Spiral Flower Basket

When the Occasions Catalog first came out, I didn't see why anyone would want the Spiral Flower die.  A flower that big wouldn't really work on a card, would it?  I've since seen some beautiful cards made with this, but what finally convinced me that I should have this die was thinking of all the 3D projects I could make with it. 

This is a fun project that showcases the Spiral Flower die.  It's just a basket of roses, perfect as a gift or home decor.   Maybe if I had been thinking about it a little sooner, it would have been great for Valentine's Day.  Hey, there's always next year!  Here's a better shot of the tops of the roses:

Tips & Tricks

• To add some color to the white roses, I filled an Aquapainter with water and a few drops of Rose Red Ink Refill, then just brushed the edges with it.  It added the color I wanted, although in kind of a sloppy way.  I think that the next time I try this, I'll just sponge the edges, like I did with the leaves.

• To make the basket, I cut out two pieces of Smokey Slate using the Mini Milk Carton Die and my Big Shot.  I then ran it through again using the Fancy Fan embossing folder to give it some texture.  It's much more interesting than just leaving it plain, although the card stock becomes a little flimsy because of it.  The Midnight Muse bow adds a pop of color and interest, but also gives it some strength.

• Check out the video below to see how to use the Spiral Flower Die!

Supplies

Ink:  Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz
Paper:  Smokey Slate, Rose Red, Naturals White, and Pear Pizzazz
Accessories:  Big Shot, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Spiral Flower Die, Mini Milk Carton Die, Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon, Aquapainter, Blossom Petals Punch (retired), Sponge

I'm linking up over at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  I added an extra color, since the leaves were sort of important. :)  But the rest of them match!

Simple Gift Boxes {Mosaic Madness}

I know I said I'd be back with the after/clean pictures of my stampin' space, but that project is taking waaaaaay longer than I thought it would.  Plus, today was a GORGEOUS day...absolutely perfect weather, and the desire to get out and enjoy such gorgeousness with my family was far more important than cleaning.  We went kayaking on a nearby lake and had the best time.  We typically go in the evenings, so we were treated to a very fun sight today:  turtles sunning themselves all over the rocks along the edge of the lake.  It was fantastic.  And of course I didn't have a camera with me. 

Even though I'm not done, I have done enough cleaning so that I can use my desk.  And these cute little gift boxes are what I did with my stampin' time.  They are all the same, just in different colors.  Actually, they are all done with the same color scheme, and it's just the boxes themselves that are different.  I love Mosaic Madness...it's hands down my favorite new set.  By using the stamp set, new ink, and the coordinating punch, I was able to make four of these little boxes, just as I did for this one.


Stamps:  Mosaic Madness, Itty Bitty Banners
Ink:  Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Pool Part, Tangerine Tango, Early Espresso, and Crumb Cake
Paper:  Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Pool Part, Tangerine Tango, and Naturals White card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Mini Milk Carton Die (retired), Mosaic Punch, Bitty Banners Framelits

Birthday Basket

I thought I'd show you a little basket that I made for one of my hostesses.  I missed her birthday and didn't send a card, so she got this instead.  This cute little basket is made with the Mini Milk Carton Bigz Die.  Rather than cutting out one and assembling it as normal, I cut two, then after a bit of trimming, put them together to make this little six-sided basket.  I crimped a few strips of paper to stuff in, then added a little gift and a card.

I seem to be obsessed with tiny square cards lately, and really, with the size of this basket, I didn't have a choice...I had to use a tiny card!  A few squares of bright card stock layered together make this simple and adorable.

And one final look at the basket...since it was for a birthday, I used the little present stamp from the Every Little Bit stamp set.  That's one set that is great for any number of occasions, and yet I don't use it nearly enough. 

Stamps:  Every Little Bit (117096), Itty Bitty Banners (126255)
Ink:  Wild Wasabi (126959), Daffodil Delight (126944), Melon Mambo (126948) Classic Ink, Jet Black Staz-On Ink (101406)
Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Wild Wasabi (108641), Daffodil Delight (119683), Melon Mambo (115320), and Naturals White (102316) card stock
Accessories:  Mini Milk Carton Bigz Die (117310), Big Shot (113439), Aquapainters (103954), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Melon Mambo ribbon (retired), Chevron Embossing Folder (127749), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267)

Stampin' Up! Milk Carton Die Hexagon Box

I love when products have the versatility to be used for more than one thing.  The Mini Milk Carton Bigz L Die is one of those products.  As if the little milk carton isn't cute enough on it's own, the die can also be used to make this hexagon box.  It is so easy to make, and I'm thrilled with the final product!

 The cute little flowers come from the SAB stamp set Madison Avenue.  I love the pearl in the center...it's the perfect touch.


Stamps:  Madison Avenue (129657)
Ink:  Whisper White Craft Ink (101731), Wild Wasabi Classic Ink (126959)
Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Wild Wasabi (108641), So Saffron (105118), Regal Rose (105130), and Marina Mist (119682) card stock
Accessories:  1" Circle Punch (119868), 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874), 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch (119854), 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch (127811), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Big Shot (113439), Mini Milk Carton Bigz L Die (117310)

Merry Christmas Milk Cartons

It's Christmas Eve!  I loved this day as a child (and teenager), as it was all about family.  We would always go next door to my grandparents' house in the late afternoon, where there would be food, punch, and cousins.  It is also my grandparents' anniversary, so we would always celebrate that as well.  It is one of my favorite memories and traditions, and each year I get a little weepy at some point because I am not there with all of my family. Today my grandparents celebrate 70 years of marriage, and I am so, so grateful for the example of love and commitment they have shown (and continue to show!), and that I was able to grow up living next door to them.  They are amazing people, and I just love them so much.  Happy 70th anniversary, Grandma and Grandpa!

These little milk cartons were gifts for my stamp club members, filled with chocolate.  They are super cute and were so much fun to make.  The poinsettias on the front were so easy...I will definitely be making more of them next year!

Stamps:  Jolly Bingo Bits (tag), Got Treats (milk carton)

Ink:  Garden Green Classic Ink pad, Real Red and More Mustard markers

Paper:  Garden Green, Real Red, More Mustard,  and Whisper White card stock, Holly Berry Bouquet DSP (retired)

Accessories:  5 Petal Flower punch (retired), 1 1/4" scallop circle punch, 1" circle punch, Mini Milk Carton Die, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine