Watercooler Wednesday #121 - Anything Goes - Always An Adventure

It's hard to believe but we've reached the end of May and it's time for our WWC121 Anything Goes challenge.  Are you up for it?   

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.   We'd love to have you join us.  You have until 5:00pm Pacific Time on Monday, June 5th  to link your project.

Here's My Card: 
Now that the weather is finally improving and summer is just around the corner, I was inspired to make a Pop N' Twist birthday card for a guy friend showcasing the great outdoors.   He's an avid camper, so this card should make him smile.

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:  Always An Adventure(R), Balloon Adventures (R), Guy Greetings and Birthday Blast (R).

Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Whisper White and 2 sheets of DSP from the Warmth and Cheer DSP Pack

Inks:  Old Olive, Crumb Cake and Momento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Acrylic Blocks, Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Outdoor Adventures Framelits, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Bunch of Banners and Stitched Shapes Thinlet Dies, Tom Bow Glue, Dimensionals, Black Rhinestones, Bone Folder and Detail Scissors.

I've been procrastinating about buying the Always an Adventure stamp set and coordinating Outdoor Adventure Framelits before they retired at the end of this month. Fortunately my sister loaned me her set to make this project and I've made up my mind to get it.  I think I was sold when I cut out the mountains.  What fun!

How It Came Together:

Note: When I construct a Pop N' Twist card I make all the foundation pieces out of the same colour of card stock.  For this card I cut the following from Very Vanilla card stock:

• Card Base - 4 1/4" x 11" and scored at 5 1/2"
• Pop N' Twist Hinge - 3 1/2" x 8" scored at 1 3/4" for the center.  On the long side measure down from the top to 2 1/4" and mark with a pencil.  Turn and measure from the bottom up 2 1/4" and mark with a pencil.  Do this on both long of the hinge.  Take a ruler and link up lines in an X.  Use the lines as a guideline and use your trimmer to score along the X lines.
• Accordion Fold Piece - 3 1/2 x 10 scored at 2 1/2", 5" and 7 1/2" 
• Belly Band 3/4" x 10" scored at 2" and 6 4/8"

Card Front:
Layer 1:  4" x 5 1/4" Basic Black card stock.  Before adhering to the card base die cut the 3 5/8" circle from this piece and set aside.

Layer 2:  Cut a piece of DSP to measure 3 3/4" x 5" and adhere to 1st layer.

Layer 3:  Adhere the Basic Black circle to the upper top of the DSP.  Cut a 3 1/4" circle from Crumb Cake with the Circle Framelits. To create the scene die cut the mountains from Chocolate Chip, the Peaks from Crumb Cake, the Clouds from Whisper White, the stand of trees from Old Olive, a black bear stamped with Tuxedo Black ink on Whisper White, and a tent stamped in Crumb Cake on Very Vanilla. Layer these pieces onto the Crumb Cake circle.  The mountains, peaks, and clouds are all glued flat with Tom Bow Glue and the trees, tent, and bear are popped up with Dimensionals.  Attach the Crumb Cake circle to the black circle with Dimensionals.

Belly Band:  Crease the folds and adhere at the back with a piece of sticky strip.  Stamp "The Best is Yet to Come" in Momento Tuxedo Black ink in the center front.  Cut out a banner from Basic Black using the Bunch of Banner dies and center over sentiment.  I added 3 small black rhinestones beneath the words.  

Inside of Card:

1.  For the top of the card cut a 3 5/8" x 4 1/8" piece of Basic Black card stock and a 3 1/2 x 4" piece of DSP and glue to the card base.
 
2.  For the bottom of the card cut a 3 5/8" x 4 1/8" piece of Basic Black and a 3 1/2 x 4" piece of Very Vanilla.  Glue to the bottom of the card base. Stamp the sentiment "Celebrate You" from the Birthday Blast stamp set and the bear in Tuxedo Black ink on the Very Vanilla layer.

 
3.  Cut 4 3 1/4 x 2 1/4" pieces of Basic Black card stock for the Accordion Fold piece. Cut 2 Very Vanilla and 2 DSP pieces to measure 2" x 3" and glue to the Basic Black layers. 

Stamp the "It's Your Birthday" sentiment on the top of the Very Vanilla layer in Tuxedo Black ink.  I stamped the grass from Thoughtful Branches and the Tree from Always an Adventure in Old Olive ink. The bear was stamped in Tuxedo Black ink.  Adhere these layers together and attach to the first fold in the Accordion Fold piece.  For the second section layer the basic black card stock and dsp to the accordion fold piece.    Note I somehow added a layer of Very Vanilla in this section, just ignore that in the picture. 

For the second half of the Accordion Fold Piece create this scene on the first panel by:  Cut out another section of trees from Old Olive card stock and adhere across the bottom of the Very Vanilla panel.  Stamp the Road Sign in Crumb Cake on Very Vanilla card stock and fussy cut out the image.  Adhere to the Very Vanilla panel with Dimensionals.  Stamp two clouds in the sky in Tuxedo Black ink.  For the fourth panel layer basic black panel and DSP panel.  Stamp the sentiment "World's Greatest" from the Guy Greeting stamp set in Tuxedo Black ink on Very Vanilla and fussy cut.  Attach with Dimensionals.  Note:  I sponged all of the DSP pieces with Crumb Cake ink before adhering to the basic black panels. 

Well there you have it for today.  I really enjoy creating these Pop N' Twist cards. Pulling all the elements together is so much fun.  I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did and would be happy if you could leave me a comment. It makes my day.  In the meantime....

Happy Stamping! 
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot  
    

Watercooler Wednesday #120 - Gail's Christmas Challenge

Our new lineup of weekly challenges includes a Christmas Challenge and the talented Gail Allen is leading the first one with her WWC120 - Christmas Challenge.  Her inspiration photo is so cute, who could resist.  What fun! 

So even though it's not quite summer the Watercooler Wednesday Design Team have mustered up their Christmas Spirit and come up with some really great seasonal cards to share with you.  I know you're going to enjoy them too.   

And, hopefully you'll feel inspired too and get an early start on your seasonal cards and share your creation by linking up with us for some fun too!  This challenge is open from May 24th through 5pm Mountain Time on Monday May 29th, 2017.  

My Card:

One of my most stamped Christmas sets last year was Cookie Cutter Christmas. I absolutely adored every single image.  When I found out it was carried over into the new 2017-18 Annual Catalogue, I whooped for joy and did a happy dance!  It was like welcoming back an old friend. 

So, for this first ever Christmas Challenge at the Watercooler, it will probably come as no surprise that I chose this set and my favourite image from it for today's card.  Hope you love it as much as I do! 

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Cookie Cutter Christmas #132043, Here's to Cheers (R)
Card Stock and DSP: Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Crumb Cake and Warmth and Cheer DSP Stack(R)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black ink
Accessories: Big Shot, Trimmer, Cookie Cutter Builder Punch (140396), Shaker Shapes Framelits (R), Stitched Shapes Framelits (145372, Jingle Bell (R) 

How It's Made:
Card Layers Inside and Out:  
1.  Card Base - Cherry Cobbler 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" 
2.  First Layer - Garden Green 4" x 5 1/4".  Cut out the Oval and Circle from this piece before adhering it to the card base. 
3.  Second Layer - Basic Black 3 3/4" x 5" - Cut out oval before adhering to first layer. 
4.  Third Layer - Warmth and Cheer DSP - 3 5/8" x 4 7/8" adhere to second layer.  Note:  I purchased this paper pack on the current Clearance Rack and it's going to be perfect for making this season's Christmas projects.  Love it!

Warmth and Cheer DSP  is currently on sale for more than 50% off on the Clearance Rack

Oval Layers: 
Note:  As you probably know from past tutorials, I number my Stitched Shapes Thinlets from the inside (smallest) to the outside (largest).  The following directions list the number (#) of the thinlet instead of the size.

Stitched Shape Thinlets There are 12 dies in this set of Thinlets, and I number them from the smallest die through to the largest 1 - 4:
Circle: 4 dies, largest image 2-7/8"
Square: 4 dies, largest image 2-5/8”
Ovals: 4 dies, largest image 3-1/4” x 2-5/16”
Use with Big Shot, Big Shot Platform, and Standard Cutting Pads

 

1. 1st layer:  #4 Oval - Garden Green oval (cut from First Panel).
2. 2nd layer: #3 Oval - Basic Black oval (cut from Second layer).  Cut another #3 oval from a scrap of DSP, and then cut it into thirds.  Throw away the two ends and glue the remaining piece across the center of the Basic Black Oval, lining up the stitch marks.  Mount the black oval with Dimensionals to the green one. 
3. 3rd layer:  Stamp the Deer image from Cookie Cutter Christmas in Momento Tuxedo Black ink on Crumb Cake card stock and punch out with the Cookie Cutter Builder Punch.  Adhere to DSP with Dimensionals.  Die cut a small bow from Shaker Shapes in Cherry Cobbler card stock and mount with Mini Glue dots below the deer head.  Attach a silver jingle bell to the center of the bow with Mini Glue dots.  Attach the oval to the top left corner of the Third Layer approximately a 1/2" below the top and to the side.  Glue flat with Tom Bow Glue to the DSP layer. 
 

Cookie Cutter Builder Punch cuts out all the characters from the Cookie Cutter Christmas Stamp set, plus a cute little bow tie and heart. 

Sentiment Layer:

1.  Stamp the "Just Spreading Cheer This Christmas" sentiment in Momento Tuxedo Black ink onto Crumb Cake card stock.  Cut out with 1 5/8" circle die and layer onto the #2 Stitched Circles Garden Green circle with Dimensionals. Glue flat with Tom Bow glue to the bottom right hand corner of the card face overlapping the panels. 

Inside Panel:

1.  Cut a 4" x 5 1/4" panel from Garden Green card stock and adhere to card base. 
2.  Cut a 3 3/4" x 5" panel from Crumb Cake card stock and adhere to Garden Green panel. Stamp the sentiment " Warm Heartfelt Greetings....." from the Cookie Cutter Christmas stamp set in Momento Tuxedo Black ink.  Stamp the deer's head in lower corner of the panel.  Add a small Cherry Cobbler bow under deer's chin with Mini Glue dots.  
3.  Cut a 1/2" x 5 piece of the Warmth and Cheer DSP and glue to the left side of the Crumb Cake panel leaving an 1/8" gap between the edge and DSP.

Well that's it for my Christmas share today.  I hope you like this card.  I know I do and I've got plans to duplicate it several times over using other papers from the Warmth and Cheer paper pack.  I just know that my relatives and friends will get a kick out of it too! 

If you haven't had a chance to see the cards from the rest of the DT make sure you stop by and check them out.  And, if you feel like it, leave me a comment and let me know if you enjoyed Gail's Watercooler Wednesday Christmas Challenge and how early you start making your seasonal cards.  I'd love to have your feedback, it makes my day! 
Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

Month of May Eastern Palace Series - Project 8

Wow , who knew the month of May would be such a whirl wind.  Between renos, bridal showers and visitors from out of town, my stamping plans have been curtailed.  However I'm back today with another in my Month of May Eastern Palace Suite series, and hopefully will get a few more in before the month ends.  

Today's Project is a set of note cards with matching envelopes and a decorated box.  That's right, everything matches.  

There are four "thank you" cards in the set each featuring different products from the Eastern Palace Suite.  Here are the directions for re-creating them:

• Card base: Cut a 4" x 8" piece of Thick Very Vanilla Card stock scored at 4".
• Layer #1:  Cut a 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" piece of card stock in one of these colours:  Fresh Fig, Tranquil Tide, Dapper Denim and Lemon Lime Twist, layered on card base with Tom Bow glue.
• Layer #2:  Cut a 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper and layer it on card stock with Tom Bow glue. 
• Using Stitched Layers cut four 2 3/4" Stitched Shapes circles from Very Vanilla card stock and adhere to the center of DSP with Tom Bow glue.
• Cut four medallions as follows:  2 using medallion dies #6 and 2 and 2 using medallion dies #3 and 5 and adhere them to the Very Vanilla circle with Tom Bow glue. Note: Match mix and match the colours of the medallions to two of the colours from each DSP square.
• Punch out 4 1 1/4" circles from the coloured card stock and 4 1" circles from Very Vanilla card stock. Adhere a coloured and very vanilla card stock piece together. 
• Before layering to the medallion, stamp the beaded circle and "thank you" sentiment from the Eastern Beauty Photopolymer stamp set on the very vanilla circle.  Adhere this layered piece with dimensionals to the medallion.

 

I made matching envelopes to go with these cards starting with a standard invitation sized envelope and a 2" x 4 4/16" piece of designer series paper that matched each of the cards.  

I really like it when the envelopes that accompany note cards are either stamped with a design or have designer paper on the envelope flaps.  Quite a while ago I discovered a great tutorial by Cindy Lawrence on Split Coast Stampers that shows how to make a "Tailored Envelope" to match your card.   Here is how I assembled my envelopes following Cindy's example:

• Apply adhesive to the flap of the envelope and seal shut.  You can use tape runner or liquid glue.
• Trim the long side of the envelope at 4 5/16".  You should now have a square. 
• Turn the envelope over and punch half-way in on the top edge with either a 1" circle or an oval punch, and set aside.
• Score the designer series paper strip on the long side at 1/2" and crease.  Make sure the side of the paper that matches your card is facing outward.  This is will be your new envelope flap.
• Put sticky strip on the back of the 1/2" crease line and adhere the flap to the envelope.  
• Round the corners to give a more finished appearance.  
• I attached a strip of sticky strip on the inside of the flap so it can be sealed once the card has been added to the envelope.  
  
  
  
  

 Here are the finished cards and their matching envelopes:

I decided to make a matching box to hold the note cards and envelopes and I'm very pleased with how it turned out.  Here's a look at the box: 

A side and top view of the gift box. 

I layered matching DSP and card stock in the bottom of the card box to give it a more finished appearance. For the box top I repeated the card layout for the Fresh Fig card and added two additional layers of card and DSP beneath it.  The sides of the box have a 1" x 4 1/8" layer of contrasting DSP. 

The box holds 4-6 note cards and envelopes.

I followed a great video by Crafty Caroline on Youtube which actually shows all the dimensions and how to assemble this box.  Just click on Crafty Caroline and you can watch how it's made.  The fun thing about Carolyn's video is that she used the Eastern Palace Suite for her box too, so it's like getting two projects in one today.   She also follows the "1/16" rule for making box lids so you get a great fitting box.

I hope you enjoyed today's project and will come back again to see more of the Month of May Eastern Palace Suite projects that I've been working on.  If you like today's project please let me know.  I'm inspired by your comments and it really encourages me to keep posting.

 

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot