Still Stamping

Blog Tour Today!

Thank you for visiting my blog today while you click through the fabulous blogs on today's SUDSOL Blog Tour.  Demonstrators, f you want to see for yourself why I love SUDSOL (Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing On Line), click here or on the button to the right. 

The first project I'm sharing with you today is a wonderful Tea Bag Holder.  A complete tutorial for this project can be found in the Patterns & Templates library on the Sudsol website, along with modifications to make it a gift card holder!  How versatile can you get?  Click to see it for yourself.  My version is updated - it features two items you can purchase (or earn for free!) now:  Springtime Vintage DSP (Occasions Mini Catalog) and Punch Bunch (Sale-a-Bration brochure).

 
My second project is a trio of fun birthday cards stamped with Create a Cupcake and punched out with the coordating punch.  What a time saver that is!  Both are in the current Occasions Mini Catalog.

 

 The card on the right (also pictured below) was based on one I found online.  That card used the scallop rectangle Clearlit for the Big Shot, but I substituted the new Extra large scallop circle punch.  After I'd made that sample for my Stampers Six monthly club, I had extra bits and pieces on the table, so I challenged myself to make two more cards using the same supplies.  I hope you like the results.

      Click on any of the samples to see them in a larger version.  If you have any questions about the projects I've shown you, please ask in a comment below or email me.   And be sure to visit again after the tour.  Also, take advantage of the opportunity I'm offering for a two-week free trial membership in Sudsol.  It's an awesome resource for your Stampin' Up! business. 

CONTINUE on the Blog Tour
SUDSOL	Judy Elting

 

 
Carol Taggart, Hanover, PA
  
 

    

A Trendy Tree Tote

Hello and welcome back!  No, today's post isn't really a tote for a tree.  It's a little box designed with the Stampin' Up! Trendy Trees stamp set, and filled with cards and envelopes stamped with the same set.

 I've had several requests to share instructions or a template for the card tote in this post from Saturday.  Well, I have another one ready to show you and yes!  I'll be sharing the instructions, too!  Today's projects were designed by Kimberley Morris, who generously shared the template for this practical, inexpensive, attractive and simple gift item.  I'll be linking to her blog in just a bit, so please read on.

The tote is 7" x 4.5" x 1.5" and is made from just one sheet of 8-1/2"x11" card stock (Old Olive).  There's no waste except the two ovals you punch out for the handle, and of course you can put those to good use as layers on one of the cards inside. 

It's the perfect size to hold eight A-2 cards and envelopes.  I'm sure you could think of lots of other little gifts that also would fit into this pouch.

The color scheme has been carried out throughout the cards, envelopes and tote - Soft Suede, Whisper White, and Old Olive.  There are three ink pads used (Versamark in addition to the two colors above), several punches, ribbon, sponges, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, one stamp set, and the coordinating wheel. 

I'm going to share the five cards I made for the set.  Four were cased from Kimberley's design but changed some to make them "mine", and the fifth one is all my design.  I would like to come up with three more to complete the set.  It should not be hard, because this is such a cute little stamp set, very easy and fun to use.  Click on any of the pictures to see it larger.
    
     
 

Can you count the punches?  Square ( 1-1/4" and 1-3/8"), Circles (1-1/4", 1-3/8", Scallop), Word Window, Designer Label.  The only greetings I used (so far) were the two from the Trendy Trees set, but I would like to include some Birthday Cards and a Get Well card, too, so I'll be using stamps from another greeting set.

To make your own card tote, please visit Kimberley's blog.  She has a beautiful sample made using yet another Stampin' Up! stamp set.

Punch a Pot of Pretty Posies

Note: Please forgive the weird formatting below.  I'll try to figure it out and fix it a.s.a.p.

We've had some lovely Spring days here in Hanover, PA, and although I haven't planted any flowers in my "outside" garden, I've begun some "inside" gardening of the paper sort.  Why not plant your own pot of pretty flowers?  You can punch them out as I did here (using my Sizzix Big Shot) or stamp flowers and cut them out to use on your card.  Either way, you're sure to bring a smile to someone who receives your card.

This is a pocket card with a removable insert.  Here's what it looks like pulled out: 

You could also use this flower pot on a scrapbook page and use the pull-out for hidden journaling or a special picture or keepsake.

I've mounted this pot onto a folded card, but it actually can be used alone and mailed in a regular A-2 envelope.

Here's how to make your own.

Supplies and Tools:

• Really Rust card stock 3-1/2” x 8-1/2” and 4-1/2” x 2-1/2”

• Naturals Ivory card stock 4-1/4” x 2-1/4”

• Summer Sun, Close toCocoa and Old Olive card stock scraps, or your choice of colors for flowers and leaves

• Scallop Edge Punch

• Circle Punches: 1-3/8”, 1-1/4” if using the Think Happy Thoughts greeting

• Circle Punches: ¾” and ½”

• Sponge dauber

• Ink: Close to Cocoa

• Big Shot

• Sizzlits Decorative Strip: Loopy flowers

• Sizzix Original die: Flower Layers w/ Leaf

• Dimensionals

• Adhesive

• Snips

• Paper trimmer with cutting and scoring blades

• Ruler, pencil

Instructions

1. Cut a sheet of Really Rust card stock.  One sheet will yield three pieces 3-1/2” x 8-1/2”. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Score at 3-1/2” and 7”.

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3.  Punch along the edge of the 1-1/2” section with the Scallop Edge Punch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Fold up the bottom 3-1/2” section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.  Make a pencil mark along the folded edge, ½” from each side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.  Draw a line from the marks you just made to the outside edges of the other scored line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.  Cut along the lines with either the paper trimmer or scissors, cutting away narrow triangles. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.  Fold down the narrow flap (the one with the scalloped edge) in the other direction.  You’ll have a Z-fold. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.  Apply a very small dot of liquid glue (I used Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive) to the corners of the back flap, close and hold securely while the glue sets.  This forms a pocket on the back of the card. 

 

10.  Place two foam dimensionals on the underside of scalloped flap.  (Ignore the little tabs you see on the photo; I was trying something different and didn't like it.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.  Remove the paper backing on the dimensionals and close the flap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.  Position a square or rectangle of card stock over each flower on the Sizzlits Loopy Flower strip die. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.  After you’ve rolled the die through the Big Shot, remove the flowers and trim off the little “tails” left from the loops. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.  Burnish the outside edges of each flower as well as all edges of the flower pot, using Close to

Cocoa

ink and a sponge dauber. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15. Punch ½” and ¾” circles from Close to

Cocoa

card stock and adhere to the centers of the flowers.                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.  Cut out 5 leaves from Old Olive card stock, using the Flower Layers w/ Leaf die.  You can make a pile of 5 scraps of the card stock and roll all through at one time!  Glue a leaf to 4 of the flowers, set the other leaf aside.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.  Layer the ivory card stock onto the Really Rust rectangle.  Slide it into the pocket on the back of the flower pot.  At this point, I lay the card onto a 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” card to use to gauge positioning while I adhere the flowers.  This helps me keep the leaves and flowers within the area that will fit into an envelope.  Glue two of the flowers to the upper edge of the insert.  Add the extra leaf between them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.  Make a 3-flower unit, gluing the three flowers/leaves to one another, but not to the card. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.  Adhere three dimensionals on the insert card as shown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20.  Remove the paper backing from the dimensionals and add the 3-flower unit.  The flowers will overlap the lip of the flower pot, but they won’t stick to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21.  This allows the card to be removed and re-inserted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You probably noticed that on one sample I used the Texturz texture plates on the flower pot, and on the other sample I chose to include a circular punched-out greeting from Think Happy Thoughts.  You could also stamp a greeting directly on the pot, if you prefer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Thanksgiving Recipe: Scalloped Turkey

Did that grab your attention?  After Thanksgiving, I'm always looking for recipes to use up that leftover turkey.  This post, however, has nothing at all to do with food.  It's a tutorial on how to create this cute little guy using your Scalloped Circle Punch.

Are you ready?  Here's the list of materials and accessories you'll need.  Dig through your scrap pile/file first, because "leftovers" are just what this recipe calls for.

Scalloped Circle Punch
Snips
Snail adhesive
Stampin' Dimensionals
Stampin' Sponge or Sponge Dauber
Ink: Close to Cocoa (pad or spot), Chocolate Chip (marker and pad or spot)
Card stock: Earth Elements assorted colors - I chose Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie

Punch out one full circle from Close to Cocoa CS (card stock).  All of the others will be half circles.  Notice that on the bottom of the punch I've marked the mid-way points using a Sharpie marker.

That makes it easy to line up the edge of a strip of card stock to make the half-circle scallops.  Believe it or not, you'll only need a 1" wide strip to make these.  It's true!!

Cut the head/neck/body unit from the whole scalloped circle you punched.  If you want, draw it first.  The lines won't show because you can flip it over and use the other side!  Sponge the edges of all of the half-circles as well as the head/neck/body piece, using Chocolate Chip ink and a sponge dauber or stampin' sponge. 

Also draw feather lines on the Close to Cocoa half-circle as shown here.  Don't worry about measuring or being "straight" - not much of these lines will show anyway.

Arrange the half-circles as you like, but be sure to have the one in front match the head/neck/body unit.  Adhere them in an overlapping pattern, starting on the bottom and ending with the one with the feathers drawn on it.

Next you'll need to create the turkey's feet, beak and wattle.  I used More Mustard and Ruby Red in this example, but use colors you like and have.    The beak is half of one scallop.  And the wattle is one scallop, but I curved the edges as I cut it out to make it more fun.   

Each foot is one scallop, with two tiny wedges snipped out to make the turkey's toes.

Adhere the beak and wattle to the turkey's head, then use the marker to draw in his eyes.  Adhere the feet to the back of the body unit at the bottom.

It's time to finish our assembly!  I used two foam dimensionals to make this little guy plumper.

And use him as your heart desires!  Make a handmade Thanksgiving greeting card, use him on a scrapbook page, embellish your holiday meal place cards, put on a pin back and wear him with pride, or make a pair of them and dangle them from your earlobes on Thanksgiving Day.  What other creative ideas can you come up with?  Share them in the comments section below.

Many thanks to Jan Tink, whose Nov. calendar page inspired me to try my own scalloped punch turkey.