Spring Catalog Ends Soon!

I cannot believe that we are rapidly heading for the end of May. Don't forget that besides the end of the big catalog and the retirement lists and promotions, the Spring Catalog also expires at the end of this month.  Today's card features a few things that are not carrying over to the new catalog:

Colors: Basic Gray and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: One in a Million.  Big Shot: Oval Framelits Collection and Lacy Brocade Textured Embossing Folder.  Accessories: Silver Glimmer Paper, Flower Trim, Occasions Paper Piercing Template Pack, Basic Gray/Basic Black 1-1/4" Two-Tone Ribbon.

What exactly on this card will soon be gone?  First of all, the Lacy Brocade Textured Embossing Folder that debuted in the Holiday Catalog and carried over to the Spring one.  This is a great folder for adding an elegant touch to cards for any occasions.  But it is especially nice for wedding cards.

Second, the beloved Flower Trim from the Spring Catalog.  I love this beautiful trim as I have mentioned a few dozen times here on my blog.  If you haven't purchased some, you should do it now before it's too late.

Third is this two-toned ribbon from the Spring Catalog that I haven't mentioned much about here on my blog.  It is very pretty in Basic Gray/Basic Black as shown here but it also comes in Rose Red/Pink Pirouette.  It is a delicious size for wrapping around cards as shown here or for wrapping around packages.  Just gorgeous and also only available until the end of this month.

So don't miss out on any of this gorgeous product.  Click on the shop now button to get these and other items that will soon be gone for good!

All Dressed Up for Mother's Day

I love cardigan sweaters.  I have purchased six of them in the past two months.  Once I went shopping for pants and instead come home with a cute blue one.  Another time I accidentally bought one when I was buying milk at one of my favorite big box stores. I just love them. Especially this time of year when you want to be wearing your fun spring tops, but it just isn't quite warm enough in Utah for short sleeves (although I do have one or two short-sleeve versions.)  And they are perfect in the summer when you are going to be inside an overly-air conditioned building.  Pretty sure I'll be wearing one every week to church this summer for that reason. 

So where am I going with this? When the Spring Catalog first came out, I was not at all interested in the All Dressed Up Bundle and the pop up cards seemed like a lot of work.  And I didn't think it was my style.   Then I saw on Pinterest that someone had turned the top of one of the dresses into A CARDIGAN SWEATER. So I used the hostess benefits on my next order to get them for myself and made this:

Colors: Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petal, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes.  Big Shot: All Dressed Up Framelits, Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  Punches Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Modern Label and Word Window.  Accessories: Print Poetry Designer Print Pack, Core'dinations Card Stock, Basic Pearls Jewels, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon.

We made this card at my Spring Fling Buffet last week and it was a big hit. I know I will be using this set to make more dresses and cardigans in the near future.  It pairs perfectly with the Print Poetry Designer Paper Pack too.  And don't the pearls just add the perfect touch to it?  With those and the dress form, it reminds me of my grandmother's sewing room.

My sneak peek order from the new catalog has arrived and I am hoping to have some time in the next few days to show you some sneak peeks with the fabulous new Mosaic Madness Bundle.  Be sure to check back!

Daydream Medallions

I just realized I had a couple more projects from my class last month that I still haven't shared here on my blog.  Last night, I was making up the extras of this card so I could send one to my aunt whose birthday is tomorrow:

Colors: Primrose Petal, Summer Starfruit, Very Vanilla, Gumball Green.  Stamps: Daydream Medallions and Perfect Punches.  Big Shot: Floral Frames Framelits.  Punches: XL Oval.  Accessories: Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack and In Color Dahlias. 

Daydream Medallions was another set we received at convention last year that I haven't used very much.  I bought the matching framelits as well, but they have been a little neglected too.  So I knew I wanted to use them for a card for my class. 

This card also features the Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack.  I love this little pack of paper.  I ordered it when the Spring Catalog first came out but I have been hoarding it because it is so pretty.  I finally decided I'd better actually use some of it before the Spring Catalog ends.   The papers are 4-1/2" x 6-1/2" and half a sheet fits perfectly on a card.  If you haven't checked this fun paper out, you need to soon.

Scrapping the Old Fashioned Way

Recently, Stampin' Up! put out a call for demonstrators to apply to be Event Display Stampers.  I figured I might as well apply since I had several projects already made that fit the criteria.  However, there was one project I didn't have and it was something I haven't done in a LONG, long time.  I needed to design a one page scrapbook layout.  And not with My Digital Studio.  The old fashioned way.  Eek!

It's been a very long time since I've done it, but I set out one day a couple of weeks back to do just that:

Colors: Real Red, Island Indigo, Pool Party, and Whisper White.  Stamps: The Open Seas, Perfect Punches. Big Shot: Apothecary Accents and Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL, Typeset Alphabet Bigz, Honeycomb and Textured Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.  Punches: XL Oval and 1-3/8" Circle.  Accessories: Real Red and Pool Party Core'dinations Card Stock, Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper and Ribbon, Silver Basic Buttons, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Sanding System.

I probably should have shared this page a week or so ago because it does have a touch of Sale-A-Bration on it: the Designer Series Paper and the Island Indigo ribbon in the top corner. But it also features some fun products from the Spring Catalog: the Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing folder, the Core'dinations Card Stock and the Silver buttons. 

I haven't used the Core'dinations Card Stock nearly enough, but it is a great way to add a little texture to your project.  The paper itself is textured and then when you sand it, you reveal a lighter version of the same color underneath.  Here I used it to give the title a weathered, beachy kind of look:

I don't know that I will go back to old fashioned scrapbooking very often, but it was fun to challenge myself a little bit. 


And are you surprised that Stampin' Up! is running yet another promotion?  This time it is one week only so if you want to take advantage, jump on board now!!

Yep, this week all fabric is 50% off.  The sale starts today and ends next Sunday.  Contact me today if you would like to take advantage or click the shop now button above.

Whirly Pinwheels

For some reason, March is always associated with windy days.  Remember making kites in March as a child?  Well, today, I don't have kites to share, I have pinwheels.  The Spring Catalog features a little sizzlet die that cuts the perfect cute pinwheel.  Here I have put two of them on a card:

Colors: Wisteria Wonder, Coral Calypso, Lucky Limeade and Whisper White , Crumb Cake.  Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners. Big Shot: Pinwheel Sizzlet S Die, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL, Cloudy Day Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Accessories: Brads, In Color Prints Pack Designer Series Paper.

This is loosely based on a card I saw on pinterest.  I love the textured clouds behind the pinwheels.  It just adds a little something special to the card.  Once you cut the pinwheels out with your die, I found it easiest to use one of the paper piercing tools to finish punching out the holes for the brads.  You do have to carefully gather all those ends together in the brad to keep from ripping through the holes. And you can't use a larger brad because they don't work.  (Ask me how I know. :))  These pinwheels are just glued to the page so they don't turn.  I suppose you could put the brad through the paper to get them to spin, but that seemed like a lot of work.

I will be offering this card at my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet next Friday and Saturday, along with nine others and a few other special projects.  You won't want to miss it!

Happiness

I have professed my love for the Flower Trim from the Spring Mini many times.  They are just a perfect little embellishment for so many projects.  It's been a few weeks since I shared one that featured them but I am going to today:

Colors: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade.  Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, Four Frames.  Big Shot: Framed Tulip Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Bunch: Decorative Label and Word Window.  Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Blender Pens, Flower Trim, Tea for Two Designer Series Paper, Aqua Painter.

If you read the recipe list carefully, then you already know that I embossed the cute little frame from the Four Frames stamp set.  I love that you can do that in any color with the new ink pads.  I colored the images in with the blender pens and punched it out. 

For the flower, I started out just pressing it into the ink pad, but I wanted it to be colored all the way through.  So I took my aqua painter to it to saturate the color throughout the flower.  Very easy to do on one flower and it makes it match the paper.

Celebrate Today!

A few weeks ago, I was trying to come up with a card to share with my club members that would focus on the blender pens.  I ultimately went a different direction, but I had so many people comment on this card that I am featuring it here today:

Colors: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, So Saffron, and Whisper White. Stamps: Bordering on Romance and Perfectly Penned. Big Shot: Oval Framelits Collection.  Accessories: Rhinestone Jewels, Coral Calypso Ruffled Ribbon, Occasions Paper Piercing Pack, Blender Pens.

I have struggled to use this Bordering on Romance set since it was in last year's Spring Catalog.  Water coloring is not my forte.  But I do like it used here to frame the edges of the card.  To color the flowers, I started with blender pens and picked up the ink from the lid of my ink pads.  To add a darker edge to it, I went back with my Coral Calypso Marker to shade the edges.  This greeting from Perfectly Penned works perfect inside the Oval Framelits so it game me a good excuse to break them out again.  I love how Stampin' Up! has been giving us paper piercing templates to go with our Framelits. Makes it so easy to add a little interest to the card.

This card is on the bubble for my next class.  It requires a lot of time to color which is why I didn't do it with my  clubs.  But after several of my customers commented on it, I am considering it. What do you think?

Celebrate Sale-A-Bration

Today I have another card featuring a Sale-A-Bration exclusive Stamp Set.  This time it's Feeling Sentimental:

Colors: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, and Naturals Ivory .  Stamps: Feeling Sentimental, That's the Ticket, and You're Amazing. Big Shot: Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder.  Punches: Ticket Duo Builder. Accessories: First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper, Vintage Trinkets, Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon.

This card was largely CASEd from a card by Nanci Siegrist at Craft Haven Retreats that I found on Pinterest.  I added the Crumb Cake card base since my customers prefer lighter colors for card bases and I added texture to it as well.  (Are you starting to see a reoccurring theme with my cards?  They almost always have some kind of texture on them).  I love how this stamp goes so perfectly with the tickets. I will really miss the Feeling Sentimental Stamp Set when Sale-A-Bration is over.  So don't miss out on the chance to own it for yourself.

This was the first time I used the new Naturals 7/16" Trim Ribbon from the Spring Catalog.  It has a wonderful texture to it and goes perfectly with Crumb Cake and the Naturals Ivory Card Stock.  So fun even when you use it in tiny amounts like on this card.

This is another project we will make at my Birthday class next month.  By the end of next week, I will have all the details posted here on my blog and on my Facebook page so keep your eyes peeled for it.

Chalkboard Friend

Thank goodness it's Friday.  If you saw Wednesday's post, I did find my camera charger, but not my card reader.  Thank goodness I have my laptop with a card reader on board and it is cooperating today.

I promised last week that I would have more Chalkboard cards to share and here is one of them:

Colors: Primrose Petal, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Basic Black.  Stamps: Amazing Family and Hearts A Flutter.  Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter Collection Framelits. Punch: Small Heart. Accessories: More Amore Designer Series Paper, White Embossing Powder, Mini Brads, White Baker's Twine, White Colored Pencil.

This card is based off one I saw on Pinterest by Becky Roberts from Inking Idaho fame.  To make the banner, I cut the various shapes out and then glued them down to the black (after I had finished the chalkboard technique).  Then to make it look more like a banner, I went back and added the mini brads.  Finally, I added the bows at the end to make it look like it was tied to the "chalkboard.". 

If you missed last week's post, I shared a few details about how to do this fun and easy technique here: CHALKBOARD TECHNIQUE.  I still have one more card to share with this technique next week, so be sure to come back for more!

Valentine Treat Purse

A few years ago, when Stampin' Up! first offered the Big Shot Movers and Shapers Die (which they have since retired), my upline gave me a cute little Valentines Purse with a heart window cut into it that used that die.  When I was thinking of a second treat holder to offer at my Valentines Class, I was thinking about that purse and how Framelits would make it even easier.  So that is how I came up with this:

Colors: Primrose Petal, Whisper White.  Stamps: You are Loved.  Big Shot: Striped Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Hearts Collection Framelits and Two Tags Bigz Die.  Punches: Small Heart and Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. Accessories: Window Sheets, White StazOn Ink, Designer Builder Brads, Delicate Details Lace Tape, Primrose Petal Stitched Satin, Mini Brads.  

Directions:

1) Start with a piece of card stock 6"x 11".  Score the long way at 5" and 6" then turn the other way and scored at 1" and 5".  Cut notches along the middle score lines so the box will fold and assemble properly.

2) Cut the heart-shaped window out of the front of the box using the Hearts Collection Framelits. Just line up the framelit and run it through (It was so much easier than how I remember using the Movers and Shapers die to make windows in boxes before).

3) Use a Textured Impressions Embossing Folder to add texture to your box.  Here I used the Striped folder.  I placed it on the front and ran it through and then turned it over and did the back. (The sides and the bottom are not embossed so you don't have to worry about lining it up exactly).

4) Cut a piece of Window Sheet large enough to cover the window in your box (mine was 3-1/2" x 3-3/4").  I stamped my window with White StazOn Ink.  Use Glue Dots to adhere the Window Sheet to the inside of your box.

5) Fold along all the score lines and assemble the purse using strong adhesive like Sticky Strip along the sides.  For the handle, I used a piece of card stock 3/4" x 8-1/2" and attached it to the purse using silver mini brads.

6) Embellish and fill your box as desired.  Here I used some of the fun Delicate Details Lace and Designer Builder Brad from the Spring Catalog and then filled it with Kisses.  

You could always switch out the heart for any of the other fun Framelit shapes that we have to make you box for any other occasion too.  The possibilities could be endless.

Wedding Heart

The two places I get the most inspiration for my life in general: the moments between sleep and awake in the morning and the shower.  This one came in the first.  I love the flower trim from the Spring Catalog.  I have posted a few projects using these in the past few weeks.  And I have several customers who have been requesting wedding cards.  So I merged the two together to make this:

Colors: Very Vanilla and Basic Black.  Stamps: Mr & Mrs.  Big Shot: Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Heart Collection Framelits.  Accessories: Flower Trim and Pearl Basic Jewels.

I thought the greeting might be a little too much for it.  So I made this one too:

Colors: Very Vanilla and Basic Black. Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners.  Big Shot: Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and Bitty Banner and Heart Collections Framelits.  Accessories: Flower Trim

Those that come to my class this weekend will have the option of either greetings on the card.  The secret to the perfect heart shape is to cut a heart with the framelits and covered it with adhesive.  Then I cut the flower trim into individual pieces and adhered them to the heart in the shape. Easy Peasy!

More Valentine's Decor

Tomorrow is the last day to RSVP for my Valentines & More Stampin' Buffet.  So I wanted to share both of the other home decor projects that I am offering at the class.

I knew I wanted to offer some Home Decor items and I was pretty sure I wanted to do a wreath.  The More Amore Fabric is so darn cute that I bought it during the preorder and needed to come up with something to do with it. So what do you think?  

Colors: Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Primrose Petal, Real Red.  Accessories: More Amore Designer Fabric, Pool Party Seam Binding, Primrose Petal Stitched Satin, Vintage Lace.  Non Stampin' Up!: Heart Shape wire wreath form.

To make the wreath, I cut the fabric into 1"x6" strips with our fabulous Craft and Paper Scissors (which you should never use for paper BTW, they are fabulous to save only for ribbon and fabric.)  I just loosely knotted them around the wire wreath frame alternating the different patterns.  Once I had all the fabric on there, I went back and added the ribbons in kind of a random way to add some different textures to the wreath.  This was kind of hard to take a picture of, but it is really cute in real life.  It is a little time consuming to make but the result is definitely worth it. The cost is $17.50.

Colors: Real Read, Very Vanilla, Primrose Petal, Basic Black.  Stamps: That's the Ticket, Ciao Baby! Hearts a Flutter.  Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter and Hearts Collection Framelits, Chevron, Fancy Fan & Brocade Lace Textured Embossing Folder, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits.  Punches: Heart,and Petite Curly Label.  Small Accessories: First Edition and More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper, Silver Basic Designer Buttons, Designer Builder Brads, Brights Designer Brads, Real Red and Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Primrose Petal Stitched Satin Ribbon.

This banner was completely inspired by a similar one I saw on Pinterest.  I just dolled it up a little.  Right about the same time I finished it and posted it, Stampin' Up! posted one on there blog that was very similar.  So this is right on trend.  Mine is a little on the short side and is $6.  If you wanted to make one that was twice as long (10 pennants instead of 5) it would be $10.  Just be sure to let me know you'd like the longer one.

Hearts a Flutter Bundle

This week, I have shown you two projects with the Tea for Two Product Suite from the Spring Catalog.  Today, I am going to show you a different product suite called More Amore.

Colors: Pool Party, Primrose Petal, Very Vanilla. Stamps: Hearts a Flutter and Word Play.  Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter Framelits and Striped Embossing Folder. Accesories: Pearls, More Amore Designer Series Paper.

This is another swap I made for the Stampin' Addicts Spring Catalog Swap.  It features the Hearts a Flutter Bundle that is part of this fun product suite.  When you purchase the Hearts a Flutter stamp set and framelits together in a bundle, you save 15%. And it's just one of several bundles available in the Spring Catalog at terrific savings. 

Next week, I will begin showing sneak peaks of some of the items available during Sale-A-Bration including the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop that is coming up next Friday, January 19.  You won't want to miss that for sure.

Just Thinking

One of the first stamps I put on my wish list from the Spring Catalog was Just Thinking. It is a single image stamp that can easily be cut out with the Window Framelits Collection.  I love the shape of those framelits so I think that is how it rose to the top.  So when the Stampin' Addicts Spring Catalog Swap came out, of course I signed up to make a card with this set.  How else was it going to get off my wish list and into my hot little hands?

Colors: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Lucky Limeade, and Island Indigo.  Stamps: Just Thinking.  Big Shot: Ovals Collection and Windows Collection Framelits.  Accessories: Tea for Two Designer Series Paper, Flower Trim and Pearls Basic Jewels.

Here I stamped the image twice: the first time inking it in Island Indigo and stamping it on the same colored card stock; and then coloring on it with marker and stamping it on Vanilla.  The first layer I cut out with the framelits.  Unfortunately, we don't have anything that cuts the right size circle for the inside of this image so I had to hand cut it out.  (Remember the days when we used to have to hand cut everything though?)

Just Thinking is in the Parker's Patterns product suite, but it also goes perfectly with the Tea for Two Suite since the little flourish at the top is mimicked in the Tea for Two Designer Series Paper. And of course, I gushed over the Flower Trim on my last post, but I just love them.  They are so soft and lovely and just add a nice touch to your project.

Did you notice the new Oval Framelits?  These are perfect for so many projects. And of course, they gave us a new Paper-Piercing Pack to match the Oval and Heart Framelits as well as several more punches.

Have I mentioned how much I just love the Spring Catalog?  I hope you love it just as much.  If you haven't received your own copy yet, drop me a line and I will get one off to you. Enjoy!

Inspired by Downton Abbey

I know. I know. This is a Stamping blog.  But I can't help mentioning that the third season of Downton Abbey began on PBS's Masterpiece Classics last night.  I don't like Zombies or Vampires, or a lot of the other shows that EVERYONE is watching.  But I just cannot get enough of Downton Abbey.  I like to think that I was one of the original fans of this show -- you know before all the hub-bub really got started.  But that probably isn't true.  I probably got on the bandwagon about the same time as everyone else. But I will keep right on trying to convert every non-DAer to the show.  You really, really should be watching it if you aren't already.

(And if you haven't watched last night's episode yet, you might want to skip to the card since the next couple of paragraphs include spoilers.)

It was with much anticipation that I put the kids to bed early and settled in for the season premier.  I was so relieved to see Lady Mary and Cousin Matthew finally make it down the aisle.  I will admit that I was afraid it would never happen and that the crafty Julian Fellowes would leave us dangling for the entire season wondering if they would or wouldn't make it to matrimonial bliss.  After all, we all know what Branson said to Matthew was absolutely true -- "You won’t be happy with anyone else while Lady Mary walks the earth."  So with that seemingly life-long dream checked off, instead we are left to wonder if the Crawleys will be forced to leave their beloved home. BLERG!  Can you even imagine?

Last night, we were treated to some wonderful moments with the Dowager Countess (flawlessly portrayed by Dame Maggie Smith), especially when she spars with Ouiser -- I mean Martha Levinson (Shirley MacClaine).  But I think my favorite Maggie Smith moment is when she convinces Former- Chauffeur-Turned-Grandson-In-Law Branson that he must wear a morning coat to the wedding with a simple, "Are you finished?  Take off your coat."

I digress.  I do have a card to share today.  And I like to think it is a bit Downton Abbey inspired.  At least I was going for that vintage look with it and that was easy to do with all the wonderful products in the Spring Catalog.

Colors: Crumb Cake,Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink.  Stamps: Amazing Family.  Accessories: Tea for Two Designer Series Paper, Tea Lace Paper Doilies, 5/8" Flower Trim, and Basic Jewel Pearls. 

See, the suite I used here is even called Tea for Two. Perfect for a Downton-inspired card. Although I should have changed the greeting to "You're such an amazing sister" so Sybil could have given it to Mary.  I made it for a swap and thought everyone has friends but some, like me, don't have a sister.

I talked about these fun Tea Lace Paper Doilies last week.  Here I took it and "aged" it by running it over a Crumb Cake stamp pad.  Then I took a sponge and rubbed it into the paper.  I also stamped an image on it from Amazing Family.

I have not talked about the Flower Trim that is in the Spring Catalog yet.  I simply adore it.  Here I just snipped off one to anchor the greeting.  In the package, they are strung together on tulle so you can use them individually or in a line.  They are Very Vanilla but I wanted it to stand out a little more so I pressed it into a Pretty in Pink stamp pad to make it look more like a tea rose.

So if you have been under a rock for the past couple of years, find the first two seasons on your favorite streaming service and then head on over to PBS.org to watch last night's season premier. Enjoy!

Pop Up Posies Card

I have one last project from the Stampin' Addicts Spring Catalog Blog Hop to explain: the card. I will admit, this card is a little "froffier" than I would generally make, but I had fun with all the lacy stuff going on here.

Colors: Coral Calypso, Pool Party, Whisper White, Crumb Cake. Stamps: Pop Up Posies Designer Kit. Punch: Large Oval.  Accessories: Pop Up Posies Designer Kit, Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Delicate Details Lace Tape, In Color Designer Printed Brads, 2011-2013 In Color Designer Series Paper Print Pack.

The base for this card is 3x6. I love this size and I was a little disappointed when Stampin' Up! discontinued the envelopes that fit this size card.  But I figured I could always figure out how to make my own envelope for it with the Simply Scored Diagonal Plate (although I didn't do that yet).

I explained during the hop, that I used the new Delicate Details Lace Tape on this card and a little about it.  In case you missed it, this is a fun new product that makes it so easy to add a little lace to your project.  It is actually tape so that makes it extremely easy to adhere (bonus, I know).


Here is a close up of the flower:

The Pop Up Posies Kit comes with these Calypso Coral and Pool Party flowers.  They aren't exactly card stock, but they are thicker than printer paper.  Here I combined both colors into one flower.  The kit also comes with brads, but I wanted to use a Calypso Coral one, so I went to my stash to pull this one out. 

Once I had it put together, it was still missing something.  That's when I decided to add one of the new Tea Time Paper Doilies, also from the Spring Catalog.  The only problem, they Doilies are 4" and I already told you my card was only 3".  But there are not problems in paper crafting, only opportunities for extreme creativity.  To get it to fit, I folded a "pleat" into the doily both directions.  (I know I should have taken a picture of this step.  Bad Paula!) Then I kind of gathered the edges to make it "fluffy." Clear as mud, right?  I promise to show you how to do this in a future blog post.

The Spring Catalog sales period started yesterday.  If you haven't received your copy of this fabulous catalog, please let me know and I will get one to you.  You can also view it by clicking on the like there on the side. Next week, I will have even more projects to share with products from this catalog so be sure to come back!

Pop Up Posies Candy Wrappers

Happy 2013!!!  I hope that your new year is off to a wonderful start and that this year bring your lots of happiness and prosperity.

Today I promised to share the details of the candy wrappers I made for the blog hop.  So here we go:

Colors: Pool Party and Crumb Cake.  All items from the Pop Up Posies Designer Series Kit.

This one was really, really easy.  All I did was measure the size of the candy -- in this case, I used Hershey Nuggets which were the perfect size at 1" to fit inside the tag.  I lined up my tag centered on one of the lines on my Simply Scored and scored 1/2" to each side of that center line. You can see from this picture on the bottom that I didn't do anything else fancy at all.

After that, I just put the candy in the middle and wrapped the tag around it.  I punched a whole in the top through both sides and used the brad from the flower to secure the "box" closed.  So simple and so easy. I was thinking these would look so cute on the table for a wedding shower or spring brunch. 

And the second one:

Colors: Summer Starfruit, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla. Punches: Large Oval.  Accessories: Pop Up Posies Kit, Summer Starfruit stitched ribbon and Very Vanilla Seam Binding.

For this one.  I took two tags from the Pop Up Posies Kit and scored them on one end where the square notches are.  Then I adhered them together to make a pouch.  You can kind of get the idea from this picture from the bottom how I did that:

I placed two Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares in the middle and to close the top, I punched a whole used the ribbon.  For the flower, I did something a little different. The "cups" to make this flower are Very Vanilla, but I wanted to add some more color to them.  So I inked them up with the Summer Starfruit ink pad to match the beautiful brad that comes in the kit.  You can see the "cups" look like cupcake wrappers so the ink shows up more on the ridges.  What do you think?

Just a reminder that today is the last day to order from the Holiday Catalog so if there is anything on your list you still need, give me a call today.  Come back on Friday to get all the details on the card I made for the blog hop. See you then!

Stampin' Addict Spring Catalog Blog Hop

I'm back from my December hiatus just in time for the Stampin' Addict's Spring Catalog Blog Hop! (I didn't really plan to take such a long break from blogging, it just sort of happened.)  This is stop #6 on the hop.  If you're hopping in order, than you've arrived here from Rhonda's Stampin' Bunny Blog and her fabulous projects with the Secret Garden Bundle.  (She just might convince me I need that bundle too.)  If this is your first stop, no worries; all the blogs are linked together in a loop so you won't miss a thing.  (And if you happen to be looking at this post after December 30, all the posts should be deep linked so you can still follow them.)  If you do get lost or want to chat about the hop, visit Stampin' Addicts!

The Spring Catalog is full of so many fun products, it was hard to choose just one to share for the hop.  But I settled on a great little kit called the Pop Up Posies Designer Kit.  This kit comes with a nine pre-cut and embossed tags, enough precut flowers and brads to embellish them, and  a wood-mounted "Just for You" stamp, all for $12.95 US! 

This kit can be used to make quick and easy tags, cards or toppers for bags.  But I wanted to dress the kit up a bit and do some different things with it. I will be sharing more details about each of these projects on my blog next week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  So you will want to come back and see how each was made. First a card:

This card features the flowers and the tag from the kit, along with a few other fun new things in the Spring Catalog: Paper Doilies and Delicate Details Lace Tape.  The doily really adds to the texture of the card and sets the flower off nicely.  And the tape is a fabulous way to quickly and easily add some lace to a card.

For my next two projects, I wanted to think "out of the box." When I looked at those cute tags, I could see candy wrappers.  So that is exactly what I did with them:

For my last project, I was actually thinking "box".  It is something that I envisioned a few weeks before I actually had time to sit down and make it. And for once something I envisioned in my head actually worked:

Aren't those flowers so fun and fabulous?  I hope you have enjoyed these projects and will come back and find out how to make them this next week.  Now you should be off to Heidi's RunningwithScissors Blog for her take on the new stamp set By the Tide.  Happy hopping!