Creating Me

Some Of My Favorite Paper Crafting Supplies

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

I thought I would share some of my favorite paper crafting supplies that are always in my craft room. These are the things I reach for over and over when I am creating. 🙂

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My favorite adhesive for card stock and papers is Tombow Mono Adhesive Dots. It’s a permanent adhesive that’s super easy to apply. You can get refills, too.

To add gems, sequins, and other embellishments I love this Art Institute Glitter Adhesive. It works great for adding just a little drop to adhere your embellishment.

My paper trimmer is a Fiskars SureCut Paper Trimmer. It works great and you can get replacement blades here. It is also portable so it’s easy to take along with you.

I use detail scissors a lot in my crafting. I’ve had these Cutter Bee Scissors for a long time and they are still as sharp as ever!

This magnetic glass mat is so handy! It’s great for lining up your layers. It’s also easy to clean off inks, adhesives, and watercolors when you are done creating.

Another tool I use all the time is my Misti Stamping Tool. It is so helpful for stamping an image more than once to get a good crisp image.

Basic white card stock is a must! I like this Neenah 110lb Bright White Card Stock for an affordable option while card making.

My favorite basic black ink is Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. It’s a permanent dye ink that works great with alcohol markers. I have a whole collection of Copic markers that I love coloring with.

I always have foam tape on hand to add a little dimension to my cards.

I also have a large 😳 collection of 6×6 patterned papers. Lately, my favorite patterned papers are from Unity Stamp Company.

These are just a few of my favorite things. My craft room is also filled with rubber stamps, ribbons, buttons, gems, sequins, colored pencils, stencils, embossing folders, and lots of other things I’ve collected over the years. 😊

What supplies are your favorites that you simply can’t create without?

Anita

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Mother’s Day Gift Ideas – 2026

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

Are you looking for some handmade gift ideas for Mother’s Day? 🎁 I have a few craft and crochet ideas below. Just click on each picture and it will take you to the post for each project.

This Beaded Welcome Wreath is simple with a farmhouse feel, but I think it can really go with almost any decor.

Crochet Cluster V-Stitch Spa Cloths are so pretty made with soft cotton yarn. Add her favorite soap or body wash and lotion for a nice pampering gift.

Easy (and super quick) Crochet Cotton Car Coasters will keep her car neat and tidy.

This Beaded Wood Riser is perfect to add a little height to her decorating. And it’s super easy to make!

I designed the Sand and Sea Crochet Summer Tote Bag as a beach bag – but it can be used for anything! And you can make it in any color combo or even just one color.

A set of Crochet Granite Stitch Cotton Cord Coasters with a pretty mug and her favorite tea or coffee makes a nice gift.

And of course you’ll need to make her a special card…

This Simply Thinking of You card can be made in her favorite color.

Send her a smile with this Sending You Joy card.

I hope these ideas spark your creativity for making your Mom something special for Mother’s Day. I also have tons more projects on my blog – just scroll through my older posts and see if something catches your eye. 🙂

Anita

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Dino Wishes – Handmade Card

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

So many little boys love dinosaurs! 🦖This stamp set called Galactic Dino Party from Unity Stamp Company is so fun for creating birthday cards for boys of all ages.💚💙💛

I stamped the dinosaur images with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on white card stock and colored them with Copic Markers. Then using my Cutter Bee detail scissors, I trimmed around each image.

I used a cloud stencil with light blue ink and a blender brush to create a background on white card stock. I used these Zig-Zag Rectangles Nesting Dies to die cut the piece and then attached it to a white card.

I stamped the sentiment (from the set called Teddy, With Love) with blue ink on white card stock and die cut around it with a cloud die. I attached the cloud and 3 dinosaurs to the card using foam tape.

This is a cute way to send big Dino Wishes for a happy birthday!🦖💚💙💛

Anita

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Bridal Shower/Housewarming Gift

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

I have a fun bridal shower or housewarming gift idea to share with you today. 🎁

I started with a clear plastic serving platter that can be used indoors or outdoors. I added 2 pretty kitchen towels, a silicone trivet, a couple of Swedish dish cloths, and a set of cooking utensils. I found everything at Hobby Lobby.

I tied the utensils together with a pretty lace ribbon and arranged everything on the serving platter. I slipped it all into a clear cellophane cookie plate bag and tied it closed with the same ribbon.

This is a simple, cute, and practical gift idea for a bride-to-be or someone moving into a new house or apartment. Everyone can always use new kitchen goodies and it’s easy to personalize with colors or themes. The ideas for creating a gift like this are truly endless!

Anita

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Springtime Crochet Can Cozy

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

It’s finally Spring! 🌸🌼🌺 I have a Springtime Crochet Can Cozy pattern to share with you today. It’s a super easy pattern that’s a great stash buster. You only need a couple of ounces of worsted weight cotton yarn to make each can cozy.

I used I Love This Cotton yarn and an H/5mm crochet hook to stitch up my cozies. I also added some fun flower buttons for a little something extra – this is totally optional, but I like the little touch of Spring they add. 🙂

The pattern includes a few rounds of half double crochet in the third loop. Here’s a great tutorial on half double crochet in the 3rd loop if you need it.

You can find the pattern below along with links to free PDFs – one with photos and one without – if you’d like to print it.

