321 Stamp: Launching Creativity

Color Coach: A lesson in color theory

Now this sounds way too much like school -- but it's fun to learn about color! I love my Color Coach -- a nifty set of cards that help me match up my great Stampin' Up exclusive colors. There's a two-page pdf with some basic color theory to help us get more out of our coach so I wanted to share the download here.

Download Color_Coach_Online_en-US

And here is a picture of what the SU Color Coach looks like -- and some more info. Add it to your next online or in-person workshop order. It will be you new best paper-crafting friend!

Color Coach item # 121046
Price: $14.95
Let this coach help you put together custom color schemes to express your unique creativity. Whether you want a quick reference of all colors in a collection, a card for every color, or blank cards to record your own color combinations, this swatch book Is for you! ■ Text in English, Spanish, French, and German ■ Includes 55 double-sided cards with removable metal post fastener ■ Includes color theory cards and individual color swatch cards ■ On individual color cards, one side shows color, the other side lists coordinating colors ■ Card size: 2-3/4" x 4-1/2"

Clearance Rack Blitz - Stampin' Up online sale!!

Nearly 200 new Clearance Rack items are being added to the Online Store at discounts up to 80 percent off retail--while supplies last from now through January 5! It's a great end-of the-year sale. Click here or on my online order link in the right column to see all the bargains.

Things to Remember

• Only online orders qualify for this promotion. Orders can include non-Clearance Rack items, as well.
• The Clearance Rack Blitz includes old-body style punches.
• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion.
• Qualifying Clearance Rack orders are eligible for hostess benefits/Stampin' Rewards.
• Following the Clearance Rack Blitz sales period, some blitz items may remain in the clearance rack; others may be removed and reappear at an undesignated time in the future.
• Clearance Rack Blitz items are only available while supplies last. There are no refunds or exchanges on Clearance Rack items.

• Ordering Deadline:
  • Online Store: Thursday, January 5, 2012; 11:50 PM (MT

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 Paper : Inspiration and a Great Special

That's right -- buy three packages of our Designer Papers that are priced at $10.95 per package and get a 4th package free! This special lasts all of August and applies to online orders or orders direct from me.

• There is no limit to the number of free packages of Designer Series Paper you can earn.
• Specialty Designer Series Paper and Hostess Designer Series Paper are not part of this promotion and cannot be redeemed through this offer.

Now for some inspiration! I wanted to show you some of the great designer series papers on display at the recent Stampin' Up convention. In some cases you'll get a wider view of the papers then the little snippets that are in the catalog -- and you'll see them used in some pretty creative ways.

Here is the fun Letters to Santa paper -- and then check out the North Pole post office treatment!

Domestic Goddess is a fun paper set that captures 50s and 60s chic -- complete with bright ginghams, ironing boards and fun food images.So what better way to show it off then a dressed up vintage ironing board.

Halloween will be here before we know it and Frightful Sight paper with it's fun colors will make cute holiday treats. Colors in this one are Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Basic Gray, Old Olive and Basic Black.

Vintage-look Beau Chateau paper may win the award for prettiest paper -- perfect for baby projects, weddings or just anything with a vintage feel.

And here's one that I was not sure was on my wish list UNTIL I saw it in person. I now love the bright colors of Berry Blossoms. This captures some of this year's new In Colors, including Lucky Limeade, Calypso COral, Wisteria Wonder, with White and Early Espresso thrown in for a nice balance of neutrals. This paper is going on my order during the August special!

Well Worn was one of my favorite new paper the minute I saw it in the catalog because the muted colors are perfect for lots of projects -- both feminine and masculine (and great for cards to give teenagers). I loved this lamp shade dressed up with flowers cut from the Well Worn paper with our Flower Folds Big Shot die.

There are many more beautiful papers on the August sale list so check your catalog and get in touch with your order -- or order online anytime.

It's CD Calendar Time Again -- the 2012 pages are here!

Each year, it's a tradition that I update my print outs for a CD calendar project -- and then share those pdf files free here on my blog. I have the 2012 pages ready as lots of people like to start on Christmas gifts now and I've had requests for these.

I have a photo album link in the left side column that shows you what a calendar looks like when completed. And to see all the older posts about these calendars -- which includes the how-tos on printing and cutting them and a link to a source for the plastic CD cases (and my pages fit the CD size holders) -- just click here.

Because of the way I create these, you have to download each month individually. Sorry about that, but it's just easier for me as I don't want to risk any of the formatting for each page getting out of sync.

Enjoy -- and I'd love for you to leave a comment with a link to your blog posts about any calendars you've made with these -- or when you do make some!

Download Jan12

Download Feb12

Download Mar12

Download April12

Download May12

Download June12

Download July12

Download Aug12

Download Sept12

Download Oct12

Download Nov12

Download Dec12

A Box of Butterfly Cards - and the lovely Butchart Gardens

I am way behind on sharing projects and had wanted to share this little box of cards since I used it as a hostess gift in May! These little pop-up butterfly cards have been all over the internet in recent months so it's hard to know who started the trend. I will share some links where I got inspiration and a link to the step-by-step how-to for the cards. I will also share step-by-step photos of how I made the little box to hold them. First, here's what's inside:

And here's a view of the inside of the pop-up butterfly card -- great for using as a gift card since there is not too much room to write.

This project uses a few items for Stampin' Up's Big Shot die cutting system: Beautiful Butterflies Die, item #114507; the Scallop Envelope die, item #113462; the Beautiful Wings Embosslit, item #118138; and the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, item #120175. My box is Certainly Celery and my cards are Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Celery and uses touches of the beautiful Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper available through Aug. 31 in our Summer Mini Catalog.

Here are a couple of links to directions, with great photos, for how to make the cards themselves. Click here for directions with U.S. measurements by Michey in Maryland.  Click here for instructions by Bronwyn Eastley in Australia. Plus looking at each set of card how-tos will give you some great ideas for different ways to embellish the cards.

Now on to the box. I saw this little box idea on the wonderful Robin Merriman's blog. From her inspiration I decided to figure out some how-to directions for the box and share those with you. It has a pretty clever way to make the sides and bottom.

Box Directions: You need to cut two Scallop Envelopes from Celery Cardstock (I find that I need to use the Crease Pad in place of the top Cutting Pad for this die so that the score lines don't cut through). You also need a strip of Celery cardstock that is 1 & 1/2" wide by 7 & 3/4" long. Score it at 2 & 1/4" from each short end.

The back flap of the envelope becomes the bottom of the box -- I just glued one flap from each envelope together with Tombow Multi Glue (the one with the green top), leaving one scallop flap straight up for the back of the box and folding one forward for the front.

Now you are going to drop that score strip down inside and the middle section gets glued to the bottom (the benefit of three layers on the bottom is that the box stands up great and does not tip over from being top-heavy!) Here's a shot of me lowering that piece in:

And here it is in place -- just glued on the bottom so far:

Now see those little side flaps on the envelopes that are about 1/2" wide? They are glued to the INSIDE of the strip to form nice box sides. So the strip is on to the inside of the box for the bottom and then is pulled to the outside of the small side envelope flaps so get a nice finished outside side edge. Here's how I hold it while the Tombow is drying -- clothespins to the rescue!

One quick note about stamping -- I did stamp flower images from the beautiful set Fabulous Florets on both the parts of the envelopes that would show and the outside of the celery strip. Again, be sure to stamp these before assembly. Here's a better view of some of that stamping before the bottom and sides are added.

I used three Dimensionals under that front flap to hold it down so it would pop up a little from the box. Embellishments are white organza ribbon and butterflies cut with the Embosslit listed before -- and those have been dressed up with our stick-on rhinestones. Here's the finished box empty:

Now butterflies and flowers seem like a perfect excuse to back track to the recent Stampin' Up Alaska cruise and show you a few pictures from our trip to Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia. You can click on the garden name to see more about its fascinating history -- essentially one woman led the drive to create all this beauty in what had been an old rock quarry in her husband's business. This is a view of the main Sunken Garden -- and the raised area in the center is actually part of the quarry transformed.

Here is a sign of what that looked like when she started the transformation more than 100 years ago. (remember you can click on any photo to view it larger)

I had the pleasure of touring the amazing Buchart Gardens with wonderful fellow demonstrator Patty Bennett, who if you know Patty, LOVES flowers and gardening, so sharing a cab ride there with her was a natural. The garden docent who took this photo for us told us that 100 master gardeners work at Butchart, helped by 400 gardening assitants. I think Patty was ready to apply for a job!

We did not get to see roses in bloom in mid-May but the tulips were amazing! I can see a flower calendar ahead with My Digital Studio and I'm sure Patty has one in the works!

On my first trip to Alaska my mother-in-law had suggested we see Butchart and we did not have the chance so this time I am so glad that I took her advice and made that trip. It was truly one of the most spectacular gardens I've ever seen. Hope you've enjoyed this small taste of its beauty.

 

Paper Purse

Everyone needs a paper purse -- a mini version that will hold a little candy bar (the fun size fit great -- I can even squeeze in two of those!) or even a gift card if you put it diagonal.

This version uses the Springtime Vintage paper from the Occasions Mini (which you can only buy through April 30). I used sayings from the You're a Gem stamp set -- also in the Occasions and a must have (sayings are stamped and then punched out with the large oval and layered on the Scallop Oval punched card stock). I'm going to include a link to the video made by another demonstrator as why duplicate when that's where I learned to make these -- and she deserves credit. I used Wafer Thin Velcro to hold it closed -- love this as it's less intense of a hold then regular velcro so does not tear the paper. Rose Red is the accent color on the one purse and Baja Breeze on the blue tone.

A few tips & the how-to link: -- I used just SNAIL adhesive to adhere the folded over, top card stock edge on the purses because you are putting two small brads through these as well and that holds everything in place -- no need for Sticky Strip there. Also --  look back at the last photo -- little punched flowers cover the "brad legs" that hold on the handles for a finished look. Just a little extra touch when you want it to look more polished. And here is the link to Frenchie's how-to video. Just scroll down and you'll see her embedded video for a Halloween version and get all the measurements and folding how-tos.

Enjoy and it's been a busy month so I'll try to catch up on posts -- this is a project from March stamp clubs so long overdo to post!

Build a Blossom Speed Stamping Trick

I'm back -- but still busy and still juggling lots of writing deadlines and stamping classes. I wanted to pop in though and share this beautiful card (the idea came direct from Stampin' Up at our Leadership training event in Jan.) The beautifully simple card uses the Build a Blossom stamp set and coordinating Blossom Petals Punch that are available through the end of April in Stampin' Up's Occasions Mini catalog -- just look for these items in my online store if you don't already have them.

So here's the "speed stamping" trick -- and it's SUCH a time saver when you are stamping and punching multiple petals that you want to stamp in the same color ink. The trick is to use the CLEAR MOUNT version of the Build a Blossom set. The trick starts with a punched out template using the Blossom Petals Punch --- just punch one complete set of petals from a scrap of card stock.

You'll save this punched template in the box with your stamps and then here's why you need the clear mount set, you can position the stamps right through the punched template, pressing them onto your larger clear block in the perfect position so that as you stamp your punch will then line up with every petal perfectly. (You can see that I marked my card stock template so I always know which side is up when I'm positioning petals. On the other side I wrote, "This side against clear block." No need to re-think it each time.

Once I stamp the three petals that I need — in this case in Cherry Cobbler ink on Cherry Cobbler card stock — punched five times. It's then easy to use the punch upside down, lining up my punch and punching out all three petals at once!

Here are my assembly tricks — after much experimenting with what will hold the flower together well. I first use a bone folder to get a nice curve in my petals. I punch out a base circle -- in this case I used a 1 & 3/8" circle base since the bottom petals are large. I covered that circle with SNAIL sticky adhesive. And then I found that a Mini Glue dot on the point of each petal was the best way to go. Yes, a Mini Glue dot on each petal, all five petals, for all three layers so I used 15 mini glue dots but my flowers then stay together.

And I have a trick for holding the flower to your project. I use Mini Glue dots on the base circle to attach it to the card — and also added a foam Dimensional "dot" under just the five larger bottom petals. I found the added Dimensionals keep the curve "puffed up" and they make sure your flower is locked down and does not spin or move too much. This is a "wow" card that you went to a lot of trouble to make so why not take a little extra care to make sure everything is is place?

The center of my flower is an embossed card stock button die cut with the Sweet Buttons embosslit from the Occasions Mini Catalog. To that I added the stamped and punched center from the flower stamp set -— it punches out easily with a 1/2 inch circle punch and gives the center the same tone-on-tone feel as the rest of the flower.

The last addition to this card was three simple scored lines to frame the pretty blossom. They were easily made by using the scoring tool on my Fiskars 12 inch cutter to score three lines just 1/8 inch apart. Score the lines on the inside front of your card and then the pretty "bumps" are on the outside. Plus I went over each scoreline using the tip of my bone folder in the groove of the Fiskars — that way the bone folder could easily travel in my "starter groove" and make the embossed line more pronounced.

It's so fun to make flowers with this set and matching punch — and if your petals are all one color, then this speed tip will make it much faster! Enjoy.

Sala-a-bration is here - celebrate with with cupcakes!

First of all, Sale-a-bration starts today — our biggest Stampin' Up! sale of the year and the most exciting time because you get free stuff -- as a customer, as a hostess and even as a new SU demonstrator! I've posted a new link in the right column so you can download the little SAB booklet if you need one. Online orders earn SAB benefits as well so don't miss out.

If you've always wanted to be a Stampin' Up demonstrator, it's a great time as the starter kit is 15% off during SAB — that's more than $300 worth of goodies for just $148.75 (and we have a traditional stamp kit and a Digital kit for those who like to craft on the computer.) Whether you sign up just for the discount you get on your own purchases or to earn extra money, it's a great time to become a demonstrator. Click here to learn more or to sign up.

Now on to the tastiest news of the day — cupcakes! I love the new Create a Cupcake stamp set and coordinating Build a Cupcake punch from the Occasions mini catalog! It's so easy to stamp and punch and you can use the stamps and the punch separately as well of course. Check out this card — it's got a secret way to open.

The red top lifts off and it opens from the bottom — just like a present!

I'll pass along measurements and how-tos for making the little lift off top — but first a shout out to my demo friend Katy Zamer of Cookeville, Tenn. who inspired this card with her birthday box version. Click here to see another view of Katy's card.

So here are some tips for making this very cute card:

- Score the 4¼” by 11” card at 5½”. Emboss the front with Polka Dot embossing folder.

- Be sure the fold is at the BOTTOM of the card, and that you punch ONLY THE FRONT with a 1¾” Circle Punch. Slide in from the right edge all the way and punch.

Box Top: Red Card Stock is 5¼” by 3”. Score it 1½” from one long edge AND ½” from BOTH SHORT ends. Fold on all scores and cut away the side sections on the back side. Close with Sticky Strip so it makes a pocket.

This is such a fun card design — thanks Katy for sharing it! The Sweet Valentine greeting on my cupcake version is from the Occasions Mini Catalog level 2 hostess set, but I also made some using the birthday sayings that come with the Cupcake set and they are just as cute!

Thanks Mickey!

"Oh Mickey, you're so kind, you're so kind, you blow my mind, hey Mickey!" Had to alter that well known 80s song lyric a little to say thanks to my fellow 3-2-1 Stamp team member, Stampin' Up demonstrator Mickey Roberts. She was nice enough to gift me with this nice blogger award at the beginning of this new year and I'm just now getting around to saying thanks.

Mickey is such a talented blogger and I hope you'll check out her blog by clicking on her name or the link is always in the right column of my blog under "Blogs I Browse." The award requires that I tell you 8 things about myself and that I then share links to 8 bloggers who inspire me. That one is tough as there are so many who inspire me. OK here are 8 things you may or may not know:

1. I just survived a wonderful weekend outdoors with other great Girl Scouting volunteers to go through Outdoor Skills training so my daughter's Girl Scout troop can go camping. I'd done this training 26 years ago as a Cadette leader and it was fun and very educational to do it again, even if it was freezing last night in central Florida! Our trainers were aswesome and the food we cooked was yummy.

2. I've been a Stampin' Up demonstrator since fall of 1997 after I was introduced to the company at my Mom's support group when my son was just about 9 months old. I was already a long time rubber stamper and was so impressed with the quality of the stamps and the prices of the sets -- and I loved the color coordination. So I signed up "just for the discount" and the rest is history.

3. Our son Houston turns 14 on 1/14 this week -- and he was named for the first word from the moon, "Houston, Tranquilty Base here. The Eagle has landed."

4. That famous Neil Armstrong line has great meaning to me because I watched that moment in history as a transfixed kid in 1969 and then grew up to be a television journalist who specialized in covering America's space program for more than 6 years of my career, including a stint at the NBC affiliate in Houston.

5. Go Gators -- ok, everybody who knows me knows I love the Florida Gators. It's my alma mater plus I taught Journalism there and just love everything about my memories of the Gator Nation.

6. I married a Tennessee Volunteer -- 'nough said and proof that us Gators can love our rivals.

7. I grew up in West Virginia but my mom is a Florida Native. We lived on a hill with a road frequently closed by snow so I did my share of parking at the bottom and walking home. Now I have Florida blood and put on gloves and a hat if it's 50 degrees -- I'm a wimp I know.

8. I'm of Minorican heritage, which means my ancestors were from Minorca, a small island off the coast of Spain. They were early settlers of St. Augustine, Florida (the nation's oldest city) and I'm very proud to have graduated from that high school.

OK -- enough random trivia about me. I am inspired by so many stampers out there in cyberspace (including all of the ones who Mickey named already), but since I have to narrow it down, here are 8 bloggers who inspire me, in no particular order.

Kimberly Van Diepen

Dawn Olchefske

Diana Gibbs (on Mickey's list as well, but Diana is so funny I had to mention her again)

Heather Summers

Karen Barber

Diane Simpers

Mary Brown

Robin Merriman

Thanks again Mickey. And I could go on and on about all the inspiring bloggers out there who share so graciously on their blogs. So be sure to check out the bloggers Mickey honored and thanks for stopping by.