I made this card to send to a family who just gave birth to twinpreemie girls. Stacy, Twinshappy, an SCS and blogging friend, wrote and asked for prayers primarly, and cards secondarily, for her friend’s family and these precious babies. The identical twin girls were born a day or two ago at 1# and 3#. Their names areHope and Peyton. Please keep them in your prayers. Thank you.

Knowing I was going to do a card for baby girls, pink was the obvious choice. I checked out the Inspiration Challenge at SCS, and the inspiration photos were of girls bedrooms decorated in pinks and other colors. For my inspiration I chose the 3rd photo that has more yellow in the room decor. I went with Pink Pirouette, Barely Banana andretired Mint Melody. Here’s my card, with double hearts for Hope and Peyton.

I’ll mail this card on Monday and hope it brings some comfort or momentary pleasure to the family. It was rather hard to decide what the sentiment should say. Congratulations or other typical new baby sentiments just didn’t seem quite right, so I settled on a heartfelt *Keeping you close in thought and prayer.* I am also very lacking in baby stamps, especially baby girl stamps, but I thought these adorable hearts from Simply Said would work, and I think they did. They were cut, embossed and matted using my Heart Nestabilities, layered on a frame made with Oval Nestabilities. The Oval Nesties also cut and embossed my sentiment. The bottom lacey border was done with a Martha Stewart Lace Punch, then I ran a single line of embossing just above the lace border. It was easily done with my Scor-It. Added a few pearls, buttons and ribbon and that finished it off.

Stamps: Simply Said and retired Hope for Comfort

Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Barely Banana and retired Mint Melody

Ink: Black Stazon, Markers

Accessories: Pink Taffeta, Ticket Corner Punch, Martha Stewart Lace Punch, Scor-It, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots Folder, Heart Nestabilities and Petite Oval Nestabilities by Spellbinders, Buttons, Pearls

Thank you so much for stopping in again today. I do so appreciate it!!! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!!!

This was a really quick birthday card I put together this morning using all the papers still on my table from yesterday’s sympathy cards. I used all the same cardstock and I flipped the DP over to the other side — I was in a super rush and it worked for me!!! This is for ayoung man and I think it does have a masculine-enough feel, while still using some great colors!

The interest on this card comes in part from the use of an embossing folder and my Scor-It to create double embossed lines above and beneath my zig zag embossing — SUCH a quick way to dress up a card when you’re in a rush.

Hint: Sometimes I have a bit of a hard time getting these narrow embossing folders straight on my paper. Well, if you score one line first, then you can butt your folder up against the scored line and it’s guaranteed to come perfectly straight. Then after runningit through the Cuttlebug with the folder, THEN I go back and add my other embossed lines on the Scor-It.

Stamps: Its Your Birthday

Paper: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss, Urban Garden DP

Ink: Black Stazon, Craft White

Accessories: Large Star Punch, Vintage Brads, Scor-It, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder

And before I go today, I’d like to introduce you to one of my very best friends IRL. I know many of you know her already from her activitiy over at SCS. Her name is Deb, or DeborahLynneS, at SCS. She starting blogging just a couple weeks ago and has some fun and fabulous projects posted over at Dream In Color. Stop in and take a look – you will NOT be disappointed!!! HUGE CONGRATS, Deb, on your new Blog!!!! Best wishes —

That’s it for today – just a simple little card using all Stampin’ UP! product. This week will continue with more simple cards, and I AM in an SU mood this week!!! Hope your week is going well!!! Thanks so much for stopping in!

Today’s project recycles and transforms a food container (a can) into a gorgeous container for whatever type of bauble or gift itemyou please. I am going to keep vintage buttons in this container. Gosh, I hate to even call it a can because it is sopretty, but that’s exactly what it is — a can!!! I think it would be so much fun to make smaller versions of this and fill with buttons to use as a gift for a crafter. Here’s a look atthe finished product:

Isn’t that pretty for an old can? I thought so!!! Oh, but what FUN it is to turn just an old can into such a pretty and useful item, and for almost no money at all. Take a look at how this started:

That’s the can, but it was a nice one — shiny inside with a nicely finished lip and plastic cover. And next to it is the paper I used to cover it, after it was scored. Yes, that’s how I got the embossed lines in my paper, I scored it on my full sized Scor-It. I scored every 1/2″, and can you see how nicely that makes the paper take on a natural rounded shape? How EASY it is then to wrap the can and adhere the paper to cover it. And I LOVE the look of theembossed lines — they add so much texture and a lot of richness — I think so anyway!

