ x 12″ and 8.5″ x 11″. There are also 9 elements available along with the 8.5″ x 11″ papers in printable format. You can make digital projects and or physical ones. Explore your options. Click here to access the “Christmas Charm” Mini bundle. To access fellow collaborators of the blog train click here.
Make sure to check out the “Christmas Charm” Add On Ephemera kit on the Multimedia Crafts Digital Etsy Shop. This kit matches both the blog and facebook freebie kits. This kit was made from my original drawings and paintings. Check out the process video of some of the images I created on my video called, “Easy DIY Christmas Watercolor Tags” on YouTube.
For my project, I made a one signature journal using glitter, Glossy accents, a doily, and cheesecloth. Added some old book pages, music sheets, vintage papers and more to give the folio an eclectic, yet nostalgic holiday feel. I used both of the Multimedia Crafts digital blog and Facebook freebies, as well as the new, “Christmas Charm” Etsy digital kit. Enjoy the photos of my project below.
To see the journal flip through of the project I made go to the “Artsy Solutions” YouTube channel to watch it or click the link below.
Now that the leaves are falling and turkeys are gobbling those attributes puts us into a Thanksgiving mood. So, let’s create something with that theme. Make anything that reminds you of this holiday season. You can use as many mixed media items in your project as you like. Feel free to post your creations on the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page.
If you want to get a head start on future blog challenges, you can download the “Monthly Craft Challenge 2022” form to get access to the whole years worth of prompts.
You may choose 3 items from the prompt list below.
Step Into Fall November Pixel Scrapper 2022 blog Train Freebie
Here is a Multimedia Crafts Digital Blog Freebie that you can use to get started off to use in your projects if you like. It is a part of the Digital Scrapbook.com November 2022 Blog Train.
This kit includes 6 papers that are in sizes 12 x 12″ and in 8.5 x 11″ format. There are also 13 elements that come with it. These and the papers are available in printable format.
For my project I used a combination of both Multimedia Crafts Digital Freebies from the blog and the Facebook page. I made a simple Double loaded pocket. Check below for the list of supplies:
-Step Into Fall Digital kits (Multimedia Crafts Digital Blog and Facebook freebies)
Are you ready to get your spook on? This month’s challenge includes prompts that focus on anything related to fall. You can create Halloween themed projects, fall fashion, recipes, autumn sceneries or whatever comes to mind with a fall vibe. Follow along if you would like to and post your creations on the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page.
If you want to get a head start on future blog challenges, you can download the “Monthly Craft Challenge 2022” form to get access to the whole years worth of prompts.
You may choose 3 items from the prompt list below.
October- Fall Themed- Anything Goes
Use hashtag #octfav2022
Owl
Leaves
Acorns
Sticks
Moss
Cheesecloth
Coffee filter
Tea bag
Inks/ sprays
Bootiful October 2022 PixelScrapper Blog Train Freebie
Bootiful Envelope freebie
Get started with these free digital kits. The Bootiful October 2022 Blog Train freebie is part of the PixelScrapper collaboration of various other artists. This kit comes with five 12 x 12″ digital papers. There are also five of the same pattern printable 8.5 x 11″ papers. The digital also includes 14 elements which are available in jpg printable format, with bonus tags on the sheet. To access the kit click here. Visit Pixelscrapper to see other contributors to blog train and get even more freebies.
Visit the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page to access the “Bootiful Envelope” digital freebie. Simply click on “More”, “Photos”, “Albums”, “Freebie Files”, and then scroll down until you see the kit you want to download. Then click on the link associated with it.
“Warm Harvest Junk Journal Kit” from the Multimedia Crafts Digi Etsy shop
Nature Sings Mini Digital Folio Kit
The Autumn’s Breeze Digital is part of a collaboration with two other guest creators, Thelisha Thomas from “The Sweets by Thelisha” and Pham Bowens of the Etsy shop, “Livie’s Lovelies” . Check out their sister “Autumn’s Breeze Digital kits”.
For my monthly project I made a Halloween themed journal folio. I used both the Multimedia Crafts Digital blog train freebie, “Bootiful” and the Facebook page freebie “Bootiful Envelope in it. I found some scrap papers, stickers, coffee filter, coffee dyed papers, and other ephemera to decorate the folio. I included pieces from the Multimedia Crafts Digital Etsy shop kit called, “Autumn’s Breeze.”
