Fabulous Handbag

I am LOVING these new Sizzix XL dies. This one is a SU exclusive! It makes the cutest little bag. It is actually supposed to have a circular base, but I saw Tandra make it into a flat bag and I was SO excited that I had to do it too! I MUCH prefer this style to this intended style. The die also comes with the decorative strip which is geniously molded to fit the bag, a couple solid flowers, the open flower used on this bag, a tag and the base of the bag (which I did not use). I am in love with this die. It is SO SO cute! I ran a piece of red riding hood card stock through my Xyron and attached it to a 4 X 4 piece of chipboard. Then, I cut the chipboard into 4 sections and die cut just the outline flowers. I used one on the bag and put the extras IN the bag to gift someone. I used one of the new SU buttons in the center of the outline flower. The tag was stamped with a SU sentiment and punched with the word window punch. I added an eyelet and tied it on with some new red riding hood taffeta ribbon. Each decorative strip was stitched and then adhered to the bag. The bottom of the bag was stitched closed.

I can't wait until I get my 5 new Sizzix Bigz XL dies. I love making these 3D gifties! :)

Stamps: SU sentiment

Ink: Memento Black

Paper: Bella Rose SU patterned paper, PTI white, red riding hood CS

Accessories: Janome sewing machine, word window punch, red riding hood card stock, Bag Die SU, chipboard, Xyron, button, twine thread, glue dot, red line tape

Just Because I Care

I am using another one of my new sets from SU, Upsy Daisy. I love silhouette images. They are so elegant and easy to use! I stamped the grass image from Inspired By Nature in Versamark and then over that stamped the floral image in white craft. The top and bottom strip of the box were stamped in white craft with a Penny Black white dotted border stamp. The sentiment is from a current level one hostess stamp set from SU. I punched it out with my curvy label punch (love that thing) and added 2 felt flowers stacked. The little shaker box is a Sizzix Bigz XL die. It was die cut and sent to me by my friend, Tracy. About 5 minutes after receiving it, I was on the computer ordering some Sizzix Bigz XL dies. I LOVE them. It is SO easy to make little gift items using a die rather than having to cut out a pattern. You KNOW how I feel about using scissors. I used a Basic Grey magnetic closure to keep the lid closed. The acetate inside the box is stamped with Stazon white. I held the box together in a couple places with a small glue dot.

I am teaching a class at Stamp & Scrap Trap in El Paso this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. If you are local and would like to sign up, please call 915-594-9000. We will be making some spooky treats. :) Space is limited! I have a CHALLENGE for you ladies who will be attending my class. I challenge you to make a boxy bag using my pattern HERE. You can use any stamps, inks and paper you want. Bring it with you the day of the class! I will have a treat for those of you that take this challenge. :) Dorthy and Darlene... spread the word! :) See you soon!

Have a great day!

So Glad We're Friends!

Whew! I finally got stamping time in! This past week was a little busy! I had 2 sicks girls that missed 2 days of school each (ALREADY), a sick hubby, my 32nd birthday and a stamp room SO messy I couldn't bear to step foot in it! The girls are now feeling much better and will return to school tomorrow. My hubby is at work today and the girls went to visit him. I have been home with just my 13 year old son for the past 4 hours. I cleaned my stamp room, mounted my new stamps and got stamping! YAY!

I grabbed my favorite new stamp set, Inspired By Nature. I love the big bold flowers! They remind me of Penny Black stamps which I LOVE. I stamped the flowers in choc craft on Kraft patterned paper (part of the hostess paper pack). Then, I stamped Friend Definition BG stamp over the flowers in white craft. Everything else is pretty much straightforward. I added some stitching, some of the FAB new stitched grosgrain (SU), a felt flower also by Stampin Up and a sentiment stamped and then punched out with the new SU punch Curvy Label.

Stamps: Inspired by Nature SU, Friend Definition (SU), sentiment (SU hostess set)

Ink: Choc craft, white craft

Paper: chocolate, kraft, white, kraft patterned paper

Accessories: Janome sewing machine and brown thread, copper brads, SU felt flower, SU curvy label punch, SU stitched grosgrain ribbon, bone folder, black dimensional boosters

Whootin' Hi!

I recently got this pillow box die from SU (available to customers starting on Sept. 2nd). It is the perfect size for a small treat or a little gift. I bet you can't guess what is in THIS pillow box? Ribbon! LOL I cut some lengths of ribbon that will be part of the next share and put them inside. That means this gift will officially be for a stamper. I have no clue WHO I will be sending it to, but a stamper it will be. :)

I die cut the pillow box out of some patterned paper from SU. The super cute owl image is from a set designed by Alli Miles and sold through PTI HERE. I used the "build-an-owl" owl. I must admit it was fun dressing up this little guy. :) I also stamped one of the sentiments from the set and punched it with the word window punch. The eyes and belly are cut out and adhered with glue dots to give it some dimension. I tied the owl image on with some fuzzy dot ribbon.

