Simply Cute Sale-A-Bration Send Off!

Wow!  I can't believe it's been 2 months since I last posted!  It's not for the lack of projects to share... Since tomorrow (March 31) is the last day of Sale-A-Bration, I thought I'd share a couple super simple & cute (if I do say so myself) projects that use the Punch Bunch stamp set that you could get for FREE when placing an order of $50 (before shipping & tax). 

First is this magnetic bookmark:

The base of the bookmark was made using the Two Tags Bigz Die (with the Big Shot).  I folded a 2" x 8 1/2" piece of River Rock card stock in half and set it on the die so that the fold was just inside the cut/stitch lines on the top.  The stamp was inked using our Stampin' Write Markers and then punched out using the 1 3/8" circle punch, layered on a 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch.  The magic of this bookmark is created with two strips of magnet attached on the inside of each flap.  This would be a great use for those promotional magnetic business cards you probably have cluttering your fridge or stuffed in the back of your junk drawer.  Just cut them into 3/4" strips and use a good strong glue (Sticky Strip or Multipurpose Adhesive) to attach them to the bookmark,.  If you don't have any scrap magnets laying around to recycle, Stampin' Up! does sell Magnet Sheets (Item 119816/Pkg of 3 sheets, 6" x 13") for $9.95.  That would make A LOT of bookmarks!

The other project I'm going to share with you may look vaguely familiar.  I've reused the mini post-it note cover idea that I blogged about last year--click HERE to see that post, which includes the directions. 

I found the size of this cute little post-it note cover is the perfect size for the 2-Step Owl Punch...

AND, the Punch Bunch stamp set has this cute little coordinating owl stamp!  The glittery heart was punched out using the little heart on the 2-Step Owl Punch and the Glimmer Paper (Item# 121790/2 sheets 12" x 12").  It gives you all the sparkle, but none of the mess of using glue and glitter! 

Wondering what the inside looks like?  Here you go:

If you'd like to get some FREE STAMPS OR ACCESSORIES during Sale-A-Bration, click HERE and start shopping!  For every $50 you spend, you get to choose one item!  There's no limit!

Tomorrow is also the last day you can take advantage of the awesome special on the Demonstrator Starter Kit--15% off the starter kit price and a special $50 bundle!  Click HERE for the details. There is also an additional incentive for the next person to sign up under me, you will also receive a stamp set from the upcoming Summer Mini Catalog before it goes live (May 1)!  You can sign up directly through my website.  Just click on the JOIN NOW link and fill out the paper-less paperwork. 

Feel free to call or email me if you have any questions or would like to chat about becoming a demo!  My contact information is on my website.

Happy Stampin!
Brenda Bromen

Use What's On Your Table Challenge

So, what does your craft space look like today?  Are your creative juices stewing amongst piles of scraps and various parts and pieces left over from past projects?  Well, I want to share a challenge that my friend, Ellie posted on Facebook today--USE WHAT'S ON YOUR TABLE! 

Here's what I came up with:

I will admit, I had to use something that wasn't on my table when I got up to use the letterpress plate (Heart Pressed) in my Big Shot.  I actually got lucky, because I had started this project yesterday and hit a creative block.  I guess it took committing to someone that I would actually complete something to get over that block. 

The color combo came from a card I saw in the January issue of Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator magazine, Stampin' Success.  One of the awesome perks of being a demo!  I would have never thought to use Marina Mist on a Valentine's card, but I think it really works.

The letterpress plate is new to me.  It's in the Occasions Mini Catalog, along with the Glimmer Paper (that I punched the big heart out of).  For this card, I inked up the letterpress plate with a Versamark Ink Pad, instead of an actual colored ink pad.  This created a more subtle background.

Here's a close-up so you can see the details:

 
   So, now that you've seen one of the projects I came up with by using what's on my table... give it a try for yourself! 

Happy Stampin!
Brenda

'Tis the Season... to get stampin' and become a demo!

Wow, have I been negligent with my blog or what?!  Sorry about that!   To make it up to you, how about I share the projects we made at my recent Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack classes?  Here you go:

I hope these cards inspire you to get started on your own Christmas cards, if you haven't started working on them already.  If you have any questions or would like more details about any of the cards, feel free to ask... either comment on my blog (ALWAYS APPRECIATED) or email me at: bbstampin at yahoo dot com. 

In case you haven't already heard, there's an awesome demonstrator starter kit promotion going on right now (Nov 15-30)--50% off the regular starter kit price!  That's only $87.50 for over $310 worth of stampin' and business supplies!  That is such a great deal, I wish I could sign up again to take advantage of it!  Check out what you get with the Digital+ Starter Kit... just the My Digital Studio software retails for $79.95.  So, for another $7.55 you will also receive 2 wood-mounted stamp sets, a clear-mount stamp set, 2 packs of card stock, 4 Classic ink pads, 2 markers, buttons, ribbon, dimensionals, Stampin' Scrub and Mist, Glue Dots, Snail... SEE WHAT I MEAN?!!!  Here's the flyer:

Or click HERE to go directly to my website for additional details.  If you're ready to take the plunge or have any questions, be sure to contact me before this awesome deal ends on November 30!  Just so you know, signing up is super simple and can be done right on my website!  All you need is my special password to get started!  Call or email me!  My phone number is on my website.

Happy Stampin!

Brenda

Altered Bitty Book Gift

I have been hoarding this chipboard bitty book kit for quite some time now... well before it was put on the retiring accessories list. When my crafty friend's crafty daughter invited me to her tween birthday party, I thought it would be the perfect time to break it out from hoarding hiding and decorate it for someone who will truly appreciate it!

You may have guessed... her name is Kerri. Well, Kerri's favorite color combination is blue and brown, so when I dug through some of my other hoarded stash (of retired scrappin' kits) and found this paper, I knew it would be perfect for Kerri's gift. The K is cut out of a Sticky Sheet, using a Serif Essentials Alphabet die and the Big Shot. I combined some green and blue cosmo fine glitter to create the perfect shade of "greeny blue" to coordinate with the paper, which I believe is Sage Shadow. I left the inside pages (alternating sage shadow & chocolate chip card stock) blank and gave her some stickers from the kit and some coordinating gel pens to decorate them as she'd like.

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An early sign that I had picked the perfect color combination was the fact that Kerri was wearing these exact colors at the party! By the way, it was so fun seeing the reaction from Kerri and all the other girls (including my crafty friend, Genean) when she opened it... sort of a GASP! and jaws dropping. You could say I was doing a happy dance inside. :) Living so far from family (who I normally craft gifts for) I don't usually get to see the reaction when my handcrafted gifts are opened. Definitely makes it worth the time and effort that goes into making them.

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I have to say, since I only have boys (12 & almost 15 years old), it was quite an experience going to a crafty "girl" party. Their final activity of the night was altering Stampin' Up!'s skinny clipboards and they had a blast! They couldn't wait to bring them to school to display in their lockers. As I was helping them with their craft, one of the girls even said "Hey, Ms. Brenda, I need to have you come to my party!"

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I am Happy Stampin! Hope you are too!

Valentine's Projects

Here are some of the project we made at my Valentine Sampler Class last week (you'll notice they are all using the Love You Much stamp set and Candy Lane Designer Series Paper):

Other Supplies: White Taffeta Ribbon, Pillow Box Die, Big Shot, Sticky Strip

Other Supplies: Heart to Heart Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2-Way Glue Pen

Other Supplies: Blender Pen, Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Clear Rhinestone Brad, Stylus

If you've browsed the Spring-Summer 09 idea book & catalog, this heart shaped box might look familiar. A similar one is featured on page 56. For my version, I substituted a different stamp set and colors, but used the same box design and layout.

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When looking for ideas, don't forget that browsing the pages of the IB&C is a great way to find a wealth of creative inspiration and hundreds of project ideas. If you don't have a copy, it's your lucky day! Place an order through my website and you will receive a free copy of the Spring-Summer 09 IB&C... not to mention Sale-A-Bration sets and hostess benefits if your order meets the requirements. There is no minimum purchase requirement to receive your free catalog. This offer is only available while the limited supply of free catalogs last--so be sure to place your order soon!

Happy Stampin!

Bag it and Tag it!

Here's a Bag-A-Lope we made at the Packages & Tags class:

What'a "bag-a-lope" you ask? It's a bag that you make out of an envelope by cutting off one end, scoring it on the other 3 sides (on this bag, we scored 3/4" in from each edge) and puffing it out into a bag. Click here for a basic tutorial.
Here's a close up of the tag. We used Little Felt Flurries & Filigree Brads.


And finally, a gift card tag made with Moose You (which is also retiring... sniff, sniff... I just LOVE this set!):

I got the idea for the layout of this card from my blogger friend Tracy.
And here's a close-up of Rudolph's nose:

Tip: to prevent the ends of the brad from catching on the gift card, I taped over them with a piece of scotch tape.


Thanks for looking! And, as always...

Happy Stampin!

Glittery Letter Card

Since one of the bundles on sale right now has the sticky cut letters and fine cosmo glitter (Sticky Situation Bundle, item 116222), I thought I'd share a card I made awhile back using them:

The gift stamp is part of a retired set, but we have other birthday stamp sets that would work for a card like this. By the way, this is not the usual card size of half a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of card stock. It is actually 1/4 of a 12x12 piece of card stock--6x6, folded in half to make a 3x6 card. This size card fits in our Small Open-End Envelopes.

If you're interested in ordering the Sticky Situation Bundle or any of the other bundles that are part of the Holiday Extravaganza Sale, go to my website now and shop online!

Happy Stampin!

Pretty in Pink!

Has it really been almost a week since my last post?! Time flies when you're having fun... being creative! I want to share one of the cards I made using a WOW technique I saw at the San Antonio Regional seminar:

Here's a close-up:

As you can see, there are many glittery layers. I will give you the basic directions for creating the flower.

1. Make each petal by punching small oval out of card stock and then punch large oval directly over the hole created (you'll need 10 petals (pink pirouette) and 2 leaves (certainly celery). I punched them off centered so one edge is a little wider than the other.
2. Arrange 5 petals on paper vellum in a circle (overlapping middle edges) and adhere (make 2) and then arrange 2 green ovals (overlapping ends) on vellum for leaves and adhere. I used Mono Multi Adhesive very sparingly.
3. Carefully put liquid adhesive (Mono Multi or Crystal Effects) on flower parts and sprinkle with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. Tap off excess and let dry.
4. Cut around the outside of each of the 3 shapes.
5. Layer the 2 pink flowers as pictured onto card front (use small bit of glue in center between layers to hold in place), poke small hole in center (I used paper piercing tool) and attach Filigree Brad.
6. Add a bit of glue on end of leaves and tuck under flower as pictured.
7. Complete card as desired.

Happy Stampin!