Friday, February 26, 2010

Paper Punches...A Crafter's Must Have!

For a while now, I have been playing around with some ideas about personal challenges when it comes to my blog.  I tend to blog many days in a row and then not for a week, and then again a few days, and then absent for another week ( or two)...well you get the drift! 

I thought that I could be a more consistent blogger if I set up some regular challenges for myself. Every Friday, I will feature a tool or crafting tip. 

So...Welcome all to the first of my "Tool Tip Fridays"!

Today's featured tool, is the paper punch. 


Stampin' Up! has wonderful paper punches and the best part is that some of them coordinate with a stamp set.  Very often do I hear a customer of mine, at a class or workshop, ask "Is there a punch that goes with that set?"  Especially when I am making them cut shapes with their scissors! *smile*

Punched shapes are great to add detail to your cards, scrapbook layouts or any paper projects.  You can create fun characters like this little bunny.

You can find instructions to make this bunny box on Amy Celona's blog.











You can create a faux embossed look like in this card: 


By layering punched shapes of one color on top of the same color, it gives it an embossed look.  Here I used the word window punch and adhere them to the bottom part of my card.


It sorta looks like a brick wall, don't you think?

You can also use punches to create embellishements, like flowers.  This flower was created by punching out 3 scallop circle in Pretty in Pink cardstock.  The cardstock was first stamped with the En Francais background stamp.  I sponged the edges, scrunched them (very technical term! lol), layered them and then pierced a hole to but a brad in to secure them together.  I used a pop up glue dot to adhere a button in the middle of my flower, on top of my brad.

Sale-A-Bration 2010 is the perfect time to start your collection! When you order $65 in punches or other Stampin' Up! products, you can earn the NEW Scallop Trim Border Punch!  It's like a Buy 3 get one FREE deal!

To find punches in my store, click HERE, go to TOOLS, then PUNCHES. You'll love the selection! All grey ones are the new design from the Occasions Mini catalogue! Select any 3 at $22.95 AND you'll be able to select the Scallop Trim punch, or a stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration Brochure FREE!

Have any questions about some of the products used? Just email me!

Happy Friday!

Monday, February 15, 2010

So Ready for Spring!

Well I don't know about you but I am so DONE with winter! As much as I love playing hockey on the backyard rink with my oldest son, or playing in the snow and building forts with the 2 boys, I really can't wait to hear the chirping of the birds and smell the fresh Spring air!

With Valentine's Day come and gone, I have already moved on to Spring and Easter projects.  With the beautiful Stampin' Up! designer paper like the New Sweet Pea Designer Paper stack from the Occasions Mini, or the Cottage Wall dsp, how could you not be inspired to create?

Here is a quilted card, using Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper, we made at last week's monthly card class:


Supplies
Stamps: With All My Heart
Cardstock: Pale Plum, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Paper: Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine, Top Note Bigz die, Beautiful Wings sizzlits die, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, dimensionals, Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, adhesive, bone folder, paper cutter

Do you have a long wish list? Want to earn some of those items for free.  Book a workshop or private class with friends!  This is one of the cards that you could be making. 
 Click HERE for information on hosting a stamping party or email me for more information!



Saturday, February 13, 2010

Sending you lots of love!

Today's Valentine's day card was based on a card that I saw on the internet.  I really liked the idea of using this cute little envelop on the front of a card.  Who wouldn't want to receive an envelope full of love!?!  Take a look...

Supplies
Stamps: I {Love} Love jumbo wheel
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Real Red
Ink: Real Red & Chocolate Chip stampin' markers
Paper: Sending Love Designer Specialty Paper
Accessories: Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine, Scallop Envelope Bigz die, Heart to Heart Punch, Small Tag Punch, dimensionals,  Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, adhesive, bone folder, paper cutter

Tip: Jumbo wheels, such as the I {LOVE} Love wheel, are great because you can use any of the words, separately, on your cards or project.  Simply color the chosen words with your stampin' markers and wheel (stamp) it!


Friday, February 12, 2010

Elegant Valentine

Happy Friday!

As promised, here is another Valentine's Day card.  Here is one of the cards that we made at my monthly card class last night.  I think it's so elegant! The black and white with a punch of red makes it so classy.  It was based on a card made at my group's shoe box swap last month.


Here is the recipe:
Card base: 4 1/4" x 11" Whisper White
First layer: 4 x 5 1/4" Whisper White embossed with Finial Press embossing folder, Real Red Satin ribbon
2nd layer: 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" Basic Black square punch with the NEW Scallop trim corner and NEW Scallop trim border from the Occasions Mini.
3rd layer: 3 12/" x 3 1/2" Whisper White square, stamped with "Love You Much" from the Well Scripted stamp set in Stazon black, 3D heart embellishment.

The heart embellishment is made out of 4 hearts, punched with the full heart punch, out of Real Red cardstock.  Before punching the hearts out, I embossed the piece of Real Red cardstock with the finial press to give it some texture.  Fold all 4 hearts in half, and adhere them together (half to half).  Mount on piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Voila!

Hope you've enjoyed today's card.  Wishing you all a great weekend!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Vintage Valentine

Good day everyone!

With Valentine's day only a few days away, I thought that I would post some of the cards that I've made in the last couple of weeks.  I will try to post one a day until Sunday! My own little blogging challenge this week! lol

Today's cards are from my January Stamp club.

This eyelet flower embellishment was shown to us in Phoenix at Leadership Convention.  This card is cased from the one I saw on the display board.  I love how you can use it on a card or on a scrapbook layout.  I also like how it looks like lace.



The second card I designed with the thought that I would try to make it Vintage.  I loved all the projects that Shelli (Stampin' Up! CEO and co-founder) showed us in Phoenix.  I have always been a little scared to try it, probably because my style is more "clean".  I really liked how it turned out and my club members loved making it.



I always try to find some ways to re-use scraps and what not.  This time, I decided to use some of the packaging paper that comes with SU orders. 

This card format is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". We used the I {love} Love jumbo wheel on the packaging paper.  First we inked it on a Chocolate Chip Classic ink pad, then "wheeled" it on the paper.  We crumpled the paper up and then smoothed it back before sponging the edges. 
Other items used: NEW scallop trim border punch (that you can earn for FREE during Sale-a-bration!), NEW Chocolate Chip satin ribbon, Scalloped Hearts of Hearts embosslit, Full heart punch, "Love You Much" from the Well Scripted stamp set. 

LOVE the Chocolate Chip, Kraft & Real Red combo!

Here is a closer look...

I have lots more ideas for Vintage style projects that I will be sharing! I am even planning a class for April!


Want more information on joining a Stamp club!? Email me

It's a beautiful sunny winter day here in Ottawa! Hope you are enjoying some sun wherever you are :-)

That's it for now,

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

All NEW Satin Ribbon Share

If you're like me, you want ALL the new 5/8" Satin Ribbons recently introduced in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalogue on page 27.  What an instant way to add elegance to your projects!

There are 9 new colors offered.  They chose so many of my favorite colors! Certainly Celery, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black and of course Old Olive!



At $13.95 a spool, that could be costly so I am offering a more affordable alternative...a ribbon share!  A share is a great way to get a sampling of the new ribbons at a fraction of the cost!

You'll get 3 yards of each of 9 colors - 27 yards for just $30 - plus shipping! (Canada only please).
Want 2 sets!? Save $5! That's 54 yards of ribbon for $55!

*All ribbons will be ordered as soon as groups of 5 are formed.
**This special offer is good through February 28th.

Contact me today to join a share group and order your ribbon at this great deal!


Any questions!? Just ask :-)









Monday, February 8, 2010

Valentine's Day Mommy & Me class a success!

Yesterday, I held my first Mommy and Me class.  We had so much fun making some cute Valentine's day cards and treats to give to family, friends and teachers!  We made 5 projects; a heart shaped box that holds four 3x3 cards, a chocolate treat holder using the petal die card, a heart treat cup card filled with yummy cinnamon hearts and, my favorite, a gum wrapper.  The girls LOVED the projects! And more importantly, they were so proud of what they made...on their own!

Here are some pictures:







I used the Sending Love Designer Specialty paper from the Occasions mini.  You can't really see on the pictures but this paper is so sparkly.  And with Real Red, Pretty in Pink and Very Vanilla colors, how can you not LOVE this paper!?!

If you have any questions about these projects, just ask :-)

I am planning an Easter Mommy & Me class for the weekend of March 27 - 28th.  What kind of projects would YOU like to see? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Happy Monday!

Friday, February 5, 2010

January Monthly Card Class samples

Hello there! Today I wanted to share the cards that we made at my last monthly card class. I love this class because I get to make 6 fun cards, of all different occasions, with some fantastic gals! They come over to stamp, chat and of course have a few sweets! What would a ladies' night be without sweets, right!?

Here are the cards we made:






The next card class is Thursday, February 11th. You don’t want to miss it! For more details click HERE!



Mommy & Me Valentine’s Class
Just a quick note to let you know that I will be hosting a Mommy & Me Valentine’s Day Class this Sunday, Feb 7th from 1 to 3pm. The kids will get to make a heart shaped box with 4 mini cards, a treat holder, a heart treat cup card and a gum wrapper. Candy included :-)
$15/child. Recommended age 5-10 yrs. old. Email me to RSVP
Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Here’s a sneak peek…