Spring Basket

Spring inspiration struck in the seasonal aisle at my local Aldie! I have grown to love Aldie this year...

The Easter candy had just come out and they had these adorable miniature hollow bunnies. Their tiny size instantly reminded me of the berry basket die in my stash, that I hadn't used since last Spring. So I dusted off my die, and the Handpicked bundle, also from last year, and made these adorable spring baskets.

 I surprised my colleagues at work with a cheerful and sweet greeting. They were an instant hit. 

Here's how you can copy this design. 

Use the berry basket bigz to cut a basket shape. Then trim the basket flat at 4" from one edge. Score the bottom at 1". This will become the flap that adheres the basket bottom to the card mat. 

Score one basket band peice at 1 1/4", 2 1/4", 6" and 7". The one inch flaps at each end will adhere the band to the card mat. 

Then just assemble the basket by adhering the pieces to the card mat. I used staples on the band and base. I used snail to adhere the basket side to the band. 

 

Then simply fill with treats and share. 

If you don't have this awesome berry basket die, you can get one in my online shop at www.clothpaperstring.stampinup.net. 

Getting Ready for On Stage Live!

Twice a year, I have the wonderful opportunity to hang out with some of my crafting besties and remarkable business women. This comes in the form of the semi-annual Stampin' Up! global company meetings, called OnStage. I was in Brussles last November. And now I'm recently home from Salt Lake City, Utah, the worldwide headquarters for Stampin' Up!  

These few short days refill my cup with inspiration, motivation, and renewed drive to keep working toward my dreams for Cloth, Paper, String. I come home with lots of new ways to help my growing circle of crafters make pretty things, have fun, and build friendships.  

One of the fun traditions at these events is trading SWAPS. These are just like the ones you remember from your Girl Scout days, but are paper crafts. Usually a card, sometimes a 3D project, but always awesome! Im always impressed by the fabulous ideas my fellow demonstrators come up with. 

I have to admit, making SWAPS is challenging for me. It takes me days (seriously, I'm not kidding, days, maybe even weeks) to nail down an idea. Well luckily, this time, my inspiration came from a SWAP I received from a German demonstrator. I loved that she incorporated the meeting logo into her design, so I went with that. I also loved the smaller size, that fits perfectly into a Project Life pocket.  Perfect for including in our scrapbook of the meeting. 

I went to work and made 60 in no time flat!  That is a lot for me, I usually only do about 25. Assembly line really makes crafting in bulk more efficient. I can't wait to see the artisan ideas I get in return. 

I also put together a couple gifts for some special friends I will be meeting up with at OnStage Live. These were also inspired from a SWAP made my another German demonstrator. These were fairly simple to construct. Just two sheets of paper, cut, scored and folded in just the right way. Add a little embellishment, sparkle, and lip balm, and it's a quick easy gift. Would be great for teachers, coworkers, scouts, anyone really. Here are some tips for putting them together. 

To make these little lip balm holders, cut one piece of Designer Series Paper 5 3/4" by 3 1/2", score fold lines at 2 1/2" and 3 1/4". Cut a piece of solid card stock 5 3/4" by 3 1/2", score fold lines at 2 1/2" and 3 1/4", then cut 1 1/2" slits horizontally at 2 1/4" and 1 1/4" from the bottom as shown.  Then cut a 1" slit 1/4" from the bottom edge. These will fold into the card and hold the lip balm. 

OnStage is always tons of fun. If you'd like to join in the fun, join my team and we can enjoy OnStage together in November! You can read the details about becoming part of the Stampin' Up! Family and sign up to be part of my awesome team of crafty business entrepreneurs here: https://ida.stampinup.com/?demoid=2128639

Mothers and Their Babies

As we tilt back toward the sun, temperatures rise, and Mother Nature renews her beautiful landscape, our thoughts turn toward our own Mothers, our mothering friends and Moms-to-be. It's a great time to stock up on cards to share with them. Here are a few that we made during April Stamp and Sip this year. 

The trifold tea card is a 5 1/2" by 11" base scored at 3 1/2 and 3 3/4 on both sides. The tea or gift card pocket is a 3 1/4" by 3 1/4" square, scored and folded at 1/4" on three sides. 

You can find all of the supplies to make these cards at my online Stampin' Up! shop at www.clothpaerstring.stampinup.net.