Cats & Dogs

My nieces are celebrating birthdays today and are both animal lovers. As they've come to expect something made by me I decided to try and baby-step my way back into crafting. Simple sour cream containers house the "green-one-size-fits-all" tied roll that is inside.

While these are called Sour Cream Containers by the crafting population, my kids and their friends know them as "Push Up Pops" due to the dessert treat that was/is offered at their schools.

A reminder of how these simple containers are made for a finished size of 6" x approx. 3-3/4":

1. Start with a 6" x 8" piece of patterned paper.
2. Attach Scor-Tape to one of the short sides.
3. Roll up and adhere together. It will look like an empty tp roll at this point.
4. Attach a strip of Scor-Tape to inside of the tube that you want to be the bottom, adhere.
5. Crimp bottom.
6. Twist slightly so that the top and bottom edges are opposite each other.
7. Punch and set jumbo eyelets.
8. Fill with shred and your choice of gift.
9. Tie ribbon to close.
10. Add coordinated tags.

V.~

Supplies:
Stamps: Kim Hughes Quirky Alphabet (no longer available)
Ink: Vivid! Brick
Cardstock: Gina K Designs Pure Luxury White, Slate, Turquoise Gem. Sweet Corn
Patterned paper and stickers used: Basic Grey Max & Whiskers
Other: Nestabilities Circle and Petite Scallop Dies, Jumbo eyelets, Black Hemp, Dimensional foam, Gina K Designs ribbon

Back from Chicago~

The one and only picture in my camera from CHA!
Lynn, Diana, Roy, and me in the Scor-Pal booth
I got back late last night from yet another incredible experience in Chicago.
I am always so happy to see all my long distance friends again, meet new friends, and visiting with new and returning Scor-Pal customers.
I am ever so grateful to Diana and Roy Crick for allowing me to have the experience of working with them and their wonderful product!

V.~

The Creative Flame~

8 years or so ago a flame was ignited within me; a creative spark lit up a part of my brain that had been dormant for quite a while. I was introduced to rubberstamping. From that point rubberstamping and papercrafting were all I could think about - I dreamed and saw inspiration everywhere. I amassed a large collection of the tools to participate in this craft.

And for 8 years I created. I taught. I was published. I participated on design teams and in stamping forums/galleries. I wrote tutorials and was part of the Dirty Dozen. CHA's and Mania's were attended. I found fantastic, lifelong, friends who shared this craft.

And then about 4 months ago or so the flame started to ebb. No longer did I wake up with the desire to create. I tried all the usual methods to reignite the spark. However, the more I obsess about my lack of creativity and desire, the more it has stayed away.

The more it stays away, the guiltier I become about not maintaining a regular source of projects for my blog.

So for now, I am taking a hiatus from my blog and creating. I am hoping to be recharged when I attend CHA with Scor-Pal in a few weeks.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Valerie