PIN IT FRIDAY FAVS: Tea Party Time and the Very Best of Pinterest Pins

One of my favorite things to do is have a tea party! Here's a table set up from a tea party my neighbor and I hosted for a neighbor recovering from surgery: 

This weekend, I'm having a tea party for my mom, a coworker and her mom, so I wanted to make a tea party favor that would serve as a candy holder and place card, too. Based on a previous post on my blog, I made these teacup favors:

You can click HERE for the tutorial referenced on my blog.

Once you make one cup, it becomes easy peasy to make these lovely little cups! It's so fun to use up some of my treasured DSP paper and each teacup only requires a piece of paper that measures 8"x 5 1/2". I added a sampler of Hershey chocolates in each cup along with a tea bag from this box below which is now one of my favorite decaf teas:

Each tea sachet is individually wrapped in a clear cellophane bag and looks so pretty in each of my paper teacups! I recently bought these Chamomile Citrus tea bags at Safeway after a friend served it to me at her house...now...it's a regular evening treat!

Below I have highlighted some of my most favorite tea party pins:

Original Pin HERE

Original Pin HERE

Original Pin HERE

Original Pin HERE

Original Pin HERE

PIN IT FRIDAY FAVS: Double Z Fold Cards and the Very Best of Pinterest Pins

Check out this lovely 3D double Z card by Dawn’s Stampin’ Thoughts:

Dawn's directions, video tutorial and measurements can be found HERE.

I created several versions and these were my two favs:

I simplified the layers for quick assembly. Here are my modifications for my second card shown above:

Background Z Fold Layer with Vertical Stripes:

  Along the 8 1/2" side of 8 1/2' x 11" piece of DSP medium weight:
  * Cut at 4 1/4″ to create 2 pieces that are 4 1/4″ x 11″
  * Left piece, score at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2" along the 11" side

  * Right piece: Save for a 2nd card

White Z Fold Layer Attached to Background Layer:

  * Cut white cardstock at 3 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, score at 4 1/4" x 2 1/8“ along the 8 1/2″ side

Floral Designer Paper:
* Cut at 4″ x 3 1/4″
* Cut 2 at 1 7/8″ x  3 1/2″

Sentiment Panels:

* Cut white cardstock at 3 3/8″x 2 5/8″ and 1 7/8“ x 1 3/4“

After I finished making this double Z version, I saw a square version on Pinterest by Jeanie Stark:

I like this version because when it's opened, the two layers are perfectly parallel and that appeals to my sense of balance! The first version at the top of this post does not have parallel insides like this card:

For measurements and instructions, click HERE.

These instructions make a 4 1/4" square double Z card. I made this square version plus I modified the design to make another one that was the traditional 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" version. Here are the results:

SQUARE VERSION

TRADITIONAL A2 SIZE VERSION 

Left side sentiment:

SU Thoughts and Prayers

The right side sentiment was done on my computer and modified from a sentiment I saw on Pinterest:

You’re happy = I’m happy,

You’re sad = I’m sad,

You’re sick = I feel sick.

Now, can you just get

better real quick so I

can get on with my life?!

SIZE COMPARISON OF BOTH VERSIONS

MY DOUBLE Z CARDS:

A Large Version

6” wide by 5” finished card size

Base = 5” x 12”, scored along 12” at 3” and 6”

Inside Z = 3.5” x 9”, scored along 9” at 4” and 6.5”

Third piece under Z piece on right side of base = 3 3/8” wide x 4 1/4”

Glue the third piece behind the far right panel of the inside Z piece then watch the video https://tinyurl.com/doublezcard at the 8 minute mark to see one way to glue a Double Z card together.

For a Small Version (that fits into A2 envelope):

Base = 8 ½” x 5.5” scored along 8.5” at 2 1/8” and 4 1/4”

     

Far right panel: 4” x 5 ¼” coordinating DSP

Skip to “Inside Z” below if using double-sided paper

Far left panel DSP: 1 7/8” w x 5 1/4” h (Width and height noted in case the paper’s pattern orientation makes a difference. The first cut will be the width with the paper pattern going in the correct direction.) *Cut 2 pieces if you wish to put paper on inside panel - see arrow above

    

For right panel DSP: 4” w x 5 1/4” h 

Inside Z = 3 7/8" x 7”, scored along 7” at 2 1/2” x 4 3/4”

     

White card stock for sentiment: 2 1/4“ x 3 5/8”

For remaining panels of DSP: Cut two at 2” w x 3 5/8” h

Note: Adding a piece of 4” x 5 ¼” coordinating DSP on the far right panel of the base adds a nice effect when the card is closed. Paste this piece first before adding the Z.

These double Z cards are so much fun to make and the photos don't do them justice compared to when you see them in person. Give them a try! Here are a few more double Z variations to make you smile:

For Original Pin, Click HERE

For Original Pin, Click HERE

For Original Pin, Click HERE

For Original Pin, Click HERE

For Original Pin, Click HERE

For more examples of double z cards, check out this gallery of Pinterest pins for all occasions HERE.

PIN IT FRIDAY FAVS: WOW! Cards and the Very Best of Pinterest Pins

The inspiration for the card above was

this Pinterest Pin:

Pinterest Pin HERE

I discovered this jar of goodness at Costco

recently and added a tag to give this one as a gift:

Simply mix two heaping teaspoons into

hot water and enjoy!

Next up...through Pinterest, I discovered

a talented blogger named May May.

Visit her blog MayMayMadeIt HERE

This is one WOW! project I can't wait to

try with photos added inside:

Envelope Explosion Mini Album

(Uses the Envelope Punch Board)

Original Pin HERE

Here's another card I want to try:

Mini Envelope Tutorial

and lastly...

MayMay's 2017 Favorite Things Edition!

WARNING: Watch at your own risk - LOL -

because you will have to buy some new

toys after watching it!

PIN IT FRIDAY FAVS: Christmas Ideas and the Very Best of Pinterest Pins

Give out loads of holiday smiles with this

terrific gift card and Hershey Kisses holder:

The Santa is actually a Target Gift card and I put the gift receipt in the top pocket. Normally, the gift card would go in the pocket and you can check out the how-to video thanks to this Pinterest pin:

BACK AND FRONT VIEWS

Original Pin HERE

...and another blogger's Christmas variation:

Original Pin HERE

Here's a cute Snoopy card idea made with punches:

Original Pin HERE 

It gave me some inspiration to create a

few birthday cards this month:

I got the little Woodstock online as a piece of clip art that I printed and cut out. You can print my version HERE. After I cut out Woodstock, I cut the legs from the body and pasted them in a sitting down position.

Here's a lovely way to send out a thank you

or a December birthday card:

Inside View:

Tree and Bear Stamp Set:

White Christmas from Stampin' Up

Sentiment:

Simply Wonderful from Stampin' Up

This was my Pinterest Inspiration:

Original Pin HERE

My MISTI helped me mass produce this card for all of the thank yous I'll need this holiday season, and a mask let me sponge in the SU Pool Party ink where needed.

These little treat boxes were based on a previous post HERE:

Finally....a table centerpiece that's

quick and easy:

Original Pin HERE

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year

and I'll be taking time off from blogging to enjoy it.

Happiest of holidays with abundant joy

and creativity in 2017!...

and I like to end each year with this poem

that my friend, Michele, sent to me

many Christmases ago:

Twas the night before Christmas, I’m glued to the tree.

I’m wondering what Santa will bring just for me.
Could it be new cardstock or inkpads or lace?
"Or stamp sets," I said, with a big smile on my face.
And that’s when I saw him..."Hi Santa," I said.
To which he replied, "You should be in bed!"
"Oh, dear!" I said, "I’ve just been caught...
But I was hoping to see what goodies you brought."
He took a brief look at my room where I work.
Then he shook his head quickly, and left with a jerk.
...And I heard him exclaim, as he put it in gear,
You’ve got enough crap, I’ll see you next year!

PIN IT FRIDAY FAVS: Huge Flowers and the Very Best of Pinterest Pins

I did a really BIG happy dance when I saw these really BIG flowers from Becky Robert's Inkin' Idaho blog which also included a video tutorial that was super helpful:

Original Pin HERE

This pic from her blog will give you a size perspective:

...and here is my version:

Becky provides the FREE petal templates and a wonderful how-to video HERE to make this flower using 5 each of the large, medium and small petals.

Instead of using 10 sheets of 8.5" x 11", I was able to make one out of 7.5 sheets by using this layout of traced templates:

To make the leaves, I took a 8.5" x 11" sheet of green card stock, scored it down the middle, folded it in half then traced a leaf that went the entire length of the card stock. 

After curling the leaves just as Becky shows for the petals, I put a slit in the bottom of the leaf as well and used hot glue just like Becky shows for the petals in her video. I gave this mega flower to my dear MIL and she loved it! 

Using a different petal shape, I recently made a nesting of three flowers in 3 shades of complimentary blues for my dining room table:

...and for my future DIL's shower, I made these

flowers and banner:

Since I know I'll be making more of these flowers, I imported the templates into my Cricut to make the cutting of the petals so much faster and easier! For more huge paper flower ideas and templates, check out these ideas on Pinterest.

PIN IT FRIDAY FAVS: Tiny Boxes and theVery Best of Pinterest Pins

I saw a wonderful tiny box idea on Pinterest that includes a tutorial:

Original Pin HERE

These boxes are 1 1/4" high and wide - just the right size to hold a small chocolate treat. First, I made the box following the terrific instructions and photos with measurements on the Stamp with Peg website HERE. Then I modified the measurements and made another box that was 2 3/8" high and wide. Here are my two versions:

The larger box holds two Hershey's Miniatures side-by-side.  Follow these measurements:

Card Stock: 5 5/8" x 3 1/8"

Along the 5 5/8" side, score at:

2 1/8", 2 5/8", 4 3/4" and 5 1/4"

Along the 3 1/8" side, score at:

1/2", 2 3/8, and 2 7/8"

Fold and cut as shown per Stamp with Peg's blog:

Cover miniatures with coordinating paper:
3" x 1 1/2"

For more box and favor ideas, check out these Pinterest pins that can be modified for any gift-giving occasions:

Original Pin HERE

Original Pin HERE

Original Pin HERE

Original Pin HERE

Here's my version:



...and card inside: