Okay, not really – just trying to be cute (did it work?). I hope you enjoy creating this adorable framed artwork, perfect for the kitchen, craft/hobby room, kids' room and more!

Instructions

1. Stamp cupcakes image in Jet Black StazOn ink on both pieces of watercolor paper. 
2. Watercolor all cupcake images on one piece and one cupcake image from the second piece using Classic Stampin' Pads and Aqua Painter. You will need six total watercolored cupcakes for this project. 
3. Punch out watercolored cupcake images using 1" Circle punch. Adhere Pink beads and glitter to cupcake tops as desired.
4. Stamp "Sweetest ever" in Chocolate Chip ink on watercolor paper scrap, cut out, notching ends, and set aside.
5. Punch circles from Chocolate Chip and Rose Red textured card stock (1-1/2" x 1-1/2" each)
6. Loop crochet thread through holes in Pretty in Pink flower button, and adhere to Chocolate Chip circle.
7. Punch hearts from Pretty in Pink and Rose Red textured card stock (3" x 3" each).
8. Ink small piece of crochet thread using Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad. Adhere vertically to Rose Red circle. Adhere Pretty in Pink heart to circle, over top end of dyed crochet thread to create heart flower.
9. Slide end of 1" Circle punch over edge of Certainly Celery textured card stock, and punch out piece with one rounded edge. Snip flat edge using Paper Snips to create grass. Adhere to Rose Red circle, over bottom edge of crochet thread (heart flower stem).
10. Adhere all circles to Old Olive textured card stock in 3 x 3 grid pattern, leaving space at top center.
11. Adhere wide Rose Red heart in top-center position. Adhere "Sweetest ever" piece over bottom of heart so that middle of piece pops up in center.
12. Insert into frame without glass.

Stamps: The More the Merrier(hostess level 3)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Jet Black StazOn pad

Paper:

• Certainly Celery textured card stock: 1" x 1"
• Chocolate Chip textured card stock: 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"
• Old Olive textured card stock: 4" x 4"
• Pretty in Pink textured card stock: 3" x 3"
• Rose Red textured card stock: 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"; 3" x 3"
• Watercolor paper: two at 5" x 1-1/2"

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, Pink Bead Duo, Sherbet Designer buttons, Aqua Painter, Heart to Heart punch, 1" Circle punch, Crochet thread, Frame without glass

Project created by Stampin' Up!

Do you ever need a quick card for someone and you don't have anything quite right on hand? Unfortunately (or fortunately) that happens to me frequently. The other day I needed to send a check to someone and had some old envelopes lying around that I needed to use. The problem with the envelopes (besides the fluorescent orange color!) was the odd size – 3.5" x 6.5". Weird, huh? But since I am a rubber stamper and paper crafter, I rose to the challenge! Hee hee.

So here's what I did, and I have to say I am quite please with the results (and I got to use up a lot of retired product – win/win!):

1. Cut a piece of Blue Bayou card stock – 6.5"x 6.25" and score and fold in half so you have a 3.25" x 6.25" card.

2. Stamp the flower from From the Garden (retired) with Versamark ink on the front of the card.

3. Cut a 3"x 2.5" piece of designer paper (sorry, I cannot remember the name of this one), and tear one 3" edge. Attach to the left side of the card.

4. Use the Curly Label Punch to punch a hole from the front of the card in the lower right corner.

5. Line the inside of the card with a piece of River Rock card stock (3x6") – round the corners.

6. Close the card so you can see the River Rock card stock through the Curly Label hole on the front and stamp your image (Best Yet – retired) with Chocolate Chip ink.

7. With Chocolate Chip ink, stamp the flower image from Pocket Silhouettes on the left side, and a small portion on the right side.

Here's a close up of the inside:

Too bad the card didn't coordinate with the envelope, but hey, no one is perfect!

When I first started stamping and paper crafting, one of my favorite things to do was to dry emboss the envelope flaps in which I sent my cards. After so many years of making cards, scrapbook pages, 3D items, etc. I had almost forgotten about embossing my envelopes. Luckily I just received my new Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Die (for the Big Shot or Cuttlebug) and new it would be perfect for dry embossing the flaps on those envelopes again! And how fun to receive a card/envelope like this in the mail – all of that texture and design is almost irresistible.

I made a birthday card for my friend, Carolyn and had to emboss the envelope to match the card. Not sure how well you can see the embossing in the picture above, so here is a close up:

Isn't that just scrumptious? I love, love, love it! This is so elegant, yet oh so easy. These would be perfect for wedding or bridal shower invites. I'm sure you can think of many other reasons to decorate your envelopes.

