Pop Up Gift Card Holder

This is a fun one.  At my last stamp group meeting we made a pop up gift card holder.  One of the gals in our group did a presentation and showed us how to put it together.

My process for this card was different in the sense that my starting point was to select a patterned paper that I would like for the pop up part inside the card.  I chose one of the patterns from Festival of Prints DSP stack.  Once I decided on the patterned paper, I selected a coordinating cardstock for my card base.  The card base is 5.50" x 8.50 folded in half.  The two pieces of patterned paper measured 5.50" x 4.0" and were scored at 1", 2" and 3".

Create two square tubes by folding the score lines on the two patterned paper pieces.  Attached the tubes with sticky strip adhesive to the base card.  See photo above.  Do not put adhesive on the center between the two tubes, instead put the adhesives on the sides only.  Your gift card should be able to slide in and out between the two tubes.

This is what the inside look like when you open the card.  The tubes will fold flat when you close the card.

When I finished the inside of the card I worked on creating the front.  That's another aspect of my process here that's different.  I decided on a simple card front so this can be easily mass produced.  Next to paper, tools are my other passion.  You have to have the proper tools!  I love my punches, they can really speed up the process.  Aside from the scallop square, you can use scissors to cut the other elements if you don't have the punches.

I dry embossed a 4.0" x 5.25" cardstock with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and attached it to the card base.  I punched 3 scallop square Cherry Cobbler cardstock and 3 1-1/4 square white cardstock.  I stamped 3 Christmas trees from the Merry Minis stamp set in Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade and Soft Suede inks.  Then I punched the stamped images using the Christmas tree punch from the Merry Minis punch pack.

I stamped a small sentiment on the square white cardstock and attached the punched out tree using  glue dots.  I sponged Lucky Limeade all around the square white cardstock and adhered it to the scallop square cardstock.  Repeated the process two more times and attached the completed mini frames to the embossed panel.  Tied a ribbon around, made a bow and I'm done.

Once you get the concept of lining up the two tubes and gluing in the right places, this is pretty simple and easy with a lot of  wow factor.  Imagine embellishing the inside with die cut balloons for a birthday card or other appropriate elements for a theme party.

I hope you enjoy this project and are inspired to take your own spin on it.  Until the next post ...........

Cheers!!!

All supplies used were from Stampin'Up.

Twisted Card Fold

This card fold was one of our projects at my last stamp meeting.  Cindee showed us how to make the card and mentioned that she got the idea from Kelly here.

This was such a fun technique and I wanted to try it for different occasions.  It's a great card to hold gift cards for the holidays so I'm making quite a few of these in the coming weeks.

This is my first try - a Thanksgiving card.  I think a different patterned paper would look better.  I set it aside and worked on the others.  When I finished the other two, I went back to it and added the rhinestones on the leaves, dew drops would have been a perfect embellishments but I only have red and blue, so no go.

Next up is the Winter card, I recently found these snowflakes buried in my stash.  Perfect embellishments for a winter card.  This card came together more easily than the first one.  I embossed the white panels after they were cut to size.

And this is the inside.

Last one is the Christmas card.  I kept this pretty simple.  The ones I'm making for the holiday are most likely similar to this, quick and simple since I'll be making quite a few.

And here's the group shot.

I think they turned out quite nicely.

Cheers!!!

Supplies:  Cardstocks, patterned papers, stamps, rhinestones and pearls are all from Stampin'Up.

Sponged Frame Technique

Still playing with the Trust God and Serene Silhouette stamp sets from Stampin'Up........

Last week, I found a video tutorial by Dawn Olchefsky at dostampingwithdawn.com about sponged frame technique that I thought was so simple and stunning I just had to try it.

I used the same color cardstock (crumb cake) and inks (crumb cake, early espresso) but the embossing folder and stamps were different.  I still have the Trust God and Serene Silhouette stamp sets on my work table so I decided to work with those.  I also used the Square Lattice EP (embossing folder) because I like it and I haven't used it in a while.

Just like Dawn's tutorial, my main image was off to the left side and the sentiment was on the bottom right corner.  I don't like using glitter because of the mess it leaves behind but Dawn used glitter on her card so I had to try it too.  I glittered the tiny birds and OMG! it made all the difference.  The card is so serene and elegant in person.  I hope I captured that in the photo.

Noticed how I made two?  'Coz one is not enough!  I'm so pleased with how they turned out I can't stop looking at them.'

Cheers!!!

Supplies used are all from Stampin'Up.

Stamps:  Serene Silhouette, Trust God

Cardstock:  Crumb Cake 

Inks:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Embellishments: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Inspirational Gift

Today I'm sharing my latest favorite stamp sets from Stampin'Up.

I didn't notice this set of stamps from the current Stampin'Up catalog until recently when I picked up the catalog to make a wish list for my next order.

It opened to page 136 and at the top of the page is a set that includes this "Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply, Speak Kindly, LEAVE THE REST to God" and this "God is Love" with a little heart on the stylized letter d.  I love these verses and immediately decided I will get this set called Trust God.

Another new stamp set in the current catalog that I wanted since June is called Serene Silhouette.  I have seen some gorgeous samples from other stampers and I think the images are perfect with the Trust God set.

I want to use these two sets to make cards for holiday gifts for my son's CCD teachers but for now this set of cards is going to a friend who would truly appreciate the sentiments and meaning of the verses.

When I give a set of cards, I always leave the inside blank so the recipient  has plenty of spaces to write their own messages.  I selected a wide range of colors but kept the layouts similar  on a couple of cards.

This is the first card I made.  Simple almost boring, I am not too crazy about it.  I used a template as a mask for the rectangular focal point and sponged the colors.  

The second card used the same colors and image except this time I used three small rectangular foams to apply the background colors.  I have a lot of white die cut butterflies left over from another project so instead of die cutting more butterflies I sponged the white ones to match my colors.  The card base is Raspberry Ripple so I used the same color ink on the butterflies.

On this card I used the focal point I messed up when I was working on the first card.  I sponged out of the mask so ink was all over my card.  The solution, tear the sides and do a different layout!  The card base is Midnight Muse (blue) and I like it with Summer Starfruit (yellow).  The printed blue panel is from the designer paper stack called Festival of Prints.

On this card I used another image from the Serene Silhouette set.  I stamped the image directly on the printed paper, also from Festival of Print paper stack, with midnight muse ink.  Love that paper, just had to use it.  The rhinestones were colored with navy blue sharpie.

This is the same as the previous card except I used Early Espresso for the card base and added butterflies for embellishments.  Again, I used the white butterflies already die cut and this time colored them with midnight muse ink.  I really like how this one turned out.

This is the clean and simple one.  No sponging!!! I really like midnight muse and summer starfruit together.  Who would have thought I would use so much blue ribbons.  The Stampin'Up promotion in September was free ribbon spool for every forty dollar purchase and that's the only reason I have midnight muse ribbon.  And I found I really like that color.

Here's the group shot!  You always need a group shot.

This is how I packaged them.  A simple clear box with a ribbon and tag.  All six cards and envelopes fit in the box.

All supplies are from Stampin'Up except for the clear box.

Cheers!

Altered Notebooks

I'm a sucker for pretty papers - cardstocks, handmade paper, coordinating designer papers, you name it.  I can't resist buying papers when I see a design or color I like.  The problem is I don't want to cut them up and use them so I end up hording beautiful papers.

Recently, I challenged myself to use more papers on my projects.  I picked my current favorites and created something with them.  One of the best way to use beautiful papers is altered notebooks.  I still prefer handwritten notes in spite of all the available fancy gadgets around and I always carry a notebook in my purse.  

Today, I'm sharing my notebooks with you.

I love these mini notebooks.  I carry one in my purse for when an inspiration strikes me.  I make notes for future projects or blog posts but I don't use them for grocery list!  I also altered the pens to coordinate with the notebooks.  While I'm at it, I made a simple pen cupholder.

These are the regular size composition books.  I kept them simple so I can add monograms later.  If I give them away, I'll add the recipient's initials.  If not, they'll have my initials!!!  These too, have matching pens.

This is a spiral notebook from Staples.  I added the tabs so I can separate my notes.  And the coordinating pen just makes writing so much more fun.

This is the inside cover.  I added post-it notes and a small pocket for stamps and business cards.  The big pocket is part of the notebook.  I kept it as is although  a blank canvas like that is screaming to be embellished!!

All rubber stamps, cardstocks and Designer Series Papers are from Stampin' Up.