New Products from SRM! - Day #1 - Mini Calendars

SRM is totally excited to share with you all of our new products for June 2015! Each year our #1 selling products are our mini calendars.  We offer 2 designs, standard and decorative.  These are great for gift calendars, cards, layouts, journals, planners and more!  Printed on clear, you can use them on cardstock or patterned papers.  So much fun!

Here's the 2016 decorative calendar!

And this year we've added a die for the decorative mini calendar!  How fun is that?  No more fussy cutting of your favorite little calendar. 

Create the most amazing projects like this one from Roberta Rossi!

Just click on her name and see a tutorial!

Here's the 2016 standard calendar!

And no calendar would be complete without the year!  Here's the 2016 Year of Memories that is great for gift calendars, cards, layouts, new year's projects, graduation projects, journals, planners and more!

And here are just a few of my favorite mini calendar projects from our fabulous design team members from each of the past 5 teams. 

From our 2015 team:  Annette Allen's little keychain calendar! 

Click on Annette's name to see details on how to create.

From our 2014 team:  Roberta Rossi's desktop calendar.

Click on Roberta's name to see more details.

From our 2013 team:  Liz Weber's mini desk calendar.

Click on Liz's name for complete details.

From our 2012 team:  Tessa Buys' wall calendar.

Want to make this one?  Just click on Tessa's name to 

for instructions.

From our 2011 team:  Tessa Buys' Year of Birthday Cards. 

See more details by clicking on Tessa's name.

From our 2010 team:  Jenyfur Pohl's mini desk calendar.

Click on Jenyfur's name to see more details.

And don't you just love the way Jenyfur displays her little calendar on this easel?

Inspired? Get even more ideas on SRM's Pinterest Calendar board.  Now go get yourself some mini calendars and start making amazing gift calendars. Your friends and family will love them!

Leave a comment here on the blog and you might be the lucky winner of a set of 2016 mini calendars, 2016 Year of Memories and one of our new Mini Calendar decorative dies! 

Chalkboard & Stitches Layout by Shantaie

Hi Shantaie here with a sweet and stylized layout to share with you! I wanted to create a page using the chalk markers and multiple sticker stitches, I knew I wanted a modified chalkboard effect without using any actual chalkboard paint or papers. 

I used a kraft 12X12 base and layered a black patterned paper with a subtle white print, I dry brushed white craft paint in a super thin coat over several areas of the page to give the impression of a chalkboard that had been swiped with an eraser. I added a layer of black cardstock to anchor my photos and added more paint and multiple rows of sticker stitches.

The title is handwritten with a chalk marker onto plain black cardstock and allowed to dry. I rubbed the title in a circular motion with my fingers to get a slight white blur like erased chalk. 

I added a doily that I cut in half at the top of my page and the other half at the bottom of my photos, A sub-title was added along the bottom of my photos using the Express Yourself recipe stickers saying "yum yum yummy yum yum!" I love lots of embellishments and this layout is no exception -- lots of fun die cuts and flowers all enhanced by the sticker stitches and the bold hand written title!

Have a sweet day! Shantaie

Hello Chalkboard Card by Lorena

Good morning, friends! Lorena here playing with  the super fun chalkboard markers that SRM carries. They can be used on lots of non porous surfaces... but remember that you can also use them on paper! Today I bring you an easy technique that combines chalkboard markers and stamping. It replicates the look of masking, but without the effort of using a mask. 

First of all, I traced a rectangle in the middle of a stitched die cut panel. That gave me a guide to stamp the flowers and leaves from the Doodle Flowers stamp set. No need to mask, just stamp the whole image.

Once the stamping was done, I went in with the Easy Chalkboard Marker and filled the rectangle I had previously traced. I wanted a whimsical look, so I didn't follow the edges accurately. The marker completely covered the stamped areas I didn't want to show, so I ended up with a perfect floral frame.

Next, I colored the blooms and leaves with watercolor pencils. Remember that with this kind of pencils, the less water you use, the more intense colors you get. When everything was colored, I hand wrote the sentiment in the middle of the chalkboard rectangle using a pencil, and then traced it with the fine tip Bistro Chalk White Marker. I love how bold it looks! Finally, I adhered the focal panel to a card base using foam tape.

That's it from me today! I encourage you to try combining stamping and the chalkboard markers, because the results are fantastic. Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!

Vinyl Home Decor by Christine

I love how vinyl allows us to personalize home decor. SRM has such a fabulous selection, it makes it easy to make it work for your home. Christine joining you today with a special home decor piece that I created.  My husband and I get asked all the time "Where are you from?" because we are not native to the area we currently live.  Between the two of us we have lived in 9 different states, either together or growing up!  So I thought it would be neat to make a piece that shows our "homes."

I created a one of a kind Silhouette cut file to make my heart.

I first made a big heart and then added each of the states that we have called home, either individually or together.  It was interesting to puzzle piece those together but it totally worked!  I then filled in some of the holes with hearts.  I cut this out using the Glitter Vinyl in Cherry Red for this step.

I then cut out my quote in Matte White.  Now this whole thing would have been a pain to put together if not for Transfer Tape. Transfer Tape ensures you have accurate measurements for placement and keeps the whole process from being a mess!

We'd love to see what you are creating with SRM's vinyl too!  Be sure to share on our Flickr or on our Facebook Vinyl page.

*{A Thank You for a Thank You}* by Shannon

Hello!  Shannon here with a Thank You card gift set.    Just to let you know…  I am a procrastinator on top of procrastinating. I can make a list for a list.  I'm pretty excited to say, that I have finished Mack's teacher gift, I can only hope that she loves it. 

It's a creative spin on a thank you gift. It's a set of thank you's as a thank you! I wanted to create something that Mrs. W could use, and thank you's are something everyone needs. 

