Mocha Memories

More Ornaments in a Flash

My kids are out of school and we are all home enjoying the holidays together.  I do not get much done unless it includes the kids.  But isn't that how it should be when they are young. 

We are making candy today and probably wrapping the rest of the presents.  So what have we been doing up to this point?  Playing LOTS of board games and finishing up everyone's trees.  Each child has a small tree in their room and they get to decorate it to their own taste.

I had some extra clear ornaments so I helped the kids design and decorate some ornaments to fill in their trees.  The one above is created with Holly & Jolly Rub-ons placed directly onto the outside of the ornament.  (HINT: You can tape the pieces down to help little hands.)

The ornament below was created with 1 3/4" Extra Large Circle Punch, Medium Transparency Paper, and more Holly & Jolly Rub-ons.  You can punch several circles ahead of time and have them out for the kids to decorate how ever they like. Once they are finished, roll up the transparency paper and stick it through the top of the ornament.
Have any pieces left over from your Merry Trees Decor Elements sheets?  Simply fill a square ornament with Designer Series Paper that has been run through a shredder and then your crimper.  Adorn the outside of the ornament with your Decor Element.  Kids will love to fill and they are easy to adorn!

I hope that you can find some time to create these ornaments or anything else with your kids today.  They are only young for a short time and soon going to the mall will be more cool than spending time with Mom. Well, I am off to finish a couple of projects with my kids or play a game or two.

Happy Holidays!

 

 

Ornaments Made Easy With My Digital Studio

I have so many of those clear glass ornaments (67mm) for crafting and I knew they really needed to be used.  I also have some left over Ink Jet Transparency paper.  Of course......

I decided to use My Digital Studio to design some decorations to place into the ornaments.  I added several circle punch shapes (sized to 2-1/2") to a blank project page.  I used these shapes to size the rest of the elements that I added to each circle.

For example, I added the Bethlehem stamp from the Come to Bethlehem stamp set to one of the blank circle shapes.  I sized it down so that the entire image would fit and changed the color to Night of Navy.

For this ornament, I used the wreath image from the Welcome Christmas stamp set and the Schoolbook Serif Alphabet for the initial.  I then used our new 2-1/2" circle punch to punch these images out of the transparency paper.  I rolled the image up, slipped it through the opening and decorated the top. Complete!  Wouldn't this be great as a place setting piece?

My Digital Studio made this so simple!  I could change the image sizes to fit the ornaments I had, change the colors to match the ribbon I owned and buy the stamp images immediately if I did not own them already.  If you have any other questions about My Digital Studio or this project, make sure to email me.

Tomorrow I will show you a few more ornaments that I had tons of fun making.

Be Inspired by Life,

For You While You Wait

I was working, working and working on projects last night.  I just could not stop.  But guess what I did not get done?.......

I did not get any good pictures of the finished ornaments!  I decided that I would what until this morning to get some good light and I will get them posted shortly.  Until then.....

I have a special that I would love to offer all of those shopping today!

Through Mocha Memories (Shelley Hopps) only, you can receive 15% off of your SU! merchandise total when you place your order through me before 11 pm EST tonight, December 7th**.

** To receive your 15% off, you must live in the United States and call me (859-539-8010) or email me (Shelley@ShelleyStamps.com) with your order and address.  I will calculate what your total is with the appropriate tax (tax and shipping for prediscounted total) for your area and email or call you back.  At that time, I will request a credit card number (Visa, MC or Discover) or I can send you an invoice through Paypal.

 

Scallop Tag Boxes to Give Away

We all loved the rag purses created with the Clear Square Scallop Bigz Die.  Pull those dies back out so that we can create another scallop box just like the ones we created yesterday.

Need a refresher on how to create these boxes?  Check out the instructions HERE.  Just like the previous boxes, they were scored and cut between the second and third scallop.  The only difference is that I created an insert to keep the ribbon and the tags separated.  The insert is a piece of Candy Cane Christmas Designer Series Paper cut to 2-3/8" x 3-7/8".  Score this paper at 3/4", 1-1/2", and 2 1/4" and fold to create the divided sections. I also had to adjust the Window Sheet cover for this larger box.  I cut my Window Sheet to 2-3/8" x 3-7/8".  I then scored 3/4" from each of the ends.

I stamped the front image of the tag first, punched it out and THEN stamped the sentiments on the back so that everything is lined up. Notice that the sentiment is created by simply inking up ONLY the "To:-From:" portion of one of the stamps.  The easiest way to stamp the front image of the tags is to ink up the image with your Baja Breeze ink pad.  Using a Kleenex (or your finger) wipe off "dec. 25" and ink up just that portion with your marker.

How fun!  I can't wait to see what you all create!

Until tomorrow,

• Stamps: Tags Til Christmas (120847-Wood, 121169-Clear)
• Ink: Real Red (100052), Baja Breeze (111833)
• Cardstock: Baja Breeze (111352), Whisper White (100730), Candy Cane Christmas DSP (120809)
• Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Scallop Square Clear Bigz Die (115950), Medium Window Sheets (114323), Decorative Label Extra Large Punch (120907), Crop-a-dile (108362), Personal Cutter (104152), Sticky Strip (104294), Real Red Satin Ribbon (117286), Real Red 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119763)

No-Measure Boxes - How Easy!

I love to make boxes but hate all of the measuring and precise cutting when I need alot of them.  I have the answer.....

"scalloped boxes" created from any of the scalloped squares that you can cut out with the Big Shot. 

I used the larger square of the Scallop Square Duo Bigz Dies from the Holiday Mini on my first attempt at these little boxes.  I started by running some Baja Breeze cardstock through the Big Shot to create the base.

  I then scored each side between the second and third scallop using my Personal Trimmer. 

I then cut flaps on opposite sides of the square as pictured below.

Place Sticky Strip on each of the flaps and you have the base of your box - NO MEASURING.

These boxes are now ready to fill and are the perfect size for some little scallop images to adorn cards or small presents.  I even put some Stampin' Dimensionals on the back of each one so they are ready to use!

Depending what you put inside your box, you may need something to help keep everything in place.  I decided that I would cut some SU! Window Sheets to act as a cover.  For my box, I cut my Window Sheet to 1-1/2" x 2-1/2".  I then scored 1/2" from each of the ends and folded the ends down to create a cover for my embellishments. Finally, the bow holds everything in place.

Try these and experiment with where you score your box.  For example, if you score the square between the first and second scallops, you will make a larger based box with shollower sides.

Tomorrow we will experiment with a different sized square scallop all together.

Be Inspired by Life,

• Stamps: Tags Til Christmas (120847-Wood, 121169-Clear)
• Ink: Real Red (103133), Garden Green (102272)
• Cardstock: Baja Breeze (111352), Whisper White (100730), Candy Cane Christmas DSP (120809)
• Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die (120903), Medium Window Sheets (114323), Scallop Square Extra Large Punch (119884), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Personal Cutter (104152), Sticky Strip (104294), Real Red Satin Ribbon (117286)

December is Here

Can you believe that it is December 1st?  ONLY 24 MORE DAYS TO BLOG ABOUT ALL THE FUN CRAFTS THAT I WANT TO SHOW YOU!!!!!!!

Yes, I was yelling that last line.  I have so many things that I want to share with you before 'the big day' gets here.  So.... we will get started tomorrow with these wonderful boxes that can be made without measuring anything! Now that is my kind of box.

I am off to the first of many 'end of the semester' activities for my children, but I will be back with directions and more pictures tomorrow.

Be Inspired by Life,

P.S.  Want to make sure that you receive a Sale-a-bration catalog and Occasions Mini catalog?  Send me an email and I will get in touch with you about getting them out to you.

Clearly Christmas

I was so excited when Stampin' Up! started carrying the acetate sheets again.  There is so much that you can do with it. 

I decided that my first Christmas card of the season needed to be created using some of the medium weight acetate and 'A Wish for Peace' stamp set was the perfect simple set to use.

To create the floating image, I stamped the dove onto the acetate with black StazOn.  I then flipped the acetate over and filled in the image with Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive and Dazzling Diamonds. 

Once the glue was dry, I then adhered the acetate to the Basic Gray and Basic Black framing and used Pop up Dots to then attach the whole thing to the card base.

You can easily take this card and translate it to something even simpler.  In fact, I used this card to inspire one of the cards that we will be completing during my 'Christmas in July' Stamp-a-Stack.  Want to join us and get ahead this holiday season?  Check out my calendar and email me to reserve your spot.

Be Inspired by Life,

Stamps: A Wish for Peace (111614) 

Ink: Versamark Marker (100901), Black Stazon (101406), Mellow Moss marker (100038), Going Gray marker (109216) 

Cardstock: Basic Black (102851), Whisper White (100730), Basic Gray (108692)  

Accessories: Window Sheets (114323), White Embossing Powder (109132), Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon (109069), Dazzling Diamonds (102023), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive (110755) 

It's a Pyramid, It's a Tree - No - It's a Favor

I loved QBee's 'Tree box' that she created, but I REALLY hate to use scissors!  HA! HA!  I am so OCD that the lines would never be straight enough for me.  I only create things that I can use my paper cutter for.  I also have had these 'in the works' for awhile but these were for Christmas so I had to wait to bring them out. 

These will be the favors for Christmas, but you could change the colors and use them for anytime of the year.  Since the bottom is square, there is quite a bit of storage room inside.  So wait no longer, here is the tutorial...

Supplies:

• 12" x 6" piece of solid cardstock (Kraft)
• 5 1/2" x 6 1/4" piece of Designer Series Paper (Bella Rose)
• 20" piece of Taffeta Ribbon (White)
• 1/4" Circle Punch 

• Sticky Strip

Directions:

Step 1: Mark your solid cardstock at 3", 6" and 9" along one of the long ends. Mark the opposite long end at 1 ½", 4 ½", 7 ½", and 10 ½". Connect the dots to create four triangles. Cut these out with your personal trimmer.  (Note: You can skip drawing the connecting lines and just connect the dots with your personal trimmer as you cut.)

 

Step 2: Using your left over piece of Kraft cs cut out a 4"x4" square. Score this piece at ½" on all four sides and cut out the four corner squares so that you are left with a square bottom with flaps.

Steps 3: Mark your piece of DSP at 2 ½" and 5". Flip to the opposite long end and mark at 2 ½" and 5" again. Connect the dots and cut out the 4 triangles just as you did in Step 1. Adhere these pieces to your four solid card stock triangles.

 

 

Step 4: To ensure that the ribbon placement is uniform on your box, mark one of your triangles at 3 1/4" on each side. Punch holes for your ribbon using a 1/4" punch at each marking. Use this piece as a template for the other triangles.

Step 5: Attach the triangles to the flaps on your square bottom piece. As you adhere the triangles simply trim off the overhang of each flap so that it is no longer visible behind the triangle side.

 

 

Step 6: Thread your ribbon through the holes and pull closed. You are now ready to decorate for whatever occasion you want.

I used my Lovely Letter stamp set, Designer Label punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, and 1 3/8" Circle Punch to create the focal image on my favor, but BE CREATIVE! 

Be Inspired by Life,

In case you need a printout of the tutorial, I have included it HERE in a pdf version.  Please do not change the original version if you are sharing this with others.  Thanks so much!

Handyman Ornaments

I was browsing the galleries when I first bought my Big Shot through SU! to get an idea of ALL the incredible things that I could create.  I came across a picture from Joan Hajek that really caught my eye.  She used some 'silver hardware tape' and her Big Shot to create some very unique ornaments.  I loved them so much that I had to go to Lowe's and look around for some 'tape'.

I found some metal tape at my Lowe's that would do the trick.  You can find this kind of tape in the section with duct work.  It is used to seal the seams of ductwork.  As this is created out of a very think sheet of metal, it is sturdier than you would expect.  Simply run your Join in the Cheer Decorative Strip and the tape through your Big Shot with the metallic side up (so that your words do not come out backwards).  I immediately became concerned that I would never be able to remove the backing from the tape without complete destroying the words, but this is not a problem.  Do however, try to keep the sentiments close to the original shape so that your letters will come out 'straight' on the ornaments.  Now simply cut the words apart keeping some of the flourish on each word.

I then added these gorgeous words to ornamentsthat coordinated with the SU! On Board Trinkets as this is what my tree is decorated with this year.  This made a very easy and cost effective way to personalize my tree.  These would even make great gifts to others who are just starting out with very limited decorations.  Speaking of last minute gifts, I will show you how to create bookmarks with a gorgeous personal touch next time.  Until then....

Be Inspired by Life,

 

Joys of Christmas Past

Do you ever look back at pictures and just can't remember your kids being that small.  Well, I fell into that frame of mind this weekend.  I was looking back at some pictures that I took of the kids only 3 Christmases ago and can't believe how much they have changed.  Part of me is glad that they are more independent now, but there is that part of me that misses the toddler in each one of them.  I decided that I needed to put those pictures out this year to keep the memories fresh.

I found this frame at Wal-Mart and waited for just the right time to 'embellish it'.  My Jingle All the Way framewas a lonely soul on my end table and this frame went just perfectly with it.  I added some Riding Hood Red ribbon and a small star from my On Board Trinket Ornaments on opposing corners.  I attached the ribbon with a Mini Glue Dot and the star with a Pop-up Glue Dot.  The staying power of both is quite impressive.

Opposite my favorite holiday photos, I placed some Riding Hood Red cardstock embellished with my favorite rub-ons from the Old Saint Nick collection.  I also decided that some snowflakes were in order, but they were larger than the edge of the frame.  No problem....The rub-ons adhered nicely even around the bumpiest of corners.

To finish my frame, I decided that I needed some sentiments.  This sentiment is actually half of the original one contained in the Old Saint Nick rub-ons.  I simply cut it in half and adhered half to each side of the frame. 

My end table is complete!  Now to finish the tree....

Be Inspired by Life,