Did I mention this was easy? Way easier than when I first started with my brass template, wax paper and stylus. Now I just put the flap in the embossing folder, create my sandwich for the Big Shot (in case you were wondering – MultiPurpose Platform/Tab1 -> cutting pad -> embossing folder (with envelope inside) -> cutting pad (top of sandwich)), and run it through the machine. Easy peasy!

Here is the card I made to coordinate:

This is a very simple card, because I wanted the dry embossing to stand out. Here's how I made it:

1) Dry emboss a piece of Pacific Point card stock (8.5 x 5.5") using the Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Die and the Big Shot. Note: I pre-scored and folded my card stock in half (at 4 1/4") so I knew where to place the card stock inside the embossing folder.

2) Ink up a Stampin' Sponge with Whisper White Craft Ink and lightly brush it across the raised embossing to make the design pop out a little more.

3) Using the scallop edge punch, punch the long front edge of the card (leaving a scallop edge).

4) Attach a 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of Designer paper (I used Walk in the Park) behind the front edge, lining it up so it is even with the back of the card. (You don't want your designer paper on the front to extend farther than the back of the card or your card won't fit in the envelope.)

5) Stamp the best wishes image from Oval All with Pacific Point ink. Punch with the large oval punch and sponge the edges with Kiwi Kiss ink.

6) Punch a piece of designer paper with the scallop oval punch. Attach the stamped image from the step above to the scallop oval.

7) Use the horizontal slot punch to punch a very small sliver out of the folded edge of the card (you need room to slide the ribbon around).

Tie a piece of Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla satin ribbon (mine was approx. 15"), sliding it through the hole you punched in the previous step. Trim the ends of the ribbon as desired.

9) Attach the stamped image to the card using dimensionals. Stamp birthday greeting on the inside of the card.

Here's a close up of the dry embossing:

Carolyn, I hope your birthday was as special as you are!

I love this card because it is fast to make, and oh so cute. And it's fun to move away from the traditional 4 ¼" x 5 ½" card size and try a square card. I like 4x4" cards because they still fit within a regular envelope if you need to put it in the mail.

This card plays with the new In Colors, punches and one of my embellishments that has been languishing in my drawer – metal edged tags. Not sure why I stopped using them, because they are easy to use and add a fun touch to just about any project.

Here's how to make it:

1. Stamp circle images in Versamark ink diagonally across Bermuda Bay textured card.
2. Stamp circle image in Crushed Curry ink on Crushed Curry card stock, punch out using 1" Circle punch, and adhere to card.
3. Stamp large circle image in Melon Mambo ink on Whisper White card stock, punch out using 1-3/4" Circle punch, and adhere to Metal Edge tag. Fold Pumpkin Pie 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon in half and adhere behind tag. Adhere tag to card using Stampin' Dimensionals.
4. Stamp sentiment in Pumpkin Pie ink on Whisper White card stock (1-7/8" x 5/16"), and snip right end. Punch hole in left side of card stock using 1/16" Circle punch, and attach Clear Rhinestone brad. Adhere to card using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Circle Circus

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Versamark, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry

Paper: Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Textured Bermuda Bay

Accessories: Punch Handheld 1/16 Inch Circle, Metal Edge Tags Aluminum White Circle, Stampin Dimensionals, Punch 1 Inch Circle, Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Pumpkin Pie, Punch 1 3/4 Inch Circle, Brads Rhinestone Circles Clear

For my Stampers' Club last month, we created these bookmarks to use in our new catalogs. I like these bookmarks because they are long enough to fit in any book I've found (e.g. text books, catalogs, regular paperbacks, cookbooks, etc.), but they are light weight and don't take up much room. They are great gifts to make for just about everyone.

Here's how to make one:

1. Die-cut a small scallop circle with the Scallop Circles #2 die and Big Shot from chipboard (I like to use the backs of the designer paper packs) and from Raspberry Tart designer paper (for the back).
2. Color the chipboard using Old Olive Craft ink and a sponge dauber. Set aside to dry.
3. Stamp the flower (I used Heartfelt Thanks) in Pink Pirouette and the outline in Rose Red on Whisper White card stock and cut out close to the image. Curl the flower petals with your fingers or scissors.
4. Apply sticky strip to the back of the scallop chipboard circle close to one edge. Attach a 20" piece of Pink Pirouette striped grosgrain ribbon to the sticky strip.
5. Cover ribbon and chipboard with the designer paper scallop circle you cut in step 1 (I like to use glue stick to get glue to all of the edges of the chipboard, but this still leaves me some "wiggle" room to get the edges of the scallops aligned perfectly).
6. Punch a 1 3/8" circle from the Raspberry Tart designer paper. Attach to front of colored chipboard.
7. Attach flower to circle using mini glue dots. Attach pearl half (from Pretties Kit) to flower center using a mini-glue dot.
8. To weight the bottom of the bookmark, place a strip of sticky strip along the edge of the ribbon. Slide on a piece of hardware (I used some retired hodgepodge hardware buckles here) and wrap ribbon around and attach to other side of ribbon with the sticky strip.

Here's a close up of the flower:

The new catalog has some fabulous new products you could use to make these bookmarks; be sure to check them out soon.

I've seen this technique a number of places and finally had to make my own version.

I think these dress cards are just too cute, and so easy to make. Simply cut a scallop circle using your Big Shot. Then cut a shape from one side of the circle to form the side of the dress. Using this piece you just cut off, flip it over and cut off the other side (this makes both sides even). How simple is that? Here's how I made my card:

1. Using Big Shot, die-cut a scallop circle from Raspberry Tart designer paper.
2. Create the dress as described above.
3. Cut a 4" piece of white grosgrain ribbon and wrap around the "waist" of the dress. Adhere to the back of the dress.
4. Add a clear rhinestone brad as a decoration on the belt.
5. Create the Pink Pirouette card (5 ½" x 8 ½" folded in half).
6. Attach a 1 ¼" x 5 ½" strip of Raspberry Tart designer paper to the left side of the card, along the fold.
7. Add dimensional to the back of the dress and attach to the front of the card.
8. Stamp sentiment from Sweet Serendipity (retired) with Rose Red ink on Whisper White card stock. Punch out with the Key Tag punch (retired) and sponge the edges with the rose ink.
9. Attach sentiment to front of card.

You could make these in so many different colors and textures – I can see this card made up in whites and vellums for a bridal shower card. I might have to make one in some funky paper for my daughter's upcoming sweet 16. What do you think?

Stamps: Sweet Serendipity
Ink: Rose Red
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Raspberry Tart designer series paper
Accessories: ¼" white grosgrain ribbon, clear rhinestone brads, key tag punch, dimensionals, Big Shot, Scallop Circle die, paper piercing tool

So is there anyone else out there that likes to "play" with matches, especially the old-fashioned matchboxes?  Okay, perhaps I'm a bit weird (perhaps, you say?), but I lvoe matchboxes.  They are so cute and fun to play with.

And I love this Matchbox die for the Big Shot! It is so much fun – and I have to admit – quite addicting! Do you know how many little goodies you can pack into one of these matchboxes? They actually hold a lot more than I realized. You can get 3 Chap Stick style lip balms in there, chocolate nuggets, tic-tacs, jelly beans, a whole lot of gift tags – hmm, might have to make this up in Christmas colors and give little gifts of Christmas gift tags. I like it!

Here's a little box I created for my workshops this month:

When I created this, I didn't realize that most of the colors would already be sold-out, but you can easily reproduce this in your favorite colors. I love the window in the top of the box sleeve. I don't think you can see it, but it has a window sheet behind the opening, so nothing from inside the box will fall out.

The matchbox itself is a breeze to cut and assemble - just run your choice of card stock and/or designer paper through the Big Shot with the matchbox die and voila!  Your box is perfectly cut and scored for you.  Wouldn't this make it so easy to create favors for a wedding, shower, party, etc?

To create the window, punch a hole with the large oval punch in the top of the window sleeve (before you assemble it).  Put a piece of window sheet (I cut mine 2"x 2 1/2") behind the opening.  Next, punch a large oval from a scrap piece of Pacific Point card stock.  Then take the scallop oval punch and center it over the oval opening you just created.  Punch this to create a little accent that you will put on top of the window opening (I prefer glue stick for this, since the piece is so small).  Now assemble your sleeve with SNAIL or preferably sticky strip.

To make the little tag (with the Matchbox Messages stamp set), I inked up the stamp in Basic Gray, then used a cotton swab to remove the ink from the little heart. I then used my Rose Red marker to add some color to my tag. Cute, don't you think? I punched out the image with the 1 1/4" circle punch and matted it with a 1 3/8" Baja Breeze circle punch. I then used my retired 1/8" cirlce punch to create a hole in the top which I threaded the Kiwi Kiss ribbon through.

Stamps: Matchbox Messages

Ink: Basic Gray, Rose Red marker

Paper: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Walk in the Park DSP

Accessories: Window Sheets, 1 ¼" and 1 3/8" circle punches, 1/8" circle punch, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, cotton swab, Big Shot, Matchbox die

Just like you, I love to learn new tips/tricks/techniques for my stamping and scrapbooking. As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, my friends, family and customers look to me to provide new ideas, which can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. Well, luckily Stampin' Up! demonstrators are a very friendly, helpful bunch and I had the opportunity to take a demonstrators-only class from a very talented demonstrator from Nebraska – Jennifer Thomas.

This adorable little basket is just one of the 8 projects we made at this stamp camp.

I was a little confused a first, but once I figured it out, this was rather easy to put together.

How to make it:

1. Cut 2 Scallop Envelopes from So Saffron card stock (using the Big Shot).
2. Cut a piece of So Saffron card stock 1 ¾" x 7 ¾".
3. Score this piece at 2 ¼" and 5 ½".
4. Fold the 2 envelopes with the side and bottom flaps folded in and the top edge (scallop edge) folded out.
5. Put sticky strip on the side and bottom flaps of both envelopes. Remove the red liner and attach 1 envelope at a time to the So Saffron card stock strip. Now you have the bottom of your basket!
6. Decorate the front as desired.
   1. We stamped the Eclectic Circles in Really Rust on Very Vanilla card stock and punched with the 1 ¼" and ¾" circle punches. The smaller circle was popped up from the larger circle with a dimensional. Attach the circles to a So Saffron scallop circle and attach this to the front of the basket with a colored brad.
   2. I used a piece of Apple Cider designer paper that was cut 1 ½" x 12" and wrapped it around the base of the basket.
7. Cut the handle from So Saffron card stock 1"x12"; use a Stampin' Around Wheel to decorate if desired. Attach to inside of basket with Sticky Strip.

I haven't had a chance to take pictures of the other projects yet, but I will definitely share as soon as I can.

If you try this project, please let me know and it would be wonderful if you shared a picture! I love seeing all of the creative projects you are working on.

Happy Stamping!

I really like this stamp in Matchbox Messages and used it to create a quick and easy note card for my friend, Leslie.

How to make it:

1. Cut a piece of 3"x6" Pink Pirouette textured card stock and fold in half for a 3x3" note card.
2. Add a piece of 2 5/8" x 2 5/8" Chocolate Chip card stock, punching the corners first with the Ticket Corner Punch.
3. Free hand cut a stem and 2 leaves from Certainly Celery card stock and attach to front of card.
4. Using Pretty in Pink marker, ink the outside circle and the flowers of the stamp; then ink the stems using a Certainly Celery marker; last, ink the words using a Chocolate Chip marker. Huff (blow moist breath) onto the stamp and stamp onto Whisper White card stock.
5. Punch out using 1 1/4" circle.
6. Punch out a 1 3/8" circle from Chocolate Chip.
7. Punch a Whisper White Scallop Circle.
8. Attach the stamp image circle to the Chocolate Chip circle and then onto the while scallop circle.
9. Attach flower to front of card.

What do you think? Isn't it cute. I also made the envelope from the Raspberry Tart designer series paper. I am so disappointed that Stampin' Up! discontinued their envelope templates, but at least I still have mine and can make the cutest "lined" envelopes in a flash!

Thanks again, Leslie – you rock!

My daughter’s boyfriend is graduating from high school tomorrow and I realized that I didn’t have any appropriate stamps to make a card with.  So I started playing around and came up with this card, which I think turned out rather cute:

I wanted to use the school colors – black and gold, so I chose Basic Black (duh) and Summer Sun.  I was trying to make the black look sort of like a chalk board (though I’m not sure the kids graduating even know what a chalkboard looks like!).  I used the Congrats set from Sale-a-Bration and the new Jumble alphabet which will be coming out in the new 2009-10 Idea Book and Catalog (and you can still purchase until the end of this month as a sneak peek!), and stamped with Whisper White Craft ink.

I also texturized the Summer Sun card using the Texturz plates and the Big Shot, but I just couldn’t get a camera angle that shows the texture (dang it!).

I used my Basic Black marker to create the pupils, and then added a highlight from my white gel pen.

I was really struggling trying to decide between cute and more serious, but I think cute just won out!  And to complete my card, I made my own envelope using the Sale-a-Bration designer paper.  I love using the double-sided designer paper for making envelopes, because your envelope has an instant “liner”!

Now I wasn’t originally certain about giving this type of card to an 18-year old boy, but considering his graduation invitations were from the movie Madagascar – I figure he’s got to be game!

Don’t forget there are only a couple of days left to take advantage of this month’s specials – Buy 3 Get 1 Free on designer papers and 20% of the sneak preview of the new Jumble alphabet.  Head on over to my online store to order now.