For Love of Paper

August and September Workshop Projects

Here is a sneak peak at the projects my August and September Workshop Hostesses and their guests will be making. The first project is a 3-D Witches Hat Treat Holder. If you have small children you won't want to miss this project. It is super simple and very fast for a hand made treat holder. You're friends will thank you for showing them such a useful project. Or if Halloween isn't your thing there are more choices below.

Two fairly simple cards both featuring the Tearing Edge Ruler, one of my favorite tools. August and September are a great time to get your creative juices flowing again just in time for Christmas crafting.

Even better all hostesses in the month of August will receive an additional $25 SU! Shopping Spree with a qualifying workshop. Click here to read more.

Be sure to contact me today, my calendar will fill very quickly with a special like this. You can call me at 512-259-5575 or email me at chris@forloveofpaper.com.

Make Over Monday: Black and White Stamping

On the days you find yourself struggling with color going back to basics such as black and white is a great solution to your problem.

I loved the clean look of this card created by Laura Fredrickson. As soon as I saw it I thought of the Fifth Avenue Florals stamp set. I simply stamped three of the large roses onto Basic Black Cardstock using Whisper White Craft Ink, added Winter White Embossing Powder and then cut them out on different lines to get three different looking flowers.

Laura used a gorgeous swirl of bling. I didn't have anything like this on hand so I used a swirl stamp instead. Though I am happy to report that Stampin' Up! is now carrying individual half back rhinestones (bling) in the new catalog. 

If you don't have a copy of the new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog let me know and I'll get a complimentary copy out to you right away.

I also learned a little something about the order of operations when combining stamping and embossing with the Sizzix. Here's what I learned so you don't have to!

1. Stamp first, then run through the Sizzix to emboss
2. The stamped side of the paper goes face down against the texturz plate

Your challenege:

Give black and white stamping a try.

Supplies

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Florals

Inks: Whisper White CRAFT Ink

Paper: Whisper White and Basic Black

Other: Winter White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Sizzix Big Shot with Backgrounds #1 Texturz Plate

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

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)

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)

Whatever Wednesday: Double CASE Card

People often ask me where I come up with project ideas. If you've been reading my blog for very long you know I'm a huge fan of CASEing (Copy and share everything). There are so many wonderful creations out there already I figure there is no need to reinvent the wheel every time.

The card above is actually a double case.

I used the colors, DSP (Designer Series Paper) and flower technique from this card by Ilina Crouse.

Then I used the layout from this card by SCS User queenoe.

 

Feel up for a challenge?

Give CASEing a try and if you're really feeling adventurous try double CASEing.

When you're finished email the cards your CASED and of course your finished project and I will post them here for everyone to see!

Supplies

Stamps: Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel (117693)

Inks: Rich Razzleberry (115658) and Crushed Curry (115659) Classic Ink Pads

Paper: Melon Mambo (1153200, Crushed Curry (115319) and Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper (115675)

Other: Sizzix Big Shot (113439), Scallop Square Die (115950), Full Heart Punch (113693), Heart to Heart Punch (113694), Stamping Sponges (101610), Sherbet Designer Buttons (116312 and Hemp Twine (100982)

Make Over Monday: Aloha 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. 

___________________________________________________________________________

After I've had magazines for a while I will tear out the pages of the projects I like and then file them away. Recently I had pulled some pages from old issues of Paper Trends Magazine and they were still sitting on the floor waiting to be put away.

This card was on the top of the pile. I already had the Just Surfing stamp set and my mom had just ordered the Tropical Party stamp set but hadn't picked it up yet so I was set to CASE this card.

The original was created by Kim Hughes. I love anything that includes orange and am always on the lookout for masculine cards. When I started going through my paper stash looking for a stripe with similar colors I didn't have anything. So I moved on to the next closest paper I had. The background paper is from the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper Pack. The pattern is a bit distressed already but I thought I'd add to it by stamping over it with the Sanded background stamp.

For the strip just behind the surf boards I used the two flowers from Tropical Party and masked them off here and there to create the dimensional look. Once I had all the flowers stamped I over stamped again with the Sanded background.

While I didn't end up with a masculine card because of the colors I used I still came out with a cute girly surfer card using things I had on hand and I know just who I'm going to send this one to.

Supplies

Stamps: Tropical Party (120081), Just Surfing (115012) and Sanded (109294)

Inks: Rich Razzleberry (115658), Pumpkin Pie (105216), Crushed Curry (115659) and Close to Cocoa (103139)

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Chocolate Chip (102128) and Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper (115675)

Other: Hemp Twine (100982), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Stamping Sponge (101610), Sizzix Big Shot (113439) with Naturally Serif Alphabet (113453)

Father's Day Frenzy Winner

From Saturday, May 15th through Sunday, May 23rd I posted a different Father's Day paper crafting idea each day. Everyone then had a chance to leave a comment about the projects. For every comment left that person was entered into a drawing to win their choice from my stampin' goodie basket. Thank you for all the comments and kind words and without further adieu the winner is . . .

Bonnie

Again, thanks to everyone who left comments. It's always nice for me to know that people enjoy what I'm posting and that it's helping them in their own paper crafting endeavors.

As promised I will be emailing all of the INKspirations Newsletter subscribers links to instructions on how to make each of the nine Father's Day Frenzy projects. So keep an eye on your inbox. The email should be arriving Wednesday. If you don't receive this email and you are a newsletter subscriber please let me know and we'll get you taken care of.

Here's another look at all nine projects.

Make Over Monday: Simple Tissue Paper Flower

I hope everyone enjoyed the nine days of Father's Day Frenzy! I have to say I have really enjoyed the week. As the days went by I thought of even more Father's Day ideas. I think I probably could have done Father's Day Frenzy Month, lol. But I figure after so many days of masculinity yall might enjoy something with flowers which brings me to todays Make Over Monday card.

I was inspired by this card created by Starla Nelson. For some time I've been seeing flowers made by scrunching up tissue paper. Then when I saw Starla's card the vision hit.

This card was so fast. One stamp, a little punching, ribbon and embellishments and viola a ten minute miracle.

How to make a tissue paper flower:

To make the flower just punch 6 to 8 layers of tissue paper. The easiest way to do this is to put about four layers of tissue paper between two sheets of copy paper or notebook paper and punch. Then punch or poke a hole for the brad through all the layers of tissue, insert the brad and scrunch, squish and fluff the flower.

The brad in the center of the flower is a combination piece. First I inserted a 5/8" silver brad and then used a couple mini glue dots to attach the large flat backed pear from the Pretties Kit.

As I was working on this blog post and looking at Starla's card again I got to thinking it would have been a nice touch to stamp a little swirl or something on the red tissue with some gold or silver Encore ink to give it a bit more texture. This usually happens. Once I finish a project I think of something I could have done to make it just a little better. Sometimes I'll take it apart or remake it and other times I just tuck the thought away for another project.

My challenge to you for the day is to do something simple.

 

Supplies

Stamps: Pretty Petals (111008)

Inks: Basic Black (101179)

Paper: Very Vanilla (101650) and Basic Black (102851)

Other: Eyelet Border Punch (113692), XL Fancy Flower Punch (118073), 5/8" Jumbo Brad (112533), Pretties Kit (109114), Valet Ribbon Originals (retired)