For Love of Paper

Super Simple Saturday: 3 Lessons from a Springtime Thank You

What is Super Simple Saturday?

Each Saturday I go back to the basics; ink, paper and stamps and post a sample that is simple and quick to complete. I generally try to keep the tool and supply list simple so that beginning stampers and paper crafters can follow along.

This week's project.

Today's card is simple and elegant. A combination I've come to love over the years. For the top of the card I took advantage of the wonderful embossed look created using the Backgrounds I Texturz Plate with my Sizzix Big Shot. If you don't happen to have a Sizzix, though Sale-a-bration is the best time to get one, you could use a piece of Designer Series Paper instead. Then with a few simple additions, ribbon, stamp and a tiny pearl the card is complete.

But today's project illustrates three more important points.

1. If you want to be good at something you have to practice.

One of the comments I hear quite often when people see my cards and other creations is, "wow, I could never do that." Well I'm here to tell you that simply isn't true. While some of us are born with creative abilities, and I'll admit that I'm one of them, to be good at anything you have to practice.

2. Even the most experieinced experts can get rusty.

Take me for example. I began my paper crafting adventure about ten years ago with scrapbooking. Then about five years ago I was introduced to stamping and card making. I've been so involved in the later that I haven't done a whole lot of actual scrapbooking in recent months. The last couple weeks I've started several scrapbooking projects and gotten creatively stuck. I think creative abilities are just like sports. If you don't practice you lose your touch and that is what has happened to my scrapbooking skills . . . they're rusty. So how do you get your creative skills up to par again? You practice.

3. We are all our own worst critics.

I'm sure when you saw today's card you thought, hmm, nice card. Well when I look at it here is what I see.

• When it lays flat you can see the Celery cardstock peeking out from the bottom of the ribbon
• The sentiment should have been further over to the right
• The little flower should have been stamped to the right of the sentiment instead of the left. This would even out the weight of the elements better because it would be opposite the knot

We are our own worst critics. We see imperfections other often couldn't find even if we told them they were there. Cut yourself some slack and have a little fun.

So what should you take away from these three important lessons. Just jump in, start creating, try to do so on a regular basis and in no time you'll be creating pages, cards and projects you can't wait to share.

 

Supplies

Stamps: Because I Care (hostess set, ask me how you can get this FREE)

Inks: Basic Gray Classic Ink Pad and Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write Marker

Papers: Whisper White Cardstock and Certainly Celery Cardstock

Adhesives: SNAIL and Mini Glue Dot

Other: 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Sizzix Big Shot with Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate, Corner Rounder and Basic Pearls

 

 

Watch It Wednesday: Create a Cupcake Ideas Day 3 Cupcake Pedestal

No you have not lost your mind. It is in fact Thursday. Yesterday as I was frantically working to get the Watch It Wednesday video done it hit me that my son had an appointment with the ENT. I quickly called school and ran out the door.  Better late than never right?

All week I've been featuring fun, out of the box ways to use the Create a Cupcake Stamp Set and Build a Cupcake Punch, what I'm calling the Dynamic Duo. Today we'll see how to make pedestals to put the cupcakes on.

In the video I'll be showing you how to make the sample above but I wanted to share another sample with you also. This one I CASED to showcase at Sale-a-bration Extravaganza.

 

Cupcake Pedestal Quick Reference Sheet

 

Supplies

Stamps: Create a Cupcake

Inks: Blushing Bride Classic Ink and Early Espresso Classic Ink

Papers: Blushing Bride Cardstock, Early Espresso Cardstock, Very Vanilla Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock, Cherry Cobbler Cardstock and Certainly Celery Cardstock

Adhesives: SNAIL and Stampin' Dimensionals

Other: Sizzix Big Shot, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Build a Cupcake Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Scallop Border Punch and Crop-a-dial

Thrifty Thursday: Create a Cupcake Ideas Day 4 (purse)

What is Thrifty Thursday?

With the economy still on the rebound we all need to get as much bang for our buck as possible. So each Thursday I'll show you inexpensive ways to use your paper crafting supplies.

This weeks project.

All week I've been sharing alternate uses for the new Create a Cupcake Stamp Set and coordinating Build a Cupcake Punch found in the Occassions Mini Catalog on page 22. I decided to feature another out of the box idea using this dynamic duo (that's their new name). The fact that there are so many more uses for the same stamp set and punch are a perfect illustration of Thrifty Thursday.

Whenever I teach new paper crafters, be it stampers, card makers or scrapbookers I always tell them to think about their purchases. For example, if they were trying to decide which punches to purchase first I tell them to think about which one they would use more, a circle, which is a basic shape or a pineapple. How many times are you going to need a pineapple punch? Well not all that often, unless you can turn that pineapple into five other things like you can with today's featured stamp set and punch.

In my opinion the new Create a Cupcake Stamp Set and Build a Cupcake Punch are very thrifty. So far this week I've shown you cupcakes, ice cream and a basket full of apples/cherries. Today we're going to use the stamp set and punch to get the chic purses you see on today's card.

How To

1. Stamp and punch either of the cupcake bottoms, turn it upside down so the wider part is at the bottom.
2. Punch a 3/4" circle, cut in half, this makes the purse flap. Add a Basic Rhinestone or Basic Pearl for button
3. To make the handle punch a 1/2" circle and then around that punch a 3/4" circle. Adhere the loop you've just made to the back.

Here is another card using the cupcake turned purse. This was last week's Watch It Wednesday video tutorial. Click here to watch it now.

Supplies

Stamps: Create a Cupcake

Inks: Early Espresso Classic Ink and Pink Pirouette Classic Ink

Papers: Whisper White Cardstock, Early Espresso Cardstock and Pink Pirouette Cardstock

Adhesives: SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots and 2-Way Glue Pen

Others: Build a Cupcake Punch, 1/2" and 3/4" Circle Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Sizzix Big Shot, Framed Tulip Embossing Folder, 5/8" Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch

We're sick again and pictures from Sale-a-bration Extravaganza

Well, two weeks ago my son, who is five, came down with strep, the flu and a wicked ear infection all at once. Then we had rolling power outages and the kids were out of school for that. In addition they were out of school for three days following for teacher education days. That gets us to this past Monday when he came down with strep again and a double ear infection, we have an appointment at the ENT next week. Then I ended up with strep.

I'm not telling you all this for sympathy or to complain I just wanted you to know why I haven't been posting on my regular schedule.

For the next few days, maybe a week, I'll be sharing some terrific projects from Sale-a-bration Extravaganza and hope to get things back to normal asap.

Sale-a-bration Extravaganza was a blast as always.

Take a look.

Here is the make'n take they were all working on.

We used the Two Tags Die, one of my favs, and the new Create a Cupcake stamp set and coordinating Build a Cupcake Punch from the Occassions Mini Catalog. Very simple, yet adorable. I love tags like this to attach to gift bags. It's easy to flip open the tab and see who it's from.

 

Watch It Wednesday: Scallop Circle Dress

Last Saturday was the Lone Star Stampers annual Sale-a-bration Extravaganza. This is a terrific FREE event hosted by several demonstrators from the group, including myself. Everyone that attends gets to complete two make'n takes, watch live demonstrations and see lots of samples using new products. This year I was asked to demonstrate the Sizzix Big Shot. I decided to take three of my favorite dies and show multiple ways to use them.

This little dress is one of four examples I showed for the Scallop Circle Die and today I'm going to show you how to make one yourself.

 

Over the next few weeks I will be showcasing several of the projects I shared at Sale-a-bration Extravaganza so stay tuned.

Supplies

Stamps: Create A Cupcake (clear)

Inks: Pink Pirouette Classic Ink

Papers: Basic Black Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock, Vellum Cardstock and Love Impressions Designer Series Paper

Other: Sizzix Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die, Framed Tulip Embossing Folder, Build a Cupcake Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Basic Rhinestone, Paper Daises and 5/8" Organza Ribbon

Wolf Box for National Boy Scout Day

In honor of National Boy Scout Day I have the perfect treat bag to share with you. This adorable little wolf is perfect for use with young scouts because at that age their packs are called wolf packs.

Would you believe his face is made using a couple of Sizzix Dies? The Top Note and Scallop Oval dies.

I created this box and a host of others using the same basic pattern and demonstrated them last weekend at the Lone Star Stampers Sale-a-bration Extravaganza. Everyone fell in love with them just like I did. They created such a stir I've decided to make them my class of the month for February. This class will be released on February 15th so stay tuned.

Thrifty Thursday: Trash to Treasure Desk Caddy Part 2

What is Thrifty Thursday?

With the economy still on the rebound we all need to get as much bang for our buck as possible. So each Thursday I'll show you inexpensive ways to use your paper crafting supplies.

This weeks project.

If you tuned in last week for Thrifty Thursday you saw me take a thrift store find that looked like this . . .

and turn it into this . . .

Once I got this far the elementary school lined paper I used on the front panel immediately made me think of the school children in the Greeting Card Kids stamp set. So with a little more effort it turned into what you see today.

I was really having a tough time deciding if I should give this to my son's classroom teacher or the principal. I've already made a few things for his classroom teacher so I thought I'd give this one to the principal. She is so cheery and just a delight to be around. I think she deserves something special too.

All told this project cost me about $3 to $4.

Not bad for a chic boutique look!

Stop back next Thursday and I'll show you a few coordinating accessories to go with this gift.

Supplies

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids

Inks: Jet Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, Bashful Blue Classic Ink, Crumb Cake Classic Ink, Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink, Sahara Sand Classic Ink, Soft Suede Classic Ink and Stampin' Write Marker, So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker and Blush Blossom Stampin' Write Marker

Papers: Water Color Paper, Cherry Cobbler Cardstock, Basic Black Cardstock and Love Letters Designer Series Paper

Adhesives: SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals, Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets

Other: Sizzix Big Shot, Naturally Serif Alphabet, Fun Flowers Die,, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Antique Brad and Stampin' Sponge

 

Watch It Wednesday: Key to My Heart Flip Box

When I first saw the You're A Gem stamp set and the new Trinket Keys in the Occassions Mini Catalog I knew they were meant to go together like peanut butter and chocolate. Then when I was getting some Valentine's together using the Heart Treat cups it dawned on me to put one of the keys inside and today's project was born.

Check out today's Watch It Wednesday video to see how to make one yourself. This is a high definition video so you should have no problem watching it full screen. Just click the full screen button on the bottom right of the player. It looks like this.

Key to My Heart Flip Box Quick Reference Sheet

Need supplies?

To order any of the supplies used in this project just click on them below.

Supplies

Stamps: You're A Gem (clear)

Inks: Early Espresso Classic Ink, Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Write Marker and Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker

Papers: Basic Black Cardstock, Riding Hood Red Cardstock, Very Vanilla Cardstock and Love Letters Designer Series Paper

Adhesives: SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals and Sticky Strip

Other: Sizzix Big Shot, Scallop Square Duo, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Full Heart Punch, Modern Label Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Heart Treat Cup, Trinket Keys and Stamping Sponge

Learn one of the hottest trends in scrapbooking!

How to scrapbook on canvas.

If you’re one of those people that keep on top of what’s new in paper crafting I’m sure you’ve heard the term “scrapbook your walls”. This just means taking your scrapbook pages out of the album and displaying them on the wall. One of the coolest ways to display scrapbook pages on the wall is by creating them on canvas rather than cardstock or paper. While this may sound tricky, it's surprisingly quick and easy. To make it even easier, I'd like to take you through the process, step-by-step, in my new Roses of Love Scrapbook Canvas Online Class

The Roses of Love Scrapbook Canvas Online Class will take you through the process of creating a scrapbook canvas step by step. You’ll go from how to choose a canvas to putting it all together. As an online class you’ll be taken to a private webpage where you’ll find two high definition videos and a printable Quick Reference Sheet listing all of the supplies as well as the measurements and a full color photo of the project.

In addition to learning one of the hottest trends in scrapbooking you’ll also learn two bonus techniques along the way. These are techniques you’ll surely want to add to your own projects down the road.

1. Stenciling with inks.
2. How to make three dimensional cardstock roses.

 

To gain INSTANT access to the Roses of Love Scrapbook Canvas Online Class for only $12.95 click the Buy Now button below.

Once your payment is processed you will immediately be taken to the private webpage. You can watch the videos immediately or bookmark the page to view any time in the future.

 

If you aren't familar with online classes please check out the FAQ below.

Online Class FAQ

What is an online class?

Taking an online class is just like taking a regular class, but rather than traveling to a specific location at a specific time you attend class virtually. 

What should I expect?

Each online class will consist of one large project or a few smaller projects that go together. You will learn how to make each project through a series of video tutorials. Once you sign up/pay for a class you will immediately be taken to a web page where you can watch the videos right away.

Do online classes include tools and supplies?

No. Online classes are instruction only. You will need to use your own tools and supplies to make the projects.

Click the link below to purchase the Roses of Love Scrapbook Canvas Online Class for only $12.95.

Watch It Wednesday: Lollipop Valentine

A week or two ago I showed you a few examples using the Sweetheart Stamp Set and coordinating Heart Treat Cups. I thought I would share with you a way to use the treat cups without the stamp set. This is a way to still get a great look but be able to save a little moola.

Supplies

Stamps: none

Inks: none

Papers: Real Red Cardstock, Basic Gray Cardstock and Love Impressions Designer Series Paper

Adhesives: SNAIL and Sticky Strip

Other: Full Heart Punch, Heart Treat Cup, 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Sizzix Big Shot with Scallop Square Duo and  6" Lollipop Stick

Cutting: 2 Real Red Scallop Square (the larger one on the die), 2 1/2" square of Basic Gray and 2 3/8" square of DSP