Kathy's Stamping Niche

Oval Box

My favorite project shown at Convention was the Oval Box.  I was so excited when it was presented I was able to remember exactly how to make it!  One of my roommates, Blythe, had to leave a little early to catch a bus to visit a relative and we were told to write and take great pictures.  I don't do notes, I get too distracted, but when the oval box was shown, I didn't need too!  When we met up with Blythe later, I was able to just verbally tell her how this box was made.  However, you in luck.  My friend Dannie, came to my mini-convention for my downline in September and she LOVED the box too.

I believe on a scale of 1 to 10 to make, it's a 6.  So not too bad.

My pictures aren't the greatest, but you can visit Dannie's video tutorial to learn how to make the box.

The Oval Box uses the stamp set Baroque Background, Chocolate Chip Card Stock, 7/8" Chocolate Chip Ribbon and red line tape.  I will be doing a container class in January or February and this will be one of the projects.

Crystal Light Container

Lots of people have been covering Peppermint Patties with the scallop punch and I wanted to join the "in" crowd.  I am a Crystal Light freak.  My favorite is Peach Tea and I buy the big container whenever it's on sale.  So I turned this:

Into this:

The Peppermint Patties are on the left side and the lid is on the right.  The scallop punch was used on the Brilliant Blue Designer Series Paper to cover the candies, the lid and the tag.  I stamped an image from "In The Spotlight" level 2 hostess set in Brilliant Blue and Brocade Blue and then punched it out with the snow blossom punch and layered it onto of a 1 1/4" circle of Brilliant Blue.  Here's a close up of the front of the container.

The 7/8" Brocade Ribbon was taped around the top of the container and the snowbursts were added along with the gift tag.

Here's a look at the inside of the container:

The container holds 13 covered Peppermint Patties and because there was too much room left, I put 2 candy canes in so everything would be snug and not move around.  I will now be keeping my containers because I can change the theme to Birthday or Valentine's or Easter!  Instead of the candy canes I can put any type of stick candy when I change the theme. It's a quick and easy gift to assemble and I think it would make a great little hostess gift!

Shirt Card

When it comes to cards, I really like the ones that have different folds to them.  Marilyn, from the Awesome Stamping Fools (an online group I swap with) sent me a wonderful birthday card that looks like a shirt and you pull a tag out for writing.  BTW, my birthday was in the summer so no need for birthday wishes.  Here's my version.

I used Fall Flowers Designer Series Paper with Mellow Moss buttons and River Rock and Soft Sky Double Stitched ribbons.  The insert is made with Certainly Celery and Soft Sky card stock.  Mine measures 4 1/4" x 11", but the next one I make, I will do 3 5/8" x 11" so the finished card will fit into a medium envelope.  I forgot to allow for the collar!  To make the collar, just cut a 1 1/2" slit from the top center and then fold those pieces to look like a collar.  Quick and Easy.

Our First Holiday Card

We received our very first holiday card yesterday from follow SU Demonstrator, Gina Taylor.  Gina, you did a wonderful job on your card.  I absolutely love it.  Here's Gina's fabulous card.

Stamp set used was City of David and the jumbo wheel Rough Texture.  Whisper White card stock is the base of the card accented with Bordering Blue card stock.  Thanks so much for thinking of us!

Santa Baby!

Somewhere on SCS, I saw a Snowman and Santa candy bar wrap.  Too cute for words so I had to make one myself.

You need a 5 oz candy bar.  Not the super giant ones, just the giant one.  Right Dannie?  LOL.  I cut the red paper 8" square.  Measured down one side 1 1/2" and then cut in at that mark 2 1/4".  Do this from the opposite side too.  You then find the center and cut the triangle from the center of the paper to the end of the 2 1/4" mark, you need to do both sides.  Wrap and secure this around your candy bar. 

The belt is 1" x 8 1/2" with a Summer Sun buckle made from the 1 3/8" square punch.  I plan to put the "To" and "From" on the buckle.

The hat band is 1" x 8 1/2" Whisper White card stock sent through the crimper.

Punch a scallop circle from Whisper White card stock and you have the pom pom for his hat. 

For his hair and beard, you need a 2 1/2" x 3 1/4" Whisper White card stock.  Corner round just the bottom corners.  Using the 1 3/8" circle, punch a spot for his face.  Place a 1 3/8" square piece of Blush Blossom behind the punched hole.  Add 1/4" punched Basic Black circles for his eyes.  Cut the Whisper White circle you punched out for his face in half and attach those for his mustache and then top it with a 1/2" Blush Blossom circle for his nose.  Now adhere your Santa face under the crimped band.

You now have the cutest Santa that people will have a hard time unwrapping.

Envelope Pocket Keeper

My husband will be dressing up as Santa on Tuesday so he can visit the Seniors at Silvercrest, an assisted living community.  This will be his 3rd year and we both love going.  I go once every month to do stamping projects there with the group, "Golden Agers".  Santa can not go without something to give them and I was racking my brain for something I could afford to do for 40+ people when I can upon Amy Celona's website.  She had turned Stampin' Up!'s large envelopes into a pocket like basket that would hold a hot chocolate packet and candy cane.  Hurray for Amy!  I had my project.

Last Sunday, a group of my customers got together to make them.  We stamped 3 different envelopes using Snowfall, Peaceful Wishes and Cold Play stamp sets on the envelopes.   You first seal the envelopes and then using the large tag punch you punch 1 1/2 times on either side.  Stamp your images, fill with goodies and wrap them up.  Quick and easy and I'm sure the Seniors will love them.  A special THANK YOU to Peggy Waters.  Peggy donated money to help defray the costs of the project.  You rock, girlfriend!

Rules of Chocolate

I need to clear something up.  Jenny's project came from Split Coast Stampers.  I forgot that she told me but I don't know where or who the person is that posted the original idea.  The Rules of Chocolate is great and Heather wanted to know what they are so here it is:

RULES OF CHOCOLATE

1.      If you've got melted chocolate all over your hand, you're eating it too slow.

2.     Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices & strawberries all count as fruit so eat as many as you want.

3.     Why is there no such organization as chocoholics?  Because no one wants to quit.

4.     The problem: How to get two pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car? The solution: Eat it all in the parking lot.

5.     Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal.  It'll take the edge off your appetite and you'll eat less.

6.     A nice box of chocolate can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place.  Isn't that handy?

7.     If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer.  But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?

8.     If I eat an equal amount of dark chocolate and white chocolate, isn't that a balanced diet?  Don't they actually counteract each other?

9.     Money talks.  Chocolate sings.

10.  Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger.

11.   If not for chocolate there would be no need for control top pantyhose.  An entire garment industry would be devastated.

12.  Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today.  That way you'll get at least one thing done.

We aren’t meant to deal with life alone…

Where’s the chocolate?

Gotta' love these tins!

Covering tins and adding something inside sure makes for a quick and easy hostess gift.  At my downline meeting this month, Cindy did a tallish square tin.

Cindy wrapped Brilliant Blue Designer Series Paper around the outside of the tin and also around the Hershey's Nuggets inside.  Add the Stretchy Silver Cord from the Holiday Mini and a Snow Blossom punched from Gold Metallic paper with a brad through the center and you have a wonderful gift.

This downline meeting also had Jenny doing a tin.  She used a dvd tin with Wintergreen Designer Series Paper on the outside, ribbon from the Ribbon Originals - District and a snowflake from On Board Trimmings.  The snowflake was colored white with a Craft Pad and then Heat-N-Stick embossing powder was used and Dazzling Diamonds added.  The holiday greeting from the stamp set Circle of Friendship was stamped on Whisper White card stock in Sage Shadow ink, punched out and then a Build-A-Brad was added to the center.

When you open the tin up, you have 20 pieces of Hershey's Minatures wrapped in matching Wintergreen Designer Series Paper and on the inside lid, Jenny put the Rules of Chocolate. 

Now tell me, who wouldn't want to receive one of these gifts? 

Snowman Cutie!

Last week I went to my adopted upline's meeting and did several projects.  One of them was this too cute snowman.  Lori Robinson shared this one and are we glad she did!  She made hers as an ornament but my Christmas Tree is way too small (see previous post) so I put a magnet on the back of mine.

We used Cold Play stamp set and stamped the images on Whisper White card stock, punched them out and then taped them in place.  Punched holes with the Crop-A-Dile into the metal tins and attached them with brads.  Placed a bit of snow inside each tin and closed them up.  Wrapped 7/8" wide red grosgrain ribbon around it and followed that with the red gingham ribbon.  Topped it off with a hand made top hat and some fun snowflakes and you have one of the cutest snowmen ever.  Thanks for sharing Lori! 

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.....

My friend Dannie shared a link to a Paper Ribbon Tree made by Kellie Fortin.  WOW!  I had to make my own and here it is!

The base is a green styrofoam cone that measures 3 7/8" x 8 7/8".  All the strips, except the top are 3/4" x 6" and the ones on the top are 1/2" x 6" and the cap is made with the scallop punch.  I used a flower from the On Board Blossoms & Basics for the star.  It is embossed with Iridescent Ice EP.  This was a rather quick project to put together because I already had strips cut to size, left over from the coaster calendar.  The Designer Series Paper is Wintergreen and the other embellishments are from the M store.

I'm not a bah humbug person, but after working retail for many years, I don't decorate our house anymore so this will be our Christmas tree this year!