HOLIDAY MINI THANKFUL GARLAND

The minute I saw the THANKFUL GARLAND in the 2007 Holiday Mini Catalog, I knew I HAD to duplicate it! With some helpful advice from Jan Tink (see her garland HERE), and a few changes to accomodate my available supplies ... ta da !!! Jan created a gorgeous "NOEL" garland from the same On Board Garland Greetings. I've got big plans to case that one too! The catalog even makes suggestions for "JOY" and "JOYFUL" garlands. HERE is a "JOY" garland on Fran Sabad's blog, using embossing powders and glitter. The possibilities with the On Board Garland Greetings chipboard assortment are endless!

I had high hopes of offering this project as a class, but after the amount of time I spent completing mine, that idea was immediately scratched! I love the end result, and know I will enjoy displaying the garland in my home during the Thanksgiving holidays for years to come!

Differences between my garland and the catalog's version:

a) I used Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon to hang my letters, versus the catalog's Jersey Ribbon Originals,

b) the brads on the letter "H" in the catalog look colored (but not sure) ... I used Antique Brass Brads,

c) the catalog's version used All In a Row stamp set on the Close To Cocoa panel of the letter "U" ... I chose Antique Brass Brads. (does anyone else out there have "All In A Row Phobia"? ... I get so frustrated stamping that set straight, and have not mastered the stamp-a-ma-jig ... but will someday!),

d) there are some words on the leaf chipboard located on the letter "L"of the catalog's version.... my chipboard leaf is slightly different, and chose not to include the words.

If you would like to complete this project, your KEY TOOL is an exacto knife! Notice that all the the letters except the "A" and the "U" use the NEGATIVE to the letter. In order to cover them with designer paper, place the right side of the negative chipboard piece to the wrong side of the DP, trace with a pencil, and use an exacto knife to cut it out. Your cutting doesn't have to be perfect because you will use the sanding block to rough up the edges for a distressed look. I did buy a fine sanding sponge at the craft store that I was able to cut into small sections in order to sand the hard-to-reach areas. The cutting and sanding is what took the majority of the time in creating the garland ... the embellishments are fairly simple.

RECIPE

Stamps: True Friend (pg. 18 '07 Holiday Mini)

Paper: Apple Cider DP (pg. 19 '07 Holiday Mini), Really Rust, Very Vanilla, River Rock and Close to Cocoa CS

Ink: Really Rust

Embellishments: On Board Garland Greetings (pg. 9 '07 Holiday Mini), Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, River Rock Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Really Rust Buttons, Antique Brass Brads, Natural Hemp Twine

Tools: Exacto Knife, Crop-A-Dile

Supplies: 2-Way Glue Pen, Sanding Block, Fine Sponge Sandpaper (non-SU)

BEATE'S WEEKEND SKETCH CHALLENGE #20

This card is for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #20, and uses many products from Stampin' Up!'s 2007 Holiday Mini Collection (see recipe below photo). Purely Pomegranate and River Rock are difficult to photograph! The colors look different on my computer monitor versus my husband's monitor. The Gold Elastic Cord around the chipboard star looks odd in the photograph. It really does look better IRL! It is just crossed around the star, then tied in a bow. The new Elastic Cord is so-o-o much easier to work with than the retired cording! The chipboard stars from On Board Garland Greetings are covered in Holiday Harmony DP. The "Merry Christmas" sentiment is embossed with Gold EP. The new Satin Ribbon from the Holiday Mini is gorgeous! ... very elegant .... and also comes in Chocolate Chip!

RECIPE

Stamps: "Merry Christmas" sentiment from Holidays & Wishes (pg. 143)

Paper: Holiday Harmony DP (pg. 12 Holiday Mini), Purely Pomegranate, Rose Red, River Rock

Ink: Versamark for embossed sentiment, River Rock & Purely Pomegranate for sponging edges of chipboard

Embellishments: Chipboard Stars from On Board Garland Greetings (pg. 9 Holiday Mini), Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon (pg. 22 Holiday Mini), Gold Elastic Cord (pg. 11 Holiday Mini), Gold Brads, Gold Embossing Powder

Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, Tag Corner Punch, Embossing Buddy, Powder Pal, Heat Tool, Sanding Block, Stampin' Dimensionals/Foam Tape

Note: Card size measures 5 1/4" x 10 1/2", scored at 5 1/4".

BEATE'S WEEKEND SKETCH CHALLENGE #19

I've been a lurker on Beate's blog, Fresh and Fun, for quite sometime, and have always wanted to participate in her weekend sketch challenges. I finally made time for it last night. Beate always has such wonderful layout challenges, I just don't always have the wonderful time to participate! Although I struggled with this one, I plan to return for more!

