Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Big Shot Pop-Up Dies

Last weekend, I held a Big Shot Bonanza class featuring the new Pop-Up dies from Sizzix.  We made 2 cards with the cake die, and an explosion box with the ball die.  Everyone loved how they turned out!


Birthday Cake Pop



Flower Pot card



Cherry Explosion Box



I am hoping to post my first video tutorial this weekend featuring the Cherry Explosion box, so be sure to check back.  I've also had some requests for the flower pot card, so I'll put that one next on my list.


The next Big Shot Bonanza class is scheduled for Sunday, May 31st at 2pm.  You can sign up by visiting my meetup group.


Happy Stampin'


Melissa



Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Simple Cupcake Card

Simple Cupcake


One of the great things about the Big Shot is that you finally have a way to use those small leftover pieces of cardstock and designer series paper.


I demonstrated the card above at my recent Big Shot Bonanza class.  I used scraps of Riding Hood Red cardstock, Chocolate Chip cardstock, and Candy Lane designer series paper with the Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits die.  Then, I dusted off my paper crimper and ran the Chocolate Chip cardstock through to create the wrapper.  Here's a quick tip:  insert the cardstock piece into the crimper, and clamp down on the middle of the paper.  Turn the handle forward and back to create a straight crimp pattern.


The image on the inside is called Birthday Wish and you can receive it for FREE this month with your purchase of $40 from the Occasions Mini catalog.  For your convenience, you can SHOP NOW on my Stampin' Up! website or if you prefer, just email me your order anytime.


Happy Stampin'


Melissa


 



Monday, April 6, 2009

Congratulations

Each month, I try to send a card to the top 10 demonstrators in my downline.  Everyone loves to receive a hand-stamped card and be recognized for a job well done.  Since I don't generally have a lot of free time to stamp 10 cards, I will generally cut extra materials for one of my Stamp-a-Stack cards and make them up in what little free time I have.


We made this card at the February Stamp-a-Stack and the top 10 demonstrators received this card in March.  It features the Delicate Dots Designer Series paper and the coordinating Polka Dot punches stamp set.  The images were stamped with versamark and embossed with white embossing powder, then punched out with the 5-petal flower punch.  We also used the Congratulations stamp set and ribbon bundle from Sale-a-Bration to complete the card.


Sassab


And this is the card my top 10 demonstrators will receive in April.  We made this at last week's Stamp-A-Stack and it was so simple!  The card features the Botanical Blooms stamp set and the Delicate Dots Designer Series paper. 


Botanical blooms


Being a Stampin' Up demonstrator is very rewarding and I'm always looking for talented people to join my team.  If you would like more information about the demonstrator opportunity, click the JOIN MY TEAM button at the top of the page or feel free to contact me at melissa42@msn.com




Sunday, April 5, 2009

Manhattan Flower

Manhattan1


One of my FAVORITE new products is the Manhattan Textured Impressions die.  I could not wait to demonstrate it at the last Big Shot Bonanza class!  This die creates an elegant, embossed card front image and you won't believe how quickly you can create a beautiful card with it.


We made the card above at the class and it literally takes about 3 minutes to make from start to finish.  You simply place the cardstock in the folder, run it through the Big Shot, fold the cardstock in half, adhere to Basic Black cardstock, stamp "Together Forever" and tie on Whisper White organza ribbon.


When I'm preparing projects for a class, I often make up several samples before I decide on the final projects.  The cards below were my "rejects" from the class.


Manhattan2 


A subdued sympathy card


Manhattan3 


Another wedding card with dazzling diamonds and a pearl accent


Manhattan4 


A bright and cheerful birthday greeting


I don't normally like my rejects, but I thought these were good enough to share.  If you would like to purchase the Manhattan textured impressions die, you can SHOP NOW on my Stampin' Up! website or contact me at melissa42@msn.com


 



Saturday, April 4, 2009

Peek-A-Boo

Peekaboo


Can you guess who's hiding behind these ears?


Peekaboo2 


It's the Easter bunny!!!


This is a super simple card that we made at the last Stamp-a-Stack class.  The bunny was created using the following punches:  wide oval, large oval, small oval, heart to heart, and 1/4" circle.  The facial features were drawn by hand with a Basic Black marker and a white gel pen was used to dot the eyes.  The ears are attached with vanilla brads from the hodgepodge hardware kit which allows them to move up and down easily.


The finished card size is 3" x 3".  I think this card would also be cute to attach to a baby gift, don't you?




Friday, April 3, 2009

Easter Projects

Last weekend, I hosted a Stamp-A-Stack class and a Big Shot Bonanza class.  I'll be sharing all of the projects with you from both classes in the next few posts.


In the Stamp-a-Stack class, we make 6 cards--2 each of 3 designs.  Everyone loved the Easter chick card made with the Top Note die and various Stampin' Up! punches.  Isn't she cute?


 HPIM0955 


Body:  So Saffron cardstock with Top Note Die


Arms:  So Saffron cardstock with scallop circle punch


Hair & Beak:  Tangerine Tango cardstock with 5-Petal Flower punch


Feet:  Tangerine Tango cardstock with Boho Blossoms punch


Eyes:  Pick-a-Petal image stamped with Basic Black ink onto Whisper White cardstock and punched with 1" circle punch, 1/2" circle punched from Bashful Blue cardstock, 1/4" circle punched from Basic Black cardstock, dotted with white gel pen


Eyelashes:  Basic Black cardstock with Boho Blossoms punch


Eggs:  Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, and Delicate Dots Designer Series paper punched with large oval punch


Greeting is from Loads of Love Accessories stamp set


Easter projects


We made the Easter basket at the Big Shot Bonanza class.  It was created using the Scallop Envelope die, Bashful Blue cardstock, Delicate Dots Designer Series paper, and the Sale-a-Bration ribbon bundle. 


If you live near Kokomo, Indiana, I would love to have you join me for an upcoming class.  There are classes for card-makers, scrapbookers, and everything in-between.  You can view all of my classes on meetup.com.



Thursday, April 2, 2009

May I suggest......


OvalAllClass3



Oval All Card Kit


This set features four elegant cards and a beautiful matching box.  It would make a wonderful gift for Mother's Day or a Teacher Appreciation gift!


Oval All Stamp Set  Oval punch  Walk in the Park DSP


My April Class kit features 3 new items from the Occasions Mini catalog:



  • 113790     Oval All Stamp Set     $16.95

  • 114889     Scallop Oval Punch    $15.95

  • 115123     Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper     $9.95


Order all 3 items on my Stampin' Up! website and I'll send you the electronic instructions for the four cards and the matching gift box for FREE! 


Happy Stampin'



Melissa