The Sounding Joy: Sliding Gift Card Holder

My 11 year old daughter came up with the inspiration for this slider card. I'll post a tutorial later this week showing you how I adapted it for my Christmas cards this year. This one conceals a Gift Card. Pull the panel and the front piece slides unveiling the gift card underneath.

Stamps: The Sounding Joy (hurry, this one is in the mini catalogue that expires on January 3rd), Tiny Tags
Ink & Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Seam Binding, Northern Frost Die, Jingle Bell, Scallop Edge Punch, Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder, 3" Circle

Clearance Rack Blitz - Featuring the Decor Accents Date Keeper

I really need to start by acknowledging that it's been a very long time since I last posted. Actually, I've done very little stamping in the past few months. Renovations to my stamping space started in September and we still haven't found time to finish, leaving me no real place to craft. I'm hoping to finish the space after Christmas and get everything back to normal early in the New Year. In the meantime, I've got a table in the corner and I'm sitting on a folding ladder and I've started crafting my Christmas projects. I have enough completed and photographed to post one a day in this countdown to Christmas. For those of you who have stamped with me in My Stampin' Studio, you will be pleased to know that I finally got my ceiling! It's been a long time of looking at wooden beams and duct work, but I now have a lovely white ceiling that I love. I'll post pictures once the flooring goes in.

Today's project is made from items off the Clearance Rack. This is our Countdown to Christmas Calendar this year. Flip the numbers to count down from 100 days, or count the weeks or months.

 

Saint Nick Rubons



Boho Blossoms Punch

 

Decor Accents Date Keeper



An Apple a Day Class

It's back to school time for me this week. I'm getting ready for fall with an apple themed class. We'll make five fun projects that would make a perfect gift set. If you are in the Saskatoon area, I'd love to have you join me.

Date: Thursday, September 8th

Time: 7:00 pm

Place: My Stampin' Studio

email me for more details



Just Add Cake Meets Pennant Parade!

I finally scrapbooked a page! I first fell in love with stamping because of how well I could incorporate it into my passion for scrapbooking. Over the years as I've gotten busier, I must confess I've neglected my first love of scrapbooking - the kind with paper and punches and adhesive. I've done a lot of digital scrapbooking since MDS arrived on the scene, but, although I love it, somehow digital pages don't give me the same satisfaction that real life, touchable pages do. There's nothing like adding another completed layout to the scrapbook album. For me, that hasn't happened in a LONG time! I confess, I needed the help of a sketch to get me going again (and I followed it very closely). I'm a huge fan of sketches to get the Mojo going. This one came from a Becky Fleck sketch from Page Maps (although I don't remember which month I used).

I incorporated the colors in the Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper and used the new Pennant Parade stamp set and Petite Pennants Builder Punch.

Stamps: Pennant Parade, Grunge Rock (sentiment), Date Stamp (from an office supply store)

Paper & Ink: Just Add Cake, Whisper White Textured Cardstock, Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride, Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso

 Accessories: Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Simple Letters Die, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch, Petite Pennants Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Basic Rhinestones, etc!

Thanks for looking!

Amour Anniversary Card

I made this card for my dad to give to my mom for their anniversary last week. I managed to snap a couple of quick pictures before he came to pick it up. Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Artistic Etchings
Cardstock & Ink: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, First Edition Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Mini Library Clips, Red Glitter Paper

Strength & Hope Butterfly Favor Tutorial

I was inspired by a wedding picture I saw online. The bride had used paper cones to create rice throwers for her guests. Wouldn't these be cute sitting in a basket at the door of a wedding? Since I don't see myself planning any weddings in the near future, I think I'll stash candy in mine instead! They are super easy to make.

Start with a 5x5 piece of Designer Series Patterned Paper. Roll into a cone, making sure that one end points up on top (this will be your flap). I secured mine with a line of sticky strip along one side of the paper.

Next, fold your flap over and punch a couple of holes. I also punched a couple of holes in my butterfly piece, added a button and tied everything shut using crochet cotton.

Super easy!

Stamps: Strength and Hope (available until Aug 31 with $2 from every set going to breast cancer research)
Ink & Paper: Newsprint Designer Series Paper, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Neutrals Buttons, Crochet Trim, Tiny Tag Punch, Dazzling Diamonds

Tip: Use the individual words from the Strength and Hope set with a marker and tiny tag punch to change the sentiment. This gives you 13 words to choose from (Yes, you NEED this set!). I also inked the butterfly image with crumb cake and stamped it over my tag to add a bit of texture. Have I mentioned that you NEED this set?

Just Add Cake!

Oh how I'm loving the new Just Add Cake Designer Series Patterned Paper. Here, I've paired it with some of my favourite punches. The owl's party hat was made using the brand new Petite Pennants Builder Punch and matching Pennant Parade Stamp Set

Punches: Owl Builder, Pennant Builder
Paper & Ink: Peach Parfait, Early EspressoJust Add Cake
Stamps: Pennant Parade, Bring on the Cake

 
Stamps: Bring on the Cake, Create a Cupcake
Paper & Ink: Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, Just Add Cake, So Saffron, Peach Parfait
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

MDS Hybrid Anniversary Projects

Yesterday was our 15th anniversary! I spent the day creating these projects for my husband (he contributed the roses). The first thing I noticed in the new catalogue was the gorgeous framed digital project on page 6. When I saw that the template was available for download, it went to the top of my download wish list. Then I noticed that I already had almost all the downloads needed to recreate it myself, so I went ahead and copied it. After all, great ideas are meant to be copied, right? The template would definitely have been quicker, but I had fun playing. I had a different frame picked out, but I couldn't fit the mat and I needed it to accommodate the popped up butterflies and pearls.

Here's what my page looked like before I added the butterflies (Beautiful Wings Embosslit 118138) and  Basic Pearls (119247).

The template can be downloaded here for only $2.50 Canadian and can be customized to suite the colors of your decor.

Vintage Card with Matchbook Holder

I sat down the other day to play with some of my favourite retiring stamps and accessories and this is what I came up with. Tomorrow is my last day of work for this school year and I think I will give this set to a friend at work. The match book holder idea came from Inking Idaho. I had made many match books, including a couple of mini albums, but never thought to use them to hold 3x3 cards. To create the match book, cut a piece of cardstock to 8 1/4 x 3 1/2. Score at 3 1/4, 3 1/2, and 7 1/4. If you are planning to scallop the edge, as I did here, I would suggest cutting the paper at 8 1/2 x 3 1/2. Here's what the cover of the match book looks like:
Retiring Stamps and Accessories (several of which are on sale right now) include:

Stamps: All Holidays, Friends 24/7
Accessories: Birds & Blooms Die (flowers & leaves), Hodgepodge Hardware, Spiral Punch
Paper: Newsprint Designer Series Patterned Paper, Presto Patterns

There's still time to order, but June 30th is the last day. Order online through my store, or call me to place your order.

The Open Sea - Using the Distressing Essentials Kit

I actually made this last month for a colleague's 40th birthday. I finally sat down with my Distressing Essentials Kit and started to play. The Nautical Expedition Paper was sanded with the sanding blocks to create a worn look. Next, I applied the included distress inks to the stamped paper using the included applicator (basically a plain rubber stamp). I masked the boat image and spritzed the piece with water to blend the colours together. The ink spots in this kit is water based and meant to bleed together when spritzed with water, creating the look of old, worn paper. The kit also includes files in a variety of sizes, perfect for sanding those hard to reach corners of the chipboard numbers.

My Digital Sunday - New In Colors!

New In Colors are Coming!



Best of all last year's in-colors are staying for one more year, so beginning July 1st there will be even more colors to play with! The new line is bold and bright and, judging from my weekend shopping trip, very trendy. As I was hanging my new purchases in my closet, I discovered that I have purchased a shirt that contains every one of these five colours this spring (although thankfully not all on the same shirt).Here is a chart to show how these new colors compare to both the current colors available and some of the retired colors (keep in mind that your monitor may show the colors differently than they appear in real life).

 

The first thing I thought of when I saw these new colors was the colours we saw on our recent Caribbean Cruise. I couldn't wait to play with them in My Digital Studio, so I cheated a little! Did you know that you can match any color that you find on the internet or in a photo? I used the "match color" tool in MDS to match each of these colors and create a scrapbook page showcasing my daughter in St. Thomas. To create your own colored cardstock, punch out a square and drag it to cover your page. Insert the photo that you want to select the color from and select your punch. Click on the "match color" tool and select the color in the photo that you want to match. You can even save these new colors into your favorites to use later. Stampin' UP! will release the digital version of the new colors in an update after July first, but in the meantime, check out what I created!

Mojo Monday Sketch Thank-you Card

It's not often that I have a time to play around with sketches and challenges, but I had the week off and took the day to play in my stampin' studio. The best part is that this card qualifies for three challenges in one - Mojo Monday, The Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers, and the Buckles & Buttons Challenge at A Charming Place.

Supplies:
Stamps: Full of Life
Ink & Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage DSP
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Scallop Edge Punch, Vanilla Rosettes, Little Leaves Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Satin Ribbon

Easter Blessings

 Happy Easter! Here are a couple of quick pages I created in MDS. The photos were taken at Memorial Hill close to our cabin. I took them several years ago, but haven't had a chance to do anything with them until now. The second page isn't quite finished - I'll add a layer of journalling later (when I decide what I want to do with the finished page - print in an album, or save it for later).

Pop-up Apple Card

Check out the new additions to the Clearance Rack!

I bought this pop-up ball die on the Clearance Rack months ago and only now took it out of the package after being inspired by a card I saw on Crafting With Class. Good news - the Pop Up Ball Die is still available!!! Items are selling out quickly, but there are some great deals to be found. Check out my online store to see all of them or contact me to place an order. There are also grab bags of discontinued merchandise available throughout April.

I began this card as a simple 6x6 card and added a belly band to keep everything closed. It think that for the first time ever, I might be ahead of the game for teacher year end gifts this year! There is space behind the "chalkboard ledge" to tuck a gift certificate and I will use my white gel pen to write a more personal note on the blackboard inside.

 Here's what it looks like without the belly band





Supplies:

Paper & Ink: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Newsprint DSP, Love Letter DSP

Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Full of Life

Dies & Punches: Pop Up Ball Die, Owl Punch, Window Punch, Texturz Plates #4

Accessories: Linen Thread, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, White Pen





Handmade Little Leaves Embossing Folder

I can't believe it's been so long since I sat down in my crafting room to make something for me - not for clubs or workshops, but just for fun! I started out with a challenge from A Charming Place to make my own embossing folder. It takes a little time, but it's really quite easy.

Begin with a piece of cardboard from a cereal box. Chipboard was a little too thick. Cut images from your Big Shot out of scrap cardboard. I found that the cereal box was perfect for cutting the Little Leaves, but I had to make two layers to make a deep enough impression. If you are using a regular die instead of an embosslit, one cut out of chipboard will be enough. Next, arrange the pieces on your cardboard piece and use Modge Podge to stick everything down. Coat the entire board with a layer of Modge Podge and let dry overnight. You will be left with an embossing plate that can be used over and over again.

Hydrangea Flower Pot Card

The challenge at A Charming Place this week was to make a flower using a technique that we had not yet tried. I've made a lot of flowers, so this challenge had me searching the internet. I settled on one that I had seen, but not yet tried. It's my MIL's birthday today and I needed a card that also had a pocket for her gift - tickets to the local theatre. The flower pot card was the perfect solution. The hydrangea's were inspired by this youtube video by Valita's Fresh Folds.

Stamps: Occasional Quotes (greeting)
Ink & Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso
Accessories: Satin Ribbon, Pearls, Little Leaves Die, Heart Punch, Sponges

Simple Chocolate Towers

Here's what I did with the scrap from the hearts I punched out for yesterday's card. I literally had an itty bitty strip of paper left over from where I punched between the hearts. I save a lot of my scrap, but even this was too small to keep, so I tossed it. Later, while I was assembling these for my Stamp Club ladies, I thought of the itty bitty scrap and realized that there was still enough to punch the tiny hearts from the three heart punch. Recycling can be fun!

I made all of these (plus a few extras) over my lunch break. I am lucky enough to live close to work and so I came home on a day when the kids stayed for lunch and came up with this idea. It all started when I looked at the ginormous bag of chocolates that I bought at Costco and wondered how I was ever going to get through them all. At the one a day that I eat, this could be a lifetime supply. I guess the sentiment fits - so much chocolate, so little time!

Stamps: Eat Chocolate

Ink/Paper: Vanilla, Glitter Paper, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Corner Rounder, Three Heart Punch