From Scratch

I am always so proud of myself when I make a 3D item from scratch. I generally use a template from someone else. I have seen a lot of boxes like this before so I just made my own to fit the cards and envelopes I put inside. I started with a 12 x 8 piece of paper and scored an inch in the middle (for the bottom) and down the sides. This is what I made to hold the cards my son made for his preschool teacher. I just realized that the ribbon was crooked and I already gave it away. Oh well, try to imagine it with straight ribbon :) Here is the side view. The cards were really simple (you can see them here) so 1 inch was just perfect but if it had ribbon or accessories it would have needed a lot more space.

Magic Slider Tutorial

I learned how to make magic slider cards at my very first Stampin' Up! convention (2005). Cori Hancock demonstrated these cards and showed us how to make them. My dimensions and directions come from her.

To create the card base start with a 5 1/4 x 9 piece of cardstock and score at 2 1/2, 5 1/2 and 8 1/2 inches. Punch the images as shown. I used the 1 3/8 inch square and the 1 inch circle. (the 1 1/4 inch circle also works great) You want the circles to be centered and the squares to be off centered, try your best to get the square section level.

Cut a 1 inch strip off a cellophane bag for the next step. I use the large celo bags that demonstrators can order on the supply order, they seem to work best for me but the Large flat celo bags should work too. I use the supply order ones so I can cut off the fold lines, this way the card will slide easier without getting stuck.

Attach the celo bag strip around the cardstock as shown and adhere it together with a strip of snail. Make sure to only attach the celo bag to itself don't get adhesive on the cardstock or it won't slide :) Cut off the excess celo bag.

Next you will need your sliding pieces. I forgot to take a picture of them and they are now attached to my card so scroll down to the last picture to see what I am talking about, they are the pieces with the trains on them :) The Old Olive cardstock is 2 3/4 x 4 inches (you will need 2 of them) decorate them now before you attach them to your card.

Use a small strip of sticky strip to attach the sliding pieces to your card. I like to place my first strip just below where I snailed the celo bag together.

Then turn your cardstock over and fold the 2 1/2 inch strip in to look like this. Line the sliding piece (old olive) up with the bottom edge, center it between the edge and the score line. Then center the celo bag in the middle of the sliding piece. Once everything is lined up, remove the backing on the sticky strip and adhere it to the very top of the sliding piece (you can still see where I snailed the celo bag together).

Open the flap again and line up the next sliding piece as shown. Just make sure it is lined up at the top of the chocolate chip cardstock and that it is even with the other sliding piece (it doesn't matter if the celo bag moves at this point). Adhere it with sticky strip also this time on the bottom edge.

Place sticky strip on the outside of the 1/2 inch flap. (sorry I forgot to take a picture again :) Fold the card together and attach the sticky strip flap to the chocolate chip cardstock.

Decorate as desired. Here is the finished product.

Let me know if you have any questions and if you use my tutorial, link a picture, I would love to see your card!

Happy Stamping :)

Train Magic

As soon as I saw this Choo Choo stamp set in the Occasions catalog, the first thing I thought of was to make a magic slider card with it. I think any boy would love to get this card for any occasion. My son has already claimed it for his own :)

Here is where the magic part comes in, when you pull out the one end the other comes out so we can see the train going through a tunnel. It is fun to slide it back and forth. I used the Right on Track Stampin Around Wheel to create the background on the chocolate chip cardstock and the "hi" on the train comes from the Say it with Scallops stamp set.

Here is another magic slider card I made. A lot of people have asked me to show them how to make these cards so I am working on a tutorial to show you all! Hopefully it will be done and ready to post tomorrow!

Made by a 5 year old!

This week is my 5 year old's last week in preschool so we decided to make his teacher some cards. I helped him choose this card because it was pretty simple and he could do most everything by himself. I folded the cards in half and stamped the greeting (retired) but he helped me crimp the bottom, and he punched and attached the stars by himself. I told him which ones to put the dimensionals on and which stars to use snail! I think he did an awesome job! Now we just need to make a bag and buy a balloon for her birthday today (his idea).

Clean and Simple Cards

I love Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Paper (DSP). On the star card I used the Washington Apple DSP and on the heart card I used the DSP from the Sunshine Garden Simply Scrappin Kit. This is a great way to use up some of those scraps that we have laying around. I saw these cards and loved them, I basically copied the heart one. I just changed the paper and the greeting. The bottom of the cards is crimped with the crimper :)

The greetings come from the Just B stamp set and the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set.

Mini Pizza Box

After I made this box I showed it to my husband and he said I need to cut out a notch to make it easier to open :) so I punched out a half circle on the front and he was right, it makes it a lot easier. I added a yellow rhinestone brad to the center of the flower for a little shine on the box.

The cards I made to go inside were pretty simple but cute, they all had a different strip of paper from the Washington Apple pack of Designer Series Paper (on sale this month) and a different image from the Delicate Dots hostess stamp set. I didn't add a greeting so they could be used for anything.

Here is a picture with the box open, the cards kind of blend in with the box and it is hard to see but the 4 cards and envelopes fit nicely inside.

Home

I love earning stuff for free! This decor elements is one of the hostess sets for this year. I thought the saying was perfect for our home.

Bella's Notebook

It was so fun to receive this hand stamped notebook at Amy's downline meeting. Everyone who came was able to take one home with them. I did change the notepad inside, I took a bunch of notes on the one they gave me :) There is a place for a pen on the outside and a cool pocket on the inside.

I am pretty sure Candice made these for everyone. Thanks, I love it!

May Special!

May is National Scrapbooking month and everyone can enjoy the benefits even if you don't scrapbook! We have an awesome special this month with 3 different parts!

1. Buy three packs of Designer Series paper—including Specialty Designer Series paper—or 12" x 12" textured card stock and get one FREE!

2. Become a demonstrator for only $75 with the limited-time, scrapbooking Starter Kit!

The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:

**Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set : $42.95

**Simply Scrappin' Petal Party : $19.95

**Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock (12" x 12") : $11.95

**Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad : $7.50

Business Supplies

**each of these products can be substituted for like items**

3. Buy the new Jumble Alphabet stamp set—a sneak peek from the upcoming 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog— at 20% off!
Regular price : $43.95 this Month it is only : $35.16

Click HERE to see the full alphabet.

Tent card

I am starting to see a theme for the week, I keep making things with butterflies :) I guess I didn't realize how many butterfly stamps I have. This stamp set is one that only hostesses can earn and the last chance to get it is in June before it retires. I used the Urban Garden Designer Series paper on this card. Here is a better view of the texture, you can see it so much better in person!

These cards are fun to make, you start with the same size paper as a normal card and with a few scoring lines it creates this cool fold! If you would like to make a tent card, you can find the tutorial here.