Flowerbug's Inkspot

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.  

Holiday Lounge

I knew I loved this pack of Designer Series Paper when it first came out, but I'm realizing that anything I do with it turns out beautiful.  This is another card we did at a few of my last workshops. 

 

I used the Merry & Bright rub-ons on the Taken with Teal ornament.  So fun & easy - I love how the rub-ons match the punch so perfectly.  Hint - apply the rub on before punching the ornament.  Get easy placement by turning the punch upside down & looking through the punch to get it perfect.

The Ruby Red ornament was done by first running a piece of card stock through the Big Shot using the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder before punching.  Then we added a few dots with the Signo white gel pen on the flower centers. 

Each ornament was popped up with dimensionals & a string of gold elastic cord was wrapped over the edge of the triple DSP layered piece & held in place with mini glue dots. 

The three 1 1/4" X 3 1/3" strips of DSP are layerd onto a piece of Kraft CS measuring 3 1/2" X 4".  

Here's how we did the inside.  

 

We cut out a Top Note with the Big Shot & applied Gold Encore ink with either sponges or used the edge of the ink pad directly onto it.  We also inked the greeting in Gold Encore ink & embossed the whole thing with Iridescent Ice EP (My favorite embossing powder for the holidays!).  It's a beautiful soft sparkly gold when finished - the photo doesn't do it justice at all! 

And then finished it off with a few of the Serene Snowflakes stamped in Taken with Teal.

 

Turkey Day Punch Art Scrapbook Layout

I haven't been using my punch art on my Scrapbook pages!  Why haven't I??  No clue!

I thought it was high time to include some!

 

One of my Clubs meets in December & this is what we'll be doing.  Of course I have no photos to put on their 'yet'.  But I plan to add at least 5 or more - 2 on the left page & three on the right top.  This layout cased from lajeanmuegge here.

I used SU's simple alphabet dies to cut the letters from various fall patterned papers.  But I hope to take enough photos of food on Turkey Day to change them to 'food' letters!  Love the option of die-cutting these letters out of whatever I want to! 

The Jumbo Bright Blessings wheel doesn't show up well here, but it was wheeled in a fall spectrum pad.  Unfortunately we do not sell these anymore, but I always loved them - especially for jumbo wheels. 

The pumpkins are punched from 1" circles, small ovals & wide ovals. 

To make the turkey, you need to punch 1" & a 1 3/8" circles for the body.  For the feathers, I used the small oval punch in Ruby Red, More Mustard, Really Rust & Chocolate Chip.  The feet & beak are Mustard - feet - Boho Blossoms punch; beak - 5 Petal Flower punch trimmed a bit narrow.  His 'waddle' was done with the scallop circle punch - how? - see this post for an example.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! 

Mover's & Shapers double tutorial

Remember this card?  I received one like it in a Founders Circle swap from Kim Cagle.

 

It caught me off guard when I first saw it, & I know others have wondered just how it's done, so I'll show you how you can make this card. 

 

This is a template my friend & downline Jane thought of to make it easy for people to get it perfect every time.  We traced the opening in the punched card where the Mover & Shaper die should be placed & outlined it for placement of the wood die.  Remember these dies are magnetized so they stay exactly as placed in the Curly Label Bigz XL die.

 

Run your card stock through the first time with the die in this place - it doesn't really matter which one is first - upper or lower.  It's just how I did it.  

By the way, I pre-cut my cards into 4 1/4 X 11" before I run them through this die.  You do not really need to use a 12 X 6" CS for this die. If you press one end of the 4 1/4 X 11" card stock slightly into the open end of this large die, it stays put & you'll have a perfect sized card of the same shape when done.  If it's not placed just so inside the die cutting lines, it can cut off a sliver of CS making the end card uneven.  If that does happen, I just trim it to even the edges.

 

Here is the end result of the die cutting we did.  You can choose to use the embossing folder before or after you cut out the ornaments.  You just need to figure out which way is 'up' on the embossing folder - so you get the raised edge on the correct side.

 

Here's a photo of the inside again.  Remember that after you have your two ornament shapes cut out of the card front, you just stamp & punch out two ornaments & place them over & through the open holes on front of the closed card.  We popped up the second, top ornament. 

Stamp sets - Delightful Ornaments, Patterned Pines (corner stamp), All Holidays

Card stock - Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink - Old Olive, Real Red, Versamark

Accessories - Curly Label Bigz XL die, Big Shot, Movers & Shapers Holiday Windows, Ornament punch, White EP, heat gun, narrow red Grosgrain ribbon, Olive & Real Red markers, Elegant Bouquet embossing folder, dimensionals

Holiday Extravaganze SALE!

And here it is!  The end of the year sale we've been waiting for!  It lasts through November 30th - just 1 week.  Check it out here!

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/CategoryPage.aspx?categoryID=461

There are some wonderful deals - up to 50% off!  Be sure to check them all out!  Punches, stamp sets, brads, buttons, card making & scrap-booking bundles & even decor elements.  And if you are still adding to your punch collection & do not have the scallop square, scallop edge, Full Heart or Heart to Heart punches, get them now for just $11.17. 

I'm offering a Corduroy Button share this week for my local customers.  Get 4 buttons of each type in each color - that's 12 buttons of Chocolate Chip, 12 of Kraft, etc, etc for Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun & Basic Gray - that's 60 of our exclusive buttons for just $12.44!!  Amazing - that's 50% off the catalog price!  

Please contact me today if you want in on this incredible deal.

At this price, you can also just get them all for just $24.87! 

And while you're shopping, be sure to check out the clearance rack - deals up to 80% off there too!

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And here's something that includes local & long distance customers.....  I will be giving away a choice of either 'Snow Buddies' or 'Patterned Pines' stamp set in November.  For each order you place of $40 or more, you'll be entered in the drawing.  This includes any customer or personal order for anyone & everyone!  I'll draw a name on December 1st.  So if you've been coveting either of these sets, here's your chance!

FREE CLASS!!!   And for each $40 order this week, you also get a choice of any of my on-line classes found on the top right corner of my blog.  Just send me an e-mail to lagreff@gmail.com with your choice. 

It looks like the choices towards the top are the 50% off ones.....  

Item	Description	Regular Price	Discounted Price
120280	Framed with Love Bundle Framed with Love stamp set Full Heart punch	$43.90	$21.95
120281	Thank You Kindly Bundle Thank You Kindly stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120282	Animal Crackers Bundle Animal Crackers stamp set Star Designer brads	$25.90	$12.95
120283	Corduroy Button Bundle Kraft Corduroy buttons Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons Summer Sun Corduroy buttons Basic Gray Corduroy buttons Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$49.75	$24.88
120284	Game Night Bundle Card Games stamp set Game Night stamp set	$40.90	$20.45
120285	Four Square Bundle Four Square stamp set Scallop Square punch	$30.90	$15.45
120286	Heart to Heart Bundle Love You Much stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120287	Chipboard Letter Bundle On Board Timeless Type On Board Loads of Letters	$25.90	$12.95
120288	Double-Stitched Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon Rose Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	$17.90	$10.74
120289	Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle* Best Wishes & More stamp set Eight Great Greetings stamp set On a Pedestal stamp set Earth Elements Stampin' Spots Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Flower Designer brads	$127.70	$76.62
120290	Build-A-Brad Bundle Calendar Alphabet stamp set Pewter Build-A-Brad Antique Brass Build-A-Brad	$40.85	$24.51
120291	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle Enjoy Every Moment stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120292	Cheep Talk Bundle Cheep Talk stamp set Note cards Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons	$42.85	$25.71
120293	Sock Monkey Bundle Sock Monkey stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120294	Alphabet Bundle Jayne's Type Alphabet stamp set Lovely Letters stamp set	$87.90	$52.74
120295	Simply Said Bundle Simply Said stamp set Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120296	On Board Bundle On Board So Tweet On Board Batch of Blooms On Board Essentials	$42.85	$25.71
120927	Christmas Décor Bundle #1 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Kraft, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120298	Christmas Décor Bundle #2 Holly Beary Wreath Décor Elements (Chocolate, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120299	Christmas Décor Bundle #3 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Old Olive, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120300	For All You Do Bundle For All You Do stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120301	Striped Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pumpkin Pie 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon So Saffron 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Real Red 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$47.73	$33.41
120302	Bling Bundle Sticky Pages Sticky Cuts Sweet Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter	$43.80	$30.66
120303	Fresh-Cut Bundle Fresh Cuts stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120304	Pendant Note Bundle Pendant Park stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120305	Sporting Bundle #1 Large Night of Navy Sporting Décor Elements Night of Navy Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120306	Sporting Bundle #2 Large Chocolate Sporting Décor Elements Chocolate Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120307	Sporting Bundle #3 Large Black Sporting Décor Elements Black Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
114864	Ginormous Flowers I Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114863	Ginormous Flowers II Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
112534	5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$7.95	$5.57
112533	5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$6.95	$4.87
112081	Scallop Square punch	$15.95	$11.17
113693	Full Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
113694	Heart to Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
112091	Scallop Edge punch	$15.95	$11.17
112571	Circle Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112579	Flower Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112572	Star Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
114785	Small Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114786	Medium Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$69.95	$48.97
114791	Small Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114792	Medium Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$64.95	$45.47

  *This bundle is only available while supplies last.

