Sunday, November 29, 2015

Woodland Embossed Gift Box


I had a lot of fun this morning trying out a new technique--embossing AND stamping using an embossing folder!  I love the 3-dimensional effect this technique creates, and I think you will, too!

I used this card and tutorial for inspiration to make my gift box, as well as the Stampin' Up Woodland embossing folder, cocoa and white cardstock (CTMH), Cocoa and Outdoor Denim inks (CTMH) and a rubber brayer.  The gift box is also from CTMH (retired) and has a magnetic flap enclosure to keep photos, note cards, and mementos nice and safe!

Using the rubber brayer, I rolled Outdoor Denim ink onto the embossing folder (the side printed "Sizzix") and then stamped three trees using the CTMH's Always Grateful stamp set in cocoa ink on the same side of the embossing folder.  Then, I placed the white cardstock in the folder and ran it through my Cuttlebug.


Here's an up close view of the awesome texture of the embossed trees!  Finally, I did this a second time (without stamping the trees) and cut down the embossed cardstock to cover each side of the box, matting it with cocoa cardstock.

I am really excited with how it turned out, and I can't wait to gift it to a friend (or my MIL who LOVES trees) this winter!  I also am eager to try this technique to make a few note cards, too!


Saturday, November 28, 2015

Nations Advent Calendar


Here's a quick look at one of our favorite Advent traditions!  It is hand-crafted and contains 24 hand-stitched dolls from around the nations.  We take one out each day in the month of December and read the card attached to the day for the day to learn more about that particular people-group and pray over their needs.


Here is the site where you can get your own Advent calendar--it makes a special gift, too!

Fall Burlap Wreath


Here is a wreath I put together using the burlap remnants I had left over from this summer wreath project.  Since I only had enough burlap to cover about one-third of the front, I simply went into my stash and added fall foliage to creep up the sides and cover the exposed straw wreath!  I used another pre-fab chevron burlap bow (which also does double-duty for Christmas) from Michael's and wa-la!  A quick and easy fall wreath AND my scraps are used up!  Thanks for stopping by!

Summer Monogram Burlap Wreath


I have been loving all the burlap-monogram inspired wreaths I've seen in the stores and on Pinterest lately...so I decided to take the plunge and try my hand at it myself.  I got a straw wreath at Michael's and a roll of burlap wrap, a monogram "F" letter in white and a patriotic chevron wire-on bow.  


I simply took the burlap and bunched it and stapled it on the wreath just covering the front side.  Next, I wired on the pre-fab burlap bow and used a hot-glue gun to attach the monogram "F."  Last, I went through my silk flower bin and got a few sunflowers to attach to the wreath behind the bow.  

Ta-da!  I am really pleased how it turned out!

Halloween Wreath


Okay, I'll admit it--I am not the biggest fan of Halloween decor.  BUT I really enjoyed making this wreath with my oldest daughter this year!  She hand-beaded the spider (below) all by herself (love those small little hands that don't mind tedious work!) and we made short work of piecing this Stampin' Up kit together and hanging it up inside our house.


I love the movement of this central accordion medallion!  It swings on the orange ribbon provided in the kit!

Supplies: SU! Frightful Wreath kit
Stamp used: Michael's Halloween clear stamps (years ago), Black Stazon ink

Dining Room Table Runner

Breaking out the sewing machine today and upholstry fabric that I have had for 10 YEARS(!!) to make a runner for my dining room table!  This is fabric I've had left over when we recovered our chairs way-back-when and I am finally brave enough to make it happen!!

I literally folded the fabric I had in half (wrong sides together), cut it into points at either end, pinned, and sewed around it with matching thread.  Then, I turned it right-side out and top-stitched around the entire thing with my machine.  

An up-close view...

I couldn't be more pleased with the results!  I am glad I just went for it and didn't mess with measuring.  I might add tassels at either end using buttons later when the kids (and cat) get older and stop playing under the table!  We will see!


Vintage-Inspired Chalkboard Art: Christmas Mantle


 Before you go out and spend $$$ on a trendy (but-oh-so-beautiful) Christmas decor item for your mantle...WAIT!!  Here's a fast and easy DIY crafty project that can update your mantle in less than an hour! I had a BLAST whipping this out last night (although the hubs thought I was crazy at first LOL!), and I thought I'd take a minute to explain how I did it to help and inspire you, too!

Okay, what you need is a chalkboard--I simply unscrewed the chalkboard off of my littlest one's easel (this one) and popped it right off--love the fact that it already had the holes I needed for hanging!


Next, using this chalkboard printable for inspiration, I used white chalk to draw the sentiment onto the board (skinny side for most of the letters--wide side for "COME"). Then I added a bit of washable Crayola red paint over the "COME" letters.  Last, I outlined all the white cursive letters with a chalkboard marker to really make them POP.  Above you will see an up-close picture of the chalkboard--feel free to click on the image to see it larger and in greater detail!
  

To hang, I simply knotted a burlap ribbon through the holes in either corner of the chalkboard and strung it up on a removable Command hook.  Then, I added a wire-on prefab chevron burlap bow I snagged off of my fall wreath (bought at Michael's).

Here's the final look of the mantle, complete with a curtain rod which came out of my basement to hold the stockings--love that I can slide them down to add more when family comes into town for Christmas morning! 


I hope you enjoyed this Pinterest-inspired and FREE Christmas mantle update using your kids' craft items!  It was fun to put together and will be fun to enjoy all season long!

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Embossing Frenzy

What is a papercrafter to do when she is down to just a few scraps of luscious, white-core cardstock?  Why...use her embossing folders and use every.tiny.scrap to make fun cards and layouts, of course!

The fun thing about embossing with white-core cardstock is you can lightly sand away the top of the paper and see the white peek through on the embossed design--oh so pretty!!

Here's a fun card I pieced together (inspired by Karen Pedersen) using bits of embossed cardstock scraps, a few punches (1" circle and flower from SU), and a black archival ink pen:


Here I used various embossed bits of cardstock (Damask CTMH embossing folder and cardstock) to piece together a background for a scrapbook layout....


Here's a close-up view after sanding and distressing...


A few more cards using a butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), a circle punch (1 1/4") and some thick twine from CTMH in Thistle.  Love popping up that middle butterfly with some 3D foam tape!


Love me some chevron and washi tape, of course (CTMH Chevron embossing folder)!!


Well, I hope this post has inspired you to NEVER through out any bits and pieces of your quality white-core cardstock!  They are fun to work with and really POP with your embossing folders!

Nordic Noel Christmas Cards


When the holidays approach, I tend to hit up craft therapy to keep me calm and content!  Here are some fun Christmas cards I whipped up using CTMH's colonial white die-cut cards and Stampin' Up Nordic Noel paper pack (both on clearance!).


My favorite part is in the details--feel free to click on each image to see it closer and more indepth.  I love the red pom-pom trim and Nordic Noel buttons, and especially the gold-tone reindeer paper clips (all from SU!).


Papers used: Nordic Noel (SU!)
Ink: Cranberry (CTMH)
Stamps: Frosted WOTG stamp set (CTMH, retired), Pear and Partridge WOTG stamp set (CTMH, retired)

Watercoloring

Okay, my kids do not know this, but I have my OWN watercolor paint box and have enjoyed exploring how to use this new medium in my cardmaking and scrapbooking lately!  It is fun and makes me feel like a "real" artist!

Oh so pretty...even right in the box!



I bought my watercolors and watercolor paper from Close to My Heart (but I have seen an identical set of paints at Michael's crafts store for a few dollars less!).

Using a bit of water and a round brush, I blended several colors, warm to cool, on a piece of white watercolor paper.  Then I stamped using Memento ink (pigment ink that won't run with water) and wrote in curseive using an archival quality black ink pen.



Stamps used: Framework alphabet from CTMH; Pinwheel CTMH stamp set (for "world")


Then, I backed it onto black cardstock and adhered it as a title for my scrapbook page.


Fun and easy and oh, so, artsy!

Christmas Gift Packaging

I have had a TON of fun this year designing little gift packaging for my teacher friends and neighbors.  Treats like these are a great way to let that person know how extra-special they are!  Check out just a few ideas below...

This gift bag is designed like a purse, complete with a little pocket in front and a velcro dot flap closure!  I received the pattern from a retired club kit from the uber-talented, Lisa Stenz


An up-close picture of the flower detail on front (flower punch from SU!, retired)...


This is a "bag in a box" design, made from a retired club kit from Lisa Stenz years ago.  Believe it or not, you can make TWO of these from ONE page of 12x12 patterned cardstock!


This is a fry box--pattern from Oriental Trading Company:


This is a gable box--pattern from Oriental Trading Company:


The tags were made by myself using CTMH cranberry ink and white cardstock, CTMH stamps from the SOTM October 2014 stamp set (retired), white clothes pins, red bakers twine, and assorted paper scraps.

Paper used: SU! Nordic Noel (retired), red pom-pom trim (SU!) and Nordic Noel buttons (SU!, retired)

Do You Want to Build a Snowman?


Need an easy and fun gift for neighbors or teachers?  Look no further! We put together these Frozen-inspired snowman kits last year and they were very well-received and fun for us to assemble as a family!

I found these wicker top hat baskets at Michael's craft store (50% off!):
They already had the plaid trim, holly leaves, and berries on them! BONUS!

Then we cut 3" x 36" strips of red felt (also purchased at Michael's) and fringed the ends with scissors:

Next, we found a bag topper online, which I printed using color ink on white cardstock paper.  Here's a link to the free printable download. We simply cut them out and then stapled them on top of snack-sized zip top bags filled with baby carrots.



Lastly, we placed about half-a-dozen black stones in each hat (Michael's) and found a few twigs and sticks from the backyard to complete our snowman kit.  And as a special touch, we stamped a little gift tag using this stamp, punched it out with a 2" circle punch (Marvy) and slipped it in the hat brim.


Here is the kit with everything laid out for you to see!  



We enjoyed our kit throughout the winter as did many of our neighbors!  
Building fun for everyone!