Top Note Gift Card Holder

This is a fast and easy way to make a card to hold a Gift Card for birthdays, Christmas, any occassion, just adjust the paper and stamps to be what you what it to be!  Today's card style comes from Kelly Gettelfinger.  Thanks Kelly!

Start with a piece of cardstock measuring 4 1/2" x 11" - which means you can get two from one piece of cardstock - Yay!

Score the cardstock at 4 1/2", 5 1/2" and 6 1/2".  Accordion fold the scored card stock.

Place on the Top Note Die so that the folded areas miss the perforated and the straight blades.  Run through the Big Shot Machine.

Add a "slit" in the center fold where the gift card will go using your craft blade or your paper trimmer.  I had the best luck just using my scissors and cutting a small area (credit card size) that would hold the gift card.  Some samples I've seen use a punch to make the opening, but since you would be punching through 2 pieces of cardstock, I don't recommend it so it won't damage your punch.

Add adhesive to the "spine" portion in the center fold (from the outside edge of the card).  Be sure to leave room for your gift card to slide in before hitting the adhered area.

Decorate your card to suit the occasion.

Thank you for looking in!  Have a wonderful Sunday!

~ Donna

Top Note Scarecrow - Guest Stamper - Linda

Kristi spotted this adorable Top Note Scarecrow Wednesday on Pinterest.  We searched it out and found out it was from Rae Harper-Burnet at Wild West Paperarts.  Linda took the directions and ran with it!

Look how great this came out!  Linda didn't have any material for under the bird but made do with some DSP.

Way to go Linda!  I love it!!

Card stock: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Whisper White

DSP:  Designer Paper: Orchard Harvest (126895)

Ink & Pens: Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Stampin’ Write Marker Basic Black Accessories: Pearls (119247), Googlies (127539)

Tools:

Die Cutting & Embossing: Big Shot™ & Standard Cutting Pads (113439); Dies: Top Note Bigz (113463)

Punches: ½" Circle (119869); 2-1/2" Circle (120906); Small Oval (120908); Bird Builder

(117191); Pennant (122361)

Sponge Daubers (102892)

Adhesives:

. Glue Dots® (103683)

. SNAIL Adhesive® (104332)

. Stampin’ Dimensionals® (104430)

. Sticky Strip (104294)

Perfectly Preserved Nugget Jar

This little cutie comes from the blog of Kay Kalthoff and was designed by her downline Mary Bellis.  Another adorable treat that I just couldn't pass up trying.

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved (w-126690 / c-126692) or with the Framelits Bundle (w-129943 / c-129944)

Ink:  Cajun Craze, Lucky Limeade

Paper:  Orchard Harvest DSP, Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade for banner mat

Tools and Accessories:  Big Shot, Cannery Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Simply Scored, Large Oval Punch, 15" Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots.

Kay has an excellent video on putting it together.  One of these days I'm going to have to figure out how to do a cool video too.

Well, this girl is tired and up way past my bedtime (even though this won't post until 6 a.m. tomorrow), so off I go to sleep.

Thanks for looking in.

~ Donna

Appletini Happy Hour

I saw a few people making cute things with the Happy Hour Stamp Set (w-125540 / c-125542) and when I spotted one using the Crystal Light Appletini drink mix, I just knew I had to play with it. 

When I saw these online, I thought they were individual drink mixes - that will teach me to read the details!  So when I found them on Walmart's website I was so excited they had them I just ordered them and found out later that each packet makes 2 quarts!!  So glad I read the packet before I put it into my 16.9 ounce water bottle! LOL

Regardless, I think these came out really cute and I've been working on them all evening and have several done and ready to give out to my stamping group.

Since the packet is rather large, I had to change my planning on what I was going to display them in.  Originally I thought of using the Two Tags Bigz die (115954) and I think that would have been perfect for individual size packets.  So off I go to see what I have that will work and ended up with using the Top Note Bigz die (113463). 

Cut the 8 1/2" x 11" paper long ways at 4 1/4 and using the Simply Scored, score it at halfway at 5 1/2".  Place it on the Top Note die just inside the cut so that you will only be actually cutting on three sides.  Then place one half of the paper inside your favorite Embossing Folder - I used the New Argyle Folder (127750).  Then I cut a piece of Whisper White at 4 1/4" x 2" and placed it in the center of the Top Note to make a band across the front.

The scallop circle uses the Perfect Pennants Bigz L (123126) and I used both of the circles there for some variety.  The Appletini is stamped using Gumball Green Ink and punched out with a 1 3/4" Circle Punch (119850) and sponged on the edges. 

Using the Multipurpose "green glue" (110755) I attached everything together - holding the sides in place while the glue had a chance to set.

It's hard to tell the colors here, I'm really disappointed in the way it looks online, but the Top Note is cut from Melon Mambo and the edges are inked around the Appletini with Melon Mambo.

Recipe: 
Cardstock:  Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Gumball Green
Stamps:  Happy Hour
Ink:  Melon Mambo, Gumball Green
Tools:  Big Shot, Argyle Embossing Folder, Perfect Pennants, 1 3/4" Circle Punch,
Extras:  1/8" Taffeta Ribbon - Gumball Green (you can get this FREE this month with a $40 purchase!), Dimensionals and Multipurpose Glue

I hope you've enjoyed this cute little packet.  If you see smaller drink mixes out there, let me know!!

Happy Hump Day!

~ Donna

Blooming With Kindness

I spotted this card Saturday night on QBee's Quest and loved the way it looked.  When I tried to re-create it with the colors she used, it didn't look good at all!  I think my Elegant Eggplant is just way too dark.  I don't like it one bit. 

So I played around with the colors and found the combinations I liked.  I think I'd like to play around with other color combinations too.  This is really a pretty card.  Thanks Brenda for sharing yours.

Supplies ~ 
Blooming with Kindness Stamp Set (w-126420 / c-126422)
Card Stock:  Gumball Green, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Gumball Green
Ribbon:  Gumball Green Stitched Satin (126848)
Glue Dots, Adhesive, Paper Cutter

Measurements:  Gumball Green - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", Rich Razzleberry 5 1/4" x 4", Whisper White 5" x 3 3/4"

Thanks for stopping in.  Have a great day!

~ Donna

Halloween Toilet Paper Roll Basket

Back to a case of CASEing... hehe.  I've been wanting to make this for a long time after seeing it on Angie's Chic 'n Scratch blog.  Finally I sat down and made one.  Now I want to make more!  It's so much cuter in person, but pictures will just have to do.

Stamps:  Googly Ghouls (oh yeah, I forgot to put the google eyes on my bat!) (w-128060 / c-128063)
Ink:  Staz On Black (101406)
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Old Olive
DSP:  Howlstooth and Scaringbone (126906)
Tools:  1 3/4" Circle Punch (119850), 2 3/8" Scallop Circle (118874), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (119861), 1 3/4" Scallop Circle (119854), Googlies (127539) if I'd remembered to put them on before the picture!  :)

I think I'm going to make some more of these for some of the special neighborhood kids.  Most are grown now, but there are still a few little cuties left.

Happy Stamping!

~ Donna

Scentsational Season

I really love the Scentsational Season stamp set and the Framelits that match.  They're so much fun to use and make adorable cards!

I don't know who I got this card idea from, so if it is yours, please let me know so I can give you credit.  It isn't an exact case as I changed up colors and stamps for the greetings.

Stamps:  Scentsational Season (w-121026 / c-121190), Greetings of the Season (w-128030 / c-128033)

Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Real Red

Ink:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Real Red

Stampin' Write Pen - Chocolate Chip

Extras:  Northern Flurry Embossing Folder (120902), Holiday Collection Framelits Dies (127814), Big Shot (113439).

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day, the weekend is here!

~ Donna

Framelits Christmas Tags

I was looking back at some previous postings and the baby bottle card we made seemed to wake something up in my head and gave me a great idea for Christmas Tags.

Check this out!  First fold a piece of Whisper White cardstock and make a nice crease with your bone folder.  Then, stamp the little gingerbread man from Scentsational Season very close to the top of the fold, I used Soft Suede ink.  This may take some practice so be patient.  Take your Holiday Collection Framelits and line up the gingerbread man framelit over where you stamped.  Run it through your Big Shot and ta-da, you now have a cute little gingerbread man that opens up and can be used as a gift tag.

Same thing can be done with your Ornament Keepsakes stamps and Holiday Ornaments Framelits.

Inside I stamped the "to:   from:" using an apparent retired set, because I'm not finding it in the current catalog.  Drats!  Seems it was put into my Tags Til Christmas set... oh well.. you can use a To and From that can be found in the new Chock-Full of Cheer (w-126715 / c-126717) or the new No Peeking (w-126290 / c-126292).

Add a little bit of Bakers Twine (123125 Cherry Cobbler / 123124 Early Espresso) and you're all ready to start wrapping and tagging Christmas Gifts!



Stamps:  Ornament Keepsakes (w-128048 / c-128051), Scentsational Season (w-121026 / c-121190)

Cardstock:  Whisper White

Inkpads:  Soft Suede, Real Red

Framelits:  Holiday Collection (127914), Holiday Ornaments (127816)

Bakers Twine

I'm so excited to have thought up something of my very own... no CASEing!  Woo hoo!!!

Have a Great Weekend!!

~ Donna

Scentsational Christmas Cocoa

Christmas cards are my favorite of all cards to make.  I think because it starts me thinking of cooler weather, not cold, because after all, this is Phoenix, Arizona, but at least cooler!  It must be working because it was beautiful outside this morning.

I found this card made by Becky Roberts but made just a couple of changes.  I used whisper white instead of very vanilla for the snowflakes and the cocoa cup.  White just seemed better for snow.  I also used a different "Merry Christmas" than Becky did.  I can see I need to make some measurement adjustments too.  Can you see where I need to make a change?

To make the drink inside the cup a different color than the cup, ink up your stamp with Cherry Cobbler and then gently wipe off the "inside of the cup" with a Q-tip and then color back in with your Stampin' Write Marker.

Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip
Ink:  Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede
Stampin' Write Marker:  Chocolate Chip
Stamps:  Scentsational Season (w-121026 / c-121190) and Greetings of the Season (w-128030 / c-128033) both from the Holiday Catalog
Extras:  Holiday Collection Framelits (127814), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402), Jewels Basic Rhinestones (119246), Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding and of course, the Big Shot (113439)

Thanks Becky for the great inspiration!

Have a great day and remember to Stamp Well With Others!

~ Donna

DSP Storage

I've been storing my DSP in this great little rolling drawer cart for a while but always delayed putting the papers away after using them because I would work on several projects and didn't feel like trying to figure out where to put them back.  SOOOO this weekend as I was organizing a bit and a brilliant idea came to me!

Using a 1 1/4" square punch, I punched one square from each piece of DSP.  Then cut diagonally and used my adhesive to attach to the front of the drawer.  Being a plastic drawer, the adhesive will stick well, but is still easily removed for when the next round of beautiful papers are released.

Now when I have just a little swatch left, I can easily see where it goes and not let them pile up.  I hope I'm not the only one that isn't good at putting stuff away right after working with it!  Ha!!

Thanks for peeking in.  Hope you have a wonderful day!

~ Donna

Brewberry Hand-Bac Witchy Goodness

Here's the last of the Hand-Bacs... I promise... ha!  The fragrance is Brewberry with a little witch on the front.  I think the Stampin' UP! Witch is so much cuter though, especially with the added Googly Eyes.

Cardstock - Whisper White, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango

Stamps:  Googly Ghouls (w-128060 / c-128063), Itty Bitty Banners (w-126255 / c-126257)

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant

Stampin' Write Pen: Lucky Limeade

Fun Tools:  Googlies Eyes (127539), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267)

Punches - 2 3/8" Scallop Circle (11887) with a twist, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle (119854)

Ribbon:  1/8" Old Olive Taffeta (119256)

Stampin' Dimensionals - (104430)

Want to know how to make the Tangerine Tango Scallop with a twist?  Post here and I'll let you know.  It's really very simple!

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy Monday!

~ Donna

More Hand-Bac Friends

So, today we went walking the mall and when we passed by Bath and Body Works, I couldn't resist picking up more of the cute Hand Bac bottles.  Candy Corn is obviously the favorite as there was only one of them left and this was at a different location than we shopped at before! 

Here's the first of two new ones.  I'll save one for tomorrow's post.

This one is very obvious... Pumpkin! 

I made the pumpkin by punching out 3 Small Ovals (120908) from Pumpkin Pie cardstock.  I inked the edges with Pumpkin Pie ink and a Sponge Dauber (102892), stamped the stem from Perfectly Preserved (w-126690 / c-126692) and then used the Big Shot to cut out the stem with the Cannery Set Framelits (127822).

The "For You" is from Itty Bitty Banners (w-126255 / c-126257) and cut out with Bitty Banners Framelits (129267).  The DSP behind the pumpkin is from Floral District (126919).

Come back tomorrow to see one more from the Hand-Bac family of frightening friends!  :)

Thanks for stopping by... have a great Sunday!

~ Donna

Christmas Candy

In thinking about what to do for next week's workshop, Brittney, Linda and I were playing with some ideas and here is what we came up with.  We're all super excited with how it came out!

If you're thinking... hey, I've seen this before... you'd be right!  I did a card similarl to this earlier with apples inside, but now, we're thinking Christmas and Christmas Candy!  Yum!

Stamp Sets:  Perfectly Preserved (w-126690 / c-126692), Greetings of the Season (w-128030 / c-128033), Sweet Essentials (w-126455 / c-126457) and Sweets for the Sweet (w-122510 / c-122512)
Cardstock:  Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Gumball Green, Staz On Black,
Tools:  Cannery Set Framelits Dies (127822), 3/4" Circle Punch, Big Shot
Extras:  Window Sheets (114323), Linen Thread (104199), Dimensionals

Stamp the "peppermint" stamp from Sweet Essentials stamp set and then, instead of punching with a 1" circle punch, we used the 3/4" circle punch to make them more like peppermint candies without a white border around them.

To make the window, decide where you want the jar to be on the card and decide what DSP you want to use inside.  Cut the DSP to 5 1/4" x 4" and attach it ever so slightly with a temporary adhesive like Dotto.  Place it on the Big Shot and use the jar framelit to cut through both layers at the same time.  Stamp the jar onto a piece of Window Sheet 2 1/4" x 3" (do not cut with framelit!).  The window sheet will be adhered in between the cardstock and the DSP.

BEFORE attaching the window sheet, close the card and attach the candies inside the window onto the Whisper White (5 1/4" x 4") attached to the inside (right hand side) of the card.  Pop up the top candy with a Dimensional. 

If you have any questions on assembly, please feel free to contact me or post a message here.

Thanks for looking in.  Looking forward to making more of these adorable cards!

Have a great weekend!

~ Donna

Horizontal Center Step Card

I've been wnting to try this Center Step card for ages and finally found the time to play with it.  I think it came out pretty good, if I do say so myself.  I found the measurements on Julie Davison's blog with very simple easy to follow instructions.

Supplies:

Stamp Set:  Perfectly Preserved (w-126690 / c-126692)

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Staz On Black

Paper:  More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive

DSP:  Orchard Harvest (126895)

Tools:  Paper Cutter, Simply Scored, Cannery Set Framelits Die (127822) and Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Dimensionals and Adhesive

I think I"ll make some more of these this weekend!  Hope you have some creative time to spend this weekend too.

~ Donna

Butterfly Blues

I wanted some quick and easy Thank You cards to have on hand and loved doing the negative space cards before that I thought I'd do some more.  I think these came out very cute.  The flower background seemed to be the perfect backing.

Cardstock - Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla

DSP - Comfort Cafe (126898)

Elegant Butterfly Punch (127526)

3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (one roll FREE this month with each $40.00 purchase!)

I just love the clean and simple cards!  What is your favorite style?

Thanks for looking in today!

~ Donna

Ghost Stamper... I mean ... Guest Stamper - Linda

This weekend was spent working on wedding invitations with Brittney and Melanie for Mel's upcoming wedding next February.  Watch for pictures later this week.

In the meantime, Linda was busy making some really cute Halloween Cards.  See what you think.

Isn't this a great cat made from punches?  Ovals, hearts, word window circles and the ever popular Googlie Eyes!  I just love those cute little Googlies!  Just bought some more myself this weekend.

Paper:  Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Whisper White, Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP (126906)

Stamps:  Googly Ghouls (w-128060 / c-128063)

Then, the ever popular Bootiful Occasions (w-126595 / c-126597).  There are just so many cute things to do with this set.  Once again the Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP again, one of my favorites that can be used for more than just Halloween.

Come back tomorrow for something new. 

Thanks for peeking in!  ~ Donna

Marshmallow Ghost - Hand Bac

Today's hand back guest is our little Marshmallo Ghost... I bet you know what punch he was made with!  If you guessed the Owl Builder Punch, you would be correct!  Isn't he just adorable?   I really enjoyed making these three little treats this past weekend.  It was so nice to have some crafting time again.

Cardstock - Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise

Stamps - Itty Bitty Banners (w-126255 / c-126257)

Ink - Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray (for sponging)

Tools - Apothecary Accents Framelits (127003), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Googlies Eyes (127539)

Punch - Owl-Builder Punch (118074)

Ribbon - 1/8" Basic Black Taffeta.

Here they are all together, just waiting to be given out to some special people!

Happy Stamping!

Donna



Bat Bite Hand Bac

Here's another cute Hand Bac treat.  This one I thought up on my own... I know, no CASEing, can you stand it!!!  hahah!

Since I bought out the last 5 of the Candy Corn hand bac's I had to find others and they had this adorable Bat one with Apple scented hand bac. 

Cardstock - Whisper White, Old Olive

Stamps:  Googly Ghouls (w-128060 / c-128063), Itty Bitty Banners (w-126255 / c-126257)

Ink:  Basic Black, Old Olive

Fun Tools:  Googlies Eyes (127539), Sponge Daubers (102892), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267)

Punches - Large Oval (119855), Extra Large Oval (119859)

Ribbon:  1/8" Old Olive Taffeta (119256)

Stampin' Dimensionals - (104430)

Come back tomorrow for one more cute hand bac bottle!  Another one created and made from my own little brain. 

Don't forget, any email orders placed with Brittney during my time off receives a free pack of Stampin' Dimensionals as a little thank you for your patience through the transition.

Have a Great Day!

Donna

Candy Corn!

One of the favorite things about the fall and Halloween time is Candy Corn!  Bath and Bodyworks goes crazy with their scents on Hand Bac's this time of year and they are always fun to decorate!  I actually got this idea from Nancy Riley's blog but changed it up just a tad when I discovered I'd used up my yellow Polka Dot Parade DSP on a previous project.

Instead I used Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White cardstock.  I also inked the edges of the Daffodil and Pumpkin paper with Pumpkin Pie ink with a dauber.



Recipe:

Cardstock:  Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Ink:  Pumpkin Pie

Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners (w-126255 / c-126257)

Tools:  Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Petite Pennants Builder (122361)

Ribbon - 1/8" Pumpkin Pie Taffeta

Come back tomorrow morning for another cute Hand-Bac decorated for Halloween!

Remember - contact Brittney at SuziStamp@gmail.com to place an order!

Creepy!

It feels SO good to create again.  After all the long hours at work this last week, we managed to finish up on Saturday so we could have a 2 day weekend of Sunday and Monday (Labor Day).  After sleeping in a little bit yesterday - all the way to 8 a.m. - I was up and inking, punching, cutting and creating!  Woo hooo!



I saw the basic concept of this one on Connie Babbert's blog but changed up the papers and they eyes.  One thing I missed was putting the white highlights on the eyes, but since I covered the jar with a piece of clear window sheet, there was no way to lift it back up.  I still love how it came out!

Paper:  Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Old Olive

DSP: Howlstooth and Scaringbone (126906) and Floral District (126919)

Ink:  Pumpkin Pie, Black StazOn, Basic Gray, Real Red Stampin' Write Pen

Punches:  3/4" circle (119873), 1/2" circle (119869), Owl Punch (middle circle) (118074), 3/8" circle (from Itty Bitty Punch Pack) (118309), Jewelry Tag (117190)

Stamps:  Wicked Cool (w-118738 / c-120600), Perfectly Preserved (w-126690 / c-126692) or as a bundle with the Framelits (w-129943 / c-129944)

Extras and Tools:  Cannery Set Framelits (127822); Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Window Sheets (114323), Linen Thread (104199)

Thank you for looking in.  For ordering, contact Brittney at SuziStamp@gmail.com.

Enjoy the rest of your 3-day weekend!