Chip! Chip! Hooray! I've got Blog Candy!

Here is another project that was inspired by a convention presentation.  Carrie Cudney and Lori Olaveson demonstrated a 9" x 9" chipboard calendar with a baby girl theme that would be perfect for recording baby milestones.  I decided to use their layout and design a Christmas countdown calendar with some leftovers from the Winter Bright simply scrappin' kit.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamp Sets:  Big Deal Alphabet, Many Merry Messages ("Christmas"), Calendar

Ink:  Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black, and Whisper White Craft

Paper:  Winter Bright Simply Scrappin', Shimmery White, Wild Wasabi

Misc:  Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Sticky Strip, 2-Way Glue, Pop-Up Glue Dots, Sponge, Sanding Block, 9" chipboard clipboard, On Board Ginormous Pieces, and On Board Trimmings (from the holiday mini)

I started by creating a template for the base of the clipboard.  It measures 9" x 9" but you'll need to create a cut-out area at the top for the clip.  Once the Wild Wasabi patterned paper was the correct size, I adhered it to the clipboard with sticky strip.  I traced the Ginormous chipboard piece onto the Real Red patterned paper, cut it out and adhered it with 2-way glue.  My next step was to sand all the edges of the clipboard and the scallop frame.  The sanding took ahile to do, so it was a Big Brother project!

The edges of the frame were sponged with Whisper White craft ink, then embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder to give the illusion of snow (hopefully).  I also had to cut a notch out of the frame, so that it would fit properly.  The frame was attached with Pop-Up glue dots.

The Wild Wasabi base for the calendar measures 6 1/2" square.  The calendar and "Merry" were stamped onto Shimmery White cardstock and adhered to the Wild Wasabi.  I also added a few self-adhesive die-cuts to the calendar from the simply scrappin' kit.

Finally, the snowflakes were sponged and embossed, then adhered with Pop-Up glue dots.

As you may be able to tell, I like my projects to shimmer, sparkle & shine!  This week, I'll be drawing one name to receive Dazzling Diamonds glitter to add some pizazz to your projects.  Leave a comment with your name and your favorite Christmas stamp set.  I'll announce the winner next Wednesday, September 5th.

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

Boo Boxes

At convention this year, Jaron Winder demonstrated BOO BOXES.   These were so cute, I couldn't wait to try them for myself!  My boxes did not turn out as tall & skinny as his...mine are a little shorter and stubbier, but still cute!

I've included step-by-step instructions below.  Feel free to email me at melissa42@msn.com if you have any questions.

SUPPLY LIST:

Stamp Set:  Booglie Eyes

Paper:  Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper, 12 x 12 More Mustard, 12 x 12 Pumpkin Pie, 12 x 12 Basic Black, Whisper White Scraps

Ink:  Basic Black Classic Ink, Whisper White Craft Ink

Markers:  Sahara Sand, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Lovely Lilac, Green Galore

Accessories:  On Board Simon Upper, Black grosgrain ribbon, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Sticky Strip, Mini & Pop-Up Glue Dots, Scoring Tool (I use the scoring blade on the paper cutter)

Step 1:  Score the 12 x 12 cardstock at 4" on each side, and diagonally on each corner.  See Diagram.

Step 2:  Fold along the score lines, pinch corners together.  I folded the flaps inside and used staples to hold the box together.  You could also fold the flaps to the outside and/or use adhesive to secure the flaps.  There is no right or wrong way to do it.

Step 3:  Cut 3 pieces of the Designer Series Paper to 7" square.  Score at 1 3/8" on all 4 sides.  Cut along the lines indicated in the template shown below.  Use sticky strip to adhere the corners together to complete the box lid.  With lid on box, tie 22" of black grosgrain ribbon around lid and trim the ends.

Step 4:  Now here's a great trick!  Because there is only one of each letter in the On Board Simon Upper Chipboard, you would normally have to buy 2 packages in order to spell the word "BOO".  However, you can turn the "Q" into another "O" just by trimming the little thingy (I'm sure there is a technical term for it, but you know what I mean).

 

Step 5:  To get that glittery look, sponge each letter with Whisper White Craft Ink and emboss with Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  Adhere the letters to your boxes with Pop-up glue dots.

Step 6:  Stamp images from the Booglie Eyes stamp set onto whisper white cardstock.  Color with markers or watercolor with the medium of your choice.  Cut out images and adhere to boxes with mini glue dots.

Step 7:  Display your boxes around your home or office, make up a few as gifts, and enjoy hearing lots of "ooooohs" and "aaaaaaahs".

Remember, it's quick and easy to place an order with me for any of the products you see here.  Email me at melissa42@msn.com with the items you'd like to purchase and I'll contact you to confirm your order and arrange payment.  It's that easy!

Have a great time making BOO BOXES!!!

Melissa

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