Sweet Talk, Valentine's Day Bag, Weekend Project, 2022 Stampin' Up! Spring Catalog

I don't often make many cards or gifty items for Valentine's Day. It's a one day thing and it's over. It's not like you decorate all month for it or prepare for weeks for it. You give a card, maybe some candy or a token of your love and that's it. Done. So I usually make one or two cards and sometimes a 3-D item. In my email today I got a "Treat Box" tutorial from Split Coast Stampers.  It was called a "Shaped Window Treat Box". Though it seems more of a bag to me than a box.  But I played along because I thought it was cute and would be fun.

The Designer Series Paper (DSP) is from the "Sweet Talk" 12" x 12" package and it was cut at 6-3/4" x 11-1/4".  The instructions for scoring and cutting on their site. I gave the size so you know what size piece of DSP you would need should you decide to make one. So if you've the a piece of DSP large enough, head on over there and take a look at the instructions. There's also a video. I just used the written instructions. Here's a link to the instructions, though I think you need to sign up to get them. They don't bug you or sell your info so your email won't be bombarded by a ton of junk mail.  I signed up many years ago and was a member for quite a few years but quit when the shop I worked at closed and I no longer had a job to help pay for fun things. There's a lot of techniques on their site plus TONS of card sketches (card layouts).  Every week there's something new. 

I added some birdseed to the bag and stapled the bag shut. I didn't like the squeezing of the sides to get the bag to close. If I were to make this again, I would add some score lines at the side pieces about 1" down from the top edge to make that "pinch" a bit easier and crisper.

I opted to do my bird Valentine's.  I hadn't done them in a few years. I think they are fun and school kids should give these out instead of cards and candy or whatever they give out now a days!  

The words are as follows:

I gave a hundred Valentine’s

A hundred, did I say?

I gave a thousand Valentine’s

One cold and wintry day.

I didn’t put my name on them

Or any other words

Because my Valentine’s were seeds

For February Birds!

I just printed them out and die cut them with a "Tasteful Labels" die. I lined up the die so the words were close to the bottom and folded the top edge over the top edge of the bag. I had stapled the bag shut and I glued the words on top. I added a bow and the bag was done. I can see making these for Easter!! Probably with candy this time!  LOL

This was a fun project and there's going to be some happy birds out there!

Thank you SO very much for taking your time to stop by and see today's Valentine's Day gift bag,
Wanda

Snowman Season, Candy Bar Holder Sleeve, Stocking Stuffer, Teacher Gift

Today I thought another "Weekend Project" was in order.  Who doesn't love these fun Candy Bar Wrappers/Sleeves? They make great stocking stuffers and gifts for teachers, mail carries, the UPS driver, etc.!  And they are very simple to make.  It's basically how much you want to embellish it that takes up the time.  I like to keep mine simple because I make so many of them to give away.

The sleeve itself is a piece of Whisper White card stock that measures 5-1/2" x 6-1/2".  You can get two from one sheet of card stock.  You will need to score the piece on the short side at 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 3-3/4" and 4". I also find scoring these a little difficult because I am going against the grain of the card stock.  Yup, paper has a grain.  I like to burnish the score lines to make them nice and crisp so they fit around the candy bar nicely.  Oh the candy bar is a 1.55 oz Hershey bar.  The one I use for my samples is SO old it expired back in 2014. I wrote on the back with a Sharpie, "DO NOT EAT. IT'S OLD".  I don't even want to guess what it looks like on the inside!! LOL  But it' beats running to the store every time I wanted to make these.  And I don't want to toss it out. I never know when I am going to make one and I like to have it on hand. Remember when they used to be wrapped in foil and had their own sleeve?  I used a thin piece of wood and wrapped it in the foil and used that (until the wrapper change of 2003.  LOL  That date is accurate, I actually looked it up.

Okay, once the score lines are nice and crisp, place the candy bar inside and glue the seam. I like to glue the edges.  The edge on the inside I glue on top and the edge that is on the outside, I add glue to the inside of it. I prefer to use glue, because I know glue is going to stay stuck. Now set it aside to dry for a bit while you cut your pieces for the front.

For the front I used a piece of Shaded Spruce card stock and I cut it 5-3/8" x 2-1/8".  I cut the Designer Series Paper (DSP) from the "Let it Snow" 12" x 12" pack at 5-1/4" x 2".  I taped the two pieces together.  

I die cut the snowman from the "Let it Snow" DSP using the second largest Stitched Oval die.  Then I die cut a Shaded Spruce scalloped oval for the layer behind it.  I taped those two layers together.  

Then I punched out a hat from the "Let it Snow" DSP and set it in place on the snowman using Dimensionals.

I took two arms from the "Let it Snow" embellishment kit and stuck them on the snowman. I also took a Shaded Spruce felt scarf from the kit and glued it onto the snowman.  

I took the first panels I had made and stamped the "Thinking of you at Christmas" from the "Itty Bitty Christmas" set using Shaded Spruce ink.  Then I taped that panel to the candy bar wrapper.

I put Dimensionals behind the oval piece and set it in place on top of the falling snow layer.  I slid the candy bar in the sleeve and that was it.

Super cute, fun and makes a great and inexpensive gift!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

If you came here from Pinterest, scroll up and click on the header "My Creative Corner" and you will be brought to my entire blog, way beyond just this post.  Have fun viewing!!

Petite Petals, Falling in Love DSP, Mother's Day Gift Bag

This bag looks much bigger in the photo than it is in person. I have a gift for a friend and I was going to make a box for it but I thought that a bag would be more fun.  I made some at Christmas and had a blast making them.  When I assemble them I ALWAYS use glue.  I don't feel that tape holds well enough.  This bag is 1" deep x 1-3/4" wide x 4-1/4" tall.

I had a 1/4 piece of doily left from another project so I glued it in the corner of the upper part of the bag.  Then I punched out a flower using Sweet Sugarplum card stock.  I die cut a leaf from the "Stylish Stems" framelits.  I thought that little leaf was so cute and it looks adorable on here.  I used Old Olive card stock for that leaf.

I punched two holes in the top of the bag so I could add the ribbon and tie a bow.

The instructions for the ribbon can be found here.  Handles can be added instead of punching holes and adding bows.  Just make sure you glue them and not tape them.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Sending Love, Valentine's Day Bag, Weekend Project

Today you don't need any stamps or ink, unless you want to add something different on the front! I had made a bunch of these fun bags in December. I sold some at the craft fairs and I used some for gifts.  

I filled these with Valentine's Day candy!  These bags aren't very large so you don't need much candy!  I these bags are 2 Hershey Miniatures and 2 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!  Such fun!

I found the instructions for the bag here.  It's easy enough to do too.  You just score a 6" x 6" piece of decorative paper.  The paper from the "Sending Love" 6" x 6" stack worked perfect. 

The scoring is as follows, 1-7/8", 2-7/8", 4-3/4, 5-3/4" . Turn 1/4 turn and score at 1", 5" and 5-1/2". Once you score these, fold all score lines, it will help you see them better.  You will need to snip the bottom to make the 1" fold over flaps.  Snip up 1" to the score line.  The other end has two smaller score lines.  These are folded over and used like a "cuff".  I like to put my bags together with glue.  I find it holds better than tape, even the super sticky tape.  Tape will eventually give way, give it time! That is why I prefer glue.  It doesn't take that long for glue to set up and if you make the bag first, the glue will set up while you are gathering and making the other elements of your bag.

Here I die cut 2 glitter hearts and set them in place with Dimensionals.  I also punched two holes in the top of each bag and threaded some Baker's Twine though them and tied a bow.  I actually tied the top shut using 3 knots and then I tied the bow!  They're not getting into this bag very easily!!! LOL

These are fun to make and would make great teacher to student, student to teacher, or student to student gifts.  Something nice to put in the mail box for your mail carrier. For a friends desk, for a neighbor, etc.  

Have fun with these!!!  Just a note here, these are very ADDICTIVE to make!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Cookie Cutter Christmas Holiday Bag Tutorial

Oh my, what a fun tote this was.  I made a bag a while back and thought it would be fun as a Christmas bag. You can see the original bag I made here and a link to the instructions to make them for yourself.  

I used the Santa from the "Cookie-Cutter Christmas" set.  I can't wait to play with it more.  There's SO many cute images in it.  And the best part is the set has a matching punch which makes it SO easy to stamp and punch out a bunch of these cuties.  You can fit 3 Nestle Crunch fun size bars in the bag.  

I stamped, colored and punched out the Santa.  I set him on top of a piece of Old Olive card stock that was die cut using the scalloped oval.  I added the oval using Dimensionals.  I added a ribbon bow to the top.  I did struggle with this ribbon, it didn't want to stay taped together, so I ended up hot gluing it. I did set it in place with a pop up glue dot and so far that is holding, but I couldn't use one on the other parts of the bow to hold the ends in place or it would have been TOO bulky.  