You can see just how easy it is to score your line, move the paper 1/2″, score, etc., etc. It only takes a minute to do the entire sheet, and I needed a 12″ sheet to go around this can. I also love the depth of theembossed line that I’m able to get with my Scor-It. This time I had the right side of the paper up, or showing, as I wanted the lines to beembossed on the right side. Now here’s a closeup of the main image sentiment:

I stamped the Inspired sentiment with the Harmony Classic Oval Stamper II Ensemble, which includes a total of 6sentiments and bordersalong with the stamper itself. It is cut, embossed andmatted multiple times using my Petite Oval Nestabilities by Spellbinders. A cropadile was used to punch holes for my ribbon to run through. The satin flowers are adhered with mini glue dots, the stick pin was added, and rhinestones dressed up the sentiment oval.

Editing: I’ve beengetting questions all day on where I get my stick pins — they are included in the Pretties Kit sold by Stampin’ UP — so all you need to do is find aStampin’ Up demo — not too hard to do around these parts –LOL — but if you havea problem finding one, email me and I can hook you up. And, YES, they ARE hard to find outside of the Pretties Kit. If ANYONE finds a source, PLEASElet me know – I would be ever appreciative!!!

OK, here’s the top of the lid:

This was stamped with one of my favorite sentiments included in the Harmony Classic Circle III Ensemble, which includesa total of 6sentiments, borders and the stamper itself. This time I used my Petite Circle Nestabilities by Spellbindersto cut, emboss and mat my image multiple times. I again used my Cropadile to punch holes for the ribbon, tied a bow, added a few satin roses, some more rhinestones and called it good! It’s hard to see, but I first colored any areas of my plastic lid Ithought may be exposed with a black Sharpie pen. I then wrapped the little side (the lip that hangs down) with a strip of red sticky tape and wrapped it with black velvet ribbon. I then adhered my stamped topper to the lid top using dimensionals (the lid was indented, so the dimensionals were needed). And after all was said and done, I really don’t think any of the lid does show, but I wanted to color it black *just to be sure* — always better to be safe than sorry!!!! Now for the back of the can:

My little bow reminds me of a bustle on a dress — LOL!!! This is the center back, where I started all my *pieces* as I adhered them on. I first ran red sticky tape, then ran that lace piece around, up about 1/4″ from the bottom, then ran the black velvet around. As you can see, this is where my ends met, and I had a little *tape issue* at the center back, so I just covered it up with the bow, and I think it adds so much. I’m glad I had that *issue* — LOL!!! After the bottom was all constructed, I then went around and added my rhinestones in those little openings!!! Love this lace — I bought it lastyear for a Christmas stocking project that never got made — so now I’ll get some more and hope for the best with the stocking project this year — LOL!!! Oh, and if you look closely right at the center back, you can see where my paper met and overlapped as I wrapped it around the can — it is so easy to conceal your seam when you have used the Scor-It to create theseembossed lines — I think it gives a very professional result.

Stamps: Harmony Classic Oval Stamper II Ensemble (includes stamper) and Harmony Classic Circle III Ensemble(includes stamper), both by JustRite

Paper: SU Very Vanilla, Black; Prism Perfect Baby Blue

Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black; Markers to color butterfly

Accessories: Scor-It, Petite Oval and Petite Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders, May Arts Velvet, SU retired Organdy, Offray Satin Flowers, SU Pretties Kit, Kaiser Rhinestones, Cropadile, Dimensionals, Zots, Red Sticky Tape

And now before I go,remember how I always tell you it’s OK to cut your rubber? Well, check out how I’ve cut out these stamps. Again, I’ve usedthem without the outer border and when Iinkthem upthe rubber was just collecting too much ink, requiring me to wipe it off, and I don’t have a lot of patience for that (LOL!), soooooo — I just cut off the rubber — simple solution, problem solved, perfect image, EVERY time!!!! And another thing I’d like to point out, even though the one stamper is round and the other is oval, if you look at the images themselves — they need NOT necessarily be cut into that shape. Either of these images could be on pieces cut in another shape — square or rectangle — just pointing out some other options if you choose to use the center without the border.

If you’ve missed my previous posts on gift packaging, check them out here:

Perfect Presentation I – Boxes

Perfect Presentaion II – Bags

And I guess that wraps it up for now!!! I’m so glad you stopped in again today!!! Thank you so much!!! Hope your week goes well!!! I’ll be back tomorrow with a card or two done Stamp Simply style — quick and easy!!! Hope to see you then!!!

Today I’m focusing on gift presentation in bags with a Halloween theme. I love using bags, whether it means making them from scratch or decorating a purchased bag — just plain old fun!!! If you missed Perfect Presentation Part I onmaking boxes,be sure to check it out. Here’s my trio for today, with tutorials to follow:

On the left isan alteredhandled bag I purchased at Wal-mart. I call this my adult Halloween bag because it just looks *so adult* to me — LOL!!! In the center is a bag I made from scratch, and on the right is a candy treat bag made using a clear envelope. All designer paper used is in a Halloween pad by Jen Yanok for K and Company from Michaels, all ribbon is from Wal-Mart, and all stamped images are by JustRite.

