Handstamped by Joyce Hall

Welcome to our March blog hop! Today's hop will feature birthday items and use stamps and accessories from the 2017-2018 Annual Catalog or the 2018 Occasions Catalog. As you hop around, ask yourself how you could make each item work for another occasion. Sometimes all it takes is changing the sentiment to "thank you" or thinking of you" and your card is complete. With other projects, you would need to change the stamped focal point or the Designer Series Paper to make it work for another occasion. Tell me your ideas in the comments.

I hope you enjoy visiting all the blogs in this hop around the world; we have bloggers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

The Perennial Birthday Project Kit is so easy to assemble and makes 16 gorgeous cards with a beautiful box and dividers. Although it makes a great gift (I'm giving one a birthday gift next month), be sure to make an extra because you won't want to give this away! The Perennial Birthday stamp set goes with this kit, but can also be used on its own to create some gorgeous cards. Combine the stamps with a some other greetings and you can make cards for many occasions! Watch my blog for some additional ideas using this set.

The kit includes this beautiful box:

 and organizer cards, one for each month with room to record the birthdays of your loved ones on these cards.

The card with the balloons is truly a birthday card. If you have other ideas for this card, please add them in the comments.

The next card can be used for many occasions: 

 The upper left card is what is suggested in the kit. The other three were made with stamps from the Heartfelt Blooms Sale-A-Bration stamp set.

The pink striped card also can be used for many occasions and I used the Sheltering Tree stamp set to make the other cards. The upper left card is the card suggested in the kit.

The last card in the kit is also versatile for many occasions. The upper left card was made as directed in the kit and the upper right card is the same with an additional flower in Wisteria Wonder. The other two cards use sentiments from the Petal Palette stamp set and Heartfelt Blooms Sale-A-Bration stamp set.

Please add a comment and let me know which samples you liked best or what you would do with this kit and stamp set.

Make sure you keep hopping along to see all the other birthday projects! Click on the "Next" button below to visit Sue Boerner's blog.

(Sorry, this link does not work on all browsers. If it doesn't work for you, click HERE.)

All the supplies used in this post can be ordered through my online store. Tomorrow I will give you additional details and a list of all the items used.

If you don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I would be happy to help you place an order or join my sales team. Send me an email at [email protected] to get the conversation started.

Remember that Sale-A-Bration ends next Saturday, March 31. For every $50 or $100 in purchases, you can choose a free item from the Sale-A-Bration offerings. The first set of product offerings can be viewed HERE, the second set, HERE, and the final set, HERE.

Here are links to all the blogs in our hop:

Shirley Merker, USA

Sandra Roberts, UK

Sue Kremer, USA

Sandy Ward, USA

Nicole Wilson, AUS

Emilie Poncelet, CA

Elizabeth Green, CA

Terri Stewart, USA

Joyce Hall, USA (YOU ARE HERE)

Sue Boerner, USA

Tracey Gouraud, USA

Susan Murphy, USA

Ginger Rabesa, USA

Darla Roberts, USA

I've been promising you greeting cards made with the Tutti-frutti Cards & Envelopes (FREE with a $50 purchase!) and I think these were worth waiting for! 

These cards were made by some of my fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators. At our demonstrator gatherings we each bring a number of cards that we have made and swap with the other demonstrators at the gathering. We all go home with lots of new ideas and beautiful samples. The top sample was designed by Lynnie Schwiebert and the other two were designed by Deb Geier, thank you both for these gorgeous cards!

Would you like to join me for our demonstrator gatherings? If you sign up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, not only do you get to swap cards with talented demonstrators, but you get a discount on all your stamps and supplies! The best bargain in the catalog is the demonstrator starter kit and, during Sale-A-Bration, you can choose two free stamp sets to add to this fabulous deal!

For some gift packaging ideas using these cards, see my blog from Saturday.

These cards feature the following Stampin' Up! products:

Lemon Lime Twist Card (top):

Tutti-frutti Cards & Envelopes

Fruit Basket Bundle (which combines the Fruit Basket Stamp Set and the Itty Bitty Fruit Punch Pack for a 10% discount)

Tutti-frutti 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper

Whisper White Cardstock

Pool Party Cardstock

So Saffron Cardstock

Crumb Cake Cardstock

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

Linen Thread

Soft Suede Classic Pad

Crumb Cake Classic Pad

Chocolate Chip Classic Pad

Pink Pirouette Classic Pad

Daffodil Delight Classic Pad

So Saffron Classic Pad

Crushed Curry Classic Pad

Pear Pizzazz Classic Pad

Wild Wasabi Classic Pad

Old Olive Classic Pad

Paper Snips

Daffodil Delight Card (center)

Tutti-frutti Cards & Envelopes

You're Inspiring Stamp Set

Basic Black Cardstock

Whisper White Cardstock

Daffodil Delight Cardstock

Daffodil Delight 1/4" Double-Stitched Ribbon

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

Tuxedo Black Memento Pad

White Craft Stampin' Ink

Stampin' Blends

Glitter and Clear Epoxy Shapes

Calypso Coral Card (bottom)

Tutti-frutti Cards & Envelopes

We Must Celebrate Stamp Set

Tutti-frutti 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper

Tuxedo Black Memento Pad

Stampin' Blends

Whisper White Cardstock

Basic Black Cardstock

Island Indigo Cardstock

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

White Perfect Accents (colored with Stampin' Blends)

You may be wondering what Sale-A-Bration is. During January through March, Stampin' Up! adds a bonus for every $50 or $100 purchase. You can choose from the FREE products in the Sale-A-Bration brochure. There is also a bonus of $25 in Stampin' Rewards if you host a party of $250 or more. However, the best bargain is if you sign up as a demonstrator-you can choose $125 in products for only $99 and then choose two additional current stamp sets! On February 16, Stampin' Up! will add several new products to the Sale-A-Bration selections.

Yesterday I shared some gift packaging ideas using the Tutti-frutti Cards & Envelopes, a Sale-A-Bration item that is free with a $50 purchase:

I promised patterns, directions and supply lists for each of the projects. Today I have the pattern and directions for the miniature purse. Tomorrow I have some cards that are made with the Tutti-frutti Cards & Envelopes and Tuesday and Wednesday I will publish directions for the geometric pillow box and rectangular box.

A purse similar to this and the pattern to make it was shared by Dawn Olchefske at a demonstrator gathering last month. Here is the pattern:

 The Pool Party card from the Tutti-frutti Cards & Envelopes was cut at 2" from the edge parallel to the scoreline in the center of the card and the box framelit from the Lots to Love Box Framelits Dies was used to cut out the purse:

 I lined up the bottom edge of the die with the edge of the cardstock that I had just trimmed:

I added Fast Fuse Adhesive and folded up the purse. To finish it, I tacked the Pool Party 3/8" Shimmer Ribbon under the flap and added the tag and a Metal Rimmed Pearl. To keep the purse closed, I added a dot of Multipurpose Liquid Glue to the back side of the flap and let it dry before pressing the flap down. When Multipurpose Liquid Glue is allowed to dry, it becomes a tacky, temporary adhesive and is ideal for keeping flaps closed that you want to be able to open and close repeatedly.

Here are the supplies I used:

Tutti-frutti Cards & Envelopes

Lots to Love Box Framelits Dies

Pool Party 3/8" Shimmer Ribbon (7")

Shimmer Ribbon Combo Pack (free Sale-A-Bration item), 9" of Bermuda Bay 1/8" ribbon

Label Me Pretty Stamp Set

Bermuda Bay Ink Pad

Metal Rimmed Pearls

Circle Punch, 1 1/4"

Circle Punch, 1 3/8"

Handheld Punch 1/8 " Circle

Pool Party Cardstock

Bermuda Bay Cardstock

Fast Fuse Adhesive

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

Stampin' Trimmer

If you would like to place a Stampin' Up! order and don't have a demonstrator, I would be happy to be yours. You can purchase all of the above products at my online store.

You may be wondering what Sale-A-Bration is. Every January through March, Stampin' Up! adds a bonus for every $50 0r $100 purchase. You can choose from the FREE products in the Sale-A-Bration brochure. There is also a bonus of $25 in Stampin' Rewards if you host a party of $250 or more. However, the best bargain is if you sign up as a demonstrator-you can choose $125 in products for only $99 and then choose two additional current stamp sets! On February 16, Stampin' Up! will add several new products to the Sale-A-Bration selections.

 Welcome to another blog hop! I love getting new ideas from my fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators and we have demonstrators from all over the world participating in our Anything But a Card Blog Hop. All of the blogs feature Sale-A-Bration 2018 products that are free with a qualifying purchase. I hope you will take the time to look at the other blogs and tell me in the comments which projects you liked. If you have questions about any of the projects or would like to order the products used in them, please send me an email, give me a call, or visit my online store. Thank you for joining us!

The Tutti-frutti Cards & Envelopes (FREE with a $50 purchase!):

are a great start for beautiful cards with matching envelopes, but they also make a great base for gift packaging. On Monday, I will share some cards made from this set, but today's blog hop theme is, "anything but a card," so here are some ideas for some boxes made with these cards.

The cards are made from thick cardstock that will make sturdy packages and the matching envelopes are pretty. Imagine the excitement of a friend finding one of these cards and envelopes in their mailbox or receiving a gift packaged in these gorgeous colors and patterns!

 Yesterday I promised you directions and measurements for the gift card holder and traditional card I posted. Here are the cards:

Here are the insides of each card:

Stamp sets:

Lots of Lavender (FREE Sale-A-Bration item with a $50 purchase)

Happy Birthday Gorgeous

Cardstock:

Elegant Eggplant (4 1/2" x 11", scored at 5 1/2" for both cards, scored at 2 3/8" for gift card holder)

Wisteria Wonder (2 7/8" x 4")

Very Vanilla (4" x 5 1/4" for inside of each card, 2 7/8" x 4" for oval piece on each card, 2 1/4" x 4" for front of traditional card)

Ink Pads:

Basic Black Archival

Wisteria Wonder

Pear Pizzazz

Pink Pirouette

Accessories:

Simple Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Layering Ovals Framelits

1" Circle Punch (for gift card holder)

Adhesive (I used Fast Fuse, but SNAIL or Tear & Tape will work well, too.)

Stampin' Trimmer

Big Shot

Directions for gift card holder:

Score the card base at 5 1/2" and 2 3/8" and fold both in the same direction so that the smaller panel is folded into the inside of the card. Make a 1/2 circle with the 1" Circle Punch in the center of the edge of the inside panel. add adhesive to the inside of the panel only at the top and bottom so that the punched edge is open for inserting the gift card.

If you have questions about these projects or would like to order the products used in them, please send me an email, give me a call, or visit my online store.

You may be wondering what Sale-A-Bration is. Every January through March, Stampin' Up! adds a bonus for every $50 purchase. You can choose from the FREE products in the Sale-A-Bration brochure. There is also a bonus of $25 in Stampin' Rewards if you host a party of $250 or more. However, the best bargain is if you sign up as a demonstrator-you can choose $125 in products for only $99 and then choose two additional current stamp sets!

If you would like to place a Sale-A-Bration order and don't have a demonstrator, I would be happy to be yours. You can shop now at my online store.

Welcome to my very first blog hop! All of the projects we are sharing with you feature Sale-A-Bration 2018 products. I hope you will take the time to look at the other blogs and tell me in the comments which project is your favorite. If you have questions about any of the projects or would like to order the products used in them, please send me an email, give me a call, or visit my online store.

Here are two cards featuring the Lots of Lavender set that is FREE with a $50 purchase:

It looks like I spent a lot of time watercoloring the images on these cards, but the Lots of Lavender set is made for quick and easy projects since all of the details were stamped. The two cards look the same in the picture, but they are very different on the inside:

The top card is a gift card holder and the bottom card is a regular card. Watch for a post tomorrow with directions for making the gift card holder and a list of products used for the two cards.

The birthday greeting is from the Happy Birthday Gorgeous stamp set from the 2017-2018 annual catalog. The stripes on the Wisteria Wonder background piece were made with the new Simple Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder that is part of the Picture Perfect Party Suite of products in the 2018 Occasions Catalog.

Make sure you keep hopping along to see all the other Sale-A-Bration projects! Click on the "Next" button below to visit Elizabeth Green's blog.

(Sorry, this link does not work on all browsers. If it doesn't work for you, click HERE.)

Here are links to all the blogs in our hop:

Darla Roberts

Shirley Merker

Nicole Wilson

Sandy Ward

Sandra Roberts

Emilie Poncelet

Sue Kremer

Melanie Harrison Coverston

Twila Davis

Terri Kerfoot Stewart

Karen Philipp

Elizabeth Green

Joyce Hall (YOU ARE HERE)

Susan Murphy

Ginger Rabesa

You may be wondering what Sale-A-Bration is. Every January through March, Stampin' Up! adds a bonus for every $50 purchase. You can choose from the FREE products in the Sale-A-Bration brochure. There is also a bonus of $25 in Stampin' Rewards if you host a party of $250 or more. However, the best bargain is if you sign up as a demonstrator-you can choose $125 in products for only $99 and then choose two additional current stamp sets!

If you would like to place a Sale-A-Bration order and don't have a demonstrator, I would be happy to be yours. You can shop now at my online store.

I recently visited Milwaukee where I attended an event sponsored by Stampin’ Up! The event was to reveal the Occasions Catalog and the Sale-A-Bration Brochure that will be available January 5, 2016.

I was called up to the stage to celebrate my 20^th anniversary (I signed up as a demonstrator on September 5, 1995.) as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator:

I am pictured on the left here with Janice Weightman, another 20-year demonstrator.

We previewed the spring catalog at the Stampin’ Up! event and made some samples with new stamp sets featured in the catalog:

It was suggested that these could easily be turned into cards by adhering them to coordinating cardstock. Here are some finished cards I made with these samples:

Do you like the Botanical Gardens card better with a Pear Pizzazz or So Saffron background? Tell me in the comments.