Just Believe / NAC #25 / My Challenge # 52

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Hey y'all. I hope you've had a great week and are having a wonderful start to a long holiday weekend. Just a quick post for you now, because I've got another post coming up right after this one. :)

This is the season to believe. Believe in the seen and the unseen... Believe that there is not only a reason for the season, but even as hard as it may seem a reason for those things that we can simply not comprehend. Sometimes we just have to Believe. Believe in ourselves and those around us, that we are not alone, and that someone or something more powerful than us is watching out for us and over us. For me that's a belief in God. For you it may be something or someone else. At the end of the day, I hope you remember to also Believe in yourself.

When I started to make this card, I wanted to make one that was gender neutral and could be given for any reason. I used the Candlelight Christmas DSP and the Snowflake Soiree stamp set, so I may not be able to really give it at any time of the year, I've still got a few months till Spring that I can give it to someone to let them know that I'm with them. Here's today's card-

Snowflake Soiree and Candlelight Christmas Card

I think Masculine cards are hard to make and even though I didn't intend to make a "masculine" card, I think this could easily be given to a guy as well as a girl.

Here's the sketch I used-

It's from the Nacho Average Challenge's weekly challenge. There's even still time for you to join along in the fun and whip up a card to enter. If you haven't checked them out yet, I really hope you will. They alternate between sketch challenges and color challenges and even though I find color challenges to be really challenging (no pun intended) they really make me step out of my comfort zone and get creative. Know what else, the ladies on the DT are so stinking creative and leave the nicest comments. I really do hope you'll check them out!

I altered my card only slightly from the sketch in that I offset my scallops so they alternated instead of layering right on top of each other. And just in case you're wondering, I cut them at 6 x 2 and this gave me enough paper to overlap and still fit on the card. I simply layered the all, adhered them (with Tombow of course) and then flipped my card over and trimmed the excess off using my paper snips. I used my Scalloped Edgelet to cut the layers.

Here's a close-up of the center piece-

I used Early Espresso and Crumb Cake inks to stamp the snowflakes on a scrap of Very Vanilla c/s.and then sponged around the edge with more E.E. I couldn't help myself and let Tink have her way with the snowflakes even though it's hard to see here. This is adhered with Dimensionals to make it stand out just a little. Oh and I forgot to tell you that I used a piece of Very Vanilla Seam Binding that I wrapped around the card front and adhered with SNAIL. The ends are hidden beneath this piece.

Here's the inside-

I just love the font they used with the Snowflake Soiree set. Just a little sponging and a few more snowflakes here and my card was finished.

So what do you think? I hope you liked it and I hope the ladies over at NAC do too. I love hearing from you so if you liked today's card or have questions about it, I hope you'll leave me a comment below. I read all off them and they really do make my day! If you'd like to +1 or Pin it, I've put those buttons here on my page for your convenience. Friends and Followers are always welcome too! :)

Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy day to stop by my little corner of the world.  You are very appreciated! Till Next Time (which in this case is just a few minutes)-

Remember- Life is often more about the storms than the peace they seek to overwhelm. It's not about Waiting for the storms to pass, but Learning to Dance in the rain.

Be Safe,
Shan 

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End of the Week Technique # 54 / Altering the Cannery Framelet

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Hey y'all. Happy Sunday! I hope you're having a great weekend and are looking forward to having a good day off tomorrow. FIrst off, I'd like to say a big Thanks!,  to all of our service Men and Women who risk their lives to keep our country safe. You are so appreciated! Today was our team holiday party and I needed to make a gift so, I made a gift and a matching card to go with it. Hope you like  it.

Here's today's card-

Holiday Card featuring Candlelight Suite DSP &
 Altered Cannery Framelet

Time got away from me today and before I knew it, I had to hurry up and make a card to go with my gift. You know I don't always work well under pressure & this card was no exception. I had a layout in mind, or at least I thought I did. I was trying to re-create a layout I had seen once on a challenge. It just wasn't coming together so I think I must have forgotten something. This is what I came up with instead.

I started with a standard base of Real Red c/s. Next came a layer of Very Vanilla with Early Espresso sponged around the edges. For my layers, here are the measurements. Two pieces of Early Espresso cut at 2 x 3. The two pieces of DSP are from the Candlelight Suite DSP and are cut at 1 3/4 x 2 3/4. Normally I would have layered the Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon around the V.V. c/s but I had already Tombow'ed it down. I really thought my card was going a different way. *SMH* Since I had already adhered it I ended up wrapping it all the way around the card front and tied it in a bow so the ends would trail down and fill the open space. I wanted my card to coordinate with my gift in more ways than one so I added a little jar in the upper space and topped it with a piece of coordinating fabric from the same Candlelight Suite. Both the Jar and the fabric topper were adhered with Dimensionals.

Here's a close-up of this element-

Like I said, I was in a bit of a hurry, so after I had finished it and was leaving I remembered I wanted to make it glittery and shimmery. Oh well, I think it still looks nice. This jar was cut from Whisper White c/s and was cut out with the Cannery Framelet using the technique shown below. It was sponged with Pretty in Pink and then the edges were sponged with Early Espresso to define the edges. I used the Topper Framelet and Candlelight Suite Fabric to create a coordinating fabric topper.

*Tip* When using the Framelets to cut fabric, you will need to run it through your Big Shot multiple times. I think I ran it through, back and forth, about 5 times and still had to lightly snip a few spots. However, it really made a nice addition and was totally worth the effort.

Here's the inside-

I stamped the sentiment from Greetings of the Season in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla c/s. I feel really bad that I didn't stamp something pretty on the inside, but I just ran out of time. :(

Here's the gift I made-

It's a Sugar Scrub. I've actually seen this in a couple of place on Pinterest. I thought I had it Pinned but couldn't find it, so I went looking on the Internet, found one to try and guess what? It Worked!!!!! Woo-Hoo! This was so quick and easy you've got to try it. I'm gonna tell you how I did it and do you know what that means? You get a Two-fer. Two tutorials for the price of one. Even better once you realize that price is free! :D

Here's what you'll need-
1)A seal-able container to hold your scrub- I used a seal-able Mason jar that I got with a 40% off coupon from one of those big box stores. It wasn't expensive at all, I think it was $4.99 before the discount :) 2) Regular White Granulated Sugar 3) Dish Detergent- I used Dawn's Olay the pink one (it's says it's for softer hands). They have a Lavender one too that's a pretty light purple color. I'm a big Lavender fan but I actually liked this scent better.

Here's what you do-
1) Fill the jar about 3/4 of the way full with your sugar.
2) Add your Dish Detergent up to the neck of the jar.
3) Stir the detergent into the sugar until it's incorporated completely. You can then add more sugar as needed to get the consistency you would like. You don't want it to be too liquidy. I ended up adding an extra 1/2 cup or so.

Here's what it will look like-

*Tip* Make sure to get into the corners of your container. I thought I had everything mixed well and then noticed one of the corners was white with sugar. Glad I saw that before I gifted it! I then cut a square of fabric, frayed the edges just a little and then secured it to the jar with more of my Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon.

I have to say it was well received and I have to say I got a giggle when it was given. I told my teammate to open the card because it matched and I was rewarded with a chorus of "Of course it does!" LOL!!!

For today's technique I altered my Cannery Framelet, the jar one, to make it smaller. I've seen cards where they've made the jar bigger into items like baby bottles, but I haven't seen any smaller so I decided to try. I wanted to try and make it look like the jar I used for my gift. I think I came pretty close.

Here's what you'll need for today's technique-
1) Cardstock in your choice of color- I chose Whisper White 2) Cannery Framelet 3) Big Shot

Here's what you do- It's so stinkin' simple, you're not going to believe it!-
1) Using your Cannery Framelet cut out a jar.
2) Take your Framelet and position it higher on your cut out piece until you get the size you want. Here's what it will look like-

3- Run this through your Big Shot again. Here's what you'll get-

 I love how this looks just like my jar. I then just lightly sponged this with Pretty in Pink Classic Ink to match my scrub. I sponged the edges with Early Espresso for some definition and have a totally different look from the same framelet. :) Here's another look at the finished product-

Well, that's all I have for you today. I hope you liked everything I had for you today. I hope it inspires you to try something new. Both were really simple but pack a WOW for such easy techniques. Love when that happens! If you liked today's card, project or technique or have questions about it, I hope you'll take a moment to leave me a message below. I love hearing from you and read all of your comments. They really do make my day! If you'd like to +1 or Pin today's card or project, I've put the buttons on my page for your convenience. Friends and Followers are always welcome too! :)

Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy day to stop by my little corner of the world. You are very appreciated! I hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday tomorrow filled with plenty of time for Family, Friends and of course Creativity. If you get a chance, I hope the next time you see a Uniformed Service member, you'll tell them thanks for their time and effort. Till Next Time-

Remember- Life is often more about the storms than the peace they seek to overwhelm. It's not about Waiting for the storm to pass, but Learning to Dance in the rain.

Be Safe,
Shan Pin It

Believe & Peace on Earth on Freedom Day / End of the Week Technique #47 Making a Wavy Border / RHSSC #53

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Hey y'all. Happy Tuesday. I don't know about you, but I'd really like a Do-Over for the whole week so far. Major accident on the road this morning turned my 30 minute ride into a 1 1/2 hr ride.

On top of that, I think today should be a National Holiday of Remembrance anyways. Remembrance for the way our lives were forever changed and of Thankfulness, not just for the many who gave their lives but for those that continue to put their lives at risk for our continued Freedoms. And yes even a small amount of Thankfulness for the cowards who planned and carried out the horrific events of that day. Not because of the lives lost since that tragic day or the families that have been irrevocably changed. But because of them, those small, weak and cowardly few, that caused us as country to remember who we were, a country united, and created a need in us to band together in ways many had never witnessed and God Willing will never have to witness again. We are a stronger country because a few let hate into their lives and because many let their love show.

That being said it is Freedom Day. I'm sure all of us, old enough to remember where we were that fateful morning 11 years ago, will never forget the tragic events of that day and they many days to follow. I actually don't have a "Freedom Day" themed card for today but I think the sentiment still applies.

Here's today's card-

Holiday Card featuring
Snowflake Soiree Stamp Set and Candlelight Christmas DSP and
Snow Flurries Bigz Die

Another Clean and Simple card for me. O.K., lets call it fairly simple. The layout is C&S I just bumped it up a little. I started with a base of Very Vanilla c/s. I topped it with a piece of DSP from the Candlelight Christmas DSP. My sentiment is from the Snowflake Soiree set and is stamped in Early Espresso. Next came some snowflakes I cut out with my Snow Flurries Bigz Die (I was so happy to finally be using this!) and the border I'm going to show you how to make in just a moment. Everything is adhered with Tombow except for my snowflakes. They are Tombowed together but adhered to the card with a Dimensional. Of course I used my SAMJ to position my sentiment .

*Tip*- I'm pretty sure I said this yesterday (if not, it was fairly recent) Stamp your sentiment before deciding on your other measurements. Luckily, I didn't have any problems but I could have. Especially since all of my other elements were already adhered. *SMH*

Here's the sketch I used for my inspiration.

 I'm not 100% sure, but I think this is the first time I've played along with the Red Hot Stampers (sadly there are only so many challenges you can enter in a given week) even though they have great sketches. Check them out, but finish here first, kay? I think I stuck pretty close to the sketch. When I first saw the sketch, I thought of the Tasteful Trim Die. Unfortunately, I don't own that die so I had to come up with something else. Even though my solution doesn't have the same wide, wavy, curves I think it follows the essence of the sketch. I hope you'll let me know what you think. :)

Here's the inside-

Inside of Holiday Card featuring Seasons Greetings
and Snow Flurries Big Die

The greeting is stamped in Early Espresso. I think the sentiments of Believe and Peace on earth are well suited to today. Of course I don't think snow or the flakes they come from are too suited for any day, unless of course my pantry is stocked and I have no where to go for the next week or so and someone to magically appear and shovel my walkway and of course my sweetie is snuggled next to me. Somehow though, those things never seem to happen together so the only time I really like snowflakes is when they're on a card. :) The snowflakes were sponged using Soft Suede Classic Ink and the negatives from my snowflakes on the front of the card-

Today's End of the Week Technique is Quick and Easy. I'm not sure where I first saw it. I think it was either on Tammy Fite or Selene Kempton's blog. I tried it with different sized strips of paper and you can make this as wide or as narrow as you choose.

Here's what you need- Scalloped Border Punch and Cardstock

Here's what you do-
1- Cut your c/s to your desired length. Punch your strip of c/s as you normally would. This will give you a scalloped border on one side.
2- Flip your punched c/s over and slide it back into the punch making sure that your old scallops are in between the scallops printed on the bottom of your punch.

See how the top "bump" is between the scallops on the bottom? Don't punch your strip with the c/s up like this.
I moved it up so you could see the guides. Make sure to seat your c/s against the bottom just like you normally would.

3- Punch the entire length of your c/s You will now have a nice little "double scalloped border" that looks a lot like the rik-rak found in embroidery/sewing shops.

4- Apply to your project and smile when you see your completed work of art. Smile even more when you think about the smile it will bring to its recipients face. ( I always love that part the most!)

Well, what do you think about today's technique? Simple but effective, or at least I think so. I hope you liked today's card and this week's technique and I hope it inspires you to try something new today. If you liked today's card or have questions or comments, I hope you'll take a moment and leave me a message below. I read all my messages and they really do make my day! If you'd like to +1 or Pin today's card, I've put the buttons on my blog for your convenience. Friends and Followers are always welcome too! :)

Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy day to stop by my little corner of the world. You are very appreciated! I hope you find time to drop back in soon or better yet sign up for my RSS feed or have my posts delivered directly to your inbox.

I hope you make time today to tell those that are important to you, just how much you love them. We never know if we are going to have another day or even another breath to tell them this. Also if you happen to see an Armed Service member, a Police Officer or Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician think about taking just a moment to tell them how much their service is appreciated not just today, but everyday. Till next time-

Remember- Life is often more about the storms than the peace they seek to overwhelm. It's not about Waiting for the storms to pass, but Learning to Dance in the rain.

Be Safe,
Shan

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