The content of this blog is my sole responsibility as an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator and the use of, and content of, the classes, services, or products offered on this blog is not endorsed by Stampin' Up!
I'm loving the new products in the just released 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog. AND I'm vowing to use each one of them just as soon as I can for both my own pleasure and creativity and for yours.
Here's today's card:
Although you can't see all of them, I used 4 new products:
Hearts Collection Framelits Die, 125598, p. 6
Adorning Hearts Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, 125601, p. 7
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.
Card 2 from our "Stamping for Adults" at the Mi Wuk Little Library in the Woods uses scraps from the Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper. I got the idea from my sister who got it from ??? The gals at the library loved it!!!
SUPPLIES:
STAMPS: Tiny Tags
CARD STOCK:
Garden Green: 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"
Cherry Cobbler: 4-1/2" x 2-7/8"
Whisper White: 4-1/2" x 2-5/8"
Early Espresso: scrap about 1/2" x 1"
Frostwood Lodge DSP: Top: 1-1/4" square, Second Layer: 1-1/2" square, Third Layer: 1-3/4" square, bottom/base layer: 2" square
Red Glimmer Paper: 2" square scrap
INK: Cherry Cobbler
ACCESSORIES: Personal Paper Cutter, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Punches: small star (retired--sorry), Jewelry Tag; Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Designer Buttons: Holly Berry Bouquet (125636) or Regals (119744) or Sweet Buttons Embosslit (113440), Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Dazzling Details (124117), Snow Burst Textured Impressioins Embossing Folder (124096)
Items in RED are in the Holiday Mini Catalog.
This is pretty much an easy to follow card beginning with the bottom layers. Don't forget to add the snow when you've got your card all assembled.
Click HERE for a brief tutorial on how to emboss just the front of the scored card stock.
NEED SUPPLIES? Please click on the shopping basket in the upper right corner to order for yourself OR email me (left sidebar) and I'll gladly place your order.
I think the Stampin' Up!'s new Blossom Box Bigz L Die is just so cute! But I've also heard many crafters complaining about how difficult it is to assemble. Wellllllllllll, if you know how -- my girl friend shared some tricks -- it's just as easy as can be! So, let's try it together:
There is one tip: attention to detail. Do each step precisely.
Pull out a sheet of Designer Series Paper (it's lighter weight and easier to fold for the first go-round at this box) and cut TWO pieces with the Blossom Box die using the Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439) and the Blossom Box Bigz L Die (123127). Cut them separately! (disregard that Sticky Tape in the photo for now)
Remove the tabs from one of the pieces.
Fold the horizontal score lines first. You'll need to use a pinching motion.
Next fold the vertical lines. Make sure you use your bone folder to crease all score lines well. (Or just pinch and squeeze firmly.)
The long straight vertical lines will be mountain folds.
The vertical lines with the two folds that create a sort of a curve will be valley folds. Do all of the folds on both pieces of DSP.
Apply Sticky Strip to the tabs. Cut the 'notches' from the Sticky Stripafter applying it to the tabs. Attach the two pieces.
Carefully start squishing and shaping the fold lines into the shape of the finished Blossom Box. Once you get the score lines to fold correctly, the box will go together fairly fast.
You can leave your box top popped UP or you can push it DOWN. They both look great!
The trick is to be sure to have all of your folds firmly creased. Having 3 hands or sets of fingers wouldn't hurt but it's really not necessary. I have been working with my Mac Technical Support crew (email inbox issues) while working on this project and, honestly, it was a piece of cake! Firmly crease the folds. I did my creasing wth either my thumbs/fingers or fingernails by the way. :)
Within the next few days I'll have a bonnet made and ready to share that will set off the top of the Blossom Box to make it even a little more special.
And now you're ready for card stock if you'd like a specific color. But Designer Series Papers are awfully pretty! HAVE FUN!
As I said the other day, I'm away from home a lot during the next few weeks and I don't have stampin' supplies with me. They would just be sitting in their bag or box untouched for safety so I just don't bring them along at all. I'm not used to having 'helpers' when I need to work on a project for sharing! :) And after dinner, when the kids are in bed, I'm more than d-o-n-e.
All that said, I do have the opportunity to search around on my computer, playing with My Digital Studio, checking out the Stampin' Up! website, or just reading emails that are full of ideas. Yesterday I came upon this video with tips for using Stampin' Up!'s Triple Layer Punches.
Doily Triple Layer Punch, 122465
Blossom Triple Layer Punch, 122464
I know some people have problems with it and I don't want YOU to be one of them. So, check this video out please and you too can become much more 'fluent' in how to correctly and efficiently use your Triple Layer Punches. Shannon West, the presenter, is one of my 'pals' at Stampin' Up!'s home office in Riverton UT. I see her at every SU! event I attend and she always remembers my name. Now that's cool! :)
Tomorrow: Who knows! I'm still 'on duty'. (and lovin' it!)
Here is the 'locker' I've brought to Stampin' Up!'s annual Convention in Salt Lake City this week. I've joined a Sudsol (Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing online) Swap where groups of 15 Stampin' Up! demonstrators will swap their 3-D ideas.
I got my inspiration from Connie Babbert from Ohio for my project:
I used the new Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper (124339, p. 185 of the new2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog) for the accent layers of my Candy Lockers.
When I swap my Candy Lockers with my fellow demonstrators there will be a Ghirardelli CHOCOLATE square in each drawer.
Would YOU like to make some of these cute lockers? I will have a step-by-step tutorial up here next week. I just couldn't get it done before I left home and certainly wouldn't attempt it this week while in Salt Lake. The brain doesn't function correctly while at a Stampin' Up! Convention! This project can be adapted for many many occasions: baby shower, Valentine gift box, Christmas, Hallowen, birthday party treats....... What other occasions would YOU make them for? Just leave a comment below with your idea.
Magazine Files are one of my favorite ways to present a collection of hand stamped greeting cards. When I was asked to create some cards for the Sonora CA Center for a Non Violent Community annual fund raiser, I immediately knew exactly what I would do. I just didn't know what card stock and coordinating Designer Series Paper I'd be using. Here is what I chose:
I used Real Red card stock (102482), Newsprint Designer Series Paper (117166), and 5/8" Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon.
There are six hand-stamped cards in each Magazine File. Wouldn't you bid for this item?
You can find my tutorial for creating your own Magazine Fileshere.
After nearly a month of shoveling March snow, and then trying to catch up with myself, I've had a chance to peruse some websites and just enjoy looking at ideas, colors, stamp sets and accessories. I've even pre-ordered some items from the soon to be released (May 1st) Summer Mini Catalog. But---I'm really not 'done' with the Occasions Mini!
Here's a delightful springtime card. My (almost) entire inspiration came from my stampin' friend Connie who lives in Ohio. She-is-so-creative!
I had also found that the petals from the Build a Blossom stamp set were just a bit large, on an everyday basis, for my taste and I think that's why this use of the leaves as petals struck my fancy. I've created a tutorial for this card which can be found by clicking here.
FYI.......the Occasions Mini will be going away in less than TWO weeks! I can't believe that but it's true! So, if you've been planning on purchasing anything from this mini, now is the time. Just call (phone # is in my banner above) or email me (left sidebar) , or just go directly to my Stampin' Up! website and store (click on my signature) and serve yourself. :)
I saw this darling vase about a month ago, but I didn't (yet) have the Petal Cone (121810) die to make it. Well, because of this vase, the Petal Cone die went on my next stampin' order. And here's my cute vase, on my stampin' studio window sill, giving hope that there will be a spring when the Mi Wuk Village snow melts!
In the meantime, I made a square vase (see the polka dots in the background?) and posted it here.
But now I have the Petal Die and if you click here, you'll find my 'how to tutorial' for making the Triangle Vase, complete with daffodils.
(P.S. it's 57.7 in my great room as I type. It'll be around 71 by dinner time in 8 hours! Gotta love our power outage and depending upon a fire place with no fan to push the heat out into the room. Not complaining really---just letting you know it's darned chilly right now!)
My sister shared this with me yesterday and I just sighed..............
Created by Kari Metzger, based on an idea by Jackie Topa. Both are from Canada.
So Saturday, before doing anything else, I made this cheery little vase and bouquet. With 20 or so inches of snow outside this is a happy little respit. I don't have the Petal Cone Bigz Die (yet) from the 2011 Occasions Mini but I do have a pattern for a cute little box/vase I made. Click here for the short vase template tutorial.
Cut 4 pieces of Designer Series Paper (I used the Wicked Fun Specialty DSP from the current Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog) 1-7/8" x 2-7/8". Attach these pieces to each side of the vase. Wrap with a piece of Daffodil Delight 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (120928). The black/white polka dots are from the reverse side of the embossed cherries that are from a retired Halloween set. I can't locate it to get the proper name.
Now to making the fresh and spring-y daffodils:
You'll need:
Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439)
Fun Flowers Bigz L Die (121812, p. 39, Occasions Mini)
Daffodils: cut 3 pcs of the middle sized and smaller sized flower using the Fun Flower die. Score as shown in photos.
Layer smaller flower onto larger flower with Dimensional. To put ribbon through button holes, cut ribbon end at a sharp angle and poke through button hole, top to bottom. Now thread ribbon bottom to top and tie in knot. Trim ends. TIP: I always leave my ribbon on the bolt and work with it that way, taking the end, pushing it through the button hole (or around the card layer), securing it, and then trimming it from the bolt. Much less loss of ribbon into scrap ribbon.
Stems: Layer 3 pieces of Old Olive with Snail adhesive. This gives them strength. Attach stem to the back of the daffodils with Sticky Tape, creating 3 different heights for the flowers.
Fill the vase with rice, m&ms, coffee beans, dried beans, sand........whatever you have on hand. Poke in the flowers and some "fill" fronds: Slice some very narrow pieces of Old Olive card stock, gently rub it along the table edge or the back of a pair of scissors to break the fibers and create a slight curl. Poke them into the vase.
TIP: I found it easiest to create my bouquet in my hand, arranging the differing heights of the flowers, and then holding the bouquet next to the vase and trimming all stems even with the bottom of the box. Then insert them into the rice, beans or whatever you're using to hold them in place.
Now have fun creating some of your own sunshine. If you need any of the supplies used in this project, be sure to send me an email, blythe@stampinwithblythe.com, or click on my name below and go directly to my Stampin' Up! store.
