Personalized Tea Tray Gift Idea

My mama had her birthday this past week, Happy Birthday Mom!!

Our family trip to Disneyland last fall. 

I made a tray for her with some photos of the grand-babies. I think it came out pretty good - for my first time working with Resin! She loved it. (( of course!! I mean... its of her grandchildren and from her daughter :: Love ;-) ))

Mix and Match. So hard for me to do "random"!

I got a wooden tea-tray from the magical Tarszhay.  I used some scraps from a (really) old Stampin' Up! Project Life set I found when I was organizing. Amazing the things you find when you clean a craft room. hahaha.  I mixed up the patterns, but as with all the Stampin' Up  paper sets, its a given that they will mix and match well!

I was PLANNING on adding cute little drawings or notes from the kids. But. They were not particularly cooperative. Kids. Gotta love 'em. #killedmyCraftBuzz
So I went ahead and added some more photos.

Aren't they CUTE!!! 

 These awesome snapshots from my favorite photographer Rachel Azevedo. You can see more of her **gorgeous** work at www.rachelazevedophotography.com

And More photos. Because. Cute Kids. Love.

The next step was to Modge Podge the heck out of all the layers. All. The. Layers. I mean, this step took much much longer than I expected. I used the Dishwasher Safe kind, and waited as long as I could between coats. My friend had warned me to seal it first so the resin didn't seep into the papers or photos. It was a lot of waiting, but that gave me time to make the cards I had for her. You can see those in another post. :-)

Modge. Podge. Like Crazy. 

Then I had the interesting experience of pouring the resin onto the tray. Let me tell you, STINKY stuff!! I had added a bunch of little embellishments, and thankfully listened to my friend (again) who told me to go with the Big bottle of resin since it was difficult to tell how much you'd need to cover it all pretty well. I guesstimated ok. It covered all of it with just over 1/8" of resin. There are a couple of the buttons that are juuuust poking through, but I believe I doused the center holes so they should not make it a water trap.

Anyhow. This was was an easy, albeit super time consuming, craft to make if you find you have any really old extra paper sets in hiding! ;-) Keep those craft stashes under control!

Happy Crafting!
-Angie

Shop Securely any time of day at my online Stampin' Up Shop - Click HERE

Join me for crafting in Patterson, CA - see upcoming Events HERE

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Envelope Punch Board Note Card Set & Sneak Peek

Always a sad task for me, I finally went through my stamp sets to pull up the ones that are retiring. I loved finding this set, though, and deciding it stays in the Keep pile! This is one of those really useful sets that will last. It has the ever needed Thank You's in cute, but not overly trendy, phrases and fonts. There are a variety of sizes, so it will work for many different layouts. Yup. A Keeper.

The set of note cards I'm sharing today use the Park Lane Designer Series Paper, also retiring June 2nd. I have to admit. I'm going to stock up on this one (at this writing, it is still in stock! Fingers crossed my order gets there before they run out!). I love the patterns, both girly and masculine in the same set. The color scheme is good also, with a nice sampling of current colors.

To make these note cards, I cut down 12x12 paper into 3"x 8" strips, folded to 3x4". This is economical, you can get 6 from a sheet. This size is necessary to use the Wood Mount Half Case Boxes (replacement cases, to store small wood mount stamp sets) as a box for my note cards. The box can hold a little larger, but then I added the economy of getting 4 envelopes out of a single 12x12" sheet, and well... It is nice to have such easy cuts!

Using the Envelope Punch Board you can make ANY SIZE envelope out of your own paper. From 2x3.5" gift Card size, up to 6x8.5", it uses regular card stock, Designer Series Paper, and now - well, soon!! Coming June 2nd! - the new packs of Envelope Paper! I got these in the new In Color shades to test them. Very nice price point at $6 for 20 sheets! That's alot of pretty envelopes! The paper is a little lighter weight than the Designer Series Paper, but still really good pattern mix and it took to the punching and scoring perfectly. Definitely one to add to your Wish List, it comes in the 2015-16 In Color Pack, and Neutrals with Whisper White, Kraft, and Very Vanilla - perfect to embellish with your choice of stamps!

Anyhow. Finished up the note cards with a simple card stock belly band. I think they're very clean, simple, and can be used for men and women. They are just the right size to tuck a gift card into, which can come in handy!!

Back to the stacks to see what other fun sets I can keep!!
To see the retiring stamp sets - some up to 50% off!! - see this post HERE

Happy Crafting!
-Angie 
This item is FOR SALE in my eBay Store HERE:
http://stores.ebay.com/Midnight-Crafting-Paper-Creations

Envelope Punch Board - use card size 3 x 4; cut paper to 6 x 6"
Half Case Wood Mount storage box - cut 3.25 x 11.25" to fit in cover insert
Belly Band - 1 x 11" of card stock, score and trim once note cards are in envelopes so band is snug but not too tight. Use Sticky Strip adhesive to adhere ends to each other.

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Painted Blooms Work of Art Bag o'Thanks

Painted Blooms Work of Art - Bag in a Box Card Set

The schools are hosting Open House this week. Its still fundraising time, so I'm donating a couple of card making kits, and this little bag of Thank You note cards to the Raffle for my son's school. Its a mash-up inspired by Chaki Haverstick's Satchel Purse set, and loosely following this great Bag in a Box tutorial by Caroline Hallett.

I used the Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper and, while it does coordinate with Blackberry Bliss, I used Rich Razzleberry for the accent cardstock. There are six note cards and embellished envelopes in this little bag, with a cute tag to gift the note cards or to fill the bag with something else, or to use entirely on another gift altogether! Choices!! lol

I wanted a different size than the cute little handbag Caroline makes, so I used a Rich Razzleberry cardstock base of 6"x 2.5" and two pieces of Designer Series Paper, one 4"x 12" and one 4" x 8". The handles are 1"x 12" of cardstock, with a cute little Antique Brads (lucky to get 4 each in a pack!) to accent the handles. I also used my White Stampin' Chalk Marker to add some faux stitching dots to the handles. For the trim on the base I used a 3/4" strip punched with the Scallop Edge Border Punch, and the top trim is a 3/4" strip punched using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch. Sticky Strip holds this dainty piece together.

I used the same layout, roughly, as Chiaki did on her card sets, but I used the Work of Art stamp set to add the sentiments, and the flowers are from the Occasions Catalog stamp set Mothers Love. I stamped them in Blackberry Bliss.

Cards 1 -3 of the set

Embellished Envelopes

Cards 4-6 of the set

The tag for the bag is made using the Scalloped Tag Topper, the Artisan Label Punch, and the Bitty Butterfly Punch. I made the DSP open up so you can add a note. I used yellow to accent the set, 1/4" Cotton Ribbon in Daffodil Delight, and the tag uses some Sale-A-Bration Thick Bakers Twine in Hello Honey. 

It all came together well, don't you think? A nifty little gift set. 

Happy Crafting! 

-Angie 

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Layers of Gratitude - Alternate Project - Message Frame

Dry Erase Message Boards for some Family Gratitude

At home, even the little things deserve gratitude! Enter the February Paper Pumpkin kit, Layers of Gratitude! I used the extra pieces to make a couple Gratitude Dry Erase message boards. They came out great! (If I do say so myself! lol)

ALTERNATE IDEA : You could do a nice retirement or team party message sheet, and have everyone sign the paper before you frame it. Teacher Appreciation? It would make a nice remembrance of fun times and the people you shared them with!
ALTERNATE IDEA: How substantial would a framed Thank You be for a special event - business donors to school fundraising, sponsors of a team, sponsors of a local event? Frame up some photos, have the participants or coordinators sign and/or put notes, and give your benefactors a really memorable Thank You!! You might get even more support next time! ;-)

To hold the dry erase markers to the frame - I don't know about you, but my kids would loose their heads if they weren't attached to their necks! - I cut one of the boxes in half and stuck it to the frame. I used Sticky Tape, but any strong adhesive will work. I used some of the bakers twine from the kit to tie the lids onto the back of the frame.

To get the pens on the same side, I just flipped the left side of the box
over and stamped the "back." Folded the same way, and attached to the frame.

I stamped the borders and the 'I just wanted to say...' onto an 8.5 x 11 piece of card stock. I used coordinating card stock to the kit - Daffodil Delight and Pool Party so I could use everything in the kit, but you could easily change up your color scheme to match your decor!

Framed in extra document frames I have (don't ask) these will make a nice reminder at our front entry for the kids - and myself - to show a little gratitude to each other for everyday kindness. Thanks for helping me with my homework. Thanks for doing yard work with me. Thanks for helping me with my chores. Thanks for being Awesome! ;-)

Totally fun, and the giant letters in the kit worked really well for this project!
Happy Crafting!
-Angie 

Sign Up today - Paper Pumpkin Kits ship out after the 10th for subscribers! 

Find out more and become a member HERE!!

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12 Last Minute {awesome} Gifts

Printables, Custom Home Decor, Classes and more! 

Missed the Shipping Deadlines.
Need a gift for the office exchange at lunch. Today.
Want the most unique and creative Trendy gift out there! ;-)
Dread finding parking, and waiting in the lines.
... Forgot someone!

It happens to the best of us!!

Time is running out, but you can still be the Holiday Hero!
Let me help:

Gift a Class! 

The Gift of an experience and skills lasts a lifetime!!

From the basics, to new techniques, to specific practical uses - Stampin' Up! offers a variety of Online Classes that your gift recipient can enjoy at their own pace! To find out more details click on any one of the images below:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Find more great class ideas HERE

Purchase a Printable! 

Share those Instagram Photos with this Photo Book Template!

You wont show up empty handed! From journal covers, bookmarks, calendar templates - you can print something at home and give a really personal gift! 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

A TON More Printables can be found HERE

Gift a Subscription!

One of the hottest gifts out there this year - subscription kits!! You can wow them with the gift of Creativity! Pinterest-worthy projects, everything needed comes in the box, they'll think of you every month their box arrives! Click, Print, Sign, and gift! Easy, fast, AND awesome!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

More Information on Paper Pumpkin can be found HERE

Happy Crafting Gifting!!
 -Angie

Shop with me online for all your crafty needs! 

Products in Spanish - French - German are available!!

Stamps, paper, inks, embellishments, Project Life exclusive collections, 

gift packaging, technique classes, digital downloads... and MORE!

To Shop my Stampin' Up! online store, please visit 

 www.MidnightCrafter.StampinUp.net 

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Christmas & More at Newman Shopping Extravaganza - Nov 21-22, 2014

Simmering Potpourri - Hand made in my kitchen

I will be out at The Purple Rose Boutique 

Shopping Extravaganza with goodies galore!!  

1135 Main Street Newman, CA

Friday Noon-4pm

Saturday 10am - 4pm

I'll be inside on the first floor -  Come By and Say Hi!!

(Tempting Photos Below)

Get started with some Christmas Stocking Stuffers, Teachers Gifts, and Coworker Gifts! I have several Christmas Wreaths and some Christmas Banners. Thanksgiving treats - table favors or hostess gifts?

I'll also have special Extravaganza special offers with purchase of any of the Paper Pumpkin Prepaid Subscriptions! A great gift for friends, family - yourself! Find out more about Paper Pumpkin HERE!

Here are photos to tempt you :-)

Gift Card Holder

Santa Gift Card Holder

Hot Chocolate Mugs - can also hold a gift card!

Book Marks

Candy Treat Boxes (includes candy!) Folded Christmas Tree

Clothespin Wreath - Joy Ornaments

Clothespin Wreath - Merry Ornaments Gold

Clothespin Wreath - Noel Snowflakes Vertical Banner

Thanksgiving Jars - look great lighted or just out on your table

Clothespin Wreath - Give Thanks / Fall / Thanksgiving

Hope to See You There!
1135 Main Street Newman, CA
Friday Noon-4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Happy Crafting!
-Angie
To Shop my Stampin' Up! online store, please visit www.MidnightCrafter.StampinUp.net
Find me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MidnightCrafting
And follow me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/MidnightCrafter

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5 October Must Haves To Make Your Holidays Easier

October is here! You know what that means!! These last few months always seem to fly by in a whirlwind of fun. But they also bring some stress, as it is a holiday-packed few months! Make life easier and start your preparations in October with these 5 must haves that will help you be ready for spur of the moment gift packaging, spooky home decor, and have cards on hand for any occasion.

Shop securely online for these October Must Haves at www.MidnightCrafter.StampinUp.net 
and feel free to peek around at the other holiday items we offer! My Stampin' Up! store is open 24/7 and along with quality supplies, you can enjoy quick shipping directly to you as well!

Tag A Bag Chevron / Polka Dot Bundle

Tag A Bag Chevron Bundle / Tag A Bag Polka Dot Bundle $9.95 each 
These are great to have on hand to quickly package a little treat or gift. Stamp or write a message on the layer tag and pop it onto the larger tag, insert gift or treat, clip the tag to the bag with the included adorably tiny binder clip or use the included coordinated adhesive strips. A must have for all year, but these will really keep you ready to gift at a moments notice. Also useful and economical for class treats, workplace gatherings, or party favors.

A Little Sumthin' Sumthin' Simply Created Gift Box $13.95
These darling premade, die-cut, ready to gift little pillow boxes are simply amazing. Insert cash or gift cards, a small gift or treat and add the included tags and accessories - and WOW them! Perfect for ANYone, the colors are vibrant and multi-occasional. These gift boxes will take you from fall through Valentines Day - no kidding! Get a pack to use for teacher gifts, coworker or neighbor appreciation, quick thank yous. The quality is amazing, nice thick cardstock for the boxes, and of course Stampin' Up!s signature coordinated accessories. Here is a video showing these sweeties in detail:

Everyday Occasions Cardmaking Kit - all inclusive! 

Everyday Occasions Cardmaking Kit $29.95
Don't let the price fool you, this box of goodies is worth every penny!! It has 20 card bases and 7 stamps to make cards for everyday occasions. The kit includes inks, embellishments, instructions, and its also available in Spanish and French. The embellishments they provide give you enough to make waaaay more than 20 cards, you just need more card bases! Really a great value, the quality of the preprinted card bases is exceptional, and the precut paper embellishments come in a wide variety and really allow for some creative card making. Of course, you can follow the included photo filled instructions to make 20 cards as shown, they will be beautiful and sure to get compliments on your craftiness!! This also would be a great gift. Everything you need is included in the box, perfect for the new crafter or someone on the go or with limited space and time for crafts.

Frightful Wreath Simply Created Kit

Frightful Wreath Simply Created Kit $26.95
Need some Halloween Decor? Add this wreath to your door or entry, hang it up at work, or gift it to someone needing a little spooky cheer in their life! This kit is fun, fast, and easy to assemble - a great group craft night!

Gratitude for Days Simply Created Kit

Gratitude for Days Simply Created Kit $21.95
Yes, the holidays do tend to run together at the end of the year, but you'll want to get this kit in October to really enjoy during the whole month of November. It can be used to record your days of gratitude counting down to Thanksgiving. Each year record another memory and make it a traditional part of your holidays. It would also make a sweet count down to an anniversary; or a treasured heirloom to record birthdays or holidays for your children each year. It is made of durable pre-printed cardstock with easy assembly, and an optional coordinated stamp set is available to provide some writing prompts.

I hope you find these items to be helpful during this holiday season!
What would you say are your top 5 Must Haves from the Holiday Catalog? You can view the 2014 Holiday Catalog HERE or shop it online at www.MidnightCrafter.StampinUp.net

Happy Crafting!
-Angie

Find me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MidnightCrafting
And follow me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/MidnightCrafter
To Shop my Stampin' Up! online store, please visit www.MidnightCrafter.StampinUp.net 

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{Back to} School Party

Back to School Party! 

For my local MOMS Club, I hosted a little Back to School party this week. It was pretty simple, but a lot of fun!! Most of the items I purchased at the Dollar store, many were free printables online, so this was not an expensive or time consuming party to prep for!! (Which was good, considering we go back to school next week!! Aghk!!!) 

  

The 'blackboard' covers one wall, and is made from a black dollar store tablecloth, the decorations on it are part of a pack of 15 shapes, also from the dollar store. I cut the letters on my Silhouette Cameo, but you could easily use pre-cut letters from the dollar store, or cut some your self.

"Blackboard" from a black tablecloth, letters & decorations attached with tape

Hanging decor from the light above the table - dollar store pack of school shapes

I planned a craft, and 3 games/activities. The moms brought their favorite lunch-bag snack and we had a great potluck! Fruit, veggies, PB&J sandwiches, Mac 'n Cheese...  Cookies for dessert! Good stuff!

The craft was a sweet little apple treat the kids can give their Teacher on the first day... or eat on the way home from the party! LoL 

See How To Make These HERE

Sample of the craft used as part of the table decorations

It's red candy, a snack bag, tootsie pop, ribbon, green paper, a ramekin from the dollar store, and a free printable tag! Cuteness, but still easy enough for our Kinder crowd! 

One of the activities was discussing some back to school questions. They're conversation starters, free to print from here, I cut them out and scattered them around the table. Each person read one, and we talked about school stuff. Kids say the darndest things!! Some of the answers were pretty funny!

Table decor included Pencils in pencil holder baskets, more school shapes,
the craft supplies, and conversation starters.
Free Printable Cupcake toppers were used on some of the pencils.

A second activity doubled as out table center pieces, a pencil toss! It was actually a really hard game - I suppose I could have got bigger baskets!! But the kids (and adults) LOVED it!! We actually played it twice, the kids wanted to do it again after we finished School Bingo! It really was hard, but some people did manage to get pencils to stay in the baskets! Each person got 8 pencils, and stood about 3 feet back from the basket. The opbecjt was to get the most pencils to land/stay in the basket. If you do this game, look for a little bit bigger baskets!!

Do-able, but difficult! The kids really enjoyed the challenge, trying allll sorts of bouncing, tossing, and crazy silly stunts to try to get the pencils in. The mamas even had a go, and wow. We were not as good as the kids! LOL Fun tough!!

The bingo game, a free printable from here, was fun too! Easy for the non-readers, with both a picture and a word on the calling cards. Everyone had fun playing. Or eating all the cheese-it playing pieces... We seemed to run out after a few games! :) 

The game 'prizes' that everyone got were dollar store stickers from the school section. As party favors I made little packs of smarties, and added this cute free printable from here to some Big Shot Top Note diecuts. Slipped into a sealable clear envelope, and they were ready to enjoy! I also handed out some pencil boxes filled with pencils, funny erasers, and sharpeners - all dollar store loot, but cute and the kids were thrilled.

"Hey Smartie Pants! Have a great first day of school!"

A party blogger I will never be! ;) But I do love a party!! The kids enjoyed it, and I always love visiting with my mamas! You could totally do this party, it was pretty low stress for lots of fun! 

Happy Crafting!! 

-Angie 

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