Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Merry Christmas to everyone.  I pray that you all had a blessed day reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas--Jesus was born and came to earth to live a perfect life so he could be the perfect sacrifice for our sins on the cross.  Of course we all enjoyed giving and receiving gifts today from family, and great joy in watching the faces and hearing the comments from our children as they tore open their presents and then ask, "Is there another one for me?"  We had an awesome morning with our family this morning.  Nathan and John had us laughing so hard we had tears in our eyes with their reactions to their gifts.  

We brought tears to my moms eyes with the iPhoto booklet, filled with pictures of the boys, we gave her and dad for Christmas.  I knew they would enjoy it, but I never thought we'd bring Mom to tears.  Dad got a big surprise when he opened his gift and found it was a pair of deer antlers for his truck.  Scott and I got that as a gift from our church Christmas party where they play the game where you exchange white elephant gifts.  It was perfect to regift as a gag for my dad, since he has a truck.  His real gift was tucked inside the box with that.  He laughed when he opened it.  It was a hit!  

We surprised Scott with some much needed clothes, a Gorilla Pod camera and iPod holder, and he got a new electric blanket for the bed, so he is a happy man.  

I got lots of awesome papercrafting and stamping goodies from my dear husband and my parents.  I can't wait to use them.  I am so excited.  Lots of Big Shot dies, Papertrey stamps and ribbons.  Yea!!!  

I'll photo the projects I have been working on lately and some cool Valentine's ideas.  I have been busy working on home decor for our new house to put in as soon as we get to move in.  Still waiting on that after 7+months.  We'll get there.  

Well Blessings to you and yours today and throughout the New Year. 

Some simple gift giving ideas

I haven't been able to make a lot of things here lately to show you, my customers and friends all the awesome things you can make with your stamps and the new Stampin' UP! products.  That is partly due to the fact that my crafting time and photographic time has been limited.  I am struggling myself to figure out what is feasible for the holidays for me to make.  I make a lot of my gifts because it is a lot more affordable for our very tight Christmas budget.  I also like to make things so it is more personal for the receiver.  And of course I just like to make stuff.  But this year has been a bit different in that I haven't already come up with gifts in preparing for a stamp camp and so I haven't been sharing much in the way of ideas with you.  I want to remedy that and share some ideas that I think will be much appreciated, and not to hard for you to execute.

1.  A family recipe box or "notebook" for handed down family traditions.  You could use the From the Kitchen of set by Stampin' UP! , Voila, or the new Recipe box set from Papertrey Ink.  You would simply need to make a few phone calls or email to ask various family members what their favorite family recipe is.  Maybe what is their favorite holiday meal, side dish or dessert?  What was their favorite recipe that they had when growing up or whatever.   Just try to compile some of those treasured recipes that they enjoy and would like to share.  You don't need enough for a grand cookbook, just enough to assemble as a family gift.   

Next purchase some 3x5 or 4x6 index cards and write them down, or print them out on the computer.  I would then use the stamps from the recipe card stamp set and use them to spruce the index cards up, or make dividers for each section of your holiday cookbook.  Use the bulk on board chipboard pieces that you can buy, cut them to fit your cards, decorate them with designer paper,and use the crop a dile to punch holes to tie them together with ribbon or a jump ring.   Decorate the front with the Voila chef or image of your choice and use chipboard letters or numbers for FAMILY RECIPES 2008.

Super easy and can be mass produced.

2.  Little treat baskets: Basket and Blooms totes are great for giving a small little treat to classmates, co workers. etc.  They are super quick and easy to assemble and I can cut them for you and get them to you  super quick.  Just let me know you want to purchase the designer paper, and i'll order it and get them cut out to you  super fast.  You need to let me know about the paper by Dec. 5 if you want them before Dec. 20th.  

3.  Or make the little box totes from Splitcoast or for a mini version here .  They are cute and once you cut the pieces, they are very easy to assemble in mass.  Make some yummy snowball cookies, or some no fail fudge and package them up.  

