Trying to catch up on stuff, now that we're back from our trip.
Pictures are being sorted, haul videos of the craft and fabric shopping at local stores are being made, and we got through Hallowe'en!
Only had about 90 trick-or-treaters, so will be giving all the extra treat holders (filled, of course) to friends.
In the meantime, I did get the video of my October Stampin' Up order completed and it is uploaded to Youtube, on my channel: craftytravelfrog.
Showing posts with label stamps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stamps. Show all posts
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Repurposing tissue boxes
Have you noticed how pretty the boutique-sized tissue boxes are? The graphics on the boxes are striking -- even the ones from the warehouse stores.
I started saving the boxes, thinking "there must be something I can do with these" (famous last words).
One day, I pulled one out and stared at it and noticed (I mean really noticed) that there was a nicely shaped oval cut-out in the top and a lot of other useful decorated paper (more like lightweight chipboard) on the other sides. So, I took it apart at the flaps and then dismantled it by cutting on the fold lines.
The size of the top was pretty square with the two sides parallel to the long side of the oval having a bit more space between the edge of the oval and the edge of the paper, so I trimmed off a bit on those two sides -- made it look a bit more proportional to me.
The oval edge was a little rough (having been perforated for the bit you remove to get to the tissues), so I distressed it further. Then I pulled out some solid colored cardstock that coordinated with the colors in the tissue box and an ink pad and a focal point stamp that would fit nicely in the oval, and a card was born!
The weight of the tissue box "paper" is pretty heavy, but the Nestabilities dies do work with it. I haven't tried it with the Sizzix dies, yet, but will shortly, as I punched squares out of the smaller pieces that I will "quilt" together in a patchwork and run it through with the Top Note die for a background element.
I recently made one of my "movies" showing the steps I go through to dismantle the tissue box and make a card with the top part. It's on my YouTube channel.
Have you ever repurposed a tissue box? What did you do with it?
I started saving the boxes, thinking "there must be something I can do with these" (famous last words).
One day, I pulled one out and stared at it and noticed (I mean really noticed) that there was a nicely shaped oval cut-out in the top and a lot of other useful decorated paper (more like lightweight chipboard) on the other sides. So, I took it apart at the flaps and then dismantled it by cutting on the fold lines.
The size of the top was pretty square with the two sides parallel to the long side of the oval having a bit more space between the edge of the oval and the edge of the paper, so I trimmed off a bit on those two sides -- made it look a bit more proportional to me.
The oval edge was a little rough (having been perforated for the bit you remove to get to the tissues), so I distressed it further. Then I pulled out some solid colored cardstock that coordinated with the colors in the tissue box and an ink pad and a focal point stamp that would fit nicely in the oval, and a card was born!
The weight of the tissue box "paper" is pretty heavy, but the Nestabilities dies do work with it. I haven't tried it with the Sizzix dies, yet, but will shortly, as I punched squares out of the smaller pieces that I will "quilt" together in a patchwork and run it through with the Top Note die for a background element.
I recently made one of my "movies" showing the steps I go through to dismantle the tissue box and make a card with the top part. It's on my YouTube channel.
Have you ever repurposed a tissue box? What did you do with it?
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
A second life for toilet paper tubes and chopstick wrappers
Do any of you save stuff to use in your crafting projects?
I do a little...right now I have large bags full of toilet paper (TP) tubes that I have been saving since last Hallowe'en. Last year I got the "brilliant" idea to make treat containers, rather than buying the little sacks to hold 3 or 4 mini candies (like Snickers, etc.). I used the decorative waxed paper from Michaels and Hallowe'en paper I found on sale and 85 tubes later had something pretty cute. We actually ran out, DH had to run to store for more candy. We ended up with nearly 100 kids! So since then we have been diligently saving TP tubes and paper towel tubes (as back up), and even got some TP tubes from friends.
I have all the decorative paper and decorative waxed paper cut out and have started making the treat holders. There's a short video on my YouTube channel, if you'd like to see how it's done.
I also save chopstick wrappers, if they have an interesting graphic. One of our local sushi places has a wrapper that has green and red colors on it and the text "Oh Happy Day". I have a stamp with the Chinese character for happiness and a stash of origami and other Asian papers. When I get a wrapper or two, then I make cards, triming the wrapper to fit the card, backing it with some red or green paper and applying the stamp. Easy card, looks pretty cute, and it goes to the Soldiers' Angels group in my town. They collect all kinds of hand made cards, sorted by theme and holiday, and send out boxes to the troops 6-8 weeks in advance of the holiday (usually always mixing in some general cards for birthdays, thinking of you, congratulations, etc.).
Then there are the boutique-sized tissue boxes. But that's another story.
I do a little...right now I have large bags full of toilet paper (TP) tubes that I have been saving since last Hallowe'en. Last year I got the "brilliant" idea to make treat containers, rather than buying the little sacks to hold 3 or 4 mini candies (like Snickers, etc.). I used the decorative waxed paper from Michaels and Hallowe'en paper I found on sale and 85 tubes later had something pretty cute. We actually ran out, DH had to run to store for more candy. We ended up with nearly 100 kids! So since then we have been diligently saving TP tubes and paper towel tubes (as back up), and even got some TP tubes from friends.
I have all the decorative paper and decorative waxed paper cut out and have started making the treat holders. There's a short video on my YouTube channel, if you'd like to see how it's done.
I also save chopstick wrappers, if they have an interesting graphic. One of our local sushi places has a wrapper that has green and red colors on it and the text "Oh Happy Day". I have a stamp with the Chinese character for happiness and a stash of origami and other Asian papers. When I get a wrapper or two, then I make cards, triming the wrapper to fit the card, backing it with some red or green paper and applying the stamp. Easy card, looks pretty cute, and it goes to the Soldiers' Angels group in my town. They collect all kinds of hand made cards, sorted by theme and holiday, and send out boxes to the troops 6-8 weeks in advance of the holiday (usually always mixing in some general cards for birthdays, thinking of you, congratulations, etc.).
Then there are the boutique-sized tissue boxes. But that's another story.
Monday, September 10, 2012
A (Pretty) Quick Thank You Card
Made a quick (for me) Thank You card for a friend's generosity and am sharing with you (after we've put it in the mail).
Stampin' Up! products used: Pool Party and Island Indigo inks, Naturals card stock in Ivory, Island Indigo card stock, 'thank you" from You're My Type stamp set (1/4/12 - 4/30/12 occasions mini catalog), Labels Collection Framelits, and Bitty Banners Framelits.
Star background is created by sponging Pool Party through star punchinella from Gauche Alchemy, sold through Art Fire.
The multiple "thank you" background stamp is by Inkadinkado -- pretty sure I got it at Hobby Lobby either on sale or with a coupon.
The Mimbres frogs is a stamp I've had for years -- sorry, could not find a current site for it.
I am not a representative of or a design team member of any of these companies, but I sure appreciate them all!
Stampin' Up! products used: Pool Party and Island Indigo inks, Naturals card stock in Ivory, Island Indigo card stock, 'thank you" from You're My Type stamp set (1/4/12 - 4/30/12 occasions mini catalog), Labels Collection Framelits, and Bitty Banners Framelits.
Star background is created by sponging Pool Party through star punchinella from Gauche Alchemy, sold through Art Fire.
The multiple "thank you" background stamp is by Inkadinkado -- pretty sure I got it at Hobby Lobby either on sale or with a coupon.
The Mimbres frogs is a stamp I've had for years -- sorry, could not find a current site for it.
I am not a representative of or a design team member of any of these companies, but I sure appreciate them all!
A new haul video is up -- my Stampin' Up! haul
Hi.
Can't believe September is 1/3 over, already. At last, we're starting to get some cooler weather.
My Stampin' Up! order came in, so I thought I'd do a "video" of it. It's up in YouTube land.
More later!
Can't believe September is 1/3 over, already. At last, we're starting to get some cooler weather.
My Stampin' Up! order came in, so I thought I'd do a "video" of it. It's up in YouTube land.
More later!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
A Short Haul Video
Made three shopping expeditions this week -- two different local scrapbook shops (Hen House Paperie and Papers! Nob Hill) and to Tuesday Morning and Hobby Lobby.
And, made a "video" of the haul -- it's on You Tube. Not a full motion movie -- just the pictures knitted together with some text in Windows Movie Maker.
I am grateful for the local scrapbook stores.
Hen House Paperie is on the west side of Albuquerque and just celebrated its first anniversary. While it is small in size, it carries a lot, has friendly staff, and listens to its customers. The Hen House also has a Facebook page.
Papers! in Nob Hill is focused on papers, really. All kinds of papers on rods on both walls and cut papers, stationery, and ribbons in racks in the middle. Also chocolate! Extremely helpful and friendly staff. And, they're having a 19th anniversary sale in September -- everything will be 20% to 50% off -- September 7 to 11, 2012.
I have seen other haul videos with great selections of stamps and papers from Tuesday Morning -- alas, our Tuesday Morning does not seem to get a lot of stamps in their shipment. I did score some die cut grungeboard by Tim Holtz Ideology.
Hobby Lobby is in full sway with Fall, Hallowe'en, and even Christmas decor -- gorgeous stuff, but I can't quite get in the mood while the temperature is still over 90 degrees most days. Took advantage of their discounts -- I'm going to experiment with making some bottle cap earrings. Will let you all know how it goes.
And, made a "video" of the haul -- it's on You Tube. Not a full motion movie -- just the pictures knitted together with some text in Windows Movie Maker.
I am grateful for the local scrapbook stores.
Hen House Paperie is on the west side of Albuquerque and just celebrated its first anniversary. While it is small in size, it carries a lot, has friendly staff, and listens to its customers. The Hen House also has a Facebook page.
Papers! in Nob Hill is focused on papers, really. All kinds of papers on rods on both walls and cut papers, stationery, and ribbons in racks in the middle. Also chocolate! Extremely helpful and friendly staff. And, they're having a 19th anniversary sale in September -- everything will be 20% to 50% off -- September 7 to 11, 2012.
I have seen other haul videos with great selections of stamps and papers from Tuesday Morning -- alas, our Tuesday Morning does not seem to get a lot of stamps in their shipment. I did score some die cut grungeboard by Tim Holtz Ideology.
Hobby Lobby is in full sway with Fall, Hallowe'en, and even Christmas decor -- gorgeous stuff, but I can't quite get in the mood while the temperature is still over 90 degrees most days. Took advantage of their discounts -- I'm going to experiment with making some bottle cap earrings. Will let you all know how it goes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)