Baby 3D Favors

OMG how cute are these?!

I found this pattern on Amy Sheffer's blog (http://pickledpaperdesigns.blogspot.com), and just had to make some for my April Front Range Stampers Baby 3D Swap.

You can get the complete instructions and the pattern on Amy's blog, but these are the materials I used for mine:

Stamp Set: Sweetness Unlimited
Cardstock/DSP: Pixie Pink, Rose Red/Kaleidoscope OR Brocade Blue, Old Olive/Tea Party (Whisper White for both)
Ink: Pixie Pink OR Old Olive Classic Stampin’ Pads
Accessories: Paper Piercing Tool; Mat Pack (Foam Pad); Brads (Rose Red OR Old Olive); Scallop Oval & Modern Label Punches; Small Flat Cellophane Bag; ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon (Rose Red OR Old Olive); SNAIL Adhesive; Stampin’ Dimensionals

Ok . . . gotta run now . . . hope you enjoy this quick and easy project -- perfect for a baby shower!!!!

Cath ;D

Carryover Items from 2009 Occasions Mini Catalog

Missed your opportunity to purchase that great 3D Christmas Tree featured in the Stampin' Up! 2009 Holiday Mini? Good news! Several of the items from that mini catalog have been carried over and can still be purchased from Stampin' Up! as a write-in item. Items include the wonderful Ornament Punch (the one I just used on a few of my card designs to make flower pots), Shimmer Paints, several Big Shot dies, the Charming stamp set, and My Digital Studio. The complete list appears below.

Carryover Items from 2009 Occasions Mini:

Item #/Description/Price
116794 Ornament punch ($15.95)
116806 Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint ($5.95)
116854 Frost White Shimmer Paint ($5.95)
116807 Platinum Shimmer Paint ($5.95)
116829 Décor Elements Blocks ($9.95)
116824 Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Folder Petals-A-Plenty ($7.95)
116821 Stampin' Up! Holiday Windows Magnetic Movers & Shapers ($29.95)
116819 Stampin' Up! Table Setting Bigz XL die ($42.95)
116820 Stampin' Up! Embosslits Merry die ($11.95)
116823 Stampin' Up! Sizzlits Merry Details die ($5.50)
116822 Stampin' Up! O Christmas Tree Pop-Up Bigz XL die ($42.95)
118140 Stampin' Up! Tree Decorations Sizzlits die ($5.50)
118108 My Digital Studio ($79.95)
116519 Charming stamp set ($19.95)

Contact me if you have any questions about how to order these items.

Cathy ;D

Wish Big Card

This was one of the cards we made at the April 17 workshops. It's made partially from recycled materials -- the box and packing paper from a Stampin' Up! shipment!!!

Stamps
• Short & Sweet (115060; set of 12; $17.95)
• On Your Birthday (inside greeting) (111664; set of 12; $33.95)

Paper
• Card Stock: Crushed Curry (5" x 2 1/2"); Kraft (8 1/2" x 5 1/2"); Whisper White (5" x 3 3/4" - inside)
• Designer Series Paper ("DSP"): Any Soft Suede design (5" x 2 1/2"); Any contrasting color for top layer of flower

Ink
• Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Pad

Stampin’ Up! Accessories
• Big Shot Die Cut Machine
• Flower Layers Originals Die
• Lots of Tags Sizzlits Die
• Word Window Punch
• Old Olive 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
• Whisper White Organza Ribbon
• Buttons Latte
• Linen Thread
• Uni-ball Signo White Gel Pen
• SNAIL Adhesive
• Stampin’ Dimensionals

Additional Materials:
• Stampin' Up! packaging: Cardboard box; Packing paper

1. To make the big flower, cut off one of the flaps from a cardboard box and run it through the Big Shot with the Flower Layers Originals Die. (Since the smallest flower is next to the largest flower on the die, you can also cut that flower at the same time and set it aside to use on the inside of the card.) Pulled off the outer layer of the cardboard on one side of the big flower to reveal the corrugated paper on the inside. (It helps to use a stylus to pull up the paper.)

2. Using the same die, cut two of the next-to-largest flowers from the packing paper; and then two next-to-smallest flowers from the DSP.

3. Layer all of the flowers on top of a foam mat with the largest flower on the bottom (corrugated side up), the two packing paper flowers on top of that, then one DSP flower, and finally the white button on top. Use the paper piercing tool to poke a hole through both holes on the button and through all layers of the flower. Using a needle threaded with the linen thread, run the thread from the front to the back and then back to front through the pre-punched holes, and tie a knot on top of the button. Trim the ends of the thread. Cut a piece of 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon about 2 1/2" long with both ends cut at the same angle; apply SNAIL Adhesive to the middle of the ribbon and fold in half with the ends offset to form two "leaves"; adhere to back of flower with SNAIL Adhesive. Set flower aside.

4. To make the tag, run the Kraft card stock through the Big Shot with the Lots of Tags Sizzlit Die, and then thread more linen thread through the pre-punched hole at the end of the tag. Tie the thread into a tiny bow and trim the ends. Stamp the greeting on Whisper White card stock, punch it out using the Word Window punch, and adher it to the front of the tag with SNAIL Adhesive. Set tag aside.

5. Use the Ticket Corner punch to punch all four corners of both pieces of Whisper White card stock (one will be set aside for the inside of the card), and punch the two corners along one long edge of the Crushed Curry and DSP. Adhere the Crushed Curry and DSP to one piece of Whisper White card stock about 1/8" from each edge. Place ribbon over the gap between the two pieces, and adhere the edges on the back of the Whisper White card stock. Adhere entire piece to front of card.

6. Use Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere the flower to the left side of card; adhere tag below and to the right of the flower.

7. If you like, you can stamp a greeting on the second piece of Whisper White card stock before adhering to the inside of the card. Use a Mini Glue Dot to adhere the small cardboard flower on top of the second DSP flower; use another Mini Glue Dot to adhere the flower to the inside of the card; use a White Gel Pen to draw a circle in the middle of the cardboard flower.

Hope you enjoyed this one! It was loosely based on a card I saw in "CARDS" magazine.

Until the next time . . . keep on stampin' . . .

Cath ;D

Build-a-Bear Workshop Offer Ends Soon

Reminder from Stampin' Up! (April 16, 2010)


The Occasions Mini Catalog sales period is drawing to a close in just two weeks! Make sure you've purchased everything you wanted from your wish list before those items are gone. (Click on the catalog image to the left for a downloadable version.)


And don't forget the special $5 off Build-A-Bear coupon offer: you can receive a free $5 coupon to use at a Build-A-Bear Workshop store for every $20 Build-A-Bear Workshop purchase from the Occasions Mini Catalog! See the promotions section of my Stampin' Up! website for details.

Cath ;D

Big Shot Materials List for Bigz & Originals Dies

The following materials work well when creating die cuts with the Big Shot machine and Bigz and Originals Dies. Please note the maximum thickness of several materials. As a rule of thumb, you can cut a material with your Big Shot machine and Bigz or Originals dies if you can cut it using your Craft & Paper Scissors.

Thick corkboard
Thick chipboard (59 mil)
Colored magnet
Ruffle board
Paper wood
Balsa wood (3/32")
Bass wood (1/16")
Metal mesh
Aluminum (.016)
Tin (.008)
Adhesive and non-adhesive mat board
Drawer liner
Shelf liner
Vinyl
Static cling vinyl
Shrink film
Fine sandpaper
Clear acetate (20 mil)
Vellum
Card stock
Patterned paper
Flocked paper
Contact paper
Textured paper
Metallic paper
Linen paper
Suede paper
Embossed metallic paper
Basketball embossed paper
Faux alligator textured paper
Self-adhesive glitter paper
Fabric
Canvas
Iron-on fabric
Soft plush fabric
Burlap
Velvet
Corduroy
Lace
Heavyweight denim
Terry cloth
Funky fur
Thin leather
Quilt batting
Warm & natural batting
Fusible fleece
Self-adhesive craft metal
Self-adhesive cork
Self-adhesive foam
Self-adhesive felt
Self-adhesive magnet
Adhesive and non-adhesive rubber
Popup sponge
Poly foam
100% pure beeswax (cut with parchment paper on top & bottom of beeswax)

When cutting fabric, although not necessary, it's helpful to place a piece of copy paper on each side to add a little stability to the fabric when going through the Big Shot. It also helps to keep the threads from catching in your die and your acrylic pad.

Hope you find this helpful information.

Cath ;D

Flower Folds Tealight Holder

Here it is -- the last project for Saturday's workshops. Ok . . . it's not a graduation card -- actually, it's not a card at all! It suddenly dawned on me that the stamp I had planned to use for the graduation card isn't available until May 1, so I kind of backed up and switched gears.

This is a very sweet little tealight holder made from aluminum flashing, the Big Shot, and the Flower Folds Bigz XL Die. For this one I also used the Manhattan Flower embossing folder just to add a little interest to the aluminum shape.

Basically, all you do is cut the flowers from the aluminum flashing, discard the smallest flower, and then place each of the three larger flowers inside the embossing folder and run them back through the Big Shot individually. Bend each petal up at the score line, then gently bend each petal back down a bit near the outer edge to add a little more dimension.

Use mini glue dots to hold the layers together, and place a tealight in the center.

Note: The flashing is sharp on the edges, so it may be helpful to wear work gloves or gardening gloves while working with it. Cutting the shapes dulls the edges a bit, but it's always better to be safe.

Cute, huh?!

Cath ;D

Upcoming Stamp Camps

Lots of activities coming up in the next few weeks, so I thought I'd tell you a little bit about them . . . including info on how you can participate!

Saturday, April 17 -- The regular monthly workshops at my house were moved out a week to accommodate Tara Bazata's Spring Stamposium this past weekend. You've already seen photos of two of the cards we'll make . . . now that my taxes are filed (whew!), I'll be posting a picture of the third card very soon. You can read more info about my monthly workshops on my website (http://cathyhansen.stampinup.net), including a schedule of upcoming dates, but here's a little background info. I have a great group of stampers who like to come to my house and make projects every month, so I've made it a standing date (usually the second Saturday of each month). We have a morning session beginning at 9:30 a.m. filled with truly "morning people" who keep me on my toes, and an afternoon session beginning at 2 p.m. with my more laid back, leisurely stampers. I charge a minimal materials fee (generally $5 to make 3 cards), and the fee is waived with a minimum $25 Stampin' Up! catalog order. I've really enjoyed doing these workshops in my home -- they provide a constant challenge for me to come up with projects that are fresh and interesting enough to keep my more seasoned stampers engaged, but easy enough for even my newest stampers to finish without becoming discouraged.

Saturday, April 24 - Stamp Camp West (10 a. m. to 3 p.m.). SCW is made up of a very talented group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators who get together on the fourth Saturday of each month. Each demonstrator designs a card and sets up a table so stampers can come by and make the card. I just joined this group in January of 2010, so I'm still the new guy . . . and this month I actually won't have a card-making table, but will take my turn at staffing the registration table and setting up the lunch buffet and kind of just doing whatever needs to be done to keep everyone happy for the day. The cost for this Stamp Camp is $25 for 10 cards and a light lunch; the location is Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 21st & Wadsworth in Lakewood. Let me know if you're interested in attending, and I'll put you in touch with Rochelle Hart, the organizer.

Saturday, May 1 - Stamp Camp North (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). SCN is pretty much the same as SCW, but with a different organizer and a different group of demonstrators. Since this monthly event usually conflicts with my monthly workshops, it's rare for me to be able to join this great group of demonstrators. The cost for this Stamp Camp is also $25 for 10 cards and a light lunch; the location is the Elks Lodge near 70th & Raleigh in Westminster. Let me know if you're interested in attending, and I'll put you in touch with Juli Whitfield, the organizer for this event.

Saturday, May 8 - Monthly Workshops at my house. I haven't come up with a theme yet for these workshops, but one of the cards will probably be a 4th of July card. Check back for updates.

Friday-Saturday, May 14-15, I'll be in Silverthorne for board meeting & educational conference with the Colorado Association of Legal Support Staff (yes, I actually DO have other activities besides Stampin' Up!). Hopefully, the weather will be nice and we'll be able to enjoy a little shopping before the seminars or after the board meeting.

Saturday, May 22 - Stamp Camp West. (See above for details.)

Saturday-Monday, May 29-31 -- a MUCH NEEDED weekend off!!!! Whew! I plan to spend the three days either cleaning up the aftermath of my hectic card making schedule, or just sitting for three days with my feet up. (This schedule may not seem too hectic to some of the more active Stampin' Up! demonstrators out there . . . especially those who are full-time demonstrators. But since I have a full-time job that's not Stampin' Up!, this is pretty ambitious for me . . . but SO MUCH FUN!!!!!)

Ok . . . 'nuf about my upcoming activities! My next post will be another project -- I PROMISE!!!! Until then, keep on stampin' . . . .

Cath ;D

Spring Stamposium

What a great time I had today at Tara Bazata's Spring Stamposium. The swap cards were wonderful . . . the make & takes very good . . . and the presentations were awesome! Learned some new tricks and techniques that I'll be demonstrating in upcoming workshops.

Here's a photo of my swap. I'll be posting directions for this card soon -- it will be one of the featured projects in my May 8 workshops.



And here's a peek at two of the cards we'll be making in the April 17 workshops:




For more information about this and other upcoming workshops, please see my calendar at cathyhansen.stampinup.net.

Hope to see you soon! In the meantime, keep on stampin'!

Cath ;D

STAMPIN' UP! COLOR RENOVATION!!!!

The big buzz at Stampin' Up! this week is the new Color Renovation. After years and years and years with the traditional "color families" (Bold Brights, Earth Elements, Rich Regals, and Soft Subtles), and 5 years with no changes to those families, Stampin' Up! is planning a BIG CHANGE with the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog (IBC)!

There will now be 4 "Color Collections" -- Brights, Subtles, Regals, and Neutrals. Each collection will include 10 colors -- some are from the familiar "Color Families"; some are returning "In-Colors" (yes, WILD WASABI is back!!!!); 5 are BRAND NEW colors (Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, and Marina Mist); and one (Crumb Cake) is the old familiar "Kraft" with a new name . . . plus NOW it will be available in ink, markers, chalk and crayons.

The "In-Colors" program will continue, but now rather than having six colors available for just one year, five new colors will be introduced each year and will be available for two years. So . . . beginning in July, there will be 40 core colors, plus 5 In-Colors . . . in July 2011, 5 new In-Colors will be introduced IN ADDITION TO the 2010 In-Colors, so there will be 10 In-Colors, plus the 40 core colors, for a total of 50 colors to choose from. The following year (2012), the five 2010 In-Colors will be retired; the five 2011 will be retained, and five NEW In-Colors will be introduced -- so there will always be 10 In-Colors. Hope I didn't make this too complicated. Bottom line is that there will be 45 colors available in the 2010-2011 IBC; and then beginning with the 2011-2012 IBC, there will always be 50 colors available.

Now . . . down to the information you REALLY WANT! What are the new colors?! And which colors are being retired?!

The new color collections, available July 1, 2011, will look like this:

(Click on image for a larger view. Clicking again on the larger view should give you a full-screen image.)

As of July 1, 2010, the colors shown below will no longer be available:

(Click on image for a larger view. Clicking again on the larger view should give you a full-screen image.)

Please send an e-mail to cathy_hansen@q.com if you would like a .pdf version of the new and retiring colors.

I must admit that when I first heard of this change yesterday, I was a little apprehensive . . . I mean . . . have you SEEN my collection of Stampin' Up! supplies in the retiring colors?! But then when I actually saw all the new colors and the regrouping of the color collections, I was more than pleased. These are ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL colors . . . and I'm sure they will inspire all of us to make some stunning pieces of paper art!

Ok . . . now that the word's out, guess I'll get back to work . . . .

Chat with you again soon . . . in the meantime, keep on Stampin'!!!!


P.S. If you look at my post for the "Elegant Swap Card," that's one of the cards we'll be making in my April monthly workshops.