Sizzix Blog Hop - Project #4

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

And without more ado, since it is Thanksgiving, here are my projects - Quick'n EZ as usual.  I'm only using materials I have on hand and the mat board pieces that came for each project.  This frame is a die cut design from Eileen Hull.  I découpaged the large board with a scrap of scrapbook paper then wrapped ribbon around the inner frame.  One (Hearts and Flowers) then embellished with a Quick'n EZ ribbon rose, the second was matted with green glitter cardstock and actually features a photo.......  so, Ta Dah..... here they are..........

 

You may have guessed, I'm having a fling with ribbon and bling..............  Enjoy!  Y'all come back now.

Yours truly,

Julie :)

Christmas is Coming!

   

The goose is getting fat.  Please put a penny in the old man's hat.  

If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do.  

If you haven't got a ha'penny, God Bless You!

It's Thanksgiving this week and 4 weeks later it will be Christmas.  There always so much to do and sometimes those dollars and cents get away from us so we make our own Christmas ornaments and in true crafty fashion we usually make them from things we already have on hand, after all a "penny saved is a penny earned".  

I've been making these wax ornaments since the 60's.  They're easy to make using left over candles - recycling at its best - and they look so pretty on the tree since the wax glows when it catches the light.    You can also make them from beeswax for an "antique" look and color them with "Rub'n Buff".
BTW:  This is a adult craft and not recommended for children.

    Here's How:   Melt wax in a double boiler.  I have an old one I use only for this.  Place PLASTIC
cookie cutters onto wax paper.  You can use a variety of sizes and shapes.  Don't let the wax overheat.  You'll know when it's ready by dipping a metal spoon into the liquid wax.  If the wax coats the spoon as soon as you pull it out, then it's at the right temperature.  Spoon wax slowly into the cookie cutters.  It should be about 3/8" thick.  Don't worry if some of the wax seeps out around the sides, you can break it away when the wax becomes hard.   Let the wax harden then gently pop the cookie away from the wax.  The little angels were made by pouring wax into a candy mold.  Let these harden in the freezer for 15-20 mins, then tap the mold sharply on the counter - the shapes will pop right out.  The best thing about this project is, that if one of the ornaments breaks, or doesn't look right, you just pop it back in the double boiler.  Definitely a "McGoof proof" project.  Once all the ornaments are made I thread gold or silver thread onto a tapestry needle, then heat the end of the needle in a candle flame and push thru the top of the ornament.  When using a candy mold, make a hanger first by knotting the ends of about a 4" piece of thread, then placing it into the mold before adding the wax.

More ideas to come so, ya'll come back now!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Sizzix Blog Hop - Project #3

Dies are not just for paper.....  I've been enamored with die cutting machines since the mid 90's and one of the things I enjoyed most, was cutting fabric.  I cut felt and many different kinds of fabric backed with a fusible web to give it stability for cutting. These shapes can then be ironed onto other fabrics, or even onto cardstock.  Fabric shapes make great embellishments for cards, or even scrapbook pages!  Another great technique is to run posterboard, stiff cardboard/chipboard, or mat board through the Xyron machine, adhere fabric to it, then cut it out.  It all depends on what you want to use your die cut shapes for.

The "Beauty Bloom" die for this weeks project was designed by Brenda Pinnick.  We each received an assortment of cut flower shapes; mostly white cardstock, but there were also a few felt shapes, which I decided to use for my project:
 

The felt had a really soft, pliable texture, so I used Fabric and Paper glue to adhere the felt pieces to the same shapes cut from white cardstock to give it some stability.  I punched holes in the tips of the flower petals then used jump rings and beads placed on to an eye pin to connect all the pieces together.  I attached pearls to the center of each flower with thread, which I tied securely at the back and I even added some of the left over feathers from the house project. 

There's really no limit to what you can do, 

with die cut shapes and Elmer's glue......  

Y'all come back now!

Yours truly,

Julie :)

Sizzix Blog Hop - Project #2

This week's shape is the die cut Twist Cube designed by Karen Burniston.  Karen has wonderful instructions including a video for the correct assembly of this shape on her blog, so please check it out.  I've been in a time crunch this week - literally burning the candle at both ends, so I had to go the easy route and I assembled mine as a regular cube to display photos of our four legged family members.  The photos should have been "on point", but as I said, I really needed to have a 5 min project, so this is it.  I also re-photographed my house from last week, with its missing door frame in place!  Just one of those little details that I think make a big difference.  Enjoy!

Y'all come back now!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Sizzix Blog Hop - Project #1

Today is the first day of the new Sizzix Blog Hop.  60 designers are participating and each of us will create a project each week for the next 6 weeks using the same Sizzix dies.  To hop from blog to blog, click "next" in the Sizzix blog hop icon in the sidebar.  Here's my design for Eileen Hull's Scoreboard "House" die.

After cutting the shape from mat board, I used a sponge brush to coat the entire surface with Elmers Fabric & Paper glue, then sprinkled with glitter.  I glued Zucker feathers to the roof with Elmers Tacky glue.  The windows were outlined with Crystal Elements clear stickers and for an added touch, I colored small pieces of acetate with a yellow marker and adhered behind the window.  Place the finished house over a tea light (the little LCD? ones) - don't want to set the house on fire, right.....  If you want to know which glue to use stick this to that, check out Elmers on FB, and "yes", they even have an AP for that!

This is Sizzix supply list:

#65279;Sizzix Scoreboards Pro Die -  House, 3D, by Eileen Hull
Sizzix 12x12 White Matboard 

Sizzix Big Shot Pro Die Cutting Machine

This is just one idea of at least 60, so "hop" to it and enjoy!   BTW, check out the GIVEAWAY at the Scrapbook Memories FB page - it's a Sizzix BIG SHOT!  Y'all come back now!

Yours truly,

Julie :)

Thanks for the Memories

Hi there!

Now that I have your attention............  For those of you who enjoy Scrapbook Memories, KS Productions has uploaded episodes from some of the older series on YouTube.  I was looking to see which ones were there and, oh my, have things changed - especially  me!  It made me realize how long I've been involved with the show and how much fun Beth and I had taping the series.  A lot has happened over the past 12 years! 

The show was called More than Memories for the first 4 years.  Julie Stephani and I hosted and Beth appeared on the final series as a guest.  She was so good, we thought she'd make a perfect host on the new series and so it was.  Since then, Beth has married and has 2 children; both my children are now married and I am now a grandmother.......!!  Makes me wonder what the next few years will have in store for us.  The Arts & Crafts industry is changing and the show will change too to reflect new trends, etc.  I'm sure you've already noticed a few of those changes on the new series which is now airing.  BTW, I watch the show on BYU at 5pm CST.  It also airs at 5am, but I'm not an early morning person - if the sun isn't up, I see no reason why I should be.  Enjoy the shows and if you have any questions about anything you see, join us on Facebook.  I check there regularly and will try to answer any questions you may have - if I can!  Ya'll come back now!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

And the WINNER IS...........

AMBER 

Cricut Roller bag and 3 cartridges!

MANDERS and CINDYSOUL 

have each won 4 Cricut cartridges!

Congratulations!  Please e-mail your mailing address to me:  julie@juliemcguffee.com and I'll ship these out as soon as possible.  Y'all come back now......  who knows what the giveaway will be for November!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Happy Halloween!

Have a safe and happy Halloween, full of treats!

Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see if you were a winner in the Cricut roller bag and cartridges giveaway...   you can still enter up to midnight, PST - you may receive your best treat from my doorstep.  Y'all come back now!

Yours truly,

Julie :)

Tempus Fugit

They say time flies when you're having fun.  Well, here's a newsflash, it flies whether you're having fun or not especially when you don't want it to.  I have to say though that life is good.  It's just busy.....  I've been trying to catch up on some design work this week, but I am way behind and my "other" life is busy too - you know the one that cooks, cleans, does laundry, grocery shopping, etc.  I have some more product to put in my shop, but can't even find a few minutes to photograph it.  I'm also trying to put some storybooks together for my grandchildren.  I have a Unibind Photobook Creator and love being able to create my own books.  I have photos of taking the kids to the zoo, aquarium and circus and thought I could add text and create some fun story books that would be all about them.  Hopefully they'll be done in time for Christmas - 2010!  I'll share pictures of them when they're finished.

My son and his wife are arriving tomorrow to stay for a few days.  It's "homecoming" weekend, so it'll be another few days before I get back to "work".

Y'all come back now!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Grand Opening!!

Remember about a week ago, I said I was going to open an Etsy shop?  Well after signing up and spending hours on wording, photos and a whole lot more, I have opened my shop - but not on Etsy.  I got to thinking - always a dangerous pastime, usually while I'm driving.  I really don't want to be in the "selling" business, but I have things that I can give away.  Unfortunately, there are charges involved in getting something from A (me) to B (you).  Therein lay my dilemma - I can give away the product, but it has to ship.  So, I had an awesomely bright idea and have opened my shop on my website.  There you'll find a photo of things I can send you.  Just click on the shop banner above and it will take you there.  Since shipping charges vary from state to state, each item will have a set fee - same for everyone and easy for me.  It will be loosely based on the size of those pre-paid boxes the USPS is advertising.  I will try to use the smallest box, but if I need a bigger one, I will add some "goodies".  You will definitely get more than your cost for shipping.   Hope you like the idea!

Here's a picture of the first kit for the Christmas Crafts projects.  It even includes things like scissors, glue, glitter paint, sponge brush, etc., and most of the pieces are pre-cut.

These are the projects again.  The instructions are here on my blog under PAGES in the sidebar.

Enjoy!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Witching Hour!

Don't forget!   Midnight on October 31st is the last second to enter the drawing for the Cricut roller bag and cartridges!  Winners will be announced Monday, November 1st.  Good Luck!

Yours truly,

Julie :)

It's a Slippery Slope

Can you believe it's already October, the beginning of the busiest craft season of the year! During the next few weeks we'll be decorating for Halloween/Fall, if you haven't done so already, followed by Thanksgiving then Christmas (or any other holiday you may celebrate). It's definitely not too soon to start thinking about all the cool gifts and decorations you can make to amaze your friends and family.

My friend, and business partner, Jean, and I taught Christmas craft classes at the CHA Supershow this past summer in Chicago. Christmas in July is always a "stretch" for me, but October.... well that's another story. If I don't start now, nothing will get done. I have to admit though, that I live by the old adage, "if it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done". Christmas is like birthdays, it comes every year whether we're ready or not, and each New Year I make a resolution to be more prepared - let's just say, I'm not the boy scout type.......

However, YOU may want to start early, so here are photos of the projects I designed for my Christmas Crafts class. All the supplies are easy to find at your local craft store and I will post a list of instructions on the Christmas Crafts page (see left column under pages). I also have some kits available, which I will post in my Etsy shop. The kits will include everything you need to create ALL of the projects, including things like glue! ETSY Shop!!!!!! Yes, I have an Etsy shop, but it's empty at the moment.........

You'll have to be patient with me, I still have to load everything to the shop. Once I've got it all figured out, I will announce the GRAND OPENING of Craft Lane Designs. Hopefully it will be up and running by the weekend. I have "Nana duty" thru mid October, so my time is a little limited at the mo; another reason I haven't posted for a week! My bad.............

Yours truly,
Julie :)