Stampin' Up!

Heart Wall Hanging Tutorial

January 26, 2010 By Connie | 8 Comments

I'm making GREAT progress on my Studio! It feels good to get stuff out that I haven't used in years! I'll be taking a lot of the non-Stampin' Up! stuff to a scrapbooking retreat in a couple weeks. Hopefully I can sell most of it there. I can tell you it isn't coming back into my house! lol!

I promised you a mini tutorial on how to make the Heart Wall Hanging that I made for the Tour de Freaks last week. They really are easy and you could do many different things…a garland, form it into a heart, add additional hearts and make the wall hanging longer…or shorter! They are fun! For mine, I alternated two different patterns of the Sending Love Designer Paper.

Step 1

Fold 1-1/2" x 12" piece of Designer Paper in half. Add a piece of Sticky Strip to one of the open ends.

Step 2

(So I don't confuse you, in Step 2 I used a different pattern paper,) Peel off Sticky Strip and adhere the two open ends together, back to back to form a heart shape.

Step 3

Add more Sticky Strip to each side of the inside point of the Heart as shown.

Step 4

Remove Sticky Strip from both sides, then push the inside point of the heart down into the fold of the bottom heart point until it touches the bottom. Press to secure.

Step 5

Now add more Sticky Strip to both the outsides of the bottom point.

Step 6

Remove Sticky Strip and push bottom point of first heart into top indentation of second heart. Continue adding hearts until desired length is achieved.

That's it! Pretty easy, huh? To finish my original one, I used the Crop-A-Dile to punch holes in the top and added silver eyelets, then added the Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon. For the bottom, I added a silver eyelet, then added the heart decoration I made.

To make the decoration, use the Scallop Heart of Hearts Embosslit Die and cut 6 hearts from Real Red. Score in half lengthwise and adhere back to back. Before adhering the last two together, place cord thru the center. Add beads if desired.

I hope you make one for your Valentine home decor this year! The Sending Love Designer Paper was perfect!

Vintage Vogue

January 25, 2010 By Connie | Leave a Comment

OK…come back tomorrow for a quick tutorial on how I made the Designer Paper Heart Wall Hanging last week!

Today I want to show you my Control Freaks Swap for the Occasions Mini! I made these before Christmas, but didn't want to show you until everyone had their swaps…then I forgot that I hadn't posted it! lol!

I started with a base of Sage Shadow cardstock. I added a square of Very Vanilla cardstock that I stamped the border image from Stampin' Up!'s Vintage Vogue stamp set in Sage Shadow. I wrapped some Kraft Taffeta Ribbon around it on the left side and distressed the edges with my Cutter Kit.

I added a vertical strip of Apricot Appeal cardstock and ran the Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel over it in Apricot Appeal ink. I also distressed the edges on this layer. I inked up the Friends letter F with Sage Shadow Stampin' Write Marker and the word Friends with Apricot Appeal, stamped on Very Vanilla, and punched with the 1 3/8 circle punch. I layered it on the 1 3/4 circle punch of Sage Shadow. I stamped the small flower image in Apricot Appeal, cut it out and added a gold mini brad in the center, then placed it on the circle images. That whole element was popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals. Finally, I stamped Life happens. Love helps in Basic Black on Kraft Cardstock and punched it with my Modern Label punch and placed it under the circle element.

I hope you like it! It satisfies my Late Night Stampers Design Team "vintage" theme this week, too! I liked the more unusual colors using this set.

Well, I have a massive undertaking in my studio. I've been pulling everything off racks and out of drawers, sorting and organizating (and pitching stuff!) It is feeling good, but looks awful right now. Just at that point where everything is pilled in the middle of the floor and tables. It HAS to be cleaned up by Thursday…I have my Stamp Clubs meeting! lol!

Vintage Vogue – CCJC3

January 23, 2010 By Connie | 4 Comments

Every Saturday on the Create with Connie & Julie site we issue a challenge. Our subscribers are encouraged to enter the challenge to win fabulous prizes! Last week's challenge winners were Sue Beggar and Lori Watson! Congratulations, ladies!

This is Challenge #3 for Create with Connie and Julie Occasions Edition! Our challenge this week was using this sketch that I created with the Vintage Vogue theme.

