Four Ways Friday #39 - Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit

This week's Four Ways Friday is all about the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit!

For this first 3"x3" card I began with a piece of glossy white card stock.  I then took a piece of freezer paper and added some drops of pink pirouette, melon mambo and rose red reinker.  I folded the freezer paper in half and smooshed the ink together and then opened up the freezer paper.  I then placed the glossy white card stock into the ink on the freezer paper.  Once I lifted it out, I stamped the glossy card stock with the uninked floral image from the Bliss stamp set.  I allowed it to dry and then ran the card stock through the Big Shot with the embosslit.  To finish the heart, I took a sanding block and sanded to raised dots to remove the ink.  I took a 3"x6" piece of Regal Rose card stock and folded it in half and then sewed a piece of Baja Breeze card stock to the card base.  I did some random sewing and then sewed the heart to the card.  Finally I stamped the words from Fabulous Phrases using Early Espresso ink.

This embosslit heart also makes a great letter!  Here I let it stand in for the letter "O" in "love."  I created the heart in the same way as the first card, but this time I stamped a bit in Baja Breeze using the floral image from the Bliss stamp set.  I stamped the other letters onto Whisper White card stock using Rose Red ink and the Lovely Letters stamp set.  I sponged the letters with River Rock ink and then used crystal effects to add some baja breeze glass glitter to the edges.  I began with a River Rock card base and then added a layer of Regal Rose.  I then took a piece of Baja Breeze card stock and ran it through the Big Shot with the Elegant Lines embossing folder.  Before adhering the Baja Breeze layer to the card base, I added a piece of Baja Breeze seam binding (which I crumpled up in my hands before tying to the card).  A small piece of Marina Mist ribbon adds a bit more color.  I adhered the heart to the card using dimensionals and used mono adhesive to attach the other letters.

Don't forget that when you cut out the heart you are left with a piece of card stock that can act as a stencil!  Here I used the "waste" from cutting out the heart for my first card as a stencil.  I taped the "stencil" down, using removable tape, and sponged with Pink Pirouette ink.  I then stamped over it with the floral stamp from Elements of Style using Early Espresso ink.  I removed the stencil and then used the same sizzlit to punch through a piece of scrap paper to create a mask that I adhered over the sponged heart using removable tape.  I then stamped the entire piece of Very Vanilla card stock with the En Francais background stamp and River Rock ink.  Then came the distressing and crumpling...my favorite part!!!!!  I adhered this panel to a piece of Soft Suede card stock.  I then punched a small strip of Soft Suede using the scallop trim border punch and added it to the card.  I also sewed a piece of Victoria lace to the card.  I then stamped "forever" from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set in Soft Suede and stamped over it with the Bliss floral stamp at half strength with Soft Suede and Pink Pirouette ink.  I punched it out using the Curly Label extra-large punch and sponged the edges.  I adhered it to the card with dimensionals and added a few pearls.  I then stamped the key from Artistic Etchings in versamark and heat-embossed with silver embossing powder.  I cut out the key and added a touch of linen thread and attached the key using 1/2 a dimensional.  The baja breeze panel was run through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and the layers were adhered to a Pink Pirouette card base.

Of course, I couldn't let the stencil go to waste!  I decided to use it on my final card.  Here I used the stencil to first sponge a Pink Pirouette heart onto the Pink Pirouette card base.  I then took the stencil off the card and brought it to the sewing machine to do some decorative sewing on the edges of the stencil and on the bottom of the card.  I then adhered the stencil to the card using dimensionals.  Finally, I took a small strip of Whisper White card stock and stamped the word "beautiful" from Fabulous Phrases using Rose Red ink.  I was able to slip the strip underneath the stencil and adhere it with a dimensional in the center.  I cut the ends to make it look like a banner!
I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday and I hope you have a beautiful and creative weekend!!!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It All Begins With A Single Spark!

Today's card began with a single spark - a simple idea - I wanted to use the Contempo Alphabet to create a background.  That was the only thought I had and I had no idea where things would go from there, but I sat down and pulled out the Contempo Alphabet set and things just started to happen!  I stamped the letters randomly onto Whisper White using Always Artichoke ink.  I then grabbed my En Francais background stamp and stamped the card using River Rock ink.  The spritzer tool came out next and I spritzed with both Always Artichoke and River Rock.  I couldn't stop, so I sponged around the bottom and side with Always Artichoke ink.  I then sewed a torn piece of Cajun Craze to the card front.  And then...I got stuck...so I walked around, sent some emails, twiddled my thumbs and then went back to the card :)  I stamped the "happy birthday" from Bring On The Cake onto Whisper White pieces with Always Artichoke ink.  I also stamped the "a little late" from the On Your Birthday stamp set.  All of these pieces were mounted onto Always Artichoke card stock and then attached to the card.  I then sewed a piece of 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon to the bottom of the card and tied it with a small piece of linen thread.  Finally I added a retired designer brad.  I hope you like it!  Sometimes all you need is a single spark!

Amazing RAK & Cracked Glass Technique Bookmark!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Practice Random Acts Of Kindness (RAK)!

Isn't this bookmark AMAZING!!!!  I was delighted to open my mailbox and find a beautiful card with this gorgeous bookmark inside.  They came from my friend and artist Peggy!  How sweet is this?!  You can check out Peggy's blog HERE.  It was an amazing random act of kindness and it made my week!!!!  When was the last time you practiced a RAK?  Today would be a great day!
The bookmark also inspired me to try my hand at creating one :)  Here's the result:

Here's a picture of both the front and the back...

I began with a piece of Whisper White card stock and stamped the floral image from Elements of Style using Crumb Cake ink.  Next I stamped the bird image in Marina Mist and the greeting in Early Espresso.  I then stamped the front and back with the Linen (retired) background stamp in Baja Breeze to create some texture.  I love this background stamp!  For the back I stamped the Ephemera (retired) background stamp in Crumb Cake and then the bird and "take note" from the Notably Ornate set in Early Espresso.  I then did a bunch of sponging on the front a back with River Rock, Soft Suede and Chocolate Chip.  Finally, I sprayed the front with a mixture of champagne shimmer paint and water in a spray bottle and let it dry.  Once dry, I applied versamark to the entire front of the bookmark and added clear embossing powder (I used ultra thick embossing powder, but you can use regular clear embossing powder for a similar effect).  I heated the embossing powder and, once it had melted, I applied another layer of versamark and clear embossing powder and heated again.  I repeated this about 4 times until the melted embossing powder layer was nice and thick.  Then I placed the embossed bookmark in the freezer for a few minutes.  When I took it out, I carefully bent it to create all the "shatter"/crack marks in the embossing powder - it is such a great look!  Finally, I made a hole with my crop-a-dile, added a large eyelet and some lace and seam binding ribbon.  I hope you like it!  I really love my RAK from Peggy!!!!!!!  Thank you so much Peggy!!!!!!!

Beautiful Wings Inlaid Embossing "Thinking Of You" Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  There Will Be Free Shipping Another Time

This post is as much for myself as it is for anyone else reading this!  I have found myself drawn to "free shipping" offers and discount coupons lately, even when there is not a thing that I need!  I see the coupon and start to salivate and wonder what I'm missing!  The truth is, I'm not missing anything!  If I didn't buy a new craft supply for the next 50 years, there would still be plenty in the craft room to keep me busy!  Now don't get me wrong, I like fresh craft supplies just like anyone who is reading this post :)  It's just that I need to not "react" to each new coupon that finds its way into my mailbox or my inbox!  I need to not be enticed by these limited time offers because the truth is...there is always the next limited time offer :)  Maybe I need to look a bit deeper to try to understand the urge to keep buying more...it seems I always go back to the realization that the more time I spend shopping and buying, the less time I spend creating.  I'll keep working on this and in the meantime I'm going to ignore those darn coupons!
Today's card is a wonderful embossed inlay technique that was in the Stampin' Success magazine recently.  I ran the Beautiful Wings embosslit through the Big Shot twice - both times with Perfect Plum card stock.  I then took a piece of River Rock card stock and adhered the first layer of butterflies (not the butterflies that you see providing dimension to the card) using Tombo Mono multi adhesive.  I then stamped the greeting and ran the enter River Rock piece (butterflies and greeting on it) through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  When you do this it appears that the adhered pieces are actually a part of the same piece of card stock as the River Rock - almost as if they were inlaid.  I then adhered the panel to a Perfect Plum base and then added the additional butterflies with the same adhesive to give the card a bit of "lift."  I hope you like it!

