Paper Conversation

Language of Friendship -- Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop

Hello there!

Welcome to the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop.  This weekend I'm joining a very talented group of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators to showcase the items that you can receive for FREE when you place a qualifying order of Stampin' Up! merchandise.  If you began the hop from the beginning, you're arriving from Krystal's blog, you've seen some wonderful projects using the Stripes Textured Impressions embossing folder for the Big Shot.  If you're traveling backwards through the hop, then you've arrived from Carmen's blog where she featured some awesome digital projects using the beautiful images found in the One Big Sale-A-Bration CD.

My projects feature the Language of Friendship stamp set.  You can find this stamp set in the Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog, but during Sale-A-Bration, you can choose this stamp set for FREE when you spend $50 in Stampin' Up! merchandise.  It's a heck of a deal!  I love this stamp set and have already featured projects made with this stamp set on my blog.  In fact, my first project is a remake of a greeting card that I've already shared.

(click on card to see larger image)

I began with a piece of Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper to choose the colors for this card:  Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, and Soft Suede.  The bird body and bird wing also use the Designer Series Paper and were punched out using the Bird Builder punch.  The flower image was stamped three times using Pool Party, Island Indigo, and Calypso Coral.  These flowers were punched with the Boho Blossoms punch.  You'll notice there's a brad from the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack at the center of one of the flowers.  The bird and flowers sit on an embossed oval frame from the Designer Frames Textured Impressions embossing folders.

My second project is a set of 6" x 6" scrapbook pages.

(click on scrapbook pages to see larger image)

Here you see the bird near the top right corner of the right page resting on a "nest" of 1/8" Lucky Limeade Organdy ribbon from the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack.  The bird image was stamped on another piece of Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, punched out with the Bird Builder punch and adhered to the border strip with Stampin' Dimensionals.  The border strips and the letters die cute for the "r-i-e-n-d-s" in "Friends" are still more pieces of the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  Can you tell that I just LOVE this paper???!!!???  The "F" for "Friends" comes from the Vintage Vogue stamp set and was stamped on a piece of Pool Party cardstock, cut out, and adhered to the border strip with Stampin' Dimensionals.  You'll note that more of the Lucky Limeade 1/8" Organdy ribbon was tied around the "F".  The brads used to anchor the Calypso Coral 3/8" Ruffled ribbon and the brad used to dot the "i" in "Friends" come from the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack.

My final project is a card with some fancy folds.

(click on card to see larger image)

The card base is Calypso Coral.  Strips of Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper were matted with Pool Party cardstock and placed on the card front among the cuts and folds.  A piece of Pool Party cardstock was punched with the Lace Ribbon punch, run through the Paper Crimper to soften up the fibers in the cardstock, and then pleat folded along the bottom border of the card front.  A sponge with Soft Suede ink was rubbed across the front and back of a piece of Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled ribbon before the ribbon was wrapped around the bottom of the card front and knotted.  A piece of Very Vanilla cardstock was placed inside the Pool Party rectangular frame for the sentiment.  This embossed frame also comes from the Designer Frames Textured Impressions embossing folders.  The flower image was stamped three times using Pool Party, Island Indigo, and Calypso Coral ink then punched out with the Boho Blossoms punch.  The largest and smallest flowers were attached together with Gold Brads and the medium sized flower has a Gold Brad at the center, too.  The flowers were adhered to the embossed frame with Mini Glue Dots.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!  I hope you've found some inspiration for using the Language of Friendship stamp set.  Be sure to stop by next week for more details about how these projects were made; including a look at the insides of the cards, the envelopes and a card made using the scrapbook page design.

Be sure to take the time to see all the great projects featured in the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop.  If you're continuing to the next stop on the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop to visit with Carmen, click here.  If you're traveling in the opposite direction and are ready to visit with Krystal, click here.

Have a great weekend!

 

Fresh Vintage for the Scrapbook

Hello!

Here's a set of 6" x 6" scrapbook pages made using a couple of the great products you can earn for FREE during Sale-A-Bration combined with two of the awesome new tools for the Big Shot that you can find in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  This project was designed for the January meeting of the SASS Stamp Club just over a week ago.

(click on each page to see larger images)

These pages begin with a base of Very Vanilla Textured cardstock.  The medallion image from the Fresh Vintage stamp set was randomly stamped around the outside edges of both pages using Peach Parfait ink; then the edges of the pages were sponged with Peach Parfait ink.  The top edge of the pieces of Peach Parfait cardstock at the center of each page were die cut with the wide wavy edge from the Adorning Accents Edgelits dies for the Big Shot.  Each of the die cut edges were embossed using the wide wavy edge embossing folder from the Adorning Accents Textured Impressions embossing folder.  The small five-petal flower from the Fresh Vintage stamp set was randomly stamped below the die cut/embossed edges of the Peach Parfait cardstock pieces using Peach Parfait ink.

A piece of Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper was adhered along the bottom edge of each piece of Peach Parfait cardstock.  A piece of Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon was adhered along the top edge of the Designer Series Paper and two gold brads were inserted at the outside edge of each page.  Finally, the edges of each piece of Peach Parfait cardstock were sponged with Peach Parfait ink.  The Peach Parfait cardstock pieces were adhered to each page with the bottom, left, and right edges of of the Peach Parfait cardstock approximately 1/4" away from the bottom, left, and right edges of the Very Vanilla Textured cardstock.

Page embellishments were created for each page by choosing colors from the strip of Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper adhered to the bottom edge of the Peach Parfait cardstock pieces.  The medallion image was stamped twice on scraps of Very Vanilla cardstock:  the first time using Pool Party ink, and the second time using Poppy Parade ink.  This process was repeated for the five-petal flower image.  All of the stamped images were cut out using Paper Snips.  The Poppy Parade medallion was combined with the Pool Party five-petal flower and the Pool Party medallion was combined with the Poppy Parade five-petal flower.  A hole was pierced through the center of each combined page embellishment, a gold brad inserted at the center, and the edges of each five-petal flower pulled up with the fingertips.  The completed page embellishments were adhered to the scrapbook pages using Stampin' Dimensionals.

For the ladies in the SASS Stamp Club who don't scrapbook, here's the scrapbook page design translated into a greeting card.

(click on each photo to see larger images)

Be sure to stop by at the end of the week for the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop.  I'll be joining a talented group of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators featuring ideas for using the great products you can earn for FREE during Sale-A-Bration.

I look forward to seeing you then!

Stamps:  Fresh Vintage; Inks:  Peach Parfait, Pool Party, Poppy Parade; Cardstock:  Peach Parfait, Very Vanilla, Very Vanilla Textured; Designer Series Paper:  Everyday Enchantment; Embellishments:  Gold Brads, Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon; Adhesives:  SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals; Tools:  Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, Bone Folder, Sponge, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Big Shot w/Standard Cutting Plates, Multi-Purpose Platform, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions embossing folders, Adorning Accents Edgelits dies; Other:  Page Protectors, Small Open-End Envelope

Woohoo! It's Sale-A-Bration Time!!

 

Hi there!

Today is the first day of Sale-A-Bration, Stampin' Up! best promotion of the year!  From today through March 31st, for every $50 you spend in merchandise, you'll be able to choose one item for FREE from the Sale-A-Bration brochure.  This includes specially designed stamp sets, digital designs, Designer Series Paper, and embellishments created just for this promotion.  In addition, there are items selected from the Idea Book & Catalog you can select.  If you haven't received the brochure in the mail from me, I'd be happy to send you one, OR you can click here to see the brochure on my Stampin' Up! website.  To contact me, just click on the "EMail Mickey" button at the top of the right sidebar of this blog page.

Sale-A-Bration is a GREAT time to be a Hostess.  In addition to the FREE items you and your guests can choose for every $50 in merchandise that they order, Hostesses receive extra benefits when the total workshop sales achieve specific milestones.  This is in ADDITION to the great Hostess benefits already offered by Stampin' Up!  For example, if your total workshop order reaches $400 in merchandise, you'll receive $65 in Hostess Dollars to spend, you can purchase one item from the current catalogs for 1/2 price, you'll receive a specially designed Sale-A-Bration shopping tote, AND the Sale-A-Bration product bundle which includes:  the Fresh Vintage stamp set, the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, and the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack. 

If you've every considered becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, NOW is the time to join!  Joining the Stampin' Up! team during Sale-A-Bration has some awesome benefits!  The first is that you can purchase the Starter Kit for only $125 (a $50 savings!).  The second is that you'll select either a package of Designer Series Paper OR a Digital Download for FREE every month through December 2012.  Stampin' Up! has some awesome benefits in place for every new demonstrator.  These include:  30% off your first order placed as a demonstrator within the first 45 days of joining (minimum order $150 AND you'll be able to select Sale-A-Bration items, too!); participation in the Stampin' Start program which awards FREE stamp sets for achieving specific sales milestones in your first six months as a demonstrator; and access to all the wonderful tools and training available to demonstrators on the Demonstrator website and at Stampin' Connection. 

I look forward to hearing from you during Sale-A-Bration.  It would be my honor to assist you; whether it's to place an order, Host a workshop, or help you become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  As always, if you have any questions, please be sure to contact me for assistance.

 

A Beautifully Wrapped Gift

Hello!

Hope you're finding that your world is starting to settle a bit after the busy Holiday season.  Things in my neck of the woods are starting to slow up a bit and I'm glad for the respite.  I've been trying to clean things up and put things away--get myself somewhat organized again.  The lovely weather here in East Central Florida has been calling my name with temperatures in the 70s during the day and gently breezes.  We've had a couple of chilly days here and there, but that just helps us to keep the dust from building up on our coats where they hang in the closet.

The great new items in the Occasions Mini Catalog have been calling my name pretty loudly, too.  I'm really having fun with the new toys for the Big Shot, some truly luscious paper, and reacquainting myself with some colors I haven't used in a while.  Today's post addresses the decorated box that I featured during the Stampin' Addicts Occasions Mini Catalog Blog Hop a couple of weeks ago.  The Kraft Gift Box (introduced with the Holiday Mini Catalog and still available in the Occasions Mini Catalog) is a great size for packaging those small, but important, gifts that need a bit more presentation than just your usual wrapping paper and ribbon. 

