Beautiful Season Wednesday Sketch Challenge

Once again this was very fun Sketch Challenge at SplitCoastStampers.  My challenge for this card was those narrow strips and getting them even. And I didn't get them even.  The right side is up about 1/8" higher than the left.  It looked just fine to me until I saw the photo of it on this post!!  Fortunately I was able to move it and now the card is all evened up!!  

I love this "Beautiful Season" set.  Chickadees are my most favorite birds, though I wish I could color them better!  I want to give this bird a try on watercolor paper and see if I can get a more realistic look to it.  I'll have to give that a try later in the week. I have a few other projects going on and one of them requires me to open up my sewing machine!  I have not sewn in a long time.  I use to sew all the time and I loved it but now I dread having to get it out. I'm always afraid I am going to forget how to thread it or oil it. But I do remember and I get the job done and put it away. Now I have to admit that is one thing I put away right away!! LOL Other stuff sits around for days before I put it away but the sewing machine.... well, the less I see of it the better!!

I did have fun playing along with this sketch. If you have time give it a try!  See if you can get those long thin panels straight!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Lovely as a Tree Christmas Card

This "Lovely as a Tree" set has been around for a LONG time.  Over 10 years I think!  And it's still a fun set to play with!  I saw a card done like this at Kewl Stamps -n- More Designs by Julie.   I tend to gravitate to her site quite a bit. I think her taste is similar to mine and I find myself doing a CASE on her cards at least once a month (or more)!!

Her card is a bit different.  Ok, every card I pilfer off the net is "a bit different" because I usually change the color due to the products I don't have on hand.  Julie's card as made using brown ink and brow stripped ribbon.  I didn't have brown ribbon so I went with the black.  And her wording was different too.  She had "Merry Christmas" and I used the "Peace on Earth" from the "Four the Holidays" set.  I have used that set a lot and find the four word images in it are all ones I like to use!!!  Ya gotta LOVE that when you get a set that you can use all the images!  For me that doesn't happen very often. I get close and sometimes there is only one image in the set that drew me to it.  I try to use the other images, really I do!!! LOL

This was a fun card to make and quick too!  So if  you need to make a bunch of quick Christmas cards, this is the way to go!

This card would also be a good candidate for a Shoebox Swap or a Stamp a Stack.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Envelope Die Box Weekend Project

So after I finished wrapping the soaps in some cling wrap stuff and adding the ingredients label to the back I was wondering what I was going to do for additional packaging.  I wanted to dress that soap up a bit more.  I was going to make a box using my Score Pal and card stock.  As I was getting the card stock I saw a little tote I had made using the envelope die.  I took the little notebook out that I had in it and checked to see if the soap would fit and it did!  I was thrilled.  SO next I got the Wild Wasabi card stock and cut out 4 of them.  I stamped them with the Sparkles wheel and colored in the center of the "sparkles" on the front only using my gel pen.

I was able to use a square punch to cut out the window.  I just dropped the sides of the box all the way down to the bottom of the punch and punched it.  I turned it and punched the other side.  I cut a piece of transparency sheet and glued it in.  

Once the glue dried I cut the bottom of the card stock the same width as the sides.  I then glued the sides first and then the bottom.  When you glue these you want to make sure that the flaps on the front piece fold over the back piece.  

Next I punched the oblong opening using the Word Window punch in both layers (one at a time).  Then i took a snowflake I had in my stash and added it to the top of the handle.  I used a brad to keep the top shut.  I also added a snowflake to the bottom corner and added a rhinestone to it to give it a little bling.  And that was it.  What a fun way to dress up a little bar of soap!!

I have 4 peach colored bars I need to dress up and package too!  I'll show you how they turn out when I get them done!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Home for the Holidays Decorated Soap Weekend Project

Stamping on soap?  I didn't think it was possible.  I have always wanted to add a stamped image to bar soap for gift giving but just never knew it was possible and if it was possible (which it is) I also needed to know how.

I had bought some bar soaps a while back at The Dollar Tree and they had some pretty ugly images on them but they smelled nice.  I put them in my storage cupboard and had forgotten about them.  I was looking for something else the other day and saw the soap and noticed the label on top was coming off on one of the bars.  I wasn't surprised that the label was coming off, it was cut a bit too large and it was not added on there very nice.  SO I dug out the 3 packs I bought and set them on my work counter until I finished up the project I was in the middle of.  I took the one bar of soap that had the label coming off and removed it.  It came off so easily and quickly.  Hmmm. The gears began to turn!!!  If I could find an image to stamp and put on the soap I'd be thrilled.  I looked through the catalog in the Christmas section and wasn't finding anything that would fit that I owned.  Then it dawned on me, I got that free "Home for the Holidays" download and headed to my computer to open up that download and see what all was in it.  And lo and behold there was the tree!  I was able to scale it down a bit and make it fit in the area of the soap.  

The next issue was, "what do I stamp it on?"  The original label was sticky on the edges but not in the center.  I figured the center was no longer sticky because it could only stick for so long before it dries up on the soap.  There was nothing left behind on the soap so that is what it had to be.  I would assume there is some amount of moisture in something sticky. 

So then I took out an 8-1/2" x 11" label sheet and put it in my computer. I did run a couple test prints on scrap copier paper to make sure I got the size correct.  I printed out the trees I needed and cut them on the paper cutter.  I removed the backing and and stuck the printed label on the soap!  It worked!!  I was thrilled.  Now all I need to do is wrap them up individually with some type of cling wrap and print out the ingredients label on the back.  I'll just copy the ingredients from the back of the original package.  Simple as that.

This was fun.  I want to try it with some other soaps.  I would need a soap that I can carve a rectangle (or circle??) in without it chipping or crumbling. I recall many (yes, many) years ago I had carved Ivory soap.  I may have to give that a try.  I just need the area recessed an 1/8" at the most.  Then I can add the label.  Though as I'm thinking about this I will probably need to use water on it to smooth off the center so I would have to wait until it dried to add the label.  I'll give it a try and post it on here sometime. But first I may go back to The Dollar Tree to see if they have any more (to save me some carving time!!!).  I want to make a few of these for Christmas stocking stuffer gifts and I'd like to have a few for craft fairs.  I won't add the label until it's closer to the craft fair to avoid the label coming off!

This was a very fun project and now I'm off to wrap them up in some type of clear cling wrap and add that ingredients label!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Christmas Card Gift Set

As  you can tell I didn't get around to posting the card set until today.  It's just such a busy weekend.  A long weekend with Thanksgiving and shopping.  I didn't do a lot of shopping outside the home but I did get some online shopping done.  There are some great buys on line too and there were no lines to stand in or any driving to do either!  I will do my mall shopping after this weekend.  I like to try to stay in a good "holiday spirit" mood and it's kind of hard to do it when the malls are so packed and people are pushing and shoving to get to their great buy find.  It's SO not worth it so I tend to stay home.  Though it seems it has become somewhat of a tradition that my sister and I head for Michael's on Thanksgiving night.  They were open from 4pm  to 10pm this year. I don't know if it is the same as last year, that was a whole year ago to remember something like that!!!

You can view the cards in the box here, here, here and here.  I don't know why the "here's" got underlined but I can't remove them without having to redo the entire "here" and link.  

You can also purchase these clear boxes here. 

I am going to hate to give up that stamp set but I'm sure my sister is going to want to play with it sometime!  Or maybe she only needed 4 cards from the set and she won't want to use it anymore!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Pennant Parade Christmas Tree Card

 So, this card is much like the Christmas stocking card.  Ok, it's exactly like it but there's a tree instead of a stocking and it's in Garden Green!  You can see the original card here (that I obviously did a CASE on!).

I made this same card using the tree because it completes the set of cards I am making for my sister using this set.  She had bought the set and just left it with me.  I LOVE it when people do that!!!  So to thank her I thought I would make her a set of cards using this set.  I am going to post the finished set when I get done with this post. 

You see two of the same card here but one is a little different.  On the bottom one (the final draft) I added rhinestones to the tree.  I was able to use the smallest rhinestones and add on top of two of the dots on the tree image.  It covered the dots and it looks like I was able to put them on so evenly!!  

I think she will like this card assortment and will be very happy to get them!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Happy Thanksgiving Tissue Holder Weekend Project

First I want to wish you all a very Happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Today I have for you a fun tissue holder.  I realized I have not made a tissue holder in over a year!  That's a long time for me.  I have a tote full of these tissues and they are all waiting for holders!  

This one needs a bit of finesse but my project today was to make the holder.  I LOVE these little "Swankie" packs.  I like to buy them after the holidays when they are extremely cheap.  Thus the tote full!  I had a project that I was going to use mine on but that went by the wayside so I am sitting on the tote full.  I will probably and hopefully make them up and try to sell them in the craft fair next year.

Anyway, lets talk about this tissue holder.  I LOVE the leaves on the tissue and I wanted the holder to have leaves too and what better set to use than the "Falling Leaves" set.  It's such a pretty set and I have used it a lot.  Though I think this will be the last time I use it for a long time now.  It seems that the day after Thanksgiving all of a sudden becomes Christmas and everything turns towards the Christmas theme.  Thanksgiving should be moved to the last day of November so December 1st starts the Christmas theme and it would seem right!!!  

I made my own multi-colored ink pad by adding ink drops on a baby wipe.  You can also use a paper towel but dampen it first or you will use a lot more ink than you need to.

Stamp on top of the baby wipe or paper towel and then stamp on your card stock.  I stamped a bunch of leaves all over my card stock after I had cut it out.  I should have waited to score it before I stamped though.  I could see the seam lines.  Once they were folded it didn't show as much, but it wasn't as solid as I would have liked it to be.  

You can do this tissue holder two ways.  It all depends on where your tissue is dispensed from.  The pattern here shows that you can also make the hole in the center.  I like this pattern, it's easy to follow and quick to put together. I get a lot of my plain tissues at The Dollar Tree.  You get 8 or 10 packs for you dollar. Such a deal.  And if selling them at a craft fair it makes for a nice profit margin!  These make great stocking stuffers too when you use the holiday theme ones!!  Though a leaf one may be nice for the guys stocking!!

Have fun with this!  And have a wonderful day!
updated 11-25-11  Oops, I forgot to include the link. It is now added and it will take you to the pattern.
And then later that day the link was once again added correctly!!!!  LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting on your holiday,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge Four the Holidays

 Now isn't this an interesting sketch?  This is very much out of my element but it didn't stop me from playing!

I have been back to the gallery at SplitCoastStampers and am enjoying all the different takes on this layout.  That is the one thing I REALLY like about the Sketch Challenges.  There are so many different ways this layout is used.  I chose to do mine as a Christmas card.  I had found a card that had these adorable packages on them and I wanted to give it a try!  SO I got to play with one package and it worked out just fine!  

I did struggle a little with the circles.  I had to punch them out of scrap paper so I could figure out where to punch them on the card stock.  I didn't want to make a mistake so I was very careful as to where I placed those practice circles.  I traced them onto the card stock before I punched them.  I did make a mistake though.  I used the smaller punch on the white piece but it turned out ok.  I was able to punch over it with the larger punch.  Had I done that with the other piece I would have had to replace it entirely. 

What was kind of fun here was that I was able to use the piece of card stock that comes off the scalloped edge.  In doing this it reminded me of a fellow DIVA Juliann that had use that piece in a card swap.  I didn't look at it as being frugal, I looked at it as I needed a strip of card stock for the "ribbon" and that strip was perfect.  I did have to go digging in the recycling basket for it!!!  

This was a fun sketch and a little bit of a challenge for me.  It did take me out of my comfort zone a bit but it was good for me!!  You don't want to get too complacent when making cards, you will tend to keep repeating the same styles over and over!

If you have time give this sketch a try!  What else do you have to do on the day before Thanksgiving?  I have TONS of things to do. I have a little cleaning (just the bathroom and the kitchen table) and I plan to make my day a more relaxed one by writing down what needs to be done when so I can have breaks in between.  I'm working on a beaded bracelet and I would LOVE to finish it tomorrow.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Falling Leaves

I have wanted to make this card for a while now.  About 2 years to be exact.  I saw this on Sue's blog a long time ago and I saved the link so I could find it again and of course to give credit.  I do try to remember to do that when I'm pilfering card samples off the Internet!!!  And most of the time I remember!

I was glad I ran across this in my card sample folder on my computer.  I have hardly used this set and I'm guessing it won't be in the next catalog, just because it's been around for a few years.  I'll be putting that in my web store when it retires!

 This card was a very easy to make too.  All you need is a few colors of ink.  I used Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze and Chocolate Chip.  I think the one Sue had on her blog used Old Olive for the green.  I liked it but I wanted a darker green.  Grab some matching card stock and you are good to go!

I used the ribbon punch and added the tiniest strip of black card stock.  I think it was about 1/8" long.  And I added 3 of the new tiny brads.  I just love those little brads.  You have to click on the photo to see the brads closer.  I made two of these cards and I sent one off in the mail yesterday.  I''m trying to keep up with my card a week quest!  

This was a fun card to make and I LOVED it that it was a quick card too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Bridal Shower Card

This card looks more pink than blush on here.  The card stock I used was Blushing Bride but the flash must have changed it a bit.  It's a lot darker than in real life.  Now I am ready for the next bridal shower on the 3rd!  I won't have to wake up with eyes as big as silver dollars and run down to my workroom without a few cups of coffee in me first!!!  I'm actually ready for this event!!! (A first time in a very long time!). 

SO here's the scoop on this fun card:  the base of this card is Whisper White.  Inside I used some leftover pieces of the "Specialty Paper Bride" and a scrap piece of 28# copier paper.  On the front I used some more of the specialty paper, Whisper White and Blushing Bride and a piece of vellum.  

I got the tutorial for the gift holder at SplitCoastStampers.  It is a VERY easy tutorial to follow.  I did watch the video and then later just followed the step by step instructions.  I like and don't like videos at the same time. I like them if they save me time by having the items taped, punched, die cut, embossed, etc. ahead of time.  I think all of us know how to remove the sticky stuff off the back of the tape and we all know how to punch, die cut and even fold a card in half.  Those things should just be omited from the videos to save the view time.  I often fast forward through all that.  And many times I don't even bother watching the video if the instructions look detailed enough.  This video had a lot of watching the maker remove tape and fold and score paper.   Anyway, I got the inside all put together and then decorated the outside of my card.  I liked how it turned out and I think my daughter-in-law to be will too.  

In the instructions the gal has you cut off the flap of the little envelope that comes with the gift card.  My gift card didn't have an envelope so what I did was I took some heavier copier paper and I wrapped a strip around the gift card and taped it in the back.  I did leave a bit of room for the gift card to move back and forth a little.  I didn't want it so tight that the gift card wouldn't come out.  I didn't close up the bottom of the sleeve either.  The bottom of the sleeve touches the card stock and it wouldn't be going anywhere.  I only needed an opening on the top and the end result is, I had an opening on the top!!  

The card is a bit bulky but there is no way to avoid that.  And because it is bulky you won't be able to mail it without it costing you extra for the thickness and maybe extra for the weight of the card too, it's feels a bit heavy.  Fortunately for me I'll be hand delivering my card!!!

This is a very attractive way to display a gift card!  And I love how it is designed too!  If you have time, give this a try!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Bridal Shower Card

I woke up Saturday morning with eyes as big as silver dollars.  I remembered I needed to make a shower card for my daughter-in-law to be and the shower was in a few hours!  I had totally forgot I about the card.  

I went to SplitCoastStampers and found this one done by Susie B.  Once again I didn't have all of the same materials as she did but I went with what I had and it worked out just fine.  From the Cuttlebug embossing folder to the flower on the waistline.  My card is a bit different in other ways too.  I added the scalloped oval with the words done on my computer.  I added the layers on the inside of the card but the original one doesn't have any layers.  I added layers because I had found some nice words for the inside and I needed it printed out on the computer and since the card was already made I had to print on a piece of card stock and cut some layers and get it put inside the card.   The layers did show through the scalloped lace trim at the bottom of the dress but it did work out anyway.

I made the front of this card 3 times.  When it was time to put it through the embossing folder I would look at it and think about how to do it and then I would end up doing the embossing backwards!  The third time was a charm!!! I want to make another one so I can have it for a sample. It's such a sweet shower card.  It would also make a great wedding card but it does look more like a shower card. 

Anyway, the shower was a lot of fun and the candies I made the other day went over well. You can see those by clicking here. 

I have another shower to go to on the 3rd.  Her side of the family is putting it on and I need another card. SO I am going to be making that card this week so I don't have to wake up and fly down to my workroom to create.  I don't mind being in here but it's usually after a few cups of coffee!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Serene Snowflakes Christmas Card

I saw a card that Chat at Me My Stamps and I blog and I just loved it so I HAD to make it.  (please note that her site contains music so you may want to be ready with your volume button and because of the music it takes a bit longer to load) So back to this beautiful card.  I didn't have the stamp set she used but I did find a snowflake in the "Serene Snowflakes" set that worked just fine.

I used satin ribbon instead of the grosgrain ribbon.  I didn't have the same "Merry Christmas" that Chat used but I did find one that fit.  Mine is from the "Four the Holidays" set.  I added a tiny rhinestone to the "i" in Christmas. If you squint you can see it!!! LOL  Just click on the photo and it will enlarge and you can see the details then.

When I made my version of this card I stamped the two snowflakes in the corners and then added the one in the center.  It seemed like the best way to do them.  

The colors here are very simple, Whisper White and Marina Mist.  I have to say that Marina Mist is one of my favorite colors and I've probably bought about 10 packs of it since the new catalog came out!!!  I think I have one full pack left.  I even used it on our Christmas cards this year!!  And now that I'm thinking about it, since I have them done I should print out the mailing labels so I can get them all finished up on Thanksgiving weekend and get them in the mail the following Monday!!  I have not been this early with my Christmas cards in years!! I LOVE it.  Though I shouldn't be bragging about it yet, I still have to sign them, add a letter to a few of them and get the labels and stamps on plus seal them up!!!  So they are not 100% ready to go but I'm hoping that Thanksgiving weekend it will all come together for me.  

This was a very quick and easy card to make.  I just wish there was something else to use for the ribbon bow so it wouldn't cost extra to mail.  Though I will probably make a few to add to Christmas gifts since I LOVE the card so and want to make sure a few of my friends and family get to see it. 

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Beautiful Fall Card

I totally did a CASE on this card from Linda at Linda's Stampin Loft.  I think it was the leaves that really attracted me the most to this card.  Though the whole card itself is beautiful I am SO drawn to the leaves.  I love fall almost as much as I LOVE winter!  

Two days ago I made a card for the Wednesday Sketch Challenge and I used those leaves.  Though when I posted the card I couldn't remember where I found them.  I know there is this "history" thing on my computer to backtrack my steps but I can't find it on here!  And I obviously don't use it or I would know where it is!!!

I did make a couple of changes to the card only because I didn't have the same items.  My leaves are a bit different, I think her punch was a Martha Stewart one that punches the leaves and embosses the veins in at the same time.  I didn't know what set was used for the inside of the embossed frame and I couldn't find the flower that she used.  Oh and I didn't have the black checkered ribbon either.  The wording stamp background that I used came from the Flores suaves set.  I'm not sure if it's in the catalog or not.  I bought it last year but it's not in English so I'm doubting it's in the catalog.  I just thought it was a pretty set.  I don't remember where the flower came from but to put it on the card I stamped the whole thing in Old Olive and then I stamped it on another piece of card stock using More Mustard.  Then I sponged it with Cajun Craze and finally I cut each flower out and taped them in place over the green stamped images.  

I also love the three layers of punched borders.  I never thought of layering that many before and it sure does give it a nice look.  I wish I could remember all the wonderful little aspects of cards and use each one on card creation and see what I get. But alas, once I am done with this one it will be put in a drawer and I won't see it for a long time again or unless a stamper takes it out to make it.  It will be forgotten and so with the fun little aspects that I loved in it from the beginning!!!

I am still pleased with how my card came out and the gals stamping last night really liked it.  Though the card of the night was the stocking one that I did a CASE on a couple of weeks ago using the Stitched Stocking stamp set and punch.  How easy it is to make that card!  I helped Sharon make 30 of them.  No, she didn't get them all done last night, but we did get all the pieces cut out so she could assemble the rest of them at home!  I was happy to help her! 

Anyway, back to this card.  I just thought it was SO pretty that I had to make it.  I want to play with this layout on a Christmas card and see what images I can find to fit the idea that is floating around in my head!!!  Wish me luck on that one!!! LOL

I am now off to the bead shop for the girls night out!  I LOVE the third Friday of the month!  Beading and chatting with friends and fellow beaders and getting to meet and know new beaders/friends too! It's so much fun and a great way to finish up some of those beading projects that just sit around!  I will be working on the necklace I am thinking I want to wear to the wedding in January!  Wish me luck on that one too!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Candy Gift Basket Weekend Project

This coming Saturday is the bridal shower (one of them) for my daughter-in-law to be.  I bought a bunch of candies and stamped 3 sheets of labels in fall colors.  I did make belly bands for around the candies.  It makes the candies easier to unwrap and if you were to put these in some type of packaging to sell at craft fairs you would need to use the belly bands in accordance with the Hershey company's compliance policy.  Even though I am not selling these I did use the belly band just for the convenience of unwrapping them. It didn't take long at all to wrap up almost 100 candies.  I had bought some Bliss candies too and wrapped them but they weren't as easy to wrap as the Nuggets were.  Though the label did fit around the Bliss candies it was a little wider and Bliss are more domed an all 4 sides so it made label gap on two sides.  

Anyway, I got these all wrapped and I put them in a basket so they were ready to go to the shower.  But the basket needed something more so I looked in my stash of ribbons and found this fun fall ribbon and added it to the top of the basket.  It was just what the handle needed!!!  You can click on the photo for a closer view of the basket and candies.  

Here is a tip for you when stamping on labels (other than the belly band compliance thing).  Labels have a different surface than the Whisper White card stock so the image is not always how you would like it to be.  I got better image prints when I huffed on the stamp before I lined it up on the label.  I was much happier with the end result.  

I think they will be a big hit at the shower!  In the Holiday set there is one for Thanksgiving so I may make a few for next week! Gosh, can you believe that a week from today is Thanksgiving???  Where is the time going?

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda