Good Morning!  I just love these wonderful gift boxes that I found on Kirsteen Gill's website here: 
http://www.creatinwithkirsteen.com/3d-projects/965-stepper-compartment-box-box-bags-or-container-swap.html  I love Kirsteen's work and follow her website because I love her sense of design.  I hope I'm that for YOU!  These little gems are a cinch with Stampin' Up's Simply Scored Tool and Diagonal Plate:


These can be purchased by clicking the Shop 24/7 button on the right of this post!
The small boxes are 2 inches square and can hold money, jewelry, treats, charms and other small wonders!  They are a great gift box or a gift themselves.  I've used the Summer Smooches paper with Island Indigo and Pumpkin Pie cardstock.  The ruffled ribbon in Island Indigo and Seam Binding in Baja Breeze are a sweet and simple embellishment. Theses boxes come together quickly and look great.  Next, I'm making a version that is half as tall so watch for that post! Thanks for looking and happy crafting!

I promised a post with Summer Smooches, and I had a moment to make a quick 'sorry I'm late' card for a dear friend.  I'm excited to make a fun 3D box with the design paper from this set!  Below is the card I made for Jane.  I used the stamp set and colored the stamp with markers and stamped onto watercolor paper.  The inside is a cute little poem I found online...

"Your birthday's passed, and I'm too late,


So sorry …. I forgot the date.

So here's a card, I've sent to say,

I hope you had an awesome day!"

The printed paper is from Everyday Enchantment, as is the brad.  The 'banner' was made by using the corner of the Pendant Punch.  All products are from Stampin' UP!  and can be ordered online right now by clicking on the 24/7 on the right of my blog.
The colors used here are Calypso Coral, Lucky Limade and Pool Party.  They are 3 of the 5 new in-colors for 2011-2012.

Can't wait to show you the 3D box I have planned for these sunny papers:
  Have a sunny kind of day!

Easter Fun!

Oh, where does the time go between these posts!  Just can't seem to get things posted fast enough!  I've been having a wonderful time with the new items from the Sale-a-bration promotion and the Occasions Mini  catalog.  Below is my latest case from those delightfully talented ladies over at stampinconnection.com:

I love this paper called Twitterpated from the Occasions Mini!  So fresh, cheery and full of Springtime!  I stamped the image from the Everybunny set on Whisper White cardstock with Stazon Black ink.  I always using my heating tool when I'm going to use an aquapainter or blender pens, so that I'm sure the stamped image won't smear or smudge.  I used Island Indigo, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Rose Red and Pear Pizazz to color the image.  Using a touch of either Baja Breeze or Sahara Sand around the bunny really makes the image pop!  It's hard to see but I used a distressing tool on the edges of the white image panel.  This came together quickly and it highlights our beautiful DSP and this darling stamp set!

Now, it's time to make some masculine birthday cards for my daughter's boyfriends.  I also can't wait to use the NEW Summer Smooches paper and stamp set.  So fun and bright!  It's only available until April 30th so order now!  What will you make with your Summer Smooches order?  I'll post my soon......

Sale-a-bration is in full swing!  If you would like a brochure, email me, or use this link to see the new and beautiful items available for Salabration this year!  Remember, for every $50 of your order you receive FREE merchandise.  Other exciting news is that the Demonstrator Starter Kit is $50 OFF during Sale-a-bration.  It's a great time to enjoy Stampin' Up!
http://204.228.150.61/catalogs/2012SAB/20120124_SAB_en-US.pdf

Enchanted Blossoms and Butterflies

Well!  I have been obsessed with getting all of my holiday cards and projects out, and neglected to take pictures to post them here.  Please forgive for neglecting my blog!  I'm happy to say that Christmas is officially stored away again, and I actually got a chance to really take a moment and play with my new items from the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration Catalogs.  Occasions items are available and are delicious!  The Sale-a-Bration event begins January 24th, and my posts today use several of the Sale-a-Bration goodies.   Take a look:

I'm in love with this new Everyday Enchantment Paper!  All printed papers you see in both samples are from this new paper series.  The cute little bird and crown are from the new stamp set, Elementary Elegance.  I used the new Blossom Punch from the Occasions Mini to create one of the flower layers, along with the large and small scallop circle punches, and the triple-punch for the smallest layer.  I layered a triple blossom punch, small scallop, scallop, blossom and large scallop punches after crunching each one into a wrinkled ball and then sponging them with Soft Suede ink.  After attaching them to my base with a brad I crinkled them again to make them 'fluffy.'  Easy and fun to do - you should try it!  That brad and 1/8" organdy ribbon are also from the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  Leaves were cut from Lucky Limeade and sponged with Soft Suede, as was the flower layers. 

The Butterflies are cut from our new Blossom Builder die-cuts from the Occasions Mini.  So easy and fun to do!  The die-cuts are layered with one layer cut from the new Blossom Punch shown here:

The sentiment was stamped in Soft Suede and is from the Flight of the Butterfly Set.  Pearls were added for the butterfly bodies and the wings were gently curled by rolling them around a pencil.  The butterflied are popped up with Dimensionals.  I hope you are inspired to check out the new items in both catalogs!  Feel free to contact me if you have questions about the benefits coming up in the Sale-a-Bration catalog, or if you would like to host a party featuring the Occasions Mini Blossom Punch!

Awnings for 'store fronts'

Hello, everyone!  I saw this cute idea by Becky Robinson about 6 months ago and thought it would be the cutest thing to CASE.  The dessert shop is a direct case of Becky, and the Flower Shop was created using Vases in Vogue, an older hostess set.  Becky Robinson's work can be found under Members, then type her name, on Stampin' Connection.  I have another idea for this 'store front' layout, so stay tuned for more store front punch art!

The awning is made with a 1 1/2" strip of card stock and two colors of card stock to be used with the word window punch.  I lay the 1-1/2" strip on my paper grid, and then adhere the punches using the lines on the grid to keep them straight.  Then you bend the edges of the punches that stick out over the paper strip - one side is a 'mountain' fold, or up, and the other side is a 'valley fold, or down.  The little 'shelf' that the desserts and vases are sitting on is cut to the height you want it plus about 3/4 of an inch.  Punch the edge with your choice of edge punch, then score the edged side at 1/2 of an inch and fold.  Remember to add your ribbon after stamping your sentiment and before adhering to your card.  I hope you enjoy making these darling cards, and also creating your own 'store front' ideas.  Happy stamping!

The Summer Mini is Here!

Today's the day!  All the great products in the Summer Mini are now available for purchase!  Below are some samples of a Mother's Day and Sympathy Card made from the Level 2 Hostess Set, Love and Care.  I just love flower sets, especially this time of year, and I'm having such a good time getting acquainted with this new set.  I had some extra Tangerine Tango CS so I started there and kept moving through paper and embellishments to come up with these designs with the help of the SC330 challenge on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/, and from the example in the Summer Mini:

I'm thinking these images will be beautiful with a brayered background and heat embossed.  Love and Care is a hostess set, so it can be a FREE gift when you host a Make'n'Take Party!  Call me today and let's provide a fun new experience for your crafting friends together!  For now, I'm off to play with some more of my new 'toys' from the Summer Mini.  Make it a great Sunday!

Easter Mini Box Tree

Mary Fish inspired this little creation.  I found this darling little tree at Michael's and knew immediately that it was perfect for these little boxes!  The only thing I've changed from Mary's boxes is my background paper isn't black, it's left over scraps of Certainly Celery.  I also used my 1/16" punch on the top flaps and threaded embroidery floss through the flaps to create the hangers.  These little babies are filled with holiday jelly beans!  These were great for using up scraps!  I've never been much of a Barely Banana user, so I used that and Pretty in Pink for the boxes.  The chicks are Summer Sun and their beaks are Tangerine Tango.  Thanks Mary Fish!  You always inspire me!  Her wonderful tutorial for these little darlings can be found here: 
http://www.stampinpretty.com/petal-card-box-video.html

I'll be working on my daughter's birthday cards and Easter cards this weekend, so come back for my weekend posts.  Keep on creating!

Pedaling Past to Thank You

Pedaling Past is a stamp set that was in last year's Summer Mini.  I thought I'd pull it out at least one more time before the new Catalog items were available to customers!  I combined the use of the corner punch scallops, hodgepodge hardware, the dotted embossing folder combined with the latest in colors of Concord Crush and Pear Pizazz.  The paper is designer series paper, along with coordinating twill tape ribbon.  I also just love our new pearls!  I keep having to get more of them because I use them on everything these days!  This is an easy sketch to re-create using 3 printed papers, 2 colors, and 1 solid paper.  Easy!  Have fun!

Double Embossing Technique

I LOVE the double embossing technique!  What fun!  I've combined the Be My Valentine Stamp with the Love Letter DP and the Square Lattice embossing folder to create this double embossed card.  the lock and key are diecuts that were glued with snail to a square of Very Vanilla and then dry embossed.  The edges were inked and I used the slot punch to fee the ribbon through the upper layers of the card.  Here's the inside:

The stamped images came from the You're a Gem set in the Occasions Mini, Three Little Words, and the key is from Artistic Etchings.  Colors used are black, riding hood red, cherry cobbler, Basic Gray and Very Vanilla.  Happy Valentine's Day~

Gratitude and a new web design?

Here's a quick a simple card that would be great to demonstrate heat embossing.  All you need is cardstock, Valentines Defined stampset from the Occasions Mini, Whisper White craft ink, white embossing powder and a heat gun.  So quick with a sweet result!


Thanks so much to all my followers and posters! I've added all of you as well. The holidays had me in a whirling dervish, and I didn't post as much, but I'm back at it! I'm also considering revamping the look of my blog. Any of you have web designers or ideas? I have My Digital Studio so I'll be starting there but would love your input!


Happy creating,

Linda

Punch Art Birthday Cards

Mary Brown (aka stampercamper) posted a similar layout.  I changed it with printed dsp, buttons, and the cheery colors from the Ice Cream Parlor pack in the Sale-a-bration catalog!  Enjoy!

Punches used are:  large, medium and small oval, small/wide oval, 3/4 circle, 1/2 circle.
Colors are:  Pacific Poimt, Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride, Rose Red.  The mini pearls and cordouroy buttons were my embellishment choices along with some pacific point and peach parfait ribbon. 
I also used the Color Spritzer tool to splash a little Early Espresso on the lower half of each card.  I love that little gadget!  Click the picture for a closer view of each card!

Valentine Gift Card Holder

I had these little bags forever and was inspired to use them when I visited http://www.darlenesdesigns/ and saw her layout.  The hearts were punched as well us cut on my Cricut.  I simply stamped some, and others I heat embossed with versamark and clear embossing powder so the Very Vanilla cardstock would show through after I sponged them with either Soft Suede, Concord Grape, Blushing Bride or Cherry Cobbler.

I used the seam binding from stampin' up for the bow and a miscellaneous brad I had laying around.  The edges were inked with Crumb Cake craft ink.  The four center hearts are attached to the pullout card in the little bag.  It's punch with the Slot Punch to hold a gift card.  Fun stuff! 

Getting a start on Valentine's Cards

I just love the new Valentine's Defined stamp set in the Occasions Mini!
I started fairly simple with the 'heart' flowers and heart banner, and can't wait to create something fun and new with the flamingo and tree images: 

These cards were quick and easy!  I used a fiskars product that allows you to punch in the center of a card - very cool!  Look for more Valentine posts in the new future.  Enjoy!

Fun Boy Card!

Kudos to Angela Helynck's wonderful layout here:
http://www.stampinconnection.com/photo/1006793-1?context=user

I knew I wanted to incorporate several stamp sets with some brayering to make a 'space/planets' card.

I went hunting and found Angela's card which I adapted to include the robot and brayering.

It's hard to see, but the ring around 'saturn' has peach parfait glitter on it. The moon is two layers - one of Going Grey brayered with Basic Grey, and the other is Brushed Silver. The moon craters were created with the 1/2" circle punch, and an eyelet paper punch set.

The stamps used are:  Background Basics, Best Bot Forever, Starring You, Valentine Defined, Pun Fun

The colors used are:  Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, Tangering Tango,
Poppy Parade, Going Grey, Basic Grey

The stars were embossed with Whisper White craft ink and White embossing powder. I also through in some dazzling diamonds to give the stars a little shimmer. The stars in the bottom left corner have some dazzling diamonds on them, too!

This took some time, but I had a "blast" making it!