Crafting Up the Coast

I did it again!

As you know, I’ve been a little preoccupied and haven’t scheduled any events, but my plan was/is to continue to share monthly “set samplers”. Well, I completely forgot AGAIN about the projects for the month of February, which should have been posted at the end of January. Thanks to a faithful reader, who kindly reminded me, you will receive two sets of projects in a matter of days!

At convention last year, I shared my calendar of themes for the year, focusing on sets from the annual catalog. The theme for February was condolence and thinking of you. You’ll notice I threw in a baby tag/gift, and I also used the set for the bookmark I posted last week. I chose to feature An Open Heart, a simple yet elegant set…one of my favorites. I can also see this set being used for Mother’s Day and birthdays. It’s just a beautiful set!

I know what you’re saying! “Spring???” But it’s never too early to start thinking about springtime to help get you through the winter blues. All you have to do is open the Stampin’ Up! occasions catalog and you can find all kinds of products to get you excited for spring!

I created two spring garden-themed projects using the Berry Basket Bigz L Die (item # 137366), From the Garden Stamp Set (item # 137139), and Handpicked Framelits Dies(137361).

My first project showcases the adorable berry basket. It’s really easy to make! I used Kraft card stock (item # 133674) because its heavier weight was perfect for holding my potted violets. Be sure to watch the instructional video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTokoc1oH3U to learn how to put the basket together.

I used Fast Fuse (item # 129026) to adhere the Hello Honey 3/8” Satin Stitched Ribbon (item # 133671) to the top edge of the basket. Then I finished it off with Tea Lace Paper Doilies (item # 129399) and striped banners made using Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper (item # 137784) and Rich Razzleberry card stock (item # 115316). I stamped the adorable little garden marker image using Rich Razzleberry (item # 126950) and Wild Wasabi (item # 126959) ink. Then I cut it out using the Big Shot (item # 113439) and the Handpicked Framelits Dies.

I also used the Berry Basket Bigz L Die to create a card/tiny gift that would be perfect for a vegetable or flower gardener. For the background, I used the Wild Wasabi striped pattern in the Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper.

First, I cut one side of the basket from Kraft card stock and added an additional score line 1/4″ below the original score line. Then I cut a piece of Whisper White card stock for the basket’s scalloped edge trim. I added a couple of additional score lines using my Paper Trimmer (as shown). Be sure to have 11 scallops in between with two scallops on each side. Next, I stapled them together, using Fast Fuse to adhere the tab to the card.

This side view shows you how to a form a card pocket. It’s large enough to hold up to two seed packets. I wrapped each seed packet with a Tea Lace Paper Doily and Crushed Curry Baker’s Twine (item # 134586).

I made the little garden markers from the same stamp set and Framelits Dies using Hello Honey (item # 133643), Rich Razzleberry, and Wild Wasabi ink.

I hope that these projects inspire you to snap out of the winter blues and embrace spring. It’s just around the corner!

Cindy Schuster

2014–2015 Artisan Design Team

Sale-A-Bration is one of the biggest promotions that Stampin’ Up! offers each year and we’re thrilled to be a part of it in 2015!! It provides customers with a way to earn FREE product for every $50 they spend … who doesn’t love that? As part of this promotion, we have a new Project Life by Stampin’ Up! Mini Card Collection called This Day (as seen on page. 8 of the Sale-A-Bration brochure). It’s filled with bright colors and everyday designs so it will fit perfectly with your photos and stories.

One of the easiest ways to spend your $50 and earn this free card set is to purchase the Let’s Get Away bundle filled with some of the newest products in the Project Life by Stampin’ Up product line. Of course, you’re not limited to the bundled deal – any $50 purchase earns you free goodies!! Taking advantage of the Sale-A-Bration promotion is a great way to stock up on the products that you want/need while earning free “extras” that you can use yourself or give as gifts! You’ll get to choose one free product from the SAB brochure for every $50 that you spend (before tax and shipping).

A few members of our creative team had the chance to play with the This Day Mini Card Collection so we could share with you just how darling it looks in completed pages … Enjoy the inspiration!

                            Pages by Awbree Caton. Right page is Design F.
                       

                                      Page details by Awbree Caton.

  Pages by Gabby Robinson. Both pages are Design 03 from the 12×12 Variety Pack.

                                  Pages by Jen Lake. Right page is Design F.

Page details by Jen Lake.

     Pages by Lynley Johnson. Both pages are Design 06 from the 12×12 Variety Pack.

   Page by Lynley Johnson. Layout design is Design 06 from the 12×12 Variety Pack.

Pages by Rhonda Steed. Left page is Design D and right page is Design C.

      Page by Toni Harris. Page design is Design 02 from the 12×12 Variety Pack.

Pages by Toni Harris. Both pages are Design 04 from the 12×12 Variety Pack.

Sale-A-Bration is in full swing now and runs through March 31 so make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to earn free products by contacting your local Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator or ordering through their online shop!

Back in my college years I took a course called “The Art of the Storybook,” and though it had absolutely nothing to do with my major, it has since proved to be the course that was most pertinent to the direction my life has taken.

We explored the art and creativity of storytelling and illustrating. I even wrote an origin myth and illustrated the book using several different art forms and mediums. Though my book is very amateurish and, well . . . quite an embarrassing look into my artistic ability . . . I love and cherish it. My book is a reminder that I don’t have to be an amazing artist, that I shouldn’t compare my work to that of others, and that I can be creative and explore my own artistic abilities. The course helped me to stretch. It forced me out of my comfort zone, and got me to try new things and enjoy them . . . even if my creations were not worthy of an art gallery.

Lately I have been in a rut. I don’t seem to be enjoying myself creatively as much. That was, until a friend of mine got me interested in creating again by encouraging me to try something new . . . zentangle. It was amazing! Zentangle is easy, relaxing, and it is something Gage can do with me, too! Thus my creative journey was rekindled, and I set out to carve a zentangle stamp!

I already admitted that I can’t draw; did I mention that I can’t carve a stamp, either?! Man, have I gotten rusty! But I pulled out my Undefined Stamp Carving Kit (item # 133402) anyway!

My original design was detailed and intricate. It was zentangle. But, after going a little carve-crazy, I accidentally carved out the wrong thing and ended up just hollowing out the innards and getting rid of all the details.

At first I was upset, and even contemplated getting out some more rubber. Since you can now buy Undefined Carving Rubber (item # 137123) in packs of three for super-cheap, I always have extra on hand for mistakes. But instead, remembering my origin myth book, I decided to embrace my mistake and let my creative journey be. After getting my stamp on paper, I realized something: with it being so plain, I left a plethora of opportunities for this stamp to be transformed in many different ways!

The Project Life Journaling Pens (item # 135304) were perfect for trying out some zentangle.

And of course, I just HAD to make a card . . . because that’s what I do.

And then another . . . and another.

The “nerdy-bird” card is actually a bookmark.

How the “nerdy-bird” came about is another long story. I will spare you the details!

Yup, I was happy I embraced my plain little stamp, leaving him open for many possibilities he may not have otherwise seen!

Where will your next creative mistake journey take you?

Becky Cowley
2014–2015 Artisan Design Team

You Brighten My Day Stamp Set (Item 139103 [w])

Think about how many days you can brighten with the You Brighten My Day Stamp Set! No need to spend precious time cutting out all the adorable images; this set coordinates with three different punches: the Banner and What’s Up Punches, and the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack. Plus, the triple star and triple heart images fit right on the little house, making it ever so easy to customize your creation. And with four different sentiments, this stamp set works for just about any occasion.

Best Year Ever Accessory Pack (Item 138634)
Combine the You Brighten My Day Stamp Set with our Best Year Ever Accessory Pack and you’ve got yourself one darn-cute creation! The Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, and Coastal Cabana ribbon and buttons in this accessory pack are bright, fun, and ready to embellish cards, gifts, scrapbook pages, and more.

We want to thank our talented artists, Mary Polcin and Brian King.

What are the reasons you give cards, treats, gifts? For me, it’s to thank someone, to wish them well on a special occasion, or often just to say, “Hey, I’m thinking of you.”

Here are some ways to show your love, admiration, and appreciation. Let people know that you care, that you think they’re amazing, and that you might even love them more than chocolate.

First, I made a super simple valentine. This is for those of you, myself included, who are super busy and usually put off the treats until the last minute. This little treat is beyond easy to throw together, but it doesn’t look that way at all. The packaging and size of the chocolate work perfectly with the colors in this kit. Just a little stamping and some glue and you will have 24 of these put together in no time.

Of course I had to make a card with this kit too. I pulled in the Perpetual Birthday Calendar stamp set and some Blushing Bride ink. It is such a simple and fun card.

For this cute gift I made a background with the love heart stamp from the kit using Versamark ink. I then embossed the hearts with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder. I placed it on top of a piece of black and white paper from the Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper Stack. (I love that paper so much!) I wrapped a little twine around the package and clipped on the heart with the cute gold clips from the kit. Those gold clips are so darn amazing. The Happy Day stamp is from the Cheerful Critters stamp set from occasions catalog.

I hope you have as much fun playing with the Filled With Love Paper Pumpkin Kit as I did.

Arika B.
Concept Artist

We want to thank our talented artists, Michelle Last and Patty Bennett. Show us what you have made with the the Best Day Ever Stamp Set with the Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper by using #sabproductoftheweek.