Stampin' Pretty - Mary Fish - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Blog Candy Au Chocolat

Time for something sweet?  Just drop me a comment at the end of this post with what you most hope to see in Stampin' Up!'s Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog (to be released Aug. 11) before Noon CST, Sunday, June 22 and you get a chance to win all these chocolate-y delights.  Savor 24 delicious 6 x 6 pieces of Stampin' Up!'s Au Chocolat 2-Sided Designer Series Paper (retired and one of my all time favorites), this luscious little custom purse (and an extra plastic base to create your very own) and a snippet of the real thing in Hershey's form.  I'll choose a comment at random and announce the winner Sunday afternoon.

This adorable clear purse is a fabulous way to showcase Stampin' Up!'s 2-sided Designer Series patterned paper since it looks good both inside and out.  No need to line the interior.  TIP:  It's perfect for candies, favors, even mini cards and envelopes.  The idea is the brain child of Nichole Heady of Papertrey Ink (her detailed tutorial is here). 

Life for this project begins with a clear stationery box from Papertrey Ink.  TIP:  I have assembled many paper box templates in my card making lifetime, but using these clear stationery boxes is simple and sturdy.  While the box is still flat, slice it in half, 2 7/8" from the main body (not the tab).  TIP:  I used a Hobby Knife, Cutting Mat and a straight edge to make this a snap.   You get two purses out of every box! 

I chose two pieces of patterned paper for the front and scalloped the edges (both inside the purse and outside) using a Corner Rounder Punch (Scallop Border Tutorial here).  Overall dimensions need to be 4 3/8" wide x 6 5/8" long.   After scoring at 2 7/8" in from each side (the short way), I used Vellum Glue Dots Sheets to fit the paper invisibly and securely within the clear case.

The Boho Backgrounds stamp was inked in Chocolate Chip Craft Ink, stamped on Very Vanilla and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.  TIP:  An embossed finish mimics the shine of the clear plastic.  I then popped it out using Nestabilities Scalloped Circles and layered it with Stampin' Dimensionals on an Old Olive Scalloped Circle.

The Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain handles were applied using strips of Sticky Strip adhesive.  The Boho Blossom Punch cranked out four Chocolate Chip flowers and were topped with 1/4" Old Olive centers.  I attached the "blooms" to the ribbon with Mini Glue Dots on both the front and back of the purse.  TIP:  Mini Glue Dots keep small objects in place.  The final touch was to simply the reverse colors.  I punched out an Old Olive flower and layered a Chocolate Chip center.  This fit neatly in the middle of the Boho stamp.

Hugs and Pretties . . . M

P.S. Good luck on the blog candy . . . please leave your comment at the end of this post to play.

Stamp Sets:  Boho Backgrounds
Paper:  Stampin' Up! Au Chocolat Designer Series (retired), Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Ink:  Chocolate Chip Craft
Cool Tools:  Boho Blossoms Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch, Heat Tool, Hobby Knife, Cutting Mat, Nestabilities Circles and Cuttlebug
Perfect Touches:  Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain, Clear Embossing Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, Vellum Glue Dots Sheets

Pun Fun Enchilada

This week's Splitcoast Ways to Use It Challenge asks for the "Whole Enchilada". . . make 3 x 3 cards, envelopes and the box to put them in.  I admit I winced at first but after examining the template for the box and envelopes, realized it wasn't complicated at all and was up for the challenge.

Enchilada Part I:  The note cards begin with a 3 x 3 card base (see note below in red for size update) of Whisper White card stock.  I then stamped three of the Pun Fun characters on Blue Bayou using Versamark and heat embossing with White Embossing powder.  TIP:  Line images like the Pun Fun set are bundles of watercoloring fun . . . however, they look fantastic on their own, too.  Crisp and clean.  Each card received a little jazz with Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon.

Enchilada Part II:  I next used Stampin' Up!'s Spring Break Designer Series paper in a floral pattern to create envelopes from scratch.  For the first five minutes, the only scratch was to my head trying to understand these directions but then something finally kicked in.  TIP:  I always give any new template a try with scratch paper first so I don't ruin the pretty stuff.  This ended up quite empowering since the same formula with slightly changed square measurements means I can easily make square envelopes for many sizes . . . even my little 4 x 4's that I can't find envelopes for.  TIP:  Be sure to adjust your starting square according to your note card size . . . it's final dimensions should be 1/4" larger than the note card.

