My Second Attempt

I knew if I got my energy level back I could come up with something better than my last effort for the heart box. Well I think I have and I also used the other method to create the heart basket that I had thought of. I actually started this while I was supposed to be getting ready for work this morning. I frequently take 10 minutes to 'play' before going to work - gotta have my craft 'fix' ya know!



I am gonna apologise for the colour exposure and quality of my photos right here and now. The flash over exposed the shots so I took it off and then stupidly played with the colour saturation while editing thinking it would make it look better - NOT! Then when I tried to get a better shot my batteries died and I'm not sittin around waitin for them to charge up. I am tired of hearing myself say it looks so much better up close and for real so I may post another shot later when my batteries have new juice just to prove it. These colours actually look closer in hue than this shot shows but I guess you'll have to take my word for it. Actually the 3rd picture down is pretty close.

Anyhow! Here's how I made this one.

I started by cutting a whole bunch of hearts with the nestabilities dies. I stamped the heart design and cut it out and also the text and cut it with an oval die. I cut the holly leaves by hand cos all my dies were too big and added the red 'faux dew drops' as berries. This shot may be a bit blurry but you can see how close the colours are.

I just love that the nestabilities lend themselves to layering up and I especially love to alternate so some layers are 3D and some are flat. I layered up the front heart but left the back plain. I could've decorated it but I didn't want to waste supplies on an area that most probably won't be seen.

Then I added the holly and berries and this is how my finished heart looked. I am planning on re-creating this but then adding it to a card to match the heart basket when I give it. This is a truer colour shot.

All that was left was to join the two hearts together so I cut a strip measuring 2" x 6 3/4", scored 3/8" down both sides to create long tabs and folded in half. While it was folded in half I cut away a small triangle notch to make it easier to attach and avoid a bulky overlap. Then I added larger eyelets for the ribbon.

I added adhesive tape and secured one side to the back heart and the other to the front - simple!

After that I tied a pretty bow with wired ribbon (stuck myself too - owie!) and threaded the ends through the eyelets and tied knots. This colour is somewhat weird I know but when I was editing I played around and decided this colour scheme gave it kind of a vintage feel. I'm sharing it cos it shows the design concept without the colours distracting.

I have someone special in mind as the recipient for this with the matching card. Will post later if I get it done. I am demonstrating this Saturday and while I can't use these cute stamps, I have thought of another way I can use this basket design.

From the Heart

I managed to make another quick project this afternoon. I knew I had a stamped and layered heart made with my new set of stamps from Waltzing Mouse just lying on the kitchen table. I also knew I had borrowed a die from Amanada with the intention of making a heart shaped basket. What a perfect pair for a sweet little heart shaped gift basket. I can just imagine a yummy heart shaped cookie inside for gift giving - how cute!

I haven't done a tutorial for a while so I decided to add the instructions for this basket. Do you notice the large tub of delicious red 'faux dewdrops' in the background? I went out to M & W Smith on Saturday to pick up a couple of things for a Christmas package for mom and just couldn't resist getting a tub full. At only £3 a tub there are hundreds or 220g to be exact so I can share loads and still have a life time supply. I don't go there too often so I try to pick up a tub each time and the lovely red just reminded me of Christmas.

I started my basket by cutting a 1" strip diagonally from a 12 x 12 sheet of card stock. This was so I could create the sides and handle all in one go but if you used a smaller length you could punch holes and add a ribbon handle.

Then I cut 2 pieces from the Ellison 'petal card' die on my big shot. I guess if you don't have this die you could score a square, draw half circles on each side and cut it by hand. It would work just as well. Then I trimmed two adjoining sides to create 'tabs' to secure to the handle leaving a perfect heart shape.

Curl the strip to form a loop and secure the ends. Pinch into a point at the join to form the point for the tip of the heart. Add the back panel securing the tabs to the inside and then adhere the front panel in the same way. You can now add ribbons and other embellishments to decorate your basket.

I think I'd like to work on this design a bit more to see what I can come up with. Maybe I need to have a proper dig through my papers and find just the right colour combination, we'll have to see. I have also thought of another way to create this using all nestabilities so I may post a second tutorial some time this week. It's good to have choices. I am leaving these stamps out so I can play some more when I can. I just know there are endless possibilities!

Joy Filled Page

Well today is a pretty good day so far - I needed one right about now! Last night I went to bed with a few Cosmo Cricket papers and two of my favourite photos of the girls in my head plus a rough idea of what I thought I might do with them all. This morning I was up bright and early and after throwing in another load of laundry and grabbing my morning cuppa I began to 'tinker' and 'play' with a page. It's still not finished cos I've decided the black and white photos don't do it for me but I'm still sharing it anyhow.

I am super pleased with how it's shaping up so far! I still have to add brads, twine to the buttons, maybe a strip or two of journaling (dotty space) and change the photos. The actual colour shots feature a lovely red in the hats and Vicky just happens to be wearing a sweater in a similar colour as the holly leaves. Failing that if it's too OTT with all the colours then a sepia tone would look great since I've used brown ink as an accent colour.

I dug out an old Sizzix alphabet for the 'JOY' title and also the holly leaves and an old favourite 'zig zag' stitch stamp. I love any kind of 'faux' stitching effect. I used up left over accents and stickers from the Cosmo Cricket 'jolly by golly' stuff we used at the all day workshop and simply added an extra sheet of paper I bought the other day.

Right now I am tempted to re-create this page a couple more times to frame and give to each of the girls for Christmas, especially as I just happen to have two chocolate brown 12 x 12 frames waiting to be filled. Since it all hinges on 3 main strips of paper with just a bit of inking, stamping and adding the accents it couldn't be simpler. Guess I'd better hide it up as Vicky's coming over today. Poor old Zacheriah is playing football in the rain this morning and mummy is spectating so they're likely to drag themselves in looking like drowned rats! I think a nice big pot of soup might be in order and we have pumpkin and butternut squash from the alottment to use up so while I feel up to making one I think I just might.