A fun idea

I have to admit, this wasn’t my first vision of this project, but I think this one turned out pretty good. Using the Halloween Books and Square Birthday Candle Box files from Simply Crafty SVGs – this decor piece was easy to put together and finish in a matter or a few hours after cutting. I think the cutting took longer since I was having issues with a blade and a new mat. They didn’t like each other, but that story is for another time.

The firecrackers/candles were easy to do. I did start by modifying the file and resized the main file pieces by 50%. The front panel is a combination of rectangles created using the SCAL software. All but the star is inked. Following the directions for assembly in the file, these are very easy to put together. To adjust for the other two, lengthening the box file (no changes in the width) and bottom pieces is pretty easy. There’s about an additional inch added to the middle cracker and another 1/4 inch added to the tallest. You will have to adapt the upper flap as it is too long to fit. Add another score line where the new fold should be. You can certainly glue this together after inserting the wick which is a piece of jute wrapping.

The books are cut using the file as is. I created another spine piece for each of the books — using the shadow layer feature in SCAL. Easy to do, just make sure you use the blackout box and the shadow is 0.00 – so it’s exactly the same size. There are other ways to do it, but this is just easy as well. Choose the words and font/s you want to use and create them in the software — leaving a small space at each end of the panel. Using some small rectangles or flourishes, place those to finish the spine as desired. The book paper panels are scored using a scoreboard and bone folder every 1/8 inch and inked.

Assembly videos can be found on Sandy’s YouTube channel.
Square Birthday Candles
Halloween Books

For this project you’ll need:
12 x 12 cardstock (red, white blue, off white)
gold vinyl (permanent)
glue
jute
ink (red, lt brown, black, dk blue, lt grey)
score board, bone folder
closure (optional)

Hoping you’ll have some fun doing some of your favorite creative hobbies. Enjoy the time and nurture your heart as well.

the “heart” of gratitude

3 Positives:
attending graduation ceremony for a grandson
time in the studio – changes in the build are working
sleep

Our Journey Notes:
MRI is now on the calendar for early next month. Let’s hope we get a few answers and not more questions. Grateful I’ll be able to see the results shortly after they are read by the radiologist.

T has his post-op tomorrow. He’s hoping the dr will discuss next steps regarding the cataract in his good eye during his visit. Fingers crossed on that.

opportunities abound

3 Positives:
The tarp on the garden stayed in place last night.
Chili and cornbread for dinner last night… comfort food on a cold day
changed gears on a new holiday decor project and I think the outcome will be better

Our Journey Notes:
Spent yesterday morning at the clinic. Came away with appointments for some additional testing all of that will be completed by the 10th of June. Waiting on a callback for the MRI appointment. Migraine yesterday — didn’t help keep things on track for the rest of the day. Neuro referral on hold for the time being.

T is anxious for his eye appointment on Friday. I think he’d rather it was today or tomorrow.

Textures

The challenge for the week was to create something with “texture.” There are so many ideas and my cupboards and drawers are full of some wonderful options.

For this tag, I chose to use some oldies but goodies from my stash – sadly, many things are no longer available.

The tag shape was created using two shapes from the SCAL 6 Library and joining them together with the Union command in SCAL 6. Some X’s were added for a little interest on the left side – and were cut not scored during the cutting process by the Skycut. Applied the border embossing folder to the top edge of the tag base. Ink the edges with the distress ink. Add the eyelet.

Cut and emboss the patterned paper piece with a folder, scruff up the edges a bit, ink the edges and glue to the base. Add ribbon and thread and secure in place.

Cut and crimp the strip, ink the edges and glue in place

Cut the backing piece for the frame, stamp and heat emboss the sentiment. Ink the piece leaving the center uninked. Secure in the frame and using brads, secure the frame to the tag base. If desired a backing can be added to the base to hide the brad prongs

Patterned paper – an old 6 x 6 pad (retired long ago)
ivory cardstock
Fiskar crimping tool
border embossing folder – Anna Griffin (Poppy, retired)
Embossing folder – Fun Stampers Journey (retired)
heart shaped eyelet – Eyelets Etc. (retired)
ribbons (stash)
thread (stash)
heat embossing powder -rose
embossing ink – Versa Mark
metal frame – Stampin’ Up! (retired)
hugs stamp – Honey Bee Stamps (Pickup Lines)
distress ink – Ranger (Old Paper)


Hoping your creative time has been productive this week. Thanks for stopping by.

be your best you!

3 Positives:
T’s procedure was a success
time in the studio – all but 2 cards finished
we tasted our first watermelon of the season yesterday (YUM) and put 2 1-gallon bags of sliced strawberries into the freezer for smoothies.

Our Journey Notes:
T’s eye pressures are now in the acceptable range – hoping they’ll stay that way after the yesterday’s needle flap lift. Ted said this eye wasn’t as easy as the right. His eye hurt a little after the numbing meds wore off. Now to focus on the cataract in the right eye.

I got him to switch audio book services yesterday – he’s now listening to a new book. I put his other service on pause for 90 days to see which he likes better. He still has access to the other books until he can download them from the new service. Glad they carry that author as well as a couple more of his favorites and it’s a little cheaper and he can download several books a month without any additional expense.


Some things just evade me… the memory is gone unless reminded, but even then, I still don’t remember the time or day of the happening often. It’s definitely happening more frequently. Thankful for friends and family who let it pass after a correction. Another thing to add to the list for the neuro. As Mom used to say, “getting old isn’t for sissies.” I have creaks and pops where I didn’t have them before. The knees don’t like the stairs, especially in the morning or late evenings. The pain across the middle of my back is here to stay it seems and those tingles down the legs when I put my head a certain way… still there.