Treats For My Valentine!

If you foll0w my blog at all - then you know how much I LOVE making treat containers! Thought I'd share a few that I made for a Valentine's Sale at my church last week.

I got these pails at Target last year on sale, after season. I decorated them with some stampings and slipped a box of crayons, a pad of paper and some candies inside! The stamps are Waltzingmouse, Rubbernecker and Papertrey Ink.

Stamps: Heart - Sweet Hearts/Waltzingmouse, Happy Valentine's Day - Rubbernecker, Pail & sentiment - Tiny Treats Valentines/Papertrey Ink
Paper: White - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Fired Brick
Accessories: foam dimensionals, paper shred, pail - Target, heart punch - EK Success, circle and lacey circle nestabilities, green & red copic.

My talented stamping friend, Anya, had these cones on her blog with a link to the template. I knew as soon as I saw them I wanted to make some! I put 5 kisses in each one along with some basket shred. I just used patterned paper for the cones (instead of stamping them like Anya did) since I was mass producing!

Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: Scarlet Jewell, White - PTI, DP's My Mind's Eye/Irresistable, K & Co/Smitten
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Modern label punch - SU, Shiny stems - Michaels, cone template - http://www.afieldjournal.blogspot.com. , hole punch, heart punch - EK Success

I got this idea from fellow WMS DT member Joan - I decorated it all a little differently but got the bag idea from her. Of course, I just happened to have some of these bags in my stash!?! The little brown bag is open at the top so these message hearts come out and you could also slip in a gift card! I love, love, love this stitching stamp from WMS!!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Sweet Hearts, Off Beat Backgrounds (stitching)
Paper: Pure Poppy, White, Berry Sorbet - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Lady Bug
Accessories: minibags - Michaels, heart punch - EK Success, twine - PTI

I got these pretty scalloped heart dishes last year at Michaels after season (2 for $1!). I had some paper doilies that I adhered to the inside of the dish. I filled a baggie with cherry jelly hearts, tied it with wrinkled seam tape and then trimmed off the top of the bag. I made a tag with a Spellbinders die, stamped it and added foam hearts and a ribbon to the top. Then I just slipped the bag and tag into the dish! So it's a card and gift all in one!

So there you go! hope they inspire! I suddenly feel like eating some candy for some reason !!! LOL!!!

Hope to see you tomorrow for the WMS Saturday Sketch!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Sweet Hearts
Paper: White - PTI, Riding hood red - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: red dotted ribbon, foam hearts, lacey tissue doily, heart dishes - Michaels, wrinkled seam tape - http://www.prairiebirdboutique.etsy.com/ , scalloped tag - Spellbinders, baggies, candy

What do you do with this.........

..........after you've eaten the yummy ice cream that was inside?

Why - you take one apart - make a template and decorate it with Halloween papers........

and fun Halloween images and sentiments from Midnight Feast by Waltzingmouse! Isn't that obvious???!

These fun Ben & Jerry's ice creams are little 1/2 cup servings that I found at Stop and Shop on sale for $1.00 each - the regular kinds of ice cream were pretty high in calories (with all that yummy cream and sugar!) but most of what I bought was Fro Yo (Frozen Yogurt) which was pretty low in fat and calories and really Yum (can anything called chocolate fudge brownie be bad?!)

Kent and I had to force ourselves to each eat 12 of these during this past month so that I could make these for my church fair - what hardships we endure so we can craft!!! LOL!

Oh - and inside I tucked two eyeball gumballs (as seen here) - and a gummy spider (seen here) along with some brown basket shred!

One more day until the long Labor Day weekend here in the US my friends! Whoo hoo!

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge & The Free Template Challenge

Please scroll down to my post below this to see my Speedy The Cats Friends Challenge card - Think Flowers!

I have two projects to share with you today - My Saturday Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge card and a project using one of Claire's free templates (see the challenge here). First - the sketch - this one is fun and easy don't you think!?
For some reason, as soon as I saw the big circle I thought of this wonderful Winnie the Witch stamp from last year's WMS set Halloween Party!

I stamped two other images from this set for the small circles. I embossed the card with the spider web embossing folder and painted over it with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist/Icicle (which I just got in the mail and used without really knowing what to do with it!?!) It gives the whole background a 'glimmer'!

I used circle and pinking circle Nestabilities - sponging the images before taking them out of the dies. Then I sponged over the white edges with Milled Lavender ink to soften the whiteness but not cover it completely. All the circles are popped up on foam dimensionals. Finally, I added tiny gems here and there for a little sparkle!

So waltz on over to the WMS Sketch Blog and find out what the Mischief Makers have created this week for our inspiration! Then make up your own card using the sketch and link it there - you could be a Top Mouse next week!! And don't forget to check out my template project below!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Halloween Party

Paper: Smokey Shadow, white - PTI, Elegant Eggplant - SU

Ink: Ranger Distress - Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Circle and pinking circle nestabilities, Sponge & blender tool - Inkssentials Ranger, Crystal stickers - Michaels, Glimmer Glaze Tattered Angels - Icicle, Spider web embossing folder.

Here's my Halloween Treat Pouch using one of the free templates over at the Waltzingmouse Store - there are several free ones there so be sure to check them out! Make one of them and link it here by Sunday 8/15!!

We have a Harvest Fair at my church every October and I make crafts to sell at it - these fun treat pouches will be one of my projects! I have these fun gummy spider candies to put inside. I used stamps from Halloween Party, Midnight Feast and Off Beat Backgrounds. I cut the sentiment with a Labels 13 Nestability.

Thanks for stopping by today! What's up for your weekend?

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Halloween Party, Midnight Feast, Off Beat Backgrounds.

Paper: Vintage Cream, Plum Pudding - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Ink - Dusty Concord, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey

Accessories - Labels 13 Nestabilities, basket shred, gummy spider - Oriental Trading, Scor Tape, foam dimensionals.

WMS Sneak Peek Day 3 - Treacherous Treats!

Welcome to Day 3 of the WMS Design Team's sneak peek. Are you enjoying all the spooky fun??! I've got yet another ghoulish treat and container to share with you today! (do you sense a theme with my peeks?? LOL!)

Caution - if the fingers on Saturday bothered you - these treats may have the same effect!!!

Today I bring you Fresh Plucked Eyeballs!

I found this wonderful oval shaped ribbed jar at Joanne's Fabrics (just $1.00!) These treats are really gum balls (does that make you able to look at them now?!? LOL!)

The Martha Stewart drip edge punch is just perfect for around the cover don't you think?!? I used Fancy Tag Nestabilities under my jar label stamping.

Here's the back of my treat jar. The SU large oval punch fits perfectly inside the oval ridge in the jar.

Tomorrow we'll be having our new release DT Blog Waltz (2 pm EST start) and the new stamp sets will be available for you to purchase - Claire is offering free shipping on all orders over approximately $70 US!!!

Now fly on over to see Claire and the following DT members to see what they have created today!

Claire
Lisa
Julia (me!)
Lynn
Anya
Mona - our new DT member!
Jennifer
Laurie

Belinda

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Midnight Feast & Wanda's Pantry

Paper: Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy - PTI, black - SU, DP unknown

Ink: Ranger Distress - Barn Door & Tea Dye, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: pinking circles & Fancy Tags nestabilities, drip edge punch - Martha Stewart, circle punch, Ribbon - Amuse, Modern label punch & oval punch-SU, Scor Tape, foam dimensionals, eye gumballs - Oriental Trading Co., glass jar - Joanne's Fabric ($1.00)

WMS Sneak Peek Day 2 - Bat Droppings

Welcome to day 2 of the WMS Design Team's sneak peek at the two Halloween sets Claire is releasing on 7/27 - Wanda's Pantry and Midnight Feast! Did you have fun seeing everyone's spooky creations yesterday?!?

Today I've created another treat container - a little tamer than yesterday's fingers (so many people commented they were grossed out by them!!) Today - I bring you Bat Droppings!!! LOL!!I found this wonderful 7"tall bottle at Michaels (just $1.00!) but the neck was SO narrow I had trouble finding candy that would fit inside - I tried M&M's first, then jelly beans, and finally found Sugar Babies would fit! Phew! and they had the added benefit of looking like Bat Droppings! Yipee!! (although Claire's purple droppings on her project yesterday looked really cool!!!)

I had these great bat wings from a craft kit I purchased from Martha Stewart a couple of years ago - but you can just draw the shape to make some wings. I added a few black gems to give them a little dimension and sparkle.

