One more chance to Sale-A-Brate!

So I might have mislead you on Monday by saying that I only had one more Sale-A-Bration project to share with you, because yesterday, I came up with one more.  (And I can't rule out that Friday there might be one more too because that's just the way I roll). 

Colors: Peach Parfait, Very Vanilla.  Punches: Blossom, 1/2" Circle and circle from Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Decorative Label.  Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, Large Pearl Basic Jewels, Simply Scored Diagonal Plate.

This is a little 3"x3" card that features the beautiful Blossom punch from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I've seen several cards that use the negative of this punch on a card so I wanted to give that a try here.  Since there was no room for the greeting on the front, I put one on the inside:

I made the matching envelope using the directions that came with the Simply Score Diagonal Plate.  Since it was too busy to write a name on it, I added a Decorative Label punch to the front of it too.

Don't forget to place your Sale-A-Bration orders by this Saturday, March 31 at midnight.  All of the exclusive Sale-A-Bration items will disappear forever then and the only way to get them is for FREE with every $50 you spend.  Order online anytime, or contact me by Thursday night.

Last Chance for Sale-A-Bration!

Seems like Sale-A-Bration just began, and now I'm sad to say, this is the very last week to take advantage of Stampin' Up!'s biggest promotion of the year.  Place an order before this Saturday, March 31 and you will receive a free Sale-A-Bration item with each $50 you spend.  You can order online through Saturday, or contact me by Thursday evening.  (I will be off enjoying the beauties of Southeastern Utah this weekend and unavailable to place orders).

I have one more Sale-A-Bation inspired project to share with you today:

Colors: Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla.  Stamped: Elementary Elegance.  Big Shot: Designer Frames Textured Imperssions Embossing Folder. Punch: Extra-Large Oval. Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Brads and Embellishment Pack, Vintage Lace, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper.

I love these textured frames embossing folders.  They are just one of the catalog items you can choose to get for free if none of the Sale-A-Bration exclusive items appeal to you. And the Extra Large Oval Punch fits perfectly inside.

We made this card for club last week (and we will make it for club this week too).  And again, we used the diagonal score plate to make a matching envelope.

Lining the envelope turned out to be a bit trickier for me than I expected.  I ended up making a template that would make it so much easier.  To make your own template, you need a 5-1/2 x 5-1/2" piece of card stock.  Mark the center point (2-3/4") on three sides.

Then cut between the points to get a shape that looks like this:

Now you can trace your template onto any Designer Series Paper to give you a beautifully lined envelope.

Gift Bags from Designer Series Paper

This is the last look at projects from my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet coming up this weekend.  It's not too late to RSVP if you haven't already. The idea and the directions for these cute gift bags came from Pinterest. (Where else, right?)  But it's one of those pins that doesn't link to a blog so I'm still not sure who to give credit too.

They are quick and easy to make and perfect when you are giving something to someone who appreciates cute paper and those extra special touches:

Colors: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral.  Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes.  Punch: Wide Oval. Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, Simply Scored, 1/4" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Hemp Twine.

To make the bag, simply score a piece of 12x12 Designer Series Paper at 3" and 9" and then turn and score at 4-1/2" and 7-1/2".  Cut the tabs into the middle and fold along the score lines so that it looks like this:

Adhere sides together and add a ribbon handle and tag and you are ready to go! 

Don't forget that time is running out to get your hands on that fabulous Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  (I admit I'm starting to hoard it a little bit.)  It is just one of several products that are exclusive to the Sale-A-Bration Promotion.  You can get one free for every $50 you spend before it all ends on March 31.  Click the "shop now" button or contact me today.

Celebrate Sale-A-Bration!

Just a little over one month left to take advantage of Sale-A-Bration -- Stampin' Up!'s biggest promotion of the year.  Whether you order, host or join, Stampin' Up rewards you with free goodies!  Let me know if you need more information.

I featured several projects in January that showcased Sale-A-Bration products, but not much lately.  But today's card features the Outlined Occasions stamp set that is only available during this promotion and the best part -- it's free when you spend $50 or more.

Colors: Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade and Whisper White.  Stamps: Outlined Occasions.  Tools: Simply Scored.  Accessories: Just Eat Cake Designer Series Paper, 5/8" Jumbo Brads, Markers.

Stampin' Up! has carried these jumbo brads for a while and I've had them in my stash for a long time but I rarely use them.  I do like them on this card though.  And it's a little hard to tell from this picture, but I scored lines around the card base and the other Peach Parfait mat to add some texture and interest.

