The Present Card - PPSAS11b

Christmas Cards for Beginners: 

The Present Card (PPSAS11b)

Send a completely different kind of Christmas card this year - a hand made one!  With surprising elements like ribbon, a button, and a separate tag, this card will stand out from all the other 2-dimensional cards your friends will receive.  And best of all, this card is simple to make, and extremely cute.  

This card was designed to use a minimum of supplies.  Each paper pack includes enough paper and card stock to make 8 cards (of this design), with materials left over for another project.  

If you have ever done any paper crafting you may already have most of these supplies.  If you don't, you'll love getting some basic tools!

Specialty Tools for this project: 

Christmas themed paper pack (Candy Cane Christmas used here) - $5.00

Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon - 109034 - $4.95

Candy Cane Big designer buttons - 121718 - $8.95

Four The Holidays stamp set - 116921 - $13.95

white embroidery floss

Large Tag Punch (optional) - 119866 - $16.95

A Cute Christmas stamp set (optional) - 120825 - $25.95

Basic Tools for this project: 

Paper Cutter - 104152 - $24.95

Bone Folder - 102300 - $6.95

Basic Black Classic ink - 101179 - $5.95

Medium Whisper White Envelopes - 107301 - $6.50

Snail adhesive - 104332 - $6.95

Sticky Strip - 104294 - $6.95

Scotch tape

a needle and white thread

a thimble (optional)

1/16 Inch Handheld Circle Punch (optional) - 101227 - $8.95

Stamp-a-ma-jig (optional) - 101049 - $11.95

Personalized name stamp (optional) - 115600 - $18.95

Directions: 

1)  Prepare the card bases: Each paper pack will include six 8-1/2" x 11" sheets of card stock, 4 colored and 2 white.  Choose the 4 colors you want to use.  Place each sheet on the paper cutter horizontally and cut in half.  That will give you 8 sheets measuring 5-1/2" x 8-1/2".  Fold each of those sheets in half and crease the folds with your bone folder.  You should now have 8 card bases measuring 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".

2) Cut the presents: Each paper pack will include eight 6" x 6" sheets, six of designer series paper and two of textured card stock.  From each of those sheets, cut a 5" x 3-3/4" rectangle.  Next take a 6" length of ribbon and stretch it across the present, wrap the ends around the back and tape the ribbon to the present using Scotch tape.  Repeat with a 4-3/4" length of ribbon going around the present in the opposite direction.  Adhere the present to the card base using Snail adhesive.  

3)  Make the bows: First wrap a few stitches of white embroidery floss through the big button to give the button a finished look.  Next cut three 6" lengths of ribbon.  Put about a 1/4" of Snail adhesive at one end of the ribbon and stick the other end of the ribbon to that, making a circle.  Next put another 1/4" of Snail on the end of the ribbon inside the circle and push the top of the circle on to that, making a flat bow with no ends.  Repeat with the other two lengths of ribbon.  

Hold all three flat bows together so they form a star.  With a needle and white thread, stitch through all layers two times.  Add the big button, and stitch the big button to the bow.  Once the bow and button is secure, attach the bow to the present with Sticky Strip adhesive.  

4) Add the tag: If you have a tag punch, punch a tag out of the off-cuts from the designer paper or the textured card stock.  If you don't have a tag punch, cut a long rectangle from the off-cuts and fold it in half to make a mini-card.  (You may need to add a layer of white paper to the inside of the mini card to make your greeting show up.)  Either stamp or hand write a cute Christmas greeting.  Punch a small hole with a hand held punch or a thumbtack.  Run some white embroidery floss through the hole and tie the tag around the button.  

5) Stamp the holiday greeting: Choose your greeting from the "Four the Holidays" set.  Ink it with Basic Black ink and stamp it inside the card.  To ensure perfect placement, use a Stamp-a-ma-jig.  (Click here for a video on how to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig.)  

6) Finish your card: If you have a personalized name stamp, sign your creation by using your stamp on the back of the card.  (If you choose to make greeting cards to sell, you must use a name stamp or another copyright stamp for copyright reasons.  If you are giving your cards away for free, it is not necessary.)  

Congratulations!  You have just made your own Christmas cards!  If you need more than 8 cards, buy another paper pack.  Once you have all right right tools, you can make as many cards as you need!  

