Spooky Halloween Coffin

Lifestyle Crafts will be releasing their newest line of fall holiday die cuts on September 17. I have a little sneak peak for you of one of the dies from the Tricks ‘n Treats collection.

lifestyle crafts halloween coffin die cut

This spooky coffin was created from the QuicKutz coffin cutting die {not for sale until Sept 17}. Let me show you how I made it.
I started by measuring some designer series paper from Stampin’ Up! {view entire collection here}. What I love about SU’s designer paper is that it is heavy duty, like card stock, so you can use it for boxes, cards, etc. and it will hold up. It’s not flimsy like the paper you get at the craft store. This grey and ivory polkadot paper is from their newest Halloween collection, Howlstooth and Scaringbone {order here}.

lifestyle craft coffin die cut howlstooth paper

After cutting the paper to size, I placed the paper and die in the cutting plates and ran it through the Big Shot {order here}. The die cuts some edges and perforates others.

lifestyle craft coffin die cut howlstooth paper

The perforated edges are to be folded. The small tabs are where you will glue the sides together.

lifestyle craft coffin die cut howlstooth paper

Two way glue works best for three-dimensional objects. It makes them sturdier. It comes in a green and white bottle and you can find it in the scrapbook adhesive section of the craft store or you can order here.

lifestyle craft coffin die cut howlstooth paper

Once the top and bottom were glued, they looked like this.

lifestyle craft coffin die cut howlstooth paper

Then I decided I wanted to emboss the top, so I had to peel it apart. I had this cute spiderweb embossing folder (order here) so I used it for the coffin lid.

spider web embossing folder

And then I decided I needed to distress it with some ink (are you surprised?)

spider web embossing folder coffin die cut

Now that the coffin was finished, I needed to dress it up. I used these two small tags, part of Lifestyle Crafts Label It Kits cutting dies.

lifestyle crafts label it kit die cut

Once cut, I used Stampin Up Wicked Cool stamp set {order here}. I stamped “Spooky” and then used the spider web to stamp in just the corners of the label. Then, of course, I distressed both tags with black ink.

wicked fun stampin up

I used double-sided adhesive to stick the tags together and then added a little rhinestone embellishment {order here}.

stampin up wicked fun stamp label it kit die cut

I tied two coordinating ribbons in a single knot and attached the tag to the coffin using a dimensional adhesive {order here}. If you’re not familiar with dimensionals, they are fat, double-sided adhesive pieces that leave a gap between the two pieces you are attaching. They add “dimension” to your project!

lifestyle crafts coffin die cut stampin up wicked fun stamp

And that was it!

lifestyle crafts coffin die cut halloween decor

I added some crinkled orange paper which I cut myself using a scoring board and scissors.

The skeleton came from a Dollar Tree garland.

lifestyle crafts coffin die cut stampin up wicked fun stamp

Be sure to check out Lifestyle Crafts new fall cutting dies! Tricks ‘n Treats and Cornucopia will be for sale September 17.

Wednesday’s Whip Up: Vintage Spools

Back in July, we took a trip to Folly Beach, near one of my favorite places – Charleston, SC. Hubby and I used to live there and I never get tired of the history, architecture, food and shopping!
While there my sister-in-law, Ilke, and I vowed to do some antique shopping. We took one afternoon and hit as many as we could in the ares outside of downtown. {Downtown’s antiques are WAY over our budget!} Here are some of my finds…

I found several vintage handkerchiefs, ribbons and lace. I had no idea what I would do with them, but I had to have them!

And I am a sucker for vintage spools.

Originally I was going to leave the spools the way the were and use them as candles sticks. But I had an idea the other day while I was trying to figure out where to put them.
I decided to wrap them in burlap and then use the vintage ribbon and lace on top of the burlap.

I used hot glue to secure the burlap on the backside. I did the same with the lace. The ribbon I just tied in a knot, tightly enough that it would not slip down.

I frayed the top and bottom of the burlap by pulling some of the horizontal threads out.

And that was it! Just something I whipped up on Wednesday!

Easy As Pie Gift Box

I wanted to share with you these cute little “Easy as Pie” boxes I made as a make and take a few months ago.

The box was cut using Lifestyle Crafts’ dessert box die cut. You use the die to cut the paper of your choice. I used one of my favorite Stampin’ Up! designer series papers, Summer Smooches {order here}, with coordinating card stock {order here}. The die cut will also create perforated edges which you will fold. Then you just glue the sides together to create the top and bottom pieces of your box! Easy as pie!

To decorate the tops of my box, I used Stampin’ Ups Summer Smooches fabric {order here}. In case you didn’t know, Stampin’ Up! has adorable coordinating fabrics for most of their designer series papers. You get three coordinating fabrics in a set for only $9.95. Check them out here.
Anyway, I used the Fun Flowers die to cut paper and fabric flowers {order die here}. I layered the flowers so that the petals were staggered, added a smaller punched flower and used a coordinating brad {order here} to attach them.

I made little tags for each box and stamped “sweet treats” on each tag. This stamp came from a set called Teeny Tiny Wishes. It has just about every greeting you can think of {order here}. I tied a simple ribbon to each tag and looped it around the brad.

I ended up using some ink to distress the edges of my boxes. I just think it adds a little something extra and always makes it look better.

I love this dessert box die cut! Check out more ideas for Lifestyle Crafts die cuts on their blog and Pinterest page.

Back to School Gift Ideas with AstroBrights Paper

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Astrobrights Papers by Neenah Paper. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have your kiddos gone back to school yet? Our summer officially ended when my boys went back to school this past Friday. And although it stinks to say good-bye to summer, good-bye to the beach and pool and the late summer nights, WE are all excited about the new school year.

Being a former teacher myself, I love to show teacher appreciation and I’ve tried to pass this along to my boys. I l try as often as I can to make little gifts, treats or cards for the boys’ teachers to show my gratitude for all they do. And at the beginning of the year, I know they need supplies. So gift cards (Walmart, Target, Dollar Tree, Walgreens, etc) are the best thing you can give them!

So I knew exactly what we were going to do with this lovely batch of AstroBrights sent to me int he mail.

I was going to create some cute gift card holders.

I found some darling “scholarly” designer paper to coordinate with the AstroBrights paper.

The first project with a little pocket on the front to hold the gift card.

 I used my Silhouette CAMEO to cut the pocket and the ticket.

The rest of the pieces are cut to fit and punched. The layout if very similar to my popsicle card.

The little pocket has preferrated edges that you fold which are glued to the surface of the card.

Here is the card once the pieces are secured. I found some coordinating bright turquoise blue baker’s twine to loop through the tag.

The gift card fits perfectly on the tag and right inside the pocket! {In case you are wondering, I’m not giving them an ITunes gift card! It’s the only one I had on hand.}

The next is a cute little gift card box. I can’t take credit for designing this one. We made it in Stamp Club and my demonstrator, Angie Guy, created it.

I started by cutting the faces of the box and the decorative flowers. These were all cut using Stampin Up! dies.

Next I had to create the box that holds the cards. You do this by cutting a sheet of  5 1/2″ x 6″ paper. Score the 6″ side at 1″ and 5″. Score the 5 1/2″ side at 2 1/2″ & 3 1/2″ Then cut slits as shown below.

Then the scored edges are folded and creased with a bone folder and glued together to make a box that is open at one end.

Large 4″ and 3.5″ scalloped circles were cut with my Silhouette CAMEO. I used the same color as the face of the box and the designer paper. I also added a rhinestone embellishment in the center of the small, layered flowers.

After gluing the two large scallop circles together, lay them over the top of the box and gently crease a mark for each of the box faces. After the creases have been made, use a bone folder to finish the folds. Attach the inner side of the scallops to the back side of the box.

Then you just attach the smaller flowers to the front of the box and use velcro with adhesive backing to hold the closed.

Check them out…

Fun and bright! What a great way to celebrate back to school!

Want your paper announcements and projects to get noticed? Want your newletters, flyers and brochures to stand out from the others in that pile of papers? AstroBrights paper is the solution!

AstroBrights papers come in 23 brightly colored shades sure to stand out in the “crowd” of paper stacks. 

And don’t miss your chance to enter the “Give a Brighter Year” sweepstakes! 

Enter your favorite elementary school to win $30,000 in supplies! And, if they win, lucky you will also get $500! Talk about a win-win situation!

AstroBrights is also hosting “Make Something Astrobright” design challenge.  This contest is designed to bring families together and encourage creativity. What will your family create with AstroBrights paper? There is a different challenge each week so be sure to check it out! You can enter both of these things by going to the AstroBrights paper Facebook page.

