Darcie Heater

Where to Even Start....

It's been awhile!  I had ankle surgery shortly after that last blog post in 2012, and didn't think it was a good idea to blog while on pain meds, lol.... and then apparently got completely out of the habit.  I've had a number of surgeries/recoveries/medical problems in the last 3 years and through all of that, I think it was just easier to not blog.  That's it in a nutshell.  But I've missed you all!

I wanted to let you know we've updated the website and done some cleanup on it.... so if you haven't checked it in awhile, be sure to pop over there and check out the new items. For March, we've added instructions for 5 new "featured projects", and coordinating merchandise in the "Sale" category.  We've also updated the recent flyers, click HERE to check those out.  Click on the image below to visit the website.

I'll be posting a free giveaway next week, so please check back here on the blog to win some brand new FREE products.

Thanks for stopping by, I've missed you all!

Darcie

Paper Flowers with New Tin Pin Centers

Hi Blog Friends,

Wow, been a long time, huh?  I've been swamped trying to get all of my new CHA products ready.  I'll be sharing some of those with you in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, I thought I'd share a cute little paper flower that coordinates with one of my new products.

I designed a number of flat back "tin pin" buttons that I wanted to use for flower centers and embellishments on a variety of projects.  I was trying to find a different type of paper flower and came across this flower on Fiskar's website.  I adapted it slightly and it turned out to be really cute with my new "tin pins", so I thought I'd share my version with you.  

The little paper packets used to make these flowers and the "tin pins" will be available soon on my new website.  We're hoping it will be ready by the end of the month (or shortly thereafter).... so be sure to check back for exciting news and specials for the Grand Opening sale!

Fiskar's Punched Paper Flower

 • Darcie’s Printed Paper Packet  (OR two each of three different sizes of squares)

• Fiskars 3-in-1 Corner Punch
• Fiskars 1 1/2” scalloped circle punch
• Darcie’s flat back tin pin buttons

Directions:

1.  Using the papers in Darcie’s printed paper packet, choose three different sizes of the squares.  (The papers in the packets are graduated sizes, each 1/4” larger or smaller.)  Choose a large, medium and small size, using two of each size.  (The flower in the photo above was made using paper squares in the following sizes:  2 3/4", 2 1/2" and 2 1/4"). Here's a couple of photos of a few of the paper pack choices:

2.  Fold each square of paper in half. 

3.  Fold each square in half again.

4.  Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for all 6 squares.

5.  Using the Fiskars 3-in-1 corner punch, punch the corners of the large squares with one of the designs on the punch.  Punch the medium squares with one of the other punch designs, and punch the smaller squares with the third punch design.

6.  Using the fold lines as a guide, cut on the fold lines, stopping 1/2” from the center of the paper square.  Repeat for all 6 squares. 

7.  Fold each of the cut lines as shown below.  Repeat for all 6 squares.

8.  Punch a scalloped circle from a coordinating paper for the flower center.

9.  Use an Ink Blending tool with a foam pad to apply Distress Ink to the edges of the folded squares.  Apply to the edges of the scalloped circle also.

10.  Apply permanent adhesive to the center of the largest square.  (The photo shows using a permanent adhesive tape runner, but actually using Ranger's Glossy Accents to glue the layers together forms a more permanent bond).

11.  Attach the second large square on top of the adhesive, attaching it as shown below (alternate the petals).  Repeat steps 10 and 11 for the rest of the squares, attaching the medium squares next, then the smallest squares on top.

12.  Apply permanent adhesive to the back of the punched scallop.

13.  Attach the scallop to the center of the flower.

14.  Apply double sided foam tape to the back of the flat back button.  Attach the button to the center of the flower.

15.  Finished flower, Voila!

Here are a couple more examples:

I'll be back later this week with a post on the "tin pins" and several "tin pin" FREEBIES!

See you soon!

Darcie

Key to My Heart FREE Printable Project

Hi Blog Friends,

Valentine's Day is almost here, so I thought it would be a good time to share a little FREE printable project with you.  The Key to My Heart Belongs to You:

The printable Heart Shaped Treat Box is super simple to assemble. Tonya added a cute tissue paper ruffle to the top edge and a pretty tulle bow to hold the cookie inside the box. 

To download a pdf version of the project, you can do so by clicking HERE for the pink version, click HERE for the blue one, and click HERE for the green one...or you can click on the images below.  (To open pdf files you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.  If you don't have Reader, it is available as a free download on Adobe's website.)

Here's the pink one:

Here's the blue one:

And here's the green one:

I hope you enjoy the little boxes.... I'll post the cookie recipe and instructions before the weekend so you'll have a goodie to put inside.

I'm also hoping to receive some of the new stamp sets to give away before too long, so check back!

:) Darcie

 

Owl Drops

Hi Blog Friends,

I decided our little Owl Gift Sack freebie in the last post needed some candy to go inside of it.  And I also decided you needed a few other sayings to go along with the projects. So here's what I came up with:

I have several recipes to share with you over the next couple of weeks or so, all yummy goodness. I'm wondering why I'm torturing myself, though... we're going to go visit our son (who recently returned from Iraq, yay!) in Hawaii soon and I've been trying to diet.  (Yup...still trying to work off the Chocolate Coconut Macadamia balls from the last trip, lol!).  So just so you know... you guys really are worth it!  

(Yep, that's Camille Roskelley's brand new fabric from the Bliss fabric line in the photo... I'm creating a little stuffed owl sewing pattern, I'll share it with you when I finish it.) 

The recipe is quick and easy, but I warn you.... very addicting!  You can click on the image below and the recipe will open as a pdf document, which you can print.  (In order to view a pdf document you need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer.  If you don't have Reader, it's available as a free download on Adobe's website.  Here's the recipe:

The recipe is meant to fit in the Recipe Book project I featured on the blog awhile back. Here's what the book looks like:

If you're interested in making the project, you can click HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE for the posts that featured the book project tutorial, free patterns and recipe card.  For other recipes that fit inside the book click HERE, HERE and HERE.  I'll be adding many recipes between now and the holidays, so that you have a complete project you can hopefully use as a holiday gift. 

AND!  Here's the sheet of owl label cutouts you can use on the clear bag shown in the photo at the top of this post.  Just print the sheet on bright white card stock and cut out the images.  Layer with double sided foam mounting tape, then attach to the clear bag.  The clear bag will fit inside the printable gift sack, or you can use the clear bag of goodies separately as a quick and easy gift for someone special.


Same as above, the cutout file is a pdf.  You can click on it and it will open in a new window which you can print it from.

And speaking of Hawaii.... I'm still trying to decide whether or not to take Ted along again this time.... it was kind of hard to keep track of him at times last year, lol.  For his Hawaii escapades you can click HERE to see what I mean. What do you guys think... should I take him along?   Let me know!   hehehe.  :)

I'll be sharing some Owl Cookies with you in a few days, so be sure to check back!

:) Darcie

Owl Always Love You Freebie

Hey Blog Friends,

I have a little FREEBIE for you here today, just to thank you for being a blog friend!  :)

It's October, and time to start on those baking projects, Halloween and Fall goodies.... and holiday gifts (and new CHA images, yikes....)!

Here's a photo of the FREE printable gift bag project:

You can print the cute little owl bag, the embellishment images and the instructions by clicking on the photos below.   The finished bag is just the right size for some Fall goodies for someone extra special!

Click on the following two photos and the images will open in a separate window.  Print them on 8 1/2" x 11" card stock.

OR, if you prefer to download pdf's of both sheets, you can do so by clicking HERE and HERE.  To view a pdf you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you don't have Reader, it's available as a free download on Adobe's website.  

Just because you're special!  I hope you have a great weekend!  

Darcie

 

Winner, winner.....!

Hi Blog Friends,

I'm a couple of days late posting this.... had a power outage two days ago and computer problems yesterday, sheesh!  We had a big storm roll through here day before yesterday and had hail the size of pennies, yikes.  I'm headed to the computer store today to have the computer fixed... it's completely dead.  Nuts!

The Cincinnati show was very busy and lots of fun.  I posted show coupons on the blog and one of the coupons is the "Come A Runnin'" discount.  If you're one of the first 20 people who come running to the booth when the show opens, you get a discount coupon and a free gift. If you come running and yelling.... well, you get another gift, lol.  These are the wonderful blog friends who came running and yelling "Daaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrcccccciiiiiieeeee" all the way across the convention floor when the door opened:

The sweet gal in the blue standing next to me is Kathy Hales.... one of the first blog commenters when I started the blog last year.  (I've enjoyed getting to know all of you through exchanging comments on the blog, new friends... love it!) 

At the Cincinnati show, Friday evening is a special event where a limited number of people can buy tickets to attend.  There's a buffet, live music and everyone is supposed to dress in a costume.  This year the costume theme was "Super Heros".  Over the years, Marco's paper has always come up with great costumes for this event... but this year was my favorite:

Yup, they get my vote for the best Super Hero costume!  Of course, I might be a little biased...  ;)

Here's a shot of the Stamper's Anonymous booth (after the show closed... you couldn't get near it during the show it was so crowded):

Mario and Darby look pretty happy with the results of the show.  :)

And here's one more in the Stamper's booth after the show closed:

Ted and Tim crack me up in this one.... lol.

OK, now for that winner, winner thing..........!  I was able to round up 8 sets of the charms... so here are your 8 winning comments:

I was concerned that something was wrong since there hadn't been a post. Your family is in my prayers and I hope a speedy recovery comes quickly for your husband and his mother.
Glad to hear that you will be at Stampaway!  Posted by: Kathy JH

OHNO, I'm so sorry to hear about Dan and his mom. I will be praying that everything goes well for both of them and that they heal quickly. I love these new charm necklaces, I would love to win a set of them. Thanks, Darcie, take care! (Hope your ankle is getting better also!)  Posted by: Mary C 

Praying for a speedy recovery for your hubby and mom-in-law. They say: "When it rains, it pours!" Hang in there - give your worries to the only One who can handle it all :)

Love the charms, btw. :)  Posted by: barbrease

I'm sorry to hear of your husband's and MIL's surgeries - they are in my prayers. I love these charms and I'm anxious to order some. Will you be adding these to the website? I can't wait! I keep looking up videos online about that metal clay you talked about, and I think I may be hooked. It looks fairly simple, and sounds like fun. I love that necklace. Yes, I think you should give one away! I'd love to win a set of these charms. Thanks you and may God bless your family! Posted by: Geena Harper 

Can't wait to see you in Carson in November, bring a boatload of these, you're going to sell a ton! Blessings  Posted by: georgina

Bless your heart. I hope all goes well with your hubby and his mom. You'll all be in my heart and prayers.  I'm still so in love with your stamps. I just gush every time I look at them. geeze... Is that even possible?  thanks for a chance to win the charms. They are absolutely beautiful.  Posted by:  Debbie Reaves  

I hope your mom and DH are feeling much better.  I would love a chance to win one of your necklaces!  Posted by: Debbie Fisher

Hope all is well.  I can feel your (their) pain, I too, recently had what I thought was a minor surgery, got a bad infection and it took longer than normal to heal.  Good luck iwth the both of them.  See your headed to OH, so things must be getting better.  Now, on to read your other blog.  Have fun.  Posted by:  Diane Jacobson

OK, if all of you will please send me your mailing addresses, I will send you your charm sets... along with a couple of U-Cuts that coordinate with some of the charm shapes.  :) Please send your addresses to me at [email protected], by next Friday, August 27, so that I can get them right out to you!

See you soon!

Darcie

Light up my Life

Hi Blog Friends,

Well, last week was a really long one for me with the ankle injury... but I got through it and it's finally starting to make progress.  I finally figured out a way to work at my computer and keep the leg elevated.  It's propped up on my desk next to my keyboard with ice on it.  And YES, it looks ridiculous and is killer on the back, but it does help a lot. No, I'm not going to share that picture with you (!), lol. 

But... here's a photo of the new little pond by our front door that my sweet husband just built for me:

It's bigger than it looks in the photo, and has 3 little waterfalls.  We had a huge waterfall and pond at the house we lived in previously (which Dan also built...kind of his thing), and our grandsons loved it.  So I figured a little fish pond by the front door would keep all the little guys entertained.  You can see the little baby koi in the top center.  Dan is going to build a great big one in the backyard... probably next year... one project at a time!  We recently moved into a new house with no landscaping... so it's been a constant project.

SO!  I was able to get a lot of work done this weekend toward the new CHA releases, which I can't wait to share with you.  Soon.

In the meantime, I promised you a peek at another one of the new Spring releases.  Here's the stamp set:

This set is #JCS0117 Light Up My Life, and it retails for $24.95.  Here are a few of the projects that Tonya made using this stamp set:

I love the way the letters look on this one.  Here's another card:

And another card:

I'll share the dimensional projects from this set with you on Wednesday and give you some more details.  AND I'll tell you how you can WIN THIS RUBBER STAMP SET FOR FREE!  

In the meantime, I promised to randomly draw some names from recent post comments and give you prizes!  I'll continue to do this throughout the month, so be sure to leave a comment when you stop by and you'll be eligible for the drawings.  OK, the randomly drawn winners are:

Lynn Stenzel said:

Loved the Arlington show. Sorry to hear you hurt your ankle. Hope your up and around soon. Lynn

Connie Ludwig said:

Loved meeting you at the Arlington Show, and learning about your web page and your crafts. Loved looking at all the neat things on your pages. Found it very easy to look around. Thanks for thinking of your customers. Oh yes and THANK YOU for the cute Make and take...... So easy and cute.

D'Arcy said:

Your products and booth were fabulous at GASC! I visited every day so I wish I had access to a printer for those fabulous coupons! ;-) Thank you for being so helpful and friendly. Joyce was very nice and patient with me, too! Looking forward to the new site and I am so excited about finding your blog! I am SO making the little ornaments we made at your booth for Christmas presents! D'Arcy in Shreveport, LA

Woohoo!  Lynn, Connie and D'Arcy, please email me with your mailing addresses and I'll send you a free sampler pack of some of my newest papers.  You can email me at [email protected].

Thanks so much friends, and thank you for all the well wishes, I really appreciate it!

See you soon!

Darcie

  

Shine On!

Hi Blog Friends,

I thought I'd share a quick and easy little printable freebie with you.  I'll be showing you more about this stamp set and there will be a Stamp Set GIVEAWAY when I get home from the Arlington, Texas Great American Scrapbook show.  (Be sure to check back on Wednesday if you will be attending the show, there will be coupons for you here.)

Here's the little Gift Bag:

If you want to download the printable pages in an easy to print pdf format, you can click HERE, and HERE, and HERE.  To open a pdf document you need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer.  If you don't have Reader, it is available as a free download on Adobe's website.  When the website opens, just click on the tab that says "Get Adobe Reader".

OR... you can click on each of the images below and they will open in a new window.  You can print the pages from the new window.  Here's the pages:

Print each of the pages on a bright white cardstock.  It's pretty quick and easy to assemble and makes a great way to present someone special with a little homemade treat, or a small gift.

Be sure to check back, I'll be showing you the stamp set that coordinates with this project and will be having a FREE DRAWING for that stamp set.  Sometime in the next couple of weeks I will also be randomly drawing names from comments on various posts and having an instant winner freebie, so be sure to leave a comment on the recent posts to be eligible for those drawings.

I hope you enjoy the project and I'll see you soon!   

:) Darcie    

Smooch!

Hi Blog Friends,

Thought I'd share a quick and easy little project with you.  This little acrylic project is from my new line of acrylic frames.  

 
This little "Bella" Shape is item # ACR15 and it retails for $2.99.  The shape comes like this:

It includes a piece of backing chipboard, an acrylic shape (covered with blue film to protect it in the package).  The holes are pre-drilled.  If you want to add more holes, the Big Bite Cropadile will punch through the acrylic.  You can embellish these little frames any way you want.... use beads and wire or ribbon to make a little hanger or dangle beads or gems from them.  

If you're interested in other shapes, all of the new Acrylic Frames are featured in the newest flyer....which is available as a free download. Click HERE or on the icon below to download the Spring Accessory Flyer (which features these frames.) 

 

Click HERE or on the icon below to download the new Spring flyer featuring all of my new rubber stamp sets and papers:
 

The project shown above was embellished with one of my new stamp sets, JCS0113 Talilah Turtle, shown below:

  
This set retails for $24.95.  (The actual size of the whole set is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2").

If you're interested in ordering any of the products shown here, you can do so by calling our toll free number 1-(800)-945-3980.  The newer items are not shown on the website, as it is under construction, we're starting over with a brand new site.  

OK, now for that Freebie you're wondering about!  Thanks so much for all the nice comments, I really appreciate you guys taking the time to comment on the posts!  Ok, I used the random number generator and here's the winning comment:

I bought some stuff at the stamp convention at Southfield this past weekend. I hadnt seen your store in a while. Wowza! You sure have changed!! I love my older stuff but you sure did a 360 on some of the items and I am loving it. Even my daughter who doesnt like a whole lot of stuff bought some. So glad I took her shopping.

Posted by: Jan Scholl | 05/18/2010 at 09:19 PM

Sooo, Jan if you will email me with your address by Friday May 28 to claim your prize, I'll get it right out to you.  You can email me at [email protected].

OK, stay tuned for more projects... and another Freebie, coming soon!

:) Darcie

Sunday Morning Pancakes

Hi Blog Friends,

I think it's time for another recipe to put in the book we made in THIS post and in THIS post.  
 

This is my oldest grandson's favorite meal... homemade Sunday morning pancakes.  He used to spend the night with us every Saturday night and the pancakes were always a must on Sunday morning.  He and his family moved away recently, so I haven't made these in a few months.... but I thought maybe you'd enjoy them also.

You can download an easy to print pdf version of the recipe by clicking HERE.  You need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer in order to open pdf files.  If you don't have Reader, it's available from Adobe as a free download by clicking HERE.  Once the Adobe website opens, click on the tab that says "Get Adobe Reader". 

OR, you can click on the picture of the recipe above and it will open in a new window.  You can print the page from the new window.

I hope you enjoy the recipe and I hope you're enjoying some beautiful Spring weather!

:) Darcie