Make Mine Stamps

For My Hubby

Thom has tickets to the OSU (The Ohio State University!) Football games.  He generally shares the wealth and gives them to clients.  He asked me to develop a card for him to put the tickets in as he passes them out to his clients.  When I attended convention in early August, Annette Jennings made some adorable matchbox containers and put these darling punch creations on top.  I used her "template" to create my football player.

What do you think?  I think this guy is adorable and am very happy with how the football player turned out. 

I started with a base of Real Red, layered on Gray and Whisper White.  In order to create the player, I used the same colors, but also Creamy Caramel for his face and neck and Basic Black for his hair. 

I hate to admit that I don't have any of the alphabet or numeric sets for the Big Shot, but I do have some contraband numbers that I used for his jersey.

Thom seemed pleased and I am hopeful those who receive the tickets will think he is cute as well.  If I were being honest, I'd admit that they (the guys who get them) are probably not even looking at the card, but ripping open the envelope to get to the tickets!

I'm a bit under the weather and am losing my creative mojo quickly, so I'll sign off and hope to be able to have some new things for you on Monday.  If not, I'll be back on Tuesday!

Enjoy what remains of your weekend! 

Bloggers Challenge - Sketch Challenge

It's Friday and that means Bloggers Challenge.  Today was a sketch challenge and I love the sketch we were given, even though I didn't follow it to the letter.  I have a workshop this evening and Christmas Cards were requested.  I thought I would work smarter and not harder by making this one of the cards we will be doing tonight, as well as my Bloggers Challenge Card.

I started with a base card of Real Red.  I stamped the image from the Hostess Level 3 Set The More the Merrier, using Black Stazon Ink on Whisper White cardstock.  I stamped the image again on a scrap of Whisper White.

I attached my first stamped image to a mat of Real Red and then layered this onto a Whisper White layer.  It doesn't show in the picture but I stamped the snowflakes from the Hostess Level 1 Set Christmas Punch in Versamark all over the top of the Whisper White layer.  You can see it in real life though and it looks great (sorry!).  I wrapped the 3/4" Polka Dot Grosgrain Real Red ribbon around this layer and adhered it to my Real Red base card.  I used an additional piece of the Real Red ribbon to make a bow (My favorite bow -- A Cheater Bow!).  Next, I used a 1 3/8" Circle Punch to punch a piece of the stamped image from my scrap of Whisper White.  I used an aqua painter and my Watercolor Wonder crayons to color the image.  And you can probably tell that I don't own the Bold Brights Watercolor Wonder Crayons because I didn't think I would use them.  I've reached for them three times this week -- they are going to be in my next order!  When I was done coloring, I used a dimensional to place this circle on my first stamped image to highlight it.

I used my Stazon Black ink to stamp my sentiment from Many Merry Messages.  (Yes, I am aware that it is crooked.  After inking the stamp, I dropped it and was able to catch it before it skidded across the page -- a great save!)  Because my base card is dark, I added a piece of Whisper White inside and stamped the snowflakes from the Hostess Level 1 Set Christmas Punch on the inside.

I needed a quick card with a WOW factor because this is a Friday night class and football season starts this week for the schools in our area.  This card will work!

I'm off to see what everyone else has created.  I absolutely love Friday because I am always amazed at the creative talent of all the Bloggers Challenge stampers!  Enjoy your weekend and make it creative!

Hostess Gift -- Would You Like One?

I've set a goal to do one workshop during each week in September and October. I've got the first and third week of September covered and I'm hopeful I'll be able to fill the rest of those weeks with a bit of work on my part (it was a late goal!).  However, I'm going to appeal to my local readers and am offering up some incentives.  Hostesses always get a thank you gift from me, plus all the free stuff they earn at their workshop and the hostess dollars they get to spend.  I also always bring gift bags, boxes or cans, and they get to choose one of these as well.   In addition, hostesses are invited to a dinner in the quarter in which they hold their workshop and July to September hostesses are going to Olive Garden in October --my treat.  There are other benefits I offer but I keep those a surprise...don't want to spill all the beans!

My hostess for tonight is receiving this box of cards, as well as the gift bag she chose at the workshop she attended when she booked her own workshop.  In addition, one of her guests will win a surprise as well.

The box was hand-crafted as were the four cards it contains.  There are three designs with coordinating envelopes (there are two of one design).  When my hostess uses these cards, she has a place to keep her own hand-crafted cards. 

All of these cards were created using the Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper.  You've seen two of these designs and the quilt card is new. 

This picture shows the cards, the box and the envelopes.  The next picture shows the box from an angle with the cards and envelopes inside.

Everyone who attends my Techniques Classes in September will be making this type of box as well. 

If you are interested in booking a workshop, email me or give me a call and I'll be happy to schedule a date that works for your schedule.  Remember, workshops can be held in my home so you don't have to clean -- just show up with your friends and I'll do all the work.  I guarantee it will be fun and your guests will leave with at least two projects and perhaps three that they have made themselves.  There is nothing better than giving someone a hand-made card or gift and having them say, "YOU made THAT?"  It's like that Lowe's commercial when you respond, "Yep, THAT!" 

Have a fabulous, blessed day and enjoy your weekend!

Jingle All The Way!

It's that time of year when we all start thinking about how and what we are going to do about Christmas.  Here's an easy idea for a handmade gift that you can absolutely do yourself!  Takes about....5 MINUTES!

Are you ready for this?  My upline did this last year on an open ended block.  I couldn't find any open ended blocks, but I wasn't going to be deterred.  I think this is just an easy, simple decoration for Christmas and makes a fabulous night light as well. 

The "jingle all the way" is just a Decor Element that is a rub-on.  Yep, a rub on!  Hard to believe but I have to tell you these are the bomb!  It took me all of about 5 minutes to make this and I think it would make a fabulous gift.  If you want to put mini lights in instead of one big light, or use a white bulb versus a clear bulb (I'm switching!), it still looks fabulous!  Now, keep in mind I'm taking this photo up close and that bulb smacks you in the face -- it is much better in person.

Okay, here's the secret.  Order the Decor Element via my website, buy the block at Hobby Lobby for $9.99 and get whatever lights you want.  Spend five minutes rubbing on the verse and add your light -- VOILA!  I personally think it would be great with mini-lights and potpourri (get the pretty stuff!) too! 

I've got more hand-crafted gift ideas and I'll be sprinkling them throughout my posts in the days to come.  Thanks for stopping.  When I get to 500 visitors, I'm going to have blog candy which means a giveaway to one lucky visitor!  Stay tuned!

Season of Thanks

I'm not sure many of you have seen the Decor Elements line, and I've seen this project done by other demos, so I thought I would try my hand at it.  I love Thanksgiving (not the cooking!), but the time of year and the smells of the season and the colors.  I'm not as happy with this as I thought I would be, but overall, I'll try again and I will do it differently next time.  What do you think?

This is a shadow box that I filled with silk leaves, dried elements and a background piece of More Mustard Cardstock.  The Decor Elements piece says, "Season of Thanks, Season of Blessings, Season of Love" and is done in Chocolate Chip brown.  Truthfully, this couldn't have been an easier project.

When I do it again, I'll just use a very pretty ornate frame and will put the Decor Elements on the glass to make a framed picture of the saying.  I love the things inside the glass, but an arranger, I am not.

I think things in my head, but they don't translate to my fingertips.  So, I'll keep working and see what I can find for the next project.

Tomorrow, you'll see another Decor Elements project that turned out fabulously!  See you then. 

Have a terrific day! 

Bearing Gifts Gift Bag

Yep, it's another post using that same stamp set.  My goal is that you start taking a look at the under $10 stamps; that you start looking at stamps in a different light; and, that you realize that stamps are much more versatile than you think when you first glance at them! 

This stamp is $8.95 and is in the new Holiday Mini, which goes live on September 1.  I haven't even exhausted all the possibilities, but I've given you at least three ideas for this image and if you look at older posts, you'll see them (I'm not going to do ALL the work for you!).  This time, I've used it as a gift bag that could be for a birthday for a child, or as a baby shower gift bag, which is how I've used it here.  If I hadn't added the sentiment "Welcome Baby", it could easily have been a Happy Birthday bag by simply adding "Happy Birthday" instead.  And, if I had tissue in my larder, I would have stamped stars on the tissue -- it's hard for me to believe that in all of the stuff I have "hidden", I couldn't find tissue.  More than likely, I have just hidden it better than I thought.  Remember, my mantra is that I can have as much stuff as I can hide!

Because I wanted this to represent Baby Boy, I used primary colors, but you could just as easily use Soft Subtles and use pastels. 

I started with a base of Real Red cardstock.  I used Brilliant Blue as a smaller base and added a Glorious Green layer that went through the Big Shot with the Perfect Details Texturz Plate.  This is the back side of the plate and I thought it better suited a boy.  Next, I used White Satin Ribbon around the seam so it wouldn't show.  I stamped Bearing Gifts (image) on Whisper White in Stazon Black Ink and used my blender pens to pick ink up from my ink pads to color the image.  Colors used are Close to Cocoa, Real Red, YoYo Yellow, Glorious Green, Brilliant Blue, and Going Gray. 

I adhered the image to a mat of Real Red and popped up both pieces using dimensionals, and then used dimensionals to adhere the image and mat to the Brilliant Blue base.  Next, I used dimensionals to adhere the Brilliant Blue to the Real Red.  Yes, I know, I have a problem -- I love dimensionals, but I think they add a huge POP to any card!

Using YoYo Yellow, Brilliant Blue, Real Red and Glorious Green scraps, I used the large and small star punches to punch tons of stars.  I added them randomly to the front and back of the bag. 

I did use dimensionals to stack some of the stars and adhered others with adhesive.  With colorful tissue, this would be a perfect gift bag for a new mom or a mom-to-be, but I could just as easily have made this a Happy Birthday bag.  The stars fit because there are stars in the image itself.

Okay, even though I haven't shown you a tag with this image, I'm done with it.  I have to be as my new stuff arrives today and I've got tons of ideas for the things coming in that box. 

Also, remember that if you are close to the Zanesville area (which means within an hour or so!), I would love to have you attend a class at my home, or bring a workshop to you and your friends and family.  If you have seen ideas you like, let me know and we'll recreate or spin off those ideas for your workshop.  And if you don't want to clean, you can have your workshop at my house!  I live with a neatfreak (I love him, but truly, he is a neat freak!) and I could easily accommodate your workshop or class at my home!  I'd love to fill September and October so think about it!  And remember -- because I value and appreciate my hostesses, I treat my hostesses well. There are definitely extra rewards for serving as my hostess...want to find out what they are? 

Have a fabulous day and stay tuned.  The Holiday gift ideas are coming and they will be sprinkled throughout upcoming posts.  Thanks for stopping!

Build A Bear Shopper

You may have heard that Stampin' Up! has an exclusive agreement with Build-A-Bear.  When I first heard this, I thought, "That's great for folks with small children."  My own son, Andy, loved Build-A-Bear when he was young and has several animals he created.  The one I love the best is a soccer playing turtle with horn rimmed tortoise shell glasses!  However, when I went to convention, after seeing all the really clever ideas using these products, I was hooked!  Of course, I had to buy the stamp set (as well as all the coordinating products!) and it finally saw ink on Friday. 

I will tell you before I give card details that my resident card critique did not like this card.  He didn't like the soft colors and as far as he was concerned, it just isn't a great card.  However, he didn't attend convention and I'm still working on other Build-A-Bear projects -- there is a chance I can convert him!

I started with an Almost Amythest card base.  I cut a piece of Certainly Celecry and layered on Pretty in Pink that was first run through the Big Shot with the Perfect Details texturz plate.  I'm pretty well hooked on that texturs plate as it is two-sided and I love both sides.  Next, I stamped the bear from the Build-A-Bear stampset, Beary Best Friends, onto Whisper White in Chocolate Chip ink.  I used an aqua painter and watercolor crayons to color her in the soft colors from the Soft Subtles set.  I stamped her shopping bags three times and colored them with my watercolor crayons and aqua painters as well.  Next, I fussy cut -- Pat's term for cutting around small images -- the shopping bags.  Pat is so right -- these are fussy cuts and you have to be careful when cutting around the inside of this handle!  Next, I added these images to the bear, using dimensionals to pop them up. 

I cut a strip of the striped paper from the Designer Series Paper Tea Party and scalloped the edge with the Scalloped Edge Punch.  I wanted to pull the the So Saffron color from the stripe, so I wrapped a So Saffron grosgrain ribbon around the entire layer and tied a bow.  Finally, I added a mat of Almost Amythest to my Build a Bear image and adhered this to the card with dimensionals. 

I'm in the middle of several projects and am waiting on supplies to be delivered.  I'm expecting them today, but have a feeling they won't be here until tomorrow.  So look for some hand-crafted gift ideas in the next week or so.  Maybe I can give you some ideas on gifts you can craft yourself for your loved ones for the upcoming holidays.  Trust me, it is never to early to get started!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping!

50th Wedding Anniversary

My fabulous sister-in-law, LuAnn, is working on invitations for her mom and dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary.  You have to understand that she is the mother of my newphew, Jameson, and that entitles her to special consideration in all things. He is a wonder child!  At any rate, LuAnn and Tracy, my brother, run 100+ miles an hour all the time as the parents of an active 5 year old, Youth Group leaders, and the rest of the stuff they are involved with and in.  LuAnn wants something nice, but quick.  And here is my offering for her:

Nothing could be easier than this card!  I started with Brushed Gold cardstock, which is truly beautiful.  I only use it on special occasions and I would say this qualifies.

Next, I used Shimmery White cardstock which just glistens with every turn of the paper.  I embossed this in the Big Shot with the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder and layered it onto the base card with regular adhesive.

As a final (quick) step, I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink and embossed it with Gold embossing powder.  I would estimate this card took about 2 minutes TOPS. 

Now, if we were to kick this up a notch, I'd use the new Shimmer Paint and I would paint all of those raised flowers.  Remember this image from last week:

If you click on the image, it will enlarge.  Those flowers and swirls are painted with the new Shimmer Paint that is available in the Holiday Mini, going live on September 1.  Now, admittedly, it would take a few minutes longer to paint these images.  However, because she doesn't need these until late October, I think it is possible, don't you?

I'm going to send her the images and see if she and her sister like the card.  We'll go from there!

Have a fabulous, blessed Sunday!  Hug someone you love today and let them know they are special!

Blogger's Challenge - Focus on Punches or Dies

Happy Friday and thank goodness it is here!  We went to the 4H Auction at the Muskingum County Blue Ribbon Fair (that's what they ALWAYS call it!) and we bought sheep (no, we don't keep them!).  We sat in the very warm, smelly barn for over 2 hours before it was all said and done.  Guess what?  That scented country air must be good for you because I slept like a log!

Today's Blogger's Challenge was to create something with a focus on punches or dies.  Here is my offering:

If you remember from a previous post, this image is from the new Holiday Mini that goes live on September 1.  I completely fell in love with this image, Bearing Gifts, as soon as I saw it.  I knew it could be more than just a Christmas tag. 

For this card, I used a base of Pretty In Pink and ran it through my Big Shot with the Perfect Details texturz plate.  I think this one is very pretty and feminine.

Next, I cut a piece of Whisper White with the Top Note Die and stamped my image in Chocolate Chip Ink.  I used Pretty in Pink, Almost Amythest, Mellow Moss, Certainly Celery, Pale Plum and Lavendar Lace ink pads to color.  I squeezed each inkpad and when I opened it, I used a blender pen to pick ink up from the lid to color the image. Easy or I probably wouldn't do it!

Once the image was colored, I wrapped a piece of 1/4" Rose Grosgrain ribbon around the Top Note and stamped my sentiment from Short and Sweet in Rose Red Ink.  I attached the top note to my base card with dimensionals.  I stood back, looked at the card and thought it needed a bit more.  So...I used the Trio Heart Punch to punch hearts in three sizes and shapes in Mellow Moss, Almost Amythest, Pale Plum and Rose Red to stack one on top of the other and attached these to my card with dimensionals again.  (Dimensionals are my friend...can you tell?)

My intention is to show that even though an image may look like Christmas, use your imagination to see what else you might be able to create with it.  Here, it definitely is Baby Shower or Welcome Baby and it's an image that is only $8.95!  What a value!  And I promise I'm not done with this image yet.  You're certain to see a gift bag and tag and a birthday card in the days to come.

Enjoy your Friday -- the weekend is sliding on in!  I'm hopeful you have something fun scheduled and that you'll have time to do some creating of your own!

Workshop Invitations

I have a workshop scheduled at my home on August 28.  The hostess, Angel, is very creative herself so I am under a bit of pressure to really step things up.  Fortunately, she gave me a great assignment:  Give me some WOW Christmas techniques because she makes her own cards.  That...I CAN DO!

I don't like to send canned invitations and will generally send a clean and simple card with an invitation insert so workshop guests can pull out the insert with the workshop information and then use the card.  Here's the card I designed for Angel's guests.

I am really enjoying using the Autumn Meadows Designer Series Papers because I love stripes.  I started with a Chocolate Chip card base.  I cut a layer of Bermuda Bay and layered on a piece of the striped DSP.  I wrapped 5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon around this layer, then adhered the entire layer to the base card. 

I stamped the image from Pocket Silhouettes onto Very Vanilla and layered this on Really Rust with dimensionals.  I added this layer to the base card with dimensionals as well so it gives it some height and definition. 

When I stood back and looked at the card, it needed something so I added six 1/4" circles punched from Really Rust cardstock, three to the upper left and three to the lower right, in order to balance.

The inside of the card looks like this:

I added a Very Vanilla insert so you can actually write on the card and stamped the image from Pocket Silhouettes inside the card in Really Rust ink. 

I love Stampin' Wheels because you can make a great visual impact with very little effort (hear "work smarter, not harder")!  I used a retired fall wheel with Really Rust Ink to decorate the outside of the envelope (salso shown here).

Now, Angel's invited guests have a hand-stamped card with some Fall colors to send to someone who many need a comforting word or who may have something to celebrate in the upcoming months.

I've got so many projects in the hopper that if I don't sit down, list them all, get all my supplies ordered and start working on a priority list, nothing will get done.  Do you ever do that -- start a bit of everything and accomplish nothing?  Well, lately, that has been a good description of where I'm going in my stamp room.  It definitely needs a good cleaning and that isn't going to happen until I quit dreaming of projects that are calling to be completed.  Hopefully, I'll get some of those done to post between now and Monday.

Happy Thursday -- the weekend is coming!  Do something that feeds your soul today!