HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LISA!!!

Sharing today a card that I made for a friend's birthday.  She was one of the first friends that I met after getting my first "real" job in Charlotte many years ago.  One of my funniest memories with this friend was her complaints one morning about not sleeping well because of the "idiots" who lived behind her and the party they were having.  I happened to have been at a party the previous night and, as it turned out, I was one of the reasons she had missed sleep! 

 

We worked together for 15 years, and she was the kind of friend that I could always count on and, above all, trust.  Friends like that are rare, you know.  She was truly the kind of friend who can know all of your faults and flaws and still be a friend.  I haven't seen her in years, and I have dropped the ball when it comes to staying in touch which, unfortunately, seems to be a strong suit of mine.  I think of her often and, when I saw on my calendar that I had missed sending a birthday card (on time), I decided to make this one for her. 

If you have a friend in your life (or  your past) like Lisa or, if you're like me and always seem to drop the ball when it comes to staying in touch, why not make a card today and let that person know that you still consider them one of your life's treasures?

"TWITTERPATED" PORTFOLIO & CARD SET

The tutorial for this pretty portfolio filled with cards, envelopes, and separate sentiments was added to Craft Project Central today and is a great gift project.  The card sentiments (for various occasions) are kept in a little drawer inside the portfolio and can be quickly added to a card when you need one.  Instructions include variations on how the little drawer can be used if you choose to put the sentiments on the cards as you make them and don’t need the drawer for the sentiments.  This smart project was designed by Kris McIntosh, and you will love making several of these portfolios filled with cards!  It's not too late to subscribe to Craft Project Central to gain access to this tutorial and all of the others posted this month!

A STORAGE TIP FOR "MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM project isn't as exciting as a card, box, or other stamped creation, but you might actually get excited about what I have to show you!  It's a consolidated storage tip--a way to combine two-case stamp sets into one case.  If you're like me, you're not a fan of having two cases for one stamp set--it's just easier to find them if you only have to look for one case.  For the last little while, I have opted to not adhere the image stickers to the back of clear-mount stamps because the stamps cling so much better to acrylic blocks without that sticker on them.  I do put those stickers to good use, though . . . I use them inside the stamp case so that I can tell if a stamp (and which one) is missing.

Stampin' Up!'s clear-mount stamp cases come with a cover that shows the images in the set and, as you can see from the first picture, I have left one of the covers intact, but I used the cover from the second case on the back of my case.  A piece of copy-weight paper was cut and adhered to the back of both covers so the inside of the case looks clean, and I have an unobstructed view of the stamps!  All two-case stamp sets may not be able to be consolidated like this but, when possible, this is what I do with them.

FANCY BOX

A new project tutorial was added to Craft Project Central today, and this unique and beautiful box is sure to impress!  The sizeable box will hold lots of little treats or small gifts.  Change up the papers for any occasion or add a handle to the sides to make a special basket!  The accompanying card coordinates purrrrfectly!!  This project was designed by Kim, and didn't she do a great job?

YIKES! THERE'S A MUMMY IN THE WINDOW!

I designed two projects for Craft Project Central this month, and this is the second one.  I had so much fun designing this project, and you can find the full easy-to-follow photo tutorial at Craft Project Central.  With your subscription, you will have access to all of the other project tutorials that have been posted this month, and you're sure to enjoy creating each and every one of them.

EMBOSSED VELLUM GIFT BAG

Every once in a while, you just need a little gift bag to give a gift in, whether it be a teacher, co-worker, neighbor, or friend.  Make someone feel extra special by giving them a gift in this beautiful-handmade gift bag!  The coordinating tag and gift card add an extra special touch and the elegant bag made from embossed vellum is sure to impress.  This project was designed by Laurie for Craft Project Central, and the tutorial was posted today.

CHRISTMAS "PUSH POP" TREAT

How cute is this Santa suit push-pop treat?????  It was a snap to decorate and, best of all, it just needs to be filled with goodies and, even better . . . it can be used for a frozen treat later.  The push-pop containers are being offered this week, so let me know if you need details on how to order them.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM project is a super quick and simple digital design.  I was very late getting a project made for today and decided that Stampin' Up!'s MDS2 software would have to come to the rescue.  I used Lucky Limeade card stock for the card, Island Indigo for the mat, and my digital design was printed onto Whisper White and then cut to size.  This card features the following digital content:

Designer Series Paper:  Be Awesome Today digital kit

Stamps:  Celebrate Any Day digital kit

Punches:  Tag, Flag

Accessories:  Island Indigo grosgrain ribbon bow, Mis-Stitched stitching, rhinestone from the Blossom Builders Embellishments kit

Have a wonderful week!  Don't forget to download your free 30-day trial of MDS2!

WITH TEACHERS IN MIND--NEW PROJECT TUTORIAL POSTED TO CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL TODAY!

It’s back to school time!  Here is a perfect gift ensemble for the kids’ teachers!  The ensemble includes a clipboard, matching pencil box and a set of cards!  Make several sets and give them as gifts to not only the teachers, but co-workers, friends, etc. and be sure to keep a set for yourself!  The tutorial for this gorgeous ensemble, which was designed and created by Heidi King, was posted to Craft Project Central today. 

"PERFECTLY PRESERVED" WINDOW CARD

To create this card, I used the jar die from Stampin' Up!'s "Cannery Set" Framelits to cut the window on the front of the card.  I then placed a die-cut apple on the inside of the card (placing it through the window).  On a piece of acetate, I stamped the jar image from the "Perfectly Preserved" stamp set and then adhered it to the inside of the card, which I later covered with designer paper to hide the acetate.  Die-cut pears were adhered to both sides of the acetate.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include "Blessings from Heaven" stamp set (and my favorite sentiment), linen thread, and a designer button.  This set of dies and the coordinating stamp set are soooooooooo fun to use!