Happy New Year

I hope you have a safe and very happy 2010!

Teacher Gifties

We have 3 teachers to give a big thanks to, so we are big on creative-and-thoughtful-on-the-cheap.

I made these cups and the boys made cookies to fill them with and we tucked a $5 coffee card inside. I debated on giving more, but then realized that if every kid gave a coffee card (and most will) then there is no way they'd be able to use them all up in a year. Oh, to have that problem!!

I used Dixie hot cups and some scrap Christmas paper. I used Scor-pal tape to secure the paper on the weird foam cups (no Styrofoam here in Portland-not sure what it used in it's place.) I glued a layered tag on the lid then embellished the cup with a ribbon and glitter snowflake. I glittered the snowflake with ultra fine glitter and Mod Podge. I LOVE the little snowflakes with the buttons. Very cute!

Enjoy the last 9 days of Christmas!

Tree of Joy

I wanted to share one of my favorite things during the Christmas season. My boys have so many ornaments that they get their own tree. And being very short on room in a home of 5 people in a 3 bedroom ranch house, we gave them a tree at the end of the hall.

This will be the last year for this tree. It's too small and can't hold all the ornaments and it's only 2 years old. I've told the hubby that we're on the hunt for an after-Christmas sale 6 foot skinny tree. I don't want to spend more than $20 so hopefully I'll find my bargain. If I don't I'll look in the "off season". :)

Bazaar goodies

I've been busy making things to sell at my church's Holiday Bazaar. Here are the few note pads and matching cards I made to sell. I also had about 20 bags of home-made dry dip mix and various gift card bags made up from last year-but I didn't get a photo. A few little suitcases made from altoid tins.

Hope you're busy with Holiday Crafts and celebrations!

Christmas 2 Class

I made the cards for this last class over the weekend. I was pressed for time and so I didn't get a high quality photo, but for those of you who have ordered sight-unseen, I thought you'd want to see what you're making. 3 Cards made with My Mind's Eye paper on shimmery card stock. 2 Cards have rub-ons and the 3rd has a snowflake medallion. The "Happy Holidays" card is a gate fold with a band and the other 2 are traditional cards.

It is so bitterly cold here in Oregon, so bundle up and stay warm.

Today's high: 30!

More Advent Calendars

I made another and I think I'll stop now....here are two photos of the last one made this year. I used SEI paper and chipboard accents, and mixed in a few K Company numbers and a few things homemades as well.

Cards for the last class of the year to be posted tomorrow/late tonight. Drop me a line and let me know what you think!

Christmas Advent Calendar

Happy first day of Advent! I have been gone a'craftin me some Advent Calendars and I have two more to make this week. These take me about 8 hours to make but they are fun to do. The biggest challenge is lining up all the boxes and figuring out which paper goes with which decoration better. That seriously takes about an hour and a half of my time, because if you know me, then you know how serious the details are to me. And they are even more important when making a gift.

This first calendar is made for my "phamily" for part of their Christmas gift. It turned out really well.

I made some of the decorations, added some wooden numbers but most came from the "Mistletoe" and "Fa La La"collection by Making Memories. I really like the paper and chipboard colors. Then, when I was bragging on it to another friend, she casually asked if I would mind making her one...or two. So I made one up for her and I'll be trying my hardest to make the other this week. This one is similar but I made a few different decorations like a glitter star and a big poinsettia flower.

Drop me a line and let me know what you think!

The last class of the year, a 3-card class, will be posted tomorrow. And by-the-way, ANOTHER SOLD OUT CLASS!!!! Thanks guys!

Winner on Wednesday!

I have a winner for the fun little Thanksgiving give-away:
Winner through Random.org:
Yay, Iowa Cowgirl... You're the luck winner!
Here are two random photos for today's post:

Here are all my "phlowers" I have quite a few. I struggle to get by them when I walk into my crafty cave.

This is all the paper I have in my paper holder. The paper in the top 3 shelves is actually planned for classes. Then there is all the cardstock. After that is an entire shelf for Halloween and then all the random pieces I have to make for other things. Not sure what, 'tho....




Enjoy the rest of your week. I'll be back Saturday with more Christmas cards.

Christmas 1 Class: SOLD OUT!!

Here are all the items in the Christmas 1 class/kit. The class will be held December 1, 2009 or you may purchase a kit with all materials provided and pre-cut. You will just need adhesive and a paper piercer. Please contact me at ladyjcreations@comcast.net if you're interested in ordering by mail.

There is of course the one card that you can view here, as well as a cute 2 1/4 inch box with a punched snowflake in the front. I made a little tag for the box, but didn't think you'd be able to see it so I didn't glue it on the lid, though that is the idea. I left the box open so you could see the pretty stripes inside! And of course, I made the great little notebook, just like this one, but in the pretty coordinating "arctic" colors. Here is another photo:

There are only 16 available, so order soon. The last class has already sold out!

Update November 27th: This class/kit is sold out. Thank you!!

You guys are just too awesome!!

Joyful Card

This is the only card in this class/kit. The other two items will be a treat box and a notepad, in coordinating colors of course!

Today I am posting just the card and should have another something from the kit to share Thursday. This card is on a shimmery white cardstock with a metallic silver and metallic light blue accent paper. It really gives this card an Arctic feel to it. The snowflake has a rhinestone at the center and is lifted with foam dimensional tape. Don't forget to enter the Thanksgiving give-away... Enjoy!

Thankful Hearts

Happy Fall, y'all!

It really feels like fall and while I want so desperately to jump into my own Christmas crafts and treats I'm making for others, I'm trying hard to pause and slow down to savor this fall moment. I love cold weather and wet leaves (when they stay OUTSIDE!) and warm fires and the spicy scents of woodsmoke and pumpkin bread. Yum! I'm so very thankful to be able to be near my family and include them in my children's lives. I'm especially thankful to be able to do what I love...raise my family and make things. And I'm thankful you're here reading my blog!

So to celebrate, I'm going to give away a small treat to let you know how thankful I am to have you read my little ol' blog!

Aren't these just a cute bunch of trinkets? Some fun little Thanksgiving-themed bottle caps, a set of Thanksgiving Clear stamps from Studio G, 4 ft of fall colored ribbon from American crafts and some glittery gold ink from Studio G. All for the lucky winner! Just leave a comment and let me know what you're thankful for! I'll have Random.org pick a winner November 18th and send it out ASAP! Leave a comment to win!

Last Post on Halloween

I love that other people give out this:

My boys love getting all this (although they have completely forgotten all about it as of yesterday!):

The bigger Phillips Grandsons, AKA: Pikachu, Superman & Ash Ketchum before Harvest Fest

Just Because...they're so darn cute!

My boys before we set out to gather candy donations from the neighbors.

Notepad Madness

There seems to be an abundance of notepads out in Cyberland, so I guess I felt the calling to make my own and post 'em. The were fun and easy to make. I went to Office Max-the only place that was willing to cut the pads. I bought a 12 pack of Jr legal pads and took them to the printing/cutting counter and had them cut in half. Since there is a printed margin on the left, the cut left-sides are not useful if you were to make these as gifts or to sell, but they work great for your phone message area, the car, for kids or donated to your local kindergarten class or preschool. Kids love pads of paper!

Anyways, back to the project...

I made a pattern out of cardstock and decorated the cover with My Mind's Eye paper. Inside there is a small pocket for your receipts or anything else you'll need to tuck inside. Voila! a little holiday notepad. I think I'll make a few more (11) and give them as gifts and maybe even add the project to my last holiday class. I'll have to think about it a little while.

As for today, I am so done with Halloween...and candy. Isn't that something? I'm sure it will pass. ;)

Winter Ensemble

These two cards and treat bag are the 3 items in the Winter Ensemble class I'll be teaching and have available for purchase in kit-form through the blog. I had fun pushing myself to make cards and a treat bag using not the typical Christmas colored paper, but a little retro and hip colors: turquoise and purple. I also used stickles and "glitterfied" some clear Heidi Swapp snowflakes.

Each item has a different size snowflake, but they ALL have glitter. I decided to keep this simple since our class is a little less than a hour and we need the time to chat and make the treat bag. This would be a nice coordinated treat set to give to a teacher or co-worker. Enjoy!

3 All Occasion Card Class

Today's posting features the three cards that will be made in the "All Occasion November" card class held on November 3rd. If you wish to purchase the All Occasions November kit, the cost is $10 + s/h ($4.95) All card kits come with prepared materials and color photo instructions.There are 14 kits available as of today. NOTE: as of October 30th, there are only 3 kits available.

I hope to get an opportunity to get my Winter and Christmas class photos done this weekend. Busy, busy! Life just doesn't slow down...not with 4 boys in the house (I'm counting Mike in there!) :)

Hope you enjoy this last (!!!) week of October

Fall Class Kit

I had a wonderful class today with some really great women who have been taking classes with me for about 4 years now! I had a new student and she didn't have a lot of previous experience but she did just fine. With the flu keeping so many people out of work, many didn't get a chance to RSVP last week so I made up an extra kit and have it sitting here... all lonesome.

Fall Kit, 3 cards available now for $8.00 plus shipping.
All Kits include color photo instructions and all materials. Contact me at ladyjcreations@comcast.net if interested.

Added on October 22nd: Sorry, the kit has been sold. Thanks again to a sold out class!

Hope you are having lovely fall weather where ever you may be.

Oh, yeah...It's another Calendar!

I finally finished this fun little idea I wanted to try: A Birthday Countdown Calendar. Funny story...I bought the wrong little boxes for the Halloween Advent Calendar when my sister so sweetly requested 2 calendars to make. And of course I lost the receipt and couldn't return the box favors, so I needed to figure out how to use 100 rectangle boxes. I came up with another type of advent calendar...a birthday countdown. What kid doesn't absolutely LOVE celebrating their birthday? And now they can have an itty-bitty giftie each day for a week (6 days) before their birthday.

As I was making this I wasn't sure it was going to turn out as nice as the Halloween advent, but I think it looks pretty darn good. I made this for my favorite October 26th boy and hope he enjoys counting down the days before his birthday.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think. And let me know if you're interested in buying a Birthday Countdown Calendar kit. I'm playing around with the idea of making this into a kit available as early as October 25th.

Thanks for looking, hope your week is a good one!

Pattern Sample Card

Here is card 3 for the All-Occasion class in November. I used pattern paper from Autumn Leaves cut into strips, red organza ribbon and tiny rhinestones to set it off. I like how it turned out; it's very festive. Certainly not an "In Sympathy" card...definitely a celebratory card.

Hope you enjoy and thanks for looking!

You are a winner!

Hello!

We have just returned from a 6 day vacation at the Oregon Coast...and we had really decent weather! Since I'm working on a project and I don't have a photo to share, enjoy a vacation photo (or two) of my boys. And Congratulations to entry #3, for winning the pack of Halloween goodies! Dev, you're the lucky winner!

I found some more treats for a Thanksgiving give-away, so look for that in about 2 weeks. I'll have a card and another count-down calendar next week.

Hope your week is lovely! Thanks for coming by....

Halloween Treats!

I love fall and as a child I really loved Halloween. As an adult...it's lost a bit of the thrill that only dressing up in costume and getting free candy can produce. Now days I have to buy the candy...and let's be honest here, if I buy the candy now it won't last until Halloween. But that doesn't stop me because those cute bags of chocolate candies are ON SALE! And they are BITE SIZE (and everyone knows bite-size candy calories don't count. I burned off the calories opening the bag!)

So, maybe the thrill of free candy treats has gone, but here at my little blog, here you can get that thrill back!! I am giving away a little Halloween Treat Pack, with 18 pieces of decorative paper-some are GLITTERY! and a pack of GLITTERY stickers, and a cute little stamp from Studio G that says "Eat Drink and be Scary"

All you need to do is leave a comment ON THIS POST. I'll get Random.org to generate a random # and the winner will be picked on October 10th and put in the mail soon after.

Don't forget to tell you friends and anyone you think might be interested in the contest or blog. Good luck and thanks for playing!

Halloween Count-down Advent Calendar Directions

Materials:

6 pieces 12x12 cardstock, color of your choice
Scor-pal (optional, but most measurements reference the scor-pal)
1/4” width Tacky tape/red-line tape
Runner tape, like Tombow
1” circle punch (Marvy Uchida)
Foam tape or dimensional tape
Assorted holiday papers
Chipboard accents, rub-ons, brads and other items for decorating
Michael’s brand wedding favor pre-made boxes
Cricut w/basic George for numbers or chipboard numbers

This calendar holds 5 boxes per row and measurements are for this size. The sleeve and boxes will be a snug fit, but over time and use the boxes and sleeves will loose shape and stretch. The snug fit assures the boxes will not fall out with an accidental knock or nudge.

Directions:
Cut all 6 pieces of cardstock to 7 1/8” x 11 3/8” reserve scraps
Score 6 large pieces length-wise at 2 3/8” and 4 3/4” (on scor-pal line long edge at 2 1/8” guideline and score on 4 1/2 mark. Flip paper and do again on opposite side.)





Fold on scored lines. This is the sleeve body without sides
Repeat with all large pieces of cardstock

From remaining cardstock scraps, cut 12 pieces measuring 3” x 3 3/8” and 1 piece at 2 1/8” square (set this one aside with treat boxes).
On 3” x 3 3/8” paper, score length 5/8” (on scor-pal, line up length of paper at 1 1/2” guideline and score on 2 1/8” mark.)

Score width at 1/2” and 2 7/8” (or flip paper and score at 1/2" on opposite side.)

Trim corners out; fold on scored lines; Place tacky tape on all 3 scored flaps

Remove tape backing and adhere flaps to inside of sleeve, on edges. Start with back edges first, then top and bottom.
Repeat on other side. Complete other boxes. Using a liberal amount of tacky tape, adhere all 6 sleeves together.

For the Treat Boxes:

Cut decorative paper to 2 1/8” square pieces. You’ll need 30 for the calendar

Have one unassembled box handy. Find your reserved 2 1/8” square of cardstock. This is your template for all future punched papers, so line it up accurately. Line up & center template square to card box front and mark the curve of the box front on the cardstock.

Using circle punch, measure halfway down with punch and punch out the curve/semi-circle from the template. With template you can measure on the back of your decorative paper and mark the curve and punch without having to measure against the boxes each time, or eye-ball the measurement and waste paper with each mistake. It’s particularly handy when punching 30 (!!) box fronts.

Using runner tape (I highly recommend for speed and durability over glue) adhere the decorative paper to UNASSEMBLED box (a flattened box removed straight from the package) front. This makes it faster to decorate 30 (!!) boxes.

Assemble boxes and decorate with chip board accents, labels and numbers for the count down days. (Decorate with rub-ons before assembling boxes; it’s much easier to “rub”.) Use foam tape to lift some accents for added dimension. Enjoy the process and have fun!

For more advent calendars I've done: Christmas in Blues; Red & Green Christmas; Birthday

I'm Linking to:

New-Friend Friday at Trendy Tree House

And The Idea Room


And:

Party in a Box!

I made this cake gift for a friend. The inspiration came from Becky's site "Inking Idaho" and she in turn was inspired from Nichole Heady . Nichole's site explains how to make it...maybe you'll be inspired to make one, too?

Check back Saturday for the advent Calendar instructions and maybe some treats!

Thanks for looking!


On May 24, 2010 I linked to: