Present-ation is Everything…

  

     I love the ease of purchasing gift cards.  Not only are they easy to send but the recipient can get just what they want with it.  However, I always feel bad that they don’t really have anything to “open”.  I came across these adorable “presents” on my sideline’s blog, Stamping Inspiration.  She even included the measurements.  I’m sure you will agree, Marie Shaughnessy is an uber talented crafter!  You may have seen her work on SplitCoastStampers as well.  For the presents in the above photo, I used Deck the Halls DSP and coordinating card stock.  For the others, I was able to use more of the retired papers that I’ve been hoarding.  I’m on a mission to use it all…only to justify the buying of more, of course :) 

     I absolutely adored Marie’s “bow” topper and had to try for myself.  These are simply made with the small and large oval punches.  I secured them together with a Glitter Brad.  Now that’s thinking outside the box!!

     I love these little presents!  Change the DSP and you have a present for any occasion.  They are really quick and easy to make too!  That’s always a plus!  Thanks to Marie for her inspiration.  Be sure to stop by and check out her blog.  Thanks to you for stopping in today.  I hope you have a super day!

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased HERE unless noted as retired. :)

Newsprint Note Set

     Way back when the Newsprint Designer Series paper first came out, I had said that I was going to make a set of cards for my aunt for Christmas.  Well, as promised, here’s the set…finally!  Once again, I used this super simple scrappy design.  I seem to be stuck in this DSP rut (if you can call it a rut).  I’m just really enjoying using up the DSP’s that I’ve been hoarding for such a long time.  And the cards are simply gorgeous…if I say so myself.  And isn’t that what crafting and creating is all about?  It’s about what makes YOU happy!  Right?  I LOVE the way this set turned out.

       

     I won’t bore you with all the deets of each card.  I started with the basics for each: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler and Newsprint DSP.  I found that I needed to stamp the flourish from Elements of Style in Cherry Cobbler on the DSP to give it visual interest.  Otherwise, the paper just got lost and looked out of place on the starkness of the card base.  The main image flowers and the sentiments mostly came from the Watercolor Trio set.  My Kind Dear & Wonderful Friend is found in the All Holidays set.  I, also, used Thoughts & Prayers and a few retired sets as well.  Inks were all Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and a little So Saffron.  All pieces of the Basic Black card stock was run through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Textured Embossing folder.  I used very few accessories, some Black Flourish Designer Jewels (snipped apart) and some paper piercing.

    I made a box with a clear acetate lid and added in a coordinating pen.  Decorating the front with the coordinating goodies just put the icing on the cake. 

     I really enjoyed making this set.  My aunt loved it!  I only wish I could have been there to give it to her in person.  I hope you’ve been inspired to make something nice for someone special in your life.  This would make a very nice teacher’s gift too!  Thanks for stopping in today.

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased HERE unless otherwise noted as being retired. 

Snowflake Candle Holders

     I love making handmade gifts for every occasion.  Go figure…I’m in the right business, aren’t I?  I can’t take credit for these lovely snowflake tea light candle holders but I can’t remember just where I had seen them. 

     Here’s how I made them…

     Using the Big Shot and the Snowflake #2 die, I cranked out two flakes in, of all materials, roof flashing.  The flashing material is aluminum.  I’m not sure the gauge but it is just a smidge thicker than a soda can.  Thus, it holds it’s shape very nicely.  It isn’t as sharp edged as the soda cans either.  Although, I would recommend being extremely careful when using anything aluminum.  The Craft & Rubber scissors cut through this aluminum with ease.  Cutting smaller pieces off the large roll makes it so much easier to work with.  I punched a hole in the snowflake center with my Crop-a-dile (again…very easy to punch through).  I placed the flakes on top one another and secured the center with a brad of choice.  Next, I pulled one point from the bottom flake up through the top flake.  The next bottom point was pulled down to create the holder’s “legs”.  The next point came up through and the next pulled down.  You get the idea…repeat until all points on the bottom flake are either up or down.  The top flake remains flat.  I simply shaped the points around a tea light candle and the holder is complete. 

Here’s a side and top view of the completed holder…

     

     I finished off the top of the tea light candles with a stamped snowflake (Season of Joy set) in Cherry Cobbler on tissue paper.  Lay the tissue paper on the candle and use the heat gun to melt it into the wax.  This was the first time I have ever done this technique…way cool!  My boys even thought it was “cool”!  This is the finished set that I made for my sister.  It turned out really beautiful!  I made a set in blue for my mom and my sister-in-law too.  Super easy gift idea!  Took very little time and hardly any effort (just don’t tell anyone).

     Thank you to whomever’s blog I cased this idea from.  Sure wish I could remember so as to give proper credit.  I hope you enjoyed and could draw some inspiration from this project too.

Hugs,

Leslee

All Stampin’ Up! supplies used can be purchased HERE.  Tea lights and roof flashing purchased elsewhere :)

Finishing with Flakes

     

     Quick post today!  I finished my Christmas cards with this super simple and stylishly elegant card.  The card base is Crumb Cake.  I randomly stamped the flakes from the Serene Snowflakes set in Whisper White, Crumb Cake and VersaMark inks.  The sentiment, from Christmas Greetings, is stamped in Basic Black Craft ink.  I like the vibrant look of the craft inks on the card stock.  On some of the cards, I used 1/8” Basic Black Taffeta ribbon.  All of the cards were blinged with Jewels Basic Rhinestones.  A quick change of the sentiment and you would have a lovely thank you or winter greeting card.

     Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you have been inspired.

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased HERE. 

Been Way Too Long!!

     I sure have missed my blog!  However, just because I haven’t been blogging, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been creating.  With Christmas projects, class parties and PTA, I’ve been very busy over the last two months.  Add in there sick kids, snow days and hubby being home since Thanksgiving…I’ve had my hands full.  Unfortunately, my blog is the first thing I must give up when ‘me time’ is at a minimum.  Thank you for hanging in there with me.  I’m hoping that the new year brings lots of time for creating.  So, my apologies said, how about something creative?  I thought so!

 

     I’m sure you are tired of seeing Christmas cards by now but I had to show you just how cute this set of cards turned out.  Of course, the DSP, focal image and sentiment can easily be changed to feature any occasion.  I showed this set at a workshop held just before Christmas.  I wanted to show just how easy this entire set could be made with very limited stamps and supplies.  Here’s the recipe… 2 and 1/2 sheets of Very Vanilla, 1/2 sheet of Early Espresso and 6”x6” piece of Deck the Halls DSP.  Mix carefully and add a pinch of bling (Jewels Basic Rhinestones).  There you have it…no fuss, no mess!  It’s mass production made simple! 

       

     I used two sets, Dasher and Christmas Greetings, and only two inks, Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler.  I love this color combination!  Other accessories used were the Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions folder, the mat pack and paper piercing tool.  This simple card design is so easy to use.  Seems I’ve been using it lots.  It’s a good way to use up the DSP I’ve been hoarding for way too long! 

     I hope you enjoyed your Christmas?  I did!  It’s time to get back to business though.  I’ll be posting more regularly…now that things are back to normal (if there is such a thing) :)  I’ve missed you!

Hugs,

Leslee

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased here with the exclusion of the Deck the Halls DSP.