Crisis in Africa

There is a real crisis in Africa that most people are not aware of.



I am asking for your help on a matter that is most urgent to the albinism community. In the last two years, at least 53 people with albinism have been hunted and killed in Tanzania to satisfy followers of widely held folk religions. Practitioners believe that the skin, organs and limbs of people with albinism can be made into potions that can give wealth or luck.

Tanzanians with albinism once had reason to believe that their government would uniformly prosecute the murderers, but recently, most trials have been suspended because of a “lack of funds”. Although prosecution has resumed in certain provinces, justice is by no means widespread or consistent. As a result, people with albinism in Tanzania live in constant fear for their lives, without the assurance of protection or justice.

The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) is working to put a stop to this horrific practice, and to compel the Tanzanian government to resume uniform prosecution of the murderers. To be more effective, we need your help to increase awareness about the ongoing crisis. I urge you to send a letter to your member of Congress and to your senator, asking them to join the campaign to end this practice. NOAH is seeking members of Congress who would be willing to sponsor a joint resolution calling for action in Tanzania.

Please visit THIS LINK to access a template letter for members of Congress, as well as contact information.

How can you help?  Make a donation to Noah HERE, Under the Same Sun HERE or Asante Mariamu HERE.

To see the beauty in persons with albinism, click HERE.

More information (graphic narration):  20/20 Video

Fan Fold Card

I created a tutorial on how to make this card.  It isn't complicated and I love the 3D effect.  You can download the tutorial HERE.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Crumb Cake card base (previously called Kraft)
• Night of Navy
• Crumb Cake and Night of Navy Designer Series Paper
• love you from the Short & Sweet stamp set
• Scallop Oval, Large Oval and Small Oval hand punches
• Mini Glue Dots
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Fabric covered brad
• 4" scallop circle die

Measurements

• Card base – Crumb Cake – 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”
• First layer – Night of Navy – 5 1/4” x 4”
• Second layer – Crumb Cake Designer Series Paper (DSP) – 5” x 3 3/4”
• Third layer – Night of Navy – 4 1/4” x 2 3/4”
• Fourth layer – Crumb Cake DSP – 4” x 2 1/2”
• Fan – Night of Navy DSP – approximately 4” diameter scallop circle die cut
• Kraft – 3/4” circle punch
• Embellishment
• Night of Navy – Scallop Oval
• Crumb Cake – Large Oval
• Whisper White – Small Oval

Sunflower Tutorial

As promised, I created a tutorial for the sunflower used in this card.

Supply list for sunflower

• Cardstock - Scrap pieces in Summer Sun and Chocolate Chip
• Two-Step Bird Extra-Large punch
• 1" Circle and 1/2” Circle punches
• Big Shot machine
• Perfectly Polka Dots embossing folder
• Adhesive
• Pencil

I know you will find my step-by-step instructions easy to follow.  Sunflower Tutorial can be purchased for $2.50.   Upon payment, your tutorial will be sent to you by email. I usually check my account twice a day. The email will be sent to the one you have with Paypal, unless otherwise noted.

If you wish to purchase any of the Stampin' Up! products used in this post, please email me.

Masculine Thinking of You

Stampin' Up! Products

• Soft Suede textured cardstock
• Cardbase cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• Layer 1 1/2" x 3 1/4"
• Sahara Sand cardstock
• 3 1/4" x 5"
• Whisper White cardstock
• Card front layer cut at 3" x 5 1/8"
• Insert layer cut at 4" x 5 1/4"
• Bermuda Bay textured cardstock, cut at 1 1/4" x 3 1/4"
• Pocket Silhouettes image stamped three times in Soft Suede ink
• Once on Whisper White cardstock and then punched using 1 3/4" Circle punch
• On Whisper White insert layer
• On Whisper White medium envelope
• Thinking of You from Three Little Words stamp set in Soft Suede ink
• Mat Pack for brad placement

Other Products

• Circle die 1 7/8"
• Copper brads

All layers except for the cardbase were glued together, brads were the attached before gluing layers onto the card base. 

