Be sure to check out the exciting news tomorrow and I hope you play along!! Until next time~ TTFN
I had such a great time making this and started with the idea of making a gift item for this loving holiday, then I wanted to tackle something I have wanted to do for a LONG time which was to sew on my card stock. So I accomplished both desires with one project.
I used the NEW clear mount stamps from Stampin' Up! and got to say I LOVE THEM!!! I have tried others before and never got a great image from other companies but because Stampin' Up! has such a great red-rubber quality their images are just perfect and beautiful! I used Sweetheart Stamp set from the Occasions Mini and the Whimsical Words which is a SALE-A-BRATION set that I GOT FOR FREE!!!!
I used a retired Designer Series Paper called Bali Breeze, I just love the colors that are offered and combined in this package...although the new Designer Series Paper pack named Sweet Pea are VERY close if not an exact match to these colors...I just LOVE THEM!!! I already downloaded the digital version into My Digital Studio, who knows you might see some blog changes soon... :)
I love making a card or items with texture and depth and I LOVE using dimensionals to create that effect with my projects. 
I started by scoring and folding just like I did in THIS post for a similar project. Then I sewed my 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (I used So Saffron- retired but I love the width of this ribbon) to my card stock using Taken with Teal sewing thread (it is nearly an exact match- amazingly). Then I folded my score lines and made my holes with my Crop-A-Dile for my 1/4" Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon.
Then on the outside of the folding box I decorated the display sides with coordinating patterned paper from the Bali Breeze Designer Series Paper paired with Taken with Teal card stock.
Here is a close up of the sewing I did in the corner, here's a TIP- when coming to the corner leave the needle in the card stock when you raise your handle on your sewing machine and while the needle is still in the card stock twist your piece of card stock and repositioned THEN lower your handle to secure the card stock in the right place before beginning to sew the next side of your box.
I manually inserted the ribbon as I sewed the project, which meant i did have to go a little slower than I would normally would when I sew, but the effect turned out so nicely.
I can't wait to see the teachers faces when they get my gifts...they work so hard for my kids and I really enjoy spending time on rewarding them with handmade items. I hope they know that I really appreciate all they do for my kiddo's, I truly think that handmade items say more then just THANK YOU, they say I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOU!!!
I hope you enjoyed today's project and inspiration. Don't forget to be on the lookout in February for the new HAND STAMPED SENTIMENTS challenge blog. BE SURE TO ENTER TO WIN free BLOG CANDY that I am giving away, check it out here!! There are only a few days left, so don't miss out and thanks again for stopping by and until next time~ TTFN
I painted the wood frame of the cork/memo board first, since it came in a raw state. I used a celery color that would coordinate with not only her wall colors but the flower stems too. Then with my Definitely Decorative applicator I prepped the vinyl pieces by braying the grid side of the images first and then separated the two pieces of paper the images are house in between, making sure the vinyl adheres to the NON-GRID piece of paper (the sticky one).
Then I placed them where I wanted them and then ran over them evenly with my applicator to apply the flowers to the cork surface. Then using tension I made sure to remove the sticky paper piece used to apply the flowers being sure the flower adheres to the cork itself, if it doesn't adhere initially press back down and using the applicator to brayer the image down again.
I love these colors of the flowers in case you can't tell from the photo quality they are: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, So Saffron, Certainly Celery. Someday if I can get my daughter to clean her room well I will have to take pics of it to show how well it turned out. :) Thanks for taking a moment to peak at my little project and DON'T FORGET to enter to win some BLOG CANDY, check it out here!! Thanks for stopping by and until later~ TTFN
You can purchase these Crafty Kit Bits on the right side bar of this blog. Thanks for checking this out AND don't forget to enter for some FREE GOODIES in the form of BLOG CANDY, simply click on the link and read the details and enter today!!!
So whats up for grabs today...? Well, a whole bunch of goodies. I have an adorable 6x6 paper pack that have the most adorable soft colors great for Easter and Spring as well as embellishments and flowers all packaged in cute pillow boxes made with my BIG SHOT!
I also have these CUTE photo holders I made that would be so cute to go along with another gift you could create using the rest of these supplies.
I am also including an adorable stamp and a basic black ink spot that you can use to personalize your cards with simply by stamping on the back of your card and signing, so everyone knows it was handmade by YOU!
Along with the flowers I included these cute self-adhesive half pearl embellishments.
So I decided to create 2 cards that were flip-flops of each other...OK truth be told, I couldn't decide which background color I liked better so I used BOTH! When in doubt...so clearly I am not a great decision maker- I just do it all and it relieves me of those feelings of regret for only going one way. Sometimes that works and sometimes, not so much...
I have been on an embossing kick lately and today is NO different. I think that sometimes when we learn all these new cool tricks and techniques we leave behind the tried and true techniques that our customers love so much. No matter how experienced of a stamper your are when you demo heat embossing in a class or workshop your attendees fall in love with it.
So I started by stamping and embossing the triple heart image from the LOVE YOU MUCH set onto Pink Passion, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, and (one another view you will see) Whisper White card stock with White Craft Ink.
Then I covered with White Embossing Powder and punched the images out with my Heart to Heart punch, which matches and is specifically made to coordinate with this stamp set- MAN, I love it when Stampin' Up! does that!!!
I loved the sweet touch of the hodgepodge hardware, although I will tell you getting this FAT ribbon through the tiny holes was a bit of a challenge, but come on- I love a good challenge!!
Here on the Black Based card I have some White based flowers and I did these the same way I did the LOVE image. I stamped the hearts onto Whisper White card stock with basic black ink and then stamped over them with VersaMark ink and applied Clear Embossing Powder, then just punched them out.
Here is a great example of why using your EMBOSSING BUDDY is SO important. I hate the residual powder that will sometimes stick around after you shake off the excess...clearly I forgot that step last night. I used the VersaMark Ink to create the stems for this image.
I hope you enjoyed today's project and are inspired to create your own interpretation with these colors for inspiration. Be ready for a cute surprise coming this weekend that I have in store for you guys, so until next time~ TTFN
I think one of my most favorite techniques is dry embossing, even though it may take a little more time to create a certain look by hand it is well worth it!! You can create amazing dry embossed effects for your cards using the Big Shot and texture plates- mine are on their way here in a nice brown box...so I did this one by hand using my paper cutter and stylus. I LOVE to Heat Emboss as well and used my Heat Tool and VersaMark ink along with my Clear Embossing Powder to create that Tone-on-Tone look.
I used my Heart to Heart Punch and alternated different card stocks to create my bouquet. How Loving- right?! I used Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, and Whisper White for this card. I also LOVE the ornament punch that was available in the Holiday Mini, and I just snipped off the end to create the flower pot. I know, it isn't currently offered on-line to purchase but I would be SHOCKED if that punch isn't brought back in the NEW catalog to be released in July...I am not saying it will just that I would be SHOCKED and disappointed if it wasn't.
I used my Stampin' Dimensionals to create some depth for the hearts in my bouquet of LOVE!!! I even used the stem stamp from the Fifth Ave. Floral Stamp Set.
The inside of the card has a cute surprise for the recipient.
Hope you enjoyed today's post and project and let me know your thoughts. I LOVE the creative juices that have been flowing through my hands now that I have decided to take on doing challenges. Thank you to my cousin Shannon for yet again giving me that kick in the pants to get me going!!! You Rock! 