 

Handmade Burp Cloths for Baby Brighton

One of my best friends Mary Beth, who I’ve known for over twenty years, just had her first baby. Andrew Brighton (called Brighton) was born on Wednesday.

Isn’t he the sweetest?!

So I made her some custom burp cloths. The first set of burp cloths I’ve ever made! I found a set of three white burp cloths at Hobby Lobby for only $9.99. I searched through my stash of fabric and found this fun orange polka dot fabric and some coordinating colored fabric.

I used Heat’n Bond iron on adhesive on the backside of each of the fabrics. You basically lay it on the fabric and run a hot iron over it for about 20-30 seconds.

Once the adhesive is attached, you just peel away the paper layer. Don’t forget this step. I do frequently and then have to start all over.

I cut the letter “B” out of one of my fabric pieces using my Silhouette CAMEO.

Then attached it to the burp cloth by holding a hot iron on it for 30 seconds, constantly moving the iron.

Then I added some decorative strips as well.

 I cut the strips with my Stampin Up Sizzix Tasteful Trims Die.

I also cut several other pieces using this die and arranged them on the other two burp cloths.

I was going to stop here but I started thinking about all the wear and tear these things go through.  So I decided to add stitching across each piece.

And here is what they looked like when they were finished!

Kinda cute, huh? I was pretty impressed with myself for my first try!

I hope baby Brighton likes them!

Congratulations Mary Beth & John!

 

 

Adorable Treat Caddy for Movie Night

The boys absolutely love when I announce, “Tonight is movie night!” They run get the blanket, spread it out on the floor and claim their spot.
Typical movie night consists of pizza dinner in front of the TV. However, Lifestyle Crafts recently sent me this adorable treat carrier die cut, so I decided to surprise the boys with a special movie night treat.

circus snack treat carrier

Isn’t this treat caddy adorable?! Where did I get it? It’s a Lifestyle Crafts cutting die.
Lifestyle Crafts recently released their Fall Core Collection 2012 dies. Check them out. . .

I immediately had my eye on the treat carrier and the tickets and I knew exactly what I was going to do with them.
I started with this stuff. The circus paper I’ve had. I think I found it at Michaels. I grabbed some coordinating paper and one of my popcorn boxes.

circus paper

Making the treat carrier was pretty easy.
If you don’t have and/or are not familiar with a die cut tool,  you NEED one! These things are so useful! This is the handle piece of the box. You need to cut two.

You simply layer the cutting mat, paper, die cut and another mat on top and run it through the tool.

You do the same with the box edge die, also cutting two.

And the banner.

When it’s all done, you will have several pieces that look like this.

The die not only cuts the paper, but it also perforates areas that are to be folded. Once folded, your pieces will look like this.

lifestyle crafts treat carrier die

Now it’s time to put it together. The next few steps are not the “correct” way to assemble these boxes. I realized this after I had done some gluing. But it still worked fine.
I used double-sided tape to attache the two handles with the “feet” pointing outward.

Next I lined the inside flaps of the edge pieces with glue. I LOVE this two-way glue. It’s super sticky and works great for cardstock projects like this.

Glue these edges under the “feet” of the handle pieces. (Here is where I noticed that before adhering the two handle pieces, I should have tucked the back edge flaps of this piece inside. I ended up just attaching them to the outside of the handle piece. No biggie, you won’t be able to see it since it will be filled with snacks).

lifestyle crafts treat carrier die

Then I added the banner.

lifestyle crafts treat carrier

Now to fill the box!
I was thrilled that my popcorn boxes fit perfectly in this little caddy! I used the design on the backside of the circus paper to decorate face of the box. Then added a coordinating strip and stamped “popcorn” on white cardstock. I also used the same stripe cardstock to cover a juice box.

popcorn box

I had an idea for the tickets as well. Same process using the ticket die cut.

lifestyle crafts ticket die

Jackson has been really into reading (or attempting to read) lately. So I thought it would be fun to let him read this. . .

ticket die cut

Of course he needed some help, he’s only 4! But he loves trying to read! 🙂
Then end result. . .

circus snack treat carrier

A fun movie night at home with happy kids and yummy snacks!

Be sure to check out Lifestyle Crafts Cutting Dies, including the new Fall Core Collection. And if you need some ideas, check out their blog.

