Cute Craft Idea plus a few new goods!

I couldn't wait to get on here and share my new handmade craft idea that I finished today in 15 minutes flat!

 

I absolutely LOVE Pinterest and came across a picture showing a shadow box for ticket stubs.  My husband is a movie and concert fanatic, so I had to make one of my own.

 

Below is a picture showing each step I took to come to the final product.  I've seen these listed on websites for $150 or more.  Mine costs just $30 to make and that includes the double sided tape!

 

 

 

 

Supplies pictured above

 

 

STEP 1

 

You need to purchase a shadow box (purchase one according to the size of your ticket stub "collection").  In addition to the box you want to pick out 3 different scrapbook paper sheets to mat the back of the frame with.  You could choose just one but I used three types and sized them accordingly to create a matted look.  You also want to pick up any decorative accents, some letter stickers and an adhesive (I used double sided tape but you could use hot glue, glue dots, etc.).  This shadowbox can be used two ways.   You can cut a notch for the tickets to go in either through the backing of the frame or on the top or you can simply fill it with the ticket stubs when done.  A good friend I know will make a nice cut through the top for me so my husband can add stubs over time.

 

 

Back of the frame with paper/fabric mentioned in steps 2-4 adhered on.

 

STEP 2

 

Pull the back off the frame.  Take this and adhere your first piece of paper or fabric using an adhesive of your choice.  I used burlap for this step.  Make sure it lays flat and that your paper/fabric is cut to fit so the back can be placed back onto the frame without any problems.

 

STEP 3

 

*If you only want to use one type of paper/fabric, skip to step 5.* 

Take your next sheet and cut it to where it is about an inch smaller (on all sides) than your first piece of paper/fabric.  For this step I chose a piece of shimmery, champagne colored vellum paper.  Adhere this down to the first layer which will create a matted look.

 

STEP 4

 

Take your final sheet of paper or fabric (I used a piece of 12x12 card stock designed to look like sheet music) and trip it to where it is about an inch smaller (on all sides) than the paper/fabric used in step 3.  Take this and adhere it to the previous paper/fabric.

 

 

Notice the label and paper flowers.

 

STEP 5

 

Once all layers are secure, take a scrap piece of paper (I used a piece of the vellum that I cut off earlier since the 12x12 pieces were larger than the 10x13 mat I was working with) and trim it and secure it to the paper/fabric.  This will be the backing for your letters.

 

 

Make sure the back fits back into the frame!

 

STEP 6

 

Take your sticker letters and spell out "Admit One" or any other saying you want.  I chose wood chip letter stickers for this project.  After placing down the letters, adorn the shadowbox with additional touches.  You could use more stickers, ribbon/lace, decorative brads, rhinestones, feathers or paper flowers like I did.

 

 

Ta-da!  You're done!

 

 

STEP 7

 

When everything is set, place the back on again and you're done.  It took me about 15 minutes to complete his project and I spent $30 at Hobby Lobby for the supplies. 

 

 

 

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In addition to making my hubby this quick gift, I had a chance to run to Macy's and Bath & Body Works for a few items I want to share.

 

 

Clearly I love my new jacket (and a dirty bedroom, lol)!

 

At Macy's I got a super-cute casual jacket.  It's soft and made of material that reminds me of a sweatshirt.  It has a full zipper in the front and has a removable hood too!  It was originally $59 but I got it on sale for $25.  I also picked up a cute black skirt and a emerald colored cowl neck sweater.

 

The checkout girl gave me a funny look...she was probably wondering why I left with so little this time!

 

After leaving Macy's, I wanted to spend a gift certificate at Bath and Body Works.  Unfortunately a lot of stuff was picked over but I still managed to snag two wallflowers refills and a bottle of Flawless Gold lotion in the scent, Japanese Cherry Blossom.  The lotion is infused with flecks of 24k gold.  When the lotion dries, it dries to a powder finish.  I used the lotion tonight and I really like how it dries.  I don't see any sparkle or noticeable shimmer but the gold is barely noticeable anyway.

 

 

If you look closely, VERY closely, you can see tiny bits of sparkle.  24k gold sparkle baby!

 



Quick Tutorial and some Recent Good Deals!