Update 6/5/08:  In order for the note cards and envelopes to work with the template below, you will need to make the note cards 2 7/8" square and the envelopes 3" square.

Enchilada Part III:  OK, this polka dot pattern was the number one reason Spring Break Designer Series paper first grabbed my attention.  It's delicious.  TIP: I cut the designer paper to 8.5 x 11 and ran it through my printer using this template, (printing it on the opposite side of the polka dot pattern).  Grabbing some paper snips, I clipped it out, made a few folds on the printed template and ended up with a box.  Some more Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon "wraps" things up for a charming mini gift set.

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Stampin' Up! Pun Fun
Paper:  Spring Break Designer Series, Whisper White
Ink:  Versamark
Cool Tools:  Corner Rounder Punch, Heat Tool
The Perfect Touch:  Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon, White Embossing Powder

Fresh Cuts Notecards FREE w/$99 Purchase

My Fresh Cuts set just arrived and I have two cards to share for today's post showcasing the new Fresh Cuts Sneak Peek from Stampin' Up!'s unreleased Fall-Winter Catalog.  Plus, during the month of June, purchase the new Fresh Cuts Stamp Set for $21.95 and get the the coordinating die cut cards (15 Whisper White note cards and envelopes) for $5 ($8.95, if purchased separately).  For full details and other perks, please click here.

However, I'm ready to personally sweeten the deal :)  If you pre-order through me a minimum of $99 in Stampin' Up! products (must include the Fresh Cuts Stamp set (111634) for $21.95) no later than 1:00 p.m. CST, Saturday, May 31, I'll throw in these adorable die cut note cards (111882) for FREE ($8.95 value).  You will qualify for my Free Shipping deal, too!  Note: Your order will not be processed with Stampin' Up! until June 1.

I'm just beaming about this set.   You can make a group of them and give them as a gift, too.  Colors were inspired by this week's Splitcoast Color Challenge 167 (Soft Sky, Blue Bayou and Certainly Celery).  TIP:  I now list all the Splitcoast challenges on the right side of my blog. 

For the first note card (above), I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig (tutorial here) to line up the block image over the flower.  I then stamped it in Blue Bayou Ink.  A Five Petal Punch snapped out a Soft Sky Textured Card Stock flower for below the die cut image and I added some Certainly Celery Card Stock as a backdrop.  A jumbo brad from the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware Kit (exclusively Occasions Mini 2008) jazzed up the center.

The "for you" sentiment was inked in Certainly Celery and stamped on Whisper White.  A small oval punch crops out the perfect fit and it was adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I then added a luscious label holder with a couple of brads, also from the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware Kit (exclusively Occasions Mini 2008).  A snippet of Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon accentuates the left side.  A few stamps of the small Fresh Cuts Flower in Certainly Celery creates a coordinated envelope flap.

The second card was just as charming and easy.  After removing the die cut area of the flower, I added some Blue Bayou Textured Card Stock behind it.  I punched out a 5 Petal Flower in Certainly Celery and zipped it through my Cuttlebug with a Swiss Dots Embossing Folder.  I added a single flower from the Boho Flower Punch in Blue Bayou Textured Card Stock and topped it all off with a Circle Rhinestone (Ice Collection). 

The border consists of repeated stamps of the vine image in Soft Sky.  "Thank You" is in Blue Bayou and was also aligned using my Stamp-a-ma-jig.   My, my, we do like things exact, don't we?  Three Circle Rhinestones (the smallest size from the Ice Collection) dress up the top corner and some Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon dolls up the left side.  Again, I opted to coordinate the envelope flap (Soft Sky).

Stamp Set:  Fresh Cuts
Paper:  Fresh Cuts Die-Cut Note Cards and Envelopes, Certainly Celery, Blue Bayou Textured, Soft Sky Textured
Ink:  Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Certainly Celery
Cool Tools:  (Card A) 5 Petal Punch, Small Oval Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig.  (Card B) 5 Petal Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
The Perfect Touch:  (Card A) Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware Brad and Label Holder (Stampin' Up! Occasion Mini), Stampin' Dimensionals.  (Card B) Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon, Circle Rhinestones (Ice)

Give the Gift of Stamping

You're just a click away from choosing a beautiful gift for stamping friends or family.  Customers love the convenience of my on-line ordering option . . . and Stampin' Up! gift certificates are available on-line from Stampin' Pretty, too.  Simply complete the on-line order form and use the comments area to let me know the amount of the certificate and where you would like it shipped.  I'll whip up a special gift card and mail it for FREE (U.S. only).  Major credit cards and PayPal are accepted. 

Today's criss cross card is a special birthday gift for Erin.  The monogram "e" is from Schoolbook Serif Alphabet, stamped using Close to Cocoa Craft Ink on Very Vanilla card stock.  TIP:  One of the advantages of Craft Ink over Classic (dye) ink is that it's embossable.  I added some clear embossing powder to give this "e" some glamour.   The monogram is punched out with a 1 1/4" Circle Punch, mounted on a 1 3/8" Close to Cocoa Circle and a layer of apricot, punched with a Scallop Circle Punch (and I couldn't resist a little paper piercing).  The band (which slides off) wraps around the entire card and uses Apricot Appeal Textured card stock with a scalloped rectangle of Cameo Coral (also textured) to anchor the monogram.

The card is a variation on a criss cross card . . . made a bit wider (and, frankly, I scored the reverse of the directions . . . oh, my).  If you are a Splitcoaststamper member (and if you aren't, it's free), please click here for a criss cross tutorial by Beate Johns.  I'm often available at my Live Help button if you have an "engineering" question along the way.

The designer paper is Stampin' Up!'s Linen Prints (now retired).  However, any 2 sided paper works perfectly.  I used Cameo Coral Textured card stock for the base (delicious stuff).  The insert is a computer generated gift certificate, matted on Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla and Apricot Appeal card stock (the last two had their top corners lopped off with a Corner Rounder Punch).  I added "for you" from Fundamental Phrases to an apricot scrap (inked in Close to Cocoa Craft and embossed like the "e"). It received new meaning when a Round Tab Punch was called in to play.  I had a little brown flower brad from eons ago, that seemed like it needed a home.   Ah, the final touch.

Hugs and Happy Birthday, Erin! . . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Schoolbook Serif Alphabet, Fundamental Phrases
Paper:  Cameo Coral Textured, Apricot Appeal Textured, Apricot Appeal, Very Vanilla, Linen Prints
Ink:  Close to Cocoa Craft
Cool Tools:  Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Round Tab Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Marvy Giga Rectangle Punch, Paper Piercer (Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit)
The Perfect Touch:  Clear Embossing Powder, Non SU Brown Flower Brad

The Winner? Wild Wasabi and Ann!

Your favorite Stampin' Up! color?  #1:  Wild Wasabi  #2: Purely Pomegranate  #3:  Groovy Guava.  The In Colors cleaned up.  However, some of you expressed concern about when these colors retire.  Can you keep a secret?  How do Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Baha Breeze and Pacific Point sound?  Stampin' Up!'s Fall-Winter catalog will be released in August and you just might find these fantastic colors everywhere :). 

Thank you to all of you who participated in my Groovy Guava Blog Candy giveaway.  I'm always overwhelmed by all the positive feedback.  It really inspires me . . . so thanks from the bottom of my heart! 

The random winner is "Ann." Ann, please email me your address and I'll ship your goodies tomorrow :)  Here's what Ann had to say:   

"Great box and goodies Mary!!  I just love Dove chocolate!  My current fave SU! color right now is Pretty in Pink!"

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

COMING UP . . .  "Love Beads"

Blog Candy is so "Dove"-ine

I saw this adorable box demonstrated on Nichole Heady's blog last year and always meant to give it a try.  Well, today's the day and it's as easy as it is cute.  Plus, these little goodies are up for grabs in my second blog candy giveaway this weekend.  Please leave me a comment (how about . . . what's your current favorite Stampin' Up! color?) by midnight on April 6.  I'll announce the winner on Monday and ship on Tuesday (Domestic U.S. only, please).

