Friends With Flair Friday Hop

It's tag time!! And today I've got a tag to share with you that I made using Unity/Samantha Walker's Greetings of Christmas stamp set. I made my tree background with gold peel sticker from Sparkraft Enterprises and filled it in with Green Pearl Crystal Lacquer.
I love the dimension that it created.

Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges:
Unity Friend with Flair
Simon Says: Photo inspiration
Tim's 12 Days of Tags: Day 2

Inspired By Stamping - December Release Day One Preview

It's the first day of previews for this months stamp release from Inspired by Stamping! I think you are really going to enjoy this set, which is called The Sky's the Limit.

I've been seeing all kinds of fun, altered sewing spools, and when I saw these stamps, I thought this would be the perfect time to try my hand. I did sneak in a stamp from the Delicate Doilies set for the top of my spool - but the others are from the new release.

We'll be showing you the entire set on Saturday, but be sure to check out what the rest of the team created today and tomorrow! And you will want to make sure to stop by the Inspired by Stamping Blog for a chance to win this set before you can buy it!

Amber Goble
Deb Hickman
Debbie Marcinkiewicz
Gini Cagle (me)
Irit Shalom
Jennie Garcia
Joanna Munster
Kassi Hulet
Kendra Sand
Kim Score
Lesley Croghan
Susie Moore

Scor-Pal and Jillibean Soup - Yum Yum

This week the Scor-pal Designers are excited to be sharing some last minute gift ideas using product from our friends at Jillibean Soup.

You'll want to stop by each the Scor-pal blog day this week for new ideas and to leave a comment. Next Monday we will choose one random comment from the week to win a Scor-buddy. Which is perfect for creating last minute gifts or given as a gift for the special crafter in your life.

Also, be sure and stop by the Scor-pal Fan Page and leave a comment too because we will be giving away a Scor-Tape prize pack over there to someone who left a comment both there *and* on the blog. Because, after all, when you are making special gifts you want them to stay together and you want the best ;)

Of course, be sure and stop by the Jillibean Soup Blog too because they are playing along with Scor-pal this week as well!

Are you one of those people that shake your boxes at Christmastime to try and figure out what is inside? Well here is a little box that I made with my Scor-Pal and Jillibean Soup's Christmas Eve Chowder line, that might just surprise you!

It's called a Secret Box and I found the tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers.

It looks like a cute little cube, until you open it and ...

There are secret drawers waiting to be filled with little treasures!

Using my Scor-Pal and Scor-tape not only made this a breeze to make, but it really made it quite sturdy. I honestly can't imagine trying to put together any type of box and not using my Scor-tape for the strength and ease. And the papers from Jillibean Soup were just adorable ! I fussy cut the penguins and let them decorate each of the panels. I also added a little bling from Want2Scrap - love the variety that they have!

I hope this gives you an idea for a fun and easy last minute gift!

Flower Soft Challenge- Think Snow

There is a new Flower Soft Challenge - Think Snow. Now, I'm not really a fan of the white stuff, unless it's made with Flower Soft Polar White - and it's on my cards and not in my yard! So, I think at least for today, I'm safe.

I love how adding just a little of the Polar White, really gives my projects so much texture.

If you want to check out the prize for this challenge, and see what the other designers came up with, just head over to the Flower Soft Blog!

Challenges:
CPS: sketch

Scrap-Mart Holiday Blog Hop

Hi! Today is my first official day to post for the Scrap-Mart Design Team, and let me tell you, it's a biggie! Scrap-mart has paired up with the following amazing companies to bring you an incredible Holiday Blog Hop filled with generous prizes!

Boss Kut

October Afternoon

The Rubber Cafe

Canvas Corp

Heartfelt Creations (Dec. 7th)

Want2Scrap

LaLa Land Crafts

Sizzix

JustRite Stampers

Each of the generous manufacturers will have prizes for you along the way so be sure visit and complete the hop each day from Dec. 5th through Dec. 10th to be eligible to win. If you are just joining in, be sure to head over to the Scrap-Mart blog to start the hop from the beginning.

Scrap-Mart is giving away an autographed Tim Holtz Vagabond die cutting machine, A $500 Spellbinders Bundle AND a Boss Kut Gazelle digital die cutter. To be eligible to win, you MUST like/fan us on Facebook AND follow the giveaway link on the left side of our page.

Winners will be chosen from those who sign up through this page...not by blog comments!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scrap-Mart/262889273751324?v=app_197602066931325&app_data=%26wlbb%3D1

Now here are my projects!

Canvas Corp Layout

I had so much fun playing with all of the goodies that Canvas Corp sent us! I had a hard time narrowing down my choices of what I wanted to use (in other words, it was all so gorgeous, I was trying to figure out a way to use it all at once!) After much deliberation, I decided on a canvas layout. This picture is of my mom and sister last year at Christmas. I have to admit, I don't have my decorations up yet this year, so I had to use a picture from last year.

The 12 x 12 canvas was natural and I misted it with Tattered Angels. After it was dry, I inked the edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. I machine stitched some of the papers onto the canvas.

Supplies
Canvas Corp Fabricpage
Canvas Corp Star Fabric Shape
Canvas Corp Christmas in Kraft Papers
(Cherry in Kraft Swirl, Kraft Red and Green Holly Berries, Cherry in Kraft Diamonds,
Green and Kraft Ribbon Stripe, Green and Kraft Mini Dot Reverse)
Canvas Corp Red Waxed Cotton Cord
Lifestyle Crafts/Quickutz Joy Die
Lifestyle Crafts Flourish Cookie Cutter Shape Die
Spellbinder's Grand Calibur Die Cutting Machine
Spellbinder's Grand Circles
Gathered Twigs Distress Ink


Heartfelt Creations Card

I really love Heartfelt Creations (in fact I was previously on their Design Team) - so I was thrilled to receive the Poinsettia Bells and Bows Stamp. It's such a lovely, traditional Christmas stamp, and the sentiment is gorgeous!

I colored the metal part of the bells with Viva Decor Inka Gold, and then rubbed Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the top, to give it an antiqued look. The rest of the stamp was colored with Copics.

Supplies

Heartfelt Creations Poinsettia Bells and Bows Stamp
Heartfelt Creations/Spellbinders Decorative Lace Border Die
Spellbinders Labels 21 die
Spellbinders Grand Calibur Die Cutting Machine
Want2Scrap Pearls
Pink Paislee Father Christmas Paper Pad
Copic Sketch Markers
Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Viva Decor Inka Gold
Worldwin Cardstock

October Afternoon Holiday Style Layout

When I first starting looking at this incredible collection by October Afternoon, I knew I wanted to make a clustered layout that really would highlight all of the adorable die cuts and stickers that coordinated with this paper line. Now I have to admit, I completely made this layout the day before we went to the Christmas Parade! So, I knew I had to get a good picture for my project!



Supplies

October Afternoon Holiday Style Papers ( Figgy Pudding, Snow and Mistletoe, Ring-a-Ling)
October Afternoon Holiday Style Sticky Keys
October Afternoon Holiday Style Flower Sack
October Afternoon Holiday Style Miscellany
October Afternoon Holiday Style Found Alpha
October Afternoon Holiday Style Shape Stickers
October Afternoon Holiday Style Label Stickers
October Afternoon Holiday Style Word Stickers
October Afternoon Holiday Style Wrap PackOctober Afternoon Holiday Style buttons
Distress Ink Festive Berries
Creative Inspirations Paint - Emerald

More Christmas Cheer!

I've certainly been having fun creating lots of Christmas projects! For today's card I used Snowman in a Mug from Cottage Cutz. I made hime into a Christmas card, but you could certainly use him for any winter projects.



Thanks for looking!

Making Your Own Acyrlic Lace Embellishments with Amazing Mold Putty

I love old needlework and lace- but sometimes have a tendency to hoard the really pretty pieces, because I don't want to use them. I've found a way though, that I can use these antique pieces to make my own acrylic versions using Amazing Mold Putty and Amazing Casting Resin.






I have had this lovely needle lace flower for years - and just never had the project that I thought was worthy of using it. To make the lace ready to mold - I stiffened it using Helmar's Fabric Stiffener and Draping Liquid. I let it dry completely, and then started my mold. Although this is a very shallow mold, it still was a rather big one.
I rolled the putty flat, and pressed the flower into the putty, being careful to press all of the areas evenly.



You can see that the mold is very shallow. I poured the Amazing Casting Resin carefully. I still had some areas that "spilled" over into areas that I didn't want the resin, but I just let it dry, and trimmed the over-fill away with scissors.I painted my "lace" with Creative Inspirations Paint in beige, to give it an antique textile look. Now I can make the piece over and over again, and never have to worry about running out. Don't you love how much of the stitch detail you can see from the mold? It really is amazing!

PSA Essentials & CottageCutz Holiday Card Blog Hop

Hi! and welcome to the PSA Essential and CottageCutz Holiday Card Blog Hop! Our two design teams have joined forces to bring you lots of holiday inspiration, along with a chance to win some fabulous prizes! You should have arrived from my friend Jeanne Streiff's blog, if not you may want to start at the beginning, so you don't miss a thing.

PRIZE PACKAGE DETAILS: Readers who hop to each of the blogs, comment at each, and are a follower of PSA Stamp Camp will be entere d to win the “Holiday Card” prize. This prize contains 3 Peel & Stick stamp sets, 1 stamper, 1 black ink & 1-2 color ink from PSA Essentials. The winn er will also receive a $50 gift certificate to The Scrapping Cottage for the gr and prize. There are also 9 opportunities to win a 3 x 3 die from T he Scrapping Cottage.

I made a Nativity scene using Nativity Set Mary, Joseph and Baby, and Nativity Set, Animals and the Nativity Angel. I put together a little paper creche to house my set, and just attached tabs to the back of the figures to make them stand up. I love how sweet this turned out!

Now it's time to hop along to Erika Taylor's blog - don't forget to leave comments along the way! If you get lost along the way - here's a full list of the hop participants:

· www.kcreatedbykay.blogspot.com - Kay Norman

· http://www.thecountrychiccottage.net - Angie Holden

· www.thethinkinspot.blogspot.com - Lorie Souther

· http://paperiepetals.blogspot.com - Kim Schofield

· www.maisymary.blogspot.com - Pearl Liu

· www.lingshappyplace.blogspot.com - Vera Yates

· www.stampingwithjanice.blogspot.com - Janice Wilson

· www.simpleflourishes.com - Jennifer Holmes

· www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com - Lori Leng

· http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/ - Jeanne Streiff

· www.ginicagle.blogspot.com - Gini Cagle

·· www.taylordconcepts.blogspot.com - Erika Taylor

· www.fantastink.blogspot.com - Meylssa Connolley

· www.handmadebyangelica.com - Angelica Suarez

· www.sweeetdesignsbycheryl.blogspot.com - Cheryl Walker

· http://maearmstrong.blogspot.com - Mae Armstrong

· http://scrappingcottage.blogspot.com/ - The Scrapping Cottage

· www.psastampcamp.blogspot.com – PSA Essentials

Robin's Nest Wreath

I have a festive wreath to share with you today. I pulled out lots of Robin's Nest papers in fall colors and started cutting them with Filigree Fall Leaves die by CottageCutz. To give you an idea of the size of this piece, it is laying on a 12 x 12 sheet of paper - so it's pretty big. After I cut them all out, I put Scor-tape on a chipboard ring, and started attaching each leaf by the stem, and alternating leaning to the left, then to the right.

I finished the wreath off with a box and an Acorn Leaf Vine flourish.

Isn't it fun seeing all of those Robin's Nest papers together?

Here's a list of the ones that I used:
Distressed Honeycomb
Green Stencil
Glitter Leaf
Fleur Tropicana
Red Paisley
Glitter Brown on Brown

Creative Paperclay Verdi Angel Ornament

Do you like making your own Christmas ornaments? Here's one that I made using Creative Paperclay® modeling material. I had a pair of antique cherubs that I love, and thought they would be perfect as my model.

I made a mold of my angel using Amazing Mold Putty. Through trial and error, I figured out that my original angel had too many undercuts, and to make a cast of the full original just didn't work out how I had planned. But, my angel head, was perfect. So I just added the modeling material to that portion of the mold - making sure to press it firmly into all the details. I let it dry completely and then removed it.



I painted an undercoat of Creative Inspirations Paint in Emerald all over the cherub and let this dry.

Next, I rubbed Viva Decor Inka Gold (which is kind of waxy) all over the angel. Only little bits of the green base showed after I did this - and really helped to accentuate the fine details. I cut some wings using a Tim Holtz die and glued them to the back of the ornament.

I added a loop and bow to hang the finished piece, and now it's ready for my tree (although I'm not ready for my tree!)

Thanks for looking!