Thoughts of Encouragement

You can't control the actions of others, but you surely can control your reaction.  No matter what someone does or says to you, you have the power to control your response. 

BASKETS & BLOOMS

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.  Hope you're feelin' the love this morning.  I decided to make these cute little baskets to fill with candy and maybe a surprise for three of my heartthrobs.

Using the Baskets and Blooms die exclusive to Stampin' Up I cut the baskets out of Real Red card stock on the Big Shot.  I love my "Big Shot."  So many ways to use it.

I placed sticky tape on the creased sides of  both basket cutouts and also on the bottom edge of each cutout.  Not the circle.

Peel the sticky tape off and glue sides together.  This is what it will look like. 

For the bottom, fold all the way around the circle.  Open up the basket,  remove the sticky tape and insert the circle into the basket.  With the bone press around the circle to adhere to the basket.

With the heart punch I punched out a few hearts from the glitter paper and designer paper.  Next, I embellished the basket with these hearts.  Added pretty ribbon and I'm done.

Here are my three baskets ready to be filled with some chocolate treats.  Enjoy this day to your heart's content. 

 Thought for the Day:

I would give up chocolate but I'm no quitter!!

Thoughts of Encouragement

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
                                                                -Hebrews 13:8

MATCHBOX MINI SCRAPBOOK

It's a "match" made in heaven when creativity and precious memories combine to make one very unique mini scrapbook.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 4

STEP 3

STEP 5

STEP 6

STEP 7

STEP 8

Front View

Side View

Directions:

 1. Cut three of the bottom parts of the Stampin' Up Matchbox die in any solid color card stock.

2. Crease all score lines on all three boxes with a bone. Make sure you crease well.

3. Fold in the sides first and then the top and bottom.  No need to add adhesive.  The box will stay in place without adhesive, love it.

4. Cut three strips of heavy designer paper (DSP) at 3" by 6 1/2" and using the Matchbox die cut the covers for the matchbox.  Crease all three pieces well with the bone.

5. Add red sticky tape to the smaller end of this strip and assemble all three covers.  Insert the bottom box into each of the covers to form the matchbox.

6.  Cut another piece of coordinating DSP at 2 3/4" by 4 1/2".  Adhere a 20" piece of ribbon to the back of the  DSP.  

7.   Adhere red sticky tape to each of the boxes on one side. Then center the three boxes on top of the ribbon and wrap the DSP around all three boxes.

8.  Tie a pretty bow and now you're ready to embellish, embellish and decorate the entire Matchbox Mini Scrapbook to your liking.

Open View

I realize this was a lengthy tutorial, but I think it was worthwhile.  I hope you liked this project.  Now go and enjoy some creativity and  thanks for stopping by.

Added more embellishments

THE END

Thoughts of Encouragement

“Dear Heavenly Father, show me how to slow down, and to work with purpose. Help me start afresh each day, and patiently do the tasks You have assigned me. Train me to concentrate on the important things in life. Teach me that above all else, my aim is to glorify Your name….”

Ghiradelli Purse Holder

This cute little purse will hold one Ghiradelli chocolate.  I learned how to make them from Yvonne Metz.  I thought I would make a few of them for the ladies attending my class this Saturday.  

Cut a 6 x 6 Designer Series paper by Stampin' Up to 3" x 6" and score on the 3" side @ 2 1/2 on both sides.  At the 6" side score @ 2" and 2 1/2".  Crease all score lines.


 

Cut the two small score lines to the 2 1/2" inch mark.  Add sticky tape to the sides flaps as shown in the picture.  Adhere the small tabs to the sides with mono-adhesive. 

 

Peel the sticky tape off the side flaps and close the box.  Then cut off the top two side flaps

Cut 6 inches of ribbon and place a tiny piece of sticky tape to the ends.  Adhere the ribbon to the sides inside of the box.  Punch a 1/4" hole in the center of the top flap and add a decorative brad.  Corner round the sides of the flap.  Place a piece of velcro on the inside flap covering the brad. 

Now you're ready to close your purse, but wait make sure you place a Ghiradelli chocolate inside your little purse.  These candy treats are fast and easy to make.  You'll want to make more than one.

Hope you're motivated to make a few of these cute purses to give out for Valentine's Day.  If you have any questions, be sure to leave me a comment.  Hope you have a great day!

Thoughts of Encouragement

If you worry, you didn't pray.  If you prayed, don't worry.

3RD GRADE

My granddaughter Angie is in 3rd grade at Ruby Duncan Elementary.  I had been wanting to make a page layout for each of my grand children's current grade levels. So I started with Angie.

I cut the numbers on the Cricut with the Plantin SchoolBook cartridge with the Roly Poly key at various sizes in three different color card stock. 

I used die cut stickers by Reminisce, Making the Grade line.  Love the look of these stickers and they made the layout much easier to finish.  The large stars were punched out with the Extra Large Star punch from Stampin' Up.

The background paper is Making the Grade "pencil this in" by Reminisce.  Wish I had bought more of this designer paper.  Oh well, another excuse to go back to Scrappin' Time. 

Almost didn't get to make anything yesterday.  I had a really busy day, learning the Publisher program for our church bulletin and then our ladies church group the Marthas and Marys (M&Ms) had their monthly meeting.  We were treated to popcorn, chocolates, sodas and other goodies while we watched the movie Valentine's Day.  Loved the movie and gained about 5 lbs.

Thank God this layout was fast and easy.  One down and five to go (one for each of the grand kids).  Last minute projects usually work out better.  Let me know if you liked this layout.

Thoughts of Encouragement

When we get tangled up in our problems, be still.  God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

ALTERED KIDS STORY BOOKS

On Saturday I sat across a lovely lady by the name of Tanya and she shared a great idea with me.  She takes kids' story books and alters them into mini scrapbooks.

So of course, on my way home from the Super Bowl crop, I stopped at the Dollar Tree Store and purchased a few kids' books for $1 each. 

I measured the book and cut pieces of designer paper (DSP) that coordinated and covered each of the pages.  I used regular glue sticks and they adhered really well to the book pages.

I used decorative chipboards  that I had on hand and added ribbon.  I haven't decided if I'm going to make this a cook book, journal or exactly how to use it.

Once I glued the DSP to the pages, I also sanded all the edges to give it a nicer finish.

 

On this page I used the Scallop Trim edge punch and the Top Note die, both from Stampin' Up. I added ribbon to the rim of the book which is also a bookmark.  My friend Lisa gave me this idea and I liked it.

I think this is a great project which will not break the bank.  The books are very sturdy and for the price you are getting a great deal.  I already had the rest of the supplies on hand so this makes a very inexpensive gift idea.  

I haven't really quite finished my book.  I don't know whether to make it a Recipe Book.  Leave me comment and let me know what you think.  

Hope you can use this idea.  Thanks to Tanya I'll probably be making a few more.  Have a great day and come back again.

Thoughts of Encouragement

Do the math.  Count your blessings.  Be thankful for a new day.

Beautiful Sisters

Good Monday morning everyone.  What a great weekend I had.  My crop on Saturday was very well attended and I have to toot my horn because my guests had a super fun time and my Stampin' Up sales went up. 

On Super Bowl Sunday I attended a crop at Scrappin' Time.  I worked on this layout which has a ton of beautiful rhinestones.  The little pink rosettes added an elegant touch.  Of course I made this layout to show off two of my granddaughters, Angie and Natalia.

The flowers were made with the Scallop Circle punch by Stampin' Up (SU).  The little leaves are also a sizzlet by SU.  At Scrappin' Time I was able to cut this beautiful butterfly which I distressed with the Elegant Lines SU embossing folder and brown ink.

Lots of pink rhinestones add glitz to my layout.  I used the "fuzzy cut" technique which involves cutting part of both the top and bottom design of the designer paper so that you can slip the background mats through it.

I had the opportunity to sit next to some really nice ladies at Scrappin' Time and connecting with them.  I'm hoping I get to see them again.  Thanks ladies for sharing.

Today, I am meeting with the Divine Divas to scrap some more.  Life is good when you can scrapbook three days in a row.  Hope you'll come back tomorrow.  I have a cute idea to share with you.