Thursday, March 28, 2013

Sew Special

I had "sew" much fun creating these sewing themed mini cards.
You can find the free template for the spool here.
Supplies used:
  • Sew Special stamp set (Cardmaking and Papercrafts)
  • DMC floss 
    • around bobbins
  • Eyelet lace border punch (Martha Stewart)
  • Scallop 3-dot border punch (Martha Stewart)

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Journal Gift

Here's a little gift I made up for a teen girl at church who had a birthday earlier this month.
She loves to write so I decided to give her a journal gift.
The journal came from Hobby Lobby -- love that store!
I included the Joy Dare cards from Ann Voskamp and a fun pen!
I clipped the cards together with a fun (painted) clothespin adding one of my crochet butterflies on top.
This post linked to:

Monday, March 25, 2013

Teacup Card

I made this little teacup card for a tea-lovin' friend --- a little "thinking of you" on the anniversary of her mom's passing on.
The cup is actually a pocket of sorts and inside you'll find...
....a tea bag shaped evnelope (made of wax paper) with a tiny note tucked inside.
I paired it with a beautifully illustrated Emilie Barnes book and a bag of homemade French Toast Biscotti!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Pretty Gift Wrapping

I recently saw this tissue paper/wax paper gift wrap pin and decided to try it out on a "thinking of you" gift for one of my book club friends. 
 I used bright blue tissue paper for the hearts -- to match the bird tag I attached to the top.
This post linked to:
Our Sheltering Tree

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Easter Cards

I used the free word art from Word Art Wednesday for this week and made me a set of Easter cards.
It was my first time making crinkle ribbon -- lots of fun!!
I really like that you can coordinate your ribbon with you project using (in my case)  the same ink pad that I inked the flower up with.
Here are some links to crinkle ribbon tutorials:
I made four cards in this design.

Supplies used on my cards:
  • Word Art Wednesday free art
  • Stylized Flower Embossing Folder (Provo Craft) 
  •  Build a Lilac Die (Sizzix)
  • Small Flower Brad
  • Frond Punch (Martha Stewart)
  • Homemade Crinkle Ribbon
This post linked to:
Word Art Wednesday

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Screen Doors

My mom gave me the Country Woman magazine with this screen door template in it back in 2009.
I remembered it and decided to revisit it last week.
 I scored the card front every 1/2 inch to give it the siding effect -- going over it with a marker to make it stand out.
For the tiny wreath I used the Martha Stewart branch punch.
(Aren't the cute?!)
Inside each card I stamped a scripture (Biblical Impressions) and added a floral border edge along the bottom.
This post linked to:
Word Art Wednesday

Monday, March 18, 2013

Crocheted Barrettes

I made some crocheted barrettes for my friend's new baby daughter.
These can be clipped to a baby headband or used when she gets older as barrettes.
Here's how I finished the back off -- a small circle of white felt hot glued over the top of the  alligator clip.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

All Dressed Up

For some reason I thought I had already posted these cards, but I haven't!
A couple weeks ago my daughter was wanting me to make outfits with her using her Paper Fashions and Paper Fashions Fancy books.
I decided to make my creations into cards -- well at least 4 of them - the rest I let her keep for her paper dolls.
The first two were casual outfits with jean skirts -- the second two are my "all dressed up" versions.
The books show you how to combine stencils to make original creations and I highly recommend them for any little girl who loves fashion and clothes! 
(Truth be told - I recommend them for any "big" girl who likes fashion too!)

Supplies used:
  • Paper Fashions
  • Paper Fashions Fancy 
  • Script background stamp (Stampin' Up)
  •  Spellbinders Labels 10 nestabilities
  •  Embossing Folders
    • Diamonds (Sizzix)
    • Moroccan Screen (Provo Craft)
    • Holly Ribbon (Provo Craft)

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Little Birdhouse

I made this little birdhouse as part of a birthday gift for one of my husband's co-workers. 
She's a bird-lover and chocolate lover, so what better gift than a little birdhouse full of truffles?!
I paired it with a pretty candle and wa-la - a spring birthday gift!
I guess I didn't get a good picture of the side -- it features the floral paper like I used around the hole in the front. 
Also, I didn't glue down the right side but rather closed it with a ribbon so she could open it and get her treat out!

Monday, March 11, 2013

New Mommy Gift

A sweet friend of mine has a beautiful brand new baby girl to cuddle and love as of last Saturday morning!
I made up this little "Pamper Me" bag to take to the new mommy when we visited in the hospital. 
She already has everything she needs for the baby, so why not spoil mommy a bit and make her feel pretty and special after all the work in delivering her precious bundle of joy!
The tag is one of the quilt tops from this post.
This post linked to:

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Spring Tags

I have some collage stamped tags to share with you today.
The first color scheme looks vintage/victorian to me the other three reflect my longing for spring to arrive and stay -- soon!

(I don't know why the flowers appear blue in this one -- they are as purple as the bow!)
Supplies used:
  • Stamps
    • Birdcage ($1 stamp from Michaels)
    • Majestic (American Crafts)
    • Flights of Fancy (Tim Holtz)
    • The Journey (Tim Holtz)
    • Paperwork Greetings (Inkadinkado)
    • Floral Borders (Autumn Leaves)
    • Transparent Treasures
    • Measuring Tape
  • Flower punch 
  • Frond Punch (Martha Stewart)
  • Ribbon

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Cardmaking Kit

One of my nieces recently turned 9 years old!
Just last year she became interested in making cards - so I wanted to tailor her gift to her new interest.
Since I don't live near any hobby stores (the closest one is 1 1/2 hrs. away) - and since I couldn't find anything that I really liked on-line -- I made up my own Cardmaking Kit to send her.
Here's whats included:
6 x 6 paper stack (custom made by me!) including two each of  41 designs
 Some from my favorite mat stack of papers:
A few more on the fun side:
Some heart rub-ons - cards/envelopes -- clear stamp set
Stickers, Tag, Mini Envelopes
Ribbons, Fibers, Tags, Mini Tags, Flowers, Chipboard buttons
I tried to keep everything in the same color scheme so that it all coordinates!
I'll be anxious to hear how she likes it!

Since I ended up with two packs of paper....
.... I sent the second one to a friend whose battling cancer.
I've been trying to send her a little something every month along with a card of encouragement.
This post linked to:

Monday, March 4, 2013

Whipped Berry Brownies

If you love berries and chocolate together even  half as much as I do - you'll love this yummy dessert!
Since it's kind of my own invention (based on a dessert a friend made a while back) I didn't have a name for it. My 10 yr. old daughter came up with the name on her first try so here's the recipe for:
Whipped Berry Brownies
 
BEST BROWNIE RECIPE
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa
1-1/3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
Cream butter and sugar together.
Add eggs and blend well.
Add vanilla, salt, cocoa and flour.  Don’t overbeat.
Pour into a greased 9X13 pan.
Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes.

Berry Sauce
 1 bag frozen mixed berries
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1 -2 T. cornstarch + water
Bring berries. sugar,  and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan.
 Combine water and cornstarch
Add to berry mixture till sauce reaches desired thickness.

To serve:
Drizzle berry sauce over a warm brownie.
Top with whipped topping and almonds

OPTIONAL SHORTCUTS: 
If you're in a hurry you can always use a brownie box mix and top with a can of berry pie filling! Simple/easy/fast and oh, so delicious!