I’ll start with the BOO bag, or some may call it a box. It is your basic 2,5,7,10 box with a flap on top and kind of squeezed together on top to form a bag shape. Here’s a close-up:

The orange BOO piece was added to trim up the flap. There is velcro under the BOO to hold to closed. The ribbon is wrapped around the flap, secured with tape on the inside and tied on the outside. These are really quick, easy and fun to make. Here’s a shot of the process:

See how plain that flap looks with nothing extra? Just HAD to trim it up. This is the BOO piece I made and then just secured it on the underside of the flap. It also serves to make the flap piece much stronger. Can you also see howthe bagis squeezed on top to take on a bag shape? I made that jagged edge with a retired SU punch calledSquare Steps Corner Pocketand this piece is the negative piece left after punching. It is a corner punch with the guard removed. Corner rounder used on corners. And check out my wonderful clear stamp alphabet set by JustRite — LOVE these things!!! I LOVE how crisp and dark they stamp, that they are clear for easy positioning and that they snap together and store so compactly in their own plastic box — it doesn’t get any better!!! This set is called Clear Uppercase Typewriter Lettersand in checking for the link I notice they are on a 50% off sale along with many other sets of pre-inked alphabets — a good time to pick some up! And here’s the template for this bag:

Another quick and easy project using my full-sized Scor-It. Cut your paper to 11″ wide and 12″ high. With the 11″ side butted up against the measuring rail so you are scoring along the 12″ length of the paper, score at 2″, moveyour paperover so the score you just did is at 3″, move again so the last score is at 2″, then move again so the last score is at 3″. You are scoring at 2″, 5″, 7″ and 10″. This gives you the 4 sides of your bag plus a 1″ tab to adhere it together. Now rotate your paper so the 12″ side is against the rail. Score 2″ from the bottom. Turn it the other way, score 2.5″ from the top. Done scoring. Now, CUT on the lines highlighted in yellow. You will actually be CUTTING OUT andDISCARDING all the areas that are done in scribbles. Once cutting you can easily see your box, the tab, the bottom and the top flap. Adhere together and decorate away!

Next, I’ll show you the candy treat bag, a quick project for the younger set:

For this I used a cello envelope. The top is made tent style, decorated and stapled onto the bag. The ribbon hides the staples. And that negative jagged edge on the project above — well, this is the positive cut fromthe Square Steps Corner Pocket punchforming my top border. Here’s a shot of the process:

See how the bag topper is just a tent fold, easily accomplished on my Scor-It. The *Eat Lots Of* was stamped using a stamp in the Christmas Ensemble and the Harmony Circle Stamper III, hiding the *Chocolate* underneath the DP. It is cut and embossed using my Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders. The {Treats} was stamped using the smaller of the Rectangle Stampers and the 50 pt. Brayton Font. The { } were from the 95 pt. Brayton Font. (3 sizes of font come in each set.) And see how I notched out the centers of my { } so I could get my letters in closer — again, it’s OK to cut your rubber!!! And I obviously did a lot of cutting on my larger stamp as well. Attach the {Treats} to the backside of the topper front, staple the topper onto the bag, wrap with ribbon and DONE!!!

And last, but not least, is a super simple project. Here I just decorated a white handled bag I purchased at Wal-Mart. Using fun paper and pretty ribbon makes all the difference in the world.

Gosh, I love this bag!!! I’d like to carry it for my purse — LOL!!! The Hugs and Kisses sentiment was stamped onto a scrap of green Prism paper with Versa Fine Onyx Black, cut and embossed with my Petite Circle Nestabilities from Spellbinders and adhered to the bag with Pop Dots — it sure completed the bag. Hugs and Kisses is found in theHarmony Classic Circle StamperII Ensemble,which includesthe Harmony Circle Stamper II. I did need to condition this stamp. You can find my tutorial on conditioning large solid image stamps here. I think the thing I love most about this bag is that I wrapped the handles. Check them out:

Isn’t that fun!!! I just took a piece of wider red sticky strip and ran a length of it from the base of the handle on one side, up and around the handle, down the other side. Then I just squeezed it around the handle with my fingers, and when it was around and down tight I pulled off the red covering and wrapped my ribbon around, leaving myself tails. Not knowing what to do with those tails as this ribbon is rather stiff and not as supple as I usually prefer, I just let them hang and trimmed the bottom edge. To secure them, I took some black sheer ribbon and tied on my bows. That held my loose dotted ribbon tails in place perfectly.

To read more about the Scor-It or find a retailer near you, check out the Scor-It site. They do not sell the Scor-It boards from their site, but I know Ellen Hutson carries them (they are under TOOLS) and in doing a Google search I also came up with another source Marcos Paper. They also appear on a ton more Google searches.

Check out the JustRite Blog — they have another contest running with great prizes, a chance to be featured, and information on sale items in their store. You may have to scroll down a bit to find the rules — but be sure to check out all the great entries — FUN STUFF!!!

Also, I have some retired SU sets for sale. If you are interested, click on the FOR SALE TAB above the Blog Banner way up on top, or click here. Thanks!

It think that does it for today. Part III is coming!!! Can you tell, I LOVE wrapping gifts and presenting packages!!! Wishing you all a wonderful week and again, thanking you profusely for stopping in!!! I truly appreciate knowing you were here!!! Thanks so much!!!

Presentation is everything! This begins a multi-part series on quick and simple ways to present your gift items — tricks, treats, teacher gifts, hostess gifts, little gifts– this week I’ll beshowing you different ways to contain and present gift itemsin lovely fashion during the autumn season. Today I’ll beginby makingsome giftboxes which is a sure-fired way to give an inexpensive little gift some instant appeal. Here’s the 3 we’ll be doing today. Tutorials for all 3 will follow:

I LOVE making boxes — my absolute MOST favorite of all 3-D projects. They are quick, easy, functional and usually create a big WOW!!! And WOW is good — especially when you are presenting a little gift that is perhaps NOT so WOW on it’s own — LOL!!!

I have used Crate paper, Crush Collection, for all three of these boxes. The tags were either punch-outs that came with the paper, or something I made using the same paper. I LOVE Crate paper for boxes. It is nice and heavy, it has a great texture, and it even has it’s own smell — have you ever noticed that? Really, it does!!! I’ve had this paper for quite some time and over the years I’ve purchased Crate productsfrom both Jacksonbelle Embellishments and Eclectic Paperie. This is THE perfect box paper!!!

I’ll start with the uprightnarrow box on the left. It measures 4 x 8 and it houses a simple set of Autumn themed metal cookie cutters made by Wilton from Wal-Mart. They were $2.47 and came tied on a cardbooard backing with metal twist ties — MOST unattractive. I love metal cookie cutters and thought they would be nice for a little teacher treat or girlfriend gift — anytime! Take a look:

A pumpkin, leaf and a turkey — fun — resting on some shredded paper also purchased from Wal-Mart. It makes a great filler!!! The box top slips over, it gets tied with a pretty ribbon, a tag hung on, and ready to go!!! Here it is all wrapped up:

This tag was a punch out that came with the paper and I used my Harmony Rectangle Stamper by JustRite with the Brayton alphas tostamp my To and From. The edges were DTP’d with the ink as well (Palette Burnt Umber). My ribbon is 1.5″ wide striped grosgrain by May Arts. The trick in doing this box is to make sure the top is a tad larger than the bottom — then it slides on and off so nicely. Here are my hand-written templates — nothing fancy — but I hope it’ll get the information across to you.

I used my full sized Scor-It to quickly and easy make these boxes. To make the box bottom, cut the paper 11 7/8 x7 7/8, then simply score 2″ from all 4 outer edges. Fold on the score lines, and then cut on the lines highlighted in yellow, and assemble the box using a strong double sided tape.

About scoring on the Scor-It: The Scor-It makes a hinged score which isa very functional score that works extremely well, but you should be sure to fold the paper in the right way so your hinged score works properly. When you score, one side is indented and one side is humped out (highly professional terms — LOL!). The INDENTED side is the OUTSIDE of the fold. An easy way to remember without having to think each time, when you lay your paper on the cutter, put it upside down — so the side you want for the FRONT, is laying down against the rubbery pad — then it’ll come right. You will actually be running your scoring tool along the WRONG side. Easy —

And here’s the box top. Cut your paper 10 x 6, and then simply score 1″ from each outside edge, fold, cut on yellow lines, tape, and done!!! See how we made the box bottom a bit smaller — now this top will slide on and off very easily!!! When you try it, you’ll see!!!

My second box holds a $1 Wal-Mart jar candle. I tied a ribbon on the jar (it is Crate ribbon to coordinate with the paper). And even though this candle was very inexpensive, it smells just luscious!!! Mulled Cider — how perfect for a crisp fall evening!!! I lined the box with more of the shredded paper and it perfectly protects and nestles the candle. Here it is all wrapped up.

This tag was another punch out in the Crush pack of paper. I used a very old PSX stamp for the To and From. The brown hemp I am using to tie on my tags is from the jewelry making section of Wal-Mart. I am particularly fond of this 3.5″ square box. Here’s the templates for it:

For this square box bottom, cut your paper 10.5 x 10.5 and score 3.5 from each outside edge. Fold, cut on yellow lines, tape and assemble. You can see I have my paper guide set at 3 1/2 inches. When I’m just scoring cards on my Scor-It, personally, I don’t use the guide. I find it very easy to just lay my paper on the correct measurement. But when I’m making a box, it is really important to get all your measurements accurate to make the box fit correctly, so I do use my paper guide for boxes. It easily adjusts to any measurement you need. Here’s the box top:

Again, I wanted this slip on box top to be a bit larger than the bottom, so I added that 1/8th of an inch — it makes all the difference. Cut your paper 7 5/8″ square, and score 2″ from all four edges. Again fold, cut on yellow, tape, assemble.

And here’s my last little gift item. This box measures 4 x 6 and is only 1″ tall. It holds ribbon — what a great gift for a stamping friend!!! The box topis made of acetate or clear cardstock, allowing us to see the gift inside — how cool!!! This time I made the box top smaller rather than larger than the base. Can you see how this box top goes INSIDE the box. Making it that 1/8 inch smaller does the trick. This functions very nicely as well as shows off the gift inside!!! I made this tag using the same PSX stamp and a die cut tag from Tags Five by Spellbinders. Here’s the templates:

Cut box bottom 6 x 8 and score 1″ from each of the 4 edges. Finish off as the above boxes.

And here’s the template for the acetate box top. It’ll be just a tad smaller than the box and it’ll slip inside the box as displayed above just perfectly!!! And don’t fret about having to score your acetate or clear cardstock. It’s no problem at all using the Scor-It — it’ll score just like butter. You will have to apply a bit more pressure than you normally use when scoring cardstock, but you’ll be able to tell/feel once you start — it’s no problem at all. Once scored, it is harder to fold the acetate than cardstock, but just use your fingers to press it down on all 4 sides, and once it takes its shape it’ll hold it well. These are SO FUN to make when you can see through and into the box!!!

If you’d like to read more about the Scor-It or find a retailer near you, you can do all that on the Scor-It site. They do not sell the Scor-It boards from their site, but I know Ellen Hutson carries them (they are under TOOLS, her service is phenomenal) and in doing a Google search I also came up with another store that I’ve been unfamiliar with — Marco’s Paper. And while I was cruising their site — guess what??? Michelle Zindorf is running some of her brayering classes there — how cool is that!!! OH, I only WISH I could go, and I even checked the map, but it’s way too far for this country girl!!!

Thanks so much for stopping in — always appreciate it!!! Part II continues tomorrow with more gift presentation ideas. Hope you try some boxes — they are SO fun!!! Talk to you later!!!

This is an index card to add to my Scripture Box. I thought the Lord’s Prayer was a perfect addition to my box. The idea behind the Divine Design Bible Verse Challenge is to make projects containing scriptureasan aidto memorizing that scripture, adding one new project each month. Well, I’ve fallen behind, but I will get caught up! This is the 4th index card for my Scripture Box, and though I have committed the Lord’s Prayer to memory since early childhood, I just wanted it in my box, sohere is today’s index card.

Isn’t it pretty! I just love making cards for my Scripture Box. They are all 4 x 6. This is the first I’ve made in a vertical orientation — the rest are all horizontal, but it’ll still store in the box horizontally. Youcan see the box here, along with a tutorial on how to make it using my Scor-It.I find these Scripture Cards very easy and relaxing to make — they are just such fun little canvases!!! And they have a meaning, a purpose, and a home in their nice little box. A very rewarding project!!! I suggest you try one if you are so inclined. You can read about the Divine Design Bible Verse Challenge here.

I used two sets relatively new to me by Our Daily Bread — The Lord’s Prayer and The Cross of Christ. They work beautifully together — such gorgeous sets to work with.

Stamps: The Lords Prayer and The Cross of Christ both by Our Daily Bread.

Paper: SU Basic Gray, Bashful Blue, Kiwi Kiss. Periphery DP by Basic Grey.

Ink: SU Basic Gray (stamped off once). Versa Fine Onyx Black.

Accessories: SU: Corner Rounder, Ticket Corner Punch, Round Tab Punch, Pretties Kit, Taffeta Ribbon, Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Piercer, Mat Pack, Cropadile. Martha Stewart Leaf Punch and Bird Punch.

Thank you so much for stopping in again!!! I truly do appreciate it!!! Friday brings our usual Stamp Simply Challenge once again — hope you can join us all!!! Wishing you all a wonderful rest of the week!!! (Oh, this is my 2nd post for today, so scroll down to see the earlier one if you missed it.)

We attended a beautiful wedding this weekend for our niece and her new DH!!! The weather was just gorgeous, so all was well!!! We have company this week, so although I wanted to play today and get my *fix*, it needed to be quick, really quick. I was so pleased to see the TLC at SCS today was to make a Mini Pizza Box — that’s surely quick — and to go with it I decided to usea fewother sure-fired *quick fixes*!!! And those are a pre-inked stamper by JustRite, some Cuttlebug die cuts, and scored lines for interest using my Scor-It Mini. Here’s my project:

The Mini Pizza Box measures 4″ square and you can find the template and directions here. I made the scores on my full sized Scor-It and was done in a jiffy — fun box!!! To decorate the box top and make the cards, I just stamped the *Just a Note* sentiment on the bottom using one of my 2 X Stampersby JustRite. As you can see in the photo, I stamped the sentiment on the box top and the card front, while I used the musical notes on the other side of the 2 X Stamperfor the inside of the card, which is opened and on the bottom of the photo. I then usedmy Scor-ItMini toscore 6 lines, spaced 1/4″ apart each, across the panel to mimic music (I know, I put one too many lines – LOL), and then I used my musical notes Cuttlebug dies to make my notes. I ran them through my little Xyron X which made is so easy to adhere them. I decorated around my box with 2 scraps of unknown ribbon and I was done!!! This box will easily hold at least 8 of these little notecards. My cards are cut 3.75″ square for a perfect fit inside the box!!! Fun project.

I’ll just add one thing about my 2 X stampers— I have many of them and when I got them, I thought I would be using them for my Sunday School class (how handy being pre-inked) and to make other little projects for our church/ladies group, etc. In all honesty, I didn’t think beyond that to realize how QUICK and FUN they are to use for all my normal stamping projects. I was extremely impressed with the perfect impression received every time I stamped, and I love that there is a little coordinating image to go along with each sentiment — how PERFECT for quick, little projects!!! Since this is a busy week for me, I plan to be using more of my 2 X Stampersand other pre-inked stampsfor projects this week — so if you are interested, please check back in. (And when I went to the JustRite site to get my link, I was very surprised to see the great sale price they have these for right now — amazing!)

• Stamps: Just a Note 2 X Stamper by JustRite

• Paper: PTI White, SU Black

• Ink: None — used a pre-inked stamper

• Accessories: Scor-It, Cuttlebug, Note Dies, Unknown Ribbon

Got to run again. Thanks so much for stopping in. If you like quick little projects, check in again tomorrow!!! I always do appreciate you stopping in — thank you so much!!!

Oh, it’s Monday — check out what is offered today at Joan’s Garden! See you soon!

Keyword ssnotime55 -There is no time limit. You can play this challenge and upload yourproject at Splitcoastand/or your Blog, anytime at all! You (and that means anyone and everyone, blogger or not!)can play as many times as you like!!! The point is to keep it simple, quick and have fun!!! Please link back here.

For todays challenge let’s Sing n’ Stamp with Becky!!! Today’s featured stamper to inspire us is Becky Oehlers, a/k/a Sing n’ Stamp at SCS and by her blog title of Hemidemisemiquaver. Becky is quite the interesting woman and she has always intrigued me — perhaps because her life seems to be so different than mine. Becky’s card designs are very clean, crisp and classy — ALWAYS. And I love how she uses ribbon to add that final touch to most of her work. And she is also very clever and creative as is evidenced by the large number of projects she does with and for her girls and their home. So Becky is apaper crafterand a Mom, that’s not so different — LOL!!! But where the difference and interest lies is in her professional life as a classical singer. Becky’s love for what she does just oozes out of her, and I LOVE that, so I could not possibly let this challenge go by without adding some element of music. So, if you want to earn some bonus points today, add some element of music to your project — anything, anyway, anyhow — as long as the viewers get the idea of music or song. How fun!!!

Please check out Becky’s Blog here to be inspired by her creations. And while you are there, take the time to read — there’s a lot of interest to be read, videos to be seen and check out her free downloadable paper designs in her sidebar — fun stuff!!!

So, to summarize today’s challenge based on Becky’s style — here’s what we’re after:

Overall style: Clean, Crisp, Classy
Embellishments: Beautiful Ribbon
Creative License: Make any type of 3D or Home decor item, if you so choose
Bonus Points: Incorporate some element of music or song into your project.
Required Element: SING while you are stamping!!! LOL!!

Heres what our DT did, but if you are viewing this late Thursday night or early Friday morning, please bear with us as everyone is uploading their projects thank you!!!

And we do have a Guest Designer for the entire month of October — how lucky are we!!! I’d like to introduce you to Darlene Pavlick, known as akronstamperdpk at SCS and by her blogwhich isDar’s Crafty Creations. Darlene was the winnerof the OctoberGuest Designer spot during our Blog Anniversary Celebration a few weeks back, and I just couldn’t be more pleased!!! Stop in at Dar’s Crafty Creations to view her beautiful workmanship, check out her kitchen creations, see a gift from her loving DH,read her bio and check out her DT gigs on her sidebar. Very impressive, Darlene, and we are all so happy to have you with us for this month!!!

Check out Darlene’s sample here.

Check out Julie Koerberssample here.

Check out Dee Jacksons samplehere.

Check out Jennifer Bucks sample here.

Check out Janine Orchards sample here.

Check out Tammy Hershbergerssample here.

Check out Becky Oehlerssample here.

You can see all Gallery Submissions here.

Arent these girls justFABULOUS!!! Thank you girls!!! Much appreciated!!!

Heres myproject for todays challenge:

It’s a gift card holder in a style a bit different than I usually do, but it was super quick and fun. A tutorial will follow. There are many sides to Becky, and I decided to go with the ultra classy side, as would be fitting a classical singer. Wouldn’t it be fun to present concert tickets in this holder? Well, no concert tickets here, so I’ll use it for something other. The pocket can hold whatever you like — even cash!!! I used a gorgeously scriptedscripture quotefrom the retired SU set called Elegant Inspirations, swirls from Baroque Motifs and the notes were from a Cuttlebug die I just got — fun!!! The sentiment says:

“By day the Lord directs His love, at night his song is with me.” Psalms 42:8

A very beautifuland reassuring scripture quote that I thought fitting for Becky’s challenge. In fact, I will also upload this card at SCS to this weeks WT where Julia called for *quotes* and to the Divine Design 2008 Bible Verse Challenge that I have missed again for so many months!!! Check it out — it’s a wonderful challenge that *challenges* us to memorize scripture!!!

The first photo shows the actual holder in the envlope and the next photo shows the back side of the envelope.

The envelope makes up in just a mintue using the Scor-It Mini (the full size Scor-It would work as well).

Cut your paper 8.5 x 5.5″.

Score 3 15/16″ from one short edge.

Score 1/2″ from the other short edge.

Score 1/2″ from the bottom edge.

Cut the two bottom sections out as shown, leaving a flap on the back only, angling as shown.

Stamp design on both front and back as desired.

After your design is stamped and your envelope is adhered together, find the center point at the top (opening) of your envelope and punch a hole as shown, going through both layers (front and back) at once.

To make the actual gift card holder, cut your paper 3.5 x 7″. Score 2″ from one short end. Round all 4 corners. Punch acircle out of a scrap of black, adhere about 3/4″ of it to the center top, then cut off theremainder left sticking out on your paper cutter. Tape the bottom flap up to form a pocket and punch a hole in the center of the black circle to run ribbon through for the pull.

That pretty well sums it up!! Hope you get a chance to play today or anytime this week, or anytime, really!!! There is never a time limit — play when you can!!! We have a wedding to go to on Saturday, so we are hoping for a beautiful day up here. Hope you all have pleasant plans for your weekend as well!!! Thanks so much for stopping in — I surely do appreciate it!!! Many thanks!

Making this little 3 x 3 was purely fun tonight!!! I always love doing 3 x 3’s — they are *sew* quick and the canvas is *sew* tiny — I consider them just a delight to do!!! And tonightI used this tiny little image from a Crafty Secrets set called Glamour Girls. Bear in mind when you look at this picture that the entire card is only 3x 3, to give you some perspective on the size of the main image!!! And, as you can tell, I chose to dig into my sewing cabinets tonight and use some sewing notions to adorn this lovely, but apparently greedy, lady — LOL!!! But gee, doesn’t she sound like the lot of us!!!! Hereshe is:

She is colored with Copics, cut and embossed with a Rectangle Nestability Die, mounted on a scrap of fabric cutwith regular old-fashioned dressmaker pinking shears (kind of unheard of since the advent of the Sergers), and further adorned with buttons, pearls, a safety pin, a common pin, a crystal bead and tulle. That’s it — digging in my sewing cabinets, pulling out what looked like it might work! There are 4 tiny images like this in this set. I’d like to make a coordinating 3 x 3 from each stamp and have a set — what fun!!! But, only time for 1 tonight!!! (Oh, and that little smudge by her ear has since been fixed — the glory of the Copic Colorless Blender!!!) And I do have 2 scored lines across the top, that I easily did on my Scor-It Mini, but they don’t show up in this photo, though they do add a nice touch IRL!!!

Stamps: Glamour Girls by Crafty Secrets

Paper: PTI White

Ink: Brilliance Black, Copics in E000, R50, R20, R11, B21, 0.

Accessories: Safety Pin, Common Pin, Buttons, Pearls, Crystal Bead, Pinking Shears, Cropadile, Mounting Tape, Rectangle Nestabilities by Spellbinders, Tulle, Glue Dots, Scor-It Mini, Fabric Scrap.

And, coincidentally (LOL) Joan has this set in her Every Monday Sale today, so if you’d like to see a picture of it and check on what else she has, just stop in at Joan’s Garden for some fun viewing!!!

Thanks so much for stopping in!!! We are promised nice weather, so keeping my fingers crossed. Wishing you all a wonderful new week!!! I’ll be back tomorrow!!!

I was gone for only 2 days, but I’ve been trying to play catch up since getting back home. I’ll post my card first and there will be announcements at the end of the post, so scroll down. I’m a day late posting my Dirty Girl Challenge card, but here it is. Each month on the 20th the Dirty Girls, current and alumni, run a challenge amongst themeselves and this month the challenge was to make a 1 layer card (no other paper, no DP, no nothing, just your base card), you HAD to mask and there could be NO pink. Doing 1 layer cards is so NOT my thing, I struggle with that, but here’s my attempt:

This picture does not do these pinecones justice. They are truly beautiful IRL and I could not capture that on camera. They are covered with sparkly snow and really grab the eye! To make them I stamped the pinecone in the forground first, with Versa Mark, and then embossed with copper embossing powder. I then masked this pinecone, stamped the 2nd pinecone and embossed. I then masked BOTH pinecones and stamped my boughs. To finish off the pinecones I filled in the white space by coloring with abrown marker, dabbing up the markerink that would bead up on top of the embossing with a paper towel. I then put my snow on top using Liquid Applique and I sprinkled it withDazzling Diamonds before heating it up to puff it up.

Even this close-up view of the pinecones doesn’t do them justice — I just can’t capture the tremendous sparkle — I NEED photography lessons — LOL!!! Anyway, to finish off the cardI applied Versa Mark to the edges, direct to paper, and copper embossed. I then added the ribbon, and I did something here that I typically do NOT care to do. I cut a slit in the top of the card to run the ribbon through. It works fine, but I don’t ususally care to do it. Had I known when I started that I would run my ribbon this way, I would have made this card a side fold, allowing me to wrap the ribbon in this fashion without cutting into the card. Just my preference!

• Stamps: Retired SU DD Pinecones and Season by Season

• Paper: PTI White

• Ink: Versa Mark, Versa Fine Onyx Black, SU Handsome Hunter, SU Chocolate Chip Marker

• Accessories: Copper Embossing Powder, Liquid Applique, Dazzling Diamonds, 1.5″ May Arts Ribbon

Now, on to the announcements: Here are the winners of the last few Blog Candy posts that were chosen over the weekend. All Blog Candy posts now have been drawn and winners posted.

Blog Candy #18 isCLOSED,winner is Cindy H click hereand scroll down to the bottom of the post. (JustRite Christmas Ensemble with Stamper III)

Blog Candy #17 isCLOSED, winner is MaryC click hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (JustRite Special Occasions Monogram Set)

Blog Candy #15 isCLOSED,winner is Natasha T click hereand scroll to the bottom of the post. (Scor-It Mini with Tote)

Blog Candy #14 isCLOSED, winner is Denise click here. (Kitchen Sink New Release Stamp Set)

And the winner drawn to be the Stamp Simply Guest Designer for the month of November was Cathy Tidwell, a/k/a catdidit. Huge Congrats! Cathy!!! It’ll be so much fun to work with you. Here’s a link to Cathy’s Blog.

And on Sunday (it is late Saturday night as I post this) Carolyn King, a/k/a Cammie has big doings going on at her Blog, all to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. I am abit lacking for proper details as her post isn’t up yet, but please go on over to Cammie’s Blogto see if she had it up yet. Lots of fun to be had with prizes to win, all fora very worthy cause. Please give Cammie and her cause your support — click here. Thanks! (Editing:Cammie’s post is up — OH MY GOODNESS — this is the BIGGEST BLOG CANDYPACKAGE OF ALL TIME!!!!)

Now, about those little dress boxes I posted a week or so ago, see them here. I’ve been receiving a lot of requests as to where to get those boxes or the template. Well, they are cut on an AccuCut using an AccuCut die. Some scrapbook stores may have an AccuCut, so you could check in your local area. Here is the AccuCut site so you know what I’m talking about. Taylor, over at Taylored Expressions, has these cut for you and available for purchase — click here to see them.

OK, I think that’s it for tonight!!! I got some new things on my shopping trip — quite a few more items from the $ Bin at Michaels to alter, plus a few other fun things, so hope to have something to interest you during the week ahead!!! Wishing you a great Sunday!!! Thanks so much for stopping in!!!