Elizabeth Shaw Mint Rounds for Christmas!

I have used Elizabeth Shaw mint rounds (and orange too) for sweet little floral thank you's and b'day wishes but I wanted to use some for Christmas. I love most anything with a chocolate and mint combination.

I finally decided to see what the two MS snowflake punches looked like layered up so I punched some in silver and gold glittered card. I layered them with foam pads and added a bit of 'bling' to the centre of each. I love how they look and will be fab on a card or tag!

Anyhow we are due to have our work Christmas meal in a week or so and I have created individual menus featuring a snowflake design on my computer at work. I really wanted something to add to each place setting and a snowflake with an ES mint inside seemed perfect - quick, easy and cost effective.

These were my first attempt at the table mints which actually look a bit plain and boring in this shot. The jury is still out and I may yet have to play some more with the colours and papers but they would look prettier in a glass bowl passed around the table.

Then I decided to add a hanging loop and change up the colours - bit better. These would look really nice hung on a tree so mom I am sending you a dozen of these to hang on your tree this year. Hope you find them really yummy too. I must get your package into the post in the next couple of days so it gets to you in time.

Then cos I already decided to have a homespun Christmas using the oh 'sew' cute stamps from Claire at Waltzing Mouse I grabbed one of the stamped and layered snowflake images and sandwiched the mint in between two with a hanging loop. These are the ones I'm puttin on MY tree!

This a side view showing just how much 3D is goin on in there! This one is my favourite so far. All I have to do now is stay away from the mints - already ate one - oops!

My dinner is actually ready so I think maybe I'll go eat that instead and get back to the crafting another day.

Super Busy Demo Day

I was up at 5.30 am today to make sure I was ready for a long demo day in Mildenhall so I should really be bushed right about now but I am still wide awake and not yet ready for bed!

Since so many people were keen to see both the Sizzix Big Shot and the Sizzix Texture Boutique in action that's what I demonstrated again today. I wouldn't be without my Big Shot (and my nestabilities) and I'm convinced the new Texture Boutique makes a really nice companion machine.

I have still only SCRATCHED the surface even now!

I decided Amanda needed a box on display in her store so I made and decorated a super easy one using Bo Bunny papers, ribbon, computer generated text and nestabilities. I then made a super quick card with the left over scraps.

Here is another view showing the stripey paper on the side panels. It's actually edged with gold ink but that doesn't show up in the photos somehow.

Then just cos I wanted to prove to myself that the formula worked with a square, and because I had a few more scraps left over I made this easy box. It worked out 1 1/2" deep and about 4" x 4" square.

Instead of tying it closed with ribbon I added ribbon across one corner and secured in place and then added the bow using sticky dots. It gives the look of a tied box while the lid slips neatly off.

I created this card using the square nestabilities and also adding texture to the brown cardstock - all while talking to a very lovely lady.

This shot shows the brown embossed cardstock on the lower half of the card. I have to be honest and say that I was never a big fan of dry embossing but this machine has totally converted me!

If I hadn't been converted before then this card definately would've done the trick. I can't quite explain why I like this card so much - it's not at all my kind of card but I love the detail in it without having to go near any patterned paper or stamped sentiment and it took literally seconds to make. I kid you NOT!

Here is a close up shot showing just why I love this card. I began by cutting my burgundy card stock to form a 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square card when folded. I placed the front panel of the card into an embossing folder and ran it through the machine. Next I ran the cream card stock through the machine using a text folder. I quickly sanded back both of these and the cream text actually picked up some of the burgundy residue adding a nice bit of extra detailing.

I mounted and trimmed the text block and then simply punched a scrap of blue/grey card stock using my favourite MS border punch, added some faux stitching (pattern tracing wheel) and a few gems. Had I had my corner rounder with me today I would've used it on the lower corners of the card to complete it but I didn't grab it today. The depth of the embossing is simply UNREAL!

I love that I have done very little else all day long except craft and play - ok so I did a few loads of laundry before heading out today.

I have to say a BIG thank you to Amanda for the yummy Baskin Robbins creamy praline thick shake I drank on the way home - sure made the drive home seem like only 5 or 10 minutes. Dave and I have some 'Cinnabon' cinnamon rolls to tuck into tomorrow as well plus I have a bag of crunchy cheetos and my share of a bag of Reeses mini peanut butter cups - Dave already ate his. Of course I couldn't manage all my dinner thanks to the thick shake but it just means I have leftovers for tomorrow.

Good For The Heart

I had planned to make some heart shaped bran muffins today but didn't actually get around to making them until about 5.30 pm. It worked out great though cos I was able to pull a double duty with the oven and cook dinner as well.

