"Gift Card Holders"

I hope you all are having a great holiday weekend. We have just been hanging out, which is fine with me. Tony got me a new camera yesterday. Woo Hoo!! I needed one so bad. My old one would randomly zoom in and out for no reason and I couldn't take the flash off when I needed to. We got it 6 years ago when Molly was born so I guess it was time for a new one. He got me a Canon Power Shot. It's so cute and small and blue. The best part is that it is a 8mp and it was only $199.
I made these gift card holders to have on hand for up coming birthdays. They are simple to make. I don't have a slit punch but if you have one you would do that on inside middle piece to place the gift card in the slits. I am going to adhere the gift card with glue dots. The flap doesn't close tightly either so I am going to place a glue dot on the under side of the punched circle to keep it securely closed. I used a crop-a-dile to punch the holes and set the eyelets. Here are the measurements if you want to make some.
Cut Cardstock: 6 1/2 x 4
Cut 2 pieces of DP: 2 1/4 x 3 3/4 and 1 1/8 x 3 3/4
Score Cardstock: 1 3/8 and 4

Stamps: Something to Celebrate
Paper: Summer Sun, Ruby Red, Certainly Celery, Bo Bunny Double Sided DP
Ink: Summer Sun, Ruby Red, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Silver Cord, Crop-A-Dile, Silver Eyelets, SU Circle Punches, Corner Rounder

"Diaper Fold Pouch"

Last night I decided to try one of these diaper fold pouches. They are pretty easy to make too. It was bigger than I thought it was going to be, which is fine, but I just expected it to be smaller I guess. I am trying something new thing with taking my pictures. What do you think? Do you like the white background? I really love it. I think I am going to keep it.

Paper: 12 x 12 Non SU DP
Accessories: Bone Folder, Primas, Jeweled Brads, Hershey Kisses, Cello Bag, Organdy Ribbon

"Sicky Mc Sickersons"

Like clock work two weeks after the kids go back to school from a break they get sick. I don't know what it is but it always happens. Last night Sarah got so plugged up that she actually let me put vicks on her chest and that never happens. She woke up this morning thinking that she was gonna stay home but then at the last minute she decided that she would give it a try. Good for her. Now I know what you are thinking, why am I sending my sick kid to school? Well, she doesn't have a fever and I think that she could tough it out. Plus it might just be allergies. I have the hardest time figuring out if it is a cold or allergies. When ever I take them to the doctor for a cold it is allergies and when I take them for allergies it is a cold.

Molly "thinks" she is sick too. She wants to do what ever Sarah does so when she heard that Sarah was going to stay home this morning, she started to "not feel well" Now, in her defense, she was starting to get plugged up last night as well and had the same runny nose. So maybe she is sick too. Or maybe it is just allergies. I decided to make them both cards today to let them know that I love them and hope that they feel better.
Stamps: Girlfriends, Inkadinkado (greeting)
Paper: Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Sweet Always DP
Ink: Black Stazon, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: SU Markers, Brown and Orange 5/8 inch Grosgrain Ribbon, Bling (Martha Stewart)

"Belli Challenge #31 Baubles & Bling"

This weeks Belli Challenge is a little different. Chris who is the founder of these Belli Challenges has her own stamps coming out September 1st, how cool is that!! She is designing for Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Her first set is called Child of God. This is one of the images from her set. Chris was kind enough to send us all images for this weeks challenge. I used the "bling" to simulate stars in the sky.
Check out what the other members of the design team did with the images.
Chris Dickinson
Holly Brown
Laurie Serino
Christi Thorsen
Ceal Pritchett
Lorie Ames
Shelly Koskinen

Stamps: Child Of God
Paper: Pacific Point, Pacific Point Designer Paper, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Black
Accessories: Bling, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Prisma Colored Pencils

"I got an award"

I received this blog award from Snoopy the other day.
I now get to nominate some of my favorite blogs.

Here are the rules:
1. Pick 7 of your favorite blogs
2. Winners can put the logo on their blog.
3. Link the person who gave your award to your blog.
4. Name the 7 that you are giving the award to with their links.
5. Leave a message on their blogs so that they know they've won!
So I would like to nominate these 7 people who's blogs I enjoy. Go check them out for some inspiration.
1. Diana
2. Nancy
3. Melissa
4. Doris
5. Kristine
6. Kelly
7. Tammy

"Tangerine Blooms"

I finally got my order. Woo Hoo!! Only paper this time but that's ok. I do have a stamp order that I will put in soon. Good thing too cause I need new stamps. I spent yesterday organizing my stamping stuff and I have way too many retired stamps and way too many that I don't use. It was nice to get everything organized finally. I don't have a stamp room, I have two book shelves and some bins that I keep my stuff in. Some day I hope to have a craft room.
Stamps: Small Script, Heartfelt Thanks
Paper: Tangerine Tango, Tangerine Tango DP, Whisper White
Ink: Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Tangerine Brads, White Grosgrain Ribbon

"Ice Cream Chicks"

I think I am going through a pink phase. Everytimg I go look for paper it either has stripes or has some pink in it. I am not a pink person, or at least I never used to be. I really like the fall colors the best. Oh well, I guess we all go through phases right? This is another new stamp from Denami Designs. They have a bunch of new stamps with these little chicks. I thought this one was super cute so of course I had to get it. I also got some of the Christmas chicks. I just couldn't resist. I colored the image with markers and I used yellow stickles on the chicks and red stickles on the cherry. I added some primas and stuck some orange brads inside to match the paper. The image is from Stampendous. Today all the girls are in school all day. Woo Hoo!!! I have a lot of laundry to do and the house needs cleaning from the weekend so I am sure the time will go fast. Now I am gonna have to find a job during the day so I can keep busy. LOL
Stamps: Denami Designs, Stampendous:
Paper: Yo Yo Yellow, Only Orange, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Stazon Black, Only Orange
Accessories: SU Markers, Stickles, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Primas, Orange Brads

"Turtle Birthday"

How cute is this little turtle? I got him yesterday. It is one of the new stamps by Denami Design. I got a few more of their new stamps too. I couldn't help it, they were cute and their samples made me want them even more. I colored this little guy with markers and then stickled the presents, his spots, and the outline of the shell. The greeting is from Hero Arts. Monday Katie goes back to school so I will have all three girls in school all day. I have waited for this day for so long. I can't believe it is almost here. Woo Hoo! I don't know what I will do with myself but I'm sure I will come up with something. Most likely cleaning and laundry. LOL
Stamps: Denami Design, Hero Arts
Paper: Pixie Pink, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Stazon Black
Accessories: SU Markers, Stickles

"More Workshop Cards"

I want to answer a question that I got from a few of you the other day. The question was "Where do I find the 5 piece pack of Trident Gum?" The ONLY place I found it was at the Dollar Tree. They come in a four pack for $1. I have looked at every store and no one but the Dollar Tree has them. I hope you find some at your local Dollar Tree.
These are the other three cards we did at the workshop. They made three of each of these designs. I found the pattern paper at my local stamp store and got the pink satin ribbon at Walmart. I like the colors of this card. Plus it was easy. The image is popped up with dimensionals.
Stamps:Warmest Regards, Fun & Fast Notes
Paper: Apricot Appeal, Regal Rose, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Stazon Black
Accessories: SU Markers, Pink Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals

This card looks way better in person than it does in the scan. I think it looks kinda elegant. The river rock and black are a great color combo.
Stamps: Sincere Salutations, Bodacious Bouquet
Paper: River Rock, Basic Black, Ginger Blossom DP
Ink: River Rock, Basic Black

This is the third card that we made. I posted a similar one like this several months ago. I like this one cause it is gender neutral.
Stamps: Birthday Whimsy, Something To Celebrate
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Brilliant Blue, Jersey Shore DP
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Brilliant Blue
Accessories: SU Scallop Punch, SU Circle Punches

"Workshop Cards"

I'm not a demo so I don't know what to call what I did last night so I am calling it a work shop. My friend from my parks and rec class was hosting her "girls night out" with her friends and hired me to do a stamp a stack. It was so fun. They all had a great time and so did I. Most of them hadn't stamped before and so it was fun for them to do something new.

They made a total of 12 cards, three of each of the four designs, the gift set that I posted yesterday, a beaded pen, and stamped candle. It was exciting for me to see the excitement from them when they did their projects. They really liked the gift items and some of the ladies were funny. They were like, "look, I crafted" They all did a great job and everyone was happy.

These are three of the cards that they made. I had never used the designer paper before like this and I love it. I ordered two packs of the new in colors and I can't wait to get it. These are so easy to come up with ideas and super fast to put together. I am so making a bunch of card sets to give to the teachers this year.
Stamps: Cheery Chat
Paper: Certainly Celery, Certainly Celery DP, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery
Accessories: Nothing! Woo Hoo!

"Teal Beachy Gift Set"

Tonight I am doing a work shop and this is one of the projects that we are doing. She requested a beachy color scheme with teal. I found some really pretty paper with teals, olives, and some rusty reds. They will be making a wrapper Hershey Bar, gum holder, peppermint sammiches, and a nugget tin. I bought the nugget tins at speciality bottle. The prices are great until you add tax and shipping but they came out to like a dollar something each so that isn't too bad. For example, I ordered 24 of them and the total was $31 something. They will also be doing a stamped candle and beaded pen as part of the gift set. They are also making 12 cards, 6 thank you and 6 birthday. That will be 4 different cards and they will make 3 of each design. My stampin up order is scheduled to be delivered tonight around 6pm which doesn't help me since the party starts at 6. So I had to come up with different cards this week than I had planned. I knew that the whole country was ordering on the first day of the new catalog as well but I was hoping that I would get it in time. I wanted to use the new papers. Oh well, I have some cute cards for them to make and I know they will like them.
Stamps: Sincere Salutations, Sparkling Summer
Paper: Taken With Teal, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, DP
Ink: Old Olive, Close To Cocoa
Accessories: Crimper, SU Circle Punches, Giga and Mega Scallop Oval and Scallop Square, Square Punch, Hershey Nuggets, Hershey Bar, Trident Gum, Velcro Dots, York Peppermint Patty, Glue Dots, Word Window Punch, Tacky Tape,

"Belli Challenge #30-Coasters"

This weeks Belli challenge was coasters. You can find out more about it here. This was a super fun one for me. Seeing how school started this week, this will go to one of the teachers. I used the tutorial on SCS, you can find that here. This was basically an easy projet. The hardest part for me was punching the holes. I must have small hands cause my crop-a-dile was hard for me to use. I think I hate that thing. I never use it and when I do it is usually one or two holes not 40! I didn't use the mod podge on it either. I just glued the paper on. I decided to put some Hershey Kisses in a cello bag and tie it off with ribbon. I also put some paper shred in the bottom.
Check out what the other design team members did with their coasters this week
Holly Brown
Debby McGivillary
Shelly Koskinen
Jennifer Greco
Chris Dickinson
Christi Thorsen
Ceal Pritchett
Lorie Ames
Danita Hollander
Paper: DP
Accessories: Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Crop-A-Dile, Cello Bag, Hershey Kisses, Mat Pack, Paper Shred

"Tall Window Box"

Since the girls are in school, I decided to create. I had seen a box like this before while I was blurfing one night and thought it was super cute. I tried Di's tutorial and I think her measurements were wrong at the beginning, cause mine didn't look good at all. It was too short. So I created my own and made it just a bit taller. Here are my directions for this box along with two pictures of two of the steps. Check out Diana's blog for step by step directions to make this.

Cut Cardstock 8 1/2 x 5 1/2.
Score on the long side at 1 1/4", 2 1/2", 3 3/4", and 5".
Score on the short side at 1 1/4".
Turn 180 degrees and score the other end at 1 3/4" and 1/2".
Cut out the corners so it looks like this picture. Then cut the bottom three and the top two short lines down to the first scor lines on the top and bottom to make the flaps so that you can fold them to close the box.

Round the corners so that when you close the top the sides go in better. It isn't necessary but it does help. Then take your word window and make a couple punches to make a tall window. If you want to use small candy like M&M's you will need to put an acetate sheet inside before you assemble the box so they don't fall out. I used Hershey Kisses and didn't use an acetate sheet. Clear as mud?? I used Scor-Tape to put it together and to add the pattern paper trim around the top and bottom.
*Di's tutorial has been corrected so her measurements are right on now.*
Stamps: Seeing Spots
Paper: Regal Rose, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Regal Rose
Accessories: SU Word Window Punch, SU Circle Punches, Hand Held Hole Punch, Silver Cord, Scor-Tape, Hershey Kisses, Bling

"Back To School"

My two little ones went back to school today. It sure is quiet here now. I don't know what to do with myself. Katie goes back next Monday, then all three girls will be gone all day. I am so excited. Molly started 1st grade today and Sarah is starting 2nd grade. Whew, they grow up so fast.

Today I will be prepping for a workshop that I am doing on Thursday so I will share those items this week. I am patiently waiting for my SU order to come in. I ordered on the first day and I need things for Thursday so I hope that my "brown guy" delivers. Otherwise I will have to improvise and I don't really want to do that.
Back to school means more gift items, class room treats, and a lot of fun stuff to share with you. So stay tuned.... this year is gonna be cool. I have lots of new and exciting things to share. Have a great day!

"Good Morning Tammy"

So here is a funny story about this bag. I got an e-mail from Tammy yesterday asking for the diaper cake directions. So I sent them to her, she sent me back another e-mail thanking me for the directions and at the end of her e-mail she said, "Meet ya in the mornin' with a hot cup of coffee!" I was like, oh crap, I don't have anything to post tomorrow for her to enjoy while drinking her morning coffee. So I was up until 1:00am last night making these super cute, super easy designer bags. I guess it is my own fault that I stayed up that late. I was watching the Olympics and didn't check my e-mail until late. If I would have just checked it sooner, I wouldn't have been up late whipping these up. LOL Thanks Tammy for the sluggish day that I will be having. LOL Just kidding. Now I gotta go get some coffee.
You can find a tutorial for these cute designer bags here.
Paper: Regal Rose, DP
Accessories: Scor-Tape, Scor-Pal, Corner Rounder, SU White Gel Pen, Round Tab Punch, Hand Held Hole Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon

"Diaper Cake"

First of all I wanted to thank those who e-mailed me directions, links, and pictures of diaper cakes so that I was able to make one of my own. I started this one last night and finished it today. I bought a pack of 56 size 1 diapers and rolled and rubber banded them last night. That took about a hour. I kinda needed 6 more diapers for the top tier but I didn't want to buy another bag of diapers. So I bought some onsies instead for the top tier. I think it turned out super cute. And best of all, it was easy. I love easy. If you want the directions that I used, e-mail me and I will send them to you.

I added some baby socks, teething ring, and pacifiers to the side of it. On the top is a cute little stuffed animal. The middle core is a bottle of baby lotion and a baby bottle. The bottle and the lotion are for support. The base is a cardboard cake plate.

I got out my Cricut and cut out the letters BABY and some stars to fill in the spaces. The ribbon is stapled together and I covered the staples with the big orange bows. They didn't find out the sex of the baby so I went with neutral colors. This was a fun project and I know she will love it. She is a stamper. Friday they are having a party for her at Tony's work so he is gonna bring it to her for me since I couldn't go to the shower. I also got a big plastic bag to put it in from the dollar tree. It is a shrink wrap bag so everything is all nice and tight and nothing will fall off until she opens it.
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery

"Belli Challenge 29~Scallops"

This is what I came up with for this weeks Belli Challenge, which was scallops by the way, not martini's. LOL. You can find more info for this weeks challenge Here. I used a corner rounder to make a scalloped edge on the bottom of the card. I love how it looks. I can't wait until I get the SU scallop border punch. It will be a breeze to do these edges with it, that's for sure. The martini stamp on the background is a Studio G clear stamp and the big one is a Michael's $1 stamp. I also used scallops for the image and the mat. This was a fun card to make. I don't know who I am going to give it to but it was still fun to make.
Stamps: Studio G, Stampendous
Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon Black, Old Olive
Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, Giga and Mega Scallop Square Punches, SU Markers, Gingham Ribbon, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

Check out the other design team members challenge cards by clicking on their names and see what they came up with.
Holly Brown
Laurie Serino
Shelly Koskinen
Jennifer Greco
Chris Dickinson
Christi Thorsen
Ceal Pritchett
Danita Hollander

"Stationary Box"

I decided to give one of these stationary boxes a try the other day. OMG!! They are super easy. I was shocked actually cause it doesn't look like it would be as simple as the directions said it was. Forgive me but this one isn't completely finished but I needed something to post today and I thought this would be good. The only thing I need to do is finish three more cards and make some tags or card candy to put in the front pockets, add a book of stamps and label my address book. I think I will make up greetings for the cards and put them in one of the pockets so that when you want to use a card you can pick your greeting and just adhere it on.

The directions can be found here. I used a 12 x 12 piece of card stock for the box and a 12 x 12 piece of pattern paper for the lid, address book, pen holder, stamp pocket and for pieces on the cards. I also bought three 12 x 12 pieces of cardstock for the cards. Rust, dark brown, and the celery color.

"Personalized Pen"

As you know my neighbor Lupe and I are making 150 wrapped Hershey bars and 150 peppermint sammiches for the favors for her nieces wedding. They are all finished now, and it wasn't really as much work as we thought. I cut and scored one day while she punched out scallops and circles. Then we got together and put them together, added the ribbon and tags, which were printed from the computer. We haven't put the peppermints together yet. Those will be done the day before the wedding. The greeting on those say, "Mint to be" How cute is that? Anyway, Lupe is putting together some small items for the bridesmaids and putting them in little purses. She decided to make them all beaded pens. First she was going to do them with multi colored beads but then she decided to personalize them with their names. Cool idea. She made me one too. I love it. She used big labels and printed the names on the computer and then cut them out and made the pens. Very clever.
Accessories: RSVP Pen, Micro Beads, Tacky Tape, Heat Gun, Address Label

"Scor-Mat"

I got my Scor-Mat in the mail the other day. Woo Hoo!! I love it!! It is self healing on one side and the other side is smooth for stamping or crafting. It also fits snug in the recessed area of your Scor-Pal which is great for storing it. I had a chance to use it and I really love it. It also has the measurements in 1/8 increments in the white and one inch in the black. I have been using my creative memories self healing mat for about 8 years and there are no cracks in it at all. It doesn't look brand new anymore but it works like it is. So I am expecting that my Scor-Mat will last just as long or longer. If you have a Scor-Pal, I would suggest investing in the Scor-Mat. Also the summer on line magazine is up on the Scor-Pal website. I don't have any tutorials in this one but there are some neat things in it so check that out too.