So Grateful Card (January Classes)

Loved loved loved this card as soon as I saw it on Splitcoaststampers. Many thanks to Chris Smith for sharing her design. View more of Chris's designs on her blog: from my inkpad to yours

Materials:

Stamp Set:
* Apothecary Art (125525-w $34.95; 125527-c $27.95; set of 6) **

Paper:
* River Rock card stock (108640, 8-1/2” x 11”, 24 sheets, $6.95) (8-1/2” x 5-1/2”; about 4-1/4” x 3-3/4” for die)
* Naturals White card stock (102316, 8-1/2” x 11”, 40 sheets, $7.50) (5-1/4” x 4” for inside; about 4” x 3” for die)
* Patterns Designers Series Paper Stack (Neutrals Collection) (117157, 12” x 12”, 40 sheets, $21.95) (5-1/4” x 4”; 5” x 3-3/4”)

Ink:
* Jet Black Stazon Ink Pad (101406, $7.95; refill ink $3.95)
* River Rock Stampin’ Write Marker (120972, $3.50)

Accessories:
* Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon (120999, 10 yds., $6.95)
* uni-ball® Signo Gel Pen (105021, White, $3.95)
* Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439, $99.95)
* Framelits Labels Collection (125598, 6 dies, $26.95)**
* Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (115963, $7.95)
* Mini Glue Dots (103683, 300 dots, $4.95)
* SNAIL Adhesive (104332, 472”, $6.95; refill 104331, $4.50)
* Stampin’ Dimensionals 104430, 300 pcs., $3.95)
* Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue

** 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog

Instructions:

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock at 4-1/4"; fold away from scoreline to create card.

2. Adhere striped Designer Series Paper to polka-dot Designer Series Paper ("DSP") with SNAIL Adhesive. Wrap ribbon around front of DSP and adhere on back with SNAIL Adhesive. Use SNAIL Adhesive to adhere DSP to front of card.

3. Use Big Shot and Labels Collection Framelits Die (third largest size) to cut label from River Rock card stock. Use Big Shot and Finial Press Embossing Folder to emboss the label.

4. Stamp label design on Naturals Ivory card stock; stamp "So Grateful" at right side of center banner with Jet Black StazOn Ink. Cut out label image with Big Shot and Label Framelits Die (one size smaller than embossed label). Color leaves and stripe above and below center banner with River Rock Stampin' Write Marker. Color flowers with White Gel Pen. Adhere to embossed label with Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue. Use Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere to front of card, lining up center banner with ribbon.

5. Make a small bow and adhere to left side of label with Mini Glue Dots.

6. Optional: Adhere Naturals Ivory card stock to inside of card.

That's it! An elegant thank you card for any occasion.

Cath ;D

Paper Doily Card (January classes)

This was the FUNNEST card yet! And very simple once you get all the pieces poked out.

Materials:

Stamp Set:
* Tiny Tags (118091-w $22.95; 118592-c $16.95; set of 17)

Paper:
* Island Indigo card stock (122923, 8-1/2” x 11”, 24 sheets, $6.95) (10-1/2” x 5-1/4”; about 3-1/2” x 3-1/2” for die)
* Whisper White card stock (100730, 8-1/2” x 11”, 40 sheets, $8.50) (5” x 5” -2: one for inside and one for front; about 4-1/2” x 4-1/2” for die)
* Not Quite Navy card stock (101722, 8-1/2” x 11”, 24 sheets, $6.95) (4-3/4” x 4-3/4”)
* Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper (122354, 12” x 12”, 12 sheets, $10.95) (about 4-1/4” x 4-1/4” for die) (Coordinating colors: Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Whisper White)

Ink:
* Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin’ Pad (103008, $5.95; refill 102949, $2.95)

Accessories:
* Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439, $99.95)
* Paper Doily Large Sizzlits Die (125592, $21.95) **
* Clear Rhinestone Brad (113144, 80 pcs., $10.95)
* Jewelry Tag Punch (117190, $10.95)
* SNAIL Adhesive (104332, 472”, $6.95; refill 104331, $4.50)
* Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755, $3.95)

Instructions:

1. Score 10-1/2" x 5-1/4" paper at 5-1/4"; fold away from scoreline to create card.

2. Use SNAIL Adhesive to adhere Whisper White 5" x 5" card stock to front of card and to adhere 4-3/4" x 4-3/4" Not Quite Navy card stock on top of Whisper White card stock.

3. Use Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and Scallop Circle Die to cut a scallop circle from Whisper White card stock.

4. Use Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and Paper Doily Large Sizzlits Die to cut two doilies -- one from Designer Series Paper (DSP) and one from Island Indigo. Punch out all the pieces and then carefully cut the center circle out of the DSP doily. Cut outer row off of Island Indigo doily.

5. Use Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue to adhere outer part of DSP doily to Whisper White scallop circle; adhere Island Indigo doily over DSP doily; adhere center circle cut from DSP doily over Island Indigo doily, being careful to line up all cut out areas.

6. Stamp "friends" on scrap of Whisper White card stock; punch out with Jewelry Tag punch. Use a small dot of Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue to adhere to doily, with "hanger" part of tag at the center of the doily. Attach Rhinestone Brad through tag, center of doily, and round scallop circle. Adhere to front of card with SNAIL Adhesive or Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

7. Adhere second square of Whisper White card to inside of card.

Fun stuff, huh?!

Cathy ;D

January Technique Card

This is a little late getting to you, and for that I apologize. It's been a rough couple of weeks at my house -- my husband just lost his job and we've been scrambling to work out a plan for the future. Unfortunately, one of the side-effects of this whole mess is that I became a little depressed for a few days and didn't get online to do anything I was supposed to do. Luckily, I finally decided to pop back out of it and get on with my life, so I'll be posting all of my January cards this afternoon and evening.


So . . . on to the technique card for January -- embossing on velvet. This was such a fun and easy technique I don't know why I put off trying it for so long. It's also a very elegant look (click on the photo for a closer view)!

Materials:

Stamp Set:
* Delightful Dozen (122650-w $32.95; 122652-c $24.95; set of12)

Paper:
* Cherry Cobbler card stock (119685, 8-1/2” x 11”, 24 sheets, $6.95) (8-1/2” x 5-1/2”)
* Basic Black card stock (121045, 8-1/2” x 11”, 24 sheets, $6.95) (5-1/4” x 4”)
* Naturals White card stock (102316, 8-1/2” x 11”, 40 sheets, $7.50) (5-1/4” x 4” for inside; 5” x 3-3/4” for front; about 2” x 2-1/2” for die)

Ink:
* Jet Black Stazon Ink Pad (101406, $7.95; refill ink $3.95)

Accessories:
* Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439, $99.95)
* Framelits Labels Collection (125598, 6 dies, $26.95)**
* Framelits Hearts Collection (125599, 6 dies, $26.95)**
* Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976, $7.95)
* Basic Black 5/8” Satin Ribbon (117285, 15 yds., $8.95)
* Mini Glue Dots (103683, 300 dots, $4.95)
* Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430, 300 pcs., $3.95)
* Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755, $3.95)

Instructions:

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock (Cherry Cobbler) at 4-1/4"; fold away from scoreline to create card.

2. Adhere 5-1/4" x 4" card stock (Basic Black) to front of card.

3. Use Hearts Collection Framelit (I used the third from the smallest size) and the Big Shot to cut heart shape from Naturals Ivory 5" x 3-3/4" card stock; discard heart shape (or set aside for later use). Use Embossing Folder and Big Shot to emboss the the 5" x 3-3/4" card stock. Adhere to front of card over Basic Black card stock with Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

4. Set iron to Wool setting. Set Flower Fancy stamp on ironing board wood side down (rubber side up). Lay velvet over stamp right side facing rubber stamp. Spritz lightly with water. Place iron directly onto back side of velvet and hold in place for 10 - 15 seconds. No need to put much pressure on it -- the weight of the iron is probably enough. Remove iron; remove velvet from rubber stamp; set aside to dry.

5. When velvet is dry, use Big Shot and same heart Framelit die as used on the Naturals Ivory to cut out shape. (Note: This type of die is designed to cut through one sheet of paper only, so you may have to run it back and forth through the Big Shot a few times before it cuts through the velvet. You can trim any remaining uncut areas with your paper snips.) Adhere velvet heart to front of card -- spread Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive where the Basic Black card stock shows through the heart shape in the Naturals Ivory card stock; carefully place velvet heart into this space covering up the Basic Black card stock.

6. Trim both ends of ribbon; fold in half and offset a little so both ends show; adhere to front of card near heart with Mini Glue Dot. (I usually put a Mini Glue Dot on the inside of the fold too, just to keep the ribbon from unfolding once it's on the card.)

7. Stamp sentiment on scrap of Naturals Ivory card stock; use Big Shot and smallest size of Labels Collection Framelits to cut out image. Run the side of the brush end of the Stampin' Write Marker around the edge of the shape to add a little contrast outline. Adhere to front of card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

NOTES re velvet: I've looked up this technique on several web sites. Most say that for safety or other reasons you should NOT use nylon velvet . . . do not use crushed velvet . . . do not use stretch velvet . . . you probably won't get good results with cotton velvet. Well, all I could find in my fabric store was nylon/acetate velvet and it worked swell. So I would advise you to buy a small amount of velvet and test before starting your project. (Velvet fabric isn't particularly cheap -- the stuff I bought was $14.99/yd., but for 20+ cards, I needed only 1/4 yard.)

I hope you enjoy this project . . . be watching later this afternoon and evening for more projects.

Cathy ;D

Leadership Calendar Card

Have I told you how excited I am to be able to attend the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference this year?! I'll be heading to San Antonio, TX, on January 18 -- along with a ton of other SU! supervisors, managers, and executives -- to gather a wealth of information and ideas! I'll be sharing what I learn in my workshops and classes the rest of the year.

This calendar card will be my swap for that event (click on the image above for a closer view). This was my second effort at a swap design. My first attempt was met with something less than enthusiasm when I showed it to my sweet chubby hubby (my best critic), so I went back to the drawing board and came up with this quick, simple, yet beautiful design. Plus . . . this will be a great way to reduce my inventory of 2012 calendar pads. (By the way -- I still have them for sale if you're interested . . . see the column to the right for pricing.)

Materials:

Stamp Set:
* Peace Within

Paper:
* Poppy Parade card stock (8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; 2-5/8" x 1-5/16")
* Whisper White card stock (5" x 3-3/4")
* Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper ("DSP") (4-3/4" x 3-1/2")

Ink:
* Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad

Accessories:
* Heat Tool
* White Embossing Powder
* Dazzling Details***
* SNAIL Adhesive
* Stampin' Dimensionals

Miscellaneous:
* Medium size calendar pad (2-3/8" x 1-3/16")

*** Dazzling Details was featured in the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog and is still available as a carryover write-in item (124117 $2.50).

Instructions:

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock at 4-1/4"; fold away from score line to create card.

2. Use SNAIL Adhesive to adhere Whisper White card stock to card front; adhere DSP over Whisper White.

3. Stamp sentiment on DSP as shown with Whisper White Craft ink; emboss with White embossing powder.

4. For the Poppy Parade version (shown on the left above), use a speck of Dazzling Details to add tiny glitter highlights to DSP. For the Marina Mist version (shown on the right above), outline the flower shapes with a thin line of Dazzling Details. Set aside to dry.

5. Use SNAIL Adhesive to adhere calendar pad to 2-5/8" x 1-5/16" card stock. Adhere card stock to front of card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Easy peasy! And the recipient can use the calendar all year long as a remembrance that you're thinking of him or her.

By the way, this also would be nice as an easel card so it will stand up on its own.
* Click here for basic easel card instructions (4-1/4" square card)
* Click here for variations on the original design, including measurements for a 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" card
* Click here for 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" twisted easel card instructions

Hope you enjoy this project!

Cath ;D

Happy 2012!!!

It's a new year with a new mini catalog beginning in just a few days (January 4). This is my first card using new products from that mini -- it was for a 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog swap I did with some other demonstrators. Can't wait to see what everyone else made!!! I'm showing you a couple of different versions here -- the first was an "oops" . . . I inadvertently used some retired ribbon.

Here's the second version where I pulled out the old ribbon and wove the "legal" (current) ribbon back through. Gives it an entirely different look, doesn't it!

I used Early Espresso card stock for this card -- I think it also would look good -- maybe a little softer -- using Soft Suede card stock instead (and the Soft Suede 3/8" taffeta ribbon is current, so you could make the first version).

Materials:

Stamp Set:
* Bordering on Romance**

Ink:
* Early Espresso Classic & Craft Stampin’ Pads
* Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, and Pear Pizzazz Refills

Paper:
* Early Espresso Card Stock (8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; 5" x 3-3/4"; about 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" for die)
* Naturals White Card Stock (5-1/4" x 4"; about 2-3/4" x 2-3/4" for punch)
* Twitterpated Designer Series Paper (DSP)** (3-1/2" x 2" - 2 pcs.)

Accessories:
* Heat Tool
* Clear Embossing Powder
* Big Shot Die Cutting Machine
* Paper Doily Large Sizzlits Die**
* Early Espresso 3/8” Taffeta Ribbon (retired; second version uses Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon)
* 2-1/2” Circle Punch
* Aqua Painter
* Jewels – Basic Pearls
* SNAIL Adhesive
* Stampin’ Dimensionals
* Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue

** 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog

Instructions:
(NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, I used SNAIL Adhesive to assemble this card.)

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock at 4-1/4"; fold away from scoreline to create card.

2. Use Early Espresso Craft Stampin' Pad to stamp flower image; emboss with Clear Embossing Powder. Use Aqua Painter and Refill Inks to paint flower petals (Blushing Bride), leaves (Pear Pizzazz), and flower centers (Early Espresso). Cut out image with 2-1/2" Circle Punch.

3. Use Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad to lightly distress edges of DSP, Naturals White card stock, and 2-1/2" Circle.

4. Adhere Naturals White card stock to front of card; layer Early Espresso over Naturals White. Adhere one piece of DSP near left side of Early Espresso, and one near right side. (Alternatively, you can cut one piece of DSP 4-3/4" x 3-1/2" and layer it over the Early Espresso card stock -- the main reason I did it this way was to conserve paper because I was making several cards and didn't want to run out.)

5. Use Big Shot and Sizzlit Die to cut Paper Doily from Early Espresso card stock. Use a large-eye needle to weave ribbon through openings in doily, leaving enough ribbon at each end to tie into a bow. Adhere to front of card with Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue. (NOTE: Apply glue only to the center part of the doily that will be covered by the 2-1/2" circle).

6. Use Stampin' Dimensionals to attach 2-1/2" Circle to center of doily. Apply small self-adhesive pearls to centers of each flower.

7. To finish this card, I cut a 5-1/4" x 4" piece of Naturals White card stock and stamped a smaller image from the same stamp set in the lower right-hand corner. I then colored it with the same colors as the image on the front, and adhered it to the inside of the card.

And that's it! You're finished! You may purchase the items from the 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog beginning on Wednesday, January 4.

Cath ;D