Too Cool Stamping

50% Off Fabric Frenzy, Plus Cool Thumping Technique

One Week Only—All Designer Fabrics Are 50% off!

Have you tried Stampin' Up! Designer Fabrics?  If not, now is the perfect time!  All Designer Fabrics are half-price through March 31, 2013. 

Check out the complete selection of fabric at my Online Store.

• High quality fabric comes in extra-wide, 18" x 26" fat quarters.
• Designs coordinate with Designer Papers, colors, and accessories!
• Great for quilting & sewing projects!
• Also, fantastic for embellishments, home décor and more!

Check out this video for some awesome ideas for using Designer Fabrics (click to see the video from my blog post):

 

Order Your 50% off Fabric at my Online Store.

And, for even more savings, be sure to check out the Clearance Rack!

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I still have a few more Quick & Cool technique cards to show you from my Too Cool Demo Team shoebox swap earlier this month.  Today's project is definitely a "wow" that is super-easy!

Team member Jodi Geers brought this gorgeous Swallowtail card for us to complete at the swap.  I love all of the colors and details in the wings, which we created using the Thumping Technique. 

Basic Thumping Technique

• Ink up a detailed stamp in a light color.
• Using another color of marker, tap or "thump" the brush-tip end all over the image.
• Repeat the thumping process with other colors of markers, as desired, starting with the lightest colors first and moving on to the darker colors.
• Huff on the stamp to re-moisten it, then stamp onto card stock for a multicolor image.

For Jodi's card, we used Sahara Sand as the base color, then we thumped on So Saffron, Tangerine Tango, and Basic Gray.  The card was finished with a Blooming With Kindness sentiment, and some Basic Gray Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon.  It took less than 5 minutes to make this card!  Awesome!

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Swallowtail, Blooming With Kindness
• Ink—So Saffron, Tangerine Tango and Basic Grey Markers; Sahara Sand Classic Ink Pads
• Paper—So Saffron, Basic Gray, and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Basic Gray Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
• Tools—SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

So how are many of you enjoying the beautiful Spring snowstorm?!  My Lucky-dog sure loves it!

He's so excited about the snow he's running around like a firecracker is up his butt!  This was the best photo I could get of him and I had to hold him in place.  Check out those snowballs on his legs!  What you can't see are all the snowballs on his head from sniffing around in the snow.  He's a happy, happy dogger!

Angie

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Too Cool Promotion Quick Links!

Wow!  This list just keeps growing and growing!  There are so many exciting things happening with Stampin' Up! right now! 

• Browse Spring Catalog—Flash Player
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store
• Sent With Love Promotion—Now Thru April 30.
• MyPaperPumpkin.com—Monthly Kit Subscription.  Sign up by April 10.
• Best of 25 Years Stamps—New stamp set each month!
• NEW A Round Array Bundle—New catalog sneak peek thru May 30.
  
• NEW Price on MDS—Now only $19.95 for full software & content! 
• The Basics Online Class—34 project lessons, only $14.95
• Photopolymer All-Clear Stamps—New Designer Typeset set!
• Fabric Frenzy—50% off all fabrics thru March 31.

Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• "Last Thursdays" Monthly Cards Class—March 28 (possibly rescheduling to April 3)
• Wow Techniques Class—April 12
• Sale-A-Bration Celebration FREE Stamp Camp—April 20, 1-3pm.

Sunday Showcase: Sandi Dailey's Fall Projects

Well, it's officially Fall and it sure feels like it all of a sudden...brrrr!  It's my favorite time of year!  I love the smells of a firepit, hoodies & jeans, apples & pumpkins, the crispness of the air, and especially the beautiful autumn colors!  Unfortunately, this year I think we're gonna get cheated on the colors because of the summer drought.  But, we can still create colorful leafy projects!

Today's Sunday Showcase features some amazing projects that Sandi Dailey shared during her presentation at Ronda Wade's Creative Convention earlier this month!  She had some fantastic ideas and tips on making your Fall projects fabulous!  You can check out more about her projects at her blog, Another Chance To Stamp: I Am Fall.

 

Let's start out with Two Cool note card boxes featuring the autumn colors from the Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper decorating a Kraft Gift Box. 

 

Photo by Sandi Dailey from Another Chance To Stamp.

Here is a close-up of one of the Orchard Harvest Designer Fabric flowers...so pretty!  Looks like she scrunched this torn fabric around the top of a Jumbo Sticky Rounds adhesive circle and topped it with a Naturals Designer Button.  The other fabric flower is twisted as it's adhered and it's topped with an Antique Brad. 

She's got some beautifully sponged and embossed Autumn Accents Die leaves peeking out from the flower.  More on those in a bit.

Photo by Sandi Dailey from Another Chance To Stamp.

We didn't get to see the lovely notecards with Mini Envelopes that fit inside the box, but Sandi has them on her I Am Fall blog post.  What a pretty 3x3" notecard set created with the French Foliage stamp set!  An awesome gift idea! 

So let's talk about leaves!  These are Too Cool!  Sandi used the Autumn Accents Die to create a pile of leaves that she had spread about her display table and used as embellishments on several projects.  It's a super fun idea for decorating for Fall festivities! 

Some leaves are embossed with the Woodgrain Impressions Folder, then inked, spritzed, sponged and crumpled.  Other leaves are die-cut from more Orchard Harvest paper and scrunched.  But, my absolute favorites, and the ones that look most realistic, are the ones she created with the packing paper that we receive in our Stampin' Up! orders.  It's thin kraft paper, or butcher paper!

Make Your Own Kraft Paper Leaves

• Die-cut several layers of leaves with the Autumn Accents Die.
• Sponge with oranges, greens, yellows and reds, as desired.
• Crumple, then ink the scrunched piece by running it lightly over an Early Espresso Ink Pad.
• You could add Clear Embossing or a clear spray sealer for a glossier look.

Sandi added some of these awesome leaves to her Orchard Harvest Thanksgiving place setting.  I love how she made Orchard Harvest Designer Fabric napkins, topped with a Labels Collection tag silver embossed with the Silver Setting ala carte stamp.  What a beautiful way to set a Thanksgiving table!

I can't wait for her to blog more about this super-cool project!  I can't tell if she used tiny leaf punches, or maybe leftovers from the die-cutting, but these mini leaves make fun accents for this seasonal scene.  I see images from Lovely As A Tree, Forever Young, and Serene Silhouettes.  Wow!

Sandi used a Reverse Masking Technique and Wonderful Watercolor Crayons to make this lovely watercolor card.  It's featured on her blog: Wonderfall. Also features Early Espresso Baker's Twine, and an Antique Brad.

She used a Clear Mount Block to stamp a colorful block background for more Autumn Accents die-cut and Woodgrain Folder embossed leaves.  Also features: Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon and Blooming With Kindness stamp set. 

Remember the Triple-Time Technique?  Sandi used a variation of that technique with the French Foliage set on this multi-panel card.  So pretty!  Also features: Always Artichoke Seam Binding, Loving Thoughts stamp set, and Brushed Bronze Buttons.

A special thanks to Sandi Dailey for sharing her Fall-tastic projects with us!  Wow!  So many great ideas!  Looks like this autumn will be pretty colorful after all! 

Angie

Try Select Designer Fabric For Only 99¢

Stampin' Up! just announced that four retired Designer Fabrics will be available for only 99¢ for a limited-time, and only while supplies last!  Wow!  That's 90% off the original price!

Each package features three extra-wide fat quarters (27" x 18") in three coordinating patterns.

This special Clearance offer includes the following Designer Fabrics:

  Candy Cane Christmas #121715

  Deck The Halls #121716

  Springtime Vintage #121817

  Sweet Stitches #121818

Designer Fabric Ideas!

I've featured several awesome fabric projects to give you some creative inspiration!  Here are some quick links to some of my favorites!

• Darla's Rag Bags

• 12 Designer Fabric Projects

• Fabric Pillow Accents

• Christmas Stocking Showcase

• Leadership Project Ideas - Springtime Vintage

• Springtime Vintage Flower Brooch

• Deck The Halls Poofy Ornament Card

• More Fun With Christmas Fabric

• Fun With Christmas Fabrics

If you've ever wanted to try the Designer Fabrics, this is a fantastic opportunity! 

All of the discounted fabrics are available while supplies last at my Online Store.

And, while you're there, be sure to check out the dozens of discounted retired merchandise currently available in the Clearance Rack!

Angie

 

 

Sunday Showcase: Amazing Stampin' Up! Dollhouse

I didn't have a chance to go to the Stampin' Up! Convention this year, but I'm enjoying perusing the internet for fun Convention recap photos!  One of the most amazing stamping projects that I've found from Convention is a dollhouse that Suzanne Johnson created as an Artisan Award entry made entirely with Stampin' Up! products! 

Oh my gosh!  You are not going to believe the detail and love she put into this project!  And, these are only photos, so I'm sure they don't do it justice!  Let's take a tour of this mini house!

Suzanne constructed the dollhouse out of foam board and used coordinating suites of products to decorate each of the five rooms. 

Even the sides of the house are beautifully sided in Daffodil Delight card stock. 

Let's start with the living room on the ground flower featuring beautiful neutrals and reds.

She constructed the sofa and chairs and covered them with retired Deck The Halls Designer Fabric.  A beautifully crocheted afghan appears to be made of Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine.  The coffee table has a faux glass finish with a lovely Scallop Trim Border.

The curtains are made of more Deck The Halls fabric.  I love the Décor Elements Medallion for the wall clock!  Even the bookshelf has cute little books bound with Cherry Cobbler, Concord Crush and Always Artichoke card stock and embossed with gold.

 

This cabinet has matching Scallop Trim detailing, and holds a vase of flowers made from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack with Bird Punch leaves.  Even the wallpaper is wheeled on with a Baroque Border Wheel.  And, check out the fringe on the lampshade. Wow!  The details!

Next up is the fun, retro kitchen in Baja Breeze and Real Red.

Looks like "retired" Totally Tess is busy planning events for July with her calendar!  Love that Real Red Patterns Designer Paper wallpaper!

The red polka dots from the retired Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric makes a cute matching table cloth.  A cute mini potholder, also in Candy Cane Christmas fabric, hangs from a shelf with a Scallop Envelop decorative edge.  The stove is outfitted with some retired Filigree Brad burners.

