Old Technique Re-vamp

Several years ago when it was hard to get brads in the many lovely colours and styles there are available today we had to be a bit clever and find ways around it. I can remember dipping my silver brads into embossing ink and then coloured powder to get all the colours I ever needed. Dip them into the ink again and you can add glitter and sparkle too.

But that's not the old technique I want to share with you. This is!

This close up of one of my cards shows you the giant brads that look a bit like the heads of drawing pins.

Years ago I read an article in a scrapbooking magazine showing you how to make your own 'faux' brads. I tried it and it worked. I even crafted with the technique several times too.

Well I was reminded of this old technique when I was looking at the 'faux' brads on the Craftwork products stand and I wondered if it would work with a larger circle. I'm sure theirs were made from the waste scraps from inside a template but it was still a clever idea to package them up and sell them.

Here's how you make them:

Start by punching out small circles. These were about 1/2" in diameter though they looked smaller ( I actually measured them to be sure).

I laid the circle on a pricking mat but I think a magazine or the reverse of a mouse mat might work just as well. You may have to experiment to see what works best.

Using the rounded end of a gel pen begin to push into the punched shape in small circular movements (kind of like scribbling) as you move around the outer edges. If you stay in the middle of the circle it will work too but you will have more creases than if you keep moving in circular motions whilst going around the edges.

Gradually the edges start to curl up and if you keep going you end up with a kind of 'bowl' from what was once a flat circle.

Add a small square foam pad, flip it over and you have a really neat embellishment!

Who needs buttons when you can just create what you need. These would make really cool looking berries on holly leaves for Christmas. Bazzill cardstock with the texture to it works extremely well. Some cardstocks are more easily workable than others - again you may have to experiment to find what works best.

More Valentine's

Well now that the grandbabies Valentine's projects are out of the way I can concentrate on the girls. They may be in their 20's but they still like to get handmade surprises from mum.




I saw this on a Christian website and loved how they used letters from the verse of scripture - John 3:16 - to spell out VALENTINE. I know this picture is quite pale so I hope it comes out ok in the wash (so to speak).

I kept the colours pale pink and girlie because I thought Vicky would like it that way. Again it's a very simple card. I re-created the play on words text on my computer (easy once you know how - and now I do), double mounted the block, added the 'me to you' bear cut from a tag, added some ribbon over a background paper and there you have it!


My inspiration came from these Belgian chocolates I bought for the girls last weekend in Sainsbury's. They already feature the 'me to you' bear so I simply combined this with the text idea. Since one of them is blue I shall do one exactly the same for Jessica in a pale blue colour scheme.

I was annoyed because I couldn't find my silver grey 'me to you' text ribbon for Vicky's but I managed to find the blue for Jess. These can be purchased in any quality card shop alongside the wrap and tags and are great for crafting. I just love to create a 'wrap' for boxes or bars of chocolate - it's such a nice way to give a simple but pretty gift.

TIP: Buy a tag and a card of 'me to you' ribbon and create your own handmade card for a fraction of a purchased one. You'll have plenty of ribbon left over for other projects.

If you buy a sheet of 'paper' and ribbon you can cut the design from scraps of paper so you get a handmade card, tag and still get to wrap your gift to match. Watch this space for a simple gift bag tutorial later this year and you'll be able to make a gift bag from the wrap as well! Gotta love a bargain girlies!!!!!

All I have to do now is finish Jessica's gift and then do one for my darling hubby.

Take Note Tutorial

Just sharing these cute little covers for a simple 'post it note' pad.

You will need plain white or cream cardstock, a small post it note pad, coloured cardstock, a scrap of ribbon, stamps and inks and basic equipment such as trimmer, ruler, pencil, tape etc.

Begin by measuring your post it note. I will share my calculation system but then give dimensions for the one I made as well. Add 1/4" (1/2 cm) around all 4 edges of your pad, take this square measurement and then add the same measurement to one end to turn a square into a rectangle.

My note pad was 3" (7.5 cm) square + 1/4" (1/2 cm) on all sides = 3.5" x 3.5" square (or 8.5 cm X 8.5 cm).

Add this amount again to one end and I have a 3.5" x 7" (or 8.5 cm x 17 cm) rectangle. This is the cardstock base measurement.

Cut base from cardstock using the measurement for your note pad.

Before going any further check it for size by offering up the note pad and checking there is the correct allowance around all edges. NOTE: the allowance from the top will form the spine.

With your pad in place you can mark and score a line across for the first fold or if you are confident enough, you can simply bend up the card in place.

Remove the pad and line up the fold along edges to ensure the card folds evenly, creasing well.

Working 1/2" (1 cm) from this first score line, score again for second fold to create the spine.

Your cover should look like this when folded along score lines - a base, a spine and a top cover.

Add enough tape to the back of pad to hold in place and secure onto base lining up at first score line. You should have a nice even border of 1/4" (1/2 cm) around 3 sides. NOTE: using just enough adhesive allows the user to pull off the back of the pad to replace with a new one when finished.

Your project should now look like this and is ready for decorating. If you don't have stamps you can use a quote created on your computer or you can create a block using papers, punches, die-cuts and embellishments instead.

I found this stamp from way back buried in one of my stamp buckets and I love using it.

I stamped it on the back to add a nice touch and to let the recipient know that it was 'hand stamped' and 'created just for you'.

It not only adds personal touch but it's nice to decorate the back of the cover a little. You could simply add 'made by' and your name, or as one of the girls in the office does; add a 'made by' sticker.

If your note pad comes with sticky tabs then these can be secured on the reverse of the top cover. If not then you might like to add one of those little tear off a page calendars that are sold in stationery shops which would double up the use of this little 'desk aid'.

Trim some plain cardstock to the same size as your pad (3" x 3" or 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm). This allows your decoration to have a small border all around once mounted in place.

Work on stamping up your design using your chosen stamps and taking care not to smudge the ink as you work. Because you are working in such a small space you can usually finish the design before the ink is dry so smudging is a real possibility!

Once the design is dry ink around the edges for contrast against the background mount.

Mount decorated block onto background cardstock.

Trim with decorative scissors (a plain border works equally well if you don't have scissors) and set aside.

Using adhesive tape, fold the ribbon in half and add to the front of the top cover as shown above. This provides a nice ribbon 'tab' to open the pad.

Use plenty of adhesive to secure the decorative block in place on the top cover ensuring there is an even border around all four sides and securing ribbon further.

TIP: as a finishing touch I like to add a tiny amount of glitter to finish off the small flowers. I use an inexpensive clear glitter glue (had mine for yonks and still going strong!) squeezed out onto a plastic lid so it peels off when dry, and I apply it with a toothpick.

Voila! One pretty darn cute and functional gift! Create another designed block and you can make a mini card to include with your gift.

Definition of the Christmas Wreath

This is my first attempt at making a classy but simple kinda card for some of my faith sharing friends for Christmas. I knew as soon as I saw this verse that I had the perfect stamps to build up a wreath. I could've used my See D morsels but instead I chose to use my 'Holiday Garden' set of tapestry stamps - check them out at http://www.rubberstamptapestry.com/

I printed the text using my computer and then drew a faint pencil circle in the middle. Next I stamped the individual elements of the wreath building it up until I was happy with the result. These stamps come with instructions of how to build up the design. I used a 'stamp off' technique to create a faint image of a wreath and to allow the text to show through.

Stamp Off Tip:

1. ink up stamp

2. stamp lightly on scrap paper to remove some of the ink

3. stamp lightly on project for a lighter image

When I have used these stamps in the past my text is usually in the middle with the images circling it but I liked this idea so much I decided to see what other stamps might work.

I chose a series of small snowflake stamps and used blues, lilacs and greys for this one. The blue and red background cardstock is pearlised with pretty designs that just don't show in these photographs.

It took quite a while to find a font that would allow me to use this VERY LONG verse in limited space. I think this font is called 'nuptial' - all I know is I really like it and have used it several times before.

I found the verse on the Dayspring website which is a favourite of mine for sending Christian e-cards to friends and family. They have some of the nicest e-cards and even videos too. Check them out at http://www.dayspring.com/

This is the verse in full

Every Christmas wreath is more than just a decoration.... it's a special reminder of Jesus, the reason for our celebration.

The circle of a Christmas wreath is a never-ending ring, a reminder of eternal love from our Lord and King.

The Christmas wreath is a sign of welcome, inviting all to enter in.... a reminder of Christ's invitation for all to come to him.

The middle of a Christmas wreath is a bare and empty space, a reminder of what life would be without Christ's love & grace.

So each time you see a Christmas wreath hanging from a door, may your heart rejoice in the One that Christmas is truly for!

Holley Gerth

One thing to mention if you do decide to use this (or any) versequote. You should always add the author if you know it so credit goes where it is due.