by kchowanec | Mar 11, 2012 | Cards, Projects, Stamping
Whew….what a week! I had so many good intensions this week only to have them sidetracked by a lovely illness that took over our house. I was busy working on my Stampin’ Up! Regional swaps for the Milwaukee Regional that was held yesterday and it literally took me all week to make 50 swaps! I guess that’s what happens when you have to work on your swaps in between taking care of sick kids. 🙂
The swap I decided on used the Mixed Bunch stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I LOVE it when Stampin’ Up! releases a stamp set and a coordinating punch! It makes my life so much easier. I know I would have never chosen to hand cut all of these pretty flowers on my own. You might notice the edges of the flowers are in inked Soft Suede. I achieved that look by doing the “rock and roll” technique on each flower. All you have to do is stamp your flower in a lighter shade (in this case I used Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, and Poppy Parade) and then roll the edges of the stamp in a darker color. It creates this beautiful two toned effect on each of the flowers! I just love it. The paper on this card is the Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper, also from the Occasions Mini.
While I was working on my cards I whipped up a few of these cute little sour cream containers, filled with chocolate of course, for my downline gals!
Very easy to make with a piece of card stock that is 4 1/4 by 5 1/2. Then sealed on each end and on the side with sticky strip and crimped with the Crimper Tool. I added some of the Mixed Bunch flowers to the from of these as well and tied them with the Soft Suede Bakers Twine.
Here is a close-up of one of them.
These would make adorable gifts for baby showers, birthdays, just about anything! You can make them with any size of paper or DSP as well.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed my card and little gift ideas! Kristin
by kchowanec | Jan 31, 2012 | Projects
Isn’t this the cutest pin cushion?! I came across the pattern to make this pin cushion and I knew right away that I had to use my new Twitterpated Fabric from the 2012 Occassions Mini Catalog. I have been on an organizational kick lately. I actually love organization, but I’m not always very good at keeping things really organized. For the base of my pin cushion I used half-pint canning jars that can be found just about anywhere.
So, not only is this a cute and functional pin cushion it is also has a great jar that can be filled with just about any little thing. I had a bag of random buttons that needed a good home so I filled mine with buttons. I thought of quite a few things that I could fill these little jars with (q-tips, buttons, pins, ribbon, bobbins). I think I’m going to go and make a few more!
Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you enjoyed my little organizational DIY project.
Kristin
by kchowanec | Dec 22, 2011 | Projects, Stamping
Hello!! What a fun time of year! I love watching my kiddos get so excited in anticipation of the BIG day to arrive! My oldest is doing his own little countdown and he reminds me every morning how many days until Christmas. I always like to make cookies and treats for the holidays and this year I decided to have the boys help me make treats to share with their teachers. I love giving little handmade treats and gifts! This year we decided to make white chocolate dipped pretzel rods. I was trying to think of a cute way to package them up and this is what I came up with.
I put three or four pretzel rods into a large cello bag and tied it with some retired ribbon. The tag was made using the Two Tags Bigz Die and my Big Shot. I added a cute little punch art of a reindeer using the Owl Punch and a cute little saying as well.
Here is a close-up of the tag so you can read the cute little saying: “Thanks for making my future bright!”. I love the red nose made with the Red Glimmer Paper! I really think presentation can take a gift from nice to great!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Kristin
by kchowanec | Dec 17, 2011 | Projects, Tutorials
I am so excited to share with you this easy idea for making easy Christmas ornaments using your Scallop Square Stampin’ Up! Bigz Die! I decided to make this a picture tutorial for you so that you too can make these beautiful ornaments.
To get started you will need the following items: two squares cut out using the Scallop Square Die (I used the beautiful Deck The Halls fabric from Stampin’ Up!), poly-fil, Taffeta Ribbon in Crumb Cake, Antique Brads, and a sewing machine.
You are going to start by putting your two squares wrong sides together and sew around the edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. You will need to leave a opening on one of the edges for stuffing your ornament with poly-fil. Before you sew it you will also need to tuck a 5 inch piece of tafetta ribbon folded in half into one of the corners. This will be the hanger for the ornament.
Now you can fill your ornament with the poly-fil. Make sure you get the poly-fil all the way down into the corners of the ornament so that it is nice and full.
Now take it back over to your sewing machine and sew the opening closed. I started a little before the opening and went past it a little bit as well, making sure that I completely closed it.
The bow on the front is so simple and creates a perfect bow every time! Cut a piece of tafetta ribbon about 8 inches long. Evenly cross the ribbon leaving loops on both sides. Next take one of your antique brads with the prongs open and close it around the center of your ribbon. You will now have a perfect looking bow! To place it into your ornament simply press the prongs of the brad into the center of the ornament. By feeling through the back of the fabric I then opened the prongs so that they were open inside of the ornament and unable to be pulled back out.
Your final product will be this stunning ornament! What a perfect little gift for teachers, babysitters, friends, or to tie on the front of one of your packages! I have made several of these and they literally take about 10 minutes start to finish! I hope that you enjoyed my first tutorial and that you enjoying making these ornaments for your loved ones!
Kristin
by kchowanec | Mar 10, 2008 | Cards, Projects, Tutorials
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Click on the More link to see how to make this card!
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by kchowanec | Mar 2, 2008 | Cards, Projects, Tutorials
Okay so I thought I’d try something new on my website and offer step by step instructions on how to complete some of the cards that I make. The idea came from many customers that would like to make the cards they see on here but are not sure of the dimensions. So here is the first one.
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Click on Read More link to see how this card was made!
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