One last Valentine

Posted on February 16, 2010 by mauistamper

I’ve saved this post because it was the Valentine I gave my wonderful husband, and it didn’t seem right to post it before he received it. The idea came from Becky Roberts, whose projects I continue to CASE with reckless abandon. I fell for this folder as soon as I saw it, and thought it would make a great club project. Once I developed my own sample, I realized it would not only be a great club project, but would work perfectly for my Valentine. Here’s the outside:

This uses the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set (don’t forget $2 from the sale of each set goes to the American Red Cross through February 28) and the Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel. There’s also the Big Shot with the Scallop Circles #2 and Originals Circles #2 dies. I used the Full Heart, Heart to Heart, and Scallop Trim Border punches as well, and finished with the Real Red 1/2″ Striped Grosgrain ribbon.

Here’s the inside:

Isn’t it clever? There’s a small Cello Bag attached with Sticky Strip to each side, and I can fit two little tags inside each bag. You could use the tags as gift tags, but I was inspired to make the tags into coupons. Each one has a little message on the back, and he can redeem them as he likes. The possibilities for this idea are endless.

Here are the tags a little closer:

I’ve used 5/8″ Satin Ribbon from the Occasions mini on all of the tags, and incorporated the Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper as well.

Here are the other two tags:

These tags use the brand new XL Two Step Bird punch and the fabulous Beautiful Wings Embosslit for the Big Shot. All these goodies made this project really easy to put together.

If there’s enough interest, I’ll put together a tutorial with dimensions and more instructions. Becky said in her post that she had made hers and sent them off and didn’t plan a tutorial, so considering all I’ve gained from her blog I think it would be the least I could do. Either way, enjoy and CASE away!!

I’m a Big Fan

Posted on February 11, 2010 by mauistamper

I love Becky Roberts’ blog, Inking Idaho. She has great projects, great photos, and a very “in-person” writing style that makes you think she’s sitting right next to you. I find loads of inspiration on her blog and am a faithful follower.

That said, I have a shameless CASE of an Inking Idaho project, her Cute Clothes Pins.

These little gems are for the members of my hostess club tonight. They were so quick and easy to do! Here’s a closer look:

You just need a tiny strip of paper, a button, some linen thread and a few tissue paper flowers. I used Tombo to put everything together – attach the paper to the pin, add the tissue flowers, and stick the button on top. I could have used Mini Glue dots which would have probably been quicker and not so sticky on my fingers, but shoots, the Tombo was out and my fingers were deep into it!

Here’s a hint for punching tissue paper. It’s so thin and formless that it will shred in a punch by itself, but if you fold up a few layers and stick a scrap of cardstock in the back, it punches beautifully! I only used 3 tissue flowers, and only stamped 2 of the 3 to keep it from looking too dizzy. You could use an abundance of tissue flowers for that full ruffly look, or you could use other papers. Cardstock would need some serious abuse to get soft enough to scrunch, but Designer Series Paper should be easy to work with – just check Becky’s February 10 post!

I’ll try more later, but it’s time to get set up for tonight.

Vintage Style

Posted on February 3, 2010 by mauistamper

I’ve always liked old things, whether they qualify as genuine antiques or not. My grandmother had a house full of vintage furniture and glassware, and I inherited her appreciation for old things. I have some of her furniture in my home now, and it makes me feel connected with her.

Her Victorian love seat is in my living room, and after Christmas as I was putting away decorations, I remembered how we were never allowed to sit on it. She had three straw hats that she would place across the seat to keep us from sitting – I’m not sure if that was just for the summer when my sister and I would visit, or if she kept them there year round – but I’m sure that she was convinced they looked chic sitting there. Of course, we weren’t fooled, but the memory makes me smile either way.

These hearts have nothing to do with those hats, but the kraft card base and the softer shades of red and pink give this card a look of comfortable age:

I {Heart} Hearts, Bella Toile and Always stamp sets
Sahara Sand, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa and Pretty in Pink Classic ink pads
Kraft, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa and Naturals Ivory card stock
Stampin’ Sponges, Heart to Heart and Scallop Trim punches and Kraft Taffeta ribbon

I think my grandmother would have liked this card.

Just a little something

Posted on January 22, 2010 by mauistamper

I made these for “just because” to give to some friends. They were quick and easy.

Real Red, Whisper White and Pretty in Pink card stock
Vintage Labels SAB set and Embrace Life stamp set
Scallop Circle, 1″ circle, Curley Label and Heart to Heart punches
Real Red Classic Ink Pad, Craft White ink pad
Tombo adhesive, Paper Snips, and a chapstick

You could whip out a classroom’s worth of these in no time. They do make Spiderman chapstick, don’t they?

Valentine Bouquet

Posted on January 20, 2010 by mauistamper

I’m not a huge fan of punch art, but I do like 3-D projects. These little flowers seem to be a cross-over project between the two:

Do you ever struggle with a concept that is perfectly shaped in your head but won’t take that shape underneath your hands? No comments about the condition of my head, please!! These flowers are cuter on their own than as a group. I think I broke the Rule of Odds – odd numbers in an arrangement – and that may be why it doesn’t look quite right to me. I don’t have any artistic training, so my problem-solving techniques amount to trial and error.

These were simple to make.

Punch 6 hearts with the Full Heart punch.
Use a sponge dauber to define the edges of 5 hearts; stamp, emboss or texture each. Score down the center and crease.
Use the 6th heart as a base. Attach 5 hearts in flower shape with Tombo Adhesive.
Punch a 3/4″ circle of cardstock. Layer the flower, the cardstock circle and a button and pierce through button holes with piercing tool.
Set aside the button. Use a needle and threat to tie the circle and button together with linen thread.
Place the button on top of the flower and circle. Use fine craft wire to attach the flower, circle and button to a bamboo skewer, twisting securely on the back. Trim ends and bend in towards skewer to avoid sharp edges.