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For our final library stampin' afternoon at our Mi Wuk Little Library in the Woods, for 2011, I wanted to have some fun. Well, we always have fun but...........I wanted to do something different. And it was FUN FOR ME to see how much I challenged my stampers with this little project. We had a lot of laughs!!!!!
We made a lovely, non-Christmas, all-purpose type card which I'll share tomorrow, and a little Christmas ornament: a star. I've seen several versions of this ornament and I adapted several to come up with this version.
You will need
Five (5) 4" x 4" squares of Designer Series Paper, suggested that they all be the same design.
Two (2) 2" x 2" squares of coordinating card stock.
20" of coordinating ribbon
coordinating button
Red Sticky Tape
Click HERE to view my quick and easy tutorial. I've made 4 of these star ornaments now, and I have to tell you, each one takes less than half an hour. Adhering the Sticky Tape takes the longest. :)
I'll see you tomorrow with the card we made. Again, it's a great any purpose card.
Don't forget about the Clearance Blitz going on right now. Clearance items need to be ordered online! Ask me if you have questions about how to do that.
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!!!
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.
As promised the other day when I posted about the Woman's Day Magazine Supplement that is featuring Stampin' Up!, I have made not one, but 2 holiday gift stockings rather than the single one featured in the ad.
SUPPLIES:
Stamp Set: Dear Santa (123834-Holiday Mini)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper (124002-Holiday Mini)
Ink: Early Espresso Classic Pad; Markers: Real Red, Garden Green
Accessories: Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Holiday Stocking Bigz L Die (124098-Holiday Mini), Houndstooth Textured Impressions Folder, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, SNAIL Adhesive, Dazzling Details (124117-Holiday Mini)
Using a 5" x 5-1/2" piece of Designer Series Paper (doubled), run it through the Big Shot using the Holiday Stocking die.
Using the same die, run two layers of Whisper White card stock through the Big Shot.
Using the Big Shot again, place the Whisper White pieces of card stock (maybe not the cuff, toe or heel--your choice) into the Houndstooth Embossing Folder. Also run the cuff, toe and heel of the DSP through with the Houndstooth Embossing Folder. Or not. :)
Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue, secure the outside edges of the stocking. Then you can attach the cuff, toe and heel with SNAIL adhesive. When you put something inside the stocking there is more 'stress' on the edges than on the outside embellishments.
Stamp the greeting using Early Espresso classic ink. Press firmly if the cuff has been run through the Big Shot with an Embossing Folder.
Use markers to color the rubber of the holly image; huff on the image, stamp on Whisper White card stock, and finally, cut it out. Attach to cuff with a Glue Dot.
Place a small dollop on Dazzling Details on the holly berries. I don't show that step in my photos because I thought of it afterwards.
Creating these two stockings took way less than an hour. That said, in an hour you could do many more. They're so darned cute, would be great hanging from a tree, filled with a candy cane or two, ready to give to unexpecting visitors. Plus you'd give one to that person whose name is on the TO line...... I think I'd put something pretty special in that one. Also, a business card would fit. A gift card would not--too narrow. I can guarantee that I'll be making more of these!
Are YOU ready to make some now? Order your supplies here! Show us all what you've made by sending a picture to me in an email and I'll post it here, giving you full credit, so you can tell your friends that you've been published! Come on now......go for it!
So here we go with what I found out while making these cookies with SU!'s soon to be released cookie press stamps.
They take longer than you think! My butter was frozen for starters so I had to wait for several hours for it to thaw. I followed the recipe enclosed with the Sweet Pressed Cookie Presses.
Because I wanted to use each one of the press designs, I divided my batter into 3 unequal (not intentional) portions and then colored each portion with food coloring: Red for the hearts, blue for the snowflakes and yellow & red for the pumpkins.
Overnight in the frig to firm up, That's why I didn't get them baked yesterday.
After letting the bowls of mixed cookie dough sit out on the counter for 15-30 minutes, I started with the red mixture, rolling chunks into 1" balls.
The instructions call for 1-1/4" balls and they mean it! 1" was just a bit too small to get the entire heart image on each smashed ball.
When you get 'gunk' in the grooves of the press and it sticks to the dough, carefully pull off the dough (and of course eat the messed up dough after it's cooked) and gently clean the grooves with a toothpick.
Moving on to the blue dough: snowflakes. I made 1-1/4" balls and the snowflakes came out perfectly.
The recipe calls for baking the cookies for 15-17 minutes. I started the hearts at 14 minutes, then 2 more, then 1 more. Perfect. I started the snowflakes at 17 minutes but-----they were on the upper oven shelf. They baked faster. See below. Also, note that malformed heart cookie to the left of the esnowflake. It's been nibbled on since it was a mess. I had to check it out didn't I? Question: if you eat a little nibble every half hour or so, are there fewer calories?
Pumpkins: again 1-1/4" balls, rolled in sugar after the ball is formed. Place 3" apart on the cookie sheet, press them, and bake.
While the pumpkins were baking I wiped the cookie sheets with my super Trader Joe's cloth. One or two swipes and they were clean--no scrubbing or scraping burned on cookies. Of course, there is a half pound of butter in those cookies.
One recipe makes 27 cookies. But if they were all 1-1/4" balls it would make more like 24 or 25.
Wrap up: if your butter is at room temperature when you're ready to make these cookies, you can just whip up the recipe, refrigerate it for a few hours, remove from frig, roll into 1-1/4" balls, press with image of your choice, bake at 350 for about 16-17 minutes, and you have some great shortbread cookies.
Remember, October 1st, you will be able to order these delightful new Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps. I noticed on the box that it says 'Holiday'. I'm thinking--and I do NOT know this to be so--that perhaps Stampin' Up! is going to be offering other images as time goes by. Won't that be fun!? It would be a great project for mom and child, dad and child, grandparent and child.
Take care everyone, and tomorrow, please remember that we will never forget!
I'm not really a cake eater--I like it but I'll get my calories elsewhere--except for Chocolate Kahlua Cake which I can't walk by without snitching a pinch. I prefer pie. Fruit pie. Especially rhubarb. And I can walk by cookies except (again) for shortbread cookies.
I just opened yesterday's order and inside: My demonstrator pre-order (ask me how you can take advantage of demo pre-ordering) for Stampin' Up!'s new Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps.
This item (4 pieces- 125152, $16.95) will be available for purchase on October 1st. And, because I'm home for a few days, I'm going to put aside my Monday night class card prep and go bake some darned shortbread cookies. I just HAVE to!
Our family is getting together for our annual "Cousin's Party" (my brother's, sister's, and my children are the original 'cousins' -- but now it's focused on their 10 kids) in a few weeks. It's always a fun afternoon, this year to be held in Alameda, CA. And they'll get some cookies. I'll have to test a few today to be sure they pass muster though.
Check back later today for some (I hope) cute cookies. I'm going to try all three images: pumpkin, snowflake and heart just for giggles.
Magazine Files are one of my favorite ways to present a collection of hand stamped greeting cards. When I was asked to create some cards for the Sonora CA Center for a Non Violent Community annual fund raiser, I immediately knew exactly what I would do. I just didn't know what card stock and coordinating Designer Series Paper I'd be using. Here is what I chose:
I used Real Red card stock (102482), Newsprint Designer Series Paper (117166), and 5/8" Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon.
There are six hand-stamped cards in each Magazine File. Wouldn't you bid for this item?
You can find my tutorial for creating your own Magazine Fileshere.
