Christmas Tree Made with SU Punches

Hello. I thought I would do something a little different today. Different for me anyways. I thought I would do a "Pictorial Tutorial". I don't own a video camera, so photos will have to do.

I saw this cute little Christmas tree made with Stampin Up paper punches on The Splitcoast Stampers web site. I wish I could remember who the original artist is so I could give her credit. I dissected her tree, and made some step by step pictures to post on my blog.

The first photo is of the finished product. The punches used are the "Scalloped Circle", and "Small Star". Other accessories used were SU two-way glue pen, SU dazzling diamonds glitter, and a small clear sticky gem from Michael's.

You will notice as you follow the pictures that if you follow my instructions to the letter, you will have enough pieces to make 2 trees. You can place them both on one card together, or make two cards with them. I prefer the latter, so that I have two cards made quickly.

The first thing I did was to punch out 3 scalloped circles. I set two of them aside. The first one, I counted 6 scallops out and marked them. Then I used a straight edge to draw the dashed cutting lines that you see in the picture. Next, you can cut the pieces on the dashed lines, and throw away the two single scallops.







On the second scallop, I counted and marked off 5 scallops. Next, drawing the dashed lines with a straight edge, also gave us the "two scallop piece" that we will also be using to build the tree. So, cut on the dashed lines, and set all four pieces aside.











For the third scallop piece, I counted and marked off four scallops. As you can see this gives us "2-four scallop pieces" and "2-three scallop pieces". Again, I drew the dashed lines to give me an easy guide to cut, and then I cut the pieces and set them aside.









Next I stacked the pieces up vertically to see how the tree would fit together. Obviously the largest piece on the bottom and smallest on the top. Then I adhered them together with snail adhesive as you can see in the next picture. The final step was to add some glitter to each level of the tree, and a sticky gem to the star, and the tree is ready to put on a card.





Sorry, I don't have the complete card to show you, maybe I will post that tomorrow.







Just in case anyone wants to know, the car stock that I used was SU Garden Green, and SU Shimmer Gold. It also looks nice in SU Handsome Hunter. Obviously, there are many colors out there that would look nice, the ones above are just my personal choices.

My First Diorama Card!

Hello. Its late and I can't sleep, so I decided to start a new post. I posted a little paragraph about my Nephew in the Navy a few days ago. I mentioned he was home from the war zones, well, I got to speak to him on the phone this evening. I was so excited to hear his voice. He is the son I never had. Ok, now that I expressed my awesome news for today, on to some crafting.

Well, at my upline workshop that I have been posting about all week, we made what is called a "Diorama Card". Yes I am sure that I was the only stamper left on the planet who had never made one before. I assumed something completely idiotic. For the longest time, I had been wondering how in the heck that you mail these 3-dimentional cards. Yes, just call me "ding-bat". Thank heavens my upline knows me well enough to say outloud as she is explaining how to make it, that it flattens down to be placed into an envelope, and pops back up when it is removed from the envelope. Duh! I was trying to picture this 3-D card being mailed in a small box, which to me seemed like a very big waste of postage. So, with that being said, please take a moment to laugh hysterically at me for being so dingy, then we can move on. .............................................................

Ok, so, here is the photo of the card. I am sorry, but I can't remember what Stampin Up set or sets we used, and don't feel like looking them up at the moment. Sorry about the bad attitude there. Now that I know how to create this interesting type of card, I will design one myself real soon and post it for anyone to see. If any of you want to learn how to make this card, there is a tutorial on a website called Splitcoast Stampers, which I am sure you have already heard of. If you haven't heard of it, the tutorials can be found under the resource heading at the top of the home page. If you are one of my local customers and want me to teach this at a workshop, just let me know, and we will get it scheduled!

More projects from Upline Workshop

Hello. I am back again. Wow, 2 posts in one day! What a rare event for me. Anyways, the first project involves the Top Note Die Cut from SU's new Big Shot Machine, and an old favorite SU's "Lovely as a Tree" stamp set. We held a torn uneven mask onto the top note, then with Bashful Blue and a brayer, we made the sky, and stamped the trees in Basic Black. Then added some Dazzling diamonds glitter with SU's 2-way glue pen. The assembly of the rest is pretty self explanatory.


This project was a box made out of card stock and acetate for the lid. I must admit that it looked a bit difficult getting the acetate scored correctly. The little stamped images inside are decorated mints. My leader went home with half a box, since she couldn't help eating them. Shame on you Terri. Tee Hee. It makes a very cute gift
when you have all of the candies in it. Tee Hee. I guess I had better quit, or the next time I need to borrow tools for a workshop, I may get the cold shoulder. Only kidding, I love ya Terri.
















This card had an interesting idea about what to do with your designer paper scraps. Yes, ALWAYS keep your scraps. They do have a use. Here we just cut up some SU's DSP into small confetti-like shapes, and set aside. Then, took our versamark pad directly to a piece of SU Whisper White card stock. Sprinkle SU Irridescent Ice Embossing Powder and Heat Set. Make sure you have a pair of Tweezers to hold onto the card stock with so as not to burn your fingers with the heat gun. Or, create a temporary card stock handle on the back of the piece you are embossing. Then we adhered the scraps of DSP that we chopped up earlier, and finished up the card. Lydia over at Understand Blue did something similar to this with solid card stock in various shades of blue to create a sky. Check out her blog when you have a chance. Lydia is a very creative and funny lady. Hey Lydia, if you are reading this, I miss Maddie and Splotchy, post some photos soon. Those are her two hilarious kittens that she found dumped on the side of the road by some sub-human jerk and she adopted them. Ok, my eyes are telling me to quit, and my brain is telling me to get off the computer and clean off my crafting table. I will post the rest of my upline workshop photos another day. God Bless, and have a very Happy Thanksgiving day! Lisa

Upline Workshop Creations

Hello. Wow, what a busy week this is with the upcoming Holiday tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving to all! I have a nephew who was born on my 15th birthday, and he is in the US Navy. Well, I got word today that my nephew's air craft carrier (USS Ronald Reagan), reached its port in San Diego on November 18th safe and sound. They had been on their second tour to the Middle East. So, I have an extra blessing this year to be thankful for. I heard he was all grins when he saw his new baby girl (she was born while he was away) for the first time. He has 2 boys and one girl.

Ok, on to some crafting. My Stampin Up leader hosted a techniques workshop for all of us on Monday. This is something she does for us once per year. However, we know most of the techniques, so she prepared some interesting projects, and let us play with her Big Shot die cutter. I have got to get some of those die-cuts, they are too darn cute. Where the heck is that money fairy when I need her. haha.


This project was the cutest little magazine file replica. It stands just a little over 3 inches tall. We made the 3 x3 cards in the photo below to go in it. That would make a cute gift for a co-worker or friend. Well, I am being paged to go run erands, so I will be back later to post some of the other projects we made, especially those made with the Big Shot Machine!



Lisa

Blue Jay in Flight

Hello. So sorry about my absence this past week, I have been not feeling quite like myself. Then, I just couldn't decide on what ribbon to put on the card to finish it off. It is strange; that no matter how much ribbon I collect, I still have trouble finding what I want to use on cards from my collection. Anyways, here is a card that I have been working on that uses one of the bird stamps in my new stamp set that my DH got me for my birthday last week. I first stamped it with versamark ink, then Stampin Up's classic Brilliant Blue ink. Next I colored in some of the bird with my SU white gel pen. I thought he looked more interesting that way. Then I mounted him onto some SU Brilliant Blue card stock. Both rectangles cut with my Nestibilities large regular rectangles diecuts, and added some sticky gems from Michael's, and popped the bird up a bit with some foam dimensionals. The panel on the left is hard to see, but it was ran through my cuttlebug with the "Birds and Swirls" embossing folder, and mounted on SU Brilliant Blue card stock. Then, I had some of my favorite layered Martha Stewart Butterflies pre-made, so I glued that on. Finally I added a sentiment from SU's Retired "Warmest Words" stamp set, and a mediocre looking ribbon tied in a bow. I was wishing I had royal blue satin instead. Gotta suggest that to Stampin Up........More colors of their pretty taffeta ribbon. Don't you agree? The next photo is just a close up, to make the embossing show up a little better.

Now, I started something with one of my other Cuttlebug embossing folders, and I am not quite sure where to take it from here. What I did was to color the raised images with Stampin Up markers, then with my VersaMark Marker, then sprinkled some clear embossing powder, and heat embossed on the dry embossed pattern. Next, I matted it onto some SU Pumpkin Pie, card stock, and punched a border with one of my Fiskers Border punches. I absolutely love border punches. I added a few tiny, yellow sticky gems, on the swirls (they probably aren't very visible on my photo, sorry). This is where I got stuck. I think It needs to be mounted onto a larger piece of card stock, add some ribbons or brads, and maybe a sentiment of some kind on a tag or something. Anyone out there in cyberspace have a suggestion for me, it would be greatly appreciated? If not, I shall wait for a revelation! Well, gotta go. I will be back this week, but if you aren't, Happy Thanksgiving ahead of time.

Something Blue that Flies!

Hello. I was in a "Blue" mood, and a "Butterfly" mood. Of course I am always in a "Sparkle and Bling" mood. This card was obviously not at all about stamping, but about using some fun tools. This is what I came up with by using the single Martha Stewart Butterfly punch, and the Butterfly Trio punch by MS. I am not usually one of her fans, but I lo..............ve her punches. It is hard to see in the photo, but the butterflies have some Dazzling Diamond Glitter on the edge of their wings. The two larger butterflies that are glued together, were curled a tiny bit on the back by using an embossing stylus on their wings. It gives them a little dimension, and only takes a few minutes. Hopefully this will show in the close up I will upload in a wee bit. Just practicing my Irish accent there. The big Butterfly body is actually black glitter from Doodlebug Designs. Wish I had all the colors, darn. Speaking of wishful thinking, you have got to go visit Jennifer McGuire's Blog. She is giving a video tour of her crafting space. I have never seen anything like it, and would love to go over to her place and look through all of her little drawers and jars. It is something to see. Ok, back to me........ The scalloped ovals are popped up with dimensionals, and you can't tell in the photo, but even the ribbon has some sparkle in it. I wish you could see the full effect of the ribbon, it is beautiful. Wish I had 50 yards of it in every color it comes in. Do I wish a lot or what? Oh well. So, I think that I will just shut up, post the list of supplies, and upload that close up photo. Until next time.... Lisa


Paper: SU Ballet Blue, Brilliant Blue, Misc. Iridescent white, misc. Unknown Patterned paper
Punches: Martha Stewart Butterfly, Butterfly Trio, and Scalloped Lace Border, SU 3/16" Corner Rounder, Tonic Butterfly Border System, Nestibilities Large Scalloped Ovals.
Accessories: Sticky rhinestones from Michael's, Foam Dimensionals, Glitter listed above in commentary.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Check out this awesome stuff my Hubby let me pick out for my birthday yesterday. The package of clear stamps are from Inkadinkado, and the paper punches are Martha Stewart. The butterfly trio punch coordinates with my single butterfly punch by MS, so they can be layered for a cool effect. I made a card with the two butterfly punches and a...............lot of bling, which I will place in another post later this evening. I also got to purchase a paper pack of iridescent vellum with a 50% off coupon at Michaels. Not an easy thing to photograph though. That paper pack had been calling my name for weeks. Well, gotta run an errand. I will be back later after 8:30 pm Ohio time. Keep crafting. Lisa

Easy Birthday card

Hello. I am so into quick and easy cards, and neutral colors lately. I can't seem to get away from black this past week. Maybe it is this dull southern Ohio weather we are having.

Anyways, I am late again getting to this new post. Oh well, that's life. I have a new SU customer that said she wants to place an order and she is wishing she had bought SU's "Pocket Silhouettes" stamp set when it was on sale. Well, new customer and friend you got me thinking about those stamps, and I couldn't get them out of my mind. So, here they are on card stock. Two of them anyways. Oh, if you are hungry for some more easy cards using this set, you can find them on my completely awesome and talented friend, Lydia's blog. Just page down on the right hand side of her blog, click on September and October posts, and scroll down until you see them.

I am so bummed about my picture of this card though, the colors didn't turn out quite right. The base is SU going gray, the panel on the left is SU Basic Gray, and was run through my cuttlebug machine with my swiss dots embossing folder. It is hard to tell, but the stamped images and their basic black scalloped shadow were popped up with some foam dimensionals. I guess I need some photography lessons. One last thing is that the greeting is from a retired SU stamp set "Warmest Regards". However, "Sincere Salutations" would look just as nice and is still current. Well, that is it for tonight. Monday is my birthday, and my wonderful hubby let me get some new awesome tools with those awesome 50% off Michael's coupons from last week. I will post something made with them Monday. Gotta run.

Same Card Sketch, Different Stamp Set.

Hello. Boy am I ever late getting this posted. Too much to do, so little time. I used this stamp set and color scheme in a previous post that you can find here. This card sketch is easy to use with almost any stamps or stamp sets, even if the stamped image is larger than the 1-1/4" square paper punch that I used on it. For instance on this card I just centered the punch over what I thought was the most important part of the stamp image. Some stamp images will be too large, but a lot of them will look great showing only a partial image. Plus, this is a fast sketch to follow when you are trying to make up a lot of cards, fast like at Christmas time, or for a stamp-a-stack card workshop. This sketch could be used for 2 or more different cards with different stamp sets in a workshop. Oh, by the way this is Stampin Up's "Season of Simple Grace" stamp set. That is all I have to say about that! Geez, I sound like Forest Gump. Anyways, list of supplies will be below.

Card stock: Stampin Up Basic Black, Whisper White, Brushed Gold.

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: SU Scallop Square Punch, SU 1-1/4" regular square punch, Detail Gold Embossing Powder, Ribbon is from Lisa's miscellaneous stash.

Stampin Up Rub-ons are on sale!!!!!!!!

See my contact info if you would like to take advantage of this great price on Stampin Up Rub-ons!

Some crafting tomorrow.............

Tune in to Inspired by Purple!

Lisa

Easy and Quick Card Layout

Hello. Please forgive me for my 3-day absence, I had some things to take care off and couldn't get to my craft table to prepare anything to blog about.

I wanted to create a cute but quick workshop card for my upcoming workshop here at my house, so when I saw last weeks splitcoast stampers card sketch, I knew it would be perfect. Hooray, I finally found one of my current Stampin Up Christmas Stamp sets as well, so all is looking much better in my little purple crafting world. Anyways, check out the reindeer's nose! I put a tiny red sticky gem on it, and accidentally aimed the camera just right so that the flash made it appear to be glowing. I swear, I have no idea how I did it! Please forgive me for not using SU Real Red card stock, because I am running low on that color, so I substituted something else that comes close from my misc. card stock stash. I hate to place an order just for a few packs of card stock, because SU has adopted that minimum shipping charge of $6.95, if your total is below a certain amount. I am trying to hold off until someone calls me with an order. Hint, Hint, Hint.....

Anyways, I simply cut the red card stock down to the size that I wanted, stamped it with the snowflake background stamp and Versamark ink from SU's "Merry & Bright" set. Adhered it with my snail adhesive. Next I punched 3 squares from Whisper White card stock, punched 3 scalloped squares (2 from Red, and one from Certainly Celery card stock). Set aside the scalloped squares, and stamped the images, also from SU's "Merry & Bright" stamp set. Yes, I stamped them off center a bit on purpose, except for the snowman. Next I colored them with SU markers, and Adhered them to the card. Last, but not least I tied a little ribbon around the front of the card, and stamped a greeting. Until next time, happy crafting!

Card stock: SU Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Misc. Red

Ink: SU Basic Black, Versamark Watermark Ink

Accessories: SU 1/4" white grosgrain ribbon, SU Scallop Square Punch, 1-1/4" Regular Square Punch, Red Sticky gem from Michael's, and Happy Holidays stamp from SU Retired stamp set "Warmest Regards".

Embrace Life card w/ attached Bookmark

Hello. Well, I sat at my craft table for an hour trying to come up with a Christmas card with a Stampin Up Christmas stamp set, and came up with absolutely nothing. I was trying for a change to use a current set. I have only 2 current Christmas sets, and I already used the one from the mini catalog on an earlier post, and my other one, is nowhere to be found. SU really disrupted my current supply on everything last year when they had that absolutely huge discontinued list. Ok, now that I complained and got that off of my chest.

I decided to post a card that I made for a workshop. It is pretty cool if I say so myself, as it comes with a small gift attached, a bookmark. I am sure that most of you have heard about the SU "Cutter Kit". Well, one of the tools is a perforating blade, which is how the recipient of the card can detach the bookmark. Simply cut your card stock a little extra long on one side; depending on how wide you want the bookmark to be. Once you score and fold your card base over to the standard invitation size, You can use the edge of the card base front as your straight edge with which to run the perforating blade along for your detachable bookmark. After this is done, create your card design, and attach, then your book mark design and attach. If you wish you can attach some ribbon or fiber to the top of the bookmark (remember to punch one layer of card stock at a time, I broke a punch trying to get through two layers once). To fold it all up to fit into an envelope, first fold down the ribbon, fold in your book mark at the perforation, then it is ready to place in the envelope and mail. If anyone wants me to put a step by step photo tutorial of this on another post, just leave me a comment requesting this. Otherwise, the supplies I used are listed below. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Lisa

Card stock: SU Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Basic Gray

Ink: Basic Gray, Regal Rose

Accessories: SU Markers, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Ribbon~retired Rose SU Cutter Kit.

I took back my MS Snowflake border punch!

Wow, I don't know about all of you, but I am so glad to have that election over with. I was still getting election phone calls the day of the election. So tired of it all! OK, "nuff" said on that!

I went back to Michael's with my yucky Martha Stewart Snowflake border punch, and exchanged it for the gingerbread border punch. I LOVE IT! I have this very cute Gingerbread man stamp from a company called: Imaginisce, that I knew would look great on a card with that punch. So, the card in the picture is what I came up with!

I first cut the two scalloped squares with my Nesties and Cuttlebug machine, then stamped the gingerbread man with Versamark and SU's Chocolate Chip ink. Then I heat embossed him with clear embossing powder. Next I colored him with SU markers. Then, I punched the base of the card with my new punch. Oh, little tip I found out after using these border punches a few times. Start in the middle of your card for the first punch, then finish off each side, so that it looks proportional all the way across. I noticed on my snowflake card from my previous post that one end of the card has a snowflake, the other had that little diamond shape. Just a little thing I am picky about. Next I placed a piece of red card stock under the punched border, to show off the border a little more. The ribbon I used at the top is from the stash of goodies that my good friend gave me (page down to see post). The buttons were from my button stash, the one in the middle was a little experiment that I was trying with double layering buttons. Looks kind of neat if I do say so myself. That about sums it up. Products used are listed below.

Card stock: SU retired Wild Wasabi, Red Unknown
Ink: Versamark, SU classic Chocolate Chip
Markers: SU Real Red, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Foam Dimensionals, SU Clear EP, Ribbon and Buttons unknown, Martha Stewart Gingerbread Border Punch, Nestibilities Large Classic Scalloped Rectangles

See ya, Lisa

No New Crafting tonight

Hello. So sorry, but I don't have anything prepared to post tonight, I am very nervously wrapped up in the election. I am so worried my favorite won't win, but in all honesty, I don't think either one of them will fix the economy. Not to be a downer, but I think America has some very tough roads ahead concerning national security, and the economy, then there's health care. OK,OK, I could sit her for hours naming them all. I pray that whoever wins, leads this country with a christian heart and mind. There, I think that said it all; short and sweet. I will be very busy on Wednesday as well, so I probably won't be posting until Thursday. But ya never know! I have several ideas swimming around in my head just waiting for me to put them on card stock. I hope you all voted today, it is our right and privilege here in the land of the free. One final note: Always remember, that no matter how bad things seem for us here in the USA, we are still the greatest country on earth, and there are much worse places to be. Lisa

Snowflake Christmas Card

Hello. Well, this is what I was inspired to make tonight. I am not sure what I think of it, but it was fast and easy to make. I started with some pre-cut/pre-scored shimmer blue card stock that I purchased at a Stamp Convention a couple of years ago. Sorry I don't remember the name of the company. First I punched the snowflake border with my EK Success snowflake border punch, then I attached a shimmer white card stock strip behind it. I then stamped my snowflakes, and Joy stamp into some SU White Craft ink. Next I sprinkled some clear embossing powder onto the stamped images and heat set. You can't tell this in the picture, but the big snowflake in the middle has SU's Iridescent Ice EP on it. I was experimenting with that first, but then when I embossed the rest with clear EP, I decided that I liked that better in this situation. I found that to be strange, because of all my Stampin Up embossing powders, Iridescent Ice is the one used most often. Last, but not least, I added some clear rhinestones to some of the snowflake centers. I am so hooked on bling. Maybe I need a support group such as BA - Bling Anonymous. I just can't quit! I'm an addict. Oh well, at least I am not in denial.

Well, believe it or not, I am out of stuff to say. Oh, don't forget to vote Tuesday, and may God Bless each of you! Lisa

"Garden Whimsey" - wall decoration

Hello. Here I am, a little late in the evening, but I am finally here. Where the heck do the hours go? I often wonder if mothers that have more than one or two kids even remember having a life, once their children are grown. It must be one big blur! Especially that poor mother in Arkansas who is pregnant with her 18th child! Only 2 of her pregnancies have been multiples (twins). Michelle Duggar is her name, and she, her husband and all of the little Duggars are on TV quite frequently (TLC and Discovery Health channels). Actually, the oldest Duggar is 20 years old and he just got married. That is one very interesting family, I highly recommend doing a search on the internet, and reading all about them. Did the Lord build her body strong or what? Ok, I have absolutely no idea why I just told you all of that, but I also feel the need to just leave it on my post.

Ok, I promise that I will get onto the real reason I am clicking on my keyboard right now. I found these really pitiful thin coasters in the Target Dollar spot quite a few months ago, but thought maybe I could use them in my paper crafting. So, I created this wall decoration for my daughter's bedroom. Her bedroom is decorated in Purple and Pink. Gee, I wonder where she gets that love for purple? Anyways, She also likes butterflies and flowers, so I thought Stampin Up's "Garden Whimsey" Stamp set would be a good choice. The background on all of the squares is SU's Perfect Plum card stock. First I traced the shapes I needed, and cut them out. I set the coasters aside, and stamped the images onto the card stock. I did this so that if I messed up, I wouldn't have to try to figure out how to get the card stock off of the coasters. I stamped the images in versamark, then into the color of classic ink of my choice. Next I sprinkled the images with SU's Irridescent Ice embossing powder (I love that stuff), and heat set. After this step, I adhered my stamped images to the coasters with that really tacky double sided tape that SU sells. I tried my Martha Stewart Mod Podge, but after it dried, the card stock pealed right off of the coaster. The next step was to put on a few embellishments like some Prima flowers, and some gem stones. I am so hooked on anything that sparkles. Must be a girl thing. The final step was to get out that very tacky tape and attach the ribbon to the backs of the coasters, and place a bow at the top. Voila, all done, and my daughter loves it! I will list what ink colors that I used at the bottom, and some close up photos.

All ink from Stampin Up: Lovely Lilac, Pink Passion, and Retired Spectrum Pad - Parfait, Ribbon: Retired grosgrain-Delphinium

Snowflake Border Punches - Martha Stewart or Ek Success?

Hello, the photos above are two different snowflake border punches. The one on the bottom is by Martha Stewart, and the snowflake is supposed to be embossed, and it is a little bit. The punch itself shows a much prettier more detailed embossed snowflake than you can see in the photo. Yes, I even had my husband, whom has very strong hands, give it a try; and it still did not turn out like it shows on the punch itself. Now, the photo on the top is a border punch by EK Success - paper shapers. I love that one. What you see on the package and punch, is what you get when you use it. Plus, you also get these cute little snowflakes leftover to use on another project if you want to. See photo below.

Now, I must admit that I am a little one sided on paper punches because as you know I am a Stampin Up Demonstrator, and EK Success manufactures all of SU's paper punches. I am not by any means against Martha Stewart's paper punches as a whole. I have two other MS punches, and I adore them, and I have a few more on my wish list. However, this particular one is a huge disappointment. I am telling you all of this to let you know to beware of any of her punches that say they emboss. The result that you get may not be what you expected! Well, that is all that I have for tonight. Tomorrow, I will have a wall hanging that I made for my daughter's room made with Stampin Up's Stamp set called "Garden Whimsey". She loves it, I am hoping you will too. Take care. Lisa