I started with a base of Pale Plum cardstock and layered on Perfect Plum cardstock. I used the Cottage Wall designer paper in the olive polka-dot print on top of the Perfect Plum, roughing up the edges with my Cutter Kit Distressing Tool.

For the background center piece, I ran a piece of Whisper White thru the Big Shot with the Finial Press Impressions Folder. I layered it on Perfect Plum and distressed the edges. I added the scallop edge along the left with a strip of Whisper White cardstock, punched with the Sale-A-Bration Scallop Trim Border punch.

I added more layers to the center focal piece with Pale Plum cardstock layered on Perfect Plum. I stamped the vine image in Pale Plum over the Pale Plum cardstock, then used my piercing tool and mat to create the corner design. I added a 1 3/8 circle punched from Old Olive, then tucked some Old Olive leaves made with the 5 petal punch (I sponged around the edges with Old Olive). I stamped the large flower with Perfect Plum on Whisper White and cut it out and two smaller flowers with Pale Plum and cut them out. The center of the large flower has a small flower punched from Trio of Flowers, then a Jumbo White Brad in the center. The two smaller flowers have Old Olive Mini Brads in the centers.

I love the vintage feel and look of this card with the rough edges, the subtle colors and, of course, Stampin' Up!'s Vintage Vogue stamp set!

Supplies:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue

Cardstock: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Old Olive, Whisper Whtie

Inks: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Old Olive

Accessories: Cottage Wall Designer Paper, Finial Press Impressions Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch, 5 Petal Punch, Old Olive Mini Brads, Piercing Tool and Mat, Cutter Kit, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Trio Flower Punch, White Jumbo Brad

Make sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team Members created this week on Create with Connie and Julie!

(Sorry…links to this week's challenge are fixed now!)

If you haven't checked out the Create with Connie and Julie site yet now is the time to do it! It's not too late to join! You'll have access to all previous posts, along with the future ones.

We feature new Occasions Mini product every week. There is a new project posted every day and there will be a minimum of two fabulous tutorials each and every week. We like to have lots of fun so we have challenges and prizes for our subscribers. Our sites stay up long after the session is done so you will always have access to the site and the tutorials. For more information and to see our Preview Week projects please visit out Create with Connie and Julie site!

Like-O-Meter – SSC 135

January 22, 2010 By Connie | 10 Comments

Today is Stamping 411's Sketch Challenge #135! This one, although it looks very simple, gave me just a little trouble. I think because of the stamp image I chose. The position of the image had the white space in the lower right corner, instead of the upper left where I needed to put something because of the sketch. I compromised by putting a little something in both locations!

I love Stampin' Up!'s whimsy sometimes. LIke this single stamp, Like-O-Meter in the back of the Occasions Mini! I especially like the "a lot but not like a stalker" words! Too funny! My friend, Cassy, gave out a CUTE swap card at Leadership using this set!

I started with a base card of Real Red cardstock. I added a piece of Sending Love Designer Paper and layered it on Basic Black cardstock. On the left side of the Basic Black, I used the Pinking Hearts punch along the edge.

I stamped the Like-O-Meter image in Basic Black on Whisper White, then colored in the themometer with the Real Red Stampin' Write marker up to …a lot but not like a stalker. I added a very light coat of Crystal Effects over top of the red. You need to be careful because the marker is water based and will run if you add too much. When dry, I punched the Small Heart in the lower right corner, then layered it on Real Red, then Basic Black cardstocks. Finally I added a Black Gingham Bow to the upper left corner.

Too fun! I love it! I think my hubby will get this for Valentine's Day…not too girly looking so he should like it!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Bloggers Challenge – Diecuts or Punch Art

January 22, 2010 By Connie | 14 Comments

Oh…I couldn't wait to play this week in the Friday Bloggers' Challenge. I've been missing the past few weeks due to a crazy busy schedule. But, this theme is near and dear to my heart! I debated to show one of my new Punch Art critters…but that would ruin the surprise for my classes, so I decided to wait.

I spent the day yesterday at a good friend's house…Mindy! I took some much needed time to work on some personal stamping projects. One project was my 2010 Calendar! Each year I buy the cheap vinyl covered ones and take off the vinyl. Underneath is a light weight cardboard that I cover with our pretty designer paper! I knew the minute I saw Stampin' Up's new Sending Love Designer Paper, that I would use it for my calendar. However, I just got around to doing it!

