Bella Rose Altered Bulletin Board & Ribbon Holder

This Summer I decided to tackle the mess that is my scrap space. Over the years as a demonstrator, my stuff has spilled out of the office and now takes up more than half the basement. I finally decided that having rolls and rolls of ribbon scattered in every corner of my space was no longer working for me and I set about creating one space dedicated to ribbon. Did I mention that I have a weakness for ribbon? My system isn't complete yet. I need to clean out the drawer unit that my altered ribbon holder rests on, but when I am done, it will contain spools of less frequently used ribbon (which are now stacked in the dvd cases and arranged in the two black boxes you see on the stand. My current Stampin' UP ribbon will remain in the IKEA baskets under my punches, since I use them most often. My other favorites (at least the ones that will fit) will go on the altered Paper Towel Holder I found on sale at Michaels last year. This system will need changing again soon, since I know of at least two new punches that will be coming out in the new Fall Idea Book & Catalogue, and I need to squeeze in another IKEA rail to hold them!

Now on to the fun part! My brand new catalogue preorder items arrived a week ago and I was so busy cleaning, I had no time to play until now. For these projects, I used the brand new Bella Rose Designer Series Paper, two of the new in-colors, and a couple of the new stamps. I altered a paper towel holder that I found in a 90% off bin at Michaels last year. I think I paid about $3 for it. I laughed when I put it in the cart, knowing that I am probably the least likely person I know to have a "farm fresh eggs" sign with a hen on it in my house. I laughed again when I looked at it yesterday and started thinking that there will probably be people out there who will think it looked better before I altered it! Anyway, at least I'm much happier with it now. Here's the before & after:

The next thing I altered was a Bulletin Board I also found in a sale bin about a year ago. It wasn't ugly before I altered it, but it still wasn't me. I don't remember how much this one was, but I'm sure it wasn't more than the Paper Towel Holder. The top holds a 6x6 scrapbook page, which I attached with only a little adhesive so that I can pull it out and change it later if I want. This will hold sketches, photos, and other inspiration. I can see it from my computer desk when I work and it makes me smile.

Stamps: Dreams Du Jour, Heard from the Heart
Patterned Paper: Bella Rose Designer Series Paper
Cardstock & Ink: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip
Other: Pretties Kit, Scallop Border Punch

Mint Patty Purse Tutorial

Here is another project from last night's Retirement Party. I created these purses to hold mint patties, but they could also hold other individually wrapped chocolates or candies. They're quick and easy!

Supplies:
1 - 5.5"x2.25" piece of cardstock scored along the short side at 2", 2 3/8", 4 3/8", and 4.75"
1 - 6" length of ribbon for the handle
1 - 2.25"x0.75" piece of Designer Series Patterned Paper
1 - embellished scallop. I used Polka Dots & Paisley and Big Pieces and the 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" circle punches for mine.
1 - brad

Attach the patterned paper to the smallest section and round the two corners.
Mark the centre of the opposite flap and pierce through both the scallop and the centre of the flap. Do not pierce through the flap or glue your scallop to your purse.
Attach a mint patty to the inside middle section of your purse and glue dow the two ends of ribbon to create a handle.
Close your purse, tucking the flap inside the scallop to hold it shut. I'd love to see your creations. Leave a comment with a link or email me with a picture!

Punch Box Tin Promotion

Stampin' UP! has announced several exciting promotions recently. For the first time, select retiring accessories are being offered at a 25% discount while supplies last! The list of retired accessories included in this promotion can be found here. The list of all retiring accessories include the following. Items highlighted in red have sold out and are no longer available:

109200 Accents & Elements Build A Flower
110718 Accents & Elements Lucky Star
110719 Accents & Elements Messenger
103158 Acrylic Graph & Grid
108638 Card Stock 12 X 12 In Color
108642 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Blue Bayou
108643 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Groovy Guava
108637 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 In Color
108640 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 River Rock
108639 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Soft Sky
108641 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Wild Wasabi
108644 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Purely Pomegranate
103975 Card Stock Brushed Copper - Not Available
108694 Card Stock Textured 12 X 12 In Color
107312 Cards & Envelopes Gift Whisper White
107292 Cards & Envelopes Greeting Whisper White
109116 Notes & Envelopes Long Notes
109118 Notes & Envelopes Love Notes
109117 Notes & Envelopes Pocket Notes*
110729 Notes & Envelopes Scallop Notes
109119 Notes & Envelopes Gift Notes
109018 Classic Stampin' Ink Blue Bayou - Not Available
109019 Classic Stampin' Ink Groovy Guava
109017 Classic Stampin' Ink Purely Pomegranate
109016 Classic Stampin' Ink River Rock - Not Available
109015 Classic Stampin' Ink Soft Sky
109020 Classic Stampin' Ink Wild Wasabi - Not Available
109013 Classic Stampin' Pad Blue Bayou
109012 Classic Stampin' Pad Groovy Guava
109011 Classic Stampin' Pad Purely Pomegranate
109010 Classic Stampin' Pad River Rock
109009 Classic Stampin' Pad Soft Sky
109014 Classic Stampin' Pad Wild Wasabi
110751 Designer Series Paper Azure*
110696 Designer Series Paper Bali Breeze
110749 Designer Series Paper Berry Bliss
109154 Designer Series Paper Cutie Pie
110699 Designer Series Paper East Coast Prep*
109160 Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers
109159 Designer Series Paper Flowers For You*
110697 Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom
110479 Designer Series Paper Jersey Shore*
109151 Designer Series Paper Le Jardin
110748 Designer Series Paper Notebook*
110750 Designer Series Paper Olive Press
109153 Designer Series Paper Porcelain Prints*
109175 Designer Series Paper Prints Almost Amethyst*
109177 Designer Series Paper Prints Always Artichoke
109173 Designer Series Paper Prints Blue Bayou
109174 Designer Series Paper Prints Brilliant Blue
109178 Designer Series Paper Prints Certainly Celery
109169 Designer Series Paper Prints Close to Cocoa* - Not Available
109168 Designer Series Paper Prints Groovy Guava*
109171 Designer Series Paper Prints Lovely Lilac
109172 Designer Series Paper Prints More Mustard
109176 Designer Series Paper Prints Old Olive
109170 Designer Series Paper Prints Pumpkin Pie
109164 Designer Series Paper Prints River Rock*
109167 Designer Series Paper Prints Rose Red
109166 Designer Series Paper Prints So Saffron
109165 Designer Series Paper Prints Soft Sky
109163 Designer Series Paper Prints Tempting Turquoise
110698 Designer Series Paper Spring Break
110273 Designer Series Paper Spring Fling*
10271 Designer Series Paper Spring Silhouettes
110272 Designer Series Paper Western Sky
107299 Envelope Confetti Cream Medium
105320 Eyelets Basic
100375 Eyelets Bold Brights
100381 Eyelets Earth Elements
107233 Eyelets Fresh Favorites I
107234 Eyelets Fresh Favorites II
105316 Eyelets Rich Regals
100378 Eyelets Soft Subtles - Not Available
105515 Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter - Not Available
15531 Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass - Not Available
105532 Hodgepodge Hardware Aged Copper - Not Available
101120 Metallic Art Pencils
107307 On Board Accents
109181 On Board Blossoms & Basic
109179 On Board Ginormous Pieces
107306 On Board Simon Lower
102678 Mulberry Paper White - Not Available
19227 Punch Box Three For You
102686 Punch Handheld Rectangle
100271 Pure Color Pencils
109060 Ribbon Double-Stitched Blue Bayou - Not Available
19063 Ribbon Double-Stitched Groovy Guava - Not Available
109061 Ribbon Double-Stitched Purely Pomegranate - Not Available
109062 Ribbon Double-Stitched River Rock*
109059 Ribbon Double-Stitched Soft Sky
109058 Ribbon Double-Stitched Wild Wasabi - Not Available
109189 Ribbon Originals Beachfront*
109187 Ribbon Originals District*
109188 Ribbon Originals Fairy Tale
109185 Ribbon Originals Jersey*
109184 Ribbon Originals Sherbert
109186 Ribbon Originals Theater
110716 Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Wild Wasabi*
110281 Rub-Ons Cherished Memories*
110284 Rub-Ons Eastern Elegance*
110285 Rub-Ons Urban West*
110557 Simply Scrappin' Boho Blend
109610 Simply Scrappin' Confetti
110572 Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy
110567 Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Girl
109597 Simply Scrappin' Home Again
110562 Simply Scrappin' Rose Cottage
109648 Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Boy
109627 Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Girl - Not Available
10587 Simply Scrappin' Summer Days
110577 Simply Scrappin' Tie The Knot
111184 Simply Sent Friendly Notes
109228 Simply Sent Simple Delights - Not Available
19229 Simply Sent Three Thoughts - Not Available
106662 Stampin'Around Wheel Daisy Field
107561 Stampin'Around Wheel Garden Annuals
109681 Stampin'Around Wheel Good Dog
109678 Stampin'Around Wheel Kisses
107482 Stampin'Around Wheel Lily Pad
109680 Stampin'Around Wheel Meow
109677 Stampin'Around Wheel Mistletoe
106610 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Basics Outline
107467 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Birthday
109571 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Baby
109570 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Friends
109569 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Party
108423 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Leaves A La Carte - Not Available
107468 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Nature Hike
108980 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Petals
107464 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Rough Texture
111261 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Spunky Spots
109554 Stampin' Color Index Labels
109553 Stampin' Color Index Labels (French)
106694 Stampin' Kids Markers
101399 Stipple Brushes - Not Available
12673 Zig Painty

You will notice that some of these are already no longer available, so now is the time to stock up on what is left.

The second promotion is an offer to purchase the empty Punch Box Tin. This tin is the perfect size for storing your cards. I have a couple of boxes from previous Punch Box kits and mine are filled with cards. They fit two stacks of cards or a stack of cards and a stack of envelopes perfectly. Of course, there are many other uses for them. I'm thinking that they would be perfect for organizing all my kids' art supplies - one for markers, one for stamps, one for pencil crayons, and so on. The clear tops make it easy to see the contents (and it's oh so fun to add rub-ons to them!). Here are the details of what I did to mine to quickly dress it up:

Touch of Nature Card

Here's a quick sneek peek at one of the three quick and easy projects I have planned for Tuesday's Retirement Party. If you live in the area and would still like to register, you still have time! Email me by Sunday, July 20th to reserve your spot. There is no cost for this event.

Chocolate, Anyone?

I found these boxes of chocolates on sale the other day. My first thought was, "what can I create with these", followed quickly by, "Mmmmm, chocolate!". I had to cover them quickly before they disappeared. Again, I embossed the chipboard after covering it with craft ink.

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Berry Bliss

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink (craft); Versamark

Stamps: Fresh Cuts, Priceless

Embossed Chipboard Frames

Six months after the fact, I finally started scrapbooking our Disney Cruise! I was playing with some squares of Bali Breeze Paper and felt inspired to add some pictures from our stop at the Butterfly Farm on Grand Cayman Island. The title was created by printing my text in Microsoft word and using a Hobby Blade to cut it out. I also embossed a chipboard frame and added rubons to buttons.

Papers: Bali Breeze Patterned Paper, Whisper White Textured Cardstock, Taken with Teal

Inks: Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, & Whisper White Craft Pads and Versamark

Stamps: Priceless

I love using chipboard. My favorite technique is to ink it with craft ink. Classic ink can work in a pinch, but it tends to soak into the chipboard, requiring more ink and leaving the color less vibrant. For an extra special touch, try embossing your colored chipboard with white ink. Here's how:

Cover your entire piece of chipboard with craft ink. I like to use ink spots for this. When using craft ink, make sure to heat set the color before going on to the next step.

Stamp over your colored chipboard with a stamp inked with versamark. Sprinkle embossing powder over top and set with your heat tool. You can also stamp in another color of craft ink and emboss with clear embossing powder.

Also try making your own embellishments by stampin with craft ink and then embossing your image with clear embossing powder before you cut it out. You can also emboss buttons or use rubons on them, as I did here, to create your own unique embellishments.

Box in a Bag: Is it a Box or is it a Bag?

Ahh, Summer Holidays. While most people stop updating their blogs over Summer, I hope to finally catch up on some stamping and posting now that my pile of marking isn't nagging at my conscience! I discovered the pattern for this fabulous little box in a bag on Paula Goff's blog, Inking Addict and I had to make one myself. I used Ginger Blossom Designer Series Paper, Blue Bayou Cardstock and ribbon, Soft Sky Paper and Ink, and elements from the Pretties Kit, as well as some hodgpodge hardware and jumbo brads. The stamp is from the "A Beautiful Thing" set.