Butterfly jewelry box with mini glue dot rim

 

This jewelry box is so pretty! I saw a version of this - pink and with First Edition dsp - on the Stampin' Up! cruise to Alaska last year. SU! Co-founder Shelli Gardner demonstrated it. It's been in my head for a year, as I continued to save the inside cardboard rims of my Mini Glue Dots. I covered my box with Beau Chateau dsp, then stamped the frame from Forever Young in Marina Mist ink. I diecut the butterfly from the Beautiful Butterflies die for the Big Shot (using First Edition dsp), and spread Tombow Liquid Adhesive around the butterfly to hold on Silver Glass Glitter for bling, along with a silver glimmer brad. The sentiment is from Teeny, Tiny Wishes, sponged around with Marina Mist ink. And just more than an inch of pleated satin ribbon, held on with Sticky Strip, holds the lid to the base, making it easy to open and close.



Here's how it looks inside. I could've done a nicer job (you always notice in the close-up photo) trimming the strip of designer paper that lines the inside of the rim, as well as the outside. I used more liquid adhesive and chunky glitter around the bottom rim. The designer paper was punched with the 2-1/2" circle punch and adhered to the same size Marina Mist card stock circle for more support.
Those in my American Ink group who qualified for our American Ink Rewards (AIR) got to make this project a week ago.
You can order the items used to make this jewelry box at my Online Store here. Don't forget that you'll get a FREE 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! Catalog shipped to you separately for any order over $50. Thanks!

Stamps: Forever Young (item 122570 wood; 1222572 clear), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370 wood);
Ink: Marina Mist pad (item 119668, $5.95);
Paper: Very Vanilla (item 101650, $8.50), Marina Mist (item 119682, $6.95), Beau Chateau (item 122357, $8.21), First Edition dsp (item 121878, $12.95);
Accessories: Silver Glass Glitter (item 120995, $3.95); Tombow Liquid Adhesive (item 110755, $3.95), 2-1/2" circle punch (item 120906, $16.95), Big Shot (item 113439, $99.95), Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die (item 114507, $21.95), Basics Glimmer Brads (item 121003, $4.95).

Punch art lion for kid's birthday card

I adore this punch art lion. My newest favorite punch - the Blossom Punch - was punched twice out of More Mustard card stock, then sponged with that same color ink to create the mane. The So Saffron face is a 1-3/4" circle punch, with two 3/4" circles for the cheeks, the Heart to Heart punch for the nose (Cherry Cobbler card stock), and the Owl Builder Punch for the Whisper White/Soft Suede eyes. I used an Early Espresso marker for the whiskers. The sentiment is from the Delightful Dozen stamp set. I CASE'd this card from my friend, Patti Corriere. Her original card is here. She CASE'd the cute lion from Jackie Topa. I used the same Just Add Cake dsp, but less of it. Dani's Club members made this card and loved it!

You can order everything needed to make this card at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net. I have a special right now where if your order is at least $50, you'll receive a NEW (2012-2013) Stampin' Up! Catalog FREE. This will ship separately from your order. You'll receive the catalog around May 20, 2012.



Embossed metal garden stake for your favorite plant

I love how quickly and easily this metal garden stake came together. Shirley gave me some aluminum flashing she had gathering dust in her garage, and my hubby stripped some regular household wire into three pieces - copper, white and black. He said I could further strip the black and white to copper, but I didn't. I used a black piece of 12-gauge wire for my garden stake.

I ran a piece of flashing I cut with my craft and rubber scissors through the 3-1/2" Circle die for the Big Shot, then embossed it with the Elegant Lines embossing folder. I had enough room on my scrap to make a butterfly, so I embossed that with polka dots. I used the Crop-a-dile to make the holes and fastened a clear crystal bauble (retiring) with a lobster claw at the bottom, and used pliers to twist the wire after threading it through the top hole. I used a filigree flower and brad to hold the butterfly onto the circle. It really shines!

I had to lay the stake down for the photo, which is why the crystal looks like it's not hanging right, but it does, and it's beautiful! I had 13 downline members qualify for my American Ink Rewards (AIR) program, and this was one of the projects they got to make last week. I was thinking this stake would go outside, but I love looking at it, so it's going in a household plant in the middle of my kitchen.

It's a blue, blue time for Monkey Challenge #106

I'm feeling a little blue. Probably because A La Card Monkey has Challenge #106: Something Blue + Sketch. I used the water pump from Countryside, along with a sentiment from Delightful Dozen.

I love monochromatic cards! This one is Bashful Blue, with a 2-1/4" x 5-1/4" piece of Beau Chateau dsp. I punched three 1-3/4" Marina Mist circles and ran them through the Square Lattice Embossing Folder, then added a knot of scallop dotted ribbon. The water pump was stamped in Marina Mist on Bashful Blue card stock and punched with the 2-1/2" circle punch.

You can see the sketch I followed below:

Have a wonderful day!

American Ink team swaps show variety

Jules made this Easy Events card with buttons

Ginette's Daisy diecut card in Calypo Coral and Lucky Limeade

Kathy H. swap with Petite Pairs and Elegant Lines embossing folder

Puddin's Greeting Card Kids swap with the Doily background stamp

Barb's Vintage Wallpaper embossed birthday card

Well, I have great news! I signed up yesterday to do a booth at the Heirloom Rubber Stamp and Paper Arts Festival in Puyallup on May 19 and 20 with my friend and downline, Kim. We haven't done that show for a few years.

For the latest update on Retiring Accessories, please click here.

What's gone already + kite and flower quick cards

Here are a couple of cards from a 10-card class I had a couple of weeks ago. This Send Me Soaring card was CASE'd from Angie Juda, though I changed the colors. It's all Tangerine Tango and Tempting Turquoise.

 This Marina Mist card uses Creative Elements, with a sentiment from Messages for Mom, and Beau Chateau dsp. I stamped the flower twice, cutting out the middle to pop up with dimensionals. I used the Cutter Kit to distress the strip of Beau Chateau dsp behind the flower.

I thought I'd give you a quick update this morning of what Retired Accessories are no longer available:

• Blushing Bride 8-1/2" x 11" card stock
• Ink refills for: Peach Parfait, Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz, and Poppy Parade
• Craft ink refills for: Old Olive, Real Red, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Cherry Cobbler, and Very Vanilla
• 3/16" Silver Brads
• Standard Wheel Storage
• Dotto
• Circle Scissor Plus Replacement Blades

American Ink make & takes from pouches to cork butterflies and more!

One of my favorite things about my American Ink team's gatherings are the make & takes some of my downline provide. We get together monthly to stamp, catch up, share ideas and tips, eat, and enjoy the camaraderie of other stampers. Those in my downline who don't live near enough to attend may always join in our swaps! I'd love to have you join us. Check out the Starter Kit for only $99 starting May 1 (in the left-hand column of this blog). You'll get current and new catalogs, be able to get going as soon as you sign up online through my http://therubberroom.stampinup.net website, and enjoy playing with great new products a month before anybody else with pre-orders. And there's a new catalog pre-order that starts in May!

This month, we used new products (Kim's Summer Smooches card with fabric brads and the Blossom Punch), make new things (Michelle's 2-pouch favor and Frankie's embossed cork butterfly stamped with StazOn ink), and used favorite techniques (heat embossing and punching on Mary Ann's card).

Blossom Punch make & take by Kim

2-pocket pouch make & take by Michelle

A diecut cork butterfly stamped and heat embossed. Make and take by Frankie.

Heat embossed Fresh Vintage make & take by Mary Ann

I'll be posting swaps next! I'm a little behind in getting these on my blog, since our American Ink gathering was a couple of weeks ago.

Retired Accessories and other lists now available

The (long) list of Retiring Accessories is here. Click here and then you can click on the Retiring Stamps, Retiring Ink, Paper & Accessories, Retiring Definitely Decorative, Discounted Retired Products, and My Digital Studio Content Discs.

Updated April 25 to add:

Two items that were included on the Retiring Accessories List are not actually retiring. We have updated the lists to remove these items.

208	108360	Craft Scissors
208	103579	Paper Snips

Because these items were included in error, the Paper Snips will not be offered at a discounted price.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Changes of note

• The Simply Adorned and Décor Elements product lines will be discontinued.

While we will not be offering a complete line of these products, you may see them again in the future offered individually or as parts of kits.

• Classic Stampin’ Pads are being reconfigured to feature a new, firm foam pad.

This is not a color change. The firm foam pads are a product improvement that will provide better ink coverage for your stamps, and longer life for your ink pads.

• Some product offerings, such as 12" x 12" card stock or individual Stampin’ Write Markers will be altered so that not all colors will be offered individually (some will, but not all).

Please see my Online Ordering Offer in the left column (FREE new catalog with a $50 or more order through me at http://TheRubberRoom.stampinup.net). Thanks!

Wow! You pick the products for your own $99 Starter Kit

Starting May 1, it just got easier to join my American Ink stampin' team of demonstrators. Stampin' Up! is offering a fully customizable Starter Kit for new recruits at a new lower price of $99! Also, signing up online is even easier - only 5 easy steps. Go to my website at http://TheRubberRoom.stampinup.net, click on Join The Fun, then click on Join Now.

If you want to purchase the Starter Kit the way it is now, you need to order it by April 30, 2012, 10:50 p.m.

Why buy the Starter Kit?

• As a demonstrator, you get to be among the first to preorder new catalog items (starts May 1 with the new catalog starting June 1);
• You have time to register for the Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake City, UT, July 18-21. A group of my American Ink team members are going! We'd love to have you join us.
• You'll get to learn new stampin' tips and tricks and ideas at our monthly team gatherings, as well as at SU! events;
• Stamping is a great way to make new friends;
• You'll save money on every purchase you make as a demonstrator.

You get to order up to $125 of product in your kit. After you buy the kit, you'll get your demonstrator number and password in a couple of emails and get 30% off your first order of $150 or more. From there, you'll save at least 20% on every order you place!

I've got demonstrators around the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska!Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need more information. I'm happy to help!

Something Borrowed for Monkey105, and my newly organized stampin' area

This isn't a Stampin' Up! image. It's rare that that happens on my blog. And the reason why is this week's A La Card Monkey Challenge #105: Something Borrowed + Sketch.

I used Paisley Petals dsp on a Whisper White card base. I borrowed the stamps from a friend of mine. I wasn't sure of the color for the mice, but I ended up using an aqua painter and watercolor crayons. The mice are More Mustard and Pumpkin Pie with Pretty in Pink cheeks. I used a stamp-a-ma-jig for the words, punching them out with the 1-3/4" circle punch and added an Itty Bitty flower with a rhinestone. Have a wonderful weekend!



I almost forgot! I pulled the retiring Stampin' Up! stamps from my shelves and took a photo of what's left. It looks pretty organized right now.

This is where I create. It's the landing at the top of the stairs in my house. I'm a very visual person, so I need to see what I have in order to remember it's there and to use it. I love using punches, which is why they're all within arm's reach. I had my hubby pull out some of the shelves on the wall so I could fit the stamps on them with the cases. Previously, I had to store the cases in a cabinet and line up the stamps because the shelves were so close together. This works better for me, and it's freed up room in a cabinet! All of the words are near the middle where they're easy to see. Scissors and ribbons are behind the fan and Ott Light (a must-have since I stamp at night). A caddy with my brads and buttons is out of the photo on the right.

I love having all of the Stampin' Up! ink pads - including two years' worth of In Colors, StazOn and VersaMark pads - at my side. I keep card stock in a filing cabinet just below the countertop, which is only 2 feet deep.

This built-in bookshelf is on my left, and it looks so much neater now. It holds mini catalog sets, more punches, all of my clear blocks (in the tin on the bottom shelf), and the rest of my clear stamp sets. The top shelf holds extra markers for my kids to use, sponge daubers, hobby blades, adhesives, glitter, shimmer paints and empty brad containers I use for punched pieces when I have classes.

Summer Smooches Criss Cross pocket card for a birthday

This Summer Smooches Criss Cross card features Summer Smooches dsp and fabric, along with Mixed Bunch and the Blossom Punch (and 1/2" circle punch for the inside of the flower). My club members are making this card this month. The Criss Cross card uses a full 8-1/2" x 11" piece of Tempting Turquoise card stock to make the pocket for the insert.

Don't forget that the clock is ticking and our Retiring Stamps won't be around that much longer! Click here to read all about it.

Summer Smooches vase of button flowers

Frankie created this beautiful swap for our American Ink team gathering last week. It uses a sentiment from Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess set), some Summer Smooches dsp, along with a vase made from the Ornament Punch. I believe the leaves are from the Little Leaves Sizzlit die for the Big Shot, and those are Brights Buttons.

Summer Smooches matchbook

Sharlene made this Summer Smooches matchbook for her American Ink swap. It uses a Summer Smooches fabric brad, the scallop border punch, and the Bright Blossoms stamp set with a button. The fabric brads are only available this month (April), so if you'd like some, please email me at ericandterry@comcast.net. 

I Dig You card for boy's birthday

I used I Dig You for an American Ink team swap. It uses Well Worn dsp, along with markers - Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake and Basic Black.

Perfectly Penned card from my Secret Stampin' Sister

This was the final card sent by my Secret Stampin' Sister Colleen, along with a gift card. It was a great 6 weeks of receiving a card every week. Lots of fun! Colleen's card uses Everyday Enchantment dsp and the Triple Treat Flower, along with a sentiment from Perfectly Penned. Thanks, Colleen!

Retiring stamp list is here!

It's finally here! The list of stamps that will be retiring as of May 31, 2012. If there's anything on your Wish List that is also on the Retiring Stamp List, you'll want to be sure to order it now.

•  To view the entire list of 300+ Retiring Stamps, click here. 
• As a reminder, the new Stampin' Up! 2012-2013 Catalog will be released on June 1 this year - a month earlier than normal.
• The Retiring Accessories list will be out April 25. With that list, items disappear quickly. Act now if you need ink pad refills, more card stock or ribbon (for the outgoing In Colors like Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride and Concord Crush).
• All Decor Elements and Simply Adorned items are available while supplies last. There won't be any of these in the new catalog.
• When you order thru my Online Store, you may also add Clearance Rack items here to your order AND they count toward hostess benefits.
• Finally, buy New Catalog items NOW with our Summer Smooches Promotion here.

Order 24/7 from my online store http://therubberroom.stampinup.net. If your order reaches $150, you'll also receive hostess benefits!

Here's a look at a few of retiring stamp sets:

Furry Folk

Batty for You

Butterfly Prints

A sweet cupcake challenge for A La Card Monkey #104

There's a great sketch I made for A La Card Monkey for you this week for Challenge #104: Cupcakes! Cupcakes are all over the place - in movies, on TV, on tables at farmers' markets and little shops around town. So the challenge to you this week is to create a cupcake card using the sketch at the bottom of this post.

I wanted my cupcake to look bright and cheery and ready for a party! I used the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set, stamping on card stock and Big Top Birthday dsp, then cutting out the parts and adhering them with dimensionals over a 2-1/2" Real Red circle that I faux stitched around using a paper piercer and white gel pen. The sentiment is from the Sweet Cake set in the Occasions Mini. There are only a couple more weeks to buy from that mini, so if you want something, buy it NOW before it's gone. I added mini silver brads on either side of the Modern Label punched greeting.

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes, Sweet Cake;

Ink: Tempting Turquoise marker, Basic Black pad;

Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie;

Accessories: Tasteful Trim die, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder; dimensionals, 2-1/2" circle punch, paper piercer, mat pack, Modern Label Punch, mini silver brads.

Up in the Air over Paisley Petals dsp

This quick and easy Bashful Blue card was one of my 10-card Spring class designs. It uses the Occasions Mini Catalog hostess set, Up in the Air, along with Paisley Petals dsp and a few punches - the eyelet border, 1" circle, and 2-1/2" circle. The sentiment is from the You're a Gem stamp set. It was sponged around with Pacific Point ink. This is the last month to order anything from the Occasions Mini Catalog! Please visit my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net to order anything you'd like. While you're there, check out the Clearance Rack items. There are some great bargains to be had, and these can only be ordered via my Online Store too. Hope you have a great Friday the 13th!

Have a Wonderful Week Bright Blossoms card

Have you purchased your Summer Smooches dsp, fabric brads and Bright Blossoms stamp set yet? I'm having alot of fun coming up with new designs. My club members are making this card this month. We used markers to ink up the two stamps before punching them out with the 1-3/4" circle punch. The sentiment is from the Sweetly Said stamp set, and the banner is from the Petal Cone die. You can see more Bright Blossoms samples below, along with item numbers and prices.

Beau Chateau side notes card for a friend

This card features absolutely no stamping! It's a Soft Suede card base with Beau Chateau dsp that's been distressed with the Cutter Kit, then I added two of the Beau Chateau side notes. A vintage trinket safety pin is stuck through the rooster layer with a few inches of Blushing Bride polystitch ribbon. And a button has some 1/8" Early Espresso taffeta and is adhered with a mini glue dot. That's it! This is a very quick and easy card.

A Word For You with Bright Blossoms

I've had a busy start to my week. I had two stamp clubs yesterday, then a 10-card class this morning in Bremerton. The best part? The weather's been absolutely beautiful! I'm loving this sunshine. This card completes the Summer Smooches class projects I did last week. I'll have some more quick and easy cards coming up tomorrow. I used Summer Smooches dsp, the Bright Blossoms stamp set, and Daffodil Delight seam binding and card stock (with the scallop border punch). I used the little flower in the Itty Bitty Punch Pack with Tangerine Tango card stock for the flowers in the vase, and added rhinestones to make them sparkle. The sentiment is from A Word For You stamp set. I hope you have a wonderful evening!

Bright Blossoms birthday card with Island Indigo

This polka-dot embossed card uses Summer Smooches dsp and the Bright Blossoms stamp set, along with a greeting from Teeny, Tiny Wishes. I love the rhinestone on the flower!

Stamps: Bright Blossoms;

Ink: Island Indigo, Real Red;

Paper: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Summer Smooches dsp;

Accessories: Oval punch, scallop oval punch, 1-1/4" circle punch, rhinestone, dimensionals, 1-3/8" square punch, ruffled Island Indigo ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

Bright Blossoms in Real Red and Lucky Limeade

I love this Lucky Limeade and Real Red card. I used the Summer Smooches dsp, along with the Bright Blossoms stamp set, and a sentiment from You're a Gem. I used these punches - Dotted Scallop Ribbon, 1-3/4" circle, and the largest scallop circle punch Stampin' Up! carries. An In Color glimmer brad adds a little bling.

Bright Blossoms embossed label framelit with fabric brad

The Summer Smooches promotion is in full swing! The card above shows the fabric brad, designer paper, seam binding, and stamp set you can buy this month - and they'll all be in the new catalog coming out June 1! The stamp set is called Bright Blossoms. I used a label framelit, which I embossed, and punched a Word Window punch in the middle to thread the Daffodil Delight seam binding through so I could tie a knot. The sentiment is from the Short & Sweet stamp set.

Zoo Review giraffe with Summer Smooches for Monkey Challenge #103

This week it's all about Animals for A La Card Monkey Challenge #103. This card features four designs from the Summer Smooches designer paper (a new catalog item that's available on an April promotion), along with a Brights button, and a greeting from Happiest Birthday Wishes.

I debated about whether to emboss the main image or not, and obviously decided to do it with the square lattice embossing folder. So what do you think? I've included the sketch below:

Have a great weekend!

Summer Smooches card holder and petite purse die

At my Summer Smooches class last night, everyone made this card holder. I got the instructions in a free tutorial from fellow SU! demo Jill Hilliard. I used textured 12" x 12" Crumb Cake card stock for the pocket inside, and one piece of 8-1/2" x 11" Tangerine Tango card stock for the outside, along with two 1" x 5-1/2" strips of Summer Smooches dsp (orange pattern), and a 3" x 5-1/2" piece of the floral pattern from the same dsp pack. There's a new Summer Smooches fabric brad, along with some ruffled Lucky Limeade ribbon. I was able to cut through both Tangerine Tango layers at the top with the Adorning Accents edgelit, so they're identical. To finish, I stamped this floral image from Apothecary Art in Jet Black StazOn and used a blender pen and watercolor crayons to color the image, then used a label framelit to cut it out using the Big Shot. The sentiment is from Loving Thoughts, and is adhered with dimensionals.

I die-cut a variety of card stocks and patterns from the Summer Smooches pack for everyone to make a petite purse, using the new die that's on sale this month (and will be in the new June 1 catalog). This one is Tempting Turquoise with faux stitching (paper piercings connected with a white gel pen) and a patterned flap with an antique brad. It holds several pieces of chocolate. We also made four cards that I'll be posting over the weekend.

I know this is a long post, but I have one more thing to share. My hubby put up some 1" x 2" x 12' strips of wood today so I can get some of my retired stamp sets out of cabinets and in plain sight. There's a high ledge on the wall because that's the foundation wall at the back of the building. Previously, this wall held several display boards and 3d items.

There are only three shelves because he wanted to make sure I could reach the stamps! I'm 5'9" and can just reach the stamp sets on the top shelf. Here's a photo of the 90+ sets that are back in the limelight:

This cleared out one of my cabinet shelves... but I have more (cabinets, that is). Yikes! And I already have loads of stamp sets stacked on tables that are for sale. The ones shown here are the ones I want to hang onto for awhile yet. How do you know when you have a problem? heh heh heh