Christmas Card - Spellbinders' and JustRite Style II

Catching up on my Christmas cards not previously posted, here is a bit different version of this card I previously posted -- another Spellbinders'/JustRite Papercraft Christmas card. This time I've used the same mix of gold papers, but substituted Labels Sixteen for my tree's layer.

I also stamped a gold glittered JustRite border from their retired Vintage Christmas stamp set to surround my foil tree die cut and added pink gems to my tree and border.

Finishing it all off is a gold mesh bow at the bottom. I really like how this fairly simple card turned out and gave it to our DD/her fiance' since I know she likes non-traditional holiday colors.

Christmas Card - Spellbinders' and JustRite Style

Needing a few more last-minute Christmas cards I decided to play with various shades of gold CS and some Spellbinders' foil and dies: Grand Labels Twenty-three, Labels 24, Ribbon Banners and Fanciful Holiday from 2011. Starting with medium gold CS, I embossed it with the Polka Dots embossing folder for my card base and then added the darker gold die cut with Grand Labels Twenty-three. Topping that is Labels Twenty-four in the lightest and medium shades. For my sentiment I've used Antique Christmas Tags One curved to fit Spellbinders' Ribbon Banners die.

My Christmas tree die cut with gold foil takes center stage and it's finished off with red gems/star and a red velvet ribbon.

JustRite's Magical Christmas Wish

This is the fairly CAS card I'm using this year for the majority of my recipients. In years past I'd made up to 50 of the same card, but the last couple of years I just made a lot of different cards. However, then I never know to whom I sent what -- doubt I'd ever repeat one, but who knows? This year I've not made quite as many ahead as I'd hoped, so now have about 20 of these and will fill in with a few special ones to complete my reduced Christmas list.

For this card I used holly embossed paper purchased at the annual Bazzill warehouse clearance sale.  Last fall I forgot to check ahead for the date and remembered it on a Sunday, only to find it had ended the previous day -- sigh! This year, I scoped out the date early and then emailed two dear friends to help me remember it and we met there and shopped -- it's always fun to see what they have and stock up on their wonderful papers, etc. This JustRite stamp is from their now discontinued original grid system, also purchased on clearance. I thought it was perfect to use with the holly paper and have added little touches of red and green Spica glitter to the holly/berries, which I only wish would show up in my photo! A simple ribbon finishes off this CAS Christmas card for this year.

JustRite Friday Challenge #087: Picture This!

The challenge @ JustRite Papercraft through 6 PM CST tomorrow is to use a photo in your project. This could be a holiday photo card, mini book, ornament, or layout. The best part of this challenge may be the PRIZES -- Spellbinders' dies -- 2 for the Grand Prize winner and 1 for each of 3 Honorable Mention winners and the Random winner will receive a JustRite stamp. So if you have a chance, come join the fun!!!

My project includes a photo of my DD and their beloved rescue dog taken by her fiance'.  I thought she'd like to have it framed for him to enjoy on his desk while working. I die cut/embossed aqua Bazzill CS with Spellbinders' Romantic Rectangles, glued down my photo and slipped it into the top right corner of my clear acrylic frame. I love that you can see through the pretty edging of the Romantic Rectangles!
I measured the remaining space on the left and bottom and cut a piece of October Afternoon's Woodland Park DP in colors that coordinate with my photo to fill in the frame.

Next I stamped what I think is a perfect sentiment from Wedding Nested Sentiments (retired JustRite original set) in aqua ink on cream CS. It was die cut/embossed with Spellbinders' Polka Dot Frame, using only the inside cut-out from the smallest frame. A small glittery heart from my stash was added and foam dots to pop it out from my frame for dimension. Finishing it all off are black rhinestone finesse swirls from Want2Scrap. I think this will make a nice little gift for DD's fiance' and if they want, they can easily change out the photo.

Sentiment close-up

Christmas Card: Heartfelt Creations & Spellbinders' Style

This is a very CAS A2-size card I made late last year for a few friends/relatives, but never posted. Using Heartfelt Creations stamps I'd borrowed from a friend and my corresponding Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornaments dies, I cut the ornament from vellum, stamped it in VersaMark ink and embossed in gold. Next I colored with Copics, adding it to my Ice Silver card.

My card's front edge was cut/embossed using Spellbinders Classic Ric Rac Edgeabilities. To finish it off, I added a gold sticker to hang my ornament from and another along my bottom edge, and a small bow.

Love this clean, simple card with the elegant gold and that gorgeous poinsettia on shimmery CS!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #100: It's A Wrap!

Our final challenge for 2012 @ My Sheri Crafts -- It's a Wrap -- has us (and hopefully you) decorating packages, bags or tags -- hard to believe it's time to 'wrap up' another year in our lives, isn't it? I thought about several different things to do for this challenge, but the deal was pretty much sealed once I made a trip to our Ribbon & Lace store recently. As I was checking out, my husband actually spotted the sparkly gold trim on my cream/red bag and in the poinsettia's center, which is simply called "mesh". These are actually metal dots with a little divot in the center and are connected by lightweight string. In order to use one or more, either in the width it comes in (which I did on this bag) or just a single strip, you simply cut the threads! Needless to say, I left with a yard of 5 different colors -- LOL! I also had to use the new Spellbinders' Holiday Tree on another bag!

