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In "honor" of the fact that our wonderful Mi Wuk Library is officially closing on June 30th, but really at the end of operation on Friday, June 26th, I thought we'd make a cute commemorative bookmark. You can make it from any square scrap of Designer Series Paper, from 4" x 4" to 6" x 6". You could also make it by cutting off a corner of an envelope and decorating it!
This bookmark is wonderfully easy to make: Fold your 4" x 4" piece of DSP (designer series paper) in half, turn and fold in half again. Open and lay flat--you'll see 4 equal sized squares. Cut out one of these squares. From the square on the opposite side of this removed square, cut off the half of the square on the diagonal, i.e. a triangle. Fold the remain flaps over each other, behind the triangle, and secure with Snail adhesive. Decorate with punched or die cut flowers and leaves. You're done. Tomorrow I'll add step by step pictures of those cuts but right now I'm ready to dash out the door for an overnight trip.
You can also use the bookmark for holding and then giving out business cards. You have your card in someone's hands as well as a simple sample of one of the fun things you can do with Stampin' Up! products. No stamping on this one but it's still SU! all the way!!!!
I'll be back tomorrow to amend this post with step by step pictures. In the meantime, have a super day!
I've been wanting to make the Flower Pot card for a long long time and as usual, needed a push to get myself to try it. Wednesday's class was the push needed. Andrea Walford, a stamper from Canada, was my inspiration. She has so thoughtfully created a template to make creating this card so much easier. Either trace the template onto your cardstock or Designer Series Paper (DSP) or print it directly onto your cardstock if your printer will accept heavier paper. Be sure to print it on the wrong side of your DSP. The link for the template is on the right sidebar, just under the Cards for Heroes button. (It only took me 45 minutes to finallllllly figure out how to successfullllly add a pdf file to my sidebar for you to click on and open! And you thought this blogging was easy peasy.)
Here's the card we made:
These are the cards made by the gals in the class.
INGREDIENTS:
STAMP SET: none used
CARDSTOCK: Sweet Slumber Speciality DSP (114037)(retiring--already out of stock--sadly), 8-1/2 x 10"
Baja Breeze (111352), Old Olive (100702), Riding Hood Red(111348), So Saffron (105118): scraps for flowers
Kraft (107070): 3-7/8" x 2" and 4-1/4" x 2-3/8"
Whisper White (100730): 2-1/4" x 4-1/8"
INK: Close to Cocoa (103139)
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439), Birds & Blooms Sizzlets 4-pack dies (113485), Flower Daisies #2 Bigz die (114520), Scallop Edge punch (112091), Stampin' Sponge (101610), Baja Breeze 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (111375), Snail adhesive (104332), Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683)
TIPS:
- Score the flower pot as shown by the dotted lines on the template. Fold your flower pot template in a "Z" fold with the smallest piece folding to the front--scalloped piece of Kraft CS will be attached to this flap
- Layer W.White onto Kraft CS for message insert
- When attaching flowers, lay your 'flower pot' on grid paper, penciling in the outline for a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card. Attach your first flowers to the white cardstock; then layer the next flowers onto that flower. Alternatively, you can place a few flowers on the Kraft 'lip' and then attach a few more to the whisper white insert. You need to be able to able to pull this flower covered insert piece from the flower pot! Be sure no part of your flowers or leaves extend over the 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" outline. Then it will fit into a standard A-2 envelope.
- Position finished insert into flower pot and then tie Baja Breeze ribbon around all. Tie in a knot.
You can use any Designer Series Paper or cardstock that you like to create totally different looks. Have fun!!
Click here, 24/7, if you'd like to order any of the Stampin' Up! products used in creating this card. Items in red are on available only until June 30, 2009 and some, unfortunately, may already be out of stock.
I hope you were able to give some thought yesterday to all of the different father figures in your life. I know I did. My dad has been gone for over ten years but I did some thinking about times and events we shared over my life with him. Then I thought about my son with his 4-1/month old son, my son-in-law with his 3 little ones. And my husband received phone calls from both of his sons. Nice.
During all this thinking I finally attacked my storage boxes of CARD FRONTS that I've received at Stampin' Up! conventions, group meetings, on-line swaps, extras from classes, etc. so that today, Monday, I could mail them off to Cards for Heroes. I sorted them out, making sure that I set aside all cards with glitter (it's a big no-no for CFH) on them. I've been wanting to do this since I participated in their Blog Tour in May and now I feel as if I've honored my commitment and desire: to do something positive with cards that are just hiding, more or less, in the closet! There are more than 300 card fronts, plus maybe 50 finished cards with envelopes, in my sealed box. Sorry I sealed it before I thought to take a photo!
Please click on the Cards for Heroes button in the right sidebar for more information on the organization. Or just click here.
Swarovski Crystals is partnering with Cards for Heroes for the next couple weeks to
get 30,000 cards signed! They're gorgeous cards with a little crystal
bling added to them . . . and about 150 cards are at each of their
store locations til July 4th to be signed by customers. (Some of the
stores have a sweet deal offering a free tshirt with purchase, check
and see if yours does!) The signing is free—so please take your friends
and family with you. Email them about it too! Click --->here<---to search for a store location near you! (The store closest/most convenient to me is in the Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton CA.)
As I've been pulling out retiring sets from my Stampin' Up! cupboard I made a vow to myself: use sets or accessories you have purchased, but not used. So for our Monday June Stamp Club we used first the Printed Window Sheets from the Occasions Mini and then the Clear Medium Window Sheets with (yes, it's true) last year's Sell-a-Bration Rub-on packages. I collected them to use in a class!!!! And this was the class, one year later it seems. I must improve on that track record this next year.
I do like to challenge my Stamp Club and this time I think I stumped them a bit. I offered each participant a new sneak peak 2009-2010 piece of cardstock for their card base. AND a quarter-sheet of each of the Printed Window Sheets. Their task then was to fill in the 'blanks'. After a few minutes of thinking, this is what the 4 attendees came up with:
Gloria, using Crushed Curry:
Linda, using Soft Suede:
This is Gloria's card made with the medium weight Window Sheet and the Rub-ons from 2008 Sell-a-bration:
Diane G's card:
Obviously I didn't get photos of all of the cards this time. I must admit that these cards were a definite challenge. I'm going to keep working on it. If you have made a card with the either the printed or clear Window Sheets, please share it. I'm sure we could all benefit. I'm going to be working with mine again shortly and will share the results. As I said, this was a true challenge.
Tomorrow.....our monthly stamp class. We had fun!!! :)
It's been wild around my home lately (hence no posting), but with the help of my daughter on Sunday, I was able to finally determine where to place my Décor Elements Thoughts & Prayer Tree and then get it actually placed. What an accomplishment!
We have a large 'great room', high ceiling, with a fireplace in the middle. Most of the wall is totally inaccessible unless you're a giant! After much conversation, we decided to place the tree on the right side, over 2 windows, above the dining table.
You should know that the tree comes in 6 pieces---well actually on 2 long pieces of paper, each with 3 pieces of the tree on it. You just cut out those individual pieces (trim loosely around each branch) and match them up to the branches, sort of like a 6-piece puzzle. Quite easy really. Then trim the excess paper from each piece for a good visual. I attached each piece to the wall with 1-2 push pins. I also will admit that I wasn't real impressed with how it looked until I just 'bit the bullet' and started to apply it to the wall. Here are two lovely views of the installation:
And here are the visuals from a slight distance:
I brought my Monday afternoon stamp club inside to see what I had finally completed---two of them decided they want one too: one selected the small size for her kitchen area and the other selected the medium size for a new craft room. It is just so soft and graceful and eye appealing. I have to say that I'm just tickled pink!
The Thoughts & Prayers Tree is available right now and will continue to be available in the new Stampin' Up! year in 3 sizes and 2 colors, Chocolate and Black. If you are interested in the tree itself or the new Décor Elements Brochure, please let me know. There are many many new Décor Elements items for your perusal and pleasure so be sure to check it out. I hope I've inspired you to consider adding a décor element to your home. They're awesome!
I just have to mention this oh-so-often overlooked, diminutive but important tool: the Adhesive Remover, p. 191 (Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog), 103684, $3.50. You can't go wrong at that price.
Have you ever placed SNAIL adhesive on the wrong side of a piece of Designer Series Paper or cardstock and then let out a growl of one decibel level or another? Well I certainly have! Just grab your unexciting looking Adhesive Remover and gently rub over the 'mess' and off it comes. I recommend it to every one of my customers knowing that there will be a time when it's needed. I keep mine right in my working area.
Size: 2" x 2" x 1/4" (at most)
Next time we'll cover something a little more exciting and flashy. But you can't beat the Adhesive Remover for efficiency and making you happy when it appears as if your hard work has been ruined by residual or misplaced adhesive.
Monday, June 9th, 5 p.m. CA time: I am aware that I have 4 stamp sets that will be in the new catalog and are not on the retired list. My (lazy) mistake! That said, I cannot delete anything from 3rd page on the list in the sidebar. I have a 'help ticket' in to Typepad and will remove those sets as soon as possible. They are Soft Swirled, Season of Joy, Bugs & Kisses, Season of Friendship. They are NOT for sale! Sorry about the mix up and thanks to a fellow SU! demo for noticing it! ~Blythe
I've just posted some (not ALL yet!) older retired stamp sets and accessories on separate pages within this blog. If you just look near the bottom of the right hand sidebar you'll see a block saying RETIRED ITEMS FOR SALE....2 pages for stamp sets and 1 page for accessories. As I prepare my stampin' room for the new SU! catalog year I will uncover more stamps and accessories and will be adding them to these pages.
Here's a sample accessory:
And a sample stamp set:
Prices and shipping information are 'attached' to each item. So.......enjoy. I'll let you know when I get more items posted. If you're an 'older Stampin' Up! scrapper' you might be interested in the many 8-1/2" x 11" page protectors I have----those with the pockets for 3" x 5" and 4" x 6" photos + journaling space. Check it out.
I participated in another of Jeanna Bohanan's organized swaps and, just before I left town last week, I received my portion back. The great cards have been photographed and now they're here for you to enjoy. The group I was in used the Stampin' Up! set CHEERS TO YOU which I think is a great summer party stamp set. If you'd like to know the ingredients for any of these cards, please just leave a comment at the end of this entry and I'll post them right away.
This card was created by Rachel Taasaas. Rachel also used the wheel, Cheers, that coordinates with the set.
Creator: Missi Hackman
This cute card opens with that top layer---clever.
She used Rainbow Sherbet DSP. This paper will be retiring at the end of June, but unfortunately, stock has already been sold out.
If you've been wanting Designer Series Papers from the 2009 Spring/Summer Catalog, you should order it quickly as many of those that are retiring are already out of stock.
Tina Taves created this card, seemingly for "a guy", but then it could just be announcing a party.
Lorraine Tolls created this inviting card. Makes me want to be sitting pool side, sipping on a 'beverage' just like this one!
She used Washington Apple DSP which will be retiring at the end of June. As of this moment it is still available.
The card below was created by Hilary Reynolds. Hilary used Stampin' Pastels and an Aqua Painter to color the concoctions in the glasses. Simply touch your Aqua Painter to the Pastel to pick up color; then apply the color to your image.
Barbara Jean Smith created this Father's Day card. She used a technique called "frothy frostlng" which I'm going to have to find out about. I'll be reporting to you as soon as I know.
She also used Crystal Effects over the beer mugs.
And this last card is the one I created as a celebratory card for either a wedding or, probably more likely, an engagement.
I hope you've enjoyed this little tour of samples using the Cheers to You stamp set. This set has sat on my shelf for too long, waiting for the creative courage to use it. When the option for the swap came up, I immediately selected this set to force myself to use it and see in return what others are doing with it. I'm so please with the variety of cards received. Thanks Ladies!
Now, if you'd like your own Cheers to You stamp set, and perhaps some accessories to make one or two of these cards, just email me (email button in on the upper left sidebar) or go directly to my Stampin' Up! website and click on Shop Now and order it at your convenience. As always though, I'm available to talk through your purchase with you to ensure you have exactly what you'll need.
I have so many cards that I've received in swaps just waiting to go somewhere
I would like to encourage you to participate as well. First let me tell you the mission of Cards for Heroes: To support our nation’s armed forces by
sending blank greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of
gratitude to encourage them.
What can you do? You can donate cards or funds for postage. Please check their website 'donate funds page' for details and verification. This is truly a grassroots organization of dedicated volunteers. Be watching for a button located on the right side of my blog---as soon as I figure out how to upload it. It's different than those I usually use.
You can also join me in a challenge:
25+2 Challenge
Summary: Make 25 cards for our nation's heroes to
write home on! It's a do-able goal for a busy summer schedule...if
everyone did 25, CFH would likely have enough to get through summer! Then
add 2 cards to it: one AnyHero card, and one AnyHero birthday card for
a deployed service member who needs some birthday cheer! You can either mail your completed cards to me and I'll forward them to Cards For Heroes or you can mail your cards directly to them:
Cards for Heroes, 35205 13th Place SW, Federal Way, WA. 98023
Here's a refresher on the card I made:
I received 86 comments on my card so..........I'm joining Lisa, a fellow Blog Tour member, in donating 1 card for every comment received. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Thanks for stopping by today. I think this is an important post and an important mission. The individuals we're honoring are doing their job, in unsavory conditions, in unsavory locations and it seems to be the least we can do in showing them respect.
