Purple Sage Creations

TSN - Ribbon Flowers

Welcome to TSN (Try Something New)!!  I have had such a crazy week!  I can't believe this is my first post of the week.  I finally found some time to stamp today.  The time was short, but I LOVED it:)  Everyone in the house is finally well.  So that meant that I would be catching up on a few things this week.  It kept me VERY busy.  I am so glad I got the chance to do my TSN this week.

So here we go...I have noticed a bunch of beautiful flowers on the web, in magazines and on blogs.  People are making them with paper, twill tape, and all sorts of mediums.  I just think they are gorgeous!!  I just had to try it out.

 

So I chose to make my flower with ribbon.  My ribbon is 1 2/4 inches wide.  I simply folded it in half and used a glue dot to secure it where I plan on using it. 

Then I twisted and manipulated the ribbon to look like a rose.

Keep twisting until it is the size you want it.  Cut the ribbon and tuck it under the flower. Add a bit of glue to secure it.  

Now you have a beautiful flower that can be used in so many ways.

Thanks for stopping by today!  See you next time.

The Details: (All Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted)

Paper:  Kraft, Kiwi Kiss cardstock, Bella Rose designer paper

Stamps:  Best yet

Ink:  Chocolate chip

Accessories:  Rhinestones, Pink Pirouette ribbon

Tools:  Oval punch

Ladybug Cake for a Little Lady

Good afternoon.  TGIF!  Just a quick post today.  I just wanted to share this birthday cake I made for my daughter.  Her birthday was yesterday.  She turned 2 years old.  I have always wanted to make a ladybug cake.  I have two other girls, age 13 and 9.  They are not interested in a cutesy cake.  And my son, who is 5, is definitely not into cutesy cakes.  So I thought this would be my very last chance to make a ladybug cake.  Who knows, by next year my 2 year old may be requesting her cake.  And, by the way, she is my last baby.  So this really is my last chance.

I found the cake idea on the web.  You can see the original cake here.  I followed the instructions that were given to bake the cake in a medal bowl.  It took a bit longer to bake, but the cake was still moist.  By baking the cake in the bowl it gave it a more round, bug shape.  I used chocolate frosting for the head and line down the back.  Then we put red food coloring in vanilla frosting for the rest.  The eyes are Lifesavers mints, and the spots are oreo cookies.  The antenna are lollipops.  I coated the sticks with chocolate frosting.

The cake was super simple but oh so cute.

Thanks for stopping by.  See you next time!!

TSN - Old Stamps, New Life

Hi!  Welcome to my weekly TSN (Try Something New) post.  I really missed TSN last week.  But, technically the whole week was TSN (LOL). 

Anyway, this weeks TSN is all about using those stamps that hardly get touched except during special holidays.  Christmas is a good example.  I have some stamps that get used ONLY for that holiday.  I try like crazy to get as much use out of them as I can.  Then, when the holiday is over it gets put back on the shelf until next year. 

But I have found one use for a new Christmas stamp set I bought this past holiday season.  I found this awesome idea at Cee Cee's Creations.  She is so incredibly talented.  I stopped by her blog back in September and noticed her alternate (and extremely creative) use of the Delightful Decorations stamp set from Stampin' Up.  What she did was turn one of the ornaments on its side and make a fish out of it.  Genius!!  I have just now taken the time to try it out.

Here is the card I created with that idea:

Thanks for the inspiration!  And thanks to you for stopping by to take a look.

The Details:

Paper:  Kraft, Certainly Celery, Real Red, Whisper White, Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip, Handsome Hunter cardstock (Stampin' Up!)

Stamps:  Delightful Decorations, Warm Words (SU!)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Real Red

Accessories:  Rhinestones (PTI), Glitter

Tools:  Scalloped Circle nesties die, Circle nesties die, scalloped edge punch from Martha Stewart

 

Butterfly Happiness

Hello!  Boy, having Monday off this week has thrown me for a loop.  Can you believe it's Wednesday already?  I didn't post yesterday because I was still caring for my sick baby.  She's turns two on Thursday, but she is still my baby.  She seems to be getting better. Just a cold.

I had a few minutes today to work on a new challenge.  It's the FTL #78 at Clean & Simple.  I have visited that site a couple times.  This is my first time I am entering the challenge though.

So here is my card:

 

I chose the sentiment "Happiness" because butterflies make me happy.  They are such a symbol of spring.

Thanks for stopping by today to take a look.  Hope to see you again soon!!

The details:

Paper:  Basic Gray, Certainly Celery, Whisper White cardstock; Basic Grey (sugar rush) designer paper

Stamps:  Warm Words

Ink:  StazOn black, Whisper White craft ink

Accessories:  Woolies felt stickers (Basic Grey), Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon

Tools:  Nesties scalloped die, large circle punch, corner rounder punch

Tattooed Devotion

Happy President's Day!  Do you have the day off?  My kids are home from school today.  They went to see The Lightning Thief.  I wanted to go sooooo bad.  But I chose to stay home and take care of my baby who is not feeling well.  I'm really glad I did.  We are enjoying some much needed quality time.  She's getting a nap right now.  So that gives me a chance to share what my DH did for Valentine's Day.

Some background:  Back in November my hubby and I (and the kids) went to Florida for a week.  While we were having tons of fun on the beach and the surf, my DH ran up to me with super wide eyes.  I could see the alarm in his face.  I thought something was really wrong!  I was sitting on a towel with the baby.  My DH sat down beside me, showed his left hand to me and said, "I lost my wedding band!"  He had fear, alarm, and a little amusement in his voice.  I felt like something hit me really hard in my chest.  I know it is just a ring, but it was a symbol of our love and devotion to one another. And my husband is totally hot.  I don't want women picking him up!! (LOL)  We figured looking for wedding band was pretty much hopeless.  He lost it in the water.  So, now my DH's wedding band is at the bottom of the ocean. Or one of those people with the medal detectors found it and cashed in. 

After that incident, my DH made comments about tattooing a wedding band on his finger so he wouldn't loose it.  I laughed, but didn't realize how serious he was.  He started looking at designs online.  Then he visited a local ink-slinging saloon to get some info. And finally designed the perfect tattoo for his left ring finger.  He made the appointment for his very first tattoo yesterday (Valentine's Day).  I, of course, went with:) 

Here is a picture of what he got:

I just think it's the coolest thing on the face of the earth!!  What a great Valentine's Day present.  The tattoo consists of a unity sign (meaning devotion and eternity) my initial (written the way I make my J) and another unity symbol.  We are both absolutely ecstatic about it!  I tell you ladies, I have the best DH in the whole world.  I know, I know, you would beg to differ (LOL). 

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you again next time! 

Sweets Week - Day 5

Welcome to the final day of Sweets Week.  All this week I have been sharing some super sweet ideas for Valentines day.  Today I am here with yet another super simple (and sweet) idea. 

Today I am featuring this really cute pillow box.  I have seen dies of these.  I actually don't own a die of the pillow box.  This clear acetate pillow box is left over from my sister's wedding.  I managed to collect a whole bunch of them (yay me!).  They make such cute and easy treats.  They can be used a party favors or tiny treats or whatever.  I filled mine with Hershey Kisses.  Then I added a little paper and ribbon to create a nice little treat for someone special.  I stamped various hearts on the Lavender Moon paper around the pillow box with white craft ink.  It is really difficult to see in the pic, but if you enlarge the picture you can see it.

Well, I will return again on Monday with some more papercrafting fun!  Thanks for stopping by!!

The Details:

Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, (both from SU!), Lavender Moon from PTI

Stamps: Hero Arts

Ink:  Whisper White craft ink, Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Sheer white ribbon, rhinestone from PTI, button from PTI

Tools:  Martha Stewart edge punch

Sweets Week - Day 4

Welcome to my 4th day of sweet Valentine's Day ideas.  I just LOVE Valentine's Day (if you haven't noticed already...lol).  I am soooo excited!  I have a bunch of really cute "sweet somethings" for everyone I know.  My kids have been preparing their Valentine's for their classes.  I look forward to participating in their class parties.  I also look forward to giving their teachers a little sweet to show them how much I appreciate what they do. :)

Today's sweet treat is designed with the teacher in mind.  I LOVE this adorable elephant template from Paper Trey Ink.  I just downloaded, printed, and cut.  Then, poof!  I have a super adorable card.  The template was designed to be used for babies.  But I thought it could be more versatile than that.  I just punched a heart in the middle to create a window.

 

Inside I added a tiny bag of peanut M&Ms.  Then I added a sentiment that was directed to our special teacher.

 

This really makes a great last minute treat because it is so easy.  I even though this would be so cute as a favor for a baby shower as well.

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope to see you again!!

The Details:

Paper: Whisper White cardstock; Designer paper from Making Memories

Stamps:  Taylored Expressions

Ink: StazOn black

Accessories:  M&Ms, Small zip bag

Tools: Large heart punch, tiny heart punch, word window punch, googly eye, Elephant template from the Click Simple Templates

Sweets Week - Day 3

Welcome to the 3rd day of our super sweet week.  The past two days I have shared some really simple Valentine treats.  Just scroll down the page to see the past two day's treat ideas that would be great for your someone special.

As Valentine's Day approaches I have been thinking about what sweet something I should give my own sweetie.  I really wanted to do something special.  He really doesn't have a sweet tooth, so candy is out of the picture (for shame!!).  So, today we are going to take a break from the candy.  But don't worry, I will return with something super sweet tomorrow (smile). 

I decided to make these sweet teeny tiny notes for my honey.  (Alright!! I'll stop saying sweet, sweetie, honey...anything that is gushy:)  Too much, eh? )  I thought it would be fun to place these tiny notes around the house for my DH to find on Valentine's Day.  The cards are 3x3 so they can fit in small places.  I plan to place one in his sock drawer, on his driver's seat, inside his lunch box, in one of his shoes, etc.  I made about six of them.  That way he may spend his whole day finding little reminders of how much I love him.  

The inside is really simple.  I may write "I Love You" or something beside the "Happy Valentine's Day" sentiment.  I made each one different for the fun of it:)

So simple, but meaningful.  Isn't that what cardmaking and papercrafting is all about?  I love it!!

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope to see you soon!!

The details:

Paper:  Kraft, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Summer Sunrise, Real Red; Sugar Rush designer paper (Basic Grey)

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Holiday Wishes

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Rhinestones, Button from Sugar Rush collection, Brad flower from SU!, Heart brad from Taylored Expressions

Tools:  Heart Punch, Flower trio punch from SU!, Nesties Label die, marker

Sweets Week - Day 2

Welcome to my second day of super sweet ideas and gifts for Valentine's Day.  Today I chose to use a sketch from Karen Giron ( Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge # 55).  I used the sketch to create a sweet little card with a little something sweet.  I call it my treat card. 

I used my nesties die to create the circle after I had adhered the designer paper and cardstock. 

Inside I added a striking color to add a little more interest.

After adding a couple sentiments to the outside and inside I am ready to give a little something sweet to my sweetie!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look.  Please join me next time. :)

The details:

Paper:  Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery cardstock; Designer paper from Making Memories.

Stamps:  Teeny Wishes (SU!), "Be Mine" from Hero Arts

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo

Accessories:  Rhinestones from PTI, Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, candy is Nestle's Crunch hearts.

Tools: Nesties Circle Die, small 1 inch circle punch, 1 3/4 circle punch

Sweets Week - Day 1

Hello there!  I hope you all had a fab weekend.  Did you watch the Super Bowl?  What a game, eh?  I always root for the underdog.  It was great to see the Saints win. :)

I want to introduce my first annual Sweets Week.  Since Valentine's Day is fast approaching (it'll be here Sunday), I wanted to share some super sweet ideas for the occasion.  The sweet ideas are perfect for your sweetie (OK...I will stop with the gushing).

My first sweet idea is perfect for your honey's sweet tooth.  I call them Surprise Kiss Cupcakes.  The surprise is the Chocolate Hershey's Kiss that is in the center of the cupcake.  I followed the directions for making Cherry Chip cupcakes.  Then I placed the batter in paper-lined cupcake pans, filling them 2/3 full.  Then we placed Hershey Kisses in the middle of the batter for each cupcake.  Here's a tip - When placing the kisses in the batter, make sure the Kisses do not touch the bottom of the pan.  If it does, the Kiss will stick to the paper when you try to peal the liner away from the cupcake.  It is alright if some of the chocolate Kiss sticks out of the batter.  The cupcake will rise over it as it bakes.

Then to make this treat extra special, create a cupcake holder to give as a gift. 

Here's how you do it:

1)  Cut a 5x5 piece of cardstock.  Score the cardstock at 1 inch and 4 inches all the way around.Cut four of the scored edges to create a box.  You can see where to cut in the picture below. 

 2)  Then create the inside piece that will secure the cupcake in the gift basket.  Cut a 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 piece of cardstock. I used my circle nesties to die cut a circle in the center.  Make sure the cupcake fits in the circle.  Then score 1/2 inch on each side of the cardstock square.  Cut the scored edges to create a box. 

This is how it will look when it is placed in the box.

3)  Cut a 11 x 1/2 inch piece of cardstock for the decorative handle.  Glue into place.

4)  If you would like to create scallops, cut 3 x 1 inches of colored cardstock.  Scallop with the scalloped edge punch (or and edge punch) and glue in place.

5)  Decorate the outside the way you want.  I added a little tag and taped it to a toothpick.  I stuck it in the cupcake for more added interest.

Now you are ready to give this super sweet treat to your sweetheart!

Thanks for stopping by.  See you soon!!

The Details:

Paper:  Vintage Cream (PTI), Red Cardstock from Prism Papers, Pretty In pink (SU!), Regal Rose (SU!); Designer Paper from Basic Grey Sugar Rush.

Stamps:  Taylored Expressions

Ink:  StazOn black

Accessories:  Red Ribbon from my stash

Tools:  Small heart punch, black marker for doodle