Matryoshka Doll

I am thrilled to share with you the project I created for the Ustamp with Dawn and Friends!! Knock Out Punches Event!

I've always loved matryoshka dolls! As a little girl they fascinated me and today I still think they are just the cutest thing. I went to work in the little blue room with my Stampin' Up! supplies and designed a matryoshka box and a cute little card to go with it! This gift set is perfect for any occasion! From "Congratulations! I knew you had it in you!" to "Thanks! You're a doll!" and just about anything in between.
Want the tutorial to create your own adorable doll? Join us for the Knock Out Punches event to get the PDF for this and over 40 more projects! Two projects posted everyday plus bonus projects! Live chats with crafters from around the world! The party started on the 4th, but it is not too late to join. The event lasts until November 23rd! Just $24.99 to join the fun! 

I hope to see you there!

P.S. I actually posted twice today! Be sure to check out my Season's Greetings card.

Stamp Club Creation July

Again I was inspired by another project from Erica over on Pink Buckaroo Designs.

She shared this idea as a teacher appreciation idea. I thought it would be fun to decorate your crafting scissors or coupon cutting scissors, too.

My stamp club ladies loved the idea because the project was so quick and easy with an awesome result. Personally decorated scissors. Too cool! I now want to do this to every pair of scissors I see!

All you have to do is

• cut a piece of patterned paper to fit over the blade
• glue to the blade using Crystal Effects
• sand around the edges to give it a nice finished look
• cover with a layer of Crystal Effects
• let dry

I made my set to match the little blue room.

The pens are even easier to make.

• unscrew the end of an RSVP pen
• cut a piece of patterned paper long enough to fit inside the casing and wide enough to wrap around the ink tube inside
• roll the patterned paper into a tube and slide it into the pen casing
• screw the end back on

Here's a coupon clipping kit I put together real quick. Seriously, it took like 5 minutes to make. It takes the Crystal Effects longer to dry than it takes to put the kit together. I used the same process used to cover the scissors on the circle latch that the elastic wraps around to add a little flair to the coupon holder and to make it all matchy-matchy.

The scissors are just the right size to slide into the holder so I can always find my scissors when I'm ready to start clipping.

I mentioned in my last post that the real life little blue room is getting a makeover soon. I've been searching the web for great room layout ideas and clever storage ideas. If you've found something that works for you or you hope to implement into your craft room someday please add the link. I'd appreciate more inspiration as I plan out the new and improved little blue room. You can leave a link below. Thanks!

Faux Turquoise Tutorial

Hello, blog friends! This post has been sitting on my computer since Monday. I love the technique but, I am not thrilled with my video. I do not like hearing my voice. The lighting is horrible because I recorded at night. It seemed like a good idea since the little ones were in bed and it was quiet. Today I decided I am still going to share the video with you because watching the shrinking process is the best part and I am really excited to share this technique with you. So, here it is...flaws and all.
Wait, here's a pretty picture first to help me feel better about my ugly video. :) I attached a faux turquoise bird charm to a wood pendant to add to a necklace. My sister, Amy, took apart an old bracelet and designed the earrings. I just love them! She was nice enough to share her copper circles with all of us at Stamp Club. (Thanks, girl!)

{I feel better now. Thanks!}

(Not sure about the volume settings so you may need to turn it up or down on your computer. I'm new to this, I don't know.)


Watching it shrink is awesome, right? I freaked the first time it curled up! I discovered as you keep heating it, it will flatten back out when it is finished.

We had a wonderful time at Stamp Club making all kinds of jewelry. I like to think we kicked shrinky dink up a notch!
Here are a few photos and other ideas for other shrink film jewelry items from my sister Amy. I forgot to bring my camera that night so she took a few photos of what she created afterwards. Thanks for the pictures! (Check out her beautiful photography on her photography blog here).




Thanks for stopping by and checking out my first video tutorial. So, what did you think? You going to give shrink film a try?

*Edited to add the tutorial using You Tube so those using an Iphone (like me) can view the video.*



Who's ready for the weekend? I'm hoping I can get a few crafts checked off the "I wish I had time to do" list.
Happy Crafting!

Linking to:

Cute Carrier {Tutorial}

Here's a quick how-to for the Cute Carrier.
Step 1
Cut a 5x12 inch strip. Fold the strip in half making a 5x6 inch rectangle and run it through the Big Shot making 2 scallop envelope die cuts.
Fold on all creases, folding the scallop flap opposite of the side and bottom flaps.


Step 2
Cut 2 strips in the remaining cardstock measuring 3 1/4x12 inches.
Score strips at 2 inches from the bottom.
Punch a handle using the large oval punch at the opposite ends. (see photo above)


Step 3
Place adhesive on the flaps of the envelopes and adhere the side envelope flaps to the 3 1/4 strips.
Fold in bottom flaps and adhere.

Step 4
Cut a 2 1/4 inch strip in coordinating designer paper or cardstock and adhere around the bottom portion of the carrier, going under the scallop flaps. This will not reach all the way around, so cut and 2 1/4x2 inch piece to fill in the gap.
Adhere the scallop flaps to the side to keep them down. (no photo for this step, oops)

Step 5
Decorate.



Tip: Run a strip of ribbon through the handle and attach to the bottom of the carrier with double sided tape, then using a different strip of ribbon, tie a bow just below the handle. Tell the recipient to peel the ribbon from the bottom to make it easier to open and the packaging stays nice and pretty.




I hope you enjoy this tutorial. If you have any question feel free to ask, I'm happy to help!
If you create your own Cute Carrier please share it with us using Mister Linky below my signature. I look forward to seeing your projects!
Thanks for visiting.

More Christmas Crafts

Here's a look at what we will be creating at Stamp Club tonight.

I finally tried "stamping" on candles. (How-to found here.) It's addicting! So fun and easy, but super cute and personal. I will be making many more of these, for sure!







Here's a non-Christmas one just to show these candles would be cute decorated in any theme. There are so many personalization and theme possiblities with this!



I purchased the glass etching cream last year and finally pulled it out. It was a little tricky but I think my decorated mug is pretty cute. I used the big shot to cut snowflakes out of contact paper. Stuck it to my glass mug and used the glass etching cream to make the snowflakes look frosty. You could do this on any smooth glass surface. Perfect for a jar filled with holiday candy, a plate of cookies, or a mug stuffed with hot chocolate mixes.





I hope my Stamp Club ladies enjoy our projects tonight.

Something Wicked Cool This Way Comes

I always have so much fun decorating for Halloween. This year I came across this idea from Martha Stewart {click here} and just had to make one. I looked at the instructions and thought of all the random items in the garage I could use to make this project. I had pieces of left over MDF, black paint, and other items from a project I finished earlier that week that could be used to create my witch, so I was determined to make it myself and only using the items I had in my garage.

The most difficult part of the project was trying to cleverly use the items I already had. If you just head to the hardware store and buy the wood and other supplies this project can be done in an afternoon.

Step one:
Print out the template found here > witch template. Spray the board with repositional spray adhesive and lay out the template following the guide numbers. I didn't even cut around the template. I just stuck it all down. I really liked using the repositional adhesive spray to just stick down the template you are going to cut. That really is a time saver!

You can just cut out the pattern lay it out and trace it, if you don't want to buy repositional spray adhesive. The repositional spray adhesive is a little pricey at around $7 a can, but I used a 40% off coupon to cut the cost. I did learn from a mistake...don't get carried away spraying the adhesive on...too much makes it too sticky and the paper doesn't want to peel off. I finally got the paper off but it left residue squares from the paper that still show up when you look closely. So all you need is a light spray of the adhesive.

Step two:
Using a jigsaw cut the template following the outline.

I suggest starting at the bottom of the dress. Because it was my first time using a jigsaw, it gave me time to get used to how the jigsaw felt and worked before I needed to cut out detailed parts of the face and sleeves. I was so worried I was going to cut the face wrong and have to start all over. I just went super slow and it was fine. I didn't follow all of the lines perfectly, but I never messed up so badly that I couldn't just cut back to the outline and keep going. So don't freak out on little mistakes, no one will notice when you are finished.

Step three:
Peel off the template and paint her black. I had a little black spray paint so I sprayed the edges and the back then used some left over satin black paint on the front. I set her out over night and did not like how shiny she was because you could see every flaw. No woman likes to show off her flaws so I grabbed some leftover black chalkboard paint to give her a flat finish. I like her much better.

Step four:
Hammer the support pole into the ground about 12 inches. I used old tent poles that we had in our "take to the dump" pile. The one time I'm happy my husband had not taken the pile to the dump yet, lol. Then attach the witch to the pole. I used strips of hanger tape. It seems to be holding just fine so far.



Step five:
Attach the accessories. I found my lantern at a thrift store for only 55 cents. I added a screw on the back of her hand and hung the lantern from it. Then I found an old cinnamon scented broom at a thrift store. I cut off the broom end and attached it to a large stick I picked up on the side of the road. I attached the broom the same way I attached the pole.

So the total cost for me to make my witch was less than $3 because of the supplies I already had on hand!



I finished the scene with a cauldron over a fire. I used a pile of sticks I found on the side of the road to make my fire pit. I wired the sticks together to make a circle. Then I used a glass bowl wrapped in a yellow plastic table cloth and orange sparkle tulle with an orange strobe light to create my glowing flickering fire. I found the cauldron at Party City and lined it with foil. Then I placed white Christmas lights in the bottom and stuffed it with green cellophane, also from Party City. I hope to buy a smoke machine for next year so the cauldron can have a smoking glowing brew, but for this year, I think she is wicked cool!

Make & Take Monday

Supplies:

Stampin' Up! rhinestone brads (I used one medium and one large rhinestone brad for each earring)
2 Fish Hook Wires
2 Round Jump Rings 6mm

First cut the ends of the brads prongs just where the prongs begin to seperate to attach to the brad.

Slide one prong of the medium brad into the loop on the fish hook earring and fold down prong.

Slide the other prong of the medium brad into the jump ring and fold flat.

Slide one prong on the large brad into the jump ring and fold flat.

Repeat for the second earring.

You can also make a matching bracelet using these brads and the jump rings. You will need to add a clasp to the end. You can buy those in the same section as the jump rings and fish hook earrings in your local craft store.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Make & Take Monday

When I'm out and about I've always got an eye out searching for cute little gifts or fun things to alter and make crafty. I had found little flower growing kits packaged in a tiny flower pot with soil and seeds inside. Super cute. So bought a few thinking I could decorate them and give as a thank you or something. While visiting one of my favorite websites Splitcoast Stampers I came across these adorable paper watering cans. Right then I knew it would be perfect for my tiny flower pot. I was hoping the flower pot would fit down inside but the top was too large. I'm still in love with how it turned out! 



Since it is so easy and so cute I thought I'd share it for Make & Take Monday. Because there is a printable template it took little time to put it all together.

Step 1
Print the template from the link below on cardstock or patterned paper and cut out the four pieces: watering can body, spout, curved handle and back handle. Stamp any designs at this time.

Watering Can Template

Step 2
Working on the "wrong" side of the paper, score and fold the dashed red lines on the watering can body. I also inked the edges and folds to add depth.

Step 3
Apply adhesive to the folds on the "right" side of the paper and bring sides together to form the can body.

Step 4
Curve the front flaps and tuck into the sides of the watering can using a dab of adhesive to keep in place.

Step 5
Take the spout and fold with "wrong" sides turned to the inside as indicated by the red dashed lines in the template.

