New Year's Resolution - Gum Holder Tutorial

Hi everyone!! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Are you getting ready for 2010? I can barely believe that we're about to embark on a new decade!! It seems like yesterday when the whole world was worrying over Y2K. I've already thought about things I'd like to change in myself for the new year. At the top of that resolution list is to spend less time procrastinating. With that said, I figured that I'd get started now by working on Valentines' treats.

The following tutorial will show you how to make a fun gum slider. You'll need:
- package of gum (the type with the foil slider of gum - I used Eclipse)
- double-sided cardstock
- scoring tools
- Terrifically Tacky Tape
- Rubber Romance images (I used Cutie Pie Bird & You're Tweet sentiment)


First measure your gum package to determine how much cardstock is needed for the cover. With the Eclipse, the package was 4" x 2.5".

Using the dimensions, cut cardstock to size. I cut mine 4" x 5.75" - to determine the long side, double the width (2.5) and add .75.

I have a Scor-Pal, but it doesn't always have the increments that I need. I find using a grid mat, T-square, and bone folder is super easy. For the Eclipse gum slider, I scored at .25", 2.75", 3", and 5.5".

After scoring, go back over with the bone folder and crease all scored lines.

This is what it should look like after you've creased all of the scored lines.

Add Terrifically Tacky Tape to one of the edges. I always use my bone folder to press the tape and make a secure bond. Do not adhere it to the other end yet.

Decorate the front of the gum slider. you can see that I added some paper piecing and a fun googily eye. Then remove the paper of the Terrifically Tacky Tape and adhere the two ends. Slide in your gum and Voila!!

Happy New Year and here's to keeping up with our resolutions!!

Gift Card Tutorial

Christmas has come and gone, but birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions will still be around the corner. You may find yourself in a pinch for a last-minute gift I am going to show you the easiest gift card holder to make that I have found yet. You will still have to buy the gift card, but you can whip up the perfect way to present it in minutes!

Supplies Needed:
Card Stock 4.25 x 10"
Patterned Paper (for outside of GC Holder) 2 pieces 4 x 2.75" and 1 piece 4 x 1.75"
Patterned Paper (for inside of GC Holder) 2 pieces 4 x 2.75"; 1 piece 4 x 1.75" and 2 pieces 4 x .75"
Scoring tool
Glue Dots and/or Sticky Strip
Adhesive of choice
Corner Rounder or other Corner Punch (this is optional but gives a nice finish to the project)
Stamps, Ribbon, Scraps (for stamping on) and other embellishments.
Score your 4 x 10" card stock at 3, 4, 5, and 8 inches.

If desired, use corner punch on the four corners of the card stock.

For both the inside and outside of the holder line up patterned paper (if using striped paper align the stripes for a more cohesive look). Then you can use the corner punch on the patterned paper on the ends and glue down.
Fold on score lines. Please note that the 1" sections will fold the opposite direction- this will be where your gift card fits.
Flip your gift card holder so that the outside is facing upwards. Place strong adhesive (sticky strip is used here but glue dots could be substituted) on one of the 1" sections.

Once adhesive is applied fold the paper so that the sides stick together.
In order to create a slot for the gift card, place the fold you just created in the paper cutter. Cut between 1/8 and 1/4" off. This will allow you to fit various sizes of gift cards in the holder.
I don't have an actual gift card but I used a white piece of card stock to show how a gift card would fit in the slot.



Your gift card holder is now ready to add stamped images, embellishments and your choice of closure.
For this gift card holder I use ribbon to close it- I wrapped it tightly and used glue dots to secure it. You could also use Velcro or magnets to secure the flap. Whichever you closure you choose, the recipient is sure to be delighted with the gift card AND the holder.
Thanks for stopping by today and have a Happy New Year!!

Sketch Challenge - Dec 21

THREE SLEEPS TILL CHRISTMAS.

Hehehe... now that that's out of my system, let's announce the winner for our last Sketch Challenge:

Debbie Harris - Come on down! You're the next contestant on... Ok... So i'm feeling a little cheesy tonight. Congrats Debbie, please track me down and send me your mailing address!





Here is our next sketch. You have until January 9th to complete a card using it.
Winning is easy!

1. Your card MUST use a RRS stamp
2. Upload your card and link it back here by Jan 9th
3. Have fun :)

Quick and Easy Gift Card Holder

With it being so close to Christmas, some of you may still have some last minute shopping gifts to purchase. Gift cards seem to be crowd pleasers. I like to personalize them with a special holder. They are the perfect way to let your friends and family know that you spent a little extra time on their gift. Steps:

1. Cut 2 identical ornament diecuts. I used my QuicKutz Silhouette to cut mine. You could make your own pattern or just use circles. Cut one of the ornaments in half. You will also need to cut a small white strip to go across the top of the cut ornament.2. Adhere the cut ornament and the strip of white paper on top of the whole ornament. Be sure to just adhere around the edges so the gift card will fit in. I put the gift card in while the adhesive was drying so it would easily fit afterwards. 3. Using the Rubber Romance stamp "Kiss Me You Fool," stamp her on a white piece of cardstock. Punch the image into a circle. 4. Color the stamped image with markers or colored pencil. Ink around the edges and adhere to the ornament center.

5. Add stickles to the furry part of the hat on the stamped image.

6. Add stickles on the ornament top and the white strip across the middle. Attach a ribbon hanger. Hang on the Tree and wait for Christmas Day! HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

10 Days Until Christmas!

I can't believe there are only 10 shopping and crafting days left before Christmas. As you can see I'm still making ornaments. I have another simple ornament to show you how to make this month. These are quick and easy. Perfect with so little time left before the holidays!


I found these ornaments at Michaels. You stamp the image on the ornament with Stazon ink. Stamp gently as the ornament has a glossy surface that is a bit slippery. If you make a mistake, just spray the ornament with stamp cleaner and wipe off immediately.

Here I used "Merry" from Rubber Romance. You can get her here. While you are in the etsy shop checking out Merry, take a look at all the new Divas! Fabulous gift to give yourself or perfect stocking stuffer for your favorite stamper.



After the ink dries, color the image with markers. I found Sharpies worked best for this.

I added some stickles for sparkle and some Kaiser adhesive pearls.

Add cording to hang the ornament from and a bow for decoration. You are now ready to hang it on your tree or give it as a gift.

Here is a second sample using different colors. On this one I added a bit of liquid applique to her collar and hat. It puffs when heated with a heat gun and looks fuzzy and soft.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my tutorial! Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

Kathy

December 10th Sketch Challenge...

First off, let's announce the winner of our Nov 20th Sketch Challenge.

Big congrats to : Stacie

Here's today's Sketch, remember the Rules:

1. Your card MUST contain Rubber Romance stamps

2. Upload your card before December 20th

3. Post a link to your card below

4. Have fun :)

Winner will receive a RRS gift!

Good luck!

tutorial - Double Embossing

This was a cool technique I learned from the stamp show that I just had to share.

First, pick out two embossing folders - one with a tight design, and one that has bolder lines.

[tighter lines]


[bolder lines]


take the tighter design template, and emboss a piece of cardstock running your "sandwich" through your machine ONLY ONCE - front to back and STOP.

Remove your cardstock. Now, take that SAME embossed cardstock, and place it into your bolder lined template. Run it through THREE times - front to back, back to front, front to back (i.e. crank it forward, crank it backward, and crank it forward again). Doing it 3 times gives you a deeper emboss.

When you are done, it looks like this... COOLIO!!!

And here's my card. TFL! Wendy