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To say my life has been wild and crazy would be an understatement. Once more our life is not our own. Not only are we dog-sitting for Molly, my grand-dog, but we're also on 'wheelchair repair' duty, taking stepson Jeff's wheelchair in for repair today. Never a dull moment.
While I'm not taking my few Christmas decorations for at least another week (no time!), I thought I'd share this year's favorite additions. You've seen one of them before.
(In different lighting -- with the camera flash --, below)
And I love the way that Melissa Stout, a demonstrator for Indiana, embellished her "Jingle All the Way". Her glass brick most likely came from Hobby Lobby. Their bricks are supposed to have a hole in the top or side (don't know since I don't have a HL nearby) for inserting either a short string of lights or, tah dah: jingle bells!
AS PROMISED, here are the various Shadow Boxes the gals made last Thursday evening at Jen's Holiday Party. All were made with the focal feature being the Merry Trees Décor Element, size small, $3.95, 121643, p. 229, Stampin' Up!'s Idea Book & Catalog. I got the shadow boxes, 8" x 8" and 10" x 10" square, black or white, from Joann's. Yes, I wiped out the supply they had on hand last Sunday.
Andrea and I had created two nice looking samples the night before so the gals would have a clue where or how they might get started on their own shadow boxes. Andrea's on the left is 10" x 10" square and mine, the one on the right, is 8" x 8".
Below is a prototype we just laid out on the work table:
And below again is another we just laid out on the work table:
And now for the projects of the evening. If I know for sure who made a certain shadow box I'll label it.
Above: I'm pretty sure this is Carol's with the addition of some beautiful Northern Frost Sizzlit Decorative Strip snowflakes made with Silver Glimmer Paper and the current Holly Berry Bouquet DSP, 10" x 10".
Above: Melissa, laying out her project, retired Designer Series Paper.
Above: Melissa and her mom, Peggy, are real pleased! 10" x 10"
I think this is Peggy's. Love her use of the retired DSP. :) 8" x 8"
Amy created this shadow box going in a totally different direction from the others. She used bits from the Christmas Lane Simply Scrappin' Kit, 124007, p. 26, Holiday Mini Catalog. 8" x 8"
This is a 10" x 10" framed shadow box. Who??? Andrea might have made this one for Stacey who was out sick. She sure missed some fun!
This is Christine's 8" x 8" shadow box, also using last year's Designer Series Paper. She has excellent taste! :)
This is Jen's 10" x 10" interpretation of Merry Trees.
Haven't these been FUN!?
All you need is some Designer Series Paper, a few ribbons and embellishments, like the Glimmer Papers in Red or Silver, and your Décor Element of choice. It's a pretty quick and easy project.
Last Thursday night I was privileged to conduct a fabulous Holiday Fun Class in Dublin at Jen's home. Jen and her 6 guests had a great time creating some gift tags (as a warm up), a gift box (with a treat from me) and finally, a shadow boxed Merry Christmas Décor Elements gift for themselves or a loved one.
We started off with these two tags created using Stampin' Up! Two Tags Die and the Big Shot:
STOCKING TAGS:
SUPPLIES USED:
STAMP SETS: Winter Post, Tiny Tags
CARD STOCK: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Inside is the "to/from" on the top and Merry Christmas on the lower half.
SUPPLIES USED:
STAMP SETS: Many Merry Messages, Winter Post, Pennant Parade
CARD STOCK: Blushing Bride, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
INK: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Two Tags Die, Punches: Petite Pennants Builder, Cupcake Builder, Butterfly, Dimensionals, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon
Details for how to create the angel tag can be found here. We made them in November at my cousin's Christy's Christmas Fun party.
KRAFT GIFT BOXES from the Holiday Mini:
L >> R, back row: Melissa, Carol, Carol's daughter's Jen and Amy; Jen was also making another set of projects for her sister Stacey who got a 'bug' and couldn't come.
L >> R, front row: Melissa's Mom, Peggy, my daughter Andrea and neighbor Christine
I provided each of the gals with a Kraft Gift Box filled with 4 pieces of 2-1/4" x 3-1/4"Holly Berry Bouquest Designer Series Paper and 1 piece of 3-1/4" square DSP, (each box had a different pattern inside), and a strip of Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Fabric, the brown print---with the option to use either of the other fabric prints if they so chose.
This was a really easy project: sponge all edges of all 5 pieces with Chocolate Chip Ink and a Stamping Sponge wedge. Then attach all five pieces to the box.
