Flowerbug's Inkspot

January Scrapbook Layout

My Scrapbook Clubs always do a Christmas layout in January which is perfect for our favorite holiday photos.  And I think this page is so cute!

It's a 12 X 12 layout using photos from my own Christmas at my daughter's new home.  She hosted her first Christmas this year!  We had a wonderful time together.  

The colors are Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green with White accents.  I used 4 of the Lattice die-cuts in Whisper White and added a few dots of our new Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details glue in the center areas.  The Frostwood Lodge designer series paper is a strip at the bottom of the left page.  

The 'MERRY' letters were stamped using the Lovely Letters alphabet with Versamark ink onto Garden Green card stock and embossed with White embossing powder.  I punched them out using the ornament punch and hung them using our Cherry Cobbler bakers twine.

 

Snowmen Punch Art Display

Happy New Year to you all!  I hope this year is a great one for all of you.

When I was moving into my new studio and going through boxes I found all of these different snowmen (etc) I've made in the past few years.  So I put them together as a family for this cute little display wall I have.  I think I'll have fun changing this up for the different occasions and seasons.    

Here are a few of the links to the past posts so you can make some of these cute guys if you want to:

Top Note Snowman on the far left.

Snowman Patty - not shown. 

Frosty with slanted hat - second from the right. 

Punch Art Snowman card - not shown.

Punch Art Snowman bookmark - second from the bottom left. 

Penguin candy bar holder

 

Don't forget that today is the last day to order some of your favorites from the Holiday Mini catalog.  We do not know if they will bring any of these items to the new catalog in July or not.  But we do know that they are carrying over a few of the items.  See just which ones on the flyer here:   CarryOver_Occassions_1211_ 



Cookie Exchange

We met last week for our annual Christmas Cookie Exchange. We always visit and enjoy a few of our treats along with hot cider.  This is a glimpse of my new stamping area in our new house.  I'll show more photos later since I am still settling in!    

This cookie exchange is easy because we only have to make 1/2 dozen per person. We had 12 people participate so each had 6 dozen assorted cookies for our holiday events.  And we really have some fabulous bakers that do this each year too.  

I forgot to take a close-up of the cookies, but here is one table full before we divided them up.  Some bring theirs in tins or paper plates or even homemade boxes.

I made 'stamped' cookies of course!  I used a great recipe called 'Grandma's Shorbread Cookies'.  

• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

Combine the dry ingredients and blend in the butter.  I did use a mixer but the recipe says not to overmix.  Shape into 1 1/2" balls.  Place 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet and use the cookie press to stamp the design in the dough.  Bake at 300 for 15 minutes or just until the edges start to brown.   

And here is how I packaged them up.  I added 6 stamped cookies in a large clear cello bag and tied it closed with ribbon.  I then added stamped, punched tags that say 'made just for you'.  This stamp is in the Creatively Yours set.

Here are the Holiday Sweet Pressed cookie stamps I used for my cookies.  IThey're an add-on to the Holiday mini catalog.  But guess what!  It's also in the upcoming Occasions mini catalog and there is a new set of 3 stamps for Spring too!  

 

 

Sparkling Winter Wreath & Trees

A few weeks ago, some of my friends and I got together to make winter trees.  I knew I wouldn't have much table display space so I made mine into a wreath for the wall in my studio.  

We used flower punches and any Sizzix dies we had to cut out white, shimmer white and Silver glimmer flowers and snowflakes.  I curled mine with a bone folder to add dimension. Then we layered and stacked them together. I used dimensionals on mine.  Next they were adhered to either styrofoam cones or a wreath like mine.  

These are just gorgeous in person! 

Here's a close-up of a few flowers & snowflakes on my wreath.  I bunched up some white tulle to poke in empty spaces between flowers.  This idea would be perfect for winter weddings.

I will tell you that cutting & punching out all of these flowers and forming our trees & wreath did take us many hours.  But now we have something beautiful to keep up after Christmas!   

These are my friend Pat's trees.  I hope to take more pictures of the other ones that were made to share with you later.  

Name Frames

Here is the last item we made at my Gift Class.  Name frames.  So easy yet a wonderful gift for someone who may have 'everything'.  Instead of just last names, you could also spell out 'Welcome' or 'Family'.   

I picked up the frames at a local discount store; they cost just $3.00 each and are about 12" X 6" in size.  

• I cut out my last name using the large Serif Essentials Alphabet dies and Vanilla card stock.  Then I ran the letters through the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder using my Big Shot.  It's hard to see in the photo, but I used a sponge and Crumb Cake Classic ink to sponge over the highlights on the raised embossed letters.  
• Surrounding the black card stock layer is a Vanilla border made of punched strips using the Dotted Scallop ribbon border punch.  
• The background paper is from our Mocha Morning designer series paper with a bit of Vanilla satin ribbon on the sides.  

Here's one that Laura made at Class; so pretty.  I wish I would have taken more pictures of the others.  The background paper here is also part of the Mocha Morning designer series paper.  

Merry Christmas everyone!  

Snowman Gift Card

We made these at my December Clubs.  I received one like it in a swap made by my friend Kelly Acheson.   

Isn't the snowman just adorable?  I love this Snow Much Fun set!  The same stamp set for this month's Class to Go kit.   

Measurements of the Pool Party main card are 5 ½” X 8 ½” scored at 2 ½ and 5 ½”.

Here's what you see when you open it up and lift up the top flap.  The Island Indigo trim on the top is the Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch. 

The Seasons Greetings stamp is from the set called Curly Cute.   

Inside is an A2 envelope that has been trimmed by 1/4" on each side, sealed and folded in half to create two pockets.  It holds two pieces of card stock measuring 2 1/2 X 4" in each pocket.  One is a greeting like you see and the other has a gift card adhered to it.  The Round Tab punch is perfect to create these Island Indigo tabs.   

If you're interested in joining my Cyber Card Club so you get the stamped supplies for cards like this one sent to you FREE, you can see the details below.

What does the Cyber Card Club entail?

1. Just commit to placing a $25 (minimum) online order by the 10th of each month.  
2. I'll send you the pre-cut card supplies so you can make every card we make for the next 6 months!  Shipping is free!
3. We always make 2 cards - one fun or fancy-fold card plus another gorgeous (above average) card each month.  
4. You'll assemble them in your own home at your leisure.
5. At the end of the 6 months you'll get a choice of many of my extra hostess or Sale a Bration stamp sets - FREE.
6. Contact me to get on the list at    lagreff at gmail.com 

 

Stocking Builder punch

I cannot believe it but Stampin' Up! has just announced that the Stocking Builder punch will not be carried over in any of the next catalogs.   

If you haven't gotten it yet and thought you could get it later, you may want to order it now before it's gone!  They say that once the current supply is depleted it will not be available for purchase.  Go here to order it online.    

It makes me wonder if the Stitched Stockings stamp set will be discontinued too.  

Here's a card that was included in my Stitched Stockings class to go last month.  So easy yet everyone loved it.  

The colors are Baja Breeze with White and a bit of our Silver Glimmer card stock. The stocking image was embossed on Baja Breeze cardstock using White embossing powder before it was punched out.  

Snow Much Fun Class to Go

For December the Class to Go features the Snow Much Fun stamp set. 

The images in it are so adorable and I have really enjoyed using it in the last few months.  I think it will make wonderful Thank You cards too.

Here are three of the cards included in the Class to Go this month:

Love this card!  The color combination of Wisteria Wonder and Pear Pizzazz along with the textured/punched window make it pretty cute.  

Here's another window-type card.  Real Red, Black, White and Pool Party are the colors.  I used the Postage Punch for the windows.  

And of course I am including this popular scalloped circle card I received in a swap in the class too.

How does the Class to Go work??

Basically you are making your own set of cards using the stamp set, embellishments and supplies I cut out & send you.  You'll use your own new stamp set plus a basic supply of ink or markers, other stamps and a few common tools along with your own adhesive. I will texture and die-cut the card stock for you when needed. I like to call these cards 'Set samplers'.  You'll have 5 great ideas finished and ready to use right away or to copy later.   

When you order the Snow Much Fun stamp set in clear or wood mount you'll receive all of the supplies needed to make the 5 cards shipped to you for just a few extra dollars included in the class price.  Plus you'll receive the photos & step by step directions with measurements sent via e-mail. 

Clear Mount

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

Wood Mount

• Local cost - $35
• Priority Shipping - $41

If you'd like to order the Snow Much Fun stamp set from me & get the Class to Go cards kit please contact me at lagreff at gmail dot com by Wednesday, December 28th & I'll send you a PayPal invoice.  Or contact me with your credit card information.

The stamp sets will be ordered on or after Wednesday, Decmber 29th and the Class to go sent out in early January.

 

 

Christmas Gifts and 3d projects

Here is one more thing we made at my gifts class last weekend; a great Recipe Box. 

I just added a bit of card stock to embellish the front and inside panels.  It could be given as is, without a single thing added to it.  

And the best part is this cute box is on the Clearance Rack for just $9.99!

Remember this one?  This chunky white frame is also on the Clearance Rack for just $7.99.  If you want to make this adorable frame, you may want to order the items needed before the Holiday Mini catalog is gone - January 3rd is the last day to order from it.  Stitched Felt, Peek-a-Boo die and the 25 days and Counting stamp set are some of the main items I used.  

This white house and the clear tinsel are both on the Clearance Rack; the house is just $2.39.

Even the die to make this 3d tree is on sale.  It's just $17.19 instead of it's original price of $42.95.

Check out all of the deals here.  

Medallion Wreath

Here's a beautiful and easy idea for a Christmas card.  

We made this at a workshop last Friday and it was a big hit.  When I needed a quick idea I checked out Lorri's blog and of course found exactly what I wanted there. She cased it from Karen's card here.  

Here's a tip on gluing these tiny circles of Red Glimmer card stock for the berries.  I like to add small dots of my Tombo multipurpose glue directly to the card stock. Then using my tweezers I place the sparkly berries right onto the glue. This prevents you from getting glue all over your fingers. 

Supplies:

• Stamps - Medallion background, Word Play
• Ink - Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
• Card stock - Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Red Glimmer card stock
• Accessories - 1 3/4" Scallop circle punch, Cupcake builder punch (berries), sponge daubers, Vintage brads, mat pack, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, dimensionals 

 

Santa Treat Boxes

Kari brought these Santa treats to share at Club the other night.

She cut the paper bags shorter and added fronts and back covers out of Real Red or Cherry Cobbler card stock making them as wide as the front of the bags.  

Details:

• The black strips are 1 1/2" high.  
• The glittery squares are made from our fabulous Silver Glimmer card stock and are 1 1/2" square.  
• The black 1"squares in the center are another layer over the Silver Glimmer squares.  
• She added some faux buttons using Black 1/2" circle punch with a bit of Signo white gel pen for dimension.  

Inside she gave us some homemade puppy chow in cello bags.  Thanks Kari!   

Lori's Fireplace card

It should never surprise me when I open one of Lorri's cards, but she always makes my jaw drop - seriously!  Just look at this card I received in a swap.  She made over 30 of these!    

And check out the inside!  Can you see why she amazes me and everyone else?

I love all the little details like the hearth rug and her family photo above the mantle.

Here's a link to her post where she shares the details on how to make this fun card.  Be sure to look around on her blog for awhile.  You will not regret it!

I also cased another one of her fireplace cards for this month's card clubs.  I'll post that one next week.    

 

Countdown to Christmas Frame

We're making this at my Gifts Class this Saturday!  

Isn't it adorable?  I wish I had a family photo inside it, but I haven't found all of my photos yet.  

Here are the details:

• The frame is our Decor Accents Chunky Frame 12 X 12".  You can purchase it on the clearance rack here for just $7.99!!!
• The background is the Frostwood Lodge designer series paper.  
• The numbers are either die-cuts from the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet dies or from the '25 & Counting' stamp set on page 37 in the Holiday mini catalog. 
• I used the Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die to cut out some of the pieces. 
• There are quite a few punches used too - squares, circles and scallops
• Can you see the Stitched Felt pieces?  There are four of these on here - you get 4 of each shape in a package from the Holiday Mini catalog.
•   

I only have one spot left on the 10th at either 9:30 am or 1 pm. Let me know if you want it!  Cost is $20 for the class.

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We are also making these Coaster Calendars too:

The other side holds post-it notes.  

I chose many types of patterned paper to fit the taste of my friends and family.

And you can turn them on end to get this look:

This one could also be a pencil holder and has room for both post-it notes and a photo on the sides.  Did you see the magnet on the bottom for paper clips?

Details:

• To make these just cover your coasters with patterned paper - I prefer a glue stick for this.  Smooth the corners or edges with a sanding block.  
• Punch 2 holes on each side and tie a knot of ribbon to hold them together. 
• Cut out a scallop square from the Scallop Squares Duo die and trim off an inch or so in the middle to get two strips to place behind the calendar.  
• Cut out a magnet using the Peekaboo die
• Glue all of the elements onto your coaster triangle and you're done!    

These only cost $6.00 each and you can choose from many designes of my patterned paper. Class times are either 4 pm or 6 pm to make these.

Let me know if you want a spot!   

Soft Suede Christmas Lodge

This color combination seems to be a favorite of mine for the holidays.  You'll see one more for my last Christmas stamp a stack coming up too!

Here is the other card we made at this month's Card Clubs:

The idea is cased from one I saw by Sheri Hofley from Canada.  I changed it up a bit by turning it into a fun-fold card.

I used Whisper White and Soft Suede card stock along with the emboss resist technique. The beautiful Christmas Lodge is the stamp set.  

Ink your lodge and large tree in Versamark ink and stamp.  Heat emboss using Clear embossing powder.  Then you'll start sponging over and around the embossed image with both Crumb Cake and Soft Suede ink.  Be sure to rub off the excess ink on your embossed areas right away with a tissue or soft cloth.

Here is the card with the first flap opened.  You can see the white Dotted Scallop ribbon border punch on the left flap.  It's cut in half and adhered under the outer front flap.

This is the inside of the card.  The snowflakes are stamped using Crumb Cake ink.  

Card dimensions:

• Large Soft Suede piece - 4 ¼” X 8” scored at 5 ½”
• Large Whisper White piece - 4” X 9 7/8” score at 5 ¼” 
• Whisper white layers - 2 3/8” X 3 1/8”, 2 ½” X 3 1/4”
• Soft Suede layer - 2 7/8 X 3 3/8”

The 'Christmas' stamp is from the Pines & Poincettias stamp set. The snowflakes are from the Northern Frost decorative strip die.  Sponge the edges, add a dimensional between them and finish off with a pearl and 2-way glue and Dazzling Diamonds glitter. 

Remember that if you want to get the supplies for my 2 card clubs mailed to you FREE each month you just need to join my Cyber Card Club.  

****All you need to do is commit to placing a $25 minimum order through my online store by the 15th of each month.  After 6 months you'll get a stamp set from me FREE at the end of your 6 months.  I even stamp your images for you so can easily put them together using the directions I e-mail to you. Let me know if you're interested!    

Top Note & Punch Art Snowman

Here is an adorable Top Note Snowman you can make.  

I cut out one Whisper White Top Note and folded it in half for his face.  Then I cut out about 2/3 of a Black Top Note and 1/2 of a Real Red Top Note on the long end. Texture the Red and Black pieces using the Snow Burst embossing folder.  

Now you will cut off the Top Note tip in the middle of the Red long end to smooth it out - this is on the bottom next to his face.  Next cut off the top portion of the Red hat brim straight across with a paper cutter. Mine is about 1 1/4" wide in the center.  Use a rounded corner of the black or white Top Note to trace or round off the top side corners of the brim. 

Here is the back side so you can see how it's put together.  

The eyes are 1/2" circle punches, the mouth are 1/4" circles from my Crop-o-Dile.  I hand cut the nose from Pumpkin card stock.  Add a bit of Blushing Bride ink for his 'rosy' cheeks using a sponge dauber.  

The snow flake is from the Northern Frost strip die.  It has a small 3/8" circle punch (Itty Bitty Punches) and a rhinestone jewel on it.