Wine Tags

Wine items sell well for me at my markets so I have been making up some wine tags to sell.  All of these are made with the same stamp set & die set called 'Let's Toast' from Die-namics (My Favorite Things). What do you think?  Will they sell?

All of these dies for the little wine glasses and three tags are included with all of these words for wine drinkers.  It is great!!!

I used retired paper from The Angel Company, Copic makers for the wine in the glasses, various punches and ribbons and Distress ink for the shading.  I know you can not see it, but the wine and the flowers have been brushed with a Wink of Stella Glitter Brush and it gives them have a great shimmer.  I am so loving this new way to add glitter.  It is light and shimmery and the more layers you add the more it glitters.  I can get any of these supplies from you if you are interested.

Stuff it box Purple & Pinks

Here is another of the 'Stuff It' Boxes I made using the boxes from StacyStamps.  For this one I used Distress Stains for the edges of the box and retired The Angel Company papers for decoration.

The stamps used for the card and for on top the box are from a Unity Set called 'Empowered Words'.

Let me know if you need any of these supplies and I will get them ordered.

Stuff It Box Green & Pink

Here is another of the Stuff It Boxes from StacyStamps.  For this one I used retired papers from The Angel Company and a tag for the top.  I used Distress Stain to color the white outer edges and the bottom of the box.

 

These boxes are approximately 4" x 4" x 2" in size and are real strong and sturdy.  They would be great to give as a gift with a present or gift card inside.  I made matching gift cards that are inside.

And the words are from Unity Stamps.  If you are interested in any of the supplies contact me to purchase.

I will be having my monthly Mojo Classes next week.

Paper Wings Blog Hop - TAC Final Farwell

As most of you know The Angel Company closed it's doors last week, but some of us die hard angels wanted to use our stamps one last time in tribute for TAC.  (Check out all of the angels' blogs at the end of my post.)   I have been an angel for 12 years (joined 1/99) and TAC has been such a BIG part of my life.  It is hard to take in all of the losses I will be facing in the next months or so.  I am still in shock, I think.  Today I went and pulled out some of my oldest stamps and made cards with them .... it was fun and therapeutic and the same time!  This first card is for ME ..... Mischelle taught me to meet my needs first before I tried to help others so I made this to help me remember to have hope, to believe, to image, and to dream for the next path I will be taking.

I used the set that TAC made from MY words and a phrase that I use all of the time  .... 'Dance with Your Spirit' ..... and that is what my time with TAC was like .... dancing with MY Spirit. The big word on that card for me is HOPE .... I am hoping the right opportunities open for me in the stamping world ...... I am looking at all of my options right now. I also used a set that I think may have been one of TAC's first sets called 'Rose Sentiments' which I have always loved.  I pulled out my watercolor crayons to color instead of my Copics to remember my past and where I came from.

 

Here is an old stamp, 'Fern' and not sure which the set the words were from but I did save them and still use them.  This card is for everyone in the Smith family, TAC staff past and present, angels/downline past and present and all my customers who loved TAC. We have all been blessed to have TAC in our lives.   I lift you all up in prayer in your future paths.

This card used one of my all time favorite sets with TAC called 'Charcoal Flowers' and my watercolor crayons ..... this was my most used stamp and most frequently demoed technique (watercolor crayons direct to rubber) I did for my workshops.  Here's to all of my customers from the past .... which I hope will continue to be with me on MY new path .... which I will be announcing soon hopefully.  Do some of you remember 'Background Stamps'??  I used them here ..... yes .... it is a shadow stamp ... remember those and how much we used them.  Tell me again why we stopped using them?   And the words are from 'Contemporary Sayings' which was a well loved and used set too.

 

This is for all of the angels who have already started with their new companies ..... I wish you well!  The set is called 'Sophisticated Sentiments' ..... do you remember it??? Every angel I have meant has been a sophisticated woman ..... they all knew how to stamp, create and have a good time ..... so keep it up angels!  Let see all the crowns you will have next year at this time with your new companies!

This card it is in honor of Mischelle Smith.  The stamp set 'Stars and Stamps' has always reminded me of you ... you did a lot of paper clay with it, did a demo on The Carol Duval TV show with it and it was one of the sets we used at our first seminar!  Mischelle you have changed me, my life, my career and my beliefs in so many positive ways.  I will forever be thankful for all of the time we shared together, all of the laughs, all the sharing of ideas, all of the times you listened so intently to me and all of our creative times together.  Oh ... by the way I still owe you for leaving me at the restaurant in WI .... I had to find my way back and walk back to the hotel! LOL  Those are memories I will keep forever .... and I do hope we can stay in touch. Thanks Mischelle!!! 

Thanks for the memories ....

The Angel Company announced this week they are hanging up their wings.  I have been so blessed to have been a part of this company for the last 12 years.  I joined in Jan of 1999 and was the first angel in Ohio.  I was fortunate to have two of my downline with me these past 5 days, during the announcement, from AK and ID, to help me through the shock and sadness of it all.  Here are just a few things that The Angel Comapany has taught me through the years .....

• that dreams do come true ... I was able to retire and keep my life style with my paper crafting business
• that crowns make you feel different about yourself so wear a crown often!
• that desserts are better before the meal ..... especially no flour chocolate cake
• that a group of TAC-eee ladies (my stamp group for the last 11 years) can be best gift anyone would want ...... we will continue to meet monthly to stamp, share, listen, laugh, nurture, create, and rejoice with each other
• that a 'little old lady from Cleveland' could know someone from almost every state in the US and even visit them for vacations
• that being creative is the best form of therapy and so much cheaper .... or is it???
• that taking risks is worth the fear ... I went to the first seminar without knowing one person and have never regretted it ... I meant so many wonderful woman
• that teaching/selling is all about sharing your passion for what you love to do
• that getting together with other stampers to stamp rejuvenates your body, mind and spirit ..... yes I will still be teaching my classes and putting on gatherings gals!
• that setting smaller goals helps you to reach your bigger goals in life
• that I can do whatever I dream and lift up in prayer
• that laughing soooooo hard that your gut hurts and you can not breath is good for you
• that you can and should pamper yourself with pretty things and do nice things for yourself and not feel guilty
• that creativity is everywhere ..... all we have to do it tap into it 
• that strangers you meet and see only once a year can truly be great friends forever or is that family forever!
• that family is NOT only biological ..... families are the people in your life that help you to grow, that make you stretch yourself and that nurture you .... that is what TAC has done for me 

Mischelle Smith, the owner of TAC, has been a dear friend for these past 12 years and I know she has done what is best for her and the company.  But yes it is a loss for everyone. Knowing her she will find another way to share her great gifts of nurturing and leading people to find their true purpose in life.  She did not just create a company with TAC .... she created an extended family with all of the joys and challenges that goes along with a loving family. All of the angels (demonstrators) will now have to find their own place in the stamping world but they all have very special gifts that Mischelle has nurtured into each of us to take with them along their/our journeys.

So to Mischelle, her family, the staff at TAC (past and present) and to all of my dear angel friends and downline ......

Thanks for the memories!

What some sneek peeks!

TAC has announced the date for the New Inspiration Book to go LIVE!!  And here are a few peeks as to what will be in it ......


http://www.theangelcompany.net/page/sneak-peek-stamp-sets

More altered notebooks

This altered notebook had a heavier cover so I just altered it with decorative pieces.  To contrast with the bold black and white print I selected hot pink for these books.  For this book I used the set 'Fly Fairy' by TAC.  This is a hard set for me to work with even though I like it .... but I think I did OK with it here.  Did I?

I colored the image with my Copic markers.  How do you like the flower bud?  I made it myself by rolling and twisting ribbon. 

Here I added two sparkly pink ribbons down the side with Scor-tape.  If you have not worked with Scor-tape yet you have to!!! It is so easy to use since you do not have to cut it with scissors ... it tears and it is super strong.  I love it for adding decorative pieces since I KNOW it will hold it in place.

The image here is from 'Blossoms and Blessings' and the words are from 'Thoughts and Prayers'.  It is colored with my Copic markers and glitter pens.  I love the way it came out .... I stamped it and then cut out part of the image.  I put in through my Big Kick with an Nestie to cut the frame .... but the image was sticking out one corner.  It is a real cool look!

I am excited about going to a Murder Mystery at our local tea room tonight.  I will be tired from my craft show but I have always wanted to go to one of these so I am really excited.  Oh ... did I tell you I also love going to lunch at this tea room also.

Going Green with TAC

It's Going Green week on TAC" Savvy Projects Blog so here is my first project going green .... I did both color green and refurbish an item for being green. Angela Kelly has a really cool recycling technique to kick off the week!  Go check it out.  There will be a different designer featured everyday this week.

I made 14 altered notebooks that I found at Michael's.  They were soft covered so I added a heavier card stock on both the outside (front and back) and a pocket or slide on the inside to add thickness. I decorated the covers, added an attached bookmark on the back cover (ribbon) and stamped many of the inside pages to match the covers. I love the way this one came out.  The words are from the set 'Treasure Found' and the flower is from 'Blossoms and Blessings'.  I used nesties to cut the frame.

I used Copic markers to color the image and glitter pens to accent it.

Here is another green one made the same way.  These words are from the set 'Sunshine' and the background image is from the set 'Damask Backgrounder'. 

Here is a close up of the image.  I stamped the inside pages (some of them at least) with the small damask image.

These and many more will be on sale this Saturday at St Pasqual's Spring Craft Show on Wilson Mills Road. It is always a larger show with lots of great artist.

Today I think we had about 12-14" of snow from overnight until about two today.  It is so so deep out there.  I do hope the weather clears and people will be able to come to the show.  I have been preparing for it for months but it will not go to waste since I will have Farmer's Markets starting in April and May if we get snowed out.  But if you can .... get out of the house and come visit me ... I have  a lot of new things to show you!

Sunshine 2

We all need a little sunshine during these cold and deary winter days.  So I made this card for my friend for her birthday last weekend.  It is colored with Copic markers and has an edge punch along the side.I added ribbon and a greeting and it was a quick and easy card.

Here is a close up of the image.  I was not real happy with the card stock I used since it did not it was in my scrapes so it was used. 

And I do have a confession on this card ..... there is a major mistake .... but I think I disguised it very well.   I was going along the edge with a marker and it slipped and make an ugly mark along the edge.  So I intentionally did it in a few key places.  Then I used the Colorless Blender to lighten it and spread it.   To be truthful it ended up having a distressed look around the edges and I liked it!  So mistakes can be a blessing in our lives too .... use your creativity today to make something that you are not happy with into a blessing. 

Marvelous You 2

This summer was the first and I hope not the last time, to see a live bear in the wild up close and personal!!  So this set had a very speical meaning to me when I first saw it in TAC's Fall supplement.  I have made other cards with it as you can SEE HERE, but this time I wanted to color it with my Copic markers and see what I could do with it.  I love it even more colored!!  I colored four of the images the same one morning and then set out to making cards in one of my favorite ways to create ..... with my scrapes!!  Yes all I did was pull out scrapes that matched the colors I had used and then played.  Playing is so important to people of all age ... weather it is with crafting supplies, computers, plants, food or what ever .... YES adults need to play too!!!  Some of us feel like that sounds silly but how else are you going to keep your youth, have fun, escape, feel creative, solve a problem or release stress unless you play like you are young .... So EVERY ONE NEEDS TO PLAY!!

The paper I used for the fist two cards is Willoughby SCIC from TAC.  

Here is how I stamped the inside of the first card.  All of the word images you see in this post are included in the post but the tree images is a retired stamp.

On this card I added purple ribbon and used mounting cushion under the image to give it a raised look.

There are my favorite words in the set!

Here are the Copic markers I used to color the image ... yes there is only one E (brown) used .... since there is shading in the stamp that acts as the darkest color of brown.  I stamped it with Memento Brown ink.  Then I was able to shade one side of it by coloring over it a second time to give it a shaded look ... when I practiced coloring this image with more than one color of brown on the bear it was way too much and it looked more appealing to me with just the one E.

The next two cards I used scrapes from TAC's Natalie SWIC and dark brown paper.  Notice I used three of the color codes from the paper as an accent piece on the top card.

On the last cards I tied the ribbon in three half knots at the bottom before it was attached to the card.  The little colored embellishments on these cards are something I make my self and use as embellishments.

Here is a close up of the images I colored so you can see the details more.  Now wouldn't you like to see an amazing animal like this out in the wild too!!

Christmas Cards with Cricut 2

These two  cards are made .... believe me or not ..... with the cartridge Tie the Knot.  I got it so I can help my long time  friend with her daughters shower and wedding this next year.  Then I saw this great snowflake on it.  I cut it out at 4" and then rubbed Stickles on it so it shines.  It has a nice glow going.  Then I found a snow swirl retired stamp by TAC and stamped it at the bottom with matching pink ink to the snowflake paper.  I also stamped it on the inside and on the envelope.  It is great to be able to use your stamps to accent the theme of your card's focal point on the inside and envelope.  The colors of this card is so non-traditional in the pink and brown but I love them!

Even more .....

Here are a few more of the Candles & Card sets I made up last week.  The cello bags are different and do not have a flat bottoms so I closed them off differently at the top too. They are a little thicker than the other ones I used.   I need to know if it makes a difference which bags I use?  Does one look better than the other in the over all appearance?

 I do think this one was my personal favorite  .... I know I made two of them but not sure if they both sold or not this past weekend.  I know one sold for sure.

I did my first West side craft show this past weekend and I did not sell any where near what I have been.  Not sure if it was the show, location, or because it was the first time at that show.  I will be doing another show in Brunswick next weekend so I will see if it is worth my time to drive an hour to get to new shows or not.

I am really bumming today so far ... my hands are so soar and I just need a break.  I am thinking about washing windows later this afternoon since it is not too bad outside.  I need to decide also if I will sign up to do one more show this year or not on Dec 11 ...... should I or shouldn't I?????  It is a local one.

More Candle, Cards & Cocolate

 I had made some of these for the last show and they sold out immediately!!!  So I had more candles and made up more sets last Monday ALL day!  I think I made up 14 sets but ran out of clear bags to package them in so I had to wait to finish them today.  I put four stamped cards with matching envelopes, decorated chocolate, a decorated glass candle holder and (my favorite) a Root candle.  If you are not familiar with these they are the best soy candles around which have a scent that really lasts and fills a room.  But of course they are made here in OHIO too!  I can go to the outlet store to get them and I am so thankful!

 Here is this one packaged with a gusseted bags with a bottom. I am thinking that the cards and envelopes will take on the smell of the candle after it has been packaged together for a while.  Won't that be nice!

 I used a retired set for this set from TAC and one I use a lot with my wine bottle boxes.  The words are from the same set as the top set which is Blossoms and Blessings from TAC.

 .... and it packaged up.  I put a card facing the back so you can see the card all on it own too.

This one is make with the set Marvelous You ....  Notice that I use a simple design with little or no coloring on these sets.

I will show more of these this week.  But I had to package most of them in gusseted bags without bottoms so I am going to be asking for your opinion on which you like the best or if it make a difference .... I know which is easier for me to make.

I had my Thanksgiving on Wed with both of my nieces and their families and I was so blessed.  We had a wonderful day all picking in and helping, great food, beautiful weather and happy times.  We think this was the first time in 8-10 years our family was around the table together for a holiday ... but one person was missing .... and I am hoping she and her family will be joining us really soon. 

Yesterday I went to the movies for part of the day with a friend to see Unstoppable .... wow does that movie keep you on the edge of your seat.  I loved it.  Last night and then early today I started working again for an two day show on the west side this Saturday and Sunday.  I am thinking about going out to see if I can get two to the new Cricut lite cartridges but my guess is they will be sold out when I get there ... oh well.

Deck the Halls Blog Hop 3

Here are some more items I have been making for the craft shows for gifts for the holidays.  I saw this tutorial on Splitcoaststampers and just had to make it!  These little Beanie Caps are a little smaller than an A2 card and open to put in a gift card.  I decided I wanted to stamp inside also so when you take out the gift card you will see the greeting.  I think they came out real cute.  I made 24 of these last week.

 Here is what it looks like when it is opened.  I changed the directions and put in a brad instead of an eyelet and then I did not add the bow or decorate faux stitching since I was making so many.

 And here is my favorite one ... oh maybe my fav is the snowman from yesterday  ... not too sure.  I made a little box bottom and attached a small bottle of Bath & Body hand sanitizer that I of course decorated.  I added a back which is decorated and .....

A pocket in the back to slide in a gift card from Bath & Body, a restaurant or a gasoline card ... who doesn't need a hand sanitizer in there purse.

The pictures came out a little blurry sorry too much crafting this past week ... I made 15 of these to sell at my shows.  I think this is the first time ever my hands have actually hurt from crafting TOO much this past week.  But since I had sold out of so much the weekend before I had to restock my basic items and I wanted to add some new too!

I think the only other things I have that are new my blog posts are my Christmas cards but they are so simple .... I made them into packs of 4 to sell so they had to be easy and quick ... not sure you want to see these or not ... let me know.

Be sure to check out all of the other wonderful creations on the TAC Deck the Halls Blog Hop Here!!

I am tired after today's show  which was OK but very different for me since I have never done a mall type show before.  I did meet and talk with a lot of wonderful people from out of state ... FL, UK, IL, CA, PA and others which was a lot of fun.  But I think I will stick to regular craft shows in the future.  I have another one tomorrow so I have to get up before the sun another day ... booo ...... hisssss.  But it will be fun since this is one of my long time shows and I know I will see lots of people I know.  Hope to see you at Lake Catholic for 9-3!!