Gift Coasters

My husband and I have the privilege to work in an incredible kids ministry at our church. We have about 100 3rd-6th graders in our group. That means we need a lot of volunteers. We have been blessed to have a large group of 25 leaders and some teen workers too.

I wanted a way to show our volunteers how much we appreciate them. It is kind of difficult when you are also on a tight budget. Thankfully, Robin Parker, a JustRite Guest Designer, designed some stunning drink coasters in April 2013. Here is the link to the JustRite Blog.

We work with both men and ladies. The first photo is one that I made for the ladies. The "A" is from Graceful Monograms Clear Stamps. The frame is from Circle of Love Vintage Labels Three.

The coasters for the men were much simpler. The letter and frame were both from the Monogram Your Journey Clear Stamp set.

The stamp sets are pictured below. 

The ink is StazOn black ink by Tsukineko. The tiles came from the hardware store. They were about 12 cents a piece. I purchased two boxes to be able to create 30 sets of 4 coasters each. Stamping on the tiles was different than stamping on paper. The ink takes 15-30 minutes to dry on the tile. Therefore I could ink, erase, re-ink, erase, re-re-ink... You get the picture. I did that a lot the first day. Then I got into a grove and started getting it perfect on the first try. This ink is very "sticky". Hold down the corners of the tile to avoid the stamp from slipping or sticking and smudging your image.

Once the framed image is dry stamp the letter. You can use either Clear or Cling stamps with the ink. Just remember that if you really like your stamps do not use the suggested stamp cleaner for this type of ink. It eventually eats through the stamps!

Don't forget to seal the tiles with Krylon Crystal Clear spray.

Here is a production line shot and one of the final packaging. I used lunch sacks to keep the tiles from slipping out.

NOTE TO SELF: When making this many sets hire strong young man to help carry to the destination! 30 sets weighed a lot!

Grace & Peace,

Amy

Happy Mother's Day

This past week has been so busy. We have had award ceremonies, graduation, concerts, family dinners and Mother's Day! Our family came to visit. We have really enjoyed being together. With all of that going on I did not make my Mother's Day cards until Sunday morning. Yes, Sunday morning!

We have the best moms around. I am thankful for what each of them mean to our family. Here are the cards I made using the JustRite CL-04530 Irises Vintage Labels Four.

Irises used to grow in my grandmother's garden border. I often wonder if the new home owner left all the beautiful flowers.

CL-04530 Irises Vintage Labels Four

Thanks for letting me share my cards. I pray that you had a fabulous Mother's Day. It was wonderful being able to celebrate with family and friends. I have added a few photos of the beautiful irises that we found blooming near the school. I don't remember ever seeing a peach iris before. It was a treat to see these. They were even more fun trying to color. God swirled some beautiful colors on these.

Grace & Peace,

Amy

My Grateful Heart

Hello Friends,

Welcome to the JustRite Papercraft March Release. This week I am playing in the March Release Blog Hop. A few years ago I was introduced to the Copic Markers. It was instant love at first doodle. They are amazing markers. If you have read my blog you know that I only had 8 Copic Markers. Well my Copic collection is now up to 66! So I started coloring!

Here is my set that I made with the JustRite Grateful Heart Vintage Labels Two. It is the perfect set to play with all the markers. 

The paper is from Pinkpaislee--Butterfly Garden Collection 6x6 paper pack. The sweet ribbon is from Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. The Design Team always has such beautiful bows. The seam binding is so easy to work with. Click on the button below to see the fabulous selection. The beautiful pins were made by Darsie Bruno. The colors were perfect for the papers and ribbons.

The purple card has the lace medallion border from Lace Medallion Labels. It was stamped in clear embossing liquid and finished with white embossing power. Here is a tip that I remembered after I had already die cut this image. Cut the same die you want to use on a scrap sheet of card stock. Then use the window left in the paper as a template. Simply align the window over your stamped image and tape it down. Then nestle the die into the window. Then when you run it through your machine it will align to your image. I wish I had done that on the first card.

For the green card I stamped the larger scrolled image off to the side. I liked the peach color on the flowers. I still need to play with the ribbon to get it to lay off the flower image a bit better.

For the yellow card I stamped a lace border off a new JustRite Papercraft set. Celebrations Labels One & Bracket Borders One. It was stamped and embossed in silver.

Here is the stamp set that I used. I have already started making plans in my head for what I'd like to do next time I stamp this set.

CR-04450 Grateful Heart Vintage Labels Two

Have a super weekend and enjoy the rest of the JustRite Blog Hop!

JustRite Inspiration
Amy Tedder 
Angela Barkhouse
Kellie Fortin
Marisa Job
Eva Dobilas
Kazan Clark
Barb Schram
Heidi Blankenship 
Michele Kovack 
Sheri Holt
Darsie Bruno
Margie Higuchi

Grace & Peace,

Amy

Winged Vintage Labels Two & Three

Hello Friends,

Thanks for letting me join in on the JustRite Blog Hop! I have been very nervous to join in with the talented Design Team. They are gracious to let me play too. Each month I test stamp all my stamps to make sure that they were manufactured to the way I designed them. This month I stamped them so I could even die cut them! That was fun.

Here is my project for Winged Vintage Labels Two & Three. I wanted to give the impression that the butterfly had just flitted over to the flower. My Winged Wonder Spellbinder Dies are on order. Since they hadn't arrived I cut the butterfly by hand. I used what was in my craft room. The wire is from an old spool of silver craft wire. I slid four beads on and crimped them in place at both ends. Then I gently curled the wire. I used hot glue to glue the beads in place. I used foam tape to mount the butterfly.

For my flower I used bits and pieces. The iridescent glitter toile was secured by green polka dot ribbon scraps with two buttons. The buttons are from my large collection of recycled buttons. My grandma used to cut the buttons off old garments that were no longer wearable. I have continued her collection. Some of the buttons were hers. Below you can see the variety that I found in my button box. I really love the ones with the green patina. I do not know how old those are. Do you use any recycled crafting objects? I'd love to hear what you have found to be useful.

Here is another view to show how the purple flower hovers over the background. Once the project got this far I thought it needed a little more bling and focus. I slipped a silver Wilton doily behind the flower. I was glad that I hadn't firmly secured the foam tape yet. This second photo shows the colors better. (The purples really do match! I didn't have time to go back and take better photos.)

The papers are from my paper hoard. I regularly scour the craft section at Big Lots. Occasionally they will have packs of decorative paper at extremely reasonable prices. The purple is from there. I think the green swirls was from Hobby Lobby. It was in the single sheets.

This was a fun set to stamp with both large and small label shapes as well as words.

Thanks for stopping by. Here is the list to keep going on the fabulous JustRite Blog Hop!

JustRite Inspiration
Sharon Harnist 
Eva Dobilas
Kellie Fortin 
Michele Kovack

Marisa Job
Barb Schram
Sheri Holt 
Darsie Bruno
Margie Higuchi
Amy Tedder 
Angela Barkhouse
Heidi Blankenship
Kazan Clark

Grace & Peace,

Amy

CHA Release Vintage Label Three -- My Day 1

Hello Dear Friends! Welcome to CHA Release -- My Day 1! Our CHA Release was very big. I thought I would spread it out by dies.

This new die, Vintage Label Three Dies, coordinates with Antique Tags One. It is always nice to be use sets together.

     JB-03995 Vintage Label Three Dies

     

CL-04385 Circle of Love Vintage Labels Three

I am ready for spring! The daffodils in SC have already started to pop out--just in time for our first snow this winter. We do not get many snow days here. It is probably a good thing. We live in the foothills of SC where there are plenty of hills. Thinking about my friends adds a sweetness to these colder days. This stamp set allows you to create a variety of images for birthdays, holidays, or other special event.

CL-04355 French Rose Background Stamp

Can you imagine a Circle of Love image nestled on top of this French Rose background. Just a simple ribbon would bring this project together. The girls have stamped this French Rose background to either color it or leave it tone-on-tone. 

CL-04390 Butterfly Dreams

This Cling set is perfect for creating your own background or using as larger embellishments. The Design Team has been even using these larger stamps for their mixed media projects. Stop by the JustRite Blog to be inspired!

Happy Stamping!

Grace & Peace,

Amy

December 2012 Release

The twinkling Christmas lights make me feel very loved. My son is home from college and we are all preparing for some fun family days ahead.

The December Release will make you feel loved too! This release was designed around Valentine's Day, Weddings, and Family Love. All the pieces were designed to compliment each other.

CL-04320 Elegant Damask Background Stamp

This pattern is beautiful stamped in ink or embossed. It gives an elegant feeling to botanical images, large sentiments, and labels. The design team has used this in a number of ways. Reminds me of the Christmas ornaments we had while growing up.

CR-04325 Antique Valentine Tags

These tags are perfect for Valentine's Day treats or weddings. The four tags can be die cut with JB-00000 Antique Tags. The "Happy Valentine's Day" banner can be die cut with JB-03775 Label & Banner Dies

CL-04335 Cupid Background Stamp

This background stamp coordinates with CR-04340 Hugs & Kisses, CR-03800 Large Fancy Holiday Sentiments, CR-03815 Large Sentiments and JB-03775 Antique Tag Dies cuts 

CL-04330 Victorian Tile Background Stamp

Doesn't this background remind you of Victorian tiles and punched tin? My sister just put us some tin panels up behind her stove for a backsplash. I love how this stamp can add a bit of dimension to a project. 

CL-03980 Vintage Pearl Labels

Vintage Pearl Labels coordinates with JB-03730 Vintage Labels & Banner Dies. These are very versatile.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Grace & Peace,

Amy

November 2012 Release

Happy Thanksgiving

Praying that each of you has a sweet day today with your family and friends. There are so many things to be tankful for. Here is my really short list of things that I am thankful for. 

1. Being loved by the Creator of the Universe. This year God has been drawing me to finding my satisfaction in Him, not people, events or things. 

2. My husband has worked tirelessly to bless our family with what we need. He has worked so hard with no complaining all because he loves us so much. Also because he loves me. After 20 years I think he loves me even more today than the day we said "I do".

3. My children--Seeing all three continue to grow and become the person God desires them to be is such an amazing miracle. 

4. My family--You may not believe this, but I am so thankful for both sides of my family. I couldn't have asked for better cheerleaders, encouragers, and yes--friends!

5. My friends--God has trusted me to be a part of some pretty special people's lives. They have helped me to grow and mature in the Lord as well as cry and laugh till it hurts.

6. JustRite & Kellie Fortin! I get to spend my days with my dear friend Kellie. 

OK that was just my short list. I typed in so many things but realized you probably don't have time to read them all. I also wanted you to see the 2012 November Release.

CL-03960 Genuine Friends Background Stamp

CR-03955 Premium Labels

Combined won't these make some great cards for the men you love! Lots of you have asked for stamps that you can use for a co-worker's birthday or other celebration. These have a bit of that retro automobile feeling. I can't wait to see how you use them to celebrate your guys.

CL-03970 Song Bird Background Stamp

This one has turned into one of my favorites. We live in a newer subdivision with empty lots behind our house. I have missed the mature trees from our last home (minus raking 3 times a year!). This open land brings birds that love the open grasses. We have bluebirds that come and sit on our patio & kitchen window. I think God sends them to visit me. I have also found that they enjoy eating tomatoes too! Between the bulebirds and Oreo I didn't get many tomatoes on my plant this year.

CL-03975 Wings of Love Background Stamp

Hope you enjoy the November release. Please let me know your plans for this release. I love hearing from you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Grace & Peace,

Amy