That Wasn't Very Nice

Last night, when I got home from work, I went to check out my blog.  I've been teaching training sessions at work all week and haven't had a lot of time to craft.  But, I like to read the comments that are left on my projects.  I love to check out to see if the author has a blog of their own or who they follow.  I think it's a great way to get new inspiration.

Now, I realize that I was really tired last night, and I get overly emotional when I am tired.  I am firm believer in the right to free speech that is outlined in the First Amendment.  So, while I was reading comments, I found that someone wrote a comment that one of my projects appeared "tacky" as it had a grammatical error.  The particular project was a gift for a teacher.  For those of you that don't know, my sister (who is my very best friend in the whole world) is a teacher.  I wasn't fortunate to have children, so every one of my teacher gifts are for her, her friends, and the young teacher that she is mentoring this year.  This comment really hurt my feelings, I put my whole heart and soul into every project I make.  Everything I make, I give to the person who provided the inspiration.  I'm very fortunate to have such a wonderful family and friends who have helped me through difficult times and I get so much joy at watching them receive their gift.

When I got up this morning, I was still upset about it.  I texted Laura and told her what happened.  This is what she replied....

"We loved those...kids think it's funny...my tag is on my desk."

Laura always makes me feel better.  No one would ask for a better big sister than her!  No matter how old we get, she still protects me!

My Grandma Maggie always said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."  So, the moral of this story is, if you don't like something, please keep it to yourself.  Stuff like that really hurts my feelings.

To all of the wonderful people who leave me comments, thank you so much.  I can't describe how good it makes me feel to read them.  It is such an honor to have so many followers, faithful commenters and have such talented crafters involved in my little corner of the blog world.  Have a wonderful day!

Thanks for stopping by,

New Baby Gift Bag

One of my co-workers and his wife just welcomed a new baby girl into their family.  I am bringing a gift in to him at work today, so I got up early to make this gift tag/bag.

It was pretty simple to make.  I used some Martha Stewart paper and cut out a onesie.  A little faux stitching was added using a Sharpie pen.  It was attached to a doily and tag that I cut out from the same paper pad.  A button flower was attached to the onesie.  Then, I punched some butterflies out.  I punched two of pink vellum and one of designer paper, layered them, fluffed them, added pearls, and then one was attached to the bow and one to the tag.  I wrapped some tulle around the bag and tied a big bow.  The tulle was so easy to work with, it really makes a pretty bow.



Supplies:

Paper:  Martha Stewart

Misc:  Butterfly punch, tulle pearls, Sharpie pen, heart button, leaf punch, kraft bag, pop up dots

Thanks for stopping by,

Happy Mother's Day with Blooming Button Bits

I had a lot of help from the cats in the making of this card.  They each took turns rolling on the table, walking on the keyboard as I was trying to edit the pictures, and pushing the flowers on the floor.  As I sit here now, Oscar is scratching his face on the screen and Tedy is trying to lay on the computer!  My original plans where to make this a yellow and blue card, but it just didn't seem to come together right. 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink-Blooming Button Bits

Ink:  Memento, Versafine

Paper:  Cosmo Cricket, October Afternoon, My Mind's Eye, Recollections

Misc:  Pop up dots, half pearls, sewing machine, My Favorite Things Butterfly Die-Namics, Papertrey Ink Beautiful Blooms Dies, buttons

Thanks for stopping by,

Catered Crop "Krafty Recipe Swap" Quickfire

Here is my project for the Catered Crop "Krafty Recipe Swap" Quickfire.  The rules of this challenge was to use kraft paper in your project.  I actually used it a few times, but you can really only see one.  You can find out the details of the challenge here.

I made this for my Mom for Mother's Day.  I love paper sacks, so I thought that a sack with a matching tag would be great way to package a little gift.  For the sack, I just trimmed the top of it off that used a paper edger to make a decorative edge.  A little seam binding tied in a fluffy bow, one of my crocheted hearts, a button, and DMC floss completed the sack.

Onto the tag, using my Cricut Tags, Bags, Boxes & More Cricut Cartridge and my Gypsy, I cut out a long scalloped tag out of kraft paper and one out of designer paper.  I added machine stitching around the designer paper tag and then adhered it to the kraft tag.  My little girl is the My Favorite Things Pure Innocence Holly Girl stamp that I bought last winter.  I did a little masking with a post it note when I stamped it (twice) in order to omit the holly in my image.  The was cut using the My Favorite Things Oval Open Scallop Die-Namics.  After I colored her with Copics and paper pieced her dress, she was adhered with pop up dots onto the oval.  I also used the My Favorite Things Scallop Ribbon Border on the bottom of the tag as a decorative trim.  Instead of holding the holly, I added a crochet flower and a pretty button.  The sentiment is also from My Favorite Things, it was part of the VIP Girls Rule kit.  I used this sentiment in my Mother's Day Card last year, too, I hope Mom doesn't mind! 

