Glitz Galore!

Hey... So sorry it's been so long since I posted last! Time sure flew... Yikes!

But, I'm back now and hope to share some fun things with you! The card I'm posting today is one I made for a sweetie-pie friend of mine (hi Katie!), for her birthday! She loves PINK and BLING, so I thought I'd accommodate her in that! LOL!!!


The background papers are from Basic Grey's "Perhaps" 6"x6" paper pad. I did the wallpaper "wainscoting" thing. After adhering the 2 backgrounds to the Pomegranate panel, I took my Essential Glue Pad and stamped the Stampendous flower with it -- and then added SU!'s Dazzling Diamonds, of course! LOL!!! This gave the background a glittery swirly effect (can't really tell in this photo, though).

Then, after tying the Pomegranate stitched ribbon at the paper seam, I added SU!'s (ret.) Vintage Diamond Mini-brads to the corners of the panel.

I stamped the Stampendous bloom again, on vellum CS, Pomegranate CS, and one of the "plain" Perhaps papers, using my Palette Noir black ink pad (that pad is FABULOUS!!! First time I've used it and I was very impressed by the coverage, etc.!). After letting the ink dry, I cut out all three flowers and shaped their petals with my fingers. And, of course, added more Dazzling Diamonds glitter to their centers, with the help of my Sakura Quickie Glue Pen! I LOVE how you can control exactly where you want that glue!!! It's FABulous, Dah-link! The flowers were mounted onto the card using dimensionals.

The last touch was the Happy Birthday sentiment (SU!), stamped on more of the pink Perhaps paper, punched with the ticket corner punch, and backed with a Pomegranate panel done the same way. Added more diamond brads, mounted it on dimensionals and, voila! 'Tis finished!

In case you are wondering, all the non-Stampin' Up! items listed here I got from eP (eclectic Paperie at http://www.eclecticpaperie.com/index.html), my FAV online paper-crafting store!!! In fact, it has been impossible to find the glue pad here in the SLC area, at least in the major craft stores. I know, because Katie looked for one ALL OVER after I gave her this card! LOL!!! Nothing like being an enabler, eh?!? LOL!!!

Anway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Katie!!! Have an AWESOME year! (Go check out the cake her DH decorated for her, here: http://eitakwilson.blogspot.com/2007/11/birthday.html -- Don't you just LOVE the cute hearts he made with ALL THAT FROSTING?!? LOL!!!)

Jewelry Gift!

I mentioned earlier that I'd post a picture of the jewelry I made for my niece (Funky Color! post), after I knew she had opened her gift, so here it is!

Chains are really big right now, so I wanted to do something with a great chain! I found this silver-electroplated chain at the Gem Faire in September, and snapped it right up!


Then, I needed to pick out some great beads for accent! Since my niece's favorite color is PURPLE, amethyst was the only stone to consider! LOL!!! Then, I found these AWESOME rock crystal (quartz) beads, as well, and HAD to add them to the mix! (I NEEDED them!!! LOL!!!)

So, here is the finished product... A long necklace, to wear in a single layer or drape in more layers, a matching bracelet, and earrings! Oh, what fun I had making these!!!

And, to top it all off, she LOVED them!!! Happy birthday again, Stacee!!! Love you!

Funky Color!

Yikes!!! It's been too long since I posted last... Hopefully, I can be more consistent from here on out...
























Anyway, here is another gift set, for another niece of mine, that I just sent out for her birthday! The colors are, to me, a bit funky and definitely a "stretch" for me, but they are close to the colors in her bedroom (she does admit her room is a tad on the bright side, and she doesn't need a light at night! LOL!!!)... But I didn't really use the orange in her room so much... Instead, I pulled the coral and rose red out of the Fancy Pants paper that I chose because it screamed her name to me -- KWIM?
























The card here is 4.5" x 4.5" square, plus the scalloped circle hanging off the top of it. I know I CASEd this concept from someone on SCS (Cambria?), but can't put my finger on who...

The card base is Cameo Coral, layered with Rose Red and the darling FancyPants paper, Aged Florals - Honeybunch. The paper-piercing template aided me in creating the corner accents. The sentimant is from SU!'s Warmest Regards set.

I used my Giga Punch for the large scalloped circle, and cut the patterned paper with my circle Coluzzle. Punched each scallop with my 1/16" circle punch, stamped the flower from SU!'s Looks like Spring set, with Rose Red craft ink, let that dry, then set the pewter jumbo eyelet for the flower's center.

The small "flower" (scalloped circle) was punched with SU!'s new scallop punch and 1.25" circle punch. I used Mellow Moss 1/4" grosgrain ribbon for the flowers' "stems" and "leaves," tucking the end under the Rose Red layer of the card to finish it off.
























Here is the gift box I created to go with the card. It is just a simple, white necklace box, finished off with a "belly band" of Rose Red CS and the same Fancy Pants paper I used on the card. The tag is, again, made with SU!'s new scallop punch (gotta tie in the scallop motif, you know!) and SU!'s 1" circle punch. Punch the small circle first, with enough space around it so the scallop punch can do its job. Punch another scallop in the designer paper, and layer the rose on the patterned paper to make a cute little flower. Punch a hole in each scallop (1/8" punch), tie the tag on with Moss grosgrain ribbon, and you are done!

I'll post the gift itself after I know she has opened it!

Happy birthday (tomorrow), Stacee!!!

A Small Gift...

... for one of my nieces!

Her favorite color is PINK and she is turning 14 this year! What do you give a young teen for her birthday?!? Why, JEWELRY, of course!!! Especially if she is a FASHIONISTA like this one (and her sisters)!!!

So, here is the gift I made her:
This jewelry set is made with Chinese pink opals, rhodonite, onyx, and silverplated beads, with sterling silver spacers and findings. I hope she likes it! I LOVE pink and black together!!!














Here is the gift box and card together. I had to stick with the pink and black theme, you know! LOL!!!























Here is the card and the creative deets:

Stamps: Oh, So Lovely
Inks: Going Gray, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Pixie Pink
Papers: Pixie Pink, Basic Black, Whisper White
Other: Aquapainter; Pretties Kit Rhinestone Brad; Doodlebug Paper Frill (white, dyed with Pixie Pink pad); Flower & Leaves from Michael's.

I CASEd this card from Chrissyd723's cards, here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/664375. I totally fell in love with the gray background stamping she did, and then the colored focal point done with the same stamp. I think it is an elegant way to tie background and foreground together! Thanks, Chrissy!

I embellished the gift box very simply, by just wrapping a 2-inch designer paper strip (Fancy Pants Designs, "Lovebird") around the center for a belly band and adhering with sticky tape. Then, I punched a 1-inch circle out of Basic Black CS, centered the circle in the scallop punch, and got a cute little black "flower" out of it. Backed the black with another scallop, punched from Pixie Pink CS. Added detail by punching each scallop with my 1/8-inch circle punch for a more "lacy" look. Tied the scallop gift tag onto the box with (ret.) black organdy ribbon, over the paper band, and wrote my niece's name in the center of the flower. I like how it turned out! I hope it's a hit!

A Glimmer Mist Gift! Go eP!!!

Woo-hoo!!! Have you seen what eclectic Paperie (eP) is offering their customers this month?!? Get a load of THIS (from an e-mail I got from eP):

JOIN THIS GlIMMER MIST PARTY!

We are excited to host our first event called "An eclectic Coterie". We've all heard the buzz on Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels. They are releasing seasonal colors for a limited time only. So we are having a party for all Glimmer Mist fans. The more people that come to the party, the more free Glimmer Mist you get! Read more for offer details and don't forget to invite your friends.

An eclectic Coterie - Glimmer Mist Limited Edition Special

The Details: Purchase all twelve (12) seasonal colors for $79.99 (plus shipping).
FALL: Aspen Yellow, Autumn Leaves, Harvest Orange, Juniper, Merlot, and Red Maple. WINTER: Frosty Nights, Gingerbread, Winterberry, Mistletoe, Snowflake and Sugar Cookie.

Now some the additional FUN Details: If we sell 40 bundles, everyone who purchased the seasonal bundle will receive a free bottle of Glimmer Mist Patina($6.95 value)absolutely free!

If we sell 80 bundles,everyone who purchased the seasonal bundle will receive both Glimmer Mist Patina AND Glimmer Mist Antique Brass($6.95 value) free.

That is right. The more people at our Coterie, the more free stuff you will get with your bundle purchase. We'll keep you posted on the eP blog as to how many more people we need to invite in order to add free Glimmer Mist to your packages. So your mission is to share this offer and enable all your friends. The more people who join this coterie, the more Glimmer Mist we all add to our collection. These limited edition colors are only available for the fall and winter season. eclectic Paperie is making this exclusive offer through this special newsletter. This eP Glimmer Mist special will not ship until the eclectic Coterie is over.

This special offer is only available from September 18th to September 30th. These special orders will not ship until early October.

Please email info@eclecticpaperie.com if you have any questions. Visit the eP Blog for more information and photos of how Glimmer Mist can work into your paper crafts. Glimmer All the Way!

Daisy & Joy

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So, how about it?!? I know *I* want some of this cool product! If you need further motivation, go to Vicki Chrisman's blog (listed at right) and check out her awesome projects! She's the QUEEN of Glimmer Mist!!! LOL!

M.

My 93-Year-Old Grandparents!

Oh, I have to say it was SO WONDERFUL to be able to share my grandparents' 70th anniversary with them!!! They are two of the dearest people in my life, and I can't even begin to express my deep love for them, and the great JOY I feel when I get to spend time with them!!!

And, bless their sweet hearts, they are still VERY spry and healthy for their age -- 93 years old!!! I just want to share a few pictures of them with you, since they are so special to me!

Here they are, next to the card cake I made for them -- getting ready to greet their friends and family at the anniversary party! Isn't my grandmother ELEGANT?!? Still straight as a pin, and dressed in her favorite colors, too! Granddad is looking pretty dapper as well!

Here, they are reading together a note someone wrote to them...

And, last but not least, here they are laughing about something... I think I still see a little "spark" there! (Isn't is SO CUTE?!?!) What do you think?!?

GOD BLESS MY GRANDPARENTS!!! Heaven knows how much they have blessed MY life, for all these years... I LOVE YOU, Grandmother & Granddad!!!

M.

70 Years of Marriage!!!

WOW!!! My maternal grandparents will be celebrating their 70th anniversary this Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007!!! What an accomplishment! I definitely admire them for this! Not too many people get there... They are such a neat couple, and I'm sure their faith in God has been the foundation for their strong marriage! I hope I get there, one day... I was figuring it out the other day and discovered that I will be 102 that year! LOL!!! (Whew!!!)

Anyway, one of my uncles is planning a "surprise" reception for them on Saturday! (I'm not sure it will be a complete surprise, though... He placed an announcement in the paper and Granddad reads the paper regularly! LOL!!!)

My contribution to this special day is this "card cake" I just finished making today! It's a container for the cards they may be receiving. When I saw the one Vicki Chrisman posted on her blog, I knew I had to make one as well! Hers is FAB-OOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! (Check it out here: http://vickichrisman.blogspot.com/2007/08/beautiful-day-for-wedding.html)

Knowing that my Grandmother's absolute favorite color combination is blue and white, I took those as my color cues and found some lovely ribbons at Hobby Lobby! I think I went a bit overboard on the ribbon -- what do you think?!? (Couldn't resist!!!)

Here is the "big picture" of the completed cake front:

And back:

And, here is some detail as well:
I stamped the boxes with SU!'s Brocade Basics stamp set, using my Essential Glue Pad and applied Dazzling Diamonds glitter (this is their "diamond" anniversary, after all! LOL!!!). The card stock I used for the flowers was SU!'s Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, and white vellum. I punched out the petals with both the large and small oval punches, curled each petal, and adhered them to a smaller circle base in the matching color. The bling in the flower centers are the clear rhinstone brads from the Pretties Kit! Love them!!! The leaves were punched from vellum, then I used my stylus to create the veining and make them more dimensional.

The lacy edging on the box tops is just the edges of square paper doilies. I had to use several pieces to make it all the way around the cake, but the doily corners made a good accent at the seams, I think! Looks a lot like Battenburg Lace to me!

The photograph in the frame is one taken of my grandparents about 20 years ago... I wish I had a photo of them as newlyweds but, alas, I do not! I'm so excited to see them this weekend!!! Thanks for sharing my joy with me!