A Touch of Grace

Guess what!  I’m one of the six designers chosen by Random.org to give away the Mystery Blog Candy being given away during the JustRite Font Blog Hop.  Woo hoo!!!!

I chose Random.org for my drawing as well. 

And the lucky winner is:

Elle K - 194   Timestamp: 2009-09-20 20:50:28 UTC

(Elle, please contact me at jerrik@brandonomfs.com with your full name and address so that we can mail you your new treats.)

Congratulations Elle!!!!  You’ve won the following from JustRite Stampers:

JB 08650  - 2” Wooden Stamper

JB 08795  Holiday Demi Phrases

JB 08780 A Merry Little Christmas

These items were featured on Splitcoaststampers Product Review.  I’m providing a link that illustrates how to use the products you’ve won:  Items won, as well as a written tutorial

Have fun with your new treats!!  

Good Morning!  I hope you’re having a nice, relaxing weekend with your families. 

A reminder that today, 12:00 noon,  is the last day to leave a comment for the Mystery Blog Candy being given away by JustRite Stampers.  Be sure to check with JustRite Stampers at 6:00 p.m. to see if you’re one of the lucky winners.

Don’t forget the Super 7-Day Font Sale  going on over at JustRite Stampers.  If you’re looking for some fabulous font sets, you won’t want to miss this sale, they are offering 30% off all JustRite font sets and the Horizontal and Vertical font stampers.  The sale began September 17th and runs through to September 24th. 

Good luck to you all!

Welcome to Day 2 of the JustRite Stampers Font Blog Hop. JustRite Stampers is celebrating a Mega Font Blog Hop, a two day extravaganza with 54 designers, in style with a Super 7-Day Font Sale.  If you’re looking for some fabulous font sets, you won’t want to miss this sale, they are offering 30% off all JustRite font sets and the Horizontal and Vertical font stampers.

The sale begins September 17th and ends September 24th.  And to add some fun into the blog hop, Mystery Blog Candy is being given away during the Two Day JustRite Font Blog Hop!!  Why is it a mystery?  .  .  . Well, there’ll be three blog candy giveaways on each day and you can only win by leaving a comment on the right blog!  The real surprise is you won’t know which blog has the candy .  .  . even the designers don’t know!  So, as you visit each of the 54 designers over the two day event, take time to leave a comment  .   .   . You may be one of the lucky winners!  You have until 12:00 noon on Sunday to leave comments for your chance to win.  You’ll want to check back at the JustRite Blog on Sunday evening to find out if you’ve won.

Ladies, go grab a cup of coffee (you’ll want a large cup  .  .  . LOL), a yummy danish,  sit back, relax and enjoy the blog hop.  I hope we’ve provided you with lots of inspiration for your holiday crafting and decorating!

For the designs below I used the above products from JustRite Stampers:  Special Occasion Uppercase Font set,  Small Letter Font set, Horizontal Wood Stamper set, Autumn Blessings Borders and Centers, and Wood Stamper  Oval (large).

I decorated a jar of Pecan Pumpkin Butter and a bag filled with ingredients to make Spiced Pecan Pumpkin Quick Bread to give away as a Fall holiday gift set.

A group picture of the bag, the jar, and the pumkin bread that I baked for my family. Every Fall I receive a loaf of pumpkin bread from a dear friend.  She packages it up so beautifully.  I’m forever in awe of her thoughtfulness, kindness and talent. This year, I’m giving her this gift set in appreciation for all she does to make me feel special.  

A close up of the front of the jar.  I covered the jar with the Harvest collection designer paper from Me & My Big Ideas, as well as the lid.  I used Petite Ovals and Petite Scalloped Ovals nesties for the pumpkin image, a Spellbinders tag die for the tag, and Circles and Scalloped Circles Nesties for the jar lid.  The three strips were cut at 1/4″ and wrapped around the jar. I edged the strips, as well as the oval and circle with a gold Krylon pen. The pumpkins were water colored with Stampin’ Up!’ re-inkers.

I placed a bow on top of the lid with a tag attached.  The bow is made of green taffeta ribbon from May Arts.  The leaves were punched with a Martha Stewart leaf punch.  The tendrils were made with Chocolate Chip cardstock.  I used the Bow Easy to make the bow and encircled it with the gold cord I used for the tag.

I made two more taffeta bows and attached them to the butter spreaders, so pretty when you’re having guests.  They were very easy to apply, I simply attached them with a Glue Dot close to the ceramic edge.  For clean up, simply remove them from the utinsel.

I attached another water colored pumpkin panel to the lower corner of the bag and added berries that I purchased at Michael’s.  The Michael’s in my area is having a 50% off of all Fall items.  I purchased several beautiful pieces for my home as well as a few sprays to use as embellishments for my crafts. The two metal pumpkin tea lights pictured above in the group picture were purchased at Michael’s.  So pretty, I can’t wait to light them at the dinner table.

