Altered Cookie Cutter Tin

While at Walmart the other day I saw a tin that contained Christmas cookie cutters for under $4. Upon further inspection, I realized that there were NO markings on this perfect copper tin. *light bulb* This baby was screaming to be altered. :)

Since the cookie cutters were gingerbread men, I decided to use a gingerbread house on the outside of the tin. I stamped in black on creamy caramel and decorated the gingerbread house. The candy cane/mint parts of the house were colored using the Stampin Up Red Marker and the white gel pen from Stampin Up. Then, I used my Creative Memories circle cutter to cut out a 4 1/4 circle that would fit inside the top. Next, I colored the gumdrops garden green. Then, I went over them with crystal effects and then dumped microbeads over them to "sugar coat" them. I went over all areas I colored in red with a Sakura clear glaze pen. Then I added some white liquid applique the snowy areas and heat set to puff. Next, I cut out a slightly larger red circle to mat my main image on. I then paper pierced along the outer edge to add some detail. I then made a quick tag reading "sweet Holiday wishes" so that I could just set it on top of the cookie cutters on the inside. I struggled with thoughts of further embellishing the in, but finally decided that anything else would be too much and called it done. :) I think this will make a great gift for someone this Christmas.

*note* there was also another tin that was rectangular and had other Christmas cookie cutter shapes in it. I got one of those also. :)

Altered First Aid Kit

A couple weeks ago I was waiting in line at Walmart and browsing the impulse buyer area. You know... all those things that you hit RIGHT BEFORE you pay. Retailers count on consumers grabbing these normally useless and/or overpriced items to bump up their ticket totals. LOL Well, call me Mrs. Impulse. I saw these adorable Johnson and Johnson mini first aid kits for less than $1 each! They were almost completely unmarked on the actual container. There is an "embossed" logo on the top and some black numbers printed on the side, but I had a *light bulb* moment and decided I could easily alter them!

In light of recently being so sick, I decided it was time to tackle this project. I was able to remove the numbers on the side of the container with some alcohol. Then, I cut a piece of card stock to fit and used a small corner rounder to fit it inside the recessed area of the lid better. It doesn't fit exactly since it a bit "curvy", but it looks fine. I stamped the main panel with flowers and made a smaller piece for the sentiment so it would POP. I used my horizontal slot punch to make the sentiment piece a "ribbon slide". I then threaded cranberry stitched grosgrain through it and adhered to the back of the card stock. I wanted to also cover the inside of the lid, so I stamped Get Well Soon and a couple flowers and adhered that to the inside of the lid. Make sure to use STRONG adhesive. I used dimensional glue dots. I left the inside of the first aid kit as it was. I suggest adding some alternate "get well goodies" such as cough drops, maybe even some Dayquil packets. Unfortunately, those things are a hot commodity in my house right now and I have none to spare. LOL But, you can use your imagination and add some get well goodies of your choice.

Must have tool!

As I mentioned a little while ago, I taught a class at my LSS yesterday. During the class, I used my bone folder in making my nugget box. I kept getting those funky shiny marks on my card stock. Yes, I know there are bigger problems in the world, but having a tool that solves that problem would be awesome! I remembered hearing about a Teflon bone folder that leaves no shiny marks, so I went hunting and found it! It is a bit spendy ($15 plus $6 shipping), BUT soon I will have non shiny creased card stock. LOL Exciting huh? LOL I thought I would share where I found it for my fellow tool junkies:

http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/410778.html

Enough shopping for me... I am off to stamp!

Recovering

Whew! I think the worst is behind me. I am finally feeling a little better. I AM still sick, but I am definitely feeling better. I found some REALLY cute things today to alter. Watch tomorrow for at LEAST one project. I am crossing my fingers for more. I need to make up for lost time. I'll give you a hint... one project was inspired by my recent illness. You'll want to make these for all your pals who are feeling under the weather in the upcoming winter season.

I actually left the house today to teach a class at my LSS, Stamp & Scrap Trap! (see link to the right) I coughed a little, but managed to crank out almost FOUR HOURS of instruction. There was a great turnout with 12 participants. We made a holiday gift set with different ideas for Holiday treats. Included were: my custom "bottom covering" nugget box (see tutorial below), score and fold nesting box, snowman Christmas card, covered matchbox and nugget purse. Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures.

Catch my next mini class on Thursday, November 2nd at 1:00 p.m. at Stamp & Scrap Trap. I will be teaching an AWESOME 3D box made with card stock, Basic Grey Blitzen patterned paper and TONS of ribbon! Cost is $5. Please bring your paper cutter with cutting and scoring blade, scissors, 1/8 hole punch (if you can) and your normal class kit. See you then!

STILL sick

I just wanted to write a quick post to tell you all that I am STILL sick. I broke down and went to the Dr. (you know I am desperate when I go the Dr.) and I have an upper respiratory infection and pharyngitis. YUCK. I am coughing 23 out of 24 hours of the day and feel SO bad. SO... as soon as I am feeling a little better, I will post something stamp related. :)

Sick

I haven't stamped much this past week. I have been sick with a NASTY cold. I did manage to take my kids to the cornfield maze in Las Cruces, NM this past Saturday though. So, today no stamping stuff. Instead, a pic of my little cuties! I am stamping tonight and tomorrow, so I will upload projects over the next couple days.

New and Improved Nugget Box

I think I know what you are thinking... what is wrong with the normal nugget box??? Well, I had issues. Being a perfectionist is a CURSE I tell ya! LOL

I was SO excited to make a nugget box. I find the pattern, make it and I think EWWWWWWW I can see white... I can see folds.... I can see flaps... yuck yuck yuck. Why did that bother me? My great friend Tracy tried reasoning with me. She said when you put the nuggets in, no one can see that part. Ummm MUST FIX NUGGET BOX. My journey ensued. I was on a mission. I wanted a nugget box with clean lines and pattern everywhere, here is my journey. :)

This is exhibit A. This was made using the nugget box pattern I found.



I fiddled with the pattern and wasted quite a bit of patterned paper. However, in the end I got my wish and here is the tutorial.

Box dimensions: 6 1/2 X 7 1/4
score at 1/2, 1 1/4, 2, 3 1/2, 4 1/4, 5
score other side at 3/4, 1 1/2, 5 3/4, 6 1/2

Cut out all the sections with an X in them.

Cut along score lines as shown below

NOTE: Box will NOT be symetrical

Place tape along the outermost edge of the shortest side as pictured below

Now, tape down as shown

Place tape on the larger outermost section and tape down also. It will slightly loverlap the piece you previously taped down.

Fold sides up

Tuck in end flaps and put tape in area shown and fold OVER the end flaps and stick down. Repeat on the opposite end.

VOILA! No white showing! This nugget box looks finished on the outside as well as the inside.

Cover dimensions: 6 X 4 3/8
score at: 1 1/4, 2 1/8, 3 5/8, 4 1/2
fold on score lines, wrap around box and adhere.

New and improved Bug Cookies

A couple of weeks ago I introduced my altered bug cookies. These are like Animal Crackers, but they are in "bug" form. I got SO excited when I saw them at Big Lots that I bought 14 packages (yes, I am serious). LOL I had a vision after all! I had come up with this idea for "altered bug cookies" for my stamp camp, but something about the project was just a little BLAH in my opinion. I made it my mission to improve it. This is the new improved version. Instead of just taping ends on the box, now there are 2 removable "end caps". This will allow someone to eat the cookies without ripping apart the packaging. I added some brads to the ends just to make it look "luggagish" (new word?). I used my Bugs and Kisses Stampin' UP! set to stamp the ends in versamark. This time I added a bug stamped in black on an additional hanging tag. The sentiment came from my LSS, Stamp & Scrap Trap. I like this version much better. Now, BONUS idea time. Go search for some animal crackers or other types of "animal" cookies and alter the box. I am thinking Animal stamps, paw prints.... oh the possibilities. In the meantime, I guess I should get bust altering the rest of these bug cookies for Halloween treats. LOL

Here is the older version:

Penny Black Poinsettia

I am usually NOT an early Christmas person. I normally wait until November to start making Christmas cards. I had purchased this poinsettia stamp somewhat recently and wanted to use it with the Penny Black NOEL stamp. To make this card, I used my Stampin' Up! markers to color directly on the rubber. Then, I lightly misted with a spray bottle and stamped down. The result is a water colored image. I LOVE this technique... especially with Penny Black flowers! I embossed the Noel in white. Then I cut a piece of Basic Grey Blitzen to use as a background and sponged the edges with artichoke. I added a little bling to the center of the flower and tied a piece of ribbon below the focal point.

How to use 4 yards of ribbon:

I am STILL working on samples for my LSS. She gives me creative freedom to make whatever I want. I get to shop around the store and choose fun things to play with. As usual, Penny Black called my name so I grabbed this NOEL stamp. I found a pattern for this box and knew I wanted to make one for the LSS. The NOEL stamp was a perfect fit for the sides of the box! The ribbon serves dual purposes on this box. It is actually holding the box together on 2 sides. I was actually GLAD that I finished off 3 spools of ribbon while finishing this box. I attached the tag with some silver cording and then stuffed the box with red filler.

Directions:

Score piece of 8 1/2 X 8 1/2 card stock on all sides at 2 1/2 inches. Then, score each square in the corner diagonally. Fold and assemble.

Large Accordian Albums

Today I have to keep it short and sweet. I am teaching a class at my LSS this afternoon. I am teaching large accordian albums using envelopes. My original class sample is at the store, but I made a couple more as samples in case someone wanted to get creative with theirs. The album on the left uses a ribbon closure and the album on the right uses a band closure. They are fairly simple. These are both using the Lily Kate Basic Grey patterned paper pack. I made another one last night that is SO cute using Blitzen paper, BUT I forgot my digital camera at the LSS on Thursday after I taught the first session of my class. OOPS... it's only a month old too. I almost LOST IT. Thank goodness it's there are we will be reunited in a short while.

Faux Primas

I was inspired for this project by a friend, Tracy. She had given me the cutest little salt and pepper shakers for my birthday. Inside the shakers, were white card stock flowers in one and black and gray card stock flowers in another. I thought it was the cutest thing ever and was on a mission to find a new way to do it. I was browsing Walmart's craft department and happened upon this pretty bottle. I realized I could put a cork in it. *light bulb*

To start, I versamarked the outer rim of the bottle and embossed in copper. I wanted an "earthy" flower collection and thought that would compliment it well. Then, I started punching flowers. I realize that doesn't LOOK like a lot of flowers, but it is trust me. Each time you add some to the bottle, they all settled in the jar. It took hours... literally. LOL I decided my new flowers needed a name, so I computer generated the tag: "Stampin' Flowers Collection One". I printed it out on Whisper White card stock and then punched it out with a circle punch. I inked up my Floral BG stamp with saffron and stamped on the tag. Then, I taped it into a copper metal edge tag, added an eyelet and went wild with the copper cording. I wanted to embellish the cork, so I rolled it in Bravo Burgundy until it was well covered. Then, I versamarked the top of the cork and embossed with copper.

Caramel Apple Kit

This project was SO fun to make. I had been given this Hero Arts candy apple stamp by the owner of the LSS that I make samples for. I had been eyeing it and commented that it was cute, so she asked me to make a sample with it. I wanted to make a caramel apple kit, but after much thought I was worried about using REAL apples and displaying them for a few weeks. I was afraid they would rot, so I had planned to make the kit minus the apples. I went to Walmart and proceeded to buy FIVE bags of caramels since I KNEW I would want to make more than one. LOL As I was waiting in line, I saw the cutest Trident gum pack with a realistic green apple image on it. I thought BINGO I will make a "lazy man's caramel apple kit". Pop a caramel in your mouth, eat it and then follow it up with a piece of green apple gum. *smiles* I thought it was hilarious and most importantly doable. So... I bought about 5 packs of gum and came home to start the project. I stamped the candy apple on whisper white card stock. I watercolored the image using my aquapainter and then dried it with my heat gun. I then applied a thick coat of Crystal Effects to the "caramel" portion of the apple. I let it dry over night and then shaded around the image with watered down creamy caramel. I snipped the top edges with the tag corner punch and edged the card stock in chocolate chip classic ink. I used my Karen Foster snap stamps to spell out "caramel apple kit". I then punched the top of the tag and added ribbon. Then, I took the sticks that came in the caramel bag and stamped each one with "caramel apple" using the snap stamps. I bundled them up with some coordinating RIBBON. To prepare the bucket, I used adirondack alcohol ink in a brownish color and squirted the ink directly on the bucket (Michael's $1.47). I used a felt pad to blend until I had the desired effect. I placed some filler in the bottom of the bucket and then added the Trident gum, the caramel, the sticks and the tag. I finished it off with some ribbon tied to the handles. *happy dance* I dropped this off at the LSS today and I miss it already. I guess I need to make one for ME. :)

Mini Accordion Friendship Book

If you haven't gotten the newish 3X3 square envelopes from Stampin' Up!, please let me enable you at this time. A friend, Cyndi (cpw3431) taught me how to make a large accordion envelope album this summer at a shoebox swap at my house. I have loved them ever since! One day, a friend and I were stamping and this mini envelope accordion album was born. This is made with the 3X3 envelopes and is the same basic idea as the larger one. If you have not seen the larger album, here is a link to a thread on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ that shows one and the directions: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178805&highlight=accordian+album

I took those general directions and formatted the album to fit the envelopes I was using. The result is an adorable mini album. Instead of using pictures (which would be a wonderful idea for Grandparents) I used friendship quotes on each pull out card. I wrestled with the decision of embellishing the cover, but the patterned paper lent itself to being the focal point, so I jazzed it up with the clear sparkle gel pen and a faux stitched band to keep it closed.

This technique can be used with ANY sized envelope by tinkering with the measurements.

Design Time

I am a sample designer for my LSS. This month the owner requested some Christmas samples. I USUALLY have my samples to her by the beginning of the month, but this month I have been somewhat of a slacker. I decided that today is the day since I will be making a trip over there tomorrow to teach a class on an accordion envelope album. I am quite excited about the class. I have one session tomorrow afternoon and another on Saturday afternoon. I teach classes in my home as well, but this is a little different and actually feels like I have a mini job. LOL Anyway, back to the samples. I am stuck on the 3X3 cards in the mini box, so I decided to make one with the attached lid for my first sample. I used Basic Grey Blitzen paper, ribbon (of course), An A Muse sentiment, a Penny Black snowflake and a sponge. The entire box and accent pieces on 4 3X3 cards came from just ONE sheet of 12 X 12 patterned paper. I found that amazing. I supplemented with some white card stock and this is what I came up with. I am hoping to schedule another class on this project. *crosses fingers* Back to the drawing board. I need to come up with several more samples in the next couple hours. Wish me luck. :)

Marathon posting!

WHEW... here comes another of the projects I made this weekend. I was on a 3D kick I suppose. This project has been in my head for a couple weeks. I saw the idea in Papercrafts magazine. It was a gable box filled with cookies using this same general concept. I was thinking more along the lines of CANDY. I found this ADORABLE silver bucket at Michaels. It was less than $2. I used my Adirondack alcohol inks to polished stone the entire bucket inside and out. I squirted the ink directly on the bucket and used felt to move it around. It was VERY messy. The ink treatment gave it a coppery, rusty look which I thought was PERFECT for Halloween. Next, I added some filler in the bottom of the bucket. I used the computer generated "poem" that I altered slightly from the one in Papercrafts. I wanted to be able to use my Booglie Eyes set from Stampin' Up! for the tags, so I wanted to include "Happy Boo To You" in the wording. To make the larger tag with the directions on it, I stamped the pumpkin over the words and then added a square punched piece to the back so I could tie ribbon to it. Then, to make the tags I used the Booglie Eyes sentiment and again stamped a pumpkin over the words. I matted it with celery which I hand trimmed. Of course I had to adorn them with ribbon. I finished it off with some mini Hershey's bars and some MORE ribbon tied to the handles on the sides of the bucket. I included 5 tags so that the basket can be forwarded 5 times. It can be used in your neighborhood or office. TRY IT! It's SUCH a cute idea and what's more fun than paying it forward? :)

Inside tag reads:

You’ve been SPOOKED
Please pass along this spooked goodie bucket. Anonymously drop the filled goodie bucket at a neighbors. Make sure to leave one of the tags on your door so you don’t get spooked again! Happy BOO to you!

Have a fantasy?

Actually, I am referring to a FANTASY BOX. These things are absolutely AMAZING. I LOVE making them. It is quite time consuming, but when they are done, WOW! There is something SO amazing about taking some mat board, patterned paper, card stock, embellishments and coming out with something so CUTE! I was intent on making this project, but couldn't find the directions. My dear friend Dorinda helped me find them on SCS and the rest is history. This is the 3rd box I have made. You can use more stamping and less patterned paper if desired. I have found I prefer the punch of patterned paper with a little accent stamping. I made card stock lids for each box and labeled them: RIBBON (of course), METAL, FLOWERS and PUNCHES. I then stuffed them full of each item. I am sending this to someone special and thankfully, I don't think she knows I blog. HEE HEE So, _______ I hope you like it. :)

For instructions on how to make a Fantasy Box, look here: http://www.stubbystampers.com/whatsnew/projects/fantasybox.html

It was a 3D weekend!

As I said earlier today, a friend came to visit this weekend. I try to plan projects so we will actually get some stamping done. I had been keeping a list of things I have been wanting to make. The first was a little 3 X 3 box to hold 3 X 3 cards and envelopes. I didn't like the boxes with handles and I didn't want an attached lid, so this was born. The lid is completely removable. It was made by measuring the box "top" and then adding 1.5 inches to each side. Score all edges at 3/4 inches, snip a few score lines to fold and assemble. It was VERY easy although everything needs to be put together PRECISELY or else... the lid won't fit. LOL How do I know that? Well... let's just say the same sized boxes needed different sized lids. How does that happen? *shrug* I was thrilled to be able to use the holiday paper since it's SO gorgeous. This set was inspired by many on SCS who have made these adorable 3 X 3 gift sets. When I was done, I *had* to make another one. It was quicker and I went for a more monochromatic look.

More projects coming.....

BUSY BUSY

I had a friend, Tracy (kid305) visiting me all weekend. She arrived on Friday evening and will be leaving in a short while. We had a BLAST! We stamped, shopped and chatted all day every day she was here. Precious memories! :) We made some GREAT things while she was here. I lead a couple projects and she showed me how to make a super cute Kleenex cover that I had never made. I will be posting a couple pictures later of the stuff I came up with. Have a GREAT day!

MORE ribbon...

I think I am obsessed... CORRECTION... I know I am obsessed. Ribbon just really calls my name. I can't get just ONE spool either. I need several so I'll use it. Where is the rationale I ask? I was in my stamp room today looking for a specific ribbon to use on a Halloween project. Where could it be? I looked in my main 4 drawer ribbon cart, but it wasn't in there... so I had to look in MORE places. I started scolding myself saying, "JODY, this is TOO MUCH RIBBON." I had to chuckle at that though because REALLY you can never have too much ribbon right? *worried look* I think I am close. Here is MORE of my ribbon collection. As it started overflowing my cart I had to find more and more drawers in my stamp room. Then, the top of one of my color caddies got invaded... seriously enough is enough... well... maybe after I get my next ribbon order in. Some fellow ribbon addicts and I went in together to place a very large ribbon order. Sometime in the very near future UPS will be delivering 9000 yards of grosgrain to my front door. YES, I am dead serious. There are 90 spools of 100 yds each coming my way. Each ribbon share participant will get 10 yards of 45 different colors and we only paid $35 each plus shipping back. WOW. Can you say WOOHOO for the ribbon? LOL I'll be sure to post a picture of that! It's sure to be a shocker even for me. LOL I need to start using up what I have. Hmmmm, what can I make that uses lots of ribbon? That needs to be my next project. LOL Any fun uses for ribbon? POST your suggestion here and I will choose 1 lucky winner to get a prize from me. I wonder if you can guess what it will be?

Sentimental SAP confession

I must confess I am a Penny Black addict. More specifically I am a SENTIMENT addict who loves Penny Black's stamps. I recently borrowed all of the Penny Black catalogs from the LSS owner that I design samples for and found all of these BEAUTIFUL sentiment stamps from Penny Black. I put in an order from them and picked them up this week. I just LOVE them. I could seriously cry when I read some of them. Can you say SAPPY? Anywho... just wanted to share my finds of the week. I also got a couple A Muse stamps and the cutest little snowman and snowflake. Not a bad haul. LOL I am looking forward to creating some friendship books with these sentiments! I already used one of them on the sketch challenge of the week. It was fairly simple, but I wanted to focus on the patterned paper and the sentiment. This card uses the new Lily Kate Basic Gray paper. I found a piece that leant itself to being the main image and stamped the sentiment on that. Then, I chose coordinating cardstock and more Lily Kate paper. I had some pink Gingham ribbon that I dirtied up with my sponge and attached using the aHodgepodge hardware. I finished off the card with a couple of brads to balance out the card.

Cutie Patootie!

Today I am babysitting my cousin Molly's 2 children. Her son is 4 and her daughter is 6 months. They are so fun to watch. My son, Nathan got out of school early today and I snapped a pic of him holding Amelia Cate. He is 12 years old and my oldest child. It is so sweet to see him holding a baby. I don't get much done when they are here, but it's times like this that make it all worth it. Such beautiful memories!

Color Challenge Tuesday

I love Tuesday. It is one of my favorite stamping days. I like when someone else tells me what colors to use that day. It gives me a starting point. Today is Color Challenge #82 on www.splitcoaststampers.com . The colors are Real Red, Old Olive, Certainly Celery and Very Vanilla. I immediately thought of my newest Stampin' Up! set Peaceful Wishes. I got it in a trade. :) WOOHOO for not paying for it! Anyway, here is what I came up with. I used Celery craft to stamp the Aida on the main card. Then, I used Versamark to stamp some pine needles over the Aida. I then sponged the edges in Celery. The strip running across the card is made by stamping the berries in versamark and faux stitching across it. The main image was made using my scalloped circle punches, Aida cloth and more sponging. I think this may be a contender for some of my Christmas cards. I am not a fan of assembly line and normally only make one of each card. For Christmas, I do maybe 5-10 of the same card at the most and then move on to another design. It's called rubber stamping ADD. LOL Have a GREAT day!

Going Postal

Well, not really GOING postal... I am going to the post office though to mail my most recent design work for Starving Artistamps. I played with Paisley this time with a few other random cards thrown in there. There is a sheet with 47 different paisleys on there and I used almost all of them. I made flowers, paisley prints and a design that was intended to be a flower and ended up as something I cannot define. :) I kinda like it though. LOL Here are the cards I am sending off today. To view the stamps and my Design Gallery, please visit: http://starvingartistamps.com/index.html

Stamp Campin'

I had a stamp camp yesterday. It was a FIVE HOURS. The ladies that came were so exhausted when they left. :) I planned eight Halloween projects. My favorite was my cute little altered cookie box. I wrote about them in my last post. I decided to put those "buggers" to use. You've heard of animal crackers right? Well, these are the same thing, but they are in the shape of BUGS. It couldn't be more perfect for Halloween. Especially for the younger kids who really aren't eating candy yet. Here is the completed project. The sentiment was purchased at my LSS. The CS and patterned paper are from Stampin' Up! I love when such an ordinary thing can become something so darn cute! Of course, to get to the bug cookies the whole thing will have to be ripped apart, but for the time being it gets to sit there looking cute.

To make it, I simply measured the box of cookies and cut the patterned paper to fit. Then, I cut cardstock to cover the sides. I finished it off with a tag and some RIBBON of course.

I also came up with a little covered matchbox. My friend, Tracy Paulk described to me how to make one and I just had to try it. I found a package of 10 matchboxes at Walmart for less than $1. I cut patterned paper to cover it. I used craft ink to color the insert that holds the matches. I then stuck a piece of CS inside the matchbox and then placed a mini hersheys bar in it. It is the perfect

size for just one little bar. They are so quick, easy and FUN to make. I may make them for my children's classes this year!

Yet another project was a simple small Hershey's bar slide. I had finished a different project and had pieces leftover. I looked it and the candy bar slider was born. It is another simple, quick project that I wouldn't mind making for the 50+ students in my two daughter's classes. I cut small pieces of orange cardstock and then scored them in the center. I stamped Aida Cloth BG on them with Versamark ink. On one side of the score line I stamped the spider from Boogie Eyes. On the other side of the score line, I used collage alpha to spell out BOO. I close with eyelets and ribbon and finished it off with filling in Mr. Spider's eyes with my white gel pen.

Here is a pic of each side of the small Hershey's Bar slide.