LUCKY LEPRECHAUN TREAT ENSEMBLE

Kids will love these adorable treats made just for the lucky holiday of St. Patrick’s Day!  Included in the project are a cute Leprechaun Hat that you can add treats to, Leprechaun Treat Legs, a Rainbow Pot of Gold Treat Holder and a coordinating Lucky card!  Make one or make them all, and feel the luck coming your way!

Heidi King designed this adorable ensemble for Craft Project Central, and the detailed tutorial is available to subscribers.

"LEMONADE STAND" DELICIOUSNESS

Yesterday, as I was leaving to visit my grandmother, I sat at the stop light and watched the UPS truck turn into my neighborhood and knew that the driver was delivering my Stampin' Up! order . . . at an early "could-have-played-all-day-with-new-stuff" 11:00 a.m.  It was kind of disappointing knowing for sure that my order would have to sit in that taped up box all afternoon, but it was for a good cause.  I was expecting an order the day before and was ready to have a stampin' good time--had already declared it a fun day--but UPS didn't bring that order until after 4:00 p.m.  Doesn't it just figure????  Anyway . . . when I got home this evening, I started sorting the order and installed the "Lemonade Stand" digital content, which is one of the Sale-a-Bration products that I earned FREE.  Oh, my goodness . . . how fun!!!!!  I haven't even looked at all of the content from that disc but, with the exception of the Honeycomb embossing folder, all of the images used in this card's design are from that CD.  Indeed, you won't be disappointed with this SAB freebie.  All of the SAB products this year are really awesome!  Of course, I used Stampin' Up!'s MDS2 software to create the design, printed it, cut it to size, and then finished the card.  Soooooooooooooooo easy!!!!  Speaking of MDS2, Stampin' Up! has some digital content CDs in the Clearance Rack for $1.  Even if you already have some of the images that come on any of those CDs, it's worth spending ONE DOLLAR to get the other content that you don't have!  Check it out and, as usual, I will appreciate your business.

BRITISH CONGRATS ARE IN ORDER

Sentiment inside the card

A couple of years ago, my husband decided to go back to college to complete his Bachelor's degree and then looked forward to earning his Master's.  As you might imagine, it's not easy for an adult to return to school, particularly while working a full-time job that involves traveling.  I am really proud of his dedication to this goal because not only did he complete the courses of study, he maintained an A average all the while.  For a few days, he's been waiting for his degree to arrive and, shortly after he left for work today, it came.  My son and I decided to open the package and wrap it as a gift, and pictured here is the card that I made to also include in the box.  We often joke with my husband about his fascination with the BBC station and anything British, which is why I purchased the "British Invasion" stamp set a while ago.  I knew it would come in handy!  To create this card, I used a couple of strips of washi tape along the bottom, and the following Stampin' Up! products:  Whisper White and Basic Gray card stock, red brads (retired), 1/4" Real Red grosgrain ribbon (retired), and Word Window punch.  At the last graduation ceremony, I saw him looking at the impressive velvet panels on the robes worn by the PhD graduates, and I can't help but wonder if he's setting a new goal.  One thing is for certain . . . I know that he would be just as dedicated and do GREAT!

A "PERFECTLY PRESERVED" TREAT FOR "MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

You know how it is when you need a project, you have an idea, and then you're even more thrilled with the result than you thought you'd be?  That's exactly what happened with this cute little dilly!  Actually, while this project was a mere vision in my head, it was going to be more of a bag/tall box than a box-bottom treat holder, but my head didn't see that the die-cut piece wouldn't have sides.  Ha!  Even though this treat holder is somewhat petite, I love the fact that the interior box is open so that it will accommodate a generous sized treat.  And now I'll show how to fold the designer paper so that you, too, can make this cute treat holder.

Fold your designer paper (mine was 4" x 8") in half as shown in the first photo.  The size can vary since you just want to make sure that the paper will cover the die.  The second step is to fold up the folded edge approximately 3/4" to 1" (as shown in the second photo).  Finally, place the die of your choice on the paper so that the folded edge is just inside the cutting part of the die and will NOT get cut (as shown in the third photo).  Once cut, all you need to do is flatten the folded portion of the paper and then create a box to fit that opening, being mindful that your box isn't too tall if you wish to close the top like I did.  I stapled the top of the "jar" to keep it closed and then covered the staple (front and back) with a die-cut jar topper. Stampin' Up! products used to complete this project include:

Stamp Set:  Lovely Little Labels

Card Stock:  Summer Starfruit, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry

Sizzix:  Cannery Set Framelits

Punches:  Jewelry Tag, Petite Curly Label, Little Labels Punch Pack

Accessories:  Linen thread, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sycamore Street designer paper

JOURNAL & CANDLE SET

Turn any plain composition book or journal into a special keepsake that you will love or love to give as a gift!  This project incorporates beautiful designer fabric and gives your journal a wonderful soft texture that will make you love holding it in your hand.  And don’t worry if you don’t sew--this is a no-sew fabric project that is easy enough for anyone to do!

The tutorial for this project, which was designed by Niki, posted to Craft Project Central today.  Don't you just love all of the pretty embellishments?!?!

JULIE'S "FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" CREATION

It's Julie's turn to share a Freestyle Fridays project, and how cute is this????  I love the  glittery heart and pink color palette, but the "clothesline" is just too clever.  I have some of the clothespins that Stampin' Up! sold at one time, and Julie's project makes me wonder why I didn't do more with them.  I hope you'll join me in visiting Julie's blog to see a complete photo of her project and learn all about it.  Let's leave her some comment love, too, because she clearly outdid herself this week!

BIRTHDAY CHALKBOARD CARD

This card was one of the projects that I designed for my Inkerbelles' class last Friday.  The Chalkboard technique is quite a fun one!  I used VersaMark to ink all of the stamps that I used on this card, and then embossed them with white embossing powder.  My son said that the images looked too bright, so I used Stampin' Up!'s Stampin' Sanding Block to dirty them up.  A crumpled paper towel was used to add some white ink smears on the card stock, and then I used a white pencil to draw the lines.  The pinwheel was die-cut from "Sunshine & Sprinkles" designer paper and adhered to the card with a glimmer brad.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Lucky Limeade card stock, Sizzix Pinwheel die, and the following stamp sets:  Carry On (hostess), You're Amazing, Word Play, and Confetti.

"OH, WHALE!" CARD & BOX SET

Start 2013 off with a cute and ‘punny’ card set featuring a brand new set in the Spring Catalog!  When you’re done you will have a Valentine’s Day card, a Thank You card, a Get Well card, and a Welcome Baby card as well as a reusable box to store them all in!  Tara designed this project for Craft Project Central, and you can access the tutorial with your January subscription!

"TEA FOR TWO" GIFT SET ON CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL

This pretty Tea for Two gift set, designed by Julie Beltramo, is sure to make a good friend smile!  The wall decor piece can be hung or set in a frame holder.  The simple treat cone can be filled with any kind of yummy treat, and the Oh, Hello card will be sure to set the tone for it all!  Julie's tutorial was posted today at Craft Project Central.

HYBRID "MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY" CARD

It was really late last night when I sat down to create today's MISM project, so I turned to MDS2 to design this card.  I first selected a Curly Label punch shape and filled it with one of the designer papers from "A Split Second" kit.  I added another Curly Label shape, colored it Cherry Cobbler, and layered several doily images from the digital "Delicate Doilies" stamp set.  I love the Mis-Stitched embellishments so, of course, I had to add some stitching to the left side of the Cherry Cobbler label and topped this off with a "Button Latte" button and a digital Baker's twine bow.  The sentiment is from "Bloomin' Marvelous" (one of the Sale-a-Bration products which is on the "One Big Sale-a-Bration 2013" digital disc), which I colored with Cherry Cobbler and Basic Gray before printing and punching.  My finishing touches to this quick card included using oval punches for the sentiment, adhering the sentiment with Stampin' Dimensionals, adding a rhinestone jewel to the center of the doily image, and adhering the completed  hybrid design onto a Basic Gray card.  Easy peasy, snap-I'm-done!

CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL'S BURLAP VALENTINE DECOR

The look of burlap has become quite popular for home decor.  Here are two Valentine projects that will bring the shabby chic look of burlap to your decor.  Each pennant on the "sweet love" banner is burlap with designer paper stitched on top.  Accents of glittered hearts, dyed ribbon, and paper flowers finish the banner.  The framed Amore art piece really pops with rolled paper roses.  These two coordinating decor pieces would really show someone how special they are to you or would be a great addition to your own decor this Valentine’s Day!

This project was designed for Craft Project Central by Carrie, and the tutorial is now available with your subscription to the site.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

Happy Friday!!!!  It's my turn to share a Freestyle Fridays project, and my mission for this week had me a little stumped and kind of dreading the creative task.  Off and on during the past week, I kept thinking about what I could create, but I was coming up blank and would just move on to something else.  Julie's mission was for me to use one color of various hues.  I finally started to look at my color choices, and it's not really surprising that I chose Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, and Early Espresso.  I can remember a time when I thought I would never need the neutral palette, other than black and white, but I reach for my neutrals all the time!  I think my most frequently purchased card stock is Crumb Cake!  So . . . this card began with the Crumb Cake layer which was embossed with Stampin' Up!'s Honeycomb embossing folder.  Looking through my collection of designer paper, I pulled out a scrap of Natural Composition paper, and that's when I decided that I would emboss it, cut out some of the shapes, and then my "various hues" would be achieved by sponging Soft Suede and Early Espresso ink onto the paper's floral design, which is manufactured to resist ink.  While moving the cut shapes around on the Crumb Cake card stock trying to decide how to place them, I spotted a [imaginary] flower, which ended up being the focal point.  I really like the clean simplicity of this design!  

 Stampin' Up! products used to complete this card include:  

Stamp Sets:  Itty Bitties, Pretty Petites (SAB product)

Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso

Ink:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso

Punches:  Petite Curly Label (SAB product), Itty Bitty Shapes (circle)

Sizzix:  Honeycomb embossing folder

Accessories:  Natural Trim ribbon (love this stuff), crochet trim, Designer Builder brad, and Linen thread, Sponge Daubers, Natural Composition Specialty paper

Thank you, Julie, for the mission!  I've said it before, and I'm sure that I'll say it again and again . . . missions (challenges) may seem difficult, but there is a degree of comfort when you know and are limited in what to use.  This sometimes forces us to dig deep, but we're digging into our own creative well, and isn't that just the best???  I would encourage you to go on a dig in your creative well, and you just might be surprised and impressed with what happens.

"OF ALL THE FISH IN THE SEA . . . "

Last Saturday was my anniversary and, for two days, I carried the idea for this card in my head.  I ended up using different waves than what I had imagined and hoped my torn paper would, indeed, look like waves and not snowdrifts.  My poor little fishes got a little ragged when I had to remove them from the first set of waves that I created (and didn't like), but they still looked okay and I knew that my husband would be too kind to ask what happened to them.  The greeting on the front of the card was designed with Stampin' Up!'s MDS2 software and then die-cut with a Labels Collection Framelits die to layer onto the front of the Pacific Point card.  

The inside of the card features a fun sentiment layer that lifts to reveal my handwritten message.  Additional Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include:

Card Stock:  Pacific Point, Whisper White, Real Red, So Saffron, Bashful Blue

Punches:  Scallop Edge Border, Itty Bitty Shapes (heart)

Sizzix:  Labels Collection Framelits, Happy Whale Clearlits

Accessories:  Paper-piercing template, piercing tool, mini silver brad

VALENTINE'S BOX OF CHOCOLATES & CARDS

Love is in the air and, with this great box, there is a surprise in every corner.  Fill it with chocolates, binder clips, Valentines, and anything else you can imagine!  This is a great project to set out on your desk or give it to that special someone!

How cute is this!?!?  Just look at all of the decorative detail on the box lid!  Heidi King designed this box for Craft Project Central, and her tutorial was posted today.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Sometimes it's not easy to come up with a snappy card but, with the help of Stampin' Up!'s MDS2 software, it really can be a snap!  On Friday, the man in brown delivered a box of goodies, and a "One Big Sale-a-Bration 2013" CD was among them.  Ever since Stampin' Up! has had the MDS software, they have offered a CD during the Sale-a-Bration promotion that includes the content of ALL of the SAB products.  This is AWESOME!!!!!  For my card, I used the "Madison Avenue" and "Bloomin' Marvelous" digital stamp sets, "Spring Sampler" stamp set, Itty Bitty Shapes (heart) punch, pearl jewels, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle punch, Lucky Limeade Baker's twine, and heart-shaped clip from "Hung Up" Cute Clips.  My card stock colors are Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, and Sahara Sand.

VALENTINE HEART BOX & CARD

Big OOPS!!!!  I should have posted this gorgeous photo yesterday, but it totally slipped my mind.  The talented Christy Fulk designed this Valentine ensemble, and her tutorial was posted to Craft Project Central yesterday.   

Show your Valentine how much he (or she) means to you by making this elegant heart box and coordinating card.  The box is perfect for packaging candy or a small gift (measures 4-1/4" x 3" x 1-1/2"), and the card and heart box go together perfectly!  

DIGITAL "CHALKBOARD" TECHNIQUE

The chalkboard technique has been revived--and it's truly a fun one--but I decided to see if I could get "the look" while using Stampin' Up!'s MDS 2 software.  After completing this card, I went back and tweaked a few things (such as the drop shadow on some of the images), but I am relatively pleased with the way this card turned out.  It's such a fun card, don't you think?  I'm not exactly certain, but I believe all of the images (or most of them) were included in the MDS2+ software package that I purchased.  If you haven't tried the MDS2 software, you're just denying yourself an awesome creative experience--and a TON of digital images!

JULIE'S GORGEOUS "FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" PROJECT

It's Julie's turn to inspire us with a Freestyle Fridays project today, and isn't that a gorgeous pinwheel???  I think it's a pinwheel . . . it could be a flower, I suppose.  Julie knows just how to take a photo to keep me in suspense.  I hope you'll hop on over to her blog along with me so we can get all of the details about her project and see what kind of mission she has for me.  You might want to try the mission, too! 

Have a wonderful weekend!  Stamp something!

MY PROJECT IS FEATURED ON CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL TODAY!!!

I'm excited to share the Valentine's ensemble that I designed for Craft Project Central this month!  This ensemble is perfect for a co-worker, friend, neighbor, or someone extra special and is sure to please.  The heart-shaped pocket, filled with a cute little bookmark, and perhaps a gift card, make a great treat to hand-deliver or it can be left in a place to be discovered by the recipient.  Either way, it will brighten someone’s day!  Don’t forget to sign the over sized greeting card, which coordinates perfectly with the ensemble!

The tutorial for the pocket, bookmark, and card was posted today, and your subscription this month will give you access to all of the project tutorials that post this month.  You will not be disappointed!

"TOOL TIME" BIRTHDAY

Today is my husband's birthday and, since cards for men can be challenging, I just couldn't resist purchasing a stamp set recently that had quite a selection of tools.  The stamp set arrived yesterday--just in the nick of time!  The birthday sentiment is one of the single stamps that, for a short while, was offered by Stampin' Up! (from the "Perfectly Penned" stamp set).  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include stitched ribbon, ribbon slide (from the recent Holiday catalog), and Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White, and Daffodil Delight card stock.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY" . . . AND A WINNER!

Today's MISM project is a little late getting posted, but better late than never, right?  I am in love with Stampin' Up!'s "Tea for Two" designer paper!!!!  The center strip on this card, featuring the punched and popped up butterfly, is my favorite pattern.  This card was truly a snap to make, and I think it has plenty of visual appeal.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include ribbon from the Sycamore Street Ribbon & Buttons pack (a Sale-a-Bration product), Elegant Butterfly and Bitty Butterfly punches, and "Pretty Petites" stamp set and the coordinating Petite Curly Label punches (also Sale-a-Bration products). 

Once again, I have designed a project that will be posted on Craft Project Central this month and, as a designer, I have a FREE one-month subscription to give away.  I promised that I would draw a winner for the subscription today, and the winner is . . . Jacoline, who wrote:  "Regina I love what you have done with the challenge this week. The chalkboard method is so great and created hand and hand with the glass glitter makes a really lovely card. Thanks you so much for always being so creative you and Julie always inspire me." Congratulations, Jacoline!! I will need to get some information from you so we can get your subscription started, so just shoot me an email. 

Have a wonderful week!

"SERENE SILHOUETTES" PORTFOLIO & CARDS

Make this pretty little portfolio and four coordinating cards!  Each card comes in a different color but you can make each card design with one color if you choose.  Stamp the envelopes to match, and keep the set for yourself or give it away as a gift.  Better yet, make several sets and be sure to keep one for yourself!

This beautiful project was designed by Kris McIntosh, and her tutorial posted today at Craft Project Central.  What a great gift this would be, and it would also be a fun weekend project to sit down with some friends and be able to knock out several gift sets in one day!

MY 2013 BIRTHDAY CALENDAR

The idea for this calendar project began last night, and I just finished it tonight.  All I can say is that Stampin' Up!'s "That's the Ticket" stamp set and coordinating punch were oh, so handy!  This will be a photo-heavy post, and you can click on the individual pictures for a larger view if you'd like.  As you will see, I used the stamped and punched tickets to identify family member birthdays each month, and I used the Labels Collection Framelits dies to cut each of the calendar pages. 

Other stamp sets that I used for this project include:  Googly Ghouls, Loving Thoughts, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Collage Curios, French Foliage, Mixed Bunch, Evergreen, Topsy Turvy Celebration, Countryside, and Confetti.  My calendar also features Stampin' Up!'s gorgeous flower trim, Sycamore Street designer paper, rhinestone jewels (regular and large), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (heart and scallop circle), Sycamore Street button, Stampin' Dimensionals, Soda Pop Top, Word Window punch, and my card stock and ink colors are Summer Starfruit, Island Indigo, Whisper White, and Primrose Petals.

SCRAPBOOK IN A TIN - NEW CPC TUTORIAL

This special scrapbook tin and card are the perfect way to keep photos of those you love and cherish.  The tin takes up only a small amount of space, but can hold a lot of special memories.  There are eight double sides pages inside as well as eight note cards in the pocket of each page.  Add a photo and a note about the photo and keep it all in this special little tin.  It can even double as a gift card holder for eight gift cards!  The matching card makes this a perfect gift to give for any occasion!

Amanda designed this sweet project for Craft Project Central, and her tutorial was posted today.  With your subscription to the site, you'll be ready to make some gift tins!  I'm offering a second chance to win a FREE one-month subscription, and you can enter the drawing by leaving a comment on THIS BLOG POST by Sunday night.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" . . . AND A SECOND CHANCE

Happy first Friday of 2013!!!!  It's my turn to share a Freestyle Fridays project, and I followed the mission set forth by Julie last week . . . create a black and white project, using silver (or gold) glass glitter if desired.  I was actually kind of excited about the challenge to use glass glitter because I have hardly used it.  In the back of a drawer--the far, far back--I found four bottles of glass glitter . . . one silver, two Champagne, and one Baja Breeze.  I must have had some projects in mind when I purchased it but, when you have the attention span of a gnat, it seems like an eternity between the time a good idea pops in your head and the time the man in brown drops the box on the porch.  Today's card is a technique that's hot, hot, hot at the moment . . . chalkboard . . . and I used Sticky Strip to hold the glitter for the framed border around my faux chalkboard.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Whisper White and Basic Black card stock, "Vintage Verses" stamp set, rhinestone jewel, black satin and gingham ribbons (both retired), VersaMark ink, white embossing powder, Scallop Circle punches.  I don't remember the name of the paper that I used for the scallop circle flower, but it retired last year, I think.  Julie, this was a fun mission, and I look forward to another year of them!  

In this blog post, I announced that I had a FREE one-month subscription to Craft Project Central to give away.  I had planned to announce the winner today, but (as of this writing) no one entered the drawing.  If you'd like to enter the second drawing, just leave a comment to this post.  I will announce the winner on Monday.  If no one leaves a comment, one of my customers will be the lucky winner.

BIRD CAGE BOX & CARD . . . AND A GIVEAWAY!!!

Make this delicate bird cage box and matching card; perfect for so many occasions.  The box opens on top, giving you access to put small presents or treats inside.  It’s a pretty little box to keep on a shelf and use as a decoration until it’s needed for that special gift!  Great as a favor for small parties, showers or as a fun class project!

Isn't this the prettiest thing????  I love everything about this project, which was designed by Monika Davis.  Her tutorial posted to Craft Project Central today, and now is the perfect time to get your January subscription started!  

****I'M GIVING A FREE ONE-MONTH

SUBSCRIPTION TO CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL****

If you would like to be entered in the drawing for the Craft Project Central subscription that I am giving away, take two seconds to leave a comment on this blog post.  The winning name will be drawn and announced with my "Make-It-Snappy-Monday" blog post on Monday, January 7th.