Stampin' Up!

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)

CCJC2

January 16, 2010 By Connie | 1 Comment

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 LISA MARTZ and JESSICA TAYLOR! Congratulations, ladies!

This week's Color Challenge was to create a card using the colors of Real Red, Pretty in Pink, and Chocolate Chip. Of course, those are the same colors in the Stampin' Up! Sending Love Designer Paper, so I had to use it!

For my card, I started with a base of Chocolate Chip cardstock, then layered on the glittery small flower print in Sending Love for the background. I added a strip on the left of the contrasting designer paper and wrapped the Pretty in Pink 5/8 Satin Ribbon around it.

For the focal piece, I cut a square of Chocolate Chip and layered it on a larger square of Pretty in Pink. I used the new Scallop Heart of Hearts Embosslit to cut four Real Red hearts and used Chocolate Chip around the edges. I stamped the small flower image from With All My Heart in Real Red on Very Vanilla, then punched it with the Scallop circle punch. For some added interest, I sponged the edges in Real Red, then cut a slit in every other scallop, it looks like hearts around the edge and I curled it up slightly. The inside holds a large Corduroy Button Brad. I love how this looks!

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

Supplies:

Stamps: With All My Heart

Inks: Real Red Classic Ink

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Sending Love Designer Paper, Pretty in Pink Corduroy Button, Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Scallop Circle Punch, 5/8 Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Dimensionals

If you haven't checked out the Create with Connie and Julie site yet now is the time to do it!

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!

Stamping 411 – Happy Moments

January 15, 2010 By Connie | 5 Comments

As you can see, I've done some MAJOR rennovations on my Blog! Thanks to Michelle Laycock for the awesome new Blog Layout! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Time for this week's Stamping 411 sketch challenge! On my card, I used two of the new Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration sets, Happy Moments and Vintage Labels. I really like BOTH of these…well, truly, I like ALL the Sale-A-Bration selections this year!

For my card, I started with a base of Almost Amethyst and layered on the floral paper from Tea Party. Then I cut a diagonal piece of the stripe pattern and placed that over the floral (that way I didn't have to worry about seams matching up!)

I stamped the birdcage in Basic Brown on Whisper White and layered it on Almost Amethyst. I added a couple of the Little Leave Sizzlets diecuts in Certainly Celery. The top of the birdcage has a gold mini brad.

I stamped the Vintage Label in Basic Brown and Happy Birthday in Certainly Celery, then punched it with the Curly Label punch. It was placed over the 5/8 Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon…yummy!

This card came together pretty easy with the sketch. I hope you check out the rest of the Operators on Stamping 411 this week and make up a card and play along!

Sweet Pea Designer Paper

January 13, 2010 By Connie | 8 Comments

I absolutely LOVE the patterns in this new Sweet Pea Designer Paper Stack. Lots of larger patterns for Home Decor or Scrapbooking…but lots of small prints for cardmaking. The best of both worlds!

I made this magnetic board for my roommate, Coleen, at Leadership. I was thrilled with how it turned out! Pretty quick and easy, too. I started with the pattern of the large bird and flowers and cut it to size on the metal sign. I added Sweat Pea Stitched Felt Flowers, circles and leaves to the printed flowers for some added texture and dimension. In the center of the large flower, I used a Blue Rhinestone Brad. I used the new Bird Punch to add a So Saffron wing to the bird, popped up on Stampin' dimensionals.

I cut the letters for Coleen out of Chocolate Chip cardstock and ran thru the Big Shot with the Simple Letters Alphabet Bigz Dies and adhered them. I added magnets to the backs of Designer Buttons. The back had a place to hang the sign, so I used the slots to add the 1 1/4 Chocolate Chip Striped Ribbon for hanging. It turned out so CUTE! Now I need one for my Stamping Studio!

That Sweet Pea Designer Paper Stack has all kinds of fun prints and the Sweet Pea Felt Flowers are AWESOME embellishments!

(The Port Authority bag checkers also wanted a close up look at my project, too. My bag was inspected going to Leadership and Coleen's was inspected going home! lol!)

It's not too late to join Create with Connie and Julie Occasions Edition! We are working on lots of exciting projects for this round and have added 3 guest designers! Come join the fun! See a sneak peek over at Create with Connie and Julie!