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.

  

Halloween

Happy Hauntings Sparkly Witch Hat

Another witchy item a Sparkly Witch hat to go along with those lovely boots posted earlier.  The hat also features the ruffled ribbon look with a cute little dangly spider.  This card design is also from the Cricut Happy Hauntings cartridge.  

Coffee Filter Witch Broom

My friend Cheryl S. is pretty creative and clever and she made these Witch Brooms using coffee filters and twigs that her dh pruned from the trees in their yard.  So cute.  Thanks, Cheryl.

Stampin' Up Halloween Smiles Card

The happy jolly little pair of Jack-O-Lantern's on this card are from the SU set Halloween Smiles (Retired)  these guys are too cute!  The papers are SU Pumpkin Pie, Crumb Cake and Crushed Curry.  The accent designer paper is from a paper pack called Midnight Magic by Recollections.

Stampin' Up Bootiful Occassions Card

Look closely at the eyes looking back at you on this "Bootiful" boot.  Stampin' Up stamp set "Bootiful Occasions" was used for this card, along with Basic Black, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and  Rich Razzleberry papers and markers.

Halloween

Happy Hauntings Witch Boot

It's time to get to work on Halloween projects.  This beautiful sparkly Witch's boot features frilly ribbon accents in bold colors.  This boot can be made as a card or as a decoration.   The design is cut out using the Cricut "Happy Hauntings" cartridge.

The frilly elements and ribbon lace up was designed by Kimberly at My Craft Spot. Thanks Kim for the wonderful video.  (http://craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com/search/label/halloween)

Halloween Countdown Calendar

How about this "BOO" countdown calendar.  The numbers are magnetic so you change them out daily. The kids will love this, just post it on you refrigerator and countdown the days till spooky Halloween.  I have used mine for a few years now and the chipboard design holds up really well. 

This calendar was a gift from my friend Cheryl S.  Thanks Cheryl

Stamps used on this calendar are by Stampin' Up (Witch, Moon and Spider Web, not shown) Close To My Heart (Graveyard Scene) Doodles By Design (Halloween)

These two items were chosen by my daytime group for our September Halloween Workshop group and will be featured along with some really cool Halloween treat containers.

Obsession Impression Max and Polly and Stampin' Up Fishy Friends

Polly and Max

Workshop for this project is set for Saturday, August 31, 2013, 1-3PM at 

THE CREATIVE STAMP

1329 Spring Street

Paso Robles, CA 93446

Call to make your reservation: (805) 239-1996

Summer Fun Matchbook, Paper bag, Mini Albums

These fun and easy little albums can hold photos and trinkets from your child's summer adventures.  Tags are large enough to hold a photo and journaling.  The children can join in making these and color the stamped images on the paper bags.

 Inside, on the bags, I used Stampin' Up sets Fishy Friends and Life's A Breeze

colored with Derwent Inktense  watercolor pencils.

Products used to make the Matchbook, paper bag, mini album

Impression Obsession Molly and Max stamps

Stampin’ Up Fishy Friends Stamp Set

Stampin’ Up Life’s A Breeze Summer Fun stamp

Stampin’ Up Label punches

Spellbinders or Cricut frame shapes

Cricut Life’s A Beach anchors

Paper bags, turquoise card stock, BoBunny Key Lime Splash

Buttons, twine, jewels

Wilton doilies, brown and blue inks and sponges

Stapler, craft hammer

Edge punch, corner rounder

Watercolor pencils and blender pens

Glue, tape, dimensionals, hot glue gun, Krystal Klear

Stationery Boxes

  Kits for these boxes were made for an upcoming workshop and I will post photographs of the completed boxes after the workshop.  

A verity of stamps were used for the tags and cards including Inkadinkado and Stampin' Up.  Nestabilities dies and Stampin' Up and Martha Stewart punches.  Coloring with Stampin' Up markers.  Stampin' Up and KandCompany papers.

Thanks for looking and check back as I will post the photos of the workshop boxes soon.

Natural Beauty

Stampin' Up Natural Beauty Stamp Set

I made this card for the SCS Challenges:  Colors CC436; Technique Lover's TLC440 and Ways To Use It WT437  The colors used are Marina Mist, Bashful Blue and Calypso Coral; Technique #39 Paper Piecing and Use of Custom Matting.

I cased this card from page 136 of the 2005/2006 Idea Book and Catalog, I love the way the little bird is popping through the torn paper.

Driving Test Congrats

Our grandson recently passed his driving test and secured his driver's license, YEAH!, freedom for both him and his parents.  I couldn't resist this Stampin' Up "Hit The Road" stamp set to say congratulations for a job well done.

Papers are Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi and Very Vanilla.  Image is colored with Derwent Inktense pencils and a blender pen.  Image was stamped three times, once on the background then twice on Very Vanilla and cut out and layered to make the car three dimensional.