Note Card Set with Gift Box

Since I mailed this Christmas gift today (yes, late...very late) to my friend who lives out of state, I decided I'd take my chances on posting this, hoping she wouldn't check my blog in the next couple of days.  :)  I had the cards done, I just needed to finish the box and things have just been a little crazy around here lately!!!

To make the note cards, I used a white cardstock card base and added a solid cardstock mat which I ran through the Cuttlebug using Divine Swirls.  Then, using a set of five coordinating patterned papers, I cut 1 1/2" x 5" strips of paper and adhered them across the front.  I tied a coordinating ribbon around the mat and adhered it to the card base.

For the embellishment, I cut a scalloped circle (Accent Essentials) out of white cardstock and adhered a coordinating colored cardstock circle (George) which I ran through the Cuttlebug using Swiss Dots.  I cut the initial ("L") from the Storybook cartridge from a different color of coordinating cardstock and adhered it to the circle.  I attached the embellishment next to the bow with glue dots.

I based my storage box on the Accordian Gift Purse tutorial (see this tutorial on my original post here), making a few minor adjustments.  I made the base of the box the same, but did not add a handle.  I also didn't use the accordian folded side pieces.  Instead, I cut a 3" x 5" (x2) piece of cardstock, added patterned paper and then scored on both ends of the long sides at 1".  Then I just adhered the 1" edges inside the box on both sides to make the side walls.

To finish, I tied a ribbon around the top of the box, added an additional scallop circle embellishment to the front of the box and closed the box using adhesive-backed Vel-cro.

I loved making this project.  It would be so simple to modify for any theme or occasion.  I definitely plan to make more!  Hope she likes it!!!  :)

Red/Black Snowflake "Thanks" Card

Each year, the day after Christmas, I get to work on my thank you notes for the wonderful and thoughtful gifts my family and I received over the holidays...this year I got started a couple of days late, but I finished them today and I'll be filling them out tomorrow and (hopefully) mailing them by Jan. 1.  Whew!!!  :)

These thank you's were made with the Magic Of The Season paper pack from Hobby Lobby.  I just LOVE the papers in this pack and the awesome black/red/cream color combo!  I used a cream card base, cut black cs slightly smaller than the base, and then cut the red snowflake pattern slightly smaller than the black cs (and inked the edges in black).  I cut a 1" x 5" strip of the cream snowflake pattern and used my scallop edge scissors to trim both sides (I inked the edges of this as well).  I adhered the strip in the middle of the card.

For the embellishment, I used the Home Accents Cricut cartridge and cut a snowflake at 2 1/2" out of black cs.  I used black glitter glue to cover the top outer edges of the snowflake, let that dry, and then layered a cream flower over it.  I used cream satin ribbon to tie a bow and stamped "Thanks" (CTMH "Thank You" #D1361) on each tail of the bow using black Staz-On ink (CTMH #Z888) and attached it to the snowflake/flower with a large black brad.

Thanks for looking!  :)

Minnie Mouse Birthday Invitations

The Mess Maker is getting ready to turn three (where has the time gone???) and she requested a Mickey/Minnie theme for the party we had while visiting family out of town.  Before we left, I searched the internet for some ideas and came across this example which was oh-so-cute and oh-so-EASY...so I decided to scraplift (my results are pictured above)!

To make the invites, I cut a Mickey Head from the Mickey Font cartridge, then cut a smaller red circle using George to mat the wording.  The wording was done in Word, printed on white cardstock, then cut out using a circle cutter, slightly smaller than the red circle.  I found these great Mickey Fonts by searcing Google (can't remember the site!).

To finish the invites, I tied a red polka dot ribbon in a bow, cut a small white cardstock flower using George and attached them with a red flower brad.  These were the quickest invites I've ever made!!!

Thanks for looking!  :)

P.S.  Be on the lookout for a Mickey & Friends centerpiece and a Minnie Mouse cake...to be posted next weekend!

Baptism Card

My sister's first child (who is now my Goddaughter!) was baptized this weekend and I wanted to make a special card for the occasion.  Unfortunately, I didn't plan ahead and since I was out of town visiting family, I didn't have my usual stash of supplies and tools. :(

So I looked around on Google Images for an idea and found a card which was originally posted on SplitCoastStampers (LOVE LOVE LOVE their website!)...I decided to try and re-create it with the few supplies I had on hand.

I placed two pieces of white cardstock together and used a ruler to draw lines on one of them to create the outline of the dress (I couldn't fold it in half or the card would have been too small).  I  cut them out and adhered the very top of the shoulders together.  Then, using my scalloped scissors, I cut the sleeves and hem of the dress into a scallop-edge.  I used an adhesive pearl design on the body of the dress and adhered a string of pearls along the neckline with rolled up glue dots.

To finish, I tied a thin white ribbon around the dress and added a sliver cross charm.  Looks pretty similar to the original, but I like the coordinating pearls on the neckline and the body of the dress on this one, and since I didn't have any stamps or embossing powder with me, this adhesive pearl design saved me!!!

This original card, posted by "stampandshout" on SplitCoastStampers, can be found here.

Thanks for looking!!!  :)

Just Buggin Challenge #17: Altered Mini Calendar

This week's Just Buggin Challenge #17 is called Inky Fingers:  use ink to alter your die cuts!

I found this mini calendar in the dollar bins at Target...I really liked the background pattern but I thought it'd be fun to add a personal touch to it.  :)

I cut a 3" flower and its shadow from George.  Using "Sorbet" CTMH ink, I inked the edges of each flower and lightly sponged the tops.  Using the CTMH Playful Petals stamp set, I added petal-shaped patterns and sentiments onto each petal.  This stamp set is perfect for this flower die cut!  I layered the two die cuts, a silk flower and a brad on top. 

Then I used the CTMH The Works Alphabet stamp set to stamp "2010" onto a strip of cs, also inked on the edges and lightly sponged with ink.  I used a small flourish from Playful Petals to add detail on each end of the date.  The flower and the date strip were adhered to the front cover of the calendar and reinserted into the plastic sleeve.

Thanks for looking!  :)

Just Buggin Challenge #16: Animal ABC Book

This week's Just Buggin Challenge #16 is called "Santa's Helper":  Make a gift for someone you love!

I decided to make this little Animal ABC Book for the Mess Maker.  The book is actually a mini 4x6 photo album I found in the dollar bins at Michael's!!!  I just cut 26 pieces of 4x6 cardstock and embellished each page as follows:

Using Zooballoo, I cut each animal, its layer and its shadow.  This made each animal really pop off the page.  I added facial and body details with a black marker and adhered them to the pages. 

Then I cut out the lowercase and uupercase letters and adhered them to the pages.  To complete each page, I printed off the names of each animal on my computer, trimmed them into strips and adhered them to the appropriate pages.

Thanks for looking!  :)

The New Love Of My Life...

Okay, so maybe that title is a little dramatic for the subject matter, but OMG I finally joined 2009 (now that it's almost over!) and purchased Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL)!!!  I can't believe I didn't get this sooner....UNBELIEVABLE!!!  My BFF the Cricut is still my first love, but this new program is definitely a close second!

Most of you reading this probably already have this program to go along with your Cricut, but if not, let me tell you something....YOU MUST GET IT!!!  :)

Developed and sold by Craft Edge, this program allows you to cut ANY true-type font that you download to your computer.  That means you don't have to buy any more font cartridges (I'm sure this won't stop me, but it's a good thought anyway!).  You can also cut true-type dingbats and have 1,000s of images to cut as well (again, with no cartridge!).  AND, as if that weren't enough, you can trace an object or modify your own artwork for cutting!!!

Can't wait to get started on my custom cutting (after the holidays of course!)...and share my new creations!  Be on the lookout for new SCAL projects!  :)

Cupcakes, Cupcakes, Cupcakes!!!

Here's my latest "batch"!  The Mess Maker's preschool class went in on giftcards for both teachers for Christmas, and I was asked to make cupcakes to hold them!  I went with a red and green theme and this is the result:

I'm going to call these my Peppermint Cany Cane Cupcakes...  Hehehehe!  For directions on how to make these little cuties, please my original cupcake post, with a link to an online tutorial.

Thanks for looking!!!  :)

Congratulations to my CTMH Giveaway Winner!!!

A winner for my CTMH Giveaway was chosed at random over at Craftaholics Anonymous and #7, Steffany, is the winner!  WOO HOO!!!  Congratulations Steffany!  You'll be receiving this fabulous prize very soon!  Be sure to email Linda your mailing address so she can forward it on to me...

I just visited Steffany's blog and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  If you haven't visited Out of Chaos, you're missing out!  Head on over there for some beautiful crafty creations!

Thanks for playing along everyone and be on the lookout for future CTMH giveaways...this was just too much fun to only do once!  :)

Welcome Craftaholics!!!

Linda over at Craftaholics Anonymous is having a Reader's Tutorial Week and offering some fabulous giveaways as well. If you have come over to visit me here at Organized Chaos via Linda's blog, WELCOME!!! If you're looking for some crafty ideas, information about Close To My Heart, or some links to other fabulous crafty blogs, you're in the right place! :)

My giveaway today is this FABULOUS Close To My Heart My Acrylix Stamp Set, "Around The Block", valued at $22.95! This was November's Stamp Of The Month and is no longer available!!! Personalize your cards, scrapbook pages and other handmade items with this adorable, full-size stamp set!

To be entered into the drawing, please follow the steps below:
1. Leave a comment on Craftaholics Anonymous, telling what your favorite item is from the Autumn/Winter CTMH catalog (http://OhScrap/myCTMH.com, click on "Products", then "Autumn/Winter Idea Book)
2. Follow Organized Chaos
3. Follow Craftaholics Anonymous

***And if you'd like an extra chance to win, simply make a purchase from my Close To My Heart website: http://ohscrap.myctmh.com/!

Hurry...the contest is only open TODAY!!!

New Close To My Heart "Felicity" Collection!

Just wanted to give you a little glimpse at the gorgeous, LIMITED EDITION Felicity Collection from Close To My Heart...just beautiful!  With laser-cut papers, amazing prints and even a versatile stamp set, this is probably my favorite collection to date!  :)

Included in the bundle is a fantastic stamp set with an alphabet, birdie and other little flourishes, along with the patterned papers, 12" die-cut circles and 12" die-cut brackets! 

Here is a card I made, following the Inspiration Sheet included with the collection (wish I could take credit for this design...how cute is that little birdie?!?!?)...

If you're interested in this set, be sure to visit my CTMH website at OhScrap.myCTMH.com...it's only available through January 31st!!!  You can qualify to earn this set discounted or even FREE!  But you better hurry before it's too late!!!  :)

Be looking for the new CTMH catalog, which will be available for viewing on my CTMH website, January 1st.  Visit:  http://ohscrap.myctmh.com/.

Happy Crafting!!!  :)

Photo Tile Coasters With Vinyl

I made a set of photo coasters for each set of grandparents for Christmas (hope they're not checking my blog!)...

The photo of the second set is a little overexposed...they look more like the ones in the top photo.  :)

To make the coasters, I bought some smooth ivory travertine tiles from Home Depot.  I printed the photos onto tissue paper and Modge Podged them to the tiles.  I added two more coats of Modge Podge on top, tapping my foam brush over the surface so there weren't any brush stroke lines in the finish.

When dry, I added sentiments that were cut from black vinyl (using Home Decor and Home Accents cartridges).  Once adhered, I Modge Podged over the entire surface again.  Then I coated them with matte varnish (4-5 times each) and again tapped the brush over the surface to remove the brush stroke lines.  When dry, I hot glued cork to the back. 

The Mess Maker and Noise Maker will be giving/sending these to their grandparents for Christmas and the Mess Maker is REALLY excited!!!  :)

Thanks for looking!

Baby Shower: Diaper Cake and Clotheline

I forgot I had these photos of the diaper cake and clothesline I made for my little sister's baby shower this past Spring! 

I made the diaper cake using the pink & brown color scheme of the shower.  It's made with rolled up diapers, arranged in three varying sized circles, secured with alternating layers of pink and brown ribbon tied in bows.  I used paper shreds to cover the tops of the layers and then stuck Gerber Daisies (her favorite) in the top.  Then I just added some little goodies around the cake for the baby.  :)

For the clothesline clips, I used my New Arrival cartridge and cut the onesie and bootie several times from some pink & brown coordinating papers and tied ribbons for extra detail.  I hot glued them to clothespins and hung up some little outfits for the baby with them.

My cutie-patootie neice is now 6 1/2 months old...oh how time flies!!!  :)

Thanks for looking!

Accordion Gift Purses

I needed to make a fun combination birthday/Christmas gift for two of my BFFs and found some wonderfully aromatic rosemary bushes at my local grocery store.  So I decided to give them both a rosemary bush, with a little recipe holder and some recipes featuring fresh rosemary.

I was visiting Vicki over at Wizard's Hangout and she linked this amazing project idea and tutorial over at Stampin Inspirations!  It's made of just cardstock and patterned paper (plus a piece of sticky-backed velcro to hold it closed!  Super easy and super cute.  I also like the flower embellishment that Vicki linked to as well, at Wendy Smedley's Blog.  This combination was perfect for the recipe card holder!

I used some paper from My Mind's Eye and matted it with green/blue cardstock.  I used my Cricut to cut the 2" circles for the flower embellishment (George cartridge).  Then I just tied some coordinating ribbon on the handle and inserted the recipe cards.

P.S.  They loved them!  :)

Thanks for looking!!! 

Just Buggin Challenge #15: Christmas Garland

This week's Just Buggin Challenge #15 is called "Happy Holidays": Make a winter holiday or Christmas themed project!  I made a Christmas garland!

 I used Joys of the Season to cut the ornaments and flowers.  Then I used Accent Essentials to cut the white scalloped circles to mat the ornaments.  I used Winter Wonderland to cut the letters and added glitter glue to the accents within each letter.  To finish the ornaments, I punched a small hole in the bottom of each and added a silver Christmas charm (Making Memories). 

To attach the ornaments, I added silver glitter glue to mini clothespins and tied ribbons on them.  I used the clothespins to attach each oranament to the evergreen garland hanging on my mantle.

Thanks for looking!  :)

Glitter Photo Ornaments

There are a TON of great tutorials out there on this project using the clear, round ornaments and I just had to try it on these cool square ones...which I originally bought to place these photos on and just fill with shredded paper!  This was one of the easiest, most fun and MESSIEST projects I've done!

Here's what you'll need:
1.  Pledge with Future Shine (it's a liquid floor wax that comes in a bottle from Wal-Mart, around $5)
2.  Plain, clear glass ornaments (I used these super-fun square ones from Hobby Lobby)
3.  Glitter in the color of your choice (I used the super-fine glitter)
4.  Embellishments for the outside (photo, photo frame) and ribbon

Take the silver top off the ornament.  Carefully pour a small amount of Pledge into the ornament, using enough to swish around and coat the enitre inside surface of the ornament.  Better to use too much than not enough!  Covering the opening of the ornament with a paper towel, swish the liquid around really well, making sure the entire inside surface of the ornament is wet.  Dump extra liquid back into bottle.  Make sure to get as much extra liquid out of the ornament as possible.

Next, take the glitter and pour it into the ornament (this is where I made my mess!!!...use a funnel!).  Covering the opening, shake the ornament around until the entire inside surface is completely covered with glitter.  You shouldn't be able to see through the ornament at all.  Dump the excess back into the glitter container.

Replace the top of the ornament and tie a bow.  Then embellish the outside of the ornament as deisred.  I cut the frame for my photo using Accent Essentials.  I cut it from white glitter paper, then added dimensional glaze to give it depth and shine (and to keep the glitter paper from making a big mess!).  Then I just used some more dimensional glaze to attach the frame and photo to the ornament.  That's it!

Thanks for looking!  :)

My CTMH Giveaway...REVEALED!!! :)

Okay, I just can't keep anyone waiting anymore.  I think it's because I'm the absolute WORST person at waiting for surprises.  I'll do just about anything to find out what surprise someone has in store (whether it's for me or not...hahaha!).

Are you ready?!?!?  The clues given were:  "the block", "around", "November", "stamping"...if you guessed I was talking about the CTMH November Stamp of the Month, "Around the Block"...you're right!  Check it out:

This exclusive stamp set is no longer available!  It was only available for the month of November and you can't get it anymore.  What a great steal for the person who wins the giveaway!  This full size stamp set is valued at $22.95 retail and is oh-so-cute!  Personalize your cards and scrapbook pages, or make a housewarming gift for a friend or new neighbor...the options are endless!

Remember, my CTMH Giveaway will be featured Tuesday, Dec. 15 over at Craftaholics Anonymous. You will have 24 hours to meet the entry criteria and be entered into the drawing for the prize and the winner will be announced the next day, Dec. 16th. Here's how to get your name entered to win:

1. Leave a comment on the Giveaway blog entry at Craftaholics Anonymous

2. Visit my CTMH website and pick your favorite product: Go to http://ohscrap.myctmh.com/, click on "Products" and view the online Idea Book. Be prepared to drool! :)

3. Sign up to be a "follower" of my blog, Organized Chaos

4. Sign up to be a "follower" of the Craftaholics Anonymous blog

5. BONUS: If you make a purchase from my CTMH website, you'll get 2 entries!!!

Good luck...I can't wait to see who wins!  :)

My CTMH GIveaway: CLUE #3!!!

So the first two clues were:
1.  You'll be the envy of everyone on "the block"
2.  You'll be the envy of everyone "around"

Ready for clue #3???

"November" is a great month for stamping...  That's it for now.  More clues to come.  Check back soon!

Remember, my CTMH Giveaway will be featured Tuesday, Dec. 15 over at Craftaholics Anonymous. You will have 24 hours to meet the entry criteria and be entered into the drawing for the prize and the winner will be announced the next day, Dec. 16th. Here's how to get your name entered to win:


1. Leave a comment on the Giveaway blog entry at Craftaholics Anonymous

2. Visit my CTMH website and pick your favorite product: Go to http://ohscrap.myctmh.com/, click on "Products" and view the online Idea Book. Be prepared to drool! :)

3. Sign up to be a "follower" of my blog, Organized Chaos

4. Sign up to be a "follower" of the Craftaholics Anonymous blog

5. BONUS: If you make a purchase from my CTMH website, you'll get 2 entries!!!

Handmade Christmas Gift #4: Photo Candle

SplitCoastStampers is THE place to go for new techniques and fabulous tutorials.  This wonderful tutorial about how to add images to candles inspired this teacher gift for the Mess Maker's preschool teachers:

Using the Mess Maker's class photo printed on tissue paper, I heated it until it bonded to the candle (using the wax paper method).  Then I just added a simple bow and I was done.  How easy and cute is that?

Thanks for looking!  :)

Handmade Christmas Gift #3: Shine Ball

Ever heard of a "Shine Ball"???  Not me...until I saw this tutorial by the ladies of Highlowaha, over at Craftaholics Anonymous...the concept behind it is soooooo awesome:  "Inside everyone is a little SHINE.  Catch people in the act of shining and, together, we will make the world a brighter place."  How awesome is that?!?!?

The photo above is of my completed Shine Balls...one for my niece, one for my nephew.  The Mess Maker wants to give her cousins (who we'll be spending Christmas with) a gift and I think these are PERFECT!!!

Below, you can see just a few of the things that are wrapped up inside...there are several other things I didn't have any more duplicates of (kid's watch, exploding towelette, more candy, etc.).  All of these goodies were found at Dollar Tree:

How fun will it be for them to unwrap this entire ball, with little trinkets and surprises falling out as they go???  Wish I could have one!  :)

Thanks for looking!!!