File Box Tutorial

Sorry I didn't get this up yesterday. My day got out of control way faster than I anticipated. I hardly even saw my husband! Now I'm off to Bonner Springs for a 42-hour crop with my mom. I'm way excited, and I hope to have lots of stuff to share with you when I return next week!

Now, for that tutorial...

Here is the box itself:



You will need one sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" card stock and a strip of DSP 12" x 2". Begin by cutting the paper into two pieces, one will be 8-1/2" x 6" and the other will be 8-1/2" x 5". Score the 8-1/2" x 6" piece at 2" all the way around. Then score each corner 2" x 2" square diagonally. Then place four small strips of sticky strip as pictured below:



Flip the paper over and place 4 more pieces of sticky strip as pictured:



Fold each of the four corners in and adhere them in place to make the bottom of the box.









The box top is a bit more tricky :-) You'll take your piece of card stock that is 8-1/2" x 5" and score at 3-3/16" along each short edge. You will end up with three sections: 5" x 3-3/16", 5" x 2-1/8", and 5" x 3-3/16". You will then place one score line on the 1/2" mark on your cutter, and the bottom point of your paper on the 1-1/4" mark on your cutter:







This cut will make the diagonal edge of the box top. Flip your paper over and make the same cut on the other side. Your paper should end up like this:



Once you're done with your box top, adhere it to the outside of the box bottom. Finally, adhere your DSP strip along the bottom to cover the seams. The box will be too big to cover completely with a 12" strip of DSP. For my box, I just put the DSP around the front and both sides. The ribbon wraps all the way around.

This box is a little tricky, but once you figure it out, it is GREAT gift to make in bulk. Since it only uses one sheet of card stock, it's economical as well! The box will hold cards that are 4-1/4" x 4-1/4", and will hold at least 6-8 cards comfortably. Let me know if you have questions!

Happy Stamping!

Raspberry Tart DSP

The color combo on this box & card set probably looks familiar! These are the same colors I used on my card from yesterday: Rose Red, Pretty In Pink, Cameo Coral & Kiwi Kiss.

We made this set at my open house last week, but I thought I'd post them here for those who weren't able to make it to my open house! Here is the box and the four 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" cards we made:







I got the idea for this cute "file box" from Nikki Leman. It took me a little bit to figure out the file box, but once I figured it out, it wasn't too hard. I'm planning to post a tutorial for the box tomorrow. This set would make a cute quick gift for anyone!

The flower stamp set I used on this set is also brand new! It's called Petal Pizzaz and is so much fun to work with! The flowers all have middles or parts that can be used on their own, so just because you have a flower set doesn't mean you have to stamp flowers! (See the Birthday Hugs & Wishes card above)

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a tutorial on the box!

Happy Stamping!

So Glad We're Friends

I always like square cards, but I hate making them because they cost extra to mail...unless they'll fit in a regular envelope! This card is 4-1/4" x 4-1/4", so it will fit in a regular 4-1/2" x 5-3/4" envelope.

The colors on this card (Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, and Chocolate Chip) were partially inspired by some of the new DSP in the Spring-Summer 2009 Catalog & Idea Book. I've recently received this new paper, and I really like it! I'll post some samples soon!

Stamp Sets: Best Wishes & More, Best Yet (Level 1 hostess set)
Colors: Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Confetti White

Happy Stamping!

Stampin' Up!'s New 2009 Spring-Summer Catalog

The NEW Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog has been released! I know I am completely a week late on this announcement, but I think most of you already knew :-) You can order from this new catalog RIGHT NOW on my Stampin' Up! Website!

Also worth mentioning is the end of the Love You Much Promotion. This bundle is so cute you can't believe it! This bundle of the Love You Much stamp set, the Candy Lane Designer Series Paper, and the Heart to Heart Punch (all brand new products!) is available to YOU for 20% off, but only through the end of this week! Click here to order this amazing bundle now! Here are a few projects I have made with this cute bundle:





Happy Stamping!

One Day Left!

Sunday, January 18th marks the LAST DAY for...

• The Fall/Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog
• The Holiday Mini Catalog
• The Inventory Blow Out Sale
• The Retiring Stamp Set List & Sale
• The Retiring Accessories List
  

If you would like to purchase from any of these items, be sure to email me (cari@ksu.edu) or click "Shop Now" to place your order online. Be sure to order now before these items are gone forever!

