Whoo's Your Valentine - Candy Bar Cover Tutorial

Two posts in two days---

seems as if it's either feast or famine around here!

 

The preschool at the church I work for

asked for some candy bar covers for their fundraiser.

We did some at Christmas time

and now, with Valentine's Day around the corner

they asked for more.

So I went to work.

I wanted to use things I had on hand--

(2 of my 3 part-time jobs having been eliminated,

my donations may be down a bit as well...)

So I pulled out some plain white cardstock,

my Cranberry and Black CTMH ink pads

and a retired Whoo's Your Valentine Stamp set.

I also got my Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge,

paper cutter, crimper and Lipstick Red Copic marker.

Got all that?

Oh-and adhesive (Scotch tape gun here!), one oval SU punch,

my SU score board and blocks for my stamps.

I think that's it!

 

First I played with a sample of what I wanted to do---

 

 

Once I got that laid out-I went to work.

 

I cut hearts using the AP Cricut Cartridge.

If using the Cricut vs. a punch and are going to stamp on them as I did,

leave them on the mat and stamp them before removing them!

Neat little trick!

Next I scored some down the middle

Then put adhesive on the back of three of them,

fold them in half, and line them up down the center---

Then attach this layered piece to one solid heart

(not necessary-but it gave it a little more oomph).

Set those aside.

Next cut your white cardstock to 7" by 7"

(this holds a full size Hershey bar).

 

Next I stuck my stamps onto my block

to do one panel of the candy bar cover.

 

Inked it up good with black ink

and stamped.

I did use a mouse pad underneath my cardstock-

the other block with stamps was much larger

and using the mouse pad makes sure you get a

good stamped image as it has some "give" to it

which makes up for any inconsistencies in the table top,

the block, or the stamps themselves.

First panel done---one to go...

And here's what my hand-stamped now designer paper

looked like once I got done...

 

Next you are going to score it...

 

I *think* I used 2 5/8" and 5 3/8"

 

Next take your SU punch and lining it up in the center

of that center panel

(the outside edges of the punch almost touch the score lines)

go half-way in and punch.

This gives you a little opening to get the candy bar out the top.

 

Next run a strip of adhesive on the back side--on the right hand panel edge

and along the bottom...

 

Fold the left hand panel in and secure at the bottom...

 

Fold the right-hand panel in and secure at bottom and side.

Here's the back view...

and the front view...

 

Add adhesive to the backside of your dimensional heart

and attach to the front of the candy bar holder...

 

Crimp the bottom of the candy bar holder to help keep it secure...

and add a little extra dimension...

 

Trick here-

I tuck the bottom end of the candy bar holder into the crimper

and use my boob to help balance the other end so it doesn't go cattywhampus on my...

the candy bar holder that is...geesh!

 

Wanting to carry the red pop from the front to the back,

I colored in that one little heart on the back...

 

 

I made a total of 20...

didn't take to long

and I gotta say I love love love---the black and white

with the little bit or red pop!

That's it for today!

Hope you enjoyed it--hope you'll try it.

 

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,



 

Beth's Future...

It seems like it's been forever since I've added a new post---

beginning to wonder if I remember how!

 

The good news is--this guy seems to be improving slowly.
Update: Sat pm-scratch this---we seem to be having
a major set back--I'm not sure what's going on at this point...
abdominal distress for sure--unknown cause...
and Momma stress for sure...

While his appetite is still not where I'd like it to be

he was sitting on the boxes under my work table

in my craft room meowing at me for treats.

Baby steps.

We dodged a bullet -- for now.

Thanks for the good wishes, thoughts and prayers.

It's so hard on me

when my "fur babies" can't tell me what's wrong!



 

I am friends with a young lady in our church

who was going through a difficult time.

I wanted to share some encouragement, strength and hope with her

and I thought of this image from Mo Manning...

 

I printed it out several times--colored the different layers and then started building...

the background image first,  then the crystal ball

(I cut and pasted the crystal ball in Publisher-added the text and printed it...)

that I first used Crystal Effects on and it just didn't give it enough "oomph" to suit me

so I dug out a flat backed glass marble

and used it instead (I used the CE to adhere it and it seems to be staying just fine)!

Then I added the last layer I had trimmed out-the hair, arm and face

so it really looks like she is leaning forward over the crystal ball.

 

It really could use some glitter and sparkle but-

the way things were going today,

it was better to leave this well enough alone!

 

On the inside...I added another image

with my message layered into it (again using Publisher)

 which I choose to make a pop-up on the inside...

 

I can speak from experience when I say that, no matter what,

God has our back.

We may not know or understand why things are happening as they are---

we may not like it (I've thrown a lot of tantrums, for sure--

I am a red-head (as is Beth!) after all...)

but

in the end, when all is said and done,

I can stand and testify that His way---and His will

is far better than anything I would have hoped or dreamed.

As that moldy-oldie goes...

Put your hand in the hand of the Man who stilled the water...

Put your hand in the hand of the Man who calmed the sea...

 

Yeah, I'll keep holdin' His hand--no matter what.

