Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Classic Comfort with Of the Earth Set

Hi friends, Hope you had a blessed time of Thanksgiving! Welcome back to my blog!

Over the weekend, I needed a Sympathy card and I wanted just the right colors: to be soothing and hopeful at the same time. I was inspired by the soft hues in the Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper, especially the So Saffron and the Sahara Sand patterns. I paired them with Brocade Blue, since that's the ribbon that I wanted to use. I just LOVED these colors together and then I realized - these shades of yellow and blue (with red accents) are the main colors of my living room, dining room and kitchen! *happy sigh*

The ribbons are layered with a classic looped bow peeking out from behind the main image panel. I adhered them with sticky strip, so they don't shift around in the mail. You can click on the photo to see the detail.

I used an emboss resist technique on the bird image. I stamped the bird in versamark on the designer paper and embossed with clear powder. Sponging added the blue color to the bird and edges of the square. I punched it out and layered it over a mat of the DP punched with the Scallop Square punch. Rounding the corners and embellishing with two half pearls from the Pretties Kit were the last touches.

Some of you took advantage of the GREAT deals during the Holiday Extravaganza sale. If you are reading this early, there's still time today to order (you'll find that info HERE.) Be watching for more fun opportunities to save from Stampin' Up!

I've had quite a few chances to stamp over the weekend, can't wait to show you over the next few posts!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Of the Earth, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Bella Bleu, whisper white, so saffron, brocade blue
and Ink: versamark, brocade blue

Accessories: Pretties Kit, 1-1/4", corner rounder, scallop edge and scallop square punches; clear embossing powder, 5/8" brocade blue grosgrain ribbon

Note Card Box and Ribbon Rosette tutorials

Want to know what I did today? I invited a delightful thirteen year old friend to help me make those table decorations I showed you a couple days ago.

Know what I didn't do?  I didn't post my tutorial that I promised you - yet. But here it is! 

First I want to show you how I altered the Stampin' Up! Box #2 die to hold my note cards that I posted HERE.

I ran the Box #2 die through the Big Shot machine to cut. I cut off the two small tabs on the box top, leaving the larger one.Then, I added a strip of designer paper and adhered it, being sure to crease the folds first. At this point, my box looks like this:

 

To support the 3.5 x 5" note cards, I needed to add two layers of card stock. Cut one
3 - 3/4" x 5 - 1/4"  panel to place inside the box. This is the piece that makes your box taller! Cut another panel at 3-3/4" x 2- 1/4". This piece goes behind the box at the top, with the bottom edge tucked under the ribbon for the purpose of covering the score line. These two pieces are even at the top and make a sandwich with the box tab in the center.

Adhere the panels with sticky strip and decorate your box as desired.

To make a ribbon rosette is really fun and our Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon makes it easy! Cut a small length of ribbon - about 3 to 4". All you need to do is wiggle a bit of the white stitching loose and gently pull this thread until your ribbon gathers.

Think of it as if you are sliding the ribbon along the thread, like gently moving hangers along a closet rod. As you go, form a circle. When I liked the size, I knotted the loose threads together, tucked the raw edge of fabric under and secured it with a few stitches done with a needle and thread.

I made two of these circles and attached them with just a couple of hand stitches. You could use Tacky Glue if you don't sew. Then add a large brad or button in the middle to anchor, and you've made a cute embellishment of your own!

Here's the finished project, try your hand at making your own.

 

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial. It's my way of saying how much I appreciate you!

I want to wish my U.S. readers a very wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  I'll be taking a couple days off from posting to celebrate with my family. I'll be back soon, see you then!

Stampin' Up! Sale!

Holiday Extravaganza begins today and it is exciting!  Huge savings available for online orders through November 30.

Check out the sale items at one time only prices! I've created this blog page - click HERE - to make it easy for you to see all the offerings and prices. You'll find find great bundles for cardmaking, scrapbooking, beginning stampers, accessories, and Decor Elements. These would make great gifts for crafty people on your list, including you!

For every order over $25, receive a Free gift from me!

 Click HERE for my online store or e-mail me to place your order.

