Hop Along with the Stampin Addicts!

Welcome to the Occasions Mini Blog Hop brought  to you 

by Stampin Addicts, a positively creative, positively Stampin' Up! website.

Friday, December 30 - January 1

The hop officially begins at noon today so all of the links may not be working just yet. Be sure to come back for lots of inspiration!

If you arrived here from Sara Mattson-Blume's blog, you are at the right place. Thanks for hanging in there - you are almost to the end! But don't worry if this is your first stop. The hop goes full circle just follow the links.

<------Previous Blog

Since every participant must choose a different Occasions Mini product to highlight, I chose the Simply Sent Create and Keep Kit. It is one of those products that you may just pass over - I know I would have! I am so glad I didn't because it makes such an awesome gift!! 

The Create and Keep Kit contains: 

• A precut Organizer/Box that you assemble with Sticky Strip. 
• 4 Colored Dividers
• 10 preprinted colored cards
• 10 designer Envelopes
• Self Adhesive die cut accents

Rather than explain it - let me show you!!

This is the assembled box. I added the Pear Pizzazz Ribbon and Early Espresso button to show you how this gift can be "jazzed up" with your own embellishments. Ribbon and buttons are not included in the kit.

You can see the dividers with labeled tabs which separates the cards into 4 different categories. I added a fifth category to show you how this can be personalized to fit the need! The envelopes are in the back of the box and the little velcro tab in the front keeps it closed. 

I had a blast creating the cards using the provided accents. No cutting or adhesive necessary! 

All of the cards come with a pattern on the front - the backs are plain and the insides are white.

The die cut accents have a pattern as well. There are 5 colors: Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso and Pear Pizzazz

I had enough accents leftover to make one more card using regular cardstock (mine) for the base. I also added some Large Basic Pearls (also mine) from the Occasions Mini.

I plan on giving this adorable box of cards as a gift to my aunt but I can see it being a great card organizer for myself. It is also a perfect project for a new stamper or someone who thinks they aren't very creative. Lots of possibilities!!

Now on to the final inspirational stop of the Blog Hop - Yapha Mason's blog. Enjoy!

Next blog--------->

Until next time.

My favorite projects from 2011

I have seen this done on other blogs in past years and always wanted to do it on my own blog. So here are some of my favorite projects from 2011.

#5 is my fireplace card. The blog post can be found here.

#4 is a clean and simple card I made using some designer paper and a stamp. The blog post can be found here.

#3 is a birthday card. I love this card! Blog post is here.

#2 is a water colored card. To read about it click here.

#1 - my favorite card of the year is hands down this birthday card. To see the other projects that coordinate with it go to this post.

I hope you enjoyed them! I look forward to creating for you in 2012! In the meantime......

A reminder: Stampin Addicts Occasions Mini Blog Hop this Friday, December 30th - Sunday, January 1st. It will feature a different product at each stop! Trust me. There will be lots of inspiration! 

Thanks for stopping by!

A Belated Project

Today's project is a Christmas one but I thought I would post it even though Christmas was 2 days ago! 

I like to make something for each place setting when we have any holiday dinner as a family. This year I wanted to make something using the trendy paper rosettes that have been showing up everywhere for months and months now. 

I had yet to make one (crazy I know) because they looked like alot of work. Now that we have the Simply Scored Scoring Tool they are supposedly easier to make! Well, I can officially tell you they are a breeze to make with the Scoring Tool! And lots of fun! 

I went with Soft Suede and Very Vanilla colors for an elegant look. I did this because I love the Mocha Morning Specialty paper and wanted to use it for my rosette. The metallic look is soooo pretty especially framed with some Silver Glimmer Paper. Now I am not going to lie. That Silver Glimmer paper was a bear to fold and to attach. I don't think I would recommend edging it with that. 

Once I made my rosette, I layered a star stamped with The Sounding Joy and an embossed vellum sentiment from the same set. Then I added some of the lovely Vanilla Velvet Ribbon from the Holiday Mini. 

Don't forget that the Holiday Mini ends January 3rd so if there are any last minute purchase you need to make, you only have a short amount of time to do so! 

The box is actually the Milk Carton made from Very Vanilla cardstock that I wheeled with Musical Notes. It goes so well with the stamp set! When die cutting the cardstock don't use the crease pad and you won't get well defined crease lines at the top which makes for a great little open ended box! 

Side view which shows off the  musical notes and the strip of paper and ribbon around the middle of the box. I filled these with some tissue paper and some mints. My family loved them.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: The Sounding Joy, Musical Notes Wheel

Paper: Very Vanilla, Silver Glimmer Paper, Mocha Morning Specialty dsp

Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede

Other: Big Shot, Stars Bigz die, Milk Carton Die, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Very Vanilla Velvet Ribbon (Holiday Mini), Basic Rhinestone, Pewter Embossing Powder (Holiday Mini), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (Holiday and Occasions Mini)

I had a ball crafting with my youngest daughter who was home for an entire week before Christmas. I wish I could show you what she has been working on but it is a surprise for someone and I wouldn't want to ruin it. Maybe I will show you in a few weeks. She is amazing! My other two daughters came home the 4 days ago so I am utter bliss. Love those girls!

Petite Pocket Gift Card Holder

One more Gift Card Holder for Christmas. My husband came home with 3 more gift cards to put in our daughters' stockings. Yikes! Nothing like last minute! So I scrambled to make holders using the Petite Pocket Bigz die.


Because the cards are for Friendly's restaurant (think yummy ice cream), I used the idea from this card, and made my gift card holders. 

Front.

The little red and white "candies" were stamped with one of the stamps from Delightful Decorations. The cupcake and gingerbread man are from Got Treats stamp set.

Inside the Petite Pocket is the gift card.

And this is the back.

I didn't add any sparkles or bling - just plain and simple.

Stamps: Got Treats, Delightful Decorations

Paper: Whisper White

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Cajun Craze, Real Red, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Big Shot, Petite Pocket Bigz die, 3/4" circle punch, Bakers Twine, brads

Thanks for looking!

Stitched Felt Gift Card Holders

Today's projects are Gift Card Holders made with the Top Note Bigz die and the Stitched Felt from the Holiday Mini. I have 3 children so I made three gift card holders, each in a different color. 

To make the fold, just fold a piece of cardstock (4.25 x 11) in half and place the fold a little bit towards the center of the Top Note die. Then when you run it through the Big Shot the fold doesn't get cut off. 

Tip: Use Mini Glue Dots to add the Mini Jingle Bells. It is waaaay easier than threading them - no matter what you use as a threader!

I used the small background stamp, School Lines to stamp the inside. It makes it look more "official". 

First Watch is one of their (and ours when we are in Ohio) favorite places to eat. Yummy food!

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Snow Much Fun, School Lines background

Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Black Stazon

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Bigz die, Aquapainter, Stitched Felt and Jingle Bells (Holiday Mini)

Have a wonderful day!

Jazzed up Gift Card Holder

Yesterday's post was a Gift Card Holder I made to look like an ornament (scroll down to see it). After studying it a bit, I made some changes to jazz it up a bit. This is the improved version.

I rounded the corners and added some White Satin Ribbon with some retired Silver Cord. I also added Mini Jingle Bells but took them off because they just didn't look right. 

I thought you might enjoy seeing the changes I made. I think it made a difference! Just go to yesterday's post for the original and for a peek at the inside.

I will have another project to show you tomorrow. Hope to see you then!

Last minute gift card holder

Only a few days left till Christmas and I am still shopping for last minute gifts. Even though our daughters are adults in their twenties, they still love Christmas stockings! One of the things I always put in them are gift cards. And of course being a stamper I have to create a holder for each card.

Here is the one I made today. It is supposed to be an "ornament" with a card tucked inside.

The card is from Starbucks which I know doesn't fit the theme of the ornament. lol. 

It was easy to make - here is how:

1. Die cut 2 Night of Navy circles with the Big Shot and Clear Circle Bigz die

2. Die cut 2 embossed Whisper White circles with Clear Circle Bigz die.

3. Cut a piece of Silver Glimmer Paper 2 3/8" x 3" and trim one edge with the Clear Circle die to get the curve. Fold in half.

4. Stamp the scene (with Versamark) in the center of one Night of Navy circle and emboss with Pewter embossing powder.

5. Hand trim one of the embossed white circles to create the "sand". I used another piece that I sponged and layered onto the first piece to give it more dimension.

6. Cut the other embossed white circle in half and attach it to the 2nd Night of Navy circle making a pocket for your gift card. 

7. Punch holes in Silver Glimmer paper along fold and thread ribbon through the holes and tie into a knot on inside.

8. Adhere the folder Silver Glimmer paper to front of stamped circle and to the back of the other circle. 

9. Stamp sentiment, punch, sponge and adhere.

Stamps: Come To Bethlehem
Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Versamark, Night of Navy
Accessories: Big Shot, Snow Burst embossing folder, Clear Circle Bigz die, White grosgrain ribbon, Pewter Embossing Powder, Crop-a-dile


Thanks for stopping!

Tis the Season....

Tis the season for:

Sales! If you are like me you love a sale and Stampin' Up! is offering a Clearance Rack Blitz!!

Go to my Online Store - Once there click the Shop Now button to order!

Tis the season for: 

swaps, swaps, and swaps! Anytime there is an upcoming catalog - mini or other - I sign up for swaps because I love seeing other stampers' ideas. I tend to gravitate to certain colors and a certain style in my own stamping so swaps help me to think out of my comfort zone.

That being said, I have been stamping away working on my Occasions Mini Catalog swaps and Sale-a-bration swaps. I can't wait to show you! 

Today's card is not a swap by the way. It is just a simple thank you card I made for a friend who placed an order. I used a stamp set called Got Treats.  It is a set that hasn't seen much ink I am afraid but after seeing a cute card in a magazine it inspired me to ink up my Got Treats and create this card.

There is also a Sneak Peak on this card too!!

The sneak peak is an embossing folder that will be in the Occasions Mini catalog. There are 3 small folders in one - how fun is that! They make great texturized borders as seen here with the tiny hearts. 

To make this card, I used markers to eliminate the sentiment on each stamp. Then I punched some little hearts from Red Glimmer Paper and added some Dazzling Details to the cupcake. I was going to leave it go at that but the cupcake need something else so I borrowed the cherry from Create a Cupcake stamp set.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Got Treats, Create a Cupcake

Paper: Melon Mambo, Cajun Craze, Whisper White, Red Glimmer Paper

Ink: Melon Mambo, Cajun Craze, Pretty in Pink

Other: Big Shot, Adorning Accents Embossing Folder (upcoming Occasions Mini), Heart punch, Dazzling Details (Holiday Mini), Crystal Effects

So glad you took the time to stop by!

More music for Christmas

If you have been following my blog, you may remember these cards, and this card, all made with the Musical Notes Wheel. Today's card uses the aforementioned wheel and a Whisper White craft ink pad.

I used an ink pad and inked up the wheel then rolled it across the cardstock - no cartridge was necessary. I tried embossing which worked but it was VERY white - too much of a contrast for the look I was hoping for. I will probably use that in another card so look out! Lol.

Tip: Because craft ink doesn't dry immediately, I heat set it with my heat tool. 

The star is second generation Night of Navy ink. In other words I stamped off first. The sentiment is full strength Night of Navy stamped right over the star. The Sounding Joy stamp set is perfect for this method.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Musical Notes Wheel, The Sounding Joy (Holiday Mini)

Paper: Brushed Silver, Whisper White, Night of Navy

Ink: Versamark, Whisper White Craft Ink, Night of Navy

Other: Silver Brads, White Baker's Twine

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping!

A Glittery Frame

I discovered Stampin' Up!'s Glimmer Paper makes a lovely frame around a simple stamped image! And best of all it uses up scraps of the precious glittery paper!

