Tutorial: Halloween Treat Bags

Quick Tutorial: Coordinating Envelopes

Remember these cards I showed you how to make yesterday?  Using Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Paper?

Well today I wanted to show yet another use for that lovely paper, and share a little tutorial for making coordinating envelopes for your notecards!  Enjoy!

That's it!  Quick, easy, and a wonderful way to dress up a card or invitation!  You can use wrapping paper or scrapbook paper of any kind, too!

I've had our Designer Series Paper on my mind lately because there are all kinds of paper packs available for next to nothing in Stampin' Up!'s Clearance Rack.  These 12x12 packs of 12 sheets of paper are usually $9.95-$12.95 and are clearance-ing out for just $3.99!  You can't beat that!  Here are just a few of the paper packs available...

I put in another order this morning to get stocked up for the summertime - and you can do the same!  Head over to the Clearance Rack section of my online store today by clicking HERE.

Have a beautiful day!

The Easiest Card You'll Ever Make! (and a whole lot more!)

I have all kinds of stamping "stuff" for you today including some sample cards we'll be making at my upcoming stamp a stack, news about retiring products and colors, and ending with a quick an easy tutorial for the "easiest card you'll ever make" -- seriously!

First off, for all of you Michigan folks - I'm having my June Stamp A Stack this Saturday at 9:00am.  Here are the four card designs we'll be making at this event...

Supplies used:  Stamp sets:  Sweet Scoops, Thankful Thinking.  Inks:  Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink.  Cardstock:  Pretty in Pink, Whisper White.  Accessories:  Big Shot and Texturz Plates, Pink Gingham Ribbon.

Supplies used:  Stamp sets:  Sweet Scoops.  Inks:  Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Gable Green, YoYo Yellow.  Cardstock:  Gable Green, YoYo Yellow, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Whisper White.  Accessories:  Pretty in Pink Gingham 5/8 inch Grosgrain Ribbon.

Supplies used:  Stamp Sets:  Birthday Block.  Cardstock:  YoYo Yellow, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red.  Accessories:  Big Shot and Texturz Plates, Stamp & Write Markers in Real Red, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie 5/8 inch Grosgrain Ribbon.

Supplies used:  Stamp Sets:  Happy Grad.  Inks:  Basic Black.  Cardstock: 

I still have a few spots left in Saturday's class if you'd like to join us.  Here are the details...

Join me for a Summer Stamp A Stack!

We'll be creating four unique thank you cards using Stampin' Up! products. This month we'll be using lots of products from the new Summer Mini Catalog!

Create 8 cards for $10, 12 cards for $15 or 16 cards for $20.

New to my Stamp A Stacks? Receive 1/2 off the class fee. Bring a friend who has never stamped with me before? You BOTH receive 1/2 off the class fee.

This is a great opportunity to stock up on cards, and learn about all of the latest and greatest Stampin' Up! products.

Sure hope you can join me! Class is limited to 10 participants - register soon to reserve your spot in class, and don't forget to let me know how many cards you'll be making!

E-Mail me at joanneroehm@yahoo.com to RSVP!





Secondly, I wanted to make sure you all knew that since Stampin' Up!'s 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog will be coming out July 1 (featuring new color families in addition to new products!) - and between now and then there are all kinds of stamp sets, inks, accessories, and more that are retiring.

If you have a favorite SU color that is retiring (see the "Fond Farewell" list HERE) now is the time to stock up on ink refills and cardstock before it's too late.  Some colors are ALREADY sold out! Shop "Last Chance" stamps, inks, accessories and more HERE.  Some items are up to 50% off catalog price, and once they're gone - they're gone for good!


Third, have you ever thought about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator?  I have great news for you!  From June 1-30, 2010, you can start your own Stampin’ Up! business for just $99 with the special Mini Starter Kit!

The Mini Starter Kit—valued at over $180—contains the items listed below...

• Watercolor Trio stamp set (wood-mount)
• I {Heart} Hearts stamp set (clear-mount)
• Clear-Mount Block C
• Homemade single stamp*
• Whisper White card stock (8-1/2” x 11”)
• Brights Collection assorted card stock (8-1/2” x 11”)*
• Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin’ Pad*
• Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Basic Black 1/8” taffeta ribbon*
• Color Coach*
• SNAIL Adhesive

*Sneak peek items!

The Mini Starter Kit also includes the same business supplies that are in the standard Starter Kit. Plus, new demonstrator who join Stampin’ Up! in June, you will receive a free box of 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogs during the first part of July!

Being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator has truly been great fun for me - I love introducing people to stamping and creating beautiful handmade gifts with them.  Your business can be as small as big as you make it, and I'd be happy to coach you in any way that I can.

Interested?  Want to learn more?  Want to take advantage of this amazing Mini Starter Kit offer?  Email me at joanneroehm@yahoo.com today!


And finally - today's tutorial!  (yes, this may be the longest blog post EVER!  Hang in there with me!)

I recently picked up some packs of paper from Stampin' Up!'s Clearance Rack (find it HERE) - these paper packs are regularly priced at $9.95 or higher and I got these retired designs for just a few bucks a pack!  They are simply gorgeous - and reminded me that with our Designer Series Paper, making a beautiful card is easy - you don't need many supplies or much time... the paper speaks for itself!
  

To make these cards, I used the following tools:  A pair of small scissors, SNAIL monadhesive, an ink pad (I used Old Olive), and a sentiment stamp.

To start, I cut a piece of cardstock (I used Old Olive) 4.25 x 11 inches, a piece of Designer Series Paper (DSP) 4 x 5.25 inches, and a piece of cardstock in a matching color (I used Certainly Celery) 1 x 3.5 inches.  I also used a scrap of Bashful Blue 5/8inch Grosgrain Ribbon.

Fold your large piece of cardstock in half, and attach your piece of DSP to the front of the card.

Ink your sentiment stamp and stamp your greeting on your small piece of cardstock.  Tie your ribbon around the end of the cardstock in a double knot, and trim the ends.

Attach your small piece of cardstock to your cardface on the bottom right side and you're done!  Could that be any easier?!

You can use any color combinations, cardstock, or DSP to make a card like this.  I made up a set of these in 15 minutes... seriously!

Remember, card-making doesn't have to be fancy to make you say "Wow!"

Have a great day, everyone! 

Simple Butterfly & Flower Garland Tutorial

Good Morning, Blog Friends!  I hope that you all had a spectacular weekend!  As you read this, I'm still having the time of my life in Las Vegas, and will be back to the real world late this evening.  I'm extremely behind in everything blog-related, so if I haven't responded to your comment or e-mail, or if I haven't visited your lovely blog in a little while, I promise I'll be back in touch with you later this week!

In the meantime, I thought I'd share a quick and easy tutorial for the garland I made for Lily's Bug Birthday Party last week.  You could use any shape and color combinations to make your own version of this garland to fit your party theme - and it's easy enough to do that the kiddos can help too!

I'll be back "live and in person" sometime tomorrow -- looking forward to "seeing" you all then!

Guest Post: Hair Bow Holder

I constantly find myself in awe of the wonderfully talented people I encounter daily - especially here in the land of blogging.  I share links to some of the fabulous projects I come across each weekend in my Week in Review posts, and now on (most) Wednesday's... at least for a awhile... I'm going to be going a step further and inviting one of those creative folks to guest blog here at Ready, Set, Craft! 

Today I'm super happy to welcome Carrie of Making Lemonade.  I love popping over to Carrie's to get decorating tips, hear sweet stories about her beautiful family, and so much more!  I had a great time guest-posting my appliqued onesies on her blog during her Stork Report project a couple of months back as well!  Enjoy!

  

Don't you just love Ready, Set, Craft?!  I was giddy at being asked to guest post here, and hope I can live up to the awesomeness that Joanne serves on a daily basis.  Since she's got paper crafts covered (and beautifully so), I decided to share one of my other passions: repurposing unloved items into something new and useful.  This can be tricky to post as a tutorial because you want the item to be easy to find and not just a lucky thrift store score.  I think I found the magic item-- something that is easy to find and versatile to boot: turning an old frame into a hairbow holder, message center, or photo collage-- you choose the outcome depending on your needs.  This tutorial shows how to create a hairbow holder with the other options explained at the end. 

The best part of this project is you can find frames everywhere.  I snagged mine at a thrift shop for $5.  It was marked so low because it was missing the glass and was fairly beat up (unfortunate for a frame, but PERFECT for this project).  Besides thrift stores, you can find similar frames at flea markets, estate sales, yard sales, discount stores, and even regular craft stores if you want a more polished look (use a coupon to score it for cheap)!  I also found several in this style for under $10 on eBay... just search for "old oval frame".  Etsy has some gems, too!  The only rule is to make sure it has a wood back.  Stapling metal would be mighty difficult. Truth be told, I don't have an actual "BEFORE" photo because I initially painted the frame years ago before I started blogging.  Here's a similar frame I found on Etsy to give you a general idea of what my frame started life as (picture mine much shabbier and in a duller gold color):

Here's my frame in the guest room as a collage frame, pre-hairbow holder:

Needless to say, it needed some fixing up.  Plus, my daughter needed a hairbow holder!  Here's how I made it happen... Materials: frame spray paint ribbon scissors glue glue staple gun optional: clips for photos or messages Step One: Clean your frame.  If it has glass, carefully remove it.  Remove old, unneeded hardware and other extraneous parts from the back. Step Two:  Spray paint it!  I chose to make mine a "shabby chic" style by not fixing up the missing gesso pieces and painting it white.  You might choose to paint it a bold color as an accent piece, or a neutral color to match your decor.  If you bought it new, you can keep it unpainted for a more modern look.  Here's a cool example from Etsy of a fun, bold color:

Step Three:  Cut ribbon strips larger than the opening of the frame (you can trim them later).  You can use one color or various colors as I have done below.  Then hot glue them to the back in the correct order to make stapling easier.  Trim the ends of the ribbon make the back look neat (make sure to leave room for the staples).

Step Four:  Now that your ribbon is ready, go ahead and staple them in place using the staple gun.  Be sure to keep them as tight as possible, because you don't want the weight of the hairbows to make the ribbon sag. 

 
Step Five:  Staple a ribbon hanger to the back, and go ahead and hang your beautiful NEW hairbow frame on the wall!

Step Six:  Here are a few additional options:

• Not a fan of the open back?  Staple fabric on the back, pattern-side facing forward for an extra pop of color.   
• Collage Frame or Message Board:  attach the items using various methods such as curly paper clips or jazzed up mini-clothespins.  To jazz up the clothespins, glue cutouts (made from paper, felt, or wood) onto the front or decoupage them.  Here's a few examples:

felt duck clips

(source)

felt heart clips

(source)

decoupaged clips

(source)

Spiral Paper Clips

(source)

Thanks for following along with the tutorial.  If you make this project I hope you'll visit my blog, Making Lemonade, and let me know.  Even if you don't make a hairbow holder, we'd love to have you stop on by for some freshly squeezed projects and a little slice of trying to live the lovely life (on a budget).  Happy Crafting!