With the exit of our marketing gal at the beginning of the summer I have been called upon to “pull-up-the-slack” so to speak.  (I keep telling Larry & the gals that “I am NOT (emphasis on NOT) the marketing person”…Don’t ask me!  Yet, time and again here I am.  As a way to get our new doc into the referral offices around town I decided to give him a little gift of goodies to deliver to get him in the door!  I further personalized it by adding a custom photo label to the jar lid.

Originally, I had envisioned using a CD label, but they were too large for the 4 1/4″ diameter of the lid.  I chose to use a full sheet 8 1/2 x 11 label, getting two photo labels out of each one.

Using my Stampin’ UP! Circle Scissors Plus to quickly and effortlessly cut the desired label circles.

You can see through the guide so there’s no guess work when cutting.

I was able to put together 99 decorated jars for Dr. Beck to deliver in just one afternoon; thanks to the helping hands of two very capable teens (i.e. Colin & his sweetie Katie) who tied ribbons for me while I cut and pasted the photo stickers!

We enjoyed one of those great ‘together’ moments that afternoon and using Stampin’ UP! My Digital Studio to create the custom photo stickers was a fabulous idea.  Now imagine yourself needing gifts for the holiday’s and you want to personalize them, but you’re crunched for time…or maybe it’s the end-of-year school party and you have party favors to come up with…a wedding anniversary party or a birthday celebration whatever the occasion there might just be a chance that  using  Stampin’ UP! My Digital Studio could help make your next event more celebratory and personal.

Stampin’ UP! gives you the ease and flexibility to shop on-line 24/7 or you can call or email me and I’ll help you with your next creative endeavor!

Thanks again for taking a look at my blog, I appreciate your support it helps to keep those creative juices flowing!

Katherine

Sue  C. called me the NEXT DAY and left a voice message on my cell phone:  “Katherine, I’m so sorry that you’re not there to answer your phone, because if you were, you could hear the excitement in my voice.  I love this program!  It’s the easiest thing I’ve ever seen and you know I’ve used several others.  I want to get three more copies of it for my two daughters-in-law and one for Lacey too.  Please give me a call when you can.” . . . FOR REAL! I was elated!

Sue C. is like me, neither one of us would ever consider ourselves ‘computer savvy’ or computer geeks.  We like things simple and straightforward.  Fellow homeschooling moms for more years than we can count, we’re really creative gals so we get along nicely around most creative venues.  She  had gone home that afternoon and played with her program and discovered what all My Digital Studio has to offer.  Literally hundreds of stamps with the ability to re-size them,  all the fabulous color choices from the Stampin’ UP! color ensembles and the ability to match other colors to expand the color palate;  all the marvelous designer series papers, scrapbook templates, embellishments, to just click and drag into place, punches, and so, so easy to select and add pictures. . .ALL coordinating with the wonderful  Stampin’ UP!’ products.  I’m pretty sure she even said that she’d created 5 or 6   12 x 12   scrapbook pages while at it.

How wonderful I felt to, once again, “Share what you love”! It’s what we call the “WOW” factor. Stampin’ UP! may not have been the FIRST on the scene when it came to creative digital programs, but  let me tell you ladies, they certainly have the BEST! At a very modest price tag of only $79.95 it can’t be beat.

We’ve hit that mid point in summer and I hope yours is going as planned, or well,  maybe at least as good as you expected!  I’m off to Salt Lake City for the annual STAMPIN’ UP! CONVENTION week so picture me with a HUGE smile on my face most of the time!  Have a good week and keep those creative juices flowing…Katherine

Inside:  (1st floor powder room)

Outside: (hubby’s work shed) 

Inside: (Kitchen hutch)

Outside: (View of back elevation)

Inside: (Kitchen cabinetry)

The appealing symmetry and abundant use of window panes was not an intentional decision, but a subtle design element that has appeared and reappeared throughout our home.  Note that our previous home of 20+ years, situated on 20 AC adjacent to our existing home has no window lights at all in any of the glass work or decor!  Hmmmmm ? I don’t know when this transition took place but it is a taste we are attracted to and much more than just a trend or preference.