Here's what I put on the back of the bottle. The to/from label is a sizzix die. Both panels are sponged with ink.

Now fly your bat over to Claire and the following DT's blogs to see what ghoulish things they have today!!!! We'll have more for you tomorrow if you can stand it!!!

Claire
Julia (me!)
Lynn
Anya
Bonnie
Mona - our new DT member!
Jennifer

Belinda

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Wanda's Pantry (to be released 7/27)

Paper: Vintage Cream PTI, Black Bazzill

Ink: Ranger Distress - Vintage Photo & Tea Dye

Accessories: sponge, web lace - Stamp Simply Ribbon Shop (may be seasonal I got it last year), Twill & Twine- PTI, tag - Sizzix Die, circle punch, glue dots, foam dimensionals, black rhinestones - Kaiser, Sugar Baby Candies, bottle - Michaels ($1.00)

Here Comes the Easter Bunny!..... and a little lamb!

A fun Free for All challenge at Split Coast on Friday - to make a 3D basket using the colors of plum, celery and banana.

I used Claire's adorable basket template from last year. I stamped the sides of the basket with the beautiful broderie anglaise lace stamp (don't you love that name?!) from the Faux Fun set by Waltzingmouse Stamps
I made my handle using a Martha Stewart lacey punch and I put a strip of yellow CS behind it so it shows through the holes in the lace. The base is a narrow scalloped rectangle Nestability.

I'll be making 10 of these to sell at my church Easter Sale. Aren't these little Lindt bunnies and lambs adorable!? They fit in my baskets perfectly don't you think?!

You can see the basket I made using this pattern last year on this post

Kent and I met up with friend and fellow Stamping Around teacher, Donna and her DH, Doug yesterday - we had a great meal at The Old Salt Restaurant in Hampton, NH. Donna and I will be teaching at the next Stamping Around weekend at Wholly Scrap in North Hampton, NH 4/16-4/17 We'd love to meet you there!!

This is also qualifies for the Our Creative Corner challenge to think Easter!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Faux Fun
Paper: Lavender Moon - PTI, Barely banana, certainly celery - SU
Ink: Lavender Moon - PTI
Accessories: Scor pal, Scor tape, basket paper shred - CVS, basket Template, Martha Stewart lace punch, EK success edge punch, narrow rectangle nestabilities, Lindt Lamb & Bunnies

You're a Good Egg

The Way's to Use it challenge over on Split Coast was to use something new - today I'm using my new Nestabilities Nested Eggs as well as my new stamp set called Lil Buddies by Waltzingmouse Stamps on this cute little Easter Treat Box!

First I stamped the top of the box with a zigzag background stamp. Then I stamped the egg frame, inside panel and box bottom with a dotted background stamp (Off Beat Backgrounds ) I used the Nested Eggs to cut out the center of the cover - then cut out a larger egg with the small egg inside it to make a frame around the opening. I adhered a piece of acetate inside the cover.

I cut another egg for the tag that I stamped with this cute little hatching chick. I added an eyelet and tied it with a narrow silk ribbon to the saddle stitched ribbon wrapped around the box. I cut the sentiment with a Labels Trio Spellbinders die.

And look at the cute panel on the inside that holds the eggs!

You will find Qbees Easter Egg box template in the forums over on Split Coast here. I'll be making about 9 more of these for an Easter sale at my church - I think it's just adorable don't you??!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Lil Buddies, Off Beat Backgrounds
Paper: Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart, White - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist - PTI
Accessories: Nested eggs Nestabilities, acetage, 3/4 hole punch, scor tape, scor pal, copics - Yo2, Y17, BG10, eyelet, cropadile, labels trio spellbinders, sponge, foam dimensionals, ribbon -PTI, Qbees box template , Hershey eggs

Sweets for My Sweet

The Limited Supplies Challenge on Split Coast was to make a card for someone you love - using red, pink, white, black and polka dots somewhere on your project. I decided to make this cute little flower pot box designed by Qbee I decorated it with stamps from the new Sweethearts set by Waltzingmouse Stamps I also used the Stitches background stamp from the Off Beat Backgrounds set along the rim and bottom edge of the pot.This also qualifies for Sharon's No Time to Stamp challenge to use Hearts. As you can see, I filled my flower pot to overflowing with yummy chocolate Kisses!I could give this to several people I love - my dear husband, my dear son, members of my extended family or some of my good friends!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Sweethearts, Off Beat Backgrounds
Paper: Pure poppy, white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: heart punch - Marvy, crop a dile, saddle stitched ribbon - PTI, basket shred, foam dimensionals, modern punch - SU, gems - Michaels $1, hershey kisses

Mojo Sketch and Santa's Bag

The Ways to use It Challenge on Split Coast this week was to use stickers or rub ons on your card. I have several packages of rub ons but I always forget to use them. I found these pretty Christmas ones in my craft room from Stampin Up that I bought last year when they were on sale and knew they'd be just the thing for the challenge!

