Scoreboard Die - Caddy Project

A friend and fellow CHA Designer, Eileen Hull designs Scoreboard dies for Sizzix®.  These are specialty dies for cutting mat board.  Many of us are supporting her with a blog hop during October and November by creating projects to feature her 12 new designs which were introduced this summer.  I received the Caddy die to work with, plus Image Stamps designed by Lara Scott and Baker's Twine from The Twinery.

        This is my project:

And these are the supplies I received plus a package of mat board.  I also used DecoArt® Acrylic paint, a sea sponge and a box of Elmer's Craftbond pop-up medium Glue Spots, gros grain ribbon, twill tape and Elmer's Tacky glue:

This is how it all came together:

1.  Dip a dampened sea sponge into a little DecoArt® Americana pink paint. 

2.  Sponge the paint all over 2 pieces of white mat board.  Sponge lightly at first; you can always add more color.

3.  Stamp the design onto the painted mat board.  I used black ink.  Note:  Make sure the paint is dry.

4.  With the patterned side facing down (on the die), cut two sets of shapes using the die.
5.  Assemble two caddys, then glue the backs together.  (I used Elmer's Tacky glue.)
6.  Referring to the photograph, glue 5/8" wide, black gros grain ribbon around the top of the caddy about 1/4" from the edge then glue off white, or blush pink cotton twill tape on top of the black.
7.  Create twine buttons as follows:

    •  Tie an overhand knot at the end of a 12" piece of twine.  

    •  Push the knot into the center of a glue spot.

  

    •  Wind the twine around the center knot, pushing into the glue spot as you wind.

 

    •  When the spot is covered, cut the twine and push the end under the spot.  

    •  Glue the twine buttons onto the twill border.

This little caddy is perfect for holding business cards, index cards and anything else you need to keep handy.  Gluing two together, gives me twice the space to store my stuff!  If you'd like to see more great projects created with this die, just hop forward via the Sizzix Fresh Vintage logo on the left. 

Wouldn't you just love to have this die, some bakers' twine and two of Lara's stamps?  Well here's a giveaway for you:

Here's how you enter to win: 

You will also see the blue, Designer Crafts Connection logo on the left, just above the Sizzix Fresh Vintage logo.  Many of the DCC designers are also participating in Eileen's blog hop.  Hop forward through these DCC designer blogs and see how many you can find with the Sizzix Fresh Vintage logo on their blog.  If you complete the  DCC hop, you will end up back here.  Tell me how many are participating in my comments section and I will pick a winner from those of you who found them all.  I will announce the winner on November 8th, so check back - you'll also find I'm having another Giveaway on November 8th - a Sizzix Sidekick with 2 sets of Sizzlets alphabets - Script and Girls are Weird!!   Y'all come back now............

Yours truly,
Julie :) 

Happy Birthday Present Goes to.......

TO:  BARBI

Please e-mail your mailing address to me by May 26th:  julie@juliemcguffee.com and your present will be on its way.

Next giveaway will be on 06/06, so y'all come back now.

Yours truly,

Julie :)

First Monday - Well Wishing for All Occasions

In a world of e-mailing and social networking, a handmade card with a handwritten note is in itself a special event.  It's Mothers' day this month, but it's also a month for birthdays, invitations, thank you notes, announcements and more - a plethora of reasons to create a hand made card with a handwritten note to make someone's day even more special. 

Here are a few ideas.  Quick'n EZ to make, but priceless for the person who receives one.  The first card is very special. It's a "Get Well" card dedicated to Lisa Rojas.  Lisa is one of the designers in our group who is recovering from surgery.  As you "hop forward" please take an extra moment when you visit her blog to leave her an extra special comment.

GET WELL SOON LISA!

This is a photograph taken last week.  I added a title in Photoshop then printed the image onto inkjet transparency.  The photo was trimmed then attached to white cardstock with pink brads.  It was then glued to the front of a pink card, embellished with pink pearl textured cardstock.   Here are more ideas, using more photographs, punched shapes, ribbon, textured paper and stickers.

Who will you write a note to this week?  It will definitely make their day...............

Our monthly GIVEAWAY will be on 0505 - Cinco de Mayo - National Scrapbook Day 

and my birthday.  So y'all come back now...................

Yours truly,

Julie :)

All things Bright and British!

 

You can take a Brit out of England, but you can't take England out of a "Brit". 

