Mini album, part 8…

Bet you thought I’d forgotten about Roni’s mini-album challenge, didn’t you? Well, I’ve been mulling over the part 8 challenge for a couple of weeks, because I just wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. The challenge was to use at least three different stamps and at least three different ink colors, not including black. The ink colors weren’t the issue—I couldn’t decide which stamps to use. I finally settled on something the other day when I decided to use the faux bandanna technique for the background. The background image uses three different Stampin’ Up! images stamped with jet black Archival Ink. The background was then colored with Distress Inks in Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Crushed Olive, and Forest Moss. Some of the colors weren’t blending as well as I wanted, so I sprayed the whole thing with a generous coating of Wheatfield Glimmer Mist. You may also notice something different about this spread. If you’ve been following along, you know that I’ve embellished every page with the same trim. Well, I’m out of it. I went to JoAnn’s last night to see if I could find another spool, and of course they didn’t have any. I search that darned store from end to end hoping I could find some tucked away somewhere—big mistake. I went for a $2 spool of trim that I couldn’t find, but came out $88 broker! How does that happen, anyway???? So, I’ve used some different fibers for embellishment and plan to go back through the other pages and replace some of the other trim with this combination of eyelash yarn and beads strung on hemp. Let me know what you think, and I hope to be back tomorrow with another spread complete, then I’ll be caught up again! Oh—the verse says, “When you fall, I’ll pick you up and dust you off—after I laugh my rear off!”

 

Whoo-hoo!

I logged onto the Gingersnap Creations blog this morning, and guess what? I’m a Gingersnap Gem!! That means I can proudly display this badge on my blog:

I’m oh-so-excited! Thank you Shar and Ali for this wonderful honor!!!

Otherwise—had a busy weekend, so no new posts. I need to make a birthday card for my nephew who turns 17 on Friday, so that should be posted in the next day or so. I’m having a hard time figuring out what to do for him. I’ve been so tempted to make him a card using the Stampin’ Up! sock monkey set—maybe this is the year! Of course, there’s a story there. I played with a sock monkey as a little girl—my grandma made it and it was always at her house. I now have that monkey and it means so much to me. When my nephew was two, I decided that he needed his very own sock monkey, too, so I found a place that sold those funky socks and a pattern, and made him a sock monkey for Easter that year. He loved to play with it when he was little. I remember my sister calling me once and saying that Tyler wanted to talk to me (he was about 4 at the time). He was so distraught. “Aunt Kim,” he said. “My monkey’s innards are coming out. Can you fix him?” Of course I did! About that time, I asked him if I could make a sock monkey for his little sister, and he said no. So, Tyler is the only one who got a sock monkey from me. Sounds silly, but I’ve always thought of it as our special bond!!! OK—how stupid is that? Good thing he doesn’t know I have a blog—he would be so embarrassed!!!!! That settles it—sock monkey card for sure!!!! Stay tuned…

Quick and easy gift card holder

Tomorrow is the Christmas Card class at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church with Angie and Rena, and in addition to the Christmas cards I showed you previously we’re going to make a surprise project. It will be a surprise to the ladies, but I decided to give you a sneak preview. Before I get started, please be kind—this is my first tutorial! Actually, it’s a bit of a stretch to call it a tutorial—this is so simple. There are no special techniques involved, and you can easily alter the size to be smaller, larger, or whatever. So—here goes. 
You will need:

• Cardstock
• Patterned paper (scraps work great for this!)
• Embellishments, stamps, and punches of your choice (any or all!)
• Scor-Pal or other scoring tool
• Adhesive 

1. Cut your cardstock to 6” x 10”. Score along the long side at 2” and 6” and fold along the score lines.
2. Apply adhesive to the edges of the 2” section similar to this:
   








3. Fold up the 2” section and adhere. Your gift card holder will look something like this:
   
   






4. Now it’s pretty much done—just decorate and embellish as much or as little as you want. Here’s my finished gift card holder: 

OK—see why I hesitate to even call that a tutorial?? It’s embarrassingly easy! Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and will make some fun gift card holders for those boring gift cards we all give as gifts to someone on our list!

Oh—here’s what I used for my holder:

• Cardstock—Stampin’ Up!
• Patterned Paper—Papertrey Ink
• Flower—Hero Arts
• Stamp—Wordsworth/Rubber Soul
• Lace—clearance bin at JoAnn’s
• Snowflake brad—haven’t a clue…

Please be sure to stop by throughout the weekend. Tomorrow I’ll let you know how the Christmas card class goes, and Sunday I’ll announce the winner of the blog candy! I will post the winning name around 8:00 AM EST (assuming I roll out of bed in time). I’ll also be talking a little bit about Operation Write Home on Sunday, so be sure to come back!
Have a lovely Friday, everyone!