Candy Cane Coffee Gift

Quick - need to make some little gifts to have on hand but don't want the usual Candy Canes? How about these darling coffee singles? My friend went to a craft show and bought some of these. I saw the wrapping paper in the dollar bin at the supermarket, and I could not resist making a few of these to hand out.

Sweet Treat - coffee single wrapped like a candy cane

Candy cane pattern wrapping paper

Coffee Single (Via or Folgers brand)

Tag

Ribbon

Tape

I made my tag, you could easily use a regular gift tag.

The stamp set used is retired, but you can use the current you could use the current stamp sets:

 Morning Cup 116988 or Every Little Bit 117096 or even Itty Bitty Bits 117056

I stamped, then punched that out with the Circle punch; and mounted it onto a red Scallop punch piece. 

Trim your wrapping paper to cover the coffee single, mine was about 2.75" x 7"

Wrap around coffee, and tape closed. Roll the bottom and tape, shake your coffee down to the bottom of one end, then roll the long end to form the curl of the "candy cane"

Punch hole in tag and tie onto middle with ribbon.

the hardest part will be finding the candy cane wrapping paper

Hand out to those deserving of a nice break from the holiday madness, or maybe in need of a little caffine to get them thru the madness :-) Regardless, I'm sure you can think of someone who would enjoy a cup!

stash a few for the office, drop some to the lunch ladies

Happy Crafting!

~angie 

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Q & A Quick Affordable Gifts

	Q&A Q: Do you have suggestions for quick and affordable gifts? A: People love getting handcrafted gifts. The saying about the thought being what counts is so true. You don't have to spend a fortune or eons of time making thoughtful gifts. Read on to find out about ideas for Food from the Heart, Inexpensive & Impressive, and Fast & Fabulous gifts you can create in the twinkle of an eye - but don't tell Santa he has competition! Food from the Heart We all love the comfort and thoughtfulness of homemade goodies around the holidays, and honestly, any other time, too! One of my favorite gifts to give (and receive) is the timeless Mason jar filled with a family cookie mix and recipe, soup mix, baked cookies, fudge, candies, cocoa mix, etc. This inexpensive gift is great because it's personal, it doesn't need to be dusted, it fits anyone, and it's a snap to create. Simply create a belly-band around the jar using Designer Series Paper or stamped card stock. Then add a bit of ribbon around the neck of the jar with a hand-stamped tag, fill with goodies, and you are done! I like using the From the Kitchen Of (#114964) stamp set to include the recipe for the treat included in the jar. Another great option is a big, oversized mug decorated with Decor Elements and filled with a special flavored coffee or tea bags. Add a Decor Element to the mug, then tie a ribbon with a hand-stamped tag around the handle and you have a great gift. The Letters to Santa Decor Elements (#124195) are a great option because they include lots of images that are perfect for the holidays, there is a coordinated stamp set for a tag, and they are a great value. Inexpensive & Impressive Gifts don't have to cost the world to be impressive. Purchase inexpensive scarves and/or gloves (sometimes even in $1 bins) and dress them up with fun embellishments. You can use Designer Fabric or ribbon to create a colorful ruffle. Add a whimsical flower using the Big Shot to die cut Designer Fabric, fleece, and felt. Create a coordinating brooch that can be pinned to a jacket for a fun, coordinating look! Quickly stitch on buttons in the recipient's favorite color for a stylish look, or a whole rainbow of colors for a fun and vibrant look. The Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die (#120893) is great for creating fabric accents and ruffles. The Flower Folds Bigz XL die (#115970) is one of many options for creating flower brooches and accents. Another thoughtful gift is a stack of hand-stamped cards. Make a whole set of cards with a monogram or an assortment of all-occasion cards. Tie them together with a ribbon and a hand-stamped tag and you have a fast and useful gift. Fast & Fabulous Simply Adorned Charm necklaces are one of my fast and fabulous gift items. They are ideal gifts to give to mothers, sisters, friends, daughters, etc. No worrying about sizes makes it easy, and the style can be customized to any preference, and can also be easily changed. It takes next to no time to create a couple of inserts customized for your friends and family. Create inserts with a monogram, simple floral images, seasonal inserts, or any of a huge variety of options. When you consider the nearly endless possibilities and the ease of changing the look, you'll appreciate the amazing value and thoughtful personalization that this gift offers! Because the Simply Adorned charms and chains come in gift boxes, just tie a ribbon and add a hand-stamped tag to enjoy stress-free gift wrapping! It’s not too late! These are just a few of the many possibilities for heartfelt, last-minute gifts that let you share your creativity and the true spirit of the season. Imagine how special your friends and family will feel when they receive the special gift you designed and created just for them! Contact me today for more ideas and to get any supplies you may need, and you'll have those last-minute gifts checked off your list in no time!
© CraftyPerson Production. Images © Stampin' Up! Q&A is a regular feature of my Monthly Newsletter - Sign up today to recieve ideas and inspiration, tips and tool information all directly to your email.

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Festive Friday Snow Swirled Season

Oh you've made it... its FESTIVE FRIDAY!

Festive Friday was a Blog Hop happening the second and fourth Friday of each month, showcasing Christmas cards. This will be the last hop for 2011, but never fear - Festive Fridays will be back! Look for it in the new year, starting off another year of prepping for your holiday rush a little each month!!

If you're joining me directly, don't miss the beginning of the hop over at Terri's Blog. If you've joined me from Brendas blog, You're hoppin' along just fine! There is a link to all the fine blogs at the end of this post,

Its crunch time - the cards should be out fairly soon in the mail, I hope you're ready! I know I am!!

This week, its a return to traditional colors and my favorite set Snow Swirled #111690.

I used some of the Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper #122349 and Old Olive and Riding Hood Red card stocks.  The cute sash is a scrap of retired Ridinghood Red that I had in the bottom of my bin - I almost didn't have enough! They do actually have a similar ribbon in multiple colors available though - check out the 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (pg 195 of the catalog). I distressed the edges of the DSP and the white,   

The sentiment is actually taken from the Season of Joy #110384 set (another favorite :-) and punched with the ever awesome Modern Label Punch #119849. The green accent on that was added by punching the sentiment in Whisper White, and then punching a blank in Old Olive;

then you cut the Old Olive piece in half and layer each half onto an end of the white.

I mounted the sentiment with Stampin' Dimensionals #104430, always good for some nice layers.

and now we can truly say:

Wishing you and yours the very best this holiday season,

thank you so much for hopping along with us this year! 

Please enjoy the inspiration on the hop and continue over to Becky at BC Designs!

Merry Christmas,
and may all your Fridays be Festive!!
~angie

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Festive Fridays Scallop Circle Ornament

Its that special Friday again -- a FESTIVE FRIDAY!

Festive Friday is a Blog Hop happening the second and fourth Friday of each month, showcasing Christmas cards. We are rounding out the year, this is the last month in 2011 for our hop!

If you're joining me directly, don't miss the beginning of the hop over at Terri's Blog. If you've joined me from Brendas blog, You're hoppin' along just fine! There is a link to all the fine blogs at the end of this post,

This week - as deadlines approach - its back to a tried and true card:

This is a card made from a folded card base cut on the Big Shot with the Scallop Circle die (#113468), you can see the top edge is where the fold is placed just inside the die, so the card will still open. The top is capped with the Round Tab punch (#119864) that creates a double sided "Ornament" card. Embellish with sentiment, ribbon, some pattern paper cut in the die as well, and you have a quirky little card to cheer someones holiday.

Variety can be created with different papers and sentiments, and of course you can bling up the embellishment - these are obviously a simple version!
You could add a cropped photo (they are a good 4.25" diameter) or some buttons or layers for more texture, or get elaborate with your detail and add some die-cut swirls or images. Pick your favorite ornament off the tree, and recreate a version to send out!

These are a great project for a group, adults or kids, to make; and as they have ample room inside for signing, a great card for a group to send as well. 

 
Please enjoy the inspiration on the hop and continue over to Becky at BC Designs, the Holidays are just around the corner!
Have a Festive Friday!
~angie

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Q&A Making Gifts for the Holidays

 Q&A

Q: I’m thinking of making gifts this year. What do you suggest?

A: Handmade gifts are always popular because they show the heartfelt thought and effort that you put into choosing and creating the perfect, unique gift. Advent calendars are fun gifts to give and create ahead of the holidays, and gifts like a set of cards, homemade treats with decorated bags, holiday banners, and calendars are ideal for a variety of people and budgets.

