Frugal Fridays: Get your snowflakes here just $1.00..get 'em while they are cold and PT shutdown!

H..hh...hhh...ee...lll...oooo!   Brr it's teeth chattering cold here and I know many of you are experiencing the worst winter has to offer.  It's not too bad here just a little snow and very cold!  OMG!   The sun just peeked out....oh the benefits of sunshine!  I know I'll be complaining when it's Summer and that little sun won't go away!  :)

Okay since it's so cold and snowing in many areas I decided to offer up some snowflakes for $1.00.  This price is good through today only and will end at midnight EST Jan 8, 2009. These snowflakes were all hand designed by me and very unique in deed!  Look closely they resemble children and angels.  The perfect accent for playing in the snow photos! Click below to purchase the file in my store.

I have also added a few files to the store.  They were previously only offered in my membership club (which you can still purchase for a few more days).  Click on the previews to see the files in my store.

Paperthreads store (including my store) and forum will have a shutdown sometime this weekend to move the site to perform some maintenance.  So that means you will have no excuse not to do some paper crafting or dare I say it housework!  LOL!  I know I will be working on a big project for my membership club.  Want a hint it involves rolodex cards and month titles!  Be on the lookout for this project some time next week! 

Enjoy your weekend!   Stay warm!
Shelly

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Technique Tuesdays: Ribbon Tree, freebie and another teacher's gift

Howdy!
I hope you are all enjoying the holiday seasons. I am listening to Christmas music and it's cold outside. I was watching a movie about Chirstmas in LA. I can't imagine being in shorts and celebrating Christmas. Just doesn't seem like Christmas without having to bundle up!

Okay on to the technique. This is a quick simple one in which you can use up some of those ribbon scraps or ribbons you have too many of! I am demonstrating it being used as a tree but any die cut can be used. Remember you can click on the photo to see it larger.



A few examples for embellishing your tree. OH Psst...I have the tree freebie for you later.



Hints and Tips:
I used plain ivory cardstock for my tree because I knew the ribbons would cover the tree completely. If you are using sheer ribbons keep in mind your base tree will show through.

Scor-Tape or Terrifically Tacky Tape (Red-Line) hold very well just about anything you want to add to your tree. Seed beads look very pretty but know that your base will show through that is why I added them on top of the red ribbon instead of the actually paper tree. You can add glitter in the same way. Just lay down the tape and sprinkle glitter on top. Flower Soft would work too...how about trying candy sprinkles!

Dew drops, pearls, brads, or dots of glitter glue can be added to the tree to act as ornaments.

It is very important you get the glue evenly dispersed on your die cut. If you don't you'll get bumps or loose unattractive ribbons.

You WILL get some fraying. You can apply some fray stop to the ends if that bothers you. Personally, I think it adds to the handmade charm and I actually considered using my scissors to make the ribbon fray and doing a rustic looking tree!

You can use any shape you'd like to as your base die cut...but keep in mind you will have to trim the ribbons off later. More intricate shapes will be harder to trim around.

This method can be used to decorate a photo frame too. Ribbon comes in such a variety of colors and style..it would be very easy to make a frame to match your decor.

You can substitute the ribbon with paper strips. Please note things look better if you vary the widths of the paper strips. This is a fabulous use of paper scraps!

Below is my example of a rather non-traditional looking Christmas tree. I loved this paper and thought the ribbon strips went with it so well. My inking could have been done better though. Oh and sorry about the photo..I didn't have the best lighting when I took it and it was too dark to go outside.



I used my folded photo corners for this card. I love how they fold around the corner of the paper or photo so no glue touches the photos. These are also great for placing photos onto card fronts since the recipient can remove the photo easily when they receive the card. If you'd like to purchase the file click preview below.

I'd also like to share with you another teacher's gift I recently made. My son's teacher asked for hand sanitizer to be donated throughout the year so I decorated the bottle with a penguin. Penguins are their mascots so it is great for a Winter theme for the classroom. After taking the photo so you wouldn't see the glare I applied clear contact paper to my design to protect it from Kindergarten hands! If yours is all paper then decoupage is a great sealer. I just wasn't sure how it would react with the Flower Soft I used on the scarf and hat...or the rhinestones I used on the snowflakes.



