Kiss Me I Am Irish Scrapbook In a Tin

This is my latest scrapbook in a tin for St. Patrick's Day. I guess I am finally done with Valentines...at least for a little while! There is no stamping on this item....I almost feel guilty! Well not too guilty.

I used the DCWV Spring Stack...which has this fun green Celtic patter interspersed with little shamrocks. I actually didn't have a stamp that was working, so I cut out one of them for the front. I really like how the square accents the circle.

For the mats I used DCWV textured cardstock...it was a little difficult to match at first but I finally decided on using both colors, dark and light green. All that this little scrapbook need is pictures!!!

EtsyGreetings Contest #3

More Free cards...this time a set of 6 Photo Cards by The Eclectic Studio!

PRIZE DRAWING Wednesday, Jan. 30th 8p.m. EtsyTime (EST)



THE PRIZE:The prize for contest #3 is a set of four of these beautiful greeting cards from EtsyGreetings Member The Eclectic Studio. With a recent move from NY to NC, The Eclectic Studio is back offering beautiful photo cards, jewelry, dichronic glass and hand knit creations. Her true passion is to mix colors and textures and create fun, funky and unique items and another passion is the son with whom she shares her BD.

So go on over to EtsyGreetings and enter to win!!

Cupid Poop

I decided to do a Cupid version of the Poop Card...I think it came out really well. the Cupid Stamp was a Target $ Spot stamp...and was graciously given to me by one of the ladies at the All Night Scrap! How kind was that! So of course a couple of these cards NEED to go to her.

I had planned to give her a card or two there...brought my Cuttlebug to emboss the paper and everything...but didn't realize that the lady that brought the Sizzix...didn't have a converter on it. Totally missed that...oh well...it is still in plenty of time for Valentine's Day!

Now about the card itself...the sentiment on the front is a custom stamp...that was ordered on-line at The Angel Company. Inside I printed "Cupid Poop" onto cardstock...and put these adorable heart shaped mint candies inside of a little cello bag. Don't they look perfect against the embossed heart background!

Funny that I actually regretted purchasing this particular CB folder...wasn't sure it was worth it...but then of course I fell in love with it!

All Night Crafting Session Results

Alright, I had planned to post the results on Sunday, but was soo completely wiped (tired) I couldn't muster the energy. I haven't pulled an 'All-Nighter' since college and let just say that was a 'little' while ago!

Final Tally
3 scrapbooks in a tin
5 Baby Onesie Cards
1 Paper Shoe
3 One Layer Cards
2 Cocoa Packet Pixie Pouch
4 Cupid Poop Cards

Wow did I get a lot done! Although I did have some trouble cutting things later the second day...adding just wasn't working.

Some of those items are going to the ladies that invited me to this wonderful event! It was sponsored by their church and while I am not a super religious person it was a pleasure to be surrounded by such kind and upbeat women!

I now have plenty to share this week! And will be posting these items on my Etsy site as well. I even picked up some burp cloths at WalMart to hand stamp and match to the onesies!

Thanks for looking!
Lisa.

EtsyGreetings Contest #2

To commemorate the 1 year anniversary of the EtsyGreetings Team, we are hosting a countdown contest. New contest activities will be posted a couple of times each week leading up to a GRAND PRIZE contest on our big day, February 14th.

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To view the winner of Contest #1 click here
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CONTEST #2

PRIZE DRAWING Saturday, Jan. 26th 8p.m. EtsyTime (EST)



THE PRIZE:This prize is from EtsyGreetings Member GreenWillow. GreenWillow is a 65 year old grandmother that enjoys crafts of all kinds. She carries both the styles featured here as well as gorgeous photo notecards in her shop. She aims to please and is open to custom orders.



HOW TO PLAY:

Goto ETSYGREETINGS blog...and leave a comment! If you buy from an Etsygreetings member (me) you can enter a second time.

I'm Off!!!

I am participating in an OverNight Scrapbooking party!!! I am so excited. I got invited by a friend...best part...it is FREE!!

I feel very honored because I have to be about the WORST scrapbooker. I did one scrapbook of my daughter (digitally), my poor son the first child...too much ground to cover never got started. I did a really nice one for a friend that got married...if they aren't my pictures...simple to do! And I am pretty good at making blank mini-scrapbooks (wedding one & two I did . See mini-scrapbooks are totally my speed! And well that about sums up my scrapbooking experience.

So I am taking along a ton of projects and I'm hoping no one noticed that I'm not exactly 'scrapbooking'.

I'm bringing a ton of homemade bread...so that should put me in good standing...hee, hee.

A little Pop

I made these quick lollipops to have on hand to give out...to anyone and everyone! Unfortunately I really don't like the way they came out...something isn't working. I think it is too white! I think I will try again with a red base....and see if that spices things up a bit!

But the recipients were thrilled! And we had a great time at the play date! And I didn't mention this before, but the reason for this was grandparents gave my son (who dislikes chocolate) a WHOLE bag of pops...which well he was never going to get...hence the giveaways. But then again he really likes being 'generous' with 'his' pops!

Note: I used Jolly Rancher Pops (ie flat pops) to do these. My measurements were 6.25, scored 3" from each end. Very simple.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Square Holder

I had a GREAT weekend and got a head start on my Valentine Favors! I can't wait to share them with you! For once I am ahead of the game...yay!

So here is a simple to do Ghirardelli (yes that is the right spelling I checked after I spelled it wrong...several times) Chocolate Square, some scored cardstock and...viola! Adorable.


So I modified the dimensions that Wanda over at My Creative Corner posted...I wanted more from a sheet of cardstock so I kept the length (7") and scoring, but changed the height to be 2.75". The decorative paper is a 2.5" square and I used my Super Jumbo (blue) Scallop and my trusty CM circle shaper.


The image is the TAC Traditional Seasons...I don't have many valentine stamps...and have been trying to avoid buying more. So I went rummaging in MY collection and found this! I think it is perfect. It is simple watercoloring...with a Blender Pen...nothing exotic, no Copic or Gamsol...not even sure what Gamsol is.


I used my red pen...a sharpie...cuz this will likely be thrown out after someone RIPS it open to get that chocolate...I'm not judging I would do the same. Okay back to the sharpie...I used it to make the dots around my circle. I almost bought the PaperTrey stamp that does this...but really it is simple to do...not perfect but 'hello' its' handmade...and now it looks like it...LOL.


Stay tuned as I have a couple of more things to show you in the next few days. I actually have blog posts lined up for once...I hope I don't get hit by lightening or something...I mean this sort of 'ahead of things' never happens to me!

EtsyGreetings Anniversary: Contest #1

EtsyGreetings is an Etsy (place to buy handmade items) StreetTeam (you know get on the Street and get the word out).

To commemorate the 1 year anniversary of the EtsyGreetings Team, we are hosting a countdown contest. New contest activities will be posted a couple of times each week leading up to a GRAND PRIZE contest on our 1 year anniversary, February 14th.
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CONTEST #1
PRIZE DRAWING Wednesday, Jan. 23rd 8p.m. EtsyTime (EST)





Click here to play!













THE PRIZE:
The prize is from EtsyGreetings Member BeadKiss. BeadKiss is a stay at home mom who has turned her hobby into a business. She is known for these lovely and intricate Iris Fold cards.

RULES and DETAILS:
1. Anyone is allowed to enter and win, including EtysGreetings members. BellaRoseCreations (Contest Coordinator), Lucky Duck Designs (Blog Queen) and Pegg Macko Designs (Prize Coordinator) are all exempt from winning.
2. Each contest winner will be selected by a random number generator and announced on EtsyGreetings blog. The winner must contact Pegg Macko (our Prize Coordinator) with their snail mail address within 3 days or a new winner will be selected.
3. EtsyGreetings will pay for shipping of the prize to anyone in the world!

Happy Playing!!!

My first Nugget Tin!!

This nugget box is dedicated to Rochelle Wick over at Impressions by Rochelle. If you want some inspiration for Nuggets...you should see hers! Now she is hard core she actually builds the box. I met Rochelle way back in October when I asked her some questions on how she did hers. I needed some party favors (30) for my mom's retirement party...and she has the best favors in town. Rochelle immediately wrote me back, sent me patterns and explicit instructions. She even offered to help me score the boxes! I was overwhelmed with her generosity. Now I ended up wimping and decided to do notepads and Hershey Bar pull-ups (much, much simpler). But I will always remember how kind she was to a complete stamping stranger. Things like that REALLY touch me and give me hope for tomorrow.

Details: Well the tin...it is ridiculously simple. I used some DCWV Spring Stack paper. Some sticky strip....although I think I didn't use enough because I found I had to tack the bottoms with some stronger glue as they kept popping up off the bottom of the tin.

Now if you are interested in a video tutorial...head on over to Stamp with Gwen's site as she just did a wonderful tutorial on nugget tins!

Here are some other pictures of the nugget tin...what do you think of the pictures? I've been trying to make them more interesting....

Mini-Scrapbook in a Tin - Valentine Style

This is a Valentines Day version of the mini-Scrapbook in a Tin. There is very little stamping on this set...I used the "I just love you" from the TAC Squiggle Hearts set with Palette Noir. The hearts paper is DCWV and the mats are made from Bazzil. The hardest thing to do was match up the Bazzil cardstock...cuz white didn't work...so this is actually the palest pink from the Pink Hues set of Bazzil. The little paper flowers and brad were received in a 'grab' bag so I have no idea what they are, but they worked perfectly and I think added alot (they are also covering up a 'less than perfect' punch job!

Here is the little scrapbook opened up. The mats are 1.25" perfect for a 1" punch or a square...really anything would work. This type of scrapbook is perfect to keep in your purse...and use up those index prints you get!! Cute AND practical!

OMG!!!

Okay I did not come up with this...but I had to share...PeepDesigns came up with a 12X12 paper holder for $20...yes $20!!!! And she got it at Target!

I bought a couple of wire crate shelves for my craft shows and they now sit neglected out in my garage...and well with one trip to Lowes for some Black Zip ties and I have myself a 16 section 12X12 paper rack...or two (I bought two!!)

This lady is brilliant!




http://peepdesigns.blogspot.com/2007/12/how-to-make-paper-stand-holder.html

Another Baby Onesie...

Here is another Baby Onesie...this idea I got from Jen Carter! I was reading her Discontinued TAC Stamp list...and saw this adorable onesie...it convinced me to buy the TAC 'Love and Joy' set! The first onesie I tried was this one...it is so simple you can't mess it up! Now of course being me...I HAD to practice a million times on paper just to see exactly what I needed to do.















After creating the Love and Joy Onesie I got bold...I LOVE monogrammed items and Monogram Onesie's were born (well with just a little help from Nicole Heady).

A little tip in making these...100% combed cotton...good quality...makes a much better impression. I mean you can get cheaper onesies but they are usually ribbed and I don't think the impression is quite as clean. As you wash these (trust me I tried it in my front loader on BOIL) the image will get softer...I like the look on combed cotton it looks muted and aged. On ribbed cotton it looks weird (the ribs show more).

Any stamp set will work to do this!! So get stamping!

Disclaimer: Do not stamp while on baby...they move too much and stamp will be smeared. LOL. No babies were hurt in the making of this onesie...unfortunately my 'babies' are too big for them.
Diatribe: Why is it when you finally learn how to do all these cool things...you're kid/family is too old to benefit! I mean I made a gorgeous Baby Feats journal to go with this outfit...something I totally could've used when my kids were little. I may stamp a few t-shirts for my toddler girl Bella).

I hope to start stamping some Valentines Day stuff pretty soon...I just have to locate it in the disaster area which is my basement stamp room after my frantic clean-up of the upstairs stamping space aka the dining room table. Wish me luck on my excavation!

Anyway, hope you enjoyed.
Lisa.

Baby Gifts

I have been hesitating to post this...because my photography skills don't do my stamping skills any justice!!! It is a really cool idea that I got from Nicole Heady (PaperTrey)...is it me or is the lady just freakin' brilliant!

Essentially 4 close friends are due in March...I mean what were they all up to that night...was there some sort of party I wasn't invited to cuz I already had my second child...not fair! I would've gone for a third...maybe...well ask me that on a day when both kids aren't hacking out a lung, using up tissues a box at at time...ask me when they giggle or are sleeping quietly...then I definitely want another one ;-)

Sooo...enough said, but I have some baby gifts to get together for women that already have everything! So what do you get? Especially if you don't sew at all! (otherwise those matching burp cloths are adorable). Sorry I digress yet again....

Stamped Monogrammed Onesies! Yes ladies everyone wants one...and they are so totally cool. Best part about this...I bought this TAC set as my Half-Price item because it was more expensive...not because I was desparate to have it...and now it is totally and completely useful!

Drum Roll......






The suspense......












Here they are!!!

And just in case you were wondering...yes those are handmade origami boxes to package them in! A totally handmade gift...okay I bought the onesies but really! The trick to making these is...permanent ink...no watercolor (which is a shame as I would LOVE to do one with a peacock on it using Kaleidacolor inks) and combed cotton. Do not get cheap onesies as they are ribby and the ink looks all blotched!

Stamps: TAC Circle Sampler; TAC Ancient Alphabet

I hope to make these and some matching stationery (to use as Thank You notes). The V and the R have already gone on their way to their new home clothing a set of twins, my sister's friend had. I also made my sister two onesie cards (pink and blue) to go with the boy/girl theme baskets she and my mother are gifting!

