Congratulations to a Big Smartie!

This has got to be the cutest...and simplest little favor to make. No stamping in this one...just candy, computer and matching Chinese box...LOL.

So let's see...layout 'Congratulations' in Word (to make things simple I just used the Mailing Labels 1' X 4" format then printed on Computer Paper...I had to do a little creative cutting to get them to line up. Then I literally taped them on the seam...whipped out 18 of these in seconds (okay well not seconds but compared to that 'cover the pre-made box fiasco' the same night it SEEMED like seconds).

Then I simply took 1/4" red satin ribbon and tied it to the ends...Viola...done! Now if my DH had tied the ribbons instead of tempting me with the Terminator these would've been done in 1/2 a second (if you are scratching your head, see Box Fiasco link)

When you want to send flowers...

...but can't see the point in spending a minimum of $50! The following card looks so complicated but isn't at all! I apologize for the awful pictures...I haven't quite gotten my 'photo area' re-set up after the last quicky clean-up for a party. See I do most of my crafting on the dining room table...and when holidays come around (way too often) I have to quick clean off the table so we can actually use it...you know for EATING!

Anyway, I procrastinated again...I know shock! So I was up until 4AM the day before my son's PreSchool graduation (when did 'graduations' from EVERYTHING become the norm). I had the 'gifts' for many, many months and just had to make a card...and I had this Flower Pot card in mind. I knew it would be perfect.

Now you may be asking...4AM...no way I'm NOT making that card...but really it wasn't the card. The cards came together quickly...very quickly...it was covering the boxes and DH distracting me. Not 'that' distracting...really we've been married 6 years and have two kids...no he put on "The Terminator" my favorite movie! If I had all the pieces prepped and ready it would've been perfect craft assembly material...however I procrastinated...so I had nothing. Which meant I sat like a lummox watching a movie I've seen 100 times and then FINALLY started crafting around midnight...isn't that how it always works?

So back to the cards...I found the tutorial here (thank you Stephanie). But being 'thrifty' aka cheap, I didn't want to cut into 12X12 cardstock for a mere 1/2 inch...so I cut my cards using 8.5 X 11 cardstock...and got three per sheet...YAY! Just in case you want to do the same...here are the scoring measurements I used.

Cut cardstock 3-1/2″ x 8 1/2″. Score in landscape position at 3 1/2″ and 7". Which leaves 1 1/2" left...which is the foldover...a little shorter but just fine!

Now the first thing you may ask "Is where DID she get that COOL cardstock!", I mean is it marbled, stamped that way...well I may be that good (I am)...but nope it is designer paper...you know you buy that stack (shut up we all have) and have all that leftover UGLY paper...well this is the 'ugly' paper...looks like terra cotta doesn't it! Remember my cheap comment well I use plain white cardstock and then cover with DSP...in this case DCWV STack 3 (yea I STILL have some of that). I cut a 3.5" square piece and a 1.5" X 3.5" strip.

I was very tired so while I think if I make these again...I would add some 'fun' on the front...these were perfect for a 1AM effort! I also per Dawn Griffith (follow this link for a GREAT video), closed them with glue instead of ribbon...but note I ONLY glued the top bit and left the bottom unglued to make it easier to get the card in and out...this way you can be 'less' than perfect with glue and not have a wonderful pot with no way to get those flowers in!!

I used the Sizzix Flowers Layers #3 to make the flowers...they are one layer (really I would do more layers next time...) with a Sizzix Sizlets Button center. Best part, I used up some scraps to make these...awesome! I would love to try a 5 layer flower set! Inside of the card I wrote (didn't have time to layout on printer...remember 2AM now!!!)..."Thanks for helping me Grow!" and made DS and DD write their name. So all in all...it took me about 1.5 hours to make 6.

So why was I up until 4AM...well....
Take a look at these deceptively simple 'altered' boxes...OMG they were a complete time sink! I swear it would've taken LESS time to make the stinkin' boxes and re-package the pre-bought jewelry...sigh.

But I liked that final outcome. And I am finally getting smart...I packaged the cards in a Clear Envelope from Clearbags.com...so I got oohs and ahhs...from the other mothers AND the teachers! Hey I need that kind of recognition...afterall I was so mentally deficient I lost my keys in the church and drank my coffee (that DH went and got for me...Luv U honey) without sugar...I was half done before I noticed!


Supplies:

• Cardstock: White (Walmart); DCWV Spring Stack and Stack III;
• Tools: Fiskars Threading Water; Sizzix Flower Layers #3 and Sizzlits Buttons Round
  

Don't stop now...here are some really cool alterations I REALLY liked...because NO ONE should ever throw THIS card away!

Flower Pot Album from SCS JeanFB
Flower Pot with Stand from SCS kraftyaunt or mtgchic

Alert: Really Bad Pictures Ahead...

I thought I would share some things I've made...I know it has been awhile but whatever. The pictures will be terrible 1. Because by the time I finished the items it was VERY late and no natural light was available! 2. My camera is in a funk...I can't decide if it is because my DS 'borrows' it occasionally and sets one of the functions on it improperly or what. I mean sorting that out would require reading the 1 inch thick manual....never gonna happen...LOL.

These are simple little favors for DD Preschool class for her BD...which is in JUNE!!! Boy was that fun to explain..."no we are having a BD party in Early May for your BD in JUNE...no it isn't your BD yet, no REALLY it isn't your BD yet". But then I couldn't resist..."so if it was your BD what theme would you like"..."well if you couldn't pick princesses" "Because the princesses are on vacation at Disney during the summer...so they can't come to your party this year, they came last year..." And so it goes.

Oh yeah about the little favor! It was SERIOUSLY simple...I was going to cover the actual candy ala nugget style but one kid has a nut allergy so I wanted to make sure he didn't get the 'nut' candy...and because at 11PM at night well I realized the ONE pack of candy I bought did JUST the amount I needed...so much for pre-planning...and no worries no children were hurt in the making or distribution of this candy favor. Thank goodness for PreSchool Teachers that rock...wait until you see the gifts I gave them! They deserve them...and then some!

Blog Candy for DC Metro Area people...

Well if you are in the DC Metro area and want free tickets to Sugarloaf Craft Festival...head on over to the EtsyCrest page to enter!

http://etsycrest.blogspot.com/2009/04/free-sugarloaf-tickets.html

I'm not that active on Etsy anymore but the EtsyCrest group is still a great group of local crafters for me...and I LOVE doing craft shows.

Pixie Pinwheels

Not the best picture I'll admit...but well you get the idea...Pixie Pinwheels are candy and a toy wrapped up in one! Who wouldn't like that! I can't wait to sneak one of these in each Easter Basket...because while they ARE beautiful...these actually work. Yes I tested EACH ONE to make sure!

So this is like the easiest little pattern. I got mine from Dawn Griffith...she even has a video. Dawn is a selfless person that generously makes free video tutorials and demonstrates all kinds of cards...and her instructions are just so practical and easy to follow!

It took longer to select which designer paper to pair with what pixie stix flavor (yeah right...they are all the same flavor)...than it did to assemble these babies!

So I used DCWV...why do you ask? Well because I have a serious problem...every time they have a $9.99 (or less) sale of one of those humongous stacks I CAN'T HELP MYSELF!!! I buy one. I mean EVERY TIME! Honestly I am thinking of swinging by Joanns on Thursday because they have the Spring Stack on sale...I have the 2007 and 2008 stack but apparently I NEED the 2009 Spring Stack...yes it is ridiculous.

So I rejoice every time I can use up designer paper! I really wish I could find a really simple (ie works with everything) OSW for 12X12 paper...so I can start making some really cool note cards. Oh yeah...and I'm pretty addicted to any of the Cuttlebug folders...but those are totally worth it...LOL. Speaking of Cuttlebugs, I cuttled one of the pinwheels in the group pic...but found that while it gave a wonderful texture to the paper...it stunk as a pinwheel...

Thanks for looking!

Nugget Bunny

I've had this stamp for over a year and finally got it ready to use...in time for EASTER! I know be still my beating heart! I was going to offer these to my kids preschool class but after cutting a few out decided...did I REALLY want to do 40 of them...NO! I didn't even mention having to figure out how many boys vs. girls...so I will make a few to stuff in the kids baskets...and perhaps a few for their close friends.

These are so simple to make...I simply stamped the boy and girl bunny from the TAC Hello Easter (retired) and water colored them with watercolor crayons. Hand cut them out and affixed them to the front of the nugget.

I cut 1"X3" pieces of designer paper from the 2008 DCWV Spring Stack and wrapped them around the nugget and finished them off with little cotton ball tails! Absolutely adorable.

Supplies:

• Stamps: TAC Hello Easter
• Ink: Pallette Noir
• Cardstock: White (Walmart); DCWV Spring Stack;
• Tools: Lyra Aquacolor Crayons; Blender pen

So glad I went to the Party...

...the Handspun Yarn Party. This is what I won...and Shelby is coming by tomorrow night with a drop spindle to try and well teach me to spin! This GORGEOUS roving was donated by Loop on Etsy.

Here is what she is currently offering in her shop...



Another item they gave me...what the roving wasn't enough! I was thrilled...this bag is one of those PERFECT bags. It has a little space for everything!

And if you have never attended the Knit-Out put it on your list of Things To Do...this event like so many others is quintessentially Washington, DC. It is completely free, people volunteer their time to teach knitting, crocheting and spinning and then many of the results go to charity! It is outside on the the National Mall...so if you have to bring your SO or kids you can stick them in a museum (also free)...so they don't bug you.

My parents are always trying to get me to move back to NJ (where I grew up)...and well I aways ask "Why?" I love it here...it is not too cold BUT we get all four seasons...and well they are respectful of "I don't drive in snow" People get that here...up 'north' they want you to ski to work...LOL.

Anyway, on a final note my friend ShelbyB was at the craft show that day and I am SOO proud of her as she almost Sold Out of her wonderful yarn. Here is a peek of some yarns she has available...one thing Shelby is so awesome at is she can actually reliably reproduce her colorways. I guess that Chemistry degree comes in handy occasionally...LOL.

That is it for now...although I will tell you a secret...she has a HUGE announcement coming up on her blog.