"POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE" GRAD GIFT

It's time to think about gifts for graduates, and I wanted to use Stampin' Up!'s Pomp & Circumstance stamp set to decorate a package.  The box was cut with my Silhouette Cameo using a cut file designed by Samantha Walker.

Additional Stampin' Up! products used to decorate the box include the Decorative Label punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, and Coastal Cabana card stock and twine.  Now that I've made this box and kept the stamping and embellishing to an almost-bare minimum, I am thinking of ways to make it more exciting and kind of wish that I knew a graduate this year.

As you can see, this box could hold quite a nice gift, including a couple of gift cards and/or a wad of cash!  I should make one for Mother's Day and see if my guys want to fill it up for me.

MASON JAR "FUN BANK"

This is another project that was created for my niece's wedding.  My sister, Renee, wanted a fun way to give cash and gift cards to the newlyweds.  The idea was that my niece and her husband could open one envelope each month for the first year of their marriage, and the envelope would either have a gift card or cash that they could put to good use.  After tossing around several ideas, Renee and I decided to decorate a canning jar and then use Stampin' Up!'s Envelope Punch Board to create twelve envelopes to fit inside.  

The decoration of the jar was kept simple with a polka dot monogram against a punched scallop circle from Basic Black card stock, which was adhered to a pretty Tea Lace paper doily.  Simple adornments included a coordinating paper flower and pearl jewels, and the doily itself was adhered to the burlap band around the jar.

It would have been wrong to not have anything decorating the back of the jar, so we thread twine through two button holes, and glued the buttons to the burlap.  BTW, Stampin' Up!'s Chalk Marker was used to label the Fun Bank, and the label was placed on the lid.  Don't the pretty envelopes look nice inside the jar?  How fun would it be to receive a jar full of envelopes that were stuffed with gift cards and cash?!?! 

HELLO SPRING ART GIFT SET - APRIL BONUS PROJECT

Welcome Spring, and add some bright colorful flowers to your décor with this lovely art piece. Or give someone else some Spring sunshine and flowers with the matching card!

Can you say gorgeous?  I think the photo itself would be a pretty decoration.  Amanda designed this project for the April bonus tutorial 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!

A DIGITALLY-CREATED INVITATION FOR A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING

On Saturday, April 26th, my youngest niece got married, and it was a beautiful day--no one could have wished for better weather!  I have been waiting for months to share photos of the wedding invitation that I designed using Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio (MDS), and here they are! 

The Happy Together Trifold Card Template is one that I have used several times in the past to design cards for my own use, and I thought that it would make a perfect wedding invitation because of the opportunity it presents to include photos on the backside, making it a keepsake for those who receive it. 

Maybe I'm biased, but I think my niece's family is adorable.  ;-)

Some of the MDS products used to design the invitation include:

Stamps:  Wedding Words, Happy Together, Frames with a Flourish, Decorative Overlays

Embellishments:  Happy Together, Fancy Frames, Downtown Grunge, Mis-Stitched, Burlap Ribbon, Staple & Stitching, Basic Pearls & Rhinestones, Delicate Adornments, Baker's Twine, Paper Doilies

Template:  Happy Together Trifold Card

Punches:  1.25" Square, Perfect Label

Kits:  Follow Your Bliss, Limited Edition

Another awesome Stampin' Up! product that my niece used for her wedding was a cute and perfect Circle Monogram personalized stamp, which she designed for the bags that were placed on the Candy Buffet.

Notice the tall "Love" shelf in the center of the above photo?  That shelf was made by my husband and was one of our gifts to the newlyweds.  I thought it was nice that the wedding coordinator saw it on rehearsal night (when we gave it to my niece) and wanted to use it the next day at the wedding!  She definitely found a fitting and perfect place for it, right by the cake and all of those delicious cupcakes which were prepared by my mother.  It was a beautiful wedding, a beautiful day, and I hope it will be a continued beautiful life for Haley & Matt and their two gorgeous sons.

CAMERA SCRAPBOOK, BOX, PEN & CARD

Springtime brings to mind warmer weather, end of school, and vacations. Why not get your vacation scrapbook ready now? This little scrapbook was designed to look like a camera, and it will hold your 4” x 6” photos or post cards. While on vacation, pick up a post card or two each day and mail them home with a little note of your highlights for the day. When you get home, add them to your book and voila…you are done! Bonus, you have a box for gifting or keeping it safe with room for extra pictures.

This is an adorable ensemble with a fabulous idea behind it to enable you to start the process of recording vacation memories while on vacation.  Judi Sparks designed this project, and her complete tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

OH, SO FUN BOX!

I love learning (and sometimes figuring out for myself) how to make all kinds of boxes, and this one was actually a blank prototype that was waiting to either get turned into something or land in the trash.  When my sister left her jewelry here a couple of days ago, I needed something to put it all in so I decided to put the blank box to use.  It was decorated very, very simply with designer paper--easy peasy.  Even though the ribbon would hold the box closed, I decided to add a little extra security by wrapping a band around the center.  What's fun about this box are the decorative tag tabs which were created with Stampin' Up!'s Scalloped Tag Topper punch, and it just happens to be really handy that the punch cuts a slit perfect for the ribbon.

GINGHAM GARDEN GIFT SET

Nothing says "Thank You" or "Thinking of You", to me, more than fresh baked bread. Even better... fresh baked bread beautifully wrapped! This week I will show you how to dress up your favorite mini loaf of bread with a beautiful bread box, oval punch bow and matching card using Stampin'Up! Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper. Perfect for spring, perfect anytime!

Isn't this a gorgeous set?  Martha Stewart designed this project, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM project is a little late, but I wanted to first post a photo of the latest tutorial available at Craft Project Central.  I mentioned in that post that I enjoy learning to make boxes, and such was the case with this little basket.  Actually, I made a larger version of a Bag in a Box using the Envelope Punch Board and, instead of giving it a boxy shape, I turned it into a basket.  My designer paper was 7-1/2" square, and I punched and scored at 1-3/4" and then slid the paper over to the 5" measurement and punched and scored again.  After that, I just used the previously scored lines to determine where to punch and score on the remaining three sides of the paper.  I used Stampin' Up!'s Pomp & Circumstance stamp set and a piece of taffeta ribbon to decorate the box.  Easy peasy and ready to fill.

SHOP WITH ME, PLEASE

Now is the time to dust off the Wish List and place your order because there will be NO SHIPPING CHARGES from April 21 thru April 25.  That's like getting an instant 10% off of your order!  Stampin' Up! has released the list of retiring products today, so be sure to check it out.  NOTE that all retiring products (including stamp sets) will only be available while supplies last so, if there's something that you want, GET IT NOW.  To place an order with me, just visit www.regina.stampinup.net, and click the SHOP button in the top right corner.  Don't forget to enter the current Hostess Code (V74TASNM) when you order.  After adding the first item to your order, there will be a space near the bottom left where the Hostess Code can be entered. 

ELEGANT GIFT BOX & CARD

Make this elegant gift box for anyone for any occasion--a birthday or a wedding. It can hold a gift card, jewelry, or candy. It also looks great on a desk holding office supplies. It is very easy to make, and you don’t need a lot of craft supplies. You can leave it simple or add different embellishments to suit your style. Great for a stamp camp or as a class project.

I am always ready to learn to make boxes.  For some reason, they have captured my interest ever since I discovered the joy of playing with paper, and this one designed by Monika Davis is on my list of projects to make.  You can make one, too, by visiting Craft Project Central and getting your subscription started.

GRADUATION CARDS & TREATS

Get ready for graduation season with your choice of gift card holder, money (or check) holder, and fun fold graduation cap card. Includes two graduation themed treat holders as well.

The timing is perfect to start creating for the graduates in your life, and Yapha Mason has designed some awesome choices with this ensemble.  Her tutorial is available at Craft Project Central.

SPRING HYDRANGEA WREATH

It was time for a new wreath, and I found a lot of inspiration on Pinterest.  That's where the entire idea for this wreath was born . . . must have a burlap bow (I love burlap), must have hydrangeas, and my wreath wouldn't be complete without a pretty monogram.  While at Michael's on Tuesday, I thoroughly enjoyed all the time that I spent choosing the right flowers . . . the ones that weren't as pretty as the pricey stems but would suffice for the door.  I actually had a few pricey stems in my cart until I found some flowers with a better price.  And let me just say while I'm on the subject of Michael's . . . how is it possible that anyone who works in a craft store can be a frowning, stone-faced grump?  The one grumpy employee that I kept running into while shopping came up to check-out just in time to call "Next!" when I was next in line.  Ugh.  Of course, she didn't bother to greet me; after all, she'd had plenty of opportunity to be pleasant while I was shopping.  One by one, I laid my selections on the counter, looking at the display after each item was scanned to make sure the correct sale price showed up.  I could tell that this was irritating to her, but I didn't care.  I figured it was easier than having a conversation with her about anything.  I was there during the 2-Day Doorbuster sale, so I had a LOT of little items to place on the counter.  Dear Michaels, you have an employee who would rather be somewhere else.  So, I grabbed my bags of goodies and set out on the hike in the rain from the store to my car, which I'd parked far, far away where no one but me would park.  As soon as I got home, I worked on my wreath, which really didn't take long at all.  In no time, I had it hanging on the door.  In case you're wondering, the bow was going to be at the top of the wreath, but the wreath itself just barely fit in the hanger, so the bow had to move.  I was kind of glad because I think it's nice to not have such a predictable placement.  I have to share this little bit of humor . . . when I showed the wreath "parts" to my husband, he wanted to know where I planned to hang the wreath.  I told him it would go on the door, and his brows shot up and he said, "I hope you don't plan to put a nail in the door."  Uh . . . no . . . it will hang on the over-the-door hanger like all of the other wreaths have hung for the past 17 years.  LOL!  So I learned that my door decorations have been unremarkable (to him) all these years.  The things that go unnoticed!

MINION BIRTHDAY PARTY

These little cuties are a fun addition to any party.  With a Big Shot, Fringe scissors, card stock, and a few other tools, you can easily create your own army of Minion party-goers!

I love these minions!!!!  My great-nephew loves minions, too, and I will have to make one (or all) of these clever designs for him.  Buffy Cooper designed this project, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

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

I can't stop creating with Stampin' Up!'s Stippled Blossoms stamp set!  For this week's MISM project, I chose to stamp the detail rose image with Primrose Petals ink on top of the Blushing Bride background image.  For the leaves, I used Old Olive ink but stamped off once for the background image.  My card stock colors are Blushing Bride, Primrose Petals, Whisper White, and Old Olive.  If it looks like the first two layers are off the edge of the Blushing Bride card, that's because they are.  At the last minute, I decided to use Needlepoint Border embossing folder on the right edge of the already-slim card, which didn't leave room for the top layers of card stock.  Instead of cutting another card, I decided to just go for it and let this card have a unique layout.  I couldn't find (didn't feel like digging out) my Blushing Bride pleated ribbon, so I made my own loopy pleats with the crochet trim and further dressed it up with small bows from linen thread.  The linen thread was used again on the hello sentiment flag, and I really liked how that turned out!  Other Stampin' Up! products that I used to complete this card include rhinestone jewels and A Dozen Thoughts stamp set.  If you don't yet own Stippled Blossoms, you need it!  And while you're placing an order (hopefully, with me at www.regina.stampinup.net), go ahead and treat yourself to A Dozen Thoughts, which is another stamp set that I love!

WINNER! WINNER! WINNER!

With my blog post on April 8th, I announced that I had a FREE one-month subscription to Craft Project Central to give away.  I was pleasantly surprised with all of the comments and very much appreciate each of them!  I used random.org to select the winning name, which is . . . lucky #7 . . . SANDY HERMAN who wrote, "I love it…..another magnificent use of the envelope punch board. You are so crafty Regina!!!!!"  Sandy, please email me at randari at hotmail dot com so we can get your subscription started.  Again, I thank everyone who took the time to leave a comment!

"ALWAYS KISS ME GOODNIGHT" GIFT SET

This Framed Shadow Box Gift Set would make a great gift for newlyweds, or how about an anniversary gift for that couple who needs this reminder?! The simple tea light holder and gift box will make a nice addition to include with the coordinating card.

How sweet is this set?  It was designed by Julie Beltramo, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

DADDY'S SOCK & SHOE BIRTHDAY CARD

Yesterday was daddy's birthday, and this is the fun card that I made for him.  Of course, I wanted something extra special, so I decided to try this fun Silhouette cut file.  I've had it for a while but have never tried it.  This was actually the third card that I made because the other two were just too small.  I couldn't decide where to place a sentiment, and then it occurred to me that I could just use a small tag, similar to a brand label that is often found on shoes.  

What is really fun about this project design is that the sock is actually the card.  The shoe itself is two layers, scored at the bottom of the shoe, glued together except for the opening where the sock goes, and then the sock (card) slips in and out of the shoe just as our feet normally go in and out of shoes.  The cut file included the accent layers, and I added stitching to most of those layers--that was a real enhancement to this card!  The only issue that I had with this card is that it has no way to stand for display, but I found an easy solution.

I remembered that I had purchased some adhesive-backed easels a couple of years ago and, fortunately, I was able to find them.  I had to trim it a bit to make it fit the card so that, when standing, it wouldn't be seen.  No one wants to look at an ugly easel, right?  All in all, I had a lot of fun working with this card, and daddy loved it.  That's all that matters!

"QUATREFANCY" CARD ORGANIZER

This pretty Card Organizer is a perfect addition to any desk, and it is designed to organize your greeting cards. The dividers make it easy to stay organized, and you can customize the dividers to whatever sentiments you like!  This project makes a nice gift or great class idea!

I love the simplicity of this card set, and it looks like a great design for duplicating and assembly line!  Laurie Zoellmer designed this set, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

MY "CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL" PROJECT: CREATING WITH THE ENVELOPE PUNCH BOARD

I always get excited about sharing the project that I designed for Craft Project Central, and today is the day that my April project is featured.  This is the descriptive intro that I wrote for the project:  The Envelope Punch Board is no longer a new tool, but there are plenty of new ways to create with it.  Learn to make a fun camera-shaped gift card holder, two treat holders—one of which is shaped like a purse, a clasp envelope, a candy wrapper box, and a really easy card with a coordinating envelope.  These are just a few of the fun things that can be created with the Envelope Punch Board!

And to think there was a time when I assumed that I didn't need Stampin' Up!'s Envelope Punch Board.  Ha!  I have truly spent hours and hours creating with this tool and always enjoy learning yet another new project that it can be used to complete.  If you're like me, then you will definitely enjoy this tutorial!  Would you like to win a FREE subscription to Craft Project Central this month?  One lucky person will win a FREE one-month subscription.  To be entered in the drawing, just leave a comment on THIS post on Craft Project Central's site.  I will draw the winning name and announce it with my "Make-It-Snappy-Monday" blog post on Monday, April 14th.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

For today's MISM project (and, yes, it was a snappy one), I opened a brand new stamp set and fell in love.  Stippled Blossoms should be named Snappy & Stunning Stippled Blossoms because the two-step images were so crazily easy to stamp beautifully without the use of the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Aren't those roses gorgeous?!?!  I seriously L♥VE this stamp set and can see myself using it to make several sets of cards--quickly!  Years ago, I really enjoyed a similar stamp set (of roses) and hated to see it retire and, until recently, I had managed to talk myself out of purchasing Stippled Blossoms.  Big mistake because I have been missing out, and now I hope this awesome stamp set will not be on the retiring products list this year!  I don't know if it's necessarily true for all or most two-step stamp sets, but it seems to me that they can often be used to create your own designer paper and/or backgrounds; of course, when doing so, you don't have to layer the images--just use them randomly.  To create this card, I first stamped the leaves on the Whisper White layer using Pear Pizzazz ink.  Soft Sky ink was used to stamp the background image for the roses, and I used Bermuda Bay ink to stamp the floral detail.  Soft Sky and Pear Pizzazz markers were used to ink the little rosebud on the sentiment label.  Other Stampin' Up! products featured on this card include the Artisan Label punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, and Soft Sky card stock, and Pear Pizzazz Chevron ribbon.  Something tells me that you haven't seen the last of this stamp set on my blog!  Have a happy Monday and a fabulous week!  Be sure to visit tomorrow when I share a photo of the project that I designed this month for Craft Project Central!  ;-)

CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL'S "CREATING PRETTY CARDS - SKETCH CHALLENGE #34"

If you visit my blog often, then you know that Craft Project Central has a new sketch each month and YOU are invited (encouraged, really) to accept the challenge to create and share a card.  For every 10 cards that are shared HERE, there will be a lucky winner of a FREE one-month subscription to the awesome tutorials on the site.  I had a lot of fun with this month's sketch:

My niece is getting married later this month, so I've had wedding stuff on my mind, which is why I chose to create something following that theme.  Of course, I'll need to make a different card for my niece since I'm posting this one on my blog.  ;-)

In keeping with the sketch, my oval layer was supposed to be on top of the vellum, but I couldn't bear to cover up one of its pretty silver hearts.  Since I used two strips of Stampin' Up!'s Silver Foil Designer Vellum, I slipped the Very Vanilla oval between the two pieces, which served to secure the vellum to the card.  The pretty Crochet Trim also helps to hold the vellum in place, and I dotted the back of a couple of the silver hearts on the vellum with glue to keep them together, mindful that the center needed to remain open so I could slip the stamped Very Vanilla oval between the two pieces of vellum.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include:

Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Soft Suede

Stamp Set:  Love & Laughter

Ink:  Soft Suede

Sizzix:  Ovals Collection Framelits, Adorning Accents (hearts) embossing folder

Punch:  Small Heart

Accessories:  Crochet trim, Vintage Trinkets, Silver Glimmer paper, Silver Foil Designer Vellum

So, are you ready to accept the challenge?  It's really easy . . . just follow the sketch to create a card, post it to your blog, and then link to it HERE.

Be sure to visit my blog on Tuesday when I show a photo of the project that I designed for Craft Project Central this month.  I'm really excited about it!  Also, I'll have a FREE one-month subscription to give away this month, and all details will be in my post on Tuesday, April 8th.

EASTER BOUQUET GIFT SET

Everyone loves a beautiful floral bouquet.  Here’s one that you can make that will last and brighten the recipients day!  Make the matching card and give as a beautiful Easter gift.  Makes for a fun class project too!

Look closely at those gorgeous flowers.  They look so real!  This creative project was designed by Wendy Cranford, and you can find her step-by-step tutorial at Craft Project Central.

"ANIMAL TALK" TAG A BAG GIFT BOX

Today I'm sharing a quick and cute project that I hope I haven't posted before.  I thought that I surely had shared this already, but a quick scan of previous posts indicated otherwise (unless I overlooked it).  Anyway . . . my sister's dog, Winston, had surgery in February, so I put together this little package of Beggin' Strips for him.  Stampin' Up! products that I used include:  Tag a Bag Gift Box, Animal Talk stamp set, Full Heart punch, and Pear Pizzazz Chevron ribbon.  This was such a quick and easy project!  I adhered patterned paper to the sides of the box, added the Beggin' Strips, put on the sleeve, tied the ribbon around the box, and then added the bone accent, which was created by adhering a punched heart shape at each end of a strip of patterned paper.  Lastly, I colored the stamped image, and tied it on with twine.

FLORAL LATTICE BOXED CARD SET

This colorful, feminine card set definitely makes you think of Spring and Summer!  The card set includes two card designs with coordinating envelopes, and three are made of each design.  They all fit inside the pretty floral lattice box.  Make one as a gift, or make one to keep for yourself.  The set would also make a great class project.

Isn't this a gorgeous ensemble?  The creative Christy Fulk designed it, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.