Monday, December 31, 2012

YOU ARE LOVED CARD (Kit card #3):

Happy New Year's Eve to you! I'd like to say I have big exciting plans tonight, but staying in my sweats and working on a puzzle sounds like alot more fun to me-pathetic, I know! Here is the 3rd card that will be included in January's 'Kit to Go'. I was inspired by a Facebook post back in May by a SU! artist, and thought it would make a perfect Valentine's Day card.  The card features the set You Are Loved and is geared towards Valentine's Day, but would work for Mother's Day and many other occasions as well. I started with a Very Vanilla base and layered it with a piece of Chocolate Chip Cardstock that was stamped with the flower image along the left side and bottom. Adhere that to the base with SNAIL. Next, you'll want to flag the bottom of the Pretty in Pink DSP from the Paper Stack and stamp the sentiment in Riding Hood Red ink.

Next, you'll ink up the Love image in Pretty in Pink and color Love and the flowers with a Riding Hood Red Marker and stamp onto Very Vanilla Cardstock. Punch it out with the Large Oval Punch. The oval will come already punched for you in your Kit, so this is where the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig will come in handy to align your sentiment on the oval properly. Next, I stamped the same image in Chocolate Chip ink onto Very Vanilla Cardstock and punched it out with the Decorative Label Punch. I popped the oval onto the frame image with Dimensionals. The stamp set Four Frames also includes a frame image that coordinates with this punch. I will include a Chocolate Chip frame in your Kit, in case you don't have a stanp set that coordinates.


Finally, attach a small piece of Sticky Strip to the bottom of the Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots Ribbon. Flip the ribbon over and attach another piece of Sticky Strip to the bottom. Remove the covering and adhere the ribbon together to form a loop. Then attach the ribbon to the back of the Pretty in Pink DSP. Attach the frame frame to the Pretty in Pink DSP, and attach that to the Chocolate Chip Cardstock with Dimensionals. Add a row of Basic Pearls to the ribbon directly above the DSP and add the other 2 pearls to the flower centers on the oval piece.
 
Make sure to check back here often. I will feature more projects using the stamp sets and products used for these cards all month long. That way, if you decide to purchase any products for these cards, you'll have multiple ideas for ways to use them. If you're interested in joining a Club, and earning free products, or placing an order, you can email me at lmel09@q.com or shop my Online Store at www.lauramellinger.stampinup.net.  Feel free to email me with questions regarding your Kit.
 
I hope you like the trio of cards in this months Kit. Please click on the PayPal button below to sign up and pay for your January Kit. The deadline is January 5, 2013. Again, the cost is $12 if local, $12 + $3 shipping & handling if you'd like it mailed to you. If you're a Club Member or member of my Downline, the cost is $9 if local, $9 + $3 shipping & handling if you'd like it mailed to you. Thanks so much for stopping by! And party safe tonight if you'll be out & about-you don't have to worry about me!:) Supplies for this card listed below:
 
STAMPS: You Are Loved-123777w/123779c
PAPER: Very Vanilla Cardstock-101650
Chocolate Chip Cardstock-102128
Subtles DSP Paper Stack-117152
INK: Chocolate Chip Stamp Pad-126979
Pretty in Pink Stamp Pad-126955
Riding Hood Red Marker-119701
PUNCHES: Decorative Label Punch-120907
Large Oval Punch-119855
RIBBON: Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots Ribbon-124142
ACCESSORIES: Basic Pearl Jewels-119247
ADHESIVES: Dimensionals-104430
Sticky Strip-104294
SNAIL-104331
 
 

Sunday, December 30, 2012

VINTAGE VERSES CARD (Kit card #2):

Hello there! Here's card #2 in my 'Kits to Go' for January. If you haven't already, make sure you see yesterday's post to get all the details! One thing I forgot to clarify, among others I'm sure, was the s&h price for the Kit. The price listed is for the continental United States only.
 Thanks for your patience as I try to get this rolling. Todays card is fairly straightforward, so you won't need alot of instruction. You might not recognize many of the products, as most are brand new items from the new Occasions Catalog that goes live on January 3rd. I also used a Sale-A-Bration set for the sentiment called Vintage Verses. You can earn this set for FREE with a $50 purchase starting January 22nd! I hope you enjoy all the sneak peeks I have for you!

