Helpful Tips (Revised)

When I started this blog 2 years ago, I never knew I would be led to start a small business. It is amazing how God directs us to ways we don't even think about. My second post two years ago was about some tips I was given which have helped me to this day. After reading that post, I decided to revise it and re-post it. Here it is.

1. Don't buy stickers, or any material just because they look cute, or are on sale. You will be spending a lot of money on things you won't use.
2. Start slow and simple. There are so many choices out there on what to use on a scrapbook page or to make cards, and that can be a bit overwhelming. So, before you start buying, and buying, and buying... make a list to see what you need. Look for clearance, sales, and COUPONS!!! 
3. Sign up to receive craft stores emails. They will send you coupons. Why pay $120.oo for a cutting/embossing machine, when you can pay half of that? Why not buy two embossing folders for the price of one?
4. Always check your craft store sales first. DO NOT buy anything on Ebay or Amazon unless the price is much better, and  the seller's feedback is at least 99.8 POSITIVE.
5. Stock up what you know you WILL USE more than once.
6. Look for items in your home. You will be amazed with the amount of different material you can use that you ALREADY HAVE! Such items can be well-used dryer sheets, grocery- store paper bags, fabric, ribbons, laces, etc.
7. Remember, creating something to give to that special someone is about doing what you like, enjoying the process, thinking of another human being, and having fun.

I hope these tips were helpful to you as much as they have been to me.
Feel free to ask any questions.

Thank you so much for stopping by. 
God bless you,

Vanías Reed  

Cute Christmas Card

Hi, what do you do when you feel you are out of inspiration? Your creativity is pretty much 'stuck'?  Have you ever felt like that? I have. Many times. First time I felt like that, I thought I wouldn't ever be able to create anything again. But then I realized that there is so much around me that can inspire my creativity. A good walk in a nature preserve helps a lot, but when I stop and 'smell the coffee' - as my husband tells me to (smile), I notice God's awesome creativity in everything: a child's laugh, an elderly lady, flowers, even coffee itself. There is so much color and beauty out there. Sometimes I find my inspiration just by going through things that I have at home. You would be amazed by the number of items we collect and forget about. Another way that helps me to get 'unstuck' is to take a look at other people's ideas. There are so many ladies who are very creative, and willing to share their ideas on the internet. The idea for the card I'm posting today came from one of the moments when I got 'unstuck' by watching a video about embossing diffusers, and finding a sheet of cute stickers that I have had for the longest time, and completely forgot about it.

Supplies used
Paper: Light blue and white cardstock
Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine, snowflakes embossing folder (the Paper Studios), oval embossing diffuser (Tim Holtz), oval frame embossing folder (Sizzix Textured Impressions), computer, printer, banner die.
Embellishments: clear gemstones, black tiny pearls, Christmas stickers, banner with printed sentiment

It is raining hard right now, which made me have an idea for a "Get Well" card for someone "under the weather". As you can see, you can get inspiration from pretty much anything, anywhere, or anyone.

Thank you for stopping by. God bless you, 

Vanías Reed   

One Card - Two Versions

Hello, how's your summer going? Hopefully full of fun and family time. Of course, if you are in the southern hemisphere, you are enjoying - or not- winter. Either way, we are celebrating Christmas in July, and I'm posting as many Christmas cards ideas as possible, so you can get ahead of the game. Today I'm posting two versions of the 'same' card. The reason why I do that sometimes is because I mail cards to friends and relatives, and, in order to do that, I have to have a kind of assembly line. But I don't like to send the exact same card to everyone, so I change things up a little, and... voila :)  high speed production without loosing quality. Let's see those cards, shall we?

Supplies used
Paper: White, blue, glitter silver (1st card), red, gold (2nd card) cardstock paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, Christmas tree embossing folder (Darice), small star punch
Embellishments: blue and clear gemstones in different sizes, and "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" sentiment sticker, silver star (1st card)
colorful gemstones (same size), golden star, and gift stickers (second card)

Neither of these cards is difficult to make, and yet, they look cute and can me mailed without too much trouble. 

Thank you for checking my 'Christmas in July' ideas. 

God bless you,  

Vanías Reed   

Vintage Box Shaker Christmas Card

Isn't it interesting how some people affect our lives in ways we don't expect? There is this young lady who loves vintage, and whom I describe as sweet, beautiful, kind, discrete, elegant, and everything that is good. She possesses the very characteristics which describe someone who truly loves God. First two things I noticed when I met her was her beautiful smile, and her nostalgic look. My family and I met her because her parents attend the same church we do. Because of her I learned to include the vintage style in my crafts, and even some pieces of decor in my home. So here  is a card that could well be inspired by Caylee. 

Supplies used for this card
Paper: Christmas patterned cardstock (MME - kit sold here ), white and natural cardstock, transparency sheet
Tools: Paper cutter, 3D foam adhesive, heat tool, glitter (for shaker box), white glittered embossing powder, embossing pal (find the video tutorial for the embossing pal here)
Stamp: Merry Christmas (Stampabilities)
Ink: Embossing pad (Top Box)
Embellishments: self adhesive pearls

To make the picture frame and box shaker, cut the patterned paper in the middle - 3/4in from each side. Adhere the transparency in the back to cover the rectangle. Use 3D foam adhesive strips all around the rectangle. Don't leave any gaps or the glitter will fall out. Put some glitter on the card, and adhere the frame tight on it. 
Get inspired by someone, or go outside, look around and get inspired by something. Nature is so beautiful. 

 Thank you for stopping by, and Happy Christmas in July.

Vanías Reed   

Poinsettia Christmas Card

Yesterday, despite the heat and humidity, I decided to finally plant some flowers and new plants in our front yard. It looks so pretty. We had to choose special roses for the kind of weather we have, warm and humid most of the time that is. I would love to have some poinsettias, but they wouldn't survive. But I can always buy them around Christmas time, and make some paper ones for my cards, right? So here is a card with a sort of poinsettia made with a leaf paper punch.

 

Supplies used

Paper: Green, white, leaf green, and patterned cardstock

Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, diamond embossing folder (The Paper Studios), leaf punch (Ek Tools), precision scissors, round edge punch.

Embellishments: See through red ribbon, pearl sticker, 'Peace on Earth' vintage homemade sticker, paper poinsettia

This card is not difficult to make at all, and it can be used not only for Christmas, but for a winter birthday too - just change the sentiment.

Thank you for checking out my paper creations. I hope you have a wonderfully blessed weekend.

Vanías Reed   

 

No-bake Dessert

We are going to make a brief pause on Christmas cards because I need to post this recipe, as I promised on my Facebook page. I made it for 4th of July. You can decorate it the way you want, even with Christmas eatable decorations. ;) But first let me tell you a little bit about this delicious Brazilian dessert. The name in Portuguese is Pavê (Trifle) .
Pavê resembles a tiramisu, but ... much better! It is a wonderful no-bake layered dessert made with different types of creams and cookies, or biscuits. The most common one is made with Lady Fingers and white cream. The recipe I'm posting today is my creation, and, therefore, made with chocolate. Yep, I confess, I am a chocoholic. (smile). But doesn't everything taste better with chocolate anyway? (bigger smile).

Ingredients
3 packages Tea Biscuits (you can use Graham Crackers, if you prefer)
1 can sweet condensed milk 
3 tbsp Nesquick
1 can table cream (you'll find table cream at the international aisle of your grocery store)
1/2 cup milk 
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup sugar (optional)
2 8oz containers Whip Cream
Fresh fruit (I used raspberries and blueberries to make the flag), or any decoration of your choice.


In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine Nesquick, butter, and sweet condensed milk. Cook in medium heat stirring constantly until it thickens and loosens from the bottom of the pan (about 10 minutes). Turn off heat. Add table cream. Mix very well until you have a smooth (almost liquid) cream. 
Put milk in a deep dish (add sugar to the milk if you like your desserts very sweet). One by one, deep the biscuits in the milk and arrange them in a 9"x 13" baking pan. Cover the biscuit layer with chocolate cream. Repeat this process 2 more times. Spread whip cream on top, decorate, put in refrigerator at least for 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!

Let me know in a comment how your dessert turned out. Please post a picture of it on my Facebook page.

Thank you for stopping by. May God bless you and yours,

Vanías Reed  

Winter Scene Christmas Card

Today is one of those summer days with lots of rain. A day like this reminds me of Christmas in my country. I remember getting in stores to buy gifts for family members, and being 'stuck' there for a while because of the rain. I also remember being in a pool with my siblings and cousins on Christmas Day. Isn't it amazing how the weather can take us on a memory journey? Anyway today I'm posting a Christmas card that is the opposite of Christmas in Brazil. This card has everything to do with Christmas in the northern U.S. and other parts of the world where it snows in December.

Supplies used
Paper: Plain white and glitter white cardstock, gold scrapbook paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, landscape stitched die, dryer sheet (it makes the glitter pop out), spray adhesive, snowflakes border punch, gold glitter gel pen, winter wonderland fine glitter
Stamps: merry Christmas, and evergreen forest
Ink: Black and evergreen 
Embellishments: squirrel sticker, snowflakes, pearls, star

  Thank you for stopping by. Celebrate the Real Reason for CHRISTtmas.

Vanías Reed