Birthday Blast Surpise

I love, love, love all the new items in the Spring Occasions catalog from Stampin' Up! 

As a demonstrator, I'm lucky enough to attend On Stage, where we get sneak peeks at the new items months before they are available to the public! (Psst...if you want early access, now is a great time to join my team, get the ultimate product bundle, and an everyday discount on your stamping supplies...just click on the shop button, then the join button on my online store).

The Birthday Blast bundle caught my eye right off the bat. The starburst just screamed tiara to me, so that was the first project I made. Just pick some glitter paper, add a headband and some glue dots. Voila! Crafting Queen!

Once, I had my crown, I was able to work on my next idea. To me, it seems like the starburst is perfect for a pop-up surprise. I fiddled around a bit and came up with this option. Start with a regular card base of colored cardstock cut to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4". 

Then make a whisper white insert cut to 5 1/4" x 8 1/4". Score it at 4 1/8" and fold. 

To make the pop out notches, line up the folded edge at the top of your trimmer, using the ruler across the top edge to determine your spacing for each notch cut (as listed above at 1", 1 1/4", 2 3/8", 2 7/8", 4", and 4 1/4"), and use the ruler on the cutting plate to cut 1/2" or 1" notches as listed above. This is will make sure that your notches are even on both sides of the fold. 

Keeping the insert folded, press the notches to one side to help crease them. 

This will help you get a nice crease when you open the insert and pull the notches out. 

These will be what you adhere your pop-outs to, either directly or using a scrap of clear window sheet. 

And here's the finished product!

Finally, I'm challenging myself to complete at least one scrapbook page from each stamp bundle. This will help me catch up on my albums and get more comfortable with using stamps for other projects. 

Here's my idea for Birthday Blast in my family scrapbook. Again, feeling a royal vibe with the starburst framelits and stamp. 

Hope you enjoy these projects. I would love to know how you would use this set. 

When Inspiration Strikes

A little while ago, a colleague came to my office and asked if I had a needle and thread. She had a rip in her skirt that needed a quick repair. Of course, always prepared, I did have a small sewing kit in my desk and her wardrobe malfunction was an easy fix. That was when I had the idea I needed for a small holiday gift that I could make for my office mates. 

I had just finished with the matchbox folded pouch for the earings we made at Stamp and Sip the month before so that design was fresh in my mind. I thought a small repair kit would be practical, and with the right supplies, pretty too. So I picked up some sewing needles, safety pins and buttons at the store, and grabbed thread and paper from my stash. All told, I was able to make 20 gifts for about $8. 

I used a 2 3/4" X 2 1/2" peice of solid cardstock for the insert and made half of a hole punch three times on two sides for notches to hold the thread. Then I folded a 6" X 3" peice of DSP scored and folded at 2 1/2", 2 3/4", and 5 1/2". The most tedious part of the project was threading all of the needles. With my eyes not being what they used to be, I've learned to appreciate the needle threading tool more and more. 

Each kit got a pre-threaded length of black, white, and tan thread on a needle. I used glue dots to adhere the buttons to the insert, and stuck the pins right through the paper. I stapled the insert into the cover, folded the matchbook and adhered a holiday greeting with some pretty thread on the front.

This was a great project to assemble while catching up on your shows. I'm currently binging on the Gilmore girls, and Lorelei sews, so this little inspired project was pretty much meant to happen. Plus when my colleagues need a quick fix, they will have the tools and a bright cheerful reminder of me!