SRM Stickers has many products that make this possible! ♥

This set has 5 cards and six envelopes (just in case)...and as you can see, it comes in a gift window box.

One tip I can offer when you are creating a set of cards, is have a plan in mind when you start. Colors, stick to a collection of paper and have a general design in your head. I am a layer-er so my plan for this set, was simple layers. 

Here's a few examples of the cards and how they began, adding patterns, stitches and doilies as I completed each card in the set. 

And here are my finished cards:

See the doilies peeking out? I think that's a sweet touch to any project!

TIP:  You can separate your stickers and layer them on top of papers, other stickers, almost anything..that's the beauty of clear stickers! 

Hooray for versatility! ❤

Twine is always a perfect touch for projects, simple in design, but lends a perfect punch of color or layer when added!

Sticker Stitches are my go to favorites. I think you can look back through 99% of what I create and there will be a sticker stitch somewhere on the card, layout or project. 

TIP:  Making a sticker front and center is also another way you can make big impact with a single embellishment! 

The window box these cards are being delivered in is also so very versatile. It can carry six envelopes and five cards like a boss! Add a few stickers to the acetate and some twine, and you have a perfect gift to give.

Thank you for letting me share my idea with you today, hopefully I have inspired you to create! 

❤

Father's Day Gift Set Tutorial by Shantaie

What do you get when you add four SRM TUBES, a 5X5X3 kraft gift box and some fun embellishments? A 3D tiki hut mini bar gift set for Fathers day {or any day}!  Shantaie here today with a very fun tutorial for you!

We will be using a hole punch to add four openings in a box top to slip some tubes into, fill with margarita salt and margarita mix. We will then decorate our hut with die cuts and use stickers to make a sign up front!

Layer paper flowers and scrunch to make a mini tropical bouquet! Adhere over a twine bow and a couple of die cut surfboards. 

Make a fun mini bunting by adhering a banner sticker from a SRM Border to white cardstock and trim, place across the grass roof for a splash of color! 

Of course if margaritas are not Dad's favorite and you want to fill your tiki TUBES with candy there are lots of fun ideas like Swedish fish or beer favored jelly beans! Have fun with it! 

Want to make your own Tiki Mini bar?

Here are the instructions!  I used SRM's 5X5X3 kraft box. 

Mark the kraft box lid 1" over and 1" in, that will be the center of your hole. Punch with a circle punch no larger than 1.25" at all four markings as pictured. 

Apply an adhesive to the inner portion of the box flap, and fold into box. 

Use the same method to secure the box top flap, the will give the box more stability. 

Make sure your tubes fit properly, and are ready to be filled!

To make the roof, cut a 6X8 piece of sturdy kraft cardstock and score in the center. Apply strong adhesive and adhere your fringe to both sides. I found an arm and leg band set for 4.99 that is the perfect length for the roof! 

Cut a piece of kraft cardstock 6X5 and score 1/2" on each end of the 6" side. Measure and mark four spaces as you did for the box top and punch four holes.   

Fold the scored flap upwards and add strong adhesive, secure to center of the tiki roof. 

This will allow you to slip the roof over the tubes as pictured below. Now you are ready to decorate! Enjoy!

I hope you love this project as much as I do, I think its a great gift idea for tons of occasions! 

happy crafting~ Shantaie

A Gift for the Teacher by Lorena

Hello, SRM friends! With Summer quickly approaching, school will soon come to an end, so it's time to get those teacher gifts ready! It's Lorena here today to share an idea to package those well deserved gifts.

When I was creating this project, I did it with kids in mind. The design is simple enough that your kids can help you put it together, maybe coloring the stamped apple, adhering the border stickers or helping to die cut the foam letters. It may not turn super duper perfect, but I'm sure their teacher will love that they helped creating the package :)

I started with a 3x3x2 kraft box, and spiced it up with two red border stickers from Sticker Stitches/Christmas (Yay for using Christmas products all year round!). I wanted to add some white to make the borders pop even more, and the fine tip Bistro Chalk White Marker was perfect for that! I added white dots to the patterns. It takes a few minutes for the marker to dry, so be careful not to smudge it!

The "thank you" sticker comes from We've Got Your Sticker Plus/Thanks. Of course, no teacher gift is complete without an apple, so I stamped, colored and fussy cut the cute apple from Garden Friends stamp set and adhered it with foam tape. To spell "teacher" I die cut the letters from craft foam and adhered them to the box. Easy peasy!

And that's it! What about you, will you be creating handmade gifts for the teacher this year? Thanks for stopping by!

Disney Layout with String Art by Christine

I have been wanting to try string art with SRM's twine for awhile now.  Christine joining you today with a fun layout! When I was thinking about doing a Disney layout I thought it could be really neat on mouse ears!  So I set out for a somewhat time intensive project - string art, on a layout. I think it was totally worth it and today I am going to share it with you!

SRM Stickers has a wide variety of twine available and for this one I used the Gold Shimmer Bakers Twine.  I used a bigger needle so it was easier to thread.  I poked holes all around the outside of the mouse ears and did a backstitch around the entire border.  I then used select holes to do the string art just going from one area to the next.  There wasn't a rhyme or reason to it - I just tried to stay balanced so there was twine evenly spread throughout!

I incorporated lots of SRM Stickers in the layout!  The "Happily Ever After" borders come from the We've Got Your Sticker/Forever stickers set - I thought they made a perfect border! The "Make a Wish" sticker from the We've Got Your Sticker/Happy set was a perfect subtle addition to my title.

I also added the Wish sticker from the We've Got Your Sticker/Happy right over a die cut piece to make it fit my occasion even better!

Don't you just love how you can make SRM's products can work for so many occasions?