STampin' Up! Delightful Decorations Gift Card Holder

I joined a gift card swap this month and had a ball making three different ones.  This is the first one I made.  It uses the Delightful Decorations stamp set.

Supplies:
Delightful Decorations Stamp Set (Item #116517 wood, 127787, clear)
Cherry Cobbler Card Stock (Item #119685)
Whisper White Card Stock (Item #100730)
DSP from the Be of Good Cheer pack (Item #126896)
Gumball Green Ink Pad(Item #126861)
Rhinestone (Item #119246)
Sticky Strip (Item #104294)

Cut Cardstock:
Cherry Cobbler
       1 X 7
       2 3/4 X 2 1/4
      11 X 4 1/4
Whisper White
       2 X 2 1/2
       4 X 2 3/4
DSP
      4 X 2 3/4

Score the 11 X 4 1/4 piece of Cherry Cobbler Card Stock at 3, 6, and 8 3/4 inches.  Cut the short (4 1/4") side (closest to the 8 3/4" mark) diagonally from about 1 1/2" from the bottom, up to the top of the score mark.  Apply sticky tape to the bottom of this one flap on the bottom and up the 1.5 inch side.  Fold and adhere to the center right section (between the 6 and 8 3/4 score marks.  This forms a pocket for the gift card.
Attach the 4 X 2 3/4 Whisper White Card Stock to the (now) center section, next to the gift card holder.  Stamp or sign with your greeting/message.
Fold the card.  Glue the DSP on the front of the card.
Stamp one of the Delightful Decorations stamps using Gumball Green ink, onto the 2 X 2 1/2 Whisper White piece of card stock.  Put a Rhinestone or other embellishment on the ornament.
Attach this to the 2 3/4 X 2 1/4 Cherry Cobbler mat.
Wrap the 1 X 7 Cherry Cobbler piece around the gift card and attach the ends with glue.  This should be able to slip on and off of the card.  Attach the ornament piece to the seam (to hide the seam) of the band.
I used the Jolly Bingo Bits (Item #120857 wood, 121187 clear) and a 1" circle punch (Item #119868) to decorate the inside as well as the More Merry Messages stamp set (Item # 126400 wood, 126402 clear) to stamp the message.
This is the quickest, easiest of the card holders I made for this swap.Using different DSP and colors of paper and ink can really give it a different look, too!
To purchase anything needed to make this project, please visit my web site below.
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/maierken/

August 2012 Little Debbies Downline Swap - Christmas Card

This month in the downline meeting I attend with Debbie Naylor's group, we did a Christmas card swap.  Mine was very simple.  I like it so much that I think it may be my Christmas card this year!

I also made this card in blue and will probably mix it up when making the 100 or so I will send out for the holidays!
This card is done in real red, and whisper white.  It uses the Flowering Flourishes stamp set from the 2012/2013 Stampin' Up! catalog as well as the Ornament Keepsake bundle (stamp set and big shot Framelits Dies.)
There are several layers, including the card base in real red, a layer of whisper white, another layer of red, and the final stamped on layer of whisper white which has the cut out ornament popped with a dimensional and decorated with a pearl in the center.
This is such a quick and easy card and the layers with the monochromatic details give the card a nice elegance.
It is quick and easy to make, and using different colors and different ornaments, you can make different looking cards that are in the same theme.  That way, making hundreds of them is not so tedious!
If you need to order any of the items, please visit my web site at click here.
In my next few blogs, I will post gift cards that I made for a swap.  They are all 3 different with very different looks.
Enjoy and keep stamping!

Frightening Feline Halloween Card

I have joined a monthly card swap which allows several different themes.  This month I chose the Halloween theme so that I could use my new stamp and DSP from the Stampin' Up! Holiday catalog.  At our downline meeting last night we were discussing the catalog and how many really nice stamps there are in the catalog!
You can check it out on my web site at: maierken.stampinup.net  Just click on Products and then Catalogs and you can check out the new catalog as well as the new holiday catalog.  They are fantastic!
On with my swap card....

