Post-it Note Holders

Here's a great litle project that is quick and inexpensive! Keep your Post-It notes handy in this acrylic frame that has been "fancied up" to match your decor.

Start with a 4"x 6" clear acrylic frame (WalMart - for less than a dollar!)

Cut a 4" x 6" piece of DSP - slide into frame

Cut 1 - 1" x 4" piece of coordinating DSP - glue to front

Personalize it with ribbon, sayings, etc.

I used Sticky Strip (love that stuff!) to attach the Post-It note

Tip: Be sure to remove the clear "film" they use to protect the frame before you start your project! How do I know this? smile

And here's another rendition of it made just for you, Holly girl!

FYI: Here's the frame I started with. Great transformation - amazing what a little DSP can do!

Laundry, laundry, laundry

Do you have some wonderful friends in your life that help you "sort out life" from time to time? Me, too, and I love them! This is a fun project that doesn't take long and adds a little humor to the laundry room.

The saying is computer generated, the background stamped and then I cut out the little paper dresses and hung them up to dry!

Halloween Goodies

I just love these cellophane treat bags - they can be filled with just about anything and make such great little treats.  Quick, simple and inexpensive to do!  Thank you to Becky Roberts for the candy corn idea.

My promotion for the month of October  is a set of cellophane treat bags FREE with a $50.00 order!
Item #124134 from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

Berry Blossoms and Coffee Wands

So... what did you think of the new Berry Blossoms DSP? I thought, hmmmm..... and didn't order it right away because I just wasn't sure. Being a "winter" they are not my favorite colors, but I decided to go with the brown in the paper and and see what I could do. I'm really happy with the results!

An how about some coffee wands? These great little bags are now available in the Holiday Mini catalog. They can be filled with anything - anything little that is! I filled these with coffee beans.

First attempt at risotto!

I've been wanting to make risotto so tonight for dinner we had grilled chicken and butternut squash risotto - wow, it's fantastic!!

6 c chicken broth - heat and then keep warm
6T butter - divided into 4T and 2T
1/2 c chopped onion
2 c butternut squash, peeled and finely diced
2 c arborio rice
1 c dry white wine
1 c freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 T chopped chives

Melt 4T butter in large saucepan; add onion and butternut squash and cook approx 5 mins or until onion is done (you don't want the squash to be done)

Add rice to mixture and cook 2 minutes. Add wine and cook until rice has absorbed the wine, stirring constantly.

Add broth 1 c at a time, cooking and stirring between each addition until rice has absorbed the broth each time. This will take approx 15 minutes.

When rice is tender, add 2T butter and 1/2 c Parmesan cheese. It should have a wonderfully creamy texture.

Serve with remaining grated Parmesan and topped with chives.

Halloween - fancy and frightening!

Flirtatious DSP makes another appearance - this time in a Halloween card. The doilies included in this paper set have two sides (everything does, right?) one is traditional white and the other a perfect Halloween color!

A little witch complete with spiders. This card makes great use of the Big Shot! A spiderweb background, embossed lines, scalloped circles topped off with a bow!

Mr. Frankenstein - this time showcased against a spiderweb background and adhered to a fan fold flower (is there a better name for these?) made from Frightful Sight DSP. Check out the new Simply Scored tool today!

Wedding Day!

Time for another wedding card! The bride had chosen red, black and white as her colors along with red poppies. These flowers are so... fun to make and hold their shape perfectly! I used the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch (on the first setting) and it was just the right size.

I really do like the "happy I do day" stamp from Word Play but have struggled to find a punch that fits it well. Tada - I found it! The Extra Large Oval punch turned slightly sideways seems to fit just fine. The center sports an Antique Brad #117273.

Pumpkin Treat Basket

I wanted to make a little basket that would work for small fall treats. I'd seen many pumpkins made from circles but none from the Oval Scallop die cut - I'm sure they are out there, I just hadn't come across any. Fill it with anything special!

I began with two Oval Scallop dies and cut a third using Just Add Cake DSP. Sponged the edges of both with Pumpkin Pie ink. Cut the bottom edge of the Oval Scallop straight so the basket will  stand up.

Leaves: Stamp the leaf from French Foilage #121166 stamp set using  Always Artichoke ink on Old Olive cardstock. Run the leaves through the Spider Web embossing folder to add dimension.

I created a small box to fit inside and adhered it using Sticky Strip.

Cutest little Americans!!

Are these not the greatest little grandkids!!  First day of school with all it's new binders, pencils and clothes is always fun!  Have a great year!

Thinking of Fall....

I've been thinking of fall.... it isn't too far away now, is it? I think it may be my favorite season, with spring a close second. I love that by the time a season comes around a person just seems ready for it.  In celebration of fall - here is my card. Was so simple and I made quite a few! I think it will be my "Happy Fall Greetings" card for 2011!!

The stamp set, Faith in Nature, is one of the sets that Stampin' Up! has specially priced for hostesses in the new catalog. I love it for a couple of reasons.... first, my very first stamp set I ever  purchased was a pear and I used it over and over again. You know how first stamp sets hold a special place in a person's heart? Secondly, I love script added to pictures. So this stamp set perfectly fits into my "favorite things" category!

It had been awhile since I have used the Stampin' Pastels - almost felt like an artist!

Early Espresso and Very Vanilla cardstock
Early Espresso ink
Faith in Nature stamp set #122492
Crumb Cake seam binding #122332
Stampin' Pastels # 120962

School Daze are here again!

This is a back to school "pencil" designed to hold a regular size candy bar - perfect to provide the energy it takes to make it through that first day back!  Mom, you may need one, too!

It's quick and easy to make and I was pleased with how it turned out. Enlarge it a bit to hold a brand new pack of pencils if the sugar seems a bit much.

Supplies:
1)  Daffodil Delight c/s: Cut one piece 6-3/4" x 6-3/4"  score @ 1-3/4", 2", 2-3/4", 4",4-3/4" &
      5"
     Sponge scored lines with More Mustard ink
2)  Blushing Bride c/s:   Cut one piece 6-3/4" x 1"  score @ 1-3/4" 2" 4-3/4" & 5"
     Sponge along one long edge with Regal Rose ink to create "eraser"
3) Crumb Cake c/s: Cut one piece 3" x 2-3/4" score @ 1" and cut point of pencil (2" area)
     as shown  below
4) Basic Black c/s: Cut one piece 1" x 1-1/2" 
5) Apply Sticky Strip as shown below

So, here's what it should look like so far!  My apologies for the slightly fuzzy pic! It's late and well, it's late!

6)Adhere  Basic Black c/s to pointed end of Crumb Cake and cut to match angles to create
    the "lead"

7) Apply Sticky Strip along long edge of pencil. Place candy bar inside and adhere it around.
    The candy bar is not to stick to the card stock, but will give you something solid when you are
     folding and adhering it.
8) From Basic Black c/s punch a tag using the Decorative Label punch #120907
9) From Whisper White c/s cut a tag using Lots of Tags #114508 die cut and the Big Shot!
10) Using Basic Gray ink stamp sentiment onto tag. I used one from Friendly Phrases
       #126151
      I really like using Basic Gray for sentiments - it's just a tad softer looking than black.
11) Adhere sentiment to the Basic Black label. Punch holes at either end, insert brads and  
     adhere to front side of "pencil" with Stampin' Dimensionals
12) Insert candy bar - quick before you get tempted!!

I hope this will put a smile on some student's face! Enjoy!

A quiet fishin' mornin'

This morning we got up early and headed for the pond for some quiet fishin' time. I actually spent time studying and walking around with our grandson.  Such a great way to start the morning. By 8:30 am I had walked a mile, studied a chapter and was headed back home for breakfast on the back porch. My kind of life!  And I have Stamp Club to enjoy tonight - does it get any better than this?

Back to School!

Well, it's almost that time again.... back to school!
This is my first in a series of delightful cards to celebrate back to school for your children, friends or teachers.

