Thank You Treat Holder

Here's a quick way to package a thank you treat for someone special!

I learned to make this fun treat holder at one of the Stampin' Up! conventions I attended, although I'm afraid I can't remember which one!  I started with textured Going Gray card stock that measures 11" x 4" and scored at 4" and 5".  I stamped using Basic Gray Classic Ink and Elements of Style, which will be available May 1st.  I've already used this stamp set so many times; it's really fun and versatile.  Just type "Elements of Style" into the search box at the bottom of the left-hand sidebar and you'll see lots of cards using this gorgeous set.  Next came a strip of Pretty in Pink card stock stamped in Basic Gray Classic Ink using one of the sentiments from Thank You Kindly.  A ribbon rose using Bravo Burgundy and Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon completes this gift.  Tuck some matching treats in a Medium Flat Cellophane Bag.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 118611 Elements of Style $27.95 in wood OR
Item No. 120045 elements of Style $19.95 in clear mount
Item No. 111700 Thank You Kindly $13.95
Item No. 109053 Bravo Burgundy 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon $7.95
Item No. 109054 Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon $7.95
Item No. 102757 Medium Flat Cellophane Bags (50) $4.50

Don't Forget!

To purchase your May Card Kit of the Month!  Click HERE for details. 

Order Stampin' Up! products online 24/7 — click HERE!

Pretty Pink Easter Basket

Here's a fun project for Easter!  I taught this at my last workshop, and it seemed to be a big hit!

Here are the directions to make this cute basket.  You'll need:

One 4-3/4" x 7-3/4" piece of card stock for basket base (mine is Pretty in Pink)
One 1" x 11" piece of card stock for basket handle (mine is Pretty in Pink)
One 1-3/8" x 15" piece of patterned paper to decorate basket base (I used Tea Party designer series paper)
One 7/8" x 11" piece of patterned paper to decorate basket handle
Two large brads (I used the white ones in the 5/16" neutrals Jumbo Brads packet

– Adhere patterned designer paper strip on the center of your card stock strip to form the handle.
– Score the basket base at 1-1/2" on each of the four sides.
–Cut the card stock at the two scored lines on either side of the long length of card stock.
– Add adhesive to the outside four corners of the card stock.
– Prefold your score lines; remove the adhesive backing and assemble your basket.
– Decorate the outside of your basket.
– Punch a large hole with your Crop-A-Dile and also an inch up from either end of your handle, making sure to line everything up.
– Use a large brad to attach the handle to both ends of the basket.
– Place tissue or grass in the basket and add your Easter candy!

Here's a side view where I tied Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon around the handle.  You can also see how I set the brad to hold the handle in place.

Below is a close-up of the tag I made using Well Scripted stamp set and Boho Blossoms Punch:

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 106953 Rich Regals brads $8.95
Item No. 112534 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo Brads $7.95
Item No. 113992 Tea Party designer series paper $9.95
Item No. 118601 Well Scripted stamp set $14.95
Item No. 112082 Wide Oval Punch $15.95
Item No. 110711 Boho Blossoms Punch $15.95
Item No. 108362 Crop-A-Dile $29.95
Item No. 109050 Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon $7.95

Don't Forget!

• To sign up for our Spring Stamping Retreat Weekend! Click HERE for more details and to register!  Registration ends March 26th!
  
• To take advantage of Sale-A-Bration by making a $50 purchase and receiving a FREE product!  Click HERE for more details.  This promotion ends March 31st!

Simply Adorned Necklace

This month, I treated myself to a Simply Adorned 1-1/2"x2" Charm and 34" Chain.  I've been waiting for the larger size charm, and they're finally available!  I'm having so much fun designing inserts for this beautiful necklace.  And boy, I've found, it doesn't take very much to decorate that small of a space!  Did you notice the beautiful toggle clasp and exclusive Stampin' Up! charm on the chain? 

I wanted a monogram look, and I pulled a retired alphabet set off my shelf called Well Worn Alphabet.

It's hard to see the dimension in the picture, but the glass in the Charm is beveled — oh, so beautiful!  I stamped the "K" in Black Craft Ink on Kraft card stock then heat embossed it with Black Embossing Powder.  The heart is from Tiny Tags and is stamped on a separate piece of card stock with Real Red Craft Ink, then heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder and adhered with Dimensionals.  The flower motif is also from Tiny Tags.  I made a mask for the "K", then stamped both flowers with White Craft Ink and heat embossed with White Embossing Powder.

And of course, you have to decorate the back of your Charm just in case it flips around while you're wearing it!

Both these images are from Charming stamp set which was featured in the Holiday Mini Catalog but which is still available!  Both of these stamp sets are designed to fit perfectly with our Simply Adorned line.  I stamped the background stamp on Kraft card stock with Black Craft Ink, then stamped the "CREATE" on a separate piece of card stock with Real Red Craft Ink, heat embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder and cut it out and adhered it with Dimensionals.  There's space within the charm for a bit of three dimensional artwork.

Here's another look for my Charm!

I added a 5/8" Circle Charm and a 5/8" Square Charm to either side of the larger one.  Really all you need to do is place a piece of one of our many beautiful designer series papers inside the charms–it's that easy!  Here I used paper from the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack.  There are so many gorgeous papers to choose from!  I've also added some tiny rhinestones from the Eggcellent Eggs Kit.  If you don't already own this great little kit, now's the time to order it!  It's available until April 30th or while supplies last.  After it's gone, I'm not sure that we're going to carry these tiny rhinestones, and they're just perfect for decorating your jewelry, as well as many other uses.  Check out cards made with the set HERE.  Anyway, I digress!  The large multi-colored butterfly is just the designer paper, but the So Saffron butterfly is cut from the Big Shot and the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die with a piece of silver cording wrapped around its body.  I adhered it to the paper with a Dimensional, well, actually 1/2 of a dimensional! 

Here's a close-up:

And the back is just the reverse side of the designer paper.  You can also see the small charms better here.

Check out past posts HERE, HERE and HERE to see more samples and learn more about this gorgeous jewelry line.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 116799 Simply Adorned Charm 1-1/2"x2"   $21.95
Item No. 116853 Simply Adorned Chain 34"   $12.95
Item No. 117349 Siimply Adorned 5/8" Circle Charm   $8.95
Item No. 118476 Simply Adorned 5/8" Square Charm   $8.95
Item No. 116519 Charming stamp set   $19.95
Item No. 118592 Tiny Tags stamp set   $16.95
Item No. 118138 Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die   $11.95
Item No. 117161 Sweet pea Designer Series Paper Stack   $24.95
Item No. 117179 Eggcellent Eggs Kit   $9.95

Don't Forget!

• To sign up for our Spring Stamping Retreat Weekend! Click HERE for more details and to register!
  
• To sign up for the Spring Card Class!  Click HERE for more details and to register.
  
• To sign up for the March Card Kit!  Click HERE for more details and to purchase!

Heartfelt Stampers Team Fun

I look so forward to getting together with my Stampin' Up! team members on the first Thursday evening of each month.  It's time to learn, be recognized and of course stamp!  But my favorite part is just reconnecting with women I've come to call very special friends.  This month was especially exciting because we've change the format of our Team Times to include lots more stamping and a newly revised recognition program.  Here are pictures and some of the highlights of the evening.

In January we met to work on some fabric ideas using the Big Shot and the Scallop Square Die.  You can view a couple of the bags that were made HERE.  Pam Kane brought along her version of the rag purse — she turned it into a supply tote by making a bag that would accommodate a photo box.  How cool is that!

Phyl Lyons also shared a project she's been working on.  It's a very cute note pad holder and matching pen.  Wish I could have taken Phyl's class and made this myself! 

Missy Shipman, my "upline's upline" sent some fun things our way!  Here's a beautiful felt pin she made each of us in attendance using the Big Shot:

She also sent me a beautiful hand-stamped card with matching envelope for being in her top 10 Sales Achievers!  It's using Vintage Vogue stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  Missy's card is so gorgeous, and it's a reminder to do some stamping on the envelope as well.

I was also recognized by my upline, Aly Schilling, for top sales achiever in her group, as well as recruiting a new team member.  Aly began making these darling Sweet Treat prizes for us!  I was lucky enough to earn four of them!

And here's the card I received from Aly as well.  February was a great month for me — thank you to all my wonderful customers for your support!

We also did some swapping, but I'll save those cards for later! 

Would you like to come to our next Team Time?  Contact me to find out how to become a part of a very active group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators and join in the fun!

Simply Adorned Jewelry – 1-1/2in. x 2in. Rectangle Charm Available Mar. 1

I'm happy to announce that as of March 1, the Simply Adorned 1-1/2″ x 2″ Rectangle Charm, featured in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog, will be available for purchase!

Simply Adorned charms are a wonderful addition to our line and will help you dress in style as well as show off your creativity! The nickel-plated charms feature tempered, beveled glass on front, flat glass on back, and a lobster clasp that lets you easily insert custom artwork to make cherished keepsakes.  Click HERE to view the one I made for my sister's birthday.  This one's the 1" x 1-1/4", a little smaller version.

Don't Forget!

* To Sign Up for our Spring Stamping Retreat Weekend! Click HERE for more details!
* To sign up for the Spring Card Class!  Click HERE for more details and to register.

Simply Adorned Jewelry

My sister's birthday is just around the corner, and I knew exactly what to get her this year!  Stampin' Up!'s jewelry line, Simply Adorned, combines creativity with fashion, and that's what my sister is all about!

This is the Simply Adorned 1" x 1-1/4" Rectangle Charm.  They are such a tiny canvas, but they're so much fun to make and very addicting!  I made my sister four inserts, and I'm sure she'll be making more on her own!  I'll describe how I made each one for you:

Blue insert in necklace:  I started out using a piece of the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper.  There are lots of small prints in this pack, so it's perfect for the small piece I needed.  I stamped the flower from Charming stamp set in Not Quite Navy, then added a bit of a rub-on and a tiny self-adhesive rhinestone from the Eggcellent Eggs Kit.

Pink and purple insert:  This paper also came from the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper.  I stamped the geometric image in Elegant Eggplant and the butterfly in Basic Gray Classic inks.  They are both from the stamp set Charming, which is designed specifically to work great with our jewelry line.  A rhinestone brad from the Eggcellent Eggs Kit completes the image.  I sprayed the whole insert with Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (a few drops in a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol).

Gray, Red and White insert:  I used a portion of a sentiment from the Kind & Caring Thoughts Level 3 Hostess stamp set and a Ruby Red Stampin' Write Marker to stamp "it's all good" at the bottom.  The flourish is from a brand new stamp set not yet released called Elements of Style and is stamped in Basic Gray.  The heart is the smallest one from the Heart to Heart Punch and is on a Dimensional.  I used the Color Spritzer Tool with a Ruby Red Stampin' Write Marker to add a spattering of color.

Yellow butterfly insert:  This insert begins with another piece of designer paper from the Sweet Pea collection. I stamped on top of it with Very Vanilla Craft Ink and a stamp from the Charming stamp set.  The word "create" is also from the same set and is stamped in Old Olive on Very Vanilla card stock.  The butterfly comes from Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die for the Big Shot.  I tied around a piece of gold cord and adhered it to the insert in just the center.  There's a bit of room in the charm for dimension to stand out.

Great news!  The Charming stamp set was in the Holiday Mini Catalog which has retired, but Charming is still available and will be included in the new Idea Book & Catalog in July. 

Another terrific stamp set for the Simply Adorned line is Tiny Tags, which is in the current Occasions Mini Catalog.  Here's what it looks like:

Here's how I wrapped the boxes:

The Charm and the Chain come in nice Chocolate Chip colored boxes.  I stacked the two boxed together and wrapped it with Sahara Sand card stock that I punched on the sides with the Scallop Trim Border Punch, free with a purchase of $50 during Sale-A-Bration.  Next came a leftover piece of Sweet Pea designer paper (remember THIS CARD?) and some Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon.  I cut the  tag out with the Matchbox Die and the Big Shot, then stamped it using the coordinating stamp set Great Friend and added another butterfly from the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die with a rhinestone from the Eggcellent Eggs Kit.

I'll make her a special birthday card, but that's for another day!

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 116519   Charming Stamp Set   $19.95
Item No. 116798   Simply Adorned 1" x 1-1/4" Rectangle Charm   $18.95
Item No. 116853   Simply Adorned Chain 34"   $12.95
Item No. 117179   Eggcellent Eggs Kit   $9.95
Item No. 117161   Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Pack   $24.95
Item No. 113694   Heart to Heart Punch   $15.95
Item No. 118138   Embosslits Die Beautiful Wings   $11.95
Item No. 113792   Great Friends stamp set   $17.95
Item No. 114890   Matchbox Die $42.95
Item No. 117289   Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon   $8.95

Don't Forget!

• To Sign Up for our Spring Stamping Retreat Weekend! Click HERE for more details!
  To sign up for the Spring Card Class!  Click HERE for more details and to register.
  

My Big Shot Rag Purse

I'm on a roll with sewing, and I'm just LOVING the ease of cutting out all of the fabric with the Big Shot.  Did you know that the Big Shot will cut 8 layers of fabric at a time?  It made cutting for this purse a breeze!  All of the squares for both the outside and the inside lining were cut with the Stampin' Up! Scallop Square Bigz Clear Die.

Here's a close-up:

And here's the purse and flower purse charm that Missy Shipman shared at our All-Day Fabric Class.

The possibilities are endless with the Big Shot die cutting machine and Stampin' Up! dies!  Contact me today to get yours!

Don't Forget!

• To contact me about registering for the Syracuse, NY Regional Seminar – details are HERE!
  
• To Sign Up for our Spring Stamping Retreat Weekend! Click HERE for more details!
• To order your February Card Kit.  Click HERE.

All-Day Fabric Class Part 2

At the All-Day Fabric Class on Saturday, Aly made these adorable favors for each gal who attended.  Aren't they darling?  Aly used the Priceless stamp set and stamped in Basic Gray, Going Gray and Real Red Classic Ink.  She added lots of interest by using a Pink Corduroy Button, a piece of 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon in Real Red and Gray Taffeta Ribbon tied around the bottle.  She punched out the raw white vinyl with the Heart to Heart Punch and added a sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.  Thanks, Aly!

Here are some of the creative cards that were swapped at the class.

Debbie Rought of Middlesex, NY, made this clever card.  She used the Ornament Punch and Delightful Decorations stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog to create the flower!  Now, that's thinking out of the box!

Next is a card from Jacki Wrubel.  She heat embossed the image from Baroque Motifs stamp set and added flowers cut from the Big Shot.

Next up is a quick and easy yet very attractive card from Tina Newton of Canandaigua, NY.  Tina used Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack and Sweet Pea Stitched Felt accents from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  With beautiful paper like this, you don't have to do much else for a "wow" factor!

And finally, I'll share a super card from Patty Braun.  She chose to feature the stamp set Chocolate Bunny from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The sentiment comes from With All My Heart stamp set from the same catalog.

Friday is a big day – don't forget to check back here in the morning for the Catty Cruise Blog Tour of the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I'll be featuring ideas to use the Eggcellent Eggs Kit found on page 23 of that catalog.  

Don't Forget!

• To contact me about registering for the Syracuse, NY Regional Seminar – details are HERE!
  
• To Sign Up for our Spring Stamping Retreat Weekend! Click HERE for more details!

All-Day Fabric Class

Last Saturday, The Heartfelt Stampers Team and the From the Heart Stampers got together for an all-day event designed to create quilting projects using the Big Shot die cutting machine.  We had so much fun and learned a ton!  If you want to be included on these very special events, won't you consider joining our team?  Most of us are based in New York State, but often times, our long distance members travel to join us.  With the Sale-A-Bration special, it's a perfect time to take 15% off your starter kit and receive a free stamp set! 

We began the morning beginning to work on quilt squares.  Here's Jacki Wrubel with her beautiful creation!

Jen Rios-Raner had never sewn before and she did a fabulous job!

Here's a couple of squares I made.  This one uses the 5-Petal 3D Star Bigz die.

This one uses the center oval from Frame, Oval Scallop Bigz die, Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die and Circles #2 Originals.  Click HERE for finished quilts that these squares could be turned into.

We did some swapping, and since it was a fabric-based class, I decided to make these adorable bibs.  I traced around a bib I alread had to get the pattern.  With the boy bib, I cut the stars from the Stars #2 Originals die. 

Here's a baby girl's version.  The flower is cut with the Flower Bigz Clear die.

Aly Schilling brought this gorgeous swap.  She made a pin cutting the fabric from circle dies with the Big Shot.  And don't you just love her presentation!  The button in the center is from the Stampin' Up! collection, and the hat pin and pearls are from the Pretties Kit.

Missy Shipman from Baldwinsville joined us in the afternoon to tell us what she learned while attending Jill Olsen's class at Founder's Circle. 

We each made this darling purse charm!

Here's a close-up!

What a very fun and inspiring day!  Would you like to learn more about how to quilt using the Big Shot?  Just contact me, and I'll bring a private class to you and your friends!

Don't Forget!

• To contact me about registering for the Syracuse, NY Regional Seminar – details are HERE!
  
• To Sign Up for our Spring Stamping Retreat Weekend! Click HERE for more details!

Simply Adorned Jewelry by Stampin’ Up!

It's here!  The Stampin' Up! Simply Adorned line beautifully combines the best of two worlds: stamping and jewelry! Simply Adorned charms are designed to hold a creation you design yourself, making your jewelry truly unique.

Simply Adorned charms are lockets–they open up so you can insert your custom stamped image. The Charming stamp set, along with Rub-Ons, glitter, ribbons, and other embellishments, can help you create your unique charm insert. And don't forget that you can embellish the chains with ribbon, felt flowers . . . the possibilities are endless! The frame surrounds tempered beveled glass on the front and flat glass on the back. Because there's glass on both sides of the charm, you can display an image on one side or both. You can create a custom heirloom piece that you'll never want to change, or you can swap artwork in and out, depending on your mood and your wardrobe.

And although Stampin' Up! designed Simply Adorned charms to be jewelry, they also make delightful key chains or Christmas tree ornaments. Insert a stamped image or photo of your loved ones, tie a ribbon through the clasp, and you're done!

It's easy to create custom jewelry. When you wear your own Simply Adorned necklace or charm bracelet with artwork you created yourself, be prepared for questions about where you got it!

 

 

Check out Simply Adorned Jewelry above and featured on page 28 of the Occasions Mini Catalog.  Below are the pages of Simply Adorned jewelry that are now available from the Holiday Mini Catalog. NOTE:  The largest rectangle charm (116799, 1 1/2" x 2") is currently unavailable.  Stay tuned for updates.

I'll keep the Holiday Mini Catalog up in the right sidebar so that you can download it and go to pages 7 and 8 for a better look at this beautiful line.  Contact me today to order yours!

COMING SOON!
My very first scrapbooking class last Friday evening was a huge hit!  Watch for details on the next opportunity for scrapbooking on Friday, February 12th, at 6:30PM in Webster NY, and mark your calendar to attend!