Gift Bag Decorations

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Make It Work
If you saw my craft room right now...well, good thing you can't see my craft room right now and no, I won't take a picture and show it to you because I am quite embarrassed by the state of things in there right now!  Actually, I've been quite embarrassed about it for awhile...but that hasn't stopped me from creating!!!!  I've decided that I need to make it work when I get the urge to create and things aren't as neat and tidy as I would like them to be (quite the understatement)!  Sometimes, even in the midst of all the chaos and clutter, you can find a small space on a table, a tiny place to sit, a few supplies and you can just make it work.  So that's my lesson for today (and likely for the next few days as I begin to dig out from the piles in the craft room...I just need to make it work :)
Today I am sharing with you a few items that I have made for the gift bags for my niece's upcoming party!  My sister-in-law and I collaborated via Facetime and hopefully everything will come together beautifully :)  The little welcome signs will go on the front of the bag - which she has already decorated with some adorable pink and white striped paper.  One of the items that will be going in the bag is an adorable eye mask.  Unfortunately the adorable eye mask came in some "not-so-adorable" wrapping.  So, we are taking the tag at the top of the eye mask bag off and replacing it with these bag toppers!  The font I used was Upper East Side and I printed the sentiment onto Whisper White card stock.  I then layered it onto Basic Black and Pretty In Pink (retired) card stock.  The stars were punched from silver glimmer paper and attached with dimensionals.  I put sticky strip on the underside of the bag toppers so that they will be easy to attach to the eye mask bags.  The "sweet dreams" tags are for the guests and the "thanks for helping" tags are going to be added to the bags my sister-in-law will give out to all of those who have helped her put this party together.  Hopefully these small touches will add to the overall festive feel for this wonderful party for my niece!  I hope you have a beautifully creative weekend.  I'll be trying to dig out from the craft room...just trying to make it work! :)

Undefined Stamp Carving Kit!!!!!

Stampin' Up! just announced a wonderful new product that I am VERY excited about!!!!!  Bring your own unique touch to your stamped creations by making your own stamps!

Item #	Description
133402	Undefined Stamp Carving Kit    $19.95
134808	Undefined Refill Kit                   $9.95
124236	Clear-Mount Cling Foam*         $10.95

*Add a sheet of Clear-Mount Cling Foam to create your own clear-mount stamps. Mounting your stamps on the cling foam allows you to make stamps any size you want, not just what will fit on the blocks in the kit.

Included in the Stamp Carving Kit:

• 2 carving tools
• 3" x 4" rubber
• 3" x 4" foam
• 4 wood blocks (various sizes)
• 1 Island Indigo Stampin' Write Marker
• 3 postcards
• Instruction sheet
• Stamp image templates

Card File Box Set by Christy Fulk

This amazingly vibrant Card File Box Set was created by Christy Fulk for July for Craft Project Central!  This card file box is great for keeping your cards organized.  The project includes eight cards with envelopes, but more can be put in the box.  There are also four dividers inside to help keep your cards filed by type.  This box would also work great as a recipe file box.  Make one as a gift and one for yourself!  It would make a great class project, too!  To get all of the instructions to make this adorable box set, go to Craft Project Central and sign up for a membership for the month of July!  Check back next week too as I will be giving away one free membership to Craft Project Central for the month of July!!!! :)

Label Love Birthday Gift Tag

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Turn Left When The Urge Strikes
Buddy and I were on our walk this morning and for some reason I had the urge to take a left and turn down a street - a different course than our normal route in the morning.  I decided to follow the urge.  So, we turned left, walked about 4 steps and all of a sudden there was a hummingbird about 5 feet above us and in the center of the road.  He hovered there and then flitted a little to the right...then a little to the left...then back to center - all the while singing a high pitched song.  It honestly felt like he was putting on a show for us!  After another encore performance he flew off.  I don't know if it is common where you live to see hummingbirds, but for us, it is quite rare.  And to have one stay and hover in the air and just watch us, was unbelievable!  Now I know why I was meant to turn left and I encourage you to turn left when the urge strikes :)
Today I needed to put together a quick tag to add to a bag containing a birthday gift.  The bag was black, white and raspberry colored, so I took out my Rose Red and Basic Black card stock and got to work!  I cut the Rose Red card stock into a label shape and then added a strip of Basic Black card stock and then a strip of silver glimmer paper.  I stamped the background of the tag with an image from the Happy Day stamp set using Rose Red ink.  Next I stamped the sentiment from Label Love with Rose Red ink onto Whisper White card stock.  I then punched it out with the artisinal label punch and added it to the tag with dimensionals.  Finally, I punched a hole with the crop-a-dile and threaded organza ribbon through to attach the tag.  I hope you like it!

Papillion Potpourri Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes A Ridiculous Movie Is Just What You Need!
I was pretty tired by early evening today.  I had just completed my ensemble for my guest designer spot for Craft Project Central for this month (which I will be sharing with you soon!) and I didn't seem to have the energy to begin another project.  So I did what I try not to do which is to turn on the tv.  I am always conscious of how precious our moments are and am pretty sure I don't want to spend many of those moments staring at a tv screen.  However, tonight seemed to be an exception.  What made it worse - or maybe more hysterical - depending on your perspective...is that I turned on a movie that was absolutely ridiculous.  I'm willing to admit to you what it was...but please don't think less of me!  It was called The Watch - with Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn.  Even the listing on HBO only gave it one star!  And I got sucked in - while totally laughing at myself for watching the darn thing!  What became the most entertaining part for me was thinking about how much fun the actors must have had making this ridiculous movie!  I can just imagine them cracking up trying to keep straight faces while battling aliens as part of a self-created neighborhood watch group.  And now here I sit, having just gotten through the entire movie and I have to admit...sometimes a ridiculous movie is just what you need!  (But please don't take that as my recommendation that you go out and watch it too!) :)
This card was inspired by this card by Kristina Werner.  I love how the simple wash of color creates so much interest to the background!  I began by stamping the butterfly from Papillion Potpourri using VersaMark ink and then heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I then used an Aqua Painter to apply Strawberry Slush and Crisp Cantaloupe to the card (I made things a little wet, so watch how much water you use or you will warp the card).  I then wiped off the butterflies so that the white embossing stayed white :)  I wrapped some linen thread around the card and then added some circles of Strawberry Slush and Crisp Cantaloupe card stock.  Next I heat embossed the greeting from Postage Collection using VersaMark ink and white embossing powder onto Strawberry Slush card stock and then punched the card stock out using the elegant butterfly punch.  I hope you like it!

Birthday Cake Explosion by Amanda Corbet

This playful Birthday Cake Explosion Box Gift Set was created by the talented Amanda Corbet!  You can learn more about Amanda on her blog HERE!  This beautiful gift set will have you all ready to give a fabulous birthday gift! The gift box is an explosion box that has a cute birthday cake in the middle and a pocket in each box side that can hold a gift card or a note. The gift bag is perfect for those slightly larger gifts, and the matching greeting card has you ready for your next birthday party!  Want to learn how to make all of these wonderful pieces?  Just go to Craft Project Central and sign up for a subscription for the month of July!  You will get full instructions for how to make this adorable set as well as all the other projects being posted for the month of July on Craft Project Central!

Supporting Other Artists

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Supporting The Creativity Of Others Blesses The Creativity Within You
When you support and honor the creative energy and output of others, I strongly believe this, in turn, honors the creative energy within you.  You are letting the Universe know that you value creativity - that it is a gift to be expressed.  Over the 4th of July weekend I went to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival here in Denver.  I had a budget so I, unfortunately, needed to pass by a few pieces that I would have loved to have brought home.  I was beginning to think that a piece of art would not make it home with me, but at the second to last booth I stopped at, I found this amazing vessel!  Both the shape and the color of the glaze initially attracted me.  It connected with me.  And then I stood there trying to logically decide what I would/could do with it.  Somehow I began to envision it outside (in the warm weather only...so it won't crack!) serving as a bird bath :)  I haven't found an appropriate stand for it yet - maybe a wood stump will find me - I think that would be perfect!  For now it is sitting in my kitchen, making me smile every time I glance at it.  This gorgeous vessel was created by Anderson Bailey.  You can check out Anderson's work at his website HERE.  Maybe he'll be headed to a town near you sometime soon! :)  Find someone's art you enjoy and then support their creativity - whether it be by visiting their blog/website or purchasing a piece of their work, you will not only be supporting them, but blessing the creativity within you :)