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What would YOU do with 3 little ones (kids) and a bunch of broken crayons? Why, melt them down of course, pour them into a heart mold, and use them on Valentines. You might still have time to make this project for your child's Valentines.
Place paper cups in a muffin tin, drop bits of crayons, by color, into each cup. Place in a 250 F oven for about 20 minutes. If the crayons aren't melted yet, melt a little longer. :)
Then pour colors into the mold and let them set. You can pour two or three colors into the little heart molds but you'll need to work quickly. Try not to overflow the mold edges.
See if you can tell which one the "sort of center" orange/green one is in the next photo!
Yip, it was a definite experiment and reject!
After melting, molding and cooling your crayons, set them aside.
My daughter, Andrea, had asked me to bring the 'crayon kids' stamp sets from my retired Stampin' Up! stash, which I did. Time for some crafting!
She made an arch on an 8-1/2" x 11" piece of computer paper and stamped:
You color my world!
Then she and 5 year old Nora stamped the children and flowers using the Definitely Decorative Crayon Kids, Crayon Fun Upper and Crayon Kid Lower Alphabets.
I took the stamped art work to the local UPS store and reduced it by 50%:
and then by another 50% which I printed four times, cut apart, and layered on an 8-1/2" x 11" piece of computer paper:
Trim those four images into 4" x 5-1/4" pieces and layer them onto 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card stock of varying colors. Attach your crayon hearts with Red Sticky Strip -- it holds the crayon hearts to the paper!
And you have darling Valentines for your pre-schooler to hand out to her classmates and teachers.
Isn't this a fun project! And your child will really enjoy working with you.
Be sure to click on the photos for larger versions.
I'm going to love having that banner from the Take it to Heart stamp set, page 14, to use for both the next few months and then after the Occasions Mini retires at the end of April. A perfect mate for this banner is the stamp set we got FREE at Leadership, Loving Thoughts, page 15:
These words are designed to fit perfectly inside the banner.
Here are the swap cards I received using the Take it to Heart Stamp Set:
This is my card. :) I used the stamp set as well as the Hearts Collection Framelits Die, the Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, and the new Vanilla Scented Stampin' Emboss Powder. You can see more details about this card here and here (tutorial)
Above, created by Deborra Allen, Eureka CA
Above, created by Kathy Alt
Abobe, created by Gina Coffelt, Waynesville, MO
Above, created by Karen Flores, CA
Isn't it cool how many different Valentines can be created from one stamp set--and a variety of embellishments or tools? Such fun!
Tomorrow we'll wander off in to spring and explore the Mixed Bunch stamp set. And punch.
This set caught my eye immediately, even if it wasn't in my first Occasions Mini order.
Have you noticed that the two 'tall' images on the left coordinate with both the Edgelit Dies and the Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders? You can see them at the bottom of page 11 as well as on page 7. They are both fun, easy and oh-so-satisfying to use. I used them to make this set of post cards that I made for my roommates Sue Ann and Cathy, downline members, Janice and Jill, and my upline Debra. Click on the picture for a "closer up" view. First I cut the shape with the Edgelit Die and then lined the cut piece up in the Impressions Folder and ran it through the Big Shot to get that awesome raised impressions.
One thing I love about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is the events that we have the option to attend. And then at those events, in addition to amazing new ideas and friendships renewed, we SWAP CARDS. Stampers are like a swarm of crazed beings.
Here are the swap/idea cards I received for the Bordering on Romance stamp set. In addition to the stamp set you'll see lots of use of the new Ruffled Ribbon, and the Edgelits and Adorning Accents Textured Embossing Folders. And what would we do without that BIG SHOT Die Cut Machine?
I love the creativity that blossoms from people's minds. So many looks from one stamp set and a few accessories/tools. I hope you're enjoying this tour through the mini with such a variety of samples. When I'm not home and able to actually stamp I think this is a great way of sharing ideas.
Today we're hopping over to page 10 of the 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog. What's that? A bird? A plane? No..........it's Superman, Silly!
Well, actually, no, it's the first one. A BIRD!
