Kuddos to Cath: A Moxie Fab Blog Hop

As a former Paper Crafts (PC) magazine editor, I worked with Cath back in the day, but I actually met her before joining the PC team. You see, she was my main contact for that magazine when I was a PR specialist at Stampin’ Up! (SU!). She was the one I would send SU!-sponsored projects to, in the hopes they’d get picked up and published. However, this is not where our story begins. 

This next chapter is one most don’t know.

I saw an opening for a creative editor for PC back in 2005. I was happy in my current position at SU!, but I also had a great interest in publishing, and the job description sounded like a dream, so I applied. I made it through two rounds of interviews, but I didn’t end up with the job. It was down to three of us, and they went with a gal named Cath. Because of the SU! position I held at that time, I quickly became acquainted with the one who beat me in my creative editor quest. I’ll admit, part of me didn’t want to like her. I wanted to say, “Hey, that should have been me!” But I did like her. A lot. And, more importantly, I could see why they saw her as a good fit for the job. 

Later, Cath actually encouraged me to join the PC team when I was offered a different position. She chatted with me for more than an hour, telling me why she loved her job there and why I would also love a job there. She was right; I did. Working with that team was one of the highlights of my career. Cath, Jennafer Martin, Brandy Jesperson, Brenda Peterson, P. Kelly Smith, Stace Hasegawa, Junko Barker, Neko Carrillo, Stacy Croninger and I had such fun together. 

Leaving SU! was an incredibly difficult decision to make. I’m not sure I would have made such a decision if it weren’t, in part, for that phone call with Cath. 

Thank you, Cath. Sincerely. The nearly eight years I worked with the CK family of magazines were some of the happiest years of my professional life. 

When I think of PC, I think of the lovely ladies shown in this picture--P. Kelly, Brandy Jesperson, and Cath. 

Photo taken in Anaheim, CA by Susan R. Opel.

Knowing that the last of them is stepping away makes me sad. But in many ways it seems like a natural time for that era to conclude. And knowing that I’m still friends with each of these beautiful women makes my heart happy. A job doesn’t change the bond we have. 

Cath, I'm so excited to see where you go from here. In the spirit of your next big adventure, I created this card. 

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Patterned paper: American Crafts; Brads, dot stickers and washi tape: Freckled Fawn; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L; Other: Jute.
Image edited using the following apps: Instagram, Pic Stitch, and Rhonna Designs.

You're one fun lady, and I know that you'll take that spirit and zest for life with you on your journey, so the sentiment seemed appropriate. However, I feel like I should add the word "next" in there--"Let the NEXT fun begin"--because you always brought the fun to what you did. 

I wish you the best, my friend. Here's to fun and new adventures! Borrowing a known Cath phrase, "I'll drink to that!" 

Cheers!

Hop On!

Thanks for stopping by and participating in this farewell hop. Don't stop your hop now. Instead, visit the following for more Cath-related interwebs love. Ciao! 

* Previous Blog: Asty Purbasari

* You are Here: Megan Hoeppner

* Your Next Stop: Pia Overgaard

* Don't Forget to Visit: Moxie Fab World Blog

Crafting with Jars & a Cosmo Cricket Giveaway!

Note: All images in this post edited using the following apps: Rhonna Designs and Pic Stitch

Just call me Lady JaJa. I've had so much fun exploring ideas for crafting using jars, and I'm sharing my ideas on Studio 5 today at 1:00 PM on KSL 5 (UT channel). I'll be sure to post a link when the segment is up online. In the meantime, here's a look at my jar stars.

***Update: You can watch part of the segment here. I was interrupted by some breaking news, but most of it is viewable, and the rest will be posted soon. Thanks. Hope you enjoy the show!***

Just a few of the jar gems I pulled together for my segment.

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Crafting Supplies + Cosmo Show Toppers = Awesome Photo Gift

Have you seen these cutie products from Cosmo Cricket? They're called Show Toppers, and they make designing jars fun and easy.

