Polished to Perfection

JustRite Christmas Day 9 - Christmas Gift Card Holder

As the tradition of giving Gift Cards for Christmas continues to grow...Angela and I are always looking for creative ways to make giving a gift card more personal.  So here is a great gift card holder from Creative Imaginations transformed with our JustRite Stampers to a beautiful personalized gift.

For the outside of the Gift Card Holder we used the Designer Center and Border from the JustRite JB-08150 Christmas Stamp Ensemble set.  Here is a graphic that shows all the images in this great set:

Remember all the borders and centers are interchangeable and the Harmony Classic Circle III wooden stamper must be purchased separately.

Here is the view of the inside of the Gift Certificate holder: 

   

The gift certificate inserts through the top of the holder and appears in the window where the small peppermints are.  The Forever Friends designer center is only available when you purchase the New JB 08180 Pink Sonnet Stamper which comes with the expanded fonts Curlz set. The border is from the JB 07277 Monogram Stamper Large set, but will soon also be available in a new set of 10 designer Centers and Borders.

 

For both the stamp images on the inside of the card - I used Versamagic Tea Leaves and Versa Magic Red Magic and multi loaded the stamp with two colors of ink to get the variety of color in the stamped image.

What we both love about this gift certificate holder is that once the recipient uses the gift certificate, a photo can be placed where the gift certificate was and this becomes a priceless Christmas Memento.

Come Back and visit we still have 3 more days of JustRite Christmas!!

JustRite Christmas Day 8 - Christmas Cookie Swap

Now we could have titled this post just as easily....YES HONEY I REALLY NEED IT ALL!!  because this next project used more tools (AKA Toys) then any project we have created so far. For CHA we designed a cute apron with a Summer Salad Recipe which you may have seen a picture of on the JustRite Blog in July.  For this project we used that apron as a jumping off point.  As we were playing a couple of weeks ago - We were brainstorming about using the Apron Die from AccuCut to make a Christmas Cookie Swap book. Now with my busy work schedule I don't always get to make all the ideas that are rolling around in my head...but Angela does...so here is another great project brought to reality by Angela.  Collaborating is so much fun!! 

Here is the front of the Christmas Cookie Swap Book.  Wouldn't it be fun to invite all your friends to a cookie exchange and a night of stamping. 

 

To recreate this book, you will need to diecut 2 Chipboard aprons using the AccuCut Apron Die and 12 aprons from double sided Christmas Paper. Use the first four aprons to cover the chipboard covers. Use one apron pocket to wrap around the chipboard cover. This paper is all from American Crafts and is now available in a Christmas Paper Pack. Next use the bind it all to bind together your aprons . Angela used 3/4" red wire to create this size book.

To decorate the first set of Apron Fronts Angela used the Candy Cane Tonic Border Punches and the Fleur II Corner Tonic punch.The stamped images are from theJB 08130 JustRite Baking Ensemble Set. To decorate the recipes Angela used borders from the Three Border set - which includes borders for from the Library of/the Desk of/the Kitchen of.  She decided to make her book using family recipes from her kitchen and her moms kitchen and she used the Times Roman Font.  These will be sweet gifts for her family!

 

For these pages Angela used the Martha Stewart Scalloped Border Punch and a Tonic Snowflake Border Punch.  Now some of the pages she decided to leave blank to put photos of her friends at the party ...or perhaps pictures of her cookies:

 

Here are the last set of pages in her book:

Don't you just love how the borders and centers are all interchangeable!!  For the page on the left she used the royal tonic border punch.  These punches are some of our favorites because they are so versatile.  You can use them alone or place them in the border system and design your own borders...you choose the spacing!!  Simple to use and they punch cardstock beautifully.

These stamps are now available for pre-order on the JustRite Website. They will begin shipping Mid-September.

Don't Forget to Vote -in the JustRite Stampin' Champion Contest

The first weeks finalists have been nominated and now it is your turn to vote on your favorite project. I don't envy any of you it was hard enough to widdle the field down to 5...oh yeah we couldn't-we decided to nominate 6...cause it was so hard.  You have until 9pm est on Tuesday night to vote.

