Happy Easter Class Projects

Despite the continuing chilly temperatures here in the mid-Atlantic, I have been thinking of Spring and recently held a class featuring some projects just in time for Easter.  (Hopefully, it WILL be warmer by April 20th!)  We made 2 Easter cards, a cute Easter bunny basket, and an M&M candy treat holder.

Here is the first card:

We stamped the Blessed Easter stamp (133212, $11.95) with Black StazOn Ink onto our water color paper.  Next, we used Aqua Painters to apply color to the leaves and tulips.  We used Pear Pizzazz for the leaves and stems.  The tulips were colored with a base of So Saffron, then highlighted with Crisp Cantaloupe.  I love water coloring.....it is so relaxing!

Our second card was based on a card by fellow demonstrator Karen Gibson.  Thanks, Karen!

Inspired by Karen Gibson.  Thanks, Karen!

I used the fun, new Arrows Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (132187, $7.95) for the background.  The "hey there!" stamp is from the Just Sayin' stamp set.  The coordinating Word Bubbles framelits make it easy-peasy to cut it out with your Big Shot machine.  You can purchase both products together in a bundle and save 15%!  Just use catalog number 134819 for Wood Mount ($43.95) or catalog number 134820 for Clear Mount ($37.25).  

The cute bunny was cut out with our Ovals Collection Framelits.  I used the exclusive Sale-A-Bration Designer Series Paper, Sweet Sorbet, for the bunny's ears and nose as well as the word bubble above his head.  You can earn the Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper with a $50 order (before tax & shipping) until the end of Sale-A-Bration on March 31, 2014.  Hurry and place your qualifying order at http://nancyamato.stampinup.net before it's too late!

The next project is a cute Easter bunny basket.  How cute is this little girl?

Once again, we used our Ovals Collection framelits to make this cutie!  Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper was once again used for the egg and the bunny ears.  Plus, we used the Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (another fun Sale-A-Bration item you can earn!) to give our little honey bunny some texture.  Our Petite Purse die forms the basket on the back of the bunny.  Of course, we had a little chocolate to tuck inside (and nibble on!).

The final project is perfect for co-workers, neighbors, classmates -- anyone you want to give a little sweet treat to!

Some delicious, dark chocolate M&Ms (yummy) were stacked in one of our 1 x 8" cello bags and topped with a pretty pastel tag and ribbon.  The tag was stamped with the Chalk Talk stamp set and cut out with the coordinating Chalk Talk framelits.  And, YES -- you can bundle both of them together and save 15% -- Woohoo!  I also added a flower from the Petite Petals stamp set for a little dimension.

I hope you get inspired to create some fun projects for Easter.  If you are local to the Baltimore area, this is a sample of the types of projects we make at my classes.  Check out my Calendar of Events at http://nancyamato.stampinup.net for more details.  I hope to stamp with you soon!

Happy Stamping,

Paper Pumpkin Promotion Ends on March 31!

Just a quick reminder that the Paper Pumpkin Promotion ends on March 31, 2014.  New Paper Pumpkin subscribers who sign up between January 11 and March 31, 2014, will receive a FREE set of In Color Stampin' Write Markers -- a $14.95 value -- with their Welcome Kit.  You can enroll by clicking on this link:  https://mypaperpumpkin.com?demoid=77526.  

I am enjoying creating with my March Paper Pumpkin kit!  Everything is pre-cut and ready to go.....perfect for busy women who want a little creative "me time!"  Here is a video featuring the March Paper Pumpkin kit:

If you have any questions about Paper Pumpkin, please let me know!

Happy Stamping,

Weekly Deals March 25 - March 31

Well, it is snowing again in the mid-Atlantic, but (luckily!) our ground temps are high enough that it is not covering the roads.  This is the kind of snow that I like -- pretty as a picture, but I don't have to shovel!  The Orioles Opening Day is Monday, so I know that warmer weather is coming.....just not soon enough.

Tuesday is always a happy day since Stampin' Up! announces their weekly deals and new My Digital Studio downloads!  Here are the deals for this week:

	This And That Epic Day Designer Series Paper Item # 130814 Regular Price: $10.95 US/$13.50 CAN Discounted Price: $8.21 US/$10.13 CAN
	Soho Subway Designer Series Paper Item # 130140 Regular Price: $10.95 US/$13.50 CAN Discounted Price: $8.21 US/$10.13 CAN
	Silver Glimmer Paper Item # 124005 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$5.95 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$4.46 CAN
	Champagne Glimmer Paper Item # 127885 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$5.95 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$4.46 CAN
	Cajun Craze 8-1/2X11 Card Stock Item # 119684 Regular Price: $6.95 US/$8.50 CAN Discounted Price: $5.21 US/$6.38 CAN
	Brights Core'Dinations Cardstock Item # 129953 Regular Price: $23.95 US/$29.95 CAN Discounted Price: $17.96 US/$22.46 CAN
	Subtles Core'Dinations Item # 129954 Regular Price: $23.95 US/$29.95 CAN Discounted Price: $17.96 US/$22.46 CAN
	Wonderful You Board Book Template - Digital Download Item # 130103 Regular Price: $14.95 US/$16.50 CAN Discounted Price: $8.97 US/$9.90 CAN

Here are the latest digital downloads for My Digital Studio:

My Digital Class For The Home Ensemble (item 137824) (NA, EU, SP)	Throughout The Years Photobook Template (8"X8") (item 137902) (NA, EU, SP)
Easter Blessings Ensemble (item 137797) (NA, EU, SP)	Purple Passion Kit (item 137901) (NA, EU, SP)
Happy Congratulations Stamp Brush Set (item 137903) (NA, EU, SP)	Blessed Easter Stamp Brush (item 137905) (NA, EU, SP)

 

You can order all of these Weekly Deals and My Digital Studio downloads can be purchased online at http://nancyamato.stampinup.net.

Happy Stamping,

Eggstra! Eggstra! It's time for a RemARKable Stampers Blog Tour!

Welcome to the RemARKable Stampers Blog Tour!  This month, we are featuring Eggs-tra Creative ideas perfect for Easter and Spring.  It has been a L-O-N-G, cold, snowy winter and I am SO ready for Spring this year.  We are finally having some hints of Spring (although it is a "balmy" 34 degrees here today!), and I am starting to decorate for Easter.

My project is a little Easter Tree decorated with 3-dimensional paper Easter Eggs and flowers.  I love Stampin' Up!'s Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper, so I decided to use it for my paper Easter Eggs.

I cut 6 ovals from each pattern with my Ovals Framelits, folded each oval in half lengthwise, then used a little bit of Tombow Multipurpose Glue to hold 3 of them together.  Three ovals makes half of an egg. Our Whisper White Baker's Twine makes the perfect little hanger.  I made a loop of baker's twine and attached it to the back with some Sticky Strip.  Next, simply put the two halves together and you have an adorable paper Easter Egg!

I used our new Petite Petals stamp set and Petite Petals punch to add some fun flowers to the tree.  I stamped three different flowers with Island Indigo, Melon Mambo, and Daffodil Delight ink onto Whisper White card stock, then punched them out with the Petite Petals punch.  I used my bone folder to curl the petals upward and added a medium-sized pearl from our Basic Pearls to the center of each flower.  I used our Glue Dots to attach the flowers to the wire branches of the tree.

I covered the base of the tree with some Pear Pizzazz card stock grass and Whisper White Organza Ribbon.  Our brand new Fringe Scissors let you make quick work of creating grass, flowers, and fringe.

I cut two strips at 2 1/2 x 12" and two strips at 2 x 12" from Pear Pizzazz card stock.  I used our new Fringe Scissors to cut about halfway into the long side of all four pieces.  I layered the 2" strip on top of the 2 1/2" strip, then attached the "grass" to the base of the metal tree with glue dots.  I wrapped our beautiful Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon around the "grass" and tied a bow in the front.  The ribbon helps the grass stay attached to the base and adds a decorative touch to the front of the tree.

My Easter Tree will be the centerpiece of my table for Easter dinner.  I hope you like this "Eggstra Creative" idea for Easter.  Now, it is time to see what Melissa Bolinger has created for us -- I am certain it will be RemARKable!

Happy Stamping,

 






Here is the complete list of RemARKable Stampers participating in the Pinworthy Blog Tour:

Nancy Amato - http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com/2014/03/eggstra-eggstra-its-time-for-remarkable.html

Missy Bolinger - http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/missybolinger/blog

Tamra Davis - http://www.theCardLadies.com/eggstra-creative-ideas-for-easter/ 

Connie Diebler - http://www.conniestamps.com/2014/03/its-eggstra-creative-.htm

Sherrie Eddleblute - http://sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com/2014/03/eggstra-creative.html

Crystal Kondo - http://wp.me/p2l6Qe-gu

Anne Matasci - http://wp.me/pCcBw-1zq

Audra Monk - http://thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com/2014/03/eggstra-creative-ideas-for-easter.html

Maria Pane - http://stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com/2014/03/eggstra-creative-ideas-for-easter.html

Andi Potler - http://www.absolutekreations.com/2014/03/13/remarkable-pinworthy-blog-tour-eggstra-creative

Michele Reynolds - http://inspirationink.typepad.com/inspiration-ink/2014/03/egg-citing-eggs-tra-creative-pinworthy-blog-tour.html

Pam Staples - http://wp.me/p3p2VA-Il

Jeannette Swain -bit.ly/1iCY9NL 

Janet Wakeland  - http://wp.me/pHIQD-6l6

RemARKable Stampers Blog Tour Begins at 8 PM!

Hello!  Just a quick post to remind you to stop by Thursday evening for the RemARKable Stampers Blog Tour.  Our theme this month is "Eggstra Creative" ideas for Easter.  Oh, I cannot wait to see what everyone has created!  I am putting the finishing touches on my project -- I hope you like it.

See you soon!

Tuesday Deals and New My Digital Studio Downloads

It's Tuesday, and that means new Weekly Deals and My Digital Studio Downloads -- woohoo!  Here are the deals for March 11-17, 2014:

	Dress Form Pop' N Cuts Item # 130100 Regular Price: $21.95 US/$26.95 CAN Discounted Price: $16.46 US/$20.21 CAN
	Circles #2 Originals Die Item # 114526 Regular Price: $15.95 US/$19.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.96 US/$14.96 CAN
	3 Inch Circle Originals Die Item # 122125 Regular Price: $17.95 US/$21.95 CAN Discounted Price: $13.46 US/$16.46 CAN
	Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Item # 127749 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Set Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die Item # 123130 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$10.95 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$8.21 CAN
	Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die Item # 124587 Regular Price: $32.95 US/$40.95 CAN Discounted Price: $24.71 US/$30.71 CAN
	Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Item # 127750 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Ahoy, Matey Ensemble - Digital Download Item # 130078 Regular Price: $14.95 US/$16.50 CAN Discounted Price: $8.97 US/$9.90 CAN

Here are the new My Digital Studio downloads:

The Grad Life Ensemble (item 137384)	High Tide Designer Series Paper (item 137394)
Hello, Sailor Stamp Brush Set (item 137385)	1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (item 137451)
Gold & Silver Baker's Twine (item 137456)	Baby, We've Grown Stamp Brush Set (item 137386)

You can order these items on my website http://nancyamato.stampinup.net.  Use Hostess Code 726ZKEST and receive a free gift from me!  Remember, Sale-A-Bration is still in full swing!  You can earn a FREE Sale-A-Bration item with a $50 order (before shipping and tax).

Happy Stamping,

Card In A Box Tutorial

I first saw the idea of a Card In A Box on Pinterest.  I believe a Stampin' Up! demonstrator in the UK was one of the first to share this idea (thanks, Monica Gale), and the idea has gone around the world thanks to the internet!  I have been inspired by all of these cards, and today I would like to share a tutorial of how to make a Card In A Box that will fit in our Stampin' Up! Medium envelopes.

Let's make this card!  Here is what you will need:

• 1 piece of card stock cut at 9 x 5 ½”.  Score along 9” side at 2 1/8", 4 ¼", 6 3/8", and 8 ½".  

Turn a quarter turn and score at 2 ¾”. 

• 1 piece of card stock cut at 3 1/8 x 3 1/8”.  Score at ½” and 2 5/8”, then cut in half so you have 2 pieces of card stock with score lines on either end.  These pieces will act as the “bridges” to hold up your elements.

• 7 pieces of card stock for the panel layers cut at 1 7/8 x 2 ½” and 7 pieces of Designer Series Paper cut at 1 5/8 x 2 ¼”.  Cut 3 pieces from one pattern and 4 pieces from another pattern.  1 piece of card stock for back panel cut at 1 7/8 x 5 ¼” and 1 piece of Whisper White/Very Vanilla card stock for back panel layer cut at 1 5/8 x 5”.  You can stamp a greeting on this or sign your name.  Coordinate either Whisper White or Very Vanilla based on the color scheme of the Designer Series Paper.

Attach Designer Series Paper to card stock panels.  Stamp onto Whisper White/Very Vanilla and attach to card stock panel for the back of the card.

• Window Sheet strips cut at 3 x ½” and Glue Dots to attach your stamped images to the bridges. 

• Stamped images, punch art, or whatever you want to include in your card.  My example uses the Backyard Basics stamp set and coordinating framelits.  (Yippee -- You can bundle the stamp set and framelits together and save 15%!)

Step 1:  Cut on the 2 1/8", 4 1/4", 6 3/8", and 8 1/2" score lines up to the 2 5/8" horizontal score line.  Remove piece as shown to create tab to make the box.  Angle corners of tab for easy assembly.

Step 2:  Add Sticky Strip to the tab and form box.  Attach back panel to back of card, closest to the seam.  The back panel does NOT get folded.

Step 3:  Gently fold the 3 panels down.  

Step 4:  Use Sticky Strip on the tabs of the bridge pieces, and attach to the inside of the box.  Make sure the bridges are inside the box and divide the space into thirds.  These bridges are what you will use to attach stamped elements to the card.

Step 5:  Attach panels to the card -- the 3 with one pattern of Designer Series Paper go along the bottom of the card, and the remaining 4 go on the remaining panels as shown in the photo.

Step 6:  Use Glue Dots to attach stamped pieces to the Window Sheet strips.

Step 7:  Use glue dots to attach the Window Sheet strips to the inside of the box.  You can attach the Window Sheet strips to front and back of the bridges.  You can also attach them to the front and back inside of the box.  Using Window Sheet strips lets you easily attach your stamped or punch art elements easily.

Make sure your elements will be inside of your card when you fold it.  Close and fold the card after you add each Window Sheet strip to make sure it will be inside the card.  This will allow the card to fit into a Stampin' Up! Medium envelope. 

Continue adding window sheet strips until all elements are attached.

All of your stamped images must be inside the card when it is folded
in order to fit inside a Stampin' Up! Medium envelope.

That's it!  Put your card in an envelope and send it to someone special!  Give this fun card a try and send a jpeg of your Card In A Box to stampinnancy@gmail.com.  I will share your creations in a future blog post.

Happy Stamping,