Monday, January 19th is just as exciting because it is the first day to see and order from the NEW Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog! As a demonstrator, I have already received my catalog, and I am so excited for all the new products (including new stamp sets, ribbon, buttons, glitter, Big Shot dies, and more!)

If you would like your very own copy of the new Idea Book & Catalog, you have two easy options:

• Come to my Catalog Kickoff Party on Monday, January 19th (come & go 6-9p at my house) and either place an order of at least $25, or buy a catalog for $5 (including a $5 off coupon on your first order from the new catalog!)
• Place an online order through my Stampin' Up! website between February 1st and April 30th, and you'll receive a catalog for FREE with your order! No minimum purchase is required!
• Paypal me $10 to cover the cost of the catalog & postage, and I'll mail one to you on Tuesday. Click the icon below to visit the Paypal website:

Very Happy Stamping to all of you!!

You're Invited!

It's that time again! A BRAND NEW CATALOG will be released on January 19th, so you're invited to enjoy free snacks, free stamping, and amazing deals on old and new products! Of course you'll also get to see the new catalog along with the new Décor Elements products and the new free Sale-a-Bration products!

Come & go as you please, and be sure to invite a friend or two to introduce them to the wonderful world of stamping!

Monday, January 19th from 6-9p (come & go)

In Topeka: Cori's House (click "contact me" above for specific directions)
In Manhattan: Cari's House (click "contact me" above for specific directions)

Please RSVP by Friday, January 16th (cari@ksu.edu) so that we have a general idea of how many to prepare for, but if you decide you can come at the last minute, please do!

Invitation Details:
Design: Mojo Monday sketch
Colors: Riding Hood Red, Kraft, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip
Stamp sets: Upsy Daisy, Hugs & Wishes

Happy Stamping! I hope to see YOU next Monday!

Valentine Mailbox

Remember in grade school when you had to make a Valentine Mailbox every year? I should have known then that I would end up as a scrapper :-) I LOVED making my mailbox every year! This year (like last year), Target has these cute little white mailboxes in their Dollar Spot. My mom bought this one for me last year, but I never got around to decorating it. Look at me now! I'm over a month ahead of the game! Whoo-hoo! Now I can add this cute thing to my Valentine's Day decorations.

This is a little closer picture of the front. I used the same idea from the card I posted last week and re-stamped the lovebirds on Pink Pirouette card stock to make them stand out.



The little flag is probably my favorite part! I used the 3-heart stamp and coordinating punch from the Love You Much Bundle (on sale until January 31). I love these products! I am so excited!



Stamp Set: Love You Much
Colors: Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Happy Stamping!

Congratulations, Stacy!

One of my very best friends (and college roommate), Stacy, got engaged last week. I made this card today for her and her fiance to congratulate them. I used the Love You Much promotional materials again for this card. This card was inspired by Jenn Diercks. She has several VERY cute cards using these new products. Be sure to place your order soon so you can have your materials in time to make your Valentines!



After stamping the lovebirds in Close to Cocoa ink on Very Vanilla card stock, I re-stamped them on the Pink Pirouette polka dot DSP in the Candy Lane DSP pack and cut out each of the birds. I adhered them with Stampin' Dimensionals to make them a bit of a focal-point.



Finally, I used the new 3-Heart Punch to punch out the heart images from the Love You Much stamp set. I LOVE this new punch...which is surprising considering my lack of enthusiasm for hearts in general. I think the Valentine's theme usually helps to decrease my aversion to hearts, but for some reason I absolutely love these hearts! *shrugs* No idea...



Congratulations again to Jon and Stacy!

Stamp Set: Love You Much
Colors: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla

Happy Stamping!

All-Occasion Stamp-A-Stack

Having greeting cards on hand always helps ensure that you can brighten someone's day with a hand-stamped note from the heart! Come make 10 all-occasion cards (including birthday, thank-you, just because, congratulations, etc.) to have on hand in a pinch. Just choose any 2-hour period between 10a and 3p to come and make your cards.

The registration fee is $20 and includes a whisper white envelope for each card.

Topeka
Saturday, January 17th
10a-3p (choose any 2-hour period)
**Registration Deadline: Wednesday, January 14**

Manhattan
Saturday, January 24th
10a-3p (choose any 2-hour period)
**Registration Deadline: Friday, January 16**

Email me at cari@ksu.edu to register today! Happy Stamping!

Inventory BLOWOUT!

Stampin' Up! has announced another, yes another promotion! The Inventory Blowout promotion includes specials of up to 50% off past retired products, current retiring products, and products that will still be available in the upcoming Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog! Click on the above picture to see the details of the promotion!

Stampin' Up! has also just published their full retiring accessories list! These accessories (unlike the retiring stamp sets) are only available while supplies last, so be sure to place your order soon!

Click here to see the retiring accessories list.

Happy Stamping!

to you from me

Here's another box-in-a-bag (see my previous post for another example):



I had not even mounted the Live Like You Mean It hostess stamp set until today. I am very sad that I waited so long! I really like this set! The flower on this bag is from that set. The set is a two-step-stampin' set, meaning that the flower has a background separate from the foreground so that you can stamp each in a different color. I chose to stamp the foreground flower and leaf outline in three different colors overlapping one another. I think it looks fun!



Stamp Sets: Live Like You Mean It, Best Yet (both Level 1 hostess sets)
Colors: Chocolate Chip (DSP from the Ski Slope DSP), Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Baja Breeze

Happy Stamping!

Clearly I Love Valentine's Day!

Here's another little Valentine's Day creation! I went with my mom and sisters to Kansas City yesterday to do a little shopping. After we spent most of the day at Legends, we drove to north KC to shop at a scrapbooking store, Archiver's. They had this really cute clear Valentine's Day card with a pink sparkly heart on display. Unfortunately, I couldn't take a picture, so I had to try to remember the card as best I could to make a similar one as soon as I got home.



I used Grafix Clear Craft Plastic, .007 thickness. It is a nice plastic to use for card-making. Unfortunately, Stampin' Up! does not sell clear plastic "cardstock" so I actually bought this at Archiver's :-)



This heart is a sticky-cut that I covered with Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I really like sticky-cuts and glitter!! The ribbon I used is the Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon.



To finish off the card, I used a rub-on from the Chit Chat rub-ons pack. I also really like rub-ons!

I realize now that I actually didn't do any stamping for this card. If I was to stamp on the clear plastic, however, I would need to use Staz-On ink as it is permanent and doesn't smear...just in case any of you were interested in trying out a clear card!

Happy Stamping!

Love You Much!

Stampin' Up! has been full of promotions this season! Now that Christmas is over and the New Year is here, it's time to start thinking about Valentine's Day! The Love You Much Bundle will help you get a head start on your Valentine's Day projects.

I absolutely LOVE this bundle! Now through January 31st you'll receive 20% off this great bundle of new products, all of which will appear in the NEW Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog! For only $41.48 (20% off the retail value of $51.85), you'll receive the Love You Much stamp set, the Candy Lane Designer Series Paper pack, and the Heart to Heart punch!

As a demonstrator, I had the opportunity to pre-order this bundle, so I have a cute project made with the new DSP and stamp set:



I CASE'd this card from Dannie Graves' blog, and I love how it turned out!

Click here to download the flyer and see the products for yourself!

Click here to order the bundle online or email me (cari@ksu.edu) if you prefer to place your order via email.

Also don't forget about the Retired Stamp Sets Promotion that ends on January 18th. Remember that those stamp sets that are retiring will never be available again! Place your order today!

Stamp Set: Love You Much
Colors: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa

Happy Stamping!

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful first day of 2009! I am hopeful that my longer-than-expected break from stamping has come to an end!

For Christmas, I had time to be creative for two--that's right, two--gifts :-) I made the ever popular box-in-a-bag to wrap my sisters' gifts.



You can find the tutorial for this project here. I had so much fun making these gifts that I forgot to take pictures of them before I left for Christmas at my parent's house. I had to stop my sisters from opening their presents so I could take a picture for you all! Sometimes I have a hard time remembering to take pictures of the projects and cards that I make!

I used the Old Olive Designer Prints paper for the main part of the box. I used Riding Hood Red paper at the bottom and just used my white gel pen to make faux stitching around the scallops. The snowflake stamp at the top was embossed with a mixture of 3/4 Whisper White Embossing Powder and 1/4 Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. It made the snowflake white yet sparkly. It turned out quite well :-)

I hope you all haven't forgotten about me and my blog in my prolonged absence, but I'm back now! Happy New Year and Happy Stamping!

Colors: Old Olive, Riding Hood Red
Stamp Set: Best Wishes & More