Monday, January 30, 2012

Fresh Vintage Blog Hop Projects

The weekend Stampin' Addicts blog hop was so inspiring!   Lots of GREAT ideas for the Sale-a-bration products.

Today I have the details of my projects featuring the Fresh Vintage stamp set.

First the box:
1. For the scored grid, cut a 6" X 6" piece of black cardstock.
2. Turn it "on point" on the Simply Scored Board.  Place the points at 4-1/4" at the top and side to make sure it is perfectly straight.  Score at 1/2", 2", 3-1/2", 5", 6-1/2" and 8".  Turn cardstock 1/4 turn and line up the points again.  Score at the same markings.
3.  View of finished scoring.
4.  With Melon Mambo ink stamp once on each Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, and Melon Mambo.  Punch with Postage Stamp Punch.  Also punch two Whisper White, three Pink Pirouette, two Pretty in Pink, and two Melon Mambo pieces.  Using the grid lines it is easy-peasy to line up the squares on the box top!
5.  Layer on 6-3/8" X 6-3/8" piece of Whisper White.

NOTE:  SU! has announced a new diagonal score plate will be available in March.  I will update this post when I get one to show you how to use that-- it will be even easier to do!

For the box top I used a shim that I made to fit on the edge of my Simply Scored Board.  Connie Stewart has a great video on making a shim.  I changed mine a bit as I wanted it to go the whole length of the score board so I cut my Window Sheet 2" X 12" and scored it at 1/2" and 1-1/4".    Then adhered a folded colored cardstock strip that is 1" X 12", scored at 1/2" over the edge.   
When making the box TOP,  place the shim on the left edge of the score board before scoring and the box top will automatically be just a bit bigger than the box bottom.
So now for the directions for this specific box:
1.  For the box bottom, cut a 10-1/4" X 10-1/4" piece of Whisper White cardstock.
2.  Score at 2" on each side.  (Do not use the shim.)
3.  For the box top,  place the shim on the left side of the Simply Scored board.  Cut a 9-1/4" x 9-1/4" piece of Melon Mambo.  Bump it up against the shim at score at 1-1/2" on each side.
4.  Cut tabs to the score lines and assemble box with Sticky Strip.
5.  Run a line of Sticky Strip around the sides of the box top and adhere 3/8" Dotted Scalloped Ribbon.

For the Bookmark:
1.  Stamp with Versamark on a seven inch length of 5/8" Black Satin ribbon.  The clear mount stamps are an advantage here as you can see the exact placement.
2.  Heat emboss with Melon Mambo embossing powder.  
3.  Stamp and emboss the round images on Whisper White cardstock.  Punch remaining circles from Basic Black and Melon Mambo cardstock as shown.
4.  One each end, layer largest circle, the end of the ribbon, a black circle,  a stampin dimensional, the Melon Mambo circle and the stamped image.

If you would like more ideas for using colored embossing powder please see the posts HERE and HERE.

For the rocker card:
This one is super easy!
1. Cut two circles with the Circle Scissors- Basic Black 7-1/4" diameter and Melon Mambo 7" diameter.  Fold each in half.
2.  Adhere Basic Black Dotted Scallop ribbon to Melon Mambo circle.  Layer circles together.
3.  Die cut two of the largest ovals in Whisper White cardstock with the Ovals Original Bigshot die.  Stamp image with Melon Mambo. 
4.  Apply adhesive around the edge on the backside and adhere Basic Black Dotted Scallop ribbon so it just peeks over the edge.  Adhere another oval on the backside to make it pretty.  (I have a mini tutorial here of how to do the ribbon border.)
5.  Add two Basic Black swirls die cut with the Scribbles and Swirls Sizzlit.
6.  I also added a white circle to the inside to have a place to write.

For the Vellum Party Favor:
1.  Cut two Melon Mambo circles with the Clear Circle die.
2.  Cut eight of the smallest shapes with the Dresden Plate die using White Vellum Paper.  Stamp the floral image with Melon Mambo Craft Ink on each piece.  When dry layer on top of each other and punch a hole near the top with the Cropodile.
3.  Adhere the eight sections to one of Melon Mambo circles.  Start at the top and work around the circle clockwise overlapping the pieces.
4.  Adhere remaining Melon Mambo circle top.  Thread 1/8" Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon through the holes threading from top of each section.
5.  Cinch the ribbon and tie a bow.  The petals will automatically overlap forming the pretty shape!
I hope you have enjoyed these projects.  I would love to receive a comment if you found this helpful!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop

Welcome to the first stop on the Stampin' Addicts Sale-a-Bration Blog Hop.   There are eighteen stops featuring products from the Sale-a-Bration catalog so get ready to make your wishlist!  Fun stamp sets, delicate ribbons, vintage paper, dry embossing folders, pretty fabric and digital image CDs!   Hop along to see them all!

I chose a bold pink and black combo to show off the beautiful Fresh Vintage stamp set.   My first project is a box with an argyle patterned lid using the square postage stamp style image.
In the past I have struggled to line up paper pieces for patterns like this precisely.   I had one of those "ah ha!" moments while creating this that made that so much easier.  I used the Simply Scored board to score a diagonal grid on the black background with each square slightly larger than the punched out pieces.  (Click on the photo to enlarge it if you cannot see the score marks.)  These score lines not only add to the design, they are guides for perfect placement of the squares!  On Monday I will have complete instructions with pictures and measurements to create this from start to finish.

I have to say this stamp really got my creative juices flowing because I had the idea for this next project late at night and just HAD to try it before I could sleep!  
The black satin ribbon for this bookmark is stamped with Versamark ink and then heat embossed with Melon Mambo embossing powder.  The design is so delicate that the ribbon remains completely flexible!  The circular stamped images are also embossed with the Melon Mambo powder.  A very quick project for your favorite reader. 

Next I tried my hand at a rocker card.   
The base is two layered circles and the focal image is edged with black Scalloped Dots Ribbon that just peeks over the edge.   Inside is a white circle to create a writing space.  

And last is a pretty vellum party favor.  
This is created with the Dresden Plate Big Shot die.  The images are stamped with Melon Mambo craft ink.  Much more simple than it looks!  I will have all the "how to's" starting Monday so hop back then!!

This stamp set is so lovely that we could not stop at using it just once!  Holly has more terrific projects with the Fresh Vintage stamp set on the next stop of the hop.  Click on the NEXT button below to continue hopping on your way.



  
If you started hopping in the middle then you arrived here from Sara's blog where she showcased the Piece of Cake MDS cd.  Talk about YUMMY!!!  To hop to Sara's blog click on the PREVIOUS button. Backward or forward we are all linked in a circle so you won't miss a thing!


           

Monday, January 23, 2012

2 From 1--Designer Cuts Cards

What is better than a lovely handmade card?  Why two of course!  I started with one Designer Cuts card from the Occasions Mini Catalog to make these two cards.
I used a Hearts Framlit die to cut out the heart from the front of the card and layered it offset on a Poppy Parade heart cut with the same Hearts Framelit.   The Very Vanilla layer is the back of the original card cut down to 3-3/4" X 4 1/2" and embossed with the Elegant Lines folder.
The base a 4-1/4" X 10" piece of Pool Party cardstock scored at 5".  This slightly shortened base gave me room to add a pleated border to the edge and have it still fit in a regular envelope.  The border was cut with the Designer Rosette die and pleated as in this post.  Though it does not show up in the photo this gives a nice texture and strength to the edge.  The 1/8" organdy ribbon is from the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad pack in the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  After looping the ribbon through each opening, I used the Heat Tool to ever-so-slightly melt the ribbons.  The organdy ribbon is very delicate so be careful when doing this that it does not melt too much!
The second card is made from the remaining cardfront piece that now has a heart opening.  Working from the back, I added strips of paper starting at the outer edges and working in.  This technique is called Iris Folding (although in this case I did not fold the paper but used strips of DSP.)
On both cards the stamped images are from the Elementary Elegance set which is available starting tomorrow in the Sale-a-Bration Catalog.  

And speaking of Sale-a-Bration.... members of Stampin' Addicts are preparing for this weekend's 2012 Sale-a-Bration Blog Hop.   Each stop will feature one of the stamp sets or accessories that are available during Sale-a-Bration.  There will be lots of inspiring projects so stop back then!  

Additional info:
This is what the original Designer Cuts card looks like.  I placed it on a dark background so the laser cuts show up.   To make the two cards, first cut on the score line to separate the back from the front.
 Then position the Hearts Framelit over the laser cut area.
I stick a post-it note over the cardstock and Framelit to hold it in place as it is run through the Big Shot cutting machine.  Post-its work well because they hold securely but do not leave a residue on the paper.

Happy Stamping!!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Create and Keep Refrigerator Caddy Tutorial

Here is another alternative project that can be made with the Create and Keep Simply Sent Kit-- a magnetic refrigerator caddy and message center.
Both this and the accordion envelope album in my last post were made with the same kit.  And there are still a lot of pieces left so you will be seeing at least one more project made from this kit in the future!

The Create and Keep Simply Sent Kit comes with components to make a box and ten cards.  I used the box sections to make the caddy then added a post-it note pad and pencil holder.  I also cut one of the cards to cover a notepad and decorated two additional cards to put in the pocket.
It is very easy to make!

1.  Add sticky strip to the front of the two small side tabs.  Fold on all score lines.
 2.  On the back, add two rows of sticky strip to the side and bottom flaps.
3.  DO NOT FOLD THE BACK SECTION ON THE SCORE LINES!
4.  Adhere the back section to the bottom tab of the box front.
 5.  Fold in the small tabs and adhere.
 6.  Fold the box up and adhere the side flaps to the back of the box.  I removed the velcro dot on the front of the box to make it easier to decorate.
 7.  Cut a 2-1/2" X 4-1/2" piece of Calypso Coral cardstock.  Score vertically every 1/2".  Turn and score 1/2" from the bottom.  Cut away the bottom right section and trim the tabs as shown.  Fold on all score lines.  Apply sticky strip to right flap and fold into a tube.  Fold in bottom tabs and adhere to side of box.
8.  Decorate and attach post-it note pad with sticky strip.
9.  Attach magnets to the back.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Let's Score Projects

Time to catch up on posting a few projects!
These are my last two design projects for the UStamp Let's Score! session.  Above is a mini album made with the Create and Keep Simply Sent Kit.   This kit comes with components to make ten cards plus a box with dividers.  I used four of the envelopes (that are green with a very pretty printed pattern) to make the pockets of this accordion spine album.  The tabbed dividers become pull-out sliders for journalling or more pictures.  The die cuts are self-adhesive so the delicate little stems and flowers are easy to apply too!

My other project uses three Designer Cuts cards to make a luminary.  The cards have very intricate laser cutting.  I used lots of new embellishments from the Occasions mini and upcoming Sale-a-Bration catalog to decorate it and the heart-shaped card.  The tutorials for both of these projects are available HERE. (Click on the graphic that says Let's Score!)

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Birthday Cake Box and Pop up Gift Card Holder

UStamp with Dawn and Friend's LET'S SCORE event is live!  If you are looking for ideas to use your score tool this is the place to find more than 40 projects all with complete tutorials.
The first of my three projects for this session is this yummy little birthday cake box which has decorative scoring on the sides and a lid that lifts to hold a birthday present for someone sweet.  The card has a pop up mechanism for a gift card.   You can find information about  LET'S SCORE here.   (Click on the LET's SCORE graphic to sign up.)