Stamping In My Neighborhood

Now, where was I?

Do you like to read?  Here's a quick and easy project for you.  It's also a great project to do when you want to give someone the gift of a book!

 This 2x2 bookmark slips over the corner of a few pages in your book, letting you know exactly where you left off.  I was tasked by the lead pastor of my church to read a book (to be discussed with others in a weekly meeting that I'm a part of) called No Perfect People allowed.  It just so happens that the colors of the book were Certainly Celery and Not Quite Navy.  So I got out a piece of Not Quite Navy cardstock and cut it to 4" x 4".  I  scored it in half lengthwise and widthwise.  I cut away one quarter of it and folded the "free" ends to the  back and adhered them together.  I stamped the little ladybug from Garden Whimsy on a piece of Designer Certainly Celery paper, affixed it to my bookmark and I was done.  To say that it took me a minute might be overstating the length of time.

As always, if you'd like a better view, just click on the images.

Cute little boxes...little effort

I just love my Matchbox Die for my Big Shot!  Here are two matchboxes I did at a workshop last night.  The first one is just one I demo'd, showing how to use the Thick Window Sheets (they are thick!) to create a see-through cover.  The box itself is made from Rich Razzleberry cardstock, which is one of the new In Colors.  The tag is from the Matchbox Messages stamp set.

The second box shows a stamped cover.  I stamped it with Fifth Avenue Florals.  At the workshop we actually used Embrace Life because I thought I left my FAF set at home.  Turns out I had moved it to a different bag during my set-up.  I found it when I was cleaning up.  Embrace Life worked well, but nothing beats Fifth Avenue Florals!  The colors are Certainly Celery and Tempting Turquoise.  It really is much cuter in person.  The boldness of the Turquoise and the softness of the Celery didn't translate too well in the photo.  Actually, I guess you get that impression, but you don't get a true sense of the lovely combination.

Hostess Twist Box

Stampin' Up! put out some new training videos the other day and one of them was how to created this cute little twist box.  I think I'm going to have to do a video tutorial on it sometime.  I know for sure I'm making these as hostess gifts for my July workshops.  I think I'm going to demonstrate them in August and/or September workshops.  Wouldn't these make nice Halloween treat boxes for the special goblins in your life?  I wouldn't make them for every kid that drops by (well, I might since I get a max of one child), but definitely for my kids and some special adults.  And they'd look great done in a Thanksgiving theme.  Ooooh, I just purchased the Autumn Days stamp set.  That pheasant would look great on there!  Maybe that one will be my video.

For this box, I used Perfect Plum, Apricot Appeal and Whisper White cardstock.  I used the Oval All stamp set and the Scalloped Oval punch as well as some Apricot ribbon.  The dots on the Perfect Plum cardstock came from using Itty Bitty Backgrounds in Apricot Appeal Craft ink.  I watercolored the StazOn'd image using Apricot Appeal and Pale Plum.

Would you like me to show you and your friends how to create this box?  Contact me today to set something up!

STAMPede Project #2

Here's the second project we made at Friday's Summer STAMPede.  It's a Mix-and-Match note card set, designed by Betty Traciak.  The box contains three compartments, one for 6 base notecards and envelopes, one for oval sentiments and one for scalloped oval layers to go with the sentiments.  The recipient then has the basics to make a card personalized for the card-giving opportunity at hand.  All s/he has to do is select a sentiment and a layer for it (Stampin' Dimensionals are on the back so adhesive is already there) and stick them onto the base card of his/her choice.  In the coming days I'll show you the base cards themselves, along with a sample of how a completed card might look.

For this project participants had a choice of Basic Black, Riding Hood Red or Old Olive for the box base.  We used Rockabilly Specialty Designer Series Paper and Riding Hood Red grosgrain ribbon to complete the box.  The sentiments came from the Oval All stamp set that is in the Occasions Mini, along with the Scallop Oval punch from the mini and the large oval punch. 

If you would like to learn how to make this adorable boxed set, which makes a GREAT gift, contact me.  Directions will be provided for free with your purchase of supplies to create this project or when you schedule a class for you and four friends.

Summer STAMPede projects

My annual Summer STAMPede was last night.  It was a very small group compared to previous years, but the projects were great (if I do say so myself, since I picked them out) and everyone seemed to have a good time.

This year we made two more labor-intensive projects rather than the four quick and simple ones I normally offer.  The first project was this butterfly box, inspired by Brenda Quintana for a Splitcoast challenge. 

The box template was copied onto Not Quite Navy cardstock (I LOVE that my new printer easily copies onto cardstock), scored and cut out.  The butterfly was made using my Big Shot and the Bigz Butteflies die.  A little Chocolate Chip grosgrain was added for the antennas (antennae) and then the butterfly was mounted to the front of the box with Stampin' Dimensionals.  The box was put together using Sticky Strip.  A cello bag filled with Hershey's Chocolate Meltaway Kisses and tied with Baja Breeze ribbon finished it off.  You can see them in the picture, but the kisses coordinated very nicely with the Kraft color in the Parisian Breeze Specialty Designer Paper that I used for the butterfly.

Don't forget...today is the last day to order and be entered into a drawing for a Level 1 stamp set, a spool of wide Certainly Celery twill ribbon and a spool of wide So Saffron grosgrain ribbon.  Contact me if you'd like to place an order.  This must be done via phone or e-mail; not valid on orders through my website.

Another Gift Idea

Here's a cool project courtesy another fabulous Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  Stampin' Up! has been having contests monthly (or so) for project ideas and this one was submitted by Betty Traciak for the contest pertaining to the Occasions Mini Catalog.  Well, actually, this is the one I made, based on one that Betty submitted. 

There are five note cards with envelopes in this box, plus 10 smaller ovals and 10 larger scalloped ovals complete with Dimensionals on the back so all the recipient has to do is pick a sentiment, layer on a scallop  and then layer onto the card.  Below and to the right is a sample of a finished card.

I absolutely adore the Oval All stamp set and the Scallop Oval punch, and I think that this month's fabulous deal on Designer Series Paper (buy 3, get 1 free) makes this project an economical way to give something special to someone.  Best of all, it's the kind of gift that keeps on giving!

I'm thinking that this may be my STAMPede idea if that's what my STAMPeders want.  Right now the poll I sent my customers is 2-1 in favor of one larger project (such as this) and a treat holder as opposed to the four smaller projects that I normally do.  If you live near southern Maine and would like to attend my Summer STAMPede (either June 19th, 7-9 PM or June 20th, 9-11 AM), contact me today.  The cost is $15 and includes all supplies. There will be displays and door prizes too!

The project above uses the Bella Rose Designer Series Paper (gorgeous, isn't it?), Riding Hood Red cardstock, scraps of Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White, and the Whisper White Note Cards and Envelopes.  Oval All was theonly stamp set used.  Other accessories were Riding Hood Red striped grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals, Large Oval and Scalloped Oval punches and 1/2" circle punch.

Finally got around to it

About a year ago, fellow demonstrator Jackie Topa shared directions to her now-famous stationery box.  I've had it bookmarked for a long time with the thought that "one of these days I'll get around to making it."  Well, I finally got around to it.  It was simple and quick.  And I got to use up quite a few of the scraps I had left from one of my favorite DSP packs, Sweet Always.  If you want a closer look, just click on the images.

The "box" looks pretty basic, right?  But when you open it, you realize it's not just a box!  It's almost a desk!  There are variations for what you can include, but this one includes 4 full-size cards with envelopes, 4 3x3 cards with envelopes, 4 tags, an address book, stamps and a pen. 

Wouldn't this make a nice gift for a teacher or a special friend?  You could even change it up and make it into a wedding-themed box to give to a bride-to-be so she could organize her "to do" list.  Or change it up and make it more of a "birthday party in a box" project.

If you'd like to learn how to create this fun project, contact me today.  This would make a fun class for sure!

Shoebox Swap (7)

Finally, this is the Shoebox Swap that I prepared for everyone.  It featured the Urban Garden DSP (love it) and the Matchbox die from the Occasions Mini.  I also used the Matchbox Messages set from the Occasions Mini.

The Matchbox die for the Big Shot makes making treat containers really quick and easy.  If you recall, I banged out several for Matthew's teachers in no time at all.  Matchbox and DSP...doesn't get any better or easier!

Have you taken advantage of the Buy 3, Get 1 Free Designer Series Paper promotion or got in on the Big Shot craze?  Contact me so you aren't left out in the cold!  Summer's here...everyone should be warm.  And having these items will make you feel all nice and warm inside. 

Shoebox Swap Results (1)

Last night my team met for our monthly meeting.  Instead of our normal routine, we decided to do a Shoebox Swap.  Simply put, each person designed (or CASEd) a card/project and made a sample, as well as prepped the ingredients for all other participants to recreate the design.  Then, at the meeting, everyone went around the room and made one of everyone else's designs.  I'll be sharing all seven projects with you, one per day.

This first project was created by Jennifer Griffin.  It's a little Post-It holder.  The base was Riding Hood Red with a layer of Pink Pirouette stamped with an image from One of A Kind in Tango Tangerine.  The "fabulous friend" image from Oval All was stamped in Basic Black onto a scrap of Riding Hood Red then punched out using the Scallop Oval (LOVE IT) punch.  Handles were made using the Word Window punch.  A small piece of Velcro keeps it shut.

We all decided that Shoebox Swaps will become a regular part of what we do...probably once per quarter.  It was lots of fun (and much less prep/work for me).  If you would like to check out one of my team meetings to see what goes on and maybe to ask some questions about the business opportunity, don't hesitate to contact me.  We meet the first Tuesday of every month.

Boxed Note Card Class Deadline Approaching...

Just a reminder that the deadline for the May 8th Boxed Note Card Class is tomorrow.  I still have 3-4 spots left.  Cost is $15 which includes all supplies except basic adhesive.  You'll make 5 notecards (envelopes included) and a cute box to put them in.  Makes a GREAT gift for moms or for teachers (Teacher Appreciation Week is May 3-9...you could be fashionably late, unless your school celebrates it the week after).

I received my Oval All stamp set, scallop oval punch and white satin ribbon yesterday.  LOVE them all.  And because of the current SU promotion (spend $40 from Occasions Mini, get an item from the Under $10 page in the catalog), I got a cute little gift note set as a bonus.  I just used up some of the Note Cards I had from awhile back and some Certainly Celery DSP and cardstock and put together this fabulous boxed set in almost no time.  If you'd like the items I mentioned so you can make your own, let me know and I'll send you detailed class instructions with your purchase.

But if you want the class...sign up by tomorrow, Friday, May 24th!