Miniature Christmas Stockings

Here are my Miniature Christmas Stockings that I gave you a sneak preview of the other day! I made these to give out to future hostesses with a gift certificate in them. Each stocking is approximately 7" tall by 5" wide. They would be perfect for gift cards, money or gift certificates. They are also just the right size to fill with candy canes or other goodies.
It would look really cute as an ornament on a Christmas tree filled with mini presents or to be used as home decor on the mantel!

CLICK HERE to get the FREE template to make these!

Here are the instructions:
Print out the template and cut out two stockings exactly the same. I used a sewing machine to sew the two layers together but you could also use a thin line of Tombow adhesive and just use the white gel pen to draw faux stitches on.


Out of very Vanilla card stock I cut a 7 1/2" x 2 1/4" strip and folded it in half. I used the scallop edge punch starting at the crease so when you do both sides they will line up. I then stamped the leaves from the Peaceful Season stamp set on the edges.


Using Tombow you are going to glue the Vanilla top onto the stocking. I used the Crop-a-dile to put holes in and twine to keep the Deck the Halls button on.


Here is the finished button so the twine goes through all the holes. Now I used a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol and srayed only the red stocking part. This makes the paper pliable and easy to puff open the stocking so you can shape it. I used my bone folder to stick inside and open it up while its wet. It dries fast so work quick and don't get the stamped top wet or it will run. Once it's dry its easier to fill!

Here is another version using the same stamp set.

Hope you like them!

Stocking Sneak Preview

I am participating in a Homegrown and Handmade Festival tomorrow morning at one of the area schools. If any of you are close by it should be a really great event!

It's at Mettawee Elementary School in West Pawlet, VT at 9:00 AM tomorrow.
If you are in the area, stop on by! I am giving away these little stockings filled with a $10 gift certificate for anyone who books a stamping party tomorrow!
The tutorial and template for these will be up Saturday night or hopefully by Sunday so check back soon!

French Foliage Poinsettia

I saw a card with a poinsettia in the Stampin' Success magazine (Stampin' Up Demonstrators get this magazine each month full of great card and project ideas as well as new techniques and business info) this month that used the pearls for the middle and I got inspired. This is my version of that idea!

To make this card I used the Just Believe and French Foliage stamp sets. For the leaves of the Poinsettia I used the leaf from the French Foliage stamp set in Very Vanilla Craft ink on Cherry Cobbler paper with not too much Vanilla ink on my stamp. When you first stamp it on the paper it is comes out looking like Vanilla ink. If you give it a little time it will turn a light pink color and looks softer. Then I just cut out the leaves and used Dimensionals to put them together.
For the main part of the card I used Very Vanilla paper stamped with Early Espresso ink with the cursive words and then sponged with Soft Suede ink around the edges. I also used Early Espresso paper for the outline of the Vanilla pieces.
The "believe" sentiment is from the Just Believe stamp set and is inked with the Cherry Cobbler marker and stamped on the 1/2" wide strip of paper.

I love this card.

Halloween Witch

Here is my punch art Halloween Witch! You can see below how I made her!
This is a 5 1/2" square card.

head- large oval punch in wild wasabi
nose- owl punch, the ear cut off the top of the owl body in wild wasabi
eyes-owl punch, medium and small holes, so saffron and black
chin- owl punch, medium hole cut in half
neck- word window
hair- wide oval punch with bottom cut flat
hat-brim and top part, large oval punch. triangular scrap for part that is folded over.
broom- crumb cake large oval cut in half for top
body-wide oval in concord crush, the skirt is just a scrap cut out
arms- modern label punch folded over
cauldron-2 1/2" circle in black. top and bottom done with 3/8" strips put in word window punch
flames- wide oval with flame part cut out.
smoke- black rhinestones

Here is just the face put together and the hair goes behind.


For the brim of the hat I traced it from behind and then cut out the center so it fits over the head and hair.


Here is the top oval put on and then the small triangle piece to make it look like it bends over.


Here is the wide oval punch re-punching to make the top of the body. Then just cut the triangle out at the neck.

Hope you like her!

Diabetes Purse Success!

I want to thank you all so much for the great success that the Diabetes Purse has been to raise money for the American Diabetes association in my daughters name. Together we have raised over $1500 so far! This is beyond my wildest dreams of what could be raised and I hope you know what wonderful kind hearted people you all are.
So many of you wrote me wonderful emails wishing us luck with this new wrinkle in our lives and also sharing stories and offering support. I wish I could email each one of you back but the response has been so overwhelming I am sorry but I just don't have enough time in the day! Please know that I have read every email and also shared many with my husband and your kind words have touched my heart.
I also want to say a special thank you to all of you who have put the purse photo and link on your own blog so it can reach as many people as possible. You are truly wonderful.

The purse will stay up on my site and will continue to be available so anyone else who would like the tutorial CLICK HERE for all of the details!