Paper Lanterns

I've had many requests for directions on how to make the paper lanterns like the one from my earlier post.  There are quite a few tutorials on the web, so I'm not going to go into great detail.  However, I will share the basics and my favorite Halloween decorations with you!

Here is a picture of the paper PUMPKIN lantern we made today at the Crop-a-Dile Rocks class:

SUPPLIES:

• 109155 Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper     $9.95


• 109041  5-Petal Flower punch     $15.95


• 105119  Always Artichoke cardstock  $5.50


• 109035  Always Artichoke grosgrain ribbon    $4.95


• 108362  Crop-a-Dile     $29.95

Step 1:  Cut 12 strips of patterned paper to 1" x 6".  We used Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper.

Step 2:  Stack the strips, and punch a 3/16" hole in each end of the stack with a crop-a-dile.  Set the guage to 1/2" for best results.

Step 3:  Punch a 5-petal flower from Always Artichoke cardstock.  Punch a 3/16" hole in the center of the flower with the crop-a-dile.

Step 4:  Take a 12" length of artichoke narrow grosgrain ribbon and fold it in half.  Tie a knot approximately 1/2" from the fold, leaving a small loop.

Step 5:  You'll want to make sure the loose ends of the ribbon are trimmed to a neat point for this part!  Thread the loose ends through the artichoke flower, then through one set of holes in the stack of Creepy Crawly paper.  Bend the paper to form a "C" and thread the loose ends through the bottom holes of the paper.

Step 6:  Tie a knot at the bottom of the paper.  Spread out the strips of paper.

That's it!  Now here is my version of the Halloween decorations that were shown at convention this year:

I found the tree at Michaels on my way home from the airport after convention.  It was about $12, but that was back in July, so I'm not sure if they are still available.

Here is a close-up:

If you'd like to make these lanterns for your own home, remember all products are from Stampin' Up! and are available through me!  Just send me an email and I'll take care of the rest.

SUPPLIES:

• 109155 Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper     $9.95


• 109027  Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon     $4.95


• 109363  Batty for You Stamp Set     $22.95


• 105216  Pumpkin Pie Classic Stamp Pad     $5.25


• 101179  Basic Black Classic Stamp Pad     $5.25


• 105117  Pumpkin Pie cardstock     $5.50


• 102851  Basic Black cardstock     $7.50


• 104401  1-3/8" circle punch     $15.95


• 104403  1-1/4" circle punch     $15.95

My next Stampin' class will be Saturday, October 13th at 7pm.  You'll want to join us for a fun GHOULS NIGHT OUT!  Contact me to reserve your spot.

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

Photo Wreath

I have quite a few craft shows coming up this fall, so I am always on the lookout for fun (and inexpensive) items to alter.  On Saturday, I had a few baby-free hours, so I headed off to Hobby Lobby and the dollar stores.  Unfortunately, Bella has been cutting some teeth and I haven't had much time to play yet.  Here is my first craft fair project:  a photo wreath that features the On Board Trimmings and Dashing Designer Series Paper.  The greatest part is I got the wreath for only $3.50!  Now I just wish I would have picked up a few more!

Each ornament has 2 layers with dimensionals in between so that a photo can easily be inserted.  I adhered the paper with a glue stick, then sanded the edges with the sanding sticks seen in my previous post.  On the smaller frames I applied Real Red and Old Olive craft ink, then embossed with crystal clear embossing powder.  I used the crop-a-dile to punch holes in the top corners, then threaded the 5/8" grosgrain ribbon through the holes and knotted the ends.

This project did not take long to complete and hopefully will be a big hit at the craft fairs.  If anyone has any ideas on pricing, I'm open to suggestions.

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

Allow me to ENABLE you!

Those of you that know me are aware that I rarely use anything other than Stampin' Up! merchandise.  However, I found an item at the Midwest Scrapbook Expo last weekend that I could not live without!  I have very little time to leave our booth, but I make time to visit the Creek Bank Creations booth each year.  Julie Creek has some amazing samples on display and this year Tom did a product demonstration of their new sanding sticks....he's a hoot!  Here's a picture of the sticks:

The top stick is called the Little Sis and the bottom stick is called the Big Bro---they sell for $5.99 and $6.99, respectively.  The sanding belt rotates for multiple uses and you can even buy replacement belts!

The Big Bro is perfect for large pieces of chipboard.  Simply adhere the patterned paper to the chipboard with a glue stick, wait a few minutes for it to dry, then sand away the edges.  The sanding stick cuts the edges precisely and seals them, too!

The Little Sis is great for those hard to reach spots.  I immediately thought of the On Board Trimmings when I saw these tools!  Here is an ornament I made using the Wintergreen Designer Series Paper and the On Board Trimings chipboard from the Holiday mini catalog:

Wouldn't it be great to decorate your tree with a bunch of these beautiful ornaments?  The top is made up of 12, 1" x 6" strips of the Wintergreen Designer Series Paper.  We will be making one of the paper lanterns at the Crop-a-Dile rocks class on Sunday, September 23rd.  All of my classes are held at the stamp shack, 120 S. Buckeye St, Kokomo, IN.  There are still a limited number of seats available for this class, so drop me an email if you would like to attend. 

I also used the snow blossom punch, bashful blue taffeta ribbon, silver elastic cord, and square ice rhinestone brads on the ornament.  If you would like to order any of these items, feel free to email me at melissa42@msn.com. 

And, if you are totally sold on the sanding sticks, visit www.creekbankcreations.com and tell them the stamp doc sent you!

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

Paper Bow Tutorial

I have just returned from the Midwest Scrapbook Expo in Indianapolis.  We had a very busy two days and enjoyed meeting lots of new people.  I had so many requests for the directions to the paper bow and wanted to post the directions ASAP.   The original idea was from a presentation at convention by fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Deb Valder.  This is a great project for using up all your scrapbooking scraps!

STEP 1:  Cut your strips of paper.  For this bow, I used 8 strips of 1" x 7", 8 strips of 1" x 6", and 1 strip of 1" x 4".

Step 2:  Fold and adhere all of the 1" x 7" and 1" x 6" strips according to photo below.  You'll need to overlap them at an angle.

Step 3:  Attach 4 loops together to make a layer of the bow.  I used staples in my example.

Step 4:  Stack the layers together using pop-up glue dots between each layer.

Step 5:  Make a loop from the 1" x 4" strip and adhere to the center of the bow with a glue dot.

 

Enjoy your adventures in bow-making!

Melissa

What a Cutie!!!

I'm leaving for the Midwest Scrapbook Expo tomorrow, but I wanted to leave you with a few "pretty" samples that I will have on display at the expo.  All of the samples use various elements from the new Pretties kit......flowers, rhinestones, hatpins, and pearls.....oh my!

This is a 12 x 12 page of my daughter, Isabella.  I think this is the first time she noticed her reflection in the mirror, and of course, I think it's just precious!

I love the elegant look of black and ivory.  I used the textured cardstock on this card and it really adds a nice texture to the floral background stamp. 

On this card, I used the new Holiday Harmony designer series paper and Purely Pomegranate Satin ribbon.  This card really sparkles and shines!!!

Speaking of sparkle and shine.....I have blog candy to give to KIM!  Congratulations!

I'll be on hiatus for a few days, but promise to post as soon as I return.

Happy Stampin'!

Melissa

Wintergreen & Season of Joy

So many of you have posted that Season of Joy from the upcoming Holiday MIni Catalog is now your favorite Christmas set.  I wanted to share with you a collection of cards using the stamp set with the Wintergreen Designer Series Paper.  Enjoy!

And don't forget to post a comment to be entered to win Dazzling Diamonds Glitter!  The drawing will be held Wednesday, September 5th!

Melissa

SUPPLIES:

Stamp Set:  Season Of Joy (Holiday Mini)
Ink:  Always Artichoke, Soft Sky, Certainly Celery
Paper:  Soft Sky, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Wintergreen Designer Series Paper
Misc:  3/4" circle punch, 1 " circle punch, round tab punch, artichoke brads, word window punch, ice circle brads, corner rounder punch, 1/2" circle punch, sticky strip, Soft Sky stitched ribbon, 2-way glue, dazzling diamonds