Stationary Box IV (Love Notes)

The stationary box includes a set of three love notes. These cards are 3.5" square.

The first card is based off of a SheetLoad sketch. I added dots around the scallop circle with my white Sakura Glaze pen.
Red Apple Love Note
Stamps: Tart & Tangy (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Real Red, Summer Picnic DSP (SU)
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red (SU)
Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, ticket corner punch (SU); eyelets (unknown), white Glaze pen (Sakura), Cropodile, D'Vine Swirls embossing folder(CB)

The second card (which is sitting on top of the stationary box lid) is quite simple, and doesn't use any stamps! I absolutely LOVE the Summer Picnic DSP, and used several pieces for this card. The apples fit into a 1" circle punch, and I used larger punches to create the mats. I used my Cropodile to line up the two lines of small holes.
Three Apples Love Note
Stamps: none
Paper: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Picnic DSP (SU)
Ink: none
Accessories: 1" circle punch, 1 1/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, corner rounder punch, Whisper White grosgrain ribbon(SU); Cropodile, D'Vine Swirls embossing folder (CB)

The third card is inspired by oobinsnaffa's cards using Tart & Tangy. It was actually these cards that motivated me to use Tart& Tangy for the stationary box. I just love how they look with the scallop circle punch and the D'Vine Swirls embossing folder! I had to trim down the photo corner punches, as they were too large for the card. I also rounded all the corners on the card, including the photo corners! To make the holes in the scallops, I used my Cropodile.
Strawberry Love Note
Stamps: Tart & Tangy (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Summer Picnic DSP (SU)
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red (SU)
Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, photo corners punch, corner rounder punch, Whisper White and Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, brads (SU); Cropodile, D'Vine Swirls embossing folder(CB)

Stationary Box part III (gift tags)

Here's an easy one. I made four gift tags, using the tag and small tag SU punches. I actually don't own the punches, but bought a set of pre-punched cardstock from an eBay seller. Now I just want the punches for myself :p

I stamped off the fruit from Tart & Tangy (stamping off means inking the stamp, then stamping once on scrap paper, then stamping on the cardstock - it gives you a faded version of the image). Note that I forgot to stamp off the orange :p

Then I stamped the small sentiment and punched a hole with my Cropodile. Some ribbon is all that was needed to finish it off. I didn't knot the ribbon so that it can be tied to a gift bag or box (they're perfect for a bottle of wine!).
Gift Tags
Stamps: Tart & Tangy (SU); Calligraphy Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red (SU)
Ink: Old Olive, Only Orange, Real Red (SU)
Accessories: tag punch, small tag punch (SU); ribbon (from Michael's)

Stationary Box part II

As mentioned in my previous post, the stationary box contains full-sized cards (with coordinating envelopes), love notes, gift tags, a birthday calendar, a stamp pocket, and a coordinating pen. I used this template from Addicted to Stamping.

The template calls for an address book, but I decided to make it a birthday calendar, with one page for each month. I printed the pages and the labels using the RGB values for Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie, which I found on the StampMonkeys blog. To tie the pen into the set, I opened it up, and slid a piece of DSP into the clear barrel.



Stationary Box
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Simply Said, So Very (SU)
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Summer Picnic DSP (SU); red, white (from Costco)
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red (SU)
Accessories: Scallop punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Old Olive Twill ribbon (SU); 1 1/2" circle punch (EK Success)

I'll describe the contents of the box in my next few posts.

Too many blogs?

I follow quite a few craft blogs (52 at the moment!) and realized (several months ago) that it's too much work to check each blog for new posts!

Enter Google Reader. I use Google for just about everything, so this fits right into my personalized home page. I get a list of all the new blog posts, and can pick and choose which ones I want to read.

If you don't use Google, there's also Bloglines.

Hope this saves you some time! If you do use one, be sure to add my blog ;)

Stationary Box

Okay, so here's my big project, the one on which I've been working for the last week! It's a stationary box, complete with cards, love notes, tags, a birthday calendar, matching pen, and stamp envelope. I wanted it all to coordinate, so I used the Tart & Tangy stamp set, Summer Picnic DSP, and the Scallop circle punch.

Unfortunately I don't have Pumpkin Pie or Bashful Blue inks, so I used Only Orange and Soft Sky when needed. I used this template from Addicted to Stamping.

This was a gift for my mother-in-law's birthday, so I also made a coordinating card. I used the Happy Birthday embossing folder and then added Stickles to all the flowers. I decided it needed more "bling", so I added clear rhinestones all the way around the scalloped circle. The row of paper piercing under the ribbon was easy to line up, I just used my ruler to pierce at each 1/8" mark.

Cheers to You card
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Lots of Thoughts (SU)
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Whisper White, Summer Picnic DSP (SU)
Ink: Soft Sky (SU)
Accessories: Scallop punch, 1/2" circle punch, Whisper White ribbon, Old Olive ribbon, Ice Rhinestones (SU); 1 1/2 circle punch (EK Success), Stickles (Ranger), paper piercer (Making Memories), clear rhinestones (Kaiser), Happy Birthday embossing folder (CB)

I'll describe the contents of the stationary box in my next post.

Glittered Dragonflies

Whew, I'm back after a small break from blogging. I did not, however, take a break from crafts! I've got plenty of cards and a fun project to share over the next few days.

Here's the first. It's a small card (3.5x3.5) and I made two of them. They were intended for the winners of my last blog candy giveaway, but I forgot to include them in the packages. Sorry ladies!

After stamping the butterflies, I used Stickles to colour their wings and bodies. It's very glittery in real life! I also added Stickles to the DSP and the 'i' in the sentiment.

The embossed background is courtesy of my new Cuttlebug. I can't stop using it!

Stamps: Warm Words (SU); dragonflies (unknown)
Paper: Old Olive, Groovy Guava, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, Linen Prints DSP (SU)
Ink: Old Olive, Close to Cocoa (SU)
Accessories: Word Window punch (SU); square and scalloped square punches (Marvy), D'Vine Swirls folder (CB), Stickles (Ranger)

Friendship Blooms

This is the first card I made with my new Cuttlebug machine! It embosses and diecuts. I expect I'll use it mostly for embossing.

I don't (yet) have any Groovy Guava ribbon, so I dyed the white ribbon using my ink pad. I used three colours on the sentiment, all with careful application of the full-sized ink pads!

Stamps: Friendship Blooms, Itty Bitty Backgrounds (SU)
Paper: Groovy Guava, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Blue Bayou, Groovy Guava, Soft Sky (SU)
Accessories: White ribbon, Fire Rhinestone (SU); Traffic Jam embossing folder (CB)

I won some yummy blog candy!

I'm so excited - I just noticed that Marti over at Pez-A-Doodle posted that I won her 25,000 hits blog candy! It's three Inkadinkadoo stamps (including a gorgeous Christmas Angel!) and three Brilliance pearlescent dew drop inks. Yay!

ps. I have a couple cards to post, but have to free up some space on my camera so I can take photos!

New ways to use your punches

As promised, here's how to make the orange "medallion" punched shape:

I punched out one scalloped circle (using SU's scallop punch), and then used a small square of removable adhesive to stick it on a piece of scrap paper:

Then I put it back in the scallop circle punch, but rotated it slightly:

When I punched that out and took the cardstock off of the scrap, I got this:

This technique also works with the five petal punch:

Here's the before and after for each:

This technique will work with most symmetrical shape punches (although circles would turn into, well circles), and may do some funky things with non-symmetrical ones. If you try any other punches, please post a comment with your results :)

Wishing You the Best

During my daily blurfing aka. surfing all the blogs I follow - I ran across Michelle's pocket card. I haven't done one in a while, and felt inspired!
The pocket part is easy enough, you can use whatever dimensions you like. Basically you need a long skinny piece. Your typical 4.25x11" size works well. Fold it in half, then fold down one edge to make the front flap. You may want to trim the flap a bit as well. You can adhere the sides of the pocket with redline tape, and/or use brads to hold it closed.

Then trim a piece of cardstock to fit in the pocket. I like it to be shorter than the back of the pocket, but as wide as possible. I added a strip of carstock to the top of the card, and then a round punch tab and an eyelet.

TIP: To hide the ugly back of the eyelet, I punched through all the layers of the cardstock, and then set the eyelet through all but the last (back) layer. Then I adhered that layer, hiding the smushed backside of the eyelet.

Then decorate! I used a page from the SU catalogue for my colour inspiration, but I didn't have any DSP to go with it. Look how easy it is to creat your own! I used coordinating ink and my once-lost Inkadinkadoo circle stamps.

I also made a multi-layered medallion. Like the orange punched shape? You probably already have the tool to do it! I'll show you how in my next post...this one is getting a little long ;)

I left the tab and the main body of the card blank, so I can customize this card when I use it. I'm thinking it would make a good birthday card for my brother, so I can always stamp "favourite brother" on the tab (the joke is that he's my only brother!)

Stamps: Riveting, Circles and Dots (Inkadinkadoo)
Paper: Brilliant Blue, Only Orange, Soft Sky (incl. textured), Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Ink: Brilliant Blue, Only Orange, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Scallop, 1/2" circle, 1 1/4", 1 3/8" circle, corner rounder, and round tab punches, Wild Wasabi Striped Grosgrain ribbon, Bashful Blue brads; dark blue eyelet (unknown)

Another card for JJS002

Here's my second try at JJS002. I used the sweet little Elzybells chick (from Jill), which I'd previously coloured and added Crystal Effects.

I knew it was a bit late for Easter, so I thought it would make a good baby card!

I pierced the pp and then used my white Glaze Pen to create faux stitching. If you follow the pen along the pierced line, letting it "bump" in and out of the holes, you get a stitched look.

This card opens upwards, so it was simple to tie the ribbon round the front.

For the small sentiment, I used a marker to colour just the words on the stamp. I used Stickles on the pp and the brads to add some sparkle.

Stamps: Very Punny (SU); chick (Elzybells)
Paper: unknown
Ink: SU (sorry, I can't remember which colours I used!)
Accessories: scallop punch, Crystal Effects (SU); Stickles (Ranger), Glaze Pen (Sakura), paper piercer (Making Memories), corner punch (EK Success), brads, ribbon (unknown)

My version of JJS002

Well, this is the card that almost wasn't. I had issues from the start, but decided to just work through them.

This card is based on JJS002, my second attempt at a card sketch. Due to the aforementioned issues, I flipped the sketch over.

The butterfly image is from when I was playing with the thumping and huffing technique. I coloured it in with Pure Colour pencils.

The little rounded shape peeking from the side of the handmade paper was made with the round tab punch (I don't have it, but I bought a big stack of pre-punched cardstock).

The mini brads at the base of the butterfly are attached on little circles of Blush Blossom (you'll have to click on the photo to see the larger size).

I sponged all the layers to distress it a bit. The ribbon goes through two small slits on the spine of the card, and the ends are hidden by more handmade paper on the inside. Whenever you use a dark colour as your card base, you'll want to add a lighter coloured layer on the inside, so you're able to see what you write!

Stamps: Vases in Vogue, Linen (SU); Butterfly (unknown)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Brilliant Blue, Blush Blossom (SU); handmade paper (from Costco)
Ink: Basic Brown (SU)
Accessories: Pure Color Pencils (SU); markers (Marvy), Cropodile, mini brads, ribbon (unknown)

Another sketch to try...

I thought I'd try another card sketch, and came up with this one (JJS002). If you give it a try, please leave a link to your blog (or gallery) in the comments section :)
I'll post my card later tonight.

Dreaming of my new crafts room...

**note: I will keep bumping this post up as I add to it, just in case any of you have any other ideas!

I've found an awesome blog with lots of ideas for crafts rooms and storage: Paula's Crafty Storage.

So I thought I'd start gathering ideas for my new crafts room! This post will be a work-in-progress. I'll continue to add to it as I go, up until the new room is finished. We don't get possession until August 23, so I've got lots of time to daydream.

Ideas/thoughts
- Chloe's Craft Corner: a friend (Hi Anne!) had a neat little craft station set up at her house, and I'm planning on borrowing some ideas, such as little pails on the wall for crayons, markers, etc and a roll of paper that pulls easily over the desk
- Layout/card storage: I like the string of projects held up by binder clips

- The photo below (courtesy of anng97 on SCS) has a bunch of ideas: peg board, rods for punch storage, baskets for misc storage:
Here's a different idea for ribbon storage - rain gutters! This photo is from pinkhedgehog's gallery on SCS:


- For some additional desktop storage, I need something like this SpinWorx caddy from Staples:


Here's a couple of awesome stamp rooms/ideas:
Capture the Moment
iStamp
Frantic Stampers
Scrappletini Ave

Wonderful Vase

Julee over at Poetic Artistry has a weekly challenge, Mojo Monday. This card is based on the mojo45 sketch. I decided to also give the colour challenge on SCS a whirl: CC174, aka. Groovy Banana Chips :p

I didn't think I'd like this colour combination, but I gave it a try. I don't have Barely Banana ink, and all I have left is 3/4 of a sheet of cardstock, so I used Groovy Guava as the main colour.

I inked the flowers with Old Olive and Groovy Guava, and then paper-pieced the vase. I used my corner rounder punch to make the scalloped border.

The Warm Words sentiment is too long for the Word Window punch, so I cut my strip to the width of the punch, and then put one end in through the bottom of the punch. That allowed me to punch just one end at a time, so I could make it as long as necessary. Let me know if that doesn't make sense, and I'll take a photo to show you.

The brads were already glittery, so I added some Stickles to the flower buds as well.I sponged all the layers and popped the main image and sentiment on dimensionals. Unfortunately the yellow brads did not agree with the ribbon, however it was too late, and I was too tired to redo it.

Stamps: Vases in Vogue, Warm Words
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava textured cardstock & DSP, Barely Banana
Ink: Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Accessories: Corner rounder punch, word window punch, chocolate chip ribbon, sponge; Stickles (Ranger), glitter brads (Making Memories)
Techniques: paper- piecing, sponging

Just the sentiment please, ma'am

Allison over at Stampin' When I Can issues a challenge every Sunday called "Suggestive Sunday". This week was to use only a sentiment stamp, and no others (AFSS25).

I ended up cheating just a bit, as my sentiment came in two parts.

I don't have Pale Plum ink, so I used Perfect Plum for the 'U', but stamped off once to lighten it up. I distressed the edges of the 'U' with my scissors. I also added Stickles to the centre of the flower (over the brad) and on each of the dots on the pp.

Stamps: All About U
Paper: Pale Plum, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa; pp (K&Company)
Ink: Perfect Plum, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Word window punch, Very Vanilla ribbon; flowers (Prima), Stickles (Ranger), brad (unknown)

Blog Candy Winners!

Had Chloe pull the names out of a hat (a plastic "firetruck" hat, according to Chloe) and the winners are:

For the "Retro" pack, Ms. Crafty If You're Nasty!

For the "Brights" pack, Jess!

Congratulations to you both! I've emailed you for your address.

Thanks again to everyone for reading my little blog. I realize I've been lacking in the crafts department lately, and have made a resolution to step it up! Starting with the card I made last night, which I'll post shortly :)

UStamp - an online stamp class

If you're a fan of Stampin' Up, you may be interested in this new online class. It's hosted by Heather and Dawn. I've purchased SU products from Heather before, and I think she's awesome! When she announced their new venture, I couldn't wait to sign up.

So, check out UStamp, and if you join, please let them know that I referred you!

ps. They've also got a great kit available for use with the class, and it includes product from the new SU catalog, including that funky scalloped border punch!

pps. 1.5 hours left in the blog candy giveaway! ;)

New SU accessory: scalloped edge punch!

Linda at Where the Rubber Meets the Road just received her (advanced demo) order of SU's new scalloped edge punch! Check out her quick video on how it works.

We're just home from camping, so I hope to get some time in the crafts room tonight.

ps. Just over one day left to enter the blog candy giveaway!

The new in colours - a comparison

Okay, I wish I had them in my hands, but Dawn over at DOstamping with Dawn has put together a great post on the new in colours, comparing them with existing colours.

I'm still not sure about the new colours (they seem to be brighter than shown on Dawn's blog), but we'll see how they look in all the projects in the new catty.

Because it's there...

...I have to try it:



Click the image to see a larger version, and then click "Create" (on that page) to make one of your own!

A little bit of sweet candy

Okay, it's finally here. My blog candy to celebrate 1000 hits! I'm almost at 1300, but let's just ignore that little fact, okay?

So, to make up for my tardiness, I've put together TWO blog candy giveaways! Just a little something to say 'thank you' for reading my blog. :)

Blog Candy #1 - "Retro"
A collection of (mostly) retro colours and images. There's ribbon, paper, Magic Mesh, a mini-scrapbook, jumbo eyelets, metal embellishments, die-cuts & tags, SU punched shapes, K&Co retro chipboard images, mini clothespins, and a whack of Prima flowers:
Blog Candy #2 - "Brights"
Well, brights and pastels, I guess. There's ribbon, paper, lots of die-cuts, Magic Mesh, SU punched shapes, a little Creative Memories paper/stickers set, a few square rhinestones, some googley eyes (I think they're hilarious on a kid's card!), a few clear buttons, and some Prima flowers.

So, how do you win one of these fun little packages? It's simple:

#1 - Spread the word. Share a link to my blog candy post on your blog.
#2 - Leave a comment on this post, with a link to your blog, as well as your favourite craft-related organizational tip. If you haven't heard, I'll soon have an entire room for my crafts, so I'm compiling a list of ideas!

I'll randomly pick two winners in exactly one week from now, so be sure to leave your comment on this post before next Sunday at midnight (PST). The blog candy is open to all of North America.

And thanks for helping me reach over 1000 hits!

Good news!

I found the missing stamp set. Somehow, it migrated down the side of my desk, and was on the floor next to the closet door. Whew!

More blog candy!

If you're sick of waiting for mine to be posted, check these blogs out:

Bunny-Zoe has reached 10,000 hits!