Paper Flower Tutorial

With thanks to Jayne Mercer for sharing this great tutorial how you can make a simple flower from just 3 scallop Circle Punches... I have made this Birthday card for my mother-in-law (well not official, but officially in my books) for her special day tomorrow.

Stamps: Heard from the Heart (mini catalogue)

Ink: Handsome Hunter (retiring)

Card: Whisper White, Handsome Hunter (retiring), & Regal Rose

Accessories: Split Pin

Tools: Circle Scallop Punch, Paper Crimper, Piercer (for brad), Big Shot & Little Leaves Die, and Adhesives.

Happy Birthday Annita (Grandma) xoxo

Here's the tutorial so you can give these flowers a go too!

1. Punch out 3 scallop circles

2. & 3. In order to make this type of flowers you need to break down the fibres in the cardstock. If you've got a crimper, simply put the scallops through the crimper several times in different directions. If you don't have a crimper simply jump to step 4.

4. Screw up the scallops (if you haven't crimped you'll probably have to scrumple, unscrumple, and scrumple again a few times).

5. What you're aiming to get is the cardstock starting to separate.

6. Gently pull apart the two halves. You'll end up with a soft textured side - almost like suede.

7. Repeat with all 3 scallops

8. Stack the 6 scallops textured size up and put a brad through the middle of all of them.

9. Screw up tight the first layer around the brad.

10. Repeat with all 6 layers.

11. Gently unfold each layer to your liking.

12. Add to card.

Have fun and feel free to email me a photo of your creations!

2 favourite swaps from Convention 2010

I've been busting to share with you these 2 swaps which stood out as a couple of my favourites from Convention in Sydney this year.

My all time favourite is this cute Punch Panda!

Colours: Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Whisper White, Basic Black

Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, 1" Circle, 3/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle, Word Window, Heart to Heart, 1/4" Circle, Crop-A-Dile.

Stamps: Something Sweet

Made by: Richelle Hopkinson

Isn't he soooo cute? I fell in love with him so much, that although I didn't have any swaps myself, when I swapped this one on Liz's behalf, I begged her cold I please keep him. (of course she said yes, thanks Liz xo).

I also liked the clever Pansies on this card made with the Butterfly Punch.

Sorry, I don't know who's swap this was, but thanks for the great idea to who it was from.

If you click on the photo it should pop up in full size and you can read the instructions included there sharing how to make Butterfly Pansies.

Butterfly Prints Birthday!

At our February Paper Angels Meeting we made this Beautiful Birthday Card featuring Butterfly Prints from the Summer Mini.

Stamps: Butterfly Prints (Summer Mini), Happy Everything

Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Kiwi Kiss

Card: Bravo Burgundy, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Bella Rose DS

Accessories: Bravo Burgundy Grosgrain Ribbon

Tools: Circle Scissors Plus (summer Mini), Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Snips, Butterfly Punch (summer mini), Stamp-a-majig, Piercer, Adhesives.

Don't you love the scallop edge created around the large circle? Wondering how you can do this? I've put together some photos and instructions for you below.

1. Punch a long strip (A4 long side) of Card with the Scallop Edge Punch

2. Snip between each scallop from flat side 3/4 way so you don't snip right off.

3. Gently start creating a curve.

4. Put Adhesive right around the outside edge of your circle (on the back) and slowly adhere your scallop edge around the circle.

I've also had a few questions about the Circle Scissors Plus, and whether it is difficult to use. I love it, and after Liz showing me how to use it at our meeting, I find it very easy to use (unlike other horrible circle cutters I've tried in the past!). The circle scissor is so quick and easy, and makes a simple layout look a bit more special.

I only wish I had the skills to create a video tutorial to show you how great the Circle Scissors Plus is. Lucky for me though, some other SU demonstrators have done just this and I am able to include this great tutorial for you to watch on YouTube. Click here.

The Circle Scissors Plus and Glass Mat are sold separately. You can see them on the last page of the Summer Mini. For a real bargain, you might like to purchase my Circle Scissor Bundle...available only until the end of this month!

Reminder... there are only 2 weeks left to stock up

on your Summer Mini favourites!

Envelope Card!

Here's a fresh new idea for you that is sure to get a WOW!

I picked this idea up at our Brisbane Regionals and I think it's pretty cute. What it is, is an envelope that has been sealed. 2" has been cut from one end creating the little lid that slides on and off. The larger part of the envelope has then been put through the Paper Crimper. This makes it that little bit smaller than the size of the lid piece, allowing it to tuck neatly inside. Amazing hey? Just add a little card to tuck inside with a special message, and there you go!

I did make a boo boo on my first attempt at this, and crimped the first envelope the wrong way (You need to crimp your envelope in horizontal). Not letting that little boo boo get in the way, what I did was undo the envelope and lay it out on some card stock. I measured around it and created the Certainly Celery base that you can see on one of the cards here...

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes (Stamp Set of the Month),

Sincere Salutations, Curvy Verses,

Ink: Certainly Celery, Pixie Pink

Card: Certainly Celery, Pixie Pink, Whisper White,

Kaleidoscope DS Papers

Accessories: Whisper White Envelopes, Certainly Celery Ribbon,

Soft Subtles Brad

Tools: Paper Crimper, Wide Oval Punch, Designer Label Punch, Round Tab Punch, Daubers, Adhesives including Dimensionals.

Keagan's gift for his new teacher!

Over the school holidays there has been lots of activity with the kids in the craft room making all sorts of little projects. Yesterday Keagan asked me if he could make something for his new teacher this year to welcome her to the school. He came up with the idea of making one of my old favourites... a Sticky Note Holder.

(Click here for my older post with instructions)

Here's what he made...

Card: Pixie Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun,

Kaleidoscope DS Paper

Accessories: So Saffron Ribbon, Crystal Brad, Mini Gel Pen,

Sticky Note Pad

Tools: Paper Trimmer with Scorer, 5 Petal Flower Punch, Piercer for Brad, Dazzling Diamonds, Adhesives including Sticky Strip & Dimensionals

Keagan chose the colours, DS etc himself. The flower on the front was a joint effort. I had seen this idea at our Brisbane Regionals and wanted to try it out. The top flower is curled with a wooden skewer so you can tuck the tips of the petals under the brad in the centre...

it is so effective and so easy to do!

I'm sure Keagan's teacher will love receiving this little gift...

almost as much as Keagan will enjoy giving it!

It's all in the packaging!

I have shared this idea with you before, but as it's such a simple and effective idea, I thought I'd share it again.

Specially for those who are time short like me... 3 sleeps til Christmas AAARRRGGG!!!!!

It's not how big it is or how much it cost, it's the love and thought you put into it that says you really care and puts that warm fuzzy feeling into giving gifts.... Handmade packaging is a great way to express that with your gift giving.

Here is the cute little bag I created last night to put a very special little surprise inside for a special someone under our tree this year.

The bag was made from a plane old envelope using the bag-a-lope instructions below and the tag was one we created at our Paper Angels Christmas Card Charity Events this year.

The gift of gift card holders!

As a demonstrator every month I have the added bonus of receiving in the mail our Stampin' Up! demonstrator 'Impressions', filled with lots inspiration and cool project ideas.

This month I would like to share with you the words of our co founder and CEO Shelli Gardner as she reflects on the pleasure of giving gifts. Shelli says giving gifts provides the perfect opportunity to send an extra-special message of love by adding a handmade element. A hand-stamped tag jazzes up a jar of jam, or any gift, and a card that co-ordinates with hand stamped wrapping always makes a delightful impression. And of course when you can actually make the gift itself, that's even more fun!

Shelli tells of how she gave her mum a gift card for her birthday earlier this year, and of course how she dolled it up by creating darling gift card packaging. She says somehow it made the gift feel much more personal and heartfelt. You guessed it... the first thing her mum commented on was the packaging!

Here is a simple and adorable gift card holder I'd like to share with you which was a project from our October 'Impressions'

To create this you will need a piece of card stock that is 10.2cm x 27.9cm

* In landscape position score your card at 4.5cm, 12.4cm, and 20.3cm

* Turn your card to portrait position so as the have the smallest section at the top. Punch a notch in the right edge of the bottom section using the 1 3/8" circle punch.

* Adhere sticky strip to the bottom edge and opposite side (left side) of your notch in the bottom section, then fold this up to create a pocket for your gift card.

* Decorate as desired.

Ta-da! Now you will have a beautiful gift card holder that will be sure to impress that special someone you care about.

Stamps: Snow Swirled

Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip

Card: Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip Patterns DS Paper

Accessories: Crystal Brad, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon

Tools: Paper Trimmer & Scorer, Scallop Border Punch, 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, small hole punch, adhesives including Sticky Strip & Dimensionals.

Fathers Day! (not for dad's eyes until after Sunday)

Only 3 sleeps until fathers day...

so I thought I better get busy and make a card

ready to pop in the post for my dad...

I was inspired to make this card by Linda Heller.

Isn't it just so funky!!!!!

If you are like me and have left making a card until this last minute, maybe you would like to make one like this too! Here are the instructions for you... (it's a really great card as you don't need a lot of materials to make it)

Fold a white A5 card in half. Completely cover the front with coloured paper (DS) to fit neatly. I have used a plain sheet of Brocade Blue from the 6x6 Patterns Pack of DSP which is a level 1 hostess reward. Now at the top of your card come down 1" and trim in from each side 1 1/2". You are cutting through both layers of your card to do this. Open up your card and trim off this section now from the back/inside piece of your card only and throw away. The piece still attached at the front has now become what you will fold inwards to make your collar. (This is the white collar). Corner the tops of your card with a corner rounder. To make the pocket use a tag punch. Punch a piece of the matching DS that you have used for the shirt. Only punch it as long as you are wanting your pocket. ie: not quite the full tag, so long as you get the 'tag bit' as this is the bottom of the pocket. With a white gel pen create some little stitches around the outside of your pocket. Attach the pocket on with some dimensionals.

Creating the tie: I have made mine with a striped piece of DS from Washington Apple. Cut your patterned DS Paper to a 3 3/4" square. Start with your paper's chosen pattern side down, then fold in half along the diagonal. Unfold. Fold the outside corners into the center, making sure that the edges line up along the center line. Repeat this step again (this is the tie, less the knot) Hold your tie up to you card and decide how long you want it to be. Snip off the top piece that you don't want. (I snipped off about 1.5cm). Making the knot, in matching DS, punch a 1 1/4" square. Turn this over so your DS pattern is on the bottom and is in front of you in a diamond shape. Fold the top and bottom corners to meet in the middle. Flip back over so your pattern is now facing up. Stick this to the top of your tie and fold the sides around so that they are a little wider at the top than the bottom. There you have it! Your tie!!!!Adhere the tie to the front of your card and use a glue dot under each of the points of your collar to hold it down to the top of the tie.

Here is another nifty idea that we made at our Macleay workshops just the other week.

Decorating a plain white paper gift bag is always fun!

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there, but a special mention to my Dad also known as "Gumpy", my Father in-law Manfred also known as "Grandpa", and to my loving partner Mark also know as "Daddy" xo xo xo

Create your own brads!

Did you know you can design your own brads to coordinate with your cards, scrapbooking and off-the-page work? It's as easy as 1-2-3 with Build-a-Brads by Stampin' Up!

Step 1.Punch out an image using a 1/2" circle punch.

Instead of patterned paper as I've used,

you may wish to stamp an image or use a rub-on.

Step 2.Using your adhesive of choice,

adhere your punched out image to the top of the brad

from your Build-a-Brad kit.

Step 3.Peel off the self-adhesive bubble from your Build-a-Brad pack

and place it over your image on the brad.

Looks like fun? It is!

Email me now to purchase a Build-a-Brad Kit

and you too can start creating your own coordinated cards, scrapbooking and more.

Here's a card I made recently using the Build-a-Brad kit

to make my own coordinated embellishment.

Getting ready for my sister's military style wedding... we have added a Build-a-Brad on her invitations to co-ordinate with the badge from her 'soon to be hubby's' suit.

Are we clever or what????

Build-a-Brads can be found on page 149.

They come in the choice of Antique Brass or Pewter.

Each pack contains 24 RRP $18.95

Snow Swirled ~ Bag-a-lope!

Check out this nifty bag made from a plain old envelope!

Whilst away on our Stampin' & Scrappin' in the Mountains Retreat over the weekend... I thought I would give this little project a go... discovering how to make this bag out of an envelope!

Making the most of my favourite stamp set this month, Snow Swirled, I decorated the envelope by stamping it all over before following the steps I have attached for you right here...

NOTE: If you are having trouble reading these instructions... please email me and I can email them to you clearer.

Topping the bag off I used some DS Paper from a new design 'Ski Slope' available in our new Spring Mini Catalogue available on the 1st August.

Remember If you like what you see...
I have 'Snow Swirled' featured in the month of July 2009
as my stamp set of the month where you can purchase it from me for the
special price of $39!
That's a saving of over 15%... we all love to save for Christmas!

Keep posted for more Snow Swirled!
Order your set today at my special price!

Sticky Note Holders

This novel idea came about from a swap at

Convention in Canberra earlier this year.

(Thank you to who made them, but sorry I don't know who you are)

I have been making them and sharing them with my hostesses, and at workshops ever since... and by popular request I have the instructions here for you so you can make them too...

You won't believe how easy it is...

From an A4 page of card you can make 3 holders. Cut your card in the landscape position at 9cm so that you have a piece of card 9cm x 21cm. Now score your card in the landscape position at 9 cm, 10cm, and 11cm. Between the 3 score lines you need to snip or cut 2 cuts. For the holders I have made with a ribbon band I have made these two cuts at 3cm and 6cm. For the ones without ribbon such as the owl one, I have made these 2 snips at 2cm and 4cm. Take note of your card though, you will have a larger side and smaller side from where your score lines are... the larger side is the base. After creating your two cuts attach sticky strip to the inside of the 10cm and 11cm score lines, being careful not to put any sticky strip

between the two cuts.

Now stick this to the base and there you have it!

Decorate as you please... here are a few of the ones I have made lately...

What a fabulous gift idea!