Sizzix

Latest SVG Cuts project – Happy Holidays Treat Mug

Posted by Happy Life, Crafty Wife on November 28, 2012 4 Comments

Heeeeeey there!

So excited to share my latest SVG Cuts project! I knew I wanted a ‘mug’ for holiday goodie packaging.. SVG Cuts does have a cute teacup in the Tea For You and Me kit, but the style just would not work. I needed a mug, darn it! Soooo.. I made a mug from a beach pail.. Oh, yeah! And the best part is, it actually WORKED, lol (I won’t get into how many ‘flop’ projects I’ve had.) I am not one for making the ‘outside the box’ projects.. my brain doesn’t work like that, but I gotta say.. I felt all crazy cool making my mug from a pail, LOL! *does a little dance*

So, here’s my holiday mug treat holder! I was going to put marshmallows in it, but the caramel popcorn looked prettier. Besides, I rather eat popcorn instead marshmallows, lol.

Not that I eat stuff I use for projects or anything… *wipes popcorn crumbs off my face*

Isn’t it so ‘warm’ feeling? I love the papers I used! I used some Simple Stories with a small touch of October Afternoon and Echo Park. My favorite part.. besides the popcorn of course, is the snowflake with that big ‘ol wood button!

I was pretty amused with the fact that the boxwoods I made from SVG Cuts 3D Wintergreens Kit actually came out.. and what’s this?… Those shiny red things.. “Oooohhhh.. shiiiiiiny” lol. I used my Epiphany Crafts shape tool (round 14) for some ‘berries’.

Yes.. to YOU!….. I am so nice, right?

Just don’t be mad if the mug is empty when you get it.

LOL..

In all honesty, I’m actually not big on popcorn… and this set still looks exactly like the photos, popcorn and all. No crumbs on my face to wipe off.. etc. I am such a fibber.. waaah. Lying to my blog readers for their entertainment. *hangs head* Although, were you really THAT entertained at the thought of me eating popcorn?..

Maybe if you have a unshowered chick eating popcorn at her craft table fetish or something. Weird.

Anyhow, if ya want to make one for yourself you’ll need these SVG Cuts kits. Even if you don’t wanna make this super cool mug, you still need these kits, so click on over and snag’em!

A little more kits than I normally would use, but sometime’s you just NEED something from another kit to make it look just right. For example, I used just the little pitcher handle from the Home for the Holidays kit, that’s it.. But the mug would not be the same without it!

Now, for all the sizing deets, head on over to THIS blog post! I walk ya through step-by-step on how to make this! If you make one.. or 100.. share them on my Facebook page (and SVG Cuts page) We all LOVE to see our (DT members) work recreated by the SVG Cuts fans! makes us feel like cool kids. Although, I am cool either way, so.. yeah.

Anyhow, while I am talkin’ SVG Cuts, did you see their announcement for the 12 days of Christmas? Almost wish I wasn’t on the DT so I could play along.. lol (not really!) But seriously.. GREAT prizes, peeps! Sizzix eclips, Silhouette Cameo, paper, embellishments (including some from my shop, Paper Play Studio!), $100 gift card.. So be sure to be on the look out and join in the fun! It’s gonna be ah-maaaaaaazing!

Alrighty, time for me to stop yappin’ and send ya packin’.

No.. no need to read that last sentence again.. it was lame enough the first time around.

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Filed Under: 3-D projects, Blog, christmas, Echo Park Paper, epiphany crafts, Sizzix, SVG Cuts, SVG files | Tagged:

Welcome to the Echo Park November blog hop!

Posted by Happy Life, Crafty Wife on November 19, 2012 104 Comments

Welcome, welcome, welcome!! *waves* Thanks for joining us for the Echo Park Paper monthly DT blog hop! I always love you all stopping by to tell me how much you love me, lol jk! (But.. feel free to! Heh!)

Welcome to the Echo Park Paper Design Team Blog Hop! Today the Echo Park Paper Design Team is showcasing projects from our latest collections. Be sure to follow the blog hop list below as you hop from one blog to the next. Return to the Echo Park Paper blog at any time for the next blogger on the list in case you get lost or confused! ONE winner will be selected from each blog to receive an Echo Park Paper collection kit of their choosing. To qualify for the kit, comments will be due by midnight EST, Sunday, November 25rd to qualify for the drawing. The winner will be announced on each blog Monday, November 26th, so be sure to check back to see if you’ve won! Good luck!

I have two little projects and a recipe to share.. oh, yes! It’s that time of year! All our butts will grow two sizes and I am here to help! No need to thank me.

But just in case you’re lookin’ forward to a more round back side…. You’re welcome.

First up I have this DARLING snowman container. This doesn’t have too much Echo Park going on, but that’s ok! That’s why I have two projects to share. For both my projects I used Echo Park Paper’s ‘This & That Christmas’. So lovely!

I mean seriously. I die. How CUTE is this? Look at this face! Looook!

To create this I used my Sizzix eclips cutting machine and the SVG Cuts kit, Christmas Open House. I absolutely love how this snowman goes together! A perfect sized treat container, too! I cut the body out with Carta Bella kraft cardstock which is GREAT for die cutting. It’s nice and thick and holds shape very well. I used some Echo Park clear stamps (Holly Jolly Christmas and Season’s Greetings from 2011) to stamp brown snowflakes all over. The idea of this was inspired by my friend Thienly (since she recently did a kraft paper snowman), and also the banana bread packaging that I am about to share..

Yup! ‘nana bread packaging.. here it is! Mmmmmmm! Smells SO good! If you wanna smell some too.. I am going to share the recipe with ya in a bit! Until then, feel free to lick your computer screen.

A big yummy loaf of greatness!

Yes, folks.. dust off that paper crimping tool! I love mine and especially love it over kraft cardstock! Made a beautiful textured bread wrap. Love the look of the brown stamped snowflakes all over.

See that ’25′ flair? That’s from my little flair shop, Paper Play Studio! You can find it in the December Daily 8pk of flair!

And TODAY (Monday 11/19) is the last day to use the code ILOVEPPS for the buy 2 get 1 free deal! This is my LAST sale of the year! Check out my FACEBOOK page for more details or head on over to the store to check out all my FLAIR!

Sooooo.. here’s where I ask ya, “What did ya think?.. You likey?”..

I hope I’ve inspired ya.. and if not.. I hope you leave here with a craving for banana bread at least! LOL!

Not inspired and hate bananas? Well, you’re just no fun then!

I am kidding of course.. You’re still fun…. ish.

*wink*

Preheat that oven, y’all and find some practically rotten bananas!

Here’s the RECIPE I use. I do make it my ‘own’ though. I use 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and 4 VERY ripe smallish/medium bananas (mash ‘em reaaaally good.) And people, for the love of muffin tops, use REAL butter! It makes all the difference in your baking. Oh.. and I do 1/2c brown sugar and a 1/2c white sugar. PERFECTO! This recipe is FABULOUS and peeps ask me all.the.time how to make it.

Now that I’ve rambled, threw some photos at ya, and made you hungry, I will send you off to the sweet and talented Linda Auclair

If you happen to stumble upon my blog, or ya lost your way.. here’s the hop list! Remember to leave comments for a chance to WIN!! PLEASE try to remember to leave a way to contact you. If you enter your email address for my blog, it will NOT show up when you post. Only I will see it….. and I only send SPAM emails for discounted Viagra to people who don’t like bananas.

Echo Park Paper: http://www.echoparkpaper.typepad.com/
Kandis Smith: http://www.mycreativetreasury.blogspot.com/
Davinie Fiero: http://davinie.blogspot.com/
Susan Stringfellow: http://creativelysavvy.blogspot.com/
Tamara Tripodi: http://happylifecraftywife.com/
Linda Auclair: http://elendae.wordpress.com/
Lowri McNabb: http://www.papervinenz.com/
Nancy Damiano: http://www.thepaperorchard.blogspot.com/
Wendy Sue Anderson: http://www.wendysueanderson.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Gallacher: http://jengallacher.blogspot.com/

That’s it! Have a great week!

Huh.. just realizing that someday someone might Google ‘discounted Viagra’ and end up on my blog.. LOL! “I don’t have that, but here’s a very exciting paper snowman to look at!!”

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Filed Under: 3-D projects, Blog, Carta Bella Paper, christmas, Echo Park Paper, paper play studio, Sizzix, stamping, SVG Cuts, SVG files | Tagged:

SVG Cuts is rocking Day 3 of the Fa-BOO-Lous week!

Posted by Happy Life, Crafty Wife on October 3, 2012 124 Comments

Hey, hey! Welcome to day 3 of my Fa-BOO-Lous Halloween Inspiration week! Are you having fun? I sure am… Have you started on Halloween crafts? Have you been making Halloween stuff since.. oh.. I dunno.. JULY like I practically have been? lol. If so.. you’re my kind of people! New best friends? Me thinks so! We need special jackets!

I have been way too excited about this feature! SVG Cuts has been my paper crafty family pretty much from the second week I started this whole paper crafting thing! They were my very first design team.. I remember following their blog thinking, “If only I could craft like that…” I would enter their challenges hoping I would get on their DT… and here I am, two years later! On their wonderful DT, seeing Mary create her amazing kits every week.. salivating at Leo’s awesome photos and videos and being so proud to be on a DT full of these AMAZINGLY talented women. My friends… My crafty family *hearts fluttering*. Most of you know I flew out to Chicago this past summer and actually stayed with Mary and Leo (owners of SVG Cuts) at their beautiful home. They are some of the coolest people… hopefully they think I am pretty cool, too. Just don’t tell ‘em I tried to kidnap their cat. (LOL JK!)

While I was there I also got to meet the fabulous Thienly and Fleurette who are also on the DT! I had met Corri this past January at Winter CHA (and also saw her in Chicago!) It really is the coolest thing to meet all these ‘internet friends’ in person.. Like.. “Oh, HI.. so you ARE real!” lol! I wish we could have all met up! What a party that would be!… Especially with me there.. hellllloo! LOL!

So, here I am.. showing some of the newest kits/collections from SVG Cuts with three fellow SVG Cuts designers. Amy, Corri, and Thienly. I am so happy they’ve joined me.. and really, really happy they made great projects! (Why wouldn’t they? lol They rock socks!) A special thank you to the three of them… and an even bigger thank you to Mary and Leo for dealing with my craziness and keeping me around! I can be a bit… odd.

Let’s get this going.. no more mushy crud. No mushy crud allowed during this spooky Fa-BOO-Lous Halloween week! Release the ghosts and zombies and let’s get started!

First up is ME!!! I decided to go a different route with SVG Cuts files and NOT do a paper craft. I was inspired by a fellow (and way too talented) SVG Cuts DT member, Brigit. She recently made some iron on decal bags.. LOVED them. So, I stole her idea and made my own version! When SVG Cuts released the Spooky Cuties collection I about died. I LOVE them. I don’t think I’ve stopped touching them since, LOL! I have a few projects in the works with these little cuties on them and just can’t wait to share!

My project.. TA-DA!!! A Trick or Treat bag! Don’t even try to pretend this is not adorable. It’s stinkin’ adorable!

I took a simple plain bag from State Line Bag Company, and turned it into this little masterpiece! A customized Trick or Treat bag! I added on some orange zig-zag stitching to the edges, a frayed ruffle trim with buttons and some Trendy Twine and then ironed on some decals I printed. The Spooky Cuties SVG Cuts collection actually comes with PRINTABLES! Yes, folks.. buy yourself some iron on decal paper (I used Avery brand) and you can easily make these too!

How cute are those cuties?

So, carrying on with the Spooky Cuties, and me trying to make awesome stuff.. is my next project! This is another fun one and non paper crafty. I always love to give ‘seasonal’ little gifts to my kids. Yes, they are slightly spoiled.. and I am just too fun, so this is what I do I got them all sorts of Halloween themed goodies, lots of craft supplies, jammies, books, shirts, etc. and I needed something to put it all in.. or.. umm.. some of it since I went overboard. I picked up this large bucket from the Dollar Tree (so only $1.00!) and I ordered some Silhouette double sided adhesive paper and decided to make my own glitter stickers to decorate it with. I chose the skeleton dude since he would be the easiest to make. I ran out of white glitter so I just used white vinyl for his ‘bones’. The black part is all glittered. I REALLY like how this came out. Super easy to make! Just cut like you would a paper pieced file, peel off the top layer, add glitter, then peel off the backing and adhere to the bucket! It’s really strong adhesive too! Here it is!

So, sooo fun! Here are a few close up shots… and a shot of the whole set up together!

(ignore my hot glue mess, lol)

And ‘the’ set up! Needless to say they were so excited!!! And of course it wouldn’t have been the same without that custom gift basket!

OK, OK.. enough about me! Let’s move on to these amazing guest designers.. My SVG Cuts friends!!! *back flip* Make sure you stop by their blogs.. they are each having their OWN giveaway! Keep reading to see what goodies they’re giving away.. plus see what I am giving away! It’s more ‘fall’ themed and not so Halloweenie. YAY!

First up is Amy. She’s such a sweetie.. so fun and so very talented with her collages and scrapbook pages! Amy blogs over at Aim it Up. Stop by and see more of her project, plus she is giving away a giftcard to Michaels craft store!!! So fun! She’s also on FACEBOOK.. stop by and give her a ‘like’.

Amy created this Fa-BOO-Lous Halloween weekly countdown. How creative is this??

Amy said, “I am so excited to be a guest designer for the Fa-Boo-Lous Halloween Inspiration Week! I am on the SVG Cuts DT and love Halloween. I thought it would be fun to create a Halloween Countdown. I started with today’s date 10.3 (4 weeks until Halloween!) and counted down the weeks. I also did a treat holder for the day before and Halloween Night. I started out with a shadowbox and removed the glass. I cut six boxes from SVG Cuts latest kit called Gimme Candy Boxes SVG Kit. I cut them on my Sizzix eclips using Ecal software. I also added some cuts from SVG Cuts Spooky Cuties SVG Collection. I designed the countdown dates in Adobe Illustrator and used the Epiphany Crafts Tool to create them. One stop at Joanns and I loaded it up with lots of goodies. You should of seen my boys when I showed them the countdown – their eyes lit up! “

Wow, right?! Head to her BLOG to see those detailed images and enter for a chance to win that $20 giftcard!

Up next is Corri from Bug Lover Cards! Corri knows how to keep it clean, simple, and classy! She’s the newest member to the SVG Cuts DT and we are excited to have her with us! Well, well.. what did Corri make to share with you all today? A fabulous card and ‘BOO’ gift box (perfect for the Fa-BOO-Lous week, wouldn’t you agree?!)

Corri said, “For my project, I used several files from SVG Cuts and paper and elements from October Afternoon’s Witch Hazel collection. I used the adorable little ghost from the Spooky Cuties collection and stamped her face with some PKS face parts. “

Corri’s also having a fun giveaway on HER BLOG! Check it out! She’s got a Michaels craft store giftcard up for grabs! You should also swing by her Facebook page and say hello!

And last, but certainly not least.. Thienly from Mod Paperie! She also joined me over on the State Line Canvas Bag post (with a giveaway, so check it out!). She’s awesome.. she knows it.. you know it. ’nuff said!

Thienly made a DARLING witches hat.. a little shimmer and glimmer goes a long way! I love the look of this!

Stunning! Thienly said, “Glitter and shimmer makes everything look pretty! I was inspired to make a glam version of the Witch Hat Box from Gimme Candy Boxes SVG Kit. A simple project, easy to make, but an eye-catchy decor that holds yummy treats inside – PERFECT for Halloween parties!”

How amazing! And again, ANOTHER giveaway! Head to Thienly’s BLOG to see more details on this project and enter her giftcard giveaway! She’s got one for $10 to SVG Cuts! Also, she’s got a fun Facebook page. Stop by and give her a ‘like’. She’s creepin’ up to 1,000 followers! Goooo Thienly!

Holy cannolis! (Sorry, my husband’s Italian.. lol).. was this a long post or what? Hopefully it was super inspiring though! SVG Cuts files are amazingly versatile! This week’s FREE GIFT is the Gimme Candy Boxes SVG Collection. You can get this FREE with a purchase of $9.98 or more. Enter FREEGIFT at checkout!

Now, it’s time to see what the prize is that I have up for grabs! I think it’s a pretty darn good one thanks to fabulous sponsors!

Leave a comment for your chance to win all this:

This prize pack includes:

$25 gift certificate to SVG Cuts
Simple Stories 12×12 Harvest Lane Collection Sponsored by Kerri at Craft Time and Cupcakes
Paper Play Studio Songbird flair set
Four Unity itty bitty fall themed stamps
Sizzix embossing folders
Epiphany Crafts round 14 shape tool.

All ya gotta do is leave a comment! Winners will be announced here on Monday 10/8!

Don’t forget to check back on the other posts! I posted some fun canvas bags today as well.. plus there’s a challenge and MORE give aways and inspiration! Whew! There’s a lot goin’ on ’round these parts!

Thank you SO much for stopping by and leaving some love! I have worked hard gathering up prizes, guest designers and such and am happy to know it’s appreciated You all are making this so FUN! Have a GREAT day!

Filed Under: 3-D projects, Blog, Cards, epiphany crafts, fall/thanksgiving, Halloween, Sizzix, SVG Cuts, SVG files | Tagged:

New BasicGrey products at Sizzix!

Posted by Happy Life, Crafty Wife on October 2, 2012 5 Comments

Hey there! I have a sweet little Christmas card to share with you all!.. That’s right, I am in the middle of my Fa-BOO-Lous Halloween week.. and here I am sharing a Christmas card, lol!

Sizzix just got in some NEW BasicGrey dies (along with other cool stuff!) and I was able to work with this gorgeous dove die. It comes with a fun little bonus embosslits holly as well! Wouldn’t that dove be gorgeous turned into an ornament? I think so!

So, here’s my card! I used the new (and super gorgeous) This & That Christmas collection from Echo Park Paper. You will be seeing me use a LOT of this one. I just love it so much!

I love the little red felt hearts and the layered die cut vellum!

If you’d like to make one you’ll need:

Sizzix Dove die
Sizzix primitive star framelits (smallest star)
Red felt
Paper of your choice
Chipboard poinsettia piece (This and That Christmas)
Ink
Brown thread and sewing machine
Wire
Green ribbon
Button

Start by creating a 5×5 card base. Trim a 4×4″ piece of dark paper. I used the red print. Then trim a slightly smaller piece of vellum. Using the framelits, cut stars out in random areas of the vellum.

Stitch the vellum onto the red print paper with brown thread.

Adhere to the card base. Round corners of your card, ink edges, and pull up the edges of the vellum for a distressed look.

Cut the dove and hearts. I folded the doves wings a bit to add some dimension/texture.

Adhere the dove and hearts to the card. Finish embellishing with ribbon, buttons, chipboard, etc. I added some “JOY” alpha stickers from the This & That Christmas collection.

So, what do you think? I hope you love it! Crazy to think it’s time for CHRISTMAS cards! *thud*. Where did this year go?

If you just happen to stumble upon this post, check out my blog for HALLOWEEN WEEK! (Happening through October 1st – 5th) I have a lot of fun projects to share, daily give aways, challenge, guest designers, etc. And don’t forget to follow me on FACEBOOK for all my current projects and updates!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting!

Filed Under: Blog, Cards, christmas, Echo Park Paper, Sizzix | Tagged:

Day 2 of the Fa-BOO-Lous Inspiration week!

Posted by Happy Life, Crafty Wife on October 2, 2012 84 Comments

Heeeey there! It’s day two of my Fa-BOO-Lous Halloween week and I’ve got some amazing projects to share today! Some of my fellow Carta Bella design team members joined me in showing off Carta Bella’s AMAZING All Hallows’ Eve collection! I just love, love, LOVE this collection and I’m so happy these wonderful designers joined me today!
Don’t forget to check out yesterday’s post along with the Ghostess with the Mostess design challenge! There’s a fun prize up for grabs along with a freebie SVG file from Designs on Cloud 9 if you decide to use it! There’s also a discount code from a wonderful sponsor, My Thoughts Exactly. Use code MTELUVHLCW for 15% off your stamp order! Yay!
Ok, let’s get this party started! You’re gonna just love these projects and I hope they get your wheels turning and get you inspired for some Halloween crafting. Come on now, GET EXCITED!!!
First up is yours truly! Ok.. Soooo… I kinda cheated here. This project was shared on the Carta Bella blog the other day. But hey, if you didn’t see it then just pretend I didn’t say that, lol! I created some spooktacular treat envelopes with the string tie envelope file from Lori Whitlock. I edited the file by adding on an oval shape to create a window so you can see the treats inside!

On the back I used some brads and wire to close it. Thought this was a bit different than just string or twine. Add on some embellishments and you’re done!

See the bling? Those ‘crystals’? I added those with my Imaginisce irock tool. One of my favorite tools to add some ‘glam’ to Halloween projects.. And YOU could win one in todays prize! Keep on reading and then leave a comment to enter!
Now for my fabulous guest designers! Please visit each of their blogs and see just how amazing they are! I feel honored to be designing with them on the Carta Bella team!
First up is Jan. I’m also on the Sizzix DT with her, and just ADORE her work. She’s quite the designer, for sure! Check out the beautiful mask she made. Jaw dropping gorgeous! I want if for my own house! LOL.. No really. Jan, you know you want to send it to me! I can trade you a kid!

Jan said, “I purchased a paper mache mask from Michael’s and covered it with All Hallow’s Eve. Made some flowers, (all Sizzix of course!) paper branches, added a few spiders, feathers, bling and a stick.” Please take a moment to stop by Jan’s blog and say hello! PLUS she’s also giving away a Carta Bella kit (Alphabet Junction)!

Is that anything other than amazing?.. really! *swoon*

Next up is the always fabulous Patricia! Everything she makes is amazing! (To only have that touch, right?!) She created this super fun coffin box using a cutting file designed by Lori Whitlock. I just LOVE the spooky surprise once you open the coffin!

Patricia says, “This little coffin design by Lori Whitlock from the Silhouette Studio store was too irresistible to pass up. I removed the cross from the front of the coffin only because I wanted to decorate the front with the die cut spider web, stickers, tag, and twine. I was going for the “don’t open this” kind of feel to it. For the inside, I put baby powder on the back of the skeleton sticker, and attached him to a curled up piece of wire, so he kind of “floats.” I have this along with the tree and skeleton votives on my mantle…Carta Bella All Hallow’s Eve is perfect for adding Halloween decor to your home.”

Please stop by Patricia’s blog, leave some love and you’ve got to browse around and see more of her work! You’ll be glad you did!

So cool! Open it up and what do you find?..

Love that Carta Bella skeleton sticker! Totally fun, right?..

Moving on to ANOTHER super amazing designer, Pam. I mean really.. how am I even on the same DT as these ladies?

Pam said, “A lot of Halloween collections have purple and green in them, which wouldn’t match my photo, so when I saw the neutral color palette of All Hallow’s Eve, I knew it would be perfect for this photo of my little guy from last Halloween. I added the chipboard banner which featured words such as creepy, spooky, etc. but I felt like there was too much text on the page, so I covered up the words with little strips of patterned paper and stitched down the middle of them!” If you could take the time to stop by Pam’s blog and say hello and check out the rest fo her work, that would be awesome!

Pam has created a DARLING layout! And the title is perfect, “So cute, it’s scary!”.. How adorable is this picture?

I mean, wouldn’t YOU give that cute puppy extra candy? Ooof course! (Hey, that’s a great idea! Cute kids in super cute costumes = more candy.. and what does that mean? More chances of getting chocolate for mom to steal.. right? Riiiight?..)

So, I’ve shown you treats, decor, a layout.. time for a CARD!

This card was made by.. yet again.. another Fa-BOO-Lous designer from the Carta Bella team! Man, we are workin’ the All Hallow’s Eve over here, aren’t we? This totally cool card featuring my favorite skeleton sticker was designed by Jen! Say hello to Jen and visit her blog. You better believe she’s got some amazing projects there!

Jen said, “Carta Bella collections make it super easy to create the perfect holiday card! Everything coordinates so seamlessly together. I started this card by stitching down some strips of patterned paper, then added a ribbon. A few chipboard embellishments, stickers and a brad and voila! A perfectly spooky Halloween card with the All Hallow’s Eve line.”

Who wouldn’t love to receive that card?

Last, but certainly not least, is the sweet and talented Natasja! She’s super talented and she has created this awesome altered embroidery hoop (A project on my ‘to-do’ list!). How creative is this? She didn’t skip a beat and it’s full of little details! Love the pop of green here. Be sure to head on over to HER BLOG, she’s having a little giveaway as well! WHOO HOO!!

Natasja said, “I created this piece using a vintage embroidery ring as a base filled with a piece of patterned paper. I used some green fabric which gives a lot of dimension while layering all the fun stickers and cardstock stickers that come with the All Hallow’s Eve line. Hang a piece like this in your hall and it will be a fun welcome during Halloween….or it can be a fun little gift!”

How BOO-tiful!

Thank you ladies for joining me! I REALLY appreciate it!

Alrighty.. now that you have all sorts of fun ideas swarming through your head, how about the GIVEAWAY?! It’s easy to enter, just leave a comment! Here’s what’s up for grabs today:

The awesomeness includes:

A virtual high five from me…
Carta Bella Paper All Hallow’s Eve 6×6 pad and Brads!
DIY Thickers alphas! LOVE these! Perfect for adding glitter to.
Sizzix embossing folders
A variety of canvas bags from State Line Bag Co.
Black and white mini pack of Trendy Twine
Canvas Corp. 5pk chalkboard tags
Imaginisce irock tool

Yeeeeah, buddy! Jump on it and leave a comment! All winners for the week will be announced next Monday here on my blog! GOOD LUCK!

Don’t forget to stop by tomorrow.. and please check out the previous days post w/ giveaway AND the awesome ‘Ghostess with the Mostess’ challenge w/prize! You don’t want to miss out on these other goodies!

Thanks for stopping by! If you’re new here and like what you see, please ‘LIKE’ me on my FACEBOOK PAGE!

Filed Under: 3-D projects, altered, Blog, Cards, Carta Bella Paper, Halloween, Sizzix, SVG files | Tagged:

Welcome to the Carta Bella design team blog hop!

Posted by Happy Life, Crafty Wife on September 21, 2012 130 Comments

Welcome to the Carta Bella Paper Design Team Blog Hop! Join our Design Team on their individual designer blogs as they share their current projects using Carta Bella Paper products. Follow the blog hop list below to hop from one blog to the next. ONE winner will be selected from each blog to receive a Carta Bella Paper collection kit of their choosing. To qualify for the drawing, please leave a comment on each corresponding blog. All comments are due by midnight EDT on Thursday, September 27 to qualify. Winners will be announced on each blog on Friday, September 28 to be sure to check back to see if you won!

YAY!!! This is the very FIRST Carta Bella DT blog hop! So exciting! I still feel so lucky to have been asked to join this amazing design team with this new awesome company! *pinch me!* I hope you’ve been inspired from some of the projects you’ve seen already!

Today I have a fun treat bag set to share using All Hallows Eve! I Just LOVE a good Halloween collection.. and this one is.. well.. extra, extra good! lol!

So fun! I just got those ghost and spooky tree dies from Sizzix and HAD to use them! I love the look of those ghost floating around on the curled wire. I always say you can tell if it’s my project as it will usually have a die cut, pleated trim, or rosette of some sort… but I think I need to add ‘wire’ to that list. I’ve noticed I’ve been using wire a lot lately!

Here’s some close up shots..

I took the poison label sticker from the All Hallows Eve kit collection and ripped it up a bit and rubbed on some gray ink for a ‘worn’ look. Totally works for this project! I stamped the background of the bag with a Unity distressed dots stamp.

The cute skeleton hand flair button? That’s from my shop, Paper Play Studio!! And just for you all, I have a special code through this week only for the blog hop, use code CB15 for 15% off of ANYTHING in the shop. Good through Friday, 9/28!

Image of Oct 31st - Set of 8 flair buttons

That gray and black twine is my FAVORITE right now for Halloween projects! It’s from Trendy Twine!

And last here’s the CUTE witch hat sucker holder. Fits a Tootsie Pop perfectly! This is a freebie file from SVG Cuts!

Hopefully this has inspired you for some fun Halloween treat packaging ideas!

Don’t forget to leave comments on all the blogs to be entered for a chance to win a Carta Bella kit of your choice! We all are giving away a kit to a lucky winner! Tiem for me to send you on to the next DT member, Pam B.!

BLOG HOP LIST:

Patricia Roebuck http://www.roebuck-adventures.blogspot.com/
Jen Chapin http://www.jenchapin.blogspot.com/
Tamara Tripodi http://happylifecraftywife.com/ <——- You are HERE!
Pam Brown http://happytobecreating.blogspot.com/ <—– NEXT UP!
Natasja Verbeek http://www.vintagetearooms.com/
Jan Hobbins http://www.janhobbins.blogspot.ca/
Carta Bella Blog http://www.cartabellapaper.com/blog/

Filed Under: Blog, Carta Bella Paper, Halloween, paper play studio, Party Goodies, Sizzix, stamping, SVG Cuts, SVG files | Tagged: Tagged With: All Hallowes Eve, treat bag

Alannah’s nut holder

Posted by Happy Life, Crafty Wife on September 8, 2012 12 Comments

Hey, hey! How’s your weekend going? Mine is crafty as ever, of course! This weekend I am still working on my DIY Halloween decor, plus sneaking in some paper crafts! I finished up my last DT project for this month for Carta Bella, so fun! Can’t wait to share my projects with you all!

Today I decided to do some kiddo crafty time with my younger daughter (Older one’s not here.. and the boy was playing Batman). We knew right away what we would make after seeing this new kit release from SVG Cuts!

Kit is Acorn Autumn

My daughter has a ‘thing’ with collecting acorns.. or.. ‘nuts’. She swears someday she will make a necklace from them, lol! So of course she needs a place to put her nuts, right? (because I am pretty much over keeping them ‘safe’ in my nightstand for her) So.. we made ourselves some ‘nut holders’.

Now, I gotta say.. When I pulled up the PDF and saw all those tabs to glue for this container, I knew it was going to be a disaster. She just got over not feeling well and with not being 100% and all those tabs everywhere, she’d throw in the towel in minutes and whine at me to finish it for her.

I was wrong… Boy, was I wrong! I made one right along side her and she watched me VERY carefully. All I did was tell her where to glue and she did it.. all by her 7 year old little self! And she was soooooo proud! We craft all.the.time together, but this was something new.. ‘harder’ I suppose. Like the ‘big’ crafts mommy does.

So, I of course saw her enthusiasm and HAD to take photos to share.. she was so into it! So, here’s some photos of my little Alannah buggy making her ‘nut holder’.

The girl was all smiles! She said it was like a puzzle and was “so cool”.

When she finished the bottom, she realized it was a fabulous hat! LOL! My silly goose!

The lid was a little challenging for her.. tiny, tiny tabs! Good thing she has tiny fingers! She did great! I was about to have her do mine!

This picture totally makes me smile.. man, she is concentrating! lol.. This must be her ‘crazy crafty face’.

I am pretty sure that toothless grin shows her excitement over her new nut holder!!! She did it!

Time for finishing touches… then…..

TA-DA!!!!!!! She picked her own paper, ribbon, button and stickers.. and of course adhered everything on her nut holder

Here’s the group shot! I think her acorn is better than my two *wink*

(Totally messed up the inking here.. grabbed the wrong color.. gah!)

There’s her’s all opened up! And what’s inside?… Well, what do you think?

I love this silly kiddo! *pink fluffy hearts*

So, I gotta share a funny little story. Alannah said, “This is so cool, how much did it cost?!” (Yes, she’s been practicing counting money and such, lol).. I told her what the price it is, but then said being that I design for the company, I get mine for free!… She was AMAZED! Told me, “REALLY?! You need to make stuff for them for ever so when I am an adult I can use them too!”

LOL!!!

Anyhow, this was a lot of fun and I totally suggest sitting down with a kiddo and making an acorn.. or anything else on the SVG Cuts site! This was so fun for her and not our usual cards or painting stuff we do. Smiles all around today!

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget you can get this NEW kit as a FREE GIFT this week with a purchase of $9.98 or more! Use code FREEGIFT at checkout! Whoo-hoo!

Filed Under: 3-D projects, Blog, fall/thanksgiving, kiddo fun, My Life, Sizzix, SVG Cuts, SVG files | Tagged:

Cute tin Frankenstein pails! Plus a GIVEAWAY!

Posted by Happy Life, Crafty Wife on September 2, 2012 55 Comments

Hello, everyone! How was your weekend? Mine was rather boring, just hung around the house, did a little shopping, etc. Nothing too exciting. Except for these.. yes, THESE cute little tin Frankenstein buckets made my weekend! I think they came out totally adorable! I came across these little buckets and picked them up thinking I could do ‘something’ with them.. then it clicked! They are the perfect ‘Frankenstein green’!

Cute, cute, sooo stinkin’ cute!

I had a lot of fun making these! I just fired up the Sizziz eclips.. got my vinyl and ribbon out, and started gettin’ down in crafty town!…

Sounds so glamorous, right? ‘Gettin’ down in crafty town’ Ha! A quick project turned into an ordeal with a kid peeling up my vinyl to ‘help’.. GAH! Hellooooo you weirdos. You need yourself some transfer tape! lol. Then it was snacks.. then it was a spider.. then it was wanting to help cut ribbon.. which resulted in a spool of ribbon being completely unwound. Did I mention I love my kiddos?.. lol. It was mid-day on a weekend.. I was already asking for trouble there. And since I have been obsessed with using my new kitchen nook table, I sat out there. That was asking for even MORE trouble.

Note to self: No crafting on weekends ‘by myself’ with all three kiddos here and no hubby around to keep them entertained.

So, after 2.3 anxiety attacks, they were complete!

I added beautimous bows to the ‘girl’ ones. I love the bows! I am not much of a bow maker… but TODAY.. Today the bow gods took me in their hands and guided me to bow-awesomeness!

*Says the expert bow maker reading my blog right now*… “Uh.. that bow looks like it came out of the dumpster after being teethed on by a drooly baby that just ate a jar of carrots”.

OK.. hey there, ‘expert bow maker’. Nobody asked you! Mmmkay?

Moving on…

I added each kiddos name to the back of their pails.

For people with multiple spawns.. Er.. Children.. You know how it is. If it’s not ‘officially’ deemed ‘theirs’ by a name, being licked, etc. it will become a war at one point or another over who’s is who’s. What’s amazing is this doesn’t happen with the messes in their rooms. Nobody wants to claim that, do they?..

I love the bucket stuffing I chose. It looks like messy monster hair! But for $5.00 for a small bag.. it’s borderline robbery. It’s friggin’ shredded plastic for cryin’ out loud! What’s this world coming to?

Obviously I like to be robbed.. as it came home with me anyways.

So, here’s some little deets on how I made it.

The junk:

An electronic die cutter (Sizzix eclips)
Green tin buckets. You can spray paint any ‘ol boring tin pail, too!
Find yourself a monster face cutting file.. or find a way to make your own like I did.
Vinyl; black and white.. and some transfer tape.
A cage… to lock kids in so they don’t destroy your vinyl and un-roll your ribbons.
Ribbon to make bows.. or tie onto the handles.
Hot glue (for bows)
Basket stuffing.. that hopefully isn’t $5.00 a pack like mine was.
Buttons (I used some from Dooodlebug Designs last fall.

First you will need to find a monster face you like in a cutting file format. This was quite the task as there’s not really that many ‘cutesy’ Frankenstein faces out there in SVG file land (hello, SVG making peeps! We want cute monsters!) So, I remembered I had THESE cute cupcake graphics and with some little editing, I used one of the faces! I liked the girly face as well, but with the lashes being so long and lack of hair, it wouldn’t have looked so ‘Frankenstein’ish’

I loaded some vinyl into my Sizzix eclips and cut it! I LOVE that the preset ‘vinyl’ setting cuts the ‘perfect’ kiss cut! AKA: It will cut just the vinyl and not through the backing. This makes transferring WAY easier) Make sure you change your blade setting on the machine, too!

I like to use my Sizzix die pick to weed the vinyl. It comes in the Sizzix TOOL KIT for the eclips, which is a must have kit!

Hello, perfectly cut vinyl pieces! Come to mama!!! I’m-ma ’bout to slap ya on a bucket! And you’re gonna like it!

Sorry.. getting a little strange for you now?…

I cut my vinyl into pieces like this to layer and position easier. First I did the hair/scar, then smile, then the whites of the eyes, and last was the black parts of the eyes. You have to layer them like so:

I did a darn good job! *back pats* I am usually not all that great at layering vinyl just right. There’s a science to it, I swear.. But these.. these came out perfect!

*Says the expert vinyl layering chick who’s currently reading this*…………

LOL! OK, I won’t go there again.. (And if you didn’t read this looong post all the way through you might not ‘get’ this.. so go be a good little blog visitor and read the post!…. or ignore me and just look at my cute bucket. Either way I am glad you’re here!)

And that’s it! Add your ribbons, tag, etc. to personalize it! A quick and easy project perfect for gift giving!

Likey? Pin it! I love seeing my stuff pop up on Pinterest!

GIVEAWAY!

Want one? Maybe you don’t want to bother making your own.. maybe you don’t have a way to cut vinyl.. maybe you just want something that I have breathed on and might contain a sample of my DNA?.. Well just leave a comment to enter to win! I will pick one winner on Friday, 9/7! You will get the choice of having a name and a bow added or not! These buckets are about 7″ wide (with handles) and 4″ tall. A great size for some Halloween treats!

See ya!

Filed Under: 3-D projects, Blog, Halloween, Party Goodies, Sizzix, SVG files, vinyl | Tagged:

Latest SVG Cuts project!

Posted by Happy Life, Crafty Wife on August 31, 2012 5 Comments

Whoo-hoo! I am pretty excited about this one! I think it came out pretty darn cute! My latest project for SVG Cuts is this cute tiered vintage Halloween gift box set! Fill this up with treats or little Halloween gifts and you’re set!

I used the following collections:

Looking for a creative way to package some spooky treats for someone? Want a fun and easy Halloween decoration? This is perfect for that! Create this to give a yummy gift, or just for yourself to sit on the table and admire your awesome work! It looks great and very easy to create with just three kits!

Get the full sizing details HERE!

I pulled out my good ‘ol paper crimping tool! Love the texture it gives!

The hat GLOWS! Yep! Just add a battery operated tea light!

I used a mix of Carta Bella and My Mind’s Eye paper. And of course it was all cut on my Sizzix eclips!

Whatcha’ think?! I hope you love it.. Even if you don’t care for Halloween, you can make one for any occasion or holiday! There’s LOTS of various SVG kits to choose from that you can use to customize your boxes! And don’t forget about the SALE! Labor Day sale happening now for 25% off!

And have you checked out my shop lately?! I have a special deal ending today for $1.00 off some yummy FLAIR sets! And the new sets include a bonus flair! (for a limited time only!)

Alrighty, off ya go! I hope you all have a greaaaaat weekend! See you again soon! I have a fun non-paper crafty project to share on Monday! *high five*

Filed Under: 3-D projects, altered, Blog, Carta Bella Paper, Halloween, paper play studio, Sizzix, SVG Cuts, SVG files | Tagged:

Halloween ornament and the Echo Park blog hop WINNER!

Posted by Happy Life, Crafty Wife on August 28, 2012 2 Comments

Hello, crafty friends!

I have a quick project share today! I created this cute Halloween ornament using an SVG Cuts file and some dies from Sizzix! If you want all the details, check out this Sizzix blog post.

Pretty cute, right? A whole Halloween tree of various ornaments would be fun! Add some previous years photos of the kiddos in their costumes, etc. to personalize it a bit! And of course I used the awesome new Echo Park Chillingsworth Manor!

OK.. I have to get going so this is short and sweet. Before I leave ya I will announce the winner of the Echo Park kit of their choice! BIG congrats to Janet K!

Thanks so much Janet for the sweet comment!

Another creative and amazing project..just wowzers! Congrats on the CB Design Team- you will do wonder such as you do for EP. Thanks for always continue to inspire and share. love it! And thanks for the chance to win- I never give up a chance to win some EP..never…lol!

Lucky you! You didn’t pass up a chance, and you won! You Can thank the random number generator! LOL! I will be in contact with you soon! Yay!

Alright everyone, have a great day! I am off to get some NEW flair added to Paper Play Studio!