It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

I gift wrapped some presents today.  I like how they turned out.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Garden Green, Old Olive, Real Red and Very Vanilla Cardstock
• Christmas Jingle and Merry Moments Designer Series Paper
• 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval Large and 1-3/8" x 5/8" Oval Large punches

Other Products

• Velco dot

What is inside the boxes? Only Santa knows...........

For instructions on how to make your own, check out Southpaw Paper Arts for a free tutorial.  Please take time to thank Kelly for sharing her design with you by leaving a comment on her webpage.

Luncheon Party Favors - My Table

These are my party favors for this year's United Methodist Women's December luncheon. 

Stampin' Up! Products

• Old Olive and Very Vanilla cardstock
• Merry Moments Designer Series Paper
• Old Olive ink
• Matchbox and Two Tags Sizzix Dies
• Corner Rounder and Ornament Punch
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue

Other Products

• Ribbon
• Pine leaf punch
• Brad
• Glitter paper

The tag was left blank so it can be used again - a PIF tag.

*PIF - Pay it Forward

Luncheon Party Favors - Bookmark

I have been busy designing party favors for this year's United Methodist Women December Luncheon.  I had two ladies request bookmarks as their party favors.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White cardstock
• Snow Swirled Stamp Set
• Riding Hood Red ink
• Multipurpose liquid glue
• Glue Dots
• 1 1/4", 1 3/8" and Circle Scallop punches

Other Products

• 8mm magnets

This bookmark is unique as it can be inserted in the book under the last line you read.  Saves you from reading the same paragraphs twice.

Hiding the magnets

• Apply a glue dot to one magnet and place it on the inside of the bookmark, in the center of the scallop. 
• Attached another magnet to the magnet already in place
• Apply a glue dot to magnet and close the bookmark
• Open bookmark carefully
• Apply liquid glue on a scallop circle punchout and secure to the inside of the bookmark, hiding the bookmark - this prevents the magnets from damaging the pages of a book

To cut a folded bookmark

• Start with a piece of cardstock 9" x 2 1/4"  ( this is a very tight fit - you may want to start with a wider piece of cardstock)
• Score in half (4 1/2")
• Place folded bookmark on die as indicated in the picture
• Helpful hint - I placed a repositional tab in the center of the scallop on the die, this helps hold the cardstock secure as you run it through the Big Shot.

"Performs related duties as assigned."

Did you ever have a job description that listed a number of responsibilities and the last one was "Performs related duties as assigned?" My job description as a senior secretary at Kent State University included that description. This was one of my assigned duties.....

WAIT FOR IT!!!

.....turn a bus into a boat.

Gilligan's  Island

This is what happens when your employer knows you can sew.  Under this ship is an ENTIRE BUS!  This boat float was made in the mid 1990's.

I was responsible for:

• Creating the pattern
• Tracing the pattern
• Sewing material to metal frame

Praise the Lord they didn't make me dress up as Gilligan. 

I worked in the Campus Bus Service Department.  Every other year or so, we gutted the inside of a bus that was no longer usable and created a float for the Homecoming Parade. 

Our first float was the magic lamp from the movie Aladdin.  We paper mached a bus that was wrapped in chicken wire - what a mess that was.  We also created space shuttle and diner restaurant.  Phew....glad those days are behind me.

The moral of the story:  Keep your mouth shut!

All Occasion Planner

Amazing Crafters - Sharing Their Talents!

I am often inspired by the many women (mostly women) that share their talents to everyone via the internet. I have created a few tutorials in Adobe PDF and know how much time it takes to create on tutorial. I have not attempted to even make a video to post to YouTube. I use a customized search on YouTube and look every day for videos created with Stampin’ Up! tag lines. I stumbled on these videos this week and I had to create a planner for myself. I decided to make mine an all-occasion planner rather than a Christmas planner.

Check out these two videos by Michelle Suit to see the step-by-step process to make the planner. I did not come up with the planner idea and they are not my videos. Please take the time to “Like” the video and post a comment for Michelle. Videos: Part 1 and Part 2.  Please refer to Michelle's video for an explanation on how to put the planner together.

Stampin’ Up! Products

• Tangerine Tango cardstock
• 2 pieces, each measuring 8 1/2" x 11 (Score at 5 1/4" and 5 3/4" along the 11" length)
• 2 strips each measuring 4" x 1 3/8" (the final measurement after using the Scallop Trim Border punch is 4" x 1")
• Flower on envelope
• So Saffron cardstock
• 2 pieces, each measuring 5" x 4 (Score at 1/4", 1/2", 4 1/2" and 4 3/4" along the 5" length and score at 1/4" and 1/2" on one of the remaining sides (I constructed my pockets differently than Michelle)

• Front panel embellishment - circle
• Old Olive cardstock
• Front panel embellishment - scallop circle
• 1 3/8" circle
• Whisper White cardstock
• 1 1/4" circle
• Haiku Designer Series Paper
• 5" x 8 1/4"  to cover the panels.  (I covered four panels)
• 3/8" x 8 1/4" to cover the spines
• 4" x 1/2" for trim on pockets
• 5" x 2 1/4" to cover the legal pad (Score at 1" and 1 1/4")
• 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" to cover envelope
• 1" x 12" for front panel medallion embellishment
• Tangerine Tango and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers
• Broadsheet Alphabet stamp set
• Scallop Trim Border and 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle punches
• Flower Burst Embosslit die
• 5/8" So Saffron grosgrain ribbon
• Sticky Strip
• Multi-purpose Liquid Glue

Other Products

• Envelope - A2 size (5 3/4" x 4 3/8")
• Scallop circle die (3 1/4" diameter)
• Circle die (2 3/4" diameter)
• 3/8" coordinating ribbon (similar to Old Olive)
• Low-temp hot glue
• 5" x 7" legal pad
• Velcro dots (I placed these behind the legal pad instead of adhesive)

Kissed Pretzels

I haven't taste tested these - that is my husband's job.  I found the idea on the internet (of course) - they would look better with pretzels shaped in a circle, but my local Walmart didn't have them.  Rold Gold does make a bagel pretzel that is in the shape of a circle, I might just have to try them.

Preheat your over to 250 degrees.  Place pretzels on a cookie sheet (I am using parchment paper as a liner) and place one Hershey Kiss in the middle of the pretzel.  Bake for three to four minutes - don't leave the room.  I baked mine for 3 1/2 minutes.

Remove from the oven and gently place one M&M in the middle of each kiss.  The kiss will spread out; patience will give you a better looking Kissed Pretzel.

YUM

Thank you card gift set

Stampin' Up! Products

• Cherry Cobbler cardstock
• 4 3/4" x 3 1/4"
• Start with a strip measuring 5 1/4" x 3/8" wide, run through crimper and trim as needed
• Muirfield Designer Series Paper*
• Top layer measures 4 1/2" x 1 3/4"
• Bottom layer measures 4 1/2" x 1 1/4"
• Flowers were made using Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and So Saffron cardstock
• Four Frames and Very Versatile stamp sets
• Cherry Cobbler ink
• Decorative Label, Small Oval and Trio Flower punches
• Crimper
• Basic Jewels - Pearls
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue

Other Products

• White cardstock, or should I say not-so-white cardstock**
• Card base measures 5" x 3 1/2"

I cannot remember where I learned how to make the flowers stand out.  I use an embossing tool to create depth in the cardstock flowers.  I will try to take pictures of each step and post a tutorial.

* Muirfield's coordinating cardstock colors are Bashful Blue, Old Olive, So Saffron, Rose Red and Whisper White.  I felt the Rose Red color in the DSP didn't match as well as the Cherry Cobbler.

** No brand-name or store-brand cardstock can't compare to Stampin' Up!'s Whisper White.  I had purchased ready-made cards with envelopes and I didn't want to throw them away.  NEVER again will I buy anything by Stampin' Up!'s Whisper White.

Fun Flowers - Greeting Card Gift Set

It is that time of year again when everyone will need to have a few gifts set back for that last minute Christmas gift, Christmas party, etc. 

Stampin' Up! Products

• Naturals White
• 4 1/4"x 5 1/2" card base
• Fun Flower die cut
• Kiwi Kiss
• 4" x 3 1/4"
• Lace Ribbon Border die cut
• Fun Flower die cut
• Pacific Point cardstock
• 4 1/4" x 1 3/8"
• Muirfield Designer Series Paper
• Strips measure 7/8" x 3 1/4"
• Fun Flower die cut
• Trendy Trees stamp set
• Pacific Point ink
• Bigz L Die - Fun Flowers
• Blossom Petals Builder punch
• 2 leaves - fold each in half and run them diagonally through a crimper
• Crimper
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Fine tip glue pen

I think I could have stepped it up a notch if I would have used Pacific Point for the flower layer instead of Kiwi Kiss.  I might just have to use dental floss and remove the top two layers of the flower.  Dental floss???  What is she talking about?  Check out THIS YouTube video, dental floss isn't just for your teeth.  Oh, how I LOVE the internet!
 

I think the card look better with a Pacific Point layer. Do you agree?

 

A thank you from a follower

I received an email today that made my day........

JUST A SHORT NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I ENJOY YOUR NEWSLETTERS. IT IS SO NICE TO OPEN UP YOUR MAIL AND FIND YOUR CARD SAMPLES WITH THE ACTUAL PAPER SIZE AND COLOUR. THANKS AGAIN.

Thank you Sandy!

Let's make this a PIF Weekend. Please take the time to post a comment or email the blogger that shares her/his passion with you.  Pay it Forward!! Just thirty-seven words made my day!

Open Sea - Nautical Expedition

A card created by Ilena Crouse inspired me to create this nautical all-occasion greeting card.  I made a few minor changes and after 45 minutes I finally came up with this.  Sometimes it takes me forever to create a card.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Not Quite Navy cardstock
• Card base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
• Layer under stamped image measures 3 1/4" x 3"
• Small strip measures 4 1/2" x 1 1/4"
• Remaining layer measures 4" x 3"
• Cherry Cobbler cardstock
• Card base layer measures 5 1/4" x 4"
• Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper (DSP)
• Strip measures 4 3/8" x 1"
• Remaining layer measures 3 3/4" x 2 3/4"
• Open Sea stamp set
• Cherry Cobbler, Early Expresso and Not Quite Navy ink
• The journal and world map stamp was first stamped off on a scrap of paper for a more subtle look
• Designer Brad Star *
• Dimensionals

*This is a very heavy brad, I used Sticky Strip on the back, otherwise that layer would lift easily.

Other Products

• Heavy duty envelope - stamped with compass and anchor from the Open Sea stamp set

Lovely as a Tree - Your Choice of Sentiments

I love the Lace Ribbon Border punch by Stampin' Up! and I don't think it is to feminine to use for a masculine greeting card.  I stamped three sentiments for this card, just peel and stick.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Crushed Curry cardstock
• Cardbase measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
• Cut off 7/8" along the bottom of the card (fold is at the top) - reserve this piece for later
• Dusty Durango
• 1 3/8" x 3 1/8"
• Modern Label punchout
• Early Espresso
• 5" x 2 7/8"
• Kiwi Kiss
• Layer under stamped image 2 3/4" x 2 1/2"
• WhisperWhite
• Stamped image 2 1/2" x 2 1/4"
• Word Window punchout
• Early Espresso ink
• Lovely as a Tree stamp set
• Lace Ribbon Border, Modern Label and Word Window punches

Other Products

• Inside liner measures 3 1/8" x 5 1/4

To view how to attach the lace border, click here.

God's Beauty - Fall Gift Card Set

I enjoy making four-piece greeting cards sets along with a matching box.  My customers seem to prefer a mix of sentiments.   I stamp two each of four or five sentiments and apply a peel away tab.  This allows the recipient to choose the perfect sentiment to suit their needs.  Check out THIS posting to see more information on how I package the sentiments.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Crushed Curry cardstock
• Layer under stamped image measures 2 3/8" x 3 1/4"
• Modern Label - can be punched from the center of this layer (to save paper)
• Dusty Durango cardstock
• 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"card base
• Old Olive
• Layer measures 2 5/8" x 3 1/2"
• Strip for lace border start with a 1 3/4" x 5 1/2" piece
• White Naturals cardstock
• Stamped image measures 2 1/8"x 3"
• Stamp the butterfly on a scrap piece and trim
• Dusty Durango ink
• God's Beauty stamp set
• Sentiments included in this card set are from the following stamp sets
• Just Believe
• On Your Birthday
• Teeny Tiny Wishes
• Three Little Words
• Lace Ribbon Border, Modern Label and Word Window punches
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Brown pearl embellishment
• Inside liner measures 3 1/8" x 5 1/4"

Card base preparation

1. Cut off 7/8" along the right side of the top of the card (keep this piece)
2. Apply adhesive to the inside of the card along the cut edge and attach lace border.
   
   
3. Apply adhesive to the 7/8" strip and place over the lace border.
   

This four-piece greeting card set is available for purchase. I can mail this gift to your friend, relative, co-worker, etc, and will include your personal note. I accept Paypal and I ship within two business days. Please EMAIL me for more information.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Helpful hint:  When using border punches, I like to have it centered when applying it to the card base or card layer.  I find that centering the piece of cardstock in the punch and then moving the piece of paper to the right and to the left results in a messy punch.  I always start with my paper in the left side of the punch and move it to the right.  I first created a template using the Lace Ribbon Border punch; I started out with a 7" piece of cardstock.  I lined up my template and centered it to the piece I was going to attached it to.  I was then able to see what part of the lace ribbon ended up on the right side of the cardstock.  I found the starting point on the punch and applied a label showing me where to begin punching.  Perhaps this illustration will show you what a mean. 

Christmas One Sheet Wonder

I finally finished my cards using my OSW layout. Check out my earlier posting how I began to create my own background (here).


Stampin' Up! Products

• Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, So Saffron and Whisper White cardstock
• Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip and Garden Green ink
• Love & Care stamp set was used to create the background
• Additional stamp sets
• Just Believe
• On Your Birthday
• Pennant Parade
• Thoughts & Prayers
• Three Little Words
• Punches
• Bird Builder
• Boho Blossoms
• Circle - 1 1/4", 1 3/8" and Scallop
• Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border
• Modern Label
• Oval - Large, Scallop and Small
• Owl Builder
• Petite Pennant Builder
• Round Tab
• Scallop Trim Border
• Trio Flower
• Word Window
• Accessories
• Basic Pearl Jewels
• Crimper
• Dimensionals
• Elegant Bouquet embossing folder
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue
• Petals-A-Plenty embossing folder
• Signo Gel Pen

The "patterned paper" created eight cards and one gift tag.  I later stamped a 2" x 8 1/2" piece of Whisper White using the same stamp set, I used it to decorate the gift bag.  I loved how the gift bag turned out, well worth the thirty minutes to create.

I will be posting more pictures of the various cards.  If you are interested in purchasing my OSW Class Planner, please email me.

The circle and scallop circles used in the gift tag and bag were from another manufacturer's dies.  The butterfly and pine branches were not Stampin' Up!.

Monogrammed Houndstooth Notecards

Monogrammed for FREE!

The perfect way to show you are a diehard Crimson Tide fan.  One-of-a-kind houndstooth notecards.

You will receive four notecards made using the Alabama colors - crimson red and black.  The notecards each measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", a quick way of expressing your feelings.  The scallop trim is hand punched.  These notecards a similar to postcards, they are not a folded greeting card, they are one-sided.  Envelopes are included.

Your four notecards each measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", the white area measures 4" x 5"; there is room on back of the colored cardstock.  My blog discounted price is $8.00 for a set of four notecards, personalized for FREE. 

Your notecards are customized just for you.  I will email you after your payment is cleared to finalize your order (monogram initial).  I do not have them premade.  Please allow two business days to prepare cards and shipl  Ifyou want to purchase more than three sets; shipping and handling will be discounted. 

If you have any questions, please email me PRIOR to your purchase.  I accept Paypal.  Shipping and handling is reduced for local pick up*.

*For local pickup, please email me PRIOR to your purchase.

Alabama Houndstooth Greeting Cards

It happens every day; you walk to the mailbox, pull out the mail, and shuffle through a stack of ever-present bills and junk mail.  But every once in a great while, hiding among the dull and dreary stacks of envelopes, you find something that makes your heart beat a little faster and brings a smile to your face - someone has taken the time to send you a card.  What a great feeling!

Greeting Card Design # 1



Available Sentiments

Thinking of You

Birthday Wishes

Thank You

You are a Blessing in my life (as shown)

Congratulations

Good Luck

Get Well Soon

Greeting Card Design #2

Available Sentiments

thank you

get well wishes

Happy Retirement

Happy Anniversary

Happy Graduation

happy birthday

thinking of you

Greeting Card Design #3

Available Sentiments

thank you

get well wishes

Happy Retirement

Happy Anniversary

Happy Graduation

happy birthday

thinking of you

I have more sentiments (too many to mention).  Please email me with your special sentiment request).

My blog discounted rate is three greeting cards for only $8.00 (envelopes included).  The cards pictured here show a cardstock color known as Real Red.  I do have another color choice of Cherry Cobbler (similar to crimson red).  Please view my post Monogrammed Notecards to view the Cherry Cobbler.  I will email you a picture of both upon request.

I accept Paypal.  Shipping and handling is reduced for local pick up*.

*For local pick up, please email me PRIOR to your purchase.

One Sheet Wonder (OSW) Christmas

If you read my September blog postings (HERE), I created a One Sheet Wonder using the Stampin' Up! fall colors:  Chocolate Chip, Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango.  I decided to follow the same format and create a Christmas OSW. 

One Sheet Wonder is a stamping technique where you use stamps to create a background.  I choose to use an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of Whisper White as my background.  I knew I wanted to use my new favorite color - Cherry Cobbler, along with Garden Green.  I wasn't sure what my third color would be.  I took a 4" square piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamped the flowers in Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green.  The colors that would coordinate with those two would be Elegant Eggplant, Night of Navy and So Saffron.  I tried each color and decided to go with So Saffron; the other two colors were just too strong.

I started with Garden Green using the medium sized stamp from the Love & Care stamp set by Stampin' Up! (Level 2 Hostess, 2011 Summer Mini Catalog, no longer available).

My second color was Cherry Cobbler

I finished off with So Saffron

Following the same cutting layout from my class planner, I cut my 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of stamped paper into ten pieces.  I did end up stamping in some of the blank spots once I cut the cardstock.

I will be posting additional pictures and information, so please check back.  Click on "SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG POSTS - CLICK HERE" on the top of my blog so you don't miss out on my postings.  Your email address is kept private and never sold.

Thinking of You - Hummingbird Card

Stampin' Up! Products

• Whisper White card base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
• Garden Green cardstock 5 1/2" x 3/4" (strip is mounted on the inside of the card)
• Elements of Style and Sincere Salutations stamp sets
• Garden Green and Elegant Eggplant ink
• Elegant Eggplant 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Scallop Edge Border punch
• Dimensionals
• Basic Pearls Jewels

Alabama Crimson Tide Fans

ROLL TIDE!

HOUNDSTOOTH

I have redesigned my M&M candy sticks for Alabama fans. 

Contact me by EMAIL for ordering information and pricing.

Beautiful Wings Gift Set

Stampin' Up! Products

• Cherry Cobbler cardstock

• Beautiful Wings Embosslit
• Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch
• Scallop Oval punch
• More Mustard cardstock
• Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• Large Oval punch
• Naturals White cardstock
• Small Oval punch
• Strip measures 2" x 5 1/2"
• Elements of Style, En Francais and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
• Cherry Cobbler and More Mustard ink
• Basic Pearls Jewels
• Dimensionals

My most popular gift set of cards are ones that the recipient chooses the sentiment. Included in this four-card gift set I stamped three of each of the following sentiments, all from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

• happy birthday
• get well wishes
• thank you
• thinking of you

I use clear mounting stickers on the back of the sentiments. Select the sentiment, peel and stick.

Christmas Online Workshop

I created an "online" Christmas Card Workshop in July. An "online" workshop is designed for those who cannot attend but would like to have instructions and measurements of the cards being made during the workshop.

I am offering instructions illustrated with the pictures of the five cards my participants will be making later this month. The instructions are available for the nominal fee of $3.49. You will receive by email the Adobe PDF file to download and/or print for your personal use and/or preparing for your own workshop. To purchase the instructions by email, click on the Buy Now button at the bottom of this post.

The Stampin' Up! stamp sets used in this workshop are as follows:

• Come to Bethlehem
• Dasher
• Delightful Decorations
• Lovely As a Tree
• Teeny Tiny Wishes
• To You and Yours

You don't have to use the stamp sets mentioned above, there are so many stamps that you could substitute to personalize your own cards and/or workshops.