Shoebox Stampers

A Pretty First Communion Veil

So if you haven't seen things you like, or maybe not as many original designs this month, here's why.  My daughter has her First Communion on Sunday and I have been busy making the invitations (those can be seen here), the dress and jacket, the veil, and the banner.  I wanted to share the veil because I used our Pretties kit to dress it up! 

I wanted it simple, because she's just eight, and I wanted the focus to stay on her (and maybe her dress!).  It was so easy to make.  I picked out my flowers from our Pretties kit, applied a mini glue dot to the bottom of each, and pressed onto the headband.  The whole thing cost around $7, and the headband was $5 of it!  The veil is just a 36" by 27" piece of tulle that I finished with a rolled hem on my serger. 

The most important thing is that Grace likes it (actually, she loves it!) and is excited to wear it.  She keeps pretending to be a bride - I have to hold my tongue since I'm not quite ready for that.  Do you ever reach a state of readiness?  I doubt it. 

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Recipe remodel - So sorry...

I had made this recipe a couple times recently and wanted to share it, then I received a call from my son's principal (wait til you hear this one!).  My son loves animals and has been asking for a pet for as long as I can remember.  My husband and I don't want the extra responsibility...hey! we have three monkeys already!...and everywhere we go, there are pets to borrow.  Our neighbors have several cats and a couple dogs, both our parents have resident dogs, so it's all good...or so we thought.  The principal calls me to tell me that the teacher went down to lunch while the kids were at recess.  She comes back to find she's missing two baby chicks.  The whole class searches for the missing baby chicks, and where do they find them???

MY SON'S BACKPACK!!!

So, we are sending a small gift to apologize.  I don't have a name for this recipe, maybe white delight?  Anyway, it's an adaptation that Linda prepared for her workshop - just the best mix of sweet and salty.  I made mine more chocolatey, only partly because I don't have a bowl big enough for Linda's recipe.  I used one bag of microwave popcorn, popped and ready to serve (make sure to remove the unpopped kernals - they will surprise your teeth!).  Melt two bricks of white bark coating and pour over popcorn in a plastic container.  Cover and shake to coat.  Very easy and so yummy!!!

Here is a look at the packaging.  What a cute bag, and so easy!  All you need is a scoring blade, a crop-a-dile, and some adhesive.

So here's how I created it - you can use different measurements, but here's mine.  I started with two 6x6 pieces of Designer Series papers (the above is Washington Apple, the tutorial is Hostess Patterns Pack).  I scored at 1-1/2 inches on three sides, then cut along the score line on the bottom to create flaps. 

Then I attached a side flap to a side flap on each piece, which created a box.  This means that each side has two layers. 

I placed adhesive on the bottom flaps and folded them in, doing a long flap, then all four end flaps, then the last long flap.  Next I tucked in the sides to fold like a paper bag.

Finally, I added the holes, punched using our crop-a-dile, to put in the handles.  Then I embellished as desired.

If you want a larger bag (this one measures 3 inches by 1-1/2 inches by 4-1/2 inches tall), you can simply use a larger square and adjust your scoring lines.  If you have a gift to go inside that is rather heavy, add a piece of cardboard (like a cereal box or the board that comes in our Designer Series packages) for more stability.  There are so many things you can do with this one!

What I need from you now is what you think - are there enough pictures?  Are there any missed steps or anemic descriptions?  Do you think my son should be grounded forever???  Leave a comment and let me know!

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Downline meeting - fun but frustrating!

We had a great time Sunday, in spite of my obvious discombobulation - there was so much birthday stuff going on that I had little time to think, which is the frustrating part!  However, with help from Grace, I pulled my stuff together to create a project and swap.

I really loved this project when I made one for my sister so I thought I'd share that with my group - what better projects than those with chocolate!!!  I really wanted to use our new Oval all stamp set, so I turned the project on its side and used one of my favorite color schemes, pretty in pink, regal rose, and chocolate chip.  I used something relatively generic, the So swirly jumbo wheel, to make a subtle background.

This was my swap for the meeting - I used this card as inspiration (see the second one).  One of my swap buddies, Stephanie Flath, challenged me to use purple (perfect plum in this case) with this stamp set, so I did.  Then Kelly, one of my downline, pointed out that I always use purple (true!) so maybe I should have gone more traditional!  The lines on the main image are created using the ink pad as a stamp - so easy!  The sentiment is from Oval all (again!) using the scallop oval and large oval punches, on top of elegant eggplant narrow grosgrain ribbon.

This is Trisha's card - I love the colors she used!  I would never have thought to put really rust with not quite navy, though they are in the same color family, but it is so nice.  I will have to pull out some of my fall pictures and use this one.  She used the pocket silhouettes stamp set in chocolate chip, which pulls in the wide grosgrain ribbon of the same color.  I have already found a place for this one on my board!

This one by Sheri makes me laugh, and not because it's bad at all!  Sheri keeps saying she's a scrapbooker, not a cardmaker, but this one is really nice!  She even colored them with the kiwi kiss ink and a blender pen!  I like how she used Fifth avenue floral around the edges very subtly.  I have found a space for this one too!

Are you thinking about starting a business?  Join me and my group, the Shoebox Stampers, so you can love what you do.  Contact me for more information. 

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Welcome, Treva!

Treva joined my group, Shoebox Stampers over the weekend! I am so excited to share this business with her so she can make her business whatever she wants - a discount, a business, or something in between!  I have so much to share with her, including tax papers (yikes!), inspiration sheets (great ideas), and more!

If you'd like to join me, email me for more information!  You, too, can be part of "shoebox stampers!"

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It's Tell a Story day!

I love to read, and I love to tell stories (especially about the goofy things my sisters have done - do you know my sister #2, when I was in 6th grade and she in 4th grade, put my clothes on while I was in the bathroom, then hid behind our bedroom door thinking I wouldn't see her???  How do you get your clothes off someone once they've put them on???)  As enjoyable as those stories are, I would like to share how I started scrapbooking...I hope it reminds you about why you started scrapbooking.

I told my sister and family several times that I would not start scrapbooking.  At the time I was sewing a lot - I'd made several of my maternity tops, plus dresses, nightgowns, etc and was enjoying that pastime.  I knew if I started scrapbooking, it would take over everything. 

While pregnant with Grace, I had several ultrasounds to follow the low amniotic fluids and dark spots on the placenta.  When she arrived a month early, I was surprised.  When we were informed at 2 am that she had a serious heart defect, I was devastated.  We spent 17 days at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis visiting her while she gained weight to be ready for open heart surgery.  We knew the surgery would take several hours and I wanted something to pass the time.  I knew I wouldn't be able to read, and watching TV would not do it.  So my sister suggested scrapbooking.  I thought it would be a great idea because I'd be busy keeping my mind off things, but still focused on Grace (unlike my husband, who as you can see in this picture, spent his time pacing in front of the OR doors).

So my sister brought all of her scrapbooking supplies, and I brought my meager pictures and memorabilia, and we sat at a table in the waiting room while Grace had surgery and scrapbooked.  Some of the pictures were difficult to scrapbook (as you can see by the ones above), and some still haven't been, but it was a great way to spend a day waiting for Grace. 

And that, as they say, is history.  Now, when my husband complains about my scrapbooking obsession, I just blame my sister!  Who do you blame?  What's your story?  I'd love to hear it!

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You're Invited - First Communion

Grace will be making her First Communion on May 3 and so we've sent out invitations (if the baptisms are any indication, we could have a full house!).  They came together really fast, and I simply took a card I'd made before (you can find it here) and rotated it.  I love it when that happens!

I used elegant eggplant for the cardbase and pretty in pink for the background stripe (Grace said she wanted pink and purple!).  I cut the top note die in whisper white and stamped images from Refuge and Strenth in pretty in pink, elegant eggplant and mellow moss inks.  I finished it off by using stampin' dimensionals under the oval scallop punch with the sentiment from Sincere salutations.  Like I said, very easy card and this stamp set fit the bill perfectly!

Make sure to check back - I'll share the dress I'm working on.  It actually makes me rather sad since Grace looks like a little bride.  {SIGH}  They grow up so fast...

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Scrapbookin' on Saturday - he's TWO

Sometimes a page comes together fast, and I just love those!  However, it's such a pain when you don't have papers to match whatever pictures you're doing.  I was getting super frustrated with these pictures because the colors are not really popular right now and so I couldn't find any paper to go with them.  I finally decided to stick with the theme and pulled out my number stamps and made my own printed paper to match (one of the things I love about scrapbooking with stamps!!!).  I pulled out the colors to match (night of navy, close to cocoa, glorious green and ruby red) and started stamping! 

I spelled out the number "2" so that it would contrast with the top - while the word uses our retired On Board Simon Lower chipboard, we have several options that would work now just as well.  I used our craft ink to color the title and to pull the ruby red across the page.  I used our Sanded stamp to dress up the kraft background and added two eyelets to the "o" just to reinforce the age!  I originally hadn't planned to use ribbon, but when I added the chocolate chip wide grosgrain, it just seemed to come together.  This also created a small block for journaling. 

So, while looking over this page, I was wondering...have you created your own backgrounds?  I'd love to hear what you come up with - leave a comment and help someone out!

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Organize your magazines!

Are you like this?  Do you have magazines sitting everywhere that you don't use? 

I have them in a chair, on my bookshelves, in my craft room, and in a storage box!  Crazy! 

 

So I came up with a solution that just might work!  I pull out the projects that I want to create and neaten up the edge.  Then I punch holes in the end and place them in a binder, creating a file system of sorts. 

I love scrapbook sketches, so I have tabs that say "one," 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10 +.  I also have tabs for projects, techniques, and cards (I'm going to need another binder soon!).  I had originally intended to simply purchase dividers, then figured I could make them with our supplies, especially the round tab punch.  So here's a couple samples using some of my favorite Designer series papers.

This tab uses our Tea Party designer series papers with coordinating colors pretty in pink (base and "&" in craft ink), so saffron (title page), almost amethyst (Big Deal alphabet in craft ink).  There's also a strip of certainly celery at the bottom.  

 

This divider uses our Perfect plum Patterns Designer series paper, with a strip of perfect plum.  I stamped the flowers from Big flowers and little flowers in versamark on pale plum.  The title uses Big deal alphabet in perfect plum craft ink (I just wish it looked more like 10 PLUS than tent!

I have already recycled several magazines so I have more space already!  Plus, when I want to scrapbook, create a card, or have an itch to create something, it's all right in one place!  If you have a great organizational tool, I'd love to hear it - leave a comment below and help us all craft faster. 

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Take your daughter to work day...

is easy when you work from home!  Grace sees me working often (I'm still figuring out how to separate family and work!) and has even helped me on occasion.  It's amazing how much they learn!  I thought I'd share something that shows just how much she absorbs without my realizing it. 

Ever so often, I'll take the boys upstairs to get ready for bed while Grace finishes her snack.  Sometimes she makes me a special snack (usually involving lots of calories I hadn't planned into my daily intake!) and surprises me with it.  This time she created a yummy drink (recipe to follow!) and circled it with m&m's and chocolate eggs.  I love how she decorated her 3-D gift - she could have just lumped the candy offering to the side of the glass, but instead repeated the circle in the glass by arranging the candy in a circle. 

She wrote up the recipe so everyone could see it and try it.  You notice how much chocolate she included???  While it was yummy, I needed another drink to follow that one (she actually warned me I would need it!). 

Are you taking your daughter to work?  I'd love to hear how it worked out!  It's amazing how much they pick up just watching what you do!

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Monday's Memories

This month's class will be held Monday, April 27 at 6:30 pm, and we are doing two 2-page layouts for the $25 class fee. I really like the Sense of time stamp set from our Occasions mini catalog, so have incorporated it into a layout. While it's not solely spring, it does pull in flowers and could also be great for graduation or get togethers with family.  I went with ruby red, basic gray, and going gray, which would work masculine or feminine...just substitute the flowers for circles, stars, or other related masculine shapes.  There are also brads galore!

The second one uses our Tea Party designer series papers and coordinating colors: pretty in pink, almost amethyst, certainly celery and so saffron.  This is also set up to hold a 5" by 7" picture as the focus, but could easily be adjusted.  I thought the title using our Big deal alphabet appropriate - hopefully, you can space your letters a bit better!

 

You can reserve your space below or send me an email to confirm by Saturday, April 25.  I can't wait to stamp with you!

   

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