Fawny Holiday Week

It's day one in the week long Fawny Holiday celebration week! Lots of crafty gals have gathered to create holiday themed projects to share with everyone; and, I thought it would be fun to step out of my Christmas theme bubble and recognize other great holidays as well--like Hanukkah!

If you're a huge fan of Lawn Fawn like me you might always ask people who also share the same love for LF, "What was your very first Lawn Fawn stamp set?; or, "How did you discover Lawn Fawn?". Well, if you were wondering which stamp set started my healthy obsession with LF it would be this Happy Hanukkah stamp set that I used to create this card! I had opened my Etsy shop prier to finding LF and one day I thought I'd like to have a little variety in my shop by adding both Hanukkah cards as well as Christmas cards. So I searched google and came across a intro video for this stamp set. I watched the video and immediately new I needed to have this set. Then when it came in the mail about a day or two after ordering it I was so happy with the packaging and how Kelly included a free mini stamp set along with my package and then I wanted more! So, I jumped back onto my computer and ordered my second stamp set, Plus one, and the rest was history.

Aside from using the, Happy Hanukkah stamp set for this card I also used a lot of the little snow flake images that came in the new sets, Snow day, and deck the Halls. I also used watercolors to create this blue background on the panel--and I added a little bit if charm with the new, Blue Jay Lawn Trimmings. 

I hope you really enjoyed this card and my little fun fact about how I found Lawn Fawn. To view all of the other cards and projects for the Lawn Fawn design team, the Lawnscaping design Team, and the awesome gals over at the Lawn Fawn HQ click here--and don't forget to visit the LF blog every day until Friday for lots more Holiday inspiration!

Easy Easter Treats, Part 2, Rice Krispies Easter Bunnies

Its Monday once again and now Easter is even closer—but not to worry I have a really easy, yet super tasty treat that you can make for your friends and family for this special holiday (or even just for yourself, hehe). I went to Michaels and found that they have this really cute bunny shaped cookie cutter and it was only $0.99. I thought it would be perfect for creating Easter bunny themed treats.  The pink ribbon used for the bow is also from Michaels—you can find a wide variety of colors to choose from in their ribbon section.

What you’ll need:

Ingredients

3 tbsp. Butter

10oz. Marshmallows

6 cups of Rice Krispies Cereal

Cooking spray

Neon food coloring (optional)

Tools

Rubber spatula

Large bowl

Medium sauce pan

Wax paper

Cookie cutter 

Step 1: First thing is you’ll want to take your cooking spray and spray every single tool you’re going to use because this recipe can get pretty sticky and messy. Apply cooking spray to your sauce pan, bowl, cake sheet pan (or whatever you use), the spatula, cookie cutter, etc.

Step 2: Put your sauce pan on the stove and turn on the heat to low, add the butter and let it melt. Once the butter has melted add all of the marshmallows and stir frequently until they’re completely melted. It’s going to smell so good at this point! Once it’s been melted you can take it off the heat, and add the food coloring—but adding the coloring is completely optional.

 Step 3: Simply add the sauce into the bowl that has been pre-sprayed and mix all of the ingredients together.

Step 4: Add it to your baking dish. I placed wax paper on the bottom of the pan; namely, because I didn’t want a sticky mess on that pan. Then I spread out the mixture, covered it with another piece of wax paper and flattened it with another baking dish to make it evenly flat. Once that has been done, simply set is aside for about 20-30 minutes so it can cool down.

Step 5: Once it’s cool, you can begin cutting out your shapes with the pre-sprayed bunny shaped cookie cutter. I’ve seen man recipes that place the rice krispies in the refrigerator first but if you plan on cutting them with a cookie cutter I’d recommend simply letting them cool at room temperate. Once they’ve been cut, then you can place them in the fridge—if you like. 

 Step 6: Add some cute ribbon and you’re finished! If you’re making them the night before simply place them into an air tight container and place them in the fridge. On the day you plan on serving them take them out of the fridge to let them return to room temperature. Tip: This recipe will only last up to a week in the fridge.

Aren't they adorable?! They tasted so amazing, too. I almost couldn't stop eating the left overs but I HAD to, hehe. I hope you give these bunnies a try Easter. You and all of your loved ones will definitely enjoy them! 

Gnome for the Holidays

I know Thanksgiving hasn't even passed yet but I still can’t help but make holiday cards over and over again. After all, Christmas is nearly around the corner. Before we know it, Thanksgiving will have come and gone and December 25th will be coming in faster than we realize. Especially if you’re a seller like me—getting holiday cards done in advance is the only way I’ll be able to send anything to my friends and family in the mail. Once orders start piling up I won’t have time to make cards at detailed as this.

This is actually my first circle card, and I learned how to make them by watching one of Lawn Fawn’s awesome videos on the subject. You can learn how to make it by watching this video (skip to minute 7:00 to learn how to make the shaped card). I've learned so many techniques from watching card making videos by Lawn Fawn, Simon Says Stamp, and many other amazing crafters out there in the YouTube world. If you’re interested in learning more card making techniques videos by your favorites card making artists will definitely help. To create this lovely card I used the following stamp sets by Lawn Fawn: Gnome sweet gnome, Let it snow, and Trim the tree.

I also used an embossing and distressing technique to create the blue sky in the background of this card. I've never been that great at working with distress inks but watching videos on how it’s done has given me the confidence to give it a try. I also did a lot of fussy cutting and paper piecing on this card—and that’s also something I've learned from watching YouTube videos. Before Lawn Fawn videos I had no idea what paper piecing was, hehe. I used a variety of Copic makers to color in the gnome and his cute little home. I also used my new wink of Stella glitter pen (in clear) on the snowy hills but the camera didn't do a great job of picking up on that (actually it’s probably my fault that you can’t see it, not the camera’s, haha). But in person the snowy hills shine so beautifully—this glitter pen is magical. To create the perfect circles I used some circle dies that I purchased from Michaels with a 50% off coupon but you can buy those at many online and local craft stores.

The distress inks I used to create the blue sky are: Peacock features, and Broken china. If you’re new to distressing you may want to watch some videos on how it’s done there are lots of awesome videos on the subject. I hope you loved my gnome Christmas card. I fell in love with this card right away and I’m seriously thinking of making many, many more to give to mail for the holidays. 

What I’m working on—Orders and New projects!

Hi! It’s Monday once again and it’s been so busy for me. I’ve been keeping busy with orders, blogging, picture taking, new items, and so much more. The picture above is a 4 layer card (or sort of a mini book) that I’m excited to share. I’m going to be making my first video showing how I went about making that holiday card and I can’t wait. To be honest I made a video over the weekend showing how I make it and it was a total fail, LOL. The content I recorded was so funny and awkward so I’m just going to film it all over again. In the video you could kind of tell that I didn’t prepare what I was going to say and in the middle of filming my tri-pod tipped over and fell! It was so embarrassing—even though no one was around. All an all it was a good first try and now that I got that out of my system I’m going to try it again; and I’m hoping the new video will be much better.

The reason today’s post is not really an  A+ post is because I’ve been working on orders this whole weekend and today as well—but I didn’t want to simply not blog today. So I thought I’d just update everyone as to what’s going on over in my crafty corner. 

Also, I picked up this awesome ATG gun from my local craft store this weekend and I can’t believe it took me this long to finally get one. I just got tired of using the small tape gliders because they run out so fast. This will last me a lot longer (and it should because of the price, hehe). If you haven’t tried this tool yet, and you make lots of cards, you should give this ATG gun a try. It’s a time saver. 

I thought I’d share a sneak peek of the new 2012 X-mas line I’ve been working on. This year I’m have new tags, cards, card sets, gift card holders, cupcake toppers, wrappers, and even gifts; such as, purses, new coin purses, totes, and more. Here are two pictures of what you can expect to see in my shop soon. 

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment letting me know what you think. Also, stay tuned for upcoming holiday D.I.Y.’s, project ideas, and more. Things are getting so busy around here and I love it! Take care :-D 

D.I.Y.—Day of the Dead Cupcake Toppers

September is half-way over and Halloween is quickly approaching. I have a really cute, affordable, and fun D.I.Y. project using some stamps I purchased from my local craft store for only $1.00! I’ve mentioned before that, Joanns Fabric & Craft stores always has new holiday themed stamps every year and I always love to collect them all. This year one of stamp sets that got me super excited was the Day of the Dead skull and bones. Typically these acrylic stamps don’t produce a clean crisp image with regular black ink so I decided to purchase some black embossing powder for this particular project instead. I remember when I was a novice papercrafter and I’d pass through the isle with all the little embossing powders and just marvel at the variety of colors; and how cute the bottles were—but I never actually knew what they were for. Now that I know what they can do I’m obsessed with them! 

Step 1: Place the stamp on your acrylic block 

Step 2: Generously dab your stamp onto the versa mark ink pad

Step 3: Stamp the image onto your card stock

…You can kinda see the water mark here if you look closely

Step 4: Apply your black embossing powder

Step 5: Shake it off

Step 6: Apply heat

Amazing right?!

Step 7: Color-in using markers, color pencils, or any other medium you prefer

Step 8: Cut the image out

Step 9: Apply to wooden pick and cover the back with matching skull (double sided)

And you’re finished! Wasn’t that fun? 

Card of the Week #7

I know I keep going back and forth between Halloween and Christmas items but I can’t help myself. I’m in love with these holidays and I can’t help but work on them both at the same time, haha. I have to admit that I’m also working on Christmas items because within the virtual shopping world it’s best to be ready three months prior to the upcoming holidays, like Christmas. So as of now I’m already stockpiling the things I want to sell in my shop; and, this card is one of the OOAK cards that’ll be available in my shop soon.

I’m so in love with this card. This Christmas I have a feeling that the popular Christmas theme will be the red and white peppermint colors. The red and white colors is one of the reasons why I love Christmas so much—that and all the wonderful smells of Christmas too. 

I used Kraft card stock for the base of this card (my favorite type of cardstock), and I used ivory card stock for the border. The stamped used for this border can be found here, on the Lawn Fawn website. The gingerbread girl and the sentiment can be found in that set as well. Did you happen to notice the sweet little text bubble? It’s one of my new favorite things, as far as stamps go, and you can find those and more in different shapes and sizes here. Definitely a must have for papercrafters or stamp lovers. 

Lastly, I’ve packaged my card in this cellophane card sleeve and for more information on where I purchased these you can check out the blog post I dedicated to it by clicking here. 

Thanks for stopping by for another card of the week! I hope this will spark some inspiration! 

Card of the Week #6

Today is one of my favorite posts’ days. Sometimes I get so busy that I don’t have time to do anything other than finish orders, and create new items for my website. So, I created this ‘Card of the week’ series so that I can take a break from my business and simply create for the fun of it—and to keep my sanity. For some reason making cards makes me feel incredibly calm; and, I guess that’s why I love papercrafting as much as I do.

I made this card using the NEW Lawn Fawn stamp set ‘SweetChristmas’. It’s so cute! And it’s easy to use. There are so many possibilities with this set that sometimes I just stare at it and imagine all the things I can make with them. Now here’s how I made the card: 

Thanks for stopping by to check out another ‘Card of the Week’. Happy crafting!