Sweet Swap Treat

With the new year coming and getting organized and time to destash  ....   and Valentine's Day around the corner  ...  here is your chance to give and receive  ....

These are the rules: 

Ship anything that you will no longer use and that would fit into a cigar box (you do not need to have a cigar box--it will come back to you in a cigar box) along with $5.00 USA (or International $12.00) to 

Flying Unicorn 

201 SE  19th Street 

Fort Lauderdale,  FL  33316

Ribbon -  must  be 18" in length minimum 

Stamps  - gently used  

6x6  paper 

embellishments  - solid  companies -- not from the dollar store please  ....

precut  dies  

brads 

buttons  

rubons  

3-D  embellishments  

flowers 

Please include a content list of what you are including in your swap package along with 

a valentine tag or card that you have made  ...   only one  

On  February 02, 2012  Alda, owner of the Flying Unicorn, will sort and put cigar box packages together for everyone that has participated  and send  them  back out  in time for Valentine sweet scrapping  treats  ...

A note on the tag:  this is a tag I made at the beginning of this year and it remains one of my favorite things that I created in 2011.  I'll be making a new, different tag or card for this swap.

No Place Like Home

The holiday weekend is officially over.  It was a wonderful time with the family.  DH did his first reading of a special Christmas story he wrote.  And we thoroughly enjoyed watching our granddaughter experience her first Christmas. 

Not a new layout.  Our garden gate.  

Merry Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas Day!  This also is my BIL's birthday.  Happy Birthday M!!!!!! 


I sent him this card.  The front was published in the November issue of the Flying Unicorn's Enchanting Creations e-magazine.

 

The front features a rosette I made using my MS scoreboard. 

I placed a Starbuck's gift card/envelope inside the card and created a little scene around it using more of the Graphic 45 Christmas papers and a gold doily. 

The right side of the photo is a little crooked.  I usually can get 3 sides squared up but not the fourth. 


I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday weekend.  We opened gifts Christmas Eve and had our traditional pierogi dinner.  DD2 and DS helped me make them from scratch.  DH fried them up in butter.  YUM.  For today, I have a Polish Christmas carol playing for you. 

O Holy NIght

I will have a new Christmas post tomorrow.  For today I'd like to share my favorite Christmas song and a card I made last year that fits for tonight. Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas.

Paper Bag Card

I was inspired to make this card after seeing the beautiful paper bag cards made by Debbie. My vintage theme was inspired by Nancy Maxwell James after seeing her Twelve Days of Whimsy. I made this for my cousin Mary.


All of the papers are Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium from the Flying Unicorn on-line store as is the flower on the cover.  I decided this would be a good Flying Unicorn Creative Team project for me to do this month. 
 
The Cover:

Inspired by the Paper Whimsy products and Nancy's designs, I used heirloom buttons from my family's collection.  At the last minute, I replaced the Paper Whimsy image with a photo of my cousin Mary, the recipient of this card.  I think the inspiration to change it came from the Paper Whimsy word label, Merry.

The Inside:

I kept the bottom fold of the bag which is on the left side and used it to create an extra page.  Again, I was influenced by Nancy who used a lot of doilies in her 12 days of creations.  I should have placed a snowflake on it, but I chose a soft bloom because I was planning to add a wallet photo to the pocket and didn't want it scratched.  

The G45 music paper included The Holly and the Ivy.  I decided to give those names to the two Paper Whimsy girls. You see Ivy until you lift the flap to reveal Holly.

I created a pocket on the right side to hold the gift certificate.  I also utilized the inside of the bag by slipping into it a CD of Christmas carols. 

The Back Cover:

The paper bag I used was a little larger than the standard lunch bag size and a little heavier in weight, more like a bag you get when you buy ice cream.  So the size was perfect for one of the G45 6x6" panels.  Add a Paper Whimsy word strip, and it's just enough for the back. The entire bag is edged with Pumice Stone Ranger Distress Ink.

My choice of materials also was influenced by the Let Them Eat Fruitcake recipe challenge in the Flying Unicorn Forum.  The items included a clear embellishment (clock face), doily (lucky there), flowers, butterfly, lace, ribbon, photo, etc.  The challenge runs until the end of the month and there is a fabulous prize for one lucky person, chosen by random draw. 

All Is Bright

Continuing with the Holiday Lights theme this month at Gingersnap Creations, this week the Random Redhead challenge is  GC131 Candelabras, Chandeliers, and Candles.  Please be sure to visit the blog to see the other Ginger Art and get the challenge details.  You have until January 15, 2012 to link up your creation.  You just may be the next Home Page Artist or one of ten chosen Ginger Gems. 

