Got Spirit? Well, Let’s Hear IT!

S-P-I-R-I-T!!! {Yes I used 3 exclamation points!} The days are getting warmer and I am thinking about Spring! I walked the dog this morning and actually broke a sweat-usually I am freezing my buns off and gripping my coffee mug for any additional warmth I can find LOL. This has got me thinking about baseball, all 3 of my kids play (heck, they can make up half the team ) and so I decided to scrapbook {gasp-yes I scrapbooked} last years photos. I used the SVG artwork bonus from my new Baseball Party SVG & Printable kit:

I used a shape collage software to cram in all of those photos-it really takes the brainwork out of putting photos on a page and let’s face it, not all of the photos we take need to be enlarged but it is still nice to be able to include them

The baseball party kit includes all of the layered die cuts for decorations, crafting, cardmaking and scrapping but also it has die cuts for cupcake wrappers and toppers, drink flags, party hats, invitations, favor bags and the fun and festive bunting/banners that are so popular these days.

But that is not all, there is also a full size printable kit included that has printable sheets (that you can add text to if you like) of all of the SVG templates plus water bottle wraps and more! These are full color printables and I squeezed as much as I could on each sheet to save you money, time and supplies. Here’s a look:

This kit was so much fun to design that I decided to make a little freebie set to go with it:

I think it would be fun to print out the sheet of name tags on sticker paper so the kids could wear them on their shirts. Especially if you are having a baseball theme party at a park or sports arena, that way you can easily identify kids from your party

Attention Dollar Deals!

Have you checked out the dollar bin at MyGrafico? Every week I will put a few older sets on sale for $1, they will go on sale Wednesday and be on sale for 1 week only. Check out this weeks Dollar Deals! Get them while you can because they will be back to regular price next week! Be sure to check each week for new Dollar Deals!

Now lets see what the Lindsay’s stamp Stuff DT has made for us this week:

Margie Visnick

Tracey Allen

Leanne Garner

Tamara Bennett

Cindi Hooks

Micki Harper

Karin Martin

Jennifer Bliss

Rhonda Walker

Diane Bove

phew, that was a long post! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

U-R-Sweet!

It is getting to be that time again, Valentines day is just a couple of weeks away (can you believe it!) and I used the Vintage Christmas Labels to make a Valentine card! Remember, the labels in that kit can be used anytime of year! Check last Thursdays post for the add-on freebie for that kit! I like to print out a bunch of labels so I always have them on hand for a quick card or scrapbook page.

Here is a look at the kit I used on this card:

And here are some other Valentine themed products you might like:

Now for something completely different, a flaming basketball SVG file, I had to make a sign for the basketball team this week and they wanted a flaming basketball so I used my Cricut and SCAL software to make the signs.  I did not take a picture of the finished sign so here is the screenshot Click the pic to download!

 

I cut these shapes from vynal and layered them, they looked awesome on a sign for the cheerleaders halftime floor cheer!

Now let’s see what the Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff DT had made this week. This week we say goodby to out DT coordinater Cheryl Gorka, we have enjoyed her projects for over a year and will miss her dearly.

 

Cheryl Gorka DT Coordinator

Shannon Neparko

Margie Visnick

Tracey Allen

Leanne Garner

Tamara Bennett

Cindi Hooks

Micki Harper

Karin Martin

Jennifer Bliss

Rhonda Walker

Diane Bove

Oh, by the way, today’s project qualifys for the following challenges: audsentimentschallengeblog , bunnyzoescrafts, craftyourdaysaway, Pile it On, dancinginpajamas, Whoopsie Daisy (love), claudiaandcompany(recipe),  craftyourpassionchallenges (2 pattern papers), creataliciouschallenges, reasonableribbon (ribbon) and the sketch from mojomonday.

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Teriffic Tags, Quick Gifts to Make & a Freebie!

Wow, Christmas is almost here! I have been busy in my craft room making cards, wrapping presents and lately, making last-minute gifts! Here are a few tags I made to adorn a few gift baskets I am putting together, these only took minutes with the help of my Vintage Christmas Label stamp set to make the gift extra special:

I used my Vintage Christmas Label digital stamp set to make these. I printed out sheets of labels a while back knowing that I would want to make Christmas tags and gift bag toppers with them {it was so easy!} The cute treat cups are from Stampin Up! {I better order more the next time I see my demo!}

I needed a few quick gifts for my kids to give their teachers and here is what I cam up with using my Cricut, SCAL2 software and my Vintage Christmas Label set:

To make the pretzels simply melt chocolate wafers in a Pyrex measuring cut for 1 minute {half-power} in the microwave, then in 30 second intervals until melted. Dip the pretzels in the chocolate {you can use a spoon to draw the chocolate up the pretzel if your cup is too shallow} and lay them on a sheet of wax paper to cool. While they are still melty shake on some sprinkles for fun! I packaged them in my Uline clear self sealing bags that I use to protect my cards, the bags to double duty in my craft room because they are FDA approved food safe. This is a great project to do with the kids, mine have been making these since they were 3, just be sure mom or dad do the melting! Here is a look at the other toppers I made with the Vintage Christmas Label set:

OK now here is a fun freebie, I was playing with my SCAL2 software and my Stampin Up! Sweet Treat cups and thought I could make a cute ornament! I did not have a 1 3/4″ punch so I designed a scut2 file that will fit the cups perfectly:

You can snag the free SCUT2 file here. To cut more than 1 simply drag a box around the whole design and copy and paste it as much as you want. If you do not want to use the treat cups you could put a photo in the opening it could be a great christmas tradition-be sure to make one for grandma too!

BTW if you have not found a gift for the Cricut owner on your list see if they have SCAL2 and if they don’t get it for them! It’s on sale for $59.95, you could spend that on 1 cartridge and with this software you can cut thousands of fonts with your cricut for free:) You can download it instantly too so no waiting (or shopping) either.

Here is a look at the Vintage Christmas Labels set:

I challenged the Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff DT to create some terrific tags for you this week, as promised they have quick and easy tags you can make today. All DT posts will be up by 10am Thursday morning ET.

Cheryl Gorka DT Coordinator

Shannon Neparko

Margie Visnick

Tracey Allen

Cindi Hooks

Karin Martin

Jennifer Bliss

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

PDQ cards!

Pretty. Darn. Quick. I decided that I needed some more handmade Christmas cards, there always more people you think of after you send out your first batch so I made some extras{22 to be exact} and I did it in less than 2 hours! How you ask? With a little help from my Cricut machine & SCAL2 Software:

I cut the scallop twist cards from my Envelope Bonanza SVG set {2 on an 8.5″x11″ sheet of cardstock} out of kraft cardstock, Then I arranged the mittens, hat {from the Winter Wear SVG freebie} and 2″ circles to fit as many as I can on a mat in SCAL2 and I cut that from 3 different pattern papers. I cut all of the card bases first because they cut very quickly, then while I was waiting for the sheets of hats and mittens to cut I scored/folded and stamped the card bases. Then it was a matter of gluing the die cuts to the cards. Easy Peasy!

PDQ card tips:

1. Use hot glue, it is quick, cheap and adds a subtle dimension to your cards, best of all you can’t fuss with it, one it is stuck, it’s stuck, move on
2. If you have time ink the edges of your die cuts for dimension, if not skip the ink {and the guilt!}
3. Use clear bags to mail your cards in. I used 3″x5″ clear self sealing bags from Uline, I love these because I can mail cards in them, package cards with envelopes for sale in them and they are FDA approved food safe so I can package yummy treats in them too! And they are pennies a bag! Using them as envelops as a fun touch of whimsy to the card as well. No worries about having a matching envie either!

Here are my cards in their plastic bags/envelopes neat and tidy! I will leave them in this box near my mailing supplies so I can pen a quick note when needed.

So, are you wondering how much it cost the frugalcrafter to whip up these cards? With the envelope each card weighs in at about 5 cents a piece! I used 3 sheets of pattern paper (from a stack of 180 sheets bought on sale for $10-DCWV), 11 sheets of 8.5″x11″ cardstock (50 sheet pack bought on sale for $2.50-The Paper co.), 2 hot glue sticks (.20) other than that I used a dollar bin stamp and an inkpad. The envelopes were about 3 cents a piece.  Using die cuts saves you $$! [Let’s justify out Cricut Purchase shall we} I must say that I got the paper at JoAnns and the Die Cuts with a View stacks cut really well in the cricut and do not snag like some other bargain paper does.

Here is a look at the Envelope Bonanza template set:

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Quick Cards? You Betcha!

Happy Thursday everyone! Do you have your Christmas cards mailed yet? No? Do you have them made yet? If not I’m going to show you how to make a batch of cute Christmas cards in less time than it would take you to drive to the store and buy a box-and for less money too!  Here is a set of cards you can make in minutes using the Gingerbread House SVG set from Lindsay’s stamp stuff:

The first thing to do it to gather all of your supplies. I used my Cricut Machine and scal software to cut all of the parts-what a time saver! To make 8 cards (make 8 because there is no waste this way, you will only be tossing away slivers of paper) you will need: 4 sheets of 8.5″x11″ white cardstock, 1 sheet each 8.5″x11″ of red and green cardstock, 1 sheet of each 4″x7″ blue and kraft cardstock, 8-12″ long pieces of ribbon (the ribbon I used is on sale at AC Moore for 25 cents a roll this week!) and glue. Die cut all of the shapes. I resized the card pattern from the kit by checking the keep proportion box and setting the width at 8.25″, then I broke it apart and put 2 white card layers on one page, 4 of the peppermints on the next page, the Noel on the next page and 2 envelopes (from Envelope Bonanza kit) on the next page. To save you time I will send the scut2 file I made to anyone who purchased the kit and wants it. Just leave a comment saying you purchased the Gingerbread SVG kit and would like the scut 2 file, after I verify that you bought the kit I will email it to you. Here are my pieces cut and ready to glue together:

Notice the small peppermint shapes, I cut them from the leftover space on my red, green and white papers, I did not use them on this project but will save them for a cardmaking class I am doing with the Girl Scouts. Today's tip is to fill up a page when die cutting to save time next time and waste less!

Here is a look at the Gingerbread House SVG kit-the house can be used as a gift box or ornament because it has a bottom! The roof opens up to tuck treats inside

At Christmastime I like to send my cards in brightly colored handmade envelopes, the trouble is you can’t write on them very well so today’s freebie is a sheet of Christmas mailing labels that you can print and stick on your cards. Print on plain paper and glue them on or print on sticker paper. Click the pic, then right-click on the larger image to download.

Click on the picture then right-click on the larger image and choose Save as. Thanks to Obsidian Dawn for use of brushes.

I challenged the Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff Design team to come up with more quick and easy card ideas, you are sure to be inspired by their fabulous projects!

Cheryl Gorka DT Coordinator

Shannon Neparko

Margie Visnick

Tracey Allen

Leanne Garner

Cindi Hooks

Micki Harper

Karin Martin

Jennifer Bliss

Rhonda Walker

Diane Bove

Laurel Seabrook

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Fun Favors and a Freebie!

I have been getting ready for my daughters’ birthday party all week and today I want to share the favor boxes and cupcake wrapper I made. I used the Pretty Favor SVG and the Alice ATC collage sheet sets which are both 30% off thru Friday along with everything else at Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff:

I cut the favor box, banner and cupcake wrapper with my cricut, to see the entire banner please check out yesterdays post.

The favor boxes were cut with my Cricut MAchine and SCAL software (on sale $15 off!) using the SVG file in the Pretty Favor Kit (printable versions are included in the kit too if you don’t have a cricut) and they were so quick to make!

The best thing about these boxes is that they cut quickly. I get two 4"x5"x1.5" boxes from a 12"x12" paper. A bit of hot glue and the box is done!

I simply cut out and assembled the boxes, added fringe or flowers made from crepe paper party streamers and images from the Alice ATC collage sheet kit. This project qualifies for the following challenges: Crafty calendar (blue and flowers-the gift bag in the tip photo),   Our Creative Corner6 (fun with folds-folded, pleated, fringed crepe paper), Paper Take Weekly (inspiration-top photo), Pocket Full of Poises (flowers), Practical Scrappers (buttons), Scrappekammeret and Southern  Girls Challenge (anything goes), Scrappy Frogs (make your own flowers-on the gift bags in the 2nd photo)

When the kids got home from school I let them fill the boxes with candy and favors!

Here is a look at the kits I used:

And now for your freebie, a quick to cut cupcake wrapper, enjoy! Click the preview to download.

Now lets see what the rest of the Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff team has been working on this week:

Cheryl Gorka DT Coordinator

Shannon Neparko

Margie Visnick

Tracey Allen

Melissa Craig

Cindi Hooks

Micki Harper

Karin Martin

Rhonda Walker

Diane Bove

Tracy Vinson

Laurel Seabrook

Be sure to check out the September Sale at Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff to save 30% on everything through Friday!

Til next time happy crafting!

40% off and a freebie!

OK now that I have you attention I want to let you know that EVERYTHING in the Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff shop at Mygrafico is 40% off today only! Be sure to hurry over because the sale is over Midnight tonight (Saturday). Here is a set of party favors I made with my new Vintage Halloween Labels stamp set and my brand new Halloween Favors SVG and printable template set:

Cut these 3 favor boxes with your cricut (or by hand) with the Halloween favors set and decorate them with Vintage Halloween Labels all from Lindsay's stamp stuff

I used test tube shooters (instead of real test tubes, they are food safe, have a stopper and unbreakable plastic BTW they are way cheaper too!) you can get them at a bar/restaurant supply store online.

I think the sets work well together and they are so fun to make. The coffin box cuts as one piece so it saves paper, the scoring can be a bit tricky on the lid so I added a scut2 file with some perforated scoring marks to make it a bit easier for SCAL users. The directions and scoring guides for all of the boxes are on the printable versions of the templates. Refer to them as you build your boxes!

Now for a freebie, it is a scary skull that you can cut inside a tag (even make a stencil) or cut from vinyl to make some erie Halloween wall art, it’s up to you, just have fun! Click on the pic to download.

Here is a peek at the 2 new Halloween sets up in the shop this week, don’t forget that the 40% off sale at Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff is over Saturday at midnight!

Till next time happy crafting!

Glimmer Mist Tips & Tricks!

Happy Saturday! I got a chance to play with my shipping tag freebie SVG template the other day and made these:

I inked, masked, sprayed and stamped these

I was all excited to use my glimmer mist (OK, my one bottle of glimmer mist and my 8 homemade versions that work just as well!) because Elania from the gingersnap creations group showed us how to unclog our bottles of shimmer spray!

Here is what worker for me: How to unclog bottles of glimmer mist:

1. pull up on the spray nozzle to remove the spray cap and soak in hot water for 20 minutes.
2. poke a long straight pin down the exposed tube in the top of the screw-on spray part, this will remove any dried particles.
3. take the spray caps out of the water and use canned air or an air compressor to spray air through the cap.

That outta do it! In some cases if the air does not work you can soak the spray cap longer. To prevent the mist from clogging again do not shake the bottles violently up and down, instead swirl the bottles in a “bell” type motion, trust me, it works! If you want to be really sure it will not clog you can pop off the cap and rinse the spray cap each time you use it but I’ll take my chances.

I used my cricut and SCAL software to cut some masks from cardstock and acetate to sponge ink over on the tags, they work great with the spray mists too!

If you want my recipe for homemade glimmer mist it is on this post.

These tags are for the gingersnap creations challenge to Case a Ginger and I chose Dan99, for one because I used his bird and wrought iron SVG files to make masks and two because he makes cool artsy tags all the time:)

Now I need to use these tags for something so they don’t end up in my ever-growing stack of UFOs (unfinished objects), I’ll keep you posted;)

Thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend and til next time happy crafting!

Sweet Set {of cards}

As you know my birthday was last week and since my friends and family spoiled me rotten I am in need of many thank you cards so I made a bunch with my new Sweet Treats 2 and Sweet Stuff digital stamps from Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff:

Digital stamps: Lindsay's stamp Stuff: Rubber stamped sentiments from SU!, Inkadinkado, Paper from PSX, Sandylion

The Sweet Treats 2 stamp set is so fun, in addition to the “goodies” included with the kit you can also use digital stamps from the Sweet Stuff set and even rubber stamps to combine with this it is so fun! I recommend using the png versions of the files in the kit and place the cake plates on top of the goodies for best results and yes, you can even layer these in word or Open Office  if you don’t have fancy software;) Here are closer looks at the cards:

These cards qualify for the following challenges:2 Sisters (anything goes), Clearly I stamp (gratitude), Critter Challenge (thank you) and Raise the Bar (baked goodies).

Take a look at all {14!} of the stamps you get in this set:

And now for the freebie, it is a sweet SVG set, a jar you can fill with goodies, how cute would that be on a card or scrapbook page? SVG templates can be cut on with your Cricut using SCAL software. If you don’t have a cricut, no worries, the printable template is included;)

a fun little freebie template for you click the pic to download!

Now let’s see what the rest of the Lindsay’s stamp Stuff DT has for us this week:

Cheryl Gorka DT Coordinator

Shannon Neparko

Margie Visnick

Lisa Jurecek

Melissa Craig *a bit late today, please check back:)

Leanne Garner

Tamara Bennett

Cindi Hooks

Micki Harper

Karin Martin

Jennifer Bliss

Rhonda Walker

Diane Bove

Tracy Vinson

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Strawberries, Watermelons and a freebie!

Happy Thursday folks! What a week, rain, fog and humidity, I was so hoping to get out and pick strawberries but I guess this card will have to suffice:

Template (envelope bonanza), Digital Stamps (Strawberries & Watermelon) both from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff

I used my new Strawberries and Watermelon set to make this card, I printed the berry basket on Neenah and colored it with Copics. The decorative edge was done with a SU punch (love how it goes around corners, it is seriously one of the only 2 edge punches I own, are you sick of seeing it yet?)  I used My Envelope Bonanza set to cut the petal envelope using SCAL software and my Cricut, Easy Peasy! This card qualifies for the following challenges: ABC, Annebelle Stamps (pink & Green), Bee crafty (pink & girly), Bunny Zoe’s Crafts (girly), Cupcake Craft Challenges (strawberries & cream), Everybody Art Challenge (pink & green) and Little C’s (photo inspiration).

The background paper is from the inch by inch collection at Lettering Delights. It is so summery! Here is a look at the complete Strawberries and Watermelon digital stamp set:

You get 7 highly detailed digital stamps for $5! Perfect for summer!

Now for the freebie, There was a discussion at MyGrafico on where to find the popular shipping tags the Tim Holtz uses and I explained how to make some from manilla folders (incase you did not want to buy a bulk box of 1,000) and I thought, Hey, why not make a SVG file so we can cut them with our Cricuts and SCAL software! In the example I have glued on the hole re-enforcers but I recommend inking and decorating the tag first then gluing on the re-enforcers so it looks neater Click the picture to download.

Enjoy this handy freebie, it's the perfect project for a scal/cricut newbie

Now let’s see what the DT has in store for us today:

Cheryl Gorka DT Coordinator

Shannon Neparko

Margie Visnick

Lisa Jurecek

Leanne Garner

Tamara Bennett

Cindi Hooks

Micki Harper

Rebekah Doak

Karin Martin

Rhonda Walker

Diane Bove

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!