Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Last Day of August - get well wishes

What have I been up to?  Let's see...lot of work, school open houses, church meetings, church activities, dance classes, cleaning the house, having my van fixed so driving my Dad's truck for the past two weeks, and more.  I have not had much time to create new goodies or even take photos of the things that I did finish like my Disney Christmas Scrapbook and more cards.  I hope that once September rolls in tomorrow then I can set some goals and get them done.  One of them is my blog and getting back to posting on a regular basis which also goes with taking time to create some new things.  Also Heather Summers is having a new MDS online class so I am sure to show you all of my work from that. The SU Holiday Mini comes out tomorrow and I have so many things on my wish list that I do not know where to begin.  Which reminds me to place my order ASAP!
Well, I do have one more card that I forgot to show you.  Colors are Certainly Celery and Rich Razzleberry and a little Elegant Eggplant. Simple layout and one I used often.
Have a magical day!
Cindy

Monday, August 23, 2010

Circle of thanks

Yep, I am a CASER!  I am totally guilty. There are just so many wonderful cards out there and I just have to case them to learn more.  So a circle of thanks to others out there that share their creations and what they love to do and do not mind if us others case them! 
I really loved this card for the creative circle punch out on the bottom.  I used Melon Mambo and Basic Black.  You could use make several of these in other colors with Basic Black and make a super cute box for a gift.  I am making these to sell as sets for my craft show season. These are truely easy cards to mass produce.  I used the 1 3/4" circle punch and the Boho Flowers punch.  The stamp set has four different versions of thanks.  Also used the Circle Circus stamp set which is a fav of mine.
Lots to do today!  Work, clean, grocery store, bank, dinner and church board meeting at our home.  Better get moving!
Have a magical day!
Cindy

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

A find makes a card...

I was cleaning and organizing my embellishments container and found these blue flowers.  I thought they looked like the color of Not Quite Navy.  And thus this card had a starting point!  I love Kiwi Kiss and Not Quite Navy together and the retired DS paper Urban Oasis showcases those colors in perfect harmony.  I pulled out my trusty Top Note die cut and little leaves die cut next.  I could not see the little leaves very well so I added white gel accents as highlights.  The butterfly is stamped in Not Quite Navy and popped up on dimensionals.  The inside of the card is the Top Note die cut done in Kiwi Kiss cardstock with the same butterfly stamped in Versamark on the bottom.  Oops, forgot to take a picture of it!  The dark cards are great for the front but you can not write in the inside of them with a basic black pen, then someone came up with design the inside as well!  Genius!
Have a magical day!
Cindy

Monday, August 16, 2010

Tote Cover and Tag complete it!

So last week, I shared with you my newest project for creative storage solutions.  Here are the containers with covers and titled.  Of course, I put them in a rainbow order.
And here is the cover of the tote!  Inspired my my friend Christine's tote, I added the Old Olive Striped Ribbon with the glue gun.  Then I tied on 1/4" grosgrain ribbon of the five colors: Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Real Red.  Also added ribbon tab of the zippers cause I can never find them.  I might add the striped ribbon to the side pockets later since I am out the ribbon now.
I wanted to add a personal tag to it.  This style tag has been my favorite to use lately since I saw it on Jill Hillards's blog. I used the Two Tags Die Cut in Old Olive. I punched the Scallop Circle in Tempting Turquoise, 1 3/8" circle in Daffodil Delight, 1 1/4" circle in Pumpkin Pie and Cricut cut the white c at 1 1/4".  I strung the yellow ribbon thru the Real Red button, tied in a knot and added with a pop up glue dot.  The paper in from the summer mini.  The eyelets and brads were added since this is all the embellishments in this tote.  Inside the tag, I put my phone number and name in case I leave it somewhere in my scrap/stamping journeys.
Someone asked where I got the tote?  I got this tote at Walmart in the sewing section.  I think it cost me around $20.00.  I have it on the little table next to my desk so that I can get to it with ease.  Then it goes with me on travel days to scrap/stamp events. 
Hope you liked the project and it encourages you to make your craft storage something cute too!
Have a magical day!
Cindy

Friday, August 13, 2010

My GREAT idea!

Sorry for the late post today, I had a last minute doctor's appt this morning.  All is ok.
Here is what I came up with!  I had this travel tote for embellishments and love having all my embellishments in one place and it also travel with me to scrap/stamp weekends.  I selected colors from my favorite Brights collection from SU: Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Real Red.  I used the tutorial from eighteen25 on yesterday's post.  I used Base Camp Cricut to cut my letters.
Then I discovered that I could use the Tab punch to make the ribbon holders!  I punched out that cardboard backing on the DSP paper packs.  You can see below the store bought floss holders and the ones I made.  I love how the ribbons looks all uniform and in color order.  I have two ribbon containers - one for SU ribbons and one for misc brand ribbons.
Here are the rest of the containers with the outside and inside.  You can click on any picture to enlarge.
Check back Monday to see how I added some pizazz to the carrier that matches the containers.
Have a magical day!
Cindy

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Two = ONE

I found these two ideas on different websites and when I put them together, I get ONE GREAT SUPER CUTE storage idea!

This idea was found on the Better Home and Gardens web site under "craft storage solutions" idea slide show. (Thanks Reenie!)  I went by Michael's yesterday and picked up some of these cardboard floss in the needlepoint/sewing dept.  They were $1.99 for 56 of them.  I needed a few more so I just traced one as a template on some cardboard package from paper packs and cut them out.  They are AWESOME when you have less than a yard ribbon!
















Then I found this awesome and cute website called eighteen25.   These are three sisters that have 11 kids between them and they are creative and crafty moms!  I took these covered plastic storage box idea and made it my own to label my boxes for my ribbons, brads, buttons and more.  You can see the tutorial on how to cover the box here:  BOX OF GOODIES   Now mine do not have the ribbon/bow on them.

I need to go finish mine and photo them. So come back tomorrow and see the finished project! 
Have a magical day!
Cindy

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

I finally found a red necklace!

For years, I have been searching for a red beaded necklace.  I have searched Etsy and other sites and all the necklaces were either not what I wanted or too expensive and too chunky.  Recently we were having a neighborhood yard sale and three doors down, my neighbor decided to put out her jewelry collection to sell.  So while I got a break from yard sale watch, I headed down to check it out Jewelry Designed by Sharon.  And THERE IT WAS!  I was so super excited!  Not to mention the price was a bargain!  No earrings to match, so Sharon made them for me!  You can see her jewelry creations on her website here: 
She can also custom design anything you see in a magazine or in a picture.  She is truely amazing as she struggles with Fibromyalgia and uses jewelry making as her therapy.
Here I am wearing it at Howard's cousin's wedding in July.  I love the punch of RED color with that Black and White dress that I got at Kohl's for $18.00!  Gotta love that deal!

Doing the HAPPY dance!
Have a magical day!
Cindy

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Square Scraps Card

I got this idea from Tina Dyck and cased it.  Her talent can be found here: TINA DYCK  I had been wanting to stamp with this hostess set and this is one of the cards that I saw using the flower from the set.  I love the punch of colors to the simple clean card. 
In order to get the shadow boxes of color, I used scraps of cardstock, torn and tape together shown below.  Then I used a sponge to color in the squares.  So Saffron, Rich Razzleberry and Certainly Celery in order top to bottom. 
I used the scraps to also cover the card while I sprayed some black ink for flecks. The flower was stamped in Basic Black.  Here is another very simple card using the same technique.  Marika Lemay is from Canada and she does amazing work!  Check out her website here: MARIKA LEMAY You can translate to English at the top of the blog because she writes in French.
Have a magical day!
Cindy

p.s. I am working on tutorials and Disney Christmas scrapbook so hang on, its ALL coming!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Michelle's paper flowers

Back a few months ago, my SU demo friend Michelle Scileppi taught Wendy's team to make paper flowers!  Her swap that night was a wood piece with the flower as a magnet.  What can I say?  LOVE IT!  I tried to find the wood piece like watering pot but could not locate them anywhere.  So I did the next best thing.  I traced the swap I had from Michelle onto some chipboard that I had.  I had to use my heavy duty Craft Scissors to cut the chipboard.  I also had to use my small blade to cut the handle out.  I sanded down the edges.  Then I sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip and stamped with Itty Bitty Backgrounds and Whimsical Words.
The flowers are 5 of the five point petal flower punch in Real Red and one in Old Olive.  You place them on a paper plate and wet them with a water spray bottle on both sides. (do not get TOO wet)  Next swish each one in a ball and then undo.  Place each one on top of each other. Punch a hole in the center and place a brad in the center to hold all 6 layers together.  Once that is done then begin to shape the petals by pinching and twisting each petal.  This takes some practice and patience.  The green leaves should be semi flat and showing.  Leave out to dry completely.
Once dry, the paper hardens.  I added the 1/4" Black grosgrain ribbon to the back with glue dots.  Then I took a 5/8" Black Grosgrain ribbon and made a knot for the center of the flower.  Michelle used black pom poms for the center.  Attach either one with a glue dot.  I attached the completed flower with a large glue dot to the chipboard.
Have a magical day!
Cindy

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Creative GREEN tip!

I learned this creative and super paper saving tip on a blog recently and have been trying to apply it whenever I can.  When you are using layer on top of layer and using punch parts of the same color, then punch out in the middle of the card.
Then you can cover the missing parts with the next layer.
  So I did this with both the Chocolate Chip and Whisper White layers of this card.  I used the square punches for the front of the card.
Here is the final card and nope you can not see the missing pieces at all!  Now that is GREEN thinking plus money saving!  LOVE IT!  Colors are Baha Breeze, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White. 
Have a magical day!
Cindy

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Goodbye for Now

If you check my blog regularly then you know about Wendy.  She is my upline with Stampin Up and a dear friend.  I have been doing Stampin Up as a hobby for over 5 years.  My SU demonstrator left the business and so I was directed to Wendy.  I attended some of her classes in her home and then decided to have workshop.  Then Wendy asked if I would like to be a demonstrator and get my stuff when I wanted and at a discount.  All she had to do was ask!  I responsed to her immediately...YES!  Over the years as a demo, Wendy has been there and supported me in whatever I wanted my SU business to be. 
Now comes why we said goodbye for now! Wendy and her wonderful family took the opportunity of a lifetime to move to Saudi Arabia for her husband's new job and they moved in July.  Before she left, after dealing with house closing, packing and goodbye parties, she had her last downline meeting with us here in GA.  We laughed, cried, had ice cream sundaes, talked about the future, little business and did what we love - stamping!
I wanted to create a card designed entirely by me.  This card came to me in a 3am dream.  I layed there thinking about it and finally just got up and made it.  Colors are Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, and Basic Black.  Stamp sets are Mediallion, Because I Care and Whimsical Words.  The Very Vanilla piece and envelope are sponged in new Crumb Cake ink.  I stamped the Mediallion in Cherry Cobbler and then punch out the Scallop Oval.  The ribbon was Basic Black Striped Grosgrain just glued down.  The inside was simple with stamping from the Because I Care set.  I wrote in it later and tried not to cry as I did.
Wendy, Ted and their girls arrived safely and are adjusting to life there.  My sideline Monika plans to hold Wendy's classes and downline meeting here in GA.  We are hoping to Skype over the internet with Wendy at our meeting next month!  So like we said, NOT goodbye just goodbye for now.  Miss you, Wendy!
Have a magical day!
Cindy

Monday, August 2, 2010

Hello there! Back at it again!

Thanks for understanding my little break from the blogging world!  Thank to all that continued to check out my blog and leave comments. I have been vacationing with family, growing in my faith at convention with my youth group, and doing ALOT of stamping and creating!  School starts in our area today, so I hope to find more time to do new and exciting things for my blog! 
I created this for a friend that I was giving the plate set as a good bye gift. I made this box to hold ALL 12 seasonal plates that I showed you in previous posts.  It is styled like a pizza box only deeper.  I used the Scallop Square Die Cut on So Saffron cardstock.  I love the Season of Friendship stamp set!  The sentiment is popped off the box top using dimensions.  The Pumpkin Pie grosgrain bow adds a nice finishing top to the front of it.
Here is all 12 plates inside the box ready and waiting to be used each month. The closure is a large size brad and elastic silver cord.  I poked two hole just under the bow and attached the cording with knots on the inside. The box measures 5.5 x 5.5 and 1.5 high.  The lid is attached separately to the box.
I also made a matching card and envelope.  Colors are So Saffron, Pumkpin Pie and Ballet Blue.  I used the flower from Season of Friendship with the stamp off technique to have variations in the tones.  Then the sentiment is from A Good Friend.  The scallop Ballet Blue is actually a piece of the Scallop Square Die Cut cut in half.  The Pumpkin Pie ribbon is stapled to the card.  Added the trio flower and brad and done!
Have a magical day!
Cindy