Both bags were 'steals' from World Market shortly after Christmas 2 years ago at 90% off -- only 29 cents each, but quite plain/'undressed'. When I found them in my Christmas storage, I immediately die cut Spellbinders' 2012 Holiday Tree in a Bazzill paper that perfectly matched the bag's handles. I liked it's simple elegance, so merely added the sparkly star and silver pearls to complete it.

For my cream bag, I assembled a left-over felt poinsettia and hot glued it to my bag over the gold mesh trim that I stitched on along the edges through the open-weave bag. I just love how elegant the trim looks on this bag and both projects were very easy/inexpensive -- a big bonus during the busy holiday season!  ;~}

Hope you have time to share your creative holiday packaging ideas with us @ My Sheri Crafts. We'll be back in early January, 2013 with a New Year's worth of fun challenges too!!!

JustRite Friday Challenge #086 - Proud as a Peacock

The jewel-toned challenge this week for JustRite Papercraft's Friday Challenge ends in a few minutes, but I've finally managed to get my card posted.

Since I'm in the process of making wedding invitations for my hubby's sweet DD I have turquoise (her chosen color) on my brain lately, so that challenge color is pretty much everywhere in my craft room right now!!!  I chose to use turquoise as my main color, using the CS and turquoise ink she's chosen for her invitations, as well as adding in the shimmery gold plus a pop of purple in my sentiment/flower and blue in rhinestone accents.

My sentiment is from JustRite's Grand Sentiments -- LOVE this clear stamp set!!! Also loved how the Spellbinders' Twisted Metal Tags and Accents die frames my Grand Sentiment and that you can use more than one color when you stamp them! Secondly, the die's large flourish makes me think of a Peacock's tail! Using JustRite's Lace Border's, I added the widest border along the bottom edge of my card in purple.

I've shown a close-up of the gorgeous Wausau "King's Gold" Royal Metallic paper used for my frame and 'tail', hoping you can see the gorgeous sparkle better!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #099: Tis the Season

Creating a card/project that represents what you (or someone you know) celebrate during this time of year (Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, etc.) is our current biweekly challenge at My Sheri Crafts beginning today.

My simple Christmas card today is made out of the necessity to create something that's easy to mail and will hopefully arrive in one piece! It consists of three patterned papers, a Spellbinders' die for my tree, as well as another die for my BG mat layers. A simple sentiment, star gem, gem flourish and ribbon finish it off.

We'd really LOVE it if you'd take a moment from your busy schedule and link your holiday project to our challenge @ My Sheri Crafts -- thank you and Happy Holiday preparations to one & all!!!

 

Papers: Authentique's Festive 6x6 Bundle; Cream CS
Stamps: Recollections
Ink: VersaFine Satin Red
Dies: Spellbinders' Labels Twenty-five, Nested Lacey Pennants; JustRite Custom Antique Labels One Dies (sentiment)
Embellishments: Want2Scrap flourish

JustRite Friday Challenge #085: Happy Holidays

The challenge for JustRite Friday is sponsored by Spellbinders so we are to use at least 2 die cut elements on our Holiday project. Certainly a no-brainer as far as the dies are concerned for me -- I rarely make any project without one or more.

Today I took a break from working on wedding invitation ideas to create a Christmas card with this gorgeous music paper and an adorable Cardinal in the corner and some yummy red wool felt. Hope you have a better head start on your cards than I do, but there's just under 24 hours left to enter this challenge, so grab your JustRite stamps and Spellbinders' dies and join in!

My card uses the following items:

Paper: Authentique's 6x6 Festive Bundle, PTI's Pure Poppy and Vintage Cream CS; Bazzill green CS
Stamps: JustRite's Noel Christmas Ornaments (ornament) and JustRite's Antique Christmas Tags One (sentiment and holly)
Ink: VersaFine Satin Red; PTI's Ripe Avacado
Dies: Spellbinders' 2010 Ornaments (CS & felt ornament), Foilage (greenery); JustRite Custom Antique Labels One Dies by Spellbinders (felt cut-out)
Embellishments: Want2Scrap's Black Finesse Swirl Rhinestones, miscellaneous gems from my stash

Can't wait to see all the entries up close and personal!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #098: Thanksgiving

A very fitting challenge this week @ My Sheri Crafts where our theme is Thanksgiving and we're asking you to create a card/project showing thanks!

I'm calling this my "vintage thanks" card since even though The Green Stack by DCWV that I used for this challenge was from 2008, I only recently spotted and purchased it, simply because the little animal characters therein are just too cute to resist -- LOL!!! This is one of my FAV papers from the stack and I decided to keep it simple, first merely stamping my 'thanks' sentiment from a 'vintage 2007' Stampendous set ("Mega Thanks") right onto the BG paper.  Next I stamped the letters on 3 different papers from the stack, fussy cutting them individually and pop dotting them in place over my stamped image. I added the 'many' stamp from the same set and 3 Dew Drops  (The Robin's Nest circa 2008) along the paper's border strip, roughed up my edges, then sponged a bit of Walnut Stain distress ink to all edges. Simple, fun and another thank you card to put in my ready to finish and mail stack -- YAY!!!

Why don't you post a thanks project to our My Sheri Crafts' challenge?!  We'd LOVE to see your ideas!!!

