January Kit of the Month {Unity Stamp Company}

Well, it's a new year and a new month - and that means a new Kit of the Month from Unity Stamp Company!

I've got a few images/sentiments in this kit - but even if I didn't I would still love it.
Check it out...

>>> Sign up for the Kit of the Month here <<<

Pumpkin Mini Album {The Twinery}

Around our house we've been getting into the holiday spirit...and while I can't deny that the new shimmer twines from The Twinery just beg to be used on your winter projects - I wanted to show that they are not just for the holidays. 

I've used The Twinery's new Platinum Shimmer twine to add a bit of sparkle to a Halloween mini album I created.

I started by using the twine wrapped around the cover and then wrapped the twine in various ways around each page of the album. 

I am relatively new to making mini albums and for now my secret weapon for easy albums is consistency. I will choose a few elements to use on each page (in a different arrangement) and it then all comes together very quickly.
(Tip: When wrapping twine around the edges of a mini album make a small notch where you want to place your twine with your scissors so it will be easier to keep in place.)

Thanks for stopping by - and I hope your holidays (and beyond) are filled with shimmer!

Supplies:
Twine: The Twinery (Platinum Shimmer); 
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Indie Chic - Nutmeg 6x6);
Chipboard: Maya Road (Pumpkin Squash Coaster Album);
Stamps: Unity Stamp Company (October Calendar from October SMAK Kit);
Ink: Ranger (Archival - Jet Black);
Accents: Maya Road (Country Gingham Posies, Kraft Large Ticket Strips - White);
Paint: Apple Barrel (White);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors, Craft Knife, XXL Tag Lever Punch); We R Memory Keepers (Crop-A-Dile);

Holiday Greetings {Market Street Stamps}

I recently pulled out the various Winter sets that Market Street Stamps carried just to see what inspired me. Sometimes I have an idea before I start creating and sometimes I pull out stamps and just start stamping until something jumps out at me. 

As I was looking through the sets I noticed that there are SO many beautiful holiday sentiments in various fonts and I wondered if somehow I could turn them into a subway art style card.

Although there are 9 sentiments and a variety of images I only had to stamp a couple times to get the complete look.
I first arranged all of the sentiments on a large stamp block and stamped them in black ink on plain white cardstock. After that there are a few images that can be arranged on a large block to fill in some of the empty space (flourish, lightbulb, button, etc.) - and then and remaining white spaces can get filled in with the smaller duplicate images.

After I had my panel stamped I misted it to give it some holiday sparkle, and then adhered it to the front of my card base.

Happy Holidays!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock (Brilliant White 130#);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Prancer, Essential Holiday Elegance, Ornaments, Shine On, Country Christmas, Christmas Bells);
Ink: Ranger (Archival - Jet Black);
Mist: Heidi Swapp (Color Shine);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);

You Light Up My Life :: Block Party {Market Street Stamps}

It's time for another...

{Be sure to head on over to the Market Street Stamps blog to get all the details about how you can join in on the Block Party...where you can win some fabulous free stamps and have a shot at being a Guest Designer for Market Street Stamps!}

I created this card using the new Shine On set, some white cardstock, and some washi tape. Simple and fun!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock (Brilliant White 130#);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Shine On);
Ink: Ranger (Archival - Jet Black);
Washi Tape: My Craft Channel; 
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);

Stamp of the Week {Unity Stamp Company}

Are you a Stamp of the Week member?

This cute little set (if I do say so myself - but I may be a bit partial) is available this week for $5.79 (including shipping!) from Unity Stamp Company: 

Next week it will be something new - so be sure to sign up quick if you want this one!

Joy to the World {Market Street Stamps}

For this card I worked with some of the fabulous new Christmas sets from Market Street Stamps: Ornaments and Reason for the Season.

I LOVE those large ornaments that DoBea created. They are great for filling the front of a standard A2 card - and will be great for scrapbooking, mixed media, and home decor as well. 

I paper pieced the ornaments and added a sentiment from Reason for the Season.

{I curved the stamp on my block to go with the curve of the ornament - one of the many benefits of clear stamps!}

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock (Brilliant White 130#); 
Patterned Paper: Heidi Swapp (Vintage Chic);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Ornaments, Reason for the Season); 
Ink: Ranger (Archival - Jet Black);
Twine: The Twinery (Strawberry); 

Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);

Handmade Holidays - Lavender Sachet {The Twinery}

Have you heard about the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop that is going on? 

If not, be sure to head on over to The Twinery's blog to get the details.

{You won't want to miss it - The Twinery is giving away 3 SPOOLS of twine (winners choice) - a $48 value!}

Today I wanted to share with you a fun way to create a beautiful handmade lavender sachet.

I started by taking an ordinary cotton muslin bag and swapping out that boring tie string with some of The Twinery's fabulous Ocean twine.

It was simple to do but it gives it an extra special touch!

To swap out the string I just tied the end of my Ocean twine on to the bag's tie string (while it was still threaded through the top of the bag).
I pulled the tie string to pull it out of the bag, but as I was doing that it was also bringing the twine in and threading it for me. So easy!

I added a bit of color to the bag with mists and then stamped a sentiment onto the bag.

After the bag was decorated (and dry) I took about a 1/2 cup of dried lavender buds and put them in the bag.

I tightened up the top of the bag and added a tag (created from a Fiskars XXL Lever Punch) and voilà!

Easy handmade gift for the holidays (or any other time).

Tip: If you use products that are permanent to embellish your bag you can also use it (without the paper tag) as a homemade lavender dryer bag.

Thanks for stopping by today - and happy holidays!

Supplies:
Twine: The Twinery (Ocean); 
Bag: Celestial Gifts (4x6 Cotton Muslin);
Patterned Paper: Heidi Swapp (Vintage Chic); 
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Ornaments);
Ink: Ranger (Archival - Jet Black); 
Mists: Ranger (Turquoise); Studio Calico (Bluegrass);
Tools: Fiskars (Tag - XXL Lever Punch, Scissors);

Grid Alphabet Stamp Set {Unity Stamp Company}

Today's steal on Crafty Steals is this Grid Alphabet Stamp Kit (exclusive from Unity Stamp Company).

It's a fantastic deal at only $14.99 for a full alphabet and number set (66% off retail). 

And of course I am extra excited to see this kit offered because it was designed by me! :o)

Be sure to pick one up today!

Have a wonderful day!

New Release Blog Hop {Market Street Stamps}

The Introduction:

If you are hopping along with us today: You should have come here from Julie Day's blog. If you did, you are in the right place! Welcome!

If you aren't already a follower, I'd love to have you follow my blog!

If you are one of my regular readers: Thanks for coming back! I love having you! Please join along in the hop - you can start at the Market Street Stamps blog.

The Prize:

Market Street Stamps is giving away one of each of the new stamp sets!

The Details:

Leave a comment on each blog along the hop to be entered to win one of the new release stamp sets.

Full details on how you can win are listed on the Market Street Stamps blog.

Here's the full hop order:

Market Street Stamps
DoBea Alberts
Julie Day
Tifany DeGough <-- You are here
Amy Kolling
Stephanie Muzzulin
Jinny Newlin
Jen del Muro
Stephanie Washburn
Brenda Weaver

The Project:
I used the new Christmas Bells stamp set to create this little gift bag:

You can use it for a gift card or money holder, or just for a small gift or stocking stuffer.
Bonus - it can hang right on the tree so it doubles as an ornament (and doesn't get lost in the shuffle of bigger packages).

Stamping on a cloth bag is similar to stamping on canvas, so there may be a few imperfections in where the ink settles. Even so, I think any recipient would be happy to receive it.

Don't forget - all of Market Street Stamps new releases are currently 15% off in the Marketplace. Be sure to click on over and fill up your cart!

Thanks for stopping by today!

The Next Stop:

Amy Kolling's blog

Supplies:
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Christmas Bells);
Ink: Ranger (Archival - Jet Black);
Markers: Zig (Carnival Lights Set);
Bag: Celestial Gifts (4x6 Cotton Muslin);

Are you ready? {Market Street Stamps}

Get ready for two fun days of inspiration starting tomorrow on the Market Street Stamps blog!
{But if you just can't wait - new stamps are ready for purchase in the Marketplace now. And...they're 15% off!}