the creation station blog hop - all about wreaths

I took a quick break from The Creation Station Blog Hop for the 1st Sunday of the month, but now it's the 3rd Sunday and we are back with another hop for you all to enjoy! Thanks for coming along to see all of the inspiration we have for you today. If you have already been following the hop, you probably came here from Teneale's blog. Yippee!! That means you're in the right place. :)

For today's hop we were able to choose from the following (any or all):
1. Stamp Set: Wonderous Wreath (and/or coordinating framelits!)
2. Theme: Wreaths
3. Accessory: Gift Box Punch Board

Last weekend I went away on a beach retreat with some of my Stampin' Up! buddies. It was 2 1/2 days of crafting bliss!! (I am already awaiting next year's retreat!) I was so excited to get caught up on projects I knew were coming up...and this hop was one of them! I actually don't own the Wonderous Wreath stamp set, but one of my friends I was with had it and let me do a little playing around with it.

I decided to create a card that actually opened up like double doors would. Here is a picture of the card laying flat. It's still the right size to slip perfectly into an envelope.

Standing up you can see it begins to open up in the middle...

And another view...

The Wonderous Wreath is attached to the left side of the card and the pumpkin and sentiment is attached to the other side, both using Dimensionals.

Stamp Sets	Wonderous Wreath, Fall Fest (pumpkin), For All Things (sentiment)
Ink	Hello Honey, Tangelo Twist, Blackberry Bliss, marker - Chocolate Chip (for pumpkin stem)
Paper	Hello Honey, Very Vanilla
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies, Fun Fall Framelits Dies, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Bitty Banner Framelits Dies

While also away for the weekend, I decided to pull out the Frightful Wreath Simply Created Kit that I won while at Stampin' Up's Convention during a Prize Patrol!

I wanted to go a little "out of the box" instead of how the Frightful Wreath kit was created for. Here is the original version of the wreath, which I think is awesome, but...I just wanted something a little different,

{Please excuse the lighting below...I had to take off the flash to lessen the shine on the mirror!}

Here is my simplified "different" version. You can see that I pulled in some extra elements by using the Burlap Ribbon and I turned one of the burlap bags from September's Paper Pumpkin Kit into a little bow for added whimsy. There are many pieces of the wreath kit that I didn't use (like the sparkly web and beautiful beaded spider) which I plan to use in other ways...maybe I'll come back to update when I do find the perfect project for those pieces!

I made the same rosette from the original wreath, but just cut it down a little smaller. I added the "happy" from a different stamp set, but used the Halloween from the Frightful Stamp Set that also came in my prize patrol package. 

You may notice that this is one of the burlap bags from the September's Paper Pumpkin Kit. I turned it into a little bow by wrapping the Tangelo Twist Satin Stitched Ribbon around the middle. 

Thank you again for stopping by! Continue on the hop to find more wonderful inspiration! Next stop is the talented Jennifer Downey or if you are hopping backwards, click on the back button to visit Teneale Williams' blog and see what beautiful creations she is sharing today.

Stylin' Stampin' Squad February Blog Hop - fabric!!

Another month has zipped on past and it's time for another blog hop with the Stylin' Stampin' Squad!! I am so glad you have come for a visit and if this is your first time to my blog ~ welcome! If you're making your way through the talented crafters of the Stylin' Stampin' Squad then you have probably hopped on over from Justin's blog at JK Cards!

February's theme was to create a project or card using Stampin' Up!'s beautiful fabric. I'll be honest - this was no easy task for me! I don't sew and I haven't even attempted using fabric in any of my creations. But, I am trying to step outside of my comfort zone this year, so I was up for the challenge! Thankfully there was no sewing necessary to join in the fun! It took me a little awhile (OK, a long while) to come up with what I wanted to make, but in the end I am excited about how it turned out. I may be giving this to my daughter...I think she'll love it!

{Fabric-Covered Magnetic Board}

Project Recipe 
Stamp Set: A Fitting Occasion
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Tangerine Tango

 Fabric: Flirtatious Designer Fabric
Accessories: Dimensionals, Soda Pop Tops
Tools: 3/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch

Some added touches...

{a fabric bow}

{soda pop top magnets}

{no-sew fabric flowers}

Although I was a little scared at first to get started, these flowers really are super simple to make. I used varying lengths of fabric to create the three different sizes, but the width of the fabric strip was 1-3/4". I used Sticky Strip on the top of the fabric strip (not pictured) and folded it in half and adhered together. Then I cut slits 1/4" apart. As to not waste more Sticky Strip, I used hot glue instead and started rolling my flower. (A little more detailed tutorial can be found HERE by Nancy Ferb.)

 I even made a flower for my daughter's hair. I simply attached it to a barrette.

 Next up on the hop is Jennifer at NW Stamper!
Thanks for stopping by...please come back again for a visit!

Blog Hop Participants:

1. Shellie G. of Craft Smashup
2. Annie L. of Love Me Cards
3. Nancy B. of Lady Stamps-A-Lot
4. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
5. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
6. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
7. Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
8. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
9. Justin K of JK Cards
10. Heidi B of Stuck on Stampin'
11. Jennifer B of NW Stamper
12. Bree of Craft-somnia
13. Diana E of Stampin' Fun with Diana
14. Darcy J of Dj's Stampin Place

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 10

Christmas Project #10

Jingle All the Way Shadowbox Frame

Hi there! I meant to get this posted before the busy weekend began, but for some reason I just couldn't squeeze it in! But, here I am (it's Sunday) and I'm now trying to catch up. Anyone else feel like they're always two steps behind during the Christmas season?

I wanted to share with you all a project I created about 2 years ago using the small Jingle All the Way vinyl from Stampin' Up's Decor Elements line. The small vinyl only costs $3.50!


This project included a square shadowbox frame, some jingle bells, a piece of Christmas paper, a piece of ribbon, and the vinyl above and they all combined to make a fun piece of Christmas decor.

I just knew I should have taken a picture of each of the four designs I made for this year's craft bazaar (I used different paper for each one). However, I didn't and all four sold out!! Here is one sample I caught a picture of. (This is NOT Stampin' Up! DSP in the background.)


Here is a picture of two others that I had for sale at last year's craft bazaar. Both of the DSP in the background are retired Christmas paper from Stampin' Up!


And here is the original frame I created 2 years ago. At that time they had black, red, and green vinyls available to purchase, so this one uses Old Olive. (The DSP in the background is NOT SU!)


For a "how to" for this frame, please visit my ORIGINAL TUTORIAL I put together 2 years ago on my personal blog. At that time, I hadn't started my Stampin' Up! blog yet.

Only 2 more days left of the 12 Days of Christmas {Projects} and definitely be sure to visit on Monday, the 12th for a giveaway and the final project in the series!

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Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag
Day 2 - Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder
Day 3 - Santa Suit Jars
Day 4 - Hershey Nugget Trays
Day 5 - Holiday Hand Sanitizer Ornaments
Day 6 - Wrapped Rolos
Day 7 - Merry Trees Glass Block with Snow
Day 8 - Snowman Kisses
Day 9 - Ghiradelli Chocolate Holder

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 7

Christmas Project #7

Merry Trees Glass Block with Snow

For today's project, I wanted to share with you a fun Christmas decor item you could whip up in a matter of minutes. It's a great way to spruce up your holiday decor...or give as a gift!!

I'm sure many of you have seen the clear glass blocks that you can purchase at your local craft store. Last year around this time I found some on clearance at 50% off, so I snagged all they had left, (which, unfortunately was only four and yes, I would have gotten more if they had any!)

I wanted to come up with something that was a home decor item to have at least a little bit of variety on my craft bazaar table, so when I saw these clear blocks in my stash I just knew I had to use them!

Many people choose to put tiny lights inside, but I wanted to do something a little different, so I found some leftover "snow" (from my wedding almost 8 years ago...how resourceful is that?!) and poured some inside until it was about half way.

I used the SMALL "Merry Tree" vinyl (only $3.95!)...

...and adhered only the trees on the left. This means I have the rest of the vinyl to save for another project. Which, of course, I have yet to do, but I'll think of something I'm sure!

Wrap your favorite ribbon (I used retired Real Red 3/4" Polka Dot ribbon) around the block and voila! You now have a beautiful gift to give...or keep for yourself if you can't bear to part with it!

At the Holiday Shopping Party I participated in last Sunday, each of the vendors brought a gift to raffle off in some drawings. Below is the gift I chose to bring. I adhered the Merry Trees to this clear pail and filled it with some goodies...M & M's Skinny Bag with Tag, Hershey's Chocolate Bar Slider, baggie of misc. Christmas tags, and a Mini Holiday Catalog. I just love that you can adhere vinyl decor to just about any surface!!

Thank you for coming by and joining me for my 12 Days of Christmas {Projects}. I hope you've been feeling inspired to create!!

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Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag
Day 2 - Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder
Day 3 - Santa Suit Jars
Day 4 - Hershey Nugget Trays
Day 5 - Holiday Hand Sanitizer Ornaments
Day 6 - Wrapped Rolos

Season of Friendship home decor

A couple of weeks ago I offered a specialty class using the Season of Friendship stamp set...


The class consisted of creating 4 seasonal "inserts" to go inside a matted frame, which you can then use for a home decor piece. My upline Andrea has done this before with her stamping friends and back in the Spring I had snagged up some 10x10 frames at a great price for me to hold the same class. Well...only about 6 months later did I finally get it together! I knew the Fall would be the perfect time to do it because not only would it make a great decor item to start off the Fall home decor, but these would also make great gifts for Christmas (or a birthday).

I pretty much copied Andrea's design for each of the "inserts" (thanks, Andrea!), but I did add a couple of extra little touches of my own.

{FALL}

{WINTER}

{SPRING}

{SUMMER}

{collage of all four seasons...click on picture to see up close}

These were such a big hit that I will be making a handful to sell at my upcoming Christmas bazaar. Last week frames at Michaels were 50% off, so I went back for more...only five were there! Time to be on the lookout for more frames for a great price!