Gift Bag Punch Board Creations by Christy Fulk

Gift Bag Punch Board Creations! by Christy Fulk

This tutorial teaches three different projects that can be made with the Gift Bag Punch Board, other than the regular gift bag. There’s a bag with a flap lid, a gable box, and a gift box. They are all perfect for packaging treats or little gifts. The projects feature the Tag Talk Stamp Set and the Pretty Petals Designer Series Stack. This would make a great product-based class.  Subscribe to August over at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Butterfly Framelits Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes What Brings You Stress Brings You Solace
Airplane travel can make me a bit nuts.  I travel quite a bit for work and getting on and off planes, sitting too close to people I don't know, dealing with delays, turbulence, unhappy passengers and staff can sometimes create a lot of stress.  So I found it incredibly funny to find that stress turned to solace when I found myself on a recent trip to San Francisco staying at an airport hotel!  The hotel looked out over the water and there was a walking path along the water where you could watch the planes landing and taking off.  So there I sat.  Watching the planes and the people coming and going.  The loud roar of the engines.  The miracle of flight as those huge masses of metal lifted gently into the air.  Sometimes what brings you stress can also bring you solace!
Today I am sharing a birthday card I created for Michael's mom.  I die cut watercolor paper and then used a combination of ink with water and a bit of shimmery acrylic paint to add dimension to the butterfly.  I hope you like it!

Cherry On Top Monogrammed Cards

I love making quick monogrammed cards to give as gifts!  I always keep a few large alphabet sets around so that making these cards just takes a bit of stamping, paper and love!  I used a few different patterns of Cherry On Top designer series paper and added some cotton ribbon for a decorative touch.  Why not try making a monogrammed set for yourself?

Farmers Market Produce Stand Ensemble by Regina Andari

Farmers Market Produce Stand Ensemble! by Regina Andari

Create an adorable produce stand (card box), complete with decorative awning and banner, to hold a pretty set of greeting cards—at least six cards and envelopes!  This ensemble features the gorgeous Farmers Market Designer Series Paper, and you will learn two fun and decorative paper techniques
that create pretty focal points on some of the cards.  Also included in this tutorial is a Mini Muslin Bag with a stamped and colored image—you won’t believe how easy it is to create!  The Mini Muslin Bag is a great companion to the “produce” stand, especially when filled with an assortment of postage
stamps (and some chocolate, too).  Subscribe to the month of August at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Straw Bale Garden Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Trust Your Inner Artist
Sometimes I can rely on my rubber stamps too much.  They become a crutch.  I start to believe that if I don't have the exact right stamp for a card then I am stuck.  So I love when I get a request to make a special card for a special someone.  I was asked to create a thank you card for a couple who love to use straw bales in their garden.  My first thought was, "I don't have a straw bale stamp!"  My next thought was, "Trust your inner artist!"  So I did :)  It may look a bit like a rectangular nest and, if I had it to do over again, I might lighten the color of the straw bale.  But what I love is the trust I gave myself! :)  How can you trust your inner artist?

Schoolhouse Book Gift Set by Julie Beltramo

Schoolhouse Book Gift Set! by Julie Beltramo

Get ready for Back to School with this fun and festive gift set for your favorite teacher and/or friend! You’ll make a Faux Book, with a secret slide out drawer that holds a stack of note cards. The inside of the book holds a special message as well! You’ll also make a simply Covered Pen, to smoothly
write out all those little note cards. The Treat Bag is a perfect way to show off a sweetly wrapped snack – and you’ll learn the exact measurements to neatly fill out our Gusseted Cellophane Bags. And, finally, the simple but sweet card tops it all off as the complete gift!  Subscribe to the month of August at Craft Project Central for full step-by-step instructions!

Watering Can Décor Gift Set – July Bonus Project by Amanda Corbet

Watering Can Décor Gift Set – July Bonus Project!  – Amanda Corbet

This bright and cheerful watering can is a beautiful décor piece that is guaranteed to add some sunshine into any space. The watering can hangs at a downward angle showering crystal water droplets downward that catch and reflect the sunlight. The watering can also features a bright and beautiful bouquet of flowers. Pair it up with the matching card and this is the perfect gift to give to brighten someone’s day!

Bonus projects can be obtained by subscribing to two or more months in a row, putting the Craft Project Central badge on your blog, or by referring a friend and when they subscribe, letting Craft Project Central know.  To learn more, head on over to Craft Project Central!

Faux Etched Glass Butterflies by Buffy Cooper

Faux Etched Glass Butterflies! – Buffy Cooper

Nothing says warm weather like fluttering butterflies, and these delicate and beautiful “faux etched glass” butterflies will live forever. With just a few Stampin’ Up! products and this simple “Faux Glass Etching” technique, you’ll have enough faux glass butterflies for two home décor projects and an all-occasion card to send to a friend. This would make a fun class or stamp camp project, as well.
Get full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of July!

Birthday in the Barnyard by Sue Plote

Birthday in the Barnyard!  – Sue Plote

This Birthday in the Barnyard party set is perfect for the birthday celebration of your darling little girl.  This set features the Barnyard Babies Stamp Set... with the support of sentiments from the Something to Say and A Dozen Thoughts Stamp Sets.  Also highlighted are Farmers Market Designer Series Paper and Pretty Petals Designer Series Paper Stack…in combination with bright, fun Calypso Coral, Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry Cardstock.  Gold Metallic Doilies and Gold Embossing provide a lovely bit of sparkle to this ensemble, and baker’s twine provides just the right amount of country feel.  This party set includes a 3-1/2” x 5” party invitation, a barn shaped thank you party favor, a cupcake pick, a milk bottle medallion and a party banner.  And…there’s a bonus!  This set is also incredibly versatile in that, with a small color change it would be a fabulous foundation for the birthday celebration of any handsome little guy.  And there’s more…a simple sentiment switch on a couple of the pieces would easily convert this party set to the perfect background for a baby shower…for a boy or a girl!
Get full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of July!

House of Cardstock!

What can you do with simple Whisper White Cardstock, a Bone Folder, a cutting blade and some Stampin’ Dimensionals?  The truth is, you can make a whole lot!!!!  Sometimes we begin to believe that we need a ton of supplies and shiny new products to make something special.  My July project for Craft Project Central is here to show you that with the simplest of supplies you can make an incredibly special gift for yourself or a friend!  This House Of Cardstock project will walk you through the steps for making a replica of your home, or the home of a friend or loved one, out of Whisper White Cardstock!  Whata great way to turn your simple supplies into a wonderful gift!!!  The beauty is that the supplies are right there in your own home, just waiting for you to begin!
Get full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of July!

Swallowtail Card Set & Box by Amanda Corbet

Swallowtail Card Set & Box! – Amanda Corbet
Explore different ways to use the large and magnificent Swallowtail stamp in the card box and set of six cards. This project uses six different methods for accenting the beauty of this butterfly each with a unique card design. The coordinating butterfly box is a great way to present these cards as a gift with matching envelopes. This would make a great hostess gift or class project!  Get full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of July!

Perfect Pennants Make A Wish Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Let Clean Up Time Do Your Creating For You!
I had purchased a number of new foam ink pads to replace some old fabric ink pads that I had.  When it came time to unwrap them, I decided it would be smart to just test them out.  So I grabbed a stamp from the Flower Patch stamp set and a piece of Whisper White card stock and I used the stamp to test out each of the ink pads.  I ended up with quite the festive background in an assortment of colors that I would have likely never put together had I not let my clean up time in the craft room do my creating for me!  How can you let clean up time do your creating for you?

English Garden Card Box by Laurie Zoellmer

English Garden Card Box! by  Laurie Zoellmer

This beautiful card box is easy to assemble and sure to impress!  You can easily change up the colors and papers it to suit anyone!  This box will hold four decorated handmade cards and envelopes.  What a great gift idea for birthdays, hostesses, and teacher gifts or even to sell at Craft Shows! Once you start making these card boxes, you’ll want to make them for everyone on your gift list!  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of July!

Kissed Background Thank You Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Let doubt, anxiety, and worry melt away...into play! - Marney K. Makridakis
Duck, duck, goose.  Telephone.  Hopscotch.  Jacks.  Hide and Seek.  Kick ball.  These are some of the ways I played as a child.  Not to mention the hours spent making up imaginary stories and creating all kinds of crafts!  I realize now that part of why I craft and make art is because it allows me to play (when I send the inner critic away somewhere!).  In play, I find that my doubts, anxiety and worry do melt away.  I focus on what is in front of me and I enjoy exploring.  I am excited about the unknown.  I try new things.  When was the last time you played????
Today I am sharing a card I created while playing.  I made the background by kissing an inked up embossing folder with an inked up stamp!  I guess I could say that kissing is a new form of play :)

Rainbow Note Cards by Yapha Mason

Rainbow Note Cards!  by Yapha Mason

Nothing says happy more than rainbows, and Stampin’ Up has a new stamp set celebrating just that! This set of six rainbow colored note cards features the new Brights Designer Series Paper Stack and the Over the Rainbow stamp set. The note cards fit perfectly in a modified pizza box and come with a
matching oval shaped card. This set would make an excellent gift as well as a class or club project. Want the full step-by-step instructions?  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of July!

Butterfly Greeting Card Set & Caddy by Monika Davis

Butterfly Greeting Card Set & Caddy! by Monika Davis

Make this feminine greeting card set with a matching caddy that will hold your cards and envelopes. The caddy is easy to make and can be refilled with other stationery items later. It is also a pretty décor item on any desk. Make four greeting cards to go in the caddy, using the same butterfly embellishments and lay-outs, but with different background techniques that will come in handy for future craft projects. Great for a stamp camp, or as a class project.  Want the full step-by-step instructions?  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of July!

Art Journal Experiment: Wet on Wet with Crayon Resist and Salt!

Today I am sharing a video that is part of a series I am calling Art Journal Experiment!  An experiment is defined as "a course of action tentatively adopted without being sure of the eventual outcome."  This is how I view my art journal pages.  A place to try new things - to branch out - to risk - without being sure of the eventual outcome.  I hope these videos encourage you to experiment as well!

Floral Monthly Card Organizer & Cards by Christy Fulk

Floral Monthly Card Organizer & Cards! by Christy Fulk
If you need something to organize the cards you give out throughout the year, you need this organizer. This sturdy, accordion-style organizer has file tabs for each month for easy filing of your cards. It has ribbon ties on each side to adjust the depth of the organizer, along with jute ribbon handles on top for easy carrying. This tutorial also includes two cards to get you started on your card collection. The organizer and cards feature the stamp set, Garden in Bloom, and the designer series paper, English Garden.  Want the full step-by-step instructions?  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of July!

Defining Beauty Art Journal Page

 

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Open Your Eyes To The Beauty Around You

It's there.  Right in front of you.  Right inside of you.  Beauty.  All we need to do is be open to it.  Be willing to see it.  Be willing to share it with others.  In this art journal page I explored defining beauty.  This page was created for Paper Crafter's Library.  For full step-by-step videos for how I created the page and for a full supply list, head on over to Paper Crafter's Library by clicking on the badge in the upper right-hand corner of my blog and consider becoming a member!

Wonderful Washi Tape by Regina Andari

Wonderful Washi Tape!  by Regina Andari

Washi Tape is an affordable product that we love to have, look at, and hold, but do you use yours?  With this tutorial, you’ll use Washi Tape to decorate a generously-sized twist container and a handmade home decor item— mini wooden pallet—that could be used to embellish a gift bag or box or hang on a door knob or hook.  The two most exciting things about this tutorial are (1) learning how to add text (a custom sentiment/message) to your tape without using stamps and (2) making a 3D flower with vertical bunches of curly petals!  There are a lot of little surprises in this tutorial!  Intrigued?  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of the July!