Today I hosted my Downline Meeting. My upline, Melody Bias, came down from DC and shared a Make & Take with us. It was for this Notecard Holder. I have made one just like it before without the brads part, but haven't shown one on my blog before, so this was a great chance to do so. The measurements for the precut pieces Melody had were wrong for where the brads ended up being placed, so we just made the main white folder with the ribbon. Thanks for coming down to meet with us, Mel!
After everyone left, I chose my own front and stamps and decorated it as a CAS Thank You Gift for my hostesses. I stamped the wreath with the curling vine image. I stamped it in a Square pattern with Mellow Moss - one for each "side". Then I stamped it again in Always Artichoke, this time overlaying a diamond pattern (turning the square 90 degrees). For the centers, I punched a 1/8" circle with the Crop-a-Dile and glued it to the center of each flower. Then I put a drop of Crystal Effects on top of the 1/8" Circle center and let dry before adhering to the wreath. This is the finished project:
Here is the front after untying it and the sentiment is revealed:
Here is the inside, with an envelopes in the left side and one of the notecards beside it:
DIRECTIONS: 1. Score 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of cardstock in portrait position at 4.25". Score in landscape position at 5.5". Use bone folder to crease all score lines. Open back up.
2. Take the right bottom corner and fold up to meet the 4.25" score line in the middle.
3. Repeat with the left bottom corner.
4. Fold bottom half up (on the 5.5" score line).
5. Place your ribbon (24") between the fold with 8" of ribbon hanging to the right of the holder and the remainder to the left.
6. Pierce the four marked spots with the paper piercer and mat pack going through the front cardstock, ribbon and back cardstock. Insert brads and secure being sure that the backs are vertical so that the cover sheet will cover them.
7. Fold in half (like a card). Decorate the front and back as desired.
8. When finished, place your notecards and envelopes in the holder and close. Wrap the ribbon attached to the left side around the back of the card and bring to the front left. Bring the ribbon attached to the right side to the front right and tie together.
Today was my Tile Coaster Class. We made some of the same coasters I have shown on my blog previously: Tile Coasters, More Tile Coasters. I also made the Medallion one pictured below. I embossed it with Iridescent Embossing Powder, so it may not be quite as "thirsty", but it sure is pretty. Some of the ladies made their own design (and they looked great!). And we enjoyed our Better Than Sex Cake! I love that cake and it was definitely a hit with the attendees (and hubby)!
Another jam-packed weekend with back-to-back classes and a downline meeting tomorrow. Can't wait to sleep in on Monday! :o)
SPARKLY MEDALLION TILE COASTER SUPPLIES:
Stamps – Medallion (#115223, $17.95), Warm Words (#115108, $21.95)
Ink – Close to Cocoa and Really Rust Craft
Accessories – Iridescent Embossing Powder, Clear Embossing Powder, 4" x 4" stone tiles, felt dots
Well, the third time is the charm! After weather-related delays, I was finally able to hold my New Punch Class today that was originally scheduled in January. Originally I had designed a Valentine card for the final project, but had to switch since it is now the end of February. I decide to use this week's Mojo Monday sketch and make it an Easter card.
My FREE tutorials follow the card recipe. I started out coming up with my own beginning squares for my tutorial with much frustration. After figuring out a few, Gretchen Barron came out with hers, so I was able to use a few of hers to fill in with mine. The Pinking Hearts tutorial has all my own measurements as I did my tutorial before Gretchen posted hers - some are different than Gretchen's, but I find that these are the ones that work well for me.
THIS BUNNY HAS MOJO! SUPPLIES:
Stamp Sets – Chocolate Bunny (#116980, $7.95)
Card stock – Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Close to Cocoa, Shades of Spring DSP
Punches – Scallop Edge (#112091, $15.95), Scallop Trim Border (#118402, FREE with $50 purchase), Scallop Trim Corner (#118870, $9.95)
Accessories – Stampin' Dimensionals
SCALLOP TRIM PUNCHES TUTORIAL
The Scallop Trim punches are a fabulous new addition to our punch line! Using this guide, you will be able to make wonderful squares and rectangles. There are 7 sizes included in this tutorial as those would be the sizes for using on cards. Of course, you can cut larger pieces for scrapbooking, framed art and other projects using these same principals.
There are a few differences in working with these punches versus our older corner and border punches. They will take some practice to become proficient, but you can do it!
On the corner punches, it is important to realize that there is not a corner guide where you push the paper all the way in to a V-guide that goes beyond visible area. Holding the Scallop Trim Punch upside down, you will instead line up the corner of your cardstock with the visible corner of the punch. Do not go beyond the visible corner.
CUTTING GUIDE for SQUARES:
4 ¾" = Square with 10 scallops on each side
4 ¼" = Square with 9 scallops on each side
3 13/16" = Square with 8 scallops along each side. (Great size to practice with as it fits perfectly into the guide printed on the Scallop Trim Border Punch)
3 ¼" = Square with 7 scallops along each side.
2 ⅞" = Square with 6 scallops on each side
2 ⅜" = Square with 5 scallops on each side
1 15/16" = Square with 4 scallops on each side. Uses only the corner punch.
DIRECTIONS:
The first and smallest square begins with a square of cardstock that is 1 15/16" square. For this square, you only need the corner punch. Because of this, after the first corner is punched, you will need to line up the next corner with the previous corner. This is a neat square when finished as you can add a 1 ⅜" and 1 ¼" square punch for layering.
For all the rest of the scallop squares and rectangles, you will need to use both the Border and the Corner Punches.
“ALL AROUND” PUNCH DIRECTIONS:
1. First, punch all four corners, as described above. Be sure to stop your cardstock right at the edge of the cutting blade or the border punch will not line up and your piece will be lop-sided!
2. For the next three sizes 2 ⅜", 2 ⅞" and 3 ¼": it is easier to turn the border punch upside down, so that you can line-up your scallops properly. Once the four corners are punched, turn the border upside down and line up the scallops with the punched corners. Repeat for each of the four sides until your square is complete.
3. With the 3 13/16” square only, once the four corners have been punched, both corners of the square will line up perfectly with the printed guide of the Scallop Trim Border punch to punch the sides! Lay the punch on the table, line the square up with the guide and punch down, using the ball of your hand!
4. With larger squares, after punching the four corners, you will need to make two punches for each of the four sides. Line up one corner with the guide and punch. Then slide your square down and line up the opposite corner with the guide and punch again. If you experience difficulty with this method, try punching with your punch upside down and matching up the scallops as with the smaller squares.
Prefer rectangles? No problem! Use any combination of two dimensions given above to arrive at the perfect rectangle. For example, use 3 13/16" x 4 ¾" to get an 8 scallop by 10 scallop rectangle. Any combination will work, as long as you use the measurements given above.
Once you're practiced these techniques, you will be amazed at how quickly you can punch out squares and rectangles!
PINKING HEARTS PUNCHES TUTORIAL
Please read my Scallop Trim Punches Tutorial above first, as it gives information that is the similar for the Pinking Hearts Punches.
Tips to Keep in Mind:
I find them more difficult to work with than the Scallop Trim Punches and harder to get to come out perfectly. Practice, practice, practice is the KEY to making this punch work for you!
Line up the points of the Pinking edge rather than the hearts or you will drive yourself crazy.
Accurate measuring is very important. The pinking points are very small and you need to be both accurate and consistent in your measurements. Try adjusting your beginning measurements by 1/16” at a time to find the best one for you if mine are not working for you.
CUTTING GUIDE for SQUARES:
2 13/16"
3 3/16"
3 5/8"
4"
4 5/16"
4 3/4"
If you wish to make rectangles, simply combine two of the measurements.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Holding the Corner Punch upside down, punch the corners first. Be sure to stop your cardstock right at the edge of the cutting blade or the border punch will not line up and your piece will be lop-sided!
2. Using the guide on the top of the Border Punch line up the pinking points perfectly to cut the sides. If you have difficulty getting them to come out correctly, try using the punch upside down so you can see from the bottom how the paper and metal line up. You may find it better one way or the other for you and you may switch back and forth depending on which size square you are working on.
I put my templates in the one of the 6” x 6” page protectors in the back of my Technique Album that my Technique Thursday class is working on. It is great to have them handy for deciding which one will work best on your project.
Here is a video from Stampin' Up for another perspective on these fabulous punches!
As promised yesterday, here is Jenni's Quilted Rag Bag. She says it is her last! She did not like sewing very much and says she won't be making any more, so this it! :o) Her's is very colorful - love it!
Wow! What a long, long weekend after a long, long week! First, the tax man came on Friday night which meant several days of catching up on paperwork and getting everything in order for him. Then I spent much of Friday helping Jenni to purchase her first brand new car. She is LOVING it and panicking at every little crumb that might get in it or bird that poops on it! :) Saturday, we had a great workshop at Brenda's. We left right from there to shop for fabric and then spent the evening cutting out fabric squares with my Big Shot and Scalloped Square Die as well as batting squares.
Today we had a quilting class to learn the proper quilting method for Quilted Scallop Square Rag Bags (first seen by Angie Juda). My sideline, Billi Parus, is a quilting instructor and offered to teach us how to make one. These are her directions with some notes I took at the class. Thanks, Billi!
It was a lot of work (I have not sewn in over 10 years and have never quilted), but I think it came out great! I will be making a Flowers Fold pin for the front and an On Board tag for it later, but I wanted to post a quick picture and update on my weekend project! Tomorrow, I will try to get Jenni to bring hers by for me to take a picture for you!
BLACK & WHITE SCALLOP SQUARE RAG BAG SUPPLIES:
Batting – (27) 3 3/4" Squares of black Quilters Dream Cotton Batting
Fabric – 1/4 yard each of 4 different fabrics - 27 Outside Squares and 27 Inside Squares
Tools – Big Shot, Scallop Square Clear Die (#115950, $21.95), sewing machine
QUICK DIRECTIONS: 1. Cut strips of 5" strips of fabric. Cut the strips into 5" squares. Then cut the squares with your Scallop Square Die running it through with approximately 6 squares (depending on fabric - I used cotton) at a time. Use a thin cardboard shim to get them to cut out completely.
2. To make your quilting sandwiches, lay down a fabric square of your lining fabric, wrong side up on the table. Dab the center with your glue stick. Lay down a square of batting in the center of the square. Dab the center of the wrong side of an outside square and put down onto the batting. Pin together.
3. Sew diagonally across the square, creating an "X". It saves a lot of time and thread if you chain sew these.
4. Lay your squares out in rows or 3, 3, 3, 7, 3, 3, 3 representing your bag. Using a 3/8" seam allowance, sew the squares together with the WRONG SIDES TOGETHER, so that the scallop edges are on the outside of the purse. Sew in this order, the 3 x 3 Side Panels, then side gusset - to bottom - to side gusset. Then sew the side panels to the bottom. Then sew the side gussets to the side panels.
5. For the HANDLES: Cut 2 piece of fabric to 4 1/2" x 28" (or length of your choosing) and 2 strips of fusible pellon to 1 1/2" x 28". Fuse the pellon to the center of the wrong side of your fabric. Fold and press one side over the pellon. Press a narrow hem on the opposite side and then fold and press that over the pellon. Stitch close to the fabric edge.
6. Insert the handle in the top of the outside front squares, being sure they are between the fabric and the batting. Pin.
7. Using a 1/2" seam allowance, stitch around the top edge of the purse. Stitch again where the handles are about 1/4" above your first stitching.
Jenni and I had a great time at Brenda's workshop today! This is one of the cards we made. Easy and cute. And you can never have enough Thank You cards! Sorry to be quick, but Jenni and I have tons of Scalloped Squares to cut out tonight for our Quilted Rag Bags we are making tomorrow. More on that later... Have a great weekend!
Card stock – Bashful Blue, Pixie Pink, So Saffron, Whisper White
Ink – Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue Classic, Markers
Ribbon – Bashful Blue 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain
Punches – Full Heart (#113693, $15.95), Scallop Circle (#109043, $15.95), 1” Circle (#104401, $15.95), Scallop Trim Border (#118402, FREE with $50 purchase)
Did you know that there are some products from the Holiday Mini Catalog that are still available? While some may seem seasonal, they are must haves all year long. I would not be without my Ornament Punch! Just check myPunch Art Categoryto see some of the great "all year round" creations you can make with it! And, of course, all the Big Shot products are sooooo multi-functional!
Here is the list of many of the products available for purchase. In addition, these products will be available in the next Idea Book & Catalog.
I have been watching everyone around me get the adorable new Sale-A-Brations box. However, so far it had eluded me. I just kept getting the same plain old boxes. But, finally I got to open my very own exciting box. And it WAS exciting! Lots of gorgeous new products I needed just in time for my workshop tomorrow. Thanks, Stampin' Up!
As I posted yesterday, I often see flowers when looking at punches. With all the flower punches we have, you would not think I needed to find more, but I just can't seem to help myself! I am always looking for a way to make more paper flowers. And I needed to find more pretty cards to make with the Bird Punch that I could show at my workshop on Saturday where we will be making my Rosebird Card!
Here is one of the many flowers I came up with using this punch. This one uses the wings from the XL Bird Punch as the flower petals. Simply being with the 1 1/4" punch piece and adhere the wings (petals) evenly around the circle. Add more layers of petals in between the first until you are happy with the results. Enjoy experimenting with your own paper flowers!
Card stock – Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery, So Saffon
Ink – Melon Mambo Classic
Punches – Extra Large Two-Step Bird (#117191, $15.95), 1 1/4" Circle (#104403, $15.95), 1” Circle (#104401, $15.95), Scallop Trim Border (#118402, FREE with $50 purchase), Scallop Trim Corner (#118870, $9.95)
As many of you know I love Punch Art! When I saw the new Two-Step Bird Punch, the gears started turning immediately. For some reason, I saw pinwheels when looking at the little bird. And flowers (okay I see flowers in most punches! LOL), stork bundles, wreaths, corals, etc... I will try and post several of my examples over the next week or so. I just love to find lots of uses for my punches - I make them work hard for the money! I hope you enjoy this very easy to make Pinwheel Card.
HAPPY PINWHEEL THOUGHTS SUPPLIES:
Stamp Sets – Whimsical Words (C #118386 - W #118386 FREE with $50 purchase)
We squeezed in a Family Fondue Night tonight! Yummy, yummy... and I love having everyone together! It doesn't happen very often with everyone working and going to school nights, so it's doubly nice.
Working my mojo today with the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge! I decided to use it for my swap cards at my upline's meeting tomorrow night as well. Two birds, one stone! I love these little paper flowers. I've been making lots of different ones lately. A call this one a Mum. A free tutorial for the Flower Mum is at the end of the post.
FLOWER MUM DIRECTIONS: 1. Punch at least 7 Scallop Circles. Sometimes I use 8 or 9 depending on the fullness you would like. I like to use two complementary shades. Distress edges with darker shade if desired.
2. Stack your Scallop Circles and mark the middle of the top one. Use the 1/8" side of your Crop-a-Dile to punch a hole in the middle of all 7 Scallop Circles at once.
3. Take each Scallop Circle and crumble, pinch, and or squish similar to the picture or in the manner you desire. You could also run the card stock through the Paper Crimper instead. Then unfold.
4. Stack the circles, alternating colors if you are using two shades. Put a brad through the center hole of the whole stack and secure the back.
5. Beginning with the top layer, pull the layer up around the brad as shown, while pinching and squishing it together. Be sure that the fullness is eased all the way around and not just in some spots.
6. Continue with each layer. The flower will get larger and larger.
7. When finished, it will look tight as shown.
8. Pull and stretch the layers out somewhat until you are happy with the results.
Variations:
Try using a larger brad in the center of your flower and let the layers open up or "relax" more for a completely different look.
Try the Faux Suede technique on the card stock after punching them out, but before assembling the pieces. This gives the flowers another distinctive look.
Hope you enjoy your flowers!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
VALENTINE CHOCOLATE TINS...
Another use for our Skinny Tins! These have retired from our product line, but they are still available in the Clearance Rack section of my website for only .99 cents! Be sure to get yours soon as they are available while supplies last only!
I made this sweet little gift for my hubby for Valentine's Day. Orignally I was planning to use Nuggets for the candy, but they were too thick for the tin. So I switched to Hershey Miniatures. His favorites are the Special Dark (that is why the foil is gold), so I picked out all of those for his chocolates. I can't wait to give it to him!
VALENTINES CHOCOLATE TIN SUPPLIES:
Stamp Sets – Sweetheart (C #120780, $15.95 - W #120415, $21.95), A Happy Heart (#111758, $22.95), I {Heart} Hearts (C #118571, $18.95 - W #117010, $26.95), Whimsical Words (C #118386 - W #118386 FREE with $50 purchase)
Card stock – Chocolate Chip Textured, Real Red Textured, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Sending Love Specialty DSP
Tools – Paper Cutter/Scorer, Crimper, Heat Tool, Big Shot, Scalloped Heart Of Hearts Stampin' Up! Embosslits Die (#117332, $11.95), Join in the Cheer Decorative Strip Die (#113452, $21.95)
Busy, busy weeks coming up! Even so, I decided to make up this Sweetheart Pop Valentines for my Bunco pals this week. This is the first batch I came up with. I had to make 12 in all. And they did fit and look so cute in my Flower Pot Longaberger Basket! These make great Valentine gifts and are easy to make. Enjoy!
Do you enjoy digital photography? Are you an avid blogger or Facebooker? Do you love computers and technology? Do you enjoy crafting using different mediums? Are you interested in earning extra money doing something you love? Or maybe you just want to get your stamping supplies at a discount?
Then Stampin' Up! has the perfect opportunity for you!
Make some extra income, plus get a discount on digital and traditional Stampin' Up! products by becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.
Need more incentive? During Sale-A-Bration, new recruits will get 15% off the price of the Starter Kit (Standard or Digital+), plus a FREE stamp set (valued up to $47.95) from the current catalogs!
Starter Kit
Regular Price
Sale-A-Bration Price (15% off)
Standard Starter Kit
$199
$169
Digital+ Starter Kit
$185
$157
With Stampin' Up!, starting your own business is easy! For just $185, you'll have everything you need to get started. Here's what you'll get in the Digital+ Starter Kit:
Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")*
Four Classic Stampin' Pads (Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise)*
Four Stampin' Write markers (Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red)*
Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon*
Real Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon*
Button Latte Designer buttons*
Stampin' Dimensionals
Mini Glue Dots
SNAIL Adhesive
Business supplies (product catalogs, order forms, training DVD and other supplies)
*You may choose an alternative selection for the items with an asterisk (*) to customize your kit to suit your tastes and needs.
BONUS from me personally: Sign up to become a demonstrator on my team and receive this package of products (over $100 value)
Contact me for more info today or if you would like to join online, just CLICK HERE and click on the join now button. You will need my password. It is mariestampsalot.
Join me for my Chocolate & Roses Opportunity Night on Tuesday, February 9 from 7 - 8 pm for Chocolate Fondue and an hour of information on becoming a demonstrator!
This is the personal blog of Marie Shaughnessy, an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.
The content of this blog is my sole responsibility as an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator and the use of, and content of the classes, services, or products offered on this blog are not endorsed by Stampin' Up!