I used the mojomonday sketch for my card. I just touched Santa's cheeks with a blush Copic for a dash of color - I wasn't sure if it would stay on the rub on - but it did! The great papers are Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly.

Stamps: none
Paper: Vintage cream, ocean tides, dark chocolate - PTI
Ink: chamomile - PTI
Accessories: Copic R20, Rub Ons - SU Old St. Nick, classic oval nestability, Alpine Ribbon - SU, foam dimensionals, glue dots, vintage buttons - PTI

And here is the third treat bag that the elves dropped off at my house last week (see post here)

This cute baglette is from the big guy himself (Santa that is!) but I'm sure the elves designed and made it for him to givw out! The shape looks surprisingly like the Top Note by Stampin Up and this is the official Santa's workshop seal on the front. How fun that they attached a little reindeer and snowflake on the corners to give the North Pole atmosphere!

Inside they tucked more of those fun mints with the Seal of the Chief Elf on them - again - an official mark so we know these are the real thing straight from the North Pole!
And on the back - a personal note from Santa (doesn't he have lovely handwriting?!?) for the kids (and parents!) who have left him a little treat to give him strength for his travels Christmas Eve. Santa is nothing if not a gentleman - get a treat, give a treat!

Now - you can find very similar stamps to those used on this project by the elves above over at Claire's shop Waltzingmouse Stamps. Check out her other two new sets while you are over there - you'll definately want to pick up one or two! And - just a suggestion - if you like it - buy it - she sells out fast on her lovely stamps!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Secret Set
Paper: Ribe Avocado, Pure Poppy - PTI, DP - Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly/Merry Berry, sparkle white - DCWV
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Chamomile Ink - PTI
Accessories: foam dimensionals, ribbon - SU, brads, silver Stickles, glue dots, reindeer & snowflake punches - Martha Stewart, Sakura gelly roll black pen, Top Note Die & horizontal slot punch - SU, scalloped circle punch, white paper sack - Michaels.

A Special Box from Santa's Workshop

So I e-mailed the Elves (yes they are such techies now!) and asked if they could tell me how they made these wonderful treat boxes and they were gracious enough to forward the instructions! (Check yesterday's post if you don't know what the heck I'm talking about here!)


The wonderful box pattern was found on this blog. (Who knew that the Elves surfed the web for ideas just like us!!??!) They added their official Santa's Workshop label to the cover of course and used some lovely Christmas papers to decorate it.

And tucked inside are some wonderful mints topped with the Chief Elf's stamp of approval. Wouldn't you love to find this inside your stocking on Christmas Morning?!?

Tomorrow I'll be posting the elves instructions for the special treasure box I showed a snippet of on yesterday's post so be sure to drop by!


Stamps: Waltzingmouse (secret stamp set)
Paper Ocean Tides, Rustic White, clear card stock, DP Rustic Snowflakes - PTI
Ink: Ocean tides, pure poppy, chamomile - PTI
Accessories: circle punch - SU, York peppermint patties, sponge, saddle stitched ocean tides ribbon - PTI, plastic snowflake - Michaels, Xacto knife, foam dimensionals. Box template

Ghostie Peep Treat Box & a Skull Jar !

Ok, so I lied - I'm not quite done with Halloween projects!

My church fair is this weekend and I've been madly making little last minute crafts after work to sell at our stamping table where two friends and I (Hi - Elizabeth and Jeannine!) make cards and stamped crafts to sell.

The sentiments I used on these spooky treat boxes are from the Halloween Party stamp set by Waltzingmouse Stamps. I punched them with the Designer Label punch by SU.

These fun little box/stands are designed by Ana Wohlfahart but I think her scoring measurements were a bit off on her instructions.

Here is how I made mine: Basically the box is a 3" x 11" piece of cardstock. I scored along the 11" side at 1 1/2", 3", 4 1/2", 6" and then cut an oval (smallest petite oval nestability) on the section between the 1 1/2" and 3" score (2nd panel in). Next fold on all score lines, fold up the box part and adhere it with Scor tape to the back panel. Cut a piece of designer paper for the back panel - decorate as desired. I tied a ribbon around the base and sponged a little white ink around it.

Here's my little army of ghosts! I wrapped up the ghost Peeps individually in Saran Wrap and placed them inside the oval cutouts- I think they look so cute peeking out here! I adhered some fabric bats, ghosts and pumpkins in the corners - they were left over from the supply Joanne (sleepyinseattle) had given the Doubledog Dare challenge team this week to use to make a Halloween card.

So here's my little bucket of 12 treats ready to go home to some little trick or treater for Halloween - don't they look spooky/cute!?!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Halloween Party

Paper: Basic Black, DP - SU

Ink: Memento tuxedo Black, Smokey Shadow, Fresh Snow

Accessories: sponge, zesty orange twill ribbon: PTI, petite oval nestability, designer label punch: SU, glue dots, foam dimensionals, punched witch (unknown), fabric bat, ghost, pumpkin (unknown), Scor pal, Scor Tape

I made these cute jars the night before the fair - I just happened to stop into Michael's and they had this Martha Stewart Skull punch on sale ($9.99 marked down from $17.99!) So I brought it into my craft room and saw these 5 little jars sitting on the floor - left over from an Easter project last spring!

I just happened to also have a bag of this chocolate candy corn and the whole design came to mind. Here's a close up of the front view. I sponged the skull with Smokey Shadow Ink.

After I punched the skull, I realized that I needed something behind the eyes and mouth to make them stand out - so I punched an orange circle - then the base needed to be bigger to cover the jar top - so I tried the scalloped edge circle with black card stock. Then I just had to cover the rim with a coordinating ribbon and fill the jar with the candy! Another cute little treat!

Paper: White, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black: SU

Ink: Smokey Shadow: PTI

Accessories: ribbon - PTI, glue dots, skull punch- Martha Stewart, circle punch, scallop circle punch: SU

A Peeps Nest and How to Begin Forever

Here's a fun little spring treat I made to sell at our church - wouldn't these look super sitting at everyone's place on your dinner table for Easter???!! I found the instructions for making these on Ana Wohlfahrt's blog


Basically - you cut out 2 different size scallopped circles Nestabilities and then cut out the center out with a small circle. (I laid the smaller circle Nestability inside the larger scalloped circle on my cuttlebug and cut out both at the same time). You cut through one side of the scalloped circle - re-attach the ends overlapping about 3 scallops so it curves up. Cut little snips around the inside edge and bend up a little. Put glue around the inside edge and lay the small cut circle on top. Attach the smaller 'nest' over the larger 'nest' with foam dimensionals in the center so it pops up a bit. Add some shredded basket paper and your little peep and there you go! I used designer papers rather than stamped card stock on mine.


You can certainly use any size circles you want - just for reference - I used the 4 1/4" scallopped circle (measuring to outside edge) with the 2 1/4" plain circle and the 3 1/2" scallopped circle with the 1 5/8" plain circle.

In order to keep them clean and fresh for the sale - I placed my little nested peeps inside flat bottom bags from clearbags.com - folded over the tops - punched two slots in the bag and wove my ribbon through. I also stamped 'wishing you a happy Easter' on a tag trio and attached it along the bottom of the bag - but forgot to photo them after I added that!

Papers: Amuse, Crate Paper Seaweed Collection.

Accessories: couble rectangle punch: SU, scalloped circles and plain circles nestabilities, shredded basket paper, various color ribbons: PTI, Scotch quick dry adhesive, flat bottom clear bags: clearbags.com, Peeps Marshmallow chicks, foam dimensionals
Julie (Justwritedesigns) was the featured stamper on Split Coast this week- and I found this lovely card of hers to case. I changed the stamps, colors and punches used but kept her nice design. This pretty arbor stamp is from a set called Outdoor Fairy Tale Wedding by H&M Stamp Company
I used the Swiss Dots cuttlebug folder for the front panel that I also cut with my new Labels Four Nestability. The edge is punched with the fleur de lis punch by EK Success. I colored the arbor with Koh-I-Noor colour pencils and gamsol. I added a little knotted ribbon at the top. I used my hot gun on the ends to curl them a bit.

