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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table Scraps...

The other day we got the word that my husband's family is coming to visit us the week of Thanksgiving. Even though I am excited to have them, it means that I have gone into a bit of a panic. There is so much to do before they arrive. One of the main things that needs to happen is the relocation of my craft supplies. Normally I use my dining room as a craft room, but with five extra people in our home, I need to relocate and/or store my craft supplies until after Thanksgiving. So what does that mean in relation to my blog? Well, thankfully I still have some projects set aside that I haven't shared with you yet. I will be posting, but less-frequently during the next few weeks.

I decided to use some of the scraps I had laying on my craft table to make a quick card for today's post. You may recognize the felt flower as being a leftover from the baskets I made my downline team members a few weeks ago. I used three different dies to make this sunflower...the Flower Folds die, the Circle #2 die, and the Autumn Accents die. I used a higher quality felt for this project as well. That way the receipent can remove the flower from the card and attach it to another project such as a headband or even add a pin-back.

I used the Woodgrain embossing folder for the background along with Early Espresso Cooridnations card stock to create a fun autumn-themed birthday card. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. It is supposed to be beautiful here tomorrow. My thoughts are prayers are with those on the East Coast who are dealing with the aftermath of hurricane Sandy.

SAB Fresh Vintage Petal Cone

Today's projects was one of my favorite samples for Leadership. I used the Petal Cone die to create a box out of Real Red CS. Then I stamped it all over with Real Red ink and the flourish stamp from the SAB set "Fresh Vintage".

I used Real Red, Daffodil Delight, and Always Artichoke Stamp-n-write markers to color the image on the flaps. This picture from the display shows the detail much better. Yes, it did require more time, but it was so worth the results! I created the tag using the Tiny Tags stamp set (#118592) and the Jewelery Tag punch (#117190).

Elegant Bird Bigz L Die

These are some projects that were on display last week at Leadership using the fun new Elegant Bird Bigz L die. I didn't make them, but I thought I would share them with you none-the-less. Isn't this just the cutest Birthday Bird card. (Disclaimer: I ihink they must have cut away a portion of the wings for this project.) I can just imagine how adorable this would be as a cake topper, on a gift bag, or even made into a banner...the possibilities are endless.

I've included a picture of the actual die so that you can get an idea of just how cute this die really is. Here is an adorable home decor project using this fun new die. I love they way they added the wings to the heart...that is so in-style with the trends right now.

I tried to get a picture of the project that was hanging above it, but it didn't turn out very well (sorry). They took a branch a dangled several birds from the branch (sort of like a mobile). You can click on the photos to get a closer look if you would like. This die is available in the Occassions Mini Catalog. I still have lots to share, so be sure to check back tomorrow.

Big Shot Take Out Box with Poinsettia

The Artisan Award Winners Holiday Gallery is now up over at Stampin' Up!'s Facebook page. You can see all of the incredible projects here. This is my project for the gallery. I started by creating a box with the Petal Cone Die and modifying it to create a take out box. Then I used the heel portion of the Holiday Stocking Die and the holly leaf from the Stocking Accents die along with the Spider Web embossing folder to create a gorgeous poinsettia.

Last month I taught some of my downline to make a similar poinsettia at one of our downline meetings. My friend, Nancy Brown, filmed the demonstration so that I could share it with you. For this project I placed the smaller flower on top of the larger one. Both flowers are pretty by themselves, but when you put the two together the results are stunning. The video is a little slow-paced because I was giving a demonstration, so I tried to edit it down. It is very detailed and you should be able to get the same results if you follow the instructions on the tutorial. You can purchase everything you need to create the box and flower at my online store, here. Also, scroll down for a list of supplies.

Poinsettia Supplies: 105119: Always Artichoke Card Stock 119685: Cherry Cobbler Card Stock 119670: Early Espresso Classic Stampin’ Pad 125636: Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons 117237: Antique Brads 104430: Stampin’ Dimensionals 103683: Mini Glue Dots 110755: Multipurpose Liquid Glue 102300: Bone Folder 119860: 1-3/8” Circle Punch 113439: Big Shot 124098: Holiday Stocking Bigz L Die 124099: Stocking Accents Originals Die 120889: Spider Web Textured Impressions Embossing Folder 101610: Stamping Sponges

Box Supplies: 117014: Curly Cute Set 119685: Cherry Cobbler Card Stock 101650: Very Vanilla Card Stock 122349: Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper 119669: Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin’ Pad 120992: Cherry Cobbler 1/2” Seam Binding Ribbon 104294: Sticky Strip 113439: Big Shot 121810: Petal Cone Bigz L Die 122334: Simply Scored

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Holiday Mini Catalog Is Now Online!

  
 
Today is September 1st and you know what that means...the new Holiday Mini Catalog is here and it is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! I personally think this is one of the best holiday catalogs ever! Stampin' Up! gives demonstrators the opportunity to purchase items one month in advance, and let me tell you, I had a difficult time restraining myself. I wanted practically one of everything and I know you will too, so be sure to check it out. You can download a pdf of the new catalog here.

 

I was recently asked to participate in a Holiday Mini swap and this is what I made. Aren't these little stocking adorable? They are made using the new Bigz L Holiday Stocking Die (#124098) and the Stocking Accents Die (124099). I used some Frostwood Lodge DSP (124002), some Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green card stock, and the new Snow Burst Texture Impressions Embossing Folder (#124096).

I turned the top of the card into a flap so that you can open it and insert a gift card (or money) and then close it. In order to keep it closed, I used a really cool new product from Scotch called Removable Clear Mounting Squares. They are much more attractive than velcro and they are tacky enough to keep the flap shut over and over. The tree embellishment is made with the Stocking Accents die. I embossed it and added some rhinestones that I colored with a red Sharpie marker.

I didn't have enough of any one paper to make all the stockings alike, so I used several different combinations of DSP and card stock. I love the gingham holly leaves on this one...so much fun. I sponged the edges of everything with Chocolate Chip ink to give it an aged, country Christmas feel. I even inked the bakers twine (#123125) with some Chocolate Chip ink. Get started on Christmas early this year. Head on over to my online store to get everything you need to make these fun gift card holders.

Stamp Sets: Tiny Tags; Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, & Whisper White CS; Frostwood Lodge DSP; Ink: Chocolate Chip & Cherry Cobbler; Accessories: Holiday Stocking & Stocking Accents Die, Snow Burst Embossing Folder, Rhinestones, Bakers Twine, Jewelry Tag & Scallop Edge Border Punch, Regals Designer Buttons, Dimensionals; Other: Scotch Removable Clear Mounting Squares , Red Sharpie Marker.

Artisan Award Swap Project

Well, the Artisan Award Blog Hop is now a memory and it's time to move on. Before the blog hop I was showing you some of the swaps that I received from the other Artisans, but some of them wanted to extend the blog hop to include their swap project so instead of me showing you their projects, you can check their blogs to see what they have to share. Here is the card that I made to swap with the other Artisans at convention.

This was almost one of my entries into the AA, but I was trying to focus more on stamping and less on paper crafting, so I decided to set it aside for another day. You can probably imagine that I used a ton of DSP and buttons in order to make 16 of these cards. (We made extra to make sure everyone at the dinner received one.) Thank goodness for the Big Shot and the Fun Flowers & Blossom Party dies. Even with that, they still took several hours to make.

Stamp Sets: Just Believe; Paper: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red/Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Subtles/Regals/Brights Patterns DSP; Ink: Chocolate Chip; Accessories: Fun Flowers Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Modern Label Punch, 5-Petal Punch, Build A Blossom Punch; Designer Buttons; Hemp Twine, Linen Thread, Dimensionals.

 

2011 Artisan Award-Winning Blog Hop - Day 8

If you've been following along, then you know that we are down to our last three days of our blog hop. It has been so much fun sharing our projects with you. I saved my three favorite projects for the end. Just like every other day for the past several days, if you are blog hopping in order, then you should have just arrived from Heather Summers blog. Isn't Heather amazing? Now on to the hop. It really doesn't matter what order you view the projects, just as long as you make sure to visit everyone on the list.

 

 
Today I will show you my favorite card. Do you recognize this stamp?  What if I told you that it started out as a baby bottle? Yep, that's right! I am at the stage in my life where I don't attend a lot of baby showers, so it didn't phase me one little but to cut the top of that bottle right off...snip, snip! It all started because I had a mason jar filled with flowers sitting on my kitchen counter. I thought, wouldn't it be wonderful if I had a stamp of a jar that I could fill with flowers.

This card went through a lot of changes before it got to it's final phase. I designed the base of the card in MDS. Then it went from digital to hybrid. Then I decided that it should probably be a traditional card, so I totally re-made it from the ground up. I don't make many shabby cards, but as I was working on it, I decided that it definitely needed to have a vintage look to it. I am not going to lie and say that this card was easy. It definitely presented a few challenges. But in the end, it was worth every single second that I invested in it! There are lots of details that you don't want to miss. I love the way the seem binding ribbon makes such a fabulous vintage bow. I smeared distressing ink on it, sprayed it with some water, scrunched it up and let it dry.

That's all for today. Don't forget, we have two more days of award-winning projects to share, so be sure to check back. Now it's time to see what Sandra Farrell has to share with you today. As always, here's a little guide to help you along the way.

1. Connie Collins (that's me)  
2. Sandra Farrell
3. Heidi King  
4. Heather Klump   
5. Cheryl LeFore   
6. Laura Mellinger
7. Jennifer Picard    
8. Heather Stevens       
9. Summer Stone    
10. Heather Summers   

Card Stock: Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Very Vanilla; DSP: Springtime Vintage; Classic Ink Pads: Basic Black, Baja Breeze; Blender Pen; Stampin’ Write Markers: Certainly Celery, Old Olive; Jewelery Tag Medium Punch; Stamp Sets: Tag Alongs, Herb Expressions; Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot Machine; Tasteful Trims Bigz Die; Antique Brads; 1/2" Seam Binding-Very Vanilla; Stamping Sponge; Linen Thread;Mini Glue Dots; Distressing Essentials Kit-Tea Stain; Heat Tool.