Remember the last election every vote counts...you can only vote once.  We seem to be experiencing some bugs with the visual portion of our voting mechanism.  So if you would like to see all the numbers just scroll your mouse over the voting poll and you will see the vote count.

Remember this is only week one...you still have time to play!!  Want to check out the competition here is a link to the Splitcoast JustRite gallery....who knows you could be the next Stampin' Champion Hopeful!!  Congratulations and Goodluck to all the nominees - Your projects were inspiring!!

JustRite Christmas Day 7- The Perfect Secret Santa Gift

Of course there will have to be 12 Days of JustRite Christmas.  Today's Project was created by Angela Barkhouse- for those of you who read my blog often - you know that Angela & I love to collaborate on projects.  So of course when she saw that I was hoping to blog 12 Days of JustRite Christmas - she was up for helping with the Challenge.  Any excuse to use our New JustRite Toys-Right!!

This project was inspired by a project Taylor Van Bruggen designed months ago.  And we were so happy on Monday when we read Sharon Harnist's Blog to find out that she too had been inspired by Taylor's project.  She created a stunning Coupon keeper (if you ask me too nice for coupons!!).  Sharon has written fabulous instructions on how to construct the folder itself. So you can visit her post for those instructions. Here we will just concentrate on giving the altered file folder a Christmas Twist.

Angela decided to make a paper wrap to enclose her Agenda holder.  The image stamped on the front is from the JustRite JB 08150 Christmas Stamp Ensemble. ( remember to purchase your wood block separately) The font is Times Roman - 50 pt, and the date is TImes Roman 25 pt - which is available in the JB 08060 New Times Roman Font set.(296 Characters- 3 sizes of font). The stamped image was then double matted with 2 diecuts using Spellbinder's Scalloped Circle Nestabilities. She used her Small Harmony Rectangular stamper to personalize the file tab.

 

Here's a view of the inside of her folder.   And here are some close up photos:

For the interior embellishments Angela used the JB 08120 Harmony Classic Circle II Stamp Ensemble borders (this is the set that comes with the wooden stamper) and designed the messages inside the center of each border using the expanded Curlz Font in 25 pt.  The first pocket of the Agenda holds a tag for items on her wish list - (yes you all should have a wish list tucked in a special place that your family can find!!). 

 

The second pocket contains a list for all the Christmas Parties she will be attending.  Angela used her Cricuit -Tags Bags Boxes and More Cartridge to diecut the tags and since the tags tops looked like wreaths she decided to dry emboss them using her Snowflake A2 Embossing Folder. Then she added holly and bow die cuts.  Next we dug through my stash of toys to see how we could decorate the note paper on the tags.  I love Rubber Stamp Tapestry's peg stamps and this set was perfect for decorating each note a little different and the tiny present peg in this set fits perfectly in between the star designs in one of the borders.  Here is a closeup of the right side of the Agenda Folder.

 

And here you can see how cute the tiny peg present stamps are stamped between the swirl designs in this border.

Sorry for the color variation in the photos..this paper is really bright red!!

Here are photos of how we decorated the note paper.

Stop back tomorrow to see the next Fabulous Projects Angela & I designed!!

JustRite Christmas Day 6 - Life is Sweet - Enjoy a Treat

Also on the list of my Christmas favorite's are Sugar Cookies!! 

And if left by myself...I would eat the entire bag!!  For this project I decided to use just the interchangeable Christmas Cookie Center from the JustRite JB 08130 Baking Stamp Ensemble without a border.  Here are the images that come in the baking ensemble.  Now remember that all the centers and the borders are interchangeable.

 

Stamping on this paper bag is a little tricky since it has folds and creases but I love the look of the stamped bag.  For the Life is Sweet enjoy a Treat tag is just one more designer center and designer border thath I interchanged from this great baking ensemble set. This time I inked the middle section of the stamp with red and inked the top and the bottom of the stamp with green.  I love using dew drop ink pads for inking these stamps and my favorite ink to use with the JustRite Images is Versamagic.  The spoon is a cute button from Jesse James Buttons.

Off to make a few more Christmas Projects...oh did I say that there would be 12 Days of JustRite Christmas!!

JustRite Christmas Day 5 - Sweet Treats

So many sweet treats remind me of the Holidays. One of my fondest memories of my Grandmother is the fact that every Christmas she would make homemade peanut butter fudge.  I couldn't wait for Grammy to arrive Christmas morning with her batch of peanut butter fudge.  Luckily one of my sisters has taken on the tradition, as it wouldn't be Christmas Morning without sneaking a piece of peanut butter fudge before opening presents Christmas Morning. I also have found memories of making fudge with my grandmother. 

So you shouldn't be surprised to find a Fudge stamp in the new JustRite Baking Stamp Ensemble .

 

I purchased a candy box at my local Craft store and covered it with Christmas Paper from American Crafts.  I decided to use the Fudge center in conjuction with the family secret Recipe border, since this is for a gift with my family secret recipe.  Then I multi loaded the stamp with green and red ink from Versamagic to get this effect.  What I love about this set is that not only can you interchange the borders and the centers but you can also use just the border and design your own message for the center.  See here how I personalized the tag for another box of Fudge.

Several times I have purchased peanut butter fudge at a country fair in the hopes that it would taste like my grandmothers...but each time I was greatly disappointed. So just in case you were wondering how great Sarah's (my grandmothers) peanut butter fudge really was here is our Family Secret Recipe:

Sarah's Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

Ingredients: 

 2 1/2 C. Sugar, 1/2 Stick of Butter or Margarine, 1 can (5.33 oz) of evaporated milk, 1 -7 1/2 oz Jar of Marshmallow Fluff, 3/4 tsp. salt, 9 oz  Peanut Butter(creamy or chunky).

Grease a 9-inch square baking pan; set aside. In large saucepan combine first 5 ingredients. Stir over low heat until blended.  Over medium heat, bring to a full-rolling boil.  hint: do not mistake ecaping air bubbles for boiling.  Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter until blended.  Quickly pour into grease pan and let cool.  Once completely cooled cut into squares to fit your candy box.

Hoping this recipe will become one of your family secret recipes!!! The secret is in the Fluff!!

Stop back to see...all 12 Days of my JustRite Christmas!!

Announcing JustRite Stampin' Champion Contest

You could be the next JustRite Stampin' Champion...The rules are simple...the prizes are terrific.

For the complete rules and all the details visit the JustRite Blog.

Goodluck...you may enter as many times as you like and you can win multiple times by just sharing your talent and posting your projects using a JustRite Product in the Splitcoast stampers gallery use the keyword "JustRite".

JustRite Christmas Day 4

For Christmas this year my Sister and my neices made these great gourmet cocoa cones for everyone for Christmas. Imagine how spectacular a bucket of these would look for a Christmas Party or a Skating Party.  I loved the gift...but was surprised that my sister who was a Stampin' Up Demonstrator hadn't stamped her tags.  When I needled her about it she told me that she had looked everywhere for a Cocoa Stamp but couldn't find one.  So of course it was an absolute must have for JustRite's New Baking Ensemble - JB 08130. (This set consist of 6 interchangeable designer centers and designer borders). These stamps are available for pre-order on the JustRite website - they will begin shipping in mid-September.  Note that the wooden stamper must be purchased separately- JB 08117 Harmony Classic Circle II. 

To recreate this fun project you will need to purchase plastic icing cones from Wilton.  I found mine at Walmart in the cake decorating section- purchase the box with 50 bags in it.  Each cone will use two icing cones.  Next you need to find tiny elastic bands- try looking in the hair care section of the store.

Fill the first cone with your Favorite Hot Cocoa mix....or go all out and make your own gourmet cocoa.The cones are designed to make two cups of cocoa mix.  ( Perfect for a cold winter's night). Scoop 4 tablespoons of Hot Cocoa mix into the first icing cone.  Use a tiny elastic to seal the bag. Now insert that cone into a second icing cone.  Now here is the fun part...choose your favorite flavor of chocolate chips.  At Christmas time there will be tons of gourmet cocoa choices scoop a nice layer into the cone. Then add a layer of mini marshmallows.  Use a tiny elastic to seal off the the cone.

Now design your Cocoa tags using your interchangeable JustRite Baking Ensemble Stamps.

I love traditional red and green for Christmas Projects ...So here I used some of my favorite Christmas Paper from American Crafts.  If you are new to my blog and love Christmas Projects click through to my American Crafts category to see the all the fun projects I designed with this paper and the scraps last year.  My favorite are the Christmas trees. This year you can purchase this Collection as a paper pack from American Crafts.  The ribbons are also from American Crafts. Next stamp your images and die cut them using Spellbinder's Scalloped Nestabilities.  If you look in the mug you can also see that I made a variety of flavors for my friends.  On the back side of the tag we designed on the computer instructions for making the gourmet cocoa.

 

Here is what we put on the directions:

Hot Cocoa Mix for Two!

Chocoale and Vanilla Swirl

Divide and stire cocoa mix (2 Tbs.) into two mugs of hot water (1 cup each). Swirl the yummy chips and marshmallows aroud in your hot cocoa.  Sip slowly and enjoy!

Have fun making these great gifts!!

JustRite Christmas Day 3

Today, I thought I share with your this fun Christmas Lunch Box tin that Angela and I worked on for CHA.  This is the largest tin that ProvoCraft makes and would be perfect for fudge, candy or a set of Christmas Cards.  The paper is Basic Grey -Holly leaves from the Fruitcake Collection.  I multi - loaded the Stamp image with Green and red Versamagic ink and purposely left it looking distressed so that it would match the vinatge feel of my paper.  This is one of six interchangeable border and centers from JustRite JB - 01850 Christmas Stamp Ensemble.  You will also need to purchase the  JB-08117 Harmony Classic Circle III (the wooden stamper). 

Here is the view of the backside of the LunchBox:

Notice that the borders are the same on each image, but that the centers are different.  That is because the stamp sets are interchangeable!!  You can even use the new expanded font to write your own message in the interior of the stamp.  You will just love the versatility of this stamp set!!

Stop back in tomorrow for JustRite Christmas Day 4

 

JustRite Christmas Day Two

 

Before CHA I had never used the AccuCut GrandeMark and their dies!!  But now I am in love. Using this diecutting system allowed us to teach 9 Different Projects at CHA to hundreds of Attendees.  This is a project that we did not teach...since I was sure the chocolate kisses would never make it home safely. But this die creates the coolest treat bags and favors for any event.  The other great thing about the  AccuCut GrandeMark is that you can diecut several pieces of paper at once.

For this treat bag I used Basic Grey's Fruitcake Ornaments Paper to diecut the treat bag with Accucut's Bag Treat Wrap (3-D) Crease extra long cut.  I stamped the image using JustRite's JB 08150 Christmas Stamp Ensemble, JB08117 Harmony Classic Circle III wooden stamper (This is from the same set as Day One's Project).I used Spellbinder's Scalloped Circle Nestabilities to diecut the stamp images.  Place your chocolate kisses in a tiny bag and staple it into your Treat Wrap.  Use your JustRite Embellishment to accent your treat bag and to hide the staples. This die from AccuCut cuts and creases your project.

Here is the second bag I created:

For the second treat bag I used Basic Grey's Fruitcake Gingerbread paper. And I decided to place the stamped image lower on the treat bag...just showing a hint of the chocolate treats inside the bag.

Now here is a 3rd treat bag that I designed using JustRite's - JB 08130 Baking Ensemble Click the link to see all six of the designer centers and borders. (this set has stamps for fudge, gourmet Hot cocoa, hand dipped chocolate, christmas cookies plus 2 other great food related stamps).  You will need to purchase separately the wooden stamper- JB 08116 Harmony Classic Circle. This stamp set is 2 5/16", Just perfect for those of you who make homemade chocolates for christmas--- my favorite hand dipped chocolates are peanut butter balls.  What's your favorite??