Hello Baby!

I've posted quite a few holiday projects lately and today I found it so refreshing to make this baby card. Best thing is, it will be in the mailbox tomorrow for a special young couple who just had their fourth girl. 

I remembered the Beary Best Friends set and the darling dress for the girl bear. I watercolored the dresses using my Aqua Painter and reinkers, cut them out and used them for this cute card. Who says you need a baby set?

 

I love the kraft and retro feel of these colors!  I was totally inspired by the Sweet Sunday Sketch by Karen Giron for the layout. I love her sketches!

I'll be back tomorrow with the post I promised during the blog tour. Have a wonderful day!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Beary Best Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: kraft, whisper white, Pink Flamingo, Melon Mambo Designer Prints
and Ink: Black Staz On, Melon Mambo, Orchid Opulence, Cameo Coral

Accessories: Eyelet border punch, white taffeta ribbon, Button Latte, Lots of Tags die

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

Last Minute Holiday Blog Tour: Day 4

 It's the last day of the blog tour, and I know I've enjoyed seeing the variety and creatively fun projects of our group. As I told you yesterday, I saved my favorite project for last. When all the gifts and goodies have been opened, what could be more needed than a boxed set of Thank You Notes?

While I wanted the notes to look festive, I wanted a box that was not just for Christmas so that it could be used again by the recipient.

Here's a surprise - this tall box was made with the Box #2 die, which is typically long and short. I'll share a tutorial for that and tell you how I made the darling ribbon flower this coming week in my blog posts. So be sure to bookmark me and subscribe if you haven't already so you can head on back!

Here's a photo of the 3.5 x 5" notes and matching envelopes that are inside, and a close up of the flower. I used the Very Thankful set for this classic and elegant look, and the image fits perfectly in the Build A Brad for the flower center.

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Very Thankful
Paper: whisper white, real red textured, Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper, Soft Suede textured
and Ink: markers

Accessories: polka dot ribbon, Build A Brad, Box #2 die, Big Shot, corner rounder and scallop edge punches

Thanks so much for joining in our blog tour fun! I've enjoyed every minute!

 

Last Minute Holiday Blog Tour: Day 3 Super Easy Big Shot Project

I know on Saturdays we all have precious little time for blog reading, so the project I have for you is simple and quick. I have always loved involving my children when they were young in holiday preparations, especially for Thanksgiving. They often helped to make place cards for our guests and pretty table creations to make the meal festive. Here's an idea to do just that for you and it's easy enough to do with young children too.

 
I made a place card and matching quick wrap for the silverware at each place, featuring the Square Scallop die which was quickly run through the Big Shot. Folding the card stock in half and extending it past the center of the die makes an extra width across the bottom so it stands up by itself. It would also be great for wrapping up peppermint sticks or other sweet treats.

Here's a photo to help you visualize how I ran it through the Big Shot, lining the edges of the card stock up with the arrows.

 

For the name card, I used the Two Tags die and the Scallop Oval punch. When the bottom of the tag is folded under, it stands alone as well. Give it a try, and have a great weekend! Thanks for your comments and sweet notes!

I saved my very best project for last, so I know you'll want to come back tomorrow!

Have fun with your Stamps, Paper, and Ink,

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Holiday Best, Pocket Silhouettes
Paper: whisper white, apricot appeal
and Ink: only orange, certainly celery

Accessories: markers, Mistletoe Originals ribbon, Big Shot, Two Tags die, Scallop Square die, Scallop Oval punch, Crop A Dile, Jumbo eyelets

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have

Last Minute Holiday Blog Tour: Day 2

Sometimes a really special hand made card is just the gift that someone on my list will treasure. One with lots of texture and details and a cute sentiment, have a look!

 

The elements for this card came right out of the Idea Book & Catalog, on page 32. Don't ever neglect this terrific source of inspiration! I used the Season of Joy stamp set, the Merry Moments Designer Series Paper, and my favorite Playground designer buttons. All wrapped up in the yummy Mistletoe Ribbon Originals.

