The Altered Paper ATC Christmas Swap

 

I can't tell you how much fun I'm having with the swaps at The Altered Paper! I'm creating things I never done before....like altering matchboxes and making ATCs.

This is the first ATC I've ever made and it went to Donna at Red Apple Junction. The theme was "The Night Before Christmas" so I created the paper using MTC print functions. I think this program is probably one of the best purchases I've ever made. It cuts, prints, bezier curves (which is what I did with the "Twas" using an old english font). I changed colors and typed the rest of the sentence using a MS font. I added the holly and colored with Copics after I printed. I'm becoming addicted to burlap, so I covered the red ATC base, then cut the merry christmas cardstock with Spellbinders Labels Seventeen and embossed with Tim Holtz holly embossing folder. I went arond the edge with gold stamp ink and added some tiny christmas cookie cutters, ribbon, silver snowflake, red bow and silver Liquid Pearls.

Keeping Warm

 

I recently joined a tag swap at The Altered Paper. Oh, my goodness! I have such fun there! So far I've made 3 tags, a large altered matchbox, and my first ATC!!!
When I receive my matchbox from my partner, I'll post both of them.
I am enjoying making tags so much that I went searching for more swaps! I found another great blog, Tag Tuesday. Sadly, the group is full but I am on the waiting list. Yay! You can, however, play along, making a tag for the weekly theme and post it on your blog. Carolyn will add your name to her blog list so all of her followers and swappers can check out your tag.

The theme for this week's tag is "Keeping Warm". There's a section of the blog titled "themes and prompts" where you can find future themes and ideas.
Even though the swap is full right now, it will be time well spent to check out this blog. And, if you're hooked on tags, it will be one of your fav places!

Supplies used:

K&Co.: Que Sera Sera designer cardstock

Michael's: white cardstock, pearls, ribbon, silver rick-rack, lock and key, pop-up-dots, Recollections stamp pad in Chestnut

Eclectica Memphis: hat pin

Brilliance pearlescent sky blue stamp pad

Image: TeddyBo #191 digi stamp

Copic Sketch Markers

Bird's Cards: svg tag

MTC cutting program

Zig 2 way glue

Scor-Tape

My warm and snuggly tag will be entered in the following challenges:

Forever Friends Challenge #50 ~ "Glitter and Sparkle"

Joanna Sheen Challenge ~ "Anything Goes Except Christmas"

Handmade Gifts Are Best!

 

Every year I make the Christmas presents for my mother-in-law to give to her bridge club players. Last year it was personalized note cards in a matching bag. This year I wanted to try something different. I made homemade soap! Yeah, is that cool or what! I ordered this so sah-weet silicone mold from Ebay and used a melt and pour method. I added just a touch of pink coloring and lavender essentail oil. Ohhh, they smell divine.

I always make a Christmas card to go with the gift. This took a while as each one had to be colored. Now, it wouldn't be complete without a matching box!
I think they turned out really well and I'm having so much fun making soap that I don't think we'll ever have to buy another bar!

Supplies used:

Image: Mo Manning Winter Fairy Halla

Memory Box: Pink candy cane cardstock

Michael's: white cardstock, green ribbon, silver ribbon

Cottage Cutz: Christmas tree

Stickles: Cotton Candy

Paper Glaze

Martha Stewart: white glitter, white flocking powder, scoring board, doily punch

Marvy scallop punch

Fiskars paper trimmer

Zig 2 way glue

Scotch ATG 700 tape gun

Copic Sketch Markers

The Merry Christmas Matchbox Swap

 

Oh my! What a fun swap this was. I've never before altered a matchbox, but I just love all the swaps at The Altered Paper, so I had to join!
There was a lot of fun involved in making this box for Donna, my swap partner. I really wanted it to be personalized just for her, so I placed a "D" clip on the bow.
I waited until she received it (25 NOV) to do this post. Yeah, I waited!
Here it is....

This time we were suppose to go "all out" on the goodies we sent, so I made a special trip to Memphis to pick up some really nice goodies for Donna. My favorite is the chandelier ornament.

I can't wait to see what she sends. I've been to her blog, My Cup Of Tea and it's marvelous!

Have a fun and crafty day!

