Happy New Year 2015!

What? I know...I know! Where in the world have I been?

I am still here...just haven't been able to stamp much lately, as my stamp room is all packed up and has been for several weeks! Our air conditioner flooded my stamp room and we had to pack everything up. We plan on buying a house real soon, so there was no point in unpacking everything.

I have been itching to get back into my stamps, ink and paper! I am literally bursting at the seams with anticipation...I cannot wait to begin setting up my dream stamp room. Yes...I will have my dream stamp room. It is a requirement for our new house!

I have been getting creative (just not with my stamps). I  have been antique store hopping a lot. I got started on some projects using very old floor heaters. Super neat! I will definitely share those pics on a different day.

I sat here last night, remembering what I was doing on New Year's Eve last year. I was in my stamp room, watching movies with my boys and stamping the night away. AND...I created my first blog post ever on this blog. New Year's 2014.

Last night...I cuddled on the couch with my Hunny and two of my three boys...and we watched movies and ate snacks. And I actually made it to midnght! 

I didn't get to stamp..and haven't for a bit, but I wanted to update everyone and let you know that I am still here and dying to get creative again! 

By the way...have you seen the new Stampin' Up! occasions catalog and Sale-A-Bration catalog? Squeeel!! I cannot wait to get my hands on some of those goodies...even if I have to wait a bit to play with them. 

Well, here is to a new year! I've said it before but I know THIS is going to be our year! I can't wait to see what is in store for my family. Many blessings to you and yours.

Coffee for a friend!

Hi everyone! Take a look at this super cute K-Cup holder! I CASED this from Lorri Heiling at "Confessions of a Stamping Addict". The pattern can be found HERE. You can also make a 4 cup holder by making two of these and adhering them together!

I also made a coordinating card to go with it:

I did use some retired designer paper-it's called Retro Fresh. I bought it right before it retired and I still want to use it up. There are tons of new designer paper choices in the new Stampin' Up! catalog. If you would like one for yourself, contact me and I will get one to you! It is packed with so many fun products.

Isn't this card so fun? I used one of my favorite stamp sets called Perfect Blend. I used the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set to create the "coffee splatters".

Here is the supply list:

Baked Brown Sugar 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50

So Saffron 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Baked Brown Sugar Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Perfect Blend Clear Stamp Set

$10.95

Chalk Talk Framelits Die

$24.95

Extra-Large Oval Punch

$16.95

Pansy Punch

$15.95

7/8" Circle Scallop Punch

$12.95

A Round Array Clear Stamp Set

$14.95

Linen Thread

$4.50

Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments

$4.95

Very Vintage Designer Buttons

$5.95

Twine Baker's Whisper White

$2.95

Crumb Cake 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon

$6.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

And don't forget the K Cups!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today and Happy Stamping!

Work of Art Rainbow Card

Hi everyone! Back with another card using the Work of Art stamp set. This set is so versatile...I can't stop playing with it. Every time I think I need to put it away for a while, I see another great idea I have to try!

Today was a rainy day, so the boys and I ordered pizza and lounged pretty much most of the day. For me that meant some stamp time. As always, we have been so busy that I haven't had much time to sit down and get my fingers inky. Summer is always crazy busy for us. We went to the river this past weekend in New Braunfels. It was so much fun! This was the first time in a very long time that we took an adult trip--no kiddos! Felt a little guilty....but....it was very much needed! 

So, on to the card:

Pretty simple card. I stamped the "brush" image in rainbow colors using my Stamp-a-ma-jig (Item #101049)

I stamped the sentiment using the "Feel Goods" stamp set. (Item # 129684)

I layered the main piece onto black cardstock, then onto Daffodil Delight. The card base is Whisper White.

I added some jewel rhinestones and punches using the itty bitty punch pack.

Here is the supply list:

Work Of Art Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$21.95

Feel Goods Clear Stamp Set

$18.95

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Rich Razzlebberry Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments

$4.95

Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack

$16.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

ETA: Here is a picture taken AFTER I cleaned the lense on my camera! What a difference, huh??

Thank you so much for stopping by! 

                                                 

DIY Enamel Dots!

Who loves enamel dots? I do! I do! They are everywhere in paper crafting right now.

      

(Sample picture above-found online)

And I am SO excited that I have learned to make my own for oh so cheap! There are several tutorials online and even some videos. I came across this idea a while back and just haven't had time to give it a try. Today, while the boys were gone and I was cleaning the house, I spotted it.... 

The bucket of beads...that's right...the bucket of 11,000 beads that I could turn into 11,000 enamel dots!

Yep! This is what you need. I got these at Hobby Lobby and I want to say they were around $13...AND you can use that awesome 40% off coupon! I am sure you can get them just about anywhere. You don't have to buy buckets this big either. They do come in smaller quantities.

So, I decided to give it a go and after some trial and error, I think I have it mastered:

Once you have your perler beads, you'll need some parchment paper. Do NOT use wax paper. I tried using wax paper first, since I had no parchment paper, and my house was quickly filled with smoke and stink-apparently the wax burns off. I opened the oven to find crispy wax paper and ugly beads. First attempt-fail!

So, off to the store I went looking for parchment paper! Two stores later, I found some. Let's try this again!

Cover your pan with parchment paper and stand the beads up in whatever lovely colors you choose. 

The tutorial I watched said to heat the oven to 450 degrees and bake for 15 minutes. Here was the result:

My parchment paper was burnt to a crisp and the beads weren't melted! What? I thought I solved this problem already! I obviously suck at these Pinterest ideas! Ughhh...

Here we go again...one more try and if this doesn't work...I give up. I decided to read the box that the parchment paper came in to see if I was maybe using the wrong side. Then I see that it says use max temperature of 350 degrees...uh...duh...I was scorching this paper at 450 degrees! Ding ding ding!

Soooo....I set my oven to 350 degrees and baked a (very small) batch for about 20-ish minutes. Small batch because I didn't want to waste another whole tray of beads. I just kept an eye on them and when the dimple was gone from the center, they came out.  Here is the result:

 Would you look at that!!! Wahooooo! Enamel beads in all sorts of colors-how cool! Now on to a bigger tray! I think I got this now!

This is so awesome! All these fab enamel dots for a FRACTION of the cost! 11,000 beads in all sorts of colors! You can even buy neon, sparkly and two tone colors! I also read that if you cut them in half, you'll get smaller ones (obviously) and to get bigger ones, just stack two beads and they melt perfectly. I am going to be a bead baking fool now!

Check them out!

The colors stay bright-and there should be NO dimple in the middle. They melt really nicely.

Even the clear ones are cool!

This cup will be full by tomorrow!

So...it really is super simple: 

* Perler Beads

* Parchment paper

* Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20-25 minutes (keep peeking in on them as every oven is different)

**This is what worked for me. Read the box that your parchment paper comes in and it may also depend on how hot your oven gets.**

Well, what do you think? Are you going to give it a try? 

Thanks for stopping by!