Sunday, October 31, 2010

Twelve Days Of Creative Christmas

WELCOME FRIENDS!

Twelve Days of Creative Christmas begins today!
Let's CELEBRATE!
"Tis The Season To Eat Chocolate
Fa la la la la la la la!"
Come One Come All..
Gather around my Christmas table!
Greetings to...
 Candy Canes, Chocolate, Christmas Mice, Christmas Dishes
and YOU...
my special guest!

LET THE MAGIC BEGIN!
A CHRISTMAS TABLETOP!
ON THE MENU:

Candy Canes and Peppermint Candy(Dinner Napkins)!
(1) Red and White Stocking to hold your silverware

(1) glass jar filled with candy kisses with a "Tis The Season" Tag

and finally..
Christmas Mice to keep you company!
We are ready for a Festive Christmas Dinner!
Let's pretend a Delicious Christmas Dinner will be served shortly!
Christmas Dishes are certainly one of my weaknesses!
I've inherited my Mother's love for Dishes!

My inspiration started with this Fabric "Tis The Season To Eat Chocolate fa la la la la la la la"!
I'm happy to say, I finally have a table cloth that fits my table of 10!
I can never find one large enough that fits my table the way I want it to fit.
I made my table cloth from three coordinating fabrics, trimmed with
Red Ric Rac, Candy Cane Stripes and a Chocolate Brown Border.

Wishing your Family many joyous Christmas Dinners together!
Come back and visit soon!
Tomorrow, I will feature more from
"Tis The Season"
Christmas Gifts for the Kitchen!

Share the Twelve Days Of Christmas with someone you Love
 or someone that you feel could
use some Christmas Cheer!

For the next 12 Days of Creative Christmas,
I will leave you with a idea to share for
Twelve Days of Christmas.
Here is the FIRST one!
On the First Day of Christmas
Your secret mouse brings to you
Six Festive Christmas Place mats for you
to use each night!!
Love,
Your secret Santa Mouse

My daughter's Inspiration:
If You Take A Mouse To The Movies!
(Christmas Edition)
What a fun day!
Look who's hiding behind the chair with two little mice!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

CAS Matchbox Sympathy card using Craft Concepts Budding Vine embossing folder


Hi and welcome to my Blog :-)

Over at Splitcoaststampers, this week's Clean and Simple Challenge CAS91 is 'With Sympathy', so I set to work to make a simple card to have on hand. This card came together so quickly and easily - I love it when that happens!

Recently, when I was at my local Riot Art and Craft shop (Aussie store), I found these blank white Matchbox cards (they are A2 size and come in a pack of 8) and thought they looked nice. Of course, you can make your own. I couldn't find a tutorial on SCS or by Googling it so perhaps it is called something else in the USA (?). Anyway, I think by the extra photo of the opened card, you could see how to make your own plus I added some directions/measurements below. Note that this card already came with the scalloped edge on the LH flap.

I embossed the RH flap of the card with my gorgeous Craft Concepts Budding Vine embossing folder (LOVE this folder!) and the LH flap was embossed with one of the narrow folders from the Cuttlebug 'With Love' set.

The ribbon actually ties around the card, and you slip it off to open the card. I diecut the tag using one of the tags from the Spellbinder Ribbon Tags Trio, then threaded the ribbon thru and tied it at the back of the card. I made a bow with my Bow Easy and glued this to the ribbon but made sure I didn't touch the cardstock in the process otherwise the ribbon/sentiment wouldn't slip off the card - the bow is meant to look like it is around the daisy stems.

I punched two tiny hearts using my EK Success Arrows border punch (the leftover punchies when you use the punch look like tiny hearts) and glued them to each side of the sentiment. Lastly, I added some fine white glitter to these hearts plus the centres of the daisy flowers on the LH panel. This is a really white glitter - it doesn't have the blue/pinky tones that some white glitters have - and I prefer my really white one for Sympathy cards to give an understated look.

Here is a photo of what the card looks like when you slide the ribbon off:


The inside of the card simply says "With Sympathy".

And here is a close-up of the sentiment panel so you can see the tiny white-glittered hearts:


For your info if you were going to make your own Matchbox card from scratch:

* the LH flap is 1-1/2" wide
* the RH flap (which tucks under the LH flap a little) is 4-1/4" wide
* the card bottom (base) is 5-1/2" wide
* the height of the card is 4-1/4"

Take a sheet of cardstock 11-1/4" long (x 4-1/4" wide), and use your Imperial Scor Pal/Scoring Board to score lines at 1-1/2" (which will be the LH flap) and 7" (which will be the RH flap).

Don't forget that if you are going to use a border punch on the LH flap, you would need to add extra width to that flap so that once you have punched your border, the RH flap would still tuck under the LH flap, otherwise it will be too narrow and won't tuck in.

The good thing about this style of card is that you can turn it around and have the small flap at the RHS instead, or vertically so that the small flap is at the top, or the other way up so that the small flap is at the bottom. Very versatile and something a bit different to the norm - and easy.

If you need any clarification of the measurements etc, please don't hesitate to EMail me - or leave me a comment and I'll edit this post. My addy is at the top LHS of my Blog. Make sure you put "cardmaking" in the Subject Line so your EMail doesn't get spammed!

Thanks again for stopping by - hope to see you again soon!

Jocelyn


Card Recipe:

Stamps: Sentiment from Wendy Irving Expressions J6412.01 clear set

Ink: Stazon Jet Black

Accessories: Cuttlebug, Bunch of Daisies embossing folder from 'With Love' Cuttlebug set, Craft Concepts Budding Vine embossing folder, Spellbinder Ribbon Tags Trio, Bow Easy, white organza ribbon 10mm - 3/8" wide, .008 fine white glitter, Designer Dries clear adhesive (for glitter), The Paper Mill White A2 Matchbox cards PMAZMW - Riot Art and Craft

Punches: EK Success Arrows Border

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Sketchbook Project

I promise that I meant to mention this earlier. In case anyone is interested, there are only two days left to sign up for
the sketchbook project.

I ordered mine a little late, so I'll have a lot of sketching to do between now and January!

For my theme/topic, I picked "I'm a Scavenger". (oooh, so true) You should see the assortment of leaves, twigs, feathers, moss and fungus that I collected on today's walk...(actually, you  WILL see them in some upcoming artwork!)

The Sketchbook Project: 2011
If anyone feels like participating, sign up soon!
I'll be posting pics of mine as I go. I'd love to see yours!

Countdown to Twelve Days Of Creative Christmas

                                                                   

The time is drawing near!
Twelve Days Of Creative Christmas will soon be here!
I've been happily crafting, and sewing, for the
Joyful Holidays upon us!

Twelve Days Of Creative Christmas will
spotlight 12 days of delightful Christmas Ideas for 
HOME and FAMILY! 
 Chocolate and Candy Canes are on the list!
(photo credit/inspiration: Martha Stewart)
Come along!
BELIEVE in the magaic of Christmas!
I will see you all on November 1st

Happy Halloween!


Sunday, October 24, 2010

Pumpkin Parade

Can you believe October is coming to a end?
This last week of October brings a lot Halloween Fun!
Check out these Spooktacular Pumpkins!
(photo credits: Pottery Barn, Better Homes and Garden,
Woman's Day)


Wishing you all a Boo-ti-ful Fun Halloween Week!


These Adorable Pumpkins were made with
STYROFOAM BALLS-embellished with
crepe paper, Halloween and polka dot ribbons,
and Ric Rac!

My little witch and Motor Cross Dude!
SEW FUN!
Happy Halloween!

Friday, October 22, 2010

House Mouse Sleepy Stocking: Clean and Simple Christmas Hat


Hi and welcome to my Blog :-)

I made a clean, quick and simple card using just the hat and one of the sentiments from my House Mouse 'Sleepy Stocking' set.  This particular set isn't up on Fat Cat's Card Corner's website yet, but keep an eye out - I'm sure it will be soon (there are already some House Mouse sets listed here).   I coloured the hat with Prismacolor and Derwent Coloursoft pencils plus OMS, then added some Polar White FlowerSoft - I LOVE the texture that the FlowerSoft adds - it is such cool stuff!!

The main image panel is up on 1mm mounts (dimensionals).  The ribbon is a much brighter green IRL - more like Irish Green - but being sparkly, it was rather difficult to photograph.  The green and red cardstock underneath the main image panel is also a bit brighter IRL.

The embossing on the white cardstock is a Cuttlebug Embossing folder called:  Season's Greetings  although my cardstock was smaller than the folder, so some of the writing isn't on my cardstock.

Lastly, I added a green pearl either side of the sentiment, and a red pearl to the diecut snowflake on the ribbon.

Although I have already made a card for the SCS Inspiration Challenge IC253 - see this link for the deets - I was so inspired by the John Lewis Department Store, that I made another card.  This card was inspired by this red and white Christmas ornament here.  I really liked the red & white combo and the red border, which made me think of my new Eyelet Nesties and how I could layer some red cardstock underneath to make a border.  I did end up adding the green cardstock layer and the green ribbon - the card ended up needing a little "pizazz".  I would love to get the round Eyelet Nesties one day - I think I would use them alot - in fact, I would love to see similar Nesties but with snowflakes or stars instead of the circles.  Oh well, it's nice to dream.......

