(Click to download in 8×10, 8.5×11, 11×14 and a layered psd file!  For personal use only.  NOT for resale.)

I was completely inspired by Pinterest on this one (a teacher made a bulletin board similar to this), and I was also super anxious to try out a transfer technique I took a self-paced class on.  (I would link you up, but the instructor switched stores, and I can’t find her!)

What I did was print out the verse on two pieces of 8.5×11 paper (which I have included in the download) and transferred the ink to a 11×14 canvas!!  What you see here is ink, NOT paper.  Kinda cool, huh?  I love the distressed look!

Here are the steps I took to transfer ink onto canvas using Mod Podge as my medium.

1. Prime Canvas with white acrylic paint. (Or whatever color you would like to see where the white letters are.  Cream? Pink?)  Let it dry few a couple of hours.

2.  Next, print out the word art onto plain printer paper.  Important: FLIP the word art horizontally before you print.

You might have to trim the white edge off the paper if your printer doesn’t print borderlessly.  Also, if you printed the two sheets like I did, you will have to trim the bottom off of the second sheet.

3. Spread an even coat of Mod Podge (I don’t think it matters weather it is Glossy or Matte, but I used Matte) over the entire canvas.  Don’t glob it on, but don’t be stingy, either.  The next time I do this, I’ll be using more, for sure!  Make sure you don’t forget the corners of the canvas.  I didn’t put any on the edges, but I don’t think that matters.

This is what happens if the red ink bleeds into a glob of Mod Podge, or if you don’t use enough (the distressed looking part on the bottom).

4. Now, carefully lay the paper on the canvas and smooth out the bubbles with your fingers and then with a brayer (if you have one).  This is an important step, so make sure you don’t leave any creases or bubbles!  Also, do your best not to overlap papers.  I did okay, but I wish I had done better!

(See the little bulge under the E?  If I had smoothed better, I might not have had that bleeding issue!)

5.  Let the Mod Podge dry overnight or for a super long time.

6.  This part is messy, but fun!  Spray the paper with lots of water, and then use your fingertips (not fingernails) to roll the paper off of the canvas.  Start in the middle, rather than the edge.  Also, only wet the areas you will be working on.  I wet the whole thing and it made some of the ink bleed a bit.  It’s not the end of the world, though!

7. Keep spraying and rolling (and perhaps brush with a soft cloth) until all of the little fibers are gone.  The ink will lighten up, but don’t worry!  If yours looks like this, you are not done.  Keep spraying and rolling!

8.  When you are done, it will be nice and smooth and a bit more teal than blue!  Like I said, the canvas will be lighter than the print.

You can now Mod Podge the whole canvas, but I just left it as it is!

Enjoy your free printable!  You can frame it, mod podge it, change it up (for you Photoshop girls), or whatever!

Be reminded that GOD loves you more than anyone in the whole wide world!!  So much, that he watched his only son suffer and die a horrible death, and then come back to life, proving that only God has power over death.  He did all of this so that we could have a personal relationship with him and experience eternal life in his presence!!  I’d say, that’s the best Valentine anyone could ever receive!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
John 3:16 Valentine Printable is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

I’m super, incredibly excited about the awesome Facebook Page Hop the Digichick designers are having this year.  There are twenty-four designers participating, which means twenty-four FREEBIES!!  PLUS, we all used a common palette, so most of the freebies will match one another!  In the end, it will be like collecting a big collaboration (with a couple of random bits of goodness thrown in there for good measure!).

This is my Freebie!!  I’m going to be putting it in my shop at TDC next week, but I’m giving it away to my Facebook Fans this weekend!!

Not only did I figure out the code to fancy up my Facebook Page, but I also figured out how to link up a freebie for you all!  Wahooooo!  I feel so accomplished!

SO, please head on over to my Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs Facebook Page and start hopping!!

When you are done, click over to my shop at The Digichick!!  The entire store (not just my little corner) is on sale for 30% off, however, since I love my blog readers, you all get 40% off!  Aren’t I so sweet?!

And, if that wasn’t amazing enough, when you make a $15 purchase at The Digichick, you get a gorgeous boutique collaboration FREE!

Yum, yum!

Finally, be sure to participate in the fun DSD challenge going on in the forums over at The Digichick.  One participant will be randomly selected to win a ginormous prize of free templates, kits and more!  Basically, the designers (including myself!) donated gift certificates so you can grab anything you want from our stores!  How cool is that?

If you are curious about digital scrapbooking, THIS is the weekend to dig in and try it out! 

Happy Digital Scrapbooking Day!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
Happy Digital Scrapbooking Day! Grab your FREEBIE! is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

Check out my store at The Digichick where I’ve listed my three contributions, and put them ON SALE for New Release Thursday!!

PLUS, you can still pick up all of our freebies and peruse the tutorials that we put together for the fabulous blog hop:

• Day 1 – Christmas Cash Envelope (freebie)
• Day 2 – Advent Calendar (oh, the eye candy!!)
• Day 3 – Pretty (no, GORGEOUS!) Peppermint Bark
• Day 4 – Vintage Gift Tags
• Day 5 – Sugar Scrub (freebie)
• Day 6 – Hand and Feet Reindeer
• Day 7 – Paper Strip Ornaments
• Day 8 – Quick Christmas Cards (freebie)
• Day 9 – Wish Baskets (freebie)
• Day 10 – Candycane Reindeer (freebie)
• Day 11 – Treat Tent (freebie)
• Day 12 – Question Jars (freebie) – And you have to check out the tutorial she posted the next day about the felt flower!!

I’m STILL needing some more ideas for the Wish Baskets we are giving to the boys.  Can you think of some fun, inexpensive, family oriented activities to list on their coupons??  I need help!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
Quick Gifts! A Blog Hop Round-Up and New Releases! is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

Your papercraft inspiration of the day can be found over at Mari’s blog, My Digital Art Studio.

Wait ’til you see what she made!!  SO cute!

Thanks for joining us on our 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
12 Days Blog Hop: My Digital Art Studio is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

Growing up, my parents couldn’t give us a lot of things, but they were very good at giving us experiences that didn’t cost a whole lot of money, and those experiences are some of my favorite childhood memories.

I remember the Christmas that my Dad brought out “Wish Baskets” for each of us kids.  They were actually small, wicker baskets with lids, and each one was a different color. Each wish basket contained a dozen little strips of paper.  At the beginning of each month, we got to draw a slip from our basket and we would get to do the item printed on that slip.  They were simple things: a picnic in the park, a trip to Dairy Queen, a trip to the bookstore, etc.   They were simple, yet meaningful, and I looked forward to wish basket day every month.

Today, I would like to give you a sheet of FREE printable Wish Basket Coupons. (Click on the image to download it!)

My children are VERY familiar with the concept of coupons, so this should be fun!

I made these with the idea that our family would do activities in honor of each of our children.  Some of the ideas we have come up with so far include:

• A trip to Dairy Queen (we order off of the 4 for $5 menu!)
• Family Movie Night (child picks the movie, homemade pizza toppings and ice cream or popcorn)
• New book – from book store or book order form
• Breakfast with Dad on a Saturday morning (guy time)
• Root Beer floats
• Make Cookies with Mom

Notice that many of these items are things that we would have done anyway (family movie night, make cookies, etc), and yet NOW they are special because they are being done in one boy’s honor.

Remember that kids don’t need THINGS.  They need YOU! Make a memory without spending a lot of money, and make it last all year long with Wish Baskets!!

A printable Wish Basket (created from my Clover Box Template) is included in your 12 Days Grab Bag that you can purchase at The Digichick or Little Dreamer Designs. I have also included a bonus cutting file in the Grab Bag, so you can create your own unique wish basket coupons, or add it to your next layout or project!

If you are interested in other wish basket designs, check out my store!  I have tons to choose from!

Looking for more “experience” related gifts?

• Check out my Stocking Stuffer For Your Man! (Freebie alert!)
• Create a cheapo advent calendar that you can use year after year!
  
• Maybe you would enjoy one of our family’s favorite board games for younger kids.
• Package your gift (or wish basket!) in a pop-top can!

Don’t miss any posts in our 12 Days of Christmas blog hop!!

You may want to subscribe now so you don’t miss anything!

Do you have any ideas for our Wish Basket activities??  I could use some more ideas!!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
12 Days Blog Hop: Wish Baskets is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

Another great tutorial and freebie by Mari Koegelenberg can be found on her blog @ My Digital Art Studio!  Head on over there to see what she has for us!

Thanks for joining us on our 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!!  We’re half way through!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
12 Days Blog Hop: My Digital Art Studio is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

Who says you have to spend a lot of money to give a great gift?! I certainly don’t buy into that myth!! In fact, many of the most welcomed and meaningful gifts I have given to others have been handmade by me! And, although I’d like to devote a lot of time to each individual gift, I only have so many hours in the day, and I have a HUGE family. Spending hours and hours on making gifts is just not realistic.

However, this gift is quick, easy, FRUGAL, classy and luxurious! Anyone can make it – even non-crafty types!

Today, we are going to make a batch of sugar scrub for the ladies in your life.

What you will need:

• 1 Cup of Vegetable Oil
• 1 Cup of Sugar
• One or two drops of an essential oil like peppermint, orange, lavender, etc.
• The oil from a vitamin E capsule (optional)
• A mixing bowl, measuring cup, and spoon
• A small, decorative jar with a lid

In a mixing bowl, combine the vegetable oil and sugar.  Add a drop or two of essential oil, and mix well.  Stir in the oil from the vitamin E capsule, if desired.  Fill small jars with the sugar scrub, and tighten lid.

My cost: 1 large bottle of Vegetable Oil cost me 25¢ after coupons, and I used about 2¢ of it.  Sugar cost me $2.09 after coupons, and I used about 25¢ of it.  I asked my Facebook friends if they had any essential oils that I could use, and a couple of them offered theirs, so it was FREE for me.  I opted not to add the vitamin E capsule, and I decided to package my scrub in used baby food jars that I picked up at a garage sale for free last summer.  I painted the lids with black spray paint that I already had.  SO, this batch of sugar scrub, which I divided into 2 jars cost me 52¢, or just 26$ per gift.

{Little tip – stock up on all of your baking items this time of year!!  Even if you are not an extreme couponer, like me, you will still save a lot of money!}

To make it pretty, I simply printed out this FREE printable gift tag set and tied it on with a little ribbon!

Click on the image to download your free printable gift tag designed using my Ornament Cuts template set and digital designs by Pamela Donnis.

You can purchase this printable Canister Box to hold your luxurious sugar scrub gift!  Include a spoon that you picked up from Goodwill for 29¢ and you’re all set!

Looking for more frugal gift ideas?

• Keep an eye on our 12 Days of Christmas Blog hop!  More ideas and Freebies comin’ at ya!
• Create a unique photo ornament!
• Make a hostess gift using coupon scores!  FREEBIE alert!
• Check out this easy, inexpensive and classy photo gift!

Merry Christmas to you, and come back tomorrow to grab the next freebie in the 12 Days Blog Hop!

You may want to subscribe now so you don’t miss anything!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
12 Days Blog Hop: Sugar Scrub Tutorial and FREE Printable Tag is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs

It’s Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!

Head on over to Melissa’s blog @ Domesticated Lady and get ready to be inspired!

A sincere thank you to my current sponsors!
International Family Services - Adoption Services

Keeping Life Creative - unique art prints on Etsy

JeniLu Scraps - handmade wristlets, bags & wallets on Etsy

Bluebird Chic - hand sewn camera straps on Etsy

Visit my new Etsy shop to purchase cash envelopes!
12 Days Blog Hop: Domesticated Lady is a post from: Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs