Monday, November 2, 2009

Three Little Cupcakes.




I was thinking these would be a great Christmas gift for someone.  I mean who wouldn't love to get a box full of cupcake notecards.  These were so simple too.  I just used cut 3x3 notecards and added Basic Grey's Nook and Panty paper collection.  The cupcakes are just cut out of one of the sheets of paper.  The yellow ribbon is from my ribbon collection that I am selling on etsy right now. 

Also, sorry for the silence around here.  I was sooo busy last week AND was soooo not feeling good.  But everything is back to normal now.  Thanks for your patience and I hope everyone had a HAPPY HALLOWEEN. 

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Goodie Bag Giveaway

A Cherry On Top is giving away a free Halloween goodie bag with any oder of $25 or more, plus 25% of Halloween products.  Just wanted to pass along the good news.  Click here to start shopping



Merry & Bright Embossing.


Another non-traditional Christmas card.  I used American Crafts embossing powder in Leaf over this chocolate cardstock from Bazzill.  The rest of the supplies are from Stampin Up!  The Merry and Bright is from one of their Christmas Rub ons and the ribbon is Old Olive and the cardstock is Cream Naturals.  I think my embossing ink was getting a little dry because the powder just didn't stick all that well.  I have such a love/hate relationship with embossing.  I love the look but I hate that you can never get it looking perfect.  But I guess that just gives it character right?

Monday, October 26, 2009


Really simple card using embellishments that I found at Target.  They are from the Marcella K. line I think by K. & Co.  They are just so pretty and really dimensional.  Other supplies used are ribbon from Stampin Up!, and paper from K. & Co. Black and Ivory Fusion

Friday, October 23, 2009

Friday's Designer Tip

Making your own buttons. 

This is so simple and the result is sooo cute. 
First you need to get yourself some clear buttons. 


I used buttons from Stampin Up! here but I know 7 Gypsies also makes these in the same round and square design.  You are also going to need a glue that will dry clear.  I like this glue for three reasons.  1. It dries quickly 2. It dries clear 3. I like the two applicators.  It has a fine tip and a broad tip.  The broad tip allows you to get a really thin coat and that is just what you want here.  The thinner the better.



Pick out some cute paper and place button down. For all of these buttons I used K. & Co.'s Black and Ivory Fusion


Now wait for this to dry (or at least mostly dry)


Trim off the extra


And if you didn't wait for it to completely dry before you need to now.  I start by poking a hole from the front with a pin.  Then I recommend flipping the button over and putting the pin back through those holes and wiggling the pin around until you have holes big enough for ribbon to go thru. 


Here they are done.  They look equally as cute without the ribbon. 
Hope you enjoyed.  And here is a card I made using one of these buttons, it was for a tent topper challenge on Scrapbook.com


I used paper from Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses collection pack, Stampin Up! stamp set, ribbon, and clear button.  For the trees I used Versa Magic Chalk ink (becuase these were rubber stamps that ink works well here) and then added stickles silver glitter and perfect pearls in silver on top. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Home Sweet Home

I thought this would be a great card to give to someone who just bought there first home or just moved.



I used October Afternoon's Weathervane collection pack.  They have great packs because besides all the paper you get die cut and sheets of stickers.  The Home Sweet Home is a sticker from the kit.  The only things here that aren't October Afternoon are the ribbon and button.  Those are from Stampin Up!  The button is actually cordury and is adorable. You can use what ever circle cutter is easiest for you here I used the Coluzzle. 

Here is a funny story about circle cutters.  I used the EK Sucess circle cutter for the first time about a month ago and in an earlier post I mentioned that I hurt my wrist using it and had to wear a brace for a while.  Well, it never fully healed and the pain is getting worse and worse and I actually have an appointment today with an Orthrapedic Dr. to take a look at it.  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?  All because of a darn circle cutter.  The things we do for papercrafting. 

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Baby Love.


Just a really simple card perfect for a baby shower or birth gift.  I love this new (well, new to me because I just bought it but it has been out for awhile) Fiskars scallop heart punch (its really called my funny valentine.)  I used October Afternoon's Ducks In A Row paper, Tim Holtz's Trinket Pins, and Stampin Up! taffeta ribbon.  I also rubbed Paper Trey Ink's Vintage Cream pigment ink on the edges and then rounded the corners with the Corner Chomper. 

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Uh Oh...


All I did was run downstairs for a minute and this is what happened.  When he starts walking I am in trouble.

Christmas Journal Progress...Done.

\
I put a journaling card on the inside cover.  This journal piece is from Art Warehouse.


Nothing new here...


Or here...


I found this cute little envelope from Making Memories Christmas Vintage Findings and put this Santa's List journaling sheet inside of it.  Santa's List is from Making Memories Mistletoe jouraling pad.



I also put this other journaling cards in the enevelope as well.  They  are from Elle's Studio.  I thought the cookies and milk one would be a good place to write all the cookies we bake this year. 


This is the other side of the envelope.  I also added a Tim Holtz's Philosophy Tag (this one says believe)  to the corner of the opposite page.


I added another page which will be the last page in this album.  The journal piece if from Elle's Studio and the metal number tags are from 7 Gypsies.  The paper is Bo Bunny and SEI Christmas Mint




This is the otherside of that page.  I am not sure if you can read it but the Journal tag read 'Santa Was Here'.  I envision a picture of all the presents unwrapped and a picture of the huge mess that happens here. 
So thats it.  It is done for now.  I will post this journal after the holidays are over and this book is filled with memories. 

Friday, October 16, 2009

Friday's Designer Tip

So this is just going to be a really quick tip to fix a problem that I run into very often. 

I am going to show you a really quick fix for when your cutting blade was dull and frayed your paper.  Sometimes you don't have another blade and sometimes you just don't want to cut another piece of paper, so here is what I do.

Well, actually first here is a picture of the problem.



The solution to this is simple and you have a couple of options.  1. Sandpaper 2. Nail file 3. Basic Grey's Presicion Filing Set.  I used the 3rd option here but really and of these work.



It takes a few seconds and fixes a big problem.  Here is a picture from the side of the paper after I sanded the edges down and you can see how clean the edge is now. 



Hope that helps. I will leave you with a card...
Just recently I posted that I love traditional Christmas designs.  Well, I must be going crazy because I just made this card and it is about as untraditional as it could get.  Oh Well, I still like though.


The supplies I used here are Kraft paper, Thickers from American Crafts, the little elf is from Die Cuts With a View. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Zing Embossing Powder A+


I have really wanted to try out American Crafts new embossing powder called Zing.  The results were surprising, this powder is awsome.  I have used glittery embossing powder before and its tends to be really scratchy and more glitter than the color and I never was a fan of it.  This stuff though is like the perfect ratio of color to glitter.  Its just great.  I will be trying out more of these colors.  You can get this embossing powder which is called Silver Glitter here.




Here is an up close view of the embossing.  The other supplies that I used were circle tag from Little Yellow Bicycle, border stickers from Reminisce, ribbon from Stampin Up!, and Ho Ho Ho stamp is from Hampton Art which I found at Archiver's but I don't see it online anywhere.  I also rounded the corners with my fav. tool the Corner Chomper. 

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Noel.


OK, so this is definately a card that doesn't photograph well.  It is sooo much prettier in real life.  But hopefully you will get the drift.  I used Hero Arts Acetate Cards (I have really been in a acetate mood lately) and put this spectacular paper by Reminisce inside.  Its one of the prettiest paper I have ever seen.  Then on the outside of the acetate I used Little Yellow Bicycle's 25 Days Of Christmas Favorite Things Clear Stickers.    The ribbon is my own which you can purchase soon from my Etsy shop (I will be added a Holiday collection shortly), and the button is from Jenni Bowlin




Just trying to give you a better view of this paper, its just beautiful. 

Goodies...

I just recieved this in the mail today (along with maybe one or two other things :)  It is just sooo cute I had to share it. 


Its from Maya Road and it is their Canvas Pocket Binder Book. It is a chipboard book with the cover in canvas and then it has to canvas envelopes with a snap closure and then plain chipboard pages.  I just love it.  I am not sure what I am going to do with it yet.  Possibly thinking of making a 1st Birthday book for my son Ethan (who turns 1 in 3 weeks).   Its actually available on Two Peas In a Bucket right (don't know how long as new exciting stuff sells out quick, so get one now if you like it.)  Oh by the way its ONLY $8!

Monday, October 12, 2009

A Christmas Planner

Yes, its that time and I am an early shopper.  I like to be done before December even starts.  I can't stand how crowded everything gets in December. I also do a lot of my shopping online so its important for me to keep lists of everthing that I ordered.  Its easy to forget what you bought online. 
 So its time for me to start planning and getting organized. 


Every year I buy a Christmas Planner to make gift and card lists, write menus, and keep decorating ideas.  This year I decided to make my own.  I made the actual book out of Tim Holtz's Grungeboard.  I like that it is flexible and there for more durable than regular chipboard.  I rounded the corners with the We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper (a perfect example of why that tool is a must have on my list) and decorated the whole book with Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses Paper Kit. The ribbon and the silver cord are both from Stampin Up!


I used Making Memories Slice Ledger Paper to create perfect pages to keep lists on. 

These chipboard Letters are from Basic Grey and the little candies and ribbons are also from Basic Grey but from there Eskimo Kisses Rub ons.

Here is another picture of the Slice Ledger Paper. 

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Ribbon

I have started an ribbon Etsy store.  I have been on the lookout for high quality grosgrain and satin ribbons and I have not been able to find what I was looking for.  Some specialty stores sell it by the yard (a pain) and bigger discount stores sell spools but usually they aren't as good of quality. So, I thought I would start selling the kind of ribbon  I have been looking for because maybe you have been on the same search. 

Please check out my Etsy store.  And there will be more to come. 
 http://www.kristenspyker.etsy.com/

Merry & Bright



Here is just a really simple card I made using products from a bunch of different lines.  The Kraft paper is from Stampin Up!.  The Patterend paper is Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses, the twine is from May Arts, the clear heart is from Fancy Pants, the Merry and Bright stamp is from Elle's Studio, and the round chipboard pieces are from Die Cuts With a View. 

Friday, October 9, 2009

Friday's Designer Tips

Must Have Tools.
 I mean, these tools will really make your crafting life so much easier.  Trust me these tools are a must have. 


1. The Zero Centering Ruler by Deja View






This is a clear flexible ruler that easily allows you center things on your project perfectly.  Its funny becuase I used to just eyeball things and now I eyeball and then lay this ruler down to see how close I was to being perfect center and its just funny.  Sometimes I am 1/2 inch off.  I believe EK Success makes one of these rulers as well. 

2. We R Memory Keepers Self Healing Magnetic Craft Mat





















If you don't have a self healing mat you HAVE to get one.  They are expensive but totally worth it.  You can run a craft knife over this and it self heals, very cool.  They also wipe up easily and you have a built in ruler and grid on the bottom and the sides.  What is so special about this one in particular is that on top of all that it is also magnetic.  Which means you can take the little magnet posts that come with this and secure your project down.  It is a lot easier doing various techniques if you project is not moving around.  Also, this ruler is a magnet so you can put it down and then cut with your craft knife without having to try to keep the ruler in place with one hand and then cut with the other.  One other point about this mat in particular vs. Basic Grey Presicion Mat (also magnetic) is that I love the fact that this is purple.  Not because I like purple but in fact because it is one of my least used colors.  I have other mats that are black and when you are working with a project that is black/dark brown or really any other darker color it can be harder to see where the project begins and ends. 

3. We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper













I know you are probably thinking why do I need another corner rounder.  Well, I will tell you.  First, in my experience most corner rounders do not make a perfectly round corner, this one does.  On top of that is has a wide corner rounder on one side and a narrower corner rounder on the other.  It also catches all the little pieces of paper and then you can dump them out when its full.  But, most importantly, it goes through multiple pieces of paper at once and will also chipboard, grungeboard, fabric, thin metal ect... I have used this tool often to round that edges of a chipboard book. 

4. Cutter Bee Paper Snipes




















These are the very sharpest you can get.  I also use Stampin Up! paper snipes but even they are not as sharp as these.  These truly are the best and at around $10 they are a great deal. 


5. The Coluzzle by Provo Craft (The easiest Circle Cutting System out there).























I don't know about you but I have a heck of a time with circle cutters.  I actually sprained my wrist using the EK Success circle cutting system, and had to wear a brace for two weeks.  I also just recently bought the We R Memory Keepers Crafters tool kit which comes with the magnetic mat and a compass that cuts circles and  it didn't work for me at all.  The compass kept slipping and it was a disaster.  I have tried various others but sometimes the simplest method is just the best.  The coluzzle is so simple and comes in round, oval, square, and other shapes.  You just lay the template down and trace with a special swivel blade and it is sooo much cheaper than all the other fancier systems.  For some reason it is hard to find the round and oval coluzzles so check out http://www.ebay.com/ or http://www.stampinup.com/

6. The Big Shot by Sizzix



















So, I know that a lot of people have the electronic die cutting machines (as do I) but let me tell you, this machine is sooo easy and sometimes I don't want to deal with test cuts, photoshop elements, and blade length ect...
You can also use virtually any dies/embossing folders/sizzlits/big dies/texture plates ect... It works with them all.  And all you have to do is turn a crank. 

7.  Heat It Craft Tool by Ranger















If there was ever a tool I didn't think I needed it was this.  I though, geez I already have a Stampin Up! Heat gun why would I ever need this.  Well, I can tell you, I used this once and then put away my other heat gun forever.  This doesn't blow air like the traditional heat gun it just gets really hot and that hot air is emitted but not by the gust of wind that the other heat guns give off.  The benefit to this is the darn embossing powder isn't blown off the page anymore.  I didn't even know how much better embossing could look until I gave in and purchased this tool.  PLEASE trust me on this one. 

***Also, another embossing tip  DO NOT use Versa mark as an embossing pad, yes it does work but not that great.  It is more of a watermark pad.  Buy a pad that was specifically designed for embossing such as Top Boss, they are much thicker and stickier and will also help hold the embossing powder in place.

And I will leave you with a card...




I used two American Crafts stamp sets small sentiments and large sentiments.  How I got this 'watercolor' look was by using regular dye inks on clear stamps.  This is a good example of why you should use waterproof dye inks if you want a sharp crisp image.  For this card I wanted a soft imperfect look.  I used various Stampin Up! inks.  The ribbon and the square punch are also from Stampin Up!

Have a Great Weekend.