Beautiful Wings Embosslit Card

I love this card and what’s even better is that it’s really easy to make.

Stamp Sets: Inspired By Nature, Whimsical Words (Sale-a-bration set)

Die: Beautiful Wings Embosslit

Punch: Scallop Trim Border (Sale-a-bration punch)

This could easily become an Easter card by just changing out the saying!

Beary Best Friends Birthday Card

Created by Kathy Alt

Stamp Set: Beary Best Friends

Cardstock: Almost Amethyst, Barely Banana, Pretty In Pink

Designer Paper: Pawsitively Prints

Dimensions:

• Almost Amethyst 8 1/2″ X 4 1/4″, scored at 3″
• Barely Banana 8 1/2″ X 3″ scored at 4 1/4″

Don’t be afraid to try this card layout with other stamps!  It really gives a nice twist to the traditional card.

ipod Punch Card

Stamp Set: On Your Birthday

Punches: 1″, 1 3/8″, 3/4″, 1/16″and 1/2″ circle, corner rounder, slit punch

Cardstock: Real Red 5 1/2″ X 8 1/4″;  Basic Black 4″ X 2 1/2″, White 2 1/8″ X 1 1/2″; scraps of gray and white

Card tips:

• Punch the slit first before folding the card.
• Create the background using the spritzer tool and a red marker.
• Attach the silver cord using dimensionals

Heart Punch Wedding Card

This was my swap card for Leadership Conference.  I’ve enjoyed sharing it with other demonstrators and now I’m hoping you’ll enjoy it.

Created by Kathy Alt

Big Shot Dies: Movers & Shapers  XL Die, Stampin’ Up! Punch Windows for Movers & Shapers, Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Punches: Pinking Hearts Border, Full Heart

Stamp Set: Heard From the Heart

CS: Basic Black, Bride Specialty Paper, Bashful Blue, US White

White CS size:  4″ X 4″

1.  Using the movers and shapers die, cut the heart out of the white CS.

2.  Take the white CS and flip it to the otherside and lay over the heart.  It will overlap the existing cut heart slightly.  DO NOT MOVE THE HEART ON THE DIE…LEAVE IT IN THE SAME PLACE FOR THE SECOND CUT.

3.  Now run the white CS through the Big Shot using the polka dot embossing folder.

4.  Cut the edge using the pinking hearts border punch.

5.  To create the tuxedo shirt, punch an extra heart from the striped bride specialty paper and trim.

6.  Stamp, punch, and finish as shown.

Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit Card

Created by Kathy Alt

Big Shot Dies: Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Punches: Pinking Hearts Border, Full Heart

Stamp Set: I Heart Hearts

Here’s a very simple card idea for you to try!

Treat Holder Using Two Tags Die

Dies: Two Tags Bigz Die, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit

1. To cut the tag, use the following sandwich: Clear cutting mat, Piece of cardstock as a shim, Die, CS,Premium Crease Pad

2. Next, run tag through Big Shot in embossing folder

3. Stamp the friend heart and punch out with heart punch.
4. Die cut the embosslit Scalloped Heart of Hearts and layer stamped image on top.

5.   Score the tag at 1 1/2″ from the bottom.

6.  Using the 1/8″ circle punch, add a hole at the top of the tag for the ribbon.

7.   Insert candy, I used a mini starburst treat, and run ribbon around the ouside, through the closure slit and then insert both ends through the punched hole.

8.  Tie off the ribbon using the smaller grosgrain.

Felt Big Shot Pouch

Created by Kathy Alt

Die: Baskets and Blooms XL Die

1. Cut: 2 basket sides out of red felt

1 background flower out of white felt

1 overlay flower out of pink felt

1. Lay the 2 basket sides on top of each other, matching them up.
2. Cut off the extra edge on the one side that would be used to attach a regular basket.  I would cut this overlap edge keeping both layers together so that it’s the same.
3. Glue the sides and bottom of the pouch together using the hot glue gun.  Make sure there’s at least ¼” of glue and press together.
4. Set aside and allow this to cool.
5. To create the flower, glue the pink layer over the white flower.
6. To add the center brad, punch the hole in flower center using the crop-o-dile.
7. Add brad.
8. Turn the pouch inside-out and glue flower to the front.  Add ribbon if desired.

Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit Card

Created by Kathy Alt

Here’s a simple card that utilizes the new Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  This die is exclusive to Stampin’ Up!  What you might not be able to see is that the raised image on the hearts are actually little hearts!

Products Used:

• Stampin’ Up! Scalloped Heart of Hearts  #117332
• Stampin’ Up! Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder #117335
• Pinking Hearts Border Punch #117649
• 1/4″ Red Grosgrain Ribbon

Leadership Pictures

Many of you knew I was in Phoenix last week for Stampin’ Up!s Leadership conference.  It was wonderful weather and I had a fantastic time and learned tons!  I thought you might like to see some of the sights.

My good friend Tiffany and I at the opening session.

A view of the main stage.

Our Manager's Reception was a big fiesta!

Appetizers were served outdoors.

Dinner was indoors complete with dancing entertainment and a new stamp set which was housed in the cloth at our place setting.

We were also treated to a rodeo.

Here's a sampling of some great displays.

A few more to enjoy!

Stampin' Up!'s wooden decor blocks done up with noel, love, home, and life.

Great gift ideas.

Good Neighbor stamp set samples.

Good Neighbors Big Shot Card

Created by Kathy Alt

Stamp Sets:  Good Neighbors  (Sale-a-bration set), Warm Words

Big Shot Die:  Oval Scallop Frame, Stampin’ Up! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder

Punches:  Large Oval, Scallop Oval, Scallop Trim Border (Sale-a-bration)

This was my very first card using the new clear mount stamps!  Love them, love them, love them!  I was able to line up all the houses by using my grid paper to get them all placed.  I then inked up the rubber by using the markers, and with one quick press of the stamp I had my image!  I then added the roof tops and did a little sponging on the edges.  It was sooooo quick and easy!

To create the frame, I cut the scallop oval and then ran the frame through the big shot using the impressions folder.  This would make a great welcome for a new neighbor!

The Ins and Outs of Clear Stamps

Wow!  I never thought I’d say this, but I LOVE clear stamps!  Leave it to Stampin’ Up! to perfect stamping with the clear blocks by keeping the integrity of wood and rubber stamps!  For those of you who have never really tried these clear stamps, I’ve included a little tutorial to help you get them ready to go.  Remember, you have the option to get your stamp sets in EITHER wood or clear.

You may be asking, “Why would I want to use clear stamps, don’t you have to mount them every time you use them?”  The answer is yes, but think of all the possibilities.  You can place more than one stamp on a block and create your own stamp collage.  In addition, you can see the image through the block and know exactly where it’s going.  It is definitely a win-win situation!

Preparing the clear mount stamps…

1. Peel off the backing on the foam on the back of the rubber.

2.  Peel off the back of the image sticker.

3.  Place the image on the back of the foam of the matching stamp.  Be careful to line-up.

4.  Do this with all of the stamps.

5.  Punch out the stamps and store in the DVD-sized case.

Using the Clear-Mount stamps…

1. You will first need to obtain the acrylic blocks.  Stampin’ Up! offers 9 different sized blocks.  (Big hint:  you can save $9.75 by ordering the blocks in the bundle, item # 118491)

2.  To mount the stamp, just push the image to the acrylic and hold in place for a brief moment.  That’s all it takes!

3.  Remember that you can add as many images as desired to the block so that you can stamp it all in one single effort!

4.  And now the best part…you can see where you are stamping the image!

Happy New Year!

As you can tell, I took the holidays off.  I hope everyone had a great time with family and friends.  I know I sure did.  I did manage to sneak in some stamping as I’m headed to Phoenix this week for Stampin’ Up!s Leadership Conference and had to get going on my swaps.  I can’t wait to go and fill my head with new ideas.  I’ll be sure to take plenty of pictures to share when I get back.

If you’re on my mailing list, you should be receiving the new Occasions Mini Catalog and the Sale-a-Bration catalog in the mail.  Wait until you see the new stuff!!!!!  OK, for those of you who are impatient, there’s good news, due to the fact that there was a small delay in the mailing of the the two catalogs, Stampin’ Up! has put them up on the website, so if you just can’t wait, I thought I’d provide the links so you can see for yourself!  Enjoy!  I’ve also provided the link for the new Definitely Decorative line.  There are some really neat new chalkboard products that you will want to see.

Occasions Mini Catalog

Sale-a-Bration Catalog

Definitely Decorative Catalog

Big Shot Build-a-Bear Pocket Santa

Created by Kathy Alt

Playing with the build-a-bear dies is a lot of fun.  (Don’t tell anyone, but this little guy is naked from the waist down!)

Big Shot Dies: Stampin’ Up! Bear, Stampin’ Up! Beary Merry, Top Note

Accessories: Build-a-Brad, Holiday Lounge Designer Series Paper, 1 3/8″ circle punch, 1/2″ circle punch

Stamp Set: Hello Again

1. Cut out bear with close to cocoa using the Big Shot.
2. Place a white and real red card stock piece on costume die and cut out a complete set of each…this is the easiest way to do it.  You will have extra pieces that you can save for another project.
3. Cut apart white jacket and hat to add the white fringe to Santa’s red jacket…or cut off fringe from red hat and jacket and glue the remaining red hat and jacket on top of the white hat and jacket.
4. Punch a 1 3/8″ circle out of black to add behind head for the eyes, nose, and mouth.
5. To create the pocket, punch out a tempting turquoise and a designer paper top note.
6. Fold down the designer paper top note about 1/3 the way down.
7. Create a build-a-brad from the leftover designer paper using the 1/2″ circle punch and attach to the designer paper portion of the pocket.
8. Attach the front of the pocket to the back of the pocket using adhesive on the edges.
9. Stamp the snowflake on the Sahara Sand using Sahara Sand.

Gift Money Holder

Even though this project was created for Christmas it can be used any time of the year.  All you need to do is chose the appropriate designer paper and you have a perfect card for any occasion!

A view from the outside.

The inside

Big Shot Dies:  Scallop Circle #2, Merry Embosslit

Punch:  Tab punch and 1/8″ circle punch

1. Fold the 4” X 8” Designer Paper in half and punch out the tab using the tab punch.
2. Attach the ribbon on the inside of the gift package using a small piece of sticky strip on each end.
3. Put the package together using sticky strip as close to the edges as possible.
4. Attach the other piece of ribbon and tie a faker-knot on the top piece.
5. Punch out the scallop for the ornament and the Merry tag using the embosslit. (sandwich for embosslit is platform opened to tab 2, cutting mat, embosslit, clear cutting mat.)
6. Select your designer paper for the center of the ornament which is made using 2-3″ circles cut with the Circle Scissors Plus. Cut one of the circles in half.
7. Punch a tab and use a piece of sticky strip in the fold for adhering the gold cord.
8. Attach the brads and the pocket.

Punch Class Added

Be sure to check out my Upcoming Classes page for the information on the upcoming winter punch class.  Stampin’ Up! is offering new punches in January and these are absolutely fabulous!  They collapse to store easily and the borders and corners they have created are incredible!