Soup Mug Tutorial

  I was overwhelmed, in a good way, by all of the favorable responses I received regarding my Soup Mug found HERE! Thank you for all of your wonderful comments regarding that project, and the others I did for the Stampin Addicts Blog Hop.

  I received many requests for the directions for the Mug so I thought it would be easier if I added some photos. I used designer paper for my original project. Please keep in mind that these photos are just for my prototype so it doesn't look as "finished" as my SOUP mug.

1.

Save the leftover pieces. The 4" x 10" piece is used to make the three circles.

2.

 Cut in every 1/2" to the score line. Cut three(3), 3 inch circles from the leftover piece using the Big Shot and the new 3" bigz die. These will be used for the inside, bottom, and handle of the mug.

3.

 To make the mug curl around easier, just drag it over the edge of a table or counter.

4.

5.

  Use sticky strip and form a cylinder. Then fold in all of the flaps. Add sticky strip to one side of one of the 3" circles. This goes on the inside of the mug and helps form the mug in circular form.

6.

7.

 Add Sticky Strip to the second 3" circle. Try to get it as close to the edges as possible.

8.

  My sample is rough but gives you the idea. 

9.

10.

  To make the handle for the mug, fold the third 3" circle in half, slide it, fold side first, into the 2 1/2" circle punch.

11.

  

12.

  Add a piece of Sticky Strip to the top of the handle.

13.

  Cut on each fold and bend back about 1/4". Add Sticky Strip and adhere to the side of the mug.

14.

  Again, this is just my prototype so it isn't as perfect as I would make it for the real thing. But you get the idea. 

  Decorate as desired. This could be used for a coffee mug or cocoa mug too.

 ** This, and all of my creations, are posted for you to enjoy and be inspired. I do humbly ask though, that if you use my ideas, to please link back to my blog and/or give me credit. Thanks for understanding!

And thanks for stopping by!

Sale-a-brate with Stampin Addicts Blog Hop!

   Welcome stampers, to the.... 

Stampin Addicts Sale-a-bration Blog Hop! 

Officially, the Hop begins at 

12:00 Noon, Jan. 28th 

so be sure to check back in. 

You won't want to miss a thing!

Every stop will feature 

a different Sale-a-bration product - cards and 3-D!

If you arrived here from Barbara Welch's blog, Creative Stampin' Spot, you are in the right place!

If you just hopped on, well that is ok too because you can complete the tour by following the links!

   Did you know that certain stamp sets in the Idea Book and Catalog are included in Sale-a-bration?! They are! And I am featuring one of the them - the individual stamp, Tiny Teacup. 

  One of the things I love about this stamp is the positioning of the sentiment. When I mounted the stamp, I cut apart the "hello" and mounted it on the side of the wooden block. That way I can stamp just the teacup, just the sentiment, or both! This card is a sample of what I mean. I tilted the cup and then stamped hello to look like it was being poured out of the cup.

Stamps: Tiny Teacup

Paper: Basic Black Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Love Letters dsp

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note die, Tasteful Trim die, 3 1/2" Circle die, 3" Circle die, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Hobby Blade, sponge

   Soup's on! A packet of crackers and some chicken noodle soup all packaged up in a paper "mug" is a special way to cheer up a friend or loved one with a cold or the flu. 

  I left out the sentiment completely on this one, and instead used the Tiny Teacup, paired with the Lovely Letters Alphabet set, to create the word "soup"! And, I layered it on some cheery Poppy Parade checked designer paper to give it a bright, cheery look.

Stamps: Tiny Teacup, Lovely Letters Alphabet, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Pawsitively Prints dsp, Whisper White cardstock

Ink: Poppy Parade

Accessories: Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon and Button, Hemp Twine, 2 1/2 " Circle Punch, Big Shot, 3" circle die, Lots of Tags Sizzlit

Tutorial for this mug can be found HERE.

