GIU Girl for Unity Stamps - Day 5

For my last day as the Growing in Unity Girl for the Unity Stamp Company, I've got a mixed media project for you, featuring "Nature's Holiday".  If you were smart enough to snag this last week when it was on sale, good for you!  It is such a precious stamp set.  Now, keep in mind, I set out with a vision in my head but, as often happens, I ended up with something totally different than what I intended.   Different is good, though.

Here's a close-up of my mixed media bird.  I went from stamping the original image with brown distress ink, to adding Flower Soft, Glitter Dimensional Glue, various inks and splatters of paint.

A friend had given me this amazing designer paper, I don't even know what brand, but it was a nice backdrop for what I had in mind.  My pinecones?  Lordy, they got the treatment, let me tell you; stamped, watercolored, dried, embossed, sanded, glued and splattered!

I dipped my wet toothbrush in DecoArt Americana paint, then ran my thumb across the brush to "spray" snow on my project.  I made some larger "snowflakes" with a paintbrush.  For my sentiment, I stamped it on canvas ribbon then used a glitter pen to embellish.

For my bird nest, I used burlap string and the trimmed edges of some wired faux burlap ribbon that I could fold and bend to my liking.

Purchase Nature's Holiday, here.

Thanks for stopping by.  Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered to win one of two prizes, a grab bag of 25 stamps. 

I'll be announcing the winners on Monday.

#unitystamps #unitystampcompany #naturesholiday #stamp #mixedmedia #decoart #distress #bird #snowbird #winter #pinecone #holiday #seasonal #thermoweb #wavingmywand #xyron #american #cottonball #burlap #thecraftersworkshop #tcwstencillove #tcwstencils #inkagold #elizabethcraftdesigns #scallop #die #cuttlebug #emboss #stencil #queenandcompany #bubble

Double Christmas, Double Release and DoubleClick Skittles!

Today marks the "Official" release of the brand new, first ever, dual Christmas release of  the DoubleClick Skittles embellishment line.  The design team is showcasing a couple projects of each release, Holiday Traditions and Frosty Kisses.  They were unofficially released last week and have already almost sold out, so if you want some, don't wait!

My first project features the Holiday Tradition 2015 release,

Grinch Green

Rudolph Red

Gift Gold

You can purchase both of the new releases right here:

DoubleClick Skittles Dual Christmas Release

This card is full of traditional Christmas colors and the Holiday Tradition Skittles go perfectly, don't you think?

Each of the new colors are Sparkle colors, which means they have touches of glitter.  My Skittles are paired nicely on this card with Adornit Art Play Paintables, May Arts Ribbon and DCWV cardstock.

My next project features the Frosty Kisses 2015 release:

Frosty Pink

Frosty Blue

Frosty

The Frosty Kisses release is pale in color and also sparkles and is ever so yummy!

Now, I don't know what got into me, but I had myself convinced that the mama bird needed a baby to keep her company.  So I made baby bird a cozy little nest......haha.  Yes, I did.

I like to use clear glue to adhere my Skittles but adhesive dots work also.

The new Holiday colors for the 2015 year!!

Frosty Kisses 2015

Holiday Traditions 2015

Head on over to the DoubleClickSkittles Blog to see all the design team projects!

You can shop below for these and other Skittles.  A 3 pk is typically under $4.00 (75 skittles) and this includes FREE USA SHIPPING, plus, Paypal is accepted.  Carri makes each batch from scratch, right here in the good 'ole USA.  Support small business and Made in America!

http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/p/store.html

There's still time to join the Christmas challenge and be entered for a fun prize that includes free Skittles, but be sure and read the rules, as backlinking is not allowed.  Skittles are not required to play so come on... link up and come and play with us!

DoubleClick Skittles Challenge

Thanks for stopping by!

Terri

Additional Supplies:

Adornit Art Play Paintables

May Arts Ribbon/Ribbon Resource

Ranger embossing powder

DCWV cardstock and Corrugated paper

Adornit blender paper

Ranger Liquid Pearls

Kunin Felt

Tombow Dual Brush Markers

Maya Road kraft doily

Unity Stamp Co sentiment

White gel pen

Stickles Glitter Glue

Wink of Stella Clear

#doubleclickskittles #dewdrops #cleardroplets #colordroplets 

#diy #homedecor #craft #cardmaking #scrapbook #papercrafters

#cre8time #madeintheusa #supportsmallbusiness #adornit #artplayaday #artplay #frostykisses #holidaytraditions #mayartsribbon #ribbonresource #xyron #tombow #dcwv #christmas #reindeer #plaid #gold #rudolph #grinch #frosty

Make A Budget Friendly Pine Cone Bell With Ribbon Resource

(FTC disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a small commission. I only participate in affiliate programs that feature products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.)

It's time for another Friday crafting event, brought to you by the Prima Ribbonistas and 

The Ribbon Resource Blog. 

Today, it's all about budget friendly ribbon crafts.  I'll tell you, there's a lot of budget friendly crafts out there and I was a little stumped coming up with something fresh, but I think this is fun, unique and very inexpensive; a decorative and functional Pine cone Bell.

You will need these ribbons from

The Ribbon Resource - May Arts Ribbon Retail Store:

419-14 3/8" Red Mini Pom Pom Ribbon (5.5")

SM10 1/8" Natural Burlap String (1.5 yards)

You will also need:

Hot glue gun/glue sticks

Clear Glue (Tombow)

2.48" or 63mm Rustic Jingle Bells 

Fine Point Scissors
Pinecone (approx. 5" tall)

This is super easy to make so to begin, we're going to make a little "nest".  It's easiest to simply wrap the burlap string around 3 fingers, six to eight times, then continue wrapping the same strand of string with just two fingers, another 6-8 times.  Do this loosely.  Loop one end of string through and tie off a knot.  Trim ends.  

You can pull a few strands of the burlap string to loosen and drape to your desire.  No need to glue this onto your bell, as you will glue the Pinecone on top of the bell and that will keep your knotted ribbon from falling off.

Next, take some fine tipped scissors and trim the balls from a 5.5" section of mini pom pom ribbons.  This is equal to 25 mini pom poms.  Randomly glue each ball with clear glue.  I use Tombow Mono Aqua glue.  Space out your pom poms as there's no need to completely cover each pinecone stem, unless of course, you want to!

When finished, simply hot glue your pinecone to the top of your bell.  If your bell has a ridge at the top as mine did, you'll want to fill in a little hot glue on both sides of the ridge, to make a level field for gluing the base of your pine cone.  

Now, for the cost.... I actually purchased these rustic bells from the Christmas Craft section of Hobby Lobby and at the time, all Christmas Crafts were 50% off.  My calculation before the discount for the ribbon that costs pennies per section (.74 and .37) plus the bells which were 6.99 for 6 bells, plus the glue which was also pennies.... approximately $2.40 each.  Consider that you may find the bells half price, as I did, and that cuts the cost of the bell with a final total of $1.80 plus tax, or thereabouts.  Not bad!  I imagine if you were to purchase this in a gift shop, the cost would be closer to $15.00 perhaps?  Not only is it pretty, but you can pick it up and jingle it!  Just watch out for the prickly pine cone which, by the way, was courtesy of the lumbering pine down the street..... and FREE!

Thanks so much for stopping by and good luck entering the giveaway!  The prize is 2-5 yards of ribbon.  Sweet!

Here's the line-up if you get lost along the way:

• Michele Kosciolek
• Terri Burson
• Marielle LeBlanc
• Karen Hanson
• Emily Lanham

#christmas #mayartsribbon #ribbonresource #pinecone #ribboncrafts #budgetcrafts #christmascrafts #pompom #burlap #giveaway #rustic #jingle #jinglebells #jinglealltheway #christmastree #pineconetree #tombow #cre8time

Christmas Hop with DCWV and The Ribbon Resource

(FTC disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a small commission. I only participate in affiliate programs that feature products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.)

I'm so excited to be hopping along this week with The Ribbon Resource and DCWV.  I love my DCWV papers!  I have quite a few collections and the DCWV brand is one of my favorites, mainly because the papers are so thick and easy to work with.  Of course, The Ribbon Resource is the online retail store for May Arts Ribbon.  Be sure you hop all week long as there will be 3 prize packs given away which include stacks of DCWV paper and ribbon from the Ribbon Resource in each prize pack!  And, don't forget you can get FREE SHIPPING on any order through Nov. 8th at The Ribbon Resource, no promo code needed.  Sweet!

I was sent their new Christmas release, DIY Project Stack Favor Boxes and DIY Project Stack Ornaments.  I'll be featuring a number of May Arts Ribbon's as well and you can get the full supply list at the end of this post.

This entire line is dedicated to templates, pretty papers and fun embellishments.  DCWV has made it easy for you with clear, concise instructions and templates that you can cut out and trace over your papers.  When I saw the pillow box template, I knew that's what I wanted to feature.  I ADORE pillow boxes!

To begin, I cut out my template and traced over several of the DCWV papers.  Once I trimmed my paper outlines, I scored where appropriate, starting with the 1/2" edge to fold and seal the box.

To score my arch, I measured approximately 1 1/2" from both ends of the curve and marked it on the opposite side of the paper that I want exposed.  I want to show the gingham design, so I flipped it over and marked the opposite side.  I then traced the arch, using my bone folder, from my marker to the appropriate points on the template.  I used 1/4" Scor-tape to seal my edges.

Here's my first box featuring the gingham DCWV paper, some of the included embellishments and May Arts Ribbon wired faux natural burlap ribbon,   I've used a 7.5" strip wrapped around the box and fashioned a bow with a 10" strip of burlap ribbon.

Here's my favorite DCWV paper, the cardinals.  I really wanted to go a little rustic with the gingham above, and this one as well.   The tag and red star are just a couple of the embellishments available in this collection.  I strolled out into my yard and snagged a few twigs to really enhance the rustic feel, and added a lot of May Arts Ribbon natural burlap string.  One yard, to be exact.  I took a 36" piece and folded it in half 6 times, then wrapped around the box and tied off the bow.   This string is a staple at my house.  I use it on most of my craft projects.  Mr. Cardinal, or is that a Mrs?  I can never tell the difference.... my 13 year old could tell you the difference!  Anyway, I added a little glitter glue on the wings and tail.  Love!

My last pillow box is all about the red.  What is Christmas without lots of red, right?  I kind of went all peppermint stick on this box with diagonal striped May Arts Ribbon wrapped around the box (7.5") and lots of silver and red sparkly curling ribbon (12" ea).  Isn't that polka dot paper bow adorable?  Another embellishment in this DCWV collection, along with the light bulb tag.

Now for the Ornament stack, I opted to try out this layered ornament template.  The instructions were to trace and cut 5 images for each ornament.  You will also need two 6" twine or string sections to fold in half and glue for a hanger.  Again, I scored all my images and used some hot glue to keep it all together.

Yes, that's my Christmas Tree!  Up and ready to go for Christmas crafting!  I'll use any excuse to get my tree up early.  

I finished off my first ornament with a pretty velvet polka dot bow and a tiny gemstone to match.  I love this pretty plaid DCWV paper which has olive tones, beige, red and white.  The flip side is a solid olive color.

Finally, we have another ornament that features the red swirly Christmas tree paper with gold foil on the flip side.  Gorgeous!  I topped this off with a really pretty, gold sheer bow (24"),

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Here's the list for the week if you missed someone.

Monday

• Gini Williams Cagle
• Jen Shears
• Jenifer Cowles

Tuesday

• Jennifer Davey
• Karen Baker

 Wednesday

• Karen Hanson
• Latrice Murphy
• Lori Williams

Thursday

• Mallika Kejriwal
• Marielle LeBlanc

Friday

• Michele Kosciolek
• Tracy McLennon
• Terri Burson

May Arts Ribbons used:

C-1-30 1" Gold Sheer Ribbon (24")

455-15-10 1.5" Faux Natural Burlap Ribbon (18")

SE-14 1/8" Red Sparkly Curling Ribbon (12")

SE-31 1/8" Silver Sparkly Curling Ribbon (12")

SM-10 1/8" Natural Burlap String (1 yard)

SM-09 1/8" Ivory Burlap String (12")

QD-46 1.5" Green Sheer Velvet Dot Ribbon (10")

352-14 1.5" White Sheer, Red Striped Diagonal Ribbon ( (7.5")

Additional supplies:

Tombow Adhesives/Foam Squares

Ranger Stickles Christmas Red glitter glue

DoubleClick Skittles Bubble Embellishments

Green Rhinestone

Scor-tape

We R Memory Keepers Trimmer/Scorer

Ruler, Scissors, Marker

#christmas #holiday #mayartsribbon #ribbonresource #dcwv #dcwvinc #pillowbox #favor #treatbox #treats #gingham #plaid #stripes #cardinal #birds #branch #christmastree #ornament #skittles #ranger #tombow #wrmk #bloghop #prize #giveaway #ribbon #christmaspaper #giftwrap #polkadots #peppermint #candycane #pinecone #pine #fir #burlap #gold #rustic #bowtie #giftgiving #cre8time #crafts