Create x3

Snowflakes and Scraps

Today, I wanted to play with the new Memory Box snowflake dies--Crystal Snowflake die {98397} and the Beaded Snowflake die {98396}. I also wanted to use up some scraps. So, playing with snowflakes and scraps, here is what I came up with:

Memory Box Papers: Yuletide, moroccan latte, wassail nc
Stamps: Memory Box Merriest Holiday Season B1888
Stamp Ink: SU cherry cobbler
Embellishments: Memory Box Crystal Snowflake die {98397} and Beaded Snowflake die {98396}, misc. pearls colored with Copic R59, burlap from Save-on-Crafts, sewing machine

The papers are some Memory Box Yuletide 6x6 paper scraps I had on hand, and the burlap piece is also a scrap that I had left over from the Triple-Layered Pumpkin card I created the other week. The sentiment is stamped with the new Memory Box stamp called Merriest Holiday Season {B1888}. Once I die cut the snowflakes, I only adhered the center of each snowflake to the card because I wanted the rest of the snowflake to stick out (it may be hard to see in my photos).

Tip: Try using just 2 small pieces of the snowflake for the hands on a clock! I may do that on a future card or layout for you to see. :)

Anyway, it sure is fun to use up scraps. The only problem with scraps is that it's more stuff to store and organize. LOL! I guess I should use them up more often. Well, thanks for stopping by today! Blessings,

Triple-Layered Pumpkin

Ever since I received the Memory Box Great Pumpkin stamp {G1882} in the mail, I have been wanting to piece this pumpkin. So, today I thought I would show you a card layering this pumpkin in 3 layers with 3 different papers.

Papers: Memory Box mango gingham, mango distressed, and mango moroccan; misc. kraft nc
Stamp Ink: Archival Ink coffee, ColorBox Fluid Chalk chestnut roan
Stamp: Memory Box Great Pumpkin G1882
Embellishments: Memory Box Tiny Tendril die 98419, May Arts twine, burlap from Save on Crafts, Sizzix Damask #5 embossing folder, misc. ticket, flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, sewing machine

I stamped the Great Pumpkin stamp 3x onto Memory Box mango distressed, mango gingham, and mango moroccan papers. I hand cut the pieces since I pieced the pumpkin together. Memory Box does make a great matching die for this stamp called the Great Pumpkin die {98423} but because I pieced it, it was quicker and easier to handcut it. I also embossed the pumpkin before piecing. I added several embellishments along the bottom including the Memory Box Tiny Tendril die {98419} to finish this card.

I chose not to use a sentiment so that I could mail this card anytime in the Fall for any occassion. Have a great rest of your Monday, and thanks for stopping by!

Altered Notebook

Well, it's that time of year again when I need to alter a notebook for my Bible study classes. I make a notebook every single year, and I save them. I have saved these notebooks from many, many previous years. Maybe someday my kids will enjoy the notes inside. :)

Anyway, I wanted to share my newest notebook with you today. It uses a mixture of old and new Memory Box. For some of the older paper I used, I am sure some of you still have it in your stash. :) If not, there are always great Memory Box substitutes! And before I share some photos, I still have not unboxed all of my photography goodies so hopefully you can view the pictures okay. I hope to find it all and unbox it soon! Now, here is how my notebook turned out:

Papers: Memory Box vanilla bean distressed dots, Memory Box Valise Bill of Sale, Memory Box Valise Tickets Please, Memory Box Gossamer
Stamps: Memory Box Moonlight Woods F1885
Stamp Ink: SU soft suede, ColorBox Fluid Chalk chestnut roan
Dies: Typewriter Upper Alphabet 98367, Typewriter Lower Alphabet 98366, Madeleine Bird 98424
Embellishments: Memory Box white pearls colored with Copic E49, Hobby Lobby doily, hand-crocheted flower, Dymo labeler, misc. brad, Jenni Bowlin brown sugar acrylic paint, sewing machine

Now let's look at some close-up details. To create the birds, I used the Memory Box Madeleine Bird die {98424} and cut two birds out of thin chipboard. I turned one over to have them facing opposite directions. I then stamped a portion of the Memory Box Moonlight Woods stamp {F1885} onto each bird for a decorative look. I love that decorative small grid pattern. Memory Box does makes two stamps that fit perfectly with the Madeleine Bird die. They are called the Solid Madeleine Bird stamp {D1879} and Outline Madeleine Bird stamp {D1878}. I did not use them, however, because I wanted the wings to stick up instead of being alongside the body.