November '10 - Candy Cane Christmas - PPSAS11a

Christmas Cards for Beginners:

The Ornament Card (PPSAS11a)

Don't be frightened of Christmas cards!  You can turn a boring chore into a fun family tradition.  Instead of sending discount cards this year, make your own cards and imagine how impressed your family will be when they open your envelope.  

Even if you don't have a single piece of paper crafting equipment, these cards take a minimum of supplies.  Each paper pack holds enough card stock and paper to make 12 greeting cards (of this design), and the only specialized tools you'll need are the ornament punch and the holiday greeting stamp set.  

If you have ever done any paper crafting you may already have most of these supplies.  If you don't, you'll love getting some basic tools!  

Specialty Tools for this project: 

Christmas themed paper pack (any style) - $5.00

Four The Holidays stamp set - 116921 - $13.95

Ornament Punch - 119847 - $16.95

Basic Tools for this project: 

Paper Cutter - 104152 - $24.95

Bone Folder - 102300 - $6.95

Basic Black Classic ink - 101179 - $5.95

Stampin' Dimensionals - 104430 - $3.95

Medium Whisper White Envelopes - 107301 - $6.50

A ruler for marking

Stampin' Write Journaler (optional) - 105394 - $3.50

Stamp-a-ma-jig (optional) - 101049 - $11.95

Personalized name stamp (optional) - 115600 - $18.95

Directions: 

1)  Prepare the card bases: Each paper pack will include six 8-1/2" x 11" sheets of card stock, 4 colored and 2 white.  Place each sheet on the paper cutter horizontally and cut in half.  That will give you will give you 12 sheets measuring 5-1/2" x 8-1/2".  Fold each of those sheets in half and crease the folds with your bone folder.  You should now have 12 card bases measuring 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".  

2) Create the scored frame on all of the card fronts:  Remove the cutting blade from the paper cutter and replace with the black scoring blade.  Place your opened card base on the paper cutter horizontally, and score from top to bottom at the 1/2" mark and the 3-3/4" mark.  Now place the card base in the paper cutter vertically, and score from the edge to the fold at the 1/2" mark and the 5" mark.  

3) Stamp your greeting: Choose your greeting from the "Four the Holidays" set.  Ink it with Basic Black ink and stamp it just above the bottom score line, centered within the frame.  To ensure perfect placement, use a Stamp-a-ma-jig.  (Click here for a video on how to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig.)  

4) Punch your ornaments: first select the three patterns you want to use together which best compliment the color of your card base.  Turn your punch over and slide your paper in while looking through the punch hole.  Move the paper around to select the best section of the pattern to punch out.  Also aim to punch your ornaments near each other and near the edge of the paper to avoid waste.  

5) Arrange your ornaments and draw the strings: Place your ornaments on the card base, within the scored frame, and arrange to your liking.  With a black pen, place a dot just above each ornament to mark where the ornament string should go.  Remove the punched ornaments and use a ruler to draw the strings.  Then adhere the ornaments to the card using stampin' dimensionals.

6) Finish your card: If desired, stamp another holiday greeting on the inside of the card, or just write your own greeting.  If you have a personalized name stamp, sign your creation by using your stamp on the back of the card.  (If you choose to make greeting cards to sell, you must use a name stamp or another copyright stamp for copyright reasons.  If you are giving your cards away for free, it is not necessary.)  

Congratulations!  You have just made your own Christmas cards!  If you need more than 12 cards, buy another paper pack in a different design.  Once you have all right right tools, you can make as many cards as you need!  

July '10 - Greenhouse Gala PPSAS7

Paper Pack Stamp-A-Stack 7

July '10 - Greenhouse Gala

 

Supplies:

Greenhouse Gala paper pack (contact me)

Define Your Life stamp set (114950)

Chocolate Chip classic ink (100908)
Pumpkin Pie 1-1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon (115616)
Two-Step Owl punch (118074)

Heart-To-Heart punch (119881)

Bitty Buttons (118761)

Big Shot (113439)
Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (120175)

Tombow Multi-purpose adhesive (110755)

Snail adhesive (104332)



Steps:

1) Cut all four colored 8-1/2" x 11" sheets, plus one white 8-1/2" x 11" sheet in half, so you have 10 sheets measuring 5-1/2" x 8-1/2". 

 

2) Set aside six sheets to be used as card bases, usually one of each color and two white.  Fold those in half using your bone folder.  

3) From the remaining sheets of 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" colored paper, choose the two colors which coordinate best with all the patterns of designer series paper (DSP).  Cut those sheets in half, and set one half of each color aside for larger mats.  From the remaining two sheets, cut six 1-1/2" x 3-7/8" strips.  If you plan before you cut you can get two strips running one way and a third strip running the other way from each 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" sheet.  

4) Cut six 4-1/8" x 5-3/8" large mats out of the remaining colored sheets.  

5) Cut six 3-7/8" x 3-5/8" patterned mats out of the 6"x6" squares of designer series paper.  

6) Lay out your cards to choose your color combinations.  Each card requires one card base, one large 4-1/8" x 5-3/8" mat, one patterned mat, and one strip.  Do not glue the large mat to the card base yet!  You will need to tape your ribbon to the back of the large mat first.  

7) Run the 1-1/2" x 3-7/8" strip through the Big Shot to give it texture, either with an embossing folder or a texture plate.  

8) Adhere the patterned mat and the textured strip to the large mat.  Choose a ribbon to cover the seam between the two.  Tape the ribbon to the back of the large mat with simple office tape, then adhere the large mat to the card base.  

9) Now that you've gotten this far, take your card design in any direction.  Look through your stamps and choose whatever you think works with the patterns in the designer series paper.  Use the untouched white sheet of card stock to stamp, and the textured card stock and leftover DSP as mats and highlights.  

To continue duplicating my design....

10) Punch the owls out of both colors of textured card stock, and alternate colors when building the owl.  First place the vest, but don't glue it down.  Next glue the large eye circles using Tombow multi-purpose glue, and using the vest as a guide.  Once the eyes are placed, glue down the vest.  Separately, glue the tiny eye circles on the medium eye circles, using tweezers if necessary.  When those are done, glue the medium eye circles to the owl.  Lastly attach the heart.

11) Stamp the "together" definition in Chocolate Chip ink on white card stock and cut it out.  Cut a mat out of textured card stock.  Adhere the matted definition and the owls to the card as shown in my example.  

12) Punch two small hearts with the heart-to-heart punch.  Glue them to the backs of the heart shaped Bitty Buttons.  Glue those to your card as shown in my example.  You're done!  

 

Tips:

• Don't follow all my directions! Make this layout your own. Get creative. Adjust for your own style and your supplies. 
• If you don't have a Big Shot to add texture to the 1-1/2" x 3-7/8" strips, cut those strips out of textured card stock instead.  
• Experiment with different layouts within this larger layout design.  Try leaving the DSP uncovered to show off it's pattern, or cover it almost completely with another square of white cardstock and a stamped design.  Place your focal point on the right hand strip, or in the center of the DSP mat.  There are a lot of possibilities.  
• Experiment with different ways to dress up your ribbon.  Try a bow, a knot with ends, layered ribbon or layered lace on ribbon, or a strip of contrasting DSP used in place of a ribbon.
• To add "thread" to the heart buttons, cut tiny strips of card stock from scraps and thread those through.  Since these buttons are transparent, cut the ends of the strips very short and try to wrap them directly underneath.  Attach with Tombow glue.    
• It's easy to punch out additional hearts from the Two-Step Owl punch.  Hold the punch upside down so you can see the punch holes.  Since the heart is on the edge of the punch, you can just slide a small corner of paper into that area only and punch out a heart without wasting card stock.  Try placing the owls' hearts above their heads.  
• Don't forget the inside of the card and the envelope!  Stamp a subtle design or a greeting on each.  Think of how your recipient will open the envelope and the card.
  
• Post a picture of your creations and leave a link here in the comments section!  If you upload to a public site, such as SplitCoastStampers.com, please use the keyword PPSAS7.  

NEXT MONTH: Play Date designer series paper!

Charly Bratt

Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator

(970) 206-9120

CharlysInkLink@gmail.com

http://charlysinklink.blogspot.com

Download this Google Doc here

 

June '10 - Presto Patterns PPSAS6

 

Paper Pack Stamp-A-Stack 6

June '10 - Presto Patterns

Supplies:

Presto Patterns paper pack (contact me)

Country Morning stamp set (115334)

Brayer (102395)

Grid paper (102787)

Bone folder (102300)

Paper cutter (104152)

Snail adhesive (104332)

Dotto adhesive (103305)

Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) (optional)

Classic ink pads and Stampin' Write markers in coordinating colors

Used here: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Sage Shadow, Going Gray

Other supplies: 

Baby wipes (not cleaning wipes - make sure wipes contain no alcohol or bleach)

Steps: 

1) Cut all four colored 8-1/2" x 11" sheets, plus one white 8-1/2" x 11" sheet in half, so you have 10 sheets measuring 5-1/2" x 8-1/2". 

2) Set aside six sheets to be used as card bases, usually one of each color and two white.  Fold those in half using your bone folder.  

3) Cut a 3/4" strip off the bottom of both 6x6" textured sheets.  Cut each sheet into three 2" strips, so you have 6 textured strips measuring 2" x 5-1/4".  

4) Cut a 3/4" x 4" strip off the bottom of one of the Presto Patterns designer series paper (DSP) squares.  Cut a 2-1/16" x 5-1/4" strip off the same DSP square.  

5) Use a brayer to color the Presto Patterns DSP strips: First stick the 2-1/16" strip down to your grid paper using Dotto adhesive.  Roll your brayer over the darker colored stampin' pad until the brayer is well coated.  Starting with your brayer below the DSP strip, and parallel, roll the brayer back and forth inching slowly up the strip of Presto Patterns.  In this way you will first roll ink over the bottom 1/16" of the strip, then as you roll back you'll ink the bottom 1/8" of the strip, then the bottom 3/16", etc., until you've reached the top.  Your brayer can roll off the DSP strip on the left and right sides as you roll back and forth.  You will also be getting a lot of ink on your grid paper, so make sure you have enough space.  

6) Your 2-1/16" x 5-1/4" strip of Presto Patterns paper should now have graduated color all the way up, with the color very dark at the bottom and very light (or almost white) at the top.  Clean off the brayer using a baby wipe.  Repeat the process using the second, lighter ink color, and starting from the top.  In my example here I started with Dusty Durango going up from the bottom, and Crushed Curry coming down from the top.  The Crushed Curry was too light of a color, and I had to brayer that color twice from the top down.

7) After removing the 2-1/16 strip from the grid paper, repeat the process again with the 3/4" strip of Presto Patterns DSP.  The two strips should look similar.  

8) Stamp your images and/or quote on the Whisper White card stock, and cut out.  Color images using coordinating markers, if necessary.  

9) Cut mats from a contrasting color from the extra 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" sheets.  The mat for the 3/4" Presto Patterns strip will measure 7/8" x 4".  Measure your other images and cut mats for them also, each mat will be 1/8" both taller and wider, to create a 1/16" border on all sides. 

10) Lastly, stick down all the parts of your card with Snail adhesive and/or Stampin' Dimensionals.  Start with the Presto Patterns 2-1/16" x 5-1/4" strip on the right side, and the textured card stock on the left side on top and overlapping by only 1/16".  Adhere all the other pieces to their mats, arrange them by eye, and stick them down.

11) Stamp a coordinating bonus image or greeting on the inside of the card, and also on an envelope.  Stamp your personalized signature stamp on the back of each card, and you're done!

Tips:

• Don't follow all my directions! Make this layout your own. Get creative. Adjust for your own style and your supplies. 
• Using the brayer to ink graduated color may take you a couple tries before you get the hang of it, but with a little experience it is soon easy.  
• You can make 6 cards using only the supplies in one paper pack, but you will have a fair amount of DSP left over.  Supplement with another sheet of card stock for 2 more card bases, and substitute smooth card stock for textured card stock.  To create the most cards possible, cut the DSP 2" wide only, instead of 2-1/16".  
• Don't forget the inside of the card and the envelope!  Stamp a matching image or a greeting.  Think of how your recipient will open the envelope and the card.  
• Post a picture of your creations and leave a link here in the comments section.  If you upload to a public site, such as SplitCoastStampers.com, please use the keyword PPSAS6.  

NEXT MONTH: Greenhouse Gala designer series paper from the new catalog!

Charly Bratt

CharlysInkLink@gmail.com

http://charlysinklink.blogspot.com/

Download this Google Doc here

March '10 - Shades of Spring PPSAS3

Paper Pack Stamp-A-Stack 3

March '10 - Shades of Spring

Supplies:

Shades of Spring paper pack (contact me)

Well Scripted stamp set (117072)

Chocolate Chip classic ink (100908)

Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon (117289)

Sweet Pea Stitched Felt (117266)

Crop-A-Dile (108362)

Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Snail adhesive (104332)

Dotto adhesive (103305)

Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) (optional)

Steps: 

1) Cut all four colored 8-1/2 x 11" sheets, plus one white 8-1/2 x 11" sheet in half, so you have 10 sheets measuring 5-1/2 x 8-1/2".  

2) Set aside six sheets to be used as card bases, usually one of each color and two white.  Fold those in half using your bone folder.  

3) Cut six 4 x 5-1/4" mats out of the remaining colored long sheets.  

4) Cut six 2-1/2 x 2-1/2" small mats out of what remains of the colored long sheets, and also from the 6x6 squares of textured card stock.  If you have white textured card stock, you can sponge the edges to make the small mat any color you want.  

5) Cut six 2-3/8 x 2-3/8" squares of white card stock for the central image or greeting.  

6) Cut the designer series paper (DSP) into 1-7/8 x 2-1/2" rectangles.  I suggest starting with one card and choosing two complementary patterns.  Cut a strip 1-7/8" wide and 5" long from each, then cut those strips in half.

7) Start assembly by arranging the DSP on the large mat.  Do not attach the large mat to the card base yet, since you need to add the ribbon first.  Stick down the designer series paper rectangles with Dotto, to help with the finicky spacing and arranging.  Once your DSP is in the right place, then you can pull up the rectangles one at a time, and stick them down permanently with Snail.  

8) Stamp the 2-3/8 x 2-3/8" white diamond with your main image or sentiment.  For perfect placement, use the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  You may also want to stamp a background design, such as Fine Flourish (115709) or Sprinkles (115076), in a light color.  Then adhere the white diamond to a 2-1/2 x 2-1/2" colored mat.  

9) Using your Crop-a-dile, punch a hole for the ribbon to come through.  The hole should be perfectly in line between the top and bottom corners, and aproxomately 1 inch from the bottom corner, but adjust according to your ribbon and image.  

10) Cut a ribbon about 6-1/4" long.  Using regular Scotch tape, tape one end to the back of the large mat.  Run the ribbon down from the top, through the hole in the white diamond, and down.  Adhere the white diamond to the DSP using Snail, or Stampin' Dimensionals.  Tape the other end of the ribbon to the back of the large mat when everything is arranged.  

11) Tie a faux bow and stick it on with a mini glue dot, or tie it around the ribbon.  Add Sweet Pea Stitched Felt flowers or other decorations.  

12) Adhere the large mat to the card base with Snail, and you're done!  

Tips:

• Don't follow all my directions! Make this layout your own. Get creative. Adjust for your own style and your supplies. 
• You can make 7 cards using the supplies in a paper pack, but you'll have to get a little creative and lay all the card parts out first.  
• Don't forget the inside of the card and the envelope!  Stamp a subtle design or a greeting.  Think of how your recipient will open the envelope and the card.  
• You can't really go wrong with which DSP patterns you choose to put together, but experiment with a monochrome layout, a 2-color layout, or a 4-pattern layout.  
• Experiment with different focal points - a bow or no bow, an additional image or sentiment popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals, brads or buttons, etc.  
• Post a picture of your creations and leave a link here in the comments section!  If you upload to a public site, such as SplitCoastStampers.com, please use the keyword PPSAS2.  

NEXT MONTH: Welcome Neighbor designer series paper!

Charly Bratt

CharlysInkLink@gmail.com

http://charlysinklink.blogspot.com
http://www.charlysinklink.stampinup.net

Download this Google Document here

Thanks to Gretchen Barron for the inspiration for this layout.

February '10 - Nouveau Chic PPSAS2

Paper Pack Stamp-A-Stack 2

February '10 - Nouveau Chic

 

 Supplies:

 Nouveau Chic paper pack (contact me)

 Basic Black 5/8" satin ribbon (117285)

 Corner Rounder punch (109047)

 Scallop Trim border  punch (118402 - optional)

 Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

 Snail adhesive (104332)

 Basic Black ink (101179)

 Well Scripted stamp set (117072) 

 Asian Artistry stamp set (ask me how to get this FREE).  

                   

 Steps:

 1) Cut all 8-1/2 x 11" sheets in half, so you have 12 sheets measuring 5-1/2 x 8-1/2".  

 2) Set aside 6 sheets to be used as card bases - usually one of each color and two white.  Score all card bases at 4-1/4" using your scoring blade, and fold using your bone folder. 

 3) Cut a 4 x 5-1/4" mat out of each of the remaining colored long sheets, and two mats out of the 6x6" pieces of textured card stock.  Save the white card stock for stamping.  

 4) Cut six 3x4" mats out of designer series paper (DSP).  Also cut six 1x4" strips out of DSP.  Note: you can get two 3x4" mats plus two 1x4" strips plus one 2x2" square out of each piece of DSP, if you plan it before you cut it.  

 5) Cut down the 3x4" mats to 3 x 3-7/8" to give a 1/16" border around the DSP mat.  Leave the 1x4" strips 4" wide (to match the ribbon).  

 6) Punch the 1x4" strips with a border punch such as the Scalllop Trim border punch.  Optional: leave the strips straight for a more masculine look (as in this example).  

 7) Assemble the card background: Adhere the 3 x 3-7/8" DSP mat to the 4 x 5-1/4" mat with Snail, leaving a 1/16" border around the top and sides.  Then adhere the 1x4" strip with the punched edge down.  Cut a ribbon 5-1/2" long, and wrap it around the larger mat covering the seam between the DSP mat and the 1x4" strip.  Tape the ends of the ribbon to the back of the larger mat using regular office tape.  If desired, cut another length of ribbon and tie a bow or knot to the front of the card, around the fastened ribbon.  

 8) After the ribbon is attached, fasten the 4 x 5-1/4 mat to the card base.  

 9) Stamp your image and greeting on white card stock.  Cut out your image and adhere it using Stampin' Dimensionals.  If your image is small, consider placing it on a 2x2" square of DSP, as shown in this example.  Consider rounding 2, 3, or all 4 corners of any square pieces, as in this example.  

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

• Set aside eight 5-1/2 x 8-1/2" sheets as card bases: 2 white and 6 colored. Think ahead to layout possibilities and color combinations.
• Cut two 4 x 5-1/4" mats each out of the two remaining colored long sheets, two mats out of the textured card stock, and two mats out of DSP, for a total of eight mats. 
• Cut only 4 sheets of DSP to make the eight 3 x 3-7/8" mats and 1x4" strips. See step 4 above.  The designer series paper is two-sided, so each card can have a different pattern.

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.
• When choosing designer series paper for 4 x 5-1/4" mats, look at the large patterns and the small busy patterns.  Those often make the best background mats.
• If you are dealing with a piece of absolutely beautiful DSP as a mat, you may want to ignore the rest of the layout and just add a sentiment.  Sometimes the designer series paper is enough with no other layers.  
• Post a picture of your creations, and leave a link here in the comments section!  If you upload to a public site, such as SplitCoastStampers.com, please use the keyword PPSAS2.  

NEXT MONTH: Shades of Spring designer series paper!

Charly Bratt

CharlysInkLink@gmail.com

http://charlysinklink.blogspot.com
http://www.charlysinklink.stampinup.net

Paper Pack Stamp-A-Stack layout for February

Have you seen my paper packs? For only $5.00 you can buy a package with designer series paper in 6"x6" squares, textured card stock in 6"x6" squares, and 6 pieces of 8-1/2"x11" card stock in coordinating colors. With these paper packs you can make 6-8 greeting cards, or 4 scrapbook pages (double sided), or any other paper crafting project you can dream up.

This month I have put together directions for how to efficiently use the majority of the paper pack to create 8 greeting cards. The February featured card uses this layout. With these directions in one afternoon you can sit down and stamp a stack of 8 cards. Even with the same layout, each card will turn out differently. Wouldn't it be nice to have a set of birthday cards or thank-you cards on hand so you'll always have one when you need one? Buy packs with different designer series paper to make cards with different themes.

Charly Bratt
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
charlysinklink.blogspot.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.