Pet Sympathy Cards

Over the years, and back in my painting days, I was often asked to paint pet portraits for friends and family.  After reducing my art to card making, I am now called upon to draw a pet's likeness on sympathy cards.

This is Theo, a rather large Staffordshire Terrier (Pit Bull) lover of a boy.  Theo used to let me sleep with him when I visited my good friend and his master (of sorts) Laura.  Her only live in companion for many years she was lost and heartbroken when he passed away.  She framed this card and has it hanging on the wall next to a portrait that I painted of Theo when he was a younger pup.

This is Zeus a sheep dog and dear friend and sometime playmate of Theo. Zeus passed away a few years after Theo. 

I never met Squirt "Little Miss Squirty Pants" my granddaughter asked me to draw up a likeness of Squirt from a cellphone photo.  I believe that little Squirt was a Rat Terrier.  Another dear devoted little friend.  Farewell Squirt.

Beautiful Treasure Box

Treasure Box

Isn't this just beautiful.  Another project that I knew I had to make it after viewing the original boxes online.  This box was made for an upcoming baby shower to hold a gift for the new little one.

I followed the instructions for Marianne Skjelstad's Gift Box found on Tracy Mac Donald's website found here:

http://iwannabuildamemory.blogspot.com/2012/02/treasure-box-tutorial.html

Thank you Tracy, your instructions made it easy to follow along and figure this one out.  I loved this box so much that I made a total of three in different papers and it will be my go to box for future gift giving.  The completed box size is 3" square base with the tied top adding to a height of 4 3/4".  Made with Stampin' Up's great 80 lb. card stock this is a sturdy box that will last a long, long time.  The designer paper is from Pressed Petals called "Baby Girl" and the ribbon is sheer pink, 6 yards for a $1...at the Dollar Store.

Pasture Birthday

Belated Birthday

I have a dear friend who I usually only get to see once a month and this month it will be past her birthday, so I made her this cute quilted animal card, she is a quilter and I hope she will like it.

I used a retired Stampin' Up set called "PASTURE BIRTHDAY" the papers are Coastal Cabana, Marina Mist and Rich Razzelberry, colored with SU watercolor pencils and a blender pen.

Gift Card Holders

COFFEE AND FRIENDS

Here are couple of ideas for the coffee lovers in you circle of friends and family.  I have made two very different gift card holders, both simple and easy using two Stampin' Up stamp sets:  PERFECT BLEND  and GORGEOUS GRUNGE (Pages 37  and 109 of the 2013-14 Catalog).

The first card is a piece of Crumb cake card stock cut at 3 1/4 x 8 1/2 and scored at 5 1/4 and 5 1/2, folded up and secured with two small brads.  The dp is from some scrap and cut at 3 1/4 x 5.  I wrapped a 3/8" ribbon around the card and used the 7/8" scallop punch to cut out the sentiment and tied it to the ribbon with a piece of linen thread.  This card can hold a gift card and a few packets of the VIA coffee.

For this card I cut a piece of the Crumb Cake at 5 1/2 x 11 and scored it at 3 3/4, 5 1/2, and 7 1/4.  I glued the outside edge of the "W" shape to hold the gift card and used the Word Window Punch to cut out the center of the fold 1" from each end.  I stamped the coffee cup twice and cut out the lid and 

band after stamping the band with the OFF THE GRID (page 108) stamp in Coastal Cabana and brushed the edges of the lid with brown ink and attached them to the cup.  Off the Grid was also stamped in Versamark and white embossing powder.  The half doily is a pre-cut from Martha Stewart.

Thanksgiving Cards

Not everyone can get together at Thanksgiving to celebrate and enjoy a wonderful meal together.  For those relatives that are far away, here are a few card ideas to send them greetings and blessings.

These cards were made using two stamp sets that can be found in the Stampin' Up Holiday catalog on page 19, "Harvest of Thanks" and "Truly Grateful"

Harvest of Blessings All Season Long made with these papers:  SU Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky and Everyday Enchantment.  The background piece is from Recollections Today-Tomorrow-Forever paper pad.

Gratitude papers are SU Chocolate Chip, Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango, Soft Sky and the striped paper is by Canvas Corp "Chocolate & Kraft Ribbon Stripe.

Thankful for... papers are SU Crumb Cake, Soft Sky and Very Vanilla.

Truly Grateful papers are SU Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, and Everyday Enchantment.  A small strip of orange glitter paper was added under the scalloped edge of the Chocolate Chip.

Boo Countdown Calendar Class

Boo Countdown To Halloween Calendar Class

Saturday, September 21, 2013 from 1:00 - 3:00PM, $20.00

The Creative Stamp

1329 Spring Street

Paso Robles, CA

(805)239-1996

You will get everything you see here to make your calendar and store the magnetic dates pieces.  So come and join us to make this Countdown to Halloween Calendar.  

Halloween Treat Box

How cute is this?  Simple box made from two squares. Completed box is 4" square and 1 inch deep. I used a Spellbinders square die to cut out a 2 1/2" opening in the box and designer paper top and glued a piece of 3" square acetate between the two.  The stamp is from Stampin' Up "Twick or Tweet" set (retired).  Love the little doggie enjoying every bite.  I have a 3x5.5" bag in the inside of the box to hold those sticky little treats.  Simple, quick and fun to make, you can make them any size you would like, just make the lid 1/16" inch larger than the box base.

Teabag Box and Magnetic Note Pad

I made sets of these cute teabag boxes and matching note pads for my sisters and myself.  Directions for the box can be found on several Stampin' Up demonstrator websites, but I followed LeeAnn Greff's directions at www.flowerbug.typepad.com

I cannot stress enough the importance of using a good quality card stock for box projects and Stampin' Up's Crumb Cake works perfectly.  My kitchen has red accents so I selected Stampin' Up designer papers from the Spice Cake and Comfort Cafe paper packs.  The teacup charm is from CTMH and the flower on the note pad is made using punched petals from the Build A Flower punch (now retired).  My tea box is filled with my favorite Bengal Tiger Spice tea.

Thanksgiving

Gratitude

I loved this card the moment I saw it in the 2013 Autumn/Winter Close To My Heart catalog.  I gathered my materials and put one together.  Here is what I used:

Close To My Heart Fall Harvest Stamp Set page 87; stamped, cut out and colored with Copics

Close to my Heart Artiste Cricut Cartridge Page 60 Accent 2 and 4 each cut at 3 3/4"

4 Stampin' Up large brads and one small brad

Hemp Twine

Papers from Michaels, Stampin' Up and K&Company

I did not have the stamp for the sentiment so it is computer generated and I think, says it all.