Technique Video Tutorial

Hee hee hee...I'm a little giddy.  Here's my 2nd video.

This time, a technique. Hope you like it! :)
It was supposed to be finished on Tuesday, making it "Technique Tuesday"...but...life happens. ;-)

My blog layout cut off the right side of this video...sorry.  (Anyone know how to change layout margins in your blog?)

Oh, and a few times it sounds like I say "glassy cardstock." NOPE.  I'm saying glossy cardstock. :)



Come back later for the project I promised...and all week for more projects with the same technique!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Makeover Monday...so SIMPLE!

Welcome again to Makeover Monday!

Today's project is sooooooo super-quick & easy...making this post short & sweet!  YAY, you say!  Believe me, I know you'd rather not read me going on and on and on... ;-)

Ready to see it?  OK.

Cute, no?

This is merely a strip of retired Stampin' Up DSP, some 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, "Lots of Tags" sizzlit, Modern Label punch, scraps of cardstock, and stamp from Vintage Labels (Occasions Mini).

Ya wanna see what's underneath?  OK. :)

















Sugared Pear Foaming Hand Soap.  (8" tall from tippy top to bottom)
Yep, it's another $ Spot item. ;-) Mmmm....smells good, too! :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Vintage Labels
Paper: Polka Dots & Paisley DSP, So Saffron & Whisper White cs
Ink: So Saffron
Accessories: 5/8" So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, Lots of Tags sizzlit, Modern Label Punch
Other: Sugared Pear Foaming Hand Soap

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

That Reminds Me...

Growing up, I'd often hear dad say to my brothers with an irritated sigh, "Use things for their intended purpose!"  Typically, after finding something of his broken. ;-)

I'm so glad that rule doesn't apply to crafting, aren't you? ;-)

Ya know that AWESOME pkg. of Sweet Pea Stitched Felt pieces in the Occasions Mini?  FULL of flowers, leaves, and round posie-looking flowers?  LOVE IT!

I have to say, though...there is this one piece that stands out to me...every time I look at it, it reminds me of something specific, and therefore I just cannot use it on a flower. Hee hee hee...

















YUP.  Frog eyes. :)

This is what I've been meaning to make with them.  It's taken me a few days this week, of working on it here and there.  Hence, the no posting but one day this week. ;-)

I sure hope you like my froggy card, because I am in LOVE with it, and it took me a really long time to make! LOL...very little stamping involved, LOTS of punching.  With punches. You know, the tools. ;-) Some sponging, and a little creativity, too. :)

Speaking of creativity, wanna see a closeup of the lilypad & lily? OK.













Ok...I see now it doesn't even fully show the awesomeness of the middle!!! (frown) You'll have to click on the pic to see what's in the middle...and no, it's not just coloring. ;-)

I first stamped the grass from "Inspired By Nature" in Old Olive ink.

Then I started sponging. Not Quite Navy for the water, into the horizon, and up into the sky...(see the clouds? yay!)...Old Olive for inside the grassy reeds.  Yes, I thought about adding little cattails, but it would throw off perspective (sizing frog to grass, etc).

Imagine the inside...it could say:
"Hoppy Birthday!", or
"Don't Worry, Be Hoppy!", or
"Heard You Caught a Bug"
Lol!  Sorry, all this to say I left it blank so I could use it for whatever I want, whenever I want. :)

Want to know what I used?  ALL Stampin' Up! :)

Mr Frog: Large oval, Small oval, 1 3/4" circle, 1 3/8" circle, Boho Blossoms...sponged 1 3/4" circle with Old Olive pastel & sponge dauber...left a little highlighting near the top.
Lily Pad: Wide Oval, 1/2" square (retired)...to cut part out.
Water Lily: Boho Blossoms - distressed, pulled apart, cut petals, sponged with Pretty in Pink on edges.
Lily Center: Crystal effects, Summer Sun reinker, Clear micro beads.
Cardstock: Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Old Olive
Other: Stampin' Pastels, Sponge dauber, Sweet Pea felt, Old Olive marker (his smile), Stampin' Dimensionals behind Mr. Frog...cause I just HAVE to...you know me! :)

WHEW!  Hope I didn't forget anything, lol.

Now. After all that work, I'd REALLY love to see comments from y'all! :)  C'mon...make my day! :)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Happy 1st Birthday, Cupcake!

Happy 1st Birthday today to my sweet cupcake of a niece, Jocelyn!

It seems like just yesterday she was born, and now she's crawlin' around, "playing" with my 2 girls, and ohh....she's just sooo cute!  She's one of those babies lil' kiddos you just wanna SQUEEZE! :)

I've scaled down for kids' birthday cards....they really don't care, so why add so much?  I really wanted to add more, but decided to merely glitz it up with a little dazzzling diamonds...what's a cupcake without sparkly frosting?! ;-b

Here's a VERY simple card I made for her birthday...

