Micro Easel Card

I found this idea on Pinterest, but even with Google translate, and a link to another blog from the pinned image, there really weren't any directions I could find. I was determined to try it though, I mean really...it's so cute!! Since I had to figure it out on my own using my wits and a ruler, I'm sharing it with you here! =)

I made a trip to the dollar store where I was able to find matchboxes and birthday candles. The matchboxes were shrink wrapped together in groups of 10 for a buck! I assume they can be found in varying sizes, so if you follow my directions to make one, make sure you measure your box and adjust accordingly.

So the first thing I did was to pull out the little drawer and dump the matches out. I dabbed my little drawer front directly into Crushed Curry ink, turned it around and dabbed the other side in Cucumber Crush.

Then I measured the box shell and came up with approx 2-1/8" x 1-3/8". This is my measurement for the DSP I adhered to the top before layering on the Easel Card. For the Micro Easel Card, I cut 4-2/8" x 1-3/8" from a piece of Bermuda Bay Card Stock. Score it at 2-1/8" (half) to create a mini card, and then score one side in half again, and score another line halfway into the half...clear? Maybe this visual will help.

This is your card base, and the you will want to create a mat with Whisper White for the front of the card. Mine measures 1-1/4" x 1-7/8" and I also cut another piece of WW for inside the little drawer, 2" x 1-1/4" although it needed a tiny trim to fit. There is also a small WW piece inside the card. This is where you'll stamp "Happy Birthday."

Make sure you adhere just the very end...the smallest scored section on the end. This will allow the card to be propped against the candle holder and displayed open. The candle holder was added by cutting off it's "stabby part" and inserting it through a hole I punched on the box top. Just use glue dots on each side of the holder to make it grab on and stay put in the hole. Put a pearl on the drawer, tuck a candle and a match inside the drawer, tie the whole thing up with a bow, and Voila!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Jars of Wonder

So I saw something like this pinned on Pinterest and thought it would be fun.  The idea is this: Jot down accomplishments and various fun or especially happy memories. Then on NYE take them out and read them.

This one is mine, S is for Sally. =)

I made one for myself and 2 of my girls wanted to make their own too. I tried to get the teenager to participate, but her iPod was more important at the moment. Her loss, we had fun!

Sydney used the hot glue gun to put a bow on her lid.

Natalie twisted two ribbons together before tying a bow (with help) around her jar.

Sydney and Natalie with their jars

Silly girls!!

Love the Sycamore Street Paper and ribbon from the SAB promotion!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamps - Broadsheet Alphabet, Oh, Hello
Paper - *Sycamore Street DSP, Print Poetry DSP, Island Indigo, Baja Breeze
Ink - Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Rich Razzleberry
Other - Labels Collection Framelits, *Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Pack, Heat Tool, Paper Snips, Full Heart Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Color Spritzer Tool
*SAB = FREE Products!

Spend $50 in my online store and earn Sale-a-Bration stamps, paper, or accessories for FREE! One SAB item for every $50 spent...spend $100, get 2 SAB items...spend $150, get 3 SAB items AND Hostess Rewards!! That means you get to choose $25 of anything to add to your order for free! Awesomeness! Click HERE to see the images above and below in one .pdf file!

Altered Art and Secret Compartments

A really, really, REALLY long time ago I did this challenge where you take a hardcover book and convert it into a unique photo frame. I actually thought it was so long ago that I hadn't ever blogged about it, but I checked my archives, and wow, it is in there: http://stampinsally.blogspot.com/2007/07/read-any-good-books-lately.html

In all the time I've had this fun frame within view, I've often thought, why not carve out the INSIDE of the book and make myself a SECRET COMPARTMENT?! Everyone should have little hiding places for their treasures, and while this particular book is just begging to be picked up and held, I couldn't resist altering it further!

I didn't want the compartment to be just inside the cover so I skipped a few pages before I started cutting. I used a metal ruler and a craft knife to cut into the pages as many at a time as the knife would penetrate. Once you have the first few pages removed you don't need a straight edge anymore. But you do have to hold the cover "up" to keep the pages straight as you're cutting. To be honest my hand got pretty tired before I made it to the end, so I set this project aside for a couple of days before I completed the cutout.

Once I had all the pages cut to my preferred depth, I began adhering the pages together, starting with the back pages. I was using a liquid glue with a foam brush at first, but the pages were puckering a bit so I switched to Snail Adhesive. Either way is very time consuming, and I'm actually not really done yet, but the end result will be worth it!

I never throw anything away, and if you are a true crafter, you are probably hoarding some things for "that special project" that will come along someday. I used a lot of these cut out pages to make a layered die cut flower.

Of course I sponged them with ink to give them more appeal before I layered them together. The flower stem is also made of paper. It's a card stock strip that I just folded in half lengthwise and pinched it all the way up to distress it a bit. It's actually inserted into the bottom three or four layers through a small hole and then the rest of the flower is layered on top holding it all together.

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Love & Care*
PAPER - Tangerine Tango, Certainly Celery, "First Edition DSP"

INK - Peach Parfait, Tangerine Tango, Distressing Essentials Tea Stain

OTHER - Glass jar, Sponge, Top Note Bigz Die, Fun Flowers Bigz L Die, Textured Impressions Vintage Wallpaper, Satin Ribbon, Button
*Summer Mini

Stampin' Up! has many GORGEOUS packs of Designer Series Paper. One 12x12 pack called First Edition would give you the same look as above and also be archival safe. That's a pretty important feature when you plan to use it in your scrapbooks with photos. Here's a look at this paper pack:

Item No. 121878 - 24 sheets for $12.95

Charming Gift Idea

With the Simply Adorned Charms and Chains you can give something handmade and they're really sweet. The 1x1-1/4" Charm and 24" Chain (pictured above) is on promotion for 20% until December 16, 2010! It's a bundled gift set that also includes Charming pictured below for the special price of $39.88. Use item number 124076 to get them all together. If you place an online order for a Simply Adorned Charm, I'll personally create you a Winter insert like mine below. All you have to do is order this or any of the Simply Adorned Charms in the month of December. But remember, you only have until 12/16 to get the promotional price for the set.

Charming wood mount stamp set - item no. 116519    $19.95

I've had my 1x1" charm for a while now, but had not even removed it from the box until my recent purchase of the Vanilla Pearl Bauble and the 34" chain. I made the snowflake image for the beveled side and my monogram is on the other side. I hear that's what our co-founder and CEO Shelley Gardner did with her's too! :) You can see more Baubles in the Holiday Mini Catalog, they're only $3.95...I think I'm going to need them all! lol

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Serene Snowflakes, Circle Circus, Jumble Alphabet

PAPER -Bashful Blue

INK - Bashful Blue, VersaMark, Marina Mist Marker

OTHER - Silver Embossing Powder, Color Spritzer Tool

I'm cooking up a nice "Valentine's" version as we speak, I plan to make seasonal inserts to switch out. And now that I think of it, why stop there? I'll be making much more than that since they are just little 1x1" squares...so easy to update and change on a whim! I have a feeling I've just found my new favorite necklace.

Punch Pumpkins

Don't you love things that are easy? These little pumpkins are just that. All you need is an Oval Punch and you can make one in 20 seconds! I did two different sizes here, and I just used the flat side (not sharp) of my scissors to curl a strip of card stock and make the vines. This is what we're doing at Ladies Night this Thursday...you should come! Read HERE for more details.

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Jumble Alphabet, Day of Gratitude

PAPER - Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Old Olive

INK - Pumpkin Pie Craft, Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, More Mustard

OTHER - Oval Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Green Satin Ribbon, Color Spritzer Tool, Stampin' Dimensionals

Pssst, a new promotion started today!
Handmade Holiday

Creative Catch Up

Well as I mentioned before, there have been many things to cross my craft table that I haven't shared here yet. Sadly a few of them found homes before I thought to photograph them, but here are a few things I can share with you now...

This is a birthday card for a sweet little man in our lives. He just turned the BIG 3 and he LOVES trains! I wish I had taken more than one photo, this one is a bit blurry and you'll have to excuse the background, but I am thrilled with the way the card came out *patting self on back* and so I just had to share it with you anyway! ;)

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Headline Numbers*

PAPER - Only Orange, Basic Black, Going Gray, Whisper White
INK - Going Gray Craft embossed with Silver, White Gel Pen

OTHER - 1" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Corner Rounder, Word Window Punch, Key Tag Punch*, Silver EP

*retired 

One of my newest cool toys is an embossing folder for my Big Shot. They make such a wonderful deep impression and were designed with cards in mind, so you can run a 5-1/2 x 4-1/4 (or smaller) piece through and get great results...but in this instance I used a 6x6 piece of card stock and created a mini scrapbook page. I also dredged the paper across my White Craft Pad to make the flowers pop even more.
The tulips were created using the bird wing from the 2-Step Bird Punch, just punch three of them, edge the paper with a darker shade, and voila. It's so easy!This is going to be GORGEOUS with the right picture on it!

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Extra Postage
PAPER - Almost Amethyst, Brocade Blue, Sage Shadow, Whisper White
INK - Ballet Blue, Whisper White
OTHER - Textured Impressions Elegant Bouquet, Two-Step XL Bird Punch, Dimensionals

Now even though my Mom passed away more than 10 years ago, there are still many special women in my life and I try to celebrate them too! We sent this card to my husbands mother earlier in the month, and she loved it! :) I love the Circle Circus Stamp Set!!!

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Circle Circus, Jayne's Type Alphabet

PAPER - Orchid Opulence, Pale Plum, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
INK - Orchid Opulence, Pretty in Pink, Summer Sun

OTHER - Gold Brad, Summer Sun Corduroy Button, Butterfly Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, 1" & 3/4" Circle Punches, Small Heart Punch, Dimensionals

One of my favorite pastimes is reading. It can be a challenge to find time for it, but at the very least, there are plenty of bedtimes stories read around here...even if we don't always do it at bedtime! LOL This is a bookmark that used to be available in our catalog, but even now that it isn't it would be pretty easy to cut your own simple rectangle, punch a hole and round the corners.  It measures about 5-1/4 x 2". Or even better make one using the Two Tags Bigz Die for the Big Shot!

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Of The Earth, Flight of the Butterfly

PAPER - Whisper White
INK - Bermuda Bay, Summer Sun, More Mustard

OTHER - Brown Grosgrain Ribbon

Coaster Creations

This is a simple tumbled tile that you can buy at any hardware/home improvement store. They have a distressed finish and rough edges. And I'm guessing they're about 3x3" although I admit I haven't measured them.
For stamping on tiles the trick is to make sure they don't have a shiny smooth surface, or that they don't have a coating on them...these were actually very "chalky" when I bought them, which is normal. You just need to rinse them and let them dry before you attempt to make them beautiful.

I did two different versions both using the Medallion Stamp that I love so much, but the possibilities are endless! If you'd like to give it a go, I'm having a class on Saturday March 26th at 2:00 PM. Visit my website for the details!

It's Not 2009 Anymore

...and it's not January anymore either! lol

That was one of the projects for Stamper's Club last month, and I should have posted it sooner, but I had it "packed away" in a pile of crafty stuff and it was overlooked! You'll be happy to know it is unearthed from it's hiding place and now happily resides on a shelf where I can see it every day! :)

I used cardboard drink coasters and covered the surface. Then stamped a large image from the Brocade Basics Stamp Set in Rich Razzleberry...YUM! The calendar pages are each also stamped with another image from the same set, but this time I stamped off before I stamped the page, then I went ahead and stamped it two more times without re-inking. I love that look!

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Brocade Basics
INK - Rich Razzleberry
PAPER - Rich Razzleberry, Welcome Neighbor DSP*

OTHER - 1/2" Library Clips

*Get yours for FREE when you spend $50 on anything!

Felt Flowers Make EVERYTHING Better!

Isn't that the cutest thing? These flowers are called Sweet Pea Stitched Felt. You get a package of 52 pieces for $7.95, it's a GREAT value!
I thought this was the perfect accessory for this little handcrafted photo frame I did. I was able to use some of the paper I got FREE from the Sale-a-Bration promotion! Totally simple, totally easy to make. Don't you just love it!?

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Stem Sayings, *Good Neighbors (leaf in center)
INK - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
PAPER - *Welcome Neighbor DSP, Certainly Celery, Bali Breeze DSP (polka dot, retired)

OTHER - Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Sanding Block

*Get yours for FREE when you spend $50 on anything! (s-a-b mini page 6 & 7)

Glitter and Shine, you are MINE

These are fun...take some clear glass ornaments and transform them into sparkly little beauties. Just put 20 or more drops of any ink color you wish inside the ornament and turn it over to let it coat the inside and drip any excess out. Then add a teaspoon or so of Dazzling Diamonds to bring out the BLING! Just make sure you shake the glitter inside to prevent clumping. You can also take this idea up a notch and add rub ons or Decor Elements on the outside on the ornament. I tried several colors and LOVE them all!


102023 Dazzling Diamonds $4.50 

Making Holiday Plans

The holiday season can be overwhelming, and without my multitude of lists I would be LOST! Every year I tote around my shopping list, a list of who to send cards to, and a list of those who shall receive chocolaty goodness from my kitchen! I also tend to keep my Christmas stamps and any receipts with my lists. This helps me stay on top of things...or so I delude myself to believe! lol

Originally I carried an envelope around with all my lists and such, but since that's not very crafty I made myself a little "pocket folio" one year that's held up pretty well. It was super simple, made from an 8-1/2x11" sheet of cardstock decorated with pretty papers, and it has been well loved!

This year I've decided to make a new one. I saw a version done with a standard manila file folder sometime in December last year, so I knew that's what I'd be doing in 2009.The photo above is the front when it's all tied closed. Below is how it looks when it's opened up.
The design is really simple and easy to duplicate. Mine is a letter sized manila folder with a center tab. I opened it up, scored and folded the bottom up 4". Then scored each side at 4-1/4" to create the additional panels with pockets. I decorated most of it with Designer Series Paper sandwiching in some ribbon so the whole thing can be tied shut. Of course I've also included some fun stamped images! For more details on the colors and products used to make this organizer, visit my website.

I was Framed

Isn't it cute? This is the altered frame sample for my workshop this weekend.
I've done a few others using one sheet of patterned paper, trimming the middle out and sanding it all. This one was easier since I painted the frame first and did a patchwork pattern on the front...no extra trimming required, no "whoops, I guess I'll go with the distressed look!" LOL

To finish the look I wanted I stamped the grass image overlapping two papers, then tied some hemp around the frame. The butterflies were stamped on Vanilla card stock that was backed with coordinating patterned paper, trimmed out and glued on with ModPodge. I creased them and only placed the glue in the center so they'd be 3 dimensional.

Stampin Supplies:
Stamps
• Inspired by Nature
(111656; set of 4; $23.95)
• Flight of the Butterfly
(111564; set of 10; $31.95)

Paper
• Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper

Ink
• Creamy Caramel Craft Stampin’ Pad
• Not Quite Navy Craft Stampin' Pad

Stampin’ Up! Accessories
• Natural Hemp

Better Late Than Never

Some crafty things, I've been holding out on you...sorry!
I did this 6x6 scrapbook page for my Ladies Night. My sister Barbara designed it for her stamp club and I LOVE IT! It's a great demonstration of a faux metal technique...probably the most simple way to do it.
Just emboss with metallic EP over metallic card stock. I used Stampin' Emboss Sterling Silver EP over Brushed Silver card stock. It's secured with Silver cord and a Filigree brad. The ribbon is Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon.

I did 3 different gift tags for my open house in December. Simple, quick and fun! After the open house I used mine to give out baked goods to friends and family!
My favorite is the slightly labor intensive punch art tag designed by Mercedes Weber. Pretty easy to recreate using the following punches:

• 5-Petal Flower (ears)
  
• Boho Blossoms (hair)
• Wide Oval (Face and antlers)
• 1/4" Circle (eyes)
• 3/4" Circle (nose and antlers)

Use your scraps after punching shapes to punch a portion of the oval and 3/4 circle, this creates the antlers.