Happy Birthday, BFF!

I found another sketch challenge that I really liked.  I used the Best Friends Forever stamp set along with texts from the Elementary Elegance S-A-B set.  The papers are from the Everyday Enchantment DSP, along with coordinating ribbons and brads and a touch of pearls.

... a close-up:

I actually created 2 versions for this sketch challenge.  This one features the petite pocket die and the 2 tags die -- cut to fit inside the pocket.  There's a little message stamped on the tag inside the pocket.

...a close-up, showing the framelits I also used, along with the Fun Flowers die:

I spritzed both cards with my Frost White Shimmer Paint/alcohol mixture for some beautiful sparkle.
Here's the link to the sketch challenge I used.  Enjoy!

I hope you liked this challenge and will try one of your own.

BFF Card for Sketch Challenge

You're in for a bonus today --- I've made 2 posts!!!  I wanted to finish this card and get it entered into the challenge... because.....
I decided to try participating in another Sketch Challenge.  These are really fun and give your creativity a real boost!
For this card, I used the stamp set Best Friends Forever, Everyday Enchantment DSP, Lucky Limeade CS and In Color ribbons (Pool Party and Lucky Limeade).

After stamping the BFF with Lucky Limeade ink, I stamped off to create a light background stamp in the same color.  The hearts are Pool Party and Lucky Limeade.  I used one of our new framelits dies -- to create the focal piece.  Here's a close-up of it.

Here's the inside of the card.  I'll add a text and a message later. This card will be for my sweetheart, so the message is private:)

Here is a link to the Sketch Challenge and to see other examples of what you can do with it.
After seeing some of my creations for various sketch challenges, I hope you'll be inspired to try one of your own.

S-A-B Projects

I've been having a lot of fun creating projects with our Everyday Enchantment products from our S-A-B promotion.  These colors are sure to chase away the winter blahs!   They are so bright and cheerful, they just make me smile.
I decorated 2 of our cute little Kraft Gift Boxes (#124106) and made a couple of coordinating cards --- all with the Everyday Enchantment DSP, coordinating brads and ribbons from our current Sale-A-Bration promotion.  It's difficult to see it, but I added some of my Frost White Shimmer Paint/alcohol spritz over the card fronts and the flowers on the boxes.  I used the Fun Flowers die (#121812) to create the flowers on the top of each box.

Now is a great time to place orders, host workshops and/or sign up to become a part of my Stampin' Up! Team.  It all involves lots of extra free products for your creative enjoyment --- cards, projects and scrapbooking creations.  Check it out here!!!  You'll be glad you did!

Would you like to see what my daughter created using S-A-B with MDS?  Click here and enjoy!

Don't forget to sign up early for the February 18 Brunch Bunch class and create your own beautiful collage frame.  Check here for my class events.  Click here to see samples of some of my collage frames and read details about the class.  This is going to be a blast! 

Trying a Sketch Challenge

I'm becoming addicted to participating in some of the sketch challenges.  Here's what I came up with for the Paper Players Challenge:  'Use a floral image on your card.'

I used the Everyday Enchantment DSP, ribbons and brads from our S-A-B products.  I also used some buttons from the Bold Brights, the Boho Blossoms Punch, the Little Leaves Sizzlit and the stamp set Word Play.  The text is stamped and cut out with one of our new framelit dies.  The colors are Calypso Coral (ribbon and CS), Pool Party (scallop edge from the Tasteful Trim die) and Lucky Limeade.  Would you like to chase away the winter blahs?  Try this color combo and you'll love it!
Here's a close-up:

Here's the link to the Paper Players challenge.

February Classes...Collage Frames Sneak Peek

Who wouldn't like to make a collage frame with this kind of subject matter?  What a doll baby --- my sweet Olive Jane.

Check out my schedule below for my Collage Frames Brunch Bunch Class, along with lots of other stamping fun for February!

Here's the schedule for February classes and events:

February 1 - 29
Sale-A-Bration Continues / Earn free products by:

• Placing an order with me.
• Placing an online order through my website.
• Hosting a workshop with me.
• Signing up to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and joining my Team.

February 6
Hostess Scrapbook Club / 6:00-8:30
We'll make a layout featuring the Beau Chateau and/or S-A-B DSP (I'm still deciding:) + work on a ceramic tile project.
We'll also continue work on our mini album we started at our January crop.

February 9
Team Meeting / 10:00-Noon
We'll be making projects using some of our new products from S-A-B and the Occasions Mini.

February 13
Scraps and Prayers / 6:00-8:00
We'll continue our year-long project we started for scrapbooking our year, by creating a fun winter snow layout.  Everyone is welcome, so come and join us!

February 18
Brunch Bunch / 9:30-1:00
We'll enjoy a brunch and social time and then work on our featured project ---  
     COLLAGE FRAMES.

Here again is the frame I just finished for my studio, along with some close-ups.  This uses the new Sale-A-Bration papers --- Everyday Enchantment.  I've also used the coordinating ribbons and brads.  The stamp sets are:
Word Play, Letter It and Outlined Occasions.

I've used stamps, markers, punches, dies, brads, ribbons, DSP, rhinestones, framelits, and some embossing powder (for the letters).  I will have lots of products out and available for you to use to personalize your frame.

