A Cardinal Gift

There are numerous gifts for my children to give to special people this year, and I like to add a handmade touch to some of them...

I was telling my mom about it and how I wanted to make some fudge to give these special people in my kiddos/our lives.  But I was in a quandry as to what to put it in!  She just said matter of factly, without even really thinking about it, "Why don't you just MAKE a box?  You're always making cute little boxes".

Um, duh. LOL!  Sometimes it takes a mom's brain to make your own work. lol
Thanks for the reminder that I can MAKE a box!  Seriously...why didn't I think of that?

So, I made a box. :)  Sponged the edges, and had my daughter help, too, making a cardinal out of punches! :)  It IS, afterall, a gift from her. ;-)  I'll have my oldest (age 6), do most of her own, I think. That is, if I can manage to let go. ;-)

Well, what do you think?

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

Punchy Pumpkins!

Nope, they're pumpkins that are acting silly (wink)....

They're pumpkins made from punches!
Here's a couple of cards I made yesterday to add to my Etsy Store:

I've admitted to you before that I'm a paper hoarder, right?  Well, I've been trying to get over that and use some of my older (retired) designer paper --- so here's 2 cards using retired DSP called "Autumn Vine".

The middle oval on each pumpkin is popped up on dimensionals (of course), the stems are ribbon pieces, and I made the vines for each with a tiny strip of cardstock.

I updated my Etsy shop this morning, too.  Hop on over to MY ETSY SHOP to view this and the tree cards from yesterday...plus a little more!  Hoping to add a few more things today, too! :)

Well, what do you think?  Do you have a favorite between the two cards?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Paper: Autumn Vine DSP
Accessories: Sage Shadow grosgrain ribbon, Large and Small oval punches, Dimensionals

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

A Thank You Mum

I never buy flowers for myself (consider it an extravagance), but these were so beautiful and bright and cheery and Fall, perfect for my front door! :)  So, when I gave in to that impulse, bought a pot of these beautiful mums, and a few days later found them dead, I was sad. To say the least. ;-)

I was lamenting the fact to my MIL (mother-in-law), and a few days later, what did I find by my front door? Mums!! :)

I knew exactly what I wanted to do on my thank-you card to her:





















Okay, so it's not perfect, but I had trouble with one of the layers, lol!  I learned how to make this flower on Stampin' Up's demo-only website - thank you, Diane Dechaine!  I will say it was a little time-consuming, but overall, a pleasant effect during this beautiful Fall season! :)

I wanted the flower to be the focalpoint, so I kept the layout quite simple.  Just a "Thank You" stamp, some layers of Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler and More Mustard cardstock, and some more Cherry Cobbler...this time in the form of ribbon (mini catalog)! :)

Oh...in case you're wondering what's in the middle of the flower...it's coffee grounds. ;-)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Thank You Kindly
Ink: Early Espresso
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler seam binding, Boho Blossoms Punch, Stylus, Stampin' Pastels, Blossom Party Die, Big Shot

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT Monday! :)
Crystal

It's My Party

...and I'll Stamp if I want to, Stamp if I want to....
...you would stamp too, if it happened to YOU!

If you were invited to a Stampin' Up party of mine, you'd definitely be stamping something! :)

Below are the two projects the gals did (from start to finish) as free M&T's (Make n Takes):

First, a little treat bag type thing...













Here's the side view:

And now, a Christmas card.

Yes, it's a little early, but this party was instead of my Annual Holiday Open House, so I felt the need to include some Christmas. :)  It's basically the same card, just a flipped sketch. I let the gals decide what they wanted to do, and they also got to choose which stamp for "Merry Christmas."

Want the quick "how to"?  OK...

Thankful Thoughts Treat Holder - Cut out (2) Top Notes with our Big Shot & Top Note die (yep, they got to play with the Big Shot!), Fold bottom of bag downward, then cut bag down to 2 3/4". Attach to (1) of the Top Notes, punch with word window punch.  Decorate 2nd Top Note, then attach on top of bag, Line up and punch with Word Window punch again. Tie with ribbon.
Top Note: Crumb Cake cs
Vines: Baroque Motifs stamped in Old Olive
Pumpkin: Pumpkin Pie cardstock, Wide oval punch, sponged with Pumpkin Pie ink & sponge dauber. Stamped leaf from Autumn Harvest & cut out, Attatched linen thread bow.
Sentiment: Stamped from "Grateful Greetings" in Early Espresso Ink
Handle: Word Window punch, Old Olive grosgrain ribbon

Whew! Maybe it would've been easier to film a video for this one! lol

Merry Christmas Card
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla
Designer Paper: Deck the Halls (mini catalog)
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon, Scalloped oval and Large oval punches, Scallop trim punch, Dimensionals

Well, what do you think?!!  I'm dyin' to know! :)

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

Owl Love You Forever

Pun intended. ;-)

I'm so excited to unveil the sweet lil' lovebird card I made for my bro and his wife for their 6th Wedding Anniversary!

















How did I make those adorable owls?  With a PUNCH!!!  Seriously...a new Stampin' Up punch!  It's one that I saw and thought...Yes. Yup. Need that one. :)  I've finally played around with it (I have more projects to share soon), and I was right...it's so fun!

I used a lot of green b/c it's her fave color. :) The leaves are from another great punch, the 2step Bird Punch.  What I love about the owl punch is that it comes with the little heart, even!  I used that heart to make the beak, AND  the bow by the female owl's ear (is it called that?)

You're wondering about the DSP, aren't you?  Well, I'm sorry to say, it's a retired one...called "Afternoon Tea."  I'm trying to give up my DSP hoarding habits. ;-)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, More Mustard, Garden Green, Afternoon Tea DSP
Accessories: 2way glue pen, Unibal Signo gel pen, XL 2step Owl punch, XL 2step Bird punch

Thanks so much 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

A Treat...and a Tutorial!!

My first ever tutorial...I'm so excited!

Since it IS my first...

Disclaimer: this will not be perfect by any means! lol

I made a few thank you treats for some stamping friends of mine. :)

Let's get started, shall we?

Step 1 : Score a 4 x 6.5 pc. soft suede cardstock at 3.25 & fold

Step 2 : Place treat into small cello bag and fold over,

apply SNAIL adhesive to folded flap & put inside folded cardstock.

Step 3 : Tie treat folder closed with ribbon

(sorry about pic - the ribbon DOES match IRL)

Step 4 : Punch out 3 circles from pumpkin pie cardstock

Step 5 : Apply pumpkin pie ink to edges of punched circles with sponge daubers

Step 6 : Create a vine - wrap a thin strip of cardstock around small round object

Steps 7-9 : Adhere the 3 circles together to form a pumpkin
Stamp "thank you" on center
Add stems and vines

Step 10 : Mount pumpkins onto layers of cardstock with dimensionals

LAST STEP : Mount onto soft suede treat holder - voila!

The Small Print: ALL Stampin Up (except for Peanut Butter cup, lol)
Stamps: Family Phrases

Base: 4 x 6.5 pc. cardstock (Soft Suede)

Other Cardstock: Old Olive, Confetti White, Pumpkin Pie, Always Artichoke
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede
Accessories: Ribbon (Soft Suede), 1.25" circle punch, Sponge dauber, SNAIL, Dimensionals, Small cello bags
Other: Reeses Peanut Butter Cup treat

I hope you enjoyed my first ever Tutorial! :)
Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Gettin' Punchy!

Here's a card I recently made that I just *LOVE*!!
I can see myself making a TON of them!  :)

I just love finding new ways to use things. This is one case where the phrase I grew up with: "use things for their intended purpose" does NOT apply! lol

If you click on the Holiday Mini catalog on my sidebar, you'll see what I mean.  Go to page 24-25. It's an ornament punch made to coordinate with the new Christmas set: "Delightful Decorations"!  I saw this collaboration and said...I want it! :)

ANYWHO....I made this punch to be a vase for these beautiful flowers from the stamp set "Pocket Silhouettes".  The stamp was colored with my Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry markers. I also sponged the edges of the vase and card base for depth, and popped the vase up on dimensionals.

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes
Paper: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, and Whisper White cardstocks
Ink: Old Olive
Accessories: Olive & Razzleberry markers, Stampin Sponges, Ornament Punch, dimensionals

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