Sassy Gift Card Holder

Gift giving is something we all love to do. Gift cards are the perfect solution. Do you ever wish you could whip something cute up to hold that gift card?? I've got the perfect solution - and it's easy! But before we get into the tutorial - I'm giving away a SPECIAL $25 Stampin' Up! Gift Card to celebrate the NEW Idea Book and Catalog that arrives July 1st.

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SUPPLIES:
Kraft Cardstock - 4.75" x 6"
Pink Pirouette Cardstock - 2 pieces
4.25" x 11"
2.75" x 4.5"
Candy Lane Designer Series Paper
1 measuring 2.5" x 4.25"
2 measuring 2.5" x 4"

• Score large piece of pink at: 2.75", 5.5", and 8.25"
• Fold into 'M' shape.
• Apply Stick Strip to the 2 outer panels. (as shown in photo - click picture to enlarge view) Do NOT remove 2nd piece of backing.
• Use SNAIL adhesive for 2 middle panels. TIP: It is important to use adhesive as close to the edges as possible. Sticky Strip is too wide.

• Fold your middle section together and press to adhere SNAIL sides together. TIP: If you feel you need extra strength you could also use a few Mini Glue Dots along the edge.

• Using the Big Shot and Top Note Die, position your fold onto the die. (I used the green cutout of the Top Note to help show proper placement - this is not part of your 'sandwich'.)

• Place cutting pad on top and run thru. Big Shot.

• Use Corner Rounder on Pink Pirouette to match the gift card holder's Kraft 'base'.

• Remove Sticky Strip backing and adhere to inside of folded Kraft. Your gift card pocket will pop up from the middle. SO cute!

• Add two pieces of Candy Lane paper measuring 2.5" x 4" (corner rounded) and embellish as desired.

To decorate the front of your Sassy Gift Card Holder:

• My colors are inspired by Color Throwdown #48: Kraft, Pink Pirouette, and Baja Breeze.
  
• I matted my 2.75" x 4.5" of Pink Pirouette with the remaining 2.5" x 4.25" piece of Candy Lane.
• A strip of Baja Breeze grosgrain (20" length) was adhered down the middle and around the back. The excess ends are perfect for tying up your gift card holder.
• I used the NEW Circle Circus set and a variety of Stampin' Up! Circle Punches. (see below for exact sizes) TIP: When adhering cardstock on top of ribbon or fabric use Glue Dots - they hold better than Stampin' Dimensionals or SNAIL adhesive.
  
• Build-A-Brads and a Baja button were the perfect sassy somethings for these funky blooms.
• Kiwi Kiss stems were added in addition to a few quick leaves courtesy of my Birds and Blooms Sizzlits die.

Voila! A sassy gift card holder!

Please note: This tutorial was adapted from Stampin' by the Sea
by Kimberly Van Diepen.

Stamps: Circle Circus (available July 1st), Great Friend (113792)
Paper: Kraft (107070), Pink Pirouette (111351), Baja Breeze (111352), Kiwi Kiss (111353), Candy Lane Designer Series Paper (113980)
Ink: Soft Suede (available July 1st), Baja Breeze (111833)
Tools: Corner Rounder (109047), Scallop Circle Punch (109043), Circle Punches: 1.25" (104403), 1" (109046), .5" (104390)
Big Shot: Machine (113439), Top Note Die (113463), Birds and Blooms Sizzlits (113485)
Must Haves: SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Sticky Strip (104294), Glue Dots (104183)
Sassy Somethings: Build-A-Brads - Antique Brass (109108), Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain (111375), Button Bouquet (112092)

Sneak Peek: The More the Merrier

What could make you more merry than cupcakes? How about a whole stamp set full of things that make you merry... and perfect for a range of holidays and occasions. Today's cupcakes are a Sneak Peek at The More the Merrier, a Hostess Level 3 set that makes its debut July 1st!

Here in Houston we have a delightful bakery called SugarBaby Cupcake Boutique. It is full of all things whimsical and wonderful... with frosting piled high! This picture, in addition to this fun sketch from The Pink Elephant, got me started... and the rest is yummy history.

If you're in the Houston area and are interested in hosting a workshop or joining my regular Stamp Camp group, click here to contact me.

• My Kiwi Kiss card base is 5.5" square and topped with Textured Basic Gray cardstock. (5.25" square) The pink 'tiles' (2.5" square) are Regal Rose from the Patterns Pack II (Hostess Level 1) and are mounted on NEW In Color Melon Mambo. (My favorite NEW In Color!)

• Another 4" square piece of Kiwi Kiss provides the middle panel. A Basic Gray scalloped circle courtesy of my Big Shot and the Scallop Circle #2 Die adds emphasis. This entire panel is popped using Stampin' Dimensionals.

• I stamped my cupcakes onto watercolor paper and colored using Blender Pens and ink puddles. Smoosh your ink pad to create a puddle on the lid then dip your blender pen to pick up color. TIP: Start coloring where you want the hue to be darkest and shade outward - the color will naturally fade.

• I snipped out my no-calorie treats and stacked them up. Beads are today's sassy something. I added a few from the Red Bead Duo to each cupcake for dimension and sparkle. Perfect sprinkles!

• A quick rub-on sentiment punched with the Wide Oval Punch makes a nice statement... especially when accented with NEW Rich Razzleberry Polka Dotted Grosgrain.
  

Today: Sneak Peek - The More the Merrier

Coming Soon: Sweet Treats! (BLOG CANDY)

Need a new 2009-10 Idea Book and Catalog?
Just contact me - I'll pop it in the mail pronto!

Stamps: The More the Merrier - Hostess Level 3 - available July 1st
Paper: Kiwi Kiss (Last Chance List 111353), Basic Gray - Textured Neutrals 12x12 astd. (108693), Melon Mambo (available July 1st), Regal Rose from Pattern Pack II - Hostess Level 1 (114325)
Ink: StazOn Black (101406), Blender Pens (102845); For Watercoloring: Regal Rose (105211), Kiwi Kiss (111835), Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo (available July 1st)
Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439), Scallop Circle #2 Die (113469), Wide Oval Punch (112082)
Sassy Somethings: Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain (available July 1st), Red Bead Duo (110731)

I {heart} Coffee

One of my favorite indulgences (aside from stamps of course) is coffee. I love the Hand Drawn Bundle, Level 3 Hostess set. (soon to be 'retired') In fact, this cute set is full of my favorite things... coffee, cupcakes, flowers... what more could a girl ask for? And speaking of cupcakes...

Coming Soon:

A Sweet Treat and a Sneak Peek.

The layout for today's card is inspired by Mojo Monday #92. I maintained the general aspects but changed some of the details. Remember: Sketches are a jumping point not a strict guideline - make your card your own!

• My Cameo Coral card base measure 5" x 7" and is topped with a layer of Chocolate Chip. (4.75" x 6.75") Note: Today's colors were inspired by Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #10: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Cameo Coral, and Rose Red.


• Two patterns from Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper (available through June 30th on the Last Chance Accessories List) create the background. TIP: The bold paisley along the bottom is balanced by the smaller print above. Balance is important to consider in these three things: 1) richness and depth of color; 2) size of print or pattern; 3) negative (or empty) space in relationship to card elements
  

• Double Stitched Chocolate Chip grosgrain hides the seam where the two papers meet.

• My main panel is a 2.5" x 3.75" rectangle of Cameo Coral atop a Rose Red matte.
  


• Using my Stamp-a-ma-jig I went ahead and stamped 2 cups and the heart as a guide. The coffee cup was stamped 2 times onto Very Vanilla and twice more on the Chocolate Chip polka dots from Bella Rose Designer Series Paper. I trimmed the main cup portion from the polka dots and adhered it to the Vanilla base. Next, I popped the cut cup onto my outline using Stampin' Dimensionals. TIP: By having the outline image on the Coral, I didn't lose my coffee's steam to trimming.
  


• The heart was also paper pieced and adhered. Since the bundle includes coordinating rub-ons, I selected a sweet sentiment, 'love to chat with you'.
  


• To mimic the elements on the side of the main panel in the sketch I opted to add a few of the doodle flowers. I zipped a strip of Vanilla through my Big Shot using the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, stamped, and trimmed.
  

