Teacher Note Cards

Happy Sunday!

Well today is one for the books … I think I feel rested!  Usually at 9:03 am I'm ready to take a nap!  Perhaps months (or years?) of waking every night for an hour or two has finally taken it's toll on me.  Perhaps I'm relaxed enough to NOT wake in the middle of the night.  Perhaps I've mastered not drinking anything after 6:00 pm so my bladder can sleep through the night (yes, the joys if getting older!).  Whatever the reason I slept in until almost 8:00 am two days in a row … PLUS I had a 1.5 hour sleep yesterday (I would say "nap" but I'm not sure 1.5 HOURS qualifies as a nap *lol*)

So here we are - fairly bright eyed and bushy tailed on a Sunday morning.  I kinda like it!

Today I'm sharing some Note Cards I whipped up for the teachers.  Check 'em out …

I love how they turned out!  When I made the first one I declared "Ya - super cute but life is too short to make 25 of them" and figured I would just have one for display purposes.  Then I said to myself "who are you kidding?  You KNOW you're going to make 25 of them" … and I did *lol*.

I hate to say it but I used a number of retired products for these. Sorry!  Here is the low-down ..

I used my "must have" Whisper White Note Cards and Envelopes for these.  I NEVER have any less than 5 packs on hand … and every June and December I pat myself on the back for having them around as I rush to do up cards last-minute :)  They are SO economical!  20 notecards (5" x 3.5") and envelopes for $8.00!  Can't beat that deal with a STICK, as Dad would say!

I stamped the lined paper stamp in Marina Mist using one of the stamps from the newly retired Tap, Tap, Tap set.  I used the "Just a Note" stamp from Flourishing Phrases (current - woo hoo! lol) in Memento Black.  I punched an apple with the Tree Builder Punch and attached it with a glue dot.

Now for the pencil.  Credit for this little beauty goes to Stampin' Up! Artisan Mercedes Weber.  Mercedes does AMAZING work - check her out at mercedesweber.blogspot.ca whenever you need some inspiration!  I found the pencil idea there.

To make a pencil you need the (retired) Handpicked Framelits.  I'm SO sad I didn't get these when they were current.  I just bought them from a friend a few months ago and have used them on two major projects already (my Mini Cups from a few posts back and now these).

I punched out the body of the pencil using Crushed Curry card stock.  I then used the same die to cut the eraser out of Blushing Bride and the tip out of Crumb Cake.  To get the zig zag end I used the Mini Treat Bag framelit.  I then used some (retired) silver card stock to cut a 1/4" strip for the band by the eraser.  I coloured the tip of the pencil WITH a pencil for the lead.  I adhered all the pieces together using my fine tip glue pen.  Yes, it was a little fiddly but you now what?  It was Friday night - Craig was watching the hockey draft in the next room, the girls were on a video game upstairs and I had time to just relax and craft.  It ended up only taking 2 hours from start to finish … it was relaxing and fun.  Had I been TRULY pressed for time I would have come up with something faster.  I'm glad I had the time :)

Now I just have to package them up in one of our cello bags, add some ribbon and a tag and wa-low!  5 teacher gifts ready to hand out on Tuesday.  Yay me :)

I'm outta here.  Off to take Doodles for his walk and stretch out this old back of mine (aching from all the horizontal action yesterday!)

Whatever YOU get up to, I hope you have a stampy Sunday!  xoxo


Tam

Marquee Messages

Happy Monday!

MAN I'm loving life today!  My cup is overflowing with love and gratitude for the life I am so blessed to be living.  No particular "big" reason why - I've just been working around the house, as I do on any normal Monday … but just feeling so darned grateful!  I'm just SO lucky to be the wife of such an amazing person and to have built the life with him that I have.  SO grateful.  That's all :)  We now return you to your previously scheduled blog post :)

Last week I really did have a lot of time on my hands (See?  Lucky me!!)  That allowed me more time in my Craft Cave.  I felt like making a card that I wouldn't "normally" make.  I wanted to use one of my new stamp set but realized a LOT of them are swirls and flowers and such.  Wasn't in a flowery kinda mood … and then my eye fell on "Marquee Messages".  Check it out …

Hmmmm - doesn't blow your hair back?  Didn't blow mine back either, when I first saw it in the catalogue.  The second pass through the catty it caught my eye.  The third time through I was checking it out fairly intently.  The fourth time though I decided I loved the sentiments font (you know what a font junkie I am!) … and then I decided "nah - how much use would I get out of it?  Kinda a "one trick pony" kinda set" … and I decided against it.  Fast forward a few weeks … when I was placing my monthly club order.  I had earned some hostess benefits and was looking for somewhere to spend them.  After buying some "practical" products (white paper, envelopes, dimensionals) I decided to treat myself to a frivulous set … and this was the one I picked.  Who CARES if it's kind of limited in layout possibilities? I LIKED the layout … and I got it.  Well … here is what I made with it … and (of course), I love it!

Check out the sparkle I got from adding my Wink of Stella Clear to it …

LOVE!

You know I like to give credit where credit it due so I'll do that now.  I got my inspiration from a card I found made by fellow demo Brian King.  Brian is one of the relatively few MALE stampers who has made it big with Stampin' Up!  His work is fabulous.  Check him out at www.stampwithbrian.com.  Here is the card he made …

Most cards you find using this set are going to look very similar, given the size of the main image - you really just change the colours.  Brian used Pool Party and Daffodil Delight.  I used Watermelon Wonder and Daffodil Delight …. and Bermuda Bay (using that color a lot lately!) and daffodil delight.

I stamped the image and sentiments with my Memento Black Ink (my archival black has been smudging lately and I figured the colouring would just bleed so I went straight to the Memento.)  I then stamped the arrow on coloured paper and the "Awesome" and "Birthday" on Daffodil Delight.  I coloured the stars afterwards and the appropriate colour did colour on top of the coloured card stock nicely.  I then cut the pieces out "old school" with my paper snips.  I used my Stampin' Write Markers to colour the spaces … and then, once I was sure the ink was dry, went over some parts with my Wink of Stella.

I popped the cut out pieces up on dimensionals for added interest.

Totally love how it looks, matted on black card stock, and will TOTALLY be making more of these to mail to friends.  Might be a more limited set than I would like, but I love the one look I've made with it!

That's it for today … off to finish making dinner.  Thanks for popping in - have a stampy night!


Tam

Umbrella Fun!

Happy Thursday!

OI VEY can eight ten-year-olds ever make a lot of noise!  Right after this post I'm hitting the bottle of Advil! *lol*.  Today was my monthly Kids Stamp Class.  We (generally) put together Paper Pumpkin kits.  Quick for me to set up, value for money and easy enough for the kids to do with minimal help.  With everything in the kit they have enough structure to make the projects but also enough extra product to use their own creativity to make the projects "their own".  Mom's also love the class because they get 4 hours to themselves while the kids are at my house.  Win/win/win …. except for the noise!  lol.

Before the kids came I had some time on my hands …. so down to the cave I went.  My desk was still a mess following the Pet Sympathy card I made yesterday .. and my eye fell on the Umbrella Weather bundle.  Literally in under 5 minutes I had my card …

Very minimalist, no?  Once again - quick, clean and cute … my latest favourite kind of card!

I simply used a Whisper White layer measuring 3" x 4 1/2" … used the Umbrella Weather Framelits to cut the space out and matted it on a piece of 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" pecs of Daffodil Delight card stock.

I stamped the sentiment in Bermuda Bay from the Weather Together set …

Finally I grabbed my new Sweet & Sassy Framelits ...

 … and punched out the smallest heart out of Bermuda Bay card stock.  I popped the heart, and the entire Daffodil Delight layer, up on dimensionals.  I added a single rhinestone to the umbrella and Wa-LOW!  A card that seriously took under 5 minutes to pull together.  Love quick, easy and cute!

That's it for now … I'm off to find that Advil … and  quiet room.  Thanks for popping in.

Have a stampy evening!


Tam

Pet Sympathy with Bella and Friends

Happy Wednesday!

Having a great day today!  New hair (well, less grey anyway!), lunch date with my husband, a little shopping … doesn't get much better than THAT, now, does it??

Sadly yesterday wasn't quite as good of a day.  I needed to make not one, not two but THREE pet sympathy cards :(  It's SO sad when someone loses their furry baby.  My heart goes out to Elaine and her family, Kerri Anne and our neighbour (… don't know their name or their lovely German Shepherd's name but SUCH a well trained, lovely dog … and Koda's friend).

I wanted to make pet sympathy cards using my new set Bella and Friends.  This is what I came up with …

I just LOVE how it turned out … and my hope is that it makes the recipients smile and forget their broken hearts for a few minutes.

I started with a standard 8 1/2" x 4 1/4" Whisper White base - and cut a 3 3/4" x 5" layer.  I stamped the Bella image with Memento Black Ink.  LOVE this set …

 There is an adorable cat set, called Pretty Kitty that will be on my NEXT SU order- so cute!!

 I coloured the balloon and puppy with a blender pen.  The balloon is Real Red (yes, I did wear a bit of a hole in the paper by over-working it so be careful!)  The puppy is Sahara Sand … and his collar is Bermuda Bay (I also did a red collar version).

I stamped the sentiment in black Memento ink using a retired stamp set I LOVE called "So Sorry".  It is a GREAT sympathy set!

The … was made using three rhinestones and then colouring them black with a Sharpie.  LOVE that you can get any colour jewel you want just by grabbing your Sharpies!

For the clouds I used another new toy - the Umbrella Weather framelits.

You can purchase JUST the framelits, just the coordinating set (Weather Together) ...

 .. or you can save 10% when you purchase the two together ($53 CDN for the bundle) ...

 I popped the three clouds, and the wiser white layer up on dimensionsals, coloured the clouds with my clear Wink-of-Stella pen and Wa-low!  A very cute little card.

Whilst I'm sad I have to SEND a card I'm happy with the card I have to send.

That's it for today.  Think I'll head down to the craft cave to assemble my last ten Botanical Mini Cups. Thanks for popping in and I hope you have a stampy day!


Tam

Tin Dresden Flower

Ska-WHEEEEEEEEELLLLLL!

I FINALLY get to post about my tin flower!!!!  This has been something I have wanted to make for almost a year now, ever since I saw fellow demonstrator (and now Facebook friend) Laura Barkman post a picture of HER tin flower on her page.

CHECK.  THIS.  OUT.

****INSERT REALLY LOUD SQUEALS AND JUMPING UP AND DOWN WHILST CLAPPING LIKE A 3 YEAR OLD HERE!!!****

Favorite.  Project.  EVER!

Let's see it again!

Let's squeal and jump and clap again!

Isn't it super fantastic amazing????

SUCH a long process to get this little beauty on my fence.  MAN!

Ok - so backstory (you know how I like my backstories ….)

Last July I saw this beautiful flower posted on Laura's FB wall …

I totally FREAKED, I loved it so much! I messaged her for details on how she made it.  In a nut shell she made it with tin flashing and our (retired) Dresden Big Shot Die.  Naturally - one of the very few dies I DIDN'T own …. and the search for a Dresden Die began!

Now before I go any further I want to give full (and long) credit where credit is due.  

I CASED the project from Laura Williams Barkman in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (www.laurabarkman.stampinup.net)

Laura CASED the project tom Connie Collins in Nashville, Tennessee, USA (www.costantlystamping.com)

Connie got the inspiration from Diana Gibbs in Arizona (but is a Canadian gal!) (www.dianagibbs.typepad.com)

Diana got her inspiration from Linda Barnes in Garland Texas, USA (www.countrycharmcreations.blogspot.ca)

I LOVE how we all inspire each other … and how we (rightfully!) give credit where credit is due.  Good, common courtesy!

Right - back to my story.  I searched high and low for a Dresden die locally - Kijiji, ebay, Craig's list, garage sales, Facebook … I DID find some on ebay alas they were all located in the USA.  Yes, they were generally n the $25 price range but when you factor in the icky dollar exchange rate, the $25'ish in shipping and the possibly $20+ customs fee when it got here the price would be closer to $85!  Ya no.  Wasn't gunna pay that no matter HOW badly I wanted it.  The search continued.  Every month or so I'd search again … with the same results.  Of course the whole thing made me a) more determined and b) more want-y … wanty?  Sure!  New verb.  I wanted it really, really badly … wanty!  (My blog - I get to make up words if I wanty to *lol*  I crack me up … but I digress …)

Lets fast forward 9 months … it was now April, 2016.  I was doing my monthly Dresden Die search and was (once again) wondering why shipping within the States was only $5 but a little further north and it's $25 … plus duty.  Oh …. if only I knew someone in the states … who was coming to Canada … if THAT were the case I could ship it to them and they could bring it to me for free.  Oh …. if only … wait a minute!  I DID have a friend in the States … and she WAS coming to Canada in just a few weeks!  ** insert clouds parting, sun shining down and angels singing "ahhhhhhhhhhh" here **.  Yes! My prayers had been answered!  My Mom's BFF from when she was in HIGH SCHOOL loves in Texas … and was coming up to Winnipeg (where her and Mom are from) for a birthday … and my Mom was going to meet her there.  I contacted her and "absolutely!" she was HAPPY or me to order the die, ship to her, she would bring it Winnipeg, give it to Mom and Mom would bring back to me, here in Edmonton.  The BEST best part?  It only cost me $17 Canadian.  I was absolutely TICKLED and SOOOOO excited!

I got my die mid May.  I researched Connie's tutorial on how to make them, picked up all the necessary supplies and here we are today - June 12, 2016 and my tin flower is hanging on my fence.  One down, four to go!

Like my story so far?  How can you not?  It's like your sitting here talking with me, right?  hee hee - ya, I know … I gotta get out more!

OK - so let's get down to the nuts and bolts of this bad boy.  I'll first give you the link to Connie's tutorial that I used.  Access that here.  Thank you Connie for your details and info - they were bang on!

Now - Here is MY tutorial, tips, tricks and "what-I-did"s …

First up - supplies

I had Craig pick me up a roll of tin flashing from Home Depot.  If memory serves it was about $15 for the roll, which was 10" wide x 12" long.  I have picked up a second roll - this one is 10" x 18" for $20.  I wanted to try this size as the piece I need to cut are 6" x 9" … might get more with this size.  From the original roll I had all the pieces I needed to make TWO complete flowers (despite cutting the wrong size pieces for the second one and wasting some tin.  Argh!  Oh - you find the tin flashing in the roofing aisle (aisle 21in my hood!)

To CUT the tin I started off just using my (retired) Craft and Rubber Scissors.  They worked ok. Not gunna lie, I was slightly terrified I was going to slice my hand open on the tin.  Didn't happen though!

Just a note on the tin - it is only about as thick as a tin can but, yes, it can be very sharp when you are cutting it so be careful!

After cutting 12 pieces of 9" x 6" tin for my petals I asked Craig if he had any tin snips.  He did.  That made cutting a bit easier so that is what I will use from now on.

So, as I said, I cut 12 pieces 9" x 6", which is the size of the Dresden Die.  You get two petals per - so once I ran them all through the Big shot I had 24 petals.  12 large and 12 smaller.  This is what the Dresden Die looks like, if you aren't familiar with it …

Once I cut my pieces I ran each one through the Big Shot with 12 different embossing folders.  I think all but two were retired.  I was shocked how well and easily the tin embossed!  It really was no different than embossing paper.  No, the large petals don't fit 100% in the folder but that's ok - you glue them at the bottom of each petal and the large petals are covered by the smaller petals so no one will see the un-embossed portion.  Here are my pieces ...

I headed to "the *M* place, 50% off coupon in hand, and bought myself a can of Krylon spray paint.  It is good for a wide variety of materials (metal included) and for outdoor.  They are (I think) $12.99 a can … but of course with coupon is $7.  I'm going to check out paints at Home Depot next trip out.  I've exhausted all the colours I like at Michaels and Craig checked - Home Depot has a few outdoor brands that will work so I want to check the colours they have.  So far (from Michaels) I have the red, yellow and orange seen here and I bought a Tempting Turquoise-type colour.  I love the red - it's close to Cherry Cobbler.  Love the yellow - Like the old Yo-yo Yellow but kinda hate the orange.  It LOOKED really bright in the store but it really is a Pumpkin Pie.  I LIKE Pumpkin Pie but I wanted really vivid, bright colours and the orange is too "muddy" for my liking.

I liked the coverage of the red.  It took two coats … here for the odd piece I missed. The yellow took three or more coats.  I really don't like how that one went on.  It took much longer and, to get the coverage I wanted, I had to hold the can much closer to the petal … and then it was too close and the pain pooled on some.  Definitely a higher-maintenance colour!

Once the pieces were dry (I let them sit in the kitchen overnight) I needed to glue them all together.  This step I was dreading.

I started by laying them out with the spacing I wanted.  I then traced the pieces to form a template (anticipating I will be making dozens more of these!)

I then added my glue.  Per Connie and Laura's recommendation I used an industrial strength glue I got at Michael's - E6000.  Again, with a coupon in hand (this is partially why it takes 3 weeks to make one of these flowers … you need to gather three or four coupons and make the trek to Michales as many times *lol).  This glue is NOT cheap!  I bought the largest bottle they had.  It's $18.99 before the coupon.  Here it is ..

