Sentimental Sunday

This Sympathy card has some subtle changes - see if you can spot them...

I made this card because...
#1. I always need a lot of Sympathy cards on hand
#2. I had the lace tape left over from a few catalogs back and wanted to use it up.

Little did I know that I would need to use one right away

My post is sentimental today because this card was sent to my parents.  My father's only brother (only sibling) passed away this past week.  Because this brother has been living in Florida for MANY years, it has been a VERY LONG time since the two have seen each other.  

Can you see the subtle changes between these two cards?

Thanks for stopping by!

Christi

Card inspired by Amy O'Neill 

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Did You Know?

Did you know that you can make your own little dots for your cards?
Stampin' Up! sells CANDY DOTS!  LOVE THEM!  they come in every color family: Subtles, Brights, Regals & Neutrals.  Each color family sheet has 10 each of 10 colors so do your math - that is 100 candy dots for only $6.00 per color family.  

And they also offer the BRAD BASES in case you need a brad for your card or project.  These Brad Bases are also great for the Basic Rhinestones and Pearls.

Another option which I LOVE are the WHITE PERFECT ACCENTS.  These all white accents come on a sheet of 75 for $5.00 and there are 25 each of 3 different sizes (3/16", 1/4" and 5/16").  These are GREAT because you can color these all white accents pieces with a sharpie marker to make them any color you want. - PERFECT!

So why do I need to make my own little dots for my cards?  I don't - not really, but I like to play around with different ideas and when someone showed me this idea on Pinterest I wanted to give them a try.  Have you heard of Perler Beads?

These are the fun little plastic beads that kids can make cute designs and then you heat them with your iron to melt them all together.  I used them a lot when I was doing day care (until a couple of the kids decided to stick them up their noses and had to go to the Doctor to get them removed - yea - really!)
I headed to the local Dollar Store to pick up a small set to give them a try.  IT WORKED!! How fun are these cute dots??!! You put them on parchment paper in your toaster oven for 12 min at 450 degrees - that's it!!

 EXCEPT: don't put them too close together or they will melt together...

What to do? Oh yeah - this is the fun part... I made some 3x3 note cards for Gracie's lunch bag.

I was on a roll - I decided that if I could get all Black beads that would be GREAT and save me some money maybe...NOT!  I purchased these individual bags

My first try: the plastic was of a higher quality so they did not melt enough to get rid of the center circle.  I also left them on the parchment paper too long and I could not peel them off easily so this (thankfully small) batch ended up in the trash.

My second attempt: still did not melt enough but I thought I might be able to use them somehow.  You need to scrape them off your parchment paper after 1-2 minutes maximum or they will stick like my first batch did.

I didn't learn my lesson, I guess, because I went back and bought some White Perler Beads. I thought that because the depth of the wall of the bead was less in the white bead than in the black bead it would work fine - NOPE! still have a hole, (sorry no picture) just not as big as the black shown above, and they did not stay white-white, they discolored a slight bit to more of a Very Vanilla color.  I think I can still use these at some point but I am disappointed in not being able to buy bulk single colors.  I'm not sure I want to invest in the ginormous tub of beads which may or may not work.  I do, however, LOVE the 2 cute little cards I made for Gracie.

Don't forget about the 15% off all stamp sets through Friday October 23rd.

Please use Hostess code: ANWC9P9G for the month of October.

Click HERE to view all WOOD MOUNT Stamps
Click HERE to view all CLEAR MOUNT Stamps

Click HERE to view all PHOTOPOLYMER Stamps

Thanks for stopping by!

Christi

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Second Post

My second post for today is a business(y) post.  Here are the Weekly Deals for November 11-17

1/2" Circle Punch

$5.95

7/8" Circle Scallop Punch

$12.95

Blushing Bride 3/4" Chevron Ribbon

$8.95

Brights Designer Buttons

$7.95

Happiness Is Project Life Accessory Pack

$9.95

Window Frames Collection Framelits Die

$26.95

Wonderfall Kit - Digital Download

$7.95

Daffodil Delight 1/2" Ribbon Seam Binding

$6.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Here is a card that is out TODAY for you to stamp at the COME STAMP WITH ME CLASS using the Window frames (inspired by Nance Leedy)

So COME STAMP WITH ME TODAY between 10 am and 5 pm you can stamp as many or as few of the cards as you want/need for only $1.50
Here is a picture of the group of cards

And there is a NEW Photopolymer stamp set available today! You are going to love these Bible Verse stamps!! Just click on the image for a close up view.

Banner Blessings Photopolymer Stamp Set

$15.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Thanks for Shopping by!
Christi Pin It Now!

COME STAMP WITH ME TUESDAY

It's Tuesday and time to COME STAMP WITH ME!!
WHERE: Christi's Craft Room
             4845 Summergreen Ln
             Hudsonville, MI 49426
TIME: 10 am to 5 pm come when you can, leave when you must
COST: only $1.50 per card you  make

These are the cards that will be out for you to make... Mother's Day is creeping up on us SOON - like this coming Sunday so I have a card designated for Mother - but if you do not need a Mother's Day card, you know I have a ton of stamps and you can choose whichever sentiment works best for your card sending needs.  Although the card with the ship says HAPPY BIRTHDAY, it too, can have the words changed up in case you might want a Father's Day card for example.

BONUS!!  for everyone who comes to make at least one card you get to make one of these cute 3x3 cards (one per customer please). These are great little cards to put with a gift or if you like to send lunch box notes to your kids.

Ok to give credit where credit is due I was inspired by these amazing Stampin' Up! Demonstrators: Glenda Calkins, Stampin' Connection, LeeAnn Greff, France Martin and the 3x3: Nikki Spencer

Thanks for stopping by!
See you all soon!
Christi

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So Jealous

I am so jealous!!  My friend leaves tomorrow for a nice, warm, Caribbean Cruise vacation.  I cased this card from Lisa Young to give to her before she left. I thought it was perfect for the occasion.

Stamp sets: By The Tide, Just Believe, Loving Thoughts

Card Stock: Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla

Ink: Black Staz on, Soft Suede, Tempting Turquoise, Calypso Coral, so Saffron

I was wishing I had a tiny little cruise ship to stamp on the water, but sometimes less is more.

Like what you see?  Click HERE to start shopping with me - I really appreciate it

These are the items I used on this card

Just Believe - Clear-Mount Stamp

Price: $25.95

  By The Tide Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Price: $19.95

  Loving Thoughts - Clear-Mount Stamp

Price: $23.95

  Stamping Sponges

Price: $3.50

Colors used: Card stock: Cameo Coral, Very Vanilla, Ink: Cameo Coral, Soft Suede, Tempting Turquoise, Black Stazon

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Christi

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Fancy Flower Down Line Challenge

At last months down line meeting the girls and I made these fun flowers
inspired by Patty Bennett

Basic instructions for the flower:

1. Punch out 5 Blossom Punch Flowers, 

2. pierce a hole in the center of the stacked flowers and add a brad. 

3. Starting with the center layer scrunch it up nice and tight, then repeat with each layer until they are all tightly scrunched. 

4. Now open each layer. 

5. You can choose to sponge the edges like I did here or opt to keep it clean.  

6. Spritzing it with  some shimmer paint will allow it to crisp up when it dries and help it to hold up well.

The girls chose from my stash of retired DSP to make their flower from.  I gave them a challenge to use their flower on something, bring it back to this months meeting, and share it with everyone.

This is what I made using my flower

I added some tea light candles that I stamped on to the treat box.

Click HERE to check out a previous blog post with Stamping on Candles

I actually had all my little gift boxes made prior to the meeting so when I had my sample flower sitting on my table I needed to figure out what I would do with my flower when I spotted the birthday card (inspired by Cathee Anderson) that I was going to bring to one of the gals in my down line.  

 So I peeled off the original piece and added the flower.  

 

It would definitely be hard to mail a flower like this on your card so since I was hand 

delivering the card I now I needed a special envelope for this special card.

PERFECT!  

I wanted to try the new recipe for a bulky envelope that I found on Monica Weaver's blog

See how there is a 1/4" depth to the envelope?!

 

You can check out Monica's blog or follow these step by step instructions 

which are also on Monica's blog

Step 1 Simply Scored Diagonal Plate has grooves etched at 1/8” intervals and you can score any size card stock up to 12” x 12”. To begin using the Diagonal Plate, place the Diagonal Plate on the base, making sure the arrow on the back of the diagonal points towards the top and that the plate lines up with the top left corner.
Step 2 Insert Place Markers at 3 1/8”, 3 5/8”, 4 1/8”, and 4 5/8” into the base above the printed ruler so that you can easily reference it when scoring.
Step 3 Line up an 8 ¼” square of Designer Series Paper in the top left corner of the Diagonal Plate. Take the Simply Scored Stylus, begin at the top of the groove and score diagonally at 3 1/8” and
3 5/8”. Turn the Designer Series Paper to the opposite corner and score again at 3 1/8” and 3 5/8”.
Step 4 Turn the Designer Series Paper to the other corner that is unscored and score diagonally at
4 1/8” and 4 5/8”. Then, turn the Designer Series Paper to the opposite corner and score again at
4 1/8” and 4 5/’8”.
Step 5 Fold the Designer Series Paper at the score lines and go over them with a Bone Folder.
Step 6 You will see a triangle formed at the ends. Cut them out 

Step 7  Assemble your envelope as you do a regular one.

She also has a recipe for homemade glue for your envelopes so you might want to check that out.

I have not tried it yet, but I am sure it is great.

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

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Stamp A Stack Class

Next week is STAMP A STACK TIME!! and it's time to sign up 

for the class time of your choice

 

Here's the details:

When: 

Wednesday, May 9, 10:00 AM

OR

Thursday, May 10, 7:00 PM

OR

Saturday, May 12, 10:00 AM

Cost: 

$12.00 

and be sure to bring your own adhesive to keep the cost of the class down.

Where: 

Christi's Craft Room!!

What:

We will be making 8 cards using some of the retiring stamp sets and accessories

Click to check out the Retiring Stamp Set List

Click to check out the Retiring Accessories List

Click to check out the Retiring Definitely Decorative List

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

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RHSSC #27

Did everyone remember to turn your clocks back one hour last night? 

or did you show up to church one hour late??  Haha!!!

It's time to share another Red Hot Stamper Sketch Challenge Card with you...

This is the sketch we had to work with...

And this is my take on it...

 INSIDE:

MENU:

SS: Tea Shoppe, Loving Thoughts

CS: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment DSP

INK: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party

PUNCHES: Wide Oval

Accessories: Large Oval w/Frame Die, Big Shot, Sponge, Victoria Lace, Dimensionals

Click on over to the Red Hot Stamper Blog Site to see what the other gals made with this sketch, and while you're at it, why not give the sketch a try for yourself.

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have A Blessed Day!!

Christi

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Rosette Die

Also at the Down Line meeting I showed an example of what you can do using the Rosette Die from the Occasions Mini.  I saw someone make a card with this technique which looks like a little skirt and wanted to give it at whirl.  I had so many scraps left over from making the envelopes I felt that I wanted to use them up and have cards to match all the envelopes.  This is a fun die with a beautiful finished look.  

I'm thankful that Glenda let me borrow her die to give it a try.

This is the Rosette Die

 As you can see from the card you have one side that has this beautiful border

The other side has this cool zig zag edge.

I made this Rosette because I wanted to practice to see if I wanted 

to purchase this die for myself.

What do you think?  Cute isn't it??!! You can make it as wide or full as you want.  This particular Rosette (SU has been calling them 'Lollys') 

is made using two full lengths taped together.  

I used a hot glue gun to secure the center, and a matching button for a fun finished look.

Now, what was I going to do with this Lolly?  I have seen fun banners and party decorations and I am sure to have a chance to use it for just that in the future, but for now I thought how pretty it would look as a decoration on a box.  I had several of these boxes on hand and thought now was the best time to put them to use.  Once again I used the scrap pieces of Designer Paper to cover the sides, and some Whisper White card stock run through the Rosette Die to edge the cover.

I absolutely love the way it turned out.

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

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