Constantly Stamping

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

Shop my online store anytime, 24/7!

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.

Another Secret Revealed

A few months ago I received a really sweet email from another Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Phyllis Strickland. She asked me if I had ever had any of my projects published. Well, I had never really given it much thought up until then. She encouraged me to choose my favorite magazine and submit some of my work.

After thinking about it and looking around, I decided that CARDS magazine is probably closest to my style of cardmaking and I think it is absolutely one of the most beautiful magazines on the market, so I decided to start out small by responding to their call for Valentine/Springtime tags. Well, guess what...one of the two projects I submitted was accepted on the first try. You could have knocked me over with a feather! I don't think the February issue has hit the craft store shelves yet, but my project is on page 101. I have an on-line subscription so I was able to view it there. They have asked me not to share the project on my blog until it has had an opportunity to complete the shelf-life of the magazine, so you will just have to go out and buy a copy. It is an absolutely gorgeous magazine, so you won't be disappointed. Honestly, the photography in this magazine is so beautiful that you might want to leave it out as a coffee table book. If I had a coffee table, that's what I would do...but I guess it will just have to go on the end table instead.

I can show you the tag that didn't make it into the magazine. It's been several months since I made this, so I can't recall everything about it. But basically I added some cork for the ground and some green felt ric-rac for grass that I cut with the Tasteful Trims die and the Big Shot. The crocheted flowers are from the 2010-11 Catalog. I stamped the XOXOXO from the Fundamental Phrases stamp set in Real Red ink.

Thanks for letting me share and have a blessed day!

Gingerbread Treat Topper

Here is a fun project that I did for a recent class and they were a big hit with everyone. I have been doing this project for several years in one form or another. The original idea came from my good friend and former upline, Kelly Hibbett and it has evolved over the years. Here in Tennessee you can buy Little Debbie Gingerbread Cakes at both major grocery store chains. They are soft, chewy, and delicious. Little Debbie brand is a Tennessee-based company, so I am not sure they are available everywhere, but you could substitute some other type of gingerbread treat.

For the topper, I started with a piece of real red card stock. I stamped the poem from Sweet Season in basic black ink a then added some ric-rack trim cut with the Tasteful Trims die. Because I knew that these treats might be given to small children, I used sticky strip tape to adhere the topper to the bag (instead of staples).

 
I used the fancy flower extra large punch to create the body of this little gingerbread man along with the 1" circle punch for the head. I was inspired by similar gingerbread men that I had seen a few years ago created first by my talented friend and SU demonstrator, Becky Roberts (Inking Idaho), and then recently by another talented lady, Jackie Topa (Addicted to Stamping). After punching the pieces out of crumb cake card stock, I sponged the edges with chocolate chip ink to give it a "fresh baked" look. I hand drew the mouth with a basic black stampin' write marker and added cheeks I made by punching real read card stock with an everyday hole punch from the office supply store...same thing for the basic black buttons. For the eyes I used a 1/8" hole punch. I added a real red grosgrain bow to hide where I had attached the head to the body. Isn't he just adorable? Almost good enough to eat!

Well, I am off to do finish up some last-minute Christmas shopping. Have a blessed day! Ho, Ho, Ho!

Pink & Black Butterfly Card

Hi there! We have been crazy busy trying to get ready for Thanksgiving and there are all kinds of things going on. We pulled down the outdoor Christmas decorations from the attic and our living room looks like a disaster zone. There are boxes and plastic tubs everywhere. We put up the outdoor lights this weekend because the weather was absolutely gorgeous here. Of course, we don't actually turn the lights on until after Thanksgiving, but who could resist being outside this weekend. Our front door was in desperate need of a facelift, so I put on a fresh coat of paint (Red Velvet) and cleaned all the brass hardware before putting it back on. It looks so amazing. Of course, that means that there isn't much happening in my stamp room right now and probably won't be for several days, so I am pulling out a card that I have been saving for a busy time like right now.

I probably went a little over-the-top with the bling on this card. Just about everything on this card sparkles or shines. I started with a basic black 5.25" square base and added some DSP from the Lap of Luxury collection (#120436). I added rhinestones at every point where there was a little back diamond. Oops, I almost forgot, I added some black satin ribbon before layerying on the DSP. I used the Beautiful Butterflies die (#114507) and my Big Shot die cutting machine to cut three butterflies (two pink and one black). I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the pink butterflies and black Fine Galaxy glitter to the black butterfly. I used a glue gun to adhere the layers together and dimensionals to attach it to the card front.

I stamped the greeting from the Great Friend stamp set in basic black ink and punched it out with the decorative label punch. I stamped a pink flower from Fifth Avenue Floral very lightly behind the sentiment and free-handed the butterfly trail. I added more rhinestones and there you have it...one very blingy pink & black butterfly card.

Have a great day!

 

Northern Frost Snowflake Wreath Card

Have you seen the new Northern Frost Decorative Strip Die (#120901) from the Holiday Mini Catalog? I recently added it to one of my orders and I am so glad that I did. It creates the most beautiful snowflakes. One day I was looking at the snowflakes and thought that if the snowflakes were punched in green card stock they would look alot like pine boughs. I am always looking for ways to stretch the use of my tools/supplies, thus the idea for this card was born.

I opted to use only the medium and small flakes for the wreath, so it took a few extra passes through the Big Shot in order to have enough flakes for this project (about five or six times). Just like creating a wreath for the front door, I started with a circle base and then started building...adding enough greenery until I felt like it was full enough.

 

I created a 5.25" card base with Real Red card stock and layered it with a slightly smaller piece of Garden Green card stock. I layered on some Candy Cane DSP from the Holiday Mini Catalog for more interest. I used the Joy at Christmas stamp from the Perfect Punches stamp set (#117022w/120516c) for the center and topped everything off with a big red satin bow and some shiney red buttons (SU-retired).

 

I hope you have enjoyed this project. Encouraging comments are always appreciated.

You can purchase the supplies for this card at my online store here. Thanks and have a wonderful day!