I did it!!

So yesterday I attended my downline's Holiday Open House...she did a great job and had different stations set up for cards, walnut pumpkins, fabric...and more!! Anne...you are the best and did a FABULOUS job!

So..as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator we get a nifty little magazine called Stampin' Success and it's filled with tons of ideas and techniques (new ones EVERY month!!). For the month of November I knew immediately that I wanted to re-create a shirt that they had made using the Big Shot and the Flower Folds die (115970) (my absolute favorite!!) The key is to have a material that is 95% cotton/ 5% spandex so when it's cut the fabric starts to curl. You sew on your flowers and ta-da!!

She also loved the embellished shirt and made one like the day after seeing it in Stampin' Success..then when she showed me?? I BEGGED her to show me how...paper is my friend (not so much fabric...but I'm learning!!) I have two other ones I am working on and will post those when finished. Here is a close up of the frillies!!

Cute huh?? Now one thing I CAN do with our new fabric (since it doesn't require any sewing) is make cute little rings~ I made a ring for her as a 'thank-you' and also one for her newest recruit Jean!! I hope to get a video together on how easy these are...great for the holidays. The cute little box was made using the Big Shot and the Matchbox die (114890). Jazzed it up a bit with the coordinating Deck the Halls DSP (120810), Victoria crochet trim (118481), Vintage Trinkets (118764) and added a 'hand-made' tag with the Tiny Tags stamp set (118592 C) (118091 W) and jewelry tag punch (117190).

Sometime next week I should have the tutorial complete. In the meantime let me know if you have any questions!! Thanks and Happy Stampin'~Erin

Rag Quilt Bag & Wine Tote

Well...hellooooooo!!! I can seriously not believe that I made this....BY MYSELF!!! Last year my husband bought me a sewing machine (I had wanted one for years) and he completely surprised me. I think my daughter had alot to do with my surprise since she has probably made more crafts than I have with a sewing machine!! Thank goodness to You Tube!

Over the next few weeks I will share with you some more fabric hand-made gifts that I have created and they are SO simple with the help of the Big Shot. I can't wait to use our new fabric.. from the Holiday Mini Catalog, my favorite is Deck the Halls (121716). I plan on making a fabric heart basket...perhaps I'll have to break out the video camera too!! I just hope that I remember how to edit and post...I have only made one video tutorial and that was over a year ago!!

Anyway... here are close-up pictures:

I watched Chic-n-Scratch's (thanks Angie!) video on how to make a rag quilt bag. You have to check it out...she is practically holding your hand every step of the way...and since I am just a beginner..that is JUST what I need!! For these I just revised how many squares (Scallop Square Die 115950)to use to make these two sizes. I made both in about 3-4 hours, including the matching pin. The pin was made using my favorite die called Flower Folds (115970). There are so many different tutorials out there for these flowers but the one I like best is Dawn Griffith's . Here you can see the back, where I added a pin..but these are great because they can be added to hair-clips, clothes...and so much more.

Tomorrow I will show you another wine tote that I made using some other fabric. I think I need to order some more of our fabric and make some wine totes to give as gifts this holiday season with a set of matching cards...since our exclusive fabric has matching designer series paper!!!

Now here are some more projects using the Decor Elements that I mentioned in my previous post. The first is another wine bottle with purple lights...actually they look just like the color Rich Razzleberry when lit: This one uses the crow image from the set Spooky Things (120909 black).

Hard to see from the photo so here is another close-up:

The top of the bottle has a strip of Wicked Fun Specialty DSP (117400) then a tied bow of 1/2" lace trim (120988) called 'Raven' so I thought it was appropriate! The tag uses the new Extra-Large Decorative Label punch (120907), Medium Oval punch (120908), Brights buttons (119747), linen thread (104199), Basics Glimmer Brads (121003) and if you look closely you can see that I sprayed the black card stock with Platinum Shimmer Paint (116807) mixed with rubbing alcohol.

This shadow box frame measures 12x12 and I placed a sheet of the same DSP...I love these flocked bats!! I battery powered tea light fits perfectly and all I did to spook things up a but was add shredded Basic Black CS. Added the decor elements to the front and that's it!! I will add a picture in the top right hand corner of the kids all dressed up in costume before they head out to go 'trick-or-treating'. I took another picture without the flash...so you can see the way the flame looks...so cool in person!!

Until next time...

~Erin

Soccer Treats

Today marks the first day of summer and I don't know about you, but I am so relieved. I think it will be finally time to sit and work on some crafts and ideas that have been brewing in my brain. Just so hard to find the time to make them all!! Over the next few days I will be posting goodies that I made for end of year treats. Teacher gifts as well as grad's and Dad's goodies. But first I want to share with you what I made for the kids on my son's soccer team. Very quick and easy~ see how I did everyone's names?? I used the Big Shot and the Sizzlits Decorative strip die called Billboard (114510) in no time at all using a variety of cardstock colors I had all the names spelt out and adhered using 2-way glue. So something like this would be great for party favors. Here are the remaining details:

Cardstock: whisper white, real red, basic black

Ink: basic black

Access: Sizzix Big Shot, Top Note Die, Dimensionals, Curly Label Punch

Stamp Set: Just Soccer

Here is a close up picture: I used the good ol' computer and printer for the teams information and then punched out using the Curly Label Punch.

I also made the coach and I (because they came out so darn cute) flower pins using some soccer themed fabric. I used the Big Shot and the Flower Folds Die (115970). These would also be great sewn on to a pony tail elastic maybe next year!!

Hope you all enjoy your summer and have time to get ink on your fingers and glitter in your hair!! Until next time~ Happy Stampin'!

Fabric Flower Pin

I LOVE these cool fabric flowers I have seen all over the web. I have made several of them in all sorts of colors, fabrics and not just as pins!! This one we made at my last Stamp Camp using the Flower Folds Die and Big Shot. WHAT?? You don't have a Big Shot yet?? Contact me today and I'll hook you right up!! I love that it's not just for paper crafting!!

See below for details on the card...I think Melon Mambo might be my latest favorite color!!

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Elements of Style (120045) in clear

Card stock: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, and vellum

Accessories: Basic Black 5/8" satin ribbon

Ink: Sahara Sand, Basic Black

The stamp set noted above is from the current Summer Mini catalog (click here to view online). See below for which clear blocks match the stamp sets in the new Summer Mini. Let me know if you have any questions!!

It's the Thought Hostess Level 1 Set - Block A, Block B Punched Posies Hostess Level 2 Set - Block A, Block B, Block C, Block H Pedaling Past - Block A, Block B, Block C, Block G, Block H Sweet Scoops - Block A, Block B, Block H In a Word - Block G Itty Bitty Bits - Block A Elements of Style - Block B, Block C, Block D, Block E Rough Type - Block A (or line several letters up to spell a word using Block G or H) Watercolor Trio - Block A, Block B, Block D, Block H Favorite Thoughts - Block H Blissful Bride - Block A, Block B, Block D, Block G, Block H Bouquet Bunch - Block A A Little Bit of Magic - Block C, Block D, Block G Sentimental Journey - Block A, Block B, Block C, Block G Go, Graduate - Block B, Block G, Block H First Day - Block A, Block B, Block C, Block G, Block H Tropical Party - Block A, Block B, Block C July Fourth - Block A, Block B, Block C King of the Grill - Block D, Block G

I love our new clear stamps...they are so easy to use and they feel just like the tradional wood-mount blocks. They are WAY better than any others I have tried...sure I am a bit biased but try them for yourself and I'm sure you will agree!! Off to try another video..stay tuned!!

-Erin