A RAK from WENDY and some CASEs

I've been spending my time finalizing projects and cutting paper for tomorrow night's stamp class, so I thought I'd share a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) and some CASEs (Copy And Steal/Share Everything) ...

Yesterday I received this beauty in the mail from my friend Wendy Janson, It's All About Stamping. Wendy used the soon-to-be-retired stamp set, Heartfelt Thanks. It retires after June 30, and as always, you can contact me to order it ... nrileycm@cox.net.The other night, I had the urge to CASE a couple of great designs. This first card CASEs THIS CARD by LeAnne Pugliese.
RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Bella Rose DP, Basic Black, Whisper White, and Kiwi Kiss CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss
Embellishments: Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon
Tools: 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Square Punches, Blender Pen
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

This next card CASEs Deb's card at ARTfelt Impressions ...RECIPE
Stamps: Holidays & Wishes
Paper: Urban Garden DP, Basic Gray and Baja Breeze CS
Ink: Basic Gray
Embellishments: 5/8" Baja Breeze Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Brads
Tools: Scallop Border Punch

Don't forget to join in on my Designer Paper Shares and Ribbon Share from the upcoming '09 -'10 Idea Book & Catalog!

JUST BECAUSE

My friend and SU sideline, Lorri Heiling is at the Stampin' Up! Convention with other weSTAMPers, and I'm insanely jealous that I'm not there with them! I can't believe I'm missing out on all that Stampin' Up! fun! Lorri has called from Salt Lake City several times to fill me in on all the happenings - specifically new products in the new, upcoming Stampin' Up! catalog. Among many NEW products and stamp sets, some products from the mini catalogs have made it into the new catty. When I heard that the Tart & Tangy stamp set, Summer Picnic designer paper, and the Mini Library Clips made it into the new catty, I had to celebrate by making a card with them! I used yesterday's Sketch Challenge #187 for the layout.

RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Define Your Life
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Basic Black, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, and Old Olive
Embellishments: Black Mini Library Clip, Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

TWO-WAY OPEN CARDS

I created these two-way open cards for SCS Featured Stamper #77, Julia, known as artystamper on SCS. HERE is Julia's card I chose to case. I had never made these two-way open cards before ... boy, are they FUN and EASY to make! The Stampin' Up! designer papers make the possibilities endless! I used Crew Kids Girl Simply Scrappin' Kit and Summer Picnic DP for my samples.

Click HERE for a tutorial on how to make these. The tutorial does not include the belly band which measures 11" x 1", and is scored at 3 3/8" and 8", overlapped and adhered in the back. Finished size is 4 1/2" x 4 1/2".
RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy
Paper: Crew Kids Girl Simply Scrappin' Kit w/ Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, and Pretty In Pink CS and Summer Picnic DP with Old Olive, Bashful Blue, and Pumpkin Pie CS
Ink: Basic Black and Old Olive
Embellishments: Pink and Bashful Blue Brads, Metal Edge Tag
Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Word Window Punch, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack

JUNE STAMP CLASS PROJECTS

Tonight was monthly stamp class at my home. Here are the projects my guests made. Most are cased from other stampers, and noted in each recipe under the photos.
RECIPE
Stamps: Celebrate Everything
Paper: Real Red Prints DP, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Real Red, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Blue Bayou and Real Red Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Real Red and Silver Brad
Tools: Spiral Punch, Round Tab Punch, Stapler (non-SU), Star and Large Star Punches, Crimper, Punches Plus Classy Brass Template
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals/Mini Glue Dots
Designed by: skdeleeuw on SCS ... see her original card HERE.

POST-IT NOTE HOLDER (outside)... inside ...
RECIPE
Stamps: Office Accoutrement
Paper: Cutie Pie DP, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Basic Black and Purely Pomegranate Classic
Embellishments: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Pewter Build-A-Brad
Tools: ½” Circle Punch, Round Tab Punch, Scissors
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dot, Sticky Strip, Post-It Notes, Gel Mini Pens from Staples
Tutorial by: Dawn Griffith, Dawn’s Stamping Thoughts. Click HERE to view Dawn's tutorial, dimensions, etc.

I've already posted the Soft Sky version of this Sympathy card here on my blog HERE. Tonight, my guests could choose to create this card in the Soft Sky or So Saffron color scheme.

RECIPE
Stamps: Close As A Memory
Paper: Soft Sky or So Saffron Prints DP, Soft Sky/So Saffron and Whisper White CS
Ink: Soft Sky/So Saffron and Basic Gray Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Dew Drops (non-SU)
Supplies: Mini Glue Dots

I had to jump on the popsicle card bandwagon! This card has been done in many different versions, but I cased mine from Lorri Heiling, Confessions of Stamping Addict HERE.

RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, It’s Your Birthday
Paper: Only Orange, Summer Sun, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Only Orange Classic Ink Pad, Summer Sun Marker for ribbon
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (with one white stripe colored with the Summer Sun Marker)
Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 ¼” and 1 3/8” Circle Punches, Corner Rounder, Horizontal Slot Punch
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals

RECIPE
Stamps: Embrace Life
Paper: Basic Black, Going Gray, Pretty In Pink and Whisper White CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Going Gray and Pretty In Pink Classic
Embellishments: Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon
Tools: 1 3/8” Circle Punch, Aqua Painter
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals
Designed by: beccabatgirl on SCS, Becky Carafa. Becky's original card HERE. Becky's blog: The Lakeshore Stamper.

APPLES TO APPLES

My card today cases THIS CARD by Lost in the 60's (Diane), SCS Featured Stamper #72. When I saw Diane's card, I knew it was another chance to use my Tart & Tangy stamp set before the end of the Occasions Mini Collection ... June 30. I have used this stamp set more often than any other stamp set I own! I felt the same way about Merry & Bright in the Holiday Mini. I sure hope Stampin' Up! continues this style of stamp set in the new catalog! I pretty much changed everything from Diane's card except the layout and Swiss Dots dry embossed background.

My card was also majorly inspired by THIS CARD by dpeterson on SCS. I fell in love with her card when she posted it yesterday, and found her card and Diane's to be a great combination!

Last night while blog surfing, I came across THIS CARD by Angie Tieman. While leaving a comment on her beautiful card, I congratulated her for using a Stampin' Up! Library Clip ... I bought these when they first came out and have YET to use ONE of them! It's not that I don't like them ... I think they are ADORABLE! ... I just never really knew what to do with them. Anyway, I received an e-mail from Angie this morning CHALLENGING me to use a Library Clip! ... and I DID IT !!!!

RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, sentiment from Big Birthday Candle
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, and Old Olive CS
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, and Old Olive
Embellishments: Black Library Clip, Metal Edge Tag, Red Gingham Ribbon
Tools: 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder & Cuttlebug
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

GREAT SWAPS GIRLS SWAPS

I recently participated in two Great Swaps Girls Swaps. All the swappers should have received the swapped cards by now so I think I'm safe showing my contributions to the swaps (wanted the swappers to see them IRL first!).

This first card was for a non-A2 card swap. An A2 card (in case you don't know) is a standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" greeting card size. For the swap we could do any size or shape of card we wanted other than A2. I chose to design a square 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" Tart & Tangy card ....

RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Real Red and Bashful Blue Prints DP, Bashful Blue, Real Red, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Real Red and Old Olive Markers, Basic Black Classic Ink Pad
Embellishments: Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Real Red Brads
Tools: 1/4", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Scallop Punch, Word Window Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

This next card is for a Get To Know You or NVR (No Vendor Restriction) themed swap. Usually, the Great Swaps Girls swaps are Stampin' Up! only, but for the Get To Know You swap, we could use any stamps we chose, from any vendor. I stuck with my all-time favorite, can't-be-beat Stampin' Up! stamps! ...

RECIPE
Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment, Tart & Tangy
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Real Red, Old Olive, Basic Black, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, and Old Olive
Embellishments: Black Brads, Old Olive Poly-Twill Ribbon
Tools: 1/4" Circle Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

TART and TANGY GIFT SET FOR SALE

Remember this Tart & Tangy Gift Set I offered last month as a local class? It was such a hit that now I'm offering the completed, fully assembled set for sale here on my blog!

You will receive the variety of four A2 (5 1/2" x 4 1/4") greeting cards with coordinating tote completely assembled ... by me! I gave these gift sets to my kids' teachers on the last day of school, and each one of them raved about how cute they were! They make wonderful gifts, or purchase one for yourself! I don't make junk, so you can be sure they will be handmade with the highest quality standards!

You can see each card, and the tote in greater detail HERE on this previous post. The last day to order will be June 30, 2008, as that is the last day I am able to order certain supplies for this gift set from Stampin' Up!. U.S. and Canada shipping addresses only, please.

Happy Birthday Tart & Tangy Gift Set
$29.95 + $10.00 Shipping & Handling

Thank You Tart & Tangy Gift Set
$29.95 + $10.00 Shipping & Handling

* Please allow 7-10 business days from the date in which your order is placed for your Gift Set(s) to ship out to you (this is the length of time I need in case I need to order supplies from Stampin' Up! + assembly time).

* U.S. and Canadian Shipping Addresses Only, Please.

TART & TANGY WATER BOTTLES

Tonight was my Tart & Tangy Summer Picnic Gift Set class (details in THIS POST). Here's what I surprised each participant with ... water bottle tags with individual Crystal Light packets. I decorated them with the Tart & Tangy stamp set and Summer Picnic DP, coordinating with our class project! Our snack for the evening ... fresh fruit, of course! (served with this easy and delicious fruit dip). It was quite fun for me to have a theme for my class!
RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Old Olive, Real Red, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White DP
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Old Olive
Embellishments: Gold & Silver Brads
Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
Notes: Water Bottle Tag measures 2" x 7 3/4", and scored at 2" and 6". Coordinating DP is wrapped around the water bottle to cover up the brand label. The Crystal Light packet flavors I used are Classic Orange and Fruit Punch.

TART & TANGY TRI-FOLD POCKET CARD

Beate Johns recently wrote a tutorial for Trifold Pocket Cards on SCS, and I just had to try one! My card uses the very popular Tart & Tangy stamp set and Summer Picnic DP ... both from the Occasions Mini Collection 2008. Sales from this catalog have been extended to June 30. There's extra time to fill your wish list from this wonderful collection!RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, sentiment from A Perfect Day Rub-Ons
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Real Red, Whisper White, and Old Olive CS
Ink: Old Olive and Real Red Markers
Embellishments: Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Old Olive Poly-Twill Ribbon, Red Clip (non-SU)
Tools: 1 3/8" and 1 1/2" Circle Punches, Scallop Punch, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Plate or other rounded object

TART & TANGY SUMMER PICNIC GIFT SET

This is a gift set I'm providing as a class for my local stamping friends. It uses the new Tart & Tangy stamp set and Summer Picnic Designer Paper in the Occasions Mini Collection 2008. My inspiration for this gift set started with Jackie Pedro, The Scalloped Edge. See Jackie's Tart & Tangy gift set HERE. Although my sample uses various birthday sentiments, class participants may also choose a thank you card theme for their gift set. This class will be held just in time to give this gift set as a Mother's Day gift.

HERE is a tutorial by Holly McMillen (Toy on SCS) for the Card Box.

EDITED TO ADD: I did make some alterations to Holly's tutorial ... the CS for my lid was cut 6 1/2" x 3 5/8", instead of 6 1/4" x 3 5/8". The CS for the strap was cut 11" x 1", instead of Holly's 8 1/2" x 1".

This card is cased from Joanne Basile, just a little something. See Joanne's original card HERE.
This card is an exact case from Jackie Pedro.

RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, various "happy birthday" or "thank you" phrases from assorted stamp sets.
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Real Red, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Bashful Blue CS
Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive Classic Ink Pad, Real Red, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip Markers
Embellishments: Bashful Blue, Real Red, and Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Bashful Blue and Real Red Brads,
Tools: 3/4", 1", 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch, Trio Flower Punch, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack, Slit Punch for scallop border on box
Supplies: Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals

If you live in the Phoenix area, please contact me for class details!

MY TIME SKETCH WITH TART & TANGY

This card is for Lauren Meader's April 5, 2008 Sketch. Lauren's blog is My Time, My Creations, My Stampendence. I've been busy the last couple of days creating projects for my next stamp class, but had to sneak this challenge in after seeing Lauren's fantastic sketch, and Joanne Basile's tart & tangy card this morning. Joanne's card inspired me to use Tart & Tangy and Summer Picnic DP.

My card is pretty much self-explanatory, but just want to point out a couple of things on the "cherry medallion". There is a Real Red piece behind the Bashful Blue scallop. This Real Red piece is punched with the Scallop Punch using THIS technique by Mary Jo Albright. After adhering the medallion to the card, I realized that the scallop needed more definition. I probably would have preferred paper piercing the scallops, but instead used my Basic Black Marker to add dots to the scallops.RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Absolutely Fabulous
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Old Olive, Read Red, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink Pad and Marker, Old Olive and Red Red Markers
Embellishments: Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: 1 3/8" and 1 1/2" Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

Joanne has some news on her blog that I'm pretty excited about because I'll be working with two of my all-time favorites stampers and blogging friends; Joanne Basile ( ... just a little something ...) and Dawn Easton (Treasure Oiler Designz) . Click HERE to read the news!

MARCH weSTAMP DEMO MEETING and SWAP

Last night was our March weSTAMP Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Group meeting, a monthly get-together that we all very much look forward to! Our weSTAMP group is growing and growing with downline from Lorri Heiling and myself (plus one lovingly adopted demo, Pam Wood!).

Our weSTAMP monthly meetings include a make 'n take project, recognition, education, a three-minute demo, date reminders, planning ahead, a door prize, and themed swap. Last night, Linda Bickley provided the 3 minute demo showing us how to make beaded pens with Stampin' Up! Designer Paper and Micro Beads. I failed to get a photo of this month's door prize provided by Pam Wood. Jessica Blair won the handmade bracelet and beautiful gift bag decorated with Stampin' Up! Rub-Ons.

Here's a photo of those in attendance. "Hello" (waving frantically!) to our out-of-town weSTAMP group members (Kori, Tracy, Mauna, and Joyce), and of course the in town demos that couldn't make it.Ginny Schembri brought homemade snacks in these wonderfully stamped Martha Stewart boxes. Such a beautiful presentation!
This is the Make 'n Take project I provided ... cased from my cyberspace friend Carol Frerichs, Stamp Like Crazy. This card features the new Tart & Tangy stamp set and Summer Picnic DP from the new Occasions Mini Catalog. We used the chalkboard technique on the apple images. See a complete tutorial by Beate Johns for the chalkboard technique HERE on SCS. RECIPE FOR APPLE CARD
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Phrases for a Friend
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Basic Black and Whisper White CS
Ink: White Craft, Real Red Classic, Chalks: Red/Olive/Brown
Embellishments: Black Gingham Ribbon, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Old Olive Poly-Twill Ribbon
Supplies: Sponge Dauber and Applicators for Chalks, Swiffer Cloth

SWAP CARDS ... Our swap theme this month was Mother's Day ... full card or 3-D item.

by Adriana Gray ... by Leah Sinatra ... by Lorri Heiling ...
by Anne Fundner ... by Pam Wood ... by Ginny Schembri ... by Linda Bickley ... by Jessica Blair ... by Diana Clarkson ... by me ...RECIPE for Punch Purse Card
Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: Cutie Pie DP, Rose Red, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, and Certainly Celery Prints DP and CS, Basic Black CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On
Embellishments: Gold Brads, Black Gingham Ribbon
Tools: Round Tab Punch, Word Window Punch, Small & Large Oval Punch, 1 ½” Square Punch