I ♥ Piddix: From the Archives

Where did February go?  All I know is we are ready for Spring weather! Happy March, tomorrow.
From the archives, updated.  
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The title says it all.  I love, love Piddix on Etsy and using Corinna's collage sheets. She sells both modern and vintage digital prints. I was first introduced to Corinna in an Etsy virtual lab class when she was talking about quitting your day job to sell on Etsy, over four years ago. Since my original post, she has closed Etsy, had a baby, reopened Etsy (with conditions her customers can immediately download after purchasing) and produced a line of her 600 collage sheets that sell in stores (i.e. Target) and online stores (i.e. Stampington). Check out her store. 

So what is a sheet of Piddix prints doing in my freezer? I use an ink jet printer. When I coat the prints with Mod Podge or Triple Thick, the reds and oranges run and the process turns whites to yellow. By accident over the holidays I discovered a trick to set the ink and ... BAM, it really works!

I have made some dimensional paper buttons for rings with my 1" Valentine circles. 

Update: Currently, I use the digitals for magnet sets. These were made with glass marbles from Dollar Tree. They are not perfectly round and have a few air bubbles, but you can't beat the price versus the 1" jewelry glass pieces. I order the strong neodymium magnets on Etsy.

Thanks for dropping by! 

Have a great weekend :) 
~Molly

Disclaimer: I have not been paid for this post nor given free product.

Tuesday Tip

If you use PicMonkey to edit photos, make collages and much more -- you may already know about these features.  I came across the PicMonkey Blog, I didn't know existed, and wanted to share this with you.

Cool Tips Nobody Knows

If you don't use PicMonkey, it is a free site. My favorite feature is lightening the background of my photos with Exposure > Highlights. I cannot wait to use the text shadow feature. Sounds easy. There is also a tutorial link at the bottom of the page.

I hope you are having a fantastic week!
~Molly

Small Valentine Quilled Heart Cards

Happy February!

These are so easy to make. I used an Avery 8463 label template to add the Courier text and get 10 on a page. They are only 2"x2" (5 cm) folded. The quilled hearts are two 8" x 1/8" strips, teardrops shape glued together. I found a great bargain of twine at Hobby Lobby. 

They would be great for teachers, co-workers, neighbors, or my favorite - a wine bottle tag! A small bag topper, tucked in a gift or on a desk.

My quilled heart sample page

Have a fabulous weekend!
-Molly

Business Card Holders

From the archives:

I made these little holders in the same paper as my matchbook note holders that I also include. (K&Company Life's Journey)

They are 3.5 x 4.5 inches and I make two scores in the middle at 2-1/8 and 2-3/8 inches. I use a corner rounder on all four corners. The pocket is a 1.5 inch square. It takes about 14" of ribbon to make the handles. I close it with a Tim Holtz mini clip :)

These are fast, easy and just the right size for the recipient to carry ten or so business cards in it. I do hope they are reused.

Thanks for stopping by!

-Molly

Happy Monday!

I don't know why this is so dang funny to me. I've never owned a cat but I don't dislike them. I know cats have distinctive personalities, oddities, attitudes. And their owners? Well, our daughter had two blue point Himalayan -- each had scrapbooks and their own webpage, way back in the 90's. 

I'm a dog fanatic, so when I saw this on Twitter, I thought it was hilarious -- and still do every time I see it on my PC!

It was 73º and sunny today and now, at midnight, it is 20º. The high tomorrow is suppose to be 37º, but I am going to make it a happy and productive day :o)  I hope your week starts off fantastically!

Happy Monday!
~Molly

Peace in 2014!

This is my favorite quote of all times that I refer to every New Year:

“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” — Oprah Winfrey

I recently asked for a sign as to what I should do. I'm at a lull (and have been for a while) as to what I want to do and what I need to do. We are moving this year and I'm needing to make money but wanting to do something fun and what I love. 

So this morning I was looking for a certain photo and came across this ONLY photo saved in 2004, dated 1/1/2004 ... strange showing up ten years later. I am thinking this may be the sign. I love doing miniature anything. I cannot remember why these pieces were made, but I still have them in a box along with a table lamp, not in this photo. The floor lamp has beads hanging as a pull and the pole is a pop stick painted gold.

Is there anything you are wanting to do, new, in 2014? I want to learn to sew after we move.

Wishing for Peace in the world, in your job place, for your family, in your life and in your heart :o) 

Happy  2014!
~Molly

Tall Favor Boxes

From the Archives:

You can make two boxes from one 8.5x11-inch sheet of cardstock. These boxes are a perfect size for a handful of candy, small toys, money, notes .. just about anything you would like to gift and want a cute presentation ... you can even personalize.

I printed the watermark on the sheets before beginning. Four chocolate covered cherries in mini wrappers fit perfectly in each box. I tied a 10-inch piece of raffia on the fronts and BAM ... very easy, inexpensive gifts.

Below, these were made on a whim, experimenting with the embellishing. I used paper from a DCWV Luxury Stack. The flowers are three different size daisy punch-outs from leftover paper, glued and stacked with a bead in the center. I used a circle and square Coluzzle template to cut out the front piece(s) and covered with a piece of scrap cellophane inside.

The template is below. Use a 5.5x8.5 inch sheet of heavy cardstock. If you use a Scor-Pal, put the edge at the 3 inch and you have an exact 1-1/4 inch score mark at 4.25. Move your first score line back to the 3 and score again three more times. It doesn't matter which side of the template the 1/2" flap is located, either side will work. The flap is the first thing glued to the inside of the opposite edge when assembling the box. The only other piece to adhere is the bottom, and BAM .. your box is finished! How easy is that?

I'm a visual person, but if you like instructions here is a short version.  Score the 5.5" x8.5" sheet vertically, four times 1-1/4" apart with each score. Turn the sheet sideways and score 1-1/4" from one end and 1/2" (and 1-1/4" from that scoreline) on the other end.  The blue lines on the template are cut lines. The red dots indicate the pieces of the template that are cut and removed. I used a corner rounder punch for the top flap piece.

Glue the 1/2" flap to the inside of the opposite side. I use a tape runner, it is easy to get the flap lined up with the edge. Glue the bottom flaps down and you have a box!  It is easier than it looks, I promise. 

Alternate Sizes

As I did in the first photo, you can make a shorter box (less area to fill with candy :) by trimming 1" and using a 5.5x7.5 inch piece. I have also made a wider size box substituting 2" scores for the 1-1/4" measurements (again using the 1/2" flap scores). Use a 8.5" x10" inch sheet for the larger size.The cutout in the front is optional.


Have a fabulous day!
-Molly