Flowerbug's Inkspot

Ho Ho Ho!

I finally finished this adorable project.  I'm not sure why it took me so long since it was both fun & very easy to do.  It was one of the many product gifts I received while at Founder's Circle in September. 

This is the large set - the package (found in the current SU Holiday Mini catalog) comes with one set of large & two sets of smaller 'Ho Ho Ho's'.  They are chipboard & come liberally coated with silver glitter on both sides.  All I had to do was add some Holiday embellishments, punched holes in the top of each letter with the Crop-o-Dile & threaded the wide Red grosgrain ribbon through it.  It sure goes nice with our Santa collection, don't you think? 

 

I added punches, buttons, rhinestone brads, little packages, stamped images & ornaments to it.  I kept a Red, White & Silver theme.  So sparkly in real life!

 

Advent Envelope Book tutorial

I've had quite a few requests for instructions for my friend Pat's Advent Envelope Book.  I'm sorry it wasn't done before the beginning of December - I just did not have time. 

So here it is!

This is the front of the book.  I used the Naturally Serif Decorative Strip sizzlit die for the letters.  Stamps are from Tree Trimmings, Autumn Days & Season of Joy.  Colors are Real Red & Glorious Green. 

There are 25 envelopes inside that you can fill so the lucky recipient can open one up each day! 

You need 25 envelopes that you either make from patterned paper (don't ask me how!) or you can stamp or decorate them.  I chose to buy a bunch of white ones on sale after the Holidays last year.  And basically the size of the whole project depends on the size of your envelopes.  So start there.  To give you a guide, the green layer on the front is the same size as my envelopes - 5 3/8" X 7 3/8".

The white stamped piece measures 5 1/8" X 7 1/8".

It's hard to see, but the top white layer is actually a thin layer of card board - the type that's inside a package of patterned paper.  This board measures 5 5/8" X 7 7/8". 

The bottom layer is white card stock 6 1/4" X 8 3/8".  Basically you're covering a layer of thin card board to give the book a sturdy cover. 

Glue the thin board to one side of your white card stock & cut off the corners at an angle.  Fold the card stock edges over the sides & adhere to the thin card board.

Now you would add your colored pieces (5 1/4" X 7 1/2") over the layered card board, but wait!  Do not adhere these red or green pieces until you have your accordion binding done.  When done I had a red layer on one side & a green layer on the other.  These measure 5 1/4" X 7 1/2". 

Cut 5 pieces of card stock measuring 7" X 11" for the binding.  Score every 1 inch & fan-fold.  Adhere the ends together by overlapping just one 1" flap on each end.  You'll have a very long bunch!

This is actually one of the fun parts - using different Christmas wheels & ink to add pizazz to your plain white envelopes.

This is not a good photo of this step, but you should now adhere one red accordion flap to the back inside long edge of your white covered board.  Then you'll cover the whole back with a piece of red or green card stock as the inside front cover of your book.

 

 Now you can start adding the envelopes like the photo above.  I prefer to use Tombo Multip-purpose adhesive, but Sticky Strip would also work.  You need something very strong so the envelopes will not pull away or detach with the weight of your 'gifts' inside. We just added adhesive on one side of each flap for the envelope - you could do both sides but doing it that way makes for less room inside each envelope. 

Before you add the back cover, add your ribbon between the back hard cover & the red or green inside layer.  This hides it somewhat.  I also made my ribbon ends meet on the edge of the front binding area so the bow wouldn't cover up the 'cute' front of the book.  *See front of the book.  

I used round sticky labels to close each envelope after filling.  You can get these in the office supply area & the numbers can be printed using your printer or just written on.  In fact I found removable adhesive round labels so they can be stuck back down. 

 

This is the book empty - when full it is quite fat!  So cut your ribbon long! 

My two older kids each got one of these - so they get to open 1 present each day until Christmas. 

Big Shot Club

And here are the projects we did at last week's Big Shot Club.

 

Too bad you cannot see the shimmer on the tree here.  Real life is so much better than my photos!

We used the Scallop Circle #2 die to make the Old Olive tree.  How?

Basically you cut out one scallop with the die & mark off 6 scallops for the bottom & cut at an angle to the very top of the die-cut.  We then ran it through the Big Shot again using the Petal's a Plenty embossing folder.  And we weren't finished with it yet - we added white dots to the flowers with the Signo white gel pen & then rubbed Champagne Shimmer paint over the raised petsls with a sponge dauber. 

The trunk is punched from the Modern Label punch using Chocolate Chip CS.

The patterned pine paper is from the package of DSP called Merry Moments in the main SU catalog.  We added berries using the Rich Razzleberry marker - don't you just love that SU gave us In Color markers??!!!

We also made this Scalloped Envelope treat box.  We cut out 4 scallop envelopes from Baja Breeze CS - yes I know it's retired!  But I had some of this beautiful holiday DSP left so I had to use Baja & Real Red together!

I love how the tag is made - the stamped image is from the Christmas Punch Level 2 hostess set.  Punched with the large oval punch & layered onto a scalloped Red oval piece.  Then it's layered onto a large SU snowflake punch - perfect!

And last......

It's a Top Note Wreath on an Easel card!

We cut out one Top Note die from Very Vanilla card stock.  Turned it 90 degrees & ran it through again using the Top Note die.  Then we turned it again & cut & once more & cut.  You get this beautiful stitched round shape! 

I thought it would be perfect for a wreath.  We used the berry image from the Autumn Days stamp set to make the wreath.  First stamp around with Garden Green, then switch to Real Red.  I may have a bit more Red than needed here, but it sure is festive! 

Add some gold brads, a Red bow & sponging around the wreath to finish it off.

I used the Perfect Details texturz plate to the Garden Green piece on top along with a bit more sponging around the edges.

Season's Greetings is from Many Merry Messages. 

To see how to make an easel card, go to this post.  

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Big Shot Clubs!

For those of you local gals wishing you had a Big Shot, be sure to get in on my Sale-a-Bration Big Shot Clubs!  Each person is hostess once getting $20 free along with 4 extra stamp sets of your choice during the 3 month club run in Jan - March.

You'll get 4 free classes to learn all the tips & tricks to use your own Big Shot.  You'll make a payment of $59 each time towards your Big Shot & get to pick $95 in dies or accessories when you're hostess.  The time is perfect to get sooo much free!

Reserve your spot now!  

Mommy & Me Class & an 'open crop' day ...

I've finally scheduled a special class just for kids.  I've been wanting to do one for ages & I think Christmas is the perfect time to do it - they'll love making gifts for their teachers & grandparents. 

Here are three of the 5 projects we'll be making:

 

The top middle item is a Cake in a Cup - a decorated mug filled with a single serving of Chocolate Cake - easily microwaved in the cup - frosting included! 

Snowman punch art card.

Spooning up Hugs & Kisses treat. 

These classes have been filling up so fast!  I'm hoping to offer one every few months.

I have one opening left on Saturday, December 12th at 2 pm & two on Sunday December 13th at 2 pm.  I'm keeping the classes small in size so the kids each get special attention.  Cost is just $10 & children 5 & up are welcome to come with one adult. 

Should be fun!

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And the following weekend we're planning a 'Holiday Time Out' - a day to get away from the hustle & bustle of the Holiday prep & enjoy some crafting time just for you. We're hosting an open crop at the Brentmoor here in Minot, ND from 10 am - 7 pm on Sunday the 13th.   We will have cards & possibly other projects available that day.  Watch my blog in the next week or so as I might be posting some of them.  One of my plans is to do '$1 cards'.  Make as many of each card as you want!

No RSVP's for the projects - they'll be first come, first get 'em! 

But please RSVP if you want table space!  Tell your friends!

And we're making it a potluck at 12-1 pm too!  So let me know what you plan to bring if you're participating.  

Freakin' Fabulous Blog Tour!

I had an awesome invitation last week ........ to join the Control Freak's swap group!  Call me amazed & absolutely thrilled to be invited to join these incredible artists!

I didn't get in on their Blog Tour this time, but I wanted to share their wonderful creations with you. 

Here's a link to start the tour - their theme is Holiday Gifts.  Prepare to be amazed!

Tour 'de Freaks! 

O' Christmas Tree pop-up Box Tutorial

I've had quite a few requests for the dimensions of this box. 

 

So here's how you can make one:

 

You need four pieces of card stock measuring 5 1/2" X 10".

Score these in half at 5" & along one long side at 1/2".  Cut off 1/2 of this long tab piece along the fold - 1/2" X 5".  Do this to all 4 pieces as shown.

You'll need one more piece for the center - 5" square.  Adhere each of the remaining 1/2" X 5" card stock tabs to the square piece in the middle. 

 

The 8 patterned pieces on the outside measure 4 3/4" square.  The red inside square measures 4 5/8".  This is the time you could add photos or more embellishments to decorate the inside if desired.  Adhere these to the card stock pieces.

For the lid, cut a piece of card stock 7" - although you might want to add 1/8" to this so the box lid is slightly larger than the box itself. 

If you want a ribbon pull on the lid, poke a hole through the center & add a large brad or grommet first, then the ribbon.  Adhere the tabs in to form the box.  Add a piece of patterned paper to the lid measuring 6 1/2".

 

I have a few openings for this class locally here in Minot on December 5th at 1 pm.  Class fee is $12 paid in advance.

Here's a link to the original creator of this box - Debbie Naylor! 

Big Shot Class & Box Tutorial

Last Sunday, my current Big Shot club met & we did three projects as usual.  (If you're curious, see info at the bottom of this post on Big Shot Clubs.)

Here are the two cards - one of which is a version of one I did last year at this time.  You can tell by the Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red & Kiwi Kiss card stock & ribbons (retired In-Colors). 

I added some new items from the Holiday Mini - the new snowflake from the Merry Details sizzlit & the new embossing folder Petals-a-Plenty along with some Frost shimmer paint on both the Baja embossed piece & the dove.

The shiny silver, Pink & Black card is also one we did at a former Big Shot Club.  I love how easy it is to get this amazing, foiled element just by running simple Heavy Duty aluminum foil through our Big Shot with the Texturz plates.

But our favorite project was this one:

 

We cut out three Real Red Matchbox drawers using the SU Matchbox die.  We added eyelets to the front of each box with the crop-o-dile.

We used the scallop edge punch on the ends before we adhered them onto our Soft Suede pre-scored piece. 

If you want to make one of these yourself, here are the dimensions for the Soft Suede piece. 

Cut one piece at 6 1/2" X 7 3/8" - score at 3 1/2" & 4 3/8" along the 7 3/8" side.

*****Now remember that is the size after I scalloped both ends.  If you want yours scalloped also, add 1/4" onto your cutting measurements & also onto your score marks.

We cut out two large & 2 smaller stars in Red fun foam & white shimmer felt using the Stars #2 die.  We added a Red rhinestone brad in the center of them all & attached it with mini glue dots. 

The curved flag is stamped with the Four Holidays set in the Holiday Mini catalog.

The trick to making layered flags .... stamp & cut out your top flag first (mine is white).  Sponge the edge, layer it onto a larger piece - Soft Suede in this case - & then trim around it with your scissors &/or paper cutter.  When using Tombo mono-multi glue you can curve the flag while the adhesive is wet & it stays in that shape once completely dry.

We added star eyelets to the front of each box using the Crop-o-dile. 

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If you're considering purchasing a Big Shot, you should join one of my Big Shot Clubs!  You get hands on training from me via 4 free classes to experience for yourself just how versatile & amazing this die-cutting machine is. You make a $59 payment at each class & receive your own Big Shot & $100 in dies at the end of the Club.  

And if you join now, we can start in January - during SAB (Sale-a-Bration).  In addition to your Big Shot & dies, the personal training, free classes & free merchandise you'll also get 4 free choices from the Sale-a-Bration catalog!

SAB runs from January to March this year - can you believe it?  They extended it an extra month - can't wait to see what they have for us this year. 

Why do we look forward to SAB?  You get a free choice from the SAB catalog for each $50 you spend on any current merchandise during this Sale.  It's awesome & the perfect time to join the Big Shot Club or even my Marker Club.   

Matchbox Advent Tree gifts....

Some of you have been asking me what I'll put in my little Matchbox drawers.... well that depends on who it's going to of course! 

Here are a few ideas I had. 

For a Stamper:  all types of ribbons, buttons, brads, clips, die-cuts, flower fusion, glitter (in a little ziploc bag), chipboard pieces, beads, sponge daubers, rub-ons, stamped images, punched, metal circle or die cut tags...

For a little girl:  hair accessories, make-up samples, nail accessories, lip gloss, chocolate or candy!, jewelry, small lotion or shampoo bottles, chapstick, money!, gift certificate to a favorite restaurant, hand made coupons, movie certificate booklet, pack of gum

For a little boy:  cars or trucks, small action figures, chocolate or candy!, chapstick, money!, gift certificates, hand-made coupons, movie certificate booklet, fun shaped erasers, pack of gum, marbles, batteries,

For an adult:  book of stamps, gift certificates, lots of chocolate or candy!, movie certificate booklet, chapstick, travel samples of lotion, etc, fridge magnets, pins, pack of gum, golf tees, key ring, tea bags, stain remover wipes, fun paper clips, mini calculator, assorted items for an office, mini post-it notes,

So that's just a few ideas I came up with - I know there are lots more.  It's kind of fun to go shopping for 'mini items!

Advent Matchbox Tree

When I saw this cute project made by Fran Sabad, I knew I'd have to make one. 

It takes 25 matchboxes cut from Chocolate & assorted green card stock - I used Old Olive & Mellow Moss.  Of course using the Stampin' Up! Matchbox die makes it pretty quick & easy to do. 

The secret to making it sturdy is to layer a thin piece of chipboard with green card stock lined to both top & bottom - in fact, I used two pieces of thin chipboard.  I like to use the board that comes in the packages of our 12" Designer papers.  You can see the thin, covered white chipboard between the green matchboxes & the Chocolate ones.

The numbers were hand written on Real Red card stock & punched out with a 1/2" circle punch & adhered onto our Build a Brads.

The Red polka dot ribbon is wrapped around all of the green matchboxes & secured at the bottom, under the layered chipboard.  Then I added a cute bow with a few more lengths of ribbon. 

The star is also layered with the thin chipboard using Crushed Curry card stock on both sides & cut out with the Stars die.  I punched a tiny hole & added a length of Red wire to it.  I curled a thicker base of wire for a bottom & added it under the ribbon with a pop-up glue dot.  

Holiday Fest Gifts Class

I have some fantastic Holiday gift ideas for you. 

On November 14th at the Vegas Hotel, I'll be offering these class projects.  If you live locally (here in Minot, North Dakota) I hope you can attend.  

There will also be tables set up for those who just want to come & do their own projects, but please RSVP so I can hold a spot for you.

****If I get enough interest I will also offer these projects on Saturday, December 5th here at my home. 

1.  The first one is very special to me - I call it Pat's Advent Envelope book. 

 

This is just like the book I received from my friend Pat last year for Christmas.  It had a little gift tucked inside each envelope - for 25 days I could open a fun little surprise!  Very, very special - I looked forward to seeing just what she put in each envelope.  I didn't cheat ... really, not once!

When empty the book is fairly thin, about 3 inches - but with 25 gifts inside it can be pretty darn fat!  The accordian binding makes this possible.  I plan to tuck gift cards, packs of gum, chocolate of course!, greeting cards, special photos, cocoa & tea bags, & more.  It will be a blast to fill!

I think this is such a special way to show someone you care. 

This class costs $12 & will be offered at 10 am.  Space is limited so sign up ASAP!

2.  Name Frames!

 

This frame has a Holiday theme, but I think it'll be fun to have you create your own with colors you prefer.  I will have lots of assorted Designer paper & ribbons available to personalize your frame.  I also will have sheets of wood veneer - think of how amazing these letters would look done in beautiful wood tones!

Or how about last names, baby/kids names, or a 'Welcome' like the one I did for a friend here:

 

The Name Frame class is also limited to the # of frames I have already purchased. 

Class is at 11 am & costs $12.  

3.  A unique Pop-up Tree in a box!

 

You can add photos on the squares for a treasured keepsake. It's quite large - about 6" square. 

 

This class is $10 & there will be an assortment of Christmas papers for you to pick from to personalize your own Pop-up Tree in a Box. 

This class is scheduled at 1 pm on the 14th.

4.  Memo Board

The final item is a memo board I did as a swap for the Bermuda Cruise.  I think this would make a perfect gift for anyone - young or old.  It's cute & useful!  It's quite easy & once you make one, you'll want to create more.

   

It's about 12" square & can hang from a hook or you could leave the ribbon off & place magnets on the back to put on your fridge.  

This project class is at 2 pm & costs $12.  It includes everything you see here - the tear-off calendar, notepad & pen & the cork board with clear marble stick pins. 

It's adorable if I do say so myself!

For those that prefer die-cut letters, we now have that option for the title too!

To RSVP for any of these projects, please send payment to me by November 6th to reserve your spot, indicating which projects you plan to make.

Remember these projects are limited to supplies on hand, so get back to me quickly to save one for yourself.

 

Punch Art Pumpkins ala Scallops

Here are a few cute pumpkins you could make for centerpieces or even place-cards for the Thanksgiving table.

The smaller two are made with SU scallop punches - the scallop circle on the right & the scallop oval in the front.  The larger one in the back is made with the Sizzix Scallop Circle #2 die & the Big Shot.

I used Pumpkin Pie card stock - 12 scallop oval punches, 8 scallop circle punches & 14 large scallop die cuts for these.  Sponge the edges with Pumpkin Pie or Really Rust ink before assembling.

Just score them in half & adhere together back to back continuing until you get enough fullness.  Leave the last two ends open to add the cinnamon stick in the middle for the stem.  I used my Tombow mono-multi glue to adhere it.  Glue dots or sticky strip would also work.  I was surprised how easy it is to break a cinnamon stick to the length you need. 

I then used my Swirly Sizzlits Decorative Strip die to cut some Old Olive 'vines' for the top & also some for the bottom of each.  

To see all of my Punch Art, click here!

Big Shot Boo Bag

Here's a cute little candy/treat bag you could make for those special 'monsters' you know.

 

We made this at Big Shot Class last weekend.

You need two Top Notes cut from Pumpkin card stock & a small paper bag. 

I textured the Top Notes with my SU backgrounds texturz plates.

Don't you just love the striped grosgrain ribbon?  It's the perfect touch on it.

 

Here's a side view.

Stamps - Pumpkin Patch, Lovely Letters, Grateful Greetings

Card stock - Pumpkin Pie, White, Black

Ink - Black, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive

Accessories - 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" circle punches, small & large tag punches, small oval punch, dimensionals, wide black striped grosgrain ribbon, hemp twine, Serif Essentials alphabet, Big Shot, Top Note die, paper bag - approx. 4" wide.

Here's the back view. 

To put this together, cut down your paper bag to about 2 1/2" tall.  Add adhesive to one entire side of your paper page & center the Top Note on that.  Turn this over & add the second Top Note.  Open it up & punch the oval punch through one side.  Close it up & punch the second oval through the hole of the first one - easy centering. 

Boo Hanger

We made this for my downline meeting last weekend. I cased it directly from my friend Barb Mulikan here.

We used the Big Shot & SU Scallop square die along with thin cardboard for backing.  I like to adhere my card board to the card stock before I cut it out.  My favorite adhesive for this is glue stick.

The letters are cut from Black card stock using the Serif Essentials alphabet dies.  I stamped a few little extras in & around my letters too. 

Card stock - Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Black

Ink - Black

Stamps - Pumpkin Patch, Twick or Tweet

Accessories - Serif Essentials alphabet, SU Scallop square dies, Black, Olive & Pumpkin striped grosgrain ribbon, Pumpkin corduroy buttons, Black gingham ribbon, mini glue dots, Ribbon Originals Orchard for rick-rack, glue stick, sticky strip for adhering the squares to the ribbon. 

I altered the reverse side for Christmas - I'll show you that next week!   

Christmas Tags Box Tutorial

Here is the promised tutorial for this fun little box!  If you're looking at this in Reader, you may want to click on the title - Reader skews the photos & instructions quite a bit! 

You'll need an 8 X 8" square of card stock.  I used Soft Suede.

Score it at 1", 2", 6" & 7".  Turn one quarter & repeat.  Do this on all 4 sides.

Cut off the  corners on each side as shown.  Cut into the small square flap as indicated. 

Fold well on all creases inwards.

 

Cut a sliver off the small square inside flap at an angle so it folds together well without binding at the corners. Add adhesive to the outside flaps & fold in to secure.

  

Cut one piece of 3" x 3-15/16" card stock and score at 1/2", 1-1/2", and 2-1/2" lengthwise.  Fold like shown here.  

This is the view with it flipped over from the above view.  Add adhesive to the inside valley fold to close the fold.

 

Cut two 1-7/8" x 5-7/8" pieces of card stock & place at top fence of your scoring tool.  On the 1/16th mark (midway between the 0 and 1/8") at the left side, and score at 2", 3", and 4".

Repeat with second piece of card stock.

Add adhesive to the valley fold of each piece to close the fold like the bottom one showing. The bottom one is glued.

 

Now add adhesive to the long flat edges of the long piece & adhere the two narrow pieces to it to form the box as shown below.  The left side already has one piece attached.

For the transparent lid, cut a piece of acetate or transparency measuring  4 1/16" x 11".

Score on the long side at 2-1/2", 3-1/2", 7-1/2", and 8-1/2".  Fold & adhere using double sided tape, sticky strip or mini glue dots.

Here's how I decorated mine.  I used the wide stitched Red ribbon along with the Soft Suede polka dot ribbon. 

The top bow is a separate piece from the wrap on the lid.

Thanks for stopping by!

Catty Cruise Sails Again!

Welcome board the Catty Cruise!  We've got 11 amazing ports of call with incredible treasures from the new Holiday Mini catalog for you to oogle!

You may have just arrived from Linda's blog where she shared her fabulous scrapbook pages & video! using the new My Digital Studio which will be available on October 1st.  Or maybe you're just starting the cruise.  There's no beginning or end - just come on board & sail away on our Holiday cruise!

I'm featuring the stamp set Delightful Decorations along with the coordinating punch & even more!

This 12 X 12 scrapbook page was easily created with the Delightful Decorations stamp set & punch.  Click on the photo to see it in more detail.  I placed it into a 12" shadow box frame - what a great way to showcase your scrapbook pages!  These are my three children a few years ago - one of my favorite photos of them.

I used the Christmas Cocoa Specialty & a little bit of Holiday Lounge Designer Series paper too. 

The black Peace & Joy is an SU decorative strip die cut, the large snowflake is our new snowflake punch.  There are also a few snowflake rub-ons from the Icicle rub-ons in the Holiday Mini catalog. I used the SU Punch Windows die to layer the Modern Window punch for the Merry Christmas tags.

And check out the box of Christmas tags using the same set - Delightful Decorations along with Sweet Season from the current catalog. 

****I will post a tutorial for this box on Monday, the 28th, so come on back!

Aren't the colors great together? The new In Color, Soft Suede, White & Real Red.  This would make an awesome gift!

I used markers, gold thread, ribbons & a few punches to create these. 

These are really fun & easy to make - no thinking, just coloring & punching!  And it didn't take that long either.  Now I'll be ready to wrap & decorate those gifts come December. 

And last is an elegant Christmas card made with the Delightful Decorations stamp set again. 

I inked the ornament stamp in Versamark ink & stamped onto Rich Razzleberry card stock & embossed with Silver embossing powder.  Punched it out with the coordinating punch & then layered it onto a piece of Long board chipboard cut out with the ornament Mover's & Shapers die.  I sponged the edge with the Platinum Shimmer paint to match the front.  This piece could easily be removed so the ornament can be used as a gift too!

I also doodled with the Platinum Shimmer paint with a fine paint brush on the edge of the black card stock square. The circles on the bottom are punched from our Groom specialty paper & layered onto the Night & Day specialty paper from the Holiday Mini.   

I clear embossed the French Filigree background stamp on the Rich Razzleberry card base.  

Now be sure to keep cruisin' & join Brooke with her amazing fall projects featuring the Pumpkin Patch set & the beautiful Autumn Splendor stamp set.  Enjoy!