4.  Go to Papertrey ink and check out Lauren Meador's My Timeless templates for the FREE downloads of the STOCKING STUFFER  and RECIPE  folio downloads.  Just insert your paper into the printer, print out the patterns and you are so done.  She also has a template for a stationary box that is awesome.    It is called All Boxed Up template.  It is only $5 and you can download it as soon as you checkout.  NO shipping.  Awesome.  

Check out the following links to see what you can do with these.  

Teacher gift folio

Monogram stationary holder with a One sheet wonder for making the stationary

Other great ideas for her Timeless Templates from Lauren Meador

5.  For those guys on your list: how about making a stationary set of cards for giving to their wives to keep them out of the doghouse so to speak: Valentine's Day, Anniversary, Birthday, I love you, and Mother's Day.  These wouldn't have to be super elaborate cards, and I bet you have enough sets to do this pretty easily.  A floral set or an all occasion set would work well.  Have fun with them.  

6.  And lastly for the kids: how about some hand stamped line images good for them to color in and "make their own cards".  I like Pun Fun for this, but there are other sets as well.  You need Birthday, Thank you, and Thinking of you cards.  Simple layer imaged on a white card base: see here.  Then they children get to color them in with the crayons or colored pencils you package with them.  Super cute.  Use your punches to punch out some stars or arrows or hearts to put in there for them to embellish with.  I don't know a child who doesn't like to glue things.  

7. And of course you could always package up a store bought gift with a gift bag made of designer paper or a fabulous gift card holder. 

8.  Oh and for the home decorator, try givng them some of our Decor Elements for dressing up a frame or putting on their walls.   These are great, easy to apply and are REMOVABLE.   

9.  Lastly don't forget the great ornament kits in the Winter Mini.  They are super easy to assemble and would be great for attaching to the outside of your gift wrapping.  Try Stampin' UP!'s white wrapping paper, or wrap a small gift in designer paper.  Also there are great rub-ons for putting on packages, glass ornament balls, or vases and candle holders in the winter mini as well.  They are on sale this month too.  

10.  And the Country Living Decor kit is a great gift too.  Put them together with photos and give them on  your packages or as a gift in one of the little gift totes above.  Super sweet and from the heart. 

Have a wonderful Holiday season.  Any orders placed online with me from now until December 25th will get a Free copy of the new Spring/summer Idea Book and Catalog from me when they come out in January.  

Basket and Blooms totes assembly tutorial

Hi, Everyone.  Well some of you have purchased precut basket and blooms totes from me and now you need to know how to assemble them.   They are really very easy to assemble and you will need Sticky Strip to do so.  

1.  Fold the bottom circle piece along the score lines so all the little tabs are folded up.  Set aside.

Take the side pieces and fold the edges where they are dashed/scored.  Place sticky strip along those folded edges (on the side of the paper that will be on the outside of your basket), and along the bottom edge of the basket pieces.  You want to completely cover the bottom edges, as that will keep your bottom piece secure and able to hold more weighty items.

2.  Now peel off one sticky strip piece along the side of one of the body pieces.  Adhere the two body pieces together side by side.  Now remove the sticky strip off the bottom edge of both pieces.  Take the bottom circle piece and start at the edge without the scored side piece left undone and roll and press the circle tabs along the edge of the bottom of the body of the tote.  See photo for what I mean.  You need to make sure that the edge of the circle is at the edge of the tote body bottom.  Again refer to photo.  To make the rolling process work, you need to go slowly, keep tucking the little tabs in so they don't stick to what you don't want.  

3. As you get to the end of the tote bottom edge, you will need to remove the sticky strip from the last side flap cause you will need to adhere that little flap in before you finalize your bottom "rolling" to adhere that.  

4.  You are done.  Adhere the strips from your die cut images to make a stripe on the tote.  Note that the strips are longer than you will need for this.  Trim appropriately.  Use the tags, flowers, etc. to layer a cute embellishment.  You are done.

See, super easy.  

And the photos help.  The photos go in backwards order.  Sorry, but I still haven't figured out the order this thing puts the photos when I upload a lot at a time.

Thanks for checking out my tutorial.  

A cute gift card holder

Here is a gift card wallet.  Perfect for giving the men in your life a great gift card and not having the packaging be too cutesy.  So easy.  It really is a wallet, complete with enough pockets for up to 4 gift cards.  Got lots of kids who want to give Dad a gift card, well here is your answer to packaging them up.  

Some things I have been working on.

Instead of making a bunch of individual posts, I am going to lump my recent projects into one post.  I have been busy making some birthday cards with the SAB set from this past Winter:Birthday Whimsy. I met with a new customer here in Alabama a few weeks ago and we made these sweet cards.  So easy.  I have been making some cards for friend of mine who teaches piano lessons back in Roanoke. She just found out she is pregnant so I made the Baby is Brewing card with a packet of chamomile tea to calm her first trimester stomach.  This is her second child. We are thrilled for her.  I also made some cards for the realtors who have helped us with this move.  I made a set of cards and packaged them nicely in a PapertreyInk plastic box (love those boxes).  We also have friends who just had a third child. Their story is neat because it took them so long to have their first child (born just a month before our first), and their second child is a few months older than our second too.  I also made a little photo album for them but I forgot to get a picture of that.   I used the bitty on board album that I have had forever.  Let's see I have also made some albums for my boys' pictures, but I'll post a picture of that later.  Now I hope to make some interior decorating pieces for our new house.  I got some great canvases from a garage sale next door.  I hope they turn out like I am wanting.  Anyway, just thought I would share.

Pocket Silhouettes: Card templates

Here are the card templates for the wonderful Pocket Silhouettes set by Stampin' UP! (Don't you love those precious little fingers in the first two pictures.  My sweet John helped hold the cards down so I could photograph them.).   Oh how I love this set.  It is so easy to use and soooo versatile.  Can we say gorgeous no layer cards.  Don't you just love these.  It's a great set to use with white ink, or white embossing powder.  And of course the lovely Urban Garden designer paper is great, but don't count out the new Autumn leaves paper from the Holiday mini catalog that I showcased on one of the cards.  Again, I CASED some cards from Splitcoast, but others I totally changed the papers and elements.  Have fun making these, and remember if you order this set from me, you will get the cutting dimensions for these cards for FREE.  

Season of Joy: card templates

I must tell you that I have been having so much fun making these card sets from these 4 sets I am promoting this  month.  It is rewarding to use some of the card sketch templates I have been collecting from various blogs and my Stampin' Success  magazines, and other places.  It is fun to use up papers I have been hoarding as well as embellishments.  I mean, I have all this stuff I think is so neat, but I have been scared to use it.  Plus I feel like I am justifying my purchase of all these stamps by using them.  So many cards to make and so little time.  

So here are some cards with the great Season of Joy set for Christmas.  This is in the regular SU! catalog and was actually revealed last Christmas in the Holiday mini.  But I love the images.  Do you realize that I used all the stamps in this set on these cards?  Eureka!  If you order this set this month or before Christmas you will get the instructions and measurements for all these cards.  NOTE: on all these cards as well as the other sets, I have used some colors and designer papers that are no longer available.  However I know you can find substitutions and really you just need the measurements.  So enjoy the holidays.  Get started on your Christmas cards now.

PARTY HEARTY: Card templates

Here is another set I promised card templates for if you order them this month or this Fall.  I will send you instructions and measurements to make these 5 cards if you order this set.  I love this Birthday set.  So much better if you ask  me than what we have had before.  This set goes with so  many of our punches too.  And the little party hats can be turned upside down as a banner, and inked up in green for Christmas trees.  So cute.  This set begs for glitter too.  You have to order it.  And don't you just love the bright color combos using some of our new InColors.  Love that Pacific point blue.  So great.

SNEAK PEAK NEWS:  This set will be part of the Stampin' UP! 20 year anniversary special in October along with a bunch of other Birthday sets.  You will get 20% off this stamp set with a $20 purchase.  So cool.  Contact me for more details. 

Say It With Scallops

I am trying so hard to use all this stuff I have accumulated like: accessories, stamps, papers, card sketches, etc. So here are a group of cards I made using the new Ronald McDonald House set from Stampin' UP! called Say It With Scallops. This is an awesome set that is a lot more versatile than you might think. Pair it with the new scallop square punch and you have endless possibilies in a flash. Or as you can see from at least one sample, you don't need that punch.

For more samples and inspiration for this set see the following sites:

http://jill031070.blogspot.com/2008/09/say-it-with-scallops.html

http://kimsstampinroom.blogspot.com/2008/08/simply-scallops-class.html

http://kimsstampinroom.blogspot.com/2008/08/scallop-thanks-20.html

If you order the Say It With Scallops set from me you will get the cutting instructions for all 5 of my cards. Happy Stamping. And if you order the stamp set, Stampin' UP! will donate $2 from the sale of each stamp set to RMDH. It's a good thing all the way around.

Basket and Blooms totes

Yea!  I have the tote made and here it is.  Isn't this the cutest tote?!  I can't begin to explain how FAST it was to put together.  And the other great thing, is that I can cut out about 5 of these at a time with the Big Shot. Yes, you heard me right, at least 5 of these beauties in one shot.And yes, all these lovely pieces (the band around the lower part of the bag, the bag pieces, bottom piece, tag, small flower, large flower, and cut out flower all get cut out at the same time with one pass through the Big Shot machine.  Love it!  Anyway, read below for my special offer to cut these out of any cardstock paper or designer paper of your choice for birthdays, holidays, or whenever you need a little tote to put a small gift, party favor or treat in.  These are awesome.   Oh and don't you love the little saying on the tag?  Well I must say I am totally loving my new Chit Chat rub-on phrases.  These are the best and so worth the $10.95 you pay for them.  At least a hundred greetings altogether, one set in white and a duplicate in chocolate brown.  I love the white ones right now, but I know I will use the chocolate ones a lot since that is a cardstock color I use a lot.  

 Now I know that realistically, most of my customers are probably not going to spring for this Big Shot machine.  If you do want one, by all means please contact me to order one.   But for those of you who would love to have these cute Basket and Blooms totes made for them for party favors, holiday party treat totes, or just a cute little pouch to put a little something in to brighten someone's day, I am going to offer the following:

PACKAGE DETAILS:

Buy one package of designer paper in either the packs  for the holidays or any of our other fabulous designer papers in the regular catalog ($10), and I'll cut 24 of these totes and accessories for you for $5.  Then I'll ship the pieces to you for assembly for approx. $2 (depending on weight and distance).  Yes, that is 24 totes for a mere $17.00.  So cheap.  And all you'll need to assemble them is some of our fabulous sticky strip tape ($7), which if you don't already have, tack that onto your order as well.  

Added details:  since shipping costs for Stampin' UP! orders under $70 are more than the usual 10% I need to place orders together.  So here is my ordering and shipping schedule for the Fall months.

1. I need all preorders and payments by September 1st to place orders to receive totes by October 1st  (If you want Halloween totes using the Halloween paper) you will want to order here.)

2.  I need all preorders and payments by October 1st to place paper orders to receive totes by November 1st  ( If you want totes for Thanksgiving you will want to order here.)

3.  I need all preorders and payments by November 1st to place paper orders to receive totes by December 1st  ( I would recommend all Christmas totes be ordered here.)

4.  I need all preorders and payments by December 1st to place paper orders to receive totes by January 1st.  I recommend you get New Year's eve or January Birthday totes here.

5.  I need all preorders and payments by January 1st to place paper orders to receive totes by Feb. 1st.  I recommend any Valentine's Day totes be ordered here.

A note of caution:  We will be moving into our new home sometime in Oct., we pray, so I will be very busy that month.  The sooner you order and plan ahead the better for me that month.  Things will be crazy this Fall.

PS:I hope to have the Top Notes die and the Scallop envelope die in the next couple of months.  These are both great for gift packaging.  The Top notes die makes a great bag topper for either the small cello bags or medium cello bags depending on which way you fold it in half.  The scallop envelope makes a great gift card enclosure on a gift bag.  Hey, with the Gift bag instructions for Designer paper and this die, you could make a complete gift packaging ensemble in no time.   I will offer cutting of these two items as well as the basket and blooms totes for the same $5 cutting fee.  

Holiday Mini offerings: new ornament kits

I just got to see the new Holiday mini catalog and collection today (another awesome perk of being a demonstrator) and all I can say is "WOW!"   There are so many fabulous papers, ornament kits, ribbons, and stamp sets in there.   You are going to love it.  The Holiday mini also contains the new Big Shot and corresponding cutting dies.  About 7 of the dies are Stampin' UP! exclusives, and the rest are regular Sizzix offerings.  If you own a Cuttlebug machine the regular Sizzix dies (except the Bigz XL) are supposed to work in the Cuttlebug.  You only use the two B plates as your sandwich -one on top and one on the bottom.  You will probably experience some serious creaking sounds when you do this, but if your plates are not warped from repeated use in the Cuttlebug, they shouldn't break.  I am not making a guarantee on this, but this is what I have read.  

Now onto the ornament kits that Stampin' UP! is offering in the Holiday mini (click on the pictures above to see them in more detail).  There are three ornament kits:  one for chipboard ornaments, one for paper ornaments and then a collection of felt snowflakes.   There are several pieces in each kit, and each kit ranges from $13- $14 for the felt snowflakes to $26 for the chipboard kit.  Each kit contains enough pieces for them to be broken up into 3rds and you would still get a lot of pieces.  So I am going to offer my customers a combo pack of chipboard, paper, and felt ornaments for a very reasonable price.  

Here are the details:

On Board Trinkets:

Contains:  6 each of 4 different styles of large ornaments, 2 each of 5 words (hope, peace, joy, believe, and love), and then a variety of stars.  Each chipboard piece has a matching die cut designer piece of paper that goes with it to cover the front and back.  

If you order my combo ornament kit you will get the following pieces:  2 each of the large ornament styles, 3 words, and then some of the small star pieces.  You would get the patterned paper that you would then adhere to the chipboard pieces.  These would also look great with a little glitter on them too.  Price for these pieces is $8.30

Star Bright Paper ornament kit:

this kit contains enough paper pieces for 54 stars, 6 paper strip globes, and approx. 6 paper circle globes, 30 feet of silver cord, and 12 brads (for the paper strip globes).  

If you order my combo ornament kit you would get the following pieces: 18 stars, 2 paper strip globes, and 2 paper circle globes, 10 feet of silver cord and 4 brads.  Price for these pieces is $6.60.

Felt Snowflake kits:  (these felt snowflakes would make a great garland, easy wire earrings, and a wonderful stick pin combined with our Pretties kits pearls, clear beads, and hat pins)

Large felt flurries:  contains 27 large snowflakes in white, red, and baja breeze.  

As part of the kit you would get 9 pieces in assorted colors.  Cost:  $4.66

Small felt flurries:  contains 69 pieces in white, red and baja breeze.

As part of the kit you would get 23 pieces in assorted colors.  Cost:  $4.33

So if you get my combo kit you would have numerous ornaments and a variety of each kind.  Total cost for the kit is $20 plus a $6.50 shipping and handling fee (for my time to divide them up, package them for shipping and ship them to you).  That is $26.50 for a kit of 64 ornaments all ready for you to glue and embellish with glitter to your hearts content.  

