Monday, April 30, 2018

APRON OF LOVE FAVORS:

Hello there! I held my Team Meeting last week and these are the favors I made for everyone using the Apron of Love Bundle. Apron of Love is a perfect way to sum up how I feel about this business! I'm so blessed to have formed so many treasured friendships over the past 10 years:) I love the creative outlet that my SU! business has provided-it truly is the best therapy when I've struggled with life, and I'm amazed that I get to spend a great deal of time playing every day:) That's how it feels anyway when you love what you do:)

For this sweet little treatholder, I cut out 2 aprons from Basic Black Cardstock using the Apron Builder Framelits. I stamped the logo with a SU! stamp that I have called Workshop Words using Whisper White Craft ink and heat-embossed it with White Embossing Powder. I've also cut the logo off of the new Color Revamp flyers that SU! provided us for those who don't have the stamp set. I made a little box measuring 4 1/2" x 3 3/4" & scored at 1 1/4" on all 4 sides. I assembled it using Liquid Tombow and adhered the aprons to the front and back with Liquid Tombow as well. I cut out the pocket, scored it and attached it with Liquid Tombow, keeping the glue to the sides & bottom only.

I cut out the apron strings with the framelits as well and adhered to the back of the apron with tiny drops of Liquid Tombow. I cut the adorable tiny scissors from a Silver Foil Sheet and tucked them in the pocket. I added a bow made with Basic Black Baker's Twine and attached it with a Glue Dot. I added a couple of Pay Day candy bars, because this business is like pay day every day. I've been working really hard over the past several months, and I am getting a nice pay day with my commissions and overrrides. And it's definitely a pay day with the money I save with my 25% discount on products I love so much! But probably the biggest pay day I get is the invaluable relationships this business has allowed me to form:)

Our little team is growing more & more and we have so much fun when we get together every month! I'm here to offer as much or as little support as you want. I offer incentives, training and lots of fun every month. I would love to have you join my TEAM LOL!-a group where we Live, Laugh & Love Out Loud! Thanks so much for stopping by:)

Sunday, April 29, 2018

FREE GIFT WITH ORDER!

Hello there! Just sending out a reminder that anyone who places a $25 order with me by tomorrow gets this adorable little box filled with cards for FREE!

Get this adorable little Paper Pumpkin box filled with 5 sweet  3" x 3" nautical-themed cards...but only through tomorrow! Fill the box with salt water taffy or a little gift and choose from several cards to accompany it. Also, if you love this kit, sign up for Paper Pumpkin by May 10th. You'll get 50% off of your first 2 months! It's a perfect time to try it out and you can cancel anytime! Thanks so much for stopping by:)


Friday, April 27, 2018

MAGICAL DAY CARD:

Hello there! Here's another card made with a retiring set-Magical Day. I really love this bundle and was hoping it would carry over to the new catalog, but no such luck:) I started with a Bermuda Bay base and used the coordinating Magical Mates Framelits to cut the waves in the background. I added a layer of Whisper White Cardstock and on top of that I added an oval I cut out with the Layering Ovals Framelits. I cut it from the gorgeous Myths & Magic Specialty DSP-the texture and sparkle of this paper truly is magical.

I wanted to let you know that the framelits don't cut out the mermaids-they're smaller than the DSP, as you can see from the Bermuda Bay ones that I cut out in the background. I cut out this one with my Paper Snips and adhered it to a Vellum Cardstock bubble that I punched out with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch. I stamped the others with the 1", 3/4" and 1/2" Circle Punches. I stamped the bubbles onto each with Bermuda Bay ink and adhered them with Glue Dots. I attached the large mermaid with Dimensionals.

I stamped the sentiment onto a piece of Whisper White Cardstock and used the framelits to cut out the banner. I inked up the small banner with Melon Mambo ink and stamped it onto a Whisper White scrap, cut it out with Paper Snips and attached it to the large banner with Mini Dimensionals. I attached it with Dimensionals and tucked some greenery behind that I cut out from Lemon Lime Twist Cardstock. I attached them with Glue Dots on the ends.

This was such a fun card to make and I'm going to save it for my sweet little Elise's birthday in August:) Make plans to attend Coffee Break tomorrow and make this adorable card, and choose from 17 other designs as well. Make sure to stop back tomorrow for a fun little favor. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Thursday, April 26, 2018

MOON BABY CARD:

Hello there! Today I have a sweet baby card to share with you using the retiring Moon Baby set. I started with a Very Vanilla base and added another layer on top that I stamped stars on using Daffodil Delight ink. I stamped the sweet baby with Smoky Slate ink and colored him with Q-tips using Soft Sky and Blushing Bride ink. I used a Sponge Dauber and both So Saffron & Daffodil Delight inks  for the moon.

I cut the moon out with Paper Snips and layered it onto a Soft Sky circle that I cut with the Stitched Shapes Framelits. Before I adhered it with Dimensionals, I poked a small hole using the Paper-piercing Tool and thread a piece of Linen Thread through. I secured it on the back with a Glue Dot and attached a tiny bow to the front with a Glue Dot as well.

I stamped the sentiment with Smoky Slate ink onto a piece of Very Vanilla Cardstock and attached with Dimensionals. Next I stamped the small clouds with the Lift Me Up stamp set in Smoky Slate and colored them with a Q-tip in Soft Sky ink. I cut them, along with the larger Whisper White clouds out with the Up & Away Thinlits. I finished it off with a tiny Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper star cut out with the Popcorn Box Thinlits.

Make sure you stock up on Soft Sky Cardstock and inks before it's gone. The Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper will be going away as well-they'll be replacing it with a thinner version. As mentioned above, Moon Baby is retiring, as are the Popcorn Box Thinlits. I've still got a couple more retiring projects to share so make sure to stop back tomorrow. Thanks so much for coming by!

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

FRUIT BASKET CARD:

Hello there! Today I have a bright card to share with you using the retiring Fruit Basket Bundle. I love the adorable miniature punches in this bundle and will be sad to see them leave:( I started with a Real Red base and stamped the background with the same ink. I added 2 different designs of DSP from the Tutti-Fruitti DSP Stack. I stamped the strawberry outline with Lemon Lime Twist ink onto Whsiper White Cardstock and filled in with the same for the top and Real Red ink for the berry. I used the Itty Bitty Fruit Punch Pack to punch it out.

I punched out a circle from Whisper White Cardstock using the 1 1/8" Scallop Circle Punch. I then went around it with the Paper-piering Tool to add the dots in each scallop. I attached it to a Night of Navy circle punched with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch. I stamped the sentiment with Night of Navy ink onto Whisper White Cardstock and used the Classic Label Punch to punch it out.

I attached a piece of a Delicate White Doily to a piece of Night of Navy Corduroy Ribbon and adhered to the card base with Glue Dots. Unfortunately both of these products will be going away as well, wah:( I attached the strawberry and sentiment with Mini Dimensionals. Finally I tied a bow with Night of Navy Gingham Ribbon and adhered it with a Glue Dot. I'm so thankful we have another year with this adorable ribbon!

This was another super quick & easy & adorable card that you can come and make on Saturday at Coffee Break. I've got some really cute favors in the makes, so let me know you're coming so I can have one for you too:) Stop back again tomorrow for another fun retiring project. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

PIECES & PATTERNS CARD:

Hello there! I'm back today with another suite of products that will be going away soon. I used the stamp set Pieces & Patterns, along with the Pick A Pattern DSP and Cardstock Pack. I started with a Flirty Flamingo base, which I'm so happy will be joining the new line-up! On top of that I added a layer of Basic Black Cardstock and DSP.

I stamped the sentiment onto a piece of Whisper White Cardstock with Flirty Flamingo ink and punched it out with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch, I think:) I placed the circle where I wanted it onto another piece of Whisper White Cardstock and stamped the flowers underneath. I then adhered the circle with Dimensionals. I stamped the cute little bear with Basic Black ink onto Sahara Sand Cardstock. I added a little fun to him with the dot image in Sahara Sand ink as well and cut him out with Paper Snips.

I cut out one of the trees from the Pick A Pattern DSP with Paper Snips and adhered it to the circle with Glue Dots. I attached the bear with Dimensionals. I ran a piece of Pick A Pattern Washi Tape along the bottom edge and tied a bow with Crushed Curry Solid Baker's Twine. I then attached the cardstock to the card base with Dimensionals and added a few Basic Rhinestone Jewels. The washi tape will carry over to the new catalog, but the baker's twine will not, so make sure to get it in all the colors you want before they're all gone!

Plan to attend Coffee Break on Saturday morning from 11-1 and make one or more of these little cuties. You'll also have 17 other designs to pick from! Check back tomorrow for another option you can make. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Monday, April 23, 2018

COFFEE BREAK REMINDER:

Hello there! Just sending out a reminder to my local peeps that this Saturday is Coffee Break from 11-1 at the Stampin' Pad. It will be Card Buffet style, so you can pick which cards you make and how many. There are 18 designs to pick from and the cost is $3 per card. You also get a FREE card with every $25 order!

 Last minute push to meet my April goal! I have an adorable little gift for everyone who places a $25 order by the end of the month. You'll just have to wait and be surprised on what's inside!!! Get the retiring products you want before they're gone and get this sweet little surprise as a thank you!

Please let me know if you plan to attend on Saturday so I can have a little treat for you:) Thanks so much for stopping by!

Sunday, April 22, 2018

YOU'RE DELIGHTFUL CARD:

Hello there! I've got another Hostess set to share with you today called You're Delightful. Sara posted this on the SU! blog while ago, and loved it! I started with a Very Vanilla base. I stamped and stamped off several of the flower images using Flirty Flamingo, Sweet Sugarplum, Blushing Bride & Peekaboo Peach ink. I stamped the leaves with Wild Wasabi ink onto a smaller layer of Very Vanilla.



Once I had the background stamped, I went over the cardstock really well with an Embossing Buddy. I then stamped the sentiment with VersaMark and heat-embossed it with Gold Embossing Powder.

I wrapped a piece of Peekaboo Peach Baker's Twine around the top layer and tied a bow. I then adhered it to the base with Dimensionals. I finished it off with a few Tutti-Fruitti Adhesive-Backed Sequins.

This was another super quick and easy, but beautiful card to put together. I have several more retiring products to share so make sure to stop back tomorrow. Thanks so much for coming by!

Saturday, April 21, 2018

TRANQUIL TULIPS CARD:

Hello there! Back today with another project using a retiring set-Tranquil Tulips. This is also a Hostess set and one I'd been wanting to put to use for awhile. I got the inspiration for this card from Dani Dzami. I started with a Berry Burst base and added a strip of Coffee Break DSP. I wrapped a piece of Lemon Lime Twist Finely Woven Ribbon around the DSP before I adhered it to the base. I stamped the mini flower on the bottom half using the same ink color.

I stamped the stems with Lemon Lime Twist ink onto Very Vanilla Cardstock and used the Layering Circles Framelits to cut it out. I stamped 4 flowers with Powder Pink ink onto Very Vanilla Cardstock and cut out 2 whole tulips with Paper Snips. I then cut out the front section of the other 2 stamped flowers, and attached them with Dimensionals. I layered the circle onto a Lemon Lime Twist circle cut with the Stitched Shapes Framelits, and a Berry Burst scalloped circle cut with the Layering Circles Framelits.

I stamped the sentiment from Bunch of Blossoms with Berry Burst ink onto Soft Sky Cardstock and attached with Dimensionals. I tucked a Petal Passion Embellishment under the sentiment with a Glue Dot and added a Lemon Lime Twist bow to finish it off.

Again, the only way to get this Hostess set is by placing a qualifying order or hosting a Workshop and being able to get it for FREE! I'd love to help you do that:) Make sure to stop back by again tomorrow. Thanks so much for coming by!

Friday, April 20, 2018

COZY COTTAGE CARD:

Hello there! Today I'm sharing a simple card made with the lovely Hostess set Cozy Cottage. I'm hoping this sweet little bouquet of flowers will finally usher in Spring for us! I started with a Crumb Cake base and stamped the cobblestone gate in the background with Crumb Cake ink as well, stamping some images off.

I added a piece of DSP from the Petal Garden DSP Stack, which is unfortunately now gone:( I flagged the bottom and adhered with SNAIL. I stamped the flowers with Memento Black ink onto Whisper White Cardstock and colored them in with Watercolor Pencils. I then used a Blender Pen to soften the image. I cut it out with a 2 1/2" Circle Punch...I think:) I attached it with Dimensionals.

Next I stamped the sentiment onto a strip of Sweet Sugarplum Cardstock using the same color ink. I'm really going to miss this In Color when it goes away:( I added a piece of a Delicate White Doily to the bottom with Liquid Tombow-I'm going to miss these doilies as well as they are being retired too:( I then adhered it to the card base with Dimensionals. And that's it! Super quick & easy & beautiful:)

As I mentioned earlier, Cozy Cottage is a Hostess set. The only way to get it is by hosting a qualifying Workshop or placing a $150 order. I'd love to help you earn it by getting a few friends together and have a party:) Or you could make a list of your favorite retiring products and get this set for FREE! This 7 piece set is only $12 in Clear-mount, a $20 value; or only $17 in Wood-mount, a $28 value. Let me know if I can help you get it for FREE! Stop back tomorrow for another project using a product that will be going away soon. Thanks so much for coming by today:)

Thursday, April 19, 2018

WE MUST CELEBRATE TREAT CRATE:

Hello there! I wanted to back up and share this cute little favor that I made for the attendees at Happy Hour last week. Along with these goodies we enjoyed a yummy drink-Honeymoon in Vegas, that my daughter Olivia made for us:) I used the retiring stamp set We Must Celebrate and the Wood Crate Framelits. I bought some tutorials from Erica Cerwin at pinkbuckaroodesigns awhile back and one of them was the inspiration for this adorable little crate.

This favor also features the Outside the Box Technique. Having these cute little critters pop out of the box is a little more interesting than just stamping them on a piece of cardstock. I didn't have many to make so I thought I'd take a little more time to make them a little more fun:)

I stamped the trio with Memento Black ink onto Whisper White Cardstock. I colored them with Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate, Bronze & Ivory Stampin' Blends. I then cut around the top of each with my Paper Snips and squared out the sides to be flush with the top of the crate. I added a strip of DSP from the Wood Textures DSP Stack-which I'm so happy is carrying over into the new catalog! On top of that I added a piece of Crumb Cake Cardstock that I stamped the sentiment on with Memento Black ink as well.

I ran a piece of Basic Black Baker's Twine through a True Gentleman Button and tied a bow. Just a heads up...there will only be solid-colored baker's twine in the new catalog, so if you love the striped baker's twine, get it now before it's gone! I attached the button with a Glue Dot.

I added some Caramel M&Ms to a 3" x 6" Gusseted Cellophane Bag and closed it with a piece of washi tape in the back. They were a perfect fit for the adorable tiny crates. Make sure to stop back as I'll be sharing lots of projects with products that will be retiring soon. Thanks so much for coming by today!

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

CARD IN A BOX:

Hello there! We had such a blast at TNT! last night! We learned the Card In A Box Technique and made 2 adorable projects. For the first one we used the retiring Picnic with You Bundle-SO sad this is leaving!

For the box, start with a piece of cardstock measuring 9" x 5 1/2"-I used Crumb Cake. Score on the long side at 2 1/8", 4 1/4", 6 3/8" & 8 1/2". Score the short side down the middle at 2 3/4". You're going to leave the last section, with the tab as is-do not fold this section down. I trimmed the first 3 flaps down 1" as I prefer them shorter than the box, but that's a personal preference. I trimmed the top of the tab off in the last section and folded on the score lines. I used the trimmer to cut down to the horizontal score line, and folded the first 3 flaps down.



I ran Crumb Cake Cardstock through the Big Shot using the SAB Basket Weave Embossing Folder. Don't worry if you didn't get it during Sale-A-Bration...it will be available again in the brand new catalog in June:) I cut 3 sections at 2 5/8" x 2 1/8"...or 2 3/4"-2 x 2+2, according to my calculations...ain't nobody got time for eighths & sixteenths in my book: ) I adhered these sections to the front & sides using Liquid Tombow, making sure to get the glue close to the edges so it will lay flat. Next we used the Diagonal Background Stamp to make the adorable gingham in Real Red. I cut 3 sections of Whisper White to 2" x 1 1/2"+2 (or 1 5/8" for you technical people:)


I cut 2 strips of Whisper White measuring 5 1/5" x 2"-2, or 1 7/8". I stamped the sentiment with Soft Suede ink and the hearts with Real Red & adhered it to the back of the box with SNAIL. I stamped the vase with Pool Party, the stem with Garden Green, the flower & cheese with Crushed Curry, the bread with Crumb Cake, the cupcake with Soft Suede, Crumb Cake & Pink Pirouette. The bowl of cherries was stamped with Soft Suede and the cherries & napkins with Real Red. I stamped each image onto a piece of Whisper White Cardstock, leaving room around each image, and ran them all through the Big Shot at one time using the coordinating Picnic Basket Builder Framelits.

I then cut 2 strips of Crumb Cake measuring 3" x 3/4" and scored them at 1/2" on each end. I folded both ends back & added Liquid Tombow to each end section, keeping it in the center. I attached each piece to the inside of the box, dividing it into thirds. I attached the napkins, bowl of cherries & cheese with Liquid Tombow. I then adhered the vase, cupcake & bread with Mini Dimensionals.

I cut 2 strips of Crumb Cake Classic Weave Ribbon at 5" and adhered them to the inside with Glue Dots on each end. On the other long strip of Whisper White I stamped the picnic basket like on the envelope & added a sentiment, leaving room at the bottom to write a greeting. I adhered it to the back of the box with SNAIL.

The really cool thing about this technique is that the box folds flat and fits into a standard size envelope! This would make a perfect Mother's Day card. I used the retiring set Teeny Tiny Wishes to add that sentiment on the back.

The recipient gets a really fun interactive card when they open it:)

The next project was made with the Apron Of Love Bundle from the Occasions Catalog. I'm so happy to report that this is carrying over into the new catalog! I have a couple other fun projects to share using this bundle coming up:) We used the same measurements for the box as the picnic basket card but used Basic Black Cardstock for the grill, and scored the top of the longest section at 1/2".

I cut an apron & pocket from Whisper White Cardstock using the Apron Builder Framelits. I stamped the sentiment using the Labeler Aplhabet with Black Memento ink and adhered it to the back of the box with SNAIL.

I used the Cookie Cutter Builder Punch to punch out 3 circles from Smoky Slate Cardstock and attached them to the front flap with Mini Dimensionals. I then used the Tree Builder Punch, which I just realized is retiring:(, to make the dials and attached them with Glue Dots. I used the framelits to cut out the utensils from Silver Foil Sheets and stuck them on the pocket. I adhered a loop of Basic Black Baker's Twine to the back of one utensil with Liquid Tombow and hung it from one of the knobs.

I used the Picnic Basket Builder Framelits for the flames in Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango & Real Red Cardstock. I adhered them together with Glue Dots, cut the strip in half, and attached them to the inside of the box with Liquid Tombow. The die is actually for grass, bit it makes perfect flames for the grill as well:) For the ketchup & mustard bottles I used the rolling pin die with Daffodil Delight & Real Red Cardstock. I snipped off the ends of each and glued them on top of the bottles for the perfect miniature condiment bottles:)

For the weiners I used Blushing Bride Cardstock(wow, I'm not even going to comment on that statement, haha:) and cut them out with the utensils die. I cut the handles off, rounding them a bit and they worked perfectly for mini hot dogs:) I adhered them to a Corrugated Elements platter and attached them to the side flap with Mini Dimensionals.

I cut out an oven mitt from Real Red Cardstock and attached it to the other side flap with a Dimensional as well. I added the other utensil on top with Liquid Tombow.

A gift card will fit perfectly in the last section and you can secure it to the cardstock with a couple of Glue Dots. I'm going to attach a Lowes gift card and give it to my hubby for Father's Day! You can get really creative and come up with all kinds of ideas-a golf bag with golf clubs inside, use the apron for Mother's Day and add cute little baked goods, a birthday party box...the ideas are endless!

I always have a little favor for my attendees at my events, because 3-D projects are my favorite. I like to use the same technique that we learned that night, but I was a little stumped at how to pull that off this month. I found these adorable noise blowers that Mickaela Titheridge shared on Facebook and figured they'd work perfectly inside a decked-out Card in a Box!

She used Life Savers, but I figured my Card Ladies were gonna need chocolate after these projects, so I used Rolos instead. I used the Picture Perfect Party DSP Stack and cut each sheet in half. I then trimmed them to the length of the Rolos-4 1/2" I think. Citting the DSP in half gave me 2 sheets at 6" x 3", but the 3" wasn't quite wide enough to keep the DSP shut, so next time I would cut the DSP to 4". Then I'd have a 2" strip to adhere to the back of the box.


Before I covered the candy, I cut a piece of DSP to 6" x 2", scored it down the middle and folded it in half longways. I adhered them together with SNAIL & then curled it with a Bone Folder. I then wrapped it around a skewer to get it extra curly. In hindsite, I would probably just do a 1" x 6" strip instead of having a double layer, as it puckered in some spots. I then adhered the curled DSP to the Rolos with Tear & Tape, and then wrapped the candy with DSP. As I mentioned above, a 4" x 4 1/2" piece of DSP would have worked better.

I then cut 2 strips of cardstock to 3 1/2" x 1 1/2". I used Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist, Peekaboo Peach & Basic Black. I scored them at 1/2" longways and cut strips to the score line. I curled them out with a Bone Folder and adhered them over the DSP with Liquid Tombow. I then wrapped a piece of Myths & Magic Washi Tape around it.

I added DSP to the side flaps and cut out images and adhered them to the inside of the box with Liquid Tombow. I scrunched up some Ready Shreddie & attached it to the inside of the box with Dimensionals.

I stamped the sentiment from Picture Perfect Birthday onto Whisper White Cardstock using Berry Burst ink. I used the Tailored Tag to punch it out.

I used Lemon Lime Twist Mini Striped Ribbon, Basic Black Shimmer Ribbon, Soft Sky Classic Weave Ribbon & Berry Burst Metallic Edge Ribbon in 3" strips folded in half.

I added Birthday Mini Binder Clips to the tags and adhered to the front flap with Dimensionals.

I added In Color Glitter Acrylic Shapes & Enamel Dots to finish them off. The noise blowers fit into the back section by leaving a wider space in the back section.


These would work perfectly for your next birthday party favors!

We had a smaller group last night but we had some big laughs! Make sure you head over to my Online Store and check out all of the amazing products that are on the Last Chance Lists:) https://www.stampinup.com/ecweb/categorypage.aspx?categoryid=100500&utm_source=olo&utm_medium=main-ad&utm_campaign=homepage-refresh

or go to:)  www.lauramellinger.stampinup.net & click on the Last Chance banner. There are already several products that are sold out. Don't miss out on your favorites! Thanks so much for stopping by:)