Cracked Glass Card

It was my mom's birthday this week, so this was the card I made for her. It looked different in my head (as do most cards I create), but it turned out okay. It had been awhile since I made a cracked glass card, so I got out my UTEE (ultra thick embossing enamel) and started layering it. It had been so long that I forgot at first that my clear embossing powder got contaminated with black embossing powder during an experiment gone wrong. This is the reason for the little specks on the card, but it worked in this case.

If you are unfamiliar with the Cracked Glass technique, it's really quite simple. Cover your image with versamark and pour a layer of clear embossing powder over top (the deep impression kind works best). Heat and repeat the process. I usually don't wait for the powder to harden again before applying the second and third (sometimes fourth) coats, eliminating the need for a second application of versamark. Once you have enough layers and are satisfied with the image, place it in the freezer for a few minutes. As soon as you take it out, bend and crack the powder for an aged effect. I also rub chocolate chip ink into the cracks to make them stand out even more.

Stamp Sets: Baroque Motifs & Always, warm words
Paper & Ink: Not Quite Navy, Close to Cocoa, & Bashful Blue
Accessories: Hodgepodge Hardware (retired), Pretties flower & pearl

Crochet Flowers - Free Offer for Canadian Customers

My mom is amazing with a crochet hook! When my girls were babies, they had the most amazing blankets and sweaters thanks to her talent. Several months ago while we were browsing the local scrapbook store, I pointed out a package of crochet flowers and asked her if she could make some for me. The next time I saw her, she handed me a little package of the cutest little crochet flowers - perfect for my scrapbook pages and cards. When I saw the crochet flowers in the brand new Stampin' UP! catalogue, I decided to pull out a couple of my mom's flowers and try dying them to match my paper. It works beautifully! The flower on this card was dyed using a few drops of Pink Pirouette reinker mixed with water. Although I think the ones in the catalogue are nice, I like my mom's better, especially since I can dye them to match any paper (and yes, I am biased - sorry Stampin' UP!).

Do you want to try dying your own flowers? My mom has agreed to make some crochet flowers for me to give away, so I have decided to send an assortment of five of her crochet flowers to everyone who orders online through my Demonstrator Website between now and February 14th (Canadian orders only). In addition, Stampin' UP! will include a FREE 2009 Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalogue with all online orders placed between Feb 1 and Apr 30th! The free crochet flower offer is available only through me. Place your order by clicking on the 24 hour shopping link under my profile and then clicking on the shop now button on the top right of my demonstrator business website.

New Catalogue Inspiration

My demonstrator copy of the brand new Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalogue has arrived and there are SO many new things to drool over! However, it wasn't just the new sets and accessories that struck my eye. I love how all the examples in the catalogue got my creativity flowing again. After marking English Essays all weekend, I decided to take a break and actually make something. I came across the Pick a Petal sample in the new catalogue and had one of those "Why didn't I think of that?" moments. I will admit that I sometimes buy stamp sets that I later realize I don't even like. Sometimes they don't even see ink! Pick a Petal was one of those sets for me. I used it for a few demonstrations, but I couldn't seem to make it work. THEN, I saw the amazing sample in the catalogue. Of course! How perfect! I used the new Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper (which will also need to "grow" on me) and my Birds & Blooms die for the leaves, and dusted off my sewing machine for my own take on this card.

Snow Tic Tac Toe

It's been a long time since I've posted - my apologies. November and December are always very busy months for me at work and with workshops and Christmas parties. I don't usually breathe again until after the new year - just in time to go back to work! I'm easing my way into posts again with an old project that I passed around at workshops a year ago, but never posted online.

I made this last November after being inspired by a CD case tic tac toe game in Papercrafts magazine. Of course that was before Stampin' UP sold the skinny tins individually, so I pulled all the Accents and Elements pieces out of one of my tins in order to create this magnetic game. The game pieces are made of chipboard circles covered with paper with magnets on the backs. The lines are created with ribbon and there is a simple belly band to hold everything together. For a striking effect, emboss your tins with silver embossing powder and people will be left wondering how'd she do that?

Top Note Snowman

This was a club project a couple of months ago. I made several of them and filled them with treats for my kids' teachers. The box/bag was originally designed by Judy Morrow. For this project, I was inspired by the Frankie Boxes on Cambria's blog (Stamp a Little Love Baby), as well as by all the great top note snowmen cards I've seen posted on blogs and in galleries. I think I'll get started making these now so they're ready for next Christmas! Instructions can be found both here and here.