Take Note

Here is another great idea for a cool gift this year.

I love dry erase boards. They come in very handy for 

messages, reminders, shopping lists etc.

BUT

They are usually so gosh darn UGLY. 

By altering a picture frame you can create your own 

F~A~B~U~L~O~U~S

Dry erase note board. 

Here is one I did with the Maginfique papers from CTMH. 

Isn't it pretty?

 

For this one I used the Cherry-O papers (also from CTMH) and some 

of the coordinating My Stickease stickers. 

The grocery lists for both of these were printed on the computer. 

Both of the frames are 11" x 14" and  were found at a thrift store for $2.99 each. 

Of course you could go out and buy new frames but for me this was so much more cost effective 

and I  love re-purposing something and making it new again. 

Just remove whatever is inside and create your inside just as 

you would any scrapbook page only in the 11" x 14" size.

I used a piece of poster board as my base.  Be sure to use only flat 

embellishments since the glass still needs to go on top.

Once you have created your note board page just replace the glass 

and use any dry erase marker to write directly on the glass. 

I found colorful dry erase markers at Target and attached them with velcro

so they are handy whenever you need them.

I love how you could make one of these to match any decor. 

If you make one send me a link so I can checck it out.

How to make your own glitter ornaments using reinkers.

As with many of the things I create I cannot take full credit for this idea either. I saw this for the first time last year on another blog. I wish I could remember where so I could give credit but I read so many craft blogs I really have no idea where I saw it originally. 

This is a fun an easy way to create custom glitter ornaments

in any color you want.

The possibilities are truly endless. 

Here is what you need:

• Clear Glass Ornaments 
• CTMH Re-Inker in your favorite colors
• Prisma Glitter
• Funnel
• Paper Towels
• Opaque White Stazon Ink
• Small stamps and clear blocks
• Toilet Paper Tube

Remove hanger from ornament. Fill with 30 drops of re-inker in the color of your choice. Remember that the re-inker is very concentrated so colors will be darker that when stamping with the inks. You may need more or less depending on the size of your ornament. 

 Roll ornament in a circular motion with your hands 

to swirl the ink evenly over the entire inside. 

Be sure neck of ornament is facing down and you have paper towels

over your work surface to catch any drips.

Continue rolling and swirling until ink has covered entire 

inside surface including the neck. A toilet paper tube cut into thirds makes a perfect stand for your ornaments 

while you are working on them.

The ornament shown has an opal type finish.

Clear ornaments are available in truly clear or with the opal finish. 

Both varieties work well for this technique. 

I have a couple of the non opal ones shown below.

Using a funnel, add about a teaspoon of prisma glitter. 

This works best when done immediately while ink is still wet.

 Hold a small piece of paper towel over the opening and shake well until glitter covers the entire inside surface.

 

This is what your glittered ornament will look like.

Dump any extra glitter into a small cup and save for another project. The glitter will be tinted so do not try and dump it back into the original container, but I ended up with some fun

multi colored glitter to use later.

You COULD stop here and have a plain glittered ball. 

But it is even more fun to decorate the outside too.

 

I used Stazon Opaque White ink and a small snowflake from the Snow Flurries set. Stamping on the round surface of the ornament takes practice so have some stazon cleaner on hand to remove any smears or smudges.

It was hard to get a good picture of the stamped image with the light reflecting off the glass but you can kind of see it here.

Here are three ornaments I did in about 10 minutes time. The colors I used are from left to right Lagoon, Pacifica and Pear. The Lagoon one on the left was done with the opalized ornament and the Pacifica and Pear are plain clear, just so you can see the difference.

Allow them to dry several hours or overnight 

before reattaching the hanger. 

So what color will you try? There are SIXTY Close To My Heart colors to choose from so you can make these ornaments to match any decor.

To order prisma glitter or re-inkers click on the link to my website on the right sidebar. 

Enjoy!

Got Gift Cards??

This is a repost of a tutorial I did on my old blog from November 2009.

I hope it comes in handy again this year.

Everyone loves a gift card. They are great to give and to receive. What I don't love is the tacky packaging most of them come in. Here is a way to dress up your gift cards and make them much more presentable and fun.

Follow my little tutorial to learn how to make your own.

Pop Up Pocket Gift Card Holder

Supplies-
Card Base- cut 2 of cardstock measuring 7” x 4 1/4"
Pattern 1 – 2 ½ “ x 4” (front), 2 ½” x 4 ¼” (pocket cover)
Pattern 2 – 2” x 4” (front), 1 ½” x 6” (reverse side for flap)
Flap – 1 ¾ “ x 6” cut from cardstock
Inside stamped image - 1 5/8” x 1 5/8”
Image frame–1 ¾” x 1 ¾” of coordinating colored cardstock
Strong adhesive – I use what I call “red line tape” but it goes by several names.
Corner rounder
Stampin Up word window punch
Circle punch

Score both card base pieces at 4 1/4”.

Fold flaps towards inside of card. Use the red line tape to hold the two flap pieces together on three sides

with the top remaining open. Attach the 2 ½” x 4” piece of patterned paper on the front side of the pocket close to the open edge. There will be a small space between the edge of the paper and the fold. Use a circle punch to punch a half circle out of the top of the pocket through the patterned paper and both layers of cardstock. This makes it easier to remove the gift card from the pocket.

Stamp desired image on the 1 ¾” x 1 ¾” white cardstock. Back with the 1 5/8” x 1 5/8” of coordinating colored cardstock and attach to pocket front. Stamp desired sentiment to the right of the gift card pocket. Add two pieces of patterned paper as background on front of card. I use the Stampin Up word window punch for the slot and punch through all layers about ¼ “ from the edge. If you don’t have the punch cut a 1 5/8” slot through all layers using a craft knife.

To make the flap closure, center the 1 ½” x 6” piece of patterned paper onto the 1 ¾” x 6” strip of cardstock and ink the edges. Round the corners of one end. Score through both layers at 4 ¼ from the straight edge. Insert the rounded corners through the slot and line up the score line with the edge of the card. Add adhesive from score line to straight edge and press firmly to back of card.
Complete the gift card holder by adding stamped images and embellishments of your choice.

I used the Ms. Holiday Cheer stamp set from CTMH. I think this is a perfect way to present a gift card to your favorite shopaholic.
All papers, inks, stamps and embellishments are from Close to My Heart. To get them visit my website.

Thanks

Every year at this time I try to pause and reflect on all the things I am thankful for. And more importantly I try to remember to say Thank You to all those in my life I appreciate.

This year Close To My Heart is helping us out with this awesome Stamp of The Month, A Little Thanks.
      

Here is the card I created for our consultant swap using this set and Magnifique.

 

 

Here is a tutorial I found online to show you how.

And here is a close up of the rose. I used a 2" x 2" square of colonial white cardstock to make these and the inked the edges with Sky ink and added a gem from the Blue/Green sparkles. I see a lot of these little beauties in my future.

Click HERE to see a slideshow of my group's creations.