{12 Weeks of Christmas} Week 6 -- Easy Gift Bag

One quick way to make gift packaging for bulkier hostess gifts (that preclude you from using card stock or Designer Series Paper as the body of your project) is to adhere your artwork to the packaging.  I made this simple (card front!) panel and adhered it to a paper sack for a shabby chic presentation.

What's inside?  Mittens and a new whistle for our fabulous crossing guard at school.  She's an unsung hero and needs something toasty for her hands.

A length of the Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon (just like the one I tied around the More Mustard snowflake) ties the project together (both literally and figuratively; please forgive the pun).  I love that the Crumb Cake seam binding is just shimmery enough that it's golden!

The photo doesn't pick it up, but the Norther Flurry Embossing Folder leaves its impression on Shimmery White card stock.  Speaking of the Big Shot, I used the Snow Flurry Bigz Die for the fabulous snowflakes...

A Basic Jewel Rhinestone adds more sparkle.  

The Crumb Cake snowflake has been sponged with Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink to help it stand out against the Cajun Craze snowflake (and to also tie it together with the Elegant Eggplant snowflake on the left).

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Papers:  Shimmery White (101910), Cajun Craze (119684), Elegant Eggplant (105126), More Mustard (100946) and Crumb Cake (120953) card stocks

Inks:  Elegant Eggplant Classic (126969)

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Northern Flurry EF (120902), Snow Flurry Bigz Die (2012 Holiday Catalog:  127813), Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon (122332), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Hope you have a chance to enjoy this lovely season.

It's Canning Season with Perfectly Preserved

This project was created for a couple of challenges:  365 Cards' Super Sketchy Sunday and the Friday Mashup Challenge  77 (fall-themed with Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Raspberry Ripple, Lucky Limeade and Early Espresso).

Studio Suggestion:

--Stamp your images first when using the Cannery Framelits (available as a bundle with the Perfectly Preserved stamp set in the Holiday Mini Catalog).  Use a sticky note to hold the framelit in place over your stamped image and run it through the Big Shot.

--Save those scraps!  I used scraps of Cajun Craze over the polka dot embossed Early Espresso piece on the left.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved (W126690, C126692) *Purchased as part of the Perfectly Preserved Bundle, (W129943, C129944) with a 15% savings*

Papers:   Cajun Craze (119684), More Mustard (100946),  Lucky Limeade (122926), Whisper White (100730) and Early Espresso (119686)

Inks:   Cajun Craze (126965), Raspberry Ripple (126859), and Lucky Limeade (126984)

Accessories and Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Cannery Framelits Set (127822) *Purchased instead as a part of of the Perfectly Preserved Bundle (W129943, C129944), Perfect Polka Dots Folder (117335), Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882)

Starburst for Fall-Themed and Sketch Challenges

With the beginning of fall just a few days away, I found that a lot of the challenges in which I've been participating are inspired by this change of seasons.  This card is based in part upon a theme and sketch challenge offered by the fine folks at The Friday Mashup.  With Friday Mashup, we get to choose to follow one of the challenge ideas or mash them both up and create a project using both.  In this case, we were offered this sketch:    

We could "mash" it up by adding a fall theme to our project.  Speaking of fall, the lovely challenge blog, 365 Cards, of which I so often write, challenged us to use five of something and to make it fall-themed in the Five for Fall challenge.  I chose five colors:  So Saffron, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede and Early Espresso.

This card was thus inspired.  I *LOVE* the French script (it's very subtle in this picture), which I inked with So Saffron and stamped on So Saffron card stock.  

**STUDIO SUGGESTION**:  A dusting with my sponge and some Early Espresso makes the punched piece stand out a bit more.

I chose So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon to clean up my edges and I used my Paper Snips to carefully clip out the leaf that I'd inked in Cajun Craze.

**STUDIO SUGGESTION**:  Paper Snips have smaller blades that are super-sharp, so cutting with precision is a snip snap!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  French Foliage (W120845, C121166)

Papers:  So Saffron (105118), More Mustard (100946), Cajun Craze (119684), Soft Suede (115318) and Early Espresso (119686)

Inks:  So Saffron (126957), Cajun Craze (126965), and Early Espresso (126974) Classics

Accessories:  Decorative Label Punch (120907), So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon (122982), Stamping Sponges (101610), Paper Snips (103579), and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Father's Day Card: {Forever Young}

There's something very poetic about this stamp set's name and Father's Day...  I love the tree and thought it made a nice focal point for this masculine card.  

I entered this card in the 365 Cards Heavy Metal Challenge last week and also in the CardPatterns Sketch 169 challenge for this week.  The antique brad at the top adds heavy metal, but with a touch of panache.

The sentiment is crafted from a Decorative Label punch (which I had fun trimming) and the stamped image from Teeny Tiny Wishes, punched out with the Word Window punch.

The card stock colors are courtesy of my Color Coach:  Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist and Bashful Blue.  I wanted to use the Marina Mist striped Designer Series Paper (from the Subtles Patterns Stack), and that drove the rest of the color choices. 

The Crumb Cake piece with the tree stamped upon it was fed through my Big Shot with the Labels Collection Framelit and the Crumb Cake piece beneath it was sueded.

The flagged end of the Marina Mist Designer Series Paper was achieved using my 1-1/4" Square punch.

Happy Father's Day to the men in my life!  We love you!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps:  Forever Young (W122570, C122572), Teeny Tiny Wishes (W115370, C127802)

Paper:  Cajun Craze (119684), Crumb Cake (120953), Marina Mist (119682) and Bashful Blue (105120) Card Stocks and Subtles Collection Designer Series Paper Stack (117152)

Inks:  Cajun Craze  Classic (126965)

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Decorative Label Punch (120907), Word Window Punch (119857), 1-1/4 inch Square Punch (119865), Antique Brads (117273), Linen Thread (104199), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

{Resource Thursday}: Color Coach from Stampin' Up!

I'd like to start a new feature, which I will reserve for Thursdays.  I'll call it {Resource Thursday} and my intent is to offer projects which share a variety of resources available to inspire and/or assist.

Today's project was aided by the Color Coach.

As you can see by this picture, each of Stampin' Up!'s colors (including In Colors) is given its own card.  The card shows a "Dynamic Duo," which is typically a lighter or darker version of that color.  Those two colors alone make a lovely combination.  The best part, though, is the combinations offered in two sets of three colors. 

Using my Color Coach, I combined Cajun Craze, Tangerine Tango, Perfect Plum and Always Artichoke.   

While my use of the taffeta bow on the Modern Label Punch lends a feminine feel to the project, this color scheme would be great for masculine cards.  Perhaps I'll recreate this card with natural hemp twine or linen thread in the taffeta's place for the men in my life...

We have more retirees in today's project:  Crazy for Cupcakes and the Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die for the Big Shot.  The stamps are available until May 31.  The Bigz die is considered an accessory and available while supplies last or until May 31 (whichever happens first).

Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps:  Crazy for Cupcakes (W111618)

Paper:  Always Artichoke (102584), Cajun Craze (119684), Perfect Plum (101889), Tangerine Tango (111349), and Whisper White (100730) card stocks

Ink:  Basic Black (101179), Always Artichoke (105219), Cajun Craze (119671), Perfect Plum (101437), and Tangerine Tango (111834) Classics

Accessories:  Color Coach (120148), Color Coach 2010-12 In Color cards (121048), Color Coach 2011-13 In Color cards (124886), Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (117335), Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die (113468), Modern Label Punch (119849), 2-1/2" Circle Punch (120906), Whisper White 3/8-inch Taffeta (109070), Blender Pens (102845) and Paper Snips (103579)

Got the new 2012-2013 Annual Stampin' Up! Catalog yet?!  Earn it for *FREE* or purchase it for only  $5, including Priority Shipping...

{12 Weeks of Christmas}: Week 9 -- Belly Band Gift Idea

O, the Belly Band!  How I love thee!  There are so many fun ways to use a Belly Band. In today's {12 Weeks of Christmas} post, I wanted to share a gift idea with you...

This funky origami project is actually a gift card holder!  It's so very simple, uses supplies which are readily on-hand and quick to make with a great WOW factor.

Start with a 4-1/4 by 10-3/4" piece of Always Artichoke card stock.  I scored it (using my FABULOUS Simply Scored tool) at 2-1/4, 3, 3-3/4, and 7-1/4 inches.  I made a careful slit in the 3-inch cut, being sure not to cut all the way across the piece (you're making a slit for the gift card here--note in the picture below that a scant 1/2-inch is left on either side, uncut).  You can easily use your paper trimmer to make this slit.  Add adhesive to the "inside" of the gift card holder part at those uncut places so that it stands up when opened.

Once folded closed, I added a 3-1/4 by 4-inch piece of So Saffron card stock, which I'd run through my Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  I made the sentiment tag using a scrap of Whisper White card stock and the Modern Label punch (do you see how much I love to lop off a side of that punch?  I use it all of the time). 

Finally, the Belly Band...  I created it starting with a piece of Always Artichoke card stock (measuring 9-1/2 by 1-1/2 inches), run through the Big Shot with my new Snow Burst (Holiday Mini) Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Oh, how I love those snowflakes!  I scored it at 2-3/4 inches and 7-1/2 inches and adhered the flaps to make the band.  

It is adorned with an image from Sweet Season, which I colored with my Always Artichoke and Cajun Craze Stampin' Write Markers.  It's punched with the 1-3/4-inch Scallop Circle and popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals on a piece of Cajun Craze, which I punched with the larger, 2-3/4-inch Scallop Circle.  This piece is adhered to the Belly Band in an off-set manner to give visual interest.  A strand of white Baker's Twine completes the look.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps:  Sweet Season (#116471) and Short and Sweet (#115060)

Paper:  Always Artichoke (105119), Cajun Craze (119684), So Saffron (#105118) and Whisper White (#100730) card stocks

Ink:  Always Artichoke Classic (#105219) and Stampin' Write Marker (#105113), and Cajun Craze Classic (#119671) and Stampin' Write Marker (#119678)

Accessories:  Big Shot (#113439), Snow Burst (#124096) and Perfect Polka Dots (#117335) Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Simply Scored Scoring Tool (#122334), 1-3/4" (#119854) and 2-3/8" (#118874) Scallop Circle and Modern Label (#119849) Punches, Baker's Twine (#124262), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430) and Stamping Sponges (#101610)

We're closing in on Christmas -- I hope you're able to find time to slow down and enjoy the festive spirit.  Stay tuned for a corresponding video and more {12 Weeks of Christmas} posts!

Happy November!

STUDIO SARA has a new look for fall!  I used My Digital Studio to create the banner and buttons.  I chose Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze and More Mustard (partly because they're fall colors, but also because they're found in the card I've spotlighted).

Here's the card that I included in my banner, up-close and personal...

It's simple to make (an easy one if you're in the market for a good number of "Thank You" notes, for example).  The card body is a half-sheet of Night of Navy, cut lengthwise and folded in half.  The Naturals Ivory card stock makes up the piece with the stamped leaves.  I used my corner-rounded to soften it.

The stamp set I used is French Foliage, which gives us this fun "button" in the lower left corner.  I inked it in Night of Navy Classic Ink and stamped it on Cajun Craze card stock.  Then I used my 3/4-inch Circle Punch...  Remember to stamp first then punch to make sure you've lined it up right!

So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon finishes the bottom edge...

Finally, here's the sentiment... I inked only the "thank you" part of this stamp from the With All My Heart set, stamped it on So Saffron and punched it with the Modern Label.  It's mounted on an oval punched from More Mustard and "popped up" with a Stampin' Dimensional.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  French Foliage, With All My Heart

Papers:  Night of Navy, Naturals Ivory, So Saffron, More Mustard and Cajun Craze card stocks

Inks:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Night of Navy Classics

Accessories:  3/4-inch Circle, Modern Label, Large Oval, and 3/16-inch Corner Punches, So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips (makes cutting the ribbon so easy!)

Thanks for your visit!  I'm working on more {12 Week of Christmas} posts, so stay tuned!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Snow Swirled: Day 2

Welcome, Studio Guests, to Day 2 of the Snow Swirled {Stamp Set Spotlight}! If you missed Day 1, please click here.
For this simple card, I inked my tree image in Marina Mist and stamped it on a square piece of Whisper White card stock. Next, I cut the piece into even fourths and adhered it to Cajun Craze. This technique gives the image the illusion of being seen through window panes, but you can also cut an image or scene into vertical thirds or into uneven horizontal pieces. It's one of those quick and simple (and inexpensive) ways to add pizzazz to your project!

Finally, I added a Glimmer Brad to give it an extra sparkle. Using my Paper-Piercing Tool (a very handy tool for only $3.50) and Mat Pack, I created the pierced edges on the corners. Again, a bit of pop for not a lot of money!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Snow Swirled

Papers: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Cajun Craze and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Marina Mist and Cajun Craze

Accessories: Glimmer Brads (Subtles), Modern Label Punch, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Paper trimmer, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for dropping by! I look forward to your next visit!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Season of Joy: Day 3

Love the swirls in this set and this card shows them off. With a little VersaMark, they add a lot of visual interest and they were a snap to make!

This card was created for a sketch challenge at 365 Cards:

I wanted it to look like we were seeing the Christmas tree through a window... The sentiment is also part of this set. I love the dots beneath the words; there's a lot you can do with rhinestones or paper piercing to add a little more oomph to the sentiment!

The tag is made using the Ticket Corner Punch (on River Rock). I've just tied two knots in the narrow grosgrain and glued them down with Mini Glue Dots.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Season of Joy

Papers: Cajun Craze, So Saffron, River Rock and Whisper White

Inks: Always Artichoke Classic and VersaMark

Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Whisper White Narrow Grosgrain, Mini Glue Dots

Thanks for the visit! Day Four of the Stamp Set Spotlight is coming soon!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Season of Joy: Day 1

As I plan my cards this year, I have been trying out a couple of different ideas using the set, Season of Joy. I love its versatility; the swirls can be used all year long, as can the "hand stamped" stamp with the star. I love the flower and I'll get use out of the snowflake all winter long. I love the possibilities that abound with the block of sentiments, too (more about that later this week)!

For this card, I'm using a new color combination for me, courtesy of the fabulous (and indispensable) Color Coach. I've used Basic Grey, Baja Breeze and Cajun Craze. Three colors I never would have thought to combine, but I like what I got here!

I love how the Perfect Details Texturz Plate coordinates with the swirls from this set. I fed the Baja Breeze piece that backs the Christmas tree through my Big Shot and voila -- instant texture!

I also added a touch of glitter...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Season of Joy

Papers: Basic Grey, Baja Breeze, Cajun Craze and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Baja Breeze and Basic Grey Classics, VersaMark

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, White Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, Tag Punch, Oval Punch (#119855)

Thanks for the visit! I look forward to sharing more of my Stamp Set Spotlight this week...

And the Winner Is...

Exciting news! One of the challenge blogs with which I participate awarded me with a "Spotlight Designer" award last week! The blog is 365 Cards and the challenge for which I won was for a card that was inspired by the 365 Cards blog itself.

Pam, the lovely host at 365 Cards, just updated the blog's look and what struck me most about it was the beautiful colors and how it seemed like a stained glass window. I've been wanting to pop the pieces out of my Lattice Die Cut and make it look like a stained glass window, so this was just the challenge for me!

The 365 Cards blog is also full of these lovely fall colors, so I knew this would be my 2010 Thanksgiving card.

Here's a video with some hints which I hope will streamline your process. My software updated (without my permission) and I'm still learning the new tricks... :)

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: More Mustard, Wild Wasabi, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stocks

Ink: Early Espresso Classic

Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice Bigz die, Two-Way Glue, Modern Label and Word Window punches, Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon

Need Notecards...

On my To Do list of stampin' projects is to make some plain notecards. I like to take a simple design, make a ton and then have the flexibility to stamp a sentiment as the need arises. For example, I might use this card for a masculine birthday, as a Thank You note, for any autumn birthdays (man or woman), as a "Get well!" card or naked, as it is now, as a simple notecard.

The inking is the trickiest part and it's not too bad. I used my Stampin' Sponges, cut into fourths for more ease of use (and to stretch that dollar!). I first inked the sponge in So Saffron and applied it to the outside of the tree. Next, I inked a different sponge with Always Artichoke and sponged the innermost part of the tree. Finally, I inked a third sponge with Cajun Craze and sponged the space between the So Saffron and Always Artichoke.

Sponging is a pretty safe bet when you're blending colors like this, because it's not likely that you'll ruin your ink pads by pouncing on one color with something else. That said, I always use separate sponges for each color (and keep that sponge dedicated to that color, be it "Always Artichoke" or "Dark Green" -- either works). I also always start with my lightest color and then gradually work to the darkest. This is a principle I use when I watercolor, too. Finally, to make multiple cards, I simply swipe the stamp's surface with a baby wipe. I'll save my Stampin' Scrub for a final cleaning, but I don't want the stamp to get too wet between spongings. It's somewhat time-consuming, but considering it's the only stamping I'm doing right now for this project, I feel it is manageable. Plus, there's nothing like an assembly line to streamline the process when I'm making a larger quantity of the same card.

Finally, I added a strip of Twill Tape and tied a bow of Linen Thread around it. I also punched the small corner using the Photo Corner punch and a scrap of Always Artichoke.

Simple and versatile! Now I don't need to sweat it when the need arises for a handmade card!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Pendant Park

Inks: So Saffron, Cajun Craze and Always Artichoke Classics

Papers: Sahara Sand, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke and Whisper White card stocks

Accessories: Photo Corner punch, Twill Tape, Linen Thread, Stampin' Sponges

Thank you for your visit! I hope you found this useful!