Making My Own Coasters

During the holidays we decided on a few home improvement projects that we will (hopefully) accomplish throughout the year.  The first of which was to purchase two new Laz-y-Boy chairs for our family room.  We purchased two chairs 18 years ago when my son was born.  My chair lasted longer than my husband's so we replaced his chair about 10 years ago.  When my chair wore out about 5 years ago, we didn't replace it (times were tougher then).  We've limped along needing a fourth sitting location for a while now.

With the new chairs, we also decided to purchase a new table to sit between.  The table is not very expensive, but is made of wood which brings me to this project.  I needed some new coasters and turned to Pinterest for ideas.  The place is full of ideas so I decided to make my own coasters with some tile from Lowes.

I simply cut 1/2 squares from my MME Collectable paper pad leftovers.  I have all but demolished this paper pad, but a sentiment sheet and strips of patterned paper were left.  Each rectangle sentiment was cut from the paper pack and the 1/2 squares arranged around the sentiment.  I used matte finish Modge Podge to glue the cut pieces onto the tiles.  I added a couple of layers of Modge Podge over the top to finish the project.   On the bottom of the tile I cut black felt to size and hot glued it to the tile.  This prevents scuffs from the tile on the wood table.

I think they turned out cute, don't you?  The only downside is that hot beverages will sometimes stick to the Modge Podge. I've gotten use to it, but a visitor might be shocked.  If I figure a way to cure the Modge Podge I'll let you know.

I'm entering this into Simon Says Stamps' Wednesday Challenge: Red & Pink.  Come join the fun!

A Valentine's Card Set

My very good blog friend, Karon, graced me with a gift before Christmas.  This was unexpected and filled me with joy.  However, I would be remiss if I didn't put a couple of the gifts to immediate good use.  So, I made up these Valentine's to send out.  I used the Recollections kraft card set which had hearts covering the front of the cards.  This made for a perfect foundation.  I used the Quickutz Heart Frame die to create the layered centerpiece in both red cardstock and kraft paper.  How lovely to alternate for effect, don't you think?  The LOVE was cut with the Quickutz Love die which is retired.  I substituted a heart from my Simon Says Stamp heart dies.


I decided to make the entire card set- too easy and too cute not to finish up the project.  All pieces are edged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

This was so much fun and so delightful.  I can't wait to pop these babies in the mail to send out to my valentines.  Hope your preparations for the Day of Love are well under way.

A Butterfly Card Set

I am just loving my Prickly Pear Mini Butterflies die.  I so adored the card I made last week that I just couldn't keep myself from making a couple extra.  I'm stopping in today to show you the fruits of that labor.  The concept is the same, but I choose different color and pattern combinations.  Do you have a favorite?  I think of all the cards I made the one above is my favorite.  Of course, that is true until I look at the next one- then that one is my favorite... and on and on it goes until I've looked through all six of the combinations that I made for this set.

I'll probably tie these up and give them as a gift. They will brighten someone's day.  Thanks for stopping in and seeing my production line card set.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamps: All Things Bright and Beauitful

Wordart Wednesday's Challenge # 169: Anything Goes

So Sweet

I received this picture from Brandy for a birthday card she recently made.  I'm just so impressed with the sweet simplicity of this card, that stamp and the intricate details Brandy added to the card.  I'm going to try to summarize the details:

• The young lady is Simply Gorjuss The Black Star stamp stamped in black Archival Ink onto watercolor paper and colored with Distress Markers, Distress inks and a watercolor pen.She was fussy cut out with scissors.
• The ivy is cut with Cottage Cutz Ivy Made Easy die which she then colored with Distress Inks and a watercolor pen.
• The balloons were stamped onto watercolor paper and colored with Distress Inks as well.  The stamp is from Hobby Lobby
• The white lattice was die cut using Spellbinders Fancy Lattice die and the grass was cut with IO's Grass Border die.
• The remainder are fence pieces cut using the Cricut and embossed with woodgrain embossing folder. 

She's just such a sweetly adorable image, I think that face makes the card, don't you?  I hope you have occasion to use your supplies to make someone a beautiful birthday card this week.  Join me in a round of applause for Brandy's hard work.

She's so sweet I'm entering this card in Simon Says Stamp's Challenge: H is for....  Holtz since she was colored with Distress Markers.

Celebrating 50 Wonderful Years

My husband's sister turned the big 5-0 this year.  This means he is the last of seven to reach the 1/2 century mark.  He'll do so soon enough, but in the meantime, we needed to celebrate this event.  She is typically not interested in a self focused celebration, but we didn't ask her and held a surprise party that wasn't much of a surprise to her.  She guessed.  Note to self- don't try to surprise Dan because he's expecting it.

This card was made with my Heartfelt Creations classic sunflower stamp and die set.  The patterned papers come from the paper pack.  I simply stamped the sunflowers in brown Archival Ink and colored with Scattered Straw Distress ink.  The centers of the sunflowers are Good Earth Elements from ArtGlitter.  The sentiment was printed out using my computer and then die cut using my Spellbinders Lacey Circles die.  Everything else is a piece on a patterned paper in the pack that I just took advantage of.

I am so pleased with this card, I'm entering it in a couple of online challenges:

Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday's Challenge # 168: Anything Goes

Of course I also needed to wrap a gift for the party.  Inside is a medal rack (she runs marathons and does Ironman competitions).  If you know someone who runs, you need to check out this Etsy shop out of Sedona, AZ.  I thought those sunflowers were so nice I decided to make some full size ones for the front of the package.

What do you think?  I was pleased and hope that it just made her feel very special.