Envelope Punch Board is a Must Have Tool

I cannot believe how many fabulous tricks and techniques you can do with the Envelope Punch Board.  Not only can you make envelopes in a bazillion sizes, but you can make boxes, pouches, bows, rick rack, zig zag edges and more and more!  (I just made some bag boxes that are a new spin on an old pattern using the Punch Board.  I will be showing those in a few days).  For now check out these cuties.

I saw this fabulous pouch on Pinterest made by Diane Barnes.  She has a super handy tutorial on her blog on which I based my tutorial.  Below you can see my list of steps to make your very own pouches.  A bit different from Diane's tutorial, I added a few scoring steps in my instructions to make the gussets and top fold.  I really put the Punch Board to the test as I wanted to make the entire pouch without getting out any other tool.  Besides a pair of scissors I succeeded. These little treats are the perfect size for Ghirardelli chocolate squares, gift cards, or any small present.

· Cut a 6” x 6” piece of card stock or DSP.

· Side One: punch and score at 2 ¼”, score at 2 ¾”, punch and score at 3 ¼”.

· Side Two: line up first score from the left edge with the ‘score guide’ then punch and score.  Next, line up the third score with score guide and punch but DO NOT SCORE.

· Side Three: same as “side one.”

· Side Four: line up first score from the left edge with the ‘score guide’ then punch and score.  Next, line up second score with score guide and SCORE ONLY, last line up the third score with score guide and punch.  This will form the top of the pouch.

· Round all points with the corner rounder.

· Using paper snips cut out all the inner corners.

· Accordion fold on the “side one” and “side three” sides, align flaps to form front of pouch and adhere.

· Fold “side two” up and adhere.

· Fold the scores of “side four” inward to form top flap closure.

From Dara Gloden

To Julie Warnick

"Bite Me" Blendabilities

The Bite Me photopolymer stamp set is perfect for my Halloween tastes!  And look how cool it works with a few Blendability markers.  Be sure to stamp the images a with Momento Black Ink Pad then you can add patches of color with an array of Blendabilities.  I have used the Pumpkin Pie, Coastal Cabana, Rich Razzleberry, and Old Olive Blendabilities.

The layout for my card is inspired by the sketch challenge from Hand Stamped Sentiments.  This sketch is so versatile, I just love it.  The Design Team has created some great projects that you'll want to check out.  You too can add to the challenge.  Just stamp and follow the layout then upload to the site.

Pumpkin Posting

Have you put together your August Paper Pumpkin kit?  It's playful, pink & yellow, and packed full of petite gift sized cards and full sized cards.  Each card also includes fabulous envelopes.

Blended Background

I love every other Sunday and being a part of the Monday Montage Blog Hop.  Each of the artists in this group of hoppers is truly amazing.  Not just because they have stamp skills that are out of this world, but because they are happy, beautiful, and caring friends! 

I am in love with this card.  Mostly because the focal banner was so fun to create.  I started by stamping an image from the Mingle All the Way stamp set on Whisper White card stock with Momento Black Ink.  Then to create with blended background I used all three of the Old Olive Blendability markers to paint an ombre of color.  I scribbled the darkest color back and forth across the top of the image, then the medium marker over the middle, and last the lightest over the bottom.  It was super easy yet is massively effective.

Another great bit about this card is the printed card stock.  It's uber luscious and oh so yummy.  You can find it in the Holiday Catalog on page 5 and it's called Under the Tree.  Notice I said printed card stock and not paper.  That's right it is heavier weight and super fancy.

A few posts back I shared how to make rick rack with the Envelope Punch Board.  With that same technique I punched a piece of Old Olive card stock to tuck into the left side of the card.  I thought it added a bit of panache and style.  The last little detail I'll point out is the olive rhinestones.  Just a quick color of the Basic Rhinestones with the Blendabilities and you have colored jewels!

To Julie Warnick

From Dara Gloden

Stamp Time with Tami

A while back I had the fun chance to sit and stamp with my friend Tami Waddell.  We made lots of things in our day long stampin' marathon, this card was one of the projects and my favorite.

We stamped the Friends Who Know image using Jet Black Staz On ink on Shimmer White card stock.  Once good and dry we added color with an Aqua Painter filled with rubbing alcohol and ink from squeezed ink pads.  To easily cut out the image we used the Labels Collection Framelits.  A few colorful banner flags and a flower made the card complete.

These Take Me Back

Double blue and gold--this color combination takes me back to 1983-85 and the "home of the Chargers."  That's right my high school colors are the first thing I thought of when I saw the color challenge from Hand Stamped Sentiments.  And let me add it was a HUGE challenge for me.  Why?  Because when I see certain bright color combos such as yellow and kelly green or royal blue and red I immediately think of team or school colors.  So, this was a bit tricky for me to come up with an idea.

I began with Watercolor Paper and did a mix of watercoloring and sponging.  When I say mix I litterally started with using both an Aquapainter and a sponge to apply ink inside my stencils.  Speaking of stencils I made my own tiny butterfly shaped stencils with punches and Window Sheets.  Once the butterflies were dry I did some traditional stamping to add texture and depth.