I cut a portion from the Fall spray and adhered it to the bag top, together with a tag that reads, “Spiced Pecan Pumpkin - Quick Bread.”  I used bows throughout the project, I’d be lost without the Bow Easy.

You’ll want to head on over to Taylor’s blog from here.  If I know Taylor, she’ll have something that will knock your socks off!

Shopping:

JustRite Stampers for Special Occasion Uppercase Font set,  Small Letter Font set, Horizontal Wood Stamper set, Autumn Blessings Borders and Centers, and Wood Stamper Oval (large).

A Touch of Grace:  Gold Krylon Pen, Scor It, Zip Dry Adhesive, Scotch Removable Tape

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store:  May Arts Ribbon (HM56), Bow Easy

Products Used in Design:

Paper:  Me & My Big Ideas (DP); Old Olive, More Mustard, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, Naturals Ivory

Ink:  Stampin’ Up! Re-inkers; Stampin’ Up! Markers, Staz On (brown)

Accessories:  Krylon pen, double sided tape, ruler, Scor It, Nestibilities: Petite Ovals, Petite Ovals Scalloped, Circles, Scalloped Circles, Tags, Megabilities, Spellbinders Leaf, Bow Easy, May Arts tafetta ribbon, gold cord (Stampin’ Up!), Glue Dots, Dimensionals (All Night Media and Stampin’ Up!), Martha Stewart leaf punch, berries and Fall foliage (Michael’s), Zip Dry adhesive, coffee bag, Scotch Removable Tape, Pecan Pumpkin Butter and Spiced Pecan Pumpking Quick Bread (Williams Sonoma).

Good Luck with the Blog Candy and enjoy the hop!

JustRite Blog
Debbie Olson
Jerri Jimenez
Taylor Van Bruggen
Holly Simoni
Barb Schram
Terre Frye
Michelle Kovack
Kim Moreno
Catherine Doucette
Kellie Fortin
Kimberly Crawford
Kathy Jones
Michelle Giraud
Angela Barkhouse
Heather Pulvirenti
Tami Mayberry
Jennifer Buck
Keri Lee Sereika
Jami Bova
Laura Davis
Stacey Kingman
Bonnie Sharp
Stephanie Severin
Janine Orchard
Debbie Seyer
Margie Higuchi
Lauren Bergold
Anja Curvers
AJ Otto

Thank you for stopping by to visit, I always love to see you here!

Oh my gosh, thank you all so much for writing about the size of the pictures.   The pictures are very small, much to my distress.  While the site was under construction, I could click on them and they would enlarge to a single picture in the upper left side of the screen.  I didn’t realize until tonight after reading another comment about their size that they are not enlarging when they are clicked on.  Something definitely occurred to turn off that feature when the store went live.  It’s a total mystery to me, but hopefully tomorrow I can get the issue resolved.

Hi everyone, I’ve been missing in action for several weeks.  I’m pleased to announce that I’ve opened an online store, A Touch of Grace–Paper Boutique.   I’ve been away while working on the design and store itself. 

My desire to open A Touch of Grace - Paper Boutique came from you. I have received numerous e-mails this past year asking about the products I use. It is my desire to offer these products to you for your crafting needs. I will add additional products that I love as the store grows, items are coming in daily.  I am working on some changes to my blog and as soon as my new facelift is complete, I’ll be back to designing. 

Wishing you all a wonderful summer!

Ladies,  I just want to make sure you all understand that the kit is a kit, not a tutorial.  For those of you who have written me, I have sent information regarding what is and is not included in the kit.  It comes with a seven page instructional guide with small pics, illustrating the placement of the stencil on the paper.  I go step-by-step putting the card together, an electronic file will also be forwarded to you with large photos (22 I believe) showing you the step-by-step pictures as well.  

Please note, while I give the names and numbers of the colored pencils I used, Caren d’Ache Pablo colored pencils (can be purchased at Dick Blick’s, I’ve provided a link on the tutorial), you can use Prisma’s by matching up the color names to Prisma colors, the kit does not include a tutorial for coloring the flowers.  It does give instruction on which colors are used on the leaves, the petals, the flower centers, etc. 

When I designed this card for my mother, I had no idea of the response and that you all would want a kit.  I used the colored pencils of my choice, Caren d’Ache Pablo colored pencils.  Why?  Because Caren d’Ache Pablo colored pencils are oil based, Prisma’s are wax based.  While I love using Prisma’s as well, I chose the Caren d’Ache because the finished result is a softer, dreamier look when used with Gamsol.  However, if you have Prisma’s, they will be fine to use, it’s just a matter of preference.  Also note, a full-size colored photo of the finished card will be included in the electronic submission as a guide for you to follow when coloring.

Ladies, thank you for the overwhelming response to the Mother’s Day kit.  I truly had no idea it would be so popular, especially since Mother’ Day has passed.  I had ordered enough materials to sell 10, wondering if that many would sell.  So far I’ve had 21 women respond that they want a kit.  I’ve called my distributor and have ordered more materials.  They will be shipped Tuesday, May 19.  I should have them by Saturday, May 24. 

I have made the decision to limit the kit to 25 as I have to move on to new designs.  The first 10 women who responded to my May 13 post will receive the first 10 kits.  They will ship Monday morning. 

I will notify each of you where you are on the list and get the billing information I will need Friday morning, May 14. Four kits are available for those of you who want one and have not had a chance to respond.

Thank you all so much for your patience. 

Hi all, just wanted to check in briefly to let you know that Stephen and I are working diligently and hope to have an announcement up soon.  For those of you who requested to be put on a waiting list for the Mother’s Day card kit, please send me an e-mail and I will give you the specifics on the kit.

Have a great day!

Murphy’s Law . . . .what can go wrong, will go wrong!
Good Morning, I had been trying for days to get a tutorial made for the Bow Easy on U-Tube only to realize that my video equipment was too old and not compatible with my computer.  I bought a new HD camcorder recommended by B & H Photo and was told that it would be compatible with my computer.  Well, I haven’t figured it out as yet.  My son says the high definition is too high for my computer, whatever that means.  He used his MAC to run the video through to U-Tube.  We were provided with a code to copy and paste into my blog.  We’ve had no success in loading the video on my blog for viewing and decided to provide a link to U-Tube so that you could view it there.  When I clicked on the link and viewed it on U-Tube, I was appalled at the poor quality.  I don’t know what happened when the video was sent to U-Tube.  The recorder did a wonderful job on the picture quality.  Okay, now here’s where I’m truly ignorant, I don’t understand any of this!  I believe when the video is transferred to U-Tube there’s distortion, especially with very high definition equipment, or at least that’s my understanding, I’m not sure, far too above my extremely limited knowledge.  I’ve decided not to provide the link until we can get this figured out.  We’re working on it and I hope to have it available soon. Thank  you so much for your patience.  And, if anyone has any tips out there, I’m all ears . . . LOL!

Have a wonderful weekend with family and friends.

A few weeks ago I posted an Easter card and told you about a bow tying secret that I had picked up from Jenny Gropp, One Krafty Kat.  Since that time I’ve posted a few more cards with beautiful bows that I’ve made using that same “secret” method for perfect bows.  Several of you have written to me asking how I make such beautiful bows with both tails on the back side of the bow.

Well today I’m pleased to share the good news with you, the “secret” Jenny shared with me.  The “secret” is the Bow Easy.  Yes, that’s right, Bow Easy, and is it ever easy to tie the most beautiful bows you’ll ever make.  So what’s this Bow Easy?  Take a peek here and you’ll see what the Bow Easy is all about.  I’m pleased to share with you that the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store is selling the Bow Easy at the very low fee of $6.  Personally, I would have paid a small fortune for something that would help me create such beautiful bows, but there was no need . . . LOL!  The Bow Easy is so incredibly easy to use.  The green bows shown on the card above are only one inch in length and have triple loops.  With the Bow Easy you can make as many or as little loops as you like, and you can make seven different size bows.  To illustrate this I made a large bow with two loops from May Arts one inch sheer ribbon and then made a small bow from of May Arts 1/4″ silk ribbon and adhered it on top of the larger bow.  To see a wide variety of beautiful bows on samples boards made by Jenny, click here.

I recommend that you be the first to order the Bow Easy from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store before it sells out, I have a feeling Sharon’s supply won’t last long; and, while you’re there, check out the beautiful variety of May Arts ribbons that Sharon has available.  My personal favorites are the sheers and the silks, but all are gorgeous!!

Check back with me later in the week, if all goes as planned, I’ll have a bow tying video posted showing you just how easy the Bow Easy really is.

I made this card for the Stamp Simply Challenge #85 - Let the Sun Shine.  No stamps were used, the image is my design.  It was drawn to fit within the parameters of the embossing.  Those sweet little butterflies were made with a new punch I just love.  I adhered them on the tassel and on the bow centers.

If you’re still not convinced the Bow Easy is for you, I invite you to check out the designs of these very talented designers:

Sharon Johnson, owner of the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

Jenny Gropp, who so willingly shared her “secret” with Sharon and me.  You’ll definitely want to check out this link, Jenny is offering a Bow Easy as blog candy.

Joan Fricker, of Joan’s Gardens, designed this fabulous card.

• Image:  hand drawn
• Paper:  Embossing Paper
• Ink:  Tinta Gold
• Accessories:  Embossing stencil, light box, craft knife, Krylon gold leafing pen, mini butterfly punch, small butterfly punch, Bow Easy, 3D glue, glitter, May Arts ribbons, gold cord, green glass beads, pearls, mapping pen, colored pencils, Gamsol, blending stump, dimensionals, Zip Dry adhesive

Shopping:

A Touch of Grace-Paper Boutique: Stencil

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store:  May Arts ribbons, Bow Easy

Joan’s Gardens:  Zip Dry adhesive

Thank you so much for visiting my blog.  Please be sure to check back later in the week for the Bow Easy tutorial and Bow Easy blog candy.  Wishing you a wonderful day with all His blessings!