Wine Bottle Hanger...works like a charm!

We went to a good ole Memorial Day party...and the hostess had everything covered. But being Italian...I can't walk in empty handed...I just can't!!! So we of course brought wine...and well wine is boring...so I made a little Wine Bottle Hanger. Can I just say these are the coolest things!!!

They are very quick to 'throw' together...an added bonus for me (because being the slowest stamper in the universe this project took me 3 days). Typically stampers put candy/chocolate in the little pouch, I put in 3X3 cards and handmade envelopes. Because the main image was popped up it only fit two...but that was okay. The hostess' tween girls went nuts for them...so I felt appreciated. I might just make a few for the girls. And I got a little promotion as MY daughter upon seeing the empty hanger on the table announced to the whole party..."My MOM made this!" Thank God she is 3 and adorable!

The base of the hanger was some Paper Company cardstock from Michaels...usually I like heavier cardstock, but in this case (and with the layering) the thinner cardstock actually works better...especially for embossing! So the base was turquoise, I used a piece of DCWV Stack 3 turquoise, yellow, green dots paper, then a turquoise square embossed with the Cuttlebug Textile Embossing Folder, a white (Mega Pink Marvy Punch) scallop circle, a turquoise (Super Blue Marvy Punch) scallop circle of DCWV striped paper...with each scallop bump punched with a 1/8" punch. Layered on top of that is a 1.5" circle embossed with Cuttlebug Playful Circles and finally a Punched Daisy with a silver brad. I came up with this layout after the 3X3 cards...but liked it better than the monogram I did do.


The 3X3 cards are very simple and straightforward. I embossed a strip of turquoise cardstock with the Cuttlebug Textile. I dug out my 1/16" hole punch and used that on the Scallop Circle...I think it is a much better look and more forgiving to uneven punching (LOL). Finally the Cuttlebug Embossed Playful Circles was embossed and the "L" monogram was stamped with TAC Ancient Alphabet in Palette Noir. I forgot to mention I highlighted the embossing on the circle with turquoise glitter chalk...but of course that doesn't show up in the picture. I even made matching handmade envelopes click here to find out how to make your own.

Thanks for looking...and reading my diatribe! I hope it was clear....probably not!

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!

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*