Sending Love Specialty Paper Milk Carton

Yes, another milk carton. I just can't help myself with these!!! I am SO loving that die cut!!

This one has a special window in it. I wanted to make a round window centered on the carton but I didn't want to punch through the bottom of the carton flap. How to do that was the question. A side window! That was what would work! Now this did take a bit of thinking. Fortunately I used the Stampin' Up! "Sending Love" specialty decorative paper so I didn't have to decorate the outside first. I like to do the stamping on these die cuts before I fold the creases. It gives the images a more solid surface to stamp on.

I folded the scores in and folded the carton together to see where the front was going to be so I knew where to punch the window. This window takes several circle punches to do. First you punch a hole for the window in the carton. Then you punch a hole in some Real Red card stock. You take a larger punch and punch a ring around the hole you just made. Line it up so you get it as close to even all around as you can. Punch it out and you have a ring to go over the window.

I cut a piece of scrap acetate and scored it before I glued it in place. Once that dried enough to work with I glued the rest of the carton together except for the top.

To glue on the ring I first folded it in half so it would go on easier and also so I knew where the center was to set it in place on the corner.

I filled the box with some red candies and I actually glued this box shut. Whoever gets this is going to have to work for their candy!!! LOL

And the last thing I did was I took the "Heart to Heart" punch and some Real Red card stock and punched out the three hearts. I sponged the edges in Real Red ink and glued them in place on the carton. It gave it that festive "Valentine" look! As I look at this carton I think it would be cool to have windows on every corner!!! Hmmm! I may just have to give that a try!

These are very easy to make and extremely fun! I have yet to find anything that comes off that die cut not fun!!! And trust me I have a lot more ideas coming off that die cut! Those of you who have this die cut, are you having fun with it? And for those of you who don't, I hope you are enjoying these posts. I was thinking of sending out a few milk carton die cuts to a few of you and seeing if you would like to decorate one and send me a picture to display on here. Does it sound like a fun thing? Any takers???

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Do it Yourself! Weekend Project

I can't believe it's Christmas eve. I'm all ready for the next two days. Well, lets just say I'm ready for today. I need to do a little more cleaning to be ready for my company on Christmas day. If the company arrives that is. We are in the midst of a blizzard. I LOVE snow but I didn't order this for Christmas. I usually put my order in after Christmas! But the temps are suppose to be around 32 or 33 which means it may be snowman snow. SO I may not have to clean and will be found out in the yard making a snowman. I did have to resort to drastic measures last week and I will share it with you later. It's kind of embarrassing to let the world know but I do have to show you what desperation can lead to!!

Anyway, this little project is not one of desperation. Though it ranks pretty close to it. I was wondering if I could make a giant snowflake rubber stamp using the snowflake die cut. I had gotten a piece of plumbing rubber and ran it though the Sizzix machine like you would card stock. And out came a wonderful snowflake rubber stamp!! How cool is that? You can do this will all of your die cuts that have an image of interest!

I have a few that have flowers on them and I think it would be fun to cut some of them out and use them as a shadow behind the original die.

The white image is cut from card stock. The red one is cut from rubber and the final photo is the rubber piece the snowflake was cut from. I kept it because there is still lots of rubber left to use on it. I thought about using it as a stencil but a card stock one is much better, it's thinner and I can make one anytime I need one!

Isn't this fun? And SO easy too!!! I think this giant snowflake rubber stamp would make a great background image. You could also use it on your card stock after you die cut out the original snowflake though you would have to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to get the image stamped evenly. I think it would be almost impossible to stamp the image and then run it through the Sizzix and cut it out. You'd have to be pretty darn good at that to cut it out around your stamped image!!! I tried several times and failed each time.

Have fun with this idea. Now you'll be going through your dies to see what you can make a rubber stamp with, won't you?

Have a Wonderful day and thank you for visiting,
Wanda

Socks & Dots!

What a strange title for this post, isn't it? Well, the title explains it all!! There is a box of Dots and around that box is a sock! I got these adorable snowflake socks at Target's Dollar Spot. I put the box of theater size Dots in one of the socks and then I slid the other sock inside the first sock so they are together. Then I pinned the toe part to the back of the box. I thought it was a fun way to give boxed candy as a stocking stuffer this Christmas!

I wanted to dress up the stocking just a bit more so I got out some punches and punched 6 circles per body part! I used a 1-3/4" punch on the bottom, a 1-1/4" punch for the center and a 1" punch for the head. The hat was made by taking a strip of black card stock, scoring it and forming a hollow back box. I cut a 1-1/4" black circle and cut that in half. I taped the top part of the hat to it. Inside the hollow part I added several pieces of Pop Up glue dots and stuck it to the stocking. The body parts were stuck on with double sided tape. I wanted to affix the snowman with something that is removable but yet won't ruin the socks. Oh, I almost forgot the arms. They are made using one of my Sizzix dies. I'll be sharing what I make with that die with you later in the week.

These are very fun and quick to make too. After you punch out the circles you just fold them in half and glue them in place on a single circle. Isn't this a fun way to dress up the front of a gift. This would work well too on a wrapped gift. You know, one done with regular wrapping paper and not socks!!! But not as cute!!! LOL

You can also make your own box to fit inside the sock and add your own special gift instead of candy.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

From Flowers to Shiny Snowflakes!

I am having such fun with my die cuts and the piece of aluminum I found in the garage. I laugh every time I make something with that aluminum. Last spring we were cleaning out the garage and I found a roll of aluminum and we decided to put it in the spring garage sale as a free item. No one took it. Shocking, I know. But meant to be! After all it was aluminum and it could be recycled for cash. I wasn't aware it was aluminum at the time, I just thought it was sheet metal but yet knew we didn't want it in the garage anymore. SO after the garage sale it was still there so we put it on a shelf in the garage and thought we'd find another way to get rid of it. And we didn't!!! Another "meant to be!"

When I was thinking of what to make with the aluminum, I thought of the snowflake die cut so I cut one out. Then I thought I would affix two together so I cut out another one. I used glue dots so stick them together but I thought I could do something more with it. You can read how to make that snowflake candle holder here. So after making the candle holder I went on to make a couple more things with the die cuts. Click here to see what can be made with die cuts, including the aluminum ones! But I wasn't done creating nor was I out of aluminum! LOL

SO I got out the Stampin' Up! "Flower Daisies" die cut and cut out two of each piece. I stuck them all together with glue dots and added a jumbo brad to each side. I added a hanging cord and then stuck the two sides together. It looks like a snow burst ornament.

This ornament can be covered with Dazzling Diamonds or micro beads. The edges could be sponged with blue StazOn and it can even be heat embossed or spray painted!!! Use your imagination on decorating this or just leave it as it is. The tree lights reflecting on it will be pretty too!

I've had several people ask me about selling kits for the snowflake candle holder. If you are interested please email me here.

These are great for Hostess Gifts, Customer Appreciation Gifts, Make N Takes, Craft Fairs and even a fun Stamp Camp Items.

Thank you SO much for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

Flaky Frames! Weekend Project

Here is a fun snowflake frame I made using the Sizzix Snowflake die cut and a couple of pieces of aluminum.

To make this ornament you will first need to put on some work gloves. Ones that are thick enough so you don't cut yourself on the aluminum.

Now cut a piece of aluminum to fit the die cut. Run it through the machine as you would for card stock. Make two snowflakes. Once they have gone through the Sizzix machine they are no longer sharp on the edges and you can handle them with bare hands.

To stick these together I used a few glue dots. They are sticky enough to hold these together. Be sure to get the snowflakes lined up and on straight. Once you put them together with the glue dots they are on there pretty tight. You can remove a snowflake to reposition it but it is not easy and the snowflakes do bend easy.

I punched out a circle the size I wanted for my photo and I punched out my photo and taped the two pieces together. Then I stuck the photo to the snowflake with glue dots too. The circle needed a bit more around the edges and as I was looking around my workroom to see what I could use I found the string of pearls. I stuck them around the photo using the small glue dots. I took the glue dot and rolled it up and then cut it in half. I stuck it on every two or three pearls until I made it all the way around the photo.

You can add glitter or the clear micro beads to the snowflake to give it some more sparkle and you can find other items to use around the circle to jazz up the center of the snowflake! You can add a string to it to hang it on the tree or use it on your gifts.

You can pick up aluminum at any hardware store. Mine came in a roll. It may come in sheets, I don't know you'd have to look. A roll of this stuff goes a LONG way!!!

These are fun to make and make great gifts. They would also make a fun Stamp Camp item and even a fun Make N Take too!! Have fun making these. The are quick to do, especially when you use glue dots. There's no waiting for anything to dry!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Havin' Fun With My Sizzix Dies! Weekend Project

I used the Stampin' Up! "Fancy Favor" box die cut. Lately when I've been creating "things" with this die cut I've been cutting off the scallop on the top. I don't really need it on there and for my projects it just doesn't look right with it there. Cutting the scallop off the top doesn't take away from the surface area you are working on, you are only cutting off the scallop. Click here to see the latest things I made with this die cut. And you can click here to see other Sizzix die projects.

This is a great project for kids to help with too. You can assemble the box for them and let them have fun decorating it up the way they would like!

This would also make a great Stamp Camp item, a fun Hostess gift or Customer Appreciation gift. And possibly a salable item at Craft Fairs.

I got my pencils at the dollar store and that little witch head is actually a Halloween them eraser. There were a dozen of them in the package for a dollar!! Such a deal. I stuck her on a wooden BBQ skewer and cut it to the length I needed for the box. SO quick and simple!! Isn't she adorable in an ugly sort of way!!! LOL

I cut my box out of black card stock. I used some retired decorative papers that I had! Yup, I still have some of those left too but the stash is slowly going down. I stamped the cat image on it before I affixed it to the box front. The cat is from the "Stampin' Up! "Halloween Frights" set. I added my own scallop to the top. It has a flat edge on the upper part and the scallop is laid over the layered decorative paper.

This is a pretty easy project to do and an extremely fun one to decorate! You can decorate these up for any occasion, event or holiday!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

It's Still Snowing! Weekend Project

Yup, it's still snowing aluminum snowflakes here! I cut out two more snowflakes and wanted to make an ornament. I set one on top of the other and thought it was ok but wondered if I could make it more of a 3-D ornament. Well, I didn't quite know how to do that. SO I cut two more snowflakes out of card stock so I could play around.

I cut a notch up to the center of one flake and did the same for the other. I put the notches together and I had a 3-D snowflake.

I wanted to make the snowflake a bit frostier looking so I added some Crystal Effects on the ends and dipped them in some clear micro beads. It looked ok but needed a bit more so when that was dry I added a bit more Crystal Effects and sprinkled on some Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Now that was just what the snowflake needed.

I used Crystal Effects to "glue" the snowflake together. Once it was set I added a bit more to the outsides where the notches were just to be sure. This snowflake is very solid and SO pretty!

These were VERY easy to make and not to mention how fun it was too!

It's amazing that once you cut the aluminum with the die cut it's not sharp on the edges anymore. I'm sure it's sharp to a degree but not like it is before you put it on the die cut. I use gloves when working with any metals. A cut hand sets my work back for several days, it's best to be safe than sorry!

Have fun making these. They would look great sitting on the dinner table or around the house! And not to mention how pretty they would look on the tree, indoors or out. Though I don't know how well the beads and the glitter would last, I never tested it out. I made mine for indoor use.

Thank you SO much for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Weekend Project

What fun you can have with some scrap aluminum and a die cut!!! This is such an odd thing. I had this roll of aluminum that I ran across in the garage last spring and we put it in the garage sale for free!! And no one took it! Imagine that!! SO I figured that this project was one of those "meant to be" ones! I don't know how the idea came to me but it did. I think I was going to make just one snowflake or see how it would cut. It was on a week that Michael's had a 50% off coupon and I saw that they had the snowflake die cut in stock so if I ruined mine I could get another one pretty inexpensive. I ran a piece of aluminum through the Sizzix and liked what I saw. But it didn't look like a very full snowflake so I made another one. I set one on top of the other and thought it looked cute. It didn't lay flat and as I was trying to straighten it out I bent up the ends of the snowflakes on the top snowflake. Then the idea of a candle in the middle came to mind. But how was I going to make it stay in the middle? I couldn't glue it. I had to make it so it could be refilled or replaced. And with the battery operated ones you had to be able to turn it on and replace batteries. It needed a separate holder.

What to do? What to do? I didn't want to abandon the idea, I liked where it was going. Then it came to me. Use the center flower part from the Stampin' Up! "Flower Daisies #2" die. SO I took a smaller piece of aluminum and cut one of those out. I centered the candle on it and bent the petals up around the candle. I did turn the flower over so the back side was on top. I wanted the smoother looking side to show around the candle. When I finished doing that I liked what I saw.

But now, what to use to stick it all together? Would something as simple as glue dots work? Why yes they did!!! I added several of them around the areas that were in contact with each other. And trust me those little buggers hold pretty tight. I tried to reposition my candle and it was very difficult to remove them. It does bend the aluminum when you do that so be sure you know exactly where you want to stick the candle before you commit to it!

Now you can decorate it as you will or leave it as it is, either way it's a very pretty centerpiece.

It's amazing that once you cut the aluminum with the die cut it's not sharp on the edges anymore. I'm sure it's sharp to a degree but not like it is before you put it on the die cut. I use gloves when working with any metals. A cut hand sets my work back for several days, it's best to be safe than sorry!

Have fun making them!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes!

Here are some of the boxes I demoed last month. I used the Fancy Bag die cut. Instead of making it into a bag I decided to try to make a box with it. It makes the die cut a more versatile piece of equipment when you can do more than what it was designed to do. To make a box you just don't fold the side score lines and you fold it inside out, meaning you fold it so the deeper score lines are on the inside.

Here's the instructions for making the notepad holder box:

1. On your Fancy Favor Die cut piece cut off the top edge.

2. If you want the box stamped, now is the time to do it. This one is stamped using the “Sparkle” jumbo wheel. Stamp on the side that has lighter score marks.

3. Fold on the score lines except for the side ones that form a bag. You want to keep this a box. Tape the box together. Cut a piece of card stock to drop in the inside bottom. You need a little more stability on the bottom of the box. Measure the bottom of the box to get the size.

4. Using the “Eyelet Border” punch, punch out an 11" piece. Cut it to 3/4" wide when done. Set in place on top of the box and begin wrapping it around the box. Pinch the fold lines and then tape in place.

5. Stamp the words and punch them out using the “Word Window” punch. The words here are from the “Teeny Tiny Wishes” set. Punch out the “Modern Label” piece in Real Red card stock. Tape the words on top.

6. For the bulbs, ink the image with Real Red craft ink and emboss with clear embossing powder. Punch out with the “Ornament” punch.

7. Stamp the word “notes” using the “Note to Self” set. Punch it out with a 3/4" circle punch. Add “notes” to the bulb using a Dimensional. Offset the words so the bulb can be placed at a slight angle on the box. Set all the pieces on the box for placement, when you are satisfied where you set them, tape them in place. Do not tape the top of the bulb, you will need to slip the holly under it.

8. For the holly use the Sizzix “Little Leaves” die cut. Clip the leaf edges to form the holly. Tape in place under the bulb.


For the scratch pad holder you will need a sheet of card stock. On the 8-1/2" side score it at 5-1/4" and then again at 5-3/4". On the 11" side score at 2-3/4" and at 5-7/8". There are now 6 rectangles on your card stock. 4 large ones and two small thin ones. On one end cut away two large rectangles on each side and two small rectangles. When cutting the 2 smaller ones cut a little bit into the next rectangle. You will be doing this so the notebook lays flat in the holder. When you are done cutting you will have the center rectangles (three of them, one on each end and a thin one in the middle). And you will have on one end three rectangles. The side ones are the flaps. Fold all score lines. Fold one flap down and tape the other flap on top of it. Slide your scratch pad inside. Decorate the front as desired.

The second photo here is another box front I made using decorative paper on the front and sides. And you can make the notebooks accordingly.

And lastly there is the Santa box. I used punches for the feet, "fur" and buckle. I wanted to use brushed gold card stock but I was out of it so I had to use More Mustard. It worked out but not how I wanted it to be! SO guess what I ordered??? You guessed it, brushed gold card stock!! This can be used as a party favor and you can even decorate notepads for the inside of this one too! You can really have a lot of fun with this die cut! I have a few more ideas I'm going to be putting down on paper soon and they will be appearing on the blog shortly! To see other items using Sizzix Die Cuts just click here.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A New Photo!

Here is another photo of the "Razzlebox" that I posted yesterday. It seems that when I take photos of my boxes I take them head on and you can't tell it's really a box. It could be a piece of decorated card stock for all you know!!! But really, it was a box and here is the proof!!! Taking the picture this way gives it a whole new and even better look!!!

Maybe someday I'll take that free class on how to use my camera and maybe I'll get some tips on how to take better photos!! But for now you just have to suffer along with me!!! LOL

Pretty cute box, huh? I just LOVE that die cut!!!

Flower Embosslits Card

I thought I would play with the flower embosslit die. These dies are great because the not only cut the image out but them emboss it too.

I cut two flowers out of Pink Pirouette and one out of Pretty in Pink. I folded them in half but a bit crooked so I could get it to show more petals. Then I sponged the edges. I taped the folded flower together too.

