Notepad Holders using Clear-Mount Stamp Cases

Here's a view of a couple Notepad Holders I made with Stampin' Up! Clear-Mount Stamp Cases. These can be found on page 205 in the IBC 2011-2012. They come in a pack of 4 for $5.95. These are for my daughter's teachers, as a welcome back to school gift.

If you have not seen these cases, they have a sleeve on the outside of the case where I slipped in my decorative paper (don't you love that paper - sneak peek). I wrapped a ribbon around the middle of the case (I secure the ribbon with a little bit of Sticky Strip so the ribbon does not move around. I am sorry about the picture, it is hard to take a good picture because of the sleeve gives off a glare. These little guys are so cute and you don't have to worry about them getting dirty because you can wipe them off.

The note pads are regularly 5" x 8" notepads, I got these at Staples. **You have to trim the notepads to fit inside the cases. They will cut a stack of notepads for you. You will need them to cut the pads to 7 1/4".

Outside: I used the New Designer Series Paper - Spice Cake - (Can be found in the Holiday Mini pg 17). I love this paper, it so pretty. The colors are Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, River Rock, Very Vanilla. The paper sleeve: The bottom half is 5" x 10 5/8". I punched a narrow strip of Soft Suede Paper or Pool Party with the Scallop Trim Border (#118402) and attached it to the very top of the bottom half Designer Series Paper. I next attached a strip of 2" x 10 5/8" to the top of the Scallop Border. This is when Stampin' Up Grid Paper ((pg 207 #102787) comes in handy because you want the whole strip to be 7" x 10 5/8". Before slipping the paper into the case, I added a letter; cut from the Bigz Die Serif Essentials Alphabet (pg 223 #113464) to the front. After the paper sleeve is in the case, I attached my ribbon.

Inside: (Is a picture of mine) I used one of the leftover strips (it was 5" x ? I think it was 2") to cover the top of the notepad so it matched. I put some sticky strip to the back of the notepad and attached it to the inside of the case. On the left side of the case. I sealed one of the Medium Envelopes - Very Vanilla (#107300) and trimmed the side to 4 1/2". I attached the envelope to the left side of the case. The little envelope on top of the big envelope is a leftover piece from a Small Open-end Envelope that I had leftover from making photo wallet (I am glad I saved those babies). They make a prefect place to hold business cards. I did use my Round Tab Punch (#119864) to add the tabs to my inside pockets.

I hope you enjoyed the post today. Tomorrow I will post another little gift I made for the teachers. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment or send me an email.

Thanks for looking,

Karen

Sneak Peek The Sounding Joy

Last night, I pulled out one of the new stamp sets from the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog. The stamp set is called "The Sounding Joy" and it is a pretty stamp set and I think it will become one of my favorites. I also played with the new Textured Impressions Embossing Folder "Snow Burst" and the Stampin' Emboss Powder - Pewter; both are in the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog.

The colors are Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, and Wild Wasabi. I stamped the star saying in Daffodil Delight on a 3" circle that I cut using my Originals Die 3"circle #122125. It was layer on the big scallop from the Bigz Die Scallop Circle #2 - #113469. The main card base I used the Textured Impressions Embossing Folder - Stripes #123128.

The inside of the card is stamped with the saying from "The Sounding Joy" and the snowflakes are from the "Snow Swirled" Stamp Set #111690. I did use some of the Dazzling Details (New 2011 Holiday Mini) to make the snowflakes sparkle. Finally, you guessed it I sprayed the entire card using the homemade shimmer spray. This is made using the Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint and rubbing alcohol.


If you are one of my customer you should be recieving the Holiday Mini in the mail soon. Don't forget you can start ordering from the holiday mini on September 1st. Also let me know what you think about this card. I am thinking of having it as one of the cards in the Christmas Card Class. Today is my last day with the kids, my two oldest go back tomorrow and my youngest does not start until next Monday.

If you have any questions, please send me an email or post a comment.

Thanks - Karen

Bookbag Tags

I made a few different book bag tags for my daughter's Book bag and lunch box. Today, I also wanted to tryout the Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (#120805, pg-216). For the flower I used the Bigz L Dies Fun Flowers #121812, pg 221. The polka dot tag is made using the Beau Chateau Designer Fabric (#122336 - pg. 196), Pink Pirouette Cardstock (#111351), and Soft Suede Cardstock (#115318). The other two tags are made using Melon Mambo Cardstock (#115320), Old Olive Cardstock (#100702) and Pretty in Pink Cardstock (#100459). Additional accessories - Jumbo Eyelets (I guess these are retired...somehow I missed that one), Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired) and Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (#111368) and binder clips.

Below are pictures on how I used the multipurpose adhesive sheets and a little on how I made the tags.

Chipboard and Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets are cut 4" x 4 1/4".

Remove the top sheet from the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet and attach to one side of the chipboard. Press and rub the adhesive sheet to the chipboard.

Make sure the Adhesive sheet is on good and slowly pull back the white sheet, which will leave the adhesive on the chipboard.

Take your Fabric or Cardstock (above is the fabric) and place on top of the adhesive side chipboard. Press and rub the fabric or cardstock well onto the chipboard. If you want to do the other side, flip over and do the same as above. Once done, run the chipboard through the big shot.

Now you have a covered chipboard die cut flower.

You can also use the sheets with you punches. Punch out your shape and adhere. This is great when you want to cover the whole back of the punch which I did because I want to make sure it stays.

Here is where I took longer than it needed too. I thought I would seal the edges so I used craft ink when I sponged and then embossed with clear embossing powder. With the fabric tag, this is where I stopped with the embossing powder.

With the other two tags, I thought, "Well maybe I should seal the whole flower because if it gets wets...the horrors" (LOL). Soooo I took my versamark ink pad and clear embossing powder and covered the entire flower (Front and Back). Now I have no idea if this will be rain proof or what will happen to it when it gets wet but at least I can say I did make an effort. The picture above shows you the difference with just the edges or the whole flower. It does change the color a bit.

Oh course now that I have finished these, I realized, I could have used the Melon Mambo embossing powder too but I wanted brown on the flower as well. (oh course - you would guess right...her bag is pink and brown.) I think the Melon Mambo tags looks better with the book bags because it stands out a little bit but I really like the colors of the Beau Chateau Fabric tag.

Don't forget the special this month on the Designer Series Paper. Some of my favorite packs - Paisley Petals #122367, Beau Chateau #122357, Timeless Portrait #122352, Well Worn #122359, Frightful Sight #122351, and Letters to Santa #122349.

The Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets are 12 x 12 and 12 sheets come in the pack for $14.95.

If you have any questions, please send me an email or leave a comment.

Thanks for looking!
Karen

Stamps: Lovely Letters Alphabet (#115030, pg 169)

Ink: Chocolate Chip Craft Ink Refill (#102847, pg 180), Uninked Craft Stampin' Pad (#122265, pg 202), Versa Mark Pad (#102283, pg 203)

Paper: Melon Mambo (#115320, pg 177), Old Olive (#100702, pg 177), Pretty in Pink Cardstock (#100459, pg 178), )Pink Pirouette (#111351, pg 178), Soft Suede Cardstock (#115318, pg 180)

Fabric: Beau Chateau Designer Fabric (#122336 - pg. 196)

Punches/Dies: Bigz L Dies Fun Flowers (#121812, pg 221), 1-3/8" Circle Punch (#119860, pg 212), 1-1/4" Circle Punch (#119861, pg 212)

Tools: Big Shot (#113439, pg 215), Standard Cutting Pads (#113475, pg 215), Heat Gun (#100005, pg 201), Crop-a-Dile (#108362, pg 207)

Adhesive: Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (#120805, pg-216)

Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets (I guess these are retired...somehow I missed that one), Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired) and Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (#111368), Clear Emboss Powder (#109130, pg 201) and binder clips.

Flower Folds Headband

I know it is a BIG flower! This one I think looks better in person. This flower is light gray and light pink chiffon. I used the Bigz XL Die Flower Folds (#115970) to cut all those layers of fabric, so easy and such a breeze. I know everyone uses a candle to heat the edges of the flowers but I am not patience enough. I have found that the Heat Gun is easier and I do the completed flower instead of doing each individual layer. I also used a wooden dowel stick to help hold the flower petals and to help shape them when I heat. I used the retired Basic Gray taffeta ribbon to wrap the metal headband. It matches perfectly. My daughter picked the sparkly pink jewel button for the center...she said it is prefect.

If you have any questions, please send me an email or post a comment.

Thanks for looking!
Karen

Sneak Peek - Spice Cake Fabric Headband

Here's another headband I made with the new Spice Cake Designer Fabric that is in the Holiday Mini. I love these colors together - Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, and Pool Party. I made these the same way I made the Flirtatious Designer Series Headbands; except I used a natural color linen fabric to layer with two of the patterns from the fabric collection. I used the Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon (#122967) to wrap the headband.

Thanks for looking and post a comment or send me an email if you have any questions.

Thanks for looking!
Karen

Lace Flower Headband

Here's another flower headband. This one I made with lace trim that I had leftover from doing a lampshade. I guess you would call the flower a double yo-yo flower. I wrapped the metal headband with Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon (#120999). I also used a brad from Antique Brad collection (#117273). My daughter was excited about me getting her a off white lace tiered skirt...we think this headband will look great with it.

If you have any questions, please post a comment or send me an email.





Thanks for looking!


Karen

Flirtatious Designer Fabric Headbands

I have been busy getting the kids ready for school, we have a little over a week left and it is hectic at this house. I am sure you remember the days or you are doing the same. We are trying to enjoy the last few days of summer but also trying to get organized for the school year. The kids and I always have mixed feelings; the kids want to go back to see their friends but don’t want the work or get up early. This year my youngest starts all-day Kindergarten. While I am really looking forward to having more time to myself and to my blog/Stampin Up business, I am really going to miss her and my boys.

Anyway, back to my post do you like the flower headbands? Well stay tuned, I made some headbands over the weekend for my daughter and I will be posting them this week. Unless you have been under a rock for the past year or two, you know that flower headbands, brooches and barrettes are the rave now. I know they can be easily found now but I really prefer making them. I think the quality is better and you get to make what you really want and you don’t have to settle for what is available at the store. Better yet, they are one of a kind. Honestly, I enjoy the time with my daughter. She loves helping me and gets so excited. She likes to pick the fabric and the number of flowers and so on. She even likes running the fabric through the big shot. Although I do have to hand-sew the flowers together, it doesn’t take that long. I find it a little relaxing. I have also made a headband for my older niece and she loves it. I have also had my girlfriend's high school daughter come over and I have showed her how to make them. These also make great gifts so read on and get the details.

Supplies: Flirtatious Designer Fabric (#122335), Denim Fabric (You can use a pair of old jeans or buy a yard at your local fabric store), White Linen Fabric, Chiffon Fabric (I like to have different textures in my flowers), Big Shot (#113439), Standard Cutting Pads (#113475), Bigz L Dies - Fun Flowers (#121812), thread, needle and two old buttons (Since I did not have matching buttons - went to my mason jar of old buttons), Hot Glue Gun, Metal Headband, 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon - Wisteria Wonder (#122973), Sticky Strip Tape (#104294)

Supplies: Flirtatious Designer Fabric (#122335), Denim Fabric (You can use a pair of old jeans or buy a yard at your local fabric store), Chiffon Fabric (I like to have different textures in my flowers), Big Shot (#113439), Standard Cutting Pads (#113475), Bigz L Dies - Fun Flowers (#121812), thread, needle and Designer Buttons - Subtles (#119745), Hot Glue Gun, Metal Headband, 3/8" Denim Jean Ribbon - Blue (#125053), Sticky Strip Tape (#104294)

Well that is it for today, I will post another one tomorrow. I’m not sure if anyone wants a tutorial in doing these headbands. If so please leave a comment and I will work on posting a tutorial. Also please leave your comments and let me know what you think of the headbands.

Thanks for stopping by,
Karen

Bells & Boughs

Here's a card I did last week and to be honest...there is something I do not like about it. This annoys me, so I'm going to make some changes to the card but I wanted to post it before.

Sometimes, I have a hard time with making Cards for a Class. Anyone that knows me knows I like my cards to shimmer, sparkle or have a little wow to the card. Oh course, I usually always sponge…but I do leave that option to my customers... most do but a few don’t. I like my customers to walk away and have learned something or to be happy with their cards. This time each year, I sit down and try to come up with cards that will be easier or take less time and each year, I think I may have done just that but card class time…I realize I did not take in to consideration a card or the card, I thought would be the easiest was not. Or the simple, easy cards that I come up with are usually my least favorite and honestly my customer’s. Does anyone else have this problem? Or is it just me? Please leave me a comment if you have any thoughts or ideas.

Anyway, I am going to go back to my stamping room and try to figure out what I don’t like about this card. Maybe I will just start over with it or do something completely different. I also have some fun Christmas goodies from the holiday mini I want to play with and post some samples.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you soon,
Karen

Another Sneak Peek - Halloween

Here's another sneak peek at the "Out on a Limb" Stamp Set from the Holiday Mini Catalog. Do you love this stamp set yet? If so, can you believe there is still more images in the stamp set? It is a cute one, but I told you that already. Hehehe The saying is from the "House of Haunts" (#111574) stamp set, one of my all-time favorite Halloween stamp set.

Again, I used the Halloween Designer Series Paper from the Idea Book & Catalog - "Frightful Sight" #122351. This pack is full of cute and fun Halloween patterns and colors to please everyone. Don't forget that during August, you can get a FREE package of Designer Series Paper when you buy three! That is a great deal, so now is the time to stock up on your Designer Series Paper for all your upcoming projects.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks for stopping by,
Karen

Another Sneak Peek

This is a A'la Carte Stamp - Haunted Forest. I also used a new embossing powder - Pewter with this image. I love the way this embossing powder looks. I thought it would be the same as silver but it is different. After I embossed the image, I used my Blender Pens and Ink Pads to watercolor. I used the same Designer Series Paper - Frightful Sight as yesterday's card. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks for looking,

Karen

Sneak Peek - Holiday Mini

Here's a sneak peek of a stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog and I think it may become my go to Halloween Stamp Set. I think the images are so cute. You can't tell by the picture but I put some Dazzling Details on the moon and her hair. The Designer Series Paper is in the New Idea Book & Catalog - Frightful Sight. The colors are Old Olive, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks for looking,

Karen