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Stamps and Rub-Ons: Hand Drawn Bundle - Hostess Level 3 (115535)
Paper: Cameo Coral (100475), Rose Red (102544), Chocolate Chip (102128), Very Vanilla (101650), Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper (113975)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908)
Sassy Somethings: 1" Double Stitch Grosgrain - Chocolate Chip (111849)

Farewell Doodle

A set that I have loved for several years is Doodle This. Its whimsical style is right up my stampin' alley. But in just a few short days, Doodle This, will be 'retired', along with lots of other stamps from the Last Chance List. Don't miss out!

• I love today's simple layout, inspired by Card Positioning Sketch #121. Instead of a standard greeting card, I opted for a 6.5" square, flat note. (I found some new vellum envelopes at the local craft store to accomodate this size.)
• I created my background using two 6" square pieces of Designer Series paper. The Basic Gray floral is from the current Level 1 hostess Patterns Paper Pack II... the More Mustard is from retired Autumn Vine.
• I cut 1.5" strips and wove them together.
• A 1" strip of Vanilla is topped with .75" Basic Gray. The sentiment, 'forever your friend', is from Hidden Garden rub-ons. (available on the Last Chance Accessories List)
• My Doodle This flowers were stamped onto Really Rust and More Mustard in StazOn and heat embossed using clear embossing powder. I adhered them using Stampin' Dimensionals and added a silver Vintage Brad for my sassy something.
• Do you love this color combo? I was inspired by Kristina Werner... she hosts fab. color challenges with original and fresh combinations.

Despite bidding some of our current favorites farewell, the NEW 2009-10 Idea Book and Catalog is INCREDIBLE! You will be WOWed... get ready... only 8 more days!

Purchase your favorites before they're gone for good.

Order Stampin' Up Online.

Stamps: Doodle This (114954); Rub-Ons: Hidden Garden (111414)

Paper: Really Rust (100661), More Mustard (100946), Basic Gray (108692), Very Vanilla (101650), Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper II - Hostess Level 1 (114325), Autumn Vine (retired)

Ink: StazOn (101406), Clear Embossing Powder (109130)

Sassy Something: Vintage Brads (109109)

Pleasant Pheasant

Sneak Peek Alert! Today, I'm previewing a NEW stamp set that will debut July 1st - Autumn Days. When I first lay eyes on this fab. find one thought came to mind, "versatile!". This pleasant pheasant and his partnering stamps are going to be on your 'must have it' list for fall projects.

We're going to wrap up several days of masculine motifs with this Father's Day card... made especially for my own, dear old dad.

• It all starts with a layout is from Splitcoast Sketch Challenge SC233.
• My card base is an Always Artichoke stripe from To The Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper collection. Talk about a manly mix!
• Are you loving the rich gold I'm featuring? It's the NEW In Color, Crushed Curry. I zipped a piece thru. the Big Shot using a Birds and Swirls Cuttlebug folder.
  
• The main panel was stamped using Crushed Curry and Always Artichoke. My golden sheaves of wheat were arranged with the help of my trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig, and my pheasant was added in Chocolate Chip. TIP: I re-stamped my pheasant on a separate sheet and trimmed just his body out so that I could pop him with Stampin' Dimensionals.
• To personalize the card I whipped out my Jumbo Outline Alphabet and created 'dad'... quick and special.
• For a few extra sassy somethings, I punched a coordinating border using the Scallop Edge Punch and added a few Vintage Brads... because men always like hardware... even if it is the crafty kind.

Shop Stampin' Up Online
You'll always find something sassy!

Stamps: Autumn Days (available July 1st), Jumbo Outline Alphabet (114998)
Paper: To The Nines Specialty Designer Series (114038), Always Artichoke (105119), Chocolate Chip (102128), Very Vanilla (108693), Crushed Curry (available July 1st)
Ink: Always Artichoke (105219), Chocolate Chip (10908), Crushed Curry (available July 1st)
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Big Shot Machine (113439)
Sassy Somethings: Vintage Brads (109109), Soho Hardware (114350)

Manly Mojo

Do you have a craft comfort zone? Today I decided to step out of my comfort zone... into the 'man zone'. With Father's Day right around the corner, it's the perfect opportunity to set aside my beloved Pretty in Pink cardstock and collection of floral stamps for a more masculine motif.

