Thursday, December 20, 2012

Merry Minis Stepped Up

My post from yesterday featured this simple Christmas card that I wanted to step-up by doing a few extra things.  To see the supplies I used to make this simple card click here.
Here's the card that I stepped up.  I would love to hear what you think.  Please leave me a comment telling me which one you like more and why?
Supplies needed to make this card:

Card Stock: Crumb Cake 5-1/2"x 4-1/4"
                    Whisper White 1/2" x 4" and scraps for stamping and punching
                    Gumball Green 1/2" x 3-3/4"
                    Be of Good Cheer DSP scrap for heart punch
                    Red and Champagne Glimmer paper for punching

Stamp Sets: Merry Minis clear clear #127919 $11.95 or wood #127916 $14.95
                     Easy Events clear # 123225 $24.95 or wood #116958 $32.95 ( I colored "merry" using cherry cobbler marker)
Easy Events Stamp Set - by Stampin' Up!

 Ink: Summer Starfruit
         Gumball Green
         Cherry Cobbler ink pad and marker

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine
                      Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents
           Tools: Paper Snips used to cut out red ornament and whisper white to make banner
                      Full Heart Punch
                      Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack to make the heart around punch
                      Stampin' Pierce Mat
                      Paper Piercing Tool
                      Merry Minis Punch Pack
                      Big Shot
                      Perfect Polk Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
                      Finishing Touches Edgelits Die for gumball green strip
   Adhesives: Snail
                      Mini Glue Dots
                      Stampin' Dimensionals
 
Please leave me a comment letting me know which card you like more and why.  Thanks!
 
 

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Merry Minis

Have you ever wondered where I get inspiration for my cards?  Well if you've been reading my blog you know a lot of it comes from Pinterest, but another great source that I use is our demonstrator only magazine called Stampin' Success.  This is a bimonthly magazine that is sent to demonstrators with lots of projects and business related items.  I just LOVE getting this magazine and probably fold over every page for things I want to make or do!
 
So I was inspired in the July magazine with this card below.  I CASE'd it almost identically but changed just a few things to fit the supplies I had.  I just love how simple this card is but with lots of little details to make it really stand out.
 
 

 Supplies needed to make this card:

Card Stock: Crumb Cake 5-1/2" x 4-1/4"
                    Whisper White 1/2" x 4 and scraps for stamping
                    Gumball Green 3-3/4" x 1/2"

Stamp Set: Merry Minis clear #127919 $11.95 or wood #127916 $14.95
                        Easy Events clear # 123225 $24.95 or wood #116958 $32.95
Easy Events Stamp Set - by Stampin' Up!
I colored just "merry" with cherry cobbler marker

 
Ink: Summer Starfruit
        Cherry Cobbler ink pad and marker
        Gumball Green
 
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine
           Tools: Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack to make the hearts
                      Stampin' Pierce Mat
                      Paper Piercing Tool
                      Merry Minis Punch Pack
                      Paper Snips
    Adhesives: Snail
                       Mini Glue Dot
 
Receiving the Stampin' Success in the mail is one of many perks of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  To learn more check out my site http://brittnysmith.stampinup.net or contact me with your questions.  I love what I do and would love to have you join my team!
                        
Stop back tomorrow to see how I stepped up this Christmas card by doing just a few different steps.


 

Friday, December 14, 2012

Clearance Rack Blitz


Dates: December 14, 2012 - while supplies last
 
Details
Over 300 new Clearance Rack items (including ribbon, ink pads, markers, paper, buttons, brads, punches, dies, etc) are being added to the Online Store at discounts up to 80 percent off retail-only while supplies last! And for the first time ever, stamps are included at up to 40% off.  Since I love butterflies, I just had to tell you about the Butterfly Prints clear mount set is only $7.79 and the matching butterfly punch is only $10.19 in the clearance rack!  WOW!!!
Butterfly Prints - Clear-Mount Stamp Set - by Stampin' Up!
There are some great items at unbelievable prices that you won't want to miss out on!!  Take this for example:
I can't believe a full set of alphabet dies is only $35.99!!!  And you can get the matching uppercase letters die for only $59.99.  Make sure to get shopping now because these are only while supplies last.
 
The Fine Print
  • Only online orders qualify for this promotion. Feel free to order both Clearance Rack and non-Clearance Rack items on the same order-we're flexible like that.
  • There is no minimum purchase required to participate in this special offer-go nuts!
  • Qualifying Clearance Rack orders are eligible for hostess benefits/Stampin' Rewards. Bonus!  For example: You'll get $25 to spend on FREE merchandise when you order starts at $150.
  • Clearance Rack Blitz items are only available while supplies last-so don't wait! And sorry, but there are no refunds or exchanges on Clearance Rack items.
  • Check out all of the Clearance Rack Blitz items by clicking the Online Store.
 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

December Q & A - Making Paper Ornaments

Making Paper Ornaments
 Q&A


Q: I’ve seen some great paper ornaments lately. I’d like to make some, but don’t know how! Do you know?

Ornaments and Snowflakes

A: Paper ornaments are a hot trend this holiday season. Beyond decorating trees they are being used as décor items around the home, as accents on wrapped gifts, and as fun family projects. Of course, there are so many different ornaments to choose from. Luckily I have a few gorgeous, and easy, ones to share.

I got these ideas from "Stampin’ Success", a magazine demonstrators receive free from Stampin’ Up! It’s one of the great perks of being a demo! Here are instructions for Paper Bulb Ornaments and Glitter Snowflake Ornaments. Enjoy!

Paper Bulb Ornament:
• Ornaments are made up of 9 strips that are 1” wide. The center strip is 8” long. Each curved layer 1” longer. Make the ornaments strips from plain or stamped card stock or a selection of your favorite Designer Series Paper. You’ll need strips in the following sizes:
     1    1” x 8” strip for the center
     2    1” x 9” strips
     2    1” x 10” strips
     2    1” x 11” strips
     2    1” x 12” strips
• Pierce holes centered in the end of each strip, about 1/4” from the end using the Paper-Piercing Tool (#126189) and Stampin’ Pierce Mat (#126199)
• Layer the strips so the top ends are even and so they are stacked in this order: 12”, 11”, 10”, 9”, 8”, 9”, 10”, 11”, 12”
• Place a Silver 1/8” Mini Brad (#122941) through the pierced holes. Spread prong to close brad and hold layers together.
• Thread the holes at the bottom of the strips through a Silver Mini Brad causing the longer layers to curve out.
• Thread a piece of Linen Thread (#104199) or Baker’s Twine (page 172) through center of the ornament and slip it up between the strips so it wraps around the Mini Brad. Knot thread around the brad to hold in place and then create a loop to hang the ornament.
• Optional: Cover brads with buttons, Pearl or Rhinestone Jewels, or ribbon.
• Make ornaments of different sizes by starting with a shorter center strip at 3/4 and adding 1” for each layer from the center.

Glitter Snowflake Ornament:
This super-fast ornament can be made two ways.

My Digital Studio:
• This option allows you to make snowflakes in any size you wish. Use Snowflake Punch in My Digital Studio. Size Snowflake Punch as large as you want.
• Print to create a template. Cut out template.
• Trace onto the back of Glimmer Paper (available in Silver, Red, and Champaign).
• Cut out by hand.
• Create ornament from a single snowflake or sandwich 2 back-to-back so both sides are finished. For a 3-D ornament score 3 snowflakes in half, fold and adhere backs together.
• Use Linen Thread (#104199) or Baker’s Twine (page 172) to hang ornament

Big Shot:
• This option is faster since it doesn’t require hand-cutting, but only gives 3 ornament sizes. Die cut Glimmer Paper using Snow Flurry Bigz Die and the Big Shot.
• Create ornament from 1 or two layers or a 3-D ornament as described above.

Ornamental Elegance Kit

Ornamental Elegance Kit (#132832)Ornamental Elegance Kit (#132832)

Last but not least, Stampin' Up! has produced a kit you can order online while supplies last (Updated 12/12/12: Stampin' Up! has sold out of these ornament kits unfortunately :( They were a big hit!)of the ornament that graces the cover of our Holiday Catalog.   The kit which you can purchase online at my store (item #132832) includes all the supplies you need to makes 10 heirloom ornaments for only $14.95. 

Enjoy making these fun paper ornaments to give as gifts, add to wrapped gifts, and to decorate your home. It’s a great project to do with the kids and makes thoughtful and affordable gifts for teachers that kids will be proud to say they helped with. Or make the ornaments with the kids over winter break. It will keep them occupied with something fun, productive, and affordable, plus you’ll have lots of ornaments to give and decorate with!
© CraftyPerson Production. Images © Stampin' Up!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Ornament Elegance Kit

Update (12/8/12): You are no longer able to order this kit as Stampin' Up! has sold out of them.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.  I have a kit coming in my next order so stay tuned for a contest to win one of these ornaments.
 

I'm sure you've seen the ornament on the front of the Stampin' Up! holiday catalog (if you haven't than you are missing out) and thought I want one of those.  At least I have many times!  This ornament is such a hit that it has become available for you--just in time to deck the halls with terrific trimmings you've made yourself!
 
Stampin' Up! has simplified this fun project so that you can quickly and easily achieve the same results. In addition to the kit, all you need is a glue gun, scissors, and adhesive. (Our Anywhere Glue Sticks [104045] are perfect for assembly.) Want greeting or place cards to go with those ornaments? The Ornament Keepsakes Stamp Set (W 128048 C 128051) gives you perfect coordination.

 
Ornament Keepsakes Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Fancy a little sparkle and shine? Sprinkle on our Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (102023)!
 
With this kit you will be able to create 10 heirloom ornaments--or stunning tags to attach to a special neighbor gift.
 
The Ornamental Elegance Kit (132832) is $14.95 and includes:
  • Die-Cut Card stock Elements
  • Cherry Cobbler 3-1/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon
  • Natural Linen Thread
  • Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons 
  • Large Pearl Basic Jewels
Order these now at http://brittnysmith.stampinup.net so you will have plenty of time to make them for Christmas gifting--or for your family tree! Available while supplies last.