THINKING AHEAD TO EASTER

It seems that by the time holidays arrive, I'm surprised they haven't already passed because I start working on them so far in advance. Easter, I'm sure, will be no exception, plus it's really early this year! This morning, I decided to make a little Easter treat! You can probably tell from the picture that I used textured card stock . . . I think it makes stamped images appear as though they're stamped on canvas. Of course, I had to use some glitter on my project, but this time I used Heat & Stick powder to hold it. Heat & Stick is a tricky product but, when used correctly, it works like a charm! The glitter, in real life, isn't as dark as it appears in the photo, and it is SO SPARKLY!!!! I had a bear of a time getting a decent picture today. Where is the sun when you need it???? How to make this cute project? I used a 4" x 11.5" strip of Pretty in Pink textured card stock, scored at 4-1/2" and 6-1/2". On the 4-1/2" panel, I used the Coluzzle to cut the oval window. A small cello bag (which SU sells) was used to hold the Hershey's Kisses, and the bag was stapled to the back panel of the project. The topper is a piece of 3" x 4" Old Olive card stock, folded in half, and I used the Corner Rounder punch to create the scalloped edge. The butterfly and "Easter Blessings" images were stamped with VersaMark ink, Heat & Stick powder was sprinkled on top, and then I heated the powder just until it melted. A Q-tip was used to apply the glitter, and I then re-heated to set the glitter. The tulips and stems ("Never-Ending Joy" stamp set) were stamped with Pink Passion and Old Olive Classic ink. I used the Crop-a-Dile to punch two holes in the topper, which was glued onto the top of the treat holder, and then put the Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgrain ribbon into place. This project was finished off with a cross charm!

"LOVE" WORD BOOK/ALBUM

How cool is this???? I love the way this book came together, and it isn't even finished . . . or together . . . just yet! There are four pages, of course, and the pages get progressively larger. The first page, the "L", is the only one that has holes punched (and jumbo brads) for now, but I'll eventually add pictures, journaling, and embellishments to the whole thing. I just haven't figured out what I want to do with it. I had an idea, but Chadrick--politely, yet adamantly--asked me not to go with that idea. ;-) I used the Cricut and DesignStudio software to cut each of the pages from thin chipboard and then cut each letter/page two more times from designer paper so I could cover the front and back of each page. For this, I used a decoupage glue. One the front and back of each page, I used a sanding block on the edges to distress them a bit. This word book is 6" tall, and the largest page ("E") is 11" wide. SU products used to create this book include "Outlaw" designer paper (retired), jumbo antique eyelets, and the Crop-a-Dile. BTW, the "Eastern Sky" designer paper in the current SU catalog has the same patterns/designs as the retired "Outlaw" designer paper--it just has different colors.

Z-FOLD HEART POCKET

I've been seeing heart pockets all over the place and decided to try one today. For this project, I chose the "Spring Silhouettes" designer paper, which is very pretty! SU products used to create this card include Soft Sky and Wild Wasabi card stock, Metallic eyelets, Ice Rhinestone brads, Crop-a-Dile, "Stem Sayings" and "One of a Kind" stamp sets, Photo Corners punch, and Stampin' Dimensionals. The scalloped ovals were cut with Spellbinder's Nestabilities dies and the Wizard.

TAG PUNCH SNOWFLAKE

Can you say "COOL BEANS?????" This is my very first snowflake created with Stampin' Up!'s tag punches, and I'm quite pleased with it. Although it was quite easy to make, it was somewhat tedious and time-consuming. The blue snowflake in the center was cut with a Sizzlits die, and the embossed snowflake background was created with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. Stampin' Up! products used to create this card are: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, and white Vellum card stock, Antique Brass brad, Crop-a-Dile to set the Antique Brass eyelets, white Mulberry paper, and the jumbo "Snow" wheel. Dazzling Diamonds glitter was applied to the edges of the white snowflake with 2-Way glue.

Ahoy! Me Matey Needs T'Shave!

But isn't he cute anyway? This card is all kinds of dirty and distressed! No, I didn't drop it on the floor and walk all over it. After stamping the background, I used a sponge to apply ink to the outer edges of that layer, used the distressing tool on the edges, and then inked them with Chocolate Chip ink. All of this was done after I'd wadded up the layer! I also wadded up the layer that "me matey" is stamped on! He was colored with markers, but I used the ZIG Painty on his knife. Other products used were the Round Tab Punch, natural hemp twine, eyelets, and the Crop-a-Dile.

Most people think this stamp set (Ahoy, Matey) is just for kids, but anyone (any age) would probably like to get this matey in the mail. You can even search for pirate lingo/talk and come up with your own sentiments!

Workshop Projects

One of my hostess clubs met tonight, and these are the FUN projects that we created! The quilt card and black & white polka dot card were learned from other bloggers (I'm sorry! I can't remember who), and they were both fun to make! The Crop-a-Dile was used to create the polka dots and set the eyelets, and the Yoyo Yellow scalloped edge was created with the Slit Punch. I try to always plan projects for my workshops that I'm excited about, and these three projects were well-received.