This dollar-store clock was altered with a few of Stampin' Up! punches and Designer Papers and of course, some gems to add some cheery zing to the kitchen!  It's easy to do - all you need is to pop off the back of the clock {usually all you need is a screwdriver} and then its up to you how you want to decorate!!!

I used a lot of circle punches, Ornament and Bird Builder punches. Then a die strip called Northern Frost to make snowflakes [actually every year I make a whole carton of snowflakes so I can grab them when I need 'em!]  I also hot glued a string of cheap christmas pearl trim around the edge {as long as the cover goes back on - throw on the embellishments!}.plus buttons..and topped it all off with a healthy dose of glitter sprinkled everywhere!  

Here it is in the kitchen!  I am not afraid to use it as it didn't cost much to make but what's important is the it brings back good memories every year when I will glance at it :) 

Helloooo.....been such a long time between posts as I am in the throes of "re-organizing"!   Gosh where does all the stuff that clutters every spot come from? Anyways - I think its a good idea to use January as 'the' month to de-clutter esp. here in the wintery North.  Not much fun outside anyways, right?

But there is fun in our craft corners - and I tried a little technique with this card, so I'm here to share!

 I received a card in the summer which embodied a colourful personality - and it really made me feel great, all sun-shiny and happy!

Upon close inspection, the card involved no less than 3 patterns of cardstock. Very busy and different patterns!  Layered together as a "strip" or band against a soothing backdrop of a solid colour. The focal point - a 3D flower sat on top, slightly off-center. And all made sense together! WONDERFUL!

So: busy patterns layered together, soothing backdrop and a dimensional focal point! Voila!

Now I tried it, here it is - my Valentine's Card for a friend ( can't say who cuz they haven't received it yet!)

Colourful Patterned Band

As you can see, I made my strip from 3 patterns!  I chose the patterns from a co-ordinating collection, but as long as they share something in common in colours, you should be good!  

Combining Patterns is easy if you follow a few guidelines:

      - try 3 similar patterns - for example, all florals or all dots; 

      - or a 'combo' of one or two similar motifs (ex: flowers) with a graphic element (i.e. plaid); 

      - vary the sizes (tiny print, medium print and large print),

....I used a large plaid, with 2 floral motifs [ one a small print and the other a mostly larger print].  But they all shared  similar colours!  

Soothing Backdrop

My background is a soft pink framed with a bit of vanilla - and I have added texture {Stampin' Up's Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder] by running the cardstock through my Big Shot - but over-all, its pretty much a large dose of a soothing backdrop to support the busier elements in front. 

Focal Point

I punched out 3 hearts in a glittered cardstock - and embellished them with buttons.  I love adding buttons - for such a small investment, they add a lot of 'punch' - lol! 

One problem emerged - my card was 'front heavy' and in danger of falling forward on its face!  To counter-balance this, I added a layer of cardstock to the back as well, and an embellishment. This weighed the problem out, as you can see here....

back of card

So there you have it - I think it turned out swell and the reaction from my daughter was great when she saw it! Unfortunately the picture doesn't do justice to the lovely colours - but I believed I achieved that zipitty-do-dah look I was after!   

TRY IT YOURSELF - its great to use up lovely bits of left-over cardstock! 

Thanks for swinging by!

STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES -  Heart Punch, cardstock in 'Pretty in Pink', Textured Embossing Folder 'Elegant Bouquet', 'Rose Red' Classic Ink Pad & Marker, sponge. 

I have some buttons to show you today!

Stampin' Up! is well-known for their co-ordination of products drawn from their Colour Families. Here have a look  - these are the 'Brights Collection" buttons.   72 buttons in fun colours!  You get shapes, sizes and colours in a snappy little container - and I love looking at them!  Its like looking at beautiful marbles - esp. all in a bunch like that, makes it hard to want to use them, lol!

But for my OPEN HOUSE coming up - I  have them on display mounted inside a frame I recyled!.

Can you believe this frame used to be a dusty rose and gold?  I chose a fun poppy red to paint it, and distressed it lightly with some sanding paper after it was dry. Then a top coat of gel medium (purchase in art section).

      

You can see in my previous post that I used them to spruce up a project - and my tip for today?  If you 'sew' buttons on to a project like I have - put a tiny, tiny dab of glue on the knot and even the ends where you clip the thread - to prevent fraying or coming loose.  I use a dressmakers pin and dip the tip into the glue, and then dab it on the thread's knot, and it's quite easy that way. 

Cheers - have a great week-end!

Beverly

If you have a friend who is also crafty - wouldn't it be nice to make a little something for her - or him?

To prepare for my upcoming OPEN HOUSE, I turned and  took my cue from our latest STAMPIN' UP! IDEA BOOK and CATALOGUE - and transferred one of the catty's idea into a project perfect "for a friend".

So, I can't reveal the whole thing right now - hopefully you will drop by and see for yourself.  But I will show it here after my OPEN HOUSE is finished by AUG 4th  - so here's a peek!

I apologize for my laziness with the next pic - its a bit out of focus, but I have a

dog needs his walk! LOL! If only I had a photo fairy around here!

But you can see the word is 'FRIEND'

The main colour on this project is one of our newest: CHERRY COBBLER!

It's delish! 

Bye for now and have a pleasant weekend.

 I love it when I find the darling-est things and you have to admit even if you are a non-crafty person or even, dare I say it - a minimalist in the purest sense - that these are "cutesy" period.

So check out the talent I found today while surfing....you can learn how to make these 'bottlecap pincushions' at the blog of How About Orange... and also at Craft Pudding

And then, Hawaii is one of the best places I dream of moving to (seriously I do!)....and so one of their delightful talented crafters is here at Willy Nilly Waterlily and I just love, love her

" Bashful Blooming Cactus "  - wish I could post a pix of them but you can see on her blog - the trio of them on her banner.

MY TUTORIAL TO DECORATE A JAM JAR {decorate the lid!}

In my modest manner, I have used some fabric and a Big Shot Sizzlit Die of a flower to decorate the lid of a tiny jam jar - perfect for sorting and storing my buttons.

Begin with bare jar and Here is how I altered it:

a) cut a circle of fabric slightly larger than the lid and a circle of paper  the exact diameter of the top of the lid.

 b)cut a length of ribbon to wrap around the side of the lid - baste a row of thread to pull on and draw the ribbon edges snug around the lid...use some adhesive in spots before tying a knot in your threads to secure in place.

c) next wrap the fabric circle over the paper circle, baste the edges of the fabric circle like the step above for the ribbon, and snug the two together, secure and glue to the top of the lid - hiding the edges of the ribbon.

 

d) to decorate the top- I used my Big Shot and a small die from my Birds & Blooms Sizzlits 4-Pack- I chose the larger single flower in  co-ordinating orange paper (use pumpkin pie, or only orange or dusty durango)

e) finally, I secured the paper flower with a smaller fabric flower and a flower brad. [see top photo]....and displayed it on my shelf!  I plan to do this to more of these tiny jars - neat way to recycle.

Well...off to surf some more! Cheers!

The Baroque Motifs stamp set is a very, very popular one - very!  And so is our new Delightful Decorations & Ornament Punch featured in our Holiday Mini Cataloque.  So I guess it was only a matter of time before the two came together.  One version is the first one I am showing here - with the large swirly motif paired with one ornament and a nice band of patterned paper/ribbon to top it off.

Afterwards, I wanted to make my very own version - remember how I have mentioned before about taking inspiration and making it your own? .....well, I 'softened' the look. And I was after a more romantic-antique look - something my 95 yr old Aunt would love.

By applying white craft ink over top of the stamped images, {use sponges}the colours become subdued and I think very pretty.  Then instead of a ribbon & paper band, I put 3 scalloped ovals across the top choosing to add ribbon to the ornaments {twist the ribbon into tiny knots for a different look}. This one is definitely going to my Aunt Elsie!


Well, you can see the comparison.  Both are very nice. But it goes to show you can take the same 'motif' and create very different outcomes by mixing up your technique.

Try it yourself with a stamp set you have - find a "new style" for a card you've created!

Contact me for class information if you'd like to learn how to make these cards. 

Stampin' Up! supplies:  stamps= Baroque Motifs, Many Merry Messages, Delightful Decorations.  Punches = Scalloped Oval, Ornament.  Ink = Old Olive, Rose Red.  Cardstock = Whisper White, Rose Red, Old Olive. Accessories = Buttons, ribbon, adhesive. 

Inspriration - Andrea Walford.