Good Grief; where have I been? Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Good grief indeed!

You would not believe the internet issues I have had.  I've been trying to recruit physicians from home but my DSL service is a joke.  Then my e-mail started sending out random spam, so I changed all my passwords.  Including my Blogger one.....which I couldn't remember....tee hee!  My whole life has been a comedy of errors.

Anyway,  here are a few of my Spellbinders(TM) Christmas projects that have been posted on the Spellbinders' blog, so I can show them to you now!

First is a log cabin that I made using several different Spellbinders die templates.  The details are here on the blog.   There are additional photos and I believe a supply list as well.  It was a lot of fun to make!  The scalloped die template would make a great gingerbread house roof, wouldn't it?

I found these awesome papier maiche stars at Oriental Trading Company last year, so I decided to cover it and decorate it this year (finally - ha!)  I used the Nested Hearts die templates as well as Labels Fifteen peeking out from the back.  The paper is retired from Close To My Heart, but any vintage paper would do nicely.  Or take it in another direction by using bright and cheery colors.  By the way, you can find my rose tutorial here.

My third project features a viola made from Labels Fourteen.  And real wood paper - how cool is that!  I colored it with Copic Markers and used Doodle Parts to finish the viola handle and vents.  The 2010 Snowflake die template is covered with glitter.  What a mess I made!

Now, I usually give you all of the SKU numbers, but I am anxious to get this posted.  And I am a bit lazy tonight too.  Ha.  Suffice it to say that you can find all of them here.


I was in Gainesville last weekend to celebrate my son graduating (go GATORS)!  He earned two Bachelor's degrees - one in Physics and one in Astronomy.  He is so awesome!

Well, I'll be  back soon with a couple of more Christmas projects - can you  believe it is seriously almost here? 

Till then,

Spellbinders' Holiday Hoppin' Blog Hop!!!!

Welcome to the second day of the Spellbinders™ Paper Arts Holiday Hoppin’ Blog Hop! Spellbinders, along with cross promotional partners, are showcasing their newest products just in time for your Holiday crafting and gift giving. Lots of creative ideas are in store, as well as prizes galore!

Each participating company has generously donated towards the prize package listed on the Spellbinders Blog. A total of two identical prize packages, one for each day, November 18 and 19 will be given away!

To enter, just leave a comment on a participating blog! Comments in the first 48 hours of the post are eligible. One commenter each day will be randomly selected as the winner. Winners will be announced on November 22, on the Spellbinders Blog!

Be sure to see all of yesterday’s Holiday Hoppin’ blogs for inspiring projects and another chance to win!
Visit (and comment on) all of today’s Holiday Hoppin’ blogs:


Mona Pendleton

Gina Hanson

Deborah Young - you are here!

Becca Feeken

Julie Overby

Kimberly Crawford

AJ Otto

Margie Higuchi

Beth Pingry


Jennifer Holmes

Kerry Urbatch

Shona Erlenborn 

Tammy Inman


Jessica Turner

Brenda Hurd

Julie Koerber

Rae Barthel


Rachel O’Crowley

Kellie Fortin

Kristen Cohen

Joy Dickson


Candy Rosenberg

Laura Craigie

Stephanie Hester


Leesa Crutcher


Nina Brackett


Today I am using Spellbinders LF-190 Grand Labels Four die template set to create a couple of quick, easily-reproducible projects for you!  This set of six GRAND die templates ranges from 5-1/4" to 9-3/8" long!

I used the fifth die template (from the inside - second to largest) to make a card that fits exactly in an A2 envelope.  It's my new take on a gable card that has the opening down the center front of the card.  It was quick and easy to cut with my new Grand Calibur!  Since the plates are so large, you can easily cut all of your die templates at one time! Bundle up a set up these and you have a unique gift that will be appreciated.

The keyhole die template was cut from the new Spellbinders premium craft foil - this color is Gunmetal.  Since the Spellbinders' die templates have decorative openings, I stenciled the metal with black ink to highlight the intricacies of the beautiful Antiquities die template.  I threaded the ribbon through the holes on either side of the keyhole to tie the card shut.

Open it to see the full Grand Labels Four die template!  If your die template is 8" long, score your card 2" (one-fourth of the length) from each end and you instantly have your card base!

What do you buy that guy that has everything?  I kept the embellishments to a minimum on my next project so it can be used in the workplace or a men's office.  It's a bookend cozy!  That's right - I took an old metal bookend and made a little removable cover with my Grand Labels Four die templates!  This time I used the largest, second largest, plus the smallest die templates in the set, so you can see the size progression.  I love having the choice of six sizes - there's always a size to fit my project! At just around $8.00 per die template, you can't beat the value!

This closeup shows why I love Spellbinders over other die templates (besides the value, the great designs, the embossing....ha!).  See the vintage shadow that is inked just inside the embossed border?  Spellbinders' open-faced templates allow you to stencil the 'face' of your project with inks, chalks....your favorite medium.  I used another die template in the Antiquities set - the Fleur di Lis (yum!) cut from the Copper craft foil this time.

Here's a more feminine version of the Bookend Cozy.   It's so simple - come back tomorrow for complete instructions.

Supplies:

Blessings Card:
Spellbinders Products:  LF-190 Grand Labels Four; F-012 Premium Craft Foils (Gunmetal); S4-298 Antiquities; S4-290 Labels 14; Grand Calibur
Papers and Stamps: Donna Salazar's Grandma's Garden (D3-9585 English Roses) Designer Paper; Gina K (Lovely Labels) Stamps
Inks and Supplies: Versafine Vintage Sepia Ink, CTMH Black Ink and Adhesive Pearls, Creative Impressions Crepe Ribbon, White Lace, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Black 3D Foam Squares

Fleur-di-lis Bookend Cozy:
Spellbinders Products:  LF-190 Grand Labels Four; F-012 Premium Craft Foils (Bronze); S4-298 Antiquities; Grand Calibur
Papers: Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante; WorldWin Cardstock (Malt, Black)
Inks and Supplies: CTMH Desert Sand Ink, Liquid Glass; Sheet Music; Adhesive

Ladies' Bookend Cozy:

Spellbinders Products:  LF-190 Grand Labels Four; F-012 Premium Craft Foils (Copper); S4-299 Fallen Angel; Grand Calibur
Papers: Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante; WorldWin Cardstock (Maroon-back of cozy)
Inks and Supplies: CTMH Lagoon Ink, Liquid Glass; Adhesive

Now it's time for you to leave a comment on my blog to be eligible to win the Spellbinders Holiday Hoppin’ Prize Package! One winner will be chosen from all the comments on all the blogs participating today. Comments made in the first 48 hours of this post will be eligible to win. Winner’s names will be published on the Spellbinders Blog on November 22 (Monday), and they will have 48 hours to reply to Spellbinders to claim the prizes.

Thanks for hopping with us.  Good luck!