Birthday Hugs & Wishes

"Some of the best creative work gets done on the days when you feel that everything you're doing is just plain junk." ~Julia Cameron

I found this quote tonight as I was reading through my Memory Makers Magazine, trying to get inspired to start scrapbooking again. All of our pictures have been tossed in a box since we moved late last year, I think it's time to dig them out!!! Anyway, today I had a lot of things going on so I didn't get to spend hours in my craft room creating.....so tonight I share with you one card I made with my new Stampin' Up Felts for Miss. Hannah! (Matt's little sister....Happy 20th Birthday).

Project Supplies: Baroque Motifs & Hugs and Wishes Stamp Set, Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock, Old Olive & Basic Black Ribbon, Flower Fusion (Felts), Rhinestone Brads, Glue Dots and Mat Pack.

Gratitude

"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life."~ Margaret Cousins

Tonight I made a little "Gratitude" box that I am going to give to my cousin, Dorinda. She is very deserving of this little box filled with various thank you cards. The thank you sayings came from SU's Much Appreciated 4 Pc. Stamp Set, which is very fun! As always I love the Tart & Tangy which is a blast to work with, the coordinating Summer Picnic Designer Paper....how can you go wrong? I just hope she enjoys this gift set as much as I do!!!

What you will need to make my Gratitude Box:

• 2 pieces of cardstock cut 7 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches (for the box)
• 1 piece of coordinating cardstock cut 6 1/4 x 3 5/8 inches (for lid)
  1 piece of coordinating cardstock 8 1/2 x 1 inches (for strap, if you would like to add one....I did not add a stap to this box)
• 2 1 inch circles (optional)
• 2 brads
• sticky tape, cutter, scoring blade
• Assorted cardstock/ images for decorating (I used Tart & Tangy & Summer Picnic Paper)

Step 1: Score your box pieces at 1 1/2 inches on each of the 7 1/2 inch sides. Score again at 1 1/2 inches on the 7 1/4 inch side.

Step 2: Cut along the scorelines on both pieces as shown. (Note: it’s better to cut UP from the bottom as this will reinforce the bottom of your box).

Step 3: This is important! On the piece you designate as the back piece (you choose), you will want o cut a 1/16 inch strip off the top (the side that isn’t scored) as this will ensure that the box fits snuggly together and lines up properly.

Step 4: Apply sticky tape to the flaps and fold under to make each 1/2 box.

Step 5: Line the 3 inside edges of the front piece with sticky tape and slide them together. I position the pieces together so they line up properly, then smooth them out from the inside.

Step 6: Score your box top piece at 1 inch on all four sides.

Step 7: Cut corners to create flaps as shown. Apply adhesive and assemble

Step 8: If you were adding a strap add one now with brads, so that the strap can be moved to take the lid off.

Step 9: Decorate your box!

Step 10: Box complete!

Inside of Gratitude Box

For You Grandma ~ You Are One of a Kind!

I made this card tonight for Grandma Muilenburg (Matt's grandma). She is currently in ICU fighting for her life tonight, we are heading to see her tomorrow. (This will be my last post for the weekend) Matt's grandparents have become a huge part in our life.....leaving them was one of hardest things we did when we moved late last year. I will end at that, since now I am a snotty mess!

This card says it all.....She is one of a kind!

Project Supplies: One of a Kind Stamp Set, Cutie Pie Designer Paper, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Whisper White and Basic Black Cardstock, SU Stitched Ribbon, SU Rhinestone Brad, Basic Black Ink, So Saffron & Bashful Blue Markers, and Dimensionals.

Criss Cross Basket Tutorial

This is my first Tutorial....I've been wanting to do one for some time now and I thought why not tonight!!! The finished size is 2 x 2' Square, a perfect size for one egg or a few small goodies! I added three wrapped Hershey's nuggets to my basket, that's what I had on hand. You could really make it any size you'd like, just make sure you start out with a square that can be scored into 3 equal parts and you're good to go.

Supplies

• Fiskar Paper Cutter/Scorer
• Stamps: Non Stampin Up Bunny, All Year Cheer II
• Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Gable Green, Pretty in Pink and Retired Stampin' Up Designer Paper
• Ribbon: 1/4" Pretty in Pink Ribbon
• Adhesive: Sticky Strip
• Punches: 1 1/4", 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop
• Ink: Bashful Blue, Black Stazon
• Markers: Close to Coco, Barely Banana, Gable Green and Yoyo Yellow
• Dimensionals

(I used pink cardstock for the example photos)

1. Cut 6x6" square of Bashful Blue Cardstock & cut handle 1/2" x 8"

2. Score at 2" & 4", turn cardstock and repeat. At this point your score lines should like like the photo below.

3. Using the Fiskar paper cutter, cut each of the corners off (see photo)

4. Cut into the 2 score-lines on one side of the basket. Repeat in the opposite side (see photo)

5. Trim end flaps to about 3/4" (see photo). If you're going to stamp any images on the basket itself, you would do this now.

6. Fold all score lines. Flip basket over so you're looking at the "outside". Place sticky strip on both the 3/4 side flaps. (Blue squiggly lines in photo)

7. Place sticky strip on the inside o the other criss-cross flaps and press the flaps into place.

8. I used sticky strip to attach some 1/4" pink ribbon to my handle before adhering the handles to the inside of the basket. You can use sticky strip or glue dots to adhere the handles to the basket.

9. I stamped my bunny onto whisper white cardstock and punched it out with my 1 1/4" circle punch. I punched a 1 3/8" circle out of pretty in pink cardstock. Then punched out 2 scallops out of gable green cardstock. I layered those up together and placed 2 dimensionals on the end of the basket. Then added the scallop piece.

Basket is complete! Now let your imagination go wild.....the sky is the limit. I hope you have fun making one. Let me know what you think!

A Little Bit of Cheer

Tonight I decided I needed to make a couple 3x3 gift boxes. My stash of handmade gift items is running low. I like to have items like this on hand for unexpected gift giving opportunities that come up, plus May Day is right around the corner and I thought these would make great teacher gifts! The box is really easy to make, which for me is an added bonus. The bottom is a 7x7" square and it is scored 1 3/4 all all sides and then cut on each of the four corners. The top part of the box is a 5x5" square, scored at 11/16" on all four sides and then once at all four corners. ( I will add the actual patterns for this box under my links section, if you would like to check it out.) The top and bottom of the box is put together with Sticky Strip, this is the ONLY adhesive you will want to use if you want the box to last!

The reason the title tonight "A Little Bit of Cheer" is because I had a dear friend spend the night here last night, she was in town visiting her grandma in the hospital and I know she could use a little bit of cheer. Thinking of you LeAnn!

Gift Set

Cards Displayed in boxes

Project Supplies: Tart & Tangy Stamp Set, Summer Picnic Designer Paper, SU Ribbons, Markers, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, Scallop & Circle Punches and SU 3x3 Envelopes.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I made Shamrock cookies with the kids today as a special treat, they loved them!! Everyone was decked out in green.....what a fun holiday. It brings out the Irish in all of us, even if it is just a pinch.


Project Supplies: Pinch Proof Stamp Set, Green Galore, Whisper White and Wild Wasabi Cardstock, Wild Wasabi Ink, Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon, SU Circle Punches, Metal Edge Tag, Dimensionals and Staple.

All Star

Tonight I decided my theme for the evening would be "Stars." So, every card I created tonight has a star on it somewhere. I got my star punch in the mail while I was sick. (it was on back order) I was so excited to use it with my new Classic Background Set....I love it!

Project Supplies: Big Bold Birthday & Classic Background Stamp Set, Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Whisper White and Pixi Pink Cardstock, Large Star & Corner Punch, Green Galore Brad, Tempting Turquoise Ribbon, Pixi Pink, Green Galore and Tempting Turquoise Ink, Dimensionals and of course, Glitter!

Project Supplies: Classic Background Stamp, East Coast Designer Paper, Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and More Mustard Cardstock, Wild Wasabi Ink, Real Red Striped Ribbon, Scallop, Large Star, Small Star and Circle Punches, SU Brads and Dimensionals.

Project Supplies: Classic Background & Full of Life Stamp Set, Small Corner Rounder & Large Star Punch, Summer Sun, Real Red and Ballet Blue Cardstock, Real Red Ink, Gel Pen and Dimensionals.

Project Supplies: Classic Backgrounds & Bundle of Joy Stamp Set (Retired), Close to Coco Cardstock, So Saffron Designer Prints Paper, Watercolor Crayons, Aqua Painter, Corner & Large Star Punch and Dimensionals.

Project Supplies: So Many Scallops Stamp Set, Jersey Shore Designer Paper, Wild Wasabi Ribbon, Dimensionals, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Brilliant Blue and Whisper White Cardstock, Scallop Punch, Large and Small Star Punch.