Ahoy Maties! Welcome Aboard the Catty Cruise!
If you get lost on your voyage, you can click the Catty Cruise logo and it will take you to the Catty Cruise home page. If you are cruising, then you should have arrived here from LeeAnn Greff's blog, Flowerbug's Inkspot. Didn't she just blow you away with her incredible ideas for the heart-shaped treat cups! LeeAnn is one of my favorite designers and always has great ideas to share...and apparently, so does her husband.
I am featuring the Sending Love Speciality DSP (#117153), the beautiful 5/8" Satin Ribbon, and the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit Die (#117332) from the Spring Occassions Mini Catalog. I am crazy about this new mini catalog and I know you will be too once you see all of the fabulous projects you can make with these fantastic products. Remember, you can click on the photos to make them larger.
Life is a Box of Chocolates
My first project features the beautiful new satin ribbon (available in nine beautiful colors). I covered the front of a box of small chocolates with the Sending Love Speciality DSP. I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch holes along the lip of the box and then threaded Pretty in Pink ribbon all the way around the edge. Then I created sweet ribbon rose embellishments as the focal point. (I'll have a tutorial later this week.) I used the Whimiscal Words stamp set from the Sale-abration Catalog for the sentiment on Very Vanilla CS and punched it out with my large heart punch. I punched the smaller hearts using the Heart to Heart punch (#113694) and then placed the red heart inside of the Heart of Heart Embosslit Die and ran it through the Big Shot to give it some added texture.
TIP: purchase at least two boxes of chocolate...because you know you're gonna have a hard time resisting the temptation of an open box of candy once you have removed the plastic seal. Yummy!
Let Them Eat Cupcakes
For my second project I made toppers for these delicious chocolate cupcakes. I shared the them with the ladies Bible study group that I attended on Monday evening and they were a huge hit. I punched several scalloped circles and hearts and decorated each of them differently. I honestly ran out of cupcakes before I ran out of ideas.
These were extremely easy and made a huge impact. What classroom of children wouldn't just love to get their hands of this plate of goodies. Just remember to keep the toppers simple because you know they are probably going to be tossed out during clean-up.
To make these toppers, cut bamboo skewers (or toothpicks) down to the size and use a cool melt glue gun to attach them to a back panel. Then use double-thick dimensionals to attach the matching decorated front panel. Super simple!
As you can see, for my third project I used a pinwheel kit that you can purchase online from a well-know import store. Children would love these as favors at their next classroom party.
I hope you have enjoyed your time here at my port. Now it is time to move on to visit Kriss Heuls at Stamp With Kriss. Kriss will knock your socks off with her amazing Easter-themed projects. She is incredible!
I have been working diligently to prepare for this week's Catty Cruise. I think you are going to like the projects that I will be sharing. When it was all said and done, I found that I had an extra little something, so I decided to share it with you ahead of time.
I found these adorable pink felt pin cushions at a nationwide fabric and craft retail chain and since they were only $1 each, I just had to buy a few. When you think about how much time would be involved in making one of these, one dollar feels like a bargain.
I used punches and the Whimiscal Words stamp set from the Sale-abration catalog to create a fun little tag embellishment. For added interest, I added some small hearts that I made with the Heart to Heart punch (#113694) made from Real Red and Pretty in Pink card stock. I used a hat pin from the Pretties Kit and added two Real Red hearts (one on the front and one to cover the back) and attached them with mini glue dots and dimensionals. After I punched the larger heart, I placed it inside the new Heart Embosslit in the new Spring Mini Catalog and ran it through the Big Shot. I finished it all off with some black & white gingham ribbon and attached the tag to the pin cushion with a straight pin. I think this will make a fun little hostess gift at my next workshop.
Don't forget to check back on Friday (01/29/10) for more fun and fabulous Catty Cruise projects.
Update: There is now a video tutorial available here.
OFF THE WALL WITH DÉCOR ELEMENTS HOLIDAY MIX
My first project features the Holiday Mix Real Red Décor Elements (#117675). When I first sat down to work with this vinyl wall art, my first instinct was to try to use the entire sheet in one project. But as things progressed, I quickly found several ways that I could create with just one sheet. Now, I will admit that I almost ran to OEX and ordered at least one more set of a different color, but having only the one set of red forced me to be a little more resourceful.
To create this fun and inexpensive wall art I made a visit to a local discount store and found this wall plaque for only $2. I'll let you in on a little secret...it has some Halloween artwork on the other side...so instead of painting it, I just flipped it over and decorated the back side. Now, if I were going to give this away as a gift, I would probably take the time to paint the front, but since this one is just for me, I have decided to cover it with felt so that it doesn't clank around when I hang it on the door.
I thought it looked a little odd for it to just say "snow" so I used my new "My Digital Studio" to create a small tag to complete the thought. I added some rhinestones and used the new Mistletoe Ribbon Originals (#116792) to create a hangar and there you have it!
MORE DÉCOR ELEMENTS
After I finished the last project I was wondering what I could do with all of those fabulous left-over images from Holiday Mix Décor Elements, so I decided to make some coasters. (These pictures turned out really bright red, but in real life they are a little more subdued that this.)
QUICK AND EASY TAGS WITH MY DIGITAL STUDIO
Here is just another quick and easy gift favor idea for your holiday gatherings. I purchased some inexpensive knit gloves, (you know the ones that are really small and look like they would fit a small child), and tied them together with some gorgeous Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Basic Black (#115615). I added an expensive floral pick and attached a tag that I created in My Digital Studio. How fun would this be to give to each guest at your holiday parties. You could even stuff some candy sticks into the top of the gloves and put one on each place setting at your dinner table.
Now don't run off because I have one more fun treat idea for the kids.
SWEET CENTERS THANKSGIVING TURKEY
Now, now head on over to see the stunning projects by the lovely and talented Kay Kalthoff at Stamping to Share.
Well, I finally finished the tutorial on the jewelery that was featured on the
Catty Cruise. I should have known better than to try to do three video tutorials the week before SU convention. Things have been a little on the hectic side at our house this week so if something doesn't make sense, please let me know and I will try to clarify.
Let me just say that I don't make jewelry on a regular basis, so I apologize to everyone in "blogland" who does. I have done enough to know that this design is pretty easy to do...so I hope I don't bore anyone (zzzzzzzz) with this tutorial.
If you haven't already watched the tutorial on making the shrink plastic embellishments, you may want to watch that video as well.
Today I am sharing with you a video tutorial on how to make the shrink plastic embellishments that I featured on the Catty Cruise. If you plan on making the jewelry, you will need to watch this video because the first several steps are the same.
I know that one of the first questions you will ask is whether you can use a heat gun to shrink your plastic. The answer is "no, you can't use your heat gun". I tried both ways and the only way that gave me consistent results was the toaster oven method. I think it must have something to do with the intricate cuts and the larger size of the die. Apparently it needs to be a more even temperature. When I used my heat gun it almost always resulted in a distorted embellishment. I have had my toaster oven for well over 20 years, but if you don't have one stored away on a shelf in a closet, you might be able to purchase a used one at a garage sale or maybe at Goodwill.
Have fun making your embellishments and in a few days I will have a tutorial ready on making the bracelet and earrings.
I received many wonderful comments about my Catty Cruise projects and in particular about the shrink plastic embellishments and jewelry. I also know that some of you will run out over the next few days to purchase it. Here's some advice. I tested two different brands of shrink plastic and I received much better results with the Shrinky Dink brand. I also tested the New Colors Shrink Film by Graphix and for this particular project I could not get the desired results no matter what I tried...so if you are planning on making this project, I would stay away from that brand.
There are some other tips for doing this project, but I will share all of that in my video tutorial later in the week.
