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For our final library stampin' afternoon at our Mi Wuk Little Library in the Woods, for 2011, I wanted to have some fun. Well, we always have fun but...........I wanted to do something different. And it was FUN FOR ME to see how much I challenged my stampers with this little project. We had a lot of laughs!!!!!
We made a lovely, non-Christmas, all-purpose type card which I'll share tomorrow, and a little Christmas ornament: a star. I've seen several versions of this ornament and I adapted several to come up with this version.
You will need
Five (5) 4" x 4" squares of Designer Series Paper, suggested that they all be the same design.
Two (2) 2" x 2" squares of coordinating card stock.
20" of coordinating ribbon
coordinating button
Red Sticky Tape
Click HERE to view my quick and easy tutorial. I've made 4 of these star ornaments now, and I have to tell you, each one takes less than half an hour. Adhering the Sticky Tape takes the longest. :)
I'll see you tomorrow with the card we made. Again, it's a great any purpose card.
Don't forget about the Clearance Blitz going on right now. Clearance items need to be ordered online! Ask me if you have questions about how to do that.
AS PROMISED, here are the various Shadow Boxes the gals made last Thursday evening at Jen's Holiday Party. All were made with the focal feature being the Merry Trees Décor Element, size small, $3.95, 121643, p. 229, Stampin' Up!'s Idea Book & Catalog. I got the shadow boxes, 8" x 8" and 10" x 10" square, black or white, from Joann's. Yes, I wiped out the supply they had on hand last Sunday.
Andrea and I had created two nice looking samples the night before so the gals would have a clue where or how they might get started on their own shadow boxes. Andrea's on the left is 10" x 10" square and mine, the one on the right, is 8" x 8".
Below is a prototype we just laid out on the work table:
And below again is another we just laid out on the work table:
And now for the projects of the evening. If I know for sure who made a certain shadow box I'll label it.
Above: I'm pretty sure this is Carol's with the addition of some beautiful Northern Frost Sizzlit Decorative Strip snowflakes made with Silver Glimmer Paper and the current Holly Berry Bouquet DSP, 10" x 10".
Above: Melissa, laying out her project, retired Designer Series Paper.
Above: Melissa and her mom, Peggy, are real pleased! 10" x 10"
I think this is Peggy's. Love her use of the retired DSP. :) 8" x 8"
Amy created this shadow box going in a totally different direction from the others. She used bits from the Christmas Lane Simply Scrappin' Kit, 124007, p. 26, Holiday Mini Catalog. 8" x 8"
This is a 10" x 10" framed shadow box. Who??? Andrea might have made this one for Stacey who was out sick. She sure missed some fun!
This is Christine's 8" x 8" shadow box, also using last year's Designer Series Paper. She has excellent taste! :)
This is Jen's 10" x 10" interpretation of Merry Trees.
Haven't these been FUN!?
All you need is some Designer Series Paper, a few ribbons and embellishments, like the Glimmer Papers in Red or Silver, and your Décor Element of choice. It's a pretty quick and easy project.
Janice, my downline*, is fortunate enough to have most of her downline members fairly nearby her home so she's able to offer periodic 'pep' meetings for them. I happened to stumble into conversation with Janice just before one of her quarterly meetings. Since it was pretty much right after Stampin' Up!'s convention, it was even more exciting, sharing product and ideas from the Convention.
Jill Nolan, Janice's downline (and "related" to me too) was fortunate enough to be rewarded as one of the Rising Stars for the 2010-2011 stampin' year. Translated, that means that in her first year as a demonstrator she reached certain levels in sales and recruiting, and other unknown factors. It was great meeting her and chatting with her. She's a natural!
And now, here is the project Janice prepared for her 'peeps'.
Wait until you see, tomorrow, what other cards we made!
Since Sale-a-Bration is drawing to a close, I decided to feature a different product every day from now through the 31st of March.
Today..........a great and easy (love that word) mini scrapbook!
You will need:
12" x 12" Peach Parfait card stock (119799) and Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper & Quick Accents Pack (122242--SAB)
Peach Parfait:
1 pc. 5" x 12", scored at 2-1/2", 3", 8", and 8-1/2"
Bone Folder (102300). Firmly crease each score line, ensuring that each fold is perpendicular to the card stock edges before creasing with the bone folder.
2 pc. 4-3/4" x 12", scored at 4-3/4" and 9-1/2
Firmly crease each score line as described above, folding the scored lines as show below.
Open up the 5" x 12" piece and lay the two matching pieces in the center as shown below.
You will want the folded edges to be "about" 1/8" from the edge of the sides.
The centers will overlap a bit.
When these pieces are folded into position they should be pretty even on each side.
Be sure to apply a generous amount of Snail Adhesive (104332). If you think your mini album will get a lot of use, use Sticky Tape (104294) instead of Snail.
Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch (119275)
Daffodil Delight cardstock, 5" x 1-1/2" (scrap): punch out a strip with the punch and attach it to the inside of the top flap of the mini scrapbook with Snail Adhesive.
The DSP layer on the bottom half is 4-3/4" x 3-1/4". I used a piece from the In Color Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack (117158).
Belly Band: 1" x 12", Daffodil Delight. Rather than prescore the belly band, gently fold it around the mini album and fold it at score lines. Secure with Snail over the top flap. This will be covered with the embellishment.
Using the Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439) and the Large Scalloped Square Bigz Die (115950) cut out a piece of Daffodil Delight card stock.
Using Snail adhesive, attach it to the center/inside of the mini album.
Decorate the scalloped square piece using theSweet Summer (123214) SAB stamp set.
Add a greeting or message as desired.
Use the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch (118074) to punch out a piece of Old Olive card stock. Attach pieces from the Quick Accents Packas desired. I attached many of them with Dimensionals. Tie a knotted piece (or a bow) using the Ice Cream Parlor ribbon from the Ribbon & Button Pack (123529). Attach with a Glue Dot (103683).
Sadly, I don't have any printed and appropriate spring photos to attach to the inside of the album. I think you can do that on your own. Add journaling or embellishments as desired.
IF you needed all of the supplies used for this mini album, you would be able to earn one of the Sale-a-Bration sets used.
12" x 12" In Color card stock, 20 sheets, 2 of each color, $10.95
TOTAL with Snail refill only rather than new full package: $71.15
While all of these items are 'consumable', many of them will last you a long, long time and will be vital ingredients for many projects. If you need to order anything be sure to send me an email or go directly to my stampin' store but clicking on my signature below.
I'll see you again tomorrow, sharing a totally different look. See you then.
Nine mommies gathered at my daughter's home on Saturday afternoon to have an afternoon of creative relaxation without children.
They received Stampin' Up!'s Candy Countdown Calendar Kit (item #120926, Holiday Mini, p. 34) as the main 'ingredient' of the class. In the kit are:
printed sheets with 25 printed die-cut numbers and 25 background layers
25 Real Red die-cut 'countdown' boxes (approximately 1-1/2" x 1-7/8" x 3-1/2")
25 Real Red grosgrain ribbon strips, 12" each
25 mini clothespins
5 yards of twine rope
Step one was punching out all the pieces:
And then, with the Sanding Blocks provided, Step 2 was smoothing off all of the 'dit-dits' or 'pokey-outies' that were on the side of the various shapes. You know, the little bits that held them on to the printed sheets.
Then the real fun began as they put each day's box together (keeping the box flat yet), some with, some without, embellishments. In addition to the Candy Countdown Calendar Kit, provided with the class were:
Clear (item #120993) and silver (item #120994) Tinsel Trim (p. 21 of the Holiday Mini Catalog).
Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons(item #121718, Holiday Mini)
Dimensionals (item #104430, Idea Book & Catalog)
Glue Dots (item #103683, IB&C)
Folding Tag from the Two Tags Bigz Die* (item # 115954, p. 206, IB&C) and the Big Shot die-cut machine (113439, p. 204, IB&C) *Stampin' Up! exclusive die
I used the colors used in the Kit: Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Garden Green and Real Red.
Also provided was a list of family activity ideas to place on cards (rather than candy--or in addition to candy) placed inside each box. As your children grow older you can switch out some of the ideas to make the new ideas more age appropriate. I suggest maybe writing the ideas on a small (1-1/2" x 2") sticky note and placing it on the inside of the die cut cards provided.
Finished, unfolded boxes:
Be sure to click on the photo for a larger view.
And what's a 6-year old grandson (Austin) to do after everyone's gone???? Construct of course.
