Flowerbug's Inkspot

2 Days Left!

Heads up!! 

There are just 2 days left of both of these amazing offers from Stampin' Up!

1.  Join Stampin' Up! for the amazing price of just $87.50!  That's half price!!  If you've ever considered it, I would think seriously about doing it now.  I doubt a better offer will come again soon. 

• Earn additional income while sharing creativity.
• Make new and lasting friendships.
• Enjoy access to nearly unlimited creative ideas.
• Receive a free subscription to our exclusive monthly magazine.
• Receive free two-month subscription to your own business website.
• Opportunity to earn free products and incentive trips.
• Remember you can customize your kit - choose stamp sets & ink pads you really want! 
  

Both the Standard Starter kit and the Digital Starter kit are available at this amazing price! The standard kit includes a variety of paper crafting products, and the Digital + Kit is a great option to showcase both traditional crafting products and our exciting digital design software, My Digital Studio.

Join here!

***Click on the 'Start your own Business' in the upper right corner.  When you are signing up, my password is my name - LeeAnnGreff

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2.  Online Spectacular - it's the annual & incredible sale SU puts on at this time of year.  Can you say 50% off??  Yes, there are products anywhere from 20 - 50% off.  Check them out here at my Online Store.

Plus there is Free Shipping for all orders over $150! 

Here are some of my favorite deals:

• My Digital Studio - 50% off!!!!! 
  
• Fire & Ice Rhinestone brads - 3 packs at 40% off
• 4 spools of Navy, Pink, Celery & Pumpkin Pie Striped ribbon at 40% off
• Matchbox Die - 30% off - one of my very favorite dies!
• Scallop Trim punch - 30% off at just $11.71
• FYI Bundle - an assortment of elegant note cards with the stamp set at 30% off
• Hodgepodge hardware in both finishes at 30% off

Don't wait!  Remember that both of these offers end on Tuesday!!! 

 

Gift Buffet coming up!

I usually offer this every year - a chance for my local customers to make a few special, hand-made gifts for their family & friends. I call it a Gift Buffet because you can choose which items & how many you want to make of each.  

Here's what's on the menu this year:

These Tri-Fold desk calendars are a perfect gift for anyone, don't you think?  I have a limited number of these calendars so if you'd like to make one let me know ASAP.  The cost for each completed Tri-fold calendar is a steal at just $4.00.

***See this post for directions to make these easy calendars.  

This class is Free!  If you order the Simply Adorned Bundle from me by December 3rd, it'll be here in time for the class.  It's just $39.88 for the charm, the chain & the Charming stamp set.  You'll make 10 beautiful inserts for the charm.  I had so much fun making these!  Who knew making these beauties would be so fun!?

What a great gift for someone special.  They'll get the necklace & inserts & you can keep the stamp set!   

It's a beautiful card box you decorate & fill with 4 easy All Occasion cards with envelopes like these.

The boxes I've had on hand - I got these as die-cuts years ago.  Sorry - no template to share with you. 

This is a great gift for those who have everything.  Add a few postage stamps to complete it. It's just $8.00 for all of this! 

The date for all of these projects is Wednesday, December 15th at either 3 pm or 6 pm.

RSVP as soon as you can to get a spot.   

Candy Cane Christmas cards

Remember the 10 cards I did with the Holly & Jolly rub-ons?

Grab the free pdf to create your own here. 

Well I made another bunch of cards using the Candy Cane Christmas rub-ons & specialty Designer series paper.  I do not have a pdf for these, but with a close view I think you can case them pretty easily.

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! has just announced that the Candy Cane Christmas specialty designer paper is almost out of stock & they are unable to obtain more.  So if you want any of this fabulous paper, order it ASAP.  Contact me or visit my online store here. 

Basically I used 1 1/2 - 2" strips of various sheets of the Candy Cane Christmas DSP on the top or left side of each card & added a scalloped border in contrasting card stock.  Then I added some of the rub-ons directly to the folded card fronts.  A few of them are placed on scraps of card stock first & punched out & adhered with dimensionals.

Not a single stamp was used - no ink either! 

I used Real Red, Baja Breeze & Blushing Bride card stock.  I added some Real Red 3/8" taffeta ribbon on most of these cards. 

Punches - Scallop border punch, Ornament, 2 2/3" scallop circle, 1 3/4" scallop circle, 2 1/2" circle, Full Heart

Other supplies - Dimensionals, mini glue dots,

I have really enjoyed using these rub-ons.  The way the colors pop on card stock is awesome!  It looks like patterned paper. 

 

 

Punch Art Snowman Patty

Combine a few flat snowmen with Mint patties & you get an adorable treat!

 
See?  Aren't they just the cutest?? 

We'll be making these as part of my Mommy& Me class on Saturday, December 11th. If you're local & want to attend, call or e-mail me! Spots are limited. 

 
Here's the recipe:

1. Punch three different sized circles from White card stock - 1", 1 3/4" & 2 1/2" in size.  Sponge the edges with Bashful Blue ink if desired.  Add two black brads to the smallest circle for eyes.  Attach the circles on top of each other using dimensionals.
2. Punch a few 'arms' from Soft Suede card stock using the snowflake punch.  Attach them to the center circle.  Add a ribbon scarf.
3. Hand cut an orange nose.
4. The hat was made with the Cupcake punch.... yes I know!  It's now available yet for most people.  But it's coming in January with the Occasions mini catalog.  For now, just cut a Black square about 3/4" in size & a small rectangle wider than your square to create your own hat.
   
5. To sandwich the mint pattie, I just used one more 2 1/2" White circle for the back/bottom.  

I received quite a few e-mails from people wondering how I layered the Modern Label punch on this card.  (Details here.)

There is a die in the Movers & Shapers that layers the Modern Label punch perfectly, but if you do not have it, you can do it this way:

Punch two Modern Label pieces & cut them in half - one vertically & the other horizontally.  Then, position them just a bit beyond your stamped, punched Modern Label piece.  

 

I hope that makes sense to you!  I like to layer many of my punched tags this way.  Basically you're cutting them in half & spreading out the pieces.

Thanks for stopping in for this week's punch art! 

 

Spectactular Sale

It's here - the sale we've been waiting for.  The past few years Stampin' Up! has had a fabulous sale over Thanksgiving week.  And this year is no exception!

There is even free shipping on any online orders over $150.  Gather a friend or two & place your order to get the free shipping plus hostess benefits.  You can order anything from any of the other catalogs along with these discounts.  That includes the Holiday Bundles seen here.

Check out the entire list of products here. 

This sale runs from November 22nd - the 30th.

Click on each of the photos below to go directly to my online ordering page.  You'll see photos & prices of all of the discounted items.  Be sure to see all of them - some are 3 pages long!

   

  

 

There's something for everyone!  Stamp sets, lots of sizzix dies, rhinestone brads, Hodgepodge hardware, Ribbon, Decor Elements, Digital Downloads, Designer papers & lots more.

And how about I sweeten the deal a bit? 

All online orders over $50 from now through November 30th  will get an entry in the drawing for these two stamp sets:

First pick will choose between the Level 2 Peaceful Season above & Level 3 Occasional Quotes below.  Second person will receive the other set.  Long distance customers will receive their set shipped to them free.

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And don't forget about the Amazing Deal where you can join Stampin' Up! for just half price from now through November 30th.  You get over $310 of crafting & business supplies for just $87.50!!!!  

Shelly just announced that they met their goal of getting 10,000 new Stampin' Up! demonstrators during 2010.  Honestly you will love being a part of Stampin' Up!

Contact me to join or to ask any questions you may have about joining.  Or just click here to enter my web site.  Go to the upper right corner & click on the 'Start Your Own Business' button. 

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Easy Gift Card

We made this card at a recent workshop I had.  It's one of the easiest gift card ideas ever!                        

All you need is 3 Top Note die-cuts.  Cut one of them in half & adhere it to the bottom of one of the Top Note pieces - just adhering on the very outside edge only. 

We ran the top one through the Big Shot using the Northern Flurry embossing folder.  Add a brad in the upper corner so it twists open. 

A cute & simple project.  You could use patterned paper for the inside pocket instead of a layer of card stock.

This is a great project to mass produce for all of those gift cards you may need.  

• Stamps - Dasher, Four the Holidays, Sweet Seasons
• Ink - Early Espresso
• Card stock - Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Marina Mist
• Accessories - corner rounder, Top Note die, Big Shot, Northern Flurry embossing folder, 5/16" Neutral brads, Mat pack, paper piercing tool, Tombo multi-purpose adhesive 
  

Christmas with the Freaks

Welcome to the monthly 'Tour de Freaks' blog tour! 

This month we're featuring Christmas gifts & snow themed projects! 

The tour will take you in a complete circle so you may have just arrived from seeing the great projects on Jen's blog.

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This card is one we made at my Card Clubs in November.  The combination of Soft Suede with Very Vanilla is so very rich & beautiful. 

Can you see the sparkle?  It's one of my very favorite techniques for Christmas cards.  

I stamped the greeting & snowflakes in Soft Suede Classic ink on the Very Vanilla card stock.  Then press your Versamark inkpad directly onto the stamped card stock covering it completely with Versamark ink.  Sprinkle the whole piece with Iridescent Ice embossing powder & heat emboss.  You get beautifully glittered card stock with glitter that does not come off on your hands!  

The ruffled ribbon is created by adhering a strip of Sticky Strip adhesive on the left side of the card & pressing & gathering the ribbon onto it a little bit at a time.  I advise you to give it a little twist as you are pressing so the ribbon has that 'vintage' look. 

Notice the half back pearls & Vintage brads?  They add the perfect finishing touch to this vintage Christmas card. 

Here's a project we made at last month's Big Shot class:

I cut out two Box #2 die-cuts from Real Red card stock.  I cut off the two tabs shown here:

Fold the box together but do not fold down the top box lid.  Punch out one 1 3/8" circle punch from the middle of that lid. 

Adhere both boxes back to back so the lid/covers are adhered together. 

Use the first circle punch as a guide to punch another through the second box cover.  Now you have your basic double pocket box. I punched out two 1 3/8" circles from a scrap of Baja Breeze card stock & then punched a 1 3/4" scallop circle around each of those punched holes.  This gives you two scallop frames for both sides of the handle. 

I used a strip of Candy Lane designer series paper to wrap around both boxes.  This covers the seam where you joined the boxes together.  You need one 12" strip plus about another 2" of designer series paper to wrap  around them.

Then use a scallop edge punch on a strip of Whisper White card stock & adhere that to the top edge. 

For the Happy Holidays tag I adhered a short piece of clear Tinsel trim behind it & adhered it with a few dimensionals.  I love this effect! 

The snowflakes are from the new Decorative Strip Northern Frost.  These snowflakes are beautifully intricate.  I use a paper piercing tool to poke out the little center pieces & added a few rhinestone jewels to the centers.

Here's what the box looks like filled with Chocolate candy:

And lastly I put together a Christmas house for you.

It may look like a lot of work, but it sure wasn't.  It took me a little more than an hour to make.  Honest!

If you start out with the 'Design-a-House' from the Holiday Mini catalog (pg 37 US) it's easy.  And I love the fact that I could leave most of it white, just out of the package.  And check out the cute little door knob - it comes with the house too!  And also included are the templates to cover each piece if you'd like to. I just covered the roof, door & chimney.

• Stamps - Four the Holidays
• Ink - Chocolate Chip
• Card stock - Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Basic Black, Whisper White, Crumb Cake
• Punches - Boho Blossoms - small & large wreath, Scallop trim punch - shutters, Scallop oval - window awnings & Santa's coat, small oval & Ornament punch - Santa's shoes, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack
• Other - Design a House, Clear tinsel trim, mini glue dots, Tombo multi-purpose adhesive, gold brads, Red taffeta ribbon, Fine Galaxy glitter, two-way glue, dimensionals  

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And now you're off to see what uniquely fabulous projects Jan Tink has for you. 

November's Technique Class

This is my last Technique Class of the year.  Most people are busy with the Holidays so I usually take December off to get a little down-time myself.  I have some great ideas coming up in January though. 

Here they are.  I especially love the great color combinations on these cards.

1st up is Debossing with an embossing folder. 

These colors are Cherry Cobbler, Blushing Bride & Soft Suede.

And this is 'Twisted Kissing'.  Fun name isn't it?  You need a very solid rubber stamp for this technique.  And you get a different look each time!

This is Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray with Black & White.

And the background on this card is called 'Distressed Stripes'. 

I think these colors are very striking.  It's Bravo Burgundy, Baja Breeze with River Rock (ink only) & Vanilla.  I got the unique combination from our new Color Coach.

Local Class is on Monday, Nov 29th at 6:30 pm & Tuesday, Nov 30th at either 3 pm or 5:15 pm.  Cost is $10 pre-paid.

If you'd like the Tutorial for each of these techniques you can get them e-mailed to you for just $4.  It includes step-by-step directions with measurements, supplies list & photos for all three techniques.  Plus I include the template to print out the quarter sized technique sample cards like these.

If you'd like to see all of the many months of Techniques I have done, click here

Or if you'd like to order lots of them you can get 2 months free when you order 12 at a time.

Click here to see all three technique bundles. 

Punch Art Snowman

This is what we made at my Card Clubs in November!

Isn't his face just the sweetest?  It's the smile that does it for me.  Love his little heart cheeks!  His face is cased from Debbie Henderson.

We used a portion of the wide oval punch to trace his smile.  

Here's the punched pieces we used:

 

• Hat - Large tag punch - corners rounded if desired
• Hat brim - Word Window punch
• Hat trim - Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch - cut in half
  
• Face - Wide oval punch
• Belly - 2 1/2" circle punch
• Hands - 3/4" circle punch
• Nose - hand cut
• Eyes - Owl Punch
• Cheeks - Owl punch
• Smile - traced the end of the wide oval punch - that's the Pumpkin half oval piece you see above

Details:

• Stamps - Season of Joy
• Ink - Whisper White &  Bashful Blue - sponging, Real Red
• Card stock - Black, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie
• Accessories - sponges, punches - see above, Northern Flurry embossing folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Modern Label punch for his sign, 2-way glue, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, white gel pen for the eyes, Black marker for smile
  

And here is another version with a top hat (the corners on the tag punch aren't rounded).  And I sponged the edges of each of the snowman's parts with Bashful Blue ink. 

Thanks for stopping by for this week's punch art!