Stamp Act

Shaker box flower....

So on Wednesday, I was on a roll, the Mojo was ON!!!  Well, on Thursday, the Mojo was GONE!!! LOL!!!  I STILL haven't done Wednesday's sketch challenge!!!   Sometimes, I have lots of ideas and everything flows really easily ~ not so much lately.....  I am sure my Mojo will find me soon but until then, I have card to show you that has some neat elements on it and I will give you the instructions!  I am not really thrilled with the card but hey, at least I finished one!!! LOL!!!

The inspiration for this card is from Laura Fredrickson's awesome blog in which she did a tutorial on chipboard shaker boxes!  SUPER easy and really fun!  Be sure to check it out as she is REALLY creative and full of great ides!!!

I could not get the color right in the pictures either so I do apologize for that.  I used all SU! paper.  The base of my card is Whisper White with a mat of Pretty in Pink, next is Celery and then I used Whisper White again and the top pink decorative piece is from SU!'s new Berry Bliss collection.  To make the shaker box flower (following Laura's instructions), I used Pretty in Pink craft ink and heat embossed  using Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  The inside decorative piece is also from the Berry Bliss pack.  The white beads are old and have an iridescent tone.

The next step was to make the stem.  I used wide Celery grosgrain and stitched on it!  This was really easy too!  What I did was add Scotch tape to one end ~

and then you have something to hold on to and can pull the ribbon through the sewing machine.  This is how it looked when I was done ~

I then taped (Scotch) the top under the flower and then the bottom of the stem was taped to the back.  The next NEW fun technique is a decorative corner.  I used the polka dot piece from the Celery Designer Series paper and cut a 2x2 square.  The first step is to fold the square in half one way and then in half again.  The paper will look like this when this step is done ~

Next, you will open the square up (it is divided in quarters) and then fold in 2 of the front squares to make a point ~ like this ~

The last step is to slip it on the corner you want to decorate, add eyelets and ribbon ~ finished!!!  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! 

I am working on another tutorial for you!  My friend Lynn asked me to do a tutorial on THIS book.  I made a few of these last year, before I had my blog, and would like to share the instructions with you!  The books I made last year (1 for my friend Lynn's birthday and 2 for my kids' teachers) included tags with ribbons sticking out the top.  On the tags I had Lynn's friends write a personal note to her and I did the same for the kids' teachers.   I had all the kids write whatever they wanted to their teacher.  Oh my gosh, they turned out great.  The kids said some really funny and sweet things!!  Anyway, this book was something I learned to do at a class last February I took by Donna Downey.  I added my own twist and will share on Monday!!!

Have a great day!

~Lynda 

Gift Box

First there was Laurie.   Then there was Cindy.   Then there was Jennifer  that whipped hers up in like minutes!!!!  These are the cutest boxes!  I took Laurie's tutorial and tweaked it to make a gift box for my little snowman ornaments!!!  I was going to put them in one of those Chinese take-out boxes that Michael's has but WHY would I do that when I could use ALL of the EXTRA TIME I ALWAYS HAVE to make a box!!! LOL!!!  Actually, once I got it figured out, the next box was really easy and the 12,000 that I am going to make before Christmas should be even easier!!!  

The finished size of the box is 4 1/2" square and the depth is 3 1/4".  It is a good size box and can fit lots of things.  There is more than enough room for the ornament but I didn't want him to feel too confined so I made it plenty large enough!!!  Here are some pictures of the 2 I have done so far!

I will give you the cutting and scoring instructions at the bottom of this post.  What I used on this box is Bashful Blue cardstock, Chocolate Chip Cardstock and the Blizzard wrapping paper.  I also highlighted the snowflakes with Stardust Stickles and I added the Crystal Effects icicles all around the edge of the lid.  I need to adhere them better on the lid as they are not sticking with just adhesive so I will most likely use Elmer's glue because that stuff works on EVERYTHING!!!  The ribbon is the satin Chocolate Chip ribbon from SU! and the ornament die cut is from my Quickutz Revolution ornament die set.  I added Stardust Stickles on this too!

