Inspiration Ink

Poinsettia Boxes

I made these decorated Kraft Gift Boxes as an extra treat for my Club Hostesses and the first ladies in each Club to get their complete order to me this month.  I learned how to make the lovely punch art poinsettia from a fellow Demonstrator, Robin Merriman.  You can find a simply gorgeous card she made using the poinsettia and a link to a fabulous tutorial she wrote for making them by clicking here.  Each box comes with a matching tag which is not secured to the box yet so they can write "to: from:" information or a sentiment on the back before attaching it to the box.  Enjoy!

 Uses Tagtastic Hostess Set plus Real Red Card Stock, Wild Wasabi Card Stock, Garden Green Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Red Glimmer Paper, Kraft Gift Boxes, Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty Designer Series Paper, Linen Thread, Wild Wasabi 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Garden Green 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons, Antique Brads, Dazzling Details, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, Crop-A-Dile, Craft Scissors, Extra-Large Tag Punch, Large Tag Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Blossom Petals Builder Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Spider Web Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Stocking Accents Originals Die.

Candy Leg Scarecrows

Several people have created adorable characters using our new 1" x 8" Cellophane Bags filled with various candies.  I decided to try creating scarecrows using candy corn for the legs.  I made a bunch of these as extra goodies for my Club Members this month.  I hope they like them!

Uses Daffodil Delight Card Stock, Pumpkin Pie Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Stampin' Write Marker, 1" x 8" Cellophane Bags, Linen Thread, Brights Brads, Distressing Essentials (Tea Stain), White uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Paper Snips, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Modern Label Punch, Extra-Large Tag Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Scallop Oval Punch, 3/16" Corner Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, and candy corn.

To make the hat, I punched a scrap of Daffodil Delight Card Stock with the Scallop Oval Punch.  I then used the Simply Scored Scoring Tool to score a straight line on either side of the center scallop going long ways.  I folded one score line as a mountain fold and the other as a valley fold.  I then punched half a circle from a scrap of Daffodil Delight Card Stock using the 1-1/4" Circle Punch.  That was adhered to the center of the folded scallop oval.  A flower punch out and a brad through all the layers helps hold the hat together.  I also used the Paper-Piercing Tool to scratch random lines all over the folded hat so it looks like it is made of straw.

The openings for the Cellophane Bags are at the bottoms so the candy can easily be removed without tearing up the whole scarecrow.

Weekly Inspiration

This is a gift card holder that we made at my Christmas Card Camp last weekend.  It's really easy to make!  Enjoy!

Supplies

- Punch Pals, page 39, $32.95

- 2011-2013 In Color Assortment 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 176, $6.95

- Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad, page 176, $5.95

- Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad, page 176, $5.95

- Whisper White Medium Envelopes, page 182, $6.50

- Dazzling Details, page 41 of Holiday Mini, $2.50

- SNAIL Adhesive, page 206, $6.95

- Stampin' Dimensionals, page 206, $3.95

- Sticky Strip, page 206, $6.95

- 2-Way Glue Pen, page 206, $3.50

- Paper Cutter, page 208, $24.95

- Simply Scored Scoring Tool, pages 6-7 of Holiday Mini, $29.95

- Round Tab Punch, page 209, $16.95

- 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, page 210, $16.95

- 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, page 210, $16.95

- Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, pages 210-211, $15.95

- 3/4" Circle Punch, page 212, $10.95

Directions

1)  Cut a piece of Pool Party Card Stock to 5 1/2 x 8 1/4".

2)  Place the card stock on the Simply Scored Scoring Tool so the long edge is along the top of the scoring tool.  Score the card stock at 2 7/8" and 5 7/8".

3)  Fold the card stock so the shorter flap is on top.

4)  Randomly stamp the scattered snowflakes image in Pool Party Ink all over the top flap.  Remember to reink the stamp each time.

5)  Cut a piece of Island Indigo Card Stock to 1 x 5 1/2".

6)  Punch along the long side using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch.

7)  Draw a thin line of adhesive with the 2-Way Glue Pen along the underside of the top flap.

8)  Adhere the punched strip to the flap so that one row of scallops and dots shows.

9)  Seal an envelope shut.

10)  Cut about 1/4" inch off of one short side of the sealed envelope.

11)  Cut about 1/4" inch off the other short side of the sealed envelope.

12)  Fold the envelope in half so that the smooth side of the envelope is folded in and the cut ends are facing up making a pocket on either side of the fold.

13)  Put Sticky Strip on the back of the envelope (where all the sealed edges are) on either side of the fold.

14)  Place the envelope inside the card stock folder so it is centered on the bottom fold line.  It should look like this:

15)  Cut two pieces of Pool Party Card Stock to 2 1/2 x 4" each.

16)  Punch a scrap of Island Indigo Card Stock two times with the Round Tab Punch to get two tabs.

17)  Fold the tabs in half.

18)  Adhere one tab to the top left side of one of the Pool Party rectangles.

19)  Adhere the other tab to the top right side of the other Pool Party rectangle.

20)  Stamp the "to:  from:" image in Island Indigo Ink right below the tab on the first Pool Party rectangle.

21)  Stamp the three presents image in Island Indigo Ink in the lower right corner of the same rectangle.

22)  Leave the other rectangle blank so you can attach a gift card later.  This is what the completed inserts look like:

23)  Slide the inserts into the pockets formed by the envelope.

24)  Cut a piece of Island Indigo Card Stock to 1 x 7 1/2".

25)  Fold the strip of Island Indigo Card Stock around the closed folder so it is loose enough to slide off easily but not too loose.

26)  Adhere the ends of the strip together on the front of the folder.

27)  Stamp the scalloped "tis the season" image in Island Indigo Ink onto a scrap of Pool Party Card Stock.

28)  Punch out the image with the 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch.

29)  Stamp the small snowflake in the circle image in Island Indigo Ink onto a scrap of Pool Party Card Stock.

30)  Punch out the image with the 3/4" Circle Punch.

31)  Adhere the snowflake circle to the center of the scallop circle image using a Stampin' Dimensional.

32)  Punch a scrap of Island Indigo Card Stock with the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch.

33)  Adhere the smaller scallop circle to the center of the bigger one.

34)  Adhere the scallop circles to the belly band so it covers the seam between the ends.  Be careful not to get adhesive on the edges of the scallop circle or it will stick to the front of the folder and you won't be able to remove the belly band.

35)  Add small dots of Dazzling Details to the snowflakes on the scallop circle image and the center snowflake and allow to dry thoroughy.

Tips

If you don't like to lick envelopes to seal them, try using one of our Aqua Painters (page 203, $16.95) instead.

October Club Contest Winners

Each month, I challenge the members of my Stampin' 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 entries win their creators a $5 coupon to use on their next order.

For October, I challenged them to create a project using some of our Designer Series Paper either current or retired.

We had lots of great cards submitted this month and voting was really close.  In fact, we ended up with a tie for 2nd place!

Maria Flashman submitted several cards, but the top pick was this cool folded Christmas tree card using a folding pattern she found on Connie Babbert's blog:

Uses Bells & Boughs Set plus Very Vanilla Card Stock, Chocolate Chip Card Stock, Lucky Limeade Card Stock, Lucky Limeade Classic Stampin' Pad, Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper (retired), Gold Cord (retired), Basics Glimmer Brads, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Craft Scissors, and folded tree pattern from Connie Babbert.

Shannon Aydukovic also submitted several cards.  This card received enough votes to tie it for second place:

Uses Grateful Greetings Set and Tiny Tags Set plus Lucky Limeade Card Stock, Cajun Craze Card Stock, Basic Black Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad, Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker, Designer Series Paper (retired), Scallop Edge Border Punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Cupcake Builder Punch, and Photo Corners Punch (retired).

Heather McNeal entered the contest for the first time with this lovely card which also got enough votes to be tied for second place:

Uses Established Elegance Set plus Bravo Burgundy Card Stock, Crumb Cake Card Stock, Naturals Ivory Card Stock, Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad, Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper, Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim, Antique Brads, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Craft Scissors, and Decorative Label Punch.

Maria, Shannon, and Heather will each receive a $5 Coupon from me to use on their next Club Order.  Great cards, ladies!

Take It Tuesday

It's Tuesday!  So, it's time for my next Take It Tuesday session. 

You can stop by anytime between 2 p.m and 7 p.m. on any Tuesday.  You don't have to tell me in advance that you are coming, just pop by!

This is a good time to pick up any orders you may have waiting for you, pay me for an order or upcoming event, register for an upcoming event, or place an order.  You can browse through samples I have on display and, since I have retired merchandise set out for sale, you can also shop for retired products!  Feel free to bring a camera to take pictures of samples on display so you can use them for inspiration at home.

You can also bring any products you may have that you'd like a little extra instruction on how to use and I'll give you a quick lesson.  So, if you have a punch that is giving you trouble or aren't sure what sandwich to use with a Big Shot Die or want some tips on using Wheels, etc. bring them along and get a one-on-one lesson.

If you have cards or cards to donate for Operation Write Home, bring those too!  Please just remember - absolutely no glitter!

I'll also have a couple of quick and easy card projects ready for you to stamp if you wish.  These projects will be different each week.  Cost will be $1 per project made.  You may make one of each of the two cards available if you wish.

Today we'll be making these two cards:

Uses Gently Falling Clear-Mount Set and Occasions Alphabet Clear-Mount Set plus So Saffron Card Stock, More Mustard Card Stock, Soft Suede Card Stock, Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker, Clear-Mount Block B, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, 1-3/8" Square Punch, 1-1/4" Square Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, paper plate, paper towel, and bleach.

Uses Stitched Stockings Set and Jolly Jingles Jumbo Wheel plus Real Red Card Stock, Old Olive Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Jingle Bells, Stampin' Around Jumbo Handle, SNAIL Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, Mini Glue Dots, Craft Scissors, Scallop Edge Border Punch, and Stocking Builder Punch.

Every Tuesday between 2 and 7 p.m. the door is open!  You don't have to be picking anything up or dropping anything off either.  Just pop by and stamp and visit!

Christmas Card Camp 2 Follow Up

We had lots of fun at my second October Christmas Card Camp on Saturday.  Everyone got to choose from these cards and could make up to 3 of each if they wanted.  Enjoy!

Uses Dasher a la carte stamp and Many Merry Messages Set plus Crumb Cake Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Chocolate Chip Card Stock, Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad, Very Vanilla 3/8" Velvet Stitched Ribbon, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Sponge Daubers, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Craft Scissors, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die.
Uses Easy Events Clear-Mount Set plus Real Red Card Stock, Garden Green Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Real Red Stampin' Write Marker, Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Marker, Garden Green Stampin' Write Marker, Brights Collection Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, Garden Green 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Dazzling Details, Clear-Mount Block C, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Craft Scissors, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Standard Cutting Pads, Circles # 2 Originals Die, and Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die.

Uses Holiday Happiness Clear-Mount Set plus Basic Gray Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Powder Pals, Heat Tool, Platinum Shimmer Paint, Sponge Daubers, VersaMark Pad, Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block I, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Craft Scissors, Scallop Oval Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

Uses Just Believe Set and Tags til Christmas Set plus Blushing Bride Card Stock, Cherry Cobbler Card Stock, Early Espresso Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad, Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad, Cherry Cobbler 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon, Silver Brads, Silver Fox Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Craft Scissors, Extra-Large Tag Punch, Large Tag Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

Uses Season of Joy Set plus Wild Wasabi Card Stock, Cherry Cobbler Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad, Cherry Cobbler/White Baker's Twine, Wild Wasabi 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads, Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Emboss Powder, Wild Wasabi Stampin' Emboss Powder, Powder Pals, Heat Tool, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, empty Stampin' Emboss Powder container for mixing the two embossing powders together, and floss threader for threading Baker's Twine through holes poked in the center of the flower.

Uses Welcome Christmas Set plus Real Red Card Stock, Wild Wasabi Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad, Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty Designer Series Paper, White Baker's Twine, Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons, SNAIL Adhesive, Mini Glue Dots, Craft Scissors, Scallop Trim Border Punch, and 3/16" Corner Punch.

We also made a gift card holder.  I'll be posting step-by-step directions with measurements for it in my Weekly Inspiration post on Wednesday, October 26.  Please check it out!

Witch's Broom Treat Bags

I have lots of old brown lunch bags leftover from when my boys took their lunches to school.  So, this cute treat bag was a perfect one for me to make to send treats to my boys and my nieces and nephews for Halloween.  Enjoy!

Uses Wicked Cool Clear-Mount Set plus Pumpkin Pie Card Stock, Confetti White Card Stock, Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker, Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Clear-Mount Block I, SNAIL Adhesive, Crop-A-Dile, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Paper Cutter, old craft sticks left over from Rub-Ons, brown lunch bags, and candy.

I cut my brown lunch bags down so one was 6 1/2" tall and the other was 7" tall. 

Use the Paper Snips to cut fringe across the top of the 6 1/2" tall bag so the cuts are about 1 1/2" to 2" deep.  It will look like this:

Fold the 7" tall bag so the bottom poofs out and the sides are folded in.  Then, use the Paper Snips to cut fringe down near the bottom edge of the bag.  It will look like this:

Open the larger bag up and spread the fringe out.  Fill the smaller bag with candy and place inside the larger bag.  It should look like this:

Gather the fringe up and tie the bags closed with a piece of ribbon.  Insert the craft stick for the broom handle.  Tie on the tag.

Here's a closer look at the tag I made:

 

I put all three stamps on Clear-Mount Block I at the same time.  I then inked them up using the Markers and stamped them all at once onto the Confetti White Card Stock.  That way I knew they were perfectly spaced and lined up!  I cut the top of the tag pieces with my Paper Snips to get the tag shape.

Punch Art Apple Cores

This is the last of the punch art projects we made at my Club Classes this month.  Enjoy!

Uses Curvy Verses Set plus Lucky Limeade Card Stock, More Mustard Card Stock, Riding Hood Red Card Stock, Early Espresso Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, 2-Way Glue Pen, Craft Scissors, Round Tab Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

Here's the page from my Punch Art Book for making the apple core.

Punch Art Santa

This is another one of the cards we made at my Club Classes this month featuring punch art.  I love this Santa face!  Enjoy!

Uses Just Believe Set plus Blushing Bride Card Stock, Real Red Card Stock, Crumb Cake Card Stock, Chocolate Chip Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad, Real Red Stampin' Write Marker, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, Mica Flakes, Stamping Sponges, SNAIL Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, Ornament Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Extra-Large Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Cupcake Builder Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

Here's the page from my Punch Art Book so I can remember how to make this cute Santa face.

Punch Art Presents

Here's another one of the cards we made at my Club Classes this month featuring punch art.  Enjoy!

Uses Word Play Clear-Mount Set plus Peach Parfait Card Stock, Daffodil Delight Card Stock, Melon Mambo Card Stock, Pretty in Pink Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker, Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker, Melon Mambo Stampin' Write Marker, Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper, Daffodil Delight 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones Jewels, Clear-Mount Block B, SNAIL Adhesive, Craft Scissors, Curly Label Punch, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, 1-1/4" Square Punch, 1" Square Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Extended Cutting Pads, and Magnetic Movers & Shapers Curly Label Die.