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.

Owl Punch Goes Back to School: Part 1

As a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator I receive a special publication called Stampin' Success once a month. There was a project very similar to this one featured in this months issue, but it used an owl stamp. I knew I had to try one myself with the new Two Step Owl Punch and I have to say I am so pleased.

There are certain things that when your finished with them they just make you smile and this is definately one of them. If there are enough requests I'd be more than happy to write up some quick instructions for this project.

Receving an exclusively monthly magazine full of both creative and business ideas is just one of perks of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and right now there is a terrific special for past demonstrators. Any former demonstrator can resign for only $35.

If you miss the fun and the paycheck contact me right away. This offer is limited to July 31st.

Supplies

Stamps: none

Inks: none

Paper: Bashful Blue, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso and scrap of Olive DSP

Other: Full Heart Punch, Two Step Owl Punch, Sizzix Big Shot with Alphabet Simple Letters, Olf Olive 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Brights Designer Buttons, Hemp Twine and #2 pencils

Whatever Wednesday: A paper watering can?

Yes, this is a watering can crafted from paper. It just goes to show you can make anything from paper, lol.

Last week I attended my local Lone Star Stampers demonstrator meeting and this was our shoebox swap project. I LOVE the technique we used to make the flower. I believe it's called "Suedeing paper" (sp?). You can bet that this will show up on a project I'll share with you very soon.

Were you ever a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator? If you were and you'd like to come back you can now rejoin for only $35. Contact me for all the details. This deal is only good for July.

Explosion Box Class

You've requested it over and over and now it's here!

So many of you have seen this adorable little box and asked for a class to make one yourself. I'm happy to say the day has come. Join me on Sunday, April 25th from 2 to 5 pm at my home in Leander, TX to make your choice of Explosion Boxes.

Besides being a great way to display favorite photos Explosion boxes are a terrific gift for mom, dad, or grandma and grandpa. Seeing the surprise on their face when they pull the lid off to find this is always a treat.

In addition to the Bugs n' kisses box you can also choose to make one with a Build-a-bear theme. This box will be Pretty in Pink with accents of Certainly Celery and Chocolate Chip. I'm waiting on one more supply to arrive today and then I'll post a photo of the finished box tomorrow.

As always class size is limited to ensure I can work with each of you through out our time together.

To register you must prepay. Please do so by clicking on the link below.

Cost: $20

Whatever Wednesday: Easy Easter Basket

This little punch bunny is one of my all time favorite projects. Not only does this bunny look great on a basket like this one you could also put him on a card or how about a tag? While this project is not new, it is a terrific, easy and cute project for Easter. You probably even have the supplies on hand. You'll just need a little cardstock, ink and a few punches.

Click here to get the instructions to make your own Punch Bunny Basket.

Whatever Wednesday: Decor Elements on Canvas

Stampin' Up! is known for its high quality rubber stamps and rightly so. These days there's a whole lot more to Stampin' Up! than just stamps. A little over a year ago they began offering Decor Elements. What are Decor Elements? Simply put they are vinyl images to decorate your walls, windows, home decor items and lots more.

How about making some of your own home decor for pennies on the dollar?

That's exactly what I did and here's how:

• First I purchased an inexpensive canvas from the craft store.
• Then I painted it a light blue using acrylic paint also purchased at the craft store. I recommend two coats of paint. 
• Next place somthing hard under the canvas like a book to give yourself a firm work surface.
• Apply the decor elements of your choice.
• Last I added 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon around the edge of the canvas using Sticky Strip to give it a more finished look.

If you have/know a child with a relatively short name this would be perfect to spell their name out on canvas' and hang them in their room.

There are a million and one ideas floating through my head of ways to use Decor Elements and I hope to share at least a few with you soon.

 
If you'd like to see all the Decor Elements Stampin' Up! has to offer click the catalog image at right.

Find something you like? Remember you can place your order online, by phone or by email anytime.

Whatever Wednesday: Perfect Post It Notes

Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for links to two more great projects with instructions!

Such a cute little project for today's Whatever Wednesday post but there's a lot to say about it. First off I am a sticky note queen. I won't go without them and they are everywhere. There just so darn handy. When I saw this cute little holder made from, of all things, the Stampin' Up! exclusive Scallop Envelope Die I knew I needed to whip up a few.

Having made different varieties of sticky note holders in the past there are two things that immediately come to mind.

1. The sticky note holder should, if not go with your decor, at least not clash with it.
2. You should make the sticky note holder go with yellow. This is the most widely available color of sticky note. Take it from me. I created just the most wonderful sticky note holder before, thinking I could find a coordinating color sticky note and no luck. So this time I decided to make something to go with yellow!

With that said I still had my supplies from this weeks's Make Over Monday project on my desk and they all coordinate beautifully with yellow. Since Monday I've also been trying to think of other projects to put the Petal Pizzaz flowers on. After I used this set on Monday I've really begun to fall in love with it. I read on someone else's blog once that when her house or life in general get crazy and messy she tends to go for more clean lines. I think that is the case here and these flowers are perfect for a clean line, modern design.

So how do you make one of these oh so cute and functional sticky note holders?

1. Cut two Scallop Envelopes
2. Trim the bottom envelope flap to 1/2" (shown in the photo below)
3. Cut a coordinating piece of DSP 2" x 3", adhere to envelope.
4. Use Sticky Strip to adhere scallop flap over DSP.
5. Place Sticky Strip on the left, right and bottom envelope flaps (on the envelope withOUT DSP). Remove protective backing from Sticky Strip and adhere the flaps of one envelope to the other.
6. Adhere a strong magnet or two to the back.
7. Add embellishment of your choice and sticky note pad.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Petal Pizzaz

Inks: Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Sweet Pea DSP, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White

Other: Sizzix Big Shot, SU! Scallop Envelope Die, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots and Sherbet Designer Series Buttons

Here's another view.

Click the links below to see two other fantastic projects made with this very versitile Sizzix die.

Open Gift Box

Gift Box with Lid

Don't miss out on instructions for a great project!

Are you receiving my monthly INKspirations Newsletter?

Each month subscribers have access to exclusive hints, tips and a project. February's issue will be arriving in inboxes next week. This month's exclusive newsletter project features two of my favorite new products, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper and the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers.

While I cannot tell you what the project is exactly, I can tell you it uses these two products, costs less than $5 and will make a great gift. You won't want to miss it!

To start receiving my monthly INKspirations Newsletter just enter your email address into the newsletter sign up box at the top left of this page.

Don't miss out on great projects like this!

Today marks the sixth week in the 12 Weeks of Christmas. What is the 12 Weeks of Christmas you ask? Each week I send out an email featuring an exclusive Christmas project such as cards, wrapping or tags, gifts and home decor. The only way you can get your hands on these terrific projects is to sign up for my monthly INKspirations newsletter. Just add your email to the newsletter sign up box in the upper left hand corner of the page and not only will you begin receiving my monthly newsletter but also an exclusive 12 Weeks of Christmas Project every week through mid December.

Don't wait, sign up now!

Make your own Build A Bear backpack ID tag

The little bears in the Beary Best Friends Stamp Set (118052) are just the right size for making ID tags. For this one I stamped the bear on Whisper White Cardstock, then colored him in using Classic Inks and an Aqua Painter. Next I cut out the bear and adhered him onto the background tag . Then cut the letters using the Naturally Serif Sizzix Alphabet (113453).

The plastic cover for the tag is actually a baseball card protector and then I used the Crop-a-dial to punch a hole for the ribbon after I had inserted the finished tag.

These are so cute, fun to make and definately a useful item. These would make great little gifts or stocking stuffers for the kiddos in your life. And of course there is also a girl bear in the stamp set.

Contact me today to get all the supplies you'll need to make this adorable little gift.

512-259-5575 or chris@forloveofpaper.com