Friday, August 30, 2013

PUMPKINDEAL - Almost Gone

Just like Cinderella running from the ball to catch the coach, time is running out on the PUMPKINDEAL.

What is Paper Pumpkin?  
Well, it's a nifty little stamping kit that comes once a month and offers a variety of simple paper crafting ideas for people who want to do something creative and simple, or for those who want to experiment and learn what paper stamping and crafting is all about.  Click here to find out more.

Why Would You Want to Get the PUMPKINDEAL?
If you're never ordered Paper Pumpkin before but you're interested in ordering and getting the best deal of the year on a subscription to Paper Pumpkin this deal is for you.  But remember you only have until 10pm Mountain time (just over 24 hours) to use the promo code PUMPKINDEAL and get in on this special offer.


What's the Big Deal? 
Sign up tonight or tomorrow (before 10pm MT) and you'll get the first two months of Paper Pumpkin delivered to your front door for only $12.50. 

That's right you can sign up for half price and get two months at $12.50 per month plus applicable tax (shipping is included in the price).  After that time the price for future monthly kits will go back to the regular price of $24.95 (plus applicable tax).

When you get your first kit, which is the Welcome Kit, it includes a Clear Mounting Block for your rubber stamps to adhere to.  This Clear Block will work with every kit you subscribe to.  This in itself is a "big deal".  Want to know why?
Clear Block C     118486   Price: $8.95
For all the Paper Pumpkin kits you subscribe to you will receive clear mount stamps which means you'll need a clear block to adhere your stamps to. Stampin' Ups! blocks are a clear choice. Made from high-quality, sturdy acrylic, these blocks can hold one stamp or multiple stamps if you want to create a collage of images.  The big deal here is that you're getting it basically for free with this promo.
 


How To Sign Up:

 1.  Visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join.

2.  Select "1" as the quantity for kits

3.  Click on  "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field which is located just below the kit quantity. 

4.  Mark or select me as your demonstrator - Penny Hanuszak

5.  Finish with your payment information and click "Submit."

6.  You will receive a confirmation email and a request to set up a password. You can do that at any time.

7.  You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 10:00 PM (MT) after that time My Paper Pumpkin goes back to it's regular price.




 
Want to See What I Made With the August kit?


August's kit contains enough supplies to make four cards with envelopes.  The set comes with two cute little stamps - a bicycle and a thank you banner.  It also includes Bermuda Bay and Baked Brown Sugar ink spots, ref self stick flags and paper strips that are like Washi tape. 


How Do I Store My Paper Pumpkin Supplies:


Although I love the pretty red boxes that the monthly Paper Pumpkin kits come in, they are way too big to use as storage for the kits, so I decided to save those boxes for wrapping Christmas presents and look for a different kind of container.  I wanted something light weight and stack-able to put the stamp set, ink spots, instructions and left over paper supplies into once I had assembled the kit.   I decided to use a 3 1/2 x 5 1/4" tin box with an Acrylic hinged lid. 
Here's what I came up with.  This lovely metal tin holds everything, stacks, and is easy to grab off the shelf when the stamping urge hits.  The Acrylic lid is perfect because you can see the stamp image and the stamp set name.  Although you can't see it in these pictures I've also added a computer file label on the end of the tin so the stamp set name can easily be seen when stacked.

I've folded the kit instructions and added them to the lid along with the embellishments.  In the bottom of the tin I've removed the white paper from the back of the rubber block and then stuck it to the bottom of the tin.  When the stamps are not in use they sit in this rubber support and don't move around.  The ink spots fit perfectly to the side, and the clear block could easily be stored in this tin too.



My Promo:  Anyone new who signs up for Paper Pumpkin tonight or tomorrow using the PUMPKINDEAL promo code and naming me as their demo, will receive two tins to store their kit supplies in.  Just forward a copy of the Paper Pumpkin Confirmation email from Stampin' Up! to me by email at pennyhanuszak@telus.net and include your mailing information, and I'll get your prize out to you.  

Still Organizing My Space

I'm always interested in other people's crafting spaces, so the other day when I saw a blog hop for craft spaces over at Crafty Spaces Blog Hop I thought why not check it out.  Wow there were some awesome craft rooms and ideas.  I even decided to link one of my earlier posts about Reorganizing My Space.  

My room is still a work in progress and I've made a few more changes that really help me out. One of the biggest changes I made was getting a cabinet for my stamp pads.  Check out this great buy I got at the last Clipper Street garage sale.  It made my day!  And, it changed my craft space.  

I spied this great cabinet at the last Clipper Street garage sale, and even though I was determined not to buy anything (I'm supposed to be getting rid of things remember), I couldn't resist.  And, am I glad I bought it!  What a difference it makes to my work space.   

This cabinet is the perfect size and holds all my current ink pads including In Colours for 2013-2015, Versa Mark and Staz On pads, and there are a couple of additional spots for when I get my new Encore Inks.  I'm not fussy about the colour of the cabinet so sometime in the near future I plan on spray painting it white to go with the rest of my storage cabinets.
The best part is that the cabinet fits right on top of the hutch my sweet BIL built for me last year.  Now I can just reach up and grab the ink pad of my choice and voila, creating time is at hand.  All my markers, sponge daubers  and clear block mounts are on the shelf below the pads.  Perfect. 


And, because I relocated all my current ink pads I was able to store my retired ink pads (that I haven't been able to part with yet......... notice I said yet) and re-inkers in my revolving ink pad holder.  This gave me back practically a whole shelf.  So, this addition to my craft space has been a win-win, that has more than paid for itself.  Oh, did I mention I bought the cabinet for $40.00.  


Thanks for dropping by today and Happy Stamping. 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Wonderfall Card - Give Thanks

Fall is just around the corner and you can see all the colourful changes beginning.  The Maple leaves in our front yard are starting to take on the bright hues of Autumn, and the leaves are beginning to drop. 

When I wake up I can't wait to get outside and enjoy a walk in the woods.  I love all the fall colours, the way the air smells and the dew on the ground in the mornings.  Makes me want to go ahhhhhh.   Yes Fall really is my most favourite season.  It's the time of year when I come alive after the heat of summer and begin to  get energetic again.  

To celebrate this coming change in seasons, today's card is all about Thanks Giving and Fall.  It was made using this sample of leaves as my inspiration.  I hope you'll like it.  Leave me a comment or two to let me know if autumn is your favourite season too.  Appreciated.

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:  Wonderfall (128087), Tags for You (131823) and Gorgeous Grunge (130517)

Ink:  Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard (retired - could have substituted Starfruit)

Card Stock:  Old Olive for Card base (8 1/2 x 5 1/2"), Natural Composition Specialty Paper - Wood Grain (126917) 4 x 5 1/4 for outside layer and 5 1/4" x 2" for inside layer.  Very Vanilla for leaves and sentiment, 51/4 x 3" for inside of card. Champagne Glimmer Paper (127885) scraps. 

Accessories:  Big Shot Machine, Autumn Accents Bigz Die (127812), Stamp-a-ma-jig, Label Bracket Punch (132153), Trimmer.

Here's My Card:
  • I used Old Olive for the card base and added a layer of Natural Composition Specialty Card stock as a layer. I thought the wood grain worked well with the leaves and the green background. 
  •  The card front features two maple leaves and what I believe is an acorn leaf all stamped on Very Vanilla Card stock and layered together with dimensionals. 
  • The leaves were all cut out using the Autumn Accents Bigz Die which coordinates with the Wonderfall stamp set.  
  • The leaves were stamped in More Mustard ink and the edges were sponged with Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Ink.  
  • When stamping the images, I found it easier to cut out the leaves and  lay the cutout portions onto the inked stamps and then rub over the back of the cut leaves to get the impression.  The stamped image and edges don't have to be perfect because when you finish this step you  sponge around the outside of the leaves with the three inks noted. 
  • The splot from the Gorgeous Grunge set was randomly stamped in Old Olive and Cajun Craze inks to give that weathered look.
  • After all the inking was done, I crumpled and creased up the two Maple leaves to give them some textured.  When I was satisfied with the creases and lines in them I unfolded them and then lightly patted my Cajun Craze ink pad over the leaves.  The dark ink magically picks up the crease lines.  
  • Two leaves were cut from Champagne Glimmer Paper and added to the base of the leaf stack for effect.  I used 3/8" glue dots to adhere them.
  • A 1/2" by 4" strip of Glimmer Paper was added to the right hand side of the card.
  • The Happy Thanks Giving Sentiment is from the Tags for You Stamp Set I got for free at Convention I love the images in this set and the fact they have a coordinating punch called the Label Bracket Punch.  It made cutting it out a lot easier.  The image is stamped in Old Olive.



The inside of the card is pretty plain.  I used markers to colour the Acorn shell in Baked Brown Sugar and Early Espresso, and then stamped the image twice using the Stamp-a-ma-jig so I could ensure perfect placement.  I layered the Very Vanilla card stock with the Natural Composition Specialty Paper for a very woodsy look.



Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Reminder - Only 4 More Days for August Promotions

Just a reminder the end of the month is fast approaching and the following promotions will be ending August 31st, 2013.

New Demonstrators Promotion - 

 
Pick a Free Project Kit 

If you're interested in becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator then this promotion is definitely for you.  


Every newly signed up demonstrator gets to pick one of four project kits for free in addition to their starter kit when they join Stampin' Up! between July 15th and August 31, 2013.  If you want to be a part of my team there's no time like today to join up. 

Click here to see the flyer and details

Kit Options:
1.  The Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND the Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit a $36.90 Value.


2.  The Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit a $36.90 Value.


3.  Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit valued at $24.95


4.  Tag a Bag Bundle AND Tag a Box Bundle a $28.45 value 



Note:  The first three project kits are from the holiday catalogue and the last option is from the annual catalogue.


Big Shot Promotion

If you've checked out my Late Night Stampers Fall Treasure Hunt Clue you'll know that I'm promoting my favourite all time stamping tool, the Big Shot. 

For the month of August I've been offering my own special promotion to anyone that purchases a Big Shot from my online shop before 10pm on August 31st.  

Basically if you buy a Big Shot from me during that time I will give you your choice of two Textured Embossing Folders for FREE.  


That's a $20.00+ value and it's for FREE.  But you have to hurry because time's running out.  Click here for more details.
Paper Pumpkin Promotion
This is your last chance to get two months of Paper Pumpkin at half price, and they're delivered right to your front door. That's right!.  

http://pennytokensstampinspot.blogspot.ca/p/paper-pumpkin.html
All you have to do is enter the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL when you're signing up for Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and you'll pay only $12.50 a month* for the first two months.

This is a great deal if you're not sure about stamping and just want to give it a shot without the expense of ordering lots of products.  


And did I mention it gets delivered right to your front door.  Click here for more details. 


Note *plus tax, where applicable. Shipping included!

Friday, August 23, 2013

Happy Birthday Flip Card - Amazing!

Happy Friday everyone!  Hope your day has been as good as mine and that the weekend will be the same.
This morning I had a chance to play with my stamps and new thinlit frame again............. what could be a better start to the day than that?

My goal today was to use some of my new stamp sets I got before and during Convention.  As I'm a real traditional type of card maker it really pushes my limits and comfort zone to go from vintage or shabby chic to grunge, but that's what I decided to do.  I hope you'll like the results.
Here is my card:


Supplies:

Stamp Sets:  Grunge, You're Amazing, Off the Grid
Ink:  Versa Mark, Calypso Coral, Wild Wasabi, Night of Navy, Crisp Cantaloupe
Card Stock:  Whisper White, Night of Navy, Calypso Coral, Wild Wasabi
Accessories:  Big Shot, Label Card Thinlits, Heat Gun, Gold Embossing   Powder, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Scissors, Washi Tape from This and That, Dimensionals, Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Scallop Border Punch, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1" circle punches, sponge dauber.



 How I made the card:


1.  Cut Whisper White Card Stock to 8 1/2 x 5 3/8".  Cut two pieces of Night of Navy Card stock 5 3/4" x 1" and then punch out strips with the Scalloped Border punch.

2.  Randomly stamp the Off the Grid Stamp set in Versa Mark Ink on the inside of the card, then cover with Gold Embossing Powder and heat set.

3.  Randomly stamp images from the Grunge stamp set in Night of Navy, Calypso Coral and Wild Wasabi on the inside of the card.  Turn card over and repeat on the front.  Randomly stamp Crisp Cantaloupe images with the sponge dauber (note: sponge off first on a scrap of paper so that it leaves just a faint background impression).  Sponge all around the outside of the card and the flip frame  with Crisp Cantaloupe ink

4.  Using the Labels Thinlet Dies, position card stock in die so that the additional 2 1/2"  in length extends over the end of the thinlit.  See this example from yesterday's card. Score on fold lines. 

5.  Cut out the "hi" from the Label Card Thinlit set and glue with Mono Adhesive to the front of the flip portion so it is on the front side of the card. Add one medium size basic rhinestone above the "i" in the word "hi".  

6.    Cut out a Wild Wasabi label using the label die from the set.  Glue this on the reverse side of the flip portion so it's on the inside of the card.   Cut out some of the arrows in Wild Wasabi and randomly place them on the card using dimensionals.

7.  Apply sticky strip to the Night of Navy scalloped border pieces and adhere with sticky strip to the left edges of the card and then with the card folded in closed position adhere the second border piece to the right outside edge.  

8.  Punch out a few circles using the 1/4, 1/2", 3/4" circle punches and glue these randomly on the card.  Punch out some extra circles in random sizes and die cut some of the arrows and the "hi" using the three colours of card stock.  When you are ready to put your card in the envelope you can tuck these in as card confetti.



 7.  Add a strip of the This and That Washi Tape to the edge of the center fold piece and stamp the Hot Air Balloon and the Winner Ticket from the You're Amazing stamp set on this part of the card.  I used markers to colour the Hot Air Balloon.  Randomly stamp the small ticket stamp in Wild Wasabi and Night of Navy on the entire card. 

8.  Stamp the elephant from the You're Amazing Stamp set in Night of Navy and again in Calypso Coral on Whisper White card stock.  Fussy cut out the Night of Navy elephant and then cut out just the party hat in Calypso Coral.  Glue the hat over top of the Night of Navy hat and add three basic rhinestone jewels on the pompoms.  Mount the elephant to the green label with 
dimensionals. 

9.  Stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment from the You're Amazing stamp set on the inside.  I stamped mine crooked, so wound up re-stamping it on a piece of whisper white card stock and mounting it with dimensionals.  It looks okay, but it would have been better if it was directly on the card stock base. 

And that's it.  Here are some additional pictures of the front, inside and back of the card so you can get an idea of the randomness of it. 
Card front when it's closed.

Inside of the card with both flaps open.

This pictures a little blurry but it is the back of the card when it's all flattened out. 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Tutorial - Friendship Flip Card Using Thinlet Dies

Today I want to share a tutorial with you on this Flip Card I've made using the new Label Card Thinlits Dies.  The theme for this card is friendship and what could be more friendlier than a tea party!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set:    Tea Party 129138
Card Stock:   Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral and Very Vanilla
DSP:             Venetian Romance 
Ink:              Calypso Coral 
Tools:           Big Shot Machine, Magnetic Platform, Label Card Thinlits, Labels Collection Die Cuts (the smallest label), Elegant Butterfly Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Oval from Oval Framelits.
Accessories:  Basic Pearls, 3/8 Ruffle Stretch Trim in Crisp Cantaloupe, Sticky Strip, Snail Adhesive, Sponge Dauber

Cutting Out the Card Base:
I personally like the look of the Flip Card when you use 8 1/2" card stock  instead of the recommended 5 1/2 x 6 size.  I like having the extra 2 1/2" of card stock to write on and when the card is closed, the message area is hidden behind the extra fold.  For me, that's really cool and I think it adds even more of a "wow" factor.  

STEP ONE CUTTING YOUR CARD BASE:

Cut a 5 3/8 x 8 1/2" piece of Crisp Cantaloupe card stock.  With the cutting edge of the Thinlits Die facing down, insert the card stock under the flip part of the die and extend the additional card stock over the top of the die.   
TIP:  Just a note about the width of the paper for this version of a Flip Card. if you have difficulty fitting it through the die, it may be just a smidgen too wide.  I found that when I cut my card stock at 5 1/2" and tried to fit the card stock through the die, it was crooked and wouldn't lay flat.  To remedy that and make sure that the finished card base was aligned properly with the die, I cut an additional 1/8" inch off the width.  As soon as I did that, the card stock fit perfectly through the die, and all was well.  So experiment with the size before you start on your actual card to make sure you have the right cut.

 
In this view you can see everything aligned perfectly, before I roll it through the Big Shot.  Make sure before you do any cutting on the new Magnetic Platform and on the regular platform, that you put down a standard plastic cutting pad.  Your sandwich from the base up should be:

1.  Magnetic Platform/or regular platform
2.  Standard Cutting Pad ( a flat one works best)
3.  Thinlit placed over single piece of card stock
4.  Standard Cutting Pad (a flat one works best)
 
When you take the card stock out of the Big Shot it will look like this. Although the picture is faint, you can see the fold lines for the flip portion of the card quite clearly.  There is also a fold line, albeit a faint one, 2 5/8" from the right side of the card.

STEP TWO:  FOLDING THE CREASE LINES
 
Fold the right hand side toward the center of the card and using your bone folder make a crease. Later on you'll add some card stock and designer paper to make this side of the card look terrific.


Fold the left side of the card towards the center from the second fold line and use your bone folder to make a crease.

Finally fold the first fold towards the card center and use your bone folder to run a crease down the fold.  The flip portion of the card will fold towards the center.

 
This is what your card will look like when everything is folded together.  It will be a perfect A2 size card.  Wasn't that easy?

STEP THREE:  DECORATING YOUR CARD 

Here are the basic elements for decorating this card.  You will need to cut a 2 1/2 x 5 2/8" piece of Calypso Coral card stock and a piece of Venetian Romance Designer Series Paper 2 1/4x 5 for the panel on the right hand side of the card.  Stamp the images from the Tea Party set in Calypso Coral ink on Very Vanilla card stock.  You'll need to cut two labels in Calypso Coral ink using the smallest label in the Label Collection Framelits.  Before assembling these pieces I used a sponge dauber to distress the edges of all the design pieces.
I embossed both side folds of the card with the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder and left the center part of the card plain except for the stamped image of the teapot which is in Calypso Coral Ink.  In this view you can see the small label attached to the swing or flip part of the card.  I used the smallest label from the Label Collections Framelits set.  It fits perfectly. 

In this view I've attached the You're Just My Cup of Tea stamped image from the Tea Party set with dimensionals to the back of the Flip.  The image was stamped in Calypso Coral on Very Vanilla card stock.  I added a single basic pearl to the center of the flower at the top of the image.  Wow this card is really starting to come together!

In this view you can see how I've added the designer paper and Calypso Coral card stock to the front right fold.  I also added a strip of 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim in Crisp Cantaloupe. Before attaching the trim I ran a strip of Sticky Strip down the outside edge of fold.  This ribbon is so gorgeous and on this card adds just the perfect feminine touch.
 
I stamped a piece of Calypso Coral card stock with the Tea Party image before cutting it out with the Elegant Butterfly punch.  Four small basic pearls were attached in the center.  Before mounting the butterfly  to the front of the card, I used the bone folder to give some dimension to the wings.


In this picture you can see the front Flip with the Tea Party image added on top of the Calypso Coral label.  I cut this image out using the second oval in the new Ovals Collection Framelits........ perfect!  To add some interest I actually stamped this image twice and then hand cut out the Tea Party banner part of the image and attached it with dimensionals to the face of the image.  Three small basic pearls were spaced along the banner to emphasize the words. 



To finish the card I added a small strip of Calypso Coral card stock on the front left hand side of the card.  I think it adds some balance.

And that's all there was to assembling this very feminine friendship card.  I hope you enjoyed it and learned a little more about using the Label Card Thinlits.  

I'd love to hear your comments.  Thanks for dropping by! 


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Late Night Stampers Treasure Hunt Begins!


 
Hi Stampers!  If you've been waiting for the Late Night Stampers Fall Treasure Hunt blog hop to begin, your wait is over.

Here's my Clue!  
For my product clue I chose the Big Shot machine, simply because I couldn't make the cards I do without it. From the moment I bought my Big Shot a whole new world of excitement opened up for me. 

 
Big Shot Die-Cut Machine     113439
Price: $122.95

  • With the Big Shot machine, you can create die cuts with any of our exclusive Stampin' Up! dies—or any Sizzix die. 
  • With the Big Shot you can create beautiful embossed backgrounds, that make your creations come to life.  
  • The Big Shot machine comes with Standard Cutting Pads and a multipurpose platform so you can start cutting immediately. 
  • In the Fall you'll be able to order the new multipurpose platform that has a magnetized base.   This is an awesome add-on for working with Thinlet and Framelit dies.
  • From crafting to quilting and everything in between, the Big Shot is a big deal!
Special Offer:

Anyone ordering a Big Shot Machine from me during the month of August will receive two free embossing folders of their choice.  On-line order must be placed before noon Pacific Time on August 31st, 2013. 

To play along in the Treasure Hunt Clue Blog Hop click here or go check out the LNS Treasure Hunt tab at the top of my page menu.  

Monday, August 19, 2013

Late Night Stampers Fall Treasure Hunt Begins August 20, 2013

Late Night Stamper's Fall Treasure Hunt Blog Hop begins tomorrow!  It's the best blog hop of the season so I hope you'll join in the fun! 

Be sure to drop by and see my clue.  The above picture designed by Suzanne Johnson is the new badge for this season's Fall Late Night Stampers Treasure Hunt and blog hop.  It will be posted tomorrow on my side-banner and I also have the LNS Treasure Hunt page on my menu line so you can check out what's happening. 

So don't miss out!  Come back tomorrow to check out my clue, the list of LNS participants in the blog, hop and all the fun details.  If you're a Canadian Demo and would like to participate on the blog list contact me at pennyhanuszak@telus.net, and I will provide you with the appropriate links so you can get in on all the fun!  See you tomorrow!   

Friday, August 16, 2013

Saying Thank You the Photopolymer Way!



Stampin' Up! has just released it's new "Another Thank You" photopolymer stamp set and I think you're going to fall in love with it.


Don't you just love all these images and for $16.95 what a great investment for your sentiment stamp collection. You could use this exclusive photopolymer stamp set for any occasion that calls for a thank you.

If you've used photopolymer stamps before and been unimpressed, you really need to try out Stampin' Ups! photopolymer stamps to see the difference.  They offer a versatile all-clear stamping option, and you'll find they're  top-quality.  Each stamp will give a perfectly stamped image every time. Photopolymer stamps stick amazingly well to Stampin' Ups! clear blocks and they're easy to place just where you want them. And best of all, you get to enjoy tons of images for a great price!








Note: The following clear block sizes A, B, C, D, and F which are not included in the set, work best with it. Click here to check out our clear blocks.

Check out this set for yourself and if you want it, you can order at my Online store, just click here.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Rainbows, a Pot of Gold, Leprechauns green beer and shenanigans are all part of celebrating St. Patty's Day on March 17th. I have a sma...