(click on box to see larger image)

The box was assembled and all the edges sponged with Soft Suede ink.  The edges of Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper, Pool Party cardstock, and Poppy Parade cardstock were also sponged with Soft Suede ink before they were adhered together and adhered to the top, sides and interior of the box top. 

(click on box to see larger image)

The interior of the box was lined with Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper; it's actually the reverse side of the paper used for the outside panels of the box.  One piece of paper was cut to fit the inside bottom of the box.  A second piece of paper was cut to fit around three of the inside panels of the box with approximately 1/2" extra length at each end to help to anchor the paper as it is adhered to the inside of the box.  To do this, place the paper inside the box and smooth it to fit the three sides using the bone folder to gently create the creases at each corner.  Remove the paper from the box and apply adhesive to the back of the paper and reinsert the paper into the box and press it in place with your fingertips.  A third piece of paper is cut to the size of one interior panel and is inserted to cover the final inside panel.  A piece of Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled ribbon was adhered along the top edge of the paper lining the inside of the box to add a finishing touch to the interior. 

(click on focal point to see larger image)

The medium sized label from the Apothecary Art stamp set was stamped on a piece of Whisper White cardstock using Jet Black Staz-On ink.  The image was colored with the Blender Pen and the following ink colors:  Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, and Daffodil Delight.  The image was cut out with Paper Snips and matted with a piece of Poppy Parade cardstock die cut with the 3 5/16" x 2 13/16" (measured at the cutting line) Labels Collection Framelits die.  The edges of the cardstock were sponged with Soft Suede ink before adhering the stamped image.  The focal point was adhered to the center of the box top with Stampin' Dimensionals.  A banner across the focal point was created with two pieces of Whisper White cardstock.  The first piece was stamped with the "Happiest Birthday" image using Poppy Parade ink and the edges sponged with Soft Suede ink.  The second piece was cut in half and "fish tails" cut at one end of each of the two pieces.  These pieces were also sponged with Soft Suede ink.  The ends of the banner were adhered at the center of the stamped image with the "fish tails" extending beyond the edges of the stamped image.  Then the sentiment was adhered directly over the center of the stamped image and "fish tails" using Stampin' Dimensionals.

When I finished decorating the box I realized that I needed to make a gift to put in it.  I came up with these cute tags featuring the same stamp image used for the box top focal point.

(click on tags to see larger image)

I made four tags for the box, two of each color shown in the photo above.  Instead of placing a banner across the center of the stamped image, I wrapped a piece of Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled ribbon around each focal point and knotted the ribbon at the center.  You can see that for the Pool Party tags, the focal point image is matted with Poppy Parade cardstock; while the focal point image for the Poppy Parade tags are matted with Pool Party cardstock.  The edges of all of the Pool Party and Poppy Parade cardstocks were sponged with Soft Suede ink.

Each tag is comprised of two pieces of cardstock cut with the 4" x 3 3/8" Labels Collection Framelits die.  The focal point piece was adhered to the top piece with Stampin' Dimensionals.  The second piece was scored at 15/16" from the point along the 4" width OR line up the small bump after the point in the center along the score line of the Simply Scored Scoring Tool (as shown in the photo below).  Place a piece of Sticky Strip in the area between the score line and the point and press the two pieces of cardstock together, aligning the edges.

(click on cardstock to see larger image -- a pencil line
was added for better visibility of the score line)

A 1/8" hole was punched near the upper left corner of each tag using the Crop-A-Dile.  A piece of Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta ribbon was threaded through the punched hole and tied off.

I liked the way this box turned out so much that I decided to use it for one of the projects for the ladies of the SASS Stamp Club this past weekend.  They were all pretty tickled with the way their boxes turned out.

I'll be back soon with another of the projects from this weekend's event.

Stamps:  Apothecary Art; Inks:  Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, Jet Black Staz-On; Cardstock:  Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Whisper White; Designer Series Paper:  Attic Boutique; Embellishments:  Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta ribbon, Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled ribbon; Tools:  Paper Cutter, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Bone Folder, Paper Snips, Sponge, Blender Pen, Crop-A-Dile, Big Shot w/Standard Cutting Plates, Multi-Purpose Platform, Labels Collection Framelits dies; Other:  Kraft Gift Box

Twitterpated Scrapbook Pages

Hi there!  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!

I have found that when I make 6" x 6" scrapbook pages, I need to restrain myself from overdoing things in the page embellishment department to keep from overwhelming the page with fluff and taking away from the story I want to tell with the photos.  So I look for special kinds of paper and embellishments that will provide just the right frame for the photos and will entice the page viewer to want to find out more about the people and events I am documenting.

That said, you can imagine my apprehension when trying to create scrapbook pages with the journaling block/text label from the Apothecary Art stamp set and the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper.  Oh. My. Gosh.  Here's what I finished with.

(click on scrapbook pages to see larger image)

I began with a cardstock base of Riding Hood Red Textured Cardstock.  The border strips at the outside edge of each page are comprised of a piece of Pear Pizzazz cardstock with one edge die cut with the Adorning Accents Edgelits die for the Big Shot.  That border die cut is just so pretty.  Next I added a strip of striped Twitterpated Designer Series Paper and placed a piece of Riding Hood Red 3/8" Pleated Satin ribbon over the seam between the cardstock and the Designer Series Paper.  [Note:  to get the ribbon to lie flat as it was adhered to the back of the cardstock, I carefully snipped the pleat stitching for the last pleat at each end.]  Each border was placed along the outside edge of each page leaving approximately 1/16" of Riding Hood Red Textured cardstock visible next to the outside edge of the border.

(click on photo to see larger image)

The journaling block image from the Apothecary Art stamp set was stamped twice on Whisper White cardstock using Basic Gray ink.  The first time the entire image was stamped.  The second time only the outside edge and floral spray were inked (omitting the journaling lines). 

(click on stamped images to see larger image)

The stamped images were colored with a Blender Pen and the following inks:  Baja Breeze for the outline edges, Pear Pizzazz for the leaves, and Riding Hood Red for the flowers.  The beautiful sentiment from the Butterfly Prints stamp set was inked with Basic Gray and Riding Hood Red ink and stamped at the center of the unlined image with the floral spray at the top of the stamped image.  Each of the images was cut out with Paper Snips, matted on a piece of Pear Pizzazz cardstock die cut with the Labels Collection Framelits (2 5/8" x 2 1/8" at the cutting line), and adhered to the base pages with Stampin' Dimensionals.

At the center of the two page spread is a doily cut from a Baja Breeze patterned piece of Twitterpated Designer Series Paper.  The Paper Doily Large Sizzlits die makes it debut in the Occasions Mini Catalog along with all the other great new products for the Big Shot; like the Framelits, Edgelits, and embossing folders, and and Bigz dies.  The doily was sliced in half and the halves adhered to the base pages so that they match up at the middle. 

The final page embellishment is the flourished butterfly from the Butterfly Prints stamp set.  The image was stamped on a piece of Whisper White cardstock using the Rock & Roll technique with Baja Breeze and Riding Hood Red inks.  Ink the image with Baja Breeze and then roll the edges of the stamp on the Riding Hood Red ink pad.  I stamped two of the butterflies and punched them out with the Butterfly punch.  One butterfly was adhered to the page with SNAIL and the second was adhered directly over the first with Mini Glue Dots placed at the center back (body area) of the butterfly.  The butterfly body was stamped over both butterflies using Basic Gray ink.  The wings of the top butterfly were picked up to creat a gentle crease at the center and give the butterfly flight.

The same techniques were used to create a 3" x 6" card.  The only thing missing is the doily; it just seemed to cause a tilt to the "overdone" side when I tried to add it to the card front.

(click on card or envelope to see larger images)

I really love the colors in the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper and am looking forward to finding more ways to incorporate it into my paper crafting projects.  However, another great package of Designer Series Paper in the Occasions Mini Catalog also caught my eye  -- the Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper.  You'll see this paper used for the final project that I made for the Stampin' Addicts Occasions Mini Catalog Blog Hop using the Apothecary Art stamp set.  I'll be sharing the details of that project with you very soon.

Have a great weekend!

Stamps:  Apothecary Art, Butterfly Prints; Inks:  Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red; Cardstock:  Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red Textured, Whisper White; Designer Series Paper:  Twitterpated; Embellishments:  Riding Hood Red 3/8" Pleated Satin ribbon; Adhesives:  SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots; Tools:  Paper Cutter/Scorer, Paper Snips, Blender Pen, Butterfly Punch, Big Shot w/Standard Cutting Plates, Multi-Purpose Platform, Paper Doily Large Sizzlits die, Adorning Accents Edgelits dies, Labels Collection Framelits dies; Other:  6" x 6" Page Protectors, Small Open End Envelope

A Simply Elegant Birthday Card

Hello!  I'm so very sorry it's taken longer than I expected to get back to you with the details about the Apothecary Art projects I shared during the Stampin' Addicts Occasions Mini Catalog Blog Hop December 30th thru January 1st.  Sometimes life just gets in the way...

We'll begin with the first project, a very mailable birthday card.  I was drawn to this stamp set the first time I saw it because the art work on each of the stamp images was so exquisite.  This project features the largest stamp image.

(click on card to see larger image)

I stamped the image on Whisper White cardstock using Jet Black Staz-On ink.  Color was added to the roses, leaves, banner edging, and around the outside edge of the stamped image with a Blender Pen and the following inks:  Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, and Riding Hood Red.  The "Happiest Birthday" sentiment was stamped on the banner using Riding Hood Red ink. 

The stamped image was die cut using one of the great new Big Shot products available in the Occasions Mini Catalog:  Framelits.  These are a package of six shaped metal frames with a cutting edge.  The stamp images available in the Apothecary Art stamp set coordinate with the frame sizes available in the Labels Collection Framelits.  The frame used for this card's stamp image is 4" x 3 3/8" (at the cutting edge).  I think it's wonderful that with the framelits I can die cut the image after I've already added color.  I sponged the edges of the die cut with Pear Pizzazz ink and spritzed the die cut with Gold Glow Smooch Spritz.  Once the Smooch Spritz was dry, I placed a Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta bow just below the center of the banner with Mini Glue Dots.

The card base is Blushing Bride cardstock.  A second Labels Collection frame, this one 4 11/16" x 3 15/16" (at the cutting edge) was used to die cut an opening in the card front.  If you look closely at the edges of the die cut area, you'll see that there's an impression from the frame on the card front.  I think that adds an elegant touch to the cardstock.  I sponged the inside edge of the die cut frame and the outside edges of the card front with Blushing Bride ink.  A piece of Whisper White cardstock was used to line the inside panel of the card front (the edges of the Whisper White cardstock were sponged with Blushing Bride ink).  A piece of Baja Breeze patterned paper from the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper was die cut with the same frame used to die cut the card front and the edges of the die cut paper were sponged with Baja Breeze ink.  The paper was adhered to the Whisper White cardstock inside the die cut area using SNAIL.  The stamped image was adhered to the center of the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.

(click on card to see larger image)

The inside sentiment area of the card was lined with a piece of Whisper White cardstock, the edges sponged with Blushing Bride ink.  Strips of Baja Breeze patterned paper from the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper (the same paper used for the card front) were die cut with the curved edge frame from the Adorning Accents Edgelits.  The curved edges were sponged with Baja Breeze ink and the straight edges were sponged with Blushing Bride ink.  Then the strips were adhered to the top and bottom edges of the liner.  The birthday sentiments from the Petite Pairs stamp set were stamped immediately below the top paper strip using Riding Hood Red and Pear Pizzazz inks.

(click on envelope to see larger image)

Baja Breeze patterned paper from the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper (the same paper used for the card front and inside liner) was adhered to the back flap of the Medium Whisper White envelope.  The edges of the paper were sponged with Baja Breeze ink.  The "Happiest Birthday" image was stamped at the center of the flap using Riding Hood Red ink.

I mentioned at the beginning that this is a very mailable card.  That's because the card is essentially flat; the focal point is adhered to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals AND the Taffeta ribbon is very thin.  The card gains an illusion of additional dimension with the Baja Breeze patterned paper inside the die cut, the embossed edge on the card front from the die cut, and the sponging on the edges of the die cuts. 

Here's a bonus project I made as Thank You's for the folks who purchased Stampin' Up! products from me in December.  Isn't it cute???

(click on bag to see larger image)

The bag topper over the clear cello bag was die cut using the same two die cuts used for the card above.  The larger die cut was used for a piece of Pear Pizzazz cardstock.  The smaller die cut was used for a striped piece of Twitterpated Designer Series Paper.  The edges of both pieces were sponged with Pear Pizzazz ink and adhered together with SNAIL.  A score line was placed down the center width of the combined pieces and then the bag topper was folded in half.  The cello bag was placed between the folded die cuts and the Crop-A-Dile 1/8" hole punch used to punch two holes approximately 1/2" apart.  Riding Hood Red 3/8" Taffeta ribbon was threaded through the holes to create a mock bow and attach the cello bag to the topper. 

The gift tag attached to the front of the bag topper features the smallest image from the Apothecary Art stamp set inked with Pear Pizzazz ink and stamped on a scrap of Whisper White cardstock.  The image was cut out with Paper Snips and the edges sponged with Pear Pizzazz ink.  A piece of Baja Breeze cardstock was die cut using the smallest of the Labels Collection Framelits frames (1 15/16" x 1 5/8") and the edges of the cardstock sponged with Baja Breeze ink.  A 1/8" hole was punched near the front edge of the bag topper and in the upper left corner of the tag.  A piece of Baja Breeze 1/8" Taffeta ribbon was threaded through the holes and knotted.

You'll notice that the inside of the cello bag was filled with strips of Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride, and Baja Breeze 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon.  Another great new product from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  You'll see this ribbon used in the next post when I share the scrapbook pages featured during the blog hop.

Stamps:  Apothecary Art, Petite Pairs; Inks:  Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, Jet Black Staz-On; Cardstock:  Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White; Designer Series Paper:  Twitterpated; Embellishments:  Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta ribbon, Riding Hood Red 3/8" Taffeta ribbon, Baja Breeze 1/8" Taffeta ribbon; Adhesives:  SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots; Tools:  Paper Cutter, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Sponge, Blender Pen, Gold Glow Smooch Spritz, Crop-A-Dile (1/8" hole punch), Big Shot w/Standard Cutting Plates, Multi-Purpose Platform, Labels Collection Framelits dies, Adorning Accents Edgelits dies; Other:  4" x 6" Cellophane Bag, Medium Whisper White Envelope

Apothecary Art -- Stampin' Addicts Occasions Mini Catalog Blog Hop

Edited to correct a link.

Hi There!

Welcome to the Stampin' Addicts Occasions Mini Catalog Blog Hop.  This weekend I'm joining a group of extremely talented Stampin' Up! Demonstrator members of the Stampin' Addicts on-line community to share with you some of the great new items that will be available in the Occasions Mini Catalog beginning on January 3rd. 

If you're progressing through the Hop from the beginning, you've just arrived from Sharon Field's awesome blog featuring the Rue des Fleurs stamp set.  I just love Sharon's work and her projects are just wonderful! You can click here to see her post for the blog hop.

However, if you're traveling through the Hop from the opposite direction, then you've just spent some time with my Central Florida neighbor, Adriana Benitez, and her fun projects featuring the You're My Type stamp set.  I'm always impressed with Adriana's clean style.  You can click here to return to her blog.

My stop on the Hop features the Apothecary Art stamp set.  I hope you enjoy viewing the projects.  Be sure to stop by next week for all the details about how these projects were created.

We'll begin with a very mailable birthday card.

(click on card to see larger image)

The image was stamped on Whisper White cardstock using Staz-On Jet Black ink and watercolored with the Blender Pen and Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, and Riding Hood Red inks.  It's hard to see in this photo (except for the embarassing splotches), but there's Gold Glow Smooch Spritz over the stamped and colored image.  The image was die cut using the new Labels Collection Framelits dies for the Big Shot.  These are so EASY to use!  The next size of Framelits die was used to cut the Blushing Bride card front and a piece of Twitterpated Designer Series Paper.  A pretty bow of Whisper White Taffeta ribbon was adhered just below the center of the banner on the focal point.

My second project is a decorated gift box filled with gift tags.

(click on box to see larger image)

The Kraft Gift Box is such a versatile size and is so fun to decorate.  For this box, I used the Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper.  A piece of this great paper was double matted with Pool Party and Poppy Parade cardstock and adhered to each of the outside panels of the box (with the exception of the bottom) and the inside panel of the box lid.  You'll note that there's lots of sponging on this box; all done with Soft Suede ink. 

The focal point for the box lid was stamped with Staz-On Jet Black ink and colored with the Blender Pen and Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, and Pool Party inks.  The image was cut out with Paper Snips and adhered to a Poppy Parade mat cut with the corresponding size Labels Collection Framelits die.  A banner was created and placed across the center of the focal point.

(click on box to see larger image)

The inside of the box was lined with the reverse side of the Designer Series Paper used for the outside of the box.  A piece of Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon was adhered along the top edge of the liner.

(click on tags to see larger image)

Inside the box are some pretty gift tags.  The stamped image was created using the same process utilized for the box top with the exception of the banner.  Instead, a piece of Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon was wrapped around the center of the image and knotted.  The card base consists of two pieces of Poppy Parade (or Pool Party) cardstock cut with the Labels Collection Framelits die.  More info on how the cards were assembled will be provided next week.

I really liked that the Apothecary Art stamp set includes a stamp image that can be used for a journaling block on a scrapbook page (in addition to being a great image for a jar label).

(click on scrapbook pages for larger image)

These are 6" x 6" facing pages with a Riding Hood Red Textured cardstock base.  Pieces of striped paper from the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper were matted with Pear Pizzazz cardstock to reside along the left edge of the left facing page and the right edge of the right facing page.  The edges of the cardstock were cut using the scallop edge Adorning Accents Edgelits die.  These are way too cool and just as easy to use as the Framelits!  A piece of Riding Hood Red 3/8" Pleated Satin ribbon covers the edge of the Designer Series Paper nearest the scallop edge of the Pear Pizzazz cardstock.  A second piece of Twitterpated Designer Series Paper was die cut using the Paper Doily Large Sizzlits die.  Isn't it just beautiful??!!  The doily was cut down the center and each half was placed along the center edges of each scrapbook page. 

The label image was stamped on Whisper White cardstock using Basic Gray ink.  The first time the image was stamped to include the dotted journaling lines.  The second time, the stamp was cleaned and only the outside edge and floral design of the image were inked using the brush tip of a Basic Gray Stampin' Write Marker.  The beautiful sentiment from the Butterfly Prints stamp set was placed in the open area under the floral image.  Both images were colored with the Blender Pen and Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, and Riding Hood Red inks and cut out using Paper Snips.  The images were matted with Pear Pizzazz cardstock cut with the corresponding size Labels Collection Framelits die.  A butterfly of Baja Breeze (Rock & Roll'd) with Riding Hood Red ink resides near the top right corner of the right facing page.

In addition to the Apothecary Art stamp set, you've seen a boatload of new items from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  By completing the Blog Hop you'll be able to see a whole lot more.  There's just so much deliciousness in this catalog, it's hard to take it all in!! 

I look forward to your return visit next week for more details on how each of these projects were made.

Jingle All The Way

Hi there!

A long couple of days, but good news with Mom; her surgery was successful and she's settling into the healing process.  Thanks for the prayers and good wishes.  They are so very much appreciated.

Today's post presents the fifth of the five cards designed for my annual Christmas Card class.  This one features my very favorite embellishment offered in the Holiday Mini Catalog:  the Mini Jingle Bells.  They're just so darn cute!!!  And they really jingle!

(click on card to see larger image)

We begin with a card base of Wild Wasabi.  The lower half of a Chocolate Chip cardstock panel was embossed in the Big Shot with the Stripes Textured Impressions embossing folder and adhered to the card front using SNAIL.  A piece of Very Vanilla cardstock was stamped with the ornate "Merry Christmas" from the Christmas Lodge stamp set (available in the Holiday Mini Catalog) using Cherry Cobbler ink and adhered to the upper half of the embossed Chocolate Chip Panel. 

The top and bottom edges of a strip of Cherry Cobbler cardstock was punched with the Scallop Trim Border punch and adhered across the Chocolate Chip cardstock panel just slightly above the center of the panel.  A piece of Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty Designer Series Paper was matted with a slightly larger piece of So Saffron cardstock and adhered across the center of the Cherry Cobbler strip.

At the center of the Holly Berry Bouquet paper, a piece of Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Quilted Satin ribbon was folded into a bow shape.  A Wild Wasabi button from the Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons was threaded with a piece of Early Espresso/Whisper White Baker's Twine looped to hang the Mini Jingle Bells.  Here's how it's done:

1.  Apply Sticky Strip to Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Quilted Satin ribbon as shown in the diagram below.  Remove the center adhesive cover from "Front Site of Ribbon" and place ribbon at the center of the Designer Series Paper.  Remove the adhesive cover from the center at "Back Side of Ribbon".  Fold the right side of ribbon to the center and press the end into the Sticky Strip (making one of the Sticky Strips at one end of the "Front Side of Ribbon" visible).  Remove the adhesive cover and fold the remaining end of the ribbon over to cover the Sticky Strip (making the remaining Sticky Strip at the end of the "Front Side of Ribbon visible)

(click on diagram to see larger image)

2.  Thread Early Espresso/Whisper White Baker's Twine through Wild Wasabi button with ends of twine at front of button.  Knot the twine.  Using a Dental Floss Threader, thread a Mini Jingle Bell onto each tail of the twine.  Bring each tail of twine up into a loop and cross the loops to create a "bow" with one Mini Jingle Bell in each loop.  Snug up the "bow" and adjust the bells in the loops, as required.  Knot the ends of the twine on the front of the button and push a tail back through a button hole to the back of the button.  Tie the tails and knot to secure the Baker's Twine and snip the ends close to the knot.  Remove the Sticky Strip cover on the ribbon and press the button into place at the center

(click on card to see larger image)

The inside sentiment area of the card was lined with Very Vanilla cardstock.  Narrow strips of Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Series Paper were adhered to the top and bottom edges of the liner to bring the fun colors from the front of the card to the inside of the card.

(click on envelope to see larger image)

The back flap of the Medium Very Vanilla Envelope was stamped with the ornate "Merry Christmas" from the Christmas Lodge stamp set.

I have a few more Christmas Cards to share with you and we'll be making Gift Card Holders and tags this weekend at the SASS Stamp Club.  I look forward to sharing these projects with you.

Stamps:  Christmas Lodge; Inks:  Cherry Cobbler; Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi; Designer Series Paper:  Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty; Embellishments:  Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Quilted Satin ribbon, Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons, Early Espresso/Whisper White Baker's Twine, Mini Jingle Bells; Adhesives:  SNAIL, Sticky Strip; Tools:  Paper Cutter/Scorer, Paper Snips, Bone Folder, Scallop Trim Border punch, Big Shot w/Standard Cutting Plates, Multi-Purpose Platform, Stripes Textured Impressions embossing folder; Other:  Medium Very Vanilla Envelope; Non-Stampin' Up!:  Dental Floss Threader

Christmas Lodge

Hello!

A strange kind of day today.  I'm still at the hospital with my Mom and she is currently in surgery.  I'm praying that two hours from now finds her at the beginning of a journey that has a whole lot less pain.

Today's post presents the fourth of the five cards I designed for my annual Christmas Card class.  This one is the one that I struggled most to work out, the simplest of the designs, and ended up being my favorite of the five cards.  It always amazes me where the design process will take you.

(click on card to see larger image)

This card features the Christmas Lodge stamp set and the Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper (both from the Holiday Mini Catalog).  We begin with a card base of Naturals White cardstock scored and folded to create a gate fold. 

(click on card to see larger image)

This means that for a piece of cardstock measuring 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", score the cardstock at 2 1/8" and 6 3/8" along the 8 1/2" length.  Then the cardstock is folded along the score lines so that each flap folds to the center.  Each of the "gates" are adorned with one of the fun plaid papers from the Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper matted with a slightly larger piece of Garden Green cardstock.

(click on the belly band to see larger images)

The closure for this card is a belly band of Cherry Cobbler cardstock folded and adhered to a circle die cut with the Big Shot and the 3 1/2" circle Originals die.  [Place the band horizontally on the tabletop and center the folded card base on the band.  Fold each side of the band over to toward the center of the card base.]  A scallop circle of Naturals White cardstock was die cut using the larger of the two scallop circles on the Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die with the Big Shot.  The house image from the Christmas Lodge stamp set was stamped in the upper half of the scallop circle using Garden Green Craft ink.  The stamped image was covered with Clear Embossing powder and melted with the Heat Tool.  Dazzling Details glitter glue (from the Holiday Mini Catalog) were added to the embossed image over the snow areas of the house (roofs, porch rails, chimney tops, just under the shrubbery and trees surrounding the house).  The "merry Christmas" sentiment from the Petite Pairs stamp set was stamped in the open area below the house using Cherry Cobbler ink.  Once the Dazzling Details were dry (approximately 30 minutes) the scallop circle was adhered to the belly band.  I used Sticky Strip to adhere the belly band to the Cherry Cobbler circle and to the back of the Naturals White scallop circle because I wanted to make sure that the belly band stayed intact with repeated movement of the belly band as it is removed and replaced on the card base (by sliding the belly band up or down on the card base).

(click on card to see larger image)

Since the card base is Naturals White, there was no need to line the inside sentiment area of the card.  A 1 3/4" scallop circle was punched from a scrap piece of Garden Green cardstock and adhered near the upper center of the card interior.  The Christmas greeting from the Petite Pairs stamp set was stamped on a scrap piece of Naturals White cardstock using Cherry Cobbler ink, punched out using the 1 3/8" punch, and adhered to the center of the Garden Green scallop circle.

The two birds on a branch image was colored with the brush tip of Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, and Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Markers and stamped just to the upper left of the Garden Green scallop circle.

(click on envelope to see larger image)

The lower left front corner of the Naturals White envelope was stamped with the "merry Christmas" image using Cherry Cobbler cardstock.  The two birds on a branch image was colored again with the Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, and Chocolate Chip markers and stamped above the "merry Christmas".

I'll be back soon with the final card designed for the Christmas Card class.  I look forward to your visit!

Stamps:  Christmas Lodge, Petite Pairs; Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green Craft; Stampin' Write Markers:  Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green; Cardstock:  Garden Green, Naturals White; Designer Series Paper:  Frostwood Lodge; Embellishments:  Dazzling Details; Adhesives:  SNAIL, Sticky Strip; Tools:  Paper Cutter, Simply Scored scoring tool; Paper Snips, Bone Folder, Embossing Buddy, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 1 3/4" scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Big Shot w/Standard Cutting Pads, Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die, 3 1/2" circle Originals die; Other:  Medium Naturals White Envelope

A Retro Type of Christmas

Hello!

Here's the third of the five cards designed for my annual Christmas Card Class.  I was trying to achieve a retro look for this card.  What do you think?

(click on card to see larger image)

This card begins with a card base of Real Red cardstock.  A piece of Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty Designer Series Paper was adhered to the upper third of a panel of Wild Wasabi cardstock.  Adhered along the seam between the Designer Series Paper and the cardstock is a strip of Very Vanilla cardstock punched with the Lace Ribbon punch.  [Note that you'll need three whole circles and some overhang on each side for this card, so it helps to punch a 5 1/2" length to make sure you've accomplished this goal.]  Three 1" circles were punched from Real Red Glimmer paper and adhered to the back of the three whole circles using SNAIL.  SNAIL was applied to the back of the Real Red Glimmer Paper circles, then the punched ribbon was placed over the seam and the three circles centered across the Wild Wasabi panel.  (An adhesive remover was rubbed over the three whole circles to remove any exposed SNAIL.)  The overhang at each end of the punched ribbon was trimmed to approximately 1/2", folded under the Wild Wasabi panel, and SNAILed in place.  The Wild Wasabi panel was adhered to the card front using SNAIL.

Real Red ink was applied to two of the stockings from the Stiched Stockings stamp set and stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock.  The stockings were punched from the cardstock using the Stocking Builder punch.  The stocking cuffs, heels and toes were punched from Silver Glimmer paper and adhered to the punched stockings using SNAIL.  I just love this Glimmer Paper!  It SIGNIFICANTLY minimizes the glitter mess!  For the stocking with the snowflake, I added a small Basic Rhinestones Jewel to the center of the snowflake.  A small piece of gold elastic cord (Retired) was threaded through the bottom hole punch between the left and center circles and adhered to the back of the stocking using Mini Glue Dots.  The stocking was adhered to the Wild Wasabi panel using Stampin' Dimensionals.  The second stocking was hung from the punched ribbon in the same manner as the first, this time using the bottom hole punch between the right and center circles.

The "Merry Christmas" sentiment from the Four the Holidays stamp set was inked with Real Red ink and stamped on a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock matted with a piece of Real Red cardstock.  The sentiment was adhered to the exposed center of the Designer Series Paper using Stampin' Dimensionals.

(click on card to see larger image)

The inside sentiment area of the card was lined with a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock.  Two strips of glitter-embedded striped paper from the Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty Designer Series Paper were adhered to the top and bottom edges of the liner using SNAIL.  The top piece was punched with the Scallop Edge Border punch. 

(click on envelope to see larger image)

The "Merry Christmas" sentiment was inked with Real Red and stamped at the upper left corner of the Medium Very Vanilla envelope.  The snowflake stocking was also inked with Real Red and stamped with the upper left corner of the stocking just below the "y" in "Merry".  The pen tip of an Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker was used to "hang" the stocking from the loop in the "y".

I'm hoping to have another card for you tomorrow.  I'm writing this while sitting with my Mom at a local hospital.  We're waiting for some surgeons to visit her and hope that they'll be able to alleviate some back pains that she's been having.  Wish us luck!

Stamps:  Four the Holidays, Stitched Stockings; Inks:  Real Red; Cardstock:  Real Red, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Real Red Glimmer Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper; Designer Series Paper:  Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty; Embellishments:  Basic Rhinestones Jewels, Gold Elastic Cord (Retired); Adhesives:  SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots; Tools:  Paper Cutter/Scorer, Paper Snips, Bone Folder, 1" circle punch, Scallop Edge Border punch, Lace Ribbon punch, Stocking Builder punch; Other:  Medium Very Vanilla Envelope