Constantly Stamping

Picket Fence Easter Basket

I have one more Easter project for you today. This cute little Picket Fence Easter Basket looks much harder to make than it actually is. The secret is to use the lower portion of the Fancy Favor box die to create a basic basket.

Cut a 3"x11.5" piece of Whisper White card stock. Now use the Fancy Favor Box Die to cut the bottom portion of the box. Assemble the box. It will be about 2" shorter than a normal Fancy Favor box. Cut 10 pieces of Whisper White CS into 1"x3" strips. Hand cut the point of each "picket". Emboss all ten pieces using the Woodgrain embossing folder. Sponge Soft Suede ink onto each picket. For the handle attach a 1/2"x6" piece of Whisper White CS to each side using brads. Glue fence pieces to the sides of the box using Tombo Multi-purpose adhesive. Let dry.

Stamp the striped flag from the "Hearts A Flutter" stamp set with Primrose Petals ink and cut it out using the Hearts A Flutter framelit that has a tag shape. Now stamp the solid flag with Primrose Petal ink and use the Bitty Butterfly punch to create the embellishment. Add pearls to the butterfly and attach it to the basket using mini glue dots.

To finish the tag, stamp the solid image (with the tiny heart) from the "Pretty Petites" stamp set (Sale-a-bration) with Baja Breeze ink. Punch out image with the coordinating Petite Curly Label Punch. Now stamp the "hello" tag with Primrose Petals ink. Punch out the circle using one of the circles from the "Owl Builder" punch...it’s the perfect size and gives you another use for the punch. Attach "hello" to solid square to cover the heart. Now use a dimensional to attach to the tag. Tie on a piece of Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon and tie a bow. Punch a small hole at the top of the tag and attach the tag to the bow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Bit of Spring Petite Pocket

Today's project is a cute little favor for Easter. I used the Petite Pocket die to cut Whisper White card stock. I recommend using the Distressed Dots background stamp, but I don't have that one, so I improvised and used a pencil eraser to stamp the dots. I chose to make this project monochromatic (Wisteria Wonder). I stamped the lining with the argyle stamp from the Beyond Plaid set...it's a great way to s-t-r-e-t-c-h your supplies.

I used the bunny image from A Little Bit of Spring set for the focal image and watercolored it to coordinate with the rest of the project. A few months ago I did a video tutorial on how to make this cute paper faux bow. It makes a great embellishment and looks really cute on this project. I made this in a hurry as a prototype for Jill, so I didn't have any candy to put in it. But I was thinking that it would be really cute filled with pixie straws. I would love to see what you come up with.

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Bloomin' Marvelous Card

Workshop Cards for St. George Event

I have a little confession to make. A few months ago my upline, Jill Olsen, asked me to design some cards for her March large-group event in St. George, Utah. So if you have been wondering why I haven't been blogging much, this is basically the reason.

Creating workshop cards for a big event (over 100 stampers) was challenging, but I think it all turned out well. I ended up designing fifteen projects (some with two versions) that focused primarily on products from Sale-a-bration and the Spring Mini Catalog. I promised Jill that I would keep the projects under-wraps until after the event, so now that it is over, I can begin sharing them will all of you.

SO GLAD CARD

For this card I used a standard Crumb Cake card stock base and Sycamore Street DSP cut into 1" x 5.25" strips. I attached the dsp strips to a 5.25" x 4" Crumb Cake layer and sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink. Next I cut a Scallop Edge Medallion from Pool Party CS using Perfect Pennants Die and sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink. I cut a 2" circle of Whisper White CS using the Circles #2 Die and stamped a greeting from the "Bloomin’ Marvelous" (Sale-a-bration) stamp set using Island Indigo ink.

I sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink and adhered it to the scallop circle base. Next I stamped the flower full strength with Tangerine Tango ink on Whisper White CS. I trimmed the flower by hand and attached it to the tag using a dimensional. I added a rhinestone to the flower center and added a small bow made with Island Indigo Ribbon from the Sycamore Street ribbon & button pack (Sale-a-bration).

Just a side note: Jill may have altered a project in order to streamline the stamping process or better utilize products that she may have already had on-hand. My prototypes may vary slightly or even significantly from the final workshop projects. Also, I think she only used three or four of the cards I designed, so some of these may have only been on display or not used at all.

 

 

 

Valentine Boutique Boxes

I knew from the minute that I saw the Boutique Boxes Designer Kit (#129306) in the spring catalog that I would love them. You can use them exactly as they were intended, or you can do what I did and turn them inside-out and decorate them. They are super easy and fun to make. For this project I used the Hearts a Flutter stamp set and stamped all over the box with Real Red ink. Then I assembled the box and and sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink.

The ticket images in the That's the Ticket stamp set were the perfect addition. I stamped on the leftover section of the box, so I didn't even need any additional card stock. The Ticket Duo Builder Punch is designed to work perfectly with this set. Here's a little tip: I actually tied the top of the box closed. But never fear...I left the bottom of the box open so that I could add treats later. It also makes it easy for the person who receives it to open it without destroying the packaging. I added a Cherry Cobbler button and some hemp jewelery twine (non SU) for the bow. Some of you might be wondering what to do with the remaining pieces of the kit? Well, I will have some ideas on that to share with you soon, so be sure to check back.

 

 

 

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Happy Valentine Heart Stamp

Every once in a while SU comes out with just the cutest little promotion and the Happy Valentine Heart Stamp that is included in the Valentine Treat Bundle is just adorable. The bundle comes with the single stamp and includes fifty of the 1"x8" cello bags. Now, you know I couldn't resist stepping it up a notch, so, just so we are clear, I added a few things that are not part of the bundle.

The heart stamp itself is designed to fit perfectly with the Full Heart Punch, but since that is about the only SU punch that I don't own, I used one of the dies from the Hearts Collection Framelits and it worked really well. I stamped the heart in various colors of ink  (Real Red or Melon Mambo) on Whisper White card stock. After die cutting them, I layered them on a second heart made using the Hearts a Flutter stamp set and matching framelits from the new Spring Mini Catalog. I stamped the laced edge heart with VersaMark ink, heat embossed it with Winter White embossing powder, and then die cut them with the coordinating framelit die.

If you visit my blog often, then you know that I am about a 98% SU gal, but there is absolutely one thing I refuse to give up and that is my gingham ribbon. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE gingham and since I didn't  have any current SU ribbon that went well with this project, I decided to indulge my obsession and add some red & white 7/8" gingham ribbon (non-SU).

That's all for today. Many of my good friends are currently in Orlando at SU Leadership Convention, but I decided to sit this one out. It was a difficult decision to stay at home, but I already have plans to attend convention this summer, so I am hoping that will be enough to keep me from getting too depressed. Homeschooling a high school student is difficult enough without missing almost a week of classes. I know I made the right decision, but it is still hard to miss out on the fun!

Purchase the Valentine Treat Bundle—complete with the brand-new Happy Valentine Heart Single Stamp and the cutest little treat bags ideal for all of your precious valentines. Even better, the brand-new Happy Valentine Heart stamp coordinates perfectly with our Full Heart Punch for fast and easy creating.* 

Bundle Item	Description	Retail Value	Special Bundle Price
132771	Valentine Treat Bundle Includes the Happy Valentine Heart Single Stamp (clear-mount) and 1" x 8" cellophane bags	$7.45 US/$9.20 CAN	$5.95 US/ $7.25 CAN

*Full Heart Punch not included in bundle.

Only available through January 21, 2013.

Vintage-Inspired Gift Packaging

When I was a child my father used to drag me to every flea market and antique store he could find...thus the love of all things old and vintage comes naturally. Practically every Saturday we were off on a different adventure to see what old "new" things we might find. These are some of the most precious memories I have of my childhood. Just me and my dad hunting for unexpected "treasures" in a sea of what most people would call junk. I have always been "daddy's girl" and to this day my dad and I will run out to a flea market or antique store together whenever we have an opportunity. Now that we live in different states, those opportunities seem to come much less often.

The project I am sharing today was inspired by those fond memories of childhood. I started by wrapping my gifts with First Edition Speciality DSP. The edges were sponged with Early Espresso ink to give it a worn, vintage feel. Next I tied on some Crumb Cake Scalloped Tulle Ribbon. The snowflake was created with Silver Glitter Paper and die out with the Snow Flurry Bigz Die. I hot glued the layers together and added a little punched paper greenery between layers (non-SU). For even more sparkle, I added some Basic Rhinestones. Then I hot glued the snowflake to the ribbon so that the person receiving the gift could slide the entire thing off and reuse it. The final touch was a tag stamped with the Merry & Type stamp set in Early Espresso ink.

 

Most likely this will be my final creative post before Christmas. My "to do" list is much too long! I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you for your support. Your uplifting comments and sweet emails are what keeps me moving forward. Thank You and may you and your loved ones have a blessed and wonderful Merry Christmas. Remember, without Christ there is no Christmas!

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JOY Christmas Tag

I guess it is obvious that I have managed to slip in a little creative time recently. Instead of stamping, I used my Big Shot to make this cheerful Christmas tag. It all began with a Real Red card stock and the Two Tags Die. Then I used the Chevron folder to emboss it. I added a two inch strip of dsp from the Festival of Prints DSP Paper Stack. I die cut Red Glitter Paper with the Typeset Alphabet set. I added a snowflake that I cut with the Snow Flurry die and some Silver Glitter Paper. Then I used some White Sweater Trim Ribbon to create a fun bow and topped everything off with some jingle bells that I purchased from the craft store.

Someone asked me where the "to and from" is supposed to go. I suggest adding it on the back side of the tag. Wouldn't this just be so cute added to a package or gift bag?

Season of Sweets Designer Kit

These adorable treats couldn't be easier. I started with the Season of Sweets Designer Kit (126912) and added a few extras to make cute lollipop covers. The suckers came with the bows already attached with twist ties, so I removed them, punched half-circles at the bottom of the treat envelopes with a 3/4" circle punch, inserted the stick through the opening and then reattached the bows. From there it was just a matter of embellishing the front. I used the sticker strips from the kit and gave the ends a ribbon cut. Then I added a little strip of silver glitter paper.

I stamped the Christmas sentiment from the Perfect Punches set with Cherry Cobbler ink, punched them out with the coordinating punches and added them to the front of the packaging. You can make a bunch of these quickly...which is a good thing considering how hectic this time of year can be.