If you've been reading my blog, you know how much I {love} the products at ShortCuts...their acrylics are awesome, and RIGHT NOW, they're giving away a Large Pack (20 sheets!) of Frosted acrylic to FIVE lucky commenters as blog candy!!
So what are you waiting for? Go check it out, leave a comment, and try to win! (And if you have a blog and post a link to the give-away, you get 5 more entries!)
A Frost-y Giveaway
Friday, December 26, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Think snow!
I'm thinking that snow may not be so far-fetched this year...can you believe all the reports of snow in no-snow areas?? Maybe we'll actually get some snow for Christmas (or at least a good cover on the nearby mountains so we could visit)!This is a card I made for Jessica (jezirus on SCS)...she was *so* sweet to think of AJ (willosmama on SCS), who coordinated all the participants of Unity's Secret Santa. Since AJ wasn't able to participate, Jessica organized us hooligans to send a little something to her, and she put a *big* box of goodies together for our fearless SS coordinator! I thought that extra effort at least warranted a cute card, right? *grins*
I started with a Baja Breeze card stock base that was 8 1/2" x 7 1/4", folded in half to be 8 1/2" x 3 5/8", which fits perfectly in a standard business-sized envelope. (FYI: if you have a Scor-Pal, the score line for this size is marked with a small triangle...there is also a triangle at the 7 1/4" line in case you want to tri-fold a standard 8 1/2" x 11" sheet. Very handy if you're totally OCD, and want those Christmas letters perfectly folded! *wink*)
(Sorry, where was I? Oh yeah...)
I covered the front with scraps of SU!'s 'Ski Slope' DP. I cut them all to widts and lengths that were multiples of 3/4" (so 3/4", 1 1/2", 2 1/4", etc.), and then just tiled them on like a crazy quilt. Going with the quilt theme, I stamped some faux-stitching over the joints in Chocolate Chip ink. Next, I stamped that adorable little owl trio, colored them with Prismacolor pencils, adhered them to a Baja Breeze scrap, and faux-stitch-stamped around the edge. I attached the image panel to the card base with foam mounting tape, and stamped 'think snow' at the bottom right corner, added some adhesive half-back pearls, and tied on some chocolate satin ribbon.
For those of you buried in snow or dealing with freezing (or sub-freezing) temperatures, stay WARM and SAFE!
Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle
Supplies used:
Paper: Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla CS, Ski Slope DP (SU!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Stamps: Three Owls (Hero Arts); 'think snow' from Jolly Little Winter (Unity stamp Co.); Hanging by a Thread set (Technique Tuesday)
Other: half-back pearls (Michael's); satin ribbon (Club Wedd by Target); foam mounting tape (3M)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
messy desk (as usual)...
Except right now, it's so messy I don't even feel like making anything...isn't that awful? The photo above was taken Monday, when I cleared off some space to work on that corner-rounder-scallops-on-Coluzzle-shapes-tutorial. It actually looks worse right now. I'm going to have to get it cleaned off if I ever want to finish Christmas gifts and cards and crafts.... *sigh*What's your desk situation? Are you a neatnik or a messy? (I definitely lean toward the messy, though my OCD heart desires to be a neatnik!) *wink*
Have a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle
Monday, December 15, 2008
Corner-rounder scallops using Coluzzle shapes
Here it is, folks, by popular request! I've had several people ask me how I do the scallops on Coluzzle shapes using a corner rounder, and how I line up the corner rounder so that the scallops are even, so I'm giving you all a little tutorial. This has been my solution to not wanting to invest in Nestabilities...they're absolutely amazing, very versatile (you can die-cut and emboss, and use them as stencils) and you really, really do get a lot for your money, but I don't even know where to begin on that buying binge, and don't really want to start! LOL
Here are the corner rounders that I use...they are made by EK Success, and are at Michael's, Beverley's (a Southern California craft store), Target, etc.:
The green one is my favorite, it's the "medium" corner rounder, and the yellow is the "small" corner rounder. Both originally came with the guards you see on the yellow one (for lining up with the corner of your paper), but mine is off the green one more often than it's on, and now is lost in the abyss of my craft desk. *wink* Lately, if I need to actually round a corner with the green one, I just use the yellow one's guard.
Here's a photo of how the guard comes off...I just pull (gently) to one side to slide it out of the groove, and then pull the rest off.
And here's a photo with the guard completely off:
Next up, the Coluzzle templates. I bought mine as a set from Stampin' Up!. The set came with a circle template, an oval template, the cutting mat, and the swivel blade craft knife. I have both of my templates marked in red with the right size for creating a perfectly scalloped shape using my Corner Adorner Medium Rounder from EK Success:
(I haven't had my yellow ("Small") corner rounder long enough to test out which sizes, if any, work for a perfectly scalloped shape, but I'll let you know when I do...)
Here's a photo of cutting an oval from card stock. I lay the template where I want to cut out, then push the blade of the swivel craft knife straight down into the channel. You should hear a 'pop' when the blade cuts through the card stock. Keep the knife vertical as you cut around the channel to avoid cutting into your template, or having a wonky shape.
Next is a photo of how to line up the scallops (sorry for the blurriness). Basically, you make sure the metal 'prongs' are both pushed flush against the edge, and then align the 'point' of the cutting edge so that it overlaps the previous scallop. You should see just a small opening (at the left in the photo below), and no card stock in that corner where you're overlapping:
If you play your cards right, this is what you end up with:
Now comes the disclaimer *wink*... Ovals don't always come out right (I've never had a problem with circles, just ovals). I think it's because of the varying radius of the curve around the shape. So, sometimes you end up with what I call a 'fish tail' (this happens on all the other sizes of ovals when you use the Medium rounder):
And if you try to force that fish tail into a perfect scalloped shape, you end up with something like this, with double cuts in the valleys:
Here's a photo (on a circle) of how it looks when the last scallop fits perfectly (notice the openings at both ends of the cutting edge):
Here are a couple photos to show you how the circle compares to Marvy Uchida's scalloped punches. It's just a bit bigger than the 'Super' (which is a 2" diameter):
And about 3/4" smaller than the 'Giga' (purple) scalloped punch, which is a 3" diameter:
I did try to see if I could 'guess' which size circle would work with the Corner Adorner Small Rounder from EK Success (the yellow one). I decided to try the second largest circle...
And ended up with a 'fish tail' (see it on the right?):
(As an aside, the corner rounders often leave divots on the reverse side...you can kinda see them in the photo below. These are awesome for piercing, since they're perfectly spaced and centered in your scallops. So, that's what I did! *wink*)
So how do I deal with that 'fish tail' problem when I want a different sized shape or my punching doesn't work? I tie my ribbon over it! Check it out...
Seriously, you'd be surprised how many cards that I've shown you on this blog are hiding fish tails! *wink*
For the card, I attached my pierced fish tail-ed scalloped circle to a Kraft A2-sized card base, and tied twill ribbon around the entire card, covering the mismatched scallops. I stamped the butterfly from Oh Happy Day! on Whisper White, and cut it out with my 'Super'-sized circle punch from Marvy Uchida, and then sponged the edge of the circle with Bordering Blue ink. I punched a 'Mega'-sized Chocolate Chip circle to mat it, and adhered both over the twill using foam tape. I stamped 'happiness' at the bottom, accented the butterfly with half-back pearls, and Voila! A card I'd be happy to give, and the recipient will be none-the-wiser about my mismatched scallops! *grins*
Thanks for stopping by today! And *please*, let me know if you have any other questions, or if any part of this is unclear...I've had a bunch of questions on this subject, so I'm hoping this will help! Have a great week!
~Michelle
Supplies used:
Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue, and Whisper White CS (SU!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Stamps: Oh Happy Day! (Unity Stamp Company)
Other: Coluzzle cutting system (Provo Craft); Small and Medium Corner Rounders (EK Success); Super and Mega circle punches, Super and Giga scallop punches (Marvy Uchida); Retractable paper pick (Tim Holtz by Tonic Studios); Mat pack (SU!) White twill (Martha Stewart Crafts); foam mounting tape (3M); self-adhesive half-back pearls (Michael's)
Here are the corner rounders that I use...they are made by EK Success, and are at Michael's, Beverley's (a Southern California craft store), Target, etc.:
The green one is my favorite, it's the "medium" corner rounder, and the yellow is the "small" corner rounder. Both originally came with the guards you see on the yellow one (for lining up with the corner of your paper), but mine is off the green one more often than it's on, and now is lost in the abyss of my craft desk. *wink* Lately, if I need to actually round a corner with the green one, I just use the yellow one's guard.Here's a photo of how the guard comes off...I just pull (gently) to one side to slide it out of the groove, and then pull the rest off.
And here's a photo with the guard completely off:
Next up, the Coluzzle templates. I bought mine as a set from Stampin' Up!. The set came with a circle template, an oval template, the cutting mat, and the swivel blade craft knife. I have both of my templates marked in red with the right size for creating a perfectly scalloped shape using my Corner Adorner Medium Rounder from EK Success:
(I haven't had my yellow ("Small") corner rounder long enough to test out which sizes, if any, work for a perfectly scalloped shape, but I'll let you know when I do...)Here's a photo of cutting an oval from card stock. I lay the template where I want to cut out, then push the blade of the swivel craft knife straight down into the channel. You should hear a 'pop' when the blade cuts through the card stock. Keep the knife vertical as you cut around the channel to avoid cutting into your template, or having a wonky shape.
Next is a photo of how to line up the scallops (sorry for the blurriness). Basically, you make sure the metal 'prongs' are both pushed flush against the edge, and then align the 'point' of the cutting edge so that it overlaps the previous scallop. You should see just a small opening (at the left in the photo below), and no card stock in that corner where you're overlapping:
If you play your cards right, this is what you end up with:
Now comes the disclaimer *wink*... Ovals don't always come out right (I've never had a problem with circles, just ovals). I think it's because of the varying radius of the curve around the shape. So, sometimes you end up with what I call a 'fish tail' (this happens on all the other sizes of ovals when you use the Medium rounder):
And if you try to force that fish tail into a perfect scalloped shape, you end up with something like this, with double cuts in the valleys:
Here's a photo (on a circle) of how it looks when the last scallop fits perfectly (notice the openings at both ends of the cutting edge):
Here are a couple photos to show you how the circle compares to Marvy Uchida's scalloped punches. It's just a bit bigger than the 'Super' (which is a 2" diameter):
And about 3/4" smaller than the 'Giga' (purple) scalloped punch, which is a 3" diameter:
I did try to see if I could 'guess' which size circle would work with the Corner Adorner Small Rounder from EK Success (the yellow one). I decided to try the second largest circle...
And ended up with a 'fish tail' (see it on the right?):
(As an aside, the corner rounders often leave divots on the reverse side...you can kinda see them in the photo below. These are awesome for piercing, since they're perfectly spaced and centered in your scallops. So, that's what I did! *wink*)
So how do I deal with that 'fish tail' problem when I want a different sized shape or my punching doesn't work? I tie my ribbon over it! Check it out...
Seriously, you'd be surprised how many cards that I've shown you on this blog are hiding fish tails! *wink* For the card, I attached my pierced fish tail-ed scalloped circle to a Kraft A2-sized card base, and tied twill ribbon around the entire card, covering the mismatched scallops. I stamped the butterfly from Oh Happy Day! on Whisper White, and cut it out with my 'Super'-sized circle punch from Marvy Uchida, and then sponged the edge of the circle with Bordering Blue ink. I punched a 'Mega'-sized Chocolate Chip circle to mat it, and adhered both over the twill using foam tape. I stamped 'happiness' at the bottom, accented the butterfly with half-back pearls, and Voila! A card I'd be happy to give, and the recipient will be none-the-wiser about my mismatched scallops! *grins*
Thanks for stopping by today! And *please*, let me know if you have any other questions, or if any part of this is unclear...I've had a bunch of questions on this subject, so I'm hoping this will help! Have a great week!
~Michelle
Supplies used:
Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue, and Whisper White CS (SU!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Stamps: Oh Happy Day! (Unity Stamp Company)
Other: Coluzzle cutting system (Provo Craft); Small and Medium Corner Rounders (EK Success); Super and Mega circle punches, Super and Giga scallop punches (Marvy Uchida); Retractable paper pick (Tim Holtz by Tonic Studios); Mat pack (SU!) White twill (Martha Stewart Crafts); foam mounting tape (3M); self-adhesive half-back pearls (Michael's)
The Kitchen is painted!!
Okay, here's the color, on our new drywall....now we just need lights and cabinets *wink*
The color is 'Acorn' by Behr (290D-6)...it's a fabulous butternut-squashy-color, and I can't wait until we have our cherry-stained cabinets in there!! (Yes, I'm getting excited! *grins*)
Tutorial coming up later!
~Michelle
The color is 'Acorn' by Behr (290D-6)...it's a fabulous butternut-squashy-color, and I can't wait until we have our cherry-stained cabinets in there!! (Yes, I'm getting excited! *grins*)Tutorial coming up later!
~Michelle
Saturday, December 13, 2008
An answer for Kristen...
Kristen asked me about where I found the felt eyelet doilies for my Felt Snowflake Joy card. I found them at my local Wal-Mart, and here is what the packaging looks like:
They're Martha Stewart Crafts 'Celebrate' Collection, and they were in with the wedding craft items. Martha Stewart has a whole collection of eyelet items for weddings, most of which are online at Wal-Mart. For some reason, though, these aren't. I'm not sure why they aren't online, but if you have a problem finding them at your Wal-Mart, send me an email and I'll send some out to you! *wink*
Here's a close-up of the photo showing the doily:
Like I said in my earlier post, *lots* of embellishment opportunities in that one package! *grins*
Up next (probably tonight or sometime tomorrow): a tutorial on doing a scalloped border with a corner rounder on a Coluzzle-cut shape, by request. *wink* If you have any questions for me (about anything that I use/do on my projects), leave me a comment and I'll do my best to answer!
Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle
They're Martha Stewart Crafts 'Celebrate' Collection, and they were in with the wedding craft items. Martha Stewart has a whole collection of eyelet items for weddings, most of which are online at Wal-Mart. For some reason, though, these aren't. I'm not sure why they aren't online, but if you have a problem finding them at your Wal-Mart, send me an email and I'll send some out to you! *wink*Here's a close-up of the photo showing the doily:
Like I said in my earlier post, *lots* of embellishment opportunities in that one package! *grins*Up next (probably tonight or sometime tomorrow): a tutorial on doing a scalloped border with a corner rounder on a Coluzzle-cut shape, by request. *wink* If you have any questions for me (about anything that I use/do on my projects), leave me a comment and I'll do my best to answer!
Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle
Friday, December 12, 2008
I've been tagged! ...twice *wink*
It boggles my mind that I can be nominated/tagged when I've been MIA for so long, but thanks, girls!! (I can always count on those Unity chicks to keep me honest! *wink*)
First up, I was tagged by Jenn at Double N Designs (aka mspacmanpinky on SCS)....thanks Jenn!
So, hmmm....7 weird/random facts about me (in no particular order):
1. I took 6 quarters worth on glass techniques in college...glass blowing, glass fusing, cane work, glass casting. Seriously, seriously fun (and seriously, seriously HOT!)
2. I'm in charge of gravy-making at any big event that requires gravy (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) It's really not hard, but for some reason I'm the designated gravy-maker.
3. I *adore* Chai tea...to be specific, Tazo Chai Tea concentrate, mixed in equal amounts with milk, heated to 180F, with vanilla syrup added. (Or, if you're at Starbucks, a Venti Vanilla Chai, extra-hot, no water)
4. My crafting desk is BURIED at the moment. Seriously, it's embarrassing. And I can't even work at it, and don't have time to clean it up unless I cut out a few hours of sleep per night for a week or so.
5. Christmas is my very most favorite holiday of the year...love the image of God sending His Son as a tiny baby to save us all (really, you couldn't make that up!), love the decorations, love the crafting, love seeing the 2-story tree all decorated in our church Sanctuary, love Christmas Eve candlelight services...love it all!!
6. We don't 'do' Santa with our boys (because we want the focus on Christ, not on presents....they also only get 3 gifts from us, just like Jesus received 3 gifts). And now that my oldest is 4, that can be a problem around kids whose parents do. (As in, "but Mommy, I'm just trying to tell them the truth"...he's like Susan Walker from Miracle on 34th Street).
7. I'm not a big dessert-eater (or sweets-eater in general). But, you'd be shocked to see the amount of sugar I like in my tea (as long as it's added while it's hot...if it's already been chilled, I drink it unsweetened). I think it must be because I was born in North Carolina, even though we only lived there until I was three...that's my story, anyway, and I'm stickin' to it! *wink*
As for the 7 nominees, stay tuned 'til the end...
Kim from Endless Inkabilities (aka doodersmom on SCS) nominated me for the Kreativ Blog award!! Thank you, Kim! *smiles*
Guidelines for Kreativ Blogger Award:
1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Put links to their blogs
5. Leave a message for your nominees.
So, here are my nominees...that I'm also tagging with the 7 random facts thing from above! *wink* Check them out, I love these girls!! (psst....I tried not to double-tag anyone who had already been tagged, so don't feel bad if you're not on this list! {hugs})
1. Joy (aka daiseyfreak) ...this girl is amazing, and just started on the DT for Shortcuts (the company I did a review of last month)
2. Lindsay (aka lindsaybrooke) ...designs stamps for Unity!! As Jen would say, "shut up! it's true!!" And, they're AWESOME stamp designs! (of course!)
3. Tiff (aka Tiffguam) ...she's guest designer for Limelight this month, so you know she ROCKS!
4. Lori ...an amazing book maker/mixed media artist who just has the most amazing outlook and sharing spirit. She cheers me up every time I go to her blog!
5. Shannon ...my almost-next-door-neighbor who does *NOT* post enough of her stamping creations!!
6. Corey ...my seriously creative MOPS/stamping/"I'll take any excuse to get out of the house" friend *grins*
7. YOU!! Make sure you leave a comment so I can come check you out *wink*
(I also just realized I nixed some people who had the Kreativ award, but not the tagging, so if you wanna do the 7 random facts, consider yourself tagged!)
And now, I'm a bit loopy from being up too late 3 nights in a row, so I'm going to bed! Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle
First up, I was tagged by Jenn at Double N Designs (aka mspacmanpinky on SCS)....thanks Jenn!
So, hmmm....7 weird/random facts about me (in no particular order):1. I took 6 quarters worth on glass techniques in college...glass blowing, glass fusing, cane work, glass casting. Seriously, seriously fun (and seriously, seriously HOT!)
2. I'm in charge of gravy-making at any big event that requires gravy (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) It's really not hard, but for some reason I'm the designated gravy-maker.
3. I *adore* Chai tea...to be specific, Tazo Chai Tea concentrate, mixed in equal amounts with milk, heated to 180F, with vanilla syrup added. (Or, if you're at Starbucks, a Venti Vanilla Chai, extra-hot, no water)
4. My crafting desk is BURIED at the moment. Seriously, it's embarrassing. And I can't even work at it, and don't have time to clean it up unless I cut out a few hours of sleep per night for a week or so.
5. Christmas is my very most favorite holiday of the year...love the image of God sending His Son as a tiny baby to save us all (really, you couldn't make that up!), love the decorations, love the crafting, love seeing the 2-story tree all decorated in our church Sanctuary, love Christmas Eve candlelight services...love it all!!
6. We don't 'do' Santa with our boys (because we want the focus on Christ, not on presents....they also only get 3 gifts from us, just like Jesus received 3 gifts). And now that my oldest is 4, that can be a problem around kids whose parents do. (As in, "but Mommy, I'm just trying to tell them the truth"...he's like Susan Walker from Miracle on 34th Street).
7. I'm not a big dessert-eater (or sweets-eater in general). But, you'd be shocked to see the amount of sugar I like in my tea (as long as it's added while it's hot...if it's already been chilled, I drink it unsweetened). I think it must be because I was born in North Carolina, even though we only lived there until I was three...that's my story, anyway, and I'm stickin' to it! *wink*
As for the 7 nominees, stay tuned 'til the end...
Kim from Endless Inkabilities (aka doodersmom on SCS) nominated me for the Kreativ Blog award!! Thank you, Kim! *smiles*
Guidelines for Kreativ Blogger Award:1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Put links to their blogs
5. Leave a message for your nominees.
So, here are my nominees...that I'm also tagging with the 7 random facts thing from above! *wink* Check them out, I love these girls!! (psst....I tried not to double-tag anyone who had already been tagged, so don't feel bad if you're not on this list! {hugs})
1. Joy (aka daiseyfreak) ...this girl is amazing, and just started on the DT for Shortcuts (the company I did a review of last month)
2. Lindsay (aka lindsaybrooke) ...designs stamps for Unity!! As Jen would say, "shut up! it's true!!" And, they're AWESOME stamp designs! (of course!)
3. Tiff (aka Tiffguam) ...she's guest designer for Limelight this month, so you know she ROCKS!
4. Lori ...an amazing book maker/mixed media artist who just has the most amazing outlook and sharing spirit. She cheers me up every time I go to her blog!
5. Shannon ...my almost-next-door-neighbor who does *NOT* post enough of her stamping creations!!
6. Corey ...my seriously creative MOPS/stamping/"I'll take any excuse to get out of the house" friend *grins*
7. YOU!! Make sure you leave a comment so I can come check you out *wink*
(I also just realized I nixed some people who had the Kreativ award, but not the tagging, so if you wanna do the 7 random facts, consider yourself tagged!)
And now, I'm a bit loopy from being up too late 3 nights in a row, so I'm going to bed! Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
I'm still here...
Sorry I haven't been posting! The kitchen remodel is going really well, drywall was finished yesterday so today we are painting and fixing tile, then it'll be time to install cabinets and fixtures!! *grins*
I have been busy in the crafting arena, making things for my MOPS group and for our church Christmas tea, so I'll try to post those soon...thank you for being patient with me! Hope you're having a wonderful Christmas season!
~Michelle
I have been busy in the crafting arena, making things for my MOPS group and for our church Christmas tea, so I'll try to post those soon...thank you for being patient with me! Hope you're having a wonderful Christmas season!
~Michelle
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