I have long collected cookie cutters, different pans, cake stands - I love all that kind of stuff and this pan does get used but only every now and then. Once I made them I realised I had the perfect packaging and could send some along to my mother. They are fairly healthy and only use 1/2 cup sugar in the whole recipe so they're not bad. Of course if you eat them like Dave and I do - warm from the oven, split and buttered they're not quite so good - well they ARE but they aren't if you get my drift!

Anyhow I now have to make another sample box up for Vicky cos I used this one (and the ribbon, bow and tag too) to package these up for mum. These muffins are actually a really decent size and the box couldn't have been a better fit. Good job they can be whipped up in a matter of minutes huh?

I've said it before - it's the simplest things!

I checked several things off my 'to do' list today but I STILL have to get sewing so I'm off downstairs for a warm bran muffin, a cup of tea and then try to get a few things finished so I can put the machine away for a few days.

Easiest Box You'll Ever Make!

With Christmas approaching fast I am looking for ideas for my daughter to help the grandkids give gifts. Of course these will have to be handmade in order for her to stay well within her budget (almost nothing) so she plans to let the kids bake cookies and have a fun time doing it. That means she's going to need quick but pretty packaging for presenting them in. THAT'S where I come in - although I hope I get to help bake too.

This is MY version of an easy box which is all Christmassy in Cosmo Crickets papers in bright green and red. I don't know if I've ever met a family of papers I like more than these 'Jolly by Golly' designs!

Here is a bit of a close up shot so hopefully you can see some of the detailing I used.

I just love using brown ink with these papers so I stamped a line of stitches around the top panel. I think this comes from a PTI set. It's permanently out ready to use so I can't recall the name of the set but I'm pretty sure it's PTI. I also used my distressing tool before inking the edges and I inked the edges of the box as well. I used a cardboard colour base which sets the red and green papers off nicely. I have added those fab holly leaves stamped with WM stamps and added red ribbon that I picked up in Tesco's of all places. It was in the Christmas wrap section on a card with a matching bow.

Here you can see the lid lifted off the base. Now I KNOW making boxes isn't exactly 'rocket science' but there is an easy way to make a box either from a square or rectangle without making lots of 'bitty' measurements so I've decided to SHARE. I promise - this will be one of the easiest boxes you'll ever make (minus the decoration of course). Just to show you can still create something nice with much less effort here is the one I created for Vicky and the kids to make.

This is the bow I was tellin you about and there was enough ribbon on the card for two boxes. I think it was about a pound but I can't remember. I pick these things up whenever I see them. Vicky's box uses pre-printed card stock, a simple bit of ribbon and a bow plus a simple tag using a WM stamp.

OK so here's how easy it is to make. Take two pieces of card the same size. For my box I used two A4 sheets cos it was easier and it makes up to a 7 3/4" x 4 1/4" by 2" deep box - perfect for filling with cookies. Whatever size you choose to use you only need to decide the depth of your box. That being said, the larger the depth the smaller the finished box will be so just try to keep it proportionate.

Step 1 - take just ONE piece of cardstock and trim away 1/4" (or a little less for thinner card) from one long edge and one short edge. If using square card stock then two adjoining edges is the same principal. THAT's ALL the adjustments you need make! Let me explain more....

Score both pieces of card stock on all four sides with your desired depth measurement. For my box I chose 2" so I scored 2" in on each side. NOW the trimmed piece of cardstock is the base and the untrimmed card stock the lid. It's as easy as that!

For the base I cut up to the first score line on the LONG edge so the flaps tuck in and secure on the long side of the base. This will most likely be lined with paper so it doesn't matter too much anyways.

For the lid I cut up to the first score line on the short ends so the flaps tuck in at the end. This distributes the 'bulk' evenly on the box as well reinforcing lid and base in two different places making it much sturdier when closed - hey - maybe there is a bit of science in there somewhere?

It also allows you to cut a semi-circle 'notch' out of the long sides to make lifting the lid off easier and besides it looks much neater this way around - you don't really notice the flaps inside the ends of the box so readily.

OK so that's basically it except that I decorated mine. Unfortunately you can't avoid a lot of measuring if you do this but this CAN be avoided if you use a patterned or pretty textured cardstock and 'pretty' it up with ribbon and embellishments.

Whenever you're ready simply add tape on all four flaps (this is the lid), peel backing and secure in place. TIP: you can trim flaps at the slightest angle before securing to make a neater box and avoid uneven edges.

Then you bring in the flaps and secure in place.

I inked the edges of all my paper before sticking it down but then once my box was complete I inked the edges of the box as well.