I CASEd (Copy and Steal Everything from artist)

You are my sunshine.......

........my only sunshine.  You make me happy

Stampin' Up! Products

• Kiwi Kiss cardstock 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"  (Please note: you do not use a folded card base.)
• Whisper White liner is cut at 5 1/4” x 4”
• Kiwi Kiss scallop section is first cut at 4” x 1 5/8”, then punch one length using the Scallop Edge punch
• Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper (DSP) is cut at 4” x 1”
• ...you are my sunshine is from the Something Sweet stamp set - I stamped it using Kiwi Kiss ink
• Summer Sun cardstock was first embossed using a swiss dot embossing folder, then using the Two-Step Bird Extra Large punch, I punched out eight bird wings
• Chocolate Chip cardstock was first embossed using a swiss dot embossing folder, then I punched out a circle using the 1" Circle punch
• Dotto was used to allow for repositioning of flower parts
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Swiss dot embossing folder

Please check back next week when I post a tutorial on how to make the sunflower using the Two-Step Bird Extra-Large Punch

Masculine Thinking of You

I purchased Stampin' Up! Natural White cardstock months ago and this is the first time I have used it.  I wanted to create a masculine thinking of you card (but I don't think I achieved it).

Stampin' Up! Products

• Natural White card base folded is 4 1/4” wide x 5 1/2” tall
• Soft Brown layer is first cut at 4” x 4 3/4”, then use a border punch. You may have to trim it down depending on the depth of your border punch – your end result should be 4” x 4 1/2”
• Thoroughly Modern DSP layer is cut 3 3/4” x 4”

Other Products

• Burgundy satin ribbon - 5/8"

I have been posting dimensions to my crafting items - I hope you find this useful.

Easy Card

Mary Fish is a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and I admire her work.  Check out her blog HERE.

Inspired by one of her cards, I created this "thinking of you" card.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery and Old Olive cardstock
• Green Tea Designer Series Paper
• Old Olive ink
• thinking of you from Always in My Thoughts stamp set
• Small Oval, Large Oval, Scallop Oval and Trio Flower punches
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• 3/8" grosgrain ribbon
• rhinestone (iron on)

Measurements

• Card base folded measures width 4 1/4”, height 5 1/2” (Certainly Celery)
• Designer Series Paper – 3 3/4” x 4” (Green Tea)
• Cut into three pieces, each measuring 1 1/4” x 4”
• Coordinating cardstock A is cut at 1 1/8” x 4” (Old Olive)
• Coordinating cardstock B is cut at 7/8” x 4” (Baja Breeze)

More Post-it-Note Covers

More Post-it-Note covers that I made. These are perfect to put in your purse

Stampin' Up! Products

• Dusty Durango textured cardstock
• Crushed Curry and Old Olive cardstock
• Crushed Curry Patterns Designer Series paper
• Blooms and Blossoms Sizzix dies

Other Products

• Post-it-Note
• Velcro dot
• Brad

Directions are similar to my tutorial here; however below are the dimensions when using a Post-it-Note pad

Measurements

• Cover is 3 1/16" x 8 1/2"
• Scored at 3", 3 3/8", 6 1/2" and 6 7/8"
• Outside and inside covers, cut cardstock at 2 3/4" x 2 3/4"
• Next layer - Designer Series Paper at 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
• Top flap layers
• Layer one 1 3/8" x 2 3/4"
• Layer two 1 1/8" x 2 1/2"
• Velcro dot is placed on the top flap on the inside
• Embellishment is placed on the finished product

We Have a Winner

Using http://www.random.org/ and the nine comments on my blog posting:  Scallop Circle Flower Tutorial - Win the journal pictured in this post!!!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

7

The winner is:  Rita

Rita said...

Those are gorgeous! I love the colors on these projects!
July 7, 2010 8:13 PM

Thank you everyone for participating in my first blog giveaway!

Post-it-Note Covers

Here are a few Post-it-Note covers that I made.  These are perfect to put in your purse

Stampin' Up! Products

• Almost Amethyst textured cardstock
• Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery cardstock
• Fancy Flower Extra Large and Boho Blossoms punches
• Cherry Blossom Embosslits
• Tea Party Designer Series Paper

• Cameo Coral textured cardstock
• Kiwi Kiss cardstock
• Boho Blossoms, Scallop Circle, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle punches
• With All My Heart stamp set
• Cameo Coral ink
• Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper

• Bermuda Bay textured cardstock
• Pretty in Pink and Melon Mambo cardstock
• Scallop Circle, 1", 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle punches
• Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper

Other Products

• Post-it-Notes (3" x 3")
• Velcro dot
• Flower brad
• Small brad

Directions are similar to my tutorial here; however below are the dimensions when using a Post-it-Note pad

1. Cover is 3 1/16" x 8 1/2"
2. Scored at 3", 3 3/8", 6 1/2" and 6 7/8"
3. Outside and inside cover, cut Designer Series Paper at 2 3/4" x 2 3/4"
4. Top flap layers
1. Layer one 1 3/8" x 2 3/4"
2. Layer two 1 1/8" x 2 1/2"
5. Velcro dot is placed on the top flap on the inside
6. Embellishment is placed on the finished product

Michaels Dollar Bin Notepads

I just love Michaels dollar bin notepads.  For $1.00 you receive two notepads, and with a little cardstock, you can turn them into cute little gifts.  These are PERFECT to carry in your purse.

I created a tutorial - quick and easy!  You can purchase it below.  Please note that not all sticky notes purchased at Michaels are the exact same dimensionals; the pads you purchased may have more or less sheets.  You will have to refine the tutorial to match the pads you purchased.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Almost Amethyst textured cardstock
• Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Whisper White cardstock
• Tea Party Designer Series Paper
• Lovely Letters Alphabet stamp set
• Certainly Celery ink
• Hand punches – 1 1/4”, 1 3/8” and Scallop Circle

Other Products

• Michaels dollar bin notepads
• Velcro dot

Michael's Dollar Bin Sticky Notepads Tutorial is $2.50.  Upon payment, your tutorial will be sent to you by email. I usually check my account twice a day. The email will be sent to the one you have with Paypal, unless otherwise noted. 

Thank you.

CD Envelope Pocket Album Purse

When I discovered a tutorial by Maria Bell on creating an album purse, I just had to recreate it.  Of course, it took me all morning, which I enjoyed.   Thank you Maria for creating this tutorial and posting it FREE for everyone to enjoy.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Sage Shadow textured cardstock
• Really Rust and More Mustard cardstock
• Autumn Vine Designer Series paper (DSP)
• Really Rust, More Mustard and Sage Shadow ink
• Scallop Circle, Boho Blossoms and Round Tab hand punches
• Refuge and Strength stamp set
• Seasons of Friendship (leaves)

Other Products

• 5/8" satin ribbon - brown
• copper brads
• white eyelets
• cd sleeve
• velcro dot
• strong adhesive

What I would do differently

• Instead of stamping on the cd envelope, I would have used DSP and cut a 4" circle in the middle and glued it to the front of the cd envelope.  I would cut the DSP at 4 7/8" x 4 7/8"
• I had difficulty using the 1" round punch to make a indented tab, the clear cellophane inside the cd wrapper would not punch, so I omitted this.  After completing the album I discovered the if you put a piece of scrap paper on the inside, next to the cellophane, the punch will work.  The album definitely needs the half round cutout.

*I was very disappointed in my purchase of the Memorex cd sleeves.  Memorex packaged the sleeves with a rubber band around them; this left the first 10 sleeves in the front and in the back of the package unuseable if you intended on stamping on the front.

