Jo-Ann Unrau, Stampin' Up Demonstrator

Stampin' In the Garden!

Moving to a new house just over a year ago, I no longer had a vegetable garden, a favorite thing of mine. Sure, I was able to grow some flowers and things, but I really missed growing fresh veggies. So, this year in April, my hubby built me a garden! The kids and I planted it in May, and soon afterwards things started to appear.

I love to go out there and dig in the dirt, and see what's blooming and growing each day. It's therapeutic. The best part, however, is being able to run out there when I am making dinner, and pick some fresh herbs, or veggies to add to our meal. One thing was still missing though, and I think I've solved that now. With a little STAMPING, of course!

 

Yes, we made garden signs! They are so cute! My husband started with cutting up some 1/4" plywood for the words (approx 3" X 5"), and made maple posts (2' long) to put them on.

 

I stamped all the names with the Schoolbook Serif Alphabet set with black Craft ink. In order to get them nice and straight, I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, a fabulous tool for this project! Then I also added some various leaves and flower stamps on most of them, and colored a little bit along the shade lines with markers.

 

After that, I set them out on some newspaper and sprayed them with about 4 coats of outdoor varathane.

Here they are all assembled....

 

 

 

I encourage you to try stamping some signs for your herb or veggie garden too! You will love them, and be able to re-use them for years! You could also do this for flowers, roses, and they'd made wonderful gifts!

Have a sunny day!

Jo-Ann

stampinwithjoann@shaw.ca

Altered Notebook

Well, I have been using one of my kids old school duo-tang books as a bank deposit book for some time now, and I have to say, it was well used! Just looking at it was getting on my nerves, so I decided instead of buying a new folder, I would spruce it up a bit!

Here's how it turned out. Instead of trying to figure out how to cover up the spine, I just incorporated that color into my theme. (You can still see the purple duo-tang poking out the side)....

 

I covered it (front and back) using Old Olive prints patterned paper, and a gluestick, then tied some Twill Tape around the front cover, adding some 1 1/4" Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon in the middle of the knot. The focal image is stamped on Very Vanilla using Priceless (still one of my favorite stamp sets!) in Old Olive and Lovely Lilac classic inks from Stampin' Up. I backed that with some Very Vanilla and Lovely Lilac cardstocks. I also cut out additional butterflies and flowers and popped them up with Dimensionals.

 

Even though it is still an old book, it only took me about 15 minutes to make it prettier, and I am soooo much happier doing my paperwork now :) I smile everytime I take it out!

Decor Elements!

This project in my daughter's new bedroom was so much fun, but it took a little longer to complete than my other Decor Elements vinyl decorations have. Mostly, because of the set we ordered,which was one of her Christmas gifts. It is a two-step set, and it requires you to cut it apart to be able to layer the images. But, also, because I had a helper who had ALOT of input :)

We used the Ginormous Flowers # 114863 $47.95CDN in Tempting Turquoise, Taken with Teal, So Saffron and Old Olive. You can also get this set in Pixie Pink, Chocolate, So Saffron and Certainly Celery #114864.  You can view Phase 3 of the Decor Elements line here, there are some amazing brand new ones!

Here we are with the pieces all cut out, and laying them on the bed to organize the layering we wanted.

  

 

Once we had that ready, it was very quick to put them on the walls.... 

And, here is the final product.......

 

She is thrilled with it, and so am I! Pop by sometime and have a peek up close.....and order some for your home too! You will LOVE them!

Now to buy some new bedding that matches the colors!

Happy Stamping!

Jo-Ann

Christmas Table settings

Here are a couple of neat table setting ideas for your Christmas Dinner this year. They are very easy to make!

Below are some matching placecard and table favors that I made for a Women's Christmas Brunch I attended last Saturday morning. There were 10 ladies at our table, and I got their names ahead of time, so I could make the placecards. I whipped all these up in about 1 hour. (For those of you who were at Friday night's Stamp Club get-together, I started the treat favors after you went home!) Oops :)

 

These are made using the Sizzix Top Note Die and the Big Shot machine. I cut with that on Bravo Burgundy textured cardstock (only available in 12X12 assorted packs), as well as I cut the strips of Brushed Silver cardstock, so the edges would match perfectly. (It's also faster than using scissors!) I used the 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch and Scallop Circle Punch to make the medallion on the front.

 

This little favor box was made by cutting out overhead transparencies (available at office supply stores), using the Pillow Box Die on my Big Shot. To close the side and one end, I used Sticky Strip (must have!), filled with chocolate-covered raisins, and then wrapped the Bravo Burgundy 5/8" grosgrain ribbon around. Secure with a brad, and it stays closed until ready to eat! The image stamped on the front is from the Best Yet level-one hostess stamp set.

At this brunch, every year, there are about 300 ladies. Every table is decorated differently, by one of the ladies who reserve seats there. Our table was decorated by my good friend, Maria, and she did a fabulous job! I co-ordinated my little creations to her color combination on the dishes. Here's how the place settings looked when we were done:

 

And here's the whole table. It was beautiful, and we felt like princesses!

 

Below is a similar table setting idea, made by good friend, Karina. They are made with Bella Rose designer paper, Deer Friends hostess stamp set, Riding Hood Red cardstock, and Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon.

 

Here's a closeup of the napkin ring, made using the Top Note Die...

 

 

If you are looking to make handmade Personalized Christmas Crackers to add to your decor, see my Nov 7th post here.

Enjoy your holiday decorating, cardmaking, and baking!

Personalized Christmas Crackers!

I am offering a class on Nov 21st (7:00pm) to learn how to make these Personalized Christmas Crackers!

There are limited spaces available, so register today. The class is $25 and you will learn how to make these beautiful Christmas Crackers. The class includes 3 completed crackers, and you will also get instructions to take home, so you can make more for your additional family members!

Inside, you will be able to place little gifts, jokes, chocolates, or even diamonds (!) to bring a smile to people's faces ;)

Register here for the class by Nov 14th.....

 

Can't make the class, and would like the instructions via email ? Click below, it's only $9.00....

 

Family Name Frame Class

I am offering a class for this cute project on Oct 21st at 7:00pm.....

You will be able to make your own family name and little characters to match your family members! Sign up NOW If this class interests you. Email me by Oct 11th to register, limited spaces available.

1) $25 per person or

2) $5 class if you order the stamp set "All in the Family" (#109339 pg78 $43.95) by Oct 11th to be used at the class. I will even assemble it for you before the class!

This even makes a nice gift for someone else!