I started with a Crumb Cake base and I used the brand NEW Needlepoint Border Embossing Folder at the bottom. Your Kit will come with the embossing done for you. First you will adhere the diagonal strip to the Pretty In Pink print DSP using SNAIL on the back. Both designs are from the NEW Tea For Two DSP. Adhere the DSP to the card front with SNAIL.

Next, you'll want to round the corners of the Bashful Blue DSP, also from Tea For Two. You can use a 1" Circle Punch by inserting each corner into the top of the punch, or you can use your Paper Snips to round the corners by hand. Stamp your sentiment in Early Espresso ink and adhere to the Crumb Cake Top Note as shown. Your Top Note piece will come all ready to go in your Kit.

Next, you'll tie a knot around the Top Note die cut using the NEW Natural Trim Ribbon. Adhere the Top Note die cut to the card front with SNAIL. Next, you'll want to tuck the piece of NEW White Lace Paper Doily underneath the ribbon with SNAIL or Liquid Tombow. Add a Glue Dot to the back of each flower on the NEW Vanilla Flower Trim and adhere to the Doily.

Aren't the mini bottlecaps just about the cutest thing you ever saw? Olivia said they'd make cute little pies-can you imagine how adorable they'd be? Oh, the possibilities! Punch out a piece of Pretty in Pink Cardstock with the 1/2" Circle Punch. Stamp the butterfly image in Bashful Blue onto Very Vanilla Cardstock. The sweet tiny butterfly is from the NEW Itty Bitties set-and boy is it ever! Next, punch it out with the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. Add some SNAIL onto the back of the P in Pink circle and ahdere it to the bottom of the NEW Soda Pop Top. Add the butterfly on top with a Dimensional. Embellish the butterfly with a Basic Pearl. Attach the Soda Pop Top with a Glue Dot.

That's all there is to it! I was wishing I had one of the dainty little Paper Flowers from the Artisan Embellishment Kit to layer under the knot. I may have to add them to my next order and try it out. It was so much fun to play with all the new stuff. I hope I've given you some ideas for your own projects that you can make with all the fresh new things coming your way soon!

Tomorrow I'll have a Valentine to share with you, so make sure to stop back. Thanks so much for visiting today! Supplies used below:

STAMPS: Vintage Verses-129633w/129636c
                   Itty Bitties-128939
PAPER: Crumb Cake Cardstock-120953
               Pretty in Pink Cardstock-100459
               Very Vanilla Cardstock-101650
                Tea For Two DSP-129311
INK: Early Espresso Pad-126974
                   Bashful Blue Pad-126961
PUNCHES: 1" Circle Punch-119868
                    1/2" Circle Punch-119869
                    Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack-118309
RIBBON: Natural Trim Ribbon-129287
                 Vanilla Flower Trim-126869
ACCESSORIES: White Lace Paper Doilies-129399
                             Silver Soda Pop Tops-129388
                             Basic Pearl Jewels-119247
DIE CUTTING SYSTEM: Big Shot-113439
                                            Top Note Die-113463
                                             Needlepoint Border Embossing Folder-129383
ADHESIVES: Dimensionals-104430
                         Glue Dots-103683
                         SNAIL

Saturday, December 29, 2012

NEW YEAR'S NEWS-'KITS TO GO'!:

Hello there! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with family & friends. According to the scale, mine was a little TOO wonderful! Since we are approaching a new year, I've decided to make a few changes and I'm really excited to share them with you. As some of you know, our daughter Olivia and her son Quinten live with us and we babysit while she's working. Quinten just turned 1 today-YAY!-and he's becoming quite the active little boy! I just turned 50, and I wish I was as active! I've made the tough decision to postpone holding events in my home for the time being. Some days it's a challenge just to get across the room without the little 'Cling-On' latching on. We went through this several years ago with our other daughter, so I pretty much know what my days are going to look like for the next couple of years: Vaseline smeared on doors, Comet dumped down vents, Black Sharpies scribbled on wallpaper:)...So I've decided this time around to be a little kinder to myself and not add any more stress to this chaotic stage of our life. Instead, I'm offering 'Kits to Go'. The above card is one of 3 cards that will be included in this month's Kit. I got the idea for the adorable snowman from Stacia Sloma @ www.stampzone.blogspot.com. Her card is posted on December 12, 2012.

 Here's how the 'Kits to Go' will work. At the beginning of each month I will have 3 cards posted on my blog. Each kit will contain all the components for those 3 cards, including envelopes.

I will post detailed instructions for assembling the cards over 3 consecutive days. As per SU!'s Independent Demonstrator Agreement, I'm not allowed to stamp the images in the kit. You will need to do the stamping, but you will be able to customize your cards for the occasions needed. I can, however, punch what needs to be punched, so your kits will come to you with all the punching done! The cost for each kit is $12. If you are a Club Member or a member of my Downline, the cost is $9. If you're local and want to pick up your Kit, there will be no shipping fee obviously. If you'd like your Kit mailed to you, there will be an additional $3 fee for shipping & handling.

I will post several pictures of each card and give detailed instructions for assembling the cards. I will also list all of the supplies used for each card in case you decide you want to purchase the stamp set or other products. While it's not necessary to purchase any items, I do highly recommend purchasing a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig for proper alignment on punched out pieces.

If you are interested in purchasing supplies to make the cards, you might want to consider joining a Club. You will earn free products of your choice when it's your month to be Hostess. You'll also receive a free Idea Book & Catalog, and have 2 Mini Catalogs mailed to you twice a year.

Also, new for 2013, I'm offering a Rewards Program. Each dollar you spend with me equals 1 point. When you've reached 500 points, you get a $50 shopping spree. And if you're a Club Member, you earn DOUBLE points when it's your month as Hostess! This program is replacing the 50/50 Club.

If you're a person who prefers to stamp alone, this will be a perfect option for you. You can go at your own pace, and you don't have to share supplies! If you prefer to stamp with a group, you can take turns stamping at a friends house. Just have everyone bring their Kit, a few stamp sets and ink, and you're all set for a fun Girl's Night Out! Also, it will be easy to make multiple cards since you'll have all the pieces in the Kit to duplicate. Okay...on to the first card...

The Kits will come with your cardstock base scored and folded. Also, the scoring will be done for any fancy fold cards, as in the above card.

The measurement for this card is 11 1/2" x 5 1/4". I scored it at 3 3/4", 4" and 7 3/4". Turn the cardstock around (don't flip over), and measure up 1 1/2" from the bottom left corner, mark and cut a diagonal with your paper trimmer, to the score line. I found a template for this at www.apaperiejourney.blogspot.com if you need more details.

If you purchase the Kit, I will have all of the above done for you, and this is what it will look like. The Sticky Strip will also be in place where needed. Run glue along the diagonal, on the same side that has the Sticky Strip and adhere the Whisper White Dotted Scallop Ribbon piece to the diagonal as shown. Trim the ends off of the scallop trim piece and remove the covering on the Sticky Strip. Press down to form a pocket. This will hold a packet of hot chocolate. Stamp the inside sentiment in Whisper White Craft ink. Set with the Heat Tool or let dry.

For the snowman, line up the circles as shown, butting the largest one along the right side of the 5 1/2"x 2 3/4" Whisper White piece. Leave enough space to trace around it.

Trace around each of the circles to form the snowman and cut out. You'll want to stamp the sentiment on the snowman before you get him assembled, in case you stamp crooked-like I did. It will be much easier to redo if you don't have him all done and attached...grrr.

Next, you'll want to stamp his face. I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig and started with his eyes in Basic Black ink. Do his cheek before you stamp his mouth so you don't get black smeared onto it. I dabbed a Q-Tip in Pink Pirouette and tapped it in a circle. Before you stamp his mouth, you might want to lay his nose in place to get proper placement for his mouth. The Stamp-A-Ma-Jig works great for getting his smile exactly where you want it.

For his nose, draw a carrot shape from one of the points on the Boho Blossom and cut out. I attached it with a Dimensional sliver.

After you have his face done, tie the ribbon around the snowman on the left side in a knot. Then color the Rhinestone jewels with a Black Sharpie and let dry. Adhere the Baja Breeze Patio Party DSP to the front of the card with SNAIL. Then adhere the snowman on top with SNAIL.

String the Pool Party Baker's Twine through the Brights Button. I held the Baker's Twine down with a small piece of Sticky Strip, trimmed off the excess twine, and attached a Glue Dot. Flag the end of the Real Red DSP and adhere with SNAIL. Add the button.

Finally, add the stars with Glue Dots and attach the Rhinestone buttons. Stamp your envelope with Baja Breeze stars or snowflakes if desired. Make sure to check back tomorrow to see the second card that will be featured in the Kit, and on Monday for the final card. Hopefully, I'll have a PayPal button added by Monday, so you can sign up and pay for a Kit. Or if you're local, you can e-mail me. The deadline to sign up and pay for the Kit will be Saturday, January 5th. So make sure to check back if you're interested! I hope you like this frosty friend, and are as excited about the new year as I am! Thanks so much for stopping by. See you tomorrow! Supplies are listed below:

STAMPS: Stylin' Snowfolk-126285w/126287c
                  Got Treats-119114w/120627c
                  You Are Loved-123777w/123779c
PAPER: Whisper White-100730
               Pumpkin Pie-105117
               Real Red-102482
               Patio Party DSP-126916
               Brights Paper Stack-117155
INK: Basic Black Pad-126980
         Real Red Pad-126949
         Pink Pirouette Pad-126956
         Whisper White Craft Pad-101731
         Pumpkin Pie Marker-105115
PUNCHES: Merry Minis Punch Pack-126882
                    1 3/8" Circle Punch-119860
                    1 3/4" Circle Punch-119850
                    2 1/2" Circle Punch-120906
                    Boho Blossom Punch-119858
                    Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch-119275
RIBBON: Real Red Stitched Ribbon-126875
                 Pool Party Baker's Twine-125574
ACCESSORIES: Brights Buttons-119747
                             Basic Rhinestone Jewels-119246
TOOLS: Heat Tool-129053
               Simply Scored-122334
               Stamp-A-Ma-Jig-101049
               Bone Folder-102300
ADHESIVES: Dimensionals-104430
                        Sticky Strip-104294
                        SNAIL
MISC.: Black Sharpie
             Q-Tip

Friday, December 21, 2012

SNOW FESTIVAL JAR:

Hello there! Getting closer to the big day...I'm in baking mode, so this will have to be short & sweet. I made these fun & festive jars for my Hostesses this past year. I used the Snow festival DSP for the flags and added a Dahlia.

I decorated the lid with DSP and added a retired felt wreath from last year. Although, these are available now on the Clearance Rack. So go get em while you still can. I added a Primrose Petals Bow and sentiment from Polar Party. I punched a hole in the lid with the retired Cropodile, strung a piece of White Sweater Trim through it, and tied it aroung the mouth of the jar. By the way, the Cropodile is on the Clearance Rack too.

Here's a close up.

On the back of each jar I attached a Snow Festival Designer Printed Tag with Glue Dots.

For the snowman, I wrapped a roll of Rolos with Whisper White Cardstock that was run through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. I Q-Tipped his cheeks with Pink Piouette and punched his nose out with the Boho Blossoms Punch using Pumpkin Pie Cardstock. I colored the Rhinestone Jewels with a Black Sharpie and attached those for his eyes, mouth and buttons. I made a little hat for him in Basic Black and added a Cherry Cobbler Sweater Trim scarf. I hung him off of the White Sweater trim that was tied around the jar with an ornament hook.




I added some Rhinestone Jewels and Dazzling Details for bling. The sentiment is from Owl Occasions and was punched with the retired 1/4" Circle Punch. Sorry for all the retired items, but I used whatever would do the job the quickest. I used the Word Window Punch to punch out the tag. I attached the Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine with a Glue Dot.


Here's another design.

I cut out the mittens in the DSP and added a contrasting DSP for the ends and cuffs.

I added a couple of Dahlias and Gumball Green Sweater Trim. The sentiment is from Tiny Tags.

One last design for you.

I cut out some Red Glimmer Paper for his hat and added some White Sweater Trim. I added a retired Mini Jingle Ball and a Glimmer Brad, along with a bunch of Sharpie-enhanced Rhinestone Jewels. The sentiment is from the Hostess set Happy You. Inside the jars, I added a Cello Bag filled with Chocolate Crack, and tied them off with a piece of Sweater Trim. I hope you enjoyed today's projects. I really enjoyed making them. Thank you so much for stopping by. My cut-outs are calling, then onto Swedish Cremes. Have a wonderful Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

HOSTESS & DOWNLINE GIFTS:

Snow Ho Ho! What a miserable day out there! And this is the day we picked to finish up our shopping! We didn't plan that too well. I have been busy working on these gifts for my Hostesses this year and my downline. As usual, they took me alot longer than I thought they would, so I think I'm going to have to skip the Christmas cards this year-maybe next year! But that's okay...I had a lot of fun putting these together.


Every year at Convention, SU! has a Memento Mall which is full of lots of fun SU! logo items. Convention goers get first dibs, and then later some items are posted online to buy. I fell in love with this little trio of ornaments. There's a snowman, reindeer and penguin, and they match the No Peeking stamp set.

I think I ordered these in August and had a plan for them as soon as I saw them. I just need for December to get here. I was lucky to find this wrapping paper that has all 3 little critters on it. None of my current ribbon worked with the packages, so I had to resort to retired ribbon-good thing I keep that stuff around!

For this tag I used a Lucky Limeade base and made a scallop border in Riding Hood Red that was run through the Big Shot using the Peekaboo Frames Die. I stamped the snowman in Tempting Turquiose and then colored in his boots with a Basic Black Marker. I stamped his hat again in Basic Black, cut it out and attached it with a Dimensional. I then stamped the scarf in Riding Hood Red, cut it out and glued it in place. I added the sentiment on Tempting Turquoise Cardstock and used the Word Window Punch to punch it out. I added a little sparkle with some Dazzling Details.


For this tag I used a Tempting Turquoise base and added a Lucky Limeade frame. The reindeer was stamped in Soft Suede and I colored his antlers in Chocolate Chip. I stamped his scarf on Lucky Limeade with Riding Hood Red ink, cut it out and glued it in place. I added a  Neutrals Brad for his nose and finished it off with a Riding Hood Red sentiment. I added some Tempting Turquoise snow in the background made with the Confetti set.


This tag was made with a Riding Hood Red base and Tempting Turquoise frame. I stamped the penguin in Basic Black and then stamped his beak again in Pumpkin Pie, cut it out and glued it in place. Next, I colored his hat and scarf with Tempting Turquoise and Rding Hood Red Markers. I cut them out and gled teh scarf on, and attached the hat with a Dimensional. I added a Brights Brad to the top of the hat and added a Riding Hood Red sentiment.

They were just too cute to pass up!

Inside the boxes were a variety of items from Memento Mall...

Everyone got a shopping bag and a pack of matching tissues in the Floral District pattern.

Some got the Festival of Prints design tote...

And matching Post it Note Pack....

Also in the Festival of Prints DSP designs.

I added to these items for those who are Club Members, based on consecutive sign-ups. Some received these Patio Party items: A notepad, matching pen and cookie cutters.

I have 2 gals who have joined every round of Club since the beginning, so they both got one of these cute little SU! tape measures in the Floral District DSP pattern.  Well, I need to get started on my baking. Thanks so much for stopping by. Come back tomorrow to see the other goodies Santa made for them!

Friday, December 14, 2012

SCENTSATIONAL MILK CARTON HOUSE:


Season's greetings to you! I'd like to share this adorable treat holder gingerbread house with you. I wish I could take credit for it, but the amazing Heather Summers came up with this sweet little treat. You can see the one she made on her blog at www.stampwithheather.ca. I changed it up a little and added the Thank You sentiment as this was a gift for my Club Hostess this month. I used the Mini Milk Carton Die for the house using Soft Suede Cardstock. I also used the Scentsational Season Bundle to stamp and cut out the gingerbread boy, candy cane and Christmas tree. For the door, I used the Extra Large Oval Punch and added a Glimmer Brad and I added some Brights Brads buttons to the front of the little guy.

For the shingles, I used the Scallop Edge Border in Whisper White. I cut a wider piece at the top, scored it down the middle and attached it with Sticky Strip. You'll want to make sure you add your treats before you adhere it together. It holds 2 Lindor Truffles perfectly.

The gumdrops were made by using the Large Oval Punch. I punched them out of Tempting Turquoise and Pumpkin Pie Cardstock, and only used about 1/3 of the oval. I covered them in Dazzling Details and they look like the real deal.

I attached the tree by cutting a slit in the side of the box, approximately 1 1/2" in length and added a tiny bit of Tombow Liquid glue to the tree. I stuck the tree through the slit, or you could just attach it to the back of the house. After I had assembled and decorated my house, I added some Dazzling Details to the shingles, and added the banner that was colored with Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive Markers. The sentiment was made with the Itty Bitty Banners Stamp Set and Bitty Banners Framelits. My hostess loved her little treat-thanks Heather! And I hope you enjoyed it too! Thanks so much for stopping by!