The Stamp Doc

October Stamp Club Project

At our monthly club meeting for October, we made this adorable accordian tag album.  Since a few members were unable to attend, I am going to post the directions here so that they may complete their projects at home and so that you can try your hand at this fun album, too!

SUPPLIES

Stamp Sets:  Wanted, Everyday Flexible Phrases

Ink:  River Rock, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Confetti Cream, River Rock, Really Rust, Wild Wasabi, Apple Cider Designer Series Paper

Accessories:  Pretties kit, Small & Large Oval punches, Mini Binder clips, Tab Punch, Vintage Brads, Earth Buttons, Linen Thread, Crafter's Tool Kit, 1" circle punch

DIRECTIONS

1. The album base is a 12 x 12 piece of cardstock, but you can use any size of square cardstock.  Fold the chocolate chip cardstock in half.  Open the cardstock, and fold it in half the opposite way.  You will now have "four squares".  Fold 2 sides into the center, and open the cardstock again.....you now have "eight rectangles".  Fold the cardstock in half again, bringing the four bottom rectangles up to meet the other four rectangles.  Now accordian fold the album, with the opening to the top, creating a pocket.
2. Cut 4 pieces of Apple Cider Designer Series Paper to 3" x 6".  You'll use one piece for each panel.
3. Panel 1--cut a slit appoximately 1 1/2" down between panel 1 and 2.  Adhere the DSP to both panels.  Tear panel 1 across to the end of the slit.
4. Panel 2--Punch a partial circle in the top of panel 2 to create a small opening.  Use sponge daubers to color a flower from the pretties kit--I used really rust and chocolate chip ink on this sample.  Add a half-back pearl to the center of the flower and adhere to the bottom of panel 2.  Stamp paisley from Wanted set in River Rock ink onto a confetti cream scrap.  Stamp "fall" from everyday flexible phrases in Chocolate Chip ink over the paisley, then punch with the small oval.  Layer with a larger chocolate chip oval, and adhere next to the flower.
5. Panels 3 & 4--Cut 2 of the DSP pieces at 2 1/2".  Adhere the other halves (3 1/2" piece) to the bottom of panels 3 & 4.  Cut a slit down to the height of the DSP.  Adhere the 2 1/2" pieces of DSP to the back of panels 3 & 4.  On panel 3, you'll fold the paper down at an angle and add a button with hemp twine.  On panel 4, you'll fold the paper over and add vintage brads to secure. 
6. Tags--Cut 4 pieces of Confetti Cream cardstock to 2 3/4" x 6".  Stamp with images from the Wanted stamp set.  Punch out tab punches from Wild Wasabi, River Rock, and Really Rust cardstock.  Adhere tabs to tops of tags.  Add a mini binder clip to another tag.

Here are some ideas for how to use your album:

• Gratitude Journal
• Display photos of grandkids
• Recipes
• Favorite fall pictures

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

Ghouls Night Out

Sorry it's been awhile since I've posted.  It's been a crazy week of workshops, clubs, and a bout of stomach flu!  All is better now and I wanted to share with you what I did last weekend.

This past Saturday, I hosted a ghouls night out.  We made 5 projects including all of those pictured above, a BOO box (see my earlier post), and a mummy card. 

The big project was the PEEPS IN A JAR.  I bought my jars at Big Lots for $7 a case (12 jars).  You'll want to look for the jars in the fall because they get really difficult to find as we get closer to the holidays.

Then go to the grocery store and pick up plenty of M & M's, peeps, graham crackers, and brown sugar.  You'll want to have extra M & M's on hand for well....you know!

Crush one package of the graham crackers and pour about 2/3 of the crumbs into the bottom of the jar.  Insert the peeps along the side of the jar....the pumpkins require 16 per jar.  I've heard that ghosts and bunnies are only 8 per jar.  Add remaining crumbs and 1/3 cup of brown sugar to the middle of the peeps.  Top off the jar with M & M's.....don't measure them, just pour it on!

Decorate the lid and the tag and VOILA!  The perfect gift for Booing!

Here is the wording on the tag:

Halloween S’mores

Enjoy eating some of the M&Ms to reduce the amount a little as desired.  Empty the jar contents into a bowl.  Snip the pumpkins into bits with kitchen scissors or a knife.  Return the pumpkins to the mixture and mix well.  Melt 10 T butter, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.  Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well.  Pat into a greased 8 or 9 inch baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-25 minutes.  Cool ½ hour, then cut into bars.  Option 1 – leave pumpkins whole; combine remaining ingredients and place pumpkins on top, then bake as directed.  Option 2 - omit the vanilla, bake and serve warm over vanilla ice cream or use a blender to mix with ice cream like a Blizzard.

Below, you'll see some of my guests making their Peep Jars.  We used the Batty for You Stamp set and Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up! to decorate the jars.

By the way, the bars are quite delicious!  Unfortunately, they didn't last very long at my house, so I had to make a cake for the party.  The cake idea came from the October issue of Parents magazine and is simply a devils food cake iced with chocolate frosting, and topped with oreo crumbs and gummy body parts.....mmmmm CHOCOLATE!!!

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

Christmas Card Extravaganza

Mark your calendars!  Friday, November 2nd from 7pm-10pm and Sunday, November 4th from 2pm-5pm will be this year's Christmas Card Extravaganza featuring Stampin' Up! stamp sets and accessories.  Both classes will be held at the Stamp Shack, located at 120 South Buckeye Street, Kokomo, Indiana. 

Here's how it works:

Pick the card or cards that you want to make, in multiples of 5.  Cost is $25 for the first 10 cards, and $1 per card thereafter.  All cardstock and accessories will be prepared for you in advance, so you'll have plenty of time to make up to 35 cards.  Payment is required by October 28th.  Please bring adhesive and scissors to complete your cards.

And if you are unable to attend???  You can still select the cards you would like to make, receive the precut cardstock, and you'll have the option of having the items stamped for you or you may purchase the stamp set and supplies to make the cards yourself.  Just contact me for more information. 

Happy Stampin'

Melissa Stout

(765) 860-2565

Email:  melissa42@msn.com