This brings me to the latest project I just completed for my kitchen counter greeting.  The piece incorporates a myriad of Stampin’ UP! resources to highlight the Galatians 5:22 Fruits of the Spirit scripture verse.  Among them are the Stampin’ UP! Sizzix Big Shot dies, my new Stampin UP! Artistic Etchings Clear Mount Stamp Set (a ‘So Shelli’ exclusive design!) and the fabulous Stampin’ UP! Newsprint Designer Series Paper:

The original design was created by a fellow Stampin’ UP! demonstrator and was in a 12″ x 16″ vertical frame using 3″ x 3″ squares.  I don’t have the wall space in my home for such  a huge  piece so as usual, I started thinking of how I could adapt and make it work on a smaller scale.  Two years ago I created another piece in this frame and decided to ‘give it a rest’ and reuse the frame! Voila!  The frame accommodates a 4 1/2″ x 11 1/2″ piece and was just perfect for the scripture verse.  The results are an inspiring combination using the appealing window pane design element within a collage style effect.

Stampin’ UP! elements employed in the piece are:

Stampin’ UP! Sizzix Big Shot Timeless Type Alphabet Medium Sizzlits Dies; Birds & Bloom Sizzlits 4-Pack Die

Stampin’ UP! Punches: Word Window, Curly Label, Modern Label, Heart to Heart (small heart), 1 3/8″ x 5/8″ Oval, 1/2″ Circle Small

Stampin’ UP! Build-a-Brad Pewter Brad

Stampin UP! Stamp Sets:  Define Your Life; Typeset Alphabet Upper & Lower Case (retired); Simple Serif Alphabet(retired)

Stampin’ UP! Real Red and Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Ink Pads

CLASS SCHEDULED:

“FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT” Workshop

Cost of workshop is $25.00 (frame included)

Come and create your “FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT” word frame!

I’ll have everything you need and even have some of the work done beforehand to help make it quick and easy for you to complete! Call to reserve your spot because attendance will be limited for this workshop.

Dates and times:  Daytime workshop:  Tuesday August 17th 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Evening workshop:  Tuesday August 17th 6:30- 8:30 p.m.

For reservations call: 254-848-5173 or email kpritchard@hot.rr.com

]]> http://mybluebonnetcottage.com/blog/2010/07/12/inspirations-with-stampin-up/feed/ 0 http://mybluebonnetcottage.com/blog/2010/05/14/graduation-gift-card-holders-gifts-for-the-grad-made-with-stampin-up-scraps/ http://mybluebonnetcottage.com/blog/2010/05/14/graduation-gift-card-holders-gifts-for-the-grad-made-with-stampin-up-scraps/#comments Fri, 14 May 2010 11:00:57 +0000 Katherine Pritchard http://mybluebonnetcottage.com/blog/?p=1791 [Continue Reading]]]> You can make simply elegant  graduation gift card holders using that extra piece of Designer Series Paper from your Stampin’ UP! supplies that you have on hand!  Your graduate will be so excited that you took the time to create a hand made gift card for her/him.  The smile on their face will say it all!

Our graduation gift card holders that I created are made using a leftover sheet of Designer Series Paper by Stampin’ UP! Our perfectly coordinated Designer Series Papers are available in sets of 12 sheets to a package, 2 each of 6 double-sided designs; most styles retail for only $9.95.  Each 12 x 12 sheet of Designer Series Paper will give you four lovely gift card holders.

I used Stampin’ UP! Whisper White and Pretty in Pink card stock to create the ‘belly bands’ to enclose the graduation gift card holders.  I also used the Think Happy Thoughts Stamp Set (pg. 144,  2009-2010 Stampin’ UP! Idea Book & Catalog) stamped with Stampin UP! Classic Ink in Old Olive and Pretty in Pink.

The center six-petal daisy is highlighted with a single Stampin’ UP! Soft Subtles brad in Pretty in Pink.

When you use Stampin’ UP! products your creativity soars effortlessly because all the guess work has been done for you!  The fantastic color palette that Stampin’ UP! uses is coordinated perfectly with all of their products.   Stampin’ UP! does the work so you don’t have to.

Also featured on the graduation gift card holders is the Stampin’ UP! Scallop punch, the 3/16″ Corner Rounder punch and the 1 1/4″ Circle punch.  Having the right tools on hand is so important to help your creations come together easily.  You will find all these great tools and more in the 2009-2010 Stampin’ UP! Idea Book & Ccatalog which you can find on my Stampin’ UP! website at: katherinepritchard.stampinup.net , or follow the link in the side bar to the right.

Better yet, get in on the fun and book a Stampin’ UP! workshop for yourself and friends where you can earn FREE Stampin’ UP! card making and scrapbooking products!  Hosting a workshop is easy and it’s always great to get together with family and friends and share your creativity.  I love sharing with others the ease and practicality of Stampin’ UP! products and everyone takes home their own cards or projects that they’ve made.  Simply call 254-848-5173 or email me at kpritchard@hot.rr.com today to schedule your workshop!

I hope you find time this week to enjoy your creativity!

Katherine

Several years back on one of our last deer hunting adventures out in Coleman TX , on our deer lease, our son’s Addison & Colin dug up this old jar in an ancient dilapidated pile of what used to be a shed or barn structure.  It has an art-deco flare to it with three arches on either side and was miraculously intact and uncracked.  We stuck it into one of the storage compartments on our travel trailer and there it has remained until re-discovered the other day.

I was excited to find it because I had picked up a bag of various wooden spools last summer, on one of my ventures to an antique store in nearby Valley Mills, TX., while looking for odds and ends for My Bluebonnet Cottage.

The jar would be just the right container to showcase my spools.  After soaking it in some hot soapy water I was able to coax the lid off and clean the inside.  The spools looked just great and had found a home!

But, something was missing, it needed a little extra pizazz to really make it work.  So I added a lovely Shabby Chic Tag created with the Stampin’ UP! Charming Stamp Set.

I picked up color accents from the pale turquoise spool of thread.

Elements used are:  Bermuda Bay 1/2″ Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin’ UP! Linen Thread, Rhinestone Brads in Circle Ice Turquoise, Dazzling Diamonds, Stampin’ Dimensionals for depth, Whisper White card stock, Soft Suede Classic Pad, Stampin’ Write Markers in Always Artichoke and Cameo Coral.  All images are from the Charming Stamp Set featured in the 2010 Occassions Mini Catalog. (See link in side bar for catalog ordering 24-7)

I hope you are inspired by this lovely project.  Home decor items don’t have to be time consuming or expensive to pull together.  A little creativity goes a long way.

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope you’re having a great week!

Katherine

No, not the TV news show…the Stampin’ UP! Occasions Mini Catalog Stamp Set!

This wonderfully versatile 7 piece Stampin’ UP! exclusive stamp set is just the perfect idea for these matchbook party favors.

Available in either the traditional wood mount (Item no. 117020 $18.95)  or  the new Stampin’ UP! clear mount format (Item no. 118565 $14.95).

Like the other great bargains in the Stampin’ UP! Occasions Mini Catalog they are only available for purchase until April30th. (Clear mount blocks available and sold  separately see page 6 for sizes and pricing).

These matchbook party favors are perfect for any of your kids upcoming summer events or birthday parties!  They open up to reveal an individual size Hershey’s candy bar, or a snack size treat of Skittles or M & M’s, and their primary colors look great in any party setting.

Click on the Occasions Mini Catalog link in the sidebar and place your order on-line,  Stampin’ UP! makes it easy for you to shop at home when it’s convenient for you!  To order any of our wonderful simply follow the link to my Stampin’ UP! website:

www. katherinepritchard.stampinup.net

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Katherine

F.Y.I . . .I strongly suggest that you create a template using a plain manila folder before trying this on your Designer File folders. Once you’ve done that you’ll have a much better understanding of how to proceed!

1. a. When you open your Designer File Folder flat in front of you notice that there are three of the four edges that have cut-outs on them. Carefully cut these off so that you have a rectangle that is approximately 11 5/16 x 17 ¼.

b. From the front of the notepad holder remove 1 ¾” and set aside as this will be used to create your scalloped edge for the fold over flap. Use corner rounder for top edges and right side.

2. a. Score bottom edge horizontally at 3” to create your inside flap
b. Score ½” left of pre-fold center on front.
c. Score from right edge at 2 ½” and at 3” to create the front fold over flap

3. Fold up bottom pocket flap and cut out portion that is connected to the fold over flap on right and secure with Red Sticky Tape. Note: Leaving this flap behind the notepad adds security and firmness to the notepad.

4. Cut a piece 1 ¼” from scrap for scalloped edge on front fold over and secure with Red Sticky Tape

5. Add round Velcro dot to fold over portion and add your ribbon to left side.

6.  Cut strip from remaining scrap for top of notepad secure with Red Sticky Tape and add bow.

My upline taught us how to create these darling notepad holders at her last quarterly meeting back in the fall and I’ve given several of them as door prizes!

These great personal notebooks are quick and easy to do with the Designer Manilla Folders by STAMPIN’ UP!

I’ve seen lots of coasters the past couple of years but none that  really struck my fancy enough that  interested me  to spend time on.  Then late one night, while re-organizing my Stamp Room (isn’t that an ongoing process?) I came across a card front that I’d made last summer for convention (See French Bird post in archive) and just like a light bulb illuminating the dark,  I could see these coaster’s.

My sweet dear friend Barbie had quietly celebrated her birthday back on February 1st while I was too preoccupied with Boy Scout stuff followed by Valentine’s stuff…you get the picture….and really isn’t there always some kind of ‘STUFF’ that clutters our lives?

I had stitched a little something for her, but she is light years ahead of me in stitching and it was much too unimpressive to even think about giving her. Besides,  part of it was still unaccounted for so I tried to come up with a ‘Plan B’.   I remembered that sometime ago she asked me about stamping on tiles and was interested in doing a project with me…AHH HAAA!!  I remembered that!

So when I came across my French Bird card front,  I had my inspiration for creating these coasters for her!

It would be the perfect birthday gift…she loved the card…she’d love the coasters!  Especially in her newly just completly remodeled living room done in the soft gold tones of the tile and black!

The Stampin’ UP! Friends 24-7 Stamp Set is one of my absolute favorites.  I made her a set of six coasters, three of each pattern; backed with cork.  The edges were distressed with a sponge and Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Ink to suggest a smokey aged air to the tiles and sealed with a matte finish Krylon sealing spray.  They were so much fun to create!

Did I mention that we love French accents?  So naturally the En Francais’ Block Stamp was again, another perfect element for the background!

I liked them so well, next week I’m going to use the rest of the tiles to make myself a set!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Katherine

I’d seen an accordion card a while back and decided that it’d work really great for Valentine’s Day for Colin and our son Brandon to give their sweethearts!

Just a little surprise from me!  I think they turned out pretty cute and the girls sure seemed to enjoy them, so I guess that was a hit!

Front when tied with Whisper White Taffeta  Ribbon

From a single sheet of 12 x 12 card stock cut three, four inch strips and stick together overlapping one panel on each strip.  You end up with a total of ten panels to decorate.  Cut eight pieces of coordinating Designer Series Paper for the background of the center eight panels.

Using the Stampin’ UP! Big Shot I die cut the letters and used a variety of our wonderful Stampin’ UP! punches and brads  for embellishments.  Add a touch of Dazzling Diamonds glitter for extra sparkle!  The fabulous thing about using the Stampin’ UP! Big Shot is that all of the embellishments were created using SCRAPS!!  I love, love, LOVE it!  It’s easy peasy and so smart to have as a resource.

For the final touch I added two pictures of the Sweethearts and my special Valentine’s Day treat for these sweet gals was complete!

This project lends itself to a wide array of possibilities and events to celebrate.    Other suggestions you could  spell out are    C-O-N-G-R-A-T-S-!, B-A-B-Y,      L-O-V-E – U,    Y-O-U  D-I-D  I-T-!,       T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L.

The pictures were printed on my HP psc 2510 Photosmart and a couple were printed as 3 x 5 and then trimmed, others were printed as a wallet size.  To save additional space since this is a very small pallet that you’re creating on instead of matting your pic’s use a dab of Whisper White Craft Ink to edge your pictures ever so slightly.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your creativity takes you to new levels of fun!

Have a blessed week!    Katherine