This month I decided on a gift bag/gift card set. Fits into the no rules theme because when I decided on my project for the blog, I wasn't thinking, and had chosen the retired 2014-2016 In Colors. My thought was to use up some supplies I had on hand...but oops because typically I only use current products for my blog projects.

Now, these projects are so versatile and can certainly be adapted to any papers/colors you have on hand!

Let's begin. I decided on the new Marquee Messages stamp set. Love it!!! So fun to use! Since the projects I made were 2 bags and 2 gift cards holders. I stamped the images 4 times in each color. Clean the stamp in between colors.

I started with the lightest color, I stamped the Lost Lagoon first, focusing mostly on the arrow section, then since I only need the bottom of the stamp in Tangelo Twist, I stamped closer to edge of the paper and last was Blackberry Bliss, I needed the whole image.

Then I cut the images out. I layered onto the Blackberry Bliss using dimensionals. Finished them off with the Gold Wink of Stella.

To make the gift card holder, you need a piece of cardstock measuring 4 1/4 x 11. Score on the 11" side to 5 1/2 and 2 3/4. Fold over and only adhere the outside edges, to make a pocket for the gift card and punch a notch using the 3/4" circle punch. See 5th & 6th photos. I decorated the pocket using a piece of DSP that measures 2 1/2x4. The inside piece of DSP measures 5 1/4x4. You could use a piece of white if you prefer to have more area to right on.

I used the same DSP on the outside front section. I stapled a strip of gold sequins onto the Marquee and only added dimensionals on the left edge so you can lift open the giftcard. Then I glued on a few sequins here and there to finish it off.  To keep the gift card closed I added a little velcro dot.

The giftbag was pretty simple. I grabbed the bags at the Dollar Tree. I stamped the Writing Notes stamp using the Basic Black onto Whisper White. Then cut out around it. I also stamped the greeting at the bottom in Blackberry Bliss and 2 stars in Lost Lagoon. I used the same DSP and cut a piece that's 6 x8 1/2 and another at 1 1/2x8.  I also cut a piece of Lost Lagoon to 2 x 8 1/2. I punched the ends of the 2 strips using the Triple Banner Punch. I stapled the strips to the DSP and then attached to the bag with Fast Fuse. I also stapled the gold sequins to the top corner of the Writing Notes. I added the Marquee image with the dimensionals. And again finished off with sequins here and there. Last but not least I added the bow with the Blackberry Bliss canvas ribbon.

I hope you enjoyed my projects. Please leave a comment with #SFJuneHop and be sure to click next to visit Kathie's Blog.
Thanks for stopping by
Happy Stampin
Steph

The Designer Tin of Cards Project Kit • 16 cards and all comes with this awesome tin to hold them in.

I will be hosting a Designer Tin of Cards Workshop on Wednesday, June 29th at 9am. 
The Makes 16 cards: 4 each of 4 designs. Folded size: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2". Includes 16 cardbases and envelopes; printed tin box with lid, 6-3/4" x 4" x 5-3/8"; file tab dividers; printed die-cut images; die-cut Designer Series Paper and vellum
sheets; white cardstock tags with gold foil print; washi tape; Baker’s Twine; sequins, gold paper clips.

You will make 16 cards all for the low price of just $31.38 (includes tax and shipping)

I will provide the stamp set and inks used to complete the kit.

Please make sure to RSVP by June 15th so I can order ontime.

Want to earn your kit for free? Host a workshop at your home and invite your friends and family to make the Designer Tin of Cards kit. Each kit or Stampin Up products ordered, you will receive Host Rewards towards free merchandise.

Feel free to contact me with any questions
Make sure to RSVP on time, either on my Stampin UP website or Facebook page.

Happy Stampin
Steph

As we anxiously await the launch of the new Annual 2016-2017 Catalog on June 1st, demonstrators were able to pre-order select products in May.  I grabbed the gorgeous Perfectly Wrapped Kit and coordinating Perfectly Wrapped Stamp Set that is found on page 159

If you can't wait till then you can join up as a demonstrator and add this item to your starter kit! You get $175 of product to add whatever you like to your kit and pay only $99!! Such a bargain.

This kit was so easy to put together. I love how everything coordinates.  It truly is the perfect solution for gift giving. And if you're like me, your always searching for the right packaging.

The Perfectly Wrapped Project Kit • Makes 8 bags & 8 boxes! WOW crazy.

I will be hosting a Perfectly Wrapped Workshop on Wednesday, June 13th at 9am. 
The kit includes 4 kraft bags, 3-1/4" x 7"; 4 cellophane bags, 3" x 6"; 4 clear acetate boxes with gold foil, 2" x 2" x 2"; 4 cardstock boxes, 3" x 3" x 3"; die-cut cardstock image sheets; Designer Series Paper; Baker’s Twine; labels; stickers; sequin and cotton paper trim; gold clips; mini clothespins.
You will make 16 gift packages all for the low price of just $29 (includes tax and shipping)

I will provide the stamp set and inks used to complete the kit.

Please make sure to RSVP by June 1st so I can order ontime.

Want to earn your kit for free? Host a workshop at your home and invite your friends and family to make the Perfectly Wrapped Kit. Each kit or Stampin Up products ordered, you will receive Host Rewards towards free merchandise.

Feel free to contact me with any questions
Make sure to RSVP on time, either on my Stampin UP website or Facebook page.

Day 5 - Last but not least. To end Teacher Week I decided to stick with a gift card. Perfect, the teachers can use the card for themselves.  I came across this Giftcard Card while I was scrolling through Pinterest. The original design was from Lea Denton of The Crafty Spark. Her design uses measurements for a sheet of A4 paper.  I modified it to work for a standard sheet of  8 1/2x11 cardstock in the US.  You could use a sheet of 12x12 and use Lea's measurements if you preferred.

​You can view Lea's design here.

​So I started with a sheet of Calypso Coral 8 1/2x11 cardstock and cut it to 5 1/2x11. I used my Simply Scored Scoring tool. Place the 11" side at the top and score at 1 3/4, 2 3/4, 3 3/4 and 8.

Fold on the score lines. Except on the 2 3/4 score line you are going to fold it in the opposite direction.

Then you will need to turn over you paper and add a strip of adhesive at the 1 3/4 score line. Make sure to add adhesive as close to the score line as possible. You will seal this together at the 3 3/4 score. Turn it over, this section will become the pocket to hold the giftcard.

To make the giftcard pocket, you will need to use the Envelope Punch Board. You will not be scoring, just creating the 2 notches.

​Take the section you just glued (folded side up) and line up the left side at 1 1/8" and punch. Move it over to 4 1/4" and punch again. Boom that's done.

​Next, with your trimmer, line up the edge of the pocket (the side that's folded) and trim off just a smidge to open the pocket. Don't go too far down. You want to make sure there is enough to hold the gift card in.

Ok, lets decorate. I had enough of the Wildflower Fields DSP to finish up the week. Yeah I like when that happens. Now I am no longer sitting on retired paper I am wondering what I'll do with it.

​Starting with the inside. I layered the DSP
​Inside top flap DSP: 5 1/4 x 2 3/4
                         CS:  4 1/2x 2 1/4
​                       DSP: 4 1/4x2
​Inside: DSP: 5 1/4 x 4
​             CS:  3 1/8x3 1/8
​             WW: 3x3
​Inside Bottom Flap DSP: 5 1/4 x 1 1/2
​                                 CS: 4 1/2x1 1/4
​                               DSP: 4 1/4x 1

Now for the outside of the card:  Same process except you do not need to decorate the middle section since this becomes the back of the card
​Outside top flap DSP: 5 1/4 x 2 3/4
                         CS:  4 1/2x 2 1/4
​                       DSP: 4 1/4x2
​​Outside Bottom Flap DSP: 5 1/4 x 1 1/2
​                                 CS: 4 1/2x1 1/4
​                               DSP: 4 1/4x 1

​The I used contrasting colors from the DSP pack to make the closure.
​Punch a 2 1/2 circle in Blackberry Bliss
​Punch a 2 3/8 scallop circle in Lost Lagoon
​Punch a 2" circle with the DSP in a different pattern.

​Adhere on the front only at the top half. We will add Velcro to keep the card shut. So what I did was added both the top and bottom pieces of Velcro onto the back of the circle. Then close the card, and press, the bottom part of the Velcro will stick to the card.

Just add giftcard and it's all done. Love it!!

​Hope you enjoy this week's projects. Feel free to contact me with any questions!

Happy Stampin
​Steph

Day 4 - Notepad Holder
I decided to make a notebook holder for day 4. It's my go to quick gift. Super easy! I feel like you can never have enough notebooks around.

​I used Blackberry Bliss Cardstock as the base of the holder. You can make 1 notebook holder out of a sheet of cardstock. I'm this particular one, I added a pocket on the inside. You can choose to skip to save paper too.

​The holder is sooo easy.
​Take a piece a  8 1/2x11, Take your Simply Scored Scoring tool, with the 11" side at the top score at 5 1/4 & 5 3/4
​Boom folder is done.
​Fold on the score lines and add the notepad to inside right. I used little legal pads I found at Wal-Mart. I think they are like 5x8.
​To make the pocket, you will need a piece of cardstock that measures 4 3/4 x 6 1/2.  Easy - score at 1/2" & 3/4" on three of the sides.

 You will need to fold on all the score lines. Then cut out the corners you don't need that section. The 1/2 section when folded, will be the section that adheres to holder and the 1/4" will be your sides. Hope this makes sense. Tear n Tape to adhere the pocket down.

To decorate the holder. I cut a strip of DSP that measure 1x5. I glued this onto the top of the notebook to hide that binding. Plus it gives the inside a little extra touch.

I cut a piece of DSP to 5 1/4x6 and glued it onto the front of the holder.  I then cut a piece of Whisper White to 2 7/8x5 1/4.I stamped the saying from the Feel Goods stamp set in Blackberry Bliss. Then I tied a knot around the white in the Blackbery Bliss Stitched Satin ribbon. I then glued it onto the front of the holder overlapping the DSP allowing the Blackberry Bliss cardstock to still show at the top.
​I stamped a flower from Flower Shop in Blackberry Bliss and punched it with the Pansy Punch. I then punched 3 more flowers with the Pansy Punch using scraps of DSP and Lost Lagoon Cardstock . I added a Iced Rhinestone to the center of the flowers and then layered them onto the front of the holder.

Just love it. I love that no matter how many times I make this notebook holder, it comes out looking so different!!!! Perfect for teachers right!!!  Like I said in the beginning I was 100% on the Wildflower Fields DSP but, have truly come to love the colors as I worked to create these gifts. I enjoy working to coordinate as well. It makes me happy when the guess work is taking out of the equation and I can create at ease. Got to love Stampin Up!!!!

Check in tomorrow and see what I made for the 5th a final day of Teacher Appreciation week.
​I am so happy with the results.

​Thanks for taking a look

​Happy Stampin
​Steph

Day 3 of Teacher Appreciation Week. Today's project is a little lip balm packaged in a pillow box. As mentioned in Day 1, I did use a little bit of retired product to use things up.

​This project was fairly simple. I cut a piece of Hello Honey cardstock out using the Square Pillow Box Framelits (retired from Stampin Up).I repeated the step and cut out a second piece using the Wildflower Fields DSP. I stamped the A Little Something for You in Blackberry Bliss and cut it out using the framelits provided in the Square Pillow Box. I cut the larger one in Hello Honey and layered together.

​I assembled the box and tied a bow using a piece of Blackberry Bliss striped satin ribbon (retired) around. I attached the saying just under the bow. Like a said EASY. 

​I found this little Vaseline Lip Balms at Walmart in Health and Beauty where the rest of the Vaseline is sold. The idea of this project came from a similar gift given to me by my Upline's, Upline Barbara Lash. She gave me a pillow box with the Vaseline Lip Balm in it. I thought it was sooo adorable. I couldn't wait to make it to give out too.

​Come back tomorrow to see Day 4

Happy Stampin
​Steph​

Day 2 - Soap Box

​You can read about the Soap Box by referencing my original blog post here.

​As mentioned, in my original blog post, I found a box tutorial by Pootles Papercraft. You can watch her video here to see how to make the box.

​I used Lost Lagoon Cardstock as the base of the box and the belly band is basic black and the Wildflower Fields Designer Series Paper. I stamp the flower from Flowering Fields (which was from Sale-a-bration and is now retired) with Archival Black ink and colored it using Lost Lagoon and Old Olive. I stamped the verse from the Num Num stamp set. I finished the flowers by adding a touch of Wink of Stella glitter.

​In the photos below, left photo shows Days 1, 2 & 3 and the right photo shows Days 1, 2, 3 & 4.  I am still working on Day 4 So my delay in a little planning may result in me not having a photo of everything together. But I'll try to it at least post 1 of each as a group.

​I have to say I am really enjoying putting these projects together. I love how everything ties together!!!!

​Have a great week?

​Happy Stampin

This week is Teacher Appreciation. Each day this week, the kids can bring in a little treat for their teacher.  Our PTO supplied a quick suggestion of flowers, wear favorite color, bring a favorite snack, write a note or poem and a gift card. Plus we have a big luncheon on Friday and take over recess duties.

Well, I had been working on year end gifts for the teachers, trying to get a jumpstart. I realized the gifts I was putting together for end of year could possibly work for each day this week. I quickly switched gears and made sure I had enough for each teacher. Although they aren't the suggestions, I feel that the teachers will be ok without receiving 20 of the same things. My kids can still right a little note to go along with the gifts too.

​When I originally started the projects, I had decided that I wanted to use the soon-to-be retiring 2014-2016 In Colors.  And well, the Wildflower Fields I had from Sale-A-Bration matches perfectly. Now keep in mind I did use some retired products.  These type of gifts are perfect to use up anything I have sitting on hand and clear some space for new stuff, right???? Since, I was originally going to put this items altogether in a gift bag, to hand at once, I wanted them to match. But since I separated them out...you may not mind using different papers.

​Day 1 -  We brought in a Lemon Verbena Air Freshener - smells so fresh YUM. Like the soap, featured in Day 2, the air freshener is also from Mangiacotti, which is made in Attleboro, MA. I blogged about the soap back in March so Day 2 will reference that post again.  MAN these gifts smell so delicious, too!!

This was super easy to make, so I'm not going to make a tutorial. I used the Mini Treatbag Framelits from Stampin Up. Don't have the framelits? You can use another type of bag, like these Kraft Bags (these have a low inventory status) or these Sketched Dots Bags and just added the decorations, Really anytype of bag will do!
​
​The colors I used in this project was Hello Honey for the treatbag, the star strip is in Lost Lagoon, Star in Mossy Meadow and 'for you' in Blackberry Bliss are cut from dies included the Mini Treatbag Framelits.  I wrapped the air freshener with a piece of the DSP to coordinate it.  Wala Day 1 project done.

​Stop by tomorrow to see Day 2.

Happy Stampin
​Steph

So I've had several requests to post the instructions for the notebook set I posted a few days back.

So here you go, it's very simple:

Notebook: You will need 1 sheet of card stock 8 1/2 x 11. With the 11" side on the top score at 5 1/4" and 5 3/4". Fold on the score lines.
To create the pocket on the inside, cut a piece of card stock to 6 1/2 x 4 3/4. Score at 1/2" & 3/4" on 3 sides. Fold on the score lines, you will need to cut up to the 3/4" score lines at the bottom of you pocket. Use a strong adhesive to glue to inside left of the cover. The pocket will measure 5 x 4 when done.
On the inside right you can glue the 5x8 notepad.
Depending on how you choose to decorate the front cover is up to you.

Tealight box:
You will need to cut 2 pieces of card stock for base 4 3/8" x 4 3/8" & for the lid 4 7/16" x 4 7/16"
Using the Simply Scored scoring tool, Score st 5/8" on all 4 sides of the base and lid.
To create the hinge on the lid. Take the lid piece and score at 2" down to the 5/8" mark. Turn it over and make sure the 2" scored line you made, lines up to the 2" mark on the left side of your simply scored tool. Now on the top measurements score at 2" again down to the 5/8" mark.
Fold on all score lines on base and lid. You do not need to fold the 2" scored lines.

Before you assemble, cut the circle opening with the Circle Framelits on the lid. I then too a pieces of the window sheet and cut the next size up with the frame,it and glued it on the inside.
I took a piece of DSP cut it to 3x3. Cut a circle (slighter bigger than the size on the lid) and adhere on top.
Take lid and a ruler and line up the edge to the 2" marks and using a stylus or bone folder score a diagonal line.
Cut up on score lines to create the box. Also cut up the 2" lines and fold the diagonal opposite this will hinge the box. Assemble the lid and base.
You then want to glue that corner piece onto the card base.
I punched the bow using the Bow maker punch with same card stock and used reverse side.