As usual, I was inspired by a card (I loved the apple!) that was showcased in a wonderful magazine available only to Stampin' Up! demonstrators ..... there are many, many benefits of becoming a demonstrator! click here for more info

And as usual, I changed it up quite a bit.  I will take credit for the pencil and the envelope made from a lunch bag - aren't they ever so cute?

Apple:  I hand drew, cutting each layer about an 1/8" - 1/4" inch smaller than the previous one - you can do it, I know you can! Start with an "apple" approx. 3" x 3-12". Dampen the apple layers (except bottom one) and scrunch up, unfold and let dry before adhering them together.

Seeds: are created by cutting a heart (Small Heart punch) in half, using Early Espresso c/s

Leaf: created from the wing (Bird Builder punch), using Old Olive c/s

Pencil: Cut a 3/4" strip each of the following cardstock:
Blushing Bride 3-1/8" long
Crumb Cake    3" long
Daffodil Delight 2-1/4" long
Basic Black   1/2" long
Adhere Crumb Cake on top of Blushing Bride - this will create the "eraser"
Adhere Daffodil Delight on top of Crumb Cake, placing up against "eraser"
Adhere Basic Black to end of Crumb Cake to create "lead" and cut into a point
Supplies:
Night of Navy ink
Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy, Basic Black, Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White
Just Add Cake DSP
Clips Assortment #112580
Friendly Phrases #126151
Hemp Twine #100982
Bird Builder punch #117191
Small Heart punch 117193

Envelope:
Elementary Alphabet wheel #123229
Pretty Postage stamp set #123097
Scallop Edge Border #119882

I created the envelope using a regular lunch bag. Cut the bottom off, fold over and adhere closed with Sticky Strip. If you don't go too overboard on the embellishments and adhere it closed well, it can actually be mailed!

Now off to school!

A beautiful Idaho sunset!

 
The sunsets here are so... gorgeous and how I enjoy them best is with my feet up on the front porch with a cup of coffee and my hubby!

Vintage Coffee Cup gift card holder & gift tags, too!

Happy Monday afternoon to each of you that follow my blog!

I've been playing around with a coffee cup pattern I originally saw as a video tutorial on Confessions of a Stampin Addict. 

I made mine as a card that opens the traditional way. I now have a stash of them! My favorite is this "vintage" one I created for a special friend of mine who lives miles away. We are long overdue for a coffee chat, friend!! I loved it so much I decided to make some the size of a gift tag.   And I'm still thinking.... how about a coffee cup Christmas tree ornament?  Does your brain ever get like that - it's racing with ideas faster than you can possibly create them? Gotta love it!!  So although this project was not my original idea I will give you the dimensions I used along with a few simple changes I made. 

So how 'bout we share a cup of coffee as we get started. Go on, I'll wait while yours brews!                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Supplies: 

Creative Elements stamp set

Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso ink   

CherryCobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stock  

Crumb Cake seam binding #122332 

Pearls #119247  

Large Oval Scallop Punch #119855  

Scallop Oval  Punch  #119856

Corner Punch #119871   

Crimper #101618  

Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder #117335  

Elegant Lines embossing folder #119277 

Stampin' Dimensionals

For gift card holder:

Crumb Cake c/s - Cut one piece 8-1/2 x 3-1/4 (you can get 3 from one piece of c/s!)

Fold in half to create a 4-1/4" x 3-1/4" card.

Along what would be the bottom of the card, measure in 1/2" from each side and mark using the scoring tool on your cutter.

Fold card in half and lay along cutter as shown:

Now cut a wedge off each long side, starting at the top folded edge, down to the 1/2" mark as shown above. Repeat on opposite side of card to create a "coffee cup" shape.

Stamp flower from Creative Elements stamp set randomly on "cup" front using Cherry Cobbler ink. 

 Emboss front of card only using the Elegant Lines embossing folder.

From Whisper White c/s, cut a piece 3-1/2" x 1-1/2", fold in half lengthwise and round off both bottom corners with the Corner punch to create the "lid". Run "lid" through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

Adhere in place over top of card using Sticky Strip (love that stuff!).  

