Stamping with Noel

Big Shot Embellishment on Sewn Coffee Sleeve

The inspiration for this handmade end of the year teacher's gift is a sort of compilation of past projects (click on the title links for a closer look at any given project):

1. My Felt No Sew Big Shot Coffee Sleeves -
   
   
   
   This original project is one of my highest viewed projects on my blog - I guess there are a lot of you out there crafting handmade gifts for coffee addicts like myself. While I still use one of my original coffee sleeves, this time around I wanted to break out my sewing machine. This allows my finished product to be machine washable. I also chose to line my sleeve with fusible fleece for added heat protection.
   
   
2. My Fabric Flower Book Mark
   
   
   
   I love folded fabric flower embellishments for a feminine touch.  I used the same technique used to create my bookmark flower, however this time around I used my Circles #2 Die and the Big Shot to create my simpler denim flower.  I was also inspired by the use of hair ties for some stretch on this book mark, and used one on my coffee sleeve too!
   
   
3. My Upcycled Baby Clothes Art Journal
   
   
   
   I am enjoying upcycling my children's outgrown baby clothes into giftable items - nothing goes to waste and the fabrics themselves bring back a variety of wonderful memories!

I usually give sets of thank you cards for end of the year teacher gifts - I don't know a teacher out there who doesn't have a use for them with all the other gifts that come piling in!  And, they can be as quick and easy or as detailed as you have time for!

What are you doing for end of the year teacher gifts?   

Waiting for This and That - Garden 'Art' Journal

 

I can't tell you how excited I am that Stampin' Up! released their new This and That line of journaling products!  (See original post here.)  I personally create handmade journals/books for almost every trip I take, and often a simpler version for the children. 

But ...
(and this is a big 'but')

I always struggle to create that IMPERFECT art journal!

My books are journals in the true sense of the word.  They are a place where I record all of the specific dates and places ... where I record little incidences that make each day of the trip special ... where I keep the details I want to make it into my scrapbooks when I get home ...  

So, basically, after the creative cover, they are pages and pages of text!

I always tell myself that this time:

• I will sketch in my journal
• I will tape in my ticket stubs etc.
  (my last book included manila envelopes bound right into my binding to tuck all those scraps into the book - if only superficially, rather than permanently)
• That I will loosen up and not worry about perfection

But, 
(another big 'but')

The truth is, I DON'T! 

Instead, my travel books remain 'text-keepers' and my art journals are begun, but not utilized ... or at least, not past a page or two.

So,
(a big 'so'?)

I've been inspired by the new This and That line of journaling products to try again.

While my kit was still on order, I decided to create my own book (it is what I do well afterall, unlike the actual journaling itself!) and to use if for a pastime that is already taking my attention - my spring vegetable garden ... an activity I do with my girls, which leads to a bit of imperfection already.  Grin.   

The book above is the beginning of this process and already has a few garden touches:

• Denim covering reminiscent of farm overalls!
• Veggie charms from my stash hanging from burlap twine for rustic charm
• Torn strips of Stampin' Up! Designer Fabric, coordinating stitched grosgrain ribbon and Natural Trim (my new favorite) for more country appeal
• Now retired Sale-a-bration Designer Series Paper lining the inside covers which, in its perfectly geometric alignment, reminds me NOT to be perfect and to strive for a bit of organic charm instead
  

Hopefully I will share a few of my pages along the way - and in the meantime, I think I'll give my pre-teen a This and That kit to play with ... let's see how far the apple falls from the tree.

Artistic Endeavor: CASE of a Store Bought Card

 

It's time to get your fingers dirty with another Artistic Endeavor - this time around with crystal effects and glitter!

Before I tell you how I created this card, I wanted to share the store bought card I CASE'd to create this look.  My hubby is always so happy to receive my handmade cards, that he no longer feels comfortable buying me a basic printed card.  Instead he seeks out cards that "look like you made them".  I think that is pretty sweet.  And, better yet, I often take creative inspiration from them too!

Here is the comparison of the card he gave me for our anniversary a couple years ago and my card:

Store Bought Card

My CASEd Copy

Some notes on my creation:

• Textured Frame:
  
  I love how the textured frame of the original focal piece sets it apart from the same colored card base.  I decided to use the Big Shot both to create my frame (with Ovals Collection Framelits) and to create my texture (Textured Impressions Embossing Folder). And, while I was at it, I decided my card base needed a little texture too - a great way to pull in the dots from the original frame!
  
  I decided I wanted a bit more differentiation from my background, and added a layer of Crystal Effects to create a laquered effect.  Simply run a line of Crystal Effects over your frame and use your finger to smooth it into a thin layer to coat.  You could use 'finger gloves' or a piece of saran wrap if you don't like to get dirty, but you know that I don't!
  
  
• Ribbon Rose Buds and Leaves:
  
  While I could have created ribbon rose buds, the original buds immediately reminded me of our new 5/8" Flower Trim.  Why not use something that is already preformed?
  
  Oh, and when creating, I like multiples of 3 or 5 better than a pair!
  
  For my leaves, I used a retired organdy ribbon for a subtle look, but you could use any green ribbon.  Just twist the ends together and glue with Mini Glue Dots.
  
  
• Sparkly Pink Patterned Background:
  
  This is the time to dig through your Designer Series Paper scraps!  If you need new paper, check out our collection here!  My paper choice comes from a Sale-a-bration paper (I think) from several years ago.  I stuck with the pink floral motif, but chose a smaller scale. I think it gets a little lost under my glitter, so you might want to try bolder! 
  
  TOOL TIP:  If you cut your frame using ovals that are two sizes apart, you can cut an oval with the framelit that fits between the two you have used for your art piece.  This will keep the edges from showing when you mount your pieces on your card!
  
  The sparkle comes by adding a layer of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter over a layer of Heat & Stick Powder. 

So, if you receive a card you appreciate, why not take some creative inspiration from it and make it your own?  I think you'll enjoy the process! 

5 Minute Mondays: Color Selection Made Easy

Many of my customers have shared with me that the hardest part of rubber stamping is color selection.  They start a project with an idea in mind and just don't know where to start when selecting coordinating colors.

Stampin' Up! offers you several options to help with your COLOR SELECTION:
(alternatively, use my quick tip at the bottom of this article!)

1. Color Coach -
   
   If you are looking to enhance your color knowledge, then this tool is made just for you!  This swatchbook includes a card for every color in our collection, color theory information, and suggested color combinations.
   
   Click Here for our color coach.
   
   
2. Designer Series Paper -
   
   This is one of my best tips for color selection!  If there is a Designer Series Paper that inspires you and catches your eye, simply copy the color selection from that paper!  Our catalogs include information on exactly which colors are included in each of our patterned papers.
   
   Click Here to see Stampin' Up! papers.
   
   

3. Project Samples -

   Throughout our catalogs you will find project ideas using our products and color lines.  When you see a project that catches your eye, you can go to our online resources to see exactly which colors and products are used in that product.  Then you can go play with the same color palette! 

   Click Here for the link to our online catalog supply listings!

My Quick Color Selection Tip:

Alternatively, you can always do what I've done with my 5 Minute Monday card above ... simply grab all of the colors from a single In-Color collection (I've chosen the 2011-2013 collection), or 5 random colors from a larger color collection, and use them all! 

Learn more about our color collections here!

5 Minute Mondays: Quick & Easy Single Layer on Colored Card Stock

Have you ever noticed that a large percentage of single layer cards are done on neutral card stock?  For me, the second I say single layer I start reaching for a piece of Whisper White or Very Vanilla card stock.  So this week I challenged myself to create a 5 Minute Monday single layer card that started with a colored card base ... Pool Party any one?

 

Some thoughts on this card design:

• Be careful with your color choices when working on darker card stock - a subtle pastel can get lost or end up looking more like a watermark.
• That said, a watermark makes a lovely first layer - whether you use a large background stamp (as I've done here with the Ex Libris stamp), or a smaller image (like the patterned oval from the Oh, Hello stamp set).
• Heat Emboss with Crystal Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder to intensify your watermark.
• Does it still count as a single layer card when you add embellishments?  I'll leave that for you to decide.  Afterall, this isn't for a contest, but simply an effort to inspire you to create lovely cards for your friends and family in less time!

Reality Check:

Although this card wasn't as hard to pull together as I thought it would be, it definitely took me more than 5 minutes to design (unlike my sample from last Monday which truly came together in 5 minutes from the moment I sat down to craft!).  But, if your craft room is well organized with your basic supplies within reach, I think you can definitely reproduce it in 5 minutes - even if you need to make small changes.

Don't you just have to have this Ex Libris background stamp? 

Shop Now!

What are your favorite projects?

I'm in the process of doing some organizing of my crafting and my blog ... with a bit of clean up, a bit of prioritization, and hopefully some feedback from you.  To that effect, today I want to ask a question of you ...

What are your favorite types of blog posts? 

What inspires you to get to work in your craft room?

• Handmade Giftables?
• Card Sketches?
• Up a Notch Samples?
• Projects for Kids?
• Upcycled/Recycled/Green Crafts?
• Big Shot Projects?
• Scrapbooking Samples?
• Digital Ideas?
• Tool Tips?  & Top 10 Uses for your stamping supplies

Let me know what inspires you - and if there is anything you are missing in my blog - and it will help me make my blog an even better resource for your inspiration!

New Product Announcement: My Paper Pumpkin Kit by Mail

Stampin' Up! has just announced their first monthly kit by mail - My Paper Pumpkin!

• This kit has everything you need for 30 minutes of crafting delivered to your doorstep - all the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects.
• Projects like cards, journals, décor, and more!
• And, best yet, it is all cut, measured, and ready to go - with instructions included.

The details:

• We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month.
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's
  kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next
  month. 
• A Paper Pumpkin membership is $19.95 per month - with shipping included!
• There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime.
• You can also skip a month if you want.
• Starting in early March, we'll offer a Try-It kit if you'd like to try Paper
  Pumpkin for one month.

A Free Gift in Your Very First Kit

The Welcome Kit is the very first Paper Pumpkin you will receive in your first month of membership and includes a free gift-a clear acrylic block!

For more information, contact me or click on www.mypaperpumpkin.com.  When you sign up, you will be asked to select your demonstrator.  Select me (Noel Johnson - sometimes listed as Carol Noel Johnson ... sorry, trying to fix that!) as your demonstrator so I can help you make the most of your kit, and hopefully inspire you to do more!

Popular Projects on My Blog This Year? Coffee Craft!

At the end of the year, it is fun to look back at the blog posts which brought the most visitors to my site.  This year, one of your favorites was this simple handmade gift for a coffee lover!

Now it could be because this post was originally shared in April 2011, so it has been available for viewing for a much longer time - or some such other factor - but it is fun to see what inspires you.

And for those of you crafting for a younger crowd, these chapstick butterflies (also made with the Big Shot) were a big hit!

Something else caught your eye? 

I'd love to hear what was your favorite!  Please leave a comment below.

Holiday Spirit Stampin' Up Style!

I hope you are all getting into the Christmas spirit.  If you need a little boost, Stampin' Up! style, here is a little sing-a-long fun:

Now get crafting and wrapping, and hum along!

Noel

Holiday Decorations from Upcycled Materials Inspired by Signals Catalog

It's December, time for my house to shine with the lights of the Christmas tree and to be filled with handmade holiday decor.  Making this poinsettia 'wind chime' was a bit time consuming, but with my Big Shot and punches it was so easy!  And, best of all, all supplies were on hand in my craft room or garage. 

What did I use?

• 1 piece of scrap base board from the garage - spray painted red with glossy indoor/outdoor paint
• 29 die cut milk carton circles cut with the Big Shot and the Circles #2 Die
• 87 paper flowers  punched with the retired 5 Petal Punch from Real Red and Garden Green Card Stock ... but I really think I should look at my flower dies more closely next time around.  That was a lot of punching!
• shimmer paint from my stash painted onto one layer of the red flowers per poinsettia
• Crystal Effects which was painted onto both sides of each punched flowers for gloss and longevity
• 29 brass office brads (the centers of my flowers) used to attach the flowers to the milk carton
• 16 gold jingle bells
• about 160 gold split rings used to attach the milk carton disks and the jingle bells to each other (ok, I cheated here ... I only had 140 on hand, and needed to purchase more to finish my project)
• 5 screw eyes to attach my chimes to the base board.

This decoration was inspired by some snowflake bell chimes I had seen in the Signals catalog. I almost purchased them, but I always hesitate to have too much 'snow art' while living in Santa Barbara.  It always feels forced!  But my poinsettia plants do quite well here - in fact I have a plant that was bought for a talbe display a couple years ago that is now 3-4 foot tall in a pot in my driveway - so it was the perfect accent for my chimes.

As you can see, my Big Shot and my punches are all getting a good workout this holiday season.  If you don't own a Big Shot yet, have you put in your wish list for Santa?  Or maybe you need to earmark some Christmas money to make your purchase in January?  You won't believe you ever lived without it!

Another Scrap Rubber Stamp: Coffee Bean for You and Me!

Here is a customized masculine Christmas card I made for my hubby this year using a hand cut coffee bean stamp ... for indeed, our Christmas morning can not begin without a cup of Joe and a personalized card includes personalized messages and images!

While Stampin' Up! offers a wide variety of rubber stamp images, it is always nice to add that little detail that is all yours!  When you cut your own stamps from the leftover rubber from a new stamp set, you add a little of your own personality to your art for no extra cost.  That is green/recycled/upcycled crafting at its best! 

My Coffee Bean stamp is just one example of this.  I cut the general shape from the scrap rubber from a recently purchased clear mount stamp set.  The line down the middle was then cut out with an exacto knife - I only cut through the top of the rubber, not the foam mount!

The background text is done simply in Word, and adds that personalized message that makes this card extra special!  I lined up where I 'thought' the text should go and printed it on scratch paper cut to the size of my project.  Then I tweaked where necessary until I had everything printing where I wanted.  It may not be noticeable, but the text is printed with the appropriate RGB codes for Chocolate Chip (104 73 71) and Early Espresso Ink (80 57 49)! 

So think of the message that you want to convey and then get creative!  And don't throw out that left over rubber too quickly when mounting your stamps ... you never know what image you might need to create!

Supplies:  Crumb Cake and Early Espresso Card Stock, Scentsational Season Clear Mount Bundle (Includes Scentsational Season Stamp Set and Holiday Collection Framelits Dies at a 15% discount!), Basic Pearls Jewel Accents, Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive, Red Sharpie (to color the pearls)

Masculine Woodsy Birthday Card with the Big Shot

 

I created this Masculine Woodsy Birthday Card for my father who lives on 18 acres of wooded land in Northern California.  Last year, when my family went to visit, my dad took us for a long walk and helped my then 9 year old daughter learn to recognize all of the different varieties of oak and other species on the property.  So what better theme for his birthday card?  Especially since I've been wanting to break in my Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder!

Supplies: Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Little Leaves Sizzlits, Big Shot, Whisper White and Crumb Cake Card Stock, Jet Black StazOn Ink, Twine, Gold Brads, Perfectly Penned Stamp Set and Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

For some masculine inspiration, here are my favorite Stampin' Up! supplies for masculine cards: 

1. For the generic Masculine Card:
   Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
   
   
2. For the 'woodsman':
   Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
   
   
3. For the 'sailor':
   The Open Sea Stamp Set
   
4. For the 'horseman':
   Horse Frontier Stamp Set
   
   
5. For the 'little boy':
   You're Amazing Stamp Set
   
   
6. For the 'teen':
   Simple Circle and Square Punches

What are your go to masculine stamp supplies?  If you have been looking for something, check out the ideas above ... and if you have a great idea for teen boys, please share it with me!  This is definitely a weakness of mine.  Grin.

 

Hello Doily Birthday Card Wishes You 365 Days of Happiness!

What do you think of this fabulous 365 Days of Happiness Birthday Card created by my dear friend Stephanie! 

In addition to other supplies in her stash, and her unending imagination, Stephanie used the Hello Doily stamp, the jewelry tag punch, and an Apothocary Accents Framelits label die to create this card.  And look - she's not even afraid to use her own writing on her cards ... I truly need to embrace that freedom!

On a related note, during this season of Thanks I am thankful for my passion. While I love crafting for crafting sake, I also love that this passion has brought some truly special people into my life!  It is wonderful to have special people in your life; people who understand your quirks and obsessions and inspire you to push your art outside of the box - while being there along the way for all the other facets of your life too!     

When you are passionate about your crafts, you want to inspire others to craft too - but it goes both ways ... while I want to share my creativity with you, I also want YOU to share your creativity with me!  If you have a creation you've made using Stampin' Up! supplies, send it my way (a digital copy is sufficient!).  I would love to be inspired by you, and with your permission, I'll post it on my blog to inspire others as well!

Handmade Gifts: Rubber Stamped and Embellished Plaster of Paris Tea Lights Holders

I am always on the look out for new surfaces on which to rubber stamp - and if the surface can be a handmade gift itself, well, all the better!  These rubber stamped plaster of paris tea light holders were inspired by a project tutorial by Gabrielle Blair - a blogger living with her family in the French Countryside.  Those of you who know me, know that I am inspired by more than her tutorial!  Maybe I could simply go live with her?  She's a mother of six afterall, and having been raised with 5 siblings of my own, I'm well aware that one more in a household of that size doesn't make a huge difference.  Grin.

But, back to the tea lights.  I followed Gabrielle's tutorial almost exactly with these tweaks:

• When I removed my spacer, I had indeed pushed too deep (or rather, the weight of it sank too deep).  So I simply added a bit more plaster of paris to the well - which also helped to level the surface for the tea light!
• Instead of doing a text transfer onto my tea light, I chose to rubber stamp my images with Jet Black Staz On Ink - a must have ink in my craft room!  If you are ever having difficulty getting a sharp image with this ink pad, remember to reink. 
• In the future I may add some sparkly details just for fun (especially if doing holiday themed tea lights)!

If you need a bit more for your giftable, wouldn't this bee version be the perfect accompaniment to my lemon sugar hand scrub (it can be used in the bath, with the candle burning nearby, and maybe a little limoncello?):

If you like the idea of candle projects for the holidays, but don't want to mess with plaster of paris, I did a 4 part candle series last Christmas that should give you some ideas!  Click on the images below to visit the original blog posts.

        

I hope you take some time to create a few of these votives or another candle project this holiday season - either for yourself or as a handmade gift for a friend!  I think you will find the process a lot of fun, and take a lot of pride in the end result.

My One Hour Fall Acorn Wreath!

Today I want to share a little of my fall decor crafting with recycled and upcycled items. This acorn wreath may look time consuming, but it came together in less than an hour!

A little history behind the wreath ...

Walking home from preschool each day, my four year old daughter stops to pick up acorns from a huge oak tree at the church near our house while our puppy plays in the nearby grass.  Some days I'm impatient and want to move along, and others I'm content to let them have their time - but rarely do I actively encourage the dawdling.  Well, at least until recently.

In looking at fall crafts around me (at the stores, at homes nearby, online - my eyes are always open), I've picked up on the fall current trend to coat anything and everything with natural materials.  Twigs are glued around tin cans to create vases, mini pumpkins are glued to wreath forms, and acorns - well, acorns are everywhere and on every project imaginable!

The supplies ...

This wreath is built upon a simple straw wreath form from my local craft store and uses masses of hot glue, hundreds of acorns, a silk flower torn off an old scare crow decoration, a few brown felt leaves cut with my indispensable Big Shot Machine and a retired leaves die, and a piece of retired Chocholate Chip Grosgrain.  

Your turn ...

Check out your craft room for basic supplies and your surrounding environment for natural materials - you just may find that you have all the supplies you need to create a lovely Fall decoration or gift item!