Half-Day Regional in CDA, ID

Last Saturday, I attended my very first Stampin' Up! regional in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho (which is only about 45 minutes from my house). I had so much fun and learned a lot. Many of my upcoming projects will feature some new techniques that I learned from fellow demonstrators as well as the SU staff that hosted the event.

At the event, we made 3 Make and Takes using the set Berry Christmas (love it!). What was so fun about these projects is that while they were 3 completely different ideas, they all incorporated the same color scheme and similar embellishments. That makes these projects so perfect for workshops.

Because there are 3 separate projects, I wont do step-by-step instructions, but I will post the recipe for each at the end of this post.


For those of you who live in the Spokane, WA area, I will be hosting a class on October 17th featuring this set. We will make 20 Christmas cards (5 designs) with envelopes. In addition to the cards, you will receive the Berry Christmas Set. If you are interested, please email me and I will send you more details- I would love to have you!













For November, I will be hosting a Decor Elements class. We will be using the new Decor Elements Blocks and the new Holiday Mix Decor Elements (color of your choice), for a fun Christmas project. If you would like more information on this class, please email me.



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Recipe:
Stamps: Berry Christmas
Ink: Real Red, Bashful Blue, Soft Suede, Certainly Celery
Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Real Red, Soft Suede
Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Bitty Box and Envelope Bigz XL die (115967), Silver Brads (104336), 3/4" Real Red Polka Dot Ribbon (115608), Linen Thread (104199), Playground Designer Buttons (116313), Trio Flower Punch (109183), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Dimensionals (104430)

Decor Elements Wall Hanging

In a few short weeks I will be working at my first craft fair. I couldn't be more excited and I am trying to brainstorm ways to really showcase all that Stampin' Up! has to offer.

I know that Decor Elements will be huge at the craft fair since many people who shop the fair are interested in home decor. I absolutely love the Laundry Decor Element and wanted to show it, but I also wanted to keep it for my own laundry room.

Sooo.... I decided to make a wall hanging. But what to use?? We used to have a small cabinet with a glass door in our bathroom but it was starting to fall apart so I took it apart several months ago and the pieces were waiting in the garage ready to be taken to the dump. The sides and top were laminate so I didn't want to use that for this project, but the glass door seemed perfect!

I removed all the hardware and patched the holes before spray painting it a glossy white. Then I cleaned the glass really well with some Windex before adding the Decor Element. This went on so smoothly! I cut off the overlap and placed the glass back in the frame.

Next, I needed to figure out a good way to hang this. I wanted a more country look, so I used some picture hanging wire and hardware on the back side, then I loosely covered it using 1 1/4" Chocolate Chip Striped Grosgrain. I think when I put it in its final place I will do a bow at the top.

My laundry room is still in production and I plan to paint the walls either a robin's egg blue or a light yellow. For now, I used a wall in my dining room as a backdrop for the photo.

The other project that I plan to show are the cool new blocks and Holiday Mix Decor Elements (pg 30 of the new Holiday Mini). Those are too, too cute!



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Recipe:
Accessories: 1 1/4" Chocolate Chip Striped Grosgrain (115617), Laundry Decor Elements (large- black) (116157)
Other: Glass Paneled door, Picture hanging hardware and wire

Gratitude and Thanks: PPA10

This week over at Pals Paper Arts, we are doing a Gratitude and Thanks Theme Challenge. Your card can be for Thanksgiving, or just a thank you card of some kind.

I decided to go with a Thanksgiving card for my project. I am loving the new Autumn Meadows DSP from the Holiday Mini. I never would have thought of adding Taken with Teal to the other falls colors, but it works!! TIP: For color inspiration, use a DSP collection as a starting off point. The coordinating colors are listed next to the order information of the DSP in the catalog.

• I started off with a 5 1/2"x 5 1/2" piece of Dusty Durango for my base. TIP: I have a bit of a surplus of Dusty Durango, so I decided to use it in place of Really Rust (a color found in the DSP). I think it is a pretty close match.
• Two patterns of Autumn Meadows DSP were added next on the right side of the card.
• A Taken with Teal tab was popped out using the Round Tab punch and attached using a black brad.
• I used a Chocolate Chip pattern from the Dots & Designs Rub-ons for the left side of the card.
• The image, from Wandering Words (new!), was inked in Chocolate Chip and stamped onto Whisper White. Next it was given a mat of Taken with Teal and Chocolate Chip.
• A piece of 1 1/4" Chocolate Chip striped grosgrain (folded in half) was attached using a Chocolate Chip Corduroy Button.
• Lastly, I punched out two sets of leaves (using my Big Shot and Little Leaves Sizzlet) out of Dusty Durango and Chocolate Chip. They were tucked behind the image using glue dots.

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Recipe:
Stamps: Wandering Words (116507)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908)
Paper: Dusty Durango (115321), Chocolate Chip (102128), Taken with Teal (101584), Autumn Meadows DSP (116769), Whisper White (100730)
Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Little Leaves Sizzlet (114511), 1 1/4" Chocolate Chip Striped Grosgrain (115617), Vintage Brads (109109), Round Tab Punch (108340), Dots & Designs Rub-ons (115728), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Dimensionals (104430), Chocolate Chip Corduroy Buttons(114339)

Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack

Don't miss out on savings up to 80% off on some retired Stampin' Up! product! For the first time ever, Stampin' Up is offering a clearance rack sale on some surplus inventory!!

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Matchbox Shower Favors

As if I haven't posted enough baby shower related projects, I have another to share today!

I made these favor boxes for a couple showers I am hosting in the next month. I made 20 of each, but since I have the Matchbox Bigz XL die, it went very quickly.

For the boy favors I used variations of Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White. For the girl favors, I used Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White.
Here are some details:

• I ran the card stock through my Big Shot with the Matchbox Bigz XL die (using the Premium Crease Pad to get all those score lines!). TIP: I used enough card stock to also punch out the frame die cut, which I set aside.
• The sleeve portion of the boxes was run through the Big Shot again using various Texturz Plates. TIP: I run two extra pieces of card stock through on top of the sandwich for a deeper impression.
• I assembled the boxes using Sticky Strip for a stronger hold.
• Contrasting card stock strips were wrapped around the top portion.
• A 1" strip of Whisper White was given a scalloped or eyelet border and was wrapped around over the previous strip.
• Grosgrain ribbon was tied in a simple knot.
• The sentiment was inked in Chocolate Chip and stamped onto the frame die cuts. I used my Crop-a-dile to punch out a hole on the left side.
• Hemp Twine was used to secure the tag to the ribbon.

I plan to fill these little boxes with small truffles or other chocolates. I know it is a bit fancy for a baby shower, but when it is this easy I just can't help myself! :)


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Recipe: Stamps: Garden Greetings (113716) Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908) Paper: Certainly Celery (105125), Pretty in Pink (100459), Whisper White (100730), Chocolate Chip (102128), Bashful Blue (105120) Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Matchbox Bigz XL die (114890), Pretty in Pink Striped Grosgrain (113882), Certainly Celery ribbon (SAB Freebie), Eyelet Border Punch (113692), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Hemp Twine (100982), SU Backgrounds I Texturz Plates (114512), Perfect Details Texturz Plate (115962), Crop-a-dile (108362), Sticky Strip (104292)

PPA9: Picture Perfect Inspiration

This Saturday I will be attending the Stampin' Up! Half-Day Regional in Coeur d'Alene, ID. I am so SO excited! I made 50 of these Autumn-themed boxes to swap with some fellow demos.

My inspiration behind the boxes comes from this weeks Pals Paper Arts Picture Challenge. The idea behind the challenge is to make a project inspired by this photo:

Your project can incorporate the colors, images, or overall feel of the photo.
Here are the steps for making my project:

• I used my Big Shot and Matchbox Bigz XL die to create the boxes. I used patterns from Autumn Traditions DSP and Autumn Meadows DSP for the sleeves, and Really Rust, More Mustard, and Always Artichoke for the boxes. TIP: Be sure to use a Premium Crease pad to achieve perfect die cuts with score lines!
• I assembled the box bases, following the instructions that came with the die.
• Before I assembled the sleeves, I popped out a 1 3/8" circle from the front.
  
• The little leaves, from Autumn Days, were stamped using Really Rust and More Mustard. They were snipped out (yes, I snipped out 100 of these by hand!) and attached using dimensionals.
• I used some small treat bags and found some specialty candy corn at a grocery store to fill the boxes. I wanted colors that would compliment the boxes (not the typical white/yellow/orange). I ended up using Caramel Apple, Chocolate, and Caramel/Chocolate- very tasty I might add.
• The treat bags were folded nicely inside the box to be seen through the circle window.
• Lastly, Hemp Twine was wrapped around the box and tied into a bow in the upper corner.

I hope that all the gals receiving this will like it!



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Recipe: Stamps: Autumn Days (115452) Ink: Really Rust (102549), More Mustard (103162) Paper: Autumn Meadows DSP (116769), Autumn Traditions DSP (115668), Always Artichoke (105119), Really Rust (100661), More Mustard (100946), Whisper White (100730) Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Matchbox Bigz XL die (114890), Hemp Twine (100982), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), Dimensionals (104430)
Other: Candy Corn, Treat Bags

Ballerina Bear

I swear that this is the last you will see of this little bear from me for awhile, but I just had to use it for this card!

My good friend is so excited to be having a baby girl in January and I am a shower host so of course I signed up to make invites. The bedding she picked out is called Twirling Around from Babies R Us. When I saw it, I knew exactly what I was going to do for her invites! I made about 2o of these cards so the design is simple but oh-so-cute!

Here are the details:

• This is a Pretty in Pink A2 card base.
• The Regal Rose pattern print on the left is from the retired Hostess Level 1 Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper II. It measures 4.25"x1".
• I wrapped this gorgeous Whisper White Organza around the DSP and tied it in a pretty bow before adhering it to the card.
• A 4.25"x1" piece of Whisper White was given an eyelet border at attached next.
• The bear image was stamped onto Watercolor paper and filled in using a blender pen and varying shades of Creamy Caramel. It was snipped out using paper snips. TIP: Paper snips are a must-have when trimming out detailed images.
• The bear became a "she" by adding some pink organza ribbon (non-SU) for a tutu and hair bow. I took some white craft wire to cinch up one side of the 1/2" piece of ribbon and used some Scotch tape to hold it in place behind the bear. A smaller (1/4") piece of ribbon was tied into a simple knot and held in place with a mini glue dot for the hair bow.
• A 2"x2" piece of Whisper White was "texturized" using a dot embossing folder (non-su) and my Big Shot. I layered it onto a slightly larger piece of Regal Rose.
• The little ballerina was added last using dimensionals.
• Little half pearl stickers (various sizes) were the finishing touch!

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• Place an order of $50 or more (before tax and shipping) through my online store. Look for the Shop Now button.
  
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• Promotion ends September 25, 2009.
  

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Recipe:
Stamps: Cute & Cuddly (113682)
Ink: Creamy Caramel (103220), Basic Black (101179)
Paper: Pretty in Pink (100459), Regal Rose (105130), Whisper White (100730), Watercolor Paper (105019), Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper II (retired-hostess)
Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Whisper White Organza Ribbon (114319), Eyelet Border Punch (113692), Dimensionals (104430), Mini-glue dots (103683)
Non-SU: Half-pearl stickers, Pink Organza Ribbon, Embossing Folder, Craft Wire