Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts

Kristi's Card

Today I want to share this beautiful card I got from my friend Kristi.  I can't offer you too much information about which Stampin' Up stamps she used but I know she must've used VersaMark to stamp the lovely background for a watermark effect.  She also stamped the torn piece of card stock for a textured look and then layered the stamped flower image on top.  The bouquet is beautifully coloured!  Kristi's cards are always so gorgeous and creative and I love receiving them...especially so I can case her work!  Thanks again, Kristi!

Sending Warm Wishes Card

This is the first project I made using the Sew Easy kit I showed you a couple weeks ago.  I started by piercing and sewing the Razzleberry strip of paper.  The piercer did punch through the thick card stock but I think it would have been easier on patterned paper.  The blunt needle went into the holes easily but I had a bit of trouble getting it back through and bent the card stock a bit.  It certainly takes some time to sew but once you get into the rhythm it's not too bad.  That being said, I don't know how often I will hand-stitch cards!  I like the way the piercing looks even without sewing so I probably will use the tool for that technique or look more often!

I do like the way the card came together in the end.  I spritzed the sewn strip with some shimmer paint and adhered it to layers of the Razzleberry dsp on the card front.  I added an embellishment from the Making Memories design shop package - the sun burst matched perfectly with the colours in my dsp!  To compliment the sun, I used a chit-chat rub-on, 'sending warm wishes', vertically on the side of the card front.

Inside, I punched a border on more Razzleberry dsp using the little Anna Griffin Flora Collection paper punch that Stephanie sent me and then added an Anna Griffin designer Journal Tag (from the Peyton Collection) so I could write my message.

Simply Sweet Wassail Thank You Card

While this thank you card also uses layers of the BasicGrey Wassail paper, I used quite a large piece of glitter paper as an accent on the front.  It was actually a scrap scalloped oval I had cut out and abandoned so it was nice to be able to use it up.  I stamped the 'thank you' using the Simply Sweet stamp set and punched it out with the Modern Label punch.

Inside, I layered more designer paper with a large solid rectangle where I can write my note.  I had the glittery flourish chip board (from Making Memories) in my embellishment stash and I just thought it added a bit of sparkle to the inside.

Sew Easy Kit

Let's just say Santa got a little help picking out this amazing Sew Easy Stitch Piercer Bundle.  It made my eyes light up when I saw it - I loved the fact that everything was included.  The Sew Easy tool comes with a straight-stitch attachment and free needle to store in the compartment at the end of the handle.  But the set gives you 4 more sewing heads (zig-zag, burst, scallop, and hem), 4 packages of floss, the piercing mat, AND the carrying case!  You'd think I'd just be happy using my old sewing machine to add stitching to cards but I can never resist a 'kit' and this just seems like a handy, low-tech way to add a bit of embroidery to a card.  I can't wait to try it out!

 

Here's a great video showing how I can organize my carrying case!

Shimmer Wassail Thank You Card

Here is the 2nd Holiday Thank You card made with the BasicGrey Wassail paper pad.  This time I layered 4 different papers and popped up the 'thank you' (stamped with the Curly Cute stamp on glitter paper and punched out with the Modern Label punch) on dimensionals.  I misted the whole card front with frosty glimmer paint.

On the inside of the card I used the gift boxes patterned paper as my background and layered some solid paper so I could write my message.  The Fiskars border punch made a cute accent when a single motif was punched out of glitter paper.

Stampin' Up Order

I placed one more order before Christmas for some Stampin' Up product.  The main reason I did, other than getting in on the clearance rack deals, was when I was picking up holiday baking supplies and treats at the bulk store, I noticed that they had Hershey's Nuggets in stock.  Nuggets have been really hard for me to find here in my small Canadian town and since they are often used as treats in Stampin' Up projects, I scooped up a whole bag of them!

I remembered seeing Angie at Chic 'n Scratch using mailing labels to cover the pieces of chocolate with a stamped greeting.  Although Hershey's requested demonstrators to stop using sticky labels and use card stock instead, I am not a demonstrator and therefore love the idea of using a quick and easy label to customize the Nuggets!

I bought the It's a Wrap Occasions clear-mount stamp set for just this reason.  They fit perfectly on Avery 5160 mailing labels (which I picked up at Staples) and the labels in turn, fit perfectly around the Nugget.  Since I also needed a block to fit this size stamp, I took the opportunity to finally get my first Stampin' Up clear block!  I got the 'H' block and it really is lovely!  It is so nicely made and comfortable to use.  I love it!  I'll try to slowly add a few more as I place orders this year.

Since I was ordering, I took advantage of the clearance rack and picked up a paper pack, simply sent kit, and the long, narrow cello bags (which fit pencils or small candies, like Skittles) to have in my stash.  Of course I added in an extra pack of Dimensionals and small cello bags, two things I use the most!

I can't wait to make some little favours with the Hershey's Nuggets - they really are a yummy chunk of chocolate and it's so easy to personalize them for any occasion (birthday, school, shower, get well, baby, wedding, thanks) with my new stamp set and a strip of labels!

Cocoa Cup Thank You Card

Here is my first post-holiday thank you card - made for my lovely friend Lise who gave me some wonderful homemade hot chocolate mix (and some beautiful golden nail polish!).  I got the major layout of the card and the idea of layering the scallops on the card front from THIS CARD made by Dawn.  I used the Creative Memories Border Maker and punched out 3 scallops using patterned paper from the Wassail paper pad by BasicGrey.  I layered 2 other co-ordinating papers underneath.  I punched out the flag tag from glitter paper and adhered that to my layers.  The cocoa cup was stamped using the Cold & Cuddly stamp set and I coloured it with Stampin' Write markers and added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the steam.  I popped it up on dimensionals.

Inside the card, I just layered more paper, used a scrap of glitter paper from which I'd punched snowflakes, and re-stamped the cocoa mug on the panel where I'll write my thank-you message.

 

Simon Says Stamp

I was doing really well with my 'ease off on the on-line shopping' pledge to myself before Christmas but then made the mistake of visiting Kristina at kwernerdesign and seeing the adorable card she made with the Tilda stamp.  I also drooled over her SMASH book post and really had to control myself.

I ended up visiting Simon Says Stamp and ordering 2 Tilda stamps and the Date Smash Stamp - even though I really wanted the SMASH book and all the accessories as well!  I love the way Kristina used her book for ideas and designing but I had to really force myself to realize I would never actually use the book to its fullest.  It's a great idea though and in a different life, where I only had myself to worry about, I would devour this book and all the embellishments.  I couldn't resist the Date Smash stamp though and knew it would be cute for cards and scrapbooking, as well as for notes to my kids and hubby.

I couldn't not buy the cute Tilda stamps because I love the idea of colouring her in.  I like the winter one because she is pointing and, like Kristina shows, you could have any greeting or message on a tag beyond her pointing hand.

I bought the Kitchen Tilda because I thought she would be so cute on a tag I could include when I give away my baked goods.  Obviously she'd be sweet on a card as well and the kitchen/baking theme works well for me!

This was the first time I ordered from Simon Says Stamp and I was really impressed with their selection of products and also that shipping to Canada was ONLY $5!  That is amazing!  The order came right away and the wonderful team even sent a Christmas card photo and a free stamp set!  How nice is that these days?  I will definitely order from them again in the future!

Now that the holidays are winding down (the kids will be back to school next week), I'm hoping to get into the craft room and get working.  There are a lot of new things to play with and it will take me a while to get through them all! 

Easy Christmas Card #3

Here is the last easy Christmas card I'm going to share with you for this year...and this one is my favourite!  Once again I simply cut the design out of the patterned paper in the Tim Holtz paper stash Seasonal stack and added ribbon, layers of card stock, and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  I love the glitter on the tree branches - what an effect such a small amount can have!  Proof that you needn't spend a lot of time or effort to make a beautiful, hand-made Christmas card.

Easy Christmas Card #2

Here's the second easy Christmas card I made using images cut right from the paper in the Tim Holtz Seasonal Paper Stash pack.  This time I used different paper colours to co-ordinate with the image design and I added white satin ribbon underneath the card stock layers.  I also popped up the main layer with pop dots to give some dimension and focus attention to that part of the card.  Don't forget the glitter as the perfect embellishment on the word 'snow'!