ODBD Feb. Release Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Feb. release Blog Hop for Our Daily Bread designs!  If you got here from Becca's fantastic Blog, then you are in the right place!  If not, you might want to start at the ODBD Blog and hop from there so you don't miss anyone!
 
The Hop will run from 8am eastern Feb. 1 until 8pm Feb. 2.  Winners will be announced on the ODBD Blog on Feb. 3rd, along with Sandee's fabulous Time With Project!

Kelley is giving away SIX prizes this month!  FIVE people will win one Single Fish Stamp of their choice, and ONE blessed person will win the FEBRUARY BREAD BASKET BUNDLE!  

To be eligable to win, here is what you have to do:

• Hop to each blog on the list and leave a comment for each designer
• Return to the ODBD Blog and tell us you completed the hop, letting us know if there were any blogs you could not comment on
• Answer the question on the ODBD blog... you do not need to answer it on the designer's blogs... just the ODBD blog

This month we have some great stamps that among other things,  are perfect for those difficult "guy" cards and gifts.

I had fun playing with the Fish Single stamps.  The idea for this project came from my grandson who is just getting in to Christian jewelry for guys. (He's 13)  He pointed out several at Christmas and that gave me an idea.   I stamped each of the three  Fish Single stamps onto clear Shrink Film that I had lightly sanded in a crosshatch pattern.  I then colored with Copics and cut out.  I punched a hole  and inserted a ring in each to be sure the hole would stay open and large enough, and then I set them on a piece of cardboard and baked them at 350* until they shrunk down and flattened out again. (While they are baking they do curl up, but when they are "done" they flatten out). 

I then chose three different types of leather and vinyl jewelry rope from Michaels, added wood beads to two of them and strung my fish onto the ropes.  I used crimp ends and alligator claws for my closures. (I watched a couple videos on the internet to find out how). I also used a tad of Aileens Jewelry Adhesive before inserting the end of my rope into the crimp end and crimping it.  Between the two, these are not going anywhere!   

                                              
I also made another project with the Nail  Fish Single stamp. I found this box at Michaels a few months ago. It's a great wood box that is well constructed and the flap is a thin piece of real wood that is flexible. While I'm not sure you can still get this exact same size, I did notice this week they do have similar boxes made with the same wood... that would be great for a similar project!

For this project I stamped the Nail Fish directly on the wood after just lightly preparing the wood with fine grit sandpaper.  I used Stazon Ink and then very lightly colored grey on the bent nails.  I sponged T Holtz Distress Ink all around the edges inside and out.  At this point I have not put a sealer on this and I'm not sure I will because I love the way it looks as is, but you certainly could spray this with a sealer or rub in an oil if you wanted to.  I just wanted to give you a few ideas of some different uses this box could have:  Perhaps a gift box for the jewelry you make....

Perhaps a glasses case...

This box is the perfect fit for glasses, pens, knives and probably a bunch of other things guys would think of!

So there you have it... a couple great guy gifts, useful for so many things.   My hubby found the necklaces downstairs and came up wearing one and said he really liked it.  These would make great things to make WITH your kids, but they don't come out looking like kids crafts!  The box has also received his approval.  Both these projects were quick and easy!  I hope you'll be inspired to give them a try! 

From here, hop on over to the talented and sweet Chris to see all the inspiration she has for you!  Thanks for looking and blessing me with your comments!  Have a wonderful day!!!