321 Stamp: Launching Creativity

Christmas Countdown Calendar

Happy Veteran's Day! This project was a big hit with my customers and it was totally inspired by the amazing Paula Wright. I did change up a few things to make it easier. The biggest change was the title. Paula's was tiny die cut letters -- very cute but I knew that lining all those up and gluing them on would be a challenge. So it was My Digital Studio to the rescue. I LOVE using our digital crafting software to make custom titles, in just the color that I need (in this case Cherry Cobbler to coordinate with the Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper.) Also her focal point was a cute card stock tree, but I really wanted to use the wonderful Winter Wishes felt accents that are in the Holiday Mini Catalog (item 124108). The mittens and holly look great together and the Christmas wreath is also a great match.

Magnet sheets behind each number from the great 25 & Counting stamp set is what holds each "day" to the front of the metal CD case and then they all fit inside for storage. I love using our glue sticks to attach paper to the metal tin. Everything else is glued on with the Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue (with the green top.)

The Cherry Cobbler Satin Quilted Ribbon was so perfect for a hanger -- it's so sturdy. And I love how you can flip the ribbon hanger inside the tin if you want and use a little table top decorative easel to hold your countdown calendar. Here's a peek at how the ribbon was put inside the tin, with the designer paper glued over the top with glue stick to hold it in place. Plus when the lid is on the tin, it holds the ribbon as well.

A couple of years ago Stampin' Up offered some retired CD-size packaging tins for sale -- but those are gone now so I just searched for CD size metal tins online. The images are stamped in Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green ink, punched out with the 1" Square Punch and then layered onto a Cherry or Green mat punched using the Postage Stamp Punch. That white scallop is from the Scallop Squares Duo Die for the Big Shot. These were fun to make and really not very difficult at all.

Christmas Ideas - Stampcation Style

I cannot believe what a blog stranger I have been! I've been busy with classes and workshops and life in general. I had shared some great Halloween ideas from the wonderful Stampcation event that fellow demonstrator Linda Heller and Shantaie Fowler put on in late Sept. -- now it's time for their Christmas vingette. So many great ideas. I defintely need a white sparkly Christmas tree to decorate in all handmade paper ornaments.

The tree closer up:

On the little table by the tree, the Dear Santa set from the Holiday Mini makes a great keepsake for the milk and cookies left on Christmas eve. (I would love to have had this set when my kids were younger and have them stamp a note for Santa and then write inside -- those would be great keepsakes to add to a scrapbook and look back at when they're all grown up.)

Here are some ornaments made with the Big Shot snowflake die:

Love these and how the Pillow Box used vertically becomes a little pouch to hang on the tree and hold treats or a gift card. I love scavenger hunts to make the kids find their gifts and there could be clues inside of these! The first photo has a Pillow Box pouch and a Top Note die ornament.

Not sure if you can tell the finer details of this idea, but it's a garland made by simply stitching lots of punched paper circles together with a sewing machine.

Check out this amazing advent box.

There are lots of paper mache boxes like these in craft stores this time of year and they're pretty easy to cover with Stampin' Up's Deisgner Papers for a custom home decor item. (I like using our Glue Sticks when I'm covering paper mache, notebook covers, even metal with paper. Works great).

Hope these ideas have inspired you!

More on the Free Big Shot Die Cutting Machine Opportunity

I had to share this video from Stampin' Up con-founder Shelli Gardner with more information about the free Big Shot machine available this month when you become a demonstrator. Already have one? Then you can get $100 in free merchandise of your choice!

 

I've loved being a demonstrator for 14 years and I love supporting the 3-2-1 Stamp team of demonstrators. The benefits of signing up are incredible:

- 20% off of every order (and 30% off your first order over $150 in the first 45 days)

- The chance to get off to a fast start and earn more free stamp sets.

- A Starter Kit worth $345 that costs just $175 and the shipping is free (even for that free added Big Shot machine or $100 in bonus stamping goodies.)

- A low $300 minimum per quarter -- with no requirement to meet that until your first full quarter as a demonstrator. So for people who sign up in October, that means you only have to sell $300 total by end of March 2012.

- You can be your own best customer and it counts toward your minimum. Of course you can also hold workshops and classes and make this a part time or full time business -- it's your choice.

Click here to learn more and you can sign up right from that information page that you'll link to on my website. If you sign up online, you're going to then choose your free Big Shot or $100 in free product after you've signed up through a special link that Stampin' Up will email you. And of course email me if you have any questions.

Fall Holidays Inspiration

I promised some ideas from a great stamping event I attended in Orlando in late September. It was organized by fellow SU demonstrator Linda Heller and her amazing stamping friend Shantaie Fowler. So let the eye candy begin.... first, Halloween ideas -- I love how a tag from the Two Tags Big Shot Die becomes the background for each element of the Spooky banner (such a versatile die):

Now on to Thanksgiving and many things made with the amazing Spice Cake suite of products from Stampin' Up's Holiday mini catalog, which includes paper and matching fabric. Check out the whole table:

Look at this amazing tree. Shantaie made this and click here to see more info on her blog about it.

A beautiful wreath featuring Spice Cake Fabric rosettes...

Paper strip pumpkins from Spice Cake Designer Series Paper...

And what Thanksgiving table would not be prettier with these simple cream napkins dressed up with a simple strip of Spice Cake fabric sewn on and then a matching napkin "ring" made with the paper and buttons and a die cut leaf. (those giant buttons are also part of the Spice Cake suite and available in my online store.)

So many beautiful ideas for some fall crafting!

Stocking Becomes a Hobby Horse & How to get a FREE Big Shot Machine

Be sure to read on for another great Stocking Punch idea but first I had to share the amazing deal that Stampin' Up is offering in October. A FREE Big Shot Die Cutting machine for everyone who signs up as a demonstrator! Already have one? Then you can choose $100 in free product of your choice instead! Wow!

I've loved being a demonstrator for 14 years and I love supporting the 3-2-1 Stamp team of demonstrators. The benefits of signing up are incredible:

- 20% off of every order (and 30% off your first order over $150 in the first 45 days)

- The chance to get off to a fast start and earn more free stamp sets.

- A Starter Kit worth $345 that costs just $175 and the shipping is free (even for that free added Big Shot machine or $100 in bonus stamping goodies.)

- A low $300 minimum per quarter -- with no requirement to meet that until your first full quarter as a demonstrator. So for people who sign up in October, that means you only have to sell $300 total by end of March 2012.

- You can be your own best customer and it counts toward your minimum. Of course you can also hold workshops and classes and make this a part time or full time business -- it's your choice.

Click here to learn more and you can sign up right from that information page that you'll link to on my website. If you sign up online, you're going to then choose your free Big Shot or $100 in free product after you've signed up through a special link that Stampin' Up will email you. And of course email me if you have any questions.

Now onto the card....

Last post I shared a pretty girl baby card using the great Stitched Stocking stamp set and matching punch (which of course makes great, easy Christmas cards). Today it's time for a boy version. I first saw the stocking turned upside down to become a hobby horse in a version made by the amazing Jackie Topa.

My version rests on a card that measures 3 & 1/4" by 6 & 1/2" when folded -- a nice vertical size that fits inside our Open End Envelopes. The stick for my little hobby horse is a decorative toothpick that I bought at Cracker Barrell restaurants. Colors are Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz and Early Espresso.

A few details to note: The mane on this little horse is some dotted ribbon that's ruffled along some Sticky Strip on the back side. 1/8" Marina Mist ribbon becomes a bridle. The cute ear is the stamped and punched out heel tidbit turned on end to be an ear! I drew on the dot for the eye with an Espresso marker. The doily was cut with the Perfect Pennants die and a white 1 & 3/4" circle provides some contrast. When I was done -- it still needed a little something and that's when I added the little Early Espresso Baker's Twine bow to the stick.I also love the little greeting from Perfect Pairs (again!) that was stamped in then punched out with the Pennant punch and mounted onto the coordinating scallop punched pennant in Espresso. Then look inside and the inside greeting gets the same treatment for a nice little surprise.

Next up is some creative inspiration from Stampcation (is that not a great name for a stamping retreat?!)

 

Christmas Stocking Baby Card

I've seen the Stitched Stocking stamp set made into so many different things now, and one of my favorite involves a little paper surgery to turn one of the stocking images into a set of baby booties for a cute baby card. I used Pretty in Pink and the matching Stocking Builder Punch makes quick work of punching out the stocking images.

Here's a photo of the "surgery" you need to do on each -- just discard that little center section and then reattach the cuff at bootie length (I like to use a Two-Way Glue pen to reattach the cuff.)

I attached the altered booties over a simple white doily cut using the Perfect Pennant BIGZ die from Stampin' Up. The pink background mat was embossed with the polka dot Textured Impressions folder and the Punking Hearts Corner Punch nips that pretty little upper right corner. The greeting comes from Petite Pairs -- my new favorite Stampin' Up greeting set.

Here's amother version with a slightly different focal point that I did using a white doily cut from our Flirtatious Designer Series Paper. There are two sheets of doilies in the paper pack -- they're orange or pink on one side but white on the other and easy to trim apart for a use like this one.

All of these items are available in my online store. This card was my contribution for a shoebox swap I took part in last weekend at the wonderful Stampcation event. I'll be sharing some wonderful displays from that event in the coming days (plus a cute baby boy stocking card) so be sure to check back.

A Top for the Fancy Favor Box

Stampin Up's Fancy Favor Box is one of my favorite die cut boxes we offer to use in the Big Shot Die Cutting machine. I love how large it is -- 3 1/2" tall; 3" wide and 2 1/4" deep (and the sides are gussetted if you want to fold on those score lines for a cute bag look instead of a box.)

At convention this summer I loved this idea to use the same die -- and then just cut off the bottom taps, flip it upside down and slide over the box for a topper with the same pretty edge as the box.

You just punch two holes and thread ribbon through to close the top edge.

Here's the display from convention so you can see how the bottom tabs were removed to make the topper.

You can always click on a photo to see it larger and the Fancy Favor bix is available using my Order Online link in the right column. It's never too soon to start thinking about Christmas!

Petite Pocket Big Shot Die Becomes a Box

In my last post introducing the Petite Pocket die I promised to share a box made from the die. It's so easy to do. Here's what it looks like dressed up with a paper band -- and it's big (considering it was made from something called a Petitie Pocket!) It's 4 1/4" tall and each side is about 2 1/4" wide.

You first cut out four Petite Pocket shapes using your Big Shot machine. Just cut out the whole envelope -- four times. I used Marina Mist card stock for mine.You're going to then use a paper cutter to cut off one skinny side flap from each one -- just be sure you cut the same side flap off of all four. You're also going to shorten what would be the back wide flap if you were making an envelope. Shortening it to 2 1/8" turns them into perfectly angled box bottom flaps. (I just lined up that bottom score mark on the 2 1/8" mark on my cutter and then sliced them off -- easy to measure and make them the same length.

Then it's time to glue the remaining side flaps to the side of each envelope that you cut the flap off. I used Tombow Multipurpose glue. This photos shows all four glued together right before I glue that last flap to make the box rectangle.

I got this idea from Fran Sabad at a demonstrator idea booth during convention and I just altered the length of the bottom flaps so they more closely matched the width of the box. They make a very sturdy bottom by folding in all four and gluing them to each other.

For that top you can see in the larger photo I just folded in the two opposite top flaps and punched holes in the other two flaps and added the little reinforcement circles cut by the die and then threaded through some Crumb Cake Seam Binding.

These are so fun to make and I know will hold a nice cello bag of homemade candy or fudge for neighbors at Christmas time.

Petite Pocket Envelope Gift Card Holder

I noticed the new Petite Pocket Big Shot die immediately when the new catalog came out. And my first question was — will it hold a gift card? Here's visual proof of the answer!

It sure does and here's a look at the front all gussied up with punched flowers and bling. I punched an oval window in the front before assembly so the front of the card showed through -- just wish I'd had one that was a better match for my Blushing Bride card stock.

The die also cuts two little circles that are designed to be attached as the closure -- sort of like those work place envelopes that you don't seal but instead send items around to different people and they unwind the string to get inside. (remember those and the distribution lists on them? They're still around but boy has the internet and the ability to share documents electronically decreased the need for those!) So instead of the circles here I attached more punched flowers as the closure. Just be sure to attach the one on the envelope before you assemble it! My brads are from the Vintage Trinkets and check out how the medium size stick on rhinestones fit perfectly in the recessed space that is really a little faux button brad. I just tied the Baker's Twine to the brad on the flap and then you wrap to close.

Love this die and I'll be back with more ideas of things to make with it -- including a pretty big box!

 

Designer Frames Embossed Card

I love teaching my Big Shot die cutting classes each quarter as they're filled with lots of creative ideas and quick tips to help my customers get more out of their die cutting machine experience. So the recent class has a make and take project that focused on using the Letterpress Plates and the new Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder set.

The Crumb Cake card stock on the front was "debossed" with the beautiful new Fancy Fan Letterpress plate. Letterpressing does "de-boss" or press a pattern into your paper just like old time letterpress printing presses did. I like to ink the plate up first with clear Versamark ink for a vintage tone on tone look. The clear ink is so easy for beginning Letterpress as it's very forgiving if you need to move the card stock a little to make sure it's straight on the plate. You can also ink the plate with a colored pigment ink -- and our Craft Pigment Inks are best. But you can imagine that red ink on the plate gives you one shot at getting the paper on straight or it will smear.

The front focal point is a piece of Naturals Ivory card stock that was impressed with the oval frame from the set of two Designer Frames (the other is a rectangle and you can see the patterns below). I then tore around it for a pretty feathery edge. The inside of this oval is a perfect match to the Extra Large Oval punch, item #119859 (once known as our Wide Oval Punch). Thanks to the punch the greeting from Petite Pairs (my new favorite greeting set) could be stamped and then punched and popped up in the frame for a nice touch. A Rich Razzleberry punched flower and bow finish this off. I like my sympathy cards relatively simple so the focus is on the heartfelt message and not the "look at me" card design.

I did put a little special touch inside -- the same frame embossed inside with the second half of the greeting from Petite Pairs and a second small flower. And of course I added some of our stick on pearls.

 
Letterpress Fancy Fan Plate - item #123129 $7.95 US

Designer Frames - set of two Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - item #123130 $8.95 US

Petite Pairs Stamp set - clear mount Item #122497 $20.95 US; Wood Mount item #122495 $28.95 US