For the papers, I chose to use the older Valise paper and the Gossamer paper because of their colors and because of the Valise ticket. Both of these colors were exactly what I wanted for my notebook this year. And all lettering on my notebook was done with the new Memory Box Typewriter Upper Alphabet {98367} and Typewriter Lower Alphabet {98366} dies using the Memory Box vanilla bean distressed dots paper. You can probably see that I also splatterd some paint onto the notebook for a fun look too. 

I hope you have enjoyed my notebook. Thanks for stopping by! See you again shortly!

A {Tin} Tutorial!

Today is my day to share some of the new Memory Box Holiday 2012 goodies on the DT blog! I have a tutorial sharing how I make a gift list tin! Here is a little sneak:

(Note: click photo to enlarge)

So, head on over to the DT blog and be sure to leave a comment over there so that you are entered for a chance to win one of the new dies. Remember, to see the entire new release, click here! Blessings,

Memory Box 2012 Holiday Collection!

Okay, it's that time of year--time to start sharing what goodies Memory Box is releasing for the 2012 Holiday Season! So today, I thought I would share a quick card using 4 of the new Memory Box dies that will be released with the Holiday Collection:

Here is the card I created:

Papers: Memory Box distressed mango, dill, mocha, moroccan sqush, and distressed vanilla bean; misc. craft notecard and paper
Stamp Ink: Colorbox Fluid Chalk chestnut roan
Memory Box Die Cuts: Penne Frame 98387, Typewriter Upper Alphabet 98367, Typewriter Lower Alphabet 98366, Fresh Leaves 98406
Other supplies: May Arts twine, American Crafts buttons, Cuttlebug forest branches embossing folder

To create:

1. Die cut 5 leaves using various Memory Box papers with the new Memory Box Fresh Leaves {98406} die. I used Memory Box papers--distressed mango, dill, mocha, and moroccan squash.

2. Sew through the center of each leaf along the embossed line using brown thread. Trim threads and set leaves aside.

3. Die cut the new Memory Box Penne Frame {98387} using Memory Box distressed vanilla bean paper. Set aside.

4. Die cut the word "Fall" using the new Memory Box Typewriter Upper Alphabet {98367} and the Typewriter Lower Alphabet {98366} dies with Memory Box distressed mango paper.

5. Ink the edges of all die cuts (except the lowercase alpha letters) using Colorbox Fluid Chalk chestnut roan ink.

6. Adhere the letters to the die cut frame set aside in Step 3. I used my Xyron X to put adhesive on the letters.

7. Trim a sheet of miscellaneous kraft paper to 4" x 5 1/4" and emboss with an embossing folder. I used the Cuttlebug forest branches folder. Sew around the edges using brown thread. Trim strings.

8. Adhere the embossed piece to your 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" kraft card.

9. Arrange leaves set aside in Step 2, and adhere to your card.

10. To finish, adhere your "fall" frame, and add buttons and twine. 

You can view the 2012 Holiday Collection by checking here in a few days, and next week the DT will have another blog blitz sharing lots of holiday creations using all of the new goodies! You won't want to miss out! See ya again soon! Thanks for stopping by!

Canvas Bookmarks {Part 2}

Today we will be finishing our bookmarks. If you missed Part 1 of this tutorial, be sure to click here to begin your bookmarks.

Supplies needed for Part 2:

*Your painted canvas fabric

*acrylic paint

*Paintbrush

*Memory Box solid image stamp

*Black pen

*Magnets

*Glossy Accents

*Sewing machine

To continue creating your bookmarks (click photos to enlarge):

6. Cut your painted canvas into 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" pieces. You should be able to get 8 bookmarks out of your painted piece plus 2 little extra pieces for smaller bookmarks. Each piece will have a different background making each bookmark unique. So fun!

7. Choose a solid Memory Box stamp. I chose the Sonoma Print {C1311} stamp. You can also use different stamps on each bookmark for fun but since I am still unpacking it was easiest for me to use the same image this time. The Sonoma Print stamp also fits very nicely on the 1 1/2" bookmark.

8. Stamp the image you have chosen onto each bookmark using acrylic paint. You can use the same image with different colors of paint on each bookmark, or you can make them all the same, or can use different stamps as I stated above. There are lots of ways to create these. The reason I use acrylic paint for this step instead of Archival Ink is because I want this to be the focal point of the bookmark, and the stamp ink just does not show up enough. Paint shows up great! I chose to use 3 different colors of paint--black, dark brown, and olive green.

9. Set aside each bookmark to dry or use a heat tool.

10. Using your sewing machine and any thread you choose, sew "messy" around the edge of each bookmark. I use a straight stitch and go back and forth until I have gone around the entire bookmark. Here you can see the messy stitching along with a close-up photo. Trim strings when done.

11. Fold bookmark in half, and sew messy across the top. This will keep the bookmark folded and allow for a small part of the bookmark to stick above your page making it very easy to find your spot in your book. Trim all strings. Here you can see the front and back of my bookmarks. Notice that the Memory Box Sonoma Print only shows on the front of the bookmark. I like the different look of the boldness on the front and the softness of the back. It also allows you to truly know which page you are on. :)

Note: I usually sign the back of my bookmarks with my initials and the year. Forgot to take a photo though. Sorry. :)

12. Glue magnet pieces using Glossy Accents to the inside front and back of each bookmark. I use bulk rolled magnet that you can buy at most craft stores. I just trim 2 tiny pieces and glue to the bookmark. I then put my piece of granite on top of the bookmark to allow the magnet to dry very well to the canvas. I have one bookmark I made last year, and the magnet is still going strong. It has not detached from the canvas since I used Glossy Accents.

13. You now should have 8 bookmarks to giveaway or enjoy for yourself. 

Here are how my bookmarks turned out. I really love how the tiny ones turned out too as well as the olive green bookmark:

I also love the subtleness of the Memory Box Vintage Dreams (G1838) stamp seen here in this close-up:

And here you can see where I used gesso to stamp the Memory Box Whisper Print Geranium (G1864) stamp onto the canvas. I then outlined with black pen once the gesso was dry.

Supplies used in today's portion of the tutorial include:

Stamps: Memory Box Whisper Print Geranium G1864, Memory Box Vintage Dreams G1838, Memory Box Sonoma Print C1311
Paint/Inks: Adirondack Dabber lettuce and pitch black; Golden Fluid Acrylic van Dyke Brown Hue
Other supplies: sewing machine, magnets

Finished Size for Large Bookmark: 3 1/4" x 1 1/2"

Finished Size for Scrap/Smaller Bookmark: 1 3/4" x  1 1/2"

I hope you found these a lot of fun to make. I love making them, and I love how unique each one turns out! I don't think I can ever get tired of these! Thanks for joining me. Blessings,

Canvas Bookmarks {Part 1}

Last year, I made a canvas bookmark that I love! I use it all of the time but I find I want more--one because I read several books at once, and two because I want to give away some as gifts. So, I thought I would take these next couple of posts to walk you through the steps of how I make canvas bookmarks. Note that this will get messy, and there is no wrong way to do this. Just have fun and get inky!

Supplies needed for Part 1:

*Canvas fabric

*Gesso

*Paintbrush

*Memory Box stamps (a floral and a text are great for this)

*Archival Ink

*Spray inks and paints

*Bubble wrap and other templates

*Black pen

Before creating your bookmark, be sure to cover your work surface. I am using the paper used to wrap our fragile goods during our move. It works great and keeps my surface clean. You will be painting and using spray inks so you will want to make sure it's covered.

To create your bookmark (click photos to enlarge):

1. Cut a 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" piece of canvas fabric. This piece will actually make several bookmarks.

2. Cover one side with gesso and let dry or dry with a heat tool.

3. Begin covering your canvas with inks and spray paints using different colors, templates, bubble wrap, etc., and just get messy! Dry between layers if necessary or use a heat tool.

4. Using Archival Ink (I like to use black ink), stamp all over your piece with several different Memory Box stamps. I used the Whisper Print Geranium (G1864) and Vintage Dreams (G1838) stamps on this part of the canvas. Be sure to press hard as the images do not show up as well on canvas.

5. Using a black pen (I use Pentel EnerGel), trace around some of the designs on your canvas randomly.

Supplies used in today's portion of the tutorial include:

Stamps: Memory Box Whisper Print Geranium G1864, Memory Box Vintage Dreams G1838
Stamp Ink: Archival Ink black
Paint/Inks: Adirondack Dabber willow and lettuce; Liquitex Ink yellow oxide and cadmium yellow light hue
Spray Inks: Distress Ink tattered rose and shabby shutters
Other supplies: Liquitex gesso, Pentel EnerGel pen, various templates and bubble wrap

I will share how I finish the bookmarks in my next post. So for now, have fun painting and stamping! And if you have questions, be sure to ask in the comment section. I will reply there! Enjoy!

A Little {Recycled} Something

Well, I had high hopes for yesterday. My room is coming along--not great but coming along. I had my paper rack all set up, paper put away, and as I was reaching into a box, I heard this LOUD thud. I look back, and my entire paper rack is on the floor, broken into 6 pieces, and paper everywhere. So, looks like I will be replacing the paper rack immediately! I noticed it was more "wobbly" when I put it up. I think during the move something unnoticeable happened to it and then once it was set up again, it crashed.

Anyway, with that devastating crash yesterday, I threw in the towel and decided to treat myself to some crafting. Now, it certainly isn't easy to create in this mess but I made it work. I also have not been able to find my photography goodies so I had to take a photo of my little creation with my point and shoot. I don't care for how the photo turned out but hopefully you will get the idea. So, here is my first creation in my new "incomplete" space:

Papers: Memory Box cherry blossom nc and wassail cs, recycled packing paper
Stamps: Memory Box Whisper Print Leaf G1862, Memory Box Makes Me Smile B1765
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink aged mahogany, Adirondack espresso
Glimmer Mist: Flower Power, Brick, Pink Taffy, and Lemon Zest
Embellishments: May Arts ribbon, Tim Holtz memo pin, sewing machine

To create this card, I decided to recycle some of the zillions of pounds of packing paper that we have gotten as we unbox our belongings. The local trash people take all of the boxes and paper to the recycling place but I have decided to keep a bit of this paper for myself. :) Here is how I created the card:

1. Spritz a sheet of packing paper with 4 different colors of Glimmer Mist. Note, the paper used by local stores to wrap breakables in is the same wonderful paper I used. You can recycle that next time you buy something fragile. 

2. Trim the recycled paper to 4"x5 1/4".

3. Stamp the paper randomly with the new Memory Box Whisper Print Leaf {G1862} stamp. I used Distress Ink aged mahogany ink.

4. Adhere the paper to a piece of Memory Box wassail cardstock. Sew around the edges.

5. Trim, add ribbon, and attach to a Memory Box cherry blossom notecard.

6. Using the Memory Box Makes Me Smile {B1765} stamp, create your sentiment on a scrap piece of wassail cardstock and attach to a pin to finish.

I hope you have enjoyed this little "recycled" card. I hope to unbox more goodies as well as find my photography supplies by my next post. So, I better get hunting! Thanks for stopping by! 

No Stamps?

Well, we have arrived in our new town, and we closed on our new home 1 1/2 weeks ago. The movers delivered 432 boxes along with our furniture, and I have not been able to find my stamps yet! Oh my! Here is what my poor studio looks like at the moment:

And here are the boxes we put out for the trash last Thursday:

I did find my Memory Box cardstock and some older Memory Box die cuts but no stamps. If I don't find some stamps today, I may just post a fun creation with "limited supplies." Just thought I would give y'all an update. Hang in there with me. I am SO ready to create something! See ya again shortly!

Moving Update!

Okay, the move is in full swing! The packers arrive this morning and will be here for 2 days. Then the truck arrives Thursday, and they will take 2 days to load the truck. Then we travel across country with our family of 5 and 4 animals (1 animal is being shipped). Yes, we have a zoo. Anyway, I had hoped to get more posted before I had to pack but it has been a bit wild around here--much more than I expected. So, please accept my apologies but with that being said--get ready for lots of posts when I am "up and creating." I will have this new beautiful space as my new studio:

And I intended to use it for lots of creative fun! So, I can't wait to begin sharing with you. Hold tight, and I will see ya in the beginning of July sometimes! Thanks for understanding, and I can't wait to be back!