Thank You

I know I've said this numerous times but seriously taking something "ordinary" and wrapping it up pretty makes a simple gift seem so much more SPECIAL,

 right?

Attention to details:

Glitter cardstock that I cut down, punched a round hole and scored so that it would slide over and hang from the neck of the wine bottle.  I stamped the little chef, added some shadowing with a Copic Marker and gave him striped pants by drawing crisscross lines.  The food on his tray was colored with Copic Markers, cut out and I used foam squares to make them 3-dimensional.

Oh and that RIBBON

I hope she kept it, we all know

I WOULD

Baby It's COLD Outside

HAPPY NEW YEAR

This month the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team challenged each other using this theme

" BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE "

(click on blinkie for complete details on how you can join us)

A couple days after Christmas one of my neighbors came by bearing gifts that she had purchased on her trip to the outlet malls. What a wonderful treat to have been the recipient of her wonderful finds!! I thought this cute Penny Johnson (Shopping Chic) stamp would be the perfect image to use on my thank you card. Pretty sure that is what Mary looked like while out on her shopping expedition!!

Since our theme is "Baby It's Cold Outside" I decided to share some of my very SECRET, Very FAMOUS Sicilian Soup Mix. I used the Hero Arts (Ledger) stamp and two stamps from the Crafty Secrets (Sweet Stuff) stamp set to create a custom recipe card.

CHALLENGES I USED:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Baby It's Cold Outside
MelJens Thursday Challenge: Cold & Snowy
Fussy & Fancy: Card and a 3-D Gift
Little Red Wagon: Leftovers (I use leftovers for just about every project because it kills me to make that first cut into a brand new sheet of paper!!)
Mark's Finest Papers: Use something New (my rhinestone snowflakes are new)
Paper Sundaes: Something New (rhinestone snowflake)

Cock a Doodle Doo, Happy Birthday to You

Thought I would share a VERY quick TAG project that I threw together in a matter of a few minutes.

Because I LOVE to clean (honest), I enjoy using "GOURMET" Cleaning products, some of which are from Williams Sonoma. As I was making my purchase the other day, I decided to grab a bottle of the Grapefruit Counter Spray for my little sister. The idea of just handing her a bottle of cleaner seemed kind of cheesy so I added a couple dish towels, washcloths and a cute little basket. Here is a photo of her gift:
She and her family came down from Atlanta so that she, my husband, and I could celebrate our birthday's together. Our birthday's are all within 5 days of one another. We had so much fun combining our parties, just like when we were little.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Ohh La La Creations: Stripes
Paper Romance: Clean & Simple
Fresh Brewed: Brown (I stamped in brown)
Some Odd Girl: 3 or more images (rooster, postmark, swirls, script in the background-I used 4!)

Teacher Appreciation Gift Sets

New Year, New School, New Teachers,
one thing remains the same
our
APPRECIATION
for
TEACHERS

At the end of the last school year, I made little gift sets just like these!! ABC Toys & Crafts along with Little Red Wagon, Stamp Something, The Pixie Cottage AND Shirley's 2 Girls are all having "BACK TO SCHOOL" Challenges and these were so much fun to put together that I decided they would be a great way to start of this school year.

Each set includes:

10 - note cards in red, blue, yellow, purple & orange

FRONT of Note Card ---->

BACK of Note Card ---->

20 - "This Book Belongs To The Library Of " stickers

1 - Personalized paper clip

CHALLENGES I USED:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Back to School
Stamp Something: Back to School & a DT Search
The Shabby Tea Room: A Little Bit of Metal along with a photo inspiration (I liked the shabby colors which I used in my packaging & I used a metal paper clip)
Little Red Wagon: Back to School
The Pixie Cottage: Back to School &/or their sketch (I chose just to use the theme)
Shirley's 2 Girls: Back to School w/a "Twist to use Letters or Numbers" (I used both on the belly band of my packaging )
.....................Supplies I used..................
Stamps: Crafty Secrets (book lovers ), Paper Trey Ink (teachers apple)
Ink: Momento black, Stampin Up (real red, close to cocoa)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (real red, elegant eggplant, yo yo yellow, pacific point, tangerine tango, whisper white)
Patterned Paper: Autumn Leaves (Hall Pass)
Tools: Marvy Uchida (large scalloped circle punch), Spellbinders (Nestabilities Labels 7 die)
Misc: Paper Trey Ink (small wax bags, 8 1/2" x 11" adhesive sticker sheets), K & Co (blank tags), metal paper clips, ribbon scraps

University of "Miss U Rock"

What do you think? I did create these as a second entry into
Gina K's Movie Inspiration Challenge
but I didn't actually use them as an entry.
"FAME
or
"SCHOOL OF ROCK"

O Well, they were super fun to create and YES THIS IS MY IDEA OF ASSEMBLY LINE creations !!!! For the life of me, I cannot bring myself to create exact replicas. My brain is switching channels way to quickly. I'm surprised I get anything accomplished.

Here is how this project started tuning in to "Channel #1"

Then I switched to "Channel #2"

Finally, "Channel #3" I love that STAR, I created a large sheet of the white polka dots stamped on Raspberry Fizz.

Here is a photo of the "previous Life of my "vintage" tag" along with

"I'M TOO INPATIENT to STAMP NEATLY"
(hence the cover up) I am totally addicted to the new "Vintage Background" stamps. I believe that I have reached for them in every single project since they arrived. Don't you just LOVE VERSATILITY?

CHALLENGES I USED:
Gina K Designs: Movie Inspiration
Cupcake Craft Challenge: Buttons (I used 3 on one of my cards)
Cute Card Thursday: Someone Special (created for my son's teachers)
Your Next Stamp: Cut It Out & Pop It Up (T-shirts are popped up on a couple of the cards)

..............Supplies I used...............
Stamps: Gina K Designs (vintage backgrounds, little t's), Paper Trey Ink (teachers
Card Stock: Paper Trey Ink (raspberry fizz, white, black)
Ink: Paper Trey Ink (fresh snow), Momento (tuxedo black), Stampin Up (pirouette pink, pretty in pink)
Tools: Spellbinders (Nestabilities: scalloped rectangles, labels ), Stampin Up (star punch)
Misc: ribbon, buttons

A Special Valentine Treat & a CHALLENGE

I recently "Challenged" the ABC Design Team to create a project using this theme

I love you....... "Sweetheart"

No other requirements than to be creative & "interpret I love you....... Sweetheart"!!

Each day this week one of us will share our project with you on the ABC Design Blog.

Would you like to join in on our "CHALLENGE"?
Mr. Linky will be
-----> HERE <----- Deadline to enter your project is Saturday, February 6th @ 12pm EST

Random number generator will be used to pick the WINNER of a $10 store credit to
ABC Toys & Crafts

My inspiration came from this tutorial by Beate -----> HERE
I used the following dimentions for my container: 4 1/4" x 11" (this way I was able to just cut my cardstock in 1/2).

How about my little 3"x 3" card ? My son just stated that he would like me to make more of these so that he can give them to his teachers. ( out of the mouth of a 12 year old boy.... How is that for a "SWEET HEART")
Here are a few photos showing some of the steps in creating these fun projects

Challenges:
ABC Toys & Crafts: I love you "Sweetheart"
Verve: Tags, Tins & Treats
A Spoonful of Sugar: Freestyle
No time to Stamp: Bleeding Hearts-use red & a heart
Hand Full of Stamps: I give you my Heart-use a heart
Little Red Wagon: Hearts
...........Suppies I used.............
Stamps: Hero Arts (Whoo loves you), My Cute Stamps (Sweet chocolate)
Paper: Papertrey Ink (red), Stampin Up (naturals white, chocolate chip) Bazzill (brown orange peel texture)
Ink: Papertrey Ink (dark chocolate), Stampin Up (close to cocoa, riding hood red)
Tools: Spellbinders (Scalloped square Nestabilities), Cuttlebug, Stylus, 1/8" hole punch, Marvy Uchida (heart punch)
Misc: Papertrey Ink (Glassine bag), ribbon

Funky lil gift card holder

With the mad rush of last minute gifts to make, packages to wrap, boxes to mail, baking that didn't get done, I still have a couple of projects that I wanted to share.

If you look closely at this funky 6"x6" card, you will see that it is actually a pocket containing a gift card. The best part is that 3-D stocking. I shaded it a bit then used my finger to poof it up. I didn't want it to collapse so I cut two slender strips of packing foam and glued in the center prior to adhering it to the card front.
Challenges:
The Pink Elephant: 2 designer papers, 3 buttons, snowflakes
Our Creative Corner: clean & simple

This is what teachers really WANT

Last time I shared with you what I will be giving my son so that he will have a "Cup of "Holiday Cheer" to ring in the New Year. Now let me share with you the gifts that I gave to his teachers (aka my colleagues.) Probably couldn't have gotten away with this in the states, but WELL "WHEN IN ROME or Sicily for that matter", ya know the saying right! (sly grin) Not to mention these guys & gals deserve a drink for having to put up with Adam & I everyday ;o)
I hope they are all enjoying their winter break as much as I am.....

These should make for a very festive
"Cup of Holiday Cheer"

The "F" WORD

Today's project was completely inspired by the letter "f". As I sat starring at the stark white, chipboard letter, all sorts of "F" words came to mind. None were striking a cord until "F" word - (get your mind out of the gutter) The "F" word I am speaking of is "FRIEND". Actually the word didn't come until I was thinking of someone in particular. Her name is Linda (Golden for Life in blog world) and I needed a thank you card. Not just any card would do, I wanted to use some of my "SPECIAL ITALIAN RIBBON"!!! Gasp, you have got to be ultra special for me to dip into the world's most expensive ribbon or buttons (OK, in Justine's world, they are the most expensive). While cruising around checking out everyone's Twisted Thursday projects, I was intrigued by one of Linda's posts. Based on the photos of loot, I thought for sure I was about to miss out on some Blog Candy... It was Blog Candy all right, BUT it was all for ME!!! Go read her Post HERE

This post could definately fit into a "Talking STASH Tuesday", however it is all about the ABC's - ABC Toys & Crafts that is because just about everything came from there. After applying the rub on sentiment, I sprayed the chipboard letter with some Tattered Angels then inked the edges. I used a Martha Stewart punch (Doily Lace) to create the edge that is peeking out from the patterned paper. ABC just started carrying a few patterned paper (Basic Grey, K&Co, Crafty Secrets). Anyhow, this one is from the K&Co textured mat pad (Berry Sweet). The Prima flowers come in the yummiest tin (don't you just love cool containers?), so that is a Stash that I won't mind using up. I feel so guilty when I create a project without stamping anything, so to balance out my corners, I stamped the Crafty Secrets image (Bouquet of Joy) in a matching ink so that it added a subtle contrast. Life for this "F" started out white and drab, then evolved into a Tag for a gift bag but Ultimately Transformed into a Fantastically, Fun, Friendly Framed piece of ART, For a Friend by Justine Frederick.

EXTRA EXTRA
THIS JUST IN
SHIRLEY's 2 GIRLS
is now being carried at
ABC Toy's & Crafts
use your exclusive
discount code to
SAVE 15% off

----> ABC15F <----

................Supplies I used...................
Stamps: Crafty Secrets (bouquet of joy), Paper Trey Ink (beyond basic borders II)
Paper: K&Co (berry sweet), Stampin Up (chocolate chip, very vanilla, textured close to cocoa)
Misc: Prima (caboodle flowers, Stampin Up (rub ons), Ribbon (Italian), frame
Tools: Martha Stewart (doily lace), Stampin Up (sizzix curly label), Provo Craft (cuttlebug)

Teacher Appreciation Boxes

Although last week was Teacher's Appreciation, With so much going on lately, I have not had time to share the gifts that I created for Adam's teachers...........

I really had a great time coming up with the idea for this project. I started out using white boxes from Paper Trey Ink. At first I thought I would add a bit of color to them rather than leave them the stark white color, however, I quickly changed my mind after one. The first thing I did was to cut the Kraft CS, I then stamped them with the ABC background Stamp (SU retired), I inked the edges then adhered the CS panels using craft glue. The ribbon was adhered using Scor-pal double sided tape, as were the bows. The string stuff that I attached the buttons with came off of a clothing tag. I had dyed it previously using either tea or coffee.

The votive cups were sold as a trio and I just added the tea light candles. These were purchased on base. I wish I had captured a photo with all four of the gift cards since each one was different, however, I was in a race against time and the sun. Wouldn't these boxes be a CLASSy way to keep the students' information cards???

REMINDER:

There is still time to play along in the TWISTED THURSDAY sketch Challenge. COMPLETE DETAILS are listed in the post below this one. LINK your complete projects

--------> HERE <--------

...................Supplies I used......................
Stamps: Stampin Up, Paper Trey Ink (Teacher's Apple)
Paper: Kraft, white, pure poppy (Paper Trey Ink)
Ribbon: Paper Trey Ink(pure poppy saddle stitch)
Boxes: Paper Trey Ink(clearly creative white boxes)
Buttons: Paper Trey Ink (Vintage white/cream, spring moss), Stampin Up (brown flowers)
Spellbinders Nestabilities: Scalloped Squares
Fibers: Martha Stewart (brown crafters floss), Stampin Up (hemp), embroidery floss (green)
Ink: Paper Trey Ink (chocolate, pure poppy, spring moss), Stampin Up (brown), Momento (tuxedo black)

Kid at Heart Valentine Treat

Life for this little box started out much larger, lucky for him size doesn't matter!

In one of my many attempts at creating the "PERFECT VALENTINE TREAT" for my son to give to classmates and teachers, I accidentally came up with this. This box was originally a 5, 7, 9 type creation. However, I miscalculated or cut one of the tabs off, causing the box to not fit together properly. We all know I cannot toss out even the tiniest of scraps, much less a stamped and scored "junk" piece!! SOOOOOOO, I cut the box way down in length and also created 2 halves. I basically slid the two halves together (a front and a back)......... The completed box is only about 3"x3". PERFECT - now I don't have to spend a fortune trying to fill each one up with candy........ BTW, how perfect is my "Hugs & Kisses" sentiment with the contents of the Hershey's hugs & kisses"???

First thing I did was to stamp the polka dots in matching ink (sweet blush), then I stamped the hearts using Fresh Snow ink and heat set because I am impatient....... I love that the Polka Dots show through the hearts!! That clever little tag was a left over scrap after I had created a scalloped square using a small Nestability. I cut the bottom off then pieced it back together, creating a RECTANGLE!!!!

The SENTIMENT was created using a scrap of white cs which I heat embossed using Versa Mark and black embossing powder. For the LIPS, I first stamped in Raspberry Fizz then stamped over them using Versa Mark, sprinkled it with clear embossing powder and heat set!!!!!!!

Now they are lips with "Lip Gloss"...............

Last but not least, please check out some of these BLOG CANDY ALERTS:

Steph - Much Ado About Nothing

Nichole Heady - Capture the Moment (click on the names of each designer to be taken to their individual blogs where they are each offering up blog candy galore)

Sara - Card Oasis

Jeannette - Jeannette's Pages


.............Recipe............
PTI: sweet blush perfect match cs, ink, fresh snow ink, Polka Dot Basics, Heart Prints stamp sets
SU: scallop edge punch, double rectangle punch
Spellbinder: small scallop square frame
scrap of ribbon

Valentine Treat Box Tutorial

My goal is to give you enough details that you will be able to create this too. If you do make your own, leave me a comment with the link so that everyone can take a peek.

Supplies and Tools needed:

Cuttlebug
Nestabilities (square scallops)
Stylus
Paper Cutter or Score Pal
1/8" hole punch
Permanent Glue (I use Tombow)

5 - 4"x 4" scallop squares using a heavy weight Cardstock (CS)
4 - 3"x 3" scallop squares using coordinating Designer Paper (DP)
1 - 1 1/4" x 8 1/2" Strip of CS
1 - 1" x 8 1/2" Strip of DP
2 - coordinating brads

1. Using your cutting/embossing machine, cut out 5 large scalloped squares. Set the 5th square to the side, this will be the Box Bottom.

2. Take 4 of the large scalloped squares and Score along 3 of the sides at 1/2"

3. The un-scored side will be the top of your box - Take your paper snips and cut off the last scallop on the bottom corners - This will allow the bottom to be folded inwards.

4. Fold the sides forward - Apply glue - Take another side and press them together, making sure that the scallops are aligned - At this stage it will look like a hollow Square Tube.

5. Make sure that the bottom scalloped edges are folded inwards - Apply glue to the outside scallops - Press the hollow box onto the Box Bottom.

6. Adhere the DP squares to the box sides.

7. On opposite sides of the box - Locate the center and punch a hole approximately 3/4" from the top.

Creating and attaching the handle

1. Glue the DP strip on top of the plain CS strip.

2. At about 3/4" from each end, Punch hole

3. With the handle on the inside of the box - Align the holes and Attach Brads.

Your Box is Complete now decorate as desired.

....................What did I use.................
PaperTrey Ink: Love Songs stamp set, Rasberry Fizz - perfect match ink, polka dot satin ribbon, solid cardstock and designer patterned paper, Dark Chocolate ink, white cardstock
Marvy Uchida scallop circle punches
Nestabilities large scallop squares
heart rhinestone for nail art,
glitter
Stampin'Up: chocolate chip cs
Copic marker cool grey for shadow
Making Memories brads