ALTERED PAINT CAN

After forcing myself to sit down and pay bills this morning, I needed to do something fun. I bought these really nice paint cans a few months ago, thinking I'd plan a class around them, but that hasn't happened. I decided that this can would be a holiday gift, and wouldn't it hold a lot of goodies??? To decorate it, I used Stampin' Up!'s new "Holiday Harmony" designer paper. The scalloped pocket tag was made with a Sizzix die, but the tag is decorated with cut-out stamped images from Stampin' Up!'s "Perfect Presentation" stamp set. I used the Slit Punch to create the scalloped layer in the center of the tin, and adorned it with gold brads and gold organdy ribbon. This can has a handle--I just forgot to put it back on before I took the picture. ;-)

STAMPIN' IDEAS/INSPIRATION

Did you know that you can find ideas, inspiration, and technique instructions on Stampin' Up!'s web site? You sure can! Visit the web site at http://www.stampinup.com/. On the right side of the window, you'll find several links, one of which is "Project Ideas & Techniques." Once you select that link, you'll find three choices on the left side of the window . . . Stampin' Ideas, Stampin' Supplies, and Stampin' Techniques. While you're visiting Stampin' Up!'s web site, you'll see a link that reads, "About Us." If you select that link, you'll be directed to a page that has other links, including "Media Room." Once you select "Media Room," you'll have several options to view projects that have been featured in national publications. Have fun surfing with Stampin' Up!

CRISS CROSS, 3D BUTTERFLY & A NEW CD

Right now, I'm listening to Shawn Colvin sing "I Don't Know Why," and it occurred to me that I don't know why I'm addicted to 3D butterflies. When I stamp one, I automatically want to cut it out and give those dainty wings a little bit of life.

As is usually the case, I came in here this morning to clean off my desk. Why does the stamping muse hit me when I'm supposed to be cleaning???? I don't know why! My "Priceless" stamps were already out--I think several stamp sets gathered for a party recently--so I couldn't just clean them and put them away! I decided to create this fun Criss Cross card. This is just the second one I've made, and I still have trouble deciding how to decorate the pocket insert. I wonder why that is!

By the way . . . if you're looking for a great CD, may I recommend "Touched By An Angel The Album?" I stumbled upon this CD at Barnes & Noble last week, and it is awesome--I mean, A-W-E-S-O-M-E! One of my favorite songs on this CD is "You Were Loved" by Wynonna, but I really enjoy all of them! This is one of those CDs that's fun to listen to while you're stamping, cleaning, driving, having a meltdown because you need to turn left to get to the school and the Sheriff's office has blocked left turns and the traffic is HORRENDOUS and you have to go past your destination, make a U-turn, and crawl through the traffic to get BACK to your destination! And Heaven help you if you're tardy! Argh!!!! [breathe in, breathe out]

OCTAGON BOX

What a beaut, huh? Don't be fooled, though . . . this is no small box . . . it's 9" tall and 8" wide! I found this box laying on a clearance shelf a couple of weeks ago. I tried to think of a way to use it or something it would be good for, but nothing came to mind. But it was too cheap to leave behind. As a matter of fact, I bought two of them just in case I made a mess of the first one. ;-) The papers used to decorate the box were also on clearance, and they were part of the ensemble for this project. Yes, I would have survived without this box, and I certainly could have done something more productive with my time today, but it's been fun. And just think . . . I have another one to play with, so who knows when the laundry and cleaning will get done! Who cares? ;-)

HALLOWEEN "TORN WINDOW" CARD

It's not too early to think about Halloween, is it? I mean . . . it's just around the corner, right? I used Stampin' Up!'s "Home Is Where the Haunt Is" stamp set to create this card, and Stampin' Pastels were used to color the background. I can't take full credit for the layout, though. While perusing a magazine at Barnes & Noble last week, I came across a similar card design and thought, "I can do that--and better!"

It's hard to believe that I struggled to justify purchasing this stamp set about two years ago because I have used it a lot! It has, in my humble opinion, a great selection of images, but what I like most is how easily the images lend themselves to creating scenes and I LOVE scenery stamping! Granted, I have a lot to learn about creating scenes, but I'm definitely intrigued!

Now, if you don't particularly care for Halloween, you can at least take a design concept from this card . . . the torn window! Have you ever started stamping on a card and made a boo-boo? (Hee! Hee!) Well, just tear out the part of the card that you don't like and put a perfectly stamped image behind it. No one will have to know what prompted you to create a torn window! ;-)

PUNCH GUIDE

Yes, I'm STILL playing with the Bind-It-All . . . and having a great time! ;-)

This little dilly is, as the name implies, a punch guide. You'll notice that a few Stampin' Up! punches were used to adorn the cover. I used Enchante designer paper, which is a retired Stampin' Up! product. Current products used to create this book are Pale Plum, Very Vanilla, and Perfect Plum card stock. The stamped swirl design is from the "Priceless" stamp set.

The usefulness of this Punch Guide is demonstrated on the inside pages. I have categorized the punches into five sections and punched samples on the pages. The first useful trick is that the ordering information is in this guide, but what really makes the guide an awesome tool is that the punched "templates" (the white pages) can be placed over images in the catalog to determine which images will fit the punches.

STILL PLAYING WITH THE BIND-IT-ALL

For years, I've used a journal (with black pages) to keep up with notes, passwords, etc., but I finally got tired of having to use a special pen to write on the black pages. And that's how this little gem came to be. I can't show you the inside, silly . . . that's where my special notes are!

Drink Mix Treat/Party Favor

Who wouldn't be grateful for this type treat with the high temps we've had lately??? It's hard to tell from the picture, but the butterfly on top is 3D with lifted wings. If you're not already sick and tired of seeing 3D butterflies from me, give yourself some time because I LOVE this little trick with butterfly images!

This project features the new "Priceless" stamp set, and it's such a fun one! It has an interesting mix of images . . . swirls, heart, butterfly, circle, flower . . . and they work so well together because most of the art images have swirls on them. The word stamps in this set are "Priceless" and "So Kind."

THESE ADDRESS BOOKS ARE ADDICTIVE!

This is the second address book, and you can see the Bind-It-All in this photo. The BIA was used to secure the book with the wire binding. This particular book features Stampin' Up!'s Prints Designer Series Paper (Soft Sky), a scalloped layer of Fall Flowers Designer Series Paper that was scalloped with the Corner Rounder Punch. Punches used to create the floral accent are the new Scallop Circle, 5-Petal Flower, and Spring Flowers. A Rhinestone Brad was placed in the center of the layered flowers. I used the Round Tab Punch to create the alphabetical tabbed dividers on the inside of the book just as I did in the first address book.

ADDRESS BOOK

I'm so excited about this project!!! Is it cool or what???? It was inspired by one that Beate Johns created. You would not believe how incredibly quick this project was!

Some of the Stampin' Up! products used to create this book were Brocade Backgrounds Designer Series Paper, Trio Flower Punch (the one that's in the "Three for You Punch Box"), Round Tab Punch, Rough Edges Alphabet, Gold Brads, Chocolate Chip Classic and Old Olive Classic inks. SU card stock used: River Rock, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip.

The "simulated brocade" design on the cover of the book was created with the Big Shot and a brand new Sizzix Bigz die that I just bought yesterday, and I'm loving it! It was cut from River Rock card stock, and I sponged Old Olive and Chocolate Chip inks on it. It actually has a dirty suede look IRL.

And finally, I used my Bind-It-All to bind the address book. I didn't have any black O-Wire, so the white had to suffice.