For Love of Paper

More Sale-a-bration Extravaganza Photos

I thought yall might enjoy seeing a few more photos from our Sale-a-bration Extravaganza Event. It was great fun. This is the second year we've held this event and we're sure to do it again next year!

 

One of my favorite customers, Alice with my mom, Belinda

This card was created by fellow demonstrator, Melissa Smith and features the 2 Step Bird Punch. A very versatile tool!

Another Scallop Square Rag Purse done by fellow demonstrator Carol Bardin.

Wonderful layouts done by fellow demonstrator Lisa Besler. She created these using My Digital Studio.

 

Whatever Wednesday: Doesn't it look just like Shaun the Sheep?

As I was surfing around online one day I came across the most adorable sheep and lamb cards done by Lynn Pratt. When I saw them I immediately thought of Shaun the Sheep. 

For those of you who aren't familiar with Shaun the Sheep the show is currently a short on the Disney Channel. Shaun first appeared in Wallace and Gromit where he was sucked into the Knit-O-Matic. Now he has his own show and is totally hilarious. You can learn more on www.shaunthesheep.com.

So back to the card. This card is super simple. It uses the Scallop Circle Die, Scallop Oval Punch, Wide Oval Punch and Small Oval Punch. Oh and the Boho Blossoms Punch to make a puffy little tail on the back.

I am always amazed at the number of things you can create using the same tools. Punches are definitely worth the investment because you can make so many things with them.

Here's a little challenge for you. Create something using a punch in a non-traditional way.

Sizzix Fabric Flower Instructions

Ever since I posted this fabulous fabric flower (pin) made using the Sizzix Flower Folds Die lots of people have been asking how to make them. I've finally finished a PDF tutorial that will show you how to make them yourself.

They are so easy!

Also very addicting so be careful! 

Not only do these flowers make terrific pins they also look great on headbands, purses, scarves and lots more. The sky is definitely the limit.

Click the PDF image at right to get the instructions.

Also if you need to purchase the Flower Folds (115970) die remember this die is exclusive to Stampin' Up!

To place an order simply click on the Online Ordering button on the top right of this page or contact me by phone 512-259-5575 or email chris@forloveopaper.com.

If you're more of a hands on learner I will be offering a class on Saturday, April 17th. I'm still getting all the details together but should have them posted later this week. What I can tell you is this flower as a pin will be a terrific Mother's Day Gift.

Make Over Monday: Teal Butterfly

This weak I had to choose something quick and easy because my son has been sick for four days and I'm way behind on everything.

The original of this card was created by Cheryl Rowley. I really liked the bold colors and the layout of the card. And I'm all about using my Sizzix Butterfly Die and Embosslit any time I can. I'm not a huge butterfly person under normal circumstances but I really love the Sizzix Butterflies.

I also found it rather interesting that Cheryl had actually CASED her card from this one.

Seeing the way different people interpret someone else's card is always interesting. We each pick out different parts that stand out to us.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Full of Life

Inks: Basic Black, Taken with Teal and Close To Cocoa Classic Ink

Paper: Taken with Teal, Whisper White and Sweet Pea DSP

Other: Stampin' Dimensionals, Sizzix Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Die, Beautiful Wings Emosslit, White Tafetta Ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch and Corner Punch

Make Over Monday: Simple Birthday Scrapbook

I love themed scrapbooks for different occasions. "Why?" you ask. I really enjoy pulling them out for everyone to see at each occasion. I have good intentions of making one for all of the major holidays but the only one I've started is my sons birthday book.

I saw this 8" x 8" birthday album in a scrapbooking magazine quite some time ago. It was created by Melanie Louette. The idea fit so well with the Happy B-Day Simply Scrappin' Kit. All I added to the kit was a little cardstock and used my Sizzix Big Shot with the Stampin' Up! Alphabet Simple Numbers to create the number for each year.

Here is a look at three more years of birthdays.

Using a formula or similar layout and a kit with coordinating papers and embeliishments makes the album go together so quickly. You could easily create a birthday book from 1-18 in one day.

My son just turned five last week and I loved having this album to show everyone at his brithday party.

I love this idea so much I plan to offer this album as a class, probably in May.

Stay tuned for more details.

Sale-a-bration Extravaganza was a blast!

I belong to a local group of demonstrators known as the Lone Star Stampers. Yesterday we held our second Sale-a-bration Extravaganza. Over forty people attended and had a great time. Here are some photos from yesterday.

Brenda on the right demonstrating My Digital Studio and Kathleen sewing on the left.

Yes, I did say Kathleen was sewing. See the way cute black and white purse? That was made using the Stampin' Up! Scallop Square Sizzix Die (#115950). You can also see the Fabric Flower Pin I made for everyone, to show off, on her shirt. Yes the tutorial for these flowers is coming!

I just fell in love with these little name tags Kathleen created. Not until I was looking at the picture today did I realize the base of the name tag was made with the Two Tags Sizzix Die. How clever!

This year for Sale-a-bration Extravaganza we decided to have a $10 mini class. Each participant made the matchbox and coordinating card pictured below and got to take home half a package of the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers. What a deal!

Matchbox and coordinating card perfect for an Easter or Mother's Day gift. (Just add jewelry!)

I apologize for the coloring in the photo but I really wanted to share this with you because I thought it was so cute. (Plastic tables do not make a good backdrop.) This was made by Carol, the coordinator of Lone Star Stampers. All I need to say about Carol is that she's awesome! She and her husband have nine children, she home schools and still has time to wrangle all of us crazy stampers. This little bag of jelly beans has rub-ons from the Eggscellent Eggs Kit on it. Never thought to put rub-ons on the clear bags. The topper is made from the Sizzix Top Note Die and embellished with ribbon, a flower from the kit and an epoxy brad. I didn't realize until I saw the kit yesterday that it included bling! Hmm, maybe it will be in the new catalog in July? Keep your fingers crossed.

Each customer that RSVP'd by the deadline received this little gift. The container was made using one of the Sweet Treat Cups and was filled with an assortment of Corduroy Buttons.

Even better there was a slider so you could remove the buttons and keep the container.

So if you didn't make it yesterday I hope you enjoyed your virtual tour and be sure to check my calendar often so you don't miss anymore awesome events.

Click here to see the calendar and register early.

Whatever Wednesday: Sizzix Fabric Flowers

I am so excited about this project! You can make this gorgeous fabric flower using the Sizzix Flower Folds Die (115970). Even better there is NO SEWING involved. I should warn you though. Once you make one of these flowers they are very addictive.

These flowers make terrific pins, go on headbands, bags, hats . . . the skies the limit. Great for big girls and little girls alike.

All you need is the Stampin' Up! exclusive Flower Folds Die, 1/8 of a yard of four fabrics, a button, pin back and your trusty hot glue gun.

I will be putting up a tutorial on how to make these flowers in the next couple of days. They would make terrific gifts for mom. Yes, Mother's Day isn't that far away. They would also be great to give to teachers for an end of the year gift. Oh and then there is also Easter. Add them to a headband for the little girls or a nice, reusable corsage for the big girls, oh and Easter hats! Can you tell I'm a little excited about this one. The ideas just keep coming.

If you are more of a hands on learner I will also be having a fabric flowers class in April. Stay tuned for more info.

Whatever Wednesday: Inspiration

I received an email last week from one of my reader's with this card attached. She said she was inspired by the Make Over Monday Card for the layout and then used the color combo from the card I had posted on Tuesday. Here's a look at her inspiration.

She had just received the Beautiful Wings Embosslit and knew she wanted to use it on her card. This is a great example of how to get inspiration from someone else's work and make it your own using the tools and supplies you have on hand.

So who is this mysterious reader? It's my mom, Belinda! Now you all know where I get my creative abilities. Mom had me crafting at the age of 3 and I haven't stopped since.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to take inspiration from someone else and create!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue and Whimsical Words

Inks: Soft Suede and Basic Black

Paper: Vellum Cardstock, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink and Soft Suede

Other: Half Pearls from the Pretties Kit, Sizzix Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch and Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon

 

Make Over Monday: Distressed Circle Scrapbook Layout

First I apologize for being MIA for a few days. First I had a sinus and ear infection, okay I can work with that. Then I came down with the flu. The flu won and I had to lay low for a couple days.

I have to say I am totally happy with how this layout came out! Here is where I began. I spotted this layout in the January 2008 issue of Scrapbook Trends Magazine by Angela Maggard. Her layout was done digitally. When I saw the circles my mind immediately went to the Circle Circus stamp set and that is what I planned to use. Then when I actually sat down to make the page I looked over and saw the circle paper from the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper pack and the light bulb popped on. This paper was absolutely perfect. I just cut out sections of circles.

As you can see I turned my layout into a two page spread using nine photos. I really wanted the photo of my son falling asleep on the rug to be the last one so I also had to change up the layout to have the hanging photo on the right instead of the left.

I created the background paper by stamping the Sanded stamp onto 12x12 Whisper White several times using Sahara Sand Classic Ink, then inked the edges with a stamping sponge. Have I mentioned the Sanded stamps is one of my all time favorites! It is awesome for adding texture and also great for more masculine looks.

I really liked the look of orange journaling on the original so I kep that on my layout as well. Using a color for you journaling is a great way to add just a little more pop to your project and something I totally had forgotten about.

Another thing I had forgotten about was stamping on patterned paper. The small strip of DSP just below the photos begins as a diagonal strip. Then I rolled Sweet Swirl with Basic Black Classic Ink over it to give it a whole new look.

Here's a closer look at each page.

Supplies Used

Stamps: Sanded and Sweet Swirl Wheel (rolled on the DSP strip below the photos)

Inks: Basic Black and Sahara Sand Classic Ink

Paper: Whisper White and Sweet Pea DSP

Other: Sizzix Big Shot with Button's #5 Sizzlit, Hemp Twine, 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon and a sponge

Remember looking at other's work is a great place to learn new tricks or jog your memory for tricks you'd forgotten. If you're looking for inspiration or a few memory joggers be sure to stay tuned. Later this week I'll be introducing a new product that will get you going.

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