A Sneak Peek and a Birthday Gift!!

I just finished and mailed out some swap cards today! This card was inspired by a card I saw by Mercedes Weber. I was supposed to used the Mixed Bunch set, but I also wanted to use some of the fun new accessories that are going to be in our upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog!

Here's a close-up of the flower that is punched on the two outside layers (with the new Blossom Punch), and then hand-cut on the two inner layers. I used Poppy Parade ink on Calypso Coral card stock to make it pop a little (more than Calypso ink on Calypso card stock). - And the super cool brad in the center is a Sneak Peek from the Sale-A-Bration goods that will be available in late January!

Here you can see the new Adorning Accents Embossing Folder (it made the cool embossed wavy line along the bottom), and the Adorning Accents Edgelit die (that made the coordinating cut on the Designer Paper to go with the embossed line). - I love all this new coordinating stuff!! And the saying is from one of my favorite sets - Petite Pairs!




And here's a special gift I got a couple weeks ago...

A couple weeks ago it was my birthday - and this was a gift from my son! He's taking Ceramics in high school this year. He's brought home a few projects he's made - a pinch pot and a soap dish, a square lidded container. All really nice projects for a guy that I don't consider that artsy!! But then he brought home this plate for me - and I was a little blown away! The detail... the paint color is awesome... It looks like a whole different level of Ceramics from him!

Here's a closer look at the detail of one of the angels, and the details around it. Pretty cool, huh? So when I asked him how he did it - he said that he sort of stamped it! :) He laid it over a plate that had that impression on it and pressed it down to pick up the image - trimmed the edges and pulled it off. Then it was heated (however they do in Ceramics - I never have done it!), and he painted it. I Love it - and an artist in the making! :)


Thanks for stopping by,



Julie

A Super Sweet Valentine Gift!

Your Valentine will know they are loved when you give them this pretty window box filled with cookies along with the matching card! This project is versatile enough to use for any holiday or occasion – just change the colors and stamps that you use!

This super sweet project was made by Lynn Weiss, and you can get the tutorial for her project over at Craft Project Central!

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie

A Cute Little Valentines Project!

2012 is just a few days away, and soon you’ll be thinking of cute things to make your Valentines! Your Valentine will feel extra special when you dress up fancy candy in these cute mini circle boxes and pair them with the coordinating card. The boxes are so quick and easy to make and every piece of candy is its own little gift! The Ferrero Rocher candy is a great choice for Valentine’s Day, but if you want something for your younger Valentines, try stacking mini peanut butter cups in the boxes!


This project was made by Julie Edmonds, and you can get more info on the tutorial for it over at Craft Project Central.


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

A Christmas Gift to You!

Lattice Box & Note Cards – Gift Tutorial!

Here is a little gift for you on this special Christmas day! You can click on the project title above for a FREE tutorial from Craft Project Central!

With wishes of abundance, happiness, and peace in a new year filled with hope!!

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas from Jacque and the Craft Project Central designers!

Merry Christmas,

Julie

Merry Christmas to One and All!

Here's the Christmas card I made to send out this year. It looked pretty simple after making the first one, but after 60 of them I realized that it had a lot more parts than I realized!!

And I kind of went for a non-traditional color scheme. It was all based on the colors of our shirts in the photo I wanted to put inside the card.

And here's the inside. And notice Jessie's top, it IS Rich Razzleberry! Well, at least it WAS Rich Razzleberry, on my camera, and on my iPhoto!! So after I planned everything around Rich Razzleberry, and then got the pictures printed, I was a little bummed that some of the colors on the pictures came out so dark! But, oh well, I still like the Rich Razzleberry!


I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas!!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Another Cute Project!

Are you in need of some last minute (quick and easy) gifts for your crafty friends, neighbors, co-workers, teachers, etc.? Here is a great project that shows you how to take an inexpensive index card box and turn it into a gift of note cards and envelopes. Includes a selection of sentiments that can be adhered to the note cards later as needed.

This cute project was made by Regina Andari, and you can get the instructions for her project over at Craft Project Central!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

A December Bonus Project!

Here is the December bonus project from Craft Project Central and it’s a pretty one! Here in California it's been cold and sunny, but if you live in an area that is getting some storms this week, hopefully this project will give you a little sunshine! Project includes a box with a unique folding top and three bright and happy cards! Great to make as gifts!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Those Last-Minute Gifts...

It's that last-minute time of year! So, today I finally finished up my Christmas shopping. And last night I helped my daughter 'wrap' some of the gift cards she is giving. So I made some quick little 'folder type' cards to put the gift cards in. I made some like these a long time ago, but they are still a fun and easy way to wrap up a gift card.

The gift tag is dimensionaled to the ribbon tied around the card, and then it just slips off to open it. - Easier than untying and re-tying the knot!

And here's the cool part - the inside little pocket for the gift card. You just slide the gift card in! It's made with a 4 1/4" x 11" piece of card stock. Then I score that at 3 1/4", 5 1/2" and 7 3/4". Then at the middle section, with it folded in half, you punch the word window along the folded edge. And then in the center you punch the 1" circle punch. You stick down the center section with Sticky Strip on the edges - and it just becomes the little pocket in the center of a small card. THen decorate the front however you like! Super Easy!!

And, No, she didn't give them the $100 Stampin' Up! card ;) That was mine, just for the picture! And, Yes, I already used the $100 on it!!


Hope you're all ready for the upcoming holidays!!


Thanks for stopping by,



Julie

And the Stockings were hung...

I made this card a while back for a swap I was in! It uses the Stocking Builder punch, that will be gone after the Holiday Mini Catalog ends! :( Stampin' Up! has said that they won't be carrying it over. I love that punch! I thought it was cute for a baby bootie in this card I made too.


Anyway, not sure if you can see, but I tried to make the background of this card look like a brick fireplace. I used the Simply Scored and scored at every 1/2" from the top to bottom; and then at every inch from side to side (and I alternated on every other row). I also sponged it with Basic Gray to get the lines to pop a little bit.


Then I added the saying from the Four the Holidays set. I stamped it onto a banner piece from the Petal Cone die.


Oh, and yep, that is Red Glimmer Paper that I punched the stockings from!! Love that sparkle!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Christmas Busy-ness and a Double Post!

Every year I think I do this procrastination thing with Christmas - I guess it's just the way it works for me! So, as I'm still workin' away on finishing my Christmas cards that need to be mailed out, I keep re-prioritizing my to-do list for all the other things that need to be done before Christmas too!

So I put together this card this morning. It's going out across the country to my nephew - so I figured I better get it out today. I had a different plan for what it was going to be, but then I found a left-over piece from a project I made last week. So I decided to use it!

He was all stamped, colored, punched and layered - so he got to be part of the card! Then I just added the base of the card - Done and ready to go!!

And here's another project that has been posted today on Craft Project Central! It was made by Glenda Calkins. And if you go to her website you can see what she made to go inside it - a cute and practical gift idea! If you want the directions, you can subscribe to December over at Craft Project Central.


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Vintage Ornament Gift Set

This vintage inspired ornament is a perfect gift for a teacher, co-worker, or friend! Project includes instructions for the pretty vintage ornament, a keepsake box for it, and a matching card! This awesome set was made by Heidi King, and you can get more information on it over at Craft Project Central.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie

A Way Cool Stacked Snowman

Here's yet another project from Craft Project Central for this month. It's an awesome array this month - and more to come...

This adorable snowman gift box tower is the perfect way to shower someone special with gifts! Finished as shown this box is over 16 inches tall! Make just one hexagon box, a stack of three, or make it into a tall stack of four boxes and decorate it like a snowman!

You can see more and find out how to subscribe by clicking here.


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Tag with A Little Something!

I found these super cute little Lindor Truffle packages, and thought they'd be a cute quick gift for some of my co-workers. They're definitely just a "little something," but they're so cute. The package has 3 truffles in it, and they were just $1. I have to admit (cause I'm sure you want to know) that I got them at Walmart. I'm usually a Target shopper, but they do have some good things at Walmart. I just know when to go there - only first thing in the AM, before work, and only on a weekday. Otherwise, I just don't do Walmart :) Not to be snobby, it's just a little crazy during the day - and slow annoying lines to get out!

So, anyway, I didn't want to do too much to them. I will be making a few of them so I wanted to keep it simple!

So I made a tag with the Two Tags die, and added some "details!" I used the Scallop Circle punch and Red Glimmer Paper, then I used the 1 3/8" circle punch with a stamp from the Pines and Poinsettias set. I love that little image! And I was going to use a to/from stamp on the tag, but then I found this Christmas stamp in the Delightful Dozen set - luuuuvv it!! And love how it fits on the tag! - Not much room to put a 'to and from' now, but that's ok - it'll be a quick 'from Julie B!'

