Cheerful Treats Sucker Holder Weekend Project

Yup, there's 40 suckers there!!!  I did one a while back with 50 suckers.  Now that was difficult to get into the Styrofoam square.  40 was much easier.  I think 30 wouldn't be enough.  You'd need a smaller cube for that or bigger suckers so the foam doesn't show.

I covered 5 of the sides of the cube in Bashful Blue card stock.  On top of that I added squares of the decorative paper from the "Cheerful Treats" download.  "Cheerful Treats" sounded like the perfect name for paper for a project like this!!! It was indeed cheerful!!!  Once the dp was in place I tied a ribbon around the cube. 

The words were printed out on the computer and punched out.  I used the die cut to make the scallop.  I glued it on a thin wooden stick I had.  I don't remember what the stick was from but a chopstick will work too.  Just remember, you are only allowed one set per dinner purchased.  Don't go taking a bunch for crafting.  I have a nice little stash of them because I ask for a set each time I order Chinese food.  So be kind and only take what what you are entitled to.  

Once I got the outside all decorated I added the word stick in the middle.  Then I started putting the suckers in.  

When I had made the 50th birthday one a while back I had gotten the idea from my friend Sara.  She has "Sara's Creative Adventures" blog.  Go check it out.  She has a lot of fun things on there to make, great cards to see and other things to spark your interests!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Hello, Doily Card

I wanted to play around with the new "Hello, Doily" stamp and at the same time I thought I would use the 4th stamp in the "Easy Events" set.  I have the clear mount set so I have two DVD type cases with the stamps in them.  There are 4 images in each case.  I have now finished one case!! I'm half way there to meeting my challenge of using every image in a set!  Pretty good for me.

Ok, let's talk about my card now!  I used Very Vanilla card stock and I embossed the "Hello, Doily" image on it using Very Vanilla craft ink.  I used clear embossing powder and heat set it.  Once I was done with that I took a sponge dauber and colored in the details of the doily with Soft Suede ink.  I lightly filled in the open areas on the card stock.

I didn't have any current Soft Suede ribbon so I used the backside of some dotted ribbon that I had.  I have a nice size wish list of accessories that I need and ribbon is on it!!

I took some Dimensionals and set the image piece in place with them.  It looks SO much better in person!  When I sat down with this stamped image, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. Since the doily wasn't all that colorful, nor the background, I was thinking of just stamping the image in Soft Suede and leaving it like that.  But once I stamped it I kept seeing the "Pool Party" color for the bird and the next thing I knew I was coloring in the adorable clock.  The words attached to this image (which I taped off) was "hello".    I didn't work them into the front of the card.  I just left it blank, that way it can be used for several occasions.  

I had a lot of fun making this card.  This doily image is fun to stamp like that and use sponges to bring out the detail.  I have loved every color I used on it.  I do want to make one using the Pool Party ink pad.  It's such a pretty color and maybe it will give it a vintage look!!  It's on my list of cards to make!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Easy Events Baby Card

This is the 4th image in the set of 8 from the "Easy Events" set. My challenge is to make a card with each image from this set.  Though I think I may pass on the Christmas image.  Not completely, but just for a couple of months.  I'm just not ready to make Christmas cards yet.  I have to get myself in gear for it!!  I'm sure you will understand. And who knows, by the time I get around to that last image it may be close enough for Christmas cards!!!  But right now it is not so I thought I would pick a different unstamped image from the set.

This little duck is just TOO adorable.  Under it the words are "for baby" but I taped them off and then stamped them up at the top.  I didn't get them straight either.  UGH!!!  I knew it the second the rubber hit the paper!!!  But I just tell myself it's a handmade card and I accept it as it is.

The cute decorative paper is form the "Nursery Nest" digital download.  I cut the piece I printed out into 1" strips.  I saw this done on a card a long time ago and have always liked it and have thought about it from time to time.  I wanted to make sure that I had time to cut the strips because I knew I wouldn't get them right the first time or the second time!  But what do they say?  The third time is a charm!!!  I taped them in place and then tied on a piece of pink satin ribbon.  Well, I didn't really tie it on.  I taped it on the back and then added the bow I tied separately.

I colored in the image with markers.  No special techniques there, just coloring straight from the marker.  I punched out a Pacific Point scalloped circle and set it in place under the duck image.  I set those two pieces in place on top of the card with Dimensionals.  Then the front panel was taped in place on top of a piece of Whisper White card stock.  

It was a pretty simple card to make and fun too!!  I think this duck is just too stinkin' cute!

Thank you SO much for visiting,
Wanda

Easy Events Altered Notebook Weekend Project

 Now these little notebooks would be perfect stocking stuffers (for those of you who are making handmade items this year for Christmas gifts.  It can be dressed up with Christmas decorative papers and a holiday image. 

For mine I used the "Easy Events" flowers image.  I just colored them in with markers that matched or complimented the decorative paper.  And it was simple enough to do too!  Sometimes I will glue the papers on and when I don't feel that glue will work well, I will use the Sticky Strip tape.  Here I used the tape.  I was in a hurry to get the notebook finished and glue does take a while to dry.  When using glue try to use the thinnest layer you can.  Too much glue will warp your card stock or even leave a water type mark on it.  Less is more, it will stick all the same, you just need to work in sections.