Step 6
Apply adhesive to the end of the spout's inner sides to hold them together.

Apply adhesive to the base of the spout and attach to the front of the watering can body.

Step 7
Attach the curved top handle ensuring that the handle curves to the back. (I didn't add this to my example because the flower pot would not fit.)

Step 8
To cover the printed words and the other side of the designer paper I cut a second strip for the handle for the back and glued the wrong sides together.
Fold the handle for the back on the dashed red lines as indicated in the template.

Step 9
Attach to the back of the can to form a ‘D’ shape.

Step 10
Now your can is ready to be decorated!





Stampin' Up Supplies:

Paper:
A Walk in the Park designer series paper (retired)
Chocolate Chip cardstock
So Saffron cardstock

Stamps:
Great Friend ( Butterfly and "for you")

Punches:
Scallop Circle
Boho Blossoms

Big Shot:
Swirls Scribbles Die


While I was working on my watering can I thought how easy it would be to use the same template to create a teapot. Of course I had to try it out right away.



I changed the spout and created a lid, tada...a teapot. I used the picture of the teapot in the background as inspiration for my little paper teapot. It is just the right size to hold a few packages of herbal tea. 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Paper:
Whisper White cardstock
Basic Black cardstock
Melon Mambo cardstock

Stamps:
Baroque Motifs (swirls)
Cold & Cuddly (sentiment on tag)

Punches:
Boho Blossoms
Word Window
Modern Label



Two cute ideas from one template! Love it. I hope you enjoyed this Monday Make & Take. If you have any questions just ask. I'm happy to help. If you would like to purchase any Stampin' Up supplies, I'm here to help with that, too. Just email me at r.ricks@mchsi.com to place an order.
We'd all enjoy seeing what you create. Simply add a link to a photo of your creation in the comments.

Hope you have a wonderful week.

Make & Take Monday

It's already Monday again and time for Monday Make and Take! Have I got some eye candy for you...literally! LOL.
This make and take was postponed due to my little goblin and ghouls gobbling up the goodies while mummy was away.
I've been searching the world wide web for fun Halloween ideas and found these candies. Once I found these I knew I wanted to create a jar of eyeballs to go along with my spell book and other potions set out for Halloween. I found this jar at the local craft store. I collected some eyeballs, filled my jar, and created an eyeball label. My little goblin and ghouls LOVE them and they taste really good, too.

To make the eye candy you will need:
-Lindt White chocolate truffles
-Cookie icing (because it hardens)in the eye color of your choice
-Chocolate cookie icing for the pupil

Create a circle in the eye color icing then fill it with the chocolate icing. Let the icing set for 4 hours (or what is instructed on your icing package) before placing in the container.

Tip: I scrunched up the wrapper to lay the truffle in while I decorated it and let the icing set so it didn't roll every where. Eyeballs can be slippery little guys.

There you go. Super easy but so cool.

To create the label you will need:
1 1/4" circle punch
1" circle punch
1/2" circle punch
Basic Black and Whisper White cardstock
Cardstock in the eye color of your choice
Black ink and sponge
White Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen
Adhesive
Step one:
Punch a 1 1/4" circle in Whisper White cardstock.
Punch a 1" circle in the eye color cardstock.
Punch a 1/2" circle in Basic Black cardstock.
Step two:
Ink the edges of the eye color circle with black ink and sponge.
Step three:
Adhere the eye color circle on top of the white circle.
Adhere the black circle into the center of the eye color circle.
Step four:
Add a catch light to the black circle with the white gel pen.
Step five:
Attach your eyeball to your project.

I centered one eyeball onto the stamped image from the stamp set Gallery. The eyeball was just the right size to for the center! I also attached one to the the top of the jar because it was a perfect fit.
I hope you enjoyed the make and take. I plan to have more Halloween goodies and packaging ideas soon. If I can keep little goblin and ghoul fingers out of the goodies, that is.
Have a lovely Monday.