Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String....

Today I did a REALLY QUICK something for a challenge that was sent to me this morning from  {capture the moment} ... all about 

"Brown paper packages, tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things..."

Thankfully I already had my brown paper packages tied up with string!  A while back I wrapped some 4x4 canvases that I have sitting by my front door ready for a quick RAC.  They are all different because that was part of that play day.  

This one is wrapped with a brown paper bag that I then drew lines on with a sharpie and a white marker, quick and easy!  I already had the black ribbon but I added the b/w bakers twine today along with the label that I printed out on my PC.  It is a label design I made with CorelDraw to be ready for a Sizzix label die (Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK - Labels, Majestic #2)  I ordered earlier this week...but it isn't here yet, so I hand cut it.  None of the dies I have from Papertrey Ink would have worked with what I had so I had to go generic this time.  I LOVE Papertrey Ink products but I haven't gotten that many (ok, I've spent over $100 with them just since I started this madness)... they don't have sales so I have to shop carefully :-)

InLinkz.com

Cheery Lynn Designs - Quills & Ink Pot

Since I am having such a hard time forcing myself to be creative these days I have decided to start doing some online challenges... this one is HERE:

The die is Cheery Lynn Designs "Quills & Ink Pot"...however, I did a tiny bit of modifying because I tried cutting it out of some old glitter ribbon I had in my stash and that was a NOT!  It left an impression but didn't come close to cutting it out!  I cut them out by hand using the impression as a guide then cut a few chunks out to help it look more like feathers.  It cuts paper fine, but not that ribbon for sure!

I just used my PC to do the text (Billy Argel Font) and hand drew the frame because the card looked too plain without it.

Supplies:

InLinkz.com

Simon Says Stamp LEAF COLUMN OUTLINE Die

I'm so sorry that I have gotten SO LAZY these past few months!  Not only am I not posting as often as I probably should but I am taking my pictures with my iPad now and it shows!  AWFUL colors!  But, it is what it is, you can get some idea of what they look like anyway.

I made this card because I wanted to do the Simon Says Challenge shown later. The challenge was "bling" and unfortunately the glitter doesn't show up in any of my pictures.  While it isn't a requirement that you use one of THEIR products I wanted to... problem is, I only have a couple of their exclusive products because they haven't had even one sale since I started buying dies and I promised myself to only buy things on sale while such great sales are going on on other sites. I do have a HUGE Simon Says "want" list growing though! Anyway, their product is the leaves.

These are really two separate dies, the black, and the white outline.  In order to get the glitter filling I cut label paper using the solid die, then covered the sticky side of the label leaves with red glitter.

I also used the die and stamp I used in my last post last time, I LOVE that stamp, because it makes it look like lots of layers while only being one.  I stamped it on kraft paper then used a red pin and a couple of darker browns for the outside brown.

Unfortunately, the red background paper and the ribbon were from my stash and there is no way to link them, sorry!  But here is everything else I used:

LEAF COLUMN OUTLINE Die	LEAF COLUMN BACKGROUND Die s169	Holiday Labels No.14	Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies, Labels 14	Tsukineko Small-Size VersaFine Instant Dry Pigment Ink, Onyx Black
BIC Mark-It color collection permanent marker, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 36 Markers	Guided Brown Kraft Printer Labels

InLinkz.com

Spellbinder Tags and Waltzing Mouse Holiday Labels No. 14

Well, I FINALLY got something made!!  I have been collecting dies  over the past couple of months and TODAY I finally made something with a few!!  And I'm pretty certain that the only reason I finished this card today is that TODAY was my friend's birthday and I HAD to have a card!

See, the thing I learned about myself a long time ago is that the fun I get from any new craft is in the collecting of the tools needed to do it, then once I have all there is I move onto the next thing.  I am not too sure what is up with me these days but I have had zero desire to be creative.  None.   But, I LOVE all the thin dies that are out, so now I sit here with hundreds (literally) of dies and I figure I had better do something with them!  I am ready for most any occasion for sure!

