Saturday, November 30, 2013

ScrapFriends Giveaway

ScrapFriends is having a giveaway on their site!!  Here is what they are giving away!!  Go check it out!


Join us for a chance to win this pack! 


Includes:
  • Amy Tangerine - Sketchbook - Daybook Stitched Chapter;
  • Crate Paper - Peppermint - Buttons;
  • Hello Dreams - Badge Buttons;
  • Basic Grey - Serenade - Mixed Brads;
  • Basic Grey - Lucille - Mixed Brads;
  • Basic Grey - Serenade - Flags and Banners;
  • Basic Grey - Lucille - Embroidered Tags;
  • Heidi Swapp - Sugar Chic - Stix;
  • Cosmo Cricket - Wood Charms - Snowflakes;
  • Studio Calico - Chevron Mask;
  • Teresa Collins - Memorabilia - Sequins;
  • Teresa Collins - Santa's List - Sequins.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Joy for the Holidays

Hey Peeps!

How's it going?  Are all you guys here in the US ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow?  I'm getting there...ha  Today I'm prepping food and doing some baking.  But I thought I would sneak away for a bit and share a card I made.


I made this card using my Embossalicious Let It Snow 6" x 6" embossing folder and some random cardstock from my stash.  It was a just a left over bit that I had still sitting out.  In fact all of the paper I used in this project were just scraps that I hadn't put away yet.  So this worked perfectly and I didn't have to put them away any more since I used them! ha

I went for pretty clean and simple.  I just cut the paper scraps into flag shapes and layered them on my embossed base card.  Then grabbed my Stamp It Australia Twinkle - Joy and Spirit stamp set and I using Memento Tuxedo Black ink stamped out my sentiment onto a scrap piece of Ultra Smooth Premium white cardstock.  Then I die cut it out.  I also die cut a circle from card stock to mat the sentiment on.

I finished up the card by custom coloring my clear bling with my Spectrum Noir CR5.

Oh by the way, have you seen that Crafter's Companion has a Spectrum Noir Alcohol Marker Trial pack for less than $4!!??  It comes with two markers and all the goodies and instructions you will need to complete a finished tag project.  So if you have been thinking of getting some of the Spectrum Noir markers and were just not sure, here is your chance to kind of "try them before you buy them".

Well there you have it, a quick and easy Christmas card that would be perfect for the November Christmas/Winter Challenge at Crafter's Companion.   And if you haven't already joined in on the this challenge at Crafter's Companion you still have a couple of days to participate.  So go get busy!! (smile)  Don't you want to win a nice gift certificate so you can go shopping?!

Thanks for stopping and looking today.  Until next time...happy scrapping!

Stacy H-W

Friday, November 22, 2013

Thank You So Much

Hi guys!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I am always needing thank you cards and I realized that my supply was running low so I decided to make a little thank you card today to share.


I love working from scraps off my desk.  I'm weird...I know. haha  I recently made a layout using the reverse side of this polka dot paper and this scrap was sitting on my desk along with the chocolate brown card stock that I used for the base of my card.  I've been wanting to use this fun wooden owl from Kaisercraft that I have been hoarding in my stash and I thought it would be perfect as the focal point of my card.

I just received these fantastic Everyday Sentimentals Stamps that I was just itching to use so I pulled the "Thank You So Much" stamp and stamped it onto Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock.  I colored in part of the text with my Spectrum Noir marker - TN2.  I trimmed the stamped sentiment into a flag shape.  I used a wooden toothpick from my kitchen to make a flag pole and give my little owl something to hold on to!

I had this great orange wired ribbon in my stash and I pulled out my Ultimate Tool and made a quick bow.  It was the perfect finishing touch.  

I hope you like it.

Until next time...happy scrapping!

Stacy

Friday, November 15, 2013

A Launch and a Sneak!

Hi guys!

I have a fun sneak peaks at two new stamp launches!!  Well one is launching today and the other is a sneak peak of another launch coming up soon. The first one is a new launch from Sheena Douglass.  Who doesn't love Sheena's gorgeous stamps!?  I know I do!!!!  These stamps launch today!


This is a new A Little Bit Scenic set - Sheena Douglass Scenic A5 Stamp - Sea Scape's I stamped out a beach scene and colored it with my Spectrum Noir markers in - TN1, TN2, TN3, IB1, IB2, DG3 and DG4.  I also stamped a bird and fussy cut it out and used double sided adhesive to adhere it to the sky area on my card.

I stamped out the sentiment from the other sneak peak stamp launch.  This launch is for Everyday Sentimentals!  They are fantastic!  There are tons of great sentiments and sayings.  Can you say - LOVE?  I'm always looking for new sentiments to use and I know I will be using these over and over.  These launch on November 22nd so keep an eye out for them.

First, I stamped out the sentiment onto Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock.  Next out came my Spectrum Noir markers in TN1 and TN2.  Then I die cut the colored sentiment and added it to my card with  double sided adhesive squares.

Now you need to rush on over to Crafter's Companion and check out Sheena's new stamp set!  Thanks for visiting today.

Until next time...happy scrapping!

Stacy

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Crafter's Companion and Xyron - 30 Days of Gifts

Hello Everyone!!

Welcome to the blog today.  I have a something special to share with you today.  Crafter's Companion and Xyron have teamed up for Xyron's 30 Days of Gifts.  I was pretty excited when heard this good news and super stoked when I received some Xyron goodies in the mail to use.


I decided I would make an ornament, an exploding box to put it in and a card to go along with it.  Want to learn how I did it?


Let's start with the ornament.  I have had this idea in my head for a little while and I'm happy that I finally decided to turn it into a real ornament.   I started with a 3 1/8" clear glass store bought ornament.


I took the metal hanging bit off and set it to the side.  Next I got my Crafter's Companion Spray and Sparkle in Multicolour and my ornament and went outside.  I went outside because you need a well ventilated area to spray your spray and sparkle.  I sprayed the ornament and brought it in to dry.  It dried very quickly.


Next I pulled out a sheet of Transparency Film (or you could use vellum).  My plan was to stamp out a holiday stamp onto the transparency and color it.  I used Stazon - Jet Black ink to stamp out the adorable mouse from my Makey Bakey Christmas stamp set - Trimming the Tree.


After the ink dried I turned it over and colored the image using my Spectrum Noir markers in DG2, DG3, DG4, IG1, IG2, IG8, TN2, TN3, TN4, TN8, GB6, GB10, CR5, CR8 and PP5.  (The colors are much lighter on the transparency so you will probably want to use brighter colors or test your colors out first)


The next step is to cut out the image into a circle.  I used my Martha Stewart circle cutter and cut a 3" circle.


Then you just roll up the circle and insert it into the top hole of the ornament.

Sadly, it doesn't photograph very well. But it is super cute in real life!

I added some Stampendous Shaved Ice to the inside of the ornament to emulate snow.  You could easily use glitter here if you want.  To finish up my ornament I pulled out my Ultimate tool and some wired red ribbon and made a sweet bow to adhere to the top. Top Tip:  If you use transparency film that is printer safe, you could easily print out a family photo to use inside of the ornament instead of using a stamped and colored image

You can't have an ornament for a gift and not have a gift box to put it in can you?!  So I grabbed my Ultimate Tool and got busy making an Exploding Box for my ornament.


I started with a piece of card stock cut to 11 1/2" square.  Using my Boxer scoreboard, I scored all 4 sides at 4".

Next I trimmed out each corner following along the score lines.  It looks like a cross now.  This will be the main body of your box.  Now just set this box piece aside.


To make the lid, I cut a piece of paper to 5" squared and scored it on all 4 sides at 7/8"


Next you trim a "V" at each corner.  And then fold and smooth each scored line.  Then turn over paper.


I added adhesive to each tab with my Xyron Mega Runner and then adhered each sticky tab on the inside to form the box lid.

Here is what it should look like.