Stampin' Up's "Crazy For Cupcakes" is a great set for birthday cards...LOVE it! :)

I only spent about (10-15 min) on this card. Stamped with Brown Stazon, colored in.  The main image is popped up behind the Close to Cocoa layer....'cause I *heart* dimensionals. :) 

Frosting: after coloring & adhering image to card, I applied crystal effects and sprinkled with dazzling diamonds.  I used crystal effects (instead of a 2way glue) to give it a shiny and raised effect.

TIP: Mount it first, then apply the ce/dd...because ce takes awhile to dry.  Best to put it together, THEN let it dry instead of trying to mess with it while it's trying to dry & risk smearing. :)

It seems so simplistic, but sometimes (in the case of a 1st birthday, for example)...simple is better. ;-)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes
Ink: Brown Stazon
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Accessories: Aquapainter, Pink & Cocoa inks, Regal Rose & Crushed Curry markers, Crystal effects, Dazzling diamonds, Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Glittery Thanks

Wow, is it REALLY Friday already? This week has flown by! I've actually been out of town since Wednesday, on a business trip with my hubby. I had great intentions, mind you. Had the posts ready with pics, even. I didn't know there were ANY hotels left out there who don't have free WiFi. Seriously?! Bummed.

Anyways, here's a card I had ready to show you...it's green, and it would've been Wednesday's post (to match St. Patty's Day). ;-)

This card is so glittery and beautiful in real life!  The stamp is from Stampin' Up's "Eight Great Greetings" set...and I just love the simplicty of this card.

Here's a shot of it (sorry, not the best pic) up close to try to show what it looks like when the light hits it right. :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)

Stamps: Eight Great Greetings

Ink: Old Olive

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Old Olive

Accessories: 2way glue pen, Dazzling diamonds, Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day!

Crystal

Quick, Simple...Calming

Whew. What a weekend for our family!

A Stampin' Up! workshop to demo, a birthday party, Church, Bible Study, Family time....oh, and that little thing called "time change"...ugh.  I'm ready for bed tonight, that's for sure! lol  (I suppose my daughter waking me several times last night, coughing, doesn't help). ;-)

...I'll press onward. ;-)

I guess my point is that I didn't have a lot of "extra" time (or energy) to make an involved card, so here's a quick little card I made this weekend to say "thanks"...I just *love* this little image!!















Watercoloring is a relaxing thing for me, and since I hadn't broke out my SU watercolor crayons in awhile, I decided it was time! :)  I added dimension behind the Rose Red layer...and oops!  I forgot to "ground" the turtle by adding shadows beneath!

It's from a Ronald McDonald House stamp set called "Very Thankful."  Stampin' Up gives $2 from the sale of each set to the Ronald McDonald House Charity.  Check it out in the catalog - it's on the last page! :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Very Thankful
Ink: Black Stazon
Cardstock: Naturals White, Rose Red
Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aquapainter, Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Bring on the Black!

Hee hee hee...JELLYBEANS, that is! :)

Does anyone else have this, ahem...quirk?
I *heart* black jellybeans...but I definitely *dislike* black licorice!

This is a neat little gift for someone who loves em...seems like one of those treats people either love or...don't. ;-) What side of the fence are YOU on?


















I decided the bright yellow pkg of jellybeans needed a little facelift.  Much better, don't you think? ;-)

I used our small cello bags, lucious black satin ribbon, and the SAB set (FREE!), "Vintage Labels"....mounted onto a die-cut made with SU's Big Shot "Lots of Tags" sizzlit.

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)Stamps: Vintage Labels
Ink: Basic Black
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Wide oval punch, Lots of Tags sizzlit, 5/8" black satin ribbon, black hemp twine
Other: Black jelly beans

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Easter Daffodils

Well, hello there!

Just in case you've been wondering where I've been...(lol)...I've been spending a lot of my time preparing for a party/workshop this week, so I haven't had much "extra" time for making something to post.

HOWEVER, today I remembered something I made awhile back and planned on posting on Easter. But then I thought...what if people want to MAKE this card for Easter/Spring?  If I post it on Easter, and they don't have the set, they're stuck! :)  BUT, if I post it a little early, they have time to order it from me and make cards in time for Easter! :)

Well....here it is in it's all it's simple glory... :)

I just love the cheeriness of beautiful yellow daffodils in the Spring, and the significance of new life all these flowers bring!  Ours are up, and just waiting to burst open...I can't WAIT! :)

Just curious about something...Do you know who can give YOU new life?  I'll give you a hint: it's what Easter is all about! (not the Easter Bunny)...

Colored with my reinkers and aquapainter, popped up on dimensionals, and the bg is embossed with SU's embossing folder, Finnial Press....both stamp sets used are in the Occasions Mini catalog! :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Abundant Hope, Well Scripted
Ink: Basic Gray, Old Olive
Cardstock: Shimmery White, Old Olive, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Finnial Press EF, Scallop oval punch, White organza ribbon, Dimensionals, Aquapainter, SU inks

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Crafty Girl House

Sooo...ya ever wonder what a house of crafty girls looks like?

Here's a little peak:

My almost 6 yr old...picking out reinkers for a technique she loves to do.  Yes, she just parked the stool & helped herself. ;-b

And what about a 3.5 yr old?
You can probably guess what's coming, lol. ;-)













Um, yeah.  Nevermind the fact that these supplies are mostly her sister's...who is at school during this pic. ;-)

What can I say, it gets a little crazy around here sometimes.  I'll save my desk at it's messiest for another post, lol.  Let's just say they get their creative, ahem...messiness from me. ;-)

When you see them enjoying creativity (as long as they clean it up), and see stuff like THIS made by your 6yr old (the card to match gift)...it's so worth the mess!













Well, what do you think....are we just a bunch of crazies, or are there more of you out there?  ;-)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT weekend! :)
Crystal

First EVER Video Tutorial!

Oh boy. Can't believe I'm about to do this.
I'm seriously laughing at myself, watching this...

It's my FIRST video tutorial (and maybe my last! lol)...
I see so many things to fix, and I could share them all, but I won't.
There are a FEW interesting things I will share, though... ;-)

FIRST....the video is a suggestion only.  If you don't want to add the stickers to the backside of your rubber image, that's ok.  I prefer it so that I can see exactly what I'm stamping. :)

* Ha ha ha...starts out with my head coming into the screen while scooting up to the table. Oops!

* My daughter says it doesn't sound like my voice. Hmm.

* At the part where I say "bear with me, I've done this a few times"...what I really mean is, "Sorry that these sheets don't look new/untouched...I've done a few already, hence the few done, the few undone".  Hope that makes sense! lol

And now, without further adieu....



Well, what do you think?

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Get Well Soon

The CAS (clean & simple) challenge on SCS this week was to make a square card.  Since there's someone I've been wanting to make a card for, and knew exactly which stamp I wanted to use, I went for it! :)

I just want her to know we're thinking of her, praying for her, and though we know it'll be a long road of recovery from her fall, we hope she feels at least a *little* better, SOON! :)

Problem is, I can't decide which version of this 4x4 card I like better!

Will you help me out?

Here's the first one:

Isn't that sad face sooo cute?  I didn't draw it in...it's part of the stamp!

Here's the second one:

With this one, I just covered up the sad face with a punched little heart popped up on dimensional.

I popped up the whole main image (behind the black) with dimensionals.  Cause I love them, and it just gives a little something extra! :)

Well, what do you think?  Which one do YOU like better?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Wellness Wishes
Ink: Black Stazon, Creamy caramel
Cardstock: Whisper white, Basic black, Real red
Accesories: Heart to Heart punch, Dimensionals, Aquapainter

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

MARCHing into Makeover Monday!

Hee hee hee...just couldn't resist.  I can't believe that time is marching on so quickly...it's already MARCH!

It's time yet again for another "Makeover Monday"!

Take a look at this:
Boring, no?

Reminds me of an empty toilet paper roll.  It's not, I promise!  In reality, this is only 4" tall and just over 1" diameter.

You soooo want to see what I did with it, don't you? ;-)

You're REALLY wondering what's inside this (now) cute little tube, aren't you?  Glad to oblige. ;-)












See why it says "Insured to Bring A Smile"? :)  If you have a crafty little girl....this little gift is insured to bring a smile. :)

This was another $1 find at a local store....ONE DOLLAR, folks. :)

I covered it with the oh-so-cute Sweet Pea DSP from the Occasions Mini catalog --- I had a hard time deciding which of the MANY cute double-sided papers to use!

I then stamped "Insured to Bring A Smile" from the set "Extra Postage" (also in the Occasions mini), punched with our large oval punch, then mounted it on a scallop oval punch...add a little white taffeta ribbon, and oohhhh...love it. :)

PS - the lid comes totally off (it's not hinged)...I just had a hard time "posing" it for the picture, lol.

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Extra Postage
Ink: Taken With Teal
Paper: Taken With Teal and Whisper White cardstock, Sweet Pea DSP
Accessories: Lg oval punch, Scallop oval punch, White taffeta ribbon, Sticky strip
Other: $1 colored pencil set

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal