CHRISTMAS IDEAS #4 - VOTIVE HOLDER

This little votive holder is not an original idea - but I fell in love with it when I saw it and had to try it for myself. In case you haven't seen the idea, I also wanted to share it here with you.


I made my sample using heavy metal sheets I picked up at Hobby Lobby but they are still so flexible that I will use aluminum flashing for any more that I make. Aluminum Flashing can be picked up at your local hardware store. The advantage of using the metal sheets from Hobby Lobby is that they come in SILVER, GOLD and COPPER so you have a wider variety depending on your decorating color scheme and they WILL hold their shape easily - they just bend in transport.

This was sooooooo easy to make - and FAST! I completed this one in under 3 minutes (including cutting the metal sheeting.) Using the SIZZIX SNOWFLAKES #2 DIE (available from Stampin'Up!) and a die cutting machine that will accommodate the die, cut out 3 snowflakes. Attach the pieces in the center by alternating each snowflakes that the "arm" of the one on top falls between the "arm" of the one below it. I attached the pieces together using Tombow Adhesive, though if using Aluminum Flashing, I would use a metal glue to make sure they hold. Raise the arms of each snowflake to create the desired shape, pop in your votive and it's finished! See, I told you - they are quick to make.

Thanks for visiting with me today.
Until next time,
I wish you happiness.

Jill

CHRISTMAS IDEA #4 - TABLE SETTING

I love a beautifully set table for the holidays.

The men of my household think setting a table is complete by putting a plate and fork on the table and calling it complete - so a special event or holiday dinner gives me an excuse to pretty things up a bit. These items are quick and easy - but add a little Christmas Cheer to the table.

All 4 items - napkin ring, candle wrap, wine bottle tag and placecard - are all created using the same Stampin'Up! products.

Day of Gratitude Stamp Set
Bells & Boughs Stamp Set
Scenic Season Stamp Set
Seasons of Joy Stamp Set
Always Artichoke Cardstock
Real Red Cardstock
Whisper White Cardstock
Old Olive Marker
Always Artichoke Marker
Real Red Marker
Bravo Burgundy Marker
Real Red Ink Pad
Always Artichoke Ink Pad
Jewels Basic Pearls
Corner Rounder Punch
1 1/2" Circle Punch
Sticky Strip (used to adhere the ends of the candle wrap and napkin ring)
Snail Adhesive


To create the wreath on the wine bottle tag, I lightly pencil traced a circle onto the cardstock. Starting at the top center of the circle I stamped the leaf image from DAY OF GRATITUDE in Always Artichoke Ink 3 times down the right side of the circle and then 3 times down the left side of the circle. * Don't forget to erase the pencil line. After stamping, I used a Real Red Marker to color over the red berries. The Poinsettia is from the Bells & Boughs set. I colored it using both Real Red and Bravo Burgundy markers then cut it out with paper snips, added pearls to the center (though I did that AFTER I took this photo) and popped it up on the wreath with dimensionals. The "Seasons Greetings" label was hand drawn and cut then stamped with the greeting from SCENIC SEASON.

The medallion on the candle, napkin and placecard were created using the same leaf stamp from Day of Gratitude. I inked it in Always Artichoke and stamped it 4 times onto a piece of Whisper White Cardstock. I started at the top then matched the "tails" and stamped the bottom to keep an even space on both sides for the next two stamps. As with the wine bottle tag, I colored over the berries in Real Red and added the pearled poinsettias to the center.

The Always Artichoke bands, cardbase and tagbase were all stamped using the holly leaf swag image from Bells in Boughs and the small poinsettia from Season of Joy in Always Artichoke Ink.

Simple, quick and festive. Perfect for my Christmas table.

Thanks for visiting -
and until next time -

Happy Stamping!
Jill

CHRISTMAS IDEAS #3 - RECIPE BOOK

Isn't this little apron adorable???



The idea is not an original - I saw it online somewhere - and then after creating this, I saw that there is a card made in this shape in the Stampin'Up! catalog.

I had never noticed it before because the colors weren't vivid and eye-catching. I don't think the same can be said about this one.

At this point, my sample is a card. However, I have plans to add pages to create a CHRISTMAS CANDY/COOKIE RECIPE BOOK. Each page will have a pocket that will hold a recipe card for some delightful Christmas Treat.

I used Real Red cardstock and Candy Cane DSP from the Stampin'Up! holiday mini catalog. The Gingerbread image is from the SU! set "GOT MILK". I used the scalloped lace border punch to create the eyelet lace border on the pocket. The Gingerbread tag pulls up to read "Gingerbread & sugared things, enjoy the sweets the season brings" and is from the SU! set SWEET SEASON - the perfect greeting to introduce an apron recipe book.

Until next time -
Happy Stamping!

Jill

CHRISTMAS IDEAS #2

This cute little ADVENT TREE takes a little time to create, so I thought I should show it to you in November. If you plan to use it, you obviously will want it ready by December 1st.




Supplies Needed:

12 sheets Always Artichoke Cardstock
12 sheets Whisper White Cardstock
1 pkg Deck the Halls Designer Paper
Chocolate Chip Ink Pad
Sponge Dauber
1" Die Cut Alphabet set (stickers will work too)
Variety of buttons
Ribbon
Silk Poinsettia
Sticky Strip
Glue Dots
Adhesive
Scissors
Bone Folder
Paper Snips

I began by making 24 - 2" square boxes using Always Artichoke leaving off one tab so that the front of the box is open. I used a bone folder to get a good crease on all the fold lines. Then, using Sticky Strip, I adhered them together in rows first. Once the boxes were joined to create the rows, then I used sticky strip to join the rows to create the shape of the tree. NOTE: to keep your tree from leaning, lay each row on it's back on a flat table top while joining each row to it's neighbor.

Next, I created 24 more open ended boxes using Whisper White cardstock to make the drawers. These boxes are slightly smaller than 2" so that they slide in and out of the tree easily. I covered the front with squares cut from Deck the Halls Designer Paper that had been edge sponged in Chocolate Chip Ink. Then used a 1" circle punch to create "finger pulls) along the front, top edge of each drawer.

The numbers are computer generated because I don't have access to a 1" die cut alphabet. It would definitely have been less time consuming if I had! The numbers were printed on Very Vanilla cardstock, cut out with paper snips then sponged in Chocolate Chip. I used SU! Snail Adhesive to glue mine to the drawer fronts - but if you have a Xyron machine it would work beautifully. (I was out of the glue tape for mine!)

Because the Designer Paper is so decorative itself I didn't have to spend alot of time decorating the front of each drawer. A few buttons tied with string, a couple of cut-out poinsettias with pearl centers and the drawers were complete.

The last step to completing the Advent Tree was the placement of the draping ribbon and a store-bought poinsettia at the top. The ribbon holds its shape by placing glue dots at the top edge of each box along each side of the tree and adhering the ribbon at each point.

Actually - that's not the last step. The last step is hiding the treats inside each drawer!

Hope you enjoyed today's post and will give this little tree a try-out. It is a little time consuming (approximately 8 hours from start to finish) but the end result was worth my time.

Until Next Time -
Happy Stamping!

Jill

CHRISTMAS IDEAS #1

I started my fall cleaning this weekend. I know I'm off to a late start but I've been busy. Besides which, I probably wouldn't have started it this weekend if I didn't have the excuse to start my Christmas decorating early! Spring and Fall cleaning are ALWAYS at the bottom of my priority list. However, I had a Stampin'Up! Christmas Show last weekend and didn't want to put away the Christmas decorations just to get them out again a couple of weeks later - so I am putting decorations up throughout the house as I get each room cleaned.

The first room I cleaned and started to decorate was the front porch. I have a couple of white, french style chairs, an antique hoosier cabinet and an anitque table on my front porch which gives me ample surfaces for setting things. On one of the chairs is a small sled decorated with a rusty metal wreath of stars, greens and ribbon. On the other is my mother's antique Jewel Tea Autumn Leaves bowl filled with glittery and decorated ornaments.

You can't see them in this particular photo, but several were decorated using the Candy Cane Rubons from the Holiday Mini Catalog. Total cost (not including the bowl) approximately $5 (I still have most of the rubon designs to use on other things.)

Setting in the middle of the hoosier cabinet is a pint-sized "apple" basket filled with greens, pinecones and berries.

I purchased the basket unpainted at a local orchard for $3 and the greens from the local dollar store. I painted the basket green (which matches Always Artichoke very nicely) then painted the horizontal bands white. Once dry, I then stamped the bands in Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, and Chocolate Chip using stamps from Season of Joy and Lovely as a Tree stamp sets.

I tied a bow to the handle using a length of Stampin'Up! ribbon and let the ends drape loosely into the arrangement. Total cost for the arrangement (including the paint) $8.

There will be more Christmas additions to the front porch later - some candles and a wreath on the door - but for now this has gotten me off to a good start.

Thanks for visiting today and until next time -

Happy Stamping!

Jill

ONE STOP CHRISTMAS SHOP

I particpated in an "open to the public" shopping event this past weekend and even though the turn-out was smaller than hoped for, I still had a good time. The best part of course was creating all the projects to display. My "booth" had three tables - one for display, one for ordering and one for a quick make n take project.

Here's a photo of the display table.

You'll have to look closely to view all the goodies - the advent tree, snowman soup, snowflake ornaments, cards, tags, basket of greens, basket of ornaments, table setting, Santa Boot, etc. Can you see them all? If not, don't worry. I'll be showing each one between now and Christmas.

The make n take project was quick and easy - but I love the way it turned out. So much so I plan to make more to attach to the presents going under my tree this year.

To create this tag you will need the following supplies:

Crumb Cake Card Stock

Always Artichoke Card Stock

Deck the Halls Designer Paper

Twill Ribbon
Always Artichoke Ink Pad

Soft Suede Ink Pad

Craft White Ink Pad

Always Artichoke Marker

Real Red Marker

Season of Joy Stamp Set

Sweet Season Stamp Set

Vintage Labels Stamp Set

1/4" circle punch (non-SU!)

1/2" circle punch

1" circle punch

Scallop Circle Punch

Corner Rounder Punch

Sponge Dauber

Emery Board

Self-adhesive Pearl

1. Punch a 1/4" hole in a small piece of Always Artichoke cardstock. Turn the 1/2" hole punch upside down and center the 1/4" hole you just punched in the opening. Punch to create a hole reinforcer. Repeat this step to create a second reinforcer for the tag back.

2. Cut a 2 3/4" x 4 1/4" piece of Crumb Cake cardstock to create the tag base. Use the corner rounder to round all four corners. Use a sponge dauber and Soft Suede Ink all around the edge of the tag.

3. Apply one of the reinforcers to the top center of the tag. Using the 1/4" hole punch, line up the punch with the hole in the reinforcer and punch through the tag. Turn the tag over and adhere the other reinforcer to the back.

4. Using the Always Artichoke Marker color the words and the line for the bottom greeting only. Use the Real Red Marker to color the heart. Stamp the image leaving approximately 1/8" between the image line and the bottom of the tag. CLEAN THE STAMP.

5. Cut a 2 3/4" x 1 7/8 piece of Always Artichoke Cardstock and a piece of 2 3/4" x 1 5/8" piece of Deck the Halls DSP. Sponge the edge and front of the DSP with Soft Suede ink, then distress it by rubbing the emery board across the surface to bring out the white center of the paper. Adhere these to pieces together lining up the sides and creating an evenly spaced border of Always Artichoke along the top and bottom. Adhere this piece just above the stamped greeting on the tag.

6. Using the Always Artichoke Marker, color the words and line for the top greeting only. Stamp it in the center top between the reinforcer and the Always Artichoke CS. CLEAN THE STAMP.

7. Stamp the Medallion Stamp from Vintage Labels in Always Artichoke ink onto a piece of Crumb Cake CS. Use the Scalloped Circle Punch to punch it out by holding the punch upside down and lining up the points of the medallion into the center of each scallop on the punch. Adhere this piece to the center of the DSP.

8. Stamp the snowflake from the Season of Joy Set in Craft White Ink onto a piece of Always Artichoke Cardstock. Let this piece dry for several seconds then use the 1" circle punch to punch it out. Adhere the snowflake to the center of the Medallion.

9. Add a pearl to the center of the snowflake and a ribbon through the reinforcers to finish.

Very quick, very easy - but quite a nice finishing touch to any package.

Thanks for visiting - hope you enjoyed today's post.

Until Next Time -

Happy Stamping!

Jill

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!

Yep, Santa comes to Peoria, Illinois is just 27 days. Unbelievable as THAT sounds, there are only 55 days left until Christmas - and 54 shopping days. That said, I am preparing for a showing of Christmas Gift and Home decor ideas as well as cards, tags, ornaments etc. next Sunday, November 7th at the Methodist North Building on Allen Road in Peoria from 1-4 p.m. There will be 5 other displays from other home-based sales companies (Dove Chocolate, Scentsy, 31, Mary Kay and Lia Sophia) setting up displays as well. We will be doing a simple make n take project at my table. There will also be door prize drawings from each consultant as well as treats n sweets to sample. We're calling it the "ONE STOP HOLIDAY SHOP" because as you can see with the variety of companies, any one attending is able to get quite a bit of Christmas shopping done in one place.

To date I have 4 major projects complete, several cards and several tags. I'd love to share them all here with you - but I don't want to spoil all the surprises for those of you planning on coming out to visit me. However, I didn't think it would hurt to share JUST ONE thing I made so I chose the smallest of the projects.

I love the way this turned out. It is beautiful in real life. They are so full of glimmer and sparkle that I plan to make several more for my Christmas tree as well as a few to use as tags or in place of bows on some of the wrapped presents for under the tree.

Thanks for visiting today and if you live near Peoria, why not come join us on the 7th?

Until Next Time,

Happy Stamping!

Jill

THE DESIRE OF YOUR HEART

My project today was inspired by the work of one of my favorite bloggers, Jerri Jimenez. If you haven't checked out her work - it's worth the visit. Jerri is a true artist and her work is amazing! Though not quite up to her standard, I was quite happy with the results of my autumn offering.

I had this box on my stamp shelf. It was naked wood with a clear plastic top. Don't know where it came from or what was in it when I got it - but it's most recent use was to hold all my Stampin'Around Ink cartridges. I soaked a sponge in Close to Cocoa reinker and "stained" the wood and my fingertips. (NOTE TO SELF: WEAR GLOVES THE NEXT TIME!!!!!) I didn't wait for it to dry before decorating because I found the box after I made the flowers and leaves and besides, the tips of my fingers were already brown - but if you ever use reinker as wood stain you really should wait for it to dry.

The mums were created using Spellbinders Daisy Head dies and Stampin'Up! Real Rust and So Saffron cardstock edge sponged in More Mustard and Chocolate Chip respectively. I also edged the rust colored mums in Gold Krylon ink. The leaves are cut using Spellbinders Assorted Leaves dies from Stampin'Up! River Rock cardstock, lightly sponged in Rose Red and Pumpkin Pie ink, moistedned with hairspray (yes, you read right) and then lightly dusted with SU! Irridescent Ice.

The eight loop bow was created using the Bow Easy.

The background is a piece of Early Espresso Cardstock, embossed with a Stampin'Up! embossing folder then lightly sponged with Basic Black ink. The verse is stamped in Chocolate Chip onto a piece of Very Vanilla, edge sponged in Chocolate Chip then die cut using a Spellbinders Label die.

That's the scoop.
Thanks for visiting with me today.

Until Next Time -
Happy Stamping.

Jill

HALLOWEEN SWEET TREAT

Six other Stampin'Up! demonstrators and I held a area wide stamp fest yesterday for World Card-making Day. The participants created 4 cards (2 Christmas, 1 Birthday, and 1 Autumn themed). We also had samples, treats, door prizes and treats. Each of us was to create a "treat" to include in our customer's supply bags so since our demonstration themes were Halloween and the use of Stampin'Up! punches, I created this little ghost/pumpkin candy bar holder. The pumpkin I had seen before - but the little ghost is an original.

Several years ago I came across this idea for a candy bar holder and thought it would be a perfect little surprise in the girl's bags. When you pull the ribbon, the candy bar slides out of the pocket! Very clever - because they can then just slip the candy bar out, eat it, and re-use the pouch later.


The one I had seen used a Hershey Bar, but the bars I wanted to use were smaller so I had to re-figure the dimensions. You add 1/8" to the length of the candy bar for the height and then measure the width and height of the bar, double that measurement and add 1/4" to the total for the width of your cardstock. Score, fold and place sticky strip based on the template shown below.


Punch a 1/8" hole in the center back close to the top. Lace a length of ribbon through the hole creating a "u" shape with the ribbon.

Place the bottom of the candy bar into the base of the "u" and push down into the holder until it is hidden.

The ribbon will keep the candy bar from slipping out the bottom. Tie a bow or knot to secure the top. I used wrapping paper ribbon to create the curly cues at the top of my treat holder.



To create the ghost, I used the following Stampin'Up! punches: Ornament punch for the head (cut off tab), 1 3/4" Circle punch (torso), Wide Oval Punch (tail), small oval punch (cut two for the arms). After cutting, I sponged the edges in creamy caramel. You can use other colors, but for my fall theme, the brown tone looked best. I did try Bashful Blue because shadows on white are typically shades of blue - but it just looked too much like a snow ghost for my liking.


The pumpkin is created using the medium oval punch. I simply punched out 5 in Pumpkin Pie, sponged the edges in Pumpkin Pie then glued them together. The stem is handcut so each one I make is different. The curly vine is a thin strip of Certainly Celery cardstock that was dampened then wrapped around the tip of my stylus until it dried. Then I used a bit of adhesive and glued it into place.

That's that. They go together very quickly. I made 16 ghosts and pumpkins in a couple of hours and made 16 pockets in about 2 hours as well. That averages out to about 15 minutes per treat. It might have gone even faster if I hadn't been watching NCIS and Biggest Loser!

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial
Until Next Time -
Happy Stamping!

Jill

FREEBIE FRIDAY - OCTOBER 1, 2010

Happy first day of the final quarter of 2010. Can you believe that???

I've been working, working, working in my studio - but I've been making cards with retired Stampin'Up! images and the cards were fairly basic so I haven't posted anything for a while. Today's card, however, uses the new Stampin'Up! set "Bells and Boughs". As soon as I saw this set in the Mini Catalog I new it was a "must have". The realistic detail is beautiful.

I wish you could see this card "in real life". It is beautiful. This photo doesn't do it justice.

To make this card, I started by folding a piece of 4.25" x 11"Whisper White cardstock in half. I used the largest circle from one of my Spellbinders sets and lightly traced around it on the center front of the card in pencil. Using the trailing poinsettia image from the stamp set, I stamped the image 4 times (using the pencil line as a guide) to create the rounded, wreath image. Then I used just the bottom tail of the stamp in each of the four corners of the card.

Next I stamped the center image on a seperate piece of Whisper White cardstock.

I colored both the card images and the seperate image using Stampin'Up! markers in Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Real Red, and So Saffron. After coloring, I cut out the poinsettia image and the middle of the wreath. I backed the opening of the wreath with vellum and backed the vellum with a piece of Real Red cardstock. The cutting took a little time, but in my opinion really adds to the elegance of the card. Not one I'd want to make for my complete Christmas card list though!

To finish I popped up the center image with Dimensionals, added the Blushing Bride ribbon and Stardust Stickles to the centers of the poinsettias.

I haven't done any drawings lately, but here's one that's been hanging around in my Jill's Jems digital files for a while. It's a freebie - so take it and use it as you will - just pleeeeeeeease don't sell it and please remember to link back here to my blog if you post it online.
Thanks so much for visiting.
Until Next Time -
Happy Stamping!

Jill

NEED CHOCOLATE?????

Have you ever heard of chocolate tasting parties? To me that seems like something to good to be true. Something that you might sit and daydream about - but not something that could actually occur. Well guess what? A friend of mine, Marla Anderson, is a Dove Chocolate consultant and Dove has an entire line of chocolates and accessories for home tasting parties! Talk about HEAVEN!!!! Check out this link to browse through their catalog. You'll see what I mean!

My party is scheduled for the 18th of September! LOL! I just couldn't resist.

This is the invitation I created to mail out. Dove has their own free postcards that I could have used - but what's the fun in that? Right?


Don't the chocolates in these retired Stampin'Up! images look good enough to eat? Especially the little ones across the bottom. Mmmmmm! I can't wait for my party. This set is in the 2002 Stampin'Up! catalog. I don't know who the artist is - but in my opinion, Stampin'Up! needs to recommission them. The detail in this set is AMAZING!

Ingredients: "For the Love of Chocolate" stamp set, Whisper White & Early Espresso Cardstock, Cuttlebug Hearts Embossing Folder, Copic markers, Ribbon & Computer Generated Print

Thanks for visiting today. I'm off now to have chocolate for breakfast. :)

Until Next Time -
Happy Stamping!

Jill

NO SEW FABRIC PROJECTS

I know you must have seen the new fabric line that Stampin'Up! is carrying in their 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog. I adore fabric (I'm a recovering quilter!) and think the "DECK THE HALLS" fabric is gorgeous. It's 3 different patterns of fabric - basically a total of 2/3 of a yard of 54" wide fabric, for $9.95. The problem is for some of you, that the thought of sewing can bring on a case of the shakes and night sweats - so - what to do???? How about some ideas for using the fabric that doesn't require a sewing machine or even no sewing at all?

These designs are not mine - they are the work of a very creative friend of mine and member of my demonstrator group, Julia Jackson.

The one I'm showing first is my FAVORITE! It was created using the Stampin'Up! 5 pt 3D Star die (Item: 113473 $19.95) which is now a "MUST HAVE" for me. This star is beautiful in real life and would beautiful sitting atop a Christmas tree or just placed on a fireplace mantel with greens and pinecones. All the items used to create this card can be found in the Holiday Mini.

Also in keeping with the Christmas tree theme is this adorable little puffed ornament which uses the same fabric, fabric adhesive, TOP NOTE die, and cotton balls as filler. (Note: there is a little handstitching around the sides to keep the cotton balls inside.

Or what about simply using strips of the fabric in place of ribbon on a card??

Or how about a hairclip for that little girl in your life?

Or twisted and wrapped around a punched circle of sticky adhesive paper to make a rosette?

Or batting stuffed fabric coasters accented with coordinating buttons?

See? Didn't I tell you she was clever????

For more ideas be sure to check out the Holiday Mini catalog online.

Until next time -

Happy Stamping!

Jill

SAGE & SWEET PEAS

I'm setting a record of some kind. I'm sure of it. I've posted a card for 3 consecutive days! Probably because I had a 3 day weekend and had a little more energy to be creative.

You wouldn't know it by the way I dress, or wear my hair, or even decorate my home, but I LOVE vintage/victorian decor & accessories. China teacups with pink rosebuds, lace & doilies, filigree, pearls, etc. So I had fun creating today's card.



I began with a cardbase of Stampin'Up! Whisper White cardstock and covered the front with a Cuttlebug Textile Embossed piece of Stampin'Up! Sage Shadow cardstock. Next I used my BIGSHOT and cut a frame using the Spellbinders Scalloped Edge Frameabilities die.

I used the Sweet Pea set from FLOURISHES for my image. What says vintage better than an old-fashioned flower. One that I remember well from my grandmother's yard. I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Neenah Classic Solar White cardstock and colored it with Copic markers in shades of Blue-Green and Green. I cut it out using Spellbinders Oval Nestabilities. I cut and embossed 4 pieces of Whisper White using one of the smaller dies from Spellbinders Lattice Shapeabilities and then sponged then in Sage Shadow ink before removing the pieces from the die. I glued these to the back of the oval image and then centered this piece onto the cardbase. To complete the Victorian feel I wanted, I added tiny seed pearls all around.

A little time consuming to create but worth the effort in the end.

Thanks for visiting with me today.
Remember to give thanks in everything -
and until next time -

Happy Stamping.

Jill

VINTAGE ROSES

I'm apparently in a "pink" mood lately as it seems every card I've made is that color. Or - it could be that I'm too lazy to search for another color combo and am using the bits and pieces that are laying around on my desk. Either way, I'm pleased with the cards I've made this weekend and this one is no exception. The only thing I would change now that it's finished is that I wish I had backed the image in pink (imagine that!) instead of white.


I stamped a retired Stampin'Up! image from the set "HEAVEN SCENT" in Memento Brown Ink onto Neenah Classic Solar White cardstock and colored it using Copic markers. I also used the Copics to color the mini pearls to match the image. The cardbase and colored cardstock is Stampin'Up! Pretty in Pink and Whisper White. The die cut background was created using Spellbinders Dies: Fleur De Lis Shapeabilities, Lattice Borderabilities, and both large and small Circle Nestabilities.

Tip 1: When using detailed dies like the Fleur De Lis, place a piece of wax paper between the die and the cardstock when cutting. It will allow the design to slip easily from the die without tearing.

Tip 2: When using the Lattice Borderabilities die, do not throw away the large pieces that punch out from the ends. You can add them to your card to create additional dimension and design. e.g. I used them on this card as the "mounts" for the circular image.

Thanks for visiting -
and until next time -
Happy Stamping!

Jill

TRIPLETS

What a lovely holiday weekend! I don't know what the weather is like where you are but here in Central Illinois - it's beautiful. I'm sitting outside for the first time all summer enjoying my patio, our tiny little fish pond and the colorful flowering shrubs and bushes my DH planted in the Spring - and the temperature hasn't reached 70 yet! GLORIOUS!!!!!

After yesterday's post I talked with my son about my studio and we co-inhabited it very nicely all afternoon. I managed to make 3 cards before calling it quits and enjoying a quiet evening asleep in my recliner chair. Of course then I woke up at bedtime and was awake until 2 a.m. this morning.

The three cards I made were all baby cards in which I used up some scraps from a workshop a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't decide which one I liked best so I'm posting all three and you can decide.

All three begin with a cardbase of Stampin'Up! Whisper White cardstock - 2 of which have been embossed using the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug EF. The first two cards also use Early Expresso and Pretty in PinkCardstock from SU! The image in the first one is from a retired SU! set and has been colored with Copic markers and popped up from the background with Dimensionals. The finishing touch is the enameled flower which is a piece to a bracelet purchased in the jewelry aisle at Walmart and added to a Pretty in Pink ribbon strip.


The second card uses the same colors of cardstock, embossing folder and layout (turned on it's side) and ribbon. The image is Stampin'Up! Teddy & Train also colored with Copic Markers and then pierced using a small piercing tool and the guide in the SU! Mat Pack. I added faux stitching with a Chocolate Chip marker and finished this one with a domed, white faceted button.



The third and final card uses Whisper White and Blushing Bride cardstocks as well as a piece of baby WRAPPING PAPER! I recreated the pacifier from the paper using Pretty in Pink and So Saffron cardstock and sponging each one respectively in Regal Rose and More Mustard to add depth and dimension. The ribbon is from Hobby Lobby and the metal tag is from Stampin'Up! Hodgepode Hardware in Silver. The word was cut from a piece of the wrapping paper and held in place with glue dots and 2 white brads. If I had a small heart punch I would have punched the small hearts out of the pacifier - but I had to make do with a white Signo gel pen from SU! Unfortunately, it ran out of ink just before I finished - so this one will require a touch up when my next SU! order is placed.

So - what's the verdict? Which one do YOU like the best?

Thanks for visiting - and until next time -

Happy Stamping!

Jill

MY FAVORITE BIRTHDAY CARD

My birthday was almost a month ago and this is my first post since then. Not very prompt about things am I??? I realized last night that I stopped being creative when my son moved his gaming computer into my studio. He did so at my request when my computer crashed so that I would have access to our photo editing software. However, I now have a beautiful laptop and have rarely used it because the gaming computer hasn't left the room. Which also means the 6 ft, 200+ lb. man rarely leaves the room as well. Do you know what happens to MOJO when you hear constant games noises in the area???? I think I'm calling the computer tech today to see how much they will charge to hook him back up wireless.

Anyway - just a quick post while the "gamer" is in the kitchen to show you my favorite birthday card. My husband decided to make me a card this year! I was stunned! But sure enough, I woke up on Sunday morning, walked out to the dining room and found this card propped up against a beautiful, red glass vase filled with roses and other summer flowers.



Don't you love it?????

If you want the details for recreating this beauty (and honestly - it IS my favorite of the cards I received) it helps if you speak English as a second language so that you can spell birthday phonetically the way you say it. The rest is designer chip board off the back of a note pad and luxury black ink from a BIC pen.

Thanks for visiting.

Until Next Time -
Happy Stamping! (or drawing as the case may be!!!!!)

Jill

THE MOJO IS RETURNING

I'm not sure what the problem has been. I'd like to excuse my absence by saying I've been so busy in the yard & garden this summer that I just haven't had time to be in my little craftroom - but anyone who knows me would know that I was lying. My DH does the yardwork and gardening around here with an occasional minute or two of weed pulling from me. So THAT is obviously not what's been keeping me from being creative. And I can't blame it on tiredness either. I'm less tired now than I've been in a very long time. Whatever it was that stole my mojo, I'm glad it has left the building and that I feel interested in stamping/scrapping again.

Last week I received two phone calls within an hour of each other announcing the births of two new babies in our family. The first was my brother telling me he is a GREAT-GRANDFATHER which of course means I'm a GREAT-GREAT AUNT. Mason Lee Owen was born on Wednesday the day before. NOW I feel old and I haven't even had my birthday yet this year!!!!! Then my niece called to annouce the arrival of her third child - a boy named Oliver Matthew. This is the card I made for one of them. I'm not saying which one though because both my nieces follow my blog from time to time.

I used 3 SU! sets: BABY FIRSTS (retired), BY ONES & BY TWOS, and TEDDY & TRAIN. The background paper is from a 5x6 SIZZIX Pack. The cardstock is BRILLIANT BLUE (retired) and BALLET BLUE. I also used BASHFUL BLUE brads, BROCADE BLUE ink and COPIC markers to color the image.

Thanks for coming back to visit with me today.

Until next time -
Happy Stamping!

Jill

CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) Trade Show

Just popping in for a quick post today. I haven't been very busy creatively - but have been busy in other areas. I hope to get back to creating again VERY soon.

Until then though, I wanted to share a website with you. It has a list of participants at the trade-show who are offering sneak peeks of their new products. Some FANTASTIC things coming out this year! The new NESTIES could really get me in trouble!

http://www.scrapbookupdate.com/cha-winter-2010-sneak-peeks/

Until next time -
Happy Stamping!

Jill

TUTORIAL: PAPER ROSES

Isn't this beautiful????? I love roses - real or paper - so you can imagine my delight when I came across this idea on the internet. Wanna know how I made it? I used the STAMPIN'UP! ORNAMENT PUNCH!!!! Can you believe it????

The blog I visited gave a pretty simplified tutorial using just 4 petals for the base with a total of 11 for the entire flower. When I tried it I ALMOST liked it. It just seemed a little too "thin" for a rose and it didn't lay very nicely, so I modified it the second time around and LOVED the result. I've created my own detailed tutorial in the hopes that you might give it a go yourself.

These are waaaaay to big for cards and won't work well in scrapbooks - but they will look beautiful laying around the base of a candle or on the top of a gift box. They are a little time consuming - but well worth the time.

HOW TO CREATE PAPER ROSES

SUPPLIES:

Stampin'Up! Ornament Punch

1 1/4" Circle Punch

Cardstock (Green and Color of your choice)

Sponge Dauber

Classic Ink in Darker Shades of Cardstock Colors

2 Way Glue Pen

Stylus (pencil or screwdriver will work also)

Scoring Instrument

Using the STAMPIN' UP! ORNAMENT PUNCH, punch 18 ornament shapes from your chosen cardstock. Sponge the edges of each petal on both sides. Punch a 1 1/4" circle from matching cardstock. This circle will be your flower base.

Next, use a pencil, stylus or screwdriver to tightly roll the edges of each "petal" from one side to the other. Set each one aside until all are curled.