I can see myself using this die a lot and stuffing the pillow box with goodies of all kind. It only requires one strip of red line tape to assemble. The ends just pop in.

Stamps: Wise Owl

Ink: Memento brown

Paper: SU patterned paper (hostess pack), PTI white

Accessories: fuzzy dot ribbon, eyelet, word window punch, Copic markers, 1/2" circle punch, oval Nestabilities, glue dots, pillow box die (SU), horizontal slot punch, red line adhesive, twine, shimmerz angel wings, aquapainter

Boxy Bag Directions

I had several requests for directions for the boxy bag I made HERE and HERE. I had some free time today and made a photo tutorial for you all.

All the directions are within the pictures. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment on this post.

I hope you enjoy making this. It is very easy and I love that the recipient gets to peek at what is inside without opening it. if you make one, please link back here so I can check it out. :)

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend. :)

Roughin' It!

I roughed up the card stock using my Tonic paper distresser. Does that count? LOL I am thinking someone who is TRULY roughing it is NOT going to take a baggie of trail mix in a paper crafted bag, but this is the stamping outdoors where anything goes. I think it looks rather manly. Perhaps I shall give it to my husband... who will probably not think to cut or gently remove the twine keeping it shut... thereby ripping the handles and causing destruction to my creation... on second thought... I better give it to a stamper. :) Hopefully it will be enjoyed... even though it isn't pink. LOL

I went for round 2 with the bag/box idea I had yesterday and it came together much easier this time. I modified the dimensions to fit a small cello bag of trail mix in it. It is the Indulgent Walmart brand (giant bag for $5). Yes, I bought the trail mix specifically for this project... a month ago or longer. LOL I used a handful and now my family will need to eat the rest of the bag. We will not be on a hike when we eat it. Maybe we'll walk around the neighborhood to make it feel more outdoorsy! LOL

A special offer from My Favorite Things:

How about a $3.00 shipping discount on every order through August 18th, and the original MFT sets discounted 25%?? Now that's special!

Visit www.mftstamps.com and enter coupon code VACATION at checkout to receive your discount!!

Stamps: Nature Calls MFT , What's Your Sign MFT

Ink: Memento brown, cocoa

Paper: Cocoa, PTI white, PTI dark brown

Accessories: CB embossing folder, sponge, Tonic paper distresser, horizontal slot punch, twine, Copic markers, copper brads, black foam dimensionals, red line tape, trail mix

Teacher Appreciation

Sorry I have been absent for a few days. My kids started school this week and I was super busy getting them ready. There was school supply shopping, hair cuts, new clothes... new shoes... new EVERYTHING! My kids got bigger and taller! Why in the world do they have to grow so fast? LOL In addition to just "going back to school", we had to deal with starting NEW schools since we moved after the end of the last school year. There are new rules, new start times, new procedures and well... new EVERYTHING. A part of me feels guilty that they have to start over, but part of me is happy and excited for all the things to come in their new schools. :)

My son started 8th grade in middle school. EEEK! Can you believe I am the mother of a teen? EEEK again! My girls are both in elementary school still (3rd and 5th grade). I am grateful for all their teachers as they have been VERY accommodating and helpful to me and my children this first week of school. To show my appreciation for their help in our new surroundings I wanted to make a little gift for each of the elementary school teachers.

This little bag took me forever to nail down. I started with a pattern similar to the Halloween bag I made HERE. I wanted to make it without having to trace and cut from a pattern. As a general rule I avoid cutting lines with scissors when at all possible. I like things clean and precise and cutting with scissors is just against my better judgment. The pattern is original. It can be modified to fit lots of different things. For this bag, I sized it to fit a Michaels $ stamp. It is one that the teachers can stamp on the kid's papers. The finished size is about 2.5 X 3 1/2. I hope the teachers like it. :)

Stamps: Kim Hughes school set, SU linen

Ink: Versamark, cocoa classic and craft, choc craft

Paper: cocoa, choc chip

Accessories: Janome sewing machine and thick brown thread, label punch, circle punch, word window punch, lg oval punch, PTI ribbon, twine, SU twill tape, Basic Grey magnet for closure on twill tape, black dimensional booster, red line tape, sponge

Witchy Women

A witch can be pink right? In my book anything can be pink. :)

You can find this new stamp set HERE.

Stamps: Totally Witchin'

Ink: Memento black

Paper: Petaloo Tag from MFT, pretty in pink, black, PTI white

Accessories: eyelet, ribbon, piercing brass template, copics, Janome, heidi swapp ghost shape stars, brads, flower, Prismacolor pencils, Spica clear glitter pen, Tonic paper distresser, blending stump, gamsol

3D Spooky House

This card was made with a new set that will be available from MFT tonight (Aug 6) at 10:30 EST.

