Just For You

Happy Friday everyone!  Every now and then I just want a little note card to put with a small gift.  A friend of mine was having a real tough work week and I wanted to let her know I was thinking of her.  This note card size is 3x3 and using a 12x12 sheet of cardstock, you can make a 8 cards without wasting any paper.  Stampin' Up! even sells little square envelopes that work perfectly with them.

For this card, I used mostly retired products I had on hand. So Saffron textured cardstock, Three For You stamp set, ribbon (I can't remember the name of).  But you could use the smooth cardstock, change out the stamp set and embellishment to make it work with the supplies you have on hand.

Just a simple, quick 3x3 card to let someone know you are thinking of them.  :)

ICON Foundation Card

I work for a large company that has its own foundation to help locals in need.  Its a great cause, and I've seen how it helps those who are struggling.  At Christmas time, they put together baskets and deliver them to people who have been having a hard time.  This past year, I offered to make handmade cards to go with the baskets.
I used their standard long postcard, cut out the bird logo and punched out the "from".  Of course the coordinating colors they use are retired SU! colors.  So its been difficult to keep up with this design.  Once I run out of those colors and can't find anymore, I'll have to re-design it to use other colors.

Life Is Good...

A few years back, Stampin' Up! offered a line called Decor Elements.  This included vinyls and stencils.  Most of them matched some stamp set in the catalog.  They had lots of cute ones, and I bought a few while they were available.  So plan on seeing a few more vinyl projects in future posts.  :)

When I bought this one, I couldn't decide what to do with it.  I knew I wouldn't be living where I was at the time for too long.  So I didn't really want to put it on the wall because it wouldn't be re-usable once removed. Flash forward 2 moves and a different state to now.

I bought my first ever home (by myself!) and decided it was time for decorating.  By this time, Stampin' Up! had discontinued their decor elements line so I was hesitant, again, to put it directly on the wall.  Would if I wanted to paint the walls?  Would if after a few years I upgraded to a bigger home?  I don't think it would be appropriate to cut out that piece of wall...would it?

By this time, pinterest was a common thing and pallet projects were All.The.Rage.  I saw lots of DIY headboards, garden planters, tables, etc.  So I thought, why not put this on some pallet board and that way it moves with me!!

I have this AWESOME friend who works in a model shop.  He is a genius with his job and I have been blessed to have his help with many of my home projects.  His expertise, time, and willingness to help me has been a godsend.

So I talked to him about what I wanted to do.  I wanted to get some pallet boards, make them really thin and light so I could hang this without anchors.  I said I wanted to whitewash it to look kinda like weathered.  And he took on the challenge with a big smile.

I whitewashed each slat individually with just cheap acrylic paint from Michael's, mixed with water.  I did a few layers until I was satisfied with the look.  I wanted to still be able to see the wood grain through the paint.  Then he put some slats across the back to hold all the front pieces together and to give me something to attach to the wall.  I chose to use a screw on each end and wire across.  Applied the vinyl and DONE!!!

Here is the final result!  I love it and couldn't be happier!!

Sympathy Card

A friend/co-worker lost his dad recently.  My heart has been breaking for him and his family.  I wanted to let him know we all were thinking about him so I made this card for everyone in my department to sign.  He and his dad are ranchers so I was trying to come up with something masculine, simple, and rustic.  This is what I came up with.

I liked the simplicity of it.  The inside was left blank so everyone would have space to write a short note to him.  You can't see from the picture, but I used the woodgrain embossing folder on the matte and DSP to add some texture to the card.

Thanks for looking!

Products Used:

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso
Designer Series Paper: Well Worn
Ink: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze
Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Embellishments: Linen Thread
Tools: Big Shot, Labels Framelits, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Sponge

Added more PDF inserts!!

I've had a great response to my inserts for the clear cases that SU! sells.  Thank you!!

I've added more stamp sets and if you have some sets not listed, I can do them.  All I need is an image, stamp quantity, and item number.

The holiday catalog will be coming soon!!  I'll be able to add the new framelits they will offer as soon as the catalog goes live.  So check back with me then!

So go check out my PDF Inserts page HERE  and make sure to click on the link "How do I order?" for more information.

Thanks again!!  Have a wonderful day!!

Palm Tree Birthday Card

My sister and I love, and I mean LOVE the beach!!!  We live in landlocked states, but try to take vacations to beaches whenever possible.  I saw a super cute card while scrolling through pinterest one day and saved it.  Because I just knew it would make the perfect birthday card for her.  I do want to give credit to Jenny Engelke @ GiddyStamper for the idea!  My sister loved her card, and I loved creating it for her.

Products used:

Punches: Modern Label, Oval, 1/2" Circle
Framelits: Squares, Bitty Banners
Stamp Sets: Tropical Party, Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Garden Green, Summer Sun, Positively Pink, Welcome Neighbor DSP
Embellishments: Basic Jewels-Rhinestones

PDF Inserts are now available!!!

Wow, as I looked back on Stampin' Connection (a SU! demo only site), the first time I posted inserts I had made for the markers was July 1, 2011.  Its crazy I've been doing these for 4 years!!!  The first ones were okay, served their purpose.  After some sad news of hearing my files were being altered (removed my name), copied and sold, I decided to re-vamp them.  They look so much better!  I tried to stay consistent with the styling of all inserts.  The only ones with their own design are the markers and ink refills.  I wanted to use colors from their color families instead of the standard green.  I tried to make the framelits and stamp inserts similar to what Stampin' Up! offers.

Here's the reason I started making these.  When I originally ordered the markers, I bought the whole set at once.  They came in this nice box where each marker had a slot.  But trying to find "the one" became an annoyance.  Then Stampin' Up! came out with their clear DVD cases.  Guess what...a color family of markers fit PERFECTLY in them!!  So I moved mine over right away.  But had no way of knowing which case had which family.  After measuring, creating and printing I tried them out.  They didn't fit quite right, the information on the spine wasn't centered.  So back and forth I went until I was satisfied they looked good.
Then came the framelits and edgelits.  They came in an envelope which didn't have an image of what they looked like.  So back to the computer I went!  Most of the framelits fit in the case, and if you buy some of those magnetic vent covers, you can cut them to fit and hold the framelits as well.

Speed ahead 4 years, Stampin' Up! changed the case their stamp sets came in.  They stack wonderfully on a shelf.  So I started the big project of moving all my stamp sets into the new cases.  By this time, Stampin' Up! created their own case inserts you could download and type in the stamp set name, item number and quantity of stamps.  Personally I didn't like how they worked.  It left a white box where my stamp set name was.  And I couldn't add stamp images to the front or spine.  So again, I decided to make my own.
During this process, I decided to purge my supplies.  I found a lot of sets I didn't need anymore, so I sold a lot.  But what I had left were moved to the new cases.  I think my shelves look so nice and organized now!

If you're interested in getting the files I've created, click on the 'PDF Inserts' on the top right side of my blog.  That will give you all the information you need to know and how to get them.  

Thanks for stopping by!