Punch Bunch "For You" Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Changing Your Perspective Changes Your View

There was a light snow the other day and when I went out for my morning walk I noticed how beautiful the branches of the evergreen trees were.  The snow had stuck to each green needle and it was gorgeous!  Buddy and I walked for quite some time and on our way back home we passed the same evergreen trees.  From our new perspective, however, things looked very different.  Facing in this new direction we were no longer able to see how gorgeous the needles were.  From this direction, everything looked a bit gray and dull.  I wonder if we can try to remember this about our own lives.  Sometimes when things feel gray and dull we need to remember that if we just change our perspective our view might very well change too!  What seems dull and gray when looked at in one way, is delightful and inspiring when seen from a different angle!
For today's card I pulled out the adorable Punch Bunch Sale-a-bration stamp set!  You can earn this set for FREE during Sale-a-bration with a $50 product order!  I started with a River Rock card base.  I then tore a piece of Soft Suede card stock and sewed a cut and frayed piece of striped grosgrain ribbon (pretty in pink) to it.  I also sewed a small piece of designer series paper (I believe this one was Nature Walk and is retired).  I then stamped the floral image from Punch Bunch a couple of times - first in Pretty In Pink ink and then in Pear Pizazz ink.  I punched out the pink version using my scallop circle punch and popped it up on the card using dimensionals.  I then used my 1 1/4" circle punch to punch out the center of the Pear Pizazz version and cut out an additional pink flower that I had stamped onto Whisper White card stock.  I used dimensionals to adhere the circle.  I then added some dazzling diamonds to the cut out flower and cut off a few of the petals and added a rhinestone jewel.  I attached the flower to the card with 1/2 a dimensional.  Finally, I sewed the entire Soft Suede panel to the front of the card.  I hope you like it!

Four Ways Friday #38 - Engraved Greetings

This week's Four Ways Friday is all about the Engraved Greetings stamp set!  You can get this set for FREE with a $50 product order during Sale-a-bration (which runs through March)!

When I saw this stamp set, I knew I had to do some faux metal embossing!  I covered a piece of Whisper White card stock with Versamark ink and then heat embossed using gold embossing powder.  As soon as the embossing powder melted I added more and heated it again.  I repeated adding and heating the embossing powder four times - until it was thick.  As soon as I turned off the heat gun the last time, I stamped the "thank you" greeting into Versamark and then into the hot embossing powder - the stamp will leave the impression in the embossing powder giving you a faux metal effect!  I then punched it out with the decorative label extra large punch.  I crumpled some striped Neutrals designer paper and then sponged it with Soft Suede ink.  A large grommet was added and a button placed in the center.  For the background I took Whisper White card stock and stamped it with a variety of stamps:  Antique Cracking (retired), Office Ephemera (retired), and Sense of Time in Soft Suede at full or half strength.  I spritzed with the spritzer tool and did a little sponging too :)

I was having so much fun embossing, I couldn't stop!  For this card I first stamped the "HB" greeting with Versamark and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  The remaining stamping and inking was done afterwards - this is called emboss resist.  I stamped the Bella Toile background with Rose Red ink and then sprayed the card stock with a mixture of water, Chocolate Chip reinker and Champagne shimmer paint (all in a spray bottle).  I then sponged with Bravo Burgundy ink and wiped off the embossed area.  The Cherry Cobbler seam binding was added using sticky strip.  An antique brad finishes the look.  The finished card is 4"x4".

This set lends itself well to simple heat embossing too!  Here I stamped the "HB" greeting onto a piece of designer paper and then heat embossed with black embossing powder.  I sewed the piece to my Pear Pizazz card base.  I then sewed a piece of black satin ribbon onto the card and finished it off with an extra large silver brad.  I think this would make a great masculine birthday card!

Last but not least is this fun thank you tag!  I thought this would look great on a bottle of wine or sparkling cider :)  I took a piece of muslin and sprayed it with a mixture of water, Chocolate Chip ink and Champagne shimmer paint.  (I had already stamped the muslin in Rose Red with my Bella Toile background stamp, but decided to spray over that - that's way you see a bit of red color on the fabric).  I sewed the fabric to a white tag.  I then stamped the tag (yes, I know that's backwards, but sometimes that's how my art process works :) with the Striped stamp and Chocolate Chip ink.  Next came some additional stamping with the flourish from the "thank you" stamp and the flourish from the Bliss stamp set - again in Chocolate Chip.  I then stamped the "thank you" in Chocolate Chip onto a Whisper White piece of card stock and added some stamping from the Bliss stamp set in the upper right corner at half strength.  I sewed this onto the tag and then added the little rhinestone bling!
I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday!  Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a wonderful and creative weekend!

Four Ways Friday Coming Later Today!

The creative muse finally found me...but so did an unexpected opportunity that I couldn't pass up!  I was expecting to follow the muse Thursday night, but instead I was given the opportunity to be an "extra" for an episode of "Unwrapped" on the Food Network!  It sounded like fun so I left the craft room and went to the shoot.  Who knows?  I may end up on the cutting room floor, but at least it was a new experience :)  I am planning to follow the muse (barring any other unexpected opportunities) and posting Four Ways Friday a little bit later today...it is going to focus on the Engraved Greetings stamp set.  I can feel some faux metal embossing in my future :)

Waiting For The Mood To Strike

 It's Wednesday evening and I have been waiting for the mood to create to strike...and it just doesn't seem to be coming.  Maybe it's something I ate...or didn't eat...or something in the air...or not in the air :)  I will sleep and see if inspiration comes in the morning.  Thanks for your visit.  Please check back later today...inspiration can't hide from me for long! :)

From The Kitchen Of - Recipe Booklet

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Can You Stop The Self Abuse?

This is the question I have been asking myself this week.  I find that from the moment I wake up, the things that I say to myself in my mind are often not the most positive.  As a matter of fact, I think I'm quite abusive to myself - telling myself things like "you're not doing enough" or "you're not good enough" or "you should be (fill in the blank)."  What I'm realizing is that all of these unkind messages to myself are beginning to add up and are beginning to make me feel down and out.  So, can I stop it?  I believe that I can - as a matter of fact, I KNOW that I can.  I just need to get aware of the messages and replace them with something more kind - something more compassionate.  I am going to start right NOW!!!!!  I'll let you know how I'm doing :)
Yes, I'm still into my little booklets :)  I recently purchased the From The Kitchen Of stamp set and decided this was a great opportunity to make a little recipe booklet!  I left color up to the Color Coach and just opened to a random page.  Gotta admit that when Pacific Point came up I was a bit nervous.  But, once I got over the nerves I realized that this color combo (Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, and Pumpkin Pie) makes my recipe book look like a festive circus!!!!  Can't wait to fill it with a bunch of yummy recipes!
I used the Dot, Dot, Dot stamp with Pumpkin Pie ink to stamp the Pumpkin Pie card stock.  I used the Broadsheet Alphabet stamp set to stamp the letters onto Whisper White card stock.  I used a combo of Pumpkin Pie and Melon Mambo ink.  I ran a piece of Melon Mambo card stock through the crimper before sewing it to the front of the booklet.  Once Melon Mambo was a part of the color combo I had the perfect excuse to pull out this ADORABLE pom-pom trim and add a piece to the front (again, I sewed, but you can use Sticky Strip or another adhesive).  On the inside pages I just stamped the recipe card image in Basic Black ink.  My real innovation came when I realized that if I really brought this little creation into the kitchen it would be at the mercy of all kinds of liquids!  Yikes!  So, I quickly thought back to those great book covers we would make for our grade school books and decided to make one out of a sheet protector!  Here's how it came out...

 

Now it's ready for the kitchen!  I hope you like it! :)

Medallion Booklet

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Leave Color Up To Chance!

This color combination is not one that I intuitively would have put together!  What I find in my art is that I tend to be drawn to certain colors over and over again.  When I look at other people's art I see wonderful color combinations and it makes me question why I don't stretch out of my color comfort zone.  So, this time, I left color up to chance!  I took out my Color Coach and closed my eyes and randomly selected a page.  When I opened my eyes, Cajun Craze was staring up at me!  I turned the card over and there were 2 combinations to choose from - I chose Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke and Cajun Craze.  This is the result!
I stamped the medallion stamp with versamark and Perfect Plum ink and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I then took some images from the Vintage Vogue stamp set and stamped them at half strength on the front and back of the booklet.  The Always Artichoke card stock was run through the Big Shot with an embossing folder and then sponged with Always Artichoke ink.  I then tore the card stock and sewed it to the cover.  The Perfect Plum card stock strip was run through the crimper multiple times in multiple directions and then sewed to the cover as well.  I was committed to adding this crocheted doily to the front, so I sewed it on and then added a small button with a glue dot.  The torn piece of muslin was stamped with the Calendar Alphabet in Perfect Plum ink.  I hope you like it!  Why not try leaving color up to chance?! :)

Nature Walk Sewn Booklet

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Decide Whether It's Worth Getting Upset Over

I have to admit that at times I have not been the best business traveler.  There were days when being informed of a delayed or canceled flight would send me over the edge!  Well, I had my chance to challenge my emotions this past Friday.  I was flying back to Denver from Arkansas, via Houston (since there were no direct flights) and when I arrived at the airport in Arkansas I was informed that the flight was delayed and there was a very good chance that I would not be making my connection and would be spending the night in Houston.  Now mind you, spending the night at a hotel near the Houston airport was the last thing I wanted to do.  However, I made a choice in that moment that it just was not worth getting upset over.  I had the agent check to see if there were any other routes home that evening and I was conscious to remain calm and kind.  There were no other options, so I just rolled with it.  I got on my delayed flight once it finally arrived and I didn't get my panties in a bunch (don't you just love that expression?!).  Are you ready for the good news????  I ran like Forrest Gump through the Houston Airport and actually made the connection since the continuing flight was slightly delayed since they had to wait for the flight attendants!!!!!!  Maybe that was the Universe rewarding me for choosing not to get upset over it and just go with it :)
I am quite addicted to making these little books right now.  If you are not into little notebooks, you can, of course, adjust the idea for a card front.  I used a combination of stamps from Nature Walk, Bliss, Well Worn and Fundamental Phrases.  I added some sewing and a bit of fabric, string and beads.  I focused on using the following colors:  Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist and Basic Black.   I hope you like it! :)

Four Ways Friday #37 - Bliss (Sale-a-Bration Set)

This week's Four Ways Friday focuses on using the Bliss stamp set in the Sale-a-bration catalog!

I was reading the Winter 2009 issue of Sew Somerset magazine and came across a traveling journal project by Sue Bleiweiss.  I had some scrap computer paper that had been piling up (you know when you get the date and page number printed on the bottom but nothing else and you just can't bare to throw the page out?).  I decided the project would be a wonderful way to combine Stampin' Up! products and recycle at the same time!  The book cover is a 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" piece of Going Gray card stock.  I sewed the edges and then layered, stamped, embossed and sewed on top of that.  Don't you just love the look of the First Edition designer paper?  Here is a peek at the inside...

You can see that I stamped the butterfly image over the random printing left on the scrap paper.  Each booklet has 24 pages (12 pieces of paper folded in half).  Of course, I couldn't stop at just one book, so I used the Bliss stamp set to make another!

 

For this booklet I used Confetti card stock as the base and built from there.  I used Cherry Cobbler and Soft Suede as the main colors.  I have really been enjoying combining sewing with stamping and embossing.  If you don't sew, don't worry, you can do some faux stitching instead!  Here is a peek at the inside of this booklet...

 

Don't worry :)  I decided to do a few cards with the Bliss stamp set as well.  For this card I stamped the flourish image over and over in Soft Suede at full and half strength onto a strip of Whisper White card stock.

I then sewed a piece of Very Vanilla seam binding ribbon to the strip.  I stamped the butterfly three times in Regal Rose onto Whisper White card stock and cut them out (yes, that's a little time consuming, but well worth the effort!).  I then sewed the butterflies onto the strip and then adhered the strip to the Sahara Sand card stock base using dimensionals.  You may notice the stamped stitches in the background...I used the stitches jumbo wheel with River Rock to make the background stamping.

For the last card I decided to bring out the Pink Pirouette and Going Gray (and a bit of Old Olive).  I stamped the flourish image a couple of times using the stamp-a-ma-jig.  I then sewed on a small piece of pink satin ribbon.  The punched circle was sewn on and then I layered a stamped decorative label punch, a hodgepodge hardware piece with the "bliss" sentiment, and a cut out butterfly.  The final touch was to sponge the edges and use the spritzer tool with Going Gray ink.

I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday!  I hope you have an amazingly creative weekend!  See you next week! :)

Polymer Clay Chocolates

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Spoil Yourself Today!

When was the last time you spoiled yourself?  If you were to spoil yourself, what would you do?  Is there a way for you to do it...or do it in a way that makes sense for you financially?  Sometimes it is easy to wait around...just waiting for someone else to spoil you - to buy you the flowers, take you to that romantic restaurant, buy you a certificate for a pedicure that you are longing to get.  Why are you waiting?  It might just be the perfect time for you to spoil yourself!  When was the last time you bought yourself flowers - to say thank you for being so wonderful?  When was the last time you treated yourself to a movie or special dinner or a pedicure?  Stop waiting!  Today is your day to spoil yourself!!!! :)
I made a little stash of polymer clay chocolates to use on cards and paper crafts.  Here I decided they fit perfectly with the greeting from Bring On The Cake.  I clear embossed the Happy Birthday by inking up the stamp, first with Versamark and then inking the stamp in Rich Razzleberry before stamping onto the card stock.  Once stamped, I applied the clear embossing powder and heating things up with the heat tool.  The Early Espresso card stock was run through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.  I hope you like it!  Now go spoil yourself!!!!!!

Lovely Letters Monogram Notecards

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It's Always A Good Time To Reconnect With Old Friends

We went to a surprise party for a friend the other night.  When we arrived at the party we were struck by how much the kids had grown!  We began to wonder how long it had been since we had all seen one another and we realized that a number of YEARS had actually passed!  Where does the time go?  What we also realized is that reconnecting with good friends has that special feeling...you know...when it feels like it was just yesterday when you last saw one another.  There is no pretense - no excuses or apologies needed.  Every time is the right time to reconnect - that is what it means to be friends.
As a gift for the party girl I made a set of monogram notes.  I started with Sahara Sand card stock and rolled the Stitches jumbo wheel in River Rock ink across the front.  I punched Pink Pirouette card stock with the decorative label punch and sewed it onto the card front with the sewing machine.  I stamped the "R" in Bravo Burgundy, punched it out with the 1 1/4" circle punch and then distressed and sponged the edges with Soft Suede ink.  I cut and unraveled a piece of ribbon, sewed it onto the punched "R" and then attached it to the card using dimensionals.  A pearl jewel adds a final touch.
Here is a photo of how I wrapped the gift.  I just loved using the number stamp from Bring On The Cake for the tag!

Die Cut Decorations

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Anchors Away!
A friend told me a story once.  As a young man he had a number of collections.  As he got older he began to look at the collections on his shelves and he started to see the items in the collections as tiny anchors - somehow, each piece, was weighing him down.  So he decided to sell all of the collections - to get rid of all those heavy anchors.  I think about this story as I look around my home - particularly in my office and craft room.  My anchors are a different type of collection - mostly business papers, receipts, more papers and a craft room that "runneth over" with anything that might one day be utilized in a project.  I wonder what would happen if I released some of these anchors - if I let them go.  I wonder how that would move me...What anchors are weighing you down?
I wanted to share with you the final decorations for my niece's party.  These "wands" will go into vases with a few other wands.  Creating these decorations was made much easier with the Big Shot, a few punches, and a little ink and stamping.  Here is the second version - using a bit of embossing with the Big Shot.  I hope you like them :)

Sweet Treat Cups Flowers

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Four Hands Are Better Than Two!

My friend Elizabeth came over this past weekend for 2 hours and it was amazing what we accomplished in the course of those 2 hours!  Four hands are definitely better than two!  We had a few goals.  First, we needed to finish the decorations for my nieces' party (I only had a few left, but it was great having some help) and second, we needed to work on some Valentine treats for one of Elizabeth's children.  We accomplished both goals, plus a bit of much-needed straightening in the craft room - YEAH!!!!
Elizabeth arrived with a picture of this idea - I am not sure what site or blog she got the idea from (if you know who made up this adorable idea, please let me know - I'd love to give them credit).  She came armed with these large P\popsicle sticks that worked perfectly!  We used the Clear Flower die in the Big Shot to cut the designer paper (retired) and the card stock.  We then embossed the Regal Rose card stock using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  We used glue to adhere the flowers together and to adhere the sticks to the back of the flowers.  The sweet treat cups were adhered to the center of the flowers and we added at touch of ribbon and stamped the sticks.  I can see making these for all kinds of occasions!  Here is a close up!  Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!

Enjoying The Sunshine!

It has finally warmed up here in Denver and I just had to share how the family is enjoying the warmer temps and sunshine :)

Four Ways Friday #36 - Four Ways To Decorate!

I've been busy preparing decorations for my niece's 13th birthday, so this week's Four Ways Friday is all about Four Ways To Decorate!!!!

Different shades of purple (Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, and Concord Crush) and Green Galore (retired) are the focus of these medallion centerpieces.  These are on 18" dowels and will be placed into glass vases with styrofoam and other decorations.  I am loving the Big Shot!  I am using it to die cut card stock and self-adhesive glittery fun foam!  I used the Itty Bitty Bits stamp set for the white embossed flowers and a retired background stamp for the large polka dots.  The lengths of feather boa are hot-glued in between the scallop circle card stock die cuts.  Here is a close up...

We are also going to use the medallions to hold the balloon ribbons together.  The medallions are just slightly different...

Here I used another retired background stamp to do some clear embossing (the color was very hard to photograph, but you get the idea :)

I also played around with the pennant die and some pom poms :)  This would look great on a cake or could be placed in styrofoam as a centerpiece on a table!  You could even create a garland with loads of pennants to string on the walls or hang from the ceiling.  Here I have them hot glued to wire, but you could easily use ribbon or even sew them together on a sewing machine to make one long strand.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, don't forget that you can use your Big Shot and fabric to create wonderful decorations for the holiday!  Here I used the scallop square die and the Serif Essentials alphabet.  This project involved a bit of sewing, but you can easily do this without a sewing machine.  Just get some iron-on adhesive for the letters and interfacing that has adhesive on both sides for the scallop squares.  Hot glue can be used for the felt embellishments and for attaching the squares to the ribbon.  If you don't sew, you don't have any excuse to not do this project :)  Hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday!  I hope you have a wonderful and love-filled weekend!

Stamped Jeans Bookmark

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Feed Someone

We have developed a wonderful food relationship with one of our neighbors.  In a very impromptu way, we will invite one another over for dinner.  It has become one of our most favorite things - having them come here or us going there to try out new dishes or enjoy some old favorites.  There is something special about breaking bread with others - about sharing what you cook - it's another way to share your love with someone.  There are so many ways to reach out and feed others - whether it is by inviting them over for dinner or purchasing a meal for someone who is down on their luck.  You can donate or volunteer at a local food bank or participate in helping deliver meals to those who are unable to leave their homes.  How can you feed someone today?
Here is another project that brought life to my favorite old jeans!  I made this bookmark for my friend Elizabeth.  I stamped the jeans with the 24-7 stamp set image using Staz-On ink.  I stamped the twill with Staz-On too - using the Itty Bitty Bits bird and the letters from the Calendar Alphabet & Numbers stamp set.  A bit of Pretty In Pink 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon finishes the bookmark!  I hope you like it!

Scallop Square Fabric Love Sign

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Find A New Way To Love An Old Favorite

I don't know about you, but it can be really tough for me to get rid of an old favorite pair of jeans.  I remember the days when I used to wear bicycle shorts under my old torn favorites, just to avoid having to say good bye!  Well, those days of waiting long past the right time are gone!  I have found a new way to love my old favorite jeans...run them through the Big Shot!!!!!! :)  Just look at how pretty my jeans look now...

 I ran a piece of the jeans through the Big Shot with the Fun Flowers die and they were brought back to life!  I also used the same jeans to create the letters on the sign using the Serif Essential alphabet...

It just makes me smile knowing that my jeans will continue to be loved for years to come :)  How can you turn an old favorite into something new to love?