Good Grief; where have I been? Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Good grief indeed!

You would not believe the internet issues I have had.  I've been trying to recruit physicians from home but my DSL service is a joke.  Then my e-mail started sending out random spam, so I changed all my passwords.  Including my Blogger one.....which I couldn't remember....tee hee!  My whole life has been a comedy of errors.

Anyway,  here are a few of my Spellbinders(TM) Christmas projects that have been posted on the Spellbinders' blog, so I can show them to you now!

First is a log cabin that I made using several different Spellbinders die templates.  The details are here on the blog.   There are additional photos and I believe a supply list as well.  It was a lot of fun to make!  The scalloped die template would make a great gingerbread house roof, wouldn't it?

I found these awesome papier maiche stars at Oriental Trading Company last year, so I decided to cover it and decorate it this year (finally - ha!)  I used the Nested Hearts die templates as well as Labels Fifteen peeking out from the back.  The paper is retired from Close To My Heart, but any vintage paper would do nicely.  Or take it in another direction by using bright and cheery colors.  By the way, you can find my rose tutorial here.

My third project features a viola made from Labels Fourteen.  And real wood paper - how cool is that!  I colored it with Copic Markers and used Doodle Parts to finish the viola handle and vents.  The 2010 Snowflake die template is covered with glitter.  What a mess I made!

Now, I usually give you all of the SKU numbers, but I am anxious to get this posted.  And I am a bit lazy tonight too.  Ha.  Suffice it to say that you can find all of them here.


I was in Gainesville last weekend to celebrate my son graduating (go GATORS)!  He earned two Bachelor's degrees - one in Physics and one in Astronomy.  He is so awesome!

Well, I'll be  back soon with a couple of more Christmas projects - can you  believe it is seriously almost here? 

Till then,

Bookend Cozy Instructions- Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Welcome back, y'all!  If you didn't get a chance yesterday, please scroll down to my last post and leave a comment for a chance to win a Grand Calibur and other wonderful prizes!

Yesterday I promised that I would post instructions for the Bookend Cozy that I created for the Spellbinders' Holiday Hoppin' Blog Hop.  Well, here they are!

I decided that since my sweet mom gave me her old bookends to use, I would cover one for her sewing room.   I will probably go back and 'tweak' it a little....it should have buttons and seam binding on it, right?  ha.  But I wanted to get this finished in time to post for you.

First I cut out all of the elements for my project.  I had purchased an old sewing pattern, so that seemed perfect to use as my background paper!  It was creased and brown, but I like it that way (vintage, right?  ha!).

Of course it needed stability, so I began with a piece of soft gray cardstock with the largest of the LF-190 Grand Labels Four die templates.  As you can see, I also cut a portion of the larger template with plain cream cardstock to use as the back of the cozy (sleeve). Use the next size (second to largest) die template



to cut the pattern instruction paper.  Then use the smallest die template to cut the actual pattern.  Now, the pattern paper is extremely thin, so I ran a piece of the grey cardstock through my Xyron 5" sticker maker and slapped the pattern onto it before I cut it.  See how nicely it cut?

I used another die template from S4-298 Antiquities - the crown! - and another piece of F-013 Premium Craft Foil -purple! - just for fun.  I may or may not leave it on the project once I fuss with some buttons.

 

Now begin your assembly.  Score your large template so that it will 'sit' on your bookend, yet still cover it.  I scored mine three inches from the bottom, but yours may vary depending upon your bookend.

Attach the top portion of your patterned paper piece with adhesive (I used a tape runner).  Now, apply adhesive to the bottom piece, but make sure it is standing at a 90 degree angle (straight up) before you smooth it down.  If you adhere it totally flat, it will wrinkle and buckle when you fold it.

Place this on top of your back cover piece and draw a line along the bottom.  Cut along the line; now your back cover piece will exactly fit onto the back of the front piece (clear as mud?  ha).

This part is crucial - put your adhesive ONLY AROUND THE EDGES - top and sides only - so that your cozy will slip over the top of the booked!  You can see in the photo how I have placed the tape just around the edges.  Now, I suggest that you use a strong red-line tape.

Decide where you want to place your smallest pattern piece and score it accordingly.  Adhere it like you did the paper (top first, fold, then adhere the bottom).

Embellish!  I added a pretty bow as well as the crown topped with a white pearl.  I may go back and remove the crown and add a few buttons.  We shall see!








