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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Quick and Easy Gift Card Holder with Closure Tutorial


Gift cards holders are fun to make and these have a quick and easy closure. Like many other crafters, I believe that gift card holders are a great way to personalize a gift.  The problem comes with finding a way to close the holder.  I wanted something that you could open and close multiple times, was inexpensive and didn't add bulk.  And quick and easy was important too!


This is what I designed--a slit on the back of the gift card holder.  It holds the gift card envelope closed, doesn't add bulk, and is quick and easy when you use Stampin' Up!'s envelope punch board (133774  $19.95) and Stampin' Trimmer (126889  $29.95).  We made the Happy Birthday gift card holder in my stamp club.  Everyone agreed that this was a fun way to make a gift card holder with a quick and easy closure. 


The first step is to make the Gift Card envelope using the instructions on Stampin' Up!'s envelope punch board.  It only takes a 5x5 piece of card stock.


Cut off the tip of what will become the bottom flap of the envelope. 


Here is how I measure how much to cut off.  Notice that I folded back the side flap so that I could line up the score line for the bottom flap at 1  3/4".

When I'm working with small items, I prefer to use the bottom part of my Stampin' Trimmer?  Why?  As a physical therapist, it's easier on your neck, back and eyes to keep your work close to you.  When you use the top of the trimmer, you have to lean forward more. 


Reposition the envelope so the score mark is at 1/2".  Then cut from the 10 to 11 1/4" markings on the top of the guide.  Remember that I'm working from the bottom of the Stampin' Trimmer!


Decorate the envelope to fit your artist's eye, adhere the bottom flap of the envelope to the side flaps and the gift card is done!

Visit my online store to get your supplies for this project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX
My Online Store
 

Sunday, October 13, 2013

What Can You Do With Stampin' Up!'s Truly Grateful Stamp Set?


This past weekend, I had a great time using Stampin' Up!'s Truly Grateful stamp set (131733  $19.95).  Did you ever have one of those times when you were in your creative zone?  It was wonderful.  I made several different  projects using this set. I liked this first card because it is so quick to do.  You might see this first design again in a Christmas version.  It uses the Deco Labels Collection Framelits (130102  $24.95) and Burlap Ribbon (132140  $7.95).


This is the Truly Grateful stamp set.  Initially it didn't make my wish list.  However, I loved the card in Stampin' Up!'s Holiday catalog on page 3.  The chevron background is one of my favorites.


This was the swing or flip card that I made for September stamp club.  I use the Circle Card Thinlit (133480  $32.95) and Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper (132184  $10.95).


This is how the card looks when it is open.  In the past, these cards took a lot of careful cutting and scoring to make.  Now it's quick and easy using the new Thinlits.  You cut a 6" x 5 1/2" piece of cardstock using the Thinlit and Big Shot.  Then your card is cut, scored and ready to decorate!


 Here are two other cards I made using the same stamp set.


The Truly Grateful stamp set works well for more than just the fall season.  I'm looking forward to seeing how you use the stamp set.  Pin the cards that you like the best!

Visit my online store to get your supplies for this project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX
My Online Store

More Halloween Fun


There are so many fun Halloween projects this year!   Here is a Halloween card that I CASEd (Copy And Share Everything).  Naturally, I usually have to "cheng" things up a little.  In this case, I added the Tangerine Tango mat.  Stampin' Up's Witches' Brew Designer Washi Tape (132156  $4.95) makes this a quick and easy card.  Hmm, I might have to see if I can come up with a Christmas version.  I love harlequin diamond designs and the label stamp from the Halloween Bash stamp set (130580  $15.95) will work with other projects too.


At our Stampin' Up! demonstrator meeting, Janet Holmes shared this Spooky Bat Halloween party favor that she made.  The wings are made from a large circle cut in half.  Janet used a circle punch to shape the bottom edges of the bat wings.


To cover up where the wings are attached on the back, Janet used the Bats About You stamp from Stampin' Up!'s Halloween Hello Stamp Set (131721  $14.95).  How cute is that!

Here are some other Halloween-related posts on my blog. 

Pumpkin, Pirate and Pilgrim Owls

These little owls are ready for to party for Halloween!  This has been a popular Pinterest pin!





 Coffee Filter Jack-O-Lantern

This pumpkin is made using coffee filter paper. 
 Halloween Quick and Easy Favors

This style of favor is so popular and can be made to fit all different occasions.





Halloween Happiness

This was one of my Stampin' Up! demonstrator swap cards.








Visit my online store to get your supplies for these projects.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX
My Online Store

The One Thing...from Shelli Gardner


If you had told me 10 years ago that I would having so much fun with my Stampin' Up! friends, I probably would not have believed you.  That's because I've only been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for 8 years.  :)

If you want to avoid any spoilers, please watch this interview with Shelli first and then read the rest of this post.  And yes, Shelli spells her name with an "i".

What did you think about the part where Shelli said that profits probably would be better if she moved the manufacturing plant in Kanab, but that wasn't the point?

Relationships are what keep me with Stampin' Up!.  I've worked for several different crafting companies.  While I love creating different projects, you can do that in many different settings.  It's my Stampin' Up! friends that make being a demonstrator so much fun.

It's hard to believe that Shelli started Stampin' Up! 25 years ago in her living room and now it's an international company.

I started with Stampin' Up! initially to get the demonstrator discount.  The starter kit was on sale and I had a long wish list.  I decided that worse case scenario, I would get a lot of high quality products that I wanted.  Thankfully, Stampin' Up! has been much more than that.


I decided to join when there was a special on the demonstrator starter kit.  If you're looking at cost, just like I was in 2005, here are some details about the current $25 starter kit special.

The starter kit is $25 through October 21st. You can pick any combination of items that add up to $25 for your starter kit.  You'll automatically be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator through the end of April 2014.  You'll get your demonstrator discount of 20% and may qualify for other rewards depending on your sales.  You'll get access to the demonstrator website, Stampin' Connection (demonstrator-exclusive site for sharing projects and ideas), and Stampin' Up!'s magazine, Stampin' Success. 

Already know that this is the best $25 investment you can make for yourself?  Sign up now and get started with Stampin' Up!. 

Prefer to get more information?  Contact me and I'll help you get the information you need to make the right decision for you.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX
My Online Store