I was going to add Dimensionals to the scalloped piece but decided to just set it in place flat. If the one getting it were to put it in their purse, the raised areas may get caught on "stuff" in the purse and rip the image.  So it as best to just tape it in place flat!

You can get these little notebooks at your local craft store.  This one had an initial on it.  I thought it was fun covering it in colors I liked and dressing it up a bit more.  Using the flower image and this dp gave it a more cheery look to it.

These would also make great Hostess gifts, Customer Appreciation gifts, Teacher gifts, Craft Fair items (which is what I'm going to be using these for) and of course Stocking Stuffers.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Every Event Birthday Card Wednesday Sketch Challenge

What a fun Sketch Challenge this one was.  I LOVE all those layers.  You know me and layers!!!

My background paper is from the Cheerful Treats download.  I have printed out several sheets of this image.  I'm glad I got the download, I would have been out of that sheet by now!  

The base of my card is Concord Crush. 

I did texture the decorative paper and the white strips using the Dotted Swiss embossing folder.  I thought it could use some texture since they are just SO bright white!

The cute little snail is from the "Every Event" set.  I don't need a belated birthday card but the way my year has been going I am now ready to be late for the next upcoming birthday!!!!  Such crazy thinking, huh?  LOL

I colored the image in using markers.  I didn't really do any fancy technique to this card.  It's basically just right out of the box!  Which I know makes it easier for some of you to copy.  I love finding cards that are not real involved with special techniques and yet have lots of layers that make up for that.  This one does it!  

I had a lot of fun with this layout.  If you have time I highly recommend you giving it a try.  It does take a little while to cut all of those pieces but it is SO worth it!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

It's a Wrap Occasions Hershey Candies Weekend Project

Ok, when I saw this set in the catalog I KNEW I had to buy it.  And it was the first thing I put on my order too!!  I LOVE doing this kind of stuff and now Stampin' Up! has made it even easier!  Gotta LOVE that!

I thought I would start out with the "Thanks SO much" image.  I did stamp these on a mailing label.  You can use ones from any company, they are all the same size.  After stamping them I cut strips of copier paper at 1" wide and 2-3/4" long.  These strips are longer than the labels and you MUST do it like this.  Hershey has laws about what you do with their products.  You are allowed to cover these nuggets but you are NOT allowed to stick anything directly to their wrappers, nor are you allowed to remove the wrapper and decorate the candies.  SO what you can do is create a belly band type thing. By cutting the strip 2-3/4" you have made it long enough to go around the whole wrapper.  A mailing label will not go around the whole wrapper.  Affix your label on the strip about a half inch from the edge.  This 1/2" piece is where your label is going to stick to on the back.   It will wrap all the way around the candy forming a band that the candy, when pushed, will slide out.  You are now in compliance with the makers of the Hershey Nuggets!  As simple as that!  Just a little side note here, I opted to use copier because it is thin and would bend nicer than card stock.  You can also use decorative paper here but it's not going to show much at all which makes it kind of a waste to use.  But if you want to work in your decorative papers on these, you can wrap them around as your belly band and then stamp the image and cut the center part out and affix it to the dp.  See, there is a way to use it if you really want to dress up these little nuggets!!

I think these are going to be a lot of fun.  There is a get well one, a shower one, an apple (teacher) one, a Mr & Mrs one, a baby one and a birthday one!  How fun is that?  I just LOVE it!!  With our son's wedding coming up in January I am going to make the "Mr & Mrs" ones to have at the Groom's Dinner!!  Won't that be fun, party favors for every occasion?? 

Won't these be great as a customer gift and if you are not a demonstrator, they will make great little thank you's for the neighbor, the mail carrier, etc!!  I need to get some more bags of nuggets!!!  I actually bought a bag after I had paged through the catalog and saw the set.  Ok, I did wait until it was grocery shopping day to go.  I did not make a special trip for nuggets I couldn't do anything with yet!!!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Candle Stamping Weekend Project

Have you ever stamped on a candle?  It is not as difficult as it sounds.  Here I didn't exactly stamp on the candle but I did add the image the same exact way you would when you stamp on the candle!

First you stamp your image on a new unwrinkled piece of tissue paper.  I like to mark on it the work area I have.  You just measure the candle so you know how much space you can cover.  Once your image is stamped and colored in you are ready to get it affixed to your candle.  Oh, I usually color my images in with colored pencils.  Markers tend to bleed on the tissue paper too much.  

Set the tissue paper on the candle.  Make sure you have your images straight.  Then you will take a piece of waxed paper and wrap it around the candle (with the images under it).  Take your heat embossing tool and slowly move it across the waxed paper.  You will see the tissue paper become transparent.  Keep the heat moving across the the area.  If you hold it in one spot too long it will melt the candle much more than you want.  The whole trick to this is to keep the heat moving across the image.  Once it is done you can remove the waxed paper.  You can smooth the area with your thumb.  Sometimes there are little ripples that are not so pretty on your candle and just rubbing your thumb on them right away can smooth those out.  You can also see if the tissue paper is all "melted" into the candle.  I often end up with white corners.  In cases like that you just take a new piece of waxed paper and heat those areas that need it.  Many times I just heat the whole thing to keep it more even.  

Now if you want to do a photo on a candle you just tape the tissue paper to a piece of copier paper and put it in your printer.  Print the image you want and cut the edges around the image to 1/8".  Using the waxed paper, heat set the image onto the candle.  

I made this candle for our son and his fiance.  They were out of town for a few days and we had to go over to their place and tend to the cat Ashes. He's a beautiful gray tom cat.  He's got the softest hair and he was such a lonely boy.  I left the candle on their counter and I'm sure I will be hearing from them when they get back home.  I thought it turned out beautifully.  They are such a cute couple.  The wedding is in January and it seems that the wedding plans are rolling along smoothly (so far)!  

If you have not tried stamping on a candle, give it a try.  Buy some very inexpensive ones to practice on first.  The candle I used here is a flameless wax candle.  I thought it was so cool to find a battery operated candle that actually had wax on the outside.  I had to buy it and I had to play with it right away!!!  It was a lot of fun and it turned out as I expected!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Hello, Doily Matchbook Notepads Weekend Project

While I was looking for something else in my over-stuffed craft room I found these two matchbook notepads and I thought I would try some altered art!  I am sure I bought them to redecorate them.  And I'm glad I ran across them.  I am just loving this "Hello, Doily" stamp.  

To alter these, all I did was cut some card stock (here I used Melon Mambo) and wrapped it around the notepad.  I marked the folds and scored them so they were nice and crisp.  Then I taped the card stock in place around the notepad.  They sat on my worktable for a day because I wasn't sure what I wanted on the top of them. 

My first idea was to use the "Delicate Doilies" set and stamp each of the doily images in different colors.  Well, I did that but didn't like it.  It was just WAY too busy looking.  I put those images back and I put the set away, I was going to put the "Hello, Doily" stamp away and thought I would use it on the cover.  SO I stamped the image in VersaMark and embossed it in white.  I sponged on the Melon Mambo color and then I REALLY liked how well it covered.  All I needed was to add some words and "notes" seemed to be the best.  The notes are from a custom stamp I had made for me many years ago!  I wanted one that read "notes" because I do make a lot of note books.  It sure comes in handy!!!

And for the final touch I used the new scalloped edge Melon Mambo ribbon.  It's very pretty but a little difficult to tie into a bow because of the scallops.  And that was it.  Quick and simple and pretty too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Cheerful Treats Birthday Card

This is the card I made for a swap I am participating in on Sunday.  I have to teach at the bead shop so I won't be able to attend the swap.  I just need to make sure I get my cards there in time!  

I had fun making this card.  I love the new scalloped ribbon!  The words are from the "On Your Birthday" set.  It's such a fun set and I love it when I can find words that fit either in the circle or the oval so I can layer them with the matching scallop!

The paper is SO adorable, isn't it?  It is from the "Cheerful Treats" Digital CD.  I printed out several pages using #30 copier paper.  Using nicer copier paper makes the printed design feel more like the regular designer paper. Plus it prints nicer too.  I only use it when I print out dp.  I want my dp to have a nice clean crisp look, just like it does if  you buy a package of it.  But with this one you won't be able to buy a package of it.  It is only available on the CD which is one of the Hostess options in the new catalog.   

I had to make 17 cards!!  I got them all done.  They are all bagged up and ready to go.  I'm excited to see what I get back in return!!!  I have not done a swap since March.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Delicate Doilies Birthday Card

Here is another fun and quick card to make.  I love those quick cards that don't look all that quick to make but they are!!  

For this card you just stamp the images from the "Delicate Doilies" set on the card stock.  Here I used Melon Mambo ink and card stock. The images were stamped on Whisper White card stock.  Just stamp them sporadically around the card stock.  

Using one of the decorative edge punches, finish off one of the edges.  You can trim up the other edge a bit if you want more of the card stock showing on the bottom. And you do want some of the card stock showing so it will offset the white edging.  

I added some of the new scalloped edge ribbon on top of the edging.  My white piece was cut 1/8" shorter than the base card.  I taped it in place on top of the base card.  Then I stamped the wording and punched out the layers.  I then taped those layers together.  I set them in place using Dimensionals.  And that was it.  Quick, easy and pretty!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Hello, Doily Thank You Card

Oh my, talk about a quick and easy card to make.  I used the "Hello, Doily" stamp.  What a fun stamp that is and I have seen some wonderful cards made with it too.  And to think, this is just the beginning!!!  

All I did for this card was I stamped the image using Basic Black ink.  I offset it and I liked where it landed.  It could be moved down a little bit more and it would still look good but the more I look at it the more I like where it landed!

The words are from the "On Your Birthday" set.  A set I have gotten a LOT of use out of!  

I tied a piece of black 1//4" grosgrain ribbon around the bottom of the card and it was done.  SO quick, SO simple and yet very elegant looking!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Flower Fest Wednesday Sketch Challenge

This weeks sketch challenge was a fun one.  I really liked this layout.  I was ok with it until I colored in that 3-a spot with the Wild Wasabi.  The white was too drab and the Wasabi was a bit too much.  UGH!!  Other than that one spot I like the card.  And I REALLY like the sketch.  I'll have to play with this one and see if  I can't come up with something better.

I did print out a piece of the new "Cheerful Treat" decorative paper.  It is one of the items you can pick from in the Hostess section of the new catalog.  It was such a great deal and it has fun papers too!

The flowers, leaves and butterfly are from the "Flower Fest" set.  I have used that set a lot and am still not tired of it.  

The white background was textured using the "Lattice" embossing folder.  It added a nice touch to that area.

Like I said, it was a fun card to make but I would have done something different with that one panel. But what I don't know.  Any suggestions??

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Morning Cup Weekend Project

This was a very fun project.  I made it with a friend in mind.  I introduced her to "Dirty Chai".  What is Dirty Chai you ask?  It's coffee, Chai tea and a bit of sweetener (regular or sugar-less), that's it!  And it's SO good!

And now you want to know how to make this holder, don't you?  Well, it's your lucky day.  Just read a little further.  All the instructions and measurements are here!

The base of this holder is a piece of Crumb Cake card stock cut 7-1/8" x 5".  Score on the long side at 3-1/4".  Turn and score on the other end at 3-1/4".  Decorate as desired.  For mine I printed out some "Well Worn" decorative paper from the download.  I used the new "Lace Ribbon" border punch.  I used the large oval scallop and an oval scallop punch.  The words were done on the computer using an size 18 pt font.  

The tea pot and cup comes from the "Morning Cup" set.  I stamped them on Very Vanilla card stock and colored them in with markers and a blender pen.  I taped them in place on top of the card stock and then I added the pearls.

The inside was mad using a piece of Crumb Cake card stock cut 2-3/8" x 4-5/8".  Score on each end at 1/4" and 3/4", working on the long side.  Turn and score the bottom at 1/4 and 3/4".  Fold all of the score lines.  Looking at the bottom corners you will see where lines intersect and form squares or rectangles.  You will be cutting most of these away.  You want to save one on each end to fold in.  It's difficult to describe which one it is but when you are looking at the bottom of the piece, the 1/4" scored part is the piece you will be adding glue on so it sticks to the inside of the holder.  That 1/2" layer that you scored at 3/4" is the bottom part of the holder.  To the right and left on that are the tabs you will create and keep.  You will be clipping inward across one vertical score line and stopping when you get to the next.  You will do this on the other side of the 1/2" spot to form the tabs.  If you are having trouble visualizing this, just find a small box and open it up and look at how the tabs fold inward.  You will then see which lines to clip and to cut away.

Ok, once the holder is formed you can decorate it as desired.  On mine I added some Pacific Point card stock and some more of the decorative paper I printed.  The words again are done on the computer and printed out using size 14 pt font.  I just trimmed it down and then layered it on some Pacific Point card stock.  Once I got everything taped in place I glued the holder on.  I don't recommend using tape unless you are using the Red Line tape.  You need something that is very sticky when it comes to tape.  I prefer to glue these in place that way I know it's going to stay.  Once the glue set up I added the coffees, teas and sugars.  It's SO good that I know the gal I'm giving this too is going to want another cup!!!

Have fun with this Weekend Project!  I have over 150 Weekend Projects on my blog.  Click here to see more!

Thank you SO much for visiting,
Wanda

Easy Events Mojo Monday Sketch

I have never done the Mojo Monday sketch.  Well, not knowingly anyway.  I'm sure I've seen some of the sketches and copied them because I like the way they were laid out on the card.  This is the first time I thought I would play along with them. Why now?  Well, I REALLY liked this layout and I wanted to work on a masculine card that was just pretty enough but yet could pass for masculine!  I think I did it!

I had some paper left over from the "Well Worn" decorative paper I had printed out. As it was sitting next to my paper cutter waiting for me to put it away I kept thinking how masculine this paper did look and how fun it would be to make a masculine card with it.  Well, it was fun and it does look great as a masculine card.

As I was finishing this up I realized I have no ribbons in the Pacific Point color!  I just looked in the catalog because I was going to write myself a note (before I forgot) and I have no Pacific Point ribbons because there aren't any!   Bummer.  I guess I will have to dye some white ribbons so I have the color I want when I need it.  The closest thing I could come up with was some 1/4" More Mustard (retired) grosgrain ribbon.  But that's ok, for you seasoned stampers who only use current products you should know how to add the colors you need to make the whole card current.

Anyway, I got to play with the new "Easy Events" set.  It's a fun set and I can't wait to play with it some more.  I think I will challenge myself to make a card or something using this set until I have done something with all 8 images.  I rarely use all the images in a set.  This one looks like I can do it!  It doesn't have any images that I know I will get stuck on.  So in the next couple of weeks I will be adding a card or something using this set!  That's going to be fun.

Oh and I know I told you I was going to show you the new project I was working on.  Well, I just HAD to do the Mojo Monday sketch so the project got moved into tomorrow.  It will be posted tomorrow, I promise!!!  Thanks for your patience, it will be worth it!

Thank you ever so much for visiting today,
Wanda 

The Bride's Necklace

I have finished the necklace for the bride!  I just have earrings to make and I can start thinking about what I want for my jewelry! 

It was very difficult to get a nice photo of this necklace.  The Swarovski crystals didn't photo graph well and it's almost impossible to see the beautiful Rose Montees. But it is exactly what the bride wanted.  It has the bling that she was looking for.  I'm SO glad she liked it!!  If you would like more info on how to make this necklace yourself, just click here and you will be taken to my beading blog and a post that has the info you are seeking!

Sorry this is a short post.  I'm working on a fun project to share with you and I want to get it done!  So on that note I am going to go and get working on it some more.  And no, it's not a difficult project, it's one of those that I rob a few minutes here and a few there to work on and never really get anywhere with it.  SO I am going to sit down and finish it up so I can share it with you in my next post!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Every Little Bit Beau Chateau

I am really liking this Beau Chateau decorative paper.  I ended up purchasing the download so I could print out the pieces I wanted to use.  Today this is my favorite piece in the pack.  I'm sure tomorrow it will be something different!  LOL

The center focal image is from the "Every Little Bit" set.  Among my favorite sets to play with!  

This card needed no words.  It can be used for quite a number of different occasions.  And you all know I love that whole concept in a stamp set!

My colors here are Marina Mist (the base of the card and the layer behind the decorative paper), Old Olive and Very Vanilla.

I have used this layout many times because I love it for the smaller images.  

To make this card do this:
Cut your card stock on the short side at 4-1/4" and fold it in half.

The Old Olive layer is cut 3-1/2" x 4-5/8"

The Marina Mist (smaller layer) is cut at 2" x 4-1/8"

The decorative paper layer is cut at 2-7/8" x 4"

The piece the image is stamped on is 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"

Stamp the image and color it in.

Tape the Old Olive piece on the Marina Mist base card.

Put a dot of tape on the decorative paper, about where the hole will be punched.  Layer it on top of the small Marina Mist piece. Take the 1-1/4" punch and punch through both pieces.  Let the layers drop to the bottom of the punch (closest to the handle - the paper can't go in any further than that) and center it.  Punch them both.  Then take the decorative paper and lightly affix it to a piece of scrap copier paper and take the 1-3/8" punch and punch out an even ring around the hole.  Tape those two pieces together.

Add Dimenisonals around the hole and center the image.  Tie your ribbon on and then add Dimensionals around the rest of the piece and set it in place on top of the Old Olive.  That is it.  Easy Peasy!!!  And not to mention adorable an fun!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Fabulous Florets Notebook

It's wonderful when you run across extra stuff and can actually put it to use.  I had made a card a few days ago and had an extra flower sitting around.  Actually, the flower got shuffled in with other stuff and I ran across it today.  SO I thought I would use it right away before I misplace it again.  I had a Poppy Parade notebook I had made up a while ago that was sitting on my counter.  I took the notebook and the flower and sat at my worktable and came up with this.  I just colored the flower in with the Poppy Parade marker and towards the center of the flower I just colored it in again.  Simple as that!  The center of the flower is Daffodil Delight. The leaves came from the "Love & Care" stamp set.  I liked those leaves so much better.

It was fun to just whip up a little notebook in no time using stuff I had sitting around!!  See why it pays not to throw anything away? LOL

Thanks SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Every Little Bit Birthday Card

There are lots of things I just LOVE about this "Every Little Bit" stamp set.  One of them is, there are 28 images to pick from and they cover just about every event you would need.  I love the smaller image stamps because I really like this one layout I have and it's perfect for these smaller images!  I will use that layout in a few days.  But today I wanted to try something else with this set.  I would like to make a card using every image in the set but there are a few in there that would be too much of a challenge for me.  I don't know what to accessorize with a Menorah, for one.    

Anyway, lets talk about my card.  I used the adorable gumball machine image here.  I wanted to use this strip card layout and this set came to mind.  The most difficult part of making this card was deciding which image to use. 

I thought I would make a children's card since I don't have a lot of those in my stash!

This was actually a pretty simple card to make. I especially liked sitting down with the markers and coloring.  Something I don't do too often.  I think I'll look for an image that I can spend some time on coloring!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Fabulous Florets Wednesday Sketch Challenge

Honestly, I do put this set away!  It does not sit out all the time, that is not the reason why I find myself using it a lot!  I just LOVE this set and I have to say that I have used every image in the set.  That is very unusual for me!  Most of the time there is just one image in a set that will call out to me and it's the one I will always use.  This whole set calls out to me.  I have had a lot of fun with this set.  And I'm still into making cards with flowers on them.  I glanced over at the Halloween stuff (and I did see Halloween and fall stuff in the fabric and craft store I shopped at tonight).  I went in for some "holds forever" glue and found myself in the clearance section!!!  So much for going in for the two items I had on my list!  But I did get some great deals!!  Anyway, back to my card!

I stamped the flowers with black StazOn and I cut each one out.  Good thing there were only 3 flowers!!  And the leaves were stamped in Garden Green ink and cut out too.  I didn't mind cutting the flowers but the leaves were a bit tricky because they were so much thinner.  

I thoroughly enjoyed making this card.  Everything went so smoothly on it too.  Ya can't ask for more than that!  

Once the flowers were cut out I colored them in with the Pretty in Pink marker.  I added a little highlight to them with the Regal Rose marker.  And in the centers I used Daffodil Delight.  It was pretty basic and easy coloring too.

The leaves were stamped on scrap card stock using Garden Green ink.  I liked these leaves but I honestly didn't care much for cutting them out.  Half way through the cutting I was thinking about just stamping them in place and setting the flowers on top.  But I wanted some of the leaf to hang over the #3 square and stamping them on wouldn't give me that look.  SO I continued to carefully cut the thin strips on the stem and when I got it all done and set in place I was glad I stuck with it!  And when I got the card all together I was pleased with the way it turned out.  

I have to admit, I've been a bit depressed since my KC died and I hadn't felt very creative either.  This card did help a bit.  I need to try to keep busy and stay focused!  I do thank you all for your kind emails, cards and posts to my blog, it was so kind of you.  KC was a remarkable cat and I will miss him for a very long time. 

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Touch of Kindness Card

I bought this set because of the cat!  I'm such a cat lover. 

I was not all that thrilled with this card.  I felt it was in need of a bit more of something.  I am not sure of what but it needs something. 

I wanted to add words but the gals stamping said not to add a thing.  

I love using the embossing folder and the oval template to keep the center smooth so you can stamp in it.  You can either buy a thin wood frame "thing" that has the oval already cut out or you can make one. If you buy one of those then you just need one clear plate with your folder. If you make one you would need to use the oval die cut and cut a piece of card stock (the size of the folder) and cut out the oval.  I did this for 4 pieces of card stock. I glued them together and set a heavy book on top so it dried flat.  Once it is dry you can use it on top of the embossing folder and get that same smooth center effect.  

I did stamp the cat on the card stock and I stamped it on a piece of scrap card stock.  The one on the scrap piece was cut out by hand and set in place on top of the one on the embossed piece.  I did color it first!!  I also cut out the butterfly.  The bird is from the set but from the bird bath piece. 

In my attempt to add more to the card I put the ribbon on the corners. I felt it could use some color there!  The gals liked it but I had to leave the rest of it alone.  SO this is my card.  I am leaving the set out because later this week I'm going to play with it again. I have a fun layout I want to play with and this set will be perfect for it (I hope!!!).

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Just Believe Sympath Card

My friend Ann sent me this card shortly after she heard or read about the death of my wonderful kitty KC.  

It's such a pretty card.  I especially love the butterflies.  

I SO love using the "Just  Believe" set.  There is SO much you can do with it and you all know how much I love sets that are versatile!

This is one of those cards that the white part is folded and taped in place on top of a 1/4 piece of colored card stock.  I have not made a card like that in a long time.  This card has inspired me to give this a try again!!

Thank you Ann for the pretty card, for thinking of me and for being such a good friend.

And thank you for stopping by today,
Wanda

Sailing Birthday Card

I wasn't sure if you wanted another Weekend Project or a card.  I decided since I did 2 Weekend Projects in a row I'd toss a card in the mix!!  I wouldn't want to be responsible for you spending your entire weekend making stuff!!!  LOL  Though as warm as it was here this weekend, I'd rather have been indoors where it was cool and make "stuff" than being outside.  UGH!!

On this card I did use the rubber stamp instead of the digital image. I like using both.  They both have their own individual benefits.  With Digital you don't have any stamps to clean!!!  With the rubber stamp you just stamp and your are done (except for the cleaning of the image and putting it back!). 

I did CASE this card off Kris at Late Night Stampers.  

For the base of the card I used Sahara Sand.  Now this is a color I don't often run to when I'm going to make a card.  Thus the big stack of it in my card stock cupboards.  

The strip on the back is made using a piece of Nigh of Navy that was textured using the Lattice embossing folder.  

The words came from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set and were punched with the Word Window punch.  Then it was layered on a piece of Marina Mist that was punched out using the Modern Label punch.  I did set that one in place using Dimensionals.

The sail boat was stamped using Night of Navy ink (so were the words) and it was layered on a piece of Marina Mist.  

Your card was AWESOME Kris and I was glad I ran across it.  You can never have enough masculine cards in your stash!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Fabulous Florets Scratch Pad Holder Weekend Project

I made and sold a lot of these scratch pad holders in last falls craft fair.  What I like best about them is that they are refillable.  I got the pattern for them from Linda at Splendiferous Creations.  

These scratch pad holders are very simple to make too.  You make 4 scores on the full sheet of card stock and cut away two sections.  I did find that if I trimmed the part that goes between the cardboard of the the scratch pad and the papers on the pad that it fit in the holder better.  It just needed to sit down in there a hair deeper for that back fold to lay nice.  You'll know what I mean when you make one.  

I did cut out the flower. Actually I cut out two flowers and I lost one somewhere in my workroom.  When it turns up I'll make another scratch pad holder with it and next time I will move the words over a tad bit more so they aren't in the stem of the flower.  Once again I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.  But I will on the next one.  I'll be making more of these with different designs and I'll share them with you.  I had gotten some emails about some of the things I make and if they would be in the web store.  SO I am thinking about adding some of these to the web store so check back there now and then to see what else has been added.  Right now I have several new retired stamp sets in there.  

SO back to this cute scratch pad holder.   Lisa has the instructions posted on her blog.  The link is there in the first paragraph of this post.  You can get scratch pads at any of your local or online office supply stores.  They often sell them in bulk packs.  Just be sure to read that they don't say "irregular shapes" or you may have a bit of trouble getting them to look nice inside the holder.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Posy Party Builder Wheel Bath Fizzy Box Weekend Project

Today I thought I would play something a little different!  I have a bunch of bath fizzies I need to box up.  I had gotten a new Cricut Cartridge and made some boxes and box tops.  I punched a 1-1/4" circle in the lid of the box and glued in a piece of acetate.  Before I assembled the box I wheeled on the "Posy Party" Builder Wheel.  I had purchased two of the same wheel because I really liked it and knew I would be using it for a wider area.  SO I just put the two on the wheel at the same time and I can cover twice the space in half the time!

These little bath fizzies are wrapped in clear wrap and set inside a tiny bon bon paper and placed inside the box.  On the bottom of the box I will be adding the ingredients along with a warning about children under 5 and in big letters DO NOT EAT.  So sad we need to add these warnings but ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

I punched out some small flowers and added them in the corner to dress up the top of the box.  I was going to tie a ribbon around the box but with such a small window the ribbon would hide what is inside, so I went with the tiny flowers.  

I am making these for the fall craft show and a few for gifts for some special friends.  These were a lot of fun to make and I'm SO glad because I have a bunch more to make.  

Materials needed to make this project:
Cricut Machine

Sweet Tooth Boxes Cartridge

Acetate

Bon Bon papers

Card stock

Stamp for outside image

Ink Pad

Tiny Flower punch

Glue dots to hold flowers on

Bath Fizzy

Scissors

Glue

3D Glue Dots

I am going to be making some more in different colors. I have a bunch of 12" x 12" pieces of card stock that is retired and it's a perfect way to use them up!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Sailing Birthday Card

I can't believe I actually tied a sailors knot!!!  It wasn't that difficult either.  I'm sure it would be easier with rope.  The fuzziness of the Baker's Twine made it a little difficult in making the strings stay where you put them.  And extremely dry hands don't help much at all either!!!  Once I got the knot tied I taped it to the strip.  It was a nice touch to the card.  And a perfect masculine card too!

I don't ever seem to have enough masculine cards so this will help pad my stash of them!  

The sail boat is from the digital download "Sailing."  I love it because I can make this image pretty much any size I want.  Here I shrunk it down quite a bit.  The decorative papers are from the "Nautical Expedition" download.  I LOVE downloads on the paper because I can pick and choose what pages I like and print out as many as I need.  Such a deal!  

And the words are from the "It's Your Birthday" set.  Yup, I actually stamped something on here!  LOL

This was a fun masculine card and I did save it in my software so I can print out more if I need to!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Fabulous Florets Wednesday Sketch Challenge Card

WOW, when a holiday is at the beginning of a week I tend to forget what day of the week it actually is.  I thought the Sketch Challenge came early.  I'm so messed up on the days this week.  I have to keep telling myself "it's Wednesday, it's Wednesday, it's Wednesday"  LOL  And since it IS Wednesday it's time for this weeks fun Sketch Challenge.

My card was done using the "Fabulous Florets" stamp set.  I is a FABULOUS set. I have been having a lot of fun with it.  And I love how versatile it is too.  That is why I buy a lot of the sets I have.  I LOVE versatility in a stamp set!

The "Hello" is from the "Pocket full of Posies" digital suite.  It was from the "Avante-garde Collection DVD" that was offered in the latest mini catalog.  It was SO full of fun things.  The thing I like best about buying digital images is that I can make them any size I want. I like how the "hello" looks. It's a fun and refreshing new look.  

I also used the new "Lace Ribbon" border punch and the "Beautiful Wings" embosslits die.  I have used it so much it's almost wore out!  I wanted my butterflies to look exactly like the flower so what I did was I dragged my Calypso Coral ink pad over my Whisper White card stock and then punched out the butterflies.  I set them in place with Dimensionals.  The flower was also set in place with Dimensionals.  

I like how the card turned out and I can see myself using this layout again!  I can see myself making this same card again with different wording at the bottom.  I think the "Sincere Salutations" set would work well in that space!

If you have time play with this sketch.  And be sure to go to SplitCoastStampers and have a look at what the other stampers have done with this layout.  That is what makes these sketches so much fun.  Everyone has a different perspective on this layout.  You see some things and say "why didn't I think of that?" I do it all the time!!  LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Aviary Card CASE

If you are looking for a fun card with some variety that is not only easy to do but quick, then this is the card layout for you!!

I found a card on Late Night Stampers.  I had the page open on my computer all day and about a half hour ago I was closing windows because I had SO many open I couldn't find what I was doing.  The next thing I know I'm looking for the card and it's no where to be found.  UGH!  The original card was a baby card.  The words at the bottom of the circle were "welcome baby" and I think the image was an elephant.  I was interested in the layout, not so much the images.  If you know who's card that was, please let me know so I can give them the credit they deserve.

This card was fun because of the 3 different textures on the background.  Those panels on the top measure 1-15/16" x 3-1/2" and the bottom panel measures 1-3/4" x 4".  The Marina Mist piece behind the panels measures 4-1/8" x 5-3/8" and the white card base measured 8-1/2" x 4-1/4" before folding in half on the long side.

I used the "Aviary" stamp set.  I just love using this set and it's been a while since I've played with it.  I was originally going to stamp an owl inside the cage but I ended up stamping a bird on white card stock and cutting it out.  I set it in place using a dimensional.  I punched out the circle after stamping the cage and I taped it on a scalloped circle.  Fun, easy and cute too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Added 7-6-11:  The artist of this card is Kris at Stamping With Kris.  Thank you Mary for finding this!

Bridesmaid's Necklace

Happy 4th of July!  Since it is a holiday I am taking the day off to have a BBQ with out son and his fiance.  

I have made 3 of these necklaces and next is the earrings.  I share the photo of them with you when I get them done.  And then I need to make the bride's necklace.  It will be just like this one but it won't be in black and blush, it will be in crystals.  I'll share that photo with you when I get it done.  I'm hoping to have it done soon.  I have a billion other beading projects I want to start and a half a billion I want to finish!

If you are into beading, click here and you will be directed to my beading blog where you can find out how to get the pattern (for free) on to make this.

I hope you are having a fun and safe holiday weekend!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Flower Fest Thank You Card

I needed a thank you card last week and I could have gotten one out of my stash but that just seems SO wrong!! I had to make a "fresh" one. I used the "Flower Fest" stamp set to make this one.  

I stamped the flower and the leaves using white embossing powder.  I stamped 4 flowers so I could cut out each layer.  And I stamped and cut out 3 sets of leaves.  

I colored the flower with Pretty in Pink ink and a blender pen for the outer layer.  The other 3 layers I used the Pretty in Pink marker.  And for the center of the flower I mixed some Frost White all purpose ink and Crystal Effects to make a flat looking pearl.  

The leaves were done by embossing in white on Pear Pizzazz card stock.  

The decorative paper was a piece left over from some I had printed out using the "Flirtatious" images.  And on the very background I used the Lattice die.  It gave that open space a nice look to it.  And the "Thank You" is from a stamp I had made just for me!!

I actually got this card off in the mail a few days before I posted it on here!!  

Can you believe it's July already?  I do like this month though.  I have no birthdays or anniversaries to make cards for this month.  It's the only month in the year that I don't have any cards I need to make for so I should be on time with the ones for August, right?  LOL  Wishful thinking!!!

Thank you every so much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Sour Cream Container Bath Salts Weekend Project

I tried and tried to get a decent photo of these bath salts.  Most of them looked like a blob on a table.  I just couldn't get them to look right in the photo.  

Sour cream containers are easy to make but you have to remember one thing. They must be rectangle when you start out!  For mine I started with a 3" x 5" piece of vellum.  I stamped on each piece a bunch of the "Lavender" images from the "Herb Expressions" set.  I have had the set for a while but have never used it.  I stamped the image using the new Wisteria ink pad.  I should have used a different color because it didn't show up very well on the vellum.  Anyway, once the ink dried I glued the short ends together, one on top of the other, making sure the words were on the outside!

Next I glued the bottom.  I glued it so the seam was centered.  After I glued it I pinched it in the paper crimper just a little to help seal the end and also to give it a more fun look.  Then I added the bath salts (2 tablespoons) and glued the other end.  This time I glued it with the seam at one side, doing this gives the container that twist like a small sour cream container has.  I set them aside to dry.  Once they are dry you can pack them up or give them away.

I prefer to use glue on them.  One time I had made a whole basket full of them using decorative paper and snail tape.  Something in the bath salts caused the tape to let loose and I had bath salts all over the place.  So from now on I glue them.  I do prefer to use decorative paper over vellum because one, it's cheaper and two, it's already got a design on it so it's quicker to put together! 

If you are going to make these to sell, be sure to include an ingredients list and directions (which also include something about keeping it out of the reach of children and adding Not Edible in there somewhere).  You have to protect yourself when it comes to this kind of stuff!

The recipe for the bath salts can be found here.  Have fun making these.  Oh and they also make great stocking stuffers (just don't put them next to candy in a stocking!!!).

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,

Wanda

Delicate Doilies Card

First of all I can't believe it's July 1st already.  This year is just flying by and it always seems that after the 4th of July the rest of the summer goes by even faster.

And since it is the first of July you may want to check my web store for retired stamp sets.  I have added a lot of brand new ones plus used ones. 

Now onto this fun card!  I made it using the My Digital Studio and the "Delicate Doilies" download.  I really do like this set and will be ordering the 3-D one too.  What I like about digital designing is you can resize the images to fit your needs.  You can also just print out as many as you need or want without getting any ink on your fingers!!! LOL  I only printed out one card but I did save it so if I want another one later it's there waiting for me.  And the images always come out nice and solid too!  There are a couple of things I can't do with it.  I can't emboss and I can't do multi colors like you would with the direct to rubber technique.  But other than that you can do everything else you would with rubber stamps.  Including stamping off.  You just change the opacity level and it looks like it's been stamped off.  It's fun and I could spend hours playing with it.

I have a fun weekend project coming up for you!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda