Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Ten. Stinkin'. DEGREES!!

That is what the temperature outside was when I woke up this morning ... 10 degrees!!! Sheesh!!! That's just even a little too cold for this time of year!!! I just wanna curl up with a book and sit in front of the fire and read a book or take a nap ... ALL the time!!! Again, SHEESH!!

I decided, due to the super-duper coldness going on here, that I needed to change the look on my blog here from Fall to Winter ... whaddya think??

This card was for the Color Challenge today on SCS (CC299) - Real Red, Old Olive and River Rock. I love how chameleon-esque River Rock is ... put it with blues and it looks blue; put it with greens and it looks green. LOVE it!!

Stamps: Bundle Up, Happy Winter
Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, River Rock, Whisper White
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red, River Rock
Accessories: Top Note Bigz Die, Snowflake Punch, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Round Tab Punch, Small Oval Punch, Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Folder, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving Wishes

For all of my American friends ... Happy Thanksgiving!! To everyone elsewhere ... I am also grateful for you and for the time you take to visit my blog, make comments and be my super crafty friends!

This card was not only for Thanksgiving (and I will be giving it to my aunt today for hostessing the family once again!), but it was also for the Ways to Use It challenge on SCS today ... WT298 - That's the Ticket! I hadn't used either my Papertrey Just the Ticket border die OR my Cricut Thanksgiving cartridge, so I initiated a couple of new things today! Hooray!

Stamps: Grateful Greetings
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Papertrey Just the Ticket die, Large Oval Punch, Cricut Thanksgiving Cartridge, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder, Deep Chocolate Ribbon (Papertrey), Pearl Stickers

Hug your family, give a prayer of thanks for your health and happiness, and be ready for some SUPERDUPER shopping for Black Friday tomorrow. Smiley from millan.net

Monday, November 22, 2010

Gift for Christmas/Advent Calendar Box Tutorial

I have had MANY e-mails and comments about the projects I posted for the Control Freaks November 2010 Blog Tour where I was asked for dimensions/ instructions. I will do my best to hook y'all up here!

This is another sample of the Christmas Gift card I made HERE. These cards are really very simple to make. AND you could adapt them for to look like a present for ANY time of the year, which makes it a double bonus!!

First of all, cut a piece of cardstock to 8 1/2" x 4 1/4" to serve as the base. Fold it in half at the 4 1/4" point on the long side of the card stock (as pictured here). Cut a piece of cardstock to 4" x 4"; stamp/embellish and adhere to the card base.






Next, a half-cirlce "notch" along the top front edge of the card. Use adhesive to seal up the sides of your little "present" ...








For the flap (which we serve as the giftbox "lid") cut a piece of cardstock to 3" x 5 1/4". Fold in half lengthwise.





To create the "inside" of the present, cut a piece of cardstock to 3 1/4" by 4 3/4". I trimmed the Whisper White cardstock to 3" x 4 1/2" and then stamped my images on it (use the folded flap as a guideline to help you with the placement of your images so that they are not all "hidden" under the flap once you assemble the card). Use adhesive only along the bottom and halfway up each side of the top piece of cardstock. If you adhere it across the top, the card "lid" will be too tight and won't slide into the "present" as easily.

To assemble the lid/card inside, put some adhesive along the top of the top layer of cardstock that serves as the inside of the card (Whisper White for this card) and the top BACK of the bottom layer of cardstock (Cherry Cobbler for this card). Slide this layer into the flap you created earlier. You can see in this photo that if you look at the lid/inside of the card from the side that the top layer of cardstock sticks to the front inside flap of the lid, and the bottom layer of cardstock sticks to the back inside flap of the lid. I hope that this makes sense!! This is so that when you slide this piece into the "box" that it will have a little bit of give and slide in more easily.

Embellish the card as you wish. I did this card for TLC300 over on SCS, where we were asked to use two techniques we have learned over the years doing the TLC challenges. I chose to glitter up a background stamp (I added some Iridescent Ice embossing powder to some Whisper White embossing powder to emboss the Medallion ... too bad you can't see how sparkly it is in this photo!). I also used the Melted Ribbon technique on my satin/organza ribbon, which just kinda crinkled the edges. Pretty cool, eh??

Stamps: Medallion, Serene Snowflakes, Joy of the Season
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Versamark
Accessories: Snowflake Punch, Northern Frost Die, 1/2" Circle Punch, Glimmer Brad, Rhinestone Sticker, Whisper White Satin/Organza Ribbon, Northern Flurry Textured Impression Folder, Whisper White and Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

NOW ... as for the Advent Calendar Box pictured HERE ... it is pretty straight forward, actually. I used the Matchbox Die and cut out 24 little matchboxes. I then made stacks of boxes that were 6 boxes high. I wrapped each stack of 6 boxes down the sides and over the tops with patterned paper. You will then need a piece of patterned paper to come up the backside of the boxes and over the top and bottom. Make sure to only use adhesive on this piece where you adhere to the top of the stack and the bottom of the stack (if you put adhesive on the inside back of this piece it will stick to all the little drawers you have created, so DON'T do it!!). Then, you just put the boxes together as they are pictured ... the back (closed) side of one stack of boxes fits up next to the front (open) edge of the next stack of boxes ... gee whiz!! It is hard to explain what I mean so that it sounds like something resembling English!! I didn't want to have to go through and recreate an entire new Calendar Box so that I could do step-by-step photos for ya, but if you look at the completed thing you can probably figure out what it is I am trying to say. If not, sent me an email and I'll see if I can make it more clear to ya!! Then you just embellish the HECK out of it (with MORE patterned paper, numbers next to the boxes, ribbon, punches, glittery stuff) ... the sky is the limit!!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Freakin' Santa Baby ...

... just slip a sable under the tree, for ME!! Been an awful good girl ... and so have all the Freaks!! You should have just come from the gift-a-licous blog of Lisa Young. We are doing our best to share some fun gift ideas, and she TOTALLY rocked it, don'tcha think???

I have been wanting to make an advent sorta calendar thing for quite some time. Actually, my DAUGHTER has been wanting me to make something for her room to help count down the holidays. This is what I came up with. In fact, both of my projects helped me use up a BUNCH of the most-fabulous "Deck the Halls" designer series paper (and both projects look like presents, too!). I used the Matchbox die to make 24 little tiny drawers to stash wonderful little treats in. I also used a little MDS on here ... can ya see it??? (I used the Schoolbook Serif stamps to print out the numbers small enough to fit in the 1/2" circle punch, then printed them out and VOILA!!) Just need to find some yummy things to fill the drawers with now!

Stamps: NONE!
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Deck the Halls DSP
Ink: NONE!
Accessories: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke Seam Binding, Photo Corners Punch, Filigree Designer Brads, Antique Brads, 1/2" Circle Punch, Pearl Stickers, Illuminate Top Coat Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink, Matchbox Die


This little card is so fun to make, and surprisingly easy. (I will post some dimensions for you here later ...) In fact, when my friend saw it yesterday she decided she was going to place an order so she could make 35 of them herself to give away as their' family's Christmas card this year!! Hoooray!!!

And here is what the present looks like all opened up ... Fun, eh??

Stamps: Peaceful Season, Bells & Boughs
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Deck the Halls DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Snowflake Punch, Decorator Label Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, 1/2" Circle Punch, Gold Glimmerz Brad

Connie Babbert
is up next ... click on the icon below to be wowed by her BRILLIANCE!!


Monday, November 15, 2010

Jingle-Jangle-Jingle

Smiley from millan.netOkay, so I guess the Christmas Bug has officially bitten me!! I did a BUNCH of Christmas shopping last Saturday (and I have to admit I have been listening to Christmas music since Halloween) AND I was able to come out of my Mojo Funk long enough to make this Christmas-y card!!

This came as an inspiration from my dear friend, Kittie Caracciolo (aka Kittie747 on SCS). I totally {{{heart}}} her card!! Here it is:

Kittie's Christmas Wreath

I swear that little MS branch punch is brilliant!! It looks good no matter WHAT ya do with it!! (Wish Stampin' Up made one!!)

Stay tuned this week ... I have a BOATload of stamp sets for sale ... Bargain Basement prices, too!! (Gotta make room for MORE!)

Happy Monday!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Deck the Halls DSP
Ink: Always Artichoke
Accessories: Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Pearl Stickers (colored with Cherry Cobbler marker), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, MS Branch Punch, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat

Friday, November 12, 2010

Silhouettes

Every three weeks I get the opportunity (which I LOVE!) to hostess a challenge over on SCS. To be specific, I hostess the Free for All Challenge on Fridays (it used to be a "Limited Supplies" challenge, but I actually came up with the idea to change it with the other hostess - and I even came up with the name myself!). I have to admit that I was stumped as to what to do this week ...

As I am considering doing SOME sort of silhouette-type of card as my Christmas card this year (still have NO idea what exactly I am gonna do THERE!), I thought it would be fun to do that as this week's challenge - to make a card that featured silhouette-y images. So, there ya have it ...

Still feeling a bit mojo-less as I struggled to put these two samples together ... I'm not sure WHAT my problem is, but I spend a lot of time STARING at my stuff, not sure WHAT to do lately!! Glad I was able to put these samples together, at least. This first one uses the prettiful "Peaceful Season" stamp set ... and the sentiment is too bit for almost ALL the punches I have, so I ended up punching it out with the 2 1/2" circle punch and cutting off the top part of the circle ...

Stamps: Peaceful Season
Paper: Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Versamark
Accessories: Snowflakes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Dimensionals

And THIS sample was made with my trusty ol' Cricut ... I think the images from the "Child's Year" cartridge are amongst my faves (and I couldn't help pulling out a really OLD stamp set - Cold Play - for the sentiment). It's been sooo cold here this week that I pretty much have snow on the brain (as you can see!).

Stamps: Cold Play
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Basic Black
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Scallop Square Bigz Die, Marvy Double Scallop Corner Punch, Decorator Label Punch, Child's Year Cricut Cartridge, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Snowflakes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

Happy Weekend, everyone!!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Mojo No-Go ...

I have been trying for DAYS to make a card. I actually tried THREE separate times yesterday to do something ... NO GO! I felt like I had COMPLETELY lost my mojo ... kinda like FOREVER!!

Today's challenge on SCS was for this color combo - Poppy Parade, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White. There was a "dessert" option to add a butterfly. Well, y'all KNOW how I feel about BUTTERFLIES, so I feel like someone has unlocked the Prison Cell and let me out (even if it is only temporary ... which I HOPE it isn't!!).

This card is pretty ironic because there is SNOW all over the place outside. I'm already colder than I wanna be, and we STILL have MONTHS and MONTHS to go ... sigh ...

Stamps: Butterfly Prints, Autumn Days, Great Friend
Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Poppy Parade, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black
Accessories: Martha Stewart Double Loop Border Punch, Finial Press Textured Impressions Folder, Nestabilities Rectangles, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Butterfly Punch, Dimensionals

Friday, November 5, 2010

Beautiful Green River

Our recent trip with friends this past July to the Green River was amazing. Beautiful, relaxing, fun ...

While I was doing exit polling during the elections this past Tuesday I had a LOT of time to just sit ... sooo glad I brought my laptop with me so I could play with MDS. I really love how this layout came out ... I just wish I coulda fit MORE photos on it!!

Have a fantastic Friday!! YAY! The weekend is almost here!! Smiley from millan.net

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Lovely Fall Trees ...

Sometimes (okay, well maybe more than just sometimes!) I come across a card while I am cruising the 'net or looking through the gallery on SCS that I KNOW I am gonna HAFTA "case" ... what I HATE is when I cannot find the original to give credit where credit is due. That is what happened to me with this card. I had remembered seeing the loveliest card, but couldn't find it again to get reinspired.

So, I pretty much did this from the picture in my head (which is all good, since I don't literally copy cards exactly, anyway!). Sooo happy that after I posted it in my gallery on SCS that I was directed to this beautiful card by Heather T. It is the one I had remembered!! YAY!!

Heather's Beautiful Trees

I used the colors for CC295 to change her idea to a more fall theme - Peach Parfait, Early Espresso and Cajun Craze (with a little Daffodil Delight thrown in!). That's pretty much it!

Soooo glad Election Day is over. I was doing exit polling ALL DANG DAY, which made for an extra long day. AND I know that I won't miss the political ads, the political JUNK mail, AND the political phone calls!! Sheesh!! This election seemed to go on FOREVER!!

Enjoy your day!

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Peach Parfait, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso, Peach Parfait, Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Scor Pal, Dimensionals