Shortcut #1: Available in both white and green, you don't have to paint or cover.

Shortcut #2: Complete with hooks and tabs, adding embellishments is snap.


I added the word "Love" to a basic shipping tag. I declare my love a second time using the cute "love" Wood Charms pack, also from Cosmo. I attached it to the tab that comes on the Show Topper lid. These cute lids fit most jars, making it easy to select a base that fits your needs!

To complete my lovely statement, I added "you" in the form of a banner, which I attached to the AWESOME Cosmo Mini Mobile. Since the Show Toppers have eye hooks on the inside of the lid, it's easy to hang this cute mobile from my jar lid. Isn't that a cool concept! Imagine all you could make with this setup.

Jar Contents
I can't wait to give these cute jars to my loved ones as gifts, so I went with a photo of my Maggie Dawn. To make it stand, I placed a small floral frog in the jar, which holds the picture in place. I added some pretty gold ribbon from Cosmo to conceal the frog.

Jar Uses
Give these proud grandparents, aunts and uncles, and others who adore the one(s) photographed with in. Or treat yourself and display these sweeties in your house to enjoy on a daily basis.

Win some Show Toppers of your own!
Leave a comment between now and Tuesday, Nov. 11 for your chance to win.

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Doily + Washi Tape = Customizable Jar Toppers

It doesn't get easier than this, friends. Simply screw a doily that is slightly larger than your jar's lid into the lid (just as you would fabric). Then, wrap a little washi around the rim for good measure. That's all there is to it. Now you have an open space on the doily to add a personalized note or instructions re: the jar's contents. Yes, this is pretty gift wrap that's affordable, fast, and fun--the best of all handmade things!

Jar Contents
I filled this jar with Ho-Ho-Ho Hot Chocolate Mix. I simply added a layer of hot chocolate mix, a layer of chocolate chips, a layer of marshmallows, and a layer of smashed peppermint.

Jar Uses
Warm the hearts of friends this holiday season by giving this simple treat. Give these quick, cute gifts to coworkers, your mailman, your dog walker...anyone who could use a sweet treat!

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Coffee Filter + Stamp = Rustic Jar Topper

Why wait for the winter holidays when you can give fall hot chocolate now? To add to the fall feel, simply wrap a kraft-colored coffee filter around the lid of your jar. As an added decorative step, stamp on the filter first.

Don't have kraft filters? No problem. Simply apply a little spray ink to the bright white filter variety to tone it done and fall-ize it a bit. If you'd like to create a more decorative top, you can then stamp your filter, as I did using this Post Card stamp from Glitz Design.

Jar Contents
1. Layer of Pumpkin Spice hot chocolate
2. Layer of butterscotch chips
3. Layer of marshmallows (I went with the cute, fall variety)

Jar Uses
The holiday season gets so hectic. How about you give your neighbors fall gifts instead? It's one less thing to worry about next month, and it's never too early to enjoy some cocoa.

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Cardstock + Embellishments = Furry Friend Jars

Channel your inner child and enjoy some arts and crafts. I created little critters, using the jars as the faces.

Jar Contents

Kitty:
* Small can of kitty food
* Treats
* Catnip

Doggie (variation):
* Treats
* Tennis ball

Uses
Give your furiends with pets a special surprise. Know somebody welcoming a fur-babe into their life? This is a happy and easy way to welcome the newest family member into the home.

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Embroidery Floss + Felt = Personalized Present

Make any new mama happy with a personalized gift that can come off the jar and be placed in an album or baby book. Simply embroidery the new babe's beautiful name on a piece of felt and secure it to the lid of a jar. For added thematic feel, I used a recycled baby food jar. (I save EVERYTHING. It's a sickness, I tell ya!)

Jar Contents
One thing I didn't get enough of as a new mama was baby socks, and that's really something I needed. In fact, I had to run to the store a few times to stock up on socks. I think they're just an after thought oftentimes. Thus, I know mommies and poppies would love a little jar of little socks.

What about Mom? I LOVED my smartphone when Mags was young. I'd use it to play lullabies while rocking her, and I'd use my various apps as well (Mamma log, photo-editing apps, etc.). So, I think any mother would appreciate an iTunes gift card. Simply place it in a small bag and wrap the bag around the jar to complete your gift.

Jar Use
I suppose this one's obvious. It's meant for new parents. It would be a stunner gift idea to take to your next baby shower, and it really is an easy one to accomplish. Need embroidery tips? Check out my Pinterest boards. I've been pinning a great deal of embroider stuff lately. It's an art that has me very excited.


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Loofa Sponge = Relaxation in a Jar Topper

Punch a hole in the lid of your jar and thread the handle of your loofa through. Tie the handle in a knot to secure it in place, and poof! You've got a top! I LOVE using these blue jars, available at Target, which add to the spa feel.

Jar Contents
Nail Polish Remover
Polish
Cotton Rounds
Lotion
File
Buff
Lip Gloss (for good measure)

Jar Uses
Give this to your babysitter as an extra thank-you this holiday season. Or make your bestie smile with a jedi (No, that's not a spacey warrior; it's a jar pedi.) ;)


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Loofa + Jar = Scrub-a-Dub Jar

Find a spong with a stretchy handle on it, and use the handle to hold the sponge on your jar. It looks fun and is super fast.

Jar Contents
I made a homemade lemon sugar scrub following this recipe. It's an awesome body scrub that your lucky recipient can use as an exfoliant. Want another scent besides lemon? Simply choose a different scented oil; you can find a variety of aromatic options to choose from.

Jar Uses
This is one of my favorite jar recipes to prepare and give. The scrub is so easy to do, and citrus has such a delightfully calming effect. I've given these to friends, coworkers, and family members. Offer it to anyone on your list.

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Map Sticker + Tag = A Warm Welcome

Wrap a larger jar with map paper or a map sticker to create a location-oriented gift. Add a tag to finish of the look, personalizing the tag with the name of your town.

Jar Contents
Fill jar with area maps, to-go menus, neighborhood schedules, and more! Basically, a snapshot of the area. To fit more in a jar, roll the contents up and tape them in place using small strips of washi (which won't tear the items).

Jar Uses
Welcome neighbors to the 'hood with this around-town guide.

***


Map Garland + Tag = Car Jar

Wrap a map-themed garland (like this one from Studio Calico) around a jar and add a cute tag using supplies that support your travel theme. I cut paper from Glitz Design and adhered a wood car from BasicGrey.

Jar Contents
Items that will keep your passengers entertained on those longer trips. Ideas include:

* Coloring book and crayons
* Snacks
* MP3 Player with a great road trip playlist and earbuds
* Disposable or instamatic camera
* Binoculars
* Handheld games and toys
* A map of where you're going so passengers can follow along
* Notebook

Jar Uses
Give this to your passengers on your big adventures. Don't give it right away. Wait until the troops get restless and pull it out as a lifesaver. (Why I included lifesaver candies in the jar. Symbolic and delicious!) ;)

Variation
Instead of making a road trip Car Jar, consider a Car Jar for a new young driver. Fill it with emergency numbers (AAA, insurance, etc.), a flashlight, a small first aid kit, flares, etc. They can tuck the jar under their seat, in the trunk, or in another convenient area, and you can rest easy, knowing the jar is in the car.

***


Fabric + Twine = Elegant Jar Top

This is far from a new approach to dressing up canned goods. Sometimes all you need is a scrap of fabric and a little twine to make any jar look divine.

Jar Contents
I created a potpourri bundle using this recipe, which my sis-in-law Gina shared with me. (She's so creative!)

Jar Uses
Take this to your next shindig, give one to your child's Sunday school teacher, or offer up a little aromatic happiness to the milk man. Whatever floats your smell-good boat! These are affordable, easy and impressive!

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Apple + Tag = Delicious Delight Jar

Be the jar star of any event with this quick gift. Simply drop an apply in a cellophane bag and wrap up the bag with a little, decorative tag. The apple is meant to be sliced and served with the dip. You can also use pears, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, and more!


Jar Contents
Thanks to my buddy, Brooke, I made a delicious dip for this jar. She got the recipe from a local cooking class and agreed to share it with us here. Thanks, Brooke! Trust me, you're going to want to make this one!

Jar Uses
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to pull out this secret weapon. Your party host will be thrilled to share your tasty talents with her guest.

***

As the, ahem... ringmaster of this jar-nival, I have a few more ideas to share using just the jar lids.


Jar Photo Wreath

Once again, washi is just the ticket for this creation. I lined jar lids with strips of washi to give them an instant makeover. I then used them as photo frames and glued the lids together using a hot glue gun to create my wreath. I can't wait to give this Family frame to my parents this Christmas. Shhhh... don't tell!


Jar Pumpkin

Cute pumpkin designed by Brooke Mathewson. Thanks for sharing, Brooke!

Have you seen these cute things? My sister-in-law, Gina, makes them quite a bit, and my friend Brooke also made her own version. I can't wait to do my own, but, for now, I'm sharing a picture of Brooke's. She painted the rings and then hot glued some book paper for added style. Isn't the outcome adorable?



Jar Jewels

For a quick bracelet, wrap fabric around a large jar ring. So cute, and so simple.

Ready to Win? 

Simply leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a complete set of jar delights from Cosmo Cricket, including their Show Toppers and the Mini Mobiles. Sounds like a good holiday crafting kit to me.

Cheers!

Tracing Paper + Stamps = Happy Little Haunts

Tracing paper! Have you used this stuff? It's similar to vellum, and boy is it fun to work with! I used it to create some happy ghosties for my "We Love Boo!"  Halloween card.

Supplies: Card base: DCWV; Tracing paper: Hobby Lobby; Washi tape: Freckled Fawn and We R; Pen: EK Success; Alpha stickers; American Crafts; Star and heart stickers: Queen & Co.; Star button: Bella Blvd.; Pearl: Close to My Heart; Adhesive: Ranger and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L; Other: Spiderweb Halloween Decor. 

Creating your own friendly ghosts is easy. You can stamp them directly on tracing paper (the stamps I used are from Imaginisce [big ghost] and My Cute Stamps [smaller ghost]) using a solvent (permanent ink), such as StazOn by Tuskineko. Or you can trace them!

Since I didn't have ink on hand (craft night was at my mom's), I had to think of another approach. A ha! I'll trace the stamp packaging--the clear film that comes with the stamp images printed on it. Simply place the packing film under the tracing paper and let the ghost appear. Bwa ha ha ha ha!

Why trace?
So many reasons!
1. It gives a ghostly appearance.
2. You can get mirror images by tracing the back side of the packaging, which opens up many creative possibilities.
3. You can modify your tracings with doodling. Fun!

Here, the smaller ghost stamp actually looks a bit different than my image, but I needed a baby ghosty for my Maggie Dawn, so I added a bit of my own styling to create a smaller girl.

I also added the extras (fashion accessories, makeup, etc.). I had a haunting good time doodling on these little friendly frights.

The downside of tracing paper? Adhesive. How do you glue? I used a slim, slim amount of Glossy Accents by Ranger around the edges, and it still smudged. Poo.

Doodling to the rescue. I simply enlarged the lines a bit with my pen to disguise the glue smudging. As they say in Jamaica, "No problem!"

For the stars in the night sky, I simply cut from one of my fav washi tapes, which I purchased from Freckled Fawn.

For a more dimensional look, I also added a star button from Bella Blvd. and these cute star stickers from Queen & Co.

To create the full moon, I simply layered the yellow tape from We R Memory Keepers slightly over itself, adhering it to a non-stick surface (wax paper), and then I punched it to create a circle washi sticker.

Tip! Make sure you back the wax paper with cardstock before punching to ensure a clean punch (no tearing).

Finally, for the creepy clouds that rolled in, I simply pulled apart a strand of spiderweb decor and adhered it to the card. Done and done!

Good ghosting to you, friends!

Party Lights Tutorial a la Cory

That's right, my sweet Cory created this craft. Sure, I found the inspiring idea on Pinterest, I gathered the supplies, and I asked him to make the letters, but he did the rest. And he did an AMAZING job! How blessed I feel to have a hubby who will support my every creative whim, even when that means staying up until 2:00 AM the night before our daughter's birthday party to complete this project.

Here's how these marquee letters came together.

Step 1: Cut away top layer of each paper mache letter. Cory used a craft knife that actually heats up, making the cutting easier. This is a Walnut Hollow tool. I picked up the letters at Jo-Ann.

Remove top layer of letter using a craft knife. Or a heated knife, if you want to get fancy.

Step 2: Remove letter filling (looks like strips of then cardboard), and spray paint letters. The color scheme for Maggie's party was sea foam (fancy way of saying mint), coral, and gold, so those are the colors we went with. I bought Krylon paint from Jo-Ann.

Spray painted letters to match the colors of Maggie's party.

Step 3: Mark where you want lights to poke through. Note: Be aware of bulb size to ensure you aren't placing marks too close together.

Mark where you want holes to go.

Step 4: Drill holes for lights, using a drill bit just large enough to fit your light. Cory first did a tiny hole. He said he was... something... I forget the word, but he was basically doing a bitty hole first so it would be easier to then switch out the drill bit and do the bigger hole. Seemed like an unnecessary step to me, but he assured me it was the way to go, and I trust his crafty judgement.

Drill holes.

Step 5: Poke lights through, plug them in, and you've got yourself a shining statement piece for any party. For the word party, Cory just used small, white Christmas lights.

Add twinkle lights, and you're ready to shine. 

Party-perfect letters, designed by my handsome and talented hubster.

One of a Kind
For a larger statement, Cory and I worked together (more him) on a big, gold, 1 light, also for the party. Here's a shot of me spray painting the one in the wee hours of the morning on the day of the fiesta (Sunday).

Going for the gold with a few coats of spray paint.

I'm not sure why, but it's hard to find paper mache numbers, so Cory actually transformed a large T into this regal one. Didn't he do an incredible job? He seems to think it stinks, but I very much disagree. You can decide for yourself. Here's the T he started with.

What our marquee 1 looked like before Cory worked his magic. 

Since this piece is bigger, we went with large light bulbs, making it look even more like a marquee. Now's the time to buy this kind of light, as they're out in the patio section of some stores. Yippee! I got these at Smiths Market Place in Utah, and the T and gold paint are from Jo-Ann.

One golden number, made from a T-turned-1, some spray paint, and large lightbulbs. Careful! These bulbs are SUPER fragile, and they're not even Italian. ;)

Alas, the power wasn't working at the park we rented for Maggie's party, so Cory went to all of this work and we couldn't even let the lights shine. But I still LOVE the way they looked on our candy table at the event. So cute!

A look at the candy table at Maggie's birthday party yesterday. The P-A-R-T-Y sign was the best backdrop I could imagine.

If you look closely, you'll see the small base Cory created so the letters would be anchored to something and stand up without blowing away or tipping. It worked wonders!

You can bet we'll find another use for these lovelies soon. Anyone up for a well lit party? Until then, I see a lot of marquee making in my future. At the moment, it's all I can do not to run to the store and by a U, an S, and an A, and some red, white, and blue spray paint for a glowing July 4th decor item. Somebody, please, hold me back!

Cheers!