Last Month's Scraps and Prayers Class Christmas Project

Today's post is brought to you by some of my Scraps and Prayers group.  We made a Christmas decor project at our last class.  We had SO much fun!  I love this group.  It's open to anyone so, if you live in the area, you might want to give this one a try.  You'll leave with a smile on your face.  I promise. 

Our frame is an 8" round embroidery hoop.  The group loved this project - except for using some of my old adhesive sheets:)  Getting the backing off proved to be a bit of a challenge.  I assured them that the new sheets were much easier to use.  As I've said, I'm trying really hard to use up my 'stash' instead of hoarding it all.

We attached our DSP to a piece of cardboard backing from a DSP pack.  They're handy for so many things.  I then hot glued the DSP piece to the back of the hoop.  Speaking of hoops, there are some teeny, tiny hoops coming out in our upcoming Occasions Catalog.  They are adorable!!!  I hope to place my pre-order today and it will surely include some of these cuties.

We used up some of my old Sticky Tape by attaching it all around the outside edge of the hoop.  We peeled off the backing and attached some bright red ribbon.  Our old, retired bitty heart and star punches were very handy for this project.  I don't often part with a punch.  We used Red Glimmer paper for the hearts and Silver Foil for the stars.
NOTE:
There is a downside to hoarding retired products.  I recently made a large quantity of large gift bags for my daughter to use in her Christmas Shoppe at our church tomorrow.  I thought this would be a good time to use up the rest of my Sticky Tape.  Wrong!  I had several rolls left.  They were very old and absolutely stuck tight together.  I tried and tried and could not get them to unroll so I could use them.  I had to throw them all away.  I ended up using Fast Fuse ... and it was fast:)

I gave each person a Green Sprig to use on their project, but they didn't like how they wouldn't stay where they wanted them to be.  They'll use them for something else later.  No, the sprig below was not left like that.  I had a bit of cute/sassy actions going on that night.  My adhesive sheets brought out the best in everyone:)  Like I said, we have a lot of fun.

Below are two of their finished projects.  I love them!

Aren't these pretty?

The Latest Scoop:
I HAVE 2 REMAINING KITS FROM OUR CHRISTMAS RETREAT. / EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE 18 CARDS! / $40.00

December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags
It's going to be a party atmosphere at our last class for 2017.  I've even been working on a hand made present for you!  The class is filling up fast, so be sure to reserve your spot right away!

Tentative 2018 classes and events schedule, coming soon!

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

The Stockings Were Hung in My Studio With Care ... and Some Tips On Creating Your Own

The stockings were hung in my studio with care ... in hopes that my customers would soon be there ..... to see and enjoy what I love to create and share.  Ok, I may be an artist but a poet ... not so much:)  I loved making my stockings this year ----- 31 stockings, in fact.  Warning:  If you decide to get these thinlits dies, they can be very addictive.  Just sayin' ... You have been warned.  We had a wonderful, wonderful time at my class last night and they were delighted with all the stockings.  Enjoy today's post .... and then ... go create something beautiful!  But wait!  There's more!  Be sure to check out my tips if you plan on making some stockings.  There's even a link to a video to help you.

Now, talk about a photo challenge!  As you can see, they're everywhere!

A closer view:

My curly-headed baby:)

Helpful tips:
- Some people use Tear and Tape Adhesive for this project.
- Some people use Fast Fuse Adhesive.
- I think both work well.  I used my Fast Fuse, simply because it was out and handy.
- The funny little 'slot' thinlit piece can be used to give more dimension to the jingle bell.
- Some people used it to cut an opening for their ribbon.  I just punched a hole for it.
- I found that the heavier DSP and the regular DSP both worked worked well for this project.
- The only thinlit that I needed to cut using my Precision Plate was the snowflake.
- Click here to see the latest Stampin' Up! video on making these fun stockings.

The 'banner' hangs behind the bar where I do the bulk of my stamping and paper crafting.  It's so much nicer to work in a happy and inspiring work space.

UP NEXT:
November 18 -- Christmas Retreat
     10:00-3:00 / $45.00 / 18 Cards: 6 Designs - 3 Cards Each
     Fee includes materials, light lunch, and a ton of fun. 
NOTE:
We are having a TON of conflicts come up with this date.  I may have to go to 'kits only' for this class.  I'm thinking that there is NO 'good date' in November for a big Saturday class.  I will have to rethink this for next year.  I only have a few kits remaining, so sign up fast to reserve yours.  In your kit, I'll have everything you need to create your 18 cards.  If you sign up for just the kit, I'll adjust your class fee (to remove lunch expense for you).

December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

A Boutique Photo is Very Difficult to Pull Off

There are 2 kinds of photos that stand out in my mind as being a tough job.  One is a group photo in a living room or around a dining table.  The other is sharing items I made for my Boutique.  The photos just don't do justice to real life fun.  Here's a little peek at some of the things I made for my boutique this year.  I really had fun making them. 

I love our Acrylic Card Boxes and our Mini Pizza Boxes.  They make up into great little gifts.

Many of the items I made with stocking stuffers in mind.  Many contain some wonderful chocolate inside, too.  Little gifts like these are excellent for when you just want to give 'a little something' to a friend, co-worker, neighbor, or a teacher.  Don't forget school bus drivers and Sunday School teachers, too.  The list could go on a lot longer, I'm sure.

You can't see them in the photos but I made up a bunch of our Acrylic Card Boxes with Christmas DSP for belly bands and fun embellishments and put Ghiradelli chocolates inside, along with the poem 'This Year's Homemade Christmas Fudge.'  How fun!  The little box with tiny drawers in the back is for an Advent Calendar.

My cute little Advent Calendar.  You can put tiny treats in each of the little drawers.

 I made up a lot of Mini Pizza Boxes:)  Also, below, I made up some little gift bags with mini bottles of lotion.  It is thick and luxurious and smells wonderful.

I have a variety of fridge magnets and darling little tins.  There just might be some of those at my Christmas Retreat:)

My Christmas Boutique is open by appointment and at my Nov. 13 and 18 classes.  After that, I will close it out to make more room for class and family activities.

A FUN REMINDER:
Those who attended the party (or ordered online) had the opportunity to earn the following ---
- Orders of $25. or more ...
  - a mini pizza box with surprises inside.
- Orders of $25. or more ...
  -a coupon for $10. off the fee for my Christmas Retreat.
- Orders of $50. or more ...
  - a mini pizza box with surprises inside.
  - a coupon for $10. off the fee for my Christmas Retreat.
  - a coupon for a free $15. class.
  - a token.
ALL WHO ORDERED ONLINE OR AT THE PARTY WILL RECEIVE A FUN COCOA PACKET GIFT IN WITH THEIR ORDER.
Like I said ... What a party!!! 
 
UP NEXT:
November Classes / Events:
November 13 -- Scraps and Prayers / TONIGHT:)
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Home Decor Project for Christmas
November 18 -- Christmas Retreat
     10:00-3:00 / $45.00 / 18 Cards: 6 Designs - 3 Cards Each
     Fee includes materials, light lunch, and a ton of fun. 

December 11 Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.