ANOTHER "PERFECTLY PRESERVED" CREATION

I can't remember if this gatefold has a special name, but I'm almost certain that it does.  If you're like me and ready for Fall, then this card must be speaking to you.  Stampin' Up! products used to create it include:  Orchard Harvest designer paper, Cannery Set Framelits, "Perfectly Preserved" and "Blessings from Heaven" stamp sets, Leaves die, Labels Collection Framelits, linen thread, designer button, and Fancy Fan embossing folder.  My card stock colors are More Mustard, Lucky Limeade, Raspberry Ripple, and Very Vanilla.

BUTTERFLY GIFT BOX ON CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL

Do you love butterflies or know someone who does?  Here is an extra special gift box that would be perfect for an extra special person!  This butterfly shaped box is large enough to fit a nice gift or some yummy candy!  You’ll have fun putting this beautiful box together and have even more fun when you see the delight in the eyes of the recipient!  The tutorial for this project, designed by Amanda, was posted on Craft Project Central today. 

CHOOSE TO SHINE - MIXED MEDIA CANVAS

I've had a stack of 3" x 6" canvas boards sitting on a shelf for a couple of weeks, and today was the day that I would create something with one of them.  The problem was that I had no idea what I wanted to make but, with mixed media, I should have remembered that it's no problem--you don't have to have a specific idea--you just need to start.  I began by covering the canvas with three different designs of paper tape and then added some purple, green, and tan paint on top of the tape.  I then used a stencil with a daisy/floral design and, after trying a few colors of ink spray, I decided I liked the white spray.  Notice the textural floral burst?  I placed the stencil on the canvas and covered it with textural paste.  When that was dry, I added some highlights with a yellow marker and yellow glitter glue, finishing with a substantial dollop of glitter glue in the center.  While I waited for the glitter glue to dry, I die-cut the foam butterfly, decorated it with some rhinestone jewels, and glued it in place.  I also outlined the stamped word "shine" with the glitter glue, and then decided to go ahead and take a picture.  It's good that I have this picture because shortly after I snapped it, I dropped the canvas . . . yep . . . face down, flattening and smearing that substantial dollop of glitter glue.  Argh!!!!!  The good news is that I was able to clean it up, and no one will have to know what happened.  I no longer have that beautiful, dimensional golden bead, but I do still have a glittery tactile golden center.  Gotta LOVE that about mixed media art!

LADYBUG BOX & CARD ON CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL

Ladybugs are just so cute and one of the sure signs of summer, just like watermelon, fresh corn on the cob, and freshly mowed lawns, to name a few!  If you’re looking for a cute little gift box for someone sweet, this is the perfect little treat box with its matching card!  The box can be used for cute party favors and can be adapted to different types of bugs, like a cute little honey bee!  This adorable project was designed by Monika Davis for Craft Project Central this month.  With your subscription this month, you'll have access to some awesome project tutorials!

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

You might be thinking that it's kind of early for a Halloween project but, if you have to make a lot of treats, now is the perfect time to get started.  Or maybe I just wanted to play with the "Googly Ghouls" stamp set that arrived last week.  This snappy project began with Stampin' Up!'s "Petite Pocket" die and Pumpkin Pie card stock.  The die-cut pocket looked too plain, so I ran it through the Spider Web embossing folder.  I used an Aqua Painter and markers to color the stamped images, and the witch's googlie eyes are from the Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit.  This little treat holder was truly a snap to make, and the only thing it needs is the treat!

MY "FRIENDSHIP PRESERVES BASKET" IS FEATURED ON CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL TODAY!

I'm so excited to be one of the designers for Craft Project Central this month, and this basket of note cards was such a fun project to create!  With your subscription, you'll get a detailed photo tutorial for this project and all of the others that are shared this month.  On August 1st, I announced that I would give a FREE pass (one-month subscription) today, and the winner is Nancy Dawson, who left this comment on my 8/01 blog post:  "Oh Regina I love all your projects! You are awesome. The teacher gift is so cute and don't you just love that paper!"  Congratulations, Nancy!   Thanks to everyone who took the time to leave a comment. 

MY TREE TRUNK CREATION FOR "CREATING PRETTY CARDS" SKETCH CHALLENGE

I have to admit that I like the way this card turned out.  Earlier today, I used Stampin' Up!'s new Woodgrain embossing folder on a piece of Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock.  After embossing the card stock, I used the new sanding tool to highlight the embossed design.  As you can tell, the Core'dinations card stock has a lighter core that looks awesome against the Early Espresso.  The design for my card was inspired by this month's sketch at Creating Pretty Cards-Card Challenge #14, but I had to change it up since I started with a long and narrow strip of card stock.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include:  "Moving Forward" and "Language of Friendship" stamp sets, Circle punches (1", 1-1/4", and 1-3/8"), Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Owl Builder and Bird Builder punches, Gumball Green stitched satin ribbon, googlie eyes (from the Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit), and Naturals Ivory card stock.  For every 10 cards submitted to this card challenge, a winner will be selected to receive a one-month FREE pass to Craft Project Central.  If you'd like a chance to win, all you have to do is make a card!

"JOYFUL TIDINGS" HYBRID CARD

Looking for some quick holiday card ideas?  Look no further than Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio (MDS2) and the Joyful Tidings Digital Kit!  The ornaments that I used for my card are from this fun kit, which includes embellishments, stamps, and designer paper.  Best of all, the kit is 31% off this month, and you can even try MDS2 for 30 days--FREE!!!  So, to tell you just how easy it was to create this card, I added the three ornaments to my design page, added a drop-shadow to the middle ornament, added a duplicate ornament behind the first one and re-colored it Early Espresso, added the red star to the third ornament, added another star behind the red one, and changed the color to Early Espresso.  The sentiment that I chose is from the Hand-penned Holidays digital stamp set, and it was colored Real Red.  Notice the pleated paper below the ribbon?  That is one of the digital designer papers in the Joyful Tidings kit.  I printed it onto copy-weight paper, used the Simply Scored tool to score it, and then folded it into shape.  My card stock colors are Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Real Red, and Soft Suede.  Finishing touches to my card include the Real Red satin ribbon and rhinestone jewels.

SPECIAL "MEMORABLE MOMENTS" ANNIVERSARY CARD

Today is my parent's anniversary, and this is the special card that I made for them.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Hearts Collection Framelits, Window Frames Framelits, "Memorable Moments" and "Mixed Bunch" stamp sets, "Travel Journal" builder wheel, linen thread, Jewelry Tag punch, tiny pearl jewels, and Fancy Fan embossing folder.  Although I loved the Marina Mist heart layered onto the front of the die-cut card, I kind of hated to cover up the stamped background so I used a smaller heart Framelits die to cut a heart-shaped window so the pretty background could peep through.  I wish my parents a very happy day today (and everyday)!!!

I'M GIVING AWAY A FREE ONE-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO "CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL"

This month, I am one of the designers at Craft Project Central, which means that I have a one-month subscription to give to one lucky person.  The project that I designed for Craft Project Central will be posted on August 4th, and that's when I will announce the winner.  To enter the drawing, be sure to leave a comment on today's blog post, and be sure that your comment includes your email address.  Today's project was designed by Leena Girsa.  Isn't it adorable???

The first day of school is a big deal, no matter how old your children are! Why not send them off to their first day of school with some treats for their new teachers or classmates? This gift set features a note pad and pencil set, a card for the teacher, and pencils with cute toppers for each child in the class. What a perfect way for your children to make friends with their new classmates!  Don't forget--if you want to be entered in the drawing for the FREE one-month subscription to Craft Project Central, leave a comment on today's blog post.