Faux Fresco Technique Page

I hope you are sitting down for this. It's Tuesday and I have made another technique page!!! Maybe I will be able to do one EVERY Tuesday and get caught up on them! I know there are a lot of you waiting for these! This one is a very fun technique. I am not one for "watching paint dry" so this technique didn't thrill me as much as some of the other ones did. I did use my heat embossing tool to speed up the drying process. But even with that it did take a while for it to dry. I would recommend having another project to do while you are making something with this one. While the ink is drying you can work on something else. Because I made several technique pages I needed to do more than one piece of Faux Fresco. SO what I did was inked up my card stock and set it aside to dry. Then I inked it up again and left it over night. Today I will finish up the texture and sanding part. Then I will be cutting them into the size I need them for the pages. But for the page you see here I did ink and heat it to dry because I REALLY wanted to have a page for my Technique Tuesday! And TA DA! I did it!!! There are now over 50 technique pages. Click here to view them. You can purchase the CD's of the first two sets of pages for use in your technique clubs or classes by going to my web store. Just click here to enter the store.

This is such a cool looking background. It has an old world look to it.    

Thank you SO much for visiting my blog today, Wanda

Snowflake Bath Salts Weekend Project

For this project you will need the Stampin' Up! "Bag with Scallop" die cut. I cut mine out using Almost Amethyst card stock. I used Almost Amethyst ink and the "Sparkles" jumbo wheel after I cut the pieces out.

I took my white gel pen and dotted in the parts that had a small circle. It took a few minutes to do it but it really added a lot to the design.

Next I punched out the snowflake. First I punched one out of scrap so I knew where I wanted to punch out the final piece. I did get it a bit of center but it's not too bad. Before you tape or glue the box together you may want to make sure the pieces you glue to the front don't show through the snowflake window. I had to trim one side just a little. And I used glue on mine. I didn't want it coming apart. I also added a piece of acetate behind the snowflake. The front of the box wasn't laying nice without it. I think the snowflake make that part of the box very weak and adding the acetate reinforced it.

I added some bath salts to two 3" x 2" zip baggies. I did fold the tops of the zip baggies down because I didn't want them to get punched when I made the holes for the ribbon. You can find the recipe for the bath salts here.

I did take a scrap piece of white card stock and ran it through the Sizzix die to make a scallop to layer behind the one on the flap. I also glued that in place.

I used my Crop-a-Dial to punch the holes. It went through all the layers at one time with ease. That is a "Must Have" tool!!!

I threaded my ribbon through the holes and tied a bow. My neighbor LOVES purple and this is for her. I still need to add the instructions to the box. If you are making these to sell you will need to add the ingredients list as well.

These are very fun to make and quick to make too depending on how much time you want to put into decorating them. There are LOTS of wheels out there to play with and using different color inks will save you time from adding white dots! It's all in how much time you want to spend on the decorating! Decorative paper will work but it is thinner than card stock and not quite as sturdy.

These make great Gifts, Hostess Gifts, Customer Appreciation Gifts, a fun Make n Take, they are great for Craft Fairs and even a fun Stamp Camp project. I LOVE making these things. Plus I love how my workroom smells when I have a bunch of them sitting out!!

An added note here: The instructions for the bath salts do state that plastic and bath salts do not go together. For short term use it will be fine. It's the essential oils that will eat through plastic. If using other items to scent your bath salts plastic should be fine.

Have fun with these!!

Thank you for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

Does it Look Like a Letter to You?

My friend Katie was over last week making her Christmas cards. She had picked out the color for the card (Real Red) and then decided to add a white layer. The white layer was run though the Big Kick using the Snowflake Cuttlebug folder. One of my favorite Cuttlebug folders, if I may add!

She had stamped the words and layered them on the red card stock.

Now this is the part you are not going to believe. That adorable snowman (click on the photo to see it closer) is done by simply cutting a piece of ribbon. UNREAL! I would have made a bow with it myself! Never in a million years would I have thought to cut it as a focal point for my card. Oh and no layering either, it came with the checkerboard already around it! Just cut and tape!!! Gotta give Katie a BIG high five on that one!!! Isn't it just adorable and doesn't it look like the front of a letter?

See, I told you I get to stamp with some very talented people!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A VERY Masculine "Autumn Days"

I know I do not make masculine cards very often and it seems to be one of the more difficult ones to make. I am not sure why that is. Perhaps there are not enough masculine images out there to use for our cards. The entire stamping market could use a few more!!

I thought the Stampin' Up! "Autumn Days" could be used to make a masculine card. Actually this set can be used to make quite a variety of masculine cards. There's the pheasant in there too plus other masculine type elements! And this decorative paper..... well, it just added SO much to this card. It's from the "Autumn Meadows" package.

And a really nice thing about this card is it was very easy to make too! Oh and did I mention quick? I think it took me longer to clean up and put my stuff away than it did to do the card. Yes, you read that right. I actually put EVERYTHING away before I sat down to do this post!!! I think it's a first for me! Normally I just stack it at the end of the table in hopes that I may be going in the direction it belongs and then even more hope that I remember to grab it as I go by!!! LOL Such a nasty habit I have of not putting stuff away right after I'm finished with it. I do have to say that it is a strange feeling to see a clean spot on my worktable were there normally would have been scrap papers, scissors, pieces of ribbon ends, the stamp sets and ink pads I've used and the tape. It's all put away!! I hope I can do this every time I stamp. I wouldn't have to scramble when someone comes over to stamp!!!

Ok, back to the card. The words were done using the "Sincere Salutations" set. That poor set has been used SO much I thought the rubber would be smooth on it by now!!! LOL It is such a great to own! Like I said, I use it a LOT!

The assembly of this card went quick as well. I used a half sheet of Chocolate Chip card stock cut on the 8-1/2" side and I folded it in half. Then I cut a piece of white card stock 5-3/8" x 4-1/8". I sponged the edges using Dusty Durango. Then I cut a piece of the decorative paper 4-1/8" x 2-1/2" and taped it on the white piece. I layered the Chocolate Chip and More Mustard ribbon over the area where the two papers meet. I stamped the leaf using Dusty Durango, I punched it out using the 1-1/4" punch and sponged the edges. I punched out a piece of More Mustard using the 1-3/8" circle punch and I used the scallop punch on a piece of Chocolate Chip card stock. I layered them together and affixed them to the card over the ribbon using Dimensionals.

The "Birthday Wishes" was stamped using Chocolate Chip ink. And that was pretty much it to making this card! It would not only make a great masculine birthday card but a get well card too. Even a sympathy would work with this. And of course the fall Harvest/Thanksgiving card!

I LOVE stamp sets that I can use for more than just one occasion!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Blog Candy, I Almost Forgot It!

Can you believe it, I almost forgot this weeks Blog Candy? This is another addition to the growing items that will be offered on New Year's Day. Nothing like ringing in the New Year on a VERY happy note!!

This is a fun word set. I took a photo of the back of it too so you can see all the great words in the box! It even comes with an ink pad!!! Not that it's a big deal. We all seem to have a favorite ink pad we love to use. Personally mine is black StazOn. I use it on almost all of my cards. It stamps the images so nice and dark and I can use my blender pen and watercolors with it and not have to worry about the smearing.

Back to this set. I will be adding this to the New Year's Day Blog Candy give away. If you would like to see the other two items just click here and read the posts!

I have not come up with what I am going to ask you to comment on in the post on New Year's Day but I'm sure I will come up with something unusual!!! LOL

Have a wonderful weekend,
Wanda

SO Much Talent!

I am totally surrounded by talent when the gals come to my home to stamp. Their talent never ceases to amaze me! Thursday evening Leah was working on her Christmas cards. Oh and did I ever tell you how smart these gals are too? Starting their Christmas cards now!!!! VERY smart!!! She used the Stampin' Up! "Petals-A-Plenty" folder on the white background and the "Ornament Punch" on her bulbs. I do not know where the decorative paper came from but I think she said it was from one of those big packages of paper at Michaels. It's SO pretty and absolutely perfect for the card! She wasn't real thrilled with the bulbs so Ann told her to try adding the bulb cut card stock behind them and that was exactly what the card needed. She had two different pieces of decorative paper and used the other one to make the same card. I think both of them are great.

The words were done using the Merry Christmas from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set. After stamping the words she punched it out with an oval punch and then used the oval scallop punch on red card stock and layered it.

I wish I would have taken a picture of the envelopes she did. She used the red and green ink and a bulb from the "Delightful Decorations" set. It was just stunning! I told you I am with some pretty talented gals, didn't I? Aren't these just wonderful Christmas cards? I always feel so fortunate to be amongst such wonderfully talented people!

Thank you Leah for allowing me to share your wonderful creations.

And thank you all for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

Flowers for a Friend

My wonderful neighbor came over the other day with this most adorable snowman light. You plug it in, turn it on and it changes colors. I caught it at the blue when I took the photo. Isn't it just TOO cute??? SO I thought I would make her a thank you card.

I had seen these flower cards all over the place and thought it would be perfect for her. I don't know what the flowers are called but they are those fall flowers that look kind of like sunflowers. Anyway mine is an M & M card!! LOL

I know my neighbor is going to LOVE it!

These are very easy to a make too. I think those Stampin' Up! "Sweet Treat" cups are such a fun thing to play with. I punched ovals using some retired decorative paper and cut them in half. I taped them around the cup as I went, starting at the top then the bottom. Then from the right to the left. Then I filled in gaps with more pieces until it was all full. I punched out two more ovals in Garden Green and I clipped the pieces to form leaves. I then taped them in place behind the flower. I stuck it on the card front. I added the ribbon before I taped the card front to the card base.

Now the next step is to get it to her!!! LOL

Thank you for stopping by today,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge Crazy for Cupcakes

I just love the Stampin' Up! "Crazy for Cupcakes" set. I have sure gotten a lot of use out of it. After making a card with it I think that I should bake cupcakes but I never do!!

This is my card for the Wednesday Sketch Challenge over at SplitCoastStampers. I was fortunate enough once again to have a little time to play with the new sketch!

This card was actually pretty easy to do in spite of all the layers. But as you all know I LOVE playing with layers. Perhaps that is why I enjoy the Wednesday Sketch Challenge SO much!

The decorative paper here is from one of those BIG packs you get at Michael's or Joann's. It's called "Sweet". And it is exactly that. There are a LOT of pretty and fun papers in that pack. I have used some of those papers from that pack on other cards. I think they were birthday cards using the same set!!! LOL

The "Happy Birthday" was done on the computer and punched out. I did find a piece of Pink Pirouette paper and used it on the background of the card. I ran it through the Cuttlebug "Dotted Swiss" folder. That has to be one of my favorite folders.

After I stamped the cupcakes and colored them in I noticed that they looked a little blah. SO I punched it up by adding some crystal lacquer and glitter to the cherries and just crystal lacquer to the cupcake stand. And then I touched it when I went to pick the card up. Why is it that I do that? I knew I put that wet stuff on the card. I set it aside to dry in a spot that it wouldn't be touch ed by anything and then I proceed to pick it up right on the wet spots!!! Is it just me that does stuff like that almost EVERY time??? LOL

And now I have a birthday card ready (early) for a friend of mine. And if I can get it in the mail on time it will be the first time in a long time that she doesn't get it late!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Friends With Toys!

I had a small group of gals over today stamping and they brought some stamps with them. I LOVE playing with new "stuff!" One brought with her the Stampin' Up! "Gifts of Christmas" set. I loved this set since the first day I laid my eyes on it but I didn't buy it. I had others that I wanted instead. Today Kay brought hers with her and I played with it. First I tried the VersaMark and chalks like the one in the Stampin' Up! catalog was done with. Let's just say you need a LOT of patience, a steady hand and a very tiny applicator to get the chalk on there without a lot of residue left behind. So it was put in the circular file awaiting the recycling truck on Friday!!!

Then I thought I would play with some brushed silver card stock and embossing powder. I embossed the image on white card stock using silver embossing powder. I used the "Merry Moments" decorative paper on the small panels in the background. The flower was punched out from one of the retired punches and a silver brad was added to the middle. Such an easy card to make and it had enough layers for me to be happy with!!! LOL

It was actually a fun card to make and something I would consider doing for the yearly Christmas card (if I were looking). I have our cards going and will show you once I finish. The goal is to have them done before Thanksgiving. Wish me luck on that one!!

Click on the photo to view it closer. You will be able to see the silver embossing and the shimmer of the silver card stock. It's SO pretty!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Herringbone Technique Page

I know, it's about time I get going on those technique pages again!! Well, tonight I did! It's not so much that they are difficult to do, they are actually pretty easy. It's just very time consuming when you have to make 30 of the same one! I try to tape them together when I'm riding in the car but lately I've been driving and I don't think I can tape and drive at the same time. Don't care to find out either!!! LOL

But anyway here is the next page in this third set. I will try harder to make more pages and post them sooner. I really want to dedicate one day each week to do this. I was trying to do a "Technique Tuesday" but that only lasted for two weeks and I got busy with Halloween. SO all I can say is I'm going to give it a try.

This technique is a very easy one and depending on the papers you use you can really get a great herringbone look to it. The technique is just all about making "V's"! Pretty simple!

If you are thinking of doing technique page classes the CD's for the first two sets are available in my web store. Click here to enter. You can also access it at the top right on my blog.

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

I Went in my Workroom to Chew Gum and Stamp and.....

... I'm all out of gum!!! SO I took the gum wrapper and opened it up, took out the foil stuff on the inside and traced it onto some decorative paper.

I made my Luminary out of this same Stampin' Up! "Four Seasons" paper and the "Snow Buddies" set. I must like both of them. Well, we all know how much I LOVE that paper. I hoarded it for the longest time and now I'm using it up. I'm going to be sad to see it all used up but hey, at least I used it! What was I saving it for? I guess if I really liked it so much that I didn't want to use it I should just frame it!!! Can you see that on your wall? A frame with some paper in the middle?? LOL Ok, so I'm using it!!

I LOVE it when I use up a pack of gum that has a fun wrapper to cover. I did try once to make a pattern using the wrapper but the card stock and the decorative papers are just not firm enough. The only paper that worked with that was the glossy stuff.

After I traced the package on the paper I cut it out and glued it on the box with a glue stick. Then I stamped the snowman, cut him out and then colored him. I use to color it after I stamped it and then cut it out but I would often smear the ink from holding it and it transferring from my fingers to other parts of the piece where I didn't want it. SO now I cut first and then color. And actually it makes more sense. What if I got it all colored and as I was cutting I cut an arm off or something else important? But then again there is that other side. What if I got it all cut out and I was coloring it and the table got bumped and messed up the coloring? I guess what it all comes down to here is do what works best for you!!!

I have this adorable snowflake die cut and I ran a piece of thin white chipboard through it and punched out 3 of these snowflakes. I put two of them together to form one and added a rhinestone in the center. I thought it could use a little something more in that corner. Now if this was something that was going to go back in a purse or pocket I don't think I would have added the snowflake. The edges can get caught on things and bend or tear off. But I'm filling mine with some fun bath salts (in a baggie of course) and using it as a stocking stuffer.

These make great little hostess gifts, customer appreciation gifts, Make N Takes, Craft Fairs and a fun Stamp Camp item. If you need to make a lot and can't chew enough gum you'll have to trace the pattern and work with it that way. Though for a Stamp Camp or Make n Take item the receiver can cut the pattern out themselves!!

I try to make something with my gum package every time I empty one! It's a fun way to recycle too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Delightful Decorations Bulb With A Fun Fold!

Sometimes I step out of my box of the "normal" folds. Not very often but today this one looked fun. Plus with this type of fold you can use smaller stamps and make them work on your card! I have LOTS of smaller stamps and I'm going to have to try this layout on them and see what I come up with.

For this card the back layer is just a quarter sheet of card stock. I used Garden Green on mine. The Real Red piece is cut at 4" x 10-1/2". I then folded that piece in half. Then I took the top part of that piece and folded that in half but I folded it upward. I added a piece of decorative card stock on the top folded flap and also on the inside of that red piece. For the inside of the card I used a piece of Very Vanilla card stock. I didn't like the idea of having to stamp my greetings on the red background. SO I added the vanilla card stock and then taped the decorative paper on top of that. The decorative paper I used is from the Stampin' Up "Merry Moments" pack.

For the top of the flap I cut a piece of Garden Green card stock 3" x 3". On top of that is a piece of vanilla card stock cut 2-1/2" x 2-1/2". I sponged the edges with Garden Green ink.

The bulb was stamped using the "Delightful Decorations" set. I stamped it using Real Red Craft ink and then embossed it using clear embossing powder. I punched it out with the new bulb punch. Gotta LOVE that punch, it sure saves a LOT of time!!! On the bulb I added some small rhinestones around the design and a larger one in the center. I taped the bulb to the center of the vanilla piece.

I had just gotten this cute holly leaves punch at JoAnn's. I thought the corner could use a little "something" and it worked. I was hoping I had some red rhinestones for the berries but I didn't so I left it as is.

