"BE MERRY" STRING ART

Get ready for the holiday season with this beautiful Be Merry sign. This art is sure to get you into the holiday spirit, and it also doubles as a greeting card holder! When those holiday cards start coming in, just use a regular paper clip to attach the card to the ribbon and you will have all your cards on display! There is a card included, so you can make one of these signs to give as a gift!

This bonus project was designed by Amanda, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.  How does one earn the bonus project?  It's easy!  Each month, the bonus project can be obtained by subscribing to two or more months in a row, putting the Craft Project Central badge on your blog, or by referring a friend and letting us know when they subscribe.

A LOOPY BRACELET AND A FUN COLOR COMBO FOR "MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM project is a card with a loopy flower to accompany a loopy bracelet.  While trying to wake up and come alive last Saturday morning, I learned to make that bracelet from loom bands (sometimes referred to as Twistz Bandz), although the actual instructions called for adding more loops, which I will try the next time around.  I recently purchased a Rainbow Loom kit (don't ask me why . . . I'm over 8+ years of age . . . I found the product intriguing), and it is quite relaxing and much fun to create an assortment of bracelets with those small rubber bands.  I made a couple of bracelets (before I learned to make the loopy one) to send to my nieces, but my biggest problem is that I don't know (or often see) a lot of little girls who might enjoy the bracelets.  This won't stop me from making them, though.  The one pictured here was mailed to a crafty little girl who enjoys stamping.  Stampin' Up! products used to create the card include Summer Starfruit, Pool Party, Whisper White, and Pumpkin Pie card stock, A Dozen Thoughts and Flower Shop stamp sets, rhinestone jewel, Pinking Hearts Border punch (retired), and Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.  A Dozen Thoughts is a fabulous stamp set, and that "just because" sentiment is a favorite of mine!  I love the pretty cursive with the swirly-doos on each end, and it's perfectly sized for just about any card.  Thanks for visiting today, and have a HAPPY Monday!

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

Who doesn’t love to count down the days until Christmas?  This is the perfect addition to any holiday décor for the upcoming Christmas season!  Simply turn the calendar days one by one starting on December 1^st and Christmas will be here before you know it!

Is this a stunning project or what????  Look at it again . . . I know you want to, and I'm sure you'll see something that you didn't see before.  Dani Dziama designed this gorgeous project, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

CREATING WITH PAPER & PUNCHES--NO EMBELLISHMENTS

The October swap theme for my Inkerbelles' class was to create a project using only paper/card stock, punches, and dies or embossing folders and not use any embellishments.  My card features the following Stampin' Up! products: 
Stamp Set:  Happy Day

Card Stock:  Pool Party, Whisper White, Island Indigo

Designer/Specialty Paper:  Winter Frost, Silver Glimmer, Silver Foil

Ink:  Island Indigo

Punches:  Mosaic, 7/8" Scallop Circle, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, 1-3/4" Circle

Sizzix:  Delicate Designs and Modern Mosaic embossing folders

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

Last week, Julie Beaulieu issued a mission for me to create a project this week using glossy card stock.  It's been a little while since I've used any, so I wanted to try something that I hadn't tried before . . .  in this case, the Alcohol Ink Splatter technique.  My son would say that I improvised as much with this technique as I do when I attempt to cook, and he wouldn't be lying.  Here's what I did:  I used silver Encore Metallic ink to stamp the tree image, sprinkled it with Iridescent Ice embossing powder, and heat set the image.  Unfortunately, the stamp slid on the slick card stock and, since I had the same mishap with my first attempt, I decided to go ahead and use it.  I gathered three alcohol ink refills (Adirondack Meadow, Currant, and Slate), alcohol blending solution, a bronze glimmer mist, and a straw.  You won't see any of the bronze glimmer mist because this was my second attempt, and I managed to knock over the bottle between my two attempts to make this card.  Fortunately, I had a craft mat and was working on a piece of cardboard on top of the mat.  Honestly, it is soooooo unlike me to be this prepared for a mess that I was looking over and under everywhere to find signs of irreversible disaster, other than the fact that I'd spilled the glimmer mist and watched it pour out as I slowly realized that it was really happening and decided what to do about it.  Anyway . . . as I dropped ink onto the card stock--randomly--I used the straw (ETA:  the straw is used to blow the ink around on the card stock--duh!) to quickly move it around before it dried (trying to remember to not inhale between blows), and I continued doing this until the card stock was covered with ink.  I then poured the blending solution onto the card stock and turned it this way and that to move the ink around.  The final step was to dry the card stock with the heat tool and, in the process, the glitter on the embossed image came back to life.  Note:  It isn't necessary to use metallic ink to stamp an image for this technique--that's the ink that I had used on my first attempt (without heat embossing), and I knew that it would be wet enough for embossing powder because I managed to smear it as I tossed it in the trash.  While I used alcohol inks, I think a pretty background could be created with water-based inks.  All in all, I like the background created with this technique and, believe me, it looks much better in real life.  Finishing touches included adhering the glossy card stock to a Soft Sky mat and wrapping Organdy ribbon around the two layers before adhering them to a Wisteria Wonder card.  The sentiment was stamped onto Soft Sky card stock and adhered beneath the ribbon knot.  Don't you love that sentiment?  I recently bought the stamp set (Studio 490 "Evidence of Art") just for that stamp.  Well, Julie, thank you for another mission that created some excitement in my stamp room.  ;-)

HOLIDAY DECORATIVE PLATE COLLECTION

You will love having this beautiful plate displayed in your home year-round. Each of the eight inserts has a Velcro back so that you can easily switch out the center each month for the appropriate holiday.  Or, when you are not in a holiday month, use the generic everyday insert. This would also make a wonderful gift for a special friend or family member.

The tutorial for this project, designed by Amy, can be found at Craft Project Central.  I like how each of the inserts have plenty of visual interest and what a pretty decoration this makes--definitely would be a great gift!

PHOTO KEEPER

Summer is over, but you don’t have to forget about your vacation just yet. Make this super cool Photo Keeper that can also function as a mini scrapbook in a box. Keep your treasured photo memories in one place.  The size makes it perfect to take with you in your bag to hold your pictures while you travel. This is also the perfect present with the matching greeting card and small embellishments to someone who loves to travel and take pictures.

Monika Davis designed this project, and isn't it great?  I really like all of the little design details!  Her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

A TIP FOR "MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY" THAT WILL HAVE THE CARD STOCK FALLING OUT OF THE EXPRESSIONS THINLITS

When I first got my Expressions Thinlits from Stampin' Up!, I knew that I would really like the die-cut words; however, I also knew (from years and years of working with assorted dies) that it wasn't going to be all that pleasant to get the die-cut words peeled away from the die.  I tried waxed paper, which worked well, and I also tried using double-sided adhesive to leave the die-cut word in each die to act as a release aid for future cuts.  Both of these methods worked okay.  The waxed paper worked best, but I am not the kind of person who will want to use waxed paper with every single cut.  Eventually, I remembered that I had purchased some dies earlier this year (not from Stampin' Up!) that came with a thin foam--Ejection Foam--that I had to put on the dies.  Ah ha!!!  That was exactly what the Expressions Thinlits needed, and I'm going to show you exactly how I applied the foam to my dies.  I don't think this is a product that's easy to find, but it would be nice if certain Thinlits came with this little slice of Heaven.  And now for the how-it's-done.  I apologize for showing such ugly cutting pads, but I'm getting as much life out of them as I can.  ;-)

Step 1:  Place a clear cutting pad on top of the Magnetic Platform or Multipurpose Platform.  Cut the foam so that it's slightly larger than the die.  Peel the liner from the back of the foam, lay it on the clear cutting pad (adhesive side up), and lay the die face-down onto the adhesive.

Step 2:  Place a piece of waxed paper on top of the dies to keep the foam from sticking to your second cutting pad.

Step 3:  Place the second cutting pad on top of the waxed paper, and then place a scrap of card stock on top of the cutting plate.  Run the sandwich through your Big Shot two or three times to help seal the adhesive to the die.

Step 4:  Lift the excess foam away from the die.  Use a piercing tool (or other apparatus) to remove portions of cut foam where the adhesive is exposed, but leave the remainder of the foam intact so it can do its job and push the cut medium out of the die.

Step 5:  After only one pass through the Big Shot, just look at how the card stock is literally falling away from the die!  

Our lives can be made easier with just a little bit of Ejection Foam, and I have already written to Stampin' Up! and suggested that they start carrying this product.  If you feel inclined to do so, then PLEASE write to Stampin' Up! and ask them to carry this (or a similar) product.  Waxed paper is okay in a pinch but . . . geez Louise . . . why do we not already have this product?  I suppose it may be necessary to replace the foam after a considerable amount of use, but I expect for it to last a long, long time.

ETA:  While working on a project yesterday, I die-cut the word "Merry" from silver glimmer paper, which is quite thick, and it cut and released beautifully!

 

FAMILY BANNER & LEAF JAR SET

This is a great time of year to decorate for the season.  Included in this project are the “Family” banner, a beautiful “leaf” jar, and a matching card.  These little décor items are perfect for a gift or to decorate your own home.

I love the colors in this ensemble, and the "Family" banner and frame totally suits my taste!  Heidi King designed this project, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

Is it really Friday?  Oh, yes it is, and that means it's time for Julie Beaulieu to share a little Freestyle Fridays inspiration.  I'm going to throw out a guess that her project colors are Pool Party and Strawberry Slush which, if I'm correct, look awesome together!  Actually, I am quick to think "retro" or vintage when I see Pool Party paired with several of Stampin' Up!'s colors, but I think it's because Pool Party itself just reminds me of turquoise in the '50s because it had a (sometimes dirty, muted) greenish tint . . . think '56 Chevy, muted colors in books about Dick and Jane, lots of appliance ads, and don't dare try to deny those turquoise (Pool Party) formica countertops in diners with gold or silver flecks!  I doubt that Julie was having flashbacks of the '50s when she made this card, but having only a sneak peek of her project has paved a wide open road for my mind to wander.   Be sure to visit Julie's blog to see her entire project and to learn all about it.  I'm sure she'll have a fun mission for me, and you might want to give it a try!  Update:  I now know that Julie used Coastal Cabana and not Pool Party.  Oooooohhhhh . . . that's so much closer to the turquoise of the '50s!!!!  ;-)  And for the sake of clarification . . . I wasn't even in the world during the '50s.

"TIMELESS TALK" DESKTOP CARD SET

This project makes a darling card box, and when the cards are gone you can use it as a note paper holder!  Simply cut 8-1/2” x 11” sheets of copy paper into quarters, and you have note paper for the holder!  This project makes a nice addition to any desk. 

That stamp set keeps calling my name, and Laurie, who designed this project, is pushing it once again to the top of my wish list!  The tutorial for this project (and many others) can be found at Craft Project Central.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT BETTY!!!!

Today is my aunt Betty's birthday, and her card is still at my house.  Ack!!!!  I called her just now and told her to keep celebrating this week because my card is on the way.  She told me that she plans to celebrate through the weekend!  Since she doesn't have a computer, I think it will be okay for me to share photos of the card that I'm sending to her.

I may have shared this card before--I didn't bother to check.  It's a really neat one that folds flat, hiding the fact that there's an entire bouquet of flowers inside.  The card and flowers (inside the card) were cut with the Silhouette, but I used Stampin' Up!'s Pansy punch, buttons, doilies, and Happy Day stamp set to decorate the front.  After making this card, I realized that I didn't leave enough space to write a note.  Problem solved when I discovered that the Full Heart punched shape fit nicely in the flowers, so I used it to cut my printed sentiments.  

Betty told me today that my parents sent "a card that sings", and she'll have to tell them (later this week) that I sent a whole bouquet of flowers!

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY" . . . AND THE WINNER OF THE FREE CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL SUBSCRIPTION

I was working on Christmas cards yesterday and had set this little guy to the side because I somehow managed to swipe a finger across an open Night of Navy ink pad and accidentally transferred ink in a couple of places.  When I started to work on the MISM project, it occurred to me that the ink on the washi tape wasn't too obvious, and I could just rip off the other evidence of error.  Isn't this little snowman adorable?  I debated about getting this stamp set (Snow Day) because I don't normally enjoy "buildable" images when the stamp-a-ma-jig is needed extensively.  For this card, I only used the SAMJ with the hat and scarf, so the stamping went quickly (I was making twelve of these cards).

 

Last Thursday, I posted a photo of the project for which I designed a tutorial for Craft Project Central, and I promised to use random.org to choose the winner (from those who left comments HERE), and the winner is #8 . . . Barbara V said:    "Love what you have done with the polka dots…so colorful and happy!".  Many thanks to those of you who took the time to leave a comment!  Barbara V, please contact me at randari@hotmail.com so we can get your subscription started!

PUMPKIN SPICE FALL APPRECIATION GIFT SET

This Fall Appreciation Gift Set is packed with all the writing essentials you’ll need, plus a super simple two-ingredient recipe for ‘The Best’ Pumpkin Spice Cookies - just right for the season! The six note cards, coordinating covered notepad, and Stampin’ Write Marker all fit into the two-pocket fold up tote. You’ll also get the instructions for making the Pumpkin Spice Cookies that fit just perfectly into the Stampin’ Up! Tag a Bag Gift Box. 

Isn't this a great ensemble?  It's one that would certainly make me feel special!  Julie Beltramo designed this project, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

It's my turn to share a Freestyle Fridays project, and Julie challenged me with her post last week to create a Fall project.  When I started working on today's project, I very neatly stamped a collage of images from Stampin' Up!'s French Foliage stamp set using Crushed Curry, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede, and Cajun Craze colors.  I sponged the edges with Soft Suede ink and then embossed the wood grain texture into the card stock.  The design didn't show up too well, so I lightly sponged Early Espresso ink onto the embossed texture.  Not surprisingly, those beautifully embossed lines had cut through the Very Vanilla card stock in several places, so I just went ahead and (more heavily) sponged the dark ink all over, which covered the stamped collage and further encouraged more tears in the card stock.  I thought about tossing the big oops, but then I decided to just go ahead and see how many tears I could get from the paper.  I put adhesive on the back of the torn strips, and adhered them to a scrap of card stock and then trimmed it to 4" square.  The sentiment, from A Dozen Thoughts, was punched and adhered embossed layer, and then I added the two Candy Dots brads.  This was the first time I've used the Candy Dots, and I love those things!  The finishing touch was the die-cut leaves, tied together with linen thread.  Although the stamped collage that I began with got covered, I really like how some of the ink colors show through the embossed grain, giving a somewhat mossy look.  Thank you, Julie, for such a fun mission!

WIN A ONE-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL

I'm excited to share with you the project that I designed for Craft Project Central this month!  A set of blank greeting cards is always a great gift idea and is particularly a gift project worth considering for the upcoming Christmas holiday.  One of my favorite collections of Stampin' Up! designer paper is the colorful Polka Dot Parade, and I think it's a perfect choice for a gift of greeting cards because they will deliver a little cheer at any time of year.  This ensemble includes assorted sentiments and a handy coordinating box for the cards.

My project tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.  Would you like to win a FREE subscription to this month's tutorials?  I would love to draw the name of a lucky winner but, in order to do that, you'll need to visit Craft Project Central and leave a comment under the blog post where my project ensemble is pictured.  It will be the blog post dated 10-10-13.  On Monday, October 14, I will announce the winner of the FREE subscription.

AUTUMN THEMED BOXED CARD SET

In this project make some cards that “match” the season.  Who wants a spring themed birthday card when they have a birthday in October?  In this project, you’ll craft some cards with rich fall colors for various occasions, plus a great box that’s perfect for gift giving – if you don’t decide to keep the cards for yourself!

This pretty set was designed by Jen, and her complete tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Happy Monday!  I have spent the past two days (and nights and wee hours) re-organizing, purging, and cleaning my stamp room.  Well, not cleaning just yet--cleaning out is more accurate.  What started it all?  A storm door.  My stamp room used to be a garage, so there wasn't ever a storm door in here.  For quite a few years, on the rare occasion when the temperature would be just right, breezy, and no pollen, I have wished for a storm door so that I could raise the windows (on the opposite side of the room from the door) and enjoy a pleasant cross-breeze.  I finally got the door (love, love, love it), but there was a huge price to pay . . . the handy cart that has blocked the door for years had to move, which meant cleaning out and moving a LOT of other things.  The cart that had blocked the door held several very handy and useful gadgets/tools beside my desk, so this activity has required a LOT of thinking, moving, trying, moving again, etc.  At the moment (it's after 5:00 a.m.), it looks like a fierce wind has turned this place upside-down.  My goal was to have the room looking much better by now because I'm expecting a Stampin' Up! order today and really want to work on some projects.  Today's MISM project is a card that I literally threw together using found items.  The paper isn't from Stampin' Up!, but the ribbon, punches, brad, stamp set, and pearl jewels are.  Does that sentence even make sense?  I really liked this little card and hope that you do, too.  And now I wish I had a big box that I could just toss stuff in to clear this room (and my head), but I'd have to go buy a refrigerator to get the right size box for the job.

CREATING PRETTY CARDS - SKETCH CHALLENGE #28

Everyone loves a sketch challenge, right?  I created this card for Craft Project Central's Creating Pretty Cards - Sketch Challenge #28 and used the following Stampin' Up! products:  Notable Notions stamp set, Shop Around Stampin' Around Wheel, Soft Suede, Midnight Muse, Crumb Cake, and Whisper White card stock, antique brads, Chalk Talk Framelits, Naturals Trim ribbon, Beautifully Baroque embossing folder, and circle punches.  Why don't you follow the sketch and create a card?  You might end up winning a FREE one-month subscription to Craft Project Central!

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

It's Julie Beaulieu's turn to share a Freestyle Fridays project, and pictured here is the sneak peek that she shared with me.  Isn't it pretty????  Circles, script, and sparkle . . . what's not to love?  Although Julie has had some trying times and a lot going on lately, she still manages to knock out some creative and inspiring projects!  I hope you'll join me in visiting her blog to see the full project photo and to learn all about it.  I'm anxious to find out what my mission will be for next Friday.  You might want to play along, too!

GORGEOUS FALL CENTERPIECE

It’s officially Autumn and time to put out Fall decorations!  Wouldn’t this Fall Centerpiece be wonderful to add to your collection?  Fall colors are so beautiful, and this centerpiece is full of them!  The centerpiece would look great on any dining room table, mantle, bay window, or entry table.  

I love the vibrant pop of colors in this arrangement, which was designed and created by Christy Fulk.  This centerpiece is strikingly gorgeous!  To make one for your Fall decorating, join Craft Project Central this month and follow Christy's tutorial.

TRICK OR TREAT GIFT SET

This Trick or Treat Gift Set is the perfect Halloween gift for that special little someone in your life! This set features an altered, no-sew, pillowcase trick or treat bag, a personalized trick or treat bag name tag, a trick or treat pin, and a spooky gift card for giving this set as a gift!  Any one of these projects--individually--would make for a wonderful creative session for you and your spooky little friend!  

This project was designed by Michelle Wecksler, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.