• My layout is inspired by Mojo Monday #91. The Kraft card base measures 4" x 9.25".

• A few patterns from Sweet Slumber Specialty Paper (available on the Last Chance Accessories List) create a background. TIP: Using the bolder Baja gingham paired with the subtle Riding Hood Red polka dots is a good way to balance your project.

• The Verve Father Figure set helped me create my 'Husband' margin. Layering my (2.25" x 4.5") piece of Kraft onto Chocolate Chip emphasizes the sentiment and makes the panel stand out.

• A second panel of Baja (2.5" x 2.75") is topped with leaves from Central Park. These are 2-step stamps and therefore allow the stamp be used alone as an outline or with the plaid 'filler'. To create dimension, some of the leaves are popped using Stampin' Dimensionals.

• Using the Define Your Life set I picked the 'You' definition: "The one and only; the one I value as my friend and love each day. The person in my thoughts." Seriously, how sweet is that?!

• The bottom corner is home to my sassy something... Happy Father's Day fit perfectly when punched with the Wide Oval. My scalloped border is courtesy of Marvy. Two quick leaves and a ribbon tab accent are the perfect finishing touches.

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Stamps: Central Park (113732), Define Your Life (114950), Verve - Father Figure
Paper: Kraft (102125), Chocolate Chip (102128), Baja Breeze (111352), Riding Hood Red (111348), Sweet Slumber Specialty Designer Series Paper (114037)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908)
Tools: Wide Oval Punch (112082), Marvy scalloped oval (pink)
Sassy Somethings: Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain (111375)

Vintage Vibe

One of the most popular trends in home decor, fashion, and crafts is to create a 'Vintage Vibe'. Vintage is not my typical style, but I absolutely love the results for todays' project - a card that uses two neutrals and only one pop of color.

My color scheme was inspired by Dawn McVey: Cream, Black, and 'Grass Green'. (Old Olive) My first thought was, "TWO neutrals??!" Let me tell you, I debated adding another color over and over. I managed to 'stick it out' and adhere to the 'rules'. Speaking of specifications, I used this week's CPS sketch for a simple layout.

• My card base is Old Olive - 5" x 7".
  
• Using one of my favorite sets, Friends 24-7, I created my own background using a Stamp-a-ma-jig and the damask image dipped in Old Olive. I love that when stamped onto textured Very Vanilla, the paper starts to resemble fabric.
  
• I trimmed my damask print to 4.75" x 6.75" and added a black matte. Using Linen Thread and some sassy buttons, I 'dressed up' my background. TIP: I string the buttons onto the thread and then slide them into position. When I feel they are 'spot-on', I use a Mini Glue Dot to 'put them in their place' (and keep them there).
• I cut a 3" square of Vanilla and used black StazOn to make floral silhouettes. I matted my 'scene' with Black and Old Olive. Using Stampin' Dimensionals I adhered the framed image to my card base.
  
• Gallery, a fresh set of frames, is an awesome addition to your stamp collection. I stamped the round frame in StazOn twice - onto Very Vanilla and Old Olive. The 1.75" Circle Punch perfectly pops the olive.
  
• The sentiment, 'Here for You', is stamped onto Vanilla and punched using the 1.25" Circle Punch. Bonus: it fits perfectly into the center of the Gallery frame.
  

This card seems well suited for sympathy or for everyday encouragement... with its 'Vintage Vibe' I'm sure it will be treasured.

Create your own vintage treasure.

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Stamps: Friends 24-7 (113218), Gallery (113776)
Paper: Very Vanilla and Basic Black - Textured - 12x12 astd. Neutrals, (108693) Old Olive (100702)
Ink: StazOn (101406), Old Olive (102277)
Must-Haves: Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683)
Tools: 1.75" Circle Punch (112004), 1.25" Circle Punch (104403)
Sassy Somethings: Button Bouquet (112092), Button Latte (114333), Linen Thread (104199)