The Post That Almost Wasn't

That's right, I almost didn't post this project because my posting issues drove me up the wall (and that's putting it mildly). So I had a theory about what happened to the spacing with my last two posts. I thought if I left a post as a draft to go back and complete later, the spacing issues would happen, because my last two posts were both left as drafts that I went back to finish later, and both of them had the same problem with spacing. As it turns out, I was wrong, but it took three attempts at posting this latest post to determine that my problems were from my browser, not from leaving posts as unfinished drafts. Talk about a waste of time! I'm so hoping I don't have to go through those headaches again.

Anyway, on to my post. One of the little perks of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, is that I usually have lots of treats around for Easter baskets, Christmas stockings, Valentine's Day, etc. If I do something simply as a sample, then I have one of that project, and if I do something for a class or stamp camp, then I have two because I make a sample that I can photograph for my class flyers and customer mailings, and then I make a second when I have the class or camp. My kids always think that they get pretty cool treats too which is nice, because it makes them feel special. I know that they have their favorite sweet treats but seriously, I could put your basic, every day, run-of-the-mill, store-bought cookie in every treat pouch or box I make and they would still think it was the best thing in the world. OK, well maybe I wouldn't go THAT far, because there is only one kind of store-bought cookie my family likes, but you get the picture. With Easter being just around the corner, I thought this little treat box would be perfect for someone's basket. The box dimensions are 2-1/4"x3"x3-1/2" so it can hold a variety of items. Right now the only thing I have in mine is crimped paper, but I'm thinking that truffles might be a hit in this. My bunny and grass are made entirely of punches, some of which are retired (see supply list), but some of the newer punches could be used. For example, I used the retired 1/4" circle punch for the nose, however, you could use the circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack to make the nose. The new punch would just make it a bit bigger. I also used a retired cardstock color for the body of my bunny, but Crumb Cake would be a good substitute. I just think he's so cute and I hope you do too; it would make all of my posting headaches worth it. Thanks for visiting! (By the way, if you're wondering what kind of store-bought cookies my family will eat, you can find them here).

Stamps: None
Ink: Creamy Caramel (retired), Pink Piroutte, & Sahara Sand
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Creamy Caramel (retired), Certainly Celery, & Pink Pirouette Cardstoc
Accessories & Tools: 1-3/4", 1-1/4", 3/4", 1/2", 1/4" (retired) & 1/8" (retired) Circle Punches, Star XL, 1-3/4"x7/8" Oval Large, 1-3/8"x5/8" Oval Large & 2"x1-3/8" Oval XL Punches, 5/8" Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, White Gel Pen, Sponge Daubers, Sahara Sand Marker, 2-Way Glue Pen, Sticky Strip & Stampin' Dimensionals

Cupcake anyone?

I have a thing for cupcakes...cupcake stickers, cupcake stationery, cupcake stamps (of course). They're just so darn cute! No, I don't have them all over my house, but I do love them. Anyway, I recently purchased a set of fake cupcakes ~ that's right, the cupcake in this photo isn't real. I wanted to make some samples using the cupcake wrap from the Perfect Setting Die, but I wanted to use fake cupcakes rather than real so that I could take them to workshops and other events. Isn't it adorable? I used some die cut stickers from the Love Sparkles Simply Scrappin' Kit, since I had some left over from a class that I had last weekend. The pink hearts are covered with glitter, including the one on the pick. I used Heat & Stick Powder to adhere the glitter to the hearts. If you haven't used the Heat & Stick Powder, it's really easy. I covered the hearts with VersaMark Ink, then sprinkled them with Heat & Stick Powder (you might want to use a rubber glove, because the VersaMark can be kind of sticky). After they were covered with Heat & Stick Powder, I used my Heat Tool to melt the powder, then I covered it with glitter & heated it again. If you're heating something small like these hearts, it's best to use a toothpick or wooden skewer to hold it down while you're heating it so that it doesn't get blown away by the Heat Tool. That's it!

Stamps: None
Inks: VersaMark
Paper: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip & Whisper White Cardstock
Accessories & Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Perfect Setting Die, Heat & Stick Powder, Heat Tool, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Love Sparkles Simply Scrappin' Kit, Toothpick

A Little Hot Cocoa for the Holidays

It's pretty cold right now in New England and hot cocoa is a favorite treat. The template for this project is from Andrea Walford. The bottles are the perfect size as they hold just enough cocoa mix for a single cup of hot cocoa. I made several of these to go in gift baskets with some other items that I will post later.

Stamps: Season of Joy
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Chocolate chip, Very Vanilla & Real Red CS, Merry Moments DSP
Accessories & Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, 5/8" Real REd Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, 4 oz. Bottles (non-Stampin' Up!)

Christmas Paint Can

Here's another project from last year. This paint can was one of the projects from a Christmas treats class that I offered. It's kind of difficult to see from the angle of the photo, but there is a die-cut snowflake on the lid.

Stamps: Deer Friends
Ink: Baja Breeze
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White & Baja Breeze CS, Ski Slope Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Basic Black, Real Red & Pumpkin Pie Markers, Scallop Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle & Scallop Edge Punches, 5/8" Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Snowflake #2 Die, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Coluzzle, Blender Pens
Other: Red Button, Red Shredded Paper (both non-Stampin' Up!)

New Toys!

Winter has finally arrived here in New England. It began snowing last night and the forecast is calling for it to continue throughout the day today. The kids are excited because it's the first "Snow Day" of the year (I have to say, I'm pretty excited also).

Christmas came early for me yesterday, when Mr. Brown delivered some new Stampin' Up! goodies! I ordered some basic supplies, but I ordered some of the products from the new Occasions Mini Catalog as well. There are so many great new products in this mini catalog and I can't wait to share them with you!

One of the mini catalog items is a Mini Milk Carton Die. I had to try it out before I used anything else, so I made this Valentine's Day milk Carton. I also used a new stamp set, one of the new punches, and some new Specialty Designer Series Paper to make this project. Isn't it cute!? It's tiny and I love it. The bottom photo with the candy gives you an idea of its size. It can be filled with almost anything and decorated for any occasion.

The best part is...

the recipient doesn't have to destroy the milk carton to get to the treat inside!

Before securing the box, I simply cut it in two and the band that goes around the box keeps the top in place.

Stamps: With All My Heart
Ink: Pretty in Pink
Paper: Real Red, Pretty in Pink & Very Vanilla CS, Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper
Accessories: 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle & Pinking Hearts Border Punches, Pretties Kit (Cream, Medium Halfback Pearl), 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Crop-a-dile