Project from 2008

My goodness...look what I found in blog post "drafts"!  This is a post I set up way back in June of 2008.  WOW!  I"m a bit speechless.  (poking eyeballs back in & closing mouth) 

I participated in a "spending challenge" in the SCS Flybaby Forums. Basically, the challenge was to go one month (May) without spending for any stamping related items. Fourteen participated in the challenge - each individual set goals. Mine was NO craft supply spending - that means no stamps, no embellishments, no ribbon, no designer paper. I did spend on storage, as I was organizing my craft supplies. Some individuals were very motivated in May to craft, craft, craft. Not me. :-( I guess I was too overwhelmed by the "mess". Here come June...and WOW. I still haven't spend anything on crafting supplies. (insert shocked eyeballs here!). I, as did some others, volunteered to send something to the May spending challenge participants. In keeping with the spirit of Flylady, I wanted to create something useful without spending any additional money. Take a look. It was all in a day's work. Really - it took eight hours to create all that stuff!

One final picture of the whole schingding!

Flash forward to February 2011...I'm no longer overwhelmed by the "mess", cuz there isn't one.  And...NOPE...I didn't spend the last two years organizing my crafting supplies.  LOL  I don't think I did, but they are organized and I can find everything.  Maybe I just started shopping smarter.  Maybe it's a little of both.  YES, I do have craft 'plosions.  But I always clean up after a project.  Everything has a place and after I use it, make note of it, I put it back where it belongs.  Otherwise, I'd never find it again...even if it flew up and hit me in the face!  LOL.  I hope you enjoyed looking at the projects as much as I did!  Wow...what a nice trip down the crafting memory lane.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a moo-valous day!

Dressing Up Counterfeited Buttons

A few days ago, I created faux buttons by counterfeiting.  Check out this post.

One of my readers left a comment about using Crystal Effects on faux buttons.  At the time, I had these little beauties drying.   

And I wondered WHY I purchased Circle Circus!   I was looking for stamp sets that had a circle motif.  And rediscovered these stamps!  That would be the larger Melon Manbo circles and the two left most matte buttons.  I think I like the Tangerine Tango buttons and the large Melon Mambo buttons best - where the images go to the edge and beyond.  If I'm going to choose a smaller image, I would probably leave them unfinished...I think the unfinished ones look like wooden buttons. 

This is my favorite!  So so pretty!  Glossy and shiny!  I love it!  Working with Crystal Effects is messy!  I dripped it on my work shirt...on my jeans...on my hands...good grief.  I did get most of it on the buttons, tho!  LOL  This was my first time working with something like this.  It was striking a balance between covering the top completely or getting it over the edge and the button stick to the paper yuckily.  I wonder what type of surface to set these on...I used Reynolds Wrap...but I wonder if waxed paper would work...something that's "easy release".  A rubber craft mat...I don't have.  A silicone baking sheet I do have.  Hmmmm....

You can see where I didn't get the Crystal Effects to the edge of the chipboard...depending on the project I use the buttons on...it'll be OK.

I really do like the Tangerine Tango buttons!    The stamped image is from SU! Charming.

My DS made these!  He wanted them left unfinished.  I think it makes them look like wooden buttons.  I even like the ink "overspill" on the buttons.  It would look really good on a very distressed piece.

Overall, I'm very happy with the faux buttons.  Definitely glad I counterfeited them!  ;-)  And I'm definitely embellishing more counterfeited buttons! 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a moo-valous day!

SUPPLIES (all SU! unless stated otherwise)
Creation of the buttons themselves - see THIS post.
Embellishment supplies
Stamps:  Circle Circus, Charming
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo, Real Read, Chocolate Chip
Supplies & Accessories:  Crystal Effects

Valentine Treat Bags

I'm so glad I made these tags back in January.  I used them to embellish treat bags I made for Valentine's Day!

My favorite part of this has to be the bow!  And the tag.  Here's a close up detailed picture of the bow!

  

The topper is die cut from SU! Cherry Cobbler using the Top Note die.  These were originally going to be paper bag totes...so I had punched out handles with SU! Large Oval Punch.  Then, after I cut a lunch bag down to size, I realized that the bags were too wide for the die cut.  AFTER I had oval punched 16 top note die cuts.  Oh boy!  

I had some small flat cellophane bags from SU! I scored the top note die cuts and attached them to the bags with sticky strip.  Then I punched another oval through all layers.  Now my treat bags have a handle!    After I filled the bags, I added another piece of sticky strip.  Tied on a bow with the very lucious 1 1/4" Real Red Striped Grosgrain from SU!  I used a whole roll!  Now I can buy more! 

Here's the back.