RECIPE

Stamps: Autumn Harvest (pg. 20 Holiday '07 Mini), Everyday Flexible Phrases (pg. 154).

Paper: Apple Cider DP (pg. 19 Holiday '07 Mini), Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, River Rock and Very Vanilla CS

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Embellishments: Linen Thread, Really Rust Button, Leaf Chipboard from On Board Garland Greetings (pg. 9 Holiday '07 Mini), Brads, Hodgepodge Hardware Swirl Clip, Twill Tape

Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template, Sanding Block

Other Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals/Foam Tape

Technique: Paper Piecing, Paper Piercing

Notes: Card measures 5 1/4" x 5 1/4". The pumpkins are stamped with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink onto Apple Cider DP, cut out, and popped up on dimensionals (paper piercing). There is linen thread tied around the stems of the pumpkins. "Happy" and "Fall" are stamped in Chocolate Chip Classic Ink on the twill tape. It's hard to see in the photo, but there are paper piercing lines on the Chocolate Chip CS horizontal strip, above and below the DP. The leaf chipboard is covered in River Rock CS, and a sanding block was used to distress the edges.

CAN YOU STAND ONE MORE?

Can you STAND one more Altered Lunchbox Tin from me? This is the end of the road for my Lunchbox Tin Card Organizer KICK (for now)! This particular tin is very similar to the one I gave away as blog candy last week, using the CUTIE PIE DP. I'm offering this particular tin as a class next week for my local stampin' friends.

Tomorrow, I have a morning and evening 5 Card Class. I'll be sharing those projects with you on Wednesday!

RECIPE FOR CUTIE PIE ALTERED LUNCHBOX TIN and DIVIDERS:

Stamps: None

Paper: Cutie Pie DP, So Saffron Prints DP (for smaller chipboard flower), Bashful Blue and So Saffron CS (for dividers), Whisper White & Certainly Celery CS for "Cards" label

Ink: White CRAFT Ink for Chipboard Pieces

Embellishments: Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, On Board Blossoms, Certainly Celery Brads, Silver Brad.

Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch (for cut-out around latch), Word Window Punch (for cut-out around handle), Round Tab Punch (for dividers), Sanding Block for Chipboard, 1 3/8", 1" & Scallop Circle Punches for center of lg. chipboard flower, Trio Flower Punch for center of small chipboard flower.

Supplies: Lots and lots and lots of Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals or Foam Tape.

Notes: The word "CARDS" and the words on the dividers are printed from the computer. The DP for the lid is TWO pieces to fit around the handle.

10,000 HITS BLOG CANDY - ALTERED LUNCHBOX TIN

It looks as though my counter will be reaching the 10,000 mark today ... woohoo! That calls for some BLOG CANDY, don't ya' think?! When starting this blog on June 18, I had no idea what to expect. I have found this adventure to be incredibly rewarding, inspiring, and another element of excitement to my craft! Thanks to all of you who read my blog, subscribe, and leave me nice comments that just MAKE MY DAY! You are truly motivating!

If you've been reading my blog lately, you know I've been on an Altered Lunchbox Tin kick. (See other tins HERE and HERE). I've been saving this one just for this occasion! Yep, you can WIN this CUTIE PIE Altered Lunchbox Tin and Dividers ... specially made for organizing your handmade greeting cards!

The dividers are labeled: Birthday, Thank You, Holidays, Get Well/Sympathy, Friendship, Congrats, and Misc.

So how do you WIN? See this jar of buttons? It's a jar I have on a shelf in my craft room .... all my miscellaneous buttons get put in that jar -- buttons from new clothing, buttons found in the laundry -- you name it, it goes in there! It's used more for decorative purposes than anything else.

Leave me a comment on THIS POST .... include your guess as to how many buttons are in the jar. I'd also love to hear how you found my blog! Was it through Splitcoast Stampers? another stamper's blog? (if so, who?), are you a local customer of mine? Whatever it is, I'd love to hear how you found me!

The button jar measures approximately 4" x 4" square and 3" tall without the lid.

I will end the blog candy on Wednesday 8/22 evening. Only U.S. shipping addresses please. In the event of a tie(s), each correct number will be assigned a number in order of post and a number will be selected by random.org. GOOD LUCK !!!

RECIPE FOR CUTIE PIE ALTERED LUNCHBOX TIN:

Stamps: None
Paper: Cutie Pie DP, So Saffron Prints DP (for smaller chipboard flower), Certainly Celery and So Saffron CS (for dividers)

Ink: White CRAFT Ink for Chipboard Pieces
Embellishments: Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, On Board Blossoms & Basics, On Board Accents, Bashful Blue Brads, So Saffron Brad, Bashful Blue Button, Embroidery Floss
Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch (for cut-out around latch), Word Window Punch (for cut-out around handle), Round Tab Punch (for dividers), Sanding Block for Chipboard
Supplies: Lots and lots and lots of Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals or Foam Tape.
Notes: The word "CARDS" under the Label Holder and the words on the dividers are printed from the computer. The DP for the lid is TWO pieces to fit around the handle.

ON BOARD CHIPBOARD STORAGE

I needed a better storage system for my ON BOARD CHIPBOARD (pg. 180-181 Fall-Winter '07) and had an extra shelf in my craft room. I wanted something to add a little color and decor to my room ... here's what I came up with .... I found these glass canisters/jars at Walmart for under $4.00 each. I used the PRINTS SERIES DESIGNER PAPERS (Rose Red, Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Blue Bayou, and Groovy Guava) to cover the lids by cutting a 4 1/2 inch circle. I tied DOUBLE STITCHED GROSGRAIN RIBBON in the NEW IN COLORS (Purely Pomegranate, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Blue Bayou, and Groovy Guava) around the neck of the jar with a bow at the top. I simply printed the name of the On Board Collection on coordinating Cardstock (from my computer/printer), punched the words out with the CIRCLE SCALLOP PUNCH, added a Silver Eyelet, and hung it from the ribbon with silver cord.

The chipboard die-cuts are punched out of the sheet and stored in these jars. Of course, I kept the chipboard negative pieces for future use. This may not be the greatest system when my collection of chipboard grows but for now, I'm enjoying them! (My Groovy Guava jar is still empty... *wink *)

These jars look so cute on my bookshelf! I would have liked to photograph them on the shelf, but the lighting for photography in my craft room just doesn't cut it!

SWEET 16

My daughter turns 16 in a couple of weeks ... YIKES!!! Where does the time go? My children are growing up way too fast! I've been holding on to the Girlfriend Accessories retired stamp set for several years just waiting to use it on a Sweet 16 card. I still need to come up with another Sweet 16 card for my daughter's best friend who turns 16 in a week.

(The car keys on the metal edge tag do NOT mean my daughter will be getting a car! They simply signify her obtaining her license.)

RECIPE

Stamps: So Very, Girlfriend Accessories

Paper: Regal Rose and Certainly Celery CS, Flowers For You DP

Ink: Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Regal Rose, Going Grey, Lovely Lilac

Embellishments: Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Cord, Metal Edge Tag, On Board Simon Upper Chipboard

Tools: Round Tab Punch, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat & Template, Aqua Painter

Technique: Paper Piercing

Notes: The Aqua Painter was used to color in the car keys. Paper piercing along top and bottom. Chipboard edges are inked in Regal Rose.

ANOTHER SCS LIMITED SUPPLY CHALLENGE 123

Here is another challenge card SCS Limited Supply Challenge 123. See my previous post for the challenge criteria. This CASE is from pg. 141 of the New Catty. View the NEW SU Catalog & Idea Book online HERE.

I had someone special in mind for this card, my good friend and fellow SU Demonstrator, Lorri Heiling. Lorri won the SU February Absolutely Alphabet Contest, and her entry was published in the SU onstage publication January - March 2007! WOOHOO!!!! I just got my onstage in the mail today, and was so thrilled for Lorri! I can't think of anyone more deserving! Lorri is an incredibly talented stamper, and an even nicer person! I hope she doesn't see this post, as she'll be receiving this card in the mail within a couple of days! See Lorri's NEW blog, dream BIG, HERE.

Did you notice that both of my cards for this challenge used Cool Caribbean? Do ya' think I'm having a hard time saying goodbye to it?!

Supplies:
Stamps: Happy Everything
Paper: Cool Caribbean, Pretty In Pink, Petals & Paisleys DP
Ink: Cool Caribbean

Embellishments: Pink (Fire) Circle Rhinestone Brad, Aluminum Circle Metal Edge Tag

Tools: 1/16" Handheld Circle Punch, Spring Flower Bouquet Punch

Other Supplies: Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, On Board Accents

Note: Instead of stamping the heart as shown in the catty, I covered On Board Accents Heart with Petals & Paisleys DP and inked the edges of the heart with Cool Caribbean Ink. Simply cut the paper portion of the Aluminum Circle Metal Edge Tag so that only the metal rim shows.