Now that the lid is made, you need to follow the same process to make the "ornament holder" for the inside of the box.  I started with a piece of paper cut 4" square and scored it on all 4 side at 5/8".  Fold and smooth score lines and then trim "V's" in each corner.  


For this I decided to use my Xyron High Tack 3/16th" Adhesive Dots to each of the tabs.  Then I folded it  together as I did for the box lid.  These glue dots really worked fabulously for a quick tight hold. 

Now grab the box base that you cut out first and your Xyron Mega Runner.  I know that this looks amazingly like a box lid but if you turn it over it is now the ornament holder that you will adhere to the inside of your exploding box to keep your ornament in place.  


I put adhesive on the bottom of the ornament holder using my Xyron Mega Runner.  (it might be easier to add it to the bottom before you fold it all together)


Then I centered it in the inside of my box base and pressed it down.  Now you just need to decorate the inside and outside of your exploding box.  


I fussy cut some cute little Christmas characters from a sheet of patterned paper and had fun using my Xyron  1 1/2" Create a Sticker.  It is so super easy and fun to use.


After I trimmed out a character I fed it into the top of the sticker maker.


Then I just pulled down on the adhesive tape on the bottom until the character was completely out of the machine.  There is a ridged edge on the bottom to make it easy to trim the adhesive tape.


Then you just rub your finger over the image and peel off the top paper.  You are left with a sticker.  When you peel off the bottom paper you will have adhesive on the back of your character.  I fussy cut 4 different characters and added one to the outside of each panel of my box.  I added a flower to the top of my box lid and layered paper on each inside panel of the box.

I also made 4 floating decorations out of transparency film strips and and snow flakes from my stash.  I adhered each snowflake to acetate with my Xyron High Tack 3/16" Adhesive dots and added some crystal gems to each side of the snowflake using them also.  I colored the gems with my Spectrum Noir pen in DR5. Next I folded the end of the acetate strips a little bit (I didn't measure it) and tucked one under the ornament holder in each corner)


Last thing to do was make my card.  I decided to go pretty clean and simple.  


Using Memento Ink in Rich Cocoa, I stamped out the Reindeer sentiment from the Stamp It Australia Twinkle stamp set - Believe onto Ultra Smooth Premium white cardstock.  I sprinkled on some clear embossing powder and heat set it.  Then I die cut it out and colored it with Spectrum Noir EB1.  All that was left to do was layer it on to my base card with some other papers and finish it with a pretty bow and some Skittles.

Please check out the Xyron - Facebook page and follow along on their 30 Days of Gifts.  There will be prizes given away during this pairing so be sure and leave comments on the Crafter's Companion blog, Crafter's Companion facebook page and on the Crafter's Companion DT blogs (links to all DT blogs are on the sidebar of the Crafter's Companion blog.  You can find more giveaway information on November 15th on the Crafter's Companion blog.  You have until November 18th to leave your comments to try to win.

I will be entering this in:

 Anything Goes with Ribbon Challenge at Crafty Ribbons
Gift Bag or Box Challenge at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge
Glitter It Challenge at Happy Campers Craft Collective
Glitter Challenge at Hanna and Friends
CAS(E) this Sketch #54 at CAS(E) this Sketch
Challenge 71 Anything Goes at Addicted to Stamps
Anything Goes/CAS at Creative Moments

Thanks for stopping by today and looking!  Until next time...happy scrapping!

Stacy

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Harper Family Reunion

Hi guys!  How is your weekend going?  I've been trying to be a bit scrappy this weekend.  I've been out of the game for awhile after my wrist surgery so it is nice to feel up to a scrappy marathon!


I decided to do Fia's Color Challenge at Sketches4all.  I just really loved all the colors.  So next I searched for a sketch to inspire me and finally found the best one at GrandDivas Creative Corner.  In addition to her sketch challenge, she encourages you to combine her challenge with two other challenge from her scrappy friends Rochelle Spears Theme Challenge: "Family" and Kristi B's Stash Challenge: "Polka Dots & Chevrons".  So I did!  


My Mind's Eye had the perfect papers for me to use - Vintage Christmas by Katie Pertiet.  So gorgeous!  And all just the perfect colors for Fia's Color challenge!!  And loaded with dots and chevrons for Kristi B's challenge!  Score!  hehe

I got busy layering my papers.  I can't tell you how many times it took before I got the paper "V's" correct!  I was having a total brain fart but they finally came out right.  LOL


I had these cute decorative bags from Fancy Pants - Merry Little Christmas line that I was itching to use so I tucked one behind a photo and added a tag in it for some hidden journaling.  I really enjoyed doing the hand stitching to frame in the focal point too.

I used some photos from our Annual Harper Family Reunion/Christmas Party that we have every first Saturday in December in Texas.  These folks are my family from my biological Dad's side of the family.  I just LOVE them all so much and I am so happy that my Aunt and Uncle host this party every year!  The kids were having fun making "horse faces" and getting us all to laugh and we always gather everyone for a group photo each year.

Here is a photo of the birthday boy, his sister and I being silly! ha

Speaking of family, my son, Riley turns 8 tomorrow!  So be expecting a birthday layout soon! ha

Until next time...happy scrapping!

Stacy

Friday, November 8, 2013

Wishing You Joy and Happiness

Hello and welcome!

How's life treating you?  Good?  If not, maybe you need to treat yourself!  Treat yourself to some of these fabulous Stamp-It Twinkle stamp sets!  I did!! ha


Crafter's Companion has a Christmas/Winter challenge going on this month and I couldn't wait to join in.  I was inspired to make this particular card after I saw the awesome sketch today at Sunday Stamps.   My friend, Jessica has a Non-Traditional Color Christmas Challenge at Sketches4all that I thought I would play on too.

To start I pulled out some fun green cardstock and my 6" X 6" Embossalicious Embossing Folder - Let it Snow.  I embossed the top of the base card in my eBosser. Then I grabbed some sand paper and sanded the top to help show the beautiful snowflake design.


I pulled out the Stamp-It Twinkle EZMount Stamp Set - Joy & Spirit.  Then I grabbed a piece of Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock and my Spectrum Noir pen in CG2.  I colored a area on the paper and then I stamped out my sentiment with Tsukineko VersaMark ink.  





I sprinkled on some opaque white embossing powder and then heat embossed it.  I die cut the sentiment out and now have custom colored topper!  LOVE it!  



I added it onto papers that I layered on the card base.  It needed a little something more so I pulled out my Ultimate Tool and made a sweet little hot pink bow to add.  Easy peasy!

Now it is your turn to make a Christmas/Winter project for the Crafter's Companion Challenge this month.  There are actually two challenges over there this month and the other one is "Baby".  Two chances to win!  Better get to scrapping! ha  

Until next time...happy scrapping!

Stacy

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

The Journey is the Reward

Happy Tuesday!

I have a layout to share with you today.  We had a three day weekend and I took advantage of it to make a layout of my Mom and her sister.  It is from our annual trip to Arkansas in the fall for the craft festivals.  They are being silly in the photos.




I started with a fun sketch from Sketch N Scrap.  Their November sketch was just too cute to not use!   I used the beautiful fall colors of the November DT Color Challenge from Sketches4all to inspire my color choices. 


I grabbed some papers from my stash and got busy scrapping!  I had fun stamping using the Sheena A Little Bit Oriental EZMount Stamp Set - Lanterns to add the leaves and branches.  I stamped them twice once with Memento ink in Rich Cocoa, and then a second time with Tsukineko Delicata Golden Glitz Ink.  I just love the creamy glow of the Delicata ink!


I sprayed my tag with Color Shine in Mustard and then I stamped out the sentiment on the tag using my Sheena A Little Bit Oriental EZMount Stamp Set - Oriental Silhouette.  I inked the edges with my Distress Ink Pad - Brushed Corduroy to give it a more weathered look.

I hope you like it!  Thanks for visiting.  Until next time...happy scrapping! 

Stacy