* The empty boxes had French or Spanish choices - I eliminated them to make this post a bit shorter.  To see them, click on the link at the top! 

November Card Club - Easel Card Tutorial

Here are the cards we did this month at my Card Clubs:

 

These are similar to one I received in the Founder's Circle swap from Beth Ann Wilson.  Click on the photo for a clearer view. 

The snow globes are made with the Snowfall printed window sheets in the Holiday mini catalog.  They were cut out using the largest circle on the Circles #2 die & the Big Shot. We sponged the edge with white Stazon ink.  Club members chose either a penguin or a snowman & also had a choice of sentiments.  The black base is also one of the circles in the Circles #2 die - the second largest one.

The red background CS is textured using the Perfect Details SU texturz plate & spritzed with Shimmer Spray - 2 oz of rubbing alcohol with 1/2 tsp of Champagne shimmer paint.

The penguin is from Punch Pals & the snowman is from Snow Buddies in the Holiday mini catalog.   

Aren't they just too cute?

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I got the idea for this next card from Sandi MacIver here.  Check out her blog - she does incredible projects!

I changed it up a little by making aged paper for the background pieces instead of using Designer Series paper like she did. 

 

The left card is open; the right set up into an easel. It folds flat for sending. It's 4 1/4" square when finished so it fits into a regular A2 envelope.

I love this easy, fun fold!  Here's what you need: 

 

The main card is cut at 4 1/4" X 8 1/2" from Chocolate Chip CS.  Score this piece at 2" & 4 1/4". 

You'll need one more piece of the same color of card stock (Choc Chip) cut into a 4 1/4" square.

For layering, you need two pieces cut at 4" square.  These are adhered to the 4 1/4" areas - one on the folded card & 1 on the 4 1/4" piece. 

Our 4 X 4" squares are Creamy Caramel.  We used the Direct to Paper technique to give both the Creamy Caramel & a piece of Vanilla card stock a beautiful golden 'aged' look.  The Vanilla was for the clock & sentiments.  To do this just rub your Classic ink pad directly over the card stock in a circular motion like you're washing it.  We used Creamy Caramel & Close to Cocoa.  Hint:  Be sure to keep your Vanilla piece lighter than the Caramel one.  And if your ink pads are well inked, you need to use a very light hand so the card stock doesn't get too dark.  Otherwise you won't see the clock well. 

Then onto this aged Vanilla paper we stamped the Clock & sentiments using Chocolate Chip Craft ink & embossed it with clear embossing powder.  The 'second hand' part of the clock was stamped once more; embossed, cut out & popped up on dimensionals over the main clock. 

You attach the 4 1/4" square onto the 2" area of the folded main card to get the easel effect.  You need to attach something raised on the bottom area to keep it in place.  We used a sentiment up on dimensionals, but a button or other embellishment would also work.

Stamps - Sense of Time

Ink - Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip Craft ink

Card stock - Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel

Accessories - Clear EP, heat gun, Vintage brads, narrow Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

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! 

Andy's Punch Art Elf

Credit has to be given to my husband for this one.  I wasn't feeling any 'punchin' mojo' last night & asked him for a little help.  I mentioned some people have made elves out of our Ornament punch & pulled out some punches & card stock.  Then my son called me to watch a music performance of his on video & I left for a bit - well awhile really!  When I came back & this is what he came up with. 

Well, to be honest, I tweaked the hat & ears a bit - but most of the credit goes to him - isn't he great?   If the photo is a bit blurry, click on it for a clearer look. 

Here are the punches we used:

Butterfly punch - vest, Ornament - head & hat, Scallop square & circle - hair, 5 petal punch - ears, large Tag punch - shirt, Heart to Heart punch - hands & arms, slit punch - smile! with Red CS behind it, eyes - 1/8" hand held punch with green card stock behind them, wide Oval - word bubble. 

Card stock - Real Red, Glorious Green, Chocolate Chip, Blush Blossom, White - show, Bashful Blue - main card

Stamps - Cold & Cuddly, Punch Pals, Christmas Punch

Accessories - 2-way glue, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, markers, sponges, narrow red grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

 

Oops, do you see a dimensional backing in this photo? ... ignore that please!

Thanks for looking!