Lost & Found - Memories

Have you ever totally forgotten a special memory and then you hear, see or even smell  something, and that memory comes flooding back? Had that happen to me just a few months ago.

 

A very nice and very talented gal on scrapbook.com forum (Terrihooper) offered to mail out an envelope of Vintage S & H Green Stamps to whoever wanted them. Within seconds of reading her post it all came back to me - a favorite childhood memory that I had, until that very moment, forgotten all about.

 

I remember as if it was yesterday how my sisters and I would pour through the S & H catalogue arguing about whose turn it was to pick out their favorite gift item. Selecting that “free” item to redeem was the reward for the hours we spent licking stamps.

 

I wanted to make something a bit more special than a card with my stamps and when I saw this STAMP from VLVS I knew immediately what I would create.

 

The box is one from the $1.50 bin at Michael’s and the paper I used is from last years Crate paper line.  What made the whole craft come together though was the fabulous stamp from Viva Las Vegas Stamps.

 

Supplies

Small Balsa Box

Paint

Patterned Paper

Mod Podge

Distress ink

Bling/Flowers

Green Stamps

Washi Tape

Paper

Ink

VLVS Stamp

 

Directions

Remove the knob and elastic closure from the Balsa Box.

Paint the box inside and out.

Cover the lid, the bottom of the box and the inside bottom with paper.

Ink the box with TH Distress Ink to give it a vintage look.

Using Mod Podge, paint a thin layer over the entire box, both inside and outside.

Stamp one S & H Green Stamp on paper.

Decorate with Washi Tape, Green Stamps, Flowers and your VLVS stamped image.

 

PS – The very last gift I got with my stamps was a cuckoo clock. Obviously I was suffering from a bad case of glue poison.

Mystery of the Giant Eye

I love Halloween. There are many reasons but first and foremost, it’s the candy.  Not the eating of it, but the giving and getting that makes it such a fun holiday.

I work for a large non-profit but in my neck-of- the woods, the second floor, there are around 50 folks.  Most days, especially around Halloween, our communal kitchen is filled with candy. I occasionally take a few miniature candy bars for 911 moments, but usually just pass them up – too mundane.

This year I wanted to do something special for my co-workers. My inspiration was the story that was sweeping the Internet last week - the errie eyeball that washed up on a beach in Florida. 

 Supplies

Cellophane Bags

Eye Ball Candy

Skeleton Eyes A Poppin Stamp

Black Ink Pad

Scalloped Punch

TH Baroque Die

Stapler

Spooky Paper
White Cardstock

Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Miracle Tape
Mini plastic bugs

 

 

 

Directions

1. Stamp on white cardstock then punch out tag using the scalloped punch.

2.Color in the tongue and eye balls with Stickles. Set aside to dry.

3. Cut out the Spooky Paper with the Baroque Die. This will be the top of the bag.

4. Edge both the bag top and the scalloped tag with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

5. Fill the cellophane bag with assorted plastic bugs and candy eyes.

6. Fold the baroque die cut in half. Place over the cellophane bag and staple in each corner.

7. Attach the scallop tag using Miracle Tape.

 

 BTW that giant eye was the eye of the shark, not the eye of the newt. Either way, it made a great Halloween story. What kind of candy are you giving out this year?

 

My Poe-st (pun intended)

I was introduced to Edgar Allan Poe and The Raven in Junior High School. I still remember how we acted out the poem in class. Naturally, I was the star - the Raven. I only had one line but it was the most important of the entire poem, “Nevermore.” I didn’t receive a standing ovation for my performance but a few classmates applauded, and for a moment in time I actually considered acting as a career path.  

I still love the unparalleled literary master of the macabre.  Poe believed that visual art should not make a clear statement, but rather suggest and evoke emotions and stimulate the mind. I hope my interpretation of The Raven does just that.

 

 

 After leaving his home in China, Mr. Crow aka Mr.Raven flew to my local Dollar Tree. He is now residing on a slightly crushed eye-medicine box that I retrieved from the Friday garbage.

 

 I don't find it a bit odd that Mr.Raven is wearing a party hat with a
purple pom-pom. Do you?

SUPPLIES
Black Bird
Recycled Box
Scrapbook Paper
Page from an Old Book
Pom-Pom 
Ribbon or Paper Trim for hat/scarf
4 Wooden Feet
Glue Gun
Stickles
Moss
Chipboard Clock
Black Ink 

VLVS
NEVERMORE STAMP
MIRACLE TAPE
 

 

I kept this craft simple because I wanted to highlight the ornate Nevermore stamp from Viva Las Vegas Stamps. The whole project took around an hour and was easy peasy.

DIRECTIONS
1. Cut scrapbook paper to fit box and using Miracle Tape attach to bottom, top and sides of the box.
2. Cover the 4 wooden feet with Stickles. When dry attach to bottom of the box using your glue gun.
3. Make hat for Mr. Raven by rolling up book paper and attach trim and a pom-pom. Dress Mr. Raven in his hat and scarf using Miracle Tape. Bling optional.
5. Attach Mr. Raven to box and then cover the empty area of the top of the box with Miracle Tape. Cover with moss.
6. Make a banner out of plain paper and stamp NEVERMORE. Attach to box. Add your chipboard clock.
7. Mr. Raven is ready to party!! 

Poe died on October 7, 1849 at the age of forty. It seems fitting that the cause of Poe’s death remains a mystery. Your thoughts on Edgar Allan Poe? Or Halloween Parties?