August 20, 2014

Holiday Samplers.. come get it!!

Another sampler from the Holiday Catalog that I duplicated or CASE'd... I'll use that terminology from now on instead... LOL... anyway, below is an ensemble of invitations that are just the tip of the Iceberg on what can be made using this stamp set... it's called Holiday Invitation and is a set of 14 stamps and again.... TOTALLY CLEAR! for you ease of placement.. I am grinning because this is such a pain for a lot of us... getting things completely straight or placed without the aid of other tools... The set has 4 occasions displayed, but you can add to that by simply substituting another occasion if you like... and it has coordinating images... 7 of them to pick from.. the title and the invite part... Additionally, there are the easily made envelopes to go with any size card... See video at the bottom... I'm not kidding...they are soooo easy to make!  Using the Envelope Punch Board!  Available now from the Annual Catalog or shop here 24/7.


Up close and personal...  Added leaves using the Autumn Accents Bigz...Item: 127812 in Annual Catalog and some Tangerine Tango Baker's Twine - item 134578... Love it!!
 

On this one I added some Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details - item 125585 on the holly berries to add some Zing!  Easy to use and dries in a few mins... really!  Only $2.50 for each 0.6 fl oz bottle o glitter adhesive...dries clear, so all you see is the colored glitter... Love these!! These glitters also come in Silver Sparkle, New-Gold Glitz and of course... Dazzling Details... clear glitter.
 
Stay tuned for more samples... coming soon!
 
Sandra.
 
Almost forgot the video!!  Hello Sandra... rolling eyes... oh boy!  Here it is ...live from my dining room table... Tah! Dah!  The one and only Envelope Punch Board !!!!  Drum Roll please...
 
 
 

More Step Card Fun... Halloween

I'm sure everyone knows by now that Halloween is my most favorite time of year?  Well, it is and I've already been looking, feeling, smelling, tasting and creating Halloween stuff... Here is a cute Step Card I made last month to get my Mojo going..  I used a mixture of product.. mostly Stampin'Up!(Card Stock, Designer paper, ink, stamps and bauble framlit around sentiment), but also some Cricut, EK Success border punch and bat punch... I love it.

 
TFL... Sandra.

Holiday Frenzy!!

Holiday you say?  Well, um, Yeah I say!!  LOL... I have begun to prepare for my Holiday Catalog Open House in Sept... date to be announced yet...  But, I was dying to start sharing some samples... so, since the Catalog is not out yet for customers to purchase (September 1st!!)... I have made samples that are exact duplicates of what's in the book plus a few samples of my own... that is why you will see the watermark on some and other's no.

This is by far one of my most favorite Stamp sets from the upcoming Holiday Catalog.. it's called Wondrous Wreath and it is just sooooooooo much fun!!  It has 9 stamps and it's a two step stamp... best of all ... it's completely clear, so you can line those leaves and berries perfectly every single time!

Hope you enjoy... I will add more information in the next couple of day to each picture.

Four Card Ensemble

 
From the Holiday Catalog
This card is a duplicate from the Holiday Catalog.. using new products... see that Gold Ribbon!! 
 
 
 My Fall Card
Using the same layout.. see how many you can make in different themes?  Doubled up with another Fall stamp set here.... For All Things.. Another Favorite from the catalog.
 
 
 Let it Snow Card
On the softer side... the snowy wreath... using the new framelits!!  Wait 'til you see these!! Make a flip card with a snowflake in the middle and it comes with a heart, banner, Tree, 2 snowflakes and 3 sayings...  In addition, there is the Designer Paper "All is calm" which is gorgeous!!
 
 
Wonderful Winter 
On this card, I used the beautiful foiled snowflake paper from the "All is calm DSP pack" and I sprinkled some of the accents from the snowflake, sequins pack available in September also. 
Lots of fun... stay tuned for more!
Thanks, Sandra.
 

August 06, 2014

Happy Birthday Alina

And I love this new stamp set and had to use it!!  Hope you like it... I had fun making this for my baby.

July 23, 2014

Step Card Fun

I was playing with different types of Cards and decided I'd been wanting to make this one for a loooooooong time... yeah... since last summer's vacation to Hawaii. 

This is a Step card and can be made and modified in many different ways to accommodate many ideas and embellishments.

I've been wanting to use Stampin'Up's new and wonderful Photopolymer statmp set called: Flower Patch... it has 10 flowers, 2stems, 3 different leaves, a leave spine or branch and 3 sentiments to go with it... it's a 2-step stamp set for a total of 19 stamps!!!  All that for only $25.95, aaaaand... of course... it has a matching die set to cut out all those wonderful shapes!!  The Flower Fair Framelits  - 11 dies for $25.95.  I was so excited to use this finally!  If you buy both items... there is a bundle discount of 15% for $43.25.. you know that's what I did right? 

Well, here it is from different views and of course... I had to add my pic o the family!  Hope you enjoy it.  I will post more samples in the next few days.

Stamps:
Pg 156 Flower Patch and page 78. Skinny Mini Alphabet
Cardstock in: Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Wild Wasabi, Baked Brown Sugar and Whisper White.
Inks: Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Wild Wasab, Pistachio Pudding and Baked Brown Sugar
Other:
Pg: 230 Flower Fair Framelits
Pg: 215 Fringe Scissors
Pg:180 Brights Candy dots
Pg: 187 Designer Series Paper Park Lane
Glue dots, dimensionals and Fast Fuse Adhesives to give dimension to flowers and leaves
Pg: 216 The Stampin' Trimmer... a must have!!!

 From the Front... my  beautiful Tropical Flowers on a trellis or bamboo fence on the left and 3 steps to the right are from front to back... sentiment, embellishment and Cabana Frame for picture.

 From the side... you can appreciate the steps... this makes a wonderful addition to a desk or mantel to display the photo...

  
Card with Photo from the front view... I have mine on my bookshelf above my desk.
 
For dimensions on this card... stay tuned... I'll be posting soon.  
Thanks for looking!
Sandra

April 23, 2014

Stampin' Blendabilities Markers coming Soon!!

Hi everyone.... I'm so excited to introduce you to one of the Stampin'Up! new products coming soon to us all....

"Blendabilities" Markers

At this year's Leadership conference, one of the announcements made was about a new product that Stampin'Up! will soon be offering - Blendabilities Markers!

These are alcohol markers (like Copic markers) that many of you already know and love.
These are the exclusive Stampin' Up! colors that we will offer: (pic courtesy of Jodi demonstrator)


Aren't they beautiful?

Here's the scoop:

 Sold in Groups of 3 Markers - shades in light/medium/dark of one color for $11.95

There is also a Skin Tone Assortment set of six Blendabilities for $22.95.

Other New Products you will want...
  • Memento Ink Pad, which you need to use with these alcohol markers, for $5.95
  • Mememto Ink refill for $4.95.
  • Blendabilities Color Lifter - a "magic eraser" - for $4.95.
If you want to see this new line of markers before they launch with the New Catalog come June... go check them out in a couple of days when Scrap & Cards magazine will be featuring a several-page spread of Stampin' Blendabilities in their issue that drops April 26, 2014.

I can't wait to get my hands on some and will be preordering some on May 1st.  Be the first to come try them out.  I will be hosting a coloring class of some sort very soon.  Stay tuned!

Sandra.

January 29, 2014

Heart In A Box Card

 
 
 
Wow... I love it when other demonstrators share their work and then we can take it and reshape, recreate, copy, CASE... however it works for you.... in this case, I used Monica Gale's box in a card she created and I created my own for Valentines.

She listed her instructions in centimeters, but I work in Inches, so I rewrote my own dimensions in inches and made mine a square box.  I ws trying to get it to fit into a 5x5 square envelope... well, that worked for my winter one, but not this one... The hearts are just too big!  No worries though, I can still mail it because Stampin'Up! has the fantastic Envelope Punch Board that will make any size envelope... pretty much, so, I just make my own envelope in less than 30 secs!  Check it out: 

And you can purchase one here:  24/7
 
At the end I'll show you some other things  you can make with this wonderful little tool... Oh yeah!  What, you thought it only made envelopes?  No way!  Stay tuned at end!
 
Back to my Card... Here it is in all it's Heart Splendor... Tah Dah!!
 
 
This card opens up like a flower... or so I think... to display what's inside and it sits up, so it's like a bouquet of flowers (hearts) that you can keep on your desk, table... anywhere really.    Since Valentine's is coming up I really wanted to make one of these so I can send it.
 
So here are my instructions:
 
You'll need:
 
8.5 x 11 sheet of Cardstock for box
Designer Paper (optional) if you choose to decorate the box flaps and base.
Vanilla or other coordinating color cardstock to create back flap behind hearts
Sticky Strip, glue dots, dimensionals 
Paper Snips
Paper Trimmer
Simply Scored Scoring Tool (shown in pic, but optional if you can work with the trimmer)
Embellishments: Try different Dies to cut out shapes and words... I used my hearts Framelits and the Hearts a flutter one for all the hearts.. for the word "Love" I used the Epressions Thinlits dies from our Holiday catalog.
I used silver Baker's twin to hold my banner in the largest heart.
Punches and Stamps ( I used my Banner Blast stamp set and Banner punch to make all my little banners... New from the Sale-A-Bration mini catalog that I got FREE!)  I also used The Follow My heart Stamp set from the whole lot of Love suite of stamps...
 
So here are the measurements:  (Where I refer to a color, it's referring to my pic above)
 
8. 1/2" x 11" Cardstock - Card base and tab inserts (Primrose Petals)
2 7/16" x 5" Cardstock - Vanilla (shows white in pic.... oops!) Back base of card
4 - 2 7/16" Squares - Designer paper for box base (under the flaps) Mine shows large multicolor hearts paper on box base.
4 - 2 7/16" Squares - Designer paper for box flaps and back upright flap (can be different than under flap paper) Mine are the tiny hearts on the flaps From More Amore Designer paper - now on clearance... you know where!
 
Other coordinating colors to punch out your embellies and decorate the box... my colors are: Pool party, Real Red, Primrose petals, Basic Black and vanilla
 
1.  Take the 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock and score on long side at: 2 5/8", 5 1/4", 7 7/8" and 10 1/2"
 
 
Turn cardstock counterclockwise so the smallest scored rectangle is now on the top ruler of the scoring board ... score at 2 5/8".  remove the cardstock and insert the piece in a paper trimmer just like you had it in the scoring tool... now measure to the 5 1/4" mark (same side as last mark you made) and cut down... you will now look like this... you'll have a left over piece (right in pic) which you will save to make your tabs in step 5. 
 

 

 
2. Taking the cardstock that now has all the squares on it... you will want to cut into the squares as shown in the next pic (follow yellow lines and cut out grey area completely) These are  your box flaps...
 
 
 
3.  Fold your score marks so that they are flexible and ready to assemble.  Lay your box as shown... and bring the littlest tab in ...  smallest tab in this pic is the one on the bottom left of squares that make the base...
 
 
add some sticky strip to this 1/2" tab and then fold the last two squares until they meet the tab.  Press shut... you should now have something that looks like this... flaps on top... and little tab tucked inside box...
 


 
 
4.  At this point I also adhere the Vanilla strip to what'll be the back tall flap of my box  and all my designer paper to the bottom of box (under flaps) and on top of the Vanilla still on box base.  Open the flaps and adhere the other 4 pieces of designer paper to the flaps and the back straight flap too.
 
See pic:
 
Box bottom... under the flaps... front and side:
 
 
Box bottom with the Vanilla piece adhered first (it'll cover the flap and bottom) and then I adhered the Designer Paper on top of the Vanilla so my box was wrapped all the way around...
 
 
 All 4 Flaps decorated... including the back straight one... pictured here with hears upside down... top  left pic...  I had to rotate that square... due to directional paper.  Be careful! 
 

 
View from behind box...
 
 
View from front with the inserts in Step 5 below... 


 
5. Creating the insert tabs:  
A. Take the piece of cardstock from step One that you set aside... flip it so that the score lines are vertical on a paper trimmer... you will want to cut a 1/2" inch in from the second to last score line from the right... see yellow cut mark in pic here:
 
 
 
B.  Once cut, take this new square with 1/2" score marks and turn it so the score marks are laying horizontal on the paper trimmer... measure 1" and cut... again another 1" tab... now you have 2- 1" tabs with 1/2" score marks on each end... see here:
 

 
 
You can discard the other or use it (I used 3 tabs on mine)
 
C.  You will add sticky strip on one end of the tab and flip over the piece and add sticky strip to the other end on the opposite side... this is because when you insert the tabs.. they go in like a Z... so you need tape on each tab.  Do this to all tabs and evenly space them in your box from back to front so that when you add your embellishments.. they are nicely spaced...
 
  
Your box is now assembled and you can decorate as you wish... I added Hearts to the front of the inserts, so that they show the whole heart... you could tuck behind if you prefer, but in this case I liked them in the front.
 
 
This is what it looks like flat so you can put it in the mail...
 
 
 
I hope this was helpful and  you have fun.. I'm working on my Easter one now.
 
Here's a link to Monica's winter sample... I made that one too!  Gorgeous!!
 
 
Oh, and I promised I'd show you other items you can make with the envelope punch board... check out my cute boxes!  I used them for Christmas gifts... you can make these in soooo many sizes in a matter of seconds.. no kidding.. really fast!
 
 
 
 
You can make Party Crackers, Boxes to hold stationary, or cards, treats... you name it!!
Until next time...
 
Sandra.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


January 27, 2014

Washi Tape Dispenser and storage - Free Tutorial

I wanted to store and see my washi tapes because I love love love them and use them a lot..... so, I've been thinking about a container to store and a light bulb went off the other night... I figured out the container and now it's a container, clear and a dispenser too!  A lot of work went into the dimensions to maximize each sheet of acetate that I used and that the size would be easy to carry and store.

So, I'm glad I pulled out my foil wrap the other night .... basically, I used the same design, and since I just finished  roll.. I borrowed the serrated cutting blade from that box and used it on my box.  After assembling two boxes... I actually discovered that I don't need to use a serrated edge... the edge of the plastic container cuts the washi nice and straight! . BONUS!! 

So, here is my tutorial... hope you enjoy!  Let me know what you think...

Acetate 2 sheets in 8.5 x 11
Paper Trimmer (easiest and fastest)
scissors
Sticky Strip (you'll want a very strong adhesive to hold the  box together)
1" circle punch
Corner rounder punch
Designer Paper if you choose to decorate the box
Velcro with adhesive on back to use for closure
serrated edge  - from foil wrap container


NOTE: In this tutorial I used cardstock because it was too hard to show with clear acetate....

Box construction:

1.  Take your acetate sheet and place on your trimmer so that the 8.5 side is on tope and the 11" side is to your right along the cutting edge.  You will score at 1 7/8", 3 3/4", 5 5/8" and 7 1/2" (each section will be 1 7/8") and then the left over section will be 1" for the box closure flap.

2.  Turn the sheet 1/4 turn to left... so 11" is on the top and 8.5" on right cutting blade.  Score at 1 7/8" and then move the sheet to 6 5/8" and score... this will leave both side with 1 7/8" box sides.  This size works well with the Stampin'Up! washi tapes (and others).  It keeps them snug and cozy.
 
Let's describe the pic in step 2...
A is front of box with serrated edge,
B is the bottom of box,
C is back side,
D is the top (clear section) of box and
E is the flap that holds the box closed.
3.  So, you'll want to cut of the  squares to the left and to the right of the D and E rectangles. 
See pic:  You'll also use your 1" circle punch and punch out in center of the 1 7/8" square and cut off the small tab left.  Do this for both sides and hold on to those punched squares for step 11 below.
 
 
side tabs cut off and punched, then remove small rectangle
 
 
4.  So, You can now cut into the flaps that will be the 1/78" sides of the box.  To the left and to the right of A, B and C.... or labeled 1, 2 and 3 here:
 
 
 
5.  So, now you have your box all cut out.  the E flap, you'll want to use your corner rounder on the two corners, so as to not poke or cut yourself... makes the closure look nicer. Fold all the score marks so as to form the box... just so you get the feel and look of the box.. make any minor corrections on flaps etc.
 
6.  At this point, if adding serrated edge to A... you would adhere to inside of edge... right to the edge so it cuts.... I used sticky strip to adhere on the first box, then I just left the plastic edge without a serrated blade.  It cuts nice straight edges.
 
7.  Adhere sticky strip as follows to close box sides: in pic labeled with numbers for how you fold the sides in... A=3, B=1 and C=2
A -  sticky strip along all edges, but not the score mark
B - no sticky, but first to fold in
C - Along both edges parallel to the long rectangle... see marks in blue highlighter in pic below
 
 
You will adhere in order above:
B is first, fold in
C is next, stick to B
A is last and stick to B
This order will assure all sharp edges will be toward the back of the box where you don't see them.
See pic:
 
 
 
Adhere other side the same... you now have the box almost complete.  If you choose to decorate with Designer Series Paper.. now is when you would do so... if not, go to cylinder construction step 9
 
8.  For DSP:  cut a piece for front, bottom and back of box at: 7 1/8" x 5 5/8".  Score along short side at 1 7/8, 3 3/4" and the last section will be about 1 7/8", if not.. shorten it so it is.   Fold the scores well, so it sits in box easily.  I used my tape runner to adhere the inside front, bottom and back.  Then cut out 2 squares 1 7/8" square and tape to the sides of the box.
 
Cylinder inside to hold tapes:
 
You are going to make your own cylinder "tube" that will hold your tapes in place.. cardstock is not very giving and wrinkles a lot.  I like the plastic sheet, but it is challenging to stick down.

Pic of Finished cylinder inside box
 
 
9.  From Acetate sheet, you 'll need a piece that measures 3 1/4" x 7 5/8", along the long side, score at 3/8" and then at 7 1/4... you'll then take your scissors and cut in from edge to the 3/8 score mark.. make little snips at 1/4" intervals until the edge.  Do the same on the other edge...
See pic for reference.  It looks like a scarf with little fringe.
 
 
 
10.  Now, take a piece of Sticky Strip and add it to the center piece on the very edge.  You're going to make the tube now... roll the plastic and only remove about 2" or the red sticky strip cover to expose only that much adhesive... this is how you want to start... stick down that corner first and begin to maneuver the plastic to cover over the sticky strip so that the plastic only overlaps the width of the sticky strip, about 3/16" or a bit more.. no more than a 1/4" overlap... it'll make your tube too  narrow.  Once you have that 2"section stuck down, remove the remainder of the red cover on the sticky strip an adhere the rest of the tube, so it's pretty even.  Whew!!  That was the hardest part!
See pic here:
 
 
 
11.  Remember those squares with the circle punches in them (step 3)?  Bring them out... slide one on tube, and fan out the little fringed edges so it holds the square on tube. 
 
 
 
12.  Once you've selected which tapes you'll want to include on the tube, make sure you feed them on the tube after the square, so that the tape end.. sticky or not, all face the same direction.  In other words, you will want them to all peel open in the same direction.. towards you or away from you, but all the same. 
 
 
 
13.  Once your tube is full (not tight or they won't turn)slide in the second square with the circle punched out and open the fringe so it holds the square in place.  DO NOT GLUE TOGETHER.   **When you run out of a tape and want to replace one.. you can slide the whole tube out, remove the square and replace your tape.  Then reassemble and slide back in.  Easy Peasy!!
 
14.  Slide the cylinder in the box carefully.. one side first, then other... making sure that the tapes are all facing up.. in other words.. they will unravel If you pull up on the tape from the bottom up and toward the back of the box... see pic here:

One side first:
 
 
Inserted all the way
 
 
15.  Optional: Now, you can make little tabs for the ends of the tape or not.. they aren't necessary, but I added them in, see tapes up close below so you see what I mean.. on all other boxes I didn't do this. :)
 
16.  Last step In box assembly is to add a strip of acetate across the top of the tapes... I call it a "belt".  The belt measures: 3/4" x 7 7/8 long.  Score each side at 3/8" so you will have two 3/8" tabs that fold down.  This belt sits over the washi tapes a little towards the back of tapes and sticks down on each tab to the Side squares.  This is where you rest the the edge of your tape on...
  The washi will rest on the belt until you need to cut it.  See pic:
 Washi feeding from bottom front up towards back and resting on plastic belt
 
  
17.  When you wan to use the tape, just open the box and pull the desired tape from the belt...  pull up gently and slide back towards front of box.... over the edge and pulling at an angle, cut smoothly.  Then, take the tape, pull back up and over the plastic belt to hold for next time.
 
 
 
18.  To finish the box, I adhered a small rectangle of sticky back Velcro to the front flap of box and closed it snug.  This prevents any from falling out.  I covered it on the front with my label that says Washi, but you can cover with anything you like.
 
 
 
Please tell me if you end up making these and send me a pic... I'll post it! And let me know if the instructions were good.  I appreciate any feedback and hope you enjoy making these.   I already  have 6 that are full. 
 
 
 Until next time....

Sandra