From Cherry Cobbler: Cut one piece 1" x 3-1/2". Run through crimper to create "band". Adhere in place. Trim edges to fit "cup".

Your "cup" should look like this! How'd it go?

Cut 7" of Crumb Cake seam binding. Adhere around band with the cut ends meeting in the center on front of the cup. This way they'll be covered by the embellishment.

Using Early Espresso ink, stamp sentiment on Whisper White c/s and then cut out using large oval punch.
Using Early Espresso card stock, cut out one scalloped oval. Adhere in place at center of band.
Using Stampin' Dimensionals adhere sentiment in place.
Adhere pearls in place.
You're done!  Isn't it cute?  Hope you didn't spill your coffee!!

NOTE: For gift tags begin with a "cup cut 2-3/4" x 3-1/2'. Directions remain the same.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Happy I Do!

A special card for a very special couple! Congratulations you two!

The "tux" and bodice of the wedding dress were created using the Round Tab punch #119864
For the tux: Using Basic Black c/s, punch only half the punch, slit it in the center and fold both sides back to create the lapels.
For the bodice: Use Whisper White c/s, punch the entire tab and then center the tab back into the punch and punch again to create the neckline.  You only need half the punch but I punched the entire piece so I had something to hold onto while I punched it the second time - then I trimmed it. (Was that enough punch, punch? Wheww!)
The Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder #120175 adds dimension to the dress.
"Happy I Do" is from the wonderful Word Play stamp set # 120651 - I use this set so..... often. It's a great investment.
Flowers are created using the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack #118309 - centers are pearls
Flirtatious Specialty DSP #122360 was used with matching textured cardstock Wisteria Wonder

Do you have as many pearls and diamonds floating around your house as I do? Yesterday I found four pearls on the bottom of my flip-flops and diamonds on my daughter's ears!

Getting Ready for Fall

Okay, I totally CASE'd this pumpkin - but isn't it the cutest thing ever?
  Credit goes to the Squareheadedstamper -    she has amazing ideas! 
   I popped mine on a basket made from the the Scallop Square Die #115950                                                                             

The funny thing about this picture is - note how frayed my ribbon is! Yikes!  I saw it while I was working on it and thought "now I need to add to my blog.... how to get all the sticky strip off of your scissors". So I set up my scissors and the adhesive remover, took a picture, and totally forgot to clean up my ribbon!  So here it is in all it's frayedness!!  But, anyway ... when you get your scissors all gunked up with adhesive, just run your Adhesive Remover #103684 over the blades a few times and they are back to new!

I used Sticky Strip around the stem to hold the "pumpkin wedges" in place - oh, how I love Sticky Strip!!! Really, what would we do without it on our paper creations? I also ran my oval pumpkin wedges through the Big Shot - I love the new Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, don't you?

I have a hundred (well almost) other ideas for this pumpkin; so you will see variations of it every now and then this fall, I'm thinkin'.

Here's a close up of the pumpkin

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

So if you are needing a major sugar fix, these wonderful cupcakes may interest you. Made from scratch in my very own kitchen, with just a few changes to the recipe; they boast cake batter and frosting that taste just like chocolate chip cookie dough! In the first bite or two you will discover actual chocolate chip cookie dough hiding inside!  This cupcake is not for the faint of heart!

I took the time to do the calculations and these little darlings weigh in at 400 calories each!  I first found the idea for these at bakeat350.blogspot.com - a wonderful blog if you love cookies and sweets.

I'm not sure why I've been in this baking/cooking mood - in the middle of the summer, no less, but I have come across some great recipes.  Keep tuned for breakfast pizzas on the grill!  Now back to stamping!

So Very Flirtatious!

Oh I love this new DSP - don't you? Pink and orange with a touch of white - what could be prettier! Thanks goes to Becky for the inspiration for the Fun Flowers card - visit her blog here
The candy wrapper die cut is just too cute - so easy to use and can be filled with a tiny gift. Be sure to check out the new stamp set Friendly Phrases, used here on all three projects. I love the fine lined font!

Sail Away...... into the Summer

This one is for my incredible husband - he is my world!!  
Happy 4th of July to each of you! Enjoy today with all it's activities and fireworks.
I hadn't used the crimper for quite some time, so pulled it out along with some embossing powder and here's what I came up with. Waiting patiently (not!) for my 2011- 2012 catalog order to arrive in a few days. I've been compiling an entire list of projects so I can hit the floor running!!

Brand New 2011 - 2012 Stampin' Up! Catalog available now!

It truly is filled with beautiful ideas for Stampin' Up!'s wonderful products. Get inspired today by browsing through this catalog and begin working on your wish list!

It's here and it's beautiful! The brand new catalog we've been waiting for! Contact me today for your copy! Or... view and order online - how easy can it be!

It is full of great new stamps, die cuts and designer papers along with a brand new In Color line of cardstock.  Get inspired today!                                                                

Post-it Note Thank You's!

These were my thank-you's to some really great teachers, aides and nurses I had the pleasure of working with this year. Contained inside is a pad of Post-it Notes ready to go! These are so cute and easy to make. They make a great little thank-you and are great to have in the car when those great inspirations hit and you have to jot them down before you lose them!

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Garden Green, Love Letter DSP
Die-cuts: Scallop Circle #113469
Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch #122464
Swirls Scribbles #113441 Sizzlit Die Accessories: Post-it Notes, Pearl, Stampin’ Up! Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Crimper
Directions:
Cherry Cobbler - 3-1/2" x 7" - I crimped it from 3" - 4" mark to help it fold over nicely
Adhere Post-it Note pad inside with Sticky Strip
Garden Green: Cut 1 piece from Swirls Scribbles Sizzlit Die - adhere to front
Very Vanilla - Cut 1 small flower using Scallop Circle, using large needle punch holes
at center of each petal. Adhere to front.
Cherry Cobbler - Cut 1 Image 1 from Blossom Bouquet Punch, adhere in place using a
Dimensional
Love Letter DSP - 3/4" x 3-1/2" - adhere to front along crimped edge
2" square - cut 1 of Image 3 from Blossom Bouquet Punch, adhere in
place.
Pearl- Adhere to center of flower

I Do! I Do! I Do! - an elegant wedding card

I wanted to create a very elegant wedding card and Very Vanilla and Whisper White with a touch of diamonds was the first thing that came to mind!  I used a Stampin' Write Marker to use just the "I do" from one of my favorite stamp sets "Word Play"  

Cardstock:   Whisper White

                     Very Vanilla

Stamps:        Word Play #120651

Ribbon:         Very Vanilla 5/6" satin # 117291

Big Shot:       Elegant Lines embossing folder #119277

                     Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder #117335

                     Beautiful Wings Embosslits die #118138

Punches:      Scallop Oval Extra Large # 119856

                     Oval Large #119855

Ink:               Stampin= Write Marker Crumb Cake #120967

Accessories: Basic Rhinestones

Directions:

Whisper White: Cut 4-1/4" x 11" -     folded in half to make card (4-1/4" x 5-1/2")

                       Cut  4" x 5-1/4"   -    emboss with Elegant Lines - tie satin ribbon around top

                                                     and using Stampin= Dimensionals adhere to front of card

                       Stamp AI do@ to a scrap of card stock - cut out with Oval punch, adhere diamond.

                        

 Very Vanilla:     Die cut butterflies - accent with diamonds and adhere to card front using glue dots

                         Punch out Large Scallop Oval, run through Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

                         Adhere to card front using Stampin= Dimensionals

                         Adhere prepared  AI Do@ oval to Scallop Oval

ARRGH! It's the Pirate's Life for Me!

I actually created this to submit to a contest, but got busy and missed the deadline - oh, well! Thought it would make a great little party favor!

Card Stock: Basic Black 1 piece 5" square
                     Cherry Cobbler - 1 piece 4" square
                     Very Vanilla - 2" x 2-3/4" and 4" square
                     Marina Mist - scrap
Ribbon: 7" Real Red 1-/1'4" striped grosgrain
12" Basic Black 1/8" taffeta ribbon - cut into two 6" lengths
6" Linen Thread
Ink: Basic Black
Basic Grey
Stamps: Sail Away
Dies: Scallop Square #115950
Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder #117335
Square Lattice embossing folder # 119976
Punches: ½" Circle punch
Extra Large Oval Punch - used for pirate face and mouth
Word Window Punch - used for eye patch
Two Step Owl Punch - used eyes from punch for eye and nose
Directions:
1 Cut one scallop square die from Basic Black card stock
2) Run 4" square of Cherry Cobbler card stock through the Square Lattice embossing folder
Adhere to Black scallop square
3) Bring two opposite corners of Scallop Square together and punch a hole to accommodate ribbon using the ½"
Circle punch.
4) Tie with black taffeta ribbon.
5) Using Very Vanilla 2" x 2-3/4" piece, trim two corners to create tag
6) Using Basic Grey ink, stamp "ledger" from Sail Away stamp set onto tag
7) Distress edges of tag and punch a hole in top to accommodate ribbon. Tie to Scallop Square
8) Using the Extra Large Oval punch and Very Vanilla card stock, punch pirates face.
9) Run lower edge of "face" through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. Distress with black ink to create
"beard"
10) Using a scrap of black, cut just the very end of a Word Window Punch for eye patch - adhere to face. Draw on
string for eye patch
11) Cut one "eye" using Marina Mist cardstock and the eyes from the Two Step Owl Punch - adhere in place
12) Cut a "nose" using Very Vanilla cardstock using the eyes from the Two Step Owl Punch - adhere in place
13) Using a scrap of Cherry Cobbler and the Extra Large Oval punch, punch mouth (use just the end of punch)
14) Fold Striped Grosgrain ribbon in half, adhere to top of pirate face and tie with Linen thread. Trim as needed
15) Using a Stampin’ Dimensional attach pirate face to tag.
FILL WITH TREATS AND YOU ARE DONE! ARRRGH! It’s the pirate’s life for me!

Aviary Too!

Don’t you just love this Aviary set? Perky little birds and ornate cages. I designed this card after sitting in the backyard listening to the birds enjoy our waterfall. What a great combo Sahara Sand, Poppy Parade and Old Olive are together - with a dash of black (which really is my favorite color to wear!)

Stamp Sets: Aviary #120462, Silhouette Sentiments #120127, Afterthoughts #120121
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Sahara Sand
Ink: Stazon Black, Poppy Parade
Ribbon: Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain #111368
Punches: Jewelry Tag Medium #117190, Scallop Trim Border #118402
Accessories: Basic Pearls119247

Directions:

Sahara Sand:                     Cut 1 piece  4-1/2" x 11"

                                         Fold in half to make a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card

Poppy Parade :                 Cut 1 piece 4" x 5-1/4"

                                        Run through Big Shot using Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

                                        Wrap Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon around twice and tie in knot

                                        Adhere to front of card

Basic Black:                     Cut 1 piece 4-1/4" x 3"

                                        Punch one long side with Scallop Trim Border punch

                                        Adhere to card front slightly to left side 

  Whisper White:               Cut 1 piece 4" x 2-1/2"

                                        Stamp birdcage stand using black ink

                                        Cut 1 piece 2"x 2" or use scrap

                                        Stamp birdcage using black ink

                                        Stamp bird using Certainly Celery ink and cut bird cage out

                                        Adhere pearls

                                        Using Stampin' Dimensionals, adhere in place

                                        Cut 1 piece 2" x 2" or use scrap

                                        Using Poppy Parade ink, stamp flower from Afterthoughts stamp set

                                        Using black ink, stamp saying and punch out using Medium Jewelry tag punch

                                        Using Sticky Strip adhere in place on ribbon

Voila!  You have just created the cutest card!