Scrapnextras

Holiday Gift Cards

Ok, if you're like me, there are just some people on your gift list who are just plain hard to buy for.  Maybe it's your parents who have accumulated enough "stuff" over their life, they have started to pawn it off on you.  Maybe it's a brother or sister who seem independently wealthy enough to buy themselves whatever they want, anytime they want.  So we are thankful for gift cards, but not for the tacky envelope they come with...you've got to present them with style, and I hope these idea will provide you with inspiration and style. This first card was inspired by Lauren Meader's card here.  If you have a few minutes, I highly recommend cruising her blog, she is such an incredible artist.  It was also made for the Splitcoast Technique Lovers Challenge, to paper piece a gift card. I was way late on making the challenge (not that there's a time limit) but the idea developed in my head and when I finally sat down it came together so quickly!    I started with a white base, cut lengthwise at 4 1/4" to give a top fold.  I worked with the diagonal Wintergreen print and layered it on Always Artichoke.  The little bag is a facade...there is no back...I really just had in mind a gift card holder.  I took a piece of gold paper, that was 3 1/4" x 4".  I scored it on one either sides at 2 5/8", 2 7/8" and 3", then on the bottom I scored at 3 1/2" and 4 3/4".  No scoring on the top.  I cut the "squares" made from the score lines in corners out, and then used my bone folder to make really sharp creases. You make a "W" crease or mountain-valley-mountain on the sides, and then it's pretty simple to figure out from there, knowing that it's only a facade...as in there is no back of the bag.  Download template_for_gift_bag_gift_card_holder.JPG  To create the tree, I stamped the tree in basic black on the gold paper (before I scored and cut), and I also stamped it in basic black on a scrap of Wintergreen DP.  I cut the tree out of the Designer paper cutting ON the lines, and glued it right onto the tree on the gold paper!  So simple..and so fun! Recipe:  Stamp Sets:  Greetings Galore Paper:  Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Wintergreen Designer Paper, Gold paper Unkown Ink:  Basic Black Accessories:   Gold Glitz Glitter, 2 Way glue pen, hemp. 1/16" hole punch   Love this set for those masculine cards!  Loads of Love is so perfect for the guys on your list, and since they are the majority of my "gift card" recipients, it's perfect for a gift card holder.  Carrie Gaskin, a Stampin' Up!Demonstrator in BC, posted the instructions to this card on her blog Artistic Avenger.  You will love some of the ideas and artwork on her blog, so do take a minute to check it out.  For this card I used Blue Bayou textured cardstock, and for the image I chose Whisper White, and I layered that on Soft Sky before finally placing it on the card front.  I stamped the truck in basic black, and then using a small post-it note placed just below the top line on the bed of the truck, I stamped the tree, so that it appears in the truck.  I used my ink refills for Blue Bayou and Wild Wasabi  and my basic black watercolour crayon and my Aquapainter to colour in the truck and create the wash on the ground and the sky.    I grabbed the snowflake stamp from Wishing You Cheer and stamped the snowflakes in Blue Bayou, and then added some Dazzling Diamonds using my 2-way glue pen.  For the inside I  placed a triangle of the polka dot print of Blue Bayou Prints designer paper, and stamped the greeting on Whisper White and adhered it befor putting the card together.  Way cute don't you think?  I love the way the card just tucks in there!  Thanks to Carrie for sharing this great idea! Recipe:  Stamp Sets:  Loads of Love Paper:  Blue Bayou textured, Whisper White, Blue Bayou Prints DP Ink:  Basic Black, Blue Bayou, Wild Wasabi Accessories:Aquapainter, 2 Way glue pen, Sticky Strip, Embellishments:  Dazzling Diamonds glitter I must share that I got this next idea from "Stamping with Roxie", another Stampin' Up! demonstrator, in Ontario.  She has a tutorial to make the gift card here.  The only modification I made was my card was 5 1/2" tall, so my basic template was 5 1/2" x 11".  You can't get two from one sheet, but hey, I find lots of uses for scraps so it's no problem with me!  I chose Sidekick Sayings for this gift card, as it is perfect for a long narrow space, and it's also a hostess set that will retire at the end of the month, so I want to make sure I've got all the use I can get out of it.  I coloured in the red baubles on the tree with my Real Red marker and then coloured the tree in Old Olive; they are the colours that match the paper scraps at the top and bottom from Dashing!  You should all be familiar with Dashing by now...totally my favorite Christmas paper!  To make the red baubles stand out I put a dot of Crystal Effects on each one, and some Gold Glitz glitter on the star.  Before I adhered the main image I wrapped a length of Real Red Grosgrain ribbon around, and make a note not to cut the ends too short after tying the bow, which is what I did...or you can never re-tie it.  Such is life.  Here is my version open.     All of these cards are on my blog in their respective albums, so go ahead and have a peak.  www.scrapnextras.com Recipe Stamp Sets: Sidekick Sayings, Wishing you Cheer (inside verse) Paper: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Dashing Designer Paper Ink:  Basic Black Accessories: Real Red and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers,  Word Window punch, 3/4" circle punch Embellishments: Cyrstal Effects, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, I hope this provides you with another idea for your Christmas projects.