And my favorite part - the little clothespin with the bow to hold it together! (and we'll see how many little bows I can get done?!) - Love those clothespins, and it was 'needed' to hold the tag on - Perfect!


Well, I better get busy making some more tags!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

A Sweet Gingerbread Treat Set!

Here is a special way to give someone special something sweet! This gingerbread style treat box holds up to 10 Ghirardelli chocolate squares perfectly, or other treats and trinkets. This project is so quick and easy to make that you’ll want to make it for everyone! Great idea for teacher gifts, secret Santa and stocking stuffers.

This super cute card and project was made by Kim Score, and you get more info on the tutorial to make over at Craft Project Central - HERE!


Happy Saturday, and thanks for stopping by,


Julie

A Treat that's Snow Much Fun!

This is a quick little treat I made, and I was inspired by one of my own projects from last Spring (click here). Since I found the Andes Peppermints - and I loved this project, I re-vamped it into a Christmas version!

And I love the Pool Party with Real Red. It's kind of a retro-look to me, but also kind of a fresh look, I think! And, especially paired with the Snow Much Fun set - I love the look even more!

So here's the Andes mints inside :) - You thought the green ones were yummy? You gotta try these Peppermint ones for the season!!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

PS - There are directions on the original post here for making it!

Mr. Snowman Box & Snowflake Card

Whether you’re ready for the holidays or not, a special thank you gift and card are always in season, and great to have on hand. This Mr. Snowman Treat Box and Snowflake Card would be a great way to thank someone this holiday season for all they do for you! And, after the treats are long gone, your Mr. Snowman will still stand smiling as a nice addition to their Winter Decor!


This is the project and card that I made for Craft Project Central this month! You can see it over there and get the tutorial to make him by subscribing to this month.


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Sweet Sixteen with Silver Glimmer!

Yesterday Alex went to a friend's Sixteenth Birthday party. So this is the card I made for her. I knew she liked purple, so I went to town with Concord Crush and Wisteria Wonder - and Silver Glimmer!!

And I would have been lost without my Big Shot on this card. I used the 3" Circle die and the Scallops #2 die for the circles. Then I made the "16" using the Alphabet Simple Numbers die, with some Silver Glimmer Paper backing (it's almost like using the Chipboard pieces). I also used the Billboard Strip die to make the "sweet" letters.

The only stamping I got on the card was the saying on the inside!

Here's a close up of the numbers - I like how the backing piece gives the numbers that extra pop! Oh, and I did make the card a 5 1/4" square size. I kind of like that for a fun change!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

A Practical Pre-Christmas Gift Idea!

This packet of hand made cards makes a perfect hostess gift during the holidays! They are so easy to make, you could make several sets to give to co-workers, friends, and even as teacher gifts!


This cute little project was designed by Lori Zoellmer, and you can check out more details about her project over at Craft Project Central - including how to get the tutorial for it!


Have a great Sunday,


Julie

Baroque Motifs Gift Set

Check out this pretty little quick-and-easy ornament that you can hang on your tree or use as a pretty 3D gift tag. The matching mini gift bag and greeting card will make this a fabulous gift set for anyone! This cute coordinated set of projects is the first of ten (plus a bonus one) that are available on Craft Project Central. For $10, you get detailed tutorials for all the projects posted this month. A great deal for some really great ideas.


These projects were made by Monika Davis, and you can see more about her projects HERE.


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Santa Fun for Friday's Class!

Here's a fun little Santa Treat Box/Ornament that we'll be making at this Friday's stamp class! I've seen lots of different versions of the Santa face - and I kind of combined the parts of the ones I liked into this little guy!

And one thing I LOVE about him is that he can be stuffed full of treats :) But when the treats are all gone, he can hang from your Christmas tree as a cute little ornament. You can see from the bottom view that he's made from the Petal Cone die. Cool, huh? The Petal Cone Box is the base for his his head and body all-in-one, and you just add the face!

And my favorite part, his Silver Glimmer hat topper and belt buckle. - Love that sparkle for the holidays!!

I hope you'll be at class this Friday - and you'll have all the details for making this cute little guy for a quick and cute little gift-giving!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Simple Snowflakes with a touch of Glimmer!

Today I made this simple thank you card, with a touch of Silver Glimmer! I think the Silver Glimmer really gives this card that 'just right' added touch! I knew I wanted to use the Snowflake Punch, and the Thanks so much from the Everyday Wishes set.

I added a piece of Crumb Cake embossed with the new Snow Burst Embossing Folder to give the background a little texture. Love all our Embossing Folders!!

And here's a close-up of the Snowflake. I added a 1/2" Circle from the Silver Glimmer, an Itty Bitty Circle from Very Vanilla, and a bow of Linen Thread. The trick to keeping it all stuck together, with no mess, was using Mini Glue Dots. I know I could have been a little neater with the one under the Linen bow, but it's not too bad!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Non-Traditional Thanksgiving

Maybe Thanksgiving cards aren't very traditional to begin with, but if there were traditional cards I guess they would be old-fashioned looking. Maybe a turkey on the dinner table? Anyway, I think this card I made to send out seems kind of modern!

I started with the Leaves Big Shot die and I used the negative of the die cut. It was cut from a piece of textured Soft Suede cardstock. Then I added the Spice Cake papers underneath it.

I added more layers from the Spice Cake papers and coordinating cardstock colors (Pool Party, More Mustard, Very Vanilla). Then I added the saying from the Falling Leaves set.


Non-traditional, but kind of fun!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Extreme Birthday... and an Oooops!

I made this card today for my nephew's birthday. It's a pretty quick and easy layout, with not much bling or extras - but it's for a boy, and it's going in the mail - had to keep it somewhat simple!

I used Lucky Limeade with Basic Gray and Black. And for the Designer Paper layer, I used Pick Your Poison papers. I love when the Holiday themed papers have some pieces that have regular patterns that you can easily use later on other stuff!!

For the banner, I used the Petal Cone die piece, and then stamped the On Your Birthday saying. I kind of wrinkled and smooshed and sponged it before I folded up the ends to make it the size I wanted.

And I also Smooch Spritzed the whole card - Love that, just haven't been doing it as much lately!

So then don't you hate when you create a card, and then this happens inside - AAaaccckkkk!! :(

You want to crumple it all up and throw it away... until you think about the time and effort you put into the front!

So there you go... Just stamp it again on a scrap piece of the same color, trim and glue it in there... Life is good again!


Have a great Sunday!


Julie

Fit for a Boy!

I decided to make a quick card for Alex today. His official football season ended on Friday - they lost their last game:( But Alex has really gotten to be a lot tougher player this season. And some pretty exciting news, their Varsity team is going to CCS play-offs. And Alex was chosen to be pulled up with the Varsity team!


Even though that means at least another week of practice (driving back and forth to the school - an extra hour and a half off my day!, more laundry to do, late nights with quick dinners...), I'm super excited for him to be a part of this exciting time with his team!


So anyway, I made him this pretty quick card to tell him that I'm proud of him!

His school colors are Royal Blue, Black and White, but I decided to just go for a masculine look for the card - and I kinda like it!!


I used the Houndstooth Embossing Folder for some added texture. And I stamped the football directly onto the First Edition Newsprint papers for something a little fun! And I only added a little 'subtle' bling with the black Glimmer Brad!


Hope you had a great Sunday today,


Julie

Simple Give Thanks!

I just love these Spice Cake Papers - and how easy they can make it to create a great, but simple card! All I did was add a quick piece from the Designer Papers with a Scallop Trim Border in Pool Party - and Wah Lah - A super easy card!

I added the saying from the beautiful word set, Hand Penned Holidays. - I think the sayings from that set can stand alone on a blank white card - and make a beautiful card all by themselves - so elegant!!

And then I coordinated a Soft Suede Taffeta Bow around it to bring it all together!



Super simple!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

An Oldie, But A Goodie!

I made a few of these little Thank Yous from an easy, old idea - the Sour Cream Container. I've never really eaten sour cream out of a container like this, but I think that's what we always called it! I think it might have come from a Wendy's fast food container?!

Anyway, it's such a quick, little easy idea that's perfect for wrapping a few little goodies.

And when you use new papers, like our Spice Cake Papers, it makes an old project feel all new again - Love it!!

And check out how our new 1" Square punch layers onto the Small Tag Punch!! Cool, huh? An, yep, that's my go-to word set, Petite Pairs!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie