Running With Scissors...

Power Poppy Preview, Day 4: Small but Mighty Affirmations

 

 

Welcome to Day 4 of our Power Poppy new release previews.  Today’s set, Small but Mighty Affirmations, is all sentiments with a few small accent pieces.  Encourage yourself, encourage others.  I don’t think I can say it any better than Marcella, herself:

 

“When I was starting Power Poppy, this was one of the first sets I wanted to do.  I envisioned people writing affirmations onto 2" post-it notes and surrounding themselves with the notes.  I can see covering the entire door of Lulu and Sylvia's bedroom with "My potential to succeed is limitless" post-its in various colors!  You can create a set of affirmations for yourself, you can give a set to your friend, you can mask off part of the stamps to make them not be in the first person if you'd like!  I think transforming how we talk to ourselves is one of the biggest revolutions in human psychology — it's amazing how it works.  Let's get it rolling here at Power Poppy and see what happens!!”

 

 

My offering today is small, but useful.  I’ve made a bookmark.  I use a lot of them – books, magazines, catalogs, you name it.  Reading is a tranquil pastime, an escape, an interlude for resting, recharging, and readjusting, and when I open my book and see these words I cast off worries and ease into another world.

 

 

I like a simple bookmark with no bulk or ribbons hanging off that can get caught on things and pull the bookmark from it’s place.  Grrrr, how frustrating is that?  I cut the fern die from designer paper then glued the designer paper to a teal cardstock backing, leaving the negative fern space showing.  Cut a second fern from teal and glued it into the negative space.  Stamped, added a little fish tail flag accent at the top, and laminated.  You can’t tell in the photo that it’s laminated because I managed to avoid the glare.  The little sunbursts and tiny hearts are part of the stamp set.

 

In case you’re wondering, I’m currently reading One Mississippi by Mark Childress.  A very good read.

 

Let’s have a look at what my Bloomie sisters have done with their Small but Might Affirmations:

• Julie
• Cindy
• Stacy
• Allison
• Tosha
• Marcella

I’ll be back with more tomorrow.  It’s a pretty set and I think you’ll like it!  Thanks for your time!

 

Gifts from the Heart–September Power Poppy Challenge

 

Happy first Friday in September!  That means it’s time to start a new challenge at Power Poppy with a chance to win a stamp set.  I’ll start right off here with the one and only picture I have of what I made:

 

 

So, what’s this challenge, you wonder?  Well, Katie is asking us to show our wrappers, tags, bags, anything that plays a part in dressing up a gift.  Christmas will be here before you know it, but any gift giving occasion is good for the Gifts from the Heart Challenge.

 

 

I was thinking along the lines of the gifts of summer when I prepared my project.  I just happened to have this blackberry jam and Marcella just happened to have released this Berry It digital stamp set this month, and the two went together beautifully.  The tag was made with a sentiment from the Farmers Market set.  It really dresses up a plain old jar of homemade jam.

 

The label was cut with Spellbinders Labels Eighteen, and the berry image with Spellbinders Standard Circles Small.  It’s tied on the jar with ribbon which is threaded through punched slots in the label.

 

I colored with the following Copic markers:

 

 

For more dressed up Gifts from the Heart please visit:

• Katie
• Julie
• Cindy
• Tosha
• Christine
• Stacy

Be sure to see all the challenge details on the Power Poppy Blog.  Thanks for joining me today!

 

Lavender Gift Set

 

Happy Monday, friends!  Once I’ve got this day under my belt it’s only four more Mondays till retirement!  Can you tell I’m a little obsessed with the idea of it?  These last weeks I feel as if I’m on hold or autopilot or something.  So many things need doing, but I can’t seem to dive into anything.  I’m just waiting.  Waiting to exhale, I guess.

 

Today I’m sharing a little something I prepared for a friend on her birthday.  At our local farmer’s market I picked up some lavender soap and a lavender sachet, then made my own quick and easy packaging and a card to match.  I’ll be posting this on the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog today, as well.  I used only one die set, but it made a whole lot of pretty!

 

 

These very sweet and feminine dies are found in the Spellbinders Elegant Ovals set.  I have a particular fondness for ovals, and I especially like something with a solid center onto which I can stamp and color an image.  However, in this case I layered the ovals and cut out and popped up my stamped images.  The stamp set I used is Power Poppy’s Lavender with an “O happy day” from another Power Poppy set.

 

 

If you love dies as I do, treat yourself to a little window shopping at Dies R Us.  Browse their huge selection and build your wish list, then take advantage of their low prices and shipping rates once you’ve narrowed down your choices.  That’s the hard part – narrowing it down.  Have a happy day!

 

Roses and Butterflies and Dies–Oh, My!

 

Hello, friends!  Now, don’t fall over, but I made a box to share on the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog today.  I know – shock -- something other than a card (my favorites), but this big, beautiful Sue Wilson die cut just begged to cover a box top.  I would have preferred to alter an existing box, but a box of the right size did not exist in my alterables cupboard.  This box measures 5” x 7” with 1 1/2” sides.

 

 

The to-die-for dies used are:

• Sue Wilson Caribbean Island Collection (there are 4 dies in this set; I used the large background)
• Sue Wilson Grand Vinery (not available, but check out Petite Vinery or Mosaic Leaves for a similar look)
• In fact, if you haven’t browsed Sue Wilson dies, just click on the Sue Wilson Designs category at Dies R Us and prepare to swoon.

The flowers and butterflies are Prima, and I tucked in a few sparkly elements along with silk ribbon and copper cord.

 

 

The leafy, swirly, twirling vinery was cut in white and then colored with a green Copic marker.  I’ve found I like the idea of cutting new dies right away, even when I have no immediate plans for them.  They’re SO much prettier cut and ready, and then I’m quickly inspired to create.  If desired, I can color my die cuts with markers or perhaps brayer ink over them, or simply leave as is.  Most of us love that white on white look, anyway, don’t we?  Maybe cut some in white and some in ivory and just pile them up, ready to use.  What fun!

 

Enjoy your week, and thank you so much for joining me today!

 

Quick and Cute Last Minute Gift Card Holders

 

It happens every year -- I never think about the gift card holders until the last minute – and, consequently, when I do make them they have to be very quick and easy.  I would have liked to dress these up more, but with everything else I’ve got going on at this busy time I had to get in and out of my stamp room with haste.  Next year I’ll include a few gift card holders in my early preparedness plan along with the Christmas cards.

 

 

I wanted to make something that requires no special dies, templates, or cut files.  Something anyone could make in minutes with supplies on hand.  So, if you’re last minute like me, or if you’d like a basic design on which to build your own fabulous creation, here’s the how-to:

 

Cut 4 1/4” x 6”.  Score and fold at 2 1/4” and 4 3/4”.  The width can be narrower for most gift cards, but I needed this width for the particular cards I had purchased.

 

 

Fold to closed position and place dot near flap edge at halfway mark.  This is where you’ll insert the brad.  How close you place the brad to the flap edge depends upon the diameter of the brad.  Not much overlap is required, and too much will make it difficult to open and close without damaging the flap.

 

 

Cut two pieces 1” x 2 1/8”.  Score vertically every 1/4” and fold like an accordion.  Place adhesive strip on each outer fold (both sides).  I used 1/8” Scor-Tape.

 

 

Adhere accordion pieces as shown below.

 

 

 

 

The accordion sides make it a little more interesting and allow the gift card to be slipped in and out easily.

 

 

On this one I punched a half circle before I folded it up.

 

 

These are a coin purse or clutch purse style holder.  Originally I had intended to add a handle and a magnetic clasp, but even that would have required more time than I had to spare.  I hope the recipients will reuse these at some point.  That’s the nice thing about pretty little gift card holders and gift bags – they become part of the gift, itself.  Happy holidays!

Fairy on Tiptoes

This is a project I made way back in the beginning of September.

My friend saw me coloring this Lili of the Valley fairy image, On Tiptoe, and exclaimed how the colors matched the quilt she was making for her little granddaughter, so I decided to make it up extra pretty for gift giving.

It’s colored with Copic markers on Classic White cardstock and embellished with flowers and flourishes.  The larger purple flower with the pearl center is a Prima, but the roses are a Wal-Mart find from a long time ago.  I’ll list all the ingredients in the recipe at the end, but for a quick reference, these are the Spellbinders dies I used (cut in my Grand Calibur):

• Classic Squares Large S4-126
• Lacey Squares S4-295
• Twisted Metal Tags and Accents S5-071
• Nested Lacey Pennants S5-029

The finished product is sprinkled overall with fairy dust (Stickles Stardust Glitter Glue) and the Lacey Square is dotted with a rather inexpert application of Ranger Liquid Pearls.  The fairy’s red hair -- you guessed it -- matches the hair of the adorable little girl who will receive the card and quilt.

Ordinarily I like to keep my cards envelope-able (I know, not a real word). Even if they require extra postage for hand cancelling, I like them to be ready to mail in an envelope, rather than a bubble pack or box. In this case, however, I knew the card would be hand-delivered, so I was free to indulge myself.  I made a little window box for the card:

The construction of the box is not a new concept, but I’ve included a brief tutorial with measurements, photos, etc. for the sake of keeping it all in one place (and in case I make more lumpy cards in the future, I’ll have these instructions to refer to).

Box bottom:

• Cut cardstock 6 1/2” square (to fit a 5 1/4” square card).
• Score all four sides at 1/2”.
• Cut each end to score line as shown below.

• Fold into box shape and tape closed with flaps to the inside (I used Scor-Tape).


Box top:

• Cut top 1/16” larger – 6 9/16” square.
• Proceed same as box bottom – score all four sides at 1/2” and clip ends.  Do not fold and tape yet.
• To create window, center die on box top (I used the smallest die of the Spellbinders Grand Squares LF-126).
• Cut and emboss.

• Apply Scor-Tape to inside around window.
• Cut acetate or clear cardstock (I used Flourishes Clear Cover Cardstock) 5 1/4” square.
• Adhere to inside of box top.

• Now it’s ready to tape into a box shape and decorate.

I used more roses and glitter and shapes from Spellbinders Twisted Metal Tags and Accents, as well as pearls, metallic ribbon, and the Martha Stewart branch punch.  I also embossed two of the box top surface ends with a Cuttlebug Organic Flourish border folder.  With the Grand Calibur, embossing can be accomplished by sandwiching the folder between the Grand Calibur cutting plate and a Cuttlebug B plate.  Very easy!

Thanks for hanging in there with me and my erratic posting!  Bless all your little hearts, and I’ll see you again soon.

Stamps:  On Tiptoes (Lili of the Valley fairy image), Warm Words (SU! sentiment)  Paper:   Pink Pirouette, Barely Banana (Stampin’ Up!), Wisteria (Memory Box), Flourishes Classic White cardstock and Clear Cover Cardstock, Prima Sweet Fairy designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers for coloring  Accessories:  Flowers, pearls, ribbon, decorative pearl brad, Martha Stewart branch punch, Stickles Glitter Glue, Cuttlebug Organic Flourish embossing folder, Spellbinders dies as listed above, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Retro Wednesday

Hi, all!  It’s another Retro Wednesday -- Flourishes’ day to share samples with some of the retiring sets which are on sale now for 65% off.  In fact, everything on the sale page is marked down 65%.  That’s a pretty big savings!

I know you’re probably not thinking much about Christmas when Spring has just begun.  Nor am I.  However, I do have a couple of Christmas projects today, seeing as how these were some favorites when the sets were first released.

First up is Lamp Post Greetings.  I like the idea of this set for make-ahead cards.  Color up a few of the lamp posts and add the appropriate flag when the occasion arises.  It’s a cute idea and there are a lot of different uses for this set.

This box, constructed of Flourishes Clear Cover Cardstock and BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses designer paper, was made for a friend’s December baby and stuffed full of newborn socks.  I colored the image with Copics and adhered it to the finished box.

Additionally, I’m sharing a card made with the Christmas Borders set.

We were doing a tag focus at the time, and I really wanted to get another Christmas card done, rather than a tag, so I made a card that looks like a big tag.  Whatever works, right?  Again, it’s colored with Copics and using the Eskimo Kisses paper.  Guess that was my favorite paper of the season.  The sentiment, by the way, is from the Christmas Tea set (not retiring or on sale).

Despite the unseasonable nature of this post, I enjoyed bringing out these projects for a rerun and I thank you for indulging me.

More ideas for the on-sale sets can be seen when you visit:

Barbara Anders

Christine Okken

Julie Koerber

Have a fabulous day!

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday 100th Challenge Blog Hop and Another New Release Sample

Hello, and happy Friday!  Today's post has a two-fold purpose. . . 1)  to introduce you to the last of this month's new stamp sets from Flourishes and 2)  to hop in on the Blog Hop fun.

 
Every month, I generally have a favorite among Flourishes' new releases, and this month it's Tokens of Affection.  It's just so darn cute and clever!  Today, I've used one of the simplest stamps in the set to make a little box for Kisses, and a card to go with it.  Extra tokens are ready to be plucked from the card and cashed in later (or all at once, perhaps).

 
 

 
 
And now for the challenge. . .  It's all about favorites --  favorite stamps, papers, colors, techniques, embellishments, whatever!  Well, every time I pick up my Flourishes stamps, I'm using some favorites.  They are my favorite stamps!  And since Tokens of Affection is my favorite new set this month, it's #1 on the list today.

Other favorites I used today are ribbon and bling.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention the chocolate Kisses in the box, but I'm not sure if I'm supposed to count them, tsk, tsk.

Be sure to check the Flourishes blog right here to see more of everyone's favorites, read up on the details, and maybe link a favorite of your own.  There's still time, and it's going to be a lot of fun (and prizes)!

Now, if you'd like to see more samples with the new Tokens of Affection set, hop right on over to the rest of Flourishes design team -- cute stuff!

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Danielle Kennedy

Dawn Burnworth

Julie Koerber

Laura Fredrickson

Stacy Morgan

Don't forget the limited time New Release Bundle -- 10% off when you purchase all three sets.  A good deal if you love them all and can't decide.

I've had fun this week, but I'm so ready for some R&R.  How about you?  Have a great weekend!

Stamps:  Tokens of Affection  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Riding Hood Red, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, rhinestones, clip

Handmade Vintage Frame

I worked on this labor of love the last few days, as time allowed.  I considered altering a purchased frame, but every now and then I feel compelled to create fully from scratch, simply for the pleasure of working with my hands and heart.  Pearl flourishes, glittered Prima roses, satin ribbon...

...and a quote from Flourishes' Falling Leaves set... My Mind's Eye designer paper and some cardstock from my stash, Spellbinders dies, and a bit of heavy cardboard...

Planning and measuring and figuring on the construction.

One of those tiny details which is barely noticed.

 
The opening is cut for a 4 x 6 photo.  I found that 4 x 6 photos are not exactly 4 x 6.  One really needs to use a photo as a guide and cut the opening slighly smaller than the photo in order to cover the edges.  The opening could be placed anywhere on the frame, not necessarily centered.  Measuring would be easier if it wasn't centered.  I haven't provided all the details and dimensions because we'd never come to the end of this post were I to get too detailed.

I cut all the frame parts from heavy cardboard.  The openings were cut with a utility knife.  The opening on the frame back is cut larger to allow insertion of the photo.  The removable back cover was made with the piece I cut from the center.  It was necessary to trim it down a little to accomodate the paper which covers the parts.

I used Mod Podge for adhesive.  Cover the entire piece, opening and all.  Cut an X through the opening and fold the paper to the back side.  Trim any points that may overhang, then adhere in place.

 

 
This is the piece I cut from the back which shows how I trimmed the corners before folding to the back.  This removable piece was lined on the inside, too.

I painted a Mod Podge finish on all exterior surfaces, then sprayed with a matte acrylic sealer.  Both of these products were purchased at Wal-Mart.

The photo turns were attached, then the front and back glued together with Mod Podge.  A little Crazy Glue along the edges assures no popping apart later.

The kick stand was attached with a hinge and brads.

The inner mat is removable.  Crystal Clear Cardstock was cut to cover the photo within the frame.

The photo is my sister at age 14.  She fell victim to a brain aneurism when in her 20's.  She was a pretty little thing, wasn't she?  We were 20 years apart in age, so I was just a little shaver when she died, but I remember her, I grew up loving her, and her picture has always been where I see it every day.

All my embellishments - Pearls, Primas, ribbon -- are from Flourishes, though some items may be temporarily out of stock.  Dawn is sharing more floral creations on the Newsletter today, too.  I don't know what she's cooked up, but I know it will be pretty and I'll be heading over there to take a look.  You may also enjoy visiting the other Flourishes girls who are sharing cards or projects: 
 

Christine Okken

Danielle Kennedy

Dawn Burnworth

Julie Koerber

Laura Fredrickson

Stacy Morgan

I'm so glad you could visit with me today.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Flourishes New Store Celebration, Day 2: Celebrate!

Today's challenge is presented by the Friends of Flourishes for Timeless Tuesday.  You're all invited to get in the spirit and create a card for a celebration of any kind.  Please see the challenge details here.  My card today is for a wedding -- certainly a cause for celebration!

This card is actually a money holder.  A friend asked me to make a wedding card for her.  She mentioned she would be giving money as a gift, so I thought I'd find a special way to present it.  The cake parts (Let Them Eat Cake) are embossed in white, then colored with pale pink and blue Copics.  The heart topper was punched from a spare cake part.  The self-adhesive paper roses are from Wal-Mart.  I added Stickles glitter to make them even prettier.  You may like to click on the image for a closer look at the details.

This is the inside:

The card, when folded, measures 6 3/4" x 3 3/4".

• Cut one piece of white cardstock 7 1/2" x 11". Score lengthwise at 3 3/4" and across at 6 3/4". Cut a slit up to the crosswise fold.
• Cut a 3/4" angle in the left-side fold. The fold on the left will turn up to form a pocket for the money. The right-side fold will turn up to the card front as part of the layout. Decorate as desired. The right-side fold can be cut off if you prefer not to use it.

I made this box to hold the card:

I made the box in the same manner as in my tutorial here, but changed the measurements to fit the card.  The lid is made from Crystal Clear Cardstock.  Silver elastic cord makes sure the lid stays on, but allows access without untying.

I'll try to share more info about the box measurements and the decorative box corners at a later date, but now I'm sure you'll be busy visiting some of the other designers who are sharing samples:

Dee

Maki

Barb

Betty

Silke

Cindy H.

Christine

Cindy L.

Dawn

Stacy

Julie 

Thank you!  There's more coming tomorrow with, not only a challenge, but a preview of one of Flourishes March releases.  It's almost too much fun!  Have a wonderful day!

Stamps:  Let Them Eat Cake, Tag Lines (outside sentiment), Wedding Essentials and Flourished Elements(inside sentiment)  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White, Crystal Clear Cardstock, BasicGrey Euphoria designer paper  Ink:  Versamark, Purely Pomegranate, Pastel Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, silver elastic cord, Kaiser pearls, paper roses, white embossing powder, Stickles Star Dust glitter, Martha Stewart Daisy Fan deep edger punch, corner punch, Textile embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape