Feeling Kind of Corky?

I had this idea for quiet some time and decided that a Valentine teacher gift would be the perfect time to create it. I used cork board...bought from Walmart in the office supply department (around $5 for five 12 x 12sheets)...thumb tacks, buttons, red tacky tape, bottle cap, clear circle stickers, punch, dp paper, black stazon to stamp my image from MFT, and ribbon. I stamped my image in the corner...*side note* its a really good idea to practice stamping your image on a spare piece of cork board, then added the red tacky tape to my buttons and stuck on the thumb tacks. I punched out my circles for my bottle caps which were purchased at StampAntonio...but you can just ask the hubby to save some tops when he pops a top again...I did have some clear circle stickers that I put on the paper to give it a nice finish. Next I tied my ribbon on the frame and assembled. It was a very easy project to do. The hardest part of this whole project was getting the cork board to sit in the type of frame I had bought.

Coaster Calendar

Ever in a jam and need a quick gift? Well I was and here is what I came up with...

You need a package of coasters. These were from the Dollar Tree...can we say bargain! Or if you want you can "borrow" with the intent of never returning them from your local eatery. :o)

Then I used mod podge. I find this is easier and holds the paper on to the coaster better than double sided tape or tape runner.

Add paper. I also like to use my brayer to make sure I get all the air bubbles out and to make sure it is on good!

I trimed the edges of the coaster with my craft knife. Then I used my cuttlebug and dies and cut out my paper. I used nestabilities. Then before I stamped my image I used a white eraser and erased the stamp. I have never used this stamp and I find that if I do this first on brand new clear stamps, I get a very clean image when I stamp it.

Then I stamped. What is that orangish thing? It is a piece of foam paper. You know that foam craft paper in the kids section of the craft store (Hobby Lobby). I find that it helps me achieve a better image. They sell other items similiar to this but cost a lot more. This is just my ecomical solution.

I then sponge my edges.

I use my crop-o-dile to punch holes and add the clasps. I also put my blank months inside. Those were just printed on the computer (lines and months) and then cut pasted and punched out my months. I added some brads. Then I adhere the stamped image and ribbon to the coasters using red tacky tape (double sided tape) and tied a bow.

Here is the inside.

This was a fun quick project to make and I hope my friend likes it as much as I do!

A Tribute To Rocs--We will miss you!!!

We lost a member of our family on Thursday the 8th of January. Our hearts break and we are filled with sadness. Our beloved rottweiler, Rocs has passed away. She was one of a kind! She was the best dog anyone could ever ask for. Rocs was great with the kids, never knew a stranger, friendly, compassionate, loving, protective, and nurturing! Rocs was my friend, my baby, and my protector. If the kids went outside to play she would too. She would sit under the tree and watch them, looking over them, keeping them safe. She was always looking out for us. I remember one night when my husband was coming home late from flying and she almost took him down in the hallway. There was no way she was going to let someone hurt her family. She always let the kids play all over her and loved every moment of it. I will miss seeing you when I come down for coffee, I will miss you rubbing your mouth on me after you get water, I will miss your barking at the squirels, I will miss our walks, I will miss your love you showed me, I will miss YOU!!! I know she is in heaven looking down on us now and free from pain. We love you Rocs!!! You will forever be in our hearts!!! Till we meet again....

That's a Match!

Happy New Year!

Good bye 2008, hello 2009!! Where did the time go? It seem like the year flew by way to fast! 2008 was a great year. Many memories were made, friendships were started and life was great. I have made some new year resolutions...but they are to cherish each day, play a little longer, hug a little tighter, smell more roses, and to live each day to the fullest!

Well to start off the year I decided play a little more...with some stamps and my favorite little three year old!! I made my little Abbers a match game. I loved this game when I was little so I knew she would too. You see we are two peas in a pod! She loves playing games, puzzles, coloring...she's 3 she loves everything! I used some stamps that I got from Clear Dollar Stamps. They have some really cute stamps there. I highly recommend you visit their website...http://www.newcleardollarstamps.com/servlet/StoreFront I used also a little box that I got from Oriental Trading a while back...not sure when I got it, but I've seen a few like it recently on their website too. Then I used my copic sketch markers to color the images that were stamped in stazon. I cut them out and sponged the edges, then layered on black cardstock. I had some lament paper and decided that would probably increase the life of the cards. My little Abbers has a tendency to have sticky hands 80% of the day! But I think most 3 year olds do too! :o) Then after making sure everything was all stuck down good I cut those out too. We have already played a few games. She was very patient while I was making it, so I figured why not play a few dozen games...the laundry could wait!

My Husband ROCKS!!!

I've had this problem lately, well I didn't consider it a problem but I guess others did. I was unorganized!!! My crafts were everywhere, hidden away in drawers, packed tightly in boxes, all over my desk, under my desk, around my desk, across from my desk, it was just a mess!!! Plus I had that other problem....I would buy something I already had because, well I couldn't find it. (blushes) So a few long hours and some quizzical questions...like why are you keeping an old soup can? Is this trash? Why are you keeping this? My craft area in my bedroom was organized!! And yes my craft area is in my bedroom and I was known for putting things on the bed as I tried to organize things, which made it difficult for sleeping. But now it is perfect!!! I can find everything, see everything and NOW I can get to crafting!!! I am so excited!!! My hubby did such a wonderful job!!!

Primary Doodle

Doodle This, Doodle That...Doodle all the Day!!



I love my Doodle Factory stamps!!! They are such cute, fun, and unique stamps! They could possibly be my favorite stamps, okay they are my favorite stamps!!!



Well over at Starving Artist they are having a challenge...to make a Swedish square card. What is a Swedish card? Well it's square, lots of color, lots of pattern papers, the use of chipboard, staples, and buttons or all of the above! These are really fun cards to make and look at. So here is my entry....



I call it my Primary Doodle! I used buttons and chipboard. I took my chipboard frame and stamped my glue on and then sprinkled with black glitter. I loved the bold primary pattern paper and of course I used Doodle Factory stamps.










If you would like to enter the challenge go on over to... http://starvingartistampsgallery.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-09-19T07%3A52%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7

Even if you don't want to enter the challenge stop on over anyways, and browse through the gallery!

Twice in one day, oh my!!!

I know what your thinking...twice in one day...what has the world come to...not to worry your precious head I will still post at least once next week. I know you are relieved now...ahhhh breath in, now don't you feel better! I do. I hope you were doing the breathing exercises.......:o).

Well I wanted to show my little gift sets. These have been works in progress for a little while. I would work on them and then put them away because things would come up. This first one is my berry set. I have this wonderful stamp set from Papertrey Inc. called My Punny Valentine. It is just the cutest! Well I've been thinking of this idea for a while and finally got around to making my vision into a reality. In the gift set I made 4 cards with 6 envelopes (you never know when you just might mess up an addy), a little note pad, a magnetic clip an a little strawberry just because. I had saved a plastic strawberry container to put it all in.

The next set I had gotten a wooden box with handles. I painted it and then applies paper to the outside. I had used some stamps from Stampin Up and Close To My Heart as well. I made 6 little 'thank you' cards and envelopes to match. I think it turned out really cute!