I had baked (not real successfully) a batch of Shortbread Cookies using the Sweet Press Cookie Press and the snowflake image. I'm going to try the Sugar Cookie recipe next time.
I thought it would add color to use some green sugar sprinkles that I had on hand. Bad idea. Not recommended. So I switched to plain white sugar before pressing the cookies. I had already rolled the balls in the green sugar.
Does anyone want to tell my son-in-law that his wife would LOVE to have a new oven for Christmas!? Not only is theirs quite dirty, it bakes quite unevenly. :)
Anyway, I wrapped several up in plastic wrap since I forgot my cello bags, and handed one to each guest to place in their Gift Box. Then the Gift Boxes were tied with the fabric ribbon for a vintage look. We didn't make the tag because I knew we'd need the remaining time to create the Shadow Boxes.
I'll be back tomorrow with our shadow boxes using the Décor Elements (Merry Trees), Designer Series Papers and various embellishments. It was so much fun watching each person's box develop!
YES, this is truly a five minute project AFTER you locate an 8" x 8" glass brick. From research on line and on foot, you can find them at Hobby Lobby (non-existant in my area). I did not find any at Michaels or Joanns. I got mine at Sonora Tile & Supply, in Sonora CA. The pieces I was able to purchase were close out 'bits' from last year so I got them at quite a nice price, $4-$7 per piece.
The Décor Element I used can be found on page 229 of Stampin' Up!'s 2011-12 Idea Book & Catalog. 114708, Jingle All the Way (m), $9.95. It also comes in a smaller size, 114707 for $3.50.
I placed it on our piano after this photo with a clear glass holder and votive candle behind. Very soft, "glow-y" and pretty.
Here's a quick 'how-to' for using a Décor Element. This one is retired but they all work the same way!
1- Clean the glass thoroughly, removing all 'grease' from your fingers.
2- Burnish your image with a Décor Elements Applicator, 114285, $1.95
3- Gently peel back the heavier grid-printed layer. Be sure you leave all of the image on the thinner paper.
4- Position the exposed image carefully on the glass (or wall or wherever you are placing it).
5- Carefully peel off this final thin layer of paper, ensuring that all image pieces remain on the glass. Gently burnish these pieces again, using applicator or even your fingernail.
Are you ready now to go try a few? These are so simple, quick and classy I think! Click here to be directed to my Stampin' Up! Store to purchase your Décor Elements. Click on Home Décor and then Vinyl Art. And then be sure to share what you've created with me so I can share it with other readers. See yourself published!!!
AND HOPEFULLY MY STAMPIN' LIFE WILL RETURN TO NORMAL!
I am missing posting to you all but it's so far out of my control right now that it's just crazy!
I had a great (!!!!) stamp camp/party in Dublin (CA) last night, took lots of photos and apparently left the download cord for my camera at home. ARGH. I can't share of them this morning.
We made a few Christmas tags--cute of course plus a Kraft Gift Box (filled, after decorating with a few Sweet Press Cookie Pressed cookies) and then, delightful -- wait till you see them -- framed Merry Trees (black, small, 121643) Décor Elements complete with Designer Series Papers, ribbons, retired sparkly "ribbons" from last year, red and silver Glimmer Paper snowflakes.......... Each crafter was so creative.
I'll be back tomorrow, Saturday, with pix and more info. OH-----the frames we used were black OR white, 8" x 8" or 10" x 10". We wanted to go for the 8" x 8" black but I bought all of them that Joann's had and had to expand to the white ones and the 10" x 10". No problem for these gals.
Here are the prototypes that my daughter, Andrea, and I put together a few nights ago:
This one is a 10" x 10" frame.
And this is an 8" x 8" frame. I couldn't crop too closely because the photo is from my iPhone and not that clear when closely cropped.
You'll see improvements in this one tomorrow when I can download photos from my other camera. Plus the lighting will be better. Nothing like taking a photo into a glass frame with either overhead lights, sunlight, or flash creating an unwanted glare.
I truly look forward too seeing you all tomorrow---much later in the day but that's the way it has to be.
Remember not to click on my shopping basket if you want to go to my online store. You might want to order yourself some Décor Elements!!! Instead, click HERE.
While preparing projects and samples for this holiday season, I've been inspired (it was really time) to use some of the items I'd purchased from Stampin' Up!'s Décor Elements catalog. Unfortunately most of the items in that catalog are now retired but that doesn't mean they can't be used!
When the new JoAnn's store opened in Sonora CA, of course I went to check it out. We haven't had a craft store in our area for at least 15 years! I was looking specifically for items to put my décor elements on. This simple, smooth vase was one of my answers. Using Candy Cane Christmas (red), I cut the cardinals away from the rest of the large sheet of other elements: such as mittens, trees, and candy canes.
And then on Thanksgiving day, my cousin presented me with a lovely bouquet of roses! This vase was just crying out for the flowers. I'm thrilled to be able to put it to use.
And now it's your turn. Do you have any strong carboard tubes filled with Décor Elements hiding in your drawer or closet? Bring 'em out! Let them see the light of day and get creative. I'll have a few more to share throughout the next month.
The only thing you need to do in preparation is be sure the surface to which you're attaching your element is clean. Use a little glass cleaner or Basic H window and class strength cleaner, wipe it dry and you're ready to apply. And then sit back and enjoy your creativity. Don't tell anyone how simple it was!
You can now find Décor Elements on pages 227-234 of Stampin' Up!'s 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. Check them out. Of course I can help you order yours and then give you guidance in using them. Remember, whatever you purchase from me, comes with 'me' as a teacher and guide to ensure that you use your purchase.
Have you ever been something like "fear-struck" before you set off to try something new to you? Well I sure have and this past weekend I broke that pattern. Mind you, the product I used was several years old -- and I had three of them -- but you can definitely get a good basic idea. I'll also have several more (some are even current) to share in the coming weeks.
I still have to rough up, or darken, the frame a bit but this was my major step #1. And it's so much more striking in real life.
The original Season of Thanks looked like this:
Because I had purchased a 10" x 10" frame at the new JoAnn Craft Store in Sonora, CA (opened 11-11-11), thinking my words would fit inside, I had to adapt the Décor Element by eliminating the second and third "season of" words and then carefully scrunching the other words closer together.
Realizing I could cut the elements apart gave me a great sense of power!!!
I used a sheet of Grid Paper behind the glass for positioning.
Burnish the letters with the Applicator and then gently and slowly peel the heavier 'grid' layer from the lighter weight layer, ensuring that the letters remain on the lighter weight paper.
Roll your thumb along the corner to separate the two layers and then carefully pull them apart ensuring that the letters stay on the non-grid sheet of paper.
And here are the words positioned on the glass before putting the decoration in place.
SUPPLIES:
Season of Thanks, Chocolate, Small Décor Element (retired!!!)
Spice Cake Designer Series Paper
Big Shot Die Cut Machine
Leaves #2 die
Stamping Sponge
Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pad
10" x 10" square Shadow Box Frame (mine came from JoAnn Fabric & Craft Stores)
I've been trying to actually post this for 3 days but wouldn't until I could proof-read it. And first came home necessities like chasing down hopital beds, a Dynavox, a van with a wheelchair lift and more. As I said about a month ago, my life and schedule will not be my own in the coming months. Not complaining............just saying.
Now it's your turn to get some creativity going with some Décor Elements. They're really fun! Send me an email or leave a comment if you have needs (like an order) or questions.
Last Saturday my daughter came to spend a day with me. We worked in the a.m. and played--like skied--in the afternoon. One of the morning bits was her pronouncement that the green metal 'country loft' shaped thing* that I have hanging on the entry door to my stampin' playground, was not a welcoming piece. It was covered with various magnets and photos, very haphazardly positioned, and not changed or updated forEVER! To be honest, I didn't even SEE the metal sign any more. And Andrea (daughter) saw it as an unwelcoming MESS!
So........I pulled everything off (after she left), washed it, and covered it with Stampin' Up!'s new Chalkboard Vinyl and wrote a welcome to my afternoon's class participants:
I used part of one of the vinyl sheets. I did have to piece it. You might be able to see a bit of the 'overlap' just above the letter "M" from March. To position the 'windows and door' and the slant of the roof, I slipped the vinyl under the metal piece and marked the cut out places with a pencil. Then I placed the vinyl on a large self-healing cutting mat and cut it with a small exacto blade and ruler. It was very quick and easy. After removing the backing from the vinyl, I positioned the chalkboard. It was easy to pull back to re-position as necessary. And then writing on it (with sidewalk chalk) was a 'piece of cake'. When I go out to my Stampin' Loft later this morning, I'll remove the class name and just leave the WELCOME.
