Christmas tags

Here are some Christmas tags we did recently using all kinds of punches.
This is not my original idea but I think I got it from Stampin' UP
they were designed by Mercedes Weber and altered slightly by me (of course)
The colors are Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Riding hood Red, close to cocoa, chocolate chip, Pumpkin pie, black, Blush blossom and for the penguin's scarf Bella Blooms? dsp.
I used a sizzix die in my cuttle bug to make the tags.

Hint - all small pieces were attached with liquid glue, place a dot of glue where you want it and use the tip of your scissors or a paper piercer to move the tiny dot into place

I made Rudolph into a topper for a bag.
I used the new large oval punch, boho blossoms punch, 1/2 inch circle, a standard hole punch, and 1/4 inch circle, boho blossoms punch, and large oval and 3/4 inch circle for the antlers.

Frosty used a 1 1/4" square, word window, 1 3/8"circle, double circle, large star (one point only) and the boho blossoms punch for the holly
hint- glue the leaves on first and then add the berries.

Three flowers or Boho blossoms works too, 1 3/8 circle punch, 1/2 " circle, word window, double circle, standard hole punch, scalloped square cut in half, pink for nose and cheeks using eraser.
Glitter as desired.

1 3/8" circle, older large and small ovals, 1" circle, Boho blossoms, double circle.

Can't leave well enough alone

As I typed this title I realize that this saying probably reveals my age because I don't think it's used much any more.


While I was making these cards according this tutorial
I realized that I had two issues with the design of the card.
#1 I really like a card to "fit well" in the envelope (same general size and shape)
and #2 there is no place to write on the card.
Also I guess a sort of #3 is that I really like to enjoy both sides of double sided paper.

So... although many love these cards I "couldn't leave well enough alone"
I mounted my folded paper on a piece of cardstock 5 5/8 square
I attached the corners that are cut off and put a piece of coordinating cardstock
underneath the spring part to write a note to the recipient.

I realize these are not huge changes but they made me happy!
The stacked cupcakes have sparkles on the frosting and on the single cupcake
I added crystal effects to give it a cool glossy raised surface.

This last one is so much cooler in person.
The whole tree layer is covered in glitter.
If you enlarge the picture you can see it better.
I also realized that I don't have a sentiment on here...Oops

Details on how to do this one in class Nov. 20
Oh yea, I figured out a way to fold it with no measuring or scoring!

Wanna Swap?

Are you in need of cards?
Swap with us.
We need at least one more person for this month's swap.
Make 10 of the same card and swap the out with others who have done the same thing.
Here are the cards we have so far:

We need to have them by the middle of next week. I would love to help you!
Just for fun I am going to pick a random person who leaves a comment on this post to get a full set of swap cards. (With the amount of comments I've gotten so far you have a really good chance to win.) Let me know if you want to swap with us!

World Cardmaking Day

Well, I'm almost a week late for this one but at least my homework got done! This past Saturday was world cardmaking day and Stampin' UP is excited to celebrate this holiday the week of October 4-11. During this week, we are offering 20 percent off Simply Sent card kits and Simply Sent Card Elements. It's not too late - sorry I was slow.
The first picture is the three cards suggested to be made with Rock Star Simply Sent Card Elements and the second picture is an additional 9 different cards I made with the rest of the stuff. I even had a little left over. It's a great way to put together some quick cute cards.

Wrapping it up!

It's the time of year for all kinds of treats all wrapped up in fun packaging! I got this great bag idea from Allison Ohran's blog. I altered the instructions a little and cut off an inch from the DSP (the 6 inch side) scalloped it and put it on the bottom of the bag instead of cardstock. I also changed the box base a little bit. Quick easy and so cute! Thanks Allison!
Here is a matching sour cream container. You can use them for Birthday or shower favors, fill it with Halloween treats, lists of things your thankful for and put them on your Thanksgiving table or do a countdown to Christmas opening one each day. So dust off your crimper and get going!

One of my favorite gifts is a gift card. Here's a great way to spice up the gift everyone loves to get!


And don't forget to add a little spice to that plain jane paper bag. You can quickly and easily decorate an inexpensive bag for any occasion and then watch it get passed around - they're too cute to throw away!

We'll be doing this class on Thursday October 16 from 12:30 to 3:00. If you can't join us then, contact me and I can schedule a class for you and your friends at your convenience. Be sure and reserve a spot.

Punched Pumpkins

It's October 1st. I guess I need to let go of summer and embrace fall. I have been seeing punched pumpkins on splitcoast for sometime and finally decided to try it. What do you think?

Paper: Pumpkin pie (of course), Old olive.
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Old olive, Chocolate chip
Stamps: Baroque Motifs & Fresh Cuts
Other: Small and large oval punches, 1 1/4 circle punch, Chocolate chip taffeta ribbon. chocolate chip poly twill ribbon and sponge daubers

It Started with Frankie

I cased this from my uplines' convention swap, I wish I knew who to give credit to. It's made almost all from punches. The colors are Kiwi Kiss and Perfect Plum. I couldn't stop there though. I needed a friend for him. I did a search on splitcoast and found this vampire, tweaked it a little and came up with this:
Edward would be proud. But I started to feel a little sexist and besides, three makes a better set. The witch took some work to get her to look right but here she is:

At this point I was pretty much done but then I remembered seeing a mummy and decided to see if I could make just one more:

Poor Karen Brown, she needed five cards so she could have one for each of her grandkids. We didn't want to exclude those who prefer Jacob over Edward so:
Here's our werewolf.
We will be doing these cards on October 2nd from 12:30 to 2:00
Let me know if I can reserve one (or a few) for you!

Pinwheel spinner tutorial

In addition to your basic card supplies you will need the word window punch, 1/4 inch circle punch, stampin' dimensionals, and two pennies. Decorate the part the spinner will attach to. I found that 5 1/2 x 2 1/2 is a good size.

Measure about 1 inch from the left edge, push the punch all the way up and punch.
slide the punch about 1 inch from the right side and punch again.
This should leave you with a smooth track for the spinner to roll on. If there are rough edges in the middle you can punch once more to remove them.
Now for the pinwheel. Cut a 1 1/2 inch square from coordinating decorative paper
Fold on the diagonal and crease near the points but not the middle.
This will give you cutting lines.
Do this on all four corners.
Clip on your fold line but leave the center untouched.
On each side fold alternating corners to the middle to form your pinwheel.
Adhere a coordinating punched cardstock circle in the middle
of your pinwheel to hold it together.
Turn your pinwheel (or punched circle, flower or whatever you want spinning) over and firmly attach a penny, and then a stampin' dimensional.
With your spinner face down place the spinner track over the stampin' dimensional on the back of your penny. Remove the protective layer and attach another penny on top.
Add six more dimensionals as shown.
Now is the time to get spinning. You may have to turn the pinwheel by hand the first few times to round off the corners on the dimensional but it soon should be spinning freely when you tip it.
Remove the protective layers on the dimensionals and attach it to your card.
Spin away! If it does not spin freely your card base may be rubbing on the penny. Place something flat and straight between the layers (like the blades of scissors or a butter knife) and gently twist slightly to separate the base from the penny. It should work great!

Peek at cards we are doing today

I know it's not winter yet but... Christmas is just around the corner
Stamps: Snow Swirled
Ink: White Stazon
Paper: Heavy wt. acetate, Bashful blue

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Girl birthday spinner
Click here for spinner card tutorial.
Now that we have the word window punch you use it to create the opening for the spinner. Punch one side, then the other and use it to trim up the middle. I also adhere the penny to whatever is going to spin, put a dimensional in the middle, place it in the window and then attach the penny on the other side. You may have to roll it a few times by hand to round off the corners of the dimensional. Get it rolling well before you attach it to the card.

Maybe I'll post my own updated tutorial...

Paper: Riding Hood Red or Regal Rose, So saffron, Old olive
Washington apple or Georgia peach DSP
Accessories: 2 pennies per card, stampin dimensionals,
Word window punch

All simple, quick and fun!

Possible cards for class this week

Masculine Birthday
Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Happy Everything,
Paper and Ink: Old olive, Kiwi Kiss and chocolate chip.
Pewter brads, sponges

Warm wishes pop up
Stamps: Perfect petals, background basics
Paper colors: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Summer Sun, Yo yo Yellow, Creamy Carmel
Ink colors: Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Creamy Carmel, Yo yo Yellow, Summer Sun
Accessories: Scallop punch, 1 1/4 " circle punch, corner rounder, word window punch,
pacific point striped ribbon, sticky tape.
Click here for a tutorial.

Celebrate daisy
Stamps: Inspired by Nature, curvy Verses
Paper: Pirouette Pink
Ink: Craft white, Kiwi kiss, Old olive, Pirouette Pink,
Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate chip.
Accessories: Small oval punch, Chocolate chip marker, Old Olive narrow grosgrain ribbon,
Sterling silver hodgepodge hardware, sponge

Long Pocket silhouettes
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Canvas
Paper: So Saffron, Old Olive, Whisper White, More Mustard
Ink Colors: White craft, Chocolate chip, Close to Cocoa, versamark
Accessories: Stylized silver hodgepodge hardware, Scallop circle punch
stampin dimensionals. Note: fits legal size envp. (8x4)

Upsy Daisy
Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Paper colors: Pirouette Pink, Whisper white, Riding Hood Red
Ink colors: Pirouette Pink, Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red
Accessories: New large circle punch, large eyelet, Pink narrow grosgrain ribbon, Cropodile, sponge dauber
Eastern Booms Thank You
Stamps: Eastern Bloom
Paper: Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss
Ink colors: Baja Breeze, White craft, Versamark, Chocolate chip
Accessories: Trio flower punch, Pretty's kit, stampin dimensionals,
chocolate chip narrow grosgrain ribbon, crystal effects.
Happiness Always pop up
Click here for tutorial
Stamps: Happiness Always, Happy everything
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White
Ink colors: All the New In colors plus Chocolate chip
Accessories: Scallop punch, sticky strip, Chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon