Winter Post

Here’s my Christmas card for the year. I used a bunch of retired items on this card. We recently remodeled our house this fall and the majority of my stamping supplies have been stored out in the garage. It took me over an hour to locate everything I was looking for to make this card — especially the ribbon. I looked through every shelf and box out in the freezing garage and finally remembered it was upstairs in our office in a bag. 😉

I applied 2-Way Glue to the woman’s sweater and hat and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on them for some sparkle. Pink is not a traditional Christmas color, but I thought it leant a vintage “sweetness” to the card. 🙂 It’s hard to see in the photo, but I die cut a transparency sheet with the Top Note die and the Big Shot — I didn’t want to hide the swirls of the white panel underneath it (you can click on the photo to get a closer look, if you’d like). The snowflake was very hard to die cut with the Northern Frost decorative strip (retired from the Holiday Mini 2010-2011) and the Silver Glimmer paper — I had to use a shim and then still had to poke the little holes with a paper piercing tool. Thanks for stopping by to take a look!

Stamps: Winter Post (retired), Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Whisper White, Blushing Bride (Core’dinations cardstock), Silver Glimmer, Transparency Sheet

Ink: Blushing Bride, Black StazOn, Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede

Accessories: Elegant Lines Embossing Folder (retired), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Circles Collection Framelits Die (2″ circle), Northern Frost Decorative Strip (retired), Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die (scallop circle), Top Note Die, Big Shot, Blushing Bride 1/2″ Stitched-Poly Ribbon (retired), 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Aqua Painter and Reinker Inks (Soft Suede and Pink Pirouette), Sponge

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Santa Hershey Bar Holder

Had to make a few last-minute Christmas gifts and created my own version of the Santa Hershey Bar Holder.

Directions:

1. Cut a piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock 5-1/2″ x 5-1/2″. Emboss with the Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder. Fold around Hershey bar, securing at the back with Sticky Strip Tape.

2. Cut a piece of Whisper White cardstock 1/2″ x 5-1/2″. Punch two additional pieces of Whisper White cardstock with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch and attach to the 1/2″ strip. Attach to front of “suit”.

3. Cut a piece of Basic Black cardstock 1″ x 5-1/2″ and wrap around suit, securing at the back with Sticky Strip Tape.

4. Punch a piece of Silver Glimmer Paper with the 1″ Square Punch and then go back and punch around the punched out area with the 1-3/8″ Square Punch. Attach to black belt.

5. Punch three small circles out of Basic Black cardstock with the small circle punch found in the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. Attach large Rhinestones to centers of each circle and attach to white strip.

Stamps: None

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Basic Black, Silver Glimmer Paper

Ink: None

Accessories: Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Rhinestones, 1″ and 1-3/8″ Square Punches

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Winter Fun with the Control Freaks!

Welcome to the Control Freaks December blog tour! We’ve created wintery projects for you to enjoy this month. If you’re following the tour, you’ve just come from Justin Krieger’s blog.

I have two projects to share with you — a “winter” card and one 3-D project.

PROJECT #1 – Snowbuddy Likes You!

Stamps: Snow Much Fun

Paper: Watercolor Paper, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Ink: Black StazOn, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Natural 7/8″ Cotton Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine, Linen Thread, Regals Designer Button, Aqua Painter and Reinker Inks, Stampin’ Dimensionals

PROJECT #2 – Fabric Candy Basket

One of my co-workers has the most adorable fabric candy basket on her desk. I did a search online and found directions HERE — and here’s the link to the PDF. My basket measures approximately ten inches square, but you could make any size desired — even recatangular shapes. This basket can hold not just candy, but napkins, remotes, etc. Super fun and super easy to make! 🙂

Accessories: Essentials Designer Fabric, Old Olive 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon, Sewing Machine & Thread, Quilt Batting

To see the next blog, please click the link below. Barb Mullikin is next! Thanks so much for taking the tour!

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Lovely As a Tree in Silver and Gray

I love the new Basic Gray/Basic Black 1-1/4″ Two Tone Ribbon! It’s very supple and keeps its shape beautifully! I stamped the tree in Basic Gray ink and then over-stamped the image in VersaMark ink and embossed with Iridescent Embossing Powder. The tree is nice and sparkly, but my camera did not catch the shimmer so you’ll just have to use your imagination. 😉 Oh, for a Canon Rebel EOS T3i camera!!!

Stamps: Lovely As a Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Silver Glimmer, Neutrals Collection DSP Stack (Going Gray)

Ink: Basic Gray, VersaMark

Accessories: Basic Gray/Basic Black 1-1/4″ Two-Tone Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Rhinestones, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin Dimensionals

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Celebrating Christmas with the Control Freaks!

Welcome to the Control Freaks November blog tour! We’ve created Christmas projects for you to enjoy this month. If you’re following the tour, you’ve just come from Patty Bennett’s blog.

I have four projects to share with you this month — two Christmas cards and two 3-D projects.

I kept both cards very simple and monochromatic — I think I’ll be using both of these as my Christmas cards this year. 😉

PROJECT #1 – Raspberry Ripple Christmas Card

Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes

Paper: Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White

Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Black StazOn

Accessories: Holiday Frame Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Holiday Ornaments Framelits Die, 3/4″ Circle Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Basic Black 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestone, Stampin’ Dimensionals

PROJECT #2 – Melon Mambo Christmas Card

Stamps: Ornamental Keepsakes, More Merry Messages

Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Brights DSP Stack (Melon Mambo), Silver Glimmer Paper

Ink: Melon Mambo, VersaMark

Accessories: Holiday Ornaments Framelits Die, Big Shot, Framed Tulips Folder, 3/4″ Circle Punch, Silver Embossing Powder, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Rhinestone, Whisper White 3/8″ Taffeta Ribbon

PROJECT #3 – Holiday Hershey Bar Covers

I am celebrating my 10-year anniversary with SU! this month and had a big party last weekend; these Hershey Bar covers were among several of the door prizes I gave away. They’re super easy to make using paper from the Festival of Prints DSP pack and the Window Frames Collection Framelits dies.

Here’s how to make them:

• Cut a piece of cardstock measuring 6-1/2″ x 6-3/4″.
• To score this piece, hold the cardstock so that the 6-1/2″ edge is running right to left and the 6-3/4″ edge is running top to bottom. Score at 3″ and 3-1/4″.
• The next step is to punch one 6-3/4″ edge with the Scallop Edge Border Punch, but make sure to punch the smaller-width panel. The best way to explain this is to fold the cover on the score lines — you’ll see that one flap is wider than the other (before punching with the border punch, the front flap will measure 3″ and the back flap will measure 3-1/4″). Punch the 3″ flap, which will then measure 2-3/4″ after punching.
• The front DSP panel measures 2-3/8″ x 6-1/2″. The inside DSP panel measures 3″ x 6-1/2″.
• The ribbon is tied around the entire cover to keep it closed.

Stamps: Friendship Preserves

Paper: Real Red, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, Festival of Prints DSP

Ink: Lucky Limeade (marker), Early Espresso

Accessories:Window Frames Collection Framelits Dies, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack, Scallop Edge Border Punch, 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon (Real Red, Early Espresso, Old Olive), Stampin’ Dimensionals

PROJECT #4 – Holiday Hand Sanitizer Covers

These holiday hand sanitizer covers were SO MUCH FUN to make! I ended up making nine of these using the Snow Festival DSP to decorate each one — there are several adorable images of cardinals, owls, reindeer (and what I think is a hedgehog) to cut out and use as the main image. 🙂

There are many hand sanitizer cover templates around the internet, but I ended up making my own template to fit the bottle size that’s currently offered at Bath & Body Works. I do want to note, however, that the little button treatment was inspired by Kimberly Van Diepen.

Here are the directions:

• Cut two pieces of cardstock with one measuring 2″ x 11″ and the other measuring 2″ x 3-1/4″.
• Score the longer piece at 1/2″,  2″,  3″,  4-1/2″,  7-3/4″  and  9-1/4″.
• Punch this piece as shown below with the Curly Label Punch (I punched a piece of Post-it note paper and attached it to the cover to serve as a guide).

• Crease all score lines with a bone folder and then attach the 1/2″ flap to the back of the template with Sticky Strip. Attach the second panel that measures 2″ x 3-1/4″ to the front of the cover. Small pieces of Velcro were used to keep the cover closed.

Here’s a side view with it closed and standing upright:

And here are the other six covers:

Stamps: Tiny Tags

Paper: Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Snow Festival DSP

Ink: Black StazOn, Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze

Accessories: Curly Label Punch, 2-3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch, Brights Buttons, Subtles Buttons, Regals Buttons, Vintage Trinkets, Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine, Stampin’ Dimensionals

To see the next blog, please click the link below. Connie Babbert is next! Thanks so much for taking the tour!

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Joy Wallhanging

Here’s the Christmas wallhanging that coordinates with this altered Christmas journal I made two weeks ago. This project was for a basket that was auctioned off to raise money for my hospital’s health foundation and the projects had to be silver and white. It was really difficult to work with no color — I kept wanting to add red and green accents. 😉 I was inspired by a wallhanging that I saw on Pinterest, as well as one I made for my daughter several years ago and uploaded to the Dirty Dozen gallery on Splitcoast here (you need to be a paying member to see this particular wallhanging).

I purchased chipboard coasters several years ago and discovered that I only had a few left. I didn’t have time to order any so I made my own by using the very sturdy cardboard backing that lines the 12×12 Glimmer Paper packs from SU!. I used a rotary cutter, quilter’s ruler and mat to cut the cardboard to four inches square. These “coasters” ended up being just as sturdy as the store-bought coasters (and they were free), so save the backing! 😉 The ring at the top is a one-inch silver book ring. The 7/8″ Cotton Ribbon was attached with a hot glue gun and then I lined the back of each coaster with a 4×4 square of Very Vanilla cardstock.

Here are close-ups of each coaster:

This is what happens when you rush a project (but mostly because you need reading glasses because you can’t see the fine print anymore) — the frame that outlines the J is upside down! 😀

The wreath was stamped in VersaMark ink with the En Francais background stamp and embossed with Whisper White embossing powder.

I LOVE the Typeset Alphabet Bigz dies and know I will get TONS of use out of these letter/number dies!

Stamps: En Francais

Paper: Very Vanilla, First Edition Specialty DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Black StazOn, VersaMark

Accessories: Typeset Alphabet Bigz Dies, Snow Flurry Bigz Die, Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die, Labels Colllection Framelits, Window Frames Collection Framelits, Big Shot, Sponge, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Antique Brad, Silver Brad, Rhinestones, Pearls, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat, Very Vanilla 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon, Natural 7/8″ Cotton Ribbon, Whisper White Embossing Powder

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Morning Post in Pink

I’ve been working on an upcoming stamp class today and this is a dressed up version of one of the cards we’ll be making on the 22nd. I really love that Morning Post Alphabet set! And I’ve noticed that pink seems to be my go-to color right now. 🙂

Stamps: Morning Post Alphabet

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper

Ink: Pink Pirouette, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die, Big Shot, 1-inch Square Punch, Postage Stamp Punch, Sponge, Vintage Brad, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Crumb Cake 3/8″ Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals

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Control Freaks Blog Tour – Freak for All!

Welcome to the July Control Freaks Blog Tour! Our theme this month is “Freak for All – Convention CF Swaps/Holiday Catalog Preorder“. If you’re following the blog tour lineup, you’ve just come from Wendy Weixler’s awesome and inspiring blog. Weren’t her projects fabulous?!

I have two projects to share with you this month and since I did not attend convention this year, it’s Christmas in July! 🙂

PROJECT #1 – Ornament Keepsakes Card

I decided to make a card using the new Ornament Keepsakes stamp set. I really love the coordinating Framelits Dies that go with this set! I inked up the stamp in Pool Party ink and then rolled just the edges of the stamp on an Island Indigo ink pad to get the two-toned color.

Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes, Greetings of the Season

Paper: Crumb Cake, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Natural Composition Specialty Paper, Whisper White

Ink: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Black StazOn

Accessories: Holiday Ornaments Framelits Die, Big Shot, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Sponge, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon

PROJECT #2 – Scentsational Season Post-it Note Covers

My final project is a set of four Post-it Note covers using the new Scentsational Season stamp set. These were so quick and easy to put togther! To make the cover, cut a piece of cardstock 3-1/2″ x 8-1/8″. Score this piece at 3-1/2″, 3-7/8″ and 4-1/4″. You’ll then need to cut two slits one inch away from each long edge of the holder from the top of the first score line to the very bottom score line (this creates the little tube that holds the pencil). You can see my earlier lip balm holders tutorial HERE to get a basic idea of how to cut and score the cover. The golf pencil is covered with a 1-1/2″ x 3-1/8″ piece of Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper. I prepped the piece of paper by wrapping it around the pencil as tightly as I could and then removed it and applied Tombow Adhesive. I carefully started pressing the paper to the pencil. TIP: I used a piece of wax paper to wrap around the pencil while I pressed the paper to it — this kept my fingers from getting sticky from the glue and also kept the pencil clean with no glue smudges from my fingers.

Here are close-up photos of each cover:

Stamps: Scentsational Season

Paper: Festival of Prints DSP Stack, Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, Bashful Blue, Early Espresso, Island Indigo, Very Vanilla

Ink: Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Window Frames Collection Framelits Dies, Holiday Collection Framelits Dies, Big Shot, Paper Piercing Pack, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Golf Pencils, Silver Mini Brad

To see the next blog, click the link below. Gretchen Barron’s blog is next and, as always, she’s created some lovely pieces of artwork for you to enjoy! Thanks so much for taking the tour!

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Outlined Occasions Thank You

This will be my family’s Christmas thank you card this year (I’m a little behind in designing it, I know). I was happy to be able to use the new Sale-a-bration stamp set Outlined Occasions without having to color each letter; here I’ve only colored the little stars with a Real Red marker. I very rarely use the Pinking Hearts Border Punch, but I think the sharp, pointy edges of this punch go well with the stars.

Stamps: Outlined Occasions (Sale-a-bration)

Paper: Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Real Red DSP, Garden Green

Ink: Black StazOn, Real Red (marker)

Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Sweet Buttons Embosslits Die, Stars #2 Originals Die, Big Shot, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

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Merry Christmas in Brilliant Blue

My boss is a big UK fan and I was given a UK scarf to use for inspiration in creating a Christmas card for her. It’s a good thing I’m such a pack rat when it comes to SU! retired items; I still have a generous stash of Brilliant Blue cardstock and inks to work with. 🙂 I do wish SU! would come up with a poinsettia die — my “poinsettia” is made by punching several petals with the Blossom Petals Builder Punch and then I used the Simply Scored Scoring Tool to score each petal down the center. To assemble the flower, I punched a 1-1/4″ circle out of scrap cardstock and used a hot glue gun to attach each petal to the circle, working around and around until the flower seemed full enough. The antique brad in the center provided a nice, elegant finish to the flower.

Stamps: Come to Bethlehem

Paper: Brilliant Blue DSP (retired), Bride DSP (retired), Brilliant Blue (retired), Whisper White

Ink: Brilliant Blue (retired), VersaMark

Accessories: White Brads, Lots of Tags Sizzlits Die, Blossom Petals Builder Punch, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Antique Brad, Whisper White 5/8″ Organza Ribbon, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Big Shot

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