Cute Little Easel Calendars

Each year I make a small gifts for the staff at the apartment building where I live.  I always make a calendar for their desks.  For the women in the office I made these cute little easel calendars.  I loved the look of the natural wood so decided not to paint them.  The sentiment I stamped on the frame is from the Sunshine Sayings stamp set from Stampin' Up!  I stamped it in Basic Black Archival ink.  The calendars I used are from Taylored Expressions.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing the framed calendars I made for the men.  Be sure to stop in and take a look.

My easel calendars have been entered in the Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Language of Friendship Flowers

A while back I started work on a 12x12 tile canvas but just didn't know how to finish it up.  I was missing something.  When my daughter-in-law, Jody, was here last week I asked her what she thought.  Being a gifted artist, she said added some greenery to the vase of flowers.  So, Taylored Expressions was having a special on dies that week so I ordered a couple and used the springs from the Flower Box, Sprigs & Flowers Die.  They were perfect for the vase, which is also a Taylored Expressions die.  I put the completed project in a frame but forgot to take a picture of the framed work before giving it away.  I seem to do that consistently with finished projects.  I don't think I have shared it before so here is the center tile up close and below that you will see the full 12x12 tile canvas.

Stamp Set:  Language of Friendship; Ink:  Midnight Muse; Card Stock:  Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Decorative Label Punch (Stampin' Up), Posh Vases Dies (Taylored Expressions), Flower Box Sprigs & Flowers Dies (Taylored Expressions), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Colored flower from Taylored Expressions, Brass Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

Stay tuned as I did promise that I'd share the cards I made in a recent class I took.  I wasn't able to stay for the class so I'm making them on my own.  I should have one or two of them done in the next couple of days.

My Birthday Necklace

Sunday was my birthday and each year my mother and I used to do something special together.  She always had some little thing just for me and since she has been gone, I've missed that.  But, the first year she was not here to celebrate my birthday with me, I did something special just for me and kept that little tradition alive all on my own.  I always reciprocated back to her on her birthday, too.

This year I made this cute little necklace.  It uses a bottle cap, a charm, an insert and a chain.  Once the insert is punch to fit inside the bottle cap, UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) was added to cover the insert.  Then, it was placed in The Ranger Melting Pot and the embossing enamel melted into a clear layer on the insert.  You punch a hole, add the charm and chain and your necklace is complete.  I love that melting pot and can envision many cools thing being made.

The back of the bottle cap has a vintage look to it and matches the chain as does the lettering.  Given the fact that I'm a year older explains the insert I selected.  I love it and plan to make some for gifts to friends and family.

John Wayne: A Fellow Iowan

Recently, I came across this wonderful image of John Wayne and knew I had to have it.  He has long been a favorite of mine and over the years I have collected many of his movies.  It is unusual for me to even consider such a purchase but, it's John Wayne, right?  Besides, I do love one-of-a-kind, no one else will have one like it items.  This was made from wood using a scroll saw and, while I know little about such a process, I was told it is very time consuming to make a picture using this method.  Isn't he wonderful!

 
Okay, time to take my movie off pause and finish watching "The Quiet Man."  Yes, you guessed it, it stars John Wayne along with Maureen O'Hara.

Stay tuned.  I promise to get back to sharing handmade projects with you soon.  I'm working on several and I hope to have one of them done to show off tomorrow.

Beautiful You Mixed Media Book

Saturday morning I had the privilege of being in a class taught by Cheryl Mezzitti.  To find out more about her visit her blog at http://cherylmezzetti.typepad.com/alter_this/.  She is an energetic and very hands on teacher and the class was a joy to attend.

We didn't have time to complete the whole book but I came away with many more ideas and new techniques I can incorporate on other projects.  For now, here is the cover of the book.  Once all the pages are done and I've put it all together, I'll set up a special page just for the Beautiful You Mixed Media Book.

I used products I had never heard of before and had no idea even existed.  The Twinkling H2O is a fascinating product.  We used chipboard and card stock and ribbon and lace and my head is still swimming from all that I learned.

Secret Garden Chalk Garden

This is one of the gift items that I have for sale.  If you would like to purchase it, e-mail me at marsha@coffeepotstampingcafe.com for all the details.  The photo is blurry but the original is not.  And, there is always a money back guarantee.

Wall Art

These past few days have seen me busy, busy, busy making some new projects that I'll be offering for sale.  This one was inspired by a picture I clipped out of a magazine months ago.  I really do like how this turned out.  Now all it needs is a frame to set it off.

I'm planning to work up a tutorial for it, but that is going to take me a while as I will have to make another one in order to help me remember what all I did.  I will that it is mostly Stampin' Up! product.  I added some acrylic paint but the rest of the colors are all ink.  The words and designs are cut out of Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock using my Cricut.  The image in the center is the only one I sanded off.  I wanted the words to stand out so just left them alone.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Cheryl, a friend and fellow Stampin' Up!®, came over one night a few weeks ago to show me how they were doing the mixed media canvases.  She had shown this at our monthly demo meeting but I was not able to attend that night.  She graciously offered to spend an evening crafting with me.  We shared pizza and had a good time visiting.

Most of what I used is current with just a wee bit of retired added to the mix.  Actually, this is a good way to use up some of your retired card stock.  The flowers can be made any size and you are only limited by your imagination.

Ink:  Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Gumball Green, First Edition Specialty Paper, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack, Cheerful Treat Designer Series Paper (retired); Accessories & Tools:  Fancy Flower Punch, Butterfly Punch (retired), Secret Garden Framelits Dies, Boho Blossom Punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Everyday Enchantment Brads (retired), Bitty Buttons, Antique Brads, Mini Brads/Silver, Ice Cream Parlor Buttons (retired), Linen Thread

The stems for the flowers were made out of various Designer Series Papers but unfortunately, I don't remember which ones but you can use any greens you have on hand.

I'm working on a black and white canvas now.  It's actually a photo transfer that went bad but the image will be part of the design.  If all things work out, I'll share it with you once completed.  It's just a matter of transfer what I see in my head to the canvas.  Now that's an iffy proposition.

Aiden's Art

My three year old grandson, Aiden, is always wanting to sit on my lap when I am crafting.  Because he is such a little wiggle worm, I've not been able to let him do that.  The one time I did, I had to cover up many mistakes to my project.  So, this morning we shut off the TV, turned on the Oldies (he doesn't care just so long as it's music) and I turned him loose.  He had all the fun and made very little mess.  I was so proud of my little man.

We made a canvas for Mom and Dad out of left over punch outs and some of my acrylic paints.  He picked all the colors and put things where he wanted them.  Grandma is already thinking ahead to our next project.  As much as I don't like finger paints, I know he would have a ball with them.  Sigh... the things we do for our grandchildren!

Everything used is Stampin' Up!® product except the canvas and the acrylic paints.  The Rhinestone Basic Jewels were colored with permanent marker.

He did the printing with a wee bit of help from Grandma, of course.  He loved the paint brush!  If I would have let him, he would have covered everything with paint.  He is so excited about giving this to his parents. 

Heart Canvas

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been doing some early spring house cleaning.  While going through some boxes stored in my closet, I found three 6x6 canvases that a friend had given me.  I love the mixed media canvases and I made this one for my granddaughter's room.

Stamp: Trust God; Ink: Raspberry Ripple; Card Stock:  Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack/River Rock; Accessories & Tools:  Hearts Collection Framelits, Full Heart Punch, Small Heart Punch, Bitty Buttons, Mini Brads/Silver, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dots, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Craft Paint

Now I'm off to make something for the grandsons.  Since it snowed yesterday and today is bitter cold, I plan to stay in where it is warm and cozy.

Spring has Sprung at Stampin' Up!

The new Spring Catalog is here and does it have some wonderful new products.  You'll find the link on the sidebar just below the Annual Catalog.  Today's card was made using the Honeycomb Embossing Folder and the A Little Greeting Stamp Set.

Stamp Set:  A Little Greeting; Ink: Cajun Craze; Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Midnight Muse, Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Textured Impressions Embossing Folder/Honeycomb, Pearl Basic Jewels, Mini Glue Dots, Small Octagons/Nestabilities

To add a bit of differences, I cut out some octagon shapes to add to the hexagon shapes of the honeycomb.  It's going to be fun trying to come up with new ways to use this embossing folder. 

Family Frame

For this frame I paired the Bravo Burgundy Card Stock with some Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper (retired).  The word family was attached with Mini Glue Dots.  Now I'm in the mood to make some new greeting cards.  It will be a nice change from all the gifts I've been making.

Musical Joy

Jaimie made this joy frame.  She and Andrea were surprised they both had the same gift idea.  I love them both as it shows you how the same thing can look so different.  They will both be part of my decorating every Christmas.

Love Frame

Here is the next framed work I made using my 'prize' patterned paper.  Again I used Bravo Burgundy Card Stock to cut out the word and attached it to the paper using Mini Glue Dots.  These are very quick and easy to make.  You can coordinate a whole grouping for your wall or give them as gifts.

Ornament Earrings

How clever is that?  Angela made these cute earrings from one of the ornaments in the Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies and Ornaments Keepsakes Stamp Set.  So cute!  They will be fun to wear throughout this holiday season.  She also made the little box they came packaged in.

Washer Necklace

These washer necklaces are seen everywhere and this is the one I received from Kristen.  The one I have uses my favorite Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper.  The Midnight Muse In Color Dahlia is so cute and blue is my favorite color.

 

My Baby's Birthday

And, I am so sure he would not appreciate being called my baby given that he is now 38 years old.  The truth is, he is my baby.  Unfortunately, he is not feeling well and has been under the weather all the week long.  I won't be seeing him so he'll be getting his card late but I did go in and create a special My Digital Studio card in honor of his day.

Happy Birthday, Michael!

Craft Show Display

Due to technical difficulties, I was unable to get this posted at the normal time.  As promised here are a couple of pictures of my display table taken at last Saturday's craft show.  With the number of shows I had, it was hard to keep up on inventory.  It was a fun, busy day and I met a lot of new vendors and customers. They loved the Jr. Legal Pads and the Gift Card Holders.  The little Petite Purses were another favorite.

Jr. Legal Pad Holders

Next up are these little cuties!  Again, they would make a great stocking stuffer or gift.  They make up in no time at all.  It's the first time I've made them so we'll see how they go at the show.  I only made three so I'm thinking I might try to make at least three more.  My time is running out and I have two other projects that need finished first.  And, I refuse to give up what little sleep I do get.

Stamps:  Lovely As a Tree, Bells & Boughs; Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse, River Rock, Marina Mist; Card Stock:  Midnight Muse, River Rock, Marina Mist, Naturals White, Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper (retired); Accessories & Tools:  Label Collection Framelits, Decorative Label Punch, Dazzling Details/Silver, Dazzling Details (colored with Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Lucky Limeade

The tab on the right has a Velcro dot to keep the cover closed when not in use.  I really like how these turned out.

Garnet Glitter Language of Friendship

And, last but not least, the fourth little frame also painted with Garnet Glitter paint.  For this one I used the Language of Friendship stamp set and the Bird Builder Punch.  It's a combination I have used often and can always think of a way to use it.

Stamp Set:  Language of Friendship; Inks:  Real Red, Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Brights Designer Series Paper Stack/Real Red (I think); Accessories & Tools:  Full Heart Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Stamping Sponge, Mini Glue Dots

So, what do you think?  Stocking stuffer, secret Santa gift or a Valentine gift for a special friend?