This is just one of the nine cards you can choose to make at my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet on March 9 & 10.  It's a great card for just about anyone.  Not too girly and not too masculine either.  And it will be fairly simple to make as well. We always have a lot of fun at these classes so what are you waiting for?  RSVP today!

Everyday Enchantment Canvas

I promised a closer look at my canvas project from the blog hop and I aim to please.  I called this a "mixed-media" project because it uses different mediums together: canvas, paper, metal brads, lace, ink, etc.  A lot of mixed-media projects also use paints and I didn't on this one. Here's another look at the whole project:

I wish I had taken step-by-step photos as I was putting it together, but of course I didn't think of that until it was done. I started with an 11"x14" art canvas.  You can buy these at any big box craft or art store.  The first and probably most important step in a project like this is to figure out what you want your project to look like at the end, before you start putting the pieces together.  Because once you start adhering them to the canvas, it is difficult to move them around.

Once I had my basic layout figured out, I put a moderate layer of Mod Podge on the canvas. Mod Podge is a decoupage medium that can also be purchased at the big box craft and hobby stores.  The trick to working with Mod Podge is to get just the right amount on your project.  Too much and it starts to bubble up.  Not enough and the layer you put on top doesn't stick well enough.  And you have to work quickly because it dries quickly too. 

After you have your layer of Mod Podge on the canvas, place your first layer of paper right on top of it, smoothing it out as you go to keep it from bubbling.  After that layer dries, you can add another layer of Mod Podge over the top and start adding the rest of your layers.  I have found that giving the project a little time to dry in between decreases the amount of bubbles that appear on your project too.

For the flower, I wanted some dimension to it and didn't want it decoupaged to the canvas.  I put a layer of Mod Podge on each part of the flower one so that it would have the same "texture" as the rest of the project.  Mod Podge dries clear but does leave a dull coat over the project. I used dimensionals between the layers of the flower to really make it 3-D.  Here's a close up picture of the flower:

(A keep observer probably noticed the flower moved from the picture above.  I had a hard time deciding just where it belonged and took this picture before I figured that part out.)

I also did not decoupage the photo on to the project.  I wanted to be able to change out the photo later when this one becomes out dated.  I adhered it to the project with dimensionals too.  And just who is that handsome group of people?  It is my parents and all their children last summer at our family reunion.  Can you pick me out of the group?  I'll give you a hint, I'm the only daughter.

I did find out a thing or two by trial and error.  Before I started, I tried using the Tea Stain Stampin' Spot from the Distressing Kit to "age" the canvas.  Once I started putting the Mod Podge on it, the water-based ink pretty much washed off.  So you will probably want to save yourself some time and effort and skip that part.

The other lesson learned is to stick with Mod Podge and not mix adhesives.  For the title, I was in a hurry and didn't want to mess with the Mod Podge to adhere the letters to the base piece so I used regular Mono Multi Glue.  I added a layer of Mod Podge to the top to give it the same texture and the letters aren't sealed down as well as the rest of the project is. 


I made another canvas project at the same time I made this but I submitted it to Stampin' Up! for a contest.  If it doesn't win, I'll post pictures of it in a few weeks.

SUPPLIES:

Colors: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, and Poppy Parade
Big Shot: Timeless Type Alphabet, Fun Flower, Island Flowers, Tasteful Trim and Labels Collection Framelits.
Punch: Fancy Flower, 1" and 3/4" Circles.
Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, Antique Brads, Crochet Trim, Distressing Kit
Other: Mod Podge, Canvas

Everyday Enchantment Mini Album

Wasn't the blog hop wonderful?  So many fun projects and all made with items you can get free! If you missed the hop, all the stops should be deep linked together so you can follow it today as well.  Just start here.

I promised a closer look at the mini album today.  I wanted to make this album for the hop because it could easily feature every print in the package.  But I was limited on the number of photos I could show you on the hop, so today you get to see the rest.  And you can also find out how to get a kit to make your very own at the end of this post.

Originally, I was going to make an album out of boring square chipboard coasters. (Let's not talk about how many of those I have stashed away under the stairs in my storage room.)  But then I started looking at different shapes I could use and decided the Label Collection Framelits would be perfect.

The only tricky thing: the framelits are designed to cut thinner material and not the chipboard I generally use from the Decor Elements or Specialty Designer Paper packaging.  Thankfully, I had some thinner chipboard that a friend had given me and it worked well.  It's a titch heavier than the white sheets that come with the Designer Series Paper packs.  It was a little tight going through the Big Shot, but it did work.  As always, you can click on the picture to get a better look.

This, of course, is the cover for the album.  I love the look of textured Very Vanilla card stock with this paper like on the memories title.  For a more "vintage" feel, I inked the edges of everything using either Crumb Cake or the matching color.  And the Crochet Trim and Vintage Brads also goes so nicely with this paper.

One of the things I love about this Label shape is how well other basic shapes fit inside of it.  I love the circles and the oval with it.  To make the piece that is behind the oval, I used the smaller framelit so that the lines matched up with the base piece.

This paper coordinates with several of the current In Colors.  I don't pull out the Peach Parfait very often, but it coordinates beautifully with this paper, along with Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Lucky Limeade.  And of course, the Fresh Vintage Stamp set and Everyday Enchantment Brad and Ribbon bundle from the Sale-A-Bration Catalog also coordinate.  That just might be my favorite thing about Stampin' Up -- they take the guess work out of matching.

I've mentioned before how much I love the Loving Thoughts set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The sentiments in it are perfect for a mini album so I knew I wanted to use it for this.  And you'll see I also used the Lace Ribbon Punch too here.

 

Soft Suede also coordinates with this paper and adds a nice neutral contrast to the other colors.  Don't you just love the way the six different sizes from the Labels Collection Framelits work so well together?

When I had all the pages put together, I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch a hole through each of the piece in the corner and used a binder ring to put it together.  I used a bunch of coordinating ribbon and other trims to tie to the ring.

SUPPLY LIST:
Colors: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla, and Soft Suede
Stamps: Fresh Vintage (Sale-A-Bration) and Loving Thoughts (Occasions)
Big Shot: Labels Collection Framelits, Clear Circle, 3-1/2" Circle, Oval Scallop Frame, 3" Circle.
Punches: Modern Label, Postage Stamp, Word Window, Lace Ribbon, and 1/2", 1-1/4", 1-3/8",& 2-1/2" and Scallop Circles.
Accessories: Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim, Pool Party Seam Binding, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta, 1/4" Vanilla Grosgrain, Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack, Antique Brads, Mini Silver brads, Silver Brads
Other: Binder Ring

I do have a limited number of these kits available for purchase for $25 plus $5 for shipping.  The kit includes all the pages precut and ready to ink and assemble as well as the embellishments.  It does not include any of the stamped accents including page titles, but it does include the paper to make your own. Directions and pictures will be emailed to you.  Email me at paulastamps@gmail.com and I will send you an invoice through paypal to pay for it.

Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop!

 

Welcome to stop #3 on the Stampin' Addict's Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop!  If you are hopping through in order than you've landed here from Holly's Rubber Redneck blog.  Didn't you just love what she did with the Fresh Vintage Stamp set?  If this is your first stop, all the blogs are linked together in a circle so you won't miss a thing. If you get lost along the way or just want to chat about what you've seen, head on over to Stampin' Addicts.

I didn't think it was possible for Stampin' Up! to come up with a Designer Series Paper I would love more than Spice Cake from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  But of course, they've done it again!  And I'm so excited to get to share with you the fabulous Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  I've already used the paper a lot and I'm going to end up spending a lot of money to get more free packs of this gorgeous stuff during Sale-A-Bration.  And remember, this is just one of the several items you can get free with any $50 purchase between now and March 31.

The first project is a mini album that features this beautiful paper and the Labels Collection Framelits from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The top picture is the cover and the bottom picture is the back. I don't even know where to begin to tell you about this album but I love the way it turned out.  If you come back on Monday, I will share all the details including pictures of the rest of the pages.

The second project is a card that features the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack and the Elementary Elegance Stamp Set also from the Sale-A-Bration.  This is also my version of the Stampin' Addict Sketch Challenge #121 inspired by Stacy McCain.  Isn't a fun sketch?  When you're over at Stampin' Addicts, be sure to check out all the fun challenges we have and play along.

And last, but not least, my mixed media project.  I decoupaged the paper to an 11"x14" canvas to make a home decor project.  I haven't attempted one of these for a long time but was inspired by a recent article in Stampin' Success, an exclusive publication for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.  There are so many details to share on this one so come back on Wednesday for a closer look at how I put it together and some of the things I learned a long the way. 

I hope you enjoyed this look at the Everyday Enchantment Paper and that you love it as much as I do.  Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back next week for a closer look at the projects. Next stop on the hop is Tanya's Tinkerin' In Ink and her look at the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack (which coordinates beautifully with this paper so you're going to need to place a couple of orders during Sale-A-Bration to get both).  Happy Hopping!

Enchanted Quilt Card

Yep, I have another card to show you featuring the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  I just love this stuff.  I hope you aren't tired of hearing me talk about how much I love it yet.  If you come back on Friday for the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop, you'll get to see even more projects with this beautiful paper.

Colors: Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Tiny Tags.  Big Shot: Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder.  Punches: 1-1/4" square and Jewel Tag.  Accessories: Pool Party Seam Binding, Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Embellishment Pack.

I love the idea of quilting.  I even tried it a few times but it turns out I liked the idea of quilting better than actually quilting.  But making a quilt pattern on a card is much easier. To make this card, I punched out three squares with the Pool Party pattern and six squares with the Poppy Parade patterned paper.  Then I cut 2 of each colors in half diagonally to make the pattern.  Once I adhered them to the Pool Party card stock, I ran the whole thing through the Big Shot to give it that "quilted" texture.

The Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Embellishments are just two of the items you can get free during Sale-A-Bration.  If you follow the blog hop this weekend, you will get to see many of the other items featured in the Sale-A-Bration Brochure.  I'll see you then!

Sale-A-Bration is Here!!!

It's finally here!! Stampin' Up!'s biggest promotion of the year kicks off today and runs through March 31.  And if you haven't heard about what a fun sale it is, than you have come to the right place.  Spend $50 on catalog merchandise and receive an item from the Sale-A-Bration catalog free.  Spend $100, get 2.  Spend $500, get 10.  See how this works?

This year, Stampin' Up! has pulled out all the stops too.  Not only do you have your choice of four exclusive Sale-A-Bration stamp sets, an embellishment kit or a package of the most gorgeous Designer Series Paper ever, you can also choose from several different regular catalog items including embellishments, card stock, Big Shot accessories and stamps.

Host a workshop during Sale-A-Bration and not only will your friends and family benefit by getting free merchandise, but you will get extra rewards too.  Starting with a really cute reusable shopping tote.  And with a qualifying workshop, you will also receive a bundle of exclusive Sale-A-Bration items free.

And if that wasn't sweet enough.  They are also rewarding new recruits handsomely during Sale-A-Bration.  The full Starter Kit is marked down to $125 ($50 off).  And new recruits will get their choice of a free package of paper or free My Digital Studio download every month they place an order for the remainder of 2012.  Love that deal!

Here is a card that features the the fabulous Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Embellishment Kit and a stamp set called Elementary Elegance.  These are all Sale-A-Bration exclusive items.

Calypso Coral, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla.  Big Shot: Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. Punches: Curly Label and Large Oval.  Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Ribbon and Brad Pack.

You are going to get tired of me talking about how much I love this paper.  It is just gorgeous.  I can already tell I'm going to be spending lots of money so I can earn my own extra packs free and hoard it.  I made the bow on there by taking the 1/8" organdy ribbon and wrapping it around my fingers to make the loops and then pinched it in the center with the brad.

This is one of the cards that will be offered at my Valentines/Sale-A-Bration Stampin' Buffet on January 27 and 28.  Today is the last day to RSVP so what are you waiting for?

Don't forget, starting Friday is the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop where I will be showing you even MORE projects made with this gorgeous paper.  Hope to see you there!

Sneak Peek at Sale-A-Bration

Sale-A-Bration is a wonderful time for anyone who loves FREE stuff.  If you aren't familiar with the promotions, for every $50 you spend from the Stampin' Up! Catalog, you get to choose a free item from the Sale-A-Bration brochure!  Watch here for more details on this exciting promotion that starts January 24.

But today, I wanted to share with you a quick sneak peek at some of the products you can get free.

Colors: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Fresh Vintage and Loving Thoughts. Punches: Scallop, 1-3/8" and 1-1/4" circles.   Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Ribbon & Brad Pack.

Paper and brads and ribbon!!  Oh my!  I have to say, that I just love this Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  It is just gorgeous!  I will be featuring more projects made with this paper in the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop coming up in about 10 days.  And the brads and ribbon that match it come in a bundle together. And the Fresh Vintage stamp set is just so beautiful too.

I made this card for a swap I was in last month to showcase the ribbon and brads and paper, but it also doubled as the Stampin' Addict Sketch Challenge last week too.  Come and play along with us!

There is an easy way to earn the stamp set, the paper and the embellishment kit as well as a fun shopping tote absolutely free -- host your own qualifying workshop during Sale-A-Bration.  So for a $400 workshop, you would get all of the above free, plus $65 in hostess dollars to spend on catalog merchandise and choose any one item 50% off item.  Contact me today and let's get you on my calendar.