This bag was SO much fun to make and I'm hoping to make more before Christmas.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Hang Your Stocking Bag and Stencil Technique

This was a fun gift I gave to my friend Sue for giving me a ride to an event in September.  I wanted to make her something fun and different.  There's several fun things going on here.

First of all I used the "Cable Knit" embossing folder.  Be sure to mist it first so you get a nice crisp clean embossing look. It could tear your paper if you don't.  Oh and don't cut your card stock first, the embossing will shrink your paper a bit.

Once it's embossed, let it dry and then cut it.  In the meantime you can work on the other parts of this bag.  

I had some snowflakes left over from cutting out stockings from Dazzling Diamonds card stock.  I sporadically placed them on top of the bag.  I made a belly band.  That band has a strip of "Candy Cane Lane" Washi tape that was set on a piece of Whisper White card stock and cut on the edges.  I added a piece of doily paper to the bottom of it. Then I attached it to the belly band.  

The Noel is from the "Hang your Stocking" set with matching die.  I cut it out using Dazzling Diamonds card stock.  I sprayed it with rubbing alcohol and Emerald Envy inker added to it.  I let it dry and then glued it in place.  I added a bow with 3 jingle bells attached. One of the jingle bells I colored with a red Sharpie marker.  

For the Pearson Mints, I used a fun technique.  I took a piece of Whisper White card stock and sponged the snowflake on.  To get the stencil for the snowflake, I punched out the stocking with the snowflake. I punched it using a Window sheet.  I taped the stocking back in place and left the snowflake off.  I just set the stencil on the card stock and sponged on the color.  Super easy!!!  I die cut it with the circle dies and I also die cut a Real Red scallop to go behind it.  I added a rhinestone to the center and that was it!!!  Wouldn't these be cute on your desk come Christmas time?

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Hang Your Stocking, Hershey Bar Pull, Candy Bar Gift Holder

I should have taken the picture of this on a lighter background.  You can't see the Hershey bar sticking out the top. 

This is a very fun candy bar pull.  I have some very easy instructions for you too so you can make your own.

Here I used the "Hang Your Stocking" set to make it.  I layered the decorative paper on the front. You don't need to decorate the back or sides.

I did take the paper fastener (brad) and heated it with the embossing heat tool.  I held it with a pliers.  I dipped it in the white embossing powder and I repeated this a couple more times. I wanted a nice thick coat of white on the fastener. Originally I was not going to do anything with it but when I set it on the paper, I thought it made the holder look cheap. So that is when I decided to color it with embossing powder.  I used a red enamel heart on the center of it.  I could have left it just white but I had the hearts and I thought it would look nice on there and it did!!

Here are the instructions to make them:

Cut card stock 5-1/2" x 6-1/2"
Score on the short side at:
   1-1/4", 1-1/2", 3-3/4", 4"
15" ribbon
Paper fastener embossed in 
   white
DSP 6-3/8" x 2-1/8"
DSP 1-3/4" x 3-1/4"
Card stock layer 2" x 3-1/2"
Dimensionals
Enamel heart

Glue

Double sided tape

Cut and score card stock.  Add DSP. Add small DSP and card stock layer.

Die cut stocking, set in place with Dimensionals.

Stamp words and die cut out with ovals.

Mark inside 3/4" down from center and poke hole for paper fastener

Attach words, insert paper fastener, go though holder and go through the front of holder,  go through the ribbon. You nay need to cut a little slit in the ribbon to get the fastener to go through. Lay ribbon down the inside of holder. Set candy bar on top. Bring ribbon over the candy bar and let the end of
the ribbon hang out the top. Glue holder shut. Tie a knot in the ribbon. Pull on ribbon and candy bar slides out.

These make great stocking stuffers.  They are also a great little gift for someone like the mail carrier, or the UPS driver, your favorite bank teller, a neighbor, the kiddies teacher, etc!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today and have fun making them!!

Wanda

A Hang Your Stocking Tic Tac Toe Game

I was digging in one of my many drawers of junk and found this fun Tic Tac Toe wooden game.  I had gotten it a while back at Oriental Trading and much to my surprise, they still carry it.  It's item # 27/1075.  

To make this, I cut pieces of Whisper White card stock to cover the wooden pieces already on the board. I needed to cover up the old X's and O's. I sponged the edges with Real Red before I glued them in place with Aleen's Tacky Glue.

I used the snowflakes from one of the die cut stockings and I used the tree die cut to make the images for the game.  I sponged the trees Garden Green and a little Soft Suede on the trunks.  It's light on the Dazzling Diamonds card stock.  I scrubbed the color in with a sponge and it ended up being light because it rubbed off on my paper towel. Once it was done rubbing off it ended up light. Which is okay, you can still tell a tree from a snowflake!

For the snowflakes, I sponged them with Pacific Point and this light blue is what I got.  These colors are a little more vivid in person.  

This now a fun little game with a Christmas theme!

This is one of the items that I displayed at my demo table at Terri's extravaganza.  All the demos there were items from the new 2016 Occasions catalog.  It was a fun time and lots of fun things to see. 

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda 

An You've Got This and Flourishing Phrases Framed Art

I have not done a 3-D stamped item in a very long time.  So, I thought I would give it a try.  I had gotten some fun frames at The Dollar Store and I thought I'd have some fun.

I took a piece of decorative paper from the "Blossoms & Bliss" pack and cut it to the size of the mat that came with the frame.  I ran tape all across the back of the paper.  Then I set it on top of the mat and pressed it in place.  Then I took my craft knife and cut out the center opening.  

I took a piece of Whisper White card stock and stamped the background that comes with the  "You've Got This" set.  Then I stamped the flower and fussy cut it out.  I don't cut perfect though it looks like I do.  There is a secret to that. First of all you do need to cut as close to the edge of the lines as possible.  It always seems like there's some white showing and that's okay.  After you color in your image then you take a black marker and run it along the edges of the image.  All of those irregular cut marks just blend in.  Give it a try, you'll be amazed.

The words are from the "Flourishing Phrases" stamp set.  They just seemed to be perfect for the person I'm going to give this to.

I did have fun making this and I think I'm going to see what other stuff I have sitting in drawers in my workroom. I'm sure there's LOTS of 3-D art stuff in them!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Blossom Builder and Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Bath Salts Gift Bag Weekend Project

While looking though my notebooks, I ran across a recipe for bath salts.  I have not made any in a long time.  They are super easy to make and the link to my easy recipe can be found below. 

For my bag I used the "Birthday Bouquet" decorative paper. I took a 5/8" x 10-1/2" strip of Mint Macaron card stock to make a band for the bag.  I didn't like the idea of stapling the bag closed.  It's too pretty of a paper to do that plus the paper will probably rip when someone opens it.  I embellished the band with a flower and leaf from the "Blossom Builder" Thinlit set. I also cut the heart out from the "Mini Treat Bag" Thinlits. I cut the Mint Macaron and Whisper White at the same time.  I trimmed the edges of the white so it would have a nice border around the heart.  Next I took the "My Friend" from the "Six Sided Sampler" set and stamped the white heart. I taped the two hearts together and added a flower.

Next I mixed up a batch of bath salts.  You can pour as much 

as you want in the baggie.  I get my baggies at Wal-Mart in their craft section.  My bag was a little large so only one fit in the gift bag.  I usually make smaller ones. That way you can say something like "empty the entire contents of one bag into your bath water, relax and enjoy".  Now I will have to change mine to "add one Tablespoonful to your bath water, relax and enjoy." 

When you make these, it's best to include an ingredients list and directions.  Especially if you make them to sell.  A tip on making the bath salts.  Use a glass bowl to mix it in.  Plastic bowls will hold the smell of the fragrance oils and some of them will start to "melt" the plastic.  They are fine in the plastic bags after they've been thoroughly mixed. I don't know how long they will keep in the plastic bag.  Most people use them soon after they receive them, so I have no feedback on that part.  

You can find my recipe here.  Sometimes you can find a good price on Epsom Salts at Walgreen's, but I usually get mine at Wal-Mart.  

Have fun making these!  They make great gifts for friends, teachers, customer appreciation, hostess appreciation, co-workers, and stocking stuffers.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda 

Botanical Builder & English Garden Lip Balm Holder Weekend Project

Today I wanted to play with something more 3-D than just a card. I had opened up one of the drawers in my workroom and I saw a tube of lip balm.  I had not made a lip balm holder in a long time and there's been so many stamp sets that have come and gone since then that would have been great for this project.  

The pattern is a very simple one and I had found it on Split Coast Stampers.  Here's a little tip for you though.  Not all lip balms are the same height or roundness.  You will need to adjust the top and bottom four cuts so you can add your lip balm.  I would cut and score a piece of copier paper and practice with that before I cut my decorative paper.  

I used the "English Garden" decorative paper here. I embellished it with a flower from the "Botanical Builders" framelit dies.  In the center I added a Daffodil Delight candy dot.  Those are retiring and I have a lot of them to use up! I'm such a hoarder.