The top half is covered with the Pink Glittery Floral pattern from Sending Love Designer Paper and the bottom is Whisper White. I covered the seam with the lucious Pretty in Pink 5/8 Satin Ribbon (have you used this stuff yet! oh my!) I used the new Extra Large Fancy Flower to make my Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip flower. I spritz it with water, then crumpled it a little so it has a shabby chic look and it won't matter when it gets crushed by other things on my desk!. I used two Pretty in Pink layers and two Chocolate Chip layers, the center is a Pretty in Pink Corduroy Button. I added some Gable Green leaves punched from the 5 petal punch. Along the left side, I cut a strip of Pretty in Pink cardstock to wrap around the seam. I ran it thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder (twice). The numbers are cut with the Simple Numbers Alphabet Dies in Chocolate Chip. The back is just covered with Chocolate Chip cardstock.

Pretty simple this year, but I like it. You really can't appreciate the sparkle it has until you see it in person. And decorating it makes it easy to find my calendar when my desk gets messy! lol!

I can't believe it is the weekend already! Wow…this week went by FAST! Hope you have a great one!

January Tour de Freaks!

January 19, 2010 By Connie | 29 Comments

I'm so glad you decided to drop by and see the January Tour de Freaks brought to you by the fabulous Control Freaks! You've probably just arrived from Melanie Schulenberg's blog! We have 16 blogs for you to visit this time. I'm sure you will love all the awesome projects you see as you tour. This month's theme is Valentine's and LOVE. I know I can't wait to see what these fabulous designers have come up with! To continue the tour, click on Mary Brown's link at the bottom of this post.

First up is a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 card using the beautiful Sending Love Designer Paper…did you know that EACH sheet glitters? It is so sparkly in person! I started with a base of Pretty in Pink cardstock and added the small floral pattern from Sending Love. I added a band of Pretty in Pink, punched on both sides with the Pinking Hearts Border Punch. Layered inside is a strip of Real Red cardstock. I stamped Happy Valentine's Day from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Chocolate Chip under the 6/8 Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon. I used the Scallop Heart of Hearts Embosslit with Very Vanilla and Pretty in Pink cardstock and placed them on the right, then added a Real Red heart punched from Heart to Heart Punch and a Real Red Epoxy Brad. But wait…what's INSIDE is all the FUN!

INSIDE I used the Simple Birthday Thanks cupcake and stamped the bottom in Basic Brown on the small floral pattern from Sending Love and cut it out. I scored it every 1/4 inch and pleated it to form the cupcake liner. I stamped the top on Pretty in Pink and cut it out. I adhered the base to the top. Then I punched LOTS of the medium sized hearts from Heart to Heart punch with the glittery pink floral pattern in Sending Love and placed them randomly on the Pretty in Pink base for the frosting. I punched the small heart from the same punch in Real Red and placed them as "sprinkles" on the frosting. I punched the long heart from the Red Pattern Designer paper for the "cherry" and added a Chocolate Chip cardstock stem.

I cut the pop-up piece in the Pretty in Pink along the bottom and adhered the LOVE cupcake to the front of it. I added the red heart flower pattern Sending Love Designer Paper in the background of the top and a strip along the bottom. I added more stamped hearts from I {Heart} Hearts, the Scallop Heart of Hearts and punched Heart to Heart pieces. Finally, I stamped Love You Much from Well Scripted stamp set in the Occasions Mini in Real Red Classic Ink. I LOVE how this turned out!

OK…my next project was VERY fun to make! I'll put up a tutorial on how to make it in the next few days! Here I made hearts from the Sending Love Designer Paper patterns and adhered them together. At the bottom, I used the Crop A Dile and set a Silver Eyelet. I added a little ornament made with six Scallop Hearts, scored in half, and adhered together. I did use the Silver Cord (from the Holiday Edition) to form a loop and added some crystal beads from the Pretties Kit at the top and bottom. At the very top of the wall hanging, I added two more silver eyelets, then added a loop of Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon so it is easy to hang. Again, I was SO happy with how this turned out! Even my husband said, "That's really cute!"

Well, I hope you've enjoyed my contribution to the Tour de Freaks this month! Now it's time to move on to Mary Brown! Enjoy the rest of the tour!

With All My Heart Post It Note Holder

January 19, 2010 By Connie | 1 Comment

Wow…lots to talk about today!

First, remember that the Tour de Freaks starts tomorrow! You can start here and tour 16 blogs brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers! I always look forward to seeing what awesome projects my fellow Freaks come up with…and I must say that I LOVE my projects, so you won't want to miss them!

Next…the first round of the 5/8 Satin Ribbon Shares ends tomorrow. I want to mention it today since I won't be able to have it in my post tomorrow! Click HERE for more information! Don't miss out on getting a sampling of 3 yards each of the 10 Satin Ribbon colors for only $21 plus $3.50 shipping!

This sweet little post-it note holder is the 3D project I made for some friends at Leadership. The base is thick chipboard that I covered on front with the Sending Love glittery Designer Paper. The back I covered with Real Red Cardstock and added a magnet so it holds on your refrigerator. I rounded the corners for a smooth look. I added two flowers diecut from the Flower Layers with Leaf Bigz Die in Pretty in Pink and Real Red cardstock. The Pretty in Pink I ran thru the Big Shot again with the new Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder. I put them together with one of the flowers from the Trio Punch and a Red Rhinestone Brad in the center.

I stamped Friend from Stampin' Up!'s With All My Heart stamp set in Real Red Classic Ink on Very Vanilla. I punched it with the Scallop Oval Punch and placed it on the flower.

Finally, I stamped the Heart Flower in Real Red Classic Ink on the Post It Notes and attached the the chipboard backing.

I thought it was a fun little gift to give some special people I've met online or at events through the years! It truly energized me to talk with them a few minutes (or longer!) and catch up!

OK…big day today! Lots to do for Create with Connie and Julie! I'd better get started!

January Card Kit

January 17, 2010 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Last day to order the January Card Kit is January 21st!

Also, the Tour de Freaks is coming on January 20th! Save the date to tour the blogs with your favorite Control Freak Swappers! Theme this month is Valentine's/Love!

CARD KIT OF THE MONTH

January 2010

Featured Set: “A Happy Heart”

Featured Accessory: Basic Small Grommets

In this kit, you'll receive the supplies to create SIX of EACH design shown above – so you will receive all of the consumable supplies that you need to create 12 cards total.

You will also receive 2 additional full color samples of "alternative" cards that you can make with the combined contents of the kit, as well as step by step instructions on how to complete each of the 4 designs.

Card Kit Price is just $20–that's 12 cards, plus envelopes for just $20!

Each month, the card kit also features both a Stamp Set of the Month and an Accessory of the Month. If you purchase the card kit, you may also purchase these items at 20% off!

January Featured Stampin' Up! Products:

A Happy Heart Stamp Set ~~($22.95)~~ $18.36 with the purchase of the Card Kit
Basic Small Grommets ~~($6.95)~~ $5.56 with the purchase of the Card Kit

What else will you need? See the list below for items that were used to create the cards in this kit. If you already have everything–just buy the card kit and you are ready to create!

If you don't have everything–place a product order with your kit (don't forget about the discount on the "featured products!")

Or–you can use the card kit to create your own designs using other stamps and inks that you already have–the choice is yours!

Orders for the Card Kits must be received by January 21st. You will receive your kits by the end of the month.

Email me today to order!

Please Note: I am glad to ship kits directly to you! If the kit needs to be shipped, there will be an extra $3 shipping charge or $4.95 with additional items.

Products you will need to complete cards as shown:

Basic Black Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
Real Red Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker ($5.95)
In Color Stampin’ Write Markers ($17.95)
Neutral Stampin’ Write Markers ($10.95)
Mat Pack ($9.95)
Paper Piercing Tool ($3.50)
A Happy Heart Stamp Set ~~($22.95)~~ $18.36 with the purchase of the Card Kit
Basic Small Grommets ~~($6.95)~~ $5.56 with the purchase of the Card Kit

§ Stampin’ Dimensionals ($3.95)

§ SNAIL Adhesive ($6.95)

§ Bone Folder ($6.95)

§ Paper Snips ($9.95)