I think maybe I'll try a square one next. I am supposed to be making some card sets and they would look so pretty in a decorated box. I had actually planned to finish off some sewing projects today so I think that's enough crafting for now. Hope this tutorial makes sense. Enjoy!

Last Class

Tomorrow I teach my last class of the year 2009. The next one I teach will be in 2010!

I am making a really cute project. I have only made a small handful of these and mostly as gifts for friends and family. I made my mother one last year which was super pretty. For the purpose of keeping it easy to allow enough time to complete it this one is simply decorated but still cute.

This is just the perfect size to hold several handmade cards either to give as a gift or to keep for yourself and hold cards ready for when you need one.

We will also be making a simple card to include in the file box and provide inspiration. Again nothing too complicated so everyone can achieve a nice card.

I have spent most of this evening at my computer putting together instructions and patterns. I first made this so long ago I had to measure and re-calculate everything so I could include a scoring and cutting guide which has taken some time. Then I added a few photos as a guide plus provided the cutting templates for the decorative panels. It is super easy and it would be fun to have several of these lined up on a shelf with the various cards tucked inside them.

I am demonstrating all day next Saturday at Mildenhall and again the following Saturday morning in Bury and then I think that's me completely done for 2009! Yay! I have soooooo many of my own projects I need to get done before Christmas gets here I need some free time, plus I got home from work today to discover mum had discharged herself home. I guess now my sisters and I will have to rota ourselves on for looking after her so I am gona have to try to take annual leave.

She is a LOUSY patient and should've stayed in hospital where she was. She can't do anything for herself, can't get into her own shower, gave us NO time to prepare! She worried more about taking up somebody else's bed than she did about how she was gonna cope at home knowing full well she couldn't cope. What are you to do with her? Honestly!

Busy Weekend

Actually it's been a busy week since Dave and I have had the week off work but this weekend has been especially busy. I know I haven't shared any crafts projects for a while but I have been super busy and I HAVE crafted too - I just can't share some of what I've been doing - Christmas is all about keeping secrets huh?

Jessica arrived home on Thursday evening and it was an early start Friday morning. It was a mad dash to one hospital to see Grandma and then another mad dash to a different hospital for a second attempt for Jess to have her wisdom teeth removed. Apparently even under local anaesthetic Jess fought the dentist so much she couldn't remove her teeth. She is now going to have to go through a further appointment and be put completely under!

As with all of Jess' visits home she was bearing craft gifts for her mummy (love that she's a fellow crafter).

I get throughly spoilt by Jessica where crafts are concerned and she always manages to surprise me. She frequently buys one for her and one for me!

Saturday was a busy day too because I was teaching crafts to a lovely group of ladies at St Peter's church. I had been given some supplies and was asked some time ago to teach a session. I chose a simple card that allowed both complete beginners and more advanced crafters to produce a cute card. It also allowed me to demonstrate many basic techniques and share lots of tips and ideas. The project included adding a liner and creating a handmade square envelope as well. I'm not sure what they were more impressed with - the fact they made a card - many for the first time ever - or the envelope idea!

The session started with prayer and a bible reading and ended with prayer which was a real blessing. I had a great day and felt truly blessed to be a part of it. To top it off I was surprised when I was presented with a lovely plant and what I thought was a thank you card. Later when I opened it I discovered it was a gift voucher for my favourite craft store. How lovely was that? - I will be stopping by after work one day next week to spend it - lucky me!

After coffee in town with Jess, friends and Vicky and the grandkiddies I went home to get a bit more sewing done. I am working on those lovely appliqued patchwork flowers again but I still have a good deal more to do before I'm finished with the projects I'm making and then I still have aprons to do.

Today (Sunday) Dave took Jess back home plus another mad dash to mum's hospital with more clean clothing. I stayed home this trip as Vicky came to finish off the cards for her bible study group ladies. She is not usually a crafter so it was nice to spend time helping her make these simple card sets. She got as far as wrapping each set but still has to dress up these sets with ribbon or twine and tags. I have promised to show her how to make handcrafted gift bags next time and she plans to decorate up some choccie bars to put in the bags along with these cards.

Isn't Christmas a lovely excuse to create hand made gifts for giving.

To keep things within her budget - which is pretty much nothing - she raided my scrap baskets and managed to find some really different colour combinations. Each set has 4 cards in 2 different paper combinations and a different scripture on each. She did a really good job and I know the gals will not be expecting these so they're gonna be thrilled.

This afternoon I have been doing a bit more sewing and will still be sewing this evening too. I'd much rather be stamping but I have gifts that have to be made while my energy is good and I am on a roll.

