Birthday Gift Card Box

Tuesday is my "guaranteed" work day.  That means when the hubby gets home from work I head upstairs to my scrap area and make new projects, take and edit pictures, load items to my store and generally work on things for my budding little business.  Over the last couple of days I've been having a blast making templates for new products and turning those templates into fun new things.  There is a bit of trial and error, but overall it is a ton of fun for me.

This is one of my favorite new things that I made over the last couple of days.  This is a gift card box that I made in the style of a matchbox.  I decorated the top of the box with a feminine birthday in mind.  I love how it turned out!

In this image you can see how the inside of the box pulls out like a matchbox.  The boxes measure 3 inches wide, 5 inches long and half an inch deep.  Perfect to slip a little note into or just put a gift card to their favorite store.

A close up of the cover design.  I have no idea where I got those flowers....I've had them for that long, but I thought the coloring was perfect for the paper and everything just seemed to fit together.

After I'm done doing some more gift card holders for birthdays, I'm going to move on to Christmas.  Now those are going to be F-U-N!  I have so many ideas for fun shapes and styles that I can't wait to design and create.

Like I said, I've been working on a ton of stuff, so I'll hopefully get to show you all the fun things I'm working on in the coming weeks.

Also, I've decided to post things for sale on Shophandmade.com.  The link to my store is:  http://www.shophandmade.com/Store/Melissakaye80.  I will be posting things on my blog that will not be for sale in that store because of licensing requirements, so be sure to check back here for those things!

If you aren't a follower yet, I'd love it if you did that!

Cabin Fever

Today was a busy Saturday for us.  I had training at my new job in a group home, went out and bought a bunch of supplies to make cards and gift card holders, and went and got a haircut.  I've also been working away on new things to put in my store.  I haven't made an official decision as to where I'm going to sell....Etsy or ShopHandmade, but as soon as things are loaded and ready for purchase, I will let you know and link to the store.  I'm very excited about what I've been working on and can't wait to make more things in the coming weeks.

I'm also looking into doing a show in November, but I need to see if I can get the day off from my job....I'll let you know about that too.

I'm exhausted, but wanted to share a layout with you before I curled up with my latest Netflix DVD.  This layout has 6 pictures in it, which is great for the size of the page.  I may have used a sketch site for this one, but I have no idea which one, so if this looks like your sketch, let me know.  I want to give credit where credit is due!

These are all pictures from the dock at my parents' cabin.  The kids love to walk down there and look to see what they can see in the lake.  They're also getting old enough now that they can fish off the dock, or practice their casting.

Supplies:  All items are Crate paper, except for buttons, which are from my mixed up button drawer.  :)

Idea Book

Awhile ago I decided to create an idea book where I could write things down as I came across them, cut inspiration out of magazines, print things off and keep a list of websites that have challenges and inspiration.

This is the book I started out with.....the pages inside are blank.  I am thinking it may end up looking like a Smash book inside as time goes on.

Below is the completed book.  I used some Glimmer Mist and masked out a flourish/leaf pattern and then used a border bunch around the outside of the paper.  The "ideas" letters are Tim Holtz Grungeboard letters sprayed with Glimmer Mist.  The rhinestone flourish used an Imaginisce template and jewels.  Because I didn't have the correct tip for my dremel sander, I did not prep the spots where the jewels would be adhered.  You can see that this book has a shiny/glossy surface, and this can cause issues with the glue holding.  I've already lost several of the jewels off of it, so I would recommend not ignoring that step.  By sanding the spots you give the glue a rougher surface to grab onto and that way you won't lose your jewels.

So far I am really liking this book and I'm curious to see where it will take me.

Supplies:  Mead Sketchbook, white cardstock, Glimmer Mist: Jack Frost and Creme de Chocolat, Chipboard photo corners, Flowers: Floradoodles and Making Memories, button.

Sketchy Thursday - Rat's Nest

This week I decided to give Sketchy Thursday a try.  It's fun to be back in my scrap area on a regular basis and to be able to try out all these challenges that I've been wanting to do for a long time.  I love sketches and think they are especially fabulous when you are stuck, your mojo needs a kick start, or you just want a little guidance.

This is the original sketch that they posted for this week's challenge:

 

Below is my take on the sketch.  I'm really happy with how it turned out.

  
I used papers from a Colorbok pack I got for participating in their monthly surveys.  The yellow strip was a white border by Bazzill and Glimmer Mist.  The flowers are so old I don't remember where they are from and the brad in the center is by Fancy Pants.  The swirl at the top is a bling pattern and stones from Imaginisce, using their iRock tool.

Be sure to check out what other people have done with the sketch by visiting Sketchy Thursdays.

BOO Banner

It may be a little early for Halloween, but I like to get projects done ahead of time. PLUS, I got my new Black Cat 13" Cougar die cutting machine last Thursday and I just had to play with it a bit! I couldn't help myself.  Below is an image of the banner, I L-O-V-E how it turned out and can't wait to make more!

The first pendant in the banner is decorative.  To make the pendants I did a google images search for a scalloped triangle, found one that I liked and then live traced it in Adobe Illustrator.  I then size it how I wanted, saved it as an .eps file and cut it using Sign Cut and my new Cougar.   Like Buttah....  The embellishments on this are one are by Little Yellow Bicycle and Making Memories.

 

I alternated the patterns on the scalloped part of the pendants and then each one has a different pattern on the straight edged triangle.  In order to create the folded paper medallions behind the letters, I cut two strips of 1.75" by 12" and scored them at 3/8 of an inch intervals.  I folded on the score marks and glued the ends of the paper together.  Then I flattened it onto the pendant and used a hot glue gun to hold it in place.  You could create these medallions on a non stick surface and let it dry and have them made ahead of time if you would like.  I did need to hold the paper into position for a minute or two until it dried.

All the papers are by Echo Park with a little bit of My Little Bicycle, except for the letters.  Those are done in Bazzill Black Tie paper that has the slight shimmer to it.   As you can see in the image below I popped up the letters a bit to get them to stand out.

I love the patterns and colors of these papers.

All of the embellishments on this one are by Little Yellow Bicycle.  I used a small piece of embroidery floss for the "web" coming down with the spider.

That is my first big project with my new die cutting machine.  It was SO fun to make it and I love all the possibilities this machine has.  I can't wait to create more to show to you!

Scrapbook Challenges Seasons of Change Blog Hop

Hi All!  Finally, a new post and a new scrapbook page!  I'm on break from school and have been diving into my creative space.  It's awesome and I feel so rejuvenated!  To get my creative juices flowing I decided to participate in a blog hop/challenge at a site I regularly visit, but rarely have time to participate in:  Scrapbook Challenges.  It was the perfect way for me to get started, and I really like the layout I ended up with.

The original sketch:

My take on it:

You can start the blog hop at:  Brynn Marie's Blog.

To see what other people have created with the sketch, you can go to the Hop On Board.

This was a very fast layout for me and was the perfect way to get my creative juices flowing.  I can't wait to do more challenges (I have several on my list already....).  Let me know what you think!

Products Used: Reminisce Snowflake glitter paper; Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist; Archiver's White Cardstock; All other items are Momenta.

My very first Guest Design!

Hi all!  Head on over to Frosted Designs to check out my very first guest design.  I've been working on a bunch of stuff lately and hope to get pictures of other layouts and projects posted soon!

If you are here from Frosted Designs, thank you SO much for stopping by!  My blog has been quiet lately because of school, but I've got a bunch of projects in the works and will be posted soon.  I would love it if you became a follower to view more of my work!

Thanks again for the visit and I was SO honored to be asked to guest design at Frosted Designs.