Favorite Teacher Appreciation - Part Two - Basket and Cards

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Since we will not see Mrs. R. again, I decided to give her a second gift.  Throughout the school year, I would send cards from my stash that I thought she would like.   This time, I decided I would make cards just for her.  I started a few months back, so some of these you may have seen before.

Farewell Cards

It is amazing the effect you get from a little hand sanitizer!

 I blended distress inks to get my "ocean waters".

Gift Basket

These little gift baskets are a big favorite of mine.  They were designed by Grace Nywening.  I use them all the time to give small gifts like candy, soaps, candles, etc.  One great feature about these baskets is they can be made using one letter size sheet of paper.

I chose to use a woven basket EF on this basket but any EF design would work.  One year, I used a ruler and alphabet EF to create baskets.
Old Library Cards

Mrs. R. teaches Literature and Composition so I thought including an old library card with student signatures would be a gift she could appreciate.  I used Distress Oxide Inks to add color to the card and then used a stencil to add the silhouette of the children.  On the backside, I used a clock stencil and stamped an image and sentiment.  I also cut a strip from the bottom of one library card and used it to create a tasseled paper clip.  These library cards were a gift from one of my teammates at Shopping Our Stash and I use them sparingly. There was no doubt that they were the perfect element for this gift package to this particular teacher.

Expressions of Faith

 Knowing that Mrs. R.'s faith is a very important part of her life, I decided to create two faith-based cards using two hymns that were personal favorites of mine when I was a Christian minister.

I used the smooshing technique to create the background paper.   This corner die cut has become a "go to" die for my shaker cards!

I haven't used my border punches much since wafer dies became all the rage but 2019 is the year I pledged to reach back and use "old" things.  This butterfly punch is an old EKSuccess product that was in their "American Girl"™series.

 Tea Bag Caddy

I know this was a long post!  Thanks for making it all the way to the end!  I hope you found some inspiration here!

Hugz,

Bella Crafts Giveaway - I WISH

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

I created this card using a sentiment from the gift basket I won in the Bella Crafts giveaway a few weeks ago.  If you are not familiar with  Bella Crafts Publishing, click the link and have a look.  Every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. EDT (that's 10:00 a.m out West) Lisa Rojas (She and Ann Butler are the owners) presents a live tutorial and they have a drawing!  They also have a wonderful FB page called "Do You Love To Craft".  The group a true "drama free" zone.  No negativity, just pretty craft projects, and great inspiration.

As crafters, we see a lot of sentiments all the time.  The sentiments we use on our cards and layouts and the ones we see on the projects of other crafters.  We always find one or two that we like and want to use and some that inspire us and then there are the ones that resonate and speak directly to your soul.  This sentiment was the first one I pulled out of my package when it arrived in the mail.

I decided to use one of my old Blockhead Stamps so that I could continue my quest to use things I've not used before but that I have for umpteen years.  I also pulled out my Darice EF which has only had occasional use.  The banner dies arrived in the mail while I was working on this card...perfect timing. 

I used my new Ann Butler (for Stencil Girl) quilting stencil to create the background!

Thanks for Stopping By!

Hugz,

613 Avenue Create #220 - Anything Goes w/Optional Twist - Wedding/Anniversary

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

This month, the team at 613 Avenue Create is challenging our visitors to create a project for a wedding or anniversary.

In August, the Hubster and I will celebrate our 50th Anniversary!💖

My project for this month's challenge is a Rustic invitation design I might use if we decide to throw a party!

~~~~~~

Simple Rustic Invitation

For my personal use, I don't really like overly fussy invitations.  I am so proud of me because I was able to use supplies from my paper stash and use one of my old Memory Box® Die that I have not touched in years.

I did not want to frame the text with a pierced or stitched die so I rummaged through my box of unbranded dies and this stacked frame die just called out to me.  While I was rummaging, I found an unopened package from AE and inside were this cute little alphabet banner dies.  I was able to use both the positive and the negative cut.  And, on my board, waiting to be filed, were these perfect pink mini flat black pearls. A thank you gift from Gina Marie Designs

Here you can see how I used the negative cut from both my alphabet die and my heart border die to embellish the envelope flap.  I decided to use a soft green ink for the text because I found the black text to be a bit jarring.  

Stuff I Used:

Paper: Kraft Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest "Cream", 

Patterned Paper:  Prima "Something Blue"

Branded Dies: Memory Box "Twirled Heart Border",  Alterations™Mini Hearts (M&S)

Unbranded Dies:   Frame and Alphabet both unbranded.

Twine:  Mandala Crafts™ Waxed Cord

The text was printed using the Epson Stylus 2200 inkjet printer.

Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges Entered:

The Corrosive Challenge: Always Anything Goes

A Gem of A Challenge: Always Anything Goes

ITD Creative Playground Challenge: Anything Goes

A Bit More Time To Craft Challenge: Anything Goes

Classic Design Team Open Challenge: Always Anything Goes

Die Cuttin Divas - April Sketch - Owl Always Love You

Hello, Crafty Makers

I am amazed at how well I have been able to stick to my crafting resolutions. I wanted to do more stash reduction, so I went to Paper Playful in search of a challenge and found Die Cuttin Divas's Sketch Challenge.  

Owl Always Love You

First, I closed my eyes, reached into one of my 6"x6" paper bins and pulled out a pad.  I was a little concerned when I opened my eyes and saw that I had selected "Sweet Owl" a pad by First Edition Papers®.  I have had this pad for a long time and while I thought the papers were pretty, I could just never figure out what to do with them.  

Next, I went to my stamp collection and there I found this cute Inkadinkadoo® Owl stamp that I purchased umpteen years ago for two back when stamping owls was all the rage. 

The owl was stamped on mauve paper in black ink and then stamped again with VersaMark™ ink and then heat embossed with clear glittered embossing powder.  Although it does not show well in the photo, the papers are embossed with similar embossing powder.  I created the sentiment on my computer.  The black letters have a thin pink outline.  I finished off the sentiment by adding Wink of Stella™.

Stuff I Used:

Solid Paper: Kraft Card Stock  4.25" x 10.00"(project size is 4.25" x 5.50")

Pattern Paper: First Edition Papers® "Sweet Owl" Premium Pad

Stamp:  Inkadinkadoo® Mini Owl

Dies:  Unbranded "Heart Pierced Banners" , Pierced Hexagon 7pc

Inks:  Momento® Ink "Tuxedo Black", VersaMark® Embossing Ink

Misc:  Elmer's Glue, Wink of Stella®, Small Brad

Die Cuttin Divas

Double D Challenges - Gingham

Hey, Crafty Makers!

Here is a quick card I made for the Gingham theme over at 

Double D Challenges.   I am using one of my unbranded dies and I love the way this project turned out.  Nothing fancy but I was able to reduce my  6"x6" paper stack by two pieces.  I am working on a tag to enter as well.  Two projects only two sheets of paper.

I am on a roll!  Hopefully, in April, I will create projects that will increase my confidence in layering fancy intricate dies. 

Rustic Love

 I am a great lover of Kraft card.  I think it goes so well with almost any color and is particularly effective if you are going for the 'rustic' country look.  I usually save my gingham paper for paper piecing.  I am glad that I stepped out of that particular little box and tried something different.

My original intention was to leave the white hearts blank but I needed to pull more of the Kraft card into the design so I added the Love sentiment and switched my tag from white to Kraft and added the twine bow.  I plan to make a second card using the gingham frame.  That should be fun.

Stuff I used:

Dies: Unbranded - Heart Frame and Heart Pierced Banner (2pc)

Papers: Kraft Cardstock 

Patterned Papers:  American Crafts "Marine"

Stamp:  Hampton Arts "Just For You" - Wood mounted

Dies: Strip Alphabet Die - Tim Holtz™ Alterations "Alphabetical"

Thanks for stopping by 

and make sure you check out the challenge at 

Double D

Thank You - Gelli Print

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

In accordance with my resolution to try new crafting techniques this year, I have entered the sphere of Gelli Printing and I must admit that I am hooked! 

As a beginner, I am mostly just playing around with colors, stencils, and a few texture pieces.  After a few more YouTube lessons, I might become more daring.

This is a thank you card I am sending to the lady who was the caregiver for my sister.  Last weeks, at age 96, my sister passed away.  Her caregiver shares in my family's grief and I just wanted her to know that her kindness is not overlooked in all of this.

I created this print using a mini Altoid tin.  

My photography does not do the print justice.

I used another scrap of the Gelli Print to anchor my sentiment!

 For my first plate, I used an Interdesign Makeup organizer tray.

This tray produced an 8" x 10"x 1/4" Gelli Plate

This plate has seen a lot of use.  I will melt it down and reset it!

My big new Monster Plate!  I doubled the recipe below to create what should be a 9"x12"x1/2" Gelli Plate when unseated!

You can use a plastic or metal tray.  The bottom must be smooth.

Here is my monster plate unseated!  A few small bubbles but this baby works like a charm. I plan to make one 8"x 8" plate and one 5"x 7" plate. In my OCD mind, if I have more plates, the less wear and tear I will experience on my main plate.

Are you adventurous?  Try making your own, here is the link to The Frugal Crafter.  The recipe is the same but her directions are for using a microwave. 

 I do not own a microwave, so I mixed all my ingredients in a stainless steel pot.

NOTE: Do not use alcohol it will cause your plate to develop mold. Gelatin, Glycerin, and Water are all you need.  Do not refrigerate!
Supplies:
Knox Unflavored Gelatin   Link to Amazon
Vegetable Glycerin  Link to Amazon

Here is the stove top recipe I used for my Monster Gelli Plate:
9"x 12"x 2" Pan
12 Tablespoons gelatin(14 packets)
  3 Cups cold water 
  3 Cups glycerin 
If you want to make the thinner Gelli Plate, divide the recipe in half!
I do not own a microwave, so I mixed all my ingredients in a stainless steel pot. 

STEPS:
Add cold water first then the gelatin, stirring after each packet to avoid lumping. Add glycerine and simmer until the mixture is clear.
If you are less cautious, you can just dump it all in stir it up and put it on your stove top.  I kept my heat low  
Do not over stir as this will cause your mixture to bubble.  
Place your container on a flat surface in a location where it will not be jostled. Pour your gelatine mixture into the receptacle and let set.  Use your finger or a toothpick to pop any small bubbles that may appear after you pour. 

I let my thin plate set up over night.  My thick plate has been setting up for two days (OCD.)

After Care:
If your plate gets too beaten up, cut or scratched (from use) just clean it and melt it for 1 minute in your microwave on high or on your stove top for 5 to 7 minutes (until it completely melts) and reset it. 

Cleaning Your Plate:
You can clean your plate with plain water, but I have found that hand sanitizer works best.  Baby Oil is also very effective for cleaning your plate.  Use a paper towel or baby wipe (cheap ones work best) to wipe away the sanitizer/oil.

HAVE FUN!

HUGZ!

CHANA MALKAH

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #236 - Inspired By A Book - N'tilat Yadayim

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Well, we have a good theme for our challenge this week at Shopping Our Stash!

We want you to create a project that was:

Inspired By A Book

I really thought this would be easy.  Not only am I an avid reader,  but also, one of those who keeps books to read them again.  Last year during our decluttering push, I sent tons of books off to my grandson's school and to a store that resells books.  Still,  I have tons more that belong to me and some that belong to my son, who also a hoarder of books.  Needless to say, even surrounded by all this potential inspiration, I came up empty!  While I was wandering around picking up books and putting them down again, The Hubster called to say that lunch was ready.

I was still seeking inspiration when I picked up the hand washing cup and was stunned by how awful it looked.  Immediately, I knew this cup would be my project for the challenge.

N'tilat Yadayim

 Inspired by the Bencher Siddur Birkat Hamazon,  a book of Prayers and Songs

Yadayim = Hands

HOW THIS WAS DONE!

The hand washing cup is used for ritual hand washing prior to eating a meal with bread.  As wedding gifts, we were given several beautiful cups that we use on Shabbos, however, for everyday use, we chose these plastic cups.  Over time, they have become discolored.

I love using the faux metal technique and wanted to see how it would work on my cup!

I love  these WRMK Next Level Embossing Folders.  You get 2 Folders

 Texture Paste on the Debossed side of the foil preserves your design 

and helps with application.

This was applied to the bottom of the cup.  I covered it with clear shelf liner and the entire cup was sealed first with Mod Podge™ and Varnish!

Supplies Used:

Plastic Hand Washing Cup

Aluminum Foil

WRMK® Next Level Folder - Butterfly (Each Pkg has two folders.)

Liquitex® Molding Paste

 Ann Butler Designs® Iridescents™ 

Earth Safe Finishes® Chalk It Up Paint™

Liquitex® Professional Varnish - Gloss

Mod Podge™

Scor-Tape

Rub n' Buff ® Wax Finish - Silver Leaf (used on the rim of the cup)

Ranger ® Distress Paint™ - Hickory Smoke (Used to paint the inside)

The Hubster and I both feel much better now when we say the N'tilat Yadayim!  I believe anytime we honor HaShem, our ritual items should always be at their very best.  He is Worthy of the Honor and the Praise!

Thanks for stopping by!

HUGZ!

Chana Malkah

SOS

 My teammates have created some pretty fabulous projects!  Pay them a visit and leave some love!