For Love of Paper

Great Friend = Great Gift

I can hardly believe my son, Jack, is about to finish up his first year of preschool. Him turning four (in March) was a tough one for me.  To me four years old meant there was no "baby" left. When he was small I couldn't imagine how having a little boy would be nearly as fun as having a baby, but now that I have a little boy, I continue to be amazed by him everyday!

So what does all this have to do with stamping you ask? Well, the little matchbox filled with chocolates and matching card are for Teacher Appreciation Week at preschool.  I was so apprehensive about him going to school and both Miss Mary and Miss Judy put my heart at ease everyday I drop Jack off.  I know they treat him and care for him as I would.  This peace allows me to go about my day and enjoy the few hours I have each week on my own.  His teachers next year sure have a lot to live up to.

Back to stamping . . . The matchbox die is awesome to say the least.  Not only is it the perfect size to hold four Hershey Nugget Chocolates but would also make a great way to give jewelry or money. 

The matchbox die also has three small label/top note shapes on it, which I used to put behind the butterfly on both the card and box.  To top it off one of the stamps from Great Friend fits right inside the label shape.  A good trick to know about this is to cut the shape out first, use a little temporary adhesive to hold the shape in place and then use a Stamp-a-ma-jig to get the stamp in just the right place.

Once again, I was able to whip up a thoughtful little gift and coordinating card the night before!

If you'd like to make one yourself here are the recipes:

Great Friend Thank You Card Recipe (one per page)
Great Friend Thank You Card Recipe (four per page)
Great Friend Matchbox Recipe (one per page)
Great Friend Matchbox Recipe (four per page)

 

Great Friend 113792 $17.95

(page 5-6 Occasions Mini Catalog)

 

Matchbox Bigz XL Die 114890 $42.95

(page 16 Occasions Mini Catalog)

Order online anytime 24/7!

Is the thought of scrapbooking just too overwhelming?

Beginning in May, I will be introducing a new series of classes called Scrapbooking Lite. This series of classes is designed to take the fear and intimidation out of scrapbooking.

Many people shy away from scrapbooking because they . . .

• feel they don't have enough time.
• are intimidated at the thought of creating an entire album.
• feel like they don't know where to begin.
• feel they aren't creative enough.

The Scrapbooking Lite series of classes takes away all of these concerns.

Not only will you complete an entire scrapbooking project in the span of one 3 hour class but all of the hard work is done for you. No figuring out what to make, which products to use, all the measuring and other "not so fun" work is done for you. Allowing you to create and enjoy.

Features and Benefits of Scrapbooking Lite Classes

• Instruction from an experienced paper crafter who can answer your questions and show you the tips and tricks to making paper crafting easy and enjoyable.

• Small class size allows for hands on instruction.

• Each class will include new and different techniques.  Learning techniques is the best way to get more from the tools and supplies you already own.

• Different tools and supplies will be used in each class allowing you to try before you buy.

• Everyone will receive full color written instructions by email so you'll easily be able to create another project on your own.

The first class in this new series will be. . .

Scrapbooking In & Out of the Box

Class or Kit to Go

You will be amazed at how simple it is to create this beautiful set with just half of a Simply Scrappin' Kit and a few other supplies! When this Scrapbook in a Box is opened a beautiful scrapbook page appears like magic. Making it perfect for gift giving.

In this class, you will make:

• One Scrapbook in a Box

• One coordinating 12" x 12" Scrapbook Page

• One coordinating Gift Note

These beautiful projects feature the Petal Party Simply Scrappin' Kit and the Best Wishes & More stamp set. Bright colors and bold flowers make this project bloom! All the inspiration you need to make a beautiful, heartfelt gift. Recreate the set using other Simply Scrappin' Kits for Father's Day, birthdays, wedding gifts, graduations, bridal and baby showers!

Class Information

Date: Tuesday, May 12th

Register By: Friday, May 1st

Time: 6:00 to 9:00 pm

Class Fee: $25

Sign up by prepaying today!

Scrapbooking In & Out of the Box Class $25

Scrapbooking In & Out of the Box Kit to Go $30 (includes shipping)

FREE Goodies!

SU! has a great promotion for the month of April called, Get Connected.

Customers 
Spend $40 on Occasions Mini Catalog products and choose any one item from the "Under $10" page (p. 208) in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog for free.

Hostesses
Hold a workshop of $150 or more and choose any one item from the "Under $10" page in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog for free. For every $150 spent at the workshop, the hostess will receive another "Under $10" item.

Call, email me or order online today to take advantage of this awesome special.

Phone: 512-259-5575
Email:  chris@forloveofpaper.com
Online Ordering 24/7: www.catwing.stampinup.net

April Technique Club Swaps

Each month as part of our Technique Club gathering I host a swap.  Each month I assign a different theme and for April it was Thank You.  You can never have too many Thank You cards.

And here they are!

By Anna V.
Featuring three hostess sets; A Little Somethin', God's Beauty and Garden Silhouettes (retired).

By Becky T.
Featuring One of a Kind and Priceless.

By Belinda Z (my mom)
Featuring Cheep Talk.

By Deborah M.
Featuring Brocade Basics (retired)

By Loretta M.
Featuring Heard from the Heart and the Candy Lane DSP.

By ME, Chris Twing
Featuring the Sizzix Texture Plates Backgrounds #1, the Beautiful Butterflies Die and Cute and Curly Punch with Stamp Set.

By Tani J.
Featuring the Top Note and Scallop Circle Sizzix Dies and Sip by Sip.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the April Technique Club Swap. Great Job!

From the Archives: Punch Bunny Basket

I created this little basket last year based on some I had seen elsewhere on the web.  I just love his little tail. If you have children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren etc. this is the perfect way to give them each a little something for Easter.

If you'd like to whip up a couple of these baskets check out the tutorial here.

Cupcake Birthday Bag

Wouldn't this be adorable for a party favor bag at a little girls birthday party! Not to mention, quick, easy and inexpensive, all good things, especially when you're a busy mom.

Once again I started from a project in the Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog.  If you look on page 201 you'll see a kraft colored paper bag with the cupcake and a 3.  I started out trying to CASE this only using the Bella Rose DSP and found the chipboard number 3 I had on hand just wasn't quite the right font, so instead I just went with the little flower (included on the Big Bold Cupcake Sizzlits) and places the button on top of that.

I'm quite happy with how it turned out, but very sad to say my dog ATE IT! Glad I took pictures the day before :)

Cupcake Birthday Bag Recipe (one per page)

Cupcake Birthday Bag Recipe (four per page)

Stampin' Up! Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits (set of four) 114509 $21.95 p. 201

Bella Rose Designer Series Paper 112041 $9.95 p. 159
(2 sheets of each double sided design, 12 total)

Button Boquet 112092 $7.95 p. 176
(Includes 30 buttons, 3 of each shown)

Can't wait to get your hands on the cupcakes?

Order online anytime 24/7

Sizzlits Big Bold Cupcake Birthday

When cupcakes hit the seen I knew I needed something "cupcake" in my paper crafting arsenal.  I had a difficult time deciding between the Big Bold Cupcake Sizzlits (a Stampin' Up! exclusive) and two stamp sets Big Bold Birthday (p.40) and Crazy for Cupcakes (p.41).  What finally made me choose the Sizzlits is that most of the things I saw using the cupcake had them cut out.  I figured the Sizzlits would save me time because I wouldn't need to cut it out by hand.

Lately I've turned to this cupcake for almost all my birthday cards. This one was inspired by the cupcake cards on page 40 of the Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog.

Check back tomorrow for another project using the Big Bold Cupcake Sizzlits!

Sizzlits Big Bold Cupcake Birthday Card Recipe (one per page)
Sizzlits Big Bold Cupcake Birthday Card Recipe (four per page)

Stampin Up! Big Bold Cupcakes 114509 $21.95 p. 201

Trendy Trees 113258 $17.95 p. 91

All Holidays 114916 $34.95 p. 32

Click here to order online anytime 24/7

Learn something new!

April's Class Schedule

If you'd like more information or to RSVP/Prepay for any of the classes below just click the class(es) your interested in.

Technique Club
Saturday, April 4th 9am to Noon
or
Tuesday, April 7th 6 to 9pm

Stampin' 101
Tuesday, April 14th 6 to 9pm

Stamp Pretty
Saturday, April 25th 9am to Noon

Bella Rose 12x12 Scrapbook Calendar
Tuesday, April 28th 6 to 9pm