I am still learning how to take proper pictures that will transfer well to the internet.  This card has a base of Basic Gray card stock.  The ribbon is stitched grossgrain basic gray.  Somehow they look blue in this picture!
I love the Halloween DSP in the Holiday catalog.  It is great for Halloween cards but can be used in making masculine birthday cards as well.  So, it will go over into the normal calendar year and be a useful product year round!  It is called Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP.  (Item # 126906 and is $10.95).
The cat is called Frightening Feline (Item #128105 and is $8.95).  I used Versamark and Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder for the cat (on black card stock).  The background is also tangerine tango.
I roughed up the edges and this would even look good with a textured background using the Big Shot!.
While you are at my site, go to the promotions section and scroll down to see the GREAT opportunity this month!  For the $99 fee to join my team, you will receive $125 worth of products (any products you choose!) as well as $60 MORE free products that have been put together in a Halloween stamping kit just for you! 
It is a GREAT MONTH to join Stampin' Up because the $99 you invest will get you $185 worth of product, will allow you discounts as a demonstrator, entry into the web site where you can learn all sorts of techniques, entry into a demonstrator web site where you can join swaps and make friends who are interested in stamping!  Also, if you are in the local area, you can join our meetings and have some really fun "me time".  Meet new friends, and learn new techniques in a fun environment.
If you are interested in running a business, you can use the product to make items to sell (use a Stampin' Up! stamp on the back to show you use the product), or you can hold workshops or sell to family and friends.
If you are interested in being just a hobbyist, that is ok, too!  You still have all of the benefits of being a demonstrator!
Have fun, and keep stampin'!

Swappers Anonymous Group - Swap Christmas Card

I am a member of Swappers Anonymous through Stampin' Up!'s Stampin' Connection.  We all love to swap to get new ideas and to see others' creativity.
One of the "girls" wanted to host her very first swap with the group since we would be patient with her during her learning curve. 
She had several categories, and each contained several stamps.  We will be trading, with one person doing cards from each stamp of that set.
I chose the Ornament Keepsakes set.  Below is my card.

This set is a lot of fun because it has several ornament stamps and the dies to cut them out can be purchased as a bundle, reducing the cost.  I used Raspberry Ripple and Gumball Green as the colors, using Old Olive to do the branches (using the pine tree from Lovely as a Tree stamp set).  Using Versamark and silver embossing powder, I made the tops a shiny silver.
I love Christmas cards and am glad we are back to the second half of the year when Christmas card stamping starts back up!
This week, at our downline meeting, we are also trading Christmas cards.  Tune in to see my monochromatic ornament card!  I think maybe that one will be my Christmas card this year!

July 2012 Challenge

Once again I joined the challenge at Simply Cindy Crafts this month. (click on Simply Cindy Crafts to see the design challenge). Here is the card I came up with:

The colors we were challenged to use were Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White.
I used a Whisper White card base and a Not Quite Navy mat.  The strip of paper is Riding Hood Red which has been run through the Big Shot using the Stripes embossing folder (it is hard to see on this picture).  The top mat is whisper white which I have used the Not Quite Navy and Riding Hood Red markers in the spritzer tool, then zig zagged the Dazzling Details over the top which caused the colors to smear and look more like fireworks.  You could also use regular glitter which would probably not cause as much smearing of the colors if you prefer just to have the dots of ink. 
I stamped CELEBRATE from the Seasonal Sayings stamp set (from the Holiday catalog), using markers to alternate colors of letters.  Then, cut it out in rectangle shape using the paper cutter.
The "stars" on the design challenge were made using Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, with Not Quite Navy brads in the center.  I really love these challenges.  They are so much fun and really help to stretch my imagination.  I was bound and determined to make stars using ribbon and stick to the July 4th theme.
Below is a supply list for this card.  If you would like to order, click HERE.

Card Stock:
Whisper White                100730
Not Quite Navy              101722
Riding Hood Red            111348

Markers:
Not Quite Navy              119701 (Regals set)
Riding Hood Red

Stamp Sets:
Seasonal Sayings           128006 (wood)  128009 (clear mount)


Accessories:
Regal Brad Set                                          119737
Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon               122988

Dazzling Details                                         124117
Spritzer Tool                                              107066

Big Shot Items:
Big Shot                                  113439
Stripe Embossing Folder          123128

Thanks for looking at my blog.  Come back each month to see my challenge cards.  I am also starting to do swaps which I will post on here as well!

Shoe Box Swap Card

Here is my card from our recent shoe box swap.  This type of event is the reason I joined Stampin' Up!  I really love the fellowship we have as a group.  There were 15 Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  Each brought a shoe box with a set up of 14 cards (identical) to make, as well as one already made as a demo.  We each picked a shoe box and made a card, then swapped boxes to make the next card.  We each walked away with 14 different cards and our own demo card.  Our display boards will look beautiful!
Most of us will make easy cards that could be used at a workshop.  Some of us put a few techniques in there to make things interesting. 
I had sat down just to play and made this card.  Once it was made, I fell in love with it and decided to use it for the swap.  It does take a little longer than a normal workshop card because it requires using the water color pen and hand cutting of the butterflies.  This could be used as a demo card at a workshop or with a stamp-a-stack of people you would like to introduce a new technique to.
I used the brand new Serene Silhouette stamp for the background.  You could use any solid image plant stamp.  Then I used the water color paper and stamped Kindness Matters butterflies in Staz-On.  Using the water color pen, I colored in the butterflies, starting with red in the center, then orange, yellow, green and finally tipped it with blue.  I picked two colors for the smaller butterflies.  Then cut them all out and popped them up with a piece of dimensional.  I used the Word Window and Modern Label punches to insert the words.
I roughed up the edges of the green mat piece.
I love the water color pen.  It gives such a nice look to the butterflies.
To order Stampin' Up! products used for this card, go to http://creativestampingwithkathy.blogspot.com

Different Cards, Same Template

In my previous blog, I posted my interpretation of a layout challenge.  If you go to the other site, you see how different each person's interpretation can be of the same layout and color scheme.
Today I am showing how you can use the same interpretation, but make cards that look very different.
The first card is a card I CASED.  It is almost exactly like the card that I found on the internet.  I found it a couple of months ago when we were allowed to pre-purchase the Summer Smooches items, and don't remember who I CASED it from, so I apologize for not having the originator's name here.

I decided to "flip" the card over, with the DSP on the bottom, added a label punch, and made it a Christmas Card.  You can see the results in the next picture.  I also used the Big Shot to emboss the blank top of the card, adding some dimension..  However, you can see I used the same basic lay-out.

Next, I used some cute animals to use the identical layout for the Christmas card and it has a completely different look!

As you can see, once you find a card lay-out you like, you can use it over and over but have very different cards!  So, if you are in a hurry you don't have to stress over finding a card to CASE, you can use a previous lay out, change the colors, stamps and words and you have a quick and easy card of a different style!

June Paper and Color Challenge

June Paper and Color Challenge

This month I participated in a challenge of one of my team-mates.  At Simply Cindy Crafts, a monthly challenge is posted if you are interested in either participating or seeing the results of the challenge, please visit her page (click on the highlighted name above).
The following was the challenge:

Create a card using the above diagram and colors. 
Here is my creation:

 

I used the Floral District DSP on top of Melon Mambo card base.  Woven into the DSP are Lucky Limeade and Daffodil Delight strips of card stock.  Pool Party paper is the base for the words (it looks blue in the picture, but it is the teal color of Pool Party), with the edges roughed up to give it texture, and pool party sponged over it to give it some dimension as well.  The Petite Pairs stamps were used for the words which were placed on one of the Four Frames stamps.  Flowers and leaves were stamped and then hand cut out from Language of Friendship stamp set. The Melon Mambo flower is centered with a daffodil delight brad.  The Pool Party flower has dazzling details in the center, and the daffodil delight flower has a center rhinestone.

I definitely like the real thing better than the picture, and will have to work on my photo techniques!

These challenges really excite me because they always seem to make me stretch my imagination and creative abilities. When I first look at the design and the colors, I think "there is no way I can put all of those colors together and make it look good.  I really struggled with using the Pool Party color in this scheme, but that turns out to be my favorite color - especially when I sponged the ink onto the paper...it really seemed to blend in and become a part of the project.

I have always been "crafty", but usually just good at  following directions, not coming up with my own ideas.

Over the months that I have done Stampin' Up!, I notice a big difference in my cards - both in those I CASE and those I create myself.  At times, I am very unhappy with something I create, but I walk away from it and come back to it several times, and usually end up figuring out what is missing.  

If you make something you don't like, step away and think about what it is you don't like.  Try to figure out what is missing by just leaving the area and coming back.  At times, it just jumps out at me what needs to be done to improve the piece.  Sometimes I ask my daughter, who is very artistic and has a good eye.  Having someone else look at your work and give you an honest opinion really can help - as long as you can take the criticism and they are willing to give you their HONEST opinion.

If you don't do challenges such as these, I suggest you give it a try!  They can be a lot of fun and you may even surprise yourself with what you can come up with!  It is also fun to see how others rise to the challenge.  Everyone's work turns out so different!

 

 

Business Builders' Swap

New Stampin' Up! Product

 This month our Business Builder group had a swap.  We each produced 3 different cards using only products that are new or will be carried over into the 2012/2013 catalog.  I am posting mine below.  I usually will find a card on the internet that I like and tweak it a little, using different colors, stamps, paper, etc.  This month I came up with my own cards without looking for inspiration from others.

The first is a simple Congratulations card.  I used DSP from the Floral District set as well as the new Layered Labels stamp and Apothecary Accents Framelit.  The rest is using existing product that will carry over.

The next card uses the Papaya Cottage stamp set.  The beautiful rose as well as the Comfort Cafe DSP I used and the Victoria ribbon give a Victorian/vintage look to the card.  The words also come from a new set called Memorable Moments.  This is a great set, because the Happy and the Birthday are both separate stamps.  There is also Anniversary as well as numbers that come with this set. You can mix and match and really customize your stamps.  Using it with the clear mount makes it really easy to line up the words and numbers. 

The third card is my favorite.  Although it is a little more work than the others, the results were well worth it.  I used markers to color the stamp which gave it a gradient look.  My daughter helped me pick out the paper color combination and the wording.  I think we make a fabulous team!

The next swap I am involved in is a shaker card.  I came up with it in the middle of the night...waking up with a "Eureka" moment.  I can't wait to share it with you after the trade in June.

Same Color Combination and Components Can Be Used To Make Different Looking Cards

When you create a card, your creation should not end there.  Just a few tweaks to the card can make it appear very different.  If you are a demonstrator, you are well aware of this because, despite the fact that you bring only specific colors or paper and ink to a private stamp-a-stack or workshop, if your class consists of young (or young at heart) people, each will create a different looking card.
Just changing the placement of items on a card, or the orientation of the card, can give the card a different look and feel. 
Also, changing the colors around will give you a different feel as well.

This card is designed with a blue and white color scheme using the new Betsy's Blossoms stamp set from Stampin' Up!  A 1 inch strip of embossed Whisper White card stock (using the Big Shot and the Polka Dot Embossing Folder) is used to give the card base some depth, and the card base was also embossed using the designer frames folder.  5 blossoms were stamped and cut out.  When stamping, I gently randomly wiped off some of the ink so the blossoms would not be "perfect", but would show some gradation in color.  I also placed a Rhinestone Basic Jewel in the center of each blossom.  This is a very simple, quick card to prepare. 

I took the same concept, but switched the colors around.  What was once dark blue is now white and what was once white is now dark blue.  In order to get the white, I used the white embossing powder and Versamark ink.  I have also moved the focal point to the top of the card.

Next, I stayed with the blue and white color combination but mixed it up a bit.  I also changed it to a landscape vs. portrait lay out. 
As you can see, one design can be slightly tweaked and present an entirely new look.  Using totally different colors will present very different cards as well.  We will look at that in a future blog.  Using the same design but a different stamp would make the second care a nice masculine birthday card. (Maybe I will remember to do that in a different blog as well!)
Remember, when you create a design, you can just use a little extra thought and re-create a very different look and feel to the card.

Gift Card Holder

This gift card holder can be put onto any card you make, making it very versatile and quick.  One sheet of 8 1/2 X 11 paper produces 3 holders.  Make all three when you need one and the other two will be ready for you when you need them.  You can use them on your hand made cards or even on store bought cards.

Supplies:

8 1/2 X 11 piece of card stock of your choice
Scoring tool
Cutting tool
Adhesive

Procedure:

Step 1

Cut an 8 1/2 X 11 piece of card stock into three 10 1/2 X 2 1/2 pieces.  Set 2 aside and repeat the following procedures on them as well.

Step 2

Score a piece of 10 1/2 X 2 1/2 piece of cardstock at the 3 1/2 and 7 inch points, then turn it 90 degrees and score at 1/2 inch along the long side.

Step 3

You should have 6 sections on your card stock.  Three larger and three smaller, narrow sections.  Cut out the two outer thin sections.

Step 4

Next you will cut the angles on the outer large sections.  Line up the card stock on a cutter so that it cuts from the bottom exterior corner (where the small piece was cut out) to the top edge at the 3 1/2 inch point where the score mark is.  Cut.  Then line up the exterior bottom right corner (where the small piece was cut out) and the outer edge at the 7 inch mark and cut.

Step 5

Fold up the center thin bottom section.

Step 6

Run a bead of glue, or use snail adhesive (what I did) along the bottom rim of the left triangle piece.  Fold so that it adheres to the folded up thin piece.  Do the same with the right triangle piece to finish the holder.

Step 7

Use adhesive to attach to the inside of a card.

Step 8



Insert Gift Card into holder and you are ready to send the card!

This is my first attempt at a pictorial tutorial.  Hopefully my picture taking skills will improve with time, but this is such a simple project that I am sure you will easily understand the steps!
I hope you enjoyed it and enjoy using the holder in the future!

Kathleen Kennedy (434)525-0294 maierken@yahoo.com I am attempting a new way of sending out mymonthly email newsletters, using the pre-made information from Stampin' Up! and adding some of my own information. Many Items Retiring!! This is the last month of the 2011/2012 catalog.  There are many retiring items, some of them are even discounted, so check out my site if you want to scoop up any retiring products or great deals!  CHECK OUT MY BLOG! Also, I have started a blog for my business.  If you are interested in following my blog, making suggestions, learning new techniques, etc., please go to my blog site:    http://creativestampingwithkathy.blogspot.com/ JOIN ME IN A STAMP-A-STACK!     There are many reasons to join in a stamp-a-stack - Learn how to craft with paper, enjoy the fellowship of other crafters, just use the time as "me" time, or come in order to take home cards to use in the future.  Also, if you don't have time to craft at home so don't want to purchase supplies but enjoy crafting, a stamp-a-stack is perfect for you.    If you are interested in my schedule, attending a class, having a workshop with your friends, having a stamp-a-stack with your friends, or attending a business meeting, please visit my Stampin' Up! web site by clicking on "visit my site" at the top of the newsletter.    In an attempt to introduce the product and the fun of crafting to as many people as I can, I am offering a 2 for 1 on all of the stamp-a-stacks held at my house.  Bring a friend and she/he gets in for free (or you can split the cost of the class and both get in for half price!)  Stamp-a-Stacks are $15 per person for 6 cards....or 4 cards and 4 3-D items.  This requires pre-registration and pre-payment to guarantee your spot is held.  It also requires that you bring your own adhesive, such as TomBow and/or snail adhesive.  If you don't have any, I will have some for you to purchase. ATTEND THE INTRODUCTION TO STAMPING CLASS Intro to stamping classes are free, with a quick introduction and a make-and take of a card and/or 3-d item.

Retiring Accessories

There were no extreme surprises for me on the Stampin' Up! accessory retirement list.  Probably the most disappointing for me is the fact that all of the grossgrain ribbon will no longer be available.  However, I am sure it will be replaced with something just as nice!  If you would like to order some before it is unavailable, you can do it at my web site. The card on the bottom has an example of this type of ribbon.  The stamp set used in this card, Fifth Avenue Floral, is also retiring so get it while supplies last, as well.  It is a wonderful set that comes with these flowers as well as a large rose and a lily.  The rest of the items used to make this card will be available in the next catalog.

Another retiring item I will miss is the pastel set.  I used pastels to color in the car in the top card.  Luckily, all items used to make this card except the words and the pastels will be available in the new catalog, including the stamp set Need for Speed.  It is a great set for teens - with the car, a jet, a boat and an ATV.  My son loves this set, and we are happy it will be around in order to make gift card holders for his friends' birthdays!
I highly suggest purchasing the pastel kit before it is sold out.  It allows subtle coloring of images, and you can be extremely creative and color skies, grass, etc. using a gradient of colors.  My daughter is very artistic and has created some beautiful scenes using the pastels.  I'm sure she will continue to use them for a long time!
Hurry and check out the retirement list, because many of the retiring accessories are discounted quite a bit.  If you like the Decor Elements or the Simply Adorned line, scoop up as many as you can before they are no longer available.

Out with the old...but never forgotten!

Retirement lists are out!  Stampin’ Up! released its retirement lists this week and it brings upon me a sense of sadness as well as anticipation.  Retirement of current stamps means introduction of brand new stamps!  Today I am focused on the retiring stamps because you can still buy them at Stampin’ Up while supplies last.  Some I will keep and use with fondness, such as Dasher.  My daughter loves the Furry Friends and Fox and Friends sets that are retiring.  They have such cute animals.  She will continue to use these on her creations, and I will take them to Girl Scout and child stamping events. 

Other retiring sets are good for masculine cards, and some are very elegant.  If you would like to see the list of retired items, click the words "retirement list" above.

The list of retiring accessories came out as well today.  I will try to post something about them tomorrow, but they can also be seen on the link above.  Some of these are even discounted, and who doesn’t like a sale?!  You have an opportunity to order some of the Summer Smooches items that are new this year, too.  You can also find information about them at the above link.  I definitely have my eye on some of the retiring items!  But, I am also really excited to see all of the new supplies which will soon become some of my “favorites!” 

My first blog - "Quilted" Card

I am both excited and terrified!  This is the first blog I have ever created, and my first blog entry.  First, I want to thank you for viewing my blog!  Next, I want to invite you to give me ideas or let me know about anything you would like to learn regarding stamping or other paper crafts!

This month I participated in a Paper Design Challenge to create a quilted card.  I first created the quilt pieces by cutting 1/8 inch strips of Stampin’ Up! Summer  Smooches Designer Series Paper.  I assembled the herringbone design on top of a 4 X 5 ¼ inch piece of white card stock (you can find the herringbone technique demonstrated here) and then ran the piece through the Big Shot using the Finial Press embossing folder.   This layer was attached to a Stampin’ Up! Real Red card base.  

Using  the  Framelets Label Collection and the Big Shot, I cut a piece of Daffodil Delight cardstock and a piece of Whisper White cardstock, using one size smaller for the white.  I stamped my image on the white piece using Stampin’ Up!’s  new Bright Blossoms stamp set (and, of course, the Stamp-a-ma-jig to center it) and lightly sponged yellow over the  entire white surface.   A bow made from Daffodil Delight Taffeta ribbon,  as well as red and yellow buttons from our  Designer Buttons  collection really help to accent the piece.     

         

I hope you enjoyed learning how to make this card as much as I enjoyed creating it!  Try your hand at the challenge!  Find a quilt block you would like to duplicate and create your own note or greeting card.  Send it to me so I can share your creativity with others!

If you would like to reproduce this card, everything you need can be found on my Stampin' Up! Demonstrator web site.  
The DSP and stamp set will be available in June as part of our new catalog, but you will find many other DSPs and stamp sets that can create a similar look.