Here is the outside of the Clear Mount Stamp Case and the white gift bag.  I used Melon Mambo cardstock for the tags and White Taffeta Ribbon.  I also used either Pumpkin Pie or Basic Black cardstock for the accents, depending on the Flirtatious DSP print.  I punched the Eyelet Border Punch along the White White layered edge of the reverse DSP print on the front of the cases.  That punch is another item that I'm sad is going away at the end of May (or while supplies last!)  Better place your order NOW for it!  On the card case, I used one of the Melon Mambo Doilies…I just cut it apart from the sheet and placed the Monogram on top of it.  There is Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon along the spine of the case, and I attached a Trinket Key (on the retired list!) with some White Baker's Twine!

Oh, after I had taken the picture, I did go back and add a Boho Blossom white punched flower next to the monogram on the bag tag…with a little Melon Mambo Mini Brad in the center for some extra bling!  It just dressed up the tag a little more.  My husband grabbed them before I could re-take the photos!

And here is one opened up with six cards and decorated envelopes.

For the cards, I used Melon Mambo cardstock for the card bases.  I ran Whisper White layer thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folders.  Added the Designer Paper with a strip of Melon Mambo layer at the top, wrapped around some White Taffeta Ribbon and adhered on the front.  I added the 1 1/4" Circle Monogram on the Scallop Circle Punch, and a little Rhinestone for some bling.  I also decorated the envelopes with a little leftover strip of Designer Paper.

Doesn't that make a nice gift!  Love how easy they are to make!

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Wow…it is time for the monthly Tour de Freaks, brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers!  We have a short, but sweet tour for you this time with 10 stops!  We are featuring the Summer Smooches line of products which is Stampin' Up's sneak peek special for April!  You've probably just come from Lisa Martz wonderful blog, weren't her projects awesome?  Love them!  If you have arrived here prior to April 20th, please note that not all our links may be working yet.

My first card is kind of a nod at the weather around here lately…it has been WINDY!  Perfect kite flying weather!  I was inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest and knew I could recreate it using Stampin' Up! products!  I used the wonderful, colorful Summer Smooches Designer Paper along with the Send Me Soaring stamp set.  The base of the card is Daffodil Delight and I layered on Whisper White.  I cut three narrow strips of patterns from Summer Smooches DSP and cut the ends off at different lengths and angles.  I stamped the clouds on a scrap piece of Whisper White with Pacific Point, then cut out around most of it…leaving the center piece to keep them joined together.  I stamped the kite with Basic Black on Daffodil Delight and cut it out, then popped it over the center connecting piece of the clouds.  I added a Rhinestone Jewel in the center.  I stamped the tail of the kite on scrap Whisper White with Real Red and cut it out, then adhered it to the base of the kite.  Finally I stamped, "hope everything looks up soon!" from Send Me Soaring stamp set in Real Red.

My second card, I used the same basic idea of paper ribbons, but flipped the orientation and used the flower stamp from Bright Blossoms Stamp Set available as a sneak peek this month.  Isn't it amazing how different it looks?  The base of the card is Real Red.  The flower is stamped in Real Red and Lucky Limeade, then cut with the smallest Label Framelit and layered on the next largest size Label of Daffodil Delight.  I added some pearls on each size to dress up the card.  The paper ribbons were cut 3/4" wide.  Finally, the greeting is from Happiest Birthday Wishes, a hostess only stamp set that I will GREATLY miss when it leaves at the end of May!

I finally cracked open my Purse Die to use.  I literally woke up at 4:00 AM the other night with this idea!  I almost got out of bed to make them because I couldn't go back to sleep!  I thought I could turn the purse die into little boxes for Him and Her!  I used the Summer Smooches Designer Paper again for both of them!  I hand cut the little Peter Pan collar on the girls' red polka dot box and adhered it on top of the lid and secured it with the tab the same way as the purse.  I added a black strip of cardstock down the center front, then added Rhinestone Jewels down the front and a 1/8" Basic Black bow for the collar!  The man's box I hand cut a collar, cut away the center and hand-cut a brown tie to hang down the front of the box.  The collar/tie is just adhered at the top of the lid.  I did have to cut away part of the curve of the purse lid so that it didn't show below the collar, but the tab fits in the same way to close it.  I added two clear round Bitty buttons to look like the button down collar!  It was TOO fun to make!  lol!

So, I hope you liked my projects…leave me a comment and let me know!  I love hearing from you.  And, next stop on the tour is Yvette Ashe…see her amazing projects and continue around on the tour!  Thanks for stopping by!

I like to make little favors to put in my monthly Stamp Club order bags.  I don't do it EVERY month, but I do try to hit the holidays at least!  I so appreciate the fact that they support my business…and have become wonderful friends!  Hi gals!!!

Here is what I did this month to celebrate Easter.  I saw the Mixed Bunch flower punched with the Extra Large Oval to make pretty decorated Easter Eggs.  And, the hostess only designer paper, Cheerful Treat, has perfect Easter colors!  Then, since I have a TON of Melon Mambo cardstock left over from doing wedding invitations, I used that as my base color.  I think they turned out SO cute!

The base of the candy holder is cut with the largest size Label Framelit.  I scored two lines 3/4" apart in the center area to hold the candy in place.  I wrapped it around the candy and held it together with a Sale-A-Bration brad (hope you got some of those yourself!)  I added the strip of Cheerful Treat Designer Paper along the front.  Then stamped the Mixed Bunch filigree flower in Crushed Concord and punched with the Extra Large Oval, I added a pearl in the center.  I added it to the front with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Finally, I stamped Happy Easter from Delightful Dozen in Crushed Concord.

Here they are all lined up and ready to put in bags!  Inside is a yummy Caramel filled Chocolate Egg!

Hope you have a WONDERFUL and blessed Easter!

CHECK OUT MY BUY ONE – GET ONE 50% OFF SALE ON RETIRED SETS – CLICK HERE!!!

It's time!  TIme for the monthly Tour de Freaks!  You are in for a treat..our theme this month is The Cutting Edge….using Dies in the Big Shot…all the Control Freak Swappers are using the Big Shot to bring you some FABULOUS projects on this tour!   I'm sure you will enjoy them all!   You've probably just come from Yvette Ashe's blog…weren't her projects wonderful?  If you are arriving here prior to February 20th, please note that not all links may be working yet.

My first Big Shot card is an adaption of one that I took to Leadership with me for swap cards.  It uses the Fashionable Hearts Embosslit (one of my FAV items from the Occasions Mini!).  But instead of only ONE flower, I made THREE going across the card!

To make the flowers, the largest Old Olive heart is cut in half and reversed for the leaves.  Then I stacked up the Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delight hearts on top.  There is a rhinestone jewel on one of the hearts for some added bling.  I cut some "grass" from Old Olive with my Paper Snips.  Then added a banner from Take It to Heart  stamp set and the Wonderful You greeting from Loving Thoughts.  Calypso Coral is embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Folder and Everyday Enchantment DSP layered on top.

My second card is an Anniversary card for my mother and father-in-law.  I used the layout from a card that Cassy, my roommate at Leadership, gave me.  I used four different patterns from the Attic Boutique Designer Paper.  Four Frames stamp set has a beautiful filigree image that goes SO well with this DSP.

The base is Daffodil Delight, sponged with Soft Suede ink.  Then a layer of Soft Suede that I used the Piercing Tool in the corners.  Along the sides of the Label Framelit are two Decorative Label Punches.  The Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon hides the seam of the designer papers when I cut them in half.   A bow and some pearls completes the vintage feel of the card!

My next project I've been wanting to do for a while!  It really is more impressive in real life than the photo shows.  Remember when you look at this that the flower is over 17" wide!  I put the ruler up on the wall to prove it!   I've seen the trend of hanging several of these flowers against the wall behind a reception table.  I didn't have time to make more than one, but I think a wall of them staggered across would be awesome!

Can you tell what I made it from?  If you guessed the Dresden Designs Bigz Die…you are right.  The center portion I used the large die petal from Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper, folded the end a little bit to make it shorter.  The center is a styrofoam ball cut in half and wrapped with more designer paper.  I had to use straight pins to hold the designer paper in place on the back side.  I soft folded the petals to give them a little dimension.  The smaller inside flower is adhered to the back Pool Party flower with Stampin' Dimensionals.  To get the fullness in the back flower, I scored the piece of cardstock in half before I ran it thru the die, then opened it up and adhered them side by side.  It took 8 sheets of cardstock to make it this full.  In the back I added a 2 1/2" Circle to cover the back of the styrofoam ball and flower, then pinned a length of Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon for the hanger.  I added another 2 1/2" Circle to hide the pin and ribbon ends.

Next stop on the Tour de Freaks is Mary Brown at StamperCamper's Corner…her projects are DARLING.  Continue on around all 13 stops for some fantastic ideas!

I stamped the flower in Mixed Bunch with Rose Red Classic Ink and punched with the Blossom Punch.  I also punched Rose Red cardstock and Pear Pizzazz cardstock.  I cut the leaves from two single petals.  Then layered it under the Rose Red and stamped images.  I used a 1 3/8" circle on the bottom to hide the cut leaves.  I added a Daffodil Delight Triple Doily punch on top, then the Hershey Kiss with Mini Glue Dots.

Really simple, but cute table favor!  Fabulous for a tea party, don't you think?

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I started with the Top Note cut from Real Red and run thru the Big Shot again with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder.  I scored it about 1 1/2" from the top point and folded it over.  I punched holes along the crease line for the Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon and tied knots to hold the handle of the purse.  I filled the Small Cello bag with Hershey's Kisses and stapled it inside the folded Top Note.

I decorated the outside by stamping the Stampin' Up! SWAK single stamp image with Real Red on Whisper White and punching with the Full Heart punch.  I layered it on a Basic Black Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit.  I added a tag that said Happy Valentine's Day in Basic Black and punched with the Modern Label Punch.

Now, I hope you think it is as darling as I thought it was!   lol!

We are JUST starting Week 5 of Create with Connie and Mary Occasions 2012, featuring the Occasions AND Sale-A-Bration Minis!  AND, it's not too late to join!  You'll get over 36 FABULOUS projects with full step-by-step PHOTO directions…ranging from easy to more challenging for gift giving, your classes or stamp camps!  At less than $1 per tutorial…the $34.95 US price is a huge bargain!  Our designers have done some FANTASITIC projects this Edition!  You can go back and see them all…our website stays up a year after we conclude so you can refer back to them 24/7!  Join us TODAY over at Create with Connie and Mary!

It's Saturday and time for a challenge for our subscribers over on Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Edition 2012.  The theme for this week is a "Treat for a Sweet"…a little 3D project.  We have some fun ideas for you…check out what the Design Team did this week over on Create with Connie and Mary!  All subscribers who play along are entered into a drawing to win one of two FREE subscriptions to the NEXT edition of Create with Connie and Mary.  It's not too late to join and you could win!  You still have access to all the tutorials we've done so far…plus you'll be one of the first to see the new ideas over the next couple weeks.  And, remember, you can access these tutorials 24/7 and our website stays live for over a year for you to refer back to them!

My project is a sweet little Watermelon favor basket filled with M&Ms…now who wouldn't like to get this sweet treat?  It really was pretty quick to put together, too, with the help of my Big Shot!

I used the 3" inch Circle Die to make the Real Red Patterns DSP layer and the 3 1/2" Circle Die to make the Garden Green layer.  The Whisper White layer I did cut at 3 1/4" with my Circle Scissors Tool.  You only need to make one or each, then cut it in half for the other side of the favor basket.  Then I made a simple box to go between the two half circles and it holds my small cello bag of candy.  The watermelon seeds are the smallest heart on the Heart to Heart punch, cut in half, then highlighted with a white gel pen.  The handle is the ric rac pattern on the Tasteful Trim die from Garden Green cardstock, held to the box with Garden Green mini brads.

I tied the Small Cello Bag closed with Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon and added a little tag with the You're So Sweet greeting from the Sweet Cake stamp set, stamped with Basic Black on Whisper White.  Here is a side view, too…

Thanks for stopping by…and don't forget to check out what the rest of the Design Team did over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Since I'm in LOVE with the Everyday Enchantment Sale-A-Bration Designer Paper, I took my colors from the floral print.  The base of the gift certificate cover is Peach Parfait, cut 5 1/2 x 7, and scored at 4 1/4.  I used Sticky Strip to close up the sides.  I stamped Celebrate from Outlined Occasions in Black Stazon, then used my Versamarker to color in the letters…it gives a really neat tone-on-tone look.  I stamped the Fresh Vintage floral image in Peach Parfait in the corner and on the envelope.

I cut a piece of the floral DSP and used the Adorning Accents Edgelit Die to cut the front and back edges.  I used a piece of Pear Pizzazz cardstock to line underneath the DSP for more stability and used the Edgelit die and embossing folder along the front edge.

Inside, the pocket holds the gift certificate.  The corner of the certificate is also stamped with the Fresh Vintage image.

It's not too late to join!  Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Edition 2012 has just started Week 3!  You get daily step-by-step tutorials, challenges and PRIZES and haven't missed a thing!  Our website stays up to a year after the edition is over, too…so you can refer back to our projects 24/7!  At $34.95 for over 36 project ideas…that is less than $1 per tutorial!

I used the Valentine M&Ms, so I need to find some designer paper that would work with those colors.  Nope…we don't have any.  So…I went back to the basics and made my own!  Remember Doubletime stamping?  I used the flowers and centers from Stampin' Up!'s Mixed Bunch stamp set and the colors of Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Basic Black and Real Red on Whisper White cardstock and made up my own "designer paper". 

Can you tell what the bodies of the dragonflies are made from?  If you guessed a clothespin…you are right!  I covered both sides with silvers of the DSP I made, after I textured it with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.

The body of the dragonfly is the Mixed Bunch flower that I cut off the bottom petal and trimmed the top petal so only two antenna remained.  I colored them in with my Basic Black marker.  I punched the 1/2 & 3/8" Circles from Basic Black, then added two small pearls for the eyes.  I used the small cello bag, filled it with M&Ms, taped it shut, then wrapped some Bakers Twine around the center to hold it in shape of wings.  The clothespin is holding it, too.

These were TONS of fun to make!  Hope you like them!

We're almost at the end of Week 1 of Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Edition 2012...but it's not too late to join!  You'll be the first to see the new projects AND still have access to the ones we've already shown!  Sign up today!

Yeah…it is FINALLY my time to share my FREE Tutorial for Preview Week over on Create with Connie and Mary AND to give away Blog Candy!  Tomorrow (Saturday) is the LAST DAY to take advantage of Early Bird Savings for the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions 2012 Edition!  Save $5 of the regular $34.95 US price for 6 weeks of daily step-by-step tutorials and challenges on Saturdays!  That is over 36 tutorials for only $29.95!  But…hurry…you need to sign up now! Only our subscribers will get to see these fabulous projects…no sneak peeks.

Leave a comment on my blog today to be entered in the drawing for BLOG CANDY…a free subscription to the Occasions 2012 Edition!  We'll announce the winners on Sunday.  But…don't worry if you sign up to take advantage of the Early Bird pricing…we'll either apply it to the Summer 2012 Edition or refund your money!  The Occasions 2012 Edition starts SUNDAY!

I've seen several of these signs done in wood with vinyl lettering.  I just knew that I could recreate it with Stampin' Up! products!  It came together pretty easily!  Instead of numbers, I used the hearts from Stampin' Up!'s Candy Conversations single stamp set to decorate the bottoms of the Hershey Kisses.  Yummy…they are the pink ones with Caramel inside!  Start the countdown to Valentine's Day on February 1st…there are 14 sweet treats for you to enjoy!

The full step-by-step photo tutorial is available for you over on Create with Connie and Mary!  But…before you go…remember to leave me a comment HERE on Friday for the BLOG CANDY…how do you like this project?  I think it turned out darling!  And…if you haven't signed up to join us…do it NOW so you don't forget!