Bind it All - Reusable - Magnetic Notepad

I purchased magnetic notepads last year at a great price and wanted to create a more decorative cover.  After some consideration I thought that the cover would be more useful if it was "refillable".  I started lacing ribbon in, out and around the two covers that I bound together with my Bind-it-All and found a way to tie a decorative knot on the front and have the ribbon hold the notepad in place to the back cover.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Rich Razzleberry Patterns Designer Series paper
• Rich Razzleberry cardstock and ink
• Whisper White cardstock
• Friends Never Fade stamp set

Other Products

• Bind-it-all Owires - 1/2"
• 5/8" white grosgrain ribbon

Measurements

• Cardboard - 8 1/4" x 4 1/2"
• Outside covers - 9 3/4" x 6"
• Inside covers - 8 1/4" x 4 1/2"
• Stamped image (layer one) - 1 7/8" x 2 1/2"
• Layer two - Rich Razzleberry - 2 1/8" x 3 3/4"
• Layer three - Whisper White - 2 1/4" x 3 7/8"
• Layer four - Rich Razzleberry - 2 1/2" x 4 1/8"

Friends Never Fade

I love yellow and black together.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Card base - 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" - Basic Black
• First layer - 5 1/4" x 4 " - Yoyo Yellow
• Second layer - 5" x 3 3/4" - Whisper White
• Using Basic Black, I randomly stamped the flower image from the Friends Never Fade stamp set*
• After carefully cleaning the stamp, I randomly stamped the same image using Yoyo Yellow*
• Mount this onto first layer
• I made a bow (Black Satin 5/8") and taped it to the inside of this layer
• First and second layers were then mounted on the Basic Black cardstock
• Stamped image area
• Stamped image using StazOn Black ink, from the Friends Never Fade stamp set
• Colored in flower area using Yoyo Yellow Stampin' Write marker
• Trimmed stamped image to 1 7/8" x 2 1/2"
• Mounted stamped image onto 2 1/8 x 2 3/4" - Yoyo Yellow
• Mounted then onto 2 3/8" x 3" - Basic Black
• Place four Dimensionals on the back and adhere to the card
• Inside sentiment
• 5 1/4" x 4" Whisper White
• Basic Black ink using the "wishing you the HAPPIEST birthday yet" from the On Your Birthday stamp set

*For a professional look
While still using the flower stamp and Basic Black ink, stamp the left hand corner of the envelope.  While using the stamp and Yoyo Yellow ink, stamp the left hand corner of the envelope.

Scallop Circle Flower Tutorial - Win the journal pictured in this post!!!

There are some many ways to make flowers using Stampin' Up!'s Scallop Circle punch.  I found that crinkling the paper was 1) time consuming, 2) easy to tear flower when opening up, and 3) made calluses on fingers.  In just nine easy steps, create this paper flower using your crimper!!!

I set out to design an easy way to create beautiful flowers for cards, bookmarkers, gifts, etc.  This picture is an example of a few things I have done with the scallop circle flowers

  I will randomly pick one of the comments and the winner* will receive the journal pictured here.   Deadline for posting to win a chance for the journal is Sunday, July 11 11:59 PM (CT).

The tutorial is yours for only $2.50.
Upon payment, your tutorial will be sent to you by email. I usually check my account twice a day. The email will be sent to the one you have with Paypal, unless otherwise noted.  Thank you.

Winner will be picked randomly from  all posts to this posting and will be announced on Monday, July 12. 

*Shipping only to the United States

Mojo Monday - July 5, 2010

I have entered this card in the Mojo Monday contest.  Check out Mojo Monday for card sketch challenges every week.  This week winners will receive a free stamp set of your choice.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Card base - 5 1/2" x 4 1/4: - Certainly Celery
• Using the leaves stamp from the Refuge and Strength stamp set, I stamped it randomly using Versamark ink
• Using Certainly Celery ink and a sponge, I distressed the edges of the card for softer look
• First layer - 7/8" x 4 1/4" - Soft Suede
• Using Soft Suede ink and a sponge, I distressed the edges of the first layer
• Certainly Celery twill ribbon was glued to the Soft Suede layer
• Stamped image
• I stamped the cross from the Refuge and Strength stamp set in Certainly Celery on Whisper White cardstock (the circle is 2 3/4")
• Using Soft Suede ink and a sponge, I distressed the edges of the circle
• I distressed the Soft Suede scallop circle (3 1/4") using Soft Suede ink
• Using the leaves stamp and Soft Suede ink, I stamped the outside edge of the circle
• Certainly Celery twill ribbon was used and placed horizontally on the card (evenly spaced) - approximately length of each piece was 5 1/8" tip to tip
• Inside sentiment was stamped in Soft Suede ink using a stamp from Occasional Quotes stamp set

Sometimes you just

need to know that

someone really cares.

{That someone is me.}

Other Products

• Circle and scallop circle were cut using dies that work in the Big Shot

Patriotic Thank You

I am CASEing this card from B Finley over at Splitcoaststampers.com (Copy and Steal Everything - which acceptable in the crafting world as long as you give credit to the creator). 

The perfect thank you card to send for a Fourth of July party.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Card base - 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" - Whisper White cardstock
• Layer one - 4 1/2" x 3 1/4" - Real Red cardstock
• Layer two - 4 1/4" x 3" - Whisper White cardstock
• Stamped "thank you" from the Short & Sweet stamp set using Real Red ink
• Ribbon was taped to the back side of layers one and two
• Stars - Brilliant Blue and Real Red cardstock
• Stars are created by first running the cardstock through an embossing folder
• Stars are punched using the Large Star and Star hand punches
• Stars were secured with brads, placing the brads through the stars, ribbon and layers one and two (this hides the brad prongs)

Other Products

• Brad
• Ribbon
• Swiss dots embossing folder

Masculine Birthday

Now that I have such a nice supply of wonderful Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper (DSP), I have been creating cards on a daily basis.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Card base 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" - Pumpkin Pie
• First layer 5 1/4" x 4" - Sweet Pea DSP
• Second layer 5 1/4" x 2 3/4" - Chocolate Chip
• Third Layer 5 1/4" x 2 1/2" - Sweet Pea DSP
• Ribbon - Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain
• Embellishment layers - Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White
• Happy birthday - Well Scripted stamp set - Chocolate Chip - punched out using 1 3/4" circle punch
• Inside sentiment - "wishing you the HAPPIEST birthday yet! - On Your Birthday stamp set
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Embellishment layers - circle and scallop dies
• Brads

Fourth of July - A Reason to Celebrate!!

I was inspired by Nancy Riley's patriotic card.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Kraft cardstock
• Real Red textured cardstock
• Night of Navy cardstock
• Celebrations stamp set

• Real Red ink
• Night of Navy 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Large Star, Star, Word Window, Modern Label Scallop Edge punches
• Movers & Shapers Modern Label die

Other Products

• Brads
• Swiss Dots and Houndstooth texture folders

You can't go wrong investing in quality products.  Stampin' Up!'s products coordinate so well - Ink matches the cardstock, cardstock matches the ribbon.  No fussing around trying to match different brand ribbons....it can't get any easier!

Christmas in July

It is too hot to be outside so I am taking advantage of some free time to make up some notecards.  I plan on donating this four-piece set to a silent auction at NOAH's 13th National Conference in Washington, D.C. 

Our son has albinsim, a birthday present from his daddy and me.  He is an inspiration to me!  NOAH stands for National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation.  You can find out information about on their website - click here.

General directions for these notecards can be found at my June 30, 2010 posting - click here.  To make the poinsettias go to Paula Goff's blog.*

Stampin' Up! supplies may be purchased from me, please contact me at 205-221-5619 or email me.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Real Red card base
• Very Vanilla liner
• Christmas Jingle Designer Series Paper
• Scallop Trim and 5-Petal Flower punches
• A Note of Thanks is from the Thank You Kindly stamp set

Other Products

• Gold brad

* Update 08/10/2012 - Paula's blog has been removed and she offered no further assistance.