 Here's the neat thing about this card! It is a fancy fold called the UPRIGHT Z fold. The card opens at the top, and unfolds at the bottom. I had the idea to make it into a gift card using the large tag from the Two Tags Die to hold the gift card in place. Here's the inside :

and a view from the side so you can see how it folds.

Lastly here's a close up for you. I am glad so many of you stopped by yesterday, but only ONE of you left a comment. I hope you'll take the time to say hello today, I'd love hearing from you! 

Last Minute Holiday Blog Tour: Day 1

Welcome to the RemARKable Blog Tour, you're in the right place to get great ideas for your holiday celebrations! Make sure to hop around to each of the blogs, and there's more! We'll be posting fresh ideas daily for the next four days. So come back tomorrow and visit again often.

Presentation is everything, especially for us papercrafters! I want to show you how to use your stamps, paper and ink to dress up a simple holiday gift. I took a metal tin (my son received a gift in it last year) and dressed it up for the holidays using the Berry Christmas set  and a belly band with the Merry Moments Designer Series Paper.

Here's a step up ~ add a cute 3x3 card and envie to match! A gift ensemble makes a huge impact. That's my idea for you today - you figure out what to put IN the tin!

My supplies are listed below.I appreciate your visit and I'd love to hear from you in my comments box. See you tomorrow!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Berry Christmas
Paper: very vanilla, Merry Moments Designer Series Paper, real red
and Ink: chocolate chip, real red

Accessories: Stampin' Write markers, rhinestone brad, 1-3/4" circle punch, Merry Details Sizzlet, Scallop Edge punch linen thread

Punchy, punchy!

When I am busy and tired I get punchy and my family patiently puts up with me while I make my own silly jokes and laugh out loud! Well, you can't say that I didn't warn you about my mood today!

I have been busy making my projects for the Last Minute Holiday Blog Tour with the RemARKable Stampers. You're going to LOVE the ideas that 22 amazing stampers have to share. Unveils at midnight tonight/tomorrow, so be sure to check each blog daily so you don't miss one bit of inspiration!

I've been busy preparing for the workshop that we had last night featuring punch art and the Holiday Mini. Here are the cards we made ( which I totally CASEd by amazing artists online!). This is a snowman with REAL personality! One tip I have for creating the snowman card is to use a strip of card stock as a base to mount his face, hat and the sign. LOTS of punchy punches used.  Here's the list: the wide oval, 3/4" circle, curly label, word window, heart to heart, and thoroughly modern punches.

 

My friends' favorite was the goodie bags we made with this adorable punched pair of reindeer. Who could resist them? Here's a close up for you ~

 

I'm keeping this short today but I so look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I'm excited, can't wait!

I wanted you to know about.....

I wanted you to know about something great that happened to me last week. TWO of my cards were chosen for Nancy Riley's iPICKS , and I just had to tell you!  Happy news for me this week, thanks for letting me share it with you! She chose THIS card and THIS ONE of my cards last week to highlight. What fun for me to find lots of new hits to my blog, y'all keep on coming to visit me. <grin>

 

I want to let you know about something great that YOU can be excited about!  I am part of the Remarkable Stampers and our Last Minute Holiday Blog Tour is coming November 19 - 22. Save the dates and don't miss this tour! Each day you'll see a different project from our amazing group of stampers as we focus on cards, gifts and last minute ideas for your holidays. You'll find this icon in my sidebar to remind you. Spread the word to your friends!

I saved the best for last!

Stampin' Up! is offering a Holiday Extravaganza that you won't want to miss!

Make Stampin' Up! your one stop shop for all the special people in your life!

Use our Holiday Extravaganza Gift-Giving Guide to find gifts for kids, teens, neighbors, card makers, scrapbookers, and more—or to find the supplies you need to create special handcrafted gifts. Plus, from November 1 to January 4, receive a free Décor Elements™ piece (up to a $16.95 value) when you spend $50 on products in this guide!

 

To download the Guide, click on the photo above. If you'd like to order, I'd be happy to help you, please don't hesitate to contact me to ask crafting questions of any kind. I'm here to help you!