Cupcakes for Teachers

The aide, for my son’s classmate, asked for a few cupcakes to give to a few of the teachers for Teacher Appreciation. Of course I couldn’t just give her cupcakes without making decorated boxes for them!

I used a cupcake box from Creative Cuts & More and School Notes from Our Craft Lounge. I stamped some of the images with Versamark onto the box. I also stamped some images, colored them with copics and cut them out and attached them to the lids with glue dots.



A view from the top.

This is also for the Ways to Use it 376 of using Green.

Only 4 more days of school left! I had better get started on those end of the year teacher gifts!!

          Thanks for stopping by!

                          Amber

Creative Cuts & More blog hop

                         

I was asked to be a guest designer for Creative Cuts & More using the new Gingerbread House Album Chipboard Kit. 

If you have not come here from Kristine, you will not want to miss what the Design team has in store for you. Head back to the Die Cut Diva Blog. That is where all of the action starts!

Once you are finished HOPPING along the Blog Hop, you will have an opportunity to win one of the WONDERFUL Gingerbread House Album Chipboard Kit worth $12.99.

In order to win,you must...

1. HOP through AND comment on each blog - please make sure the Blog Hop is LIVE, THEN come go to the Creative Cuts and More Blog and let us know you did so!

2. For another chance, follow the Die Cut Diva http://die-cut-diva.blogspot.com/

3. For another chance, become a Fan on Facebook, HERE  http://www.facebook.com/creativecutsandmore

4. For another chance, spread the word about our Blog Hop on your blog!

So here are my pages. Sorry they don’t have pictures on them. I have pictures from last year of the kids making a gingerbread house but wouldn’t you believe it, I’m out of ink and hubby hasn’t had time to print them off at work!

Front page. Still deciding on a title for album. Used Helmar Crackle mediums on the house. Rubbed it with distress inks and used MuddPuddles on the house.



Close up of the Snow MuddPuddles and Christmas Lights Sea Glass also by Mudd Puddles.





The little gingerbreads are from Our Craft Lounge Gingerbread Fun set. Colored them with copics.


Christmas Mudd Puddles on the icicle. Peppermint candies from Our Craft Lounge Gingerbread Fun set.

Used the mouth, buttons and squiggly lines from Our Craft Lounge’s Gingerbread Fun set.









Close up of the MuddPuddles on the roof and icicles.





Your next stop on the hop is  Nora Anne.

 

     Thanks for sticking with me!

                   Amber

Framed Fishing Day

Monday’s Try New Technique 273, to create a raised frame around your image. I picked out a scallop oval frame that I had from Creative Cuts n More and went to work.

When I first saw these two sets by Our Craft Lounge, an idea popped into my head and this seemed the perfect time to try it. I started by stamping the little girl from Treasured Friends, masked her and stamped the guys fishing from Fishing with Dad, masked that and stamped the trees/rocks (also from Fishing with Dad) behind them. I colored the image first with markers before stamping to give it some color.

Sponged in some clouds. Picked up copic BG15 with a copic blender and colored in the water. Using Mudd Puddles Cookie Dough, I gave the girl a beach to walk on. Even added some Mudd Puddles shells on the beach for the girl to look for.

Added white gel pen to the frame and attached it to the card using Helmar clear Zapdots. Silver brads in the paper strip. All layered on Night Quite Navy. Design paper is My Mind’s Eye.



Supplies: Fishing with Dad/Treasured Friends, scallop oval frame, copics, mudd puddles sand/shells, white gel pen, green/brown markers, black ink, sliver brads, my mind’s eye dsp, not quite navy cs,  Helmar clear zapdots

              Thanks for stopping by!
                          
                         Amber

Blog Hop with Creative Cuts n More

 
Welcome to Creative Cuts & More Blog Hop. You should have just come from Becky Voth’s, You don't want to miss what our designers have in store for you! I’m delighted to have been asked to help celebrate the launch of Creative Cuts and More’s brand NEW website! The Celebration Blog Hop starts at http://die-cut-diva.blogspot.com/ incase you didn’t start from the beginning.

If for some reason one of the links is broken along the way do not worry, HOP back over to Die Cut Diva where the complete list will be.

For my first project, I decided to use the Multiple Oval Frame – Super Large (8x10) in Mocha Texture. I printed off pictures of my little girl and my niece at a Tea Party that they attended at our library. I cut the pictures with an oval coluzzle to fit the smaller oval frames. Using Flourishes Flourished Elements set, I embossed the flourish with clear embossing powder in the corners. Used Spellbinders to cut out the computer generated title. After the two layers were attached together, I embossed another flourish in clear embossing powder on the side. Clear Zapdots by Helmar were used to attach the layers. Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots was used to attach the tea pot charm in the bottom corner.


For my second project, I used the Tuck Top Cube Box with Layers set in textured red with 2” smooth watermelon and 1 3/4” smooth guava sensation layers. Using Our Craft Lounge set, Flower Power, I stamped the 1 3/4” piece in black. Used copics to color them and added sparkle with clear stickles.   On the front, I used Spellbinders to cut out the sentiment. Restamped the word “Friend” in red and cut it out. Attached it with clear ZapDots.

Here is the box starting at the front and going around to the right:

  

Here is the box with the lid open:
 
For my last project, I used the Square Window A7 Scallop card in Amethyst Metallic. I stamped a floral print in gold on the front and added ribbon with a bow. The picture is actually attached on the inside of the card. It is Vintage Roses from Our Craft Lounge. I used copics to color the image and Sparkly Fluff on her hat.

Here is another look at the card where you can see the gold stamping a little better. The above shows the shimmer of the cardstock that Terri has.

Well I hope you have enjoyed my projects.  Now HOP on over to Noelle Reese’s to see what delightful projects she has in store for you.

Also there will be 5 prizes in the form of Gift Certificates.

1 - $25.00 Gift Certificate, 1 - $20.00 Gift Certificate, 1 - $15.00 Gift Certificate, 1- $10.00 Gift Certificate, 1- $5.00 Gift Certificate

Ways to win ONE of the gift certificates (one per winner!):
(A) Leave a comment on Diecut Diva. (This is limited to one per person unless you meet the criteria of B, C, and/or D below.)
(B) Leave one extra comment if you've posted a link to this Diecut Diva’s blog candy on your own blog. Make sure to include a link to your specific post in your comment.
(C) Leave one extra comment if you become one of Diecut Diva’s blog followers. See the right-hand navigation column to follow us.
(D) Leave one extra comment if you click over to our new page on Facebook and become a fan.
(E) Leave one extra comment by commenting on ALL of our talented Designers in our Blog Hop!
(F) Go to the store website and subscribe to the mailing list gives you another opportunity to win.

         Thanks for stopping by!

                   Amber

Here’s to a Crappy Day!

I want to show you a card I did during my 1st month as a Dirty Dozen Girl for SplitcoastStampers back in Dec‘08. The theme that month was Obscure Holidays and yes, I had to wait until now to show it as it is only good for today. Why? Because Jan.27 is Thomas Crapper Day. He invented the flushable toilet! Thank goodness for Thomas Crapper! LOL

BUT Jan 27th is also my middle brother, Timothy’s, birthday.
He is the comedian and artist in the family. You can see his amazing art work here at my mom’s PictureTrail.

He wasn't too thrilled when I told him what 'holiday' shares his birthday. In fact he is the one that said "Here's to a Crappy Birthday". So in honor of Thomas Crapper and my brother, I made him a "crappy" birthday card.



The toilet paper, Running Sick, is from Craft Lounge . The party hat, balloons and present are from the set, Lil' Pea-Nut also by Craft Lounge. Markers were used to color in the images that were stamped on watercolor paper. Used aquapainter to shade the markers. Applied Sky Blue Shimmerz to balloon, present and hat. All images are up on dimensionals. The frame is from Creative Cuts & More.



Sentiment was spelled out with JustRite Brayton font and Harmony classic. Crystal Jewel Bling was added on word window punch and sentiment. Used white gel pen to add faux stitching and dots.

He hung it with pride on his refrigerator, I wonder if he still has it up!

Don’t forget to wish everyone a “Crappy” Day! And Happy Birthday to my bro, hope it’s not a ‘crappy’ one this year!

Supplies: Running Sick & Lil' Pea-Nut by Craft Lounge, JustRite's Brayton font & Harmony Classic, so saffron, blue, flurries & frost dsp, watercolor paper, black stazon, markers, shimmerz, white gel pen, dimensions, crystal jewel bling, word window punch, frame die cut


Thanks for looking,

Amber

It’s beginning to look like Christmas

Here are a few more creations I made using Creative Cuts & More die cuts.

I made this adorable block card a week ago for the IC207 challenge on SCS. The picture wasn’t the greatest then as our weather has been cloudy so I didn’t blog about it right away as I wanted a better picture of the card. (hate when I can’t get a good picture of items I have created.) And then Thanksgiving happened. I’m sorry for being a bad blogger lately, darn Holidays keep getting in the way.

I used Tweet Winter Wishes from Our Craft Lounge along with their Crafty Fluff on some of the images. And embossed snowflakes with Iridescent Ice on the background of some of the panels. Used Prismacolor pencils and odorless mineral spirits to blend. The snowman’s hands are popped up and so is the bird skating on the bird bath. The earmuffs/hat/scarf/mittens is also on dimensions.


For my second project, I created this adorable little sleigh, also from Creative Cuts & More. I embossed the poinsettia from Blessed Christmas by Our Daily Bread in gold over the entire sleigh. Added adhesive to the side/middle piece and put it together and there was my sleigh! See how easy that was? Now I have a beautiful festive center piece for my table. (I filled it with Mint Truffle Kisses but am sad to say they didn’t last long!)

Just think of the different ways you could decorate and fill this sleigh. The possibilities are endless.

Well I hope you have enjoyed my creations during my Guest time for Creative Cuts & More. Don’t wonder too far as I could still throw something up using their products. (I cleaned up my area for Thanksgiving and now I can’t find a thing!)

Enjoy the Holiday Season.

Another blog hop and Guest Designer News!

Hi blog hoppers!  Well if you haven’t figured it out by now (or seen my badge on the side), I am a Guest Designer this month for Creative Cuts & More!

Weren't Angie's projects great? (If you didn't arrive here from Angie's blog, you don't want to miss what our designers have in store for you! The CC&M Blog Hop starts at Die Cut Diva. If for some reason one of the links is broken along the way do not worry, HOP back over to Die Cut Diva where the complete list will be.

I have a couple of Fall projects to share with you today. I decided to do some scrapbooking and using CC&M’s 12x12 Color Block Page made it go so easily. I went with the DoubleMates cardstock as I like the two tone with this layout. My regular readers will remember these pictures as I just shared them not too long ago. See how easy it is to whip up a page using the color block page. I decided to use both the frame and the block pieces BUT I turned the block pieces over to get the other tone of the DoubleMate cardstock.
I used JustRite Brayton Font to stamp “Circle Farms” on the large pumpkin. Helmar Premium Glue was used to attach the ribbon that I just twirled while gluing it down and then I used Helmar Liquid Scrap dots to give the trio of pumpkins some dimension. I just happen to have a package of DoubleMates cardstock so I used brown to layer the photos and yellow for the tags. I used Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive to secure everything down.



I went with fall colors for the Peek-A-View Box which I stamped acorns and leaves on in Crushed Curry. The stamps are from Our Craft Lounge - Nuts About You.

I stamped the acorn and leaves on white cardstock and colored them with copics. Then cutting them out, I attached them to the top and bottom corners of the ‘lids’ with Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots to give them some dimension. I attached brown rick rack to the lid using Helmar Premium Glue. Scalloped square nestibilities were used on DoubleMates cardstock to layer on the top.

I filled the box with a Thanksgiving Blessing Mix. This is what it says:

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix

Bugles: Shaped like a cornucopia or Horn of Plenty, a symbol of our nation's abundance.
Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by those who founded our country.
Candy corn: Sacrifices of the Pilgrims' first winter. Food was so scarce that settlers survived on just a few kernels of corn a day.
Seeds: Promise of a a future harvest, one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence.
M&Ms: Memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.
Hershey's Kiss: The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.


As part of our celebration, CC&M will offer 15% off the entire store. But act quickly,  this sale will end on 11-15. Make sure you enter this code ccholidaybloghop1109 during checkout.

As a continuing part of the celebration CC&M will be giving away a FUN Christmas Card Kit! After you have finished the blog hop, return to Die Cut Diva and follow the directions.

Did you know CC&M is now on Facebook? I’m a fan, why don’t you come join me?

Now hop on over to Carla Mayfield and see what she has in store for you. And don’t forget to keep checking back the rest of the month, you never know when I’ll post more CC&M items!

Creative Cuts & More Mega Apron Holiday Treats Blog Hop

Welcome, today is the second day of the Creative Cuts & More Mega Recipe Blog Hop which features the Apron Holiday Treats Recipe Kit. We have 24 designers who will be showcasing wonderful pages and yummy Holiday Treat recipes. Hopefully you just came from Jen Johnson’s blog. If not, here is the start of this mega recipe blog hop: http://www.diecutdiva.com



Here is what is included in the kit: chipboard aprons, bazzill candy apple cs aprons, doubleMates Grassy Green cs aprons, Doodlebuge Sugar & Spice paper aprons, Doodlebug Goody Goody Gumdrops paper aprons, Doodlebug Ribbon Candy Spot glittered cs aprons, book rings, red silk ribbon – 18in, extra sugar & spice doodlebug paper, Goody Goody Gumdrops Doodlebug cs, Candy Apple Bazzill Criss Cross textured cs, Grassy Green DoubleMates Linen textured dc, Miscellaneous die cuts & gingerbread/misc buttons. I also used Gingerbread Fun, Crafty Sparkles & SparklyFluff from Our Craft Lounge, rhinestones, lace and Helmar adhesives on the aprons.


This would be a cute project for a Christmas Cookie Exchange. Just think of all the recipes you’d come home with. Your little apron would be filled. As for my apron, I filled it with a couple of drinks that sounded yummy, our favorite cookies and candies I like to make during the holiday season. I’ll have to admit I wanted to go bake some gingersnaps while I was getting my apron album done!


Used oval punches for title and scallop oval nestibilities for the ‘rug’.

I wanted the recipe cards to be attached somehow to the aprons so I poked holes in the papers and threaded floss through them. Cutout a mini gingerbread man or girl from Gingerbread Fun by Our Craft Lounge and attached them over the hole with Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots. The other end of the floss is then attached to the card. There is some give to the floss so the card can dangle onto the counter.



Brown Sugar Sparkly Fluff from Our Craft Lounge was attached to the spoon with Helmar Premium Craft Glue. Helmar 450 glue was used to attach the ‘cookie cutters’ that come with the apron kit. Oval punches were used for the sentiment which can be found in the Gingerbread Fun from Our Craft Lounge. I went over the “icing” on the word LOVE with a white gel pen.




Yellow Fluff and red Crafty Sparkles from Our Craft Lounge were used on the “cookies”. The red oval is from the bowl that comes with the apron kit. The little gingerbread man is from Our Craft Lounge’s stamp set Gingerbread Fun. The ‘cutting board’ was from the kit. The lace is from my stash and glued on with Helmar Premium Glue.

More SparklyFluff was used on the gingerbread men below. The heart is from Our Craft Lounge’s “Lola Love”. The row of gingerbread men from Gingerbread Fun are on Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots and the candy on the recipe card is also from that set.


My apron will not be staying in my house but will be going home with someone on Dec.7th when they bid (and win) on a basket filled with cards, altered items and the album of course. Yes, I’m talking about my post here, Cards for Paula request. (and yes, I’m still taking cards, still have time to get them to me by Dec.1st) I thought it would be neat to add my album to the basket and give someone a little helping hand in the tasty treats section of their Holiday baking.

You can find a few of the recipes that I put in my apron already on my blog! Dipped Gingersnaps and 5 Day Coconut Cake. Here is another favorite of ours that I included in the album:

Mountain Cookies

1c butter, softened 1c powder sugar 2tsp vanilla
2c flour 1/2tsp salt

FILLING: 1 (3oz) cream cheese 1c powder sugar
2T flour 1tsp vanilla 1/2c finely chopped pecans
1/2c flaked coconut

TOPPING: 1/2c semisweet chocolate chips 2T butter
2T water 1/2c powder sugar

In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar & vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Make a deep indentation in the center of each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 mins or until the edges just start to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. For the filling, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Add pecans and coconut; mix well. Scoop 1/2tsp into each cookie. For topping, heat chocolate chips, butter and water in a small saucepan until melted. Stir in sugar. Drizzle over cookies.

Yield: 4 dz




As part of the celebration CC&M will be having a great sale. For the next six days, we will offer 20% off the entire store. But act quickly, it is only for six days – this sale will end on Nov 14th. Make sure you enter this code recipebloghop2009 during checkout.

As a continuing part of the celebration CC&M will of course give away great gifts. Each day we will give away one kit. Here is the twist – go through the blog hop, leave wonderful comments for the great designers. After you have finished the blog hop, return to www.diecutdiva.com and instead of leaving a comment, you need to share a recipe to have a chance at winning the kit. Share the recipe on your blog and link it back and get another chance to win the kit. Help us also make this a great recipe swap. Now head on over to Carla Mayfield to see her apron album and what yummy recipe she has to share.