Here is what I mean.

First I stamped and colored my image. In this case I used the darling berry stamp from the set, Easy Events. This is a terrific stamp set for all occasions!

Once I had my image all set to go, I just adhered strips of Silver Glimmer Paper around the edges. Easy to make, easy to mail. My kind of card! Lol!

All supplies are Stampin' Up! If you would like to order anything from my Online Store, you may do so by clicking Here.

Stamps: Easy Events

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper

Ink: Black Stazon, Wild Wasabi, Real Red

Thanks for stopping by!

Joy

I am on a roll with the Musical Notes Wheel. No pun intended. Lol. I just really, really like the way a little bit of music coordinates with our Christmas stamps!

Today's card is a good example of that. 

I inked up the Christmas Collage background stamp with some Soft Suede ink and stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock. Then I just trimmed off the section I wanted. At first I was going to let it just plain but I added some color to the holly. Then I got the idea to emboss it with the rectangle Designer Frame textured Impressions Embossing Folder. A little sponging with Soft Suede made the frame show up a little better.

For the musical notes, I used Soft Suede ink and the Musical Notes Wheel. I am having so much fun with that wheel! Since the words to the carol, "Silent Night" are my focal image, the musical notes are very appropriate. 

The sentiment, Joy, is actually from the stamp set, The Sounding Joy. I tried using the "Joy" from the Christmas Collage background but the words New Year are part of that area of the stamp. I didn't think it looked right. Yes, I could have used markers but why go to all that trouble when I have the beautiful Joy stamp already?

If you would like to make this card and need the supplies, feel free to visit my Online Store found here.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Christmas Collage background, The Sounding Joy (Holiday Mini), Musical Notes Wheel
Paper: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Ink: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
Other: Big Shot, Designer Frames tief, Aquapainter, Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon (Holiday Mini), sponge, Antique Brad


Happy Monday. May it be the beginning of a wonderful week!

Add a little bit of music

I have been noticing alot of seasonal cards this year using musical notes. So I thought I would play around with my Music Notes Wheel to make a background. 

I wish Stampin' Up! would make a Musical notes background stamp! I think I will suggest it to them!

Just like yesterday's cards (found HERE), I made two versions: cheap to mail, and the extra postage version. 

Cheap to mail version - again, I love the simplicity and the fact that it can stand on its own. 

I originally intended for the center to be straight but ended up adhering it at an angle. 

And, the extra postage version. I originally had 2 buttons in the corner but I just wasn't loving it so I went with just the one button and a bit of linen thread.

I did end up using the Tea Stain Distressing Ink for some sponged on vintage look. 

Stamps: Bells and Boughs, Curly Cute, Music Notes Wheel

Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Well Worn dsp

Ink: Crumb Cake, Tea Stain Distressing Ink, Black Stazon, Garden Green, Riding Hood Red

Other: Aquapainter, button, linen thread, sponge

Have a wonderful weekend!

Two versions of a thank you

Wow. I finally got a chance to stamp! I really needed to make some thank you cards so I had to set aside everything else and get to it! I even came up with 2 versions: mailable (read - no bumps) at no extra charge, and mailable but for an extra fee due to bumps. 

This is the first version. 

I really like it because even though their are no buttons, bows or brads, it is still fancy. That is what makes punches and the Big Shot indispensable in my opinion!

This is the jazzed up version with a bow and button. 

I was a little hesitant to use my aquapainter on Very Vanilla cardstock but it worked just fine. I was careful to use the water at a minimum to prevent warping. To achieve the intense color around the berries I used a marker straight to the paper. Then I picked up some ink from the ink pad with my aquapainter and added some "thinned out" color. The berries are pure marker.

Stamps: Bells and Boughs, Curly Cute

Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Regals Paper Stack dsp

Ink: Always Artichoke, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, and Black Stazon

Other: Big Shot, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon, Aquapainter, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Button, Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Lace Ribbon Border Punch

Thanks for stopping. Happy Friday!