4x4 Box Tutorial

This 4x4 Box can be used for my "Valentine Bird Feeders" or it can hold 4 personal note cards that are 4x4 in size. It would also be a great size to add little candy goodies...the possibilities are endless! First you need one piece of Cardstock that is 8.5x11. Next score at 1", 5", 6" & 10"; rotate clockwise and score again at 1", 5", 6" & 7". (This picture is just to give you an idea of what the score lines will look like)

Rotate the Cardstock back to the original position (which is shown in the picture); you are going to use a good paper scissors and snip the scored lines at the bottom along the 1", 5", 6" & 10" score lines up to the bottom of the horizontal score lines.

Next you are going to trim the top of the Cardstock along the top horizontal line. Then go down two more horizontal lines (2 inches), trim up to the 6" score line. (You are making the flap that will close the box) Then starting from the right, trim the two 1" squares. (You should have two 1" score lines, that are your flap.)

Now it is time to stamp your box and add decorative paper, if you wish. I kept things simple and only added a saying...again, the possibilities are endless! After it is all decorated (and dried) you can assemble the box. The only tape I like to use with boxes is sticky strip...holds up better then anything I have tried.

Finished 4x4 Box

Valentine's For the Birds

Thought of something a little different for Valentine's this year....trying to come up with something non candy related. I saw these cute little heart shaped bird feeders in my Family Fun magazine and went with it. I did change up the recipe, as I followed theirs and the hearts fell apart. It took me four hours of baking them before I realized what was wrong, I have bird seed everywhere!! So, I'm in the process of baking 20 more today along with getting the boxes cut out. I have to plan ahead as Ashton's Valentine's Day Party is the day after we get home from Arizona....I have lots to do before I have them all completed!

Bird Feeders: 3/4 cup Wild Bird Seed, 2 Tbs. Flour and 2 Tbs. Water. Mix together...if you are using heart shaped cookie cutters, oil them and place them on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil. I used these cute heart shaped cookie molds I got for a Bridal gift 12 years ago...worked perfect. I greased them, added a small hole with a straw to hang them...bake them with the straw in them. Bake 1 hour at 175 degrees, makes (2) 3" hearts or (1) 4" heart.

I will be adding box instructions later tonight or tomorrow. (Sorry I have a lot going on today) Hope you enjoy!

Heart Bird Feeders

Box with Heart Bird Feeder

Project Details: Olive You (Retired 2007) & Wild About You Stamp Set, Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black Cardstock, SU Markers, Dimensionals and black Stazon, Cricut and Celebrations Cartridge to cut out scallops.

Inside Box

Movie Night Baskets

Today I put the finishing touches on my movie theme gift baskets. I thought they turned out pretty cute. Most of the items I was lucky enough to find at the dollar store and the movie's I got on sale at Wal-mart. So, I figure I have about $25.00 in each gift basket plus my time and they were quick and easy. I couldn't be happier!!

Each Basket Includes: Popcorn bowl, 4 individual popcorn containers, Carmel Corn, 4 Movie Size Candy, Movie, 2 Liter Bottle of Pop, Microwave Popcorn, Black Napkins and 2 bags of shredded yellow paper.

Jolly Time

Well, it is that time of year again....I start working on themed baskets for the school carnival. This year Ashton's class has the theme "Movie Night", which I was pretty excited about. I found some really neat things to add and will be out searching for napkins over the weekend. So, yesterday while the kids were at school I covered a half dozen "Jolly Time" popcorn bags. I hope to have the baskets ready to put together by Monday and then I'll post additional pictures. Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!!

Covered Popcorn

Project Details: Treat Yourself (Retired) nonSU Ticket Stamp by Stamps Happen Inc. (Hobby Lobby), Real Red, Yo Yo Yellow and Whisper White Cardstock, SU Markers, Ribbon, Dimensionals and Sticky Strip.

We Have A Blog Candy Winner!!

Congratulations our Blog Candy winner is: Julie B "I am looking forward to spending time with our new granddaughter she is 7 weeks old. I wish I could keep her all the time. I also hope the economy gets better so I can go back to work so I can buy stamps. I love this card. I would love to be the lucky blog candy winner. I hope your health continues to improve. Thanks for the great blog". Julie in Southern Illinois. Congratulations Julie!

Julie please e-mail me your home address to melsagaser@hotmail.com and your stamp set will be in the mail. Congratulations!!!

A Little Pizzazz

Today I broke out another new set I've been sitting on for awhile (Petal Pizzazz)....I'm finally feeling back to myself again! Yeah! I got my new Stampin' Up Catalog, Finally! I think I was close to the last one to see it. I have a huge wish list and very inspired to get back to stamping!!! I still have 3 new sets unopened that I better start using, soon! Hope this adds a little Pizzazz to your day!! Also a reminder tomorrow is the last day to leave a comment for the free blog candy. Good Luck!

Petal Pizzazz*

Project Details: Petal Pizzazz & Brighter Tomorrow (Retired) Stamp Set, Elegant Eggplant, Regal Rose and Whisper White Cardstock, SU Versa Mark, Ellegant Eggplant, Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose and Elegant Eggplant Ink, Dimensionals and Wide Ribbon. *Cased by "Chanteuse" on Splitcoast....Thank You!

Thinking of You

Project Details: Petal Pizzazz, Best Yet (Hostess Set, Retired) & Filigree Background Stamp (Retired), Raspberry Tart Designer Paper, Regal Rose, Basic Black, Whisper White Cardstock, SU Black Stazon, Brad, Circle Punch, Versa Mark, Dimensionals and Ribbon.

Finally....A Little Bit of Happiness!

Finally, I am giving away free Blog Candy!! It will be a random drawing so everyone has a fair chance of winning....Good Luck! To enter to win all you have to do is post a comment about what you are looking forward to in 2009. If you post a link or mention on your blog, I'm giving away blog candy, you leave your blog site in the comment section you will have an additional chance to win. (Spread the word....more chances to win). One last note, I will ship your blog candy free of charge to anywhere in the United States....Good Luck! I'm also posting a card I made yesterday, enjoy!

Blog Candy

A little Bit of Happiness

Just Buzzin' By

One More Thing...I'm Going To Freak!

Trying to upload Blog Candy and cards I made today....our home computer decided to not work. It keeps locking up and I can't access our pictures so I will try to post the blog candy tomorrow along with "other" goodies. (Sorry)

Hope your having a better night then I'm having! (Can you tell I'm a little annoyed.)

New Year's Surprises....Gotta Love Blog Candy!

Well the day after my last post I visited the ER and ended up having an emergency surgery to remove a tennis ball size cyst/tumor from my right ovary. This was found after a smaller cyst had ruptured, oh the joy! There seem to be surprises around every corner for us! Since surgery I have been trying to recover enough to remove myself from the couch and at least get some stampin' in. Today was the first day I actually felt human and off all pain pills...yeah! I thought I would make my own New Year's Surprises......Blog Candy!! I'll post all the details tomorrow along with some goodies I hope to complete!! (Thanks for hanging in with me while we try to get a handle on life here.)

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone! Hard to believe it is January already....the kids head back to school tomorrow and life as we know it will return to some sort of normal routine. I'm very excited about this!! The late nights and not being home has taken a tole on me....Today after organizing things around the house and taking down Christmas stuff I finally feel ready for the New Year! I haven't made any resolutions yet...maybe get back to stamping! Something I truly miss!!!

Tonight I did make a simple card, nothing fancy....not one of my faves but I thought I would share with you anyway. I wanted to use my new Just Buzzin' By stamp set...it will be out in the new catalog. YEAH! Wish I had more time to stamp tonight to show you more, but I thought I better pace myself I have a long week ahead of me.

Hope everyone had a wonderful New Years!!

Project Supplies: Just Buzzin By (Sneak Peak Stamp Set), Cuttlebug Emboss Folder, YoYo Yellow, Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock, SU Black Stazon, Circle and Scallop Punch, Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glitter, 2-Way Glue and Markers.