My daughter had a birthday party to go to this afternoon. She picked out some cute Strawberry Shortcake gifts and a tote (It was really cheap, but super cute.  It reminds me of Stampin’ Up!’s Raspberry Tart DSP) to use as the gift bag.

I went with the gift’s theme and made a matching tag and 3×3 card. Very simple and fast.

I ran some Pretty in Pink card stock through my printer to add the little girl’s name. Then I layered it onto Regal Rose card stock. I whipped out a couple of sweet strawberries from the Tart & Tangy stamp set using Regal Rose & Gable Green markers for both the tag & the card. Then I punched them out with the circle punches.

I made a hole in the top of the tag with the Word Window Punch.  Then I covered the whole thing with a long strip of packing tape on both sides (I don’t have a laminator, and this actually worked really well!).  Then I punched a smaller hole through the top again with the Horizontal Slot Punch to allow the handle to go through the tag.

I love using stamps to quickly personalize a store-bought gift!  Don’t you?

I’ve said it before.  I love boxes!  These super cute little things hold four handmade truffles.  Yum!

I’m giving them away as raffle prizes tomorrow at my Mystery Hostess New
Catalog party.  (If I can talk myself into letting them go.  lol)

The basic box is very easy to make.  For the bottom, start with a 5 7/8″ x 5 7/8″ piece of card stock.  Score at 1 1/2″ on all sides with the Paper Cutter, using the Scoring Blade.  Cut up to intersecting lines to form tabs.  Fold up and secure with Sticky Strip.

To make the lid, start with a 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ piece of cardstock and do the same thing, except score all sides at 3/4″.  Then cut tabs, fold up and glue.

For the valentine box, I used the Love You Much Bundle.  The focal point is made using the Scallop Edge Punch & the Scallop Circle Punch.  I cut a hole in the lid with the Coluzzle before folding up and gluing.  Then I secured a transparency sheet inside the lid with Sticky Strip.  I love being able to see the sweet treats inside!

My second box is actually a sneak peek item.    It features “Yummy”, a Sale-A-Bration set for this year!  It will be available to get for FREE from Feb 1st through Mar 31st this year.  (More about that later.)  I love this set!  It is perfect for people like me who like making homemade goodies and packaging them pretty!

With this box, I wanted even more of the truffles to show through, so I made a completely transparent box lid.  I cut a transparency sheet down to 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″, then scored 3/4″ on all sides.  This makes the lid smaller than the box so it fits inside of it, rather than over it.  I didn’t want the clear box lid on the outside for two reasons.  One, I don’t yet know about a really good, truely invisible adhesive.  So I used Mini Glue Dots to glue the tabs down.  They work great, but they are too noticeable for me.  Two, I didn’t want the box lid to interfere with my design of the box sides:

 I used my Stampin’ Markers a lot for the sides.  (I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig a lot too, because I know I wouldn’t get these all straight otherwise!)  The pretty swirly scrolls on the box sides are part of a large stamp that says “A little Something for you”.  So I simply inked up the portion I wanted with a Basic Black marker and stamped onto my project.  Then I inked just “Yummy” from the “a little Yummy for your tummy” stamp with a Real Red marker and- Voila!  I love the way it turned out!

I really hope the people that win these boxes tomorrow like them!

Yikes!  Its been way too long again.    My excuses this time?  A dang good book (book series, actually) and preparing for a craft fair.

But here’s something I made last week.  My little Esther is loving Kindergarten & I really appreciate her teacher for making it fun and keeping my girl’s interest in learning alive.  So this is for her!

The gift was a coordinating set including a notepad & pen, candybar, gift bag & card.  (Yeah, this is pretty much my “go to” gift when I don’t know what to give someone.  But everyone seems to love them, so that’s okay.)  It ends up, my daughter’s teacher is a scrapbooker.  (I knew she was cool! lol)  She loved the gift set. 

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:  Tart & Tangy & Fundamental Phrases

Ink:  Real Red & Old Olive Stamping Markers

Paper:  Summer Picnic DSP, Old Olive, Real Red & Whisper White Card Stocks, Mini Square Envelope

Accessories: Real Red & Whisper White 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Real Red 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon, 1 1/4″ Circle Punch, 1 3/8″ Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Font CD

I’ll be having a monthly card class every 1st Friday of the month.  Each time, we’ll make three cards (with matching envelopes) for only $10!  Call or email me by this Wednesday to save your spot for this week’s class.

Here are the cards we’ll be making this Friday:

Stamp Set: Tart & Tangy
Ink: Real Red & Old Olive Stampin’ Markers
Paper: Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper & Real Red, Old Olive & Whisper White Card Stocks, Medium Whisper White Envelope
Accessories: 1 1/4″, 1 3/8″ & Scallop Circle Punches, Scallop Edge Punch (new!), 5/8″ Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Crafters Tool Kit (Paper Piercer & Mat)

Stamp Set: Say It with Scallops (the new Ronald McDonald House stamp set!) & Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel
Ink: Baja Breeze (new In Color!) Classic Ink Pad
Paper: Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Old Olive & Whisper White Card Stocks, Medium Whisper White Envelope
Accessories: 1 1/4″ Square Punch, Scallop Square Punch, Small Star Punch, 5/8″ Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Brad, Crafters Tool Kit (Paper Piercer & Mat)

Stamp Set: Sock Monkey (new!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip & Bashful Blue Classic Ink Pads
Paper: Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Brilliant Blue & Whisper White Card Stocks, Medium Whisper White Envelope
Accessories: Stampin’ Pastels, 1 3/8″ Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Paper Snips

I made this photo wallet out of card stock for my husband for father’s day.  You can click on each photo to enlarge, or click here to view the entire set as a slideshow.  I hope you like it!

Supplies

Stamps: Canvas background 
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pad & Stampin’ Write Marker
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Confetti Cream, Wild Wasabi (retiring Aug 10th!) and White Vellum Card Stocks
Accessories:  Star Punch, Large Star Punch, Word Window Punch, 1/16″ Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Gold Brads, Stamping Sponges

So, my sister & I have some good friends who’s birthday (we’re very sad to say) we usually overlook.  This year, we wanted to make sure to send them something! 

Our friends are married and have the same birthday.  We wanted to send something for both of them, so it had to be nice for both a gal & a guy.  Also, my sister & I have schedules right now that just don’t match, so it ended up that we only had about 1hr to make this from start to finish plus have it ready to ship.

Here’s what we came up with:

My sister picked up a variety of fun size candy bars and I had an empty Crystal Light container.  We decorated both with the Cutie Pie designer paper.  It was all very easy and we are pleased with the results.

I like how the other side of the paper showed through on the inside of the translucent container.  Remember to use Sticky Strip when attaching paper to containers.

We used the SAB stamp set Birthday Whimsy to create the tag, the decoration on the lid, and the matching 3×3 card.

Notice the short birthday present on the lid?  It is the same stamp as the long & skinny present on the tag.  Just ink up the top section.  Then we used the circle punches and the Scallop Circle punch to finish it off.

Quite a while ago I went to a baby shower for my friend, Erica.  My DH snapped some pictures of the card I made before I ran out the door.  Thanks, Tom!

The fold is CASEd from a swap I recently received.  The card is the top left one in the photo of the So Many Scallops swaps in this post. 

The stamp set is the new Nursery Necessities set.  I have to admit, the set didn’t grab me at first.  But the more I looked at it and saw samples made with it, the more I liked the looks of it.  Now that I have it myself, I find that it is so easy to use & I love it!!

I used my 2-Way Glue Pen to outline the Bashful Blue moon and to fill in the Barely Banana star.  Then I sprinkled them all over with Dazzling Diamonds glitter to make them all sparkly!  I really like how the moon looks layered over the Scallop Circle punch!  I mirrored the scallop look on the left edge of the designer paper on the right, using the Corner Rounder punch.  It isn’t seen until you open the card.

The paper is really old, retired Stampin’ Up! designer paper.  (sorry.) 

I used our fabulous Stampin’ Write Markers to color the different sections of the little sail boat.  Then I added a Dimensional to the back of the boat and tucked it into the waves I created with the designer paper. 

I’m really happy with the how this card turned out.  There were a couple different elements I had wanted to add, but I ran out of time.  But now I think it may look better this way.    I’m sure I’ll be using this card fold and this stamp set again soon!

 Hooray!  I finally finished making my

Emergency Birthday Card Kit!!

It is soooo cute!  I used the Cutie Pie Designer Series Papers and the Eat Cake stamp set to make 8 different long cards & matching envelopes.  Then I made a really simple little pouch to hold it all in!

So, now you’ll want to make a kit yourself, don’t you?  Well, lucky you, I am holding a class next Friday@ 7pm!  I’ll have everything pre-cut for you.  You’ll also receive color photos of each of the cards, with the dimensions of all the pieces you’re using, so they will be super easy to assemble and you’ll be able to re-create more of them in a snap at home after the class! Cost is $20 ($18 for stamp club members).  Contact me by Wed Jan 23! 
*Only 2 spots left!

Here are the Make & Take projects that guests at my January workshops will be making.

Actually, workshops through Feb 13th will be making these same projects.  Starting on Feb 15th (through Mar 31st), we’ll be making projects using Sale-A-Bration stamp sets!   Incorrect!  Actually, Sale-A-Bration starts Feb 1st!  It will last until March 17th!

This card was inspired by some ideas on Splitcoast.  It is from a set brand-new to this catalog!  I earned it free as an incentive Stampin’ Up! offered to demonstrators last fall.  Love being a demonstrator!

Supplies:

Stamps
Enjoy Every Moment (new!) – pg 51 #111171 $29.95
Paper
Kraft Cardstock-pg 166 #102125 $7.50
Real Red Cardstock- pg 164 #102482 $5.50
Whisper White Cardstock-pg 163 #100730 $7.50
Ink
Real Red Classic Ink Pad-pg 164 #103133 $5.25
Night of Navy Classic Ink Pad-pg 165 #103133 $5.25
Whisper White Craft Ink Pad- pg 163 #101731 $7.50
Accessories
Navy ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon- pg 191 #109036 $4.95
½” Circle Punch- pg 180 #104390 $5.95
Silver Brads- pg 189 #104336 $6.95
Crafter’s Tool Kit- pg 189 #104310 $39.95
Stampin’ Dimensionals- pg 186 #104430 $3.95

This photo’s color is a little off because I’m running out of ink in my printer.  So I placed it on the page with Dotto (temporary adhesive) and I’ll replace it with a better photo when I get new ink. 

This set is also brand-new to this catalog.  I also got it free!     Shelli Gardner (Stampin’ Up!’s co-founder & CEO) sent it to all demonstrators just before Thanksgiving to show her gratitude to us!  Hooray for Shelli!  And you can get this set for free, too, because it is a Hostess set!  It will only be available for the duration of this catalog.

Supplies:

Stamps
Time Well Spent (new Hostess set!)– pg 24  #111054 Free!
Paper
Certainly Celery 12×12 Cardstock- pg 165 #107080 $7.50
Whisper White Cardstock- pg 163 #100730 $7.50
Ink
Basic Black Classic Ink Pad- pg 165 #101179 $5.25
Certainly Celery Classic Ink Pad-  pg 167 #105217  $5.25
Regal Rose Marker- pg 165 #105108 $3.25
So Saffron  Marker- pg 165 #105114 $3.25
Certainly Celery Marker- pg 165 #105106 $3.25
White Gel Pen- pg 183 #105021 $3.95
Accessories
Apricot Appeal  ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon- pg 191 #109040 $4.95
Stampin’ Dimensionals-  pg 185  #104430  $3.95
Tag Corner Punch- pg 180 #107215 $6.95
Rectangle Hand-held Punch- pg 180 #102686 $8.95
Stampin’ Dimensionals-  pg 186  #104430  $3.95

I’ve been so into making my own little boxes & bags out of paper that I had almost forgotten about the good ol’ cello topper.  I’m really happy with how this turned out!  I think it looks very nice, and it took just minutes to create.  And really inexpensive, too!  This would be great to make a bunch of for Valentine’s day.  You could give them to co-workers, friends, or send them to your kids’ school. 

Supplies:

Stamps
Baroque Motifs- pg 120  #109403 $25.95
Holidays & Wishes- pg 143  #109431  $17.95
Paper
Very Vanilla Cardstock- pg 163 #101650 $7.50
Le Jardin Designer Series Paper- pg 170 #109151 $9.95
Ink
Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pad-  pg 164 #100908  $5.25
Accessories
Small Cellophane Bags- pg 166 #103104 $3.95
Stamping Sponges- pg 185 #101610 $3.50
Gold Brads- pg 189 #104337 $6.95
1/16” Handheld Punch- pg 180 #101227 $8.95 

I’ve been having a lot of fun with my brand new Many Marvelous Markers set!

You know, a marker is one of the most inexpensive items in the catalog (you can buy one for just $3.25), but they really are one of the most versatile!  I’m holding a class to teach you 20 different ways to use the Stampin’ Write Markers.  You really need to come! 

Class Info:
Saturday, September 8th at 2pm
My house- 4931 Concord Rd
$12 (only $10 for current stamp club members)
RSVP & Prepay by Saturday Sept 1st

Contact me to sign up!

In my class, you will see all 20 techniques demonstrated, receive instructions for all techniques, and will make 3 cards (using 7 of the techniques).

Here are a couple of projects I made tonight featuring the markers.  They really do look much better in person.  The colors just don’t look right (the lighting wasn’t very good for the picture).  Of course, I’ll be showing them in the class. (and lots more, too! but you’ll have to come to see them…)