NC Demos Blog Hop featuring Occasions Catty AND In Colors

Welcome to the second NC Demos Blog Hop.  You should have just come from Tracie Langley's blog.  I loved her two projects!!   Hope you are enjoying the projects this month from the Occasions Catalog and using Stampin' Up's In Colors and are getting a lot of ideas for your own projects.

Each year when the new annual catalog comes out (June 1), there will be 5 NEW In Colors introduced.  The sad news is that means 5 colors will RETIRE.  The retiring colors this year are shown below:

The ink pads, cardstock packs, ink refills and accessories will only be available while supplies last. They usually sell out quickly!!  So I would suggest if you love these colors, you order them now before they are gone AND also so that you can take advantage of the FREE gifts offered during Sale-a-Bration!

OK - on to my project.  This was a fun card to make!  It measures 5.5" x 5.5" so a special envelope was made for it using the Envelope Punch Board  The card folds flat for mailing but when the recipient receives it, he/or she can open each section like an easel card.  Wouldn't this look nice sitting on a desk for all to see?!

The In Colors I used are Hello Honey and Mossy Meadow.  I also used Cajun Craze and Mint Macaron which are the matching colors for the Botanical Gardens DSP.

This is the card flat - well sorta flat!  It kept popping up as I was trying to photograph it.  I needed a couple of extra hands to hold it shut but when you put it in an envelope, it will be flat.

This sentiment is from Flower Patch.  I used the Decorative Label Punch to punch it out and sponged the edges with Hello Honey ink.

Each top square (Hello Honey) measures 2.5" x 2.5".  They are attached to the bottom rectangles (measuring 2.5" x 5" and scored at 1.25" x 2.5".

The stamp set, Botanical Blooms, framelits AND DSP can be purchased as a bundle saving you 15%. It is a great set!!  If you would like to place an order online, please use my Hostess Code found at the top of my blog posts.  By purchasing this Bundle, you would qualify for a FREE item from Sale-a-Bration!  Who doesn't like free???!!

Hope you are enjoying the Blog Hop! Check out what my other NC pals have to show you!! Laura Meier is next on the Hop so make sure you click on her name.

Shavron Borders
Regina Campbell
Tamra Davis
Kitty Helton
Jo Anne Hewins
Amy Ingram
Michelle Irinyi
Melissa Kernan
Tracie Langley
Sharon Maranich (ME)
Laura Meier
Mary Robinette
Susan Root
Pam Staples
Lisa Tedder
Frances Wagner

Recycle with Envelope Punch Board

Do you recycle?  I think in this day and age, it is safe to say most everyone does recycle something in their life.  Recycling has come a long way in my life time .... imagine what it will be like in 50 more years???  Or what the earth will be like if we don't all do some type of recycling.  There are significant environmental as well as economic benefits to recycling.  Recycling helps create jobs, can be more cost effective than trash collection, reduces the need for new landfills, saves energy and adds to the economy.  I remember when we had our first recycle bin and rules for recycling.  Seems like there were more things we could not put in than things we could.  And, if it was supposed to rain, you couldn't put your bin out because they would not take wet paper!  Sometimes it was more trouble than it was worth.  When we lived in Washington state, we had different bins for glass, paper and plastic.  I don't think the trucks would take the plastic and if we wanted to recycle it, we had to take it to a Recycle Center.  Here in NC, we can recycle a lot of things but not cardboard.  So, Sonny collects our cardboard, and takes it to the "dump" periodically where they recycle it. I like to think I am making the world a better place for my children and grandchildren.  So, where is this going???   What does recycling have to do with card making?  I will tell you.  When participating in the recycling process, think about reusing a piece of artwork, which would otherwise be too small for a card, onto another piece of artwork.  Our hand made greeting cards are a great way to share with family and friends and through your creativity, you will help save some trees as well. .When I stamp on a piece of card stock and don't like the image, instead of tossing it in the trash, I save it.  I can always use the back side of it or punch a little square out of it for a future project.

I am a big advocate of recycling envelopes!  You know those return envelopes you receive in your junk mail?  Well, my Stamp Club gals will tell you I reuse them like crazy!!  That is what I use to put their projects in for club.  And I also use them when doing swaps.  All the little pieces of the project go in the envelopes.  Here are a few good uses for those recycled envies:

•  A good use for old envelopes is to write your grocery list on the back of the envelope. Keep  grocery coupons inside the envelope so that you have everything with you at the grocery store.
• Envelopes also make great scratch paper. Use a letter opener to open them straight across the top or across one side so that the edges will be neat.  Use the scratch paper for leaving notes, writing grocery lists, writing down   "to do today" lists, and also for jotting down ideas.
• You can make little note pads from your envelopes as well. Cut your envelopes in half to create smaller rectangles. You can staple small stacks of them together or you can punch a hole in one corner and tie them together with string. Reusing envelopes as scratch paper is doubly good for the environment because once you have used them, you can still recycle them. This prevents you from having to buy scratch paper pads and also ensures that even more trees will be spared by reusing the paper.
• Envelopes can be used to organize photographs and small papers (like I do with my swaps.) Sort photos by event and place them into individual labeled envelopes in a shoe box. Envelopes can also be used to hold coupons, cash, and old receipts.

This week, thanks to my Envelope Punch Board, I recycled a bunch of pages from an old Stampin' Up catalog by making envelopes!!  And you can mail them too. I did all of them in a couple of hours (or less) while watching TV.   Cut the paper 8" x 8" and follow the instructions for the Envelope Punch Board for this size of paper.  I had a pack of mailing labels that I put in the center of the envelope for the address and put my return address label in the top corner and, voila!  I have a bunch of envelopes!!

If you don't want to do the whole envelope, you could just make envelope liners with recycled paper:

 So, get busy recycling!!

Stamp Club Cards for January

Yay!  I finally got around to updating the face of my blog.  Every time I do this, I learn something new - guess you're never too old to learn, huh?  I used My Digital Studio to do the hearts blog title but the rest of the stuff I did with Blogger.  Is it easy for you to read?  I always try to make the print large because I know my eyes need it!

I am feeling so much better.  Yesterday was the first day I started feeling like a human and today is even better.  I don't feel like I have to nap every few hours and I'm only blowing my nose about every couple of hours (too much information?!)  Sonny and I went out for dinner last night at My Sisters Cafe  and I could even taste the food.  Tonight we are going with friends for Restaurant Week at Chillfire, a restaurant I have been wanting to try for several months.  Can't wait!

It has turned really cold here.  It dropped to 19 degrees last night and tonight 11 degrees is predicted!  The high temps all week are in the low 30s but warming to the 40s by Friday!  Monday was a beautiful day - in the 60s.  Unfortunately, I didn't feel up to going out and enjoying that weather!  I'm mising those 80s we had in New Zealand!!

Here are a couple of the cards we made this week in Stamp Club.  I really tried to reduce the amount of stuff I had to carry downstairs for our card making and used one of the new Occasions stamp sets on three of the cards!!

File Folder Card

 For the file folder card, I followed a tutorial to make the folder using the Envelope Punch Board (love it!) that I found on-line.  It is easy to find instructions - just google file folder card and you will see many websites and videos.  I used the new Banners Framelits.  After you have made the file folder (I used Basic Gray card stock) -

• ·        Use Fancy Fan embossing folder to emboss front ½ of file folder
• ·        Use Fringe Scissors to fringe 2 strips of Crushed Curry. Layer under strip of Afternoon Picnic DSP.
• ·        Stamp “Life doesn’t have to be ….” from Perfect Pennants (Occasions Catalog) using Wisteria Wonder ink.  Use Banners Framelits to die cut banner. (use 3^rd smallest banner) 
• ·        Die cut Wisteria Wonder with Banners Framelits (use 4^th smallest).  Layer white banner onto purple.
• ·        Use open tab from Chalk Talk Framelit & cut opening onto top of Banner.  Thread Summer Starfruit ribbon through.
• ·        Make 3 flowers with clay and molds and ink with Wisteria Wonder, Crushed Curry and Coastal Cabana and glitter)
• ·        On inside, stamp sentiment and adhere strip of Afternoon Picnic paper   Trim to fit.

Base card is Summer Starfruit

Crisp Cantaloupe - this is the one we made

• 
  
• ·        Card stock is Crisp Cantaloupe.
• ·        Layer Birthday Basics paper onto Gumball Green card stock and adhere to left side of card.
• ·        Use Banner Framelit to cut 1 white (3^rd smallest) and 1 Raspberry Ripple (4^th smallest)
• ·      Stamp “MAKE a WISH” (Perfect Pennants set) with Gumball Green ink onto white card banner.  Layer onto Raspberry banner.  Wrap Bakers Twine around and adhere to right side of card.
• ·      Stamp “a” using Raspberry Ripple ink.  Punch out with ½” Circle Punch.  Adhere to sentiment with dimensional.
• ·        Stamp “confetti” using the Cupcake Punch and adhere to corners of card.

I prefer this card made with Summer Starfruit and that was my intention BUT I neglected to order Summer Starfruit last month and I only had one sheet left.  I also gave the gals an option to do the card in Bermuda Bay.

Something We All Need - A Gift Card Holder!

I have been on the go so much this week I don't know if I am coming or going!  I went to a Christmas party every day last week except for Wednesday.  Monday was bridge where I too a squash casserole, gift for our exchange as well as a little hand made goodie for all 17 people that were there; Tuesday was Bunco in our neighborhood - again I took a dish for dinner and a gift for the exchange.  Thursday was Southern Living - this time I made Ambrosia Macaroon Cookies and a gift for the exchange.  Friday it was Mahjong - again, a gift and I took sausage and biscuits for our brunch.  Saturday was a cold dreary day here and I was glad to spend it indoors working on my Christmas projects for the following week and my Christmas cards.  Today in between football games, we had our family Christmas.  Luckily, we gathered at Marianne's house.  I took my gifts for all the family and my requested potato casserole (a favorite of Marianne's boys); squash and zucchini and an apple pie.  Monday I go to my other bridge group and take my gift and a corn casserole.  Afterwards, I have an appointment for a massage ..... much needed!!  Tuesday I am getting my hair cut in the morning and then coming home to get ready for my Stamp Club Christmas gathering.  We are going to make gift cards on Tuesday plus I have some goodies for the gals.  So, please forgive me for not blogging much last week .... and possibly next week.  We will be leaving for Texas on Wednesday hoping to make it to San Antonio by Friday.  I am hoping I am going to find some time to pack!!  Plus, I need to pack for New Zealand since I will be leaving from San Antonio for New Zealand on the 28th.  I don't think I will have any trouble sleeping on that flight after the hectic weeks I've had.

My brother and sisters

My nephew, Derek and Mom (resting her eyes)

Niece and nephew (my brother's kids)

Marianne and Lee - my baby sister and baby brother!

My nephew, Harrison and Mom

I have been working on a few gift card holders.  These are something I think everyone could use this time of year.  This one is a super simple one.

I made the smallest envelope using the Envelope Punch Board in red card stock.  Then make a belly band with black card stock.  I used the Curly Label Punch for the silver glimmer paper and cut a rectangle out of black card stock for the center of the glimmer "buckle". 

Here's another easy gift card using the Bigz Bow Die to decorate it:

Gift Card Holder "present" open

gift card open - you can just barely see the brad on the left side I used to attach the top to the bottom.

Envelope Tag Bookletenvel

 This is the project that I taught the gals to make at the Quarterly meeting in Shallotte.  The tag book is made using the Envelope Punch Board!  The front and back covers are just cardboard (from packages of DSP) that I covered with Designer Series Paper (retired).  I used this retired DSP because I love it!  I think it is probably my favorite that Stampin' Up has ever had and I still have 2-3 unopened packages!!  When it was in Clearance, I really stocked up.  I'm not sure if it is still in the Clearance section or not.

Front Cover using Expressions Thinlits and the stamp set from Truly Thankful.

I used Shipping Tags that I bought at a local office supply store to fit in the envelopes.  I just measured the shipping tag and found an envelope that was closest to it in size on the board.

I printed out a bunch of quotes from My Digital Studio to decorate the pages of the book

Add caption

Each tag had an inspirational quote that I printed out from MDS
 

I also made a second tag booklet from my SU Convention trip.  I put pictures of Marianne and I at convention in each little pocket.  It really turned out cute.

I Freakin' Love You!

I received a sweet thank you card this week from Ashley.

 

She used the stamp set, Really Good Greetings and the Naturals White card stock.  Don't you just love it?

NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCED TODAY:

The Everyday Occasions Card making Kit was developed with the new customer in mind. It is intended to introduce--by way of a simple, fun experience at a great price--the arts of stamping and card making to people who have not yet experienced the joy of Stampin' Up! products. Why go to the store when a birthday, graduation, wedding or even a time for expressing gratitude comes up? The Everyday Occasions Card making Kit puts cards for all of those events right at your customers' fingertips, and best of all, they'll be handmade! The kit contains everything necessary (minus adhesive and scissors) to create 20 beautiful cards for almost any occasion, and it comes in a beautiful box to store them in.

But even those of us who are not new customers can use this kit to quickly make a card when you need one fast!  And you can always use your bling and other things you have in your stash to bling up the card.

This kit is:

1. Easy
2. Great for new card makers and experienced – EVERYONE
3. Includes 7 piece stamp set, block, ink spot, dimnensionals, bakers twine, all pre-cut materials and envelopes
4. Quality card stock and tags
5. Love island indigo and basic gray inks and they are the two colors included
6. Visual tips and tricks brochure
7. Silver glimmer paper and cute clips are part of the kit – I love these products.
8. It would make a great gift for a new card maker - think Christmas for your granddaughter, neighbor, daughter or son, etc.

Check out the flier HERE.

ALSO .... if you haven't gotten the great Envelope Punch Board yet, you may have to wait a bit on it. The supply is running low.  Stampin' Up has had an overwhelmingly positive response to the new Envelope Punch Board--so much so that that they have nearly sold through the supply weeks sooner than they anticipated! SU has already taken steps to restock the inventory, but the new supply will not arrive in the Distribution Center until mid-October. They anticipate that the Envelope Punch Boards will be placed on backorder in the next few days. 

Parisian Jewelry

Woo hoo! The Magnetic Platform is back!  Stampin' Up! has received a full shipment of Magnetic Platforms (Item #130658, $39.95)! They are pleased to announce that the great wait is over and they can start filling new orders on September 12 (today!) 

Why not place an order for the magnetic platform, and add the new Envelope Punch Board (Item #133774, $19.95)?

My oldest granddaughter had a birthday recently.  I made her a few jewelry items and packaged them up in a little tin for her.


Here is the card I made for her using Gorgeous Grunge and Tape It stamp sets.  It's not my usual style but thought it was appropriate for a teenager.

Torri and Darcie (my daughter in law) took a European trip for Torri's high school graduation this summer.  They enjoyed Paris and the Eiffel Tower so I thought these items were perfect!

I got this bracelet and paper last year at CKC.  I used my hole punch to punch the circles out and glued them on with Crystal Effects. 

This is a little key chain with the Eiffel Tower and a jewel on it.  This stamp set is retired but it is great for these soda top items.  I really was surprised that Stampin' Up took these out of the catalog this year! 

This is the necklace I made for Torri.  Again, with the Parisian theme.

Here is everything inside the small tin.  I put a piece of DSP (non SU) in the bottom of the tin.

Envelope Punch Board

The latest cool tool from Stampin’ Up is available NOW!  It’s called the Envelope Punch board.  I have one here in my stamp room but with everything I have had going on the past week, I haven't gotten to play with a whole lot.  I did make one envelope last week when Ashley was here.  But this week I plan to play with it a lot more.  I was thinking I wouldn’t need it with my diagonal score board but this is much easier and I LOVE that it punches the notches out so nicely. It’s also more compact and with at least 66 sizes, that’s pretty cool!

Envelope Punch Board  Item #133774  $19.95 

More Details:

• It creates totally customizable envelopes in up to 66 different sizes (not to mention a million different color and pattern options depending on the paper you want to use). Even tried and true envelope sizes will only take you moments to create!
• It’s small and lightweight; this makes it easy for you to take it on the go!  Portable and easy to store.
• It even has a slick scoring tool as well as a punch that lets you create rounded corners on your envelopes.
• It’s easy to keep it all together; the stylus storage compartment and two punches are designed into the tool so you don’t have a bunch of little pieces to keep track of (even the instructions are printed right on the tool so you won’t lose them!).
• The price is terrific-especially for a tool that does so much!
• It will be in next year’s annual catalog, so it’s here to stay.

Envelope Punch Board Projects

I am having such fun with the Envelope Punch Board.  Not only can you make all sizes of envelopes but I've also made tags and file folder cards with the board. 



I watched a video on Patty Bennett's blog for the file folder cards.  Here is a card I made for a friend's birthday next week.  I used a SU DSP stack that is retired.  The "happy birthday" is a die that I have had for a long time.  Believe me, it is not as easy to use as Stampin' Up's thinlits!!

I used my new Wetlands stamp set for the birds.  Love it!  I stamped the little birds in Baked Brown Sugar.  I think this was the first time I used this color.  I tend to go to Soft Suede automatically and forgot all about Baked Brown Sugar.

Today I also made these cute tags using the Envelope Punch Board.  I found a U Tube tutorial that I had pinned to Pinterest.  Check it out HERE if you want to make these little tags.

This is the tag and a little tag holder that I made

Everything on this project was made with the Punch Board.  It is a handy little tool!