It is called Monster Squad and is part of the set that also includes the cute little costumed kids in THIS post from a couple days ago.

This card has lots of dimension. I also added some silly stitching to convey the cutesy feel instead of a creepy, scary feel. :)

Stamps: monster squad, cheesecloth
Paper: saffron, black, grey, white
Ink: memento black, saffron, grey, versamark
Accessories: paper piercer, Janome sewing machine, heidi swapp ghost shape star, paper distresser, circle punch, swarovski crystal, black brad, Copic markers

Blooming Flopsey!

I just love Flopsey and tonight there is a new set being released by My Favorite Things that is SO adorable. It is Flopsey reading a book and some cute sentiments that go with it. You can get your set late tonight at the MFT site.

Check out last months Flopsey stamps HERE.

You can join the release party HERE from 9-11pm EST.

This month brings our second new Illustrator, Stephanie Fizer, with MONSTER SQUAD, and I am positive you'll love these little faces!

Who's That Girl? is up to some serious fun this month with two new sets - Totally Witchin' and Nature Calls.

Flopsey has settled in with a good book and is ready to tell stories with you!

What's Your Sign is our MINI of the month and it's designed to work with Nature Calls or independently, whichever suits your fancy.

The FIRST 50 orders this month will receive a 7 Gypsy's holiday sticker sheet, free of charge.

Stamps: What's the Story? MFT
Paper: Cosmo Cricket, PTI White, chocolate
Ink: memento black
Accessories: punch, nesties, copic markers, word window punch, black dimensional booster circles, nugget tin

Candy Bag

I was at Michael's on Saturday and found some adorable pre-fab goody bags in the gift wrap section. I paid $5.99 for the set of 6 so I could rip them apart and have the pattern. LOL

This was very simple to make. I just ripped it apart, then traced it on card stock, cut out, scored and decorated. It is pretty small, so there isn't much decorating on it. I stamped the spider web in versamark and embossed with some homemade black sparkly embossing powder (equal parts black glitter and black EP). The sentiment is stamped and distressed. I added a simple embellishment and some faux stitching. It is finished off with some fun spider web ribbon I have had since LAST Halloween. LOL

This is a NEW set coming out from MFT On Wed night. See my previous posts this week for more details on the release party. :)

Have a WONDEFUL day! Go stamp something you can stick a treat in! :) I dare you. :)

Stamps: Totally Witchin'

Ink: Memento black, Versamark

Paper: only orange, PTI white

Accessories: spider web ribbon, doodlebug sparkly orange brad, heidi swapp ghost shape star, paper piercer, black EP, black marker, black dimensional boosters

Monster Squad

Look at these little cuties. :) I am SO loving them! I am not sure what possessed me to go rainbow with these little guys. I think I was channeling Carole, the bright girl when I reached for the colors of the rainbow. :)

There is fun flock on the bellies of 2 of the costumes. I added a little bit of sparkle with my Spica glitter pen. The ribbon is from the past stitched satin ribbon share.

Stamps: Monster Squad

Ink: Memento black

Paper: only orange, PTI white, basic black

Accessories: Copic markers, circle punches, paper piercer, May Arts ribbon, silver brads, fun flock (white), Spica glitter pen, scallop punch from SU (available on August 11th)

My Favorite Things (http://www.mftstamps.com/) is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, August 6 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are FIVE new sets being released and some great new ribbon added to the store.

*The Girl Who Wants It All special for the The Aug Collection (one of each set being released) is $65.

Head over to the MFT forum to find out all the details and to find out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer.

Witchy Recipe

This is a MFTeaser for a new stamp set coming out from MFT on Wednesday. The set is called Totally Witchin'.

Since I chose to use the ingredients for a perfect witchy stew, I thought a recipe card would be fitting.

Note the 3 different colors of sparkly steam coming from the cauldron. It matches the colors on the jars of ingredients. I used the Copic misting technique for the steam stamp. To do this, color directly on the stamp with your Copic markers and then mist the stamp with rubbing alcohol and stamp. Just be sure to clean your stamp well afterward since I am sure alcohol will deteriorate your stamp.

Stamps: Totally Witchin' MFT, Recipe card from SU

Ink: Memento Black

Paper: basic black, only orange, going grey, PTI white

Accessories: diamond stickles, AMuse ribbon, CB embossing folder bubbles, Janome sewing machine, glittery doodlebug brads, Tonic paper distresser, black dimensional boosters, Copic markers

My Favorite Things (http://www.mftstamps.com/) is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, August 6 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are FIVE new sets being released and some great new ribbon added to the store.

*The Girl Who Wants It All special for the The Aug Collection (one of each set being released) is $65.

Head over to the MFT forum on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ to find out all the details and to find out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer.

We hope to see you there on Wednesday night.

Have a GREAT day! Go stamp something halloweeny. :)