 Here's what you need to decide:

• Choose 1 of the 3 frame styles shown below --- first come / first served.
• Decide the 'theme' for your project --- a gift for a friend / a project to display in your own studio / whatever else you might decide to do with it.                              
• Suggestions:  birthday, wedding, Christmas, child's room or your favorite things, such as --- when I made the frames for my studio --- I included a sea star, a sand dollar, dragonflies, music, favorite card fronts (some made by close friends), hearts, reminders from my teaching days, watches, inspirational quotes and my first Stampin' Up! stamp (the mouse).
• Choose from my papers and stamps how you would like to decorate yours.  I'll have lots of supplies and stamps, punches and dies available for you to use while working on your framed project.

Here are the frame choices:
I'll reserve the frame you choose at the time you pay to register.

The first frame is 11 X 14" and has 8 sections you can decorate as you choose.  It can be turned any direction that you'd like to position your section openings for display.  This is the style I used in my studio.

The second frame is 8 X 18" and has 8 sections for you to decorate.  It, too, can be turned any direction that you'd like to position your section openings for display.

The third frame is 12 X 16" and has 4 sections to decorate.  It can be displayed horizontally or vertically.

Here are the frames I have in my studio -- showcasing some of my favorite things:

These 3 frames are the same size and style as the first one I showed you above.  You can see how I gave the middle one a different orientation than the other 2.  You have lots of choices how you can use them.

Your project can include artwork AND photos or just artwork --- your choice.

So... think about what you'd like to do for your project and give me a call or email.  Let's get you signed up for a super fun class.  Use this opportunity to not only have fun, but to create something to keep and enjoy for years to come.  It will be a great gift/keepsake for yourself or a special someone.

Meet our Fabulous New Framelits ..... and ..... How to Make a Little Trifold Card

Here's a cute little card, inspired by a fellow demonstrator, I made using our S-A-B products.

Here's how I did it:

Cut your DSP to 12 X 4."  You'll be able to make THREE cards from one sheet of DSP!

I used the 3 smallest of the 6 framelits.  For the front of the card, use the largest of these 3.  Center it completely on the 4" square card front by lining it up with the markings on your grid paper.  I held mine in place using a Post It note.
Tip:
When using the framelits, use your multipurpose platform along with both tabs.
Very important:
Place the side of the framelit down that has the thin, raised edge on it.  I like to use my oldest cutting plate under it because it does really cut into the plate.

Close your card with the card front on the top.  Carefully center the smallest framelit inside the opening you previously cut.  Gently raise the front of the card and position a Post It note onto the smallest framelit to hold it in place.

Open your card and run it through the Big Shot to cut this small opening into the back layer only.

Here's how the back opening will look.  You'll notice that now the front opening is covered over with a layer of Calypso Coral.  (Use a 4" square and trim it down slightly to make sure it allows the card to close completely.)

Here's how the front looks with the Calypso Coral attached inside.

Carefully center the middle sized framelit (of the 3 you're using) inside the front opening, as shown below.  Hold in place with a Post It note.

Here's how it will look after you run it through the Big Shot.  If you look carefully, you can see that it leaves a slight embossed edge inside the coral.  I really like that.  It just adds another element of texture.

Save all the pieces you've cut out.  You can use them on other projects.

The framelits are designed to mat inside each other.  They are fabulous.

Here's how I store my framelits.  I cut a piece of our magnetic sheets and placed it inside an empty clear mount stamp case.  It's adhesive backed, so it attaches instantly.  I lay the framelits onto the magnetic sheet with the raised cutting edge UP, so it's easier to pick them up.  You don't want to bend them!!!

I slip the instructions/label inside the front of the case.  I plan to decorate this a bit soon:)

I made each of the 3 card insides differently.  In this version, I attached a piece of Very Vanilla inside the entire middle section of the card.

You can also stamp and cut out a piece, using one of the framelits.

When I do this, I sometimes stamp several at one time so I can work ahead on future projects.

I used a sizzlit and the Boho Blossoms punch for the embellishments on the card fronts.

Here, again, is the first card.  As you can see, I used ribbon (Lucky Limeade) and some of the new pearls (Occasions Mini) to embellish the card further.  In the card below, both inside pieces are attached with dimensionals.

On this card, I pleated and attached the ribbon under the 'Hello' greeting.  I also sponged around the inside opening.
The 'Hello' is from the stamp set Elementary Elegance from our S-A-B collection.

This card uses Calypso Coral ribbon and several sizes of the pearls.  To get the shading in the coloring, I used different inks (Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade) with the Aqua Painter.

Here are more views of the cards partly opened.

...a few closer views:

As you can see, each card is slightly different on the inside.  For the one below, I sponged around the edges after I cut it out with the framelit.

...another view of the coloring:

The floral image is from the stamp set Bordering on Romance from our Occasions Mini.
For all 3 cards, I used the Everyday Enchantment DSP from our S-A-B promotion.  It is gorgeous.  It has coordinating ribbons and brads, too!

Here's a close-up of the coordinating brads.  Aren't they cute?

Be sure to check out our S-A-B promotion to see what YOU might like to earn for FREE.
You'll be glad you did!!!

There you have it.  A long and detailed tutorial for exactly how you can make some cute little trifold cards.   So... crank up your Big Shot, get out those framelits (or order some NOW) and try some of these fun little cards.  I think they could become addictive:)