For Love of Paper

Getting ready for Mama Cents

I am so excited to say I'm going to be part of Mama Cents! What is Mama Cents you ask? It is a children's consignment sale. They have clothes, toys, furniture, all kinds of baby and kid paraphernalia at great prices because everything there is on consignment from other money savy moms. In today's economy who can't stand to save a little while spending and make a little money cleaning out the closets! 

The sale is the last weekend in September, Friday the 25th through Sunday the 27th. Please check out their website www.mamacents.com and be sure to sign up for their newsletter. There are lots of hints and tips, not to mention coupons and freebies in every issue.

So what does sock monkey have to do with Mama Cents? I, rather, For Love of Paper, is a sponsor. So I'll have a display to share lots of great projects and ideas with all the moms at the sale. This sock monkey card is part of one of my displays. I plan to have a couple more cards and treat containers using the oh so adorable sock monkey stamp set. I just need to find that candy that looks like little bananas.

Here is what you'll need to make your own sock monkey card:

Stamps: Sock Monkey

Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink, Close to Cocoa, Real Red, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Brocade Blue and Summer Sun Stampin' Write Markers

Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Happy Birthday SSK DSP (stripe), Water Color Paper, Brocade Blue and So Saffron

Other: Aqua Painter, Stampin' Dimensionals, Vintage Brad, Hole Piercer & Mat Pack, 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon and Word Window Punch

• Begin by cutting a piece of Water Color Paper 3" x 4". Stamp the Monkey on the upper portion, centered left to right, using Basic Black Classic Ink.
• Color the monkey using Close to Cocoa and Real Red Stampin' Write Markers. Then use an Aqua Painter to remove a bit of the color on the Close to Cocoa portions of the monkey. 
• Adhere a 1" x 3" piece of striped DSP (this striped DSP is from the Happy Birthday Simply Scrappin' Kit). Then adhere the Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon over the seam of the two papers.
• Stamp "just for you" using Basic Black Ink on a scrap of So Saffron CS. Punch this out using the Word Window Punch. The right end of the punched shape will be cut off straight so keep the words to the left. Adhere this over the stripe DSP below the ribbon.
• Adhere the monkey piece to a mat of Chocolate Chip CS 3 1/4" x 4 1/4".
• Use the hole piecer and mat pack to pierce holes in the upper corners and add a vintage brad to each hole.
• Adhere the entire piece onto a Brocade Blue Card Front 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".
• Now adhere the card front to a Whisper White Card Base 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4".
• Stamp the cupcake on a scrap of Water Color Paper. Color the cupcake using Close to Cocoa, Real Red, So Saffron, Certainly Celery and Brocade Blue Stampin' Write Markers. Color the candle flame with the Summer Sun Stampn' Write Marker. Cut out the cupcake with scissors and attach over the monkey's hand using a Stampin' Dimensional.

If you are not a fan of cutting out small pieces you could easily use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to mask the cupcake, and then stamp the sock monkey. This is what I would have done but didn't think of it until I had the monkey colored and all so I went the cutting route.

Take a look at all the fun accessories sock monkey has available to play with.

Sock Monkey (111550) Set of 10 $26.95

Sock Monkey Accessories (111552) Set of 8 $21.95

Today is the last day to take advantage of the Growing Up, Just for Kids Special! Any order which includes $35 of stamps from the Growing Up section of the Idea Book & Catalog will receive their choice of FREE Designer Buttons. So if you order both the Sock Monkey and Accessories set you'll get your choice of Playground, Sherbert or Latte Designer Buttons found on page 181.

Click here to place your order online or contact me by phone or email today!

September Technique Club Project #3

This fall beauty will be the third project for the September Technique Club. Remember anyone is welcome to come to the Technique Club Class.

What: September Technique Club

When: Saturday, September 5th 9am to Noon or Tuesday, September 8th 6 to 9pm

Where: My House in Leander, TX

Cost: FREE to all Technique Club Members or $5 for non-members

To reserve your seat simply email me at chris@forloveofpaper.com or give me a call 512-259-5575.

To see Project #1 visit this blog post.

To see Project #2 visit this blog post.

When I last posted I mentioned I was having my wisdom teeth taken out. Well I did and didn't have really any pain to speak of for days, but then I ended up with a dry socket and am also now on antibiotics and going back in again tomorrow morning. I'm not sure how it happened but it seems they took some of my brain out with my teeth  . . . . long roots? I have been so scatter brained ever since.

September Technique Club Project #2

I love Halloween, so I was quite excited to be able to incorporate this little Frankenstein box into next month's Technique Club.

If you're not familiar with Technique Club this is what it is in a nutshell. Club will begin again in January 2010. At that time 12 people will agree to attend class once a month, make a minimum purchase each month and the hostess benefits rotate through the twelve people.  The class is held the same day and time each month at my house in Leander, Texas (just outside of Austin). This is really a great way to learn how to use products you have already and try out new ones. And it easily puts your stamping addiction, uh, I mean hobby on a monthly budget.

While the next club doesn't begin again until January if this is something you think you might be interested in be sure to drop me a note and I'll put you on the list to contact later in the year. And beginning next year there will also be a monthly scrapbook club!

What: September Technique Club

When: Saturday, September 5th 9am to Noon or Tuesday, September 8th 6 to 9pm

Where: My House in Leander, TX

Cost: FREE to all Technique Club Members or $5 for non-members

To reserve your seat simply email me at chris@forloveofpaper.com or give me a call 512-259-5575.

To see Project #1 visit this blog post.

On a more personal note I am having all four of my wisdom teeth taken out tomorrow morning so if I'm MIA for a few days I'm just recovering on my couch.

Grungy Awesome Cards

If there is one demographic we all have trouble making cards for it would be teenage boys. Well not anymore! Check out the silhouette stamps on page 80 of the current Idea Book & Catalog. Combine one of these images with the Extreme Elements Stamp Set on Page 81 and you've got an unbeatable combination for the boys.

The Extreme Elements Stamp Set is a LOT of FUN to stamp with. You just pick a couple colors and randomly stamp the images and voila it looks awesome. Even better right now when you purchase $35 of stamps from the Growing Up section of the Idea Book & Catalog you get FREE Designer Buttons!

To place your order you can order online anytime 24/7 by clicking here and then click on Shop Now in the upper right corner of the page or contact me by phone 512-259-5575 or email chris@forloveofpaper.com.

Here's what you'll need to make this awesome card:

• Extreme Skateboard (115179)
• Extreme Elements (115181)
• Bermuda Bay Classic Stamp Pad (115655)
• Basic Gray Classic Stamp Pad (109120)
• Basic Black Classic Stamp Pad (101179
• Old Olive Classic Stamp Pad (102277)
• Whisper White CRAFT Stamp Pad (101731)
• Bermuda Bay 8 1/2 x 11 Cardstock (115317)
• Basic Gray 8 1/2 x 11 Cardstock (108692)
• Basic Black 8 1/2 x 11 Cardstock (102851)
• Old Olive Classic 8 1/2 x 11 Cardstock (100702)
• Whisper White 8 1/2 x 11 Cardstock (100730)
• Stampin' Sponge (101610)
• Spiral Punch (108341)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
• Curves Ahead Sizzlit Die (115974) with Big Shot (113439)

Click here to get step by step instructions on how to make this card.

Want to see more samples using the Extreme Elements Stamp Set? Join me on Facebook by clicking the Facebook Icon on the left side of this page.

Stock up on Crayola

I absolutely LOVE this card. What's so terrific about it you ask? Check out the inside.

It's a birthday card with a little gift inside! The child gets a birthday card they can color themselves with the crayons right inside.

Leave off the birthday greeting and it would be a great party favor or little something to give toddler/preschool age children as a back to school gift. The little one's may not get to start school like their big brothers or sisters but this way they get their own little back to school supplies too.

Here is a little closer shot of the inside.

If you are loving this little card as much as I am be sure to sign up to attend September's Technique Club Class, this will be one of the three projects everyone will complete. And be sure to stock up on crayons. With all the back to school sales you can get a box of 24 Crayola Crayons for about twenty five cents. Each card holds eight crayons, so that's three cards per box.

What: September Technique Club

When: Saturday, September 5th 9am to Noon or Tuesday, September 8th 6 to 9pm

Where: My House in Leander, TX

Cost: FREE to all Technique Club Members or $5 for non-members

To reserve your seat simply email me at chris@forloveofpaper.com or give me a call 512-259-5575.

Build-a-Bear Gift Bag Sneak Peak

 

The Holiday Mini Catalog should be arriving in your mailboxes very soon, but I couldn't wait to share some of the new goodies with you. Stampin' Up! is now going to carry Build-a-Bear Stamps and Sizzix Die Cuts!!! They are just one of the terrific new items in the Holiday Mini that will be available for purchase beginning September 1st.

So how did I get my hands on these awesome new products before September 1st? Getting to see and purchase products early is just one of the benefits of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. If you've ever thought about becoming a demonstrator now is a great time to join the family. There are two great promotions available now through the end of August.
    #1 Get the Mini Starter Kit for only $85
    #2 Purchase the traditional Starter Kit for $199 and get a bonus pack including all six of the new In Color Stamp Pads plus a package of In Color Cardstock.

Have a few questions about becoming a demonstrator. Be sure to check out both of these links or contact me by phone 512-259-5575 or email anytime.
    FAQ about becoming a demonstrator.
    What kind of demonstrator will you be?

As for the gift bag I dont' mind saying that this little gift bag is the cutest! I can't wait to attend a little girls birthday party so I can give it away. Here are a couple more close ups of the cuteness.

Stop back again soon for another project featuring new products from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

Terrific Gift Idea!

The new Square Scallop Sizzix Die and a little chipboard create the perfect base for a fun family mini album. If your family is like mine we are spread all over the country. It’s nice to have a place for a photo of each person/family to share with my son. Or just add your favorite family photos. Great to leave on your coffee table or to give as a Christmas Gift for Grandma and Grandpa.

This album is so quick and easy you could definitely whip up several for gift giving this holiday season.

Here's a look at the inside featuring the new Modern Label Punch.

If you're new to working with chipboard this is a great class for you and you'll get to try out the Sizzix Big Shot at the same time.

What: Family Chipboard Mini Album

When: Saturday, September 19th 9am to Noon

Where: My House in Leander, TX

RSVP: Monday, September 7th

Cost: $18

Last day to sign up

Today is the RSVP deadline for this Saturdays Birthday Card Stamp-a-stack. Everyone will make two of five designs for a total of ten cards.

The class is $25 and will be at my house.

Take a look at the samples below.

Again you will be completing ten cards, two each of the five designs above, envelopes are included.

What:   Birthday Card Stamp-a-stack

When:   Saturday, August 15th 9am to Noon

Where:  My house in Leander

RSVP:    Monday, August 10th

Cost:     $25

Today is the last day to sign up.
You can reserve your seat by using the Paypal link below.

Stampin' Up! Wins Readers Choice Award!

Scrapbooks etc. reader's chose Stampin' Up! stamps to be the best!

Stampin' Up! stamps were chosen the winner of the 1st Scrapbooks etc. Reader's Choice Awards. 

Several other products,cardstock, ribbon, eyelets and markers, were selected as runner's up in their respective categories.

Providing superior quality products is one of the things I love about Stampin' Up! Several times when new products have been introduced I have read how the product had been in development for years but had not been added to the collection until it met the high quality standards Stampin' Up! requires of it's products!

Get some new goodies today and relax knowing you are spending
your hard earned money on the best products available.

Check out the results of our August Swap Challenge

August's Swap Challenge was to create a card with only black, white and one pastel color. I'm quite pleased with everyone's cards. Ironic that I'm the one that creates the challenges and then I found myself struggling to come up with a card design I was happy with. In the end I CASED a card by Tessa Wise. Her original design had lots of the new In Colors and was gorgeous. But for my card I had to change it to fit the challenge, Basic Black, Whisper White and Pretty in Pink.

Check out the other cards from our swap participants.

By Anna (Apricot Appeal)

By Belinda (Pretty in Pink)

By Deborah (Certainly Celery)

Anyone can join in our monthly swap challenge virtually. All you need to do is complete the assignment by the due date and email a photo of your creation to me at chris@forloveofpaper.com

September Swap Challenge:

• Create a card using fall colors. (The card doesn't have to be a fall card, just use fall colors).
• Due in my inbox by Friday, September 4th.

Get those creative juices flowing by joining the challenge and then email me your card.