Colour Challenge

It has been so long since I had a chance to participate in the Splitcoast Challenges.  Life just gets so busy around here, and while I truly enjoy the business of the Christmas season, there are times when I look forward to returning to a normal pace and a normal routine. 

I was really thrilled to find a few minutes to do this week's Colour Challenge with So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant and Wild Wasabi, however, I have to tell you that I am completely challenged with Wild Wasabi.  I just don't really care for the colour, and on my own will choose any other green, so this was a great challenge in that respect.

I started this card with a piece of So Saffron stamped with Tres Chic and Sanded that I had made when I did my Double Stamping tutorial...I made three trying to get the right one to photograph, so I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to use one of the others.  I had also picked up the winter issue of Take Ten, a stampers magazine and this card is based on their feature sketch.  I used my Coluzzle to cut the So Saffron piece in a circle and used the coluzzle companion that Stampin' Up! no longer carries, to create the Elegant Eggplant layer.  The base of the card is Wild Wasabi, and I stamped it with the Paisley background in Wild Wasabi, for a subtle tone on tone effect, that just adds a bit of texture.  I took a scrap of So Saffron Prints designer paper and layered it on Elegant Eggplant for the centre band, and even so it seemed a bit too plain, so I grabbed a scrap of Wild Wasabi and added it too, and I liked that better. 

The flowers are from the Pretties Kit...my first time using them.  I love them.  First I coloured the flower in Elegant Eggplant using my Stampin' Write Marker, and it turned out almost black!  Way too dark.  So I took it to the sink and rinsed the colour out of it...you would be surprised to know it almost came back to white after that.  Then I re-coloured it with Pale Plum...straying a bit from the colours in the challenge, but I think it works...definitely better than the dark, purple colour!  I did touch the tips of each petal with Eggplant Envy...just for fun, and I think it turned out pretty cool.  It's attached with a Pop Up glue dot.  The brad is a fancy brad from the dollar store.  Lastly I tied some Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon and dangled the sentiment from Small Script which I punched with the small oval punch.  There is also a row of piercing along the top and bottom of the Wild Wasabi base.  I'm not lovin' this, (it could just be the Wild Wasabi LOL!) but I feel so good to have stamped just for fun, that I think I will leave it as it is. 

I hope you are enjoying being busy these days, and that you can make some time for yourself to stamp!

