SA Sketch Challenge #13

All is not totally lost. I got the idea for this sketch from page 116 of last year's Stampin' Up! Spring Summer Idea Book. And I actually turned it into something and over came my fear of embellishments at the same time. Whew! What a relief!

I will really miss Pink Pirouette when it retires next month. I'm not a big pink fan in general, but this has become a new neutral for me. And in comparison, Pretty in Pink is so garish. And I love Basic Gray too. And even better when they are paired together.

If you'd like to play along in the sketch challenge, you can find them it here: Stampin Addict's Sketch Challenge #13.

Recipe:
Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment
Colors: Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Pink Pirouette Patterns
Tools: Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, White Gel Pen
Embellishments: Pink Pirouette Grosgrain Ribbon, Brads

Just not feeling it . . .

I love holiday weekends. It usually means I get some guilt-free stamp time. So yesterday afternoon I set out to get some challenges and all my class projects done for June. First, I had to dig out my craft table. I have a horrible habit of leaving my stamps out and scraps spread everywhere. So I spent some time putting things away and discovering that yes, there really is a table under there and it's not just a big pile of paper scraps.

Then it was time to get stamping!!!! I just sat there. Tried a few things, and they just weren't working. Tried my scrapbook layout for next month, but I'm missing something I need that is coming in an order this week. My other class? Nothing! Sketch challenges? Nada. (Insert big sigh here.) A whole craft day wasted!

Or almost anyway. I did make this card with the Fifth Avenue Floral set. It's the best I could come up with yesterday:

Maybe I was just suffering from a fear of embellisments yesterday? Even the picture is a bit off. Couldn't get it straight to save my life. I hope the cure is right around the corner: the retirement list and new catalog preview are released next Monday. That is sure to inspire some great creations.

In the abscence of stamping mojo, I did give my blog a make over last night. Notice now that it has three columns instead of two. I really wanted to share my SA sisters blogs but I didn't want to hide the list at the bottom of my one side column. I also found this site that has really cute backgrounds and headers for free! Check it out if you are in the market for a blog makeover: www.shabbyblogs.com. Let me know what you think.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral
Colors: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze and Whisper White

No More Hoarding

How many of you are guilty of hoarding supplies? Here's the thought that pops into my head every time I consider using something consumable: what if this project turns out lame and then I really, really need (insert your favorite hoarded item) for a spectacularly awesome special project in the future? I've had this conversation with myself many times.

But one of my New Year's Resolution was to actually use product instead of hoard it. I've made some great progress too. I used some Hodge Podge Hardware for a class! (GASP- I know.) And guess what. You can order more! Really. I did it already.

So that brings me to this project. I realized the Thursday before Mother's Day that I had not made anything for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day. She really appreciates my handcrafted items and oohs and aahs over them and makes me feel like I am the most amazingly crafty woman on the planet. (Don't you just love making things for people like that?)

I needed something quick since it had to go in the mail -- that day! So I grabbed two things I had been hoarding: an empty Accents and Elements Tin and the retired Winter Retreat Simple Scrapbook Kit and whipped this up in a couple of hours:

The pictures are of my kids and their cousins on our recent visit to Grandma's. And she did love it and I love that she loved it.

So the moral of the story: use something that you are hoarding. You can always order more. Leave a comment here and tell me your hoarding stories, or even better how you over came the hoarding instinct.

Happy stamping!

Peaks and Valley Card

These cards are lighting up the blogosphere this week. The first one I saw was from my fellow Swapper's Anon/Stampin' Addict Sistah Rhonda over at The Stampin' Bunny. They are so clever I knew I had to make one too. And this week is my good friend and neighbor Jen's birthday so I whipped it up for her. It is much easier than it looks, especially if you can find all the right tools. (I got bogged down looking for my old paper cutter, but once I found it, it was smooth sailing.)

The quick and dirty instructions:

• Take a piece of 5 1/2" x 12" card stock.
• Score it vertically at 2", 4", 8" and 10"
• Cut it horizontally 1 1/2" from the top and bottom from the 2" score line to the 10" score line.
• Fold the top and bottom row peak, valley, peak, valley
• Fold the middle row valley, peak, valley, peak so that it is opposite of the top
• Embellish as desired

Here is what it looks like closed:


And here's what it looks like from the top (so you can get a good view of the folds):


This card is a great way to use up some scraps of fabulous Designer Series Paper (don't forget it's on sale this month.) And while I was at it, I used up some more on this gift bag too:


Recipes:
Card Stock: Textured Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Bella Rose
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Stamps: All Holidays
Accessories: Pretties Kit, Rhinestone brads, Kiwi Kiss stripped grosgrain ribbon

Best Ever Card Class

I'm bumping this back to the top since signups are quickly coming to a close.

Do you always need a birthday card? Then this is a great class for you! We will be using half of a Best Ever Simple Scrapbook Kit (plus a few extra sheets of card stock) to make 20 cards and a box to store them in. You will be surprised just how fast and easy it is to make cards with the kit. Cards are 3x6 and fit in the Small Open Ended Envelopes. The cards can be used for birthdays or other times you want to say congratulations, celebrate, or happy for you.

WHEN: Thursday, May 28 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: My House (call for directions)
COST: $15 for the 20 cards and the box. Add another $8.75 if you would like to include a package of 20 Small Open Ended Envelopes (includes shipping and tax)
RSVP: By Thursday, May 21 (so I can order the kits and envelopes) to paula24@comcast.net or 801-967-3210

Scooter Boys Scrapbook Page

I did this page for Scrapbook Challenge #9 over on Stampin' Addicts. I love this page because it uses current pictures taken on our Spring Break trip to Grandmas and I made it just for the challenge (as opposed to an upcoming class which is usually the only scrapbooking I get done.)

My boys love their scooters, enough that they have to come on vacation with us when we go. And yes, that is me riding too in the right hand picture.

Recipe:
Colors: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red
Designer Series Paper: From Best Ever Simple Scrapbook Kit
Punches: Slot Punch, 1 inch circle punch, Star punch
Big Shot: Billboard Letters
Accessories: Striped Ribbon, Rubons (retired), chipboard Star, Star Designer Brads

Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge #11

Can't believe I've been doing the sketch challenge at Stampin' Addicts for 11 weeks now. Time flies when you are having fun. Recently, I've been scouring the Stampin' Up! catalogs to find sketches and this one is no different. It is based on a card from page 4 of the fabulous Occasions Mini that is available right now.

Now the actual inspiration for the card I created is my flowering cherry tree. It was gorgeous this spring and I'm afraid by time I get back to my yard, all the blossoms will be gone. Here's a little peek at what it looked like last Friday when I decided I had to take my camera out and snap a picture of it. My lilacs were blooming too as they often do around Mother's Day but I won't bore you with a picture of them. ;)

So here is the card that I came up with:


Recipe:
Stamps: Embrace Life, Enjoy Every Moment
Card Stock: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, and Very Vanilla
Ink: Stazon Black, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Kiwi Kiss
Punch: Slot
Accessories: Blender Pen, Hodge Podge Hardware, Pink Pirouette Striped Ribbon

As I always mention, anyone is welcome to play along in the sketch or any of the other challenges offered on Stampin' Addicts in the General Forums. Come join the fun!

Altered DVD Tin Album and Blog Candy Winner

First of all, a big thank you to everyone who visited during the Stampin' Addict Parade of Papers Blog Hop. I hope it was as much fun for you as it was for me. And it looks like there might be some more Stampin' Addicts Blog Hops in the future so stay tuned! If you want to see more work by the fabulous demos who were part of the hop, be sure the visit the galleries and forums at Stampin' Addicts too.

And drum roll please. . . . The winner of my very first blog candy is #32 or stamperjf. I had so much fun with this blog candy, that I am sure I'll do it again soon!

I had so many comments on the Altered DVD Tin Album that I thought I would share how I created it. I got the idea from Splitcoast Stampers so it's not all mine. They really aren't hard at all. (The hardest part is finding the DVD tins. I got mine from effectuality.com in a bulk buy that I did with my Swappers Anon Sisters a month or two ago.) I am featuring these albums at my up coming Stampin' Buffet on May 30 too if anyone wants to come make one from a pre cut kit.

The one I am going to show you how to do is the Father's Day one I made as a class sample. It features the To the Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper but the directions are the same for both. Here is what you need to make it:

A DVD Tin (remove the plastic DVD holder inside)
Designer Series Paper (measurements to follow)
Card Stock (measurement to follow)
Sticky Strip
Jumbo Eyelets
Crop-A-Dile
10-15 Clear Translucent Envelopes
A large corner rounder (if you don't have one, you can trace the corners and cut them to match)
Scallop Edge Punch (optional)
Ribbon, stamps, and other embellishments of your choice.

For the Cover:
2 1/2" x 7 1/4" strip of Designer Series Paper for the top
2" x 7 1/4 strip of coordinating Designer Series Paper for the bottom
1 1/2" x 7 1/4" strip of a coordinating Designer Series Paper for the middle
2 x 7 1/4" strip of coordinating solid card stock (if you aren't going to use an edge punch on it, you can make it 1 3/4") to go under the middle piece

Round the top and bottom corners. Punch the middle mat with the scallop edge punch if you wish. Adhere the cover pieces to the lid with Sticky Strip or other strong adhesive. Decorate it more with ribbons, stamps, a monogram or how ever you'd like.

For the inside lid:
5 x 7 1/8 piece of coordinating Designer Series Paper

Round the corners and adhere to the inside of the lid.

For the Album:
5 x 8 1/2" piece of Designer Series Paper scored 1 1/4" from the left hand edge

Remove the protective tape from the adhesive on one of the flaps from the clear envelopes. Center it top to bottom about an 1/8" in from the score line as shown in the picture. Stack the others envelopes on top of the first, using the adhesive strips to stick them together.


Fold at the score line so it covers most of the envelope flaps that are now stuck together. Use the Crop-A-Dile to puch the holes and set the jumbo eyelets about 1 1/2 inches in on each side. I added a little ribbon know between the eyelets. Adhere to the bottom of the book. Now it is ready to fill with pictures!

These would make a great Father's Day gift because it's a tin and kind of tough you know. (Insert you best Tim the Toolman Taylor grunts here.) But it would also make a lovely baby gift or a commemorative album for a vacation. The possibilities are endless.

Hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks for spending part of it here with me. Happy stamping!

Welcome to the Parade of Papers Stop #22

Welcome to Stampin' with Paula and stop #22 of Stampin' Addicts first ever blog hop! Each stop along our Parade of Papers tour features projects made with Stampin' Up's Designer Series Paper created by some talented Stampin' Up demonstrators. Designer Series Papers are buy 3 get 1 Free throughout the month of May, so we want to celebrate with you. And I hope you enjoyed visiting stop #21, Mary's Stamper Camper. Her talent never ceases to amaze me.

And stay tuned for Blog Candy!

On this stop, I am going to show you the Tea Party Designer Series Paper. It is not generally my style, but I bought a pack to make Easter presents for a secret sister swap and now I just love it! I had to buy another package because I used up all the first.

All of my projects feature Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Almost Amethyst, Whisper White and Basic Black inks, markers and card stock because they coordinate perfectly with the paper. (I love that about Stampin' Up! No hunting for a matching solid. It tells you which ones right in the book!) You can click on any of the pictures to get a better view.

One of the things I love about our Designer Series Paper is the coord- inating print on the opposite side. For this card, I cut across the middle vertically and horizontally and then folded back the paper to expose that coordinating print. I also cut a flower right out of the paper to make the main image for the card.

Stamps: Short & Sweet; Punches: Word Window; Accessories: Flower Designer Brads, Crystal Effects, Pretty in Pink Reinker; Silver Brads, Celery Ribbon

I just love these little boxes and they are so easy to make with the Big Shot and a punch or two. Fill with a little candy and you have a great little thank you gift.

Punches: Oval, Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" circle and Eyelet Border; Big Shot: Box #2 Accessories: Silver Brad


Another thing I love about Stampin Up's Designer Series Paper is the coord- inating stamp sets make cards a breeze. I received a card very much like this in a swap featuring the Big Shot last fall. It's a Joy Fold with a twist.

Stamps: Sweet Stems; Punches: Ticket Corner; Big Shot: Top Note Die; Accessories: Flower Designer Brad; Pink Taffeta Ribbon


Anyone who knows me, knows I love altered tins. Here I used many of the coordinating prints from the package to create a DVD Tin album. They also make wonderful gifts!

Punches: Scallop Edge, Crop-o-dile; Big Shot: Serif Essentials Alphabet; Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Pink Grosgrain Ribbon; Clear Translucent Envelopes.

My last card is based on Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge #7. Anyone is welcome to play along in the sketch challenges or any of the other challenges that are posted 6 days a week. We hope you will join us!

Stamps: Oval All, Sweet Stems; Punches: Scallop Oval, Scallop Edge; Accessories: Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Brads; white gel pen; markers; Crystal Effects



The last project is a flip mini scrapbook album. I made this for my secret sister and it was a lot more work than I thought it would be when I started. But I love how it turned out and I hope that my secret sister did too. There really isn't much to list as far as what I used. It's all card stock and Tea Party. I cut the images out of the Tea Party Paper. I did use a few punches, brads and ribbon as well.

Want to make one of your own? I got the directions from this post on Amy Celona's blog. Thanks Amy for letting me share that with everyone here.

Now for the Blog Candy: A Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper II from the Hostess section of the Spring Summer Idea Book and Catalog. It contains 60 6x6 double sided sheets of printed paper in five fun colors. The Blog Candy will be randomly awarded to one lucky person who leaves a comment here and has a United States mailing address. Come back and check on Monday afternoon and I will announce the winner.

I'm happy you visited me here on stop #22, and please continue to Stop #23, my good friend and fellow Swapper's Anon Sister, Liz's Paper and Paws. Remember though, just like Cinderella at the ball, the fun ends at Midnight EDT on Saturday. For more information about the tour, visit the Parade of Paper's Chat thread in the general forums at Stampin' Addicts.

May SUPER-SIZED Stampin' Buffet!

By popular demand, I will be repeating this class!

WHEN: Saturday, May 30 from 11:00 noon until 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Red Robin in Murray, 316 E. Winchester Blvd. (6400 South) near Fashion Place Mall

WHAT: Pick just the projects you want to make and how many of each.

RSVP: By Thursday, May 21 to paula24@comcast.net or 801-967-3210 or to Jodi Westbye at jw_jewels@msn.com and let us know which projects and how many you would like to do so I can have them ready for you.

PRIZES: Everyone who comes to a class in May, brings a new person to a class, and/or makes a purchase will be entered into a drawing for a fabulous giveaway in honor of National Scrapbook Month! There will also be door prizes this day as well.

Here are the projects (click on the pictures to get a better look). I've really tried to stay away from "traditional" cards this time around and include things with fun techniques:
This Sunshine Garden Album is 6"x6" when closed and would be a perfect gift for Mother's Day or just to add to your own collection. The pictures show what the cover and each of the pages looks like when opened flat. The bottom photo shows what the album looks like if you were to open it up all the way and display it. I recently entered this album into a challenge at Stampin' Up! and received an honorable mention for it and I would love to share it with you too! And trust me: anyone can make this album. Cost: $10
This altered DVD Tin Album would make a great Father's Day present, but change it up a bit and it would also make a wonderful baby album or any kind of album really. Inside, there are 12 sleeves that will hold up to 24 pictures. I will have several paper choices available so let me know what theme you are thinking of. Cost: $8
What mom wouldn't love to receive this Flower Pot Pocket Card for Mother's Day? The top row of flowers pulls up to reveal a place for you to personalize a message to that special mother in your life. You can also change the greeting to For You, or Aunt if you prefer. Cost: $2
With this Viewmaster Father's Day Card, you turn the wheel and a new image appears. Just like the toy. You can personalize it to feature likenesses of your own children using the All in the Family stamp set. (You can get four images on the wheel). You can also change the greeting to Grandfather, Uncle, or Stepfather. Cost $2
Open this fun Welcome Baby Card and lots of words describing baby pop out at you. I received a card very much like this in a swap at convention last year and have been dying to share it with you. (I wish I could remember who gave it to me so I could share credit where credit is due!) Cost: $2My boys love trains so I new I had to have this set from the mini catalog. Choo Choo Birthday would be perfect for any young boy who loves GeoTrax or Thomas as much as mine do. Other greetings are available too. Cost: $1.50

And since I had a boy birthday card, I wanted to offer a Girly Cupcake one too. And isn't this a fun shape for a card? Cost: $1.50

Remind a special couple to Cherish eachother with this wedding or aniversary card. I made this for a swap last year and have had a few requests to offer it at a class so here it is. Cost: $1.50

I love spinner cards. On this Graduation Star Card, the star spins back and forth when the card is tilted. It will provide hours of entertainment to the graduate in your life. Cost: $1.50

This Thank You Pocket Card features a crimped envelope as the pocket. It was a make and take at a recent meeting I went to with some other demonstrators. Very clever. Thinking of You is also an option for the greeting. Cost: $1.50

And if you have any stamping mojo left after making the albums and cards, there are these cute little Tote Boxes too. You can't tell from the picture, but the have an opening on the back side too. Please let me know whether you'd like to make the gray one or the brown one. Cost: $3.00