Card Couture *sneak peek*

As I mentioned on my last post, Lauren has come up with two *amazing* templates this month. It was fun sharing my picnic basket project with you and today I get to show you a *sneak peek* of Lauren's other template; Card Couture. You will flip when you see how fun it is. I made mine to hold coupons, since I am a coupon girl, but the possibilities are endless.

I can't wait to try it out to hold photos, cards, and more. As I mentioned before, mine was made to hold the coupons that I will be using on each particular shopping trip. I didn't want it to scream *coupon carrier*, so I just decorated with things I like; ribbon, buttons, and a little distressing. As you can see, I decided to use the same concept that I shared on my "Embellish It" post. I found *the* best button in my Aqua Mist Vintage Button stash, so I quickly put it to good use. This template as well as the Pack a Picnic template will be available for purchase on the 15th at Papertrey Ink.

I used theEveryday Blessings patterned paper and paired it with the stamp sets Simply Stationery, Heart Prints and Heart Prints Sentiments. Thanks for fluttering by!

Pack-a-Picnic

There is something about women that makes us drawn to anything that is on a miniature scale; have you noticed that? That is one of the reasons why I fell in love with the new "Pack-a-Picnic" My Timeless Template that Lauren has come up with. The neat thing about this particular template, is that it comes in two sizes. While they are both small and adorable, I chose to create the mini-size basket because it is just so darn cute! This particular template as well as another gem will be released on the 15th from Papertrey Ink. Another thing that I love about the templates is that you can make them again and again and they don't even take up any room in my stamp space because they are all on the computer; nothing to trace, keep track of, or measure.
All I did for this template, was to print it out onto Kraft cardstock, cut and fold on the printed score lines and assemble. Easy, Peasy! The only "thinking" I had to do was to create the woven piece for the front and that was easy, peasy, too! I decided to keep the stamping simple, since the basket has so many fun details in and of itself, like the moving basket handles, the fun shape and the lid. I didn't want to cover any of it up, even though in the end I covered up the most time-consuming part. LOL!
Wouldn't these make adorable party favors or place cards! I can't wait to implement them into a party or shower that I host. Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies
Stamps: Green Thumb
Paper: Kraft Cardstock, Berry Sorbet Cardstock, White Cardstock
Ink: Spring Moss, Berry Sorbet, Smokey Shadow, Vintage Photo Distress Ink by Ranger
Accessories: Linen thread by SU!, Berry Sorbet vintage button, glue dots, pinking shears, foam squares, Spring Moss satin ribbon

Congratulations...

On getting a little bit older and better than ever!

I needed to make a birthday card for my husband's birthday. I decided to use this pattern paper and found a half made card base from a previous attempt at a SFYTT card. I decided to use it and make it into something new. I haven't used "Lovely as a Tree" in a long time and I am short on masculine sets, so I thought I would ink it up. The brown ribbon really doesn't fit, but I actually liked how it looked because of the texture and stitching. I really should have added brown somewhere else in the card, but I liked it so I went with it.

I have admitted before that I don't like to add alot of bells and whistles to my husband's cards since they end up in the trash and I am usually the tosser. I only added brads and one pewter eyelet as far as hardware goes and I will probably take off the brads before I throw it away! Aren't I terrible?

I have been wanting to use this Sale-a-bration set since I have only used it once (I think). I thought it was about time. I added a bit of sponging and called it good. I will have the kids sign their names and write a nice note inside if they like. I guess I need to go make dinner! Thanks for fluttering by!

Carte Postale SFYTT

I had all of my supplies still around from making my banner, so I decided to use them for this week's SFYTT! I decided to go for a vintage design today so I reached for my "Journey to France" set by TJ Designs love this set!

I love this week's sketch and can see myself using it again and again! I did stray a bit by tilting the focal image. Shame on me! LOL! I stamped the image using Walnut Stain Distress Ink by Ranger and then sponged the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink by Ranger. Something interesting that I found out yesterday...I have been spelling accordion wrong this whole time. I have been spelling it like this: Accordian. I actually think I am pretty good at spelling so I was horrified to find out! EEk!

Of course I had to add an accordion flower to the sketch as it called for a circle. Yes...I am obsessed!

We went and saw "UP" this morning and let me tell you something...I am so glad I had those darn 3-D glasses on so the tears weren't as obvious. I was a mess. Warning: if you haven't seen this movie, bring kleenex!!!!!! I am a sap as it is, but it really got to me. I actually needed a good cry in the car afterward just to let out some of the tears I had to hold back. My 9 year old son was even crying next to me, even though he denied it when I asked about it at lunch. Enough about that!

You won't want to miss the other SFYTT designers.

Jen Del Muro and New Guest Designer
Amy Rohl
Susan Liles and Amy Sheffer

Carole is taking this week off! We will miss her!
Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. I get a lot of people leaving comments asking for help with certain directions on some of my projects or questions in general. Often times I can't reply because it comes up as a "Non-reply comment on blogger. If you need help or a question, please email me at kellyrory1@msn.com

New Banner!

I decided I would get a head start and make a new summer banner for my blog. As many of you know, I make a banner to hang inside of my entry way and then use it for my blog banner as well. I have a bench below my banner that I decorate as well. My new *theme* is strawberries, apples and pears. I found a garland last year on clearance and never ended up by using it, so I thought I would get it out this year. I have been hoarding this Scenic Route paper for quite a while now and was thrilled to see that it was the perfect thing for this season's banner. Each triangle is 4 by 6. I then measure the center at 2 inches and mark it with a pencil. From there, I place one side onto my paper trimmer and line it up with the pencil mark to make the perfect triangles. The accordian flowers measure 1 1/2 inches by 12 inches and then I score at 1/4 inch intervals. The chipboard is SU! that has been painted with Making Memories Celery Scrapbook paint and then sprinkled with Martha Stewart's Coarse Crystal glitter. Each accordian flower is adhered with a craft glue dot and then the letters are adhered using Crystal Effects. I stapled each triangle together and then used a button adhered with craft glue dots to hide the staples. The ribbon is folded in half and then stapled as well with a button hiding the staple. I think this banner will be quite sturdy!

I had a question from my *embellish it* post about what a "baste" stitch is. A Basting stitch is a long loose stitch that you use to gather skirts, etc. So...you will want to set your stitch length on your machine to the longest length. Hope that helps!

I will be back tomorrow with one of Jen's fabulous Sketch For You To Try designs. Thanks for fluttering by!

Just Because tags and cookies

I had so much fun making my SFYTT card the other day using the Raspberry Tart DSP and the "Great Friend" stamp set that I decided to make a trio of tags. Everything was still out and I wanted to continue cutting out those butterflies. There is something really gratifying about cutting them out. I needed to drop off a few batches of cookies, so I packaged them up in cello bags and attached the tags. They were quick and easys, but I think they turned out cute. These would be a pefect idea to try for a workshop or stamp-a-stack.

I cut the tags 2 3/4 by 4 1/4. The white part is 4 by 2 1/2. I did some simple stamping and added a few strips of Raspberry tart DSP. The butterflies have three little dots of crystal stickles to the centers. I attached them with Crystal Effects like I did on my card. I really like using this method because the crystal effects gets really hard, so there is no worry about them coming detached. It is also nice to be able to bend the wings up for a great 3-D effect.

I was asked by the PTA president to make 20 notebooks to thank the current board for all of their hardwork. I used this same tag idea and just attached it to a cardstock cover I made for the individual notebooks. I had to leave the meeting early because I had to get my son to baseball, but I hope the ladies liked them. I was able to cut out 40 butterflies by hand. Let's just say I think I got the *wanting to cut out butterflies* out of my system! LOL! Since my camera was broken, I wasn't able to take any photos, but I think I will be making some more for end of year gifts for secretaries, teachers, etc. so I will post them when I get a chance.

Also, I have been feeling really bad about my blog lately. I have worked so hard with it and have had so much fun! Then I got sick and was away. I was really hoping to get back in the swing of things and then my camera broke. I finally got the new one and then on Saturday it broke. Talk about bad luck! It was working fine until it refused to turn on, even with the batteries switched. Ughh. So...my husband went out last night to get me my new one. I think things are finally going to be getting back on track; fingers crossed. I have really missed creating and posting what I have been up to. Besides the PTA notebooks, I haven't stamped a thing. It just isn't as much fun making things and not being able to share them. That is one reason why I love my blog so much. I hope this doesn't come across as a whine fest or anything. I just wanted to let you all know where I am coming from and why things have been the way they have been. I really appreciate all of you who stop by and for those of you who are so kind to leave me comments. They really do make my day!

Thanks for fluttering by!

Embellish It!

One of the main reasons that I began stamping, was to be able to recreate embellishments, tags, etc. for a fraction of the cost. I really liked how easy is was to mass produce invitations, cards and gift items without having to buy multiple packages of embellishments to get my projects completed. I was so thrilled with this month's Papertrey Ink Design Team challenge to recreate or create some embellishments from the fabulous products that Papertrey Ink carries.

Is it any surprise that I decided to include accordian flowers, ribbon and buttons? I had so much fun creating this fun embellishments that could easily be added to gift packaging, cards, tags, etc.




For those of you who are visiting for the first time or for those who may have missed it, you can check out a step by step tutorial on how to make accordian flowers. For these particular flowers, I used Papertrey Ink's Friend's 'til the End and Bitty Dot Basics pattern paper. Since this paper measures 8 inches, I cut two 2 1/2 inch strips for each flower. I simply joined the two pieces together into a long strip once I had accorian pleated each strip. I did use my pinking shears on one side to create more of a *flower* feel. I like how it turned out.

For the gathered ribbon, I simply cut 16 inches of assorted Papertrey Ink ribbon, baste stitched it with my sewing machine and pulled one strand of thread on each side to gather it. Once it had been gathered evenly, I tied the thread on each end in a knot, trimmed the thread and began attaching it to the ribbon.

To attach it to the button, simply add about 3 or 4 craft glue dots to the back of the pre-threaded button. Once you have the glue dots in place, begins adding the ribbon, carefully keeping the front of the ribbon on the outside (it can flip if it gets too gathered). Once you have the entire length of the ribbon on the button, use a few more glue dots to add it to the accordian flower. I would recommend having the project you will be adding your embellishment to, ready and available so that it can be adhered right away.

Do you remember those Target dollar spot magnetic frames from a few years ago? I kept quite a stash on hand and decided to add some magnetic strips to the back of my embellishment and create a fun frame to keep in my studio. Since the embellishment has so much going on, I kept the frame simple and plain so that it wouldn't detract from the photo.

I had so much fun with this challenge. I actually have another little something up my sleeve using this basic design, but in a different way that I can't wait to show you! You also won't want miss what the other gals have come up with...seriously amazing! You can see all of them here including Nichole's project as well!

Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies
Stamps: Mixed Messages
nk: True Black
Paper: PTI White, Friends 'til the End and Bitty Dot Basics pattern paper
Accessories: Assorted PTI ribbon and buttons, crochet thread, sewing machine and thread, glue dots