MIA

Sorry there hasn't been any inkerbelles in a few days.  Those place settings really threw a loop in my creative schedule.  I can't catch up.  My 18mos old won't let me do anything at the computer w/o her turning it off and crying and such.  And those 3 hours she is sleeping, I have to do everything else in my life!  AHHHH..I'm a little overwhelmed!!

Anyway, don't forget today is the last day for the Holiday Extravaganza!  This is a great way to get lots of great products at a great discount!

I love you...

I have a VERY random card to share today.  I got a call from a local card shop who has some of my stuff in her store.  She asks, "Can you make a Barney card?"  I did a quick search and wouldn't ya know...someone has been there done that!!  Click here to see Ellen Kemper's directions for this card.

Melting Snowman

Here's another card I saw on Lynn Pratt's Blog.  Click here to see the directions.

One neat thing I did add was I turned my silver brads into white ones.  Did you know you could do that?  I just dipped the head of the brad into some versamark and then into a container of white embossing powder. I heat set it and it was ready immediately!  Very cool technique :)

AWESOME RED DOOR!!!

Here is a fun card I got from Lynn Pratt's Blog.  You can upload the free template there.  Click here to see the Youtube video on how to weave our 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.  This was a fun card!

Supplies: 
Paper: Real Red
Ink: Real Red for Sponging
Ribbon: Old Olive and Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
Accessories: Glue dots


Here's one more view lying flat.

Last but Not Least

This is the last project in my Bright Hopes Class.  This purse was cased from the same article I mentioned early this week by Becky Roberts.  And again, no dimensions were shared (BECKY!!!!!!) so I had to figure them out again.  I think I did ok.  Here's the adorable purse.  If you are a demo, you can find this in the online extras from the last Stampin Success!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Bright Hopes
Paper: Lucky Limeade (even though this is olive :()
Ink: Lucky Limeade (again...olive in the picture)
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, 1-1/4"  Early Espresso striped grosgrain even though I used Black here. It was all I had at the time, Sticky Strip
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Details Texturz Plate

Another Bright Hopes Card

I cased this directly from someone's blog and after searching forever, I can't find it again....sorry about that :(

Supplies: 
Stamp Set: Bright Hopes
Paper: Soft Suede, Lucky Limeade, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Soft Suede
Tools: Lace Ribbon Border punch, 2.5" circle punch
Accessories: Basic Pearls, dimensionals

Window Card

Here is a fun card inspired by Mary Fish.  Click here to see her post with all the dimensions and directions.  Here is my take on it to match my class.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Bright Hopes
Paper: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade (it's garden green in the picture, but use LL instead), Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Versamark Ink
Tools: Big Shot, Retired Decorative Strip Die (Didn't realize it was retired until it was too late :(), 1-1/4" square punch, dotted scallop ribbon border punch
Accessories: Pewter Embossing Powder, quilted Cherry Cobbler ribbon

Holiday Extravaganza Starts Tomorrow the 21st!

Online Extravaganza, our annual sale to kick off the holiday shopping season, will begin Monday, November 21, 2011, and run through Wednesday, November 30, 2011.  Take advantage of great savings, like FREE digital downloads valued at $40 when you buy My Digital Studio Express, 60 percent off select Designer Fabrics, and 30 percent off an exclusive ribbon bundle!  In addition, there will be two items on sale for 24 hours only (November 21, 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM [MT])-so make sure you don't miss the first 24 hours of Online Extravaganza!  Go to my website to shop these sales. 

Step Up Card

I cased this card almost directly (changed the DSP to match my class) from Becky Roberts' article in the last Stampin Success Magazine.  Man, she is talented.  Her blog is one of my favorites.  You should hop over there when you are done here.  Here is the card she made.  Unfortunately, she didn't share dimensions in the article so I had to figure them out.  I don't know if I got it right or not, but I think it turned out nice.

Supplies: 
Stamp Set: Bright Hopes
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Christmas Lane Simply Scrappin' DSP
Ink: Lucky Limeade
Tools: Big Shot, Snowburst embossing folder, itty bitty punch pack, oval die
Accessories: basic pearls, quilted Cherry Cobbler Ribbon, dimensionals

Card Tips: Cut out 4 trees and fold down the middle.  Then glue them together as shown and put on card.  Here is the only way I know how to tell you dimensions of this card.  Like I said, I had to figure them out so they aren't exact.  BUT..they should at least help you get started.

I really hope you can see the measurements.  Let me know if you can't and I'll try to help you.

GOOD LUCK!!

Bright Hopes Class!

What a bummer.  Just couldn't find a good date for this class.  This time of year is so hard to get people together.  So, what does that mean I have to do?  I have to share these on my blog b/c I don't want you to miss out on these cute ideas....and, I spend a long time on them :)  Here's the whole class.

If you are in town and are one of my stampers, please leave a comment letting me know if you'd like me to reschedule this class for December.  Otherwise, I'm already in the works on a stamp a stack.

I'll share one project today since you've already seen this class picture.

Supplies: 
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Lucky Limeade
Tools: Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, itty bitty punch pack (for the hole to put ribbon through)
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, 3/8" white organza ribbon

I got this bookmark in another color combo from a swap at the Regional I went to.  Thanks for sharing Pamela Kroeger!  Had to change the colors to match my class :)

More Spice Cake DSP

I just can't get enough of this paper.  I am so sad that we will only have it for 6 more weeks;(  STOCK UP PEOPLE!!!  We learned how to make this card at the Birmingham Half-Day Regionals last month.

Supplies: 
Stamp Set: Swirls and Curls (retired)  Should have used Perfectly Penned, but didn't have it yet.
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, More Mustard, Spice Cake DSP
Tools: Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Die, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, butterfly punch
Accessories: basic pearls, antique brads, dimensionals, dauber, paper snips



It looks rather simple, but there are several steps.  WORTH every one of them!  Here they are step by step for you :)

Punch out 4 of these butterflies out of mustard paper and snip them as shown here.  Sponge espresso around edges.

Layer them on top of one another.  I rotated them 90 degrees each time to make sure the flower was balanced all the way around.

Here's your sandwich.

Just use the mat pack and paper piercer to make a hole in the middle and put the brad through.  Fluff it :)

To do the green part, look here.

Cut espresso layer from tasteful trim die and punch out 4 of the flowers.  You will cut it as seen above and discard the piece with only 2 loops.  Then glue them on the back of the espresso trim.  Very clever of SU!

There are a few ways to use our basic pearls especially the smallest ones I have used here.  Here are the 2 ways I use.

 Jewelry Tweezers

Paper snips.

Give this card a try.  It was so fun to make.  I sent out 3 of these as Birthday Thank Yous and the recipients were so impressed!!  Happy Crafting!

A card to round it all out

Well, now that my Thanksgiving table is ready to go, I had to make a card to share with my family that matches the whole ensemble.  I cased this beautiful card from Tracy Bradley b/c it was the perfect ending to this suite of products :)

Supplies: 
Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Soft Suede, Pool Party, Whisper White, Spice Cake DSP
Ink: Soft Suede
Tools: Big Shot, Stripes Embossing Folder, word window punch, modern label punch, mat pack, paper piercer
Accessories: antique brads, dimensionals

This technique is called the Dahlia Fold.  Click here to see how to make this fun design.

What about the center?

Ok, so I have my place settings made, but what was I going to put in the middle of the table?  That kind of art is NOT something I am good at.  But, I think I did ok on this one.

Supplies:
Paper: Spice Cake DSP
Accessories: Spice Cake Designer Fabric, basic pearls ( I used the strips of them and wrapped them around the base of the votive holder.), antique brads
OTHER: water glass with long stem.  I got 2 different sizes, votive holder, votive candle, hot glue

I had so much fun making this candle holder center piece.  I bought some cheap long stemmed water glasses and some votive holders. I turned the glass upside down and glued the votive holder on top.  The paper flower I made fits perfectly under the glass and makes for a very nice showpiece.  Click here to see how to make these Kusudama origami flowers.  I made these a couple of years ago using sticky strip.  It didn't hold at all. I had to use a hot glue gun and it was wonderful!!!

Here are all 6 that I made.  I can't wait to take a picture of the whole table on Thanksgiving night.  I plan to spread the centerpieces down the center of the table.

CHRISTMAS KEEPSAKE SPECIAL OFFER

As a special offer related to a recent advertisement in Woman’s Day Magazine, the Christmas Keepsake Box--left over from a recruiting promotion incentive in July--is available from now until December 31, 2011 (or while supplies last). This box is an ideal gift, and is a perfect way to motivate you to get crafty even during all the rush of the holidays. Unlike the original offer in July, this Christmas Keepsake Box does NOT include the Pines & Poinsettias stamp set.   But, I will offer that set to you 20% if you'd like to make this project.  This kit is $19.95 :)  Hope this inspires you to get crafty!!

Christmas Quilt Card

I have been itching to make a quilt card using our Top Note Die and Square Lattice Embossing Folder so here it is!

Supplies: 
Stamp Set: Pennant Parade
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Old Olive, DSP from Christmas Lane Kit
Ink: Early Espresso
Tools: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, ticket corner punch, 1" square punch
Ribbon: lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon
Accessories: glue dot, dimensionals, scissors

Card Tips: I used our 1" square punch to punch out 10 squares from each DSP pattern.  I glued them onto a 4x5 piece of cardstock that you can't see.  (so, just use some scrap paper)  I ran that through the big shot using the top note die and then put it in again with the square lattice embossing folder.  It's hard to see in the picture, but the texture of the quilt is quite life-like.  I then trimmed around the quilt piece ( there is a dotted line you can cut around) and then glued it onto the old olive piece.  I hung the whole thing off the edge and cut off a little.  Tied a bow around it and stuck it on the card.  I think the rest is obvious...I hope :)

Last and maybe least

This was my poor attempt to round out the place setting.  You can always tell when you are too tired to think.  I'm sure could come up with something better than this and I might try before Thanksgiving gets here...but, maybe this will get your juices flowing.  This is a wine glass finder.  Each person will have a different color button tied around their glass so they will know which one is his.

Supplies:
Spice Cake Designer Buttons
1/4" chocolate grosgrain ribbon (didn't have the espresso)

I just wrapped the ribbon around the neck of the glass and threaded it through the button holes and tied a bow.  Nothing fancy No adhesive required :)


I hope you have enjoyed all my place setting ideas this week.  You could easily adapt this to a Christmas Place Setting.

I'm off to make 5 more of all of these....I'm tired just thinking about it...BUT..it will be a Thanksgiving Table we'll never forget and I will know I did it all by myself :)  I'm such a big girl!

Napkin Ring

This project might look VERY familiar to many of you b/c it was originally a hair bow from my hair bow class.  I took the exact same project and just hot glued it to a piece of ribbon and tied it around the napkins.  I didn't have any old toilet paper cardboard pieces, but I have seen them used too.  So, here is what I did and you can click here to be taken to my video tutorial on how to make this fun flower.

Supplies:
Spice Cake Designer Fabric
Spray starch
Big Shot, fun flowers die
paper piercing tool
antique brad

You can't see the ribbon that is tied around the napkin...trust me it's there :) I just tied a loose knot under the napkin.

Utensil Holder

I really enjoyed this little guy.  I bought the petite pocket die months ago when I saw this project in Stampin' Success.  I knew I wanted to make my own place settings and HAD to use this idea.

Supplies:
Stamps: Grateful Greetings
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Spice Cake DSP, Soft Suede, very vanilla, pool party
Tools: Big Shot, Petite Pocket die, double scallop ribbon border punch, perfect polka dot embossing folder, corner rounder, punch pack, jewelry tag punch
Accessories: spice cake designer fabric, thread, basic pearls, glue dots, sticky strip 


This would make an adorable utensil holder for plastic silverware at a birthday party.

Paper Pumpkin

I needed to fill some space on the table so I added a paper pumpkin to each place.  I got this tutorial from Lynn Pratt's website.  Very easy to make :)  Click here to learn how to make this.

Supplies:
Paper: Spice Cake DSP
Ribbon: 1/4" chocolate grosgrain ( I didn't have espresso)
Ink: Early espresso for daubing the leaves
Tools: Big Shot, leaf #2 die
Accessories: dimensionals

These could easily be your place cards :)

Another Place Card

I had seen these adorable sour cream packets (do you even remember when sour cream came this way?) in Stampin' Success and really wanted to try one.  They looking too easy not to try.  So, I think I copied this one almost directly from our magazine.  I had to use a few different things b/c I didn't have everything they used.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Fabulous Phrases, Gently Falling
Paper: More Mustard, Pool Party, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso
Tools: Big Shot, square lattice embossing folder, small tag punch, 1/16" hole punch, modern label punch
Accessories: hemp twine, spice cake designer fabric, dimensionals, scissors

Here is a great tutorial on the basics of this little box.  I ran my main cardstock through the big shot before doing anything else. This tutorial doesn't do that...so whatever you want :)

I plan to fill mine with dessert mints :)

Haystack Name Card

I was so excited to find this little gem on Pinterest.  If you spend way too much time on Stampin' Connection, DO NOT get on Pinterest :)  I thought this would be a fun way to make Place cards for my table.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Spice Cake DSP, Pool Party, Whisper White, Early Espresso
Ink: Early Espresso
Tools: Modern Label punch, word window punch, jewelry tag punch, White Gel Pen, 1/16" hole punch, Simply Scored, scissors
Accessories: dimensionals, espresso baker's twine

Here is the link to the tutorial to make this.

Place Mat

I am the most proud of this part of my place setting.  I'm not a great sewer, but I can do a straight stitch :)  Here is my place mat I made using our Spice Cake Designer Fabric.

I made it reversible for versatility :)  I didn't know how to make the fancy corners so I just did all straight stitches.

The final place mat measures 13"x18".
Each of the following measurements is the raw fabric before sewing.
The main brown piece measures 10.5" x 15.5"
The longer blue piece along the top and bottom measure 18.5" x 2"
The shorter blue strips on the left and right measure 2" x 13.5"
The back fabric and cotton batting on inside both measure 13.5" x 18.5"

That's all the info I can give you on this one.  I can't tell you how to sew it...but I'm sure there's some video on youtube :)

Thanksgiving Place Setting

This Thanksgiving I have put myself in charge of the aesthetics since I would would rather eat dirt that cook :)  So, I have come up with this for Thanksgiving with my husband's family.

I will share each project over the next few days.  I hope you try some of them even if not for a place setting :)

My Last Christmas Lane Card

This was another card I thought was so beautiful.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Christmas Lane Simply scrappin kit
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso
Tools: Big Shot, snowburst embossing folder, modern label punch, mat pack and paper piercing tool
Accessories: sponge dauber, dimensionals, brad


I hope you have enjoyed my week of Christmas Lane!  I enjoyed all the projects and can't wait to do some more!

Nugget Box

Here is one of my other 3-D projects we did at my Christmas Lane Class.  I love these little guys, I just wish they were bigger.  I'm sure there is a tutorial out there to make this bigger.  I could probably figure out dimensions, but I am too lazy today :)

Supplies:
Paper: Christmas Lane Simply Scrappin' Kit, window sheet
Ink: Cherry Cobbler marker
Ribbon: Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon
Tools: Big Shot, Matchbox die
Accessories: sticky strip, glue dot

As you can see each piece of candy is wrapped with paper and a rick rack sticker.  There is also a small round sticker on top of that.  The strips measure 1.25"X3.25"  Or you could go for our precious It's a Wrap Holidays Stamp set to create little wraps to go around miniature candies :)

Bright Hopes Class!

Bright Hopes Christmas Card Class  

Tuesday November 15th 6 pm. 

 Click here to rsvp.

I am very excited to share my Bright Hopes Class with you.  Hopefully you don't already think you have enough Christmas Cards for the holidays...b/c there is always that person who sends you one and you HAVE to reciprocate.  You should come just so you'll have a card for that person :)

If you are out of town and would like me to mail you a take home kit, please leave a comment below.  I would be happy to do that.

We will be making 3 cards, a bookmark and a purse to take it all home in.  Even if you don't need them for yourself, imagine giving this set as a gift or stocking stuffer.

The fee for this class will be $25 and will include our clear mount Bright Hopes stamp set.

The rsvp for this party is Sunday Dec 6th.

I hope you can make it!

As usual, please bring your adhesive (glue dots, sticky strip, snail) and scissors with you :)

Happy November!

Hey Everyone!!  I am extra happy today b/c we added 3 new stampers to our Southern Inkerbelles family in October!!  And with their addition....I promoted to
MANAGER!!!
This is a big deal to me.  I'm going to get lots of free product and get to attend convention for free!!  I am giddy! I have all of you to thank!!  By keeping up with this blog, I have been motivated to try new things and meet new people.  So, you may not have known it, but you add value to my life :)  And, I thank you very much!

Starting today, we have 3 fun promotions in progress.

Yes, the free Big Shot promotion has been extended until November 11th.  So, if the end of the month just got too crazy....you have been given a second chance.  One of my new recruits was given the starter kit and free big shot as an early Christmas present.  Did you think about it that way?  You don't ever have to buy anything again....you get lots of stuff for a little bit of $$$ and you can do as little or as much as you'd like :)  Please click here and give me a chance to tell you more :)

In November, all hostesses who have a party that reaches at least $350 will get an additional $35 of free product. Click here to learn more!

And, last but not least.  SU! is offering $5 grab bags in our online store.  There is $20 worth of product in these bags.  No telling what kind of gems you'll get in that :)  Click here to learn more.

So, lots going on this month!!  And, since the Thanksgiving Place Setting Class wasn't a big hit, I will be offering another Mixed Card Class on Tuesday November 15th.  Evite will come out tomorrow.

Happy November!!

Scallop Envelope

Here is the little giftcard holder we made at my Christmas Lane Class.  It is cased from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Christmas Lane Simply Scrappin' Kit, 
Ribbon: Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon
Ink: Cherry Cobbler

The DSP strip around the envelope is 1"x6".

But, silly me.  I honestly didn't realize a gift card wouldn't fit in this envelope.  Seems kinda silly.  But, here is an altered envelope that is guaranteed to hold a gift card.

Can you even tell it's larger?  Not really from the picture, but I promise you it is.  Click here to see the tutorial on how to alter the scallop envelope die.

I love it that there are so many people out there WAY smarter than I am who come up with these ideas and share them with the rest of us!!  Thanks, Patty!!