Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Today's Winner is....

Debbie!!! Congratulations, Debbie!!! You know the routine...email your address to me and I'll send the stamps out to you!!! Debbie's comment said that she had ZERO stamps...WHA-T?? Well..I'm honored that Dandelion will be your first stamps, Debbie!!!

Now, on to today's project. From your comments, it seems like most of you are at least starting to think about the upcoming holidays. With that in mind...here are more ideas for the holidays:

Oh...before I begin...let me share the inspiration behind this project. Everyday when I run my errands, I pass by a house that's surrounded by a fence. Just over the fence, I can catch a glimpse of the backyard with a big mango tree...from the tree, they have a bunch of paper lanterns hanging here and there, at different levels. I don't know why, but it always makes me feel happy to see that. Anyway, here's my attempt to re-create those lanterns using 3 of my new "face" stamps for the holidays:



Can you imagine a bunch of these hanging on your trees leading the trick-or-treaters up to your front door?



Or some of these decorating your home or Christmas tree?



Or some of these as a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving meal?



They're so easy and fast to make!! I picked up the battery-operated candles at Ben Franklin (put a strip of double stick tape around the base of the candle (as shown below):



Cut a piece of vellum (I'm on a vellum kick!!) to 4-3/4" x 3-1/2" (of course, you can change the second number to vary the height of your "lantern"). I don't know if you can see it, but there's also a piece of double stick tape down the length (left side in photo, above) of the backside of the paper. Simply wrap the vellum around the candle (PLEASE, don't use real candles!!) and tape the 2 edges together in the back.

A few extra notes: When working with vellum, I stamp with Staz-On permanent ink and color the image from the backside of the paper. For the turkey candle, I used a handmade mulberry paper instead of vellum. To get the torn appearance at the top of the candle...I simply wet the top edge of the paper (i just put a little line of water with my fingers)...then carefully tear off the edge.

Here's today's giveaway:



To enter the drawing for these stamps, leave me a comment by midnight (Hawaii time) on Thursday, August 26...tell me something that gives you inspiration when you're creating. I'll pick one winner at random and announce their name on Friday, August 27.

Before I go, I wanted to share some goodies I got in the mail from Carole:


Aren't they too cute? She's already used some of my new stamps!!! (I'll be using that Fuzzy Bear in an upcoming project). Can you believe that she created all 3 projects from one sheet of 12 x 12 paper?? Thanks for sharing your creativity, Carole!!!

Have a great Wednesday!!!

31 comments:

Brenda said...

Congrats to Debbie! Those are really cute ideas with the tealights. These face stamps are really cute and I can already think of some projects that I would use them on. Hmmm... what gives me inspiration when I'm creating is looking at my children's artwork.

Myka said...

Your lanterns and face stamps are so adorable. I can really see these lamps going up my driveway during the holidays. I really love it! I also enjoy blogland and reading all you wonderful and crafty bloggers. Just seeing beautiful creativity gives me inspiration to create something. Thank you for the opportunity.

Myka C.

Jo said...

Hi Jean! It was so nice to meet you in person this past weekend. I love your designs and projects- you make it seem so easy!!! I get inspired from reading other bloggers. Thanks!

carpediem said...

You have so many great ideas! I get inspiration from color combos I see in my garden, in magazines and in home decor stores! Congrats to Debbie! laura j

Rita said...

I imagine the smiles of the person that receives an item made specially for them.
Thanks for sharing your great ideas!

Sue from Oregon said...

you are making some really outstanding creations!

Anonymous said...

Wow- so creative. Thanks for sharing! I get inspired from seeing other people's ideas. Then I try to make the project fit my needs. My latest inspiration came from Lianne who owns Cute Stuff. She had this cute little explosion card made with Snoopy stamps. I'm using her thank you card theme to create birthday party invitations!
Jadee

In Bloom said...

So cute! They would look great on a christmas tree too! These votive lights are a great crafting item too! Thanks for the great idea!

Jenny V. said...

Congrats to Debbie! Great idea. And these faces are so adorable. Some of my inspiration comes from magazine and through blogging.

mst822 said...

Such adorable projects, Jean! So creative! Super cute stamps! Visiting blogs such as yours & other talented ladies is an inspiration! Seeing all the creativity, inspires me to "create"!
Tammy

Joy said...

Gosh, jena, you never fail me! What CUTE CUTE lanterns!I just LOVE IT!

Well, besides YOU, I get inspiration from just seeing things all around whether it's a toy or food or anythg...lots of times I just want to see if I can make one ofwhatever it is..Yeah, I'm kind of ADD when I'm out and about... like a dog..Oh look Squirrel!OK, what was I saying?LOL!

Can't wait to see the Fuzzy Bear project!Thanks fro doing these project previews, too!

~* steph :) *~ said...

congrats debbie! what wonderful stamps to start off her collection!
love your project, jean! too cute!
i enjoy playing with new product...that inspires me to create...and playing with faves as well.
thanks for sharing and thanks for the chance! have a great nite!
much aloha, steph :)

Joy said...

Hi Jean...it's me again...see i'm so ADD and I type like I have dyslexia that I typed your name wrong! Sorry!

Naya said...

Seeing all the things that people like you create inspires me. Looking forward to your upcoming projects.

ShaniKulani said...

I love the cute faces! that thanksgiving one made me laugh out loud :D. I get inspirations from my fellow bloggers, my family and nature. There is so much I wanna do and so little time! TFS such a great project. These lanterns made me happy too :)

wurmple said...

I love the lanterns with the adorable faces. They will look great in our big Halloween display. My inspiration comes from my kids and the internet.

Anonymous said...

I really like the look of your Tea Light lanterns..I am thinking that that is the perfect idea to dress up the front desk in the office instead of a pumpkin..I usually start decorating for Halloween the first week of Oct..one of my favorite holidays..The turkey face is perfect too..it is always hard to decorate for Thanksgiving
Ana
Huntington Beach CA

Regina said...

What a fantastic idea!
The faces stamps are great!
Regina*

Janet said...

Oh my goodness! What a great idea! These faces are SO adorable. Thanks for a chance to win them. :D

Denise said...

Those are the cutest lanterns. I might just have to make a few. I am sad to admit but my creativity seems to be lacking. Any hints on how to get it back are greatly appreciated. Very cute stamps you are offering. Thanks for being so generous.

Denise

Carole said...

I just love the lanterns! I've never stamped on vellum so I guess I will give it a try. Inspiration? Jean, you and Lianne from Cute Stuff are my top inspirations. I just can't keep up!!!

Unknown said...

Hello - I look forward to getting your Dandelion updates in my email everyday. (I check my email WAY to often.) I get very inspired just by reading them and viewing the beautiful and cute creations you make. I only wish I was just as talented. ;) - Another major thing that inspires me when I create is the JOY I think it will bring to the person I'm creating it for. (hopefully they like it) -pretty much everything I create are for others....I just take photos of my "creations" and store them away somewhere. Keep creating and I'll look forward to your NEXT update!-from - JOyce

Suzi said...

I find my inspiration on blogs like this. Sometimes I have to just run in and make it now!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jean,

Wow...more cute projects...you're amazing. It's people like you who inspire me. Thanks for always sharing your cute projects.

BJ

CM2 said...

Your tealights are one cute "bright" spot!
There are all sorts of reasons and occasions that inspire me to craft. I enjoy making things and gifting or sharing them with others! Having been a teacher for many years, it's just a natural part of the process! The Internet gives one a glimpse into the many crafting processes and formats available! Thank you for sharing your great ideas! CM2

Dawne said...

I like coming to your blog to see your ideas with your stamps you create! All that you do on here really inspires me. Thanks for sharing your creativity with us all!

Debbie said...

OMGosh I am just blown away! I cannot thank you enough for the privaledge of winning your awesome stamps. Thank you and expect some goodies in return. :)

Daisydaze said...

What cute stamps...thank you for the opportunity to play.

I love your lanterns, and will be trying some of those for my family and friends.

I get a lot of inspiration from things around me; especially flowers and animals, and from the generous crafty bloggers.

I enjoy making things to mail to my parents (80+) who live several states away, but love finding little goodies in their mail each week :-) Annie

Anonymous said...

Love the turkey, pumpkin and snowman lantern/light ideas for the holidays. Love your face stamp line; the new line is a great addition to your Easter face line. What gives me inspiration when I'm creating crafts with stamps and craft paper are my friends who I love to make gifts for and my son who enjoy making things with me for his grandparents and aunty.

Jen said...

Love these little lanterns! I get my ideas from so many places. Sometimes it's a kids magazine. other times from driving down the street and noticing something at a home (like you did) or at a store. The options are endless for inspiration as long as you're open to it I guess.

Jodi said...

Aloha Jean!! I am soooo happy that I finally got to meet you!! You are so very talented and I LOVE these cute cute faces you created too!!
Great idea for these lanterns!
Hugs
Jodi =)