Sympathy: JustRite Style

Sadly needing a quick sympathy card, I turned to not only some favorite Just Rite stamps, but also decided to emulate Sheri's recent sympathy card. Not only do we all need ease/simplicity when making this type of card, hers has such a fabulous focal image, why look any further? Hopefully, she won't mind my 'casing' it.

I stamped Just Rite's rose image from "With Sympathy" in VersaFine Onyx Black ink on white CS, as well as the sentiment from the same set onto vellum, heat setting it with my heat gun. I then stamped the medallion image from JR's Botanical Medallions & Banners in VersaMark ink on a dark grey Bazzill CS, heat set with Martha Stewart white embossing powder and die cut with JR's compatible Nested Medallion Label Die. LOVE the sentiment stamped on vellum placed over the rose image!!!

I used DCWV's LaCreme CS die cut along the right edge with Spellbinders' Classic Scallop Edgeailities to top my white stripe-embossed Bazzill CS that was edged with a tiny scalloped edge punch. Next, I placed a Winter White seam binding messy bow to the left and my focal image atop it to the right.  A few dark grey and white swirl pearls (Want2Scrap) finish the card. Hopefully it will bring a bit of comfort to our extended family members.

JustRite Friday Challenge #084: Flower Power

Major technical difficulties here today, but haven't missed a JustRite Friday Challenge in forever, so didn't want to start this time!

Details to follow; going to see IF I can get this posted -- sorry!!!  Be back soon?!!!

Hmmm, looks like InLinkz is on a different time than me, as it has already closed -- oh well, I'll give myself "E" for effort -- kinda how my whole day went!!! ;0(

My card uses Authentique "Blissful" 6x6 paper pad, Samantha Walker's Botanical Swirls and Accents for my main focal image and her coordinating JustRite stamp set by the same name, as well as Spellbinders' Bitty Blossoms for my three flowers!!!

OK -- I'm going to go 'cry in my beer' since I missed getting this posted -- oh, wait, I hate beer and never drink it -- guess I'll just cry into my tissue instead -- LOL!!!

My Sheri Crafts #97: Fall Colors

For this week's challenge at My Sheri Crafts we'd like for you to create a card/project using Fall colors and three embellishments -- easy-peasy!!! I chose a plaid paper from Bo Bunny's 6x6 Apple Cider collection for my BG and adhered to an orange CS base. I then decided on a straw-colored page of text from the same pad for my gem sentiment, a sweet little bargain earlier this year from Michaels outdoor clearance bin, which I recall was $.09! A sheer bow is tied around the center.

Next, I die-cut the text paper with Spellbinders' Labels Twenty-five, embossed/sanded/finished it off with a bit of Antique Linen distress inking along the edges. I embossed the same die once again on heavy-weight Bazzill brown CS, cutting around the outermost edge for a textural layer behind my straw piece. My Autumn gem sentiment was then attached, after coloring the flower petals orange (they were yellow), to bring out the orange in my plaid paper. After adding two metal leaves from my stash to the top corner, I cut an accent die from Spellbinders' Twisted Metal Tags and Accents for additional interest, embossed/distressed it and added three gems to the center, attaching it below the sentiment.
Now it's your turn to visit all our Design Team's inspiration and then create and post your own creation @ My Sheri Crafts -- can't wait to see them all!

JustRite Friday Challenge #083 - "Three's Company"

Lots going on around my house and with family lately, so I've struggled to find quality crafting time and to concentrate when I do! I LOVE the challenge at JustRite this week: Three's Company -- use at least 3 coordinating patterns in your project. Judging from the numerous entries, I'm NOT alone. HOORAY -- always a fun challenge and so very inspiring!

Echo Park's This & That paper pad was in my mind from the beginning -- especially this beautiful floral paper that particularly grabbed my attention. I paired it with another paper from the same pad for die cutting my Spellbinders' Labels Eight, as well as the green dots & diagonal stripes from their Soda Fountain collection. I started with the sentiment frame from JustRite's Grand Sentiments clear set (LOVE it!), which I used exclusively today. I cut the center out with a Labels Four die and used diagonal stripes paper to stamp my sentiment. The flourish was added to another Labels Eight partial cut for visual interest below my sentiment frame.

Finishing it all off are items pulled from my stash to make the stick pin, layered flower and bow, as well as a few gems to embellish my frame.

My Sheri Crafts #096: Halloween

Our My Sheri Crafts' Challenge this week is: Halloween -- create anything your spooky little heart desires for this holiday! Several years ago I created a double-sided Halloween decor piece (here) that I was inspired to do by a piece of 6x6 Making Memories' paper. It was sooo fun that I've fashioned another using Spellbinders' Labels Twenty-three, Martha Stewart's latest Halloween mat stack and some Hobby Lobby bottle caps. For these decor pieces, the sky's the limit with the plethora of Halloween papers, dies and embellishments available.  It can be really unique and FUN -- make it 'sweet' for the younger ones or 'spooky' for the older crowd -- even personalize it, if you'd like!

