Altered Tissue Box Weekend Project

 I was a bit surprised at how easy it was to cover this tissue box.  I know, you're saying, "it's no big deal to wrap some card stock around a tissue box and call it decorated."  Well, that is so true.  But I didn't just "wrap" the card stock around the tissue box.  I actually formed a box bottom and top to it so the original tissue box can be replaced when emptied! 

I did wrap the card stock around the box to see where the score lines needed to be made.  It's best to do it that way because I have noticed that each tissue box is a bit off in measurements from the next.  After I made the scores I did notice that the card stock (an 8-1/2" x 11") didn't go all the way around the box. Well, I wasn't going to waste this card stock so I just added a piece in the back to make it the right length (plus a little for gluing together).  Then I scored the bottom edge.  And before I cut it out I added one square to the bottom. I did this on the square I thought would be the front of my box. And I added a little bit more so I could have something to fold over and glue on the inside to hold the bottom on.  And there you have it.  The bottom of the box.  Before it was all squared up and glued I stamped on it.  Here I used a jumbo wheel image.  You can stamp anything you want on them.  I went with the wheel because I knew it would be quick and cute too.  I wanted the bottom part of my box to be busier than the top part.  I used Pirouette Pink for the bottom color and I used Pretty in Pink ink.  

For the cover I just measured the top square and added 1-1/2" around the whole thing.  I cut out the piece and then scored it at 1-1/2" on all sides.  SO easy.  Then I punched the edges.  I wasn't thinking when I was working the top and I didn't leave anything on the 1-1/2" side to create a tab to glue the sides together.  I ended up taking those pieces I had cut off and made a "V" shape with them and glued them on the inside.  It worked out nicely too.  The top felt a bit loose until I added those pieces in the corner.  Now it's perfect.  

Before you glue those corners together you do need to cut out the oval hole for the tissue to come out.  What I did was I took a piece of really thin scrap paper (cheap copier paper) and I took a pencil and with the copier paper on top of the box I just held the paper firmly in place and went around the area with the pencil and the texture of the perforated oval showed through on the paper.  I cut out that oval.  Then I used that as a template for the oval to be cut out on my lid.  It was a little difficult to get it exact but I got it close enough.  And once the tissue is opened no one will really notice that it is off about 1/8"! 

Now this is ready to go into the basket of Valentine's "stuff" for my friend.  It is getting VERY close to being full.  I have several more things I want to make for it but they may not make it into the basket because of their size!  But I'll see what I can do!!! LOL

My tissue box came from the dollar bins at Michael's.  It's a great way to dress up one of those tissue boxes for any occasion!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Super Easy Valentine's Day Card

Talk about a super quick and a super easy Valentine's Day card to make.  I think it took longer to get out all the stuff to create this card than it did to actually sit down and make it!!

One stamp and a few punches and you can just sit down and make this card in about 10 minutes!!

I used a 1" and a 1-1/4" circle punch, the heart punch and the hearts border punch.  

The little red hearts have a tiny pearl on the right side of each one.  It was a nice little touch to the card.

The words came from the "Delightful Dozen" set.  I just stamped them using Real Red ink and that was it!

I am going to see what other little punches I have that are about the same size as the little hearts and make a different card, perhaps a birthday or get well card!!!  This was such an easy card that it makes me want to try to create another one using a different theme!!!  I love quick and easy cards!

Stop back tomorrow, I have another Valentine's Day gift item for you to see!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Valentine's Day Lip Balm Holder Weekend Project

 I have not made a Lip Balm holder in a long time.  These are very easy to make and trust me here, they are lots of fun!  I made some one time for stocking stuffers, for gifts and for the DIVA's around Halloween.  I remember taping some tiny square mirror tiles on the insides of those!!!  You can see them here.

The pattern for the holder was from SplitCoastStampers.  Click here for the pattern.

The front of my holder was actually made by me.  I took the conversation hearts candy and put them all face up on a piece of paper and took a picture of them!  Personally I don't like them.  The taste of them not the looks of them.  I think they are cute to look at but gross to eat!!! I printed the photo out onto a piece of label sheet.  I cut it to fit the lip balm and wrapped it around the lip balm.  It really did dress up that little tube!!!  And since I had printed out two of them (I was testing the color on one of them) I thought I would use it on the front of the holder.  It worked too!!! I thought it turned out cute.  I usually have a ribbon going around the holder.  It is added between the front layer and inside layer.  I decided to use a heart shaped brad for my closure.  Most of the time the one who receives the holder takes the lip balm out and tosses the holder.  I know I have done that!! 

On the outside of the holder I stamped the words Happy Valentine's Day from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  I randomly stamped it all over the front.  It needed a little something but I didn't want to add too much color because I didn't want to take the focal point off from the printed candies.  

Isn't the inside paper cute?  It's from the "Sweet Shop" designer paper package.  

These little holders also sell well at craft fairs for me.  I often get my lip balms from Avon (when they have a great sale on them) and I have gotten them at Aldi, the ones they carry are REALLY nice and I didn't think they were very expensive either.  I try to find good deals on them so I have a better profit margin when I am selling them.

These also make a fun Stamp Camp project, a great Make n Take, customer appreciation gifts, hostess appreciation gifts and as I mentioned above they make great stocking stuffers.  Get busy on making them for your holiday gift giving. When I make a bunch of them I will make myself a template and use it on the inside of each piece so it's quicker to do. I only have to measure the one time.  After that I just trace the lines and use my x-acto knife and I'm done in no time.   I have great plans of making these for the fall craft fair. 

I have a little tip for you on the instructions.  They have you cut the front and inside the same exact sizes.  I cut mine 1/8" smaller on two sides.  Once they were put together you could see the inside.  I didn't like trimming it off and it didn't look very nice on the inside once you do that.  Cutting the piece a bit smaller made a world of difference!  Other than that I just followed the simple instructions. 

Have fun making these and thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Caramel Hearts Valentine's Day Gifts Weekend Project

It's always fun to dress up an item for gift giving.  I got these hearts at the grocery store and even though the wrapper was a perfect color for the occasion and the basket, I felt I needed to give it my own personal touch.  A belly band around candies is always nice.  It's easy and it's cute too!

For this belly band I started off with a piece of Real Red card stock and on top of that I added a piece of Pretty in Pink.  I crimped the two pieces and glued them together.  Tape just wouldn't stay with those ridges.  I did cut the Pretty in Pink piece about 1/8" narrower than the red. 

When the glue was set up enough I wrapped it around the candy and glued the back seam together.  I used some clips to hold it in place while I worked on other parts of the band.  I don't like to sit and hold things while they dry.  I have to keep moving!!!  I removed the candy from the band and set it aside to set up and/or dry.

While that was drying I used the heart Sizzlet to make the scalloped heart.  I used Regal Rose for that.  It was nice too that I was able to find some scraps for it. I LOVE it when I can use up those scraps.  

The words were done using the computer and I punched them out with the large heart punch. I sponged the edges and taped it on top of the scalloped heart.  I did glue the layered heart in place on top of the belly band.  Those ridges just wouldn't allow much tape to stick to them and the heart kept coming off.  Once the heart was set in place I added the little heart to it in the corner. And on that little heart I added a tiny pearl.  That just completed the belly band.  I set it all aside to dry completely.  One of them is going in the basket for my friend and the other is going to be for hubby on Valentine's Day.  We don't usually do anything for Valentine's Day.  We don't do gifts (or flowers), we don't do cards (anymore) or even go out to dinner.  I often fix a very nice dinner for us and that is about it.  It doesn't mean that we don't love each other anymore, it's just that we feel we don't need to express it like that on a single particular day when we feel the same for each other ever day of the year!  (well, most days - as long as he doesn't get on my nerves!!! LOL)

I have another project I am working on and I will share it with you when it's done.  I think it's big enough to finally fill that basket!!!  And then I want to make a special card for my friend too and of course I will share that with you as well.

I do need to make a birthday card for my brother-in-law.  It's his birthday tomorrow and of course my card is going to be late.  And here I was doing so well getting the cards out on time and even early for some!  My how quickly things revert back!!!  

Be sure to stop back to see what else I'm up to!

Thank you for stopping by today,

Wanda

Strawberry Milk Anyone? Weekend Project

 I have a bunch of these little cruet jars/containers.  I had gotten them for a project that went by the wayside.  So I am trying to find different ways to use them.  Any suggestions? I'm open for them.  I think I have 4 dozen of these. I need to fill them with something (I was thinking of bath salts) so I can sell them at the fall craft fair and get them out of here!!!

This one contains strawberry powder to be added to milk.  Like the Nestle Quick stuff but it's Strawberry.

This little container held exactly 2 tablespoons full, which is what the directions say to add to your glass of milk. 

I decorated the jar with some fun hearts I cut out using the new Sizzlet die from Stampin' Up!.  What a fun die that is.  I LOVE all the different size and textured hearts.  I picked out a few and used Glue Dots to affix them to the jar and lid. 

The large heart is also done using a Sizzlet.  When I cut out this one I didn't run it all the way through the machine.  I stopped when I saw the words appear on the opposite end.  I wanted the heart to be like a card so I folded it in half before I cut it.  I didn't quite get it right the first time and since the heart was stuck in the die I was able to put it back in and crank the handle a little bit further to get it where I wanted it to be.  And you can see how well it turned out.

The words inside the heart were done on the computer.  And get this, I got them all liked up the first time so I didn't have to play around with it and realign it.  I added a little heart on the inside from the ones I had cut out earlier for the jar.  I punched a hole in it and tied it to the bow with some baker's twine.  

I thought it turned out cute and it is going in the basket of fun Valentine's Day stuff for a very special friend.  The basket is getting pretty full.  I have a couple more things to make and I think the basket will be ready to add the paper crimps to it and seal it up!  I'm getting anxious to show it all finished (but I have to finish it first!!!).

These cute cruets can be found in the bridal section at Michael's.  Joann's would probably have them too but I had gotten mine at Michael's.  Now what do I do with the other TON of them I have left???

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Milk Carton Gift Basket

Today I wanted to make a little gift basket but really didn't want to cut and score the piece myself.  Then it came to me.  The Milk Carton die was about the size I was thinking about for the basket so I got it out.  I took some fun hearts decorative paper that I had and cut out my milk carton.  I cut the milk carton down to 2-1/2" from the bottom fold. 

I used a decorative edge punch along the whole rim.  Then I added a piece of 1/4" white grosgrain ribbon around the basket. 

Next I cut out a heart I found when I was looking for a piece of Pretty in Pink scrap card stock.  I had stamped the heart a few days back and just stuck the piece in the scrap container.  So I didn't have to stamp the heart for this project!!! Lucky me!!  I did have to cut the heart out by hand (not so lucky) but I was only doing one so it was ok.  The larger heart punch was just too big for this basket.  For this I did tape the heart in place without Dimensionals.  I needed to hide the seam of the ribbon.  

The "with Love" is from the "Field Flowers" set.  It worked perfectly with the "season" and the space I had to work with!  I added a pearl for the "O" in love and it gave it a warmer and sweeter look.

I took a sandwich bag (not the zipper kind) and I poured a few cinnamon jelly beans in it and then set it in the basket and added more jelly beans.  I didn't want to fill the bag and then try to cram it in the basket.  The basket is made of decorative paper, which is not quite as sturdy as card stock.  When it was filled to my satisfaction I tied it shut with a piece of white grosgrain ribbon.  I cut off the remainder of the bag on the top and it fluffed out kind of pretty on it's own.  Now ya gotta LOVE that!!!  And that was all it took to make this cute basket!!  It will go in the larger basket I have for a special friend for Valentine's Day!!  The basket is almost full and I still have things I want to make for it.  I may have to pull out some of the paper crimps in it to make more space!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Everybunny Wednesday Sketch Challenge

I decided to take a little break from Valentine's Day cards and play with this fun Easter set I bought back when the catalog first came out.  It came out past Easter so I had to wait to use it.  Well, I suppose I could have played with it sooner but then it wouldn't feel like a new set now would it???

This sketch was very fun.  I don't usually work well with diagonals but this one seemed to be easy enough to play with!

And this adorable bunny in the egg balloon is just too stinkin' cute!!!  There are 6 other images plus one word one in this set. I'm hoping to get a chance to play with them all!!!  I have a few more Valentine's Day things to make and then I'm moving on.  Not just to Easter cards but to some fun birthday cards, masculine cards (of which there just doesn't seem to be enough samples out there of) and of course more gift projects!! 

This sketch was a lot of fun and if you have time I do highly recommend you give it a try!  This one will be going in my album of sketches!  I LOVE that album.  When I find a stamp I want to use I just page through the album until I find a sketch that it will fit in and then I simply put it all together.  For me the layout is the toughest part of making cards!

A bit about the card.  I used the "Sweet Shop" decorative paper for the #3 and #4 panels.  The #4 panel is the backside of the #3 panel paper.  It is textured. The dots are raised.  That was interesting and it gave the card a bit more texture. 

I colored in the image with a blender pen and markers.  I also sponged around the bunny with Bashful Blue to give the look of sky and dimension.

I put the #2 panel in place with Dimensionals.  This card went together rather quickly.  I was surprised because of the pieces, like I said I don't work well with diagonals!!!  I think I would play with this sketch again sometime!

Ok, it's back to work. I have a fun project for you for tomorrow!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Baroque Motif with Four Frames

I have mixed a couple of stamp sets together to get this fun Valentine's Day card.  The swirly "stuff" in the background is from the "Baroque Motifs" set and the "Be my Valentine" is from the Delightful Dozen set.  It was punched out using the label punch.  Also behind that is 2 punched out black labels.  They are taped in place just slightly above and below the white piece to give it a look of shading and dimension.  I punched out a small heart and added a tiny pearl to the one side.

Speaking of dimension, the label piece was set in place using Dimensionals.  I just LOVE those things!!

A piece of 1/4" Real Red ribbon was taped on in back and a piece tied onto the front.  I like tying my ribbon on like that when I can.  It allows me to move that piece I tie on to the exact spot I want it to be.  It saves a little ribbon, not much but if you are making TONS of these cards the couple of inches you save will add up!

The white decorated piece is taped in place on top of a folded half sheet of Real Red card stock.  A very quick and simple card to make.  These would be great for a Make n Take or even a Stamp a Stack.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Heart Tins Valentine's Day Gifts Weekend Project

While digging in a cupboard I ran across these heart shaped tins I had bought a while back.  I had gotten them at Oriental Trading and they still carry them. Click here for the link to them. 

I ran some tape along the outside bottom part of the tin and then added the red satin ribbon.  But that wasn't enough dressing up for me.  I took the small flower punch and punched out a bunch of Pretty in Pink flowers and took my stylus on top of a foam mat and rolled it around the center of the flowers until they curled up.  I put a glue dot on the top of the heart lid and stuck three flowers to each one.  Then I took my gel pen and colored in the centers.   I was going to add some green leaves to the flowers but decided to just leave them as they were.  

I will be adding one of these to the basket I'm putting together for a friend.  I think I only need a couple more items and the basket will be full enough!  

Oh, when I added the Red Hots I did put them in a little baggie.  I wasn't sure if the lid to the heart would stay in place and I didn't want the candies spilling out all over the place.  Plus I don't like the idea of just dumping the candies into something like that. I always feel they should be in something a bit more sanitary!  

Anyway, I think they turned out cute and I'm sure they will be a big hit!!  These would make great gifts for teachers, students, friends, coworkers, the mail carrier, etc!!  And they are not very expensive either!  You know you gotta LOVE that!!!   Have fun making them!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

I Love You Valentine's Day Card

Today I made a very quick and easy Valentine's Day card.  If you need to make a bunch of cards, this is the one to do.  It has several elements and with layers. But the card goes together easily and quickly!  I could see making a bunch of these in an assembly line format.  Oh and sitting in front of the TV at the same time!  Once you have all the pieces cut and embossed and stamped the rest is just punching and taping.   Very easy.

Have fum making these!