Honestly, until I saw some of these cards at Leadership Training, I wasn't sure how I felt about this Elegant Bird die. Sometimes all it takes is to see some beautiful interpretations of an item to bring it closer to your heart.
I received this fun and funky card (above) in the Sudsol card front swap.
Shelli Gardner made this card on stage. Stunning.
Here's how she put it together:
Using the Apothecary Art stamp set, Real Red card stock and either Black Craft ink or VerksaMark followed by Black Embossing Powder.
Then, using the Label Framelit (the one that just fits over the stamped image) and the Big Shot, she die cut the embossed label and attached it to a Basic Black layer (4-1/8" x 5-3/8") set atop a Whisper White 4-1/4" x 8-1/2" folded card front with Dimensionals. The Basic Black card stock is attached to the Whisper White with Snail adhesive.
Next, Shelli die cut the Elegant Bird, using some DSP---can YOU tell ME which one???---and the Big Shot. The bird is attached with some more Dimensionals.
Earlier she had made a 'lolly' (or medallion) and embellished it with several punched pieces of card stock and an Antique Brad. She's about to slip a 2" piece of 1-1/4" Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon under the lolly and attach it with some dimensionals or glue dots.
Finally she attached the lolly to the bird with some more Dimensionals (aren't they just the best!?) and shared with the audience a beautiful card for someone very special. Except for the lolly, she made it in about 5 minutes. Set your materials out and then set your timer---I'll bet you can do it too.
Did you notice that the birds in these two cards are each facing a different direction?
If you've made a card (or any kind of creation) with the Elegant Bird Bigz Die why don't you share it with us? Send it to me in an email (blythe@stampinwithblythe.com) and I'll post it along with your name (you ARE the creator) and where you're from.
With the help of Leadership Training a few weeks ago (and swaps I received there) and a pre-plan to go through the new Occasions Mini somewhat page by page here on my blog, here is my first share.
Right in time for Valentine's Day, here are some great samples from the P.S. I Love You stamp set, page 8.
Can you see how many of the stamp images match Stampin' Up!'s punches??? Check this out:
Modern Label punch (119849)
Word Window punch (119857)
1-3/8" Circle punch (119860)
1" Circle punch (119868)
Full Heart punch (119883)
And here are some of my favorite swap cards I received at Leadership, using this set.
From a Stampin' Up! display
These cards sometimes use the PS I Love You set exclusively, sometimes just an element from the set. And isn't it amazing to be able to create cards from vintage to contemporary, and not all using traditional red.
If you have questions about any of these cards, please ask. I'll do my best to give you the proper answers.
Tomorrow, another set. I'll be traveling to the San Francisco Bay Area again later today to help out with my stepson. He's really requiring a lot of help lately and will be as we move forward as well. Sigh. It's been quite a journey with him so far. As much of a photographer as I am, I just can't take pictures. It doesn't seem fair. Only when we're outdoors or engaged in a family activity am I inspired to capture the moment.
Do pop back in tomorrow for some more ideas for your stamping pleasure. I love knowing you're here!
Let's see if I can count the ways that make this year's event more special than years past:
Simply---it's 2012's Sale-A-Bration Event. As in current, right now! Woohoo!
The awesome hostess opportunities! Like a snazzy FREE Tote Bag with every order over $150. Yes, you can earn more than just one. And if you hostess a $400 workshop you'll also earn a FREE Hostess Bundle which consists of the Fresh Vintage Stamp Set, a pack of Everyday Enchantment designer series paper, 2 rolls of 1/8" Organdy Ribbon (Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral -- 10 yards each), and a package of 3/8" Printed Designer Brads (30)
An awesome opportunity to join the Stampin' Up! Family(I'll have more about the SU! Family tomorrow so be sure to check back) as a demonstrator. The Starter Kit, during Sale-A-Bration, is available for only $125 (normally $175--more than a $340 value). In addition to all of the goodies (click here for more information) in the Starter Kit, you'll receive FREE Designer Series Paper or a Digital Downloadeach month for the remainder of 2012. Simply place a demonstrator order each month and you'll be able to choose a qualifying paper or digital download for free! And you can alternate your choices---DSP one month, digital download the next........through December 2012. Click HERE to learn more about this great opportunity.
