A New Ink on Life

Exciting News with Timeless Tropical!

I am so excited to announce that I will be a guest designer for The Crafty Carrot Collective! When I was contacted earlier this month and asked if I would be interested in joining the incredibly talented women behind this program in the month of June, I jumped at the opportunity. I started subscribing to their online tutorial classes last year and was blown away by all of the amazing and creative ideas they provide every month. 

So what is The Crafty Carrot, you may ask? You can check out all of the DETAILS HERE and find out how you can join in on the fun, connect with like-mind paper loving individuals and be surrounded by inspiration and a wonderful community.

For June's class we will be focusing on the gorgeous Timeless Tropical Bundle. I certainly could use the dose of sunshine and happiness these products bring! 

Here is a look at this beautiful bundle in action! When I first saw this stamp set I was immediately drawn to the stunning large hibiscus bloom. It is perfect for colouring and I look forward to sharing some tips and techniques in my tutorial next month. There is a full suite of products with retro vibes that will easily have you dreaming of a tropical vacation.

You won't want to miss out on the fun, so be sure to Subscribe for The Crafty Carrot Collective tutorials!

 

 

Bring On the CAKE!- Stampin' Royalty Birthday SR#53

I am so excited to say that Stampin' Royalty is celebrating it's first full year of Challenges! I was so thrilled when Sandra asked me at the end of August if I would like to join their team of talented designers, I of course jumped at the chance and have been having a blast ever since.

We would love to have you join in on the birthday festivities and create a project with a Birthday Theme for this week's challenge! Be sure to check out the DT Samples and the Stampin' Royalty site for some awesome inspiration.

January 4th marked the release of the new Occasion Mini Catalogue (be sure to check it out by clicking on the link on my side bar). It is full of fantastic new products that will blow you away! I used 2 new stamp sets for my card; Bring On the Cake and Build a Blossom. I also used the beautiful new Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper and a ton of new accessories :) Like the new matching Blossoms Petals Punch, Ribbon Rosettes, Baja Breeze and Rose Red Seam Binding and a yummy new Fabric Designer Brad!

And who can give a birthday card with out a beautiful packaged up present? So, I just had to make a matching gift box! The I drew the colours for my card and box from the colurs in the lovely DSP. They are; River Rock, Baja Breeze, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla and I added a touch of Early Espresso.  

I designed the box using the same pattern that I created HERE.

And today I finally have the tutorial for you! This box is the perfect size for 4 3x6 cards and matching envelopes, little chocolates or other goodies. (now the question is what did I put in mine?)

Here are the directions so you can create your own box:)

Start with a 9"x11" piece of card stock and score at 1,5,6,and 10 along the 11" side and score at 1and 8 along the 9" side.

On one end of the box you will now trim off 1/2" so this tab is now only 1/2". The reason I do this is because I want to tuck it under the brad to close it. You could decide not do this and just create a belly band to keep it closed or tie it shut with a ribbon. Essentially you are creating a rectangle pizza box.  Now along the 11" side cut up to the 1"score line on all vertical score lines. Do this on both sides.  On the side with half inch long tab (this will be the top of the box), Completely remove the end pieces (they will be 1/2"x 1"), you should be able to see where to cut in the picture. Apply Sticky Strip on the 4 small tabs.

This is the top of the box. Cut the side tabs on an angle as shown. this helps them tuck neatly into the box.

 
   
Now cut a piece of coordinating card stock to 3 3/4"x 6 3/4" and a piece of DSP to 3 1/2" x 6 1/2". Decorate the top of the box as desired.
 

 

 

Use you Paper Piercer to create a hole in the center of the 1" long tab that is on the side of the box that will be the bottom. Punch out a 3/4" circle of coordinating card stock (I used Soft Suede) and put the brad through it. Now attach to the box through the hole you just created.  remove the backing from the Sticky Strip and fold up to create a box.

That's it-your box is done! Hope this made sense and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask :)

Have a great day and happy stampin', 

 
 

Totally Wicked Cool Gum Holder

 This week Stampin' Celebration has a very cool group of inspirational photos that have a halloween theme so I thought it would fun to play along, plus I wanted to finally get the instructions posted of how to make the gum holders shown HERE.

They are so easy to make a would be a great halloween treat for teachers or friends.I don't know about you but I would rather have kids chewing sugar-free gum then eating more chocolate or candy :) Although speaking from experiance; you may NOT want to give a pack of gum to a three year old!  You can get 6 holders from one sheet of 12x12 paper. As I had mentioned in my earlier post I got the idea for these from a challenge that was on the demo side of Splitcoast Stampers last year.

Score a 4x 6" paper at 1", 1 1/4", 3 3/4", and 4" along the 6" side. Create a notch in the center by punching half of a circle using the 1" Circle Punch. Apply a line of Sticky Strip to the 1" side.

                
These measurements work perfectly with trident gum, you may want to measure your gum first if using a different kind. 
   
I randomly stamped the bats from Wicked Cool Set all over Pumpkin Pie Cardstock using Basic Gray Ink. For the main image I stamped the web and words on 1 3/4 x 1 3/4" piece of Whisper White and matted on to a 2" Old Olive square. I then used Rich razzleberry 1/4" Ribbon to tie around the front and attached the image with Dimensionals. I just love my punches and the new Bat Punch is no exception-who would of thought bats could be cute?! I quickly punch one out of Textured Basic Black card stock and stuck it on with a Mini Glue Dot.

*I removed my gum from the package and place it in the center of the card stock then wrapped the paper around it and attached the ends together with the gum inside. I did this to ensure a nice tight fit around the gum.

Have a great day,

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Create with Connie and Mary Saturday Challenge! We are having an amazing time this week working with Bells & Boughs, Belle Wheel, Christmas Collage or Vintage Frames Decor Stencil. I choose Bells and Boughs so you don't want to miss my take on vintage :)

 
 

Envelope Card Tutorial

 
 
 

 I've had several people contact me with questions regarding this card.  I mentioned in my previous post that it was an Evelope Pocket Card (or atleast that is what I am calling it :) The base of the card is created from a Stampin' Up! Medium Size Envelope. So I thought I would create an mini tutorial and explain how I made it, plus it is my wedding anniversary tomorrow and I needed to make a card, lol!

 For this particular card I used the sets Sense of Time, Teeny Tiny Wishes and Hope Happens. The colours used are Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, Early Expresso and Very Vanilla.

              
 Seal the envelope and the line up the sealed end at the 4 1/4" mark so that you are cutting of the end that does not have the flap. Then take a piece of 5 1/2"x 4" cardstock in you choice of colour (Not Quite Navy is shown here). Stamp and decorate as desired. ( I stamped tone on tone then used the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.)

   
For the main image panel I used a 3 1/4"x 3 1/2" piece of Very Vanilla and then using my Crumb Cake Inkpad I did the direct to paper technique to add some colour and "texture". I then stamped my clock image off center. 
 

Attach the large cardstock layer to the envelope side that has the seams and flap. Using the 1" Circle punch line it up half way to create a notch throught the first layer of the envelope. It should punch through the cardstock layer as well.

 
Take a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of Very Vanilla card stock and insert it into the envelope. It should fit perfectly inside. Line up where you want to place the eyelet (you could also use a brad like my previous card). Make a mark and the using the Crop A Dile set the eyelet. I then used Twill Tape and Hemp Twine to create the pull out piece.
  
    Then stamp the insert as desired and slide into the envelope- Easy Peasy!

Have a great day!
   
 

 

 

Better Later Than Never? (Heart Treat Cup Tutorial)

So I know I promised that I would have a tutorial for the Heart Treat Cup Card and I do, but I was really hoping to post it sooner unfortunately life has been busy as usual. Oh and I was so excited to find out that this project also was one of the winning entries for Shelli Gardner's Creative Challenge. You can view all the winners HERE. There were so many amazing entries and I feel truly blessed to have been one of the winners.

So without further ado here are the instructions: (p.s. scroll all the way to the end of the post to see another version of this card)

 

 Supplies you need
I {Heart} Hearts, Teeny Tiny Wishes and Sweetheart Stamp Sets

Full Heart, Tab, Slit and Scallop Trim Border Punches

Rose Red Cardstock 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 andscrap

Regal Rose Cardstock 2 3/4 x 6 scored at 2 3/4

Whisper White Cardstock 1 7/8x 2 1/4

Regal Rose, Rose Red and Basic Black Ink

Sticky Strip

Please Click on photos to view larger

 
Use Slit Punch and insert as shown to create closure for card.

    
Use Border punch along edge and then stamp image on front

 
Using Full Heart Punch punch out center of stamped image then line up Rose Red square underneath card and mark center point of the heart.

  

Line up Regal Rose square and puch out Heart then place Sticky Strip as shown 
 
    
 Stamp Polka Dot Heart on both sides of Whisper White towards the bottom of the piece. Punch out Tab from Rose Red scrap fold over and stamp "Sweet Treat" from Teeny Tiny Wishes on tab and attach to white piece. Stamp "Happy Valentine's Day" on the inside of card.

Take Heart Cup and place through the card *Do not take off adhesive tape* place Rose Red piece over and attach. Fill with candy and slide in Whisper White piece to keep candy in.

TA-DA!!!!!!!!!!!

That's it-clear as mud lol!?

Here is another one that I made using the Circle Treat Cups. The dimensions are just a little bigger.The card base is 3x6 scored at 2 3/4 and the inside piece is Red piece is 2 3/4x3. I used the Just Soccer and Sporting Stamp Set. I put this in my Son's lunch today!

 

     

 
Cute eh? Well I think I have dragged this post on long enough-have a great day and happy Stampin'!