Once my petals were arranged as I wanted them I ran a bead of glue all around the bottom of the petals … see the glossy circular glue-ring?)  …

Then I attached a Scalloped Circle.  Oh!  Guess I forgo to mention the scalloped Circle.  Yes - back when I was cutting out the petals I also cut out three scalloped circles (using the retired Scallop Circle Die) …

… and I cut one 3 1/2" circle using the (retired) 3 1/2" circle die (Can't find a picture - is the same as above … but not scalloped … and 3 1/2" big *lol* - there I go cracking myself up again …)

So …. I attached the scalloped circle piece to the glued petals ...

… and added a "weight" to it while it dried.  Now - in my defence - I don't typically keep bottles of booze in my craft room (chocolate, yes - booze, no) … I was assembling this on my husband's bar … and of course the only heavy weights I had nearby were the full bottles of liquor *lol*.  Use what y'uv got, right???

I wanted to ensure a REALLY good seal … so ….

I let the glue set for 2 days.  Yes, you need it.  The glue is still tacky and a wee bit soft if you don't do it 2-3 days.

Next up I added a generous amount of glue for the top, smaller petals ...

… and assembled ...

I didn't bother to wait 2 days for it to dry … I just added the second scalloped circle to the top.  I used LOTS of glue ...

… attached ….

Added glue to the 3 1/2" circle … 9notice I didn't glue too close to the edge as I didn't want the gel seeping out ...

… and added LOTS of weights …. (*lol*)

I DID have to wait 3 days (72 hours)for the glue to completely dry and harden.

Naturally I neglected to take pictures of the next step … but not really needed.  When I picked up the finished project I wanted to make sure those large back petals were REALLY secure.  If you recall from the first picture, just the lower tips of each petal were glued to the scalloped circle …

I wanted something sturdier … so I added the third scalloped circle to the BACK of the project (if you pulled up Connie's tutorial you'll not she only cut two scalloped circles - I recommend the three).  I also added three pop tabs for hanging …

(eek!  Outdoor 8:00 pm lighting!)

Craig threaded some wire through the two lower pop tabs (yes, just take the off your empty pop/beer cans).  I added three tabs as I wasn't sure the best way to hang them - At first I thought just one tab, in the middle, to be hung by one nail … but later thought it would be better to spread out the weight of the finished flower amongst two tabs and a wire … and that's what we went with in the end.

So there you have it.  10 months + 2 weeks and $50 later I have my flower.  

Next up … a yellow one … and a blue one … and two more yet-to-be-determined-colours … and then I will have 5 on my fence making my yard even more colourful than it already is (thanks to my husband with a very green thumb!)  Tin flowers are my contribution … maybe these ones I won't kill *lol*

Phew!   That was a looooooooong post.  Time to snuggle with the girls over a show before bedtime.  Pop in again soon - have a stampy week!

Tam

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Botanical Wishes

Happy Monday!

Another beautiful day in the neighbourhood!  Loving this weather!  Not-too-hot, not-too-cold!  Koda is needing a hair cut but doesn't go for another week so we have to go for our morning walks earlier in this weather.  Poor pooch gets too hot!  So let's get too it, shall we?

Last night I DID manage to spend an hour in my Craft Cave - just enough time to come up with my third card for class this week.  I TOYED with having everyone make one of the wee coffee cups I posted yesterday … but I'm making those for the June treats and it won't be much of a treat if they already HAVE one ... so thought I'd make a card using the Botanical framelits instead.  This is what I came up with …

I love the soft look of it!  I'm really into clean, simple cards this month, no?

I used Mint Macaron ink.  Both the mint layer and the Whisper White layer are cut 3 1/2" x 4 3/4".

I stamped the flourish from the (awesome) set Timeless Textures (it was in the Occasions catty but made it into the Annual catty - yay!)

It took me 5 tries to get the flourishes the way I wanted them.  For the "Finally!" version I "stamped off" before stamping on the card stock to soften the colour just a little more.  I stamped it three times in different orientations.

The sentiment is from another "must have" set - Rose Wonder.  I just LOVE the phrases and font in this very versatile set.

Once the flourishes were in place I punched out a Whisper White flower with the Botanical Blooms framelits - with a Crushed Curry centre.  In the centre of THAT I used a White Perfect Accent …

I wrapped some gold thread around three fingers (4) times and taped it to the card before popping the flower up on a dimensional.  I added three more accents to finish it off.  Clean, simple, soft, elegant.  Love it!

That's it for today - Doodles is waiting.  Have yourself a stampy day!

Tam