Christmas List

This little booklet will be very helpful as I do my Christmas shopping. If you are interested in making one, please visit Lisa Johnson's blog for directions (http://poppypaperie.typepad.com/poppy_paperie/2009/09/christmas-lists.html)

Masking Tape Tool Belt Box

Another Tool Belt Box based on this project from Mel Stampz's blog:
http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2008/0...plate-for.html

Directions:
1. Tear off pieces of masking tape and cover a sheet of 12" x 12" card stock with it.
2. Swipe the entire sheet with a brown ink pad (I used SU! Classic Chocolate Chip).
3. Take a paper towel and wipe off ink.
4. Follow project instructions on Mel's blog to complete box.

Tool Belt Card

This card is based on the Tool Belt Box from Mel Stampz's Blog found here:

http://stampingandcreating.blogspot.com/

Tool Belt Box

It's been a while since I've posted but I have not been idle. I finally decided to try my hand at this neat project that I saw on Mel Stampz's Blog:

http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2008/05/tool-belt-box-gift-box-template-for.html

I couldn't decide on the color card stock I wanted to use so I made three, each one a different color. I used silver card stock from DCWV's Metallic Stack on the first one I'm sharing today.

CAS31 Birthday Card

I decided to try my hand at CAS31. I rather like it.

Memorial Scrapbook Card

This is for my sister. Her grandson was tragically killed in an automobile accident in July.

Sweet Autumn Clematis

I love the Fall of the year. Today's post has nothing to do with stamping... just God's creation. DH built an arbor as an entryway from the front into the back yard and I planted a "Sweet Autumn Clematis" next to it. The arbor is totally covered in beautiful, aromatic blooms now and I just love the way it lights up the arbor in the moonlight. This is an invasive vine and it has made its way to the front yard and has crept into a corner of our front porch. Take a peek.

Faux Clipboard

It's been a while but I have a few projects. I'll start with this 'Faux Clipboard'. I got the idea from one of the booths at Scrapbook Expo in Duluth, GA, in July. Here's a tutorial on my take of it.

Supplies:
Binder Clip
Post-it Notes
12" x 6" Chipboard
12" x 12" DSP or Scrapbook Paper
Clothes Pin
Embellishments
Strong Adhesive (Red-Liner Tape)
Glue Stick, snail or some other adhesive
Pencil
Coordinating Ribbons

Cut chipboard to 12" x 6"
Adhere DSP or Scrapbook Paper to front of chipboard
Using Red-liner Tape, Adhere Post-it Note to front
Cut a piece of DSP small enough to cover front of Clothespin and cover
Add Sticky Strip to back of clothespin and attach to Clipboard
Decorate Front of Clipboard
Tie Ribbons to Binder Clip and Clip on top of Clipboard
Hang your Clipboard using the back wires of Binder Clip as the hanger

Note: Use Repositional Adhesive to attach embellishments & change as desired.
Suggestions for use: Small Calendars, Grocery List, To-Do List, Emergency Phone Numbers, Birthdays & Anniversaries, Reminders.

Back Pack

I’ve wanted to make one of these for quite some time but always got stumped on some of the instructions. I was really happy to see this as Wednesday’s SCS Weekly Inkling project but part of the template didn’t print when I downloaded it. Quite by accident, I found another version today as I was browsing blogs and this version did not require a template...just measuring and cutting. Between the two sets of instructions, I was actually able to complete this project. Thanks Mary at SCS and Kari for these instructions. Here’s the link to Kari’s version: http://thestampingrounds.typepad.com/projects/

Supplies;
Archival Black Ink
SU! ‘Think Happy Thoughts’ Stamp Set
SU! Spring Flower Bouquet Punch (Retired)
Martha Stewart Ribbon
Magnetic Snaps from BASICGREY
SU Top Note Die
SU Scallop Envelope
We R Memory Keepers Extra Large Eyelets
K&Company Designer Paper
SU Scallop Punch

I'm Late!

YIKES! It's almost May and I've not posted anything for the month of April. I am two months behind on my Christmas Cards (March and April) so I've got to get busy right away or I'll be three months behind. I just wanted to add a post for April. More later this week.

Card from Scraps

I made this card from scraps on my craft table and it has kind of 'grown' on me. Sooner or later I'll find someone to give it to.

Flowers for You

I love this new Stampin' Up! set. I decided to pair it with my Martha Stewart Punch and Spellbinders dies.

Nested Hearts

On one of my trips to Hobby Lobby, I ran across the 'Nested Hearts' dies by Spellbinders and I was so happy to have my 40% coupon with me... $24.95 minus 40%... not bad.

I die cut and layered the hearts on my card front panel after embossing it with the Cuttlebug Hearts embossing folder. I used SU! dimensionals on the top two heart layers. I used my SU! Border punch for the strip behind the nested hearts and used the bits of scraps left under my border punch to add a little more interest at the top and bottom of my card.

Acrylic Heart

I stamped the leaves from the Botanical Blooms SAB set using cotton white StazOn ink on this acrylic heart, poured white embossing powder over it while the ink was still wet, then used my heat gun to emboss. I die cut a heart in red card stock using one of my QuicKutz dies to go behind the acrylic heart. The acrylic heart had a small hole in it so I used the red brad to attach the acrylic brad and red card stock brad to the front of the card.

Happy Harmony

I decided to dust this set off and pair it with Tangerine Tango.

Tangerine Tango Card Stock
Tangerine Tango DSP
Whisper White Card Stock
Happy Harmony Stamp Set

Christmas Cards

This is the first of my 10 Christmas Cards for March. I'm still debating on whether I will make 10 of the same or 10 totally different.

Recipe:
Papers: Kiwi Kiss; Riding Hood Red; Whisper White
Acetate: 8 1/2" x 11, scored at 5 1/2"
Inks: Cotton White StazOn; Riding Hood Red; Kiwi Kiss; Creamy Caramel
Ribbon: Riding Hood Red
Stamps: Friends 24/7

Altered Composition Books

Here are a couple of pictures of my other Altered Journal. The 'Embellished' envelope on the inside cover is a 'junk mail' envelope. This will be my Travel Journal that I'll use when DH and I go on vacation later this summer. I'll probably add more pockets and envelopes to house all my 'keepsakes' that I'll accumulate along the way.

I was inspired by the DSP used in this Altered Composition Book by geekgirl45: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/340430?cat=5640

Altered Composition Books

I am in an 'Altering' mood these days because my earlier post was of an Altered Lunch Tin. I've just finished altering a couple of composition books that I purchased at Big Lots and I'm posting one of them tonight; I'll post the other one in a few days. I took shots of the front, inside front, and inside back.

Altered Lunch Tin

I cannot BELIEVE how easy these tins are to decorate. I followed the directions on the SCS Resources Page (http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/altered_lunch_tin/) and used sticky strip rather than Mod Podge (suggestion made by adele13348 in the comments section).

Paper: Urban Garden DSP; Night of Navy Card Stock
Stamp Sets: It's About Time (Sentiment); Natural Beauty (Image)
Ribbon: Night of Navy; light blue (generic)

For Barbara

I am a member of and teach a class at the local Senior Citizens' Center and have gotten to know a lot of the wonderful members at this Center. One person near and dear to my heart is our bus driver, Barbara. Barbara lost her brother last month and has sent cards to the many members who sent flowers and well-wishes. She wanted to recognize all of the members at the Center who embraced her with their love and support so she asked me to make her a 'big ole thank-you card' to leave up at the front desk for all to view. It took me a few tries before I finally came up with this one because I'm so use to making A2-sized cards that 'big ole cards' are out of my comfort zone. After making this one, I wish I had made two rather than one.

I didn't want the card to be depressing so I decided to go with something sunny... the 'More Mustard' family. It's an accordion-style card with the inside sentiment typed on my computer and printed out on Very Vanilla card stock, then cut out with one of my Nesties. Below are more details. If you have questions, please leave a comment.

Card Base: Chocolate Chip card stock (2) cut to 8-1/2" x 6-1/4"
Accordion Spine: More Mustard card stock cut to 8-1/2" x 3", score at 1", 1-1/2", 2"
Inside Page Card Base: 8-3/8" x 6"
Stamp Sets: Heard from the Heard; Thoughts and Prayers
Ribbons: Chocolate Chip; More Mustard
Inks: Timber Brown StazOn; Apricot Appeal; Summer Sun; Kiwi Kiss

Our Old Homesite

I'm a bit late posting the pictures from the old home front but here they are. Too bad it was not safe to enter and take pictures but I still remember the layout.

The front porch had 39 planks. We used to walk from one end of the porch to the other counting those planks. Facing the house as you stood on the front porch, the front door was in the center. To the left was Mother and Deddy's bedroom (we called our Father 'Deddy', not 'Daddy'); to the right was the Front Room (more commonly known as the Living Room or Great Room now). We used to 'let-up' the front window to Mother and Deddy's bedroom window and sit on the window sill with our feet dangling over the front porch.

Since we had a radio but no TV in the early years, as nightfall approached and after all homework had been done, we would all sit outside on the front porch until bedtime, slapping mosquitos as they landed on our arms and legs. There were not enough chairs on the porch for all of us to sit in so we children would sit on the edge of the porch with our legs dangling over the yard as Mother and Deddy sat in ladder-back chairs. We entertained ourselves by staring at the sky... watching to see the stars as they appeared as darkness settled in around us. Each of us probably whispered this little poem that I'm sure most children learned and whispered:

"Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might
Have this wish that I wish tonight".

Mother taught us to search the sky to find the Big Dipper, Little Dipper and I think there was a Dog Star. I guess I don't have to remind you that if we saw the moon, we probably sang the 'Moon' song every single night:

"I see the moon, the moon sees me.
God bless the moon and God bless me".

Anyway, back to the old house. I was amazed at how clearly we were able to see the house. The last time we visited, it could barely be seen but I think it was probably during a time when the trees were covered with foliage. Mother and Deddy's bedroom had the wood/coal heater in it and we all huddled around it in the winter to stay warm. Behind their bedroom was the kitchen which housed that old pot-bellied stove. Behind that room was the "old kitchen". These were the rooms on the left side of the house.

There was a hallway that divided the rooms on the left side of the house from the rooms on the right. There was a doorway at the end of the hall that separated the hall from a room at the back of the house. This room was called the old 'corner' or 'cone' or 'corn' room. As a child, I never understood what the correct name of this room was. This room once housed a quilting frame that was suspended from the ceiling and Mother would have us (the girls) take our places around that frame as we made quilts. That was hard, back-breaking work and my fingers got so sore from that quilting needle; I never did get the hang of correctly using a thimble.

The room behind the 'Front Room' was known as the "Old Dining Room". In the early years, it was our dining room but as the family grew, it became a bedroom for the older children. The smaller children shared a bed in Mother and Deddy's room. The "Front Room" eventually became a bedroom for our oldest sister.

The hallway was really large enough to be a small room because we hung out in it quite often. After we became 'wealthy' enough to afford a telephone, the hall became our 'telephone booth'. There was an old trunk in it that we sat on while talking on the phone or passing the time of day. If we wanted privacy while we were on the phone, we would pull the door back from Mother and Deddy's room and hide behind it as we talked so no one could hear what we were saying... LOL). We had a 'Party Line' and sometimes the line was tied up for hours by others.

I love thinking back to the old days but I've visited the past long enough. Next week I'll start posting Christmas Cards that I have made for the Christmas Card Challenge. Until then, keep on stamping and creating.

My Grandparents' Old Homesite

DH and I took my mother for her appointment with the eye doctor yesterday and our visit with her was really bittersweet. She turns 89 on her birthday this month and her memory is as sharp as a tack. I've been working on Family History for a few years and she has been an invaluable source of information.

After her appointment, we had lunch at Piccadilly's (her favorite place to eat), then we drove over to the old abandoned home we lived in when I was a child. My grandparents lived a stone's throw away from us and I recall many visits there, sitting on the front porch in one of the two rocking chairs and rocking to my heart's content.

The two pictures in this post are of the old white house my grandparents lived in and their barn that housed my grandfather's wagon and the fodder for the the mule. It is so grown up around it you can barely see the house. There is a gate barring entrance with a "No Trespassing" sign so I had to snap pictures from afar. My remembrance of my grandfather is of him whittling whiteoak and weaving baskets that were used by farmers to dump cotton in as they picked it in the cotton fields. I wish I pad pictures of this but I had no camera during those days.

Tomorrow's post will be of pictures that DH and I snapped of the house we lived.

For My Sister

This is a card I made for my sister because she is going through a really rough time right now. I'm using my "Friends 24-7" stamp set again because the sentiments express exactly what I want her to know. All products are Stampin' Up! with the exception of the Martha Stewart ribbon. The photos came out really dark but I chose to accept them as-is so that I could mail this card ASAP.

Recipe:
Stamps: Here for You
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip; Whisper White
DSP: Baha Breeze
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Baha Breeze

Closed Card

A flat view of the card so that you can see what it looks like collapsed. Chocolate Chip and Baha Breeze really compliment each other.

Here For You

"Here For You"... that's one of the sentiments in my new favorite stamp set from Stampin' Up! There are six stamps in this set and I used each one in the making of this card. I found directions for this Tri-Panel Card here: http://christinecreations.blogspot.com/

Recipe:
Stamp Set: Friends 24-7 from Stampin' Up!
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Baha Breeze, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Baha Breeze, Kiwi Kiss
Ribbon: Martha Stewart

Thank You Cards

Here's a closer view of the Thank You Cards I made for DH. By the time I finished, my right arm felt as though it would fall off from all the brayering I did on the card fronts. DH was really pleased with them which made it really worth all the effort I put into making them.

Thank You Cards

I've been working on two projects at the same time. I needed to make 20 Thank You Cards for DH to send to guests who attended a surprise birthday gathering for him in January. The second project was to complete 10 Christmas Cards as part of the Christmas Card challenge. I've completed both. Here are the Thank you Cards.

Just Checking In

Good Morning,

I'm just checking in because it's been a while since I last posted. I do have some projects but am unable to download them. I've got a brand new camera and I need the necessary equipment to transfer my pictures to my computer. Hopefully I will get this taken care of by the weekend. Until then, continue stamping and creating.

Happy New Year!

It's been a while since I last posted to my blog. I resolve to do better in 2009. First off, I had such a wonderful holiday season. Christmas day was spent with the five people I love most dearly... my husband, our daughters and their husbands. I was so happy to be in their presence, presents were really not necessary for me.

For now, that's all I want to share with you. I wanted to jot down a few thoughts while they were in my mind... More tomorrow.

One more thing, our daughters with their husbands have planned a "Surprise" birthday gig for my husband, tomorrow and he has no clue this is being planned. I can't wait to see how this turns out. His family (brothers and sisters, most of whom live out of state) and some of his nieces and nephews are driving in for this event also. This is going to be good! I will post more about this on my blog after everything is over. Right now, I've got to make a 'Guest' book for everyone to sign and I've got to come up with a design and I am down to the wire. Guess I'll jump on over to SCS for inspiration.

More after the event.

Box in a Bag

It was like Christmas at my house on Friday. DH and I started our day by attending a "Square Dancing" class followed by a "Line Dancing" class at our local Senior Center. I knew I would receive my goodies today and it was hard concentrating on the steps because my mind was on the goodies I had been waiting for so long. After leaving our dance classes, we went to pick up my new Spellbinders Dies from Scrap Chic Boutique (I ordered them during the summer through one of the owners who attended CHA) then headed home. As we entered our driveway, I saw the Stampin' Up! box on our front porch... UPS had made the delivery!

Time to play! My new Stampin' Up! Big Shot and my Spellbinder Dies! Life is good. I decided to make the Box in a Bag that I've seen on various blogs. I used two of the Curved Rectangles from the Mega Nestabilities set to add my sentiment to this bag box. If you don't already know how to make this bag box or need instructions, you can find them on Diana Gibbs' Blog found here: http://dianagibbs.typepad.com/stampin_with_di/2008/06/box-in-a-bag-tutorial.html?cid=119646038.

Other Supplies Used:
Papers: Stampin' Up! Urban Garden DSP; Not Quite Navy CS; Kiwi Kiss CS; Baha Breeze CS
Ink: Stampin' Up! Not Quite Navy
Ribbon: Stampin' Up! Baha Breeze
Stamps: Stampin' Up! Best Yet
Scallop Punch: Stampin' Up!
Other: ProvoCraft Textile Embossing Folder

The Shoe

Like my shoe? My inspiration came from creativechoicedesigns (http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/251740?cat=500&ppuser=54600). If you want the template, follow directions she listed. I needed a box to present my shoe in so I created one. If you need a box for your shoe, here are the instructions:

Box:
1. Cut Card Stock to 8 1/2" x 9 1/2"
2. Score at 2: on all four sides
3. Follow normal directions for making boxes

Box Top:
1. 8 1/2" x 9 1/2" Card Stock
2. Score at 1 15/16" on all four sides (just a scooch under 2" so that top will be slightly larger than bottom.
3. Optional - Use the Stampin' Up! Scallop punch, Stampin' Up! Slit punch, or Decorative-Edge Scissors to go around the four sides of your box top if you want scallops.

If you have questions, please leave a comment

Supplies used:
Black Card Stock (Box Bottom)
DSP used for Shoe and Box Top (Purchased at JoAnn's)
Wine Ribbon (Michae's)
Flowers used on Shoe and Box Top (Michael's... Floral Section)
Pearl Brads for Flower Center (Michael's)
Cut-out on Top of Box (Stampin' Up! Bigz Die)
Embossed Shoe on Cut-out (Sizzix Brass Die)
Scallop Punch from Stampin' Up! for scallops on bottom of Box Top
Tagger from "Around the Block"
Nestabilities Die (Small Oval Scallop)
Sentiment on Die Cut: Riveting (Stampin' Up!)
Sentiment on Top of Box: Computer Generated.

Note Cards

I can never start making Christmas gifts too early. It seems that I already don't have enough time to make all the gifts that I need to make. I've decided that I will make a few samples then start mass producing them in November.

My post today is of Note Cards with the Note Card Holder that I plan to give to a few friends as Christmas gifts. I followed SC175 from Splitcoaststampers for my cardfront. The stamp is from Stampin' Up! and the paper is from JoAnn's.

I am looking forward to using up many of my scraps on my note cards. I think I will also start making bookmarks using some of my scraps. Samples of my bookmarks will be shared with you in future posts.

TFL and enjoy your day.

Happy Anniversary

My youngest and her DH will celebrate their 'One-Year Anniversary' on Monday, October 13th. Friends and family will celebrate with them later today at the Olive Garden. I have been in a tizzy all week trying to design a card for them and as I was surfing the SCS Gallery I came across a card posted by Wendybell'sGirl that simply blew me away! I have just finished casing her card and you can also view her spectacular creation here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1059439?cat=500&ppuser=129840.

Details
Card Stock: SU! Purely Pomegranate and Very Vanilla
Ink: SU! Purely Pomegranate classic ink
Ribbon: SU! Purely Pomegranate
Stamps: SU! Fabulous Flowers; Sentiment: PSX
Other: Glitter; Nestabilities Long Dies

To-Go Caddy

I found the cutest idea on Lauren Meader's Blog and I just had to give it a try. You can find directions on her blog here: http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/. This project has all sorts of possibilities.

I purchased my cups at Wal-Mart. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the colors in the cups perfectly matched Wild Wasabi Card Stock and Ink from SU! (bought extra before it retired)

Stamps: SU! Espress Yourself (Retired)
Accessories: SU! Wild Wasabi Ribbon, SU! Tag Punch; Paper Tagger (to hand tags from ribbons); Nestabilities Dies.

A2 Card-Sized Scrapbook

Back to the small scrapbook I mentioned earlier... I got my inspiration from this Splitcoaststampers Resource page: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/pull_out_book/. Rather than reinvent the wheel, follow those directions but use the following changes:

Two 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" chipboard
One 5 1/2" x 10" Card Stock
One 5 1/2" 10" DSP
Two 4 1/2" x 12" pieces of Card Stock scored at 3", 6", and 9"

Do not add ribbon down the center of the book. After adhering the DSP and cardstock to the chipboard, fold book in half. While closed, use your crop-o-dile to make holes for eyelets to thread ribbon through for closure of your book.

Open book and set eyelets on each side of the book.

Fold book at the edge of the chipboard on each side so that you will have an accordion fold in the center.

Accordion fold the two 4 1/2" x 12" pieces of card stock. Add ribbons to the backs of these these two before attaching to sides of the book. Tie in place.

I will post a photo of the finished book tomorrow.
Note: Inside of book posted above. This is an A2 Card-sized book.

Small Scrapbook

I've got this idea running through my mind on directions for making a small scrapbook but I don't have time to work it out before going to Noon Day Bible Study today. I have jotted down a few instructions on a scrap page from my little desk set (see post below... this little caddy has proven to be invaluable; I can always find it amongst all my desk clutter). I will make a couple of preliminary scrapbooks after Noonday Bible Study today (a couple because I have thoughts on a couple of ways to make this book and I'm not sure which one I will like better). If all goes well, I will upload complete instructions and photos by tonight and let you be the judge of your favorite.

Check back later for a look-see and have a blessed day.

Desk Set

Here is a photo of a One Sheet Wonder Desk Set that was designed by Connie Stewart, an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator (connie.stampinup.net). These are really easy to make so I am in the process of making one for DH to sit on his desk. This is much more convenient than a post-it note pad... it's easier to locate on my desk.

Lady Sings the Blues

It's been months since I last posted. I've been so frustrated with Blogger that I have opted to read blogs from others rather than maintain my own... sooo... I'm over it and I'm Back!

My post today is a card I submitted for the Cabaret Warm-up Challenge NOV08VSNPRE (this challenge can be found here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382356). This stamp is from the Rubbernecker Company and I used the Water Color method with Groovy Guava Ink from Stampin' Up! I also used the Cuttlebug Embossing Folder on the scalloped circle. TFL and enjoy your day.