GIve Thanks

 

Today is Thanksgiving. A day when we gather with family and friends and give thanks for all our many blessings. Everyday should be a day of thanks.
I have so much for which to be thankful. I have the best family in the world, the best friends ever,
and my Make The Cut is working again! LOL!

This is the last of my Thanksgiving cards ~ going out a little late. Oh, well.

Supplies used:
Fresh Brewed Designs - Give Thanks Pumpkin image
Hobby Lobby - white cardstock, burlap, twine, buttons, pop-up dots
The Paper Studio - green background, light brown shadow cardstock
Copic sketch markers
Marvy - leaf punch
2 Way Glue


I'm entering my card in the following challenges:

Fresh Brewed Designs FBC 123 ~ So Thankful
Tiddly Inks Challenge #98 ~ Gratitude
Digi Stamps 4 Joy #55 ~ Give Thanks
Love To Create #42 ~ Give Thanks

It's Tag Tuesday!

It's time for another tag! I recently made a tag that was size #8. All the previous tags I made were #5.
This made me wonder just how many tag sizes there were and exactly what were the measurements. I went to an online store, U-Line, that sells all kinds of shipping merchandise and I found a list for all the different sizes! I thought I'd share them with you in case you need them for future reference.
#1 - 2 3/4" x 1 3/8"
#2 - 3 1/4" x 1 5/8"
#3 - 3 3/4" x 1 7/8"
#4 - 4 1/4" x 2 1/8"
#5 - 4 3/4" x 2 3/8"
#6 - 5 1/4" x 2 5/8"
#7 - 5 3/4" x 2 7/8"
#8 - 6 1/4" x 3 1/8"
After the 2nd tag, I noticed a trend. For every 2/4" increase in length, there's a 2/8" increase in width.
There you go! All tag numbers with their sizes!
Okay, lesson over! Let's move onto Tag Tuesday. The theme for this week is "Winterscape".

I created my tag as though I were gazing out onto a snowy night through an open window. I hope I had a coat on!

Supplies used:

CTI Paper USA - pearl cardstock

Spellbinders - window die cut

Birds Cage - svg tag

Michael's - ribbon, pearls, gold button, ribbon flower, pop-up-dots

Image - Google search

MTC - cutting program

Zig 2 way glue

Martha Stewart scoring board

Don't forget to stop by Tag Tuesday and check out all of the gorgeous tags they will be sharing this week. I'm sure you'll get plenty of wonderful inspiration if you're in the mood to whip out a few tags!

It's Time to Decorate to Celebrate!

 

I'm so honored to get to be a guest designer this week for Decorate To Celebrate! The theme is "Over The Hill Party"! Make any decoration or party supply for any type of Over 40/50/60 Party and enter Challenge #38. You have 2 weeks to come up with something really fun!
And, if you win, OMG!!!! It's a mini album made just for you by Rhonda at Scrap Happens!
She made the most beautiful carousel mini album when I won several challenges ago. I asked if she could put my grandson's name on it as we were about to have a second grandson and I wanted something for him so he wouldn't feel left out. It is so beautiful. Rhonda really puts her heart in the mini albums she makes, and it shows!

Here's the birthday party favor bag I made. You know, this COULD be me!!!

Supplies used:

Georgia Pacific: white cardstock

Mels Stampz purse template

Copic Sketch Markers

EK Success: circle edge punch

Michael's: ribbon and rhinestone

Font: Curlz MT

Scotch ATG 700 Tape Gun

It's All About Girls!

 

This month at Unique Crafters Challenge Blog, it's all about little girls! Our sponsor, Cedar Chest Designs has some adorable digis and I used "Ruby with Bow" to make this cute little purse! The winner of this month's challenge will win a $25.00 gift certificate to Cedar Chest Dsigns!

Sugar and spice and everything nice.

That's what little girls are made of!

You can enter any creative craft. Card, layout, tag, box, purse....just as long as it has something to do with little girls!

Supplies used:

Floral cardstock ~ old stash

Marvy ~ large scalloped oval punch

Copic Sketch markers

EK success ~ Chinese Knot Chain edger punch

Zig 2 way glue

Michael's pop up dots

Cedar Chest Designs ~ Ruby with Bow digi stamp