Flourishes Friday - Cool Tools

Hey....this is my 500th post!  Cool hey?

I have a cool post for you today too....the Flourishes Design Team is giving you all kinds of creative ideas for the Tools of the Trade Section of the Flourishes store.   Things that you may have over looked in the store.  Today I'm going to focus on a few of the tools I use and like.  One is our Ribbon Organizer , and Spooler , and also Scor Tape ....I have a special project I've created today for one of my best friends.  We're going for lunch on Friday to celebrate her birthday.   So here's where the project started... (lots of pictures to follow - sorry night shots so a little orange ...)

If you're anything like me....ribbon storage is an issue for you.  One thing that I absolutely LOVE about Flourishes is that I can get beautiful ribbon at a fraction of the price by purchasing it by the yard.  That way I only buy what I'll use, and then I can get more ribbons to sample!  But...then to store ribbon by the yard was becoming a serious issue for me.

When ribbon arrives for me from the store it usually looks like this, delicious ribbon, but not super functional and a little messy to store like this.

So, this is one of the nifty tools I bought  - the Ribbon Spooler and also the Organizer tray that I'll show you in a jiffy.

Here's how it works... feed your ribbon through the slit in the ribbon spooler (up to 7/8 inch wide ribbon), put on a provided divider disk and rubber stopper to hold the ribbon in, and then take the length of ribbon and feed it up along the handle (next photo).

Then put your thumb on the ribbon on the handle (to hold it to the proper tension) and wind the handle!  Works for lefty's or righty's too

Then just push the little ribbon off either onto the divider tool, or just in your hand holding the end. 

Then, the great part, pop it into the little divided holder, leaving the loose end out so you can pull it to cut when you need it!

Below is some blue satin finish cotton (some of my current favourite styles of ribbon we have).  I usually buy about 2 yards at a time, and that's the perfect length to fit on the spool with some room in the case still....

Here's a whole LOVELY row of Satin Finish cotton and Linen cotton ribbons.

And here they are below all in the tray....now I could have pulled all my ribbon ends in nicely so it would look a little neater, but let's just be honest this is how it normally is :)

It holds six rows of six ribbons.  I'm just waiting for a new tray to arrive so I can load it up too. It stacks nicely in my stamping cupboard, and it's easy to pull out.

The only con is that it only takes ribbon up to 7/8 inch, and I have ribbon that is wider that I have to organize differently.  If it took wider ribbon widths, I'd do this to all my ribbons.  I can see what I have, or what I need and it's easy to pull out and cut.

So, here's what I made with my ribbons and also a great new product to Flourishes, Scor Tape.  I've been using it a long time.  It's really superior for sticky-ness and sturdy-ness and comes in a variety of widths (3 sizes in store).  I was SO excited to see it in the store!!!

I cut a box 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 out of textured Pink Pirouette paper and then a bottom 6 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches.  I scored at 2 inches all the way around (both sheets), cut slits on opposing ends on the inside of the short squares (to make the pieces you fold in to make the box), and added Scor Tape to the fold in squares, and patterned paper (Memory Box Jubilee) to the outside panels on the box lid.  I notched out little 1/2 circles with my circle punch. Then fold in.  

I had colored up an image from our gorgeous Spring Bouquet Set  with copic markers, and then trimmed it out and added it to the box top, overtop of some beautiful ribbon.

So...embarrassing moment...my inside box was too narrow and they didn't hold together how I wanted, so I had to get creative with my embellishing.  I wanted to show off lots of ribbon anyway....

I used the Scor Tape all around the box and added ribbon as well, some pleated (which stays GREAT with Scor Tape), and then some just adhered.

Here's a closeup of the coloring and the beautiful glitter that I added with Spica pens after coloring.  I know the photo won't do it justice, it's super shimmery.

Now to find a pretty present for IN the box and we're set!

Head on over to the Flourishes Girls playing today in the Cool Tools episode.  Julie also has a feature on the Flourishes Blog too!  Dawn, Cindy, Laura, Julie and Leslie

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Flourishes Friday - Cool Tools

I have left the 3's!

Well on Tuesday I had to get my Driver's License renewed. We have to renew them every 5 years here. So I was thinking about how much life has changed for me in the past 5 years.


Five years ago:

...........I was 35 years old, here's my last DL picture (I know it's a crummy picture but see my short hair?)

...........I had a newborn baby. Our youngest was just 2 months old (thus the pudgy face in the above picture...!

...........I was on mat leave, but both my husband and I were in a very difficult working environment, it was in a lot of ways a toxic working situation organizationally and relationally.

...........We left said employer, it was not a happy exit - in fact pretty ugly; then we were asked to come on staff with our church working as Youth Pastors with students. It was a renewed calling that we both love and threw ourselves into passionately - as we serve God and kids and families we love.

............I became an SU Demo and built a wealth of great relationships and a chance to express my creativity

............I started posting cards on Splitcoast in June of 2007 after my husband's cancer treatment. Life's too short to wonder if you are *creative enough*. I just wanted to enjoy creating!

..........JulieHRR asked me to be a part of the Dirty Dozen Design Team and my creative world grew a happy garden! I built some wonderful friendships in the sisterhood of the DD

.........In the time span of 3 years I became very ill and had to have 2 surgeries and a month of recovery; the next year my husband was diagnosed with a rare form of Cancer, but it was treatable and he had chemotherapy, about 6 weeks of isolation and is in remission! Then last spring my husband tore his quad muscle tendon separating his knee joint from his quad muscle, this meant surgery, 1 week in the hospital and then 6 weeks with no weight on his RIGHT leg (no lifting it, driving etc...guess who became the family chauffeur?).

It's been quite a five years. Some wonderful beautiful things that I'm incredibly grateful for...some rather painful ones I would not have chosen. A lot of people dread turning 40. In fact my husband asked me on Tuesday morning how it felt to be on my last day of my 30's. I replied "well, 39 wasn't always so good to me, so I'm ready for the 4's!"

Beth (MyPrecious) had a great post on her blog of 40 things she wanted to do before she was 40. Well, I wasn't that organized, but I have been thinking about that idea and I think I'd like to make a list of 40 things I'd like to do now that I'm 40.

Here are some (not 40 things yet) that I've come up with:

1. Build and continue to discover deeper depths in my walk with Christ. God has a lot of work to do in me in the year ahead, a lot of places of healing, a lot of places of deepening. I have always desired to be fully His, and I think He's taking me to places in these next month's that are making that more real. I think for me...these are years ahead of rebuilding.

2. See my children thrive in their growing up years...help them become more of themselves, more of who God is calling them to be.

3. Love my husband - deeper, wiser, with a more sacrificial heart. Time is so precious. We've learned that in so many ways in 5 years. I don't want to take it - or him for granted.

4. Carve out more space for me that includes stillness, silence, places of restoration from our busy world.

5. Healthier patterns...I'm not gettin' any younger! So, healthier eating, and more exercise and to finally lose ALL those baby pounds!

Well, that's a start! What about you? If you look back on the last 5 years of your life, what are some common themes? What about your next 5 years...who are you becoming and who do you want to be? There's a great song by Switchfoot called "This is Your Life" that I love. Some of the lyrics are:

This is your life, are you who you want to be?

This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be?

When the world was younger and you had everything to lose.

Don't close your eyes

The idea for me is that you don't get a second chance, don't miss it because this is it, are you who you want to be? That really challenges me.

OK...enough preaching. Here IS a creative project I haven't shown you yet...I am privelaged to be a part of the Product Review Team over at Splitcoast and we review different products each month. Yesterday another review was unveiled for JustRite stamps of their new line of creative products. The review is HERE: and the creative projects by the team are really great and are HERE:

Here is one of mine projects using the Baking Ensemble from Just Rite. I created a sleeve for a mini Banana Bread loaf so it could be given as a gift. We really love Banana bread at our house (especially with Chocolate Chips :)) Whenever bananas are getting a little brown I throw them in the freezer for future banana bread.

The sleeve is 3 inches wide and 11 inches in length. I scored the sections in order to make a little *tote* for my bread. I wrapped the bread in waxed paper (I'd also wrap it in saran wrap too for giving to someone). I added ribbon around the bread and fed it though the word window hole in the top of my tote so my bread won't fall out.

I used the outside rim of the Just Rite Baking Ensemble stamp on my circle stamper to decorate the sections of the tote and added marker.

I LOVE the tag, it's my favourite part. I stamped the sugar label a second time on Kraft and trimmed it out, and added it on top, then I gave the spilled sugar some crystal effects and Dazzling Diamonds to make it more real. So CUTE! Some embellishments and it's a really cute gift!

Ok....nuff' for now. I still have lots to show you hopefully this week. And some exciting news too!

Recipe: Stamps: Just Rite Baking Ensemble Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red Paper: Real Red, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Accessories: Just Rite Round Circle Stamper, Striped Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Grossgrain, Gold Cording, Brads, Word Window Punch, Dazzling Diamonds, Scallop Circle Punch, SW Marker

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I have left the 3's!

My Birthday Present to ME!

It's so rare for me to make something for myself. Are you that way? I'm so busy all the time making creative things for others that despite all my good intentions for creating things for myself - it just doesn't happen often.


In March of this year when I was on the Dirty Dozen Design Team over at Splitcoast the theme for the month was the Daily Grind, coffee related...office related creations. I designed a special ensemble for our Administrative Assistant at that time Amy. One of the pieces in the ensemble was a Personalized Stationery set. I really loved that piece, and in fact of all the things I designed in my six months on the Dirty Dozen it remains one of my favourite creations. If you're a Fan Club Member you can see the whole ensemble here: and the Stationery Set pictures here and here and here. If not....it might be enough to entice you to join...well worth EVERY penny, you receive access to all the DD galleries in the past! Here is a link if you want to check it out.





So, 7 months later, I finally created a Stationery Set for me. I'll pretend it's in honor of turning 40 this week! This set is something that is very me. It's useful, it's beautiful, it's GREEN, and chocolate, it has a simple elegance...all things I appreciate! Above you'll see the folder closed up...all it's wonderful potential inside :)


These are made with the JustRite selection of stamps and fonts. They are FABULOUS! And they works perfectly for something like this where you want to make it very personal.


The stationery folder is a 12 x 12 sheet of either naturals Ivory - or confetti, I can't remember anymore! A 3/4 inch piece is cut off on the right hand side for the file folder tab, and 2 1/4 inches folded up for the inside flaps. I also added extra creases in the middle of the center-fold to give it greater depth when closed (much like a real file folder). I added brads to the outside of the folder strategically placed to give reinforcement to the top inner pocket. Satin ribbon is attached to the back of the folder with sticky strip and hangs loosely but then can tie in a pretty bow to hold the folder together. Very clean design.




Inside, I created 2 pockets for the 3 x 3 cards and envelopes. The top left pocket is 3 1/4 wide, and about 2 1/2 inches long, with a pocket depth of 1/2 inch. I punched the scallop circle out so you can see more of the 3 x 3 cards (cute :)). The lower right pocket is just attached to the flap with some sticky strip and 2 brads and holds the 3 x 3 envelopes.






The cards are just simply monogramed and given classic details, a little rich ribbon and some piercing. I also used an Olive SW Marker on parts of Browns monograms to give them extra color. I added a little more text to the 4 1/4 cards, and also used the outside ring of the monogram stamp to create a background on the chocolate layer. The small 3 x 3 cards also have Crystal Effects on the Monogram to give it a pretty shine.







The stationery (oh my I LOVE this part). I took resume paper with a rich texture, cut it in half to make 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 sheets, and rounded the top corners. Then I stamped the monogram in the center and then masked off a section about an inch long and sponged Kiwi Kiss ink over it. Then I took my Rectangle Stamper and the tiny Brayton Font and used my Stamp-a-majig to align the *from the desk of * words on each side of the monogram.




I so look forward to using it...and re-plenishing it when I use it up. All so easy with these tools!




Thanks for stopping by today!




Recipe: Stamps: JustRite Monogram Font Brayton, JustRite Harmony Classic Stamps

Paper: Confetti Natural, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss DSP, Chocolate Chip DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: Harmony Rectangle Stampers, Harmony Classic Circle Stamper II, Scallop Circle and Edge Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Scorit, Gold Brads, Chocolate Satin Ribbon, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, Kiwi Satin Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, Piercer, Crystal Effects, Sponge, Stamp-a-Majig

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My Birthday Present to ME!

Be-Leaf It's Your Birthday!

Today's Limited Supply Challenge was to use leaves in some fashion as our focal point, and to use pink...well, one of our daughter's good friend's birthday party is tomorrow and I thought this would be a fun way to incorporate leaves...pink and the season of her birthday together.

AND I just received my very first JustRite products! I was SO excited, so once I thought about the sentiment I wanted for the card, I knew these would be great for creating it. Really the possibilities are endless with these stamps. Especially for someone like me who often hand writes sentiments because I don't have what I'm looking for.

So here I've used the new Harmony Rectangle Stamper and the Curlz font to create the words. So fun! I've given it a good round of sponging on the edges too to warm up the color. I mixed last years In Colors with this years In Colors and it looks pretty good!

On the main card I stamped various leaves from Autumn Fest set using masking and the Rock and Roll technique. It really creates more of a background here. I actually dug out my sewing machine and sewed the pieces together.

I added a few gems from K & C Company and some Satin ribbon because it is for an almost teen girl...you do need a little bling and richness :)

Recipe: Stamps: Autumn Fest, Canvas Background (SU), Curlz Font (JustRite stampers) Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Tangerine Tango, Groovy Guava Paper: Purely Pomegranate, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White Accessories: Harmony Rectangle Stamper (JustRite), Sewing Machine, Sponge, Piercer, Gems, Dimensionals, Pomegrante Satin Ribbon

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Be-Leaf It's Your Birthday!

Designer Christmas Toonie Tuesday

I haven't had time to watercolor for so long! So today, despite the fact that I had a doctors appointment that took WAY too long this morning, and helping on the Pumpkin Clay masks in our middle son's classroom this afternoon. I squeezed in my projects!

Sample One: Designer Christmas Cottage

When I saw Emily's color challenge today of Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss I sort of had this idea of the designer Christmas displays you see with pink accessories ....so here is a designer cottage. Can you imagine a pink door on your cottage? hee hee :)

I stamped the image with Brown Stazon on watercolor paper, and then used reinkers and SW markers and my NEW aquapainter (what a difference!). I know that pink skis, and pink stones are NOT realistic, but they're designer ok?

I added Dazzling Diamonds with my Mono Multi glue to give the feeling of sparkling snow on the trees and the ground.

I mounted my image on Chocolate Chip DSP and the Kiwi Kiss strip from the Ski Slope DSP pack. And added taffeta ribbon (it was vanilla - but I colored it with my SW Marker). And cut one of my Pink Pirouette felt flowers in half for accent.

On the main card I added score lines with my Scor-it...a great tool!

Sample Two: Designer Wreath

Along with our theme of a designer colored Christmas I thought I'd bring out some Flourishes sets and create a non-traditional Christmas wreath. Here made from Magnolia blossoms. Ok, I'm from the North...really the north. I've never seen Magnolias, I have no idea if they make them into wreaths. But I did. Blame it on being Canadian :)

I watercolored all the blossoms, cut each of them out and then arranged them on the Vanilla cardstock in a wreath feel. I added a great big section of beautiful Chocolate satin ribbon, glitter on the blossoms, added the tag with some gold cording, and then used my piercing template (oh I wish I had one of the Ornare ones!)...and pierced some swirls. This is as close to a one layer card as I'll ever get :) It has a simple elegance to it I think.

Recipes: Sample One: Designer Christmas Cottage Stamps: Home for Christmas Ink: Brown Stazon Paper: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip DSP, Ski Slope DSP, Watercolor Paper Accessories: Aqua Painter, Reinkers, SW Markers, Felt Fusion Too, Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals, Mono Multi, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Scorit

Sample Two: Designer Wreath Stamps: Flourishes Siberian Iris and Lilac sets Ink: Brown Stazon Paper: Very Vanilla, Watercolor, Kiwi Kiss Accessories: Reinkers, Aqua Painter, Piercing Template, Chocolate Satin Ribbon, Mono Multi, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Oval Punch, Gold Cording, 1/16th punch

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Designer Christmas Toonie Tuesday

Thanksgiving Placecards

Seriously...are these not the most adorable paper pumpkins placecards you have ever seen???

Monday is Thanksgiving in Canada but we are going to a wedding on Sunday/Monday so we're celebrating on Saturday evening with my family. I wanted to have a family project of creating placecards for the table. I saw this amazing idea by BrownEyedbby at Splitcoast that I thought was so creative and perfect for a Thanksgiving table. So I modified it for me. She also has a link to a tutorial in her posting too. It's great.

So the three most precious men in my life went to town creating these tonight while I was working on a Wedding Gift and my daughter was working on her Birthday Invites. So everyone was stamping! (Aren't they handsome....I just cut my baldy sweetheart's hair, he likes it very short...and the boys go for haircuts tomorrow). Mommy does NOT cut their hair.

Love that pic :)

Essentially I gathered all my Pumpkin Pie scraps, had my husband stamp Paisley Bk on them (which I wish showed up better in the picture, but it's night...), then our middle son punched out 10 Round Tab Punches per pumpkin and the little guy counted and grouped them then scored them at their half with my Scor-It tool, and then the three of them put it together with stronger glue tab to tab (10 per pumpkin). I added the pumpkin vine with tiny strips of Garden Green curled up by the boys to the very last glued section. Then after they were all done I cut out tags from scrap, wrote the names on the tags, and added them to the vines with a 1/16 punch and gold brads.

Adorable. Happy Thanksgiving Canadians!

Recipe Stamps: Paisley Background Ink: Pumpkin Pie Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Small Tag Punch, 1/16 punch, Gold Brads, SW Marker.

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Thanksgiving Placecards

Punchy October Club Cards

Well I have a bunch of fun things to show you today. This was the post I had intended to do last week, but just couldn't get it done because I knew I wanted to add a little bit of a tutorial.

Tuesday was my monthly 11 for 11 Club and I taught the girls a bunch of Punch/Thanksgiving style cards with Autumn themes etc. Thanksgiving for us here in Canada is ....Monday, October the 13th!



Here is a look at all 4 projects.

Project One: All Dressed Turkey!

This sample idea was in the most recent edition of the magazine that SU demonstrators receive each month. I just loved the cute little turkey and knew I could achieve my own version of it with the supplies I had. He is made from various punches.






I've listed the punches I used to make him here:



Sorry...the writing is so small.... From top l - r punches needed:

1 " Circle Punch (More Mustard), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (Close to Cocoa), 3/4 " Square Punch (Basic Black), 1 1/4" strip (Basic Black), Partial Scallop (More Mustard), Patterned Paper Scallop Circle x 3 (in different or the same colors).


To make the folds for the Turkey Tailfeathers, first take a scalloped circle and punch out from your choice of patterned paper (here I've used the Level One Hostess Pack of paper). Count out 5 bumps and fold down toward you (you decide how you want to use the sides of pattern).

Then fold that in half to give you a center line.

Unfold and then take the first folded side scalloped section and fold in toward the center line (like paper airplane sides). Then you have a petal type image. You could use this for a folded flower on your cards too. Do this 3 times for the Turkey Tailfeathers.

Then take your 3 sections and piece them together for the tail feathers and adhere on your card where you'd like it to be, (upper center in this case).

For the feet and beak I used a partial Scalloped Circle in Mustard (you just don't need a whole circle) and cut out the feet (one scallop bump in the middle and 2 halves on each side) and beak (one scallop bump cut upwards in a triangle shape). I added More Mustard with my Stampin' Write Marker on the beak because my daughter told me it didn't stand out enough otherwise! :) At almost 12, she's getting a very good eye of a designer!

Layer over top the smaller circle for the head attached to the larger circle for the body with Dimensionals. Put together your 3/4 inch square and strip for the dapper hat. Add eyes with the SW Marker.

The sentiment I thought was kind of cute...from Fun and Fast Notes, it says "All Spruced Up" hee hee. Not for long...soon he'll be DRESSED up! Inside and out! Yum, I love stuffing! We're responsible for dessert this year. I might make a Chocolate Pecan Pie....another YUM!


I think these would be really cute used as Thanksgiving place cards too.



Sample Two: Autumn Blooms

My upline showed us this style of card last month, so I recreated it in autumn colors. For the stamped image you start here with inking up your Upsy Daisy flower stamp in Summer Sun. Then take your Sponge daubers inked in Tangerine Tango, and Riding Hood Red and dauber then directly on the stamp (already inked with Summer Sun). Huff on it to give it more moisture, then stamp on the paper. This gives you that gorgeous variation of color. I also used the daubers to give some sponged color to the edges of the main image piece. The punches are layered together to give a different look to the sentiment.

Sample Three: Grateful Blooms

I love the fall feel to the new Haiku papers, and love the Eastern Blooms style. Here the vine image is stamped toward the center from each corner in Mustard on Vanilla. The two blooms are stamped in Saffron and Mustard from each end of the 3 Bloom stamp and cut out. The background is created with one of the stamps from the set in Saffron.

The sentiment is from By Definition and the ribbon is added with a knot for a nice simple feel.

I didn't do this in the class (but would have if I would have thought of it), but later I added some Microbeads on the flower centers with some 2 Way glue. I think it gives it some pretty texture.

Sample Four: Spidey Senses Tingling

And last but not least....I totally cased this cutie patootie spider from CaseGJ over at Splitcoast. Seriously I think it was brilliant. She has a really nice gallery of creative 3D things too. I'll be honest, I'm not much of a Halloween person...but these I just couldn't resist, and they fit in our theme. I've simplified parts of mine here for the class. Scallop Punches for bodies, and the Photo Corner Punch in 2 colors for the legs, 1/8 " punch for eyes and nose, SW Marker for the pupils. In the middle are Peppermint Patties :) NO stamping! ....a great way to use up scraps... they would be cute classroom treats too.

Thanks for popping by!

Recipes: All Dressed Turkey Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes Paper: Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, Prints DSP Ink: Basic Black Accessories: Punches (see above + Word Window), Brad, Chocolate GG Ribbon, Dimensionals

Autumn Blooms: Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Canvas Paper: Summer Sun, Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White Ink: Summer Sun, Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red, VersaMark (on the Canvas Bk), Accessories: Scalloped Square, Oval, Square Punches Sponge Daubers, Rhinestone Brads, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon

Eastern Blooms: Eastern Blooms Paper: So Saffron, Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Haiku DSP Ink: So Saffron, More Mustard, Old Olive Accessories: Olive GG Ribbon, Key Tab Punch, Brads, Piercer, Microbeads, 2 Way Glue

Spidey Senses: Stamps: NONE Paper: Basic Black, Lovely Lilac, Real Red, Whisper White Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1/8 " Circle Punch, Photo Corner Punch, SW Marker, 2 Way Glue, Peppermint Patties

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Punchy October Club Cards

Toonie Tuesday - Totally Terrific Projects

Two great projects for you today!

Sample One: Advent Boxes for your Mantle

I have a project I've been working on for a few days that I'm really proud of. I have a brand new toy, a Scor It Tool that I've been playing with. It's been so fun, so I've been thinking up all kinds of projects that are possible with the embossing/creasing ability you have with it.

Here is an Advent Decoration I came up with. It was designed for my children for the 12 day's before Christmas. Like and Advent Calendar, in each special little box will be little surprises and I think verses that will remind them of the truth of what Christmas means. They are so excited about using it this Christmas. I think I will hang it on our mantle. It's such a difficult project to photograph because it is so long, but I'll show you numerous shots.

Each box measures 2.75 x 2.75 x 2.75, and each box can fit on a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 paper. I made my own template and then used the Scor It to make all the creases. Perfectly sharp for a box, and all the attachment pieces. Sticky strip is used to hold it together, and my husband suggested using eyelets to run the fishing line through each box so that it will be long lasting. (smart man).

Here I've used the reverse image of the letters for Joy, just adding the center of the O too.

Sorry this picture is a little blurry I was playing with the size....I'll try and fix it later!

I ran the Scandanavian Wheel with each box's color ink over the bottom and the lid of the boxes and then decorated each of the three sets with Advent words of truth, HOPE, JOY and PEACE (12 letters - get it?). I used old SU chipboard letters, punches and new Ski Slope DSP to decorate and new ribbons to give it some festive but simple embellishment.

To link the boxes I used old clear beads I had bought in bulk from Michaels, 3 between each box and 14 between each word with a Felt Flurries Snowflake threaded over top. The Felt Flurries were my idea from the beginning but I had the hardest time trying to figure out how to have them between the words without them crushing in on each other when the boxes were hung. With all the clear beads in between now, and the snowflake threaded overtop it holds the boxes apart firmly. Here you can also se the H box slightly open.

I seriously LOVE it. Is it Christmas yet? Can I hang it yet???? Any thoughts on some of the surprises I should put into each box? They can't be too heavy....and it needs to work for 3 kids each day - they do know how to share so it can be one thing too. But I want it to be special and symbolic of the celebration of Jesus' Birth.

Project Two: Bella's Vanilla Kiss

Mmmmm, doesn't that sound yummy??? I have a thing for Vanilla. In fact I wear Victoria's Secret Vanilla Lace lotion every day, sorry too much information??

This is for today's color challenge hosted by Cindy today, Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze. I know Cindy loves this Baja Color. I didn't to start with, but paired with the right colors and it's totally growing on me.

I used my Hat pins in my Pretties Kit for the first time (can you believe it?!) It sure makes it over the top elegant - but you wouldn't be able to mail it in a regular envelope.

Here Bella's Bloom is inked in both Baja and Kiwi (carefully) and stamped on Vanilla, as well as the sentiment. I stamped the main bloom a 2nd time and popped it on top. I cut it out with my Coluzzle, used my Scor It to score some lines around the sentiment (a row over and under the sentiment) and added piercing. Then I punched out several of the large ovals and layered them behind the main image oval as accent.

I also used the Scor It for the embossing along the edges of the card base (isn't that snazzy?) and added Urban Garden DSP inside the embossed area. The pretty hat pin is embellished with the pearls and beads and the gorgeous Kiwi Satin ribbon.

So pretty. Stamping just makes me happy.

Hope your day is filled with Vanilla Kisses too !

Recipes:

Project One: Advent Boxes: Stamps: Scandanavian Wheel Ink: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze Paper: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Ski Slope DSP Accessories: Oval Punches, Chipboard Letters, Sanding Block, Scor-it Tool, Alpine Felt Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Grossgrain, Double Stitched Riding Hood Red Grosgrain, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Baja Breeze Double Stitched Ribbon, Felt Flurries Snowflakes, Clear Beads, Fishing Line, Silver Eyelets, Mono Multi Adhesive, Sticky Tape

Project Two: Bella's Vanilla Kiss: Stamps: Bella's Bloom Ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss Paper: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla, Urban Garden DSP Accessories: Colluzzle, Scor-it Tool, Piercer, Dimensionals, Large Oval Punch, Pretties Kit, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon

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Toonie Tuesday - Totally Terrific Projects