Springtime Crochet Can Cozy

I Love This Cotton Yarn

H/5mm hook

Flower buttons (optional)

Stitches used US terms:

Magic Ring

Chain – ch

Single Crochet – sc

Half Double Crochet – hdc

Back Loop Only – blo

Slip Stitch – ss

Make Magic Ring, ch 1.

Round 1: Work 9 hdc in ring. Join with ss to first hdc. Pull ring closed. (9 stitches)

Round 2: ch 1. 2 hdc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (18 stitches)

Round 3: ch 1. 2 hdc in same stitch as ss. *hdc in next stitch, 2 hdc in next stitch* Repeat from * to * around to last stitch. hdc in last stitch. Join with ss to first hdc. (27 stitches)

Round 4: ch 1. Working in blo, sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (27 stitches)

Rounds 5-7: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (27 stitches)

Rounds 8-10: ch 1. hdc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (27 stitches)

Rounds 11-14: ch 1. hdc in the 3rd loop of each stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (27 stitches)

Rounds 15-16: ch 1. hdc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (27 stitches)

Rounds 17-19: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (27 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew on flower buttons if using.

Here are the links to the free PDFs…

Springtime Crochet Can Cozy pattern with photos

Springtime Crochet Can Cozy pattern without photos

What color will you make your Springtime Crochet Can Cozy? I would love to see your makes!

Anita

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Big Birthday Wishes – Handmade Card

Posted on April 1, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

What’s more fun than a red birthday balloon? 🎈This Lil’ Jumbo stamp set from Unity Stamp Company makes the best birthday card!

I stamped the image on white card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored it with Copic Markers.

Using these Scallops & Rectangles Nesting Dies, I die cut around the image and layered it to gray card stock. Using the same die set, I die cut a piece of red striped patterned paper and attached it to a white card. The stamped piece is attached over the patterned paper. I stamped the sentiment with red ink on white card stock, die cut around it with these Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies, and attached it to the card using foam tape. To make the balloon shine, I added Diamond Glaze to it.

I love how cute this card turned out! 🎈

Anita

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Many Thanks Candle Gift

Posted on March 31, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

It’s so fun to give a little something as a thank you or thinking of you gift. 🎁

I recently had a few ladies I wanted to give a little something and found these cute tulip votive candles at Target.

To make them a bit more special, I created a cute tag for them. I stamped “many thanks” with green ink on white card stock. This stamp is discontinued, but you can use any of your favorite sentiment stamps to make your tag.

I die cut around the sentiment using a tag die and layered it to a larger tag die cut from green card stock. (This is a similar set of tag dies.) To cover up the hole in the smaller tag, I added a pink gem. I put the candle in a cellophane bag and tied the tag on using white bakers twine.

Hopefully this little gift will bring a smile! 😊

Anita

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Super Quick Easter Treat Bag Tags

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

These cute Easter tags are so fun to tie on little bag of treats or the handle of an Easter basket.🐰

All you need is your favorite small Easter stamp and sentiment along with some card stock.

I stamped my bunny on white card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored his little nose with a pink Copic marker. I stamped “Happy Easter” with green ink next to the bunny. Both of the stamps I used are discontinued, but I’m sure you have some fun stamps in your collection for your tags. 😊

Using these Make a Tag dies, I die cut around the bunny and layered it to pink card stock cut from the same die set.

I punched a little hole at the top of the tag with my Crop-A-Dile. I filled cellophane bags with treats and tied the tags on with orange/white bakers twine.

Super quick and super cute!🐰

Anita

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Love You! – Handmade Card

Posted on March 25, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

This little guy is part of the Hello Warm Fuzzies stamp set from Unity stamp Company. The set also includes another cute penguin and a sweet snowman along with several sentiments. I made this card for my husband for Valentine’s Day.❤️

I stamped the penguin with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on white card stock and colored him with Copic markers. Using these Petite Scallop Arched Stacklets Dies, I die cut around the image. I stamped the sentiment in red ink and added 2 red sequins to the piece.

For the card, I embossed a piece of red card stock with a heart embossing folder (this is similar) and attached it to a white card. Using this Dashes and Frills Hearts Die Set, I die cut a heart from red and white patterned paper and attached it to the card. The stamped piece is attached to the card using foam tape.

This little guy with his arms open wide seems to be sending a great big hug. ❤️ He can be colored in so many different ways to send warm fuzzies.

Anita

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Stinkin’ Sweet Christmas – March 2026 Christmas Card

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

March is almost over, but I managed to sneak in my Christmas card for the month. 🎄 You can find the other monthly Christmas cards I’ve created so far this year in these posts – January and February.

This stamp set called A Whiff of Christmas Cheer from Unity Stamp Company is so stinkin’ cute! (See what I did there 😉 ) It makes a fun Christmas card.

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic Markers. I used my Misti stamping tool so I could stamp the image twice to get a nice dark image.

I was inspired by the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 67 for the layout for my card.

Using these Scallops and Squares Nesting Dies, I die cut around the image. I also cut a larger square of red gingham patterned paper using the same die set.

I embossed a piece of green card stock with a dot embossing folder, die cut it with these Scallops & Rectangles Nesting Dies, and attached it to a white card. I attached the patterned square to the card at an angle and attached the stamped piece on top. I stamped the sentiment with green ink on white card stock, die cut around it with these Scalloped & Stitches Sentiment Nesting Dies, and attached it to the bottom of the card.

This little stinker is a fun way to send Christmas wishes! You can also make this card using any of your favorite Christmas stamps – this layout is so versatile!

Anita