Circle Circus Birthday

After doing so many cards for Easter and Mother's Day, I wanted to get away from using anything pink, with flowers, and ribbon.  I forget about some of those great stamp sets that seem to sit on the shelf, just waiting to be used.  So, today I picked up Circle Circus and created another masculine themed birthday card.

I started with So Saffron cardstock for the card base, followed by a layer of Soft Suede and Whisper White.  I stamped the circles all over the white using So Saffron, Soft Suede, and Garden Green ink.  Them, I embossed the two matte layers with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  The sentiment was stamped in Garden Green and layered on with two punches. 

Again - I apologize for the poor color quality.  Waking up to another dreary, rainy day without any sunlight does not make for great picture taking when you don't have a photo light.  That is the next purchase on my wish list, and hopefully I get around to that soon so you can see the true colors of my projects.

To make today's card I used the following:

Cardstock:  So Saffron #105118, Soft Suede #115318, Whisper White #100730

Stamp Set:  Circle Circus #115778, Word Play #120308 wood or #120651 clear

Ink:  So Saffron #105213, Soft Suede #115657, Garden Green #102272

Punches:  Decorative Label #120907    Curly Label #119851

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335

Masculine Birthday Wishes

Nature Silhouettes Stamp Set is a set I turn to when I need help in creating masculine cards.  For my stamp classes, I usually get request for masculine card ideas.  For some reason we seem to have trouble with designs for masculine cards.  I don't know if it because we are so used to putting a lot of ribbons and pretty embellishments on our cards, and I know for me it does take some extra thought on how to make a nice card without adding all of those pretty extras. 

For today's card I started with a base of Crumb Cake cardstock, followed by an embossed layer of Chocolate Chip, and then a square layer of Pear Pizzazz, and Whisper White.  The image was stamped with Chocolate Chip ink, and then taking my Pear Pizzazz marker I colored over a few of the branches and blades of grass.  Now, while I didn't want to tie a bow on the card, I still did take Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon and placed it near the bottom of the card for added color and dimension. 

To make today's card I used the following:

Cardstock:  Crumb Cake #120953, Pear Pizzazz #119795, Whisper White #100730, Chocolate Chip #102128

Stamp Set:  Nature Silhouettes #111542, Occasional Quotes #117048 wood or #120142 (Level 3 Hostess)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip #100908

Ribbon:  Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Stitched Poly #119265

Marker:  Pear Pizzazz #119801 (In-Color Pack)

Punches:  Modern Label #119849, Word Window #119857

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Square Lattice Embossing Folder #119976

Mother's Day Gift Set

A cute little purse that can be filled with any special gift, and a matching card for Mother's Day is a pretty way to celebrate mom. 

To make the purse, I started with a 12 x 6 piece of Pretty in Pink cardstock and ran it through the Big Shot using the Box #2 Bigz xl Die.  With this die you will need the extended cutting pads and I also used the Extended Premium Crease Pad too, so I wouldn't get cuts where I wanted to fold the box.  To turn it into a purse I added a piece of Crumb Cake seam binding for the handle, and cut the large scallop on the Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die for the flap.  Velcro was placed under the scallop so it could easily be opened and closed, and a Vintage Flower Adornment decorated the front. 

I wanted the card to coordinate so I used Pretty in Pink cardstock for the base followed by layers of Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake cardstock, and a punched scallop circle using the same Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper that I used on the purse. Before adding the ribbon or embellishments, I ran these layers through the Big Shot and embossed them with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing older.  I love the added dimension the embossing folders give to your projects.  A few pearls, another vintage flower and Crumb Cake seam binding added the finishing touches, along with one Photo Corner in the top left. 

Now all you need to do is fill the purse with a special gift, and wish your mom a Happy Mother's Day!

To make the purse I used the following:

Cardstock:  Pretty in Pink 12 x 12 #119938,

Designer Series Paper: Elegant Soiree #117163

Ribbon:  Crumb Cake Seam Binding #122332 (Occasions Mini)

Embellishment:  Vintage Flower Adornment #121879 (Occasions Mini)

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Box #2 Bigz xl Die #114518, Extended Cutting Pads #113478, Extended Crease Pad #117630, Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die #113439

For the card:

Cardstock:  Pretty in Pink #100459, Very Vanilla #101650, Crumb Cake #120953

Designer Series Paper:  Elegant Soiree #117163

Stamp Set:  Something to Celebrate Level 2 Hostess - #122390 wood or #122418 clear (Occasions Mini)

Ink:  Soft Suede #115657

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder #117335

Ribbon:  Crumb Cake Seam Binding #122332

Embellishments:  Pearls #119247, Vintage Flower Adornment #121879 (Occasions Mini)

Punches:  Photo Corner #119878, Corner Small #119871, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle #118874

Night Lights

My favorite Bigz Die is Fancy Favor.  You can make all sorts of gift items, as well as cute night lights for any time of the year.  Just change the stamped image and you can make them for every holiday, children's rooms, bathrooms, or anywhere a little extra light would be nice.

To make the night lights I started with 12 x 12 cardstock cut in half.  Now you have two pieces ready to cut, therefore, one sheet of 12 x 12 paper makes two night lights.  Before assembling, I punched vellum paper with the 2 1/2" circle punch and then stamped my images.  For the baby night lights I embossed the images with craft ink, clear embossing powder, and a heat gun.  Craft ink works great for embossing and with all of the Stampin' Up! color families available in craft spots you have all the colors you need to coordinate your projects.  Classic ink was used on the other night lights and looks nice too.  I used the 2-Way Glue Pen to attach the vellum to the inside of the box.

Next, I punched a hole on each side of the box with the 1 3/4" Circle punch.  Now I was ready to assemble the boxes using Sticky Strip.  I embellished the baby night lights by punching designer series paper with the 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch and then punched out the middle with the l 3/4" Circle Punch so it would fit over the opening.  I punched birds and branches, and added some flowers to decorate the others.

Note -  I use battery operated tea lights instead of candles for the inside. 

To make the night lights I used the folowing:

Cardstock:   ** Always Artichoke #119971, Baja Breeze #119972, Bashful  Blue #119973, Pink Pirouette #119937 -** All 12 x 12, Vellum #101856, Early Espresso #119686

Designer Series Paper:  Greenhouse Gala #117167, Build-a-Bear Pawsitively Prints #117396 

Ink:  Always Artichoke #105219, Baja Breeze #111833, Pacific Point and Melon Mambo Craft #119718 - Brights Craft Spots

Stamp Sets - (only listing ones used that are not retired)  Punch Potpourri #118394 wood or #120124 clear (Level 1 Hostess), Animal Stories #116716

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Fancy Favor Bigz xl Die #115965, Little Leaves Sizzlits #114511, 2-Way Glue Pen #100425, Sticky Strip #104294, Glue Dots #103683

Punches:  Two-Step Bird #117191, 1 3/4" Circle #119850, 2 1/2" Circle #120906 (Occasions Mini), 2 3/8" Scallop Circle #118874, Itty Bitty Shapes #118309

Embellishments:  Basic Rhinestones #119246

I did use some retired stamp sets and designer series paper, and my list of products used only includes those that are current in the Occasions Mini and the 2010-2011 Idea Book.

Two More Days!!!

Stampin' Up's! Sale-a-bration promotion ends on March 31st.  So if you want to receive some free products, all you have to do is spend $50 before shipping and tax and you can select from over 70 products FREE - no shipping and tax on your Sale-a-bration purchase!  You can go to my on-line store to place your order and have it shipped directly to your home, or send me an e-mail if you would like me to do it for you, but don't wait, because Sale-a-bration won't be back until next January!

In addition, if you were ever thinking about becoming a demonstrator and sharing what you love to do with others, the Starter Kit, which is always a great value, is being offered at 15% off the regular low price, and comes with an extra $50 in products too!  You can read all about this when you visit my on-line store.  Join  my team and start getting your own discount on everything you order, have access to wonderful training, get sneak peeks on upcoming catalogs, and become part of a wonderful group of people who love to create with others.  Additional Starter Kit discount and bonus bundle also ends March 31st. 

Post It Note Holders

I am always looking for new ideas for products to have at craft fairs and my monthly classes, and when I saw the template shared by demonstrator Jessica Schnoor on how to make these post it note holders I had to try it.  They were really easy to make, and I sold quite a few this past Saturday.  They are the perfect size to keep in a purse or school backpack.  When you become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator you have so many resources at your fingertips, and there is so much inspiration being shared.  Thanks Jessica!

If you would like to try them yourself, you need to start with a piece of 7" x 3 1/2" cardstock.  Score it at 3 1/4" x 3 3/4".  Before you decorate it, place a 5" piece of ribbon to the front and back using sticky strip.  When I placed my post it note onto the back piece, I placed it on top of a 3" x 3 1/4" of cardstock to add more weight, and put sticky strip on the back of the post it note pad, and then placed that on top of the cut cardstock.  I decorated the front, and as you can see there are so many great ways to embellish.

I used several different pieces of Designer Series Paper, as well as buttons and pearls to embellish and decorate.  Have fun trying your own.

Top Note Die Easter Treats

I am getting ready for another Craft Fair this Saturday, and making treat bags is a must.  Last year I sold out of the little peep bags so I thought I would do them again this year, as well as the bunny bags, both made with the Top Note Bigz Die and small cellophane bags. 

Both bags started with a cut Top Note Die piece.  For the peep bag, the eyes were created by punching  with the 1" and 1 1/4" Circle punch, and cutting the circles in half.  The nose is a corner of the Extra Large Star Punch.  I made small slits for the eyes with the uni-ball Signo Gel Pen.  Holes were punched through both the Top Note piece and the cellophane bag with the Crop-a-Dile and tied together with 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.  I added a Happy Easter sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set.  I purchased peeps in 5 different colors, and I made the Top Note Piece to coordinate with the color of the peep.  When they are all put together in a large basket they are really colorful, and brighten up the table. 

The bunny bag was also embossed with the Perfect Polka Dot folder for added dimension, and the bunny was stamped with Chocolate Chip ink and then punched with the 1 1/4" Square Punch and then layered over a punched Scallop Square.  This bag was tied together using Daffodil Delight 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon.  The Happy Easter sentiment on this bag is from a retired stamp set, but I loved it so much that I couldn't part with it.  It was punched out with the Scallop Oval punch. 

To make today's treats I used the following:

Cardstock:  Whisper White #100730, Pretty in Pink #100459, Basic Black #12104, Pumpkin Pie #105117

Stamp Sets:  Teeny Tiny Wishes #115370, Forest Friends #113748

Ink:  Chocolate Chip #100908, Pretty in Pink #101301

Punches:  1" Circle #119868, 1 1/4" Circle #119861, Extra Large Star #119875, Word Window #119857, 1 1/4" Square #119865, Scallop Square #119884, Scallop Oval #119856

Ribbon:  Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain #109032, Daffodil Delight 3/8" Taffeta #119766

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Top Note Bigz Die #113463, Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder #117335, Crop-a-Dile #108362, Small Cellophane Bags #103104, uni-ball Signo Gel Pen #105021