Make It Monday - Gel Medium Photo Transfer Magnet

I have just started to discover using Gel Medium to do a photo transfer.  Gel Medium gives a kind of aged look to the photo and allows you to take a photo from a laser printer (inkjet won't work) and transfer it onto a gel film that can be applied to different surfaces.  This is a great technique and the possibilities are endless.  In the next few coming weeks, I will be trying new items to transfer photos onto like canvas. I figured that I would start out slow with a smaller item such as a clear acrylic magnet.  So here is what you will need for this project.

- A photo of your choice printed from a laser printer (inkjet will not work)

Keep in mind that the image will be reversed with the transfer so if you do not want the final photo to look reversed then you will need to print the image reversed already.

- Gel Medium (Glossy or Matte it is your choice)

- Paintbrush

- Clear Acrylic Thin Block

- Container of Water (not shown)

- Magnet Self Adhesive Strip (not shown)

1.  Apply an even coat of the Gel Medium all over your photo.  Be generous.

2.  Let dry at least 12 hours.  It will dry clear.

3.  Once it has dried for at least 12 hours, you need to place it in a container of water for 5 minutes - with the gel side facing down in the water.

4.  After 5 or so minutes, you can start gently rubbing the paper away from the back.  You will begin to see the photo transfer.  This will take a few minutes.

5.  Once all the residue from the paper is gone, you need to let the gel transfer dry for about 5 minutes.  If you see that some white spots are showing again during the drying process, just put a little bit of water on top and rub until it is gone.

6.  Apply a thin coat of the gel medium onto the acrylic block.

7.  Apply the gel transfer onto of the acrylic block and let dry.

8.  Once dry, just add your self adhesive magnet to the back and you will have your gel transfer magnet.

All In All:  This has a great antiqued look to it.  It does take some patience when rubbing all the paper off.  You can even do this onto a large acrylic glass block and you can have it as a decoration or even paperweight.  I am looking forward to see how this process works when I apply it to canvas.

3 FREE Birth Announcements from Cardstore.com

Now through Monday, 8/20 you can snag 3 FREE Birth Announcements from Cardstore.com .  Just select up to 3 birth announcements from their large selection and enter code CAK2963 at checkout.  To make this deal even sweeter, shipping is FREE!!!!

Thrifty Thursday - E.L.F. Cosmetics 15 items for as low as $16.98 SHIPPED!

Head over to E.L.F. cosmetics because until 8/20, they are offering $1.98 shipping with any $15 purchase.  As you know a lot of E.L.F. products are only $1.00 each so you can score 15 products for as low as $16.98!

They have added some new products so check them out!

Use the code 198SHIP at checkout!

What Do You Think Wednesday - Mally Volumizing Mascara

I received a Mally Volumizing Mascara in my New Beauty Test Tube about a year ago from QVC and this mascara has been my favorite ever since.  The formula is a volumizing medium consistency.  This mascara is made with an Italian base, Japanese pigments and a special brush to give you those "wow" lashes!

QVC sells individual tubes for $20.00, a duo for $28.00 (making it $14.00 each) or the best deal which they only offer as a special, a set of 6 tubes for only $60.00!  (making it only $10.00 each - saving you $60.00)

All In All:  This mascara lasts all day long and it is not even a waterproof formula but I have absolutely no fall out.  It voluminizes my lashes like no other and helps them look their best.  I think it is expensive but the 6 for $60 is a real steal!

Tasty Tuesday - Cracker Barrel's Chicken & Rice

A few years ago, BentleyBlonde on YouTube posted a video on this dupe recipe for Cracker Barrel's Chicken and Rice.  It has been one of my favorite recipes since and it is such an easy and quick crock pot recipe.  With fall around the corner, you are going to love this one!

Here is what you need:

1 package of chicken breast tenderloins
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
carrots (sliced)
rice

Add all ingredients to the crock pot.  Cook on Low for 8 hrs or High for 4 hrs. 

*Serve over Rice 


All In All:  This is a delicious meal that tastes just like the real deal from Cracker Barrel.  It takes only a few minutes to prepare and in no time at all you have a delicious and hearty meal!

Make It Monday - Wine Bottle Vase

Don't throw out that empty wine bottle you have!  You can transform it into a lovely vase with a little bit of paint!  I made this actually for a welcome gift for a friend who just purchased a house.  It is a great and inexpensive gift to make.  Here are the supplies you will need:

 - Empty wine bottle (all labels removed & bottle cleaned)

- A few different size paintbrushes

- A solid color acrylic paint (I used Martha Stewart Satin Craft Paint in Pink Viburnum)

- A glitter color acrylic paint (I used Martha Stewart Glitter Craft Paint in Rose Quartz)

- Acrylic paint in black

- A flower spray of your choice

Paint the wine bottle with the color of your choice.  I used the satin color from Martha Stewart's Craft Paints line in Pink Viburnum.  You will need to do several coats, allowing time in between coats to dry.  You want the bottle to be completely covered and so that you can no longer see streaks.  

Next you are going to paint on your message on the bottle.  You can choose anything!  I decided to use "WELCOME" because this is a gift for a new home.  Use your black acrylic paint to paint on your message. Let dry.

To make the word pop, I am using Martha Stewart's Glitter Craft Paint in Rose Quartz.  By painting the letters in black first, you are giving the glitter paint a base to be able to be vibrant.  If you paint the glitter right onto the bottle without a dark color behind it, you will not be able to see the glitter paint.  If you want to have a lighter base color for the lettering you can.

Let the paint dry completely.  Add the flower spray of your choice and you have yourself a wonderful wine bottle vase.

All In All:  This project is easy and inexpensive.  The color options are endless.  You can paint it any color you wish.  You can use all kinds of different words like HOME, LOVE, FAMILY or even a monogram.  With just a little paint and some creativity, you can have yourself a nice wine glass vase.

August Stork Stack Review

I was so excited to see this adorable baby blue box sitting on my step yesterday!  This is my 1st box from Stork Stack, a monthly subscription service filled with 5 high quality products for baby & mommy.  They have products from great brands like J.J. Cole, BabyLegs, WubbaNub, and many more!

Stork Stack is $28.00/month for a box valued at over $50.00 worth of products.  Each month has a theme.  This month's theme is:  Splish Splash and Sleep Tight.  The products are all about getting baby ready for bath/bedtime.  So what's inside?  Let's open it up!

As soon as I opened the box, I was greeted with a little envelope which included two cards placed on top of the most adorable tissue paper.  The first card explained the theme of the month and had product descriptions along with their prices.  The second card talked all about the 9th month of baby development.  (This is because they ask your child's age when you sign up)  The products are all geared to you child's specific age.  

Now on to the goodies:  

Under the Nile Animal Wash Cloth - $12.00

Sassy Stay Clean Bath Squirter - $2.99

Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash - $7.00 (Full Size)

StriVectin Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles - $34.00

Baby Banana Brush - $8.49

Tooth Tissues 10 Wipe Mini Pouch - $4.00

All In All:  So how does Stork Stack stack up among other services?  I have to tell you the customer service was AMAZING!  They responded to my emails right away which is more than I can say about some companies.  Shipping was the fastest out of any monthly service company that I subscribe to.  I was amazed at the selection of items.  Most of the products were full size except the Burt's Bees Shampoo but it was definitely more than a deluxe sample size!  My daughter loves the Baby Banana Brush because it doubles as a teether.  She doesn't want to put it down!  So far I am in love with this company and I can't wait to see what they have next month!  Click here to sign up today!