Happy Birthday To Me!

Hey Friends, 

 

Anna here from St@mpAnna Designs.  Today is my birthday and I don't have a new card or project to share.  But I wanted to share with you a variety of cards that I have made over the last few years.  These are ALL BIRTHDAY cards.  You may have seen these posted here on The Crafting Journals Blog or even over at my personal blog www.stampanna.com. 

 

I hope you enjoy & Thank you for stopping by today!

 

 

 

 

 

Take Note

Elizabeth here with another quick craft perfect for last minute gift giving.  I’m all about the quick since my attention span doesn't allow me to take on projects that take days … I am very easily distracted … just look at the piles of unfinished good-intentions lying dust covered around my room.

Yes. Truth time. I’ve got piles. Heeheehee!

So with that confession, I better get to posting the project or we may soon be discussing how to easily construct box cushions for bar stools … which are next on my to-do list … I’m still wondering about where to place the ties … oh brother … see? Off I go … focus, focus, focus …

I originally made this Quick Notepad Gift for a group of church girls I work with.  They were spending a few days at a retreat and I wanted to send them with something from me that was both homemade and useful. I decided a cute notepad for recording thoughts and passages would fit those parameters. 

The little notepads I found HERE caught my attention and so I used them as the basis for my design. As you will see in the how-to photos below, I made my version re-fillable so the girls can easily add paper when it runs out.  They will just need a hole punch and some quarter sheets of copy paper.  Nothing too fancy-schmancy or complicated.

I love that term … fancy-schmancy.  It’s so fun to say : ).

Okay, focus … on to the How-To’s.

Step One: Gather supplies

• Chipboard (I used some with a white backing for a more finished look)
• Pattern paper
• Copy paper
• Ribbon
• Magnet sheet (optional)
• Trimmer
• Perforating blade (optional)
• Hole punch
• Scissors
• Pen (not pictured)
• Adhesive

Step Two:  Cut Notepad Pieces

Cut the following pieces from both pattern paper AND chipboard:

• 4 ¾ x 5 ¾ inches
• 4 ¾ x 1 ¼ inches

Cut the copy paper into quarter sheets:

• 4 ¼ x 5 ½ inches
• perforate sheets about 1 inch from top edge if desired

Step Three: Adhere Pieces Together

Glue the pattern paper pieces to the corresponding chipboard pieces.

Step Four: Layer Pieces and Mark Binding Holes

Layer pieces as shown in picture and mark placement of binding holes. 

Step Five: Punch Binding Holes

You may need to do this a few layers at a time, using the top chipboard strip as a placement guide.

Step Six: Bind It

Thread about 12 inches of ribbon through the binding holes and tie off in a square knot.

Step Seven: Trim Ribbon

After I trim my ribbon, I like to seal it with clear nail polish so that it doesn't fray.  This step may seem superfluous, but it will help prevent the ribbon from becoming shabby as it is threaded and re-threaded through the binding holes when the copy paper gets replenished.  Your call. 

And if you are so inclined, you could also add a magnet sheet to the back of the notepad for attaching it to a fridge or memo board.  I like to recycle those magnet calendars that my auto insurance company sends … they are easy to cut and FREE!  Score!

Have fun adding this Quick Notepad to your arsenal of fast, homemade gifts!  It’s also easy and inexpensive enough that you could use it for a group craft activity.  Enjoy!

Artist Spotlight: Cindy Hudson

Hey Friends:

Today I have the honor of introducing our August Artist Spotlight. 

 

If you are interested in being featured as one of our future Artist Spotlights please send an email here:  thecraftingjournals@gmail.com

 

Now I introduce to you: 

 

August 2014 Artist Spotlight

 

CINDY HUDSON

 

Cindy is from Crandall, Georgia.  I have known Cindy for quite a while.  I have met her through one of my sisters in Tennessee.  We have played games, had dinner, and had Tea at the local Tea House in Tennessee. She is one of the most kindest, sweetest & nicest ladies one has ever met.  I am so honored to call her a friend.   I have also had the pleasure to do some business with her last year when I asked her about a Christmas Tree Skirt (a similar one is pictured below & on her etsy shop that is linked below) & 2 Christmas Stockings (she has one similar in her etsy shop).  She was so easy to do business with and so affordable.  All I had to do tell her the colors I was looking for and she showed me some fabric and we went with it.  Super-Duper-Quick & Easy.  :)

 

You can find Cindy on Facebook:  https://m.facebook.com/2cutebng 

 

You can purchase some of Cindy's work on Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/2cutebng

 

 

About Cindy: 

My name is Cindy, my husband and I have 2 kids and that's where my business name came from; 2cutebng= 2 cute boy and girl. I tried my hand at sewing when I found out I was having a little girl over 12 years ago but after she was born I really had the need to learn more as she was so small and hardly anything fit. I'm self taught with a few lessons and advice from my mother in law on how to do a few things. When Lily, my daughter was 1.5 years I made her a dress and decided to offer it on eBay for sale. I started the bid at .99 and 3 days later sold for $59.00 plus shipping, I was hooked! And so I started making clothes to sell :) I've sold to people all around the world, from France to Japan to Australia. It's just amazing to know that some little girl is somewhere out there in the world wearing something I made! Lily was my inspiration when she was little, now that she's grown and no longer wears what I make I found out that I sew because I love it and it relaxes me :)

 

1.  How long have you been Sewing? For a little over 12 years.

 

2.  What got you started sewing? When I found out I was having a little girl I saw all those cute dresses and I just knew I had to learn how to make them.  

 

 3.  What is your most favorite item that you have sewn?  It has to be this super twirly wrap top and matching applique jeans.

 

4.  What is the number 1 thing you can't live with out when you sew?  

You mean other than fabric? lol!  I like to bring a cup of coffee in there with me.

 

5.  How often do you or are you able sew in a weeks time?  or a Months time?   How many hours? 

I used to be a stay at home mom and owned my own business so I sewed a lot, kind of like a full time job. Now that I have a full time job outside the home I mainly sew on my days off unless I have a rush order then I work on it after I come home from work. I would say on a week an average of 10-14 hours. 

 

 Thanks for stopping by today.  Please be sure to check out Cindy's Facebook & Etsy shop. 

 

You can find Cindy on Facebook:  https://m.facebook.com/2cutebng 

 

You can purchase some of Cindy's work on Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/2cutebng

 

Don't forget:  If you or if you know of someone that should be featured on our Artist Spotlight please shoot us an email at:  thecraftingjournals@gmail.com

 

"Thinking of You" Card

Hey There Friends,

 

Anna here from St@mpanna Designs posting again this week to share with you a card I made.  

 I made this card using a circle punch & a circle scalloped punch. 

 

To get my circles lined up, on the white cardstock, I used a pencil to mark where I wanted to punch the circles out.  

 

To get the scalloped edge around the punched holes I used this method:

1.  Punch circle punch out of yellow cardstock.  

2.  Take scalloped circle and place over the hole you just punched out of the yellow cardstock and then punch the scalloped circle. 

 

With liquid glue I glued down the yellow scalloped circles around the holes in the white cardstock.

 

Using foam adhesive, adhere the blue polka-dot paper under the white cardstock.  This gives it more of a shadowbox look. 

I made the flower simply by punching out a scalloped circle out of pink paper.  I then cut a spiral from the outer edge of the scalloped circle all the way to the center of the scalloped circle.  I took the spiral and wrapped it around my tweezers and this is what you get.  After I completed my card, I hot glued down my spiral flower.

The sentiment was a print out from my printer and I decorated with buttons with twine and heart punch out.

 

Thanks for stopping by today!   

Altered Letter "B"

 

Hey Friends, 

 

Anna here from St@mpanna Designs to share with you a gift I made for a friend. 

 

This is a Paper Meche Letter "B" for Betsy.  Betsy is a friend of mine and I missed her Birthday Last week so Saturday I spent the day with her & I gave it to her and she loved it.  I loved it too.  So I bought an "A" to do.  {wink}

 

Here is what I started out with: 

 

Not pictured are the twine, spray adhesive, gold glitter, button, ribbon and hot glue gun/sticks.  Not to mention the M & M's, Sweet Tea, and Skype with my sister in California (I'm in New Jersey) for moral support until 2 am early Saturday Morning.  {smile}  

The holes in the "B" were a little difficult to do but I managed it.  I kept saying to myself.  Keep Going it will work out.  That is what I did,  KEPT GOING. 

TIP:  I had to cut the yarn in pieces to wrap it through the holes in the "B" because the skein wouldn't fit through the hole. 

I ended up using one whole skein of yarn on this letter.  I used hot glue the back of the letter to hold the yarn while I wrap.  I would wrap for a while and then hot glue on the back to support it better. 

On the pre-made flower I added some tea stained seam binding ribbon (I tea stained my own ribbon)  added a button with twine to the center of the bow and glued it onto the flower.  After I finished the whole thing I sprayed the adhesive spray on top of the letter & sprinkled with some fine gold glitter. 

 

Thank you for stopping by today!  

Live the Life....

 Hi Friends, 

 

Anna here from St@mpAnna Designs.  I am here to share with you a card I made with K & Company/ BW Maison Collection. 

 

This paper line is awesome for Vintage/Shabby Chic look. 

I layered paper on top of each other.  And matted each layer with white card stock for separation of the patterns.  I used my Sewing machine to stitch around the focal point of the card.  I took a layered butterfly from the Flora & Fauna stickers and stuck to the card since it had adhesive already on it.  The sentiment came from the embellishment pack in this collection.  I strung some buttons across some twine and tied a bow on each end. 

 

Here you have it.  A cute card with no stamping at all.  :) 

Hope Anchors...

 Hi Friends, 

 

Anna here from St@mpAnna Designs to share with you a card I made. 

 

This card is made using a stamp I have been stalking to find it "somewhere" in stock.  It didn't matter where I bought it from -as long as it was in stock.  lol!! Do any of you find that perfect stamp that you MUST have and everywhere you look it is out of stock?  Well- this is the one for me.  :)  The stamp is made by the company "Neat & Tangled".  I ended up ordering it directly from them when it came available. 

This card was made using a pre-made base by Memory Box.  I bought a few packs of them when they were on sale at a local scrapbook store. 

 

The pattern paper came from a 6 x 6 paper pad I picked up at AC Moore about 6 months or so ago. 

 

I stamped the image with Versa Mark and stamped it onto watercolor paper.  I poured black embossing powder onto the Versa mark and heated it up with my heat gun until it solidified.  I then placed the watercolor paper into a empty box and then used my Heidi Swap Color Shine to spay onto the card.  With a sponge and Stampin Up's Tempting Turquoise ink pad I inked around the edges of the watercolor paper. 

 

I wrapped the card with ribbon and with pop dots adhered the stamped image onto the card.  Finished off the card with some sequence & rhinestones.   

 

Thank you so much for stopping by today! 

Disney- Deputy Woody

Hi Friends,

This is Anna from St@mpAnna Designs.  

One more page closer to being finished with the Disney Trip from 2011.  Today's layout if featuring "Everyone's Favorite Deputy Woody".  

While we were walking the streets at Disney I seen this HUGE Cookie Jar and had to take a picture of it.  Eventhough I didn't see Woody Himself I just had to scrap this cookie Jar.  I wonder what size cookies are in there?   

The paper is from Simple Stories & EK Success, Embellishments are from EK Success. The little veneer stars are from Studio Calico.

Thanks for stopping by today!