Mini Vacation~

We've just returned from a mini vacation to Santa Catalina Island. It was the absolute perfect way to spend 3 days with my family and my brother and his girls. Loads of snorkeling, sitting by the beach, and playing tourist in the city of Avalon was a wonderful way to unwind for a few days.

Now back to reality~

V.~

Darth Vader - recyled

Brett was invited to a birthday party today....I didn't have much time to think about a card, much less devote time to making one. Plus, I've learned that most 11 year old boys don't really care, iykwim......

I recycled the invitation the boy sent by cutting the image down and creating a banner from the words on the front. Inside says, typed with a Dymo labeler " to have a Happy Birthday!" Brett also drew a little Star Wars scene inside - these boys are big doodlers! :)

I haven't made a sour cream container (or as my kids call them, push up pop container) in forever, but needed a way to corral the $$ we gave the boy who is saving for a video game. Basic black cardstock for the container with a ribbon closure keeps the money safe inside. I made the Tie Fighter tag to hang on the bag, but Brett nixed it after the pic was taken. It does not pass the Star Wars test for him, he brought out his Tie Fighter model to show me just how it was not a correct representation. Whoops. For those who like it, I found it here:

Imperial Tie Fighter Punch Art

He's already off to the party and I've got loads to do! Have a GREAT Monday!

V.~

Jana from Indiana asks....

How did I make this box?

Simple boxes all go together pretty much the same way, you can see basic directions in my Cupcake Box Tutorial. If I want to inside flaps to be covered, I add an additional side measurement equal to the side height and trim in the manner of my Notecard Box tutorial. This allows the inside to be free of small flaps showing.

On to this box:

For me, I determine how wide and tall I want the box, and from there it's just addition, a bit of cutting, and assembling. Sometimes I start with the lid size, other times with the box size.

• For this box, I decided on a lid that is 4" square with 1-1/4" sides, so the sheet starts out at:

6-1/2" x 6-1/2" square and is scored 1-1/4" all the way around.
Flaps are created by trimming and then adhering inside the lid with double sided tape.

• Since the lid is 4" square when finished, the box needs to be a hair smaller so the lid will slide on and off easily and not bind up the box sides. This box also has 2" sides that need to be factored in, so for this box the sheet starts out at:

7-7/8" x 7-7/8" square and is scored 2" all the way around.

Flaps are created by trimming and then adhering inside the box with double sided tape.
This creates a box that is 3-7/8" square when finished.

• The insert needs to be a hair smaller than the box so it will fit comfortably inside the box. This insert has 1" sides, so for this insert the sheet starts out at:

5-3/4" x 5-3/4" square and is scored 1" all the way around.

The sides are notched, the die cut in the center and the insert is 3-3/4" square when finished.
A small piece of acetate is cut and adhered to the underside of the insert to create the window effect.

Jana, I hope this helps you recreate this box. Remember to have a look at the Cupcake Box Tutorial for visual aids on how to trim the box flaps and insert notches.

V.~

3 Dozen Flowers ~

In between power stamping 100 cards for PTSA on Saturday, the challenges I've done this week, and a metric Scor-Pal tutorial for Diana, I've been working on creating these card samples for OCL. A dozen each of three different flower sets.

It's noon on Friday and time to take the weekend off!

Stamp sets are:
Flowers for You
Whispy Blooms
Growing Gratitude

Ink used on all are Memento, images colored in with various Copic markers, accented with Spica Glitter pens, Cardstock is Bazzill, Prism, and Neenah, Scraps of patterned papers by American Crafts and College Press, a ribbon, and brads adorn 2 of the cards. I've kept them simple to highlight the stamps themselves, not the everything else. Top layout is the August OCL Sketch Challenge layout.

Have a great weekend!

V.~

The Dog Days of Summer Challenge~

It's time again for another DD/DDA Challenge for the Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen team (alum and current); I picked the theme this time around "The Dog Days of Summer" which seemed appropriate for this time of year. Some months we have lots of players, other months other obligations take priority, so this is a no pressure kind of challenge.

As always, there is a required element, a restricted element, and a keyword to use when uploading to SCS:

Required Element: Dog images or sentiments and heat of summer color scheme (so think orange, red, mustard, etc.)

Restricted Element: Flock, or any fuzzy type embellishment

Keyword: DCDOG809

This card is going out as a thank you to a friend who is a huge dog lover. She recently sent me a beautiful handmade gift and I want to thank her with this "Woof" card which translates into "Thanks!"

I made a Scor-Pal envelobox out of coordinating paper to mail the card, it's like a little box that allows a heavier embellished card to go through the mail a bit easier. Extra postage is required though. Directions to make your own envelopes and enveloboxes are on the left sidebar.

Be sure to check out the other gals who played along by visiting the Splitcoaststamper gallery and using the keyword listed above.

V.~

The pup here is from a Kim Hughes set (CHF) called Cutie Pet-Tootie
"Woof" is spelled out with a Kim Hughes (CHF) retired alphabet called Quirky Alphabet
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa and Versafine Vintage Sepia, SU! Creamy Caramel
Paper: Neenah Natural White, SU! Riding Hood Red, Prism Candleglow Dark
Patterned Paper: DCWV Pet's Stack
Copic Markers: E51, E53, E97, N5, BG0000
Other: Chocolate wide striped grosgrain, Button, Linen thread, Brown mini brads, Square punch (banner ends), Distressing tool, Dauber, Dimensionals

Masculine Sympathy~

CAS Challenge at SCS today was Masculine Cards. I needed a masculine sympathy card this morning and the challenge fit what I needed to do.

Simply stamped with the leaf image from SU!'s Central Park in Old Olive and sympathy sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Onyx Black on vanilla and mounted on a vanilla base with a patterned paper strip kept the focal image clean and simple. A couple of black brads in the upper corners, a row of piercing at the bottom, and an olive ribbon balance out the rest of the card. Clean, Simple, and finished in less than 15 minutes; it conveys a serene message, exactly what I was aiming for in this sympathy card.

V.~

Razzleberried Dasher~

I've been asked to do a home workshop for a friend that I introduced SU! to years ago.....I haven't done a home workshop in....well, let's just say it's been a very long time. I hope I don't forget anything next month! Anyway, she requested a holiday themed workshop and could I demo the Stampin' Around system.

When I first saw Dasher in the back of the catalog I knew that I wanted to use him for my own Christmas cards this year. I just love him! I also needed to order a wheel, as mine are all ancient and nothing holiday related, and I thought the Soft Holly wheel coordinated well with Dasher. So I ordered them, along with some other goodies (embellishments mostly) to use for her party as well as my holiday cards. Double duty works for me! And now my holiday card is already planned out - I am way ahead of schedule! YAY

The card is pretty simple, so not too much explanation is needed. I wanted a less than traditional color scheme and thought Rich Razzleberry was perfect for the card base. Dasher is stamped in Chocolate Chip on Very Vanilla and Merry Christmas from Teeny Tiny Wishes is in Old Olive ink. A bit of Creamy Caramel ink on the edges of the image panel, top edge distressing, and a couple Linen Thread stitches complete the image panel. Soft Holly is rolled with Chocolate Chip ink on Old Olive cardstock, bottom distressed, and an Old Olive grosgrain ribbon is tied before adhering to the base card with Sticky Strip. A matching open end envelope rolled with the wheel finishes off the set.

Finished card is 3-1/4" X 6-1/2"

V.~

Mama Bug asks~

About the Word Window placement for the project below. I have re-written this tutorial because of the changes I made in the cover and using the newer Scor-Pal board and it will be available at a later date here on my blog. In the meantime, here is my explanation for that step, Mama Bug:

Step 8
Adhere final piece of patterned paper to back of front cover and punch a slot (Word Window punch) approximately 5/8” down from top and centered in the middle of the front cover.
*tip* To ensure punched slot is above the envelope line when project is finished, use one of the precut envelope pockets as a measuring guide.

Hope this helps.
V.~

ETA:

RE: Sue asked about the WW punch through the paper and coasters.

Sue, I did not use coasters for this project, it's chipboard backing - I get mine from my friendly LSS store, it comes with most all the paper they carry in the store. But you could use cereal boxes and things like that, too. The punch went through the covered piece quite easily.

Mini Accordion File ~

Where are the hours in the days going? Seems like I've been so busy running this way and that and haven't had time to play. I made this Mini Accordion File the other day, just for fun. I used this tutorial as a guide, but changed up a few things:

Mini Accordion File

I did not wrap the paper around the chipboard, instead just applied patterned paper to both sides. I rounded the corners of the chipboard, as well. And the tabs go down the center of each file pocket instead of staggered like the sample in the tutorial. In addition, the original tutorial was made using the original Scor-Pal, so the accordion pleats may be made much easier now.

Speaking of running around, off to get Brett from his morning Robots and Reactions camp and then prepare for a birthday celebration here on Wednesday night for my father in law.

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

V.~

Stamps: Cute Curls by Kim Hughes for CHF
Inks: Memento by Tsukineko and SU!
Paper: Prism Suede Brown, SU! Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Patterned Paper: White Out Collection
Other: Nestabilities Scallop and Circle Dies, Basic Grey Button, Linen Thread, Distressing Tool, Word Window punch, Corner Rounder, Tab punch, envelopes, Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, Chipboard

Second Chance Candy~

It was a great day for Peggy and the blog candy drawing. Her name was picked by one of the other gals as her blog candy winner, and since it's one set per blogger, I've randomly selected another winner:

colleen said...

Too funny!!! I love these fries! My favorite sweet??? Gotta be jawbreakers... actually those smaller ones called Gobstoppers - with the sweet/tart center. Ohhhhh, I wonder if I have any stashed away in the house???

This is the funniest stamp set... great possibilities! Thanks for the chance to win.

Colleen, check your inbox!

V.~

And the winner is...................

Peggy said...What an adorable fry box with this cute set!! Colors are cute too!
My favorite sweet tooth candy is the sweet tarts that only come out once a year at Easter (bunnies, chicks and ....). I bought six bags of them so I would have enough to last till next year!!

Congrats, Peggy! I'm emailing you next!


Valerie~

p.s. I LOVE those special sweet tarts, too, but tell me why did they remove the yellow chicks? Those were my favorites!

Candy Monster Fries~

It's Sweet Tooth Terrors Time
and Time for a Blog Candy Contest!

If you want a chance to win this fun Our Craft Lounge set, Sweet Tooth Terrors, just leave a comment here on this post between Thursday, August 6th and Sunday, August 9th. For fun, please tell me what your favorite sweet tooth treat is - maybe it's something chocolate, with nuts or without? maybe sour is your thing, what about hard candy, maybe it's a big fudgy chocolate brownie or angel food cake, whatever your sweet tooth temptation is, I'd love to hear about it!
My favorite sour candy is Sour Patch Kids, yum! If chocolate is calling my name, hmmm.....well I have many, but Dove Dark Chocolate, no nuts, is always good! :)

To show off this set, I've made a batch of Candy Monster Fries. It's a patterned paper fry box filled with Dum Dums and crinkled paper "fries." I found the template online by googling "french fry box template." There are tons of them, all sizes. I colored the lollipop monster with Copics, added a touch of Glossy Accents to her lollipop, and matted her on a Nestabilities Oval Scallop. She's adhered to the box with dimensional foam. A black grosgrain ribbon (which slipped I see, whoops) around the box with a Candy Monster tag complete the box. These would be fun to leave at someone's desk at work, a surprise for your kids, a treat for the teacher, etc. I make my own crinkled and shredded paper by running cardstock (here Basic Black and Pink Piroutte) through my Fiskar's Crimper and then a run through my old straight shredder.

Easy peasy and fun to make!

After leaving your comment here, head over to

Our Craft Lounge Blog

for a list of more blog candy opportunities! There's bunches of them!

The fine print:

• One entry per person per giveaway - duplicates will be deleted
• If you are comfortable leaving your email address in your post, please do so, it will make contacting the winner a bit easier for all involved. If not, the winning post will be posted here on Sunday night and the winner has 12 hours to email me with the requested information.
  
• The winning post will be drawn Sunday night, August 9th, and the winner will be contacted for their snail mail address and permission to release their address to Our Craft Lounge.

Sweet!
V.~

I ♥ SF~

Snapfish delivered the pictures I'd ordered on Monday. Tuesday I created this little I ♥ SF mini book to add to our basket of mini scrapbooks. I've mentioned before I am not a big scrapbooker, I like things with a start and a finish, and a mini book does just that. Whether it's a day trip somewhere or a week long trip, for me a mini book is a way to document the event. And in such a way to make them accessible to anyone who is sitting in the living room. I have a little basket of mini books - all styles, not limited to chipboard covered books like this one, and they make great conversation starters and a way to remember the little things we've done as a family.

This measures 4.5" x 7" and was bound together with the Bind it All and 1-1/4" O ring. Inside pages are black and white cardstock cut to 4.25" x 6.75". There are approx. 50 photos (standard 4 x 6 pics) in this book; the front page has a bit of journaling, and the tickets to our bus tour in the back. A few strategically placed identifiers keeps the book simple and finished in just about 2 hours.

The cover is a play on the Tony Bennent song "I left my heart in San Francisco" and the title mimics the sweatshirt Morgan got while we were at Fisherman's' Wharf. Cuttlebug Red Tag Alpha, Hearts die, and a Nestabilities Scalloped Square die were used to create the book title. All die shapes were cut from a chipboard coaster and covered with die cut paper. A strip of red, 4 black mini brads, and ribbons on the binding finish off the front.

V.~

p.s. Remember to tune in tomorrow for the Big Our Craft Lounge Blog Candy give-a-way!

OCL Peek A Boo Sneak Peek ~

Welcome to day 2 of the OCL 2009 Holiday release sneak peaks! Today I've put together a fun little candy box with the new set Peek A Boo. Sneak Peeks continue until tomorrow, be sure to check out the OCL blog tomorrow and see what's sneak peakin' for the final 10 sets. On Thursday, August 6th, please join me for a Blog Hop and a Blog Candy Give-Away opportunity!

The stamp set Peek A Boo is a whimsical set with hiding monsters and clever sayings; a fun set for so many Halloween projects.

The monster in the tree image was colored with Copic Markers with a few Spica Melon glitter sparkles in the greenery. After coloring, it was matted on a green scalloped oval die cut. The Peek A Boo circle medallion is adhered to the image with a bit of dimensional foam. The completed image was mounted to the box lid with dimensional foam. A length of purple gingham check ribbon ties it all together.

Inside the box, an oval die cut into the insert reveals candy treats through the peek a boo window. A hiding monster trick or treat bag and an "I see you" sentiment add a bit of fun to the inside.

The box measures 4" x 4" x 2" finished and was created with my Scor-Pal. Creative Impression patterned paper for the lid, SU! Lovely Lilac for the box, Green Galore for the insert round out the paper used in this project.

Be sure to check out the other sneak peeks by visiting:

Our Craft Lounge Blog

Thanks for looking and happy Sneak Peekin'!

V.~

Copic Markers used: Browns: E33, E53, E97, E99, Purples: BV01, BV04, BV13, Greens: YG01, YG03, YG13, YG23, YG25, Blues: BG0000, BG000, Orange: YR12, Clear Blender 0

OCL Sweet Tooth Terrors Sneak Peek~

It's time for a new round of fantastic Holiday stamps from Our Craft Lounge and the introduction of the Our Craft Lounge Blog. Starting today through Wednesday, 10 brand new sets will be "sneak peeked" each day. On Thursday, August 6th, please join me for a Blog Hop and a Blog Candy Give-Away opportunity!

I've used the new Sweet Tooth Terrors set and made a little glassine treat bag filled with candy corn. Not the easiest candy to find around here in Aug - ask Jay - who was my runner Sunday morning before we left for a soccer game in Del Mar. He finally found it at CVS after visiting several stores. I *almost* had to switch gears!

I love this little monster image hoarding all his candy corn. I've colored him in with Copic Markers and matted the image on a Nestabilities Petite Scallop Circle black mat. A little Glossy Accents on 5 of the candy corn gives it a bit of unexpected shine. The tag, which was banner cut with a square punch, says:

Trick or Treat!
Gimme somethin good to eat

After filling the bag (snackin' on a few) with candy corn, I folded the top down and wrapped a length of wide orange stitched ribbon around the bag. The ribbon is secured together at the top with knotted and raveled cording. Embroidery floss attaches the tag and glue dots attach the scalloped image.

How fun would a basket filled with Sweet Tooth Terrors candy bags be at Halloween!

Be sure to check out the other sneak peeks by visiting:

Our Craft Lounge Blog

Thanks for looking and happy Sneak Peekin'!

V.~

Copic Markers used: Purples: BV01, BV04, BV13 Oranges: YR12, YR15, Yellow: Y13, Y15, Pinks: RV02, RV04, RV10, Blue: BG0000, Clear Blender 0