Thank You Daffodil Clear Stamps

It feels like spring could possibly be around the corner. I can see little sprigs of my daffodils struggling to emerge from the ground. Thought this would be a great time to share my Thank You Daffodil project with you.

For my birthday I wanted to "give back" to my sisters and sisters-in-law. Each one is a fabulous friend. When I worked on designing this set I knew exactly how I wanted to use it! I purchased daffodil bulbs. I packaged them in homemade burlap bags and made little notecards. Then I passed them out at my little party. It was a lot of fun. I will show you how to make these bags.

This Thank You Daffodil Cling Stamp set was part of the JustRite Papercraft February release. It also has a coordinating SVG Digital Cut file for purchase as well. That made this project very easy!

 

To start this project I cut a sheet full of the SVG Digital Download Cut file. That way I could stamp even more than I needed for this project. I have found having a few extra cuts allows me to make speedy cards later on. I stamped on both the exact cut and the offset cuts. I left the flowers on the adhesive mat for easier coloring. 

 

On a few of them I didn't get it quite aligned. That is ok. Afterwards I just trimmed off the unstamped portion. No one, but myself would even notice.

I made little cards with off white card stock, lace, die cut labels, and brown burlap. 

I stamped on the outside and on the inside. I also cut a sheet of butterflies and colored them in the oranges. After Christmas I picked up some bronze colored metal swirl ornament hangers for $1! I thought they could look like the butterfly "flight pattern" under the stamped image. See below if you'd like instructions for the bag.

 

The daffodil was added to the front. To finish it off I stamped another sentiment, added a small bow and a gem.

BURLAP BAG INSTRUCTIONS:

The bag is just simple sewing. (This type is about all I can do.) You could probably even sew it by hand. The purpose of the bag was just to hold the bulbs. So it didn't have to be heavy duty.

I cut strips of burlap that were about 7 inches wide and 25 inches long. You can adjust the bag size to fit your item. The thing that made this so easy is that it has 2 side seems and 2 corner gusset seems.

Fold the burlap evenly in half. Sew from the folded edge to the raw edge on both sides. (Use a thread color that will blend in with your fabric. I used a contrasting color for photos only. Burlap is so forgiving. Even the white on the green isn't bad.) I did not sew on the top opening of the bag. I like the rough edge of the burlap.

While the bag is still inside out start the gussets. Take one side and bring the bottom "fold" to the side seem as shown. Splay the side seem out. Then sew perpendicular to the side seem. This will make the gusset at the corner. Do the same procedure to the other corner.

  

Trim the point of the corner off and discard. Turn the bag right side out. Push the corner out to reveal the gusset. No need to iron the bag.

  

Fill the bag with your goodies and tie with a pretty bow. Add your card--then give to that special friend!

Happy Stamping!

Grace & Peace,

Amy

My Grocery List

Happy New Year! Praying that 2015 will be a blessed year for you and yours. Every new year seems to urge me to become a bit more organized. Each new year also seems to bring more activity--making organization a bit more difficult.

My husband and I are committed to living within our budget (whatever it looks like each month!). One of the easiest ways I have found to do that was to cook at least 95% of our meals. It also means that we can eat healthier too.

For years I have have written my shopping list and menu. Someone recently asked to see my list. They were amazed to see my menu. Also to see my items listed out by category. It is the only way this cluttered brain can function early on a Saturday morning.

This morning I designed my list onto a printable JPEG for you. I thought if it helps me it could help others too! (High resolution JPEG in grayscale)

You may download this and use it in your daily / weekly shopping.

Here are some directions that I found if you are unfamiliar with printing JPEGS:

____________________

Printing On a PC:

Click on "printable image" for the image you want to print. Once you are on the page with just the image, go to the "File" menu and choose "Print".

NOTE: If you have an image that is taller than it is wide, and you want your image to be printed in portrait mode (vertically), choose "Portrait". Note: this is usually the default setting of your printer options. 

NOTE: If you are printing an image that is wider than it is tall, you will probably want your image printed in landscape mode (horizontally). Choose "Landscape".

NOTE: If you want a black and white image, choose "Greyscale". If you want a color printout, choose "Color" and be sure to send your request to your color printer in the line "Print Command:" where you tell the computer which printer to print to.

If your printer has several sizes of paper available, you can also assign a paper size (usually letter or legal).

Then hit "Print" or "OK".

Printing On a Mac:

For Jpg or Gif images, click on "printable image" for the image you want to print. Once you are on the page with just the image, go to the "File" menu and choose "Print".

NOTE: If you have an image that is taller than it is wide, and you want your image to be printed in portrait mode (vertically), choose "Portrait". Note: this is usually the default setting of your printer options. 

NOTE: If you are printing an image that is wider than it is tall, you will probably want your image printed in landscape mode (horizontally). Choose "Landscape".

NOTE: If you want a black and white image, choose "Greyscale". If you want a color printout, choose "Color" and be sure to send your request to your color printer in the line "Print Command:" where you tell the computer which printer to print to.

If your printer has several sizes of paper available, you can also assign a paper size (usually letter or legal).

Then hit "Print" or "OK".

____________________

There is nothing fancy about this sheet. It just keeps my menu, shopping, and budget under control. I would love to hear what your tips are for getting and staying organized in 2015!

Grace and Peace,
Amy

Fun Christmas Shopping at Etsy AtYourDesigns store

Hi Friends!

You may have wondered what I do in my "free time". I love to craft. What better way to craft than to make items available to my friends. This is your invitation to shop at my Etsy Store: AtYourDesign. 

In my AtYourDesign shop I have lots of Digital Downloadable chalkboard Bible verse prints. There are also wedding items! Every week I am trying to add new items to my shop.

It is always encouraging to have Scripture verses. The verses in my AtYourDesign shop are ones that inspire and bring hope. Each Digital Download comes with files you may use on your home printer or send out for photo printing. I have printed some on canvas too. They make great wall art. If you do not see your favorite verse please send me a message. I would love to create something that would be special to you!

Once you purchase a Digital Download you may print it for personal use. Please respect the copyright and do not resell or share the file with others. If you are interested in commercial use--please contact me directly. I would be very happy to work with you.

Some of the images are available in prints as well. 

These 13" Chalkboard Letters make fun gifts. Each letter comes with the name you request. Great for a dorm room, chid's room, or for that shopping list! Visit AtYourDesign for more photos.

     

All order Deadline for Christmas gift items that need to be shipped is December 14.

Create a unique wedding or anniversary gift with a custom order print. Simply supply the names, initial and date! Or select from the many signs to use for a wedding or reception. The possibilities are endless!

 

Please contact me with ideas and suggestions. I would love to make something that is special to you!

Happy Shopping!
Grace & Peace,
Amy
AtYourDesign

Sweet Posies Cling Stamps

So excited that I got to play again in the October Release Blog Hop! Here are the two projects I made with the JustRite® Sweet Posies Cling Stamps and the Sweet Vines Cling Background Stamp.

For this project I used the Exact cut SVG file from the Sweet Posies SVG Digital Downloads file. It made this project so easy. Of course I cut enough images to fill an entire 8 1/2" x 11" sheet. I even stamped more than enough so I can have a few handy images of another project. After stamping the flowers and butterfly in black ink I colored the images with my markers.

   

For the background I inked it with two ink pads. It gave it a mixed ink look in some spots. I wanted something with texture for the insert. I grabbed a piece of burlap and glued it to the underside of the Spellbinders Die Template (S5-147 Resplendent Rectangles). Then I used even the negative space around the pop up dots to adhere the piece to my card background. (I can't stand to throw craft supplies away.)

I tied a big deep purple ribbon for an anchor spot on the card front. The thin white string was pulled from the burlap. I need a bit of glitter on the card. I may go back and add that before I send this on.

Here is the second project I made with the Sweet Vines Cling Background Stamp. I used the Shabby Chic Autumn Leaves SVG Digital Download Exact Cut file to cut the leaves. Then I inked the Sweet Vines stamp with multiple ink pads to get some interesting colors. Then all that was left was to glue them down. I added the copper swirls (leftover Christmas Ornament hooks) to add a bit of whimsy.

Hope you enjoyed your stop along the hop. I can't wait for you to see what the other designers have created. They are beautiful!

JustRite Inspiration

Debbie Olson

Becca Feeken 

Kristi Schurr

Michele Kovack

Marisa Job

Heidi Blankenship
Amy Tedder  <-- You are here!

Kazan Clark

Darsie Bruno

Angela Barkhouse

 Kathy Jones

Don't forget the JustRite® Christmas Sale is still going on! You can save 20-40% on all JustRite® Christmas stamps!

Happy Stamping!

Grace & Peace,

Amy

Mums Cling Stamps

Mums are some of my favorite flowers. They are such sunny spots of color amid the beautiful fall colors. I am excited to introduce two of my new stamp sets from the October Release. Mums Cling Stamps and Crackle Cling Background Stamp.

Before we get into the card I just have to share with you the Christmas Sale going on at JustRite®! All of the Christmas stamps are 20-40% off! This is a great time to start making Christmas cards for your family and friends. 

Here are the JustRite® Stamps that I used to create this card. Mums Cling Stamps and Crackle Cling Background Stamp are part of the October Release. The other sets are some of my favorites. The canning jar from the Baking Antique Tags One made the perfect vase for the mums. Of course I needed a ribbon banner to wrap around the jar! The Timely Banners Clear Stamps were perfect for this. I also wanted a doily under the jar. The JustRite® Doily One Cling stamp was just the right touch.

 

  

My super power is NOT fussy cutting! So to speed things up I used the SVG Digital Downloads for the stamps. 

For the Jar I used the offset SVG Baking Antique Tags One Digital Download cut and stamped it with the London Fog ink. I shaded it with Copic markers to look like tinted glass. The banner was stamped with brown. I sliced the banner along the line to allow for part of the banner to look like it sat behind the jar. The doily was stamped on the SVG Doily One Digital Download exact cut in brown.

For the background I used the Crackle Cling Background Stamp. I stamped it in orange and also in brown. 

To color the mums I left them whole. Then after coloring I cut the flower tops off. Then the leaves to give me tiny bunches of leaves to insert in the bouquet.

Thanks for sopping by. Hope you enjoy the rest of the hop!

JustRite Inspiration
Debbie Olson

Becca Feeken
 
Michele Kovack
Kazan Clark
Amy Tedder <-- You are here
 
Darsie Bruno

Marisa Job

Kathy Jones

Kristi Schurr
 
Angela Barkhouse

Happy stamping!

Grace & Peace,

Amy

Bokeh Time Clear Stamps

Have you been wondering what "bokeh" is?

Here is an edited definite from wikipedia: In photography, bokeh...is the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus parts of an image produced by a lens.

I have been seeing the bokeh technique all over. We thought it would be fun to bring it to stamping too! Here are my Bokeh Time Clear Stamp cards. Both cards use the same techniques. 

These cards were so easy to make. I used three Memento ink colors. My desire was to have it look very out of focus so the emphasis could be on the words and the hearts. To achieve this I started with the Bokeh Polka Dots Cling Background Stamp. I used an ink dauber and a cotton ball to apply the ink to the stamp. I then used the dauber and the cotton ball to apply more ink to the outer edges of the stamped area. Below is what the entire sheet looked like before I trimmed it.

 

 

To stamp the words and the hearts I again used the 2 inks. I inked the lighter green color first then added a bit of blue to get a mix of colors. I liked it that the inks had the same bokeh feel. After I stamped the words in blue I stamped it a second time in the green. It was easy to align the clear stamp with the first stamped image. 

The gems and sequence were used to make it look like bright spots of light.

Here are some other color combinations that I played with. Each one looked so different. Love the Bokeh stamps. I stamped in one color. Then re-inked with a second color and rotated the stamp. I love the depth it gives.

I can't wait for you to see what the other gals have made too! They have such beautiful projects.

Marisa Job 

Kellie Fortin

Darsie Bruno

Sheri Holt

Amy Tedder   <--You are here!

Kristi Schurr

Hope you enjoyed the cards. Happy stamping!

Grace & Peace,

Amy