Etch a Valentine's Gift Jar

I love projects that cost pennies and look like a million bucks!    Read on to see how I

made this pretty gift jar.  I created it for Valentine's Day this month, but I would give 

this to someone any day of the year.

For a great Tutorial video and to purchase product, go to

http://etchall.com/

I purchased my jar and the contact paper that I used for masking at the Dollar Tree!

They carry all kinds of clear glass items....and for only One Dollar!  After years of shopping

there, I still say that about 100 times as I walk through the store.

Using paper, ribbon and some trims I had on hand, I embellished my jar.  I plan to fill it with pretty chocolates.  I love the idea of the chocolates showing through the clear heart areas.

Hope you got inspired to start simple and get your Etchall on!

Take time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and

Life Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

Ribbons, Ribbons, Ribbons! Offray has it all!

Ribbon weaving is fun for added interest and texture on cards, albums and more. Various colors and sizes can be coordinated with papers or painted surfaces that you may be applying the ribbons to.

Below, I used my electronic die cut machine to cut out a 5 x 7 rectangle with cut-out flourishes and an oval in the middle.  My plan is to make this into a mini album cover when I get done with adding my ribbon and embellishments. 

Below is a horizontal and vertical view of the same "fabric" made from woven ribbons.

A plain cardstock was the base for the woven ribbon.  The ribbon is sandwiched between the plain cardstock and the patterned cardstock as shown below.  Embellishments and ribbon bindings were the final touches.

The first layer is laid out vertically with sides touching.

Weave the horizontal ribbons under, over, under, over until  you have a complete piece of what I call ribbon fabric.

Ruffled flowers are made by finger-pleating the ribbon as it is adhered to a 2" or 3" circle of cardstock. 

Adhere the first ribbon layer to the outside edges; repeat with the second layer of ribbon but adhere around the inside of the first layer as shown.  Finish by adhering a 3" scalloped paper circle to the center. I added a metal button for a final touch.

I hope you go away with a little bit of "ribbon" inspiration today.  Use the blue Designer Craft Connection button to move through the Hop.  You will find lots of creative ideas using the gorgeous Offray ribbons.  Here is a link to their website.  Check it out!  http://www.offray.com/

Thanks for stopping by! 

 Remember to enjoy the little blessings along the way; and

Life Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

Celebrate Love and Life with this Frame & Valentine Coupons

Do you love Valentine's Day?  I do!  When I was a kid I loved putting Valentines together for our annual grade school party. I would look through the conversation hearts to put just the right message in with my Valentine. We usually had a box decorated with colored paper and crepe paper with a hole cut in the top to drop in the Valentine's.  Our moms would provide cupcakes and cookies.  We drank red Kool-Aid back then.  Mom could make the cupcakes and cookies at home and bring them to school.  And we all survived! Imagine that!  Fun memories!

I am using a Deflecto acrylic craft frame with a pink border for my project.  The black portion is a wet erase Sign Tag.  The pen is a Chalkpen to write on the black tag with.  The writing is removable with a damp rag and you can change the message if you want to.  I used papers from Close To My Heart. www.marilyngossettdesigns.ctmh.com I enjoy the fact that all the collections are put together with matching embellishments and I can get them all together.

I cut the papers with a turquoise background and a Valentine paper layered on top leaving a 1//2" border.  The picture was cut and attached to the Valentine's paper as was the wet erase sign tag.

I wrote the message on the wet erase sign using the wet erase chalk pen.

I attached a suction hook to the top of the frame as shown in the photo above and camouflaged it with some embellishments (Complements) that match the papers I used.  Now you can hang the Love Coupon booklet to the frame.  I printed some free love coupons that I found online and adhered them to papers cut to fit in the clear pouches as shown in the photo below.  The pear clip is binding the pages together and was finished off with a pretty shoestring bow.  I cut a V in each ribbon tail and adhered more embellishments to the front page of the coupon album. 

Following are some more photographs  that might help.  My designer friend, Sue and I were talking about how difficult it is to photograph acrylic frames.  I gave a perfect example of "why" that is so in the photograph below.  Hands and camera in the picture!  Lol.

This is the month of Love.  I dedicate these projects to all of the humans and critters in our lives that we can share our love with.  I am very thankful for the special ones who are in my life.

Hope you got some inspiration today!  Now go out and enjoy the small blessings you find along the way,

and Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

Love Notes Only! Paperless Note Pad

Do you like to get "Love" notes?  I do!  Here is a handy way to share the love every day!  I kind of went crazy with the hearts in honor of Valentine's Day this month.  These are removable as they are just clipped on!

You might like the version below a little better.  I used the deflecto Grip Clip duo above to hold the hearts on the acrylic frame for Valentine's Day "effect".  The one below is more for everyday when you want to leave your Sweetie a note.  You can write who it is to at the top.

There are just a few things you will need to make this wet erase note holder.  See below for the Deflecto products you will need.

Pick out some papers you like and just a few embellies to finish this re-usable wet erase note holder.  You will need a CHALKMARKER pen to write the messages.

I cut the paper to fit inside the acrylic craft frame.  The hearts were cut with my die-cut machine and I found some rubber stamps I liked.  I used ink to chalk the edges to add depth to the shapes.  The wet erase sign tag was cut into a 3" x 3" square and adhered to the top of the acrylic frame with Tacky Glue. (A 1" x 3" strip was glued to the top of the second example shown above). Some fancy yarn was wrapped around the frame above the *stamped image at the bottom (*which is adhered to the polka dot paper and under the top of the frame..) and then tied in a knot.  I clipped the double grip sign holder to the top edge of the frame (as shown) and you can add a little note to this if desired, i.e. To:  My Hubby; From: Me.

The following are some close-up photos for you to look at.

I covered the inkpen with washi tape and put a little piece of the same tape around the joint of the clip.

When you want to change your message, just wipe the writing off with a damp rag and leave a new message!

No paper to throw away!

Thanks for visiting my blog!  Hope you take away a little inspiration!

Enjoy the small things in life and

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

Some days the lighting in my studio isn't good for taking photos.  I attempt to provide a clear image, sometimes it doesn't work out as well as others!  Of course it would help if I had any real training in photography other than aim and shoot.  I am looking forward to the sunnier days that will be coming.

Enjoy!

I Love this Technique! 3-D Paper Engineering!

Hi!  Thanks for stopping by!  

Today I decided to display some photos from one of my favorite crafting techniques.  3-D paper piecing.  I have always loved making dolls, whether it is from cloth, wood, paper, etc. I usually design to fit into a catagory upon a request from a manufacturer; then I also design for myself and my Etsy Shop.  The following are dolls that I form out of shapes cut mostly on my Cricut machine and I enjoy the challenge of coming up with new looks for each season.  This is the month of love, so I am starting with my newest; the Valentine Angel shown below.

This girl pictured below is designed using seasonal papers and embellishments from Close To My Heart.

Close-up view

More Close to My Heart papers.  I love using black and white and giving it a pop of color.

In fact, I believe this particular angel would match the header on my Blog!

More color variations.....

Close-up view below...

The paper angel below was a fun challenge.  It is a 9" high Steampunk angel.  I have had requests for

an ornament size and have made and sold many 6" tall angels.  Each style I make I offer in 9" or 6".

A closer view.....

The Steampunk Angel below is a different version of the Steampunk angel.  I have had special requests for ornaments that are not pictured here.  I love the challenge of coming up with better detail.

The angel below was inspired by some bright papers I had.  I just like to play with colors and themes.  She has a market basket on her arm.  Making minis is also fun for me.

A closer view....

The angel below is the first one that I made.  I started with a 9" angel and ended up with a smaller version in the 6" ornament size.  She has been popular on Etsy and I plan on making her fancy with feathers and sparkles in the future.  When I get time.........lol.  We all know how that "time" thing goes..., right?

The little witches shown below are some of the holiday requests I get.  These shown are all the same colors, but I have made quite a few in the traditional colors of orange, black, white and purple.

The last few are Holiday designs.  The most popular are the 6" ornament/decor size.

I added the little box below because this is an example I ran across of the little detailed paper designs I love to make.  Must remind me of making doll houses when I was a kid.

Hopefully you were inspired a little by what I have shown today.  These designs are truly Close To My Heart as I get lost in creating them and feel joy each time I finish a new one.  

I hope you are having a good Winter in spite of the snowy weather in so many places across the country.  The snow days are some of the very best for getting to cozy in and get creative.

Take time to enjoy the small blessings and

Life Life with a Flourish,

Marilyn