I've Fallen. I Did Get Up. I'm Tired.

I love Stampin' Up!  I've been accused of being a Stampin' Up! snob.  I will wear that badge proudly.  I love everything about Stampin' Up!  I love the excitement of a new catalog with new products that are just waiting for ideas.  Those ideas become creations that bring joy to others and to me.  I love the feel of the cardstock, the beauty of the paper, ink on my hands, and that feeling I get when I design a card that's just right.  I love ribbons, and sequins, rhinestones, trinkets, and tying bows.  I love being a part of a team and having my own team.  I love sharing and knowing people from across the US and in other countries.  In other words, I love it all!  I will be a demonstrator for as far in the future as I can imagine.  I stamp every day.  Yes, I am passionate.  Some would call it obsessed.

And therein is my problem.  As this year, and decade, come to end, it's a time for reflection.  I work hard at my Stampin' Up! business.  I spend, I'm sure, well over 40 hours a week.  I am retired so I guess I have the time.  But my business has taken over my life.  I don't have time for family and friends.  I'm always telling my husband I don't have time to do this and that.  I'm not invited out with friends that much any more.  Most of all, after all the time and effort and work, I am not successful.  My sales suck.  I think I need to face that fact that I really am not offering anything that would warrant any support or loyalty from my readers.  I am not able to offer free gifts and special enticements and I guess that's what really matters.

2.16.2020  I FEEL I SHOULD DELETE THE PARAGRAPH ABOVE BUT THEY WERE TRUE FEELINGS.  I WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE TO MY CUSTOMERS.  I DO CHERISH YOUR SUPPORT.  THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ME.

I fell last week.  I tripped over my shoes and I went down hard.  I dislocated my right shoulder.  Two days later, the shoulder went out again.  I go to the orthopedic doctor today, but I think therapy is in my future.

For these reasons, I am taking some time off.  As a demo, this is probably the worst time, but it is what it is.  I will not post on my blog the rest of December.  I'm not sure right now about January.  As I said, it's a time for reflection.  They say consistency is key.  I've posted at least 4 days a week consistently for years.  I post at least 4 new projects every week with complete instructions.  I consistently send a pretty great newsletter every Tuesday.  What can I say?

Thanks for reading and hopefully understanding my frustration over being hurt (shoulder) and my business.  I'm tired.  I thank those who have taken the time to comment on my posts.  I will be back.

A Playful Penguins Gift Card Holder

Hello to you today!  I am giving credit for my card to Kelly Acheson.  She had a card and video recently that showed this style of gift card holder.  I have changed a couple things, but a lot is the same.  Go here to see Kelly's video.  Here is my card.

Start with a card base of Thick Whisper Whites that measures 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score and fold at 4 1/4.

Cut a piece of regular Whisper White to 4 x 5 1/4.   Stamp snowflakes from the Snowman Season stamp set in Pool Party over this piece.  Run this layer through your die cutting machine with the Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder.  Adhere to the card.

Stamp the saying from Playful Penguins in Real Red on a Whisper White scrap and cut out with the Stitched Shapes dies.  Cut a Real Red scalloped circle using the Layering Circles dies.  Glue these together and add to the card with dimensionals.  Add a little hat to the circle.  Stamp in Real Red and fussy cut.

Stamp the penguin in Memento Black ink on Whisper White.  Fussy cut.  Add a scarf.  Stamp in Real Red, fussy cut, and glue it on the penguin.

Figure out where you want to penguin to go on the card.  Add some of the Snowfall Accents Puff Paint to the card and use your Heat Tool to make it puff.  Here is a warning:  the puff paint will scorch.  That's why my penguin is in a funny place!

Here is the inside of the card.

I stamped penguins in the card with Memento ink.  Stamp the hat, scarf, and bow tie in red and cut out.  Add to the penguins.

The insert takes two pieces of paper cut to 5 x 5.  I used the Let It Snow Specialty Designer Series Paper.  Score the two pieces at 1 1/2, 2 1/4, 3 3/4, and 4 1/2.  Form each of these into a box shape.  Place the boxes side by side and glue together only near the ends.  You want to leave the center open to that you can fit in the gift card.  Now place the two boxes into the fold of the card.  You'll put glue on the two sides touching the card.  Make sure you push these into the corner.  Close the card and press to glue.  You might want to watch Kelly's video.

The card will open with the card and also lie flat when closed.  This card could take a little extra postage due to the thickness of it.  Here's a picture of the side view.

I really like this gift card holder and it allowed me to use some of my designer paper.  Let me know if you have questions.

If you need supplies, I would love to help you out.

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The Year-End Closeout is going on now.  Many items from the Holiday mini will be gone for good soon.  Items are while supplies last.  Click on the picture to go to my online store.

Product List

Snowman Season Photopolymer Stamp Set (En)

[150458]

$18.00

Playful Penguins Cling Stamp Set

[150532]

$22.00

Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder

[149643]

$10.00

Stitched Shapes Dies

[145372]

$30.00

Layering Circles Dies

[141705]

$35.00

Snowfall Accents Puff Paint

[150691]

$4.50

Let It Snow Specialty Designer Series Paper

[150393]

$14.50

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[100730]

$9.75

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[140272]

$8.25

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

[147084]

$7.50

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

[147107]

$7.50

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$6.00

Paper Snips

[103579]

$10.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge #591

It's time for the Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge #591.  We have a color challenge using the colors Night of Navy, Pretty Peacock, and Mossy Meadow.

The Brightly Gleaming Specialty Designer Series Paper fit perfectly with this challenge.  I saw this idea on Pinterest at one time.  I do not know how to give credit.  Let me say, it is not an original idea.

Start with a base of Thick Very Vanilla that measures 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score and fold at 4 1/4.

Cut various widths and lengths of designer paper.  This is a great way to use scraps!  My strips are 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 inches wide.  The lengths are 4 1/4, 4 1/2, and 4 3/4.  

Use your grid paper to put the first strip in the very center of the card.  I used the Foam Adhesive Strips to add this layer.  Now add strips on each side that are glued directly to the paper.  The next strips on each side are added with dimensionals.  The dimensionals are not as high as the foam strips.  The last strips are added with the foam strips.  This gives three different layers to the card and a little more interest.

The saying for this card is from Perennial Birthday.  It's stamped in Night of Navy on a piece of 1 x 3 1/2 inch piece of Very Vanilla.  It's attached with little pieces of foam strips over the strips that are glued down to the paper.

There'a a little sneak peek with the bow.  It's the NEW Whisper White Crinkled Seam Binding that will be available to all in January.  I colored it with a Light Mossy Meadow Blend.  I used a bow maker to make the triple bow and added with a dimensional.

This is a quick and easy card!  I hope you will try it!

Follow my Pinterest Boards here.
Search Luv 2 Create with Jo Anne Hewins for Youtube.  Subscribe and ring the bell.
Blog:  luv2create.typepad.com
Subscribe to my Tuesday newsletter from blog.
Order here.  Use Host Code: WJUUBD7N

The Year-End Closeout is going on now.  Many items from the Holiday mini will be gone for good soon.  Items are while supplies last.  Click on the picture to go to my online store.

Product List

Brightly Gleaming Specialty Designer Series Paper

[150429]

$14.50

Perennial Birthday Cling-Mount Stamp Set

[151240]

$22.00

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[144237]

$8.25

Mossy Meadow Light Stampin' Blends Marker

[148545]

$4.50

Foam Adhesive Strips

[141825]

$8.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad

[147110]

$7.50

Grid Paper

[130148]

$12.50

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[101650]

$9.75

A Toile Tidings Designer Series Paper Fancy Fold Card

 

 

Shop here.

My card today is an easy way to use some of that extra designer paper that you might have.  I have used the Toile Tidings Designer Series Paper.  I shared a card post and video earlier this year showing how to make this card.  You can find the post here and the video here.  So, here is my card for today.

Start with a base of Real Red that measures 4 1/2 x 5 1/2.  That's a standard card size in the US.

The Toile Tidings Designer Series Paper is cut to 5 1/4 x 11 1/2.  Since this paper has a specific orientation, I'm going to turn it upside down to score.  Score at 4, 6 3/4, and 9 1/2.  Fold like an accordion with the large piece fitting on the base and the next layer folded in.  In my former post, I stated that you can just let the whole card fold out, or you can adhere the second and third folds to each other.  In this card I glued them together so there are flaps.

For the front, cut the largest shape from the Stitched Nested Labels dies in Real Red.  Cut the next largest shape from Very Vanilla.  In the center of the shape, stamp the saying from First Frost in Garden Greeen.  Stamp two of the holly leaves from the Christmas Gleaming stamp set in Memento Black ink on Very Vanilla.  Color the berries with Light and Dark Real Red Blends.  Color the leaves with ink in the lid of the Garden Green pad and an Aqua Painter.  Fussy cut and add to the panel with dimensionals.  Add a bow with Real Red Cotton Ribbon found on page 174 of the Annual Catalog.  When adding this layer to the card, put adhesive only on the left side (right when turned over).  The rest of the label extends over the designer paper.

For the second flap, cut the largest scallop oval from the Layering Ovals dies in Garden Green and the largest oval from the Stitched Shapes dies in Very Vanilla.  Stamp using the Snow Front stamp set.  The saying is from the Itty Bitty Christmas stamp set.  Colors used are Garden Green, Mossy Meadow, Soft Suede, and Real Red.  Adhere to the center of the layer.

The final layer has a Garden Green layer that measures 2 5/8 x 5 1/8.  The Very Vanilla layer is 2 1/2 x 5.  Stamp with Snow Front using the same colors as before.  The saying is from Itty Bitty Christmas.

I feel like the Snow Front stamp set goes so well with the images on the designer paper.

I hope you will try this fold.  It's a great way to use up some of that paper you have on hand.  You know you need to use it!  This is not an original fold, but I don't know who to credit with it.  Let me know if it's you!

If you need supplies, please let me know.  I would love to earn your business.

Follow my Pinterest Boards here.
Search Luv 2 Create with Jo Anne Hewins for Youtube.  Subscribe and ring the bell.
Blog:  luv2create.typepad.com
Subscribe to my Tuesday newsletter from blog.
Order here.  Use Host Code: WJUUBD7N

The Year-End Closeout is going on now.  Many items from the Holiday mini will be gone for good soon.  Items are while supplies last.  Click on the picture to go to my online store.

Product List

Toile Tidings Designer Series Paper

[150432]

$11.50

First Frost Cling-Mount Stamp Set

[148913]

$22.00

Itty Bitty Christmas Cling Stamp Set (En)

[150513]

$22.00

Christmas Gleaming Cling Stamp Set (En)

[150464]

$21.00

Snow Front Photopolymer Stamp Set

[150483]

$22.00

Stitched Nested Labels Dies

[149638]

$35.00

Stitched Shapes Dies

[145372]

$30.00

Layering Ovals Dies

[141706]

$35.00

Real Red 3/8" (1 Cm) Cotton Ribbon

[146925]

$7.00

Aqua Painters

[103954]

$17.00

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[102482]

$8.75

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

[147084]

$7.50

Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[102584]

$8.75

Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad

[147089]

$7.50

Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad

[147111]

$7.50

Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

[147115]

$7.50

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$6.00

Real Red Light Stampin' Blends

[147933]

$4.50

Real Red Dark Stampin' Blends

[147934]

$4.50

Real Red Combo Pack Stampin' Blends

[147935]

$9.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.00

Paper Snips

[103579]

$10.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Mini Glue Dots

[103683]

$5.25

A Sampler or a Scrapbook Page?

On the Scrap & Paper Caribbean Cruise with Jennifer Gulch, we made a great sampler.  It could also be a scrapbook page.  I guess it's up to you.  For me, it will be a sampler.

It's not in a frame.  It's too hard to make a picture with the glare of the glass.  This sampler features the Night Before Christmas Memories & More Card Pack.  While this sampler may look very involved, it really isn't using the card pack.  There is some fussy cutting and some trimmer cutting, but it's mainly just placement.  We added in some Sparkle Glimmer Paper, Linen Thread, Jingle Bells, and the Cherry Cobbler Diagonal Stripe Ribbon.  There is also a Pearlized Doily.  The Cherry Cobbler background is a 12 x 12 piece.

Here are some pictures of each corner.

Short and sweet today.  Thanks for stopping by.

Follow my Pinterest Boards here.
Search Luv 2 Create with Jo Anne Hewins for Youtube.  Subscribe and ring the bell.
Blog:  luv2create.typepad.com
Subscribe to my Tuesday newsletter from blog.
Order here.  Use Host Code: WJUUBD7N

The Year-End Closeout is going on now.  Many items from the Holiday mini will be gone for good soon.  Items are while supplies last.  Click on the picture to go to my online store.

 

Product List

Night Before Christmas Memories & More Card Pack

[150808]

$11.00

Linen Thread

[104199]

$5.00

Jingle Bells

[149598]

$5.00

Cherry Cobbler 3/8" (1 Cm) Diagonal Stripe Ribbon

[150439]

$7.50

Sparkle Glimmer Paper

[146957]

$5.00

Pearlized Doilies

[146936]

$4.50

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Mini Glue Dots

[103683]

$5.25