DeNami Anything But a Card Blog Hop

Welcome to the DeNami Design Anything But a Card Blog Hop! Hopefully, you've arrived here by way of Wendy Harrill's blog, Confessions of a DeNami Addict. If so, you are on the right track! If not, you'll want to head over to the DeNami blog to start the blog hop at the beginning. (And remember, if you get lost along the way, you can always head over to the DeNami blog to get pointed in the right direction.)

This month's blog hop is all about non-card projects!! Hop along for some great inspiration and comment along the way for a chance at some free DeNami products! Here are the details:

When: The blog hop starts on November 13 at 6 AM, PDT. However, you have until November 14, 2011, 11:59 pm PDT, to leave comments on all the blogs (to be eligible for a prize).

Why: To be inspired by non-card creations featuring DeNami Design stamps and also the chance to win mini shopping sprees on the DeNami Design website!

Prizes: DeNami is giving away THREE $20 gift certificates to their website! They'll be giving away one gift certificate to a random blog hop participant (DT members not eligible) and then they'll also be giving away TWO gift certificates to TWO people who comment along the hop!


As much as I love making and sending cards, I am a bit of a two-timer. You see, I also love making and giving little gifts to folks I appreciate. But as I'm sure you know, buying gifts can really add up. So I like to concentrate on finding just a little something and then using my papercrafting know-how to spruce it up into a fabulous and thoughtful gift that really wows the recipient and makes them feel special--even if it is an inexpensive chocolate treat, cocoa envelope, tea bag, microwave popcorn packet, etc.

For today's non-card project, I'm sharing a little harvest-themed truffle box I made and gave to a friend when she invited me to lunch last month.
I used a fabulous printable truffle box template that I found on Splitcoast last month. It's the perfect size for two Ferrero Rocher chocolates. (A couple of Lindor truffles would also fit inside nicely!)
I used not one, not two, but THREE different DeNami Design stamps for this project:

1. Small Jack O'Lantern (masking out his sweet little face)
2. Wheat Stalks
3. Small Swirl Corner

I printed the template directly onto a sheet of cardstock, cut it out, scored the fold lines, and folded up the box so that the printed lines of the template are on the inside of the truffle box. My sweet little pumpkin was colored with colored pencils and blended with odorless mineral spirits and paper blending stumps.

When I had completely decorated my little box, I simply popped in two chocolates and tied a bit of Mandarin baker's twine from The Twinery around the box, and I was DONE!
Before you hop off to your next stop on the blog hop, be sure to leave a comment here for a chance at some free DeNami products. Then head on over to visit talented DT member Wendy Elliot at her Created by Wendy blog for her awesome anything-but-a-card project!

Thanks for stopping by today for a little slice of bliss!
Emily

Last one for Thanksgiving

With this card, I've achieved my goal for Thanksgiving cards. Now I just need to get them ready to mail out to friends and family this week!

I've been eyeing the sketch at The Craft's Meow challenge the past month, and I was finally able to put it to use yesterday. I used the Celebrating You and Timeless Tags sets by The Craft's Meow. The paper is from K&Co.'s Pumpkin Pie collection.

Over the past several weeks, I've been having some carpal tunnel issues in my right wrist. That's my mouse-clicking hand, and I suspect that I've been doing just way too much clicking, scrolling, typing, etc. Yesterday I had wake-up call, though, and felt pins and needles at random moments up and down my right arm. I'm taking that for the red flag that it is and will be cutting waaaaaaaaaaay back on my computer usage to see if I can rest it up and reverse some of the damage I've done. So this may be my last post for a while, and I don't know that I'll be able to handle much blog surfing either. Sorry!

I hope you have a terrific week!
Emily

Dear Friend

Thank goodness the current Tuesday Trigger (Beads & Baubles) over at Moxie Fab World is a two-week challenge this time around! I fell in love with the Trigger photo as soon as I saw it, but it's been a struggle finding time to play along. Finally, with the deadline fast approaching, find the time I did!
Here's the inspiration photo that I fell in love with. Isn't it dreamy and romantic?
I was definitely inspired by the colors in this photo, but also the bead shapes. I stamped four different images from the Stampin' Up! set Circle Circus in metallic gold ink, and I really love how they turned out. I need to remember to pull out this stamp set more often! My card measures 4" x 7", so there's plenty of room inside for a nice long note to a dear friend.

Making this card truly made me happy. I had such a good time putting this together!! If only I could find some more time, I'd love to make a bunch more!!

Thanks so much for checking out what's making me happy today!
Emily

A few to share for Friends with Flair

A new Friday means a new blog hop for yummy Unity inspiration: it is Friends with Flair Day!

I have exciting news!! Today I'd like to share one of two cards that were published in the recently released special Paper Crafts issue, 365 Cards. These are my first-ever cards published by Paper Crafts, and I am just tickled pink!! Both cards feature Unity stamps exclusively, 'cause I just love Unity Stamp Co. :)

I'll share my card that appears on page 101, for August 22, 2012. The stamped image and sentiment are from {ippity}'s Authentic Man kit.
My other card appears on page 114, for September 21, 2012. I used stamps from {ippity}'s Regal Greetings kit. You'll have to grab a copy of 365 Cards to get your peek at that one!

Be sure to swing by the Unity Stamp Co. blog for a ton more inspiration as part of today's FWF hop. You can find a list of all of today's participants there.

Thanks so much for dropping by today to share in a bit o' my bliss. Seeing my very own creations in print is such a hoot!

Have a great weekend!
Emily

Happy Holidays

Whew! I made it to the finish line. Here is my creation for the final Flourishes release week challenge, The Christmas Sweets challenge.
We were to be inspired by the the colors in this photo and use red, white, and soft green.
Luckily, I had the perfect patterned paper to use in my new The Merry Days of Christmas pad from My Mind's Eye. My stamps are from Flourishes: the Country Charm Labels set and the O Christmas Tree set.

My kids are home from school today for Veterans Day. We are having a jammie morning! After breakfast (which I must go grab soon--my tummy is being quite vocal right now!), we need to head out for grocery shopping and maybe a little outing for fun. One of my daughter's homework assignments for this holiday weekend is to thank a veteran. She's looking forward to calling her grandfathers later today to do just that!

Have a super day! Thanks for stopping by,
Emily

Another Tag for Christmas

I had so much fun making this tag earlier, that I had to make another one! This is another for the Flourishes release week Tag You're It challenge.
The sentiment is from Flourishes' Paperwhites and the paper-pieced Christmas presents are from Flourishes' O Christmas Tree. I'm using more patterned paper from The Merry Days of Christmas collection by My Mind's Eye. And can you see the glittered bows on the packages? The sparkle is courtesy my Sakura StarDust Gelly Roll pen.

Thanks for looking!
Emily

Amaryllis Tag

This is the November stamp release week at Flourishes, and I always love playing along with their new release challenges. Yesterday's noontime challenge is called "Tag, You're It," and the challenge is simply to make a tag (or a creation with a tag on it). Here's what I made this morning:

I used three different Flourishes sets to make this monochromatic tag: A Year in Flowers 3 (amaryllis), Paperwhites (sentiment), and the retired Holly Background.

You know I don't have a die for cutting the tag. I bought some baker's twine from an Etsy seller last year, and the twine came wound around a lovely tag diecut. I simply traced around it on some kraft cardstock and cut out my own! The hole reinforcer is 1/2" circle I punched from chocolate chip cardstock. After gluing it to my tag, I punched a hole through both layers with my Crop-A-Dile.

The beautiful ribbon came in a collection of blog candy won from the fabulous Christine Okken.

I'm off to visit a friend for lunch soon (with those yummy peanut clusters in tow). Have a super day--I certainly plan to!!
Emily

Let It Snow!

Here's a quick card I made this morning to play along with Flourishes' release week challenge: Snowy Delights, to use glitter, Flower Soft, or any kind of bling that offers up a snowy feel.

I used white Fun Flock and a glue pen to add some fluffy snow at the base of my snowman. And then, by happy accident, I noticed that the flocking was stuck to the ink, too, so I ended up with a softly flocked snowman as well!
The stamps (snowman, snowflakes, and sentiment) are all from Flourishes' Warm Winter Wishes set. The patterned papers are all from The Merry Days of Christmas collection by My Mind's Eye.

Today was a big day in our house. My third-grade son was master of ceremonies at his school's Veteran's Day program. Parents were invited to today's performance (there will be an all-school performance tomorrow), so I got to see him in action. I am SO very, very proud of him. He did awesome!! Not at all bad for a kid who needed five years of speech therapy. It was a beautiful moment seeing him shine.

Thanks for checking out today's slice of happy in my little corner of the world!
Emily

Treats for Friends

Hooray for friends! I had the most wonderful chat with a dear friend this morning and was fed a most excellent lunch by another dear friend this afternoon. It's been a terrific day! (Plus, I started a yummy beef stew in my crockpot this morning, so after this rare day spent with friends, I didn't have to rush around pulling together supper for my family. The heavenly scent of our simmering supper greeted each of as we walked in the door this evening!)

Anyway, not wanting to arrive empty handed for my lunch date, I made this little something to slip to my friend.
I love that chocolate checklist stamp from Stampin' Up's Eat Chocolate set! I keep a supply of 3.75" x 6" treat bags on hand for packaging up little goodies. All I had to do was pop in 4 Ferrero Rocher chocolates, add a treat bag topper (made with papers from BasicGrey's Nook & Pantry collection), and staple on the topper. Easy!! A few punches may have been used in the making of this treat ;) .

And because I am hitting the jackpot this week, yet another friend has invited me to lunch on Thursday! When I asked her what I could bring to contribute toward the meal, she said she wouldn't say no to something for dessert. Done! I made some chocolate peanut clusters and set to work on making some packaging:
What I came up with was this easy-to-make 2-5-7-10 box (you can find a great tutorial on SplitcoastStampers HERE). The sentiment is from my brand new Quotes a'la Happy kit from {ippity} by Unity. The papers are from a big papers & diecuts pad from Me & My Big Idea that I picked up on clearance at Marshall's a while back. I wrapped up my design with a few fall-themed diecut felt stickers from the Dollar Spot at Target. Now I'm all set for Thursday!

With this treat box, I'm playing along with the Unity Stamp Co. Autumn Harvest Challenge, as well as the Do You Stack Up challenge to use teal.

Thanks so much for joining me for a little slice of bliss today!! See you back here soon. :)
Emily

P.S. Are you lusting after my chocolate peanut clusters? They are super easy to make!! Melt down one pound of chocolate-flavored meltable candy wafers (I use Melting Wafers from Make 'n Mold), stir in 2 1/2 cups of salted cocktail-style peanuts, and drop by the spoon full onto waxed paper. Allow to set up (should take only 30 minutes or so at room temperature) and enjoy!

Another Round Card

So, I really enjoyed making that lacey circle card yesterday, and had to make another. OK, well, this one isn't a lacey circle (having used up my one and only yesterday!), but it is a circle card and another rare-for-me shaped card. I just cut two circles using my Creative Memories templates and used Noelle's wonderful method for joining them into a flat-front card. Easy!

I mentioned yesterday that I've recently exhausted my supply of sympathy and get well cards. I'm still trying to build up my stash, so I thought this one could go either way with its "Thoughts of You" sentiment (from {ippity}'s Regal Greetings kit)--with the right message inside, this could be an appropriately somber sympathy card OR an elegant get well card. I like having that kind of flexibility.

I'm still using the Chick Challenges {with Ippity} #5 sketch for this week and playing along with {ippity}'s Mini Cards Challenge (this card is 4" in diameter).

I like how this turned out. I think I may be making round cards more often!

Thanks for dropping by for a little slice of bliss today. I hope you are having a fantastic weekend!
Emily

A Banner Flashback

The latest installment of Flashback Friday is UP! This time around it is Flashback Friday 17.0, and it is a fun one--to re-post your very first banner. Oh, goodie!! I LOVE banners. And my first-ever banner was my fourth-ever blog post. Luckily, your first-ever banner can be an actual banner or one on a card. Whew! I've never tackled a full-size one before, but I'm thinking it may be time to try. Anyway, here is my first-ever banner {which happens to be on a card}, from July 6, 2010:
I am still quite happy with how this card turned out. In fact, I think it may be time to revisit it. :)

Why don't you swing by the Flashback blog and link up your first banner? It's lots of fun, and there's a great prize.

Thanks for taking a peek!
Emily

A Little Sympathy for FWF

Happy Friday! It's time to share a Unity project for Friends With Flair. Check the Unity Stamp Co. blog for hop details and a full list of today's participants.

Recently I've exhausted my supply of sympathy and get well cards. So today I've made a simple little sympathy card to add to my stash. It features stamps from the Regal Greetings kit brought to us by Unity's {ippity} line.
OK, I imagine that the eyebrows of those who know me are sky-high by now. Yes, that is a diecut you see. In fact, it is a hinged diecut lacy circle card. No, I haven't taken the plunge with a Big Shot or Grand Calibur machine and an accompanying vast collection of Spellbinders. Nope, it's the simple truth that my friends take pity on me and occasionally slip me a diecut or two. This beautiful lacy circle card was gifted to me by the very sweet Lisa Lara, a fixture on SplitcoastStampers. I have been hoarding it for over a year now, but when I saw the sketch for this week's Chick Challenges with {ippity} #5, I knew I had to bring it out of mothballs.

With this card, I'm also playing along with the current {ippity} Challenge, Mini Cards. This one measures 4" in diameter.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend! Thanks so much for dropping by today!
Emily

A Note of Thanksgiving

After feeling "blah" creatively all week long, I was pleased to actually feel a spark of creativity this morning, and figured I'd better jump on it--quick. I'm still short a few Thanksgiving cards to send to my friends and family in the next few weeks, so Thanksgiving it is today:

The image and sentiment are from Flourishes' A Season of Thanks stamp set, which I won back in September. All of the patterned papers are from the Indian Summer collection by BasicGrey. I colored the image with my colored pencils and blended with Gamsol and paper blending stumps.

I was inspired by a few challenges in the making of this card:

• Flourishes Timeless Tuesday FTTC142: to use the Out of the Box technique. I don't have Spellbinders or anything die-like, so I used some Creative Memories oval cutting templates to cut out most of the way around my image and then cut the rest out with scissors.
• Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Buttons
• Clear It Out Challenge: your holiday
  
• Go Fish Challenge #4: to use this sketch

Thanks for dropping by for a little slice of bliss today!
Emily

P.S. The Lawnscaping Challenge Blog is having a fantastic GIVEAWAY--a set of beautiful Faber Castell watercolor pencils! You can check it out HERE.