2013 Heading SVG Freebie

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Here's a New Year's file for you that will be FREE only until midnight New Year's Eve (EST).

You can grab it HERE.

Wishing everyone a very prosperous and creative 2013!!

Merry Christmas

This is a musical Santa that I inherited from my paternal Grandmother.

He is so special to me and has a place of honor among my Christmas decor.

I believe somebody made this for her--it's ceramic and has the initials "E.M" written on the bottom.  Just think, some day years from now, people will be cherishing the creations we leave behind.  

Christmas Eve Blessings

This is a portion of my mantle display and is another "quick & easy" idea.  I took an old window frame, sprayed the panes with a frost paint and added a hook for the wreath.  I just lean it against the wall and will put an electric candle behind it for a nice glow.  Once Christmas is over, I replace the wreath with one that has a frosty look...

and it stays up until spring!

Hope all your last minute Christmas preparations are going well and that you take time to reflect on the true reason for Christmas...the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bulldogs Christmas Card

Being a bully lover I'm always on the look out for bulldog themed Christmas cards.  I haven't spotted any the last few years so I was really excited when this picture of Santa and some pooped pups showed up on Facebook.  (I wish I knew who's artwork it was...it's beautiful!)  I saved the picture, printed it out on white cardstock and matted with black CS.  The red background paper is from My Mind's Eye.  The plaid paper was a piece of scrap strip turned into a banner by using a square punch on the bottom. I used a Spellbinder's die to cut and emboss the ribbon banner and since it was curved, I just hand lettered the sentiment with a Sharpie.  I distressed all the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  The plastic snowflake embellishment was attached with Glossy Accents.

Bulldog Domino Ornaments

This year I did more of my domino ornaments (you can see the step-by-step tutorial HERE) and instead of Santas and vintage Christmas elements, I featured festive bulldogs!  I absolutely love the breed and have been a "Bully Momma" for about 25 years.  Since we lost our Millie in October, things are pretty lonely around here.  Someday soon we'll be welcoming another sweet bulldog but until then, I  poured the love into creating these ornaments for a special person.  She is the director of DETROIT BULLDOG RESCUE and does so much for these lovable pups.  Hope she likes them! 

I used two stamps for the top ornament.  I cut the hat off of a vintage Santa stamp--it fit perfectly!  The bone was a brass charm that I cut the shank off of and then pearlized with alcohol ink.  I attached it with Glossy Accents.  I also put the alcohol ink on the brass bell.

Can you tell I'm partial to the white bullies?  Two of my dogs--Louie & Millie--were almost all white.  Millie had a brown patch over her eye (which had gone to white in her old age) and a brown spot on her lower back.  Louie had the most awesome black freckles on his ears!   For this ornament I colored the eye in with brown alcohol ink using the tip of my craft knife.

This bully is waiting under the mistletoe.  I used red Stickles on the berries for extra sparkle and added silver accents with a metallic pen.

For this ornament, I didn't think the wording was dark enough so I went over it with gold and black pens.  The paw is a charm with the shank removed.  It was brass so I used bronze alcohol ink to change the color.
Ornaments entered into these Challenges:
SIMON SAYS STAMP--MERRY CHRISTMAS
SIMON SAYS STAMP & SHOW-GIFT-SPIRATION

Quick & Easy Gift Card Holder

The days until Christmas are counting down!  From now until then, I'll be sharing some "Quick & Easy" ideas with you to help make this time of year a little less stressful. 

Gift cards are getting to be "the" gift to give.  I don't know about you but I hate to just put them into an envelope or use the store's version of a holder.  So I quickly made up my own using my SCAL and Cricut.

I used a file I believe I originally got from DT's ART BLOG.  I see that it is no longer free but you may be able to purchase it by sending her a file request.  She may also have it available in PDF format for those of you without an electronic cutter.

Two gift cards can be cut from one 8 1/2" x 11" piece of Kraft cardstock if you flip one holder layout.

Three easy steps!

Some Tips:

Burnish the paper tape strips using your bone folder, especially on the edges.  

Add a strip of tape on the gift card pocket and stamp the "To" & "From" on the opposite side.

You could decorate the back with more tape or stamp a little design on the rounded flap.

I found the box of decorative tape at a fabulous little store in Chicago called P.O.S.H. when I was there last month.  We also saw it at a few other shops (even cheaper) so I know you can find it online.  Here's the LINK to the manufacturer.

Quick & Easy Gift Tags

The days until Christmas are counting down!  From now until then, I'll be sharing some "Quick & Easy" ideas with you to help make this time of year a little less stressful. 

I like to wrap my gifts either using Kraft bags (shown in yesterday's post) or using kraft wrapping paper.  I wanted to use tags that matched so I dug out a scrap piece of kraft cardstock, stamped various Christmas scenes onto it with sepia and coffee Archival Ink and then punched out the tags.  I also punched small holes so that I could attach the tags with string.

Supplies:
Kraft Cardstock
Tag Punch

Hole Punch

Stamps & Ink

Quick & Easy Gift Wrapping

The days until Christmas are counting down!  From now until then, I'll be sharing some "Quick & Easy" ideas with you to help make this time of year a little less stressful. 

Okay, you've made that quick and easy ornament or initial bookmark clip and now you need a quick and easy way to wrap it...never fear, I have an idea for you!

Kraft Bag Gift Wrapper

This is a perfect way to present that small gift without searching for the right size box or cutting into the big roll of wrapping paper.  Just take a flat kraft bag (5" x 7.5"), insert your gift, fold down the top (away from the front) and seal with a glue dot or tape.  Take a piece of ribbon and wrap around the bag, with ends coming up on the front.  Use glue dots to hold each end.  Where the ribbon meets, add a diecut embellishment.  You could stamp on the bag to decorate it even more if you wish.  

Supplies:

Eno Craft Toppers--Modern Trees

Paper Source  Kraft Bags

Ribbon

Glue Dots

Quick & Easy Gift Idea For A Crowd

The days until Christmas are counting down!  From now until then, I'll be sharing some "Quick & Easy" ideas with you to help make this time of year a little less stressful. 

Here's a quick and easy gift idea if you need something for a group of people---

Initial Clips

I got this batch of clips from PICK YOUR PLUM--20 clips for just $5.50 (with shipping the total was $9.00...just 45 cents each!).  Pick Your Plum has different daily deals so I don't know if these will be back on their site.  However I found another online source for them.  Not as cheap as I got them but you can grab them HERE.  The 5/8" round metal letters were in my stash.  I believe I picked them up for a few bucks at Big Lots a few years ago.  They were the perfect size to go in the top of the clip.  (I wasn't able to find a source for these on line so if you don't have something similar, I would suggest using a gem, fancy brad top or just punch some decorative paper to go in that space.)  I simply used Glossy Accents to adhere the letters and the gift was done!

I wanted a nice way to present them so I created cards that measured 2" x 5.5" out of kraft cardstock.  I stamped, colored with a green colored pencil and added red Stickle berries.

On the back I stamped a little "To/From" and wrote in the names...easy peasy!

Quick & Easy Ornament

The days until Christmas are counting down!  From now until then, I'll be sharing some "Quick & Easy" ideas with you to help make this time of year a little less stressful. 

 

I'm always looking for ways to create quick homemade gifts so this little ornament fits the bill!  The gate base is actually from an ornament/candle holder which I picked up last year in a gift shop clearance for $1.  I wasn't sure what I would do with it but I thought it would make a good start to some type of embellished or altered ornament. 

I removed the long candle holder portion (and saved it for who knows what else!).  I cut another snowflake rosette from my new  MINI SNOWFLAKE ROSETTES DIE  and topped it off with a clear gem.  I hot glued it to the gate and then attached the letter beads using Glossy Accents.  Done!

TIP:

Keep your eyes peeled all year long for items like this that you can quickly add a homemade touch to.

Snowman Ornament & Tutorial

I recently got a couple of new Sizzix dies and wanted to give them a whirl.  

What I came up with is this cute little snowman ornament.  

Read below for details on how to create your own! 

Step One:  Prepare the Base

• Using the MINI CABINET CARD DIE cut a piece of Grungeboard and a book page. (Tip:  Grungeboard is a perfect material to use for an ornament as it is very sturdy)
• Attach the book page to the Grungeboard using matte multi-medium.  Let dry.
• Stamp snowflakes (Stampers Anonymous--Grunge Flakes) with embossing ink and emboss with white EP.
• Using Distress Inks (Tumbled Glass, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire) and a blending tool, randomly ink the book page and the edges.  Use Chipped Sapphire to color back of Grungeboard.
• Using hole punch pliers, punch hanging holes.  (Tip:  I use one made for jewelry--Vintage Hole Punch Pliers)  Add silver cording to hang.

Step Two:  Create the Snowflake

• Using the MINI SNOWFLAKE ROSETTES DIE cut using blue DP.  Assemble snowflake.  (Tip:  Use hot glue to securely create the rosette)
• Ink edges of snowflake with Distress Ink (Faded Jeans).
• Hot glue on the snowflake sequin and attach blue gem. 

 Step Three:  Stamp and Color Snowman

• Stamp snowman (Inkadinkado--Ornate Christmas) on watercolor paper using Jet Black Archival Ink.
• Using Distress Markers (Tumbled Glass & Spun Sugar) and a water pen, add color to the snowman. (Tip:  Add heavier shading along the left edges and under the scarf)
• Fussy cut out snowman.  (Tip:  Don't even try to cut the fringe!)
• Using the multi-media, add a thin coat to the white parts of the snowman.  Sprinkle on Distress Stickles Dry Glitter (Rock Candy) and let dry.
• Add Distress Stickles (Black Soot) to buttons, nose, arms and hat.  Let dry.

Step Four:  Create the Letters

• Apply aluminum duct tape to a piece of cardstock or watercolor paper.  Place pieces on the S-N-O-W letters of the VINTAGE MARKET ALPHABET DIE and diecut.  (Tip:  Be sure to place the aluminum side down onto the die)
• Using a Distress Marker (Chipped Sapphire) color the paper edges of the letters
• Add foam tape pieces on the back of each letter.  (See Tip below)

 

Step Five:  Putting It All Together

• Use Scor-Tape to attach the snowman to the base.  Gently bend up his arms.
• Use several glue dots to attach the rosette snowflake.
• Peel off the foam tape paper on the letters and attach along the side.
• Use a glue dot to attach the top sequin snowflake and add small blue gem.
• Sign your name/year on the back and enjoy or give as a gift!

This Ornament is Entered Into the Following Challenges:

STAMPTACULAR SUNDAY--#193 ANYTHING BUT A CARD

ADDICTED TO STAMPS--BINGO

Bingo-Glitter, Embossed, Snowflake

2 SISTERS CHALLENGE BLOG--#121 SNOWFLAKES

SWEET STAMPIN'--DIES & PUNCHES

STAMPIN' FOR THE WEEKEND--#23 LET IT SNOW

WINTER WONDERLAND--RED & BLUE

4 CRAFTY CHICKS--#119 SNOWMEN
PAPER CRAFTING JOURNEY--CHRISTMAS PROJECTS
STUDIO L3--CCC #32 PAPER ROSETTE
SIMON SAYS STAMP & SHOW--INSPIRED BY TIM'S 12 TAGS
MY GRAFICO--ANYTHING GOES

Remembrance Card

I recently sent out "Remembrance/Thank You" cards after the passing of my bulldog Millie.  For these cards I used PhotoShop to create the 3" x 3" photo to which I added her name.  I made a sheet of six, printed them out myself on photo paper and cropped with a wide white border.  I stamped the dog bone border on a pink card stock base, layered a strip of pink dog DP on the edge and then added a stamped paw that I circled punched and raised with foam tape.

I wanted to use pink on these cards since Millie was always the "girly-est" bulldog I had ever known.  The picture I used was taken when she was in her prime--at about 4 or 5--when her face spot was still brown.  I wanted everyone to remember her at her beautiful best!

Inside I put a lovely saying that I recently found and had made into a COLLAGE.  I've made these type of thank you cards for all three of my dogs that have gone to Rainbow Bridge.  I think it's a nice way for their "family" to remember them and it allows me to offer thanks for sympathy cards and flowers.  I also send the cards to their vet and the cremation center, thanking them for their care and compassion.

Sparkling New Year's Card

I'm today's featured designer over at CARD A DAY BLOG and this week's theme is "New Year's Cards".  I know more and more people are sending these type of cards since either Christmas time is just too busy or they don't celebrate Christmas.  This card is simple to do and features a new SVG cut file from my store, which you can purchase HERE.

I used all scraps to create the card.  I used white cardstock as the base and then added the shiny dotted DP to the front.  The numbers were cut out of the red paper and then layered over the yellow paper.  I cut the bottle/burst from various scraps and layered them on top of the red paper.  Doing this gave the front some nice dimension.  For more dimension, I cut the "Happy" heading (using my THANKSGIVING SET THREE) then added a layer of Glossy Accents.  The easiest way to attach a thin heading like this is by using the XYRON.

This card is entered into the following Challenges:

AMUSING CHALLENGES--DIE CUT

FUN WITH SHAPES AND MORE--#122 EVERYTHING BUT CHRISTMAS

SIMON SAYS STAMP--ANYTHING GOES