It's hard to believe that 2012 is already here!  Seems like yesterday we were worried about Y2K!  This past New Years Eve I wanted to go out and celebrate with my sister and spouse.  We went out for dinner then to a party a local club was hosting.  We had a fabulous time.  The biggest hurdle for me this year however was finding the right look and outfit that I would be comfortable in.  I had watched a few online tutorials but I decided to go with a black smokey eye.  I then decided that I would be the most comfortable in pants so I pulled a quick look together that I want to share.  This eye look and outfit is perfect for any night out.

My black smokey eye look-it's real easy to do (ignore my brows-this was taken before I gave them a plucking, lol!)

~~~~~Super-quick tutorial for this eye look!~~~~~

First prime your lids with an eyelid primer.  I chose Urban Decay's Primer Potion.  After priming them, choose a shimmery shade to place all over the lid and brow bone.  I chose Stila's Kitten.  Next take a cool grey shade and apply to the lid.  I choose to use the grey shade (3rd down in the last row) in the Coastal Scents 88 Color Palette.  After applying the cool grey shade, take a matte black shade and begin by lightly applying it to your upper lash lash line and blending it towards the outer corner of your eye.  Keep blending the black color away from your inner corner.  Repeat this step of blending up and away until the depth you want is achieved.  Always focus the intensity of the deepest shade on the outer region (corner) of your eyelid.  I chose to the use the black shade in the Coastal Scents 88 palette but any matte black shade would work. 

Next take a shimmery silver shade and blend it on the inner half of your eyelid, making sure to blend the black and the silver so the two colors merge without a harsh line on your lid.  You can also take the silver and place a little in the inner corner of your eye.  I chose to use Urban Decay's Gunmetal shade from their Naked palette.  After applying the silver, line your lower lashes with the black eyeshadow you used on your eyelid.  Next take a black, liquid eyeliner and line your upper lash line.  I chose to use Jordana's Fabuliner in Black.  Lastly apply mascara-I used two different types to help my pitiful lashes appear fuller and longer.  I chose to coat them first with Lorac's Multiplex 3D mascara.  My final coat was with Covergirl's Lashblash Waterproof.

This is a side view showing how I took the black shade and blended it up to create a "cat eye" look.

  

~~~~~~~~~~~Quick Night Out Look~~~~~~~~~~~

I also wanted to quickly share my outfit from New Years Eve since I pulled it together REALLY fast.   

Don't you just love my messy bedroom, lol?!  I used a pair of black pants I already had (The "Drew" pant from The Limited) and I paired them with a fitted black blazer and sequin top I bought 3 hours before I headed out the door!  The sequin top was on clearance at Sears and I paid $9.99 for it!  The blazer is by AGB from Macy's and it was on clearance for $30.00!  My earrings were found at Sears for $9.00 too!  Who says you have to wear an uncomfortable dress to have a great time? 

As you can see, I was excited for 2012 to arrive!

~~~~~~~Recent Good Deals ~~~~~~~

I love a good buy and in addition to my clearance rack New Years Eve outfit, I wanted to share two more deals I've picked up recently.

If you love perfume, then RUN (don't walk) to your nearest WalMart! I found this awesome Michael Kors Very Hollywood perfume giftset at an amazing price! Usually the giftset is priced at $29.84 but it was marked down 50% off which came out to $14.92! The giftset included a 1oz bottle of perfume, shower gel and lotion.

All perfume giftsets at my local WalMart were 50% off but I couldn't resist this one because I spent $49.00 on just the 1oz bottle of perfume alone at Ulta about a year ago!! I now have a back-up bottle at a fraction of the cost of my first bottle!!! There were other giftsets with quality fragrances, so now is the time to stock up for yourself and get a little something that Santa may have forgot!

I also wanted to share this new peacoat that I picked up at Macys.  It was priced at $149.00 originally however I picked it up for $49.00!  I needed a new peacoat and this one is fabulous.  It's a longer cut which is great for women who are taller like myself (I'm 5'9").  It is fully lined with a type of silver claw clasp positioned on the front.  It also has a hood and it zips up completely.  While at Macy's I noticed a lot of their outerwear was marked WAY down so now is the time to buy a new coat!