Black & White

Disdain filled my heart this morning as I looked out the kitchen window this morning just after waking, anxious to get the coffee brewing.  Giant white flakes were falling to the ground.  I am soooo over winter and ready for spring.  Once the coffee was brewed I headed into my craft room and thought about what I felt like making.  The snow outside (horrible, beautiful stuff that it is) inspired me to use white.  I don't usually use white because it's so, well, white.  However, I happened to have left some black cardstock on the top of my pile and I quickly decided it was high time for some classic black and white.  I had a workshop planned for the afternoon so I knew I didn't have much time before I had to gather my things and head out, but I managed to get this little gem started before I headed out.

The workshop was great.  I love bringing newbies over to the dark side.  It's so satisfying to see the transition between I-don't-know-what-I'm-doing-this-is-too-hard-I-hate-this-I-can't-do-it, to the much more positive Yay!-Look-at-me-!-I-made-something-amazing!  This is the great thing about making cards.  Small, manageable, and immediate gratification.  Though it takes a while to get going, the balls rolls along pretty darn smoothly once it's going.  The ladies made some great cards and I look forward to delivering their orders so we can all get together and play again.

So when I finally got home this evening I managed to get around to finishing my card.  Here's the result.
 

Elements of Style is probably my favourite set.  I love the big images, and the little hummingbird is  graceful and refined. 

Stamps:  Elements of Style (120045)
Paper:  Basic Black (121045), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink: Versamark (102283)
Extras: White Embossing Powder (109132)

Nature Walk

 

One of the ladies that I work with recently had her mother pass away.  I didn't have any sympathy cards made up when I found out so I frantically made one up before I went to work the next morning.  I was happy with the result (didn't take a pic though in my rush), but it made me think that I would like to see what other combinations I could come up with that would get the message across without being too depressing.  Tonight I came up with this little number.  I like the sombre note the navy lends, but the images are gentle and, I think, soothing.  I changed the size up a little on this one.  It measures 6" X 3.5."

Stamps:  Nature Walk (121997), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Paper:  Night of Navy (100867), Botanical Gazette (121783), Very Vanilla (101650)

Ink:  Night of Navy (102977)

Extras:  Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon (117291), Modern Label Punch (119849)

Since I had the set out, I decided I'd make another one while I was at it.  This one uses the same stamp set and designer paper, but I've changed up the colour scheme.  I thought about putting a sentiment on here as well, but decided against it in the end. 

Stamps:  Nature Walk (121997)

Paper:  Crumb Cake (120953), Botanical Gazette (121783)

Ink:  Early Espresso (119670)

Extras:  Jumbo Brads (112534), Hemp Twine (100982)

Free Goodies

Sale-a-bration comes to an end this month, so take a look through the catalogue and see what items you need.  Every $60 of product earns you a free set of stamps. Click the SAB link on the top right of the page to browse the flyer.

Here are a couple of cards that I've made using SAB items.

Punch Bunch

 This is a 4 X 4 card that took me about 5 minutes to make.  It's pretty simple, but I used some Dazzling Diamonds to jazz it up a little.  The Ice Cream Parlor DSP makes it really funky.  I love this little owl - he's super cute.  I used the owl punch to make him stand out a little and then added some dimensionals for a little more.  These stamps are designed to fit with SU! punches for the perfect result every time.

I love making these little gift holders.  I've done this in a few workshops and everyone really enjoys making them.  One of the ladies doubled up on her ribbon and I loved it so much I had to do one like it.

Bliss


The Bliss set fits in perfectly with many of Stampin' Up's regular products, but obviously works really well on it's own as well.  The large flourish makes beautiful background paper if you haven't got any on hand, or if you're looking for a simple, yet elegant effect.

I really love this set.

All You Need Is Love (and great cardstock)

Making cards requires all sorts of goodies, but you really can't do much without a base.  White cardstock covered in patterned paper or stamps is fine, but it's a little boring.  Having a nice rich cardstock as a base gives cards the extra bit without a whole lot of work.

Stampin' Up cardstock comes in packages of 24 sheets for $8.50.  You want your ink and paper to match, so sticking with Stampin' Up is the way to go.  The paper is great, and so is the price, but many people don't really need 24 pieces of the same colour. Never fear, I have a solution for you!

Get together with a few friends that also want to get some great cardstock.  Take a look at the colour collections, and figure out how many you want to get.  Depending on how many people you get together, and what volume you want, each of you can order a package or two, and when they come in I will sort the papers into your own individualized packages.  This way you get a great selection of paper without having to commit to a whole package.

Example - if you got 4 ladies together and each bought 1 package, you would each get 6 pieces of 4 different colours.  You'd each pay $9.52 and have enough paper to make a myriad of cards, and other goodies.  On orders of 10 packages or more, I am offering a 10% discount.  If you're interested in doing this, I can work out how much each member would have to pay to get whatever combination of papers you'd like. 

Alternatively, I have a wide selection of paper in stock, and could make you your own mixed package for the same price.  You can print off a list of colours here and choose how many pieces of each you would like.  Custom Paper Order

Beautiful Wings & Scallop

I  love coming home to presents on my doorstep.  I bought these for myself mind you, nevertheless, it's so exciting to pull into the driveway to see a Stampin' Up box on the porch.  I really should have spent the evening marking some essays, but let's be honest here, this was waaaaayyyyy more fun.

I haven't tried making cards in any other than the traditional shape, but since this little baby was in the box today, I decided to give scalloped shaped cards a whirl.  It's definitely smaller than usual, but I think the funkiness of it more than makes up for the smaller size.  Along with my new scallop die I got an Embosslit.  I'm already in love with these little butterflies.  The plate actually cuts 5 little butterflies, so I put one of them inside the card for an extra touch.

If you want to make a scallop card, you just cut 2 scallops from your cardstock and on one piece, score across the top, about 1/4" in.  This will give your card the support it needs to stand up.


Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Paper:  Pumpkin Pie (105117), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Whisper White (119952), Razzleberry Lemonade DSP (115675),
Extras:  Scallop Circle (113468), Beautiful Wings Embosslits (118138), Modern Label Punch (119849), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (102023)

Quick & Easy Gift Card Holder

In a pinch for a gift?  We all love gift cards, and giving them seems to be an easy solution when you're not sure what else to do.  The thing I don't like about gift cards however, is the horrible little sleeve you get to put it into.  Nothing screams "I didn't know what to get you" like a plain old GC in the generic sleeve.

Here's my solution.  It takes about 10 minutes from start to finish, and that's if you still have to hum and haw over what paper you're going to us.  Designer paper is great for this - you know exactly what cardstock matches your DSP, so you can throw this little guy together in no time.

 The inside is made of an envelope cut in half.  It holds a nice little note in the first slot, and a gift card in the second.  Presto.  Personalized gift.  You could make a bunch of these ahead of time and just leave the sentiment to add at the last minute to suit your need.




1.  Cut your cardstock into a piece measuring 7 1/2" x 4 3/4."
2.  Score at 1 1/4" and 4 1/2."  Use your bone folder to make the folds crisp. 
3.  Seal an A2 envelope and cut in half vertically (the closing flap should have equal widths on each half).
4.  Using your SNAIL, apply three strips of adhesive down the middle of one side of one of your halves (the vertical way).  Line up the halves and stick together.
5.  Adhere the pockets to the cardstock (the middle section).  Only apply adhesive to the middle section on each side so your holder can flex open (like in the photo above).
6.  Embellish as you please!
7.  To create the flap that keeps your holder closed, apply dimensional stickers to one end of an embellishment.  Apply them just a few mm away from the edge and be generous with the amount you use.  For the card with the white paper I used 5 dimensionals.  It seems like a lot, but you want it to stick!  Alternatively, you can use ribbon (like on the red card) and double-sided tape.

Stamp:  Just Believe (120453)
Paper: Poppy Parade (119793), Sunny Garden (119831)
Ink:  Poppy Parade (119782)
Extras: Envelope (107301), Modern Label Punch (119875), Whisper White Ribbon (109025)

Test Drive Stampin' Up

If you have a passion for paper crafts, Stampin' Up is definitely for you.  As a demonstrator you introduce people to passion, create beautiful projects, and earn free products!  Who doesn't love free stuff?  If you think that becoming a demonstrator might be something that you're interested in, joining during Sale-a-bration is the perfect time.  Not only do you get an additional 15% off the already amazingly priced started kit, ($187 for over $375 worth of product) but you also get $60 worth of free products - including a punch of your choice!  Contact me if you'd like more information.

Not sure you want to commit to becoming a demonstrator?  That's okay too, it's not for everyone.  SAB is the perfect time to test it out.  You get the same amazing deal on the starter kit (plus extra free goodies like a punch of your choice and a colour coach), but there is no obligation for you to ever sell anything, or even buy anything else along the way.  Many people join during SAB just to get the great deal and the free products.

If either of these options seems like something you might be interested in, send me an email (mrslangton@shaw.ca) and I can give you the low down on everything, or check our my Stampin' Up! website.  Test Drive Stampin' Up!

Happy Monday!