Here's how the back looks after I've slipped the cozy over the bookend.

My original idea was to put a photo in the center - think of all of the possibilities!  Kitchen Bookend Cozies for Grandma with photos of her baking cookies with her grandbabies.  Who couldn't use bookends for their cookbooks?  'Nuff said.

I hope this was instructional for you.  Most of all, thank you so much for all of the sweet, precious comments on yesterday's post.  It's so rewarding to feel that you have inspired someone to create!   I hope you become a follower of my blog (see the column to the right) and let me share more ideas with you!

Now, send me photos of your cozies so I can share them!  Oh, I can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy,

JustRite Friday Challenge #035 - Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

 Break out the Glimmer Mist!  That's what I did...and it was fun!  JustRite's Friday Challenge this week was to make a Christmas tag.  I decided I wanted to try using some Glimmer Mist, and the colors that I had were a bit non-traditional.  But don't let that stop you!  A little glitter, some snowflakes and a beautiful sentiment will pull it all together.

Now, mine didn't come together exactly like I planned, but I certainly wasn't going to trash all of that sparkle - ha!  I noticed - too late - that my center snowflake and flower are on the same plane. Ah, well.  It could be worse, I guess.  I used the awesome stamp set "Christmas Nested Sentiments" and my new clear acrylic JustRite block.  LOVED it!!!  Spellbinders 2010 Snowflake Pendant, some CTMH paper, ink and pearls, a few Prima flowers, ribbon and call it a tag!

So what colors are you going to try for your Christmas projects?  I still love the vintage, muted ivy and cranberry, but you should step outside of your comfort zone sometimes.  You might like it...you might not.....but you never know unless you try!

Till later,

Embossed Ornament Tutorial and some blog candy!

Happy Monday!  First and foremost, I want to thank you so much for all of your sweet comments this weekend.  I truly hope that you try and make your own flower.  Of course, I had a 'brainstorm' (as my mom would say - tee hee) last night as to how to change it up a little bit.  I'll work on that this week and try to have a new tutorial for you next weekend.

In the meantime, here are the directions for making the ornament:

This simple but elegant holiday ornament was made with S4-288 Classic Diamonds Die Templates and I2-1009 Flourish Impressabilities.  Here are some of the products that you will need to create this project:

Use your favorite cardstock color - just think of the possibilities!  I used CTMH Blush cardstock for the base and WorldWin Papers' Mirror-Cast Gold Metallic Foil for the smaller diamonds.

Cut/emboss eight cardstock diamonds with S4-288 Classic Diamonds #5 (remember, the smallest die template is #1, increasing in number as they get larger).  Cut/emboss eight foil cardstock diamonds with die template #4, embossing with the I2-1009 Impressabilities.  The above picture shows how to make your sandwich:  Place your white master plate on the bottom, followed by the Impressabilities,  followed by the Classic Diamonds die template (cutting side up), followed by the foil cardstock (face down), followed by the embossing mat, followed by the second white master plate.  Doesn't that embossed diamond look gorgeous?

Center the foil/embossed diamond over the blush cardstock diamond, adhering with your favorite adhesive.  Repeat with all eight diamonds.  Score down the center as shown above, fold and crease well with your bone folder.

Use a strong glue to adhere the back of the diamonds together.. 

I used these cute little spiral clips to help hold the seams tightly together while the glue dried.

Before you glue the last set of diamonds together to complete the ornament, insert a long strand of ribbon with which to hang the ornament.

It's easy enough to duplicate, even mass-produce.  Try using different Impressabilities for different looks!  Add pearls at the top and bottom, ribbon, tinsel...you get the idea! 

Here's one I made with red cardstock.  I cut/embossed the smaller diamonds with white cardstock, using the same Flourishes Impressabilities.  With the Impressabilities still in place, I sponged red ink through the openings in the template.

Now.  I promised blog candy!  See that awesome bone folder in the first photo?  It's up for grabs, along with a surprise goody bag of acrylic stamps, ribbon and other high-quality embellishments!  Why is it a surprise?  Because I haven't taken a  photo - tee hee!

So this candy is available to anyone who follows my blog!  Just leave me a comment saying that you are a follower (sign up now - over on the right colunmn) or have been a follower for a while....and you're in the drawing!!!

I'll announce the winner here Wednesday night.  Sound good?

Thanks again for giving me your time.  You guys rock!!!

JustRite BlogHop sponsored by Spellbinders(TM) CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Hey y'all!  Here I am with a sore throat after coughing my fool head off last week.  Good grief!  At least I have a desk job, right?

Anyway, I've cooked up a little recipe box to play along with JustRite Stampers' Blog Hop sponsored this week by Spellbinders!  The challenge is to share a summer recipe project using JustRite stamps, and then share the recipe! 

I used two JustRite stamp sets to create this recipe box with inserts - Joyful Hearts, Borders and Centers on the front label, and the Special Occasions Uppercase font set on the inserts.  The front label is probably my favorite part!  I embossed the sentiment with Sparkle 'n Sprinkle Cherry Cosmic Opaque Embossing Powder, then cut the sentiment with Spellbinders S4-110 Classic Ovals Large die template, matted with S4-251 Big Scalloped Ovals Large, and mounted on S4-235 Fancy Tags (yum!).  All the papers are CTMH's Cherry-O line.

I cut, embossed and stenciled a little scalloped edge on the card inserts with S4-244 Fair Isle borders.  The cute little cherry elements are CTMH's Cherry-O Opaque Pearl Stickers.  A few buttons, a little ribbon and Stickles and it's complete!

Now for the recipe.  Summers are hot here in Florida, so we really enjoy our cold beverages!  Here's an awesome recipe for Strawberry Lemonade.  Why don't you give it a try and let me know how it turns out?

Strawberry Lemonade

1 quart fresh strawberris, washed and hulled
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup superfine sugar
3-1/4 cups club soda, chilled

Place strawberries in blender or food processor and process until smooth.
Combine lemon juice and sugar in a pitcher and stir until sugar dissolves.  Add strawberry puree, stirring well.  Stir in club soda just before serving.  Serve over ice.  70 calories per 1 cup serving.

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by,

Treat Bags! Yum, yum, yum...........Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Can you find the chocolate in this photo?  It's in the little glasine bag - and I didn't eat it!  ha. 

Well, I'll let you in on a little secret.  My last nine posts, including this one, were pre-scheduled and posted a couple of weeks ago.  I am actually on my way back from the Spellbinders(TM) 2010 Design Team retreat in Peoria, Arizona!!!!  I know by this time my brain must be exploding with all kinds of smart stuff - ha!!! And my luggage will be full of all kinds of Spellbinders(TM) goodness.  Oh, what fun!

We were all told to bring each other a little gift that reflected our hometown. 

Well, Melbourne, Florida is the hometown of Ocean Potion sunscreen products.  The little decorated jar is clear zinc oxide for your face, lips, nose...you get the idea.  And we are also the home of Grimaldi handmade chocolate, specializing in chocolate-covered potato chips.  That's what's in the little bag!  Also all wrapped up in the gift bag is one of CTMH's brand new clear acrylic cards with a clear plastic envelope!!  Scalloped and square - oh my!  I hope the girls liked them.  Will tell you tomorrow and spill all the beans!!!

Thanks for sticking with me!  OH!!!!   I just remembered that yesterday was my one-year blogaversary!!!!   Did we make it to 25,000 hits?   I still need to hunt up some blog candy.  Give me a day or two to unpack and I'll see what I can find! 

Peace out,

Veranda Chipboard Album CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Happy weekend!  Where have I been?  Well, sorta down in the dumps.  Unfortunately, I had to use all three of those sympathy cards (from my last post) in one week.

I was expecting to use one, and the second was a possibility but I was hoping not, but the third......so sad.  The 18-yo son of a workmate was killed in a one-car accident, just a block or two from home.  So now his dad  has to drive by the site every day.  It's unimaginable and so so sad.  It really puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

So my mojo has been down in the dumps.  I just haven't had the desire to start anything new, but give me time....I'll get to it!

In the meantime, I'm thinking about following my friend Kathi's lead by doing a little blog maintenance.  My friend Amelia is having a new blog headers designed for me as a birthday gift - how awesome is that!  So I'm looking forward to a clean, fresh look!

So I thought I would share my "most favorite" project thus far.  I created this album for my mom for Mother's Day this year from CTMH's Veranda paper pack, our chipboard album and a few accessories (remember those filigree charms I love?  They're in there!).  This is also one of the projects that I e-mailed to Spellbinders when I applied to the Design Team. 

These are the inside pages - you can click on the images to enlarge them.  I believe I used four different stamp sets, but you could certainly improvise (but why would you want to?  wink).

Thanks for stopping by and listening to my ramblings.  Be sure to stop by Thursday for our April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - it will be a little taste of spring!

Deb

March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop from Close To My Heart! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Welcome to our Close To my Heart March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  Did you hop over from Sarita's blog?  I hope you enjoyed her project!
This time we have over 70 consultants using the same stamp set - A Little Everthing.  This set of over twenty sentiments and images will be a staple in your collection. You'll want to play with all of them!  I've already used the scallop border on many personal projects.  So settle in and find some inspiration!

I've been dying to make something that was just a little vintage.  This doesn't go overboard nor does it hit the grunge stage, but it's close enough to give me a taste of it!  

Remember those little paper-sack-purses I've shared in the past?  Well, I pulled out another one, teamed it with some textured cardstock, Notebook paper (looooOOVVVE it!) and a few fun embellishments to make the perfect gift bag for a Mother's Day present! 

I suppose I could have done a little more distressing and sanding, but I didn't want to go overboard, thinking there might be too much contrast with the start white bag.  But I didn't want to cover up the bag so much either, ha.  So this is what I ended up with!

Here's a closeup of the sentiments I used from the March Stamp of the Month.  I inked the stamps with Hollyhock, then used a sponge dauber to apply Chocolate ink directly to the bottom of the stamp's letters before stamping.  Easy peasy!

Now hop on over to my girlfriend Carla's blog for more ideas!  Take it away, Carla!

p.s.  Thanks for all your well wishes on my new position on the Spellbinders(TM) Design Team.  I can't wait to share new products with you!

Deb

Any Birdy Home? AI Sunday Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

My friend Leslie has been making a lot of mini-file folder-notepad covers.  She uses file folders for her notepad covers, but I was too lazy to scrounge around for one.  But I still wanted to make one. 

I ended up using good old white cardstock for my base and Emporium paper from CTMH..  Loving the little birdhouses in Any Birdy Home (Artful Inkables) as much as I do, I decided to make a little covered notepad as a gift, since I already made the matching card....right?  So I colored up a relatively duplicate image (same colors anyway, tee hee) and cut it with my favorite Nestabilities(TM) die, Labels Five.  The scrunchy flower is made with five cardstock scallops, centered with one of our new colonial white brads (click on the image for a closeup).  Did you notice the birdie sitting on the birdhouse?  She's a little Martha punch that you've seen me use a few times this month.  So cute!!!!

See how simple the inside is?   The whole thing is held together with tiny magnets (see it on the back of the flower?), but you could use Velcro as well.  Again, the magnets were on my desk and I was too lazy to get up and pull the Velcro out of a drawer.  Good grief!

A funny story.  I called Alan the other night and he was making pizza.  Seriously....he was making homemade pizza dough!  This was a first for him.  The funny part is that he had to ask me "how much is a tablespoon?"!!!  HA!  Luckily he had a quarter cup measuring cup so he was able to use that (no measuring spoons in Gainesville, I reckon).  But here he has taken Advanced Calculus, Quantum Physics, Nuclear-mechanical-whatever....but didn't know how many tablespoons were in a cup!  I reckon his mama did not teach him.......tee hee!!!!  I wonder how the pizza turned out!  I'm afraid to ask - ha!  But just thinkin' about it is making me hungry.

Enjoy....

Deb

Got your goat? Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Happy Valentine's Day!  And since I don't have a sweetie, that's about all I'm going to say about it ;-)

Here's a little treat bag that I made with Artful Inkables' set "Down on the Farm".  I just love all of the images in this set, and Kristin included a cute little sentiment to use with each little guy.  I used "Kick up your heels" to stamp on the background, since that is just what this cutie is doing!

I tried my hand at using my Copic markers again.  One of these days I'm going to get the hang of it.  It would be nice to take one of those certification courses.  I might have to look in to that.

Here's the inside of the bag.  These are really, really quick to whip up.  As you can see, I put a bag of buttons in here as my special treat.  Instead of the scalloped edge treatment, you could make it more tailored for a young man, or girly-girl it up for a young princess!

Now.....how would you like to become an INKgirl?  Our design team terms are just about over, so we're looking for a few good wo-men to take over!  Being an INKgirl has been a blast!  This is my first design team, and I've made wonderful friends while getting a little behind-the-scenes peek at the business side!

Do you have what it takes?  Check out the requirements on the AI Blog.  You have till midnight February 27 to apply. Go for it!

Good luck,

Deb