Make Mine Stamps

3D Big Shot Creation and a Fabulous RAK

I've been playing with my Big Shot and trying to force myself to start using it for home decor projects.  I always say start small and work up, so here was an easy project that gave me a measure of success.  This is something I need if I am to continue working on that 3D goal!

Andy knows how I love candles and he has a habit of buying them for me as gifts.  Great idea and I just decided that I wanted to do some sort of deco project to wrap around these small jars.  I have at least 10 of them and thought this was something I could easily create.  I was right!

I ran the strip of cardstock through the Big Shot embossing folder and then secured it with brads.  Glue dots won't work because as the candle burns, glue dots melt.  I know this from experience (heavy sigh!). 

Next, I cut my leaves using the Little Leaves Sizzlit and Old Olive cardstock.  The flowers are cut from Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie using the Daisies Die.  I secured them together using the Chocolate Chip Corduory brad.  Again, this makes it nice because when the candle burns, it won't hurt the embellishment on the outside.  The leaves are glued on using glue dots but I don't think this will be a problem.

Very easy, and took about 20 minutes for me to create.  I'm happy with it and next time, I'll use some new methods to create the flowers.  It is important for me to have early success and continue working up -- so look for some newer flowers in the future.

Here's a RAK I received from Carey Rogers of the VC Rocks group.  I think this is one of the most beautiful cards I have ever seen or received.  Thom and I were both WOWED! by this one.  Thanks Carey for sharing your fabulous art with me!

Is this not one of the most gorgeous creations you've ever seen?  I love the colors, the beautiful ribbon and just everything about it. 

I've got another project to share tomorrow, as well as a card from Fabulous Francie!

And Happy Birthday to my wonderful DAD!  I sent his card yesterday and am hopeful he actually receives it today.

Have a wonderful day -- see you tomorrow!

  

Gifts and Home Decor

One of the areas in my stamping that is severely lacking is 3D, Gifts and Home Decor.  Okay, so that's really three areas but I'm lumping them all together.  My goal through the end of July is to start playing and creating in this area.  Here's the first project I tackled.

This is a coaster that I created through layers of stamping.  I had these coasters left over from our bathroom renovation so this project was a no brainer, if you will.  First, I cleaned the tumbled stone tile and let it dry.  Next, I pulled out my craft inks and the Inspired by Nature set.  My goal was to create a scene with some color versus stamping an outline and coloring with markers.

I first inked the grass in Garden Green and stamped it.  Next, I baked the tile for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.  I let this cool and went back at it with the same stamp set.

I used sponge daubers in Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green and Chocolate Chip to ink my flowers and then stamped them into the grass.  Again, I baked the tile and let it cool.

Perhaps I should have stopped here, but never content to just let something be, I used the punch I normally create cattails with to punch out a thick piece of cardboard and lengthened the punch by punching it twice.  I used a small paintbrush dipped in my craft reinker to ink the brush and then laid the cardboard template over where I wanted the cattails.  I painted them inside the template and then lifted the template very carefully.  Once again, I baked my tiles.  I think I could have combined steps two and three, but I was doing enough tiles that I didn't want to chance it.

Because this is craft ink and I baked the tiles, I think the ink would be fine, but I did spray these with a matte acrylic sealer to be on the safe side.  As a final step, I added felt pads to the backside corners so the tile will rest softly on a tabletop.  I like these and have plans to make more to give as door prizes for the Ronald McDonald Card Event we are doing in August. 

Mark your calendars for August 7, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., John McIntire Library lower level if you can help.  I would love to see us make 1,000 cards to donate to the RMH for use by the families who reside there while a loved one is receiving life-saving medical treatment in Columbus.  Can you help?  Can you recruit some others to help as well?  Stampers of all levels, including beginners, ages 16 and up, are encouraged to attend.  It is a free event and I am donating all supplies for the cards.  It isn't necessary to be there for the entire event -- we would be happy to have any time you can donate.  There will be door prizes awarded during the event and all cards made will be donated.  More to come about this event in the future.

Have an awesome, God-filled day and thanks for stopping!