Stop back tomorrow for a fun and easy Valentine's Day gift!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Valentine's Day Gifts Weekend Project

Now I am working with a minimal amount of Valentine's Day stamps here and I am amazed at how many of them I actually have! And they are current too!  Shocker, I know!

This fun candy and header were very fun, quick and easy to put together.  I used the "It's a Wrap Holidays" set.  It has the fun "LOVE" and hearts image for the candies.  You just stamp them on mailing labels and stick them in place. I like to make a belly band with them because it's easier to get the candies open and you don't have to worry about any product use or abuse with the Hershey company.  And if you do make a belly band type "thing" for around your candies then you really don't need the address labels.  You can save yourself some money there.  I tend to use the 28# or 30# copier paper. It's thicker and easy to work with.  You don't have to give a second thought to the wrapper of the candy showing through either.  You can use card stock but be careful when wrapping it around the candies.  You want to do it slowly so the card stock doesn't get too many crimps or extra folds in it.  The nicer copier paper wraps around the candies quickly, easily and smoothly.  It's just my preference.  

Now onto the header.  I used a scrap piece of Real Red card stock (folded in half)  and stapled to the baggie.  Again when I stapled the header part on I stapled it so the smooth bar of the staple was on the backside and the bumps on the front.  No one gets poked and the prong things don't get hung up on anything.  I set the stamped layer on top of the header with some Dimensionals and you can't even tell the staple bumps are there. 

I will now add this to the Valentine's basket I'm making for a special friend!!!  I will show it to you when I feel I have filled it enough!!! I will be doing a bit of stamping for it before I am done!  I know you're anxious to see it completed.  So am I!!! LOL

Have a great day and thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Valentine's Day Frog!

Now who doesn't love that "Valentine's Day Splash" card I cased the other day?  Last night at Stamp Till You Cramp, Leah really liked it and was going to make it.  I had the papers all ready in a pile if she wanted to give it a try.  She took out this adorable frog sticker set she had gotten at Michael's or Joann's and said that her son's girlfriend likes frogs.  I suggested she put the frog on the splash image and she thought she'd give it a try!

This is her card (and envelope)!  We learned to ALWAYS stamp on the envelope from our friend and fabulous fellow stamper Ann!  Ann noticed right away that the envelope was stamped!!!  We all loved the card and I'm sure that Leah's son's girlfriend is going to like it too!  

Isn't it amazing how you can incorporate stickers into your cards and they just seem to work so well together.  And talk about making a card in no time!  This card went together quickly!!

Thank you Leah for letting me share you fun card with everyone, you're the best!

And thank you for visiting my blog today,

Wanda

Easy Events Valentine's Day Candy Header

I think candy headers are one of the most funnest things to make.  I have made lots of them and they make wonderful gifts.  I have also used them in craft fairs as well and they have been successful there too.

This one is for a gift.  It's going in that basket of "stuff" I've already made in the past couple of weeks.  I was trying to make a card one day and a gift item the next but the Wednesday Sketch Challenge messed that up!! LOL  But I'm back on track and today is the gift item!

These are very easy to make.  You just measure the bag you are using and add 1/4" to it.  Then you need to figure out what you are doing for the image part and then you can figure out the size of the length of the header.  Remember that the front of the header is the part people see but you need to double that measurement because it folds over onto the back.

A little trick I ALWAYS do when I staple the header to the bag.  I staple it on backwards.  I like to have the smooth bar of the staple in the back side.  That way no prongs stick out to poke fingers or get caught on stuff.  I used Dimensionals on the image piece so the bumps from the staple won't effect it. You can just tape it too but use some really strong tape like Stick Strip or Red Line (it's the same thing). The bumps will show a little but if you are trying to cut corners and save some money in making these then that is what you will need to do!

These would also make great gifts for co-workers, make and takes, customer appreciation gifts, hostess gifts, gifts for the kids and even teacher gifts.  Have fun making them.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Happy Valentine's Day Wednesday Sketch Challenge

 Wow, can you believe it? I actually stuck with the sketch layout.  I didn't flip it this week!!!  Shocker, I know!!! LOL

This was a very fun sketch to play with.  The Teeny Tiny Wishes set came in handy for the "Happy Valentine's Day" wording.  I wasn't sure if I was going to use that one or if I was going to pick another theme for my card.  But I decided to go with the Valentine's Day one since it is approaching quickly!

The "Be Mine" was done on my computer and punched out.  Then I used the Sizzlet to make the Rose Red heart behind that one.  

My decorative paper is from the new Martha Stewart pack.  I had a coupon!  You know how that goes.  You can use your favorite decorative papers instead.  I didn't have many Valentine's day sheets of decorative paper so it was a "needed" item.  I also got a gift card to Archiver's for my birthday so I will be heading back there to see what other trouble I can get into!!  LOL

This was an easy enough sketch to do so if you have time, I highly recommend you give it a try.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Easy Events Valentine's Day Card

And here I thought I had used every image in the "Easy Events" set.  I forgot about the wedding birds image.  Well, I didn't need a wedding card so I thought I would try to work it into a Valentine's Day card since we are in that "season!"  

I used the row of hearts from an image in the "Baby Bundle" set.  Of course I had to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  I'm not that good at lining things up.  I'm not that good at it with the Stamp-a-ma-jig either!!!  But it's a lot better than if I was to just eye it!

The decorative paper is from a huge DWAV pack I bought a while back.  You can use any Valentine's Day paper on that panel.  I added 3 of the 8mm pearls to the right side.  It was a bit bare and by the time I was ready to add the ribbon I originally planned to put there, I had forgot and I taped the piece in place.  The pearls are a nice touch too!

This is a very quick and easy card to make.  I think it took me longer to get the stuff out and cut than it did to actually sit down and put the card together!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Valentine's Day Gift Weekend Project

I was at Target the other day and saw these adorable little planters with strawberry seeds in them.  Somehow along the way strawberries and Valentine's Day got connected!!!  Though I think by the time you give this as a gift and the strawberry plants are big enough to produce strawberries it will be WAY past Valentine's Day!!! LOL  But it is a fun gift and one that will have fond memories in the summer when the plants are growing and hopefully producing fruit!

I just carefully took the original cover/wrapper off the pot and covered it with some Real Red decorative paper.  Then I took my x-acto knife and cut the openings out, including the slot on the bottom where you slip the flap into.  I glued it to the original cover and when the glue was dry I put it together around the pot.  Then I used one of my flower dies and cut out 4 flowers using white 30# copier paper.  I didn't have any white decorative paper in the naturals pack so this was the best I could do.  I didn't want to use card stock because I thought it would be too thick and heavy.  I did use card stock on the flower petals and the center of the flower.  It was a very quick and simple project to do and it is now ready for the basket I am putting together for a special friend!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Valentine Splash

There was something about this card that I liked and I just had to make it.  And yet there is something about this card that reminds me of the movie "Valentine's Day Massacre!"  LOL  It's just the red splatter that brings the name of that movie to mind!  But once you add the heart and the wording the spatter becomes just a pretty design!  And the heart does cover most of the splatter anyway.  Which was a good thing because my Real Red ink pad is having fuzzy issues.  I don't know what happened to it but there seems to be a lot of lint on it that transferred over to this image.  I don't see it on word stamps or images with fine lines but with solid areas I do see it.  Where on earth did it come from and how do I get rid of it?  I don't want to buy a new in pad, this one is fairly new and in excellent condition.  Well, except for the lint.  I know with glitter on your ink pad you can use tape to pick it off. I wonder if that would work with the lint too?  Anyone experience this and or have a remedy for it?

This card is not from my overactive brain!!! I found it while blog surfing.  It was from Dawn's "DOstamp with Dawn" blog.  I found it the other day and just left it open on my desktop.  I thought I was coming back to my workroom but I got busy with other things.  SO when I did finally get back to my computer the card was still there so I decided I'd copy it since I still liked it after the two days had passed.  Do you ever do that?  Run across something and one day you like it and a day or so later you look at the same thing and wonder what you saw in it in the first place?  

This card was actually a fun card.  It was a quick one too.  I didn't have the decorative paper for the big heart but I did have the download.  I believe it is called "First Edition."  I printed it out on 28# copier paper so it has a bit of substance to it.  It almost feels like the thickness of the decorative paper.  I punched the heart out and used Dimensionals to set it in place.  I punched out the red heart, added the linen bow and I totally forgot about the cute rhinestone that is to be put on the left side of the small heart.  I will have to remember to add that. I think I was just so excited to get the card done that I forgot about it.  

The words are from the "Delightful Dozen" set.  A very fun set to have!!

Ok, I did add the rhinestone behind the bow and it hardly shows anyway but here you will just have to imagine what it looks like!!!

I can see making a bunch of these cards to give out for Valentine's Day!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Fun Note Holder Weekend Project

 I love those little note holders that the Dollar Spot at Target has.  I can be found buying several of them at a time.  I don't really care much for the paper that is inside them.  It kind of reminds me of the paper that is used when learning to write your A B C's. I think it's a new print type paper. Anyway, when I make these for gifts I usually cut up copier paper, not only because it's nicer but because I don't really like the color of the paper that is in the holder.  It's usually a melon color.  I've only used it once when I had made a box that had the melon color in the cover.  Now this box would have worked with the melon color paper but I opted to use white since I was making it for a gift for someone special.  

I actually printed out the paper on 28# copier paper and then I used the "Elementary Elements" download to make the cover.  The word "Notes" was just typed in and moved to the center of the image.  Then I put the strip paper I printed out back in my printer and printed out the words.  Now I could have put the words and the image along with background all at one time but I had printed the background and I didn't have any other use for it.  SO I have now used that piece of paper I printed and reprinted on!!

I added 2 brads and the ribbon holds the cover shut!  Just as simple as that and yet elegant looking.  I punched the one hole with the Crop-a-dial and the other hole I had to make using the paper piercing tool.  The Crop-a-dial wouldn't reach that far!! It was not a prefect hole but the brad hides it so all is good!

I LOVE making these altered note holders and my favorite was a snowman one I did a couple of years ago. I sold all of them at a craft fair and was meaning to make more but didn't.  Which is probably a good thing.  I don't think I want to have the same item out each year, that is what makes craft fairs go stale.  SO maybe this fall I'll make more of come up with an even cuter one!

These are also great for stamp camps, customer appreciation gifts, hostess appreciation gifts, a gift for coworkers, teachers and even stocking stuffers  

I was just at the Dollar Spot at Target and they don't have any of these in right now.  But they get them in every now and then!

Happy paper crafting!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Vintage Vogue

 I LOVED this "Vintage Vogue" set ever since I first laid eyes on it!  I LOVE using it and I LOVE sending out cards I've made with this set. And as much as I LOVE it, I just hate to cut out that flower but I do it for almost every card I make with this set!!  Now that's LOVE!!! LOL

This was the Sketch Challenge for this week at SplitCoastStampers.  I didn't get a chance to play along until today.  I've been a bit busy getting things ready for the wedding tomorrow!  I am also going to pre-post for tomorrow since I will be WAY to busy to be on the computer.

