Happy Halloween!

I'm back!  At least for today.  As you know, my life has been pretty crazy the last few months- and not necessarily in a good way.  Things are starting to get back to normal - they aren't there quite YET but they are a lot better.  In fact, I finally stamped something and it felt good.  

I worked on this project a little at a time over the past week.  Last weekend I was getting ready to throw this box away when I decided I needed to use it for something.  It's a good, sturdy box and the perfect size for storing cards.  The next step of course,was to make it pretty!  :)  

I would love to tell you I had a pattern and measurements for the box, but it was really more of a measure as you go kind of project.  The paper I used is from the Quite Contrary Collection from My Mind's Eye and all the stamped images are from Unity's August KOM- All You Need.   I might have gone a little overboard decorating it, but I still like how it turned out- see for yourself:

Here is the box BEFORE I altered it

This is the front view (yes, I put googly eyes on the owl) :

Here is the side view with the cute owl paper (love it):

I've already FILLED it up with cards so I guess I will have to make another one! (I need to buy more chips first, though!)

It is tall and wide enough to hold my large square cards without bending them.   I think this will make a fun addition to my extremely-neglected stamping area.

Thanks for visiting my blog today!  I hope I will start posting more often so stay tuned.  In the mean time, Happy Halloween.  I am going to go enjoy this glorious day- the weather is perfect today! Even my Mums are enjoying the sunshine.  (I have managed to keep a plant alive.....can you believe it?) 

A Thrifty Christmas Gift

It's getting "crunch time" on those Christmas gifts. I had a wonderful surprise last week that resulted in needing more gifts than I had planned or budgeted for. Yikes! I did what any smart stamper would do- I pulled out my stamps and got to work!

I was on a mission at Office Max for some adhesive when I came across these note card boxes in the Clearance aisle. (clearance is my BEST friend lol) I saw them and immediately thought that I could alter them to make an inexpensive gift that someone would still appreciate.

Since the cute notes inside have butterflies on them I decided to stick with that theme.

First I stamped off once my French Script background stamp (retired from Stampin' Up) in Basic Gray ink. Then I stamped Stipple Butterfly (also retired from SU) in Tuxedo Black ink from Memento. I used my Nestabilities to cut and emboss around the butterfly. The sentiment is from Unity's November 09 Kit of the Month Simply Magical. I love this kit and I have not had any time to play with it. Hopefully when 2010 starts I will have more time on my hands to stamp with my neglected stamps.


I added ribbon, rhinestones and a key to finish the box up. I think they turned out great and each one cost less than $4 to create. I am hoping that the recipient doesn't realize that little fact.

Thanks for stopping by today, I am so glad you did. I hope to have more projects to show you before Christmas but in case I don't have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!