Jacob's Ladder Book

The Jacob's Ladder book is a perfect example of a project that appears to be difficult, but in fact is very easy to construct. I won't give instructions here, because there's a great tutorial over at making-mini-scrapbooks.com. Don't be afraid to change the size of your book or add additional pages. I used the same paper on both the inside and outside of my book, so you won't be able to tell from my photo how it works, but if you've ever played with one of these, you know how much fun they can be.

This book is on its way to someone who appreciates the unusual. I'm afraid I'm long overdue on sending her a birthday package. I hope she enjoys it!

Tiny Pincushion

Surprised to finally see a new post? For several weeks I've been preparing for a move, then packing, moving, and unpacking until I can no longer bear the sight or the smell of a cardboard box. I've also been sick the entire time, so my energy level is pretty low right now. But the crafting must go on, so I'm glad I've been saving up this little project for when I need something quick, easy and oh-so-cute.

I've seen tiny pincushions in several places, but Jess over at How About Orange has provided a great tutorial that will have you cranking out these babies in no time. And in honor of Jess, I made mine orange!

For my pincushion, I used a screw-off cap from one of those new-fangled re-closeable beer cans. I found it on the ground at the Shrimp Festival a few months ago, and immediately pictured it as a pincushion bottom. It's just over 1-1/2 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch deep. The finished pincushion is approximately 1-1/2 inches high.

Happy Anniversary

A card I made for my Aunt Dottie and Uncle Jerry, who celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary today. Paper from My Mind's Eye, and cardstock, ribbon, and gold cord from Stampin' Up!. Starfish charm - unknown source.

Happy Mother's Day!

5-Minute Gift Box from Recycled Product Packaging

I will occasionally save product packaging to be used in craft projects, if it looks like it has the potential to be pretty without a huge effort. I've been hanging on to this silver box forever, waiting for inspiration to strike, and today it did, in the form of copper-toned metallic cardstock scraps. I've had a stash of these scraps for a few years, left over from a stamp camp I co-hosted a while back, and I realized that I like them much better when placed next to silver metallic. For this box, I simply embossed the copper cardstock with my Cuttlebug, cut some pieces just large enough to cover the text on the box, and glued them in place. A white sheer ribbon completes the look. Just be careful when dry-embossing metallic cardstock, because the surface has a tendency to crack.

Used Stampin' Up! Stamps For Sale

I am in the midst of a spring cleaning marathon, and have decided to sell part of my huge collection of Stampin' Up! stamps. I currently have 35 stamp sets and 16 Stampin' Around wheels for sale. I'm fairly sure that most (if not all) of these sets have been retired, and some of them may be hard to find nowadays. Almost all of these have been very gently used, and some not used at all. A couple of them have light staining on the rubber from using black ink, but are still in very good condition. I am very picky about my stuff! All stamps are center mounted on the wood block, unless I've specified that they are unmounted, and they come in the plastic boxes that they were purchased in.

If you're not sure what these sets look like, samples of most of them can be found in the Stampin' Up! gallery at Splitcoaststampers. If you can't find a set there, just let me know and I'll scan the set and send you a jpg file via email.

If you'd like to purchase any of these, email me (cheryl at lennydavinci.com - remember to substitute the @ symbol for "at") and I'll send you a Paypal invoice that includes postage. I'll need to have the package weighed at the post office before I can send you an accurate invoice.

I would also be willing to discount these prices for bulk purchases. Email me and we'll talk.

I would love to see all of these go to good stamping homes! Please make all inquiries via email instead of through a comment.


$5 SETS

Ornamentals (2000) – set of 4
God Bless America Special Edition (2001) – single stamp, unmounted
Little Shapes (2000) – set of 4
Stipple Butterfly (2000) – single stamp

$8 SETS

Let It Snow (1997) – set of 6
All Occasions (2002) – set of 8
Letters from Friends (2000) – set of 9
Fly Fishing (2002) – set of 6 SOLD
Flutterbys (1999) – set of 10
Little Numbers (2002) – set of 12 (10 digits and 2 symbols)
Calm Seas (2002) – set of 6 SOLD
Great Groupings (1999) – set of 3 (never used)
Autumn (2000) – set of 5
Snow Family Wishes (1998) – set of 8
I Love Stampin’ Up! – unmounted, 2002 Convention Special Edition
Perfect Plaids (1995) – set of 4
Winter Play (2001) – set of 6 (never used)
Baby Announcements (2000) – set of 12
Sweet Herbs (1999) – set of 6 SOLD
Basket of Blossoms (1998) – set of 7
Vintage Postcard (2001) – set of 9 SOLD
Victorian Lace background stamp (1997) SOLD
Antique Cracking background stamp (1998) SOLD
Checkerboard background stamp (1998)
Old World Map background stamp (1998 SOLD

$10 SETS

Alphabet Attitude Lower (1997)– set of 28 (26 lower case letters and 2 punctuation)
Outline Alphabet Lower (1998) – set of 28 (26 lower case letters and 2 punctuation)
Little Letters (2001) – set of 28 (26 lower case letters and 2 punctuation)
Garden Pleasures (2002) – set of 12 SOLD
Feathered Hope (1998) – set of 9 SOLD
Brushstroke Alphabet Upper and Lower (2001) - both upper and lower case on same set of blocks
A Lifetime of Happiness (2002) – set of 7 (never used)
Watercolor Minis (2001) – set of 12
Fish Frolics (1997) – set of 13
Handpainted Petites (1999) – set of 20

$2.50 each -Stampin’ Around Wheels

Dots and Daisies - SOLD
Bold Baroque
Mittens
Dragonfly
Blizzard
Paw Tracks
Butterfly
Beautiful Blossoms
Snowman Fun
Pine Bough - SOLD
Tulip
Bold Christmas Trees
Happy Birthday
Star Spangled (2 available)
Makin’ Music

Ten Minute Headband

So many tutorials come with the promise of easy and fast, and sometimes they're neither. But this Ten Minute Headband from Blue Bird Studio couldn't be easier, and you really can complete it in ten minutes, if not less. I love Heather's simple construction technique, which includes absolutely no tube-turning and utilizes an elastic hair band instead of regular sewing elastic. So clever! I made this headband for my niece, but will be making a few for myself as soon as my hair grows out a bit.

Scrabble Tile Pendants

Aren't these cute? I've long admired the scrabble tile pendants I've seen in many Etsy shops. When I discovered directions on Annie Howes Keepsakes, and suddenly found myself armed with a supply of tiles, I thought I'd give them a shot. They're a bit more time-consuming than I expected (mostly due to drying time), but still very easy to make. Although I wanted the durability of epoxy resin, my local Hobby Lobby was out of it, so I used Crystal Effects instead. I initially tried brushing the Crystal Effects onto the tile, but the brush marks were too prominent, so I simply squeezed it directly onto the tiles with the applicator tip. This resulted in a finish that looks much like resin. The tiles pictured here are a gift for someone special.

If you'd like to try making these, head on over to Annie's blog for a great tutorial.

Tip: Blade and Needle Disposal for Crafters

If you go through as many x-acto blades as I do, then you have probably thought about how you can best dispose of them. A blade is one of those items that I never throw directly into the trash. I don't think they're safe for me or anyone else who may be handling the bag at some point, and I'm not aware of a recycling source for this sort of thing. I used to collect used or broken blades in a film canister for eventual disposal, but I don't buy film anymore. However, medicine bottles work even better.

Of course, I had to turn this "medicine-bottle-turned-blade-receptacle" into a craft table accessory. I tried to remove the label from the bottle, but with very little success, so I just covered it with a strip of scrapbooking paper, using gel medium as my glue and as a topcoat to protect the paper.

This also works well for disposing of broken sewing machine needles, and many medicine bottles have child-proof caps, which is a nice feature for those of you with small children.

Paper Beads

I've occasionally considered making paper beads, but it was one of those projects that I kept moving down the list, then I would quickly lose interest. But yesterday I saw a tutorial on Natasha's blog, and I knew that I had to drop everything else immediately and make some now. I don't think I'm finished with the beads pictured above, because I'd like them to be shinier like Natasha's, but I wanted to go ahead and show them to you.

Natasha goes into a lot of detail on how to experiment with your beads using things like paint, pigments, and UTEE. At this point, mine are simply rolled and sealed with ModPodge.

Here they are in progress:

How-To: Birthday Gift Tag

On behalf of all of us who were almost born on Christmas Day, I'd like to say how much we all appreciate our birthday gifts, especially since we know you're so busy this time of year, not to mention broke. But (and that's a tiny little but), we love our gifts even more when the package doesn't look like a Christmas present. Maybe it's because we don't get a festive birthday break mid-year, or maybe it's because most December babies feel a little cheated in the birthday party department. In any case, take my word for it -- we really love, love, love it when that birthday gift isn't wrapped in red or green or holiday foil. (OK, I'm done whining, really!)

And think about it. Aren't you a little tired of holiday-themed projects and crafts? But if you still need to work on Christmas items, this tag can easily be adapted to any occasion.

First, stamp a greeting on a small piece of cardstock. Size is totally flexible, depending on what stamp(s) you're using. Layer that piece on a slightly larger piece of contrasting cardstock. Then, layer that onto a slightly wider piece that has some extra length for folding over.

Next, I used my scallop scissors to make a fancy edge. See that pencil line near the scallops? That's how I manage to cut a nice, straight decorative edge. The pencil line won't show once the tag is folded.

Score a fold line using a ruler and bone folder, and fold your decorative edge over the end of your stamped image. If you want, you can hold it in place with adhesive, but it's not absolutely necessary because now you'll add an eyelet.

Now punch a tiny hole and attach an eyelet, then add a pretty ribbon or two. You can tie your tag around a gift bag, or attach it to a wrapped gift.

How-To: Treat Bag Topper

A bag topper is one of the easiest ways to dress up a holiday treat or stocking stuffer. For the 4" x 6" cellophane bag pictured here, I cut a 4" x 4" square, folded it in half, and attached my stamped image to the front with mono-adhesive. I then punched 2 holes and tied everything together with a ribbon. Just be sure you insert the bag into your folded topper before punching the holes.

How-To: Holiday Treat Box

This is a simple treat box that can be cut, decorated, and constructed in no time flat. The box pictured here measures 3" wide by 2" deep by 2-1/4" high. It easily holds 3 cookies in a cellophane bag. At this size, you can make 2 boxes out of a single sheet of cardstock, plus scraps for the greeting.

First, refer to the image below for cutting and scoring instructions.

Next, decorate the outside of your box. Don't worry about getting good coverage on the bottom flaps, since they won't really show.

Fold the box together. The small side flap tucks to the inside, as do the smaller 2 bottom flaps. Glue or use double-sided tape to secure.

Stamp a greeting on a scrap of cardstock and attach to the front of your box.

Fill the box with a cellophane bag of treats, tied with a ribbon.

Holiday Gift Gala Super Sale at Artella

Over at Artella they're having a Holiday Gift Gala Super Sale, where everyone can save 55% on up to 5 eProducts, PLUS get their choice of 4 Creative Gift Packs free.

This is their biggest sale event of the year, so you won't want to miss it.

Artella has lots of great collage kits, backgrounds, and image sheets that are perfect for your collage work and other crafting.

How To Add A One-Hole Bow To Your Greeting Card

The one-hole bow has been around for a while, but just in case you've never made one, I've provided some directions below. What I like about this bow-making method is that the bow is always straight when it's finished. I typically end up with bows that are slanted to one side, but not with this technique.

First, punch a hole where you want the bow to be. I used a 1/4" hole-punch for my 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

Next, place your ribbon on top of the cardstock. Be sure you cut a longer piece of ribbon than usual, because it will be wrapping completely around your cardstock before being tied into a bow.

Wrap the ribbon around to the back of the cardstock, then thread both ends through the hole from back to front. Pull one end out below the ribbon, and one end out above it.

Now tie a bow and you're done. I've attached this small element to a card, but this technique is also very effective when used directly on a full-size card, especially if you use a dramatic or fancy ribbon.

Tutorial - Embellished Fabric Pin

In the coming weeks I'll be offering up a few tutorials for quick and easy projects, including some gift ideas, cards, and maybe some packaging. I'll also be trying to use supplies I already have, and will be recycling or repurposing some items that would ordinarily go in the trash. Check back often to see what I've been up to.

Today we'll make this little fabric pin that I've embellished with Eyelash cord and a fish bead. You really don't need the Eyelash, but it does add some nice texture and interest, so if you have some, go ahead and use it. You can substitute another cord if you have something interesting, or you can skip it altogether.

For this project you'll need some scraps of fabric, scraps of quilt batting, contrasting thread, a pretty bead or charm, and a sew-on pinback. Wonder-Under is optional, but helpful when you're working in this size.

My finished pin measures 1-5/8" by 2-1/8", so I will describe my project based on that size. You will need to adjust the measurements based on the bead or charm you're using.

Most of the steps are illustrated below, and the remaining steps I think are self-explanatory. Directions follow the photos.

1. First, if you have Wonder-Under, fuse it to the wrong side of your fabric scraps following the manufacturer's instructions, and remove the paper backing. I like to use it because it helps hold the layers of my project together while I'm sewing, and it gives some body to my pin.

2. Cut a 1-1/2" x 1" piece of one fabric, 2 pieces of a contrasting background fabric approximately 2-1/4" x 2-1/2", and 1 piece of batting approximately 2-1/4" x 2-1/2".

3. Fuse the small piece of fabric to one of the background pieces, then fuse that to your batting. Don't worry if your batting is sticking out or if your background looks too large. You'll be trimming this to a smaller size in just a few minutes.

4. Cut a 6" (approximately) piece of Eyelash and fold it in half. Set your machine for zigzag, and stitch around the edges of your smaller piece of fabric,feeding the Eyelash along the edge as you go and zigzagging the Eyelash in place. Don't worry about which direction the little eyelashes go, but do be sure to catch the main cord under your stitching. Trim off any excess length of Eyelash. This is already looking cute, isn't it?

5. Sew your charm or bead on at this point, using a sturdy thread and knotting it securely on the back of the batting.

6. Now fuse your remaining background piece to the back of your work. You probably won't be able to press this flat because your bead is on the other side, but that's OK. Really all you need to do is tack it in place. Be careful not to melt your bead if it's plastic.

7. Now you can trim the entire piece down to the size you want. This will get rid of any stray bits of batting or background that are sticking out, and will tidy everything up.

8. Zigzag around the outside edge to secure all the layers.

9. Handstitch your pin back securely to the back of your fabric, being careful not to stitch through to the front.

That's all there is to it! You can change this up in a variety of ways, such as adding a ribbon loop to make a tree ornament, leaving off the pin back and stitching your work to a larger project, attaching the pin to a gift package -- or whatever else your imagination suggests.