I recently received an email from an organization and it started "Whether it's Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Pancha Ganapati or one of the myriad other celebrations that take place this time of year, I'd like to wish you a Happy Holidays..."
To be honest there are a couple of celebrations listed there that I was unaware of until now. Once the activities of my holiday celebrations slow down I will have to do some searching to learn more about Bodhi Day and Pancha Ganapati.
No matter which of the above holidays you celebrate, or maybe your celebration is not listed, I hope you get the opportunity to spend time with family and friends and enjoy your favorite foods and traditions with them. In case you have not seen previous posts to know, my family celebrates Christmas, so in closing, Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 25, 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Delivery Truck Gift Boxes
Today's project are gift boxes I created for the folks that deliver packages to my house. I am fairly certain they do not follow my blog so I can post this without spoiling any surprises.
First let me say this is not my original idea and unfortunately I do not know who to credit. I saw a post by Shina Saechao in the Facebook group Cricut Design Space (it's a closed group, but you could request to join). Shina posted a link to her CDS file and the blog post For the Drivers by Christi's Creative Crew (where you will find cutting/scoring information if you do not have a Cricut® Explore and assembly instructions). Christi posted she saw delivery trucks created by Jill Hilliard on a SU consultant-only board so I dug a little deeper (searched the Internet) and found several variations, but I also found posts by Jill Hilliard on her blog Jill's Card Creations: The Getting My Gift on Day 1 - the mailman version and the Getting my Gift on Day 2 - the UPS man version. If you visit Jill's blog you will learn she "cased [this] from the score pal website". Despite not being able to credit the person that originated this idea I am happy someone came up with this idea and people shared it along the way.
Here are how some of my finished trucks turned out:
While I liked that Shina shared a file, after seeing how the back door closed on Jill's blog I wanted to do the same on my trucks. I also wanted the bottom of the back door and box of the truck to be even with the bottom of the truck chassis. Having a flap from the windshield under the hood also makes the truck a bit sturdier for heavier candy. In addition, I was doing something wrong because my roof was not fitting like it seemed it should. After seeing how the truck back opened on Jill's blog (I really liked the finished look) and making the assembly mistake from what I initially cut, I created my own CDS file for a little change to how the finished truck looks and is assembled.
If you would like to use my imperfect (there are a couple of places that the line did not cut completely, e.g., like pop out paper dolls if you played with those as a child), but usable CDS file for the delivery truck, you will find it here.
The above image shows what the file will look like on screen (with some labels so it hopefully makes a little more sense). I used the white pieces from left to right then added the embellishments shown near the bottom.
To save myself some time writing, here are some photos I took while assembling the truck. Clicking on any photo will make it larger. If after looking at the photos and notes on them, you have questions about assembling the truck, please leave a comment below and I will try to update this post/reply in the comments with a better description.
Once the trucks were finished, we added a "created by" note on the bottom, candy to the box and an envelope with something I hope each person will like.
Thank you for visiting my blog during this busy holiday season. I hope you enjoyed what I created and will come back soon. No matter what you celebrate in your household this time of year, there are too many to list and some that I only know by name, may you spend your time with those you hold dear and your celebration be festive. Happy Holidays!
First let me say this is not my original idea and unfortunately I do not know who to credit. I saw a post by Shina Saechao in the Facebook group Cricut Design Space (it's a closed group, but you could request to join). Shina posted a link to her CDS file and the blog post For the Drivers by Christi's Creative Crew (where you will find cutting/scoring information if you do not have a Cricut® Explore and assembly instructions). Christi posted she saw delivery trucks created by Jill Hilliard on a SU consultant-only board so I dug a little deeper (searched the Internet) and found several variations, but I also found posts by Jill Hilliard on her blog Jill's Card Creations: The Getting My Gift on Day 1 - the mailman version and the Getting my Gift on Day 2 - the UPS man version. If you visit Jill's blog you will learn she "cased [this] from the score pal website". Despite not being able to credit the person that originated this idea I am happy someone came up with this idea and people shared it along the way.
Here are how some of my finished trucks turned out:
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| Delivery Truck Gift Box - door closed |
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| Delivery Truck Gift Box - door open |
If you would like to use my imperfect (there are a couple of places that the line did not cut completely, e.g., like pop out paper dolls if you played with those as a child), but usable CDS file for the delivery truck, you will find it here.
The above image shows what the file will look like on screen (with some labels so it hopefully makes a little more sense). I used the white pieces from left to right then added the embellishments shown near the bottom.
To save myself some time writing, here are some photos I took while assembling the truck. Clicking on any photo will make it larger. If after looking at the photos and notes on them, you have questions about assembling the truck, please leave a comment below and I will try to update this post/reply in the comments with a better description.
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| delivery truck assembly 01 |
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| delivery truck assembly 02 |
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| delivery truck assembly 03 |
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| delivery truck assembly 04 |
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| delivery truck assembly 05 |
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| delivery truck assembly 06 |
Thank you for visiting my blog during this busy holiday season. I hope you enjoyed what I created and will come back soon. No matter what you celebrate in your household this time of year, there are too many to list and some that I only know by name, may you spend your time with those you hold dear and your celebration be festive. Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Techniques for Adding Texture
In the video Texturizing Techniques Jill gives us several great ideas for adding texture to our projects.
The CTMH description of the video Texturizing Techniques is "Learn some new techniques to spice up your scrapbooking pages and cards. Jill shows you how to do fun things like embossing the non-traditional way, dynamic journaling, and plastic sponging. "
A few things from the video I would like to highlight:
Please follow me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts for additional updates.
The CTMH description of the video Texturizing Techniques is "Learn some new techniques to spice up your scrapbooking pages and cards. Jill shows you how to do fun things like embossing the non-traditional way, dynamic journaling, and plastic sponging. "
A few things from the video I would like to highlight:
- swipe Versamark ink then heat emboss to create unique paper
- use an embossing folder to dry emboss, ink the raised edges then heat emboss
- use a Cricut® cut to stencil and Versamark ink and clear embossing powder to make a resist, outline the letters with the journaling pen
- use some shiny plastic packaging, apply ink to it and then apply the Spritz Cleaner to it, then apply it to cardstock to create a unique pattern
- VersaMark™ Ink Pad (Z891)
- Ranger™ Princess Gold Embossing Powder (Z2066)
- Honeycomb Embossing Folder (Z1995)
- Ranger™ Clear Super Fine Embossing Powder (Z2088)
- Craft Heater (Z555)
- Watercolor Paints (Z3132)
- Paintbrush Set (Z3188)
- Smoothie Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2196)
- My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner (1778)
Please follow me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts for additional updates.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Someone Special Thank You Card
Welcome. Thank you for visiting today. Recently I have been creating more cards. This is one that will be in today's outgoing mail.
I used the same base and shade technique from page 54 of Annual Inspirations 2015-2016 that I used during last week's Focus on Stamping Techniques Blog Hop.
I used the pattern in the paper to determine how I would cut it. I really like the movement it created. Since I stamped the flower several days ago I do not remember what stamp pads I used (my stack of ink pads got moved before I wrote it down). I completed the card recently so I am certain I stamped the sentiment using Saffron.
All supplies are from Close To My Heart except where noted:
If you like my card or have constructive criticism and have a moment, please leave a comment. I like to read what people think about my projects.
I used the same base and shade technique from page 54 of Annual Inspirations 2015-2016 that I used during last week's Focus on Stamping Techniques Blog Hop.
I used the pattern in the paper to determine how I would cut it. I really like the movement it created. Since I stamped the flower several days ago I do not remember what stamp pads I used (my stack of ink pads got moved before I wrote it down). I completed the card recently so I am certain I stamped the sentiment using Saffron.
All supplies are from Close To My Heart except where noted:
- My Acrylix™ Someone Special Stamp Set (C1607)
- My Acrylix™ Variety of Thanks Stamp Set (B1471) retired Hostess Rewards stamp set
- Sangria Paper Packet (X7199B)
- 12" X 12" White Daisy Cardstock (1385)
- Saffron Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2651) - used for the sentiment
- Fern Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2650)
- New England Ivy Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2135)
- 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive (Z3022)
- Thin 3-D Foam Tape (Z2060)
- 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)
- Supplies not from Close To My Heart: glass mat, craft knife, Ivory 5" x 6½" card base
If you like my card or have constructive criticism and have a moment, please leave a comment. I like to read what people think about my projects.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Focus on Stamping Techniques Blog Hop
Welcome to the Focus on Stamping Techniques Blog Hop. There are about 18 bloggers sharing projects they created with different stamping techniques. If blog hopping is new to you, click on the link (typically near the bottom of the post) to visit the next blog on the hop and you will be taken full circle back to the blog where you started.
You should have arrived here from ***Show and Tell, with Michelle by Michelle Loncar***. If you get lost along the way, Melinda Everitt keeps a list of participants on her blog at If You Bling It.
I used the base and shade technique shown on page 54 of Annual Inspirations 2015-2016.
Additional ideas for using the base and shade technique and stamp sets are shown on page 52 of Annual Inspirations. My card was inspired by the one on page 54.
Before you head to ***Evergreen Memories by Michele Rowley***, the supplies I used to create my project are listed below.
All supplies are from Close To My Heart except where noted:
I love to hear what people think of my creations; if you have a moment please leave a comment.
I hope you are finding new-to-you stamping techniques, or are reminded of techniques you have not used lately, on this hop. Thank you for visiting today. So you do not have to scroll back up, the next stop on the hop is ***Evergreen Memories by Michele Rowley***.
You should have arrived here from ***Show and Tell, with Michelle by Michelle Loncar***. If you get lost along the way, Melinda Everitt keeps a list of participants on her blog at If You Bling It.
I used the base and shade technique shown on page 54 of Annual Inspirations 2015-2016.
Additional ideas for using the base and shade technique and stamp sets are shown on page 52 of Annual Inspirations. My card was inspired by the one on page 54.
Before you head to ***Evergreen Memories by Michele Rowley***, the supplies I used to create my project are listed below.
All supplies are from Close To My Heart except where noted:
- My Acrylix™ Someone Special Stamp Set (C1607)
- My Acrylix™ Happy To Be Friends Stamp Set (C1605)
- Georgie Paper Packet (X7203B)
- Sangria Paper Packet (X7199B)
- 12" X 12" New England Ivy Cardstock (1282)
- 12" X 12" White Daisy Cardstock (1385)
- 5½" X 4¼" White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack (X254)
- Honey Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2162)
- Poppy Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2652)
- Fern Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2650)
- New England Ivy Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2135)
- Marvy® Uchida® LePen™ Journaling Pen (Z1979)
- 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive (Z3022)
- Thin 3-D Foam Tape (Z2060)
- 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)
- Bitty Sparkles (Z1263)
- Supplies not from Close To My Heart: glass mat, craft knife
I love to hear what people think of my creations; if you have a moment please leave a comment.
I hope you are finding new-to-you stamping techniques, or are reminded of techniques you have not used lately, on this hop. Thank you for visiting today. So you do not have to scroll back up, the next stop on the hop is ***Evergreen Memories by Michele Rowley***.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Travel Memories with Picture My Life
There are only a few more hours remaining in the CTMH Cyberweek Sale. Cyberweek Sale items are 25% off until 6:00 pm EST today, Friday, December 4, 2015, or while supplies last.
I was hoping I would get a chance to finish, or at least have a few pages completed in, a Picture My Life™ album I am creating, but some other obligations (the job that pays the mortgage, replacing the microwave that decided to die on Thanksgiving, you know, the same things that shortens your crafty time) had to come first. I am using the Picture My Life™ Going Places Scrapbooking Program (Z3180) to scrap photos from a trip we took to Canada on the Rocky Mountaineer (highly recommended).
Picture My Life™ Scrapbooking Programs are a simple and fun way to document your life without a big investment of time and supplies.
I printed my photos using Studio J® and have them cut apart and ready to put in the pages. Here are some photos and PML cards out on my table ready to be put in page protectors:
In addition to the Picture My Life™ Going Places Scrapbooking Program (Z3180) and Studio J®, I will use the following CTMH products to complete my album:
Please follow me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts. Thank you for visiting today.
I was hoping I would get a chance to finish, or at least have a few pages completed in, a Picture My Life™ album I am creating, but some other obligations (the job that pays the mortgage, replacing the microwave that decided to die on Thanksgiving, you know, the same things that shortens your crafty time) had to come first. I am using the Picture My Life™ Going Places Scrapbooking Program (Z3180) to scrap photos from a trip we took to Canada on the Rocky Mountaineer (highly recommended).
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| Picture My Life™ Going Places Scrapbooking Program (Z3180) |
I printed my photos using Studio J® and have them cut apart and ready to put in the pages. Here are some photos and PML cards out on my table ready to be put in page protectors:
In addition to the Picture My Life™ Going Places Scrapbooking Program (Z3180) and Studio J®, I will use the following CTMH products to complete my album:
- Memory Protectors™ Variety Pack (Z3026)
- My Legacy™ Black D-Ring Album (Z3034)
- Corner Rounder (Z1912)
- Marvy® Uchida® LePen™ Journaling Pen (Z1979)
Please follow me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts. Thank you for visiting today.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Border Punches: Scallop and Triangle
In this post I am sharing some projects I created using the Scallop (Z1851) and Triangle (Z1997) Border Punch. Both punches are CTMH Cyberweek Sale items that are 25% off until Friday, December 4, 2015 at 6:00 pm EST or while supplies last.
The punches were made so you can create a continuous border of any length; you are only limited by the size of your paper. Just align where you punched with the markings on the base of the punch and punch again.
Here are some of the projects where I used my go-to border punch - the Scallop Border Punch:
I will make it a goal for 2016 to use my Triangle Border Punch more often. It must feel lonely without making an appearance on my blog.
Follow me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts for more updates. Thank you for visiting today.
The punches were made so you can create a continuous border of any length; you are only limited by the size of your paper. Just align where you punched with the markings on the base of the punch and punch again.
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Here are some of the projects where I used my go-to border punch - the Scallop Border Punch:
I will make it a goal for 2016 to use my Triangle Border Punch more often. It must feel lonely without making an appearance on my blog.
Follow me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts for more updates. Thank you for visiting today.
Endless Cards Are a Possibility
Today I am sharing some projects I created using the Cricut® Artfully Sent Collection (Z3168). The collection not only includes a cartridge that creates a variety of card styles for many occasions, it also comes with three D-sized stamp sets and a package of cardstock all for 25% off during the Cyberweek Sale; the sale ends on Friday, December 4, 2015 at 6:00 pm EST.
The Cricut® Artfully Sent Collection (Z3168) coordinates well with the envelopes and journaling cards box that are also available for 25% off during the Cyberweek Sale.
With the Cricut® Artfully Sent Collection, Cricut® Design Space and a variety of cardstock and paper packs endless cards are a possibility. You can simplify a card design and/or combine a few different card elements into one card. Even without using the features in Cricut® Design Space you can embellish cards with gems, sequins, etc. all to create unique cards.
If you do not have a CTMH Independent Consultant yet, I would be happy to assist you and would be delighted if you make a purchase from me.
Contact me if you have questions about any CTMH product or promotion or to schedule a Home or Online Gathering. Click the Shop with me link above when you are ready to place an order.
Please follow me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts. Thank you for visiting today.
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Here are some projects I created with the Cricut® Artfully Sent Collection (Z3168):
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If you do not have a CTMH Independent Consultant yet, I would be happy to assist you and would be delighted if you make a purchase from me.
Contact me if you have questions about any CTMH product or promotion or to schedule a Home or Online Gathering. Click the Shop with me link above when you are ready to place an order.
Please follow me on Facebook at Brenda's Paper Crafts. Thank you for visiting today.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
CTMH Christmas Countdown Challenge
I am a day late posting this, but I hope you will jump in and join us. The first prompt was posted less than 24 hours ago.
This year Close To My Heart is having a social media challenge. It is designed to help you document the season and to give you the chance to win big! It is called our Christmas Countdown Challenge.
During December, CTMH will be posting daily photo prompts on Instagram and Facebook inviting you to follow along by taking your own photos and sharing them using the hashtag #ctmhcountdown.
Did you see I said "give you a chance to win big" above? Here are the details:
Each week, CTMH will draw a winner from those who have shared their photos on Instagram and send them their very own Picture My Life™ White Pines scrapbooking program. Then, on December 28, we’ll select five winners from those who have posted every day on either Instagram or Facebook. The prize for these five winners will be a My Legacy™ Cocoa Damask D-Ring album, a Picture My Life White Pines scrapbooking program, and a Memory Protectors™ variety pack! Please join us for the festivities and your own chance to win!
I hope you will play along with us. I would LOVE to see one of my followers listed as a winner. Good luck!
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| Picture My Life™ White Pines Scrapbooking Program (Z3176) |
This year Close To My Heart is having a social media challenge. It is designed to help you document the season and to give you the chance to win big! It is called our Christmas Countdown Challenge.
During December, CTMH will be posting daily photo prompts on Instagram and Facebook inviting you to follow along by taking your own photos and sharing them using the hashtag #ctmhcountdown.
Did you see I said "give you a chance to win big" above? Here are the details:
Each week, CTMH will draw a winner from those who have shared their photos on Instagram and send them their very own Picture My Life™ White Pines scrapbooking program. Then, on December 28, we’ll select five winners from those who have posted every day on either Instagram or Facebook. The prize for these five winners will be a My Legacy™ Cocoa Damask D-Ring album, a Picture My Life White Pines scrapbooking program, and a Memory Protectors™ variety pack! Please join us for the festivities and your own chance to win!
I hope you will play along with us. I would LOVE to see one of my followers listed as a winner. Good luck!