Friendly Brag Book

I got one of these brag books as a gift in a Friend to Friend swap I was in.  It used the Inspired by Nature stamp set and was so pretty.  My partner in the swap was Carmen, and you can click on her name to check out her blog.

Well, I decided that this would be a fun little project to use in my Stamps in the Mail (SIM) program for April.  I looked at the one I got from Carmen, measured it, and made this one of my own. 

Ironically, after I made this and took some photos of the folds and inside for my SIM participants, I found THIS tutorial over on SCS.  So, go check it out, and you'll see that these are SUPER EASY to make.  I've posted some little photos of the inside of the book so you can get a better idea for what it is like, inside and out.

This book would make the perfect gift for someone that you want to give a few pictures to.  I put 5 clear envelopes in which should mean it can hold 10 photographs, but I am pretty certain that you could at least put 5 more in without causing any kinds of problems with the "binding".  It was very easy to assemble this book and it would make a GREAT Stamp Camp project.  If only I had Stamp Camps anymore!!! ;)  Anyway....I hope that you like it!

If you like this project and the others you see with the "Stamps in the Mail" label, don't miss out on my next round of SIM starting in June.  Check out THIS post for more information.  Sign-ups close on May 20th - TOMORROW!!!!

All supplies used are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Friend 24-7
Paper:  Kraft, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla CS, Bella Bleu DSP
Ink:  Not Quite Navy classic ink
Accessories:  Eyelet Border punch, Kraft Corduroy Brads, Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon, 5 clear envelopes, piercing tool and template, Stampin' Dimensionals

Only TWO more to go!!!!

After this sketch from Card Patterns, I have only two sketches left to create with before my term on the DT over at CP comes to an end.  I just love Michelle's sketches and while I know that I will probably become a stamping slacker when I don't have any "deadlines", I will definitely still join in over at CP as much as possible!!!  Maybe I do need to get back on a DT since it makes me stamp.  Of course, my Stamps in the Mail program gets me stamping too, and a new round of that starts in June.  See THIS post to join me!!!

Over at CP this week the sponsor is Toni from The Digi Shack.  She has some really awesome images over on her site and you really should check them out.  She also has donated a great prize package that you can check out over at the link I provided above to the Card Patterns blog.

If you've never used digital images, I think you'll love them.  You can get them at great prices, you can make them ANY size that you want, and they really are just so versatile.  Anyway, hope you like my card!!!

All items are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Flower Bunch digital image from The Digi Shack
Paper:  Kraft, So Saffron and Stamper's Select White CS (PTI), Pink Pirouette Patterns DSP, Bella Birds DSP
Ink:  None
Accessories:  Letter stickers from Michael's, Prismacolor Pencils, Diamond Stickles, Tombow Gray Shadow Marker, Pink Pirouette 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, Bouquet and Latte Designer buttons, Old Olive button (retired), White Vintage button (PTI), linen thread, Paper Piercing Tool and Template, Stampin' Dimensionals

Upgrading Upsy Daisy

You might remember this card from THIS post.  Well, I feel like I'm "cheating" because including this post and the one I just mentioned, this card has been on my blog 3 times!!  That post with the link above actually has a link to the card when I originally made it ;)  Well, what I did was take one of my leftover card fronts and added some Stickles to the flowers and put it on a Whisper White card base.  I think the white base really lightens the card up.  The glitter in the Stickles also does that, and I like this version the best!  Of course, I love anything (and everything) that sparkles!!!  What do you think?  I've added a little pic of the close-up that you should be able to click on to enlarge.   Have a great day!

All items used are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Upsy Daisy, Inspired by Nature and Best Yet (retired Level I hostess set)
Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White CS, Really Rust Textured CS, Baja Breeze Patterns DSP
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Really Rust, and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Accessories:  1-3/8" and 1-1/4" circle punches, Crop-a-Dile, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets, Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain, Crystal Stickles

This will remain at the top until May 20th - SEE BELOW for newer posts

I have had a request for another round of Stamps in the Mail (SIM).  As long as at least 4 people want to participate, I will do this program and will begin it in June. 

 

Due to needing to charge enough to cover all of the expenses and not shortchange myself not only monetarily but also with the time and effort involved in the program, the cost now will be $55 a month, and the program will run in 3 month increments (Jun-Aug).  This way you can decide if you want to continue every 3 months. 

 

What is the benefit of doing the SIM program? 

You get everything you need (stamps and accessories) in a box that will arrive at your doorstep each month - pre-cut and ready to stamp!!  You get to make 2 each of FOUR projects for a total of EIGHT projects each month.  You will need some common crafting items (common ink colors like black, brown, green, etc., adhesive, scissors, paper trimmer, bone folder) but all of the other items needed to make the projects will come in the box!  Each month you will also receive an e-mail with full color pictures of the actual projects, pictures of the sketchused for each card, and step-by-step instructions on how to put together each project.  If something is created, like a ribbon rosette, a tutorial will even be included with step-by-step instructions and full color pictures.   You can see some of my past SIM projects by clicking on the Stamps in the Mail category in my right-hand sidebar.

 

If you would like just the tutorials/instructions each month, I charge $5/month and will e-mail you each set of sketches/photographs/tutorials/instructions and you are obligated to a three month increment just as the regular SIM participants.

 

THE STAMP SET WE WILL BE USING IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES - UPSY DAISY(pg 87 in the SU! IB&C, item #111710) and if you ALREADY HAVE IT - you can substitute it for any other stamp set of the same or lesser value (or pay the difference).  That is what happens each month - any items you have already you can make substitutions for.

 

Just to demonstrate that my pricing is no different than that of other demonstrators, if you look around at other demonstrators offering this program, the lowest price I have found for a similarly run program (includes the monthly boxed kits AND instructions/tutorials/photographs/sketches) is $52 PLUS an additional $7 to cover shipping.  So, that demonstrator's grand total comes to $59.  My total is slightly less at $55.  Here is the break-down of the cost:

 

$35 in merchandise each month

$10 goes towards shipping (it has to ship from SU! to me, and then from me to you)

$5 goes towards consumables

$5 goes towards my time/labor (Stamp Camps/Classes usually cost $10 but that includes food, so this is a comparable price)

 

If you live in the Dover area, I will subtract $5 from the cost of the kit if you would like to pick it up from me each month (I can bring it to you if we are going to be at the same place for whatever reason after the kits are assembled so check with me about that to save yourself a drive).

 

So....if you have any questions, please let me know.  I will open this program to sign-ups from now until Wednesday, May 20th at 8:00 pm.  At that time I will let all those that have signed know if we have enough participants.  On Friday, May 22nd, I will e-mail the participants the exact details for the first round, and checks will be due in my hands by the 2nd Monday of June (June 8th).  You can e-mail me at "mariemc01 'at' gmail 'dot' com"   Yes, that's a "zero" after the "c".  I am typing my e-mail this way after getting some spam from not doing so in the past ;)

 

If you get someone to sign up for my SIM program that is not on my customer e-mailing list, I will give you your choice of any Classic Ink Pad for FREE ($5.95 value) or any item of the same or lesser value.

SCS WT217

What's all that gibberish in the title, you may ask?  Well, over at Splitcoast Stampers, the challenge last Thursday was "Ways to Use It" #217.  Anyway, I made this card for the challenge, which was to use Kraft CS on your card.

So....I really like this card.  I meant to post it the day I posted it to SCS, but I forgot.  Sorry.

I know it's the same color as all of my SIM cards, but that was random because when the challenge was to use Kraft CS, since I had all of this Bella Bleu DSP sitting around I just had to use some more of it.  And, the Friends 24-7 stamp set called out to me.  I figured I would make an Anniversary card out of it since I needed one.  So...this was the result.  I'm pleased with it.  What do you think?  Go check out the SCS WT217 challenge - it's a fun one and very easy to get creative with!!!

Stamps: Friends 24-7, Hugs & Wishes

Paper:Kraft and Not Quite Navy CS, Bella Bleu DSP

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Kraft Taffeta ribbon, Very Vanilla Button, Linen thread, paper piercing tool and template

Happy Mother's Day!

I just wanted to wish a happy Mother's Day to ALL the women out there who read my blog (are there even any men that do?!?!)!!!  Whether you are a mother, grandmother, sister or daughter, you are able to have a motherly influence and relationship with others.  Never doubt the impact of your kindness, compassion, love and service for others.  Women are able to touch the lives of others as no one else can, and our nature is just that, natural, and it's there whether we are actually someone's mother or not.  Don't forget all of the ways that we can serve others and be that role-model for them, as a volunteer, friend, advisor, or yes...mother.  Thanks to all of you for the lives that you touch, and have a very happy Mother's Day!!!

Card Patterns Sketch #14 meets Damask Designs

So...I love the Damask Designs stamp set.  I decided that one of the smaller damask images would fit perfection on a 1-1/4" punched square, and I was right!!  I stamped 5 of them on Cameo Coral, stamped the "Celebrate" on the 6th one and added some paper piercing.  Next I popped them up on Stampin' Dimensionals, added the scalloped Kiwi Kiss layer, added some PTI True Black Saddle Stitch Ribbon, a vintage white button (also PTI) tied on with some shredded thread, and there you have my card!  Can you tell I'm obsessed with bows and buttons right now?  I think that this is yet another sketch where we will be delighted to see all of the different ways that stampers out there can get creative and think outside the box with the different elements on the card.  I can't wait to see what everyone creates!!

Head on over to the Card Patterns blog to check out Sketch #14 HERE.  Our sponsor this week is Mackenzie Mae Designs, and Pam is donating so many goodies to one lucky winner that it took 2 photographs to show it all!!!  Not only will one random person be selected to win the goodies, but as always the CP DT will pick their top 5 submissions and one of them will be selected to earn a spot as a Guest DT member over at CP.

If that's not enough and you need more sketch, don't forget to take some time to create something for the DT Call over at CP using the sketch (and guidelines) that you can find HERE.  CP is a wonderful opportunity - you really should try!!

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Damask Designs (PTI)
Paper:  Cameo Coral, Kiwi Kiss and Basic Black CS
Ink:  Black StazOn
Accessories:  Scallop Edge punch, True Black Saddle Stitch ribbon (PTI), Vintage White button (PTI), paper piercing tool and template, white thread, Stampin' Dimensionals