"MAGIC OF THE SEASON" ACCORDION SCRAPBOOK

Introducing a fun and festive accordion scrapbook for the holiday season. It’s quick and easy to assemble, takes just a few supplies, and it makes the perfect gift for moms, grandmas, teachers, friends, coworkers and more. Follow the tutorial and you’ll be adding photos in no time! And remember, this great accordion scrapbook can be adapted to any season or occasion! 

This is the September Bonus Project at Craft Project Central, and it was designed by Michelle.  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!

HALLOWEEN MIXED MEDIA GIFT SET

Deck your haunted halls with this canvas that mixes Stampin’ Up! Products with other media to make this lovely ghoulish canvas. Give this as a spooky gift with the matching card. This would make a hauntingly fabulous class project or hostess gift! And remember, if you don’t celebrate Halloween, this project can be adapted to any occasion!

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

MEN NEED CARDS, TOO

This nautical themed project includes five cards, five note cards, and five mini cards. All cards come with matching envelopes, and are contained in a coordinating box. The cards are blank, but this set includes assorted messages that can easily be attached to a card as needed. This set is a great gift for husbands, brothers, and sons that enjoy writing letters, but have difficulty finding cards without butterflies, flowers, and pastel chevrons.

If you enjoy making cards, then you already know how challenging it can be to come up with masculine designs.  This lovely, masculine set, designed by Boni, will help us all!  Her step-by-step tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

READY FOR FALL

Do you ever feel that you are always buying or creating new decorations for seasons, holidays, events, etc.?  I certainly feel that way, and for a good reason . . . I'm guilty of doing just that.  I've recognized a few reasons for this madness:  

~  I don't have a good place (or ample space) to store wreaths and decorations and/or 

~  They're not easily accessible from the attic and not protected well enough if in a storage building and/or

~  New seasonal/holiday merchandise looks so fresh and appealing in stores and/or

~  If I buy new things and bring them home, I know exactly where they are (for now) and can put them to good use (for now).

Recently, I created this Fall vignette in a corner on my porch.  The good news is that I didn't spend very much on it since the floral arrangement was already being "stored" on my dresser for the past two months (since I cleaned out my closet).  It most certainly didn't belong in the room, but I didn't want it to get ruined or forgotten.  To enjoy it until Fall arrived, I placed some lighted twigs in the mix, but I don't turn the lights on while it's on the porch.  I maybe spent $5 on the decorations around it.

Once I had a pretty corner on the porch, the door needed something Fall-ish.  Clearly, this wreath wasn't going to work.  Fortunately, I recently saw this video make the rounds on Facebook, and it looked easy enough.  My sweet mother (and you know mothers have everything you need) gave me some wire hangers yesterday and, when I got home with them, I pulled out the roll of burlap and the Fall flowers that I recently purchased and put together this wreath:

And now my porch doesn't look like a mix of seasons--only Fall, and my investment was less than $15.  If I end up having to throw it all away to make room for Christmas decorations, at least there's not a lot of time and $$$ involved, right?  Of course, the flower arrangement will have to move back to my dresser.  ;-)

HOWL-O-WEEN FUN!

It’s time for some old fashioned Howl-o-ween Fun!  This project features the Howl-o-ween Treat Stamp Set and the coordinating Boo to You Framelits Dies.  Also highlighted is the Happy Haunting Designer Series Paper…and bit of sparkle from Silver and Black Glimmer Paper!  The project set includes a sweet 3 -1/2” x 5” note card and lined envelope…perfect to send out a few spooky words to a friend or loved one!  There’s also a wand for your little one to wave in casting a spell on a friend or foe…and there’s also two games to keep everyone busy.  First up…there’s Trick or Treat Tic-Tac-Toe!  What will you choose?  The crossbones X or the skull O?  Either way it’ll be hauntingly good fun...and fun that you can take with you using the game packaging made featuring the Envelope Punch Board!  Finally, who doesn’t remember the ball-in-the-hole game?  Super easy to make, there’s nothing ghostly about these little games…they’re just good old fashioned fun! And remember, if you don’t celebrate Halloween, this project can be adapted to an any occasion fun set!

You'll have fun creating this project, which was designed by Sue.  Her complete tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

HALLOWEEN LANTERN GIFT SET

Decorate for Halloween with this adorably spooky lantern complete with bats and spider webs. This lovely lantern makes a great gift with the coordinating card and gift box perfect for packing up a sweet spooky treat! This would make a great class project or hostess gift!  And remember, if you don’t celebrate Halloween, this project can be adapted to an any occasion gift set!

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

ANOTHER SUBMISSION FOR SKETCH CHALLENGE #51

 

 

I liked the Creating Pretty Cards - Sketch Challenge #51 so much that I created another card.  Stampin' Up! products featured include:

Cardstock:  Mossy Meadow, Elegant Eggplant, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White

Specialty Paper:  Silver Glimmer

Ink:  Mossy Meadow, Elegant Eggplant

Stamp Sets:  Garden in Bloom, Gorgeous Grunge

Sizzix:  Boho Chic embossing folder

Accessories:  Iced Rhinestone Embellishments (center of flower)

 

The inside is pretty, too.

 

 

Have you been thinking about creating a card for the challenge?  For every 10 cards that are uploaded HERE, a winner will be selected to receive a FREE one-month subscription to Craft Project Central.  There's even a FREE tutorial for the sketch HERE.



HALLOWEEN MATCHBOX TREAT HOLDERS

These Matchbox Treat Holders are made using the Envelope Punch Board and go together in a snap!  Make several of them to give out at Halloween to your special “trick or treaters”!  Or you can change up the design for any occasion – these boxes will also hold a gift card with still enough room for a little treat or small gift.

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

SKETCH CHALLENGE #51 AT CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL

Each month, there's a new Creating Pretty Cards sketch challenge at Craft Project Central, and this month's sketch is quite fun.  Actually, there hasn't been a time yet when I didn't enjoy a sketch, but this one surprised me because I didn't realize until I looked at the tutorial for this sketch that the front of the card is cut in half--diagonally.  Pretty cool, huh? 

I could hardly wait to create a card for this challenge, and I was even more excited to use one of my brand new stamp sets . . . Garden in Bloom.  I was a wee bit torn about ordering this set but for one ridiculous reason only . . . it seemed that there were a lot of little images that could slow me down (trying to find the solid image that goes with the detail image).  Well, I put the stamp set to use last night, and WOW!  It. is. fabulous!!!!!!  I know you're probably thinking that another flower set is the last thing that you need, and I say that all the time, too; however, you have to admit that some of those floral sets that you keep holding onto have proven to have their own time and purpose.  I don't know how that happens, but it does.  I know that  Garden in Bloom will be one of my "go-to" sets because it's perfect . . . the sentiments are so very useful, and the images work beautifully whether stamped as two-step or alone, and they will make gorgeous note card sets--even borders and backgrounds!  Add this one to the top of your "things-I-want-to-order-from-Regina list".   ;-)

See that pretty punched detail in the top right corner?  That was created with the Curvy Corner Punch, which is another product that amazed me beyond expectation.  On the bee and the flower centers, I applied Dazzling Details, but it doesn't show in the photo. 

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.





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

Today's MISM project is a card featuring Stampin' Up!'s You're Sublime stamp set.  From the first time I saw this set in the catalog, that cute little camper has screamed, "Buy me!"  I used Mint Macaron, Soft Sky, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Smoky Slate, and Basic Gray markers to color the image, and then I went over the colored image with a clear Wink of Stella Brush to add subtle glimmer.  Honestly, I could use that brush on EVERYTHING that I color--it's awesome!  I used Mint Macaron ink on the sentiment stamp, but I stamped off before stamping on the cardstock.  Other Stampin' Up! products featured on this card include the Confetti Stars Border punch, silver mini brad, fringe scissors, and rhinestone jewels.  Since I've been working on cleaning (out) and re-organizing my stamp room, I've come to realize that I have waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy too much ribbon (and paper, too) and have a goal to start putting those items to use.  The pink floral trim was on top of the pile, which is why I added it to this card.  

WINNER! WINNER! WINNER!

With my September 4th blog post (HERE), I promised that I would announce the winner of the FREE one-month subscription to Craft Project Central .  To be entered in the drawing, there was one simple requirement . . . just leave a comment HERE about my project.  Thanks so much to those who took the time to comment.  I only have one subscription to give away, and it goes to . . . SANDY HERMAN who wrote, "I look forward to seeing your projects Regina…..you have such good ideas and I love the stamp sets you use!!!! Look forward to next time!"  Congratulations, Sandy!  If you'll email me at randari at Hotmail dot com, we'll get your subscription started!

HOWL-O-WEEN TREATS ENSEMBLE

Get ready for Halloween this year with this array of treats! You’ll make the Trick or Treat Bag plus all the treats that can fit inside - the Candy Bar Pocket, Candy Corn Box, Pumpkin Lollipop Treat and the Nugget Sleeve. Not only will you learn how to make all the treats, but also you’ll learn a lot of new “Tricks” showing the versatility of your Ornate Tag Topper Punch. And the quick 3” x 3” Love Note tops off the ensemble! The tutorial for this ensemble, which was designed by Julie Beltramo, can be found at Craft Project Central.  

STAMPS, YOU'RE MY OBSESSION

A Stampin' Up! order arrived today.  Eight new stamp sets.  Eight.  Three of them have coordinating dies, and I now need to hurry and get my room in order so I can justify having my own personal stamp-a-thon.  As I entered the details of these new sets on my log, I wondered if 679 was an outrageous number.  What's that?  You don't keep a log of your Stampin' Up! stamp sets?  I've been a demonstrator for over 10 years (a customer for a little longer than that), and I don't know why I started keeping a log.  It could be the same reason that when I do anything that could involve counting for a purpose, I count--even if there's no purpose.  Putting glasses on the shelf, I count them in my head, and I really like it when the last number is an even one.  Anyway . . . as I processed the new stamp sets, I thought that 679 is, indeed, a pretty big number, and that's just the Stampin' Up! sets that got logged--I'm sure there are some that slipped through the cracks, and then there are a lot of non-Stampin' Up! sets that don't get logged.  This '80's song started playing in my head (hopefully, the video shows up):

USING NEGATIVE SPACE FOR FABULOUS FALL LEAVES

When is a negative a positive? When you use the negative space of a die cut to make a fabulous card! In this project we will make four cards that each use negative space in a different way, as well a great box to hold them. We will combine the Leaflets Framelits with some great fall colors as we welcome autumn. This project would make a lovely gift as well as a class or club project.

This is a gorgeous sneak peek photo of the project that Yapha Mason designed for Craft Project Central.  When you subscribe to this month's edition of awesome tutorials, you'll be ready to create this project (and many more)!

WINGS & THINGS GIFT BOW BIGZ SET

Have you ever wondered if there was more you could do with the Gift Bow Bigz L Die and the Big Shot than just make bows?  Well the answer is a resounding YES!  In this Wings and Things Tutorial, you will learn a few creative ways to put the Gift Bow Bigz L die to use.  Yes, you can make a bow with it.  But how about feathers for a whimsical chicken home décor wall hanging!  Or a matching chicken eye mask to play dress up with!  Bring your creativity to this Wings and Things Gift Bow Bigz Set and let’s have some fun!

It's always to learn new ways to use products, and doesn't this sneak peek photo look cute?  This project tutorial, which was designed by Michelle Wecksler, can be found at Craft Project Central.

ASSORTED CARDS WITH STITCHES & PIERCING

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

Paper-piercing is one of the easiest ways to add design and texture to projects, and this tutorial will demonstrate an array of designs created with Stampin’ Up!’s Eclectic and Updated Essentials Paper-Piercing Templates to finish an assortment of greeting cards with stitches and piercing.  Do you know what to do when you pierce a hole where you don’t want one?  There’s a fix for that in this tutorial!  You will also create a box to hold the six cards and envelopes, and there’s even a gift box in this tutorial to hold all six paper-piercing templates!  Any part of this project would be great for a workshop demonstration or stamp camp.

Click on the photo to open a larger view

One of the best things about being a Craft Project Central designer is that I have the opportunity to share a month's worth of awesome tutorials by giving away a FREE one-month subscription.  Getting your name entered for the drawing is very, very easy . . . all you need to do is leave a comment about my project HERE.  On Monday, September 14th, come back to my blog to see if yours is the winning name.  It's really that simple.

LONG FALL BASKET DECOR & CARD

If you're like me, you are so ready for Fall, and this gorgeous project could be the first decor item that you make to welcome the changing season.  Today begins a brand new month of awesome project tutorials at Craft Project Central, which is where you can find the step-by-step tutorial for this project, which was designed by the talented Christy Fulk.  As is evident by the colorful sneak peek photo below, Christy has quite a knack for designing brightly-colored projects!

Following is the introduction that Christy wrote for her Long Fall Basket Decor & Card:

It’s time to decorate for Fall! This project includes a cute long basket full of pumpkins, decorated with sunflowers and leaves. It would look great on any end table or bookshelf. Make one as a gift, and make another one for yourself. There’s also a coordinating card that would finish off the gift perfectly. The long basket is made with the Berry Basket Bigz L Die, and the pumpkins are made with the Gift Bow Bigz L Die. The Vintage Leaves Stamp Set and Farmer’s Market Designer Series Paper are also featured.

Now is the perfect time to start your subscription to Craft Project Central.