If you love this penguin and have to have it NOW! LOL! You must purchase my membership. Click the preview below to purchase it. You will be getting at least 20 files for one low price of $10.00 a grand deal! You can also purchase gift memberships. All you need to do is provide the Paperthreads forum name of the person you are buying the membership for. If you aren't a member of Paperthreads forum it's is easy and free to register.



Thanks for stopping by and letting me share a ribbonriffic technique with you! LOL! As a parting gift I am giving you the tree I used in my demo. I designed this tree with very simple straight edges making it perfect for this technique. Please be sure to grab it now if you want it. It will be gone in 24 hours. The zip file contains the AI, GSD, KNK, SVG, and WPC formats. Even though this file is free right now my TOU still applies. I ask that you DO NOT share this file but direct them here to download it themselves. Sorry freebie has expired.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Holidays!
Shelly

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Technique Tuesday: Faux Stitching, Christmas boxes, and a freebie

Hello,
I know once again I'm late with my technique. I'm sorry. I won't bore you with a lengthy apology instead I'll just get on with the faux stitching tutorial.

Photo can be clicked on to make it larger.

Here's a picture of the completed card. I really do thing the stitching looks pretty real. But...if you'd rather do your stitching using a needle and thread instead of a pen you can still use the same technique. Just draw the lines in lightly with pencil or use a marker that matches your thread color.



If you'd like this technique and would like your own set of stitching rulers. You can purchase them here at my store. If you scroll down you'll see examples of the different stitches the templates will make.

Oh if you like the card file. It is available by purchasing my quarterly membership. Click hereto purchase. I think this is a great card to make masculine looking.

If you'd like to know how to do the bow...you can find it on Nicole Heady's blog here. You'll have to scroll down a bit. I did mine backwards as hers is tied in the back but I think it still looks good.
You can even use the buttons you made from my paper button technique found here.

I'd also like to share with you two boxes I have made similar to that spider box you all liked so much! First up is a wreath box. It's perfect for the upcoming Christmas season. It is only available by purchasing my membership here.



I also have a snowflake box to show you. This is great for Winter gifts that aren't necessarily Christmas gifts. This one especially looks pretty with a battery operated tea light. Click here to see it in my store.







Laury and I have teamed up to offer you a great sale at our stores at Paperthreads. The sale starts on turkey day and runs through the weekend and even Monday in case you have a busy weekend. If you can stop by and visit us on Black Friday you will get a whopping 55% off. If you can't don't worry you can still save on the other days too! Check out Laury's store here and mine here. Why not go over now and make your wish list!



Elizabeth and her daughter Sam came over to keep Adoree occupied while we took Tyler out to eat for his birthday. Elizabeth bought a cookie tree for Adoree to make. As you can see Adoree really enjoyed it! Thanks so much Elizabeth for playing with Adoree and filling her with sugar! LOL!

Okay now I know you are waiting for your freebie. Thanks for stopping by and letting me share my tut with you. For your freebie I'm giving you a stitching template ruler file so you can try the tut out for yourself right away! Click on the preview to download. In the zip file are the SVG, KNK, GSD, AI, and WPC formats. This file still follows my terms of use and I ask that you don't share this file. Instead send them here to download it. This freebie will be expire in 24 hours so grab it now. Sorry freebie expired!


Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for all my wonderful blog readers and customers! Be sure to stop by Friday...I'll have a freebie then too.

Shelly

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Frugal Fridays: Notepad for $1.00..great stocking stuffers and teacher's gifts!

Hello everyone,
It's finally Friday! I have a good friend Elizabeth (aka scramper75) coming to visit this weekend! I can't wait to see her and hopefully get in some crafting time!

Speaking of Friday it's time for my frugal deal of the week. Today only you can get my Notepad with Cover file for only $1.00. This low price will expire at midnight CST today (Nov. 13, 2009) so hurry and get this great item before the dollar days are gone! This makes a great stocking stuffer! I like to keep one in my purse for jotting down things and keeping the kids occupied while waiting. This would also be great as a teacher's gift. It fits perfectly inside Sam and Hailey Design's all purpose treat box (see an example of this in my store here). You can place a tea bag or snack size candy bag in it too. You could even put a mesh bag filled with potpourri inside and use it as a drawer scent. Click preview below if you'd like to purchase it for only $1.00!

(Just wanted to share with you a tip....if you don't have any double sided paper make your own by using spray adhesive to adhere two sheets together...if your machine is capable of cutting heavy layers you could even do a two thin pattern papers and a solid cardstock layer in the middle!)


I wanted to share with you a card I made. See the snowflake? I used the same technique I used to do the the buttons on my previous post. (If you missed it scroll down). I started with only 1 white snowflake then several layers of poly sparkle embossing powder. I am simply amazed at how this turned that paper into a sparkly plastic type of material. I can't wait to make more!



Photos just don't do justice to how pretty the snowflake is but here is a close up and you can kinda tell how it looks like glittery plastic.



If you are interested in purchasing any of the files I used for my card click on previews below.



Kelly's baby will soon be here yet she continues to amaze me with all the wonderful projects she keeps cranking out! I remember my last few months...I was sooo tired and miserable...barely able to walk let alone be creative. I'm so proud of Kelly and how she's fairing this pregnancy sooo well! Okay now to share some of her creations!



Isn't that card adorable! I love seeing my build a.. files put to use. Everyone makes it their own unique creation by what they choose. Kelly used my build a turkey file. Click below to purchase. It's on sale the whole month of November!






Kelly put another one of my build a files to good use. This one uses my build a snowman file. I love the expression she chose. Did you see the cuttlebug embossing folder matches the background paper perfectly! Kelly is definitely the queen of embossing! It is soo funny..many times when Kelly creates something I see she used papers I have in my stash. I even have that ribbon too! Thus making it easy to copy her creations! I wish her and I could go shopping together one day...we have similar tastes it seems and I know we could spend a boat load of money together no problem! What's that they say..."Great minds think aike!". Click below if you'd like to purchase my build a snowman file.

Oh I almost forgot to mention. All of these cards were based on a sketch on Mojo Monday's blog. I am using it for my monthly card sketch challenge on the Paperthreads forum. If you participate you get a free file from me. Then all who post a card get their name in a drawing for another file from one of the other PT designers. If you like to join click here. You do need to be a member of the PT forum but registration is easy and free!


Have an amazing weekend! I hope you'll stop by next Friday for another $1.00 steal!
Shelly

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It's a Christmas in July SALE!

Are you ready for Christmas? I know the sun is shining and the weather is warm so Christmas is probably the last thing on your mind right? Well it's 6 months away and we'll be singing Christmas carols before you know it! So to get you in the Christmas spirit I've put many of my Christmas files on sale. Click on the previews below to purchase the files. Be early this year! Happy Holidays! LOL!









I also want to share with you two cards that cleverly show how Christmas/Winter files can be used year round if you just think out of the box a little just like my CDT members did.

First up is a card that shows how CDT member Lisa Lindesmith used my Christmas word charms pictured above to do a greeting on this great floral card. I love how she put the dragonfly in the charm loop giving the card a very warm weather vibe. The charms are a great value at $1.15 for the whole month of July. Click here to purchase.



Next up is this wonderfully unique card by fellow PT forum member Deb Cole. It combines my 3-D butterflies file and I love you card file into an elegant greeting. When I first saw this card I knew I had to duplicate it sometime. It combines two of my favorite things: butterflies and snowflakes.



If you'd like to make a card just like Deb's click on the photos below to purchase my files.








I'd also like to share with you a layout that is simply put CUTE! Fellow PT forum member Sue Shaff (look Sue I got it right!) did this adorable page featuring her darling grand daughter. I didn't count them but she used just about every single button in my buttons galore file. I love how the arrow button draws your attention to her cute DGD.




If you'd like to have some buttons like these of your very own. That is simple just purchase my buttons galore file by clicking on the preview below. Then you always have the perfect button to match your layout without combing through bags, jars, or drawers.



Off to work on a digital scrapbooking wedding kit. I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with Christmas spirit!

Shelly

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