If you're ready now to make your own Candy Countdown Calendars to start your family tradition, let me know. I'm here to help you get the necessary supplies. (Click on my name below to be taken to my Stampin' Up! store or send me an email.) Order through me and I'll send you my compiled list of over 40 family activities. Basically you'll need:
Calendar Kit
Dimensionals
Tinsel: clear and silver
Buttons
Imagine some beautiful greenery as a background to these hanging boxes. Greenery wasn't out of the garage rafters before Halloween!
The rest is in the kit. You could set your finished boxes along a (long) mantel, hanging on your tree, streaming down the staircase railing, strung across a window.......wherever works for your home and life style.
"My" gals really enjoyed this project on Saturday and I hope I've inspired you to make this Calendar Kit for your family.
I belong to several stamping email lists and one cute idea that's been shared lately has been a magazine file holder which has been downsized into a card holder. Well, I saw the instant place for that in my stamp area or on my desk. I decided I wanted to make some of them! After I figured out just how to do it of course.
Here is my first attempt:
And then the whole bunch of them that I made for my Stamp Club members:
And, a close up of the ones with the cards---those are mine and hold the cards I've prepared for the upcoming month's birthdays and other occasions.
I hope you'd like to try this out. They ARE easy to make. Just proceed slowly on the first one and then let the assembly line begin if you'd like to make more!
What you'll need:
12" x 12" cardstock, trimmed down to 11" x 12"
Designer Series Paper to coordinate with the 12" x 12" CS
Personal Paper Cutter with both cutting and scoring blades
How to do it:
Along the 11" side: score at 4-1/2" and 6-1/2". This will create a 2" spine and 2 4-1/2" sides
Along the 12" side: score at 6" and 10-1/2"
Here's what your scored and cut 11" x 12" CS will look like. I'll explain the diagonal cut in a minute.
Here are a few 'files' scored, cut, and loosely put into shape before securing with adhesive:
The next step is to adhere the side pieces creating the supportive base.
I wish the quality of this picture was better. AND I wish I could create arrows for pointers. (Someday I'll learn how to actually use my PhotoShop Elements application!). But, on the 'flaps' on the left and right sides of the file, place SNAIL adhesive along the outside edge and the cut edges, left and right. Those 'seams' must be closed tightly or you'll just be seeing a gap where the edges fold over.
Place the sides of the file into their finished position, holding each side close to the base you just created. Make a small tick with a pencil where the front of the side meets the base. Then make a pencil tick 1/2" from the corner, on the side, where it meets the spine.
In the picture above, the tick marks should be at the lower right corner, just above the fold line and the upper left corner, 1/2" from the edge. You can't see the 2" spine portion (on the left).
Pull out the side portions and cut a triangle piece out, from tick mark to tick mark, creating the side of the card file. I marked and cut this one before I glued the base. Photo below:
Here's that scored and cut photo that you saw above. Hopefully it makes more sense now.
Fold cardstock into position, creating the base.
Photo below: On the right you are seeing the BOTTOM OF THE BOX. Adhere your SNAIL adhesive as shown. Turn the magazine file over and tuck the sides to the inside walls.
And there you have your almost finished magazine file. Cut a piece of Designer Series Paper, 1-3/4" x 12". Make a fold/score line 1/2" from one end. Wrap it around the file base, making little crease marks where it will have to be folded to fit. Each box is just a little bit different so you can't just score these fold marks and have them be right. The DSP will not wrap all the way around the back of the file. Cut another piece, approximately 2" x 2", a adhere it over the gap.
You could add a length of ribbon over the DSP if desired. Use some Hodgepodge Hardware in the front on the box as a label with or without the ribbon trim.
I hope you've enjoyed this little tutorial and that you attempt to make your own card files. Several of them sitting side by side on your desk top are just so cute---and efficient! Now you'll know right where your ready-to-mail cards are located.
Contact me (blythe@stampinwithblythe.com) if you'd like to order any of the componenets to create your own card file OR go to my Stampin' Up! website to order online, any time of the day or night; just click on 'shop now'.
I just received an email from one of 'my' Mi Wuk stampers. There is a quarterly Friendship Tea at our local library (where I teach the 3rd Thursday of every month, including December), and this month's tea will include a cookie exchange.
Nancy got this idea out of the 2008 Fall-Winter 2008 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog (page 19, top right) and decided to put it to use for the cookie exchange. Since she couldn't find any of the bags in the size and quantity she wanted, she made them out of parchment paper and used scallop scissors. Then it was time to get out her new 1-3/4" inch circle punch for the Peace Love Joy stamp as well as a few others, which it fit perfectly! With the festive Stampin' Up! (some current, some retired) Designer Series Papers and stamps she figured no one would care if there were cookies in the the little packages or not!
You might remember Nancy's other contribution to this blog. She set the pace for our monthly treats, furnished by each month's hostess, by making treat bags and coordinating water bottles for our October Stampers' Club meeting.
I'll be back again today, or maybe tomorrow (again), with some pictures of the doll house I'm working on. It's a bigger job than I thought it would be---but it's also lots of fun. My final task is to 'hang framed photos and artwork' on the walls throughout. It'll be cute!!!
My sister greeted me with this super little box in this morning's email. The template was from Paper Pleasing, Julie Buhler... http://paperpleasing.typepad.com/my_weblog/
It's taking forEVER to download/open up on my dial up connection so I'll hope to get the details for the location of the template before I hit the road this morning. Oh the joys of dial up! You certainly do learn patience---or at least how to successfully multi-task!
The box is for an office mate's birthday today and my sister, Janet, did not want it to be Christmas-y. She definitely succeeded there. I just love how elegant it is.
Janet used Brocade Background DSP (retired) , River Rock CS (retired) , Chocolate Chip CS, Coluzzle, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (retired), Linen String, Scallop Circle punch, 1-1/4" circle punch, So Many Scallops stamp set (retired SAB), SNAIL adhesive, and one dimensional. I'm not sure I like it when my little sister shows me up! :)
WHEW, the site just loaded so here is the little treat box tutorial link:
I guess the Thanksgiving Weekend did me in more than I thought! I have no clue where the 1st OR the 2nd of December went, except perhaps, they got lost in the preparations for this weekend's classes. I'll be repeating my Bags, Tags, and Cards (with modifications) on Friday night, and then a Christmas Stamp-a-Stack on Saturday afternoon.
I'm heading for Fresno CA tomorrow morning for a long overdue meeting/Christmas party with my stamping buddies. I haven't seen them since JUNE! For this annual event each participant brings a white tissue paper wrapped hostess gift, an item we would give a workshop hostess. Here's mine:
There is a little cello bag of Christmas tags inside. Here are the bag-in-a-box components.
We made this Bag-in-a-Box at my Mi Wuk class a few weeks ago. If you missed it, just click HERE.
And now I must be sure I have every little stamp pad, brad, ribbon and punch packed up for the weekend's adventure. It'll be a bit of zig-zagging in Northern California....Mi Wuk Village, south to Fresno, north to Dublin, south to San Jose, north to San Francisco Airport and finally east to take me home again.
Yesterday I held my Mi Wuk Village Bags, Tags & Cards class. It was a ton of fun. These ladies know how to chat and joke while they create. And it was really nice to see that they put previous classes to work months after the class. Nancy called to ask if she could bring some lemon cookies that were fresh out of the oven. Well, of course she could. But look what she brought:
Nancy didn't just bring a plate of cookies, she wrapped 3 of them them in a zip lock bag and then popped that into our medium cello bags! Then she tied the bags with Hemp Twine (and eyelets) and used the Tart & Tangy stamp set to create a cute tag (Yoyo Yellow and Tempting Turquoise) .....complete with Crystal Effects on the lemon slices. Good thing I took the photo before everyone got their cookies because they were g-o-n-e by the end of the afternoon. I offered paper towels for munching them so they didn't get any 'greasies' on their stampin' fingers!
I've been showing you some of the projects we did in the class throughout the week but I have to share the assortment of Bags in a Box which they loved. If you scroll down to the 17th's blog entry, you'll see the entire 'how-to'photo tutorial so you can create one of these bags too. They're really quite easy, but.......if you talk and giggle and eat yummy cookies, it does take a bit longer.
Our basic ingredients were Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Treasures Designer Series Paper, Little Felt Flurries and Build-a-Brads. The class loved them all, especially getting to pick and play with the Felt Flurries and the Build-a-Brads.
Now it's time for you to go challenge yourself and make a Bag in a Box. The finished result demands a huge smile! Enjoy.........
