Flowerbug's Inkspot

Texture Boutique - while supplies last!

Due to our partnership with Sizzix, we are pleased to be able to offer a test run of the Texture Boutique Embossing Machine in our North American markets. We have 4,000 available to be sold only while supplies last. I have a feeling they will be sold out today! If this product test goes well, we may offer the Texture Boutique again in the future.

The Texture Boutique works with Textured Impressions Embossing Folders to transform ordinary cardstock, paper, metallic foil, or vellum into an embossed, textured masterpiece. This machine embosses only; it does not die cut. Because this is a product test, the Texture Boutique is not branded with the Stampin' Up! logo.

'Tis the season of giving, and the Texture Boutique makes a wonderful gift for anyone who wants to create their own elegant embossed art. To help you with your gift-giving needs, we're offering a special value bundle that saves you $5.90. If you prefer, you can also purchase the Texture Boutique alone. Looking for stocking stuffers? Pick up some additional embossing folders.

Texture Boutique Bundle
Item 132700
$39.95 (a $45.85 value) Includes

• Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, 1 Pair of Standard Embossing Pads, 1 Mylar Shim
• Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder-Stampin' Up! exclusive
• Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder-Stampin' Up! exclusive

Texture Boutique Embossing Machine
Item 132657 $29.95
Includes:

• Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, 1 pair of Standard Embossing Pads, 1 Mylar Shim

Here's a video with a demonstration on this new product.  Remember there is only a very limited number of these available right now!

Let me know if you'd like one and I'll order it for you today!

Chris' Punch Art Snowman

And here is the card Chris made at our last downline meeting:

Isn't he adorable?!  I just love the soft sponging she did.  And his face without features has your imagination soaring doesn't it? 

She used the 1 1/4", 1 3/8" and 1 3/4" circle punches for his body. 

Did you notice her greeting tag shape?  She used the Labels Framelits to create a whole new shape.  She cut the top or bottom first and then ran it through again moving the framelits so it cut a smaller shape than normal.  Smart! 

Come on back on the Tuesday the 20th for our monthly Control Freaks blog tour - the theme is Christmas of course! 

Scrapbook Class in November

Here are the scrapbook pages we're making next week Thursday:

As you may have noticed I love these colors for fall!  I've made quite a few projects using variations of them.  Adding the Island Indigo to traditional fall colors just makes me happy!  It's not surprising since shades of teal are my very favorite colors.

Supplies:

Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Island Indigo, Cajun Craze and Lucky Limeade card stock and ink, Broadsheet Alphabet set, Orchard Harvest Designer series paper, Autumn Accents Bigz die, Big Shot, woodgrain embossing folder, Perfect Pennant Bigz die, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, Island Indigo bakers twine, mini glue dots

And the other layout is this:

It's a cute birthday layout featuring the Patio Party designer series paper.  All new In Colors here - Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple and Primrose Petals.This layout is also available locally as a kit to go; just let me know by the 15th. 

This class is Thursday, November 15th and you can arrive anytime between 1 - 5:30 pm to make your pages.  But please RSVP by Monday, November 12th so I can prep your pages for you.

The cost is $7 per double layout or each layout is free with a $25 order; both are free with a $40 order. 

3-d Ornament

We made this at last month's Downline meeting. 

I got the basic idea from my friend Susie Wood.  She's so creative, talented and is a very special friend I am lucky to have.

Here are the steps to make it:

You'll need to cut out 20 of these Ornaments using the Holiday Ornaments Framelit dies.  Each point or section has four die-cuts - one flat on the bottom and three that are textured with the Lacy Brocade embossing folder.  We scored each of these textured pieces in half so they could fold easier to secure back to back for the 3d look. These are adhered around a 1 3/4" circle punched piece with Tombo multipurpose glue.

Next we added a length of our Organza white ribbon between each point.  I used hot glue for this.

Before you add the next layers you may want to add a stack of buttons for lift before adding the next layer.  This isn't necessary as you could just use a lot more hot glue instead.

Here's a view of the back side. 

We cut out one large snowflake (Snow Flurry Bigz die) from our Silver Glimmer cardstock.  (I did clip off one of the points on this snowflake to make it a 5 tipped snowflake instead of 6.  I actually clipped off two and moved them so it's more centered.)

You will need 20 small white ornaments adhered together the same as the main layers shown above.  Adhere these to a small white punched circle and then to the snowflake.  Add the Vintage Faceted button to the punched 1" Silver Glimmer circle and then adhere with hot glue. Finish with a large pearl inside the button.  Add a length of white bakers twine or ribbon to hang.

Oh and I also added Silver Dazzling Details on the upper edges of the ornament pieces.  Because these were textured they didn't adhere together perfectly at the outer edges so I covered up the discrepancy with the glitter glue.  I love the glittery shine it gives!  Then we wanted even more shimmer so we sprayed the whole thing with my favorite alcohol shimmer mixture.  Combine in a mini spray bottle 1 3/4 oz of cheap rubbing alcohol and 1/2 - 1 tsp. Champagne Mist Shimmer paint. 

If you have the Holiday catalog I'm sure you noticed the beautiful ornament on the front cover.  Well I actually received one at a Convention swap I was in from Glenda Travelstad!  We could not believe she did this for all of us - I believe she regretted it after made a few since they are quite time-consuming! 

As you can see this one has stamped ornaments instead of textured like mine.  It also has our Cherry Cobbler scalloped tulle ribbon between the layers and a rosette under the button.  Lots of details here make this a very special ornament!  Thank you for making this Glenda! 

Thanks for stopping in today! 

Christmas Swaps

Last weekend at my downline meeting we has a Christmas Card swap.  Their cards are just wonderful! Look!

Brandy made this one.  I never would have thought to use these two stamp sets together or that they'd work so well!  Ornament Keepsakes and Merry Mini's - both in the Holiday catalog.  

Candy's card using the beautiful Snowflake Soiree stamp set. 

Jane's fun fold card using the Be of Good Cheer dsp and new Snowflake Flurry Bigz die - both in the Holiday catalog. 

I love that you can add a gift card inside the pocket here! She cased it from Kelly Gettelfinger. 

I'll share a tutorial on how to make this card soon. 

Karen made this beauty.  The greeting is from Perfect Punches stamp set. 

Didn't they make some beautiful cards?  I'll share more of them in a few days. 

Casing Shelly

Remember that today is the first ever, across the board, 15% off stamp sale!  SU has never done this before!!! 

Get those stamps you've been wanting at a great discount. Details here. 

Go here to order or contact me to order for you.

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Now; onto the cards I'm sharing today.....

She's a creative master!  Who am I talking about?  Shelly Gardener, the CEO of Stampin' Up!  Her style is quite distinctive and vintage which sure isn't my normal style.  But when I saw this card on her blog I knew I would be making it for my card clubs. 

I changed up very little; just a few details here and there.  I especially love the colors and the fabulous fun-fold. 

This photo is the inside of the card before I stamped it. 

Above is how I stamped the Thank you card.  And below is how the back looks before I hid the ribbon ends with the second layer of Crumb Cake card stock.

I didn't cut complete 'window' framelit pieces since the two sides were scored and overlapped the back anyway, as shown above. 

Above is my birthday version of her card. 

Supplies:

• Stamps – Friendship Preserved, Forever with You, Blue Ribbon, Alhambra jumbo wheel, 
• Card stock – Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Pool Party, Very Vanilla
• Ink – Versamark, Crumb Cake, So Saffron
• Accessories – Window Frames Collection framelits die, Big Shot, Pool Party seam binding ribbon, Dimensionals, Simply Scored, jumbo wheel handle, Festive Paper Piercing template, piercing tool and mat, Ticket corner punch

Measurements – Crumb Cake layers X 2 – 4” X 5 1/2”, the rest are framelit die-cuts

Perfectly Preserved Candy Jar

At our last downline meeting Karen brought this fantastic make & take:

She found and cased a project made by my dear friend Kay Kalthoff.  She's so incredibly talented and creative plus a genuinely beautiful person too! 

We stamped and die-cut out two jars from white card stock and then punched out two large ovals.    Then we put a small box made of window sheets on the inside of these pieces.  A box is made to hold the candy and adhered between these two jars.  You can see from the size of the M & M's that this jar is little.  It's about 3" tall with the lid.

Here are her measurements for Karen's box:

• The box portion that holds this treat in is 1 1/2" X 4 1/2".  Score the 1 1/2" side at 1/4" and 1 1/4".  Score the 4 1/2" side at 1 1/2" and 3". 
• The top portion is 1 1/4" X 1 1/2".  Score the 1 1/2" side at 1/4" and 1 1/4".  The acetate pieces to put over the oval punched areas are 1 1/4" X 1 7/8"
  

Check out her video on how to make these here.

A Manly Freaks Blog Hop

Yes; it's that time again where we share our creativity with you.  The theme this month is Masculine projects.

You may have arrived from Dannie's blog or started here on mine, but just keep clicking on the icon on the bottom of each page to see them all.  There are 12 fantastic stops this month.

First up I have a card you could give to a special man in your life. Or change the greeting to suit any occasion.

Isn't it pretty?  Yet it's manly too, right?! 

I used the Direct to Paper technique (ink pad rubbed directly onto the cs) on the Island Indigo layer first and then ran it through the Woodgrain embossing folder.  I used the smoother side of the textured piece so it looks a bit like water.

It's hard to tell but I used my stylus on the ships sails to puff them out a bit.  I couldn't get a good photo of it for you.  But to do this just rub your stylus on the front side around the stamped lines so it presses them in a bit.  Then turn it over to the back side and use those lines as a guide to dry-emboss them.  It's a lovely look & feel!     

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Next I wanted to make something I would give my own husband as a little treat.  Something 'just because' and to remind him I am thinking of him. He is a rare gem and I do not tell him often enough! 

It's a French Fry box filled with one of his favorites - trail mix.  He drives all over ND for his job, keeps some in his car, and sometimes this is lunch!  Poor guy! 

I mixed up craisins, peanuts, white & dark chocolate chips and almonds and put some in our new Gusset bags in the Holiday catalog.   Then tied it closed with either ribbon or Espresso scalloped tulle for easy munching access.  I used our World Spectacular dsp for the boxes and embellished them with Naturals wood-like buttons and die-cut & textured leaves with a bit of linen thread.

Here's the French fry box template I found online.

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And last is one of the cards we made at my Card Clubs this month:

We used the Triple-Time stamping technique with the new Wonderfall stamp set.

Everyone loved this card!  They were amazed at how easy this technique is.  Have you been wanting to try it?  Here's the trick:  Cut three layers of neutral card stock in decending sizes.  My Vanilla layers are 2 1/2 X 3 1/2", 3 1/4" X 4 3/8", and the largest is 4" X 5 1/4".  

Lay these three Vanilla pieces over each other so the smallest is on top and the largest is on the bottom making sure they are evenly spaced.  Add a tiny bit of adhesive between the layers to hold them in place while stamping.  Stamp over all three layers just as you would if you had one layer.  You will not get a good stamped image by the edges of each piece because of the thickness of the card stock.  That is why you will adhere these stamped layers to the Espresso layers.  It hides the discrepancy. 

My Espresso layers are as follows:  2 3/4" X 3 3/4", 3 1/2" X 4 5/8" and the full card is 5 1/2" X 8 1/2" scored at 4 1/4".

And this is the inside of the card. 

Supplies: Stamps – Wonderfall, Sassy Salutations  Card stock –Vanilla, Early Espresso card stock Ink – Early Espresso, Island Indigo, Cajun Craze, More Mustard Accessories – dimensionals, markers

Thanks for stopping in to see my 'Manly' projects.  Now you can check out Justin's creative ideas.

Candy Bar Slider

You're going to just love this project!!

At our shoebox swap at Convention this summer Dawn Klein prepared this for us to make.  She's so creative and talented don't you think?!  This little candy bar slider has so many gorgeous details!  I didn't put mine all together at the swap so I could measure at home and to share it with you all. 

The very back Black layer is our standard 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 card size but there is no fold; it's just a flat piece. The textured Tangerine layer is 4" X 5 1/2". 

For the actual wrap made with Basic Gray card stock her are the measurements:

Cut one piece measuring 3 3/4" X 5 1/2".  Score it 1/2" and 3/4" in from each long side.  jPlace Sticky Strip or use our Tombo Multipurpose adhesive to secure. 

There are tons of little details on this candy wrapped gift. There's texture everywhere plus she spritzed the whole thing with glimmer spray - combine 1/2 - 1 tsp Champagne Glimmer paint with 2 oz. rubbing alcohol.  I love the way she added the 'or' over the Antique brad on the rosette. 

The Rosette is made by cutting a 1" X 12" strip of designer paper and scoring it every 1/4".  Secure the ends together and adhere to the scallop circle with hot glue or Tombo.

Supplies:

• Stamps - Toxic Treats, Etruscan Elegance Jumbo wheel
• Ink - Black, Basic Gray
• Card stock - Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, Black, Howlstooth & Scaringbone Dsp
• Accessories - Jumbo wheel handle, Simply Scored for rosette, 2 3/8" Scallp circle punch, Antique Brads, mini glude dots, Sticky Strip adhesive, Fancy Fan & Vintage Wallpaper embossing folders, Oval Accents Bigz die, Big Shot

There's another Control Freaks Blog Hop coming up this Saturday!  Tune in to see lots of 'Manly Man' projects!

Halloween Bat Wreath

My daughter came for a visit from Fargo last weekend and wanted to make this with the Big Shot:

She loved to decorate with Halloween and she is pretty crafty - a bit like me!  She found one like this online and asked me if I had any dies that would help her create one.  I thought the Flower Folds Bigz XL die would work well and it was perfect for it!  The photo doesn't do it justice; it seems to yellow it up a bit since it is hanging on a white wall. 

It's about 20" wide and the colors are Black and a bit of Bravo Burgundy.  She got the bat template online somewhere and after she cut it out we drew score lines on the wings for a little texture and movement.  The eyes are SU rhinestones that have been colored with a deep orange permanent marker. 

We cut out lots of the largest flowers and curled the ends for the outer pieces.  For the inside we spritzed them with water and crumpled and bent the petals inward and let them dry.  Each flower has 5 layers. They are just glued together with our Tombo Multipurpose adhesive and then hot-glued to a metal wreath that had been wrapped with wide ribbon first. 

We did add some die-cut leaves from the Autumn Accents die.  This helped fill in the areas between and around the flowers. I also ran them through the Big Shot using the wood grain embossing folder. 

Hope you like it! 

October Scrapbook Class

I love the SB pages this month!  Check them out:

This first layout is for my Scrapbook Club gals but if anyone else wants to come and make this layout they're welcome too.  There's room for 8 photos here!  The adorable stamped images are from the Googly Ghouls stamp set.  Of course we'll add googly eyes too!

This second layout is an option for those who cannot attend but want the 2-page layout.  The International Bazaar designer paper has great patterns and colors.  I'll prep most of it for you in a kit to go. 

Each of these layouts is just $7.00 or free with a $30 order. Class is on October 18th.  You can arrive anytime between 1 and 6:30 pm to make your pages. 

RSVP for one or both of these by October 11th if possible please. 

Ornament Keepsakes Class to Go

For October my class to go features the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set.

Was this ever an easy class to prepare.  These cards came together so quickly I am thrilled!  For the first time ever I am sharing all 5 cards included in the class.  I usually keep two as a surprise but I just have to show you them.

Remember that this month's SU special is a free Festive Paper Piercing Pack with the purchase of one of the bundles seen here. It's a fantastic deal!  And if you do order one of October's Ornament & Candlelight dsp bundles I will give you the class to go free with your order.  

Most of these cards are very simple and would be a great choice for your Holiday cards this year.  Check them out!

This one was cased from my friend Kay Kalthoff.  I changed just a few things on it.

Okay; this has to be my very favorite.  I think it's simplicity is just beautiful! 

I love these 3d cards!  Just stamp and cut out three of the same ornament and adhere them side to side.  Easy!

 

See the details?  It features the beautiful Candlelight Christmas Designer Series Paper along with the Festive Piercing Mat. 

When you order the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set & Class to Go in clear or wood mount you'll receive all of the pre-cut supplies needed to make these 5 cards shipped directly to you. You will need a few extra items such as ink pads or markers and a greeting stamp or two. I will pre-punch or texture 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.

But the best part of doing these Class to Go projects is that you then have 5 great ideas for your new stamp set in the future!  Isn't that what most of us need - creative design ideas? 

***If you already have this stamp set you can substitute an item of like value.  Remember that these Class to Go offers are only available during the current month.  If you are interested be sure to let me know by the date given below.

***Please read the offer below carefully as it can be confusing - even to me! 

I suggest you take advantage of October's special and get the free Festive Paper Piercing pack with one of the bundles.  *****If you order any of the bundles highlighted in red I will give or send you the Class to Go FREE this month!  (The cost of my classes to go are just $3-5 above product cost.  Great value!)  

But you will need to order the Candlelight bundles through my Online Store because the 12" dsp is difficult to ship Priority. I will send you the class to go cards kit around the end of October. 

Clear Mount

• Stamp set only - $33.00 local, $38.50 Priority shipping from me to you
  
• Stamp set & Framelits Bundle - $51.00 local, $56.50 Priority Shipping from me
  
• Stamp set & Candlelight dsp bundle - $46 local, unable to ship due to dsp size so order from  my online store. *Includes Free Piercing Pack
• Stamp set, Framelits and Candlelight dsp bundle - $65.80 local, unable to ship so order from my online store. **Includes Free Piercing pack

Wood Mount

• Stamp set only - $45 local, $50.50 Priority shipping
• Stamp set & Framelits Bundle - $59.00 local, $64.50 Priority Shipping
• Stamp set & Candlelight dsp bundle - $56.50 local, unable to ship due to dsp size so order from my online store *Includes FREE Piercing Pack
• Stamp set, Framelits and Candlelight dsp bundle - $74.50 local, unable to ship due to dsp size so order from my online store.  *Includes Free Piercing Pack

If you'd like to order just the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set from me without the Candlelight dsp bundles & get the Class to Go cards kit in the mail please contact me at lagreff@gmail dot com by Wednesday, October 24th & I'll send you a PayPal invoice. Or contact me with your credit card information.

Susie's Halloween Fun Fold card

I just loved this card my good friend Susie made:

In fact I liked it so much I based last month's Club card on her great fun fold.  See that here.  But instead of using a belly band to hold the card secure that one is held closed with a flower.

Here's a photo of it with the belly band off.

It uses the Oval Accents die folded in half as a flap on the right.  Thanks for a fantastic card Susie!  

• Stamps - Googly Ghouls
• Card stock - Black, Basic Gray, Tangerine, Vanilla, Howlstooth & Scaringbone dsp
  
• Ink - Black or Basic Gray
• Accessories - Googly eyes, Oval Accents die, Spider web folder, Big Shot, markers, rhinestones & permanent orange marker to color them

 

Diagonal Gatefold Card

And here is the other card we made at my September Card Clubs:

Isn't it a great card!?  It looks complicated but it's amazingly easy to do.  Here is what it looks like open and without the belly band:

To make this card you'll need a 5 1/2 X 12" strip of double sided patterned paper.  Our Patterned Prints dsp are just perfect for these cards! 

Next score it vertically at 2, 4, 8, 10 inches.  Next you'll make a mark at 2 3/4" from the bottom outside edges.  Then cut from that mark to the 4" and 8" score lines to cut off the upper triangles.  These triangles then move down and are adhered the opposite corner.

I really love this unusual card fold.  It's so perfect for our double sided paper and besides that it's just fun! 

Supplies:

• Stamps – From My Heart
• Card stock – Whisper White, Black, In Color Pattern Prints
• Ink – Basic Black, Pool Party, Calypso Coral
• Accessories – Window Frames Collection framelits die, Big Shot, Black scallop dots ribbon, sponges, markers, 2 ½” circle punch, Dimensionals, Simply Scored

Measurements – Patterned Prints – 5 ½ X 12” score at 2, 4, 8, 10”, White stamped layers – 3 7/8” X 5 7/8”, Black layer – 4” X 5 1/4”.  The belly band is about 1" wide and 10" long.  

Scrapbook Class

Here's what we are making at my Scrapbook Class today:

Love these colors and layout!  Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red with Vanilla and Newsprint dsp.  'Remember' is the perfect title for so many things.  I used our new Oval Accent die for the frames on the left page.  The vertical trim is from our Tasteful Trim die - my favorite for trim. The horizontal trim on the large photo mat on the right side is the leftovers from cutting the vertical trim!  The letters were cut using the new Typeset Alphabet Bigz die.

This layout is totally cased from my friend Kay Kalthoff.  She is a genius at creating eye catching scrapbook layouts and tons of other beautiful projects!  Check out her blog here.

I used the Floral District dsp and the coordinating stamp set Betsy's Blossoms.  Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade and So Saffron.  

Can't wait - it starts in a few hours!