Nakaba's Suntanned Piggy!

I found this adorable little suntanned piggy on Nakaba Rager's website, and had to Case it, and then share it with you. I made a few paper color changes such as .. I used Midnight Muse and she used Island Indigo, and Close to Coca for her sunglasses instead of Soft Sude.  I also used the ribbon punch instead of the framelit for the umbrella's ruffle. This is a fun punch art card that is great if you need to 'create' in the midst of interruption... there are lots of small, quick steps that you can complete as you pass by your crafting space, and then go put in a load of laundry! :) Enjoy your day as much as this little piggy seems to be enjoying hers!

Here is the info from Nakaba's Website, or you can go to her page at: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/naki/blog?directBlogUrl=%2Fblog%2F2100429%2Fentry%2Fjune_27_2012

Stamp set: Button Buddies, Spooky Bingo Bits


Paper: Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Pool Party, Real Red, Crumb Cake, Close to Cocoa, Early Espresso, Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake, Real Red

Tool: 2-1/2" and 1/2" Circle, Owl Builder, Boho Blossoms, Jewelry Tag Punches, Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Ribbon punch

Matchbook Giftcard Holders

The Tour de France is over, and congrats to Brad Wiggins for the win!  Now, at the Sports Mall where I teach Spinning, we've been having our own Tour Ride.  We have taken roll for all riders and incorporated the profiles from the Tour as the ride for that day's spin class.   John Harley was our male winner and rode all 23 rides! Penny McNair was our female winner with 19 rides.  Taylor Optical gave away a $200 gift certificate for a pair of oakley sunglasses - woohoo!  Each rider earned a ticket in our drawing for each day they rode, up to 10 rides.  Why am I telling you all of this?  Well, I made Giftcard Holders for our three top winners:

The green holder is a direct case from Convention 2 years ago.  The Primrose Petals is combined with Not Quite Navy ribbon and stamped 'just for you' sentimment from the Just Believe stamp set.  The Daffodil Delight holder is paid with Night of Navy and Cherry Cobbler for the coloring.  The bike is from a retired set, but perfect for my spinning crew!  Here is the inside:

This was very fun and quick to do!  The matchbook is 31/2 inches by 12 inches.  Score at 5.25 and 10.5".  Crease with a bonefolder.  At the flapless end, use the Word Window punch to make the slot.  You want to punch no more than 1 inch into the matchbook.  Then, using papersnips, cut  the short flap diagonally about 1.25" IN from each side to the outside edge of the flap.  This will make the flap fit into the slot.  Staple the ribbon to the center of the outside of the flap twice and tie a simple knot.  Attach a little jewel tag punch with some linen thread or twine.  Using versamark or same color ink, stamp the image of your choice tothe outside cover and a sentiment.  I attached a 3" by 5" cellophone bag with snail adhesive to the inside so it can hold anything from a gift card to money to treats, and becomes re-usable!  I hope you will try this simple little holder and dress up your small gifts.  Thanks for looking!

Stampin' Up! Convention 2012 was amazing!

I AM.... inspired, motivated, exhausted and filled with creative ideas after attending Convention this year!
So many announcements were made, too! Chelsea and I had a blast in the break out classes, but one of my favorites was Shannon West's I Am Having Fun!  And, along that line, with all the swaps I made, this one for my Facebook Group, All Things Stampin' Up!, is probably my favorite:

For one thing... this is not a CASE!  That's rather miraculous because I'm SUCH a caser.. :)  I love this Patio Party DSP, and actually found that I like Summer Starfruit in this color combination.  I used lots of framelits here from the Bitty Banner set and the Label Framelits.  Now, I am a BIG fan of embossing folders, but this new Fanfare folder is my absolute new Go To folder!  It can be used for literally any occasion, from Baby to Masculine!  I actually used the negative side for this particular card.  I used blender pens and a multitude of colors for the cute little Ark image, Two by Two.  It's an ala carte stamp in the new catalog this year.  Leave me a comment if you have any questions on this card, and I'd love suggestions as to what stamp set, technique or color combo YOU would like to see me use on my next post!  CHALLENGE ME!  I'm up for it!  Thanks for stopping by!



Take Care Owl Friends

Happy Summer to you!  I've been busy getting my swaps ready for SU Convention.  What a busy time, especially with the new Catalog AND Occasions Mini just coming out.  So much to see - and BUY!  heehee!  I signed up for a technique swap and chose emboss resist and brayering as my techniques.  I thought it would be fun to demonstrate how to put a scene together.  I learned how to do this from Michelle Zindorf who is an AMAZING artist and stamper!  BEST art class I ever went to!  You can google her name and check out her tutorials - they're amazing.  :)

Anywhooo..... I chose to have some fun with the new Take Care set from SU. It has a branch in it that I thought could also be used as a tree.  Here is how it turned out:

Here is the actual Take Care stamp set: 

The little owls are stamped, cut out and popped up on dimensionals.  I have included a tutorial that illustrates how to put a scene together here:  Tutorial for Take Care Owl Friends  I had fun making all 16 of these, and hope you'll find your own CASE of this fun little project!  More to come soon!

Morning All!  I just had to share this video with you from Patricia Giesbrecht!  It demonstrates how to use re-inkers to refill markers!  So awesome!  Re-inkers have SO many uses from refilling pads and markers to all kinds special techniques.  This is quick and easy to do - watch:  Using Re-inkers on Markers.

And, some fun and unusal news from SU!  Several Occasions Mini items are carrying over to the Catalog available June 1st!  They can be found here:  Occasions Mini Carryover Items.

Also, Email me if you would like to pre-order a catalog, as they have reduced the price!  Catalogs are now available for direct shipping!  I'm so excited for this feature!  I can now deliver a catalog to you, directly from Stampin' Up!  The new annual Catalog will be available for Pre-order May 7th, and will be delivered between May 7th and May 21st!  I can't wait to see what fun goodies we can play with over the coming year!  I was able to do a little pre-ordering for you, so look for new project posting with new In-Colors, embellishments and stamps!

Until then, have a great day!

College Graduation is just around the corner!

It's a great day!  My youngest daughter was accepted into Nursing School at the University of Utah.  We are so thrilled and proud of her!  Goooo Katie!  And, it's grad week for the Universities here, so I made some grad cards that are available for purchase and viewing at Elite Nail Salon at 7301 South 900 East.  Those gals do a great job - I love getting my nails done there!  The U of U colors are Red, Black and White:

The penguin and gown designs are old favorites, yet retired stamps that I love....  The floral stamps are currently available and can be purchased for YOUR grad cards at the button on the right "Shop 24/7".  It's also that time of year for Stampin' Up's retired list and NEW catalog!  Below is a link to the retired items that are deeply discounted and available for sale: SU Retired List

Lots of new goodies will be announced soon, as Stampin' Up releases it's new colors and annual Idea Book and Catalog!  I can hardly wait!  Stay tuned for more fun creations and have an awesome day!

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!