Gotta Love That Clustering

This is one of those layouts that I really wasn't sure where I was going when I started but I loved where I ended up.  The collection is one of the latest from KaiserCraft, Forget-Me-Not.   I really tried to work on my clusters on this layout and adore everything that is going on.  Lots of little nooks and crannies to discover things.

Were you Naughty or Nice?

I hope everyone had a Merry, Merry Christmas.  So I have one question to ask, were you naughty or nice?  LOL.  Our big party of the year is Christmas Eve and this year was no exception.  We blew it out well.  One of the dessert was the naughty or nice trays.  I made regular Rice Krispie Treats for the nice side and Oreo coal for the naughty.  I'll list the recipe for the Oreos chews at the end of this post.

I made the little signs for the trays using products from Scrap-Mart.  I would have brought them home to take a bit better photos, but there was a precious little girl at the party who wanted them, so off they went in the spirit of the evening.

Here is a list of supplies used for the signs:

Sizzix Frame Back Ornate #3
Amazing Paper Grace Kit of the Month November: Stamp
Spellbinders Circle
Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Stickles 

Now the recipe for the Oreo Coal.  Let me warn you cut these very small as they are really chewy.

One package of Oreo cookies/ processed in the food processor to crumbs
4 Tablespoons of Butter
5 Cups of marshmallows

Melt the butter and the marshmallows in pan over the stove top.  Once everything is melted add the cookie crumbs and stir to all mixed.  Pour out and press into a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Wait to cool and cut into small bite size pieces.

Have a little Christmas money that needs to find a good home?  Remember you can get one item 40% off regular price at Scrap-Mart, just use the STOCKING coupon code.  Ends the 31st of December so hurry.  

Happy Birthday Jesus

This year something so small really struck me in such a profound way.  I have a client who was leaving to go to Jerusalem for the holidays.  I just happened to ask in conversation if they thought they knew the place where Christ was actually born, I have always heard it was cave.  My friend was quick to tell me yes they believe it to be the Grotto of the Nativity and in fact that is where he is going to be on Christmas Eve.  I asked if he would take a picture for me, in which he replied " not only will I bring you a picture but I'll light a candle for you".  I honestly started to cry.  To stand in a spot where Christ actually was born just takes my breath away.  I know that Jesus lives in my heart with me everyday but to see his humble beginnings and think about him as an infant, it's so amazing.  I must say this was one of my greatest gifts this season.  I feel very blessed to actually know someone that just happens to be going to Christ's birth place the eve he was born...WOW.    Just thought I would share with you.

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas season.  That you get to be with friends and family and are able to focus on the greatest gift that we have ever received.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!

Fancy Pants and Scor-Pal Gift Hop

Products Used: Scor-Pal, Scor Tape, Fancy Pants Hopscotch Card Stock, Card Stock, Stamps, Donna Salzar Ink, KaiserCraft Flower, Spellbinders Dies, Velcro Tabs and corner rounder

There is nothing like a last minute gift, and gift cards are perfect.  Today I'm going to share a simple project with you that will really take your gift cards to the next level. 

Step 1: Cut a piece of card stock 4 1/2 x 10 inches and score at the 3 inch, 4 inch, 5 inch and 8 inch mark. 

Step 2: Fold as shown below and use your Scor-Pal Tool to make the edges crisp. 

Step 3: Round the corners on the outside edges

Step 4:  Cut the following designer card stock pieces and corner round your end pieces 

(4)  4 x 2 3/4 

(2) 4 x 1 3/4 

(2) 4 x 3/4

Note: this will decorate the outside and the interior of the wallet

Step 5: Flip your wallet over the the outside and apply a line of Scor-Pal Tape to the very bottom of the score line between the small peaks that are going to form where the gift card sits. Apply the to peaks together. 

Step 6 : Flip back over to the interior and use a Spellbinders Die to line up just on the edges of the small pop up flap.  This will make a slit for your card to sit in and when the wallet is opened the gift card will flip up.  TIP: if the die doesn't cut all the way through just trim it up with scissors as the score line will be embossed enough. 

Step 7: Slip your gift card in the open notch

Step 8 : Apply velcro tabs to the flap of you wallet to open and close.  If you don't have velcro tabs you could easily use ribbon or twine to close the wallet. 

Decorate your wallet as desired and give away with love!!!!

Tis the Season for " LOVE"

Hexagon's are big, BIg, BIG this year, so I thought the adorable collection " Forget-Me-Not " from KaiserCraft would be a great way to feature some Hexagon's.  This simple card really pops and I love the way the patterned paper really shows off.

I outlined all the shapes with a Uniball white pen...that made them pop all the more.  Also the stitching around the card is faux with the Uniball pen.

December Get Away with Tropicana

My favorite new release from KasierCraft has to Tropicana.....I adore everything about it.  This is a layout I created for the Saturday Sketch.  I had snapped a picture of my feet in the surf of the beach and couldn't have chosen a better collection to feature my little piggies. LOL

Be sure to participate in KaiserCraft's Saturday Sketches...they will give away a whole collection of your choice if you win and sketches are always a good way to get those creative juices flowing.

Amazing with Amazing Paper Grace

I've enjoyed Amazing Paper Grace's kits since the start and today was a day that almost all the kits met.  I used several stamp sets, tons of spellbinders and some beautiful prima paper from the latest kit created by  Becca Fekken  / Amazing Paper Grace.

Here's a complete list of all the products used:  You can subscribe to the kit of the month here and also pick up your extras at Scrap-Mart, the best online scrapping store.

Remember that 40% off coupon for Scrap-Mart if you haven't already used it...40% off retail on one item, just use code STOCKING.

Spellbinders: Standard Circle
Spellbinders: Lacey Squares
Spellbinders: Grand Labels One
Spellbinders: Amazing Paper Grace: Filigree Corners
Spellbinders Amazing Paper Grace: Vintage Frame Labels and Spool Topper Dies
Amazing Paper Grace Stamp Set: It's Sew Vintage
Amazing Paper Grace Stamp Set: What Defines Us
Tim Holtz Distress Ink

Scor-Pal and Core'dinations Even for Layouts

I use Core'dination's Paper all the time so when I heard that Scor-Pal and Core'dinations were teaming up for a week, I was in heaven.  So I literally took it there with this prayer layout I created with a library card pocket, ready to hold my requests and thoughts.  

Here is everything you'll need to create this layout: Core'dinations Core Impressions BasicGrey Ornate Paper Pack, Core'dinations Tim Holtz Kraft Core Collection,Core'dinations Sand It Gadget,  Scor-Pal , Scor-Tool, Scor-Pal Tape

Other products Used: My Mind's Eye Paper, KaiserCraft paper blooms, Cheery Lynn Dies, Glitter, Card Stock, Foam Tape

Step One: Cut a piece of designer card stock 9 x 4 1/2

Step Two:  Using your Scor-Pal score paper at 1/2 inch and 4 inch . 

Step Three: Turn paper and score at the five inch mark to create your fold. 

Step Four: From the shorter side cut away the 1/2 inch scored strip to the center score line.  Also you can angle your corners on the remaining edges. 

Step Five: Apply Scor-Pal Tape to the tabs that will fold over.  Be sure to not apply the tape to far up where  it would stick out past the fold up. 

Step Six : Fold over and crease down with your Scor-Tool for a perfect finished Library Card/ Pocket.  Then just apply to your card or layout as desired. 

I must brag a bit about the Core'dinations Sand it Gadget.  I already had some sanding blocks and files but man does this little tool do the trick on Core'dinations Paper.  It was wonderful for sanding the whole page quickly and easily.  I really love it. 

Perfect Quick Christmas Gift

This is such an easy gift to make for someone...an envelope album that is filled with either mini layouts or cards, which is what I've done here.  I used the Merry and Bright Collection from KaiserCraft.  If you would love to make one of these awesome little albums, head over to the Scor-Pal blog and check out the quick tutorial.  Great gifts ideas!!!

Love Layout

I really adore the Pickled Pear Collection from KaiserCraft.  It has so an eclectic mix that just comes together wonderfully.  Of course if you have looked at any of my work, you've seen my love in life are my boys.  This is my youngest little money with that toothless grin...love it!!!!!

I will say all the collectables, embellishments and bling offered from KaiserCraft make clustering so easy and fun.  Always something for your eye to explore. 

Octobers: Picking Your Pumpkin Layout

KaiserCraft came out with a wonderful collection to make an annual calendar for yourself.  I had to mix it up a bit and granted I did a monthly layout but can't say you would be able to use it a lot in a calendar to keep track of dates and such, LOL.  I was just having to much fun with their new masks from Kasier and ink and mists.  Bottom line, I love it and that's what's important and if I can't track dates...so be it. LOL.

Mini Bag Ornament for Scrap-Mart

With the holidays upon us it's nice to know how to whip out an adorable quick gift for teachers, neighbors or a friend. I was able to do just that using some Tim Holtz Dies, Spellbinders Dies and a bit of time.  Here is a complete list of materials used for this project that you can pick up at Scrap-Mart

Tim Holtz Alterations Die : In The Bag

Tim Holtz Alterations : Reindeer Flight

Tim Holtz: Distress Ink

Tim Holtz Alterations Embossing Folder: Sheet Music

Spellbinders: Office Supplies

Spellbinders D-Lites: Medallion Six

Don't forget you can use the coupon code STOCKING to get 40% off one regular priced item....just a little Christmas treat for you!!!

Scor Pal Tutorial : Six Pack

Products Used: Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, Card Stock, KaiserCraft Turtle Dove Collection,, Pearls, Twine, Punch, JustRite Stamp, Spellbinders.

This is a great little carrier/box for to hold a gift kit, ex: manicure goodies, hot cocoa, or multiple candies. You could really do so many different things.  That part is up to you, but for today I want to share how to create this box.

Step 1: Cut a piece of  of card stock 9 1/2 x 6 3/4 .  Score at 1 1/4 on three sides as shown below.

Step Two: Turn card stock on it's side and score at 6 1/4 just to the previous score line and repeat on the other side.

Step Three: Cut out both flaps on top sides as shown on the picture and cut flaps.

Step Four: Fold on all score lines and adhere together with Scor-tape.  Repeat all steps again to create a second base.

Step Five: Cut Two pieces of card stock 6 1/4 x 6 1/4 and score 1 1/4 inch on 3 sides.

Step Six: Cut slit in bottom flap where you can fold and and adhere together with scor-pal tape.  Apply scor-pal tape around the base piece and the piece just construction and adhere together to form the container.

Step Seven: Apply scor-pal tape on the back of both pieces and adhere together to form carrier.

Step Eight: Cut two pieces of card stock 8 ¾” x 4 ½”. Score at 1 ¼”, 2 ½”, 3 ¾”, 5”, 6 ¼”, 7 ½”. Move the left edge of paper back and forth to make these score lines. Fold one up and one down, making hills and valleys on both.  Apply Scor-Tape in the peaks and adhere.  Your dividers are ready to insert into your carrier.

Decorate your box to your liking.  You can also punch a hole in the top to act as a handle.