Live the Creative Life

Paper Craft Class at the Y

2010-10-31T17:49:00.000-07:00

My next Paper Craft Class at the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph Y starts this Thursday, 10-11am! In this class we will be making mostly Christmas goodies with a couple Thanksgiving crafts the first couple weeks of November. If you need inspiration for holiday cards, cookie boxes & homemade gifts, this class is for you!

Holiday Punch Art

Christmas Scrapbook page or frame for Christmas art!

Christmas Cards

Cookie boxes and treat holders!

Fun stocking stuffers, table favors or hostess gifts!

Gift cards holders and decorative paper bows!

Mini Halloween Treat Boxes

2010-10-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

Use Stampin' Up!'s Petal Card Extra Large Double Punch

to create these mini treat boxes. They are small, each one holds only one of those chocolate nuggets, but so fun to make!

So, I was trying to give credit to the creator of these awesome little boxes. I first saw them on Stampin' Up!'s Stampin Connection, by Karen Leveille who said she "cased" them from Patti Lee. And holy moly mini boxes, wow! When I finally tracked them down on Patti's totally awesome website, well wow! Check this out and this and THESE! Theses mini boxes aren't the only awesome paper crafts on her website- go check it out, I promise you'll find something you LOVE!

Day of Gratitude

2010-10-09T16:46:00.000-07:00

Did any of my reader know that October 2nd was World Card Making Day? I shoulda, coulda had something fun at my house for WCMD but I didn't :( I did however create a few cards that day but didn't have too much free time. I followed World Card Making Day - Release Week Challenges from Verve Stamps. They always have really cute card sketches and even cuter examples to go with them. On all the cards I used the stamp set, Day of Gratitude. Love this stamp set and I can't get enough of the Autumn Spice DSP from the holiday mini. This is great cardstock! Plus I just love the cardstock colors that match; cajun craze, old olive, more mustard & early espresso!

It's not too late to make some great Thanksgiving cards!

Fall Pumpkin Box

2010-09-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

This pumpkin box is so fun and really pretty easy to make!

All you really need is the 2" x 1 3/8" Oval Extra Large Punch.

Start by punching 6 ovals from Pumpkin Pie cardstock. To add a bit of dimension, use sponge pumpkin pie ink around the edges of all ovals. Make the front and back pumpkin panels by placing two ovals side-by-side. Adhere a third oval directly on top in the middle. Repeat for the back panel.

To create the box, start with a 4" square of pumpkin pie cardstock. Score one way at 1" & 3". Turn cardstock and score at 1 1/2" & 2 1/2". Crease the scored lines and then cut along the 1" score lines up to the crease. (There are 4- (1") "lines" that should be cut.) Fold up and adhere ends to make box.

Adhere the box to one of the pumpkin panels. Cut off the bottom edge so it is level with the bottom of box. Repeat on the other side.

Adhere a handle to the box. You can either cut a strip of old olive cardstock (approx. 1/2" x 5 1/2") or you can use the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punchto create a handle (as shown in photo). Create a stem and leaf out of old olive cardstock and adhere to box. Finish off by securing a Glimmer Brad.

Add candy and give to someone special!!

Here is a video tutorial of another fun pumpkin using a smaller oval punch.

And check out this adorable pumpkin patch using the Round Tab punch!

Here is another pumpkin basket tutorial.

Halloween Characters & Cards

2010-09-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

These fun halloween characters have toothpicks in them so you could fancy up your halloween cupcakes or other food items at your party. Instead of toothpicks you could always add a magnet to decorate your fridge or a paper clip to add them to a goodie bag, etc.!

Just love this card probably because of that stinkin' owl!! If you don't have this punch yet, you should!! :) Also on this card is the new Spider Web Embossing folder and the adorable Glimmer Brads!

This photo doesn't do justice to how fun the "Wicked Cool" Stamp set really is! I have seen so many cute ideas with the legs/shoe image! This is also my first card that I tried what I will call "ribbon ruffling".

For more cute cards with the "Wicked Cool" stamp set click here, here and wow! here! And then check out this super fun card!

This card uses my most favorite Embossing Folder, Vintage Wallpaper! I end up using this one all the time for all different kinds of cards! Also on this card, I used my other favorite halloween stamp set, "Halloween Hoot"!

Halloween Water Bottle Tag Directions

2010-09-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

All materials & supplies are Stampin' Up!

Start with a 2 1/4" x 7 3/4" piece of cardstock. Score 2" from each end.

Emboss one end with the Spider Web Embossing Folder (this end gets folded up. The other end is folded down) Cut a 2" square of Wicked Fun Specialty DSP and adhere near the left score line. (as shown above)

Take a piece of 1/8" taffeta old olive ribbon, put a bit of Snail Adhesive in the middle and secure on the back of tag a bit shy of the middle. Bring the ribbon ends around to the front and tie a knot. This will keep the pocket closed.

Use the 1 3/8" circle punch and the 1 3/4" scallop circle punch

to make the opening ring for the tag.

First punch the circle out of Cajun Craze cardstock. Then, holding the scallop punch upside down, punch out the scallop around the circle. (see photo!)

Adhere the scallop ring on the top portion of tag and use

the circle punch to re-cut the circle for the opening.

Ta-da! Use the Tiny Tags stamp set and the Tag punch to create the "Boo!" tag. Adhere tag with a glue dot under the ribbon knot. Add a packet of drink mix, hang on a bottle of water and enjoy!

Note: To add a snack size candy bar like Hershey's or Kitkat, add a 1/4" score line to accommodate the bulkiness. So you would score 2" at one end & then 2" AND 2 1/4" at the other end.

Vintage Label Card Camp

2010-09-18T09:05:00.001-07:00

Here are the cards we made for the "Vintage Label" Card Camp. The cards on the left are using the Vintage Label stamp set. The cards on the right were improvised. I wanted you to see that, even without the Vintage Label stamp set, you can still make some great cards! I left them blank so any sentiment can be added. Thank you to all the ladies that came to the camp! I always have fun getting ready for these and enjoy seeing you all concentrating so hard on figuring out the cards! :) Great job ladies! And thank you Ruth for the great banana bread!

Water Bottle Tag

2010-09-15T17:01:00.000-07:00

Halloween Tag with Crystal Light drink mix.

(Healthy for the Y!)

Chocolate for the group that meets at my house!

Here are the water bottle tags I made for my Paper Craft Class at the Y and also the ones I made for my Vintage Label Card Camp group. I found a great tutorial here. And here is my tutorial!

Mojo Monday- MOJO150

2010-08-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had some crafty "mojo" and ended up crafting all day- it felt so good! Near the end of the day I decided to check out the Mojo Monday blog and all of a sudden this card just clicked. While I really like brown, I am normally not a very big "blue" person but I have fallen in love with these colors- Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake & Soft Suede. And I must admit that when I first saw soft suede I loudly said to myself, "EWWW, YUCK! I will NEVER use this color." Well, guess what- I've had to reorder soft suede cardstock and I use the inkpad ALL the time!

For this card: A Word For You, Butterfly Prints, Pocket Silhouettes, Elements of Style, 1 3/4" Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Square Lattice EF, Small Oval punch, Corner rounder, Scallop trim Border punch

Go here to see other cards for this weeks Mojo Monday challenge!

Thanks for looking!

Two-step Owl Punch

2010-08-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

To all my Card "Club-ers", I received our order today!!! Ami and I will be delivering either tomorrow after we get our new fridge delivered or Wednesday.

I finally ordered the Two-step Owl Punch. I started to surf the web for ideas and came across this awesome penguin on Sarah's Ink Spot Blog. She is so clever! I had to try the penguin and I just love him!

Everyone will get a penguin tag with their order! I know it's not winter yet but wouldn't these be adorable for a winter thank you, get well, winter wedding, etc. card?! Don't forget to check out Sarah's Ink Spot Blog for great instructions on how to create this cute penguin!! ;)

See you ladies soon!

July Card Camp

2010-07-25T19:02:00.001-07:00

Pocket Card

I got the idea for this card from an awesome website, Chic' n Scratch. She has awesome ideas and really great directions and video tutorials! Here is the video for this envelope card.

Fancy Fold Card

I found this what I am calling a "fancy fold" card somewhere out there on the web but I just can not remember where- sorry. The one I saw was decorated differently, opened from the other side and did not have ribbon, so I did add a little "h.annabelle" touch to it :)

Here are the basic directions and dimensions:

1. Start with a white piece of cardstock (4 1/4" x 8 1/2"). Score at 5 1/2".

2. Lay approx 24" of ribbon approx 1 1/2" of the left of score line and tape the middle down. Cut a (4" x 5 1/4") piece of DSP and adhere on the white cardstock over the ribbon. Cut a (4" x 2 1/2") piece of DSP and adhere on flap.

3. Cut a (2 3/4" x 8 1/2") piece of baja breeze cardstock and score at 4 1/4". Adhere the right side on the "inside" of card. Fold the right large flap down, then the small blue flap.

4. Cut a (2 1/2" x 4") piece of white cardstock, emboss and adhere on the blue flap.

5. Stamp and embellish as desired.

Materials (All Stampin' Up!):

- Whisper white & Baja breeze cardstock

- Certainly Celery ribbon

- Greenhouse Gala DSP

- A Word For You Stamp Set

- Elements of Style Stamp Set

- Love you Much Stamp Set

- Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder

- Heart to Heart ex-lg punch

- Basic Pearls

July Paper Crafting Club

2010-07-12T12:56:00.000-07:00

Hi there!

Here are the links to the projects we crafted today!

The paper bow tutorial is a video here or here

Click on this link The "Waterfall" Mini Album to see detailed instructions. The books we made are a bit smaller so I will try to get those measurements up here as well.

Remember, the second Monday in August is when we show off our finished Waterfall albums!!

Here are a couple websites with ideas for decorating...

Creativity Prompt

Stamp with Heather

Crafty Monty

Thank you to all of you that came over today! It was fun!

See you Monday, July 26th for Card Club!

Animal Punch Art!

2010-05-08T17:20:00.000-07:00

I've been seeing a bunch of punch art animals out here on the web and just could not resist making some. Here are the 6 animals we made last Monday at our Paper Crafting Club!

Gift Card/Photo Wallet Tutorial

2010-03-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, 3-15-10, we will be making this at Paper Crafting Club! 1-3pm at my house!

After watching this great video tutorial I came up with my own version.

Thanks for looking!

February Clubs

2010-01-28T06:50:00.000-08:00

Paper Crafting Club

(Monday, Feb 1st @1pm)

"Top Note Purse"

Imagine getting chocolate, makeup, a handwritten note or even a gift card in this little purse! Come to club and create a one of a kind box that would make any girl, mother, grandma smile!

Here is the link Kathy!!! Click here!

Card Club

(Monday, Feb. 8th @ 1pm)

"Easel Card"

A great way to keep a card on display! Easel cards are fun to make, display and send! Come to club and make one! Birthday, sympathy, thank you, etc. there will be lots of stamps to choose from, so you create a one of a kind Easel card!

The cost of each club is $5 to cover materials.

If you place an order with me I will waive the fee :)

Please e-mail me or call if you are interested in coming to a club so I can plan seating arrangements and give you directions to my house!

Does the day or time not work for you? I can bring the club to you! Have it at your house with your friends! Contact me and we can work out the details!

Live the Creative Life CLUBS!

2010-01-26T13:17:00.001-08:00

March 1st Paper Crafting Club postponed until March 15th.

Birthday Theme Challenge

2010-01-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

A birthday card for Stampin' Royalty challenge. I just found this website as well and thought, what the hey! It's a brand new website (I think) and you now how I love challenges! ;)

GS #20

2010-01-10T18:10:00.000-08:00

Here is another card challenge. This time from Get Sketchy. I just love following a pattern- it really gets me going! And as a bonus, someone will win some cute product from BoBunny. (Love them!)

Here is the sketch:

And here is my card!

Caardvarks Challenge!

2010-01-09T21:20:00.000-08:00

Hi there! Well, here I am again. It's 12:30am and I am still up crafting! I am on a roll...FINALLY! I found another challenge. This on is from Caardvarks. I created these two cards following their "page maps" challenge. The second card follows the challenge but by flipping the design 180 degrees.

Thanks for looking!

Mojo120

2010-01-09T15:29:00.000-08:00

Do you need some creative inspiration? I know I do and I just love this blog, Mojo Monday! They have great card layout ideas AND examples for each sketch. Plus, the designers on this website are really, really awesome! This week (closing on Sunday) is a contest week which means you could win some FREE stamps- you should try it or at least check out the website!!

Here is the sketch!

Here is my card!

A Happy Heart Set (Stampin' Up!)

2010-01-09T14:59:00.000-08:00

"A Happy Heart" Stampin' Up! Stamp Set

$22.95

I am lovin' this stamp set. It's not only a great set for love/Valentine cards but you can also change it up and use it for many other themes! I think the heart image and the heart flower are just adorable. Stamp "Happy Valentine's Day," cut out just "Happy" and "Day" and you have a card for almost any occasion!

Kits available!

2009-10-16T06:46:00.000-07:00

Autumn Harvest Card Kit
($20) for 10 cards plus lots of leftovers!
This kit uses rub-ons.

Christmas Jingle Card Kit
($16) for 6 cards
This kit uses stickers.

Designs by h.annabelle
All materials Stampin' Up!

Fall Open House!

2009-09-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

Eventhough it looks like I've just been taking it easy, I HAVE been planning a Fall Open House which will be Saturday, Sept. 19th from 10am to 1pm at my house! Look for an e-mail coming by the end of this week and if you're not on my e-mail list, please let me know!!

Here is a preview of the Fall Card Camp and the Christmas Jingle Take Home Card Kit!

Stampin' Up! Great Friend Stamp set

2009-08-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hi there! If I have done this correctly, today should be Friday!?!? Today is rehearsal dinner for Jeff and Mandy's big day tomorrow! I am so excited for them and now not only will I have a great brother-in-law but a sweet sister-in-law as well! Yea!!

Here are some cards I made using Bashful Blue, Old Olive & Perfect Plum colored cardstock as well as the Patterns Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up! The first two cards are stamped with the Great Friend stamp set and the last on is done using the On a Pedestal set. I normally do not use blue when I create cards, especially a light baby blue, but I saw this color combination and it made me feel happy!!

Thanks for looking and happy Friday!!

Stampin' Up! On Board So Tweet Chipboard

2009-08-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Here are two cards that I created from Stampin' Up!'s On Board So Tweet Chipboard and the Sunny Day Simply Scrappin' Kit. I just love the colors and the three dimension-ality (???) it gives to the cards...not to mention that the birds and owls are so in right now (are they still??) and so cute!

I have only 5 "Mini Card Kits" left that I've put together if you are interested in creating these cards. The kit is $5 and comes with everything you need (2 white cards, patterned and solid cardstock, the chipboard pieces and a picture of each card) except the stamped messages or adhesive. (The stamped words are from the Stampin' Up! Pocket Silhouette set)

Here is a pic of what you get in my "Mini Card Kit"...

(and to quote Ruth B. "It is a fun project"!!)

Leaving for California....

2009-08-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hi there everyone! Just wanted to let you know that I am leaving for California today (at the crack of dawn- the best time to travel...I love getting up and out early for traveling days!) I have never done this before but I've tried to have a post set up for each day I am gone (I know ambitious seeing as though I hardly post on days that I am home. Sorry.) So I hope it works and I hope you enjoy looking!

Here are some pics from our last California adventure...

And here is a photo of the front page of the 4x6 "brag book" I made them for some of their wedding photos. I used Stampin' Up! Simply Scrappin' Love Stories kit which is now discontinued :(

MOJO98

2009-08-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

I am having a great time creating cards using Mojo Monday card layouts!

Here is my creation for this week...

(I hope that rotating the sketch isn't breaking the rules!!!???)

I just love this color combination as you can tell from my last Mojo Monday card. This time I used the Stampin' Up! Good Friend Set along with the Cottage Wall designer paper series. Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive & Orchid Opulence colors are so elegant...love them!

Thanks for checking out my card! :)

And the winner is....

2009-07-25T16:47:00.001-07:00

(I just want everyone to know that I did put in an extra ticket for you if you told me you were coming.)

Pat T!!!

Congrats!

A BIG thank you to all of you that came to my Open House!! I can't wait to do it again!

Mojo Monday

2009-07-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

The other day I came across this really awesome blog! Each Monday they put out a new sketch and it's always really neat to see what everyone comes up with. This week I was inspired to do one of my own!

Here it is...

This card took me a while to create but was soooo FUN! All materials are Stampin' Up! I used the "Close as a Memory" stamp set, the new "Cottage Wall" Designer paper, Old Olive papers and inkpad and also the new "in" color, Rich Razzleberry!

You should try it sometime... Create a card using the Mojo Monday sketch, take a picture and I'll put it up on my blog!!

Simply Scrappin' Christmas Jingle

2009-07-18T11:10:00.001-07:00

Here is a peek of 8 cards I made from the Stampin' Up! Simply Scrappin' "Christmas Jingle" Pack. I will have these cards and more available to view on

Saturday, July 25th from 10am to noon at my Open House!

In a couple weeks I will have the option to buy the kit. If you purchase the pack from me online here, it will be sent directly to you. Then, once I am notified of your purchase, I will send you the directions and 2 free yards of ribbon to create the cards! All you need are some basic card-making tools (paper trimmer, adhesive, scissors and a bone folder) The pack will contain enough materials to make 2 of each card plus you will have tons of leftover pattern paper and stickers!

Please join me...

2009-07-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 25th

between 10am and noon

for a

Stampin' Up!

New Catalog Open House

at my house

2522 Morton Ave. St. Joseph

See some new Stampin' Up! product in person and with examples,

enjoy light food, drinks, discounts and win some prizes!

Some card kits, retired stamps, paper and punches

will be available for purchase as well!

Baby Brag Book using

SU's Simply Scrappin' Moments

& Milestones

Come Saturday to see the inside of this brag book and other products and examples!

Stampin' Up! "Sense of Time"

2009-07-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

...speaking of sense of time, yeah, I've lost it!

Here are some new cards that I've created with SU products.

And, guess what??!! The UPS man just rang my doorbell, so you know what that means...MORE NEW SU GOODIES!! Wha-hoo!!

Oh yes, please keep July 25th between 10am and noon, open on your calendar.

I am having a Stampin' Up! New catalog Open House!

More details and e-mails to follow soon!

The big day!

2009-06-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the big day! My first ever Stampin' Up! Morning of Fun out in Coloma! Here is a picture of a few thing you can expect to see out there! Someone will win the two decorated stamp sets in the back of the photo and the embellished candle! Come join me!

~Go here for more details~

Stampin' Up! Rock-a-Bye Boy Simply Scrappin' Kit

2009-06-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

Can you tell already that I just love Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scrappin' Kits??!!! There are just so many possibilities with the coordinating textured cardstock, pattern papers and stickers. Throw in some matching ribbon and you're on the fast track to creating something really cool!! From just half of a Rock-a-Bye Boy Kit (half because you get two of everything {stickers too!}), I managed to created 2 (8 1/2" x 11") scrapbook pages, a mini-book and a 4x6 brag book! That's all for about $11.50 because of shipping...tell me now, can you really beat that??!

Come to my Morning of Fun on Saturday, June 13th to see these creations in person, take pictures if you want and get a chance to buy some of the kits...along with a bunch of other fun stuff!! :)

Stampin' Up! Morning of Fun! (Saturday, JUNE 13th)

2009-06-01T12:12:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Here are the details for my Stampin' Up! Morning of Fun! out at Dianna's CROP room. Remember those Make 'n Take Days at Creative Adventure?? I just loved them and I miss them so I decided to try it with Stampin' Up! Saturday, June 13th will be much more than just a Make 'n Take. You will be able to do STAMP CAMP and make cards, you can take my SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' CLASS and make some great 12x12 scrapbook pages, you will be entered in the drawing for a free stamp set and another for a free card kit, there will be special deals, card/mini-book kits will be available to purchase and "everyone wins" (you'll leave with a goodie and a gift certificate for your next purchase!) Don't miss this day! I can't wait to see you and share some creativity!

To sign up for the simply scrappin' class or if you have comments, questions or want to get more tickets for the drawing, all you have to do is call, e-mail or leave a comment on my blog!!

My e-mail is: livethecreativelife@yahoo.com

or call me at (269) 605-4919.

Simply Scrappin Class

2009-05-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

This is a class I will be holding on June 13th in Coloma at Dianna's CROP room! (If you haven't been out there for a CROP yet, you are missing out! The CROP room is huge, you pretty much get your own table and there is lots of food!!) For $15 you can choose from the three themes below and will complete 3 (12x12) double page layouts! This class is based on this months sketches over at Creating Keepsakes. You will just love how once you get the hang of these pages, the possibilities are endless. Oh, and super quick and easy because Stampin' Up! Simply Scrappin' kits come with coordinating pattern paper, cardstock and stickers...which reminds me of a post I once did about scrapbooking (I guess I haven't changed!) Join me Saturday, June 13th for some creative inspiration and crafting...More details to follow!

Hoppin Memories

Love Stories

Sunshine Garden

"Best Ever" Card and Mini-book Kit

2009-05-20T13:15:00.000-07:00

These cards (at the top) and the mini-book (bottom) were created using Stampin' Up! "Best Ever" Simply Scrappin' kit.

I am currently working on pricing and packaging for my kits but keep checking back because they will be coming soon! Of course, if you can't wait, I can always help you purchase all the supplies and materials you need directly from Stampin' Up! Just give me a hollar!

Owl Together Now Stamp Set

2009-05-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

Here is the Make 'n Take for this Saturday at the Relay For Life CROP in Coloma! This, specifically, is a mini 3x3 card with fun folding. It uses a 6x6 piece of double-sided (Stampin' Up!) cardstock and the "Owl Together Now" Stamp Set. What is so fun about these is that you can make them almost any size. A 12x12 sheet of paper makes an awesome 6x6 card. This mini one would also be an awesome journaling piece for a scrapbook page, with a picture on the front and journaling on the inside!

"A Little Birdie Told Me" Stamp Set

2009-05-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

These cards were all made using the Stampin' Up! stamp set "A little birdie told me". They are monochromatic, meaning one color. The green is Certainly Celery, the red is Rose Red and the blue is Bashful Blue.

I've got a great deal for you! If you buy the stamp set from me, I will and I will give you the directions for all three sets of cards and one free packet (the color of your choice) to make the three cards! If you want to purchase packets for the other colors, it's just $2.50. The stamp pad is not included, but if you buy one, I will throw in an extra packet for FREE!

Don't want to buy the stamp set but want to make the cards???

That's ok, host a party and we will create a set of cards!

Please check back often...I'm working on some fun (Take Home) Kits!

Sunshine Garden Card Kit

2009-05-11T09:39:00.001-07:00

(All materials are from Stampin' Up!)