Thanks for coming by!

Stamps: Outdoor Fairy Tale Wedding: H&M Stamp Co
Paper: river rock: SU, Vintage Cream: PTI, water color paper: Carson (from art supply store)
Ink: Memento tuxedo black
Accessories: grey copic, Koh-I-Noor colour pencils & gamsol, sheer ribbon: Michaels, hot gun, oval punch: SU, Fleur de lis punch: EK Success, Swiss dots cuttlebug folder, labels four: Nestabilities, foam dimensionals

Blog Candy Winner! Inspired Cityscape and Christmas Crafts

Happy Saturday everyone! Before showing my offerings today - I'm excited to announce the winner of my blog candy! There were 61 comments and Random Number Generator chose #32 as the winner and that is:

Bunny B who said...
I read you every time you update as you're in my reader :) I love your creations!!! Happy Holidays!!

So Bunny - Congratulations!! - send me an e-mail (julia.aston@comcast.net) with your address and I'll get that package right out to you!

And thank you all for your wonderful supportive comments of my blog - they really made my week!

First up for my projects to show you today is my card for the Inspiration challenge on Split Coast. Stef chose another fun ETSY site 'Block Party Press'. I chose this fun city scape necklace for inspiration.
I immediately thought of this Amuse city scape stamp that I stamped 3 times and embossed in silver. I adhered it with foam dimensionals and cut it to fit the full width of the card.I didn't use my embossing buddy before embossing the sentiment (Vippies)so the little extra flecks that stick with the static would look like stars in the sky. The embossed stars are from the Take a Bough set from Papertrey Ink. I embossed the large star with silver on black, cut it out and adhered it with a foam dimensionals.

Stamps: City Scape: Amuse, Stars: PTI Take a Bough, Sentiment: Vippies
Paper: grey Bazzill, white: PTI, Real Red, Basic Black: SU
Accessories: silver embossing powder, embossing pad, hot gun, foam dimensionals

And next I want to share a couple of fun Christmas crafts I found while surfing some blogs.

I found this cute idea for pops at this site although Ashley made them for candy canes. We're having a Christmas craft sale at church and I thought these dressed up our yummy chocolate/rice crispy lollipops that Jeannine made. The stamp I used here is from Papertrey's 2008 Holiday Tag collection with Ripe Avacado Ink from PTI.

Next up is this adorable little coaster frame for pictures with Santa (or any picture!) that I found on Lorri's blog here.
I added a picture of my sister Marcia and me (I'm on the left age 4!) Could my bangs be ANY shorter?!?!?

The picture is just clipped on so the purchaser can remove it and slip their photo right on. I used a heavy weight coaster for this and covered it with designer paper from SU. I punched a tag (Pure Poppy PTI) and stamped Merry Christmas from the All I Want for Christmas sentiment set by H&M Stamps on it. I attached the tag to a white card stock rectangle (2 1/2 x 3 1/2) and attached that to the covered coaster. The belt is 1/2" black grosgrain ribbon and the belt buckle is made from a 1" square of Summer Sunrise card stock (PTI) I punched two slots on it using the slot punch from Stampin Up to slide the ribbon through.

Lorri had attached magnets to the back of her coasters - but I made an easel stand for mine using a piece of coaster as shown. I scored it to allow it to bend and attached it with Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive - that's also what I used to attach the DP to the coaster.

Today I am so thankful that we have heat and electicity - we had terrible icing north and west of us on Thursday night (we just had torrential rain where I live) and my son lost his utilities at his condo so came with April and his two dogs to stay overnight with us (power was restored today to them) - and my sister lost her utilities and a giant tree branch fell on her car and blew out the back window crushing the trunk. Another beautiful birch tree out front came up by the roots and fell against their roof! But we are thankful there was no damage to her house or to them personally. They have been told their power may be out for 4-5 days so they hurried out to by a power generator - luckily they have a wood stove and running water.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you are inspired by my crafts today to make some of your own!

All You Need in Life

Here is my project for the Limited Supplies challenge over on Split Coast today where you had to use chocolate some way on your card - the color, or candy stamps, or something chocolate themed. It was so difficult doing this challenge today - I mean how many people really like chocolate - let's be honest...... (HA!) ok - so we all LOVE chocolate..... I decided to decorate a small gable box from Papertrey Ink with chocolate chip card stock, a chocolate and pink designer paper and chocolate ribbon! And isn't this stamp from Inkadinkado just terrific for this theme today?!?!

I added jeweled flowers and punched butterflies. And, of course, I had to ADD chocolate for my box! The Avery labels on the Nuggets were stamped with a label stamp from Papertrey Ink set called Limitless Labels. The set came out last year and it's the first time I've used it! That's one of the reasons I love the Split Coast Challenges - it makes me use my stamps!

I colored in some of the flowers on the labels with my Prismacolor marker to coordinate with the designer paper I used. There were several more nuggets in the pile as I was making this project - I wonder where they went???!!!?!?!

Hope you have a great weekend everyone! I'm going to the Cinema to see Twilight sometime in the next few days - I was so addicted to the books and I just can't wait to see the movie!! I've already got the sound track and keep playing it over and over (Yikes - am I reverting to being a teenager again??!!)

Thanks so much for coming by!

Stamps: All you need: Inkadinkado, Label: Limitless Labels: PTI
Paper: Choc Chip, Naturals Ivory, DP: SU
Ink: Dark Chocolate: PTI
Accessories: butterfly punch: Martha Stewart, Ribbon: Dark Chocolate Satin: PTI, jeweled flowers: Petaloo, Hershey Nuggets, Avery Labels 8460, foam dimensionals

Carrot Treat Box & Shredded Ribbon Tutorial

I wanted to make some treats for Easter dinner at my niece's home for her guests and I found this fun carrot pattern on SCS and thought they would look so CUTE on the dinner table. I wanted to make the ribbon that ties the top shut look sort of like a carrot top and so tried shredding it and I thought it came out pretty good!

This is also my project for the Ways To Use it Challenge on SCS - to use a tag.

Here is my first (!) tutorial on my blog on how I made this cute treat:


First I cut out and stamped my carrot pattern using a little flowers bg stamp (see supplies list below). Next I scored the lines indicated with a ruler and my scoring piece from my Scor-Pal. You can use a Scor-Pal but the lines are kind of irregular in their placement so I found it was easier using a ruler. I glued the edge using Scotch Quick Dry adhesive that I bought at Michaels.


Then I punched a slot on each of the larger tabs - one on front and one on back for the ribboon to go through.
The ribbon is 8" of 1/2" green grosgrain. I put it through the slot punches with even pieces on each side - then I tied it in a double knot.
Next I cut the bound edges off each side - just a thin sliver so it releases the cross threads. You want to cut up as far as you want to shred.
Then take a slightly thick sewing needle and stick it in the cross threads and pull down - you need to hold onto the ribbon above where you are pulling as it takes some tugging - just keep riping out the cross threads until you are up as far as you want - in other words - until you have the length of fringe that you are looking for - if you want more, just cut off more of the bound edge.
And here is the curly top to the carrot!


The final step was to stamp the cute rabbit from Lockhart Stamps, (it's on sale right now so check it out!), color her in with my Prismacolor markers and cut the petite ovals with my Nestability dies using my Cuttlebug. I attached an eyelet using my Cropadial and tied it around the ribbon using Baker's string from Martha Stewart that I got at Michaels.


Let me know if you try this ribbon shredding on your project and link it here in a comment - I'd love to see what you make!

I've used this ribbon technique on cards too - check out my 'How Frazzled Are You' card in an earlier post. It just adds a fun demension to what ever you put it on.


Thanks for stopping by today - I'd love to hear what you think about my first ever tutorial - you can click on 'comment' below and let me know!


Later Gater!

Paper: Only Orange, So Saffron, Hansome Hunter: Stampin Up
Stamps: Beyond the Basics - Flowered bg stamp: Stampin Up, Bunny: Lockhart Stamp Co., Sentiment: Rubber Soul
Ink: Only Orange, So Saffron: Stampin Up, Pitch Black Adirondack
Supplies: Green Grosgrain Ribbon, yellow eyelet, Cropadial, Slot Punch, Nestatilities Petite Ovals, Bakers Thread: Martha Stewart, Michaels. Sewing needle, Prismacolor Markers