 PLEASE NOTE: my cost breakdown for the different ornament kits that are in the mini catalog are based on the cost of the kits in the mini without shipping and handling that SU! charges.  With my demonstrator discount, I only pay that amount in the end. I am passing that savings on to you.  You will only be paying for the shipping to you after I divide the kits up.  Any questions please contact me.

I suggest you also order some silver elastic cord for hanging your ornaments at $4.95 for 15 yards.  

These products won't be available to order  until October 1st, which is when the mini catalog goes into effect.  I will take preorders and payments for the ornament assortment kits until September 28th.  Orders will go in on October 1st and I will have them in the mail by the end of October for you.  That should give you enough time to assemble them for holiday decorating after Thanksgiving.   Email me with your order at stampin.chick@gmail.com

 I need to get at least 3 people to order this assortment kit to be able to place an order and cover the cost of the kits.  So I will post sign ups here for each round of kits.  I will not make up an assortment pack unless I have all three people signed up and payment before Oct. 1st.

Round one ornament assortment kit:

1.  Gwen S.

2. 

3.  

Round two ornament assortment kit:

1.

2.

3.

These ornaments would make a great kid's project, a festive gift to decorate a college dorm room, a great start on ornaments for a young adult just starting out on their own and decorating their own tree for the first time, or as a pretty addition to your own tree.   The ornaments would also be wonderful as a pretty decoration on your Christmas presents and gift bags.  Classic colors in these kits would blend well with most Christmas color schemes. 

Christmas photo card cutting service

I was trying to make up some designs for photo cards to offer you, my customers, but I finally got a lightbulb moment last night.  I can't possibly make and stamp cards that will appeal to everyone.  Your tastes and styles are just too varied.  What I like, you may hate.   And to top it all off, I have to keep reminding myself that we will be moving and settling in to our new home this Fall and although I think I can do all these things, I really probably won't.  So I came up with a solution last night.  This is a limited offer, as I won't be able to do this for too many folks, but if you sign up early, I can fit you in before the chaos starts. 

I have two simple  and easy templates for photo cards using my Nestabilities to cut out and emboss a frame for your photo approx a wallet sized photo or a 3 x 4 cut down for the long cards.  I was thinking that to save everyone time, and to get a pretty colorful card, you could choose some 12x12 printed paper you like and I can cut out the frame part of your holiday card on it, using my tools.  Then you would merely have to cut your base cardstock, stamp a greeting on white paper and glue it to the base.  You can then embellish with photo corners or small flowers or snowflakes that you find.  

The cards can be two sizes:  4x8 1/2 to fit in a standard size business envelope, and 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 which can fit in a regular invitation size envelope (A2).    A package of Stampin' UP! designer paper would yield about 48 of the larger size cards, and 72 of the invitation size cards. 

A package of Stampin' UP! solid color card stock to mat the frames on would yield 48 large cards and 72 invitation size.   You can see the papers Stampin' UP! has for the holidays in the Holiday mini and the regular catalog.  Or go to the scrapbook store and pick out your own and send it to me.  

Stampin' UP! designer paper is $10.  Solid color paper is $5.50 for 24 sheets.  

I would charge a $5 fee to cut 48 large or up to 72 small cards.   Then I would charge you for shipping the supplies back to you to put your photos in and assemble together.  You need to provide your own envelopes.  I would go to If It's Paper if you have one near you, as they have the best price.  

So let me know if you want me to do this for you.  I know  a lot of people send out these types of cards, and it's nice to give them a special homemade, personalized touch.   Note about photos: I didn't have the designer paper glued on, so if the pieces don't look centered, that is why.

Back To School Survival Kits

One of the Splitcoast Technique challenges was to make this backpack box.  I use the template for the 2-5-7-10 box since it already had a built in flap for the front, and then made up a template for the pocket on the front   Details below.  Anyway, this is so cute.  Next time I will put the straps on more realistically.  I spaced them wrong.  They should be close together at the top and spread out towards the corners on the bottom.  Next time I'll fix that.  I made 10 of these on Monday night for moms of children that are going off to Kindergarten.  They are sending their babies off to school for the first time, and I wanted to encourage them.  There is a kleenex to dry their tears, bittersweet chocolates for the bittersweet time of realizing their babies are growing up, hugs and kiss (Hershey's) for the hugs and kisses they will shower their little ones with when they get home, some chamomile tea for calming their nerves while they wonder if their child is having a good day, and some scripture verses to encourage their heart and soul.  I thought it was a neat way to let them know we are thinking about them and send a little of God's love their way.  Not looking for any kudos for me, just wanted to share some of God's love for them.  We homeschool so we don't know what it's like to send the boys off to school, but I do know the feelings of realizing my boys are growing up soo fast.  

Here are the details of the box:  NOTE ABOUT PHOTOS.  I TOOK THEM WITH MY IPHONE SO THEY AREN'T THE BEST.  I'LL TRY FOR BETTER LATER.

2-5-7-10 box from Splitcoaststampers tutorials.  Follow those direction, but do not assemble the box together until you get the pocket on and the flaps trimmed.  

Use a coluzzle template or a nestabilitie die for tracing the circle onto the flaps.  

Stamp the backpack base or use printed papers.

Cut out box flaps as shown on tutorial.  

Pocket dimensions are 3 1/2 x 5 1/4.  Score along 5 1/4 side at 2 1/2 from each end.  Along the 3 1/2 side score at 1 /4 and 1/2 from each end.  Trim as seen in photo.  Fold and glue the back flap up.  

Flap for small pocket is 2 1/2 x 2 score along 2 inch side at 1/2 and 3/4.  Trace a circle onto the flap.  Glue to pocket then glue pocket onto backpack box base.  

Ribbon for backpack straps.   Use a long reach hole punch or an eyelet setter punch to make holes for ribbons.  

I knotted the top ends of the ribbons and then used glue dots to attach them at the bottom.

My Homemade version of the Stampin' UP! calendar folio

Here is the calendar folio that I made up using the Mark the Date and Full Calendar stamp sets, journaling stamp and Stampin' UP! designer paper.  You use one sheet of designer paper cut to 8 1/2 x 11 for the folio.  Then you will need to score this at 4 inches from the right and left sides of the 8 1/2 length as seen in  the first photo.  Next you will score at 1 and  1 1/2 inches from each side on the 11 inch side. Trim off the flap as seen in the photo to make the sides of the folio.  Then glue the top flap onto those side pieces.  Embellish the folio as you wish with chipboard numbers, or whatever.  

For the calendar pages they are 4 x 8 pieces of white cardstock.  I took various patterns of the designer paper and cut both a 1 inch and 1 /2 inch piece for the top and bottom.  If you decorate your pages this way, rather than lining the back side you can get about 6 calendars, maybe more from one package of designer paper.  I stamped the journaling lines first  and then the calendar and then the month.   Then I punched tabs using the round tab punch, which if I  had to do it again, I would cut in half instead of folding them over and then gluing them.  Less punching, less paper used.  Voila.  That is all.  So quick and easy, and you can make these calendars in whatever color scheme  you want.  I love this idea.  Tuck it in a briefcase, purse, desktop, or take out the individual pages and clip them on one of our chipboard small clipboards that you have decorated with matching paper.  So great and so pretty.  You'll have people asking you, "Where did you get that?"  And you can say, "I made it myself.  Do you want one?"

NOTE:  I just saw a goof I made.  I meant to put 2009 on the calendar and I put 2008.  Oh well.  Easy to cover up with another white circle.  I was working so hard, I forgot to think of the right year.

Latest creations: trying to use all these stashed accessories

Here are some creations I made recently with some of my chipboard pieces, buttons and pretties flowers.  I tend to buy all these things and then hoard them.  In my quest to spend less and use what I already have, I am bringing these things out and getting them on some cards.  Hope you like the birthday , anniversary, and pun cards.

I used Pun fun set and the Holiday and Wishes set for stamping.  Craft ink was used on all the chipboard pieces.  You have to use the craft ink on SU! chipboard because it is a light gray/kraft color and classic ink won't dye it a true color.  

Enjoy!

My First Catalog Order

Well, I did it.  I made my first new catalog order today.  This is what I ordered:  Party Hearty set, which works well with many punches and is not corny or limited to a kid style card.   I think it is very versatile and would make great masculine cards as well. 

I ordered the It's a Date set which is a double mounted background set that is a daily planner page and a weekly planner page.  I am going to keep up with the boys weekly assignments for school and their chores on these sheets.  Now I just have to make their clipboards.

I ordered the Say It With Scallops set and the scallop rectangle punch.  I hope to make some nice samples to show you for my product bundle special next month. 

Then for accessories I ordered the Chit Chat rub-ons cause I totally think they are awesome.  I know they are disposable but who can beat getting all those awesome sentiments for the front of your cards.  And you can put them on ribbons, metal, etc.  I love them.

Urban Garden designer paper cause that is the color scheme in our living room and I need to make some home decor stuff.

Haiku paper cause i love the patterns and color combo.  

Parisian Summer paper because it is soo pretty and feminine and I think it will make some pretty anniversary cards.  

New Big Shot purse bag die and the extender plates to go with it.  I am so excited about this one.  Think awesome fast and easy treat bags for the holidays.  Yeah, baby!!  

Well that is all.  I'll be posting some artwork tomorrow.  

Another Deer Friends card

Here is another cute card I CASED from Splitcoast.  I changed the patterned paper to something I had and so the colors kind of changed too.  But otherwise it is pretty much the same.  Thanks to the talented card makers there.  I used some paper that I have  had on hand for a few years now.  The colors match the new In colors: kiwi kiss, riding hood red, groovy guava (retiring in color), and then the regular color of old olive.  I also used a little trick for my stitching, since I am so not going to lug out a sewing machine.  I have a clear stamp that is a zigzag stitch that I used with white craft ink, and white embossing powder.  There you go, textured faux stitching.  Love it.  Anyway, I hope you like this card.  Trying to come up with some holiday cards to sell as kits for friends and family to assemble themselves.  I think this one might be a little over the top for something like that, but it was too cute not to try.  

Details:

card base is standard 4 1/4 by 11 folded at 5 1/2

olive layer is 4 x 5 1/4

squares are 2x2

scallop edge piece is 4 x 1 1/2  (used scallop edge punch)

Christmas in July

July is almost over, but it's Christmas in July here.  Trying to design my Christmas card class on the go cards, and here are some more options.  Nothing is finalized yet, but I think these are going to be so cool to make and give.  I simply used my nifty Cuttlebug embossing folders that I found at Hobby Lobby.  Love that store.  We don't have a Michael's or ACMoore close by, but they always had all the old folders and not the new ones.  Well Hobby Lobby which is a short 25 min. away in Gadsden has these great new Christmas folders that go great with the snowflake background folder.  Love it.   These were so easy to make using my Nestabilities for the mats on the images.  I also used the new Kiwi Kiss on the red and green cards.  It looks so great with the Real Red.  Like a strawberry.  Who doesn't love strawberry-kiwi flavored things?  

Details:  

Cuttlebug machine, snowflake background and dots background, and holiday mini folders

Real Red, night of navy and bashful blue cut to regular card size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2  scored at 4 1/4

kiwi kiss 5 1/4 x 4

white on red cards is cut 5 x 3 3 /4

white on blue cards is cut 5 1/4 x 4

red, navy, and bashful blue ribbons

white squares 1 3/4x 1 3/4

nestabilities

1 1/2 circle punch would work for white circles  but I used all nestabilities for the round and scallop round pieces.