Creating With Carol

22 Oct 2016

The Newest Member of My Family

Please say Hello to Barnaby!

We brought him home from the SPCA on October 13th. He is just 14 weeks old (that's approximately 6 years old if he was a human!).

He sleeps (a lot) in this basket on my computer desk.

He also likes to play (a lot). His favourite toys are balls with bells inside... so far we've 'lost' six of them...

Can kittens watch too much TV??? If I'm working on something and I can't be interrupted I sometimes turn on his favourite show...

You can tell he's going to be a cool dude when he grows up...

He's brought a lot of love and fun to the family already! But I'd forgotten how much time it takes to look after a kitten - you have to hold him and pet him and listen to him purrrrr... You have to laugh at his hyjinxs when he plays...You have to search for his toys... And you have to talk to him about serious things like catnip... But it's all worth it!

Happy Stamping!

Merry Mice - the only kind I like!

These little guys are just the cutest! And that's saying a lot for mice in my opinion! :)

There are so many adorable cards and projects to make with this Merry Mice set, and here are some favourites that I've found.

This first card uses the diamond fold technique, and here is a tutorial on how to make that style of card.

And isn't this one darling! You can visit Anna Krol's blog here to find out how she made this card.

Cutest little caroler on the block! The Real Red Foil Paper really makes it pop!

I like how this card only uses one of the trio of mice - it's perfect for decorating the tree!

And you don't have to use the full image, you can punch out the focal point as shown below

The This Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper with the musical notes is found in the Annual Catalogue, and makes a perfect mat for the merry mouse.

A simple but classy card using two Christmas Pines die cut boughs, a punched caroler, and the Softly Falling Embossing Folder.

The ornament shaped dies from the Merry Tags Framelits/Merriest Wishes Bundle are perfect to frame the mice!

If you like to watercolour this stamp set is great. The bow is made from the Warmth & Cheer Designer Series Paper Stack and created using the Bow Builder punch. The cozy background is made using the Cable Knit Embossing Folder.

And I'm proud to say that this last card is made by one of my team members - Tracy Elsom. You can visit her blog "Then Grandma said" here. You'll have to go back two or three pages to find this particular card with the directions for making it.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you tomorrow when I'll be showing you samples for the Star of Light/Starlight Thinlits Dies Bundle.

Happy Stamping!

21 Oct 2016

Chalkboard Technique and Jolly Friends

Happy Friday!

If you signed up for my Holiday Helper Newsletters you'll get the connection between Chalkboard Technique and Jolly Friends... if not, you'll still enjoy the show!

If you're not familiar with the Chalkboard technique you can find instructions and a video here.

Today I want to show you some of the many ways the Chalkboard Technique can be used. But first I want to thank all of the demos who shared these samples on Pinterest, they are beautiful.

The stamp set used in this first card is Birthday Blooms.

The stamp set used below is Friendly Wishes.

This card could be made using the new Christmas Pines Bundle in the Holiday Catalogue.

Marquee Messages stamp set works great with this technique.

The Lovely As A Tree looks especially dramatic using the Chalkboard Technique...

This technique is great for tags...

And used for labels...

Actually you could use this technique with almost any stamp set to give it a whole new look!

Now for the Jolly Friends stamp set - the possibilities are endless, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

Aren't these adorable tags!

This is an easy, but very attractive card.

A friendly Santa... (the plaid Designer Series Paper is from Warmth & Cheer Paper Stack.)

And a merry moose!

Three happy elves is another simple card.

They're also fun for packaging...

I hope these beautiful samples have given you some inspiration to do your own creating! If you have any questions or would like to place an order, please contact me!

Happy Stamping!

19 Oct 2016

Fun Favours for Halloween Parties or Gifts

I must admit I am not a huge Halloween fan but there are so many cute sets in the Holiday Catalogue that I couldn't resist!

Here are three favours you can easily make for your Halloween festivities... Today I will show you how to make the scarecrow.

The cute little scarecrow doesn't even need a stamp set! Simply use the Curvy Keepsake Box Thinlits and Very Vanilla cardstock to create the head.

Before you glue it together draw the stitching around the edge of one 'inner' side, and draw the smile, using a Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker. Sponge the edge with Pumpkin Pie ink.

Punch the eyes out of Basic Black cardstock with a 1/2 inch Circle Punch (or use the largest circles from the Owl Builder Punch. Use the White Stampin' Chalk Marker to make dots on the eyes.

Use Pumpkin Pie cardstock for cheeks and nose - punch two 1/2 inch circles for cheeks, and cut a raindrop shape for the nose (or you can punch the bird wing from the retired Bird Builder Punch if you have it). Use the Basic Black marker to add the stitching.

Using dimensionals attach the cheeks and nose. Glue the eyes flat to the cardstock. Draw eyebrows with the Basic Black marker.

Make the hat using Kraft or Crumb Cake cardstock. Using the Layering Circles Framelits cut a 2 3/8 inch circle (Or you can use a 2 1/2 inch Circle Punch). Use the Stampin' Trimmer to cut a 1 3/4 inch slit in the centre of the circle (or use the retired Word Window Punch).

Using the same cardstock cut two 1 1/2 x 2 inch rectangles. On the long side score each piece at 1 1/4 inches. Glue the sides together as shown below (Ignoring my bad photography and scoring mistake - I fixed it later and it doesn't show on the finished project.). Be sure to leave the space between the tape and the scorelines un-glued as the handle from the box slides up inside.

Sponge the edges of the rectangle and the circle with Soft Suede ink.

Slide the top of the hat through the slit, and glue the short scored sections to the top of the brim.

Round the front and the back of the hat with your bone folder, you can even crinkle it

for a tattered look.

Using the Kraft Rope Trim from the Holiday Catalogue, cut four 1 1/2 inch pieces and unwind each piece into the three strands. Lay each strand along a piece of tape them as shown. Add another piece of tape on top.

Attach the trim to the underside of the front of the hat, close to the slit. Trim length as desired.

Using the Bow Builder Punch and a piece of Halloween Night Specialty Designer Series Paper, create a bow for the front of the hat. I also added a tiny heart from the Owl Builder Punch and a rhinestone for some twinkle!

Because the hat pops off you can still open the Curvy Keepsake box and add treats.