Friday, May 29, 2015

Stacked Scoops

 

I have another bag to share today that I made with the new Bag Punch Board.  This time though I added a lid to close it.  I use an entire sheet of 8.5 x 11 Cardstock and scored it according the the bag instructions for a medium sized box.  The paper is a little longer than the board, to make a taller box you just turn your paper around or finish scoring the lines on the score board.  In this case though, where all those score lines ended at the edge of the punch board I scored a horizontal line on the edge of those lines.  Then you trim it so you're left with only one flap on the back of the bag, this will fold over your completed bag to give it a nice finished closed look.  I hope all that makes sense.  If there's questions on it please let me know and I'll try to do a tutorial on it.
Here's another look at the side.  The cardstock on the back of the bag is longer so the top flap can fold over.  Also on another subject my new favorite ribbon is that lace.  So pretty!!!!  To add a little more depth to the bag I sponged all the sides in Pink Pirouette.  I love the finished look of this bag!
To get the look of the ice cream, where the details are slightly darker is easy!  First I mounted my ice cream scoop on my clear block backwards.  Yes so that the part you normally stamp with is the part that's mounted to the block.  I inked it up, then stamped it first on some scrap paper, then on my white cardstock.  Clean your stamp and flip it over so it's mounted correctly and stamp in the same color, without stamping off on scrap paper this time, right over your backwards scoop.  I did the same with the cone.
Your final look is the perfect color match and it was quick and easy.  No coloring or blending needed!!!  Punch or cut out your images and you're ready to assemble!  Super cute!!!!   
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Thursday, May 28, 2015

May Paper Pumpkin


This month's Paper Pumpkin kit is so cute!! I only have the cards to show you today but the kit also includes 4 gift bags, you can see the entire month's kit below. I had so much fun making these cards. I didn't make any of them like the example, but I did stay pretty simple on them all and I used the stamp set that came with the kit for most of them.
The first two cards are really similar the only real difference is one is a portrait and one is landscape. I used the Bermuda Bay border that came in the kit and adhered it on the inside of the card. I trimmed a little off the front of the card. Super cute, different look and really easy!
This card I used my punches to punch a circle in the front of the card. The greeting is adhered on the inside. Again really cute!!
This one I made pretty similar to their example but I added a 'celebrate' banner to mine too. So cute!!!
Finally I have and example where I used another stamp set entirely but still kept with the birthday theme.
Here's the whole May kit! So cute right!!! Those bags are adorable and really sturdy!! There were 6 cards in the kit too. I only have 5 examples because Megan took one of my card bases and well....it's hiding :)
So are you ready to sign up for Paper Pumpkin?!?! Now is a great time! New subscribers can get 50% off their first 2 months!! Use the promo code SAVE50 when you sign up. Sign up here and make sure to mention me as your demonstrator!
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Peter Pan Card


 


This card is a little different than any other card I've made.  First of all the focal point is printed.  I considered doing it in some punch art, but knew I wouldn't get it done.  I love this card so much!  I gave it to a good friend who is taking a trip to Disneyland.  We have a mutual love for Disney, I think that's why we're such good friends!  Plus we both love Peter Pan and so I wanted to make her a card for her trip and also incorporate Peter Pan.  I love this image on the clock so I searched for it and found it!
I wanted to do more than just stick a printed picture on a card though, I covered all the people in Crystal Effects.  This little touch adds so much detail to this card.  I didn't want to cover the image with the greeting so I printed it on vellum and as soon as it comes out of the printer you sprinkle embossing powder over it.  Work fast though!  The vellum is translucent enough that it doesn't cover up the image.
The card isn't done though, the inside has a little pop up Disneyland card.  So cute!!!!  Plus there's still plenty of room for a greeting.  Even though there was minimal stamping, though I did stamp and emboss some stars on the front of the card this card is still a favorite of mine.  I think it's my Disney roots coming through :)
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Bag Punch Board


I know yesterday I promised a card, but some cute bags will have to do for today :)  I made about 20 of these bags in one evening.  They were so simple and fun!  I used our new Bag Punch Board.  This is one of the best new accessories coming in the new catalog!  I can't wait to do so much more with it!!!!  For these bags I used some DSP that was 6x10.  The finished bag is about 4.5 inches tall, 2.75 inches wide and 2 inches deep.  The punch board makes so many different sizes though!  I have another bag to show you later this week!
The punch board gives you all the guides to score the lines and the sides so you get that nice fold.  Plus it punches the holes on top for the ribbon if you want.  I love this board and will use it sooooo much!!!  Just watch!  Add this to your wishlist!! 
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Monday, May 25, 2015

Happy Memorial Day

It's a holiday here in the US, Memorial Day.  Thanks to all the soldiers who have served our country, also to those who are serving. 
I'll be back tomorrow with a card :)  Enjoy the holiday!

Friday, May 22, 2015

Silver Lining


This card is another CASE from Sara's card from the South Pacific Convention.  But I gave it my own twist.  The card as a whole is very simple.  I really wanted the focus to stay along the right side with the clouds.  The sun is stamped from the sun/starburst stamp from Kinda Eclectic.  I works perfectly for this.
The raindrops are all punched in different colors.  They're Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquiose, Bermuda Bay, Tangerine Tango and Daffodil Delight.  Once they were glued down to the card I covered them in Crystal Effects.  I love this card and that sentiment "Every cloud has a silver lining, you just have to look up to see it." I think I'll be using this a lot!!!! 
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Birthday Candles


I have another sneak peek for you!  This card uses the Build A Birthday set.  I shared another card made with that set here.  This card also uses the Cherry On Top DSP stack.  This stack is 6x6 so it's a little larger and it's full of fun patterns, I love all these bright colors together too.  It's right up my alley!  The card is pretty simple I cut a piece of DSP slightly smaller than my card base and used my circle framelits (a punch would also work) to cut part of the circle.
I stamped and hand cut the candles and flames then adhered them behind the DSP.  Finally I embossed the greeting in my black glitter embossing powder (I mixed 2 spoonfuls of Black Embossing Powder with 1 spoonful of Dazzling Diamonds).  To finish the whole card I added a little ribbon and bakers twine. Really quick and so fun!!!
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Surprise!


Like I mentioned earlier today last weekend was a little crazy!  I still wanted to share the invitations for the party that I made.  I made these cards back in March (I think).  Of course I couldn't share them until after the party.  They're super cute though!  I saved one to give to my mom after the party to save.  The invitation is slipped into this cute pocket.  I wish I had wrote down measurements on it all :(  The flower was stamped, then I covered the entire surface with VersaMark and embossed it with Iridecent Ice Embossing Powder.
I printed the invitations on my computer.  Then just stuck them all down on the Sahara Sand bases.  They were really quick to make, which was good, I made alot!  Fortunately everything worked out and I can finally share it, I have to admit I nearly blew the whole thing and said something to my mom a few times.  It was fun, but I'm thankful it's out and I don't have to stay quiet anymore! 
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

The Whole Story


 I know last week I was a little inconsistant on my blog.  I promise by the end of this post you'll understand why.  There is some stamping in this post, stay with me.  Last week was one of those weeks where everything was planned all at the same time, a HUGE oversight on my part!  Saturday we (my Dad, and sisters) threw a surprise birthday party for my mom.  My sisters and their families came into town to surprise her, which means I was supposed to hid them for about 48 hours prior to the party.  Also scheduled for Saturday was my class and oh yeah we bought tickets to the baseball game of the local AAA team here for that night too.  Poor planning on my part.  Friday was spent prepping the party with 8 kids at my house, and 5 adults, it was very cozy.  Bad weather forced everyone inside too.  Poor planning on Mother Nature's part.  Friday night was also Megan's preschool's spring performance.  I had no part in that planning, just happend to fall into the busiest weekend this year.  Sunday brought Sunday School Teacher Appreciation at my church, partly my fault for poor planning.  Either way, everything that could have been planned for one weekend was.  So that was just the weekend, I spent 10 days prior to the weekend prepping for this weekend.  I decided it would be a great idea to make cookies, (a new hobby I've found).  I thought it would be great to make cookies for the Sunday School Teacher Appreciation, the party, teacher gifts for Logan's teachers and the teachers at Megan's school, plus I had a friend order some cookies.  All in all when I calculated it up it was 200 cookies.
Three days spent baking, my house smelled like whipped sugar.  All in all it took 2.5 lbs if butter, 9 cups of sugar, 16 cups of flour, 1 bottle of almond extract and 5+ lbs of powdered sugar.  I made the cookies about a week before I needed them and froze them.  I knew there would be no time to make them and decorate them all in one week.  Thank goodness too, the baking was the longest part-surprisingly!
All last week was spent on various days, when I had a few hours to spare, making royal icing and decorating cookies.  This is a little what my kitchen looked like, cookies spread everywhere, drying and setting up.  Everyday it was different cookies.
Once decorated they were wrapped and boxed up in air tight containers and I crossed my fingers and hoped they'd stay fresh and yummy.  All the while still working on more cookies.
These are the 3 cookies I made.  Since this is still a fairly new hobby for me (I've only been decorating with royal icing since Easter!)  I wanted to keep them pretty simple.  Apples for teachers at schools, apples, butterflies, and flowers for Sunday School teachers, and butterflies and flowers for the party.  I did have the sense to plan it all so I could use the same cookie cutters for all the events.  The flowers were the most time consuming and gave me the most trouble.  I do love how the butterflies came out too :)
For the party they were packaged in cello bags and then attached with a bag topper.  Super simple, just a thanks stamped and some glimmer paper.  A little linen thread to finish.  Super simple!
They were displayed on the tables at the party and everyone took some home!  I even managed to get 2 orders for cookies at the party, much smaller orders than 200.  Not sure I'll commit to that many again :)  Certainly not until I get a little better and can do them quicker.  I'm glad it all worked out though.  Now I can get back to normal life....whatever that is ;)  I hope you understand now why I had to take a mini blog break last week.  I have another post scheduled for today, another party related post, check back later :)
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Saying Goodbye!


My class in May is always showcasing some of my favorite stamp sets that are retiring.  These were the cards my guests at my class made.  I'm really going to miss the For The Birds Set.  I think this set was the only one that I was really upsets about.  I don't use it much, but I do LOVE it.  The images are adorable and they're so fun to color!  It's usually my go to stamp set when I need to make a stack of cards for gifts.  I will miss this one.  This card is super cute though, and quick!  You could easily make a stack of these!
Regarding Dahlias and I have a love/hate relationship.  I started out really not liking this flower.  I thought it was too 'sketchy' and I didn't see myself using it much.  Well something I saw made me buy it it turned into my go-to flower.  Strange.  I love this card though, the pinks with the black is so pretty!
This card uses two retiring stamp sets.  The first is Starburst Sayings.  I don't this stamp set as much as I wanted.  But everytime I did I loved the cards it produced.  This one especially I love!  This card also features the Dictionary background stamp.  I'll miss this background stamp, it was my most used background.
Finally Geometrical, I think this is another set that I wanted to do more with but never did :(  I love all the shapes and I love the greetings.  For this card the triangles were all stamped and then punched out.  You can stamp them all in a row like this but without a stamp a ma jig it would have been really difficult to line them all up.  I didn't want to put that stress on my customers.  So instead they're punched out and adhered to the black cardstock.  Same look, much quicker!
Don't forget to get all of these stamp sets before they retire for good!!! 
 
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Bird on a Branch


Tuesday, while I should have been doing other chores, I was in my stamp room stamping, with Megan.  We were procrastinating all the things that NEED to be done, we wanted to play.  Can you blame us?! Stampin' Up! shared their South Pacific Convention General Sessions on the demo website.  I finally had time to watch all the presentations and I loved all of Sara's demos.  I want to make all her cards that she shared!  I loved the idea of using the tree as a branch!  Seriously!!!?!  Too cute!!  This punch has a bazillion ways to use it!  Plus the Ronald McDonald House coordinating stamp set is so adorable you'll need that too, plus a portion goes to support the RMHC so you're doing good too!  I used the square framelits to frame up my image.  I used Mint Macaroon and Cucumber Crush :)
I stamped and clear embossed the tree and bird for more texture and dimension to the tree.  Everything is sponged in it's coordinating color.  The little bird is made from Watermelon Wonder.  For the clouds in the background I used the cloud (just one of it's uses) part of the Tree Builder Punch.  I used it as a mask and with Soft Sky ink sponged around the outside of it, moving it around on my paper until I got the desired look I wanted.  So pretty and it add so much more to the card than just a white background.
Megan also made a card with the tree punch.  She picked the colors and I helped her punch them.  Then she sat on the floor in my craft room with a glue stick and made her card.  Both kids really like to stamp with me when I stamp. I usually save all of my retiring/retired cardstock for them, then they can also use my scraps.  I don't generally give them much direction, I think they'll learn more and love it more if it's their own.
Here's Megan's finished 'Forest' as she called it.  Obviously they're not your traditional tree colors but she loves it.  Perhaps a little punch artist in the making :)  So cute!
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Birthday Wishes!


How stinkin' cute is this card!!  I love it!!  My mom's birthday was over the weekend so I gave it to her.  She's very special indeed to get a card made with brand new stuff!!!  This stamp set is really cute and comes with stamps for the cake stand and layers for the cake, but I wanted to use some new DSP for the cake layers so I just cut them.  I love them!!!  I cut out a window in the front of the card so 'showcase' the cake better!  YES that is the new Delightful Dijon In Color!  Isn't it yummy!!!
The greeting was stamped and embossed with white on vellum.  It wasn't until after it was all assembled that I noticed it was a little crooked.  Oh well!  It's handmade!  The DSP is new from the package Bohemian.  Lots of fun, bold patterns in it.  LOVE IT!!!  
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Hello New Colors!


I always get anxious when the new In Colors are released every year.  I'm always wondering what they'll be, hoping for some old favorites.  The last 2 years I only liked a couple of each of the colors, the 2013-2015 colors I really only LOVED Coastal Cabana. Still sad to see that one go.  the 2014-2016 colors I like a couple of them, but there's also a couple I could really live without, I won't name names though ;)  This year, I was blown away. I. LOVE. THEM. ALL.  LOVE THEM!!!  As in buckle your seatbelts you'll see LOTS of these 5 colors over the next 2 years!  I wasn't sure how I felt about them until I saw them in person.  YEP, they're awesome!!!!  I stamped a quick chart so you can kind of see where they fall compared to other colors.  The one that surprised me the most was the Watermelon Wonder, I was expecting a more orangy color but instead it's this bright pinky-red.  So pretty!!  Those of you that have been around a while might remember some older colors, the Delightful Dijon is similar to More Mustard but has more of a gold tone to it.  The Mint Macaroon is reminds me of a dark Baja Breeze, they're just beautiful!
So I made a quick card with two of the new colors Mint Macaroon and Tip Top Taupe.  These stamps are also new, they're from a set called Build a Birthday, they're designed to make layers of a cake, or candles, but I thought they'd be super cute as a background by themselves too.
I added a quick greeting with the Hello You Thinlits and some glimmer paper.  I love our glimmer paper.  Whenever you make a card and it still 'needs' something add glimmer paper.  Anywhere.  It changes the look of your card instantly.  So what do you think of the new colors?
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Friday, May 8, 2015

Some Announcements

No project today, hopefully I'll get some stamp time this weekend.  My new catalog and all my new goodies arrived yesterday!  Whooohoo!!!!  Can't wait to play and share! 
For today though I have a couple of announcements:

It's time to sign up for the New Catalog Stamp Camp!!!
The new catalog is amazing! You don't want to miss this class!
  • You'll make 6 cards using new stamp sets and accessories!
  • Shop our exclusive retired stamp set and accessory sale! All items discounted at least 50%! 
  • Get your own copy of the new catalog!
  • Door Prizes
  • Snacks
  • Discounts on your orders and MORE! 
Saturday June 20,2015
St. John's Cathedral, 318 Silver SW, ABQ
Stamp sale begins at 9am
Class begins at 10am

You MUST sign up online! If you're not signed up online, you are not registered. Some of you have told me you want to attend, please sign up online to guarantee your spot. Early bird price is $20, after June 8th it will go up to $25. Space is limited sign up early to save!

