Morning Inspiration

One great thing about my job is being able to work from home on occasion.  Today I am only working a half-day and got a late start because of a creative inspiration.   I had seen a beautiful heart shaped card at Do Stamping .   Dawn even has a video on how to make the cute card but I just went out on my own :-)

When grabbing the Whisper White card stock I saw a stack of Crumb Cake 1/4 sheets I had cut for a project at church and had a bunch left over.  So in trying to use up some of them, I tried a Crumb Cake vintage heart. 

 

Since I did not watch Dawn's video, I 'guessed' on the sizes for the hearts and actually had the second heart too large so the little interlocked one is off the edge a bit.  Looks okay but had to try again.  Also, I sponged after embossing with Soft Suede. 

So, here is my second attempt.  This time I inked up the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder with Soft Suede and went much quicker.   These are flat cards - no fold or opening - and the embossing makes the paper a little flimsy so I cut a plain heart of Crumb Cake and used it as backing. Then I can sign or write a note on the back.   And I reversed this one putting the sentiment on the right side. 

Then - - I got another idea-----

Since I was using a plain heart for the backing, why not leave an opening to insert some money or a small candy bar.  And I changed up the sentiment thinking I might use these for my Sunday School class for Valentine's treats.    I used the Trust God stamp set on this one. 

But--- most of my class is boys and Jr High boys might not be into "vintage".  So tried this....

a little less frilly.  I used the square lattice and reversed the inking for the background heart.  I actually inked both sides of the embossing folder so I would not have to think too hard.  

So - I think I will use up most of the Crumb Cake pieces making these for my 6 students.  What to put inside ???  They all seem to love Butterfingers :-)

Christmas Day - fun in the craft room

It's Christmas Day and I'm in the craft room.  DH is working.  DD2 is playing with her new Sims game and DD1 and SIL are coming over later.  I'm loving the time to be creative since I haven't done much of that lately.

First on my 'to-do' list is a Keepsake Box.  It has been so long since making one of these that I had to look up the directions - glad I have an online tutorial on that.



This one will be filled with 20 cards and donated to a local silent auction.  I used some old DSP called Raspberry Tart.  I don't have a lot of 12 x 12 solid card stock any more (need to place another order :) and the Regal Rose went well with this paper. 

While I had the DSP and coordinating card stock on my work table, I made some anniversary cards.  Was running low on those so searched the SU demonstrators site for ideas.  Never short on ideas there!

On this one I used a new embossing folder that will be in the spring catalog - Honeycomb.  Love it!  Can't wait to play with it some more.

I added a little honeycomb edge to the inside of the card too.

 This uses a couple other designs in the DSP pack.   The stamp is from the Trust God set.

 

This one could be a fun one to give.  I imagine putting in something like Remember when we thought we knew what love was..... we had no idea!   Or remember when our hair was thick and our waistlines thin.  Times have changed.

 

 

This was a fun one.  I pierced the base paper with the new piercing templates - hearts within hearts - but after adding all the cut out hearts it really doesn't show up. 

 

This one uses the same colors but looks more orange in the photo.  Don't know why -- maybe the Night of Navy has something to do with that :-) 

 

 

And while I was at it, I made a birthday card based on one I saw that I liked. 

 

Lots of fun - and need to do some more but that will have to wait until later.  I need to get some things ready for tonight. 

 

Merry Christmas Everyone!





Christmas Treats

This is a candy holder I made for some friends as thank you's for what they do through the year.  Not big and fancy - but just a little token that they are appreciated.

 I used some scraps of Jolly Holiday from several years ago - have almost used all of it.    The card stock folds and overlaps with the ribbon through both layers to hold it together.

And when you open it - some Doves candies.   I had a hard time deciding what 'flavor' of Dove candies to use so wound up putting a variety in each - Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate and Milk Chocolate.

I found the idea here  - Scrapmaster's Paradise Birthday Candy Box  She includes the dimensions and instructions.   I only cover the flap with the DSP (had some small pieces to use up) and used the slot punch (retired) to make the holes for the ribbon.    I wrote a short note inside the bottom flap using the gold dazzle marker from the holiday catalog. 

