Bull's Eye Holiday Card (November 2015 Class Project)

This card was a little challenging -- not assembling it, but cutting the layers.  I've included a link to the site where I saw this card.  You will find a very detailed tutorial at that site.  I'm totally not into measuring and marking and erasing pencil marks, so I tried doing it a little differently.  I will try to explain below how I made mine, and then you can judge for yourself which way works better for you.

Deb Valder's version is a Christmas card, and uses a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set.  Here's the link to Deb's YouTube video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tap56EFcPxc

Click on image for closer look.

This is the basic card . . . when I make more, I will probably try other things like embossing the top layer, sponging color around the edges, etc.  This version also has nothing stamped on the inside of the card to show through the window, but other versions will have leaves, etc., stamped on the inside.  I'm really looking forward to playing with it some more to see what else I can come up with.  Use your imagination and see what you can come up with too!

Materials:

Stamp Set:
* Vintage Leaves

Paper:
* Early Espresso card stock (8-1/2" x 5-1/2")
* Sahara Sand card stock (5-1/4" x 4"; 4-3/4" x 3-1/2")
* Into the Woods Designer Series Paper ("DSP") (5-1/4" x 4")
* Whisper White card stock (5-1/4" x 4" for inside)
* Scraps of Hello Honey, Sahara Sand, and Soft Suede for leaves and sentiment

Ink:
* Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

Accessories and Tools:
* Big Shot Die Cutting Machine
* Ovals Collection Framelits Dies
* Leaflets Thinlits Dies
* Seasonal Frame Thinlits Dies**
* Linen Thread
* Gold Cording Trim**
* Gold Metallic Thread
* Adhesives: SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Tombow Liquid Glue or Fine Tip Glue Pen**

** 2015 Holiday Mini Catalog (available through January 4, 2016)


Instructions:

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

2.  Using Big Shot and third from largest Ovals die cut oval out of center of 5-1/4" x 4" Sahara Sand card stock.

3.  Open out Early Espresso card and center the Sahara Sand card stock from which the oval was cut over the front of the card.  Line up next smaller size Ovals die inside of opening and cut oval from front of card.

4.  Center 4-3/4" x 3-1/2" Sahara Sand card stock over Early Espresso card stock; flip to back side so the cut out Oval is facing up.  Center next smaller size Ovals die inside of opening and cut oval from Sahara Sand card stock.

5.  Center 4-3/4" x 3-1/2" Sahara Sand card stock over DSP; center next smaller Ovals die in opening of Sahara Sand card stock and cut oval out of DSP.

NOTE:  Now that you have all the pieces parts, we're ready to assemble.  But first, there actually is one pencil mark that would be helpful.  Place the DSP over the Whisper White card stock that you will be using for the inside of the card, and make a few light pencil marks to show the placement of the oval cut out.  (This will be helpful when stamping the inside of the card, so you can see what will show through the window.)

6.  Line up 4-3/4" x 3-1/2" Sahara Sand card stock on INSIDE of card so the opening lines up inside opening on front of card; adhere with SNAIL Adhesive.

7.  Line up DSP on INSIDE of card so the opening is centered in opening of card and edges line up neatly on inside of card (this piece will cover the Sahara Sand card stock you just adhered to inside of card); adhere with SNAIL Adhesive.

8.  Line up 5-1/4" x 4" Sahara Sand card stock on front of card and adhere with Stampin' Dimensionals.

9.  For the embellishment on the front, use the Big Shot and the Leaflets Thinlits dies to cut one leaf (the smallest of the three) from Sahara Sand card stock, cut one Maple Leaf from Hello Honey card stock, and cut one Oak (?) Leaf from Soft Suede.  Use Soft Suede to stamp the appropriate leaf on each cutout.  (NOTE:  This is a photopolymer stamp set, so you can easily line it up on the pre-cut leaves; however, if you prefer, you can stamp the leaves first, and then cut them out.)

10.  Apply one line of Tombow Liquid Glue down the center back of the long, thin leaf and adhere it to the front of the card as shown; one thin line of Tombow about halfway down the back will work for the Maple Leaf (if you get too much glue on the back, you can punch a small circle or something to cover the excess glue on the back so it doesn't stick to the inside of the card); one thin line down the center of the smallest leaf will adhere it over the Maple Leaf.

11.  Use Big Shot and Seasonal Frame Thinlits Die to cut "grateful" from Soft Suede card stock.  Use tiny dots of Tombow Liquid Glue or Fine Tip Glue Pen to apply glue to back of "g" and "l" -- adhere across Oval opening as shown.  (NOTE:  The easiest way I've found to cut out this type of die is to put wax paper between the card stock and the die, and then cut it using the new Sizzix Precision Plate in place of the bottom acrylic pad.  If you don't have the new precision plate, another way to cut it is to place one or two new dryer sheets between the card stock and the bottom acrylic plate before cutting -- this will pull the shape right out of the die.)

12.  Holding Linen Thread, Gold Cording Trim, and Gold Metallic Thread together, make a double-loop bow and adhere it to the front of the card with a glue dot.

13.  If desired, stamp leaves on the inside of the card to show through opening on front of card.

I sure hope these instructions made sense to you.  Of course, you're always welcome to contact me if you have questions.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cathy  ;D

2016 Coaster Calendar (November 2015 Class Project)

Yup . . . it's definitely time to be making calendars for next year.  I've already got my desk calendar filled with lots of upcoming dates!!!  This sweet little calendar will sit next to your phone or on your desk for quick reference any time.

Click on image for closer look.

Materials:

Paper:
* English Garden Designer Series Paper ("DSP") (4" x 4" -- two pieces; 1-1/4" x 1-7/8")
* Soft Suede card stock (2-5/8" x 2")
* Old Olive card stock (2-1/2" x 1-7/8")
* Blush Blossom card stock (scrap for flower)
* Hello Honey card stock (scraps for flowers)

Ink:
* Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

Accessories:
* Pearl Basic Jewels (1 large; 3 medium)
* Petite Petals Punch
* Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (small flower)
* Stampin' Sponge
* Linen Thread
* Adhesives: Tombow Liquid Glue; Glue Dots; Tear & Tape

Other Stuff:
* 4" x 4" coaster**
* Medium Binder Clip (clip size 1-1/4"; capacity 5/8")
* Mini Calendar Pad (size 2-3/8" x 1-5/8")***

Instructions:

1. Use Tear & Tape to adhere two 4" x 4" pieces of DSP to coaster -- one on the front and one on the back.

2. Use scissors to trim DSP around the corners of the coaster.

3. Use Stampin' Sponge (I cut mine into 4 pieces and use the wedges) to apply Soft Suede ink around edges of DSP-covered coaster, as well as the smaller piece of DSP and the two small pieces of card stock.

4. Use Tear & Tape to adhere Old Olive card stock to Soft Suede card stock; adhere mini calendar to Old Olive card stock; adhere three-layer piece to front of calendar.

5. Cut one Petite Petal flower from Blush Blossom card stock; cut three Itty Bitty flowers from Hello Honey card stock.  If desired, sponge Soft Suede ink around edges of flowers.  To attach to calendar, I applied a tiny drop of Tombow Liquid Glue where I wanted each flower, and then dropped the flowers onto the glue.  Add a self-adhesive pearl in the middle of each flower (I used large for the larger flower, and medium for the three smaller flowers).

6.  Apply Tear & Tape to each short edge of small piece of DSP, as well as one piece across the center.  Remove the tape backing and adhere one end up under the rounded edge of the binder clip.  Carefully wrap the DSP tightly around the clip, making sure the center of the DSP adheres to the bottom of the clip.  This is a pretty exact fit, so you may need to use scissors or other pointy tool to tuck the edges of the opposite end of DSP under the coils on the back side of the clip.

7.  Last step, make a small bow from Linen Thread and attach to clip with a Glue Dot.

Hope you enjoy this easy peasy project.  If you give this as a gift, the recipients will think of you every day as they glance at their calendars.

** If you don't have 4" x 4" coasters, a sturdy piece of cardboard will do just as well.
*** Yes, I still have mini calendars for sale -- they come in three different sizes; I used the medium size for this project.  Contact me for info.

Cathy  ;D

Hidden Trees Embossed Card (November Class Project)

This is one of the cards we made in my November classes.  I honestly don't know what this technique is called, but it is WAY COOL!!!!



Click on image for closer look.

Materials:

Stamp Sets:
* Lovely as a Tree
* Happy Scenes**

Paper:
* Whisper White Thick card stock (8-1/2" x 5-1/2")
* Soft Sky card stock (5-1/4" x 4"; 2-3/8" x 7/8")
* Basic Gray card stock (5-1/8" x 3-7/8"; 2-1/4" x 3/4")
* Whisper White card stock (5" x 3-3/4"; about 2-1/4" x 3/4" for punch)

Ink:
* Memento Ink
* Basic Gray Archival Stampin' Pad
* Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad
* Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad

 Accessories and Tools:
* Big Shot Die Cutting Machine
* Woodlands Embossing Folder**
* Stampin' Sponges
* Washi Label Punch
* Winter Wonderland Embellishments**
* Dazzling Details
* Adhesives:  SNAIL Adhesive; Glue Dots

Instructions:

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

2. Use Stampin' Sponge (I cut mine in fourths and use a separate wedge for each color) to apply Basic Gray ink to outer edges of all pieces of card stock.

3. Adhere Soft Sky card stock to front of card; adhere Basic Gray card stock over Soft Sky card stock.

4. Using Memento Ink, stamp image onto Embossing Folder -- be sure to stamp it on the side on which the trees are sunken; not raised.  The stamped image will show up on the surface of the embossing folder, but not in the sunken areas, and this is what makes it appear as though the embossed trees are in the foreground, and the stamped trees are behind them.  Put your Whisper White card stock in the embossing folder over the stamped image and crank through the Big Shot.  You're gonna love how this looks already!!!!

5. Use a wedge of Stampin' Sponge to apply Soft Sky ink between the embossed trees above the ground line on the stamped image; use a separate piece of Stampin' Sponge to apply Smoky Slate ink between embossed trees on lower portion of the card, below the ground line.  Use the same wedge with the Smoky Slate ink to rub ink up and down the embossed trees to create shadows and depth on the trees.  Adhere Whisper White card stock to front of card over Basic Gray card stock.

6. Adhere small piece of Basic Gray card stock to small piece of Soft Sky.  Use Basic Gray ink to stamp sentiment on scrap of Whisper White card stock; punch out image with Washi Label punch.  Adhere the label over the Basic Gray card stock.  Adhere this piece to front of card in lower right corner.  Adhere Winter Wonderland Embellishment to label with a Glue Dot.

7. Apply Dazzling Details (glitter glue) to tops of branches on embossed trees (it doesn't really show up in this photo, but the glitter really adds a touch of winter to this card).  Set aside to dry.

** These items are featured in the Holiday Mini Catalog (expires January 4, 2016)

That's it.  Way cool card with little effort!

Cathy  ;D

Stampin' Up! ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA -- ONE WEEK ONLY!!!!

Online Extravaganza November 23-30, save up to 50 percent on select products during our week-long Online Extravaganza! To make it even better, there will be flash sales that last 24 hours on November 23 and November 30, the first and last days of Online Extravaganza. But remember: Online Extravaganza savings are only available while supplies last, so get them while you can! Visit my Stampin' Up! site at http://cathyhansen.stampinup.net to place your online orders, or contact me directly at cathy_hansen@q.com.  But hurry!  At these prices, items will be going fast!!!! Cathy  ;D

November 14 Class Projects

Pictured below are the inspirations for my November 14, 2015, class projects.  These are not the actual samples of what we'll be making, but those will be posted next week before the classes.

For details, see my Upcoming Events page.