Wedding Joy

We just returned from Toronto where we attended my nephew's wedding.  It was so beautiful and he and his new wife clearly love each other very much!  I wish them all the love and joy that marriage brings.  As well, we got to visit with family, nice since we live on opposite sides of the country and don't get to see each other very often. 

I was honored to be asked to make the wedding invitations, which I did and gave them as a wedding gift. I also created thank you cards that went with the theme of the wedding. 

For a small gift to give at the wedding, I made these wine bottle lables that also come with a poem about each special event.  I got the idea from someone else on the www here but I can't find the name of the blog and I'm so tired -- so speak up if it is you so I can give credit where credit is due!!!   Edited - I found the site -- It is from Starlit Studio - Cindy Lyles (she's brilliant!!).  HERE is the direct link to her blog and you will see that I really did get my inspiration from her. 

I hope you enjoy checking out these wedding items.  Remember, if you want to see any of them a bit larger you just need to click on the picture (and if that doesn't work try right clicking on the image and then selecting 'open' from the menu).

Thanks for dropping in. 

Donelda

Sleeping with Strawberries with Bookmark

I have been on a totally Strawberry kick the last few days so I thought I would bring you a week of Strawberry Inspiration!! Each day this week I have a strawberry card. You should see all the different styles that I have in store!! This is a wonderful project to do with large images like the big House Mouse Stamps. I started out by stamping the image twice. I colored one in full using my colored pencils and 'gamsol'. On the other image, I only colored in the main part of the image. I created the card with the full image. Then the fun part. I cut the partially colored image, matted it onto a piece of cardstock that was folded in half. I adhered magnets inside the 2 bottom parts of the folded cardstock so that it becomes a bookmark. When mailing it to the recipient the bookmark stays on the card. Upon recieving the card they can use the bookmark! My 'strawberry kick' started with the creating of this card for the Cards Blog challenge last week (which didn't get picked for). Strawberries are one of my very favorite summer time treats and I think they are beautiful images to create with!! Do you love strawberries too??? Thanks for dropping in for a visit today! Make sure you drop back in the rest of the week to see all the other strawberry cards!! Donelda

St. Patrick's Day Treats

I made these for my son to take to school for his friends. They were pretty easy to make. Just created little matchbooks, punched the holes and then added the chocolate coins!

I am posting a few days early in case anyone needed a quick easy idea for treats!

Hope you have a great Sunday!

Donelda

KLSNS Challenge #15 - Sketch

The gals over at KL Stampin N Scrapin have posted this awesome sketch to use as a challenge. I kinda swayed a bit from the basics here but the general layout follows the basics of the sketch.

This is actually a magnet and I am planning on sending it to my mom for a valentine gift with her card. I cut the square, scallop square, and circle using my Nestabilities. The rest is all bits and pieces put together!! I think it turned out pretty good and I am considering making a few more for myself and some other friends/relatives!

Supplies: Stamps - Background Basics: Text Style, Beyond Basic Borders, Limitless Labels (all Papertrey Ink); Ink - Walnut Ink (Ranger) Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink); Paper - Brown (Bazzil), Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up!), Green (scrap, unknown); Other-butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), various Nestabilities (Spellbinders), button (Papertrey Ink), twine (Stampin' Up!), brown marker, decorative scissors (Provocraft).

Hope you have a great day! Thanks for dropping by my little corner of blogland!!

Donelda

Papertrey Ink November Blog Hop - Last Minute Gifts

Yes, it is Papertrey Ink's Blog Hop time again (25th of each month) and this time I was determined to participate!! I keep seeming to miss them!! This month, Nichole is really thinking smart because she challenged us to create "a quick and inexpensive wrap or tag that can be the perfect solution for 'grab & go' gifts". Well, I love to bake and give away my cooking as gifts. It is always nice to have a few extra dozen for last minute gifts. I decided to take a simple brown paper bag to use as my 'inexpensive wrap'. I used my Labels 1 nestability die and traced it onto the center of the bag and using my Fiskers cutter, carfully cut it out (making sure I put a small cutting mat inside). Then I adhered a piece of acetate on the inside so it was like a window.

