I purchased a wristlet pattern that looked pretty straightforward and then adapted it so that I could use the Scallop Envelope die for a front pocket and make the strap from SU! ribbon.

I used MDS to create a pattern that I then printed on my printer using printable fabric. I used Printed Treasures and was extremely happy with how the fabric turned out. It prints on 8 1/2 x 11″ sheets and the image quality is sharp and the colors true. I would definitely use this brand again.

The strap is made from ribbon from the Ribbon Originals Elementary collection (now retired). The pocket in the front was cut using the Scallop Envelop die. I used buttons from Fresh Favorites I (also retired) on the strap and the pocket.

For the zipper pull, made beads from Tea Party and Old Olive Patterns DSP by cutting a long thin triangle, applying Tombow Multi, and wrapping it around a toothpick. I then strung them on some jewelry wire and attached a Simply Adorned 6/8″ Square Charm. I then added a bit of the So Saffron ribbon from the Ribbon Originals Elementary collection.

This project was my first attempt at sewing anything on a sewing machine. That is not a skill that my mom passed down to me (instead I got lots of cooking lessons). I was really intimidated by it, but once I figured everything out I really had fun. As you will soon see I got sewing machine happy on one of my cards and scrapbook pages!

This is one of the 3D items that I submitted for the Artisan Awards. The flower is made from Patterns DSP (Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Old Olive) and is on a Definitely Decorative Chunky Frame decorated with a Definitely Decorative Scallop Frame, and hand cut petals based on the Cheep Talk Definitely Decorative Stencil.

The flower is not as difficult to make as it seems. It is time consuming, but as long as you can glue and bend paper, you are set. It is a great project to work on while you watch tv, because it is repetitive and a bit mindless. Here is the tutorial and template:

Starting at the top, the mobile is held up with some black braided cord that I got at my local craft store in the jewelry section. The top of the mobile is made from five cat food cans that I dressed up with paper. I stamped the butterfly from Dreams du Jour in Basic Black on strips of Old Olive cardstock cut to cover the outside of the cans. I dressed these up with a strip of Kraft (soon to be Crumb Cake) punched with the Scallop Trim Border  punch that will be available in the new 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog. I also added a thin strip of Basic Black cardstock for an added touch.

The butterflies were cut using the Beautiful Butterflies die. The large butterflies were cut from Kraft and the smaller butterflies from 5 retiring colors (Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal, Lavender Lace, Brocade Blue, Blush Blossom). All were run through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder. I used a Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker to add color to the polka dots on the big butterflies. Crystal Effects and Dazzling diamonds were used on the small butterflies to add some sparkle. I then stapled the butterflies together and then used Crystal Effects and the black glitter from Chunky Essentials to make the body of the butterfly and to cover the staple.The butterflies are hung with a hemp cord that is very similar to Stampin’ Up!’s linen thread.

I used the Crop-a-dile to punch holes in the sides of the cans so that I could attach them to each other with brads and hang the butterflies. I used a small awl to punch the holes in the top of the cans so that they could be hung.

Supplies

• 5 used and cleaned cat food cans
• Stamps: Dreams Du Jour
• Paper: Kraft (Crumb Cake), Old Olive, Basic Black, Barely Banana, Lavender Lace, Apricot Appeal, Blush Blossom, Brocade Blue
• Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink, Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker
• Embellishments: Black cord, hemp cord, brads, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds, Chunky Essentials, staples
• Tools: Beautiful Butterflies die, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Crop-o-dile, Scallop Trim Border Punch, 1/16″ circle punch

Being a crafty artistic type, G loved the gifts.  It was a good lesson for me, since I tend to make more elaborate, time consuming things. I had two other projects planned as well, but my Saturday got away from me and I had to keep it simple.

Note: these projects used a lot of retired SU! product, Sunshine Day DSP, and Pacific Point card stock to be specific. If you like the color scheme of the DSP, I’d recommend the DSP Flock Together (IBC p162, #114018) since it uses lots of blues, greens, and yellows. If you like the retro funky kind of look, then try Tall Tales (IBC p161, #115678). Then pick a coordinating solid card stock. Here are more details on each of the gifts:

The journal was pretty simple to do. I cut a piece of dsp so that it was 1″ taller and wider than the book when open. Then I used Tombow Multi to glue the paper to the outside, folded in and glued the excess paper, and trimmed the paper at the spine of the book. On the inside of each cover I glued a coordinating piece of dsp.

For the “g”, I used a sponge dauber to ink up a piece of On Board Timeless Type chipboard (IBC p185, #112083) with Pacific Point Classic Ink, then used my heat tool to dry the ink. Then I clear embossed the chipboard several times to get a nice shiny finish to it. I then adhered it to the journal using Mini Glue Dots.

On the  I was inspired to make the flower photo frame by the Spring Daisy Frame featured in the April/May issue of Simply Handmade. This is made of 8 1″x6″ strips of DSP, each glued at the ends to look like a tear-drop. Then they are glued together to make a flower. Then two cardstock circles are adhered to the middle using Pop-Up Glue Dots. I then printed pictures of G’s husband and son and glued them inside the circles.

As for the card, I stamped the new stamp set Hello Again (IBC p114, #113780) in versamark for a background, then glued a fun piece of DSP at the bottom, then used a red Circle Fire Rhinestone Brad (IBC p179, #109110) in the middle.

I’m going to work out the kinks in the instructions for the flower then post a tutorial. If you have any questions please email me…my address is in the left sidebar.

The first item I listed is this fantastic Thank You Set that I made for my friend’s daughter birthday.

It has 20 Thank You Cards and envelopes (10 each of 2 designs) which are held in a fabulous purse that is customized with an initial. The idea is that the cards could be sent as is, or the images could be colored (my friend’s daughter loves art, so coloring would be a fun way to make them ‘hers’”. It is $40, which includes shipping inside the US. You can purchase a set here.

Aren’t they fantastic? They both use a lot of retired or soon-to-be-retired paper and ribbon. To make the tags I folded a rectangular piece of cardstock slightly bigger than the tag on the die in half, and carefully placed it so that the fold would stay intact when the tag was cut. It created the perfect little gift tag. I then glued a full tag from DSP on top, and stamped with the Elegant Thank You stamp.

It was so simple to do. I cut 4 pieces of DSP and glued them together. Then I applied the Decor Element to the glass of the frame – this video shows how easy it is to do!

I assembled the whole thing and realized that it needed something extra. So I added two ornaments I made from the On Board Trinkets from the Holiday Mini Catalog. Doesn’t it look great? I can’t wait to update it for the seasons…so easy to do…just change the DSP and embellishments.

Recipe:

Paper: Ski Slope DSP*

Tools/Accessories: Medium Welcome Decor Elements, On Board Trinkets*, Glue Stick, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds, SNAIL, Silver Elastic Cord*

Starred Items are from the Holiday Mini Catalog

I’ve been an insomniac all Labor Day weekend…staying up until the wee hours wide awake. Last night I decided to give this week’s Splitcoast Stampers Tutorial a whirl. Isn’t it great? It is just a bit shorter than a standard card, so it fits into a Medium Envelope!

I love how the Posy stamp works with the Say it With Scallops Thank You stamp. I now NEED to have the new Scallop Square punch! I cut that out by hand using Paper Snips and the punch would have made it much easier. Three of stamps in the Say It with Scallops set coordinate with that punch, as do two of the stamps in the Punches Three Level 1 Hostess set. Here is what the card looks like closed:

As you can see, closed the card is a little plain. If i could do it again, I’d have stamped the Always Artichoke card stock in VersaMark with the Posy stamp as well. I’d also be more careful with the placement of the sentiment/embellishment of the pull up card (it is kind of peeking through when closed). And my last self criticism is that I wasn’t careful enough when I was making the folds…I should have used my Bone Folder from the start to keep them crisp.

Funny thing about Bravo Burgundy…it is far from my favorite color, but then I use it and love how it coordinates with other “earthy” colors…particularly that Brushed Gold Card Stock.

I can’t wait to get my Christmas supplies…I want to do a Holiday version of this card!

Recipe:

• Stamps: Posy, Say It with Scallops
• Ink: Always Artichoke, Not Quite Navy, VersaMark
• Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla
• Accessories: Fairy Tale Ribbon (retired), Gold Jumbo Eyelet (not SU!),  Pewter Brads, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimentionals, SNAIL, Sticky Strip
• Tools: Hobby Blade, Cutting Mat, Crop-A-Dile, Paper Snips, 3/16″ Corner Punch, Bone Folder