Now for the ribbon, I wrapped it around the top flap of the card and I taped it in the front. Then I tied a bow separately and used a glue dot to hold it in place. But before I set it in place I added a small piece of gold cord from the bulb to the ribbon. I wanted to give the illusion that the bulb was hanging from the ribbon.

I laid the card on it's side and took a picture of it open so you can see the actual layout. It's a bit difficult to see that in the first photo.

I actually enjoyed playing with this layout/fold and like I said, I'm going to have to use it again sometime!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Luminary Weekend Project

WOW, this was a very fun and impressive "Weekend Project!" And get this, it won't take you the weekend to make it!

I got the instructions at SplitCoastStampers but I will tell you them here as well. But be sure to check out their website to see what was made using these measurements!

You start out with a piece of 5-1/2" x 10-3/8" piece of decorative paper. I found a piece of my most favorite decorative paper of all times. It's the snowflake paper from the Stampin' Up! "Four Seasons" pack. I hoarded this paper. I was saving it. For what?? I don't know. I do that SO much and now I have a room full of saved decorative paper. It's time to start using it. I know I will be using it a lot after Christmas using my new toy!!! I'm not telling you what it is but I am SO excited to play with it!! I do need to get it wrapped up so I can quit looking at it and having it tempt me! I mean, hubby is at work after all. He would never know if I played with it or not. But I turn my head away and try to forget it's there. If I wrap it I'm sure not to be tempted!! Better get a move on that endeavor and SOON!! LOL

Ok, after I cut the paper it was scored on the long side at 2-1/2", 5", 7-1/2" and 10". Turn
the paper to the shorter side and score at 1-1/2"

Fold all the score lines in. The 1-1/2" scored part is the bottom of the box. You will be cutting those score lines 1-1/2" up to meet that score line. When you are done cutting you will see that little rectangle that is 1-1/2" x 3/8" cut it off, you don't need it.

I used the Red Line tape to hold the Luminary together. Plus I liked it that I could add my tape and have it be ready for me to remove the protective backing than to just tape away and have to be careful not to touch it. When folding your box together you want to have the front be the part that is the furthest from the side seams. And you also want to have that front bottom flap fold back to give a rounded edge to the front and not a raw edge. Seeing this folded in you will know where to add the tape on the bottom. I went a bit crazy and added tape on all of the bottom flap pieces and I had to cut a piece of decorative paper and stick it on the bottom. The problem was solved and it does look just fine there. SO something like that can be easily fixed (if you have enough decorative paper left. Or you can always add a piece of felt to the bottom, that is totally acceptable too!

Once I got all the tape on I moved on to the vellum openings. You will need to cut the holes in your Luminary. I used an oval Nestability but you can use any form of oval cutter you have, including tracing an oval and cutting it out by hand. Next you will four pieces of vellum cut at 2-3/8" x 3-7/8". You can tape them in place now or you can stamp on them, color them and then tape them in place.

Now you can tape the box together and decorate as desired. I used the snowman from the Stampin' Up Hostess set "Snow Buddies". The snowflake is punched out using the Stampin' Up! "Snowflake" punch. I added a rhinestone to the center. I just taped them all in place with regular Snail tape. Inside mine is a battery operated tea light candle. I'm too chicken to add a real lit candle in a paper candle holder. I don't throw caution to the wind like that!! Besides I'm one to leave the room with the candle burning. I like to have a room to come back to and when these battery operated candles came out I couldn't wait to buy them!

All in all it was a pretty quick project to do. What took the longest for me was coloring and cutting out the snowman. The rest of it was quick and VERY easy!

Have fun making them. I'd LOVE to see what yours looks like and I'd be happy to post it here too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Blog Candy

Here's week two of Blog Candy. Last week it was the Stampin' Up! "Scary Skeleton" set. Click here to see that post. This week it is a Sizzix Die Cut, Gift#2. When cut out the image is roughly 3" x 4", a nice size for cards and scrapbooks. Both items are new/unused.

On January 1st I will be adding the final piece of Blog Candy and you will be able to leave your comments there to win all of them! I will be posting a new one each Friday until January 1st. What a nice way to ring in the New Year!

I will probably ask you some silly question or give you a quiz!! LOL Remember nothing is ever really free!!! LOL

Have a great day,
Wanda