Next was the decorating part. I really wanted snowflakes...but I don't own the PTI set of

snowflakes. However, I discovered that in the newish Vintage Picnic set, there is this awesome snowflake image and a holiday sentiment. Maybe you didn't realize it was there or didn't think to reach for a "summery" themed stamp set to use for Christmas??!! I stamped the snowflake all over the bag in white and then a bit in brown. Then, I added the little "bits" stamp from the Remember set ... it is just a bunch of little dots and looks just like fuzzy little snow bits blowing around in the sky. I created a topper, added my cookies (these are just store bought for now) and stapled the topper to the top of the bag. Note that my cookies are in a sealed plastic bag.

Well, now I'm off to see what all the other PTIers did for their last minute gift ideas, tags or packaging!! Thanks for dropping in!! Donelda

List book - made before PTI release

So I made these a month ago....before Papertrey Ink released their new stamp set created by Michelle Wooderson. I too have enjoyed making these little list books.

This set of books started out with that flower/button embellishement. I created them a long time and wanted to create cards with them, but decided intead to create these booklets. I kept the colors Christmasy so I could use them as Christmas lists but it is also possible to use them as any old list making books. Supplies: Background Basics: Stars, Polka Dot Basics, With Sympathy, Borders and Corers {circle}, Background Basics: Retro (all Papertrey Ink), letters (Hero Arts); Paper - Very Vanilla, Cranberry Crisp, Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up!); Ink - Cranberry Crisp, Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up!), Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink); Other - flower die (Spellbinders), buttons, string.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Donelda

Teacher Gifts

Obviously I made these forever ago but I have just gotten around to posting this.

I made these books for all of the teachers at my son's school and the cards for all of the support staff (educational assistants, secretaries). The books are actaully a journal for the teachers to reflect back on their teaching career. I used Nichole's example HERE as a guide but changed the questions a bit (to make them more Canadian and more relevant). I bought the books at Michael's. They actually have some letters or something under the main image but I knew I'd cover that up with my own creativity!!

I don't normally go so "all out" with gifts at the end of the year but my son is leaving that school and moving on to the Middle School. So, I made one journal for every teacher and left a message on the first page thanking them for making our experience at their school so great. Same with the cards, I made one for all the support staff thanking them for their part. It is really a great school and we will certainly miss the postivie atmosphere they provided over the last 5 years!!

Well, gotta go make a card. Enjoy your day!!

Donelda

Mother's Day Tea Holder Card

This Mother's Day I decided to send my mom something a little different. I made this cute little tea bag holder and sent her a few different flavors of tea. This way she could try them out and see if she likes them (she really only likes Red Rose but I keep trying to get her to branch out a little!).

I fashioned it after the one Debbie Olson made HERE. I used an image from the smARTworks set called Teapot Trio and the sentiment comes from Pond Life by Papertrey Ink.

Supplies: Stamps-Teapot Trio (smARTworks), Pond Life, Birthday Basics (Papertrey Ink); Paper - blue (stash), watercolor paper, designer paper (K&Co.); Ink - Basic Black, Ruby Red, Garden Green, Buckaroo Blue (Stampin' Up!), tea dye (Ranger); Other - stample and stapler, sponge, watercolor brush, glassine bags (Papertrey Ink).

Thanks for dropping in!!

Donelda

April Blog Hop - Timeless Template Creation

That's right, it is Papertrey Ink Blog Hop time again!! This time, Nichole asked us to create a project using one of the Timeless Templates, that are created by Lauren Meader.

Well, I haven't purchased one yet, but there are a few free templates on the PTI site that you can check out HERE. I decided to go with the Recipe Wrap Up!

But, you certainly don't have to use it for recipes....the possibilities are endless. I decided to cut mine down and make it a speciality tea holder since my mom loves tea. I thought I might include it in her Mother's day present.

I printed the template onto the cardstock, cut it out, and folded it. Then, I added the tulip stamping onto the cardstock. I then decorated the front, added the decorated pockets, and finally inserted the tea packets.

I wanted to stamp "enjoy" and was excited to find this lovely one in an old but wonderful set, Spiral Bouquet. I have not used this set enough and must pull it out more!! I'm trying to get my mom to try some different tea's because I think she might like them, if she gave them a try!! I have another 'tea' project I'm going to make for her as well, so stay tuned.

Okay, now I'm off to see what all the other bloggers were up to with Lauren's templates! Enjoy!! Supplies: Stamps-Wishing You, Spiral Bouquet, Beyond Basics Border (all Papertrey Ink); Cardstock - Select White, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink); Ink - Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avacado (Papertrey Ink), Chocolate chip, Close to Cocoa (Stampin; Up!); Other - Raspberry Fizz satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink), oval scallop die (Spellbinders).

Thanks for dropping in for a visit!! Donelda

Christmas present

It really is that time of year. Time to pull out the creative juices and make something fun for those you care about.

My son has an amazing Teacher and an Educational Assistant who works in his class and I really wanted to say a special Merry Christmas to both of them. I bought some of those Jiffy Pop popcorn poppers (you know the ones that you put on the stove and they pop up!! so much fun) and decided to decorate them.

I started out by cutting a large circle of white cardstock. Then, I stamped on the pine trees. Next, I used a torn post it note to mask off the snow and sponged on some Soft Sky and then some Buckaroo Blue closer to the edges and the horizon (Michelle would be so proud). I added some more sponging to make mounds of snow among the trees. You will notice that both have "snow" falling from the sky. On one, I added the snow later by adding some white puffy paint to the sky in dots and also on the tree branches. On the other one, I used my versamark pen and made dots which I then embossed with clear embossing powder. When I sponged over them, they remained white....voila, snow! Added a great Papertrey Ink sentament, a bow, and a tag and I was done. I will attach a movie rental gift certificate to each!

Supplies: Stamps-Snowy Pines (smARTworks), Holiday Wishes (Papertrey Ink); Paper- Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), Ink-Handsome Hunter, Soft Sky, Buckaroo Blue, Basic Black (Stampin' Up!); Other-Versamark, white Puffy Paint (Tulip), tags(Nestabilities), Cuttlebug, white ribbon (Michael's), clear embossing powder, post it notes (3M), sponge, white kitchen string.

So, what are YOU creating???? Thanks for visiting.

Donelda

Halloween Treats

I have made a lot of treats for Halloween. First of all, I made these awesome Edible Eye Balls!! I saw them on Lauren's blog and knew I had to make them for my son's class!! It was very easy. The bat was a stamp my husband picked up for me from the $1.50 bin in Michaels. I stamped them onto shrink plastic, cut them out and shrunk them!

Then, I found awesome packets of Halloween hot chocolate. One is hot chocolate that is actually orange. The other one is hot chocolate with Snoopy characters on it. I made long holders for the hot chocolate packages - one for my son (the blue with spiders) and the other one is for my husband (the orange one).

Finally, I found some popcorn that pops up orange!! Cool!! I decided to package it to give to my co-workers!! I used this awesome designer paper from Making Memories that my friend gave me (Hi Dawn!!). Not only did she give me the papers, she also got me the cutest little halloween punch form Making Memories. It has a small spider, ghost, bat, and pumpkin. It is hard to see them, unless you click on the picture, but there are actually spiders hanging from the spider webs that are on the designer paper (go ahead, click on it and see it for yourself). It is hanging from a piece of DCM floss!! They were also a lot of fun to make!

Supplies: There are way too many supplies here to mention them all but I will identify a few of the stamp sets. Birds of a Feather (Papertrey Ink), Year Around Fun 2 (Stampin' Up!).

Well, happy Halloween everyone!

Donelda

I Love My Boy

I Love my boy!! He is just the best. A few summers ago, we were having an SCS get together here and one of the girls took this "snap shot" when my husband and son stopped in to say hi. She sent it to one of the ladies who live here in town (Hi Robin!!) who printed it off and surprised me with it!! It is such a great photo!!

I started this project out with a $1 wooden heart from the Dollar Store, painted it with blue paint, stamped the Polka Dots (Papertrey Ink) and then added some ivory to distress it a bit. Then added some rub ons, buttons, and tags. I stamped that white flower with the smaller Papertrey Ink polka dots too!!

I love the result! This is hanging in my crafting room!

Thanks for visiting,

Dnelda

Oragami Box

I have seen these awesome Oragami Boxes on different blogs so I decided to try one!!

I used Katrina's step by step video tutorial as a guide -- nothing is better than a video tutorial !! -- and it was a snap to make!! (the link will give you all her tutorials, just scroll down till you find the oragami box tutorial).

All and all it was pretty simple to make. The most difficult part was attaching the ribbon to the top of the box. That is one of the things I like best, the fact that you can take the lid off and the ribbon comes off with it!! No untying! So you don't ever ruin the box...you can put in and take out the contents without having to untye the bow!!

