It's Back to School Time Cutting Cafe Style - Giveaway

Edited to add:  Thanks for commenting.  The drawing is closed.

It's time for back to school.  Time for sharp new pencils and crisp white paper in new shiny notebooks, bright new backpacks and lovely new crayons...oh....the smell of a new box of crayons!  All those beautiful colors!  Time for first day of school pictures in new clothes.  Being just a little bit scared and a little bit excited all at the same time at the thought of a new teacher, new friends and maybe even a new school.

What better way to remember those moments than in an album just for those special first days of school?

I must apologize for this photo...there is so much glitter on this cool paper that my flash was bouncing all over the place. I took tons of pictures but just couldn't get a good one.   It looks really awesome  in person but the camera wasn't too happy.

Remember you can always click on the photos for a closer look...I don't want to blind you!  This is the School Word Book Cutting Template.

The tags are from the huge School Days Printable Stamp Set.  28 super images and sentiments perfect for back to school scrapbooking and card making.  I cut the buses from the designer paper. 

Now for the fun!!  Regina has said I can give these TWO sets away!  Both of them.  All you have to do is leave me a comment below.  I'd love to hear about your favorite school memory.  If you'd like to become a follower, that would be great although not required.

The drawing will end on Thursday, August 12th at 6 p.m. (Eastern).  I will choose a winner using random number selector. 

I just realized that I've passed 66,000 hits and it's almost my blog anniversary so be on the lookout for some BIG blog candy.  You never know when it will pop up!

I appreciate each and every visit and comment.  Good luck!!

Now after you comment, be sure to check out what the other awesome Design Team members are giving away.  Not everyone may be participating so be sure to check each one...it's scavenger hunt time!

Supplies:

Stamps and Template - The Cutting Cafe

Paper - My Mind's Eye Glitter Book Gallery, Ivory CS

Accessories - heavy chipboard, Mono-Multi glue, glue dots,dimensionals, Copic markers, key rings

Picture Perfect

                                  

Sorry I've been MIA for a couple of days. I spent a day out of town preparing to

serve on a spiritual retreat team.  That meant hubby was "home alone" all day Saturday. He surprised me by trimming all the hedges (a big job!) and removing an old pond so we can plant the area with a nice tree (an even bigger job!) I promised him we would spend Sunday together going to church and just relaxing the rest of the day.   Time well spent.

Now it's back to work for both of us and it's the first of the month, so that must mean it's time for Paper Cubed!  That's P3 to us.  :-) 

This month Kim challenged the design team to make a picture holder.   If you've played with us before you know that our rule is NO CARDS.   You are free to use your imagination to create anything that will hold a picture but NOT A FRAME.

Here's what I started with:

This is a 2 inch binder clip that you can purchase inexpensively at a discount or office supply store. 

I decided to cover the back of it as well because I wanted it to be beautiful from all sides.  

This month, our sponsor is Die Cuts R Us.  You can win a $15 gift certificate to shop to your heart's content for paper, embellishments, chipboard, stamps...need I say more?

Be sure to head to the Paper Cubed blog to check out what the other fabulous designers have created to get your imagination going; then get creting and link up your project on the blog.  We can't wait to see what you create and you might just win that super gift certificate!

 Remember, you've got until August 31st so there's no pressure. 

 Thanks for visiting...I'd love to know what you think of my creation.  Be sure to share some love with the rest of the design team as well.

Supplies:

Stamps - SU Everyday Flexible Phrases
Paper - Webster's Pages
Ink - Versafine
Accessories - 2" binder clip, chipboard, chipboard letters & shapes, spray adhesive, glitter, pearls, paper rose, Scor-Tape, Spellbinders Oval die



  

Back to School with The Cutting Cafe

It's almost time for back to school!  Gifts for female teachers are easier than gifts for men so I challenged myself to think of something a male teacher would use and appreciate.  Regina at The Cutting Cafe has designed this super Tabbbed Organizer Set.  I can think of so many uses for this set!  Recipe boxes, notebooks, journals and fun little organizers like this desk set. 

 

This project is about 90% recycled material.   I recycled a square acrylic box by cutting it in 2 (enough for 2 of these sets!) Then I cut the Tabbed Organizers from chipboard that came in my Stampin Up decorator papers.  I covered the organizers with designer paper then added the stamped images to the label that comes in the Tabbed Organizer Set.  See that little stand under my box?  It's the lid from an old prescription bottle, covered with cardstock that I adhered with my trusty glue gun. 

                                 

Have you noticed how thin index cards have become?  Ick!  I  "borrowed" these from my husband's desk, then glued them to some cardstock, added a strip of paper to match my Tabbed Organizers and a couple of Martha Stewart apples punches. Much better!!  See that neat label on the front?  It's from the Cutting Cafe School Days Printable Stamp Set .  28 great stamps perfect for back to school creating!  I laced my label on with a strip of leather lacing then secured the label with glue dots.

 

We have to have a card to write a personal note to that special teacher so I printed the same apples/sentiment image from School Days Printable Stamp Set directly onto my cardstock using Print Shop.  You can do this with Word as well.  I added a bit of dp, stitching, a button and some embroidery thread that I simply wrapped around the dp.

Please remember to pray for Andrew.  Info for sending him a card is on this post.

This little set will be in my Etsy shop along with a few of the other gifts you have seen recently later today.

Supplies:

Stamps - The Cutting Cafe School Days Printable Stamp Set, Tabbed Organizer Set

PTI Teacher's Apple

Paper - PTI

Ink - Copic markers, Tim Holtz Walnut Stain

Accessories - acrylic box, Spellbinders long rectangle dies, index cards, leather lacing, embroidery floss, button, computer

 

                                                       

Dirty Little Ravengirl Featured Stamper

The Featured Stamper over at SCS is the talented ravengirl aka Toni.  This lady is seriously awesome at CAS cards.   I chose this card of Toni's and then "dirtied" it up for the Dare To Get Dirty Passion for Pattern by Sharon Johnson to use 3 different patterned papers on our cards. 

I used the lush May Arts black silk ribbon to separate my two base patterns.  Head on over to the May Arts blog....they've got a Ribbon on Cards #31 challenge on right now.  My chipboard and the tiny heart are covered with a new product from Art Institute Glitter called Black Vinyl.  It's for glossy cardstock but I liked the not too shiny look on this card.

Thanks so much for stopping by....I love your comments!

Supplies:

Paper - PTI, Webster's Pages, Neenah Classic

Ink - Versafine

Stamps - Flourishes Flourished Love

Accessories - May Arts silk ribbon, Art Institute Black Vinyl Glitter

The Chocolate Book in Vintage Shabby Chic

Before I forget, I want to remind you that Posh Designs has a cool sketch challenge on the blog.  There's a mystery prize to be won so be sure to play.  If you've seen the goodies in the Posh Designs Scrapbook Store, you know that prize has to be a good one!   The team has given you lots of inspiration to get your creative juices flowing.

Some of you know me on SCS and Scor-Pal, as the creator of  "The Chocolate Book", but you've never seen it like this!  Come to think of it...neither have I.  This is my first attempt at Vintage Shabby Chic AND my very first weekly blog column on the Posh Designs Blog.  You can see more photos and get all the details on the Posh Blog.  You can get a template and a tutorial there as well as on my header above.

                                                

 This creation also qualifies for the Ways To Use It (WT261) challenge, What's New? on SCS to use something new and the Try a New Technique (TLC263) Very Vintage challenge.  I used my new Webster's Pages Combo Pack Lullaby Lane/Life's Portrait paper (Love, love it) and my new May Arts silk ribbon.  (I will have some up on my Etsy site!)  I also used my sheer rayon ribbon in a new way...I heated it up with my heat gun.  If you know me well, you know that's waaaaay out of my area of comfort.

I've added lots of close-ups on the Posh blog so be sure to head over and take a look...while you're there, take a look at some of the projects the rest of the team has offered for inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by today...I really appreciate the time you choose to spend with me.  Be sure to check back...I think it's time for some blog candy, don't you?  (wink,wink!)

 

Valentine/Wedding Gift Set - Love in Vintage Roses

Edited to add:  I'd love to do a tutorial on the roses, however, it's copyrighted material.  You can go here for information and to purchase the supplies.  The book I used is The Paper Garden. 

I've always known that gift sets are my "thing".  Once I have a piece created, I just want to keep going and make something to go with it. 

Two challenges I participated in recently,  Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply Friday Challenge 123- Very Vintage and Pals Paper Arts, Anything but a Card  as well as the Peachy Keen Stamps challenge to make something vintage were the jumping off point for this vintage box and tag card.  I made a few of these gorgeous paper roses last night.  They were my inspiration for this set and with Valentine's Day on the way and love in the air, the rest , as they say, was easy.

This set will be in my Etsy store later.  I think it would be perfect for a few elegant chocolate truffles or perhaps something sparkly...jewelry or adiamond engagement ring maybe?  :-)  

Thanks for stopping by...I appreciate you!

Supplies:

Paper - The Paper Co., Papertrey Pure Poppy, Bazzill textured (rose)& leaves, SU Choc. Chip

Stamp - Heidi Grace "Quotes"

Accessories - Heart shaped box, punches, acrylic paint, Mod Podge, string pearls, stick-on pearls, ribbon (Michael's). dimensionals

                                                             

Sunflowers all Year Long

I thought I'd never want to do another calendar after those 150 but this size was easy and since I was only making 1 and it was for a special little girl to give to her teacher, it was pure joy.

My neighbor, Gillian, needed a gift for her teacher who loves sunflowers. I knew I didn't have a sunflower stamp but I remembered I'd been hoarding this piece of Bo Bunny sunflower paper so construction was quick and easy. I got the calendar case at http://www.calendar-case.com/. If you go looking, this is what they call their CD calendar case. I love these because there's a ledge to hold the calendar in place.

I cut the DP, mounted it on Brocade Blue CS, then matted the calendar and quotes and adhered them. I glued a piece of the DP to some lightweight chipboard with Mono-Multi, then cut out two of the sunflowers which I adhered with dimensionals.

I think you can see the ledge a bit easier in this photo. I tied a piece of blue gingham ribbon around it for gift giving. There's even room for Gillian to write her teacher a note on the back. Judging from the smile on Gillian's face, I think she liked it.

I hope you do, too!

Blessings and Happy Stamping,

Charlene

Birthday Cards in the Mail

Thought I'd share a few of the handmade cards I received for my birthday in addition to the one from my DH. This beauty is from my friend, Marybeth. I didn't measure it but I think it's about 8" high. I love the chipboard flowers and the beautifully colored image. I think she used some kind of tissue paper for the checked background.

The next card is from Janet. I just love the sweet cupcakes and the sparkly DP she used!

This one is from Karen. She used a Cuttlebugged birthday cake image as her focal point, vellum for the sentiment and threaded the ribbon through eyelets. Love that happy DP, too!

And finally, a gorgeous card from my dear friend, Patty. I love the Swiss dot background, the happy colors, her ribbon treatment, the pearls in the center of the flowers. It's just beautiful.

I still have a few shadows as I'm learning to use my new Photo Box to take my pictures. I'm using my Ott lights instead of the lights they sell with some of them because I read those are not strong enough. Got mine on ebay for 19.99 and free (fast!) shipping.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings and Happy Stamping,

Charlene

Sabrina Gift Set

You know how they say "one thing leads to another"?  Well, I just loved Sharon Johnson's Valentine found here.  Actually, I love EVERYTHING she does.  That is one talented lady.  Her style is so elegant and she makes everything look so easy.  I will never be able to do either but dreaming is fun, right?!  I actually started with the notebook, then the card, then I thought a mailbox for giving each other small gifts, sweet notes and candy might be nice....then I figured they might not write the notes so I made the post-it note holder and pen set and finally the bag.

Except for a few scraps,   I've used up my very favorite papers from the Making Memories Sabrina pack and I must say, it was very satisfying.  :-)  I'll try to give you some details about each item.  The card base is Papertrey's ivory cardstock.  I punched the edge with a Martha Stewart edge and emboss punch then adhered and stitched the center piece.  The hearts are Spellbinders...and yes, those black smudges come on the paper.  :-)  I found the tiny black jewels (actually plastic) in the jewelry dept. at Michael's.  $2.99 for over a hundred multi-sizes.  The pin is a combination of SU's Pretties Kit and some black beads from Michael's.  Sheer ribbon is Michael's as well.  The sentiment is Flourishes.  

 I just LOVE how the mailbox turned out!  Basically the same idea as the card with a sentiment from Papertrey.

  And finally, the post-it note holder.   (This blogger program is driving me nuts!!...won't let me add the pictures where I want them...grrrr)  I think it may be the user, too!! 

You can find the tutorial to make this on SCS.  The base is chipboard.  I found the Laura Ashley notes at Michael's a few seasons ago and put them in my stash.  Basically I measured the depth of the notes, then made a spine using my trusty Scor-Pal. I covered the outside wrapping a 1/2" seam to the inside, then covered that seam on the inside with more DP.  I used Scor-Tape to make sure everything held on tight.

Thanks so much for visiting.  I'd love to know what you think.  If you'd like any info on how to do anything here, just leave a comment here.  I check in daily.

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

Charlene

Not Your Average Notepad

A quick post today.  My back is still stiff as a board and I think my mind is too.  I had a stamp camp scheduled this week...on the 12th...that was yesterday, right?  Well, I sent my ladies an email saying I'd see them FRIDAY.  Sooooo, I made my DH a nice dinner and since it was warm, I decided it would be nice to eat outside.  My phone rings at 7 p.m.  One of my friends is at my front door...for stamp camp!!!  Thank goodness, I'm organized....most of the time, anyway.  I had everything ready to go and all loaded into bins.  My DH cleared the table, did the dishes and even made coffee.  I owe him big time....;-)...he assured me he would take advantage of that fact!  I wish I had thought to take pictures of their mailboxes....totally adorable and each unique.  They also made two cards...the one in the last post and another I'll get posted soon, that is IF I can remember!!!  LOL 

In the meantime, I made this chipboard notepad for a friend.  I LOVE the paper in the Making Memories pack called SABRINA.  I tried to find some online so I could show you a photo but couldn't find it.  I got mine at Michael's.  It's the prettiest paper...all pink, black and cream and the price was only about $12 for 24 12x12 sheets.  I also picked up the little flowers and matching bling packs.  I don't ususally do that and regret it later. 

I used my Spellbinders Label One Nesties and SU's Sweet Sampler sentiment.  I used the pink rhinestones from the bling pack on the flourishes.  The flowers were just simple round disks so I cut the top two into petals and shaped them a bit.  I sponged the edges in Versamark black ink.  It's darker than SU's black and I thought it looked better here.  I finally learned to use my binding machine.  Not hard, I just had to slow down and take the time to read the instructions. 

Thanks so much for visiting.  I appreciate your sweet comments and emails so much.

Blessings,

Charlene