Begin creating the rose by placing the curled petals around the circle base as shown to the left. I used 7 petals to create this layer for coverage and fullness. I alternated petals - one curled up, the next curled under - overlapping each petal and the petal tab as I worked around the circle.

The second layer was created by using 3 petals , curled inward, glued to the edge of each petal tab on the previous layer. The next time I will use 5 petals in this layer.

The third layer uses 3 petals, all curled inward.

The 4th layer you begin creating the center of the rose. You will use 2 petals. Bend the base tabs at 90 degree angles to the petal and glue the tabs together. Roll the both petals inward creating a cylinder. Apply a small amount of glue as shown on both sides of one petal and hold both petals together with paper clips until dry.

To create the 5th layer - which is the very center of the rose - roll the last ornament shape tightly around the stylus. Add a small amount of glue to the inside edge of the center petal and clip it with a paperclip until dry. Once dry, fold the base tab at a 90 degree angle so that it lays flat across the bottom of the petal. Put a dollop of glue in the center of the rose and put the final petal in place.

To create the leaves, punch 2 or 3 ornament shapes from a green cardstock. Using the stylus and a scoring tool (personal cutter, scorpal, etc) create the veins as shown to the left. Turn the "leaf" over and sponge a darker green ink across the veins and along the edges of the leaves. Glue into place on the back of petals as desired.

And that's it! A beautiful PAPER ROSE.

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial and will try a few of these for yourself. They really are alot of fun!

Thanks for visiting -

and until next time -
Happy Stamping!

Jill

TUTORIAL: SCALLOP TRIM FRAMES/BORDERS/MATS

Has everyone bought the SU! Scallop Trim Corner and Border punches? Have you tried using them to create a 4-sided scalloped border around your stamped images? Did you give up because you couldn't get the last punch on each side to line up correctly? I think I can help you with that.

Getting a perfect border is all about starting with the perfect measurements. I've played around all morning this morning and created samples for EVERY size square that will fit on a 5 1/2" square card base as well as EVERY size rectangle that will fit on a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" rectangular card (A5) and I'd like to share the measurements as well as a couple of punching tips with you.

The chart below shows every size square with it's measurement that can be used on a 5.5" square card.

Measurements:

Top Row: 1 15/16", 2 3/8", 2 7/8", 3 3/8", 3 7/8"
Bottom row: 5 1 /4", 4 3/4", 4 5/16"

The smallest square you can make starts with a 1 15/16" square. This smallest square creates a border for items punched with the 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" square punches. For this square you only use the SCALLOP TRIM CORNER PUNCH. The rest of the borders/mats will use both the corner punch and the SCALLOP TRIM BORDER PUNCH.

To create the scalloped border mats, cut your cardstock to one of the measurements shown on the chart. The 3 13/16" square is the easiest to punch because it fits perfectly to the guide on the top of the Scallop Trim Border Punch. This makes it easy to line-up the corners so that all the side scallops punch perfectly.

Begin by using the corner punch upside down to punch each of the 4 corners. I turn the punch upside down (see photo to the left) when punching to make sure the corner and edges of the cardstock are placed correctly in the punch. Be careful not to let the cardstock slip down past the guide edges or you will end up with "tails" and it will be more difficult to line up the border punch.

Once the corners have been punched place the cardstock into the border punch, lining up the scallops with the guide on the top of the punch. Once lined up - punch once and the first side is complete. Turn 90 degrees and repeat until all 4 sides are complete! A PERFECT scallop trim mat! When creating a border in sizes larger than 3 13/16" use the guide to line up the only one corner rather than two.

Creating the scalloped mats in sizes smaller than 3 13/16" is a bit trickier but not impossible by any means. I create these by using the punch upside down so I can see to line up the scallop with the hole on the punch. Once the scallops are in-line with the blades, simply punch then move the cardstock, line up again and punch.

When you get to the last punch on a side, rather than trying to line it up perfectly on both the left and right sides of the punch (as shown in photo above) simply move the cardstock back to the left (so that the left corner of the cardstock is hidden (as in image to the right ) and punch. Sometimes the border will be off by just the slightest margin and if you try to line up both sides you end up cutting off a portion you didn't intend to.

Creating rectangles is easy once you can cut the squares. To make rectangles you simply choose 2 measurements from those provided above. One measurement will be used for the sides of the rectangle and the other measurement will be used for the other top and bottom. Punch exactly as described above.

The largest rectangle that will fit on an A5 sized card is 5 1/4" x 3 7/8".

For todays's card I created a rectangle in Whisper White cardstock using measurements of 4 5/16" and 2 3/8". These measurements provided an even distribution of "white space" on all 4 sides allowing me to play with more designer papers and borders.

Thanks for visiting with me today.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and that you will dig out those punches and start playing.

Until Next Time -
Happy Stamping.

Jill