SIGN UP HERE 

Finally, want to get your hands on the new catalog?  Want to order from the demonstrator only Pre-Order?  You can!  For only $99 join Stampin' Up! and pick $125 in new merchandise!  That's new colors, stamps, punches and more!  After you sign up you can enjoy a discount on all your future orders!  Contact me today to learn more about this exciting opportunity!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Project Life Baby


Well here I am, blogging about a Project Life by Stampin' Up! project.  Who would have thought?!  Not me!  While I've accumulated lots of Project Life cards I don't use them hardly ever.  I don't scrapbook with them, so I'm always looking for new ways to use them.  I needed a card, FAST! I pulled out some project life cards and thought I could just use one of them.  I ended up using a few, I cut apart lots of elements to make one card, this card came together in minutes.  And it's really cute!
The card itself is 3x4 card.  I used one of the 6x4 cards and folded in in half for my card base.  I cut the elephand and greeting apart from 2 other cards and just attached them.  In minutes a super cute card!  I also used some of the bigger cards and made a little pouch for the card to slide in and out of.  I wanted to give you an update, the next couple of weeks I may not be posting regularly.  Not because I don't want to, I love doing my blog and I really hate when I miss days, however, we're nearing the end of school and I have volunteered to be pretty much everywhere and do everything----ooops!  Wish there were 2 or 3 of me!  I realized yesterday that I may not be able to get it all done and I can't afford to feel guilty about missing a blog post or two. I'm not saying I won't post at all, when I make stuff I'll post it.  But I may miss a day or two here and there, maybe more.  I hope you understand and in a couple of weeks, when things get back to normal so will my blog.
Thanks for understanding!
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!    

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Mother's Day Petals



Mother's Day is this Sunday.  Dan claims he and kids have something planned.  I think as long as I can sleep in a little on Sunday or even Saturday it will be a good weekend :)  I have a quick, beautiful card for you today.  I saw this card on pintrest.  I wanted to make a one layer card so I did a little masking for my card.  I love the finished card.  I also decided to go with shades of oranges like the card I CASED.  I don't think I've used Tangelo Twist since it came out last year.  I love the look of it on this card.
For my card I mentioned I was going to do some masking.  I used some post it tape and cut it to 3/4" wide, I think it's normally about 1 inch.  I just stuck it on my paper cutter and trimmed it.  Then I placed it on my card.  I did all my stamping over it, then carefully peeled it off.  The area the post it tape covered is clean and you're left with a perfect strip down the center of your card. 
I stamped my greeting, then added some strips of Tangelo Twist cardstock to created a border around the greeting.  I covered those thin strips with some Crystal Effects for just a little extra shine and texture.
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

April Paper Pumpkin



Is your May shaping up to be as busy as mine?  The end of the school year always brings lots of activites, not to mention the new Stampin' Up! Catalog!  Friends, this one is GOOD!!!  I've only looked through it online, I'll get my real copy soon.  I. CAN'T. WAIT!!!!  I also have new colors, stamps, papers all headed my way this week.  I'll share as soon as I make some projects with them!  Until then though, I wanted to share Aprils Paper Pumpkin kit.
April's was so cute!  I love the stamp set too!!  With Mother's Day and Father's Day coming up it's perfect!  This month the kit included pockets and little note cards.  Don't you love those adorable bows on the pockets!!  So cute!!!
Here's a quick sample of just some of the cards I made.  They're really cute and so quick to put together.  Are you a Paper Pumpkin subscriber?? If not there's no better time to sign up. The kits are amazing!!  Did you know that you can purchase a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription for yourself or a friend?? Did you know that you can purchase a subscription as a gift and have it mailed to them? Ready to sign up??? You can purchase a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription here, or sign up here, make sure to mention me as your demonstrator :) Still unsure about Paper Pumpkin??? Host a Paper Pumpkin night, invite a few friends and I'll bring full kits for you and your friends to try it out, contact me for more info on this fun opportunity!
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!