Teacher Gifts

Halloween is fast approaching and then the holidays will be upon us. My parents, sister, brother-in-law and nephews will be traveling from NJ to GA to spend Thanksgiving with us. This will be the first time I hosted a holiday. My DH and I moved out of NJ 11 years ago so this will be a very special holiday for us.  I also learned today that my oldest and dearest friend (we've known one another for over 30 years) will be spending Christmas with us. Steve owns a home in Seattle but works in LA, which is a long story. So our home will be packed this holiday season and we wouldn't want it any other way.

Each year I try and make something special for our boys' teachers. I've made apple butter, homemade relish (which is fabulous), and a magic bar cookie ingridient gift box. This year I decided to make a stationery set for them.  I wish I could say I designed it but I'm really not that creative. My DH is impressed but I keep telling him that all I do is "lift" ideas from those that are much more creative than I.  I've seen this set of stationery on several sites so I have no idea who is the real genius. I found the tutorial on SplitcoastStampers and the author is Jackie Topa so kudos to her!! 

I really enjoyed making it and will be at Archiver's tomorrow buying more double sided paper to make at least two more.  The large cards in the back are standard A2 which is 4.25 x 5.5, the note cards are 3 x 3, and the tags are 2.5 x 4.25.  The little pocket next to the "friends" address/phone book will hold stamps. I plan on changing out the pen for one that is clear so I can roll the paper inside the barrel. 

I hope you enjoy this and make one, or two, of your own!

 

 




SplitCoastStampers - Stationery Box

SHH! A birthday card

My dear sister will soon be celebrating a birthday. Which one I won't say but let's say she old enough where no one cards her anymore but hasn't yet been given senior discounts!

I made this birthday card for her using Hot Off the Press's "Sweet Treat Pockets" template for the mug and tag. 

I will be posting additional SVG files in the future so please check back.

Happy Birthday - Christine!

Apple for the Teacher - NOT!

We live in Georgia and the kids have been in school since the beginning of August.  I still find this incredibly weird since I grew up in New Jersey and school always started the first Tuesday after Labor Day.  The only nice thing is the last day of school is the Wednesday before Memorial Day. 

I created a new SVG file for all those school scrapbook pages people will be making in the coming weeks and months.  This one includes a cute worm coming out to say hello.  Not sure this would make a good impression on the first day of school but he was so cute I couldn't resist. 

The SVG file produces a good size paper piece so please resize as needed. I did make a test piece so all the pieces cut nice.  I hope you enjoy!

THANKS!!

Download Free SVG File Here

Treat Cup Instructions

If I were really talented I would have created step by step instructions on how I created the Coffin Treat Card below.  Actually, it really has more to do with time then anything else.  I modified a technique used by Dawn Griffith on her video for a Valentine Treat Cup holder. If I find time I will write up the directions but for now here's a link to Dawn's video...

Dawn Griffith's Treat Cup Holder

Halloween Treat Card

Last weekend I worked on creating a card that would hold a clear plastic treat cup.  Sometime ago I purchased a few of these treat cups at Archivers. They're made from Stampendous and they have a backing to entirely close the cup. I cut the backing off and clipped the corners so it would lie flat against the card.  I remember that Dawn Griffith created a valentine treat card sometime ago and based on her technique I created my Coffin Treat Card.  I used SCAL to create the cut file, embossed with Cuttlebug Swirls, and the downloaded a digital image of the title.  I haven't finished the inside yet but that's coming this weekend. The recipient of the card will pull the tag on the right to get the treats out.  I now realize if have many more to make for nephews, niece, and friends.  I hope you enjoy this!!

GET SCAL CUT FILE HERE

New Blog Candy!

I just found this great website!  Check it out and the BLOG CANDY!!!

http://paperinkcolor.blogspot.com/

Creepy Tree

Good morning everyone!

It's been forever since I posted.  Not sure why - just got wrapped up in day to day things.  But I'm back and ready to post some new crafty stuff.  My online friends at the cricutlovers Yahoo group have been inspirational and have given me the guts to try and create my own SVG files for all to share.  Here's my first attempt in time for Halloween.  The photo shows the yellow eyes but the file has them separate so you can cut the tree in one color and the eyes in another. I'm a complete novice at this so if the link or cut file doesn't work please let me know.  Thanks so much checking this out!

CREEPY TREE


Download Free SVG File Here

Last Photo Card

Just another rainy, dreary day in Georgia.  When will the sun shine and the temp read 75-80?  Spring break is only a week away and it's completely shocking that the temps are still in the 50s mid day.  Well, the only good thing is my husband took our oldest to baseball practice which left me at home with the youngest. TJ is a quiet kid and happy to play alone or watch a movie. Batman series seems to be the hot movies now. SHHH - I hear the Easter bunny is bringing a few more Batman movies - but I want tell!!

While TJ was playing quietly I was able to finally finish the last of my photo cards. I needed to make twelve unique cards for the family.  Ok maybe they didn't have to be unique but that's how I craft. I prefer creating only one maybe two of something rather than multiples.  I suppose I will never have a craft show. Who cares - it's my enjoyment.

This latest card is a simple free standing pop-up card. The template is from SplitcoastStampers which is a must website for card makers.  All I did was change the size in order for the photo to fit. I then ran the base through my Cuttlebug and embossed using stylized flowers folder, a little ribbon, a tag, stamp a quick sentiment, and voila! Hope you like it - and if so checkout the directions...

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/freestandingpopupcard

Hope everyone enjoys the week and I hope to post a new project very soon!

SUNday

It was another rainy day in Georgia.  Reports are calling for for more rain and cold tomorrow - in the low 50s. I moved out of NJ to get away from the cold.  I can't wait for the warm weather.

Attached is another card I made tonight that will be going out to my brother in Chicago.  I copied it from the latest issue of PaperCraft which is quickly becoming my favorite idea book. See page 84 - designer Crystal Birr.  I'm waiting for the day that all these fabulous designers spark my personal creativity and grant me the gift of design. Until then - imitation will remain the sincerest form of flattery!

This card was made with Cuttlebug's Spots & Dots embossing folder, Stylized Dragonfly stamp from Rubber Stampede, and assorted cardstock.

I'm hoping this week will provide me with more free time to create some new cards.

Enjoy the week... until next time!

TwosDay

Good evening y'all!

The first thing you'll learn about me is I'm a night owl.  Don't get me wrong I wake up early but that's only because I have to get the boys ready for school.  If I had my druthers I would sleep until 10 or 11am and then slowly get the day going.  I usually go to bed rather late which means I average about 4-5 hrs of sleep per night.  But the night time is when I feel the most creative.  The kids, the dog, and my DH (dear husband for those not familiar with the acronyms) are all fast asleep.  The hours after 9pm are all mine and I cherish them.

Today I finished another card and this one is "lifted" off of Dawn Griffith's website. Dawn is a Stampin' Up demonstrator and has some wonderful card making videos on her website.  Check it out!!

I used vellum for the glass and dabbed it with mustard archival ink. The paper is DCWV "Sweets" and I used "Spots & Dots" folder in my Cuttlebug to emboss the green background.

http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/dawns_stampin_studio/

Have a great day!

Monday Monday

Work has been really busy so I haven't posted in awhile. Also, I've been playing around with the blog template.  Thanks to the kevinandamanda website for teaching me how to make my own background. I'm not sure it shows right on all computers though. I think the problem may be monitor resolution. I just bought a new computer with a fab 23" HD monitor.  The recommended resolution for me is 1920 x 1080.  However, when I view the blog on my kids' computers the posts look off.  I apologize if it looks bad on your monitor too.  If anyone knows how to correct this I'd love to hear about it.  I'll continue to play and hopefully fix it.

Ok - so for more cards.  I made more cards that hold 4x6 photos.  Spoiler alert to family - you're all getting a card in the mail with the attached photo.  I wanted it to be a surprise but oh well!!  The tree was made using my Cricut Expression and the Serenade cart. 

Hopefully  you're inspired to create your own cards and will give me a link so I can be inspired by your work. 

Til next time....

My First Blog

This is my very first blog and I'm learning on the fly how this whole "blogger" thing works. I enjoy reading other crafting blogs and thought why not me?? I've been crafting since I was a young girl living in NJ. My mom passed the craft gene on to me and I can't thank her enough.


The name of my blog comes from my first name - Hope. If anyone is inspired by my projects that would be a thrill. I consider myself to be a "jack of all trades and a master of none" when it comes to crafts. I crochet, knit, decorative paint, cross stitch, polymer clay, scrapbook, and recently card making. Perhaps you'll see a little of everything but who knows!


Below is a card I made over the weekend. I didn't take a picture of the inside but it holds a photo. I used my Cricut Expression "Serenade" cartridge for the trees and the pattern paper is from BoBunny.  This is not my own design - I "lifted" it from the latest issue of PaperCrafts.  Thank you to Heidi Sonboul who designed such a beautiful card for us to enjoy.


ENJOY!