Nifty Gift Giving: Happy Birthday Gift Card Envelope & A TUTORIAL

Hi Crafty Friends!  I'm so excited to share the first of four fun nifty gift giving projects with you!  I hosted my 1st Stampin' Up! class this past Saturday called "Nifty Gifties," and everyone who attended had a blast!  It was all about nifty gift giving ideas, and we created a variety of Stampin' Up! projects using the Big Shot.

For our first project, we made this adorable Happy Birthday Gift Card Envelope using the Gift Card Envelope & Trims Thinlits Dies (page 49 of the Occasions Catalog in the "Returning Favorites" section).  

This die was first introduced in our 2014 Holiday Catalog, and thankfully Stampin' Up! carried it over into the 2015 Occasions Catalog!  

Stampin' Up!'s Gift Card Envelope & Trims Thinlits Dies

I don't know about you, but whenever I have to buy a gift, 99.9% of the time I buy a gift card.  It's hard enough for me to shop for my son and fiancé, let alone try to figure out what someone else might like for a gift.  So I like to give gift cards to my friends and family, so they can get what they want.

As you may have noticed, I borrowed my design from the Occasions Catalog on page 45.  I couldn't top that design, so I borrowed certain elements and changed a few.  

Although the Big Day Stamp Set is no longer available (it was a Sale-a-Bration free product), you could easily use one of our many other "Happy Birthday" stamps for your sentiment.  Just top it off with a swoosh from the Work of Art Stamp Set like they did in the Catalog.

THE STEPS ::

1. Die cut the Gift Card Envelope Thinlits Die from Crumb Cake Cardstock using the Big Shot.  Score and fold, but no adhesive is required.
2. Cut a 1-1/4" x 6-1/2" strip of Whisper White Cardstock and emboss it with the Lucky Stars Textured Embossing Folder using the Texture Boutique Machine.
3. Cut a 3/4" x 6-1/2" strip of Birthday Bash Specialty Designer Series Paper and adhere it onto the Whisper White embossed strip.  Use a strong adhesive such as Fast Fuse.
4. Wrap the layered strip (the two pieces you adhered together in steps 2 & 3) around the gift card envelope and adhere onto itself, not the envelope.  Allow the strip to be snug but also slide on and off the envelope.
5. Die cut a tag from the Chalk Talk Framelits Dies punching a hole at the end using the 1/8" Circle Handheld Punch.  Thread some Bermuda Bay Baker's Twine through and tie into a bow.
6. Using a Mini Glue Dot, adhere the tag onto the belly band.  Punch some stars from Crushed Curry Cardstock using the Itty Bitty Accent star punch and adhere them with Mini Glue Dots as well.  You're done!

The belly band you see around the envelope slides off easily, so you can insert the gift card of your choosing once you are ready to give this little diddy to the lucky birthday girl or boy.  It's also perfect for graduations, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Sweet 16's, Quinceaneras, weddings...and the list goes on!  It is so easy to make and will make a great gift in addition to the gift card inside!

Here's a video from Stampin' Up! showing you how to use your Gift Card Envelope & Trims Thinlits Dies.

You will find all of the products I used to create this gift card envelope below.  Order what you need by going to my Online Store or click any of the links to go right to that item.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  Until next time, happy crafting!

 

Shop in my Online Store (It's open 24/7!)

Check out this week's Weekly Deals!

22 new items just added to the Clearance Rack!

Check out the New Arrivals!

SUPPLIES ::

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sale-A-Bration Ends TODAY!

Thank you for an amazing Sale-a-Bration 2015!  It has truly been one of the best yet, and it all ends TODAY! My long-time customers know that Sale-a-Bration is our biggest sales event of the year, and they thoroughly enjoyed the numerous FREE product offerings.   Thank you to everyone who hosted workshops, attended classes and made purchases with me during this time!

If you still need to wrap up your Sale-a-Bration shopping, shop in my Online Store and get your free products with each $50 you spend!

And...it's not too late to join Stampin' Up! & choose Your Reward!

  

Have you been thinking about joining my team?  New members of my team who sign up during Sale-A-Bration can choose between getting a free Occasions Kit or two Sale-A-Bration items.  It's the best deal of the year!

Join NOW!

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I'll be back soon to share more creations made with products from the Occasions Catalog and Annual Catalog.  Until next time, happy crafting!

 

Shop in my Online Store (It's open 24/7!)

Check out this week's Weekly Deals!

22 new items just added to the Clearance Rack!

Check out the New Arrivals!

LAST CALL! Sale-a-Bration ends TOMORROW!

It's hard to believe but...

Sale-A-Bration Ends TOMORROW!
(12:00 a.m. MST March 31st)

Did you get everything you wanted for FREE?

 

None of the products above will be available after Sale-a-Bration ends, so get yours TODAY!  

Place your order online and choose any of these exclusive products with each $50 purchase!  
(Quick reminder that Blendabilities are no longer available.)  

Click to place your order in my Online Store.

It's not too late to join Stampin' Up! & choose Your Reward!

 

Have you been thinking about joining my team?  New members of my team who sign up during Sale-A-Bration can choose between getting a free Occasions Kit or two Sale-A-Bration items.  It's the best deal of the year!

Join NOW!

22 NEW items added to the Clearance Rack!

Click to shop NOW!

While supplies last!

Please let me know if you need help placing your order or if you have any questions. 

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  Until next time, happy crafting!

 

Shop in my Online Store (It's open 24/7!)

Check out this week's Weekly Deals!

22 new items just added to the Clearance Rack!

Check out the New Arrivals!

Last Week of Sale-a-Bration & LOTS More!

Hi Friends!  Where has the time gone?!  One minute we were kicking off Sale-a-Bration in January, and we'll soon be wrapping it up on March 31st. 

I want to share with you several updates before it's all said and done.  I've been short on time, so please beg my pardon for the delay in relaying this information to you.

Blendabilities Discontinued

   Stampin' Up! has experienced quality issues with the Blendabilities product line.  Due to accelerated evaporation of the alcohol in the ink in a higher than average percentage of the markers, we have concluded that difficulties, dissatisfaction, and product returns will only become more widespread.  

The manufacturer is unable to correct the problem in a manner that we are certain would meet our high quality standards, so in order to prevent further disappointment, the Blendabilities product line has been discontinued. 

I have contacted my customers who have purchased Blendabilities or earned them as free Sale-a-Bration items, but please know that you will no longer be able to add these items to future orders for purchase or earn them as free items during Sale-a-Bration.  However, Stampin' Up! has added some new items that we hope you like and want to earn for free.  Check them out below.

For those of you who already own Blendabilities and they are performing as intended, please continue to enjoy your markers! 

NEW! Sale-a-Bration Items Added

 Click HERE to see the flyer in full size.

MDS will be Discontinued

 Major changes are underway at Stampin' Up!  We have recently reevaluated My Digital Studio, also known as MDS.  After much deliberation and careful consideration, we have made the decision to stop supporting this program.   

Click HERE for a Q&A regarding the end of our MDS offering and printing services.

NEW! Just Kidding Stamp Set

 

This funny new stamp set is just what you need for laughs that will last.  It's so versatile, you'll find yourself using it over and over again.

Click HERE to purchase your Just Kidding Photopolymer Stamp Set.

Weekly Deals

 Click HERE to check out this week's Weekly Deals.

I hope all of these changes do not put a damper on your day.  Any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.  

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  Until next time, happy crafting!

 

Shop in my Online Store (It's open 24/7!)

Save up to 80% off Clearance Rack items!

Check out the New Arrivals!

Sending Wishes Your Way & NEW! Sale-A-Bration Products!

Hi Crafty Friends!  How was your weekend?  Mine was super fantastic because I went to the Scrapbook Expo in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday with some friends, and I am oozing with crafty inspiration that I can't wait to put to work!  Have you ever been?

I'll be sure to share more about the Scrapbook Expo in my next post, but for today's share, I made this fabulous Sending Wishes Your Way Card using our Butterfly Basics Stamp Set.  I must admit that this stamp set was not on my "must-have" list at first, but the more I saw what others were creating, it grew on me.

Since I hadn't played with Blackberry Bliss in a while, I whipped out my Color Coach for some inspiration.  Instead of limiting myself to just three colors, I used all five: Blackberry Bliss, Soft Sky, Old Olive, Smoky Slate and Melon Mambo.

This card is a collage, so I put my sentiment on vellum to make sure it didn't get lost on the background.  I love that opaque softness it gives this card.

I really like this card and hope that you do too!  Next, I'll have to pull out the coordinating Framelits Dies and see what I come up with.  I love butterflies!

You will find all of the products I used to create this card below.  Order what you need by going to my Online Store or click any of the links to go right to that item.

NEW! Sale-A-Bration Products!

 Did you hear the wonderful news?  Stampin' Up! has introduced 4 NEW! Sale-a-Bration products that are available through March 31st!  This is the first time they've ever done this!

There are 2 stamp sets, an In-Color Accessory Kit, and Designer Vellum.  And they're all AMAZING!  As always, for every $50 you spend, you will earn a FREE Sale-a-Bration item.  Which one are you going to earn for free?

 Click HERE to see the flyer in full size.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  Until next time, happy crafting!

 

Shop in my Online Store (It's open 24/7!)

Check out this week's Weekly Deals!

Save up to 80% off Clearance Rack items!

SUPPLIES ::

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Celebrate with Cake

Hi Crafty Friends!  There's more to celebrate...another fun card featuring Blendabilities and our NEW! Chalkboard Paper!  OMG!  Let me just say that I'm in LOVE with this new Chalkboard Paper!  

Why, you ask?  Because it's smooth as silk but is also a nice, heavy weight.  You can use both our new ColorBox Chalk Ink Pads on the smooth side and our White Craft Stampin' Ink Pad on the other side.  I love a versatile product!  

Anyway, I made this Celebrate with Cake Card using our Big Day Stamp Set (a FREE Sale-a-Bration item), Chalkboard Paper, ColorBox Chalk Ink Pad, and some Blendabilities.

Using the sketch below, I started making my background by stamping the cake in Yellow Citrus ColorBox Chalk Ink onto Chalkboard Paper.  

Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch #128

I then stamped and colored my sentiment using Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Melon Mambo Blendabilities.  I was very pleased with the outcome, so I kept going.

Finally, I mounted my sentiment onto Basic Black Cardstock, tied on some Melon Mambo 1/4" Cotton Ribbon, and mounted my chalkboard paper card front onto some Basic Blask Cardstock. 

 I didn't stick to the sketch to the letter, but I love how this card turned out.

I am really proud of my new Blendabilities skills!  They have come a long way, baby.  I can't wait to play with these markers lots more!

Well, that's all for today, folks.  You will find all of the products I used to create this card below.  Order what you need by going to my Online Store or click any of the links to go right to that item.

Until next time, happy crafting!

 

Shop in my Online Store (It's open 24/7!)

Check out this week's Weekly Deals!

Save up to 80% off Clearance Rack items!

SUPPLIES ::

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Lotus Blossom Thanks

Hi Crafty Friends!  Happy Monday!  I'm here today with a card that I absolutely adore!  I'm sure you've seen lots other cards made with the Lotus Blossom Stamp Set--the one that you can earn during Sale-a-Bration.  Well, I finally tried my hand at this amazing 3-step stamp set, and I was blown away!  If you haven't gotten your hands on it yet or don't really think that you need it, boy are you wrong!  

I made this Lotus Blossom Thank You Card for my host Traci's party last weekend as one of her and her guest's make 'n takes.  My inspiration for the background came from that beautiful Calypso Coral speckled background paper in the You Amaze Me Card I shared with you all last week (another Sale-a-Bration item).  Because I only have a limited amount of that paper, I figured we would have to make some our own.

Using our Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad and the Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set, we made our own.

 

 They were a little intimidated at first by the Lotus Blossom Stamp Set, but it's easy as pie to use.  The stamps are all numbered on the acetate sheet inside the case in the order that you stamp with them.  Genius!  And the image that you get, whether you use one color or two (or even three), is a 3-image of a flower that is simply gorgeous.  

TIP:  For the first two stamps in the set, make sure your stamp is sufficiently inked and stamp using the full strength of color that is on the stamp.  However, for stamp #3, stamp off onto Grid Paper to tone down the color.  Otherwise, you will not get all of that beautiful detail and variation of color if you don't.

What an easy, fun to make, mailable card!  I hope that you like it...my hostess and her guests sure did!  Every one of them ordered the Lotus Blossom Stamp Set as their free Sale-a-Bration item that day.  They really liked the other card we made at the party too, so I'll be back soon to share that one with you as well.

Here's a video from Stampin' Up! showing you how to stamp with your Lotus Blossom Stamp Set.

Video added April 1, 2015.

You will find all of the products I used to create this card below.  Order what you need by going to my Online Store or click any of the links to go right to that item.

Thanks for stopping by!  Until next time, happy crafting!

 

Shop in my Online Store (It's open 24/7!)

Check out this week's Weekly Deals!

Save up to 80% off Clearance Rack items!

SUPPLIES :: 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

You Amaze Me

Hi Crafty Friends!  I am delighted to share with you this beautiful You Amaze Me Card!  

I fell head-over-heals-in-love with the Crazy about You Stamp Set and Hello You Thinlits Dies (sold as a bundle for 15% savings!) when I saw them in the Occasions Catalog, and that bundle was one of the FIRST things I ordered.  However, time has not been on my side, so I didn't have time to play with them until recently.

  

Anyway, using a B-side of one of the Best Year Ever Designer Series Papers (a FREE Sale-a-Bration item) as my background and one of Dawn McVey's beauties as my inspiration, I went right to work. 

 

I LOVE how this card turned out!  It has layers of texture and color...it just works!

If you haven't had a chance to use our word Thinlits Dies yet, let me give you a little tip.  Even if you have, you may not know this.

TIP:  Use wax paper (you can find it at your local 99 cent or dollar store) between your paper and your die...in fact, double up the wax paper.  (It's thin, so you don't have to worry about it making your sandwich in your Big Shot or other die cutting machine too thick.)  You will find that the die cut words slide out very smoothly from the die when you do so.  I hope this helps!

You will find all of the products I used to create this card below.  Order what you need by going to my Online Store or click any of the links to go right to that item. 

Have a great day!  Until next time, happy crafting!

 

Shop in my Online Store (It's open 24/7!)

Check out this week's Weekly Deals!

Save up to 80% off Clearance Rack items!

SUPPLIES ::

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Be Mine & You Made My Day

Happy Monday, All!  As promised, I am back with the two cards that my guests made at my Occasions Catalog and Sale-a-Bration Premier two weeks ago.  I'm so excited to share these projects with you today!  

My first card--Be Mine Card--is perfect for Valentine's Day.  When designing it, my goal was to make a card that was both masculine and fun.  

I used the You Plus Me Stamp Set and Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper Stack (the bundle) and Sweetheart Punch to accomplish the look.

 

For my second card, I got inspiration from a card designed by Mary Fish, fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator, that I pinned to my Cards :: All Occasions board a few weeks ago.  I adore Mary's design, but I changed a few things.

For this You Made My Day Card, I used the Petal Potpourri Stamp Set, exclusive Sale-a-Bration Best Ever Suite of products (Best Day Ever Stamp Set, Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper and Best Year Ever Accessory Pack), and Flower Medallion Punch.

I really love how this card turned out, and my guests did too! 

They had so much fun making these cards!  I hope you like them too.  You will find all of the products I used to create these cards below.  Order what you need by going to my Online Store or click any of the links to go right to that item. 

Have a great day!  Until next time, happy crafting!

 

Shop in my Online Store (It's open 24/7!)

Check out this week's Weekly Deals!

Save up to 80% off Clearance Rack items!

SUPPLIES ::

{Be Mine Card}

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

{You Made My Day Card}

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog