Candy Corn Wreath Inspired by Woman's Day Magazine

I've been trying to come up with crafty things to decorate my home for Halloween. As soon as I saw the current issue of Woman's Day magazine, I knew I had to make that wreath!

Then to make it a little more festive, I added some vinyl that I cut out with my Silhouette Digital Die Cut Machine. I'm learning more and more each time I use it. Considering I've had it 3 years, I should learn how to use it, right. It was my first time cutting with the Quikutz vinyl, and I have to say it was quite nice. I've cut with other types of vinyl but with not as good results. I also learned that when you cut out an image, you can double cut it to get a really good consistent cut.

I bet you'd like me to tell you how to make it don't you! Well because I'm nice here's the instructions:

Supplies needed:
Foam Wreath (Check the $ store, I got mine from HL and it was pricey $8 pricey)
Black Duct Tape (About $4 a roll) you'll have extra left over for a friend or 2.
2 large bags candy corn (you'll get your fill from the broken ones, trust me)
Hot Glue Gun
2 yards of 2 inch wide ribbon for a long pretty bow (I only used 1 yard and it wasn't enough for a bow)

Start by wrapping the wreath with the duct tape all the way around. It doesn't have to be perfectly smooth, because there won't be a lot of the black showing when you finish.

Open the candy corn and hide, or you will be the most popular person in your house. It's like they can smell it a mile away. I said 2 bags because my husband and kids ate half of the other one so I didn't quite have enough to finish it from one bag. You also need to consider broken ones, and not so perfect candy corns. I was sick from eating so many broken ones by the time I finished. I got my fill for the year.

Lay out your candy corns in a design across the wreath. This way you get an idea of how you want it to look. Refer to the pic of the magazine cover to see how they are strategically placed. Start your first row with the point going to the left and the next row to the right and so on.

Start gluing down the candies to the wreath. Be sure to glue them down good, because they can pop off. When you get all the way around, leave a space about 2 candy corns wide for the ribbon. Continue alternating directions of candy corn with each row. You will cover the top, front and middle of the wreath. It will get heavy as you fill it up. But oh it looks so cute!

Finish it off with a pretty bow and hang it from your door, window or wherever.

To hang mine, I took a decorative hook for your walls, and hung it from the top of the window
well area. I had to use longer screws for it so that it had a good hold, and move my blinds back 3/4" of an inch. But I like that there's a hook there all the time to hang a wreath from or lights. Nobody can tell there's even a hook there because the blinds cover it.

Let me know what you think.

Studio J from Close to my Heart

I wanted to post my school layout I did with Close to my Hearts exclusive digital scrapbooking program Studio J.



Want to find out what it's all about? Simply go to my website, http://tansytalbot.myctmh.com and click on Studio J on the left hand side. Once there, create a username and password. It costs nothing to play with it. Here's another great bonus, we have an app for your Iphone, Ipad, etc. You can scrapbook on the go! I've done several layouts with it, and can honestly say, it's really user friendly. Just upload your pictures, select the paper packet. Next you'll select the layout. Here's where I look at how many pictures I want to use, and select my layout according to that. I'm all about getting as many pictures on the page, without losing sight of what's important. As you can see in this layout, you can clearly see the excitement build as the bus is seen coming down our road to pick them up. I have a lot of pictures on there, but they tell a story with each and every one. Now you get to start creating your layout. Just drag your pictures to the photo boxes, or if you want to, you can edit or enhance your photos right in the programs photo editing section.

It's 13.95 a layout, which is 2 pages, or with a 1 year membership, it's only 6.50, which includes printing, and a jpeg. If you only want the jpeg, with a membership it's only 3.00, and you can upload it to any photo printing website, or take it to your local photo printing shop and get it printed out yourself. You can find out more info about memberships and such at Studio J's website. Just select FAQ's at the top of the page.

COW are you doing?

I couldn't resist buying this stamp set as soon as I saw it in our new Summer Idea Book. One because people would understand the humor if I sent out cards with it since we are farmers and ranchers. I made this card for a friend who requested some thank you and anytime cards. This fits the anytime cards criteria. Plus I'm trying to use up my hoard, I can't call it a stash anymore, cause it's way out of hand, so it's a hoard of retired Close to my Heart papers.

Everything is Close to my Heart, unless otherwise stated
Paper used: Giddy Up LVL 2 (retired)
CS: Black, Desert Sand, Cocoa
Card Flat (Craft Store)
Inks: Cocoa, Desert Sand
Stamp Set: D1435 Howdy
Embellishment: Black Bigger Brad, Liquid Glitter
Tools used: Quikutz Silhouette, Paper Trimmer, 7/8" Circle punch, scissors, Mojo Monday Sketch
Techniques used: Scissor edge distressing, sponging, sanding

If you have any questions, or comments please feel free to leave me one.

Miracle Workshop

Blogger is being difficult and won't let me upload the photos of this beautiful Miracle Paper Packet... If it quits throwing it's fit, I will post pics of it.

I am offering the Miracle Limited Edition Paper packet as a 6x6 accordian Album Workshop. If you are interested in joining me for this it will be on June 19, 2010. All you need to do is visit my website tansytalbot.myctmh.com , and order the Miracle Campaign, as well as a 6x6 accordian Album. Here's where my procrastination kicks in. The campaign ends on May 31st. So you need to get on it and get yours ordered.

The accordian album originally was created by Vicki Wizniuk (click on her name to see the album). Being the great lady she is, she has allowed us the opportunity to teach you how to make this beautiful album. If you are interested, you can email me at dttalbot@atcnet.net. But like I said HURRY and get your Miracle kit ordered. It comes with the embellishments you need for the album. I will provide the additional sheets of cardstock needed, as well as the sparkles and tools.

Here is the list of what you will need to order:
-Miracle Constant Campaign Paper Packet
-6x6 Accordian Album

Supplies to bring with you:
Above items
Paper trimmer

I can't wait to see you there!!!

Mojo Monday Sketch on a Sunday

So here is the sketch that we were given for this past Monday. Even though I'm always running behind, I really wanted to try it. It looks so pretty and elegant if you ask me. Here is my 2 cards I made using this sketch. I think mine turned out pretty dang good if you ask me...

-Materials used:
All CTMH unless otherwise noted.
-Emporium Level 2 Paper Packet
-D1361 Thank You
-Sweet Leaf CS
-Crystal Blue CS
-Sweet Leaf Embellishments
-Cuttlebug Dots Embossing Folder
-Cuttlebug Machine
-Silhouette Die Cut Machine
-Chocolate lots of it
-Diet Pepsi
-Radio streaming live to keep me crafting

I enjoyed this sketch. I'm quite pleased with the way these cards turned out... I can't wait to see what the sketch is for tomorrow... What do you think? Leave me a comment...

Birthday Party Invite

Some of you may recognize the papers I used for this, and some may not. It's an oldy but goody when you have a little cowboy running around the house... It's from the paper pack Giddy Up (old school CTMH). Anywho I made these for my son's birthday party coming up. I also used my Quikutz Silhouette to cut out the card design and the stars. The stamp set I used was called Celebration, I think. I can't find it right now because I had some very very busy little hands come through here like a tornado, and I can't find it right now. I don't mind help, but don't touch my stuff... I'll be making little thank you's to go in his friends goody bags as well. That's my next project. Then it's a whirl wind of card making. I have the opportunity to place my items for sale in a little consignment like shop for handmade items... I think my cards could fetch me a little enabler money dontcha think? I'll give it a try for a month and see if it's really worth the effort. If it is, I'll be an official entreprenuer. Anybody got any tips on what sells and what doesn't, or anything else I need to know about selling my cards and crafty items? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Plus leave me a comment, I'd love to hear from you!

CELEBRATE

Here is a card I made for my neighbor who just had a brand new baby. I haven't been very creative crafty for a little bit, but decided she deserved a Tansy original. I used me CTMH Wishes card confidence pattern book (LOVE IT!) for the pattern. It's called SUNDIAL. The paper is from the paper packet GRACE I did have to add my own little flair to it though. The paper flower I made using a SU border punch to scallop the edges of a piece of paper cut at 1 1/2"x 12", and then I crumpled it up again and again to loosen up the fibers in the paper to make it easier to form into the flower. I did punch a circle for the base with my 1 3/4" punch. I glued my piece to the base, and formed it into a spiral securing it as I went around. Then I used my CTMH liquid glass to really secure it and to adhere the button to the flower. I like how the flower turned out, but I think I need some more border punches so that I can make more of these beauties. I found the idea here on Vicki's blog. She never disappoints with her artwork. I love everything she comes up with... Stay tuned, cause the mini album on her blog, I made one too, and will be offering it as a workshop in June, stay tuned for more details coming soon, really soon.