I cut a 8.5 x 8.5 piece of Groovy Guava Designer Series paper.  Using a straight edge and a pencil, I drew lines from corner to corner creating an "X."

Fold one corner to the center of your "X."  I used a bone folder to keep the edges crisp.

Fold again to the center line as shown.

Unfold (you now have the scores where you need them) and repeat the process on the remaining three corners.

Cut along the score two squares deep (excluding the point) on two opposing corners.  Another way to look at where to stop . . . end one square away from the center line.

Fold in the uncut corners so they meet the center point.  I used a little adhesive to keep them flat.

Bring the loose flaps from the corners you just adhered, to the "inside" of the box (creating a side) and fold the remaining two cut corners over the new "sides."  Repeat for the bottom half of the box but use 8 3/8" x 8 3/8".  You could even try a tad smaller since mine was a bit of a tight fit.  TIP: The second half takes less than half the time of the first.  It's just a matter of understanding the directions and trying it the first time.

"Dove"-ine.

Using Stampin' Up!'s small oval punch and "For You" from Fundamental Phrases (my little black dress of sentiments), I inked Groovy Guava and stamped on Whisper White paper.  TIP: I usually stamp sentiments twice when I plan to punch, in case my first punch doesn't line up the way I want.  Two chances are better than one :)  The Styled Silver Label Holder is an excellent fit for the small oval.

TIP: I placed the sentiment on the box using Stampin' Dimensional so it would fit tight to the label holder.  I also find it easier to adhere the sentiment first and then add the label holder and brads.  Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon wraps things up along with a quickly punched tag.  I used a Crop-A-Dile to set the white eyelet.

The candy bars (one dark and one milk chocolate) are simply wrapped in more Groovy Guava Designer Paper.  I stamped the "So Sweet" So Many Scallops flower on Whisper White and punched it out with a Scallop Circle Punch.  I had a couple fun orange buttons I added to the top with some silver cord. 

Groovy.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  Tagger's Dozen, Fundamental Phrases, So Many Scallops (Sale-A-Bration)
Paper:  Groovy Guave Designer Series, Whisper White
Ink:  Groovy Guava
Cool Tools:  Small Tag Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, Bone Folder, Crop-A-Dile
The Perfect Touch:  Hodgepodge Hardware Label Holder (Styled Silver, Occasions Mini), Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Eyelets (White), Silver Cord (not currently available through Stampin' Up!), Non-Stampin' Up! buttons

Inspiration:  Splitcoast Limited Supplies Challenge LSC162

Winning is Sweet

STAY TUNED . . .  COMING UP LATER TODAY . . . . "Blog Candy Is So "Dove"-ine" and a mini gift box tutorial (and guess, what's in the box)!

So what was your favorite candy?  Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, followed closely by Hershey's Chocolate or Nuggets.  I'm very impressed by so many dark chocolate devotees . . . clamoring for the antioxidant benefit, no doubt (as suggested by Karren). 

The randomly selected winner of the "Enjoy" candy tin is Nettie.  Congratulations, Nettie.  Please drop me an email with your address so I can mail your goodies.  Hugs and Pretties . . . M

Here's what Nettie had to say: 

Love how your nugget tin came out.  Thanks too for the turorial.  I love visiting your blog your so inspirational!
Favorite candy Resse's peanut butter cups ..yum yum!~

Nettie

 

Candy Tin Tutorial

Today's tutorial on creating a decorative nugget tin (plus bunches of photos and other cool tidbits) will offer a lucky reader a way to "enjoy" some blog candy in the truest sense. 

Simply leave me a comment on this post disclosing your favorite candy by 5:00 p.m. CST, Saturday, April 5.  I'll choose a winner at random and pop today's tin of decorated Hershey's Nuggets (with Almonds, yum) in the mail to you (domestic U.S. only, please).  You can click on photos to enlarge.

My weekly calendar of Asian art (featured) inspired the colors for today's post.  Please ignore the Build-A-Brad tin . . . I had it in mind for the "o" in enjoy when I assembled my supplies but switched gears (no surprise here) to the flower punch and Styled Silver brad.  It's a woman's prerogative to . . . . .

TIP: I used Avery 8160 mailing labels, which fit neatly around Hershey's nuggets.

I stamped two patterns from the Boho Backgrounds set on the sheet of labels, using Brilliant Blue and Taken with Teal.

TIP:  The stamped, adhesive mailing label customizes the nugget easily.

  For a little nugget "personality," I used a Boho Blossom Punch to create the Yo Yo yellow flowers.  TIP: When you are using only part of a 3 part flower punch, grab your scraps so you don't waste as much.  Those long, skinny pieces sliced off from other projects, get new life.  I used the card stock shown, plus my Yo Yo scraps to create the 13 flowers needed.

TIP: I stamped the small "Enjoy Every Moment" flower on Brilliant Blue and Taken With Teal card stock.  Using a 1/2" Circle Punch, they were popped out for instant flower centers.

Nug-a-licious.

TIP:  Rub the large end of a Brilliant Blue Stampin' Up! Marker with some Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain, and you have perfectly matched ribbon in a flash.  Mix white grosgrain and with any of Stampin' Up!'s markers and enjoy quick, coordinated ribbon.  It saturates beautifully.  When I flip the dyed ribbon over,  only minimal touch up is needed.  Be sure to let it dry.

The sentiment is one monster stamp of "enjoy" in Taken With Teal on Whisper White paper.  I embellished with a 1/4" circle ("heightened" on a Stampin' Dimensional) for the dot in "j," another yellow boho flower and one of the big beautiful brads from the new Hodgepodge Hardware collection in Styled Silver.  I matted the image on Yo Yo yellow card stock, which I cropped a bit with some decorative scissors.

The distance around the entire width of the tin is greater than the 11" Taken with Teal card stock I own . . . but no worries.  TIP:  I cut an 11" inch teal strip, wrapped it around (including my "Brilliant Blue" ribbon) and terminated it underneath the sentiment (great "coverup" for the short fall).  And, no seam on the bottom either.

So would you like some candy?  Please leave a comment with your favorite!

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

COMING UP:  More "blog candy" (and other edible ideas to giveaway :)

Stamp Sets:  Boho Backgrounds, Enjoy Every Moment
Paper:  Avery 8160 Mailing Labels, Whisper White, Yo Yo Yellow, Brilliant Blue, Taken with Teal
Ink:  Brilliant Blue Ink Pad and Marker, Taken with Teal
Cool Tools:  Boho Blossom Punch, 1/4" and 1/2" Circle Punches, Provocraft Decorative Scissors
The Perfect Touch:  Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware Brad (Styled Silver, Occasions Mini), Stampin' Dimensional
Other:  Clear Top Tin (www.papertreyink.com)

Peace, Love & Happiness

Yes, I can do something other than a card.  As a matter of fact, I found this decanter in the "recycle department" of my basement (AKA garage sale bound) and decided to put Stampin' Up!'s rub-ons to the test on glass.  Stampin' Up! claims they work on most non-porous surfaces including glass, photos, clipboards, candles, metal, and, of course, card stock.     Well, I now can attest, the rub-ons are divine on glass and plan to keep my decanter to go with my 1960's funk-a-licious home decor.

This will be my shortest tutorial to date . . .  Take one glass decanter.  Add Olive Love and Happiness Rub-ons (Sale-A-Bration, 111228).  Think about whom to give it to.  Decide to hoard it for yourself.

Speaking of funk-a-licious, here's the decanter in the real world outside my little photo tent.   It's perfect.
However, as I was panning right, "someone" decided to get in on this post.  Her name is Isabel.  She's totally Pug-a-licious in her Easter ensemble.

Pugs and Pretties . . . . .Mary

P.S.  I have a winner of the Merci Sale-A-Bration Stamp set (AKA blog candy).  I'm waiting for her to confirm her address before posting.

P.S.S. Don't forget that Sale-A-Bration Ends Monday, March 17.  You earn a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set or the Love & Happiness Rub-Ons (which I used in this post) for every $50 you spend.  Spend $100 get 2 choices.  Spend $150, get 3 (plus all the hostess benefits starting at $150) and so on.

COMING UP THIS WEEKEND:  More Blog Candy . . . Too Many Scallops

Warm Hearts and Cool Beans

Here are a couple quick ideas for jazzing up your Valentine's treats.  I used Jelly Beans inside both but also have some Valentine M & M's on hand, which will work equally as well (as long as I stop eating them up).

I started with a Papertrey Ink Clear Top Tin.  I then measured and cut the first piece of Stampin' Up!'s Cerise Designer Series paper.  I attached the paper to the tin with an ATG adhesive dispenser since it really grabs the tin and keeps the paper wrapped tight.  I did the same on the tin top using a different design (but also from the Cerise Series).  Only about 2 minutes invested at this point :) 

The sentiment was created using my large and small tag punch and a stamp from the Tagger's Dozen stamp set.  My markers allowed me to incorporate two different colors applied directly to the stamp, black dots mixed with a red heart and the word "love."  I wrapped Real Red Ribbon around the box followed by Very Vanilla Ribbon.  The vanilla is "threaded" through an acrylic flower from Papertrey Sheer Blossoms and a Real Red flower created by using Stampin' Up!'s 5 petal Punch, a Jumbo Eyelet and a Crop-a-Dile (to set the eyelet).    The entire project (other than a few breaks to eat Jelly Beans) took under 10 minutes.

The little snack bag is a Stampin' Up! cellophane bag with a topper created with a 3rd design from the Cerise Designer Series Paper pack.  The Cerise series is retired but any of the Stampin' Up! Designer Series papers will offer a range of coordinated papers to pull this off in a snap.  The sentiment is a combination of the All Holidays set ("Hugs and Kisses") and the soon to be released So Many Scallops set (Sale-A-Bration, available Feb. 1).  The scalloped flower is stamped with Versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder.  The Scalloped Circle Punch snapped out the image and works beautifully with this stamp set.  "Hugs" is stamped in Real Red on Very Vanilla card stock and punched with a 1" Circle Punch. 

The Horizontal Slot Punch produces an easy slide on the topper for Real Red Ribbon (sandwiched between the sentiment and the flower) and snazzled up with a couple deep pink adhesive rhinestones.  Zap!  Under 10 minutes again :)   It would go even faster if you had to make a number of them and had things ready "assembly line" style.

H & P . . . Mary

Tin: 
Stamp Set:  Tagger's Dozen (108303)
Paper:  Real Red (102482), Very Vanilla (101650), Cerise Designer Series Paper (retired but Berry Bliss (110749) would be even prettier)
Ink:  Basic Black (100082) and Real Red (100052) Markers
Cool Tools:  Crop-A-Dile (108362), 5 Petal Punch (109041), Tag Punch (105934), Small Tag Punch (108264), 3M's ATG Adhesive Gun
Perfect Touches:  Real Red (109034) and Very Vanilla (109026) 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Jumbo Eyelet (Pewter, 108432), Papertrey Sheer Blossom, Papertrey Tin

Treat Bag:
Stamp Sets:  All Holidays (109397), So Many Scallops (Sale-A-Bration, 111409)
Paper:  Cerise Designer Series Paper (retired but try Ginger Blossoms, 110697 with Ruby Red), Real Red (102482), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  Versamark (102283), Real Red (103133)
Cool Tools:  Heat Tool (100005), Horizontal Slot Punch (105089), 1" Circle Punch (109046), Scalloped Circle Punch (109043)
Perfect Touches:  Stampin' Up! Small Cellophane Bag (103104), Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109034), Clear Embossing Powder (109130), Non-SU Deep Pink Rhinestones

Baby's First Monogram

I received a hilarious Christmas letter this year from my darling 1 year old grand nephew, Henry.  Everything was written from a 1 year old child's perspective, including his visit to Walgreen's where he states, "I run down the aisles and pull things off the shelves--I particularly like the greeting card aisle."  A man after my own heart.  It inspired me to create custom note card sets for both Henry and my equally adorable grand niece, Eleni (also age 1). Monogrammed, of course.  Why not?  I thought their parents would enjoy the humor and convenience of sending off personal notes (thank yous, birthday wishes) directly from their wee ones.

I cut and scored 6 Papertrey White cardstock cards for each note card set and simply added different designer paper selections from either the Dashing (Henry) or Groovy Guava (Eleni) Designer Series Paper collections.  Each paper provides different kick but they blend together nicely. I then added the monograms (bearing the first letters of their first names--I think this is more appropriate for kids than the last name) using letters from the Stampin' Up! Doodle Alphabet (retired).  Any monogram stamps would work just fine.  I then plucked out my Papertrey Squares (Henry) and Circles (Eleni) Borders and Corners sets to layer and amp up the focal point.  To punch the squares, I used a Marvy Uchida Scalloped Square Super Jumbo Punch and for the circles, I used a Marvy Uchida Scalloped Super Jumbo Circle Punch.  All were pumped up on Stampin' Dimensionals and applied atop ribbon (I varied ribbon on Henry's cards and used Chocolate Chip on Eleni's).  Eleni received a few creative border and corner accents for a touch of girly glam. 

The Cuttlebug added wonderful texture to the envelope flaps.  I used the same embossing folder for each set.  I can't believe how well the embossing folders (Spots and Dots-Henry and Bloom Dots-Eleni) coordinated with the Papertrey stamps I used to create the outside panel of the clear card boxes (boxes are also Papertrey).  Green Thumb has a dashing grasshopper (Certainly Celery) for Henry (note: the background is CASE'd from a Nicole Heady Papertrey design, using images from both Green Thumb and Textboxed).  The Little Lady set (stamped in Purely Pomegranate, Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava Flowers) was a perfect representation of Eleni's mom as the adult "lady" with a 2 tiny "ladies", one for Eleni and one for her "soon to be" brother or sister.

The grasshopper image is attached with dimensionals to celery cardstock, punched out with a Marvy Uchida Mega Scalloped Rectangle Punch.  I used the horizontal slot punch to create a slide for the ribbon.  All ladybug dots shine with the help of a Sakura Gelly Glaze Pen.   Ribbon used on the outside of both clear boxes is from the Ribbon Originals Collection in Sherbet. 

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Sets:  Doodle Alphabet, Papertrey Borders and Corners Squares
Paper:  Papertrey White Cardstock and Envelopes, Dashing Designer Series Paper
Ink:  Always Artichoke, Sage Shadow (watercolored the "h")
Cool Tools:  Marvy Uchida Scalloped Square Super Jumbo Punch, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Spots and Dots, Aqua Painter
Perfect Touches:  Non SU Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Stamp Sets:  Doodle Alphabet, Papertrey Borders and Corners Circles
Paper:  Papertrey White Cardstock and Envelopes, Groovy Guava Designer Series
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava (with blender pen in the "e")
Cool Tools:  Cuttlebug and Embossing Folder Bloom Dots, Marvy Uchida Scalloped Super Jumbo Circle Punch
Perfect Touches:  5/8" Grosgain Ribbon in Chocolate Chip, Stampin Dimensionals

Cool Beans: Papertrey Stationery Kits

I decided to make something special for my sisters' birthdays (that's right, they're twins) this year.  I adored Nichole Heady of Papertrey Ink's stationery project and tutorial, shown here.  They took a bit of time (there's a lot here) but weren't terribly difficult.  The results were amazing.  My sisters each received a monogrammed stationery set and seals, adorable contrasting papers which were cut to fit the cigar box, envelope flaps and the tin for the seals and postage.  The really fun part was showing off how each sheet of stationery was unique.  I highlighted one set with Butterfly Kisses and the other with Spiral Bouquet, each stamped in a slightly different position and a small range of matching colors.  Frankly, my biggest challenge was trying to find binding tape to cover the edges.  I ended up striking out and made the side panels on the box a touch longer to cover further to the corners (about 6 1/8" wide).  Then I used Close to Cocoa and Basic Brown to distress the edges and corners of the box both before AND after adhering the paper.  Just a note regarding the template for lining up the circle/monogram on the stationery sheets, it should measure 5.5" x 2" (rather than 1" as listed).  That way you can use the 1 3/8" circle punch per the instructions. 

Hugs and Pretties,  M

2-Sided Patterned Paper :
Red Kit:  Creative Imaginations Samantha Walker Red Bandana
Blue/Green Kit:  Chatterbox, Woods Blossoms