Easy Gift Idea

Everyone, including me, is always looking for cheap, easy gift ideas that look really great.  That’s why I am so glad I was shown this simple idea – and why I’m passing it on to all of you.    Today’s project is a gift wrapped candy bar.  A kit-kat bar, to be exact.  I cut a piece of Designer Paper into a 6″x6″ square, set the kit-kat bar in the center, put adheasive on all four sides of the paper, and folded the two sides down.  I used my crimper to seal shut the remaining two sides.  I tied it all off with a piece of ribbon (I find the wider ribbon looks best) and created a little tag to go along with it.  All in all this took me five minutes.

These are great to make as favors for a party or as a simple thank you gift for someone.  They are inexpensive (you can get four “wrappers” out of one piece of designer paper!) and very quick to make.  I love making these for guests at my Stampin’ Up! workshops and everyone always adores them.  I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate? 

I’m Back!

Hi folks!  I am finally back after taking a break for the birth of my son.  Here is a card that I made just last weekend for a wedding.  I used the card on page 197 of the Idea Book and Catalog for inspiration.  I think it turned out rather lovely.  I used my big shot to cut out the leaves and layered them with a flower from the Pretties kit.  A green rhinestone brad finished it off.

Supplies:  Chocolate Chip cardstock, Maine Blueberry DSP (retired), Whisper White cardstock, Old Olive cardstock, Pretties Kit, Ice Rhinestone brads, Scalloped Oval punch, Large Oval punch, Scalloped Edge punch, Paper Piercer, Big Shot

Stamp Set:  Together Forever

Holiday Mini Catalog!

The new Holiday Mini Catalog is finally here!  There are some really great new items in this catalog, so don’t miss out!  This catalog is effective from September 1st through January 4th.  You can order directly through my website 24/7 (http://stampofapproval08.stampinup.net) or email me or call me with an order.

Don’t have your own copy of the Holiday Mini Catalog?  Email me and I will mail one to you right away!

Stitched Exotics

Today’s card is one I copied from someone – but from memory.  I don’t remember exactly what the original card looked like, but the idea is what I remembered most.  I randomly stamped designs from the Stitched Exotics stamp set onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Then I covered all that with a piece of vellum and tacked it down with some brads.  The ribbon and the sentiment were layered on top.  I like how the vellum toned down the bright colors – Bold Brights are definitely not my favorite. 

Supplies:  Tempting Turquoise cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Pink Passion cardstock, Vellum paper, Tempting Turquoise ink, Pink Passion ink, Green Galore ink, Temptin Turquoise grosgrain ribbon, Small Oval punch, Large Oval punch, brads

Stamp Sets:  Stitched Exotics (retired), Warm Words

Refreshing

The card I am posting today is a very summery card – don’t you just want to sit back with a nice, cold glass of lemonade now?

Anyway, I made this card quite some time ago at a class.  It looks complicated, but it’s really not.  The “cup” is just a piece of Vellum paper cut into an almost-cone-shape, sponged with Yo Yo Yellow ink, and scored on each side to create tabs.  You use the tabs to put your adheasive on and adhear the vellum to the cardstock.  A real piece of a straw and some dazzling diamonds glitter completes the look.  Yummy!

Supplies:  Yo Yo Yellow cardstock, Basic Black cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Vellum paper, Yo Yo Yellow ink, Basic Black ink, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, 2-Way glue pen, straw

Stamp Sets:  Tart & Tangy, Warm Words

CASEing myself

 I still remember the very first card I ever made – it was at a workshop I went to with my mom.  I was really skeptical that I could make something so pretty, but Robin coached me through it.  When it was all done I was so impressed with myself; realizing it wasn’t so hard when it was broken out into smaller steps.  I was hooked from that day forward.  The card I am posting today is almost an exact replica of that very first card.  A friend of mine asked me to make some invitations for a wine tour she will be coordinating this fall at various vineyards throughout the area.  I  really had fun making these for her – I was able to reminisce on that first feeling of accomplishment I had from making a card from scratch.  Some people get that same feeling from cooking, baking, carpentry, gardening, etc… I definitely get it from card making.  It’s a good release. 

Supplies:  Natural Ivory cardstock, Elegant Eggplant cardstock, Mellow Moss cardstock, Elegant Egglplant classic ink, Mellow Moss classic ink, Kraft Taffeta ribbon

Stamp Sets:  Blossoms Abound (retired), Hugs & Wishes (retired), Great Friend

Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge

So here is this week’s sketch challenge layout.  I decided to make two different cards based on this same layout and I’m really happy with how each of them turned out.  I hadn’t used either stamp set yet, so it was fun to play with them.  Here are the two cards I made for the challenge:

 

Supplies:  Chocolate Chip cardstock, Real Red cardstock, Garden Green cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Merry Moments DSP, Chocolate Chip Taffeta ribbon, StazOn ink pad, Chocolate Chip Classic ink pad, Blender Pens, Bashful Blue Classic ink pad, Real Red marker, Chocolate Chip marker, Garden Green marker, Old Olive marker, Basic Black marker, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch

Stamp Sets:  The More the Merrier hostess set, Teeny Tiny Wishes set

 

 

Supplies:  Basic Gray cardstock, Sage Shadow cardstock, So Saffron cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Tea Party DSP, Basic Gray Taffeta ribbon, Basic Black Classic ink pad, So Saffron marker, Perfect Details Texturz Plates for the Big Shot, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval punch

Stamp Set:  Cheers to You set

Par-Fect

I was pretty sad that this stamp set wasn’t included in the new catalog that came out in July.  There are so many golfers in my husband’s family (my husband included) that I have used the set many times already. This is a birthday card that I made for my father-in-law.  I’ve been trying to practice watercoloring lately and I’m pretty happy with this attempt.  It’s taken me a while to get the hang of it but I think I’m getting there.

Supplies:  Sage Shadow cardstock, More Mustard cardstock, Really Rust cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Autumn Vine DSP (retired), Scallop Oval punch, Black Staz-On Ink, Chocolate Chip Ink

Stamp Set:  And Many Mower

Asian Artistry

Hey there, folks!  I’m rather fond of the card I am posting today.  Not sure exactly why – I just like it.    I have used one of the new hostess sets called “Asian Artistry”.  Very pretty.  And even though the designer paper I used in the background is retired, I thought it went perfectly with the image of the bird.  Makes him look like he’s amongst a field of bamboo or something…

Supplies:  Soft Suede cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Green Tea DSP (retired), Key Tag punch (retired), Soft Suede classic inkpad, Old Olive marker, Soft Suede marker, Blender Pen, Bashful Blue inkpad, Old Olive ribbon.

Stamp Set:  Asian Artistry

You can earn this stamp set for free by hosting a Stampin’ Up! workshop with me.  Email me today to schedule yours!

What a week!

Sorry I’ve been MIA this week – lots of things have been keeping me busy! Today I am posting a card that I made a while back.  I made this card for a card night that I had with my mom and my brother’s fiance (hi ashley!).  Occasionally we will get together and make cards.  Anyway, this one turned out really cute and would be great for a kids birthday or something.

Supplies:  Pacific Point cardstock  (retired), So Saffron cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Pink Passion cardstock, StazOn ink (Black), Soft Sky inkpad (retired), Pacific Point inkpad (retired), So Saffron marker, Pink Passion marker, Blender Pens, scissors

Stamp sets:  Just Beachy (retired), Lazy Days roller (retired)