The Mayflower

My oldest sister Mary, has spent many,many hours doing Genealogy research on our family. Her latest find, is that we are direct descendants of one of the Mayflower passengers. How exciting! George Soule, was not only a passenger but also was a signer of the "Mayflower Compact". So, I thought it would be only fitting for us to have little Mayflower Ship placecard/table favor on our Thanksgiving Dinner table.
I used Qbee's Mayflower Ship Template that you can find HERE.

                             My other sister, Ellen, made these to use for her family's Thanksgiving Day Dinner table.
                                                                                 Thanks for stopping!   b.

Turkey Treat Cup Placecard

My sister & I have been busy making Placecards for our family's Thanksgiving Dinner. These are a lot of work but they turn out so cute! If you would like to give it a try, click HERE for complete instructions.
Thanks for stopping! 

Purple & Black Top Note Purse

I just LOVE purses! And I have a lot of them. More than I will ever be able to wear out.

To make this paper purse, click HERE to go to Inking Idaho.

To make the Flower, I took 2 Scallop Punch shapes, scored them & punched a small hole in the middle of each one.

Then, I cut one slit in between one of the scallops, just up to the punched hole. Do a mountain fold( I think that's what they call it) on all the score lines of both scallop punched pieces. Glue both scallops together. I am horrible at giving instructions...sorry. Hope you can figure it out. :(  

I thought these would make a great gift. I plan on putting a tube of flavored chapstick & a small bottle of Hand Sanitizer inside the purse.

****I am leaving for Kentucky with my Sister-in-law. I have never seen Kentucky & can hardly wait! Talk to you when I get back. Thanks for stopping!  b.

  

Birthday in a Box

Beautiful weather here in CO! My Mom, sister & I had a garage sale this weekend. I met a lot of interesting people & managed to sell a few things. We had a few problems with people stealing. Can you imagine...stealing at a garage sale! I was so surprised that people would do that. I was raised here but I have been living in Nebraska for the last 34 yrs. There, you could get away with a "on your honor" garage sale, where they total up their items & leave the money in a jar on their way out. Really... I think you could! Not here though. But, a good share of the people were friendly & honest.
I have been getting my sister into my hobby of paper crafting. We have been having a great time making all kinds of stuff.
Here is a "Birthday in a Box", complete with a tag, candle & a cupcake. I used the digi "Cupcake & Roses" by Designed 2 Delight. If you would like to make your own, you can download the pdf. HERE for free. This "Round Top Box" comes together very easy & makes a great birthday gift!
Have a great weekend & thanks for stopping!

When I was little...

My big sisters birthday is coming & I wanted to make her a special card. I have 4 big sisters, actually, & I am the "baby". :) They all had a hand in raising me & I wanted to grow up to be just like all of them. I borrowed their clothes, makeup, jewelry...anything I could get my hands on. I wanted so bad, to be a grown-up. Now, I wonder why I was in such a hurry! :)
For my card, I made a Center Step Card. A tutorial can be found @ SCS HERE. The sentiment is computer generated & says, "When I was little, I wanted to look just like you..." Inside says, "Luckily, I got over that!"  lol

Digi : Pretty Gillian by Prairie Fairy Designs
Coloring : Copics
Paper : Basic Grey
Embelli's : Recollections (flowers), 2 Step Bird Punch- SU! (leaves), Basic Jewels- SU!
I used some Crystal Effects on her sunglasses & glitter on her tutu.

I used the freebie, Big Bloom from the Fun Flowers set by Designed2Delight. I popped-up  the center of the flower with dimensional's & added some Crystal Effects to make it shiny.
I am entering my card @
DYSU? - Use lots of orange
PaperPlay Challenges - Summer Citrus Splash
Creative Card Crew - For a Diva
Thanks for stopping & for all your sweet comments!   b.

Spring Kaela

I made another Side Step Card. Here's a tutorial on how to make one.
For my card I used Spring Kaela  & Crazy Daisy by Designed2Delight. I paper-pieced the apron part of her dress & colored with Copics. I added an old earring from my stash & some Crochet Lace Trim by SU!
A few more details:
paper: The Paper Studio Paper Pack
cardstock: Soft Suede by SU!
leaves behind earring: the Wing from the 2-Step Bird Punch by SU!
I am entering my card @
One Stop Craft - Birthday
Crafty Pad- Spots & Dots
Sentimental Sundays- Anything Goes
Thanks for stopping!  b. :)

So many kids!!

I wanted to make a special card for my Mom & I found a tutorial on how to make a "Side Step Card" on SplitCoastStampers! When I first looked at it, it looked very intimidating. But it really is pretty easy to make. You really should try it, if you haven't already. Here's the Link.
For my card, I used Spring Kaela, Drew's Cupcake & Ladybug Kaela by Faith @ Designed2Delight. I surfed the net & found this sweet saying. Maybe you have read it before. I hadn't & I thought it was just perfect!
I am entering my card @
DYSU? - Make it Pop
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes
Sentimental Sundays - Mother's Day / for a woman
Thanks for stopping! I hope this inspires you to try making your own Side Step Card.
Be sure to check out all the inspiration & the new look @ Designed2Delight!

Kidding Around - "Card Ideas" Challenge

 April 10-16 is the Week Of The Young Child, and that's the challenge @ "Card Ideas". Here is a card I made using "Appliqued Tree", "Ladybug Kaela" & "Watering Can", all by Designed2Delight! Check out their Shop, where you can purchase these images & many, many more. They also have a Weekly Progressive Challenge. If you participate & follow the rules, you will receive a new image in your email...for free! How cool is that?
I had fun making this card. You can get Window instructions HERE. I also thought it would be fun to do the window looking from the outside. You could have her sitting on the outside of the house & in the window you would see some pretty patterned paper, that would be the wallpaper inside of the house!
paper- SU! "Springtime Vintage", K&Company 
Copics
ribbon- SU! Chantilly
sentiment- SU! "So Happy For You" set

Garden Party

This morning I was looking through the posts of the people that I follow. I came across Dana's Inspirations. She has a video that shows you how to tie a bow & another on coloring skin & hair. If you need any help in those areas, be sure to check out her blog. She also has lots of other ideas that she shares.
This is the new freebie "Garden Party" @ Designed2Delight! If you played along last week, you got it in your email. If not, you can purchase it in Faith's Shop, make a card, enter it, & the next freebie will be mailed to you. While you are there, check out all the other fun images she has for sale!
Tomorrow (Saturday) starts the new challenge @ Card Ideas, & you don't want to miss that!
I am entering my card @
Do You Stack Up?- follow the Yellow brick road (2nd entry)
Designed2Delight- "Garden Party"
Thanks for stopping....b.

Altered Clipboard

If you've never made an altered clipboard, you just have to give it a try. They are so fun to make. I have made a gazillion of them! :)
First thing you do, is choose 2- 12x12 coordinating patterned papers. Take a piece of STRONG wire & run it through the holes, to hold the clip open. (Be careful! If the clip snaps shut, it will hurt like heck!) Fold a couple small pieces of scotch tape & stick on the board. This will help hold your paper in place. Lay your paper onto the clipboard, under the clip, as far up as you can go. Flip your clipboard. Take an Exacto knife & trim all the way around the board.

Cut 2 pieces of your coordinating paper, to fit the top edge of your board. Put a small piece of rolled scotch tape on it, to hold it in place.



Take your finger nail & make a crease along the metal edge, so you know where to cut with your knife.
After you have trimmed around the metal, flip the board & use your knife to round the corners.





Do the same thing to the backside of your clipboard.






Cut a piece to fit on the top of the backside. If you lay the piece of paper on the board & rub your thumb over the metal rivets, it will make an impression on the backside of the paper. This will help you to know where to punch the holes. I used a 1/2" circle punch. If you don't have anything like that, just cut out the metal rivet area with your knife.
Flip the board over & trim up the edges with your knife. Carefully take all the pieces off your board, front & back. Remove the tape.



Spread Mod Podge, evenly, all over the front- side of your board. You will have to work quickly before it dries. Lay your paper on the board, starting at the top. Just like wallpapering, smooth out the wrinkles as you go. Some of the little wrinkles may not smooth out. Usually they go away when it dries. Do the same to the back-side.
Sometimes your paper will stretch when it gets wet. If this happens, trim with your knife.



Take a nail file & smooth the edges. I like the Shabby-Chic look, so I rough them up pretty good. Do this to both sides, all the way around. If you want to add an image over top of your paper, this is the time to do it. I added the letters of a friends name & D2D's "Luck Bird" to the front of mine. Let dry.




Cover the entire front & back with Mod Podge. Let dry completely. I hang them in my laundry room for at least 8 hours for the first coat. I usually put 3 coats on. 8 hrs between the 1st & 2nd, 2 hrs between the other. It really depends on how thick your paper is. If you rush it, the finish will be sticky.




After it has dried, you can add ribbons, buttons, whatever! Hope my directions didn't completely confuse you. :{
Hope you give it a try. :)






I am entering my project @The Crafty Pad- use ribbons
Thanks for stopping!

Happy Monday Challenge- Pastels

The challenge @ Happy Monday Challenge is Pastels! I hope my project qualifies, there is an awful lot brown in there. :( I made this Altered Coaster Easter Basket for my granddaughter. I used "Chicks Rule" digi & sentiments, by Deedee's Digis. If you would like to make your own Easter basket, I found the instructions @ craftbits.com. Click HERE
--I put the chick digi & a sentiment, on 2 sides of my basket.
paper & matching stickers- The Paper Studio
digi- "Chicks Rule" - Deedee's Digis
SU! markers
2 buttons
brown ribbon
2 pink brads
5 coasters
brown Paper Shred
The only thing I did different, is I used some thin cardboard, on my handle, instead of cardstock. And then covered it with coordinating paper & a few stickers.
I am entering my project @
The Crafty Pad- use a ribbon
Craft Your Passion Challenge Blog- anything goes
Happy Monday Challenge- pastels

Going Green!

You know the saying, "one person's trash, is another person's treasure"? I use to haul a lot of "trash" home from work. Everyday, we threw away a bunch of these open-ended cardboard cores. They had shrink wrap on them, that we used, to wrap pallets at the factory. I started collecting them & have made some interesting, one of a kind, gifts! For Christmas, I made some for my Mother to put her homemade goodies in & give to her friends & neighbors. They even had lids, made from a coaster & some thin, scrap cardboard.
You probably don't have access to these cardboard cores. But check with your janitor at work. Some places use large rolls of toilet paper in their restrooms. I have used them & they work great too. Next, you have to visit your local Pub. I don't drink alcohol, but a glass of pepsi looks real cute on one of these coasters!
To make this pencil/pen holder, I set the cardboard core on top of the coaster, drew a line around it in pencil & then cut it out. Then, I put a bead of glue all the way around the bottom of the cardboard core & then set it on top of the coaster. While the glue is still wet, take a file & smooth the edge of the coaster, so it is even with the cardboard core. Measure your core & cut patterned paper to fit & glue it on. Use your file to smooth the top, so that your paper is even with the top of the container. Don't forget to do the inside wall too! Then the fun part comes ... decorate! I used some buttons, ribbon & "Lucky Bird", the new free digital stamp by Designed2Delight Digital Stamps. It's still there, for a limited time.
Thanks for stopping by.
Card Ideas - Going Green!- make a project with a recycled item.
"do you stack up?"- Green it!- 3rd entry -paper is green & blue, Lucky's boots are green, sentiment- "feelin' green", some green clover, green buttons & this is a "green" project.

Baby Bud Challenge- Ribbons & Bows

The challenge @ Baby Bud Designs is Ribbons & Bows! Since the flue visited my house the other day (too much information??) & with St. Patrick's Day around the corner, I have been doing my cards in green. So, here's Baby Bud's "Molly" & she's "Feelin' Green! See all her freckles? I made another Scallop Square Card. I got the idea from Angie's blog. Go HERE to see how to make one. I used the Vintage Embossing Folder from SU! on the Scallop Circle. I added a flower made out of ribbon & some green ribbon from Hobby Lobby.
I'm also entering this card @ "Do you stack up?"- just green it! (my 2nd entry)
Happy Friday to you. Have a great weekend.

Card Ideas- Shape It Up Christmas/Winter

The challenge @ Card Ideas is to make a Christmas/Winter card in an unusual shape. I decided to make a Flower Pot Card. The Poinsettia is by Designed2Delight. If you would like to make your own Flower Pot Card, go HERE. Thanks for stopping!

Chicks Rule!

The challenge @ Peachy Keen Stamps "Let's Face it Friday", is Think Spring {Handmade Gifts}. I love to make handmade gifts! Just ask my friends & family... One of my favorites, are these altered notepads. I got the idea from Debbie. Click to go to her blog HERE.
cardstock- 8" x 5-1/2" score @ 2-5/8" and 2-7/8"
5"x8" Jr. Legal Pad- cut in half lengthwise ( my local office supply store cuts them for free)
Patterned Paper- 2-1/2" x 4-3/8" and 2-1/2" x 3-1/2"

Chicks- SU! Owl Punch- cut off ears
Frayed ribbon glued behind their heads
Faces- Peachy Keen Everyday Character Face Parts
Yellow Puff Paint
Egg- SU! Wide Oval Punch & Scallop Trim Border Punch
Background- SU! 2-1/2" circle Punch
Sentiment- Crafting with Deedee's Digis- Chicks Rule!

You can get plastic bags to use for your gift, in the cake decorating isle at your favorite discount store. I got these @ WalMart. I think they are made by Wilton.

Red Hot

Here is another card for the challenge Red Hot! @ "do you stack up?" This is called a Shadow Box Card. You can find the instructions on how to make one HERE. As you can probably tell, I really like this digi. It was a freebie @ Crafting With Deedee's Digis. His poor little heart is melting! It kinda looks gross though... the way I colored it... looks like it's bleeding. :-[
Oh well, it's was lots of fun to make.

Top Note Purse

Challenge #2 @ "do You Stack Up?"- Distress it

To make my project, I die cut 4 Top Notes in Soft Suede cardstock. Two of the Top Notes, I wrinkled up into a ball a couple of times, unfolded, ran them through my Big Shot with Vintage Embossing Folder & sponged with Soft Suede ink. It has the look & feel of real leather! You can find the directions for this purse here @

Inking Idaho.

You Melt My Heart!

Crafting With DeeDee's Digis Challenge

Isn't he a cute snowman? Ahh, don't feel bad, I think he liked it!
I had a lot of fun making this. I found a "candy bar holder" pattern HERE. I did some adjusting to make it fit 2 Granola Bars. I can't really tell you the measurements, cause I just kinda winged-it. :) I printed out & colored the snowman digi 3 times. The first one, I matted. The second, I cut out all the snowman accessories & adhered them on their appropriate places with dimensionals. The third digi, I cut out all the pieces & laid them around, as if he had melted. Cute huh? The sentiment, I came up with, & printed off WordPad. The holder is held closed with a Velcro Dot. This is probably my favorite snowman so far. Very well drawn, don't you think? I love his hat! I got him at Crafting With DeeDee's Digis.

SCIC # 35

Here's my project for Stampin' Celebrations challenge for this week. I used my favorite, mini milk carton Die & found a carrier pattern that will hold 2 milk cartons.
Go to Paper Punch Addiction for a tutorial on how to make this cute carrier. I used the Birthday Bakery stamp set, my SU! markers, Pretty In Pink & Not Quite Navy cardstock, along with some Greenhouse Gala DSP. Punches: 1" circle, scallop edge & scallop circle. I added a couple of 1/2" library clips on top & a Pretty In Pink brad & bow. Inside are chocolate-cherry M&M's. Ever had them? Yum!

Christmas Tea Bag "Matchbook" Holder

I went on Designed2Delights Blog Hop yesterday. Soo many great little gift ideas! I made these tea holders today, for my Mom to give to her friends at Bridge. They are super fast & easy to make. I got the idea from Katie at "Both Sides Of The Paper".

Cut a piece of cardstock @ 6-3/4" x 2-3/4"

Score it @ 2-3/4" & 6", fold

Cut a piece of designer paper @ 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"

Now, go to CARDZ TV & watch how to put it all together.

Mary makes a larger holder to hold a Hot Chocolate Mix pack.

My dimensions will make a smaller one, to fit a bag of tea.

So that the bag can be easily removed without taking things apart,

I simply attached the tea bag with a small glue dot on the back of the package.

Thanks for stopping! Hope you had a relaxing Thanksgiving.