The Cupcakes Wheel border paper looks great with the matching curtains and kitchen towel hanging on a silver brad hook.  Wow!  That sink has a faux tile countertop and beautiful curved shelves. A Curly Label Punch chalkboard memo board completes the décor.

The vintage-style bedroom is stunning! 

Suzanne used the retired Springtime Vintage Designer Fabrics for the curtains, lampshade, and bedding.  That bed is fantastic—complete with a Pleated Ribbon bedskirt, Crochet Trimmed pillowcases, and Vintage Wallpaper embossed head and foot boards!

Here's the matching armoire and a better shot of the Springtime Vintage DSP wallpaper.  The Pearl Jewel necklace is the perfect touch!

That dresser with the gold trim looks like the one I had as a little girl, but I didn't have that cool stool!  Love the hand-twisted rag rug, too!

The other side features a nightstand with the retired Matchbox Die drawers, and a lovely Timeless Portrait picture frame.

Next, is the sewing room, all decked out with the retired Sweet Stitches Fabric and coordinating stamps!

I love the Dotted Scallop Border Punch trim on the sewing table and retired Striped Grosgrain pleats on the chair!

There's a pattern all laid out and ready to sew on the work table!

This was the wall that "floored" me!  Not only is there a real quilt in the corner, but the bookshelf has Square Lattice embossed baskets filled with all kinds of goodies—from threads and buttons, to bolts and bolts of fabrics!

Upstairs in the loft is my favorite room of all—the stamping studio!

On one side is a desk/work station.  Check out the Ink Pad Caddy in the corner next to the current catalog!  The curtains and chair fabric is Timeless Portraits.  And the wall hanging is from an exclusive Convention stamp.

The other side of the room has a bookshelf stuffed with an assortment of card stock that's organized by color collection!  Whoa! 

And, Stampin' Up! demonstrators will surely recognize what's on the bottom shelves!  Stampin' Success monthly demonstrator magazines, recruiting folders, and even the Spanish Stampin' Up! Catalog, Celebrando Creatividad!  LOVE IT!

Of course, no demonstrator's stamping room would be complete without a couple of Stampin' Up! boxes, in miniature!  Too Cool!

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As you can imagine, this AWESOME project has caused quite the buzz with everyone asking "how long did it take you to make this?"  Suzanne made the following comment on one of the blogs that featured some photos:

The first question everyone asked me at Convention was how long it took me – and I can only make an educated guess at an accumulation of about 2 months of 24 hours per day. I spent many all-nights, 24-7 days, late nights, days taken off work, and project pieces taken to work to do during breaks. This time includes a “beta version” and re-dos of pieces that didn’t turn out quite right. My post-convention goal is to start a blog (separate from my DBWS website) and launch it with my photos of this project, followed by others I submitted to the Artisan contest (I was not a finalist, BTW). I’m happy to answer any questions about how I made any part of the house.

You can contact Suzanne Johnson with questions by visiting her Stampin' Up! website. 

Plus, check out a video of the dollhouse from GirlGeekLovesStampin'.

All dollhouse photos are courtesy of teehee4two, Song of My Heart Stampers, Busy Miss B, Where The Rubber Meets The Road blogs.

Suzanne, what an AWESOME dollhouse project!  Well done!  Thank you so much for sharing your creativity and inspiration with us! 

Angie

Darla's Scallop Square Rag Bags

There sure are some awesome fabric projects that can be created with the Big Shot! 

For example, check out the Two Cool Scallop Square Rag Bags I'm featuring today, both lovingly sewn by Darla Eigenschink, one of my friends and Demo Team members!

  

Darla used the Scallop Square Clear Bigz Die to cut the fabric for this project.  You can cut up to 8 layers of fabric at a time, so preparing the pieces is quick and easy! 

Although Darla used her own fabric, the colors in her rag bag remind me of the Timeless Portrait Designer Fabric from Stampin' Up!

Each section of the bag is constructed of two pieces of fabric die-cut in the Scallop Square shape with a piece of batting in-between.  Sew the pieces together with an "X" from corner to corner, then begin sewing the squares together with the scallop edges showing to make the tattered "rag" look. 

Learn To Make Your Own! For complete instructions, check out the wonderful tutorial from Julie Edmonds at Inkredible Stamping With Julie: Scallop Square Rag Bag Instructions PDF. Or, check out the 3-part video tutorial by Angie Juda at Chic' n Scratch: Rag Quilt Purse Videos.

  

Darla embellished her purse with a beautiful fabric flower created with the Flower Folds Die. She used an Antique Brad in the center. 

Learn To Make Your Own Fabric Flower!  I found a great tutorial on making these pretty fabric flowers with the Flower Folds Die—it's SO easy!  See the Fabric Flower Tutorial from Christie Daugherty at the Stamp Shack Lady blog.

 

You can create a mini version of the rag bag by using the same concept with the larger of the two scalloped squares on the Scallop Square Duo Die. 

Piece those mini squares the same way, but sew four in a row this time...

Darla created this super cute Mini Rag Bag that's the perfect size to hold a cell phone!  Completely adorable!  You could make one to match your larger rag bag!!!  Too Cool!

Thank you, Darla, for sharing these fabulous Scallop Square Rag Bags!  I love them so much that I might have to actually try sewing!  :-D

Find the supplies to create these projects and more at my Online Store!

Angie    

Sunday Showcase: 12 Stampin' Up! Designer Fabrics Projects

After seeing the awesome Spice Cake Quilted Card Box that my Other Mother created with our Designer Fabrics, I decided to find some other fun fabric ideas to share for today's Sunday Showcase! 

I discovered lots of fun projects online, but I'm featuring only the ones made with current Designer Fabrics that also have a link to instructions so you could CASE them.  Hope you find something that inspires you!

 

Dresden Designs Scissors Holder created by Ann Clemmer at Stamper Dog.

What a darling way to protect and store your Paper Snips!  Ann used the Dresden Designs Bigz Die and Summer Smooches Designer Fabric to create these. 

 

iPhone covers created by Tisha Stamps.

Tisha used the Twitterpated Designer Fabric to create two cool handy iPhone covers that clip onto your purse, backpack or belt loop.  Cute!

Spice Cake Petite Purse created by Frenchie Stamps.

Apply Spice Cake Designer Fabric to card stock with the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets, then die-cut them with the Petite Purse Die for a more realistic fabric purse look!  The Naturals Designer Buttons match perfectly!

Timeless Frame created by Julia Leece at Julia's Cards.

You can also use Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to adhere your fabric to other objects.  In this case, Timeless Portrait Designer Fabric was applied to a picture frame.  Pretty!

Timeless Purse created by Jo Dumbleton at Stampin' 'n Stuff with instructions by made-by-rae.

This cute Timeless Portrait Designer Fabric purse makes me want to try sewing, for sure!  It's finished off with a matching fabric rosette flower and Antique Brad center.  I want one!

Timeless Fabric Coasters created by Julia Leece at Julia's Cards.

For an easier sewing project, try these simple Timeless Portrait Designer Fabric coasters!  What a cute gift idea!

Summer Smooches Coffee Cozy created by Dawn Olchefske at DO Stamping.

How about these adorable Summer Smooches Designer Fabric and Twitterpated Designer Fabric coffee cozies!  They are embellished with gathered fabric rosettes, retired Designer Buttons, and each feature a little pocket for your sweetener.  Too cool!

Beau Chateau Pouch created by Fran Sabad at Stampersblog.

This Beau Chateau Designer Fabric gift pouch has a gathered closure with 1/8" Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon.  What a fantastic way to share a special keepsake with someone special!

Beau Chateau Wreath created by Erika Clark at InkyPinkies.

Creative a beautiful wreath with layers of die-cut and twisted Beau Chateau Designer Fabric flowers!  Simply gorgeous!

 

Tissue Holder created by Dawn Olchefske at DO Stamping.

Create a cover for your travel pack of tissues.  Dawn made examples in both Flirtatious Designer Fabric and Spice Cake Designer Fabrics.  Simple to make and cute, cute, cute!

Created by Lyssa Griffin Zwolenek at Song of My Heart Stampers.

Lyssa created this adorable dress with one package of Spice Cake Designer Fabric.  Check her site for complete instructions.

Flirtaious Photo Board created by Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek at Song of My Heart Stampers.

Here's a simple, no-sew project with Flirtatious Designer Fabric—a photo & memo board!  Also features Melon Mambo Scallop Dots Ribbon and fabric flowers created with Circles #2 die-cuts.  I need to make one of these for my Studio!

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Hope you found some new ideas for using Stampin' Up! Designer Fabrics!  I know I sure did!  Thanks to all the fabulous fabric artists for sharing their projects!

See the complete selection of Stampin' Up! Designer Fabrics at my Online Store!

Have you created a project with Designer Fabrics?  I'd love to see it!  Attach a link to your project photo in the Comment Section below!

Angie

Spice Cake Fabric Quilted Card Box

I have something extra special to share today!  Since I don't sew, I asked my Other Mother, Dawn Gerardot Putman, to create one of her awesome quilted boxes with Spice Cake Designer Fabric.

Just look at what she created for me!

Wow!  It's a box that's big enough to hold my cards!  Too Cool! 

She used some of my matching retired Designer Buttons and Pool Party Seam Binding to embellish the lid.

There's extra batting on top to make it very dimensional.  I LOVE all the details!

A couple of retired Trinket Keys dangle off the side.  And, that stitching reminds me of the In Stitches Jumbo Wheel. How did she know that?!!  Awesome!

Here is the back.  Man, I love the colors in this fabric!

She even has the inside beautifully lined!

Here is the box with cards inside—PERFECT! 

Thank you SO VERY MUCH for this amazing keepsake, Dawn!  I absolutely adore my new Spice Cake Fabric Card Box! 

My O-Mom is so talented!  See more of Dawn Gerardot's work at the Orchard Gallery in Fort Wayne, IN. She's got a whole series of "Sew Do I" quilted boxes!

Angie

 

3 Sassy Summer Smooches Projects & 3 Idea Galleries!

"My Favorite Ideas" Gallery

I love sharing Too Cool Stamping ideas with you here on this blog, but did you know that you can also find project ideas at my Too Cool Stamping website?

