Post-Card Style Invitation

I made a few invitations yesterday for some new ladies joining our PFA group. I wanted to keep things really simple since there were 9 to make, but my first attempt didn't work, and after a bit of struggling to come up with another concept, using what I had, this is the final product.
I made the design a post-card style invitation using kraft cardstock and a some extra patterned papers I had on hand. (The invitation information is actually inside the little purple card attached to the larger card front.)

I found out I didn't have a "You're Invited" stamp so I went with the "Little Somethin" design from Stampin' Up. I also used my new "Little Leaves" sizzlit from Stampin' Up.

Another thing I tried, but for some reason it didn't want to cooperate, was a zig zag stitch on my sewing machine. I thought it would add a nice detail to the bottom kraft strip. But, sometimes you just "gotta go with the flow." Also, I find that sometimes with me, the simple things don't work well....I'm a detail person and I can't help it.

Pencil Holder #2

Here is the second pencil holder I made yesterday. As you can see, this one has a totally different look. I love this DCWV glittered apple paper I found while Shop Hopping last week. I also snagged a package of these mini chalkboards at a garage sale and I knew they would be perfect for this project!
Here's the close up shot:

I also added a heart shaped brad with a gem just to give it a little snazz. (I cut the prongs off of the brad before applying it with glue.) The monogrammed initials are American Crafts rub-ons. I think they add a very special "personalized" touch that, hopefully, will make for a memorable keepsake.

Supplies: Patterned paper: Apples- DCWV; Green- BoBunny, Chalkboard: Darice, Rub-ons: American Crafts, Red trim: Unknown, Gem & Brad: Unknown, Mod Podge

I Appreciate my Teachers

Teacher's Appreciation Week begins next week and today I worked on a simple gift for each one of my girls' teachers....today I will show you my first grader's gift.

I bought two of these Prima Craft pencil holders from a friend - a deal at $1.00/each. For this one, I had a pink/ivory theme in my head (this teacher loves the look of the Victorian style) so I began with a quick base of white craft paint. I didn't paint the entire holder, just the edges, top and bottom.
Next, I cut my Basic Grey scrapbook paper to fit the sides and adhered the paper using my trusty Mod Podge. A little goes a long way!

Once the holder was covered with the patterned paper I could move on to the next step, which is my favorite: embellishing. I went to my stash options and pulled items I thought would look good: ribbon, fabric brads, chipboard, lace trim, Prima flowers...sometimes I realize I have too much.

And here it is all fancied up and lookin' pretty. As you can see, I didn't use everything I pulled out (the gems didn't make it) but the elimination process is one of my favorite parts of creating anything. I love that I have options! Once I uploaded the pictures I thought, "Where are the pencils?" Don't worry, I'll have a fresh stash ready for next week.

And here's the close up (click on the picture to make it larger):

I hope she likes it. It isn't my usual style, and I even pulled out a lonely glitter bottle (two times in one week, what a record) to add a bit of shimmer to the flower petals, but I wanted something to reflect her style and look pretty in her classroom. She's one of the sweetest people I've ever met.

I'm also working on one for my third grade teacher and I'll share it later. Different style for a different gal!

Sources: Holder: Prima Craft, Patterned paper & Chipboard: Basic Grey, Solid pink paper: DCWV, Flowers: Prima, Lace Trim: Paper Studio, Border punch: Martha Stewart, Glitter: Making Memories, Rubber stamp: Kitchen Sink Stamps, Mod Podge

Glitter Me Pretty

I'll admit, I'm not a real "glitter" person...sometimes it's just too messy to deal with. But...this morning I found a quick tutorial on how to heat up your brads using a heat gun and then coloring them using embossing powder and glitter. Well, I tried it and....it didn't work. So, while I was working on this card, I decided to use another quick go-to method to make my own glittered brad embellishments. Here's the finished card:

And here's the tag close-up which shows my new brad...which started out as a boring, white brad:

The steps to make your own are easy-peasy.

All I did was take my brad, and using a pair of scrap tweezers and a Q-tip, I painted the flat side of the brad with Mod-Podge. After the brad was "painted" with the Mod Podge, I dipped it into my glitter bottle using my tweezers. (I'm using Making Memories glitter and the bottle has a very small neck.)

Once you've done that, just lay the brad on a scrap piece of paper and let it dry for 5 minutes. That's it! Now you can customize your plain brads using your glitter stash.



Supplies: Paper - blue & patterned: DCWV, die cuts: Sizzix, ribbon: Offray, stamped sentiment: Kitchen Sink Stamps

I can't believe I won!!!

Hey guys! I just took a peep over at Elizabeth Kartchner's blog (CK Scrapbooker of the year) and found out I won a blog makeover!! I am so excited! Anyone who knows me knows that I am not that computer savvy....and I want to be....so I am thrilled that she's given me the opportunity to spice up my little blog. I can't wait to share my new "look" with you guys. Stay in touch!

Challenge #50

Hey there! I decided to participate in Kristina Werner's Color Challenge #50 - this is a first for me, but she's got some fabulous prizes, so be sure to check them out! Here are the color swatches for her challenge:
And, here's what I came up with:

And here's the close up:

This challenge was a great one! I love all the colors and I also love pin cushion that was her inspiration piece. The brighter colors have definitely been calling my name lately. Kristina's work is awesome and I am so glad I could participate!

Supplies include: Patterned paper - yellow: Bo Bunny, blue: unknown, brown, white & red: DCWV, Flower - Prima Essentials, Chipboard - Heidi Swapp, Scallop punch - Stampin' Up, Swirl die - Sizzix, Scallop Circle - Spellbinders, Rub-on - Doodlebug

Top Note Thank You

I had some "Thank You" cards to make for some lovely ladies who helped with a Bake Sale that I co-hosted last Saturday (sorry no pictures - but our table looked great). We had so many lovely goodies brought in that I decided I could take a little bit of time to make some homemade cards as a Thank You + it gave me a great excuse to use some of my new supplies.
I made 5 of these cards using my new Stampin' Up "Top Note" die along with my Wingo Zingo alphabet strip. And, while I had my sewing machine out I decided to stitch along the edges to add some extra texture. These were fun!