Four Ways Friday #32 - Scallop Envelope Bigz Die

Today's Four Ways Friday is all about the Scallop Envelope Bigz Die for the Big Shot.  Hope you enjoy these four different ways to use your die.

You can use the envelope "as is."  Just create the envelope by running it through the Big Shot with some card stock and then using a bit of glue when you fold in the side flaps to construct the envelope.  Here I ran the envelope through the Big Shot with an embossing folder and then sponged it with some ink before putting it together.  I added some punched circles, brads and a bit of linen thread for the closer.  Here are views of the front and inside.

You can also use these small envelopes as layers on larger cards.  Here is a standard size card with the envelope added to the front as an element.

I used a dimensional on the bottom part of the scalloped oval - that way I was able to tuck the envelope flap under the top of the scalloped oval to act as a closure for the envelope.  You can put a special note in the little envelope and then write your letter on the inside of the card itself.

You can make adorable mini books with these envelopes too!  This is the outside - and here is the inside...

To make this mini book I just adhered the flap of one envelope to the back of another envelope.  You can make these books as large or as small as you like and you have all kinds of fun space to decorate and fill!  I cut off the flap of the top envelope and created a cover with some card stock.  I may need to put together a video on this one so you can see how fun and easy it is to make!

You can also use these great envelopes to make a gift box!!!!!  Here I adhered four of them together and added some side embellishments.  You can wrap some yummy Valentine's chocolates in some fabric or tulle and give these as adorable gifts!  Have fun with it!  I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday.  I'm hoping to be back next week with some new videos for you!  Have a great weekend!

Feeling Punky :(

It seems a cold has decided to try to inhabit my body.  I am making a valiant effort at letting it know it is not welcome.  The battle is my focus right now and is taking all my energy, so I will not be posting a project for you today.  However, I fully intend to slay this dragon and be back tomorrow with 4 Ways Friday!  Have a great day and wish me luck!!!!

Varsity Numbers New Years Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Take A Step Forward And Turn Your Dreams Into Visualizations

It's easy for me to sit and dream about being (insert words here)...for example "an artist," "healthier," "financially secure," "athletically fit"...you get the idea.  What I realize is that dreaming about it isn't going to make it happen.  I need to do more than just dream - I need to accept that it is possible and then take action.  One way to believe that it is possible is to turn the dream into a visualization - actually picture myself as an artist - as financially secure - as already having achieved athletic fitness.  If we begin to create the pictures in our minds of having already arrived at our dream we are demonstrating to ourselves and the universe that we have accepted the possibility and are ready to move from dream and acceptance into reality.  Can you accept what you are dreaming about?
Don't you just love all these colors together!  I'm not sure how it happened - it began with Soft Suede and Melon Mambo and took off from there!  I then added Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise and Old Olive.  This just says "you're gonna have a great 2011" to me!  The Varsity Numbers stamp set is a great set for creating any year you want - for cards for birthdays, anniversaries, new years, weight goals - wherever you need numbers, this set can help!  It is also easy to cut out since all the lines are straight and not curvy.  The scalloped chipboard circle was made as an experiment.  I ran the chipboard through the Big Shot with the scallop circle die and then ran the scallop circle through again using the clear circle die.  I love how it turned out!  The Billboard decorative strip die was used to make the letters for "happy."  Finally, I added some rhinestone jewels for some sparkle!  I hope you like it!

Nature Walk Sympathy - OCCASIONS MINI MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE TODAY!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sit And Write

I sometimes wonder where creative ideas come from - especially when I find that mine are running dry and the muse had fallen asleep.  It is at these times when I find it incredibly helpful to get back to the habit of sitting down each day and writing in my journal.  If I just show up and start writing down my stream of consciousness (and yes, sometimes my stream of consciousness writes things like, "how am I going to sit here and write for another minute?  What am I going to say?") at some point the ideas seem to flow into my thoughts and onto the page.  At times, a thought that has nothing at all to do with creativity will lead to a creative idea.  What I am learning is that I just need to show up - to sit down and write - and the muse will come and sit down with me :)  One of my resolutions this year is to lighten my thinking by getting my thoughts out of my head and onto a page every single day.  In this way I will coax the muse by lightening my thoughts and clearing the way for her to enter.
Today's card is for a friend whose father recently passed away.  His dad was 93 years old!  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and the flower and butterfly from the new Nature Walk set that is in the Occasions mini catalog.  I stamped the image and heat embossed using black embossing powder.  I then took out some Copic markers and colored the flowers and butterfly.  I also added some dazzling diamonds to the butterfly.  I distressed the edges and also used the spritzer tool to add some "age" to the background.  I hope you like it!

Elizabeth Thank You with Deck the Halls Designer Fabric

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Lighten!

Happy New Year!!!!  "Lighten" is my theme for 2011!  Lighten my load (ie get organized and purge that which is weighing me down); lighten my self-talk; lighten my food; lighten my mood.  I have decided to ask myself the same question at the end of everyday, "What did I do today that helped me lighten even more?"  Hopefully I'll have an answer each and every day :)  What is your theme for 2011?
Today's card uses the Deck the Halls designer fabric.  This fabric has a great winter look and is only available if you order it from the holiday mini catalog by close of business TODAY!  (click HERE to shop now).  This card is designed as a "holder" with an insertable card.  Here is the card with the insert taken out.

I used the Elizabeth stamp on the front of the card and the insert.  The card was embellished with some pearl jewels and dazzling diamonds.  I adhered a piece of Sahara Sand card stock to line the holder and I embossed it using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (one of my absolute favorites!).  A piece of hemp twine adds an additional touch.  I hope you like it!