Back to work tomorrow so it's gonna get harder to get last minute Christmas projects completed - WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

My First Rag Quilt!

Today I am super chuffed because I have just finished my first rag quilt - yay! It still needs washing to help fray the fringe and then drying to help fluff and soften the fringe but I will do that later. I need to take it to a launderette because otherwise the sheer volume of lint and threads could prove problematic for my washing machine and tumble dryer.

I have made this first one for Madyson, hence the pretty pink and yellow. The grandkids love to each grab a blanket and snuggle on the couch with Dave and I when they come over so I thought it was about time they had their very own snuggle quilts at Grandma's house. I have made them various different quilts and things before but I want then all to have one of these.

I already had several fabrics left over from making Maddy's crib ensemble - Vicky has been fortunate enough that 'good ol mum' has been able to make these kind of things on demand.

I purchased a fleece blanket for just under £3 at Tesco's and used it for the backing squares cos I wanted it to be super soft against Maddy's young skin. The hardest part of the project turned out to be cutting all the squares - squares of patterned fabric, squares of backing fabric and squares of batting!

Once they were all cut I had to find somewhere to lay them all out so I could work out the rows. I ended up using my bed rather than the floor and then made a sketch of the combinations in each row and numbered the rows 1 to 6. I used a total of 36 squares in all that were 8" x 8" square. Since they are only lap quilts they don't need to be full bed sized and besides Maddy is only 4 years old so if it was any bigger it might prove too heavy for her.

Then I took each square to the machine and stitched the batting in-between the backing and front squares using a diagonal line of stitching from corner to corner and then the opposite corners creating a criss-cross pattern. I am used to sewing 'production style' so I did these one right after the other creating a long line of squares and then snipped in-between and repeated for the other line until they were all done. The batting is smaller so it leaves a clear seam allowance around all four edges.

After that was all done it was easy peasy. I simply joined the squares into rows and joined the rows together. The squares are stitched with the wrong sides facing and the seams end up on the front. The whole thing looks like a project gone horribly wrong but it does work out eventually - honest.

Once the quilt is assembled you stitch around all four edges with the same width seam (3/4") and you are DONE! Actually thats when the 'snipping' starts but at least you can do this bit in front of the telly if you want to. You snip all along every single seam which will eventually create a fringe when washed and dried. THEN you are done!

I was lucky enough to find about 50 squares that will work for the boys quilts so all I need do is cut a few more (plus the backing and batting) and I can work on their quilts before Christmas. I had used these squares when I made a 'boys' play quilt for Zacheriah with pockets for cars with snaps, buttons, zips and lots of appliqued designs. It will be quite nice to use the rest of them up finally.

I think maybe Dave and I would love a lap quilt too and I'm thinkin my Cath Kidston fabric might be nice for mine. I would love to make these for friends and family for Christmas next year. It took 2 days on and off from start to finish to make this one which involved LOTS of cutting out, pressing, sewing and snipping. I did lots of things in-between so I guess you could do it in a day without interruptions.

I am conscious I have lots of projects to do right now though so I still have a busy few days ahead. Thank goodness I'm feelin up to it right now.

Update on Mum

Dave and I visited with mum yesterday and she is extremely tired but doing well considering what she had been through. She was just 4 days post-op and was still full of tubes and things. She was in a room where her window overlooked a pond although she still found it a bit difficult to sit for long. She is 73 and has just undergone major heart surgery so it's only to be expected plus she had been ill and subsequently become very weak prior to surgery.

I thought maybe I could share a snapshot I took from her window. I would've loved to take a photo even if only to document what she had gone through but I was certain she wouldn't let me and I would never have shared it here on the blog.

On a brighter note I stopped in to see her briefly this morning - Dave and I were headed out for the day for some shopping and lunch. She'd had help to have a bath and wash her hair and was sitting in the chair, legs propped up, tucked in with a blanket, drinking a cup of tea and looking the best I've seen her for some time. She will hopefully get better with each day that passes and will eventually be that 'new woman' the doctors keep promising but her recovery is just going to take time.

Those Super Easy Triangular Boxes

It seems like every year I find a reason to make these super easy triangular boxes and this year is no exception. I have made them for groups and filled them with chocolates cos they're quick and easy and used them as decorated gift boxes to house jewellery gifts for the girls. I even shared a tutorial so everyone else can make them.

I decided I wanted to see if I could add panels to the sections and then add decoration. You simply cut a square or rectangle 1/2" smaller than your half measurement and cut it where you would normally score it. For example - if your box is made from a 10" x 5" piece of card which is 5" x 5" when folded in half, then scored at 2 1/2" on one edge down to the fold line on either side (repeat for other half) then your mat layer should be 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" (or less depending on the border you want) and cut from 2 1/4" down to the corner on both sides. This creates one triangle panel for the front and two for the sides. Hope that makes sense. I didn't bother to cover the back piece as it's hidden inside.



Since I was demonstrating the embossing I used plain card stock and embossed the panels after cutting them. I had taken along an old Sizzix snowflake die but forgot my glittered cardstock so I improvised and used scraps left on the table. In fact this was my last project of the day so the whole thing was put together with left over scraps.

I plan to use these with my 'homespun' Christmas theme and Waltzing Mouse stamps for my dinner table this year. I would hang them on the tree but believe me you can pack a lot of choccies in these and they get pretty heavy. No point makin em smaller and using LESS choccies huh?

Well that's the absolute LAST post today. My energy level is pretty good right now so I'm headed into the shower and Dave has decided we are playing hookie and heading out somewhere for the day. The sun is tryin to peek through the blind so I think it might just be a nice day too.

Demo Samples

Yesterday was only my second chance to have a play with the new Sizzix embossing machine (Texture Boutique) and although I only had one embossing folder (dotty) I still managed to come up with a few new ideas. I wasn't too sure how I felt about this machine or about dry embossing - I guess because I haven't been too impressed with the results - UNTIL NOW that is! I am lovin the sheer depth and clear definition of the embossing and this little handbag gadget is really beginning to grow on me.

Of course I also used my trusty 'big shot'. I may one day graduate up to a Cricut - who knows? - maybe I need to do a few classes using it so I can have a real good play with it too but for now I'm having fun using these machines. You can always look to 'bigger' but it doesn't always equate to 'better' besides I'd miss my nesties way too much to ditch my big shot. Guess I'm just talkin myself outta that one!

Boy I waffle sometimes don't I?

I'm sharing this card first cos it's my favourite. I love the little 'wifey' tag, the Cosmo Cricket papers, the colours, the 'dotty' thread running through it and even the stitched lines - I added my own 'faux' stitches to the background but it doesn't show in the photo. The pearls were probably the wrong colour but you only have a limited supply when demoing so you make do sometimes. I am planning to recreate this card for my hubby cos I love that it's tall and slimline - and I'd quite like it to adorn a shelf in the house this Christmas too. I rarely wear it but red is my absolutely favourite colour.

Again I just love CC papers and have done loads with these ones this year. I think I just love the retro feel to them and the lovely mix of pinks, creams and pale greens with the more vibrant reds and greens.

This one features Bo Buny papers in red and green. The idea was to show off the embossing so anything else I used was up to me. I thought these 'faux brads' by Craftworks were cute for the holly berries and they added to the 'dotty' embossed background really well. Just noticed my ribbon is upside down - oops! I threw all of 4 pieces of ribbon in my craft bag so I was limited to say the least.

Then I decided to do a simple background card and this was it. Mix up the background colours and change the embellishments and you have super simple, super quick cards. Those of you who know me will also know I struggle with 'clean & simple' but I could do this one just fine.

I made an altered clipboard for Amanda to use in the shop which led to this card. Again clean and simple and very do-able but I desperately need 'cream' coloured pearls for these projects and I had only grabbed white - aaagggghhhhhh!

In principal another quickie but I'm not even sure why I'm sharing this one. The flowers look a bit like eyes - and they look at YOU! Would anyone have noted that if I didn't point it out? It was simply a bit of fun to demonstrate embossing die-cut shapes and then using ink to highlight the embossing. See- THAT'S why I'm sharing it - I knew there was a reason (yeah right).

I only started playing with these nestabilites flowers because Amanda gave me a clipboard to cover for use in the new shop. I was just about to layer things up and get REALLY creative when she told me she needed it flat. It will be used to hold the sign in sheets for customers so it will be mostly covered up - shame.

In view of that I stopped there and kept it 'clean and simple' but I have always wanted to teach a class on an altered clipboard so I could really have gone to town and added ribbons, lace, scallops, text and 3D embellishments.

Amanda if you're reading this maybe we can put this on the class list for next year? I KNOW you have the clipboards so I'd love to put them to good use. Having said that I have several here at home that I could play with. I wonder if Jess would like to do a clipboard with me - hhhmmmm? I could use a Christmas 'TO DO' list and I know just what stamps would look help me embellish it.

Claire if you're reading this - I'm not done with your fab stamps just yet. I'm gettin excited just thinkin about doing one!

I have one more project to share but I'm posting it seperately. Talk about a marathon of posts!