Pocket Pouches

We had so much fun at the last workshop/class! The focus was paper folding. We learned how to make an envelope out of regular paper, how to make a pocket pouch, and how to make an exploding card. I had some chocolate covered coffee beans left over, so instead of eating them all (!) I made a few pouches for some of the ladies that normally come but couldn't attend that night.

Super quick, simple, and adorable.

Polka Dot Punches

Using my new Polka Dot Punches Set, from this years Sale-A-Bration! Cute Cute.

HOW TO:
Paper: Creamy Caramel, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke
Stamp Set: Polka Dot Punch, unknown background stamp (retired)
Ink: Versamark, Not Quite Navy, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery
Embellishments: Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, Hodgepodge brad, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tools: Paper Cutter, Scissors, Scallop Punch

Star Album

This is a cute gift idea to share pictures of your kids or a recent trip etc. This is my mock up version, just to make sure all my measurements are accurate, so it is completely bare-bones and undecorated.

The front of the album. Should have decor and a ribbon.

Starting to open the "book"

It's open! It would normally have ribbon on the front and back cover that would tie it closed, or hold it open in its star shape.

A view from the top, just to give you an idea of how it works!

This is a very rough draft, but you get the idea:-) I will have to print off some pictures in a theme and make one for real:-) The only thing about these cute crafts is I love them so much I hate to give them away! I guess I'll have to make two:-)

"Exploding" Card

This 'exploding' card is very simple to make, even though it looks complicated. It's very pretty, but not the type you could probably write very much on, so you have to make sure you can get most of the sentiment on the stamped image on the front. It's mostly for the cool effect:-) Fun for a kids birthday, where "Happy Birthday" would suffice, or something like Father's Day, when it would be fun to give a cool card. Likely as manly as a card could get depending on the paper you use:-). I will have to show how to fold it in my upcoming Paper Folding Class!

**NOTE: I showed my husband this card, and he said "Wow, this is the coolest thing you have ever made". I guess I was right, it's an easy way to impress hard-t0-impress males!

HOW TO:
Paper: Designer Series Paper, Whisper White, Baja Breeze
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Stamp Set: Holiday Blitz
Embellishments: Stampin' dimentionals, twine
Tools: Paper cutter, large & small oval punch, 1 3/8" & 1" circle punch

Closed

Fully Expanded

Popping open

More Thank Yous

More thank you cards I had to get to people this Sunday! I had fun putting them together while watching a movie with my husband last night. Let me share how I made the 'sunburst' circle, using the circle scallop punch.

TRICK: Punch the cardstock using the circle scallop punch. Put a dot of adhesive on the circle and attach to a regular piece of white paper (computer paper). Punch again with the scallop punch, but 'twist' it, so you are cutting away a portion of each bump. Simple, easy, and makes something a bit different. The punches cannot punch through 2 pieces of cardstock, this is why you have to use regular paper.

HOW TO:
Paper: Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White and Designer Paper Series - Urban Garden
Stamp Set: Fundamental Phrases, Holiday Blitz
Inks: Versamark, Basic Black, Close to Cocoa
Embellishments: grosgrain ribbon in Basic Black and Always Artichoke, Stampin' Dimentionals
Tools: Paper cutter, Circle Scallop punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1" circle punch

Thank yous

I had quite a few thank yous to write after my birthday a few weeks ago...I decided to make lots, and make them basically the same to save time. Then I got a little bored and started to change it up just a little! I still need to make 4 more, then I'm done!

HOW TO:
Paper: Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Garden Green, Cameo Coral
Stamp Sets: For a Friend, Botanical Blooms
Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black, Pink Passion, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery
Embellishments: Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon
Tools: Paper cutter, 1" circle punch, eyelet setter, paper crimper, sponges, blender pens

I want your feedback!

I would like to get some feedback from you all, so I can pick the direction of the next few classes/workshops. I have had various people mention to me different things they would like to learn or make, and I would like to offer workshops that really interest and excite you!

Below is a list of ideas, please comment and tell me what you are most interested in. Feel free to offer up new ideas too!! - I know you might not actually know what I am talking about with some of the terms/ideas, but hopefully I am specific enough to let you know if it's "your thing".

• Paper bag scrapbook (project)
• Heat embossing, Faux Metal, Scratch & Sniff (technique for cards/scrapbooks)
• CD holder calender (project)
• Basics of a homemade card - 5 minute cards for any occasion with YOUR stamp sets (cards)
• Gorgeous, but simple, scrapbook layouts (scrapbooking)
• Paper Folding - pouches for gifts (project)
• Stationary box (project)
• Home decor/projects to display -ie: picture in a frame (project)
• Accordian box to hold cards (project)
• Technique/How to workshops teaching various things like wax resist, sponging, stippling, faux tearing, watercoloring, cracked glass, stained glass. (scrapbooks/cards)

Based on responses I can prioritize what we should do next!!