Recipe:  Stamp Sets:  Tres Chic, Sanded, Paisley, Small Script (retired)   Paper:  Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant, So Saffron Prints designer paper, Naturals Ivory    Ink:  Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant    Accessories:  Small Oval Punch, Pop Up Glue Dot, Linen thread  Embellishments:  Elegant Eggplant 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, dollar store brad

Technique Tuesday; Background Dancing

I hope you love background stamps as much as I do, because this week's technique is another one with background stamps!  Now to be quite honest, I don't know what the name of this technique is, and it is certainly not new, and I didn't invent it...but I love it, and I hope I can demonstrate the technique well enough for you to go ahead an try it yourself, if you haven't already.  Funny thing, last week I showed you how to get a perfect impression by laying your card stock on the stamp rubber facing up, and taking a piece of paper to ensure even coverage...well this week I'm going to show you how to get a less than perfect impression...go figure!

I am using Tres Chic again, obviously my favorite...I just can't seem to see past it!  I have paired it up with another set that I use too frequently too, Dare to Be Fabulous!  They are both so gorgeous! 

For this card, I started by stamping the Very Vanilla with the smaller flowers from Dare to Be Fabulous.  I chose the colours Pale Plum, Barely Banana and Pretty in Pink.  I wanted them to have presence, but to definitely be a part of the background. Now it's time to Ink up Tres Chic. I chose Eggplant Envy, which is a very dark colour, so I inked it up and then laid a scrap of copy paper over it and took off one generation of ink...stamping off so to speak. 

At that point I took my flower stamped card stock and placed it on Tres Chic flower side down.

Now instead of placing a sheet of copy paper over top, I just place my fingers on the card stock, and sort of dance them around.  I purposely want to get a less than perfect impression.

For the card I have in mind, I trace my fingers around the edges to ensure it is inked up fairly well. 

This is how it looks finished.  In actual fact, I got more Tres Chic on my card than I had anticipated, but life and stamping isn't perfect, so I went with it!  I wanted Tres Chic to really be subtle and be in the background.  This is a really neat technique to try with any fabric style backgrounds.  Canvas, for example gives a worn chambray type of look, Paisley is almost vintage with it's floral images.  Sanded gives you a "less" sanded or distressed image, and it can sometimes be overpowering.

So this is the final result.  You can see why I wanted Tres Chic to be more subtle...I thought the sentiment was a good fit with all the different fonts in Tres Chic, and I wanted it to be front and centre.  I sponged the edges with Barely Banana first, bringing it in quite a ways on to the card, and then with Eggplant Envy, keeping the colour closer to the edges.  I also added a little Eggplant Envy using the colour spritzer.  I used my corner rounder to scallop the Eggplant circle, and the sentiment is popped up on dimensionals.  I cut out a flower stamped in Eggplant envy, added a circle rhinestone brad, and some Eggplant grosgrain ribbon to finish it off.  I kept everything clustered close in the card, to avoid it looking too busy.  So what do you think?

Recipe:  Stamp Sets: Tres Chic, Dare to Be Fabulous, All Holidays  Paper:  Very Vanilla, Eggplant Envy    Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, Pale Plum, Eggplant Envy  Accessories:  Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Sponges, Coluzzle, Nestabilites, Corner Rounder, colour Spritzer    Embellishments:  Ice Circle Rhinestone brad, Eggplant Envy 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon

Friday's Fast and Fabulous Projects; Gift Tags

'tis the season for all those gifts and gift tags.  I have two daughters who count the gifts under the tree.  I often wonder if I should just wrap up 50 stocking stuffer items instead of spending the big bucks on some of their gifts LOL!  At their age they are only looking at quantity not quality, and regardless of value, there will be a lot of sore feelings if one has less than the other.  So I am constantly doing the balancing act, making sure it's all even.  How do you do it when you have three or five kids?  Yikes...I guess that's why I stopped at two LOL!  Needless to say, all those gifts mean lots of gift tags.  Now from time to time I make really fancy tags, and spend lots of time embossing and adding glitter and dimension, but in my house, those little baby's are torn off faster than Santa runs those reindeer, so really, I am looking for some fast and fabulous ways to make LOTs of them.  Here is my quick fix. 

To complete this project I used my jumbo wheel, card stock, scrap strips of designer paper, adhesive and the large tag punch, and a hole punch and cord to attach the ties.

