Time for some new projects

We are heading to my favorite place, the mountains of North Georgia, next weekend and I have been making my list of places I need to visit this trip. When I happened upon  a cute little website for fairy and gnome houses, I was so excited as I have been contemplating trying to start a line of Gnome Homes for home and garden decorating.  I cannot wait to visit Sleepy Hollow near Blairsville. Will take lots of pictures to share!

Last night, I made my supply list to start building my little Gnome Homes. This morning, I visited one of my 3 favorite shopping spots: the hardware store! I love to wander around the hardware store, in every department, every aisle, looking at their wares and imagining how I could use them in craft projects. My husband used to question why I was looking at copper pipes and plastic tubing when I was supposed to be picking up nails or weed killer.  :) Now, he understands that is like my idea surfing! LOL

Drawing and sketching is not one of my talents. At all.  When I am building something, I always make a "prototype" out of paper or cardboard, whichever is available at the time.  After returning home with my supplies, I decided to "build" my first gnome home out of cardstock. The little cutie below is made completely out of cardstock, except for the windows and the door know. It can set it on my desk to keep me inspired.  It turned out pretty good. Tomorrow, I start the real thing.

Can't wait to get one made out of wood and share the pictures!

Stay turned......

Baskets full of love

Made these two little cards with matching envelopes before bedtime.

Going to bed so I can go to Hobby Lobby early tomorrow! Need to restock my supplies and see what inspirations I can find.
Happy Saturday!

All wrapped up for you!

While cleaning out my papercraft stash, I came across some "pizza" boxes that I made for some painted sugar cookies a while back.  That brain juice of mine started flowing and I came up with a folding box that can have several uses. I could put some gift cards in it or adhere pictures on each of the folding sections, or both. I included a pocket in this one, for a gift card. I could also discard the folding wings and just put a pretty cookie or some other little gift in the box.

It looks complicated, but it really isn't. The size you choose determines how much paper. This one is 4" x 4" x 1".  Because I used alternating colors, it took 1 1/2 sheets of scrapbook paper. For mom (or whomever receives the gift), she simply takes the clip off the top (and can use it for a bookmarker in that good book you might also give her for Mother's Day), and opens the box.  It unfolds for her. 

And here is a picture of the one of the painted sugar cookies that fits nicely into this or the pizza boxes.

Now, what can I do tomorrow?

Rainy days and Mondays (or Wednesdays)

Yesterday was such a wet and ugly day. So, I decided to brighten it up a bit with some new cards. I pulled out a sweet little stamp set (Stampin' Up) called "Blooming with Love".  I made 4 different card styles (7 cards) with just one stamp set, 6 markers, a few sheets of paper, 4 brads, and a few inches of ribbon. Oh, and a hole punch, some adhesive, and a cutter!

Here you go! Brighten Mom's day or anyone who needs a little lift.

this one is blank inside, for your own message

This afternoon, I am going to be working on some from the set "Basket Full of Fun".

Addendum 6:36PM:

I forgot to add the envelopes that accompany the cards!

Dear Mom

We should salute our moms all the time, not just one day a year. With that being said, have you found that perfect Mother's Day card yet? Maybe I can help.

I pulled some cards out of my stack that would be great to attach to a gift for Mom, or just a special little "hello" for her.  Any of these cards can be made with characters, colors, patterns, or themes that are special to your mom.

If your mom is a beach-lover, this is the card for her! With crimping, tearing and beautiful silver embossing, you cannot go wrong! It can be left blank for your own words, or her favorite scripture, song, poem, quote can be printed in it.
 $3

This lily can be outlined, as above, or colored with a watercolor effect.
$2.50

Is Mom not a "mushy"-card kind of person? There are those out there!
This is a good one to include a simple "Happy Mother's Day" or something a little more personal.
$2.50

If your mother is a lover of books, she will appreciate this one.
Actually, this a card with detachable bookmark,
and a bookmark you could include
in that book you are going to buy for her.
$4 for the card, $1 for the bookmark (6 bookmarks for $5)

Here is the card, with the detachable book mark, being removed.

For that "country girl" mom!
$3.50

Although it looks like a tag, it's a full size card.
The little tag on it can have any message you would like.
$3.50

If a teapot, or some special blend of tea is planned for her gift,
what better card to accompany it?
(A set of these, blank inside, would also make a great gift!)
$2 each, 6 for $10

These little 3x3 cards are great to slip into a gift....
or give her a set of them to use when she gives gifts!
$1.50 each,  4 for $5

 I will be making some more cards this week. Please check back, or contact me with any questions or suggestions!  My cards are handmade with good quality card stock and inks, many using rubber stamps, embossing, dimensionals and other embellishments.

It's that time of year...

Chances are, right this minute, you know someone who is graduating in a few short weeks---high school, college, even middle school or kindergarten. There is nothing more special than a beautiful, customized card to accompany a gift package or "dress" up a gift card. Here are some graduation cards that can be adapted for the graduate's school (or favorite) colors. They can be designed with a pre-printed sentiment, or be left blank for your own note of congratulations. Most have dimensional features (cap, collar, tassel, etc) and can be made with a pocket to hold a gift card.

Another unique way to give is with a cardfolio. If you have a college student going away to college, or if a group wants to give a gift, this is the perfect answer. This little jewel will hold 3 gift cards or 6 to 9 photos. It can be adapted to hold more gift cards.

This is also a great gift from a group for newlyweds or parents-to-be. If your office wants to give a co-worker a wedding or baby gift, get one of these and put gift cards to places where they have a bridal or baby registry.

This would also be a lovely way for a Sunday School class, mission group, neighborhood, co-workers to give a family whose home has been lost in a fire--fill it with gift cards to restock the pantry, clothes closet, or other living expenses.

Another loving gift, when a friend has a family member in the hospital for an extended length of time and the family is having to stay out of town in a motel or just sitting in a hospital, away from their hometown....eating out can not only be inconvenient, but expensive. A cardfolio with fast food, grocer, or restaurant gift cards is a very thoughtful, and useful gift!

For a bridal gift, thank you to bridal attendants, Mother's Day, teacher thank you, birthday, or other special time---a set of gift cards for a Spa Day would be welcome! Anniversaries would be a great time for a Dinner and a Movie theme with restaurant cards and theatre cards! For that special guy in your life, a wonderful birthday or Father's Day gift would be gift cards for sporting goods stores, hardware stores, motorcycle shop, menswear shops. And for that kid in your life---how about toy/game store gift cards, Xbox Live, iTunes, favorite clothing store, or movie/concert/amusement park tickets?

The possibilities are limitless! The cardfolios can be decorated to fit any theme, occasion, or personality. Also, this is a great way to give grandparents a set of school pictures, instead of just stuffing them loosely into a greeting card or envelope. Put multiple shots of each of your children for Grandma and Grandpa to enjoy and share! Such a versatile little piece of stationery!