Tuesday, September 28, 2010

InStyle stamps and Glue Arts

Last week my cards were posted on the Glue Arts blog, but I thought I'd share them here too for anyone that may have missed them.
Thanks for looking!

InStyle Stamps Cards by Jessica Barnett


Supplies Needed:



Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro with Perma Tac cartridge

Glue Arts Adhesive Squares

Glue Arts 3-d Adhesive Combo pack

Glue Arts Ribbon Adhesive strips

Intyle Stamps: Birdhouse and Framed Bird

White cardstock

Acrylic block

Patterned papers

Patterned paper die cut flowers

Buttons

Small bling squares

Paper flowers

Tag/label punch

Small letter stickers

Card sentiment embellishment

Edge punch

Black, blue and brown inks

Colored pencils

Paper trimmer

Scissors

Ric rac or other trim

Corner rounder

4 by 5.5 inch card blank

Embroidery floss and needle





Directions for Framed Bird card:

1. Stamp the Framed bird stamp onto white cardstock. Color the image with the colored pencils, shading near the edges of the trees and birds. Cute the stamp out with the scissors and set aside.

2. Trim a piece of patterned paper to 4 by 5.5 inches and attach to the front of the card using the Glue Glider Pro. Round the corners of the card and ink all edges with black ink. Trim another piece of paper to 3.5 by 5 inches and round corners. Ink the edges with black ink and attach to the card using the Glue Glider Pro.

3. Cut a strip of patterned paper that is 1.5 inches by 5.5 inches and use the edge punch to add a design to both sides of the strip. Ink the edges with black ink and attach to the card using the Glue Glider Pro. Trim a strip of ric rac and attach to the strip using Glue Arts ribbon adhesive.

4. Punch a tag or label from white cardstock and ink with blue and black inks. Spell out sentiment using small letter stickers.

5. Attach the Framed Bird stamp to the card using Glue Arts U Cut It foam adhesive. Attach the sentiment to the card using Raisen’s. Attach four paper flowers along the top of the card using Glue Arts Adhesive Squares. Put bling in the center of each flower.

Directions for Birdhouse card:

1. Stamp the Birdhouse image twice on white cardstock. Color the entire first image, but only color the bird on the second image. Cut out the first image into a square shape, and cut out the bird from the second image. Layer the second bird over the first and attach using Glue Arts U Cut It foam adhesive.

2. Trim a piece of cardstock to 4x5.5 inches and attach to card front using the Glue Arts Glue Glider pro. Ink the edges of the paper in blue ink.

3. Ink the edges of five assorted size die cut paper flowers with brown ink. Attach two to the front of the card (using the Glue Glider Pro) where they will be under the stamped image. Attach the stamped image to the front of the card using the Glue Glider Pro. Attach two more flowers to the card using Glue Arts Raisen’s. The final flower should be attached using Glue Arts U Cut It foam adhesive.

4. Tie knots in the button centers using embroidery floss. Attach the buttons to the flower centers using Glue Arts Adhesive Squares.

5. Attach metal sentiment near bottom of card.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Vintage Groove Jewelry by Making Memories

So on Facebook yesterday I mentioned that I'd have a little something to say this weekend about the Vintage Groove jewelry line that's out now, so here goes...
Recently Making Memories posted something on Facebook asking for people that were near one of twenty cities they listed.  One of those cities was Tempe, so I responded.  That led to me setting up the Vintage Groove jewelry display at the Michael's store at Tempe Marketplace!  The stuff is really cute and there's even an amazing idea book for people that like saying that they're not creative :)  Here's what the set-up looks like



If you don't live in AZ, you can check out the Making Memories Vintage Groove website for other store locations
I got a few samples of the jewelry last week and got the chance to make some things and take pictures of them today.
I love all the little details on the charms.  There's such an big assortment of things, from cameos and rhinestones to pearls and birds.

 There are different metals too.  For this necklace I mixed two chains and just added one pendant.

Be sure to check it out!  The stuff is just amazing and they make it so easy to create your own jewelry that looks like it came from a boutique!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Basketball treats!

My twins, Carter and Parker, played their first sport this year.  They have been doing a little basketball camp over the summer for two years now, but this is the first time we've signed them up for a season as part of a team.  I think they've really had a lot of fun and have learned a little about the sport.  Their coach has been pretty awful and I feel bad for the kids that show up every week (when the coach doesn't).  There has never been any organization and so every week when the kids on the other teams have had snacks and treats after their games, our kids kinda sigh and ask why they don't get anything.  Well, this Saturday will be their last game, so I decided to go all out today and make something special for them since they've missed out on a lot of things the other teams had all season. 
This is what I spent today doing...


I think they're cute (and I am bringing an actual snack and some juice box things for them too so I don't just load them up on sugar before I send them home :)  My boys are very excited and won't stop asking me who they're for and when they can have them so I think I've done something right.
I'll be back with more crafty posts this weekend.  I've had the craziest week!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Family wreath and instructions

I made this wreath recently for Xyron and I have been asked to share the directions so here they are!  I had to send this one in, but I might just need to make another one for my house :)
Family Wreath by Jessica Barnett


Supplies Needed:



Xyron Creatopia with Fabric adhesive refill and Permanent adhesive refill

6 or 7 assorted fat quarters in black, cream and beige

Scrap of fabric in cream pattern

Charm pack or assorted fabrics in approx 5” squares

Small wooden spools

Chipboard circles

Spool of gathered black ribbon

Scraps of coordinating patterned paper

Small (1/2 inch) white buttons

Large (1 inch) black and white buttons

Jute twine

Black and cream threads and needle

Sewing machine

Scraps of quilt batting

Metal “Family” sign

Scissors

Rotary cutter and mat

Black paint and brush

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Circle templates

Pencil

Three black and white photos sized to fit the chipboard circles

Iron and ironing board

MDF wreath Form



Instructions:

1. Press all fabrics. Tear 2.5 inch wide vertical strips from the fat quarters with the long side of the fabric facing you. Tie the fabrics in knots on the wreath form alternating the knots on the inside and outside of the form.

2. Choose 10 of the squares from the charm pack and cut the largest possible circles from them. Sew the circles into yo-yos.

3. Choose four more fabrics from the charm pack and run them through the Creatopia with the Fabric cartridge. Fold the corners of the squares to the center and press to help hold the shape.

4. To make the flowered quilt squares, cut six, 5” squares from the cream patterned fabric and three, 4” squares from the quilt batting. Choose three fabrics from the charm pack and cut an irregular flower shape from each in a small, medium and large size. Run the flower shapes through the Creatopia with the Fabric cartridge. Layer the squares with a 5” square on bottom, then batting, another square and the three flowers from largest to smallest. Pin the squares and batting together to keep it from shifting while you sew. Sew through all layers around the edges of the flowers in black thread. Go around the square, ½” in from the edges in a cream thread. Fray the edges of the squares by pulling out threads on all sides. Use black thread to sew a large black button in the center of each flower.

5. For the photo circles, use a pencil to trace the circle shape onto the pictures. Cut out the pictures and run through the Creatopia with the Permanent Adhesive cartridge. Attach the pictures to the circles and trim any excess from the edges. Paint around the edges of the circles and pictures and allow to dry. Once dry, hot glue the ribbon to the back of the circle to add a little ruffle detail.

6. Cut strips from scraps of paper to fit the middle sections of the spools. Run the strips through the Creatopia with the Permanent Adhesive cartridge and attach to the spools.

7. To make the garland, string spools onto a piece of jute and tie scraps of fabric in knots between them. Hot glue jute-tied buttons over the fabric knots. Tie the garland to the wreath from.

8. Hot glue smaller white buttons to the metal word for the wreath.

9. Begin laying out the wreath by placing the larger items first, then layer and add the smaller items. Try to leave some space free so that the metal word will still be readable and won’t cover up too many of the wreath elements.

10. Hot glue the decorations to the wreath, including the metal word. Add some twine to help hold the wreath in place and cover it with buttons. Fill in any small blank spots with more buttons or spools.

Thanks for looking!!

Friday, September 17, 2010

A secret recipe

Every time I make these cookie cups, I am asked for the recipe.  I sent some into school yesterday for one of the twins' teacher's birthday and he comes home saying that she wants the recipe.  That big secret recipe?  A chub of cookie dough and canned frosting.  Don't get me wrong, these things are delicious.  When I was younger, every time I went to the mall I had to get one of these at The Cookie Company.  These are great for a quick dessert to serve at a party because you can make a ton of them in no time.  I won't tell if you choose to keep the recipe a secret :)

Cookie Cups
Chub of Pillsbury chocolate chip cookie dough (this time I used the smaller one and it made 24 cups)
Homemade or canned (whipped style) butter cream frosting
mini muffin pans
decorating tip and bag
spoon (or that little Pampered Chef wooden tool for smooshing the dough into the cups)
Non-Stick cooking spray
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray pans with non-stick cooking spray.
Break the dough into pieces and distribute evenly in the muffin pans.
Use tool to smoosh the balls of dough into each cup so that it takes the shape of the pan without gaps around the dough.
Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.  It may be more or less depending on whether you like your cookies soft and yummy or gross and crunchy, but 10 min is about right.
Allow to cool and remove from pans. (I will spin the cups as I take them out of the pans to try to keep them from breaking off into pieces.)
Use the decorating bag with tip to add a little bit of frosting to the middle of each cup.  (Only the whipped style of canned frosting can be piped like this, so don't just buy the regular stuff).
Decorate with sprinkles if you like!  Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Qulting!

This month I am taking my first quilt class!  I have been making quilts for a while, but never quite knew what I was doing.  My blocks were always different sizes and nothing ever matched up.  Frustrating!  I've wanted to take a class for a long time and this month I got to do it!
This is the pattern they're teaching this month.  It's called Flower Power.

The only problem with this quilt is that those flowers just don't do it for me :)  I'm making it to go in a guest room, but I still didn't want them on the quilt so I am leaving that row of flowers out (and saving myself a TON of work) and I just added another row of the blocks and a border instead.  The colors I'm going to put in the guest room are a sort of baby blue and red.
Here's my quilt top so far!
And because the color is a little wonky in that one, here's a close up of part of it
Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Fall colors layout and shadow box

I know that there are a lot of people out there that love Fall as much as I do. When you live in AZ, Fall is exciting because it means that summer is finally coming to and end (and summer seems like it will never end). We still have 103-105 degree temps here for as long as I can see on the weather, but while I'm inside I like to pretend that it's actually nice outside. :)
These projects were made for Xyron.
I didn't start with a shadow box, I started with a (much easier to find) scrapbook frame and went from there. An inexpensive way to get the shadow box look.



Fall Shadow Box and Fall Colors Layout By Jessica Barnett

Supplies Needed:

Xyron 510 with Permanent Adhesive Cartridge
Xyron 150 with Permanent Adhesive Cartridge
Xyron Adhesive Runner and refill
12x12 Scrapbook Shadow Box Frame
5 – 12x12 Sheets of assorted fall patterned papers
1- 12x12 sheet Kraft cardstock
1 sheet 12x12 black cardstock
2 – 5x7 inch photos
Green, gold, orange and brown glitters
Green, yellow and brown glitter glue
Black ink
Scissors
Paper Trimmer
Felt letter stickers
Assorted fall –themed embellishments
Bone folder
Chipboard embellishments
Buttons
Foam adhesive dots
Ruler and black ink pen
Sand paper or nail file
Embroidery thread and needle


To Make Shadow Box:
1. To make the dividers, cut 4 strips of black paper into strips that are 2 inches wide and fit the length inside the frame. Score at ½ inch, 1 inch and 1 ½ inches. Fold the center score, the fold the two outside scores to make the dividers. Attach the middle of the divider to itself using the Xyron Adhesive Runner, and then attach the two flaps to the frame back using the runner. The first two strips should divide the frame into thirds in one direction. For the other lines, measure and cut the strips into smaller pieces that fit in between the solid strips that are already attached.
2. Cut 9 squares from the assorted patterned papers (measure the inside of the squares) then ink the edges and attach them inside the squares. These squares will cover the bottom flaps of the black paper.
3. Lay out your embellishments to fit inside the squares. Run the chipboard through the Xyron 510 and cover with glitter. Attach smaller embellishments using the Xyron Adhesive Runner. Tie knots through the holes in the buttons with the embroidery floss, and run the buttons through the Xyron 150 to attach them to the project. Attach some embellishments with adhesive foam dots.

To Make Layout:
1. Cut a 9” square from one of the patterned papers, ink the edge with black ink and attach it to the center of the kraft cardstock using the Xyron Adhesive runner.
2. Matte the two photos with black cardstock and one of the other patterned papers. Ink the edges and attach to the layout using the runner.
3. Add title with felt letters.
4. Glitter paper leaves using the Xyron 510. Attach to the layout using foam adhesive dots.
5. Fill in blank space with Fall stickers that have been sanded on the edges and inked.
6. Tie knots in buttons with embroidery floss and run through the Xyron 150 to attach them to the layout.
7. Use the pen and ruler to draw a thin line around the edge of the layout.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

The random number generator was used to pick the winners from the blogs. The winner from my blog was...........

JEN!
Jen said...

I'm an AZ girl too!! So I completely appreciate the need to travel to snow. I prefer it that way. I lived in snow for several years so I like having to travel to snow. Love the layout... the light blue/gray flower used as a snowflake is brilliant!
And the BOO screen and bats... LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!
Thank you for sharing
SEPTEMBER 10, 2010 8:52 AM

Congrats to you Jen! It's so nice to hear from another AZ scrapper too! (Winners if you would please email us your mailing information at Gluegirl@gluearts.com. Please let us know which refill you would like! If you need refresher...please visit our Glue Arts website).
Now, I mentioned it in the last post, but if you'd like to see the instructions for the projects, just head on over to the Glue Arts website.
If you have any questions about my projects or need more details, just contact me by leaving a comment or sending me an email to jesslcooper at hotmail dot com.

Thank you again to everyone that came by for the blog hop! I really appreciated all the kind comments!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Blog Hopping for Glue Arts!!

Woohoo!
So, things are changing up a little in Glue Arts land :) There are four brand new team members that we need to welcome. As you visit the blogs, you'll get to know them. You'll want to visit every blog in the hop because you have a chance to win at each stop just for commenting! And just what will you win?

A Glue Glider Pro and the refill of your choice!
This is one of my very favorite scrappy tools. The Perma Tac is my favorite cartridge, but I have been LOVING the new fabric refill too.
There are 12 chances to win a Glue Glider Pro and refill, and there's a bonus chance to win the GGP, a refill AND some of the new Extreme Adhesive Squares! How to you try for that bonus chance? Just email the names of the four new DT members to Gluegirl@gluearts.com for your chance to win! Be sure to comment and send in the email by Sunday for the chance to win. The announcement will be made on Monday.
I'd just like to share a few of my favorite GA DT projects. The instructions can be found over at GlueArts.com.
My most recent fave are these aprons that I whipped up and embellished using the fabric adhesive.

These were so fun to make (and the girls that I made them for loved them). A little secret? I made my boys model them for the pictures. They weren't as impressed :)
I really loved making this winter themed layout last year. I'm in AZ, so we had to travel to go see the snow. Those pics are so fun to scrap! And all the little buttons and bits that I stuck on here aren't going anywhere!

It's just about time for more projects like this! Halloween and fall are so fun to decorate for, and I loved the way this project came out. With the Wall Art adhesive I got to attach the little flying bats to the wall for the holiday, and they popped off the wall without leaving a mark when I was done!

Well, that's it for me! Next, go stop by Patti's Blog.
Happy Hopping everyone!