This card was really easy to make too!  It seems that cards that use either decorative paper or texture on the background are put together fairly quickly. 

Now looking at the sketch and my card they do seem a little different.  Only because I flipped the sketch, which is allowed!  You can flip it any way you want so it works with your images. The only thing you really should try to is to keep the panels the same size.  That is the challenge!!!

I used a Sizzlet to cut the buttons out. I LOVE those things!  They make great accessories and because they are small they are easy to store!!

If you have time, play along with the sketch.  You don't have to submit it to SplitCoastStampers if you don't want to.  I have not submitted mine for the past couple of weeks.  I have not been able to do them on time.  Though I can still submit them anytime, there is no time limit on posting them. 

Now I'm off to address the envelope for this card so it's ready for tomorrows mail!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Altered Magnetic Notebooks

 I had ran across a bunch of these cute little Mary Engelbreit magnetic notebooks I had bought at Michael's.  I was going to use them for a project that went by the wayside but I thought I would make up some for my stampers.  I had bought a lot of them so I will have extra for the fall craft fair as well.  That's a good thing!!!  It's always nice to be ahead of the game, isn't it? I like it when I can have stuff made a head of time.  It helps make less stress on me when that time of year rolls around!

Anyway, back to my altered notebook.  I used the "Everyday Enchantment" decorative paper.  And I used the "Fresh Vintage" set for the postage stamp looking piece in the middle.  I also used the postage stamp punch to create that "real" postage look!!!

I tied a Marina Mist grosgrain ribbon around the bottom of the front cover and it was done. This was actually an easy project to do. And it really didn't take all that long either!  The gals who came to stamp yesterday liked them!!!  You can decorate these up for a cute Valentine's Day gift for friends and co-workers!  These would even make great stocking stuffers for next year!!!  And not to mention some fun craft fair items.  Oh and you could even do these as a Make and Take!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

I {Heart} Hearts

I forgot about the "I {Heart} Hearts" set that I had on the shelf.  I didn't realize how many Valentine's Day sets I actually have.  I didn't buy any new ones this year and I'm glad I didn't.  I have enough to make some fun cards and gift items with.  

This is a quick and easy card to make!  Really!  Well, it's quick if you have a heart punch!!!  If you don't then it will take you a bit longer to cut around each heart!  But either way, the card is easy to make.  

The colors I used were Pirouette Pink, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Rose Red.  I stamped the heart image in the same colors as the card stocks.  

The "Be Mine" was done on the computer.  I punched it out and sponged the edges in Rose Red.  

The strip of Rose Red was made using the "Ribbon" punch.  I LOVE using that punch!  I need to make a few more Valentine's Day cards and I will share them with you here.  And I am still making Valentine's Day gifts.  I have a fun one for you for tomorrow, so be sure to stop back!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Valentine's Day Gifts Weekend Project

Now this candy holder can be made for any holiday or gift giving party.  I am thinking of making some for my niece's bridal shower.  And I think they would be adorable for a kids party using Nerds.  They are SO colorful. It would have a look of confetti!  Just make a header with Happy Birthday on it or the birthday person's name!  You can do a lot with these.  The bags are 1" x 8".  I think for the shower I may shorten them up a bit.  And I do recommend stapling the bag at the end that is under the heart.  It separated, though it was still closed and it looks like the heart is not taped together.  Just little things that bug me!!! LOL

Anyway, I am making up some gifts for a friend for Valentine's Day and I only needed to make one.  A bunch of these in a vase would be adorable!!!  

This is also a great gift for co-workers.  It's not very expensive to make at all, it's quick and it's easy.  Right up my alley!!

The hearts used here are made from the Sizzlet Heart die and the white heart is the heart punch.  See, I told you it was easy.  I did the words on the computer.  Though you could find a stamp image to use too.  I just kept it simple because it's going towards the back of the basket I'm putting together and I didn't want this to be a big eye catcher.  You can decorate these up as much or as little as you want. The whole thing behind it all is to just have fun!!

I am going to try to make at least 3 Valentine's Day gift items a week until Valentine's Day.  Most of these gift item ideas can be converted to other occasions too!  So be sure to stop back and see what else I will be tempting you to spend your time on!!! LOL

Added on 1-25-2012

The bag that holds the candies is a Stampin' Up! item. 

Thank you for stopping by today,
Wanda

Golden Anniversary Card

Today I have a very pretty Golden Anniversary card to share with you.  My friend Sandi made this card.  The paper she used was some type of gold vellum.  It was absolutely stunning!  You did a great job on this card Sandi and thank you for letting me share it with everyone.  

I think you could use the brushed gold card stock to repeat this card.  I am going to have to give it a try since I haven't a clue as to where to get the gold vellum!

The images were heat embossed so it also gives the card some texture too!

Stop back tomorrow.  I will have a fun and inexpensive Valentine's Day gift project!  Oh and it's also easy to make too!  You know you love that!!! LOL

Thank you for visiting today,

Wanda

Masculine Birthday Card

My nephew's birthday is on the 13th and of course I will need a card for him.  I'm not sure if I will have a lot of time to make a card.  Our son's wedding is on the 14th.  It's going to be a busy week!

This is a card that Terri made for the Tuesday Technique group.  She made one especially for me. She's SO sweet!  Let me tell you how sweet she is.  When the gals were doing this technique she had extra bubble wrap out for them to use at the tables and there was a piece in their packet for them to take home so they didn't have to use the one in the packet and get their projects messy.  SO sweet and thoughtful!!  There is no technique group this month because of Leadership but it will resume in February and I'm so looking forward to it! 

This is a very fun technique. I had done it a while ago and it's very easy with such a wonderful effect.  

You take a piece of bubble wrap and ink up your brayer.  Roll the brayer over the bubble wrap and then press the bubble wrap onto the card stock.  It's just that simple!!  What a cute effect, huh?  And the turtle is a perfect image to show off this technique.

So I now have a card for my nephew and the next step is getting it mailed to him in time!!  I am hoping it will go out in Monday's mail!  Wish me luck on that.  I've got a ton of things to tend to for the wedding and I'm I can remember everything I need to do!

Thank you SO much for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

Valentine's Day Gifts Weekend Project

 You can make these fun little coffee holders for other occasions than just Valentine's Day.  It's all in how you decorate the outside!  This little holder is actually easy and fun to make!  Now you tell me, you gotta LOVE that, don't you?

And I suppose you'd like the instructions and measurements for this too!  Well ok, since you asked!!!

I began with a piece of card stock cut 2-1/2" x 11"  And I cut my decorative paper 2-1/4" x 10-3/4".  If you have a limited amount of decorative paper then you can just cut out pieces for panels.  You don't have to cover the back side doing that.  I just found it easier to work with one long piece.  It takes less time too.  But in a pinch I would cut pieces for panels to save on decorative paper.

Next you will need to tape the decorative paper to the card stock.  Then you will score the piece at 2-3/4", 3-1/4", 7-1/4", 7-3/4", 9-1/4" and 9-3/4"

Fold on the score lines.  The bottom part of the holder has the most score lines.  You will need to take the Word Window punch and punch between the two end score lines.  I take a piece of scrap paper and punch out the shape.  Then I set the shape where I want it and lightly trace around it with a pencil.  This way I know that I will get the shape cut out where I want it and evenly too!

Once you got the hole punched you can glue or tape the end piece to the inside of the back panel.  You just need to bring that end piece up high enough on the inside back panel until the bottom part forms a nice even square box.  I used Dimensionals to hold that part together.  I'm not sure why I did that.  I think that some Sticky Strip, Red Line tape, Glue Dots or glue would work just fine.  Regular tape runner will not hold this as well.  But that is all the taping or gluing you will need to do to put this together.  You can decorate it if you would like and add a piece of Velcro to the flap to keep it closed.  I decided to make a belly band for the piece.  I just took a 3/4" x 11" strip of black card stock and wrapped it around the box.  Then I folded the edges with a bone folder so they were nice and crisp and even.  I glued the belly band in the front of the holder.  The heart I added covered the seam.  I attached the heart in place with Glue Dots.  

I also wrapped a little band around the coffees too and added a little heart with a tiny pearl on each one.  It just dressed them up a bit and made it look like that was what you wanted to do with the holder!!!  Click on the photo and you can view those little hearts up close.

These are fun to make and they really don't take all that long to do either.  If you decide to make the front a bit more elaborate, then it will take you a bit longer to make.  You can add candy inside or anything else that fits in that slot.  I chose coffee because it's going to a friend who LOVES coffee!  I am going to make her a little basket full of fun Valentine's Day things. So as I make them I will be posting them on here and then adding them to the basket!!  I am looking forward to filling the basket with fun things for her! Stop back to see what else goes in that basket!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

White on White Valentine's Day Card

Oh my gosh, this card nearly did me in.  Have you ever made a white on white card?  Well, I have not and I found it to be quite a challenge.  I wanted SO badly to put Pirouette Pink hearts on the three punched out pieces.  I thought it could use a splash of color.  But then it wouldn't be a white on white card now would it?  

SO I stuck with the theme and kept working on the card.  

I found that quote somewhere on the net and thought it was perfect to add to a Valentine's Day card.  

And since I couldn't add any color I played with texture instead!  I added the polka dot texture to the background and a flower texture to the next small layer under the punched pieces.  I set those punched pieces on with Dimensionals to give it a bit more texture!

When I got all done with it, all I could say was "I pulled it off!"  LOL  It was my first white on white card.  I'm sot sure if I would ever make another one but I am not going to say I won't!!!

If you want a challenge, try a white on white card.  No sponging, no other colors (except for the words)!  Give it a try!

Thank you for stopping by today,
Wanda

Sizzix Die Spring Gift Box

The die I used here is a ScoreBoards XL die.  This one is much like the Stampin' Up! Box #2.  You could always use the new edgers dies on the end to give the flap a new look!  This one is called a "Bag, Caddy".  It produces just two pieces.  The back part is just flat and the front part is the pocket.  I like that because it allows me to change the back piece on my own.  I can cut out the front part and then use my cutter to cut out the back by hand to make it even taller if I need to.  It provides me with a little more versatility.

And like with most of these types of dies, you can cut out two and make it into a tote.  

I cut mine out and then added the decorative paper.  Then I filled it with the fun flower candies I got at The Dollar Tree.  I added some crinkles to the pocket.  Finally I added some die cut flowers and wording to the front of the pocket.  These pockets can be used for lots of occasions.  They would make great gifts and party favors!  

I have future plans for this die and of course I will share them with you when I get them done!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Blog Candy Winner!

What great and touching things you all got for Christmas. My favorite gift was a HUGE gift certificate at Amazon!!!  I LOVED it.  I also got a WONDERFUL Stampin' Up! gift certificate and I will be shopping later this week.  The new Occasions mini catalog has some REALLY fun stuff in it.  

Anyway, enough of that. I'm sure you want to see who the winner is so you can get back to playing with your Christmas gifts. Ok, one more note here on that.  Don't you just love to get things to play with?  It's like being a kid all over again at Christmas! I LOVE getting fun software, Sizzix dies, watercolors, etc.  Things like that bring back memories of getting toys for Christmas and all you want to do is go play with them!! LOL

Ok, the winner.  If you looked at the second photo you will see that the winner is #3.  And here is what mudmaven, #3 entered: 

Happy New Year Wanda! I got an engraved bracelet from my grandchildren that said We Grandma. Made me cry (happy tears). ~chris

So Chris, please send me your mailing address and I will get the package out in the mail to you soon. I will try to get it out by midweek next week.  We have the Groom's Dinner on Saturday and the wedding is the following Saturday and I may be a bit frazzled and forget about going to the post office.  In the event that happens I will get the package out the following week when I have come to my senses and am back in the real world!

I am going to be doing some digging in my workroom and I will be adding stuff to my web store and also more for Blog Candy!  I will post on here when I have added something new to the web store.  I need to make room for new stuff and actually, I just need to make room.  My workroom is full!

Thank you all for playing and please come back.  I have lots of gift projects coming up for Valentine's Day!

Wanda

Stamping on Velvet

Today I am going to share with you a card that Jan V. made at the last technique class Terri  had.

The theme of the card swap was to make a card using the technique from the prior month. One of Novembers techniques was stamping on velvet. If you click on the photo you can see the image a little better. It's really cute it's got two trees in the middle are two children on a bicycle. This adorable stamp is from the "take it to heart" stamp set from the new occasions Mini catalog.

This is such a pretty Valentine's Day card and it was so sweet of Jan to give me one!

You can find the velvet stamping technique here.

This is also one of those standup cards. They are very easy to make. You cut your card stock in half on the short side.  Fold the carton half and then fold the top part of the card in half putting the edge toward the inside. Withhold the card up or open is the little heart set in place using a Dimensional. I love red white and black cards exclamation point this is such a pretty card, thank you Jan for letting me share it with everyone on my blog!

Thank you for visiting today,

Wanda

Festive & Fun Valentine's Day Gift

My plan is to make some fun and inexpensive gifts for Valentine's Day.  It seems that there are SO many people on tight budgets now and it's always refreshing to find inexpensive gifts to make and give.  We all LOVE making, giving and even receiving gifts and when you can do it under budget it's always a great thing.

Today I have a Hershey candy bar sleeve.  I used some retired Valentine's Day decorative paper.  I think it was from Valentine's Day time in 2011.  I'm not sure.  I didn't have much left and I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it until I took out the piece you see here.  It was cut almost exactly as I needed it.  I think I may have cut about 3/4" of an inch off the one end. 

I had made a card last week using the "Festive & Fun" set.  It will be retiring shortly or put on the dormant list. Something like that.  So I thought I'd play with it while it was still available.  Though I may play with it again later.  I just find it odd that it wouldn't be available for Valentine's Day use!  

Anyway, back to the card.  I centered the paper on my scoring board and I set the candy bar in the middle of the paper.  I scored two lines on either side of the candy bar.  Then I scored two 1/4" lines on each side of the first score lines.  I folded the lines over and glued the seam on the back.  I glued one end shut.

I punched out two Real Red hearts and glued the top part together.  Then I used some super sticky glue dots and added them to the end of the candy wrapper and then set the heart in place.  I used the glue dots on both the front and back of the end of the wrapper.  I put the candy bar in the sleeve and the bumps of the heart stick out.  This is exactly what you want.  This allows you to pull the candy out of the sleeve easily!  This was very fun and SO easy to make too!  Just find some decorative paper or card stock you like and get going on it!!  If you have limited decorative paper and need to make a few of these then use card stock for the sleeve and just decorate the top of it with your papers or you could even use the stamped image.  Though I think I would stamp something on the sleeve paper before I put it together.  A white sleeve with images stamped on it would look pretty with the layered image on top of that.  You can have a lot of fun making these.  And the best part is that they are not that expensive to make!    You can even do this on a smaller scale using the fun size candy bars.  You can use the smaller heart punch for the tab.  Just use your imagination!!  But mostly, have fun!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

New Year's Day Blog Candy

I can't forget to do my New Year's Day Blog Candy!!  I've been doing this for quite a few years now and it's like it's a tradition and you can't mess with traditions!!! LOL

I know this Blog Candy looks familiar.  Well, it should.  It was the Blog Candy I offered a little while back and the winner never claimed it.  So I am offering it again along with other fun stamping things I have run across and gathered!  I always do the New Year's Blog Candy up big.  Just ask anyone who has won Blog Candy from me!

As usual you have to answer a question to win the Blog Candy!!  I'll make it a simple one.  What was your favorite Christmas gift this year?

Please answer to this post only.  I will draw a name on my birthday, January 4th!!!  Have fun with this!  If you are signed up as anonymous on here, please add your first name after your comment to make it easier to announce the winner! 

Thank you SO much and good luck,
Wanda