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Category Archives: Gift Ideas

Embossing Memories!

Posted on June 7, 2013 by apieceoflifespie

Happy Thursday all!  Wow has this week flown by and I have to say that all the while I have been busy, I have been also introduced to a whole new kind of kiddo crud . . . pink eye!  I wish I could say that I was immune to this eye affliction, but not so much. Thankfully, I have a fun sneak peek to share with you of a Father’s Day gift I made for the hubs that is up over at Globecraft & Piccolo as my specks are healing!

The focus this project is using their amazing embossing enamels  in unique and creative ways for memory keepers. I know you have heard me rave about Globecraft & Piccolo’s Embossing Enamels before, but seriously, it is one of those supplies that stands above the rest and is a must-have in your crafty stash!

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Head over HERE and check out my project AND let me know what you think by leaving a comment there.  I have a feeling one lucky commenter may have an opportunity of owning some of this out-of-this-world embossing enamel.   Make sure you leave a way to contact you (blog, email, etc)! 🙂

Thanks for sharing a piece of “loving making memories” pie with me.

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Countdown to Wedded Bliss!

Posted on February 20, 2013 by apieceoflifespie

DTC-Designer

This round for Decorate To Celebrate’s Challenge theme is Engagement/Wedding.  I thought this project would be a great inspiration for this challenge since it is a great gift idea to give to a bride-to-be that was very simple and easy to put together.  I made this with a bride-to-be in mind that has a demanding professional schedule of being a partner at a law firm and is now planning a beautiful french country inspired wedding for early this summer.  I can imagine the stress she could have on any given day and that may lend to loosing a bit of sight of how exciting her big day is going to be.  I wanted to separate her personal countdown to the BIG DAY away from the ever busy and very filled calendar she lives by.  I thought maybe having one sweet little treat daily, that would not compromise spin class progress, would be a sweet way to remember how much fun getting married is going to be! I hope she love this!

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Here is how I did it!

First I found the jar at Cost Plus World Market, for $3!  I then had these tags laying around I stamped the “Days till Wedded Bliss” using Close To My Heart Slate Ink and gStudio mini alphabet stamps.   I then applied some Globecraft and Piccolo Embossing/Enamel Adhesive around the edges and dusted with Piccolo Pink Poodle Enamel Powder.  When I shook off the excess powder, I nearly had a heart attack that the stamped letters grabbed the the embossing enamel and thought the stamped letters were ruined, however I decided to see what would happen if I did hit it with the heat gun!  This time curiosity did not kill the cat or the project in this case! It turned out really cute and looked intentional so I progressed on!

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I then cut two scalloped flowers from Cricut Cartridge Flower Shoppe at 3 and 4 inches using K&Company designer paper, inked the edges with the Close to My Heart Slate ink. I secured the flowers together with hot glue and then added to the tag using hot glue.   I then inked the edges of the tag with Close To my Heart Slate ink.

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Using Close to My Heart burlap ribbon and some Close to My Heart Vintage Designer Lace Ribbon, secured to the middle of the jar using hot glue.

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I had a little crystal-like heart that I added a button to and attached to the tag using Close to My Heart Embroidery Floss. I then wrapped the lip of the jar with Kristen Swain Crinkle Ribbon and tied the tag to it, finishing with a bow.

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I then added M&Ms that represent the days left until the BIG DAY!!!!  NOTE: You could get personalized M&Ms with the wedding date or the name of the bride an groom on it if you have time. 

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Now head on over to Decorate to Celebrate and be inspired by all the amazing projects the team has made and link up your own wedded bliss project!   Hey it is almost spring, which means many of you are already getting those “save the date” notices for those summer weddings, so this challenge will help you stay ahead of all those sweet nuptials you will be attending this year!

Thanks for sharing a piece of “love is truly in the air” pie with me!

Linking Up To:

My Craft Spot – Flowers

3 Girls JAM Challenge – Anything with Ribbon

Sarah Hamer Designs – Link Up Tuesdays

Everyday is an Occasion – Sunday Fundays

Gotta Create – Wildly Original Linking Party

Craft -O-Maniac

Sassy Little Lady Show and Tell Saturdays

Angels Homestead – Saturday Spotlight

Blackberry Vine – Tuesday To Do Party

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Ring in the New Year Blog Hop!

Posted on January 1, 2013 by apieceoflifespie
New Year Blog Hop 2013
Happy New Year and welcome to the Ring in the New Year Blog Hop sponsored and facilitated by the lovely Jill over at Everyday is an Occasion! If you have just stumbled upon this blog hop you can follow along by starting at Ribbon’s and Glue. If you have been following along you should have come from Cut, Craft, Create.
The idea behind this blog hop is to use something “new”.  I decided to make a man’s gift using my Christmas gifts of the amazing Silhouette Cameo, some new vinyl and put to use a gift card from Target to purchase the container.

The Project! 

I don’t know about you all, but I have a heck of a time making stuff that revolves around the male species, but I am finding that they like home crafted gifts more than anyone (I tease the hubs it is because his species are so darn cheap).  🙂  Anyway, I decided to make my brother-in-law something he could put to good use while he is at work.  He has quite a few direct reports and if you have ever had to manage people, keeping calm at all times is key.  He is also a M&M nut, so I decided to embrace the “Keep Calm…” phrase and pair it with his love for M&Ms.
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I found the container at Target, traced the lid on some fun chevron paper from My Mind’s Eye and cut out the shape.  Then by applying Glastique Matte to both top and bottom of the paper, I glued down the paper to the top of the metal top. It worked brilliantly. . . better than Mod Podge would! I then  hot glued some fun “Keep Calm and Carry On’ ribbon I found at Michaels around the rim and set aside to dry.
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Using my Silhouette and the stock font, I created the text for the jar, “Keep Calm and M&M On”.  I cut it out on red vinyl from Pick Your Plum’s recent sale and using transfer tape I transferred it onto the glass jar.  I finished it by filling it up with the Party Size bag of M&Ms.  I know he is just going to LOVE this and will have fun having a “M&M break” each day!
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Blog Candy!

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Up for grabs are some fun products from Globecraft and Piccolo – “Girls Night Out” embossing powder,  Embossing Powder Adhesive, and this fun heart bookboard image set ,all just perfect for any pending  Valentine’s Day project!  All you have to do is leave me a comment on what Santa left you, either follow me Here on Facebook or be a follower on my blog AND make sure you visit all the lovely ladies that are hosting this fun Blog Hop… trust me you will not be disappointed on what they have cookin’ up on their end!  Winners will be announced on my blog and Facebook page to a random lucky someone! 🙂
 Thanks for sharing a piece of ringing in the new year playing while playing with  my new crafty toys pie with me.  Now let’s get on with the New Year hoppin’!

 Line Up: 

Have a great day!

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Fantabulous Cricut Blog Challenge #124- Olympics (Sports Theme)

Posted on August 13, 2012 by apieceoflifespie

I have been off the crafty bloggin’ radar lately, but I have been far from off the craftin’ radar!  I have been logging quite a few hours in the ol’ craft studio working on various projects from my little one’s birthday party, a baby shower I made center pieces and a banner for and today’s fun project for Fantabulous Cricut Challenge.

I am competing in a triathlon relay course at the end of September with two of the hub’s co-workers.  My responsiblity in the race is to swim 1 mile in the ocean.  Thankfully, I have done this triathlon in full about 11 years ago, so I am familiar with the swim course. That does not take away a bit of the pre-race jitters and worries of things that could go awry while in the water… Jaws and leg cramps! 🙂

I made this count down sign to remind me of my pending race and also to “Keep Calm and Swim On”.  I have been seeing these type of sayings all over Facebook and Pinterest and thought this would be a fun sport related project that meets cute trendy!  If you are wondering what the black square is, it is chalkboard vinyl I got through Expressionsvinyl.com.  LOVE THEM! Super reasonable in price and fun to work with.

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Now head over to FCCB and get inspired to create something “fanntabulously” sporty!

Thanks for sharing a piece of “keeping calm and crafting and swimming” pie with me!

Recipe:

Cricut cartridges: Learning Curve and Life’s a Beach

Cricut Craft Room (first time ever using it and LOVED IT)

Chip board 8.5 x 11

Paper: Recollections

chalkboard Vinyl – Expressions Vinyl

Twine: Twinery: Ocean Blue and Stampin’ Up for the Red

Stickles! Diamonds!

10 Comments

Posted in Cricut Cartridge: Life's a Beach, Cricut Cartrige: Learning Curve, FCCB(Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog) Design Team Projects, Gift Ideas and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Thank You a Latte!

Posted on August 1, 2012 by apieceoflifespie

 

 

Over at DL. Art I decided to join my FIRST linky party thanks to my daily visit to Missy’s Blog (Quick Chick Design) and finding out that this even exists.  It is called Thankful Thursday Challenge.

I made these gift card holders last week with the pre-k summer camp’s teachers my oldest is attending this summer.  This was the first time in her four years of life, I ever did a drop-off with my kids. It was WAY harder on me and my youngest than my oldest on the first day of saying goodbye for a few hours.  She was like, “See you later and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

Here teachers are amazing and I love them dearly and I wanted to just show them how my I appreciate them on the last day coming up in a few weeks!

You have a few days stills to join this challenge, and would a least go and check out the creations that have been submitted.  There is a ton of talent and inspiration over there!

Thanks for sharing a piece of “a whole a latte thanks” pie with me!

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Receipe:

Note- to create the back of the card to hold the gift card, I used the “flip feature for the layers and then only used adhesive along the edges of the bottom layer so the card could slide in. Also fits in an A2 sized envelope!

Cricut Cartridge: Love You A Latte (cut at 8 inches, hide steam using Design Studio) Damask Decor (butterfly cut at 2 inches layer 1)

Paper: Stampin’ Up and KCompany Design paper

Ribbon: Stampin’ Up

Ink: Close to My Heart Chocolate

Sentiment: K. Andrew Design – Coffee & Tea for You and Me and My Pink Stamper – Everyday Life 

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Cheers!

Posted on July 31, 2012 by apieceoflifespie

I wanted to make a thank you gift for dear friends for being amazing host and hostess during our recent visit and personal tour of Pixar while we were in Northern California for a quick trip! Yes! The one and only Pixar that has quite a stash of Oscars hanging around! Our friends are part of the Pixar family (employee) and tours are on an invitation only basis from an inside source.

The tour was amazing and the kids just loved every moment especially hitting the complimentary employee breakfast cereal rooms.  We got to have lunch among the amazing and creative minds of the Pixar family in the Pixar Cafe and had a chance to see how it buzzes with creativity during a work week!  I never felt so lucky as we drove through the security gates with special Pixar badges stating “A stranger from the outside”.  An experience that we will always remember!

My girls got to finally meet their “boyfriends”! They just love Toy Story!

Pixar Award Display! AMAZING!

How does one express a heartfelt thank you for such a lovely day to such great hosts?  Make them something to carry on their host and hostess with the mostess with a fun and creative flare thanks to another Bay Area creative giant. . . good ol’ Pinterest inspiration!

This is how I did it:

  • I found wine glasses at Costco for $1 a glass in a “party pack” of 12.  These glasses feel wonderful in your hand and they are perfect for both white and red wines.
  • Next I picked up some chalkboard spray paint and then taped the bottom of the stems with painters tape and then wrapped the goblets with paper towels securing with more painter’s tape.
  • I set them on a cookie tray covered in a few layers of newspaper upside down and sprayed the foot of the glasses with a few coats each.  I let them dry over night and TA-DA! You have a perfect surface for chalking up the guest list or cute sentiment for the party theme!

I added a bottle of bubbly Moscato wine that is in a pretty bottle (can be found at Trader Joe’s for under $10).

Thanks for coming and sharing a piece of “life is a party” pie with me!

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Rockin’ the Baby Chic!

Posted on July 6, 2012 by apieceoflifespie

I have a friend down from” Canada eh?” that is 20 weeks preggers and it is her first baby!  She is quite the fashionista and is one of those people who looks amazing ALL the time!  They don’t know the gender of the baby yet, but I wanted to get her something that I found useful when my little one’s were brand new bundles of joy.  I found a zebra print Swaddle Me, baby swaddle with the velcro on it and used that as my inspiration for her quickly made card.

Thanks for coming and sharing a piece of “not your traditional baby card” pie with me.

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Recipe:

Cricut Cartridge: Forver Young heels (only used one) cut at 2.5 inches and Everyday Pop-Up Cards- onsie cut at 4 inches

Paper: Die Cut with a View (girls just want to have fun), Recollections Animal Prints and solid card stock

Cuttlebug: Heart Blocks

Sentiment: K. Andrew – Fashionable Friends (my blog buddy Leelee Cards Designs is on her DT)

Ink: Stampin’ Up Classic Black

Ribbon: Celebrate It

Bling: Recollections

6 Comments

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A Blooming Thank You!

Posted on May 30, 2012 by apieceoflifespie

Hello everyone!  As I was putting the finishing touches on this project last night, my craft studio shook and rattled for a split second, rolling my chair I was in across the room.  Yes, it was a 4.1 about 40 miles off the coast, yet I felt it.  Uggg… I dislike earthquakes terribly.

Now on to the project.  A friend wanted me to make something like these that she found on Pinterest.  I used Microsoft Publisher and printed these out on cardstock and then using the “Center” function on my Cricut Expressions, I cut these babies out.

I used party streamers and sewed the edges (like this tutorial) and made rosettes.  I had previously baked a whole set of ribbon making curly ribbon and used those as the finishing touches.

I am thinking I may enter this into the Die Cuttin’ Diva’s challenge this week – I feel they are different and original to fit their “Anything Goes Challenge“.

Now off to deliver them!

Thanks for sharing a bit of crafty time with a bit of rock, rattle and roll to it” pie with me.

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Recipe:

Cricut Cart: Mini Monograms set at 3 inches for the circle and 1.5 inches for the scallop circle for the back

Party streamers (trimmed the middle one to add the “layer” effect.)

Paper: Recollections Bright Color Stack

Cuttlebug – Swiss Dots

Ink for edging around the circle – Close to My Heart: Cotton Candy

Wilton Cake Pop Sticks

Curly Ribbon (baked at 200 for 20 minutes wrapped around 1/4 inch wooden rods and attached at ends with cloths pins.)

 

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Fit for a Perfect Two Year Old Princess

Posted on April 20, 2012 by apieceoflifespie

I am in the midst of a HUGE and I mean HUGE project. . . one of those projects that I am trying to keep a happy heart through, but keep asking myself, why did I get myself into.  In the end I know I will be happy I did do it, but right now I am in my own mental anguish (kind of like being at mile 15 of a marathon). What I am doing is making handmade scrapbooks (no pictures, just the base) for 14 moms in the co-op preschool I attend with my kiddos.  I did have some time last week to whip together a card for one of my hub’s fellow engineer co-worker’s sweet little girl’s second birthday.

There is a movement around here where many moms from all types of social economic backgrounds have come together on Facebook and use that platform to swap, sell or look for items (mainly toys, baby gear and clothes) that we all have instead of buying new. Since it is via Facebook and you have to be from the area and be invited to the group, it is much easier and safer than Craigslist.  I know I have padded my crafting mad money selling my beloved Gymboree collection that my youngest no longer fits into.

I found someone who was selling a huge bag of dress up cloths (Disney Princess) for only $10 that were in great condition.  I packaged up the clothes and added this card for a little gift! This idea was right up this family’s alley since they are very aware of the environment and love recycling through goods.

Thanks for sharing a piece of “recycled gifts can be a great idea” pie with me!

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Recipe:

Cricut Cart: Once Upon a Princess cut at 3.5 inches

Cuttlebug: Swiss Dots

Paper: PTI and Recollections (white)

Ribbon: Celebrate It

Recollections Gems

Ink: CTMH (close to my heart) Cotton Candy

Stamp:My Pink Stamper:  Sweetest Cupcakes

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My Pinkalicious Blog Hop Challenge (April)

Posted on April 16, 2012 by apieceoflifespie

Hi everyone!  Outside of dealing with terrible allergies or maybe it is a cold this weekend, I was able to hop along on Friday with My Pink Stamper’s Pinkalicious Blog Hop.  The challenge gave me a kick-start on my Mother’s Day project, since it was to make something for Mother’s Day.  So that is what I did!

If you have not noticed, I have been on a kick of making paper flowers using strips of double-sided scrapbook paper.  So I scaled it down and incorporated it onto a card!

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Thanks for coming and sharing a piece of “getting ready for Mother’s Day with the thanks to a April MPS blog hop challenge” pie with me.

Recipe:

Cricut Cart: Mini Monograms (circle cut at 2 inches)

Cuttlebug: Swiss dots

Flowers: cut at 1/2 inch strips x 6 inches for the smaller ones and 8 inches for the bigger one(each flower had 6 strips)

Paper: K&Company Designer Stacker

Embellishments: Some extras I had lying around (not sure where I got them)

Ribbon: Crinkle Ribbon from My Craft Spot.

Stamp: My Pink Stamper- Happiest Moments (my personal fav right now)

Ink: Close to My Heart: Chocolate

6 Comments

Posted in Cricut Cartridge: Mini Monograms Cricut Cartridge, Cuttlebug Folders, Gift Ideas, My Pink Stamper - Happiest Moments, Pie's Challenges, Pie's Craftiness, Pie's Cricut, Pie's Do It Yourself Projects and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
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