Thursday, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween! (And Card Box Tutorial)


Are you all ready for the ghosts, goblins, zombies, pirates, princesses, and fairies (or, heaven forbid, Miley Cyruses)? We are, and I very wisely waited until yesterday to buy the candy.  The fewer temptations in the house, for both me and my honey, the better!  It was a struggle to decide if I wanted to get the "just okay" candy, or the good stuff, just in case there are leftovers.  If it's the "just okay" candy, then I have no problem sending leftovers to work with my husband to get it out of the house. On the other hand, if it's the super-high-quality-primo-nectar-of-the-gods-chocolate stuff......

From Millan.Net

Okay, enough about my sweet tooth, let's get to the card box tutorial that I promised.  You're not going to believe how easy this is, and you'll be kicking yourself if you don't already own this fabulous tool! (Pssst, I can help you with that!)

You'll need to start with 12" x 12" cardstock.  I recommend using regular cardstock, textured cardstock, or Core'dinations, rather than Designer Series Paper because it makes a sturdier box. You can always decorate it with DSP if you want.
  1. Start with a 9" x 9" sheet of cardstock. 
  2. Slide paper in to the 3 ½" mark, punch and score. Note: You won't be able to score all the way to the end of the paper, but don't worry. Be happy. (Sorry, couldn't resist!)
  3. Slide over to the 4 ½" mark, punch and score. 
  4. Rotate cardstock 180 degrees and repeat on the opposite side. This is what it should look like:

  5. Turn cardstock 90 degrees. Align pointer with score lines, punch and score on both lines.

     
  6. Repeat on the opposite side. It should now look like this:


  7. Determine which will be the top flap and round the corner of the flap with corner rounder built in to the board.
  8. Trim off excess corners from top flap. 
  9. From the bottom, cut up to the second score line (these become flaps to tuck in).


  10. Form box and fasten with Sticky Strip.

I like to trim the point off the bottom flap. I just think it makes the box look neater.  Use the Stampin' Trimmer, and place the point of the bottom flap at the 3/4" mark, making sure score lines are parallel to the lines of the trimmer (they don't have to be right ON the lines). Then just trim off that little triangle!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Envelope Punch Board Card Box

Sheesh, I almost forgot to show you the rest of the Envelope Punch Board class projects! So today is going to be a twofer - a card and a card box!

We made this adorable snowman card (and you know how I looove snowmen!), using the file folder-style card base inspired by Patty Bennett. (Again. I mean, really, the woman is a genius so I just have to follow along in her path, CASEing what I can! And you know what?  I've met her and she's really nice, too!)

The snowman was inspired by a convention swap card I got from my downline, Natalie Kennedy.  She is personally responsible for me wanting that Snow Day stamp set - I wasn't really that interested until I saw her adorable card. Helpful hint: the carrot nose turns out kind of faded if you stamp it on the Whisper White Craft ink. I found it better to stamp on white cardstock, cut it out, and glue it on. That made placing it just right a lot easier, too!


And this is the card box we made to keep the cards in. It will hold four cards and envelopes, if the cards aren't too heavily embellished.


I didn't realize what a crappy picture this is.....it really looks way better IRL. Maybe if you click to enlarge it, you can see it better.  Come back tomorrow to see how easily this box can be made with the Envelope Punch Board!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Make It Mailable 13-09


NOTE: Today is the last day of the 25% off sale!

Today's mailable Monday card is one we made in the Manly Cards class on Saturday. I found inspiration for the Wetlands set all over Pinterest, and just picked elements from here and there to come up with this design.

The colors sponged on the image really makes it the focus, so I didn't think it needed any other embellishment to distract the eye. *gasp!* (Can ya believe it?!)

There are eight weeks left of the 12 Weeks of Christmas, so join the mailing list now and see what projects are coming next!

Stamps: Wetlands
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Modern Medley DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Big Shot, Circles Collection Framelits, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Stampin' Sponges

Friday, October 25, 2013

Sliding Gift Card

Hi, Stampers! I need to do a little housekeeping before I get to today's card, so please bear with me and read this paragraph.  The mailing list subscription (on the left) is very different from following by email (on the right).  If you want to be notified when there is a new blog post, then you would Follow by Email.  When you subscribe to the Mailing List, you will receive occasional emails from me that have nothing to do with the blog posts here. For instance, right now we're into the 12 Weeks of Christmas.  It has come to my attention that some of my subscribers aren't getting their 12 Weeks emails. I checked the email list manager, and they were sent to all subscribers. I suspect it ended up in the junk mail or spam filter. To make sure you receive future communications, please put this address in your list of contacts, so your email will know it's not junk:
Okay, NOW on to the fun stuff!  When I first saw this video from Jackie Topa, I almost fell out of my chair.....not only from the awesome surprise when you open the card, but from how EASY it was to make!  So, naturally, I had to adapt it and show how to do it in the Envelope Punch Board class last week. (One of my measurements is slightly different from Jackie's.)


It is obviously meant for giving a gift card, but you could also slip some of that "folding green stuff" into it, if the recipient would rather have cash. It will even hold a packet of tea or a Ghirardelli Square! Lookie how cool this is.....you open the card and the inner panel slides up and shows the gift!



Card with Slide-Up Gift Card
  1. Card base: Cut cardstock to 4 ¼" x 11" and score at 2", 7 ¼", and 7 ⅜". 
  2. Inner slide: Cut cardstock to 3 ¾" x 6 ½", score at 1 ⅜" and 6". 
  3. Fold card base along 3 score lines in matchbook fashion. 
  4. Fasten smaller flap with Washi tape or ribbon. 
  5. Slide larger flap in punch board to the 1" mark and punch. Flip over and do the same for the other side. (Note: if using DSP (3 ⅝" x 4 ¼") on flap, adhere it before punching.)
  6. Fold inner slide in a Z-fold. Slip end that holds gift card into pocket of card.
  7. Open out ½” flap and apply Sticky Strip adhesive (adhesive should be face-up). With slider pushed all the way into pocket and centered, close top flap to adhere to top of slider.
Voila! A fun little way to give someone special a gift that is so easy, you could give EVERYONE a gift (if your budget allows, lol)!
From Millan.Net 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Envelope Punch Board Card Tutorial

Okay, remember when I teased you last week that I'd be showing some projects from the Envelope Punch Board class? Well, here is one of them (I'll show the others soon), but first I have to tell you about the Thankful Thursday deals, because they are good for today only!


I didn't want you to miss out! And if you combine this with the 25% off 25 stamp sets, it's a REALLY good deal!  Now, on to the card....




Isn't it stinkin' CA-YOOT?!  And so super easy with the new Envelope Punch Board!  Aaaaand I found another use for Washi Tape!  I used it to mask the "To:   From:" on the Be Merry stamp before I inked it up with Cherry Cobbler. Then I pulled it off (using tweezers to keep the ink off my fingers) before I stamped the image.

This pocket card would work great as a small treat holder, or you could even slip in a gift card if you wanted.  (But I'll be showing you an even cuter gift card holder tomorrow, so you might want to wait!)

File Pocket Card
  1. Cut cardstock to 5 ½" x 6 ⅜". With long edge against top of Simply Scored tool, score at 2 ⅛". 
  2. Adhere 2 ⅛" x 5 ½" DSP to outside of pocket flap.
  3. Place left side of pocket flap (with DSP facing up) at the 2 ¾" mark on Envelope Punch Board and punch. 
  4. Slide to right and align left edge of card with left side of punch opening (where you would put the scoring tool if you were scoring) and punch. 
  5. Fold up pocket flap and fasten with Washi tape or ribbon (I used both).
  6. Decorate as desired.

And I want to send a shout-out to Patty Bennett for giving me the inspiration for this card! Thanks, Patty!!!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Happy, Happy, Happy!

This is not the post I had scheduled for today, but with the current happenings at Stampin' Up!, I had to make some quick changes!


First of all, the $25 Starter Kit promotion has been extended an extra day, so you have until tonight to get in on the deal. Seriously, you don't want to pass this up! You can make extra $$ or just do it for the discount. And if you sign up today, you'll get that discount on TOP OF THE SALE.........

In keeping with Stampin' Up's 25th Anniversary theme (like the monthly Best of 25 Years stamp sets), they are having a 25% off 25 stamp sets sale this week! The offer is only good from 10/22 through 10/28. Here is the list of discounted stamps (these are clear mount; most are available in wood mount, if you prefer):

A Dozen Thoughts
A Gift For You
Apothecary Art
Betsy's Blossoms
Bright Blossoms
Christmas Star
Crazy, Mixed-Up Love
Cuddles & Kisses
Gently Falling
Gifts of Kindness
Gorgeous Grunge
Happy Day
Hearts A Flutter
Hello, Lovely
Itty Bitty Banners
Jewish Celebrations
Label Love
Lots of Thanks
Morning Post Alphabet
Oh, Hello
Ornament Keepsakes
Snowflake Soiree
That's the Ticket
Yippee-Skippee
Zoo Babies

Such a great deal!  I know there are at least three sets that I must have.  You can order online from my business website, or contact me directly.

Sign up with me today, and I'll send you my special welcome package with a few things to help you get started!

A special note to consultants with other companies who may be thinking about switching:
Along with the extension, Stampin' Up! is allowing a limited exception to the Competitive Activities Policy for people interested in becoming a demonstrator; anyone who currently is involved in a directly competitive business who signs up between October 21-November 30, 2013 will not need to resign from their former business prior to signing up with Stampin' Up! They will have until December 1, 2013 to decide which company they want to represent and at that time will need to resign from one or the other.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Make It Mailable 13-08


It's Monday, so you know what that means - another mailable card today! This was the card I sent to the surgeon who fixed my husband's spinal stenosis. Thanks to him, my honey won't lose the use of his arms and legs. And how can I possibly express the depth of my gratitude for that in a card? I can't. This is just going to have to do, even though it feels so inadequate.

There aren't any embellishments at all on this, with the tiny exception of the Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details on the poppy centers. The banners take the place of a ribbon and bow (no bulk), and the geometric shapes of the image and greeting give it a more masculine look. Even if it does have flowers on it.
From Millan.Net
Stamps: Pleasant Poppies, Lots of Thanks
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Shimmery White, Cherry Cobbler DSP (Regals Stack)
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Big Shot, Lacy Brocade folder (retired), Blender Pens, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details

Just a reminder that today is THE LAST DAY to join Stampin' Up! for only $25!

And it's not too late to sign up for the 12 Weeks of Christmas. There are still lots of great projects left! Click on the Mailing List Sign Up on the left sidebar.