Home Decor

I had originally promised to make stuff while Ben was away. Yeah, that didn't really happen. In fact, the only things I made were specifically for classes. I didn't even make or send out any Christmas cards this year! GASP! And when he came back it was just so nice to spend time with him that I didn't make anything either. We hardly even cooked! Bad us!

Anyway, Ben left again for the arctic yesterday. He will be gone for 30 days this time. I am determined to keep my self productively busy. So, last night in my first night of solitude, I made a home decor item. I've seen a lot of these floating around, so I give credit to all of you who made them first. The sentiment in the middle says "The season of friendship lasts forever." The picture really doesn't do it justice. Especially the spring tree- the camera didn't pick up the light pink petals. Oh well. Also, the frame actually does come with glass I just decided to take a picture without the glass to eliminate the glare.

Thanks for looking and I hope you're having a WONDERFUL New Year!

A post before a break.....

Ben is going to the Arctic Circle (NOT the restaurant) for up to 6 weeks. He leaves on November 3rd and might come back as late as December 15th. More than likely he'll be home earlier- thank goodness- but it could take the full time.

That doesn't give us much time together before he leaves so I'm going to take advantage of it. While he's gone, however, I'll be busy cooking, reading and crafting.

I think in a previous post I told you that I get together once a month with two of my good friends, Casey and Kym to make crafts. Casey usually lets me know what she wants to make and I put together something for them. This month, Casey wanted to make and explosion box, a sour cream container and a card. Here are some pictures of them:

This is the outside, with the lid on (the lid is the patterned paper):

When you pull the lid off, the box falls open, or "explodes". On the various layers you can put pictures of your family and/or friends or it can be used for journaling.


And, just for fun, here's a picture of the box and lid side-by-side.

The card Casey wanted to make has a paper bow. I originally found the idea on Jenn D.'s blog. I had to go by memory what she did and after looking at her original I'm a bit humbled by my own creation. However, it taught Casey the method to folding the paper bow so that she can create her Christmas cards.


And here's the sour cream container. Simple and cute. Not fancy at all. There are caramel apple hershey's kisses inside though!

Stamp Camp rejects....

Okay, so they're not really "rejects" but instead are not the best options for the Stamp Camp I will be co-hosting on November 1st (as well as November 8th). There are four of us who will be demonstrating 6 projects so it only makes sense that only 1 or 2 of my projects will be made. NONE of these are the 2 that will be made during stamp camp. You want to be pleasantly surprised, right?

This first one is a box made out of chipboard coasters. It could easily hold treats or be a desk organizer for your pens, pencils, etc.



This next one is made out of half of a file folder. I think it would be a really sweet little present for someone you love. You can write some of your favorite Christmas memories on the little tags, maybe even attach a picture like my friend Casey did, and then send it to that person.



I made a bunch of these, with different decorations, as my 3-d swap for convention. I was playing around with a Christmas version of it and this is the first try. Not my favorite, but it is a start.

Save the worst for last, right? Anyway, this is my least favorite- but only because I rushed the decoration of it. The idea is super cute. It's simply a clear envelope folded in half and then attached to some cardstock. I've filled it with candy and used a velcro dot to keep it closed.


Wait until you see the CHOSEN stamp camp projects! Let me know if you want to come. It will be on November 1st at the SLCC campus.

Weekend Projects

On Saturday I had my friends Casey and Kym come over to play with stamps and paper. Together we made a quick card- one I had already made for a co-workers birthday. I love the new pocket silhouettes stamp set! I am sad, however, that soft sky has retired. I absolutely love that color. I tried and tried to get the happy birthday to stamp on straight but it just didn't happen and I've lost my stamp-a-ma-jig! Here's the card:


We also made a bag-in-a-box. You can find a wonderful tutorial here. I was all out of my bashful blue ribbon, which I think would look a lot better. Once I get some more I'll replace the chocolate chip ribbon.



Lastly, on my own I attempted this backpack. I feel as though it's missing something...more embellishments, perhaps? Anyway, here it is. You can find the tutorial here.


Anyway, that's it for today. I'll be playing around with some more 3-d projects because I have a demo swap coming up as well as the Holiday Stamp Camp!