IT'S ALL ABOUT THE VIEW

While looking at pictures on Facebook last night of how Stampin' Up! employees decorate and celebrate Halloween, I noticed that one of the employees had a faux window scene on her cubicle wall.  Her costume was really cute, but it was the faux window that really caught my eye.  Of course, I had to make one--who could resist such a clever project????  This is not my final window--I hope to make another one with a more realistic scene but, at 4:00 a.m., I begin to lose creative steam.  If you were thinking that this was an actual view from my home, then I suppose I've lead you to believe that I'm from another planet.  Nanu! Nanu! 

TIME TO HANG UP JOSEPH'S COAT . . . AGAIN!

Go ahead.  Think what you were thinking.  Say it out loud, if you must.  It's true.  This card is a train wreck.  Actually, it's more like a distinguished passenger who, after the train wreck, is found cloaked in ne'er-do-well-Joseph's coat.  The ONE stamping technique that I have ne're done well with is Joseph's Coat.  I've been stamping for at least seven years, and I decided about five years ago to put this technique in a sealed vault.  I even told my customers at the time that I would NEVER demo Joseph's Coat, and I never have.  BUT . . . it really bugs me that I can't produce even one successful attempt at this technique.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this failure and then try to salvage it include:  "Artistic Etchings" and "Elements of Style" stamp sets, Rich Razzleberry, Marina Mist (beneath the black surface), VersaMark, Basic Black, and Early Espresso ink, rhinestone jewels, Crumb Cake, Glossy, and Naturals Ivory card stock, and Champagne Mist shimmer paint.  Can you believe that shimmer paint couldn't even save this Joseph's Coat?  It looks like my mother will be getting this card since it's one that only a mother could love.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I must deliver this technique to a much lower level in the vault, unless I pass an incinerator on the way. 

FLORAL SILHOUETTE FOR "FEMININE FRIDAYS"

Last week, with her "Feminine Fridays" post, Julie issued a mission for me to use a favorite retired stamp set this week and a color combo of Rose Red and Old Olive and/or designer paper.  When I started working on this card, I was thrilled to be fulfilling the mission . . . and then I realized that I wasn't because the designer paper that I chose is Kiwi Kiss, rather than Old Olive.  I decided to go with it anyway and stamp the focal point and sentiment on Old Olive card stock.  This is, of course, a square card with little Origami folds creating a floral border for the image from Stampin' Up!'s retired "Thankful Thoughts" stamp set.  I love silhouette images!!!  My card also features Stampin' Up!'s "Square Lattice" embossing folder, Scallop Edge punch, 2-1/2" Circle and 1-3/4" Circle punches, white Satin ribbon, and Antique Brad.  Thanks, Julie, for a fun mission that gave me an excuse to stamp the dust off a favorite stamp set!  ETA:  Instructions for the Origami flowers has been added to this post.  If you click on the picture, a larger picture will open.   You might still need to zoom in (sorry about that).

SHIMMERY VINTAGE SHADOWBOX CARD

So, I got a little side-tracked last night while cleaning off my desk.  It all started when I uncovered the "Deck the Halls" designer paper that I had folded a couple of weeks ago after seeing Julie's "Feminine Fridays" project which featured an Origami shadowbox.  I had made a project a couple of years ago which featured this same fold with one additional step, and it was known as the blintz fold.  I think shadowbox is a fitting name for it and, whatever you decide to call it, it's such a fun way to showcase a small stamped image.  I didn't uncover any stamped images that had been pushed aside, but I knew I wanted a vintage-y card and chose the typewriter image in Stampin' Up!'s "Puns from the Past" stamp set.  I love the images in this set, and they are perfect fits for the Origami shadowbox!  BTW, the only thing that I did differently to the traditional shadowbox fold was curl the four pointed flaps that surround the opening.  The typewriter image was stamped and embossed on a piece of "Newsprint" designer paper, layered onto Always Artichoke card stock, edges sponged with Early Espresso ink, and I used my craft knife to cut a slit for the sentiment.  The next layer on my card is a piece of "Newsprint" designer paper that I sponged with Early Espresso ink, crumpled, inked again, and distressed.  This layer has an Early Espresso mat, which was also sponged and distressed.  The detail that is really hard to see in the picture is the shimmer on the designer paper which was created by spraying it with Silver Foil and Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz.  The finishing touch is a mini vintage tag which hangs freely and is secured to the top of the card with a Modern Label punched shape and glitter brad.  And when I finished this card at 3:20 a.m., I was pleased and ready to go catch a dream or two. 

HALLOWEEN TREATS

One of the neatest Halloween projects that I saw this year was boxed holders for hand sanitizer, which I ordered from Bath & Body Works.  I can't say that I particularly like the scent that I chose, but what a cute gift!  Friends who attended my October Inkerbelles' class got to make the box on the left, complete with a bottle of licorice-scented anti-bacterial hand gel.  The only difference between the two boxes, other than color, is the way the front flap is held closed.  The stamped layer is what holds the flap closed on the box on the left--the very bottom portion of the stamped layers is all that's adhered to the box.  The flap on the green box is held closed by a black brad that "catches" the bottom of the flap. 

WOOHOO!!!! IT'S SOMETHING TO "CHIRP" ABOUT!

I'm so excited!!!  The card shown in this post made the "Cricut Chirp" newsletter!!!  I've only had maybe four projects highlighted in Cricut's newsletter, but I get super excited each time!  After I posted this card to the Cricut site, I went back and added ribbon to it.  The ribbon, as is usually the case, makes a lot of difference.

HALLOWEEN TEST TUBE TREAT

At my Inkerbelles' class this month, my guests got to make this super quick and easy Halloween test tube treat.  This is one of those projects that you can actually look forward to making in assembly-line fashion!  The stamped sentiment from Stampin' Up!'s "Grateful Greetings" set was shaped and layered using Stampin' Up!'s two tag punches, and natural hemp twine was used to tie the tag around the test tube.  I used some retired Halloween designer paper to cover a portion of the tube to make it more festive, and the tube was filled with candy.  Well, not all tubes got filled with candy because I kept getting into that bag before class.

SPOOKY SPIDERWEB

This Halloween card features some of my favorite new Stampin' Up! products . . . "Dark and Dreary" stamp set, Spider Web embossing folder, and rhinestone jewel.  The black card stock was first embossed with the spider web design, swiped with white Craft ink, and then I used the distressing tool along the edges.  The embossing served to break down the fibers in the card stock, making it susceptible to tearing as I distressed the edges.  How perfect . . . I love the tears in the card stock!  The candelabra layer and embossed spider web layer were spritzed with Champagne Mist shimmer mist, so this card looks more shimmery in the light of day.

DINNER PARTY DECORATION

As far as projects go, this was an easy one and one that would make a nice table decoration for an evening meal.  I cut the triangle-shaped vellum box with the Cricut and then created a base for the triangle from card stock.  As you can see, the triangle box opens on the side to make it easy to get the battery-operated candle in/out.  I used Craft ink and Stampin' Up!'s "Vintage Vogue" stamp set to decorate the vellum, and Sticky Strip holds the ribbon and bow in place.

IT'S TIME FOR "FEMININE FRIDAYS"

Is it just me, or do Fridays seem to be coming around fast?  It's already time for "Feminine Fridays," and Julie has a project to share this week that features one of her favorite color combos . . . Old Olive and Rose Red.  Be sure to visit her blog for the details, and don't forget to scroll down to spy on Frankii taking a nap. 

"DECK THE HALLS" FABRIC SKIRT

Looking for a relatively quick holiday card with pizzazz?  This may be the one!  For this card, I used Stampin' Up!'s "Deck the Halls" designer paper and fabric, antique brad, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, and "Four the Holidays" stamp set.  To create the "skirt," I ran a line of adhesive approximately 1-1/4" from the bottom of the card, fringed one edge of a strip of fabric by using a piercing tool to pull out threads, and then finger-pleated it as I placed it on the adhesive.  Easy peasy!  The prongs on the brad were wrapped around the center of the bow, and I used a glue dot to secure that portion of the seam binding to the card.

POP-UP BIRTHDAY GREETING FOR BETTY

Friday was aunt Betty's birthday.  It was written on the calendar, and I saw it two weeks ago and knew that I needed to get a card in the mail for her.  What I don't know is why I didn't get it done.  During the wee hours this a.m., I started on this card for her.  The only thing that I knew I wanted was the die-cut pop-up birthday greeting, which I cut with the Cricut.  I can't remember where I got the .cut file, but I love it!  The cupcake is from Stampin' Up!'s "Crazy for Cupcakes" stamp set and is stamped on Shimmery White card stock.  I colored the image with Copic markers and "sprinkled" it with yellow Stickles and left it to dry while I laid down for a dream or two.  For the sentiment, I used Stampin' Up!'s 1-3/4" Circle punch, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch, white gel pen, and flower brad.  Aunt Betty's card might be late, but I'll bet she's going to love it enough to forgive my tardiness.

TWO 9X5 LOAF PANS? INCHES OR FEET?

Thursday night, I made delicious Pumpkin Bread.  I found the recipe in a Paula Deen magazine and had to wait until the stores put pumpkin on the shelves before I could try it.  One thing that I learned is that while I was looking at the ingredients, I should have also paid attention to the measurements--this recipe made enough Pumpkin Bread for an army!  Of course, that didn't register with me until I measured out 3-1/2 cups of flour to combine with 3 cups of sugar and thought that my bowl might not be big enough to hold all of that!  I said to myself, "Wowza, Self!!!!  We're makin' a lot!"  And then I had to find pans large enough to bake all of the mix!  The recipe said to spray two 9x5-inch loaf pans, but just two pans that size would NOT hold all of the batter.  I used one 9x13-inch pan that was sectioned to make eight mini loaves AND my Pampered Chef Rectangular Stoneware Baker, which is larger/deeper than the average 9x13-inch casserole dish!  This experience reminded me of a time years ago when I made my first Pound cake.  O-M-G!!!!!!!!!!  We called it the TON cake.  The cake batter rose and rose and rose and spilled over and over and over.  At least THREE TIMES I had to take the cake(s) out of the oven and either pour some of the batter into another pan and/or place the pans on baking sheets because it was imminent that the swelling batter would definitely overflow.  If I remember correctly, I had used S/R flour instead of A/P and, most likely, had added the baking soda and salt.  I don't remember if all of the cakes ever did bake, but I'll never forget that experience.  Pound cakes are scary things!  Ha!  But . . . I am sharing my Pumpkin Bread.  My Inkerbelles' got a taste at class last night, my sister took two mini loaves home with her today, and I wrapped and tagged three mini loaves (pictured above) to take to my mother, daddy, and grandmother tomorrow.  For holiday baking and gift-giving, this recipe is perfect and might just prove to be your all-done-in-one-shot recipe!  In case you're wondering, I used Stampin' Up!'s "Cute by the Inch" and "Tiny Tags" stamp sets to create the tags.

CHRISTMAS CROSS

Yikes!  I have a class in one hour, but I wanted to share this little beauty with you.  This card features Stampin' Up!'s gorgeous "Deck the Halls" designer paper, "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp set, Crochet Trim, "Vintage Wallpaper" embossing folder, Champagne Mist shimmer paint, and a couple of other products.  I can already see one thing that I want to add to this card but, for now, I must get my mess cleaned up.  Have a stampin' good weekend!

DECK THE HALLS - IRIS "UN"FOLDED DESIGN

Last week, Julie made it my mission for "Feminine Fridays" to create a project with designer paper as the focal point, and that's exactly what I did.  It's been a while since I created an iris-folded design, but I decided straight away that I would not be folding those thin strips of paper this time.  With traditional Iris Folding, you cut your strips of paper and then fold them in half.  They actually look better--more "finished"--when folded.  To begin this project, I first cut the tree-shaped aperture and lightly adhered the Early Espresso card stock (face down) to my cutting mat so it wouldn't move as I put the strips of paper in place.  The pattern for this design was also adhered to the cutting mat (face up) so I could follow the design (through the aperture) to adhere the strips of paper in order.  Imagining what the finished card would look like, I decided that I wanted to have an embossed front, so I went ahead and used Stampin' Up!'s "Vintage Wallpaper" embossing folder, which I accented with Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint.  As if that wasn't enough, I took it a step further and sprayed the embossed card stock with Champagne Mist shimmer mist to give it some added glitz.  Now I was ready to place the strips of "Deck the Halls" designer paper in place according to my tree-shaped pattern.  Final embellishments, all from Stampin' Up!, include a distressed sentiment from the "Snow Swirled" stamp set which I used the Wide Oval punch to shape, a gorgeous antique brad, the cute little bird from the "Merry Details" Sizzlits die, and Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding.

EASY "WINTER POST" DESIGN

Just one more share today, and it's a very easy holiday design that I don't believe I've posted to my blog yet.  I actually designed this card for a make-&-take and ended up not using it.  One thing that I will definitely change if I use this design for some of my personal holiday cards this year is the ribbon--to blue or Espresso.  Stampin' Up! products used include "Winter Post" and "Heard from the Heart" stamp sets, rhinestone, and Bashful Blue and Early Espresso ink.

SHABBY LATTICE & BUTTERFLIES

It's way past time for me to clean up and get ready for a class tomorrow, but I decided to kill a little time using some of the products that were already on my desk.  This shabby card features several Stampin' Up! products:  Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, and Early Espresso card stock, Sizzix "Lattice" die, Sizzix "Beautiful Wings" Embosslits die, "Dreams du Jour" and "Artistic Etchings" stamp sets, Eyelet Border punch, flatback pearls, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, and glitter brad.  This card is actually quite shimmery in person!

BUTTERFLY FRAME PROJECT

Frame projects are not only fun to create, they also make great gifts and can be designed around just about any theme.  I don't know what possessed me to go with a Spring design here in the middle of October, but I'm pleased with how this project turned out.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this project include:  Bride specialty paper, Silver Foil and Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, "Beautiful Wings" Sizzix Embosslits die, Heart to Heart, Scallop Circle, and Word Window punches, "Finial Press" Embossing Folder, "Dreams du Jour" stamp set, Early Espresso and Blushing Bride Classic ink, In Color Patterns Pack (level 1 hostess selection), Pear Pizzazz card stock, Filigree brads, and Basic Jewels (rhinestones and pearls).  FYI . . . the Bride specialty paper is (or was) available at a steal of a price in Stampin' Up!'s Clearance Rack.  The Clearance Rack Blitz is going on until October 18th, so be sure to check it out at www.regina.stampinup.com.  Just click the "Shop Now" button in the top right corner.  ETA:  If you click on the picture to open a larger view, you'll notice that the designs in the Bride specialty paper actually resist ink.  This is especially noticeable in the stamped sentiment attached to the frame.

TOMORROW'S DRESS READY TO GO . . . CHECK!

Similar side-step cards have been making the rounds lately in Stamp Land and, after really wanting to make one, I finally took the time this evening.  The inspiration for my card came directly from Jackie Topa's creations, and I really enjoyed this project.  It was time-consuming, but fun . . . a project that I'm glad I tried.  The hardest part was making myself slow down and think about what I was doing, rather than how the finished card was going to look.  You know how it goes . . . when you're making a project that's taking quite a bit of time, you really don't want to finish it and THEN have a flood of ideas that you should have tried.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include:  Filigree, Vintage, and Rhinestone brads, Crochet Trim, Sizzix "Beary Essentials" die, "Newsprint" and "Deck the Halls" designer paper, Crumb Cake and Always Artichoke card stock, Curly Label, Modern Label, and Eyelet Border punches, "Things I Love" stamp set, and flatback pearls.

A SPECIAL CARD FOR A SPECIAL LADY

A few weeks ago, I shared a birthday card that I had made for my grandmother's friend, Elizabeth.  This card is also for sweet Elizabeth because she is going through a very difficult time.  Shortly after her birthday, she found out that she has an inoperable brain tumor.  It's so sad!  Tonight I wanted to make a special card for her, so I uncovered the Cricut and pulled out my "Wild Card" cartridge.  This is actually one of my favorite cards on that cartridge, mainly because of the die-cut leafy layer (the brown paisley panel behind the flower) that I placed in the center of the card.  Normally when I make this card, I adhere the leafy panel to the inside back of the card, but this time I decided to run a tiny strip of adhesive on the far left to create a hinge so that the flower on front and the leafy layer would have free movement, and my handwritten note would have a place of its own without taking away from the overall card design.  I used Stampin' Up!'s "Square Lattice" embossing folder on the smallest flower layers, and I placed one of Stampin' Up!'s gorgeous antique brads in the center of the flowers.  While it's true that I could have selected for Elizabeth one of MANY cards that I have on hand, I always want to create something special for a special person.  I pour a lot of myself into my creations, and I hope that Elizabeth will feel that when she receives this card. 

"DECK THE HALLS" FABRIC ORNAMENT

Guess what I did today?  I played with Stampin' Up!'s "Deck the Halls" fabric to create this very dimensional ornament.  I started by using the Sizzix Scallop Circles #2 die to cut the fabric.  I used the Circle Scissor Plus to cut a 3" piece of thin cardboard and two 3" circles from Sticky Pages to hold the fabric to the cardboard.  I added Tinsel Trim to the fabric tree and then thread some Tinsel Trim through the big button (this was NOT easy) to use as a topper for my triangle tree.  Sticky Strip and an Antique Brad hold the Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding in place, but I used fabric glue to adhere the stamped sentiment (from "Home for Christmas"), which was stamped with Chocolate Chip Craft ink onto a piece of ivory fabric that I acquired from my grandmother's basement yesterday.  To finish off the ornament, I used the Crop-a-Dile to punch a hole for the Crochet Trim hanger.  What did I learn today?  I learned that there are ways to work with fabric that don't include a needle and thread and, trust me . . . you don't want to see the mess I made earlier with fabric, needle, and linen thread.

"FEMININE FRIDAYS" FUN FOLD

My good friend, Julie, has a pretty card on her blog to share with you for "Feminine Fridays."  Be sure to read all about it HERE.  Her Origami Shadowbox fold is quite a fun one, and she shares exactly how it's done.  This is actually a very neat way to draw attention to a small stamped image, giving it the attention it deserves while also adding an interesting element to the design of your card.  Great job, Julie!!

"OWL" TRY TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER

This is a card that I made some time ago, thinking that it would be one of my October class projects.  Ha!  I had forgotten all about it, so it will go on display instead.  I think I had wanted to go back and do something different with the "Word Play" image, but I'm over that now.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include:  Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and Whisper White card stock, rhinestone jewels (love those things), Two-Step Owl, Two-Step Bird, and 1-3/4" Circle punches, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, "Word Play" stamp set, "Greenhouse Gala" designer paper, Stampin' Dimensionals, and wood-grain texture plate (sorry--I can't recall the exact name of it).

MOOSE FOR MOCKSVILLE

 

It's a wonderful day!!!! My sweet daddy is home from the hospital, ready to work on getting his strength back--but taking it easy, too. If I know him, he's going to see all kinds of things in and around the house that he needs to do, but this card is my reminder to him to relax and get well. My mother, on the other hand, is the one who will be working extra hard as caregiver, head chef, waitress, maid, laundry professional, bill-payer, light bulb changer, etc., so I made a card for her, too--to remind her that I will be glad to help however and whenever I can.  Several Stampin' Up! products were used to create these cards:  Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, and Crumb Cake card stock, Word Window, Modern Label, Scallop Oval, Wide Oval, and Photo Corner punches, glitter brads (LOVE them!!!!), Scallop Square Sizzix die, Finial Press and Square Lattice embossing folders, and "FYI" stamp set.

"FEMININE FRIDAYS" FUN TECHNIQUE

For this week's "Feminine Fridays" project, Julie gave me a special "mission" to select another demonstrator's featured project from one of the Stampin' Success magazines that Stampin' Up! sends to demonstrators each month.  The project that I chose for my inspiration didn't come from another demonstrator, but it was a featured technique (Glass Etching with the Big Shot) in the April 2009 issue.  To complete the featured technique as described in the article, you need glass etching medium (which I've used before), and you apply the etching cream to the die-cut negative and then rinse it off after it sets according to the directions for the etching medium you're using and then peel off the vinyl to reveal your beautifully etched design.  What I wanted to use was Stampin' Up!'s clear vinyl to create a faux etched glass design on a glass ornament that I had in my stash of stuff to work with "someday."  Faux etched glass using clear vinyl is the least messy and easiest method of achieving the look of etched glass.  For this ornament, I used parts of Stampin' Up!'s "Tulipe" die, clear vinyl, and Cherry Cobbler seam binding.  I simply die-cut the vinyl and placed the pieces that I wanted to use onto the ornament, and completed the project with the Cherry Cobbler seam binding.  The first time I tried this faux etched glass technique with clear vinyl was with my Cricut Expression, and you can see the cut image that I placed on my bathroom mirror HERE.  When you use glass etching medium, your etched image is permanent but, when you use Stampin' Up!'s clear vinyl, the image can be permanent if you leave it alone or you can peel off the vinyl and re-use the glass item!  How cool is that????  If you feel inspired to try faux etched glass, visit my web site and purchase your choice of products from me!  You'll find a big selection of dies HERE, and the vinyl (aka Decor Elements Sheets) can be found HERE.