Handmade Little Leaves Embossing Folder

I can't believe it's been so long since I sat down in my crafting room to make something for me - not for clubs or workshops, but just for fun! I started out with a challenge from A Charming Place to make my own embossing folder. It takes a little time, but it's really quite easy.

Begin with a piece of cardboard from a cereal box. Chipboard was a little too thick. Cut images from your Big Shot out of scrap cardboard. I found that the cereal box was perfect for cutting the Little Leaves, but I had to make two layers to make a deep enough impression. If you are using a regular die instead of an embosslit, one cut out of chipboard will be enough. Next, arrange the pieces on your cardboard piece and use Modge Podge to stick everything down. Coat the entire board with a layer of Modge Podge and let dry overnight. You will be left with an embossing plate that can be used over and over again.

Hydrangea Flower Pot Card

The challenge at A Charming Place this week was to make a flower using a technique that we had not yet tried. I've made a lot of flowers, so this challenge had me searching the internet. I settled on one that I had seen, but not yet tried. It's my MIL's birthday today and I needed a card that also had a pocket for her gift - tickets to the local theatre. The flower pot card was the perfect solution. The hydrangea's were inspired by this youtube video by Valita's Fresh Folds.

Stamps: Occasional Quotes (greeting)
Ink & Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso
Accessories: Satin Ribbon, Pearls, Little Leaves Die, Heart Punch, Sponges

Simple Chocolate Towers

Here's what I did with the scrap from the hearts I punched out for yesterday's card. I literally had an itty bitty strip of paper left over from where I punched between the hearts. I save a lot of my scrap, but even this was too small to keep, so I tossed it. Later, while I was assembling these for my Stamp Club ladies, I thought of the itty bitty scrap and realized that there was still enough to punch the tiny hearts from the three heart punch. Recycling can be fun!

I made all of these (plus a few extras) over my lunch break. I am lucky enough to live close to work and so I came home on a day when the kids stayed for lunch and came up with this idea. It all started when I looked at the ginormous bag of chocolates that I bought at Costco and wondered how I was ever going to get through them all. At the one a day that I eat, this could be a lifetime supply. I guess the sentiment fits - so much chocolate, so little time!

Stamps: Eat Chocolate

Ink/Paper: Vanilla, Glitter Paper, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Corner Rounder, Three Heart Punch

Loving the new Glitter Paper!

I'm loving the new mini catalogue! The glitter paper is so easy to work with - no more going to work with sparkles on my face, and the Framed Tulips folder make it a breeze to create a WOW background. Tomorrow I'll post what I did with the scrap from the glitter paper.
Stamps: Artistic Etchings
Paper & Ink: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Love Letter Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Heart Punch, Oval Punches

Just Believe Birthday Card

I love this stamp set and yet I only finished mounting it the other day to make this card. So many stamp sets, so little time! This was my mom's birthday card this year and also part of a challenge over at A Charming Place.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes & Just Believe

Cardstock & Ink: Baja Breeze, Whisper white, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Framed Tulips embossing folder, Rosettes, Baja Breeze seam binding

Paper Tube Gift Card Holder

The challenge over at A Charming Place this month was to create a Gift Card Holder out of an empty Toilet Paper Tube. We bought my Mother-in-law tickets to a play at a local theatre, so I knew that a toilet paper tube was going to be too short (plus all of my rolls were quite full), so I cut an empty wrapping paper roll to size instead. The flower on the tag is attached to a clip which holds the tickets on the back side of the tag. This way she can use the tag as a bookmark later. Who would have thought recycling could look so great!

Paper: Deck the Halls, Early Espresso
Tag: Table Setting Die
Punches: Five Petal Flower, Three Flower, scallop edge
Accessories: Crochet Trim, Neutrals Brads


Joy Christmas Frame

This was one of my mom's gifts this year. I can finally post it! I had her take some family pictures of us on Christmas day to put into it later. The frame is just a cheap wooden frame, but I really like how it turned out. All the flowers and embellishments were created with Stampin' UP! products.

The white flower was created with satin ribbon, an antique brad centre, and a pearl.
The red flowers were created with the five petal flower punch and the island blossom die plus a stylus and pearls.
The little vanilla flowers were created with the three flower punch and neutral brads.
Best of all, the Deck the Halls Paper ties everything together! I added a top coat of Smooch ink to the holly leaves and berries that doesn't show in the photo, but shimmers beautifully in the light.