Love You Because...dry erase frame art {Thriftypinkies}

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My stampin' sister JoAnn found these frames at (lol) JoAnn's for A DOLLAR!  Get out, right? They're gorgeous and sturdy.

So I decided to try using it as a dry-erase board.


I used SU's new Attic Boutique DSP, layered it up at a 4x6 size, and added an image from Have A Seat in Early Espresso, run through the Big Shot with Decorative Frames embossing folder, and hand-tore the edges.  Then I inked the edges in Poppy Parade to match the matting of the smaller rectangle, but inked from the backside first, distressed a little more with my fingernail, and touched up on the front side only where I thought it was needed.  This way, the sponging is very subtle.  Punched two hearts from Poppy Parade and silver Glimmer Paper and set them on the chair.  I framed this portion at this point.

Below you can see that I added all the 3D elements on the outside of the glass...printed  "I Love You Because" with my computer using French Script font, and printed on Watercolor Paper.  It has such rich texture!  Then I finished the edge with Basic Pearls and added a few more in the lower corner.


Here's the beautiful part...whenever you think of another reason, you can write a little love note to your special someone and leave it where they'll see it!

AND, I discovered that our Stampin' Write Markers work wonderfully in place of a dry-erase marker.  to change the message, spray a bit of Stampin' Mist onto a tissue and it rubs off easily!

Here's my first message to my sweetie.  I also plan to leave these messages to my children. Like, "Your smile lights up the room", "you give the greatest hugs", and "your techie genius always saves the day" <3


I used The Paper Players current sketch to inspire the layout, I just made it landscape to suit my needs.  You should give it a try!



SUPPLIES:
STAMPS: Have A Seat
PAPER:  Attic Boutique DSP, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Watercolor Paper
INK: Early Espresso, Poppy Parade, Black Stampin' Write Marker
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Decorative Frames Embossing Folder, Heart to Heart Punch, Basic Pearls,

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

A-MAZE-ing Easel Valentine

Pin It Now! Here's a seriously fun card for someone you love.  Or like a lot!
It's Stampin' Up!'s new Maze Game set from the Spring Mini, and I plan to have a LOT of fun with these.

This one is wrapped in pleated ribbon and propped up on an easel card to show it off a bit. 

Lots of glitter hearts are added.  Some to hold the easel, some just 'cause! 

Here's how it looks closed.  These angle easels are really easy. Just start with a 5-1/4" square card, and score from the bottom left to the top right, with the card opening from the side (not the top). This way will guarantee that all your embellishments stay right-side-up when you open the card and don't turn sideways.  Believe me, I know ;)


Here's a back view.  I made sure to cover the back of the maze puzzle, which would otherwise be white, so it looks finished from all angles.


This is how it looks opened traditionally, so you can write a nice BIG love note at the top.



Detail of the back of the puzzle.  I used Sticky Strip to run the pleated ribbon around the backside of the puzzle, then covered it with a 2-1/2" circle of DSP, adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals so the ribbon won't get crushed.  I love those embossed hearts!  I also took the tiny balls out of the puzzle and put rhinestones in there, shaker-card style, but they didn't show up as well as I hoped. 
Below is an an angled view, not too much bulk, but still plenty going on there!



I was inspired by two challenges, first one is SUO37, Stampin' Up Only challenge to use your NEW stash. 
Second is this great sketch from Friday Mashup. 


SUPPLIES:
STAMPS: Totally A-maze-ing
PAPER: Sweet Shop designer DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
INK: Calypso Coral, Basic Black
ACCESSORIES: Maze Game, Pleated Satin Ribbon (Pear Pizzazz), 1/8” Organdy Ribbon Everyday Enchantment (Calypso Coral - SaleABration), In Color Printed Designer Brads, Small Heart Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, 2-½” Circle Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter
BASICS: Simply Scored, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip


Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Five Minute Letterpress Favors

Pin It Now! I always tuck a thank-you in my customers' bags, and for several reasons. 1) I love my customers, 2) I love to showcase products and techniques, and 3) I love an excuse to make cute things!

I whipped these up while sorting my order before work this morning.



I have to confess! I've tried to use the letterpress plates several times before, as they really intrigue me. Every time I tried, I'd tear huge holes in my CS and sit and pick the shreds out, swearing under my breath. THEN I READ THE ENCLOSED INSTRUCTIONS! LOL! Very easy, as it turns out :) tab "A", only one plate. Ah ha!



So let's have a look. Black CS, white Craft Ink, die cut from Two Tags. Inside I wrapped a sample of black Scallop Dots ribbon. But if I were handing out to friends, I'd stick some Andes Chocolates inside ;)









Below is the quickie recipe to put these together.
Basic Black CS pressed with White Craft Ink
8" Pink Pirouette 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon
Pink Pirouette CS, pressed with White Craft Ink, Punched with Decorative Label Punch.  The little points on each short side are cut off so I can wrap the sample ribbon around.
Hat Pin
Silver Glimmer Paper, punched with Full Heart Punch
Scrap of the Pink Pirouette pressed CS punched with Modern Label Punch.

To easily stick the Hat Pin down, first stick Stampin' Dimensionals on the back of the glimmer heart, then place your pin on the tag, securing with the glimmer heart.

I'm playing with Nina Dee's ribbon challenge, as I added some tinsel trim on a few, I think that counts as metallic ribbon! Love her challenges, ribbon is my favorite embellishment.

Also playing along with SUO Challenge 36, New Techniques.  I'm so proud of myself for figuring out that Letterpress Plate, simple as it may be!

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Apothecary Pretties...

Pin It Now! No, I haven't had enough of these gorgeous Framelits Labels yet!




I love this sketch from Stamping 411 that I thought I'd try it one more time!  It's definitely going into my permanent template archive.  Very easy and elegant!

I stamped the image from Apothecary Art onto watercolor paper using black Staz-On, colored with Stampin' Write markers, and started blending with the blender pen.  The inner ring of Pool Party adds a nice dimension to the label, and frames those flowers very nicely.  Just blend in circles, gently and steadily, from the outside toward the center. 


The butterflies are cut from Beautiful Wings Embosslits, they're one of my all-time favorite tools.  One large butterfly from Everyday Enchantment DSP, and another with vellum sheet.  Layer and adhere with Sticky Strip folded in half lengthwise to make it nice and thin.  Add a few Basic Pearls and pop it off with a dimensional.

The ruffled ribbon makes a nice banner across the label, and fills in the spot where a sentiment might go.  Love that Ruffled Ribbon!
Below is the inside, simple but done :)



I'm playing along with HSS's challenge to use pleats or ruffles.  Click here to join the challenge!  I really enjoy their challenges as well as their inspiration projects.


Also using this fab template that I already mentioned:  Click here for Stamping 411's weekly challenge!  They always treat you like one of the gang :)



SUPPLY LIST:
STAMPS:  Apothecary Art, Tea Shoppe ("Stay" sentiment)
DSP: Everyday Enchantment (Sale-A-Bration), Vellum
CARDSTOCK: Wild Wasabi, Watercolor Paper, Very Vanilla
ACCESSORIES:  Stampin' Write markers (Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Riding Hood Red.  Black Staz-On. Blender Pen.  Beautiful Wings Embosslits. Ruffled Ribbon in Pool Party.  Basic Pearls. 

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Clean & Simple Saturday

Pin It Now! An easy, simply layered card for a busy Saturday...with Stamping 411's Saturday sketch.




I took down all of my Christmas decorations today, and as much as I miss the holidays (I really do!), I love how plain and clean my house looks when all the Christmas fluff is packed & gone. So keeping in the spirit of plain, clean, and pretty, I finally grabbed a coffee & headed to the craft room to rest my feet & unwind!




I do love repetition in cards, so if one banner's good, and one Apothecary label is good, then more is better, right?!!

I layered the hearts as well. Punched 3 from glimmer paper, scored on the white side down the middle & fold each in half. Apply sticky strip to one half of each heart & stick them back to back, leaving the last two with no adhesive till you're ready to use it. I like this 3D heart because it'll still fold flat to mail.




Here's the sketch:





SUPPLY LIST:
CARDSTOCK: Crumb Cake, Shimmer White
DSP: Attic Boutique, Glimmer Red
STAMPS:Apothecary Art, P.S. I Love You
INK:Soft Suede, Crumb Cake (sponging)
ACCESSORIES: Framelits Labels, Small Heart Punch, Linen thread


Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Happy BIRD-Day!

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Here's a cute little number I whipped up for my son's 11th birthday...

 It's a boxed cookie-decorating set!  With Angry Birds! 

Here's how it looks when the lid opens, revealing a mason jar, frosting, and sprinkles...

 All set to decorate!

 Here is the card, it's a slider card (my first try ever)...

 and opens to reveal a bunch o' flyin' Angry Birds!


Look Out!  Birds a'flyin'!



Now, I have to reveal my sources, since this was not my original talent, but a collaboration of two fantastic tutorials. 

The Angry Birds tutorial was by Mellisa Stout, her blog is The Stamp Doc.  You'll see this is nearly an exact case, as I'm new at both sliders and pop ups! 

The box of treats is a tutorial that is currently on UStamp With Dawn and Friends SCORED! Event.  Rachel Ricks designed this adorable kit to be used to cook a personal cupcake in.  You can visit Rachel's blog, The Little Blue Room here to see the original version. 

You can also gain access to this and tons of other tutorials by visiting UStamp With Dawn and Friends directly.  I was a Dawn & Friends addict, and now I'm blessed to design for her! 

Thanks to both of them for helping me put together a gift that's sure to bring a sticky, sprinkly smile!

S'Mitten!

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I am so excited to reveal a new project I designed for UStamp with Dawn and Friends SCORE! Event! 
I can share some pics with you today, and invite you to check out all the wonderful projects offered.

This is my project:

It's a 3D mitten, embossed and decorated with all kinds of wonderful new items from SU's Spring Mini.
{Which, by the way, went live today and is available to everyone!}
It is filled with a whole array of manicure goodies, nail polish, cuticle stick, polish remover pads.
Also, there is a swing-a-way box, which houses 5 mini cards with decorated envelopes, and wrapped Ghirardelli chocolates. 

Here's a closer shot of the mitten with the manicure goodies:

 And here's how the box displays the cards and chocolates.

It's super easy to put together, and I think any friend would love to receive this for a birthday, Valentine's day, or just because!  I've written a complete step-by-step tutorial with lots of photos and a printable template for the mitten. 

If you're ready to join the fun at the SCORED event, click here to go to UStamp With Dawn and Friends site.  There are member galleries, live chats with giveaways, and new projects posted at least twice a day.  You will never run out of amazing projects when you are a part of this group.

Perfectly Penned...with Pens!

Pin It Now! Today was a snowy day, really cold here in the Appalachian Mountains. This card, with it's bright & cheery color pallette, really warmed my spirits!



The patterned paper is a new set available TOMORROW from SU's Spring Mini, called Attic Boutique. The patterns are vintage, shabby chic, and some are a bold retro, and they are wonderfully layerable! I'll be using this DSP a lot.

I matted & layered a few patterns. I like that the base pattern is fountain pens, and the stamp is from Perfectly Penned ;). Well played.

I hand made a little flower from a scrap of crochet trim, gathered with thread, and finished with a large pearl.

The paper that the stamped image is on is also from the DSP, a light floral yellow pattern.



The card sketch is Mojo Monday's latest:



The color combo is a Cupcake Creations challenge, CR84FN45. Truly challenging for me, but I enjoyed the outcome!

SUPPLIES:
CARDSTOCK: Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Soft Suede
DSP: Attic Boutique (Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla)
STAMPS: Perfectly Penned
INK: Soft Suede
ACCESSORIES: Calypso Coral Organdy ribbon, Crochet Trim ribbon, large & basic pearls, sponge, Bird punch (leaf).

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net