Celina's Musings
CELINA.CA
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Christmas Gift Bags
I made these cute gift bags using thick decorative Christmas paper. They had different little goodies in them. The paper was 5 inches by 12 inches and then folded in the middle with a clear cellophane bag in the centre. 
You could make them in any size. You would just need to ensure it covers the bag. I ran the paper through my Big Shot machine with a Sizzlet of a Christmas ornament. Instead of the Sizzix, I also used a small scallop square Nestability.
I used K & C package of Christmas paper from Joanne's Crafts, cellophane bags and a tag punch from SU (for the tags), The green ribbon was from Creative Packaging. I filled them with goodies like Christmas erasers and candy canes.
You could make them in any size. You would just need to ensure it covers the bag. I ran the paper through my Big Shot machine with a Sizzlet of a Christmas ornament. Instead of the Sizzix, I also used a small scallop square Nestability.
I used K & C package of Christmas paper from Joanne's Crafts, cellophane bags and a tag punch from SU (for the tags), The green ribbon was from Creative Packaging. I filled them with goodies like Christmas erasers and candy canes.
My Pink Cricut Expression
This is my fabulous Cricut Expression...it's pink. I'm very happy, as you can tell.
this is me buying my cricut expression
Making your own Word Book
There are some very cool books that you can make that are composed of letters. You can buy the chipboard shaped letters, however there is a much more economical and cool method of making these books. Here is a picture of one book I have made:
This book is based on another one that I made at a class at my favorite scrapbooking store in the Vancouver area. It is called http://www.makingmemorieswithscrapbooking.com/ The classes they have are very unique and inventive. If you are in Vancouver/Burnaby area, you must take a class there. The All Occasion Card classes are absolutely fantastic.
However, I wanted to make particular letters so that I can personalize my books. I figured out a cool way of doing this.
Firstly, in word pick a letter that you wish to print. Choose the largest font (72), you can choose. Then, in order to save ink, I go to the format tab, then press on "Outline". This makes your letter only print out as an outline. Now, if you know how to use fancy word processing programs, I'm sure you can make the letter larger. I just take the letter to the nearest photocopier and zoom the size. I believe I used 130% for my letter. However, just keep playing with it until you get a letter which is four inches high. Alternatively, if you have a Cricut machine, you can just choose to print a four inch letter. Of course, I did mine the hard way and didn't use my Cricut.
Here is the letter "S". I had already cut out the other letters with my scissors. I accidentally stepped on the "S", so it became wrinkled. Oh well.
Secondly, you want to lay the letter on your matboard, or extra thick cardstock and trace your letter on THREE SIDES onto the matboard. You trace the top, the bottom and the right of the letter. As you can see below, the "S" is a bit tricky because of the little dewdrop opening in the bottom loop of the "S". I find it just gives the letter more depth.
Now, cut only the three sides with scissors. I traced the letter with a bright purple marker just so you can see it. Please trace with a pencil, so you can erase the marks later.
You see that you have a big space on the left side of your matboard. You have to cut off that side so you have only one inch on this left side. This area will be used for binding with your Zutter, or rings...etc.
With the next letter, you must give yourself two inches on the left, and three inches on the left for the third letter. Another way of looking at this is to nudge your trace of the second letter over by an inch, then trace and cut out the three sides.
Continue doing this until all your letters have been cut out. OK, this word is different than the previous "Star" book. This just gives you another example of how the book will look like using a different font.
Now, glue decorative paper to both sides of your letters. This very long "S" is longer than 12 inches so I added the little red border in order to make up the difference. You can use SU tombo glue. I like Zip Dry and double sided super tacky tape such as Sook Wang tape. The most important thing is that your adhesive must be as close to ALL the edges of your letters. The reason you want to do this is because then the paper doesn't lift when you turn the pages, or lift during normal wear and tear. Don't use glue runner type adhesive. It is just not sufficiently strong. You want to glue down the paper on top of the mat board. Then, you use scissors to cut around the letters. The small little areas that don't cut out with scissors, then you can use an exacto knife to get within the nooks and crannies.
The is what the book looks like when all the letters have been covered and trimmed. I binded it with my Zutter. I like using a combination of solid paper as well as decorative paper. I like to alternate between the two. Double sided decorative paper is the best for this project.
Here is another view of the letters that have been decorated, ready for pictures.
This shows the reverse side of the letters.
This is how the pages look like when the book is open.
Now the reverse side.
Helpful Hint: don't put any embellishments close to where the binding will be. See below.
Don't use brads or any embellishment that is three dimensional otherwise, you will have a gap when you close your book. See below:
See top book closes nicely while the lower book has an annoying gap. I have to fix that later.
I like the letters to be 4 inches high because they fit quite nicely in the Zutter. I used the 3/4 inch rings. Ignore the brads. I'm ripping them off later.
This is what the original "Star" book and what it looks like.
For the matboard, I like to use the back of cereal or granola boxes or the backs of pads of paper.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. It just opens up so many possibilities. You can make the letters in the names of places or people or events. A "Grad" book, "Love" book would be great. You don't want to use too many letter otherwise your book will be too bulky.
Also, if your edges aren't smooth, you can use fine sandpaper or a paper sanding block to even, or distress the edges a bit.
Enjoy making your own book.
This book is based on another one that I made at a class at my favorite scrapbooking store in the Vancouver area. It is called http://www.makingmemorieswithscrapbooking.com/ The classes they have are very unique and inventive. If you are in Vancouver/Burnaby area, you must take a class there. The All Occasion Card classes are absolutely fantastic.
However, I wanted to make particular letters so that I can personalize my books. I figured out a cool way of doing this.
Firstly, in word pick a letter that you wish to print. Choose the largest font (72), you can choose. Then, in order to save ink, I go to the format tab, then press on "Outline". This makes your letter only print out as an outline. Now, if you know how to use fancy word processing programs, I'm sure you can make the letter larger. I just take the letter to the nearest photocopier and zoom the size. I believe I used 130% for my letter. However, just keep playing with it until you get a letter which is four inches high. Alternatively, if you have a Cricut machine, you can just choose to print a four inch letter. Of course, I did mine the hard way and didn't use my Cricut.
Here is the letter "S". I had already cut out the other letters with my scissors. I accidentally stepped on the "S", so it became wrinkled. Oh well.
Secondly, you want to lay the letter on your matboard, or extra thick cardstock and trace your letter on THREE SIDES onto the matboard. You trace the top, the bottom and the right of the letter. As you can see below, the "S" is a bit tricky because of the little dewdrop opening in the bottom loop of the "S". I find it just gives the letter more depth.
Now, cut only the three sides with scissors. I traced the letter with a bright purple marker just so you can see it. Please trace with a pencil, so you can erase the marks later.
You see that you have a big space on the left side of your matboard. You have to cut off that side so you have only one inch on this left side. This area will be used for binding with your Zutter, or rings...etc.
With the next letter, you must give yourself two inches on the left, and three inches on the left for the third letter. Another way of looking at this is to nudge your trace of the second letter over by an inch, then trace and cut out the three sides.
Continue doing this until all your letters have been cut out. OK, this word is different than the previous "Star" book. This just gives you another example of how the book will look like using a different font.
Now, glue decorative paper to both sides of your letters. This very long "S" is longer than 12 inches so I added the little red border in order to make up the difference. You can use SU tombo glue. I like Zip Dry and double sided super tacky tape such as Sook Wang tape. The most important thing is that your adhesive must be as close to ALL the edges of your letters. The reason you want to do this is because then the paper doesn't lift when you turn the pages, or lift during normal wear and tear. Don't use glue runner type adhesive. It is just not sufficiently strong. You want to glue down the paper on top of the mat board. Then, you use scissors to cut around the letters. The small little areas that don't cut out with scissors, then you can use an exacto knife to get within the nooks and crannies.
The is what the book looks like when all the letters have been covered and trimmed. I binded it with my Zutter. I like using a combination of solid paper as well as decorative paper. I like to alternate between the two. Double sided decorative paper is the best for this project.
Here is another view of the letters that have been decorated, ready for pictures.
This shows the reverse side of the letters.
This is how the pages look like when the book is open.
Now the reverse side.
Helpful Hint: don't put any embellishments close to where the binding will be. See below.
Don't use brads or any embellishment that is three dimensional otherwise, you will have a gap when you close your book. See below:
See top book closes nicely while the lower book has an annoying gap. I have to fix that later.
I like the letters to be 4 inches high because they fit quite nicely in the Zutter. I used the 3/4 inch rings. Ignore the brads. I'm ripping them off later.
This is what the original "Star" book and what it looks like.
For the matboard, I like to use the back of cereal or granola boxes or the backs of pads of paper.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. It just opens up so many possibilities. You can make the letters in the names of places or people or events. A "Grad" book, "Love" book would be great. You don't want to use too many letter otherwise your book will be too bulky.
Also, if your edges aren't smooth, you can use fine sandpaper or a paper sanding block to even, or distress the edges a bit.
Enjoy making your own book.
The Gang at a Stamping Class
This is "us" and few other people at Eleonor's house, for one of her wonderful stamp classes. From left to right, Maureenie, Josie (hidden behind Maureenie - you can't really see her), KayDee, Gailishus, me and Patty. Eleonor is taking the picture.
My Stamping Room - The Epitome of Recyling
Here are some pics of my stamping room. I have to admit that most of my storage units are free...cost me nothing. I prefer to spend money on my stamps, embellishments, paper and ink, not storage.
I use big plastic salad bins for storing my ribbon, glitter and stickers:
Here is a another view:
Here is a table which I use as a desk because it is very sturdy and has a large surface. This table was in our home when we moved in. The credenza was from a credit union that was moving and was throwing out it's old furniture so I snapped it up, as well as the chair. As you can see, I can't part with my red Sizzix even though I own a Big Shot. The plastic storage bins were from Wal Mart. I used to keep my paper in them until I got a huge paper unit for FREE.
Look at this thing. It is fabulous. My pal, and original stamping guru, Eleonor couldn't use it because it was too big and no one else wanted it. It's on the left. I saw potential:
I keep my SU stamps in the big storage bins in the closet. As you can see they aren't labelled. There is a method to my madness. If I want a particular stamp set, I have to rummage through all the stamps. This is a good thing. I remember every stamp that I own and find that seeing a stamp set gets the creative juices going. As you can see, my little personal cricut machine has a place of honor on it's own little nightstand someone gave me. I sit on the floor in front of the cricut when I need to use it. The shopping bags hanging from the closet contain all my glue runners. I should actually fix that. Yikes.
Here is shelf that I placed on top of another little cupboard. I keep my inks here. My dad used to keep his tools in this cute little cupbard. One year when he went away on vacation with my mom, I cleaned it out, washed it and brought it over. On the back of the door, I keep my punches.
Last but not least, is my filing cabinet which was left outside someone's house with a big FREE sign taped to it. The doors on the cabinets don't close properly and the handle for the bottom door is a loop of twine. However, I keep my Sizzix dies, embossing plates, peel-offs, paper, rub-ons and Twinkling H2Os. It is exactly what I needed.
This has been a 360 degree view of my stamping/crafting room. It is homey, not exceptionally attractive but I love it.
I use big plastic salad bins for storing my ribbon, glitter and stickers:
Here is a another view:
Here is a table which I use as a desk because it is very sturdy and has a large surface. This table was in our home when we moved in. The credenza was from a credit union that was moving and was throwing out it's old furniture so I snapped it up, as well as the chair. As you can see, I can't part with my red Sizzix even though I own a Big Shot. The plastic storage bins were from Wal Mart. I used to keep my paper in them until I got a huge paper unit for FREE.
Look at this thing. It is fabulous. My pal, and original stamping guru, Eleonor couldn't use it because it was too big and no one else wanted it. It's on the left. I saw potential:
I keep my SU stamps in the big storage bins in the closet. As you can see they aren't labelled. There is a method to my madness. If I want a particular stamp set, I have to rummage through all the stamps. This is a good thing. I remember every stamp that I own and find that seeing a stamp set gets the creative juices going. As you can see, my little personal cricut machine has a place of honor on it's own little nightstand someone gave me. I sit on the floor in front of the cricut when I need to use it. The shopping bags hanging from the closet contain all my glue runners. I should actually fix that. Yikes.
Here is shelf that I placed on top of another little cupboard. I keep my inks here. My dad used to keep his tools in this cute little cupbard. One year when he went away on vacation with my mom, I cleaned it out, washed it and brought it over. On the back of the door, I keep my punches.
Last but not least, is my filing cabinet which was left outside someone's house with a big FREE sign taped to it. The doors on the cabinets don't close properly and the handle for the bottom door is a loop of twine. However, I keep my Sizzix dies, embossing plates, peel-offs, paper, rub-ons and Twinkling H2Os. It is exactly what I needed.
This has been a 360 degree view of my stamping/crafting room. It is homey, not exceptionally attractive but I love it.
Puyallup - Rubberstamping Convention
I have been meaning to post pics of our wonderful time in Puyallup Washington, at the Rubberstamping Convention which is held the third weekend of May every year. http://www.heirloompro.com/ is the site which shows that conventions it hosts throughout the US.
I'm taking the picture so I'm not in it. These gals are the most wonderful people I know. From left to right they are Maureenie, KayDee and Gailishus. At last year's convention, poor KayDee had pneumonia and didn't know it. As you can see, she was raring to go at this year's convention.
We have started a tradition in which we spread out all of our goodies that we have purchased during the day, on our beds at the hotel so that the others can ooh and ahh the day's treasures.
Here is a pic of Maureenie and KayDee checking out Gailishus's goodies:
Here is a pic of Maureenies' treasures all spread out:
Next year we are planning to visit the convention in Carson California, sponsored by A Stamp in the Hand, http://www.astampinthehand.com
Gailishus and I have already visited that convention a couple of years ago and it was fabulous. Here is a picture of me and Tim Holtz at that convention:
We have the greatest fun at these conventions. Can't wait for the next one.
I'm taking the picture so I'm not in it. These gals are the most wonderful people I know. From left to right they are Maureenie, KayDee and Gailishus. At last year's convention, poor KayDee had pneumonia and didn't know it. As you can see, she was raring to go at this year's convention. We have started a tradition in which we spread out all of our goodies that we have purchased during the day, on our beds at the hotel so that the others can ooh and ahh the day's treasures.
Here is a pic of Maureenie and KayDee checking out Gailishus's goodies:
Here is a pic of Maureenies' treasures all spread out:
Next year we are planning to visit the convention in Carson California, sponsored by A Stamp in the Hand, http://www.astampinthehand.com
Gailishus and I have already visited that convention a couple of years ago and it was fabulous. Here is a picture of me and Tim Holtz at that convention:
We have the greatest fun at these conventions. Can't wait for the next one.
Link to Gallery
I have just figured out how to link to my gallery. Please just click on My Card Gallery for more samples.
I know what you're thinking...
OK, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking "what is she doing?". She has another blog yet this site has been neglected for months.
Here is my rationale. I don't want this site to get muddied with non-craft related activities. Otherwise this site could become too cumbersome. I want it to be more streamlined. Anyways, go check it out at http://celineebeenie.blogspot.com
Good night.
Weed killer concoction - works great - very economical
Weed Killer Concoction
My mom has been using this recipe for killing weeds for years. It is very economical and works really well. Also, animals won't get into it.
4 cups (1 litre) of vinegar - just regular vinegar
1/4 cup of table salt
2 Tablespoons of dishwasher liquid
Mix together and place in a spray bottle. Spray directly onto weeds in dry weather. It works. Really.
My mom has been using this recipe for killing weeds for years. It is very economical and works really well. Also, animals won't get into it.
4 cups (1 litre) of vinegar - just regular vinegar
1/4 cup of table salt
2 Tablespoons of dishwasher liquid
Mix together and place in a spray bottle. Spray directly onto weeds in dry weather. It works. Really.
Pumpkin Loaf
Pumpkin Loaf
This loaf freezes really well
1 cup of sugar
1 1/2 cups of flour
1 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp of baking soda
1 tsp of cinnamon
1/8 tsp of cloves
1/4 cup of oil
1/4 cup of apple sauce
1 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree (I use canned pumpkin)
2 eggs - take the yolk out of one of the eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl
Combine all wet ingredients in a separate bowl
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix/fold until combined. Don't overmix.
Put dough in greased loaf pan.
Bake for one hour.
Check to see if the loaf is cooked by poking a toothpick in the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, then the loaf is cooked.
This loaf freezes really well
1 cup of sugar
1 1/2 cups of flour
1 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp of baking soda
1 tsp of cinnamon
1/8 tsp of cloves
1/4 cup of oil
1/4 cup of apple sauce
1 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree (I use canned pumpkin)
2 eggs - take the yolk out of one of the eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl
Combine all wet ingredients in a separate bowl
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix/fold until combined. Don't overmix.
Put dough in greased loaf pan.
Bake for one hour.
Check to see if the loaf is cooked by poking a toothpick in the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, then the loaf is cooked.