You know...that's the place where you can shop at my Online Stampin' Up! Store!

Well, there is also a gallery there filled with 100s of fun and unique projects created by Stampin' Up!.  Be sure to check it out: My Favorite Ideas. 

3 New Summer Smooches Projects

Three new projects have just been added to the My Favorite Ideas gallery and they're created with the products from the new Summer Smooches Suite!  Find out more about the fabulous Summer Smooch items available as a sneak peek now through April 30.

Click the links for project supplies.

3x3" Thanks Card—Featuring the Bright Blossoms stamp set, Summer Smooches Designer Paper, and Summer Smooches Fabric Brads.

Sweet Treats Purse—Created with the Petite Purse Die and decorated with the Bright Blossoms stamp set, Summer Smooches Designer Paper, and Daffodil Delight Seam Binding.  The actual die-cut has a flap closure on the purse, but I love the open top for a different look! 

Grateful Card—Featuring the Summer Smooches Designer Paper, plus Summer Smooches Designer Fabric as a cute gathered fabric flower with a Summer Smooches Fabric Brad center!

Find Even More Stampin' Up! Project Ideas

That's not all!  I also have links to even more project ideas on my website under the Stampin' Up! Ideas link under the Ideas tab.  There are three categories of projects created by Stampin' Up! that you can explore:

• Card Projects
• Scrapbooking Pages
• Papercrafting & Gifts

Don't Forget About The Idea Book & Catalog

And, while we're talking about where to get stamping ideas, don't forget about the fabulous Idea Book & Catalog as a resource!  With 100s of fantastic card, scrapbook and papercrafted gifts at your fingertips, you're sure to find some inspiration for designs and color combinations! 

Don't have a copy?  It's time to get one!  Here's how!

• Order one at my Online Store ($9.95, plus shipping & tax).
• Purchase one from me for $10.
• Receive a FREE Idea Book when you host a workshop. Contact me to schedule.
• Receive a FREE Idea Book with your $100 order. Order now at my Online Store.

The current 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog will only be available until May 31, and it is the last one in the "Idea Book" format, so don't miss out! 

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Now that you've got the inpsiration, it's time to get stamping!  Let me know if I can help!

Angie

Darla's Stampin' Up! Fabric Pillow Accents

The last time I did a real sewing project was back in my 6th grade home ec class.  It was a pillow in the shape of a roller skate, made with yellow cotton and orange and brown felt with beautiful black embroidery.  Wait a minute...I think I still have it...here it is!

Pretty awesome work, if I do say so myself!  Can you tell which decade this was made?  Haha!

Since then, the extent of my sewing had been the occasional replacing of a button.  I don't even hem anything, because I've found that safety pins and double-sided tape work really well as alternative options! 

Needless to say, I've not made particularly good use out of the beautiful Stampin' Up! fabrics.  Thankfully, my friend Darla Eigenschink has, and she shared a couple of her lovely pillows at our Demo Team meeting last week!

Darla used the bright and cheery Flirtatious Designer Fabric for this pillow.  I love the Pretty In Pink, Melon Mambo and Wisterial Wonder color combination of this fabric! 

Oh, and did you know that it's one of the FREE Sale-A-Bration selections when you place a $50 order now through March 31st?

She created cute little gathered fabric flowers using the Flirtatious Designer Fabric and Designer Buttons.  Learn how to make them at this FaveCrafts Ruffled Fabric Flower Pin tutorial. 

The large flower center looks like it's created using the same basic gathering technique with torn strips of fabric.  There's a tutorial for this over at SparkleDaisy: Fabulous Flirtatious Flower Tutorial.  

These look so easy to make, that I may even have to try my hand at creating some!

 

The decorative edges of the pillow were die-cut using the Tasteful Trim Die—it's PERFECT for trimming fabric projects! 

TIP: Even though the fabric strip needs to be longer than the actual size of the die, you can fold the fabric into layers to cut a continuous strip.  Make sure to fold your fabric so the ends are just inside the cutting edges of the die, and iron your fabric folds so your fabric stays in place when running it through.

You can cut up to 8 layers at a time, so you could get a pretty long piece of decorative trim. 

Here's another pillow cover that Darla created from denim with Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric flowers accents.  (Hey look!  She did Two Cool pillow projects!)

I love all the colors in the Candy Cane Christmas fabrics...they can be used for the holidays, but they are not Christmas specific, so they look great all year round!

The scalloped border along the top is also die-cut from the Tasteful Trim Die.  So cute!

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Thanks so much to Darla for letting me share her fabric projects today!  Great inspiration!

Angie

Projects That Are So Shelli

If you've been a fan of Stampin' Up! for awhile, you are probably familiar with Shelli Gardner, the CEO and co-founder of the company.  She has a Too Cool style of her own that I just adore! 

I'll be seeing her this week during my Leadership Conference in San Antonio, while I soak up lots of exciting new information to share with you. 

I thought this would be a fabulous time to remind you to check out her So Shelli blog.  She posts some of her own cute projects and little tidbits about her family and Stampin' Up! behind the scenes.  

Monthly Creative Challenges

Each month, Shelli hosts a Creative Challenge where she has a theme and stampers can send her a link to their project for her to see.  At the end of the month, Shelli, and sometimes her daughter(s), will vote on a handful of winners, and post links to them on her blog. 

Anyone can participate in this challenge, and it's fun to see what she selects. 

For January, the challenge is Simply Stunning Cards, cards that are simple, yet stunning!  View the Simply Stunning Challenge post for more information and to submit your project!

 

Bird Daze Projects

Several products in the Occasions Mini Catalog are marked with a small heart, which means that they are one of Shelli's personal favorites, part of the So Shelli Collection.  The Elegant Bird Die is one of those items!  The projects shown above were both created by Shelli and posted this week on her blog: Bird Daze 1 and Bird Daze 2.

   

My favorite is the card using the Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper and Attic Boutique Side Notes.  I love her pretty vintage style! 

I'm sure you'll hear more about Shelli and company early next week during my Leadership wrap-up!

Angie

 

Too Cool Demos - Christmas Stocking Showcase

We had a friendly little competition at our Demo meeting on Monday...a Christmas Stocking Decorating Contest with the new Sizzix Holiday Stocking Die from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

There were no real guidelines, so everyone was free to be as creative as they wanted.  Let's take a look at the entries!

Created by Connie Forrester.  I love the non-traditional, wintery Wisteria Wonder and Pool Party colors!  She used the Serene Snowflakes with the bleaching technique on the background, and embossed with the new Snow Burst Impressions Folder.  She used Organza Ribbon, Mini Jingle Bells, Snowflakes Sizzlits, and Rhinestone Jewels for the embellishments.

  

Created by Connie Forrester.  Connie's second entry was a real, fabric stocking.  Cute doggie fabric, with ribbon, a star, and a mini strand of Christmas lights make this one adorable! 

  

Created by Jodi Geers.  This darling card is stamped in En Francais, texture embossed with the Houndstooth Impressions Folder, then accented with a lovely bouquet of 5-Petal Punch flowers.  The flower centers are from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack, and the small yellow flowers are from the Boho Blossoms Punch.  Rhinestone Jewels and Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, as well as a generous spritzing of Champagne Shimmer Paint are perfect accents.

  

Created by Darla Eigenschink.  She used the Deck The Halls Designer Fabric to cover chipboard die-cuts and add a lovely ruffled trim.  The stocking's cuff is adorned with Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon, Designer Buttons, and Linen Thread.  The medallion under the buttons is accordion-folded card stock, scored with the new Simply Scored tool. 

  

   

Created by Darla Eigenschink.  Darla's second entry used Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric in a wonderful quilted pattern, also adhered to chipboard die-cuts.  The heel, toe, and cuff are embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder.  Lots of details on this one: White Baker's Twine between the fabric squares, Mini Jingle Bells, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, even dots of Crystal Effects on each polka dot for a shiny texture.  She also used more fabric to make a twisted rosette flower. 

Created by Kari Heitmann.  This pretty, vintage-looking stocking was made with the Mocha Morning Designer Series paper.  The heel, toe and cuff are textured embossed with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder and accented with snowflake punches.  The Pearl Jewels top off this beauty!

Created by Pam Leach.  Pam created two, bright ad cheery stockings featuring the Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper.  She also added some texture with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  I love the Scallop Edge Border layering on the second cuff.  But, what I love most is that her projects show how easy it is to mix & match!  Die-cut one sheet of Designer Series Paper and one coordinating card stock, then mix the pieces for two stockings—quick, easy and efficient!

It's so much fun to make and decorate stockings from the Holiday Stocking Die!  Order all the supplies you need to create your own stocking masterpiece at my Online Store!

*  *  *  *  * 

I had everyone who attended the meeting vote on the stocking that they liked best, and they couldn't vote on their own.  We nearly had a 3-way tie, but the winner by one vote was...Jodi Geers! 

Woohoo!  She won a Card Keeper Box, and full stocking bragging rights!  Congratulations, Jodi!

*  *  *  *  *

Too Cool Moment: Yesterday, I closed on my old house.  Many of you may already know what a milestone that was for me.  I've been playing musical houses for the past 3-1/2 years, because I inherited two houses when My Mommy passed away in 2008 (she was in the middle of moving).  I sold her two houses, bought a new one, and now have finally sold my old one (four closings in a little over a year is WAY too many for me!). 

So, now there's no more stuff in multiple places, no more storage units, no more hauling boxes, and no more hauling the lawn mower back and forth to mow!  Everything is in one place and there's only one place to maintain!  I can't tell you what a burden has finally been lifted!  Whew!

Finally, I'm going to focus on getting my new house looking more like a home (including my Too Cool Stamping Studio)!  Looking forward to it!

Angie

 

Gently Falling Treat Box Card

Tomorrow night is my September Stamp Club, so I've been busy preparing Holiday Mini Catalog projects!  I'm kinda on a Gently Falling theme this week (have you noticed?), so it was a MUST to use that set on one of the Club projects...

    

These Two Cool Nugget Treat Box Cards were CASEd from Lisa Martz's Get Your Stamp On blog. 

Basic Treat Box Card Info

You can find complete instructions, template, and a video tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers: Treat Box Card, so I'm not going to elaborate much here.

Start with a 6-1/2" x 11-3/4" (or 12") piece of cardstock. Score your 6-1/2" side at 3/4" and 5-3/4". Score your 11-3/4" side at 3-1/2", 7", 8-1/2", 9-1/4", 10-3/4" and 11-1/2". 

Updated Tips* (10/24/2011): To make the back more stable, I recommend eliminating the 7" score line above...it's really not needed. 

Also, I made a changed the way I did the tabs.  The tutorial link shows leaving only three flaps on each end of the box to fold in, but I left one additional tab, so four flaps folded to close each end.  It looked a lot cleaner to me.*

I trimmed the wide panel at a diagonal from the 2-1/2" center point to create the pocket.  The nugget window is created with two punches from the Modern Label Punch.  The tutorial linked above shows you how to punch it perfectly by using a punched Post-It template.

  

Decorating The Treat Box Card

My Crumb Cake card base was decorated with the pretty new Spice Cake Designer Series Paper and Pool Party striped paper from the In Color Patterns Paper Stack.  Nugget panel is 1-1/4" x 4-3/4".  Outside pocket is 3-1/4" x 4-3/4" cut diagonal at the 2-1/2" center point to corner. Inside pocket is 2-3/4" x 3-1/4". 

I stamped and cut three different leaves from the Gently Falling two-step stamp set.  The two-color leaves are colored with markers on the rubber before stamping, then I stamped the Soft Suede outline image over the top. 

I collaged the leaves with a torn strip of Spice Cake Designer Fabric, either scrunched or tied in a bow.  Then, I gave it the perfect finishing touch by adding a Jewelry Tag Punch with words from the Tiny Tags stamp set. 

Pocket Card

Inside pocket card dimensions are 4-1/4" x 2-1/2".  I stamped another maple leaf and added a Round Tab Punch tab in More Mustard card stock.  TIP: Use Sticky Strip on the tab or it will come undone.

Nugget Wraps

I alternated wrapping my Hershey's Nuggets with a coordinating pieces of Spice Cake DSP, and stamped images from the It's A Wrap Holidays stamp set.  Have you seen this awesome set?  I wish I would have had this set, or the It's A Wrap Occasions set, when I was working on my friend's wedding favors in June!  They were made with nugget-wrapping in mind! 

TIP: I recommend using Designer Series Paper or any other lightweight paper cut to a 1x3" size for your wraps. Card stock doesn't want to stay wrapped very well, it's a bit too thick.  Plain white copy paper is great and inexpensive for stamping the It's A Wrap images. 

Warning: Whatever you do, DO NOT use any self-adhesive 1x3" mailing labels for nugget wrapping, even if they are easier to apply, because The Hershey Company does not allow anyone to adhere anything to their candy labels due to it possibly damaging their name recognition and/or creating a liability for peanut allergy sufferers who may not know what they are eating.  Consider yourselves warned! 

Complete Supplies List:

• Stamps—Gently Falling, It's A Wrap Holidays, Tiny Tags  
•  Ink—More Mustard, Cajun Crazy, Soft Suede, and Pool Party Classic Ink
  
• Paper—Spice Cake DSP, In Color Patterns Paper Stack, Crumb Cake, Pool Party, More Mustard, and Whisper White card stock 
  
• Accessories—Spice Cake Designer Fabric 
• Tools—Modern Label Punch, Round Tab Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch, Simply Scored, Dotto (for Post-It template), Dimensionals, Sticky Strip (for box and scrunched fabric), Glue Dots (for bow) SNAIL

Simply Scored Scoring Tool

But wait!  I saved the BEST for last!

My favorite part of this whole project is that I got to feature my new Simply Scored Scoring Tool from Stampin' Up!

If you've been looking for a nice, competitively priced scoring tool with all the best features—this is IT!  

• Scores full 12x12" size cardstock
• Scoring grooves every 1/8"
• Movable pegs to mark which line to use for repeated scoring
• Dual-tipped stylus locks in place and scores with either a small-tip for card stock or large-tip for thinner papers
• Ball-tips won't wear down with repeated use like plastic "bone" folders
• Rulers are marked every 1/8" and coated so measurements won't wear off
• Both sides have left-to-right rulers; top ruler also has a zero centering ruler
• There's a hidden compartment along the top to store extra Scoring Markers and Stylus
• Ultra-sturdy base has non-skid, non-marring feet

Simply Scored is AWESOME, and it's priced at only $29.95, so it's very competitively priced with other similar scoring tools on the market.  If you make lots of cards, and especially if you create lots of boxes and 3D projects...you NEED this tool! 

Purchase supplies for this card right now at my Online Store!

*  *  *  *  *

Two Cool On The Grow Contest Winner

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Two Cool On The Grow Contest!  The winner, selected by Random.org is...

Michelle Hoover!

Woohoo!  Congratulations, Michelle!  You will receive a brand new Scallop Trim Border Punch! 

For those who were playing along, the differences I came up with are:

1. Vertical v Horizontal
2. En Francais v Open Sea backgrounds
3. Houndstooth v Square Lattice Impressions
4. Scallop Trim Border on card base v on focal point
5. Ribbon on focal point v card base
6. Ribbon tied in knot v bow
7. Focal point background Pool Party v Daffodil Delight
8. Paper piecing whole image v a few flowers
9. Basic Pearls v Rhinestones
10. Jewels on flowers v jewels under sentiment

*  *  *  *  *

Too Cool Moment: Today, my sister-in-law and I walked 8 miles in 60° temps, with wind and pouring rain...just because we can!  Oh yeah!

Challenge yourself today to do something just because you can!

Angie

 

 

Spice Cake Sneak Peek & Last Day For $99 Starter Kit

How about some Holiday Mini sneak peeks today?!! 

These Spice Cake Suite projects were presented at Convention by Pam Morgan, one of the Stampin' Up! training crew.  The quality of the photos is not the best because they were taken from the Jumbotron (thanks Darla Eigenschink for taking photos!).  I think you'll still be able to get an idea of some fabulous products coming on September 1. 

Click to enlarge to see them better.

This card features three strips of the new Spice Cake Designer Fabric (which will match the Spice Cake Designer Series Paper, of course!).  I love this fresh, Fall color combination of Soft Suede, More Mustard, and Pool Party. 

The beautiful "Give Thanks" sentiment is from the new Hand-Penned Holidays set, and that cute little acorn is from the new Gently Falling set.

The leaf is another image from the Gently Falling set.  And, check out the embossed background...it's a new Impressions Folder called Snow Burst!

The Gently Falling set is a two-step stamp set, so there are bold and outline images to use for easy color layering.  I love the way Pam used the two styles for this free-form collage of leaves. 

 

I love the background she used.  If I remember right, she misted the card stock, crumpled it up into a little ball, then flattened it again with a bone folder.  Stamp the images on the damp card stock, or mist your inked stamp, for the watercolor effect on the leaves.  A cute little fabric bow is the perfect matching touch!

  

What a cute and easy-to-make fabric gift bag with a hemp pull-string. 

Look at that huge button!  The new Spice Cake Designer Buttons are a full 1-1/2" in diameter!  They are so big that I wasn't quite sure how I could use them!  I think they'd be fun on the top of a gift box, or as embellishments on a pillow. 

Do you have any fun ideas to use extra big buttons?  I'd love to hear your ideas in the comment section below!

Congratulations & Welcome!

A shout out to my new recruit, Cindy Owens!  She couldn't pass up the amazing $99 Starter Kit Promotion (see below for more details)!  Congratulations, Cindy!  I'm so happy you decided to be part of the Too Cool Demo Team! 

Don't miss your last chance to sign up...

Last Day For The $99 Starter Kit!

Today is your last chance for a awesome deal on the $99 Starter Kit Promotion! 

Don't let this fantastic opportunity (and huge value!) pass you by!  Contact me, and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have and set your mind at ease! 

Or, if you're ready to sign up...click on the Join Now on my Too Cool Stamping Website, and start using your 20% discount today!

Plus, join in July and get a FREE Christmas Keepsake project kit—a $40 value!

And, if you join my team by July 31st, I'll let you choose a FREE STAMP SET (valued at $25 or less) from the 2011-201220 Idea Book & Catalog, 2011 Summer Mini, or the upcoming 2011 Holiday Mini as my exclusive gift to you!

Learn more on my $99 Starter Kit post!

Angie

2011 Convention Highlights—Make & Take Card Keeper

OK, stampers!  Are you ready for a little sneak peek from the Holiday Mini?

One of our Convention Make & Takes was a Stampin' Card Keeper! 

I know that many of you were disappointed last year when Stampin' Up! retired the plastic, snap-together Craft Keeper.  In September, they'll be introducing a new style of card box that is easier to customize and decorate, and just as functional!  Woohoo!

Let's take a look at our project...

  

It's a heavy-duty, white paper-covered chipboard box that you can use to organize all of your standard-size cards by month, theme, or holiday.  You can personalize the box with Designer Paper, stamping and embellishments to make it your own!  It comes with patterns for covering the box, and the metal label holder attaches after you've decorated.  I love the possibilities!  And, who doesn't need a card holder for all of the fabulous cards we create?!  Oh yeah!

  

We covered the lid with Timeless Portrait Designer Fabric (ooohh, I'm loving this black & white pattern!) using Sticky Strip to hold it firmly at the edges.

The blossom is created by layering lots and lots of elements: Fancy Flower punches in More Mustard and Cherry Cobbler, Blossom Petals in Cherry Cobbler and Lucky Limeade (for the leaves), and Lace Ribbon Border medallions in Island Indigo for a pop of contrasting color.  All of the petals were crumpled and stacked on LOTS of Dimensionals to create this 3D look.  

We added a Clear Crystal Bauble to the flower center for an eye-catching accent!  Beautiful!

   

The box comes with six white paper-covered chipboard dividers that are also customizable.  We added Timeless Portrait DSP (swatches shown above) to match the fabric on the box lid.  Very nice!

Holiday Mini Catalog

The new Mini catalog doesn't come out until September 1, but let me know if you'd like a copy sent to you as soon as it's available.  If you do not already have a relationship with a demonstrator, contact me with your mailing address by July 31, and I'll make sure that you are on my Holiday Mini mailing list.

Angie

2011 Convention Highlights—Make & Take Cards & Banner!

It wouldn't be a Stampin' Up! Convention if we didn't do some stamping!  Right?!

And, Stampin' Up! gave us all kinds of cool projects to stamp this year!  So many projects, in fact, that Jodi, Darla and I had to get together again last night just to finish them!

Take a look...

  

First, we made this cute 3x3" notecard with the new two-step Raining Flowers stamp set.  The Lace Ribbon Border was punched, scrunched and doubled-up for a unique textured layer.  "Because" sentiment is from It's Your Day stamp set.

    

Next, we made a 3x6" card with the Best Friends Forever stamp set.  This card features more of the Lace Ribbon Border, plus a strip of the new Timeless Portrait Designer Fabric.  Darla helped me tie a perfect Linen Thread bow on my button.

Notice how this card is the same color combination as the first, but it has a completely different look.  All of the Make & Take projects were in the same colors, so you really get a feel for how versatile you can be with the same supplies! 

  

This card was my favorite of the three!  I love the dimension on the Raining Flowers images, and the double layer of ribbon, including the new Island Indigo 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon.  Isn't it terrific!  And, check out the new 1/8" Mini Silver Brads that are holding the ribbon in place.  They are teeny, tiny!  Even smaller than 3/16" size we are used to!  So cute!

Banners are certainly trendy these days, and our Make & Takes had all the makings for this fantastic display!  We used the cards we made for part of the banner, created a fun pinwheel, then added embellishments to pieces from the Perfect Pennants Die for more accents.  Let's look at each piece individually...

  

We used the Timeless Portrait Designer Paper to make the pinwheel, then added crumpled scallop circles from the Perfect Pennants Die.  The flower is punched from the Blossom Petals Punch, and everything is held together with an Antique Brad.

 

We had three sizes of pennants from the Perfect Pennants Die to use on our banner.  Here is the largest of the three, and it is decorated with the Best Friends Forever and It's Your Day stamps.

  

The medium pennant has a Timeless Portrait Designer Fabric flower rosette embellishment, and the smallest pennant has one medallion from the Lace Ribbon Border punch.  See how we just keep using the same supplies for different looks?  Cool, huh? 

We hand-cut the Lucky Limeade mini-banner to fill in one of the spots, and tied both ends with more scraps of fabric.

Can you imagine creating a similar banner for your child's locker or desk to honor their birthday or recognize them for a great achievement?  What about as a garland for your Christmas tree?  Or, to decorate for a birthday party at home or in the office? 

Lots of fun ideas are floating around in my head right now!

Tomorrow, we'll see one more Make & Take featuring a sneak peek from the Holiday Mini!

*  *  *  *  * 

I've had lots of interest in the fabulous $99 Starter Kit Promotion!  Will you be the next one to join my Too Cool Demo Team? Sign up with me and you'll receive a FREE stamp set (up to $25 value) as my exclusive gift to you!

Contact me and we'll chat about it with no obligation!

Angie

 

 

Leadership Highlights—Project Ideas!

At every Stampin' Up! event, you come away with LOTS and LOTS of ideas and inspiration!  I wanted to showcase some of my favorite projects that I saw at Leadership...and oh, it was so tough to narrow down my pictures for this blog!  This doesn't even begin to cover all the awesome card samples that were being swapped and featured on the display boards.  It is completely overwhelming in a truly awesome way!

I'm not going to spend a lot of time with details of each project, so if you want to know more about how it was made, please leave a comment below!

First, let's see some of the cute projects that Shelli and crew featured during our Main Stage presentations.  I was taking photos of the Jumbotron, so they aren't the best pictures, but you'll get the idea.  Please ignore all the crazy cameras being held up in the air...mine was as well, so I can't complain!  Haha!  Click to enlarge to see the details.

An invitation created on My Digital Studio, accented with Basic Pearls by Sara Douglas.

A On Board Art Journal decorated with Springtime Vintage DSP and Beautiful Butterfly die-cuts by Shelli Gardner.

Closeup of an Easter Blossoms card by Shelli.

Tag created by Shelli with Two Tags Die and Clearly For You stamps set.

Closeup of a Nature Walk card by Shelli.

   

Card created by Carrie Cudney with Sew Suite stamps and Sweet Stitches Fabric.  And, a whole bunch of yo-yo fabric flowers!

  

Pin cushion button jar created by Carrie Cudney.  Love that Pompom Trim!

Springtime Vintage Fabric flower and pleats on a card made by Carrie Cudney.

Now for some other projects I found on display boards, in friends' swaps, and even from other demonstrators sitting near me!  Inspiration was everywhere!

Cute dress made from Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric on the product display wall.

  

Binder cover front and inside with pockets, sewn from Springtime Vintage Fabric created by unknown fellow demo who was sitting next to me.   

Full Heart punches featuring Red Glimmer Paper, and all colors of the Glass Glitter.  This was on an product display.

  

Chipboard heart pin, painted with Black Craft ink and adorned with Antique Brads.  Brads were adhered with Crystal Effects after the shanks were removed.  And, earrings made from the Vintage Adornments. 

A swap card created by Jackie Walker. 

Swap card created by Joanne Rolston with Easter Blossoms and Springtime Vintage DSP.

Swap card created by Karen Duke.  She used Awash With Flowers upside-down for the dress, combined with All In The Family!  Cute!

Swap card created by Mary Anne Pane with Be My Valentine ala carte stamp.

Swap card created Sharon Field with the Framed Tulips Folder and the Sale-A-Bration Bliss set.

Swap created with Nature Walk set and Botanical Gazette DSP, by unknown artist.

Well, I'm gonna stop there...I could go on and on with all of the super cool projects on my camera.  I wish I could share them ALL!  You'll have to come with me next year, if you want to see everything! 

Stamp with you later!

Angie

FREE items for every $50 Order!  See complete details or Shop Now!

 

Leadership Highlights - Make & Takes Part 2

Congratulations To My New Team Member!

First of all, I want to congratulate the recipient of the FREE Starter Kit...my newest Too Cool Demo Team member...Jodi Geers!  I'm so excited that she is joining our team and I'm looking forward to helping her grow her stamping business!  She told me that she already has a booking in the works!  Woohoo!  If you know Jodi, help her get her business off the ground by booking a second workshop with her during Sale-A-Bration!

Make & Takes Part 2

Yesterday, I posted about some of the fabulous Make & Takes we created on our last day of Leadership: Clearly For You Card, DVD Notebook Holder, and Springtime Vintage Brooch.

Today, is Part 2 of our Make & Takes, featuring beautiful Simply Adorned Jewelry! 

      
Have you seen this line?  It's on p189 of the current Idea Book & Catalog.  It's a beautful selection of high quality chains and charms that can be decorated with your stamped artwork!  Larger charms have beveled, tempered glass on the front and back, and all charms come with lobster clasps for secure attachment to a 24" or 34" chain or 8" bracelet. 

We received a 1-1/2 x 2" Charm and 34" Chain, and created three inserts for our new jewelry!  I was so excited!  Check it out!

Valentine's Amour Insert

   

Using our Clearly For You free set, we clear embossed the background on Basic Black for some shiny texture.  Next we stamped on a sheet of Botanical Gazette DSP, tore the corner so the background would peek through, and curled up the edges for extra detail (click to enlarge). 

The Small Heart punched from Red Glimmer Paper makes this an elegant Valentine's themed charm, but imagine how you could switch out inserts for ANY occasion or to match ANY outfit!  Love it!

   

Of course, no Simply Adorned jewelry would be complete without a dangling trinket of some kind!  We adorned ours with a Trinket Key tied on with 1/8" Black Taffeta Ribbon! 

We received a long piece of 5/8" Black Satin Ribbon to use as the chain for this one...I had never thought to use a ribbon instead of the chain.  That's a great idea, especially if you want to save some money and focus on decorating the charms. 

The back is just a simple stamp on more DSP.  You could definitely spice up that side, too, but we only had so much time at our event!

Shimmering Blue Birds Insert

 
  

This insert is a great way to show how much room there is between the beveled glass panes in these charms!  I used Dimensionals for the sentiment and it's layered on top of two pieces of ribbon.  You can definitely create some amazing 3-D artwork in there!

The background was sponged with Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake.  The stamps are from the Clearly For You set—they are the perfect size for this project! 

We outlined the bird images with Crumb Cake Marker, then painted them with Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint to make them glisten (click to enlarge to see the detail).  We added two 1-1/4" scrunched scraps of ribbon: Crumb Cake Seam Binding and Victoria Crochet Trim.  Just another reason to save all your scraps!

  

I added this charm to a 24" chain that I had already purchased (I used the 34" one we received on the next project).  I wanted you to see how nicely constructed the chains are!  They are lightweight, yet very secure, with an easy-to-use toggle clasp and decorative clasp charm (the mini charm by the toggle). 

We received the Trinket Key, Trinket Crown and Vanilla Pearl Bauble to decorate our chain, and those are all sold separately.  As someone who used to create hand-made earrings with glass beads and crystals, I can tell you that these trinkets and baubles are very high quality and are competitively priced!  

The matching back insert (at right) is another piece of Botanical Gazette DSP.  I'll have to stamp something on it...it's way too plain!

Oh, I don't think I mentioned that each piece of Simply Adorned jewelry you receive comes beautifully packaged in a lovely, padded, brown box...

This is the box for the charm, but the chains and baubles all come in separate boxes, which makes it perfect if you want to give it as a gift!  Stampin' Up! never goes half-way with their products!  Awesome!

Springtime Vintage Monogram Necklace

This was the piece de resistance of the Simply Adorned Make & Takes!  We created a pretty monogrammed insert (that also matches the Springtime Vintage Brooch), and a matching tied-ribbon, 34" chain!  Love, love, love it!

  

We sponged and stamped with Baja Breeze, Rose Red and Crumb Cake, then added a Basic Black monogram from the Broadsheet Alphabet set.

Talk about scraps!  We used the teeniest little bits of paper and Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric to make a mini collage!  When I was tearing my paper, I noticed one piece said "The blossoming."  "Blossom" is my word for the year!  Too Cool!  I had to add that to the top and it's my favorite part of this piece!  Well, that and the Rhinestone bling! 

The chain was fun to make, too!  First , we weaved a long strip of Baja Breeze Seam Binding in and out of the links and tied off the ends.  Then we tied ribbon and fabric—more scraps!—to the chain, and added the trinkets and bauble we had received (I just transferred them from the previous project—they are interchangeable!).

This one had another simple Springtime Vintage DSP back that will have to be jazzed up! 

I had SO much fun creating our versatile jewelry!  I was very surprised that the charm wasn't very heavy considering its size.  I think it would make a fabulous Christmas ornament filled with photos or beautiful holiday stamped images. 

What type of insert would you put in your Simply Adorned jewelry?  Who would love to receive one of your Simply Adorned creations as a gift?  Let me know in the Comments section!

Angie

 

 

 

Leadership Highlights—Make & Takes Part 1

One of my favorite parts of Leadership was the Make & Takes! 

We kept getting little glimpses of all of the projects we were going to be making on the last night, and it ended up being a complete "surprise and delight" each time a project was revealed!  (Shelli said at Convention that they were going to keep surprising and delighting us!) 

Usually, at the Convention Make & Takes I've experienced, we create several basic cards and a simple 3-D item, like a box.  To tell you the truth, I've never gotten very excited about the projects, because they weren't very unique or challenging.

That wasn't the case this time!  Not only were the projects exciting and fresh, they were challenging, showcased a lot of product, and frankly, weren't very inexpensive to make!  More spoiling!  Too Cool!

For You Card

  

This was one of the basic cards, because you can't have Make & Takes without doing at least one card, right?!   Our free Leadership stamp set was the Clearly For You set from the 2011 Occasions Mini.  We used that set for all of our projects, so you'll see how very versatile it can be.

Card Details: Card base is Baja Breeze, crimped half-way up with the Crimper Tool.  We rubbed a VersaMark Ink Pad over the crimps to accentuate the "depth" of the lines.  We added VersaMark randsomed stamped images to the Baja base, and the Old Olive piece.

The Soft Suede circle was die-cut with the Circles #2 Die, crumpled, then distressed with Soft Suede Ink.  Next, we added a 3/8" Old Olive Taffeta Ribbon with a "for you" tag.  

The Petal Card Punch was used to create the Crumb Cake layer, which was also randomly stamped with the flower image in Soft Suede.  The butterfly image was colored with More Mustard and Cherry Cobbler Markers, then cut out and layered on a crimped 3/4" punched circle. 

DVD Notebook

  

We also made a cute, and very functional, notepad holder out of the plastic DVD cases like the cases for the Clear-Mount stamps.  Did you know that you could buy empty cases?  You can! 

You're supposed to fill the case with a decorated 5x7" notepad.  I first saw this project at Jackie Bolhuis' Klompen Stampers blog: Easy Gift Idea. 

Here is a picture of one of her projects opened to show the decorated notepad.  She used a 5x8" mini legal pad that she had cut down to 5x7" at her local office supply store.  The chipboard backing slips right into the DVD pocket to hold it into place. 

You can see more of her samples here: DVD Notebooks.

Project Details: We used the Botanical Gazette Designer Series Paper for the base and the Top Note die-cut.  The Crumb Cake Wide Oval Punch is stamped with images from the Clearly For You stamp set in Early Espresso Ink, then layered on an Early Espresso Decorative Label punch.

Crumb Cake Seam Binding is wrapped around the spine of the case and a Victoria Crochet Trim bow is tied to that.  They also gave us a Trinket Key to dangle from the ribbon, but I decided to take it home to use on another project. 

Fun Flowers Brooch

The most fun project we created (in my opinion, anyway) was a pretty, vintage fabric flower brooch!  It's so lovely!

  

I loved this project!  It's created with the new Fun Flowers Die and Springtime Vintage Designer Series Fabric...Too Cool!

   

The basic fabric flower is super easy to do!  This one is made with six large flowers, three medium flowers, and three small flowers.  Once you have them die-cut from the fabric, lightly spray them with starch, crumple, then loosely uncrumple, and let them dry. 

Once they were dry, we just glued them together with a hot glue gun.  For interest, we added a layer of designer paper punched with the Circle Scallop punch (should be available again soon), as well as a Paper Daisy that was painted with Champagne Shimmer Paint (oooh, I loved the look of this!).   We also added some loops of Baja Breeze Seam Binding and tails of Victoria Crochet Trim.

I stacked everything directly on top of each other, so my flower is pretty full.  You could also offset some of the flowers to make the brooch a little wider and flatter. 

Finish it off by hot gluing a barrette or a pin on the back (near the top, so the flower doesn't hang funny) and you're good to go!  Or, add even more embellishments...

We adorned our flower with a small Windowpane highlighting a butterfly image glistening with more Shimmer Paint.  The beveled Windowpane is threaded with Crumb Cake Seam Binding, and attached with hot glue. 

Finally, we used a 1/8" Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon to tie on a Trinket Key.  I love those little dangly Keys—so much fun!

Well, what do you think?  Do you like these Make & Take projects as much as I did?  Would you be interested in making the flowers or DVD Notebook in a class?  Let me know in the Comments Section (and be entered to win blog candy!).

And, that wasn't all!  We created more awesome Make & Takes—Simply Adorned Jewelry!  I'll show you those projects next time!

Until then...

Angie

 

Too Cool Demo Team December Project Showcase

We saw some awesome Christmas cards yesterday made by my Too Cool Demo Team.  Today, we'll take a look at some of the wonderfully creative, non-card projects they shared recently.

Punched Owl Tag—Created by Carmen DeBruce. 

Card stock: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie.  Supplies: 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Owl Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Round Tab Punch, Jumbo Eyelet.

    

Present Gift Card Holder—Created by Carmen DeBruce. This hinged opening holder was CASEd from Frenchie at Frenchie Stamps: Oval Punch Bow Gift Card Holder.  She has a great tutorial, so see all the details there.

Card Stock: Old Olive, Cherry Cobber, Whisper White.  Supplies: Jolly Holiday DSP, Glimmer Brads, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Round Tab Punch, 1-3/8" Small Oval Punch, 1-3/4" Large Oval Punch.

 

Here's another similar idea from Marie Shaughnessy: Holly Jolly Gift Card Holder.

 

Wait!  I found still another idea from Judy May that has a pop-up card holder: Jolly Holiday Gift Card Holder.

And, there's always the one we already blogged about: Candy Cane Present Gift Card Holder. 

  

Birthday Calendar Rolodex—Created by Carmen DeBruce.  Keep all of your birthday dates close-by and easy to find with this fun Birthday Calendar!  The idea is CASEd from Mary Rindal from Scrap and Stamp with Mary: Birthday Calendar Rolodex. 

Supplies: Card, Telephone & Address Die, Circle Scallop Punch, Modern Label Punch, Full Calendar (month names), Scallop Trim Border Punch.

 

Top Note Fabric Ornament—Created by Darla Eigenschink.  She used the Deck The Halls Fabric with the Top Note Die to create a pretty ornament. 

Other supplies: Deck The Halls Big Buttons, 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta, Matchbox Die, Vanilla Seam Binding, Antique Brads, Season of Joy sentiment, Vintage Trinkets (mini safety pin).

  

Candy Cane Christmas Fabric Tree—Created by Darla Eigenschink.  How easy and cute?!  She tied strips of Candy Cane Christmas Fabric and White Satin Ribbon to a stick to form a Christmas Tree!  Tammy suggested that you could also tie the fabric around a cinnamon stick—great idea! 

 

Scallop Circle Love Letter Tags—Created by Michelle Hoover.  She CASEd these adorable tags from Becky Roberts: Gift Tags. 

Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Old Olive.  Supplies: Tags Til Christmas, Scallop Circles #2 Die, Circles #2 Die, Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot (you need one of these!!!), Round Tab Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Crop-a-dile, Black Lace Ribbon, Chantilly Crochet Trim, Satin Black Ribbon, Love Letter DSP.

  

Etching With Stamps On Glass—By Michelle Hoover.  I couldn't get a good photo of these, but they are fantastic!  Michelle used Armour Etch etching cream with a stamp and stencil to etch an inexpensive glass mug and votive holder from the dollar store. 

Mug Info: She used the Jolliest Time of the Year Santa stamp on the first one.  First, you cut an oval in Contact Paper, and apply to the surface of the clean mug.  Stamp inside the oval with VersaMark, then heat emboss with any color embossing powder.  Apply an even, thick coat of etching cream and wait at least 5 minutes before rinsing it off.  Then, scrape off the embossed image—the glass is un-etched under the stamped image! 

Candle Holder Info: Same basic technique as above, but she used a stencil, so the etched areas are inside the stencil.

Photo Collage Jewelry Cabinet—Created by Michelle Hoover.  Michelle didn't bring this to our meeting, but I had to show it anyway, because it is Too Cool!  It is a jewelry cabinet that she decorated for her bathroom.  The photo doesn't do it justice—it is SO beautiful! 

If you look closely, you can see that the background is stamped with images from Artistic Etchings, Vintage Vogue, Friends 24-7, Elements of Style, D Is For Dog, and more!  Fabulous job, Michelle!

All-Occasion Card Gift Set—Created by Carmen DeBruce.  Carmen created lovely 20-card gift sets for 14 people on her Christmas list.  Wow—that's 280 cards!  And the cards are all different—for every occasion!  It took her about two months to get all of her sets created!  The best part was I was one of the recipients!  What an awesome gift!  Thank you, Carmen!

I've already blogged about many of the cards she included in the set, but there are some new ones I hadn't seen before.  I'll show you those in future posts after the holidays.

See what I mean?  These ladies are mad talented! 

Angie

 

Another "Lovely" Snowy Winter Pine

   

You already know how much I adore the Lovely As A Tree set from my Iridescent Wintery Scene blog post the other day, but I thought I would show you another way to use this set in the winter.  I saw a very pretty card created by Kathy Baffone (thumbnail shown above), and she demonstrated how perfect the pine tree stamp is for dressing up with snow! 

Snowy Pine

I inked the stamp with Always Artichoke and Early Espresso markers, then stamped on Crumb Cake card stock.  I used the brush tip of the VersaMark Marker to paint on sticky spots where I wanted the snow to be, then sprinkled on White Embossing Powder and heat-set it.

Did you know that the VersaMark Marker is great for embossing your written sentiments, signatures, and even line drawings?  It's also great for filling in the embossing on solid stamp images, when you have some missing spots in your first attempt.  It's a very handy, inexpensive tool to have in your stamping studio!

Back to the card...I accidently stumbled upon a couple of unexpected effects that I liked.  First, I didn't wait for the stamped image to dry before using the powder, so I have lots of tiny flecks of white over the whole tree image. (click photo to enlarge it).  It's like a light dusting of new snow!

Second, I started with only a little snow on the ground, but kept adding a little more, and a little more, until my ground looked very layered, and kind of like snow drifts.  Cool!

Recessed Deckled Rectangle

Did you notice the recessed area on the Crumb Cake card stock that I created to highlight the pine tree?  It's really easy to do if you have the Big Shot, and you can make it any shape you want! 

I cut a rectangular shape out of chipboard (use the backing to your Designer Series Paper Packs), then hand-cut a deckle edge.  Line up the chipboard over your card stock where you want the recessed areaa or embossed area, depending on which side you use) to be. 

Note: You'll eventually flip these pieces over so the card stock is laying on top of the chipboard when you run it through the Big Shot.

Recessed Areas "Sandwich" Recipe:  I used the following "stack" to create the recessed effect (layered from bottom to top). 

• Multipurpose Platform with both tabs/shims open (we aren't using those).
• Cutting Pad
• Chipboard
• Card Stock (placed on top of the chipboard in the correct position)
• Silicone Rubber (carefully placed on top without moving your card stock!)
• Impressions Pad (the hard black pad, also gently placed)

VERY IMPORTANT TIP: When using the Silicone and Impressions Pads, I find that my Silicone tends to slide as it rolls through the Big Shot.  If it slides, the embossed area will not be in the correct position, and crying or cussing may ensue (I have personal experience with this!).  So, I highly recommend holding the sandwich together as tightly as you can as you feed it into the machine, and pressing the plates down as firmly as you can while you're cranking the sandwich through. 

When you hold it in place, it works like a charm!  I love this technique for a subtle way to highlight areas!  Think about it—you can use custom-cut chipboard of any shape, or even try fun, die-cut shapes! 

Other Card Details: I added a strip of Deck The Halls Designer Fabric by scrunching it on a line of Sticky Strip.  For the bow, I took another strip of fabric, folded in both ends to make the loops, then wrapped the prongs of an Antique Brad around it.  The sentiment comes from Bright Christmas and is hand-cut to look like a waving banner.  Colors used: Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla.

Last Few Days For Holiday Bundles

There are only a few days left to purchase the special Handmade Holiday Bundles, which saves you 20% off the retail prices on participating items.  Good now through December only.  See complete details on the Holiday Bundle Promotion.

Even Fewer Days For Too Cool Holiday Bonuses!

Don't miss your chance to earn Bonus Items for your holiday stamping order, and be entered to win a Peaceful Wishes Hostess-only stamp set.  See complete details on my exclusive Too Cool Holiday Bonuses promotion for details!  It all ends on December 13th!

Stamp with you later!

Angie

 

More Too Cool Demo Christmas Card Ideas

My downline has a wealth of creative ideas, and I love seeing what they have made each month.  Between the sharing of our projects, doing some fun make & takes, and trying out some new techniques, our Demo Meetings are packed with fun!  Best of all, we all leave with LOTS of creative inspiration! 

Last Chance For 50% off Starter Kit

YOU could be a part of our next meeting, coming up December 13th, when you purchase the Simply Amazing 50% off Starter Kit for only $87.50.  Take a test run of all the benefits of being a demonstrator, with no penalties, and keep the more than $300 worth of stamping supplies you customize in your kit!  Tomorrow is the last day to take advantage of this unbelievable deal—don't miss out!

As a related woohoo shout-out...congratulations to my stamping friend Kari Heitmann who signed up yesterday with this fabulous Starter Kit offer!  I'm so excited to have you as a part of my team, Kari!

More Awesome Demo Christmas Cards

Michelle Hoover shared this beautiful card created with the items in the Vintage Christmas Card Bundle: Bells & Boughs stamp set and Deck The Halls Designer Paper.  Don't forget to check out ALL of the Holiday Bundles, priced at 20% off, to save on your cardmaking and holiday gift items!

The Cherry Cobbler background is embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder.  She used the Always Artichoke Seam Binding for a coordinated bow.  The eye-catching sparkle trim around the circle is Champagne Glass Glitter, adhered with Tombow Multipurpose White Glue.

Darla Eigenschink created this lovely card with a too cool Ornament Punch window.  I love how she paired it with the Earth stamp from the Peaceful Season Hostess stamp set.  "Peace on Earth" is stamped on a pattern from the Deck The Halls paper.  The card front is wrapped up with Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon. 

Michelle also made this pretty Serene Snowflakes card.  She did some fun layered stamping here, starting with Soft Suede on the background, then embossed in white over the top.  The largest snowflake is stamped with Soft Suede on Whisper White, then cut out and popped up with a Basic Pearl in the center.  She trimmed the card with a lovely combination of Victoria Crochet Trim over a Deck The Halls Fabric ruffle. 

Did you know you can get either the Candy Cane Christmas Fabric or Deck The Halls Fabric for 50% off with the Online Spectacular that ends tomorrow?!  It's a great time to try the fabric (and we'll be seeing more in upcoming Minis!). 

Speaking of fabric, Michelle used a circle scallop of the Deck The Halls Fabric here to create a soft, textured layer under the gold embossed poinsettias from the Bells & Boughs set. 

When you order the fabric, be sure to order Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets for easy application onto papercrafts.  Michelle applied on the fabric on an Adhesive Sheet before running it through the Big Shot with the Circle Scallop Die.  Once it's die-cut, just peel off the backing and it's ready to adhere to your card stock.  This is especially great for intricately cut dies—much easier than trying to use SNAIL or 2-way Glue to attach complex shapes! 

The background is another pattern from Deck The Halls paper, so this project is another example of something you can make with the Vintage Christmas Card Bundle items.

  

Michelle tried a new embossing technique with this card—glitter embossing!  She stamped the ornament from the Tags Til Christmas set with VersaMark, then sprinkled a mixture of Silver Galaxy Fine Glitter and Silver Embossing Powder before heating with the Heat Tool.  Look how sparkly it is!!!  And, I love that she accented the ornament with Basic Rhinestones even more of a bling-factor! 

She used Candy Cane Christmas DSP for the background, along with a Garden Green Dotted Scallop Trim Border.

Darla showed us a wintery card created with the Northern Flurry Impressions Folder lightly sponged with Night of Navy.  She used some of the retired Bride DSP inked with Night of Navy, tied with Organza Ribbon for contrast.

Michelle said that this card was very popular at her recent events!  How can you go wrong with the traditional looking Santa from the Jolly Old Saint Nick set?!  She colored his face with a Blushing Bride (or Blush Blossom, they still have this "retired" color in the marker for skin-tones) marker, then it looks like she add Positively Pink Watercolor Crayon for the cheeks.  Using the 2-Way Glue Pen, she applied Dazzling Diamonds to the fluffy parts of the santa hat—love it!

Other supplies used: Jolly Holiday DSP, Circle Scissor Plus, Circle Scallop Die, Dotted Scallop Trim Border, 1-3/4" Oval Punch, and Oval Scallop Punch.

Here's one more from Michelle.  I like the simple "candy cane" color combination!  The ornaments from the Tree Trimmings set are stamped in Real Red, then the image was covered with 2-Way Glue Pen adhesive and sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds. 

Other supplies: Vintage Wallpaper emobssed background, Real Red 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch. 

Whew!  A lot of beautiful cards!  Love all the ideas!  Thanks for sharing with us!

Angie

It's A Wonderful Life Christmas Card

I love the vintage look for Christmas cards and Stampin' Up! has LOTS of cool stamps and accessories to help me create something special! 

  

The silhouette of the family decorating the Christmas tree made me think of peeking in a window to catch a glimpse of a wonderful holiday memory-in-the-making.  There's quite an "It's A Wonderful Life" vibe going, don't ya think?!  "No man is a failure who has friends," and "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings," and all that!  My most favorite holiday movie!  If only it was in color, it might look like these cards!

Stamping The Window Scene

I used the Welcome Christmas stamp set for all the images on this card.  The family is stamped in Crumb Cake.  I wanted it to look like holly boughs were draped inside the window, so I used the wreath image colored with markers on the edges.  I sponged the first card, so it looks a bit like a frosted window.  Everything in the window scene was stamped first, then it was cut into quarters and adhered to the Early Espresso piece.  (whisper white cut to 2-1/2 x 3-1/4", espresso window frame cut to 2-3/4" x 3-1/2")

Background & Fabric Accents

If you click to enlarge the photo, you'll see that I tried to make the background look like the siding on a house by scoring lines in the Crumb Cake piece.  (I meant for one of the cards to have horizontal siding, but ended up doing both as vertical cards.  Well, my house has vertical siding, even if it's not the most common type!)  Hmmm.  I wonder how awesome this card would look with some brick siding...! 

The sentiment is inked with coordination Real Red, Early Espresso, Always Artichoke and Crumb Cake markers and cut out.  It's layered on Real Red card stock, then cut out again. 

Card #1: The first card looks more like the outside of a house, with a pretty red Christmas bow on the outside of the window and scrunched fabric to emulate bushes.  I tore a 1" x 18" strip of the Deck The Halls Fabric and used a running stitch with Linen Thread to gather it.  I adhered the whole piece with Sticky Strip (it's not sewn to the card).  I punched a hole through the fabric and card stock with the Crop-A-Dile to add the Antique Brad.

Card #2: The second card shows another way to use the torn strip of fabric—just tie it into a a double-knot for a faux-bow!  The Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon and Antique Brad are combined to create a hanger that makes the window look like a tag or ornament.  I like that look...I'll have to try that on another card!

Try out some of the vintage stamps, colors, and accessories and make your own holiday cards that are reminiscent of days-gone-by.  It's a great way to say "Merry Christmas, to the richest man in town!" 

*ding*  That's right.  That's right.  Attaboy, Clarence! 

Angie

 

Poofy Fabric Ornament Card

Those who know me well aren't going to believe it...I actually used my new Deck The Halls Fabric on a card!  Finally, right?!  When it comes to decorative papers, certain embellishments, and now the new Stampin' Up! fabric, I tend to like to admire the patterns and pretties, without actually using them.  I wonder why I do that?

Anyway, in the interest of trading in my collecting obsession for some actual creating, I searched my trusted resources to find inspiration for a fabric card project.  I stumbled upon an interesting, and somewhat challenging, creation by Michelle Reynolds at Inspiration Ink: The Poofy Ornament.

  

I used Michelle's basic design, including creating pine boughs by stamping with the large pine tree in the Lovely As A Tree stamp set.  (Did you know this is currently the oldest stamp set in the catalog?)  

But in true Too Cool-style, I couldn't stop there.  I couldn't leave it alone. I had to add more details.  (I have a problem with that, too.) 

My extras included adding some Tasteful Trim borders in Always Artichoke.  I also punched a Teeny Tiny Wishes sentiment with the Modern Label Punch, then embellished it with a Vintage Trinkets "button" brad and a scrap of fabric.

On the second card, I sprayed Silver Foil Smooch Spritz over the background for a little shimmer!

Poofy Ornament Instructions

I punched the Ornament shape out of the Crumb Cake card stock.  (The fabric is not punched.  However, you could achieve a fabric ornament shape with the Movers & Shapers Holiday Windows ornament die.) 

I twisted Red Seam Binding for the hanger and it is adhered through the window with tape before the fabric is added. 

   

Next, I outlined the back of the ornament window with Sticky Strip.  Using a small piece of fabric cut larger than the window, I placed one large cotton ball in the center and pushed the fabric through the window to get the desired "poof" shape.  When it was in position, I pressed the sides of the fabric down into the Sticky Strip and trimmed off the excess.  I adhered a small piece of card stock to the back of the cotton ball area, just to keep everything in place while I attached the bow and brad.

   

For the bow, I made two loops with the Chantilly Crochet Trim, then wrapped the prongs of an Antique Brad around the middle to hold the bow in place.  To attach to the card, I used the piercing tool to make a brad hole on the top of the ornament. 

I've seen this brad/bow combination done a lot lately, and it's much easier than actually tying a bow!  The crochet trims and seam bindings work well with brads because they don't have much bulk.  Give it a try on your projects! 

Angie

 

 

 

 

More Fun With Fabric

Along with all the cool fabric ideas that Shelli and Sara showed us, many additional fabric projects were on display at the Gathering Place at Convention.  During our lunch break, we would head there to pick up our boxed lunch, then we'd spend most of the break looking at all of the showcased projects.  I'll have to show you some of the display boards in upcoming posts, but for now, let's look at the awesome ideas they had for the new fabric! (click pic to see details)

  

Pretty, vintage handbag made with Deck The Halls fabric!  The flower is made from Chantilly Crochet Trim!  It's adhered side-by-side to card stock, then die cut with the Flower Folds die.  Clever!  

Christmas stocking and Christmas tree coasters made with the Square Scallop and Pennant dies.

 

Hot pads, trivet and matching placemat created with the Pennant die.

Wrapped wreath with #2 Circles die cuts layered for the flowers.

 

More fabric used on cards.  You can sew it on, or adhere it with Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets.  The second card uses the new Tasteful Trim die.

Deck The Halls fabric (and paper) works great with Valentine's Cards, too!

 

How about some Candy Cane Christmas curtains?  Or, a cute bib?  

Or, to cover and decorate a journal?  So many great ideas!  I'm sure all of you REAL sewing geniuses will have a blast creating awesome projects in this new Stampin' Up! medium! 

The Gathering Place also had a few mock rooms decorated with Stampin' Up! products.  I'm in the Décor Elements room (I'm not sure if we were supposed to be IN the display, but...!).  You can see some of the Botanical Flowers that match the Greenhouse Gala DSP and Friends Never Fade stamps. 

I really like the Simple Sign elements, with the Chore Chart and To Do list adhered on them.  The Signs have a chalkboard surface, so you can update the chore list with ease!

  

Darla snuck into the Décor Stencils display.  The wall was stenciled with the Canterbury Crest. The photo holder on the wall was also stenciled with Mostly Vintage.

Finally, I just had to show this incredibly amazing cake that was made by a featured demonstrator...

So intricate and completely gorgeous!  What an awesome centerpiece (and keepsake) that would make!  Absolutely beautiful!

That's all for now...

Angie

Fabric Fun—The Shelli & Sara Show

My absolute favorite presentation at Convention was on closing day when Shelli Gardner and her daughter, Sara Douglas, presented ways you could use the new fabrics coming in the Holiday Mini.

As soon as they walked out on stage, we immediately saw that their skirts were made from the new fabrics!  Shelli, who usually has a very vintage style, was representing the new Deck The Halls patterns, which coincidentally are also in Designer Series Paper version, as well.  Sara was cute and sweet in the new Candy Cane Christmas fabrics, which also has matching paper.

  

I especially liked Shelli's skirt...here it is up close...pretty!

  

Shelli accentuated her outfit with a handmade fabric flower "cuff" bracelet.  And, her necklace was made of knotted fabric, tiny fabric flowers, and draped with Antique Brads and new Simply Adorned Baubles from the Holiday Mini. (click to enlarge)

Sara's outfit included some fabric trim on her sweater, made with a new Tasteful Trim die...

  

...and she had made twisted fabric flowers to embellish her headband and shoes!  Too cute!  Do you see all that bling on her face?!  She was decorated in the self-adhesive Rhinestone Jewels, and Shelli's face was bejeweled in Pearls.

 

What really made this presentation so awesome was the sassy mother/daughter banter that ensued the moment they walked on stage.  They were hilarious!  They were both showing projects in their preferred fabric style, and it became a kind of a competition of who's was the best, and who's turn it was to talk.

On to some of their examples...

Shelli used her fabric on this gorgeous Christmas card, which also features a new Level 2 Hostess set, called Peaceful Season, that you will HAVE to have!  The new Antique Brads go so well with this style!

Ooooh!  I liked this one, too!  She used the Notably Ornate set, Newsprint DSP, more Antique Brads, and Victoria Crochet Trim.  You can see with this example, that Deck The Halls is not just for Christmas.

 

Sara showed a more whimsical Christmas style with her fabric using a new set called Jolly Old Saint Nick.  Using the same template, she showed how easy it was to create a simple Valentine's card, stamped with the new Filled With Love set. 

She was showing how to use the Pop-Up Glue Dots with Chunky Glitter when the audience started yelling, "we don't carry those anymore!"  Quickly, Shelli and Sara took a moment to deliberate...

Yes!  It was true, the Pop-Up Glue Dots were recently retired...we had caught them using retired product!  Too funny!  They covered well, and pointed out that you could substitute the Glue Dot with one of the new Glimmer Brads.  You can see one on Sara's card...

She used the Beautiful Butterflies die on this lovely card, providing another example that the Candy Cane Christmas patterns were not only for Christmas.  The stamped images are from Style Beautiful.

  

The competition continued.  Next, we saw a couple of decorated album covers.  Sara used Circle Scallop and Square Scallop dies for her cute cupcake.  Shelli wrapped her cover in a swag of fabric adorned with a cute 2010 tag.

Die cuts and fabric go hand-in-hand...Sara used the Island Floral die for these cute flowers.  And, they are easy to adhere with the new Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets.  I can't wait to demonstrate fun, no-sew projects!

Shelli used another loosely wrapped fabric flower to decorate this papier maché box.  The neutral-colored, Big Designer Buttons are new, too, as well as Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (they used it like ribbon for non-sewing projects)

OK—I know you are used to me gushing about products and projects, but honestly, there are some that don't do it for me...and one would be Sara's Snowman tree topper.

I like the idea, but he would have looked better in Dazzling Diamonds, in my opinion.  His sparkly, yet sandy-looking face, is a complete misuse of the coolness that is the new Glass Glitter.  It's champagne color and subtle sparkle is meant for more vintage-looking projects.  Again, it's just my opinion...I mean, it is my blog, so I'm allowed. 

The base of the topper is a 2-Way Glue cap.  I do like the fabric ruffles and the Tinsel Trim (yet another sneak peek!).

Back to more cute projects!  Wouldn't your vintage Christmas tree look lovely with ornaments like this one?  It's made with the Top Note die and, Shelli revealed, stuffed with cotton balls! 

On a similar note, there was such a vintage tree in Momento Mall, and it was covered in quick and easy fabric ornaments...

     

The big surprise at the end of the Shelli and Sara Show, happened when Sara stripped off her skirt (she had on jean shorts), and told us that their skirts were actually tree skirts!

 

The waists of the skirts cinch up around the tree trunk!  Love it!  I wish they had a pattern for both of them...haha, like I have a sewing machine! 

You can't see them well, but I liked the stenciled gift box wrapped in fabric in the first picture, and the Tasteful Trim cut, fabric garland on the mini tree.  

Wow!  Are you starting to get excited about the fabric?!!!  I know I am!  And, there were many more examples on display that I will show you in another blog. 

Closing Day Convention Surprises!

As you can probably tell, I liked the Candy Cane Christmas patterns, but I LOVED the Deck The Halls much more!  I'm not a "vintage" girl, by any stretch of the imagination, but I've fallen hard for that look on cards! 

I mentioned before the Shelli told us that they were trying to make the Stampin' Up! Convention a "can't miss" event.  And, as an example of ways they were going to be "surprising and delighting" us, she announced, in the last minutes of Convention, that we would be going home with a little sumpthin', sumpthin'...

...how about a Cherry Cobbler ink pad? (oh yeah!) 

...would we like to try the Champagne Glass Glitter (well, not on a snowman topper, but heck yeah!)

...would we like some of that Deck The Halls paper? (Yes! Eeeeeeeee!)

...how great would it be to start playing with the Holiday Mini Level 2 Peaceful Season Hostess Set?  (Woo-frickin-hoo, bay-bee!)

And, so, on Shelli's cue, a couple dozen SU employees start scurrying down the aisles carrying large tote bags of FREEBIES, while the entire crowd screamed their fool heads off!  I was impressed with their efficiency; they had distributed packages to nearly 2800 attendees in under 10 minutes! 

It was a awesome way to top off what was already a super-fantastic event!  Doesn't it make you want to be there with me and Darla next year!  You can!  Talk to me today about the demonstrator opportunity!

Angie