TAC Savvy Projects for People on the Go

Finally Friday - Easter Favors and Treat Holders with Michelle McDaniel

 
 
Happy Friday to you! I'm so excited to be showcasing some wonderful treats with you today! I am always looking for ways to give little goodies  - I have a young daughter who I'm a room mom for, I work at a Preschool and I love to let people know that I'm thinking about them! So when Mischelle asked which day I'd like to do I KNEW that I had to have Easter Favors and Treat Holders!

I will show each of the projects in more detail and remember these could easily be made for ANY occasion...not just Easter :D

First up is one of my favorites - it's a treat holder using a paper bag.

 
I folded the bottom of the bag up and then trimmed it with my decorative scissors. Next I sewed the edges of the bags so that I could create three pockets. I used EASTER BUNNY T-3304 for my main image. I sponged the edges with Burnt Umber and used a stamp from BACKGROUND SOUP T-3346 as well.

 
The tag is from MAGGIE SWIC V-847 and is in the first pocket. This will hold a little note to the lucky recipient (in this case my daughter). In the next pocket I've put a lollipop, some pixie sticks and an M&M packet. Using the same pink cardstock that is on the front, I stamped polka dots (again from the stamp set BACKGROUND SOUP T-3346) using Bella Rose ink. The sentiment is from HOPPITY SKIPPITY R-2041. The last pocket holds two pencils with special erasers, another packet of M&M's and a gummy treat. It's amazing how much I can get in the pockets. Plus the bag I used is a wine sack so it's not as wide as a normal lunch sack would be...just think how much those would hold!

Next up is a pouch using the fabulous MAGGIE SWIC and Cardstocks.

 
I looked and looked for flat suckers to put in this and for some reason those aren't popular for Easter like they are for Valentine's Day. So I kept thinking what else could I put in this? I already knew I wanted to use that adorable bunny from the new Spring Fling set, Beautiful Day T-3341 so I was pretty picky as to what would work. I remember the commercial from that new movie Hop where the bunny lays jelly beans and finally decided that I'd have a sack full of jelly beans.

 
Here is a side view where you can see I've put some jelly beans in a pretzel bag and inserted the bag in the hole. You've gotta see the bunny...he's so cute!

 
Instead of coloring him I just stamped him on Kraft Cardstock and then cut it out. I added a little pink to him using my colored pencils and a little brown for the sign so it stood out more. I used TAG TIDBITS T-1186 to add the "for you" sentiment.

My last project is a super quick one and is perfect for the "older" friends and family in your life.

 
This one is super easy and fast! Would be great for co-workers! I used ANGELEE SWIC and Cardstock to make a little holder and to wrap a few Hershey Nuggets with. I stamped the bunny from FOR ALL SEASONS T-2708 on the green paper and then wrapped it around the candy. It's in a pretzel bag and is secured with a few staples which a topper hides. I used a generic sentiment from HOPPITY SKIPPITY R-2041 on it so I can give it to anyone.

Well there you have it! I hope I've inspired you to create some Easter favors and treat holders this weekend! Feel free to visit me at my blog anytime, Creative Journey!

 

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Christmas Table Scape for the Kids ... Gumball Favors & Blog Candy Winners!

 

Okay ~ I won't lie ~ I think this idea is FABULOUS!  REALLY!  I LOVE IT!  How cute is this favor!  And the only thing I had to do was add the tag to this one!  {smiles}

BELOW:  I bought this 'Gumball a Day' treat from my friend  Danelle Johnson... who happens to be selling these at our craft shows!  I asked her if I could buy it, show my idea with it on my blog and THEN use it for my tablescape idea because I knew it would be PERFECT!  And it is!  Don't you just LOVE it!  Danelle is selling these little babies for $3 each and they are every kids' dream come true!  {What a fabulous stocking stuffer, table favor or a way to BLESS a special little child!}

So I just added the tag and knew it would be a sensational addition to my  Christmas Tablescape for the Kids! 

 

 

If you hadn't heard ... I so LOVE this idea!  And then during our blog hop and chat last night I got another idea from Chelsea Comer that is just as clever!  Check out  Chelsea's Gumball Holder that is also so cute and so clever!  Now I can't decide which to make for the kiddo's ... no worries though ... either one is a winner!

And speaking of winners ... you're probably wondering who won my Blog Candy from our Deck the Halls Blog Hop!  Can I have a drum-roll please ..... Congratulations to hopper #45 ... our very own TAC Angel Sara Woodard!  That leaves us with Blog Candy for one of our guest hoppers now!  Congratulations ... Eva Costigan!  I smiled when I saw that it was Eva's number because Eva and I worked together at TAC several years ago!  If you follow her blog ... WOW ... you know that girlfriend can color!  I wonder if I should deliver her blog candy or make her pick it up???!  {just kidding} 

It was an AWESOME Blog Hop and I went away with so many ideas and techniques ... now I'm ready to start playing!  Thanks everyone for participating and don't forget to tune in for our next official hop:

 
For our next hop we wanted to focus on a technique so we are making the BRAYER the star of this show!  Friday December 10th and Saturday December 11th is all about BRAYERS! Show us what you do with your BRAYER and feel welcome to include tutorials in your blog posts as needed!

It's easy to play along ... here's how: 

Show us what you can do with your BRAYER and your TAC stamps and products! 

This blog hop is scheduled for Friday December 10th and Saturday December 11th.  On Friday you may begin adding your link(s).  You may add your link until midnight EST Saturday December 11th.

During the blog hop join us over on our TAC Paper Crafting Community for a LIVE chat!  That time will be released closer to the date.

The RULES are simple!  You MUST post a card/project that focuses on a BRAYER Technique!  Please use stamp sets from The Angel Company only.

Self Promoting and/or using this Blog Hop to advertise your products is not acceptable.  Please ... just share your project that has been made with your TAC stamps!!

Two random hoppers(1 Angel and 1 Customer) will receive Blog Candy from Mischelle!

If you don't have a blog you can still play!  You can create a Blog Post on our TAC Paper Crafting Community Blog List.  After adding your post link it to our official blog hop!  It's that easy!

Snowman Soup

This November I am doing 2 Craft Shows ~ drop dead right?!  Well, I am.  My daughter is on the company troupe in dance and oh my golly ~ it's going to be an expensive year.  So ~ everyone is doing fund raisers left and right.  Well, I live in a small town and EVERYONE is busy doing fund raisers so I needed to think of some other ideas as well.  hmmmm.....

Enter my good friend Debbie. Debbie had mentioned the possibility of exhibiting at the annual craft show here in Salina called See and Sell ... so long story short ... I weaseled my way into her booth.  {smiles}  Okay ~ she really didn't mind.  After all ... it's so much more fun with more than one!  And then we asked our friend ... Danelle Johnson (YES!  THE DanelleJohnson of Art Warehouse) if she wanted to join us.  (Ok ... that was a shameless plug ... but seriously ... Danelle Johnson!  She's incredible!)Danelle's daughter and mine dance together so she and I are in the same fund-raising boat.  So ... Debbie, Danelle and I are doing See and Sell in November.  So I'm in craft show frame of mind now. 

Enter this project.  I'm starting with 'stuff' I have.  I have TONS of these wine bags that I buy in bulk at Sam's Club.  I have LOTS of hot chocolate ... my family devours the stuff!  And I had chocolate covered peppermint sticks.  Add my favorite snowman set, a snowman soup poem and some tea staining.  Wallah! Here's what I ended up with:

This snowman took the longest (by far) to color but it was night work in front of the tv so no big deal.  I punched some scallop circles and stitched them on.  I was afraid to bring in my sewing machine thinking it would take so much more time but it didn't.  Just don't look closely at my sewing around circles!

Here's what one looked like without tea staining.  It's okay ... but I think my craft show market will appreciate the tea stained look more.  Oh ~ I did color these with my Copics.  And ~ I tea stained them AFTER coloring!  Your Copic ink isn't water-based so it stays where you put it!  WAY cool!

This one is my favorite ... AND it was the EASIEST to color!  {big smiles}

I only did a few of this little guy.  He didn't work great in my circle punch so I just made squares.  I thought this one could work for a man ... ????!

I cut the bottoms off of some of the wine bags and then ran them through my printer to print the saying on.  (The bottom wouldn't go through my printer).  I got 3 sayings on 1 bag.  I didn't use the back side of the back because of the seam.

And here is what is inside each bag ~ I'll have these sitting beside my Snowman Soup basket at the craft show so customers can actually see what's inside each bag.

I'm planning on charging $3.  GASP!  Hey ... it beats walking around town, door to door, asking for cookie dough orders, collecting money, turning the order in, collecting cookie dough, delivering cookie dough door to door and then trying to track down people who aren't home.  Don't get me wrong ~ I LOVE the cookie dough!  I eat it straight from the tub raw ... YUM!  But everyone in town is selling it.  So I'm using what I already have ... I just have to stay focused, work on and finish one project at a time and THEN move on to the next.  Easy right?!

My pricing/show strategy is this:

1.  I'm not going to recoup my time and if I charge for it ... I'm not going to sell anything.  Therefore, do everything I can in my spare time and during my favorite tv shows.  {smiles}

2.  Price to sell.  The last thing I want to do is bring this stuff back home with me!  I thought about charging $3.50 for these, HOWEVER, would that cause someone to pause, think and then walk away to think about it some more.  I want to capture that person while they are in my booth and I want to price it with the current economy in mind.

3.  Make things I would buy.  Seriously.  It's KILLING me to sell this stuff!  And SOOO cheap!  I'd rather save it and give it all away as gifts.  However, if that were the case ... I'd never finishing making anything.  That's why I have closets full of cool stuff. 

4.  Make the most of the opportunity.  In addition to See and Sell ... Debbie and I decided to sign up for another craft show right before See and Sell.  CRAZY right!  Go figure.  We each have sales goals so we are strategically mapping out what we are selling, how much we need to create to sell (to reach our goals), how much we need to sell to break even, etc...  WOW!  Most importantly ... we are creating items with materials we already have ... this is key for both of us!  And we're crafters ... we have STUFF!

So here is my first project.  I'll post more as I complete them ... and spare you all of the background information next time!    

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Tea for Two!

 
Gift making/giving season is in the air and this is an idea I couldn't wait to share!  This darling tea-themed collection was designed by Laurie Willison and I think we can agree ~ it's FABULOUS!

I want to apologize for the glare on my photos!  I had trouble catching the images stamped on the glassine envelopes!  However ~ you can still capture the concept!

 

The images on the tray are stamped on oversized cardstock and then have been modge-podged to the painted tray.  GORGEOUS!

And if you can't be together on Christmas Eve ~ this card and sentiment are the perfect solution!

Pretty fabulous! These stamp sets are featured on pages 26 and 27 of our 2010-2011 Fall Supplement in case you happen to be looking!  Fall Supplement

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle  

One of my favorite things ... from Seminar!

I know ... Seminar was quite some time ago ... but hey ... this is STILL one of my favorite things from Seminar!  {smiles}

Christine Pennington made this for me and I adore it!  It's a cardboard tube mini album (paper towel tube, wrapping paper tube, toilet paper tube ... that kinda cardboard). Christine made this using our More Black and White Paper Download that is available on our website for FREE!  Click here to check it out!  More B&W Paper

ABOVE:  The front of the mini album.  LOVE it!  LOVE the color combo! Red, Black and White is always a classy and timeless color palette to work with! 

BELOW:  LOVE how Christine added a couple of personal touches by including her own handwriting in this piece.  That's actually one of my favorite things about this!  LOVE!

BELOW:  Again ... love the personalization! 

Each pocket opens ... making this a great place for notes, photos and chocolate!  {smiles}

BELOW:  Here is a look from the back.

  

Isn't this a great little mini album!  I keep it on the table in my studio and it is one of those projects that people love to pick up and check out!  I can't blame them ... it's so fabulous!

Remember when you start preparing for the holidays this season that sometimes it's the special little gifts like this one that mean so much more than anything you could ever find in a store!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Be A Blessing ~ What a Treat Backpack

I LOVE this darling little backpack that we received from Trudy Osborn for our What a Treat Contest Category!  I think it's perfect for little treats and a great example of how we can Be A Blessing! 

Just imagine being the recipient of this precious little gift!   Slip a little note of encouragement and blessing in the pocket and it becomes even more of a treasure!

In the tiny front pocket Trudy reserved this space for pencil supplies.  I LOVE this idea and think this would also be a great location for a note-card from mom.

Trudy used our light purple twill for the straps and hanger ~ it looks white here but is actually a perfect match to the gorgeous lavender in the Miss Moxie paper.

Inside was a tube of candy, chocolate kisses and this precious little notepad!

Darling isn't it! 

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Trudy's Supply List:

• V237 Scarlet CS
• V841 Miss Moxie SWIC
• T3301 Mice Day
• T2610 Running Stitches
• Bind-it-All
• Wire
• F13 Watercolor Pencils
• F04 Blender
• White paper and Tag Board
• B319 Miss Moxie CS
• F358 Scor-Pal
• Red Line Tape
• Buttons
• Scrappers Floss
• Pop Dots
• Crop-a-dile   

Lotsa Love ... by Guest Designer Kim Sears

Kim totally stole our hearts with these darling projects and I have a feeling she'll steal yours to!

 

The brown embossing on the stamped heart really made this piece feel so incredibly polished!  What a nice touch!  And the dainty lace ... be still my heart!

Look at this FABULOUS bracelet snuggled in this gorgeous heart box!

And that was just the beginning of the treasures ... look at this!

 

And look how economical this project is!  Kim found the wall hanging for $3.00 and then embellished with our More Mimi paper collection, our stamps and embellishments.

The gifts don't stop there ... check out this journal!  Don't forget to notice all of the paper piercing Kim did!  LOVE it!
 

What great ideas Kim!  Thank you so much for sharing with us!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle
 

Prismacolor Pencil & Odorless Mineral Spirit Butterfly Necklace Tutorial

This basic tutorial is designed for beginners and/or those new to working with Odorless Mineral Spirits (OMS).

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

She Adds Beauty Necklace

We combined our Celebrate Her 'S is for She' and our Snail Mail Stamp of the Month promotional sets to create this darling keepsake.

 

Our Supply List:  T3053 S is for She Celebrate Her March Promotion Set, T3076 Snail Mail March Stamp of the Month, V855 More Mimi, S1900 Tuxedo Black & S1800 Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, S954 Perfect Plumeria VersaMagic Ink, D97 Tombow Mono Multi Glue, F247 Curved Point Tweezer, C1220 Kai Gold Mini 4" Scissors, stipple brush, fine tip black sharpie

Available ONLY in March:  F500 1x3 Black Patina Memory Frames (set of 3)  $5.25;  F501 1x3 Memory Glass Slides (24 pieces)  $6.50

Let's get started!  First we stamped our flower and stem images on two pieces of our More Mimi SWIC.

We used our mini kai's to cut them out and trimmed a scrap piece of More Mimi down to 1x3.

Next we used our Perfect Plumeria Dew Drop to ink the sides and part of the petals of our floral image.  We also used our stipple brush and Rich Cocoa pad to ink the edges of our tan 1x3 piece of cardstock shown above.

Your curved tweezers are a MUST for this project!  We adhered our pieces with our Tombow Mono Glue.  This glue is great for this project because of the tip on the glue bottle.

We randomly stamped sayings from our S is for She stamp set onto our More Mimi Tags and Tabs.

 

We cut them out, placed them and then began adhering.  We also used a black sharpie and wrote out the word 'beauty' to use on our finished piece.

After we finished gluing we trimmed off pieces that over-hung on our work.

Sandwich your finished pieces in between your memory glass. 

 
The view from the back.

Memory Frames are so easy to use!  Gently unhook the tab and pull apart.

You will work your sandwich into the frame.  Note below where our paper extends off the glass to far.  We'll need to trim this down for a polished fit.

You can also see below that if your papers over-hang your frame won't close nicely.

We trimmed the edge of our papers.

And closed the frame.  You'll also see in the photo below that the memory glass crumbled a bit.  This isn't uncommon at all.  We closed the frame and prepared to embellish.

You might choose to leave your frame just like this.

Or ... perhaps you'd like to add an embellishment to the outside of the frame!  You can glue embellishments directly on top of the memory glass.

If you use paper on the outside of your frame we suggest that you coat each side with clear gesso and let it dry before applying.  This will help to protect your artwork.

Our favorite chain is the ball chain!  These are so economical and work with any necklace ... plain or fancy!  We found these at our local craft store.  Another great thing about this chain is that it looks great adding ribbon to the chain itself.

Don't forget about the back ...  you may wish to embellish it.  Or make it the front?!

One of my favorite necklaces to design and make!

simple. smart. sophisticated. 
  

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Chistmas Clock by Guest Designer Laurie Willison

 
If you're looking to add your hand stamped decor to your home for the holidays ... look no further!  This FABULOUS clock can easily be customized to match any decor, any theme, any color palette!

Laurie really did an incredible job with this project and at the same time captured our simple, smart, sophisticated philosophy.

I love the simple, yet very elegant, details.  Notice how beautifully the snowflakes are stamped.  And adding button centers here and there is a nice, warm touch.

Don't overlook the glitter bead around the clock face itself.  This was a great solution for hiding the edge where seam meets wood clock.

And topping it off is a beautiful red bow!  This warm Christmas palette is sure to ignite many fond memories and I believe this clock is destined to be a wonderful family heirloom to treasure for many years to come.

 
 Thanks so much for sharing with us Laurie!

Happy Paper Crafting and Merry Christmas!

Mischelle

Personalized Christmas Doll & Packaging by Guest Designer Candi Dierenfield

 
INCREDIBLE Candi has done it again!  I SO love this gift and so did my daughter ... who for some reason still thinks this is for her!  {smiles}.

Candi so captures our simple, smart, sophisticated philosophy with this gift and packaging!  How brilliant to take a purchased doll and then add your own embellishments to make this gift so fabulously personal! 

Who knew shrink plastic could be so sophisticated!

And what a great way to utilize red line tape and glitter!  So smart!

How chic this package looks simply stamped with burnt umber ink!

And if that isn't FUN and FESTIVE enough ... wait until you open this box!

How charming to find this string of gingerbread men!  This is truly the gift that keeps on giving!  What little girl wouldn't LOVE to decorate with these little guys!

And then the BIG WOW continues!  Do you see all of the shrink plastic embellishments?!

The Christmas Tree Brooch.

The personalized waistband.

Gingerbread House hair bows.

And the little black patent shoes have also been so lovingly embellished!

 
Thank you Candi!  You really showed us how to take a gift from 'just a gift' ~ to an heirloom that will be treasured for many years to come!

  

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

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
 

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

Halloween ~ 'OWL'-oween Box by Barb Foster

If you're looking for some packaging to HOOT about ... look no further!  Barb Foster designed this darling little container and it is perfect for little note cards, inspiration cards, hot cocoa mix, chocolate bars and yummy candy!

And whoooo could resist this sweet little owl!

Fast, FABULOUS and easy!

  Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Halloween ~ Treat Holder by Heather Scott

Here is a darling project designed by Heather Scott.  This would be a great project for any holiday or occasion!  You can download the template on Heather's Blog also!  Heather's Template

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle