Thursday with AiFactory

So Tuesday's with AiF has now moved to Thursday's and over at the AiF Challenge Blog, a color challenge will be up on Tuesday (wait...none of that made ANY sense!). Well, we'll figure it out as time goes along. I really like the colors Angie gave us to work with and the digistamp we are using is super cute!! She has got to be my new favorite.

With the new year literally around the corner, I think we can all take a lesson from Yoga Girl. She is so at peace. You know, I took pilates and yoga at the university and loved them both. I told myself "I hope I continue this even after the semester" but I never did. Even got me a mat and a book.

First some details: some paper is PTI, some is "cheapy" CS, CS from Glitter Mat Stack, digital image is AiFactory, colored with copics, used stamp-a-ma-jig to place letters from $1 Target bin, nesties and dots folder in Cuttlebug. Hope I didn't forget anything.

This card fits the following two challenges:

• AiFactory - color challenge

• MojoMonday - Card sketch 119

My vacation is just about over, so I'll be back to regular posting soon! So for more info on this adorable digitalstamp, just click HERE and you can find info on the new release and how you can win this stamp for free.

Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT's blogs for more inspiration. --->

Last Minute Gift Ideas with AiFactory

It's Tuesday and that means challenge day over at AiFactory Challenge Blog. For Challenge 17, we're using a super cute clip art set perfect for scrapbook layouts, tags, and cards. To enter this challenge, simply show us your gift ideas! Here is mine:

I made four of these for Bean's teachers. They are really good to her and she talks about them with affection...I know she's only 2 1/2, but she really does express herself well. Anyway, these are sort of like little wallets having two pockets, a writing area, and a place for a gift card.

Here's an inside view. On the right, I used one of the clip art images from AiFactory, and will write a small note to each of the teachers. The left side holds the gift card, and the slots contain the Ghirardelli chocolates.

Details: The cardstock is cut at 5.5" by 8". Using my scor-pal, I folded the long end 1/4", then folded again in half and glued in place (you have a flat tube). Then I scored the middle at 4", placed my ribbon using just a little adhesive, then sewed down the middle (the ribbon is now held in place and two pockets are formed). I forgot to mention I made two cuts to hold the gift card BEFORE gluing together. So now just add candy, gift card, embellish, and tie shut.

Other deets: Ellen Krans cardstock, Ghirardelli chocolate/caramel candy, Stampin' Up's Cute & Curly with coordinating punch, AiFactory clipart, ribbon, Firebrick Red Ranger Ink, glue.

I hope you will join us for last minute gift ideas over at AiF. Don't forget to check out the rest of the super talented DT blogs and leave them some love. Their links are to the right.

How to Wrap a Belt

Use LOTS of GLUE!!

Yup, inside this package is a full size belt for a man. I used a cute graphic from Lettering Delights, and printed two round peppermint candies on white cardstock. I glued the candy circles to cardboard and snipped away to make it look seamless...not sure if I'm making sense here.

I rolled up the belt and put a rubber band around it to hold it in place. Then I used plain white paper to wrap around the belt a couple times and tucked the remainder of the paper inside. I used lots of glue to stick the candy circles on, one on each side. Cellophane wrap to top it all off! It came out too cute if I may say so myself. Just a few more days to go! As usual, I'm running late for everything!

7 Days to Go

This happens every year! I'm not done with Christmas shopping. I ran out of Christmas cards and need around 20 more...where does the time go? Anyway, here is one I made last night:

First, the details: paper from unknown stack, $1 ribbon from Michael's, digi-stamp from The Character Cafe, sentiment stamp from Stampin' Up (Short & Sweet), copics, chipboard snowflakes (made using cereal box & glitter CS, cuttlebug, & die), pop-dots.

At first I wasn't sure about this little guy. I wondered "how do I color snow?", "could I do him justice?", "I know so-and-so can color him so much better than I ever could." Well, he's grown on me and I had to give him another try. I really like him. He is so super sweet. Even with the pink heart buttons, he's still a boy ;)

Now, for the challenges:

• Mojo Monday - sketch 117
• Pile It On - chipboard (snowflakes)
• Pink Elephant - winter and/or Christmas
• Papercutz - Snowman or Snowflake
• Stamp Something - Winter Wonderland, holiday, winter
• Crazy for Challenges - Snowmen or snowflake

So here's one more card to send out this year. I can't believe I don't already have enough. Bean wasn't afraid of Santa this year, so I have a pic to send out with cards!

Tag You're It!

This week the AiFactory DT have made tags using some great AiFactory Store frames. When I saw this chandelier, I fell in love and immediately knew what I wanted to do. So here is my tag:

What I did: opened word, opened a text box and inserted a pic, sized to the desired dimension, printed on plain white paper, lined up my dictionary page (on the white paper printout) and taped in place with regular scotch tape, ran the paper through the printer again.

To finish off my tag, I got off-white ribbon and ran a loose stitch on top (using my sewing machine), pulled one thread to create the ruffle. I taped the ruffled ribbon in place and ran another stitch - sewing the ribbon to the kraft. I added my layers, used Tea ranger ink on dictionary page and ribbon, added a brad, used ranger alcohol inks to color the white brad, added a white piece of CS on back for personalization, added shear ribbon and hemp to tie.

I hope you like it and will join us this week at the AiFactory Challenge blog. Just make a tag, upload it using Mr. Linky for your chance to win a free digi stamp. You will have until next Monday night to enter.

Tuesday with AiFactory...On Wednesday

I'm a little late with the latest challenge over at AiFactory. I have a reason, but I won't bore you with the details. I'm excited to show my all occasion card:

I LOVE it! I really do. I went for a clean and simple layout. I wanted to show off the papers and stamps.

Here are the deets: digital paper from AiFactory (printed on 80lb white cardstock), cardbase is PTI, stamps are Pendant Park from Stampin' Up (just got these and love them), Peeled Paint Ranger ink, brown chalk ink.

I hope you will visit the rest of the AiFactory Design Team for more inspiration.

Also, to join in this weeks challenge, make something with digi papers! That's it. Super easy. Upload your creation using Mr. Linky over at AiFactory Challenges for your chance to win. Also, just a little FYI - the AiF Store is currently having a 50% off sale - just in time for Christmas!

^^^^^^^^^^SIDE NOTE^^^^^^^^^^

Just want to share that THIS CARD made "Super Six" over at Card Patterns and that THIS CARD made "Top 5" over at SPCC.