Now before I assembled the front, I layered my decorative paper on a piece of Mossy Meadow card stock.  I took some ribbon (mine is retired but I need to start using things up around here) and I taped it to the front center of the holder. Then I glued the layers in place.  You really do need to use glue here because tape just won't hold.  Unless you use some really strong tape.  I prefer the glue because I know that once it dries it's going to hold.  I did set a punch on top of it while the glue was setting up and while I was working on the flower and leaf.  

The reason this lip balm is white is because it is designed for you to add your information on it.  Print it out on a label and wrap it around the lip balm.  Now when you give these to your customers or potential customers they will have your info.  Business cards get lost, misplaces or tossed, but most people hang on to their lip balms!!  LOL

Here is another tip for you if you are planning on making a lot of these.  Print out the pattern from Split Coast Stampers.  Cut it out and use it as a template.  Make sure you mark your top and bottom lines so your holder is custom made for your lip balms.  Those top and bottom lines are what keep the lip balm from falling out of the holder.

These are very fun and really quick to make (and a template would speed up the process!).  Click here to see the Valentine's Day one I made. I made a Halloween one that included a little mirror tile on the inside!  I can't find the link to that, sorry.  I buy my bulk lip balms here.  Have fun making these!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Just for You 2016 Sale-a-Bration Gift Tote Weekend Project

I have not done a "Weekend Project" in a while.  I saw this idea on the net somewhere.  More than likely on Pinterest. My friend Terri came to mind when I saw it.  I wanted to make one for her SO badly.  I happened to have a pack of the large Stampin' Up! cases on hand.  SO, with that in mind, I decided I needed one too!  

What you need to make this is the large wood block case. A door/drawer handle.  Decorative paper and any stamp set you wish to use.  Here I used the "Just for You" Sale-a-Bration set.

Now when I was reading on how someone had made their case, they had their hubby drill holes in the case.  Well, I didn't want to bother my hubby to drill some holes.  I didn't want to drill the holes either.  So what I did was I took a large sewing needle, I lit a candle and then I heated up the needle. Before I did all of this, I had the case marked where the holes need to go.  Next I put the needle in the flame and heated it up.  I poked it into the marked hole and it melted a nice hole in the case.  The screws are pointed and screwed into the holes I made nicely.  You just need a starter hole or your plastic case will crack.  

The screws that come with the handles are way too long.  They are meant for cupboards and or drawers so they go through a thick piece of wood.  These cases are not thick at all.  I read that the gal had her hubby cut off the screws.  That is not an easy task, screws are made of pretty hard metal.  I thought about getting my Dremmel out and putting on the cutting disk but It didn't sound like something I wanted to do. I'd never done it before and wasn't sure how good I would be at it.  SO, I went to the local Ace Hardware store and a nice sales person helped me find what I needed.  I told him I needed some screws that were like the ones in the package but very short, near or under 1". The color didn't matter, which made the task easier for the guy to find them.  The were $.27 each.  I didn't think it was out of line, it was what I needed.  SO I got my 4 screws and went home to work on my totes.  

I had bought my handles at Lowe's for $1.47 each.  Not a bad deal there either.  They are white plastic.

For this tote I used some decorative paper from the "Birthday Bouquet" paper pack.  I used a different design from that same pack for my tote.  I liked just the look of the paper as the design but I really wanted to add something more.  SO I got out the "Just for You" set and stamped the words using Mossy Meadow.  I added a few Blushing Bride flowers.  I used the tip of a Crazy Glue bottle and Melon Mambo for the flower centers.  I used Pear Pizzazz ink for the little bud leaf things!  I sponged the edges using Blushing Bride ink and then sponged the very edge using Melon Mambo.  I layered the word using Pool Party and then Blushing Bride card stock.  

I think it turned out great!  I filled it with a few fun things for Terri and gave it to her last night!!

I wish I had more cases, more handles, and more screws so I could make a bunch of these to be more organized with my "stuff"!  I think I will be getting more cases when I order again.  In the meantime I will be getting some handles and screws so I'm ready!!!  I think they would look great on a shelf. Just grab and go.  In my tote I put my stamping supplies.  Scissors, tape runner, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, a pencil and an eraser.  I'm good to go!!  Now I can't wait to use it!

Have fun with these!!  Imagine how organized you can be with these totes lined up on your shelf!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Playful Pals Polar Bear

These "Playful Pals" are so much fun!  I thought I would make a polar bear.  There's so many fun pieces to the stamp set and to the "Pyramid Pals" Thinlit dies.  All of the pieces here were done with the dies except for the smirk!  I just used a paper punch and then punched a little sliver off the edge.  Oh, and the eyes were also done using a small paper punch.  

Now when you make these fun pyramids, be mindful as to whether or not you want the pyramids to open or to be glued shut.  Since you have to cut out two pieces to form the pyramid, I glue them one at a time.  After I glue the first one, I will glue the bottom only to the second piece and insert it inside the first half I glued.  Now you can see which side you need to glue to have a pyramid that opens or one that is glued shut.  Ones that open are nice because you can put candies or other things inside them. They make great kids party favors.  They also make great co-workers gifts too!!  There's LOTS of ideas you can come up with for uses for these adorable boxes.

A tip if you are using the glitter papers.  You will need to use a large paper clip to hold the seam in place while it dries.  With card stock you just add glue, run your bone folder over the seam and it's good to go. But this glitter paper needs a little more help and time.

These are SO much fun and I have a few ideas for more!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Bloomin' Love and Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Gift

Today I was helping Terri out at her wonderful Stamping Extravaganza. There were SO many tables with new products being demonstrated at them.  I was demonstrating the Pyramid Pals.  I had made quite a few of these adorable critters and I got to tell how do make them and a few tips while assembling them. I'll be sharing more of those critters at a later date.  Anyway, I needed to catch a ride to the event and a dear friend and wonderful demonstrator Lisa offered.  The "Botanical Blossom" card I made here was for her.

I also made this fun bag for her and added some candy jelly hearts inside.  I put them in a small zip bag (not just loose in the paper bag)!!!  

For this bag I used the "Mini Treat Bag" Thinlits.  I LOVE using that little bag.  It's SO easy and it only takes 1-1/2 sheets of the 6" x 6" decorative paper from those fun stack pads.  Since it doesn't take 2 full sheets, I had some left to make the belly band for this bag.  It didn't need the band to hold the bag together, I just added it for some color and contrast.  

The heart is from the new "Bloomin' Heart" Thinlit die.  And the words are from the "Happy Home" set.  It seems like it's getting harder and harder to find words to fit in the 1-1/4" circle.  But I managed.  If I wouldn't have been able to find something, there's always just typing them up on the computer and printing them out! I've done that LOTS of times!  Anyway, I cut the flower using Rose Red card stock.  Then I cut out several flowers (included in the Thinlits pack). and stuck them together using Glue Dots.  Then I put them in the palm of my hand and took the end of a Sharpie marker and pushed in the center so they curved up nicely.  I set them in place using Dimensionals.  For the little leaves I just cut out a Pear Pizzazz flower and cut it apart.

To assemble this project, I first put the bag together.  Then I added the belly band.  You can hide the seam of the band behind the heart if you plan it out ahead of time.  Then I glued the heart in place, bending some of it around to the back of the bag.  I added the flowers and then the word piece using Dimensionals and that was it!  Super fun!!! And I thought it was very pretty!!  Lisa liked it and I appreciated the ride!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Playful Pals Piggy Bank

Today I'm going to share with you one of the critters I've made using the "Playful Pals" and "Pyramid Pals" Thinlits Dies.  

These are SO much fun to make.  You need to cut out two panels and glue them together.  I glue 2 sides so I can keep the back open to add gifts, candies, etc.  This one I glued all sides shut.  I cut a slit in the back before I glued it and then I added a little panel with a slit in it to support the back so the coins don't wear down the cardstock.

I used the dies and cut out the nose and ears with the blush colored glitter paper.  It's such pretty paper.  I can't wait to use some for a few Valentine's Day cards.  

For the eyes I used the 1/8" paper punch and punched a couple dots out of Basic Black cardstock.

It's hard to see in the photo but there's some stamped lines on the front of the pig.  You can tape the pieces in place but I don't think the tape will hold together as well as the glue will. When I set the nose in place I used a Dimensional.  I thought the face could use a little something more.  

For an added touch, I took a circle of cardstock and cut it into a coil and added it for the tail.  

I got the idea for the pig right from the 2016 Occasions Catalog.  There's a few more ideas in there to copy too.  I have made several of these critters and I'll be sharing them with you now and then.  I have other things I'm making that I want to share too.  SO many things, so little time!!! LOL

These are so fun and easy to make and the kids will LOVE making them along with you!!  Or just play alone, it's still fun!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Into the Woods Ghirardelli Candy Holder Gift Card Holder Tutorial Weekend Project

I had gotten some scrap pieces of the "Into the Woods" designer paper from Terri.  I punched out some circles from the flower designs.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them so I just had them stacked on my worktable.  I was going to do this project using the "Flower Shop" stamp set but I couldn't get the flower to look nice on the front.  I needed something a little bigger.  I was looking around at all the stuff on my worktable and I saw those punched circles.  So I picked one up and set it on the holder that was already put together.  I liked it but it still needed something.  It needed a border. I used my Framelits and cut out a 2-3/8" circle.  I taped the two pieces together and I liked what I saw.  

I then made a bow with the "Bow Builder" punch.  I used Rich Razzleberry card stock for that.  When you make these bows it's always a good idea to use your bone folder and curl the card stock a bit first so it rolls instead of folds.  I use the bone folder on all of my pieces.  Once I got the bow glued together I set it in place with a small glue dot.  I do like to glue my bows.  I know they will stay stuck together.  Sometimes glue dots give way.

Now for the instructions on the holder.  You will need to cut your card stock 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".  Sounds like a familiar size!!!  You can make 4 holders out of one sheet of card stock!  So if you are making these for a craft fair it won't dig into your cost of goods much at all.  You will be scoring this piece of card stock on the long side at 2" and 2-1/4".  Fold the scored lines.

Next I added my decorative paper.  The paper I used came from the English Garden designer paper 12" x 12" pack.  The front part of the holder has the corners rounded and so does the decorative paper.  I cut my decorative paper 1-3/4" x 4" for the front piece and 3" x 4" for the inside piece.  I taped the pieces in place on the Mossy Meadow card stock.

I added a Dimensional to the front to corners and folded the piece up and pressed the Dimensionals in place.  Now you can use this as a candy holder or a fun gift card holder.  

Beth, the gal who was showing how to make this holder said she used Ghirardelli Minis on the inside.  I found mine at Walmart in the regular candy section.  They only had the milk chocolate sea salt & almond flavor.  I was hoping for a mixed bag.  I didn't think about the color of the wrapper or I would have done something different with my decorative paper and card stock.  Perhaps Pacific Point???  Anyway, I added a Dimensional to the layered circles and then stuck it on the upper left part of the wrapper.  It's actually on the upper left of the candy, not the wrapper.  I mean it's on the wrapper but I feel the corner of the solid candy behind it. I wanted it over further to the left but it didn't lay right.  Once you get the Dimensional on, you just slip the candy inside the pocket and the circle or your design on the outside.  The Dimensional lets it sit there nicely.  I added the bow with a mini glue dot and it was done!!  Cute, huh?  And they're super EASY to make!!!

These would be great for craft fairs, as a Make n Take, a Customer Appreciation gift, a Hostess Appreciation gift, a Stamp Camp project, a Teacher's gift, a Stocking Stuffer and the list goes on and on!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

An English Garden Notebook Weekend Project

I was in need of a notebook and with the stuff I have in my workroom, I just hate the thought of purchasing one.  So I got out my "stuff" and began making one.  

First I cut my inside paper.  I have some paper that was used in the old dot matrix printers.  I cut away the edges and used what is left.  I cut my inside pieces 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".  That way I not only have a nice size notebook but I can also use a card front if I have one or I can just make a new one!  Here I used the "English Garden" decorative paper.  I layered it with Soft Suede, Delightful Dijon, and Mossy Meadow.

The words are from a stamp I had made for me MANY years ago.  I have used it SO much and I think it will last a lifetime!!!  I hope it will anyway, I do make a lot of notebooks.  Especially mini ones that I sell at craft fairs.  I'll be making some up in the next few weeks and I'll be sharing them with you on here.

Oh, I almost forgot.  For the holes, I used the Rubi Coil machine.  It's a 4:1 machine.  That means it punches 4 holes per inch.  You need to purchase coils that are 4:1 too or you won't be able to bind your notebooks. I punch the holes in my paper and then I take the front and back of my notebook and punch them together. For the back of my notebook I used a piece of shirt board (cereal box thickness) that is white on one side.  I like the white side on the outside.  It gives the notebook a more clean and professional look.  I just remembered, I need to make a notebook for a friend so I will be making another notebook with in the next few weeks.    

These are fun to make though I do with I could just punch up a bunch of the inside paper and have it ready for me so I can make notebooks quicker!!!  I always tell myself that I should just cut and punch a few pages a day and when I'm ready I can just put notebooks together.  That last for about one time!!! LOL  Well, that's about it for this post!  Happy Stamping to you!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Garden in Bloom Mini Notebooks

Aren't these cute?  I used the "Garden in Bloom" stamp set to make them.  Plus I used the newest "In Colors". 

These little notebooks measure 2-1/2" x 2-1/2".  I have a Rubi Coil machine that punches the  holes 4:1, which means there's 4 holes per inch.  I have lots of coils at home so when I was shopping for a machine, I had to make sure I got the one with the right pitch or all of those coils would be worthless. I often save my copier paper that was only printed on part of it.  As long as there's 2-1/2" left, I cut it up and set it aside for notebooks.  It's fun to make these little notebooks. I often sell them at the craft fairs.  People LOVE buying stocking stuffers.   

The colors I used here are Watermelon Wonder, Mint Macaron, and Delightful Dijon.  On the Watermelon Wonder I also used Calypso Coral behind the butterfly.  On the Mint Macaron one I used Smoky Slate.  And on the Delightful Dijon I used Hello Honey.  

I went to the Color Lab and entered in one of the new In Colors and had the site find a color that would compliment it.  I got lazy and didn't want to rifle through the card stock to see what would match.  This is a free site to use to coordinate your colors.  I had not used the site in a while, mostly because I can usually figure out the colors myself.  Plus they had included in the list all the retired colors.  Now there is a drop down menu for just the current colors or you can pick by color group, or all colors including retired.  I like that site SO much better now that they separated the colors like that.  I will probably use it more now.  If you are not familiar with it, go to the link at the beginning of this paragraph and check it out.  I think it will be come your new coordinating buddy!!!

You can also see some cute snowman ones I did a few years back.  I always sell out of them at the craft fairs.  Click here to see the snowman notebooks.

These make great Hostess Appreciation gifts, Customer Appreciation gifts and of course, stocking stuffers!!

I use to sell the notebooks but that was before I had a million other things do to, but if you REALLY must have some, you can contact me.  Look to the right sidebar and find the icon that reads "Got a Question". My email address is found there.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

C is for Cat Wrapping Paper and Bow Builder Punch

I am attending a stamping event tomorrow and I needed to make some wrapping paper to wrap a gift for a gal who LOVES cats.  I did not buy the current cat set in the catalog so I had to improvise. Then I remembered that I still have the "C is for Cat" set.  I took out my Smoky Slate ink and a piece of 32# copier paper and made my own paper.

I didn't have any gray ribbon so I did the next best (and probably better) thing.  I took some Smoky Slate card stock and my "Bow Builder" punch and made my own bow.  I have found that if you use your bone folder to curl the large bow pieces plus the small rectangle piece, it's much easier to work with.  I usually use a large clip (or a clothespin will work) to hold the pieces together after I glue them.  Yes, I glue them.  I  feel that glue holds better.  Tape has pulled apart and the Sticky Strip is a bit tricky to work with when you need smaller pieces.  And I know the glue will hold, so I just go with the glue!

You can use your stamps to make wrapping paper.  I don't recommend using shiny paper, the ink doesn't seem to dry very well on it.  It tends to slip so you image isn't crisp and clear.  You could use the backside of the shiny paper.  If you have some sitting around, dress it up and use it.  You can also use card stock but it's pretty thick and doesn't fold well when wrapping the gift.  I like 32# copier paper the best.  I have used 28# and it works well too but the larger the number the thicker the paper and the less the box behind it shows through.  Regular 20# copier paper would work but the container you are wrapping will often show through. I suppose you could wrap it with a piece of regular 20# copier paper and then stamp on another piece and wrap it up.  That should cover the container better.  

So here is my gift for tomorrow!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

A English Garden Butterfly Framelit Card Holder Weekend Project

Today I have a fun project to share with you.  I was helping Terri with her technique night and as we were putting the projects on display away, she gave me one of her very fun greeting card holders.  

This is made using one of the empty DVD size containers that Stampin' Up! sells.  The decorative paper used here is from the "English Garden" pack.  The paper was cut and slid between the protective cover and the case.

A paper doily was taped in place.  

A trimmed strip of the new ribbon was set behind it. 

The butterfly was cut from the Hello Honey card stock.

A pear was added to the butterfly.

For the cards inside, a piece of the decorative paper was added to the Hello Honey card stock.  Then the doily was added.  The ribbon was added next and then the butterfly.  Just like on the front of the case.  

This is such a pretty card pack.  I LOVE the decorative paper!  It's got such a fun and sassy look to it!

These would make a great craft fair item.  I happen to have a new pack of these cases.  I don't know why I was hanging on to them. Maybe because I was just waiting for this pack of paper to come along!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda