Pocket o' Hearts

 
Hi all!  Back with another Valentine's project today.  :-)  I created this using the Fab Friday color challenge, and we also made this at my Stampers Club this past weekend. 

This cute little pocket was made using the Petite Pocket die (and Big Shot).  The smallest hearts were punched out with the Small Heart punch, the medium heart (the one inside the banner) is the smallest heart from the Hearts Collection Framelits, and the banner and largest hearts were cut out using the Hearts a Flutter Framelits.  I used the Finishing Touches Edgelits to get the fun edge on the Very Vanilla Layer.  It did take lots of runs through the Big Shot, but I think it was worth it in the end.  :-) 

I crinkled the Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake hearts to give a little texture.  I also used one of the new Soda Pop Tops from the Spring Catalog.  I ran the pop top through the Big Shot (platform with no tabs and a cutting plate on top and bottom of the pop top) to flatten it a little bit.  I really like these Soda Pop Tops, but they are pretty tall (as is) to add to a project.  For me, being able to 'smash' them down a little bit makes them much more 'useable'. 

Here's a picture of the back of the pocket and the note that fits inside.  (Note: This does hold a gift card, although just barely.)  I used the button brads from the Vintage Trinkets collection and Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine for the enclosure.  

Have a great day!

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Crumb Cake
Paper:  Pool Party, Pink Pirouette, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, and More Amore Specialty DSP
Accessories:  Soda Pop Top, Vintage Trinkets, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, dimensionals, Small Heart Punch, Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Hearts Collection Framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Petite Pockets Die

Father's Day Wallet

As you've noticed my blog has been neglected lately.  :-)  Ironically I have a whole stack of projects to share--so it's not for lack of stamping on my part.  I've been keeping busy getting everything ready for the baby to come.  If all goes as scheduled, we'll have a new baby girl join our family next week!

Father's Day is right around the corner.  This wallet card is a fun way to present money, gift cards, pictures of the (grand)kids, or coupons.  This is an idea that has been around for many years so I can't claim credit for it.  This is also a great idea for graduation! 

Here's a view of the inside:

Measurements:

9" by 3 1/2"  --scored at 4 7/16" and 4 9/16" (sounds scary, but it's just on either side of 4 1/2")

8 1/2" by 3 1/4" --scored at 4 3/16" and 4 5/16" (just on either side of 4 1/4")

4 1/8" by 2"  --TWO of these pieces

The measuring is by far the hardest part!  The next step is sponging with Soft Suede--the edges and all over to give the soft leather feel.  On the largest piece, I used my Mat Pack to paper pierce the edges and a corner rounder punch to round the edges.  I used the fine tip end of the Soft Suede marker to 'connect the dots' where I had paper pierced to make it look like it was sewn.  Then stamp/embellish as desired.  Here I used Plane & Simple (no longer available).  Monogramming your wallet is a fun idea too!   

Note:  When assembling the wallet, make sure to not adhere the 'tops' of the pockets--just the bottom and sides.  You'll want to be able to slip in money, gift cards, etc.

Thanks for stopping by!  If all goes as planned, I'll be scheduling some posts for the next month or so.  

Stamps:  Plane & Simple

Ink:  Soft Suede (and marker)

Paper:  Crumb Cake

Accessories:  Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, sponge

Stampin' Celebration #51

It's time for this week's Stampin' Celebration Challenge!  This week the colors really drew my eye, so I pulled out Old Olive and Marina Mist (a suggestion from the Color Coach) and went to work using my new Summer Splash stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog.  

This is the 'card' and 'envelope' all in one.  This crimped envelope idea is one I learned a long time ago, and haven't used forever.  The best part is it's really simple.  :-)  Start with an envelope--here I used a Crumb Cake envelope--seal, and cut off one of the short ends.  I cut off 1 3/4" on mine.  Then take the bottom half of the envelope and run it through your crimper.  (When was the last time you pulled out your crimper?)  By crimping just the bottom half, it is now just narrow enough for the top section to slip over easily.  

To embellish my envelope, I sponged with Crumb Cake, tied around Marina Mist taffeta ribbon and Hemp Twine, and added some surfboards. When you take off the top section, it looks like this:  

I used my 1" Circle Punch to take out a little notch--that lets the recipient know there's more inside.  And here's a look at what's inside:  

 

So there it is!  I kept it pretty simple and didn't do a lot of embellishment.  I used my markers to color the surfboards different colors before I stamped.  I distressed the edges, sponged Crumb Cake, and matted onto Old Olive.  

I think this would be an adorable invitation idea for a summer birthday party!  It would also work great for almost any occasion such as birthday or 'hi'.  As a side note, this style of card also works really well as a way to give a gift card. 

Thanks for coming by!  Make sure to head over to Stampin' Celebration to see who the Party Guest Designer is this week as well as the work from the other Design Team members. 

Stamps:  Summer Splash
Ink:  Marina Mist, Old Olive, Crumb Cake

Paper:  Old Olive, Whisper White, Crumb Cake envelope

Accessories:  Crimper, Cutter Kit, 1" Circle Punch, sponge, Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon, Hemp Twine

Stampin' Celebration #5

It's already time for another Stampin' Celebration challenge! I loved the colors in the inspiration piece, and I decided to keep with the graduation theme. The colors I picked to use are Soft Suede and Bermuda Bay (an In Color that will be discontinued soon).

To create my pennants, I used the birthday hats stamp from the set Party Hearty. This is an idea I've seen before, although I'm not sure exactly where. I used my Versamarker to ink just the triangles of the hats, and then embossed with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. The individual pennants are attached to the Linen Thread, and then up on dimensionals.

The sentiment is from the stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes. The card is held closed with Hemp Twine. Finished card size is 4" by 4".

When you open the card, there is a pocket where you can easily add cash or a gift card along with a note. To see how I folded this card, see the second half of THIS tutorial.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Make sure you visit Stampin' Celebration to see what the other members of the Design Team created using this same inspiration piece. We'd also love to have to join us!

Stamps: Party Hearty, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White
Ink: Soft Suede, Versamarker
Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Linen Thread, Hemp Twine, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #2

It's another Stampin' Celebration Challenge and another great inspiration piece! If you haven't already seen them, go stop by THIS post to see the top 3 picks for last week's challenge.

I had fun this week working on the 'little boy' birthday party theme. The colors I picked were Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise, and Yo Yo Yellow. (Both Only Orange and Yo Yo Yellow are being discontinued.) And of course given the inspiration piece I had to use the set Lots of Bots. ;-)


Here is the birthday card that I designed for the challenge. I thought this could also be a cute gift card holder or invitation. The finished card size is 5 1/2" by 3 1/2". To color the robot's accessories, I used my Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise, and Yo Yo Yellow markers. To color the robot itself, I used an aqua painter and Basic Gray ink.

Here's the picture with the tag pulled out.



And a picture to show some of the detail work. You'll notice that since I didn't have any Yo Yo Yellow ribbon, I improvised with paper. I cut a thin (about 1/8") strip of paper. I pulled the paper along the edge of the table--both ways--to soften the fibers a bit. Then I tied a single knot and attached it with a mini glue dot.

Also, I used the new Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder from the Summer Mini Catalog. The 1 3/8" circle behind the robot and the diagonal edge both feature the this cute texture. Along the edge I carefully cut following the pattern. My Stampin Up Paper Snips were invaluable while doing the detail cutting for this card!

The second item I created for this challenge is a tag for a goodie bag (or party favor bag). I filled a Medium Flat Cello Bag with Starburst candies. I thought the square candy was perfect--it coordinated with both the colors and the Square Latice Embossing Folder.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you've enjoyed my take on this week's Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Piece. Make sure to stop by Stampin Celebration to see what the other members of the Design Team have created! And then, please join us--we'd love to see what you create!

ETA: Heather let me know that this card also perfectly fits the masculine theme challenge over at The Treehouse Blog. Thanks Heather!

Stamps: Lots of Bots, All Holidays
Ink: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Only Orange, and Yo Yo Yellow, Only Orange, and Tempting Turquoise markers
Paper: Yo Yo Yellow, Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise, and Whisper White
Accessories: Aqua Painter, Tempting Turquoise brads, Wide Oval Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Slit Punch, Square Lattice Textured EF, Medium Cello Bag, Tempting Turquoise grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

Lots of Holiday

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season!! I still can't believe it is already 2009! I always look forward to a new year and the excitement it brings. I haven't done any posts in awhile, but I thought today I'd at least move all of these projects (projects we made at the 1st Annual Los Angeles Holiday Stampers' Meet-Up) from the event page to my main blog page. So if you haven't already seen these, here they are. :-)

Tree Threesome

Stamps: Baby Jesus is Born (for the sentiment)

Ink: Kiwi Kiss

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Kraft, Whisper White Kiwi Kiss Patterns Designer Series Paper

Accessories: lots of Dimensionals, (dimensionals are double-stacked between the Kraft layer and the Kiwi Kiss base), Rope Twine (from the Holiday Mini Catalog)

Snow

Stamps: Snow Jumbo Wheel

Ink: Pacific Point

Paper: Pacific Point, Whisper White

Accessories: Pacific Point 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Simple Nativity

Stamps: Season of Simple Grace (from the Holiday Mini Catalog)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue, Summer Sun

Paper: Bordering Blue, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Alpine Ribbon Originals (from the Holiday Mini Catalog), dimensionals, cutter kit, sponge

Note: the ribbon slides off to open the card.

Hanukkah Sayings

Stamps: Shalom Sayings

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Night of Navy, Brushed Silver, Whisper White

Accessories: Silver Stampin Emboss Powder, Heat tool, Silver Brads, 1/16" circle hand punch, dimensionals

Nugget Boxes


Stamps: Snow Swirled, Best Yet

Ink: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Brushed Silver, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Ski Slope Designer Paper

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Hershey's Nuggets candy

Note: I found the idea for these boxes on the Stampin Up Demonstrator Website. The idea was part of a Halloween Class idea submitted by Hillary Fetzner.

Gift Card Holders

Stamps: Snow Swirled, Punches Three

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Versamark

Paper: Kraft and Riding Hood Red Gift Notes, Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Bella Rose Designer Paper

Accessories: Clips Assortment, Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Cutter Kit, Sponge, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Square Punch, dimensionals

Silhouettes Gift Card Holder

Here's another quick gift card holder. I made this up after I took pictures of the tutorial the other day. Since I already had the base done, I figured I could just quick embellish. :-) This is what I came up with. The stamps are from the Pocket Silhouettes set (15% off through the end of September!) and the belly band uses the 1" Double-Stitched Chocolate Chip Grosgrain ribbon. There is actually a strip of card stock under the ribbon though to help give it support so that it will slide on and off easier.

The tag is tied on with linen thread and uses the faux metal technique. Oh and if any club members happen to see this today. . . yes, this is one of the projects we are making at Technique Club tonight. :-)

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Ink: Really Rust

Paper: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Accessories: 1" Double Stitched Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Word Window Punch, Round Tag Punch, 1/8" Circe punch, Cutter Kit, dimensionals

Gift Card Holder Tutorial

Here it is! This is the tutorial for the gift card holder I posted last week (HERE). Since black paper is hard to photograph, I used different colored paper, but of course the idea is the same. . .

Start with a 4 1/4" by 11" piece of paper. Score at 3", 5 1/2", and 8". Then fold so that you have an "M".

Fold in half and use the Word Window Punch to punch out half of the oval shape. Repeat on the other side.

Here I used the top part of the Round Tab punch to punch out a little more and connect my punches from the Word Window punch. Although, you could use a circle punch, tag punch, etc.
***Note--if you want your corners rounded as I did on the graduation card, do that at this point. Do not glue (the next step) until the corners are rounded.***

Open the card and use either Tombow Mono adhesive or Sticky Strip to glue just the edges of the 3 sides of the middle as shown. Don't glue in the middle as this is where the gift card needs to fit.

After you glue, the base of the gift card holder is ready to go! Now you can embellish as desired.

Here's the inside of the Grad card again:
On the graduation card, I used a belly band as my closure. The yellow band is 1" by 7". The silver band and the scallop square are Brushed Silver card stock.

To make the scallop square, I found these great directions by MJ Albright on her blog Beauty Lies Within. Her tutorial about making different sized scalloped squares with the Scallop Edge punch can be found HERE. MJ did a lot of work for us in figuring out the correct sized paper to start with to get perfectly rounded scallops on the edges! For the graduation card I started with a 1 15/16" square piece of card stock. Just make sure you read all her directions (like I didn't the first time!) and don't push your card stock all the way to the back of the punch. Just line it up with the edge of the scallops on your punch.

And finally, to add the yellow to the Designer Brad (Star Assortment). . . .This is a trick that I saw at Convention and finally got around to trying out. All you need is a Craft Pad and your Designer Brad. Here I used Yoyo Yellow.


First just dip the brad face down into the ink. Take a paper towel and wipe it off. I found it easiest to leave the paper towel flat on the table and rub the brad that way. Then dip again and rub it off again. Repeat about 3 times total.What happens is the ink stays in the depressed areas on the brad and rubs off on the rest. Then just let the brad dry and you have a custom colored brad!

Scalloped Congrats

It's not really the time of year for graduations, but I've had the idea for this card in my head since convention, and I finally got it on paper--so to speak. :-) I saw this cute way to fold a gift card holder a little while ago. I'm not sure who the origional creator is, but what a fun idea! I'll be working up a tutorial for this card to show not only the unique fold, but also how I added the yellow to the Designer Brad (something I learned at convention). So, check back later!

Stamps: Say it with Scallops

Ink: Basic Black, YoYo Yellow Craft

Paper: Basic Black, YoYo Yellow, Brushed Silver, Whisper White

Accessories: Large Star Punch, Star Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Designer Brads-Star Assortment, 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch, Word Window Punch, Round Tab Punch