Cardz TV Stamps Brew Ha Ha

Hello my crafty friends! It's been a crazy few weeks for me, some good and some bad. I injured my back and was out of commission for awhile. I managed to get barely mobile in time to go to a three day stamping conference. Even though I was in pain it was so worth it as I spent one day in the company of the most amazing guy (aka Tim Holtz).  Learning from the "master" was the most amazing experience. I've got all kinds of creative ideas in my head now.

Luckily, I had this project for the Cardz TV Stamps Gallery made before I had my back issue. Hubby and I are in Michigan now visiting with family and friends. One of my aunts is going to have a birthday soon and she's a coffee lover so I wanted to give her a gift card to her favorite coffee shop and wanted a nice way to present it to her. I used a metal die from My Creative time to cut the gift card holder and the little to-go coffee cup. I used the Cardz TV Stamp set Brew Ha Ha. This is the perfect stamp set to use for coffee or tea themed cards.

The Cutting Cafe-Graduation Money Envelope

It's time for another Design Team project for The Cutting Cafe. My oldest grandson graduated this year. In fact, as you read this we are in Michigan visiting family and we will be attending his graduation party while we are there. I used the WORD GIFT CARD AND MONEY HOLDERS TEMPLATES AND CUTTING FILE to make these money holders. I used the SVG file and my Silhouette to cut them. The grad hats and diplomas were cut with my Cricut Lite Recess cartridge. I decided to make two of the holders as long as I had my cutting machines out. I will save the other one for my other grandson who will be the next graduate. I just have to put it somewhere that I won't forget. Do you ever do that? It is amazing to me how I can lose things in my tiny 500 sq. ft. home. There aren't that many places to put things, but yet it happens.

Cardz TV Gallery Christmas in July

I'm very excited to share my project today. Why, you ask! Because I'm so darn proud of myself for already deciding what my little goodie bags will have in them for this year's Christmas holiday gift for my friends and neighbors. This adorable little snowman is made from powder sugar coated mini donuts. I stacked three of them together attaching with toothpicks. To make his little top hat I punched a two inch circle from black cardstock and cut a strip of paper 2x5. I cut slits in the strip at the bottom about 1/8" long and spaced every 1/4 ". Then I scored along the slits. I attached the two edges of the strip together to form a tube then folded the slits to the inside. I put glue along the bottom of the slits to attach the tube to the circle base to make a top hat. To keep the hat in place I added a couple toothpicks to the inside of the hat and through the top donut. That way it couldn't slip off after I put it into the cellophane bag. I purchased the bags in the cake decorating section at Walmart. I cut a piece of chipboard and covered it with paper to put in the bottom of the bag to sit the snowman on. Before putting the snowman inside I cut a piece of red ribbon to put around his neck and added brads for his nose, eyes and buttons down the front. Lastly, I broke a small pretzel stick in half and added to each side for the snowman's arms. I folded down the top of the bag and stapled it shut then added a doily folded in half for a bag topper. To finish the gift off I added a small bow and scalloped circle both cut from My Creative Time dies. I added my sentiment from the Cardz TV Stamp set SNOW DAY to the circle and attached it with a couple glue dots. I know my friends are going to think these are so cute. Thanks so much for stopping by today. You can purchase Cardz TV Stamps HERE.

The Cutting Cafe Christmas in July

Holy cow! I can't believe it's July and I can't believe we're talking about Christmas. I must say, I have a difficult time thinking about Christmas when it's 95 to 100 degrees every day here in Florida. Today I have some Christmas tags to share with you for The Cutting Cafe. I used the Christmas Mini Colored Set Printable Stamps and the Christmas Circles Set 2. I printed out each of the sets and then fussy cut the colored images to put inside the centers of the circle sentiments. The tags were die cut with metal dies as was the rick rack trim. I added some red and white twine for adding the tags to packages. Now I hope you don't expect me to have those packages already in July, too. I hope you'll join the rest of the design team at The Cutting Cafe Blog on July 7th to see some more Christmas projects. Thanks for stopping by.

4th of July with Paper Sweeties

This 4th of July holiday I have a special post. As we (in the States) celebrate the freedom of our nation, I like to reflect on how our freedoms are protected by all the special men and women serving their country in the armed forces. My son is a U.S. Marine currently on deployment. The card I'm featuring today was made to welcome him home. We are hoping his return is imminent. Being the mom of a deployed serviceman is way harder than I thought it would be. In this day and age we take for granted being able to pick up the phone, or use the internet and social media to keep in touch with our loved ones. When a soldier is deployed, it's not so easy to stay in touch and that is the hardest part as a mom. We may not have talked often when he was state side, but we knew that we could. The few emails we've gotten to let us know that he was okay are like gold to me. I've saved them all and go back and read them often, because that's all I can do. It will be a happy day when he sets foot on the shores of the U. S. again.

I recently attended Stampfest in Lakeland, FL and found a couple new clear stamp companies. One of my favorites is Paper Sweeties. I knew as soon as I saw this stamp set with this Marine from Paper Sweeties I had to have it. This is Jake, he comes with a stamp and die. The Marine uniform and sentiment are from the Paper Sweeties set You're my Hero. I stamped the uniform and colored it with Copics then fussy cut it and layered it onto Jake's body. I added some Glossy Accents to his shoes and hat brim so they would look like patent leather (just like the real uniform). I decided to enter the current challenge at the Paper Sweeties Blog with a red, white and blue theme and the photo inspiration below.

I hope you'll take the time to visit Paper Sweeties and check out their products in their online store. I can vouch for their quality. The stamps come out clean and crisp when you stamp them and they have so many cute, adorable sets. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner and illustrator and talk about a sweetie. I know I'll be getting more of her products. (As soon as my budget recuperates). I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday making memories with family and friends.