Stamp Club DBS: August 2013

The August hostess for the Dead Birds Society chose to replicate a package wrap from page 15 of the current Idea Book & Catalog. What a smorgasbord of products to play with! We began by popping up one of SU's little kraft gift boxes, then placing a bellyband of DSP around it (this makes the whole decorative unit slide off - and back on again for repeated uses!).

We adhered some lace tape to the sides so it would just peep out from under the ribbon, then tied on seam binding tape. Next, we folded and cut some pieces of creped filter paper for a ruffle, topped by a doily. Holes punched through each of these enabled us to thread them onto the seam binding ribbon.

More DSP was cut and scored with the Designer Rosette Bigz XL Die to make - you'll never guess - a rosette. We scrunched and peeled some punched scallop circles, and finally tied on more seam binding tape atop the whole thing. Whew! Lots of steps, but each could be used alone or in combination with just a couple of others, so we learned a great deal.

Finally, to construct the tag, we heat embossed the "Happy Birthday" from You're Amazing twice and popped up the "Birthday" line as a banner on dimensionals, accented with Pumpkin Pie die cut strips. A couple of Pumpkin Pie candy dots and then it was ready to tie on with linen thread.

The recipient of this package will know themselves to be very, very special indeed.  -Kathy

Stamp Club Olathe: September 2013

Re-Purposed Menu Binders

One of my customers likes to bring me things just to see if I can recycle them into something new. (Stay tuned, Lorena, there's another of your inspirations coming in the Christmas collection!) Her daughter was working at a restaurant when the company decided to update the menus, so I was issued the challenge: What could we make of these little 3-ring binders?

As you can see, there are a variety of page sizes, some tabs, plus inside and outside covers to consider. Since it's autumn and the tones of the menu are the colors of rich spices, I chose a palette of Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Cajun Craze, Old Olive, and Early Espresso. For the cover, I wanted to try out the watercolor technique using clear blocks shown here. We used the World Map stamp and glued the panel to the cover with the amazing Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue, smoothing from center to edges with the edge of a bone folder. Each person's cover came out beautifully different, but here's what mine looked like:

By selecting a color palette that echoed that of the original, I didn't feel that I had to wrap my new cover around edges and corners. Just covering the images seems to be enough.

Here's the inside front cover (the inside back will be similar, but likely with a pocket adhered at the bottom). I stamped this in Rose Red as an experiment... but by the next page I had changed to Cajun Craze, which tones much better with the original colors peeping out at the margins! Creative Elements comes together so nicely over an "anchor" of Old Olive stamped with a clear block. I chose a sentiment from Feel Goods, thinking it would be a great reminder no matter how one chose to use the book.

Divider pages are done simply, as above, with three quick stamps requiring no careful placement.

Pockets are easily added by simply punching holes in an envelope and inserting as needed.

Now, what could this project be used for?? Our list of ideas included...
     *heritage recipes
     *babysitter or housesitter notes
     *holiday planning (including names/addresses for mailing cards, shopping lists, and recipes)
     *a gratitude journal
     *advices pages from each attendee at a bridal or baby shower
     *collected wise words to live by/favorite sayings
     *art or idea journal
     *home dec records (paint chips, fabric swatches, etc. for each room in the house)
     *photo/prayer journal for each family member as a gift for an elderly friend/relative, especially someone in the early stages of Alzheimers

Hope this inspires you to repurpose something you might otherwise send to the landfill. It's a great way to keep that brain in "innovation gear"!  -Kathy

Plot Twist!

I am so rarely on Facebook that it's odd to have two projects in a row originate there, but life is curious like that sometimes. 

This project began with the quote, which is great by itself - but then I thought of my niece, who recently changed from an accounting major to an English major and is thinking of writing a novel (oh, and did I mention that her life is often full of drama?!), and it all just came together! And since the previous project featured one of my nephews, it suddenly came to me that it would be such fun to make personalized wall art for each one of them! I am so excited! I have plenty of time to be on the lookout for good photos (pulled this one right off FB) and quotes, and even time to use coupons for all the frames. Eureka! I can't wait to pull this series together. And MDS is the perfect way to create them, since placing words and pictures is a cinch.

Hope my idea sparks an idea for some of you.

Kathy

Stamp Club Lawrence - July 2012

The hostess for club this month wanted some ideas for decorating little boxes (she volunteers for a program with at-risk teens, teaching them how to make jewelry). I showed them a 3D flower made from the blossom punch, a pinwheel that might appeal to a younger recipient, and this medallion option that could be more masculine. Everyone chose what they wanted to affix permanently to their box (which incidentally are also just the right size for gift cards). The boxes also feature the new World Spectacular DSP, which I think would be equally applicable to all audiences.

In addition to the box, each person made a gift card and decorated envelope using the You're Amazing stamp set. It has such fun images in it!! It may be my newest "go to" set, because what occasion would that not apply to??! (OK, so maybe there would be a better choice for a sympathy card.) You already know that when you start with something tiny, like the SU! 3 1/8" square envelope, you're guaranteed "cuteness factor".

Inside the card, we made an unexpected pop-up of the sentiment (and can anyone guess where the corner pieces came from??). I just love it when everything coordinates!

Hope you're staying cool and hydrated,
Kathy

Wee Gifts for Mom: The Fashionable Clothespin

I have been thinking of some small gifts I'd like to create for my Mother, gifts that would focus the attention on the sentiment behind the gift more than on the object itself. Perhaps you'd like to join me in honoring your mother, or some other woman who has mentored and cared for you in significant ways.

My friend & fellow demo Lisa inadvertently gave me the first idea in the series: a way to display a photograph that Mother will enjoy looking at every morning at breakfast! I should tell you that wasn't necessarily Lisa's intent, but her "thank you" gift to me provides the ideal object to CASE! A giant clothespin is just the right size, inexpensive, and easy to embellish simply and quickly. I can clip in messages, change out the photos, pretty up a memory verse and put it here.

My Mother has significant memory loss, so an object such as this will be examined and enjoyed a dozen times at each meal. Perhaps I'll have to fill a little file box with options to change out regularly! -Kathy

Teabag Wreath

I wanted to show you one quickie gift I made as I was preparing for the Asia Inspired class (saw something like it on Pinterest - thanks, Michelle!). My daughter likes tea and she also likes Asian artifacts, so this seemed perfect for her. You can even get bamboo clothespins!

We decorated clothespins with strips of origami paper that I bought at the 100 Yen store in Tokyo some years ago (that Tombow Multipurpose glue will adhere to just about anything!). Some of these have a circular medallion attached, others a small white flower with pearl center. I traced around two plates to form a cardboard ring, then clipped teabags to that with the clothespins.

I can show you now that it's been presented! -Kathy

A Gift for the New Year

I'm always bragging on the group of demonstrators I get together with each month, and here's another reason why! Not only are they talented, they're so very generous. Here's a gift I received last month from Lisa, who convenes the group. A little calendar pad is attached at the bottom - I'll just tear off each one as the year flies by and it will be just the right size for reference in the studio.

Practical, yes - but the beauty of little gifts is simply how special someone feels when they receive "a little something" made just for them, for no particular reason! -Kathy

The Pleasure of Small Gifts

I wanted to give you a peep at some very beautiful packaging on a gift I received just before Christmas, and the thank you note and envelope I created to acknowledge it. Don't the colors just make you think of spring?? I was challenged by a comment of Mary Fish's that we actually need to USE the beautiful collections of papers we have, so these cards feature part of my stash from last year paired with images from a new stamp set in this year's catalog called Nature's Pace.

And YES, I am so proud, I actually got the note written and into the mail, the final step after "good intentions" and "design idea"! -Kathy

Festival of Trees 2011 - Petal Cone Potpourri Recipe

My sister Karen has generously agreed to share her original potpourri recipe with everyone. Thank you for patiently waiting while I pulled together photos and such!

Some of you asked if she would sell it ready-made. The answer is yes, for $17/quart. The expensive part of the mix is the essential oils, especially if you're starting with none. We bundles ours in organza scallop circles from the wedding section at the Dollar Tree (25/pkg) and tied with gardener's twine from the Target dollar bin.


Autumn-to-Winter Potpourri

1-2 qts assorted "gatherings" such as:
-small acorns, preferably green*
-seed pods (e.g. Illinois bundleweed, buttonweed)*
-garlic chive flowers*
-1 qt cedar tips with blue & green berries attached*
-1-2 c red rose petals**
-1/2 c hawthorne berries**
-1/4 c whole cloves

Mix gently in large glass (not plastic!) container, then sprinkle over top:

-2 T orris root (binds scent)**
-10-15 drops each essential oils of clove, balsam fir, pine
-20 drops cassia (cinnamon)
-5 drops peppermint
-20 drops cedarwood

Seal container and set to "cure" in dark place about 2 weeks. Makes about 1 gallon.

* Dry ingredients individually before adding. Cedar may be fresh.
**Purchased

Note: Other possible ingredients might include broken cinnamon sticks, tiny pine cones, dried orange peel, straw flower heads, dried statice.

What a great activity to look for "gatherings" while you're on a country walk! You'll see so much more than you ever imagined when you're on the hunt... -Kathy

Festival of Trees 2011- Petal Cones

Each year Lawrence hosts the Festival of Trees, the proceeds of which benefit a local shelter. The Lawrence and Olathe stamp clubs are working to help me create a tree for this event which will then be auctioned to raise funds.

Our first project uses the Petal Cone Die. It's cut from Baja Breeze CS on the Big Shot and then rolled with a vintage wheel for visual texture, then we've added a holiday wish to the flap and sponged the edges. Gardener's twine "dresses it down" to coordinate with the woodsy feel of the entry (each entry has to have a name and a theme).

My sister developed a unique potpourri of local "gatherings" to fill the little organza bundles (she has promised to share the recipe in a future post, so stay tuned!). They smell simply wonderful! As I began to hang them on the tree, I realized there was another obvious use for these beauties: they would be perfect to hang on the posts or backs of chairs, or on doorknobs, or from lamps either as home decor or as a little gift for guests to take along as a memento of tea or dinner at your house.

We'll be making another festival entry project next month, and I'll post viewing times and locations so you can see the finished tree! -Kathy


All Supplies Stampin' Up'! Unless Otherwise Stated

Stamps-Very Vintage (jumbo wheel), Delightful Dozen (sentiment)
Inks- Soft Suede and Crumb Cake classic, Creamy Caramel cartridge (retired)
Paper- Baja Breeze CS
Accessories-Big Shot, Petal Cone die, jumbo stampin' around handle, Sticky Strip, 1/8" handheld punch, Gardener's Twine (Target dollar bins), Organza Scallop Circles (Dollar Tree)

Lawrence Stamp Club - September 2011

If you've never made a stamped candle, you are missing out on a world of possibilities! You can choose the color, theme, designs... the whole shebang, in fact. And each time the recipient gets a look at it, the light of friendship glows brightly all over again.

I began with a basic vanilla pillar candle, adding subtle colors in drifts and (although it didn't register well in the photograph) with a wheel. Did you realize you can get uninked cartridges for our wheels and apply any color of reinker? Then I stamped my main image from Always Elegant in that yummy Cherry Cobbler shade.

We added some elements from the Big Shot, and voila! Great gift for all kinds of occasions... wouldn't it be nice presented with a coordinating tile to set it on?!

Of course, the standard caveats apply: Always place candle on a non-flammable surface; never leave candle unattended; and do not burn below paper embellishments. But really, who would want to burn this beauty, anyway?! -Kathy

It's a Wrap!

My youngest daughter just had a birthday, and my oldest created this gift presentation for her. I thought you deserved to see it!

The base is the carrier carton for a particular beverage (cool brand graphics remain visible on the other side). It's hand embellished with Sharpie, then four vinyl records have been adhered. These are decorated with SU! rub-ons. A couple of key tags concealing the hole in the center 45s mask a ring dangling there. Chocolate bars are adhered to the outer two discs, and jars of various items (two also featuring rub-on decor) are strategically placed. I love the way you can get just a little idea of what the gifts might be but full disclosure requires further investigation... There is also a fabric-covered bundle enhanced with a feathered hair clip and a couple of chicken feathers donated by this years' young hens (so okay, my daughter prefers non-traditional pets. Raise your hand if you're surprised?!).

The entire thing became the center piece for the dinner table, and it was such a fun and interactive way to present an assortment of little items while recycling. Maybe I'll get something like it in a couple of months?! -Kathy

Listing Thanks: Notepad Project

Toward the end of May I was asked to facilitate a women's retreat drawn from the material in a book I have referenced before, 1,ooo Gifts: A Dare To Life Life Fully Right Where You Are. There were several activities, but of course there had to be stamping! And it needed to reinforce the theme of the book, which is the essential practice of giving thanks, of learning to see all the good gifts around us from a great God. These little notepads were perfect, requiring just some scraps of patterned paper and a button, but with several different options for assembly.

These little jewels are just right for slipping in your purse or pocket, and can be used for many types of lists. Make up a stash of them to have on hand for yourself or for giving friends. The notepads are available via internet from Papertrey Ink. -Kathy

Easter Retrospective

This "Bunny Brigade" marched through my mother's house back about Easter Sunday... she enjoys cute things and making a little something for the grandkids, so I try to come up with some projects we can share. She kept asking where they came from?!

I found some "To Go" drink mix packets you can add to bottled water. We wrapped them in typing paper, then punched out feet and all the rest. You could attach cotton ball tails to the back side. Aren't their expressions hysterical? -Kathy

Tiles Two: Another Technique

This series of tiles is created using craft inks and clear embossing powder. The tiles are then baked in the oven - if you try using your embossing gun, it will take you forever and a day, as the tile absorbs and equalizes the heat faster than the embossing powder melts. I was very pleased with the range of color I achieved, the "painterly technique" I tried on the second example, and the fact that this technique works equally well on glazed and unglazed tiles. The first and third examples are 6x6", but the second tile measures 12x12". If you wanted to do coasters, I suggest the 4x4". -Kathy

Olathe Stamp Club - May 2011

The hostess for this month in Olathe has been waiting since the first of the year to learn this technique! We stamped on 6x6" tiles with a permanent ink and then added color with chalk pastels. I also pioneered a new technique that I haven't seen elsewhere using the amazing Versamark ink to create subtle background images. Of course we sealed everything to protect the pastels. This is a very effective approach - those of you who have visited the studio know that there is a row of tiles created in just this way that are installed in the shower at about head height (didn't want them exposed to TOO much water and cleanser). They're holding up fine, and all without baking or other heroic measures.

The first tile had some amazing texture and color variations, which I tried to incorporate into the design. The second and third were very plain to begin (although they did have some dirt stains that wouldn't come out - I stamped right over them!), so all the color you see has been added with the pastels.

I'll be posting a few more examples of tile art soon - it's such fun that it's addictive, especially when you shop for your tiles at the Habitat ReStore. Tiles for just 25 cents! What a great hostess gift, whether as a trivet, or a presentation base for a bottle of wine or a candle. These also make nice pieces of semi-permanent artwork when displayed on an easel. -Kathy

Tea & Sympathy

I think I'm on a roll here... I'm loving this mixy-matchy vintage look and moreover I'm finding that I can cover an unexpectedly wide variety of occasions with the Greeting Card Kids stamp set! Here's a "get well" card with a hidden treasure teabag, the perfect way to send "tea & sympathy" through the mail! I've decorated a Crumb Cake envelope to match. No chance anyone will mistake this for a mass mailing! -Kathy


All supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids and Tiny Tags
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Crumb Cake classic (Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede and Bashful Blue for tinting); Black Staz-On
Paper: Naturals Vanilla and Basic Black CS; Love Letter DSP
Accessories: Petal Card die (sorry, this one's retired - but now there's an XL Petal Card handheld punch to try!); scallop and 1 3/8" circle punches; mini vintage tag; 1/4" black grosgrain ribbon

December 2010 Lawrence Stamp Club

Time to do some catching up! Here's a quick view of the project the Lawrence "First Monday" stamp club made in December. It's a gift card folio made using crumb cake envelopes and that fabulous Victorian-looking DSP "Deck the Halls". You can make it in several different ways, to accommodate gift cards, photos, notes, drink packets, even small gifts that you want to seal into an envelope for safe-keeping. Easily modified for a variety of seasons and occasions! -Kathy

Top Note- Purse Gift Card Holder

Getting Ready for the Holiday!

Candy Cane Christmas

I owe thanks to two fellow demos for this post: The card was designed by Kirstin Randazzo, the coaster by Lisa Cool. I thought they made a perfect pair!

To make the card, we embossed a standard-sized Baja Breeze base with the Northern Flurry folder, then grouped a series of assorted size circle punches (from the Candy Cane Christmas DSP) and a bird stamped with the Punch Potpourri hostess set. Several of the circles are popped up on dimensionals for interest.

The coasters are a cinch to make! Can't you imagine a set of four using those coordinating fabrics? We just placed a layer of Candy Cane Christmas fabric, a layer of quilt batting, and another layer of fabric together on the Scallop Square die, and ran it through the Big Shot all at the same time! Just 4-5 stitches (like a tied quilt), a Big Designer Button and a snowflake cut from felt (the Northern Frost decorative strip die is perfect), and you're done.

Great gift idea for a neighbor or office mate, don't you think?! -Kathy