Archive for the ‘Occasions Mini Catalog 2010’ Category:
Island Florals: a Candy Oasis Gift Idea
Think bright colors, big blooms, chocolate…
What’s not to love? Yes, pretty much any project with chocolate makes me happy, it’s true. But projects using the latest goodies from the Stampin’ Up! Summer Mini Catalog!
This fun summer gift idea could be used as a centerpiece for cookouts, wedding or baby showers or just for fun.
And we’ll be making it at Stamp Club in May (tonight and tomorrow, May 12th and 13th–email me for details if you’d like to join us here in Mahomet, IL!). We’ll also be making these at our LovenStampfuls demonstrator group Stamp N Share on Saturday…let me know if you’d like information about being a demonstrator–you’re welcome to join us on Saturday as my guest!
The center of each peanut butter cup was stamped with the Rough Type Alphabet and punched with the 3/4″ Circle Punch. And yes, that cool splotchy circle image is from the same Rough Type stamp set.
The blossoms themselves were created using the new Big Shot Die from the Summer Mini Catalog– Stampin’ Up! Island Floral. The die has two different flowers plus an extra petal/leaf and a 3-sided petal/leaf.
***TIP*** Here’s how I assembled my flowers:
Use the Big Shot to die cut the large 5-petal flower, the small 5-petal flower and the 3-petal flower, all from the Island Floral Die in bright petal colors- Die cut another 3-petal piece in Old Olive for leaves
- Curling all flower card stock pieces up towards the center and the leaves down toward the stem, attach with SNAIL adhesive so that the center holes line up
- Use a bamboo skewer to poke through the hole in all layers.
- Leave 1/8″ of the skewer sticking up through the blossom and add a Pop-Up Glue Dot to the top of the skewer. Use the same Glue Dot to attach the peanut butter cup to the blossom.
- Stamp and punch the 3/4″ Circle Punch pieces for the tops of the peanut butter cups.
- To make centerpiece, assemble an Island Oasis Party Favor Box and add a weight to the bottom (i.e. glass beads). Using the pokey end (technical term
of the bamboo skewer, poke a hole through the top of the Favor Box. You may need to trim down the skewer so it’s not too top-heavy. - Repeat to add 3 blossoms ‘on stems’ to each Favor Box. Optional: add extra flowers die cut from the Island Oasis Designer Series Paper to the top of the box to disguise skewers. Stamp and cut out flower image from the Tropical Party stamp set to add to flowers.
Planning favors for a wedding, graduation party or other event? Be sure to check out some of my other recent Candy Project blog posts!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Stamps: Rough Type (wood mount-118659, clear-120072), Tropical Party (w-118515, c-120081)
Ink: Rose Red, Old Olive
Paper: Rose Red, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Temping Turquoise, Island Oasis Designer Series Paper (117173)
Accessories: 3/4″ Circle Punch, Island Oasis Party Favor Boxes (117178), Stampin’ Up! Island Floral Bigz Die (118871), Big Shot (113439), Pop-Up Glue Dots
Subscribe to the comments for this postItty Bitty Tic Tac Toe, Bits in a Box
I’m SO excited about this project for my new Stamps in the Mail Club Round!! Each month Club members make 3 cards plus a ‘wow’ fun project of some kind. The new Round begins this month (May) so you can jump in and join the club this month.
For our May ‘wow’ fun project, we’re going to be making these sweet Tic Tac Toe “To Go” games! A huge thank you to my friend Kelley Banducci for a similar project that she shared with me several years ago!
I’m not sure the picture shows it very well, but the playing pieces use both the Itty Bitty Bits stamp set (from the Summer Mini Catalog) as well as the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and the Bitty Buttons that match perfectly.
Two fabulous things about the Stamps in the Mail Club… 1) you get all the stamps, inks, accessories and embellishments that you need for the projects, and 2) you get exclusive Video Tutorials with all my tips for making the projects a snap–4 new videos and 4 new projects each month.
Here are the 4 projects you’ll be making with your May Kit:
Here’s what past Stamps in the Mail Club members have said about the Club:
Here’s what Debbie K, an 11-round Stamps in the Mail Club subscriber had to say: “I really enjoy the Stamps in the Mail Club because everything you need for a project or card is right there–everything is pre-cut. The directions are clear and easy, and then you have the directions that you can use on future projects. I love it.” And Dawn H, another Stamps in the Mail Club veteran shared this thought: “Stamps in the mail club is an awesome way to get creative ideas. A fabulous way to build up your supplies at little cost. Stamps in the mail is like taking a class, only you don’t have to leave the comforts of your home. Everything is delivered to your door. I highly recommend Stamps in the mail! Besides the demonstrator is awesome!”
You can sign up now! If you’re registered and paid before May 13th, your kit will ship on May 18th and you can begin working on your projects right away!
Click here to learn more about how the Stamps in the Mail Club can help you…
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Pink Glitter and Dice
This past week I hosted our neighborhood’s BUNCO game. If you’ve never experienced BUNCO in the past, I’ll just summarize: it’s an easy dice game that doesn’t really involve any strategy. A friend recently said that it’s mostly an excuse to eat and chat with friends.
In our case, it’s also a chance to share gifts. This month I got to pick out the gifts, plus I made a hand-stamped gift (of course!) for everyone who attended.
Each player got her own “notes” notebook, complete with glittery “N” and tied with a Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon.
Want to create your own notebooks? They’re really easy!
Notebook: I purchased a stack of steno pads at my local office supply store, then I had the store cut the whole stack into 4.25 x 8.5″ pads.
Binding: The fold-over piece of Barely Banana cardstock is 8.5 x 8.75″, scored to accommodate the thickness of the notebook. The notebook is attached to the cardstock backing with Sticky Strip, and the office store logo on the pad binding is covered with a Scallop Circle piece of Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper.
Cover: The letter “N” was cut from a Sticky Page (like a huge sheet of Sticky Strip tape) using the Serif Essentials Big Shot die set. The glitter is pink, from the Fine Supernova color set.
And what project is complete without stamps? These notebooks each had the word “notes” printed along one edge in the Jumbo Outline Alphabet.
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Stamps: Jumbo Outline Alphabet (114998)
Ink: So Saffron
Paper: Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper (117160), Barely Banana
Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Serif Essentials Alphabet (113464), Scallop Circle Die (113468), Sticky Pages (114300), Fine Supernova Stampin’ Glitter (114287), Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon (117289), Pretty in Pink Corduroy Button (117681),
Easter Tree: Big Shot Beautiful Butterflies
You might have seen the Valentine’s Day tree that I created with my mom and daughter this past February. It featured one of the new Embosslits for the Big Shot from the Occasions Mini Catalog: the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit.
Well for Easter, the tree my mom created features another embosslit–the Beautiful Wings Embosslit.
In addition to the teeny Embosslit butterflies, she also used the Beautiful Butterflies die, which has been one of my favorites! (today is the last day to sign up for my Butterfly Card Class!)
Mom cut the butterflies from Patterns Designer Series paper in light colors, then attached them to lightweight eggs from the seasonal decor section of her local craft store.
She used Mini Glue Dots to adhere ribbon loops to the tops of each egg, then strung all the eggs onto decorative branches in a vase.
Thanks for sharing, Mom!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Big Shot (113439), Beautiful Wings Embosslit (118138), Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die (114507)
Really, Just One More Thing
Often when I’m demonstrating a card, I hold it up to show everyone, but then remember that there’s just ‘one more thing’ I was planning to add. It actually gets to be a joke with stampers who know me… there is ALWAYS ‘one more thing’
Here are two samples of the same card, one with a nice simple layout and set of easy-to-follow steps. The card on the left is the ‘one more thing’ version, with a few extras added.
Can you spot all the ‘one more thing’ additions to the stepped-up card? (ha ha… I just realized that the card is actually ‘stepped up’ in the photo!)
- Use the Paper Crimper to add texture to the Bermuda Bay card stock strip
- Use a Corner Rounder punch to soften the corners of the Sahara Sand layer
- Add a Library Clip as an extra embellishment
- Include a metallic accent such as the stamped and heat embossed medallion from the With All My Heart stamp set
- Step up the background by stamping in Versamark Ink on the Sahara Sand card stock.
**COLOR TIP** When I sat down to make this card, the Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper caught my eye, so I used colors from that paper: Rose Red, Taken with Teal and Sahara Sand. Remember that the Designer Series Papers and Simply Scrappin Kits make great color idea sources!
**PRODUCT TIP** Versamark Ink is always one shade darker than whatever card stock color you’re using–so if you have all 48 colors of Stampin’ Up! cardstock, a Versamark Pad is like having 48 colors of matching ink 
(and yes, the Versamark Pad is part of the “I Want It All Kit”, on sale until March 31st!)
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Stamps: With All My Heart
Ink: Rose Red, Versamark (for embossing)
Paper: Rose Red, Taken with Teal, Sahara Sand, Whisper White
Accessories: Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch, Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Crimper, Heat Tool, Silver Embossing Powder, 1-1/4″ Circle Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Library Clips
Perfect Polka Dots with the Big Shot: A Stamping 101 Tutorial
I don’t know about you, but I love open space on my cards. Sometimes judicious use of blank card stock can nicely set off a simple embellishment.
But sometimes I like to ‘dress up’ my blank spaces just a bit. My favorite tool for that purpose right now is the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder for the Big Shot.
Here’s a card that uses the folder as well as a couple of punches and some Designer Series Paper–shown from start to finish.
And if you really like this card & the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder, don’t miss my Big Shot Die of the Month Club for March! Sign up by March 22nd: Click for details online.
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Stamps: With All My Heart
Ink: Orchid Opulence
Paper: Barely Banana, Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Accessories: Clear Rhinestone Brads, Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder
Technique Tip: Painting Perfect Polka Dots
Looking to stretch your Big Shot supplies? Here’s a fun tip that works perfectly with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.
First cut out a flower using the Flower Folds Bigz XL Big Shot Die. Here I cut flowers in both Melon Mambo card stock and in a page from the Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pack (one of the Sale-A-Bration free gifts).
I put each flower in my Polka Dots folder and ran them through my Big Shot to add the texture to the flower die-cuts.
The I flipped my Chocolate Chip Classic Pad upside down and gently ran it across the top of the textured flower. The raised dots picked up the ink, and they really stand out visually.
The flowers stack perfectly on each other and I added a Pretty in Pink Corduroy Button with a cardstock thread (check out that recent stamping lesson) to match the card.
Want to get more ideas for the Perfect Polka Dot folder? Or get your own Perfect Polka Dot folder? Be sure to learn more about my Big Shot Die of the Month Club for March!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad, Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Big Shot, Stampin’ Up! Flower Folds Die, Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Pretty in Pink Corduroy Buttons, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon,
One Embosslit, Several Techniques
Don’t you love it when a tool can be used more than one way?
My favorite tv chef, Alton Brown, says he doesn’t buy kitchen tools unless they’re multi-purpose.
Well this tip makes your Beautiful Wings Embosslit a multi-technique tool, so you’ll definitely want to add it to your collection!
To get your own Beautiful Wings Embosslit for the Big Shot, you can still sign up for my March Big Shot Die of the Month Club–you have until March 22nd–get details or sign up online!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Talk is Cheep, Stamp a Card!
Several of the fabulous demonstrations at Leadership in January included stenciled techniques and I was inspired to pull out my own Stampin’ Up! stencils today.
The card below uses the Cheep Talk stencil set. The images in the set are actually quite large (the branch is about 11″ x 14″), but the little flower and polka dots are the perfect size for traditional 1/2 sheet sized cards.
I used my Orchid Opulence and So Saffron inks plus Stamping Sponges to sponge through the templates and add the design to my background paper.
Of course these colors come from my favorite springtime Designer Series Paper (Shades of Spring!) which I also feature on my Beautiful Wings Butterfly Class later this month. (Yes, you can still sign up!)
The cardstock flower I used was inspired by a demonstration by Jan McClurg, also during my trip to Phoenix in January. The flowers are actually pretty easy to create!
Jan’s Eyelet Border Flowers:
- Punch a 1-1/4″ x 12″ strip of cardstock with your Eyelet Border Punch, then run the cardstock back and forth through your Paper Crimper to break the fibers
- Cut out a 1-3/8″ (or so) circle from the Sticky Pages (think solid sheets of Sticky Strip)
- Begin to adhere your paper strip along the outer edge of the sticky circle, creating pleats as you go, so that the ‘flower’ lays flat. The more pleats you add, the flatter your flower.
- Keep wrapping the paper strip around in a spiral, adding more paper strips as you go. When you reach the center, add another embellishment to cover the center seam–buttons, stamped images or jumbo brads are perfect.
This is also the card that my Stamp Club members will be making next week at Stamp Club! If you live in central Illinois, feel free to come over and join us! Stamp Club with Meg meets on the 2nd Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of each month. It’s free to come if you place a $19.95 minimum order that night, or you can choose to pay a $10 Supply Fee instead of ordering. Drop me a note if you’d like to join the fun!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Stamps: For All You Do
Ink: Orchid Opulence, So Saffron
Paper: Whisper White, Orchid Opulence, Barely Banana, Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, Sticky Pages, Small Oval Punch, Scallop Trip Border Punch, Cheep Talk Stencils, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Stamping Sponges
Colors in Vogue: Pink & Chocolate
If asked to name my favorite colors, I’d probably have to say pink and brown, aka Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip. Or actually, probably any shade of pink with any shade of brown would work, but here’s a card I created for my March Stamps in the Mail Club project kit.
While the Stamps in the Mail Club isn’t open to new participants right now (you have to wait til May to jump in), you can certainly still join my Big Shot Die of the Month Club, if you’re looking for ready-to-stamp idea kits.
The main card base here features the Scallop Square Die for Stampin’ Up!’s Big Shot diecut machine.
**BIG SHOT TIP** To make the folded scallop card, just fold your cardstock in half, then place it on the die so that the folded edge is INSIDE the die. When you cut the cardstock, the fold isn’t cut off, so you have your cool folded scallop card! This works for any of the large dies: cards can be created with the Top Note die, the Scallop Circle Die or any of the large shapes. (check out a video tutorial I did with the Scallop Circle Die last year)
The card also features matching Chocolate Chip embellishments–Chocolate Chip Patterns Designer Series Paper, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon and Sweet Pea Stitched Felt with Chocolate Chip centers. The rest of the embellishments are pink, from the Sweet Pea Felt and the Sherbet Designer Buttons.
Wondering where the white scallop border piece came from? It’s so easy! Just cut a strip of white cardstock with the bottom edge of the Scallop Square Die, then trim it down with a paper cutter so it’s just one ‘scallop’ wide. It makes an easy and perfectly matching design element for your card!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Stamps: Vintage Vogue
Ink: Rose Red
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip Patterns Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon and Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Sherbet Designer Buttons, Big Shot, Scallop Square Big Shot Die
