Leadership Make & Takes, Part 1

I really loved the make and take projects at Leadership this year. The projects were designed as a set and work great for class. I'm putting together a class kit, so stay tuned for details next week. In the meantime, here's a sneak peek. These 5-1/4" x 5-1/4" square cards are part of the So Tweet Good Friend stationary set.


Supplies: Good Friend stamp set, Good Morning Sunshine DSP, So Tweet chipboard, Kiwi Kiss ink, Pacific Point ink, Tangerine Tango ink, Chocolate Chip ink, Summer Sun ink, Ruby Red Craft ink, Whisper White cardstock, Tombow Multi Adhesive, Kiwi Kiss ribbon, 1/2" Circle Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch

Scallop Envelope Valentine Treat

I CASEd this project from my talented upline, Kim Peck. This was the make and take at our last group meeting. (Thanks to Margo for showing me how to make this since I couldn't attend the meeting.) I think the card is different from Kim's original, but the box is mostly the same.

The 3" x 2-3/4" card inside pulls out. A Ghirardelli chocolate also fits nicely in the box. (A small bag of M&M's would probably fit well too.)

I love the alternate use for these small scallop envelopes. The box is made of two envelopes glued together. Start by cutting two envelopes with the Stampin' Up! Exclusive Scallop Envelope die for the Big Shot. Cut the large end off so that it's about the same size as the side flaps.

Put Sticky Strip on all three flaps of one envelope. (Sticky Strip not shown in image below) Adhere the sides and bottoms of the envelopes together to form a box, like this:

One of the scalloped flaps stays up and the other folds down in the front. I covered this flap with my DSP belly band (1" x 8") and Hugs & Kisses scallop circle, but you could certainly put the belly band under it so that the scallop shows. Another tip: Adhere the belly band ends in the front so that the scallop circle covers up the seam!

I used the Love You Much Bundle for this project. Click here for details on how to get this Valentine bundle 20% off. Hurry: Sale ends Saturday! Click here for more ideas using the Love You Much Bundle.

Supplies: Love You Much, Riding Hood Red cardstock, Pink Pirouette cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Basic Brown ink, Candy Lane DSP, Scallop Circle Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals

Clean & Simple Challenge

For Stacey's Jewelry Color Challenge this week, I turned to a sketch she used on another blog post. You can find it over on Clean & Simple Stamping. The name says it all. This is just my style! Here's this week's color challenge:
And the Clean & Simple sketch:

And my card:

Sorry it's a little blurry. I've been trying to take photos of my projects in natural light without the flash. It really makes a difference in the colors, but I'm having problems with blurry images sometimes. The sun has set for the night, so this shot will have to do!

Supplies: Thank You Kindly, Whisper White cardstock, Kraft cardstock, Old Olive ink, Haiku DSP, Junior Varsity DSP, Manchester DSP, Flower Fusion & Flower Fusion Too (felt flowers), Silver Brads

Sketch Series #2

For the second year running now, I have sent my downline (the demonstrators I have recruited and those they recruited) a Valentine card instead of a Christmas card. I want them to be able to display and use the card past the Christmas holiday. Plus I usually don't get my cards out until the week OF Christmas (or after).

This year, I used some cardstock I had leftover from my Holiday Trinkets stamp-a-stack card. I wanted to use the Love You Much Bundle, since it is on special in January. (Click here to learn more about getting 20% off this special Valentine Bundle.) Here's my card:

Supplies: Love You Much, Real Red ink & cardstock, Basic Black ink, So Saffron marker & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Kraft cardstock, Heart to Heart Punch, 3/4" Square Punch

Here's the pile of 40 cards before I mailed them:

I really like this layout, and apparently so did my downline! They CASEd the layout for their own cards. Here are two, from Barb and Cindy.

Barb's Card:

Cindy's Card:

Spiral Pop-Up Card

I have to stop saying things like "this card is going to knock your socks off" because it puts a lot of pressure on me to really come through! (wink!) Well, if you've been patiently waiting since my buzzy bee post, here is the card that I hinted at. I hope it "knocks your socks off" as I promised it would!

Yeah, I know. The front doesn't do it. How 'bout the inside?

Someone demonstrated this spiral pop-up technique at Convention last summer and I finally made one. Isn't it perfect with these bees? You could pop-up flowers or bugs or beer mugs (as I remember one Convention sample did).

The pop-up construction is really quite easy. Use the 1-3/4" Circle Punch to create two circles. (It works best when you use the same color as the inside of your card because the spirals "disappear" into the background and the things you want to pop up look like they are floating.) Use scissors to cut each circle into a spiral. Start at the edge and gradually cut to the middle. The spiral should be about 1/4" thick.

Use a glue dot to adhere only the outside end to the inside of your card. The spiral should lay flat in the form of the original circle. Put another glue dot on the very middle of the spiral. Close the card and push down on the front of the card so that the end of the spiral catches and adheres to the top of the inside. Here's a picture showing one spiral fully attached and the second spiral attached to the bottom with the glue dot ready to go in the middle.

I used the 1-1/4" Circle Punch to punch out the bees and then I adhered them to the spiral with a single glue dot at the very bottom of the bee (on the back). I used 5 bees on the inside (odd numbers are more pleasing to the eye), but one of them is adhered to the inside of then card and not to a spiral.

Supplies: Just Buzzin' By, Summer Sun marker & cardstock, Basic Black ink/marker & cardstock, Whisper White Craft ink & cardstock, Blush Blossom marker, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Mini Glue Dots, 2-way glue & Dazzling Diamonds (used on bee wings)

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Quick Poll

At Leadership Conference, there was a lot of chatter about blogs and it made me start thinking about all of you, my blog audience. When I started my blog last May, I had two goals in mind: to share my stamping projects and inspire my customers to stamp, and to train my downline with duplicatable ideas that they could use in their own workshops/classes/clubs.


As I start the new year blogging, I'm curious to know who's reading and following my stamping journey. I don't anticipate that the answer will affect the content of my blog incredibly. I still intend to continue sharing new projects "almost daily" and hope to inspire all of you in your own creations. But it will be nice to know "who" I'm talking to.


So, please take just a minute to click your answer to my current poll: "Are You a Fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator?" Please answer honestly and know that regardless of your answer, I appreciate the time you take to check in with me each day!

Good Friend Card

Here's another card I made using some scraps of paper from my Leadership Make & Take. The paper is from the Good Morning Sunshine series. This is another accordion fold card. (Click here to see my first and second cards like this.) I scored the cardstock in half and then folded back the front part and cut about 3/4" of an inch off the front flap.

Closed:

Open:

Supplies: Good Friend, Chocolate Chip ink & cardstock, More Mustard ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Good Morning Sunshine DSP, Scallop Edge Punch

So Tweet Card

When I saw the colors for Stacey's Jewelry Color Inspiration Challenge this week, I knew I had to break out my new So Tweet chipboard and make a blue bird! We received an entire package of this chipboard for our Leadership make and take projects (which I'll post soon)! I had a very tiny piece of the Good Morning Sunshine DSP leftover from one of the projects, so I used it on the bird's wing. So Tweet, indeed!

Oh! I almost forgot! Stacey is giving away blog candy this week. She'll choose a random entry in her Jewelry Color Inspiration Challenge, so if you haven't already, give her color challenge a shot!

Supplies: Good Friend stamp set (greeting), So Tweet On Board chipboard, Pacific Point cardstock, Night of Navy marker/ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Certainly Celery cardstock, Bashful Blue Prints DSP, 1/4" Navy Grosgrain Ribbon

Raspberry Best Wishes Card

I wasn't so sure about this Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper when I first saw it, but it's really growing on me. I love the pairing of Rose Red with Cameo Coral. My Stamp Clubbers are making a different card tonight with some of this paper. I'll share it later this week, so as not to spoil the surprise!

Supplies: Sweet Stems, Heard from the Heart, Versamark ink pad, Winter White embossing powder, Raspberry Tart DSP, Whisper White cardstock, Rose Red cardstock, Cameo Coral cardstock, Kiwi Kiss cardstock, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, 1/4" White Grosgrain ribbon

Just Buzzin' By Card

This is my first card with the new "Just Buzzin' By" stamp set. I was using up some scraps that I had cut for another card. I think it turned out cute, but I'm working on another design for this month's stamp club that will knock your socks off! I'll post it after club meets this week, so stay tuned....

Inside:

[The finished size of this card is 3" x 6".]

Supplies: Just Buzzin' By, More Mustard ink/marker & cardstock, Basic Brown ink, Chocolate Chip cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP, 2-Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches

Spring-Summer Catalog Starts Today!

I've been sitting on the new catalog for a week and a half now and finally got to place my first order today. There are some great new stamp sets, new Designer Series paper (including textured and glossy print speciality papers), new buttons & brads, new ribbon, new Big Shot dies & embosslits -- including one with a movable piece!!

I could go on and on, but why don't you go check it out for yourself!? The easiest way to see what's new is to visit my Online Store at http://juliedavison.stampinup.net/, click "Shop Now" in the upper right corner, and then click on "Specials". All of the new products are in one place -- so easy to view! Enjoy!!

Bugs & Kisses Card

I haven't stamped since Monday night. I had every intention of doing Stacey's Jewelry Color Challenge last night, but I crashed on the couch and didn't get up until 6:00 am. No joke! I'm still pretty drained, emotionally and physically, from my mother-in-law's funeral this week. I promise to get my act together and keep you inspired this week with brand new project ideas.

The new Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog starts tomorrow!! Woo-hoo! It is fantastic and I can't wait to share it with you. Unfortunately, I am somewhat of a doo-doo bird and never finalized my pre-order for the catalogs. Can you believe it!?! I've been waiting for them to show up on my doorstep and when I went to find the order to look for a tracking number, I found there was no order. ARGH! I have them ordered now and will happily send one your way when they do show up. (Send me an email to reserve your copy.) In the meantime, you'll be able to view the catalog online starting tomorrow by visiting my Online Store at http://juliedavison.stampinup.net/ (Click "Shop Now".) If you place an online order via my website, I will automatically send you a copy of the catalog when my shipment comes in.

Ok, back to stamping! I hate to mess up my perfect record for Stacey's challenges, so I whipped up this little valentine this morning. I feels good to stamp and I'm looking forward to my stamping appointment with Margo this afternoon. (Hi Margo!) Better hurry this up so I can get my housework done before lunch. (Pathetically, that means I have to finally take down the Christmas tree! I know, I know...don't get me started. Between Orlando and the funeral, it's just been kind of a crazy January!)

Supplies: Bugs & Kisses, Green Tea DSP, Certainly Celery ink, Pink Pirouette ink & cardstock, Real Red ink & cardstock, Whisper White ink & cardstock, 1/4" White Grosgrain Ribbon

Sweet Stems Swap Card

I made this card for our demonstrator group card swap using the Spring-Summer preview stamp set Sweet Stems. The color were inspired by the new Raspberry Tart paper (Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red, Cameo Coral) even though I didn't end up using any of the DSP on the card.

This is a 3" x 6" version of a card I made in the fall using some different DSP-inspired colors. Click here to view the original card.

Thirty or so people at Leadership also got this card as a swap using slightly different colors (Ruby Red, More Mustard, and Old Olive).

Supplies: Sweet Stems, Thank You Kindly, Heard from the Heart, Rose Red marker & cardstock, White White cardstock, Cameo Coral marker & cardstock, Kiwi Kiss ink & cardstock, Blender Pen, Basic Black ink pad, Versamark ink pad, Curly Label Punch, Silver Brads, White Embossing Powder

Butterfly Baby Wipe Card

I absolutely love the way this card turned out. I had hoped to include a photo tutorial of the baby wipe technique with this post, but I don't have time to write it up this week and I wanted to post this project while the stamp set (Flight of the Butterfly) is on sale. You can get it 20% off with a $20 purchase if you order by this Sunday. Here's the card:

Isn't that sharp?! If that's not enough to make you want this stamp set, check out these other Flight of the Butterfly samples previously posted on my blog:
Sketch Card ~ Celebrate Card ~ Happy Day Scrapbook Page ~ Accordion Fold Card ~ 8-1/2" x 8-1/2" Scrapbook Page ~ Thank U Card


Flight of the Butterfly, Item #111564, Reg: $31.95; SALE: $25.56
Order on my website: http://juliedavison.stampinup.net/ (Click "Shop Now").

I'll try to work on the photo tutorial for the baby wipe technique next week. Basically, you take a baby wipe and fold it into quarters. Add dots of several different color reinkers. To make the striped background (at the bottom of my card), wipe the baby wipe across the cardstock. For the tie-dye look, use the baby wipe as a "ink pad" for a bold stamp (the butterfly wings on my card).

Supplies: Flight of the Butterfly, Apricot Appeal reinker & cardstock, Regal Rose reinker & cardstock, Almost Amethyst reinker, Whisper White cardstock, Basic Black ink pad, 1/4" Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, Baby Wipe

Stamp Therapy

It's been a very long and hard day. My mother-in-law passed away late last night. She has been sick, but it was still unexpected to get that dreaded midnight phone call. I was barely home from Orlando for 8 hours. (I had a nice trip and the new catalog is fabulous, by the way!)

Today was difficult. The worst part was telling my two kids (5 and 3-1/2) that Grandma died. I'm not sure that they really understand yet what that means. Thomas asked if it was "forever?" and Claire offered a solution to help people who are sad feel better: "hugs & kisses". We will need plenty of those this week.

After I put the kids all to bed, I spent a couple quiet hours working on some stamp therapy and reflecting on "Grandma" Davison. I made this 8-1/2" x 8-1/2" scrapbook page spread for Elise's album.

Quote: "Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while... but our hearts forever"

Journaling: We were so happy that Grandma Davison could make it to the hospital to meet Elise. She was so proud of her new granddaughter -- and especially big brother Thomas and big sister Claire! These are the last pictures we took of Grandma and her grand kids. She held Elise again on Janury 4th. Elise's smile and dimple melted Grandma's heart."

Please say a prayer for my family this week...

Supplies: Petal Pizazz, Taffy Alphabet, Orchid Opulence ink & cardstock, Green Galore ink, Yo-Yo Yellow ink, Whisper White cardstock, Bold Brights Brads, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, (retired) DSP, Metal Edge Tags, Write Me a Memory Font CD (printed journaling directly on to cardstock)

Sweet Stems Pillow Box

Here's another pillow box I made using the Big Shot die. Make sure to use Sticky Strip when you put your box together so that it doesn't fall apart!

Supplies: Fundamental Phrases, Sweet Stems embosslit for the Big Shot, Raspberry Tart DSP, Cameo Coral cardstock, Rose Red ink & cardstock, 1/4" Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, sticky strip

Whoo-la-la Card

This Owl Together Now stamp set still cracks me up! I love this pudgy little owl. Here's a quick 3x6 card I made up using some scraps that were out of my desk last week. I think I'll save this card to give to my hubby for Valentine's Day.

Supplies: Owl Together Now, More Mustard ink/marker & cardstock, Chocolate Chip ink & cardstock, Old Olive ink & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Pumpkin Pie marker, Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, 1/4" Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon

Valentine Top Note Card

Here's a quick valentine using the new Love You Much Bundle. (Click here for details.) The card front uses the entire Top Note and is mounted on a Top Note card, which allows for a fold right under the top of the card. (Inspired by the stamping brilliance of Patty Bennett.)

Here's a side view, so you can see how the front adheres to the Top Note card.

And here's a photo of the folded cardstock on the die. I used the pink cardstock underneath so you could see the outline of the die and where to place your folded card. (You would not cut the red cardstock with the pink one on there.)

Supplies: Love You Much, Pink Pirouette cardstock, Riding Hood Red ink & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Candy Cande DSP, Top Note die for the Big Shot, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch

Happy Heart Day Treat

Well, I am in Orlando and likely hearing exciting news at Leadership. However, I have to warn you that I'm not bringing my laptop and will not be blogging while on my trip. I'm scheduled several project posts to keep you inspired while I'm gone, but don't expect any juicy tidbits from Leadership until next week when I'm home.

Here's a blast from the past. I absolutely love this project from last Valentine's Day. Since I wasn't blogging last year this time, I just had to post and share it with you.

Supplies: Happy Heart Day stamp set; Real Red, Pretty in Pink, & Whisper White cardstock; Real Red & Basic Black Classic Ink; Going Gray, Ballet Blue, Pretty in Pink, and Real Red markers; Paper Crimper; Spiral Punch; Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon; Medium Cello Bags Silver Brads; 1/16" Hole Punch

Measurements:

• Base: 4 ¼” x 11” Real Red – score at 4 ½”, 5 ½”, 6 ½”
• Topper: 4 ¾” x 2 ½” Pretty in Pink – score long way at 1 ½”
• Focal Image: 2” x 2 ¼” Whisper White
• Mat: 2 ½” x 2 ½” Pretty in Pink

Directions:

1. Fold the topper in half and stamp greeting in Real Red classic ink. Crimp the cardstock.
2. Stamp the mouse in Jet Black Staz-On. Watercolor the mouse using the Aquapainter and the markers smeared on the stamp case (to create a palette to pick up the ink) Use the fine tip of the marker directly on the cardstock to color the red.
3. Hold a short piece of ribbon in half and staple to the back of the Pretty in Pink square. Punch the opposite side using the Spiral Punch. Adhere the white cardstock, covering the staple, to the Pretty in Pink cardstock using SNAIL adhesive.
4. Fold the Real Red cardstock in a tall W. Fold the top of the candy-filled cello bag and staple to the top of the treat base. This will hold it in place while you put the topper on and attach with silver brads.

Julie's Color Inspiration Challenge

I am arriving in Orlando is this post is going live. I can't wait to check into Leadership Conference and get my copy of the new Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog. I know it's going to be awesome! I'll be having new catalog open houses and parties later this month and in February, so watch my calendar for details. If you live far away and would like a catalog, please send me an email and I'll hook you up when it's released January 19.

Because I'm traveling this week and won't have time for Kristina's weekly color challenge, I made up a color challenge of my own! I saved a piece of this wrapping paper from the gift my sister gave my dad for his birthday. (Too bad I didn't take a picture before he unwrapped it!) This photo doesn't do it justice it. The metallic wrapping paper has varying shades of blues, purple, and green. I picked out four colors for my color inspiration: Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Elegant Eggplant, and Kiwi Kiss.

I thought the colors were perfect for a masculine card and since today is my brother's birthday (Happy Birthday, Mark!), I made up this card for him.

Here's my unofficial challenge: Use these colors to make a card or other project and post a link to my comments. I'll pick my favorite and post it on Monday when I get back from Orlando. Happy Stamping!

Supplies: Starring You, Stars Jumbo Wheel, Pacific Point ink & cardstock, Tempting Turquoise cardstock, Elegant Eggplant cardstock, Kiwi Kiss textured cardstock, small & large Star Punches, 1-3/4" & 1-1/4" Circle Punches, Metal Edge Tags, Silver Brads

Petal Pizazz Card

I love the colors Stacey's choose for this week's Jewelry Color Inspiration Challenge. They are so bright and fun! I don't use Pink Passion nearly as often as I should! It goes nicely with Pink Pirouette and Apricot Appeal.

Supplies: Petal Pizazz (new!), Wonderful Words (retiring), Pink Passion ink & cardstock, Pink Pirouette ink & cardstock, Apricot Appeal ink, Chocolate Chip ink & cardstock, Certainly Celery ink, Whisper White cardstock, Build-a-Brad, 1/4" Apricot grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch

Love Notes Tin Purse

I created this project to submit to Stampin' Up! for a Valentine's Day class idea contest, but as I was writing everything up, I realized that the mini Very Vanilla envelopes are no longer separately. Darn! It would not be the same with the white envelopes since the Candy Cane DSP has vanilla in it. Let me know if you would be interested in a class kit ("to go" style) and I'll finish putting it together! In the meantime, here it is!

The stamp set, Candy Cane DSP, and punch are all from the Love You Much bundle. (Click here for details.) You can get it 20% off in January. However, right now, it's unavailable in my online store, so email me if you want to order it!

The cover is my favorite part. I love the way it turned out!

The tin holds four 3x3 cards (aka Love Notes) and four stamped envelopes.

I used the skinny silver tin again (available from Stampin' Up!: item #108333 , $1.95/each). The Crop-a-Dile cut through the tin like butter to create the holes for the ribbon to make it into a purse.

Supplies: Love You Much, Wonderful Words, Taffy Alphabet, Pink Pirouette ink & cardstock, Close to Cocoa ink & cardstock, Riding Hood Red ink & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Very Vanilla mini envelopes, Candy Cane DSP, Scallop Edge Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Skinny Silver Tin, 5/8" Very Vanilla Grosgrain ribbon, Crop-a-Dile, Silver Brads, Blender Pens