I chose two different 'bird' papers to cut with my Grand Labels Twenty-three die from the MS stack and a piece of Tim Holtz grunge paper to sandwich inside, as I wanted to be sure the piece had the strength to hold up well when hanging and to support the bottle caps! I cut/embossed, sanded and distressed my paper with Black Soot ink and used a combination of Scor-Tape and Glue Dots to secure my 'sandwiched' pieces. Next I punched holes in the top/bottom and added 1/8" black eyelets, all with my beloved Crop-a-dile. From my stash I then attached different framed spooky mirrors @ center front & back. To build my double-sided 'boo', I first ran 3 bottle caps through my Grand Calibur using the cutting plate and adapter plate, which works like a 'charm' to flatten them! Again using my Crop-a-Dile, I easily punched 1/8" holes in the bottle caps. Circles die cut/emossed/sanded from the reverse side of one 'bird' scrap piece using Spellbinders' Standard Circles Large were then glue-dotted to the caps and glittered letters spelling 'boo' were added. "Eek" would work also! Tim Holtz jump rings were used to attach the bottle caps @ the bottom so they dangle/move and TH ball chain completes the hanger @ the top.

I hope you'll join us @ My Sheri Crafts this week by creating/posting your own Halloween concoction(s) to share with us!

Masculine Birthday Card: Motorcycle

This detailed motorcycle cut file perfectly fit my needs for a young man's birthday card and cut sooo beautifully on my Boss Kut Gazelle! The amazing file is free and available in several formats for every available digital cutter on Bird's blog here. There are tons of free cutter files -- you won't believe all you'll find there, so go check it out!!!

Be forewarned that this file has many tiny pieces, but I think it was well worth the effort to put it all together and I hope the young man we're sending it to enjoys it!

I kept it very simple by merely attaching my motorcycle to a fabulous piece of wood grain paper from My Mind's Eye's Howdy Doody 6x6 paper pad and layering with orange and black.  My Papertrey Ink sentiment (from Inside and Out: Birthday) is stamped onto a Spellbinders Labels Seven die cut and metal brads were added to accent the card corners. No frills, ribbons or lace needed today!!!

JustRite Friday Challenge #082: Be Supportive

For the current JustRite Friday Challenge we are to 'be supportive'. I chose to use this gorgeous Bo Bunny "Gabrielle Collection" paper featuring an angel. When I chose it I was planning to make a sympathy card, but my focus changed. This has has been an extremely emotional and hectic week for us, as our DD and her loving BF announced their engagement -- to say I'm thrilled, so proud and so excited is putting it mildly!!!
Thus, I kept this card pretty simple as my week has flown by while anticipating the announcement and having difficulty concentrating on much else! My supportive sentiment is from the FABULOUS new JustRite Amazing Paper Grace "Just the Right Words' clear stamp set -- LOVE this and have wanted a set like this for a long time now! As you'll see if you check out this set, there are so many ways to make it 'your own' -- LOVE that!

My sentiment is stamped onto another new JustRite FAV of mine, their Antique Labels One Dies -- just a huge fan of this shape! I used some Smooch Spritz Pralines and Cream mist on my white doily to antique it, as well as on my sentiment while it was still in the die. Next I hand died my Hug Snug seam binding with Copics, tied my bow, added a Tim Holtz button and a small beaded angel stick pin and pearls to complete my card.
Hope you are able to join us next week @ JustRite's Friday Challenge and that my life slows down just enough that I can get my project done earlier, but I'm not holding my breath on that one -- LOL!  It's a wonderful thing though to be 'happily busy'!!!  ;~)

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #95: It's Picking Time!

Time for another My Sheri Crafts Challenge -- it's 'picking time', so we're asking you to include a pumpkin or apple on your project.  I took 'artistic license' and went with my 'pumpkin' in the form of a jack-o-lantern face on my burlap silverware (or plastic ware) holders -- Hee!!!

My first glimpse of the original idea for these with a gorgeous flower was here on Pinterest -- of course! Since I'd recently purchased a bunch of burlap in several colors (can you say 'new obsession'?), I just had to modify these to work for either a dinner table or an outdoor get-together with plastic ware, especially if you're doing something around Halloween for a child's or even adult's party. Thanks, sweet friend, for that clever idea -- add a little fun to a party and keep it simple when it comes to clean-up!

Then, inspiration struck as I was writing this post and it was back to the 'drawing board', as I had the idea for the apple -- great for back-to-school with any number of items tucked inside other than silverware -- pencils, pens, ruler, bookmark, large candy bar -- I'm sure many Moms, most children and certainly all teachers could think of dozens of ideas?!  Might be a cute/inexpensive idea for the upcoming fall/Christmas/winter holidays!!! NOW my head is spinning again and I don't even have any school-age children!!!

DIRECTIONS:
Cut burlap 14 1/2" long by 4" wide
Fold over 1 1/2" and zigzag stitch about 1/2" from raw edge (forgot
this on cream holder, but no big deal)
Fold bottom up 5 1/4" from last fold
Stamp with paint (I slipped bottom of holder under my craft mat at fold and stamped, then just wiped paint off mat where it bled through fabric -- easy/peasy!)
Once paint is dry, zigzag stitch up right side from bottom edge, in about 3/8 to 1/2", across top and down left side
Pull long threads from top/both sides for fringe 

NOTE: These are not washable, spot clean only, but burlap is sooo inexpensive and once you have the measurements, which I've included here, they are sooo quick/easy to whip up!

To create my orange/tan holder, I cut 1 piece from each color and layered tan atop orange and made per above directions. For my face, I merely cut pieces of craft foam for stamps and attached to acrylic block with 1/2" wide strips of Scor-Tape, squirted on a dollop of black craft paint, smoothed it out a bit with a sponge brush and stamped, beginning with the mouth, then nose & eyes for easy lining up -- simple/easy/non-perfectionistic!
Apple was stamped using . . . an apple, of course! Found a Pink Lady that had a tiny spoiled spot, so perfect for my needs!  Cut in half, spread my red paint with a sponge brush, stamped (had to do a little touch-up as my cut wasn't perfectly 'flat'), cut a Spellbinders's leaf from craft foam, and took the actual stem, held with a tweezers, dipped in brown paint, and added a bit of touch-up to the stem. If I can do it, you CAN TOO!
Hope you enjoy making these and hope you'll come up with an idea for a project for My Sheri Crafts to share with us too -- look forward to seeing your crafty pumpkin/apple idea -- hmmm, now another idea just hit me -- time to cut more burlap!!!  ;-)

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without . . .

. . . PAPER -- shocking, huh?!!!  LOL!
I got a new sewing machine and decided that to learn all it's fabulous functions, I'd sew AG Doll clothes. I'm safekeeping my grown DD's dolls until she has room to take them -- IF I can bear to give them up then, that is? Hee!!! These are truly fabulous dolls IF you have a special 8-11 year old little lady in your life -- or you never had a special doll in your childhood -- just sayin'!!!  ;-)
I found THIS ADORABLE free pattern created by Amanda online. NOTE: there are actually TONS of free doll patterns out there if you just Google AG dolls! When I saw this darling fabric at Joanns, I HAD to grab it!
Amanda stresses in her post that the dress is very snug and how to sew it to fit your doll. Not sure if there's much difference in the newer AG dolls and  our original Pleasant Company dolls from the early 90's, but when I got my dress nearly done & tried it on Kirsten, there was no way it would go over her arms/shoulders. Knowing I wanted mine to be shorter in length anyway, I decided to cut 1 1/4" from the top of the skirt, which gave me more width for my back seam. I then stitched the bodice/skirt together and stitched the back skirt seam just 4 1/2" up from the hem edge, leaving a 5 1/2" opening to the neckline. This allowed me to sew a 7" centered zipper into the back and it's PERFECT! I still did a 1/2" hem, doubling my fabric over.

Back View

I actually used an old zipper I'd removed/replaced in a skirt I repaired. It was missing it's 'pull tab', so I came up with my own by using a paper crafty wire   safety pin and some beads -- not sure I'm crazy about it, but for now it works, which is all that matters and Kirsten doesn't mind!  I have a brand-new 7" zipper from WalMart and think it was only $1.22, so it's not expensive to add one to a doll dress, really.

Because this print had the fun red hearts in it and wanting to practice with my machine's special stitches, I used plain white fabric and stitched the little hearts in red thread on the sleeve bands -- too fun!!! Now I'm thinking Kirsten needs a little red shrinky-dinky heart necklace -- the fun never ends when you love to craft -- LOL!

Do go check out Amanda's post and see the DARLING print she made her dress from & leave her some love!!!  ;-)

JustRite Friday Challenge #081: Charm Me

For the current JustRite challenge, wherein we are to add a charm, I knew right away I'd make my own. Again using JustRite's Botanical Butterflies, even though I used it for the last challenge, I simply had to stamp that bee again to create a charm to use with Authentique's sweet Carefree papers featuring flowers & bees!

I began by stamping the round dotted frame from JustRite's Charmed cling set and my bee onto shrink plastic, die cutting with JustRite's Custom Charm Dies, then shrinking with my heat gun. LOVE how cute it turned out and the bonus with these wonderful charm dies is you don't have to remember to punch a hole before shrinking -- LOL! 
Spellbinders So Trendy M-Bossabilities folder made me think 'honeycomb', so I embossed and then sanded Core'dinations paper for the bottom section. Also from Botanical Butterflies, this fabulous sentiment is stamped and die cut with JustRite's Custom Antique Labels One Dies, a new FAV now! For my flowers and leaves I used Spellbinders' Bitty Blossoms dies and die cut my leaves from stiffened burlap and edged with a Copic Marker.
Thanks for stopping by to visit today and please leave me a comment to let me know your thoughts on my card!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #094: My Family

The challenge this week @ My Sheri Crafts is to create a family-themed project or card for a family member. My original idea had to be scrapped as my die cutting machine is 'ill' and out for repairs!  :`(  Sooo glad it's still under warranty and should soon be back and cutting like 'new' again!

Since my SIL just had major surgery and is home recovering, a Get Well Soon card for her fit the bill perfectly. 
I began with Heartfelt Creations China Fragments' Tea Cup stamp set that coordinates with Spellbinders' Nested Tea Cup dies I won last fall. LOVE both these stamps and dies, which were cut from white CS, colored with Copics to coordinate with Authentique's Delightful floral PP. The cup is aged with Black Soot distress ink and popped onto a doily  spritzed with Smooch Spritz Pralines & Cream. Want2Scrap's clear rhinestone 'steam' swirls from the cup's rim. A Lace Doily Accents border edges the left side. My sentiment from Little Paper Shop is stamped onto a JustRite Custom Antique Labels One Die that's accented on each end with halves of a decorative die from Lacy Doily Motifs, then laced with Martha Stewart ribbon tied into a bow to finish this card!
Hope it brightens my Sister-in-Law's day when she receives it and that you'll be inspired to create a family-themed project to post @ My Sheri Crafts now!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #93: Last Day to Wear White!

Since we live in the 'warm' SW desert, I don't really follow the 'last day to wear white' is Labor Day 'rule',  BUT our current challenge - to create a 'white-on-white project' - seemed like the perfect excuse to whip up a wintery snowflake card! This was totally challenging project, as I kept wanting to add a bit of color somewhere, but in the end LOVED how it turned out!
My snowflake was built using a combination of Spellbinders' 2010 Snowflake pendants, Create-a-Flake Three dies and even one cut from Snowflake Wonder, an early Spellbinders' die that cuts 5 snowflakes from one plate.
After cutting/embossing my die cuts, I hit the embossed areas with Glossy Accents, sprinkled on Martha Stewart's Crystal Coarse Glitter and secured the layers with a crystal brad.
I mounted my snowflake onto white 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" CS that I'd embossed with SB's Elegance M-Bossabilities Folder, Side A. I then cut 1/2" from the bottom front and as shown in the photo below, embossed the back inside edge with a Provo Craft "Frills" border, added a strip of Scor-Tape, sprinkled with more coarse glitter. To complete my card, I then repeated this process with a 3/4" strip of CS and used Scor-Tape to atttach it inside my card front. A simple ribbon tied in a bow completes my white-on-white project!
What will you create for your white-on-white project -- a wedding card, a Christmas project or a snowflake ornament?! Please make one and upload it for us all to enjoy @ My Sheri Crafts -- you may just be our next Guest Designer!

JustRite Friday Challenge #080: More Than One Fold

I think learning new/varied ways to create our cards is always exciting, don't you? From fun shapes to fabulous edges to new ways to fold, I LOVE to put a new twist on the basic one-fold rectangular cards we most often make -- which is basically our mission this next 11 days @ JustRite's Friday Challenge!!! Okay, JustRite, your wish is my command -- LOL!

Loving to search for and experiment with fun new folds, I couldn't wait to start this adventure -- I'm usually one of the last posters to JR's challenges, as you may already know?! I'd previously made 'joy fold cards', but happened upon a fabulously brilliant twist on it here! So I had my plan and chose 6"x6" papers from My Mind's Eye: Miss Caroline/Dilly Dally (just LOVE that name). I knew immediately that I'd use JustRite's Botanical Butterflies clear stamps for my main focal image. Following Julie's precise instructions, I cut my base piece and another from Spellbinders' Grand Labels One smallest die, sanded it's embossed edges, folded per Julie's instructions and adhered at the left edge. Next I chose to use JustRite's exclusive Antique Labels One (largest) die for my focal mat that attaches at the right edge and wraps around, again embossing & sanding for effect. I stamped my JustRite butterfly image, colored/highlighted with Copics, cut/embossed with Spellbinders' Standard Circles Large, distressed with Antique Linen ink, and popped up slightly on my red mat.
Then I needed to figure out what I'd use to hold my card closed. Looking at my JustRite stamps and my card, it occurred to me that my BG paper is similar to a window screen, so I decided I had to go with the bee image (also from Botanical Butterflies). I thought it was sooo cute when I first saw this set AND since discovering a live scorpion in my walk-in closet last evening, I definitely had stinging creatures on my mind! Thankfully, hubby was able to hunt down and kill it after he heard my scream, then thoroughly cleaned and scanned our closet top to bottom with a black light and found no more -- whew! So, my closure is this fun bee stamped in black Staz-on ink onto a clear plastic button, plus his flight trail in clear gems. I rounded my base piece's right-side corners, distressed with Black Soot, added a small bow below my butterfly and finished off the inside with another Antique Labels Die and sentiment from the same JustRite stamp set.
I had sooo much fun creating this card and really look forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with -- YAY -- more new folds to try soon -- can't wait!!!

JustRite Friday Challenge #079: Opposites Attract

For this totally FUN JustRite challenge based upon the color wheel, I chose to work with orange/blue greens for my 'opposites attract'/complimentary colors' card.
Beginning with JustRite's Botanical Medallions & Banners stamp set I colored the poppy image with Copics, distressed with Antique Linen distress ink, framed with Spellbinders' Floral ovals and accented with pearls. The focal image was then mounted onto the medallion stamped in orange and die cut with JustRite's exclusive Nested Oval Medallion Dies. I then stamped JustRite's Merry Christmas background stamp onto aqua blue paper from Authentique's Gathering line, highlighted the lace with Copics and distressed it. I hand cut out the center Christmas words since I don't yet have the Spellbinders' Card Creator dies that coordinate with this BG stamp, but they're definitely on my Wish List!

A brad from my stash that I thought was the perfect touch!

Finishing off this card is my sentiment (also from Botanical Medallions), a seam binding crinkly bow hand colored with Copic inks and accented with a brad from My Minds Eye and a couple fabulous gem swirls from Want2Scrap.
If you get a chance to make an Opposites Attract card, you still have until tomorrow to post it at JustRite's Friday Challenge!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #092: Back to School!

Browsing the web one day, I stumbled upon this link for monster bookmarks. Though I have no youngsters in my life at the moment, I do have two avid adult readers, so I thought these would be fabulous for them since they both LOVE Halloween. I couldn't resist making them for our current back to school theme @ My Sheri Crafts biweekly challenge !!!

The link to print out the pattern for the monster corner bookmarks is here. It makes assembly simple for even young readers to cut/decorate their own. If you need a rainy day or after-school activity, there are various ideas to embellish the bookmarks at the first link shown above! Or you can make them yourself as a special surprise -- can't you just see the smile on those sweet faces when they unwrap a new book and find this homemade and perhaps even personalized monster bookmark? While searching, I also came across this fun site and just had to make the bookmark/journal wrap from ribbon and elastic on my sewing machine! I really like this for the simple fact that you won't lose it if you just keep it on the front or back cover of your book while reading. It occurred to me that this would make an adorable headband also -- so fun to find an item that could be changed into something else with just a simple size alteration -- LOL! Really looking forward to seeing everyone's back to school projects @ My Sheri Crafts!

JustRite Challenge #078: Christmas in July

Christmas in July with JustRite gives me a chance to begin plans for our Christmas dinner this year! I know I want place holder decorations and napkin rings, so began there.
Using Tim Holtz tutorial, I cut five rosette strips in cream w/gold metallic paper to create a decorative tree for place setting decor. Next I stamped them with the various JustRite Lace Borders stamps, some 'upside down' for variety, and embossed in gold. After folding them, I varied how much they flared while hot gluing to achieve my tree's shape. Using Spellbinders' Lacey Circles I cut a tree skirt in chipboard, one in cream/gold paper and then a smaller one in burgundy. The cream circle is stamped/embossed with a holly border from JustRite's Christmas Ornament 3 1/4" set. This set is AWESOME and still available for a mere $8, at JustRite's Super Sale, while they last! To finish, I cut a dowel for the trunk and the smallest star die from JustRite's Charm Dies for a tree topper and added burgundy pearls for holly berries.

To create my napkin holder I used the same process on the smallest rosette strip, adding a chipboard strip with score tape underneath for strength. My ring is topped with a Nested Oval Medallion Labels Die, a coordinating rosette and burgundy Lacey Circle. I added my guest's name with JR's retired Curlz font (if you HURRY, there are still a few fonts here), folded and slipped my napkin through -- inexpensive, but pretty, I think, and each one can be personalized!
My final piece today is our Christmas dinner invitation created by first cutting Spellbinders' Nested Pennants from cream CS on the fold for my card base. Then I cut a Lacey Pennant from cream/gold paper, again embossing Lace Borders in gold and attached to the card front. My sentiment from Christmas Nested Frames is stamped onto a tag die cut from JustRite's Nested Sentiments (retired die), a single 'loop' is added to each end from Lacey Pennants and then it's tied to my card with a small bow. Inside I added my dinner invitation wording typed in Microsoft Word in the shape of a tree which fits the card's shape perfectly -- sooo FUN and a nice chunk of my Christmas prep is already figured out!

I hope you're also getting an early start on your holiday planning -- it will be here before we know it!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #091: Back & Forth

Our challenge @ My Sheri Crafts is to use an accordion/fan fold as one of your project's elements -- can be simply a strip, a fan, a rosette -- whatever you imagine! My project is a small Christmas tree which could be used either for a decoration or even a place card holder for your Christmas get-together. The tree consists of 4 rosettes, the bottom of which is enhanced with Martha Stewart's Scalloped 3-Dot punch and all but the top layer includes Tim Holtz Symphony Music Tissue Tape. My  tree topper is a star cut from JustRite's Custom Charm Dies. On the edges of the rosettes and star topper, I applied Glossy Accents and sprinkled on Martha Stewart's Crystal Coarse Glitter. Though I have both Tim Holtz rosette dies, I made these just using strips of CS and my Scor-Pal, basically following Tim's tree tutorial here.
My matching card includes a half-rosette tree and sentiment stamp from Just Rite's Christmas Nested Sentiments, as well as Recollections Rhinestone Stars.
Thanks for stopping by my little blog today! We @ My Sheri Crafts really hope that you'll create a project with an accordion/fan fold -- remember anything goes -- and post it to our challenge -- can't wait to see everyone's ideas!!!

JustRite Friday Challenge #077: Tag! You're It!

I created this tag project for a friend going to the 2012 Olympics and as a special nod to London in celebration of the Olympic games. Wouldn't this be fun slipped into a plastic luggage tag holder so you could spot your checked suitcase easily when it came off the ramp?! I'm posting it for this challenge at JustRite #077.


My tag began with JustRite's London Background Stamp, stamped in black on white CS and distressed with Weathered Wood Distress Ink. I then stamped Big Ben again and sponged with Antique Linen and Faded Jeans. The London stamp was stamped in blue ink and 2012 was added with JustRite's retired Times New Roman 15pt. font (there are still a few awesome fonts left @ JR's Super Sale).

My Olympic rings were cut with the two smallest Spellbinders Classic Circle dies and then slit where needed to form the well-recognized symbol. To create my Good Luck gold medal I stamped the sentiment from JustRite's Spring Words clear stamp set in on gold foil CS and die cut with JustRite's Charm Dies.

JustRite's Lace Edge border stamp finishes off the bottom of my red layer, Want2Scrap swirl in black and white crinkled seam binding and red/blue fibers complete this tag -- it's ready to head to London!!! 

My Sheri Crafts #090: National Ice Cream Month

Since July is National Ice Cream Month, our Hostess, Glenda, @ My Sheri Crafts has challenged us to create a project using an ice cream cone/dish!

Having not one ice cream stamp in my stash, I found this card/tutorial here and just knew this was what I wanted to re-create! I first used Cricut's Sweet Treats cartridge to cut my ice cream cones from scraps. Then basically following the tutorial, I created my shoppe's awning, cutting my white CS piece with Spellbinders' Classic Postage Stamp Edgeabilities' die. To complete the awning, I merely cut/glued strips from an embossed scallop-edged piece of pink Bazzill CS. I used that same CS for the card base/shelf also. Finishing touches include glitter, a 'drip' gem, Bazzill pink gingham ribbon and Happy Day Sticker from my stash.

Hope you're inspired today to create your very own cool, summery ice cream project and share it with us @ My Sheri Crafts -- we'd LOVE to see your sweet inspiration!!! It might make you 'feel a bit cooler' too?!  :`~)

JustRite Friday Challenge #076 (2): Stars & Stripes

Since I recently purchased this fun Simple Stories masculine paper pad with stars & stripes, I thought I'd create another card to enter at JustRite's current challenge. 

I've not used this card LO in a long time, so thought it would be fun for this card. The finished card measures 4 1/2" x 6 1/4". The CS is first cut @ 4 1/2"x 8", then scored @ 1 3/4" and 3 1/2".  The first fold creates a back fold-over 'tab' into which I sandwiched my card back measuring 4 1/2" x 6 1/4". When glued down front & back, you are left with a 4 1/2" square card inside & out and a 1 3/4" section down the left side to also decorate as you choose, kinda FUN! You can adjust your measurements for this card to fit whatever envelope you wish, including an A-2.
I added the striped paper and 'sprinkled' my stars, die cut with JustRite's Charm Dies and stamped with sentiments from JustRite's Going Places Vintage Labels, down the side. To complete my card I added a small metal adornment to each star & motorcycle wheels and tied some twine around it. Another masculine card for the stockpile!

My Sheri Crafts #089: Picture This!

For our current challenge @ My Sheri Crafts we're asking that you use the inspiration photo below to create a card/project based on what you see in this display! This was sooo much FUN!!! I focused on the large pink/green tray at the center of the top shelf for my card's inspiration. My pink paper resembled the pattern on the tray, plus I also brought in the lemony yellows, as well as the checks and polka dots from the various napkins.


This time of year always makes us think of all the fabulous fresh summer fruits and this photo certainly conjures up many yummy and delicious ideas! I chose this cherry stamp as my focal image because I love the dotted leaves and the variety/colors of buttons you can choose for the cherries.

Can't wait to see what you come up with for this challenge -- please join us @ My Sheri Crafts!!! 

Stamps: Papertrey Ink's Everyday Button Bits
Ink:  Memento's Rose Bud & Bamboo Leaves
Papers: Simple Stories Fabulous & Summer Fresh; Basic Grey's Serendipity; Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl; PTI's Vintage Cream CS
Dies:Spellbinders' Standard Circles, Petite Scalloped Circles, Picot Edge Circles, Classic Triple Scallop/Postage Edgeabilities
Embellishments: Basic Grey's Pins & Tags; ribbon, buttons & beads from stash

Inspiration Photo

JustRite Friday Challenge #076: Stars & Stripes

For the current JustRite Friday Challenge -- "Stars & Stripes" - create a project with stripes and use at least one star -- I immediately knew what I wanted to make for a male family member! You may think only of a patriotic theme but we are not limited to red, white & blue for this challenge, so just have FUN, whatever colors you decide to use!

I'm hoping to find time to do yet another non-patriotic challenge card, but this one is very patriotic, using papers from Bo Bunny's Liberty 6x6" pad. I first cut and embossed the largest star die shape with Spellbinders Stars Five from the center of my paper; then re-cut that star with the next smaller die. I then cut the largest star again from the pad's blue solid paper. Both stars were layered, stamped with Best Wishes from JustRite's Clear Spring Words and attached to the inside through my original die cut. I love the depth this gives. Five tiny clear Recollections stars below my sentiment add just a touch of bling.

Fussy cut eagle

Next, my eagle was fussy cut from a second sheet of the BG paper, edged with Antique Linen distress ink and added with foam tape for extra dimension. To complete the bottom edge, I stamped the 'patriotic bunting' border from JustRite's Lace Borders Cling set on vellum with white ink and colored with Copics R29 and B29 on the back of the vellum. Finishing off the card is a Jolee's Boutique red/white/blue striped ribbon.

JustRite Border @ bottom edge

Inside of card

Hopefully this card qualifies as 'masculine' in the eyes of my recipient, whose home in the country includes a large American flag flying proudly in his front yard, along with mainly red/white/blue patriotic decor inside. Maybe he'll add this card into it somewhere?! Regardless, I totally enjoyed creating it for him and that's what matters most -- so grab some JustRite stamps and let me see your Stars & Stripes creation!!!

Also entering my card at this fabulous new challenge I found:
IBSIC#15 ~ Red, White & Blue