 

Bloom-and-Grow Pretty Paper Bouquet

I’m so excited! My grandma is flying in today! She lives in Wisconsin and we only see her once, maybe twice a year. I wanted to welcome her with some flowers, but I knew she wouldn’t be able to take them home with her. So I came up with an alternative. A pretty paper bouquet!

lifestyle crafts bloom grow die cut flowers

Today Lifestyle Crafts released their newest die cut collection, Bloom-and-Grow! This new collection is full of pretty flowers for scrapbooking and card making. Many of the shapes are layers so you can create 3-D designs!

bloom grow die cut{source}

I used the Scallop Doilies Die to create my grandma’s paper bouquet! The paper is Summer Smooches designer series paper by Stampin’ Up!.

lifestyle crafts bloom & grow die cut

These die cuts are very simple to use. You simply place the paper on top of the die, sandwich it between cutting plates and run them through your Big Shot or other die cut machine.

scallops doilies die cut

I used a variety of the Summer Smooches papers and arranged them after they were cut. I used dimensional adhesives to make the flowers 3-D. I also cut hearts to use as the leaves.

I planned on using pipecleaners as the stems, but realized the flowers were too heavy. Quick fix – I grabbed some pencils we had laying around! I wrapped strips of coordinating Lucky Limeade cardstock around the pencils to cover them.

Then used a dimensional adhesive square to attach the pencil to the flower.

I embellished the flowers with buttons and brads and added the leaves to just a few. Good thing the bottoms of the stems would be hidden by the vase!

paper bouquet

Next I made the tag. I use my tag die cut and oval punch and some little flower stamps.

I tied it with one of my favorite ribbons from SU, ruffled ribbon.

Oh yeah, I need to mention that I had trouble getting the flowers to stay in place in the vase so I dropped a wad of play dough in the bottom and stuck them in it. Worked like a charm!

Hope grandma likes them!

lifestyle crafts bloom grow die cut flowers

Be sure to check out Lifestyle Crafts new Bloom-and-Grow collection!

Last Minute Teacher’s Gift

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw this photo I posted.

I was at Target last Wednesday, in search of a last-minute gifts for Parker Reese’s teachers, and, of course, was side-tracked by the Dollar Spot! It gets me every time! As I was ooohing and aaahing at all the fun summer stuff, I started getting an idea for the perfect gift! Thirty minutes and about $50 later (not all was for the teachers) this is what I came home with.

target dollar spot stationary

Yeah, I went a little crazy! I couldn’t help it! It was all so cute and fun!

target dollar spot stationary

By the time I returned from my impulse shopping, I only had about 20 minutes to get these gifts together before school was over! By the way, let me make it clear that teachers are worth way more than a quickly thrown together present, but my absent mind didn’t realize that it was the last day of school! DUH!

So I took the cute little buckets and personalized them by adding a vinyl monogram cut with my Silhouette CAMEO.

monogram bucket

I stuffed some tissue paper in the bottom of the buckets. I kinda wish I had some shredded paper, but tissue was all I could get so last minute.

gift wrap bucket

These polkadot clipboards are adorable, right? Well I grabbed some coordinating ribbon from my stash to jazz them up a little bit.

embellish clipboard

The clipboards had a little hole at the top to hang the clipboards on a nail or tack. I stacked the ribbon on top of each other, fed it through the hole, and tied it in a knot.

embellish clipboard ribbon

I stuck the clipboard in the bucket and used it as the backdrop for the rest of the items. Next I put this cute watermelon stationary with matching pen in one bucket. The other had some cute citrus stationary with a polkadot pen.

watermelon stationary

And that was it! Nothing super fancy. Not super expensive. But they were adorable and screamed summertime!

gift buckets

I hope the teachers liked them!
Don’t forget to thank your little one’s teachers for all their hard work!

Replacing the Old Cork Board

Sneak peek of today’s project. . .

Guess what I’m doing this weekend? I can hardly wait for Saturday because my sister-in-law and I are heading back up to Cline’s Junk Antiques! Eek! So very excited! What is Cline’s? In case you are a new reader to the blog, let me introduce you to Cline’s Antiques,or, as I like to call it, a little piece of junk heaven!

Look at all that rust and furniture waiting to be refinished!
Last time I visited Cline’s I scored some great windows for only two bucks each. Yes, $2! Here is one of them.

reclaimed window

Yes, it’s dirty. Really dirty. You see, Cline’s has tons of windows waiting to go home with someone like me. The downside is that the windows, like almost everything else at Cline’s, are just piled up in the yard.
No biggie, a squirt of the hose and a little elbow grease cleaned it up nicely!
So, this window has been sitting in my garage since that shopping trip. I finally have put it to use! I got tired of looking at the cork board in the hall near my kitchen. It gets so cluttered with cards, artwork, invitations, etc. It had to go. I’ve also been wanting to create a chalkboard somewhere near the kitchen to jot down reminders. This window was the start to a perfect solution!

cover glass paint

 I masked off the glass with some plastic bags and painter’s tape. And spray-painted it a pretty gold/yellow color.

paint window

No paint project of mine is complete without a little distressing! I used my new favorite color Distress Ink, frayed burlap, around the edges and on the faces of the wood.

distress ink wood

So my dirty old window was now clean and had a pretty coat of paint on it. Time to make this baby into something special.
I had this great Gallery Chalkboard Vinyl Decor from Stampin Up! It was $25 but I got it for free with an order I placed! So I attached the vinyl to the window.

chalkboard vinyl

Next I needed somewhere to hang things that I typically tack onto the bulletin board like photos, cards, invitations, artwork, etc.
I had this burlap ribbon and baker’s twine that I got from Pick Your Plum. They were perfect for this piece!

bakers twine burlap ribbon

I used the burlap ribbon to add a big bow on the corner of the board.

burlap ribbon bow pick your plum

I wrapped a piece of chalk in the baker’s twine so I could attack it to the board.

hanging chalk bakers twine

And also draped the baker’s twine across the top and bottom of the window. I used hot glue to attach it around the back. Then I added little clothespins that I also got from Stampin Up!

bakers twine hanging line clothes pin

This was the perfect  replacement for thumbtacks and cork board!

And with that, the board was complete!

family command center

And because I love to do things on a budget, I’m proud to brag that this piece cost less than $5! Remember, the window was $2, I bought one can of spray paint, the chalkboard vinyl piece was free and the ribbon, string and clothespins I already had in my stockpile.

If you are interested in ordering any of the products mentioned above, I’ve directly linked them to the online ordering site. Items will be shipped directly to your home! Check out all the products at Stampin Up!

Handmade Mother’s Day Card

Just two days left until Mother’s Day! Have you found a way to say thank you and I love you to yours?
If you haven’t already purchased a card, here is a simple way to make your own! The sentiment and papers can easily be changed, so this card could really be used for any occasion.

Handmade Mothers Day card Stampin Up

In the past year, I’ve become a Stampin’ Up-aholic! If you’re not familiar with Stampin’ Up!, it’s a company based out of Utah that sells a variety of paper products, stamps and other accessories for home decor, scrapbooking and card-makings. I love it so much {and I order so much of their product} I’ve recently become a SU demonstrator! So I’ve gotten lots of new products to try out!
One of my newest tools added to my collection are these Framelit Dies. These can be used in any die cut machine and are great for layering different sized shapes.

stampin up framelits die

So I used started with 2 blank cards and 2 sets of each of the pieces I needed to make the card I had in my head. I decided on two different sized framelits.

stampin up framelits die beyond garden dsp

I began by embossing my green cardstock.

embossing folder

Next I ran the paper with the framelits through the Big Shot.

stampin up framelits die

The smaller one cut the green embossed paper.

stampin up framelits die

And the larger cut the Beyond the Garden designer series paper.

stampin up framelits die

I started with the pink strip of paper and layered the two framelit pieces on top.

handmade mothers day card stampin up

I have this great set of stamps that includes a sentiment for just about any occasion/holiday. {Teeny Tiny Wishes}. I stamped it using Melon Mambo ink and then used the same ink to distress the edges.

Stampin Up mothers day stamp melon mambo

A little floral punch and a rhinestone embellishment, an the care was complete!

Stampin up floral punch rhinestone embelishment

I attached the greeting with a dimensional adhesive piece to give the card some texture.
And that was it! A cute, inexpensive way to show your mom that she matters!

Handmade Mothers Day card Stampin Up

Have a great weekend and Happy Mothers Day to all the mom’s out there!