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 2

I loved the color combination and the elements I used on the pencil case I showed you yesterday so much I thought I'd try it on a composition book. Again, I am super pleased with the result. That little owl is just so stinkin' cute it makes almost anything look good.

Even better right now you can pick up these full size composition books for only a quarter at Walmart and Target. Whoohoo!

If you're feeling the "need" to get your own Two Step Owl Punch (#118074 only $16.95) contact me today or you can simply place your order online by clicking here (then click on Shop Now.)

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 composition book

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

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

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

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: 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: Day 7 Tall Oak Inspiration

Many of the ideas I've posted so far have been a little silly or focus on something dads like to do but for many people their father's have inspired their lives. Turning them into the people they are or are trying to become. If this is your dad be sure to check out the Define Your Life stamp set. This is where the definition for inspire is found. This stamp set is so useful for lots of occasions because there is a different word defined for each letter of the alphabet.

If you're wondering how I made the ghosty looking tree I used a technique called Faux Silk but changed it up a little bit. I'll explain just how to get this look within the directions that will be arriving in all newsletter subscribers mailboxes early next week so be sure you're signed up to receive my monthly INKspirations Newsletter.

Don't forget . . .

Leave comments & win!

Be sure to leave comments each time you visit this week during Father's Day Frenzy. For every comment you leave you will be entered into a drawing to win a pick from my stamping goodie basket full of stamp sets.

Get the instructions for all nine projects!

Also be sure you're signed up for my monthly INKspirations Newsletter. At the end of the nine days of Father's Day Frenzy I will be sending all newsletter subscribers links to directions on each project. To sign up just enter your email address in the box at the top left of this page.