I have wanted a lightbox for a long time, just to have one in my craftroom.  You know it’s essential to any craftroom.  I haven’t needed it but maybe twice so I wasn’t in a hurry.  For my birthday I decided to buy one and I had a Joann’s 50% off coupon.  After looking at them online and seeing how much they would cost to ship I decided I would go to the store the next day and see what they had there.  Save on the shipping.

In the meantime hubby said why don’t you make one.  It would be easy you just need a box, glass from a picture and a couple lights from the dollar store.  So my search began.  I found the perfect box in my craftroom and started planning it out with hubby’s help.

This box was going to be perfect and I could paint it the way I wanted and I was so excited.  Well cutting a hole to put the glass in was a little too much for my 9PM start on the project so I told hubby we would look at it in the morning.  A couple days past and I wanted to get back to figuring out the perfect lightbox.

As I was waiting for hubby’s help…

I was cleaning my craftroom and found another box that was just sitting there taking up space.  I got it 4 years ago from my sister.  It’s one of those picture boxes that you put on your desk at work.  My brain started spinning then and I thought WOW this is even better than the original box.

I opened it up to see if I could take out the photo pages out and found that I needed to unscrew 4 tiny screws and I now have the lightbox almost complete.

I then traced the inside mat for the picture frame and made a 1/4″ frame to hold the glass in place.

Then I got my dollar store push light and put it in the center of the box.  I think I am going to add one more light before I am done though.

And it’s complete.  Put my template on it and trace my design.  Worked like a charm.  It even has a drawer to hold extra batteries and my stylus.

What can you come up with that uses an item in your craft room that is just taking up space?

Tags: lightbox

My friend Lisa is having a Christmas in July sale and blog candy.  Check out her blog for great deals.

Here’s a link to her blog.

My friend Karen has blog candy waiting for you at her site.  Check it out.  It’s a great prize to be won.

All you have to do is leave a comment.  It’s easy.

Tags: blog candy

I made this layout for my favorite band Collective Soul.  Amazing music…amazing fans…and they care about you.  I have been following them on Twitter for the past month and just love how they keep us up to date with the recordings of their music, concerts, pictures and everyday stuff.  You couldn’t find a more give back to the fans band.  Thanks Collective Soul.

You can keep in touch with them on twitter at the link above and on their blog.  They are in concert with Gavin Degraw, check out their site for the dates.  Here is the link.

Check out my favorite song here.

Layout made with digital elements from www.scrappersguide.com.

Tags: band love, collective soul

Since Papercrafts Magazine merged their site with all the other CK Media magazines I have been disappointed. I don’t care for the new set up and they don’t have a usable swapping system set up.

So if you don’t find what you like…make it yourself. I started my own swapping community at Inspire Swap Chat and we are booming. With 98 members, a list of swaps, live chats, gallery and a forum its been a lot of fun.

Come on over and check it out!!! You will need register but come on over.

I have started monthly challenges on my swaps site.  September is to create a two page layout all about yourself.  A winner will be chosen at the end of the month.

Check it out and join in the fun.

Tags: challenge

I love swapping and have been doing it for three years now.  My regular site just changed and the new one isn’t very swap friendly.  So to change that I decided to start my own forum where we can swap.  Click on the like below and register.  It’s all about the Swapping.

New swapping website

Let me know what you think of it.

Tags: swapping

My craft space has been a work in progress over the last two years. I first shared it with the baby until he was old enough to join his brother in their room. Bill (hubby) put in these counter tops from Ikea for me. I got the bookcases from Wal-Mart and the supply shelves on the desk I found on Craigslist. I need one more so hopefully dear hubby and father in law can make it for me. I will post updates if it happens…

Tags: craft space

My days off are coming to a close and I have to go back to work Wednesday. I like my job but wish crafting was it. I have to say though I work in construction and it’s kinda like crafting…putting all the pieces together makes for a perfect project.

Have a great New Year’s Eve and I will see you all in 2008.