Stamp club projects for April, No fooling!

First up is a card made with the gorgeous Strength and Hope set that will be available during the month of May from Stampin' Up! SU is donating $2 from the sale of each set to Breast Cancer Research. I saw this layout on Stampin' Connection. Mary had used Baja Breeze and Soft Suede dsp from Elegant Soiree, a lovely combination. I wanted to translate that into the new Paisley Prints dsp that is available for purchase this month. It is a gorgeous designer paper that will be in the new catty that comes out in July. You can order it now with a $20 order. I paired the dsp with Pear Pizazz and Soft Suede.

This card features Sew Suite stampset and the paper from Sweet Stitches. The cardstock colors are Melon Mambo and Pink Pirouette.

Here is another look at the gorgeous Paisley Prints dsp! I also used one of the stamps from Four Frames, a brand new set that will be in the new catty in July. You can purchase this now with a qualifying $20 purchase.

Last, I had to make a couple of these cute boxes that Mary Fish showed on her blog. There is a wonderful video tutorial that shows how to make them, so so easy! I totally cased them!

Stained glass with the lattice die

Paisley Petals dsp, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Black
Greenhouse Gala dsp, Early Espresso, Baja Breese, White

Newsprint dsp, Cherry Cobbler, Black, White

Paisley Petals dsp, Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz

The Glitterin' Gals are meeting here next Sunday for our Stampin' Up! downline (and sideline) meeting. We always swap and this month the theme was anything Summer. Some of us also volunteered to do a demonstration. I saw this tutorial by Southern Inkerbelles and was dying to try it. I am going to demo at the meeting, but if you can't wait, then check out the link now.

Punch Bunch and Create a Cupcake

I've always wanted to try this sky. It is so easy and fun. Just punch out an xl scalloped circle from cardstock. Lay it on you card and sponge on color around the top only of the scallop. Move it around your card and repeat until you have the look you want. For a bold sky like this, I used Marina Mist. For a very soft sky, use bashful blue.

The dsp for this card was FREE from the Sale-a-bration catty. It's called Ice Cream Parlor and it's not too late to gets yours for free also! Just place a $50 order from SU and pick this dsp as your free product! But don't wait too long. Sale-a-bration ends March 31st!

Fun Flowers Die Glass Koosie

I found this darling idea on the web and I have been searching to find it again to give credit where credit is due, but alas I can not find it. This is a glass koosie. It is made using the Fun Flowers die from Stampin' Up! and can be found in the occasions mini catalog. Contact me to order yours today! I placed with the pieces and came up with this tutorial on how I made mine.

The pieces were die cut from fleece, use white or ivory. Each piece was misted with a mixture of alcohol and re-inkers die. I filled a mini mister almost to the top with alcohol and added about 5 drops of re-inker. I misted both sides of the flowers and let them dry overnight. The die still rubbed off on my fingers as I ca making them. You may want to heat set the ink with an iron. Do not use your heat tool as it will cause the edges to start to melt and curl. The colors shown here are Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry (Melon Mambo is better but I misplaced it as I made the first one!) and Daffodil Delight. for the leave (forgot to show them in the picture) I used the Leaves #2 die and Old Olive re-inker.

Stack your pieces.

Pierce through the center.

Add a brad.

Leave the prongs closed and set it up like this.

Fold a scalloped circle of tulle or netting into fourths and place the point over the brad.

Fold a piece of ribbon and pierce to make a hole through both layers. Place onto brad and close.

Hot glue leaves over closed brad prongs.

Hot glue a piece of elastic over the leaves. I cut my elastic about 1" shorter than needed to go around my glass.

Adhere other end of elastic to form a circle.

Cover a felt circle with hot glue. I used the next to largest circle on the Circle #2 die.

Here is what is will look like from the back when you are finished.

Here is another look at the finished koosie. Isn't it the cutest thing? I am going to make enough to put on my glasses so that I can decorate the table with them at my next "supper club" dinner. Note: it is easier to put the koosie on by slipping it on from the bottom of the glass and sliding it up as far as you need to go.

Stylish Blogger Award

What a surprise to receive this award and an honor too. Thank you Cherie Franklin. Be sure to visit her blog at stampcrave.

When you receive this award you need to:
1. thank the person who gave this award and link back to their blog
2. share 8 things about yourself
3. pass this award to 8 other individuals that you have recently discovered
4. leave a comment so that they can pass along the recognition!

8 things about me:

1. My favorite food is Mexican. I have it at least once a week, but could eat it almost every day! I love chips and salsa!!! I recently had dinner with Michelle Zindorf at Lupe Tortillas!
2. I live in the great state of Texas, but have also lived in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Arkansas, and England.
3. I raised three sons who are now married and have sons of their own. Of my six grandchildren, 5 are boys BUT I do have one beautiful granddaughter! Yeah!
4. I recently retired from teaching kindergarten for 24 years. Now I can stamp anytime I want too.
5. You should never retire because you become busier than ever and don't have time to stamp! boohoo!
6. I love stamping and love sharing it with my friends! That is how I became a demonstrator. I may never build a successful business, but I will always love sharing the cards I make with anyone who wants to come over to my house and stamp!
7. I am a Stampin' Up! blog stalker! I mean it! Nothing is more rewarding than finding a new blog to cruise and case! I can spend hours and hours just surfing from one blog to another.
8. I am a 100% Stampin' Up! stamper and demonstrator! There is no better company to work for or stamp with! I love going to convention, leadership and regionals. It's fun, inspirational, motivational, and rewarding! (Free stamps!)

8 wonderful blogs I just recently found:

SU Only Challenges http://suochallenges.com/

Sandi Maciver http://sandimaciver.com/

Beth Crocker http://southerninkerbelles.blogspot.com/

Julie Edmounds http://inkrediblestamping.com/

Jakie Topa http://jackietopa.typepad.com/

Monica Weaver http://addalittledazzle.com/

Kerin Sylvester http://kerinstamps.com/

Connie Babbert http://inkspiredtreasures.com/

There are so many wonderful blogs out there. Be sure to visit these and check out their work. Thank you ladies for your hard work and wonderful inspiration.

Bliss from Sale-a-bration

If you haven't placed your SAB order, you are gonna want to do that soon so that you can get this gorgeous set, Bliss, for FREE! I made several cards like this one for some sick friends. It was quick and easy and I think it looks stunning.
Set: Bliss (SAB)
Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Newsprint DSP, Big Shot, Tasteful Trim, rhinestones.
Thanks to Elizabeth Fedyna for the layout.

Q&A

	Q&A Q: What can I do to keep my punches and scissors working properly? A: That’s a great question. Because Stampin’ Up! focuses on providing quality products your tools like punches and scissors are things that you’ll have and use for a long time. A little bit of care can help you get the best use and longevity from them. Punches Stampin’ Up! punches can punch out hundreds and hundreds of shapes for you without any special care. After time you may notice that the edges or part of a shape isn’t punching as cleanly as it did before or that it seems to stick a bit. No worries! To sharpen the punch get some standard kitchen tin foil, any kind will work, but the heavy duty kind is easier to use. Use the punch to punch the tinfoil about 15-20 times. Test the punch on some scrap paper and repeat punching another time if necessary. If your punch seems to stick a bit punch through standard waxed paper 5-10 times to lubricate the punch. Scissors Stampin’ Up! scissors are useful for so many projects and types of materials. You’ll get the best results if you use the scissors for their intended purpose. • Use the Paper Snips (#103579) for detailed paper cutting. • Get clean cuts on ribbon, paper, fabric, and card stock with the Craft and Paper Scissors (#108360). • Use the Craft & Rubber Scissors (#103179) for more heavy duty cutting like twine, rubber, wood sheets, wire, and more. Here are few tips to keep your scissors in tiptop condition. If any of the scissors get gummed up or dirty clean them with dish soap and dry thoroughly. The Craft & Rubber scissors can get really gummed up when you use them to trim rubber stamps, clean them with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. If cutting wire with the Craft & Rubber Scissors cut the wire at the back of the blade near the hinge for greater leverage and to keep the tips of the blade sharper. If, after time, you find your scissors have become a bit dull you can cut through tinfoil to sharpen them. If scissors need more sharpening they can usually be sharpened professionally because they are high-quality. Some fabric or kitchen stores have knife/scissor sharpening services or can recommend a reputable company. With a little care your punches and scissors will be around to help you create projects of all types for a long time! If you have more questions about caring for other Stampin’ Up! products, stamps, or tools, please let me know. One of the many benefits of having a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is that I have access to lots of great resources, training, and knowledge that so that I can help you and provide you with great service!
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