Flowerbug's Inkspot

Fun Pop-Up Birthday Card Tutorial

Here is the fun card we made at this month's card clubs:

Isn't it cute!?  I just love these bright, happy colors for kids birthday cards.  I used the retiring 'Big Top Birthday designer paper.'  Who wouldn't love getting a card that has a birthday present popping up when they open it up?  (Think about this card fold for weddings.....!)

The inside White piece measures 5 ¼” X 8 1/4” scored at 4 1/8”.  Fold this in half first.  Then use the directions below to add your lines as shown.

Measure first from top to bottom making small marks along the fold.  Then draw the horizontal lines with a ruler starting at the first marks and across as shown by the 7/8", 1 1/2" and 2" horizontal lines.

Now cut on those horizontal lines drawn onto the folded edge of your large White card stock, cutting through both layers.  Next you should fold each of the cut lines back as shown on the photo below.  Do this both ways using a bone folder to reinforce the folds.

 
Now you will open this piece up and push the ‘presents’ into the inside of the card so they pop out as shown below. You do not have to adhere the white layer to the card on this step until later or until you adhere the patterned papers. 

Fold your patterned paper pieces in half (see measurements above) and adhere to your pop-out areas.  I wrapped the short ribbon pieces to the inside of the bottom present and adhered the small bow with a mini glue dot to the top smallest gift.

Supplies:

• Stamps – Patterned Party, Party This Way, Bring on the Cake
• Card stock – Real Red, Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, White, Big Top Birthday
• Ink – Turquoise
• Accessories – markers, Scallop edge and trim border punches, 1” circle punch, Brights brads, Turquoise and Red grosgrain ribbon, Daffodil Delight 1/8” taffeta ribbon, mini glue dots, paper piercing tool, Mat Pack, Perfect Polka dots embossing folder, Big Shot

 Measurements – Turquoise full card 5 ½ X 8 ½”, White inside 5 ¼” X 8 1/2” scored at 5 ½” (see below for remaining cuts and fold measurements), Real Red and White front layer – 2 3/4 X 3 7/8”

****Remember that this Big Top Birthday designer series paper and all of our 1/4" grosgrain ribbons are retiring in a week.  And also the 'Party this Way' stamp set too.

Thanks for stopping by today! 

Lace Ribbon Border punch

I cannot believe this great punch is retiring!  And it's even on sale - marked down 25% from $19.95 to $14.96. Check out what's retiring here.  Some things are already out of stock and gone......

I punched a strip of Shimmer White card stock using the soon to be gone Lace Ribbon Border punch.  Then I punched 1" circles from Peach Parfait and Poppy Parade card stock and placed them behind the strip.  I added black brads too.

Using my Simply Scored, I scored three lines 1/8" apart on the bottom front of the card leaving 1 1/2" between them for the greeting from 'Thank you Kindly' stamp set.

Next I cut a narrow strip of Black card stock and placed it behind the circles.  Added dimensional pop-ups and adhered it to the Shimmer White folded card.  I finished it off with a little bow from our 1/8" narrow Black taffeta ribbon (not retiring!).

Remember to double check that retiring list to get some of these items before they're gone!

Thanks for stopping by for some punch tricks.

Flooded House update

I am sorry I haven't posted an update on our flood and house situation.  It's difficult to share in some ways as I never know if it's of interest to many of you.  Especially since I tend to keep most of my personal life off of my blog.

For those who may not know we had a major flood last year in June 2011 here in Minot, ND.  The flood waters rose and stayed for about 3 weeks.  Our valley became a bowl of river water and debris.  Here is a photo of the roof of our home last June:

The roof on the far left is our home.  Needless to say most of it was ruined while sitting in water for almost a month.  We were very lucky to live with amazing friends for the next 5 months before we found a house we could live with.  Housing is priced crazy here due to the oil boom and now the flood.  Many people lived in FEMA trailers during the winter while repairing their homes.  That wasn't an option for us since my husband and I both work out of our home.  

After this devastating flood where 12,000 people had to evacuate and cost us over 4000 homes, the city decided it need to make a flood plan for any future floods.  We live directly across from the river and most people thought we would get 'bought out' with a new flood plan.  So we gutted our house somewhat and waited all winter for their 'plan' to be decided on.  At the end of February the plan was announced.  We would not be bought out and could keep our home.  So then we had a decision to make - fix it up or tear it down.  After crunching some numbers we decided it was to our advantage to fix it up.  So we have been gutting the rest of it since and finally finished a few weeks ago.  Now we can clean and sanitize it, but have to wait for warm weather so it will dry. 

We are extremely lucky to be on the 'help list' of our local churches.  They have put together a program called Hope Village that is organizing and housing 100's of volunteers that arrive in our city each week to help us all rebuild.  It is so amazing and humbling to us that so many people from other states are coming to help us get back in our homes. We feel very blessed to put it mildly!!  **If you are so inclined you are welcome to make a donation to this worthy cause. 

We are excited about moving back to our family home and hope to be back in by the end of this year. 

Photo Wallet Tutorial

I promised you a Tutorial for the Photo Wallet I made for the Control Freaks blog tour yesterday so here we go.

I used two retiring sets for these projects.  Flower Fest and Baroque Motifs.  I will truly miss both of these stamp sets. 

Most likely they will end up in our annual Stamping Rummage Sale on Saturday, June 16th.  If you're local don't miss it cause it's absolutely the best place to stock up if you're a paper crafter! We usually have over 30 sellers!

• Flower Fest - Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Elegant Eggplant card stock, Butterfly & Blossom punches, Subtles brads, corner rounder punch and sponges.
• Baroque Motifs - Cherry Cobbler, Black, So Saffron card stock, Designer Label punch, corner rounder, Itty Bitty shapes pack, Regals brads.

You can see how it looks without the flaps opened above.

Measurements:

• Cherry Cobbler piece - 4 1/4" X 11".  Score at 1 3/4", 2", 5" and 8".
  
• Cut three coordinating pieces that will fold out at 2 3/4" X 8".  Score at 4"
• Belly Band - 1 1/4" X 7 3/4".

First stamp the main long piece with your stamp of choice.  I used tone on tone - Cherry Cobbler ink on Cherry Cobbler card stock.

Adhere the three flap pieces to the main piece so they flip out alternately. I printed out the 'My Bragbook' on our Vellum card stock.  You can use mine to get 9 on a page.    My Bragbook  Cut them out at 2 1/4" X 3 1/4" in size. 

The scalloped corners are made by first punching a scallop square and then cutting it into quarters. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today. 

Control Freaks 'Almost Gone' Blog Hop

It's that time again for a Control Freaks Blog Hop.  And this month we are featuring our favorite Retiring items.  We hope to give you great ideas for products you may already own and of course tease you a bit to get some items we love and will sorely miss when they retire in a few weeks on May 31st.

You may have just arrived from Debra's blog where you saw her beautiful, clean & simple talent.  Just keep clicking on the icon at the bottom of each post and you'll see all 12 of our chosen favorites.

***I have highlighted all of the retiring items in Rose Red so you'll catch them. 

First up I have a card using one of my go-to stamp sets, Upsy Daisy.

So what do you think of this bright, eye-catching card?  Too much for some of you?  I have a few friends that do not like yellow or orange - yes, can you believe it?  I have always loved it.  I even had my room decorated in these colors as a teen.

Details:  I inked the Upsy Daisy stamp in Daffodil Delight ink and then sponged on a bit of Pumpkin Pie ink over the tops of most of the daisies.  Huff and stamp.  Then I ran the bottom portion of the Black card stock through my Big Shot with the soon to be retired Finial Press embossing folder. After putting these together I wrapped the beautiful 5/8" Pumpkin Satin ribbon around them.  I made a loop out of another piece of ribbon and secured the ends together with a mini glue dot, then pinched that together so the prongs of the flower brad went around it.  Instant bow!

Notice the greeting has a few two-toned daisies on it too?  I just huffed that stamp one more time (without re-inking) and stamped it over my white punched greeting. 

Next up is a Photo Wallet that we made for a Relay for Life fundraiser event last weekend.

 

It uses the retiring sets Flower Fest and Baroque Motifs.  It's the perfect thing for those who want to share photos of their grandchildren or a recent vacation.  Here's what it looks like when you open it up completely:

The colors are Cherry Cobbler, Black and So Saffron.  I will be posting a complete free tutorial on Monday so stop back then!  

I made this quick card for my friend's workshop last night.  I found this idea on my friend Kay Kalthoff's blog. She's so clever!  You can make this card easily by just running a 4" X 5 1/4" piece of card stock through your Big Shot using the retiring Stars #2 die.  Yes in one cut you have an instant card front! 

I ran this piece through my Big Shot again using the Houndstooth embossing folder. Add some black brads and dimensionals along with a strip of ribbon and greeting (Tagtastic hostess set) and you're all set for those grad cards you may need. And it's easy to change the color to suit your graduate too.  Thanks for the great idea Kay!

And now you're off to see what my friend Barb Mullikin has to show you.  Check it out!

Up, Up & Away Class to Go

The featured stamp set for May is the Up, Up & Away set.  It's full of great images like these:

Yes, balloons turned into flowers! 

Details:

When you order the Up, Up & Away stamp set & Class to Go in clear or wood mount you'll receive all of the pre-cut supplies needed to make the 5 cards (only 3 shown here) shipped directly to you. You will need a few extra items such as ink pads or markers and sometimes a greeting stamp or two. I pre-punch, texture and die-cut almost everything for you and send the cards kit and stamp set to you in the mail.  I'll even tie your bows!  Plus you'll receive the photos & step by step directions with measurements sent in a pdf document via e-mail.

***If you already have this stamp set you can substitute another of like value.  Remember that these Class to Go offers are only available during that month.  If you are interested be sure to let me know.

Clear Mount

• Local cost - $26.00
• Priority shipping - $32 

Wood Mount

• Local cost - $34
• Priority Shipping - $40

If you'd like to order the Up, Up & Away stamp set from me & get the Class to Go cards kit in the mail please contact me at lagreff@gmail dot com by Tuesday, May 29th & I'll send you a PayPal invoice. Or contact me with your credit card information.

The stamp sets will be ordered on or after Tuesday, May 29th and the Class to go sent out around June 7th. 

Wedding Punch Art

We made this card at my good friend Marguerite's workshop on Saturday. 

She asked that we make a wedding card so this is what I came up with.  I like the way there is just a bit of color (Melon Mambo) peeking behind the white.  What an easy way to add the bride's wedding color to your card!

I've done a different version in the past that was a bit more complicated.  I like to keep my workshop cards easy for new stampers. You could easily jazz this card up with texture or border punches. 

Bride - first run a piece of White card stock through the Manhattan Flower embossing folder, then punch out a Full Heart punch from that.  Next cut out a Black scalloped heart using our Scalloped heart of Hearts Embosslit.  Layer these together and add a few pearls

Groom - I cut out a Black heart using the Mover's & Shapers punch windows.  Then to make the tuxedo shirt I used my Full Heart punch first like this:

Here you can see how I cut up into the sides to get a triangle shape.  Now all you need to add are a bow-tie and a few buttons using a Black marker.

• Main card - White 5 1/2 X 8 1/2"
• Black layer - 5 1/4 X 4"
• Melon Mambo layer - 4 1/2 X 3 3/8"
• White stamped layer - 4 3/8" X 3 1/4" 
• Greeting is from the Word Play stamp set
  

Thanks for stopping in today for Punch Art. 

 

Check your List!

And then check it again!

Below you'll see an updated list for the Retired Accessories.  Things are starting to run out!  So if you want anything on the list, please get them now.  Remember that the accessories are only available while supplies last. 

The stamp sets are available until May 31st but after that you can no longer order them.  I cannot stress this enough - check these lists over thoroughly.  I have seen many people regret not ordering a stamp set or accessory while it was available.  And there are still some fantastic deals available!  Punches at 40% off!  Markers, Embosslits, card stock and patterned paper on sale too. 

Remember that if you place a $50 order from me this month (and earlier this year) you will get a new catalog shipped to you from me very soon! 

Retired Accessories List pdf

Retired Stamp Sets List

Retired Decor Elements List

Stop back on Sunday to see the next Control Freaks blog hop.  We'll be featuring Retired stamp sets this month.

Happy Mother's Day!

A wish for all of you Mother's out there - Have a Wonderful Day!!!

I got this Mother's Day surprise from my daughter and son-in-law who live 5 hours away.

I keep this big garden pot by my side door most of the time.  I keep my Stampin' Up! sign in it so people know they are at the right place!  I was unsure if I'd hang her plant up or plant it. Well since it looks fabulous in this pot I will plant it and keep the sign there too.  Thank you Jenilee & Dave!  Another thing that makes this special is that this big pot is one I gave my own Mom a few years back for her Mother's Day.  So it's a memory for me of her too. Yes; I think it will be my 'Mother's Day' planter from now on.

And next is a Sneak Peak of the new stamp set I received at our Stampin' Up! Disney World incentive trip.  I was making cards for many of my upcoming swaps and this one didn't make the cut.

The set is called World Treasures.  It includes 4 images in the set.  We were also given the jumbo wheel Alhambra.  You can see that in the background here.  

I used the new In Color Raspberry Ripple along with Lucky Limeade and Pretty in Pink. You are going to love Raspberry Ripple!  It's a very pretty deep red with pink tones to it.  It's totally different from either Cherry Cobbler or Rose Red.  

Thanks for stopping in today.  Have a great day!  

Beautiful Prom SB Layout

This is the 12 X 12" scrapbook layout we did at this month's Scrappin' Clubs.  I used the beautiful specialty designer paper called Mocha Morning along with Black and Crumb cake card stock.

My son Isaac and his friends had a wonderful time.  He is a junior in high school this year.  Just one more year left for my youngest!

Here's a close-up of the flowers.  I used a combination of the Blossom Party and Fun flowers Sizzix dies along with the 5 petal and Boho blossoms punches. I used my bone folder to curl the edges of some of the petals before adhering them together.   

Here is the title made with the Serif Essentials Alphabet. I LOVE these big letters for my scrapbooking.  So quick & easy to make any title I want.  The rhinestones on these pages really sparkle and set off the elegant event.

Supplies Used:

• Card stock - Crumb Cake, Black, Pacific Point, Mocha Morning dsp
• Accessories - Rhinestone jewels, Tasteful Trim die, Serif Essentials alphabet, Blossom Party die, Fun Flowers die, 2 1/2" circle punch, 5 petal flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch, bone folder
  

 

More Disney Event photos

They surprised us for our final Disney event last Thursday night by taking us to see the Indiana Jones show at Hollywood Studios. 

After we saw half of the show Shelli got up to say a few words (I got a big, happy surprise I will tell you all about later - when I can tell!) and the Indiana Jones stage was pulled off to the side to reveal this! 

They had tons of tables, chairs and food buffets there for us.  We actually enjoyed dinner on the stage!  So unique and absolutely fun!

They had 'green screens' so we could have our photos taken as part of some of the movie scenes.  So cool!  We were able to pick ours up within the hour to take home with us.  I haven't scanned ours in yet and may not - we're pretty funny looking! 

While we were eating and visiting they had a DJ and quite a few belly dancers entertained us. 

It was such a fun last night.  Stampin' Up! always does it up right!

Aviary meets Thoughts & Prayers

Yes; who would have thought these two sets could work together?!

But when I saw a similar card on Pinterest I knew I had to make one.  It's just adorable!

First I stamped the branch in Lucky Limeade ink.  Next I stamped the cage stand below it using Artichoke ink. If you don't get it exactly right just put a flower over it!  Lastly was the cage and bird using Early Espresso & Pool Party ink.  The Birthday wishes stamp is from Petite Pairs.

Card stock colors here are Pool Party, Whisper White and Calypso Coral plus a  bit of Daffodil Delight flowers too.  The scallop border is our Dotted Scalloped Ribbon border punch. The rhinestones add the perfect touch don't they?

A fun and easy card!

Imagine... Card Swap

We had the option of joining a Stampin' Up! sponsored card swap while we're at Disney World.  We only had to make 26 cards for it and getting cards from many of the top demonstrators across US and Canada is an opportunity I couldn't pass up! 

Here's what I made:

It may look simple but there are tons of layers here - 8 of them in all and many of them are done with the Big Shot. Click on the photo to see some of the details better. Black cardstock does not photograph well. 

I was playing around with colors and came up with this combination of Pool Party, Basic Gray and Black with a bit of vellum card stock too. 

I inked the 'Imagine' stamp from Word Play in Black Craft ink and stamped on the Vellum card stock.  I heat embossed it using clear embossing powder.  Then I used a punch trick similar to this one below to get those pretty curved ends.  I kept the Vellum a bit narrower than you see below.  It's a bit more than an inch tall so it fits inside the outer most curves of the punch. 

Supplies:

• Stamps - Word Play
• Ink - Black Craft ink
• Card stock - Pool Party, Black, Basic Gray, Vellum card stock
• Accessories - Elegant Lines embossing folder, Big Shot, Decorative Label punch, Extra large Oval Punch, Designer Frames embossing folder, Labels Framelits, mini glue dots, Beautiful Wings embosslit, pearls jewels, Black brads, paper piercing tool, mat pack

 

$99 Starter Kit - Pick your Product!

Yes; that's right.  For just $99 you can be a demonstrator and you can totally pick the products you want with our new customizable Starter Kit!  Click here to download the pdf form to start with but use the easy online process on the link at the bottom of this post.

You can put together a kit with any of our high-quality products. You will choose $125 worth of any traditional or digital supplies (plus catalogs/business forms) to create a kit valued at over $190 that still ships for free! 

Yes; that's $125 in product for just $99.   

Remember that there are many types of demonstrators.  Many people think they have to do what I do.  Not true!  You can join just for the discount, as a hobby demo to stamp with your friends or you can make this a money making business earning enough to cover your own needs (wants!) or to make money to help support yourself.  It's completely up to you! 

And one other perk is you can even choose product from the brand new Sneak Peak items in the upcoming new catalog that only demonstrators get to see. 

Click here to join Stampin' Up!.

Click here to read more about becoming an SU Demo. 

Disney Photos

Well we are back from our trip and now I have my usualy computer to work with.  I am definitely in need of a new laptop when I am away on trips!

Here are the rest of the pillow gifts we received from Stampin' Up! on the last few nights:

We got a neat Stampin' Up! backpack one night. 

And on the last night we had this waiting in our room.  That flower is about 10" wide!  Inside this box was a Thomas Kincade Sleeping Beauty canvas print!  Yes; we are very lucky people to work for Stampin' Up!

One night we received a new stamp set and other product from the new catalog coming out in less than a month!  I cannot show those items 'yet'. 

Next are some of the photos we took of the amazing and beautiful Disney World. 

These flowers were growing in huge floating containers in the water that would move slightly with the wind.

These beautiful fountains would dance to the music nearby the famous Epcot icon.

Of course I had to take a close up photo of my favorite Winnie the Pooh character - Tigger!  (That's why I named my cat 'Tigger').

We spent one fun day at the Typhoon Lagoon.  This lazy river ride took 20 minutes to complete. It went around this entire park. So relaxing!

And this was one of our very favorite things at Typhoon Lagoon. The huge wave pool! 

Every few minutes a huge wave comes at you so powerful it knocks you over and sends you quite a few feet. It must start out about 8' tall - just like a good surfing wave would.  If you were in shallow water you could jump up when the wave hit and stay upright.  But in the deeper water you were basically mowed over. 

I will share the final event photos in a day or so.  It was amazing!