Elf Sized Treats - Stampin' Up! Jolly Friends - Fab Friday 100

 When time is running short it's always nice to be able to combine projects to serve more than one purpose!  That's what I did this time around for the latest Fab Friday challenge....which is number 100 by the way!!  That's quite a milestone in my book!  I needed a fun project for my team to make at our stamping get together last night and when I sat down to design it earlier in the week I already had our challenge colors out on my desk to spark some creativity.  Need + Need = 2 items checked off the to do list!

  Check out these fun Fab Friday challenge colors for the big 1-0-0!

  Cool right?  At first I was going to go with a fall card but then those little hats started calling to me along with a need to include some chocolates.  What's a stamper to do but to make a little treat tote with wrapped treats and a coordinating 3 x 3 card!

    So cute right?  The little tote is made with the envelope punch board.  After the scoring I ran it through the Big Shot with the Cable Knit embossing folder for some winter texture.  The tote holds 4 wrapped Hershey Nuggets (I couldn't get all 4 to stack up so you'll have to imagine the 4th!).  I wrapped them with 1 x 3.25" strips that are also embossed.

  The hats are popped up for dimensional and the brims (or are they cuffs?) and the pompoms are colored with clear Wink of Stella for a bit of sparkle.

  I used the "to you and yours" sentiment from the Christmas Pines stamp set as it was just the right size for my Elf Sized Treats.

  I hope you'll join the Fab Friday team in celebrating our 100th challenge by playing along!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Jolly Friends, Christmas Pines

Ink: Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron, Rich Razzleberry, black

Paper: Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Accessories: Envelope Punch Board, Cable Knit embossing folder, corner rounder,  Jolly Hat punch, dimensionals, Wink of Stella, Mint Macaron Sheer Linen

3x3 For the Birds Birthday

  All of these late nights watching the Olympics are starting to catch up to me!  The dog and I haven't gotten up to do our usual early morning walks the last 2 mornings.  I've felt the need to sleep in a bit later to be able to make it through the day because the boys certainly seem to have the same amount of energy!

  The card I'm sharing today is another one we did on Tuesday at stamp club.  The For the Birds set is so cute and covers a lot of occasions.  I've decided to separate the sentiments from the images so I can mix and match more easily and not have to worry about masking off the sentiments....I always make a mess of that!  The images are so cute in this set and just take a moment to color.

 The base of this 3x3 card is Baja Breeze that was run through the Big Shot with the new Chevron embossing folder.  A strip of Midnight Muse edged with the new scallop edgelit die and then paper pierced along the edge using the piercing templates (hard to see in the photo).  We used a length of new stitched In Color ribbon in Primrose Petals to accent the straight side of the scalloped piece.

  For the image, we stamped with Stazon onto Whisper White cardstock, colored in the birds with markers and then punched it out with the large oval punch.  Of course we have to pop the oval up since it's one of my cards and I just can't say no to dimensionals (I guess there are worse things to be addicted to right?).  The finishing touch is a rhinestone.

  I pulled my color combination for this card from the Patio Party DSP and wanted to teach my ladies how to make their own envelopes to match the card using the Simply Scored Diagonal plate.  We took a 5x5 piece of DSP and and scored across all 4 corners at 2 3/8".  Then just cut out the tiny bit of area where the score lines intersect to make nice clean folds and then adhere with just a bit of Tombow glue along 3 flaps.  Super easy.  I think it takes longer to write it out than to actually do it.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: For the Birds

Ink: Stazon markers- Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals

Paper: Patio Party DSP, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse


Accessories: oval punch, Chevron embossing folder, stitched Primrose Petals ribbon, rhinstone, Simply Scored w/ Diagonal plate, dimensionals

Summer Smooches Stationery Set

 Today is like Rex Manning Day (if you know this reference without looking it up you rock!) for us Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  Stampin' Up! released a select few products from the new catalog for us to order early.  It's really exciting to get to see new products early and a great perk of being a demo.  I know some ladies who signed up for this sole reason!  If you're interested in getting perks like this as well as a great discount give me a shout...there is a new Starter Kit that is completely customizable!  You can choose anything you want!

  Today I'm sharing the project we did for my April class.  It's a Summer Smooches Clear Mount Case Stationery Set (that's a mouthful isn't it?).

  We made 4 note cards with envelopes, 4 3x3 notes with envelopes, a notepad and pen.  All this fits into the clear mount stamp cases that Stampin' Up! sells by the 4 pack.  These little babies make great gifts and I know a few of my ladies were going to gift the one they made at class for Mother's Day.

 Here is the sample that I made for class.  The ladies each got 6 sheets of the Summer Smooches DSP (one of each pattern in the pack) to customize their case, cards, envelopes, pen and notepad.  It was fun to see the different combinations they chose.

   We used the Bright Blossoms stamp set and I made up 4 different designs to give them a starting point for their own cards.  We also lined the inside of the A2 envelopes.  This is a great touch especially if you're giving a set of note cards as a gift.

  Most of the ladies used the matching markers to color the stamps since the images are on the smaller side it's easier to use the markers to vary the blossom colors.  Each class attendee also received 2 yards of the Daffodil Delight seam binding ribbon to use on their cards.

  The little 3x3 notes are adorable!  We used the Simply Scored Diagonal scoring plate to make custom envelopes for the 3x3 notes.  Even more adorable!  All the ladies really liked being able to make their own envies.

 And here's my example of the customized notepad and pen.  The notepad is a junior legal size that I had the office supply store cut down to fit into the case.  A little bit of DSP for both and you have some nicely coordinated accessories to go with your stationery set.

  If you missed out on the Summer Smooches sneak peek don't worry!  The Designer Series Paper, Daffodil Delight seam binding ribbon and Bright Blossoms stamp set will all be in the new catalog and can be ordered starting June 1!

  Thanks for looking!  Happy Rex Manning Day!

  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Bright Blossoms

Ink: Lucky Limeade, Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight

Paper: Whisper White, Summer Smooches DSP

Accessories: Daffodil Delight seam binding ribbon, scallop circle punch, paper piercer, Simply Scored Diagonal Scoring plate, paper piercer

Lunch Box Dinosaurs

  My 5 year old told me last night before going to bed that he had been at school for 12 days and that tomorrow (today) it would be 13.  Apparently they are using straws to count the number of days they've been in school (and using it as a lesson to count by 1's, 10's etc.).  It seems like a lot more days  than that to me!  But so far so good....tonight is Back to School Night so we'll get more information about what they've been learning so far. 

  For the first week of school I made these 3x3 notes to tuck into Ryan's lunchbox, one for each day.  I couldn't tell if he liked them or even cared that I put them in the lunchbox.  Or maybe he was embarrassed??  Who knows; he's a kid of few words when it comes to stuff like that!  But I had fun making them and in the end you can't worry about what anyone else thinks (even a 5 year old!), as long as you had fun making something that's really what counts!  Anyway, I didn't get a chance to take a photo of these before putting them in the lunches so they are a little worse for the wear after being squashed against the ice pack, juice boxes, apples and ham sandwiches!  I'm sure you can imagine what they looked like in all their pristine glory before the lunch box trauma!

  I just love these little dinosaurs from the new set Dinoroar.  There is just something kind of loveable about them...see how they each have a little smile?  I kind of want to give them each a name....is that weird?  Nevermind, don't answer that!

  I colored them in using my ink pad and blender pen.  I don't know if it shows up well in the photo but to give each dinosaur some definition I colored an outline around them with Sahara Sand ink.  3 of the sentiments come from the long retired hostess set So Many Sayings the other sentiment is from the current Petite Pairs set. I used markers to color the sentiments and for the So Many Sayings ones I punched them out with the word window punch since there are so many on each stamp it can be hard to line up.

  I'm hoping to stamp a bunch of different 3x3 notes to continue to put in Ryan's lunchbox...maybe every Friday?  I better get going since tomorrow is Friday....Day 14 by the straw count!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Dinoroar, Petite Pairs, So Many Sayings (retired)

Ink: Black Stazon, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Sahara Sand

Paper: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive

Accessories: blender pen, word window punch

Little Man & Little Lady Owls

  This past Tuesday I had a class based on the Owl Punch and all the different things you can make with it.  As part of the class fee each person got their very own Owl Punch to love and cherish forever.  I know sometimes I see a new punch or a new stamp set and I think "what you see is what you get", then I start to blog hop or browse the galleries on Splitcoaststampers and I see all of these great ideas using the products in ways I never dreamed.  The creativity of paper crafters never ceases to amaze me.  I tried to put together 4 projects that would show how versatile the Owl Punch really is....It's not just an owl!

  Of course I had to show my class how you can make an owl gender specific or change his or her expression just by how you make the eyes.  So for these two projects the owl is really just an owl....but an owl with personality!

  Ladies first!   What I did to make this owl a girl is to give her a pink dress using Sweet Stitches DSP, a pearl necklace made from the adhesive pearl strands, an adorable little bow made from the heart on the Owl Punch (just glue them down point to point and add the smallest circle for the center), and last but not least, blue eyeshadow (cut one of the largest circles in half).  She is adhered to a 2 3/8" scalloped circle with the scallops pierced.  I ran a length of 1/8" taffeta ribbon underneath the scallop circle and around the back so it could be tied in a bow. 

Stamps: None

Ink: None

Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Sweet Stitches DSP

Accessories: Owl Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, paper piercer, adhesive pearls, 1/8" taffeta ribbon

   Moving onto our handsome professor sitting on his branch contemplating the mysteries of the universe....or just wondering what is for dinner!

  See how he looks slightly goofy compared to the little lady?  We just changed his eyes to give him a different expression.  Using the heart from Owl Punch we made a little bowtie the same way as we did the hair bow on the girl.  The little tiny button brads from the Vintage Trinkets accessories gives his vest some flair.  We perched the professor on a branch punched with the 2 Step Bird punch.  And we have the moon rising behind him.

Stamps: None

Ink: None

Paper: Crumb Cake, More Mustard, Garden Green, Soft Suede, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Elegant Soiree DSP (vest)

Accessories: Owl Punch, 2 Step Bird punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Vintage Trinket brads, dimensionals

  These 3x3 cards are perfect as a gift enclosure or a quick thinking of you card.  Make a bunch at one time and keep them on hand for whenever you need them.  Using the Owl Punch you can make each one different using whatever scraps you have on hand.  One of the great things about the Owl punch is you can use a skinny little piece of cardstock and just slide it in to whichever shape you need.  You don't have to punch out all the pieces or waste whole chunks of cardstock just to get the little heart or one of the circles.

  The easiest way that I have found to assemble the smaller pieces of the eyes is to squeeze a little drop of Tombow Multi glue onto the end of a paper piercer, then touch the tip of the piercer to the punched out piece and pick it up, then just kind of push/slide it off the end onto wherever you want it.  A little bit of Tombow goes a long way so you just need a little bit at a time.

  I'll be sharing a few more of the Owl Punch class projects over the next few days so check back to see all the other fun things you can make with this one punch!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

3x3 RAK Owl

  Last week while browsing the online forums on Splitcoaststampers I came across a thread about what stamping supplies you hoard and which ones you use a lot of without any thought as to if you can buy more in the future.  One of the ladies replied that Stampin' Up Copper embossing powder was something she used sparingly since it is a retired item and she can't order anymore.  Well after re-organizing my stamping room after Christmas I came across a full jar of the Copper embossing powder that I knew I wouldn't use as I sold the last of the retired matching paper over the summer at my stamping tag sale (no idea how I missed the powder!).  I sent the lady a message asking if she would want my jar of embossing powder and if she did to send me her address and I would pop it in the mail.  She responded that she would love it!  Of course I couldn't send a little stamping gift without a card!  I got to work making a little 3x3 card to tuck into the mailing envelope.

 

  How cute is this little guy??  I used the Color Coach to get the combination of Basic Gray, Old Olive and Melon Mambo.  The base is Melon Mambo and measures 3x3...perfect size for a card to go with a gift or just a little something to tuck into a kid's lunch or husband's briefcase.  I rounded the corners of the Whisper White panel.  The 2 different patterns of Designer Series Paper are from last years Sale-A-Bration stack Welcome Neighbor and I thought the Old Olive pattern kind of looked like feathers across his tummy.  

  I perched the owl on the sentiment which I colored with my markers alternating my colors and then punched out with the Word Window punch and layered onto a small punched DSP oval.  To balance the owl I added an Old Olive button with a linen thread bow tied through it.

Stamps: So Many Sayings (retired)

Ink: Markers- Basic Gray, Melon Mambo, Old Olive

Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Welcome Neighbor DSP (retired)

Accessories: corner rounder, 2 Step Owl punch, oval punch, button, linen thread, Word Window punch

Little Birdie Love Notes

  Just a quick post today before I have to go pick up the boys at preschool.  I made this little set of 3x3 cards to stick in my husbands luggage when he traveled a few weeks ago for work.  I always try to make a few cards to tuck into his bags to let him know that we're missing him and that we love him.  They usually aren't very elaborate cards since I tend to wait until the last minute to make them but I think these came out pretty cute anyway.  I might have to make another batch just to have them on hand for quick little notes to tuck in with a gift or as a small thank you.

  Sorry for the dark picture...It was hard getting all 3 cards in the right light at the same time.  Like I said these are all really fast and the only extras are the rounded corners and the brads at the tops of the cages.  I stamped the sentiments on scrap paper and punched them out with my word window punch. Since all of these sentiments are on a larger stamp with lots of phrases I wanted to be sure I got the words where I wanted them (another benefit of the clear mount stamps---you can see right where you're stamping!!).  This way I didn't get the whole card made and then goof it all up by stamping crooked or not in the right spot.  If you're tight on time better safe than sorry right?

  I have some cute (if I do say so myself!) Halloween treats to show so stop back tomorrow and check them out!

  Thanks for looking!  Happy Stamping!

Stamps: Aviary, So Many Sayings (retired)

Ink: Black, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: brads, jeweled brad, corner rounder, word window punch

Tea Light Cupcake & Matching 3x3 Card

  We made this sweet little project at my last Stampin' Tuesday.  When I first saw this tea light cupcake on Splitcoaststampers I wasn't quite sure what you might do with it after you made it.  Then I thought that if it was paired with a little 3x3 card it would be the perfect little something to give to a co-worker, a neighbor or an elderly relative to recognize their birthday.  Just a little something when a gift is too much and a card is not enough.

  I followed the tutorial on Splitcoast for the cupcake and added 2 of the small butterflies from the Beautiful Wings embosslit (so many ways to use this cute little die!) on the top and a Pretty in Pink taffeta bow on the front. 

   For the 3x3 card, I embossed the front with the Square Lattice embossing folder (Summer Mini) and used the corner rounder to soften the edges.  For the cupcake image I used my markers to color the top and bottom and then huffed on it to re-moisten the ink and then stamped on Whisper White cardstock.  Color the candle with markers and stamp that on the cupcake.  Punch the cupcake out with the circle scallop punch.  I recolored just the frosting and then stamped and cut it out.  I popped the cut out frosting up on dimensionals.  I mounted the scallop circle on a 1 3/4" circle of Soft Suede and then adhered that to my card base.

  Now you have a sweet little cupcake & card for someone special.

  Cupcake Supplies: Soft Suede Cardstock, Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper, So Saffron and Pretty in Pink cardstock (for the butterflies), sticky strip, scallop circle punch, crimper, taffeta ribbon, tea light, craft knife 

  For the card:
  Stamps: Party Hearty

  Ink: Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink (markers)

  Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede, Whisper White

  Accessories: Square Lattice embossing folder, circle scallop punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, dimensionals, paper snips

Putt Putt 3x3 Notes

My husband has to travel for work occasionally and I always like to make a few little cards to tuck inside of his suitcase for him to find while he's away. I don't usually do a very good job of it as he seems to find them all on the first day....I tuck them into shoes, socks, shirt pockets, the book he's reading etc. I always make them 3x3 so they fit into those cute little square envelopes and are fast to make. I decided to use the often overlooked set Putt Putt. I don't know why there aren't more examples of this set on Splitcoaststampers but it's super cute and the sentiments are just right. I chose to do 3 of the 4 larger images (the 4th being an airplane) from this set and keep the color theme consistent between them.

Stamps: Putt Putt

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Bashful Blue

Paper: white, Tangerine Tango, Bashful Blue

Accessories: markers, blender pen, Going Gray watercolor crayon, aquapainter, scallop circle punch, circle punch, oval punch, corner rounder