FREESTYLE FRIDAYS

Happy Friday!!!  My sweet friend, Julie, has a lovely project to share with us for today's installment of Freestyle Fridays.  I can't remember the name of the collection that the designer paper is from, but I still have some patterns from that collection in my stash.  I hope you will join me in hopping over to Julie's blog to find out more about this project, and don't forget to take a few seconds to leave her some comment love.  It's always good to hear from our blog visitors!  Have a great weekend--hopefully, enjoying a taste of Fall--and visit me on Monday for my "Make-It-Snappy-Monday" project.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT MY FALL BANNER

For a couple of days now, I have been wanting to use My Digital Studio to design a Fall banner/header for my blog, and today was the day to get it done!  Listed below are the Stampin' Up! digital images that I used to design the banner and library card at the bottom of posts:

Stamp Brush Sets:  Hand-Penned Holiday, Torn Edges, Hello Doily, Best Wishes & More

Designer Paper:  Spice Cake

Punches:  Scallop Oval, Tag, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Eyelet Border

Accessories:  Baker's Twine, In Color (Pool Party) button, antique brad, Staples & Stitching, Crochet Trim, and Limited Edition Embellishments Designer Kit

The library card is from the Limited Edition Embellishments designer kit, and it has a great little selection of cards, tags, and labels, and I love their distressed appearance.

Have I told you lately that I {heart} My Digital Studio?  Stampin' Up! releases new digital downloads every Tuesday.  All of the downloads can be found on my web site when you click the "Shop Now" button (in the top right corner).  A window will open and, on the right side of the window, you'll see the newest downloads.  The program itself is easy to use, and I use it way more than I ever thought I would!  If you don't yet own it, you are missing out!!!!!

"FRIGHTFUL SIGHT" BOX OF TREATS

This "box of boxes" that I'm sharing today is a project that I designed about a month ago.  I had a lot of fun with this one, mainly because I used some digital downloads ("Pick Your Poison" embellishments and "Piece of Poison" stamp brush set) and My Digital Studio for most of the design features.  Every holiday presents an opportunity for which to design cards and special treat packages, but Halloween is always a really fun occasion for me!  This project began with one of Stampin' Up!'s Kraft boxes, which is a very generous size and quite inexpensive!  "Frightful Sight" designer paper was used to cover the sides of the box and the interior flaps.  I used MDS to design the border and most of the design elements, and I also stamped the buzzard from the "Dark & Dreary" stamp set to place on the front of the box.  Little dots of "Dazzling Details" glitter were added to this project, along with black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.  I filled the box with four smaller boxes which were cut from the Bitty Box Sizzix die, and I wrapped a strip of "Frightful Sight" designer paper around each box.  Although my project was designed to leave open, it's nice to know that the box can be closed with the Bitty Boxes inside AND that a total of five Bitty Boxes will fit inside the box!  All of the products that I used for this project can be found and purchased on my web site.  Just let me know if you need help finding them!

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY" . . . ROUGHLY-QUILLED ROSEBUDS

When I sat down yesterday to create a project for "snappy Monday," my thoughts were leaning toward something Halloweenish.  As I stared at the mess on my desk (which had been left from getting ready for a vendor fair on Saturday), I spotted something pretty and useful among the rubble.  It was a roughly-quilled Rich Razzleberry rosebud that my son had left as trash on my desk.  Whenever Chad comes to the stamp room, he has a tendency to pick up scraps and strips of card stock and paper and will roll, twirl, fold, snip, and otherwise destroy them while he chats with me.  Of course, he always leaves remnants of his visits, but I don't mind because I love it when he comes in to talk to me.  So, I found two torn strips of card stock that Chad had rolled into "trash balls" and decided to build my project around them.  I know my colors are all over the spectrum and nothing really coordinates, but I was quite pleased with the way this project turned out.  I began my project with a piece of 5.5" x 8.5" Wisteria Wonder designer paper from Stampin' Up!'s In Color Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, which was scored with the Simply Scored tool to create a 2-4-6-8 box.  I *LOVE* this new scoring tool!!!!  Other Stampin' Up! products used include Sizzlits Lots of Tags die, Scallop Oval and Two-Step Bird punches, "Pocketful of Posies" designer paper, Old Olive card stock, Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon, and a mini clothespin which holds the box closed.  Thank you, Chad, for these little rosebuds.  Now, if I could only find a purpose for the interesting paper clip shapes that you leave in the stamp room . . .



"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

With her Freestyle Fridays post last week, Julie used a project on the cover of a Stampin' Success magazine as an inspiring sketch for the pretty card that she created and shared on her blog.  She challenged me to do the same, and I totally accepted the challenge by choosing a card that was

featured on the cover of the November 2009 publication.  Even though I used a different color combo, bird, branch, ribbon, sentiment, button, border punch, and embossing folder, I didn't really change or add anything to make the overall design my own.   Even so, I had this card completed lickety-split and felt a sense of relief knowing that my Freestyle Fridays project was ready to go.  When you are not feeling very creative, pick up a magazine and choose something to inspire you!  It may be a color combo, an ad layout, a tag that you basically copy and use as an accent on a card or scrapbook page, or something else that jump-starts your creativity.  Whatever it is, run with it and enjoy yourself!  Of course, if you know the name of the person who originally designed the project that inspired you, it's nice to give credit where credit is due.  Stampin' Up! products used to complete my card include Pool Party, Real Red, and Whisper White card stock, Snow Burst embossing folder, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Two-Step Bird punch, pearl jewel, designer button, Baker's twine, "Petite Pairs" stamp set, and Old Olive scallop dots ribbon.

A LITTLE BOX FULL OF SCENTSY GOODNESS

I don't often post anything related to the Scentsy products that I sell because most of the items that I share are related to Stampin' Up! but, while getting ready for an upcoming vendor fair this weekend, I came across this box that I designed two months ago with my Gypsy to hold a bottle of Scentsy's Fragrance Foam.  My intention was to make several boxes, but . . . ugh! . . . this was my one and only.  It was also the first box that I've ever designed using the Gypsy, and I really wanted to have more of them made by now.  The paper that I used is (retired) from Stampin' Up!, and I think it came in one of the Simply Scrappin' kits because it's a nice heavy weight--perfect for boxes.  If you are interested in Scentsy products or would like to know more about them, please visit my web site at www.scentsy.com/regina-andari.  As well, if you'd like to order any of the awesome Scentsy products, I have an open party going on now that you'll find on my web site directly under my photo in the "My Open Parties" section.  If you have any questions about the products or would like some scent recommendations, let me know!

WELCOMING COLTON

I have a new great-nephew, who I had the pleasure of meeting yesterday afternoon.  His name is Colton, and he is the most quiet baby that I think I've ever met.  I suppose he'll eventually learn how to make a lot of noise, and he might even decide to change his content disposition, but he is truly precious.  I made an Apple Crisp (for the first time ever) and the card pictured above to take on my visit.  I used my Gypsy and four Cricut cartridges (Art Philosophy, Sentimentals, George, and Wall Decor & More) to design this card, which was cut with my Cricut Expression.  I used a Cuttlebug die to cut the bottle, baby carriage, pacifier, and rattle.  Stampin' Up! products used include Snow Burst embossing folder, Stampin' Dimensionals, Early Espresso ink and sponge dauber, Eyelet border punch, and ribbon. 

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

If you like vintage designs as much as I do, then you'll probably like this one.  Once again, I reached for Stampin' Up!'s "Established Elegance" stamp set, and my color palette is Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory, and Rich Razzleberry.  It's hard to tell from the picture, but I used the faux flannel technique on the Rich Razzleberry card stock, which lends a warm and worn feel to this card.  I am really loving this stamp set--it's perfect for creating vintage collage projects!  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this square card include "Occasions Alphabet" stamp set, First Edition designer paper, Scallop Oval and Large Oval punches, Itty Bitty Shapes punches (for the flowers), pearl jewels, antique brads, and one of the new Designer Frames embossing folders.  I wasn't sure that I'd like cutting out the frame because of the decorative edge, but it was quite easy to do.  I feel that I should encourage you to take a second look--a really close one--at the "Occasions Alphabet" stamp set.  I almost want to say "YIKES!" when I think that I almost talked myself out of this one.  If you take a close look at "Occasions Alphabet", you will see that it not only has some really nice sentiments for cards, it's also a good one for scrapbooking--and I LOVE the fact that it works so well with the oval punches!  

FALL WREATH

This Fall wreath card is one that I planned for my Inkerbelles class this month, and it was fun to see the blend of colors that each person came up with last night.  That one leaf image from the "Autumn Days" stamp set is what was used to create the wreath and, of course, the trio of leaves on the right edge, and the sentiment is from the "Grateful Greetings" stamp set.  All products used to create this card are from Stampin' Up! and include More Mustard, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, and Naturals Ivory card stock, designer button, linen thread, and the following punches:  1" square, 1-1/4" square, and large oval.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" WITH JULIE

Each Friday, for a little more than a year, Julie Beaulieu and I have been taking turns sharing a Freestyle Fridays project.  It's Julie's turn this week, and she has chosen a "thanks so much" design using Fall colors, which is perfect since we are about to enter a new season . . . one that will take us into Thanksgiving.  Julie's card features some punched flowers and adorable pearl jewels, and can you ever go wrong with a butterfly?  There's just something sweet about that!  For more information about Julie's sweet card, visit her blog.  Don't forget to leave her some love!  The poor girl hardly has time for a stampin' life since she's been working, and that is something to cry about!  Have a great weekend, and visit me on Monday to see a "snappy" creation.



GOING SOMEWHERE?

This fun little "going away" gift was a quick one to create using a mint tin, "Well Worn" designer paper, Early Espresso ribbon, linen thread, and a Crop-a-Dile.  I used My Digital Studio and the "World Tour" stamp brush set for the luggage "stickers", and I also used MDS to design the sentiment tag.  Wouldn't this be a great little travel survival kit filled with ordinary necessities such as safety pins, band-aids, calling card or Visa gift card, chewing gum, small scissors (if allowed on an airplane), etc.?  All items featured on this project are from Stampin' Up! with the exception of the tin.

DING, DONG! THE WITCH . . .

. . . has some witchin' shoes!  Isn't this a fun Halloween card?  I haven't added the sentiment yet, but this will definitely be among some of the cards that I send in October.  I used my Gypsy and "Happy Hauntings" cartridge to design this shaped card and my Cricut Expression to cut the layers.  The houndstooth paper is retired from Stampin' Up!, as is the black organdy ribbon. 

MUSLIN BAGS & MDS

There are many things to love about Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio (MDS) software, and one of them is the ease of creating a digital design and printing it onto a fabric sheet that can be trimmed to fit your project and ironed on.  Seriously, it's that easy, and that's exactly the first decorative touch that I added to these two muslin bags!  For the Halloween bag, I used the (digital) "Piece of Poison" stamp brush set, glimmer brad, designer buttons, rhinestone jewels, satin ribbon, linen thread, and "Pick Your Poison" digital embellishment kit.  MDS really simplifies a project like this because it can have the look of dimension without the bulk and need for special handling.  To create the design for my second muslin bag, I began with a rectangle of "Springtime Vintage" (digital) designer paper.  The digital rectangle was "dressed up" with images from the "Established Elegance" stamp brush set.  I have the clear-mount stamp set, and you may think that it seems redundant to have the stamp set and the digital stamp brush set but, with MDS, I was able to size the images to exactly fit my project.  What's not to LOVE about that?  Once I printed the design onto fabric, I sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink before ironing it onto the muslin bag.  I then added some pearl jewels and a rough-pleated skirt from "Springtime Vintage" fabric and tied the digitally-designed tag onto the bag.  I {heart} MDS, and I {heart} muslin bags!!!  They are too easy to dress up and can be used for a variety of gift items.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM project is a twist container, which looks much like a one-serving sour cream container.  This is truly a very quick treat holder to make!  Demonstrators receive a stampin' publication from Stampin' Up! each month, and twist containers were featured in the September edition.  I used a 4.25" x 5.25" piece of Always Artichoke card stock and embossed it with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  I used Sticky Strip adhesive on two sides (one on the 4.25" side and one along the 5.25" side--in a connected "L" shape).  I rolled the card stock (widthwise) and adhered the ends, and then closed the other end with adhesive and crimped it.  Once filled, I used a small piece of Sticky Strip along the open top and then closed it in the opposite direction of the bottom and crimped it, of course.  That's all there is to it!  I used "Deck the Halls" fabric and the beautiful, vintage-y "Established Elegance" stamp set to decorate my project.  Additional products used (all are from Stampin' Up!) include tag punches, linen thread, and pearl jewels.  Tip:  You might want to use ribbon or something similar to tie the top closed instead of using Sticky Strip to prevent the container getting destroyed upon opening.

9/11: WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE WORLD STOPPED TURNING?

It's hard to believe that it's been ten years since the horrible attack on America and the security that anyone my age (or younger) had always taken for granted.  On the morning of September 11, 2001, I had taken my son to school and was listening to the radio in the bathroom as I styled my hair.  When I heard that a plane had crashed into one of the WTC towers, I thought, with a feeling of safe distance, how terrible.  When it was announced that another airplane had crashed into the second tower, I thought that it had to be more than just a tragic coincidence.  It was time to turn the TV to CNN and, as the other events unfolded, I couldn't imagine what was going on--or what would happen next.  Living next to a nuclear station, I decided to go back to my son's school and bring him home since there was speculation that, among other places, nuclear plants were possible targets for attack.  Shortly after I picked up my son, his school went into lockdown, and I was so glad that I had picked him up when I did.  For days after September 11th, I felt so sad for the families who had no word about their loved ones, and my heart still goes out to them . . . 10 years later.  I think that I will never forget the apparent desperation of the many people who taped, to dusty windows and wooden posts, photos and info of their loved ones.  On this anniversary of 9/11, I decided to create this project, which I turned into a magnet.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this project include:  Simply Scored scoring board, "Frostwood Lodge" designer paper, rhinestone jewels, star punches, 3-1/2" circle die, designer button, Baker's twine, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, and vellum card stock.  Wherever you were when the world stopped turning, I'm sure you haven't forgotten--and never will.  And we shouldn't.  Ever.

"PAISLEY PRINTS" CANDY WRAPPER

The project that I'm sharing today is one that I designed in July for a special event, and I think now is as good a time as any to share it.  I used Stampin' Up!'s Candy Wrapper die and Pool Party card stock to make the box, which was decorated with Paisley Prints designer paper.  For the tags, I used "My Friend" stamp set, and I used the Square Lattice embossing folder on the strip of card stock that I wrapped around the center of the box.  Strips of Whisper White card stock were used to design the bow, which I think adds a cute finishing touch.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

Surprise, surprise!  I'm sharing a project that doesn't feature "Spice Cake" designer paper!  It was tempting, but my supply is dwindling.  With her Freestyle Fridays post last week, Julie issued a mission for me to create a project using punches and pearls, which was a very easy mission since I use punches all the time.  I know it's a bit early for a holiday project, but I have been wanting to use the Stocking Builder punch with glimmer paper and keep forgetting that I have these mini jingle bells.  Boy, oh boy, are they MINI, but that also makes them the perfect embellishment for this small stocking which, by the way, has a few lines of Dazzling Details (glitter glue) on them.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include:  "Letters to Santa" and "Frostwood Lodge" designer paper, "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp set, pearl jewels, Baker's twine, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso card stock, Real Red ink, and the following punches - Word Window, Modern Label, Photo Corner, and Stocking Builder.  Have a wonderful weekend, and visit me again on Monday for my "snappy Monday" project!

"SPICE CAKE" CARD KEEPER

If you haven't already fallen in love with Stampin' Up!'s "Spice Cake" designer paper, then this project might do the trick.  I used three different designs from the paper collection to decorate this Stampin' Card Keeper, which is just one of the many awesome products in the Holiday mini catalog.  I have been putting off this project, afraid that I might make a mess of it, but it actually turned out pretty good.  This box comes with everything you need except for the designer paper.  The label holder came with two silver brads, but I chose two antique brads instead.  I also used an antique brad for the center of my flower layers, which were cut from the Sizzix "Fun Flowers" die.  I used the Sizzix Scallop Circles #2 die for the bottom layer of my flowers just to add a little more width and dimension.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to decorate this box include "Grateful Greetings" and "Clearly for You" stamp sets, More Mustard and Pool Party ink, Pool Party ruffled ribbon (love this ribbon!), rhinestone jewel, and sanding block (to rough up the edges of the box).  This box even comes with tabbed dividers, which are very sturdy and can be stamped or covered with designer paper.  There are so many design options with this product!  Wouldn't this make a great gift . . . filled with cards, sorted and ready to use?  I think I will order a few more boxes to fill with cards during the year, and then some of my Christmas gifts will be good to go by this time next year!