Then I punched a 3/4" circle out of white card stock and I glued it in place over the hole of the flower. I did not like the look of the white and because I glued it instead of taping it I found it almost impossible to remove. SO I took the Barely Banana marker and colored in the white c
centers of the flower. It instantly took the "blah" out of the flowers!!!

For the leaves and stem part I used one of the images in the Stampin' Up! "Flower Fancy" set. I just taped off the flower and inked the image using Garden Green. I stamped the image on a piece of white card stock, colored the leaves in and then sponged the edges. Then I added a layer of Pretty in Pink behind it. I then taped the flowers in place.

I had cut a piece of white card stock to layer on top of my Pretty in Pink base of the card. I sponged the edges and set it on top of the Pretty in Pink. As I was looking at it I thought it too had a blah look to it so I ran it through the Cuttlebug using the Dotted Swiss folder. It really did add a lot to the background.

I had the Happy Birthday printed on the computer a while back. I had printed out a full piece of card stock with them. I still have 10 or so left and I probably have 10 or so birthday's left till the end of the year too!!

I punched the words out with the 1-1/4" circle punch. The layer behind it is a 1-3/8" circle using Pirouette Pink and the scalloped layer was pushed using Pretty in Pink card stock. I taped the layers together and set it in place on the card.

I still wasn't liking the looks of the card so I took my white gel pen and added some dots to the flowers. I liked it. And As long as I had my pen out I went ahead and added some dots to the scallop. It just seemed to finish off the card!!! It is now ready to write in and send off to that special birthday gal!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Spice It Up!

Literally!!!  I am such a recycler.  I believe that you should use an item at least one more time before you have to put it in the recycling bin or toss it.  This spice jar is one of those "toss" items.  But it's SO cool because it's got a built in grinder on the top.  I removed the label and tossed it all in the dishwasher.  It came out nice and clean and I was happy because I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.

I mixed up a batch of my chicken herb seasoning and put some in the grinder.  I wasn't sure how I was going to do the label.  I knew the computer and printer would be involved since I don't have a stamp that reads "Poultry Seasoning."  And I don't think I've ever seen one like that either!!!

I had just gotten the "Lots of Tags" die cuts and there was one in there that I was intrigued with!!!  It fit with the large oval punch so I was all set.  I printed out the words using the Always Artichoke RBG code.  Then I punched out the oval.  I ran the die cut through the Big Shot and I was ready to do the final details and put it on the jar.  I sponged the oval piece, it was just too white looking without it.  I used the Anywhere Glue Stick to stick the die cut tag part to the jar.  I wrapped a rubber band around the tag and jar and allowed the glue to set up.  Then I glued the oval to the tag and again I wrapped the rubber band around it until it was dry.  It's all set in place exactly where I want it but it was still missing something.  I added a ribbon and tied a bow and that completed the jar.  Now if I were to fill my spice rack with these I would certainly NOT put the bows on.  They would eventually get dirty and look awful.  But this one is for a gift so I thought the bow would look cute.  I didn't glue it so it can be removed.

SO try to recycle things at least once before you send them to the recycling bin or the trash can!!!  There's treasures to be found in everything.  Well, in most things!!!  LOL

These would make great gifts and even a great Stamp Camp item if you can get enough spice jars saved!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Snow in September!!!!

I was playing around with the BigKick and the snowflake die cuts. I LOVE them all. Now I can have snow any time I want it!!! LOL

I tried several mediums and found that I like the Fun Foam the best. Oh and while I stopped in The Dollar Tree this weekend to get "ONE" thing (yeah, right!!!) I saw they had packages of fun foam. And being it is a dollar store they were "only" a dollar. The "only a dollar" kills me every time I see something there I think I "might" be able to alter!!! LOL And I did not buy them all. I only bought 2 packages of it!!!

Ok, back to the snowflakes. Aren't they cute??? You can get the Fun Foam in different thicknesses and you can also get it with a sticky back too. Those are wonderful because it can be a bit touchy getting the snowflakes all glued up before the glue dries!! I thought I would make mine into garland. I need to cut out a few more and add them to the garland, I need it just a bit longer. It didn't take long at all to make.

I punched holes in the ends of the snowflakes so I could add the prongs of the brad in each one. The fun brads came from the "Pretties Kit." They were perfect for the garland!! It added just the right bling. You can also add glitter to the fun foam. I chose not to, I wear enough of that stuff on a weekly basis that I thought I'd take some time off from it.

I have some plans for a few of the other die cuts and I'll be sharing my creations with you in between technique sheets!!! SO much to do!! LOL

Thank you every SO much for stopping by,
Wanda