 

A few details:

This month our sponsor is Penny Wise Arts.  I poured onto a sticky sheet their clear Ultra Fine Micro Beads. So what you're seeing is an entire white glittery background of  micro beads which I brayered into the sticky sheet.

The candelabra is Dusty Attic chipboard.  I used Ranger Aged Mahogany Distress Ink and clear embossing powder to heat emboss the candlestick.  The candles are actual wax.  I lit a birthday candle and as the wax melted, I dripped it onto the candle portion of the chipboard.  The flames are Ranger Distress Ink in Mustard Seed covered with Scattered Straw Stickles.  

The blue snowflake paper is from the Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium paper collection.  The word label is from Paper Whimsy.  I believe the background card stock is Bazzill. 

G-45 paper and the Dusty Attic candelabra chipboard are from the Flying Unicorn on--line store. 

A card and a bow equal a calendar page

Here is a card I made using the Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Paper Collection and matching stamp set, both available in the Flying Unicorn store. This was published in the December issue of the Flying Unicorn's on-line magazine, Enchanting Creations.  The issue currently is being featured up above this post.

I also used the Martha Stewart snowflake punch and some crocheted lace I acquired at a farm auction, belonging to a relative of dh.

I decided to use this as one of my pages in my 6x6 calendar book. 

Currently in the Flying Unicorn Forum, under Santa's Workshop, there is a tutorial to make a bow.  Anyone posting an entry there is in the random draw at the end of December for some prizes from Santa's reindeer.  Why don't you join in the fun?

Gingerbread Money Holder

This money holder features the Scrap Cake Cozy Christmas paper collection found at the Flying Unicorn on line store and was published in the December issue of the Flying Unicorn Enchanting Creations on-line magazine. 

I recycled some cardboard to use for the base.  I distressed some background paper by tearing and inking with Ranger tea dye Distress Ink.  This paper line is from Poland where fussy cutting is a real art form.  I fussy cut the gingerbread men, the doily trim along the bottom and the doily and heart on the apron.  I put my white Glaze pen to work decorating the heart and gingerbread men. The chipboard utensils are from Maya Road.  The apron pattern is from Mirkwood Designs.  I positioned the apron on the cardboard in such a way that the neck ribbon serves double duty as the "hanger" for this little creation. 

We have many challenges going on right now in the Flying Unicorn Forum.  One is called Play It Again Sam.  The cardboard would qualify for that challenge.  Another is called Tis the Season to Be Tearing and that is where I'll post this for inspiration.  I should plug my own challenge called Picture This, using images from our own picture gallery. So create something and post it in the Challenges area of the Flying Unicorn Forum.  Each challenge offers an amazing prize, always won by random draw. 

Party Withdrawals

The cyber party at the Flying Unicorn was a huge success!


Each of us on the Creative Team used the same Santa image to create a card, tag or ATC.  For one of the games, all of the projects were posted and the members had to match the project to the Creative Team designer.  Here is the card that I submitted:

I like the combination of kraft paper and red.  I love this Cosmo Cricket Oh Joy: Wrapping Paper collection;  this particular sheet is More Jolly By Golly. The paper is from the Flying Unicorn store.  The paper was a perfect match for the Santa image.  

I used my Tim Holtz Sissex label die and cut the paper twice so that I could use both sides as layers.  The ribbon is from Stampin' Up.  I edged the papers with Ranger Distress Inks. 

I also joined in the Secret Santa Swap as part of tonight's activities. We waited until tonight to open our gifts and then posted a photo of what we received.  Bitsy had my name and sent me a boatload of my favorite things:  vintage buttons, lace trims, handmade flowers, gems, and book pages of text and musical scores.  Giselle even helped and sent French text and music sheets (something on my wish list). I also received a set of Versa Magic Dew Drop multi-surface chalk ink--a new product to try. And some stamps! I feel very special to have such thoughtful crafting friends. 

Santa also was at the party and kept busy delivering door prizes.  Everyone seemed to have a great time!

Tea and Kolaczki for Tonight's Cyber Party

If you give a mouse a cookie......I'm getting ready for the cyber Christmas Party and the Flying Unicorn tonight at 8pm est.  One of the things we're doing is sharing our party treats. 


Yesterday for my "in person" stamp club party, I bought a tray of Kolachky (kolaczki) from a grocery store bakery.  They were pretty tasty for store bought and certainly were in keeping with my Polish heritage even if I didn't make them myself.  So I decided, before they all got eaten, to set up my festive treat for tonight. 

If you've read the children's story about giving a mouse a cookie, then you know one thing leads to another.....  I've never participated in Teacup Tuesday although I have several blogging buddies who do.  I thought today would be the perfect time to join Terri. After all, it's even Tuesday!

Tea Cup Tuesday link

My mother gave me this set of 5 cups and saucers which had been given to her by her youngest sister.  I'm assuming the 6th was the one used and eventually met its demise.  The ones left have sentimental value to me, and I use them when I want to add a special, festive touch to my desserts.

So my treat is ready for tonight.  Now to join in the reindeer games.....

PARTY TONIGHT!

Santa's Workshop at the Flying Unicorn is all month long!  Today it's my turn for the tutorial and I'm talking about bottle caps!  Come on over and post a pic of your bottlecap for a chance to win a prize from Santa's bag!  You have until the end of the month--so no excuses!

We're having a cyber Christmas party tonight at the Flying Unicorn! 

Lots of games and prizes! BINGO words have to be turned in by noon today est!  

Party Time!

I just got back from the Prairie Stampers Club annual holiday pot luck and gift exchange.


There was sooooo much food!  And how stinkin' cute is this?

One of the members brought this yummy white chocolate coated snack mix.  I just had to take a photo of it.  The red Santa hats are Bugles covered with white chocolate tinted red, the tops are mini marshmallows.  You have to admit this bowl of party snack mix is pretty darn festive!


We bring a wrapped gift (stamp related) to put under the tree.  After we eat and visit, we draw numbers.  Going in numerical order, we each get to choose a gift, open it, and show it off.  I got a gift certificate to Prairie Art Stamps.  There were lots of those under the tree.  If we aren't at club, we're hanging out at the store!  I also got a package of French Quarters Dimensional Ephemera by Etcetera.  I had never seen that product before and it will look great on one of my projects.


As my gift to give, I chose to bring the Rogue Redhead Milliner Misses stamp plate.  The recipient was thrilled--as was I that it was a big hit.


There's another party going on tomorrow.  This time it's a cyber party at the Flying Unicorn.   One small part of the party is a Secret Santa gift exchange.  We drew names and sent each other gifts to open tomorrow night.  But even if you didn't get in on the Secret Santa, we're going to play lots of cyber games and Santa will be popping in throughout the night to give away lots of prizes.  There's a link to the party on my sidebar.  See you there at 8pm est.  But if you want to play BINGO at the party,  you need to click on the badge now and choose your words by noon tomorrow!

Getting in the Holiday Spirit

Here are the things I made today at the Prairie Art Stamps holiday open house: 

A few comments about these items (if you click on the photo, the picture is enlarged to better see some of these details):

1) the green ornament is a die cut covered with Elizabeth Craft Glitter.  I learned that I can color glitter with markers.  If you look closely, you'll see some silver trim--Starform Stickers from Holland.  Products were flying off the shelves and the silver was already gone but I bought 3 packs of gold designs.  Love this stuff.  Finer than german scrap and the "sticker" part means no glue needed so I'm anxious to work with this on some projects. 


2) the mini clipboard is made with a thin plywood ATC and metal clip.  The papers are Graphic 45.  I found some wood ATCs at Hobby Lobby so I don't have to send the dh out into the cold garage to cut some ATCs for me.  
 
3) the gingerbread man is corrugated cardboard on top of cardstock.  I got to try some new products including the white distress stain.  I ended up getting the last Tim Holtz die for the pine cone and leaf.  I loved the flower Tim showed as part of his tag tutorial so I can't wait to make more pine cones and flowers.

4) it was back to the sewing machine for me--the zigzag stitch on this adorable card.  I don't sew and always go into a panic when sent to the machine, but I think it turned out pretty well.  This card included fussy cutting and coloring with Copics.


Now I need to work with these.  Maybe make that gingerbread man into a tag and add another pine cone.  Add some Stickles and snow to the card.  Bling up the ATC.  Etc.  Both the ATC clipboard and the Gingerbread man also are decorated on the back side.


I also had some tasty holiday treats and am hoping to get the recipes.

MY BLOG CANDY WINNER

Thanks again to all the folks who stop by my blog to check out what I'm making and to leave me comments. Without further ado, the winner of my blog candy is:

 

 

trisha too said...

Super set of stamps, Helene! One of my real life (you know, the computer friends are "imaginary friends," according to my kids!) friends used to design for Red Lead, and was lucky enough to be able to go to their store in St. Louis. ANYWAY, I'm enjoying your pink Christmas blog background, and thank you for the chance--I DO like mail art! :)

December 2, 2011 1:50 PM  

Congrats, Trisha! Be sure to send me your snail mail addy so that I can get this out to you ASAP. As stated in the original post, if I don't hear from Trisha within the week, I will choose another winner!


And a big thank you to Red Lead Paperworks in St. Louis for providing the blog candy!

