ooohh...Shiny!

I love that the Stampin Up Big Shot works on other elements besides cardstock.  I can use the hand powered machine to cut fabric, paper, tin & aluminum, acrylic, and lots more. For today's card, I embossed a window sheet (transparency) with the new striped embossing folder.

It was so easy and so much fun! Window sheets are a nice way to add a layer with out the heaviness of paper.  The stripes embossed are vertical (the lines running zig zagged horizontally are the reflections from my window blinds) and turn an otherwise boring card into a eye catching work of art.

good job! way to go! fantastic!

Anyway you spin the card, and it really does spin, you'll be saying something great to the person you are giving it to.

What a fun stamp! 

Lovin' the Banner Train

I'm usually slow to hop on the train for a new trend. 

And true to form, it took me a while to appreciate all the banners I have been seeing in the craft world recently.  I've seen paper banners, fabric banners, sock banners, pine cone banners.....all kinds of banners (I made up the sock banner but wouldn't that be cute?  A sock --clean of course--from each member of the family strung up across your fire place the night before some gift giving holiday?  oh wait....we do that already don't we?  Darn! I thought I was on to something unique!).

Stampin Up makes banner making incredily easy with a punch for paper crafting and a die for everything else (fabrics included).  Oh the fun I'm going to have now that I love banners!

Layered Scallops

When I first received the new Stampin Up 2011-2012 Idea Book, I was a little dismayed to see most of the 5/8" grosgrain ribbon had retired. 

hmmm......how can I make a card with out 5/8" grosgrain ribbon?

I flipped through the catalog a few more minutes and realized layers of paper replaced ribbon on most of the sample cards.  Interesting idea.  And actually, as beautiful as 5/8" grosgrain ribbon is, those knots required extra postage when I mailed out my cards!

The layers of paper were usually in the form of multiple scallop edges like in my card today.  See how I used the Scallop Border Trim punch on the Indigo Island paper, two pieces actually, and layered them to peek out beneath the Very Vanilla cardstock? Simple but resulting in a nice textured finish.  And no extra postage for those layers!

Of course, I couldn't help but add a mini clear button so I ended up having to spend an extra 20 cents at the post office anyway, but buttons are always worth the extra postage.  Kind of like icing on the cake is always worth the extra calories!

I'm back....a little rusty but enjoying crafting again

A couple of weeks ago I held an open house to reintroduce myself to my stampers.

Seems like the six months I took off (for health and personal issues regarding one of my children) created a void in the lives of everyone around me.  Well, maybe not a void.  But, I did have quite a few stampers approach me and ask me if I'm going to have Stamp Class again.

And every time I went to the basement, my stamp area would whisper enticing words to me, promising rest and relaxation via paper and ink.

So, I put in a quick order to Stampin Up, purchased a few new colors and papers, and requested a box full of 2011-2012 catalogs.  I set a date for an open house, invited some great ladies, and I am back in business!

This is the free card everyone made. I used some retiring products and some new colors.

The design is one that Dawn created for her blog. I love her style because it is so easy to duplicate and always looks nice.

forgotten wedding card

This is the card that we forgot to bring with us when we went to a wedding a few weeks ago.  I thought The Accountant had it.  He thought I had it.

It was so strange to eat at the reception knowing that we forgot the card with the gift in it.  Almost like we were stealing the food.

Is that strange or would you feel like that too?

For you vs. To you??

I made this card to send to my teen age niece in Boston. 

Originally, the Happy Birthday sentiment was not on there.  It just said 4 U (for you) and was created to hold a gift card.

It looked a little boring so I added the Happy Birthday.  Then, I realized it should have had 2 U (to you) as in Happy Birthday to You but I couldn't exchange the 4 with a 2 with out ruining the card.

I'm not sure a 15 year old cares though so it's OK.

Have a great weekend!

3rd and final card front from Musical Christmas Card class

I enjoy the faces from this stamp set, Holiday Lineup.  Cute little snowmen, endearing reindeer, and mischievous little elves, all lined up to wish you a Merry Christmas.  Using the snowman stamp, I created this Rose Red, Bashful Blue, and Marina Mist Christmas card front for Stampin Up's musical Christmas card.

And here is today's last card for the Incredibly Overly Prompt Halloween cards for 2012 (maybe it wasn't so awful that I was late posting these):



And here is what was inside:

Finger update (because I know you care)....stitches are coming out soon.  Unfortunately, the nerves must be growing back because I can feel some twinges of pain once in a while.  Cutting papers is no problem but I've been getting the urge to sew again.  I'm just not sure if I'm ready to pick up the rotary blade again. 

Coffee wreath class---FREE

I am so excited to show you this Coffee Filter Wreath!  It is absolutely beautiful.  And can you believe that it cost less than $3 to make and an hour of your time??

I'll be holding a FREE class November 29th at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for anyone in my area that would like to come make this wreath.  Bring your own yard of ribbon (I used the Marina Mist striped grosgrain ribbon from Stampin Up) and a plate of goodies to share and we'll have a blast constructing this. 

I'll prebuy the materials for you--a 10 inch foam ring and white coffee filters from the dollar store, a pack of straight pins, and a hot glue gun.  Just let me know asap if you're coming.

If you can't make the class but would like directions (super easy, I promise) let me know.  If you would like to buy a wreath and claim that you made it yourself, I'll even ship one to you and let you take the credit.  Just let me know by emailing me at aricjen@itwifi.net.

And here is today's Incredibly Overly Prompt Halloween project for 2012:

  

We made this treat box (actually called a mini pizza box--instructions can be found HERE) to hold these little critters:

The spiders are made using York Peppermint Patties (actually an off brand but just as yummy).

Incredibly Overly Prompt kinda sounds funny

Here is another Incredibly Overly Prompt Halloween card for 2011:

And let me tell you, this mummy card was a LOT of fun to make!  There was no wrong way to rip the card stock strips, sponging the edges was quick and easy, and those cute, slightly startled looking green eyes peeking out of the 'wrap' give it personality.

As promised, here is a current card to go along with the Incredibly Overly Prompt for 2011 card:

Part of my Musical Christmas Cards Class, this one fits right on the cover of a Stampin Up music card.  I cut the base to be 1/8 inch smaller than the music card and it looks great.  IRL (In Real Life), the tree is all sparkly with Dazzling Diamonds and looks real perty.

I'm still wearing the splint on my left pointer finger (rotary blade one, me zero). Typing is extremely time consuming as I hunt & peck on the keyboard and then backspace to correct all the spelling mistakes.  I'm thinking of hiring The Accountant tomorrow to post on my blog and describe the day's card.  Stay tuned to see if he'll do it....

greetings from the edge.....

I'm so excited to be blogging again! 

A few of you may have noticed that I've been gone for a while....in fact, a few cards that I have yet to post are my Halloween cards from my October class.  And here it is November 15th already!

I'd still like to show you the Halloween cards.  I hope that is OK.

Can we please pretend that I'm not actually extremely over due but rather, incredibly overly prompt for Halloween 2011?!?

I'll even throw in a card from my current class so you'll forgive me for my tardiness.

The first picture is a card using the Stampin Up two-step owl punch in a creative way---upside down:

Cute little ghosts, huh?

This second picture is of a card that is part of my Musical Christmas Cards Class (being held today).  We are making three card fronts that can be attached to musical cards (available from Stampin Up of course).  The mittens are punched using the wide oval punch and the small oval punch (both from Stampin Up).  I think the second mitten slipped from its original position....it looks  a little too close to the other one. :)

This last picture is of my left hand and a clear quest for pity:

The rotary blade on the right ran over my left pointer finger while I was cutting fabric for sewing.  That blade is sharp!  I required SEVEN stitches. I'm actually glad I severed so many nerves...helps manage the pain.  And you won't be seeing any more pictures with out the splint/bandage, too gross.  I'll spare you that ugliness.

Typing is a little slow.  Washing my hair is difficult.  Dishes are out of the question. I was able to cut papers for today's Musical Christmas Cards Class though.  I know my priorities.

Labor of Love---a non stampin post

This is the latest sewing project I recently finished.  Notice I did not say "this is the latest sewing project I've been working on".  That would be because I don't always finish what I start--and let me tell you, potholders are a LOT harder to make than they look and now I don't know what to make for Christmas presents for my family (I can hear their cries of dismay, can you?).

Not finishing everything I start is no big surprise to anyone who knows me well.

This purse, however, took me an intense three FULL DAYS to make. Those ruffles were a ton of work but aren't they so beautiful?!?!?  I love how this purse turned out.

It was sort of like childbirth because of the pain and laboring. Sweating and grumbling.  And in the midst of it, I declared to anyone who'd listen that I would not ever be making another ruffle purse like this again. Ever.

But after a day of using it, carrying it, holding it, and loving it.  I think I'm ready to do it again.  I've already picked out the fabrics and can picture how the new one will look.  I've even named it.

At the very end of the purse project, my beloved Mini Janome machine broke.  I spent most of Sunday trying to fix it.  I succeeded in fixing the misaligned gears only to cause another problem that I can't find a solution for. 

So, I'm on the prowl for another machine.  And now that Stampin Up is selling fabrics (in the mini catalog--have you seen them yet???), I'm quite sure I'll be having sewing classes to add to my stamp classes.  And that means, Business Expense!!!  I think I've worn down The Accountant with my justifications about how my Stampin Up business should foot the bill for a new machine.  He's just so......legal though.

Either way, I've been doing some research.  I'd love to hear if anyone out there has some suggestions.  I'm looking for a mid price dependable machine that doesn't need to have many fancy stitches and extras (or maybe I do and just don't know it yet so you can tell me that too).

Please leave a comment if you have a machine that you wouldn't recommend also.  It would help to know if I should stay away from certain features or brands or lines.

And before I go, here are some little easy-to-do and quick-to-complete key fobs that I made last week.  The original pattern was for a smaller version that could hold a thumb drive or a tube of lipstick or a pack of gum.  I enlarged it to hold my cell phone and then made a few extra.

Hey Bro!

My older brother is the family comedian.  His sarcasm and wit cause me to roll on the floor in laughter (especially his Facebook comments.....my word!).  I'm so glad he's my friend--outside of FB too.

He's a great guy with a great family and I hope he enjoys a great birthday!

My card (his card) came from this week's mojo sketch:

While I was putting it together, it reminded me of this sign:



Which would be totally appropriate if I had thought about it before hand.  He drives many hours for work and loves to race his Mustang.  He's always on the road going somewhere.....If only I had Designer Paper made from a map!  There's always next year........

You Make Me Smile

For some reason, every time I see this card, I mentally start singing  You Make My Smile, by Uncle Kracker.

If you have teenagers, or if you are a music junkie yourself, you'll know this song.

I tend to NOT keep up on the most recent selections of modern pop music so I may even be wrong about what is current and what is 'so five mintues ago, Mom' and You Make Me Smile might not even be popular anymore.

Seriously, you should see the playlists on my Ipod.  It would probably make you laugh.  Nowhere else in the world do Journey and Katy Perry coexist peacefully except in my personal playlist.

On to why you are here......This is the fourth card we made last week at Stamp Class.  Yes, there was a little bit of cutting to do.  And yes, I heard some grumbling.  But everyone agreed that this card is a keeper.  Or a sendable.  Whether you choose to horde your cards or send them to someone else, either way, this one's a cutie.

23 punched ovals equal one very large sunflower

For this card, I copied my own work from way back in April. 

The flower is a little bigger, the ribbon is a little fuller, and the filling for the sunflower is actually popcorn I picked up at a popcorn specialty store that sells all sorts of different types of kernals.

To make this card last Monday at class, I instructed my stampers to punch out 23 ovals, brush the edges with chocolate chip, and snip the ends off before adhering the petals around the treat cup.

And depending on how closely you glued them together, my stampers needed less or a little more than 23 ovals.

I guess stamping isn't an exact science.

Here is the photo from the original:

Purse shaped cards are proven to fight duldrums

These little purses are key-ute!  And they were super easy to make with the Big Shot and the Top Note die.  We also used the scallop frame die for the handles, the large oval for the clasp, and the word window punch for the sentiment.

And best of all, they fit into an invitation sized envelope.  Wouldn't a card like this totally brighten your day if you found it in your mail box???

I'm also thinking they'd make great invitations for bridal showers, birthday parties, and thank you notes.  Maybe even this year's Christmas cards!!!

But I'm probably biased because I have an extremely large collection of purses, totes, and bags hiding stored in my closet.  I seriously love purses!  Including my Dolce & Gabbana from New York City (which I grudgingly admit is probably a fake), three purses I've sewn myself, and a beautiful Purple Prada knock-off with matching purple wallet I bought at the flea market in Shipshewana IN.  

faux tile

CASing a card from the famous Jan Tink, I used the faux tile technique for this beautiful autumn card.  It is also my Obligatory Masculine Male Card for September's stamp class.

This faux tile technique makes use of a Stampin Up brayer, three or four shades of inks, and a scoring blade or bone folder.  The white 'grout' lines are score marks pressed into your cardstock prior to stamping (lightly) and braying (brayering?).

Library Animals on Sticks

While I haven't been posting very often, that doesn't mean I haven't been busy crafting. 

I had my class last Monday and prepared 4 amazing cards for each of the 20 stampers.

I have joined a few sewing classes and made some more purses.

I also have been busy with 4H projects and making crafts for my new job.

Speaking of my new job, which I absolutely love, I am still considered a 'newby' and am constantly learning the do's and don'ts of working in a library.

And some of those life lessons I have learned since I became a librarian (although technically, my name badge says Library Staff not librarian) include:

1.  2 & 3 year olds have a very very very short attention span and LapTime story programs have to be exciting to keep their attention
2. Too much excitement at LapTime story programs cause the reader of the books (namely ME) to rapidly lose control of the whole group
3. 2 & 3 year olds often have a pack mentality and gang up on the reader
4. never never ask for a single volunteer to hold a monkey puppet while singing 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed -- a child not picked to be that single volunteer will quickly start crying and cause the other non-selected children to realize the trajedy and also start crying which results in the whole pack of 2 & 3 year olds to gang up on the reader
5. librarians have a wicked sense of humor and laugh often at the newby staff member who is still learning these life lessons.

Yes, there have been some mis-haps and humble moments.  But I also bring some nice abilities and talents to the work place that my co-workers appreciate.  Skills like being able to use my vast assortment of paper craft supplies to create crafts and props.

The Monkey face stick was used last week for our Monkey theme (books like What Time Is It Mr Crocodile, and Five Little Monkeys Up In A Tree, and If You're Happy and You Know It).  The bear face is for this week coming up (the Bear theme includes books like Brown Bear Brown Bear, Is It A Bear?, and The Bear Went Up The Mountain).

To make these faces, I pulled out all sorts of circle and oval punches.  And all shades of brown cardstock. And I used my Big Shot. A lot.

In two weeks, our theme is Duck.  Time to get out the Daffodil Delight and the Whisper White cardstock.  And brush up on my reading to preschoolers skills.

Family Vehicle

 I purchased the Stampin Up Decor Elements All In The Family some time ago and just decided to try them out on my vehicle. 

We had some hot days this week but the forecast said it was supposed to cool down on Friday.  I decided to wait till that day so the acrylic wouldn't melt in the hot sun.  The directions don't actually say to not apply the Decor Elements in the direct sun but I wasn't taking any chances.  Plus, I'd rather not sweat while I work so 60 degree temps were more appealing than 90 degrees (and yes, in Michigan, we do have those kind of extreme temps in a 24 hour period).

First, start with a very clean surface--this is tricky for my vehicle because we live on a dirt road and my black Acadia is rarely clean.....

And did you see I made myself a customized license plate???  I always wanted one of those and edited my photo in MS Paint so it would look like I had one.  Thinking of my favorite hobbies, I had to decide between I STAMP or IHEARTCHOCOLATE or CAUTION:  THIS VEHICLE STOPS AT ALL KOHLS.  I went with the most important....

After I thoroughly cleaned the back window, I lined up the six images I had.  I certainly did not want to mix up my family members and put them in the wrong order.

Applying the images was very easy (with the exception of a few eyes that didn't want to come off the paper and stick to my glass initally) and the whole process only took about 15 minutes.

Here is the finished image.

I love how the Father image has a tie!  How did they know my husband, the accountant, wore one everyday?  To be honest though, my 16 year old daughter is many inches taller than me and my second child, the 13 year old son, is too.  But it could have been worse, I could have put the kids much closer together to make it look like they were all holding hands! 

Mondays and celebrations

To celebrate my first Monday home alone (because my kids are all at school), I mopped my downstairs bathroom & kitchen, washed three loads of laundry, and burned some toast.

The smell of burned toast is very over-powering....especially when it is burned to the point of flames coming out of the toaster.  And boy does it linger.  I burned it five hours ago and the smell is still in the air.

The smell is so nauseating that I was forced to go down to my work area in the basement and escape to the more pleasant smells of papers, inks, and stamp cleaner.

Which I was going to do anyway because I needed to make two more samples for my 4H class tomorrow.

I think the 4H group is all boys so they might appreciate more masculine type 12x12 samples.

There is something bizzare going on with my connection/and or computer this morning so I'm going to save and post before I lose everything.  One burned out appliance on this sunny Monday is enough.......I'm not in the position to put flames out on my computer.