SHAMROCK CARD FOR MAMAW

The new tutorial that posted this week at splitcoaststampers.com is an interesting shamrock card made from four die-cut hearts.  I'm not one who usually celebrates or goes all out for St. Patrick's Day, but I immediately was interested in making a shamrock card for my grandmother.  For the past several years, she has kept her Christmas tree standing year-round.  It's a very pretty tree, has a natural look with a rustic trunk, and is a perfect size for her living room.  During the year, she decorates the tree for all seasons and holidays and, in between, she sometimes decorates it with cards that I have sent to her.  I really like that!  ;-)  On Monday when I was there, she was preparing to decorate the tree with shamrocks, and I traced them onto construction paper so she could cut them out with scissors.  Even though they were a lighter green than the color of the tree, I also traced and cut some semi-circles from white paper to be colored rainbow decorations in hopes that they would break up all of the green-ness.  On Wednesday, I made this shamrock card for her.

Yes, I'm still using and loving Stampin' Up!'s Eye-Catching Ikat stamp set.  To give the stamped hearts a little sparkle, I dotted some glitter glue in a few places and added rhinestone jewels to the sentiment and the four-leaf clover on the "pot of gold".  I used gold glitter glue on the punched hearts that fill the black pot, which got its shape from the Wide Oval and Word Window punches.  The Small Heart punch was used to create the four-leaf clover, and I adhered the pot to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.  

I made a little mess of glitter smear and transfer on the pot when I checked to see if it was dry.  It stuck to my finger and then fell off at a very wrong time and, of course, my glittered finger caught it during the juggle to right-side-up.  

Mamaw will know exactly why I chose to send her a shamrock card; however, I doubt that she'll know how it's supposed to stand.  And that's where this blog post and my mother's iPad will come in handy.  :-)

FLORAL PURSE CARD SET - BONUS PROJECT

This project will give you a little spring in the middle of this cold winter.  The set includes two different designs of thank you cards.  The purse can hold six of these cards, along with matching lined envelopes.  This would make a great card set to give to anyone who loves purses!

Isn't that purse adorable!?!?  This ensemble was designed by Christy Fulk, and she is so skilled at bringing bright, cheery project ideas!  I can hardly wait to make a purse like this, and you can, too!  The tutorial for this project--a BONUS tutorial--can be found at Craft Project Central.  Qualifying for the bonus tutorial is easy . . . just subscribe to two or more months in a row, put the Craft Project Central badge on your blog, or refer a friend to the site.  When your friend subscribes, just let us know!

IN LOVE WITH IKAT (ee-kot)

On Monday and Tuesday, UPS delivered a box filled with goodies, and one of the fun products was the Eye-Catching Ikat photopolymer stamp set.  If you're like me, you've wondered about "ikat", so I did a little research.  Really . . . it was just a tiny bit of research, and I found a definition worth accepting HERE.  That explains why the images seem a little hazy and misshapen; however, it would seem that this stamp set should have been named "Eee-Kotching Ikat", which might help to pronounce it correctly.  ;-)  I'll betcha can't say it as fast now that you know how to pronounce it, huh?  I'll be 100% honest with you.  When I first laid eyes on this stamp set--on the day that it was unveiled and available for purchase--I didn't give it a two-second glance.  Actually, I was disappointed that it wasn't something useful or fun or . . . nice.  Since I'm busy truthing, I'll also admit that I have yet to find project samples that made me have to have this set.  I love photopolymer stamp sets and, after going back again and again to look at this set and wonder WHY it couldn't have been something else, I began to realize that it had the potential to be a set that I'd like.  Just look at all of the assorted images that I could use to create backgrounds or dress up a portion of a project!

And so, Eye-Catching Ikat got added to my cart, and let me just tell you that I am in L♥VE with it!  I played with it all afternoon yesterday, and it wasn't because I didn't have other new stamp sets--between Monday and Tuesday, I received SIX new sets, and this is the only one that's touched ink so far.

About my project . . . it's a gift card holder!  Notice the skinny piece of card stock sticking out from the punched semi-circle on the left, under the ribbon?  If you look closely, you can see where I used Stampin' Up!'s new Perforating Blade and, when that skinny Crisp Cantaloupe tab is pulled, the card stock gets whisked away to reveal a gift card.  How fun is that?!?!  Of course, my white card stock was stamped with ikat images using Crisp Cantaloupe and Old Olive ink, and I also stamped a few dots (from the Happy Watercolor stamp set) using Sahara Sand ink and black ink was used to stamp the sentiment, which is from A Dozen Thoughts stamp set.  The flower . . . oh, that flower is such a dream!  I used the brand new Spiral Flower die to cut a piece of glittery felt, and it was a breeze to roll into shape.  Seriously, if you have that die and haven't used it with felt before, you simply must.  With paper or card stock, you normally would roll the flowers tightly, but you don't have to do that with felt and it's sooooooo much easier to hold onto.  I'm getting ready to make another gift card holder and, yes, I'm going to give the card stock a pretty ikat design, probably using the same images because I love the look.  The photo isn't very good, but to the right is a scrap piece of card stock that I stamped with images using one color of (Crisp Cantaloupe) ink.  Can you see how fun this stamp set is?!?!  Just click HERE to shop with me and add Eye-Catching Ikat to your collection!

BABY SHOWER GIFT SET

What a cute gift box, notebook, and card to give with your gift at the next baby shower you attend!  The new mother-to-be will simply love the pastel tones and having a gorgeous box (once the gift has been removed) to save of her baby shower cards and tags, not to mention a handy notebook for her handbag/nappy bag to record all of baby's firsts that occur while she's out and about.

This project was designed by Angie Jones, and I love the hand and foot prints and, of course, that gorgeous designer paper!  Angie's tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Valentine's Day has passed, but I wanted to share the treat that I gave to my stampin' friends who attended class this month.  It's a perfect MISM project!  I used the Envelope Punch Board to create small envelopes from Whisper White card stock.  Earlier this month, my son brought Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and there were printed Valentines on the boxes that were good for one free doughnut so I put two of them in each envelope.  Stampin' Up! products used to decorate the envelopes included:  Perfectly Preserved and Create a Cupcake stamp sets, Bitty Banners Framelits, Smoky Slate card stock, and Blushing Bride and Rose Red ink.

"PETAL PARADE" CARD BOX WITH BELLY BAND

This darling card box makes a perfect gift!  It can easily hold six decorated cards and envelopes and is easy to assemble!  Beautiful, too!

The complete tutorial for this project, which was designed by Laurie, can be found at Craft Project Central. 

MAKE ME HAPPY

Soft Sky.

Doilies.

Soft Suede.

Dry-embossing.

Ruffled trim.

Rhinestone jewels.

These are just some of the things that make me happy.  Lately, I've had a hard time embracing gold (kind of hard to tell from my blog, huh?), but page 21 of the Mar/Apr Stampin' Success publication totally got my attention and had me scrambling to find gold embossing powder.  Do you remember when certain Stampin' Up! products had pretty blue and white colored labels?  That's what my container of gold embossing powder has, so you can imagine that it's not new.  On page 21 of the recent Stampin' Success, I found gorgeous project photos featuring the Happy Watercolor stamp set and, of course, gold stamping and embossing.  The gold heat-embossed doilies were striking.  So striking!  I've seen a few ways to color doilies, but gold-embossed . . . oh my . . . sweet!!!!  And so began the inspiration to create this card.

In case you're wondering, I did NOT copy any of the projects that were pictured on page 21; instead, I used them to challenge myself to create something that I would find just as pleasing (if not more so), and I really like this card!  Whether I use gold or silver embossed doilies, this card can be re-done in a host of gorgeous color combos!  I suppose that is true for any card design/sketch, but there are some designs that make you want to make them over and over again.  Know what I mean?  Stampin' Up! products that I used for this card include: 

Card Stock:  Whisper White, Soft Sky, Soft Suede
Stamp Set:  Happy Watercolor

Ink:  Soft Sky, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight

Sizzix:  Decorative Dots embossing folder

Punch:  Corner Rounder

Accessories:  Gold embossing powder, rhinestone jewels, linen thread, heat tool, aqua painter, stretch ruffle trim

SLIDER PAGE MINI ALBUM

Today at Craft Project Central, subscribers get a brand new tutorial!  This project includes a cute mini album with a unique slider page, which is perfect for hidden journaling or photos.  Complete the ensemble with a card and gift tag, and it's the ideal gift for someone special in your life.

The designer of this unique project is Tina Gillespie, and her complete tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

HEY, BOOTY-FUL!!! . . . ANOTHER ACTION WOBBLE CARD

I needed to make a card a couple of days ago for a sweet lady whom I've known all of my life.  It just needed to be a pick-me-up kind of card and, for some reason, I instantly knew what I wanted to make . . . an Action Wobble card.  Is it the most appropriate to send?  Maybe not.  Will it make her smile?  Certainly!

After coloring the image, I used a Wink of Stella glitter marker to go over her hair and purple top, and you can see the glimmer best in the first photo.  Actually, you can use the glitter/glimmer marker before coloring the image--either way, it's going to glimmer.  I used a Q-tip and chalk to add a dash of color to her eyes and cheeks and placed a glitter sticker on her earring.  Stampin' Up!'s brand new Decorative Dots embossing folder added the right amount of texture to the front of the card.  Other Stampin' Up! products include Eyelet Border punch (retired), oval punches, Island Indigo card stock, and the stamped sentiment inside the card ("smile", which is from Fabulous Phrases stamp set).

Inside the card, to the far left, I stamped the "other half" of the wannabe diva and used markers to color the image.  Her swinging skirt was stamped on a separate piece of card stock, colored, and cut out with scissors, and then adhered in place with an Action Wobble so that it shakes/wobbles when the card is opened or moved.  Action Wobbles are really a lot of fun, and I wish that I could see my friend's face when she opens the card.

"AFTERNOON PICNIC"

By the time February rolls around, most of us are ready for spring - flowers, sunshine, and picnics on the deck.  These lanterns, flowers in painted glitter vases, and butterfly straws made with Afternoon Delight designer paper from Stampin' Up! are sure to remind you that spring is just around the corner.

That is the prettiest vase of flowers, is it not!?!?  Buffy Cooper designed this project, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.  I love the colors that she chose!

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY" & WINNER OF FREE CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL SUBSCRIPTION

Today's MISM project isn't at all what I had planned to share, but it's just too cute and so appropriate as a "snappy" project.

It's a candy wrapper (box) that I made with the Envelope Punch Board.  This festive little package was decorated with Stampin' Up!'s Geometrical and Off the Grid stamp sets, the ends were tied using twine from the Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack (free Sale-a-Bration product), and then cut with Stampin' Up!'s Fringe Scissors.  This is one of the projects that I have planned for class this Friday, and I think it's going to be fun for all!

WINNER!  WINNER!  WINNER!

With my February 8th blog post (HERE), I offered a FREE subscription to the Craft Project Central tutorials this month.  The one and only easy requirement to get your name in the drawing was to leave a comment HERE, and I promised to announce the winner today.  And the winner is

Barbara V 

who wrote, "Another great project, Regina! Keep up the good work!"  Huge thanks to everyone who left a comment, and CONGRATULATIONS Barbara!  If you'll email me at randari at hotmail dot com, we'll get your subscription started.

"SWALLOWTAIL" ALTERED BOOK BOX & CARD

This Swallowtail altered book box and card is a perfect way to transform an unused hardcover book into a beautiful gift!  The set features an altered hardcover book and coordinating gift card.  The elegant box provides a special place to store a secret gift, small journal, or other cherished keepsakes!

Wouldn't this make a wonderful gift for a treasured friend?!?!  Michelle Wecksler designed this project, and her butterflies are gorgeous!  Her complete tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

RETRO FRESH MAGNETIC MEMO BOARD

It's always nice to have a fresh new way to post some quick notes and reminders.  This Magnetic Memo Board is really simple to make, and the Retro Fresh designer series paper gives it a super fun vibe!!  The coordinating note cards, pen, and super-hip magnets are all stored neatly into the sweet and simple storage case.  When it's all packed, it makes a great little "anytime" gift!

Stampin' Up!'s new stamp cases are quite roomy!  This project, which was designed by Julie Beltramo, demonstrates how useful and roomy those new cases are!  Her tutorial for this ensemble can be found at Craft Project Central.

TUTORIAL: SKETCH CHALLENGE FEATURING MY DIY SWING/FLIP CARD

Each month, Craft Project Central has a fun sketch challenge, and you can see this month's Creating Pretty Cards - Card Challenge #32 HERE.  When I first saw the sketch, it reminded me of Stampin' Up!'s Circle Card Thinlits, which I do not own.  Even though this month's sketch doesn't suggest using the flip-card dies, that's the kind of card that I wanted to create . . . and I did!

One of my friends was telling me recently how any Thinlits/Framelits die could be used to create a flip card, and this was a perfect time to see if I could get it right.  It worked, and it's soooooooo easy! I placed one of the acrylic cutting pads onto the platform, and then I cut a 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" section from a Magnetic Vent Cover, placed it on top of the cutting pad, and then placed two Magnetic Business Cards in the center with a narrow gap between them.  BTW, I have the old teal and black Big Shot, and I don't know if newer models come with the platform that I used.  If you have the Multipurpose Platform, you will probably need to open all tabs and just work with the thick platform (no tabs).

Place your die (I used one of Stampin' Up!'s Starburst Framelits dies) as shown in the photo.  Yes, it's best to have it cut-side-up so that it doesn't cut into your magnetic pieces.  Duh!  Next, place your card stock (5-1/2" x 8-1/2") on top, followed by an acrylic cutting pad. 

Run the sandwich through the Big Shot, and you should end up with a die-cut shape with an uncut strip down the center.  You'll need to make two scored lines--one on each side of the uncut strip--so that you can fold the card to swing/flip. 

Fold your card into shape, and then cut it to an A2 size.  I suppose you could do the math and get all measurements worked out so no cutting is necessary, but at least you have options when your die-cut and scored card is bigger than needed . . . you might want a wider panel on the inside and will have the freedom to cut your card that way.  ;-)

As you can see, I used High Tide designer paper and Settin' Sail stamp set (l♥ve this set!!!!) to decorate my card.  I used one of the Circles Collection Framelits to cut the Daffodil Delight circles.  To die-cut the designer paper, I just cut each piece slightly smaller than the panel where it would be adhered.  For the front and back panels, I used a pencil to trace the backside of the paper, and then placed the same size Starburst Framelits die onto the paper so that after cutting, there would be a small border around the die-cut window.  This worked surprisingly well!  Other Stampin' Up! products used to complete this card include Daffodil Delight seam binding, white 1/8" taffeta ribbon, and white Baker's twine.  For the stamped images, I used Pacific Point and Smoky Slate ink.

Whew!  I think this must be my longest post ever.  I hope the tutorial is helpful to you and would love to hear your thoughts.  Remember to create a card for Creating Pretty Cards - Card Challenge #32 and upload your card at Craft Project Central.  For every ten cards that are submitted, a winning name will be drawn to win a FREE one-month subscription to the site!  As a project designer, I have a FREE subscription to give, and all you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment about my project HERE.  I will draw a winning name and announce the winner with my Make-It-Snappy-Monday blog post on Monday, February 17th.

"SIMPLE STEMS" PURSE

For the past week (at least that long), I've been taking my time to do some weeding out and moving around in my stamp room.  Four bags of trash were taken out of here yesterday, so I don't understand why this room is still so full.  Ha!  During most of the cleaning process, I haven't had an open space for stamping and have been missing my hobby!  I finally kicked it in gear really late last night and cleaned off my desk, and you know how stampers are . . . show us a tidy area, and we instantly feel the urge to make a mess.  And so I did.  During one of my "digs", I found a Stampin' Up! card kit (can't remember the name of it) that had a pretty box to hold the cards so, before assembling the box, I made a template out of cardboard.  Pictured in this blog post is what I created with that template . . . a pretty purse!  My Very Vanilla card stock pieces were stamped with images from Stampin' Up!'s Simple Stems and Off the Grid stamp sets using Soft Sky, Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango, Always Artichoke, and Baked Brown Sugar ink.  The die-cut foliage is from the Secret Garden Framelits, and I used the Spiral Flower Originals Die to create the three rosebuds.  A small piece of gold metallic paper from the Calypso Coral Celebration Basics Add-On Kit was used to stamp and punch the live happy sentiment, which is from the You're Lovely Sale-a-Bration stamp set, to mimic a name-brand label on the purse.

During the creation of this purse, I thought it needed something different on the front, so I cut a piece of card stock that followed the same contour as the top, embossed it for texture, and sponged the edges.

The above photo shows some of the details.  I used Fringe Scissors to create the tassel and punches to create the purse strap attachment that allows the strap to move somewhat freely, which makes it easier to open the purse.  I had a lot of fun with this project and seeing how it evolved from a test to see if the template would work to figuring out how to finish the purse with enough detailing.  I had only used the Spiral Flower Originals Die a couple of times, but I developed quite an appreciation for it while making the three flowers for the purse.  It's amazing how quick and easy it is to make something that pretty!

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Oops!  I'm a little late posting today's MISM project, which features two new Stampin' Up! products . . . "You're Lovely" Sale-a-Bration stamp set and Fringe Scissors.  One thing that I really like about the floral image that I chose for my card is that it has a blank space on the right side, which is perfect for a small stamped sentiment!  To color the flowers, I used an Aqua Painter and Pearl Ex.  Unfortunately, Stampin' Up! retired Pearl Ex (pearlescent pigment powders) around the time that I began to discover fun ways to use them.  As you can see from the close-up photo, they have a very pretty and unique shimmer/shine to them!  In the center of the flowers, I used 2-Way Glue and a Q-tip to apply Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

On the bottom of my Very Vanilla (top-fold) card, I added texture with the Fancy Fan embossing folder.  A strip of Basic Black card stock was cut with the fringe scissors (along the bottom) and then adhered to the card, and the black gingham ribbon was wrapped around the card and tied in a bow.  I die-cut the stamped image with the Deco Labels Framelits, stamped "hello sweet friend" from the Six-Sided Sampler stamp set, and used a Q-tip to sponge the inside edges of the die-cut label with Crumb Cake ink before adhering it to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.  There you have it . . . a relatively quick and easy card with plenty of texture, dimension, and visual appeal.

"SWEET SORBET" NOTE CARD SET & BOX

This cute note card set would make a great gift idea for a friend or perhaps a teacher or co-worker.  This project would also be great for a Stampin' Up! Sale-a-Bration kick-off class, showcasing some of the fun Sweet Sorbet designer series paper and accessories.

Personally, I love the Sweet Sorbet DSP, but then I almost always like the paper collection that Stampin' Up! presents during Sale-a-Bration.  Breelin Renwick designed this pretty ensemble, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.  Did you know that you can begin your subscription (only $10!!!!) at any time during the month and have access to all of the month's tutorials?  Also, those tutorials will be available to you through January 2015. 

"REMEMBER THIS" 2014 MIXED MEDIA CANVAS & A FREE SUBSCRIPTION!!!

Today is the day that my project is featured at Craft Project Central, and following is the introduction that I wrote for the project:  Some people jot New Year's resolutions on a piece of paper, but this project demonstrates a creative way to keep specific goals in sight.  Although this project features the designer's resolutions of being happy, creating the kind of life that she wants, and remembering kind gestures toward others, it will be easy to customize your canvas to reflect your goals and resolutions.  This tutorial also features a coordinating card and envelope.

Don't you just love the colors!?!?  I had so much fun creating this project, and the tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.!  Have you ever worked on a project that you just seem to dive right into and lose yourself?  That's exactly what this project was like for me!  I can't speak highly enough of the Heartfelt Banner kit that I used, and I had plenty of kit contents left that I can use on other projects.  Those felt balls are just too fun and festive!  In case you haven't seen this kit, it's one of Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-Bration products. 

Would you like to win a FREE one-month subscription to Craft Project Central?  Of course, you would!  All you have to do is visit Craft Project Central, and leave a comment on the post dated February 8th.  You'll know it's the right post because you'll see the same project photo of my canvas.  I'll post the winning name with my Make-It-Snappy-Monday blog post on February 17th.

NUMBERED CARDS SET WITH HOLDER

These super cute cards with numbers can be used as birthday cards, invitations, or thank you notes.  Put the same number on each card or change it up!  Tutorial includes a handy card holder as well as lined envelopes.

I love the designer paper that Yapha Mason used to create this project!  Her tutorial is available at Craft Project Central.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

I don't think I've ever wanted to own or wear a pair of mittens, but there's something about seeing them on a card that makes me love them!  And I love this MISM card because it's wintry, warming, dimensional, and textural.  The products that I used to create this card include the following:

Card Stock:  Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Old Olive (all from Stampin' Up!)

Punches:  Eyelet Border (retired Stampin' Up!), Branch Pine (Martha Stewart)

Embossing Folders:  Square Lattice, Northern Flurry (Stampin' Up!)

Dies:  Winter Cabin Landscape (Memory Box), Nested Mittens (Spellbinders)

Accessories:  Natural Hemp twine, button (both retired Stampin' Up!)

I found out last night that the card in this blog post is being featured today on "My Crafty Friends Monday".  Stampin' Up!'s Happy Watercolor is the featured stamp set today, so you might want to hop on over and see all of the other featured cards.

MAILBOX & GREETING CARD

Make this treat box resembling a mailbox for your sweetheart.  Fill it with some yummy treats and special notes.  This little mailbox will look great on any desk.

This lovely project was designed by Monika Davis, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.