It’s a Party!

I know I’ve been teasing you for over a week now, as to what that mega project I was involved in actually turned out to be.  Welllllll, without further ado … they are birthday invites for my grand daughters 1st birthday! 

My grand daughter has a security blanket which is a combination blanket and stuffed owl – she carries it with her everywhere.  Actually, she has several of these just in case one is forgotten somewhere, misplaced, in the wash, whatever – we do not want our little darling to be in distress!  Since Cam is so enamored with Owlie, her mom really wanted to do an owl theme for her birthday.  I didn’t have to be asked twice to be in charge of the invites, I was truly excited to have the opportunity to play with my new 2-step Owl punch.  Those that know me well, know I don’t think in “simple” mode.  I also tend to be somewhat of a perfectionist, am not happy leaving well enough alone. <sigh>  So what should have been a quick and easy 26 invitations, turned out to be quite an ordeal – but here is the finished product:

This started out as bits and pieces of several other cards I had viewed online, then off in my own direction I went.  The silliness kicked in when trying to figure out what wording we wanted on the front … I think my idea is rather self explanatory.  <grin>  I couldn’t find any current designer papers in Pretty In Pink that looked right on this card.  My neighbor let me dig through her stash of retired papers and I found a few pieces that were perfect!  I love the polka dot balloon, which is covered with crystal effects for more dimension; pink crochet thread added for the balloon string.  The party hat is a small pennant shape cut from a scalloped square punched piece.  Prior to punching and cutting, I lightly brayered Melon Mambo ink on the Square Lattice embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot – LOVE how the design turned out!

The invitation is a postcard style, this is the back.  I designed it using the Stampin’ Up! My Digital Studio software.  I honestly could not believe how quickly this portion came together. 

After completing the graphics and text boxes, I selected all elements and copied/pasted this design three more times so I ended up with a total of four invitation sections per page.  I then printed it on Pink Pirouette card stock and trimmed each quarter page to fit the back of the invite.  No embellishments were added to this side.  Since all the details were typed in the MDS program, all my daughter-in-law had to do when I turned these over to her was to put them into a stamped envelope and drop into the mail.

For my public blog posting, I did edit out all the personal info … am pretty sure my son will not be thrilled with me if you all show up on his doorstep. <grin>

Missing Spring

With these cooler fall days we are having in the midwest, I’m finding myself spending more time inside.  Today I decided to sift through the pile of my cards that I just can’t bare to part with.  Do any of you have that problem … you know, make a special card and then can’t handle the idea of sending it off in the mail because you will miss it too much?  Maybe I’m just weird, but this seems to happen to me quite often.  Anyway, this was one of those cards I absolutely adored.
  

I have seen the butterfly pansies used in many others cards, wanted to try my own hand at creating something with them.  I must say, after my very first attempt, I was completely hooked.  I love every idea I come across that is quick, easy and gives GREAT results – this is definitely one of those! 

Many of the products used in this card are now retired, but this can still be recreated using any current items.

PROJECT RECIPE:

Stamps:  Watercolor Trio
Paper:  Orchid Opulence, Old Olive, Whisper White, Cottage Wall DSP
Ink:  Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Yo Yo Yellow, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories:  Butterfly punch, Scallop Oval punch, Small Oval punch, 5-petal flower punch, ribbon, rhinestone brad, brads, markers, aqua painter

Something Little

I wanted to play with the new designer paper I “won” at convention so I created these little notepad folders for each of my club members, as a small token of my appreciation.  They were each tucked inside a coordinating Stampin’ Up! reusable tote bag which was purchased at Momento Mall.  Of course, their special bags also included the merchandise they ordered for the current meeting.   This is the front and back of the folder – notice the cute Stampin’ Up! pen peeking out!

… and this is the inside.  A pocket on each side…one to keep your important notes safe and one to house a mini legal notepad. 

 

Project Recipe:

Stamps:  Apple Blossom (level 2 Hostess)
Paper:  Play Date DSP, Real Red, Chocolate Chip
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Real Red
Accessories:  Brads, Modern Label punch, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, corner rounder punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch, 1/4” grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals, sticky strip

Bitty Box surprises finally revealed!

You would think being home alone would give me all the time in the world to stay caught up with posting to my blog - evidently that isn't true.  I'm sorry I'm so late posting the details on the cute Bitty Box note card set you all loved, things have been a bit hectic around here.  I've made a promise to myself that I WILL get this done today ... and hopefully have some new things to post soon.

I mentioned I found a few surprises I made while creating this, you might already be aware of these but they were new to me and I was very excited when I made the discoveries. 

Discovery #1:   
We all know how nicely Stampin' Up's Full Heart punch layers with the new Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit die, but did you know you could also make those cute little polka dots coordinate perfectly by inserting your heart into the same embossing die after punching it out?  Easy peasy, and I love the subtle difference in the hearts when layering as above!

First, punch out your heart and position it inside the embosslit die as shown in the first image below.  Close the die and run it through your Big Shot ... perfectly sized and positioned polka dots - yet no scalloped edging!

     

Discovery #2:  Did you know you could add shimmer paint to your color mixture when dying ribbon to coordinate with your project?  I am unable to achieve a wonderful photo to show you just how shimmery this ribbon is when sitting in front of you, just let me assure you ... it is gorgeous!  The tiny glimmering light spots are pieces of the glitter in the shimmer paint, now embedded in the ribbon! 

To achieve this all I did was put about 25 drops of water into a small plastic bag, add 12 drops of refill ink and 2 drops of Champagne Mist shimmer paint (amount of ink, water and paint depends on how much ribbon you are dying).  Squish it all up, roll up the ribbon and put it in the bag.  Squish it around again, making sure all the ribbon is covered with your homemade die.  Pull out the ribbon and lay it on a thick layer of paper towels, fold over the towels and apply some pressure to "soak up" the excess liquid.  Lay your piece of ribbon aside and let it dry ... which only takes a few minutes.  Pick up the dry ribbon and admire your creativity!

And finally, the cards cards and envelopes which were super quick and easy to assemble. I took a 2" x 4" piece of textured Pretty In Pink cardstock, used the Pinking Hearts border punch to make the pretty edging at the bottom of the card.  Punched out a few hearts using the SAB Welcome Neighbors dsp paper pad and layered them with the Scalloped Heart embosslit die.  Using a coordinating piece of paper, I lined the inside of the card and made matching envelopes - stamped on the envelope and DONE!

On a special note, I have to give credit (as promised) to my darling daughter for her aid in designing and making this project.  THANK YOU CASSIE!!!  She claimed to suffer from "sizzix elbow syndrome" after so many hearts were cut and embossed ... could we possibly see a new medical diagnosis in our future?

Project Recipe:

Stamps:  I {Heart} Hearts
Ink:  Pretty In Pink
Paper:  Pretty In Pink textured and regular, Rose Red, Welcome Neighbor DSP Paper Pad (SAB)
Accessories:  Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Organza ribbon, corduroy button, Full Heart Punch, Small Heart punch, Pinking Hearts border punch, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit die

2 Tier Desk Caddy

I was hoping to get details for this project posted sooner, somehow this week has totally gotten away from me and I've found it's Friday already!  

Most of you guessed correctly that the larger piece of this desk caddy was made using the Stampin' Up! Fancy Favor Box Bigz Die.  What no one figured out was that the border edging I created on the bottom box was NOT. 

 

 
What I discovered was that using the Curly Label punch continuously on the edge of cardstock gave this interesting border very similar to the Fancy Favor box but not an exact duplicate! 

This is how I achieved that pretty border on the bottom tier of my desk caddy: 

I aligned the very edge of the paper with the edge of the punch, but not quite going all the way to the end of the punch.  In the first image see how you can see the edge of the paper still showing in the punch window? 

I inserted the paper into the punch again, this time aligning the punched out curve at about the mid point of the left end curve on the punch.  I continued doing this across my entire piece of cardstock - then scored and assembled my box.  I was thrilled and very surprised with the end result!

Here is a close up picture of the "grass" I made on the bottom edge of the box, just below the houses.  I cut off the edging on one side of a piece of 1/4" grosgrain ribbon to give it a frayed appearance, then used tombow glue to adhere it to the box.  SU says the color in this paper is Old Olive, but I chose to use Always Artichoke ribbon - the color truly was a better match for this!

To create my flowers I took a piece of each color cardstock I was using and ran it through the big shot with the Daisies #2 Bigz die; layered and glued them all down and spritzed several times with a mixture of Champagne Mist shimmer paint and rubbing alcohol.  There really isn't a magic formula for this, I use a small spray bottle filled about halfway with alcohol and add 8-10 drops of the shimmer paint.  Shake it up well and spray away!  I let it dry and sprayed again - repeating this process 3 times.  My photos still don't show how shimmery these flowers really are.  I also popped out a few rhinestones from the SU rhinestone brads and glued them on the center of Stampin' Up's flower brads, for a bit more color and interest. 

Project Recipe:

Paper:  Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad (SAB)
Punches:  Curly Label, 1/2" circle
Big Shot:  Fancy Favor Box Bigz, Daisies #2 Bigz
Accessories:  1/4" grosgrain ribbon, 1/2" polka dot grosgrain ribbon, flower designer brads, circle ice rhinestone brads, shimmer paint, sticky strip, tombow multi purpose adhesive, 2-way glue pen

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the details on this cute little desk caddy.  Check back again, I'm hoping to get details for my bitty card box up this weekend!

Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop - Stop #5

Welcome to Stampin' Addicts SU! Sale-A-Bration Blog Tour.  All participants in this tour are featuring creations they made with items you can earn for FREE during Stampin' Up's SAB period (January 5 - March 31).  For every $50 purchase of Stampin' Up! merchandise you get to choose one item from the SAB catalog free.  It doesn't get much better than that!

If you started this tour from the beginning you came upon my blog after visiting Sarah.  Didn't you love the wonderful projects she made using the Good Neighbors stamp set?  If you're starting the tour at my website, just follow the link at the bottom of this post to continue on your journey.  If you get lost along the way, you can always jump back on the tour bus by visiting Stampin' Addicts for the complete list of participants.  This tour will run through Monday evening ... so sit back, relax and enjoy!!!

I am showcasing the "Welcome Neighbor" designer series paper pad.  I'm tellin' ya, this pad is HUGE and the selection is fantastic!  72 total sheets of 6" square papers ... 3 sheets each of 24 different designs ... I had such a tough time deciding which designs I wanted to use, I love them all!  I'm not going to go into too many details, don't want to hold the bus up ... check back next week, I'll be posting more details on these projects.

My first project is a magnetic post-it note holder.  This cute little heart design makes a great background paper, the colors are so vibrant and fun yet not overpowering.  The bird is punched using the brand new Two-Step Bird punch from the reverse side of the heart paper.  I added one of SU's rhinestone brads, a bit of ribbon and a magnet on the back. 

This next project was super fun to design and make, an idea I've had in my head for quite some time. I've been looking for something cute and small to keep my notepapers and writing utensils in, which seem to always be hiding from me when I need them.  You could use this for almost anything - I found a few bottles of SU ink refills fit perfectly in the bottom section! 

My last item is a set of mini gift cards and envelopes in a matching box - perfect for a quick and easy last minute gift!  Once again, all these cute designer prints can be found in the SAB Welcome Neighbor paper pack.  Can you spot the two discoveries I found when making these?  They might not be new ideas to you, but they sure were to me.

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting, I hope you enjoyed my projects as much as I did creating them.  Please continue on the tour by visiting Sharon who will be showcasing the Whimsical Words stamp set.

Paper Scraps

I hate throwing away all those little scraps of paper I seem to create and it doesn't take long for my desk to become somewhat buried.  This weekend I decided to finally put them to good use!

What more perfect way to use them up than to make some birthday cards using Stampin' Up's new Sweet Centers stamp set.  These cards were my first attempt at this 3-D balloon ... it was a bit of trial and error to achieve the dimension I wanted.
 

Card Recipe: 
Stamps:  Sweet Centers, A Little Birthday Cheer
Paper:  Ruby Red Textured, Certainly Celery, Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Happy B-Day SS
Ink:  Brocade Blue
Accessories:  Rhinestone brad, scallop circle punch, marker, dimensional

 

 

I was much happier with how this second card turned out.  Using four scallop circle punches instead of the three that were used on the first card seemed to make a huge difference.  I also popped the rhinestone gem out of the brad and glued it on the banner.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Sweet Centers, A Little Birthday Cheer
Paper: Pretty In Pink, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Happy B-day SS, Tea Party DSP
Ink: Almost Amethyst
Accessories: Rhinestone brad, marker, scallop circle punch, ticket corner punch, Tombow Multi Purpose adhesive, dimensionals

Think Fast! Think Easy!

As promised, I've finally found some time to post more details on the Autumn Meadows card set I created for the Stampin' Addicts recent blog tour.  Admittedly, thinking fast is NOT something I am proficient at ... but it is something I'm working on.  I've found (for me anyway) that using SU's designer papers is a great way to make quick, easy and great looking cards. 

On this card I colored the acorns in with blender pens and covered with crystal effects.  I love this organza ribbon, so easy to die to match your project and always looks so elegant!
Card Recipe
Stamps:  Grateful Greetings, Autumn Splendor
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Taken With Teal 
Paper:  Autumn Meadows DSP, Really Rust
Accessories:  Organza ribbon, tag corner punch, crystal effects, dimensionals

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I was having a hard time deciding what I wanted to do with the random leaf print in the series, which had a lot of white space - decided to use it on the inside of the card with just the border peeking out the bottom.  PERFECT!
 
Card Recipe
Stamps:  Grateful Greetings
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Paper:  Autumn Meadows DSP, Really Rust
Accessories:  5/8" grosgrain ribbon, scallop border punch

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The large bold prints work very well as the main focal point of a card, then simplify with plain coordinating colors and a single stamped image/sentiment.  This card really didn't need any embellishments, sometimes less really IS more.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Wandering Words
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Paper:  Autumn Meadows DSP, Taken With Teal, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Scallop Border punch

            

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I know my tastes are different from others, but this has become my favorite card of the bunch ... again, quick and easy!  I cut 4 rectangles of the same size in two different patterns, then just layered them onto a card base alternating the patterns.  Topped with a single stamped image, a sentiment, piece of ribbon and a brad.  I twisted the ribbon before affixing the brad, going for a "different" look.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Autumn Splendor, Grateful Greetings
Ink:  Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Paper:  Autumn Meadows DSP, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  brad, ribbon, ticket corner punch, dimensionals

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Last but not least is the cute little purse box that all these cards get put into if needing something for a gift-giving occasion.  The leaf was stamped with shimmer paint, embossed with clear EP and cut out - then sponged with various colors to give it some depth.  It doesn't show in the photo well, but leaves are randomly stamped in Taken With Teal ink on the bottom section of the box.   
Recipe:
Stamps:  Autumn Splendor
Ink:  Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Taken With Teal 
Paper:  Autumn Meadows DSP, Taken With Teal, More Mustard
Accessories:  Champagne Mist shimmer paint, grosgrain ribbon, large eyelets, scallop border punch, dimensionals, sponge, thin magnet or velcro for closure 

Stampin’ Addicts Happy Holidays Tour – Autumn Meadows DSP

Welcome to the Stampin’ Addicts Happy Holidays Blog Tour! This tour will take you through 20+ blogs, each showcasing different items debuting in the new Stampin’ Up! Holiday Mini Catalog … available for purchase beginning September 1st.

I’m stop #8 along your journey. If you’ve been following the tour in order didn’t you just LOVE Holly’s gorgeous creations at Ink Paper Stamps! If you’re beginning the tour with me, don’t fret – the tour is a continuous circle so you can see all the wonderful and inspiring projects. Just follow the arrows at the bottom of my post. Without further ado here are the fun projects I’ve created featuring the new "to die for" Autumn Meadows DSP!

This paper SCREAMS fall to me, so my first project of course had to be Autumn themed with lots of leaves. I stamped the leaves with Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint then embossed with clear powder – sponged leaves with Really Rust and Chocolate Chip inks and cut them out. Each leaf is stacked and mounted with dimensionals to achieve the layered look I was hoping for. I love how they sparkle!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Autumn Splendor, Grateful Greetings
Paper: Really Rust, Taken With Teal, More Mustard, Autumn Meadows DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, More Mustard
Accessories: Champagne Mist shimmer paint, ribbon, large grommet, clear EP, sponges, dimensionals

In my next project I tried very hard to think "outside of the box" (ok, so it was a very small box) ... a Christmas card using fall themed paper! I started with a piece of the blue chevron patterned paper (I think that's what the little wavy lines are called), stamped random flakes using the Serene Snowflakes set with white craft ink. Back to the new shimmer paints (don't ya just luv 'em!), stamped a design from the Delightful Decorations set using Platinum shimmer paint, punched it out with the new Ornament Punch - then layered it using the Holiday Windows Movers & Shapers. I did this twice (so it looks the same when you open the card) and sandwiched silver elastic cord between the layers. The inside of the card is another patterned piece from the Autumn Meadows DSP, felt it was perfect peeking through the window. This was my very first attempt at a suspension card, hope you are as happy with it as I am!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Delightful Decorations, Four The Holidays
Paper: Very Vanilla, Taken With Teal, Chocolate Chip, Autumn Meadows DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, White craft
Accessories: Platinum Shimmer paint, Ornament Punch, Holiday Windows Movers & Shapers, Circle Scissors, silver elastic cord

For my final project I incorporated the remaining papers and made a set of cards with a cute little purse box to tuck them into. I came across this box template long ago (so long ago that I have no clue as to who/where) and altered the size to fit just a few cards. The main box is stamped with the Autumn Splendor set using Taken With Teal ink, covered the lid with a piece of Chocolate Chip large leaf patterned paper. Cute, cute, cute! I will post more details on this project later in the week.

I hope you enjoyed my projects with the new Autumn Meadows DSP, as much as I did creating them. Use the arrows below to continue on the tour and see what Lyssa has in store for you at Song of My Heart Stampers!

Links to all blog tour participants:

1. Tracy: Sweet Centers (Tracy’s Stamp Therapy)
2. Michelle: Grateful Greetings (Come Stamp with Me)
3. Sarah: Pumpkin Patch (Sarah’s Ink Spot)
4. Twila: Twick or Tweet (Stamp a Little Longer)
5. Sara: Haunting Hill & DSP (Lily’s Ink Pad)
6. Marie: Night & Day DSP (From Combat Boots…)
7. Holly: Autumn Splendor & Tablesetting Die (InkPaperStamps)
8. Joyce: Autumn Meadows DSP (Stampin’ Central)
9. Lyssa: Calendar Kit with Magnetic Box (Song of My Heart Stampers)
10. Trina: Gifts of the Earth (Stamps and Whiskers)
11. Kim: Wandering Words (Stitchin’ N Stampin’ on Paper)
12. Carmen: Cold & Cuddly (Stamping Addiction)
13. Ashley: Just Beclause & Christmas Cocoa DSP (Stamp with Ashley)
14. Dawnmarie: Berry Christmas (DM Dezigns)
15. Rhonda: Holy Family (The Stampin’ Bunny)
16. Kat: Delightful Decorations and Punch (Kat’s Kards)
17. Cheryl: Icicle and Merry & Bright Rub-Ons (Love to Stamp and Scrap)
18. Holly: Serene Snowflakes (Holly’s Stampin’ Mania)
19. Paula: Décor Elements & wood blocks (Stamping with Paula)
20. Linda: Charming (Olive Stamps)
21. Barbara: Simply Adorned (Creative Stampin’ Spot)
22. Yapha: Bear Bigz Die and clothes (Yapha Stamps)