You Crack Me Up!

I so loved the bright, fun colors from my post-it note project...so I couldn't resist using them again.    These little fry boxes are perfect...so sweet for any occasion...and just the right size for a fun Easter treat.

A new to me item....is the Darling Doily Thinlits Die.  I've been a bit slow to catch up to the technique of using partial doilies...and the Tea Lace Paper Doilies are adorable for that (as they are in white or when colored) ...but I wanted to see if I could get the same look with Darling Doily cut in card stock.  It does...and I love it!

A bit of crinkled card stock...and of course, some chocolate...and they're ready!  So easy...and so fun!

Technique Tips:

• Card stock is thicker than typical doily paper...so give your Darling Doily die cut a softer look by using your bone folder to break up the fibers a bit. 
• Heat embossing can add fun color to more than just paper!  On this project I embossed a couple of  Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments with Pool Party Stampin' Emboss Powder to bring in another bit of Pool Party blue.   
• Many of the Thinlits dies include super fun accessory dies.  Here, I used the double ended flag die from the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies...perfect for the images I wanted to use!

As always...check out the project supply list below, and...

For Peeps' Sake Clear Stamp Set

$17.95

For Peeps' Sake Wood Stamp Set

$24.95

Brights Backgrounds Designer Series Paper Stack

$21.95

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50

Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Glue Dots

$4.95

Stampin' Dimensionals

$3.95

Silver 1/8" Ribbon

$4.95

Strawberry Slush Thick Baker's Twine

$3.50

Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments

$4.95

Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Heat Tool

$29.95

Embossing Buddy

$5.95

Pool Party Stampin' Emboss Powder

$4.95

Bone Folder

$6.95

Fringe Scissors

$9.95

Big Shot

$99.95

Darling Doily Thinlits Die

$24.95

Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies

$39.95

Handheld Stapler

$9.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Non Stampin' Up! Supplies:  Accucut Jumbo French Fry Box Die

Gift Giving #2...From the Big Box #2

Oh my goodness...I'm so getting into the holiday spirit...and I want to give a little something to just about everyone I see!  Nope...no "Bah Humbug!" from me this year...no hint of the Mr. Grinch.  Speaking of that guy, though, I'm looking forward to our annual Grinch night...watching the original "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and enjoying a Grinch float.  It's coming soon...and I can't wait.  But I digress.

I have something fun to share today...something that fits the gift giving rules (to the 'nth degree, I think) and begins with a fun find at the big box!

We drink TONS of hot chocolate in the winter...and while I usually make my own mix, I was thrilled when I came across a MEGA container at  my Sam's Club.  There's enough sweet goodness in one can to make almost 90 cups of chocolatey goodness...and super cheap, too, at less than $8!  I couldn't resist putting together some hot chocolate pouches to have on hand...each has mix for three cups of hot cocoa, mini marsmallows and a fun candy cane for crushing or stirring. 

Here's the single...

and here's the group shot.

So sorry about the photography...my lights don't work...my camera AND my computer are acting up.  They're actually very much brighter in real life.  Sigh.  Despite the goober photography I think this packaging is my absolute favorite of everything I've done this year...I so love it when what I'm imaging actually happens in my hands, and that's what happened here.  The pouch is October Afternoon's Silent Night paper cut using this Accucut die.  (I truly cannot make enough of these bags!)  Inside is a medium, flat cello with hot chocolate mix.  On the outside...a small, flat cello for the marshmallows...that I thought would be fun to actually use as part of the packaging...cause they're just so darned cute!  I used some Papertrey Ink ribbon to tie it all together and then added a fun Reverse Confetti tag.  Finally...a corduroy button (retired from SU!) that I've had in my stash forever.  I think the corduroy is perfect...all festive and wintery and just the right touch of texture...I knew I'd find the perfect use for them eventually.  

Thanks so much for stopping by today...I hope you're finding your own holiday spirit! 

Clips and A Cozy

Every once in awhile we meet someone who immediately finds their way into more than our heart...and into our very soul.  I have been lucky enough to meet a few of those "soul" friends...who've always seemed to show up just when I needed them...and whose special place in my own soul never grows smaller, despite how far the distance or how long the time apart.

A few years ago I met just such a person...much younger than I...but in many ways we are very much alike.  We love the same things...we find the same things important...and we so enjoy any time we can find together.  I truly didn't know it at the time, but I needed her...and I have learned more from her than I could ever have imagined.  When she moved several hours away...I wasn't worried... I knew that we'd keep in touch...and I was right.  I'm hoping to see her later this week...and I wanted to do a little something special for her.  I'm thrilled that she'll be bringing her beautiful little daughter, too...and of course, I can't leave her out!  And so...for a wonderful mom and a just as wonderful daughter...

clips...

 and a cozy!

 Papertrey Ink (PTI) offers AMAZING dies for these great barrette covers and a coffee cozy...truly making it easy peasy to whip up something absolutely adorable...and they're fun, to boot!  Seriously, who could ask for more?  PTI dies are also available for the barette packaging, and the fun little envelope is one of my new Accucut dies.  Oh, and I'm so excited that I finally got to cut into the OA Silent Night paper that I picked up at StarLitStudio.  (Cindy at StarLit is AWESOME!)

My friend is currently expecting baby #4, and I'm not sure whether or not she's drinking coffee, so I filled her cup with Muddy Buddies...or Puppy Chow...and some holiday M&M's.  If she's holding off on the coffee until the new little bundle of joy arrives, I know that she does enjoy her cuppa Joe, and I think she'll love this cozy.  I think she'll also love the mom and daughter matching thing going on! 

Now...fingers crossed that the snow and ice forecast for this weekend stays away!

Thanks for visiting...and God Bless!

Post'n'Go - Frog Hop

Who said that frogs are just for boys?  Hehe! 

PS:  Don't you just LOVE Accucut's new Mini Cupcake Box?

Botanical Silhouettes

Popping in to say "Good Morning!" and to share a couple of cards using Papertrey Ink's new anniversary set, Botanical Silhouettes.

 Kraft base, white panel, fabulous flowers and an amazing font...LOVE IT!...Oh, and I can't forget great color and ribbon...makes my day.

I used Accucut's Bottle Tag die for the bottle tag...somewhat to meet my (sometimes compulsive) need to make matching cards and gifts...but mostly to add to a bottle of organic lemonade for a sweet friend celebrating a special birthday next week.  I think it's the perfect summer treat, and I hope she'll enjoy it.

Thanks for visiting!

So Simple - Kraft Boxes #1

Good morning!  I have a super sweet So Simple to share today...Kraft Boxes! 
I love kraft boxes...I can't get enough of them, and I love being able to use my own dies to make them.  I think they are about the most versatile packaging item available.  There is just something earthy and wonderful about them...and a kraft box goes with anything!
I was drawn to this Morning Glory Muffin recipe after reading Melissa Phillips' post...they just sounded so yummy...and I thought they would be a perfect little treat to make and give in a kraft box.

I used this Accucut die for this box, stamped it on all sides with my absolutely favorite sentiment from PTI's Handwritten Notes stamp set and embellished it with hot pink bakery twine and a PTI Raspberry Fizz Vintage Button.  (And BTW, how absolutely adorable do those muffins look in these hot pink baking cups from Bake-It Pretty?)

I wrapped the muffin with waxed paper and more bakery twine and paired it with a tiny, just-the-right-size container of cinnamon honey butter for extra yumminess!

It was a perfect fit! 

And here it is...Simple...fun...and oh so yummy! 

Thanks so much for visiting...have a wonderful day!

Post'n'Go - Baby Boy

Edited to add supply list below.  Let me know if you have questions!

Enjoying time with our grandson...I'll be back later with the details.  Thanks for visiting, and have a great evening!

Supplies:

(All supplies are PTI unless otherwise noted)

Stamps: Inside & Out: Baby
Paper: Kraft and Vintage Cream; SU! Baja Breeze, October Afternoon DP
Ink: SU! Baja Breeze
Accessories: Vintage Buttons, Button Twine Fillable Frames #5 die; Accucut Criss Cross die

Ticket to Love

Edited to add supply list below.  Let me know if you have questions!

Stopping by to share a fun Valentine treat.  I was so excited when Papertrey Ink released their Just the Ticket stamp set last summer, but I've barely used it!  I knew it would be perfect, though, when I was looking for a unique way to embellish this Accucut wrap.   

I'll stop back later with some links and the details.  Hope you're having a great Sunday...oh, and YEAH BEARS!

Supplies:

(All supplies are PTI unless otherwise noted)

Stamps: Just the Ticket, Fancy Flourishes

Paper: Kraft and Rustic Cream; Cosmo Cricket (Chemistry) DP

Ink: Basic Black and Pure Poppy; SU! Soft Suede

Accessories: Black and Vintage Cream Vintage Buttons, Button Twine and Just the Ticket Border die; Nestabilities Classic Circles, SU! Heart Punch, Accucut Treat Wrap die

Open

I found myself laughing out loud when I heard that January 1 is the date when most people make resolutions and that January 17 is the date when most people give up on those resolutions. I've never been one to make resolutions, but I do like the idea of thinking ahead to the new year and about what I'd like to accomplish.
I read about Ali Edwards' One Little Word, and I loved the idea of it!  What a great way to think about looking forward in a more abstract way - no lists or specifics - but to think about moving toward something that you find important.  I've spent the first week of this new year thinking about my word for the year, and I've chosen the word "open."
It's clear what I love most in papercrafting - great CS and buttons and ribbon (Oh my!), but I really want to be open to using other medium and techniques, to step outside of my typical comfort zone. Who knows...I may fall in LOVE with what I find!
Here, I've used some Papertrey Ink felt. What took me so long? I've collected every PTI felt and am finally feeling bold enough to use it. I don't know that I love it, but I do LIKE it!

I've also used Accucut's A2 Criss Cross Card die for the card base in PTI Kraft, some sweet My Minds' Eye DP, and my beloved PTI Vintage Buttons.  The felt cupcake and the sentiment are from the Signature Series: Cupcake stamp set and die. 

Thanks for stopping by and for sharing with me this One Little Word journey!



Warm Happiness, Too!

I adore "giving" holidays...finding the perfect gift for someone that I care about is just about as good as it gets!  I don't limit sharing my appreciation for people in my life only to holidays, and one of the great things about papercrafting is that it can help turn something ordinary into something extraordinary!
A gift card could be just about as ordinary as a gift can be, and some people don't like them.  Me, I love them and love that they're so easy to make special with a little crafty fun!  This gift card holder a perfect example of that.

 What could be a better match for this than Papertrey Ink's Warm Happiness Too stamp set?  I cut the matching (and absolutely adorable) teacup die in Aqua Mist Happy Spots PP, stamped it and layered it on some Aqua Mist CS impressed with the Tin Type Impression Plate. 
The base of this gift card is Accucut's A2 Gift Card, which is AMAZINGLY versatile!  The die provides a separate card to use for a small note or sentiment inside and the place to hold any gift card.

 I wanted to build a small stash of this card for sharing Starbucks or Caribou Coffee gift cards and couldn't stop making them with other Happy Spots colors!

I hope that looking at these makes you feel as warm and happy as it does me!  Have a super day!