CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL KIT - BONUS PROJECT AT CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL

Christmas is fast approaching and there are always those last minute cards you forget to send or gifts you need to give and you’re out of time! Oh no! Well this Christmas Survival Kit includes five cards with envelopes, four gift bags, 10 gift tags, and 8 gift card holders as well as space to put other necessities all tucked away in this beautiful gift shaped box. Just lift off the lid and one side falls down to show the beautiful row of drawers and two back pockets. Make this for yourself or someone special to save a little headache around Christmas. Or change up the patterns and colors to make a gift set ready for any holiday!  

You will definitely want to see all of the goodness that's under the lid of this project--the October Bonus Project--designed by Amanda.  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!

 

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

I took the really easy route with today's MISM project and chose two papers from MME's Sunshine paper pad to decorate the front of my card.  The majority of products that I normally use are from Stampin' Up!, but I have to admit a weakness for MME papers.  Ahhhh   Other decorative elements on this card include sequins, HotFix crystals, die-cut sentiment from an MFT die, and that delicious gold satin ribbon, which is a Stampin' Up! product.  I think I'll slip this card in the mail to my grandmother, and I'll bet that sewing machine will look like one that she has or has had.  ;-)

AUTUMN WREATH

It’s time to create something fun for your autumn home décor!  This wreath screams fall with its warm colors, feathers and touches of raffia. The great thing about this design is that you can easily use other Designer Series Paper for summer, spring or winter!  It’s a versatile design.  

How pretty is that?!?!  Did you click on the photo to open a larger view?  The designer of the wreath, Jen Arkfeld, did a great job, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

WONDROUS WREATH

Stampin' Up!'s Wondrous Wreath bundle is such a great collection of products!  The fact that the stamps are clear makes it easy add the colorful layers to complete the wreath, but the alignment tabs (on the stamps and the dies) make them even easier to stamp and cut.  The ink colors that I chose for my wreath are Hello Honey, Cajun Craze, and Elegant Eggplant.   This card also features the following Stampin' Up! products:

Card Stock:  Hello Honey, Cajun Craze

Ink:  Hello Honey, Cajun Craze, Elegant Eggplant, Early Espresso

Stamp Sets:  Wondrous Wreath, Itty Bitty Banners

Sizzix:  Wonderful Wreath, Bitty Banners, Woodgrain EF

Punch:  1/4" Circle

Accessories:  Stampin' Dimensionals, Champagne Glimmer paper, Typeset DSP

Learn more about this great bundle in the video below

 and/or order it HERE:

FALL BANNER & CANDLE

This banner & candle would be wonderful Fall décor for your home. The banner is made with coaster board, and the matching candle is stamped, along with other embellishments. Make one set to keep as your own, and make another set to give as a gift. This would also make a great Fall-themed class. 

If you've been visiting my blog for a while now, then you know that I'm a fan of Christy Fulk's colorful creations, and this is yet another from her.  The tutorial for the candle and banner can be found at Craft Project Central.  Have you subscribed yet? Whether you're a Stampin' Up! demonstrator or a stamper who loves Stampin' Up! products, you will thoroughly enjoy the many tutorials at Craft Project Central!

CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL'S "CREATING PRETTY CARDS - SKETCH CHALLENGE #40"

Each month, there's a new sketch challenge at Craft Project Central, and this is the card that I created for Creating Pretty Cards - Sketch Challenge #40:

I used the Rock 'n Roll technique for the main stamped leaf by first inking the stamp with Hello Honey ink and then inking the edges with Cajun Craze ink.  This image was cut with the 2-1/2" Circle punch and the edges sponged with Early Espresso ink.  Stampin' Up! products featured on my card include:

Card Stock:  Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Ink:  Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Hello Honey, Old Olive
Stamp Set:  For all Things
Sizzix:  Woodgrain EF, Autumn Accents
Punch:  2-1/2" Circle
Accessories:  Linen thread, rhinestone jewel, Stamping Sponge, Early Espresso seam binding, Stampin' Dimensionals

Wouldn't you like to create a card using this month's sketch? 

Did you know that for every ten cards submitted for the Sketch Challenge, Craft Project Central will choose one winner who will receive a FREE one-month subscription to the site?  That would be a fun prize!  You can find a tutorial for the sketch and upload your card HERE.

FALL FAVORS & TABLE DECOR

Fall is here – with beautifully colored falling leaves, scarecrows, pumpkins and family gatherings.  Create simple and adorable favor boxes for your fall parties and dinners, a beautiful centerpiece, and a card to send to family and friends using fun fall colors and the Color Me Autumn suite.

Surely, you noticed those adorable Curvy Keepsake boxes, but did you notice the amazing flowers on the centerpiece?  This ensemble was the brain child of Buffy Cooper, and her tutorial for each item is available at Craft Project Central.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY" . . . AND A WINNER OF THE FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL

Today's MISM project is a cake box that I cut with the Cricut Explore, and the 3D image is from the Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge.  This box is a very generous size, and opens from the bottom.  Although it closes somewhat securely, I opted to wrap the ribbon from the bottom to the top and can slide the ribbon off when I'm ready to fill the box.  Stampin' Up! products featured on this project include:

Stamp Set:  Endless Wishes

Card Stock:  Whisper White

Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Island Indigo, Encore silver metallic 

Punch:  Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (star)

Accessories:  Frosted Sequins, Silver satin ribbon, Glimmer paper, Window Sheet

WINNER!  WINNER!  WINNER!

With my October 11th blog post (HERE), I offered a one-month FREE subscription to Craft Project Central. 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.  I appreciate each of the kind comments and the time taken to get entered in the drawing.  And the winner is:

Jane McAulay

who wrote, "I love all of these but especially the little triangle treat box. That would be perfect for the grandchildren’s classes."  Jane, if you'll email me at randari at hotmail dot com, we'll get your subscription started.

TWENTY DAYS OF THANKS

Now is the season of refection and thankfulness.  This advent is a perfect way to remind us of our blessings.  Add treats for little ones and each day add a slip of paper with what you are thankful for.  Thanksgiving Day is the perfect time to read them and reflect!

This clever project was designed by Heidi King, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

BABY SHOWER ENSEMBLE

Make these sweet baby shower decoration pieces for a sweet friend who is expecting.  This set contains a shaker card, sweet baby carriage treat box, bookmark, and a wand/straw decoration.  You will be the talk of the party!  These pieces can be mass-produced easily, and the greeting card can serve as the invitation and/or baby announcement.

Isn't this an adorable project?  It was designed by Monika Davis, and her complete tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT BETTY

Today is aunt Betty's 89th birthday.  I don't know how long I've been sending cards to her--it's been YEARS--but I know for sure that she loves receiving them.  She's never said that she looks forward to getting unique cards, but my guess is that she has come to expect something a little out of the ordinary from me.  Can you imagine how much pressure that adds to the design process?  I kept wondering what kind of card to make this time, thinking of all types that I've sent in the past, and then I remembered seeing this bird cage on the Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge.  That cartridge is all about cards, so the decision was made . . . there would be a bird cage for Betty's birthday.  To decorate the front, I stamped the pretty flowers using Stampin' Up!'s Pictogram Punches stamp set and cut them with the coordinating flower punch from Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack.  I can't remember the name of the Martha Stewart punch that cut those dainty sprigs, but I ♥ that punch!  Keeping things simple, I tied a dangling glittery heart to the white bow.

You would think this particular card would be a tri-panel since the front is so open, but it wasn't set up that way on the cartridge so I had to create the extra layer myself, which I cut from Naturals White card stock and scored on the right edge to create a hinge.  Most of the decorative images are from Stampin' Up! . . . Bird Builder punch and another stamped and punched flower.

And on the back panel, I stamped the perfect greeting from Really Good Greetings, cut it with the Note Tag punch, and topped it off with another stamped and punched flower.  I was pleased, and I think aunt Betty will enjoy looking at this card and showing it off, too! 

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

I got an early birthday present last weekend--a Cricut Explore machine.  Honestly, I didn't "need" another machine, but I have to say that each has earned its right to live in my stamp room.  The Explore definitely makes excellent cuts--just look at how perfectly it made the small cuts on that doily!

The basket, flower, and doily are image files that are normally available with a monthly subscription, but I am desperately trying to take full advantage of the free two-week trial.  This basket, which was truly a snap to cut and assemble, is a great size--approximately 3.5" at the bottom and somewhat wider at the top.  So far, what I'm loving most about the Explore machine is that it will score and cut during one pass and, of course, the cuts are impressive.

FOLD-OUT MINI ALBUM

Everyone loves to remember an event with photos, so why not make this quick and easy fold-out mini album to capture those moments and share them with someone you love?  The album has two fun fold-out "pages" that will give you a total of five spots for photos or spaces for writing your thoughts.  Whatever you choose to put inside, the recipient is sure to have a smile on their face when they see the surprise inside.  This tutorial also includes a coordinating card.

The tutorial for this fun project, which was designed by Julie Beltramo, can be found at Craft Project Central.

MY HALLOWEEN ENSEMBLE FOR CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL

I'm so excited to share the project that I designed for the October edition of awesome projects at Craft Project Central!  I give a lot of thought to the projects that I design for Craft Project Central, and I try to create something that's somewhat unique. This month, I decided to re-visit an oldie but very fun Waterfall interactive card, along with a simple triangle treat holder and a candy dispenser that you will want to make again and again . . . one for every season and holiday!  I even share a handy tip for working with Photopolymer stamps!  Following is the introduction that I wrote for my project tutorial:  

This ensemble includes a quick-to-make triangle treat holder, a fun, interactive Waterfall card, and a candy dispenser that everyone can enjoy.

Be sure to visit Craft Project Central and get your October subscription started.  I will be giving a FREE subscription to one lucky person with my Make-It-Snappy-Monday blog post on Monday, October 20th.  To be entered in the drawing, click HERE and leave a comment on the post that features my project.  That's all you have to do!  Don't forget to come back here on the 20th to see if you're the winner.

DID YOU KNOW . . . that no matter when your Craft Project Central subscription gets started, you will have access to the subscription month's tutorials for 11 months?!?! 

MINI MAGAZINE FILE CARD HOLDERS

This past Saturday was World Card-Making Day, and I hosted a stamp-a-stack.  As I was prepping supplies for the event, I kept thinking about how I would package everything securely.  And then I remembered that I had a Silhouette cut file for this card holder that's shaped like a mini magazine file.  It was quite perfect because it not only held the class supplies, it also came in handy to hold the cards that my friends made that day--with a little extra room for envelopes.  I think I'll make these holders for all of my stamp-a-stack events!

FREAKY FRIENDS HALLOWEEN TREAT BOX & CARD

Make this cute little Halloween treat box and matching card for your favorite little goblins, witches, and ghosts this year!  The template is easy to adapt to different occasions too, and doesn’t have to be used just as a Halloween gift!  Makes for a fun class project as well!  

I like that Stampin' Up!'s Halloween designer paper this year is bright and colorful, and this project from Laurie really displays that feature.  The tutorial for this project can be found at Craft Project Central.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM project wouldn't have been quite so snappy to make if I hadn't used the die-cut leaves and feather that were laying on my desk but, overall, it's still a quick card to make.  Stampin' Up! products featured on this card include:

Stamp Set:  Something to Say

Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Mossy Meadow, Blackberry Bliss

Ink:  Blackberry Bliss

Sizzix:  Autumn Accents, Feathers Framelits, Lovely Lace EF

Accessories:  Burlap ribbon, linen thread, Champagne Glimmer paper, Stampin' Dimensionals

HALLOWEEN PUPPET THEATER

This Halloween Puppet Theater is a great way to celebrate the season of spooky creatures!!!!  This set features a foldable puppet theater, three spooky puppets, and an envelope and tag for gift giving.  Make your little goblins smile with this fun foldable theater!  Or keep it yourself and use it as adorable holiday décor for Halloween!

Isn't this a cute and festive display?  I'm thinking that the children in my sister's classroom could have fun with this--if the school allows the celebration of Halloween.  Michelle Wecksler designed this project, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.   Now would be a great time to head on over there and start your subscription!

YEE-HAW + THE DUKE

You know how it is when you see something that appeals to you but you know you really don't "need" it . . . but you more than want it . . . as if there's something powerful forbidding you to just say no and walk away?  That happened to me with Stampin' Up!'s newest photopolymer stamp set, Yee-Haw.

YEE-HAW

I didn't need it since my son isn't a little cowboy anymore with tiny plastic cowboys hanging from my ficus tree and horses scattered and laying on the floor, weary from battle.  My nephew is in college and may have never been interested in the great yee-haw, and my great-nephews are more impressed with superheros than gun-slinging, cattle-wrestling, bandana-wearing cowboys.  I couldn't convince them that they're missing out on something special even if I tried.  So why did Yee-Haw tug at my purse strings?  Well, it's my daddy's fault.  He used to watch western shows on TV--still does--a lot (really, a LOT), which meant that I watched them, too.  I can remember going to the theater with daddy to see "Red Sun", and that's the only time I ever remember daddy going to a theater.  Tonight I paired Yee-Haw with a John Wayne stamp and came up with this:

There are a lot of images in this stamp set, and there's really a great selection of them!  The star that looks white in the photo was actually punched from silver foil paper, and I used scissors to ever-so-slowly (I am the slowest. person. ever. to hand-cut anything) to cut the green stars, cactus, and hat which, by the way, was colored with Stampin' Blendabilities markers.  I am pleased--with my purchase and with this card.

HALLOWEEN MINI SCRAPBOOK & CARD

This mini Halloween scrapbook and matching card are a wonderful way to preserve your memories of a special costume or several years of celebrations.  It also makes a fun gift for family and friends who are too far to share in the festivities.

This festive project was designed by Yapha Mason, and her complete tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.