Supplies: Cardstock-Chocolate Chip {bottom}, Mellow Moss {top strip}, Au Chocolat {top} (all from Stampin' Up!). Accessories- dauber (SU!), Chocolate Chip Ink (SU!), Chocolate chip ribbon (SU!).

Thanks for visiting.

Donelda

The Valentine Bug

It's true...I've totally been bitten by the Valentine Bug!! I am sitting here browsing all things valentine!! I can't seem to get enough.

I do have a bunch of projects on the go, however, I am not ready to share yet (other than a few sneak peeks). So, I decided to share this Valentine Box that I made for my wonderful son last year!!

Yep, you read that right, I actually made that box, from flat vanilla cardstock and adhesive!!

It wasn't all that hard, just the time it took for the glue to set when I glued the sides to the bottom and top!! I covered the top with torn paper and ModPodged it.

I just love how it turned out. I keep it on my "display shelf" in my craft room. It reminds me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it!!

Thanks for visiting.

Co-Worker Gifts

I made these boxes for my "team" at work. Inside is some yummy Peanut Brittle. My inspiration was from Emily's Color Challenge 140 way back on November 12. I saw the colors on Emily's sample cards and I knew I wanted to make these boxes!! I know that those swirls aren't really Christmas...but in the Purely Pomegranet they kinda take on a bit of a Christmassy feel!! And I love that Christmas Wishes sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Believe set....it is totally black now because I used it so much! I know I had said I was done with Christmas uploads, but I just ggave these out and wanted to share. Oh, and the boxes are the 2, 5, 7, 10 boxes which you can find a great tutorial on SplitcoastStampers in the Projects section!! Very easy to make!! Thanks for dropping by for a visit.

Presents for my Demo

Well, I'm delivering this tonight so I thought I could finally upload it without her seeing it! You see, it is a gift for my Stampin' Up demo!! She has given me the opportunity to get involved with this awesome craft and I wanted to be sure to wish her the merriest Christmas with some gifts!!

I found 2 post it notes with her initial on it. They were blue and brown and were to initial inspiration for my entire gift package. I made the 2 post it note holders to put them in. See that brown polka dot paper -- it is the Au Chocolate paper from SU. But I wanted blue dots instead of the vanilla so I simply swiped my Soft Sky blue ink pad over the dots and it looks great once it is dry!!

Then I made the band and topper for the jar of home-made raspberry jam!! I decided to make a matching genie bag to put it all in.

But then, I saw the cool Criss Cross box that Nicole Heady created on her blog!! and I knew I wanted to make one to add to this gift package. As I indicated earlier, I made my box using my scaled down version and inside are a few Russell Stover chocolates.... YUM!!!

I certainly hope she likes all of it!! I know I had a lot of fun making all of it :-)

Thanks for visiting!!

Candy Cane boxes

I was checking out Nicole Heady's blog (she's the brains behind Papertrey Ink!!) and her countdown is on to her newest stamp release on the 15th. She does projects each day until the release just to tempt us all!!! I love it.

Well, her last project was this cool Criss Cross Box that she designed based on the criss cross card on SCS.

Well, I LOVED IT!! Is that not just the coolest!! I made a full sized one but then thought it would take a lot of "something" to fill it at that size. Then I saw the Ghirardelli and Russel Strover chocolate squares that I bought and knew I needed to "adjust" the size to fit a few of these!! It was actually much easier than I thought it would be!!

It took me forever to decide on how I wanted to stamp my background. I didn't really want to do snowflakes and I couldn't think of anything I had that was red and/or green and christmassy. Then, I thought about my Faux Ribbon set from Papertrey Ink and knew I could do a candy cane look!! However, I don't have a block large enough to hold the long strips from that set....but have no fear.....I am all about improvising!! I found the largest glass I could

and used it as an acrylic block. It worked perfectly!!!

I love the bands on the boxes, especially this one one with the scalloped edge inked in green and those tiny holly - they are one of the tiny stamps from the borders & corners {oval} and then I used Crystal Effects to glue some small red glass beads.

These are gifts for my son's teachers. I hope one of them does not decide to check out my blog or she is going to see it before she gets it!!

For my box, you need to score across the bottom 2 1/2", 1/2", 2 1/2", 1/2"and 2 1/2" Along the vertical you need to have 3 1/2" at the top, then 1/2" and 2 1/2" at the bottom. Basically, you just follow Nicole Heady's template with the folding and cutting but just make the score lines at the places I've indicated here. I tried to draw a template but I can't figure out how to upload it!! Hehehe.