OK, here is the next box which was actually my first box ~

For this box I used Pretty in Pink, Whisper White and Wild Wasabi cardstock and the decorative paper is a shimmery texture by KI Memories.  I first painted the snowflakes pink and a darker red color and then covered them with Mod Podge and poured white Martha Stewart Glitter on top.  I used dimensionals to mount them.  The corners are just from my SU! corner punch and the white  rick~rack around the lid is from Lindsey.   I used my scalloped scissors to cut the edge of the Wild Wasabi cardstock and adhered it to the lid. 

There are so many ways you can embellish these boxes!  If you do make one, let me know as I would LOVE to see it!!!!

Here are the details ~ I used Laurie's instructions but I needed it to be bigger so this is what I did!

1.  For the bottom of the box, cut a piece of cardstock ~ 11x11.  Score ALL sides at 3 1/4".  Use a bone folder to really crease your folds as this makes the box come together nicer.

2.  For the lid, cut a 6x6 piece of cardstock.  Score ALL sides at 5/8".  Again, use a bone folder or sometimes I use my ruler, to crease the folds.

I used sticky strip (also called Terrifically Tacky Tape) to hold the ends in place. 

If you have ANY questions, please don't hesitate to ask!!!  I need to get busy CASEing yesterday's featured stamper ~ Shelly. Her gallery is fantastic and I have chosen a couple I would like to CASE now I must get started!

Thanks for looking!

~Lynda

Halloween Candy Bar Holder & A Vistor....

Hi again!
I have made these before but wanted to make a few to have to give away and thought I would share the instructions with you in case you are interested!  They are really easy to make and you of course you can make them for any occasion. 

The candy bar inside is just your standard sized Hershey.  I am sure you can tweak the measurements and size it to fit a larger candy bar.  The measurements are as follows:

Cardstock wrapper (I used Going Grey) ~ Cut a 6" X 7" piece.  Score lengthwise at 1 1/2" and 4 1/4".
Wrap (I used Only Orange) ~ Cut a 2" X 7" piece of cardstock.  Score in the center at 3 1/2".

What I did was used the Spooky Skyline wheel in Basic Black ink across the bottom.  I then stamped the moon from Home is Where the Haunt is with White Craft ink.  The way I made it look less full is to roll the stamp on your ink pad just to ink up the sides and when you stamp it gives a neat look.  The witch is from the same set and was stamped in Basic Black.  I used sticky strip to hold the holder together.  I used it up the back seam and along the bottom so the candy doesn't fall out.  Before you tape the holder together, use your 1 1/4" circle punch, center it at the top, move it halfway down the edge and punch.  This will give you the half circle.

The haunted house (from same set) was stamped on Whisper White using Basic Black ink and then mounted on Basic Black cardstock.  The Happy Halloween is from one of the All Year Cheer sets and was stamped with Basic Black ink on Going Grey cardstock.  The end of the sleeve is held together with 3 black eyelets.  What it does is makes the sleeve tighter on the holder.

See how easy?!?!?

Last night my daughter went to a slumber party so my son was an only child.  He does NOT do well as an only child!  It is really funny, well sortof......  I must add a note in here to Heather ~ I should have taken you up on your offer and brought Joey to your house!!!!  LOL!!!  Last night when we got home, he just didn't know what to do with himself.  He followed Chris and I around everywhere.   He played with the dog while Chris and I were outside and then when we came in he says "what are we going to do now"?  I really wanted to work on my Snoopy library folder so I said, why don't you come sit in the crap room with me and you can watch TV there.  He came and talked and talked and talked.....  It was hilarious.  If there is anything you want to know about Yu-Gi-Oh or Pokemon, just ask me!!!  I had to come out to the kitchen to check to see if I was doing my folder right and there he was, right on my tail, standing by the computer and looking at me while I checked out the samples.  I know it sounds as if I am complaining but I DEFINITELY am not!  It makes me feel so good that my 10 year old son wants to be with his Mommy and it won't be long until he won't want to be with me!!! 

I had promised Joey that I would play tennis with him today before we went to get Mary so while we were playing, he looked up and drew my attention to George!

We were so excited!  This is a Bald Eagle (I wanted to tell you that in case the picture wasn't clear enough).  He was out looking for food.  Joey was yelling at me to get the camera (I am thinking the young, in shape child would be able to get to the camera quicker than the old, out of shape lady) and by then George was gone.  Then he re-appeared from the opposite direction he left from so Joey ran in and got my camera.  I am not good under pressure so Chris took this picture when he came by for another peek for food.   The chickens and guineas were hiding in the barn.  They know the difference between a vulture and a predator (eagle, hawk, owl).   We didn't get to finish our tennis game but it was worth it! 

Have a great night!

~Lynda

Halloween Spider Treat Holder ~ Tutorial

I'm all set to give you my Spider treat holder tutorial ~ I hope you are!  These are really easy and SOOOOO cute!  I hope you don't mind but there is no stamping involved.  Actually, you can stamp the bottom of the spider with a Handmade By.....  There, it IS stamping related!  I made at least 40 of them last Halloween for my kids' classmates and teachers.  This year I am just going to give them to some of their teachers and will make something else for the kids.   

I filled them with candy (you know the kids don't get much candy on Halloween so I wanted to make sure they had a little treat!).  Anyway, I had seen something like these in a magazine last year.  From what I can remember, they used smaller boxes than I did.  I wanted them bigger but you can do them smaller and you can use the oval paper mache' boxes too.  I did some of those last year too and they were cute.  I thought the oval ones would be so cute to make grasshoppers like in spring.......  OK, so I got my boxes at Micheal's.  They are paper mache' and cost $1.99 regularly.  The size is about a circle ~ 4 1/4" round.  This is what they look like before they are altered:

The next step was to paint the box black.  I used some flat black acrylic paint I have had.  I used a foam brush and had to do a couple coats to cover it completely.  I did not paint the inside which you will see in some later pictures but what I did was put some shred inside with the candy.  They didn't care!  All they wanted was the candy!  After I painted the black,  I then painted a layer of Mod Podge ~ Mat on the top (not the top sides ~ JUST the top) and sprinkled glitter on and let it dry.  I used purple but you can use any color you want.

I got the purple glitter at AC Moore and of course the other stuff you can get at any craft store.  After putting the glitter on the top, set it aside.  You are now going to do the legs.  To make the holes, I used a wooden handled corn on the cob holder but you can use about anything.  I found that the size of the corn cob holder was perfect.  I punched it through and then spun it to make a circle. 

Sorry for the blurry picture but you get the idea ~ right???  I used regular black pipe cleaners for the legs.  Bend 2 pipe cleaners in half  to make 4 legs ~ you will do this again for the other 4 legs.   Poke the folded legs through your hole.  Once you get them through, twist them together (inside the box) and fold and press them up close to the side.

The way I did the legs was to just keep bending them until I got the look I wanted.  The feet, I folded the bottom 1 time so it has some dimension.  When I was finished, I put a dot of Elmer's glue on the top of each foot and put some glitter on them.

The eyes are 10 mm and the pom pom's are 1".  I used Elmer's glue to glue them on the top of the lid and to glue the eyes on the pom pom's.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!  They really are cute in real life and are great decorations as well.  Thanks for looking and I'll get back to stamping tomorrow so be on the lookout!

~Lynda

 

Snowman Ornament Tutorial

Ok, I'm all set!!  How about you???  I have to apologize right off the bat for the quality of the pictures.  I took them last night as I was making the ornament so lighting wasn't that great so please, if you have ANY questions, please don't hesitate to ask!  I will start out with the list of supplies that I used:

Stamps:  Cold Play ~ Eyes and mouth stamp
Ink:  Black Stazon
Ribbon:  Decorative (I have found that lighter weight ribbon or fibers work best) and thin cord (this is to hang your ornament)

Miscellaneous:  Elmer's Glue, Orange wire, White Acrylic Paint, brand new eraser on a pencil, infant sock, wire cutters, clear glass ornament ~ I think it is considered their medium size one (I got mine at Michael's and it was $.79 regular price last year), Pretty in Pink re-inker or pink acrylic paint, Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

Optional:  Star Dust Stickles, sticky strip, rubbing alcohol, cotton ball & snowflake embellishments.

Step 1:
Take the hanger part off of your ornament and pour in a good amount of white acrylic paint (make sure the inside of the glass is fairly clean because if it is really dirty or dusty, the paint may not adhere), roll it around so it covers the inside of the entire ornament.  Next, turn the ornament upside down on top of an old cup (I have used Dixie cups and they work perfectly!) and let the paint drain in to your cup.  Let it dry for an hour or so.  Next, put the hanger back in the top.

Step 2:
You will now fit the baby sock over the top of the ornament.  You want it to come down lower in the back, higher in the front and be somewhat centered over the top.  I had to roll my sock up in the front.  I got my socks at Walmart last year.  Now, I have used sticky strip to hold the "hat" in place.  The ornament I made to do this tutorial did not need sticky strip.  It has stayed on just fine.  Once you get the sock on where you would like it, go to step 3....                        

Step 3:
Now you will stamp the face on.   It takes practice (at least it did for me) to get it right because you are stamping on a curve.  Use your black Stazon, ink up the stamp and I start from the right (I am right handed) by gently placing the right side of the stamp down and then roll it to my left.  Now, I have found to get an even cover, you have to apply some pressure up and down as well.  You don't want to press too hard because it will slip.  Most importantly, if you screw up, it is not the end of the world!  Before you stamp, have a cotton ball with some rubbing alcohol on it so if you don't stamp the image like you want, immediately wipe the Stazon off with the alcohol, let dry and try again!  I wanted to take a picture on how I stamped it but I couldn't hold the camera AND stamp.  I am just not that talented!!!  After you have stamped your face, you will need to make the nose. 

I had some old SU! orange light weight wire.  I use a sharp pencil or my wire cutters from my SU! tool kit.  You just need something that is small (not as small as a paper piercer) and has a larger end and gradually gets smaller.  I wrapped the wire, starting higher on the tool and then going smaller, about 7 times around and then cut it off.  You may have to shape it a little bit but it should look pretty good.  Gently smash the bottom (this is what will be glued to the ornament) so it is flat and will adhere better.  Take your Elmer's glue and put a dot where you want your nose to go, then put your nose on and let dry.  The bummer about Elmer's is that it does take a while to dry but is sure does work and it dries nice and clear!

   

Step 4:
After your nose has dried, take your ribbon and wrap it around the top of the ornament.  I put mine right around the top edge of the of the ornament and just below the loop of the hanger.  You can also tie it right against the base of the hanger part (does this make sense at all???)...  You will know once you start tying.  You want to stay on the glass.  Tie it as tight as you can, in a knot.  I then take my embellishment and tie it on there (see next photo).  I would love to get some small metal 2007 embellishments.  If you all find any or find a cool embellishment, let me know!  I have used snowflake brads and the snowflake I used on this ornament is actually a button a got at Michael's.  There are about 8-10 in a pack and they have glitter on them.

Also, you need to put your cheeks on the little guy.  Get your brand new pencil eraser out!  For this ornament (I forgot I had used Pretty in Pink re-inker last time) I mixed some red acrylic paint with some Elmer's glue to make pink.  You can use the Pretty in Pink reinker too.  Just mix some re-inker or acrylic paint with the glue and you have sticky paint!  Dip your eraser in the "paint" and "stamp" it where you want it.  Again, don't press hard because the eraser will slip.  For this you just need to tap the ornament.  After you have the cheeks on there how you want them, sprinkle some Dazzling Diamonds glitter and let it dry.

Step 5:
You are going to cut the top of the sock.  Use sharp scissors and first cut in half (I cut as far down as the top hanger hook.  Cut shorter because you can always cut more but you can't take the cut away) and then cut in half again.  You will have 4 big pieces.  You can now cut smaller strips.  I usually get about 4 strips from each quarter so you should end up with at least 16 strips.  Don't cut them too thin as they will come off.  I have glued some back on with stickles but we'll get to that next!

Final step:
After you have finished cutting the top of the sock, you can add stickles (like to glue any parts that you cut off) for some shine, add your cord (or ribbon or whatever you want) for hanging and arrange the strips to cover evenly.  This is how my ornament looks ~

I hope I didn't forget anything but like I said, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!  Thanks for looking and I hope this tutorial is helpful for you.  If you would like to share any ideas you have to make this even cuter, please do!!  I will post them for others to use!  Thanks so much and have a great day!

Lynda~

Snowman Ornament Tutorial Tomorrow!

I don't have a card to post tonight but I do have some pictures of some snowman ornaments I have made and am going to post the tutorial tomorrow. 

We had a very busy weekend.  Yesterday was a day of play!  We went to a birthday party which was a luau theme and included awesome food and even better Margaritas!  The kids got to swim for almost 4 hours so needless to say, they were starving when they got done.   A huge group of us went to Sonic for dinner.  Sonic is my favorite fast food restaurant!!!  This was really cool for my kids because they aren't used to eating at 8:30 at night!  The reason for this is definitely not because I am organized, have a set routine and am mother of the year....  the reason we don't eat that late is because I cannot function if I am hungry and I am ready to eat between 5 & 6.  Not only can I not function when I am hungry but I am even MORE grumpy than usual!!! LOL!"

Today, "the boss" (no, not Bruce Springsteen ~ my DH) made me work!!!  It was so stressful because the well at our rental house (it is next door so at least it is convenient) was not working so he replaced the pump and it still didn't work!  Now, you don't understand...  My husband is a MAN!!!  That translated is that he can only concentrate on 1 thing.  He obsesses over 1 thing.  Cannot even think of anything else except for the broken thing that he MUST fix!!!  When it is not fixed, EVERYONE suffers.....  This morning (after a sleepless, obsess over the well, no water, need to fix, MUST fix, why is it not working... night) he decided that he would go down in to the 30ft. deep well.  Now, he has done this before but luckily, I did not have to see it, just waited to hear rescue vehicle sirens.  My BIL is out of town so he couldn't help him out this time but thank goodness, my neighbor was able to lower him down in there so he could get the part off.   Good news, it was just plugged so once he got the rust out of it, it was good to go!!!  He fixed it!!!  Bad news... my neighbor had to go to dinner so guess who had to lower him down in there and get him back up??? ME!!!  My husband was a marine so he still had a harness he used for some crazy training he did so he put that on, tied himself on to the front loader on the tractor and climbed in!!!  I had to lower him in and then after about 10 minutes, when he tells me to, lift the bucket which will pull him up.   All was well.  I got him out there with no ropes braking! 

Now, I wonder if while he was down there trying to breath and replace the valve, was he thinking about the times that he made me mad??  Did he remember a "few" of rude comments he has made over the years??? LOL!!!!  Thank goodness it worked out just fine and the well works just fine!!!

I got off coarse for a minute there......  here are the pictures of the snowman ornaments that I will post a tutorial for tomorrow!  They are so cute and really easy to make.  Now, I cannot take credit for the idea.  I saw one on Splitcoast last fall and loved it.  Of course I wanted to make some for Christmas presents but started too late so this year I am starting early!!!  The one I CASEd is by lizbess (SCS name) and her ornament is HERE .

Check back tomorrow afternoon (East Coast) and I will have the instructions posted for these ornaments! 

Thanks for visiting!!