I do adore a banner!

No, it's not too early for Christmas!

This tag banner was inspired and CASEd from http://justritestampers.blogspot.com/2008/11/day-five-with-sharon-johnson-justrite.html. There's an excellent tutorial on that website as well.

I used the SU! Ski Slope DSP, as well as Riding Hood Red, Only Olive, and Chocolate Chip CS, 2 circle punches, and a lot of adhesive to make this. These colours are gorgeous together!

This project is easily modified to display a word or message of your choice. I can see a whole series of them already...Happy Birthday, Happy Easter, Joy, Peace...

To close this post, here's a close-up...I embossed each letter with Winter Wonderland EP and raised the red circles on dimensionals.

Thank You Cards

I love the kwerner colour challenges; the combinations are always unique and gorgeous! I made a thank you card based on this and on the card found here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1136682 . CASEing is always a great jump start when the inspiration station is down!

The picture is small for a reason...I had to photograph at night, so the colours are waaaay off! The So Saffron CS is really a very gentle yellow, which lets the other colours pop off the page.

Besides the Scandinavian Season rolling stamp, I also used the 'thank you' stamp from the Elegant Notes set. I embossed the rolling stamp so that using markers to colour in the image wouldn't make the black ink run. This is also the first time I used the guide for the rolling stamp...it worked like a charm!

More Chistmas!

This is another case from pantala40. I changed several things, but her card was definitely the inspiration for this one! I absolutely love this set, probably because I enjoy using watercolour pencil crayons and blender pens to achieve a hand-painted look.

Supplies
Cardstock
Chocolate Chip (5-1/2" x 4-1/4")
Riding Hood Red (1-1/4" x 4" AND 4-1/4" x 1-3/4" AND 3-1/4" x 3-1/4")
Whisper White (3" x 3")
Ski Slope DSP (4-1/4" x 1-1/2" AND 5-1/8" x 3-7/8")

Ribbon
5" Alpine

Ink
Chocolate Chip

Stamp Set
Home for Christmas

Other
Blender pens
Watercolour pencil crayons

Directions

• Stamp the door image from 'Home for Christmas' with Chocolate Chip Ink onto the 3" x 3" piece of Whisper White CS. Colour it with watercolour pencil crayons and use the blender pens to achieve the watercoloured look.


• Mount image on 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" piece of Riding Hood Red CS.
  


• Adhere smaller piece of DSP to 4-1/4" x 1-3/4" piece of RHR CS. Adhere ribbon slightly left of centre so that there will be room for the main image to overlap.


• Now, to put it all together...use the above photo for guidance! It's clearer than words would be anyways.


• Enjoy!
  

Christmas is Coming!

This is a case of one of pantala40's cards. (You can visit her gallery at Splitcoast Stampers.)

Supplies
Paper: Riding Hood Red CS (5-1/2" x 4-1/4")
Ski Slope DSP (5-1/4" x 3")
Ski Slope DSP (5-1/4" x 1")
Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip CS (scraps)
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Other: Alpine Felt Ribbon
1-1/4" circle punch
1-3/8" circle punch
scallop punch
Stamp Set: Scandinavian Season

Directions

• Use the scallop punch to trim one long edge off the 5-1/4" x 1" piece of DSP.


• Adhere the larger piece of DSP to the CS. (Align it with one long edge of the CS.)


• Adhere the scalloped piece of DSP to the CS so that it overlaps with the other piece of DSP.


• Add the ribbon, overlapping with the scalloped piece of DSP. Trim ribbon to the edges of the CS.


• Stamp the snowflake from Scandinavian Season on a scrap of Very Vanilla. (I used Chocolate Chip ink for this.)


• Punch out the snowflake with the 1-1/4" circle punch.


• Punch out a 1-3/8" circle from a scrap of Chocolate Chip CS.


• Adhere the two circles together, and then add to card.
  


• Enjoy!
  

Thanksgiving has arrived!

Happy Thanksgiving! It's actually tomorrow, but I'm going to my parents' today for Thanksgiving dinner...so I made placecards to take along. These were really simple to make.

Supplies

• Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie


• Ink/markers: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Pumpkin Pie


• Punches: 1" circle, scallop, designer label
  


• Stamps: Dotted Autumn


• Other: dimensionals
  

Directions

• Colour the acorn from Dotted Autumn with markers and stamp it on Very Vanilla paper. (I used Chocolate Chip for the nut and Creamy Caramel for the shell and stem. Cut out the acorn with sharp scissors.


• Cut Chocolate Chip CS to 2-1/8" x 3-1/2". Score at 1-1/2". Use the scallop punch on the larger end of the rectangle.

• Cut Kiwi Kiss CS to 1-15/16" x 1-5/16". Edge with Chocolate Chip ink.


• Cut Pumpkin Pie CS to 1-11/16" x 1-1/16". Edge with Pumpkin Pie ink.


• Punch the designer label shape out of Very Vanilla CS. Trim off the rounded parts with scissors.


• Adhere the layers together. Refer to the photos for guidance.


• Punch a 1" circle out of Kiwi Kiss CS. Edge with Chocolate Chip ink. Centre circle on back of placecard. Use a dimensional to pop the acorn up and adhere to the circle.


• Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner!

Another Sample!

I'm excited about this sample; I think it captures a 'winter wonderland' feel the bride is looking for. I think I'll make another sample exactly like it, except I'll use the Bashful Blue as the main card base.

This is a gatefold card. I used stamps from Delta and Inkadinkado, as well as Winter Wonderland EP from Stampendous. The paper is all Stampin'Up!

Click on the pictures below for an enlarged version. And let me know what you think: should I try another version with Bashful Blue as the card base?

The First Sample is ready!

The First Sample has been completed! I kept this set very simple. The colour scheme was inspired by the bride's theme of Winter. (Don't worry, the real invitation doesn't have horrible white splotches on it!) Because I took the pictures at night, the colours might not be exactly representative; I used SU!'s Handsome Hunter and Bashful Blue. Click on each picture for a larger version.

You're Invited!

Here's a sweet wedding invitation, not too casual, not too formal...

I used SU!'s Berry Bliss DSP, Close to Cocoa, and Pretty in Pink. To add texture, I embossed the stamps, layered cardstock, sponged, distressed the edges, and used ribbon. As you can see from the pictures, the Save the Date card slides out.

I used a corner rounder (with the guard/guide removed) to create the scalloped edge...can't wait to get SU!'s new scallop edge punch!

*if you click on any of the photos, a larger (and clearer) version will appear in a new window!

Corn and Apples...Yummy!

Whew! I just finished hauling all my stuff up the flight of stairs to my apartment...the Morden Corn and Apple Festival is OVAH!! And I think I even made a profit! I definitely made the cost of the table back, and then some.

I'll post pics of some of the things I brought along soon. This festival has a reputation for large crowds, so even though there are a lot of 'I'm just looking' types, there are also plenty of people who want cards! I also made a lot of contacts for potential custom orders.

The most enjoyable part of the festival was running into a lot people that I haven't seen yet this summer. The other vendors were really nice, and the weather cooperated beautifully. I do believe I'll be back next year!

Little Labels

Depending on which colours and stamps you use, these can be cute or elegant or fun or anything you want them to be! Plus, it's a great way to use up scraps.

Supplies
Cardstock: solid coloured CS of your choice, Whisper white
Tools: scallop punch, 1-1/4" circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch
Optional: matching 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, clear embossing powder, watercolour pencil crayons, blender pens

Directions
Stamp an image onto Whisper White CS. The image can be larger than 1-1/4", as long as there is a part of it you'd like to punch out. If you want to, emboss the image with clear embossing powder.

Punch out the image with the 1-1/4" circle punch. Make sure you use the punch upside-down so you can see exactly what the punched image will look like. If you want to, use the watercolour pencil crayons and blender pens to colour the image.

Punch out a 1-3/8" circle from matching CS and a scallop from matching CS.

Adhere each layer to the next. Voila!



To add ribbon: cut approximately 4 to 5 inches of matching 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. Loop the ribbon around (no need to tie a knot; just use a little bit of adhesive where the ribbon crosses itself to hold it in place.) Punch out a second scallop shape (this will be the 'back' piece). Place the ribbon loop on the back scallop. Apply adhesive to the front scallop (the one with the layers and the stamped image). Matching up the edges, adhere the front to the back, with the ribbon sandwiched in between.

Some ideas...
~wine glass tags
~gift box or bag tags
~glue a toothpick between the two layers and use as plant picks, dessert picks, appetizer picks, cake decorations...
~clothes hanger decorations
~string them together to make a mini-garland
~attach to a small chocolate or other wrapped candy
~attach a magnet to the back

Live Your Dream Coaster Box

This box was inspired by Barbara (http://zeitfuermich.blogspot.com/) It's simple and beautiful, and you can easily personalize it to suit your intent and your space. I have to admit I cheated just a little: the box will hold Sharpies, not SU! markers, but I wanted the markers to match the box in the picture!

Supplies

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Whisper White

Tools: Crop-A-Dile, scallop punch, 1-1/4" circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch

Ink: Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip

Stamps: Live Your Dream

Other: Chipboard sheets (I didn't have coaster, so I cut my own), Aleene's Original Tacky Craft Glue, Hemp twine

Directions

Cut 5 3-1/2" squares from chipboard. (I used several passes of my paper trimmer to achieve this).

Cut 5 1-1/2" squares out of CS. Mix and match colours to your taste.

Adhere CS squares to chipboard squares.

Using the Crop-A-Dile, punch a hole in each corner of each sqaure. I measured it out for the first square so the holes would be evenly spaced, and then lined that square up with the others and punched them out too. If you're going to use thicker ribbon or twine, make sure it will fit through your holes twice! If you want to, you could add eyelets at this point.

Run the edges of each square over the Chocolate Chip inkpad to define the edges.

Using approximately 3" - 4" of hemp twine for each knot, loosely tie the corners together, forming the four walls of the container. Then tie the bottom on, re-using the bottom holes of the four walls.

One knot at a time, add a dab of white craft glue (I use Aleene's because it dries clear) to each knot. Pull the knot tight and hold it for a couple of seconds until the glue sets. (I did this at my computer, went on Splitcoast, opened up the gallery of new submissions, clicked on 'Slideshow', and enjoyed the show while waiting for all 12 knots to set!) Trim the ends of each knot.

Cut a 2-3/4" square from Whisper White CS. Stamp with small flower stamp. (I inked the stamp with Old Olive and Cameo Coral markers.) Run the edges of the square over the Chocolate Chip ink pad.

Ink and stamp the large flower image on a scrap piece of Whisper White CS. Punch out with the 1-1/4" punch. Run the edge of the circle over the Chocolate Chip ink pad.

Punch a scallop from Chocolate Chip CS and a 1-3/8" circle from Old Olive CS.

Adhere the flower image, Old Olive circle, and Chocolate Chip scallop together. Adhere the element to centre of the 2-3/4" square. Adhere the sqaure to the box.

If you want to, you can decorate each side however you want. I chose to embellish one side and leave the rest plain. The colours are gorgeous on their own!

Summer by the Sea and Seaside Sketches

I love these two stamp sets by SU! They're feminine but not cutesy, and the lend themselves well to almost any colour choices. The instructions here work for any of the four cards.

Supplies

Cardstock: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" Whisper White CS
2 pieces of 2" x 5-3/8" coloured CS for colour panels (I used Ruby Red, Barely Banana, and Bashful Blue

Scraps of coloured CS to mat your stamp (I used Bashful Blue, Perfectly Plum, Ruby Red, and Certainly Celery)

Whisper White CS (for stamping)

Ink: Basic Black ink pad

Stamps: Seaside Sketches and Summer by the Sea

Other: clear embossing powder

heat gun
watercolour pencil crayons

blender pens

Directions

Score the Whisper White CS at 2-1/4" from each short end. Fold the sides together. They should meet in the middle, making a gatefold card.

Adhere the 2 pieces of coloured CS to each 'gate' of your card. If you want to add texture, use a background stamp and VersaMark ink before adhering, or use the scoring blade of your paper trimmer to create a grid pattern.

*Note: on one card, I used Bashful Blue CS for the base and only added one panel (in scored Barely Banana) to the left hand panel.

Stamp your image onto Whisper White CS. Emboss with clear embossing powder.

Colour your image with the watercolour pencil crayons. You don't have to cover every little bit; the blender pens will 'carry' the colour. I like to layer my colours a bit; for example, I use a light brown with just a touch of red for skin tones, and yellow and brown for hair. The wonderful thing about watercolour pencil crayons is that you can customize your image for the recipient of the card, matching hair colour and skin tones.

'Paint' over the coloured image with the blender pens, making sure to clean the tip between colours.

Cut out your image. I usually just 'eyeball' it, since the trimmer ensures perfectly square corners.

Measure your cut out image. Add 1/4" to each measurement and cut out a mat from coloured CS. Mount the image on the mat.

Mount the mat on your card. Careful, you can only adhere one half of the image or you won't be able to 'open' the gate!

The First Real Post!

This is probably one of the easiest projects I've ever done...and one of the cheapest too! It's a great way to use up scraps.

You'll need a composition notebook (I got mine in a pack of 4 at the dollar store). The ones I bought have a taped spine, not a spiral bind. Choose 2 or 3 coordinating papers (cardstock and/or patterned paper), and go to town!

I've given specific instructions here for the pink cherry composition notebook.

Supplies
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Stamps: SU! Tart and Tangy

Punches: scallop, 1-3/8" circle, 1-1/4" circle

Embellishments: 1/4" Pretty in Pink grosgrain

Cherries Bling from Heidi Swapp


Directions
Using markers to ink the cherry stamp, create 'designer paper' by stamping the image repeatedly on Whisper White. This will be the top front of the notebook.

Hold the 'designer paper' against the notebook. Mark measurements. Cut to size and adhere to notebook.

Hold the Pretty in Pink CS against the notebook, lining it up with the bottom of the 'designer paper'. Trim and adhere to notebook.

Repeat with Pretty in Pink CS for the back of the notebook. (I just used Pretty in Pink for the whole back, but you could mix papers on the back too.)

Measure and cut 14" of Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. Adhere the ribbon to the notebook so that it wraps around and can be tied at the side. Make sure the ribbon covers the seam between your two front papers.

Cut the Certainly Celery CS to the length of your notebook. I cut mine to 4-1/2" x 1-1/4". Score the CS so that it matches the spine of your notebook. My score lines were 1/2" from each long side, creating a 1/4" section in the middle.

Adhere the Certainly Celery CS to the notebook. I suggest using a very tacky tape for this step.

Tie the ribbon in a bow to keep it out of the way.

Using the scallop punch, punch a scallop from Whisper White CS. If you want to, use a paper piercing tool to poke a small hole in each scallop for added interest.

Punch a 1-3/8" circle from Pretty in Pink CS. Adhere to the scallop.

Punch a 1-1/4" circle from Whisper White CS. Adhere to the pink circle.

Attach cherry Bling (Heidi Swapp) to the centre of the circle.

Use a dimensional to adhere the accent to the front of the notebook.

This would make an excellent gift for a young girl...they love writing notes!

Some other ideas:
decorate with baby-themed stamps for new parents to keep track of feedings (really useful for families with newborn twins!)
use school-themed stamps for a teacher's gift
decorate with Christmas stamps and use the notebook to record which presents you've already bought, and for whom

Patience, please!

I'm trying this out...something new. I'll try to get it set up ASAP!