I'd love to see your criss cross box!! Please leave a comment with a link to yours!!

Thanks for visiting.

Star Ornaments - Tim Holtz style

I need some help. I want your input!! You need to tell me whether you would buy these star ornaments at a craft sale if you saw them. If you would buy them, why? If you would not buy them, why not? It is okay, I am fine with some honest feedback (as long as you are kind about it!!) I appreciate your help!

Can you tell I've been reading Tim Holtz's blog?? These are totally done in his distressing style! If you haven't checked out his blog you MUST !! He is doing some awesome techniques and giving away some increadible prizes each day!!

These star ornaments I got at Michaels for $1.00. I covered them with vanilla acrylic paint, being careful to leave lots of spaces to make it look kinda weathered. Then, I added some metallic gold paint to the spots I'd missed and added some here and there around the edges. Next, I used Walnut Stain or Broken China distressing ink and stamped on the images. I covered these with clear embossing powder. I also added the Believe sentiment from the Papertrey Ink's Believe set. It is such a beautiful font! Then, I sponged some of the distressing ink around the edges of the star. On the swirl star, I also sponged a bit of barely banana (SU) craft ink to highlight some of the more white spaces.

So, what do you think?? Would you buy these or not?? I am looking for some kind but honest opinions... and some understading of what you did like or what you did not like about them!! Thanks for your time in commenting.

Thanks for visiting!!!

Post It Note Holders

I love making Post It note holders. They are so easy and you can make them either plain and casual or dress them up.

I wanted to make a couple for some friends who are having a little Christmas party, a little gift for the hostesses. Their names both start with P and I had bought a 2 pack of Post It notes that had the letter P on them and were purple. They matched perfectly with SU's Orchid Opulance. I also found this great piece of textured designer paper from my Old World Stack from Die Cut With a View. Finished it off with an encircled "smile" and black organdy ribbon and black mat.

I think they will like them.

Supplies: Cardstock: Orchid Opulance, Basic Black (Stampin' Up), Old World Stack (Die Cut With a View), Ink: Basic Black (SU), Stamps: Everyday Flexible Phrases (SU), Borders & Corners{circle} (Papertrey Ink), Organdy Ribbon (unknown)

Thanks for visiting

Covered Birdhouse Church

This is such a fun project. At Michael's there are awesome wooden birdhouses for sale for a good price. I origianally started out with a more simple project using these Small Birdhouses. But when I was at Michael's a while ago, I saw this awesome birdhouse church and knew I had to get it for my Brother and Sister in law since he is an Angelican Minster. It is just perfect!! I started out painting the church with Light Antique White acrylic paint. Then I did the roof portions with Burnt Umber. After they dried, the real fun started. I've been saving this particular sheet from Stampin' Ups Au Chocolate designer paper for the walls of this birdhouse. It is a bit tricky and really a matter of trial and error to get the right shape cut out. Generally, I take the birdhouse and lay it on the wrong side of the paper. Then I trace around the house with a pencil and cut it out. Then, I push the paper against the birdhouse to make an indintation of where the perch is and cut it out with my hobby knife. I do the same thing for the circle opening and door. Finally, I do a little measuring and estimating to get the paper cut to fit the front. The sides and back are generally a lot easier. I used Mod Podge Matte to glue this on (and I will cover the whole thing later with more but not until the details are added).

I thought the church was a bit plain and needed a bit of color. So I decided to paint the base with some Sage Green acrylic paint. Then when it was dry, I added some green grass, made by using scissors on strips of green cardstock. Then, I used the Stampin' Up Spring Flower Boquet punch to get some Pixie Pink flowers. I added a So Saffron center to each and colored the petals with my pixie pink watercolor crayon (SU) and the centers with my brown watercolor pencilcrayons (SU) to give them more dimension.

Once all those details were finished, then I painted the whole thing with more of the Mod Podge so that it could be put outside if they would like. This is a really simple and fun project! It would even be something that kids (about 8 and older) could do with perhaps a little help getting the front paper cut to fit.

I hope you enjoy this project. Have you made something using designer paper that is out of the ordinary?? If so, feel free to post a like, I'd love to check it out! Thanks for visiting.