Thanks again for stopping by - hope to see you again soon!

Jocelyn


Card Recipe:

Stamps:  House Mouse Sleepy Stocking JSHM006 unmounted rubber set

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Snowflake #2 die, Season's Greetings embossing folder, Spellbinder Eyelet Nestabilities, sparkly green ribbon, Bow Easy, FlowerSoft Polar White, Aleen's tacky glue (for FlowerSoft), 1mm mounts, Prismacolor pencils, Derwent Coloursoft pencils, OMS, paper stumps, Kaiser pearls:  red and green, Cardstock:  red, green, KW Doggett "Knight" white

Punches:  Stampin' Up corner

Thursday, October 21, 2010

SEW HAPPY!

Welcome Friends!
My son brought me the mail today.
A large brown envelope sent AIR MAIL
 was waiting in the pile!
I had no idea what my son was actually bringing me!
I opened the large brown envelope,
to my surprise SEW MAGAZINE arrived!
What a SEW HAPPY DAY!
DECK THE HALLS is on page 62
 and my Halloween Quilt is on the inside front cover!
WAHOO!
Inside this great SEW Magaine you will find
Sewing Patterns and Sewing Projects, Christmas Quilts, Christmas Ideas,
Gift Ideas, Childrens patterns, and the best part...
few advertisements with a free sewing pattern in every issue!
What a FUN SURPRISE!
I'm so honored.
I share the page with Moda Bake Shop!
Thank you SEW MAGAZINE!
THANK YOU NIKKI!
I LOVE your magazine!

Halloween Pumpkins

Select Halloween Pumpkins Reduced and Ready to Ship!
Priority Shipping!
SALE begins Today!
You will receive your pumpkins in plenty of time for
Halloween and many seasons to come!
My workshop is clearing the shelves and making way for
Christmas!
ENJOY!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Tony's Stocking

The interesting thing about Tony’s Stocking – a shippable, corrugated cardboard box shaped like a Christmas stocking -- is that it goes right through the mail, as is, no wrapping, no tape.  Just stuff it and ship it.  The best thing is there is no extra charge for shipping this unique shape.  When was the last time the box you shipped it in delivered as much excitement as the gift inside?

Tony’s Stocking, a unique, patent-pending stocking-box, is the innovative invention of Cathy Staller, whose son, Tony, is in the Air Force. When Tony was stationed away from home his first Christmas season, Cathy crafted a special stocking-shaped box out of cardboard and duct tape, filled it with goodies, and sent it  to him. Despite its “homemade” appearance, that first stocking brought so much joy to everyone who saw it that we decided to make it available to everyone. Nothing reminds us more about family and home than the traditional holiday stocking. Last year, hundreds of Tony’s Stockings were stuffed by volunteers and shipped to our troops overseas.

Tony's Stocking can be found at ShipShapeUSA.
 
Spread joy this Christmas, before your presents are even opened!

Tony's Stocking

* Made in the U.S.A.
* 90% Solar-powered manufacturing
* Recycled and recyclable materials
* Ships via USPS, UPS, FedEx, and more
* No extra shipping charges for unique shape
* Retail price: $5; wholesale pricing available
* Branding and customization available


 

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Happy Holidays!

If you LOVE HOLIDAY DECOR, especially
FALL AND CHRISTMAS...
You will LOVE TAI PAN TRADING!
(I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about!)
Unfortunately, I don't live close to a Tai Pan Trading Store,
(maybe that is a good thing!)
When I visit Utah,  I visit Tai Pan!
The Fall Tablescapes were bursting with
bright orange pumpkins,
Tall twigs and beautiful avocado green dishes!
The store is like one huge Eye Candy Store!
I can't get enough of it!
I get excited for Christmas when I walk inside!
The theme of each Christmas Tree was carried out beautifully!
My mind was running a million miles with all the
Holiday Ribbon, Adorable Stockings, Garland, Ornaments,
Christmas Dishes, 
Table top Decor, and more!

When I found the perfect Tree with gorgeous Candy Cane INSPIRATION...
My camera battery went dead!
I tried to sketch in my mind  the beautiful decor
that I wanted to remember and take HOME with me!

Twelve Days of Creative Christmas will
highlight some new ideas that I can't
wait to share!
I LOVE CHRISTMAS!
My Christmas Trees are anxiously waiting!
Yes, I know Halloween must come first!
Halloween is great too!