Summer Silhouettes Birthday

I CASE'd this card from one found on Pinterest, and while I loved the simplicity of it, it just seemed to be missing something when I made it.  I am going to try it again with the leaves from the stamp set, and maybe 2 flowers. 

Stamps:  Summer Silhouettes, Made for You
Inks:  Marina Mist, Lucky Limeade
Paper:  Marina Mist, Whisper White
Other:  Paper Piercing Kit, Marina Mist 3/8 inch Striped Organdy Ribbon from Sale-a-bration, Glue Dot

Thoughts of you, Rain or Shine

Here is the second card that we completed at the Alpha Gamma Delta Alumnae Chapter meeting.  We stamped the umbrella, handle and sentiment directly onto the card.  Then we punched a flower in Daffodil Delight and added a jewel.  Thank you to Stampin' Success for the inspiration for such a great make and take card! 

Stamps:  Rain or Shine
INks:  Melon Mambo, Basic Gray
Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
Other:  Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Jewels

By the Tide, Squared and Simplified

When I was asked to provide a stamping activity for the alumnae chapter meeting of my fellow Alpha Gamma Delta sisters, and I was instantly both excited and terrified.  What was I going to show a group of non-stampers to express how awesome stamping is?  Luckily for me, the Stampin' Success magazine (one of the perks of being a demonstrator!) had two great cards that I CASE'd (Copied and Shared Everything).

In the first card, we stamped the images on Whisper White, then punched them out with the 1 1/4 inch square punch and layered them onto a 1 3/8 inch square punch of Not Quite Navy cardstock.  Add the poem-like words from the stamp set to the card front, and a sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes to complete the card!

We also made this card at March's Stamp Camp, and this time also used a Not Quite Navy card base, as shown in the picture above.

Stamps:  By the Tide
Ink:  Not Quite Navy
Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Other:  1 3/8 inch and 1 1/4 inch square punches

Box Tutorial

A while back, I made this box, following a tutorial.  When I tried to follow the link to the instructions, it no longer worked.  So I figured out how I originally made that box, and created this tutorial for you!

For the box:

• Begin with two 8 1/2 x 11 inch pieces of cardstock. 
• Place the cardstock on the scoreboard vertically; the 8 1/2 side should be across the top of the board.  Score at 3 3/4 inch.
• Turn your paper so it is now horizontal; the 11 inch side should be across the top.  Score at 5 3/4 inch and 9 1/2 inch.  
• Use your bone folder to crease on all score lines.  
• You will now cut out the smallest rectangle, as shown in the picture.  

•  Also cut up on the other side of the "square" section to form the bottom of the box.
• You now have two sections that will form the box.  If you would like to stamp or decorate, now is the time to do that!  I adhered a 12 x 2 inch strip of DSP around both sections, as shown. Be sure to decorate the sides that will be the outside, visible parts!

•  To assemble the box, you will adhere one square section ON TOP OF the longer, rectangle section of the bottom, as shown.  On the other piece, you will adhere the square section to the BOTTOM of the longer rectangle.  When you put the two parts together, the squares will not be seen.  

• Apply your adhesive to the sections that will adhere the side walls on both pieces.  I find it easiest to use the edge of a counter, as shown.  If you are using sticky strip, you could also do this prior to adhering the bottom sections, but I am using my ATG adhesive.

•  Carefully position the two part together, making sure the sticky parts of the sides go INSIDE the box.  I put the bottom section together first, then fold in the sides.  After getting everything positioned correctly, firmly press all sides to ensure they are completely adhered together.

• Cut a 24 inch piece of ribbon.  I apply sticky tape to the box, except in the very front where the two sides will meet to make a bow.

• Start at the back of the box with the middle of the ribbon and adhere the ribbon to the box.  Tie the bow in front. 
• Your box is now complete, onto the lid! 

For the lid (Note that these are pictures of a different box lid, but the directions are the same!!):

• Cut the cardstock to 7 15/16 inches x 5 3/4 inches.
• Score at 1 inch on all four sides. 
• See the four squares you now have on each corner?  Cut on one of those lines to create the tabs.

• Fold on all score lines.
• If you want to decorate your box, now is the easiest time to do so.   

•  Put sticky strip on all of the tabs and start folding/adhering your corners.
• You now have your lid created!

I would love to see what boxes you create, so if you post some pictures, leave me a comment telling me where to see them!

Everybunny Easter

Here is a shout out to a new customer...Hello, Sharon!  This card is for you!

I actually made two versions of this card--the first using basic materials, and the second with a few extras added in.  

For both cards, I stamped the bunny in the balloon in Staz-on ink, since I planned on coloring him.  Staz-on ink is permanent, and won't smear when you color over top of it.  On the first card, I colored directly with the Stampin' Write Markers.  I stamped the sentiment directly onto the Whisper White cardstock.  I cut two pieces of Lucky Limeade cardstock and used lots of snips to create the grass look. 

On the second card, I used a blender pen and my ink pads to color the bunny and egg-balloon.  Then, I carefully cut out the balloon, using an Xacto knife in between the strings of the balloon.  Despite my care, I still cut one off!  No problem, I simply made a little strip of paper and colored it in black, then adhered it to the back of the balloon.

I stamped the sentiment on a scrap piece of Whisper White and punched it out with the Modern Label Punch.  I used a sponge dauber to lightly color the edges.  Next, I embossed the Whisper White background with the Cloudy Day embossing folder, and cut two grassy hills from the Floral District Designer Series Paper.  I punched the flowers using one of the punches from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and added Pearls on top.  I added dimensions behind the flowers, the second hill, behind the balloon, and behind the "Happy Easter."

Stamps:  Everybunny
Inks:  Staz-on Black (101406), Stampin' Write Markers In Colors, or Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Coral Calypso, More Mustard

Paper:  Pool Party, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade or Floral District DSP
Other:  blender pen, Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Modern Label, dimensionals, Pearls

Sorry about the quality of the pictures! I may try to retake them, but I wanted to get this posted ASAP!  :)

Get Whale Soon

This is certainly a card that could have been sent TO me during the last few weeks, as I have been quite under the weather!  We made this card at February's Stamp Camp.

Stamps:  Oh, Whale!; Oh, Wave!
Inks:  Basic Gray, Melon Mambo
Paper:  Whisper White, Sunshine and Sprinkles DSP, Melon Mambo
Other:  Happy Whale Clearlits Die, Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Pearls

SNEAK PEEK: Spring is in the air...

Maybe in some places, but the snow flying outside tells a different story here!  However, Stampin' UP! can't wait to show you all the new product in the 2013-2014 annual catalog. Here's your pre-sneak peek look at A Round Array!  (English, Spanish and French all shown in above image.)

We've bundled it with the coordinating 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch (introduced in the 2013 spring catalog) just in time for Sale-A-Bration for 15% off!  Already have the punch?  Don't fret, just buy the set!  Click here to shop now.

New Type of Stamp: Photopolymer

Stampin' Up! has searched long and hard for just the right material to be able to introduce completely clear stamping. And we've found it. We're excited to announce that we now have wood-mount, clear-mount AND photopolymer stamps! The new photopolymer will be an addition to our stamp line and will appeal to all types of stampers. Our top-quality photopolymer has just enough give to create a perfectly stamped image every time and with the introduction of our firm-foam pads, let's just say they're meant for each other! Photopolymer stamps will also be unique, fun designs that will inspire you and provide more versatile options you may not see in our traditional wood- and clear-mount stamp options.
What makes them so great?

• They're entirely transparent for perfect placement every time! 
• They are durable. The photopolymer material is designed to last. 
• Can you say sticky? (Don't worry; in a good way.) These stamps stick amazingly well to our clear blocks.
• They're age tested. They won't yellow or cloud up over time. 
• They use FDA, food-safe material. How far can you stretch your stamping creativity? 
• We could go on, but we'll let you try them for yourself. 

See them in action below as SU! demonstrator Linda Heller tests out the Designer Typeset Photopolymer stamps for the first time!

Click here to order online.

Item number: 132956
Name:  Designer Typeset Photopolymer Stamp Set
Price:  $13.95 Includes 57 pieces. (Don't faint! This is a good overwhelming feeling.)

Recommend clear blocks A, B, G, F, and I. Purchase separately.  

The Fine Print

• Photopolymer stamps will be offered on a trial basis. Based on popularity, we hope to release more photopolymer stamp sets over the coming months. At this time we don't plan on offering a line of photopolymer sets as expansive as our wood-mount and clear-mount lines. 
• All photopolymer will be packaged in cello bag with insert, but don't forget you can store them in our clear cases 119105, $5.95 for a package of 4 cases.

Best of Flowers is Best of March Stamp Set

The Best of March stamp set features one of my favorite flowers, the hydrangea from the retired Because I Care stamp set. Previously it was only available in the stamp set for hostesses; I'm so excited it is back for all my customers to own! Remember, the "Best of" stamp sets are here for a whole year, thru March 31, 2014. And with the purchase of 6 Best Of sets during the year, you will get a free stamp set valued up to $14.95. Here is a sample of a card I previously made using this beautiful stamp.