Advent Calendars

The ever-popular tradition of opening a door a day to get a piece of candy, a special quote, or even a suggestion of a fun holiday activity can be made even more fun when you create a custom Advent calendar. The detailed Advent calendar on page 36 of the Holiday Mini Catalog uses the Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die (#124587) and the 25 & Counting stamp set (#123792 wood mount, #123794 clear mount). This makes a great format for sharing the Christmas story or suggesting holiday activities like cookie baking and decorating the tree. If you prefer a different type of Advent calendar, try the Matchbox Bigz XL Die (#114890) to die cut Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper (#124002). Stack and glue the boxes in a square or in the shape of a Christmas tree and fill each box with small gifts or candy.

Budget-Friendly Tasty Treats
For less expensive gifts that are perfect for neighbors, co-workers, or for children’s classes, you can make homemade candy or cookies and package them in our skinny Cellophane Bags (#124134). Add a stamped topper to the 1” x 8” tube and you have a unique and yummy gift that anyone will appreciate. For larger items, we also have rectangular cellophane bags in three sizes: 3” x 5” (#103104), 4” x 6” (#102757), and 6” x 8” (#102210). Or create quick & easy, custom decorated boxes using our Kraft Gift Boxes (#124106) as your starting point. Wrap with our 1-1/4” Striped ribbon and add a hand-stamped tag and you have a great gift.

Personalized Gifts
For those special people on your list, you can step it up a bit and create a custom holiday banner using the Holiday Stocking Bigz L Die (#124098) and coordinating Stocking Accents Originals Die (#124099). Use die-cut or chipboard letters to put a family name or a message like “Joy” or “Merry” on the banner with one letter per stocking. String the stockings on a Satin ribbon with the adorable and functional Mini Clothespins (#122942). And everyone needs a great calendar for 2012. You can create a custom calendar using our digital paper crafting software, My Digital Studio (#118108). The great thing about using My Digital Studio to make a calendar is that you can completely customize each page with your favorite designs or use one of our designer templates to save time. Make the calendars extra special when you add photos of your family members on their birthday or anniversary dates. Plus, you can design once and print as many as you like! Or design once and then just tweak it a bit to customize the calendar for different families!

Handmade Joy
There is a joy to creating and giving a handmade gift that is extra special. Store-bought gifts just don’t have the same heart as something that you designed and created with someone special in mind. Plus, you get the added benefit of slowing down and enjoying the experience of creating that gift without having to fight crazy mall crowds or stormy winter roads! Contact me today to plan your holiday gifts and you can get started with the fun and festive process of creating your heartfelt, holiday gifts!

© CraftyPerson Production. Images © Stampin' Up!

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Festive Fridays Snow Swirled Embossing

Its that special Friday again -- a FESTIVE FRIDAY!

Festive Friday is a Blog Hop happening the second and fourth Friday of each month, showcasing Christmas cards. We are rounding out the year, theres only a few more hops!

If you're joining me directly, don't miss the beginning of the hop over at Terri's Blog. If you've joined me from Brendas blog, You're hoppin' along just fine! There is a link to all the fine blogs at the end of this post,

I got out the heat gun to warm my cold hands this week (hahaha! yes, it HAS been cold in California) and tried out an embossing technique I've seen. It uses only clear embossing powder, and the effect ended up rather festive, if I do say so myself:

Snow Swirled Embossed

I stamped the swirls from Season of Joy (#110384) onto white card stock using VersaMark ink (#102283), then embossed with Stampin' Emboss Clear Powder (#109130). I then inked up and stamped off the tree from the same set in Soft Suede and stamped it over the embossed sections. Then, I used my Blender Pen (I dont have a Versa Mark marker) to add Versa Mark to the (completely dry) stamped tree images, then embossed with more clear powder. This protects the white areas in the image., when you go to the next step.

See the shine of the embossing? Pretty in Person, honest!

Next, I sponged Bashfull Blue across the field of the card, then added some Marina Mist sponged around the edges. The emboss-resist technique uses a brayer, for more full coverage, but I think the sponge worked well and gave a similar soft look. I used my Blender pen once more to pick up some Marina Mist ink and add it to the underside of the swirls, accenting the curls of the swirls. The Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon (#109034) is accented with 3 Brads from the Metallic collection (#119741), and I stamped a sentiment in Real Red ink. Mounted, and voila! Ready to send some Festive Friday greetings!

Embossing, Accent, and Ribbon detail

A fun technique, I like the soft water-color effect and the pearlescence of the swirls and trees is rather pretty in person. Here is an alternate Winter Greeting I did as well:

 
Please enjoy the inspiration on the hop and continue over to Becky at BC Designs, the Holidays are just around the corner!







Have a Festive Friday!
~angie

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Festive Fridays Pennant Parade

Its that special Friday again -- a FESTIVE FRIDAY!

Festive Friday is a Blog Hop happening the second and fourth Friday of each month, showcasing Christmas cards.
If you're joining me directly, don't miss the beginning of the hop over at Terri's Blog. If you've joined me from Brendas blog, You're hoppin' along just fine! There is a link to all the fine blogs at the end of this post,

The holidays are zooming closer, I can feel the days ticking away... but I have a good stash of cards, and I am close to finalizing my family card, so I am in good spirits (haha!) for this time of year. This week I'm showing another pennant card.



Merry Pennant Parade

I'm loving this new set (Stampin Up! #122742 - and not just because the item number has all 3 of my lucky numbers in it! Go -22-7-42!) but I love the versatility of the set. Obviously pennants, but included is the little tree stand, a star, flower/snowflake and some sentiments for pretty much any occasion... whats not to love! But wait!! it Also coordinates with the Petite Pennants Builder punch! No tedious fussy cuts here, only instant gratification in a quick punch! Holidays, Birthdays, Teacher appreciation, you name it and a banner would be darling for it -- even scrapbook layouts! LOVe - iT!!

 

I took a traditional layout and added the flags to the bottom. I originally had it across perfectly straight, but then tilted it to add some spunk... it does fit straight, it was just a bit too traditional for my mood at the time. I cant decide if its kind of "beer commercial" or "Macys Parade" looking or not, but I think its a fun little card. Merry Merry Merry, Enjoy!

 
Please enjoy the inspiration on the hop and continue over to Becky at BC Designs, the Holidays are just around the corner!







Have a Festive Friday!
~angie

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Dollar Store Crafts - Potpourri Character Vase

I take my kids to the dollar store once every couple of weeks as a reward for good behavior, its fun to see what "treasures" they find and I am amazed at the variety our local Dollar Tree has... I had seen a post on Twitter about Halloween crafts, and so when we went to the store a while back I picked up the supplies to make these cute Character Vases. Mine are a little different, $7 for everything as I had nothing on hand for these, but they are a little festive touch that would make cute gifts!
Its a versatile idea, it could be adapted for almost any holiday given a change in ribbon and character - some pumpkins or scarecrows for Thanksgiving or a Harvest theme, eggs or bunnies for Easter, hearts or angels for Valentines Day, Christmas ornaments or figures, even Birthday accents if you have a month of birthdays like we do... perhaps a hostess gift or little thank you to a friend... love the idea :-)

Here are mine:

Dollar Store Spookiness

I have a little witch on the left there, and a Vampire on the right. The characters are spooky, but not at all scary - great for our house. The potpourri I got is cinnamon, its very faint, so perfect if you were not looking to overwhelm anyone. You could probably spice it up with some oils, but it works for us.

The goods: $5

Oops - forgot something... needs a little ribbon I think!

$1 for this pretty pumpkin ribbon - wire ribbon, so you can fluff it up a bit

This would be an easy craft for kids too - simply fill your jar, position your character, and add the ribbon. They have quite the selection of glass vases and jars, you really could get a collection going if you wanted! I would check early for the characters though, they went fast - when I went back for the ribbon, there were none left! Snooze ya lose at the dollar store, I tell ya!

Happy Crafting!
~angie

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Q&A Printing Cards from My Digital Studio

 Q&A

Q: How do I print cards using My Digital Studio?



A: My Digital Studio allows you to design a variety of card styles including traditional cards in several sizes, postcards, and even tri-fold cards. You can print cards on your home printer or through our professional print service. The easiest option, and the one with the best results, will be using the professional print service.

Printing at Home
Once you design your cards in My Digital Studio you can print them at home, but it is a bit tricky since every printer operates a bit differently and prints colors differently. Even good-quality printers may not give the high-quality print and color detail that you’ll get with professional print services. When you design a traditional card in My Digital Studio, it actually has four pages - front, inside left, inside right, and back. It is great to be able to customize all four pages, but it makes printing at home more complicated. The easiest way to print at home is to print just the front of the card, cut it out and then layer it onto a card body just like you do when making a hand-stamped card. This also has the benefit of giving you a heavier weight card body since most printers cannot handle heavyweight card stock. To print the full four-page card at home, you’ll need to do a bit of experimenting with how your printer prints. You’ll need to print pages 1 and 4 (front and back) then re-insert the paper into the printer to print pages 2 and 3 (inside left and inside right). The trick is knowing if you need to just flip the paper over, or if you need to flip and rotate the paper. Each printer is different, so it will take some trial and error.

Professional Print Service
You’ll be the happiest with the results you get from the professional print service. The professional print service neatly prints high-quality images on heavy card stock and includes a heavy-weight envelope along with the card. You simply upload the card using the link in the My Digital Studio program, tell us how many copies you want, and all the work is done for you. Plus, with our professional print service, the colors are guaranteed to match the Stampin’ Up! colors. So if you want to add on embellishments like punched images, buttons, or ribbon, they will all coordinate as they should.

New Bulk Pricing
You’ve seen the $5-$7 cards in card stores. But how often are those cards exactly what you want? Now, with My Digital Studio and the new bulk pricing, it is easier and more affordable than ever to print your custom-designed cards just as you want them. Make your custom Christmas cards or baby announcements with photos and your personalized greeting. Design a card with your monogram or a variety of birthday, thank you, and blank cards to have on hand for any occasion. You’ll save on printing and shipping costs when you order a group of cards instead of just a couple, making your custom cards even more affordable.

© CraftyPerson Production. Images © Stampin' Up!

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World Cardmaking Day - Operation Write Home

Welcome!! Happy World Cardmaking Day! I hope you're enjoying the fabulous hop hosted by Operation Write Home!
Ready to get your Holiday cards started? No? ;-) Well, you'll have lots of ideas if you tour the fantastic blogs participating today! Be sure to click the link above to find your inspiration...


Bringing a little bit of Joy!

I make cards for our Troops because its a small way I can give back to those who serve our country... Operation Write Home cards will carry a message between two distant hearts this holiday season - and they will be there the rest of the year too with cards for all occasions! I hope you'll support OWH, if not in making cards (Christmas Deadline is October 31st!) then please donate and help send these cards out on their mission, and spread the word about this great organization!

Thank you for hopping today, Enjoy!
~angie

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OWH Blog Hop - Card Recipe

Thank you so much for taking part in the fabulous World Cardmaking Day Blog Hop hosted by my favorite organization - Operation Write Home! There are so many great cards posted, I hope you'll get a chance to see them all!

My card:

I started with my standard Operation Write Home card base, which I print in bulk. You can download a pdf HERE. I print these out and cut the 8.5x11 sheet in half to give me two card bases - one landscape (like above), one portrait. I got the digital version of this many moons ago, but I like it because it has the logo, the website, and a small thank you. Operation Write Home receives thousands of cards, and it makes the shippers lives a bit easier if they are just ready to pop in a box to send out! Your card needs to have OWH info on the back of the card, so you can use my pdf or you can get a free stamp from OWH, or purchase stamps made for this purpose. See the other card guidelines HERE.

RECIPE:
Onto the card base, I layered a 4 x 5.25" sheet of Stampin' Up! Old Olive card stock. 
On top of that is a 3.75 x5" sheet of Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler card stock.
On top of that is the white layer which was embossed using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder (Stampin Up! #119976).
I then layered some more Cherry Cobbler with a scrap of Jolly Holidays designer paper (Stampin' Up! retired) the dimensions are 3.75x2" red, 3.5x1.75 designer paper.
The stamped design is from the Season of Joy set (Stampin' Up #110384) one of my favorites. I stamped it in Old Olive classic ink and layered it onto another piece of Cherry Cobbler. Dimensions: 2.25 x 2.5" white stamped piece, 2.5 x 2.75" red.
Now, if you stop here its a pretty cute card! Traditional layered look with lots of texture, the sentiment stamp has lots of festive phrases... Cute! ((if I do say so myself ;-))
But I wanted to add a little something more, so I got out my Pennant Parade stamp set (Stampin' Up! #122742) and my coordinating Petite Pennants Builder punch (Stampin' Up! #122361).
I stamped the polka dot pennant onto some white scraps, then I stamped using some of my kids alphabet stamps the letters J, O, and Y onto each pennant.
These were punched out using the larger side of the paper punch, and I attached them with adhesive and some dimensionals to the Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (Stampin' Up! #111368), after I had wrapped (and glued) it to the card.
To finish it off I attached some half-peals from a retired kit, you could use the darling Basic Pearls (Stampin' Up! #119247) as well.



Its a pleasure to support OWH, they are a very passionate and creative group of people!  I highly recommend this organization to anyone looking for a service project or good place to send donation$!

Just reading the stories from the heroes families who receive these cards, the effect a simple thing like a greeting card can have on a child or spouse or parent of one of our service members - that's inspiring!
I am proud to support our troops through Operation Write Home I hope you will support them too!

Happy Crafting!
~angie

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Count Down to Candy

A little early, but getting in the Spirit!

I came across this craft project in one of my (many) crafty newsletters, How Does She?, and I just couldn't pass it up, once I researched the costs... The supplies were offered at PickYourPlum.com - they post crafty deals once a day, in limited supply, at a pretty good savings. (enabler alert: You may want to sign up :-) Anyhow, I got a set of 3 unfinished wood blocks, and the vinyl lettering and numbers for a fantastic price of $16 including shipping (they usually offer flat rate shipping if you buy one set or a few, nice!) But I must warn you, sell outs are pretty common, so check first thing and buy if you like it. If you think on it and come back, chances are it will be sold out. ANYHOW... I decided this would be easy and the kids would get a kick out of it, so over the weekend we decided to make it: a Halloween Count Down.

Image from PickYourPlum.com

 When the box arrived, and we opened it up, the kids were so excited about the project - because I mentioned we would get to use sandpaper! Saturday morning came, and before I could even get out of bed the boy was asking if it was time to do the project. "Sandpaper - do we get to do the sandpaper today Mommy?!?" I barely got some coffee in me, the sandpaper from Daddy, and we were OFF! Note: the kit actually came with nice smooth blocks, my original idea had been to sandpaper the edges of the paper for a distressed look, but the boy was so excited to sand the wood that I went ahead and let him:

Nothin' like sandpaper to get the Grrr out!

The blocks are 3.5" squares, and the long rectangle is 3.5" x 7" long. I cut my spooky paper to about 4 inches and wrapped the edges over on most of the sides, cutting the last side to a 3.25 square to finish. The rectangle is actually wrapped on 3 sides with a 12" sheet cut to 7.5" and then the last side 3.25x6.5", with the ends covered in a couple 4 inch pieces.

I had some scraps of the retired Designer Paper "Cast -a-Spell" which worked for the blocks, and for the larger rectangle I used a scrap of Island Oasis. Also used were some various scraps in Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie. I used the Multipurpose Liquid Glue to adhere everything. Once the blocks were covered, we tried sanding the edges, but I also thought that a dab of ink to it would add a little extra as well. The kids loved both these techniques, and did pretty good for the first time -though they were a bit heavy handed with the inking!

Note: If I were to do it again, I might try another method I saw for covering the blocks : paint the blocks a solid color all over, and adhere just squares of paper to the center of each side. That gives a very nice look, but I didn't want to break out the paint with my helpers today (they get a little carried away with paint projects!). You could also embellish the sides with stickers or spooky enhancements!

After the blocks were all "spookified" we applied the vinyl letters and numbers that came with the kit. These were very easy to apply - just place, rub, and remove the transfer sheet. They even gave you a hand with that: the numbers for each block came in a row, so you don't have to figure out the right combination to give you working digits on your countdown. To make your own, you could also use stamps, or number/letter stickers, maybe some embellished chipboard pieces, or you could print them and cut the shapes to fit or use a paper punch. (Psst: you'll need 0,1,2,3,4,5 for the first block; and 0,1,2, 6,7,8 for the second - your 6 needs to be in a font/style that will allow it to be used upside down as a 9)  Many different methods to achieve the cute factor in this type of project!

Inked to perfection by my own little goblins <3

This was a really fun craft outing for me AND my kids. I loved seeing them learn new techniques, and admiring their growing craftiness. They thought the count down was awesome, but were a little sad to see such a BIG number there when we set it up in our living room. It will be fun to watch their excitement grow as the number get smaller and smaller... Here comes Halloween!!

 

 

The fabulous deal I got on these blocks has expired, and a quick google search of similar offerings did not yield any good results. I did find a LOT of ideas on creating your own countdown for just about everything: birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, school events or dance recitals... If you can go to it, you can count down to it! Just pick a theme and craft your own special count down!

 

 

Take heart, given the above mentioned crafting options for the numbering and sentiment, you could just get your own set of blocks and create a countdown. My local craft stores seem to carry wood blocks, and many other craft sites online do too. BUT, if your feeling Thrifty as well as Crafty:

Lowes carries a 4"x4"x8' lumber piece, it could be cut to MANY blocks, I know they will make a few cuts at no charge - have your measurement ready (by my calculations it will take 17 cuts, you may have to play your Please-help-the-crafty-lady-with-no-saw card :-). You can get 12 4x4x4" blocks, and 6 4x4x8" rectangles out of the 8 foot piece. These blocks will require more hard work than just buying pre-made blocks: cutting if you don't have it cut for you, and definitely sanding to soften the cut edges... but the cost is only about $8 for 6 complete sets of these counting blocks ( two 4" squares, and an 8" rectangle - $1.33 a set!!) ... They also have 2x2x8' lumber - which looked to be about half the price if you want a cute petite set of countdown blocks. Quite the steal for the DIY crowd!

 

 

To finish off the count down blocks, the samples I've seen wrapped up the pieces with a nice thick ribbon and a bow at the top. Unfortunately, my ribbon stash has mysteriously dwindled down to almost nothing (want to get in on my ribbon share?! more details HERE ) and I thought my small ribbons needed a little help! I added a tiny witch hat made from paper, with a buckle accent and coordinating ribbons.

Happy Crafting!

~angie

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Festive Fridays Petals-a-plenty

Its that special Friday again -- a FESTIVE FRIDAY!

Festive Friday is a Blog Hop happening the second and fourth Friday of each month, showcasing Christmas cards.
If you're joining me directly, don't miss the beginning of the hop over at Terri's Blog. If you've joined me from Brendas blog, You're hoppin' along just fine! There is a link to all the fine blogs at the end of this post, and I heard that there's blog candy to be had from a few of our friends! (info for mine is at the end of the post also, AND visit the rest of the hop to get in on some more!)

This week I went back to finish off my stash of these retired gorgeous snowflakes, I used them on a few cards back HERE but there are a couple left... I love them! Also used on this card: the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder (#116824), Ridinghood Red and Cherry Cobbler card stock, Tiny Tags (#118091) and coordinating Jewelry Tag punch (#117190), some stash ribbon, and Clear Brads (#113144).

 
Please enjoy the inspiration on the hop and continue over to Becky at BC Designs, the Holidays are just around the corner!

I'd like to offer my blog followers some festive candy: a kit to make your own set of cards

with a nice card keeper box. The kit includes all the paper and accessories needed for 12 cards and a box,

you need only provide some adhesive and assembly!

Share your favorite holiday card theme in a comment below (mine is Snowflakes! :-)

and I will pick a random winner and announce it on this blog.

BLOG CANDY for Blog Followers - comment for a chance to win!

*** LAST WEEKS WINNER -- MELISSA at A Creative Journey ***

Congratulations and Thank You!

Please email me your information at

midnightcrafter at gmail dot com

and I will get your fun package out asap!

Have a Festive Friday!
~angie

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Q&A Simply Scored Tool

	Q&A Q:What is the new Simply Scored tool in the Holiday Mini? A: That’s a great question! Over the last 20 plus years, Stampin’ Up! has earned a reputation for high quality products, and the Simply Scored Scoring Tool is a great example of the thought and detail that makes our products stand apart from the crowd. The product team at Stampin’ Up! sure had their thinking caps on when they designed the new Simply Scored Scoring Tool. They covered all the bases to make a tool that is functional, simple, and goes the extra distance to give you value! The Basics The Simply Scored tool fits 12” x 12” paper as you would expect. It has full rulers across the top edge and down the left side that are marked at every 1/8”. Plus, there is a centering ruler along the top edge. The sturdy, yet lightweight, construction of the Simply Scored tool comes from built—in reinforcements that prevent the scoring surface from bowing when you are scoring. There are also nine non—skid feet so it doesn’t slip around when you are scoring your card stock or Designer Series Paper. The stylus is included with the Simply Scored tool and has its own handy storage spot that it clips into so you won’t lose it. The stylus is ergonomically shaped and features a comfort grip so you can score the 100 boxes your daughter wants for her wedding without any problems. Keeping it Together Life is always simpler when everything has a place. With the Simply Scored tool, the smart details are built in. How many times have you lost accessories to your tools rendering them useless? That won’t happen with this handy tool! The top edge of the Simply Scored has a secret compartment for holding an extra stylus, extra place markers, bone folder, or other essentials like maybe chocolate! The ergonomically designed stylus is included with the Simply Scored tool and has its own handy storage spot that it clips into. The stylus has two tip sizes so you can choose which you prefer depending on how hard you press. Not only does the stylus score easily and smoothly, the refined steel tip gets even smoother with use rather than wearing out like plastic tools. A Marked Difference One of the most unique features of the Simply Scored tool is the row of little holes at every 1/8” interval for included place markers. The 1/8” groove spacing gives you the ultimate flexibility, unlike others that have a varying assortment of width or pre-set measurements. The markers are great for saving time when scoring multiple projects and for more complex designs and projects. Allowing you to set once and forget measuring again and again. If you ever need more markers, just contact me, as we have them available as a separate purchase as well. Don’t forget, when you purchase this product at a workshop, you are helping a friend to earn free products. Or have you own workshop by ordering all your supplies at once and earn free shopping rewards. Simply Scored – Simply the Best! Imagine you are creating a bunch of tri-fold cards for Christmas or as gifts for teachers. Simply pop the place markers in at your desired scoring measurements. Then you can easily slip one card after another into the corner of the Simply Scoring tool for precise alignment and score to your heart’s content without having to measure and re-measure. Because the scoring groves fall at every 1/8”, you can make the projects you want without having to reposition the card stock or go through convoluted calculations required by systems with irregular scoring groves. And the final difference? Me! Yep, I come included with the purchase of the Simply Scored tool. Don’t worry, you won’t need to provide room and board. My point is that Stampin’ Up! provides me with great training and resources so I can be your personal expert. All that comes included with the affordably-priced Simply Scored tool — now that’s a deal worth getting! Give the Simply Scored tool a try. I think you’ll love the simplicity and details that make it simply the best!
© CraftyPerson Production. Images © Stampin' Up!

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Festive Fridays Snow Swirled Layers

Its that special Friday again -- a FESTIVE FRIDAY!

Festive Friday is a Blog Hop happening the second and fourth Friday of each month, showcasing Christmas projects.
If you're joining me directly, don't miss the beginning of the hop over at Terri's Blog. If you've joined me from Brendas blog, You're hoppin' along just fine! There is a link to all the fine blogs at the end of this post, and I heard that there's a bit of blog candy to be had! (info for mine is at the end of the post also, AND visit the rest of the hop to get in on some more!)

There was a beautiful hop for the Labor Day holiday to celebrate the return of Fall Fun, and I was inspired this week by one of the cards posted by Wanda Cullen. I loved the layout and cooled it off for a winter holiday card:

I used Early Espresso and Old Olive, a slip of the great Letters to Santa Designer Paper, my Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, and some Hemp Twine (I wish I had some of the Early Espresso Bakers Twine - next time :-). I stamped and fussy cut the snow Season of Joy tree, and stamped the sentiment from the same set in Marina Mist. The snowflakes  are from Snowflake Set #2, die cut in Marina Mist. The star embellies are from the stash.

 
Please enjoy the inspiration on the hop and continue over to Becky at BC Designs, the Holidays will be here before you know it!

I'd like to offer my blog followers some festive candy: a kit to make your own set of cards with a nice card keeper box. The kit includes all the paper and accessories needed for 12 cards and a box, you need only provide some adhesive and assembly! Leave me a comment sharing about when you start on your Holiday Cards, and I will pick a random winner and announce it on Monday here on the blog.

BLOG CANDY for Blog Followers - comment for a chance to win!

Have a Festive Friday!
~angie

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School Supply Cake for Back to School Night

I have been terribly busy with back to school this year, I joined the PTA and let me just say: WHEW! Lots to Do! I didn't really get a chance to do anything extra special for bubs teacher for the first day and I saw this tutorial on Tip Junkie which I thought would be a fun gift for Back to School Night. I strayed from the supply list a bit in creating this, and I admit its not as flowery as most "cakes" that are made, but I think it came out good - and most importantly his teacher Loved it!

School Supply Cake

I posted more photos and info on Facebook, but the tutorial linked above is really easy to follow.The supplies are going on clearance (if not already!) so stock up and gift a teacher you love with some stuff! These would be great for Teacher Appreciation day/week, or for their Birthday (ok, maybe :-), or you could tuck it away and gift it next year for a special Back to School gift.

Happy Crafting!
~angie

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