Monogram Card Sets

My mother and her sisters always gave something homemade to each other for Christmas when I was growing up (I wonder if they still do?) It changed every year from toll painting, quilts and the like. With my new found stamping passion, I wanted to do something similar this year for my sisters (on both sides). I am still finishing the 6 sets for my side of the family (assorted cards I will post later). The only problem left was that each of my sister-in-laws actually make cards in some form or another already. It was a dilemma. I really wanted to give them something, but I didn't want to insult their card making intelligence by sending something they could make themselves. You see the dilemma... But I went ahead and did monogram cards thinking they might not actually make those for themselves. Hopefully the added monogram will ensure that they still like the cards and will actually use them. However, if they hate them I am pretty sure they will humor me anyway ; )

Here they are. I re-used some plastic boxes I had from shipped PTI stamps sets. I love re-using plastic. It makes me feel good, no matter how much or little it may help the earth.

I used quite a few different stamps sets hoping to find something that would suite each of their personalities. But I loved the look of the damask stamp which is why it had to be used more than once.

 I have said it before, and it won't be the last time; I love making gifts because you get to think about the people while you create. And I realized yet again while I sat and crafted that I am so so lucky to have each of these wonderful women in my life.   Each one of these ladies is SO fantastic. I couldn't have asked for better in-laws!! Merry Christmas!! 

Deets:

Stamps: PTI Polka Dot Basics, Borders and Corners Square Set, Inkadinkado Bold Damask, Sassafras Lass Oh My Dear, Stampers Anonymous Alphabet Set

Ink: SU! Old Olive, Pacific Blue, Basic Black, Basic Grey, PTI Berry Sorbet, Dark Chocolate

Paper: SU! Pacific Blue, PTI Kraft, Ripe Avocado, Lemon Tart

Accessories: Plastic Boxes, Assorted Ribbon from outlet, Pop Up Dots

Take-Off Tuesday #8

This weeks Take-Off is just in time for Christmas. I picked this dress from the Macy's catalog. Mostly because I liked the layers and the look of silk. Unfortunately I didn't find a way to recreate the texture, but I did try to find a way to have the layers and of course the color.
And here is the card. I threw in some gold because you just HAVE to have some with Christmas Red. I made these ribbon "flowers." Obviously not real flowers, but I wanted to add a shape and the diagonal image from the dress.

I hope you each have a lovely Christmas and Holiday Season. I am going to hunker down for the next week with some food, family and friends and try to enjoy myself.

See you next time~!

k

Deets: 

Stamps: CHF Christmas Sentiments

Paper: SU! Real Red, PTI Summer Sunrise

Ink: Versa Mark

Accessories: Stash Ribbon, Gold Brads, Pearl Essence Gold.

Home Made Christmas Bags

I was inspired by a friend who makes her own bags to wrap gifts in. It's green, frugal (if you have a fabric stash around) and just plain fun. I took that idea and made up some bags to put some crayons and chalk in. We picked up an easel for the kids for Christmas and I wanted something they could store their stuff in that could sit on the shelf, and was Christmas give-able. I used some old Christmas fabric and some festive rope for the pull ties. (oops forgot to finish the tops!)

I printed out the names in photoshop onto iron-on transparencies. Quick and easy. I'm sure they won't last too long, but I wanted something fun for Christmas morning besides a box of crayons wrapped in snowflake paper. UGH. I'm sick of that paper.

Homemade Christmas Blanket

I am by no means a seamstress, but in light of homemaking everything this year (with a few exceptions), I pulled out the machine to work on a new duvet cover for Cache. You take an Ikea crib size comforter, some pre-cut fabric squares and hours later we have this:

It's quite busy and I guess that is what you get when you online order a pre-cut fabric pack. Oh well... What I did love about it was how fast it came together, so the pre-cut thing was worth it in the end. I had some fabric left over so I thought I would re-make a pillowcase to go with it. It's a great way to use up an older one that you might not want guests sleeping on, but you just can't bear to throw it out because it's still in one piece. Let the toddler drool on it is what I say!!

I also added a name with iron-on transparency and then used PTI Simple Alphabet to stamp "bed bugs bite" on the thin ribbon that runs across the width. It really breaths new life into something so boring as a white pillowcase.

 I remember having my own pillowcase with my name on it when I was young. I loved it and hope that Cache enjoys sleeping in his new toddler bed with his new bug  blanket/pillow combo. We are going to make it all up with a big bow for Christmas morning.

Take-Off Tuesday #7

Here is this weeks Take-Off. I was struck by this picture because I grew up in the age when you NEVER EVER wore Black and Brown together, let alone 2 different shades of brown. SCANDALOUS!!!! So, here this lady sits, (she is a designer from the West Elm catalog) in all her black, brown, white leathery glory and I just couldn't resist seeing what a card would look like. Her is my card in all its glory too:
I made a special trip to Michael's just for some feathers. It really needed it. It definitely has a Native American thing going on. I braided that leather tassel up and then in my late night stupor put glue on the wrong side! DUH! 

That lovely metal ribbon there is a special remnant from the ribbon outlet in VA. I finally got to go, and it was definitely worth the trip!   You can't really tell, but this paper is a nice light shade of brown with my Houndstooth Backgrounders stamp in white. Had to get all the colors in. Over all, I liked this one. It's great to use more things than just stamps. I love the texture it has. Of course I skipped the sentiment, cause I was just stumped on what to say.... If you have any ideas, send 'em my way.

Deets:

Stamps: CHF Houndstooth Backgrounder

Paper: Basic Black CS, Tan CS

Accessories: SU! Basic Black Marker, Gold Wire Ribbon, Leather cord and assorted feathers (Michael's) Tacky Glue

Re-Made Board Books

I decided to make a lot of gifts this year. Mostly because my kids have everything they need and the idea of buying another plastic toy that I will have to pick up later, gives me the chills. I found this tutorial from Cosmo Cricket on how to re-make board books. So I dug through the kids stash to find a book they don't read any more (which wasn't hard).

This is what it looked like before the DP and glue.

Here is the new cover. Christmas paper and some ribbon. The paper is from K&Co. Ribbon, PTI.
Page one..... One nose. That's my snowman just waiting to be adorned as we read. 
Two eyes.
Three buttons.... and so forth. I didn't show you pg. 4 or 5 because the craftmanship is less than stellar. I hope to get better at it as I do more. The mixture of glue and markers got a bit splotchy. 

But it is a fun project and Cosmo Cricket gives you the numbers to print out here. Try one yourself! They have other ideas you can do, manger, tree etc.  All of which would be fun.

Check back for more projects before the final day. 

Friends and Neighbors

Using My Timeless Templates by Lauren Meader, I made up some Stocking Stuffer boxes to give away something sweet to my stamping friends and my closest neighbors. It was quite fun! I have vowed to hand make everything for Christmas this year, and I have really started out with a bang. I love this template. Its fun, easy and FREE!!! It doesn't get better than that. Check out the Papertrey Ink website for your own free download (I think Lauren has 2 freebies and a few others you can purchase). I love that I can just print out the pieces and assemble them the way I want. Fast and fun. Here's a few of my favorites..

I pulled out the jewelry making stash. I love having all my craft supplies in one spot and finally in reach. Those beads were getting dusty.
I just love these pom-poms. Thanks to my MIL for giving me her kids craft stash. These were perfect. (sorry kids!)
I used the silver Deco pen on this one. It definitely sparkles!
And here are all of them together. I've put names on some and left the others blank. I loved making them, but now I must sleep! Hope you like making your own Stocking Stuffers. Give it a try!!

Deets:

Paper: PTI Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy, Spring Moss, Holiday Vintage Papers.

Accessories: Lots of ribbon, beads, pom-poms and embroidery floss!