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Saturday, September 10, 2011

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














Monday, September 5, 2011

Can't wear this onsie!

For my September Stamp Camp, our theme was Fall and Babies! It seems like everyone I know is having a baby this fall! So I thought how nice it would be to do a baby card. I LOVE Onsies. I think they are just the epitome of babies. And I love our new Button Buddies stamp set! I used the Button Buddies set for the pacifier and used Subtle Buttons with Lucky Limeade and Wisteria Wonder ink. The bear and blocks came from the Little Additions stamp set, with Chocolate Chip, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, and Wisteria Wonder inks.  The first thing I did was searched the net for other peoples templates. Why reinvent the wheel right? Well I found a billion of them! So, I looked at what was easiest, and which ones I saw the most. So here are the easiest instructions I found!  1. Cut out your paper (I used the Nursery Nest DSP) to 4 1/4 by 11", then score at 5 1/2". Fold in half. 2. Measure down from the fold on both sides and make a mark at the 1 3/4" point. Then from those marks, measure in 3/4". Cut in to the 3/4", then down diagonally to the corner. This gives the shape of the onsie. I used my paper cutter to do the diagonal cut, then paper snips to cut the straight part in (armpit part). 3. Use your 1 3/4" circle punch to cut out the neck hole, then at the bottom corners for each leg hole.  Since I used DSP, these punch will cut through both sides at the same time. Using card stock liked hat is not so much fun, as it doesn't usually go through cleanly.  To make the ruffles in the arm and leg sections, I punched a 1 3/4" circle in Lucky Limeade and Wisteria Wonder paper, then used my large Scallop Circle punch and centered the hole in the middle of the scallop circle punch and punched. This gives you a ruffle that will perfectly fit the holes! I was able to use to circles for one card.  My middle section I cut a strip of paper about 2 inches wide and used the scallop trim border punch on both sides. I glued it to the card and trimmed off the extra. Stamp away and TaDa!!

Hope you enjoy! More to come later today..
Craft On!!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

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


Monday, August 29, 2011

Pockets, Scratchin', and Sniffin'!!

Sounds weird huh? Well they come out to be two pretty neat cards! The first card is one that my wonderful upline Anne did for a workshop. She changed it from a pocket card in the new Idea Book and Catalog. I then altered it a bit since I didn't have the same ribbon or embossing folder.

The card stock used is Very Vanilla, cut to 4 1/4" by 5 1/2", the measurements of our envelopes. Then you need to seal a Very Vanilla envelope. Then trim off the side so that it opens on the side. Turn it so that it goes the long way, and through the new opening cut out a 1/2 circle using the 2 1/2" circle punch, but only on the front side of the envelope. Then run through the Big Shot using the Elegant Lines embossing folder. We then cut out the large flower from the Fun Flowers die using Spice Cake DSP, and the daisy looking flower from the Blossom Party die using Very Vanilla. We layers them then poked a hole in the middle using the paper piercer and put a Vintage brad through it. Punch a small hole in the top of the cut piece of Very Vanilla CS and tie a ribbon through. We used half a strip of striped cross grain. I used Chocolate chip, a retired color, but Anne used Early Espresso. Then slide the card stock into the envelope pocket. Put a large glue dot on the back of the flower and position it in the 1/2 circle space so the glue dot doesn't touch the envelope, but keeps the flower on the outside of the envelope, while actually being attached to the card stock!  Hence pocket card! The card slides into the envelope pocket!  I then used some new Dazzling Details to add some bling!

So my next card is a scratch n' sniff card. I did a pretty popular summer card, the popsicle card. I have seen many variations on this. I used Real Red and Pool Party for mine. I also did my scallop circle larger then a lot I have seen because I wanted to use the Cherries from the Button Buddies set. So the first thing is the card is cut to 4x 5 1/2  then scored down the middle. I then rounded the corners and used a scallop circle to put the "bite" in.  The bite is on both sides. I punched one side, lined them up then punched the other. DONT punch both at the same time, it won't work!  I dabbed my cherry stamp into Versamark, covering only the cherries. I then used Garden green marker to color the stem. Stamp it onto a piece of Whisper White. Cover the cherries with a mixture of 1/2 sugar free cherry drink mix (like Sugar free kool aide or something like that), and slightly more then 1/2 clear embossing powder. I have a little scoop I use, and I did 1 1/4 scoop of embossing powder and 1 scoop drink mix.  Cover the cherries, tap off the extra, and then heat with the heat gun until it looks glossy. Cut the cherry out using the large scallop circle punch. Then glue it to a 2 1/2 punched circle of Pool Party. I used dimensionals  to attach to the card.  Now scratch the cherries and you will smell cherry!

Hope you enjoy!!
Craft on!!!
Jean

Sunday, August 28, 2011

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

Thursday, August 11, 2011

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

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

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