Purse – gift card/business card holder

gift-card-purseI received this cute idea from Sharon Field at convention this year.  It is a little purse and when you open it up it can hold a business card or gift card.

Sharon’s held her business card and used a different stamp set than my example – I would show you hers too but it seems to be missing…..

We made these at my last downline meeting.  I thought it was a nice little business idea or it could be used to hold a gift card – a great idea for teen girls or really any age girl.  I don’t think a boy would like a purse very much but this could be adapted to a rectangular shape and be turned into a brief case just use some more manly colors and a different stamp set – or just DSP.

The colors are Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay.  The Designer Series Paper is Razzleberry Lemonade.  We used the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set.  The dots behind the butterfly and the flower stems are hand-drawn with the Bermuda Bay markers.  I think everyone loves the In-Color Stampin’ Write Markers.

The closure is a filigree brad and underneath a velcro dot actually hold the purse shut.  To create the pocket you punch with the Word Window – about 1-1/2 times to make it wide enough for the card.  Don’t put any adhesive in the middle only around the edges or the card won’t slide in.

I actually drew this out on grid paper and then used the grid to go up and over to create my angles.  I marked the spots on my card stock and then placed it on my cutter to cut the angles to make it look like a purse.    I didn’t have any exact measurements from Sharon so I just traced out her sample and then created my own little template.

I’ve been busy with a variety of stuff.  I’m posting the new September WOW Scrapbook kit later today on that blog – wowscrapbookkits.wordpress.com – I’ll put the sneak peek on this blog probably tomorrow.

Last night I had a meeting with band parents planning an 8th grade night event – where the 8th graders get to come with the Marching Band to a football game and play with them in the stands during the game.  This year we are planning have a tailgate event before the game and feed everyone.  We had our first meeting last night and delegated out some tasks.

Tonight I’m hosting my pokeeno group from my neighborhood so I need to get ready for that today and clean the house and cook a few things.  Ack – I just realized I’m supposed to make baked beans and I forgot to buy anything for that when I shopped yesterday.  My theme is a summer BBQ and I plan to use some more of my Summer Cookout kit for serving/decorating.  I better check my pantry and head to the grocery store one more time.

Have a wonderful day!!

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Busy Day….

It is a busy day – so just a quick note…..

I’m working on:

  • updating my blog with the new Holiday Mini Catalog links
  • getting my September Newsletter together
  • finishing the August Class to Go kits
  • getting out the August WOW Scrapbook kits
  • posting the new September WOW Scrapbook kits
  • creating a “Graduation” scrapbook class – create a scrapbook for your child that highlights their school years – Kindergarten – 12th grade
  • and more…

I was working last night in the craft room – creating projects for the sweet treats class later this month and had one of those light bulb moments for an idea for the Build-A-Bears – at midnight I was trying to get my idea out but it was just too late and I had to go to bed.  Now I’ve been so busy I haven’t gotten back to it – but I think I want to send it in to one of the Stampin’ Up! contests so I may not show it yet…..

And BIG ANNOUNCEMENT from Stampin’ Up! today:

CREATIVITY WITH STAMPIN’ UP!® GOES DIGITAL—INTRODUCING MY DIGITAL STUDIO™

Stampin’ Up!’s award-winning artwork, colors, and accessories available in digital format via My Digital Studio

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My Digital Studio is shown in the Holiday Mini Catalog and will be available for everyone to order beginning October 1, 2009.

My Digital Studio is new software from Stampin’ Up! that allows both demonstrators and customers to digitally create a variety of products including (but not limited to) photo albums, cards, calendars, individual scrapbook pages, and multimedia projects that use exclusive Stampin’ Up! art, accessories, and colors. When printed with Stampin’ Up!’s professional print services, your projects can be combined with traditional Stampin’ Up! products to create unique, multidimensional “hybrid” projects.

There is so much going on today (I have lots of new information to read on the Demonstrator website) – I just can’t get everything else done…..have an awesome day!

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Hands On Class – In-Color Convention Swaps

At my class this month I decided to use cards that I received at convention – as I looked through them all I ended up pulling several that were my favorite and realized they represented most of the In-Colors so that ended up being my “theme” for the class.  I chose cards that featured the In-Colors.  We made 5 cards total (one card featured 2 of the In-Colors) and stamped matching envelopes for each card.  I generally kept the card designs exactly the same as the original creator except one that I didn’t have the stamp set for – so I replaced it with one I did have that I thought would give the same results.  Lisa came to class and added her own little twist to each card and this afternoon she signed up as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator – whoo hoo!  Welcome Lisa to my PAWS team.

Most of the cards I used came from the Shoebox swap that I participated in – some of them I know who designed them and others I don’t.  So if someone knows the original creator I’ll add their name here – just leave me a comment.

RR--Thoughts-&-PrayersThis first card features the Rich Razzleberry In-Color.  The stamp set is Thoughts & Prayers and also Flight of the Butterfly.  The Designer Series Paper is the Cottage Wall Paper.  The original swap from convention used the Old Olive Patterns Designer Series Paper.

The stamp was inked up using the Stampin’ & Write Markers – Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry (yeah for In-Color Markers!) , and Pale Plum.  The Pale Plum card stock was punched with the Eyelet Border Punch.

A little paper clip was tied with a piece of Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Ribbon.

The original card had a smaller “Thinking of You” stamped and punched with the Large Oval punch and then mounted on the Scallop Oval punched piece of Rich Razzleberry.  I used the saying from the Thoughts & Prayers set which was larger – so mine is stamped and punched with the Scallop Oval and then mounted on a Wide Oval punched piece of Rich Razzleberry.  Either one looked great.

The envelope was stamped to match the card.

I don’t know who designed this one – it was from the Shoebox Swap at the Shilo Hotel on Tuesday night before convention.

MM-Baroque-MotifsThe second card features the Melon Mambo In-Color.  The stamp sets I used was Baroque Motifs and Sincere Salutations.

This card was also from the Shoebox Swap and was designed by Janice Felty.  Her original design used the large flower image from the Razzle Dazzle stamp set.  Since I didn’t have that set I replaced it with one that I did have.

The Whisper White layer is punched on one side with the scallop edge punch.  Then we positioned it on the front of the card and punched through the Whisper White and Melon Mambo card stock with the Scallop Oval punch to create a window.

Using a piece of Window Sheet and White StazOn ink the greeting from Sincere Salutations was stamped and then sandwiched between the two pieces of cardstock to make the window.

The Melon Mambo Polka Dot ribbon was tied in a knot and then wrapped around the front of the card and secured on the inside.  The envelope was stamped to match the card.

BB-Great-Friend This third card features Bermuda Bay In-Color.  The stamp set is Great Friend that originally debuted in the Occasions Mini Catalog and is available in the new catalog too.

The card base on this one is Whisper White and then we cut three panels to adhere to the front – Bermuda Bay, Chocolate Chip, and Old Olive.

The butterfly is stamped on a Whisper White circle and mounted on a Chocolate Chip circle.  For my class the circles were cut with the Circle Scissor Plus cutting system.  But the original card used the Big Shot and the Circles #2 Originals Die.  Since I don’t have that die we cut our circles.

Three silver brads were added up in the top right corner.

This card was designed by Michele Schmidt for the Shoebox Swap.  Michele was also one of my roommates at convention.

DD-Asian-ArtistryThis next card features the Dusty Durango In-Color.  The stamp set is a Hostess Level 2 set called Asian Artistry.  This card uses a masking technique to create the circle which was inked using a Brayer and the Dusty Durango ink.

The bird image was then stamped with Black StazOn ink and the right edge of the circle was sponged with Soft Suede ink to create the shadow.

Some highlights were added with the White Gel Pen to the leaves.  We also used an Aquapainter to “paint” the bird – this causes some of the ink to lighten up.

The greeting is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and punched with the Word Window punch and layered on some Basic Black card stock that was punched with the Modern Label punch.

I do not know who designed this card – so if you know please leave me a comment and I’ll add it here.  This was also a card we made at the Shoebox swap on Tuesday night.  I told you I got some great cards that night….

SS-CC-Circle-CircusAnd the last card features the Soft Suede and Crushed Curry In-Colors.  This is the Circle Circus stamp set and I also used Teeny Tiny Wishes in my class.  The Designer Series Paper is from the Razzleberry Lemonade set.

The images were stamped on Very Vanilla card stock and punched out with various circle punches. There is a small Crushed Curry flower that was punched using the Trio Flower punch and has a Clear Rhinestone Brad in the center.

Soft Suede Polka Dot ribbon was wrapped around the Designer Paper before it was adhered to the front of the card.

The greeting was punched with the Modern Label punch.  We stamped a matching envelope.

This card was designed by Elizabeth Martinez and we made this at the STARZ meeting on Wednesday night of Convention.

Thanks to all these ladies for sharing their card designs at convention.

If you live near Woodstock, Georgia I hope you will join me for my next class.  Check my calendar to see what’s coming up.

Happy Stampin’!

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The New Catalog has arrived!

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The 2009-2010 Stampin’ Up! Idea Book & Catalog is now available to order from.  I’ll be updating my blog with new links to the new catalog and Decor Elements next week after the holiday.  But you can find all the new stuff on my Stampin’ Up! website – www.monika.stampinup.com

For the month of July there will be a special item of the week.  So from now until Monday July 6th at 9:50 am (MT) – that’s 12:50 pm (ET) you can order this first special item:

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Scallop Edge punch 

$10.99

I use this punch a lot – if you have been to my classes you will know.  So if you don’t own this one yet it is a great time to get it – normally it is $15.95.

There is also a new starter kit special – a mini kit option for $85 or the regular $199 starter kit – which includes the In-Color ink pads and a pack of card stock for each of the 6 In-Colors.  The new colors are:

Soft Suede

Dusty Durango

Crushed Curry

Melon Mambo

Rich Razzleberry

Bermuda Bay

That’s all for now – I’ll have more information in  my July newsletter and add more here later. 

Talk to you all soon!

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Masculine card

Remember the card from the Stamper’s Club meeting that I posted the other night.  As I was looking at it and thinking about the Late Night Stampers Challenge it got my gears turning that the card we made with the flowers could easily be turned into a masculine card.  So this morning that was what I did.

I used the same basic card design – changed the colors and the stamp set that I used.wanted-card The colors came from the Designer Paper I used which is called Manchester.  It has Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze, Kraft and Very Vanilla.  I used imaged from the Wanted stamp set and various circle punches and the Circle Scissor to cut my larger circles.  I added a variety of brads to the center like I did on the flower card.  One of the Jumbo Silver brads I added a small image stamped on Vanilla card stock.  I also added one of the small star brads.  The greeting is a rub-on from the Chit Chat rub-on collection.  That one set of rub-ons has over 200 different greetings for almost any occasion – I bought one set and have used for several classes and card ideas and still have tons left.  It will go a long way!

Don’t forget this month Stampin’ Up! is having a special on the Designer Paper – buy three packs and get a fourth pack free.  It also includes the 12″ x12″ textured card stock that comes in the color family packs.  And you can mix and match in any combination.  Remember that the In-Colors will be retiring in June and if you have any Designer Paper with an In-Color that you love it will also be retired in June so stock up now before they are gone.

Two other Stampin’ Up! specials include the new Jumble Alphanet set for 20% off.  This stamp set will be available in the new catalog beginning July 1st.  But for this month only you can order it as a sneak peek and get it at 20% off.  And my favorite special is sign up as a Demonstrator for only $75!  I would jump on that in a heart beat if I wasn’t already a demonstrator.  Stampin’ Up! has put together a mini starter kit and it contains more than $75 worth of product (and you can switch out the stamp sets and colors to what you want) PLUS you get all the business supplies from the regular starter kit that’s another $60.  This is really an awesome deal.  You can sign up directly on my website – www.monika.stampinup.net.  I would love to have you as part of my Stampin’ Up! team.  Contact me today with any questions you have.

My next post will be for the BLOG TOUR that will run for two days – May 15th and May 16th.  I have some great projects to share using the Thoughts & Prayers stamp set.  At the end of my Blog Tour post you will get directed to the next stop on the tour.  Just follow the link to each stop and you will travel around the country seeing lots of great ideas.  I hope you will join me.

Have a great Stampin’ Day!

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May Specials

Stampin’ Up! is offering some great specials in May.  You can take advantage of these through online ordering at my website, ordering at a class or just send me an email and I’ll place the order for you.  This will be a great time to join Stampin’ Up! if you have ever thought about it.  Just send me an email or call and I’ll be glad to answer any questions that you have.  You can sign up online through my website and be an active demo the very same day.  I would love to have you join my team – PAWS – which stands for Play Alot With Stamps!

dsp_promoBuy Three, Get One Free

Celebrate National Scrapbookin Month with Stampin’ Up! from May 1-31, buy three packs of Designer Series paper and/or 12″ x 12″ textured card stock, and get one pack free!  Mix and match your papers to meet all your scrapbooking and paper crafting needs.

Jumble Alphabet Sneak Peek

Get a sneak peek into the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog when you purchase the brand-new Jumble Alphabet stamp set at 20% off.  This set of 52 die-cut, double-mounted stamps is perfect for scrapbooking because you’ll never run out of letters!  But don’t wait – this offer is only good through May 31.

Limited-Time Scrapbooking Starter Kit

Start your own business for as little as $75 with the limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit.  The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:

  • Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set
  • Simply Scrappin’ Petal Party
  • Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock (12″ x 12″)
  • Whisper White Craft Stampin’ Pad

In addition, this specially-priced Starter Kit contains all the business supplies found in the regular-priced Starter Kit.

National Scrapbooking Month

May is National Scrapbooking Month.  And Saturday May 2nd is National Scrapbooking Day.  The May WOW Scrapbook Kit is now ready to be ordered.  You can place orders and see all the details for these WOW scrapbook pages by visiting – wowscrapbookkits.wordpress.com.  Here is a sneak peek of this month’s pages:

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Thanks for stopping by today!  I’m spending the weekend with 10 demonstrators from the STARZ group – we will be stamping, sharing ideas and having a wonderful time together.  I’ll have lots of new ideas to share when I return.  Have a fun weekend!monika-signature-2