Stampin' Up!

Fox & Friends Gift Box – CCJC4

January 30, 2010 By Connie | 12 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 Sandra and Lisa! Congratulations, ladies!

This is Challenge #4 for Create with Connie and Julie Occasions Edition! Our challenge this week was making any type of Kids' Gift Packaging! What a FUN theme this week! Those of you who ARE subscribers, you are in for a treat! We have 3 tutorials today! I have one for my Fox & Friends Gift Boxes and our two Guest Designers, Kerin and Monika, also have tutorials for their projects! You will be inspired for sure! Those of you that aren't subscribers…well…what are you waiting for? It's not too late to join the fun and you won't miss anything, you'll still have access to all the past projects we've done!

OK…I must say that I LOVE my boxes! I started with just the Fox and he turned out SO cute, I had to try a couple of the other critters in Fox & Friends. I wished I had time to make them all, but had to stop…lol! This box template is so versatile, that you could use it for LOTS of different things.

Inside mine, I made up a Small Cello Bag filled with Conversation Hearts. I folded over the top, then made a little closure. I stamped the fox from Stampin' Up!'s Fox & Friends in Really Rust on Whisper White, then punched with the 1 3/8 circle punch. I layered it on a Scallop Circle punched from Really Rust. I also stamped Happy Valentine's Day from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Really Rust on Whisper White and punched with the Modern Label punch. The Scallop Circle holds the Small Cello Bag closed!

Make sure you check out the rest of the Create with Connie and Julie Design Team's projects this week!

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 at Create with Connie and Julie.

Stamping 411 – Vintage Vogue again

January 29, 2010 By Connie | 8 Comments

It's time for another Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge! This one came together pretty easy. Mainly because my Stamp Club did a similar card last night using the same colors and stamp set, but I changed it around so I could make it fit the sketch! Now it shows those in my Stamp Club who bought this set, another way to use it!

I started with a base of Dusty Durango cardstock. The next layer of Soft Suede I ran thru the Big Shot with my FInial Press Impressions Folder, then I used a sponge dauber and added Soft Suede Classic Ink around the edges, and lightly ran it across the raised portions of the embossed cardstock to highlight them. I wrapped some Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon around to the back and secured to the base card.

I inked the border image from Vintage Vogue by using my Dusty Duranto and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers and colored the images I wanted in each color. I stamped at the bottom of the Whisper White cardstock. The flowers were stamped on scrap Whisper White and cut out. I used a 1/2 punched circle of Soft Suede for the center of the larger flower, then a Gold Fire Rhinestone Brad. The two smaller flowrers have Gold Mini Brads. I added some leaves randomly in the upper left corner, then placed the flowers with Dimensionals. The Whisper White was mounted on Bashful Blue ( I know! But the color works!) I stamped "The more Candles the bigger the Wishes" from Whimsical Words, in the Sale-A-Bration Mini, in Soft Suede ink in the upper right corner. Finally, I added a small border of Dusty Durango punched with the Scallop Trim Border Punch (another Sale-A-Bration freebie) and pierced holes in each of the spaces between the scallops!

Make sure to check out what the rest of the Stamping 411 Operators have done this week! I'm sure they will have fabulous ideas with this sketch!

Happy Moments

January 27, 2010 By Connie | Leave a Comment

I made this card for a small swap I was in at the end of December. I love using the Scallop Square die for the base of my card! In this case, it is a cardfront, so I only used one layer of the Scallop Square.

I started with a base of Old Olive cardstock and ran it thru the Big Shot with the Scallop Square die. I stamped the tree limb image from Cheep Talk on a square of So Saffron Patterns Designer Paper, then stamped the bird cage from Stampin' Up!'s Happy Moments Sale-A-Bration set in Chocolate Chip as if it were hanging on the limb. I added a small Gold Mini Brad as a hanger. Then I stamped Love You Much from Well Scripted in Chocolate Chip in the bottom right corner. This piece was layered onto Chocolate Chip cardstock.

I cut a piece of Very Vanilla and used the Scallop Trim Border Punch (another Sale-A-Bration option!) along the right side. I used my Paper Piercing Tool to punch holes along each of the scallops. I wrapped some Kraft Taffeta Ribbon around the left side and adhered it to my base card. That bird cage is my favorite stamp in that set!

I hope you have a wonderful day. I'm starting to see areas of my floor in my studio again. Need to get it mostly picked up today so I can get ready for tomorrow's Stamp Club members!

Only a few spots remain in my 5/8 Satin Ribbon Shares and then it will close! Click here for more information.

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

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!