I did some stitching, and added pockets and tuck spots within it. It was a very easy and fun project. To see the whole folio check out the “Artsy Solutions” youtube channel where you will find a flip through of this October blog challenge.
Below are some photos of them. Check them out and thanks for stopping by. Happy crafting!
Now that summer is nearly over we can play with some crafts that represent people going back to school. Use your imagination and don’t hold back. Think of people, items, places, and ideas that remind you of your higher learning experiences. Make your project as hard or as easy as you like. Follow along if you would like to and post your creations on the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page.
If you want to get a head start on future blog challenges, you can download the “Monthly Craft Challenge 2022” form to get access to the whole years worth of prompts.
You may choose 3 items from the prompt list below.
September- Back to School Theme- Things That Relate
Use hashtag #septfav2022
You can use the following for these prompts (photo, hand drawn, painted, wooden, stamped, printed out, fussy cut out, painted, embossed, die cut, etc.)
Apple
Ruler
Chalkboard
Pencil
Pen
School bus
To help you get a head start on your project here is a digital freebie for you to have. It has fun graphics that relate to the prompts. It is called, “Back to School”. Print out the sheet of images on 8.5″ x 11 paper. To access the kit click here.
For this month, I made a simple little stationery pocket with a calendar inside of it. I used a combination of old book pages, a scrap dictionary page, stitches, and some printable digital kits.
I used the Multimedia Crafts Digital Freebie, “Back to School,” coupled with two other kits from the Multimedia Crafts Digital Etsy shop. Those two are called, “Summer in the City,” and “School Days 2020.”
Summer in the City_Multimedia Crafts Digital Etsy Shop
School Days 2020 digital kit
Check out the slide show of the project below. If you would like to see the video of it click on the YouTube link provided.
It’s time for some end of summer projects. For the month of August we will be making some leisurely, beach style creations. Think of all the elements you find at the beach. From seashells, sand, and water to umbrellas, sunglasses, and cold drinks, try to Include some of these depictions in your craft. Follow along if you would like to and post your creations on the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page.
If you want to get a head start on future blog challenges, you can download the “Monthly Craft Challenge 2022” form to get access to the whole years worth of prompts.
You may choose 3 items from the prompt list below.
August- Beach Theme- Organics
Use hashtag #augustfav2022
Sand
Stick
Shells
Rope (something similar like jute, twine, etc.)
Wood
Moss
Rocks
August Air Tag Kit
For my project I made some super easy tags using the Multimedia Crafts Digital freebie kit called, “August Air Tag Kit”. Print out these three tags and combine them with other mixed media pieces. To access the kit click here.
I also made a matching envelope that you can find on the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page. It is called, “August Air Envelope Kit.”
August Air Envelope Kit
To access it, simply visit the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page, where you will find great information on the latest paper crafting ideas, videos, photos, sales from the Multimedia Craft Etsy hybrid and digital shops and more. Go to “PHOTOS, then ALBUMS, then FREEBIE FILES. Scroll down until you see which kit you want. This one will be there.
I included moss, a stick, and rope for my three prompts. I garnished the envelope and tags with sewn dictionary page snippets glued to old Amazon packaging. The tags were also glued to the same recycled brown packaging. I used Tim Holtz Distress oxide inks to add color to the fussy cut out images.
Afloat Mini Ephemera Kit
Some of the embellishments were from the Multimedia Crafts Digital Etsy shop. I used the kit found in the $1 Deal section called, “Afloat Mini Ephemera Kit.”
I garnished the tags with some recycled fabric from an old shirt tied to the top with a jump ring attached to it. Then i took some beach theme “spare parts” and let them dangle off the jump ring for each tag.
I formed clusters for pockets and added just a touch of sheen using Glossy Accents on the wine glass fussy cut and some Nuvo Drops on the sunglasses. These tags and envelope made a cohesive unit of beach themed fun.
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To see the process video of how I made this project check it out on my YouTube channel called, “Artsy Solutions.”
Have fun with these prompts and freebies. Thanks for stopping by. Happy crafting!
It’s time for some fun vacation themed projects. For the month of July we will be making some leisurely, sunny style creations. Think of places you have been to or even want to go, yet haven’t visited. What types of things do you enjoy doing while on your vacations? Include some of these responses in your craft. Follow along if you would like to and post your creations on the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page.
You may choose 3 items from the prompt list below.
July- Vacation Theme- Colors
Use hashtag #julyfav2022
Yellow
White
Orange
Red
Blue
Beige
Brown
Summer digital papers kit
July 2022 Ephemera Sheet
You can use some Freebies to add in with your work. Enjoy the Multimedia Crafts Digital Freebie called, “July 2022 Ephemera Sheet.” It includes an envelope, words, a tag, and some cut outs. Your project would also look good with the other Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page Freebie called, “Summer.” To access the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook freebie, go to the Facebook page then “More”, “Photos”, “Albums”, and then scroll down to find the kit you want to download. Click the photo and then click the corresponding download link.
I made a project that reminds me of when I was a little girl. I was born in the city, but my parents moved to North Carolina in the country when I was just a baby. When we would go visit our family back at home in Washington, D.C. I would always get fascinated with the landscape, the tall buildings and skyscrapers, the graffiti on the walls, the music, the people with their styles of fashion, and all the fun places we could go visit. Although I still live in the country, I am a city girl at heart.
My grandmother used to live across the street from an elementary school. My cousins and I would go over there and play on the swings, and other recreational playground amenities. Sometimes the neighboring kids would bring some jump ropes and we would play Double Dutch. We would chant some jump rope rhymes as we started the game. I was never really good Double Dutch as I was with the single jump rope, but it was still fun. We would play hopscotch, chase after the ice cream truck, visit museums, the zoo, and walk around the city. We had so much fun. There were many food vendors and sidewalk cafes and shops where you could buy souvenirs. That’s why I wanted to make a project from my childhood “Summer in the City.”
The Crafty Trinity
In my journal I used both of the Multimedia Crafts Digital blog and Facebook page freebies. I also used the new digital kits from a collaboration I participated in. There is a trio of us ladies who call ourselves, “The Crafty Trinity.” We are comprised of myself, Sonya Stover, the fabulous Pham from “Livie’s Lovelies” and Thelisha from “The Sweets by Thelisha”. We have each developed a summer, travel themed journal kit titled, “Summer In the City”.
Summer in the City_Multimedia Crafts Digital Etsy Shop
Summer in the City_The Sweets by Thelisha
Summer in the City_Livie”s Lovelies Etsy shop
Click on the following links to access Each of the “Summer in the City” kits.
For my project I created an accordion style folio insert. I included papers, ephemera, pockets, tags, and vellum to give the journal a variety of texture and style. I fussy cut out all of the elements and envelopes. To see a full flip through check out the YouTube blog challenge video below or click through the slide show. This was so much fun to create.
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Watch on YouTube each of us as we go into more detail of what the kits include and what we made from it. Also check out our other social media sites.
Are you ready to create some fun paternal projects for June? This month’s challenge is focusing on Father’s Day with a masculine ambience to it. Follow along if you would like to and post your creations on the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page.
You may choose 3 items from the prompt list below.
To spruce up your projects you can use some freebies to compliment your work. Here is this month’s Multimedia Crafts Digital freebie called, “Dad Ephemera Sheet.” To access it click here.
Stamps (Tim Holtz The Professor 2, Graphic 45 Script & Argyle)
Here are some of the photos of my project.
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To watch the YouTube flip through of this click below.
If you want to get a head start on future blog challenges, you can download the “Monthly Craft Challenge 2022” form to get access to the whole years worth of prompts.
This month’s challenge is focusing on Mother’s Day with a floral vibe to it. Follow along if you would like to and post your creations on the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page.
You may choose 3 items from the prompt list below.
Here is a fun FREEBIE to use in this month’s challenge. It is called, “May Sunrise.” There is a background page and a 2″ x 3″ card and envelope template. The card & envelope is saved in both jpg and png format so you can upload it and cut it out using software such as Cricut Design space.
Your projects would also look really well with the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook freebie called, “Mother.” To access it click here.
I made a one signature journal/ photo album using both of the freebie kits mentioned. I used it along with some Graphic45 papers, Prima flowers, a napkin to decoupage with, some distress oxide inks and other bits and bobs.
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I created some pockets, tuck spots and other ephemera to compliment the journal. To watch a video flip through of what I made for this month check it out on YouTube.
If you want to get a head start on future blog challenges, you can download the “Monthly Craft Challenge 2022” form to get access to the whole years worth of prompts.
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