Whistle Worthy Black and White

Colorado Craft Company Daisy & Dahlia, Brutus Monroe Christopher-isms sentiment, Whimsy Stamps Build-a-Fairy dies, Avery Elle Double Pierced Rectangles, I-Crafter Santa box beard (and cheek dot for nose), Honey Bee Stamps Nail Polish Bottle dies

 

This lil' guy was an experiment with a combination of I-Crafter Santa parts and Honey Bee Stamps Nail Polish Bottle dies 

(I snagged them before they phased out).

He's been hanging around my craft desk for a while, and has been waiting to attend a card party. ;)

He's been set against some fun mushrooms and backdrop florals.

Check out these amazing challenges:

Thank you for your sweet visit today!

When I Count My Blessings Party Balloons

Whimsy Stamps Retro Dancers, Spellbinders Party Balloons (and stencil), Honey Bee Stamps Inside: Thankful Sentiments, Unity Stamps Deckle & Stitches, Catherine Pooler Silver Ink

I got some new Whimsy Stamps Retro Dancer dies to play with (fun right?!) and these Spellbinders Party Balloons dressed up as disco balls (with stencil). One is with glitterific and one is with Catherine Pooler's silver ink.

Simon Says (Wednesday) : Something New 

 

Hugely inspired by the following sketch:

Thank you for your sweet visit!

Heart Cinnamon Ornaments

 

Christmas is sneaking up on me, just like it did you, I'm sure.

It's the season my family likes to create these cinnamon ornaments, and I've decided to look ahead to other seasons to create for (these take at least five days to flip over and dry).

 I love the scent.

Here's 

some hearts for Valentines day! ;)

Printed recipe and Ranger Tim Holtz Deckle Edge Trimmer

If you are interested in this cinnamon ornament recipe, here you go!

Cinnamon Ornament Recipe

Ingredients (yields 5-6 ornaments)

-1 Cup Ground Cinnamon

-1 tsp Nutmeg

-1 tsp Cloves 

-3/4 Cup unsweetened applesauce

-2 TBS Tacky Glue (I use Aleene's Original Craft glue) 

-Cookie Cutters 

Directions

Combine the spices with applesauce. Add glue and knead well with hands until mixture forms stiff dough. Dust the surface lightly with cinnamon and roll out the dough 1/4" thick. Cut the dough with cookie cutters and lay out on a sheet of waxed paper.  Gently poke a hole in each with a straw. Leave in a safe place to dry for about a week, flipping the ornament multiple times each day to evenly dry.  When dry, decorate with paint and/or glitter and attach a ribbon. You can store finished ornament in a plastic bag and reuse it each year.

You will know when it's time to flip the ornament each day, when you see that one side is dry (do it at least twice a day).

When you don't see a wet spot (after flipping it for at least four days), you might be done with drying (although I'd give it five days).

Simon Says (Wednesday): Gifts

Thank you for your sweet visit!

Snowflake Packaging

I've used the technique I found of Chipboard Accents (since 2011) that were demonstrated here

for many years.

You just need recycled cereal boxes, or thin chipboard.

I backed both sides of the chipboard with Mirrored Cardstock, and added a computer printed sentiment to personalize.

Pretty Pink Posh Snowflake Shaker, MFT Wonky Stitched Circle, Printed Sentiment, Tonic Studios Mirrored Cardstock

I added a handy clip to the manufactured pillow boxes of candy, and secured them to fun seasonal tongs found at Hobby Lobby.

There were fun little ornaments I found at Michaels, and I liked the bling they added to the 18 practical gifts.

 

Done and done and sharing to the following challenges:

Simon Says (Monday): It's a Wrap

Simon Says (Wednesday): Gifts

Pet Loving Packaging

We are down to the wire here in the McDeavitt house, and I'm doing what I can. ;)

This was my latest packaging, which I had so much fun designing!!!

Cup Label: MFT Wonky Stitched Circles, The Paper Studio Festive Cats & Dogs, Tonic Studios Mirror Cardstock

Bag Label: The Stamp Market Pet Collar and Computer printed text

Other: Celebrate It Bow Maker 

The bows are particularly special, because I finally invested in a Bow Maker. 

I've talked myself out of it for 30 years plusssssss.

I'm sick of having meh bows, so I let myself go for it.

They aren't expensive (as far as craft tools go)...and I admit the "extra hands" were worth it.

As for the tags and labels, what a blast!

I purchased a stack of quality cups (they change color and come with lids and straw) and filled them with candy.

I used some of my fave circle dies and layered with white cardstock, patterned paper (clearance find at Hobby Lobby) and Tonic Studios Mirrored Cardstock for the smallest framing circle. 

I wanted them to temporarily stay in place, so I used a tube of E600 Extreme Tack (Repositional) glue and added a line of dots on the undersides (dots have to dry for 8 hours).

You have to let the dots dry AND ONLY THEN do you flip it over all pretty and tack it down to the project.

Simon Says (Monday): It's a Wrap

Simon Says (Wednesday): Gifts

 

The other labels I created were the dog collars (my gosh, they fit a bag handle LIKE BUTTER).

I typed on Word, and cut the collars out with collar dies.

Beyond my little touches...candy and banana bread are in the gift bag and ready to be delivered!!!

DT INkspirational Use Stencils

Papertrey Ink Words of Comfort sentiment, Hero Arts Color Layering Bold Flowers

 

It's time for a new challenge at INkspirational!

Our newest prompt is Use Stencils, so I tried out this layered stencil I've had for almost a year.

I went with colors that were more in season for this time of the year.

Unfortunately, it had to be sent (sympathy cards are always emotionally heavy for me...as I'm sure you can relate!).

I am grateful for this crafting community, in that inspiration helps me create even for the most difficult seasons.

Thank you for always being kind and supportive, my crafty friends!

Please join us at the challenge and see what the creative team came up with!