Decking the Halls with Comfort and Joy Christmas Album

December 11, 2020September 23, 20218 Comments

Comfort & Joy Christmas Album

Christmas is going to feel a lot different this year.

Instead of large family gatherings, we’ll be keeping it simple.

Sharing a little Holiday Encoragement

This year, the Eileen Hull teams got together and decided to celebrate the Holidays by creating

Comfort and Joy Albums and asked the Eileen Hull Facebook Fan Club to join along.

For my album, I choose the theme Decking the Halls.

You can find the Eileen Hull Facebook Fan Club Page here.

My Comfort and Joy Album uses the Eileen Hull Journal Die* and papers and embellishments

from Simple Stories Simple Vintage North Pole Collection*.

Instead of giving you a tutorial on how I made the album, I’ve decided to explain the inspiration

behind the album and share with you how I decorate my home for Christmas.

Materials Used: (*affiliate link)

661906 Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal Die*
Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting & Embossing Machine*
Xyron Creative Station*
13626 Simple Vintage North Pole Foam Stickers
13610 Simple Vintage North Pole Scrapbook Paper: Holly Days
13602 Simple Vintage North Pole Scrapbook Paper: Dear Santa*
13614 Simple Vintage North Pole Scrapbook Paper: 4″ x 6″ Elements*
13603 Simple Vintage North Pole Scrapbook Paper: St. Nicholas*
CH321 Clear Hero Hues Enamel Dots*
Red Chrome Adhesive Craft Vinyl*
StyletechCraft Clear Transfer Tape*
StyleTechCraft Vinyl Tool Kit*
Silhouette Came o Electronic Die Cutting Machine*
Red and White Twine*
White Cardstock

*Disclosure: This blog uses affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

Because my family won’t be together this Christmas, I’ve asked my daughter and daughter in law to send me Christmas pictures for my album. I will have a family album filled with Christmas Memories.

I also come from a large extended family, which usually gets together for a big Christmas party. I’ll be honest, the thought of missing all these celebrations makes me a little sad.

While making my album, I got the inspiration to take this weekend and drop off small gifts to my siblings. I’ll be able to take a few porch pictures of the families and get my much-needed family fix.

Decking the Halls

When it comes to decorating the outside, I like to keep it simple. We wrap twinkle lights around the large bush by our lamp post and hang icicle lights on the upper balcony.

Sprucing Up with Holiday Greens

I cut pine branches from the large pine tree in the yard and spruce up my pots with Holiday greens.

The Front Door

The front door has a simple wreath and a decorated sled.

The Christmas Tree

A few years ago, I got this frosted tree and absolutely love it. I keep it simple with a red and white theme. (I only use a fraction of the ornaments I’ve collected throughout the years)

Bookish Gnomes

While working on the decorations, I moved these gnomes on top of the books because my little pup thought they were dog toys. I liked the way they looked, so I kept them there.

The Mantle

In my Dining Room, I have a large fireplace, which I decorated the mantle with a few of my Santa’s from my Santa Collection.

My Santa Collection

I’ve got Vintage Santas, Skiing Santas, Golfing Santas, and Toymaking Santas. I scatter them randomly around the house.

Keeping it Simple

I would love to one day have a fully styled house for the Holidays. Instead, I keep it simple.

I create small vignettes around the house to make it feel festive and homey.

Dexter

Even my sweet little pup, fresh from the groomers, matches my decorations.

Dexter and I would like to wish you all a Happy Holidays filled with Comfort and Joy.

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Christmas in July with Eileen Hull’s Dies

June 30, 2020July 2, 202045 Comments

Christmas in July with Eileen Hulls New Release Snowman and Mitten Dies.

I wanted to share with you a couple of fun Wintery projects using the NEW dies that are

now available from Eileen Hull and Sizzix*.

The Gingham Mitten Gift Box uses the #664510 Mitten Box Die by Eileen Hull.

It cuts out all the pieces you need to make a super cute gift box that you can fill with treats.

A few tips…

Adhere the gingham paper to Sizzix, Little Sizzles White Mat Board* using your favorite adhesive before cutting out the mitten die. I like to use the Xyron Creative Station* to adhere the paper to the mat board so I get complete adhesive covering.
Paint the inside and sides of the box with red acrylic paint.
Glue lace onto the front of the gingham mitten before assembling the box. I like to use a super-fast grab adhesive like DAP Rapid Fuse Adhesive*to glue my pieces together.

The second project is a Snowman Note Card Holder.

I used the #664511 Snowman Box Die by Eileen Hull and adapted it a bit.

When I saw the scored piece that is supposed to be used to create the box, I saw a fence. So, of course, I had to make a Snowman decorating a fence.
I glued two of the box parts together to make the fence. I created a platform out of extra pieces of Little Sizzles Mat Board* for a place for the fence to stand.

The Snowman Box Die cuts all the pieces to makes these two adorable Snowman Boxes.

Extra Snowman Supplies (*affiliate links)

*Disclosure: This blog uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

There’s a lot of dimension that was added to my Snowman.

I painted the fence and snowman with white acrylic paint. After the paint had dried, I gave them both a coat of One Step Crackle Paint*. The thicker the paint the larger the crackles. (My crackles are more subtle.)
I used White Liquid Applique* on the rim and top of the snowman’s hat. I let the liquid applique dry before heating it with a Heat Tool* to raise it. If you let it dry before heating, the liquid applique raises evenly not bumpy.
I used DecoArt Dimensional Effects*on the tops of the fence and around the base. I also used it on the bottom of my Snowman.

Check out the creative ways the Inspiration and Education Teams have used the Mitten and Snowman dies! We hope that you will be inspired too and share how you use the dies in the Eileen Hull Fan Club.

For a full list of designers visit Eileen’s Blog Here.

But wait- there’s more- the Release Party continues! You won’t want to miss the Facebook Live at Eileen Hull Designs at 12:00 noon Eastern time on Wednesday, July 1! Join the chat- and a random commenter will win the Snowman die.

Please hop with us through all of the projects and leave comments on the different designers’ blogs. A lucky commenter will win the Mitten Box die…

Thanks everyone!

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A Merry Little Holiday House

November 26, 2019November 19, 2022Leave a comment

How to make A Merry Little Holiday House.

A cute little holiday decoration using the Eileen Hull House Ornament Die.

Perfect for gift giving. Just add a small battery operated tea light and see it glow.

A Merry Little House Supplies Used: (*affiliate links)

*Disclosure: This blog uses affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

Directions:

Cut two pieces of Red and Black Buffalo Plaid paper 6″ x 8″.
Run both pieces of paper design side up through the Xyron Creative Station*. As the paper moves through the Creative Station it adds adhesive to the underneath side of the paper. You get full and complete adhesive covering on the paper.
Cut two pieces of Mat Board* 6″ x 8″.
Adhere the buffalo plaid paper onto each one of the mat board. (underneath will be plain)

Lay covered matboard on top of the house ornament die and sandwich it between two sizzix cutting plates. Run the die, mat board and cutting plates through the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine*. The Big Shot will cut out the house shape and two tiny houses that you can use on a later project.
Cut two houses shapes.

A Merry Little Holiday House bits and pieces.

Carefully fold on the scored lines.
Cut off the top tab with the two holes on both houses. (This tab is used if you want to make it an ornament.)
You will also need to cut the bottom flap from one of the houses.
Use Super Glue to assemble the house. Glue all sides of the house together before gluing the roof tabs. Leave bottom tab unglued so that you can add a small battery operated tea light.

For the Roof: Cut a piece of Black Corrugated paper 2 1/2″ x 4″. Fold in half and glue to top of the roof.
Place two small pieces of white matboard over the window section of the ornament house die and run through the big shot die cutting machine. Trim around matboard to create two small windows. Glue windows frames onto house.

Add the “Merry” chipboard sticker from the Christmas Market Chipboard Accents to the front of the house.
Make wreath out of a 6″ piece of the craft pine stem.
Create a small bow from the red twine and glue onto front of wreath.
Glue wreath to front of the house.

Carta Bella Christmas Market Collection* (available on Amazon)

Give the Gift of Amazon Prime*

Country Christmas Pocket Notebook

October 2, 2019June 1, 202256 Comments

Country Christmas Pocket Notebook.

Being a friend and a big fan of the creative dies that Eileen Hull designs for Sizzix…

I was happy to jump on the band wagon with Eileen Hull’s Design Team and Educators

to create an album using Eileen Hull’s NEW Pocket Notebook Die from Sizzix*.

You’ll just flip at the amazing things these ladies have come up with.

Make sure to read to the end of this post to see the full list of designers.

*Disclosure… This blog uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

Is it too early to start thinking Christmas?

Once I saw the Simple Stories– Country Christmas 6 x 8 paper pad* I knew it would make

a cute little album for Christmas using Eileen Hull’s Pocket Notebook Die*.

To create the album you’ll need to cut out the pieces from matboard.

The Sizzix Little Sizzles Mat Board* is the perfect size to use with the XL Sizzix dies.

I like to use my Xyron Creative Station* to add adhesive to the back of the paper.

You can do this before or after you cut the die.

The Pocket Notebook Die* cuts the cover (you will need 2), a pen-loop and latch and pages for

the book. The page size is adjustable and the spine of the book can be any size from 3/8″ to 2″.

I kept the cover and inside of my album pretty simple, I’ll embellish it more as I add pictures.

The spine has pre-cut holes for gathering the inside pages.

I folded several of the 6″ x 8″ paper from the pad to make little page groupings.

Each one is held together with an elastic loop with I tied on the outside of the spine.

I created a couple pocket pages in the center of one of the page groupings.

There’s a lot of possibilities and potential when using the Pocket Notebook die.

Country Christmas Pocket Notebook Products Used:

Welcome to the Pocket Notebook Release Party!

Eileen’s Inspiration and Educator teams have combined to show us their amazing Pocket Notebook ideas. Please follow the Blog Hop to see all of the fabulous projects, techniques and videos!

There are also two GIVEAWAYS– the Pocket Notebook die and a gift certificate for Eileen’s Etsy store. To enter to win, leave a comment on each of the posts. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, October 8 on Eileen’s Facebook Live show.

Thanks for hopping along with us today!

Back to School Teacher Gift

September 4, 2019September 3, 20192 Comments

As the new school year begins…

Don’t forget about the teachers in your life.

We all know your child’s teacher is over the moon to have your wonderful child in her class,

but just remember, she still has to deal with “you know who’s” kid.

And while she may “need” school supplies…

what she really wants is CHOCOLATE. (and maybe wine)

Believe me…she’s not ready for summer to be over either.

To ~~bribe~~ entice your child’s teacher…

You might want to create a Back to School Teacher’s Gift Box using the

Xyron 9″ Creative Station* and the Eileen Hull Treasure Box Die*.

Back to School Teacher Gift Box Supplies Used:

Xyron 9″ Creative Station*
Xyron Creative Station Permanent Adhesive Refill*
Eileen Hull Treasure Box Die*
Sizzix Little Sizzles Chipboard*
Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine*
Decorative Scrapbook Paper
Faux Leather Paper
4 Pencils

*Disclosure: This blog uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

To Create the Back to School Teacher Gift Box:

Lay decorative scrapbook paper (design side up) on the Xyron 9″ Creative Station* crank the handle to run the paper through the machine. As it moves through the Xyron Creative Station it adds adhesive to the back side of the paper. The Xyron Creative Station is easy to use and it doesn’t need electricity.
Adhere the paper onto the chipboard. If you would like a design on the inside of the box, adhere coordinating paper on the other side of the chipboard.

I love using the Xyron Creative Station* when making larger projects like this because you get complete coverage, great adhesion, no wrinkling and no bubbles!

Lay the covered mat board over the Treasure Box Die* sandwiched between two cutting plates. (for larger dies use the Sizzix Extender Cutting Plates)
Crank the handle of the Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine*and run the die through the machine. The Big Shot will cut and score the mat board.

You will need to cut two of each piece to create the treasure box.

Fold chipboard along creased lines and attach matching pieces together. Because the chipboard is thick, you will need a strong adhesive to bond the pieces together.
Glue the two rectangle pieces on the top and bottom of the box and lid.

Cut the tops off 4 pencils approx. 3/4″.
Cut one long 3-3/4″ pencil piece.
Cut two pieces of pencil 1/2″.

Glue the 4 pencil tops to the bottom of the box to create feet.
Glue the two small pencil pieces onto the larger pencil piece to create a handle.

To create the hinges…

Add adhesive on a piece of faux leather paper by running it through the Xyron Creative Station.
Adhere it to a second piece of faux leather paper so that it’s double sided.
Die cut two hinges using the hinge part of the Treasure Box die.
Adhere onto back of the box.

Fill the box with chocolates or other goodies and give to your favorite teacher.

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Xyron Makers Program I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas. The views and opinions are my own.

Little Red Barn

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019Leave a comment

The Little Red Barn…

Every summer we take on a new project and this summer has been all about the barn.

Our old barn was built in two sections and one of the sections was in pretty bad shape.

We tore down the rickety part and have been rebuilding the other half.

My only requirement for the new barn was that I wanted it red. (and maybe a few other changes)

I’ll save the Barn Make-Over for another post.

*Disclosure… “This is a sponsored post. I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas. The views and opinions are my own.”

So… when I received Eileen Hull’s House Ornament Die* naturally I saw a barn.

I guess I’m in full barn mode.

I made a few adjustments to the die-cut house, like removing the top section for tying and

adding a roof made from black corrugated paper.

I added a couple barn doors cut from chipboard and added a thin piece of corrugated

paper over top for an awning.

The bottom of the house opens up and would look cute with a tea light glowing inside.

The die also comes with a little tag to hang from the top of the house.

I added a little awning over the window. So many possibilities.

This house die* is quickly becoming my new favorite die.

I can’t wait to create another house (or two) all decked out for Christmas.

Quick and Easy Summer Mini Album

July 19, 2019July 24, 2019Leave a comment

Quick and Easy Summer Vacation Mini Album

You don’t have to take an expensive Summer Vacation to have fun when your a kid.

Between Baseball games, Swim Lessons, Swim Team, Carnivals, Pie Eating Contests,

Fireworks, Drive In Movies, Swimming, Summer Reading Program, Mini Gardens,

Tie-Dyeing and just playing outside….there’s always something to do.

Because we have so many great pictures, I decided to make my grandsons a

Summer Vacation Mini Album to remember all the good times they’ve had this summer.

To Create my Summer Vacation Mini Album I used: (*affiliate links)

Xyron Creative Station*
Creative Station Permanent Adhesive Refill*
Xyron Mega Runner*
Sizzix 663635 Notebook Die by Eileen Hull*
Sizzix Little Sizzles Mat Board*
Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine*
Seas the Day Collection from Dare 2B Artsy
Blue and White Bakers Twine*

With the help of my Xyron Creative Station* putting the album together was super easy.

Cut two 6″ x 8-1/2″pieces of decorative scrapbook paper for the front and inside of the cover.
Lay decorative scrapbook paper (design side up) on the Xyron Creative Station* crank the handle to run the paper through the machine. As it moves through the Xyron Creative Station it adds adhesive to the back side of the paper.
Easy to use and it doesn’t need any electricity.
I like using the Xyron Creative Station* when making mini books because you get complete coverage, no wrinkling, no bubbles!

Cut a piece of mat board 6″ x 8-1/2″.
Adhere the decorative paper on each side of the mat board.

Lay the covered mat board over the notebook die* sandwiched between two cutting plates.
Crank the handle of the Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine*and run the die through the machine. The Big Shot will cut and score the mat board.

The notebook die creases the center of mat board as it goes through the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine making it easy to fold the cover for your mini album.

Cut a 2 1/4″ x 5″ strip of decorative paper to use for the spine and run it through the Xyron Creative Station*.
The small “hello summer” graphic is from an old Bo Bunny collection that I hoarded and never used. It was perfect for this album. (sorry I don’t think you can find it anymore)

Cut 5 white cardstock pages using the notebook die.
Crease the cardstock on the center score lines.
Using blue and white twine, wrap the twine around the inside creases and around the outside of the book cover to secure the pages.
I did one page at a time tying the twine in a knot on the outside after each page.

After I had all my pages together, I tied all the piece of twine together in one knot on the spine and let the ends of the twine hang loose.

I wanted this Summer Mini Album to be all about the pictures.

There are no fancy embellishments or special pages inside this album.

(just lots of fun pictures of my boys)

The hardest part about making this album was choosing which pictures I wanted to use.

I printed my pictures 4″ x 5.3″ instead of the usual 4″ x 6″.

I cut each picture 3 1/4″ x 4 3/4″ which left a nice white border around my picture when added

to the album. I used my Xyron Mega Runner* to add adhesive on the back of the pictures.

I had all 21 pictures added to my album in no time. (one on the inside back cover)

These are three busy little boys.

They’ve had a great summer so far and they still have another month to go before school starts.

Who says summer is about lazy days.

The Summer Vacation Mini Album measures 3 3/4″ x 5″.

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Xyron Makers Program I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas. The views and opinions are my own.

Bunny Table Favor with Rinea Foil

April 17, 2019April 15, 20204 Comments

Create a cute little Bunny Treat Box to adorn your table this Easter.

To make the Bunny Table Favor…

I used Rinea Foiled Paper, a paper lined with colorful vibrant metal foil on both sides.

This German inspired paper holds its shape, looks like foil and works like paper.

The Bunny Table Favor is a fun project to make even the littlest guest feel special.

Products used… (*affiliate links)

CP12V-PAS Crafter’s Variety Pack Pastels
CP12S-BLBL Crafter’s Pack Starstruck Blush/Blush
CP12S-SLSL Crafter’s Pack Starstruck Silver/Silver
Xyron Creative Station*
Xyron Acid-Free Permanent Adhesive Refill Cartridge for the Creative Station*
Sizzix Easter Elements Die or Sizzix Cottontail Die #664167
Sizzix Big Shot Machine*
Chipboard
Beacon 3 in 1 Glue*
DecoColor Premium Silver Leaf Pen*
DecoColor Silver Leaf Pen*
WFE003 Stardust Enamel Dots from Waffleflower
Bamboo Skewer

Directions:

To add adhesive to the back of the Rinea Foiled Paper lay the paper onto the Xyron Creative Station* crank the handle to run the paper through the machine. As it moves through the Xyron Creative Station it adds adhesive to the back side of the paper. Easy to use and it doesn’t need electricity.

Apply Rinea Foiled Paper onto the front and back of pre-cut chipboard pieces.
Place the double sided foiled chipboard pieces onto the (discontinued) Easter Elements Die and run through the Sizzix Big Shot Die Cut Machine* to cut out the Bunny Shapes.
FYI…the Sizzix Cottontail Die is very similar to the bunny I used.

Cut two double-sided blush foiled bunny shapes.
Cut two 2 ½” x 1 ½” and two 1 ½” x 1 ½” pieces of double-sided silver foiled chipboard.
Cut a 2 ½” x 3 ½” piece of double-sided pastel green foiled chipboard.
To cover up the brown core of the chipboard, use the DecoColor Premium Silver Leaf Pen* to go around the edge of each piece of cut chipboard.

I used Beacon 3 in 1 Glue* to glue the four silver sides of the box onto the pastel green base.
Glue the pink foiled bunnies to both sides of the box.

Cut a 2″ x 2 ½” piece of pastel green foil. Tightly roll foil using a bamboo skewer, add a little glue along the edge of the roll to keep roll from unraveling.
Cut small cuts into the top of the foil to create fringe.
Create two and glue to the front and back of the box.

Punch a couple small pastel purple daisies, curl and form into a petite flower.
Glue flower to the front of the box.
Cut several thin 6″ strips of pastel green foil. Wrap foil paper around the bamboo skewer to form little spirals.
Use spirals as the filler inside the treat box. (The foil paper holds its shape well.)

Fill Bunny Table Favor with candy treats and add to your Easter Table.

“This is a sponsored post.” As part of the Designer Craft Connection Blog Hop I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas. The views and opinions are my own.

My project is part of a Blog Hop put on the Designer Crafts Connection Blog.
For more fun projects using Rinea Foiled Paper and the list of participating blogs click here