   And last, but not least, another little package. This time it is time for tea and cookies! I am loving the Baskets and Blooms die. It makes the cutest little baskets! Once I made the basket with Springtime Vintage designer paper, I added a special tag made from the same die.

   This tag was so much fun to make. First I stamped, and cut out the Tiny Teacup. Then I gave it some dimension by adding Crystal Effects to its surface! To "ground" my teacup, I punched a small oval from the same designer paper and placed it under the teacup as a placemat. 

   Finally, I added a Button and a tiny tea bag made with vellum, chocolate chip cardstock, linen thread and a stamped sentiment.  

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, Tiny Teacup

Paper: Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Vellum, Chocolate Chip, Springtime Vintage dsp

Ink: Old Olive, Rose Red

Accessories: Big Shot, Baskets and Blooms die, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon, Oval punch, Crystal Effects, button, linen thread, safety pin from Vintage Trinkets

  And there you have it! Now it is time to move on to the next blog which just happens to be Adriana Benitez's blog, Escape 2 Stamp. Her clean, classy style is sure to wow you!

   Thanks for joining me and I hope you will come back again!

Magical Pony Birthday

  

I have received the Stylish Blog Award again, and once more I am flattered, and honored, and so thankful for all of you who faithfully read my blog, and find inspiration. This time my award comes from

Jen Timko of Stampin'on the Fly      I hope you will hop over there and check out her lovely creations. You'll also find her at SUO Challenges as a design team member!

   So thanks Jen for the award! 

  I am also supposed to tell you 8 things you probably don't know about me. You can read them HERE. I could probably write another 8 things but that might be too much information. lol. Instead I will tell you  this little story.

  

   When I was a little girl, and then some, all I ever wanted for my birthday was a pony, and later a horse. I never got my wish. But that didn't stop me from wishing, or living vicariously through my friend, who had a pony and a horse. 

   Then I had a horse crazy daughter of my own and all she ever wanted was a horse. She skipped the pony stage and went directly to horses. lol. Well she never got a horse, or pony of her own either, but at least she was able to take lessons, lease a horse, and satisfy her longing for a horse of her own. She still rides as a matter of fact.

   So where am I going with this? Well when my girls were little a new toy was introduced called "My Little Pony" and we had lots of "Ponies"! My girls grew up and now I have nieces who love "My Little Pony" and have some of their own. When Stampin' Up! introduced the stamp set, Pony Party, I knew it was a keeper for me!

   My niece turns 4 tomorrow and I made her a card using Stampin' Up!'s Sound Card. David and I recorded a birthday message for her and I know she will get a kick out of hearing our voices. These cards are really fabulous and I cannot recommend them enough!

 Update: My sister in law told me my niece got her card in the mail yesterday and played her card over and over and over. So you see they are a huge hit. I will be showing you 2 more in the weeks to come!

  The wings are all glittery with Dazzling Diamond Glitter which is so hard to photograph. I watercolored the pony with markers to make it bold and bright. The colors I chose: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, and Old Olive were taken from the Sale-a-bration ribbon and designer paper that you can earn for FREE! 

   Going on now - for every $50 you spend in product, you can chose either: exclusive Sale-a-bration products or select stamp sets from the Idea Book and Catalog! It's one of my favorite times of the year!

To make this card:

Stamps: Pony Party

Paper: Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight cardstock, Watercolor Paper, Ice Cream Parlor designer paper (Sale-a-bration)

Ink: Black Stazon, Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pacific Point markers

Accessories: Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon (Sale-a-bration), Decorative Label Punch, Rhinestone Brads, Dazzling Diamond Glitter, Sound Card

Thanks for stopping. Don't forget, the Stampin Addicts Blog Hop is coming on January 28th - January 30th. Twenty One (21) stops; each featuring a different Sale-a-bration stamp or product - cards and 3D!

Nature Walk Swap

Reminder: The Stampin Addicts Sale-a-bration Blog Hop is coming soon - Friday, January 28th!! I'll be featuring one of the many stamps sets you can get for free!   

I participated in the Control Freak's Occasions Mini swap way back in December. We could choose which stamp set we wanted to make for the swap as long as it was one from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I chose Nature Walk because it contains so many elements that I love!

  Since everyone received their swaps weeks ago, I wanted to show you what I made for the swap.

  I had to make 27 so I really tried to keep it simple. That was really difficult for me because I always want to add one more thing! 

   Yes, some of you will think this is simple, and some of you will think it's not. It is simple in that it is easy to duplicate, but not so simple in that it involves such things as: cutting several pieces of cardstock, coloring a stamp with markers, cutting out the butterfly, punching, spritzing color with the Color Spritzing Tool, and much to the dismay of some of you, tying a bow! 

   This card uses all but 2 of the stamps in the set (the bee and the birdcage). And you know I still can't figure out why a birdcage is included in this set. lol. To me a birdcage is opposite of nature. If anyone has any insights, please comment. 

   Now you may be looking at this card and say, "That little oval punch isn't available anymore". Wrong! It is available, but it just isn't in any of the catalogs. It will be, come July. :)

   I used markers to color the butterfly but it is not stamped on watercolor paper. I used Naturals Ivory cardstock and because it is such a small area to color, markers worked well. I have said it before, and I will say it again. Markers are an investment worth making!

Stamps: Nature Walk (Occasions Mini)
Paper: So Saffron, Soft Suede, Old Ivory, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Soft Suede, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Black Stazon
Markers: So Saffron, Soft Suede, More Mustard
Accessories: Medium Oval Punch (not in catalogs but available), dimensionals, sponge, Color Spritzer Tool, Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon (Occasions Mini)

Happy Monday.

Awards and a Wedding

    Wow! I have been honored 3 more times with the Stylish Blog Award! You may have read about my first award HERE. It was on that post that I listed 8 random things about me and listed 8 blogs/stampers that inspire me. You also may notice that Anne and I are mutually inspired. lol. I feel very blessed to have such avid followers of my blog- you are the best!

  So a huge Thank You to these 3 creative stampers for the award. Please take the time to check out their blogs and leave a comment if you can. It is worth it!

• Anne Matasci of The Maui Stamper blog 
• Cindy Elam of Hearts Delight Cards blog
• Heidi Baks and her blog Runningwscissorsstamper

Thanks again Anne, Cindy and Heidi.

  David and I will be going to another wedding today so I made a card for the bride and groom.

  This card is a sneak peak of one of the Sale-a-bration stamp sets called Bliss. It, and others, will be available for free on January 25th. More on that later. :)

Edited to Add: I forgot to tell you that this sketch is #124 from Clean&Simple Sketches which can be found by clicking HERE.

  I used to be a seamstress, emphasis on used to be. (I was going to say sewer but then I realized that isn't true thank goodness!! Ewww). I used to sew my little girls dresses and other items of clothing and I used to sew for myself too. But not anymore. I haven't sewn in years! So to drag out the sewing machine, and then remember how to run the thing, just to sew some ribbon is huge for me! I definitely need to practice some more. lol. But I did bring out the sewing machine and added a row of stitching to my ruffled ribbon. There must be an easier way!

  Things you may need to know: I stamped the flourish 2 times - 1 of them is upside down.

                          The 1st layer is textured cardstock and it is popped up with dimensionals.

                           The butterflies are hand cut.

Stamps: Bliss (Sale-a-bration)

Paper: Whisper White textured and non textured, Blushing Bride cardstock

Ink: Certainly Celery, Blushing Bride

Accessories: Basic Pearls, White Satin Ribbon, Big Shot, Lots of Tags sizzlit, dimensionals

Have a great day. Enjoy your weekend. 

Control Freaks Blog Tour - Valentine Theme!

    Once again the Control Freaks have been working hard to bring you wonderfully creative projects. This time they are focusing around Valentines Day! The Blog Tour officially begins tomorrow, January 20th. In the meantime there may be a glitch or two so be sure to check back again tomorrow for the complete run through. 

  If you arrived from the incredibly talented Wendy Weixler's blog, Wickedly Wonderful Creations,  then you are in the right place. If you just hopped on, and I am your first stop, that's ok too. The Blog Tour always makes a complete circle so just follow the links. Enjoy!

  Anyone like soup? How about some Love Soup?! Ok it's not real soup, it's really a yummy combination of Hot Cocoa mix, milk chocolate morsels, mini marshmallows, a stirring stick, and Love Poem, all packaged together for a special chocolaty gift.

   The container is wrapped with a band of Play Date designer paper and Chocolate Chip cardstock that I punched with the Pinking Hearts Border Punch. For the label I used a variety of things: The new Red Glimmer Paper, a scallop circle stamped with the Valentine definition from the Valentine Defined stamp set, and a Basic Rhinestone for starters.

   I just had to give you a close up of the Owl stirring stick! Mr Owl is attached to the stick, front and back with Sticky Strip, but not before I punched a hole in the stick with my Crop-a-dile and threaded some Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon. 

  TIP: His eyes are Basic Rhinestones colored with a black Sharpie marker! Versatility baby!

 I found this Love Soup poem on the internet but if you need help reading the poem, email me and I will send you a copy in larger print! 

Stamps: Valentine Defined (Occasions Mini), Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Whisper White, Peach Parfait cardstock, Play Date dsp, Red Glimmer Paper (Occasions Mini)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red

Accessories: Owl Punch, Big Shot, 3" and 3 1/2" circle dies, Basic Rhinestones, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Small Heart and Full Heart Punches, Oval Punches, Large Scallop circle punch, Word Window Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch, dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Various SU Ribbon and Trim, Crop-a-dile ; Paint Can and Jumbo Craft Stick, Black Sharpie are non SU

   My card is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" which is a good size for the sweet, little stamp set, Blowing Kisses. I wanted to give it a soft look so I used markers and a blender pen to give it some subtle color. 

Stamps: Blowing Kisses

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, Watercolor paper

Ink: Black Stazon, SU markers

Accessories: Big Shot, Finial Press tief, Blender Pen, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Vintage Flower Adornment (Occasions Mini), Pretty in Pink Striped Ribbon, dimensionals

And now here is one for the kiddos. When my girls were little we made Valentines similar to this one so I thought it would be fun to stamp an updated version. The original idea, if you are interested, can be found in one of Stampin' Up!'s, now retired Portfolio books.

   Tips: I tucked under one end of the candy by using a mini glue dot. The candy is stuck to the cardstock and the Red Glimmer Paper is stuck to the candy with Sticky Strip.

Stamps: I (heart) Hearts, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Play Date dsp, Early Espresso, Real Red, Whisper White cardstock, Red Glimmer Paper (Occasions Mini)

Ink: Real Red, Early Espresso marker

Accessories: Red Glimmer Brad, Modern Label Punch, Small Heart Punch, Word Window Punch, Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dot

Don't to forget to follow the links to continue the tour! Super creative, Connie Babbert of Inkspired Treasures is next. Either click on her name, or on the icon below. Thanks for touring with us!

I hope you can stop back for a visit some time!

Keeps Me In Stitches

 Before I show you today's projects I just wanted to remind you about the Control Freak's Blog Tour on Thursday, January 20th. It's a Valentine Theme! 
Edit: Blog Tour is Thursday, not Wednesday


   I have always wanted to try unmounting a Jumbo Stamin' Around Wheel. I read about it on the Stampin Addicts website and saw samples during the Stampin Addicts Blog Tour. Well I finally tried it myself.
   I unmounted the In Stitches jumbo wheel from the Occasions Mini. But not only did I unmount it, I cut it apart, thus separating the 6 rows of stitching into 6 individual stamps! Note: each row is a different type of stitching.


  Here is the first card I made.

   This is my "go to" layout when I need some quick thank you cards. No embellishments, just beautiful designer paper, stamps, and some textured embossing. I used a different row of stitching for each card.

   Each card uses Love Letters designer paper which pairs up beautifully with bright cardstocks. I also used 4 different textured impressions embossing folders because I happen to love these things!!

  Now if you are paying attention you will have noticed that I said there was 6 rows of stitching but I only showed 5. That's because I used the 6th on an entirely different card that I will be posting another time. 

Stamps: Perfect Punches

               In Stitches Jumbo Stampin Around Wheel unmounted(Occasions Mini)

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Love Letters dsp

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black

Accessories: Decorative Label Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Big Shot, 

Textured Impressions Embossing Folders: Framed Tulips (Occasions Mini), Vintage Wallpaper, Perfect Polka Dots, Finial Press

   Hope you enjoyed these projects and I hope you will be inspired to unmount some wheels of your own!

Do You Like Purple?

   I have another card to show you that uses my recycled shadow stamp. Click HERE for the full story. I combined it with the raspberry image from Clearly for You stamp set and the the vine from Matchbox Messages stamp set.

  As many of you know, I am not a real fan of purple. I think I was negatively influenced in my past. lol. Lately though, I have been reaching for my purples - not that I like it any better - just trying to use it. It seemed like a no brainer to use Rich Razzleberry for this card. Raspberries = Razzleberry (sort of).

   So do you like purple? I know there are some of you who are passionate about the color! :)

  Oh. And the little white dots on the scallops? Basic Pearls. Teeny, teeny, tiny pearls! 

Stamps: Matchbox Messages, Clearly for You (Occasions Mini)

Paper: White, Rich Razzleberry

Ink: Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Big Shot, Elegant Lines tief, Rich Razzleberry button and Taffeta ribbon, Scallop Border Punch, Basic Pearls, Crochet Thread (non SU)

I have the day off and so does David so we are going to go out for breakfast. It's a tradition. Hope you have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

A Furry New Addition

   I am so excited because there is a new kitten in the family - not at my house though. My daughter has wanted to adopt a kitten ever since she graduated from college in May. The timing was never right until now. She really wanted a kitten vs. an adult cat, and since it is the wrong time of year for really young kittens she was fortunately able to find, and adopt, a 5 month old female kitten from her local shelter. This is her first pet since being on her own so it is quite an adventure but it sounds like everything is going well. 

   I haven't met the kitty yet (she is 800 miles away) but I have Skyped with her and wow she is one busy little girl! LOL. Linnea managed to get her to stay still long enough to get this picture. Isn't she cute? Her name is Samoa.

   Of course I had to make a card for Linnea in honor of her new addition! I included the in the package of goodies I sent to her and Samoa. 

Stamps: Curly Cute and C is for Cats

Paper: Pretty in Pink textured cardstock; White, Crumb Cake cardstock

Ink: Crumb Cake and Basic Gray and Poppy Parade markers

Accessories: Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Scallop Border Punch, Button, 

Paper Piercer, Basic Rhinestone

Update on my Stampin' Up! package: It arrived safely with no damage, so I don't know what the emergency was, but it didn't involve my package personally. Phew! 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Because of the Snowstorm

  Yes, because of yesterday's snowstorm, I made this. I saw a design similar to this in an old Stampin' Up! publication and have wanted to duplicate it but we don't carry the shadow stamps anymore. "How did you create the oval shadow then"? I hear you asking. 

  Very simple. If you have the Baby Blossoms stamp set from the Occasions Mini, you may or may not have noticed that the frame image has an oval center. See this card posted HERE. I saved the rubber oval center instead of throwing it away and used it for my shadow! 

  To mount the oval "stamp" I used double sided sticky tape and a clear mount block. If anyone has any other mounting ideas feel free to comment. The tape tends to stay on the clear block and not the stamp when removed.

   If you look closely there is a fine mist of Bashful Blue. I created this with the Color Spritzer Tool and a Bashful Blue marker. I really love that tool!

   Update on my Stampin' Up! package (click here if you don't know what I am talking about): It is still out for delivery but getting closer. Yesterday's updated message said, "Adverse Weather Conditions. Package will move when weather allows". I think that is so funny. So hopefully the package will move today since the roads are fairly clear. The library has a 2 hour delay which gives me a chance to write this post!

Back to the card.

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Peace Within (sentiment) and Baby Blossoms (oval shadow)

Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White

Ink: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Basic Rhinestone, Color Spritzer Tool

Thanks for stopping in.

Bright and Cheerful

   I am stuck (hardly!) home today because of a huge snowstorm here. The library is closed, as is everything, so I have a day to stamp! Yippee! That's the good news. 

   The bad news is: I was supposed to get a package from Stampin' Up! yesterday. No package. I looked it up on UPS and my package went to  Eastern Massachusetts instead of Western Massachusetts! Don't those trucks have GPS? lol! But the thing that struck fear in my heart are the words "Emergency conditions beyond UPS control". Yikes! And that was   2 days ago, before the snow hit! Needless to say I am bummed because I have a day at home and no new toys. 

   I made this card the other day using the Color Combo Challenge at Stampin' Addicts. The colors are: Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point and Daffodil Delight - all bright and cheerful colors.

   The sketch is taken directly from January issue of Stampin' Success, our demonstrator magazine. It isn't my style but I wanted to do something different. The stamp set is Itty Bitty Bits - a set I rarely, if ever, use! But it coordinates so well with the Bitty Buttons, one of which I used on my card, and the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, also used on my card. 

So you see, this card is not at all "me"! Colors, sketch and stamps - all out of my comfort zone. I need to do that once in a while.

Stamps: Itty Bitty Bits and Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, White

Ink: Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive

Accessories: Big Shot, Tasteful Trim bigz die (still available), 3/4" Circle punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Itty Bitty Buttons, Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon

And now I am going to go stamp! I have 2 Blog Hops coming this month: Control Freaks on January 20th (Valentine's Day theme) and Stampin Addicts on January 28th (Sale-a-Bration theme). Stay safe!

Not a Time to Be Cheap

   

   The weekend is over, and in between a wedding, church and kitten advisory (another story for another time!) I made this card for the Sketch Challenge # 78 at Stampin Addicts. It can be found by clicking HERE.

   I was a little kerflummoxed as to what to do with the sketch because of so many squares. But I love a challenge so I reached for Nature Walk, an Occasions Mini stamp set and cranked out this card. 

  Aww ... stamp therapy! lol. Stamping makes me happy. Stamping AND watercoloring makes me extremely happy! 

   You know what doesn't make me happy? Cheap watercolor paper, that's what. Confession: I used non Stampin' Up! watercolor paper (Strathmore to be exact) for this card and I should have known better. I didn't want to waste my good stuff, i.e. Stampin' Up! watercolor paper so I used some old WC paper I had and it just doesn't allow the colors to "move" like the good stuff does.  Plus this brand doesn't hold the water well. What was I thinking?

   I like the card though in spite of the flaws. It came out way better than I thought which is a good thing! There are 7 stamps in the Nature Walk stamp set and I used 6 of the 7 for this card! Not bad.

Stamps: Nature Walk

Paper: Marina Mist, Early Espresso cardstock; Botanical Gazette designer paper; Cheap, non Stampin' Up! watercolor paper

Ink: Black Stazon, SU markers
Accessories: 1-1/4" square punch, 1-3/8" square punch, Watercolor Brush, Button, Hemp Twine and Linen Thread

Have fun stamping.