A great crafty night

We had so much fun last night at our Girls' Crafty Night out at Deborah's. We made three projects, Val did an altered tin with us along with a matching altered journal. I love altering things so these were right up my alley! Thanks for the great projects, Val! :)

Don't look too closely at the sentiment on my journal below, I rather botched it up. :( When I stamped this beautiful sentiment by Quietfire Designs, I stamped it at the card table that I was sitting at and the table wasn't solid, so I didn't get a clear impression with my stamp. *sigh* I attempted to give it a highlighted look with a white gel pen, but I covered up too much of the dark ink, so then I had to use my black gel pen to re-write the sentiment. Yup, I rather ruined it! Perhaps I'll just borrow the stamp in the future and stamp it out again onto another piece of cardstock and layer it over top of my botched one.

Louise did a gorgeous accordion album with us. I'm still working on it, so I'll post it later. Thanks so much for doing such a fun project with us, Louise! :)

We also did our draw for our Spring swap cards. I drew Kim's name and I received this beautiful card below that she made with a very cool Nova Scotia inspired stamp of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. It's about 45 minutes from where I live. These three churches are famous for the area. If you check out the link above, it'll take you to a tourism site for Mahone Bay where you can clearly see the three churches in their scrolling banner. I'm using the picture from Kim's blog. I wish you could see the way this card shimmers in real life - it's absolutely delicious eye candy! :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Altered Butterfly Truffle Tin

I saw this little tin of chocolate truffles today and it found it's way into my cart. They look pretty yummy, but mostly I like the little tins to have fun altering! I chose a whimsy design of butterflies for this one. I didn't want to add any extra layers to the tin, since I didn't want them falling off. I sealed right over the stamped patterned paper, just to protect it and now it'll just wipe clean if it gets anything on it. After the truffles are gone, maybe it could be used in a purse to carry little things.

A close up of the top of the tin.

This is what the the tin looked like before I altered it.
OK, I've gotta go make supper and get ready to go out for Jim's birthday celebration. I've got another post scheduled for 7 PM tonight of the card that I made for him. Stay tuned...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Butterfly Garden (Storage Units, Ink and More)
Patterned Paper: Backyard "Adventure" Dragonfly/Brown - Bohemia (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Tools: Corner Rounder (SU), Terrifically Tacky Tape (ProvoCraft), Mod Podge Water-Based Sealer - Matte Finish (Plaid), Foam Brush, Sponge (SU)
Embellishments: Cacao Reserve Chocolate Truffle Tin (Hershey's)...I thought I spelled it wrong at first, but, I didn't. This is what it says on the bottom of the tin. Cacao (ka-kow): A tropical tree that produces the beans from which chocolate is made.

Altered Valentine Candy Tin

This is the first of my Valentine's Day projects to show you. I made this one for my sweet hubby, Jim. I'm posting it early, so I guess it will go to him early...lol :) Otherwise he'll complain 'cause I spoiled the surprise and posted it before Valentine's Day. If you know me, you know that I have a hard time keeping a secret, especially when it comes to not sharing crafty projects! Such a silly gal, I am! lol :)

Here's a close up of the top of the tin to show you the pretty flourished stamp and patterned paper.

Here are the Cool Ice mints inside the tin. They're actually pretty yummy. :)

I wanted to keep this little tin simple and as masculine as I could. I didn't think Jim would appreciate me using traditional Valentine's Day colours like pink and red and white together for a project for him! So, I chose red and gray and black, beautiful colours together, yet masculine enough to use. I found this beautiful 'I Love You' stamp at Michaels a few days ago in their $1.50 bin. A great find! The Cool Ice mints came from the Dollar Store at a cool $1, so it's a very inexpensive project. I thought he could keep them in his locker on the ship and when he sees them he can think of us at home that love him. Ah, so sappy! lol :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: 'I Love You' (Michaels)
Cardstock: China Red Linen (CRS), Light Gray (Bazzill)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine), Jet Black (StazOn) - for sponging the edges of the tin to cover up the original design
Patterned Paper: Beau Jardin Harvest (Bo Bunny)
Tools: Terrifically Tacky Tape (ProvoCraft), Scissors to trim corners, Sponge (SU)
Embellishments: 1/4" Black Grosgrain Ribbon (Michaels), Cool Ice mints by Kroger (Dollar Store)

Snowflake Chocolate Tin

I was in the mood tonight to alter something, so I grabbed this little tin that I've had for a while now and decided to pair it with some yummy Bliss Raspberry chocolates with a Snowflake theme. Of course, I had to perform quality control on the chocolates...just to make sure that they were suitable to give away...they passed! lol :)

Here's what the tin looks like with the band removed. I decided to put the chocolates in the tin laying on the bias for a little different look. In case you're wondering, the tin is 6" x 3" x 1".

Wow, can you believe that it's almost December 1st! Where has the time gone? Do I really only have that little of time before Xmas arrives? It's just hard to believe that it's that close. I'm still in a bit of denial, I think! Better snap out of it soon, I guess! lol :)

Well, gotta get some rest, gotta get the kiddies off to school in the morning again.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: The Snowflake Spot (SU)
Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate & Pink Pirouette (SU), White Flat (Staples)
Tools: Scissors, Bliss Raspberry Chocolates (Hershey), Tin and Acetate Covered Container (Photo Memories), Terrifically Tack Tape (Provocraft), Glue Dots (SU)
Embellishments: Pomegranate and Green Ribbon (Michaels)

Altered Clock and Jar Candle Lid

I had a really nice time last night with having a few of the girls (Kim, Louise and Catherine) come over last night to stamp with me. I got a bit frustrated as I ruined the first clock that I made, I used Chocolate Chip ink to do the numbers and they just didn't show up well enough, so today I re-did the whole clock face, this time using VersaMark and White Opaque Embossing powder. Now, I think the numbers really pop. I'm quite happy with how it turned out this time. I hope Brenda and Tim like it in their new home together. :)

I also finished the lid to the jar candle last night that I made for them earlier. I borrowed this stamp from Kim and used her Nestabilities to do the scalloped circle layer and the embossed circle. Wow, the Nestabilities are so cool...I really need to get some! ...Perhaps the Birthday Fairy will buy me some next month for my 34th Birthday! :) The Boho Blossoms set from MFT is on my wish list for the near future, as well. It's such an elegant set, I just love it and I think it looks really nice with the 'Tiara paper' on the jar.Well, I only have a couple of hours before I need to go to work and tonnes of stuff to do around the house. I'll be back tomorrow with another creation.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)



Supplies:
Stamps: Boho Blossoms (My Favorite Things), Clear Stamps - Scribbles Number 2 by Rhonna Farrer (Autumn Leaves)
Patterned Paper: Bohemia - Backyard "Adventure" Dragonfly/Brown (My Mind's Eye) Cardstock: Flat White (CRS), Soft Gray (The Paper Company)
Tools: Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Scissors, Terrifically Tacky Tape (ProvoCraft), Silent Setter (for hole punch in centre of clock for clockworks to come up through), White Opaque Embossing Powder (Stampendous), Embossing Buddy (SU), Embossing Tray, VersaMark, Paint Brush, Heat Tool

Inquiring minds need to know...

Oops...I forgot to add pics of the contents of my tins from the previous post and apparently inquiring minds need to see pics of my the contents of my tins! Can't get anything past you all, eh? lol :)

Here's another set that I made today for a friend of mine. Another large tin filled with chocolates and a small matching tin with a lavender scented candle inside. I'm having a lot of fun altering these tins...I bought a ton of these larger tins at a place called 'Princess Auto' in our local Industrial Park. It's a heavy duty hardware store...a man's paradise. I get in there, and it's a bit overwhelming, but I heard that they had these tins on sale...they're normally $4.99 each, but they were on sale $1.88 a tin! A screamin' deal for an altering fool such as myself! lol :) The smaller tins came from a local Dollar Store, with the candle inside them...no, I wasn't crafty enough to make the candle, too! lol :)

Here are the two altered tins

Here's the inside view of the assorted Xmas Chocolates and the lavender candle
Here are tops of the lids

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Altered Xmas Tins

These are some Xmas tins that I altered and filled with chocolates for my daughters teachers. I really couldn't ask for better teachers for my girls, they can't wait to get to school to see their teachers and when they come home, they always have such kind things to say about them, with wonderful stories from that day. You can tell they truly care for them, it's such a comfort to know that they're having a good day and learning from such a wonderful group of people.

These are metal tins, approximately 4 1/2" tall by 3" wide with see-thru glass inserts in the lids. The lids that I altered follow the tins below, however I made two with the olive cardstock and 2 with the blue stock, which is why there are only 3 pictured and there are 5 tins.
Supplies:
Metal storage tins with see-thru glass lids (Princess Auto)
Embellishments: Olive Green grosgrain ribbon, Blue and Burgundy satin ribbon
Stamps: Holiday Medallion stamp (See d's)
Cardstock: Bashful Blue (SU), Artichoke Flat (Carousel Rubber Stamps), Cream (Loomis Art Supplies)
Ink: Blue Bayou, Old Olive and Cranberry Crisp (SU),
Patterned Paper: 2006 Holiday double-sided Designer Series Paper (SU), Snowflake Textured Paper (Imagine That - Jacqueline Addison)
Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Altered Masculine Paint Can

I altered this old paint can tonight for my hubby, Jim. He was using an old one covered in paint to hold something up on his desk and I thought he needed a fancier one...so "Altering Jules' took over! lol :)

I borrowed this stamp set from Kim for this purpose. Thanks again, Kim! Jim chuckled at his new paint can...I think he secretly likes it! Mission accomplished. I got to play and he gets something that makes his computer desk look nicer. lol :)

In an attempt to not ramble quite so badly, I'm gonna try to be more concise with my card recipes. Here goes...

Stamp set: Artifacts (SU)

Ink Colours: Brocade Blue, Old Olive, Really Rust and Chocolate Chip (All SU)

Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers - Boho Chic Fancy Free -Urban Window Collection (This paper is double-sided so both patterns are actually from the same sheet.)

Adhesive: Terrifically Tacky Tape by Provo Craft & Art Accents. This is wonderful stuff. I use it for all my altered projects...a bit more expensive, but you'll be sure your paper stays put! And, yes, I used nearly a whole roll of it on this project as I use it on all the layers and ribbon, too.

Well, that was a fun night of altering. I have a bunch of card projects planned for the next few nights...stay tuned for those.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Another End of Year Teacher's Gift

This is the altered tin that I made for my daughter's other teacher for her end of year thank you gift. It's hard when you don't know someone out of school, but I thought I would make her a little tin to keep a note book in that she could perhaps keep on her desk. This was another tin that I got at Michaels in their finished tins section. Yeah, obviously I have no idea what the section is called, but it's where they keep they tin containers and other already finished items. Just cause it already finished, doesn't mean you have to leave it like that, though! lol I bought these when they were on sale for only $5 each. A screamin' deal! :) So, they already had a design on them, but I bought them to alter with patterned paper. :) The one I did tonight had a cafe motif on it. The one I used for my daughter's other teacher was also from this section, it was supposed to be used for a sugar canister. You can view that one here that I made a week ago.

For this tin, I went with the chocolate brown colour on the edges and top of the tin, so I chose to use my SU Au Chocolat double-sided designer series paper. I love this paper! I really should have bought more. It from from one of the past mini catty's from Stampin' Up! For the flowers I used my SU Looks Like Spring set and the coordinating SU Spring Bouquet punch for the small flower. Unfortunately, they still don't have a punch for the large flowers...I would absolutely jump for joy if they ended up coming out with one in the new catty for July...Oh the suspense! lol :)

Well, I'm all done this gift and have already posted it to my blog and it's only 12:30 am...much better than 2 am! So, I'm off to bed, gotta get some sleep as I didn't get any last night. :(

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Teacher's End of Year Gift

I joked with my friend, Catherine, saying that I'd be up til 1 AM doing this teacher's gift...well, it's now 1:59 AM and I just finished, so I guess I wasn't too far off! Who needs sleep, anyway? I'm sure my eyes will beg to differ in the morning! lol :)

This is the end of school year thank you gift for my daughter's pre-school teacher. She has a great teacher and I'm so thankful that Alex really liked her and always came home with wonderful stories about her. It's nice to hear that, cause I've heard some not so nice stories from other parents about other teacher's and I guess you just really hope that you'll get a good one, and fortunately, we did! :) I had a hard time deciding on a theme for this altered tin, as I don't know her teacher outside of school to know her likes and dislikes, so I thought I would just do this tin up with her first initial on it and that way she could use it for what ever she likes. I get the impression that she's a fun, laid-back kinda person, so I wanted to make a tin that was fun, too. I think I like how it turned out. I just hope she likes pink! If she doesn't, I guess I'm in trouble! lol :)

Well, these sleepy eyes need to get some rest. I'm taking the night off tomorrow from crafting as a bunch of the girls and I are heading out for my birthday celebration supper since it fell through last week. Should be a lot of fun...I can't wait! A meal in a restaurant without my little ones is always a pleasure! lol :)

Thanks for stopping by!

p.s. Did you notice that my hubby made me a watermark for my pics. I've been bugging him for a while as I'm a bit technically challenged when it comes to using PhotoShop. So, tonight he made me up one in black and one in white, to use on either light or dark images. Now people can't steal my stuff! Just kidding! lol :) Just thought I get with the times and protect the work that I make, I guess.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

I made this altered tin for my Mum for Mother's Day. However, I hummed and hawed for some time over what the design should be. I knew I wanted to alter a tin for Mum, but I just couldn't decide for what purpose it should be for. I know she loves flowers, daisies in particular, so I thought this SU designer paper would be just the ticket. But, then I remembered that she mentioned that she 'might' do her kitchen in a daisy pattern, so I thought, well, this could go in there, for recipes, perhaps or she could use it in her craft room. So, in any case, I kept it quite simple, leaving the tin themeless, frankly because I guess I wanted her to decide what she would like to use it for, and I can always add to it later if she wants . I added the "C," which I free- handed and it stands for her name, Carol.

So, Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there and have a wonderful weekend! I hope you all get a little bit of pampering for yourselves. My oldest daughter (5 1/2) has already told me that I'm getting Mama coffee, scrambled eggs, toast with peanut butter, and a slice of cheese for breakfast...in bed! I thought that was very thought out! Seeing as we'll be at my Mum and Dad's I guess she's getting one of them to help her cook it! lol :) We'll see about that, but cute nonetheless.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

My Altered Recipe Tin

I had so much fun making this Altered Recipe Tin last night for my kitchen counter top...now I just have to decide on what images I'm gonna use on the actual recipe cards inside...I have a few ideas brewing. Also, I still have to do up the divider tabs for inside the tin. That's another project, it was just getting way too late for me to be up last night! I'm not fooling anyone, I'm not as young as I used to be...hard to believe I used to party until 5 or 6 am and it wouldn't even faze me the next day! If I tried that nowadays, it'd probably take me a week to recover! lol :)

For the tin, I decided to go with green and rosey pink colours. This was a hard decision, as we're in the midst of repainting our new (to us) house. We own a bungalow with an open concept between the side door, into the walk-through kitchen, then the dining area and hallway to the bedrooms. Right now they are painted a Hunter Green with an alternating sateen strip below the white chair rail. On the top is just white. Well, the Hunter Green is getting quite worn, as well as the fact that I've had everything this colour for years and frankly I'm sick of it! lol :) So, I've decided I'm gonna paint the top and bottom of the chair rail a deep Mexican Red and leave the chair rail white. For the two little walls, one continues down the stairs to the rec room, the other looks into the formal living room and down the hall. This one is gonna be a Butter colour with a white chair rail. How does that sound? I'm not completely sold on the idea of leaving the chair rail white...but I just hate to have to paint all the woodwork again! I'm certainly not an interior decorator, but it's nice to finally be able to put some colour on the walls after years of renting where we didn't bother since we'd just have to repaint when we left.

So, back to the colours that I chose for my tin. The Green on the top is some gorgeous heavyweight DP(Designer paper) from My Mind's Eye, Signature Suite - 'Family Roots', Defining a Family / Taupe. Wow, that a mouthful! I wish I had bought more of this DP, I'll have to see where I can buy this around here. I got it up in New Brunswick while on vacation. The other gorgeous DP is from Chatterbox Inc., Scrapbook Walls - 'Rosey Garden Floral.' I just bought this DP on sale (gotta love a sale) at our local art store, Loomis Art Supplies. I can envision another trip there soon! lol :) Wanna go girls? You know who you are! :)

The grosgrain ribbon is Olive Green and White from Fabricville. I also used a piece of SU HodgePodge Hardware in Antique Brass to frame the word 'favourite' that I printed myself in black gel pen. The letters for 'RECIPE' were also hand printed by me as I don't have any individual letter stamps. I printed them on lime green Bazzill cs and matted them on wine Bazzill cs. (I don't know the exact names of the CS. The only colours that I know by memory are SU colours, and I'm not even a SU Demo! Yup, it's a sickness! lol :)

Well, there's some rambling for ya! Thanks for stopping by!

Baby Memory Can and Altered Notebook

This was my first attempt at a Altered Paint Can and matching notebook. I think it may possibly be my last! lol Just kidding. It was just a bit awkward working with the super tacky tape, it doesn't leave room to adjust the paper, making positioning a bit stressful. :) Nonetheless, I'm very pleased with the way the Memory Can and matching notebook turned out.

I hope little Baby Laura likes it! She's due to arrive in one week...but she could show up any time, so I wanted to be prepared. I can't wait to meet her! I love newborn babies, and since I won't be having any more babies of my own (by choice) I have to live through everyone else's babies, now! lol :)

The first picture is the front view and the second picture is the back view. There's also a close up of the side so you can see the pretty patterned paper by K & Co. The pink and white grosgrain Boutique ribbon is from Fabricville made by H.A. Kidd & Company Ltd. Did I mention how much I love ribbon!!! :) The final pic is of the altered notebook to use with the memory can to jot down little notes on what your little one is doing.

Altering Tin Cans

This is one of my latest creations. I used my Tupperware can opener to take the lid off, this is a great can opener since it goes under the lid and leaves a nice smooth finish around the rim. No more cuts trying to rinse them out. Then, the lid fits right back into the top of the can like a little seal. I used some double-sided, holiday designer series paper from Stampin' Up! for this project and some ribbons from Michaels. What a fun project! I'm using this one in my stampin' room, but haven't decided what to keep in it yet! Any ideas?