I hope Beth will, too!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

 

p.s.

stay tuned-

today I am working on Valentine candy bar covers...

hope to finish and post tomorrow....tomorrow....

I love you, tomorrow...

 

lol-these random songs just seem to keep coming to mind this morning!

 

Happy HECTIC New Year!

I have not run away

(but hope too-just for a long-week-end).

We started 2014 off with a bang

or I should say a CRASH--

well, actually we WITNESSED a CRASH

that had several bangs included.

 

Hubby and I decided to take a ride New Year's Day

just to a couple neighboring townsand we stopped to eat

at Golden Corral.

It was dark-and spritzing rain when we left

and we were sitting on the service road

waiting to get onto the main road

when the light changed for the other side-

a couple came across---

and a lady to our left either didn't see the red light or ran it---

they collided-she did a donut

and hit the other couple again-

swerved across the two lanes of traffic

and onto the entrance to the service road

and stopped a mere 2 feet from us.

I saw  her coming---hubby was driving

and there was no where to go.

There was a very small raised median

that I KNOW did not stop her-

when I saw her stop

it was almost as if she hit an invisible solid wall...

it was that abrupt.

I sense an ANGEL was looking over us.

No one was seriously injured.

Pretty sore, I am sure, but they walked away.

Thank you, Jesus.

 

The Monday of that same week...

I left this guy

aka BAD CAT

(who is the awesomely good Russell cat at the vets...)

at

The Sound Cat veterinary hospital

for a radioactive iodine treatment

for hyperthyroidism.

We then got the good GREAT NEWS

that there is no cancer

(we learned from the pre-treatment exam we are dealing with

irritable bowel disease and suspected small cell lymphoma).

He breezed through the thyroid treatment and, for them, ate great.

Not so for Momma.

(he lives up to his name when you try to pill/treat him at home)

It was a very, very long, stressful week-end.

Not eating. Trying EVERYTHING (including baby food).

Trying to get appetite stimulant meds and Pepcid

in a cat that won't eat (and isn't easily pillable-what cat is?!)

with no success.

Then the nausea set in.

Sat. I was on the phone with two vets

and I had two meltdowns in the course of the day.

God and I had a serious talk.

Some fist shaking even went on.

Injectable meds

(piece of cake-I dealt with the diabetic cat and insulin injections)
got him settled down some

so we could get the other meds in--and staying down

and, eventually, food, too.

We're at day 2 of eating well---

so I pray we are on the upswing,

that the chewable meds will be here

in time for us to leave

and still have our pet sitter when we get back!

 

I am exhausted.

This is the senior citizen of our bunch---

and I know that someday

well, we'll leave it at that.

We are taking things one day at a time in 2014---

and counting our blessings.

I am so tired

that, even tho there will be lots of free time

for me to relax and stamp and scrap if I so choose,

I'm not taking much.

Yep,

I am THAT TIRED.

I just need some rest.

And a cuddle.

A back rub wouldn't hurt, either...

 

Stamping and scrapping stuff

coming soon.

I promise.

 

Until next time-do some for me!

Blessings,



New Year Coming...Time for some changes...

I hope each of you had a happy and blessed Christmas.

We had a quiet time, just the two of us for the most part

well, us and our cats...

one of which had some health issues

and, long story short,has hyperthyroidism.

We're going to new vet tomorrow morning

to see if he is a candidate for radioactive iodine treatment.

Prayers, please, that he is

and that they can go ahead and start the treatment tomorrow.

The alternative treatments aren't as appealing

and have considerable side effects.

If anyone has had any experience with anything dealing with

feline hyperthyroidism, I would love to hear from you...

 

So prayers, please for Bad Cat (and Momma!)

The good news is--this is the GOOD Russell cat when it comes to vet visits!

Do not try to pill this cat at home!

 

My other news is...

I will no longer be a Close to My Heart consultant after March 31, 2014.

Things are a'changin

and those of us who aren't super saleswomen are no longer welcome.

So, so long, farewell....you know the song!
I am not, by any means, leaving the stamping/scrapbooking world!
There are TONS of companies with beautiful papers and supplies
and I will be sharing my creations right here as I have all along.
I could never ever limit myself to just one product line---
one of my best friends is a Stampin' Up consultant---
I LOVE Graphic 45 papers--and many, many more.
A Cherry on Top gets a lot of my business
and if you are looking for kits that you simply cut and put together
(they come with detailed instructions--and the embellishments and papers
are beautiful and of high quality)
check out The Button Farm Club.
You may gasp at the cost--but once you get your hands on a kit--
you'll be saying "how do they send so much for so little?"
I've only completed one of 5 kits so far---
but I cannot wait to do the others.

For Sale: Stamps and Paper Towers

Every year this time I get in a clean it out-get it organized mood

and today I did a little work in my magic kingdom.

And I started with some CTMH stamp sets.

While these are no longer available through CTMH directly, they are in good shape

(some sets are missing a stamp or two as so indicated on the photo;

some are used, some are brand new!)

Prices do not include shipping.

If you are not familiar with CTMH stamps--

they are clear stamps that come on a carrier sheet.

You remove the stamp from the sheet, attach to an acrylic block

and then stamp.

The advantage to any clear stamp is that, unlike wood mounted rubber stamps

you can SEE where you are stamping!

The stamp sets do not come with blocks-those you purchase separately.

If you are interested, please e-mail me at sentbysharon@aol.com

or message me via Facebook-Sharon Russell-Oak Island, NC.

Enjoy!

Unity---new--$ 10.00

 

Sweet & Lovely - New- $ 10.00

 

Playful Petals -

 

 The Best Things- new-$ 8.00

 

Charmed-used

missing small dotted circle & small flower stamp

$ 6.50

 

Dreams Come True-New

$ 10.00

 ? -- New-$ 10.00

 

Jubilation- New $ 10.00

 Create a File - used - $ 8.00

 

Also for sale... two paper towers

This is what they look like unassembled...

and how they will be shipped....

They are in great condition and come with a dust cover for each one.

While a bit of a hassle to assemble (I cannot lie!)

once they are together they are great...I just outgrew them.

$50 each + shipping.

All of the above from a smoke free home.

Obviously, I do have cats and they have been in my craft room...

 





Blue Christmas....

I feel a little bit a lot

like George Bailey

in It's a Wonderful Life

(before the miracle, that is.)

While I know I DO have a lot

of good things in my life...

some days years

it's harder to see than others.

This is one of them.

A new "do" helped a little.

That, and Jaxon.

Jaxon attends the preschool

at the church I work for.

Jaxon  has seen me, mmm, maybe 5 times

the whole year.

Imagine my surprise

when I walked into my hairdresser's on Tues.

and heard

"MS. SHARON MS. SHARON MS. SHARON MS SHARON...."

over and over

until it finally dawned on me

it was Jaxon!

His mom works there and he was hanging out with her!

He was beside himself to see someone he knew!

And the next day...

as the kids were on their way to chapel

and he saw me in the hall...

I heard,

"I remember you from yesterday!"

Sigh.

If only my husband were so observant!

'Nough said.

 

Since next week is the last week of preschool

before their Christmas break

and coming to Ms. Sharon's office

for a little gift or goodie

happens around any holiday time

(no little people other than these in my life...)

I decided I had better get going.

I got a brainstorm of

making them play dough.

 

So I found a homemade recipe

tweaked it to smell like gingerbread using part of another recipe

GOT LUCKY (miracle is more like it!)

and found enough packages of

MINI CHRISTMAS COOKIE CUTTERS

at Wal-Mart

to make 30+ of these.

 

 I wish I could do a scratch and sniff here---

they smell DELICIOUS

even if it does look like, well, a little ball of pooh!

Oh well.

The grocery didn't have food coloring

and I am not sure with the color the spices gave it

that it would have worked anyway.

It's the thought that counts!

 

Homemade Ho Ho Ho Gingerbread Play Dough

1 C. flour

1/2 C. salt

2 TBSP. Cream of Tarter

1 tsp. oil

1 C. Water

2 tsp. Ground Ginger

1 tsp. Nutmeg

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. Cloves

 

Mix dry ingredients together in small pan

add water and oil

mix over medium heat for 4-5 minutes.

It will form a nice ball.

Mind your hands as it will be hot--

let cool to touch, mix and when completely cool

package in airtight container.

These little packages I made is about 1/3 of the recipe.

I am not sure how it does in larger batches-

I made a lot of little ones.

And if you don't add the salt...it does mess it up--

just sayin'.

 

That's it for today.

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrpping.

Blessings,

 



Oh the Weather Outside Was Frightful...

I left home yesterday morning

well before dawn

in a light-weight long sleeve shirt, pants

and flip-flops.

When I came home

it was freezing.

 

And I am blaming that

on the poor, poor turnout

at the craft show we did yesterday.

Thank Godwe were inside.

As the day drew on

it rained and got cold.

And I suppose that's why hardly anyone

was out and about

and sales were so slack...

it wasn't even worth going.

Not to brag,

but, as usual, Theresa and I

had the best booths there.

EVERYONE

had a lousy day sales-wise.

 

So my goal is to get my etsy shop

up and running.

I don't relish the thought

of dealing with our post office

who's shipping rates vary

as much as our weather.

Maybe visit a few local shops

and see what, if anything,

I can sell through them.

 

I guess these will be my Christmas decorations

as I have not brought the first thing down from our attic

not even the nativity!

These photos don't do them justice-

I took them at 10 pm Friday night after a very, very long day

getting ready...this first one is HOPE

and is my favorite!

This one is peace--although hard to see...

 and BELIEVE...

 

These are very pretty in person

and just the perfect little something

to decorate a little space

(office, nursing home room, etc.)

 

Anyway---

the physical of packing, unpacking, packing, unpacking, packing....

and the weather change

has my fibromyalgia raging.

At least I had plenty of sweet smelling bath salts

to soak in last night and tonight and....

 

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping.

Blessings,