I started with left over strips from my Wintergreen Designer paper, which is retiring at the end of this  month...get it while it's hot, and drew my colours from that!  I cut a strip of Whisper White that was 8 1/2" x 3 1/2".  The 3 1/2" is important, but really it doesn't matter how long it is...make it the length of your designer paper scrap.  I scored the white strip at 1 3/4" lengthwise, and folded it along the score line. 

Then I took my jumbo wheel, and wheeled across the white paper.  You can stamp anything or leave it blank!  I just love wheels, they qualify as Fast and Fabulous from my perspective!  From there, I took my strip of designer paper and adhered it to the white, with the paper on the bottom, fold at the top.  Really, there are no rules here...go ahead and glue it to the top...it'll still be fabulous!

Now, with the paper folded, insert the folded strip into the large tag punch, with the fold at the top.  Push the paper in a little further so that the fold is inside the punch area, by just a smidgen.  Sorry about the photo here...but I think you get the idea.   Then just punch away!  I took my 1/8" hole punch and punched a hole in the top, and tied a 6" length of elasticized silver cord. I got 5 tags from that strip, maybe I could have got 6 had I been conservative.  I wasn't all that concerned, since it seemed that as much as I hate to throw anything away, especially designer paper, it was destined for the recycle bin prior to this little project.

So there you have it.  You don't have to have long strips, you can adhere 2 or three short strips...the idea is to be fast and fabulous, which, I think it is.  How about you?

Paying it Forward

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join this Pay it forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it next week, but you will receive it by the New Year.

The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. So basically, if you comment, you’re on. I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make for you. Once you sign up, copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog, and three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work. I got mine from Debbie.  Enjoy!

Technique Tuesday; Double Stamped (overstamped) Backgrounds

Background stamps are one of my favorite tools, and I say tools, because they can do so much.  They are a quick way to make patterned paper and they can give your card subtle texture or a bold design.  One of my favorite techniques with background stamps is double stamping, or overstamping.  To do this you need two background stamps.  For this demonstration I chose Tres Chic...my latest fave, and Sanded, an ultra cool background stamp with so many possibilities. 

When I first started stamping I had a hard time getting a good impression with background stamps.  Then I learned a little technique at a Stampin' UP! regional seminar that changed the way I looked at background stamps.  So to start, here is a simple way to get a great impression every time.

Start with your background stamp rubber facing up.  Hold your stamp pad with the grooves and ink the stamp.  I usually start by swishing my stamp pad around, then tapping it.  Swishing gets the ink on, tapping gets it inked fully. 

Next you are going to lay your card or piece of cardstock on your stamp while it is still facing up.  You can position it by moving it slightly. 

Then, with the cardstock on the stamp, place a sheet of paper, just scrap copy paper.  Run your hand firmly over the paper to ensure your card or cardstock gets evenly inked.  Pay special attention tracing the edges with your fingers and ensuring the centre gets fully inked.

Then voila... a perfect impression!  Sorry the picture isn't so great...my photography skills could use a bit of a brush up.

To double stamp your image, you are going to go through this same process.  You can choose to use the same colour or a different colour, there are no rules.  I chose to use the same colour, So Saffron.   The final result is a gorgeous shabby Tres Chic image!

When I assembled the card I decided to work with Julee's Mojo Monday #15 sketch, and I am really giving my retiring stamps a workout!  I chose Oh So Lovely, a level one hostess set that is so gorgeous, and So Many Sayings, another level one hostess set that is so appropriately named!

The card base Old Olive, and I added a layer of More Mustard, which stamped with Sanded in More Mustard, to keep with the shabby feel of the card.  I stamped the background image on Very Vanilla, and then stamped the flower and watercoloured it with Watercolour Wonder Crayons and the Aquapainter.  I distressed all the edges with the Cutter Kit, and sponged a little more mustard around the edge of the So Saffron layer.  The sentiment is framed with a chipboard frame from the On Board Basics set.  I love the mottled colour it took!  I simply rubbed the chipboard directly into the classic pad.  I lifted it to see how fully it had taken the colour, and decided that I liked the mottled look the way it was.  I attached it with two gold brads, and placed it over the band of Old Olive layered with More Mustard Prints Designer Paper.   The half circles on the top and bottom were made with the 1 3/8" circle punch, and rather than adding another layer I simply punched the half circle from the So Saffron to let the More Mustard layer show through!   Click on the image so you can really see the overstamping, and the mottled colour of the chipboard..gotta love it!  So do you think it's a winner?  Should I enter it in Julee's sketch challenge?  Or should I enter this one:

I thought it would be fun to show a different set of background stamps, so I whipped up this card for a totally different look.  OK, not so different, I kept the same sketch...did you recognize it?   To achieve this look I wanted to imitate a golf shirt of my husbands, sort of a beige on beige knit, so I started with Sahara Sand, and stamped Print Pattern in River Rock, then overstamped with Canvas using Sahara Sand ink.  Love the way it turned out!  I stamped the deer from Wildlife Reserve and watercoloured it.  I used my Cropodile to set those Jumbo Eyelets...how cool are they?  They add real masculine touch don't they!  I couldn't resist adding some of that luscious satin ribbon from the Holiday mini..so sad it retired, I think it's behind everything so it doesn't take away from the masculine look.  I decided the sentiment should go directly on the card, and I stamped it crooked!!!  I tried various ways of covering it, but they all seemed out of place, and made the card look too busy.  So there it stays, Happy Birthday in all it's crookedness.  I guess I will just have to give it to the recipient when he's well into his celebrations!  Maybe he won't notice?  Ya think? 

Well what do you think?  You have now seen three cards with Julee's sketch, including this one from my earlier post...which one should I enter?  Leave a comment and let me know what you think!  Hope you are having a great day! 

Happy Mail

I just love getting mail that either A) comes in a big envelope or B) has a handwritten address.  You just know it's not going to be a bill or a flyer!  So yesterday I opened my mail to find a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) from Julee at www.poeticartistry.blogspot.com !  You recall this post, where I had to share my exciting news about winning on her sketch challenge, well she sent me a little package and a card she made! 

This is such a gorgeous card, and you should see it in real life!  I tried to capture the sparkle as best I could, and you can see it a little better if you click for a larger image.  She even put stickles on the flower...so cool, I will have to try that!  Her colouring skills are far beyond mine...and I just love her colour choices!  She posted this card on her blog here, so you can read all the "deets" as she refers to them.  I'm so happy to receive it! 

Along with the card she sent me some gorgeous 6x6 papers!  I just love them.  You can see little scraps in the picture, well she didn't send me scraps...I just had to cut into them and make a card!  It's always so much fun to have new stuff to play with, and I try to use new stuff as soon as I get it...a new rule I have for myself as I try to get past my "hoarding" issues!

I had several goals as I made this card.  I thought I would make a card for Julee... "J" is for Julee! (and it is also the 3rd letter in the word enjoy..which I don't have a stamp for!) Secondly, I saw that some of the papers were a perfect match to Purely Pomegranate...and I just love that colour!  I also wanted to use some of my retiring stamp sets, you know..just one last fling before they're gone!  I used three retiring sets for this card!  Label Classics, it just fit the vintage kind of feel these papers have, and makes a perfect frame for the monogram; Alphabits, love them for doing some cool formatting, or for those sentiments that aren't quite on a stamp yet; and Headline Alphabet, which I used for the "J".   I also used Julee's Mojo Monday sketch 15 !  I love the way it came together. 

I stamped the letters on Very Vanilla textured cardstock, and the texture gives that sketchy look...(click above to get a larger view) with Purely Pomegranate.  I punched out the letters and popped them up.  For the "J" I stamped it on Very Vanilla textured cardstock in Soft Sky Classic Ink, and rock and rolled it in Purely Pomegranate! I used the Three for You flower punch to punch the flower that adorns the "J", and added a circle in Soft Sky, then a little rhinestone from K & Co.  The velvet ribbon is from Flirty, a ribbon original from Stampin' UP!'s winter mini 2007, and it's a much better match in real life!  I am so pleased with the way it turned out, I almost hate to send it off!

Happy Stamping!  Got lots more to show you so stay tuned!

Retiring Accessories

Stampin' Up! has posted the retiring accessories list.  I have placed it on it's own page on the left side bar.  These items are available until December 31st or while quantities last.  If you wish to order any of these items, please contact me at (403) 343-1714 or scrapnextras@yahoo.com  I will update this list frequently until December 16th, so that you can see how fast supplies are running out.  For enquiries after that date you may contact me directly.

Happy Stampin'!

Pick a Gift Class and Retirement Party Updates!

Pick a Gift Class - Space is still available!  Photo's have been added, along with a description and price for each item on the Pick a Gift class on the Upcoming Events Page.  This class is for you if you still have a few people to buy for on your list, or a few people you would like to acknowledge this holiday season!  Registrations accepted until Friday, December 14, although some items are available in limited quantity, so register early to ensure your first choice!  (403) 343-1714 or email.

Don't forget Tuesday is the Retirement Party!  This is the last chance of the year to order from the Fall Winter Collection, and get any of those retiring items that you just must have.  Orders should arrive before Christmas, if you have any last minute gifts you need to get!  You will create three Christmas make and takes, and have the chance to win the hostess benefits!  The evening starts at 7:00 pm...call me if you want more details  (403) 343-1714 

Friday's Fast and Fabulous projects: A card with the December Sketch

Friday's are my favorite days!  It's the end of the week, a halt in most routines, and a night to stay up late and stamp!   However, my day is usually spent getting ready for the weekend and stamping time is at a premium.  If I do get to steal some stamping time, it's got to be fast, so I thought I would share some of my "fast" projects on Fridays. 

This card uses a couple of the things that I think make stamping fast.  Markers for colouring, and scraps for layers, and a sketch..actually the December sketch I featured in my December Newsletter!  I am working with Time Well Spent, the free Hostess Set that Stampin' Up! sent to all it's demonstrators...yes I know, again!  I can't help it.  For one, it's new, and two, it's just an awesome set!

I started with a Rose Red base, and chose Confetti Cream for my focal layer.  I stamped the flowers in Basic Black first, to position them, and then I stamped the stems and leaves.  I used markers to colour with and I went with Rose Red, Almost Amethyst, So Saffron and Certainly Celery.  This is the colour combination of last year's Sweet Shop ribbon originals, and also the colours our Palette o'Prints came in last May.  Love, love this colour combination, and I was so glad it showed up this year in the Fairy Tale ribbon originals!  By the way, that's another "fast" element, having my colour scheme all picked out!

Once the card was coloured, I found a strip of Confetti Cream and stamped the sentiment "Too Much of a Good Thing is a Good Thing" in Basic Black, and coloured in the flowers.  I layered it on scraps of the corresponding colours, and voila!  I think this took me about 15 minutes!  So you know what I did?  I made two!  I thought it would be fun to step it up a bit...just a bit, and this is what I came up with:

The card is pretty much the same as the first, but here I stamped three more flowers on a scrap, coloured them in and cut them out.  I mounted them on Stampin' Dimensionals which gives a kind of paper tole look!  I also sponged the outer edges of the Confetti Cream with So Saffron ink, and although you can't see it, I dabbed a little bit of 2-way glue on each of the little dots in the flower centres and sprinkled on Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  In real life it almost seems like the dots are moving, the way it sparkles.  The scraps are a little different, because they were scraps.  Anyway, I hope you enjoyed seeing how just a little bit extra can step up a card.  Be sure to click on the images to see them in their full glory!

I hope you have a great weekend! Happy Stampin'!

Recipe:  Stamp Set:  Time Well Spent  Paper:  Confetti Cream, Rose Red, So Saffron, Almost Amethyst  Ink:  Basic Black  Accessories:  2 way glue pen, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Write Markers  Embellishments:  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter