Nutz about Stamping

How colorful butterflies will brighten someone's day

The Butterfly Gala stamp set is perfect for creating warm wishes to brighten someone's day.

Butterfly Gala Photopolymer Stamp Set
$21.00

 

This is a 'Two-Step' Stampin’ set which means you combine individual stamps to create the final image you want in the colors you want using Stampin' Up!'s coloring tools. 

And the images are so gorgeous when stamped that you don't need a lot of extra embellishments or layers to make a very pretty card, like the one below 

Butterfly Gala thank you card

Here's how to make this pretty card. Why not give it a try the next time you craft? 

Supplies

Stamp set: Butterfly Gala Stamp Set - #148580

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black; Botanical Butterfly designer series paper

Ink: Memento Jet Black

Other: Butterfly Duet Punch, Gingham Gala Sequins, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals

 

Measurements

Basic Black Card Base: 5 ½ x 8 ½ 

Basic Black: 2 ½ x 3 7/8, 2 ¾ x 3 ½ 

Whisper White: 4 x 5 ¼ (2 of these), 2 ½ x 3 ¼ 

Botanical Butterfly paper: 2 ¼ x 3 5/8 

 

Instructions

1. Fold 5 ½” x 8 ½” piece of basic black and crease. 

2. Attach DSP piece to 2 ½ x 3 7/8 basic black panel.

3. Stamp image on lower corner of 2 ½ x 3 ¼ whisper white panel.

4. Attach to 2 ¾  x 3 ½ basic black panel. Attach to whisper white panel with dimensionals.

5. Punch out butterflies from DSP paper.

6. Attach butterflies to white panel.

7. Stamp antenna on butterflies.

8. Attach panel to basic black card base.

9. Attach sequins.

I dare you to try this unique layout challenge

This week's Paper Craft Crew challenge has a really unique layout to it, one that looks simple enough until you give it a try. 

I knew right off that I did not want a Whisper White background/card base - I wanted to challenge my design this week instead. So I chose a left over strip of the Painted Seasons designer paper and used this as my color coordination inspiration: to use Poppy Parade, Early Espresso and Color Me Clover on my card. 

Note: this is the final week you can earn the Painted Seasons paper for free with a qualifying order so don't wait and be disappointed! Click here to link over to my online store now. 

Rather than try to stamp an image on the darker card base I chose my Stitched Labels framelits for that design feature and then one of the other framelits to die-cut my 'thank you'. 

Stitched Labels Framelits Dies
$33.00

 The one embellishment that caused me a bit of grief was the leaf. First I tried my Leaf punch but the leaves were too large. I ended up choose a leaf die-cut from the Flourish framelits - and am very happy with how they look as they have a bit of texture to them:

Flourish Thinlits Dies
$29.00

Finally, I needed a phrase so chose to make a thank you card. Here's my All Things Thanks card for this challenge:

Now it's your turn - give our card map challenge a try the next time you craft! And if you want to see what the other design crew members created for this challenge, click here to link over to the Paper Craft Crew website. 

Learn how to make beautiful filigree cards

I have been so taken with the Stampin' Up!s Occasions Catalog products that I have purchased, but I realized today that life isn't just about what I love - it's about showing you all of these amazing products to suit your design tastes!

So today I want to introduce the Florentine Filigree bundle, page 40 of the Occasions catalog, and show you what you can create using it:

The stamp set allows you to create clean geometric designs that you can combine with all-occasion sentiments for perfect projects. And then there is the Florentine thinlits die that is a completely unique style! 

Florentine Filigree Photopolymer Bundle
$40.50

Stampin' Up! has produced a video showing you some beautiful card ideas AND some tips and tricks for using this bundle. Have a listen and if you decide to order the bundle click the link to my online store below. 

Remember, place a $50 qualifying order and you can earn FREE product as well! Click the image below to link over to my online store:

 

You need to try this beautiful designer paper technique

Today I have a very unique Paper Craft Crew card map challenge! Instead of the normal white background this map challenges you to create a card using a darker color card base and then add several other elements that contrast yet pull the card together. 

What caught my eye was the swirl on the card map - especially the pattern on the swirl. And then I got an idea...

I knew immediately that I wanted to use my Flourish thinlits for the swirl - but how to get that pattern on it? Hmmm. 

Flourish Thinlits Dies
$29.00

 

 

Then it hit me: what if I die-cut the swirl using designer series paper - one that already had the pattern in it? Enter the Share What You Love designer paper:

Share What You Love Specialty Designer Series Paper
$27.00

 

I chose the pattern that was Mint Macaron and Basic Black and then my card design came together quite quickly after that. My card base would be Mint Macaron and then I would use a strip of Pick a Pattern Washi Tape,  and some Basic Black Faceted Dots  for my embellishments:

Pick A Pattern Washi Tape
$8.00

Faceted Dots
$6.00

For the phrase I used my Flourishing Phrases stamp set and die-cut the phrase using my Stitched Labels Framelits:

Flourishing Phrases Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$37.00

Stitched Labels Framelits Dies
$33.00

 

Here's my card:

Now it's your turn! Try the above card map and my designer series paper technique the next time you craft. And if you want to see what the other design team members created using this map, click here to link over to the Paper Craft Crew site. 

Try this beautiful, simple card map challenge

I am a big fan of clean and simple cards as they don't take a lot of products to create and are very appealing (to me). This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge is beautiful and simple - bonus! At first I thought it was more of a Valentine or Love layout but then realized I can make it whatever I want it to be. 

Which led me to my So Hoppy Together stamp set - I am having so much fun created cards with this set and now that we have coordinating framelits creating is a breeze!

Once I decided to use a frog image for the heart, things fell into place very quickly. I wanted my card to be very soft looking so choose a left over strip of the Painted Seasons designer paper (now available separately!) for the banner layer. Using the colors in this paper as my guide I used Lemon Lime Twist and Pool Party and my Blender Pens to color the frog. The background image is from the Timeless Textures stamp set - so many fun images in this set that I could have used: (click on the set image to link over to my online store)

Timeless Textures Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$20.00

 

Here's my card:

If you want to see what the other design crew members created using this map, click here to link over to the Paper Craft Crew site. 

Want to see what I created for last week's card map challenge where I introduced the #simplestamping technique? Click here. 

How to make a stunning background image

Have you ever tried Stampin' Up!s background stamps, featured on page 172 of the Annual Catalog? These large stamps (available in wood or clear) make super cool eye-catching details on cards, boxes and scrapbook pages. 

Here's the catalog image so you can see how two of these stamps are used: Marbled and Handwritten.

Today's card features the Burlap background stamp:

Burlap Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$15.00

This stamp adds a vintage or country detail so is the perfect background for the Home to Roost stamp set - free with a $50 order until March 31st! 

This card also features watercoloring using ink pads and an aqua painter. I love how this notecard looks - the angle of the layers and stamps add an interesting detail. To learn how to make this card, read the instructions under the card photo. 

Home to Roost notecard

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Home to Roost (SAB) (149736); Burlap (143982)
• Card Stock – Whisper White Thick (140272); Whisper White (100730); Mossy Meadow (133676)
• Stamp Pads – Stazon – Jet Black (101406); Soft Suede (147115); Crumb Cake (147116 ); Mossy Meadow (147111); Cherry Cobbler (147083); Rich Razzleberry (147091); Pumpkin Pie (147086) 
• Misc. – Aqua Painter (103954); Linen Thread (104199); Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies (148551); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755)

Measurements:  

• Whisper White Thick: 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”
• Whisper White: 2 3/4” x 4” ½” wide scrap (sentiment)
• Mossy Meadow: 4 ¼” x 3” 
• Linen Thread:27” (approx.)

Instructions:

1. Score at 4 1/4” along long edge of Whisper White Thick cardstock, and fold to make card base.
2. Stamp burlap image (at an angle, as shown) onto card base with Mossy Meadow ink. Set aside to dry.
3. Stamp rooster image in Stazon ink; set aside to dry.
4. Use the (approx. outside dimension) 2 3/8” x 3 ¾” Rectangle Stitched Framelit to cut out the center of the Mossy Meadow cardstock. Keep the frame and set aside the inside section for a future project.
5. Watercolor the rooster with an Aqua Painter and ink from inside the lids of the various colored inks. This example uses Soft Suede for the lower area of the rooster, and Crumb Cake followed by a little Mossy Meadow beneath the feet. Rich Razzleberry for the breast, back & tail, Pumpkin Pie for wing and around eye, and Cherry Cobbler for his comb. Remember to apply color quickly and DO NOT saturate any area of the cardstock. If you need to additional color depth, apply additional layer(s) of color after the previous layers have dried. 
6. Once all watercolored areas are dry, stamp the grasses with Crumb Cake and then repeat with Mossy Meadow.
7. Layer the stamped rooster behind the Mossy Meadow frame and glue together. Note that the stamped layer is a little smaller than the frame so you’ll have some room to adjust width of overlap for preferred visual balance. 
8. Stamp “Just a note” with Stazon ink, leaving a tiny bit of room to the right of the periods, and enough space in front of the word “just” to trim a banner shape. Apply glue behind the periods and tuck that end of the banner slightly under the lower right edge of frame, leaving the left end free. Curl left end upwards a little, if you wish.
9. Adhere the framed piece (at an angle) to the card base with additional glue.
10. Fold the linen thread into thirds and tie into a bow. Attach bow to the frame with a tiny spot of glue. Trim ends as desired. 

Have you heard about the simple stamping technique?

At Stampin' Up!s On Stage event last year a new #simplestamping campaign was announced. All Stampin' Up! demonstrators were challenged with showing more project ideas that were simple to create so that crafters all over the world would understand that they don't need to create cards that cost them $100+. I love this idea but have found, after all these years of crafting, that it is not as simple as you'd think.

So when I saw this week's Paper Craft Crew challenge, I first thought "oh-oh" followed by: I can do this!

 

My #simplestamping card was inspired by one I saw online. I loved how the base of the card was stamped so decided to "CASE" (copy and share everything) it, using my two favorite colors: Gorgeous Grape and Lemon Lime Twist. The card that inspired me used a layered die-cut phrase and that, to me, is not simple stamping. 

So I decided on two simple layers: Whisper White and Lemon Lime Twist. I chose two stamp sets: Better Together (for the phrase) and Bloom by Bloom for the other images. 

Better Together Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$37.00

Bloom By Bloom Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

 

Just to be clear, I used a phrase that suited my needs for a card this week and I already owned the Better Together stamp set. You can choose a phrase to match your needs.

Tip: if you are a new stamper, purchase stamp sets that have both images AND phrases in them, preferably for a variety of occasions. You will keep costs down that way. 

Here's my Bloom by Bloom #simplestamping card!

If you want to see what the other Paper Craft Crew design team members created for this challenge, click here to link over to that website. 

You need to know the hinge stamping technique

Where do you get ideas for your cards? I was emailed this question recently and I get my inspiration from a variety of sources: Pinterest, a quarterly magazine that Stampin' Up! mails to demonstrators, my own projects and from non-card ideas. Today's video and card was inspired by a gift box that I spotted in Stampin' Up!s magazine. I loved it and immediately decided to make it a card idea to share with you. 

My video tutorial (below) will show you 2 stamping techniques, one of which is the hinge stamping technique - which will help you with perfect placement!

My color choices for my Bloom by Bloom card started with Lemon Lime Twist (my happy spring color) and then I looked through my ink pad colors and selected Bermuda Bay as my accent color. 

Rather than blog my decisions and how the card was created, why not watch the video to see step-by-step how I created it? In my video I also share additional stamping tips, cutting dimensions and product numbers for the products I used. 

Stamp set: Bloom by Bloom (148820)

Ink: Lemon Lime Twist, Bermuda Bay

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 3" square, scraps for flowers
          Lemon Lime Twist: 5 1/2" x 3 1/4"
          Bermuda Bay: 3" x 1"

Other: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Well Written framelits (148534), Stitched Shapes framelits (145372), Multipurpose Adhesive sheets, SNAIL Adhesive, Stamparatus (146276), Take Your Pick tool (144107), Silicone Craft Sheet (127853), Stampin' Dimensionals, Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (144106)

A customer emailed me recently to ask how to take basic cards and make them look more sophisticated. One way to do this is to add (tastefully) more embellishments. Here's my card with three Glitter Enamel Dots (146934) added - for added interest and sophistication:

Here's my video tutorial - thanks for watching! 

What image would you use for this challenge?

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map is a doozie for me! I would love to know what you would use for the 'bunny' on this card map challenge. Leave a comment under this post and let me know what pops into your mind. 

I had to look through all my stamp sets until I realized that I would used a stamp set at all! I decided instead to use my Butterfly Beauty thinlits dies. 

First, let's look at the sketch:

And now my design considerations:

• I didn't want a plain color for my background so chose a piece of Painted Seasons designer paper - a new free choice for Sale-a-bration 2019! Click here to see these newly added choices and two more cards using this gorgeous paper.
• I used two more strips of the same paper for the thin banners
• I used my Layering Circles framelits for the embellishment layers
• I used my All Things Thanks stamp set for the phrase - to help me catch up on my mailing my thank you cards for orders placed at my online store!
• The final touch which is super hard to see are the five Petal Pink Basic Adhesive-Backed Sequins. Can you spot them in the photo below?

And then back to that dang bunny. I thought and thought and finally decided on the butterfly die-cut using Whisper White and Poppy Parade layers. True confession: after I had my card put together I then discovered that my butterfly wouldn't fit on the left side like in the map above: oops! So I put it on the right side instead. Not a deal breaker but just a funny moment. 

Here's my card: what do you think? I love to hear from you so how about a comment under this post? 

If you want to see what the other design team members created for the same map challenge, click here. 

How to find color inspiration for your next card

Recently a customer emailed me to ask where I find color inspiration for my cards. I am going to share one of my design tips today! 

In today's video (see the bottom of this blog post), I want to show you how to make a lovely thank you card, but you can change the phrase to make it a birthday card, thinking of you card, friendship card or any other occasion that you need. My card features the Bloom by Bloom stamp set found on page 25 of the Occasions Catalog:

Bloom By Bloom Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

This super cute set has no phrases so combine the images here with phrases from other sets that you love. 

I was inspired for the colors on my card from the Happiness Blooms designer paper:

Happiness Blooms 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

 

This paper has bold and bright florals and patterns, using the following Stampin' Up! colors: Call Me Clover, Calypso Coral, Lovely Lipstick, Night of Navy, and Pineapple Punch. So I chose two of these colors for my card. 

During my video I mention a stamping term: fussy cutting. Basically this means stamping and cutting out images using your paper snips, which is how I created the flower images for my card. A pair of high-quality scissors is a crafters must-have so don't cut costs for this item!

For my card I chose Lovely Lipstick and Pineapple Punch for my focus colors. Here's my card:

Bloom by Bloom greeting card

Supplies

Stamp sets: Bloom by Bloom #148820; Love What You Do #148042

Ink: Pineapple Punch, Lovely Lipstick

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 3 3/4" x 5"; three pieces 1 3/4" square (large flowers);
          three pieces 1 1/2" square (small   flowers)

Accessories: SNAIL adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips

And as promised, here's how I decorated the inside of my card - using one of the small stamps in the Bloom by Bloom set. 

Would you like to see how I created my card? Here's a video to show you how:

How to create a fun (and easy) thank you card

The card I want to share today was so fun and easy to create, thanks to my Big Shot. I love this tool and use it almost every week to show you a card idea on my YouTube channel.

If you have been following my blog for a few weeks you will also know that I am so in love with the Happiness Blooms card pack. Yes these cards were designed for memory pages but Stampin' Up! titles these projects as Memories & More. One possibility for more is for card making. 

I wanted to create a thank you card for an online order I received last week and so that was my goal. First I found a super cute card in the Happiness Blooms pack which I layered onto Night of Navy:

Happiness Blooms Memories & More Card Pack
$10.00

 

Then I die-cut a Night of Navy 'thanks' using the Well Written dies:

Well Written Framelits Dies
$40.00

I also decided to emboss the Whisper White card base using the Scattered Sequins folder because the pattern reminded me a bit of the flowers on the Happiness Blooms card:

Scattered Sequins Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
$10.00

 

I added a Lovely Lipstick bow and two punched flowers using the Bitty Blooms punch pack (LOVE THESE!):

Bitty Blooms Punch Pack
$23.00

and my thank you card was done! 

If you want to order the products I used to make this fun (and easy!) thank you card, click the link to my online store below:

 

 

How to create a colorful card from start to finish

Recently someone emailed me with a request to share how I design a card from start to finish. I am happy to do this and want you to know that you have requests to email them to me too (terri@nutzaboutstamping.com) or to add a comment underneath a blog post with your request. 

When I lack in design inspiration I often look to a card map for ideas. I am a design team member for the Paper Craft Crew and we are given a card map challenge each week, like the one below. Our challenge is to use the materials we have to make a card to match the map and then share our final card idea over on the Paper Craft Crew site. It is really fun to see all the different ideas one simple card map can offer. 

So for today's card I am using the card map above and then I am going to show you my card from start to finish, using photos along the way!

The map above has a swirl image so I looked through my stamp sets and spotted the Beauty Abounds stamp set:

Beauty Abounds Cling Stamp Set
$23.00

I chose the swirl image, stamped it using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored the images using three Stampin' Blends: Poppy Parade Light, Daffodil Delight Dark and Granny Apple Green Light:

At this point I decided to use the thank you image from the Stitched All Around set, and to make my card a thank you card. I always make and mail a thank you card to everyone who orders from my online store so this card would suit this purpose. 

Stitched All Around Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$19.00

 

You can change the phrase image to suit the kind of card you need: birthday, friendship, etc. 

After I diecut the layers I decided that that Poppy Parade solid circle was too big for my card front so I chose a somewhat larger circle from my Layering Circles framelits pack and used that instead:

I was much happier with the smaller circle but my next challenge was what to do with that extra strip on the card map. Then it hit me! I could stamp the 'thank you' image a second time on scrap Poppy Parade card stock, cut out the thank you and adhere it on top of the Whisper White circle. 

Worked like a charm:

After my card front was complete, I decided to use Poppy Parade as my card base (I could have also used Daffodil Delight or Granny Apple Green) and adhered the white layer on top. But my card seemed very 'white' and plain. When this happens I turn to my embellishments and spotted the Granny Apple Green Glitter Enamel Dots:

Glitter Enamel Dots
$7.00

The perfect complement to my card so I added three dots for that final touch!

 A few weeks ago someone made a request on my YouTube channel. She asked me to share ideas for what I do on the inside of my cards too. Did I stamp inside? Leave it blank? Do something different? I really appreciated this question because it never occurred to me to share my 'insides'. 

To answer her question, I either stamp the inside: sometimes with words, sometimes with images (see below) or sometimes I add a strip of washi tape or left over designer paper to match the outside. I also stamp something on the envelope as well because I think it adds a bit of excitement and anticipation for the card inside.

Here's the inside of this card - using an image from the Stitched All Around set:

 

 

Why not try this card map too and see what you can create using the supplies you have on hand? Or head here to my online store and add some fun new products to your stamping supplies. Don't forget that Sale-a-bration is now on and you can earn FREE products with your online order!

To thank you for all you do

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

I have a special Winter Woods card for you today with a heart-felt sentiment that reflects how grateful I am to have you as customers! I have been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for 15 years and recognize the abundance this experience has brought to me. 

I appreciate that you support my home business and help me live my dream to be a solopreneur.

I know that today is super busy with cooking, laughing with friends and family and relaxing in a cozy Thanksgiving atmosphere. For those of you who are miles away from your family (like I am), why not spend a little time for you and do a bit of crafting?

Here's one fun idea to create - it teaches you a technique that you can use to make beautiful card backgrounds:

 

Winter Woods thank you card

 

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets: *Winter Woods (147661), Rooted In Nature (146482)
• Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Early Espresso
• Stamp Pads: Pear Pizzazz (147104), Early Espresso (147114), Pumpkin Pie (147086), Cajun Craze (147085), Blackberry Bliss (147092), Mango Melody (147093)
• Misc: Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Sponge Daubers (133773), 2 1/4” Circle Punch (143720), Stamping Sponge (141337),*Shimmer Paint Frost White (147046), Neutrals Stampin’ Write Markers (147158), Stampin’ Spritzers (126185) NON STAMPIN’ UP: Rubbing Alcohol 
• *These items can be found in the 2018 Holiday Catalog

 

Measurements: 

• Pumpkin Pie Card Stock: 5 1/2” x 8 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”
• Whisper White Card Stock: 4” x 5 1/4” (2 pieces) plus small scrap 1/2” x 5 for banner 
• Early Espresso Card Stock: 4 1/8” x 5 3/8”

 

Instructions: 

1. Score and fold the Pumpkin Pie base at 4 1/4”; attach the Early Espresso panel to the card base.
2. Punch one piece of Whisper White Card Stock with the 2 1/4” Circle Punch slightly to the right and inserted all the way. Lay the punched panel over the remaining Whisper White panel and sponge with Pumpkin Pie ink to create the large sun.
3. Ink the Tree Stand with Mango Melody ink; then remove the ink from the tree trunks with a tissue and color the trunks with the Early Espresso marker.
4. With Sponge Daubers, randomly Cajun Craze and Blackberry Bliss to the tree stand to create “Fall” leaves.
5. “Huff” on the stamp as needed to add moisture and stamp on the Whisper White Panel.
6. Add grass with the Pear Pizzazz ink.
7. Stamp the sentiment on the small piece of Whisper White and snip to create a banner on each end. Add to the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
8. Add some rubbing alcohol to a Stampin’ Spritzer and pour in a small amount of the Frost White Shimmer Paint.  Spritz on the front of the card.

How to create a sweet Thanksgiving table favor

Last Sunday I created a video tutorial and complete set of instructions on how to create a beautiful Thanksgiving table setting - a pouch idea for your silverware. 

Today I have a sweet project to complement your table setting pouch - a Thanksgiving table favor! Think about what fun it would be to sit at your table and see this little treat bag to tempt you until the end of the meal. And you can bet all the children (and young at heart) will love this idea. 

Here's how to make this project:

First, select one of the skinny cellophane bags - the 2" x 8" size would be perfect but there are other sizes to choose from. See page 193 in the Annual Catalog for all your choices. 

2" X 8" (5.1 X 20.3 Cm) Celllophane Bags
$3.50

Step 2: Choose a solid color of card stock to slip into your cellophane bag. It will also be the base for your designer series paper.

My choice was Rich Razzleberry:

Step 3: choose your designer series paper. 

My choice was Country Lane designer series paper because I wanted to coordinate my table favor with my table setting pouch:

Country Lane 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

Step 4: Adhere your designer paper to your solid card stock and slide this strip into your cellophane bag.

 

Step 5: Add two punched tags, using the Everyday Label punch. You can choose the same color as the layer in the bag or you can select a contrasting color. 

Everyday Label Punch
$18.00

Step 6: Now the fun part! Choose your favorite candy to slip into the bag. Seal the bag by peeling of the adhesive cover on the strip. Place one punched image on either side of the sealed bag and hold in place using your stapler. 

Step 7: Stamp a phrase onto a scrap piece of Whisper White card stock. I chose the 'thank you' from the Love What You Do stamp set and die-cut it using my Big Shot and Layering Ovals framelits. 

Love What You Do Photopolymer Stamp Set
$21.00

 When you stamp your image, choose a coordinating ink color or contrasting ink color. 

Step 8: Tie a nice bow around your table favor bag, add a cute embellishment and your project is ready to lay onto your Thanksgiving table!

Are you going to give this idea a try? If not for Thanksgiving, why not for your Christmas table? Click any of the product images above to place your order now so you are ready to craft up a gorgeous holiday table this year!

Here's how to make your Thanksgiving table stunning

In a couple of weeks friends and family may be arriving at your house to celebrate Thanksgiving together and there is a lot to prepare for this big day. Why not let Stampin' Up! (and me!) help you with your table decorations? 

I have the perfect way to make your Thanksgiving table look stunning this year with a table setting cutlery pouch project. And to make your life easy, I created a video tutorial and set of written instructions below for you to download. 

My suggestion is that you create an assembly line of steps for making this pouch a breeze. You can easily create several in no time at all and your guests will be wow when seated at your table. 

The first step to this project is to choose your designer series paper pattern and then coordinate the main pocket color with the colors in the designer paper. Your table will look stunning if use a variety of pocket colors all the way around. 

I chose the Country Lane designer series paper - the coordinating colors in this pack are:

• Blackberry Bliss
• Cajun Craze
• Crushed Curry
• Whisper White
• Mint Macaron
• Early Espresso
• Old Olive

 And for my pocket phrase I decided to use my Labels to Love stamp set which I stamped and die-cut using my Layering Circles framelits. 

Here's my pocket idea:

 Thanksgiving Table Silverware Pocket

Stamp set: Labels to Love (144967)

Markers: Crushed Curry, Blackberry Bliss

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Country Lane: 2 1/4" x 3"
          Whisper White: 2" square
          Crushed Curry: 2 1/2" x 1 1/5"
          Blackberry Bliss: 7 1/2" x 6"

Other: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Layering Circles framelits (141705), Seasonal Layers thinlits (143751), Tear & Tape adhesive, SNAIL adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Simply Scored (122334), Paper Snips, Bone Folder, Coordinating napkins, flatware/plasticware/silverware

Here's my video tutorial - underneath you will find instructions to download! In my video I share lots of other design ideas so make sure you listen all the way through!

Here are step by step instructions for you to download:

1. Cut Blackberry Bliss cardstock - each piece is: 7.5" x 6"
2. Using your Simply Scored, lay cardstock 7.5" horizontal on the scoreboard and score at 0.5" and at 4"
3. Turn Blackberry Bliss cardstock 90 degrees clockwise and score at 1".
4. Cut along the score line at 1" from both edges until you meet a score line.
5. Trim back the edges of the fold back flaps (diagonally) to reduce some bulk.
6. Use a Layering Circle framelit to cut a semi circle from the side of the pocket that has no flaps.  Hint: Place the framelit half on and half off the cardstock to cut the semi-circle.  In order to fit it through the Big Shot, you may have to fold up the flaps on the other side. 
7. Fold in the flap, burnish with your Bone Folder and add Tear & Tape adhesive on flaps. 
8. Fold over the section with the semi circle to complete the pocket.
9. Decorate as desired.