TAC Savvy Projects for People on the Go

Christmas Paper Crafts: Sassy & Sentimental Stocking Part 2 of 2

Today the sassy side of this stocking shines through!  More Mimi, beads and foo foo ... everything a girl loves!

 
 
 It doesn't matter if you make this darling little stocking for your grown up girlfriends or a little girls tea party ... it's guaranteed to delight!

And it all began ... with our very traditional Reece Stocking!  Shall we get started!

I had to show you this shot of the back of the Reece stocking.  Notice the brush marks in my Gloss Gel ~ not only is this fun to touch but it leaves a FABULOUS first impression!

The first thing I did was google 'stocking'.  I printed off one I liked and cut it out bigger than the image itself.  This stocking said to enlarge 200% ... needless to say ... I used it right off the printer!

 I picked out my papers and put them in the order I wanted them.  I used a clip to hold my stocking at the top and each of my papers in place. 

Here is a view of the back:

And then I very slowly began stitching.  Slow ... because I had to!  {smiles}.

I roughly followed the stocking pattern around.
 

The clip at the top helps you to remember to NOT stitch the top closed!

Here's what it's looking like on back:

Then I took my pinking shears and trimmed it out.  Isn't it darling!

Then I pulled out my secret weapon.  I have to tell you ... I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this stuff! 

Apply a coat to the front of your stocking and let it dry.  You can kind of see below that the Gloss Gel makes the paper curl while it's wet.  Don't worry.  It'll be okay.  After the front drys apply a coat of Gloss Gel to the back.  Notice that you can make patterns in the finish with your sponge brush.  You can do zig zags, swirls, straight lines, swoops ... anything your heart desires!

Next I cut a piece of bead fringe the size of the top of the stocking.

I added some red-line tape to the back of it as well as a bead of adhesive along the top of the stocking itself.  Probably not necessary ... I just like glues and adhesives.

Attach the bead trim and let dry.

I attached some ribbon over the twill of the bead trim.   

Here's the back:

 

I could have stopped at this point and added a cute bow with a brooch or something festive ... but ... I just couldn't stop here!  I found this darling fluff at my craft store for half price so I had to get a couple.

Now isn't this FUN!  I don't care if she's a foo foo girl or not ~ she'll LOVE this sassy little stocking! 

 

 Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

 
 

Christmas Paper Crafts ... Sassy & Sentimental Stocking Part 1 of 2

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a swap hosted by my friend Rita on our TAC Paper Crafting Community.  TAC PCC

The theme of the swap was Gift Card Holder ~ any size, any shape.  I was game!  This is one of the projects I sent to Rita.  I thought it would make a darling Gift Card Holder and ... it's actually something I would make and give!

Best of all ~ this isn't just great for a Gift Card  ... it's a great silver ware holder for festive holiday place settings!

Instead of stamping a greeting ~ how about stamping the name of your special guest and using this as a place setting name plate.  You could put a couple of candy canes or mints in the stocking with a little bit of kraft shred.  How fun would that be!

 

And of course ... I think these would make fabulous ornaments for any special tree!  Be sure to include the name of each loved one on the stocking ~ nothing will make them feel more loved!

In my next post I'll share with you the simple steps to creating this project yourself!  And ... give you a peak at my super savvy and sassy girls stocking!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

My Thanksgiving Booklet ...

I've been spending my evenings working on Thanksgiving Booklets that I can give to each of the families celebrating together at my mom's on Thanksgiving Day.  I thought I'd show you my finished booklet.  I have to admit ... I'm quite fond of it!  {smiles}.

Thanksgiving Booklet  You can click on this link to take you to the post with the text.  You can download and print it!  You can also click on each photo to enlarge it so you can read it ... if you like!

So did you notice the really shiny cover?!  I tried to get some shots that highlighted the texture and shine.  It looks opaque in some areas, however, it is completely transparent!

Now, I've already got a blog post scheduled that talks about this technique some more so here is a quick how to.  I LOVE this gloss gel!  LOVE it!  It lasts forever ... unless you use it like I do!

Brush it onto your paper with a foam brush.  It's okay to be generous with it.  The patterns that you brush in the gel will stay in the gel ... zig zags, stripes, polka dots ...

Sometimes I cover the front and backs of my paper.  This time I only did the fronts.  You can see my Thanksgiving Booklet covers here.  Notice that they are NOT flat!  This gel will move your paper and it will NOT be perfectly flat.  Don't let that scare you though!  The finish is so polished and professional ... you'll fall in love quickly!

I also glossed my tag on the front of the booklet after I wrote my copy on it.

Would you believe the one thing I tell everyone NOT to do ... I did!  When you line up the inserts make sure the white line in the center is facing the BACK of the book.  I didn't do it on this insert and that's why I have this white line showing.  It doesn't ruin the book ... but it is a detail that I can't help but notice.  I may have to make a new book now!  {grin}.

Wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving!

Mischelle

Christmas Count Down by Guest Designer Kim Sears

If you're looking for a Christmas Count Down here is a great idea from Guest Designer Kim Sears!

You just flip the days over as you count down!

 
Notice all of the little touches that really polish this project!

The aging around the numbers and papers, the crinkled song sheet, the button and scrappers floss, the ribbon and glitter ... so much to adore!

 
 
Thanks for a fabulous project Kim!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Christmas Gift & Mailing Station by Guest Designer Laurie Willison

I LOVE the saying 'a picture is worth a thousand words' and here it applies well!  When I first saw this Gift & Mailing Station that Laurie design I was astonished by the details!  There are so many!  Even as I uploaded this project I still noticed even more! 

Laurie included everything!  Tape, postage stamps, gift tags, handstamped cards and envelopes!  Absolutely amazing!  Who wouldn't LOVE to receive this FABULOUS gift!
 

Recycling items is high on my list of favorites and I adore how Laurie converted this clam shell (plastic stamp container) into a fabulous pocket for this pad that does double duty ... keep on reading to learn more!

BTW ~ I apologize to Laurie ... I didn't notice that I hadn't straightened the flower on the notepad when I placed it back into the clam shell.  I would have re-shot this but alas ... I had already returned it to the designer before I noticed. {here I sit shaking my head back and forth in disbelief!}.

 Regardless ... it's still INCREDIBLE!

Stamps and everything!  And check out that recycled tin!

 

As if everything I've shown you weren't enough already ... check out these cards Laurie included! 

I especially LOVE how the ribbon goes across the line in the zig zag and that Laurie used the zig zag vertically!  I think I always use it horizontally!

Now back to that nifty notepad!  Notice that this side is the Christmas Gift List and Laurie has a tag that says 'shopping list'.

Flip the pad over and you have your Christmas Card Address List!  Laurie has tabs for 'Christmas Card List' and 'Addresses'.  WAY FABULOUS!
 

Years ago I purchased one of these turny-round thingy's at our local craft store ... and I never did anything with it ... suddenly I feel inspired!

Laurie thank you for inspiring me and so many Savvy Readers!  This is an incredible project and your attention to detail is amazing ... just like you!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle
 

Perfectly Posh Pillow ... by Guest Designer Candi Dierenfield

GORGEOUS!  Candi handstamped this pillow using a very simple color scheme ~ black and white!  Always classic and always beautiful!

Check out the design on this FABULOUS pillow!

 

And guess what ... it's double sided!  Candi velvet embossed the design on this side and it is LUSH!

 

This is a posh pillow!
 
 

It's always fabulous to have an item that coordinates with any color scheme and Candi really achieved that goal with this pillow and the beautiful candles that coordinate with it!  Candi's Coordinating Candles

Thank you for sharing Candi!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Understated Elegance Candle Trio ... by Guest Designer Candi Dierenfield

How GORGEOUS is this trio by Guest Designer Candi Dierenfield!  Understated and simply beautiful!

In my next post I'll share the FABULOUS pillows that Candi designed to coordinate with these candles ... I wonder if she'd notice if we kept them?!  {smiles}.

Thank you for sharing Candi!  This is another great idea for embellishing candles ... and if you're like me ... you like to embellish!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Coloring with Chalks and Blending Pens Tutorial

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this tutorial by Heather Scott!  If you've never tried this technique ... it's a MUST!

Happy Paper Crafting
Mischelle

Wild and Wonderful Wednesday Humor!

Being a creative person ... I am inspired by SOOO many different and wonderful things ... like this FUN video clip!  What a great way to start a new marriage!

Happy Wednesday!

Mischelle

Quick, Easy and Elegant Christmas Candle

Look no further for a fabulous holiday gift idea!  This candle wrap is rated E ~ Easy for Everyone and is perfect for hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, holiday favors and more!

Laurie Willison designed this GORGEOUS gift and I can't wait to make more!  One of the most important details is the Burnt Umber Ink stippled along the edge of the pattered paper where it meets the candle.  Easily add polish and pizazz with this technique!

Laurie stamped a greeting on white cardstock, layered it onto a brown mat and then added brads to each of the four corners.  And don't forget that touch of ribbon!  Sassy and sophisticated!

Speaking of polish ... Laurie polished the back of this candle quite nicely!  She folded the paper and ribbon in about 1/2" before adhering down.  It leaves a very finished edge and the ribbon stays crisp and clean!

Candles are ALWAYS in style and this one is perfect for the holiday season!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Thanksgiving Booklet

You may remember this project!  Bella Flor Mini Album   This is the Bella Flor Mini Album and one of my all time favorites!  

I LOVE re-inventing and re-using projects and recently I made Thanksgiving Booklets using this design.  I used our FABULOUS Penelope Papers because I was creating Thanksgiving Prayer Booklets as favors for Thanksgiving Day.  I even made some of these for my friend Debbie who recently had a fund raiser for her daughters mission trip to Chili.  I hear they sold very well!

On the insert pages I simply put one of these prayers or quotes. Download Thanksgiving Prayers  You can see I set these up on pages for mass production!  Here is a one page copy of the Prayers  Download Thanksgiving Day Prayers 

I LOVE this project and it would work wonderfully with some of our past Thanksgiving themed albums as well!  Here a few of my favorites ...

Penelope Pumpkin Mini Album ~ This would be incredibly FUN!

Turkey Mini Album ~ A fun idea for sure!

Sydney Circle Album ~ This is a SUCH a FAVORITE of mine! 

In all honesty ... most of our mini albums could easily be converted into a Thanksgiving Booklet!  I LOVE this project for so many reasons but mostly because it causes you to stop, reflect and give thanks!  What a great gift to share with our friends and loved ones alike!  This is a FAST, EASY, FUN and FABULOUS project to make and share with others and I promise you ... it will be a treasure for years to come!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle