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2007-11-27

Simply Rudy - Embossing a Background

Don't you just love this little guy? He's from Tis the Season stamp set. You could easily use this set with the Merry Wishes paper that is so festive looking! Scroll down to see my post where I used this paper to make ornaments and to take advantage of this paper special until November 30th!!

First, I made my own fern background by heat embossing the fern from Bold Flourishes stamp set. For newbie stampers, that means I stamped my fern image with embossing ink and then sprinkled embossing powder over it. Then we heat emboss it with a heat gun until the powder melts and you see a shiny surface. A very cool technique. Er, or should that be a very hot technique??!) I used a scrap piece of Rustic Chic paper behind Rudy (you know how I can't throw away these small scraps of TAC paper!) I then embellished it with a ribbon and paper flower. That's it - simply Rudy! Hope you enjoy him.

2007-11-21

Happy Thanksgiving!!

May you and your families be blessed with a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving day! Every day is a day to be thankful if we just take the time to THINK about how God has blessed us TODAY!

Here's a card I made using Ephesians 3:20 as the central focus of the card. This verse is our ministry's "theme" verse for the year. I'm so THANKFUL for that! Ephesians 3:20 is one of my all time favorite verses. If you'll look at the column on the right hand side you'll see it there, under my picture. Yep, that's where you've seen it before. This verse is one I always bring my mind back to when I'm challenged in life. God can do ABOVE AND BEYOND what we can ask or think!! Wow, how awesome and comforting is that?? All we have to do is BELIEVE His Word and claim His promises. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, our theme for the year is "Your Power for Abundant Living." What a great theme to work & study this year, huh?

Again HAPPY THANKSGIVING today and tomorrow and tomorrow and...!! God bless!

2007-11-18

Teabag-Folded Tree


We made these teabag-folded trees at Rita's Ohio Gathering (thanks, Rita!) but I misplaced the directions. So from memory (oh boy!) I made this one. They are easy to make once you put one together. I don't have her instructions but I found this website that has similar instructions.

The sizes of paper squares that I used on this Welcome card were:
3x3",
2-1/2 x 2-1/2"
2x2",
1-1/2 x 1-1/2"

First I used the Patridge's tail (from TAC's "Partridge" rubber stamp set) as my design & I stamped it on light green cardstock using Bordeaux Palette inkpad on the first and third layers. For the green layers I doodled white dots on my green cardstock using my Signo white pen.

Next, I folded as per instructions and nested them together with glue dots. The bottom striped strip and the two top ones are from TAC's Amelia paper collection. Love the vintage look of this paper! I then tied some jute twine around the strip before adhereing it to the front of the card.

I will be punching 1/8" hole on top to thread ribbon thru them and use them as ornaments. I saw a technique using beeswax, so I want to try this on some of these ornaments & see what they turn out like. I love experimenting with new techniques, don't you? I will show you those once I try that technique. Well, friends, thanks for dropping by and lookin'!

2007-11-16

Notecards Box with Divider (altered treat box)


I saw this cute Treat Box tutorial and thought I'd give it a try. No, this isn't a sample of that treat box -- sorry. But it is the first time I've tried a challenge and it was lotsa fun! Loved the treat box!

Here's what I did differently. I decided to use double-side paper instead and then was inspired to alter it and turn it into a notecards box with an inside divider for my desk. Tell me what you think.

To make the divider, I simply and obviously didn't thread ribbon thru it like the treat box tutorial called for. I brought all folds together to form the box. I then brought two of the pointed triangular folds to the center and adhered them together with double-sided tape. Then you adhere the remainder of the sides together to complete the box. That's it!

You can use this not only for notecards, but you could put receipes, tall candy bars, napkins and plastic ware, etc. You get the picture. The divider makes it a more versatile box to use.

I used Tag Tidbits (which is one of the best stamp sets to use for "teeny" sayings) for the "Just a Note", Amelia hardware , Salsa Flowers and I put to use some discounted double-sided paper.


Thanks for dropping by - God bless YOU!

2007-11-05

"Merry Wishes" ornaments

Here are some ornaments I made with TAC's "Merry Wishes" 12x12 paper collection. I really like this paper - it's so versatile!

I covered wood cutouts with the paper. You can put a "stonewashed" look on them to soften the colors by lightly dry brushing white acrylic paint over them or you can put a "vintage" look on them to get that old world look by edging the ornaments with Versamagic "Jumbo Java" inkpad (or your favorite brown inkpad) with a cosmetic sponge - whatever the look you want, it's easy to do with this paper. You'll then want to seal the ornaments with a matte sealer.

Right now TAC has a "Merry Stamping" special on this paper! You can get the paper collection (which includes 16 heavy weight patterned paper, alphas, tags, AND a 34-word stamp set for only $29.95!-retails for 39.95. Check out the "Merry Words" - they are wonderful for those scrapbooking pages you know you're gonna make this holiday! This paper goes a long way and it is has such a fun & festive look. Click here if you want to see the rest of my TAC online store.

Thanks for dropping by to visit me! God bless~



2007-11-04

Tutorial - Scalloped Shrink Plastic Ribbon Slider


I was asked how I made the scallop edge on the Teeny Tiny Tag with the oval scallop punch. I thought I'd show you how to do that plus combine it with how to make a shrink plastic ribbon slider. Whew!-what a mouthful.

For the scalloped ribbon slider (see SLIDE pictures below this):

-First, remove the plastic back to expose the scallop punch opening.

-Cut a piece of opaque shrink plastic 3"x2". The size you use must be, of course, smaller then the opening so you can feed it thru.

-Insert your shrink plastic as you normally would. Then feed it thru and out the punch opening. (See Slide pictures below.)

-Position it & you're ready to punch the scallop edge.

-Punch two 1/4" holes on each side. This is where you will slide your ribbons thru.

-Using black Versamagic inkpad. Stamp your image on the shrink plastic.

-With a an heat gun, heat emboss it holding it down with tweezers.

-It will begin to curl but don't freak out-it's suppose to! Keep heat gun on it until it curls & uncurls itself.

-Immediately place it under an acrylic block to flatten it.

-Color in images. I used Impress markers. Some I just sponged inkpad colors on them. Hit them with heat gun a few seconds to dry off the colors.

-You're ready to use it as a ribbon slider or a charm.

Shrink plastic is easy and lots of fun to make your own charms, embellishments, alpha stickers, earrings etc. Now go make one and show me your work. Thanks for joining me today!

You may purchase my cards and artwork

at my "Paper Blessings" ETSY Shoppe.

Copyright

All content, including text and pictures is ©Mary Leeson and is intended to be used for personal inspiration only and may not be copied for publication or contest submission. Thank you so much for visiting us!