Thursday, December 27, 2012

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 :-)

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

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!



Saturday, December 22, 2012

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. 

Saturday, December 8, 2012

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