Here comes Peter Cottontail...

I learned how to weave a reed basket this summer by my aunt Marjie. She is a professional basket weaver and has many other talents that make her just amazing. *:)* Well, when I saw this tutorial for weaving a paper basket, I thought, I can do that. Well, weaving paper is a bit more tricky than I thought. But, it is very 'doable' once you get the feel for it. I made this basket for Marissa and will be making another one this weekend for Cody. What a neat handmade with love piece to hand down. Here is the tutorial for this basket:http://www.wishyouwerehere-laura.blogspot.com/search/label/Basket%20Tutorial Oh, and the cute brads are from Making Memories Easter Collection. I LOVE them!

Another tutorial I found:http://confessionsofaribbonaddict.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-basket-tutorial.html It is a different style basket, but easier and just as cute!

Don't forget tomorrow is the drawing for the rub-ons blog candy giveaway. Make sure to leave me a comment to be entered. Oh, and a way to contact you if you win!

Scrapbook Sketch #2

Again, thanks to Pagemaps for this weeks inspiration. Being able to use multiple photos on a lyaout is a big deal, I think. ;) Please share your take on this sketch with me. Just add a link in the comments section. Enjoy!

This is my project from yesterday's color combo. I found the template for the box here: http://sonjascene.blogspot.com/ Sonja has a lot of really great templates and ideas to share. :)

Recipe: Cardstock: Soft Sky, Basic Back & River Rock; Pattern Paper: Close To My Heart; Ink: Soft Sky; Rub-on: Love & Happiness (Sale-A-Bration reward book); Ribbon: Soft Sky; Brads: Close To My Heart; Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket; Glitter: Martha Stewart & Stickles; Flowers: Michaels (bridal aisle); Stamps: Technique Tuesday; Misc. Supplies: transparency sheet, circle punch, pop-dots, Xyron 150 sticker maker & Hershey Nuggets.

Color Combo #1

Basic Black, River Rock, Soft Sky & Whisper White

(All colors are from SU!)

Looking outside today inspired this color combination. These are the colors I am looking at from my seat at the laptop on the kitchen island. I love the elegant look of these colors together. They could inspire a wedding project or winter scrapbook page. I am off to play with the combo and will post my project soon.

Card Sketch #1

Today's card sketch is from Pagemaps. I thought it was the perfect follow up sketch to yesterday's tip of the week. It is such a versatile sketch to hilight any great embellishments you have. You can check out the pagemaps site for more inspiration for using this sketch.Below is my take on this sketch. Have fun creating!

Tip of the Week

Do you find attaching glitter and or flock to small items to sometimes be a challenge? Not any more! Using the sticker maker machines from Xyron you can make your own decorative embellishments easy-peasy. Below I have photos and descriptions on how to do this:

I am demonstrating the Xyron 150 Sticker Maker with the permanent adhesive cartridge. The butterfly punch and glitter are from the Martha Stewart line at Michael's. The fun flock is from Stampendous. I punched the butterfly from thin, white core chipboard. Gently push your shape into the X150 until your feel it stop. Making sure the side you want to attach the glitter to is face down. Turn the X150 to the other side and gently pull the adhesive strip out of the machine. Stopping after your shape is past the cutting teeth. Pull the adhesive strip up againt the cutting teeth and tear the strip off. Rub the shape while it is still in protective paper. Peel away the clear top paper and then remove the white paper, this is the sticky side. Sprinkle with glitter. Shake off any excess glitter. Your done. If you want to make this a sticker you can now run it back through the X150, glitter side up this time.

I hope this makes sense. If you still have questions please leave me a comment or an email. :)

Today's Featured blog!

PRINT & PATTERN - http://printpattern.blogspot.com/

If you are looking for some inspiration for design or color look no further. This blogger posts the newest and hottest trends from around the world. :) I love visiting this blog at least once a month to see what hot, new ideas are being shared. She also shares many a place to shop if you really like what you see. ;)

Papercraft - Easter Candy Box

This little peek-a-boo box is just the perfect size for a nest of m&m's, jellybeans or other small treat for Easter. As you can see I used some buttons. I haven't shopped for Easter candy yet, I would be snacking on it if it was around. ;) This box can be used as a favor box for any event. Just mix up the paper and lid topper. The tutorial for making this box is here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7329573 (just scroll down a bit on the page to print the template as a word document.) I used American Crafts Paper from their spring line and a transparency sheet for the 'window'.

Thank you so much to everyone who has left comments so far. :) Please feel free to share this blog with your friends. And, for those of you who have never tried rub-ons or are struggling with them I will try and help with a few tips.

1. Quality does matter when it comes to rub-ons. If they are to dry they will not rub-on with out alot of rubbing. So, you want a nice 'creamy', smooth rub-on that will rub-on to your project with out much pressure. Some of my favorites are: American Crafts, SU!, Scenic Route, K&Co.

2. Try cutting out just the design you will be rubbing on your project. This lets you align it more easily and you will not accidentaly rub-on part of another design you don't want.

3. Make sure to store the unused designs with the backing paper it came with. If you don't the designs will stick and rub-on to anything they lay against.

4. If you mess-up or don't like the way your rub-on looks you can use scotch tape to 'lift' it off. Just gently press the scotch tape to the rub-on and pull up gently.

5. If all of your design did not transfer onto your project, don't panic. Just realign your design and rub-on the remaining parts.

I hope some of these tips help. If I did not answer your question please feel free to ask me more. :)

TGIF! Have a great weekend!

Scrapbook Sketch & Blog Candy Giveaway!

I love PageMaps! They offer the best sketches for all sizes and types of projects. I will be featuring many sketches from their site. You can also find the link under 'Places I Visit' (in the sidebar to the left). I will be posting my page using this sketch later today. :) Happy scrappin'!

Ps: Click on the image to enlarge it.

The Blog Candy Giveaway for leaving a comment on this blog is the fabulous NEW Rub-ons from SU! These are only available in the Sale-A-Bration reward catalog. You cannot buy these. They come in a pack of 4 fabulous colors( Black, White, Old Olive & Chocolate Chip) and they are big sheets (5 7/8 x 12 inches)! I have already used mine and they rub on so smoothly. :) For more info on Sale-A-Bration see the link to the left 'Catalog' link.

HOW TO LEAVE A COMMENT: At the bottom of today's post is the word 'comments'. Click on that word and that is where you will type in your comment. If you do not want to subscribe you can leave an anonymous comment. Just don't stay anonymous ;) put your name and/or email in your message so I know how to contact you if your name is drawn. :)

More boxes!

I love making and filling boxes! How fun it is to give treats and goodies to those that bless our lives. Friends, teachers, co-workers or anyone that is special or helpful. I think that is why I find crafting so rewarding. Being able to feel proud of the items I make and share with others. :)

The easter wrapped candy bars are so simple to do and the stamp is from the $1 bin at Michael's. I will try and put a tutorial together in the next day or so. It will be my first, so it may take some practice. ;)

The Magic Box is from this amazing blog http://polkadothouse.blogspot.com/2008/02/magic-boxes.html She was so generous to put a video tutorial together and share. I think I will be asking her for some help with my blog design. ;) It needs a bit of sprucing up. A little pizzazz!

Look for a few more box and easter ideas shortly. I am on a roll.

Today's the day!

You can start ordering from the NEW OCCASSIONS MINI COLLECTIONS 2008! Click on the link at the right to view the catalog. I also added a link to the Sale-A-Bration reward book. Yahoo!! I do have all of these catalogs in stock if you would like a 'real' one to flip thru. :)

As promised here are four cards and a cute little tote that are made using products from the new mini catalog.

Card Recipes: I will be using SAB for Sale-A-Bration, OMC for Occassions Mini Catalog & SSC for Spring~Summer Catalog. Just to help you know where all the products are coming from. :) All card dimensions are 4 x 5.5 inches.

Happy Days: Designer Paper: Summer Picnic, OMC; Cardstock: Chocolate Chip & Very Vanilla, SSC; Stamps: Tart & Tangy, OMC & Many Happy Returns, SSC; Ribbon: Chocolate Chip Poly Twill Ribbon, OMC; Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic, SSC.

Merci: Designer Paper: Afternoon Tea, OMC; Cardtock: Certainly Celery & Whisper White, SSC; Stamps: Merci, SAB; Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic, Groovy Guava Classic, Wild Wasabi Classic & Versamark, SSC.

Happy Birthday: Designer Paper: Afternoon Tea, OMC; Cardstock: Whisper White & Soft Sky, SSC; Stamps: She's All That, OMC & So Many Scallops, SAB; Punches: Scallop Circle & 1.25 inch Circle, SSC; Glitter: Chunky Sprinkles, OMC; Ink: Soft Sky Classic, SSC.

Sending You My Love: Cardstock, Soft Sky & Whisper White, SSC; Stamps: Many Happy Returns, Frames With A Flourish, SSC & From The Garden, Hostess Level 1 gift SSC; Ribbon: Chocolate Chip Poly-Twill Ribbon, OMC; Ink: Soft Sky Classic & Chocolate Chip Classic, SSC

Tote: Designer Paper: Afternoon Tea, OMC; Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, SSC; Misc: thread & ribbon. See tutorial here: http://leslierich.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2007/07/30/ruby-tuesday-stellas-tote-n-tutorial/