Use Scraps to Make Fast 'N Fun Prize Ribbons for Home Dec, Classroom Awards & More!

 Hello!

Just wanted to post a quick video showcase/demo of some ribbon ideas for table/party decor, name tags, school/Sunday school awards, etc.  I went a bit wild once I got die-cutting.  (The purple & gold ribbons represent Best of Breed at dog shows;).  I started with the Simon Says Stamp Prize Ribbon dies.   Then added simple circle and star dies you likely already have to make them even more spectacular!

Here is the link to the video:

I posted the supply links for most things below and I appreciate the support as I may get a small commission from items purchased using these links;)

Here they are up-close:

Here are the supplies:

Happy Fourth of July to all who celebrate!  

Gale

Fun Spring Project Showcase!

Hello!

It’s hard to believe that April is next week and Easter will be here before we know it!  I hope you will “hop” on over to my YouTube channel for a little inspiration!  I will be back for a new tutorial soon, but thought I’d share some cards I made on a whim, but didn’t film.  I also share some popular "blasts from the past!"

Here's a fun shaker using an A2 shaker pocket by Pink & Main (supplies are linked below, AFIL thank you!!)

I diecut some eggs from the Simon Says Stamp Floral Eggs embossing folder and made a faux "basket."  I went a little nuts on dimension.  I definitely will hand deliver or put in a padded envelope!

The last new card just uses the Simon Says Stamp Tiny Floral folder on both glossy white cardstock and vellum.  I ink blended several colors (which is really easy on glossy cardstock!) I made sure to conceal the glue under the flower as adhesives typically show under vellum.

Here's the showcase video-  I hope you enjoy it and will like, subscribe, comment and come back to see me soon!  

Wishing you a very Happy Easter!  I'll see you again very soon with a tutorial and then a visit to Simon Says Create!

Here are most of the supplies:

Take care!

Gale

Printmaking Heart Set Four Ways +Bonus Masculine Card!

 Hello!

Welcome back!  Hope you had a nice Valentine's Day, but don't put away those heart sets!  They can be used for all occasions, even guys! 

I used Simon Says Stamp's Printmaking Hearts stamps and die set along with several Distress Inks.  All of the tips and tricks are in my Youtube tutorial linked below along with supply links!

Regular Layering Stamping

3D Diecuts

Faux In-laid Die Cuts

Bonus Card for Guys!

Youtube Tutorial Link: (I hope you will like, subscribe and comment;)

Here are the supplies I used:

I'll see ya soon!!

Gale

The MOST USEFUL Craft Supplies Gift List!

 Hello!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (or your preferred holiday!)  Here is a list of gifts (many inexpensive) that the craft lover will appreciate and use (or maybe you need it yourself!)  You can share this with whoever normally gets you socks, etc and get things you really like!

Supplies are linked below (AFIL-Thank you!) Enjoy!

I'll be back soon!!

Gale

How To Use Inktense Pencils and Stretch Your Die Cuts!!

Hi everyone!

I'm looking forward to going to Stampaway '18 in Cincinnati in a couple days!  Hope to see many of you.  I will be taking photos and posting on Instagram with (I hope) some tutorial videos on my YouTube channel.  So please check those out!

I was excited to get this SSS Hibiscus die (link is at the bottom of post) and couldn't decide what technique to use, so I did three!

Here is the YouTube link!

Here are supplies I used!

Hope to see you at Stampaway '18!

Bye,
Gale

How To Block Stamp With Watercolor! (Viewer's Choice)

Hi everyone!

Hope you are having a great summer!  The winner of the "card remake" vote was:

It is really weird to CASE your own card and of course no two are ever exactly the same.  However, mine isn't anywhere near it LOL!  However, the techniques are the same!  The supplies are listed below (affil).  Enjoy!

Here's how I did it:

Here are the supplies I used!

Until next time,
Gale

Gale's Gallery XXV: Six More Random Cards + Giveaway!

Hello!

Simon Says Stamp (SSS) Large Scripty Greetings stamp, Versafine Black Ink-clear embossed.  Circle cut from Lawn Fawn (LF) circle stack, center circle on black fun foam, to raise image.  Distress inks:  Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers and Tumbled Glass, blended then sprayed with water.  Pretty Pink Posh (PPP) droplets.

I am slowly making my way to the craft room, determined to put it to use!  Recently, Wanda, Elesa and I went again to the Stampaway convention in Cincinnati, OH.  We bought some things, there weren't a lot of new products and most things were full retail.  So we walked around and looked for interesting techniques.  Comment below on which technique you like best and be eligible for a random drawing for 25ish unmounted rubber stamps and a sheet of E-Z Mount to get you started!  If you are industrious, you can fit a ton of stamps on just one sheet:)  I will announce the winner on Labor Day, so check back!

SSS Vented Star die, LF Scripty Hello die, black cardstock spattered with Copic Opaque White Ink on top of Ellen Hutson Gold Vellum. Card base is Neenah Solar White 110 ib. Tiny gold stars from PPP.

Neenah Desert Storm 11lb. cardstock base.  Layered Lily by Altenew Stamps.  Versamark ink on red card stock with Hero Arts Unicorn White Pigment Ink.  Spectrum Noir clear glitter marker, border from My Favorite Things (MFT) Die-namics, twine and Nuvo White Drops.

SSS Ice Cream Cone Plush die, various Distress die shaded backgrounds, PPP sequins

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Rectangles, Galaxy watercolor painted background, silver thread, PPP gold stars,  stamp unknown.

Neat and Tangled Heart of Gold die cut from alcohol inked glossy card stock and purple card stock with inset technique.  White Nuvo drops and Hello stamp from Ellen Hutson.  Wink of Stella clear colored on heart for shimmer.

If you have any questions, please feel free to click on the comments link below saying which technique is your favorite so you'll be entered in the drawing!!!!

Until next time,

Gale

Gale's Gallery XXII: New Plush Dies & What To Do With Them!

Hello Crafters!

I told myself that I wasn't gonna fall for this latest trend, but when I saw the chicken, it was all over.
I won't be buying tons of these "plush dies" as they run in the mid to upper $20 price point.  However, they are large, come with their own magnetic back, are precut and can be used on more than one surface (paper, chipboard, etc.)

I really try to find off the label uses for things to justify the expense.    With one tiny modification, I made it into a duck.  I think a quilt with hens/ducks in cool fabrics is on the docket, but for now I had some baby gift decorations to make.  Since they were for babies, I kept the embellishments to a minimum. They are lightly stuffed.  These can be made into ornaments or if you have toy dogs or cats...put a squeaker or catnip in them! You can definitely use other dies, they just won't have the holes.

The dies are available from My Favorite Things and Simon Says Stamp so far.  You will want to use a wool blend of felt and not the kids stuff as it will disintegrate.  If you get your felt from Ellen Hutson you can get individual colors for around $2 a large sheet.  These would be good dies for sharing among several friends with different dies.  I believe they will work in about any die cutting machine.

I only have the chicken die so far and here are my thoughts:

I love how it punches the holes, but beware it makes a mess if little felt dots bother you.  I poke them out over my craft table, then take the pieces up to sew in front of the TV.  It comes with a tiny little beak and eyes, which to me are too small to deal with.  I used a french knot for the eyes and

TIP ALERT!  I used the heart die for the beak!   Just flip it around and you will have a nice area to catch in your stitching of the body.   I feel so clever for doing that because none of the "famous" crafters have mentioned it to my knowledge!

Chick...

Chick...

Duck!!!

I just use plain old embroidery floss (3 strands) and do a backstitch around, but any stitch you like will be great!  There are several more pieces to the die cut set, but I didn't use them here.

Well, that's it for this time!

Gale

Coming very soon...How many animals can I make with one SSS plush bear die????  I just got it and I'm shooting for 10!