November 27, 2010

Cosmo Cricket Sightings

Today on the Cosmo Cricket blog, you'll be able to see projects made by many talented Cosmo fans. I also asked you earlier this week for your Cosmo projects. Here's some of those links for your viewing pleasure. Thank you to everyone who linked up projects. And a big thank you to Cosmo Cricket for having me as their guest designer this month. :)

To kick off the Cosmo Cricket project list, this link takes you to all of my Cosmo Cricket projects here on the blog. You can scroll through 35 separate projects, all using Cosmo products.

And here's a list of many of the projects that you guys posted for me. Enjoy!!

http://sallyjostamper.blogspot.com/2010/11/blessings.html

http://frommybungalow.blogspot.com/2010/11/cosmo-cricket-creations.html

http://gloriascraps.blogspot.com/2010/11/sketch-tuesday-81.html

http://gloriascraps.blogspot.com/2010/10/cpc-sketch-tuesday-80.html

http://cardgarden.blogspot.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-placecards.html

http://papermadebakery.blogspot.com/2010/11/old-favorite.html

http://paperella.typepad.com/patterned-papered-dreams/2010/10/seasons-giftings-and-a-card.html

http://pinkbonbons.blogspot.com/2010/11/you-measure-up.html

http://pinkbonbons.blogspot.com/2010/11/scrappymoms-sneek-peeks.html

http://littlespaceofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/11/scrapalicious.html

http://littlespaceofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/11/anything-goes.html

http://kanatanewfpapercrafts.blogspot.com/2010/10/perfect-pumpkin.html

http://kanatanewfpapercrafts.blogspot.com/2010/11/club-anya-mystery-monday-case-featuring.html

http://sally-create.blogspot.com/2010/05/farm-matching-game.html

http://stampingwithannieb.blogspot.com/2010/10/candy-bar-card.html

I'll be back later today with a new post. I'll be introducing my new Polka Dottie Envelopes, a brand new kit and more! I'll be back as soon as basketball practice is over. :)

November 25, 2010

Lovely Little Labels

Paper labels are such trendy and fun embellishments to use on projects. You won't have to look very hard into the paper crafting industry to see them everywhere. From brand new and funky to distressed and vintage looking, lovely labels are hot little items. With Papertrey's wide array of coordinating dies and stamps, you can create your own hand made labels 'til your heart's content. Follow with me as I show you various ways to use these beautiful paper pretties in very simple ways.First, I have to clarify something. There are labels. Then there are tags. What's the difference? When working on projects you might want to keep a few things in mind. To me a label is something that you peel off the backing and stick it on something. Like an address label you put on an envelope. A tag is something that has a hole in it and you tie it to something. Like a price tag hanging off a piece of clothing.

Today I am working in label mode. No holes, no strings, no hanging tags. I have created paper labels that have simple pop dots on the back for adhesion to projects. Creating your own hand made labels is a creative way to add simple accents to projects like cards, packaging items, envelopes, scrapbook pages and more. And if you take a little extra time to work in mass production mode, you'll have a nice little selection of labels to choose from the next time you're in a time crunch.

All of the stamps and dies that I'm using today are from Papertrey Ink. I love to get all mixy match with my stamps and dies to create fun, new looks. I'm also using a color combo of Smokey Shadow and Fresh Snow ink, Kraft Cardstock and little yellow for an accent color. I love these trendy colors right now. So soft and muted. Let me show you a few labels and some fun ideas of projects you can create with them.
Here I've used the Fillable Frames #8 die with Wreath For All Seasons to create some lovely images on Kraft Cardstock. Vintage Buttons tied with Chocolate Baker's Twine add some pretty center accents. Keep the design fairly simple so that you can mass produce a lot of labels for future use.
And here's a pretty way to dress up an envelope with simple, single layer notecard. Add a Dainty Doily and some Lemon Tart ribbon along with a label. So simple and easy but oh so pretty and hand made looking.
Here I've used the Fillable Frames #1 die and stamp set to create some ticket looking labels. The large *YOU* stamp from All About You is a nice match up since it has polka dots just like the label border stamp.
Since the label is really neutral in color you can pair it up with any color you like and it looks great. Again, by keeping the colors neutral and the design simple allows you to use your labels on anything. Here I've adhered my label to a Yellow Parcel Tag which becomes a tiny card insert for a small Kraft envelope. A simple white sticker label and more Lemon Tart ribbon add a pretty finishing touch to the card. Simple but a nice hand made statement.
Next up I made some graphic looking hand made labels to attach to the back of cards or notepads...or handmade gifts, etc. I used Trademarks, Get to the Point and more stamps and dies from the Fillable Frames collection. You could never have too many of these labels in your stash.
Here I've added a nice finishing touch to a tied up sack of crafting goodies. Glassing bags are a great way to package up goodies when tied with baker's twine.
And last but not least I've used the Fillable Frames #3 die and coordinating stamp set to create a few whimsical labels that are stamped with images from Just For You.
These labels make adorable little additions to Papertrey's Clear Top Tins. Filled with crafty items like Vintage Buttons, these make fun little party favors for your crafty friends.
Sooo, as you can see labels are a great little item to have handy in your stash. I can see me making a big stash of these to have on hand for little gifty items, cards and packaging. And I have to say that once I had the labels done the little projects came together so quickly. All I had to do was reach for a few packaging items and it was easy peasy. Go ahead and stick pop dots or Scor-Tape to the back of your labels and they'll be even more handier when you go to use them on projects. And remember that if you keep your colors and design fairly neutral, your labels will work with any color schemes. Good plan.

I hope you enjoyed my post today. So fun to just sit and get all crafty like. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving if you celebrated....and here's to a relaxing rest of the weekend. It's cold and blustery outside...perfect for staying inside by a nice warm fire. I'm finishing up some kits for the shop soon so stay tuned. :)

November 24, 2010

New KiT in EtSy ShOp ToDaY

Edit: Okay, we JUST got back from our appointments and Walmart. I've got me one of them there town headaches as my dad would say. I am delayed on my Thanksgiving preparations so the kit will just have to wait a bit. Then tonight we're back to town to take umpteen girls to the movies. Soooo....I'd probably look for the kit later on tomorrow or Friday. Sorry for the delay.

Have to make a fun to town with the red heads but I will be back later today with a NEW KIT using NEW ITEMS in my Etsy shop. Enjoy this wonderful day!!!

Note: If you're adding links to my last post for Cosmo Cricket projects, please be sure to link to the exact post that has your project....not just your general blog link. That will help me find your cute projects. :) Thank you to those who have linked up projects already.

November 23, 2010

A mish mash post of sorts....

Edited to add: By the way, have you seen these Color Cubbies? Tami McBeain has them for sale HERE and talks about them on her blog HERE. They are great for storing Copic markers and all sorts of crafting tools. I use one to organize my colored tags in my Artsy Studio. They would make a nifty gift for the crafty person on you holiday list this year. Tami was kind enough to send me a Color Cubbie so I can vouch...great quailty and workmanship, nice and sturdy. Two thumbs up from Mish. :)

Hi friends. I was diligently working away today in the Artsy Studio, creating fun goodies.....then I sliced my finger open with a pair of new scissors. My very favorite crafting finger too. The one that does all the work. Needless to say I had to take a break to stop the profuse bleeding and now the crafting is sloowwww. Typing is slowwww.....and painful. So be thankful for your fingers and backup blood, people. Add that to your list this Thanksgiving. :)


This and that:

Anyone have any projects made with Cosmo Cricket products that you'd like to share? Show me your best work by providing a direct link to the project blog post. Leave your links in the comments section please of this post only. I will need links by Thursday.....so it's not too late to create something delicious if you want. Not all entries will be used, I will randomly select a few projects. :)

Coming yet this week is my Papertrey Newsletter post. Fun stuff you won't want to miss.

Stay tuned for another installment of my Make + Save posts coming soon. Great project I can't wait for you to see, including pretty packaging.

Then coming up the Monday after Thanksgiving....Melissa and I will be featuring Day 2 of our 12 Days of Christmas. Our projects will put a twinkle in your eye. Plus I'll have a fantastic kit in my Etsy shop to share with you.

New products to my Etsy Shop......I have lineup of adorable little goodies to show you soon. I just have a few projects to make with them first so I can show them off in a fun way.

Okie-doke.......the little red head girls will be home early today for Thanksgiving vacation. Can't wait to snuggle with my little family......I should write a book.....*Three Reds and a Brunette*. Anyway, hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving for those that celebrate this gracious holiday. As always, thanks for stopping by....thanks for shopping in my little store...and thank you for leaving wonderful comments here on the blog.

November 22, 2010

Day 1 of 12 Days of Christmas

Edit: The next 12 Days of Christmas post will be after Thanksgiving. Have a great turkey day everyone!

The much anticipated day has arrived. My sweet friend, Melissa Phillips is joining me for 12 wonderful days of Christmas blogging. Welcome to Day 1! Here is the link to Melissa's post for today.

We're not quite past Thanksgiving yet but we wanted to kick off this week with a special post. We know you all love the notebooks, especially the holiday planners. So our theme today is notebooks. I can't wait to see what Melissa has created, I know it will be swoon worthy. I think a holiday planner is a must during this busy time of year. I like to give my creations to friends and family a bit before the holiday rush begins. Thanksgiving gatherings would be the perfect time to give out these wonderful paper treats.
I wrapped my holiday planner up in a Long Sleeve so that part of the notebook peeks out. I used Wrinkle Ribbon, a glittery holly sprig, baker's twine and a vintage silky threaded ornament to fancy up my packaging. There's nothing prettier than a fancy package.
Here's the front of my holiday planner. I decked it out with papers from Papertrey and The Girl's Paperie. The notebooks themselves are from Papertrey.
I couldn't create a holiday planner and not use my Take Note set from Papertrey. I added a word sticker from The Girl's Paperie to the top of my circle accent. Underneath the circle accent are lots of Papertrey dies and more sticker accents from The Girl's Paperie.
Here I've added some Wrinkle Ribbon tied up with a button, baker's twine and a Small Metal Tag stamped with *no peeking* from Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers and some chunky Martha Stewart glitter. Under all that are some fun banner shapes die cut from Cork Paper and patterned paper.
More word stickers are along the bottom. I love that these have some of the letters colored in.
Here's the inside of my double padded notebook. I covered one side with patterned paper so that nosy little redheads can't see what's inside.
More letter and border stickers. I love those things! And of course, an embellished clothespin that has patterned paper, chunky glitter, and a button tied with jingle bell and baker's twine. Those are perfect for holding recipe cards, little notes and coupons during the holidays.
More word fun with the stickers...
Double sided patterned paper makes for easy work on this cover sheet.
I hope you are inspired to create some holiday planners of your own. Be sure to check out Melissa's sweet creation. Before I go for today, Melissa and I have another surprise for you. Each day of our 12 Days of Christmas countdown, we'll each be posting a recipe. That's a total 24 recipes, peeps!

Today I'm sharing a soup recipe that I made over the weekend for guests. It was the best dish of the night. My nephew ate 3 bowls and said *Awesome Aunt Michelle*. Gotta love that from a teenage boy! The girls said *Mom, we should not just make this when company comes, it's a keeper*. Double bonus points from the reds! Seriously, if you make one soup recipe this winter make this soup. It's creamy and yummy and the best comfort food evah! I served mine with some crusty bread that I drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with cracked black pepper...and we topped it with cream cheese and some of my candied jalapenos that I made a while back. Heaven in a soup pot, I tell ya! Hope you enjoy!
Of course I had to make a recipe card. The above photo is the front of my 4 x 6 recipe card. Below is the back side of the recipe card. Papers are from Wild Asparagus and My Mind's Eye.
Here's the recipe that you can copy and paste, enjoy!

Potato and Onion Chowder

2 cans chicken broth
1 cup water
½ cup yellow onion, chopped
2 bags frozen, shredded hash browns
½ teaspoon parsley flakes
2 cups cured ham, chopped
1 can celery soup
1 can onion soup
1 cup velveeta
1 small tub cream cheese with chives
half and half, 1 pint
cracked black pepper to taste

Brown onion and ham in large soup pot in a little olive oil. Add chicken broth and water and bring to a boil. Add hashbrowns and cook for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Add parsley flakes, soups, cheese and cream cheese. Let dissolve and cook for 20 minutes. Add enough half and half to create desired consistency. Add pepper to taste. I like to serve with a crusty bread that has been sliced, drizzled with olive oil, topped with cracked pepper and warmed in the oven. The ultimate comfort food and soooo yummy on a cold day. from Michelle Wooderson Nov 2010.

Edited for questions: Both soups were the cream versions...Cream of Celery and Cream of Onion (not French Onion Soup) and I don't know what size the hash browns were...not the giant bags.

November 20, 2010

Cosmo Cricket..projects for kids

Happy Weekend. Today I have a fun post that involves the kiddos. As you all know Jordan loves to craft with me. So it was very fitting that I invite her to create some projects for this Saturday's Cosmo Cricket Challenge.....projects for kids.

I think when you're involving kids with your crafting, it's important to set out a small grouping of supplies. This helps them from becoming too overwhelmed....and making a disaster in your craft room. :) I chose to use Cosmo Cricket's cute Pixie-Licious line of papers and stickers because Jordan loves little fairies and flowers. I went ahead and cut up an entire sheet of the long border strips for with the idea of making some book marks for her school friends. I also added in some Papertrey ribbon, a Papertrey sentiment stamped on patterned paper then added to a Small Metal Tag, some Papertrey buttons, Cosmo Cricket letter stickers and a few Avery labels. I arranged all of the supplies on a tray so Jordy could craft on the big ottoman while watching tv and chillaxin'.
I made a sample bookmark so she could have a few ideas ahead of time. It's always good to give kids some ideas to get their creative juices flowing. This is the front...
.....and this is the back of the bookmark.
The 12 x 12 sheet of patterned paper that is all borders is a great sheet for bookmarks. The fun patterns are aligned on strips...perfect for bookmarks!
Sticker letters are always fun. Jordan used them to spell out her friend's names.
Ribbons were adhered with Scor-Tape. The metal tags were ready to stick on with pop dots.
And here is a sampling of Jordan's bookmarks. I think she did a great job. She carefully picked colors that each of her friends would like. I love that about Jordan. She thinks things through and is so thoughtful of others.
I think kids love to see their names on things too. I love that Jordan added each name like she did here with Claire. Claire is to thank for the bookmark idea. She posted on FaceBook that she lost her IPod but then found it.....in her math book because she used it as a bookmark. I think Claire definitely needs a bookmark! :)
I hope you enjoy Jordan's bookmarks. Perhaps you can get crafty with the kiddos today!

For more crafting with kids, you can see Jordan's birthday invitations she made using more Cosmo goodies. And this is the birthday card I made for Jordan, made to match her birthday invitations. Enjoy!!

November 19, 2010

You guessed it....

My hints were right on!  Sweet Melissa Phillips is my blogging buddy.  I am so thrilled because Melissa is the sweetest little thing ever and her projects make me sigh with great delight.  She will be joining me for 12 wonderful, eye candy filled days of crafty holiday fun.  Please join Melissa and me as we share our 12 Days of Christmas on each of our blogs.  We have themes planned for each day and the excitement begins when we each put our special touches to work.  The magic begins on Monday, November 22nd.  Won't you join us?

Larger Than Life

Edit: Ohhh, I forgot to mention the fun holiday festivities coming to the blogaroonie. The big kick off will be Monday, November 22nd. Can you say "12 days of holiday fun"? That's right, my blogging buddy and I are doing 12 wonderful days of holiday projects. Sprinkled in here and there. We might even try for some guest designer spots to celebrate with us.

Many of you made guesses as to who my blogging buddy might be. Here's a few more tips to narrow down the selection: It's not Jordy, she's too busy with school stuff. She lives outside of Kansas. She is a wonderful mother. She does vintage like no other. She ties the best loopy bows ever. Her blog posts make your heart melt.

Hi friends. Busy day here as we have company coming for the weekend. My sister and I are hitting TWO auctions this weekend, maybe a THIRD. So excited. Tomorrow night we're having chili and potatoe chowder and all the fixin's. It's going to be a fun weekend!

Here's a I made from Lisa's Larger than Life stamp set. And it has coordinating dies, so awesome!
I love all these pretty layers of flowers tied up with silk ribbon and twine. Pretty little Papertrey papers along with some vintage ledger paper and cork paper from my Etsy shop.
Enjoy your day and have an even better weekend!! I suggest you go junkin'. Then do some crafting. And a little soup making in between. :)

You can find this card here in my Etsy shop. :)
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