Stamp Class Projects

We made some fun Christmas projects in our basic stamp class on Wednesday. I lent one of the projects out so I can’t take a picture of the projects grouped together. Sorry about that!

Ornament box- tutorial by Barb M

Stamp set: Greeting from Season of Joy
Paper: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Ski Slope DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip classic ink, Real Red jumbo cartridge
Accessories: Stampin’ Around Jumbo handle, gold cord, SNAIL adhesive, Sticky Strip, scissors, paper cutter, Stamp-a-ma-jig.

Inside- Ornament box tutorial by Barb M

Stamp set: Greeting from Season of Joy
Paper: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Ski Slope DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip classic ink, Real Red jumbo cartridge
Accessories: Stampin’ Around Jumbo handle, gold cord, SNAIL adhesive, Sticky Strip, scissors, paper cutter, Stamp-a-ma-jig, ornament (supply list for ornament is below)

Glitter & Reinker glass ornament- tutorial by Amy Rysavy

Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Glass ball ornament, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, rubber gloves, small container, 8” length of gold cord.

Frosty the Snowman card- video tutorial by Dawn Griffith

Stamp set: Holidays & Wishes
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red
Ink: Pretty in Pink classic ink, Whisper White Craft ink
Accessories: ½” circle punch, 1” circle punch, 1 3/8” circle punch, 1 ¼” circle punch, Trio Flower punch, dauber, White gel pen, 2-way glue pen or glue dots, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig.

Candy Cane Mouse Holder- video tutorial by Dawn Griffith

Stamp set: Sanded background stamp
Paper: Creamy Caramel, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black
Ink: Creamy Caramel
Accessories: White gel pen, Wide oval punch, Large oval punch, ¼” circle punch, ½” circle punch, hobby blade, small cutting mat, dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive, scissors, candy cane.

Note: I didn’t use Dawn’s template for the ears. Instead, I used the Wide Oval and Large Oval punches to create the ears.

These make pretty cute gifts and are quick to make. I plan to make the Frosty the Snowman card for all the families on my list who have children, and I will be giving a few people the ornament and box for Christmas to let them know I’m thinking of them.

This class* is available by mail for $14 (includes $5 shipping and handling). Everything will be cut and scored for you and instructions included. If you live locally, we’ll make other arrangements so you will not have to pay for S&H unless preferred.
*Please note that the glass ornament and the supplies for it will not be provided.

If you make any of these projects, I’d love to see them! Please post a link in the comments section so I may view your creations :)

Have fun stampin’ and creatin’!

Sincerely,

Michelle

Featured Stamper of the Week

For the featured stamper of this week, I am happy to introduce Debi N. I’ve had the blessing of meeting Debi in person and swapping ideas with her. She has a great sense of humor and is very sweet and giving. She comes up with such original and interesting ideas. She never ceases to amaze me with her creativity.

The project Debi made is an origami fold bookmark and card. The original idea came from a swap she participated in quite awhile ago. Unfortunately, the identity of the stamper is unknown so we are unable to give credit to that person. From that swap, Debi created a template for the project you see.

Read on for more information from Debi.

"This card was created with an extra gift on the corner. This is a bookmark that can be used in your Bible or other favorite book for years to come. I used papers from the Summer picnic DSP as well as the bashful blue as my main cardstock. Stamps from Tart and tangy and the Bitty Basics (level 1) were used as well as the scallop punch. I used CE on the cherries to make them shine which probably isn't visible in the pictures. Ruching the ribbon gives it a bit more texture, and then I ran it through my Xyron to make it stick easier and not loosen the edges. This ribbon is bashful blue grosgrain. The bottom scallop has red grosgrain as a knot in the center. I pierced a hole in the center of the 2 layers of paper and then made a square knot to pull it through. I distressed the edges of the papers to make it look older."

Template for Debi’s bookmark:

Bookmark folding step by step:

Completed bookmark:

Look at all the great bookmarks Debi made:

Pretty amazing, huh? I think so! :)

Debi, thank you for sharing your incredible talent with us! I hope you will be willing to be featured again sometime as I would love to show off more of your projects.

Readers, if you would like to see more of Debi’s projects, or enjoyed this post, please post a comment in the comments section.

Until later, have fun stampin’ and creatin’!

Gift Card Holder Class for Christmas

At last week’s basic stamp class, we made several gift card holders and one money holder card for Christmas.

Below are pictures of each card and the items used to create each project.

Money Holder Card

Stamp set: Winter Post, Heard from the Heart
Paper: Baja Breeze, Real Red, Whisper White card stock
Ink: Baja Breeze, Real Red classic ink
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, SNAIL adhesive, sticky strip, paper cutter.

I partially CASEd the money holder from Barb M. I changed the measurements to 8” x 6 ¾”, and score at 3” and 6”. I left the inside panel straight.

I CASEd the front design of this card from the front I designed on the envelope gift card holder.

Gift Card Holder- tutorial by Andrea Walford

Stamp set: Holidays & Wishes
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Whisper White card stock, Holiday Treasures DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories: Word Window punch, 1” circle punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, SNAIL adhesive, sticky strip, paper cutter, Crafters’ Tool Kit, straight edge metal ruler

Gift Card Enclosure- tutorial by Dawn Olchefske.

Stamp set: Deer Friends
Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White card stock, Holiday Treasures DSP
Ink: Real Red and Old Olive Stampin’ Write Markers
Accessories: Word Window punch, 1 ¼” circle punch, 1 3/8” circle punch, scallop punch, white gel pen, Stampin’ dimensionals, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, SNAIL adhesive, sticky strip, paper cutter, scissors

Design CASEd from cornellian at Splitcoaststampers.

Gift card holder with slit tabs- tutorial by Barb M

Stamp set: Snow Swirled
Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White card stock, Holiday Treasures DSP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: 1/8” circle punch, slit punch, gold cord, Stampin’ dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive, sticky strip, paper cutter, scissors, stamp-a-ma-jig, Birds & Blooms die for Big Shot die-cut machine

Envelope gift card holder- tutorial by Andrea Walford

Stamp set: Winter Post, Sincere Salutations
Paper: Baja Breeze, Real Red, Whisper White card stock
Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Black classic ink
Accessories: Medium Whisper White envelope, Real Red grosgrain ribbon, scissors, Stamp-a-ma-jig, SNAIL adhesive, stampin’ dimensional, sticky strip, paper cutter.

These make great gifts, are quick to make and can be designed for any occasion. If you have any questions regarding the gift card holders I have posted here, please let me know.

This class is available by mail for $20 (includes $5 shipping and handling). Everything will be cut and scored for you and instructions included. If you live locally, we’ll make other arrangements so you will not have to pay for S&H unless preferred.

Have fun stampin’ and creatin’!

Sketch Challenge Week 9

Welcome to week 9 of the UDI sketch challenges. We are now doing the sketch challenges on Saturdays instead of Fridays. This is the last challenge until December 27.



My card:

Stamp set: Season of Joy
Paper: Real Red, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, and Basic Black stampin’ write markers, Whisper White craft ink
Accessories: 1/8” circle punch, clear rhinestone, SNAIL adhesive, sticky strip, Stamp-a-ma-jig, paper cutter.

I know these aren’t traditional Christmas colors, but when I saw this color combination in a Stampin’ Up! publication, I knew I had to use it for a Christmas card. I’m actually pleased with how it turned out. I think this color combination could be used for any occasion and wouldn’t necessarily be associated with Christmas. So my personal challenge to myself and to you is to try this color combination for any occasion- Christmas, birthday, thinking of you, etc. If you try it, please post the link to your card in the comments section. I’d love to see what you create!

If you would like to participate in the sketch challenge, post a comment and link to your blog, or upload to your Splitcoast gallery using the keyword divasc9. Click here for more information about the challenge and to view the other Divas’ work.

Have fun stampin’ and creatin’!

A Seriously Sassy card

Here’s a card I’ve been meaning to post. I created it several months ago. I found ideas for creating this card from the "Seriously Sassy" Stampin' Up! stamp set gallery on Splitcoaststampers. I didn’t CASE from one person in particular, and I added my own touches to this card.

I apologize for the blurry picture. I gave the original card away right after taking the picture so I can’t retake it.
Stamp set: Seriously Sassy, Sanded background
Paper: Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White,card stock, Spring Break DSP
Ink: Purely Pomegranate classic ink
Accessories: Cutter Kit, rhinestones, 2-way glue pen, SNAIL adhesive, paper cutter.

In making this card, I used two now retired In Colors, Soft Sky and Purely Pomegranate, and retired “Spring Break“ Designer Series Paper. These products were current at the time I made the card :)

The Soft Sky card stock is stamped with the “Sanded” background stamp but it is pretty subtle so it’s hard to see it in the picture. I distressed the edges of the Purely Pomegranate card stock with the distressing tool from the Cutter Kit. The flat backed rhinestones are non-Stampin’ Up!, bought at Michael’s.

I plan to be back tomorrow with another sketch challenge from UDI. Until then, have fun stampin’ and creatin’!

Photo Tile Coasters

I created coasters using tiles from the hardware store and adhered printed pictures onto them. I added a stamped word to personalize the coasters, then sealed them with 4 coats of clear acrylic sealer and adhered cork to the back of the coasters. These coasters can be used and will withstand spills, but it isn’t advisable to submerge them in water.

The following pictures are of my husband and his siblings when they were children. He’s the one on the “adorable” coaster. See why I chose that particular word to stamp beside him? :)


Individual coasters, in order of birth:

I used this tutorial created by Maria, who is a fellow UDI member.

If you still need to make gifts for Christmas, consider making these special coasters which the recipient will treasure for years to come.

Stamp set: Warm Words
Paper: Tissue paper
Ink: Black StazOn Ink
Accessories: 4” x 4” tiles, foam brush, Mod Podge, tape, cork, permanent glue (I used Liquid Fusion urethane glue), acrylic sealer (I used Plaid gloss sealer, same as the sealer in the tutorial picture), printer.

Tiles found at Lowe’s, cork on the roll from Joann Fabrics.

If you have any questions, post them in the comments section and I’ll do my best to answer them. Have fun stampin’ and creatin’!

Featured Stamper of the Week

This week’s featured stamper is Maryjo S, who is Christine P’s direct downline. Maryjo and I live in the same city, less than 5 minutes from one another. Maryjo has given me rides to the Stampin’ Up! events we’ve attended together and shared creative ideas. What I love about Maryjo’s cards is how well she incorporates techniques into her projects. I am a big technique fan but haven’t tried near as many techniques as Maryjo, nor do mine turn out as amazing as hers do. You’ll see what I mean when you look at Maryjo’s great cards below! :)

The following is a Christmas banner Maryjo made. You can also see the great Decor Elements she added to her wall.

Close up of Christmas banner:

Maryjo doesn’t have a blog or business web site, but if you have any questions, post them here and I’ll pass them on to her. If you would like to see more of her projects in the future, be sure to comment on that so I’ll know :) I hope you enjoyed viewing Maryjo’s creations!

Have fun stampin’ and creatin’!

Blog award

I was notified yesterday by Leonie at A Stamper's World that she gave me the Butterfly Award in appreciation for my blog. It’s fun to get an award for blogging about stamping! :) Be sure to check out Leonie’s blog. You’ll be amazed at all the great projects she posts!

Now it’s my turn to nominate my favorite blogs!

Alicia- http://papercraftplayground.blogspot.com/
Andrea- http://andreawalford.com/
Angie- http://chicnscratch.typepad.com/chic_n_scratch/
Barb- http://www.barbstamps.com/my_weblog/
Dawn- http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/dawns_stampin_studio/
Lauren- http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Micki- http://artfulxpressions.net/
Patty- http://pattystamps.typepad.com/pattys_stamping_spot/

I visit many blogs and enjoy each one. Please don’t feel bad if you’re not on the list; I would list each and every blog I visit if I could, but there aren’t enough hours in the day! :)

Have fun stampin’ and creatin’!

Stamped Baby Socks with bag topper

I created these bag toppers and stamped baby socks back in May for a swap. The instructions for creating both the bag topper and stamped socks are included in this post. You can't tell by this picture but I used the star stamp in Yoyo Yellow ink to randomly stamp the Yoyo Yellow CS. In person, it is visible but subtle.

Created by Michelle Hoffman
Stamp sets: By Ones & By Twos, Schoolbook Serif alphabet, Ticker Tape alphabet
Paper: Yoyo Yellow, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, and Green Galore CS, Transparency sheet
Ink: Real Red, Yoyo Yellow, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise Craft ink and Classic ink, Basic Black classic.
Accessories: Baby socks- 0 to 6 months, cardboard template, Large cello bag, Small star punch, Brads- Bold Brights, 1/8” circle punch, Gingham ribbon- Red, SNAIL adhesive, double sided permanent Scotch tape, glue dots, scissors, paper cutter.

Instructions:

Baby Socks
Trace baby sock on two pieces of thin cardboard. The trace should be wider than the sock, as well as a few inches longer at the top. This will allow the sock to stretch flat on the cardboard template. Stretch the sock on to the cardboard template, with the cuff unfolded. Using craft ink, stamp as desired. Outline images are much clearer on the sock material than solid images. Let dry. Once dry, iron each sock on a covered ironing board with a dry iron. This will heat set the ink. I have also heard of people heat setting the stamped clothing by putting it in the dryer. You may want to do this if you are stamping several projects at once or have a large item to heat set.

Socks are machine washable. Do not bleach.

Cut a transparency sheet 7.5” long by 5 7/8” wide. Using a 1” piece of double sided permanent tape, tape sock to the transparency sheet. For this project, I taped the socks 3” from the top of the sheet, and 1” in from each side. Slide the transparency sheet with the socks into a large cello bag. Fold the top of the bag down, and tape in place.

Bag topper
Cut a sheet of Yoyo Yellow card stock 6”x6”. Score and fold horizontally at 3”. Use SNAIL adhesive to tape the Yoyo Yellow piece to the cello bag. Cut a piece of Whisper White card stock 5.5” long by 2.5” wide. Stamp “baby” in coordinating colors using classic ink. Stamp “socks” in Basic Black classic ink. Cut a piece of red gingham ribbon and tie around the Whisper White card stock. Then attach the Whisper White card stock to the Yoyo Yellow topper. Punch a small star using Green Galore and Tempting Turquoise card stock. Punch a hole in the center and attach a coordinating brad. Apply a glue dot to the back of each star and adhere in place on the topper.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Have fun stampin’ and creatin’!

Sincerely,
Michelle

Last Day of Extravaganza Sale

Today is the last day of the Holiday Extravaganza. The bundled products make great gifts for yourself or others and are up to 50% off! Some bundles have sold out but others are still available, so place your order while you still can. Order online on my web site here or contact me.



Have fun stampin’ and creatin’!