The great new stamp sets, accessories, fabric, designer series paper plus selected stamps from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.
How do you take advantage of these free products??? Choose one for every $50 you order in Stampin' Up! product. I'll share some bundle ideas later today. Right now I'm taking advantage of some 'quiet time' while my daughter and her children are out. I'm 'camping out' at their home for the rest of the week while we do some work around my stepson's house, take him to doctor's appointments, get my car repaired (ooops that simple hose repair got buried in the rush of other priorities and now the car's in the shop with a blown power steering pump), and celebrate my birthday. Why drive home (125 miles) one day only to return the next? It's so nice to have the option of staying with Andrea and her family during these crazy times!!! Thank you so much. Plus I get to spend more time with 3 of my grandkidlets.
Call or email me if you need help with an S-A-B order or simply place it yourself by clicking here or on that shopping cart in the upper right sidebar. Be sure to round up to the nearest $50 bracket to get as many Sale-A-Bration items as possible. Remember, S-A-B continues through March 31st.
Here is one of my favorite swap cards, received at Leadership last week, highlighting the Fresh Vintage Stamp Set and the Twitterpated DSP from the Occasions Mini:
I'm sorry the color is so faded. Brighter cards will be coming forth in the next days.
If you haven't received your Sale-A-Bration brochure, email me immediately (link in the left sidebar) and I'll get one sent right out to you (customers only please, no demonstrators---we all got a free one from Stampin' Up!).
Do you remember Sandwich? He's my Stampin' Up! bear that I got at our Convention a few years ago. He's always good so I take him to all of my Stampin' Up! events.
When I finished these cards a little bit ago I decided he should be in the group photo. (By the way, Sandwich's fashion eye wear came from Build-a-Bear when we went there for my granddaughter Nora's 3rd birthday. And tomorrow she'll be five! Yikes!!!)
Back to the cards........these are single sided cards to be used as quick notes to customers or friends as a thank you or thinking of you or........as Just a Note.
And they use accessories from the the 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog and....and little sneak peak from the upcoming Sale-a-Bration Catalog. The S-A-B catalog will go live on January 24th so stand by for more sneak peaks. I love the Designer Series Paper and some of the accessories inside those pages.
The new Edgelits Dies and Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders are just awesome AND addictive. I'm constanting thinking of how I can use them for my next project. I used them for both of my Leadership swap cards. I also used them earlier today to make my January and some February birthday cards. But I can't share those with you yet because of certain people who have b-i-g e-y-e-s.
Here's the second note card, with only a different sentiment:
Be sure to click on the photos for a larger image. This is pretty much a look--see--do card.
I've packaged these cards up in sets of 4 and will be giving them to my two Leadership roommates, two downline who are attending, and my fabulous upline Debra Godfrey. And then I'll make some more for my own use!
Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Oval All (113790, p. 131), More Great Greetings (retired a long time ago), Tiny Tags (118091-W; 118592-C, p. 136)
Card Stock: (based on the DSP I used): Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla
Ink: Pool Party
Accessories: Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Punches: Scalloped Oval, Large Oval, Jewelry Tag; Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals.
I hope you'll try making some of these simple note cards. Just choose a Designer Series Paper that suits you, and then select your card stocks. I cut pieces of the upper decoratively cut piece of Pool Party card stock to 4-1/4" x 1-1/2". I trimmed it using the Adorning Accents Edgelit and the Big Shot. Then I set that piece into the matching Embossing folder, lined up the design and ran it through the Big Shot.
Need supplies? Send me an email and I'll help you out or click on the shopping basket in the upper right side bar which will send you right to my Stampin' Up! Store and you can place your own order. But..........wait until....................tomorrow!
Tomorrow: I have a fun offer for you while I'm off to San Antonio and Stampin' Up!'s Leadership conference. Even though the Marriott Hotel makes getting online annoying, I'll be posting either swapped cards or a fun idea every day while I'm there. Be sure to check in.
Among the products that caught my eye was the Create & Keep Simply Sent Card Kit on page 42, way in the back of the Mini. It was one of the first items I ordered and I've been playing with it ever since. And it is SO MUCH CUTER than it looks in the mini. The images are very delicate.
This Simply Send Card Kit will be the focus of my February Class, February 15th, at My Country Loft here in Mi Wuk Village. I'll talk more about it in my mid-month Newsletter that will be coming out on the 17th of January. I'll be offering the class as a Kit To-Go as well in case you don't live near my little burg here in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Are YOU on my mailing list???
Here's a hint of what we'll be doing:
First, a card holder and dividers:
And then some great (and easy) cards..... Sneak peaks to these will come later.
More details to come in the following weeks. It's so much fun to be able to create beautiful cards in less than 2 hours.
I just wanted to share the simple birthday card that I created from the set of Gnome Sweet Gnome cards that I just made. (Check out the previous blog entry or click here.)
First I finished the front with a rock, flowers and 2 buttons. I'm still not quite satisfied but it does look more finished with those touches.
Inside I placed a greeting with my friend Margie in mind. She's an avid gardner. I used the A Word for You stamp set, 117032 as well as Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze and Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Write Markers for the greeting, candles and cake.
And for the back, where I always place my name and the date the card was shared:
Margie will be getting her card today since she was out of town yesterday, her actual birthday.
My style, no matter what I do, seems to be rather simple and duplicatable. I hope it suits you and that you can use the template from this card as a jumping off point for using the great, new, and funFramelits: Hearts Collection (125599) and Labels Collection (125598).
To purchase your own Framelits, simply email me or click on the shopping basket in the upper right corner to place your own order online. (By the way, I'll be announcing a special "Blythe" promo on Monday, January 16th, when it comes to placing orders.)
After I finished the card using the Heart Framelits I knew I had to make one with the Labels Framelits just as soon as possible. And I'd earned a free Gnome Sweet Gnome stamp set from Stampin' Up! so I wanted to us it too.
I'm still going to add another embellishment to my card but I'm not sure just what yet. And since I'm not at home, I can't do anything anyway! I'll just keep on thinking on it.
Here are the steps I used along the way to layer my card:
After you've selected the Framelits you want to use, the largest Framelit will go on your top/uppermost piece of card stock. Sounds simple but---I'll admit, it took me two "ooopes" (several hours apart) before I got it right!
Attach the top layer to the next layer and then position the next Framelit and run it through the Big Shot.
Then lay the top layers over the stamped layer so you can determine where to lay the ribbon. Place a bit of Snail adhesive about 1.5" from each end. Position ribbon and press on adhesive to hold it in place.
Then flip the layers over and adhere the tag ends.
Now it's safe to attach your layers to your card front base and send your finished card off to a friend. My girlfriend's birthday is tomorrow and she has an amazing yard--always trimmed and decorated for the season. I just realized that this will be her birthday card because she does "Light up my LIFE" -- rather than MY lawn. Our 'lawn' is non-existant. Only natural mountain landscaping!
CARD STOCK: Certainly Celery or Pear Pizazz, Whisper White, 2010-12 In Color OR Subtles Patterns Designer Series Paper
INK: Classis Pads: Going Gray, Blushing Bride, Marina Mist, More Mustard, Soft Suede; Markers: Blushing Bride, Basic Gray, Certainly Celery
ACCESSORIES: Labels Framelits (125598, Occasions Mini), Big Shot, Ribbon: 1/4" Certainly Celery Grosgrain or Pear Pizazz Seam Binding, Snail Adhesive
I hope you've enjoyed today's card. My vow is to be using supplies from the 2012 Occasions Mini all month. I've got 'em so I'm going to be sharing 'em.
If you don't have the new Occasions Mini, let me know and I'll be glad to send you one. It's full of fun products and accessories for sure. In the meantime, you can view it via a link from the right sidebar. Check it out!