I haven't lived in England since the late 60's, but it was my whole world for the first 18 years of my life and it left an indelible mark.  I'm sure that everyone is aware of the upcoming wedding and I have to admit, that on Friday I will break my rule #1 and I'll be up before the sun, sitting in front of the telly, wrapped in my snuggly dressing gown, sipping cups of tea, totally enjoying all the pomp, ceremony and pageantry that only a land of Kings and Queens can muster.  I may be old fashioned and definitely outdated, but I love it all - the history, the drama, the intrigue - an ongoing soap opera that's been running, literally for hundreds of years.  My daughter is planning to watch it too, after all, who can resist a beautiful wedding.  There's such a feeling of security in traditions which, for many can be especially comforting in this topsy turvy world we live in today. 

I remember when Queen Elizabeth came to visit my home town in the 50's.  My grandmother took me into the city center to see her as she drove by in the biggest, black car I'd ever seen.  She was wearing a yellow suit and an ever present matching hat and I remember standing on the curb and waving the little Union Jack my grandmother had bought for me.  An insignificant event in the great scheme of things, but something I remember clearly almost 60 years later.  To top off the day, we'll be having fish'n chips for dinner.  There's a great place in Fort Worth where they make them almost as good as the fisheries in Yorkshire, and an extra large hamburger bun is almost as good as a "tea cake".  Yum...........  can hardly wait  :)    Y'all come back now.........

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Giveaway

Thank you all so much for your comments and insight into the shows you like to watch.  We have a winner for this month's giveaway,  but there will be another one on 0505 - National Scrapbook Day! Don't forget that DVD sets of past series of Scrapbook Memories are available on our show website, www.scrapbookmemoriestv.com.   If you're still looking for the "other" blog with the Scrapbook Memories logo to find out who the winner is, here's a clue:  It's a very "Goode" blog.   Y'all come back now..........

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Scrapbook Soup - More Sneak Peaks!

My watch says it's 9:15am (still set for Texas),  the clock in the room says it's only 7:15am, but my body is on EST  and I've been awake for over an hour!   Aaaargh...........  I flew to Phoenix from Cleveland yesterday, but my body still thinks it's on EST even though it went to bed on AZ time - I'll be due for a nap this afternoon I think......

Can't believe it's only Saturday.  I feel as if I've been away from home for a month.  It was a fun and fast 4 days though.  I need to get going, but I wanted to share a website with you this morning.  I met Jenny Barnett Rohrs at the CHA Trade show in January and when I realized she was from Cleveland, I told her I'd give her a ring when I came to the studios in April.  Jenny came in the last day of taping and got to hang out with us for awhile, taking photos and gathering information about the new show.  You can see her article and behind the scenes photos here (link below).  Don't stop after you've had your fill of soup.  Jenny has lots and lots and lots of information about all kinds of crafts and craft products, plus projects, techniques and videos.  You'll be really glad you stopped by:

www.crafttestdummies.com

Don't forget to sign up for this month's Giveaway! You have to leave a comment on the Designer Crafts Connection blog which displays the Scrapbook Memories logo - NOT THIS ONE - so hop forward before it's too late.  The winner will be announced on 0414.

Yours truly,
Julie :)

April Giveaway!

I'm in the studio this week taping a new show.  Yes, that's right, I said "new show".  Series 1600 was the last series of Scrapbook Memories  :(    After 8 years, it was time to update....  I have a feeling you're going to love the new show, Scrapbook Soup (for the creative soul).  So, our giveaway for this month will be a set of DVDs of the final series of Scrapbook Memories.  To enter to win, you must leave a comment about your favorite craft show (past or present) on the blog where you find the Scrapbook Memories logo.  Let us know what you liked best about the show then leave a comment here about what you'd like to see on the new show.  We'd also like to know what your favorite, product, craft, or technique is.  This is the logo your looking for:

The winner will be announced on 0414, so y'all come back now!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Product Innovations

Trade shows are a time for manufacturers to show and promote their latest and greatest products.  CHA is no exception and each show a panel of judges votes on which product they think is the most innovative.  I was excited to be on the panel this year (that's me on the left)  together with (from left to right) Jenny Barnett Rohrs - Craft Test Dummies, Candi Spelling, Terri "O" - CHA Spokesperson, Deborah Norville - TV Celebrity and Craig Nakano - LA Times Home Section Editor.

The evening before the show opened, the panel of judges and many CHA members enjoyed one minute presentations from each of the 20 manufacturers chosen from a total of 100 product submissions.  Here are some of the products we saw in no particular order:

Kandi Corp - deColourant.   This product acts like a bleach on colored fabric, but there's so much more to it than that.  Check out the website for all the details, projects, techniques and much more.

Dave's (Riba) shirt patterns were created by stamping with deColourant.  The amount of color removed is determined by how long the deColourant stays on the fabric and also the type of fabric.  It's a fun product.

Uniformed Scrapbooks of America.  Album covers are covered with a uniform shirt that can be removed to allow for customization and personalization with items such as insignias, badges, pathes and name tags.  The products are officially licensed and available for all branches of the US Armed Forces, police and fire departments.


Design your Own Sticker from Momenta.  Create custom alphabet stickers with an unlimited number of design and color combinations.  All you have to do is purchase an 8.5" x 11" sticker sheet, select your design, pattern and color from the website then print.

Bead Buddy.  Crimps beads in one step.  A great tool for all jewelry enthusiasts!

Color Me™ - Hot Off the Press.  These papers are covered with a raised design that resists ink, so the paper sheets can be custom colored with ink pads, chalks, mists, or Spritz inks.  Designs are gold and white and Glossy for use with alcohol ink.


Romantic Roses Necklace Kit - Quilled Creations.   Use quilling techniques to create sweet paper roses to embellish a necklace.

The Knit Kit.  Perfect for knitting on the go.  This fun set of knitting tools provides everything you need and it is TSA compliant for air travel.


TAP™ aka Transfer Artist Paper - C&T Publishing.  Transfer your imagination into art with this premium-quality transfer paper that allows you to transfer images to virtually any surface with the heat of an iron.  Have fun with fabric, paper, wood, glass, metal, ceramic and more!

Any Book Reader - Franklin Electronic Publishers.  This is a recording tool which uses specially coded stickers to assign your own personal recordings to scrapbooks, photobooks and much more.

Yudu® CardShop - Provo Craft.  This is a small version of the YuDu, perfectly sized for printing cards and other small items.

Rock-A-Blocks by Claudine Hellmuth - Crafters Companion.  The perfect mounting tool to stamp perfect images every time!  

Perfect Crafting Pouch - Scraperfect.   Use this small multi purpose crafting tool for all your big projects. Use for printing, stamping, ink drying, embossing, anti static, clay releasing and sticker deactivating.

And, there was so much more.  SMASH Journals from EK Success, Glubers, which are really big glue spots from Cosmo Cricket to help you create flowers from ribbon, paper, fabric, etc., and Distress Stains from Tim Holtz.   Read about these products and more at Scrapbook Update.

You'll be seeing a lot of these products at your local craft and scrapbook stores over the next few months, if you haven't already.  If not you can always order online without leaving the comfort of your home - especially if it's icy and snowing outside - a great time for crafting.   Check out these photos of my granddaughter below and remember, you're never too young to be creative......... enjoy! Y'all come back now.

 

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Craft & Hobby Association Winter Trade Show - 2011

 

Postcard from LA -  Having a wonderful time!  Wish you were here!

For those of you who have wondered what it's like at these trade shows, here are some miscellaneous photos for you to enjoy.  You'll see a variety of manufacturers booths where they display their products in the most creative ways to delight and inspire.  There are Make It Take Its where retailers can sit and make a small project to familiarize themselves with new product and tons and tons of projects to feature the latest and greatest ideas, tips and techniques.  You can also take workshops and attend seminars, all designed to help us in our business endeavors.  Enjoy!

Standing in line for the book signing by Stacey Caron at Spellbinders

This was a great Make It Take It at the Elmer's booth, sponsored by When Creativity Knocks

What's not to love about this line.......

Julie Fei Fan Balzer taking a quickie Zentangles class at the Sakura booth.

Yummy desserts - no calories and lots of fiber!  Look more closely and you'll see they are made from ribbon!

Linda Peterson with a demo at the Amoco booth.

Julie Fei Fan Balzer in her License & Design booth.

Anna Griffin with a selection of bags!

"Crafty Chica" Kathy Cano-Murillo

More photos to come, so y'all come back now!

Yours truly,
Julie :)