Pop Up Posies Box

Wasn't the Stampin' Addicts Spring Catalog Blog Hop Fabulous?  If you missed it, all the blogs should be deep-linked together so you can still see all the great projects.  You can start on my post.

First, it definitely does NOT feel like spring in my neck of the woods.  We have about a foot of snow on the ground and it is right around 20°F outside even as I type this.  So it did feel a little strange to be sharing Spring projects right now.  But that is OK.  Spring will get here eventually, right?  (One can certainly hope anyway.)

The project that brought the most comments and the most pins from the Blog Hop was the box.  So today, I am sharing the details of that with you.  On Wednesday, I will share the details on the candy wrappers and on Friday, the card.  Deal?  

Colors: Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Pop Up Posies Designer Series Kit and Flowering Flourishes.  Big Shot: Apothecary Accents Framelits.  Punches: Large Oval, 1-3/8" circle.  Accessories: Pop Up Posies Designer Series Kit (Flowers, Tag for the box top, Brad, Twine).

To start off, I made the top first so that I would know how big to make the box.  I placed one of the tags from the Pop Up Posies Kit on the Simply Scored board and scored from each of the notched edges to the one opposite.  So it looked like this:

You can tell from the picture, that I cut a slit in each corner so that it would fold in to make a box top.  I used Glue Dots to secure the corners because they are the perfect size for those little corners.  This makes a lid that is approximately 1-3/8" x 2-1/2" so I determined my box should be 1-1/4" x 2-3/8".  I arbitrarily chose to make it 4" tall.  You could adjust the height of the box to make it taller or shorter, but 4" seems like a good size to put a treat or gift in.

For the base, I started with a piece of card stock 5-1/4" x 7-3/4". If you want to stamp images on it to give it a background, do that now.  Then, placing the card stock the long way in my Simply Scored Tool, score it at 1-1/4", 3-5/8", 4-7/8" and 7-1/2".  Then flip it the other way and scored at 1-1/4" to make the bottom.  You can see what it looks like from the diagram below:

To assemble the box, you cut away the smallest tab from the bottom and then snip along the other score lines at the bottom until it meets the other score line (clear as mud right?  just do it like you would any other box like this.)

To decorate the top, I followed the instructions that came with the kit to make the flower and adhered it to the box top.  Then stamped, punched and tied the tag around the flower.  And voila!  You have a quick and easy box perfect for spring, when it finally gets here in three or four months. :)

Don't forget that the start of the Spring Catalog on January 3 also means the end of the Holiday Catalog.  So if you haven't purchased everything off your wish list from that catalog, be sure to let me know ASAP.  And since today is New Years Eve, I hope you all have a safe and fun time with whatever you have planned to celebrate the old and ring in the new.  I also wish you and yours a prosperous and blessed 2013!  Happy New Year!

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!

Happy December!

Can't believe it is December already.  This year has just flown right on by!  I hope that your tree is up, your shopping is done and your cards are in the mail.  What?  They aren't?  Mine either.  We just got back from a 10 day vacation so I guarantee you are farther along than I am. :)

Just in case you are still making cards (and if you aren't, I am jealous!), here is another one to inspire you today:

Colors: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, and Cherry Cobbler.  Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes and Mixed Medley.  Big Shot: Holiday Frame Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Holiday Ornament Framelit Collection. Punches: 3/4" Circle and Scallop Trim Border Punch.  Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Tulle Ribbon, Pearl Jewels, linen thread.

This card was inspired by my friend JanTink.  If you are ever in the mood to be completely inspired and overwhelmed at the same time, check out her creations at Stamps, Paper, Scissors.  They are always over the top and always amazing.  I changed the colors up on it and added my own bow to the top of the ornament.  That piece of tulle is actually stitched on to the card using linen thread to make it gather in the middle.  You can achieve the same look with a brad as well though.  It just needs to be a big brad, like our fancy glitter ones.

Stampin' Up! has been inundating us with news lately.  And there is even more to share today:

-Stampin' Up! has launched a new customer site that is social-media friendly and full of inspiration.  Check it out at stampinup.com

-Right now there is a Mega Massive Giveaway on the My Digital Studio Facebook Page.  You could win a free copy of MDS2+ and/or every new download in 2013.  You can enter every day so don't miss out on this chance to win!

-I had the chance to preorder from the new 2013 Spring Catalog this weekend.  Watch for some sneak peeks coming hopefully next week.  (I do have to get ready for Christmas this week, you know.)

- Stampin' Up! has added some kits to their online stores that are perfect of packaging up cute neighbor or coworker gifts.  Check out this video and then shop now to get some!

Christmas in the Heart

When I first saw this greeting stamp set, I knew I needed to get it. I just love the sentiment.

Colors: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Heart of Christmas.  Big Shot: Heart and Apothecary Accents Collection Framelits, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Accessories:  Cherry Cobbler Co'ordination Cardstock, Regals Collection Designer Series Paper Print Pack, metal brads.

Here I used the Co'ordination card stock and sanding block from the Holiday Catalog.  I ran it through the Big Shot with the embossing and then used the sanding block to take the top layer off the card stock to reveal a softer version of the same color underneath.  I heard from a little birdie that we are going to have new colors of this fun card stock in the next seasonal catalog in January.  Stay tuned for more details about all the fun things coming in that catalog soon.

Oh, Christmas Tree

I have another Christmas Card to share today.  This one features one of the hidden gems from the Holiday Catalog: Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack.  This wasn't on my list the first few times through the catalog.  But I finally bought one and then I had to buy another one because I love it so much.

Colors: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla. Stamps: Christmas Lodge.  Big Shot: Apothecary Accents Collection Framelits.  Punches: 1" Square.  Accessories: Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Pack, and Pearl  Jewels.

The packs come with 48 sheets of 4-1/2" x 6-1/2" double-sided papers.  These are prefect for cutting in half and putting on a card with a nice mat around it.

One of the other things I wanted to point out about this card is the Christmas Tree.  This tree is from the Christmas Lodge Stamp Set.  It is my favorite image in the stamp set.  Did you know you can buy just this Tree image individually for just $7.95?  It is just one of about 30 stamps that are available individually.  If you go to my online store, you can see them all.

Today is also the last day to take advantage of the Online Extravaganza sale.  Included in the sale is the 1" square punch that I used to notch the ends of the banners on the card. It is just one of almost 40 items that are 20-50% off until Midnight tonight.

Sparkly Snow

The Christmas season is now in full swing.  And while I am usually a holiday ahead, right now, I still have several more Christmas projects to share. 

Colors: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, & Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Greetings of the Season.  Big Shot: Snow Flurry Big Shot Die.  Punches: Scallop Border.  Accessories: Champagne and Silver Glimmer Paper, Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon.  

It was hard to capture just how pretty and sparkly this card is in real life.  I had a few people come to my class that just had to make a few of these after they saw it in person.  The Stampin' Up! Glimmer Paper is just gorgeous and really adds the bling to any project.

Don't forget, the Online Extravaganza continues through November 28.  I haven't featured a My Digital Studio project in a few weeks, but you all know how much I love it and right now MDS2 is 50% off.  And it is just one of about 40 different products that are 20-50% off right now.  One of the items on sale is the Scallop Edge Border Punch that is featured on this card. It is 30% off and now only $11.17. Head on over to my store to check it out!

Two Tags Mini Candy Bar Holder

My class was a week ago, but I still have lots of projects to share with you.  Today, it's the cute little Two-Tags Mini Candy Bar Holder:

Colors: Garden Green, Real Red and Whisper White. Stamps: Jolly Bingo Bits and Tiny Tags.  Big Shot: Two-Tags Bigz Die. Punches: 1-3/4" Scallop, 1-3/8", 1-1/4", and 1" Circles.  Accessories: Polka Dot Parade and Real Red 1/4"Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon.

These cute little treats were inspired by something Becky Roberts shared on her blog several months ago.  To make them, cut two of the scallop-topped tags with the Two-Tags Die.  Score each of them 1/4" from the bottom of the tag and then one of them at the bottom of the scallop.  Using sticky strip, adhere the bottom tabs together to make on long tag.  Fold along the score lines, insert a small candy bar and tie a ribbon around to hold it together.  Decorate as you please. These would be perfect for any holiday or occasion and are so easy to put together.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you haven't blown your entire wad on this Black Friday.  Don't forget that Stampin' Up! has it's own sale going on right now.  Head on over to my online store to shop it now!

Cocoa Packet Holder

These cute cocoa packet holders were a big hit at my class last week and they are so easy to make!

Colors: Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Scentsational Season and Teeny Tiny Wishes.  Big Shot: Holiday Collection Framelits, Striped Textured Impression Embossing Folder.  Punches: 2-1/2" Circle Scallop Border and Word Window.  Accessories: Be of Good Cheer, Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon.

The inspiration for these came from an idea that I saw using the Fancy Favor die.  But I found the cocoa packets were too wide.  So I came up with my own pattern for the base:

I cut a piece of card stock 8-1/2" by 4".  I scored it the long way at 2" and 6" and then turned it and scored it at 1/2".  I cut the little gray squares away and then assembled the pocket using sticky strip.  Then I ran it through the Big Shot with the Striped Embossing Folder and decorated it with a belly band and the Scentsational Season Bundle.

For the pullout piece, I cut a piece of 11 by 3-3/4" and scored it in half at 5-1/2". I stamped it with the snowflake stamps and then wrapped it around the cocoa packet.  Finally, I punched a hole through both pieces and add the ribbon to the top.

Thanksgiving really is one of my favorite holidays of the year and I am looking forward to spending it with my parents and other family members this year for the first time in a few years.  One of the things I am most thankful for right now is my Stampin' Up! Business.  We've had a few ups and downs in my family the past couple of months and my little business is one of the things that has kept me going. Thanks for your support and for your friendship!  I hope you and yours enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving together.

Online Extravaganza -- Big Shot Door Busters!

 

It is here!!  Stampin' Up's annual Online Extravaganza runs now until November 28 with select items marked down  20-50% off.  And to make the deal even sweeter, they are kicking off the sale with a 24-hour "Doorbuster" sale on  three items, Monday, November 19 only: 

• Big Shot Die-Cut Machine only $79.96 (regularly $99.95)
• Big Shot Doctor's Bag only $55.96 (regularly $69.95)
• Simply Scored Diagonal Plate only $9.56 (regularly $11.95)

To see the other sale item, visit the online store by clicking the "shop now" button or the picture above, or you can get a PDF file of all sale items (including catalog page numbers) by clicking here.  If you are a regular here, than you already know how much I love MDS2 and it is marked 50% off during the sale!!

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my Big Shot?  I have owned lots of die cut machines of all shapes and sizes.  But the one I use almost every time I do any kind of crafting is my Big Shot.  And this sale is the first time Stampin' Up! has marked it down for customers to purchase so it is a great time to take the Big Shot plunge.  Already own a Big Shot?  They make wonderful Christmas Presents for the crafter on your list.

And In honor of the one day sale on the Big Shot, I am sharing this project from this past weekend's Christmas Stampin' Buffet that uses that blessed little machine that I love so much:

Colors: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes.  Big shot: Scallop Circle Bigz Die, 3-1/2" Circle Originals, Holiday Ornaments Framelit Collection, Lacy Brocade Textured Embossing Folder.  Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Tulle Ribbon, 1/8" Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, and Pearl Jewels. 

This ornament was inspired by a similar one created by Jamie Hurley at Unique Ink. And of course, I saw it on Pinterest. To make the ornament three-dimensional, I stamped it three times on Very Vanilla and cut them out with the matching framelits.  Love that they match up exactly so there is no need to hand cut these cuties.  Then I scored them in the middle and glued them together.  And I know I gush a lot about things, but this Scalloped Tulle Ribbon is so fun!  It is fairly easy to tie and is perfect for adding a little something special to your projects.  It is hard to tell from this picture, but I spritzed the entire thing with a combination of Shimmer Paint and Rubbing Alcohol in one of our newish Stampin' Spritzers (which just happen to also be on sale right now).

So what are you waiting for?  Head on over to my online store and take advantage of these great deals!

Sassy Polar Party

At the end of October, Stampin'  Up! had a great sale on stamps. It was so fun to make a big dent in my wish list.  And one of those stamp sets was Sassy Salutations. It is such a fun, lively greeting set and lives up to it's sassy name.  Here I paired it with another fun stamp set: Polar Party:

Colors: Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green, Whisper White, Basic Black, More Mustard and Sahara Sand.  Stamps: Sassy Salutations and Polar Party.  Big Shot: Large Scallop Edgelit.  Accessories: Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Dazzling Details.

I think this little penguin is so adorable and looks like he is dancing around and ready to celebrate a very Merry Christmas.  I picked these colors because I managed to get a lot of this ribbon during the special in September.  It is so soft and easy to tie.  I just love it.  And I know it's still over a month to Christmas, but it is not to early to get your Holiday cards made. So get busy!

Also, be on the look out for the Online Extravaganza.  This is a 10 day sale to kick of the holiday season with some of your favorites marked down 20-50%.  The sale kicks of Monday with 24-hour doorbusters including a one day sale on the Big Shot!   I will have all the details here starting Monday at midnight so come back then!