Never, never, never :) I was thinking about making my Christmas cards and felt overwhelmed at the thought of so many to make. I decided to try a couple of renditions before going to my workshop and working. Here are a couple I came up with to make. Now which one will it be...maybe neither :) But hey, maybe I'll let you guys decide for me.
~or~
I love Halloween. I've been having a blast making card, albums, and gifts. Here are the cards.
I hadn't made a card for a while so I thought I'd start simply with this one. I made this card using Stampin' Up's Pumpkin Patch stamp set and Cast-a-Spell Designer Series Papers. It's so much cuter in person.
I couldn't resist using the Sweet Treat Cups. I used the Cast-a-Spell Designer Series Papers and Spooky Treats Rub-ons.
Here I used the Halloween Hoot stamp set (I love this cute little frog) and Cast-a-Spell Designer Series Papers. And, I wanted to make a halloween card for the older guys in my life. I came up with this...
I'm still going. I have lots of family that think Halloween is a Hoot...
*All designs are by me, except when noted and all images are Stampin' Up!, except when noted*
You may be wondering where the heck I've been lately. Well, lots of different things have been happening in the life of this PaperFriend. My Dad was ill for a long time but seems to be doing much better these days. Praise the Lord! Of course, I've also been watching grandchildren and helping my husband with ESP (Engineering Summer Program), a camp for students going into their senior year of high school. Anyway, I'm spending what little extra time making fun stuff and holding classes when I can. The end of this month should bring an end to all the running and I will be back in my workshop more often.
One of the juicy fun things about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is that we get first dibs at the new product being introduced in the upcoming catalogs. I'm just absolutely loving the new In Colors and stamp sets I pre-ordered. I thought I'd share them with you today.
The first one is all new. The yummy color on this card is Rich Razzleberry and the designer paper is from the Razzleberry Lemonade collection. Ooh, and isn't that cute new matching polka dot ribbon. Cute!
The second card also uses paper from the Razzleberry Lemonade collection. The In Colors are Melon Mango and Crushed Curry (papers and inks). I used one of my favorite current stamps sets (Cheap Talk) for my image. I love it, I love it, I love it! And, oooh, there's that new matching polka dot ribbon again. Wheeee!
Oh bummer, Bella Rose is gone. I missed my chance to order some more of my favorite Designer Series Paper :( but here is a sample of a card I made with what I had on hand. (This was my swap for the month of June).
Yummmm...doesn't this remind you of chocolate covered cherries? I told you I'd be offering classes done in a new way and I can't think of a better time than now to make this sweet offer. You can receive the 1st of my Stamp Class by Email, "Love You Much Valentine," free with an online order of $50 or more, now through January 31st.
What better time of year is there to express your love and appreciation to your family and friends than Valentine’s Day? With this Stamp Class by E-mail, you’ll create four love & friendship cards, four 3” x 3” friendship notes and 9 tags that can be used when packaging up Valentine’s treats for your kids, teachers, friends &/or co-workers. The whole collection is packaged in this one-of-a-kind Stationery Purse.
This Stamp Class by E-mail includes:
The featured product in this class is the Stampin' Up! Valentine Day "Love You Much Bundle (item 115405)" special. In the bunclle you will receive the Love You Much Stamp Set, Candy Lane Designer Series Paper, and the Heart to Heart Punch, all at the great price of $41.48, better than a $10 savings off the regular price.
Below you will find everything you need to create one of these sweet projects.
Receive my first Class by E-mail by going to my online store and placing a $50 (+ S&H) order today. I know you are going to love how easy and fun it is going to be to create this fabulous project. I can't wait to hear from you all!
If you prefer to order directly through me, please call anytime, (859) 312-0610.
Are you looking for a last minute gift? The gift card holders are so cute and simple but look super cute. As my gift to you this month, here is a tutorial to help you put these together.
I am going to give you the dimensions and instructions for putting these together but keep in mind that you may substitute anything you have on hand to put these together.
You will need the following items. I used all Stampin' Up! products and all items can be ordered from my website: www.paperfriendzy.stampinup.net or you can call me and I will place your order for you.Items are available through January 18th at least.
Instructions:
1. Cut your base card (Bashful Blue) 4 3/4" x 6" and score along the 6" side at 3".
2. Cut your insert piece at 4 1/4" x 11" and score along the 11" side at 2 3/4", 5 1/2" and 8 1/4".
3. Fold your insert in half and mark at 3/8" on each end to identify where the edge of your punch will be. Using the Word Window punch, line up the edge of your punch with your mark. Punch both right and left sides. After you punch both sides you will notice that the punch did not meet at the center. You will take care of that in the next step.
After you punch both sides, it should look like this.
4. Now, using the 1 3/8" cirlce punch, center and punch half-way in from top edge of original fold.
5. If you want to stamp it now you can. I used the large snowflake from the set Snow Swirled and used Bashful Blue Classic Ink. Add sticky strip to the back as pictured below. Before adhering it to the base card, I used Muti-purpose Glue and ran a thin line in between the notched edges to close the sides to prevent the gift card from sliding out.
6. Allow glue to dry and build your card front now. Layer 2 1/2" x 4 1/4" DSP over Chocolate Chip CS and then layer over the front of the base card (as shown).
7. Stamp label image from Cute & Curly Labels on scrap of Very Vanilla CS with Tangerine Tango Classic Ink. Punch out with Curly Label Punch, as shown. Add rub-on "Season's Greetings" from Old St. Nicholas Rub-Ons to center of stamped label. Adhere stamped image over 2" x 1 3/4" Chocolate Chip CS and trim away CS to create a border. Embellish with flower from Designer Brads.
8. Wrap Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribon around outside of card and layer label over the ribbon with Stampin' Dimensionals. (I run some adhesive down the back side of my ribbon where it touches the card to hold it in place. Slide your gift card into the inside and tie bow to complete your gift card.
You're now ready to give those last minute gifts that look like you've been working on it since September.
It's the 4th Saturday and time for our next Technique Class. This month we will do the Salted Background, Split Negative, and Shaving Cream Background techniques.
The first image is an example of the Salted Background technique. I wish the photograph showed the beauty of this card but unfortunately it just doesn't do it justice.
The colors used are Regal Rose, Always Artichoke, and Glossy White CS. The inks used are Regal Rose, Always Artichoke, and So Saffron.
The second image is an example of the Split Negative technique. This truly is a beautiful card. I love the black and white, it's simple and but elegant. You can't tell from the photo (argh) but the trees have Crystal Stickles and it the trees just sparkle with an irredescent glow. Lovely as a Tree is the stamp set used (another favorite of mine) and the card is lovely too.
This technique is really easy to do and if you like embossing this is definitely a technique you'll love trying. I'd love to see your version of this technique.
The third and final card is by far my favorite finished piece. The technique we used to create this card is the Shaving Cream Background technique. This technique creates stunning backgrounds and every one is unique.
The colors used in this technique are Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery, and Bashful Blue. The base card is Whisper White. The stamp sets used are Pretty Amazing and Embrace Life. Don't you just love it?
If you enjoy learning creative ways to create cards and scrapbook pages and embellishments, join us every 4th Saturday of the month for amazing technique. I demonstrate the technique once, you create a ATC sized sample of the technique and finally, you re-create the sample items I've made to finish of the morning. I'd love to have you join us. Seating is limited so register early. The next Saturday Technique class will be August 23rd at 10 am. The cost of the class is $15.
Using your favorite "flavor" cardstock: cut it 4" x 5" and score at 2-1/2" along 5" side. Fold your card and punch 3 corners with corner rounder punch and, with the Scallop punch, punch the upper right corner.
Cut Whisper White cardstock to 2-1/4" x 3-3/4". Punch as above. Insert the popsicle stick throught the backside of the card by punching 2 holes with the Horizontal Slot punch. Stamp the white piece first, I used the birthday sentiment from Hugs & Wishes, then put Stampin' Dimensionals on the back of the white piece and place it over the stick.
Next, stamp fruits from the Tart & Tangy set from the Occasions Mini Collection 2008 (reminder: you only have until June 30th to order from this set), using Only Orange, Yo-Yo Yellow, Green Galore, Real Red, and Chocolate Chip markers. Punch out with 1-1/4" round punch. Punch out matching "flavor" colors with 1-3/8" round punch and mount fruits on to the colored CS. Finally, punch out Whisper White CS using the Scallop punch and adhere fruit to scallop. Mount with Stampin' Dimensionals. I almost used the cherry stamp for my fudgesicle but it was just crying out chocolate truffle. So, using the Chocolate Chip marker for my I drew the truffle and continued as above.
When I first saw these on Patty Bennett's blog I knew that I would have to make the whole set for upcoming birthdays. Aren't they cute. We make things just like this in my rubber stampin' classes. Check out my calendar of events to find a class of interest and register to join us!
In addition to the 12" x 12" scrapbook page we will be making this June, we will also be making this fresh looking birthday card. I love the simplicity and clean lines of this card. And, if you look closer you will be able to see the 3-D apples hanging on the tree. They look good enough to eat. LOL! Okay, so maybe they don't look edible but they are cute.
I created this card using Lovely As a Tree, one my all time favorite stamp sets. Using a Chocolate Chip and Garden Green SU! marker, I colored the tree and stamped it on Whisper White card stock. I then used Liquid Applique to make the apples.
The Real Red striped grosgrain ribbon adds the perfect touch along with the Happy Birthday greeting from the Big Bold Birthday stamp set.
Look for upcoming special classes in July as we say Bon Voyage to the retiring stamp sets. Ask me about it!
