Over the weekend I'll be sharing full details on how I constructed these and provide you with the simple formula you need to make similar boxes of any size.
Want to get ready to tackle this project over the weekend? Stamp up a piece of cardstock!
You may recognize that I used the Petal Parade stamp set -- it is a Sale-a-bration exclusive that you can choose with a qualitifying purchase through March 31. I just can't stop using this stamp set! What is your favorite stamp set these days?
For those of you who use social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), you likely are seeing more and more photos with the tag #tbt or #throwbackthursday. The whole idea is the share a photo from the past...I've shared a couple to Instagram and just last week had a former grad school classmate share a picture of us at a curling party. Yes, curling as in the Olympic sport. I went to grad school at Bowling Green State University and there was a curling link within the ice arena. And that time curling was probably the one and only time I'll ever do it.
Today I decided to share a throwback post to you -- it goes back to last summer when I attended the Stampin' Up! Convention:
In one word, the Stampin' Up! Convention was INSPIRING.
INSPIRING to see an abundance of project ideas and ways to use Stampin' Up! products.
INSPIRING to hear about the many ways that individual demonstrators and Stampin' Up! make a difference in the lives of others.
INSPIRING to learn about the achievements of many demonstrators, and most especially Mary Fish (my upline and pictured with me above) and Brian King, the first male Rising Star in the history of Stampin' Up! I've been connected to both virtually since becoming a demonstrator last fall and it was so wonderful to meet Mary and Brian this week along with the many other Stampin' Pretty Pals who attended convention - it was like having a reunion with old friends.
INSPIRINGto leave with lots of fresh ideas to share with all of you and to implement as I continue to build my business this year.
For those who want a glimpse at how demonstrators make a difference and see what it is like when nearly 6,000 paper crafting enthusiasts gather in one place to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Stampin' Up!, check out this video:
At convention, we learned about some new products:
1. An envelope maker that can be used to make more than 60 difference size envelopes! Yes, more than 60! Stay tuned for a release date!
2. Thinlits card frames that can be used to make fun, fancy, and fabulous cards with ease! Coming soon..again, stay tuned for the release date!
3. A stamp carving kit that can be used to create your very own rubber stamps! It is called Undefined and I was absolutely positively ecstatic to receive the complete kit during a "prize patrol" at Convention. Learn about Undefined in this video:
My experience at convention was truly inspiring and amazing. So glad that I was able to attend. A special thank you to my husband for taking time to be home with the girls and to the girls for being okay that momma was away!
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Back to 2014...
Convention was truly incredible and about 6 months from now, Stampin' Up! demonstrators from across North America will gather again in Salt Lake City. I am so very excited for all the demonstrators who have joined since July 1, 2013 -- they all have the opportunity can register for convention this year for FREE! Registration is typically $295, so that is truly an amazing deal! There are costs for travel, accomodations, and food, however the free registration is an incredibly sweet deal!
If you love Stampin' Up! products and think Convention sounds like fun, consider purchasing a starter kit today! Through March 31 (the last day of Sale-a-bration), you can choose up to $150 in Stampin' Up! products for just $99 plus local tax (it ships free)! Learn more here. And, remember, if you want to be a part of the 2014 convention experience, you'll be able to register for free!
Thanks so much for stopping by for this stroll down memory lane! Hope to see you tomorrow for the Five on Friday post!
Just titled this post and then realized the irony of my choice...there is not a single shamrock in my project today! However, hopefully the project I am about to share gives you the illusion of lots of shamrocks!
While I have already come up with some St. Patrick's decor, I knew I wanted some more and this framed art is my latest creation. It was actually pretty quick to put together despite all the hearts that I punched out for this...pretty sure it was a full 8-1/2" x 11 sheet of card stock worth of them.
After punching out the hearts, I covered a piece of matching cardstock with glue (I used a Stampin' Up! Anywhere glue stick for this) and simply threw down the hearts and shook around. This was done very much in the way you'd put on embossing powder. I let the extra hearts fall off and then went and filled back in the empty spaces. As I went to cover the last of the holes, I put a little glue on the hearts and stuck down.
Now I suppose you could be really precise and take groups of three or four hearts and make perfectly formed shamrocks. If you have the time and patience to do this I give you two thumbs up! However, I can absolutely say it is not something I would do. The illusion and feel of shramrocks works just fine for me!
The sentiment on this piece comes from the Lucky Framable download for MDS. Look closely at the frame I shared the other week and you'll see the same verbage across the bottom:
Stampin' Up! released several new digital downloads yesterday and kicked off new weekly deals! Some great finds amongst both the downloads and the weekly deals! My hot picks are the Just Sayin' Stamp Brush Set and the Encore Metallic ink pad in gold...perfect for St. Paddy's Day projects!
And I have to share a little behind the scenes look at my work preparing today's post. There are Stampin' Up! demonstrators across the country who are fortunate to have assistants to help them with various aspects of their business. While there are no paid assistants for me, I have two very sweet and charming helpers who literally had a hand in photographing today's project...
Truly love them! As for the big yellow blur you see above, here is Brooklyn's latest project for here on Peonies and Paper Chains:
She did a great job creating this family sign! I especially love the hearts in all of our names and her use of the Retro Fresh Washi Tape! Equally as adorable as this project is when Britt (2-1/2 going on 3) asks me for Washi tape...perhaps I'll catch her on video asking for it one of these days.
I'm so curious to hear what projects my frame from today inspires you to create. I have visions of...
a project with blue circles to form the backdrop for a nautical stamped image
a bright orange background framing an inspiring sentiment
hearts in red and pink for a Valentine's piece of art...clearly some time to wait for that creation, and
all white hearts or circles to make number signs for tables at a wedding.
Today's project has given me lots of inspiration for others -- hope it has done the same for you!
Thanks so much for stopping by -- please visit again soon!
A couple weeks back I shared a a stamped medallion and I know that several of you have been anxiuously awaiting the details! Today is your lucky day! I've finally had a chance to stamp up a few more samples for you and I'm excited to share the secrets behind this technique. This is s technique that I learned 7 or 8 years ago when I attended a Stampin' Up! event in Providence Rhode Island. It's been around for awhile but it is something I rarely see.
You also need a stamp set of your choice plus a coordinating punch or Framelits (or simply a pair of Paper Snips). When it comes to stamps, you can use images with nice solid lines though I think you'll see in a few minutes that even a more intricate stamp can be used.
In the images below you'll see:
a standard stamped image from the Petal Parade stamp set (a Sale-a-bration exclusive)
an embossed floral medallion where the bottom edge is not crisp
an image where I I was too close to the edge and cardstock showed through (bottom left)
a crisp a fabulous floral medallion
I show you all these because I want you to know you may have to practice a little before you get the technique down pat!
Truly, though, once you get the hang of this, the possibilities are endless!
HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:
Stamp your Versamark inkpad directly onto a piece of Whispetr White card stock
Cover with Silver Stampin' Emboss powder, tap ofF extra, and heat
Repeat steps 1 and 2
Repeat steps 1 and 2...again!
Make sure your stamp is mounted and quickly ink it up with Versamark
And, one more time, repeat steps 1 and 2 (this makes 4 layers of embossing)
As soon as you finish heating, stamp your image
Cut out stamped image with a punch, Framelit, or your Paper Snips
Take a look at a couple other "medallions" that I created:
The "enjoy" comes from the Simply Celebrate stamp set and the "Mr. and Mrs." is from Label Love. For the "enjoy", I used 4 layers of embossing, however for the more intricate "Mr. and Mrs.", just 3 layers seemed to work.
A FEW TIPS:
Work quickly between layers
Be prepared that the stamp may "slip and slide" when you go to use it on the layers of embossing
If you are not satisfied with your stamped image, reheat the embossing, and stamp again
Play around a little and find the right amount of layering...in some cases, just 3 layers of embossing will result in a beautiful image.
Have fun giving this technique a try!I'd absolutely love to see what you create! Please share your creations...
When you are out an about on errands and find yourself in a gift store or a store that sells home decor, do you come across lots of signs? Perhaps the signs have funny sayings or inspirational quotes. Maybe you've even seen ones with a set of family rules. I feel like I have seen more and more of these signs in the last couple of years. For awhile now, I've wanted to make a sign with playroom rules and I've finally done it!
Brooklyn and I brainstormed the playroom rules the other night while Britt was already asleep. Our playroom rules:
Share
Say please and thank you
Make music
Be creative
Be kind
Clean up after yourself
Read
Welcome everyone (my version)
No fighting or hitting (Brooklyn's version)
Have fun
The playroom rules sign I created was done as an 8-1/2" x 11" page using MDS so that I would be able to get the precise Stampin' Up! shades of Crisp Cantaloupe, Pear Pizzazz, and Pool Party. This color scheme was inspired by the Pixel Maven's Digi-Challenge (PMDC-039):
I've printed out the sign and I'm in the midst of turning it into a hybrid project to hang on the wall in our playroom. The girls will be helping with that part of the project! As soon as we're done with that step, I'll be sure to share it with you!
Perhaps you need a playroom sign and perhaps you do not. Whichever is the case, I hope this project gets you inspired to create something today. Maybe something with these colors or maybe a project with some polka dots -- take the project element that inspires you and get creating!
Oh, and one more thing, the sweet little face of Peonies and Paper Chains is not actually on the playroom rules sign. However, I realized she matches this color combo perfectly and had to add her to the image above! Marie at Autumn's Creek did an amazing job creating this darling illustration.
Do you have a product that you simply love but find it has been collecting a little dust? That is precisely what has happened with my Dress Up Framelits. These Framelits are a favorite of mine! However, between the holidays, launch of the Occassions mini catalog, and the excitement of Sale-a-bration, these Framelits have taken a back seat in my crafting space.
When cleaning up and re-organizing this past week, I came across a stencil I created out of the dress form and promptly decided to put it to use along with my Silver Encore ink pad! Here's my finished card:
The choice of Early Espresso for the card front was very deliberate -- when sponging on the dress form in the silver, I needed a nice dark background to make it pop!
Hope you can find some time the next few days to use a product that has been gathering dust. What will that be?
Happy Friday friends! Hope you've been having a fabulous week and that you are ready for a color combo to get your creative juices flowing this weekend!
Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Gold Glimmer, Crumb Cake/Kraft, and Island Indigo...how would you describe this combo? In one word I'd say sophisticated...how about you?
This combo was inspired by a Tag a Bag Box that I decorated a few weeks back. Here are the flowers atop the box:
Without a doubt, we all have things that are a part of our weekly routine. One of the things I do each week is to look at the new digital downloads for MDS. This week I happened to do so on the very day that I needed to make/design my project for this week's Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge (PPA192). The minute I saw the Blossoms Abound Kit download, I knew that I would use this for the challenge.
My project this week is a hybrid that brings together digital design with traditional paper crafting. The central 4x6 panel was created using My Digital Studio / MDS and printed on our home printer. It was then mounted onto card stock and chipboard (backing material from a kit purchase) and embellished with some pearls. The Pistachio Pudding ruffle trim is perfect for hanging this "life is beautiful" sign on the girls' door.
This download is one I can see using many times for decor, cards, and party supplies. The colors are so delightful and spring like (perfect because I for one and am ready for winter to be over). And I love the whimsical style of the various kit elements.
Be sure to see what the other members of the design team are up to this week -- always fun to see what everyone creates!
Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for stopping by!
Today you are in for a very special treat -- you get to see the Heartfelt Banner (a Sale-a-bration exclusive) in action at a bridal shower. I'm sure you'll agree that it looks fabulous adorning the dessert table. And of course those desserts look positively scrumptious!
Gorgeous, right?With the shower over, I imagine that the bride-to-be may have this hanging at home as a sweet reminder of both the shower and proposal. Please feel free to leave your kind comments for Pam and her banner on this post!
My friend Pam Morris recently shared this image on the Stampin' Pretty Pals private Facebook groups and I instantly loved seeing how she chose to use it. She reported that banner was incredibly quick to make and I think the exactly word were "like 5 minutes quick" -- having received this kit myself I know Pam is correct! I also loved how she said the banner was beautiful on its own and took on a whole new life when she incorporated in the photos of her niece.
As I mentioned, Pam is fellow Stampin' Pretty Pal. Given that I am here in NH and she is in GA, we got to know each other through the Pals Facebook groups and then met in person at the Stampin' Up! Convention last summer. Pam actually gave me a lesson in how to use the Stampi-a-ma-jig at Convention...thanks again, Pam! One of the things I love about stamping is being a part of supportive and friendly group of fellow demonstrators from across the country -- many of whom are strictly hobby stampers to receive a discount on their own products.
If you love Stampin' Up! products or want to give them a try right now is wonderful time to purchase a starter kit containing up to $150 in Stampin' Up! products for just $99 plus local tax -- it ships free saving you $15! There's no obligation to purchase another, however if you do, you'll enjoy 20% off all purchases through June 2014! And, in addition to all the Stampin' Up! goodies you receive, you can experience the Pals community for yourself! Learn more about joining my circle of stampers and the larger Pals community here.
As for that sneak peek, here you go...
Thanks so much for stopping by today! Please come on back soon!
Hello friends, happy Monday! Hope you had a fabulous weekend!
The Stamp Review Crew is at it again -- we're sharing ideas with you today for the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set! This a fabulous background set and you can use it for all sorts of projects and stamping styles as we'll surely see today!
For my Gorgeous Grunge project, I decided to go back to a technique that I used years ago when I first got started using Stampin' Up! products. It is a technique you can use with a whole variety of background stamps, florals, etc. All you need to do is start with a piece of Whisper White card stock. Then, using different colors of ink, stamp up the entire sheet of card stock. You can use all different images (like I did today), or go entirely with one image in a whole array of colors.
Using my stamped up Gorgeous Grunge card stock, I created both a card and a 2" x 4" x 1" box:
There's even card stock left to use on another project...or rather there would be if my daughter had not claimed it for one of her projects!
Here's a closer looker:
Several times I have used this technique to quickly put together a set of thank you notes -- they've been great for wedding and baby showers that I've attended! In these instances, I stamped up the sheet and then cut into 1-3/4" x 5-1/2" strips of card stock. I would often mount these onto a 2-1/4" x 5-1/2" piece of card stock and then place on a card front.and then mounted those onto card fronts. You get enough of the stamped strips to make 12 cards and that's not bad in my book! Again, a fabulous gift to bring to a shower!
Want to make the box? I've not yet put this into a formal tutorial, but here are the basics:
Cut a 6" x 6-1/2" piece of card stock
With the 6-1/2" edge along the top side of you Simply Scored Scoring Tool, score at: 1/2", 1-1/2", 3-1/2", 4-1/2", 6-1/2"
Flip cardstock and score at 1" and at 5"
Cut out the small rectangular corners (there are 2 of these on the 1/2" end)
Fold the cardstock into a rectangular form and it will become clear to you which score lines need to be cut so that you can fold in the box ends
Use Sticky Strip to seal the side of the box and one end
Ribbon or a belly band is perfect for holding the finished box closed. And, fingers crossed that these instructions make sense to you!
Enjoy visiting the other members of the Stamp Review Crew to see what they have created using Gorgeous Grunge! The buttons below will help you hop along and the full list of participants is below my signature.
Thanks so much for stopping by...hope you will be back again soon!
