SNEAK PEEK: CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL JANUARY BONUS PROJECT

With this fun Birthday Box Set you will be ready for those birthdays that pop up throughout the year. This gift set features five different fun card designs that double as gift card holders and five small gift bags that are perfect for a gift card or any other small gift. All of this comes with a fun box to store it all so it’s ready when you need it!

I have to say that I love the idea of having so many items handy and neatly tucked away in a pretty box.  This is the January Bonus project at Craft Project Central, and it was 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!

ANOTHER "MOTHER'S LOVE"

While the Mossy Meadow and Rich Razzleberry markers were still on my desk, I decided to make another card with Mother's Love stamp set, and this time I added a few images from Butterfly Basics.  I think these two stamp sets are my favorites from the current Occasions catalog for two reasons:  (1) Mother's Love has those beautiful 2-step flowers that are so very easy to stamp, and (2) Butterfly Basics is a perfect collage companion.  Seriously, I think that set has an image to use with just about anything that you're working on, and it doesn't hurt that there are coordinating punches and dies for some of the images.  The sentiment on my card is from Sheltering Tree.  I love the pretty handwritten look of those sentiments, which makes me think that Stampin' Up! needs more stamp sets with handsomely handwritten sentiments.  Card stock colors are Rich Razzleberry, Mossy Meadow, and Whisper White, and I used Smoky Slate to stamp the honeycomb image.  Dazzling Diamonds glitter was applied to the flower petals, and the punched butterfly has a sparkly Silver Glimmer paper body.

SNEAK PEEK: DOMED PEDESTAL WITH FLORAL BOUQUET

A fitting tribute, this flower bouquet is enthroned on a glimmering pedestal and protected under a shiny clear dome. Flowers in Wisteria Wonder, So Saffron, and Blushing Bride are tied around their stems with silky Wisteria Wonder Seam Binding.  The designer, Bev Adams, dedicated this lovely project to her sister, but it could also be a fitting tribute to any special woman in your life.  Full project photos and detailed tutorial for this gorgeous project can be found at Craft Project Central.

 

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM project just sort of fell into place, and I really like the way everything landed.  I had been working with the designer paper and Mother's Love stamp set, so I put those products (and a few others) to good use.  Lately, when I come in here to create something, I feel so uninspired and/or distracted.  I worked on some projects yesterday that were pleasing but, at the same time, I was kind of surprised at the end result because I simply didn't have any set direction.  I have always enjoyed the challenge of putting to use items that I find on my desk, and today's card is another example of how that totally works.  Other Stampin' Up! products featured on this card include Note Tag punch, You Brighten My Day stamp set, Vellum card stock, fringe scissors, silver glimmer paper, Basic Black card stock, Mossy Meadow ribbon, ink, and card stock, Rich Razzleberry card stock, and twine.  Have a happy Monday and a fabulous week!

SNEAK PEEK: "STACKED WITH LOVE" NOTES & TREAT POUCH GIFT

Get ready for that someone special with this complete gift set! A simple but sweet Note Card Box is fun and easy to make. It holds nine 3” x 3” cards and envelopes that will be easy to access and perfect for those quick notes everyone needs to write! The Treat Pouch is the perfect companion that will hold those special goodies you want to share. And the coordinating card is simple, sweet and stunning! And, if that’s not enough… this tutorial will teach you a ribbon trick that you’ll love and use again and again!

Did you read that . . . nine note cards and envelopes, ready to use and easy to access?  It sounds like the perfect project to me!  This ensemble was designed by Julie Beltramo, and her full project photos and tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.  Hop on over and get your subscription started.  There have been some fabulous projects, and that's what you can expect each and every month!

SNEAK PEEK: MINI BABY BOOK GIFT SET

Make this sweet “Baby Girl” mini accordion album for a friend who is expecting or has just had a baby. The mini album is perfect for scrapbooking or keeping keepsake photos. It nicely fits in a hand bag. These pieces can be mass produced easily, and the greeting card can serve as the invitation and/or the baby announcement. Great for a stamp camp, or as a class project.

I don't know about you, but I think this looks like the cutest baby project!  The. Cutest.  This pretty ensemble was designed by Monika Davis, and I am already a fan of the color combos that she always brings.  This one is so sweet and subtle, and that paper . . . ahhhh.  Full project photos and detailed instructions are available at Craft Project Central, and it's not too late to get your subscription to the January session.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

I have had the hardest time taking a decent photo of today's MISM card, and believe me . . . I know this is a crazy looking photo the way the card is corner-propped on the pages of that really old Bible.  As I was carrying the card from room to room and even outdoors, I kept hearing, "You are NOT smarter than a 5th grader!"  Maybe it's because I've been playing that game on my phone, but it seemed like a fitting voice to hear in my head.  The card looks really nice in real life, though.  It features Stampin' Up!'s Butterflies die, Whisper White card stock, Top Note die, Endless Birthday Wishes stamp set, Painted Blooms Cotton Twine, Painted Blooms DSP, and Spring Flowers embossing folder.

WINNER!  WINNER!  WINNER!

With my January 13th blog post (HERE), I mentioned that I had a one-month FREE subscription to Craft Project Central to give to one lucky person. 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.  The winner is

Nancy Dawson

who wrote, "As usual your project is really great! I too like the non-traditional colors making it possible to use longer than one season. Thanks for sharing your talent!"

  Nancy, if you'll email me at randari at hotmail dot com, 

we'll get your subscription started.

SNEAK PEEK: BLOOMING PERPETUAL CALENDAR

Create and hang this beautiful perpetual calendar to always keep track of what day it is. Easily update the calendar each month for years to come. Storage is provided right on the back of the frame for any extra pieces that aren’t used. So all the pieces you need are right there. Give this as a great gift for the new year with the coordinating card. This would be a wonderful class project!

Full project photos and tutorial, designed and created by Amanda, are available at Craft Project Central.

XOXO GIFT SET

Love for the season.  Love all year long!  This XOXO Gift Set is a wonderful way to show your affection for someone you love.  The set includes a love-themed sign along with a coordinating gift card and matching box.  This set would make a great class and also offers a perfect way for you to decorate for Valentine’s Day!

This is another of those festive ensembles that features creative embellishing techniques.  The tutorial for this ensemble, which was designed by Michelle, can be found at Craft Project Central.

MY ART CANVAS & GARLAND DECOR ENSEMBLE

Today I'm excited to share the sneak peek photo of the project that I designed for Craft Project Central this month.  Following is the introduction that I wrote for the tutorial:

With this tutorial, you’ll learn to make two home décor items that are perfect for Valentine’s Day but, since they stray from the traditional colors of pink and red, it won’t be necessary to rush to put them away after February 14th.  First up is the adorable black canvas, which would be a sweet gift item, featuring the Hearts Decorative Mask.  You will probably make a list of people for whom you can make a canvas once you see how easy it is to go from a blank canvas to WOW.  The second project is a heart garland that you will thoroughly enjoy making!  It is surprisingly quick and easy from start to finish, and it has such a sweet presentation that you will be looking for the perfect place to hang it—and leave it year-round.  Lastly, there’s a greeting card that coordinates with the canvas and garland.  

On Monday, January 19th, I will give to a lucky winner a FREE one-month subscription to Craft Project Central.  To be entered into the drawing for the subscription, all you need to do is go HERE and leave a comment on the post where my project is featured.  Be sure to visit my blog on the 19th to see if yours was the winning name.  It's that simple!

VARIETY OF VALENTINE TREAT HOLDERS

Are you looking for a variety of ways to package Valentine treats for your friends and loved ones? Do you need new ideas for treats your child can take to school? Or maybe something to send to your grandchildren? This project contains instructions to create six different holders for five types of Valentine candy, plus one more for Valentine pencils. Some of the packaging is easy enough for children to make, and others are more complicated. The variety of choices available make this the perfect project to get ready for Valentine’s day at home, at school, or to have plenty of options for a Valentine themed stamp camp or class. 

What a fun collection of Valentines!  The projects shown in this sneak peek photo were designed by Yapha Mason, and her tutorial for all of this goodness can be found at Craft Project Central.

FUN LITTLE BOX CARD

Yesterday was my husband's birthday, and I had been so busy with housework and laundry the day before that I completely forgot to make a card.  He wouldn't have made a fuss about not getting one, but he gets me a card for every occasion and, since I usually spend a lot of time (happily) making cards, it just wouldn't have been good to not make one for him.  And so--around 4 a.m. yesterday morning--I chose to make this cute little box card, which is not really the kind of card that you want to start working on when it's already past bedtime.  I have to admit that I enjoyed the process because it seems like I have hardly had any creative time during the past 6 weeks.  Since I used a Silhouette cut file designed by Lori Whitlock, making this card actually took less time than it would have if I had to cut and punch all of the pieces.  The stamped sentiment is from Stampin' Up!, as is the linen thread and rhinestone jewels, and I used the Heart border punch to create a couple of "fill-in" accents.  I'm not sure that my paper choices were the best for a masculine card (and my son didn't care for the rhinestones), but at least I came through with a card.  ;-)

MINI TREAT BAG

When I first saw that Stampin' Up! had a die in the Occasions catalog that would make a mini treat bag, I immediately got excited because treat bags are . . . well . . . exciting, but also because I was thinking that to make a bunch of treat bags would be a perfect use for alllllllllllllllllll (or a lot) of the designer paper that is in my stamp room.  Just look at this pretty bag that I whipped up (literally) using scraps of paper and card stock!  Other Stampin' Up! products featured on my bag include Very Vanilla and Pear Pizzazz card stock, Groovy Love stamp set, Sweetheart punch, Hearts border punch, linen thread, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamping Sponges, Soft Suede ink, and rhinestone jewels.  You can view all of the Occasions catalog and Sale-a-Bration products on my web site.  If you fall in love with anything  and find yourself adding a few products to the shopping cart, I would greatly appreciate your support by entering the current Hostess Code, which is SAET4VRB.  ;-)  The current Hostess Code can always be found in the right sidebar on my blog.

MASCULINE GIFT BOX & DESK ACCESSORIES

Here’s a fun project using Simply Pressed Clay to personalize a gift box made with the Envelope Liners Framelits.  Use Designer Series Paper to jazz up office supplies, create a paper weight using Clear Blocks in creative ways, and you have a great handmade gift for one of the special men in your life.  The box makes an attractive desk accessory to hold pens, paper and more.  This would also make a fun class or stamp camp!

Has this sneak peek photo captured your attention?  It has totally sucked me in with its appealing color combination--and the fact that it features one of my newest favorite stamp sets, Moon Lake.  The tutorial for these unique projects, which were designed by Buffy Cooper, can be found at Craft Project Central.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM project looks nothing like January, and it certainly looks nothing like the bleak, cloudy, rainy weather that we've had lately.  The colors actually look lighter and softer than they appear in the photo but, at 3:00 a.m., the lighting just isn't that great.  I used a few new Stampin' Up! products--Hello You Thinlits, Happy Heart embossing folder, Butterflies Thinlits, and Best Day Ever DSP--that will be available beginning tomorrow.  Isn't that exciting?!?!  I still have a long list of "wants" from the brand new Occasions catalog, not to mention the Sale-a-Bration promotion which also begins tomorrow.  Yippee!!!!  And here is another photo of my MISM card:

My card stock colors are Coastal Cabana, Pink Pirouette, Sahara Sand, and Whisper White.  Additional Stampin' Up! products used but not already mentioned include:  Sweetheart punch, ribbon, rhinestone jewels, silver glimmer paper, and Delicate Designs embossing folder.

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT PACKAGING & CARD

Show your Valentine how much you care by making these gift packages and coordinating card for your sweetie. There’s a treat basket made with the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies and two treat holders made with the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch. Fill the packages with goodies, and give them to your Valentine, along with the coordinating card. This would also make a great Valentine’s Day themed class.

If you click on the photo, a larger one will open so you can try to take in all of the fun elements shown in the sneak peek.  The tutorial for this awesome ensemble, which was designed by the talented Christy Fulk, can be found at Craft Project Central.

CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL'S "CREATING PRETTY CARDS - SKETCH CHALLENGE #43"

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 #43:

My card features several brand new Stampin' Up! products that I am loving . . . Happy Heart embossing folder, Bow Builder punch (soooooo fun), Butterfly Basics stamp set (soooooo perfect for collage-style stamping), and Best Day Ever DSP from the upcoming Sale-a-Bration brochure.  You might not can tell from the first photo, but Sketch Challenge #43 is a gate fold card:

One thing to love about this fun fold is that there's plenty of area to stamp and decorate and, as you can see on the interior panel, there's still plenty of space for a handwritten message.  The actual sketch looks like this:

Creating Pretty Cards - Sketch Challenge #43

Did you know that for every 10 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.

 

 

If you're looking forward to seeing all of the new products in the Occasions catalog and all of the FREE Sale-a-Bration products that you can earn with a qualifying order, be sure to VISIT MY WEB SITE on January 6th and click on the "SHOP NOW" link in the upper right corner!

 

 

VALENTINE TREAT HOLDER & JOY FOLD CARD

This darling treat holder is sure to impress this Valentine’s Day!  It's easy to assemble so you can show all your loved ones how special they are by making this special gift for them!  The coordinating card adds just the right finishing touch!

From the sneak peek photo, it appears that there are several fun embellishment techniques to learn from this tutorial, which was designed by Laurie.  Be sure to visit Craft Project Central to get your January subscription started so you can enjoy a month's worth of fun stamping projects!