A few weeks ago, I talked about my trip as part of the Michael’s Creative Crew. I was honored to be one of 10 creative bloggers invited to visit the Michael’s Headquarters. I can’t really put this amazing trip into words, so I’m showing you a lot of photos!

Before going on this trip, I was a customer of Michaels, (well, I practically live there) but I didn’t know much about the company at all. After meeting the people of Michaels… I’m ready to quit my job and go work for them! Seriously I totally would if they would have me:-)

The Michaels team is the most creative, genuine, and dedicated group of people I have ever met. The time they put into making quality products and understanding their customers is very unique.

(Kami, Cindy & Me)

On Thursday evening we socialized, crafted and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with inspiring speakers (a creative blogger’s dream night!). Then on Friday we toured the headquarters where we learned many interesting facts about the company.

For instance, I didn’t know Michaels had their own product lines, which are the same quality of name brands, but a better value. They had all of their products set up for us along with amazing crafts made by their fabulous creative team. Talk about eye candy! Of course we all whipped out our cameras and browsed around in awe.

We then got to meet the creative team and see where they work. These ladies are such an inspiration and full of talent. They come up with craft ideas for all of the Michaels stores. I’m amazed that only a handful of people can keep up with that demand.

And the ideas they come up with are amazing! Here are just a few product and craft photos I took. My head was literally spinning after seeing so many creative ideas.

We had the best lunch at the home of Michael’s Creative Expert, Jo Pearson.

Jo is such a joy and wonderful hostess! Her home is a whimsical wonderland. I was in awe of everything fun. Pretty much each and every corner was crafted in some unique fashion, usually with a hint of animal print and glitter as well. The home truly captured her bubbly personality.

Everyone had a blast taking photos and exploring her amazing home. You can see Jo and her fun personality on many craft tutorial videos for Michaels. Look for her smiling face at your local Michaels too. They play her craft show at the check out line in various stores.

I was so excited to meet Amy and Jenn, two of my favorite party bloggers. Party girls sure know how to have fun!

After lunch, we headed to one of Michaels stores for more crafting. For all of you Dallas readers, this was at the Southlake store. The craft room is gorgeous! I really want to host a birthday party or girls day there soon. Who’s in???

Crafting with the talented Michael’s creative team and blog friends was my most favorite time of the trip by far!

We made jewelry, cards, decorated cakes, stamps and painted! Michaels sure knows how to have an event with style.

One of my favorite crafts was when the talented mixed media artist Kathy Kromer taught us how to use Derwent Inktense Pencils. They look just like plain colored pencils, but when you paint with water over your drawing, it turns into paint. Such a cool product! You can see what I painted above. I had never heard of these types of pencils before and now I’m addicted and so are my kids.

Another fun kid friendly craft I had never made before were custom stamps. Watch this quick video as Kathy teaches you this easy technique of making custom stamps from foam paper. It’s SO easy, both you and your kids will love it!

It was a such a blast being around so many creative minds and bloggers that I admire!

We also learned about these very neat Wilton Sugar Sheets. Everyone got to decorate a cake with them by using punches to make fun shapes.  I love this product, the cakes turned out so adorable! I was the only one who lived local and didn’t have to catch a flight home… so guess who got all the cakes?

I put them to good use the next day at a craft pool party with the neighborhood kids.

As I figured, the kids loved the Derwent Inktense Pencils and my other loot that Michaels sent us home with.

I want to thank Michaels for such a lovely trip. The creative inspiration they provided me was invaluable. I look forward to sharing more craft ideas from Michaels soon.

Fun Links:

• Michaels on Facebook & Twitter

• Store Events & Classes

• Go on a Creative Cruise with Michaels – Oct. 23-30, 2011

• Michael’s YouTube Channel – Lots of great craft videos

• Find a Michaels Store near you.

Meet the rest of the “Michael’s Creative Crew”:

Amy from Amy Atlas Events, Jenn from Hostess with the Mostess, Jen from Tatortots & Jello, Kari from UCreate, Alison from HowDoesShe, Cindy from Skip to My Lou, Kami from No Biggie, Kelly from Make Grow Gather, and Ashley from Make It and Love It.

Disclosure: Michaels provided my accommodations, food and crafting goodies. I provide you with my unbiased opinion.

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

I’m happy to introduce you to Emily.

Emily is a young mom of two adorable children and has a love of crafting, photography, decorating and enjoying the simple life. She blogs at Remodeling This Life and if you haven’t read her beautifully written posts about everyday living, you need to head over there right after reading this post! She always inspires me:-)

Now I’ll hand it over to Emily and her awesome idea!

DIY Wall Art

I found myself armed with an old canvas, lots of scrapbook paper and some mod podge so I decided to make some wall art for my daughter’s room. I wanted to do something whimsical and fun but my 5 year old can draw better than I can, so I had to find something online to help me. I discovered these templates at Martha Stewart’s website. There was one for an owl and one for an elephant.

We all know Amy loves owls, and you don’t know this, but I will tell you now that I love elephants. So it seemed the perfect project to do and share here today.

This could not be easier to do. The craft at Martha Stewart called for using art board. I had canvases so I used those instead. You can get canvases at goodwill usually because people paint on them, hate the painting and then give it away. It doesn’t matter if there is something ugly painted on the canvas. You are covering it all up and making it new again.

1. I started by putting scrapbook paper as my background. Had these been blank canvases, I wouldn’t have had to do that and they’d look a little less busy, but that’s okay.
2. Then I used the templates that I linked to above to cut out my owl and elephant parts. If you are smart, which I am not, your animals won’t be backwards when you do this. Mine were, but that’s okay. My elephant is facing the wrong way. You probably never would’ve known if I hadn’t told you.
3. When you have all your parts, start laying them out how you want them, then put mod podge on the back of each piece, then mod podge over the top of it so it’s secured to your canvas forever.
4. Now you just have to do a couple coats of mod podge over the whole thing and let it dry.

In less than an hour, you’ll have cute art to hang in your child’s room!

Thanks Emily! I love the owl!! Be sure to visit Emily at Remodeling This Life for more inspiration.

You might also like:

• Indoor Fun With Edible Paint
• Homemade Gift Bag – Sewing Craft
• 5 Chalkboard Paint Crafts for $2 or Less
• 6 Crafty Spring Ideas

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

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Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!