Three Little Words & Bird Punch card

I am in love with Stampin' Up's new 2 Step Bird Punch! It's irresistible. I had this idea that I wanted to use it both as a punch and also a stencil, so that is what I did.

Supplies:
Stamps - Three Little Words
Paper - Whisper White, Real Red, Pretty in Pink card stock; Sending Love specialty paper
Ink - Taken with Teal, Real Red, Basic Black
Other - Chocolate Chip and Basic Black Stampin' Write markers; 2 step bird punch; Scallop Trim border and corner punches; cloud template (home made), stampin dimensionals

• First I freehand drew the fence on a 6.25" x 4.25" piece of Whisper White card stock. The fence was not hard, I just made sure to include plenty of streaks to give it a wood-grained texture.
• Next I used my 2 step bird punch on Real Red card stock, and set the shapes aside.
• I then used the voids left in the Real Red scrap paper as a stencil. I sponged the three plain birds. Hint: be sure to use post-it notes to cover over the other holes the punch makes and a generous area around where you are sponging. Post-it sticky keeps the stencil in place, as well as masking where you don't want ink.
• I placed the punched-out wing shape to position the wing on the plain birds, then put the stencil of the wing over that, then removed the punched-out wing. I then sponged more Real Red to achieve the two-toned look on the plain birds. Then I added eyes and feet with my black marker.
• Next I punched more bird shapes out of post-it notes, and stuck them on my existing birds to act as masks. I then used my hand-made cloud template and sponged the clouds everywhere.
• I stuck down the Real Red punched-out bird in the center standing on a fencepost and drew feet for him. I then punched another bird out of Sending Love paper and popped that up on a dimensional directly on top, and attached the wing. The popped-up bird on top of the red bird gives it a nice look, even if you can't see it in the photo. (Now I wish I had chosen a better stretch of DSP to punch my bird out of, I don't like the pattern on the bird anymore.)
• Lastly I stamped the sentiment. (Sadly, after everything else had gone so well, the sentiment stamped badly leaving some extra lines. I couldn't resist - I used Picasa's retouch feature to remove them from this photo.)
• To finish off the card I matted the art layer on a border-punched red layer and a pink layer. Then for the card base I recycled the 5x7 "sheet count" card which comes as a packing list with all professionally printed cards from My Digital Studio. If you ever ordered professionally printed cards, you'll know what I'm referring to.

I know I was a little vague on some of those steps - contact me if you have any questions, or if you'd like to order any of these supplies.

Charly Bratt
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
http://www.charlysinklink.stampinup.net/

Two Valentine Workshop projects to choose from

I just love holidays, and Valentine's Day is a particularly good one. What isn't there to like about chocolate, flowers, and pretty pink cards?

I designed two new projects for Valentine's Day, either of which would be fun for a workshop. Why not hold a workshop in January and make these mini Valentine's Day cards, and then have a friend hold another workshop in early February to make the matching box?

These mini cards are 3"x3", which is a cute size for a greeting card, or they work very well as a gift tag. Specialty envelopes which fit these cards exactly are also available.

In this workshop all guests would make all three cards. They feature two kinds of heart punches, a new border and corner punch, designer series paper, a comparison of wood-mounted to clear-mounted stamps, and more. This would be a slightly longer workshop - allow extra time to work on three cards. (If you need a shorter workshop we can do fewer cards.)

For my second project I have a box made out of card stock, sized to hold 3"x3" cards and their envelopes. It would be fun to make a set of 6 or 12 mini cards (you can use my designs above, or design your own), package them with matching envelopes, and then give this as a gift to a friend or sweetheart.

The mini cards and box are inspired by Valentine's Day, but they can be used for any occasion. The stamped messages can be changed to a "thank you" message, a "friendship" message, or other possibilities.

This box uses the new 5/8" satin ribbon which comes in coordinating Stampin' Up! colors, as well as the new extra-large Fancy Flower punch, border and corner punches, designer series paper, a comparison of wood-mounted to clear-mounted stamps, and a touch of Crystal Effects. I will also include instructions on how to assemble this box, so workshop guests can make more of these at home.

Drop me an email to set up your workshop today! In addition to these two projects I have many other themes available - we can make a scrapbook page, or birthday cards, thank-you cards, and more. Just let me know what you are interested in!

Charly Bratt

CharlysInkLink@gmail.com

www.CharlysInkLink.StampinUp.net

Paper Pack Stamp-A-Stack 1 - January '10 - Sending Love

PPSAS1 - January '10 - Sending Love

Supplies:

Sending Love paper pack (contact me); Pretty in Pink 5/8" satin ribbon (117289); 1-3/8 circle punch (104401); stampin' dimensionals (104430); Snail (104332); Happy Moments stamp set (ask me how to get this FREE). 

                  

To make six greeting cards using this layout, go through these steps:

• Cut all 8-1/2 x 11" sheets in half the long way, so you have 12 sheets measuring 4-1/4 x 11". 
• Set aside 6 sheets to be used as card bases - usually one of each color and two white.  Score all card bases at 5-1/2" using your scoring blade, and fold using your bone folder.
• Cut a 3-3/8" mat out of each of the remaining long sheets.  Cut 1/2" off one side to make a finished size of 3-3/4" wide x 3-3/8" tall.
• Adhere a mat to each card base, leaving a 1/4" border at the top and sides.  Do not apply adhesive to the bottom 1/2" of the mat, since you will be slipping circles under this layer. 
• Cut a 3x3" square out of each piece of designer series paper (DSP), and adhere it to each mat, with one corner touching the top center of the card base, and two corners touching each edge of the card base.  Cut the bottom corner off so it lines up with the bottom edge of the mat. 
• Punch 4 circles using a 1-3/8 circle punch.  Line them up with the top of the circles touching the bottom of the mat.  The two circles on the ends will hang off the edges - cut off the overhang.
• Punch 3 more circles.  Line these up above the lower circles, as shown in the picture.  Slip the upper halves of these circles under the mat (to make it look better underneath the ribbon).   
• Wrap a ribbon all the way around the card front and tie a bow or knot.  Move the ribbon up a ways, lay down a strip of Snail or sticky strip, then move the ribbon back into position and stick down.
• Stamp your image on white card stock and cut out a 2-1/2 x 2-1/2" diamond shape, or simply cut out the stamped image shape (as shown above). Adhere with Stampin' Dimensionals.  
• Your sentiment can go inside the card, or next to your main image. 

To make 8 cards using this layout, make these changes:

• 
  
  Set aside eight 4-1/4x11" sheets as card bases, thinking ahead to layout possibilities and color combinations.
• 
  
  Cut three 3-3/4 x 3-3/8" mats each out of the two remaining colored long sheets, and two mats out of one of the white sheets, for a total of eight mats. 
• 
  
  Consider substituting DSP for a few of the mats.  DSP mats would measure 3 x 3-3/4".  
• 
  
  Punch your circles carefully.  Each 3x3" square should yield 4 circles. 

Tips:

• Don't follow all my directions!  Make this layout your own.  Get creative.  Adjust for your own style and your supplies. 
• Make 6 cards if you like to experiment or have room to make mistakes; make 8 cards if a challenge sparks creativity. 
• Especially if making only 6 cards, add on more layers. 
• If SNAIL doesn't work on the glittery side of Sending Love specialty paper, use Tombow glue (110755) or a glue stick (104045).
• When cutting Sending Love DSP with your paper cutter, set it glitter side down for a smoother cut.

NEXT MONTH:  Nouveau Chic designer series paper!

Charly Bratt

CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
http://www.charlysinklink.stampinup.net/

Thanks to Julee Tilman and MOJO105 for the inspiration for this layout.

Paper Pack Stamp-A-Stack layouts

What is PPSAS?  It stands for Paper Pack Stamp-A-Stack, a technique of making multiple cards (or scrapbook pages, or 3-D items) quickly and easily.  I am now putting together PPSAS layouts, my goal is to have a new one available each month. 

So what is a Paper Pack?  I am selling packages of designer series paper plus card stock in coordinating colors for only $5.00.  Each package contains:

• Six 6"x6" squares of Stampin' Up's designer series paper, one double-sided sheet of each design
• Two 6"x6" squares of textured card stock in coordinating colors
• 4 sheets of 8-1/2"x11" card stock in coordinating colors
• 2 sheets of 8-1/2"x11" card stock in either Very Vanilla or Whisper White
• a Stampin' Up! cello bag to hold them all

So what exactly does Stamp-A-Stack mean?  I may occasionally teach a Stamp-A-Stack class, where everyone makes 15 or even 30 cards in one sitting.  There would usually be only 3-5 card designs, so you would make multiple copies of each design.  A Stamp-A-Stack card is usually a fairly simple design so multiples can be made quickly. 

With the Paper Pack Stamp-A-Stack technique, you can stamp a stack at home using whatever stamps you have on hand.  Take one of my pre-made paper packs, follow one of my PPSAS layouts, and make usually 6-8 greeting cards using only the paper pack and a minimum of other tools and supplies.  The layouts I will provide should make it easy to get started, while still allowing for your own creativity and ideas.  You could make 8 copies of one design (with variations in color and paper), or 8 individual and unique cards. 

If you are new to stamping, you will enjoy the PPSAS technique since you would only need one stamp set which includes both images and sentiments; one paper pack, ink, and a few basic tools (like a paper cutter, quality scissors, and adhesive).  You may also want optional items such as brads, ribbon, punches, markers, etc.; but you can either get creative with coming up with alternatives, or I will include the item numbers so you can order what you need.  

Even if you are not new to stamping, you might find yourself wanting to refill your card stash quickly without having to come up with something original for every single card.  When you want results fast with a minimum of hassle, or when you want to be a little creative without having to come up with everything yourself, that's when you'll enjoy my paper packs and my PPSAS layouts. 

Ok, so what next?  Contact me and look through my paper packs for the ones you want!  Next choose your layout.  Lastly, post a link to your creations here in my comments section, or on SplitcoastStampers with PPSAS as a keyword. 

Let me see what you can do with just one paper pack! 
Here is a link to all my layouts: http://charlysinklink.blogspot.com/search/label/PPSAS

Charly Bratt
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
http://www.charlysinklink.stampinup.net

Thanks to Lisa Stroyan for helping me come up with this idea.

Valentine Magnet class 1/30/10

Refrigerator magnets aren't your normal Valentine's Day present, but why not give your sweetheart a love letter they can see every single day?

These gorgeous magnets are extra large, as you can see in the last picture. The project uses specialty designer paper, so every page has shiny glitter (in proper Valentine's Day tradition!). The magnets come in an impressive presentation case, which they stick to nicely. Whoever you give this to - whether it is your spouse, mom, neighbor, or friend - they will be overwhelmed.

Come to my class at my house on January 30th at 2:00 to make this project. The class fee will be $8.00 per person. Drop me an email to reserve a seat - CharlysInkLink@gmail.com. I'm looking forward to stamping with you!

Mini Reese's Gift Box

This little Valentine's Day gift box is easy and quick to make, fun to decorate, and a surprise to whoever opens it. They won't be expecting the stamped message inside, with each letter on top of one mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup! You can make this project at one of my workshops - just drop me an email at CharlysInkLink@gmail.com - or you can follow my directions below:

Supplies:

• Whisper White card stock
• Melon Mambo stampin' pad
• Jayne's Type alphabet stamp set
• Love You Much stamp set
• Simply Said stamp set
• 24" of Whisper White Organza ribbon
• Fire Square Rhinestone brad in pink
• Stamping Sponge
• Sticky Strip
• Stampin' Dimensional
• 1-1/4" Circle punch
• Heart punch
• 1/16" hole punch
• silver elastic cord
• 12 Dark mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Use the Dark ones because a) their brown wrappers don't clash with pink as badly, and b) they taste better!

Directions:

1. First decorate your card stock. In this photo I took 8-1/2 x 11" Whisper White cards stock and ran it through my printer, using My Digital Studio to print the "Script" designer series paper design on it in Melon Mambo. If you don't have My Digital Studio, decorate a piece of card stock with stamped patterns. I suggest using a Melon Mambo sheet and stamping the large heart from Love You Much in Whisper White CRAFT ink.
2. Next you will need to print or copy the pencil box template on the back of your decorated card stock. Contact me to get that template. You can then score and cut out the box shape, and assemble it with Sticky Strip.
3. Stamp "LOVE U" on a piece of Whisper White card stock with Jayne's Type. Also stamp the circle flourish from Love You Much. Then punch out each letter, and the smaller circle from the flourish, with the 1-1/4" circle punch. Hold the punch upside down so you can properly center the image in the circle.
4. With a wedge cut out of a Stamping Sponge, sponge a little Melon Mambo around the edges of each letter, to give it a softer look.
5. Stick each letter and the flourish to a mini Peanut Butter Cup, using one Stampin' Dimensional each. Fill the box with 12 mini cups with the message on top.
6. Stamp the flower heart and the word heart from the Simply Said set. Punch out the word heart using the Heart Punch, and carefully cut out the flower heart. Sponge some Melon Mambo around these hearts to help define their shape. This will be your tag, so you can write "To:" and "From:" inside the word heart. Layer the flower heart on top and inside the word heart.
7. Choose the smallest of the pink Fire Square brads. You'll attach the two hearts at the point of the smallest heart, like in the picture. Start a hole for the brad with a paper piercer or the 1/16" hole punch. Once the brad is in make sure the two layers can swivel so the inside message is hidden and then can be revealed, and make sure the ends of the brad don't show when you have the tag the way you want to present it. Also, punch a 1/16" hole in the upper left to hang the tag from the box.
8. Tie the Whisper White Organza ribbon around the box, and attach the tag to the ribbon with silver elastic cord.

Perfect! Give your valentine box to someone you love, or change the message to "THANKS", "XOXOXO", or "HUGS 4 U" and give it to a friend. This box is good for teachers, neighbors, friends, kids, or anyone else who needs a valentine.

Let me know if you need more tips, or if you would like to order any supplies. If you don't have all these supplies, you can make this box anyway using my supplies by hosting a workshop! Just drop me an email.

Charly Bratt

CharlysInkLink@gmail.com

http://www.blogger.com/www.CharlysInkLink.StampinUp.net

January 2010 newsletter - Sale-A-Bration is Here!

Sale-A Bration is Here!

Stampin' Up's biggest event of the year, Sale-A-Bration, will be going on from Jan. 5th - March 31st. So what makes Sale-A-Bration so special?

* Free Products! For every $50 you spend on Stampin' Up! merchandise, you can choose one of the many stamp sets in the Sale-A-Bration catalog to receive for FREE! If you didn't get the pink Sale-A-Bration catalog in the mail, contact me and I'll make sure you receive one. This is the perfect time to stock up on your stamps, paper, ink, ribbon, tools, and other accessories. The more you buy the more free products you'll earn!

* Extra Hostess Benefits: In addition to the already generous hostess benefits, during Sale-A-Bration hostesses will earn an additional free product for every $300 ordered in their workshop. Plus, hostesses receive the same Sale-A-Bration benefits as their customers when they buy at their own workshop.

* Starter Kit Special: Have you ever considered becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator? Or do you just wish you could get the 20% demonstrator discount? Try being a demonstrator for a few months and see how much fun it is. Even if you never hold a single workshop you'll love the value of the starter kit and all the demonstrator resources. Starter kits are 15% off during Sale-A-Bration, and new demonstrators can choose an additional free stamp set valued up to $47.95. Contact me for more information, or see my website at www.CharlysInkLink.StampinUp.net.

How To Earn Your Free Products

Clearly the best way to earn the most free stuff is to host a workshop. Not only can you earn the Sale-A-Bration free products, but you will also receive hostess gifts and free merchandise if your workshop orders total $150 or more.

Book your workshop now to take advantage of the best event of the year. Do your friends a favor and hold your workshop in January, that way they can hold their own Sale-A-Bration workshops before the big sale ends.

It's my job to make hosting a workshop fun and easy for you. See the other side of this newsletter for details on how easy it really is. Have a party! Invite your friends you haven't seen in a while! Everyone will go home with a hand-made craft, and everyone will have fun.

Give me a call or drop me an email!

Mini Reese's Gift Box

Make this gift box for someone you love this Valentine's Day. It holds 12 mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups with a surprise stamped message inside. The hand stamped box (or designer paper box, as seen here) and swivel tag will be fun to make and sure to impress.

See my next blog post on how to make this with your own supplies, or book a workshop today to make this project with my supplies!

How to Host a Workshop

What is the best way to take advantage of Stampin' Up's amazing Sale-A-Bration event? Host a workshop of course! I want to make hosting as easy and fun for you as possible. Here is a list of all you have to do:

1) Call me! Together we will come up with a date and project for your workshop, and I will bring you your hostess pack which includes Stampin' Up's Idea Book and Catalog.

2) Choose 20 people to invite to your workshop (keeping in mind that only about half the people you invite will be able to come). I will give you a worksheet to help you come up with your guest list.

3) Decide where to have your workshop - at your house, at my house, at a church or clubhouse, or somewhere else. My house is always available!

4) Email your invitations. I'll supply everything you need to make it easy. Following up with a phone call is important, but I can help or even do those for you!

5) Provide munchies. A party is always more fun with something to eat! I recommend grocery store bakery items or heat-and-serve appetizers, a pre-prepared fruit plate, or something else easy. Don't worry about cooking from scratch; the idea is to make this party stress-free.

6) Distribute your guests' orders after they come in, a week or so after your party is over. All the orders from your workshop will arrive at your house in one box, with a clear list of which items are for which guest. You will not, however, have to deal with collecting payment - that will all have been taken care of earlier.

What you DON'T have to do:

1) Sell. Stampin' Up! products sell themselves! If your friends enjoy what they see in your catalog or at your workshop, they will want to buy. If not, that's OK too.

2) Clean your house. Hold your party at my house!

3) Cook. A pot of coffee and grocery store bakery cookies are good enough.

4) Math. You might want to help collecting orders, but I will figure out the tax, shipping, and totals.

Calendar

Jan 5 - Mar 31st SALE-A-BRATION

Jan 17: Freestyle Stamping Club meeting

Jan 21: Valentine class sign-up deadline

Jan 30: Valentine Magnets class

Feb 11: Pendants class sign-up deadline

Feb 20: Stamped Pendants class

Feb 21: Freestyle Stamping Club meeting

Mar 11: Game class sign-up deadline

Mar 20: Travel Game class

Mar 21: Freestyle Stamping Club meeting

Apr 8: Monogrammed sign-up deadline

Apr 17: Monogrammed Card class

Apr 18: Freestyle Stamping Club meeting

Freestyle Stamping Club

The idea behind my Freestyle Stamping Club is for people who are new to stamping to get together and work on their own projects while socializing with friends. Even if you have few supplies you can come, since I will provide ink, some stamp sets, basic tools, and I will have paper packs available for $5.00. The "fee" to join is to buy one stamp set for $15.00 or more, and then bring that stamp set with you to share. If you have scissors, adhesive, card stock and accessories of your own, bring those too so you can use them on your own projects. One stamp purchase pays for 3 club meetings.

January Class - Valentine Magnets

Just in time for Valentine's Day, make a gift tin of beautiful glass refrigerator magnets. Class fee will be aprox. $8.00 depending on the number of attendees.

February Class - Stamped Pendant

This month make 3 pendants for necklaces with colors and designs of your choice. Class fee TBA.

March Class - Travel Games

We will be making a kids' travel game set out of a DVD tin and magnets, with a hand stamped Memory game on one side; and Tic-Tac-Toe on the other. A fun handmade gift for a young friend. Class fee TBA.

April Class - Monogrammed Cards

Perfect for Mother's Day - make a stationery set of monogrammed note cards, a matching pen, and a folder to hold them all. Class fee TBA.

Contact me if you have any questions, would like to sign up for any classes, or want to host a workshop. I'd love to talk to you!

Charly Bratt

CharlysInkLink@gmail.com

www.CharlysInkLink.StampinUp.net