Tiny Tag with Gift Container

I needed a small container for a little tag I made for a co-worker, Laura.  She taught me how to use Ranger Alcohol Inks on slick surfaces. So, I created this little tag for her as I was playing with all the new techniques she taught me.  I just loved how blending the blues turned out.  I have a 6 X 6 sheet of it now and fear using it, its so pretty.

I remembered the little goodie containers I'd made for Paige last year and I thought it would be a perfect package for the tag.  Here's the container I made for the tag…

I was tickled how it turned out and can't wait to give it to her.  I hope she likes it.  

Here's what it took to create my goodies…

• Tag:
• Stampin Up Tag Punches, both sizes
• Ranger Alcohol Inks
• Clear/Whisper White/Daffodil Delight Cardstocks                   
• Marvy Medium Daisy Punch
• Tiny Daisy Punch from Michaels Dollar Bins
• Leaves from EK Success Vine Punch
• Container:                                                          
• Stampin Up Stack n Store Container
• Dear Lizzy, Neopolitan Paper Pad
• Sage Shadow Cardstock Retired
• Memory Box Vivienne Butterfly Die
• Memory Box Darla Butterfly Die
• 2 3/8 Scallop Circle Punch
• 2 1/2 Circle Punch
• 1/4 and 1/2" strips to go around container
• 1/8" Scor-Pal Tape
• Clear Gems

Oh, I added a touch of White Opal Liquid Pearls to my flower centers.  I hope you enjoyed my post today.  I found a new flower, a Ribbon Flower, I am so anxious to try.  But I don't have the ribbon I need to make it… man, I hate when that happens.

I really appreciate your visits to me and my blog and this big "hug" goes out to all of you!!!  You are my inspiration!!!

Hershey Bar Pouch

If you're a flower lover like me, then I'm sure you've been to Selma's Stamping Corner.  If you scroll down a bit on her blog, she has the directions for this cool Candy Bar Pouch in King Size and Regular.  I'm entering my Hershey Bar Pouch at Joan's Gardens Weekly Challenge.

Selma's directions calls for the Slot Punch, I just used a circle punch and punched out a bit for my bow to sit right on top the pouch instead.   

Gently pulling up on the bow is what brings the candy bar out of the pouch.

Here's the close up of the Mulberry Flowers I used.  The sentiment is from SU's Eat Chocolate that is now retired.

I had so much fun taking the time to create something for me!  I was so tickled to find out I still had time to enter the challenge.  That hasn't happened in so long. 

I created one as a display for work using their supplies and I'll post it as soon as I change the ribbon.  I hope you enjoy my version of Selma's Hershey Bar Pouch.

Supplies:

• SU Eat Chocolate Stamp Set (Retired)
• Memory Box, La Rue Heart Die
• SU Modern Label Punch
• Martha Stewart Border Punch (Lace ?)
• Mulberry Flowers
• Real Red Ribbon
• Whisper White Ribbon
• Pretty in Pink Ribbon
• Red Gems
• Selma's Hershey Bar Pouch Tutorial

Mailing cards with flowers update:  Remember around Christmas I posted how I mail my cards with flowers.  I was reading on a blog the other day, I don't remember where, and she mailed hers using the Clear Boxes.  Popped in the card, sealed the top and bottom with clear packaging tape, added a mailing label and $1.71 postage for her size box and it arrived in perfect condition.  I hope this encourages you to include those gorgeous flowers on your cards.

Paige's Valentine Card

Here's a fun Valentine's Day card I made for Paige for .  I created the leaves and main flower using the 3-D Ornament Tutorial, using the Heart Punch instead of the Ornament punch.

and the inside is just plain and simple…

Paige loves flowers and hearts so I thought this Valentine Card would fit the bill perfectly.  Now how much money should I put in it, I'm sure she would love that even more.  *smile*

Thanks so much for visiting, I appreciate it so much.  I miss you all so much!!!

Supplies:

• SU Heart Punch
• SU Heart to Heart Punch
• SU Embosslits Heart of Hearts
• Cuddlebug Dots/Polka Dots Embossing Folder
• Cheery Lyn Fanciful Flourish Die
• Garden Green, Real Red and Whisper White Cardstock

Spring Fling and Easter Things

I wanted to share a couple cards I made for samples at work.  I used the our new line of Lifestyle Crafts Dies and Bella Blvd's. Spring Fling and Easter Things Papers.

They were quick and easy too.  I only needed the Big Shot for the dies and a little round punch to pop out the flowers.  I snipped out two Bunnies from the paper and layered with pop dots.

I thought they turned out so cute.  I love making Scallop Circle Cards, so I thought I'd change things up a bit and make these square.  They fit in an A-2/Invitation size envelope and SU's medium regular envelope. 

I haven't even started on Valentine Cards yet, so I think that better be next.  *smile*  Mom's better, still using her walker but much more balanced than we started out.  Her pneumonia is all clear now.  I wanted to thank everyone for your wonderful comments about Mom and the cards I posted.

Take care and be safe!!!

White Flowers

Today's card is one I made back in October.  I was trying a technique I'd never done before for the background.  I stamped and embossed an old lace stamp I've had forever, (Hero Arts, S1523 Flower Lace Pattern) embossed it and then used SU markers to color in the background.  Oh what's it called… everyone does it but me. 

I started with Bashful Blue Cardstock and embossed my image in white.  Then with SU markers in Marina Mist and Perfect Plum I laid down some color on my craft sheet, misted with a touch of water.  Then with a sponge dauber colored in the background.  I did the same thing on the cardstock behind the image and called it done.  I wasn't real impressed with how it turned out, but I like the technique and will try it again. 

This card is long gone and I forgot to take a pic of the inside.  I don't even remember what I did to the inside.

Mom's a bit better, her white count is still high.  They are going to give her more antibiotics.  But she is a lot more stable walking with her walker.  So that's good. 

We are supposed to get tons of snow today (Thursday), even though you'll be reading this tomorrow (Friday).  lol  Make sense?  48 degree's yesterday, (Wed.) and below zero wind chill expected today, Thurs. 

Thanks so much for visiting me today and I hope everyone has an awesome weekend!

Butterflies

I found another minute and thought I'd post this card today.  The Butterfly stamps are from Memory Box.  The one on the lower left is Wonderland Butterfly E1713 and the top right is Cocoa Bean Butterfly C1714. 

I colored mine using Copics, but you could easily color with your favorite product. 
I don't know the Copics I used.  This card was made a while back and it just never got posted.  I'm still trying to get used to coloring with Copics.  This is one of the few images I didn't throw away after coloring.  lol 

I love the rich contrast of the colors.  I hope you do too.  Mom's doing a bit better.  Physical Therapy starts coming to the house this week.  That will do her a lot of good. 

 

 

 

• Memory Box Butterfly Stamps
  • Wonderland Butterfly E1713
  • Cocoa Bean Butterfly C1714
• Night of Navy Cardstock
• Martha Stewart Border Punch        
• Gems from my stash
• Cuddlebug Embossing Folder

Thanks for visiting today, you know how much I appreciate it!!!

Baja Breeze with Tangerine Tango

Well, today is another day at the Bazhenow household.  Busy, busy, busy.  Mom got pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital right after Christmas and got home on Jan 1.  It zapped her as she has COPD.  Doctor's say she'll be fine.  Just gonna be a slow process.  She even needed 2 units of blood.  Never did find out why at the hospital, but we go back to the doctor next week, hopefully he'll have an answer.  Its weird, cause the same thing happened when she got pneumonia a few years back.  Any idea's you knowledgeable bloggers?

I truly thought I was going to hit the new year blogging and surfing.  Not to be.  But, I'm here today and this card was created in the middle of my Christmas Cards.

I bought a new die from Memory Box, Amira Flourish.  I love the shape and the stylish flourish.  For some reason it seems to cut better in the Big Shot than the Cuddlebug.  Just do a Google search for the above and you'll find tons of places you can purchase.  I don't remember where I got mine, it was online.

My ribbon for the bow is from Michaels and the tag punch is Martha's.  I have no idea what SU DSP paper this is.  lol  Too lazy to go look, too. 

Well, I'd better keep a move on.  I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year celebration and are keeping your new years resolutions.  I'm so not. 

The rest of my Christmas Cards and Tags

Oh I just can't believe that Christmas Eve is tomorrow.  Where or where did the time go?  I was going to post these next week, and then decided to get my butt in gear and get this post in for this week. 

Here's the rest of the cards I made…

Amaryllis stamp with Stencil Embossed Background

above and below… glitter and peel off stickers with my Poinsettia

Vellum Poinsettia made like I did the others this year.

Mom and Paige's Gift Tags
(We call her Paig-r, so this is the abbreviation)

I sure didn't get many made this year.  But then again, when you don't get around blogland much, you don't get much incentive or inspiration. 

My schedule will be more normal towards the middle of January, so hopefully this will get me back on track!  I'm sure hoping. 

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope your dreams and wishes all come true!!!  I love you all.

Hugs, Carla

Mailing Cards with Flowers

I had so many requests on mailing flower cards, I wanted to post this for you today. 

If I don't have any SU Padded Envelopes on hand, I use an 8 1/2 by 11 Bubble mailer.  This is how I redo the mailer to fit my envelope…

As you see in the picture above, I measure the card by laying it along the bottom of the mailer and then I cut off the layer above it along the back side.  Using the piece I just cut off, I wrap the card.

Sliding the wrapped card down into the pocket I created.  I then wrap the rest of bubble mailer around my card, seal and label.

You don't see it in the picture, but I did put a piece of clear mailing tape of over the label and the seam.  It cost me $1.71 to mail each.  Here's my receipt for mailing 5 of them all over the United States.  One went to Florida, one to Maryland, one to Texas, one to Virginia and one down the road from me. 

I hope this encourages you to create beautiful cards with flowers and not fear mailing them.  *smile* 

I'll be back with a post tomorrow with the rest of my Christmas cards.  Hope to see you then. 

Hugs, Carla

P.S.  if you look closely at the receipt, the weight isn't the same on all cards, as I used a couple SU Padded envelopes and one was a small box.  But all the same price to mail.  Very inexpensive for a pretty gift.  The very bottom one on the receipt is the envelope in the picture above.

Poinsettia Christmas Card 2

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.  Ours was a quiet day with a huge meal.  It was just hubby, mom, my brother and me.  We've just finishing up with all the leftovers.  They were so good!

Here's the 2nd Christmas Poinsettia card I made…

  

If you'd like more details click this link:  Christmas Poinsettia Card 1, both cards are created the same way.

Supplies…

• Happiness Shared Stamp Set
• Bells and Boughs Stamp Set
• Petite Pairs Stamp Set, my new favorite set
• Tiny 6 petal Flower Punch
• McGill Branch Punch
• Marianne Designables, cut and emboss Die
• Real Red Textured Cardstock with Cherry Cobbler Ink
• Old Olive Textured Cardstock with Old Olive Ink
• Pinecones were made using the smallest flower from Boho Blossoms Punch (click Christmas Poinsettia Card 1 link above for directions)
• Green Gems

How's your Christmas shopping coming along?  I've gotten 2 presents purchased so far… how sad. I sure don't want to wait much longer before I get out shopping.  Right now, its just cold here.  I'm hoping the snow stays away til Christmas Eve.  *smile*

I feel so bad posting to my blog and then not being able to visit all your blogs in a timely fashion.  I'm getting in a better place here and at work, time management wise anyway… mentally I've not changed a bit.  Physically… a couple more pounds.  I'm not going to be able to lie about that much longer, especially if new pants suddenly appear in my wardrobe.  Know what I mean? 

I'd hoped to post this on Monday and my program, (Windows Live Writer) has been open on my computer since Saturday.  But, finally the post is posted!  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. 

Upcoming:

Noteworthy: All my Tutorials are clickable and ready to print and enjoy!

Poinsettia Christmas Card #1

Today's Poinsettia is created using the leaf stamp from Happiness Shared.  I stamped the image using Cherry Cobbler onto Real Red cardstock and then snipped them out while watching "Castle".  The leaves are created the same way using Old Olive on Old Olive.

I also stamped the Holly and Bell image from Bells and Boughs Stamp Set, coloring only the holly and snipping it out and adding 3 red gems for the berries. 

Using Linda's brilliant pinecone and branch ideas I created my design.  The branch is just a perfect match for winter flowers.   To make the pinecone I punched out the smallest flower from SU's Boho Blossom punch.  Cut down between 2 petals and then snipped out the center and rolled it up on my quilling tool and glued the end. 

Creating these types of flowers is my favorite thing to do, I just wish I had more time, I'd make these for everyone.  Okay, no I wouldn't, I'd have to start in January.

But seriously I do put these in the mail.  I will either add a piece of bubble wrap to the front or layer it between chipboard.  I have even de-activated the adhesive (using baby powder and a little artist paintbrush) on one side of a piece of foam tape and attach it to the inside of the envelope and then slipped in my card.  The only problem I've had is my Dad had to pay an additional 6¢ to get his birthday card last year.  lol  I have a postage scale, so you'd think this wouldn't happen.  lol  Sometimes though I've had to mail my flower cards in one of SU's Padded Envelopes, too.

Supply List includes:

• SU Happiness Shared
• SU Bells and Boughs
• SU Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Early Espresso and Soft Suede Textured Cardstock
• Sissix Snowflake #4 with matching Embossing Folder
• SU Decorative Strip Northern Flurry Die
• McGill Branch Punch
• SU Boho Blossoms Punch for Pinecones
• Mini 7 petal Punch for Flower Center in Daffodil Delight
• Red and Green Gems

I hope I've inspired you to stamp some leaves and snip them out while enjoying an episode of Castle.  Make it a creative week! 

 

Noteworthy: All my Tutorials are clickable and ready to print and enjoy!

Dreamweaver Stencils and Copics

I took a class at work with Elaine Benedict and she taught us all about Dreamweaver Stencils and I fell in love.  I've always searched for different backgrounds to try and this is my most favorite one I've found, although not the quickest.  You need to let it dry a couple hours first, but I let mine dry overnight, just in case.  I've put my finger into wet things before and of course ruined all my work.

This card is using the Petals Background Stencil and Glossy White Embossing Paste.

I colored in my downloaded digital images using Copics and snipped them out.  I truly didn't think they'd turn out or I would of wrote down the colors I used.  I'll keep track from now on for you Copic users.  Even though, you are so much more experienced in them than me.  This is the first image I've kept that I've colored using Copics.

I have started working on my Christmas Cards.  I'm doing the images first, then the layers and then the embellishments.  I want them all done at once this year.  I'm stampin and coloring some and using glitter and peel off stickers on others.   I'm sure I'll see some online to inspire me.  Plus, I have 3 new dies to use, a lamp post, a a small fence and a Christmas tree.   What's in my mind sure isn't coming out on paper.

I'm tickled you liked my Halloween mask, it was so fun to make.  If you missed it, its below this post. 

Oh,the gems on my card are from the Hero Hues line from Hero Arts the Satin Ribbon is SU's. 

Where on earth does the time go?  I don't know how most of you gals do it. 

Upcoming:  I have a flower nearly ready.  I also have a few cards to show you from classes I took at work.  Then one of the gals makes Scrapbook pages for display at work and she challenged me to make a card using her scraps, so I have that card and page coming soon, too.   So you'll be seeing me for awhile.  lol

Noteworthy: All my Tutorials are clickable and ready to print and enjoy!