Make your own wall plates!

Bryan and I have been doing  quite a few changed around the house, including an entire kitchen facelift!  One of our more minor things is changing up our light and receptacle plates. Those silly plates get expensive! I want to do the same in my craft area but don't want to spend the money. So, why not decorate my own? I made these to plates using Stampin' Up! fabric (left, Spice Cake) and Designer Series Paper (right).  These are super easy to do.  I placed the blank plate over my fabric/paper and cut around the plate, making sure that when I fold the material over the plate, there is excess for folding behind it.  I then covered my plate in a thin layer of Modge Podge (MP) , and laid my material over the plate.  I then then brushed more MP on the back, adhering the overhanging edges to the back. You can be quite liberal with it, you want the material to stay. I then (from the back) cut the material with my scissors an "I"shape in each switch hole. Then I folded the excess inwards and put lots of MP to keep it down. You don't want to actually cut the hole out, as then you will see the blank plate.  Cover the front with MP as well now. Then poke the holes for the screws with a pen. Do this after putting a layer of MP on the front so that the MP helps stick the material in the hole. After it dries, put at least 1 more layer. If you don't want to see brush or sponge marks in the MP, put another layer or 2 of MP, then use fine sand paper and sand the MP smooth. Make sure you have at least 3 to 4 layers of MP though, or you could sand through to your fabric/paper!


Hope you enjoy!!
Craft on!!
Jean

Another Craft Show!

So I have been quite busy lately getting ideas and projects together for an upcoming craft show, the Apple Harvest Craft Show in Winchester, VA. I am excited and nervous!  So I thought I would just pop on here for a quick post to show you some things I have been working on. Not sure what I will definitely do or not, I am seriously running out of time though!!!  Feel free to leave me comments about what you think I should definitely sell!
Hope you enjoy!!
Craft on!
Jean

Back to School for Teachers Too!

 So I love back to school time! I love seeing my kids (my students) after the summer break. I love hearing their stories. Since I am a Special Ed. Teacher that works with intellectual disabilities, in a Life Skills based program, I keep my students year after year, until they age out (22), or graduate. Sometimes up to 7 years! So I truly do miss them over the summer!  But I also miss my coworkers, as we are all often too busy with our own families to do much visiting. So I made everyone some cute back to school presents. First, I made these cute backpacks with matching pens! I love the RSVP pens because you can slide slips of rolled Designer Series Paper (DSP) into them and it changes there whole look. I created my own template for the backpacks, then used the top note die for the lid,  and the mini envelope die for the front pocket. I used velcro to keep the top shut.  The pen even fits inside.  See my previous post on rosettes to learn how to make the rosette!  I used one sheet of 8 1/2 by 11" Pool Party card stock for each backpack. Its all about the measurements! I will post a tutorial if anyone is interested! I need to take some pictures though, as a few things can be tricky to explain without pics! But it really is easy. I just figured out how deep I wanted it and made folds to accommodate them! Then I put a back of mini sticky notes in the front!



The next thing I made everyone was 2 bookmarks. Here is a picture of all of them, and everyone got random picks. I simply used the AtoZ stamp on some Pool Party CS, then used the smaller scallop punch. Then I used a variety of back to school stamps, mostly from the new set, From Your Teacher, but also from a retired set, and stamped them on Whisper White, then using the 1 3/8 circle, I punched them out. I used Calypso Coral, Real Red, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, and Always Artichoke for my inks. I used the thick glue dots to adhere the circle to the scalloped circle with the paperclip in between. This keeps them nice and snug together, while still leaving some pliability to the bookmark.

 I also made a Welcome Back sign using the Perfect Pennants die and the Big Shot. I used the large triangle as well as both the doily shapes. I used a variety of current and retired Stampin' Up! blue colors. Unfortunately I did not have any blue DSP, so I used some leftovers from another set of paper to make my rosettes. Then used Very Vanilla letters overtop!! I used our twine to string them together (after punching 1/8" holes in each corner).

I sure hope you enjoyed checking out my projects!

Craft On!!
Jean

I am going Rosette Crazy!

So, with many other demonstrators out there, I am going simply crazy for Rosettes! When my upline Anne decided to do a large one on its own for a workshop, I knew I had to do it too! So, for my Hostess Club meeting, I pulled out my new Simply Scored and our gorgeous new Spice Cake DSP from the new Holiday Mini!

These larger rosettes are made just like the smaller ones that I gave details about in my last post about the Domestic Goddess DSP wreath, with a few variations.

So first thing, you need to cut two strips of 3 1/2" DSP. Then along the long side, score at 1/2" in. Fold over and tape down. This is how the outer edge of the rosette is a different print, its the backside!  Then you want to have 1/4" folds, so starting at 1/4", score every 1/2" (at 1/4", 3/4", 1 1/4", etc. ) on one side, then flip over and starting at 1/2", score every 1/2" again. Once both strips are scored, fold away! Tape the ends together to form a circle. I then cut a 2 1/2" circle using our punch with Crumb Cake paper, and instead of using hot glue, I used a large 3d glue dot. You know, the goober ones? With a little extra tape and push your rosette down onto it. Works great!  The hard part is now over!! I then punched out of Crumb Cake CS, a large scallop. I then used the new set, Gently Falling, also from the new mini, and used the outline stamps and Early Espresso ink to stamp a leaf, a whirly seed  pod, and an acorn. Then I used Pool Party ink, and stamped over the leave outline with the fill in leaf. I made the tag with Pool Party CS, and Early Espresso ink. I used this Laughter saying from Word Play stamp set, and another whirly seed pod. I cut out the tag by cutting a strip of paper to about 1 3/8 wide, and feeding half of it into my large tag punch. That way the top is still cut like the tag, but it is longer (pull the bottom of the paper up through the punch so that only the top cuts) I used some of our hemp twine with the new Large Buttons, again, from the mini,  and tied the tag to the button. I glued it all together using another goober glue dot!!  Hope you enjoy and have fun with the Simply Scored!!!

Fold On!
Jean

Accordion Rosettes + Domestic Goddess = LOVE!

I am IN LOVE with Stampin' Up's new Domestic Goddess suite, especially the Designer Series Paper. Bryan and his dad recently finished my laundry room (yay!) so it is my task to decorate.

The first thing I did when I was able to preorder from the New Holiday Mini (goes live Sept. 1st), which you all will LOVE, is order the new Simply Scored! I am just beyond happy that Stampin' Up! made their own scoring tool. And it is definitely better then the Martha Stuart or ScorPal ones! Wait until you see it!

I made this wreath using Domestic Goddess DSP, Basic Gray Card Stock (CS), Daffodil Delight CS, Calypso Coral (CS), Pool Party (CS), a variety of buttons, specifically the Brights Collection and Itty Bitty Clear Buttons, our new mini clothes pins, and Paper Daisies. I used varying sizes of circle punches as well. No need to buy anything specific for the base either, I just cut out a cardboard circle! That way it lays flatter against the wall.

To make a rosette, you will cut a strip of paper. To only need 1 strip of 12inches, you don't want to make it any wider then 1 1/2 inches. The wider, or larger you want your rosette, the longer the strip needs to be. All of my larger rosettes are actually 24inches long, I glued two 12inch pieces together.  Then you want to score along the strip. I do score lines every 1/2 inch and every 1/4 inch. The rosettes that seem to have more folds are the 1/4 inch folds, the larger ones have the 1/2 inch folds (***see below for special tip!). Once done folding the strip like an accordion, glue the two ends together, to make a ring. Punch out a circle of paper (doesn't matter the color, since this is the back of it) and put hot clue on the circle. I use hot glue because it makes the rosette very secure and can withstand some pull and tug. Push the center of the accordion ring down, as you do so, the other side should be splaying out a bit, and will look like the above rosettes. You can either push the center down onto the hot glued circle, or push it down, then place the hot glue circle on top. Either way, on the bottom side should be your circle with the glue to hold it all together. Then decorate as you like!! As you see above, I used paper, flowers, and buttons to decorate the front of my rosettes. Then I hot glue'd them all together on my cardboard circle. Then I added a few cutesy mini clothespins. And ta da! My first laundry room decoration!!!

*** scoring tip
If you are using a scoring board, like the Simply Scored, it is easier to fold the strip accordion style if you score on one side of the strip for every other score line, then flip the strip over, and do the other score lines. For example, if scoring every 1/2 inch, then on one side score every inch, flip over, and score the alternating every inch. When you go to fold, the paper will want to fold in the direction of the scoring, making the back and forth accordion style much easier!

Hope you enjoy!
Craft On!!!
Jean

Coupons Coupons Coupons

I had the privilege of participating in several organized swaps while at Stampin' Up! Convention. One of my faves was a 3d swap. I thought since coupons are the rage right now, that a coupon holder, sized for a purse, would be perfect!! Download PDF Here or see the following directions and pictures!

Supplies and Tools

Textured Crumb Cake Card Stock

Baja Breeze CS

Daffodil Delight CS

Perfectly Plumb CS

Wild Wasabi CS

Rose Red CS

Rich Razzleberry CS

Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper (DSP)

Basic Pearl Accents

Big Shot

Top Note Bigz Die

Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch

Scallop Trim Border Punch

Round Tab Punch

Two Way Glue Pen

Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive

Sticky Strip

Velcro Dots

1.     Cut Crumb Cake CS to 7 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches.

2.     Use the smaller extra piece cut off and glue it to desired piece of DSP using Tombow Glue – let dry a little bit then cut out with the Top Note Bigz Die and the Big Shot. This is the top portion of box.

3.     Cut out 5 pieces of Crumb Cake CS to 3 1/2 x 5 7/8 inches.

4.     Using Round Tab Punch, cut out one tab in each of 5 different color card stocks. Fold in half, then using Tombow glue to top (longer side) of each of the 5 pieces of cut cardstock – layer them so that they are each easily seen when stacked together (like file folders).

5.     Score the 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 piece as follows…

                               Score at 3 1/2 “ then at 4 “. Turn paper so you are now working perpendicular to first    score marks.

Score at 6 3/4” then at 7 1/4”. Turn paper so you can score the same on the opposite side. This will give you score marks that are 1/4” and 3/4” in from each side.

6.     Cut off sections and place sticky strip according to pictures provided.

7.     Fold all sections in, then take orange plastic off of sticky strip and begin assembling box.

8.     Score Top Note piece according to picture (round sections placed on 1 1/2 line then score, doing so for both side).

9.     Place to strips of sticky tape on Crumb Cake side of Top Note piece, then adhere to back side, middle, of box top.

10.  Place one side of Velcro dot on Top Note piece where the point is. Place opposite piece of Velcro on box, where you want the lid to close at.

11.  Using Scallop Trim punch, cut out a strip of matching DSP, and trimming paper so that the solid part of the border is about 1/4  inch wide. Glue to bottom of box front, scallop side up.

12.  Using the Blossom Bouquet Triple layer punch, punch out card stock and DSP, set on the furthest setting to the right. You will get an outer flower piece and the middle piece with small holes. Mix and match as you wish – then glue three onto the front of the box, using Two Way Glue Pen.

13.  Place a large pearl in center of each flower, and several small pearls along Top Note lid.

14.  Place dividers inside and your done!!

Craft On!

Jean

  

Bookmarks you will love to use!

I am a very avid reader. My mind often goes toward books, so when I needed a quick project for a Summer House Party gathering, I immediately thought of bookmarks! If you haven't been to one of these House Party gatherings, they are so much fun! My friend Rachelle had one and invited me to bring my Stampin' Up! stuff! These gatherings are huge because the hostess has people from a variety of direct selling companies come at one time. So I was there with Mary Kay, Thirty One, Premier Jewelry, Tupperware, and several others. I even behaved myself! I knew our new catalog was coming soon so I didn't want to spend all my money!  Here are some pics of the bookmarks I had for people to make. I love punch art but did not have the time to figure these up on my own, not completely, so I did a search on our demonstrator site and found some by Becky Robinson, that were so cute! I used hers as an inspiration. I think some might be exact, but others I had to switch out punches to match what I have.

Let me know if you have any questions as to which punches to use! Most are easy to figure out if you have that punch.

Here are all but the cupcake and flower ones. The owls, cupcake, and flower ones are just one punch, the Owl punch, the Build a Cupcake punch, and the new 3 step Flower Punch, just used different paper to put it together.

I designed the Koala myself, for my friend Nikki, who is a huge Koala lover!

Hope you enjoy!

Craft On!
Jean

Fathers, Hope, and some Bling!

 I know its about time right! I posted these on Stampin Connection awhile ago and just haven't gotten to posting them here! I created these for my May 28th camp. Wow was it crazy! There were 11 fabulous ladies! We had tons of fun but it was quite hectic.

So our first card is for Fathers Day! I used Versamark, the splotch stamp from French Foliage (but others used just a Versamark  marker to make dots and splotches by hand) and black embossing powder, then used the heat gun to emboss. The colors I used were Not Quite Navy and Basic Gray I used aluminum foil, the big shot, and the diamond Impression Plate to make the one side of the swing card, then crumbled up a piece of Basic Gray and sponged it a little with matching ink for the other side.

 I got my swing card instructions from splitcoaststampers.com.

For my Hope card I used Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla and Pink Pirouette. I used the Mother of Pearl technique for the butterfly, H Hope, and side Vanilla piece. It is so easy! You just scrunch up some plastic wrap, dab it in some Frost White Shimmer paint, then dab onto the paper!  I then used some Pink Pirouette ink and sponged it on the butterfly, but its kind of hard to see in the picture. I also roughed up the edges of the middle vanilla piece, but those are hard to see has well.

Our last project was fun and the younger girls loved it! I don't currently have a Crop a dile, so I had to purchase bottle caps with holes already punched in. But you can do these with any bottle caps! I then used the 1 inch punch to punch out some DSP, used a little Crystal effects to stick it to the bottle cap, then covered the inside well with the Crystal effects. I put a pinch of glitter, then gently put a rhinestone on top. I let it dry overnight. Don't put the Crystal Effects too thick or else it won't dry clearly. Then used some seam binding ribbon as the necklace part!

I will be posting some cute bookmarks soon so stay tuned!

Craft on!!
Jean