Fun while it lasted

LOL...well I am back to where I was on the StampingTop 50...but boy was it heady to have broken 100...even if it was fleeting (and not real). Afterall who needs reality, in this period of resolutions!! Positive Thinking onward.

Number 93???

Wow what a Happy New Year!! I went from 294 to 93 in one day...boy I must've gotten popular.

Anyway, Happy New Year to everyone...and I leave you with my next day wisdom...it is not about the numbers it definitely about the journey you take to get there!

Sorry not so wise...we had friends and a sleep-over, the kids bounced off the walls until 10PM but of course woke up with the sun!!! The adults played cards (I really love cards), Scala quarante...and Italian version of gin rummy...and drank wine. A perfect evening...we were having so much fun, we almost missed the countdown *grin*

Paper Bead Bracelets - $5-6

I've been making these paper bead bracelets for a while now...they make the easiest gift ever. I am not a jewelry maker by any stretch of the imagination! They can easily be made to coordiate or match anyone's taste and quickly become addicting.


The story (and I do love a good one) is that I was organizing the activities for my Women's club last year...and everyone wanted to learn how to make jewelry. I contacted a few local jewelry makers that taught...and asked how much it would be to teach us how to make a bracelet or something simple...they wanted $15 per person minimum. Well that is just beyond the reach of many of our retired pensioners and SAHMs (inlcuding myself). So as usual I started researching for an alternative. I met mariiam at SCS and she was so kind to show me how to make these bracelets. I made up 50 kits, teaching materials and diagrams and off we went! I changed the design considerably from mariiam's because I got a great deal on glass beads at WalMart (of all places) and wanted to use what I found. Eventually I took a 1hr. class at Michael's and learned the basics of making earrings, so added those. About a month later Mariiam wrote me and complimented me on my variation!

I sold 3 bracelets at the craft show...I thought I might sell more, but was happy with that. I do think it is a MUCH better product sold for $10-12 as a set including earrings than just a bracelet alone. So for my next craft show (or on-line) I plan to offer them as sets and include earrings.

I am still working on the correct price for these...they are very inexpensive to make but then again most jewelry is...when you start bead shopping and find out those Swarovski crystals bought in bulk are only like $0.10 a piece you wonder at that $40 price tag for a simple crystal bracelet. But then again you never want to price your item too cheaply because then that is exactly what people think it is...cheap! And your time and design IS worth something.

Ho Ho Ho Banner - $15

It always pays to chat with people (and you never have to pay to chat with me LOL...I'm a chatterer...I love to talk to people...poor people!). Well I was chatting with a lady and she was lamenting how all she wanted was a "Ho, Ho, Ho" banner to hang in her locker at work. I replied, well what were you looking for, I do custom orders all the time? So I gave her my card with "Ho, Ho, Ho" written on the back, she went off to look through the rest of the show (and another one somewhere else). I returned from the show to an email requesting that she didn't find one and could I make her one. So a few emails back and forth to hammer things out...and yippee I made another sale!

A few things I have learned from custom orders...

1. Always charge a bit more than you think you should, because it will always take longer to make than you think to design something new and you may need to do it twice...one caveat...if it is a simple change on an existing design I don't charge anything.

2. If it is personalized (ie has Margaret on it) get the money before you start...that way if the person changes their mind or (more likely) finds it somewhere else you aren't out time and materials.

3. Don't freak out, you can deliver. Custom orders are my favorite because they make someone happy, because you can give them exactly what they want. Creatively they push me to see what I can come up with!! Also don't be afraid to NOT do exactly what they ask...especially if it turns out to be ugly...most people can't visualize the finished product...so make some of the creative decisions for them!

4. Give people finite choice (no more than 3). If you make them decide every detail they get frustrated with all the 'work' you are making them do...that is what they are paying you. Just to give you an idea.
First email: Price Range. What color, red/green, blue/snowflake? Size 4X4 or 6X6
Second Email: Three pattern selections (red/green)...now this is where you get smart. I give patterns that are a style as well.. Fun and Funky (selection of 3 patterned paper); Old World and Monochromatic/cutesy.
--And that is it...in those two emails I got enough information to complete my project.

And while I don't think I came up with exactly what she envisioned...she absolutely LOVED it...which is the whole point ;-)

Now for the project, it looks very, very simple, but as we all know simple design always takes some careful consideration...to look simple. LOL.


The client wanted fun, funky and a Santa Claus (so no one got confused about "HO"). As you can see I creatively made a decision...a Santa Clause wouldn't of fit and would've ruined the design...(I think it would've looked tacky).

For the base (to make it stiff) I used Cereal boxes, cut to 6X6", I stapled the ribbon onto the back (which I stamped with Moonlight White Ink and TAC Snowflakes and Winterflakes LE). I only stamped the one side...cuz I wanted to leave the other side non-holiday so she could hang pictures.


I used my friends CriCut (see the time factor) to cut 3.5" letters and their shadow for the HO's. The top and bottom panel are covered with DCWV Christmas Stack papers...the middle one a piece of red cardstock (ProvoCraft Designer series...but it perfectly matched) and the green is from Michael's Brand Designer cardstock.

So the middle was looking a bit boring, when my friend suggested a little something on each corner...and BAM there it was.

We stamped TAC Mini Sampler holly leaves in each corner with VersaMark then used green iridescent chalk. The berries are red stickles! It adds something but doesn't compete with the busier patterns.

Now for the back, I wanted to leave her with something generic (also couldn't exactly leave raw cardboard and staples showing, oh no no!!) bonus she didn't have to store her banner and then find it next year (I always lose things into storage wonderland)...so I just made a simple scrappy side to display photos. Two pieces of red cardstock and a non-holiday (but in the Christmas stack) pattern paper. I originally was going to provide mats, but decided I wouldn't because I didn't want to force what size photos she had to use!

If anyone is interested...I actually have the materials all ready for a second banner...and that is how I do custom design...I make up an original but then make another one (or a similar one) for myself.

Thanks for looking...and thanks to my friend for helping me out because well I couldn't of done it without her!

Lisa.

Blog Candy Winner!!

I am happy to announce the winner of the snowman poop card!

tyrymom29 said...
I love this card ITs too cute !!!! I adore snowmen and this card is way tooo cute !!! I love the holiday season because its a time for the whole family to get together and HAVE FUN!!!!!! Merry Christmas everyone !!!

Send me your snail mail, and I will get this card in the mail to you!

Ho Ho Ho Popcorn Pull-ups - $4

I've been DYING to post these...it was soo hard to wait...to get a decent picture. And I still don't think this does it justice! These were a big hit at the Craft Fair...I sold every one I made (5 of them)...and probably could've sold a few more. I was in serious Yes/No mode...ie Yes make tons, No you don't want to be stuck with 20 Christmas items...so I made a few of everything and didn't run out of anything (except for these Popcorn Pull-up...I lost 1-2 sales because the lady wanted the Ho Ho Ho and not the Believe).

A funny thing, I don't eat Microwave popcorn...I actually still have a hot air popper and prefer that...with maybe a little butter or powdered cheese...but really
I'll eat it plain and so will my kids. Although the older one is catching on...my mom gave them 'real' popcorn...I just explained that Nana's have special popcorn...moms can't get that kind.

So back in October (when I originally made them) I went looking for microwave popcorn...I was smart enough to get the full fat style in mini bags...however I wasn't smart enough to realize that the popcorn came plastered with Halloween Characters...until I opened the box. Now the popcorn was good until well into 2008...but I wasn't sure how people would take Halloween popcorn in their Christmas Stocking. I also didn't want to eat 12 bags of microwave popcorn!!! I got opinions...many said go buy new, and sacrifice and give them the Halloween popcorn, others were like who cares as long as it is still good. So I kept it, I showed each customer and told them the story...I tell you I think that story is why I sold so many...they just thought that was the funniest thing EVER!!!

So never underestimate how valuable a story is to marketing your item!

If you don't know by now...I have a serious Fun Fur Fetish...I love the stuff. It always takes the blah and makes it Brilliant!! And with the little bit of added Bling this stocking stuffer is definitely satisfying. How did I make it?

I used the TAC Ornamental Backgrounds (Candy Cane)...retired unfortunately, stamped with Palette L'Amore Red (I only have Palette spots of colors and this stamp is only a 2X2 so you feel my pain). Then I used my TAC Ancient Alphabet to stamp "H" in Palette Noir and little 'blings' to make the "O". But the best part of course is the FUN FUR!!! I used my Southwestern corner punch to make notches in each corner of the red cardstock square, wrapped that fur...and Voila! Funky fun Ho, Ho Ho!

I just had to add this picture...this is why I only made 6 Christmas Popcorn Pull-ups...I made 6 Halloween ones for my first show...can you believe I didn't sell one of these!!!! I mean they are adorable! Well I'm saving them for next year...don't worry I'll change out the popcorn!


Thanks for looking!
Lisa.

P.S. If you want one of these adorable little "Boos" just let me know I'll sell them *grin*