Behind the scenes...

....my longtime blog followers know I had major surgery in January 2015.  I had an eight-level spine fusion.  Missing in Action

One of my rods was cracked sometime within the first ten months of surgery.  My surgeon and family physician were keeping an eye on me.  In late August I heard a loud pop in my back but the X-ray showed no changes.  Well, let's just say the X-ray was misread (local radiologist) and for over a month I walked around with two broken rods.  The pain was excruciating and I finally had enough. When my surgeon received the actual X-ray, more tests were ordered and we came to the conclusion that surgery was the only option.

Surgery was over a week ago and I stayed five days in the hospital.  I had part of both rods removed and replaced with two rods on each side.  Physical Torture begins this week!

You may be wondering how I continued crafting and making blog posts....I haven't made a new card other than Paper Pumpkin kit alternatives since August when I heard the big pop.  Thank goodness I had created enough posts to last until the end of this week.  I'll be back as soon as I can!  In the meantime...If you want to select me as your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator for your next order, please use a Hostess Code UPEVQCNJ.

Botanical Garden Birthday

Stampin' Up! Products

• Mossy Meadow cardstock
• Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• Cajun Craze cardstock
• Scrap for butterfly
• Hello Honey cardstock
• Card layer measures 3 3/4" x 5"
• Old Olive cardstock
• Scrap for butterfly
• Botanical Gardens Designer Series Paper
• Card layer (right side) measures 1 11/16" x 4 3/4"
• Card layer (left side) measures 1 11/16" x 3 3/4"
• Bottom layer measures 1 11/16" x 1 3/8"
• Top layer measures 1 11/16" x 2 3/8"
• Party Pants stamp set
• Basic Black ink
• Butterfly dies (non SU)
• Basic Pearl Jewels (dyed with permanent marker)u8
• Dimensionals

Botanical Garden Fall Thank You

I didn't like how this layout looked after creating the bow. I'm really not happy with my results; but what the heck, not every card is a winner.

 



Stampin' Up! Products

• Hello Honey cardstock
• Card base measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• For easier trimming cut cardstock 4 1/4" x 11" and score at 5 1/2"
• Whisper White cardstock
• Scrap for sentiment
• Botanical Gardens Designer Series Paper
• Place strips 1/8" apart, start at the top left hand corner
• Cut strips measuring 1 11/16" (1/16" more than 1 5/8"
• Approximate lengths*
• Strip #1 measures 1 11/16" x 3 1/2"
• Strip #2 measures 1 11/16" x 7"
• Strip #3 measures 1 11/16" x 7"
• Strip #4 measures 1 11/16" x 3 1/2"
• Scraps for sentiment layering
• Gifts of Kindness stamp set
• Cajun Craze ink
• Bow Builder, Ovals, Oval Scallops hand punches

* If you use 12" strips, you can create two cards

Autumn Traditions Double Z Fold

Stampin' Up! Products

•  More Mustard Cardstock
• Card layer measures 11" x 4 1/4"
• Score at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2"
• If you stamp your name on the back of your cards, do it now
• Band card layer measures 11" x 1 1/4"
• Score at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2"
• Scrap for leaf
• Always Artichoke cardstock
• Card layer measures 2 1/2" x 4"
• Inside card layer measures 5 1/4" x 4"
• Stamp and cut maple leaf from the center of this
• Card layer (back) measures 5 1/4" x 4"
• Band card layers
• 5 1/4" x 1"
• 2 1/2" x 1"  (cut two)
• Elegant Eggplant cardstock
• Scrap for leaf
• Very Vanilla cardstock
• Band card layer measures 2 3/8" x 7/8"
• Card layer (back) measures 5 1/8" x 3 7/8"
• Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper
• Card layer measure 2 3/8" x 3 7/8"
• Inside card layer measures 5 1/8" x 3 7/8"
• Band card layers  
• 5 1/8" x 7/8"
• 2 3/8" 7/8"
• Happy Scenes and Vintage Leaves stamp sets
• Always Artichoke ink
• Leaflets Framelits
• Silver Baker's Twine
• Dimensionals
• Strong adhesive for band



Thinking of You Butterfly

Stampin' Up! Products

• Peekaboo Peach
• Card base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
• Scrap for butterfly
• Emerald Envy cardstock
• Card layer measures 4 5/8" x 2 3/8"
• Cut butterfly from here
• Banner measure 1 5/8" x 3 3/4"
• Card layer measures 3" x 1 1/2"
• Playful Palette Designer Series Paper
• Card layer measures 4 1/2" x 2 1/4"
• Banner measures 1 1/2" x 3 3/4"
• Card layer measures 2 7/8" x 1 3/8"
• Wetlands stamp set
• Basic Black ink
• Butterfly die (non SU)
• Dimensionals
• Black Jewels

My Paper Pumpkin Subscribers

If you are one of my Paper Pumpkin subscribers you would have received instructions for SEVEN alternatives using September 2016 Paper Pumpkin "Something Good to Eat" kit.

Don't miss out on free instructions, subscribe to Paper Pumpkin TODAY!  Follow THIS LINK to subscribe month to month.  Please be sure to use the Current Hostess Code UPEVQCNJ when you are viewing your Shopping Cart (bottom left hand corner).  You will continue receiving a kit until you decide to cancel AT ANY TIME.  If you want to purchase three, six or twelve month at a discounted rate, please EMAIL me first.

Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper Special - October 2016

Designer Series Paper Special

DETAILS

• Promotion period: October 1–31, 2016
• All order types qualify for this promotion.  There is no limit to how many times participants can buy three packages of Designer Series Paper and get one free during this promotion. 
• Specialty Designer Series Paper and Designer Series Paper Stacks do not qualify for this promotion and cannot be redeemed through this offer. 
• Designer Series Paper purchased with Stampin’ Rewards or the Stampin’ Rewards 50%-off perk does not qualify for this promotion. 
• Designer Series Paper purchased as part of a Starter Kit does not qualify for this promotion.

PLEASE USE HOSTESS CODE:  UPEVQCNJ

Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper Special - October 2016

Designer Series Paper Special

DETAILS

• Promotion period: October 1–31, 2016
• All order types qualify for this promotion.  There is no limit to how many times participants can buy three packages of Designer Series Paper and get one free during this promotion. 
• Specialty Designer Series Paper and Designer Series Paper Stacks do not qualify for this promotion and cannot be redeemed through this offer. 
• Designer Series Paper purchased with Stampin’ Rewards or the Stampin’ Rewards 50%-off perk does not qualify for this promotion. 
• Designer Series Paper purchased as part of a Starter Kit does not qualify for this promotion.

PLEASE USE HOSTESS CODE:  UPEVQCNJ

Don't Be Afraid - Just Do It!

By challenging myself to use Card Maps/Layouts I have found that I'm not afraid to cut up my BEAUTIFUL Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper.   It's only paper - Just Do It!

I start with the basic card base and layers and pull out my tray of embellishments that I have made with leftover scraps or embellishments that I thought would work, didn't. 

My Tray of Embellishments

 



Stampin' Up! Products

• Very Vanilla cardstock
  
• Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• Basic Black cardstock
• Card layer measures 4" x 5 1/4"
• Card layer measures 2 5/8" x 4 1/2"
• Card layer measures 3" x 1 1/8"
• Card layer measures 2 3/8" x 5/8"
• Card layer measures 2 1/8" x 7/8"
• Use Dimensionals under this layer
• Scrap for banner and flower center
• Blushing Bride cardstock
• Scrap for flower
• Emerald Envy cardstock
• Scrap for leaves
• Playful Palette Designer Series Paper
• Card layer measures 3 7/8" x 5 1/8"
• Card layer measures 2 1/2" x 4 3/8"
• Card layer measures 2 7/8" x 1"
• Card layer measures 2 1/4" x 1/2"
• Card layer measures 2" x 3/4"
• Crafts by Beth CPP Sentiments (more info HERE)
• Word Window hand punch for sentiment, trimmed as banner
• Botanical Builder Framelits
• Basic Pearl Jewels
• Dimensionals (flower has two Dimensionals stacked together)

Stampin' Up! October 2016 Special

Designer Series Paper Special

DETAILS

• Promotion period: October 1–31, 2016
• All order types qualify for this promotion.  There is no limit to how many times participants can buy three packages of Designer Series Paper and get one free during this promotion. 
• Specialty Designer Series Paper and Designer Series Paper Stacks do not qualify for this promotion and cannot be redeemed through this offer. 
• Designer Series Paper purchased with Stampin’ Rewards or the Stampin’ Rewards 50%-off perk does not qualify for this promotion. 
• Designer Series Paper purchased as part of a Starter Kit does not qualify for this promotion.

PLEASE USE HOSTESS CODE:  UPEVQCNJ

Playful Scribbles

Stampin' Up! Products

• Very Vanilla cardstock
• Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• Basic Black cardstock
• Card layer measures 4" x 5 1/4"
• Cut Modern Label from this
• Triangles - 3" x 3" cut diagonally
• Card layer measures 2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
• Emerald Envy cardstock
• Card layer measures 3 7/8" x 5 1/8"
• Scrap for die cut
• Peekaboo Peach cardstock
• Scraps for flowers
• Playful Palette Designer Series Paper
• Card layer measures 2 3/4" x 4"
• Triangles - 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" cut diagonally
• Crafts by Beth CPP Sentiments (for more info, click HERE)
• Swirly Scribbles Thinlits
• Itty Bitty Accent punch
• Dimensionals
• Black jewels (non SU)

Thinking of You Botanical

Stampin' Up! Products

• Sweet Sugarplum cardstock
• Card base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
• Scrap for flower
• Basic Black cardstock
• Card layer measures 3 5/8" x 2 1/4"
• Emerald Envy cardstock
• Scrap for leaves
• Very Vanilla cardstock
• Scrap for flower center
• Playful Palette Designer Series Paper
• Card layer measures 3 1/2" x 2 1/8:
• Horizontal strips measure
• 4 3/4" x 5/8"
• 4 1/4" x 1/2"
• Vertical strips measure
• 5/8" x 3 7/8"
• 1/2" x 3/8"
• Wetlands stamp set
• Basic Black ink
• Botanical Builder Framelits
• Swirly Scribbles Thinlits
• Black jewels (non SU)

Double Z Fold Birthday

Stampin' Up! Products

• Whisper White cardstock
• Card layer measures 11" x 4 1/4"
• Score at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2"
• Band card layer measures 11" x 1 1/4"
• Score at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2"
• Basic Black cardstock
• Scrap for sentiment layer
• Crushed Curry cardstock
• Scrap for balloon
• Melon Mambo cardstock
• Card layer measures 2 1/2" x 4"
• Inside card layer measures 5 1/4" x 4"
• Band card layers
• 5 1/4" x 1"
• 2 1/2" x 1"  (cut two)
• Scrap for balloon
• Mint Macaron cardstock
• Scrap for balloon
• It's My Party Designer Series Paper
• Card layer measure 2 3/8" x 3 7/8"
• Inside card layer measures 5 1/8" x 3 7/8"
• Band card layers  
• 5 1/8" x 7/8"
• 2 3/8" 7/8" (cut 2)
• Crafts by Beth CPP Sentiment (more info HERE)
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Balloon Bouquet punch
• Black crochet thread (non SU)
• Brights Enamel Shapes
• Dimensionals
• Strong adhesive for band

If you stamp your name on cards, stamp before attaching band.

Playful Thank You

Stampin' Up! Products

• Peekaboo Peach
• Card base measures 5 1/2" x 8 3/8"
• Scored at 2 1/2" along uncut portion
• Basic Black cardstock
• Card layer measures 2 1/4" x 5 1/4"
• Inside card layer measures 2 3/4" x 5 1/4"
• Strip measures 1/2" x 5 1/2"
• Scrap for circle
• Emerald Envy
• Strip measures 1/8" x 5 1/2"
• Scrap for leaf
• Very Vanilla cardstock
• Inside card layer measures 2 1/2" x 5"
• Scrap for circle
• Playful Palette Designer Series Paper
• Card layer measures 2" x 5"
• Circle of Spring stamp set
• Emerald Envy ink
• Flourish Thinlits
• Circle dies 2 3/8" and 2 1/8" (non SU)
• Itty Bitty Accents and Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border hand punches
• Basic Pearl Jewels

Playful Palette Duet

Stampin' Up! Products

• Sweet Sugarplum cardstock
• Card base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
• Scrap for flower
• Basic Black cardstock
• Card layer measures 5 1/4" x 4"
• Card layer measures 5 1/4" x 1 1/4"
• Card layer measures 2 3/8' x 3 3/8"
• Card layer measures 4" x 2 3/4"
• Banner measures 4 5/8" x 5/8"
• Scrap for flower center
• Emerald Envy cardstock
• Scrap for leaves
• Peekaboo Peach cardstock
• Scrap for flowers
• Very Vanilla cardstock
• Banner measures 4 1/2"  x 1/2"
• Playful Palette Designer Series Paper
• Card layer measures 5 1/8" x 3 7/8"
• Card layer measures 5 1/4" x 1 1/8"
• Card layer measures 2 1/4" x 3 1/4"
• Card layer measures 3 7/8" x 2 5/8"
• Express Yourself stamp set
• Basic Black ink
• Botanical Builder Framelits
• Flourish Thinlits
• Itty Bitty Accent punch
• Basic Pearl Jewels
• Dimensionals

Second Card

• Sweet Sugarplum cardstock
• Scrap for butterfly
• Basic Black cardstock
• Scrap for butterfly
• Butterfly dies (non SU)
• Basic Pearl Jewels

Design Made Easier

Stampin' Up! Products

• Cajun Craze cardstock
• Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• Scrap for butterfly
• Hello Honey cardstock
• Card layer measures 4" x 5 1/4"
• Cut this a hair shorter than 4"
• Mossy Meadow cardstock
• Scrap for butterfly
• Botanical Garden Designer Series Paper
• Top and bottom layers measure 4" x 1"
• Mark from top left side 1/4" down
• Mark from top right side 1" down
• Cut diagonally
• Second from top and from bottom layers measure 4" x 1 3/4"
• Mark from top left side 1/2" down
• Mark from top right side 1 1/4" down
• Cut diagonally
• Center pieces are cut from a layer measures 4" x 1 5/8"
• You'll have to cut and use two different pattern pieces
• The fourth layer needs to be on a solid background pattern to allow for stamping
• Mark from top left side 1/4" down
• Mark from top right side 1 3/8" down
• Cut diagonally
• Express Yourself stamp set
• Always Artichoke ink
• Butterfly dies (non SU)
• Basic Pearl Jewel
• Dimensionals

Cutting the Designer Series Paper

1. Depending on the accuracy of your diagonally cut lines, the space between each piece should be 1/8". 
2. Careful planning is needed when cutting pieces.   Layers 2, 4, and 5 are best with solid background. 
3. The sections can be flipped and turned over to make use of all the paper.
4. Arrange in order before gluing. 
5. The sentiment can be stamped on the left or right side.
6. Apply layers beginning from the top. 
7. A piece of graph paper and ruler helps keep the spacing even and straight. 

Tutorial can be downloaded HERE

Clearance Rack and Crafts by Beth CPP Sentiment Special

Get them while they are hot and available!

The popular items will be GONE probably before NOON today, September 13, 2016

Stampin' Up! just added some FANTASTIC buys on their clearance rack, click HERE.  Cardstock, who doesn't need cardstock and at a reduced price?

Don't forget this special from an earlier post.....

Place an order of $25 or more any current Stampin' Up! Catalog or Clearance Rack by Friday, September 16, 2016, select me as your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and use Hostess Code Y6US46XF and you will receive Crafts by Beth CPP Sentiments by email.  For more information about Crafts by Beth "Click, Print and Punch" Sentiments, click HERE.  Once your order has shipped, I will email you the file.

Questions, EMAIL me.

Botanical Thinking of You

Stampin' Up! Product

• Hello Honey cardstock
  
• Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• Scrap for butterfly
• Mossy Meadow cardstock
• Scrap for butterfly
• Whisper White cardstock
• Layer for mounting strips measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• Randomly attach strips, when finished, trim to 4" x 5 1/4"
• Botanical Garden Designer Series Paper
• Various widths - begin with strips at least 4 1/2" wide
• Hello Sunshine stamp set (Paper Pumpkin Feb 16)
• Always Artichoke ink
• Botanical Builder Framelits
• Dimensionals
• Basic Pearl Jewel

Blog Post Error

I had an incorrect Hostess Code in my earlier blog post.  My special offer has been extended. 

The 2016 Holiday Catalog is LIVE.  

Download it HERE.  Right click on HERE and select "Save Target As" and save it to your computer.  Be sure to note where your computer "decides" to save it so you can easily find it.

Place an order of $25 or more any current Stampin' Up! Catalog by Friday, September 16, 2016, select me as your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and use Hostess Code Y6US46XF and you will receive Crafts by Beth CPP Sentiments by email.  For more information about Crafts by Beth "Click, Print and Punch" Sentiments, click HERE.  Once your order has shipped, I will email you the file.

Questions, EMAIL me.

Notecards from Scratch

Stampin' Up! has great Whisper White notecards and envelopes.  What if you want to use a colored cardstock?  It is easy to make notecards complete with homemade envelopes.  Did you know you can get three notecards from a 12" x 12" piece of cardstock.   The cards are cut at 5" x 7" and scored at 3 1/2". Careful planning and this guide will show you how.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Crushed Curry textured cardstock
• Card base measures 3 1/2" x 5"
• Card layer measures 3 1/8" x 4 5/8"
• Early Espresso cardstock
• Card layer measures 3 1/4" x 4 3/4"
• Cut leaf from this piece
• Very Vanilla cardstock
• Inside card layer measures 3 1/4" x 4 3/4"
• Tin of Cards stamp set
• Early Espresso ink
• Flourish Thinlits
• Dimensionals
• Envelope Punch Board

Now onto the made from scratch envelope.  I purchased good quality paper from Amazon to make envelopes.  Click HERE for more information.

1. Envelope paper measures 7 1/4" x 7 1/4"
2. Line paper up at the 3 1/8" mark, punch and score
3. Turn paper 90 degrees, line "Score Guide" to last scored line, punch
4. Repeat step 3 until you have punched four times
5. I finish the envelop flap by punching the corner using the punch board

What about the glue to seal the envelope?  No problem - I use these!  Click HERE to purchase at Amazon