For Love of Paper

Whatever Wednesday: Mini Scallop Purse

How cute is this? One of my awesome downline, Retta, gave this to me when she stopped by one day. Many of you have probably seen purses like this on previous posts but a bit larger. They are made using the Stampin' Up! exclusive Scallop Square Die (#115950). 

It looks like this.

The scallop square is 4 3/8".

I really like this die because I've used it on a lot of projects. It's such a pleasing shape.

So how do you use a die to make a purse? Well, the Sizzix Big Shot and many of the dies are designed to be used on tons of different materials from paper, chipboard, cardstock, fabric, metals, wood, cork, felt and the list goes on and on. In the case of this purse the die was used to cut scallop squares from fabric. Even better, when using a normal weight cotton fabric you cut through eight layers at a time!!! Making this a super fast project.

When you look at the versitility of the Sizzix Big Shot you really begin to see the value it has to offer. If you have questions or would like to talk about what all you can do with the Big Shot feel free to contact me anytime.

Here are links to a couple other purses I shared with you before and my favorite Sizzix/Fabric project flower pins.

Scallop Square Purse (scroll down a bit in the post)

Another Scallop Square Purse (scroll down a bit to see the purse)

Fabulous Flower Pin with Tutorial

Make Over Monday: Beautiful and Elegant Butterfly

What is Make Over Monday?

Make Over Monday is the day I challenge myself to use tools and supplies I have on hand to recreate a project I've seen.

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If you're a regular reader I'm sure you noticed this card has both color and subject in common with my Make Over Monday post from two weeks ago (click here to see First Hybrid Card post). This week I was inspired by this card created by Amy Sheffer. She used the same butterfly stamp as the creator of my last Make Over Monday card and even similar colors.

Since I don't own the butterfly stamp they both used I thought I would go back to the fleur de leis paper I had made two weeks ago using My Digital Studio and the Friends 24-7 Digital Stamp Set. I put the paper through my Sizzix Big Shot with the Beautiful Butterflies die and then edged the butterfly with the side of a Basic Black Stampin Write Marker.

Yellow is a color I have not used a lot in the past but one that I am sure to add to my repertoire.

Remember if you see something you'd like to CASE you often have everything you need in your stampin' stash already and if not well you know my number, lol.

Give it a try, use what you have on hand and see what beautiful things you can create.

Supplies

Stamps: Friends 24-7 (traditional and digital)

Inks: Basic Black Classic Ink

Paper: So Saffron, Whisper White and Basic Black

Other: My Digital Studio, Sizzix Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Die, Scallop Circle #2, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches and Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Monday to Everyone

First, I wanted to give a shout out to everyone that stopped by yesterday for the 5th Stamp'n Scrap Garage Sale. As usual all shoppers got great deals and those selling a bit of their paper crafting stash made some moola to get goodies from the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog to be released on July 1st!

Thanks to Belinda (aka mom) and Jackie for all their help!

Second, after taking a well deserved blogging break last week I am ready to get back in the saddle. I just finished a terrific CASE for Make Over Monday and will post it in a bit. It's time to get munchkin from Mother's Day Out. So be sure to stop back later today.

Blogging Vacation

Just wanted to let you all know I will be taking this week as a Blogging Vacation. I will still be in town working and such just need a little blogging break.

If you're local be sure to stop by the 5th Stamp'n Scrap Garage Sale this Sunday. If you're far away then I'll see you back here next week :)

Stamp'n Scrap Garage Sale

Sunday, June 27th

2 to 5 pm

Where do you plan to be this Sunday afternoon? Well if you're local and like great deals then you had better plan to be at the 5th Stamp'n Scrap Garage Sale.

Several local paper crafters are cleaning out their stashes to make room for new goodies. This means YOU save big.

Some of what we'll have:

• Stamps (Stampin' Up! and others)
• Cardstock
• Patterned paper
• Dies
• Embellisments of all types
• Storage and organizational items
• Idea books and magazines

New this year I will also be having a SAMPLE SALE!

Over the years I have made hundreds of cards and projects to share with you here on my blog and it's time to clean out the project closet too. Get great deals on cards and projects to give as gifts or keep for yourself. They are also good if you like to be able to see an example of what you're making.

Make Over Monday: Hybrid Card

Those of you that follow me on Facebook know I recently started working on becoming certified in My Digital Studio (Stampin' Up!s digital paper crafting software). After having watched several webinars over the weekend I was excited to be able to put my new skills to use on today's Make Over Monday Card.

When I saw this card by Barbara Anders my mind immediately went to the fluer de leis stamp in the Friends 24-7 Stamp Set. While I could have used a Stamp-a-ma-jig to help me place each fleur de leis to make the repeating pattern I wanted it was definately faster and easier to do this using My Digital Studio.

Basically I digitally stamped the fleur de leis multiple times, lined them up, grouped them, then copied the group, rotated the group and then repeated. It took me about fifteen minutes and here is what I had once I printed it out on my printer.

This is the first time I had made my own paper using My Digital Studio. I was so excited because not only do I have this terrific paper to use on my card I have the file saved and can use it again on another project. I can even change the colors for my next project.

Being the first time I had printed my own paper I didn't really think about changing the settings for the margins until after I had printed it. Something to keep in mind when you are doing this yourself.

Basically I made my card in traditional fashion. I simply used the paper I had made for the lower part of the card and to die cut a butterfly.

I'm always amazed with Stampin' Up! because just when I think I know pretty much all there is to know (yea right) they introduce something new, like My Digital Studio.

If you'd like to know more about My Digital Studio please click here.

Supplies

Stamps: none

Inks: Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (100082)

Paper: Crushed Curry (115319), Basic Black (102851) and Whisper White (100730)

Other: My Digital Studio (118108), Sizzix Big Shot (113439), Beautiful Butterflies Die (114507), 5/8" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon (115605), Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), Sticky Strip (104294), Mini Glue Dots (103683) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

CASEing: What is it and how do you do it?

CASEing is a term thrown around by paper crafters of all types. What does it actually mean? How do you do it? What good is it?

What is CASEing?

The term CASEing is an acronym for Copy And Share Everything. It means slightly different things to different people. For some CASEing is creating an exact copy of a project. To others it means a point of inspiration. To many it is something in between. Whether you are copying something exactly or using someone else’s work as a jumping off point, CASEing can be an invaluable tool in any paper crafters tool box.

How do you CASE?

When looking at someone else’s project as a starting point, examine four different things.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Whatever Wednesday: Baby Girl Card

I was in need of a baby girl card and was low on time and mojo so I decided to CASE myself.

This is the original card I made several years ago. I have always liked it. I just didn't feel a lot of creative mojo this morning so I thought why reinvent the wheel? Instead I copied myself.

Any time I try to copy something exactly it always ends up a little different. This time was no different. I thought the organza ribbon would be nice for a girl but when I put it in place like on my original boy card it seemed like too much. So I tried moving it a bit and liked it there.

If you really like the background stamp used on both of these cards get it while you can. It is called Tres Chic (109258) and is on the Last Chance/Retiring List. It is only available through June 30th.

Click here to shop now and be sure to check out all the great deals on Last Chance items and the Clearance Rack.

Supplies

Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes (113500) & Tres Chic (109258)

Inks: Pretty in Pink (101301), Melon Mambo (115656) and Basic Gray (109120)

Paper: Whisper White (100730) and Pretty in Pink (100459)

Other: Blender Pen (102845), Organza Ribbon (114319) and Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Make Over Monday: Four Flower Punch Card

What is Make Over Monday?

Make Over Monday is the day I challenge myself to use tools and supplies I have on hand to recreate a project I've seen.

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Back to normal. Just a little update on my life. My son Jack, who is five, has been off of school for the last three weeks. He started back at a summer mother's day out this morning. Needless to say I've been a little behind. Whew! I spent the first couple hours this morning going through emails. Once that was out of the way Make Over Monday was next on my list.

I was very happy this card was simple and only took about ten minutes.

A crafter named Michelle made this card which was my inspiration for today. As soon as I saw it I knew the Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper would work perfectly along with the five petal flower punch.

If you really like this paper it is about to retire. It is currently on sale for only $7.46 (reg. $9.95) and is available while supplies last or until June 30th.Click here to order it today!

Supplies:

Stamps: Thank You Kindly (111700)

Inks: Basic Black (101179)

Paper: Orchid Opulence (100969), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Whisper White (100730) and Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper (115671)

Other: Five Petal Flower Punch (109041), Mat Pack (105826), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Bone Folder (102300 to curl flowers) and Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144)

Reader Challenge Card

Yesterday I posted my version of a double card CASE. Basically I CASED parts of two cards and turned them into one. I then challenged everyone to CASE a project and if they were really feeling the mojo to try a double CASE. Well one of my favorite readers, Jen Johnson, emailed me her CASE of my double CASE.

Great job Jen and thanks for taking the challenge!