I used some of the Raven Lace from SU! on the tag and attached all that with a black mini library clip (from SU!).  I made 15 treat bags.  Not all of them had the tags, as I only had 8 of the tags.

Here's my...ahem...helper.

These were a hit!  DS received one.  DH received one.  DS gave away 6.  I took 7 to give to co-workers.  It didn't take long to make...only about...most of the day.  LOL.  It was fun and I think they turned out oh so gorgeous! 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a moo-valous day!

SUPPLIES: (all supplies Stampin' Up!)
Tags - information can be found HERE.
Treat Bag Toppers
Paper - Cherry Cobbler
Accessories & Tools - Big Shot, Top Note Die, Large Oval Punch, 1 1/4" Real Red Striped Grosgrain, Victoria Crochet Trim , Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon (1/8"), Vintage Trinkets, Library Clips, Basic Black Raven Lace Trim (1/2"), Small Cellophane Bags, Sticky Strip

Counterfeit Buttons

That same release I mentioned here had me tempted with one more thing...a button die!  Oh goodness...I can make buttons from chipboard...felt....basically anything.  Yes, you can make buttons with DSP, cardstock and punches.  I haven't been brave enough to try to punch a piece of chipboard.  ;-) 

I got to thinking....hmmmm...I have that circle die...it has four sizes of circles....

'The details at this point...one 4 x 4 chipboard square covered all four circles on my die.  After die cutting, I ran one through my Xryon and made a sandwich.  After I had doubled the thickness of the cut out, I used my sanding block to "blend" the edges, round the edges and distress the flat surfaces. 

Using Tangerine Tango and the medallion from SU! Charming, I stamped the circles that were slightly smaller than the stamp.  Then...

Center a hole from the mat stack over the center of the button and make a dot in the middle of each of the two adjoining holes. 

Now the fun part...crop a dile time!  Remember to keep the fingers out of the way.  I noticed yesterday, I WAS keeping my fingers out of the way.  A pinch from the crop a dile is quite painful. 

The finished product!  Now, I really don't need a button die! 

Over the last two posts, I have shown how I talked myself out of a $54 plus shipping new release order.  I already had the stuff...and it really didn't take longer to D.I.Y. as it would to use the ready made products.  Plus, some of these steps...are fun....for me at least. 

Have a moo-valous day!

SUPPLIES:
Stamps - SU! Charming
Ink - SU! Tangerine Tango
Accessories / Tools:  SU! Big Shot, Chipboard, Sizzix Circle Die, SU! Crop A Dile, SU! Mat Stack, SU! Sanding Block

Counterfeit Crafting is FUN!

It all started because of a stamp release and the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog ...

A fellow flybaby has participated in a counterfeit kit challenge and posted about it on her blog.   The next day, I fell in love with a button card die and a button stamp set, new releases from an online stamp company.  I put the two together & this is what happened!

...created exclusively with SU! materials.  I talked myself out of purchasing a button card die. The conversation went something like this:  I don't need a DIE to cut out a rectangle - I'll use my paper cutter.  A hang tag...hmmm...punch a hole.  But the stamp set had button card designs...wait a minute...the Sew Suite stamp set has one...only one...but hey...maybe I only need one.  I need that small pattern stamp set to make that cool insert...do I have small patterns...yep...in the Sweet Stitches DSP and the Designer Series Paper Patterns In Color (Hostess) collection.    Oh boy!  Cannot wait to get home to create!  I arrive home and hide out in the office.  Order in Pizza for the family.  ;-)  Did I shut the office door!  Yep.  A couple of hours later...eight button packets and not a cent more spent!

The thought that ran through my head as I was doing this...I don't like to sew buttons...ok...I procrastinate sewing buttons on clothing...I have a shirt I want to wear, but I've got to look for the replacement button and sew it on.  I don't want to...gotta find the button, gotta thread the needle..ugh.  Now, here I am sitting here sewing buttons on paper...oh good grief! 

I did this project in batches - mass production mode.  I made eight total.  Two of each.  Above, I used a paper piercer then sewed on the buttons with SU! Silver Cord.  Back in the 80's and prior, buttons were attached to button cards with silver staples.  Here's the back of the card.

It's also a throwback to those that had buttons attached with a stiff white cord...they were crisscrossed in the back.  The button cards were also glossy.  These in the project were cut from SU! Glossy White CS and stamped wtih Stazon Jet Black. 

Here's the first one AND I made a mistake.  No way I was gonna take those buttons off and redo it!  This card should have had the Melon Mambo buttons, but hey...Chocolate works, too!   

Daffodil Delight...Daffodil...like Daffy Duck.

Tangerine Tango...baby!

Nah...let's Melon Mambo!

Now this, Chocolate Chip, looks like a Valentine York Peppermint Patty. 

I'm planning to use these as embellishments for cards or as tags.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed the projects and are inspired to look at what you already have when you are tempted to purchase something new.   Have  moo-valous day!

Supplies list:

PAPER:  SU! Glossy White, SU! In Color DSP Patterns Pack (Hostess), Sweet Stitches DSP

INK:  Stazon Jet Black

STAMPS:  Sew Suite

ACCESSORIES:  Sweet Stitches Big Designer Buttons, SU! Silver Cord, Paper Cutter, Corner Rounder, Sticky Strip, hole punch (school supply), Paper Piercer, Piercing Mat

Tag, tags and more tags

Vintage...valentine...I love it!  I wanted a simple quick project - tags fit the bill!   I didn't want to go buy shipping tags, so I made my own with my Sizzix Tags die and SU!'s Very Vanilla cardstock.  I even made my own "reinforcements". 

I love the collage effect.  This would be great on a smaller scale as a Simply Adorned locket insert!  I made eight tags total, distressing three of them by wearing down the edges and...gasp...spraying with water and crumpling!  Some red ink did bleed a little bit, but it really enhanced the distressed look of the tag.

I think these turned out great!  I believe I am going to use these as tags for Valentine Day treat bags.  If I do, I'll be sure to take pics of that project!  I could even flip them over and journal on the back...using these for a scrapbook page.   You'll probably see these pop up on a project soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

SUPPLIES:
Stamps:  Artistic Etchings, French Script
Ink:  Basic Black, Basic Grey, Cherry Cobbler
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Sizzix Tag Die, Big Shot!, brayer, 1/4" circle punch, 1/2" circle punch, Tombow Mono Multi.  For tags that were distressed - SU! cutter kit, Ranger mini spray bottle, water.

You've Got Mail!

I needed something creative for Mom's gift cards.  I have it!  Off to search the alterables closet for...a Target mailbox!  Remember those things...$1.00 a piece...in bubble gum pink, white and red? 

Many crafters had issues with covering the box in patterened paper because of the permanent flag stuck to the box.  Usually, I left the front part where the flag was uncovered.  This time, and it's been a while since I've covered a mailbox, I had an idea.

Off to the punch storage drawer & out comes Stampin' Up!'s Word Window Punch.

I cut a 12 x 12 piece of patterned paper from My Minds Eye Be Merry Collection (Snowball Fun pattern) to 4" wide.  I dry fit the 4 x 12 piece to the mailbox.  I marked my spot and punched two times.

I applied sticky strip to all four sides.  Check out where the seam is...barely visable.

I grabbed my SU! 1 1/4" striped grosgrain.  I love this wide silky grosgrain ribbon.  I tied it up with a nice bow.  From the coordinating accessory sheet, I used a tag, which was attached with a safety pin from SU!'s Vintage Trinkets.  I love the trinkets, too! 

The lowly safety pin...elevated to embellishment status.  The same accessory sheet has another cool embellishment for the gift card mail box...

This one, I ran through my Xyron.

I was impressed with how cute the project turned out.  I do believe Mom liked the mail box and the contents. 

SUPPLIES
Paper: My Minds Eye Be Merry Collection
Accessories:  Coordinating Accessory Sheet, SU! Old Olive 1 1/4" Grosgrain, SU! Vintage Trinkets, Xyron, Sticky Strip, Word Window Punch

Ornament Punch Roses

I found an awesome tutorial on Chera West's blog showing how to create roses using the SU! Ornament Punch.  I decided to give it a go!

I punched many ornaments in Pretty in Pink and Pale Plum.  I then sponged Rose Red and Perfect Plum Classic Ink on the ornaments.  I sponged beginning at the tip of the ornament, working my way down each side, from the edge of the cardstock in; using this method, I could ink the edges as I sponged the surface.

    

I then sponged the pieces with Champagne Mist Shimmer Ink.  Using a distresser tool, I distressed each side of the ornament from the tip down.  I grabbed my paper piercer and used it to roll the petals.  I first rolled the tips back, then rolled the edges in.  I discovered these look best as distressed as you can get them. 

I assembled the petals as directed in the tutorial.  The completed flower seemed to need something else, like leaves!  So I punched more ornaments from Mellow Moss.  Sponged on Always Artichoke, Champagne Mist Shimmer Ink and then distressed...

...and assembled...

GORGEOUS!!!!

I love the leftover rose petals scattered throughout the assembled roses...they look so real.  The roses shimmer...and are gorgeous!  I have NO idea what project I will put these beauties on!  For now, they are gorgeous eye candy! 

Supplies:

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Pale Plum, Mellow Moss

Ink: Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke, Champagne Mist Shimmer Ink

Accessories: Glue Dots, Paper Piercer, Sponge, Summer Sun Corduroy Brads, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint