Long time no see! I've missed posting on my blog, so I'm glad to be back!
I signed up for a YouTube account in the spring. That there is the 'channel art' I created. :o) I made the "E" out of Perler beads...I had to use tweezers to put them in place because my fingers were too fumbly! I couldn't figure out what to use for the "a" and finally decided to make one out of a roll of washi tape. :D
In May, I made a video of how I decorated my mom's Mother's Day gift, but things went horribly wrong when I uploaded it -- there was a lot of lagging, and the audio wasn't in sync anymore, so I was talking about one thing while showing another. That doesn't work so well with craft tutorials! I don't know enough about video editing to fix what happened, so I had to give up on that video. I wasn't sure if the quality setting I used while recording was part of the problem, so I tried recording at a different setting for the video in this post.
Today's project is a simplified version of what I made for my mom...
Here's my video if you'd like to see how this came together!
If you're reading this post in an e.mail and don't see the video, click here to go to my blog post or click here to watch on YouTube.
SUPPLIES USED
To be up front, these are affiliate links, folks! For some products, the exact version I have is no longer on Amazon, so I've linked to the version that is available.
I made these projects on Sunday and Monday and meant to post them earlier this week, but I've been kind of distracted the past couple of weeks, which is why I haven't blogged that much.
Reason for my distraction: I've renewed my interest in hand-carving my own stamps! :D This is a craft that I REALLY loved years ago -- before I started card making -- and I didn't realize how much I missed it until I brought out my lino cutter and started carving again. While I do love stamping with stamps that I've bought, I don't think there's anything quite like stamping with a hand-carved stamp. It's very rewarding, and there's something very personal about it. I highly recommend it if you haven't tried it already, and the supplies needed are not very expensive!
Okay, let's get to the projects I've been meaning to share! I made these with the September 2015 Paper Pumpkin kit, "Wickedly Sweet Treat"...
First up is this treat bag I made...
I used dies from the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits set and Happy Haunting DSP to create the treat bag. I cut one of the paper bags from the kit to start my layering. I used the kit's stamp set to stamp the images and sentiment, and I fussy cut the images. I was inspired by a card shown on page 42 of the holiday catalogue -- I thought it was so cute how they used a twig as an accent, so I used one of the straws from the kit in a similar way. The raffia is from the kit, too. I used this sketch from the challenge over at The Paper Players [PP264] as my starting point, but I'm too late to link up my project!
Next up is this treat bag, complete with punny sentiment...
This is Humble's favourite of the three. :D He really seems to like the fringe-y paper bag! This project is very similar to the kit's design, but I left out the straw and didn't use the kit's stamps on the tag. I created the sentiment using the Alphabet Rotary Stamp and Washi Label Punch [I trimmed down the label]. The adorable horse sticker is from Making Memories. I added googly eyes just for fun! :D
My last project for today is this card...
For this card, I cut one of the fringe-y pieces to cover part of my card base. I used one of the journaling cards from the Seasonal Snapshot 2015 Project Life Card Collection as my main panel [love that kraft journaling cards are included in this collection!]. I thought there was a little too much space between the stamped sentiment and the flourish, so I added a Rich Razzleberry Candy Dot -- I'm not 100% sure about it, but I didn't know what else to add! :D
Here's a look at what was included in the September 2015 Paper Pumpkin kit:
The full kit makes eight treat bags and includes the stamp set and a Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Spot. While it's too late for new Paper Pumpkin subscribers to get this kit, the refill kit is in the store now [it just doesn't include the stamps and ink].
Thanks for stopping by -- hope you have a crafty weekend! :o)
Hope you had a great weekend! I meant to get this posted yesterday, but I was feeling kind of wiped out. I've been sleeping odd hours lately, and it's starting to get to me! Here's the gift box I made to share...
I'm kind of in love with the Baker's Box Thinlits Dies [I got myself the bundle]! Even if the gift you're giving is not very exciting, just packaging it up in a handmade box or bag can make it look special, I think. :o)
I want to thank Sandy for choosing my card for the last challenge at The Paper Players -- her kind words and punny comment made me smile! :o)
Here's how I made my baker's box...
I started by die-cutting Lost Lagoon patterned paper from Sweet Dreams with the main Baker's Box Thinlit die -- you'll need to die-cut two pieces to make a box. I used Tear & Tape Adhesive to stick the pieces together.
I die-cut two leaves using a die from Leaflets Framelits, one in Tangelo Twist and one in So Saffron. I debossed the So Saffron leaf with the Elegant Dots folder, then used just a bit of glue down the center to stick the leaves together. I offset them a little, which kind of creates a shadow effect!
I inked the stamp from Homemade For You with Tangelo Twist and Lost Lagoon markers, then trimmed around the circle by hand. I layered it with a So Saffron pinking-edged circle, a banner I cut from corrugated paper, and a Tangelo Twist label. The pinking-edged circle and label dies are from the Baker's Box Thinlits set. I added a couple of So Saffron Candy Dots just for fun.
You know that trend of putting a little 'nest' of thread on projects? This is the first time I've ever done that. I just wanted to add a little something extra behind the label, but I didn't know what to add! I thought, why not add a bit of linen thread.
Here's a look at the bundle I used to make my box:
Here to share this gift bag I made using some supplies from the August 2015 Paper Pumpkin kit, "Chalk It Up To Love"...
The kit makes six cards and three gift boxes, but I decided to use some of the supplies in a different way. The kit supplies that I used here are: one of the foiled card bases [which I die-cut for the banner], die-cuts to create the dimensional flower, the "FOR YOU" stamp and black ribbon. I also cropped one of the black label die-cuts from the kit for my "FOR YOU" banner.
If you haven't heard of Paper Pumpkin, it's a fun monthly kit offering from Stampin' Up! I've written some more about it on this page.
The kits are really affordable, and they're great for those who like to get crafty but want to skip to the fun part instead of shopping around for supplies or looking for things that coordinate. The full kits come with stamps and ink -- you'll get a Classic Stampin' Spot [small ink cube] in each kit. Some kits even come with two Classic Stampin' Spots!
If you subscribe, you'll also be able to order select past kits and refills. The refills include most of the supplies that are in the full kit but do not include stamps and ink. They're a great value at only $10 CAD -- I've bought several of them and just substitute with stamps and ink that I already have.
If you subscribe, you won't be able to get the full August 2015 kit, but if you sign up by September 10th, you'll get the September kit. The kits are supposed to be a surprise each month, but I've heard that the September kit is a fun Halloween/fall treat packaging kit!
There's a great promotion going on right now, but it's only good through September 10th:
Use the code HALFOFF to get your first two months at half the price!
As I mentioned before, you won't be able to get the full August 2015 kit, but subscribers can order the refill kit, which is in the store now:
:o) I really enjoyed making this! Here's a closer look...
This might sound a little crazy, but... I actually like inking stamps with Stampin' Write Markers more than using Classic Stampin' Pads.
It's true!
You might not always be able to get as solid of an impression with the markers, but I *love* the look you get -- it kind of adds to the handmade, hand-stamped look, I think. I find the look very charming. :o) Here I used my Early Espresso, Tangelo Twist and Rich Razzleberry markers.
Here's a closer look at the stamp set and coordinating punch:
Acorny Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!
[available Sept. 1st]
Acorn Builder Punch from Stampin' Up! [available Sept. 1st]
This stamp set and punch will also be offered in a bundle for 15% savings. The funny thing is, when I placed my first holiday pre-order, I wasn't drawn to this stamp set and punch very much at all. I'm glad I decided to get them the next time around because I really loved making this project [which made me add these to my favourites from the holiday catalogue]! And those acorns turn out super-cute. :o)
What I did with the ribbon there was a happy accident -- I had my project lying on my desk, and the ends of the ribbon were tucked underneath the treat bag. I really liked the way it looked, so I used glue dots to secure the ribbon ends on the back of the treat bag. :D
Hope you got a smile here today, and thanks for stopping by! :o)
I chose to go diagonally and focus on Ribbon, Embossing and Sequins! I used several of the new holiday catalogue items [available Sept. 1st] to make these:
Square Pillow Box Thinlits Dies
Happy Haunting Cardstock Pack
Woodland Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Spider Web Doilies
Into the Woods 3/8" Cotton Ribbon
I love making these pillow boxes! They're a great size for decorating. I'm usually not that much of a doily person, but I had to get those Spider Web Doilies because they look so neat! They're white on the back, so I thought it would be nice to really show that off against a black pillow box.
I recently got my Washi Label Punch in the mail, and I already love that thing!! The punched labels were just the right size for my little tags there. I brought out my Alphabet Rotary Stamp again to stamp the "BEWARE" and "DANGER" -- I love that stamp! I used Silver Sequin Trim on my orange box, and the orange sequin trim is from the Paper Pumpkin Boo-Tifull Bags Refill Kit, which has sold out. :o( I was hoping to get a second refill kit, too -- dang!
I covered up a lot of the embossing on my pillow boxes, so here's a clearer look at the embossing folder's design:
Here today to share a gift packaging project featuring an adorable penguin from the upcoming holiday catalogue...
That sweet penguin just makes me smile. :o) I love making gift packaging projects and have been spending a lot of my crafting time on them lately. They're so much fun to put together! And they give me an excuse to use more ribbon and trim. :D
Here's a closer look at the tag I made...
The penguin, little bow tie and candy cane are all from Snow Place [I love the retro look of these illustrations!]:
Snow Place Photopolymer Stamp Set from Stampin' Up! [available Sept. 1st]
The coordinating dies will make holiday crafting that much easier [and you get so many dies in the set, too!]:
Snow Friends Framelits Dies from Stampin' Up! [available Sept. 1st]
The stamps and dies will be available separately, but you'll also be able to get them together in a bundle for 15% savings! There are actually a lot of bundles in the holiday catalogue, so you can get your hands on some fun supplies at a discount.
I used the Softly Falling Textured Impressions Embossing Folder again, and I also brought out the new Basic Black Archival Stampin' Pad [works great!]. Both will be available Sept. 1st. The cute box is a Takeout Box.
Crafting Tips & Notes:
Since you don't have to worry about fitting this into an envelope, go nuts with the Dimensionals to make your tag extra fun! I don't think I fully captured how much dimension the tag has -- the Lost Lagoon circle, snowy hill and penguin are all attached with Dimensionals. The lower half of the penguin is attached to the snowy hill with one layer of Dimensionals, and the upper half of him is attached to the Lost Lagoon circle with two layers of Dimensionals -- so he really stands out! :D
To create the belly band around the box, I cut a 2-1/2" wide strip from a Real Red sheet out of the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack. That gave me a 2-1/2" x 12" strip of paper, which was not long enough to wrap all the way around the Takeout Box, so I cut a 3-1/2" piece to join the ends together and keep the bottom of the box lookin' nice:
Supplies I Used:
Snow Place Photopolymer Stamp Set [available Sept. 1st]