I'm a Design Team Gecko Gal

It's officially announced--that I'm on the Gecko Galz Design Team!  Rebecca Farnham, Barbara Bird, and I are joining the team this month. 


And here's what I made for the announcement --- a totally digital postcard:

As usual, no instruction book--I just opened PSE7-- cropped and erased backgrounds and made into ping files for layering 3 items from the Gecko Galz December release: Postage ephemera set:  woman typing, one cent postage stamp, and postcard.  
I did the same with the car from the Gecko Galz Vintage Car ephemera set.  
I added text and then printed and edged with tea dye Distress Ink (Ranger). 

This is not my first digital attempt, although they have been few and far between.  But it's the first time I erased backgrounds and made the layers really work together.

Here is a link to the Gecko Galz site.  There is a column on the left side that has tabs for the products and a tab for the Design Team.  I'm on the third page with a bio and my first design team projects for December.  

Please do check out the site as there is a fantastic promotion going on this month, including prizes!  And who doesn't like free images?

Starry Night

December brings the glow of Holiday Lights to Gingersnap Creations.  The design team's assignment for this week is to create a Starry Night for our Chestnut Theme Challenge GC129.


This month's sponsor is Penny Wise Arts.  I used their mini micro beads to create my starry night.


I started with, of all things, a Halloween stamp from Martha Stewart.   I created a starry night instead of a scary night! I used two Ranger Distress Inks for the background,  Tumbled Glass and Weathered Wood, to create a stormy sky.  The blizzard like conditions were created with Marvy Snow Marker, Penny Wise Arts mini micro beads, and ArtQuest Crystal Effects. 

Be sure to visit Gingersnap Creations to see all of the other starry night art and get the challenge details.

We haven't had any sunshine for days so the shimmer of the beads was really hard to capture in the photo.



I'm linking this up to Maggi's Glam it Up Challenge at the Flying Unicorn Forum.  The challenge is to use 3 sparkle effects  (I used 4):  Penny Wise Arts mini micro beads, ArtQuest Crystal Effects, Ranger Gold Stickles (to highlight the stars and moon), and a coating of Sakura clear Glaze pen on the windows (colored with Copic Y15). 


I stuck with a simple card design in order to focus on the scene by layering card stock.  Rather than a plain card base, I used this very elegant Glitz Vintage Blue Motif patterned paper from the Flying Unicorn on-line store.

THIS IS THE LAST DAY TO SIGN UP FOR MY BLOG CANDY!  See the stamp set badge on top in my candy jar in the sidebar.  Click on it to take you to the post where you leave a comment to be in the random draw which will take place on Thursday.

Ornament Swap

It's so dreary outside, but it's bright and cheerful inside because I got my package of swapped ornaments from the Gingersnap Creations Yahoo Group.  

I'm delighted to get ornaments from Jingle, Trisha Too, Nancy Johnson, and Paula Akers. Thanks ladies!  I will treasure your art!

This was in a previous post--the ornament I sent to be swapped out--I made four of these 4x4" coasters:

Holly Baby

Holly Baby 6x6 scrapbook page for my grandbaby's album:
Holly Baby is fussy cut from All The Trimmings ephemera set available from Gecko Galz. 
I added Diamond Stickles to her coat and Marvy Snow Marker liquid snow to her fur trim; Prima flower; Sakura glitter gelly roll pen accents on holly berries.  
Paper from Scrap Cake Cozy Christmas: second piece cut and glued as pocket.  This paper line is available from the Flying Unicorn
Jenni Bowlin Bingo card; Martha Stewart snowflake punch.  

This Holly Baby image is the one being used for the November Oh La La Group challenge which ends today at Bella Creations.  I have been moderator of the group since it began last January.  In a couple of hours we will have the random draw for the winner of a Gecko Galz ephemera set---and then I'll be turning the reigns over to Heather Hudson.  


As I mentioned earlier in November, I chose to step down as a design team member of Bella Creations.  And now December marks the beginning as a design team member for Gecko Galz. 


This Holly Baby project is bittersweet--my last hurrah at Bella Creations but also a great start to my expanded role with Gecko Galz.

December with the Flying Unicorn

December 1st means a plethora of activity from the Flying Unicorn.


New challenges for December in the Forum.


My challenge is Picture This. Use an image from our Once Upon a Picture Group. This is my challenge example:

And this is the wonderful prize from the Flying Unicorn which will be awarded by random draw to one of the entries for my challenge:

A new kit of the month available in the store:

Two December Guest Designers:  Tammy and Joyce


The start of our Santa Workshop.  Day 1 is a flower tutorial by site owner Alda Stevens.  Post your creations from the daily tutorials for prizes to be awarded at the end of the month.

And don't forget to sign up for my blog candy by leaving a comment on yesterday's post!