I actually found my inspiration for this card on Pinterest that linked to its creator, Claire Brennan HERE.  I LOVED the color scheme she used so I felt like I just had to have the stamp set she used (and designed herself).  The only place you can currently buy her stamps is from her ...in New Zealand! And I am here to tell ya the exchange rate hurts!!  I paid way too much money for a set just to get the one stamp I wanted! The good news is, she does have a distribution point here in the US so I got it very quickly!  ...And then, of course I had to buy the Spellbinders die set she designed the stamps especially for, right? She doesn't sell those and they weren't available anywhere locally so I ordered them from Amazon. And I used the BIC markers I ordered from Amazon to color the wooden house, the trees and red and green parts of the stamp (all non black areas). Unfortunately, I took the picture with my iPad as it was getting dark so I had to keep adjusting and tweaking the color so it could be seen.  There is actually a lime green border next to the checkered border, completely gone here! Sorry. It really was/is much nicer in person.

Anyway, here is most of what I used:

Wafer Die Storage (Part 2)

I just wanted to give a quick update to Tuesday's post: 

Tuesday I said:
----------------OU! OU!  I just found (and ordered) larger clear case CD holders...the size of DVD cases - 7 1/2 " long by 5 1/2" wide...  They should be just what I need for the extra long dies from Cheery Lynn.  I am showing you the Amazon version below just for the picture, but DON'T buy from Amazon... go directly to the online store because shipping is MUCH MUCH cheaper buying direct.  That and you aren't forced to buy 10 at a time, you can buy as few as 1 if you want.  I bought 20 and shipping was $7.80.  If I had bought from Amazon shipping would have been $20!!!  From the same company!  That's not Amazon's fault, the company just doesn't offer combined shipping rates through Amazon. .... OOU!!!  Best part yet, I just got a notice that they have shipped already!  5 hours after order and they are on their way via FedEx!  YES!

-------------------
UPDATE:

I ordered the above directly from the company and got them THE VERY NEXT DAY!!!  I LOVE that kind of service!

I had hoped that the longer Cheery Lynn dies would fit straight up and down in the larger case, but they don't... I have to angle them every so slightly, but that's ok, I can still fit quiet a few in a single case. (all that I have, for sure)  I don't understand why they make some of the dies as long as they are ??? completely unnecessary.

And, because I knew I was only going to put the longer dies in the larger cases I decided to just run three lines of glue across the case (about 1" from top and bottom then right down the middle) ... PERFECT!...and so much quicker.  It is enough to hold the die tight but not so much that you feel like it will bend when you take it out.  PERFECT!
------------ One more thing, I just went back to Amazon and ordered something else (SHAME!)... I got a flip CD display holder thingy for easy die viewing.  It will be a little less portable but I'll just look for another box it will fit in and add a handle to that... COUNTRY REDNECK style :-)

Wafer Die Storage - Using What I Already Have

Well, I am onto ANOTHER new thing.... Wafer Dies.  And I think I'm going to post all about it on this blog since my other active blog is about doodling and I want to continue with that there, for the most part.  My real final goal is to combine the two but in the meantime, I'll post here.

While using the Wafer Dies is somewhat new... it really isn't, I was buying wafer dies years ago, before they were so popular and the choices were really pitiful.  Naturally, I have no clue where all those dies ended up...so I have started a whole new collection....the fun part of any new craft :-)

To start things off I bought a new Cuttlebug V2.

I love it because it is so small and portable I can sit on the sofa, watch tv and cut to my hearts content...all my others are large, desk types.

Before you buy a bunch of extra stuff you don't need I want to share a couple of DON'Ts with you.

I love to read all the feedback on any product I am about to buy on Amazon. Unfortunately, this time I ended up buying an extra cutting plate that I DO NOT NEED!  Argh!  Apparently V1 had a cutting plate that V2 does not have.  So far, it was a complete waste of money.

Another complete waste of money is a storage thingy with magnetic sheets, (Artbin Magnetic Storage).  Thankfully I only bought one set of refill magnets to see how they work ... and they didn't!  The dies fell off with little or no prompting and I would have filled it up almost immediately.

So, MY answer to the whole storage problem was to use what I have already.

- The clear CD cases (I bought a bunch way back when I was storing rubber stamps)  I have the standard size, not the thin...I was going to order more and get the thin but I'm afraid that you couldn't use both the top and bottom for storage, it would be too thin...

 - "The Best Glue Ever" - a glue that stays super tacky after it is dried.  Just for the record, I don't agree that it is the best glue ever, but it is excellent if you want the stays tacky kind of glue.

 

I just applied the glue to both sides of the case in a polka dot pattern.  I don't know, I suppose I could have just drawn lines but something in my brain said dots were better ???  I think it makes it easier to take the dies out without a lot of effort and less risk of bending them  ???  You could always try both ways to see which you like best.

Let the glue dry completely before putting your dies in the case. (the glue dots will be completely clear)  You can see in the picture below that the dies stay in place and it is MUCH CHEAPER than magnetic sheets!

I also think that this glue is better than double sided tape because I have bought dies that use the double sided tape to hold them in place in the packaging and I had a hard time taking the tape off the die.  Then, if you don't get it all off it sticks to the cutting plates and bending becomes a problem again.

I don't know if I have mention this before but probably my most favorite crafting supply EVER would be my 8.5"x 11" label sheets.  I use them for EVERYTHING because you can cut any shape or size you want!  LOVE! LOVE! And that's what I used to label the CD cases. Cut in half down lengthwise then cut 1/4" strips...perfect!  The link is Online Labels, the best (spelled cheapest) source I have found.

OH! And they are in a cardboard box that I just happen to have, but I think they still make CD case holders.  ???  I don't know, as fast as technology changes it might be a good idea to get them while you can!

There are tons of solutions out there on the web and I may have to switch to something different when I buy A BUNCH more but so far this is the PERFECT solution for me because it is portable and I have easy access and easy clean up.

OU! OU!  I just found (and ordered) larger clear case CD holders...the size of DVD cases - 7 1/2 " long by 5 1/2" wide...  They should be just what I need for the extra long dies from Cheery Lynn.  I am showing you the Amazon version below just for the picture, but DON'T buy from Amazon... go directly to the online store because shipping is MUCH MUCH cheaper buying direct.  That and you aren't forced to buy 10 at a time, you can buy as few as 1 if you want.  I bought 20 and shipping was $7.80.  If I had bought from Amazon shipping would have been $20!!!  From the same company!  That's not Amazon's fault, the company just doesn't offer combined shipping rates through Amazon. .... OOU!!!  Best part yet, I just got a notice that they have shipped already!  5 hours after order and they are on their way via FedEx!  YES!
  

Faux Silver Bangle Bracelet From a Plastic Drink Bottle

This is actually a modified version of the bottle bracelet I made last year HERE

Basically, what I did was...  Covered stir straws with glitter, then cut those into "seed beads" that have large enough holes for easy threading.

For the "silver" I stuck some aluminum tape (see source below) onto the bottle plastic before I cut it into strips.... The tape is silver on both sides so it will be silver on the "inside of the bracelet as well.

After I cut the strips I loaded the beads onto the strip,spaced them out then connected the two ends by running them both through one or two beads....add a bit of glue and DONE!  I think an arm load of these would be so pretty and CHEAP!

If you leave the tape off and just add beads they will appear to "float" on your arm, that would be kinda neat if you had a bunch on.

Stay tuned, this sparked yet another idea that I will share soon.

A Deal That REALLY IS A DEAL!

I'm not certain you have picked this up about me yet... probably not.... but I tend to say what I think.  And, if I love something, I REALLY LOVE it and I want to spread the good word (and vice versa, but we won't go into that).  I want all my friends to know about it and get in on a good deal too!

WELL! Such is the case with AMAZON PRIME!  I have been using it for about seven months now and I have loved every minute of it!  If you take the time to bother reading this you WILL THANK ME, I PROMISE!  I'm excited about it today because yesterday I saved TONS in shipping and that excites me.

Yes, you have to pay $79 for a year, up front, but I have WAY more than made that back in benefits! And I will GLADLY pay it again in October.  

WHY????

You wouldn't believe all the benefits!

(first, you get to try it for 30 days FREE!  Do that just for the free shipping!)

1. "UNLIMITED Prime MOVIES and TV Shows "

It works much like Netflix and Hulu Plus (only without commercials!) ... each of those cost $7.99 a month, making their total for a year $95.88 (see, already saving) ... No, not every movie that Amazon sells is free to watch, but there are thousands that are!  And, you can watch them on any digital data device! TV, cell phone, Kindle, iPad, whatever.  

2. The next, most important (to me) benefit is that you get is FREE TWO DAY SHIPPING on almost everything your order!!  Just yesterday I place two different orders and they will both be here tomorrow!..  FREE SHIPPING!!  AMAZING!  And I order almost everything I buy from Amazon because I don't have to pay taxes or shipping!... and, the prices are usually better.  Like the book I show in the left column iPad for Artists: How to Make Great Art with Your Tablet
sells at my local Barnes and Nobel for $19.95 + tax = $21.54, I paid $9.46 TOTAL!  I bet I order something at least every other week. 

3.  A FREE Kindle Book each month.  Would you believe THIS is the reason I joined?!  And I use it the least.... but, the Hunger Games Series was available and I wanted to read them... and I did, for free!  No, you don't have to own a Kindle to take advantage of this one, they have a PC/iPad/Android app so you can read it on any device.

4. There are more things that I haven't bothered to learn about...like a 5 GB Cloud for storage. So, instead of using up all your valuable hard drive space on your iPad/Kindle/whatever, you store songs, movies, pictures, whatever there and access it through "the cloud"! 

Can You Hear Me Giggling?

I don't know what's up with me today but I decided to treat myself with some fun stuff! 

I was on Pinterest and decided to look at my "I WANT" board and then to oblige ...

1. butter slicer, love it!  Love butter, HATE cutting it!  Problem solved.

     






2. Egg shaper, HOW FUN!!!  now my eggs will fit!  HA!  Just think, PERFECT scrambled egg sandwiches!  I LOVE, LOVE egg sandwiches but not so crazy about all the overlap and bits and pieces, problem solved:

  




3. This last thing was on the "I WANT" board but I ordered it a couple months ago and I won't get it until January :-(  The 3-D Doodler!  FUN!!!  Just wanted to show you what's coming. It was my first introduction to Kickstarter ... who knew?!

FREE Washi Tape Storage

Well, it is free if you already have what you need.... and I bet you do :-).

This past Monday Archiver's had a "ONE DAY ONLY" 33% off all Embellishments!  Well.... that has my name written all over it!  I have managed to resist the temptation to own more than 2 rolls of washi tape up until now but, hey, Archiver's has the largest selection around and it was 33% off!!!

I'm too embarrassed to admit how much I bought, but I did make two trips. :-)

So, now I have all this tape, how the heck do I store it???  I KNOW!!!  Wax paper doesn't really need the box it comes in right?!  And it comes with its own "cutting" blade.  PERFECT!

The only other thing you need is some kind of rod to pass through the rolls of tape... I just happen to have the twisted wire rod on my coffee table, a left over from another project.  You could do the same thing or cut the long edge of a wire clothes hanger, just bend the ends up a bit so it doesn't slide out.  OH!  almost forgot, I punched holes on either end of the box so that the wire ran through and out.

Now, you could stop there but...it really is kinda ugly so I grabbed my ever ready can of black paint and sprayed that baby down, then covered two sides with the tape that was going inside the box.  Now i can tell what is inside even if the box is closed.

 TA DA!

Just remember to face all of the tape edges towards the outside of the box so that you can unroll and tear it on the box edge more easily.