* * * * * * * * *
You can find these vinyl sheets, in Bashful Blue, Basic Gray, Black, Certainly Celery, Chocolate, Clear and Dark Gray by going to my Demonstrator Website, clicking on Shop Now, clicking on Home Décor on the left column, then Raw Materials, and then on the Vinyl Sheet selection of your choice. Here's the product information:
Make Décor Elements your own by creating your own vinyl
images using the Décor Elements sheets and your Big Shot.
■ Each
package comes with two sheets of vinyl, along with two sheets of
transfer tape (approximately 14-1/4" x 24" )
■ Instructions for use
are included in the package
*This metal sign, along with the sign you see over the entry door into the garage and then into my Stampin' Loft, were salvaged from a hardware store that was located in Sugar Pine, the 'wide spot in the road' just below the Mi Wuk Village 'wide spot in the road'. When the fire department purchased the building and my husband was working out there on the conversion from hardware store to fire department 'home', he found these signs stashed away in the back of a storage area. After a few "mother may I"s, the signs found a new home at our house. Hence, my stamping area is now known as My Country Loft.
I'll be at a scrapbooking crop/Expo in Pleasanton, CA today. Hopefully I have enough of whatever it takes to send a blog post tomorrow.......something from the crop. I've been working on the s-a-m-e family camping scrapbook for 3-4 years. :) I think that this year, with my experience with My Digital Studio, I'll have a much better grip on what I want to accomplish and how to go at it. See you then.......
I'm still feeling a little 'under-the-weather', coughing my insides out (sorry) and having little or no voice. My energy level has been up but my inspiration level hasn't been. I'm really hoping to do some stamping tomorrow.
But today I did something I've wanted to do for a long time: I gave my Mac laptop a little makeover.
I used the Flower Garden Décor Element which can be found on p. 16 of the Definitely Decorative Fall-Winter 2009 catalog. #116056, $12.95
I cut the element sheet that held the stems into individual stems, but kept them in the order shown in the catalog. If I were to do it over, I would have only made a cut between stems 4 and 5. I had to divide it because of the Apple Logo right in the middle of my lid. Regardless, I think it looks pretty darned spiffy and my laptop won't be confused with anyone else's. I've wanted to do this for a long time but just "never got around to it". Today was the perfect day.
Here a look at it just after I finished:
I'm going to be smiling whenever I pull my Mac out of my bag from this time forward. What do you think TSA will say besides "nothing"?
If you'd like to find your own 'out-of-the-box' use for some Décor Elements, let me know. Email me at blythe@stampinwithblythe.com . I have a few other ideas on my mental shelf. I'm sure you all have some wonderful ideas too. Share them with me and other stampers. I can help you with your order---maybe after midnight for your FREE SHIPPING? Choose another element for decorating your laptop. What unusual places have you put a Décor Element?
Hopefully I'll see you a little earlier in the day tomorrow. :)
Our home is definitely not a fancy place. But it is a fun place. The guy who built it made good use of small spaces. Hence our laundry 'room':
It's tucked into the hall bathroom/guest bathroom. Originally the area was enclosed by quite ugly, old, plastic accordion-fold doors. They've been gone for a long time. Someday we hope to come up with something that will offer privacy to the washer and dryer and to the rest of us. In the meantime we want everyone to know that this is the laundry area in case they were wondering.
Again, if I was to do this again, I would install the largest "laundry" element. This one is the medium size. With the white wall and green tile in the tub area on the other side of the ironing board, I could only use the black element. Red, although I really like it, just wouldn't work in this area. Again, there's no place to back up to in order to get a better perspective of the area. I'm happy though when I walk by the doorway. And I'm sure that my husband, the launderer (is that that male for laundress?) could care less! :)
No more new Décor Elements for awhile. They sure are addicting though. Do you have a place in your home just yearning for one? Some of you newer readers might not have seen the 'happiness' element on the back of my Jeep. Check out this link to go way back to that July 2008 post. This car has been from California to New Jersey, across the north of the U.S., and back to California. We also have lots of snow here in the winter. "Happiness" has perfectly survived it all. If you click on Décor Elements in the Categories Column to the right, you'll see more examples of the Décor Elements that either friends, relatives or I have put in our homes.
If you're ready to try one, just let me know and I can help you with the process--ordering and installation. I'll be here to offer support and guidance.
I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. Have a restful end to your weekend.
