First Day of School Goodies

 

A while ago I posted about this super-sized pencil that I created for a Teacher Survival Kit (see previous post here).  Well, today is the first day of school for my little man, so I thought I would show you some of the goodies I put inside.

I started with a few stickers to give her some fun ways to give encouragement to the kiddos.  When I was teaching I had a huge stash of stickers that I used frequently.

Some of the treats are supplies that can be used if the teacher needs them, like these erasers and paper clips that could come in handy.

Other items in the kit were just for her, in case she needs something and forgets.  I have hair ties stashed everywhere because I never seem to have one when I need one.   This will make sure she is never without one.   A little lotion and some tissues are always good to have, too.

No kit would be complete with out some candy.  I tried to get an assortment of chocolate and fruit candies (but everyone loves chocolate, right?).

And then I added one more thing, just to make her smile.  I know that she will not have much use for the marbles, but she will definitely appreciate the joke on those hard days.

After making a kit for his teacher, I decided it would be nice to offer a little something for all his new friends.  I saw several different versions of this saying as printables on Pinterest.  I used MDS to make my own and think they are just adorable.  I hope all his new friends and his teacher enjoy their new goodies.

Last Week to Save on Paper Pumpkin!

Offer Details: Use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL to join Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and pay only $10 a month (plus tax, where applicable) for the first two months. Shipping included!

The Fine Print:

• For new subscribers only.
• Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After receiving two month's worth, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.
• Visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join and list me as your Demo.
• You must click "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field when you sign up on the mypaperpumpkin.com website to take advantage of this promotion.
• You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT).

Undefined: Carved Robot Stamp

Stampin' Up! has come out with this incredible product that allows you to carve your own stamp. Have you ever wanted a stamp but couldn't find the perfect image? Maybe you have a special family logo or a sketch you'd like to have as a stamp. Well now you can!

When you carve your very own stamp, you have will have an entirely new and different creative experience. And when you're finished, you will have created a one-of-a-kind stamp!

A while ago, I saw a cute printable on Pinterest of a robot Valentine that fit a Hershey Nugget.  I loved this idea, and wondered if there was some way that I could make this myself.  That is when I pulled out my Undefined Kit.   I designed a robot that I thought was too cute and then carved it.

I started by tracing the Nugget so I would have the size for the body and then I added all the "robot" parts.  Once I stamped the image and added the chocolate, I could not resist coloring some rhinestones to give him "glowing" eyes.

I added some washi tape and a sentiment to create a cute treat.

Overall, I love the way this little guy turned out.  I think I may like this one better than the one I saw on Pinterest.  And, I can use it in several different ways on any project I need.

Now you can have the perfect stamp for any occassion! Undefined is Stampin' Up!'s new stamp carving product line. You define the rubber stamp any way you want.

When you carve your very own stamp, you have will have an entirely new and different creative experience. And when you're finished, you will have created a one-of-a-kind stamp!

Item #	Description	Price
133402	Undefined Stamp Carving Kit	$19.95
134808	Undefined Refill Kit	$9.95
124236	Clear-Mount Cling Foam*	$10.95

*Add a sheet of Clear-Mount Cling Foam to create your own clear-mount stamps. Mounting your stamps on the cling foam allows you to make stamps any size you want, not just what will fit on the blocks in the kit.

Double Challenge: Nature Inspired Card

I have been enjoying my morning walks on the trails in my neighborhood.  Spending time in nature helps me recharge, and sometimes inspires my crafting.  This card is also inspired by two different challenges.  First, is the layout:

The sketch from Freshly Made Sketches (#99) was the starting point.  When I started searching my stamp sets, the Serene Silhouettes (#127324) circle stamp stood out. 

The color scheme came from the Hand Stamped Sentiments color challenge (#166).  The butterfly on the stamp and then the nature inspired colors were perfect for this card.

The front is a simple repeat of the same stamp in each color.  I punched the stamps out with the 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch (#119854) to give a flower effect.  The background was embossed with the Woodgrain Folder (#127821) to continue the nature theme.

For a nature inspired card, I thought the sunshine sentiment from Feel Goods (#129684) was a great match.  The butterfly is also repeated inside the card to match the front and bring the Pear Pizzaz color in to the inside of the card.
 

This will be a great card to have on hand to send to a friend as a thank you or encouragement.  And the colors will be perfect if Fall every gets to Texas.

Save on Paper Pumpkin!

Offer Details: Use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL to join Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and pay only $10 a month (plus tax, where applicable) for the first two months. Shipping included!

The Fine Print:

• For new subscribers only.
• Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After receiving two month's worth, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.
• Visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join and list me as your Demo.
• You must click "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field when you sign up on the mypaperpumpkin.com website to take advantage of this promotion.
• You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT).

Technique Tuesday: Window Frame Card Tutorial (TLC422)

Today's technique does not really have a name.  I am calling it a Window Frame Card since it is basically creating a window in the card front to see inside.  The idea of this technique is that most of the design, as well as the sentiment, is on the inside of the card. (This was the technique challenge this week on SplitcoastStampers.)

I started by deciding what size I wanted the window to be to see the scene inside and then cut it out of the center of the card front.  The Framelits make this so easy and offer a lot of shapes for any design.

Once I had the window, I cut out three pieces of cardstock that were slightly larger than the opening (I used the next largest Framelit).  If you were doing a different design you would cut one piece that would be your frame.

I then laid the pieces on the card front to make sure they were the right size.  I adhered the three parts together upside down and then flipped the shape over to cut.

Using the same Framelit that I cut the window with, I centered it on the middle section of the pumpkin.  This way the openings would be the same size.

You can see here what the card and pumpkin look like together.  Then I just added some embellishments to finish the pumpkin effect.

For the inside of the card, I used a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  I like to sponge on white, since the inks come out clean and true to color.  I placed a small punched circle before sponging to create a full moon.  For this scene, I started by sponging Elegant Eggplant on the top two-thirds of the cardstock and then added Night of Navy. 

The moon was sponged with Crushed Curry which creates a beautiful glowing effect.  I also left more Elegant Eggplant showing around the moon to give the sense of light.  The bottom of the scene was sponged with Gumball Green and then darkened with Early Espresso.  The sentiment and house were stamped with StazOn.  The windows of the house were colored yellow to give an effect of lights on inside.

Here is the final card front. It is hard to see in the photo, but both the card front and sky inside were sponged with Illuminations ink to add some subtle shimmer.  You can see the house scene through the window.

And then you can see the entire scene and the sentiment when you open the card.  I love Halloween and I am so happy with all the stamps in the Best of 25 Years stamp set for this month.   I am already planning some Halloween treats for the kids' classes with this set.

August Best of 25 Years Stamp Set
As part of our 25-year anniversary celebration, we're bringing back some of our favorite stamp images from the last quarter century and combining them into 12 sets, which will release-one set per month-during 2013. Even better, along with some great classic images, each "Best of" set will also include a never-before-seen image! 
 

This month the Best Of Stamp Set is all about Halloween.  This is a must have set (particularly for me since I love Halloween)!  See the flyer here.

Hang on to your 25-year proof of purchase stickers and adhere them to your Stampin' Up! collectors card.  For every six Best Of sets you buy, you can send in your collectors card for a FREE set of your choice valued up to $14.95.  Must be redeemed by April 20, 2014.

MDSM27: Easter 2013 Scrapbook Page

Today I am doing a little scrapbooking with MDS.  Look at those cuties!  These are my babies at Easter this year.  My son refused to wear a collar or buttons (there is a small button on the pocket of his shirt, which took some negotiating to get him to wear).

This page was inspired by the MDS Monday Sketch Challenge (#27).  This sketch has lots of great layers and plenty of chances to embellish.

My version of this sketch includes lots of DSP, some cute Easter eggs, and text on a path for some very simple journaling.  I love all the soft colors and clean design.  I think this may have to go in a frame to hang in one of the kids' rooms.

Supplies: MDS (#130646), Sweet Details DSP (#125744), Flirtatious DSP (#124227), Nursery DSP (#124561), Day in the Life Kit (#128876), Made From Scratch Template Kit (#129004), Flag Punch (#125785), Grass Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Delightful Dozen Stamp Brush Set (#127597)

Save on Paper Pumpkin!

Offer Details: Use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL to join Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and pay only $10 a month* for the first two months.  *plus tax, where applicable. Shipping included!

The Fine Print:

• For new subscribers only.
• Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After receiving two month's worth, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.
• Visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join and list me as your Demo.
• You must click "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field when you sign up on the mypaperpumpkin.com website to take advantage of this promotion.
• You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT).

Friday Focus: Back to School Gift

 

Today I am getting ready for school to start.  My son will start Kindergarten in two weeks.  I have already started working on the yearbook for this year and getting ready for Meet the Teacher night.  I thought I would put together a "Teacher Survival Kit" to give to his new teacher on the first day of school.

I saw this very cute pencil container at Glue Sticks and Tape.  She made her container out of a Pringles can, but we don't eat Pringles.  Also, I wanted to make something a little larger to hold more goodies.  I found a tall, round papermache container at my local craft store to make my "pencil."

I followed her basic directions, just on a larger scale.  I have not found out who the teacher will be yet, but I will add her name to the pencil once I know.

One of the things I intend to include in the kit is a stack of these notecards.  She will have cards on hand to write Thank Yous to parents, children, or colleagues.  I will also be including other little gifts, which I will show in a future post (once it is complete).  Check back soon!

Papers: Daffodil Delight (#124275), Blushing Bride (#131194), Crumb Cake (#120953), Basic Black (#121045), Glimmer Paper (#124005)
Other Supplies: Papermache Container (local craft store), Sticky Strip (#104294), Big Shot (#113439), Circle Framelits (#130911)

Have you ever wanted a stamp but couldn't find the perfect image? Maybe you need a special family logo or a sketch you would like to have as a stamp. Well now you can! Undefined is Stampin' Up!'s new stamp carving product line. You define the rubber stamp any way you want.

When you carve your very own stamp, you have will have an entirely new and different creative experience. And when you're finished, you will have created a one-of-a-kind stamp!

Item #	Description	Price
133402	Undefined Stamp Carving Kit	$19.95
134808	Undefined Refill Kit	$9.95
124236	Clear-Mount Cling Foam*	$10.95

*Add a sheet of Clear-Mount Cling Foam to create your own clear-mount stamps. Mounting your stamps on the cling foam allows you to make stamps any size you want, not just what will fit on the blocks in the kit.