Craft and Create with Cricut 

Today is a big day for many reasons. You will be treated to eight new craft projects using a Cricut to make flower themed crafts and decor from the Craft and Create with Cricut Challenge. Below you will find my quick 3D Art print, cut and draw project. Please be sure to read all the way to the end where you will find 7 more crafts you will certainly want to Pin to one of your Pinterest Boards.

Life can be crazy

During the last year my family suffered several severe health scares. We also celebrated engagements, our son's wedding and most recently our Godson was married in April. In Between the excitement shortly before Thanksgiving while ice skating  I suffered a broken leg. As I say my leg pirouetted and I did not causing a spiral fracture requiring surgery. Now I am still recovering from becoming a human tripod for several months but the prognosis is good. It is just a slower process than I expected. Which is why it is so important to stop and take in the beauty of the world around us. Last year my own personal journey of twist and turns is inspiration for this cute little 3D art print.

Supplies

1. Printer

2. Cricut Maker or Explorer

3. Shadow Box Frame 6 X 6 (opening for art)

4. Glue Pads 

5. 20 lbs. Copy Paper or Scrapbook Paper (remember it must fit in your printer

6. Cricut Spatula (recommend to prevent curling)

7. Light tack Mat from Cricut

Steps

After you gather your supplies place your paper in your printer. When your Cricut prompts you to print select your printer and then press print. 

The printing is complete simply place the paper in your upper left hand corner of the light grip mat. follow the prompts on your Cricut screen.

Next release the mat from your machine, using the spatula suggested gently lift the paper and fresh cut flowers in the Ball jar to set aside.

Now place a second piece of 20 lb copy paper on a light grip mat to draw. Be sure to add a fine print black pen to A for the draw portion, B should have a blade to cut out your background. again follow the prompts on your computer or tablet to complete this step. 

Remove the same way you did above.

Open frame back/

Place glue tabs on back off  Ball Jar Flowers.

Arrange the way you like.

Place your 3D Art in the frame, close the frame and enjoy. 

The frame I purchased is a Shadow Box Frame which comes in many sizes.

Love it, Pin It

I am thrilled to be back sharing projects you can create. This is a quick one which will be perfect for hostess, teachers, thank you, Mothers Day gifts or a cute spot of decor in your home. Please be sure to visit, Pin, and share the 7 additional creative bloggers who shared their talent with us today. Their links are conveniently listed directly below. 

Let Your Creative Spirit Dance,
Karen Marie

  Pinterest   Facebook  Twitter   Instagram   BlogLovin

How to make large paper flowers from Weekend Craft • DIY Wedding Rehearsal Bouquet with your Cricut from Happily Ever After, etc • Cherry Blossom Centerpiece from Sustain My Craft Habit • Create 3D Art with Print, Cut and Draw Features of Cricut from Dragonfly & Lily Pads • Beautiful Patterned Paper Flowers from Upright and Caffeinated • Embroidery Hoop Sign With Felt Flowers from Our Crafty Mom • Paper Flowers Made with Cricut from Create & Babble • How to Make an Easy Paper Daisy from Cookies Coffee and Crafts 

Metallic Fall Art in 15 Minutes

  Happy Fall Darlin's! Truth be told I am a believer of summer isn't over yet. Today I have a tutorial on how to make this metallic fall art in 15 minutes but, that is not all. I know I have been drooling over the new Cricut Maker. Have you seen this baby? She is life changing people! Be sure to read through the tutorial and grab your chance to win one from Cricut. 💖 This week with the Craft Lightning Crew we are focusing on Halloween. Make sure to visit all this week to see amazing talented bloggers sharing inspiration for your fall decor.

My metallic abstract pumpkin was inspired from Jen Goode Designs Leaf in the Cricut Design Space. Lets gather your materials and get started. 

Denim Art for the Craft Room

 I have been transitioning our basement into a craft room for quite some time now. As you know Dragonfly & Lily Pads is a rather long name for my blog. Some have told me it is not great branding but, I love it and have decided to make it work. I have a special reason for the name I've included the link to the post here Dragonfly Pad.

 When I am writing the blog I use the initials D&LP for my notes and even a bit in the text. The moment I saw these white denim letters a project plan was hatched to add branding and decor to my craft room. Look at the start of the Craft Room. Yikes! Yes, this is real life in transition and the first space I have ever had of my own in my life.

Standing in My Shoes

  As I look in the mirror the reflection of a woman full of promise, hope, standing in my own beauty. I am proud, feel a sense of peace, knowing I am a still a work in progress. Today I am standing in my own shoes. Why is it important I am standing in my own shoes?
 After a simple accident at home followed by three surgeries in as many years. I worked with wonderful therapists who helped me retrain my nerve and brain to work after a fall. I am left with questions that have no answers from some of the lasting effects of this accident. Which I find extremely frustrating. In my living room a single high heel black shoe with sequins trim between the seam of heel and the shoe. I found the picture at +Home Goods and Decor on my way home from one of the many occupational and, physical therapy sessions during three years of rehabilitation.The print is out of the ordinary for my decor but it doesn't matter because it is a symbol of my strength, courage and determination it took me to battle back. The words in in the print are all encouraging to rise above and strive for the best.

Blog Designs

      I bet there many of you out in Blog World, who have faced the same decisions I have been make recently. 
  What decisions you asked?
 Well here is a part of the list:
1. website hosts dedicated, shared, and free servers 
2. $$$$ cost is is right for me or you? 
3. Raise your SEO and Page traffic.
4. WordPress vs Blogger?
  I am filled with information overload after searching, reading, and questioning. Now I  feel like I am tossing the pros and cons like a juggling act. Many of you are right now in the same boat, with your mind steering the boat in circles, well I took a little break and Jumped off the Boat!
  Since I am still debating these thoughts I needed to accomplish something.

 We all know, that a creative spirit has got to dance, clear the cobwebs, to be able be inspired, to transform, and create.

 Hey, I think I just worked on simplifying my Header!

    What did I do? 

I created new art work for my blog. 

  I have been working on creating one continuous logo for my types of social media and blog. I have been chatting with someone who I value their opinion. She knows who she is for now we will keep it that way. Her suggestion is simplify your design and header. 

The first idea was layering paper, an image from the +Karen Watson Graphics Fairy(Lily Pads), and my own image the Dragonfly.

When I  worked on this I used my computer to wash in some color to appear like a water color.

I added in words I feel describe my blog and dressed up the Logo a bit.   
Did you notice the color of the year?

Can you see the subtle change?

Happy Day

I Have something to Celebrate with all of you who have shared this blog journey. We Have hit over 5000 page views ahead of my goal. This would not be possible, with out each reader, who has given me their vote of confidence by reading 

Dragonfly and Lily Pads! 

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart! 

Now is the part where I need your feed back. This entire blog is about the people
 who read it, try new things, and create.

Please leave a comment below answering any or all of these questions?

1. Which is do you like the best?

2. Do you like the message?

3. What would you change?

4. Does the Title Stand out enough?

5. Any other thoughts!

  Constructive comments will not hurt my feelings. Being honest with your thoughts will help me better to serve you. 

A great BIG THANK YOU to +Karen Watson http://thegraphicsfairy.com/ Please go by and check out her awesome blog, graphics and talent. It is not to be missed!
The Black and white Graphic of the Lily Pads is from her site.

I can not wait to see your responses, Please take the time to share your input. I assure you it is truly appreciated.

~Let Your Creative Spirit Dance


This post is linked to:
http://eastcoastcreativeblog.com/2014/03/creating-stars-2014-contest-link.html
http://tatertotsandjello.com/

The View From My Heart

 Beautiful Eyes

Simple, Sparkle, Ripple

Rusted, tattered, Worn

Lens, Angle, Light

 Capture, Story, Memory

by,

Karen Marie Kedzuch

 Snowflakes Dance

Long Winter Shadows, Cast against the Sparkling White Snow

Left Overs for Lunch

Windy Food Fest

Any Port in the Cold

Winters Filtered Sun Shine 

Eeyore's Cloud Painting, Michigan 

This post is dedicated to my husband, who I call Prince Charming in my blog. 
Why? Because, I dreamed of meeting my prince, on a white horse!
Of course, there was no white horse, but a New Light Blue, Toyota Celica, with White Interior?

Happy Valentine's Day Prince Charming!

I hope you like the View! 

I have a question for my faithful readers. 

My husband suggested this blog concept because, he loves my photography. Do you like the photography post for an occasional post? 

Could you please share your answers in the comments? 

As always thank you for taking the time to share part of your day with me.

 I am honored you took your time to see my view.

                                      Creativity is always more fun with friends.

                   

Mod Podge Miracle

     If you have read my blog before you know our lake home is named Dragonfly. If you haven't read the story you might want to read here to catch-up. The first week we spent at the lake house was in middle of  Winter 2012. We had plenty to do with picking out what furniture should go where, selecting how we would use the space in the house and what priorities should be on the top of our list. Well of course, we all know that a girl must put her own touch on her home, with Prince Charming's approval. Tee Hee! Pier 1 Imports had a few items I was looking for, along with a coupon of course. So as any good husband would do, for his lady, off to the store we went, with coupon in hand. I found a beautiful dragonfly vase and bought two right away. One for my girlfriend whose Dad had passed away and one for the lake home. We saw a few other items we were interested in but wanted to be sure we would use them.
 By early Spring I was on a first name bases with the Manager of the store, at that time it was (Steve). We had become Platinum Members of the savings club. Our home was shaping up nicely. I bought another dragonfly vase for my girlfriends sister for a birthday gift. As luck would have it my darling guy had a little accident and broke it while transporting it. Oh well accidents happen so we bought another. Is there anything better then platinum is what your thinking right? Ok, now three girls, who love dragonflies, each have a vase! Success Right? For a while every thing was perfect in dragonfly world, until one fine Spring day I bought myself some flowers, stuck them proudly in the vase, sat back, and took in the view. Brilliant you might say but, when it came time to clean out the vase that yuck line, that you get from the water, would not budge. Since it did not say," Do Not Use Dishwasher", clearly that would work. CLEARLY it did because that is exactly how it came of the dishwasher. Clean and glistening with not a touch of color, or a thought of a dragonfly. I thought I couldn't fix the vase, so I left it sparkle, filled it with fake flowers and called it day. 
  I toyed around with the idea of painting it myself.  As you can see in the picture below my first attempt was not successful. I set the vase aside again, thinking about scraping off the painting I had started.

I found these napkins at Pier 1 Imports, on sale naturally. Bought +Mod Podge at +Joann Fabrics. I never used this product  before but, I figured it can't look any worse then it already turn out. 
 To make the napkins more sheer I took two white layers of paper off the napkin. This made only pattern translucent. I painted on the Mod Podge and then applied the napkin on top. I was surprised it dried faster then the directions explained. After placing the first napkin, I figured I would just place the next one, matching up the patterns similar to sewing. Nope, the patterns did not follow one another, so I had to tear and paste the pieces together matching each one. A few places just did not match so I used my creative license to make the pattern pleasant to your eyes. This is what it look like before I put the final coat of Mod Podge to seal the vase.

 Here is the vase in its current place in our Dragonfly Pad as we call it for blog. I am very pleased with the completed project. It does not look exactly like the original but, now I have a one of a kind vase that, I know Not To Wash It In The Dishwasher. 
 It sits atop an antique back bar from a lake home in Kansas City, MO. 
I love the red flowers, purple dragonflies and soft shades of green. There is also pink, white, lavender, yellow and deeper green flowers in 
the paper napkin pattern. I think it turned out beautiful, which is why I called it a miracle because, I thought I had melted my dragonfly vase. Who knew napkins with Mod Podge & gold paint could save my vase.

Stay warm and toasty while crafting your way through this Polar Vortex!

You have taken your time to view my blog. Please leave a comment so I can thank you personally. I would love to read your cleaning blunders show a girl some blog love.

Something New

               Something New

                            

   The title of this blog today is Something New. Which seems like another day to most, but to me it is about the turn of a page, white with no words, directions, or calender.

 So what I am going to do about this blank page staring back at me? I am starting something new please join me on my blog.

 Dragonfly and Lily Pads is going to share ways to make your house, apartment, condo or dwelling into a home. I will show you how to fill your home with comfort, love and your story. Blending the new fresh trends, with trinkets along with pictures creating memories, and space to honor the past, with family treasures mixed in to create a place called home.
 This will not have recipe, unless it involves how to age a piece of new lumber. I have the tools, knowledge and skill to refinish, rebuild, remodel, reuse, or build furnishings. While knowing when to splurge purchasing key long lasting basics, keeping budget in mind at all times.
 I would be honored if you take the time to start something new with me. I can only imagine the possibilities.