Menu planned

Haven't posted a menu for a while. I really need to stick to WW this week since it is only going to get worse over the holidays. Trying some recipes from a cookbook I got last year for Christmas (yes I bought it got myself and wrapped it). 5 ingredient 15 minute cookbook. What I like about it is it gives suggestion and recipes for side dishes on the same page as the entree.


Sat- Green Chili Chicken Tostados
Fiesta Tortilla Chips
Fresh pineapple

Sun - Pork chops with mustard cream sauce
White beans
Salad

Mon- Thai Green Curry Chicken
Cilantro rice
Cucumber salad

Tues- Teriyaki salmon and mushrooms
Ginger snap peas

Wed- Hamburger steak with Carmelites onions
Egg noodles
Sautéed zucchini

Thurs- Green chili black bean chicken
Yellow rice

Fri- Salad bar. ( employee Christmas dinner at work so eating very light this day)

Sat - homemade pizza

Sun - Katie's birthday dinner.
Jambalaya
Sweet corn muffins

Playing with DSP

Played with some retired DSP (Designer Series Paper) recently and made 21 birthday cards.   I needed to stock up on masculine cards for all ages.  I have so much of the retired papers - could probably make twenty cards every day for the next year and still have paper left over.

This one was probably the simplest.  Just random circles cut from the DSP, a ribbon and some score lines. 

A pinwheel - these are so easy.  Who doesn't like pinwheels?

I just purchased the Need for Speed stamp set and imagine I will be using it a lot for masculine cards. 

I saw a card similar to this from one of hte other demonstrators.  I think it gives the impression of the car moving as you are watching through a window or opening.

 

This one doesn't use any of the DSP but I had these two images left so combined them on a simple card. 





Re-use Workshop

This weekend I am holding a Re-Use Workshop.  I have takend some items that you would normally discard and making them into something special.
The first item is a toilet paper roll.   We will be making a gift card holder.

We will make this one using the Delightful Decorations stamp set and ornment punch. 

 This is another one I made when I was toying with ideas.  You can see how the gift card goes into the slide and you pull the ribbon to reveal it.

And here is another sample using some retired paper I had on hand.

The second project is a pop-top can.  This one was sliced pineapple and instead of opening it by pulling the tab, I used the can opener and opened it from the bottom.   Now that I have it decorated I can fill it with a treat and then using Crystal Effects, seal the bottom back on.   Cute!    I used the Comfort Cafe paper for this can.  I really like the colors on this sheet.

Here is a larger can and it had a bright blue pull tab so I tried to incorporate Island Indigo into the design.   The paper is Be Of Good Cheer and has Cherry Cobbler and Gumball Green. 

I stamped the sentiment with Island Indifo and then sponged the circle with Gumball Green.  I hand cut the larger circle by drawing around the can and then trimming it down a little at a time until it fit.  I used the smallest oval punch to remove a section of the paper so I could slide it under the tab.   It worked well. 

 

And here is a Christmas can.    This one had the tab popped a little bit but still intact.  On the others the tab is very tight and flat on the lid.  I had to slide the ribbon under it then pull up from the middle. 

 



This is the side of the Christmas can.  I used the new Build a Mitten punch.   The paper on the can is Be Of Good Cheer and the mittens are from the color connection stacks. 

The third and final project is a Laughing Cow box made into a little gift box.  Isn't it cute.  The larger scallop circles are cut using Big Shot dies.

I used a design from the Be of Good Cheer on the sides.  The random design is good for this so you don't have to worry about matching it up.

 Here is is open.  You could line the inside with a little bit of tissue paper or use waxed paper and fill with a few pieces of fudge.

This one was made using some retired Christmas paper and a snowflake die for the Big Shot.  These boxes wouldn't hold a lot but just a little something in some special wrapping. 

The gift card holder and round boxes could be re-used and passed on to others.  The can couldn't really be reused once you pop the top but the taller one could be used as a decorative pencil holder. 

A Fun Fold

I have seen a couple demonstrators post some cards with this little different fold so thought I would try it .  I like it - and so easy.

 



I used some of the Comfort Cafe DSP and this sheet has Soft Suede and Cajun Craze on it so thought those would be good fall colors.  The stamp set is te Mixed Medley hostess set but there are many different ones you could use.   



 The "friend" scallop sticks up off the edge of the inside flap of card stock.  Isn't that a neat way to dress up a card.

 And it opens completely  - of course there is a circle hole through the base but that really doesn't matter.

 

So while I was playing with the design I thought I would try a Halloween one.  This uses a retired set Batty for You but there are some cute sets available now.   The spider web is from the Mixed Medley and I added some of the Googlie eyes available in the holiday min-catalog.

 

You could do this for any occasion - wouldn't it be cute with a balloon stamp//cutout used.   I think I will have to try it with a bunch of balloons on the card front and one of them is attached to the inside.  Oh boy!  More play time coming up.





Cards and more cards

Today I finally got to play a little with some new toys and some ideas I have seen from other demonstrators.   It was fun and I think we will do a couple of these at the club on Saturday. 

This is one I have had planned for a while.  Still need to add a sentiment in the lower right corner.    I saw the flower pot punch art on a another site so had to try it.

Here I got to play with more of the Perfectly Preserved stamp set and coordinating products, Orchard Harvest paper and Cannery framelits.    I used the spritzer to add some of the Raspberry Ripple in the background - can't see it very well in the photo though.

This is one of my favorite techniques - triple layer stamping.   It is so easy but looks so nice with the designs all lined up.    French Foliage is one of my favorite sets - it was in the holiday mini-catalog a couple years ago and then they added it to the big catalog. 

 

And this is one of the easiest cards I have ever done but it is really striking in 'real life'  I have all the cards lined up on the entertainment center and this one catches my eye every time I look up.  The color is just scribbles with the SU markers - that's it !   Add a silhouette type image and a sentiment.    What fun it will be to try different color combinations.

 

And don't think I just sat around making cards today.  I made a big double batch of French Onion Soup in the crock pot and two batches of bread, French bread to eat with soup (can't eat french onion with a toasted slice of French bed and melted cheese floating on top) and some Italian Herb bread to take to a dinner at church tomorrow.

 



Perfectly Preserved Orchard Harvest

I have been playing with some new toys - the Perfectly Preserved stamp set, Orchard Harvest paper and Cannery Set framelits.   So much fun!   I found lots of cute ideas from other demonstrators - and made them in my own way.

 This was probably the simplest one - just a row of jars stamped on some Whisper White card stock, then mounted on Tempting Turquoise and Daffodil Delight.  A simple basic note card.

 This one is a string of lights for a backyard party or camping trip.  The jar were cut from Whisper White and then sponged using Melon Mambo, Pacific Point and Lucky Limeade.

 A jar of lemonade  - stamped then sponged very lightly with Daffodil Delight.  The apple and pear stamps are also from the set.

 

A closeup of the lemonade. I used the jar stamp and just inked up the bottom curves with a marker, stamped it off on scrap paper then stamped the upside down on my paper. Stamped the jar over that. Very simple and the faint lines give the lemonade the proper detail to look three dimensional.

 

 

 This is one I am going to use at a club workshop this weekend.   The jar is stamped on Very Vanilla and cut out using the die.   Flowers are stamping in the jar using More Mustard.  Additional flowers are stamped in Pacific Point and Cajun Craze then cut out with the die.   Strips of the designer series paper are placed in the background.

My idea for a get well card - Heard you caught a bug ......  well let it go :-)    The bugs are made using the leaf stamp and adding a head and little antennae.

 

Another bug one - lightning bugs in a jar.  Remember when.....  those were the days.  We caught lightning bugs and put them in the freezer  because we wanted to send them in to the local TV station for medical research.  Not sure that was even legitimate.  I do know that fluoroscein  (sp?) is used in some laboratory testing and they may have used the fluorescent chemicals from the bugs before there was a synthetic product.  Outs never made it anywhere except the trash I 'm sure.

Fabric Workshop



Last evening was my fabric workshop - what fun we had!   I made 7 sample cards and the attendees chose 3 that they wanted to make.  (Didn't have time to make them all- but they got the instructions for all 7 plus 4 cute fabric projects).

Strip flower

The first one we did was the Strip Flower.  This uses 3 strips of fabric about 1/2 inch wide and 5 1/2 inches long.  Fold over into a loop and layer to make a flower.  We put a brad through the strips to hold it all together then covered the brad with a button.  A piece of linen thread was tied through the button before adding it.  A very simple but attractive card that could be for almost any occasion.

Gathered Flowers

We moved on to something a little more challenging - gathered flowers.  The flowers are made from the scallop die cut which is part of the Tasteful Trims Big Shot die.  One strip of scallops makes 2 flowers.  After cutting the strip in half, take a needle and thread and gather along the straight edge (make a row of loose running stitches and pull the thread tight to gather the fabric).  When you have it all gathered make a little stitch to join the ends.  Ta-da - a flower.   We used a little piece of sticky strip to attach them to the card front.  Bright buttons were put in the center with mini glue dots.  The stems are just narrow strips of Old Olive.  The small heart punch was used to make the leaves. 
What a cheery card - and could be used for almost any occasion just by changing the sentiment.

Pleated Doilies

And for the challenge of the evening - the pleated doilies card.   They really loved this card - not sure they will make another though.   Delicate doilies were stamped randomly on Melon Mambo using Whisper White craft ink.  A strip of fabric 1 1/2 inches wide was used.  We pleated it (folding repeatedly with the folds not overlapping - and 'pressed' the creases with a bone folder.  Leave about an inch of unpleated fabric at the start and pleated enough to cover the card front. 
It worked best to do this before adhering it to the card front.  We put two strips of sticky strip on the card front where we wanted our fabric.  Then add the fabric - you don't want to try to keep it pleated - let it open up and start at one edge pressing a single section to the sticky strip.  Watching the bottom edge to try to stay fairly straight, continue with the rest of the pleated sections.  Adhere the ends to the back (trim if necessary).
A piece of white stitched 1/4 inch grosgrain was added.   This makes it look like you stitched through the fabric - and helps to hold the pleats flat.   We added a Melon Mambo stamped doily (had to cut it out by hand - the scallop punch did not line up with the design) - and a sentiment tag - also cut by hand.
And here are the projects I showed them -

Framed artwork

A small frame with fabric and quilt batting in the photo opening.  Decorated with a novelty brooch I got from my sister.  Added a little ribbon and a button and a cute little decoration for a desk or shelf.   This could be used to display a keepsake or anything you can attach to the fabric.



Pincushion Button Jar

A jelly jar converted into a button jar with pincushion top.   This also uses a piece of fabric and quilt batting placed inside the lid on the flat, then pushed inside the ring.   I added a ribbon and bow and some coordinated buttons.

Headband

A flower attached to a headband - the flower is made from 8 scalloped circles.  The circles are folded in 1/4 and layered on top of each other.  I tied a piece of crocheted lace through the button and attached it to the stack of circles with a needle and thread.  I sewed a safety pin to the back and then used that to attach it to the headband.  It can be removed easily and worn as a brooch or added as an adornment to a purse, hat, whatever you can think of.

Baby Bonnet

And - my favorite.  I took a white crocheted baby cap that I had made and added a piece of Rose Red seam binding then made a cute flower using two sizes of circles.  I cut at least 6 or each size and folded them in half.  Layered them with the larger on the bottom of the stack and added a Rose Red button to hold them all together.  I used mini glue dots to add an adornment to the center of the button.  Too cute!
This one was especially fun to do since I am going to be a grandma in April - have to start thinking baby projects :-)  
Hope you enjoyed seeing our fabric workshop.  I still have some scrapbook ideas and clothing iron-ons to play with :-)  More baby projects!