Wednesday Sketch Challenge

Another Wednesday is upon us and I was able to play with the SplitCoastStampers Sketch Challenge!!! I just LOVE when I have a little time to do these sketches. I always make sure I print them out (they print out the size of a card) and I put them in a photo album I have designated for these sketches. SO whenever I need to make a card and am a bit stumped for a layout I just open up the album and find a sketch that fits the stamp I want to work with!! It sure can make card making easier some days!!!

SO onto my card. I have 2 female and 1 masculine birthday cards to make this month. This is the second female one (it's not needed until the end of the month whereas the masculine one is needed much earlier!! Go figure!! LOL). But at least I got it done and if I don't lose it I will be ahead of the birthday card game this month!!! How nice that would be!!

I used the brand new decorative paper "Bella Birds" by Stampin' Up! Isn't it SO pretty?? I just LOVE it!! The stamp is from the Stampin' Up! set "Thoughts & Prayers." This particular stamp in that set is one of my favorite. And once again those "Happy Birthday" words were done on my computer (remember I printed out a whole sheet of them??) I told you they'd be showing up a lot!!! As long as they fit in the card that I'm making I'll be using it!!

I added a flower from the "Pretties" kit with a pink rhinestone brad in the center. I also took some half round pearls from the kit and added them to the card as well. It just needed something in those areas. I layered the birthday on a scalloped piece of black card stock to tie it all together and it was done. This card was actually a pretty quick card to make. The Direct to Rubber (coloring the rubber stamp with markers) probably took the longest to do. The rest was just cutting, taping and gluing (though I didn't use glue, I used Crystal Effects to affix the pearls and a Pop Dot to affix the flower). If you have time go play with this sketch!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Gotta Have a Card to go With the Lip Gloss!

Well, a birthday card with cupcakes on it would be a perfect match for the cupcake lip balm that I'm going to give my niece. I'm not sure what else I'm going to give her. Probably some money so she can get what she needs.

But I did need to make her a birthday card. Her birthday is April 2nd and I'm SHOCKED that I'm actually ready for it!! I have 2 more birthdays in April and with any luck I can get the cards made and be on top of things in that department!! Isn't it a good feeling to be on top of things? I wish that it was that way in all aspects of my life!! It could get boring but I'd at least like to try it out and make that statement later!!! LOL

Anyway onto this card. I used the Stampin' Up! "Crazy for Cupcakes" set. I have used that set a lot and just LOVE it!!! On the background I used the "Cupcakes" wheel. It's so cute!!! And the decorative paper is scrap pieces from the Sale-a-Bration set. It's such pretty paper!!

I colored in the cupcakes with markers from the Soft and Subtle group. And for around the cupcakes and stand I used Bordering Blue and a blender pen. I sponged the edges and put it on a black layer. I used the SplitCoastStampers Card Sketch (SC) #91. I have almost all of the sketches in an album and I just go through it and find a sketch that the stamp I'm holding will fit in and I go from there. Tomorrow a new sketch will be released and of course I will be playing with that one!!! I actually got my "work" done this afternoon so I have time to play with the sketch when it comes out tonight!!!

The words were done on the computer. I mentioned in the last post that I printed out a whole sheet of them. I know it doesn't mean I need to make Birthday cards until the sheet is used up!!! LOL But I REALLY do need a birthday card

I think I should bake my niece some cupcakes for her birthday since there is this cupcake theme going on here!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Cupcake Lip Balm!!!

I found this adorable cupcake lip balm in the dollar bins at Michael's. I thought it was SO cute I just had to buy it. I thought my niece would like this. But I couldn't give it to her in it's original packaging now could I? Oh come on. We ALL know I bought to to revamp it!!! LOL

I used the Stampin' Up! "Cupcake" wheel for the header. First I used the Top Notes die cut and glossy card stock and then I stamped the images on. I used black StazOn and colored in the cupcakes with markers. It's very simple to do. No blending, just coloring directly from the marker.

Then I used a few select punches to do the Happy Birthday layers. The wording was done a while back on my computer. I printed out a whole sheet of them so you can see them a LOT on my blog!!! LOL That sheet of them sure has come in handy!!!

I stapled the baggie to the inside of the folded card stock. I stapled it so the bumpy part of the staple was on the front leaving the backside with just a smooth staple bar. I covered the bumpy parts with the scallop layers. It gives the whole baggie thing a clean look.

And that is it. VERY simple. And yes, it REALLY is for my niece. Her birthday is next month and I know she'll LOVE it!!! She's such a sweetie!!

These would also make fun party favors for those "girly" parties!!!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Die Cut Gift Box

I am a little late tonight in posting but better late than never!!! My day just got away from me and it's not over yet. I have been SO busy all day and it's winding down with some laundry and a bit of computer, including posting to my blog!

Tomorrow I am seeing someone that I probably won't see again until after Easter so I thought I would bring her the gift I made for her. I had made a bunch of these bracelets for a craft fair and I knew she would LOVE one so knowing her wrist size I custom made it for her. Since I will be seeing her tomorrow I HAD to make a box tonight for the bracelet so I can bring it with me tomorrow. Now there could be the problem. I hope I remember to bring it with me!!!

I made the box using the Sizzix Matchbox Die Cut. It's so easy to do and quick to put together. I find my problem lies in finding what color papers I want to use!!! It takes me a long time to figure that part out but once I do it's only a matter of minutes from cutting to completely assembled!!!

I used white card stock for the base of the box and I used the Sale-A-Brations decorative paper for the cover. The sponged green tag is from the Sizzlets tags and the stamped image is from the Stampin' Up! "Oval All" set. It fits in the new large oval punch perfectly. I used markers to color in the areas and I stamped it on white card stock. I sponged the edges in Bashful Blue and used Dimensionals to attach it to the box. Before I attached it I tied the Apricot ribbon on the box. I was amazed that it laid just right on top of the box. I am trying not to touch it or to look at it in the event that it moves and becomes crooked like they usually do for me!!! LOL

Now for what's inside. (Click on the photo for a closer view). It's a green glass pearl bracelet. I made a lot of these in cream for a craft fair that I opted out of this spring. I will be putting them up for sale in my web store in the next week or two. And maybe I'll make a few of the green ones to go in there too (if I have time to play with beads!!!).

Anyway, these boxes are so much fun to play with and what's nice is that I will never have to buy another gift box for my bracelets ever again!!! This is going to make Christmas 2009 a lot easier!!! I keep doing and finding things that are making my life so much easier and I wonder when I'm going to notice that it is getting easier????

Thank you for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

What To Do With Those Retired Buttons!

If you don't know what to do with those retired buttons give this a try!!

I took some buttons, beads, elastic and head pins and made a bracelet.

To make this you will need 10" to 12" of beading elastic.
Head pins
Buttons
6mm beads
Oval jump rings

Seed beads to match (close not exact) buttons
Beading wire tool (pliers)

You do need to know a little bit about beading to make this. But it's not that difficult to do. The tool you need is one that is cone shaped at the tip. Not a needle nose pliers but an actual cone shape on either tip of the pliers. Some have the cones on both tips and some have it on one with a "normal" end to the other tip. You need this to wrap the end of the headpin around. You could do without it and bend the headpin around some other small solid round object. It's more difficult to do but it is doable!

First you tie a knot around one bead at the end of your elastic. You will be using this as a stop bead until you get the amount of beads you need strung. The amount you need depends on the size of the bracelet you want to make. Now string a bead and then a jump ring and repeat until you have reached your desired length. Remove all the beads and jump rings and set them aside.

Next you will take a head pin add a seed bead and run it through a hole in one of the buttons. Holding the headpin up so the button is held on by it, you will eye about3/4" to 1" of that end of the headpin and cut it off. I usually stop here and cut all of my headpins. You will know how many you need by counting how many jump rings you used on the bracelet.

Insert the headpin into the button hole and take your cone pliers and bend the cut end of the headpin so it forms a circle. Leave it open just enough to hook the jump ring inside. Add the jump ring and close the opening. Repeat this until all of the jump rings you had strung up are used up.

The bracelet is ready to assemble. Take your elastic with the stop bead still attached and string your beads once again. A bead and a finished jump ring. Repeat until all the pieces are used up.

Now remove the stop bead and tie the two ends together using a right over left and then a left over right. Sometimes I will add a dot of Hypo Cement to make sure the knot is very secure.

Allow the glue to set for at least 20 minutes before you stretch the elastic. Though I don't recommend stretching an elastic thread bracelet. You should always roll them onto your wrist. Stretching them weakens the elastic and in time they will either stretch out or break. Rolling them on prolongs the life of the elastic. And a little FYI here. Elastic eventually breaks down and becomes brittle so someday it will break even with the best of care. You can make this bracelet using Fireline, wire or beading threads and adding a clasp at the ends too. It's all in how much work, time or cost you wish to put into it.

These make great gifts and you can use up some of those buttons too!!

Have fun with these!!!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Jelly Bean Jar!

Recycling once again!!! I LOVE these jars. Hormel bacon pieces (real bacon not that soy stuff) come in this jar. The label comes off easy too. I just soak it over night. I then toss the jar and the lid in the dishwasher and when it's done I have a fun size jar to fill with whatever I am working with at the time. I LOVE to fill them with bath salts!! They're just such a fun size.

I decorated this jar with the egg from the Stampin' Up! set "Wagon Full of Fun" which will be available on April 1st!!! Isn't it just the cutes egg? And it was so easy to color too. I affixed it to the jar using the Stampin' Up! Anywhere glue stick. When it says "anywhere" it really does mean it!!!

I added some ribbon around the neck of the jar and I added a scalloped label at the top that reads "Happy Easter." These are very quick and simple to make too! These are great additions to Easter baskets or just a little gift for someone!!

Thank you SO much for stopping by,
Wanda

A Tree Grows On My Wall!

Sue is such a dear!!!  She came over on Monday and we put the tree up on the wall in my workroom!!  I was SO excited and nervous at the same time.  Though after putting the first piece up the nervous part went away. It was actually pretty easy to do though I really feel that it takes two people to do it.  I don't think I could have done it myself without it sticking to itself and not being able to correct that.  It stuck to itself a couple of times but just a little bit of it and we were able to free it very quickly and easily.  

Now as you can see in the photo (I know I could see it) the trunk looked crooked.  But fortunately for me I put this tree up on top of wallpaper and I was able to remove the whole trunk part and reposition it.  When the time comes for it to come down (which will be MANY years from now) it should be easy to remove.  When the Wall Decor first came out Stampin' Up! gave us a sample flower.  I put a part of that flower behind a picture on the wallpaper and I tested it to see if it would come off or stain the wall.  

Yes it comes off and no it didn't stain the wallpaper.  And the best thing was it went right back on the wall like a window cling and it doesn't slough or curl, it just sticks there like it's suppose to!!!  Lucky me!!  Especially with my luck with trees lately!!! LOL

I took a lot of photos but I'm only going to post a few of them here.  I have a lot of problems with the post when I have more than one photo on it.  It seems that I need to write a novel for all the photos to be able to fit nicely on the post.  But how much can you write about this.  You buy the thing, you rub it on your wall, you remove the paper backing and you take a bunch of phots as you do it!!! LOL

Anyway, back to the wall!!!  I would do this again in another room but I don't want two trees in my home.  I did use the "family" words above our pictures in the living room but that will be coming off later this summer.  The plan is to paint that wall in the Stampin' Up! color Pumpkin Pie.  Hubby agreed that it would be such a perfect color for that long wall.  But that is not going to happen until our son's room gets painted.  I did the closet last year and that is as far as I got.  The ceiling is next and then the walls.  The walls have a wallpaper border that needs to come off.  Hopefully it will be easy since it's been on the wall for over a decade!!!  It's hard to believe it's been up that long. But on the other hand it's nice to know things like that will stick to the wall that long!!! LOL  

Enjoy the photos.  It was fun and I'd LOVE to do it again!!!

Thank you for looking,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge!!

Here is my card for this weeks Sketch Challenge at SplitCoastStampers.  This one was a fun layout!

I used the Stampin' Up! "Bird on a Branch" set.  I've used the flower cluster to this set as a background but never got to use the set for a full card.  This layout was perfect for this set!!!  I even got to use the new Bella Birds decorative paper and the new "Lots of Tags" Die Cuts.  I REALLY like those!!!  I had used it on my last post too.  The spice jar has one from that set of 4 on it.  These two are my favorite shapes of the entire set!!!

This was a pretty simple card to make too.  I found the most difficult part of it was cutting out the bird and that wasn't all that difficult.  The layering is so easy and the stamping was a breeze!! I sponged the edges in Bordering Blue and I even sponged the bird a little too!!  

It was a fun card to do and I needed a Thank You card to send out and it's nice to have a fresh new one to do that with!!!

If you have time head on over to SplitCoastStampers and give the Sketch Challenge a try.  When you get to their website just scroll down until you see the days of the week.  Click on Wednesday and this week's challenge is #221!  Have fun!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

New Blog Header

Do you like my new Blog Header?  Sara at Sara's Creative Adventures made it for me.  She's SO creative.  She sent me several to pick from and let me tell you it was VERY difficult!!!  I do have the program she uses to make this header but it's Greek to me.  I need to find some time to sit with the manual and play around with it.  But that isn't happening until after tax time.  I am in the process of spending every extra moment of my time entering in receipts into a new program that is suppose to make my life easier.  So far it's made it more complicated by taking up so much of my time.  But I'm nearly done and then I can get back to my technique pages, projects and my new adventure is scrapbooking (YIKES!!!). LOL

Thank you SO much Sara for creating me such a BEAUTIFUL header.  Head on over to Sara's Blog and have a look around.  She's a pretty talented person!!!

Thank you for stopping by,

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

The Trendy Trees Are Finally Liking Me!!!

I am finally getting some better cards made using the Stampin' Up! "Trendy Trees" set.  That set was such a challenge for me and not I'm actually able to make cards with it that I like and that are not copied from someone else.  Shocker, huh??  I thought this set would remain a thorn in my side for a long time but I'm starting to like what I'm making with it now so I guess I'll play with it a bit more.

This card was VERY simple to do too!!!  I used the "Trendy Tree" set at the bottom.  And of  course I HAD to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line the trunks and tree tops up.  You don't HAVE to use it but it really does help.  Unless you are extremely good at lining things up you do need to use it!

The card is made using a half sheet of Certainly Celery cut at 4-1/4" on the short end.  I added the white strip with the trees on top of it and I added a strip of Chocolate Chip just above that.  I used the wide celery ribbon to hid the edge of the Chocolate Chip piece.  

For the ribbon I did wrap it around and tape it in place on the front.  Yes, on the front.  I didn't want a seam to show on the inside.  I thought that would look tacky.  I tied a bow and set it in place with Crystal Effects.  I allowed it to dry a bit before I took a photo of it.  You can't even see the seam, the big bow covered it!!!

I was going to use the "thank you" words that came with that set but I thought the bow was enough and anything more may distract from the trees.  And I liked how it looked as it was so I didn't want to mess with it and put a hex on the whole tree set again!!! LOL

It was fun and quick and I really do like this layout too!

Thank you SO much for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

Belated Birthday (Again)!

I started off my year SO well with getting the cards made that I needed for January.  But this month.  Well, I did start it off well but it's not ending up that way.  

I totally forgot about a card for my nephew.  And of course it would have to be a masculine card that I needed or I could have just gone to my stash and picked one out.  But no, I don't have any masculine ones on hand.  I should make a bunch of them.  I keep making feminine cards!!!  I need to go through my stamps and pull out all the ones that can be used for males and just make some cards!!!  The next birthday coming up is my younger sister's and I actually have her card ready.  SO I'm no longer behind, I'm current!!!  Hopefully next week I can find some time to add a few masculine cards to my list of stamping "to do's!"

Here is his card.  I used the Stampin' Up! "Wanted" set for the horse and the "Faux Bandanna" technique.  I LOVE that technique.  And it fits well with the masculine theme!!!  But you can only get by making so many bandanna cards before everyone will guess what the next birthday card will be!!! LOL  

I thought it would be fun to angel the card stock instead of just going straight across.  And while I was doodling on the bandanna part I thought I would add some faux stitches as well.  I am happy with the way it turned out. Maybe because there was no tree in this card!!! LOL  I'm still being taunted by that tree set!!!  It's a real challenging set for me for some odd reason.  But I shall be the victor!!! LOL

I have a couple fun quick projects coming up here on my blog so stay tuned!

Thank you for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

Sharing Their Creations!

Here is a FABULOUS card that Leah made on Thursday night while she was here stamping.  She's such a phenomenal stamper!!!  And you can tell that she REALLY loves stamping!!!  She comes up with such great ideas for 3-D stuff too!!!  I have on several occasions copied her work (giving her full credit of course!!!).

For this card she used the Stampin' Up! "Sassy Stems" set.  It's a retired set but it's still a beautiful one!

I like how she punched the oval in the front of the card so you can see the wording on the inside. 

I don't know where the ribbon came from but it sure did add a lot to the card, didn't it?

Thank you Leah for allowing me to share your wonderful card with the world!!

And thank YOU so much for visiting my blog today,

Wanda

Finding Versatility!

I like to find other uses for a stamp set that is marked for one theme. The Stampin' Up! set "Thoughts & Prayers is more of a get well/sympathy set. I really like the flower in this set so I thought I would literally take it "out of the box."

I worked on a simple yet layered layout. You know me and those layers!! I gotta have them or the card just isn't right!!! LOL

After I figured out my layout all I needed to know what the theme of my card. I chose "thank you" and those words came from the Stampin' Up! set "Holiday Blitz." I have gotten SO much use out of that set. It's got SO many holidays and events in it. They are all small and fit in the 1-1/4" circle punch area.

The paper I used here is the Parisian Summer only because it was in the pile of decorative papers I need to use up!!! Plus the fact that I REALLY liked it. Of course I did or I wouldn't have purchased it!!! LOL

Anyway, I stamped the flower on the white card stock using black StazOn. I colored it in using a blender pen and markers. It was pretty easy to do and it was a very quick card to make.

The scallop border I did have a little issue with. I was trying to match the scallops. Well when using decorative paper and card stock you can put the two pieces together and punch them out at the same time and the punch won't get jammed or give you trouble. It took only two tries and I figured that one out. And all by myself too!!! I sponged the edges with More Mustard and layered the card with Basic Gray. All in all it was a pretty simple card to do. I like this layout and may use it again sometime!

Thank you SO much for stopping by,
Wanda