Merry & Bright Pocket Card

I've been making a lot of pocket cards lately.  They are perfect for birthday invitations, baby announcements, and obviously, Christmas cards.  Again, there is a fantastic tutorial on SCS for pocket cards.  I did change the card size to 4 14" x 5 1/2" to make it more envelope friendly.

A complete supply list can be found in my previous post.

Merry & Bright Tri-Fold Card

This darling card measures only 4 inches square, but I think it is one of my favorites.  It was actually the last card I made in this grouping because it used up the small scraps of the Dashing designer series paper that I had left over from the other cards!

There is a great tutorial on SCS on how to make the tri-fold card, so I won't bore you with the details.  All of the supplies can be found in my previous post.

 

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

I realize that Christmas is still several months away, but I already have customers asking for card ideas.  Luckily, I had a box of goodies arrive last Friday and I've had a little time to play with my new toys.  This first set of cards uses the Merry & Bright stamp set from the Holdiay Mini Catalog and the Dashing Designer Series paper.  I'll post the directions for the tri-fold and pocket card later this week, so be sure to check back!

SUPPLY LIST

• Real Red, Old Olive, River Rock, and Whisper White Cardstock


• Whisper White Craft Ink, Basic Black Classic ink


• Dashing Designer Series Paper


• 2-Way Glue and Dazzling Diamonds


• Merry & Bright stamp set


• Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon


• Real Red brads


• Stampin' Dimensionals


• Punches:  Word Window, Tab, slit, circle and squares

Snowman Spinner Card

Instructions:

1. Fold 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" real red cardstock in half to create card base.  Stamp front of card with snowflakes with Whisper White Craft ink.


2. Line up the word window punch with the bottom left corner of the card.  Make sure it is in as far as it will go and punch.  Repeat on the bottom right corner of the card.  Now punch out the middle portion of the card.


3. Tear one edge of a 2' x 5 1/2" of whisper white cardstock.  Apply 2-way glue to the edge and sprinkle with dazzling diamonds glitter.  Adhere white strip to bottom of card front, being careful not to cover punched area.


4. Stamp snowman on whisper white cardstock and punch with 1 1/4" circle punch.  Color in snowman with Old Olive and Real Red markers.  Add a small amount of dazzling diamonds to snowman body.


5. Punch 2 circles from old olive cardstock using the 1 3/8" circle punch.  Adhere one circle to the snowman circle.  Adhere a penny to the back of each old olive circle, then adhere a dimensional to each penny.


6. The dimensionals will be adhered together in the punched area to create the spinner.


7. Adhere a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Dashing Designer Series paper inside card.

  Quick & Easy Cards

Both of these cards were super quick to make and would be perfect for the kids to help with!  Simply pick out the patterned paper you want to use, stamp & color your images, add some ribbon & glitter, and your done!

If you are ready to start your own Christmas cards, feel free to contact me.  I'd be happy to assist you with ordering supplies.

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

August Stamps by Mail

-for “out of town” and “busy” stampers.  Receive the latest Stampin’ Up! products each month with supplies and instructions to make some fun projects. August - Three For You Punch Box

-Includes the Punch Box Kit (page 183), 30 FREE textured Love notes (3”x3” cards) from Stampin’ Up! and all the precut textured cardstock, ribbon and brads to complete the 30 cards as pictured from me, at no extra charge!   This is a fabulous kit and includes inkpads, punch and die cut stamps!  I have enjoyed it very much.  Now is the best time to purchase it and receive the extra freebies.Cost:  $45.95 plus shipping and tax (total $53.58).IMPORTANT:  Orders are due by August 20^th.  Receive your order and class projects about 10 days from then.

When Inspiration Strikes...

Convention is less than 3 weeks away and I am frantically trying to get some swaps done.  I have signed up for 2 scrapbook page swaps, 15 pages are required for each.  With new stamps in hand, I found inspiration for my page designs from cards.

Don't you just love the look of Black & White?  It's hot in fashion and in stamping!!  We made the card at a demonstrator shoebox swap last weekend using the new Pick-a-Petal stamp set.  The polka dots were made by punching out circles with the 1/4" circle punch.  The trick is to put Snail adhesive on the cardstock before you punch, and the dots are ready to stick.  The scalloped border was created with the corner rounder punch.  Very neat trick and such a nice look.

I love the way the scrapbook page turned out and I can't wait to add some cute pictures of Bella to it.  Hopefully, my fellow swappers will like it, too.

 

Stampin' Up! has introduced 6 new IN COLORS this year, and I must say that  I love all the color combinations that I have tried so far!   The first card was designed by Jennifer Gilbert using the Baroque Motifs stamp set.  She used a pallette of Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, Mellow Moss, and a hint of Groovy Guava.

The second card was my attempt at using the new colors.  I used River Rock, Groovy Guava, and Soft Sky on a Close to Cocoa base.  Now here's what I love.....I stamped the paisley background in River Rock ink onto the River Rock cardstock, then stamped the flourish in Old Olive.  It gives the card such a nice, rich texture.  The flowers are double layered and were created with a paper toling technique taught to me by Jennifer.  I'll certainly be demonstrating at upcoming workshops and classes!  It's a real WOW! 

I wasn't sure how these cards would inspire a scrapbook page, but it worked out nicely.  I would have never thought to use this color combination, and yet, it looks very striking.  The Baroque Motifs stamp set is certainly very versatile.  I can't wait to try some of the coordinating accessories with it!!! 

I'm off to stamp some more!  Hope to see you at an upcoming class!

Melissa

Wild Roses for Mother's Day

Are you ready for Mother's Day?   At the gifts for mom class last week, we completed 3 projects:  the stamped frame, photo album, and coaster box.  The scrapbook pages were made at this month's scrapbook club.  All of the items were made with the Wild Rose stamp set and the Recollections Designer Series Paper.  I love the rich colors of Chocolate Chip, Cranberry Crisp, and True Thyme.  Unfortunately, all of the IN Colors will be retiring soon.  If you need to stock up on Cranberry Crisp, True Thyme, Buckaroo Blue, Cool Caribbean (another favorite!), Marigold Morning, or Vintage Violet, then call me today! 

 

And the winner is....

Julie Rupert sent me her list of 30 stamp sets that she guessed would retire......and she had 23 correct!  She has earned a FREE stamp set to add to her collection.  Congratulations!

I'm busy getting ready for the Great Scrapbook Escape next weekend and I'm very excited that I'll have time to work on my own scrapbooks.  If you weren't able to join us for this event, we have already booked October 12th and 13th for the next ESCAPE.  We'd love to see you there!

But first, I have had several classes and clubs this weekend, so I'll share with you what we've been up to....Friday was Funky Technique night.  We made 6 artist trading cards and learned 6 stamping techniques: 

Polished Stone, Kissing, Masking, Faux Mother of Pearl, Emboss Resist, and Dry Embossing.

Verda and Renee also completed the Gifts for Mom class on Friday night.  I'll share photos of the projects later this week.  They coordinate very nicely with the scrapbook pages we'll be making at scrapbook club on Sunday.

Please take a close look at the Stampin' UP! retirement list.  Stamp sets can be ordered anytime until June 30th, but the wheels are in very limited supply and many have already sold out.  Don't miss out!

Have a great week!

Melissa