Herb Expressions Seed Journal

May 7, 2010 | Blog Tour, My Digital Studio, Occasion Mini 2010, Tutorial | 3 comments

Royal Blog Tour Project 2 – Herb Seed Journal

My second project  from the Royal Blog tour is an Herb Seed Journal.  This is based on the design of a matchbook.  I originally created a small version of this project (I’ll be sharing that in the future) for something else and decided to adapt the idea to this.   I’ve already shared instructions for my other two projects – #1 Card set and #3 Flower Pot – so if you missed those they were posted earlier this week.

The base is a piece of Kraft card stock – it measures 12″ x 5″ and is scored at 5″, 5-1/2″, 11″, and 11-1/4″.  The small flap becomes the bottom where the bags are attached.  I stamped the images from the Herb Expressions set along this flap in Chocolate Chip ink and I sponged all the edges.

To decorate the front I used a piece of Certainly Celery (4-3/4″ x 4-1/2″) – sponge the edges with Certainly Celery, then a piece of Chocolate Chip (4-1/2″ x 4-1/4″) – emboss using the Big Shot and the Finial Press Embossing Folder and sponge the edges in Chocolate Chip.

Then I added a piece of the 1-1/4″ Striped Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon with a piece of Certainly Celery underneath that was scalloped on one edge.  On top is a piece of Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon tied in a knot.  The herb image was stamped on a piece of Very Vanilla and colored with Stampin’ Write Markers. Punch out with the wide oval and sponge the edges.  Can you tell I like to sponge the edges?  Attach this to two punch outs of the Designer Label punch from Kraft card stock (sponge edges).  And then add another wide oval punched from Lavender Lace.  Attach with Stampin’ Dimensionals next to the knot.  I’ve actually decided this front would be a pretty card so I may go back and use this same design just as a card.

The inside consists of pockets made from the Glassine Bags in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  These were each cut to be 5-3/8″ long.  I used the 1-3/4″ circle punch to punch a half circle notch out of each opening.  When you do this put a piece of scratch paper or card stock behind to help the punch cut through.  Because of the texture of the bag sometimes it bends instead of cutting so you need something else under it. On the outside of each envelope I stamped the herb image and colored it in with Stampin’ Write Markers.  For this project I used Certainly Celery and Lavender Lace.  Stack the 4 bags together and attach to the bottom flap of the cover with two Chocolate Chip jumbo brads – I used the 5/16″ size.

Inside each pocket I have a card that includes places to keep track of your seeds and a packet of seeds.  I created the journal card using My Digital Studio.  I cut the Kraft card stock to 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ and printed them on my printer.  Then I actually cut them again down to 4-3/4″ x 4-1/4″ to fit in the envelopes.  I sponged the edges just a bit too.

CLICK HERE if you would like the pdf file of the seed journal card – you may have to play with your printer to get it to print the way you want it – I set my paper size to be 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ and test it on regular printer paper before printing on card stock.

You can keep the seed packet and the journal card in the pocket so that the following year you’ll know what you bought, what you did, what worked and what you need to change so you will have lots of herbs.

Well that is the last of my Royal Blog Tour projects.  I hope that I gave you enough information and instructions that you can recreate them if you like.  I enjoyed making them and being part of the tour.

Thanks for visiting!

I’m a Guest Designer at  Create with Connie & Mary: Summer Edition – its not too late to join!

Herb Expressions Card Set & Blog Candy Winner

May 5, 2010 | Blog Candy, Blog Tour, Cards, Create with Connie & Mary | 3 comments

The Royal Blog Tour has ended and wow what a ride it was!  I hope everyone that came along enjoyed the tour. Over the 4 day tour – I had 3217 visitors to my blog!!! WOW!!   I had 147 comments on my post and I picked a winner for my blog candy!  Do you want to know who it is?  I know you do…..

The winner is……..

Janet Swofford Says: April 30, 2010 at 12:15 pm

All of your projects are stunning. If I have to pick just one, I would pick the first project. I love the layout and that it is a set. It would make a great gift.Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win the blog candy.
Inky hugs,
Janet

Congratulations Janet!!  Please email me with your mailing address so that I can send you your blog candy.

And now on to another project.  Yesterday I posted the instructions for the Flower Pot and today I’ll post the Card Kit – it was Janet’s favorite and she won the blog candy so I thought it would be appropriate.

Royal Blog Tour Project 1 – Set of Cards in a Box

This is a set of 4 cards in a clear box.   The clear box was one that I purchased online from clearbags.com – they have lots of different things to choose from.

I created a belly band to go around the box – it is Soft Suede textured card stock – 1-1/2″ wide.  I then took a piece of Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon and used some snail to glue it to the center of a piece of Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon.  Then I attached them both around the center of the card stock leaving both ends free and overlapping.   Next take a Certainly Celery button from Sherbet Designer Buttons and put some Linen Thread through one hole then around the ribbon and then up through the other hole on the button – pull tight to cinch up the ribbon.  Add a tiny tag punched using the Medium Jewelry Tag punch and finish by tying the Linen thread in a bow.  The little tag has the flowers from the Lavender image and the “for you” is from a portion of one of the sayings in the set.

The colors I used throughout this project are Kraft (the new Crumb Cake), Soft Suede, Certainly Celery and Lavender Lace.  Each card uses one of the four herb images and on the inside I added the coordinating quote.

The card base is Kraft card stock with the front edge scalloped using the Scallop Edge Punch.  Then sponge the scalloped edge with Soft Suede ink.  Cut a piece of Certainly Celery card stock (5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″) for the inside of the card.  I stamped the herb image in the bottom right corner of the card front and the Certainly Celery piece and on the envelope.  Color the image with Stampin’ Write Markers.

Then I used the Color Spritzer tool with the Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Marker to spritz across the front of the card and the corner of the Certainly Celery piece.

Attach the Certainly Celery piece to the inside of the card and stamp the corresponding saying in Soft Suede ink.

To finish the front I did the same thing as the belly band on the box.

Because these cards are “fat” with the buttons and ribbon I was able to fit 4 cards and 4 envelopes in the box.  Which was perfect for this set.  Here are pictures of the front and inside of the rest of the cards.

I hope you like this card set – it was also a popular choice of favorites on the tour!

I’m a Guest Designer at  Create with Connie & Mary: Summer Edition.

This week on Create with Connie and Mary we are having a “Tropical Party”!  Every day during this week the team has created a project using the items that coordinate with the tropical set, die and paper!  Mary found the footnote flip flops at a local store and just KNEW they would be PERFECT for a special project!  And since we just HAD to do something with them…we are sharing them with YOU!

Leave a comment on the blog below on the given day and be entered into the drawings to win one!  Each of us have two to give away.  CLICK HERE for all the details and how you can get ADDITIONAL CHANCES TO WIN.

Wednesday  May 5th– Kerin Slyvester – Stamps, Paper, Glitter!

Winners will be announced for everything on Saturday, May 8th.  To find out if you are a WINNER…you need to check the Create with Connie and Mary site no later than Friday, May 14th and send us your mailing address.  Good Luck!

Herb Expression Flower Pot

May 4, 2010 | Blog Candy, Blog Tour, Create with Connie & Mary, Embossing, Tutorial | 9 comments

Royal Blog Tour Project 3 – Flower Pot

I hope you enjoyed the Royal Blog Tour – I know I did.  Since I wasn’t able to give you all the details for my projects during the tour I’m glad you were able to return to see them now.  Today I’m going to give you more information on my flower pot project.  I haven’t done a tally yet but lots of people liked this one.

I went through several pots and several different ways to get the effect that I wanted.  Stamping the image on the pot wasn’t too big an issue but getting the color on the flowers and the leaves was the trick for me.  I tried a couple of things and then ran the pot under water to see what it would do – since you would have to water your plants I needed the pot to be able to get wet and stay the color I made.  Finally I got the results that I wanted!  And it turned out cute – don’t you think?  And now you want to know what I did don’t you – so this was my final solution.

  1. Stamp the image in Chocolate Chip Craft ink – on this small pot I did have to roll the stamp carefully around the pot since it isn’t flat to get the full image. Just go slowly and make sure you are touching the stamp to the pot both at the top and the bottom.  The Lavender image is narrower and probably wouldn’t have the same issue.    Then cover in clear embossing powder and heat set.
  2. Use the Lovely Lilac Stampin’ Write Marker and color in the flowers – quickly cover with clear embossing powder and heat set.  Now if you have craft ink in one of the purple shades then do what I did for the leaves (see the next step).  I didn’t have any purple craft ink so I had to use the marker.
  3. Use a small paint brush and a drop of Old Olive Craft ink – and paint the leaves inside the outline.  Let Dry.

Inside the pot is a bag of soil – first put in a ziploc bag and then inside one of our large cello bags tied with Old Olive Satin Ribbon and I added a tag with some Linen Thread.  Then I stuck in the packet of seeds.

I also had this idea to make a plant marker – again the trick was what to do to let it get wet and not ruin it – so paper wasn’t going to work.  I went down to my craft closet to get a big wood craft stick and saw that I had some wood squares left from an old scout project – that was my answer.  And here is how I made it (and it is waterproof – the water rolls right off):

  1. Stamp the image in Chocolate Chip Craft ink on the square piece of wood, cover with Clear Embossing Powder and heat set.  Don’t do it too long or you could burn the wood – or at least make it turn brown.
  2. Color the leaves and flowers with Stampin’ Write Markers – I used Old Olive and Lovely Lilac.
  3. Add the name by using a clean stamp and use a Black journler only on the name and stamp it on the wood.
  4. Cover the whole front of the wood piece with VersaMark ink and Clear Embossing Powder and heat set.  If you wanted you could do the back of it too – I actually didn’t but now that I think about it I probably should have.
  5. Use Crystal Effects to glue the wood to a large wood craft stick.

I think this little flower pot would be a great little teacher gift – tell the teacher thanks for all the “thyme” they spent with your child this year.  I did something similar years ago when my boys were younger.  Or cute for Mother’s Day – use it for center pieces by actually planting a flower in it instead of the soil and seeds.

I hope you like this little project!

I’m a Guest Designer at  Create with Connie & Mary: Summer Edition. Join today!

This week on Create with Connie and Mary we are having a “Tropical Party”!  Every day during this week the team has created a project using the items that coordinate with the tropical set, die and paper!  Mary found the footnote flip flops at a local store and just KNEW they would be PERFECT for a special project!  And since we just HAD to do something with them…we are sharing them with YOU!

Leave a comment on the blog below on the given day and be entered into the drawings to win one!  Each of us have two to give away.  CLICK HERE for all the details and how you can get ADDITIONAL CHANCES TO WIN.

Tuesday May 4th  – Connie Babbert – Inkspired Treasures

Winners will be announced for everything on Saturday, May 8th.  To find out if you are a WINNER…you need to check the Create with Connie and Mary site no later than Friday, May 14th and send us your mailing address.  Good Luck!

Royal Blog Tour

Apr 29, 2010 | Blog Candy, Blog Tour, Cards, Embossing | 148 comments

I am so excited to welcome you to the ROYAL BLOG TOUR!

I hope you are excited to be here!

I will go back to my regular posting schedule after the tour – this post will be at the top of my blog until the tour is over.  I will have a Create with Connie & Mary Challenge Post on Saturday – so scroll down below this one if you want to see that one.  Create with Connie & Mary winners and new blog candy are posted below this one so scroll down if you want to see those.

On the tour you will visit Princesses from all over showing you different styles of stamping and different stamp sets.

Have fun on the tour!

My featured Stampin’ Up! stamp set is the Herb Expressions (#113224) set!  This set offers images from four different herbs – Thyme, Basil, Rosemary and Lavender along with four sayings that coordinate with each one.  I have Thyme and Rosemary growing in my yard – lots!  I have created three projects to show you during the tour I hope that you enjoy them.

Project 1 – Set of Cards in a Box

This is a set of 4 cards in a clear box.  The colors I used are Kraft (the new Crumb Cake), Soft Suede, Certainly Celery and Lavender lace.

Each card uses one of the four herb images and on the inside I added the coordinating quote.

I used the Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon along with the Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon on each card and the box.  A Certainly Celery Button and some Linen Thread finish the front.

Check back on my blog next week to see each card in detail and a full supply list.  I can’t show you everything today because I want you to have time to complete the tour.  You can sign up for email updates by clicking on the link to the right and then you won’t miss it.


Project 2 – Herb Seed Journal

My second project is an Herb Seed Journal.  This is based on the design of a matchbook.  I originally created a small version of this project (I’ll be sharing that in the future) for something else and decided to adapt the idea to this. 

The inside consists of pockets made from the Glassine Bags in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  Inside each pocket I have a card that includes places to keep track of your seeds and a packet of seeds.  I created the journal card using My Digital Studio.

I included 4 pockets – one for each of the images in the stamp set.  You can keep the seed packet and the journal card in the pocket so that the following year you’ll know what you bought, what you did, what worked and what you need to change so you will have lots of herbs.

I will have more information on this project later next week and more pictures for you to see – so be sure to come back.  I need to move on to my next project now.

Project 3 – Flower Pot

When I first decided to use the Herb Expressions stamp set for this tour I had this idea in my head to stamp on a flower pot.  I went through several pots and several different ways to get the effect that I wanted.  I also made a plant marker which needed to be waterproof so it couldn’t be made out of paper.  I was very happy with my end result.  If you want the details on how I made these please come back to my blog next week and I’ll posting the instructions.

Inside the pot is a bag of potting soil tied with ribbon and a tag and a packet of seeds.  I think this little flower pot would be a great little teacher gift – tell the teacher thanks for all the “thyme” they spent with your child this year.  I did something similar years ago when my boys were younger.

I hope you liked all these ideas.  Come see me again and leave me a comment – you have the chance to win blog candy!

I’ll be giving away Blog Candy after the tour is over.  You must live in the US to win the blog candy – but you can leave me a comment even if you don’t.  Here are the details on how to enter:

1.  Leave a comment on this blog post with your name and if you are demonstrator or customer and which project is your favorite.

2.  Sign up to receive email updates from my blog – there is a link in my side bar on the right-hand side of my blog .

Blog Candy prize:

Picture This stamp set (wood mount), Botanical Blooms stamp set (wood mount), and the consumable supplies to create the card box project and the herb seed journal project featured in this post.

The winner will be announced on my blog after the tour and I’ll also send the winner an email.

And don’t forget to visit the main Royal Blog Tour Blog – if you didn’t start there it is the start of all the Royal Tours and has the details on the Royal Blog Tour Blog Candy.  Along each tour there are clues for a chance to win a BIG SHOT die cut machine or other prizes!  That’s very exciting so be sure to read the rules on how to enter.  Good Luck!

Your Royal Carriage awaits you please click on the Glass Slippers to continue your journey!

Thanks for stopping by!

Herb Expressions Tile Coaster

Apr 29, 2010 | Blog Candy, Blog Tour, Create with Connie & Mary | 5 comments

Here is another tile coaster that  I made last week.  I was preparing for the Royal Blog Tour and playing around with the Herb Expressions stamp set at the same time I was working on the designs for my tile coaster class.

With the four images in the stamp set these would make a nice set of coasters.  The corners are stamped with the Elements of Style stamp set.   It is the vine image from that set.

The images are stamped with the Old Olive craft ink and then I added a little bit of Lovely Lilac with a marker to the flowers before I added the clear embossing powder over all the stamped images.

If you ‘d like the instructions and box template see my earlier post – HERE.  Be sure to come back between Friday and Sunday to join the Royal Blog Tour and see the other projects I made using the Herb Expressions stamp set.  Each demonstrator on the tour features a different stamp set – there are 6 legs to the tour – take one or all six – its up to you!

Would you like to WIN a subscription to Create with Connie and Mary?  Each of our team members will be giving away subscriptions on their blogs this week.  To enter to win, all you have to do is leave a comment on our team member’s blog on the day that we are featuring them. Today, Thursday,  you can leave a comment over on Create with Connie and Mary in order to get a chance to win one of six FREE subscriptions!  Don’t leave it here…you must leave it on today’s post over there!

And for Friday you need to visit Kerin’s blog to leave a comment for a chance to win one of the free subscriptions!

All the winners will be announced on Saturday, May 1st! If you are a winner and have already subscribed, we will refund the price of your subscription!

Thanks for stopping by today.

I’m a Guest Designer at  Create with Connie & Mary: Summer Edition going on now – don’t miss out!
I’m also a princess on the Royal Blog Tour: April 30 – May 3rd – visit my blog to take the Royal Tour.