Paper Pumpkin Pinwheel Party Bouquet

I am in love with the latest Paper Pumpkin kit! I wanted to make something that wasn't a card just to feel somewhat accomplished. Our new home is in need of some decor anyway. With Independence Day right around the corner, the Pinwheel Party Paper Pumpkin kit was a perfect place to start. All I had to add was a vase, stones, and a piece of Night of Navy Seam Binding Ribbon. It really was that simple. It took me longer to find somewhere well lit to take the photo than it did to put the whole thing together! The refill kit is available to Paper Pumpkin subscribers while supplies last. If you don't need the ink or stamps that came with it and didn't subscribe in time, you can order the refill kit for $7.95 if you sign up for Paper Pumpkin today. It's quite a steal at that price!

I never thought I would like kits. My only regret is waiting so long to sign up! I have all kinds of creative plans for the Pinwheel Party set. I even ordered 2 refill kits already! As lovely as the little pinwheel bouquet is, the greatest Paper Pumpkin moment for me was when I handed a finished pinwheel to my 3 year old daughter. Her whole face lit up and she was so excited. After thanking me at least 20 times she proceeded to run off to proudly show everyone in the house her new treat. Of all the things I have missed while being almost completely incapacitated, it is the time I spend creating with one of my children by my side. Being able to make her a treat made my day. 

I'm going to make a stepped up version of this to give Mom. I've fallen behind on my weekly gifts. I can't wait to share the next one with you! I have been learning a few new techniques that I've always wanted to learn but never had time for. Check back in a few days to see my latest Paper Pumpkin creating. Thanks for stopping by!

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted

Stamps - None

Ink - None

Paper - From the Pinwheel Party Paper Pumpkin Kit(June 2014)

Accessories - Real Red Straws, Silver Brads(both from June Paper Pumpkin), Night of Navy Seam Binding Ribbon, Glue Dots, Vase, Polished Rocks

 

Salt Shaker Vase

I've decided to blog some of my previously unblogged creations during my downtime. This was one of my first original ideas for something other than a card. 

For some reason I chose to add the Spiral Flower Bigz die to one of my orders. From time to time I like to chose an item that I have no interest in to add an to a large order. Usually I do this using my Hostess benefits so I can justify it as "free" to myself.

I did this long before becoming a demonstrator. Long ago in the world of business I learned that inventory was not just about what I liked. I carried that lesson with me and applied it to all areas of my life. Whether it be books, groceries, clothing, or crafts. You can't expand much if you don't try new things. Some of my favorite outfits, meals, and craft supplies were actually acquired this way.

Ok, so the concept of the vase itself is quite simple. It was an inexpensive salt and pepper shaker set. Not from the dollar store, but under $5 for the set. I like it. It has just enough style, yet is still plain enough to be embellished. 

The flowers were made using the spiral flower die. I used hot glue to set them after rolling tightly around the handle of my paper piercing tool. Prior to rolling them I pierced a hole in the center of the base piece of the flower. After allowing the glue to cool I threaded floral wire through the hole, into a button, then back down through the other button hole, then back down through the hole in the flower. 

I stamped the image from the By the Tide set and hand cut the image. Yep, someone is still regretting all of that "saving" they did by not buying all of the circle punch sizes. I tied Crushed Curry Chevron ribbon around the shaker itself, then used linen thread to tie the stamped image to that. The floral wire was cut to the appropriate length, then placed into the shaker through the holes in the lid. 

This one was made with Mom in mind. She loves her beach theme. She also has about 400 shades of turquoise in her bathroom alone. I know it sounds awful, but somehow she pulls it off. Only Mom could do such a thing. 

This is a really easy project. It can be done it surprisingly little time. I would suggest stocking up on glue sticks, shakers, and floral wire. It's a tad bit addicting. I'm planning on doing an upgraded version for craft fairs. Mom gets all of my first runs, but she's more than ok with that. Happy crafting!

All supplies are from Stampin' Up!

Stamps: By the Tide

Ink: Coastal Cabana

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Crushed Curry Chevron Ribbon, Linen Thread, hole punch, salt shaker, Spiral Flower Bigz Die, Big Shot, Floral Wire, Brights Collection Buttons, Regals Collection Buttons, hot glue gun

Simple Salutions Challenge - Turned into Gift Set for New Neighbor

I was making my card for the Simple Salutations Challenge at MFPSpeedyTV, and then I just kept going. Normally I would do a separate post for the card and the set, but I'm not feeling well at all and need to go lay down. Just wanted to get this posted before I retire to the couch.

The new neighbors had introduced themselves to me yesterday only minutes before I sat down to decide what to make for the challenge. The challenge was to use only cardstock on the card. I had so much fun making one that I decided to make a set of them to give as a gift to the new neighbors. 

The set didn't take very much time to put together, or maybe I was enjoying it so much that I didn't notice time passing. I made 5 matching cards, included 5 envelopes, some first class forever stamps, and made a matching pen. I made it a set by putting it in a 4 1/2" x 6" x 1" clear gift box that I picked up at a local craft store. 

 All supplies are from Stampin' Up with the exception of the stamps

Stamps: Furry Cat & Box(Simon Says Stamp), Simply Celebrate

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Pumpkin Pie, Raspberry Ripple, and Whisper white card stock, Brights Collection DSP Stack, Polka Dot Parade DSP

Accessories, Blendabilities Markers, Copic Markers(for the brown & gray), Glue Dots, Pen, Hello Honey Ribbon, Bermuda Bay Baker's Twine Essentials Hardware Clips, Whisper White Envelopes, Clear Box, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch

Composition Journal

I was done for the day, but I just can't do the whole laying on the couch thing without taking a break. I bought some mini composition journals a while back and finally took a few minutes to cover one. 

This one is a bit old school. 2009 Rockabilly paper, which for some reason I still have 4 packs of. It's personalized for my son. He likes it. He doesn't care if it's current or not. If only I had sock monkey paper. These are super easy to do and make great gifts. 

Mother's Day Note Card Set

(Stamps used: Hello Lovely, Dictionary. Inks: Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, and Wisteria Wonder. Paper: Whisper White CS, Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, and Wisteria Wonder CS & DSP)

This is a great quick project for a last minute Mother's Day gift. I made this set a few weeks ago and plan on giving it to my mother as a gift tomorrow. The layout comes from the 2013-2014 Idea Book & Catalog. All supplies are from the same. The cards in the catalog were done in the Brights colors and had a different sentiment that I didn't find overly useful. I chose to do them in Subtles and went with a sentiment that we can never use too much. 

The finished size of each card is 3 1/2"x5". The project requires 30 to 60 minutes, possibly more depending on how familiar you are with your supplies, how organized you are(or aren't in my case), and how many distractions you might have. I have 4 children and a phone that only seems to ring when I have a great project idea. 

To recreate these cards will need the following supplies:

Hello, Lovely Stamp Set(Item #130240)

Dictionary Background Stamp(Item #130348)

2 sheets of Whisper White Card Stock(Item #100730)

Scraps from Subtles Card Stock(Item #131193) 

Scraps From Subtles Designer Series Paper Stack(Item #130135)

Butterfly Bigz Die(Item #114507)

Subtles Ink Pads(Item #131185)

Essentials Hardware Clips(Item #129964)

Subtles Designer Buttons(Item #130030)

White Bakers Twine(Item #124262)

Dimensionals(Item #104430)

SNAIL Adhesive(Item #104332)

Squares Collection Framelits Dies(Item #130921)

Big Shot Die Cutting Machine(Item #113439)