For the third use of kraft paper in this project (first was the paper sack and second was the tag base), I made my own "chipboard" style letters.  Using kraft paper and the Alphalicious Cricut Cartridge, I cut M O M out four times and one time out of designer paper.  I glued the layers together and then covered them with some Diamond Glaze.  I glued them onto the tag, and the tag is done.  I attached the tag to the seam binding with a clothespin covered in designer paper and Modge Podge.

Make sure you stop by Catered Crop and check out all of the great goodies that everyone has made.

Supplies:

Stamps:  My Favorite Things-Pure Innocence Holly Girl and VIP Girls Rule Mini Set

Ink:  Versafine, Memento

Paper:  October Afternoon Little Darlings Collection, Recollections Kraft paper

Misc:  Paper sack, seam binding, small clothespin, Modge Podge, Copics, crocheted flower and heart, buttons, DMC pearl cotton, pop up dots, Diamond Glaze, My Favorite Things Die-Namics Scallop Ribbon Border and Oval Open Dies, Cricut Alphalicious Cartridge,  paper edger

Thanks for stopping by,

I'm So Grateful For You

Just a quick card to post today.  I had to get up early to go to the Dentist, yuck!  I have lots of cleaning, laundry and crafting to do.  The crafting is the fun part, but I must clean and make sure I have a uniform to wear to work tomorrow.

Supplies:

Stamps:  My Favorite Things-Framed Greetings

Ink:  Versafine

Paper:  My Mind's Eye Be Happy

Misc:  Martha Stewart Flower Paper punch, button, half pearls, pop up dots, doily, heart stick pins, DMC pearl cotton, My Favorite Things Scallop Ribbon Border Die-Namics Die, seam binding

Thanks for peeking!

Today Was A Good Day

Today was a good day.   First, I got to sleep in until 9 AM!  I've had to get up very early every day this week as I have been teaching the training class at work.  After I feed the cats, I check my email and read any updates on the blogs that I follow.  I participated, for the first time, at the Catered Crop Recipe with Brads Challenge.  I submitted the card I made for my sister, Laura, for her birthday.   Well, they posted the winners and my name was on the list!  I am so excited!  I get to be a Top Chef Designer in next Sunday's Quickfire.  The new challenge is using kraft.  You can check out the details here.  This will be a fun one for me, as I love using paper sacks!

Then my nephew, Dave, brought my sister over to visit today.  We haven't seen each since the hospital.  She looks really good, still a little weak and slow, but she is getting better every day.  We went and had the best pizza in town, and then to Violette's, the best scrapbook store ever!  While we were there, the owner, Diana, was unpacking boxes of awesome stuff.  She is now carrying Magnolia Stamps.  They just received an order from My Favorite Things.  I was able to pick up a few new goodies, I wanted much much more, but I behaved. 

Today was the inspiration for this card.  I covered some tags with designer paper.  Then, I just used some embellishments from my stash to give each tag a unique look.  A crocheted flower, a button wreath and a rosette were used as the focal point for each tag.  The tags are hung "clothesline" style on some baker's twine with mini clothespins that I "blinged" up with some pearls.

Hope you had a good day, too!

Supplies:

Stamps:   Papertrey Ink-Flower Fusion #1

Ink:  Versafine

Paper:  Wasau, The Paper Studio, K & Company

Misc:  Baker's twine, pearls, buttons, crocheted flower, pearl swirl, carnival ticket, Nestabilities, mini clothespins, sewing machine, button wreath, Cat's Pajamas Easy Rosette Die, tags, DMC embroidery floss and pearl cotton

Thanks for stopping by,

Spray Starch Tags

I am the trainer for the new servers at the restaurant that is my "day" job.  Yesterday, I decided to try something new and we had a scavenger hunt for items that often our guests ask for, but are not usual things that we serve.  They did an excellent job, and I thought a prize was certainly in order.  Since, I love making tags and love personalizing gifts, I went to work.  I made a simple tag with my Cricut and then covered it with this pretty polka dotted paper.  Then, I adhered a Martha Stewart doily.  I've been working on some larger crocheted flowers and added a felt leaf.  The flower center was made with a button and a  baker's twine bow.  I personalized the tag using some alphabet beads and added a few little heart stickers.

Our Managers are  stickler's for our uniforms to be pressed and our shirts have defined creases.  The best way to achieve this look is to use spray starch.  So, I picked up a few cans and tied my tags right onto the cans with a pretty bow.

The girls loved their tags and the extra starch for their uniforms.  I even got a high five from one of Managers for a job well done!

Supplies:

Paper:  Theresa Collins, Wasau

Misc:  Crochet flower, button, baker's twine, heart stickers, alphabet beads, Martha Stewart doily, ribbon, felt, Cricut Tags Bags Boxes & More Cartridge

Thanks for stopping by,

Thank You Butterflies

Here is a quick thank you card I made for one of my Mom's friends who sent me a box of get well chocolates.

I punched out the butterflies two times each out of vellum and once out of designer paper.  I sewed through the layers in the center of the butterflies and added a button tied with DMC floss.  I "fluffed" up the layers on each butterfly to give them a little extra dimension.  Here is the side view:

Somebody wanted to be in the picture!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink-Fillable Frames #5

Paper:  Echo Park, My Mind's Eye, Wasau

Ink:  Stamps by Judith, VersaMagic

Misc:  Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames #5 die, crocheted heart, buttons, pop up dots, DMC floss, butterfly punch

Thanks for stopping by,

Catered Crop Recipe Swap with Brads

I am participating in the Catered Crop Recipe Swap with Brads Challenge this week.  You can find all the details here.  This is also the birthday card that I made for my sister. 

The paper is Cosmo Cricket Odds & Ends.  The pennant banner was made using the Cat's Pajamas Pennant Die which I sewed together.  The little stars are my brads.

The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Limitless Labels which I stamped on a strip of ledger paper.  I finished my card off with some paper punched flowers, baker's twine and a button.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink-Limitless Labels

Ink:  Tim Holtz, Stamps by Judith

Paper:  Cosmo Cricket, Bazzill

Misc:  pop up dots, star brads, sewing machine, baker's twine, button paper punches

Thanks for stopping by,



Bunny Tags

Here are a few more Easter treat holders that I made.  I have saved all of the boxes that my Paertrey Ink Stamps have come in, in hopes of using them someday.  Today is one of those days.  I thought they would be perfect to package some goodies.

I placed some kraft paper shred in the box and then filled it with some candy. 

Then, I went about making the tag.  First, I adhered a paper doily on the top and wrapped some dyed seam binding around the box.  I made the tag using the Tags, Bags, Boxes & More Cricut Cartridge.  I had some pom pom trim in my stash, and I thought it would look good on my tag.  The bunny is a  4 X 4 Rabbit Quickutz Die that I've had for several years, but had never used!  I sponged some Tim Holtz Tea Dye ink around the edges of the bunny and glued a pom pom on his tail.  With a leftover scrap of my seam binding, I tied a tiny bow on his neck.  I stamped the recipient's names on a strip of cardstock, sponged it with some lavender ink, and added a glitter outline to help it stand out.  To finish the tag off, I just adhered a button tied with some DMC floss to the center of the bow.

Close up of the tag:

Supplies:

Stamps:  JoAnn Fabrics-Alphabet

Ink:  Memento

Paper:  Recollections, Bazzill, Little Chicks by Reminisce

Misc:  Doily, pom pom, pom pom trim, dyed seam binding, Quickutz Rabbit Die, button, DMC floss, pop up dots, glitter pen, clear acetate box, Tags Bags Boxes & More Cricut Cartridge, paper shred, candy

Thanks for stopping by,

Easter Treat Bags

I made up these quick Easter Treat Bags for the nieces and nephews using my scrap tags.  I'm in a rush to get my Easter goodies done, as I ended up in the hospital last week for a blood transfusion!  They say what ever can go wrong, does go wrong.  Laura and I were both in the hospital, both getting blood, but an hour apart!  Our poor parents, we certainly worried them last week.  I missed a few shifts at work, so I have been working extra hours to make them up.  It's been a crazy week.



I just used some paper lunch sacks and filled them up some paper shred and candy.  A large doily was folded over the top of the bag.  I used the bunny from the Dandelion Designs CL-5 Happy Easter Set.  The belly of the bunny was paper pieced and the face was colored with Copics.  I traced around bunny with a glitter pen to add a little dimension.  The bunny was cut out and adhered with pop up dots to the tag.  I added a button, a little baker's twine and glittered chipboard letter to each tag.  To attach the tag to the bag with a small clothespin that I Modge Podged with some matching paper.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Dandelion Designs-CL-5 Happy Easter Set

Ink:  Memento

Paper:  Recollections, Making Memories, K & Company, Papertrey Ink, Echo Park, Martha Stewart, Bazzill

Misc:  Paper lunch sack, Copics, pop up dots, small clothespins, doilies, glitter chipboard letters, baker's twine, buttons, tags, sewing machine, glitter pen, Modge Podge, Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames #5 Die

Thanks for stopping by,

Hoppy Easter Boxes

Here is my version of Easter Baskets for my Dad and Stepmother this year.  I'm always looking for new and fun ways to package gifts.  So, I thought I would use Becky Robert's Valentine Box Tutorial for an Easter Treat.  You can find her tutorial on her blog, Inking Idaho, here.  The are very easy and fun to make. 

To make the tag, I used the Cracked Up Bunny stamp by Purple Onion.  I stamped the bunny twice, colored it with Copics, layered it foam tape, and did a little paper piecing.  The tag is cut from Nestabilities and the grass is cut using a My Favorite Things Die-Namics.

When I went to make the dividers, I made a mistake scoring, so instead of throwing it out and starting over, I just made an extra divider for more candy!  I put some paper shred in the the little dividers and then added my candy.

I used some elastic gold cord to hold the lid on the box.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Purple Onion Designs-Cracked Bunny, Jo Ann Fabrics-Alphabet

Ink:  Versafine, Memento, Tim Holtz

Paper:  Recollections, My Mind's Eye, K & Company, Wasau

Misc:  Clear acetate, pop up tape, paper punch, Papertrey Ink Double Ended Banner Die, My Favorite Things Grass Die-Namic, Nestabilties Tag Die, Copics, gold elastic cord, paper shred, candy, Scor-Pal, jute, oval paper punch

Thanks for stopping by,

Scrap Tags

Here are a few tags I made up using some scraps of paper I have in my stash.  I cut the tags out using my Cricut.  Then, I just adhered some strips of different designer papers and a die cut from Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames #3 Die.  A little machine stitching and they were done.

Thanks for stopping by,

Easter Pillow Boxes

My poor sister is back in the hospital again.  She had an unexpected complication and within 3 days of her release, she was rushed back to ICU.  It's been a very scary week for us, but she is slowly on the mend, thank goodness. 

I made these little pillowboxes with the Wrap It Up Cricut Cartridge and my Gypsy.  The stamps (both bunny and the sentiment) are from Dandelion Designs.  I colored the bunny using Copics.   I wrapped a doily around the pillow box and then attached a little scalloped rectangle I cut using the Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames #3 Die.  A little baker's twine and a button completed my pillow box.

 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Dandelion Designs-Bunny and Sentiment

Ink:  Versafine, Memento

Paper:  Echo Park, Recollections

Misc:  Cricut Wrap It Up Cartridge, doily, pop up dots, baker's twine, button, Copics, Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames #3 Die

Thanks for stopping by,

Vintage Style Library Card "Card"

 I think I've had the Coluzzle Library Card Template and Stamp for a zillion years now, I finally dusted it off and used it!  I stamped on the card on a piece of pink cardstock.  For the pocket/envelope, I did some minor surgery on a medium glassine bag to accommodate my card.  A few doilies, crocheted flowers, a little seam binding, a little bling and my card was done.

Supplies:

Stamps: Coluzzle-Library Card

Ink:  Versafine

Paper:  My Mind's Eye, Bazill, Recollections

Misc:  Crochet flowers, buttons Papertrey Ink Double Banner Die, Recollections Rhinestone Swirl, seam binding, circle paper punch, doilies, glassine bag, lace

Thanks for stopping by,

Bunny Mason Jar

I thought up this idea while I was waiting at the hospital for my sister to get out of surgery.  Laura introduced me to rubber stamping/scrapbooking/papercrafting world a few years ago. 

I had some leftover mason jars, so with my Cricut and some paper punches, I made this Easter Bunny.  Then, I thought that the Papertrey Ink Jar die would make the perfect tag.  I used the smaller jar die to make the tag.  I stamped the jar outline on both sides of the paper.  Again, a few paper punches and my Cricut, I made my little bunny head for the tag.  On the back of the tag, I added a little pom pom for the tail so it would look like the jar.  I stamped her name on a strip of paper and added a button.  The tag is attached to the bow with a mini clothespin that I sponged with some white ink to give it a white washed appearance.

The back of the tag:

I filled the jar with some paper shred and a bunch of candy.



Supplies:

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink-Summer Friendship Jar Fillers, Joann Fabrics-Alphabet

Ink:  Versafine, Colorbox

Paper:  Recollections, Echo Park

Misc:  Pom poms, ribbon fabric square, pop up dots, Cricut Bags, Tags & More Cartridge, mason jar, paper punches, mini clothespin, candy, paper shred, sticky strip, black Sharpie pen, pink chalk

Thanks for stopping by,