Clean and Simple ... AND ... Simply Fun!

Today's post is for busy stampers who still want to make fun projects.  You don't always have time to make a card with tons of layers, textures and embellishments.  There is quite a trend now for clean and simple cards.  Check these out:

By the way, my mummy really likes this one!

This card features a monochromatic color story, multiple images and one image that is cut and popped up on dimensionals.  Of course, he is the one who gets to have the googlie eye, too.

Another way to have a great look is to stamp partial images in the background, stamp and punch out additional images to create a 3-D look and perhaps add a touch of ribbon.  Could these be any cuter?

Now, let's take 1 more cut, 3-D image and add a sponged background as we transition into another way to add a great look to a clean and simple card --- sponging:

By sponging a circular area (masked off) and stamping a butterfly in the center, you create a beautiful look for mounting a 3-D butterfly over it.  Keep the sponging light and let your butterfly be the center of attention.

Here's another take on using sponging:

I've used a framelit to create a mask on the above card on the right.  After doing the sponging, I then stamped the sentiment right in the middle of it.  To make the card more special, add a stamped, cut image - such as my little tea cup.  I punched a tiny flower to add to the tea cup and placed a teeny tiny pearl in the center of the flower.  A sprig of ribbon finishes up the card in great style.

As if I don't have enough stamps, I sometimes use my acrylic blocks as stamps!

In this card, I created lots of layers, but did it all with ink.  The acrylic blocks were used as background layer stamps.  This collage look is a very hot trend now.

And... last but not least ...
You can add a lot to a card by using a technique called 'stamping off.'  This creates a new shade of the ink color you're using and it can be very beautiful.  The card on the left features a stamped and cut image (popped up on dimensionals) and placed over the ribbon.  The card on the right is simple and elegant because of the images used.

So, if you are a busy person who loves to stamp, try some clean and simple cards.  They're the latest hot trend and they're a lot of fun.  To save even more time, I use our pre-cut and pre-scored note cards.  They are ready to fold and come with their own envelope.

Here's the great news:
I feature these kind of cards in my Friday 3-4-5 classes.  So, if you think these are just what you need, come and join us.  The next Friday 3-4-5 class will be Friday, November 9.  Come and stamp for an hour and make 3 cards for just $5.00.  You'll get home in time to enjoy family time as you start your busy weekend.  Need more cards?  Stay longer and create 6 cards for $10. or 9 cards for $15.  I hope you'll give it a try!  Check out my class schedule for complete details.  By the way, some of these kits will be available at the Nov. 9 class.  I'll have a sneak peek soon of some of the other card kits that will be available for that class.  Come back and check it out!

A Box of Tags... or Whatever you'd like to put in it...

Today, I'd like to share a simple tutorial with you for how to make this cute little box.

It's a nice size and can hold tags, as shown, or any little gift you'd like to put in it, even candy:)

Here's how you do it:

Step by step:

• Cut CS to 8 1/4 X 5 1/2" --- so you can get 2 boxes out of 1 sheet of CS.
• Score at 1/4", 3 1/2", 4 1/4", and 7 1/2".
• Turn and score at 3/4".  (This is the bottom score line.)
• Cut away tiny corner on bottom , as shown in above photo.
• Cut in a little on each of the tabs --- bottom middle, and bottom right, as shown.
• You can emboss and or decorate your box now while it's still flat.
• Fold along all score lines (shown in photo as dotted lines).
• Attach sides and then bottom, using Liquid Tombow adhesive.
• Add any final embellishments that you'd like to add.

Here's a version for Halloween, along with a coordinating card.  After I uploaded the photos, I realized that I'd forgotten the googlie eye for my mummy, so I've added it now and you'll be happy to know that he can see again.

I hope you've enjoyed today's tutorial.  I had it all ready to go yesterday or it wouldn't have made it today at all.  My father-in-law died late last night and we will be making arrangements for his memorial service today.  He lived to be 93.  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers and have a good day.

Spooktacular News!

Here's the latest news from Stampin' Up! --- get ready for an exciting week!  We'll be having free digital downloads all week AND... Nearly every stamp set we have will be on sale --- TODAY ONLY --- for 15% off!!!  Don't miss out on a super exciting day to kick off a super exciting week!

Another Fun Fall Card

Here's a super quick and easy card to make for fall.  It features one of my favorite color combos --- crumb cake and cherry cobbler.  

I did use a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, to align my apples.  After stamping a row of apples across the card, I stamped 1 more apple onto Very Vanilla CS and then cut it out using the framelits.  I attached it with dimensionals, to create the perfect accent for my cute little card.  A 'sprig' of Cherry Cobbler seam binding finished it up in no time at all.

Step it up:
Want to make a stepped up version of this card?
Stamp the front just as I did, but do it on a 4 X 5 1/4" piece of Crumb Cake CS.  Attach it with dimensionals to the front of a Cherry Cobbler card base.  You'll have the same effect but just a bit stepped up.  Try it and see!

Special news:

This is a week that you'll want to check my blog every day for sure --- to see what's going on with Stampin' Up! news.  We'll have free digital downloads all week + 50% off all digital kits!  Also, tomorrow, Stampin' Up! is having a ONE DAY ONLY SUPER SALE.  Nearly every stamp we have will be 15% off --- even the cookie stamps!!!

Click here go to my website to shop and you'll find more bargains than you could ever imagine.

Here's What We Did...

Here are the cards we made at my Touch of Christmas class, from Oct. 19.  We enjoyed a variety of stamp sets, layers, textures, embellishments and yummy colors.  If you missed the class and still want to make cards and projects for Christmas, check out my schedule for these dates --- Nov. 16, Nov. 29, and Dec. 14. 

Here's a close-up of one of my favorites.  Envelopes are included in all my classes, so you can stamp coordinating envelopes for your cards.

We also made projects for Christmas.   Here's one of my favorites.
This cute little box was made with the Fancy Favor Box die and a flocked window sheet (from our Candlelight Christmas Specialty Papers).  It is filled with treats and has cute little pennant flags popping out of it. 

Here's another project we made that was super fun.  I have gift boxes and note cards left and a couple of the tea bag holders, in case you missed out on these.

I have enough of these left that the kits will be available as an additional project choice at the More Christmas, Please class.  We'll have 5 new cards and 5 new projects + a few odds and ends, in case you missed something.  You'll get to choose any 10 items that you'd like to make.  Time and materials remaining, you may purchase additional kits at $2.00 each.  You may even wish to stock up on a few to make later at home.  I hope you'll come and join in on the fun at one of my next classes.

In a hurry but still want to stamp?  Try one of my Friday 3-4-5 classes or the Cards and Prayers classes.  You'll be glad you did!

...and now... more projects!

Here are the projects I've made (for the More Christmas, Please class) that I promised to share with you today.  These were so much fun to make.

These projects are quick and easy to create and can easily coordinate with the cards I've been sharing with you.

Before I show you a close-up of each project, be sure you read all the way to the end of my post today.  I have a big news flash at the end that you won't want to miss!!!

The first project is for little gifts that you want to give in pretty packaging, but don't know how to wrap them.  You could, of course, put candy treats in them, too.  Remember the angel card from yesterday?  This has the same gold embossed edges as the card.  They would look gorgeous together.

Here's a fun way to treat a friend or loved one to some sweets --- an embossed treat bag.  This would coordinate well with yesterday's snowman card, too.

These are some of my favorite projects.  I used the Scentsational Season stamp set and coordinating framelits to create the tags.  The treat holders are made using the Petite Pocket die.  I used a jumbo wheel to decorate the outside of the treat holder and 'tied it up' with some of our gorgeous yarn.  If you choose this project, your hardest job will be deciding if you want to use red or green / gingerbread man or Christmas tree:)  These would coordinate well with lots of the cards I've been sharing with you (and more to come) because I've been using a lot of Cherry Cobbler and Gumball Green this year.

I love how this little box turned out.  I learned how to make this at the Stampin' Up! Regionals in Chattanooga.  The box is made using the 2 Tags die.  I used the other tag to make actual tags to go into the box.   This would coordinate well with the evergreen tree card I shared with you yesterday.

I cut and scored the CS for this cute little box and the, after embossing it, I added some of our printed tags.  They are already designed for you, so I just added a 'to/from' stamp on them, punched a hole and added some of our fun yarn trim.  I used the silver glimmer paper and Snow Flurry die to help decorate the box.  Again, this would look great with the snowman card and lots of the Cherry Cobbler cards I've been making.

So there you have it... 5 more projects to get you going for Christmas.  I hope you enjoyed these.  Come back soon for more creative stamping and paper crafting ideas to inspire you.  I'm on a roll, getting ready for Christmas!

Look What I've Been Making!

I've been having so much fun getting ready for the Holiday season.  I love, love, love making cards and projects for Christmas!  Today, I'm going to show you 5 cards.  Would you like to know a secret?  We'll be making all of these cards at my More Christmas, Please class on Nov. 16.  Want to see? 

These cards all have extra layers and embellishments, and rich textures from embossing --- dry embossing and heat embossing.  I tried to use a variety of colors, too --- artichoke, cherry cobbler, island indigo, crumb cake and burgundy!

Here are some close-ups of the cards.  Remember this first one?  It was designed by Lynn, one of my downline members.

This one is quite 3-D and uses some of our specialty papers.

This one also uses some of our specialty papers, along with a special concoction of mine --- a mixture of white and Iridescent Ice EP.

This one has a layer of dry embossing, as well as layers using the framelits.

I made up a special technique for this card and the envelope, giving it a brushed gold edging.

I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek.

But wait... there's more...

Tomorrow, I will share with you what the projects are for the More Christmas, Please class.  I can't wait to show you.  I have tags and treats and lots of fun.  See you soon!

Tea Bag Holder Tutorial

Today, I have a tutorial for you so you can make your own tea bag holder.  They are quick, fun and easy!  What more could you want?

Here are 3 versions of them.  I used the sheet of squares from the Snow Festival DSP (Holiday catalog) and cut them up for lots of covers for the tea bag holders.  I added bits of bling using the Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details.  I finished them off with a 'sprig' of Cherry Cobbler seam binding.

Here's how you do it:

Step by step:

• Start with a 3 1/2 X 11" piece of CS.
• Score at 3 1/2" ... 4" ... and 7 1/2", using the Simply Scored tool.
• Score diagonally from  7 1/2" to outer, bottom right corner (using Diagonal Scoring Plate).
• Cut off top right corner, as shown in above diagrams.
• Fold on all score lines.
• Run a thin line of Liquid Tombow adhesive along bottom right section.
• Fold that section in to form a pocket to hold your treat.  Hold a few seconds, to allow the glue to set.
• Decorate to your heart's content.  Enjoy!

Here's a look at the inside.  You could decorate the inside too, if you wish.  I kept this one super simple.

I told you it was easy!  Now, let's think of more things that you could place inside the holder other than a tea bag:

• coffee mix
• cocoa mix
• chocolate square
• mini note card
• gift card
• your ideas...

I'm off to work in my studio today --- all day.  How glorious!  I'm putting together creations for all of my upcoming Holiday classes.  I'm having so much fun doing it.  I hope you'll join us for lots of Holiday stamping!  Here's a peek at what's coming in November.  You'll notice that I added a new class --- 15 cards (3 each of 5 designs) on Nov. 29.  So... don't panic that you don't have enough cards to send.  We'll fix you up in no time.