Polish Star

Happy Saturday everyone!  It's just 3 more days before Christmas.  We sure are getting a white one - lots of snow right now in Northern Michigan.

Last week, my DSIL showed me a really cool ornament the kids in Art Class made.  My jaw dropped as I have never seen one before.  She said it's a Polish Star.  Well, I carry a Polish name.  Might as well learn it, right???

So I went online and searched for a tutorial.  I was surprised there are lots of videos out there (click here to see).  Following the instructions, I was able to make two last night.

If you have the tools, it easier and quicker to make a Polish star.  In my case, I cut 10 circles with the largest Spellbinders Standard Circles die (3.75 inches in diameter).  Then I used the smallest die from that set to mark the centers.

These are so fun to make.  I will have to make some more.

'Til next blog!

Blanched

Hello crafty friends!  Right now, we're having a winter storm.  That means no work for me!  I could use an early winter break start.

A couple of nights ago, I was busy in my planet making card sets to give to my co-workers.  They had to be quick and easy.  Lesson learned:  never put off things you can do now.  I did so many times in the past few weeks, so I was really on a rush the night before I was supposed to give those card sets.  And of course, I never apply the lesson learned.  It's just a cycle that keeps going over and over.  Maybe I will when I turn 40.

Anyway, for the first card set, I used my La Blanche stamps.  I fell in love with them when I saw them first at the 2012 Winter CHA in Anaheim.  I mainly stamped and embossed, then colored with Prismacolor pencils or applied Ranger Distress Ink on the image.

 Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Basic Grey, Stampin' Up, leftovers

image/sentiment:  La Blanche

ink:  Tsukineko, Prismacolor

tools:  Spellbinders, Fiskars

embellishments:  ribbon, glitter stickers

misc.:  Ranger embossing powder

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

 Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Basic Grey, Stampin' Up, leftovers

image/sentiment:  La Blanche

ink:  Tsukineko, Ranger, Prismacolor

tools:  Spellbinders,Stampin' Up

embellishments:  ribbon 

misc.:  Ranger embossing powder

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

 Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Basic Grey, Stampin' Up, leftovers

image/sentiment:  La Blanche

ink:  Tsukineko, Prismacolor, Ranger

tools:  Spellbinders, EK Success

misc.:  Ranger embossing powder

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

  Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Basic Grey, Stampin' Up, leftovers

image/sentiment:  La Blanche

ink:  Tsukineko, Ranger, Prismacolor

tools:  Spellbinders, EK Success

misc.:  Ranger embossing powder

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

I guess I have time to clean my planet.  'Til next blog!

Christmas Treat Bags

I always like to give treat bags to my co-workers during special occasions.  And Christmas is one of them.  I just started my second year at my new job, and I am blessed to be working with good people.  During times like this I get to show my appreciation.

To start with, I got this from our last trip to Sams Club.  I'm snacking on some leftovers right now, and they sure are yummy!

First, I cut Christmas/winter-themed designer paper with Stampin' Up's Labels Collection Framelits Die.  I scored then folded right in the middle.  After that, I started stamping and heat embossing images from Inkadinkado's Boxed Wishes.  Then I cut along the edges.

Assembly is pretty easy.  I put the patties in a B7 size packaging.  Then I attached each designer paper piece on top with a stapler.  And for the last step, I adhered my stamped images with double sided foam tape.  You can see below how each treat bag is assembled.

Now they are all set and ready for dissemination tomorrow.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  DCWV, Martha Stewart, leftovers

image/sentiment:  Inkadinkado

ink:  Tsukineko

tools:  Stampin' Up, stapler, heat gun

misc.:  embossing powder (Tsukineko, Inkadinkado)

adhesive:  double sided foam tape

'Til next blog!

Chrismas Door

Hello crafty friends!  Last night, I was determined to make a Christmas card.  For a while there, I was getting overwhelmed and couldn't pick a stamp to use.  Then I ended up using the Christmas Door stamp by Our Daily Bread Designs.

I colored the image with Copics.  After that, I covered the ribbon on the wreath with Glossy Inkssentials, then adhered a red rhinestone on the center.  And for the final touch, I applied Flower Soft on the wreath and garland.  Since I don't have the Vintage Christmas, I achieved the colors by mixing Christmas Green, Russet Red and Lemon.  I also added a little bit of gold glitter. 

I am also entering this card in Our Daily Bread Design's NOEL Challenge, with N standing for Nestabilities, O for ODBD, E for Edge Punching and L for Layers.

 

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Recollections, Basic Grey

image:  Our Daily Bread Designs

ink:  Copic, Tsukineko

tools:  Spellbinders, Martha Stewart, We R Memory Keepers, Sizzix

embellishments:  Flower Soft, pearls (Estate Collection), rhinestones

misc.:  Glossy Inkssentials

adhesive:  Ailene's, Scotch, Glue Dots, mounting tape

You have until Sunday to join this fun challenge by ODBD.  Click here to join.

TGIF....  'til next blog!

Cherish

Yep, I'm still in the pink, white and silver mode.  I just had to make another one.

 Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Georgia Pacific, ColorBok, vellum

image/sentiment:  Stampin' Up

ink:  Tsukineko

tools:  EK Success, Spellbinders

embellishments:  ribbon, button

misc.:  American Crafts embossing powder

adhesive, Scotch, Glue Dots, mounting tape

'Til next blog!

Froggy Card Set

I like to make card sets to give as gifts.  But when I do, I like to keep it as "unbulky" as possible so that the recipients won't have difficulty or to spend more in mailing.  That's also my rule when I sell my cards in a craft show.  The ratio would be about 75 - 25, with the well decorated cards in the 25 percent.  

Last night, I made a set of 6 cards for a friend who I haven't seen for a long time.  Given the time, I wanted them to be pretty, but quick and easy.  So I looked through my RAKed images stash and I found these cute frog images that I have already colored from a previous project.  Perfect, because she's into those things, I suppose.  

The size of each card is 4 x 6, basing it on the envelopes I chose to use.  I maintained a uniformed look although the sentiments vary.  Then I used the frog image as enclosure for the cards.

 

 

 

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Georgia Pacific, Chatter Box, ColorBok

image/sentiment:  Creative Memories, Verve, Hero Arts, RAKed

tools:  Stampin' Up, Spellbinders, EK Success, Cuttlebug, Janome, Martha Stewart

ink:  Copic

embellishments:  pearls

misc.:  Liquid Pearls, Beaddazzles

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

In the end, I put the cards with the envelopes in plastic packaging then sealed with Fastenator.  Yes, believe it or not, I still use that tool.

Hey guess what???  Today's a snow day... more time to play!

'Til next blog!

Secret Santa

So we're doing "Secret Santa" at work, something I always like to participate in.  I figured it would be a good chance to use my leftover Christmas dp/cardstock and supplies.  

Today, the Secret Santas will be drawing their respective elves.  And to make it more fun, I made tags for each day of the week we're giving gifts.  The names are handwritten on the tag by one person.  That way, nobody can guess through the handwriting who their Secret Santa is.  I put the tags in small manila envelopes, which I embellished a bit.

Then I salvaged this round clear packaging from last Christmas.  I figured it's perfect to put the envelopes in.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  DCWV, ColorBok, red and white copy paper

tools:  EK Success, Cheery Lynn Designs, Creative Memories, Stampin' Up

embellishments:  DCWV stickers, ribbon

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

I wonder who my elf will be???

'Til next blog!

Bless and Keep You

Is it too late for a Fall card?  Well, I just have to share this one which is actually one of the make-and-takes at the Our Daily Bread Designs' booth during the November show in Birch Run.  I was able to make it while waiting for "Walking Dead" to start on TV last Sunday (whoever loves that show growl like a zombie!).

This card showcases Flower Soft and a 3D picture window from the Autumn Scenic Windows topper set.  The scripture is from the Bookmarks Scripture clear stamp set.

I just love how the scenery popped out much more with Flower Soft on it.

'Til next blog!

Adapted Tri-fold Shutter Card

Hello dear reader!  I hope your weekend was great.  I enjoyed mine, with Friday as the first snow day of the school year.  A lot of things were accomplished at home, and I was able to play in my craft room as well.

Before I show my card for today, I want to start with Oozak's latest challenge for this month called "Anything Goes + Red".  The prize this month is an awesome collection of Annie's Attic books.  Six of them to be exact.  And for the month of December, DT video coordinator Sandy Allnock made a video tutorial for Oozak about an "adapted" version of the Tri-fold Shutter Card.

I have seen the Tri-fold Shutter Card a thousand times on the internet, but I just didn't have the interest to even try making one.  I was relieved  to know that there is another person I'm  on the same page with about this particular type of card.  Sandy was able to explain very well why, at least from my part.  After watching her video, I got so excited that I couldn't wait to share it with you.  On the same day, I was able to make my first Tri-fold Shutter Card adaptation.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Georgia Pacific, DCWV

image/sentiment:  Flourishes

ink:  Stampin' Up, Copic, Tsukineko

tools:  Spellbinders, Stampin' Up ticket corner punch

misc.:  embossing powder (Recollections, Tsukineko)

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

 

This card is designed for mailing via the PO.  Given there are already a good number of folds and layers, I opted not to put any embellishments.

 

I love the fact that there is one whole area to write or put something else on.  You can also add more stuff on the silver rectangle you see below, and the smaller areas even.

Kudos to Sandy for sharing an awesome video.  I always like to try something new, and I had so much fun making this card.  You can also see this video on Sandy's Youtube channel:  Sandy Alnock, and the official Oozak website.

'Til next blog!