Inspiration Ink

Big Birthday Button

This simple birthday card features a new Set coming out in the Occasions Mini called Button, Button and the soon-to-be retired Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons.  Enjoy!

Uses Button, Button Set and Afterthoughts Hostess Level 1 Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C, Regal Rose Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin' Pad, Regal Rose Stampin' Write Marker, Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write Marker, Blender Pens, 1" Circle Medium Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Extra-Large Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Extra-Large Punch, Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons, Pretty in Pink 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Mini Glue Dots.

Weekly Inspiration

Here's a cute and clever container idea that I got from my upline.  It reuses an empty container that used to hold some of our buttons or brads.  It's the perfect size to fill with candies (7 Hershey's Kisses fit beautifully) or to hold more buttons or brads for your crafting or to hold paperclips, pushpins, rubber bands, etc. on your desk.  Enjoy!

Supplies

- Button Button, page 34 of Occasions Mini, Clear - $18.95, Wood - $25.95

- Tangerine Tango 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 166, $6.95

- Always Artichoke 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 168, $6.95

- Chocolate Chip 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 169, $6.95

- Basic Black 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 169, $6.95

- Confetti White 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 170, $9.50

- Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad, page 165, $5.95

- Glimmer In Color Brads, page 31 of Occasions Mini, $4.95

- Poppy Parade 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, page 190, $8.95

- Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, page 196, $4.50

- Snowflake Extra-Large Punch, page 200, $16.95

- Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, pages 200-201, $16.95

- Bitty Bat Large Punch, pages 200-201, $15.95

- 1-1/4" Square Large Punch, pages 202-203, $15.95

- Word Window Large Punch, pages 202-203, $15.95

- 1-3/4" Circle Extra-Large Punch, pages 202-203, $16.95

- 2-1/2" Circle Extra-Large Punch, page 11 of Occasions Mini, $16.95

- Circle Scissor Plus, page 199, $29.95

- Glass Mat, page 199, $19.95

- Paper-Piercing Tool, page 198, $3.50

- Mat Pack, page 198, $9.95

- Stampin' Dimensionals, page 197, $3.95

- Sticky Strip, page 197, $6.95

- 2-Way Glue Pen, page 197, $3.50

- Dotto, page 197, $12.95

- empty accessory container (such as the type that holds our buttons or brads)

- adhesive

- scissors

Directions

1)  Put some Dotto on the back of a sheet of Confetti White Card Stock and stick it to the Glass Mat.

2)  Set the ruler on the Circle Scissor Plus to cut a circle 4" in diameter.

3)  Place the Circle Scissor Plus on top of the card stock on the Glass Mat so the center of the tool is in the center of the card stock.  Remove the safety cap from the blade and insert the blade handle into the Circle Scissor Plus.

4)  Using a smooth, firm motion, rotate the blade handle around in a circle while pressing down lightly and holding the Circle Scissor Plus still with the other hand.

5)  Remove the circle you cut from the Confetti White Card Stock and set aside.  Remove the remainder of the card stock from the glass and rub off the Dotto on the back side with your fingers.

6)  Use the 2-1/2" Circle Punch and the 1-3/4" Circle Punch to punch circles from the Confetti White Card Stock.

7)  Use the 2-Way Glue Pen to add a thin line of adhesive around the edge of each of the three circles.

8)  Sprinkle on Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and tap off excess.

9)  Tie a piece of Stitched-Poly Ribbon around the base of an empty accessory category and trim the ends.

10)  Adhere the base of the container to the 4" circle using Sticky Strip on the bottom of the container.  Make sure the container is pushed off to one side of the circle.

11)  Ink up the small star-centered button image from the Button, Button Set using the Poppy Parade Ink and stamp it onto a scrap of Tangerine Tango Card Stock.  Repeat 2 more times so you have 3 buttons.

12)  Use the circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack to punch out the three buttons.

13)  Adhere the buttons to the 4" circle below the container base in a small arc.

14)  Adhere the 2-1/2" Circle to the lid of the container using Sticky Strip.

15)  Punch a snowflake from a scrap of Chocolate Chip Card Stock using the Snowflake Punch.

16)  Cut off two branches of the snowflake.

17)  Cut the larger, bottom fork off of each side of each branch.

18)  Adhere the branches to either side of the back of the 1-3/4" Circle.

19)  Adhere the 1-3/4" Circle to the 2-1/2" Circle so it is pushed off to the side.

20)  Punch a scrap of Basic Black Card Stock with the Word Window Punch and 1-1/4" Square Punch.

21)  Adhere the Word Window punch out to the bottom of the square punch out.

22)  Punch a bat shape from a scrap of Always Artichoke Card Stock using the Bitty Bat Punch.

23)  Cut one wing off the bat. Cut down the one side of the wing where the bats feet were to make it match the other side and create a small holly leaf.

24)  Adhere the holly leaf to the right side of the hat.

25)  Use the Paper-Piercing Tool and Mat Pack to poke a hole in the hat near the base of the holly leaf.  Insert a Poppy Parade Glimmer Brad and secure on the back side.

26)  Use a thin strip cut from the side of a Stampin' Dimensionals sheet to attach the hat to the top of the head.

27)  Punch a scrap of Basic Black Card Stock with the circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack two times.

28)  Adhere the circle eyes to the head.

29)  Cut a thin triangle from a scrap of Tangerine Tango Card Stock and adhere it below the eyes using the 2-Way Glue Pen.

30)  Fill the container, put the decorated lid on, and enjoy!

Tips

You must use the Glass Mat as a cutting surface when using the Circle Scissor Plus or it will not cut properly.

Dotto is a repositionable adhesive that holds the card stock in place on the Glass Mat while using the Circle Scissor Plus but can easily be removed by just rubbing it off with your fingers.

Powder Pals (page 196, $19.95) are great to use when using fine powders like glitter and embossing powders.  They help contain the powder and make it easier to return the excess to the container when done.

Items in the Occasions Mini will be available for ordering on January 4, 2011.

Bleeding Hearts Get Well

Here's a get well card I made for my mom after she had abdominal surgery recently.  It uses the Valentine Defined Set in the upcoming Occasions Mini for something other than a Valentine card.  Enjoy!

Uses Sincere Salutations Set and Valentine Defined Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C, Daffodil Delight Card Stock, Old Olive Card Stock, Cherry Cobbler Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker, Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker, Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Write Marker, Brights Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Daffodil Delight 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Standard Cutting Pads, Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

Thanks Hand Sanitizer Holders

Here are some more hand sanitizer holders I made as an extra gift for my Club Members this month.  I used the same pattern outlined in my Weekly Inspiration post on December 22.  Enjoy!

Uses Sweetheart Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block D, Clear-Mount Block G, Blushing Bride Card Stock, Baja Breeze Card Stock, Garden Green Card Stock, Pear Pizzazz Card Stock, Cherry Cobbler Card Stock, Crumb Cake Card Stock, Confetti Cream Card Stock, Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, In Color Hostess Level 1 Designer Series Paper Pack, Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper, Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad, Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad, Crop-A-Dile, Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric, Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons, Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons, 2-1/2" Circle Extra-Large Punch, Full Heart Extra-Large Punch, 3/4" Circle Medium Punch, Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, Velcro, and Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitizers.

December Club Contest Winners

Each month, I challenge the members of my Stampin' 6 and Stampin' 12 Clubs to create a project for a contest and submit it to me.  I assign a theme for them each month.  Everyone in the Clubs then votes on their favorite 2 entries and the top 2 entries win their creators a $5 coupon to use on their next order.

For December, I challenged them to create a project using something that glitters, sparkles, or shines.

Kathy Little and Cathy Kelsh submitted the winning the entries and will each receive a $5 Coupon from me to use on their next Club Order.

Here is Kathy Little's winning entry:

Uses Sincere Salutations Set plus Always Artichoke Card Stock, Chocolate Chip Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Always Artichoke Classic Stampin' Pad, Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad, Gold Elastic Cord, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, 2" x 1-3/8" Oval Extra-Large Punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Extra-Large Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Standard Cutting Pads, Bird w/Leaves and Flower Bigz Die, 2-Way Glue Pen, Mini Glue Dots, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

Here is Cathy Kelsh's winning entry:

Uses Perfect Ending Set plus Bordering Blue Card Stock, Night of Navy Card Stock, Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad, Snowflake Extra-Large Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and 2-Way Glue Pen.

Thanks to all my Club Members who submitted a project and voted.

Noted Raspberries

One more card using sneak peek products that my Club Members got to make at our recent Club Classes.  Enjoy!

Uses Clearly for You Set and Woodgrain background stamp plus Soft Suede Card Stock, Early Espresso Card Stock, Rich Razzleberry Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad, Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad, Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad, Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Marker, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker, Cutter Kit, Modern Label Extra-Large Punch, Vintage Trinkets, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Standard Cutting Pads, Top Note Bigz Die, and Sticky Strip.

Weekly Inspiration

Here's an easy, inexpensive gift idea you can use anytime you need to give a lot of little gifts to a group.  I got the idea from my upline.  Enjoy!

Supplies

- Delightful Decorations, page 35, $21.95

- Regals Assortments 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 168, $6.95

- Confetti Cream 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 170, $9.50

- Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper, page 18 of Holiday Mini, $9.95

- Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad, page 168, $5.95

- Always Artichoke Classic Stampin' Pad, page 168, $5.95

- Deck the Halls Designer Fabric, page 16, $9.95

- Crop-A-Dile, page198, $29.95

- Basic Pearls Jewels, page 188, $4.95

- Ornament Extra-Large Punch, pages 202-203, $16.95

- 3/4" Circle Medium Punch, pages 202-203, $10.95

- Sticky Strip, page 197, $6.95

- adhesive

- scissors

- 1 oz. hand sanitizers

- self-adhesive Velcro

Directions

1)  Cut a piece of card stock to 2 3/4" x 11".

2)  Score the card stock at 9", 8", 4 1/2", 3 1/2", 1 1/4", and 3/8".

3)  Fold along the score marks making mountain folds.

4)  Cut a piece of Designer Paper to 1 3/4" x 2 1/2".

5)  Adhere the Designer Paper piece to the very end flap (see pattern below).

6)  Use the Crop-A-Dile 3/16" hole punch to punch two holes in the center of the section just above the flap you just decorated with the paper (see pattern below).

7)  Cut another piece of Designer Paper to 2 x 2 1/2".

7)  Adhere the Designer Paper piece to the third section from the other end (see pattern below).

8)  Use the 3/4" Circle Punch to punch a hole in the center of the section just above the flap you just decorated with Designer Paper (see pattern below).

9) Put Sticky Strip along the tiny flap at the end (see pattern below).

10)  Cut a length of fabric about 1/2" x 8".  Trim the ends into points.

11)  Insert each end of the fabric strip into the holes punched by the Crop-A-Dile from the up side of the card stock (so you can see the Designer Paper) with the correct side of the fabric showing as well.  Pull the ends through so the center of the fabric strip is between the holes.

12)  Cross one end of the fabric strip over so it comes up through the opposite hole.  Pull it through and pull it tight.  You might need to twist the fabric strip so the correct side of the fabric is showing.

13)  Repeat with the other end of the fabric strip going through its opposite hole.  Again, you might need to twist the fabric strip so the correct side of the fabric is showing.

14)  Trim the ends.

15)  Insert the neck of a hand sanitizer through the 3/4" hole.

16)  Remove the protective backing on the Sticky Strip and stick the card stock to the back of the large section forming a sleeve around the hand sanitizer bottle.

17)  Ink up the joy ornament image with the color of ink desired and stamp onto a scrap of Confetti Cream Card Stock.

18)  Carefully cut the ornament image out with your scissors.

19)  Punch a scrap of the desired color of card stock with the Ornament Punch.

20)  Adhere the cut out ornament image to the ornament punch out.

21)  Adhere the ornament to the center of the end, top flap so the ornament hangs over the bottom edge just a bit.

22)  Adhere a short line of Basic Pearls Jewels to the top of the ornament as the hanging string.

23)  Adhere a medium Basic Pearls Jewel and two tiny Basic Pearls Jewels to the right side of the ornament.

24)  Remove the protective backing from a small piece of one side of the Velcro and adhere it to the underside of the ornament where it hangs over a bit.

25)  Attach the other side of the Velcro to the first piece and remove the protective backing.

26)  Close the top flap and press firmly to adhere the Velcro to the that side of the holder.

Tips

Here's the pattern.  Pay attention to the direction of your Designer Paper if there is an up and down to the design.

Our Craft & Paper Scissors (page 199, $29.95) are the best for the cutting fabric and ribbon.  Our Paper Snips (page 199, $9.95) are awesome for cutting out images.

Bath & Body Works sells 1 oz. hand sanitizers in a fantastic variety of scents.

The Deck the Halls Fabric and Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper in the Holiday Mini are only available until January 3, 2011.  If you want to order either of these products, please do so soon.

Bright Cupcake Trio

This fun, bright, and super-easy card is one of the cards my Club Members got to make recently featuring sneak peek products.  Enjoy!

Uses Bring On the Cake Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C, Tempting Turquoise Card Stock, Pacific Point Card Stock, Daffodil Delight Card Stock, Melon Mambo Card Stock, Confetti White Card Stock, Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad, VersaMarker, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Build a Cupcake Extra-Large Punch, Crimper, Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon & Button Pack, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, and 2-Way Glue Pen.

Colored Spritz Smooch Box

I made another one of the boxes featured in my December 5 post titled "Deck the Halls Boxes," but this time I used the Colored Spritz Smooch technique to decorate it.  You can find step-by-step directions for the Colored Spritz Smooch technique in my November 17 post titled "Weekly Inspiration - Double Feature."  Enjoy!

Uses Peaceful Season Hostess Level 2 Clear-Mount Set and Christmas Collage background stamp plus Clear-Mount Block A, Garden Green Card Stock, Wild Wasabi Textured Card Stock, Real Red Card Stock, Confetti White Card Stock, Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad, Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad, Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Garden Green Stampin' Write Marker, Brayer, Gold Glow Smooch Spritz, Color Catcher, 1-1/4" Square Large Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Mini Library Clips, Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons, Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, and plastic page protector.

Crocus Bouquet

Here's another card my Club Members got to make this month featuring sneak peek products.  This card really isn't as hard to make as it looks like it would be thanks to the Build a Blossom Set and coordinating Blossom Petals Punch.  Enjoy!

Uses Build a Blossom Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block C, Daffodil Delight Card Stock, Pretty in Pink Card Stock, Certainly Celery Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad, Pretty in Pink Classic Stampin' Pad, Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad, Blossom Petals Extra-Large Punch, Daffodil Delight Pompom Trim, Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Mini Glue Dots.