Mar 31, 2010 | Big Shot, Decor Elements, Designer Series Paper, Stamper's Club, Wildlife |
I wanted to share with you the gift that I made for all of my Stamper’s Club members. My club started again last month and our next meeting is on Friday this week. Then Saturday I’ll be getting ready for Easter and Sunday I’ll have over 30 people here for our Easter Lunch and Egg Hunt. I am trying to come up with a fun “Egg Hunt” for the teenagers – which is what most of the kids are now. Only my niece and nephew are little and enjoy the actual egg hunt the rest have grown up so much I think I made them hunt eggs last year. Although they do still like the candy. Sorry – I wandered off topic – back to my project……
I decorated a 12×12 Craft Keeper for everyone. Each one is personalized with their name and I’ll use it to put in all of their supplies for our meeting each month. Here is a picture of the one I made for myself.
To create the names I used a sheet of Chocolate Chip Decor Elements – yes you can buy them in sheets in various colors – and cut the letters on my Big Shot Die Cut Machine. I used the Stampin’ Up! Alphabet Simple Letters dies to cut each name and then applied them to the Craft Keeper with the Decor Elements Applicator.
To decorate around the names I used the For All You Do stamp set and White StazOn Ink. For the top I used my Crop-a-Dile to punch holes along the flap and then ran a piece of Bashful Blue Grosgrain ribbon in and out of the holes.
Next I tried my hand at making fabric flowers. I picked up this fabric – 3 different patterns at the fabric store – it had Chocolate Chip as the base so of course I liked it! I used the Big Shot Die Cut machine to cut the fabric – the die that I used is the Scallop Circle #2 die and I used the smaller flower that is on it. For each flower you need 5 scallop circles. I know many people are making lots of flowers and things with fabric and the Big Shot and I’m not exactly sure how everyone else is making their flowers – but since I didn’t have one of the flower dies I used this scallop circle and this is how I made it look like it had flower petals.
The bottom layer is just the scallop circle – that was my base to sew everything else on to. Then I took each scallop circle and folded it in half (wrong sides together) and then folded it in half again so I ended up with a quarter of the scallop circle and 4 layers. Then I sewed the tip so it would stay together and then sewed that to my scallop circle base. I did that 4 times and then sewed a button in the center to cover up all of my sewing in the middle. I didn’t cut the layers apart but I guess you could and it would give a little bit of a different look. If they aren’t cut the folds give the flower some fluff. I did mix up the prints so not all the petals have the same fabric print on them.
To finish off the craft keeper I used glue dots to add a piece of 12×12 Designer Series Paper inside. Then it is always pretty and whatever is inside will be behind the paper. I hope everyone liked these.
Just a quick bird update – still no bluebird eggs but I do see them around the yard and going into the house every day. I did check my House #1 this morning and someone has started a nest in there – I’m not sure who – I did see a Tufted Titmouse go in there a few days ago but it could also be the Chick-a-Dees – they used that house last year.
Have a nice day – we are having some great Spring Weather and it should be really nice here on Sunday – which is good because I use my screened porch and deck for extra tables and chair on Easter.
Mar 24, 2010 | Big Shot, Demonstrator, Designer Series Paper, In Colors, Sale-A-Bration 2010, Thank You Kindly |
I saw this idea on the new Stampin’ Connection site. This wonderful new resource is for Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators – a place where we can share ideas, post questions and discuss things, share videos and more. I think it is a great new addition to everything that Stampin’ Up! offers its demonstrators. I’m looking for new team members to join so ask me if you are interested and I’ll answer your questions – this is a wonderful company to be a part of and I’d love to have you join me!
So on to this cute little project I saw – Butterfly Notes!
We made these in my class last week – aren’t they the cutest – attach them to your purse and you’ll have a little piece of paper ready when ever you need it.
The butterflies are cut using the Big Shot Die Cut Machine and the Stampin’ Up! Beautiful Butterflies die. For each one I cut two pieces of heavy cardboard – I used the pieces that come with the Decor Elements – then I cut 4 pieces of Designer Series Paper – the paper that I used is from the Welcome Neighbor 6×6 pack that you can get for free in the Sale-A-Bration brochure (HURRY it ends March 31st). Then I cut a bunch of printer paper to create the pages in between.
The Designer Paper is attached to the cardboard with the Anywhere Glue Stick. Then I sponged the edges with the same ink that matched my designer paper. I used the Crop-A-Dile to punch the holes and put a book ring through.
I like the monogram idea that I saw on the other samples from the demonstrators on Stampin’ Connection so I did the same thing. This set is the Lovely Letters stamp set. Stamp in Soft Suede – punched with the circle punch and backed with a Soft Suede circle. I added a matching Rhinestone Brad.
I also used the Thank You Kindly Stamp set to get the “a note” from one of those stamps. Last time a little bit of ribbon on the ring. They turned out cute. Hope you like them.
There are several other Big Shot dies that would work to make little notepads – give it a try! This would be cute little thank yous for your child’s teachers.
Mar 23, 2010 | Big Shot, Birthday, Cards, Designer Series Paper |
Lollipop Flowers – that’s what I call them – maybe you call them something else – but to me they look like lollipops – here is a card that Wendy made for her swap at our Starz meeting.
The flower is made from a bunch of circles cut with the Big Shot and the Circles #2 die. Wendy used the Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper for this card. Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence and Old Olive are the colors. The center of the flower is a white jumbo brad.
All the circles are cut and crumpled up to add texture to them – so they aren’t flat. Even the leaf is a circle with a fold to make it look like a leaf.
A quick, cute card – don’t you think?
So I think Spring is really here now – yesterday was cold and rainy but today the sun is out, the sky is blue, the trees are really starting to bloom and the birds are busy. The blue birds have been very busy today at house #2 so I think they are finally building a nest. They started one in house #3 but it seems they have decided to try the other house now. I’ll try to get some pictures today so I can post tomorrow.
I’m also working on projects for the Stampin’ Up! Artisan Award – the big award that demonstrators can win – actually there are 10 winners. We have to create 5 cards, 3 scrapbook pages and 2 3-d items. I’m a bit behind but I do have a few more weeks left to finish and mail my entry. I finished one 3-D, I’m working on the second one and I have 1 card completed. I’m working on the scrapbook pages. My problem is I keep changing my mind or thinking of something else I should do instead. I have too many thoughts rolling around in my head I can’t get them out so I’m not getting it done as quickly as I had hoped. And I can’t show any of the projects – that’s hard for me too – I want to show you the things I’m excited about. But you will have to wait – sorry.
Have a good day – thanks for stopping by.
Mar 19, 2010 | Designer Series Paper, Eastern Blooms, Stamper's Club |
Have you noticed the Thoroughly Modern File Folders in the Stampin’ Up! Catalog? They coordinate with the Thoroughly Modern Designer Series paper. There are 12 folders in the package. But you can use them for more than just file folders. Here is a great project that was shown in the Stampin’ Success magazine (our Demonstrator magazine). I saw a variation of this project at convention and then at our last STARZ meeting Wendy shared this project with her group. I was thrilled because I already had it planned for my Stamper’s Club meeting.
For this project the file folder was scored, cut and folded to create a notepad holder with a pocket, a pen holder and a velcro closure. I thought it would be great for shopping – write you list on the pad stick your coupons in the pocket and head to the grocery store.
For this one the stamp set is Eastern Blooms. The center of the large flower is colored with the Soft Suede marker and then the Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint was added to the center.
The folders come in Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Rose Red, and Sahara Sand. There are 3 each of 4 different designs.
Here is another one – 
for this one I used the For All You Do stamp set. The flowers are cut and layered and then I added a vintage brad to the center.
I added a pile of the medium flowers in the inside corner. The pens are the kind with the barrel that you can open and then insert a piece of the matching designer series paper.
It was a fun project and I think everyone at the Stamper’s Club meeting liked it. It is great when its something fun and something useful.
Have a great weekend – I’m glad you stopped by.
Mar 16, 2010 | Big Shot, Chipboard, Demonstrator, Designer Series Paper |
Stampin’ Up! has a new training program that they have offered to some of the demonstrators. I was eligible so I have decided to participate. It is a 16 week training program and includes training modules and challenges. During that time I might be posting information to my blog, my website, sending out emails or making calls to complete the challenges. We are in Module 1 and one of the challenges was to write a “My Why” statement – in others why did I want to be a part of this training. And in addition to making the statement they suggested we create a stamping project where we can display it and see it every day to keep the motivation. I thought the project turned out cute and could be used for other things – even to just display a photo so I wanted to share the project with you.
I used a piece of the On Board Small Book Basics chipboard – these are 5″ x7″. I covered the chipboard with a piece of Designers Series Paper from the Write Stuff Specialty paper pack – it is the Soft Suede dots. I sanded all the edges with my sanding block.
The “WHY” is cut from the Big Shot and the SU Alphabet Simple Letters dies – I cut Old Olive card stock and a piece of cardboard – it was actually the thick card board that comes in the Decor Elements. I took the Old Olive letters and ran them back through the Big Shot in the Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder then sponged them with Old Olive ink. These were glued to the cardboard letters and attached with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I added a little bit of Linen Thread – I love Linen thread.
The flower is the Floral Fusion Sizzlit die cut out of Bashful Blue card stock. Then I used the faux suede technique – this is where you pull the card stock across the bone folder in all directions and on both sides until the layers of the card stock come apart – then I peeled each flower into two layers revealing the soft inside that looks like suede. I stacked all the layers on top of each other to create the flower – a Vintage brad is in the center.
I used very Vanilla card stock to print my “My Why” statement, matted it on Old Olive – added a strip of Soft Suede at the bottom with the scallops and a strip of the Bashful Blue. I used the Crop-a-Dile to punch to holes in the top corners and added ribbon for a hanger.
You could create a My Day board and put a little notepad there and then write down the items you need to complete that day and mark them off as you go. Or a To Do board or whatever you might need.
Now on to the next challenge – to write my Stampin’ Up! Story……
Mar 14, 2010 | Birthday, Cards, Designer Series Paper, Occasion Mini 2010, Sale-A-Bration 2010 |
I almost forgot to tell you who won the last Create with Connie & Julie Challenge – 1st place was Lori, 2nd place was Becky and honorable mention went to Lisa – thanks to everyone that played along. I hope you enjoyed all the projects and tutorials – I know I did.
I had a great Stamper’s Club meeting Friday night. It was so much fun with several new members joining us. Everyone made three projects – 1 3d and 2 cards. One card was what I considered the quick and easy card. It was with the Stampin’ Up! Sale-a-Bration stamp set called Vintage Labels. I designed the card so that everyone could use the frame that they wanted along with the words that they wanted – I didn’t see what everyone picked but I know they all turned out great. This would make a great masculine card (even with the pink in the striped paper).
I used one of the beautiful striped patterns in the Sweet Pea Designer Series paper stack. The paper has Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip in the pattern so I used those colors on the card.
On the base I originally had it plain but then decided to dress it up just a bit – I wheeled across it with the Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel to add a faint background. And then I went back and added paper piercing on the corners. It really made the card pop when I did that.
I hope you like it. Hopefully you remembered to change your clocks for Daylight Savings time – spring FORWARD – we knew about it but none of us actually changed the clocks – oops.
Tomorrow I’ll share some bird pictures again – I’m still waiting on them to work more on the nest building – I think with all the rain and then it is kind of cold again maybe they are holding off on actually building – I’ll check again tomorrow to see if they made any progress on the nest – they didn’t do anything for the 2 days that it rained.
See ya!
To create the names I used a sheet of Chocolate Chip Decor Elements – yes you can buy them in sheets in various colors – and cut the letters on my Big Shot Die Cut Machine. I used the Stampin’ Up! Alphabet Simple Letters dies to cut each name and then applied them to the Craft Keeper with the Decor Elements Applicator.
Next I tried my hand at making fabric flowers. I picked up this fabric – 3 different patterns at the fabric store – it had Chocolate Chip as the base so of course I liked it! I used the Big Shot Die Cut machine to cut the fabric – the die that I used is the Scallop Circle #2 die and I used the smaller flower that is on it. For each flower you need 5 scallop circles. I know many people are making lots of flowers and things with fabric and the Big Shot and I’m not exactly sure how everyone else is making their flowers – but since I didn’t have one of the flower dies I used this scallop circle and this is how I made it look like it had flower petals.
