Santa with Punches and class details

How cute is he? I just love this guy. This card was so simple and came together with just punches. His hat is half of the scallop square punch. The rim of his hat is the word window punch. The top and his beard are made with the smallest flower from the boho blossom punch. His eyes and nose are the 1/4 circle punch and his head is the 1 3/8 circle punch. So CUTE!




I announced a couple of days ago about my Passion for Punches 2 class coming up. It will be on



Saturday, December 6 at 10am

at St John's Cathedral, downtown Albuquerque on the corner of 3rd and Silver



At the class you will make 5 projects all with our wonderful punches! The fee for this class is only $12! I can't wait for this class, email me if you would like to sign up. Last day to sign up will be December 1! I hope you can come!



Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Tutorial Tuesday-Card Gift Box

This is a great box for a gift and it is really simple to make. I copied this box off Jenn's blog. I've given this box to a couple of hostesses this month for closing on time. For the box you only need 1 piece of cardstock that is 11 x 9. You'll also need coordinating cardstock or designer paper for the belly band and cover. The cover is cut at 3 3/4 x 6 3/4 and the belly band pieces are 12 x 1 1/2 (you'll need 2). You'll also need something to score with. I use my paper cutter with my scoring blade but you can use any scoring tool you prefer. Some other supplies you'll need that aren't pictured are a circle or oval punch and scissors. You may want to use sticky strip for you box at home. I'm using snail for this demo, but if your giving it as a gift you may want to use something a little stronger.

On the 9 inch side of your cardstock score it at 1 and 8 inches.

On the 11 inch side of your cardstock score it at 1, 5, 6, and 10 inches.

On the 11 inch side of your cardstock cut the tabs up to the 1 inch scoreline on both sides. You'll put glue on the small tabs in the middle and the ones closest to you and assemble the bottom of your box.

This is what it should look like at this point, with the bottom assembled.

Use your punch and punch a half oval (or circle) on the 1 inch tab that will be the front. Look a t the next picture for a better picture of where to punch. Do this before you assemble your lid. Once you've punched put glue on the tabs and assemble your lid as shown in the picture.

Your box should open and close easily now. The punch was done to make it easier to open and close.

For your belly band score each piece at 7 and 8 inches and glue together. Glue one short side to one long side. Make sure to wrap it around your box so you know where to glue. If your belly band is too small it won't slide onto your box. You want your belly band to slide on and off easily, but you don't want it too loose, so make sure before you glue you experiment with it.

The finished box!

Now what goes in it you ask....ahhhh well take a look!

4 cards fit perfectly in it with envelopes. These cards are 6 x 3 when folded.

Thanks for looking see you tomorrow!

Lovely as a Tree

This stamp set is so versitle. I love how this card came out! I use vellum cardstock to stamp the tree on then colored with watercolor crayons on the BACK of the vellum. Don't apply water just leave it as it is when you color it. It won't look very good from the back, but you'll get a really pretty image in the front. I used my watercolor crayons and aqua painter for the white cardstock underneath the tree image. I made a grassy field and a blue sky (though it's hard to see the sky in the picture). So pretty and this card came together in less than 15 minutes!



Supplies

Stamp sets: Lovely as a Tree, Sincere Salutations

Sage Shadow, Close to Cocoa, Handsome Hunter, White, Vellum Cardstock

Staz on, Handsome Hunter, Sage Shadow ink

Handsome Hunter, Sage Shadow, Close to Cocoa, Bashful Blue Watercolor Crayons

Silver Brads, 1/16 punch, dimensionals



Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow for Tutorial Tuesday-I have a great box I'm going to show you how to make-you won't want to miss it!

Demo Meeting Samples.....and punch announcement

Here are some fun things from our recent demo meeting.

This is one of the make and takes that we did. Isn't it super fun. I just love it.

This was one of our swaps, the little purse holds 2 chocolates! Cute

Amber did this one.

I love this card, so simple and pretty, by Pam.

Great use of punches, by Amber.

So on to the announcement....a few days ago I mentioned that I would be doing a "Passion for Punches 2" class. The date and time have been set. It will be December 6 at 10am. I know this is right in the middle of the holiday rush. But when better to come to a relaxing class and learn something new! An email will be sent to my customers on October 1 with all the details. It will be posted here October 1 as well. Put the date on your calendar now, you won't want to miss this class.

Thanks for looking, see you Monday!

Reese's Cup Box

I saw somewhere that you can use our 1 1/4 circle punch to cover Reese's peanut butter cups, but once you do that don't you need a box? So that's what I created. I used our Banbury designer paper and created a box for them. This box will hold 3 cups. Use glue dots to stick your stamped image to the candy.
The paper is 6x6, score it at 1 and 5 on one side. On the other side score it at 1, 2 1/2, 3 1/2, and 5, cut on those lines one inch up to the other score lines to create your tabs. I used a scallop border punch for the front flap, you'll need to cut off the corners for the front. Assemble your box. I know this may sound confusing, but once you have it in front of you it's very easy to see and it goes together just like any box does. If you have questions of course please email me.



Stamps: Punches Three, Deer Friends
Banbury DSP, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, white cardstock
Chocolate Chip pad and real Red Marker
Celery ribbon, crystal effects, 2 way glue, dazzling diamonds glitter, 1 1/4 circle punch, 1 inch circle punch, glue dots.


Our demonstrator meeting was last night so I'll have samples from that tomorrow!
Thanks for looking see you tomorrow!

Another Halloween card

Here is another Halloween card. Funny too, I never really make Halloween cards but I saw this one and I had to copy it. It was just so stinkin cute. I think I actually laughed out loud when I saw it. Isn't he just the cutest little spider there ever was! Recognize where the stamp came from? NO?? It's one of the flowers from the Upsy Daisy stamp set, upside down! How cute!!!

Supplies:

Upsy Daisy Stamp set

Tangerine Tango, Basic Black marker

Tangerine Tango, Green Galore and Lovely Lilac card stock

Chit Chat rubons, black gingham ribbon, silver cord, googly eyes

Thanks for looking see you tomorrow!

Merry and Bright

This stamp is another one from the Mr. Twigster stamp set coming in the holiday mini next month. It reminds me of Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree. For the frame, it's chipboard that I used Old Olive craft ink on then embossed with clear embossing powder. This card is so quick and easy to do.

Supplies
Mr Twigster stamp set
Old Olive, Ruby Red and white cardstock
staz on ink, Old Olive craft pad, Old Olive and Ruby Red markers
Old Olive Ribbon, heat tool, clear embossing powder, and seasonal saying rubons

Thanks for looking see you tomorrow!

Tutorial Tuesday--Owl with punches

I've seen this owl done a couple of different ways with the punches so I've taken ideas from them and made it my own. I think he's super cute! I don't own a single Halloween stamp set so this is how I improvised.

I did a "Passion for Punches" class a few months ago and it was one of the most popular classes that I have ever done so in honor of today's tutorial I am announcing my Passion for Punches 2 class coming soon! I'll have details in the next day or two on it so keep a look-out for that!

On to the tutorial, for the owl you'll need the following punches:

1 3/4 circle NEW!, round tab, scallop circle, 1/4 circle, boho blossom, 3/4 circle, 1/2 circle, 5 petal, and the large oval (not pictured).

From Chocolate Chip cardstock punch 1-round tab and 1-1 3/4 circle. From Close to Cocoa cardstock punch 2 scallop circles.

From Pumpkin Pie cardstock punch 2 of the smallest flowers from the Boho Blossom punch. Punch 2 circles with the 3/4 circle punch out of close to cocoa, 2 with the 1/2 punch out of So Saffron and 2 with the 1/4 punch out of white cardstock. Use the Pumpkin Pie cardstock and punch one petal from the 5 Petal Flower punch.

Use the coordinating ink pads and shade the edges of all your pieces. I used the pad to paper technique but you could also use a sponge or sponge daubers for the same look.

Use a piece of scrap paper and temporarily glue the scallop circles on it. You'll need to remove the scrap paper so make sure you use an adhesive that you can peel off. I like to use my 2 way glue pen. After you put the glue on the back, let it dry and it will be sticky like a post it note, you can peel it off easily. Line up the scallop punch so that 6 scallops are on the edge of the punch. Punch your wings and remove the scrap paper.

Glue the wings to the edge of your chocolate chip circle.

Glue the round tab punch on for his head and your 2 close to cocoa 3/4 inch circles for his eyes.

Glue the so saffron circles on the close to cocoa circles and the white on top of that to finish the eyes.

Turn him over and glue the flowers on for his feet, turn him back over and glue his beak on from the 5 petal flower punch. I used a dimensional for his beak. Use a black marker and finish his eyes. Glue to a card and your done!I used the 'Happy Halloween' phrase from the chit chat rub-ons. He is mounted on a piece of old olive, elegant eggplant and close to cocoa. I used jumbo eyelets and eggplant ribbon to finish it off. So cute!

Thanks for looking see you tomorrow!

Tag Punch Flower and tour my stamp room

Isn't this the coolest flower! It's made of tag punches. It was featured in our Stampin' Success Magazine that SU demos get every month. I'll try to explain how it was done, punch the tag, you'll need 8 tag punches and one 1 3/8 circle punch. Fold your punched tag in half. With the fold on your right, fold the top half back from the bottom-left corner to the top of the center fold line. Hope that makes sense. I used a button in the middle and my white gel pen to add a little dots to the button.

Supplies:

Happy Everything

Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Bella Rose paper

Riding Hood Red ink, Chocolate chip ink

Tag Punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, pretty in pink button, white gel pen, kiwi kiss satin ribbon, dimensionals, ticket corner punch.

I've had a couple emails asking what my stamp room look like. So here are some pictures of my room and where I stamp. I do have to share my room with my husband and our computer so while I have most of the room he does have a small corner with a filing cabinet and a desk.

My desk. I have my paper cutter on the shelf that would be for a keyboard. Which is great because if I'm working on a project I don't have to move everything to make room for my cutter.

This is the huge shelf above my desk with my ribbon on it, the shelf has projects on it that I just love, some I've made and some have been given to me.

My classic ink pads, arranged by color group.

Supplies that I keep on my desk, in the basket are all my adhesives, snail, 2-way glue, crystal effects, tombow glue, sticky strip and dimensionals. I also have tacky glue there too. I also have my stampin mist and a water bottle. In the cup holder next to it I keep my blender pens, bone folders etc. I have my scissors on hooks so they're always there when I need them.

The filing cabinet has all my 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock, 2 color groups in each drawer.

On top of the filing cabinet I have some 12x12 cardstock, chipboard, rubons, and all my designer series paper. I also keep my markers on my desk for quick use.

I have this big cabinet next to my filing cabinet. All my stamp sets are stored in there. On top I keep my in color inks and craft pads. I also have business supplies, some mini catalogs, folders with workshop orders, etc. I also have my big shot there and projects that I'm currently working on.

The rest of my supplies are stored in the closet in the room. I have stuff on the shelf, card swaps, embossing powders, extra supplies.

Then I have my rolling bins of stuff, this is where the eyelets, brads, more embossing powders, glue sticks, sponges, brayers, etc. On top in the milk crate, I have more business supplies, blank order forms, my monthly records, stuff like that. I keep my neutral colored cardstock in the box on the left and the small box in front of that is my scrap box. If I need a small scrap to punch or for a project. I look here first before cutting into a whole sheet.

So that's it. Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow for Tutorial Tuesday.

Ride 'em Cowboy

This is the last weekend of the New Mexico state fair so I thought this would be an appropriate card to show. I haven't made a truly masculine card in a really long time too. So this works to cover that category too. For this card I embossed the image with white. Then brayed creamy caramel ink over it. I used a sponge and sponged chocolate chip right around the image to really bring it out. Then I did the pad to paper technique and just did the corners and sides with bravo burgundy. I really like how this card turned out. I had planned to do a completely different card but messed up halfway through and ended up with this. But I'm pleased!

Supplies:
Bronc Buster Set
Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, White, Bravo Burgundy Cardstock
Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy, Really Rust ink pads
Silver brads, dimensionals, white embossing powder, heat tool

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Stamped Pins

These pins are so easy to make and I am especially pleased with how the ladybug pin came out. To make the pins you need 3 sheets of cardstock, your top layer that you will stamp on, and 2 solid color pieces. Stamp your images on all 3 and cut out. Use tacky glue and glue all 3 layers together. While it's still wet you can bend and mold to what ever position you want. Once dry the pin holds its shape. I've made magnets the same way years ago and still have it on my fridge.

The butterfly is from the Spanish catalog, Flores Suaves. I stamped it on glossy and watercolored it. Used the pretties kit to add embellishments.







The ladybug is stamped on whisper white. I used the pick a petal stamp set and the 1 1/4 circle punch. I did this one a little different. I glued the ladybug together then traced it onto the other 2 pieces of cardstock, then cut it out. I used wire and the pretties kit again to embellish. This pin is really cool in person.

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Trees all through the year

So today I'm expecting FedEx and UPS to knock on my door. UPS to deliver some SU stuff, of course, and FedEx to deliver some stuff Dan ordered from Clemson University. So Dan and I were joking last night about them coming at the same time and would there be competition. UPS would clearly win just on the size of his box (unless Clemson is very generous on packing a sweater) and the fact that he's here on a weekly basis clearly proves our loyalty to UPS or is it to SU? Anyway we kept joking about it. We thought it was funny. I'm sure the two companies get along very well. On to todays project.

A friend asked me to make some super simple notecards for her so this is what I came up with. I used the Lovely as a Tree stamp set and did trees for every season. The trees are all watercolored the the watercolor crayons. The winter trees have crystal effects snow and is really pretty and shinny in person. I also stamped the canvas background stamp behind them all on the base of the card, though it's hard to tell in the pictures.

Fall: always artichoke, summer sun and really rust cardstock and crayons.

Winter: brocade blue, ballet blue and brilliant blue cardstock.

Spring: green galore, gable green and regal rose cardstock and crayons.

Summer: glorious green, garden green summer sun cardstock and crayons.

Thanks for looking see you tomorrow.