So ready for Spring already....

Don't get  me wrong, freshly fallen snow is BEAUTIFUL, but I've had enough already.  Bring on the sunshine and warmer weather.  I'm ready for it.  Unfortunately, I live in Indiana and it doesn't usually start to warm up until May.  I'll just have to be patient and stamp some Spring cards. 

I absolutely fell in love with the Easter Blossoms stamp set when I saw it in the Occasions Mini catalog.  Then, I stumbled across a challenge from Our Creative Corner that I just had to give a try.

"Thank You is the theme of our challenge this week, but with a twist. We want you to use a blue and cream color palette and add metal and vellum to your creation."

 

SUPPLIES

Stamp Sets:  Easter Blossoms, Tiny Tags

Ink:  Not Quite Navy

Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper, Vellum Cardstock, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Big Shot, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Fun Flowers Bigz L Die, Ovals Die, Crochet Trim, Jewelry Tag Punch, Antique Brad

To order Stampin' Up products, visit my Stampin' Up! website:  http://stampdoc.stampinup.net

 

 



Back to the real world.....

I think it can be a little difficult to return to the real world after a vacation at Walt Disney World.  We had a great time, but I was glad to be home.  You'll probably get bombarded with scrapbook pages of our trip in the coming months, but for now, I'm just going to indulge by showing one of my favorite pictures of the kids.

As you can see, my little punkin was smiling away most of the time, while my big kid just tried not to look bored.  I wasn't able to get too many pictures of the two of them together, so this one is special.

Now it's back to the real world of stamping and can you believe it?  My hands haven't held a stamp in almost 3 weeks!  I'm hoping to get in a little creative time this weekend.  Lucky for you, though.....I still have my October stamp club projects to share.

Last month, I focused on using the Stampin' Up fabric on cards.  I was a little intimidated at first to use the fabric adhesive, but it was so easy that I can't wait to order more!

I'm going to try to put together a video this weekend and show you how simple it really is. 

The snowflake was die-cut with the Snowflake #2 Originals die and the Big Shot.  The scallop border was created with the new Tasteful Trim die---so much fun to use!

I'll share the other 2 fabric cards we made last month with you real soon.....one of them definitely requires a video!  But I'm pretty sure you'll love it!

Happy Stampin'

 

Hooray for Fabric!

In just 2 short weeks, you'll be able to see all of the exciting new products being offered in the 2010 Holiday Mini catalog.  I think my jaw dropped when I saw all of the gorgeous stamp sets & accessories, but then there was....

FABRIC!!!!

Oh my goodness, I just about fell out of my chair!  It is absolutely stunning and I know you will love it, too!

My customers have been wanting to have a class on the rag quilt purses, so obviously that had to be my first project.  I've been a bit nervous to teach a sewing class--it has been 20+ years since I have touched a sewing machine.  Apparently, it's like riding a bike...just comes back to you. 

One of the things I love about stamping is that it can be very forgiving and you can always cover up mistakes.  This purse is like that.  Even if your lines aren't perfect, it still turns out cute! 

The first purse I made was with the Deck the Halls fabric.  The colors in the fabric are Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, and Crumb Cake.  It has a vintage, shabby-chic look.  LOVE IT!!!

 

The next purse was made with the Candy Cane fabric.  The colors in this fabric are Garden Green, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, and Real Red.  It has a very playful look--lots of dots & stripes.  I think it would also make a cute mini-diaper bag, don't you?

Each set of designer fabric comes in an assortment of 3 fat quarters that measure 28" x 18" each. 

Check out the buttons!  There are coordinating Big Designer Buttons for each of the fabric collections.  And they are really BIG.

To make the purse, you need to have a Big Shot and the Scallop Square Clear Bigz Die.  The die can easily cut through about 8 layers of fabric, so you'll have your purse panels cut out in no time at all.

 

Scallop Square Clear Bigz Die

Item # 115950

$21.95 (US)

Available on my SU website

After you've cut all your panels, you build a sandwich with 2 panels and batting in between.  Sew an "x' pattern on each square, lay out your purse plan, and sew it all together.  It's a little more complicated than that, but not much.  The first purse took me about 3 hours from start to finish, but the second one took me less than 2 hours.

The "rag" look is achieved by clipping the seams, then washing & drying the purse.  Here is a before and after shot so you can see the change.  I like it both ways.

If you are ready to try your hand at making one of these fun purses, check out the RAG QUILT PURSE CLASS page.  I will also have class kits by mail available to those unable to attend the local class.

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

CLOSE CLOSE PREV | NEXT       PREV | NEXT Scallop Square Stampin' Up! Clear Bigz Die Stampin’ Up!’s exclusive Large Square Scallop Bigz clear die lets you can see the image you want and position it precisely before cutting. This die works wonderfully for cutting photos in a fun shape or for creating a focal point with a specific area of a Designer Series paper pattern. The scallop square shape is perfect for many projects, such as frames, journaling blocks, and accents. ■ Creates a 4-3/8" x 4-3/8" scalloped square ■ Can cut through multiple sheets of card stock, Texture Cuts wood sheets, window sheets, and more ■ Use with Sizzix Big Shot machine and standard cutting pads ■ Die size: 5-1/2" x 6"