VC Rocks Blog 4 - Big Shot, Punch Art & Simply Scored Projects

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the VC Rocks Blog Hop #4, featuring projects created using the Big Shot, Punch Art with punches as well as Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scored Tool.  To view the list of blogs participating in this Blog Hop, click here to visit the VC Rocks Blog.

If you are just starting the Blog Hop here, then welcome and I hope you will enjoy all the wonderful projects that everyone will be sharing this weekend. Or perhaps you may have just come from Mary Campbell's Blog, Mimi to Jett and her amazing creations. This is my first Blog Hop ever and I am so excited to share my projects with you all.

With my 4 children starting school next week, I thought I would share with you this gift idea that would be perfect for a child to give to his/her teacher.  Isn't this petite purse simply adorable?  I just love using my Big Shot to create my projects.  It is probably my most favorite tool in my craft room.  As for my punches, well they would be a close second.

I created my petite purse and matching Thank You card using Wisteria Wonder cardstock from the 2011-2013 In Colors.  I am not normally a purple person but I really love using Wisteria Wonder and the way it pops against the Whisper White. The beauty of this project is that you can use whatever color combination you wish to suit the person receiving it.

The petite purse is created using the  Sizzix Petite Purse Bigz L die with the Big Shot. With just a couple of strips of Sticky Strip, this cute little purse goes together so simply.  Before I assembled the purse, I embossed the die cut cardstock with the new Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (from the 2012 Holiday Catalog) with just a quick pass through the Big Shot. I love the delicate texture it adds to the purse.

To create the embellishment on the front of the purse, I used the stamp set, Mixed Bunch with Wisteria Wonder Classic ink and punched out the stamped circle image using the 3/4" Circle punch. I love how the stamps in this set coordinate with Stampin' Up! punches to make quick and easy projects. I used the new 1 1/4" Scallop Circle punch (also from the 2012 Holiday Catalog) to create the base and embossed it with the Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder to match the purse.  The basic Pearl jewel in the center of the flower image adds the finishing touch to the purse.

The matching card is also created using Wisteria Wonder and Whisper White cardstock.  I embossed the Whisper White cardstock with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Embossing Folder to coordinate with the purse.  The flower is created using one of the stamps from the Mixed Bunch stamp set with Wisteria Wonder Classic ink and punched out with the coordinating Blossom punch. I also punched out another blossom shape from Wisteria Wonder cardstock and attached the layers with a Stampin' Dimensional, offsetting the petals.  I stamped the circle image separately (the same one I used for the purse) and punched it out with the 3/4" Circle punch. Once again I used the Basic Pearl Jewel to embellish the center.

The sentiment is from one of my favorite stamp sets, Curly Cute.  I just love the simple elegance it brings to my projects.  I stamped Thank You with Wisteria Wonder Classic ink on Whisper White cardstock and punched it out using the Modern Label punch. I used the Extra Large Oval punch to punch out an oval from Wisteria Wonder cardstock to create a matte and also embossed it using the Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder.

You can fill your petite purse with candy or chocolate for a sweet treat.  It would also be great gift bag for jewelry for someone special.  Imagine the cute favors you could create for a Bridal or Baby Shower, not to mention for birthday parties. One of the best things about using the Big Shot and Stampin' Up!'s punches, is that it helps you create amazing cards and gifts, quickly and easily.

I hope you have enjoyed my Blog Hop share and I hope it helps to inspire you to create your own creative project.  Now it's time to move on to Loni Holt's Blog, Loni's Life and see the wonderful creations she has for you. 

Until Next Time.
Happy Stamping,
Tricia Butts
http://www.triciabutts.stampinup.net


Recipe (All Products are Stampin' Up!):
Stamp Sets: Mixed Bunch (p 94), Curly Cute (p 138)
Inks:  Wisteria Wonder Classic (p 152)
Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder (p152), Whisper White (p 156)
Accessories: Big Shot (p 186), Petite Purse Bigz L Die (p194), Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (p 6*), 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch (p 7*), Blossom Punch (p185), Extra Large Oval Punch (p 184), Modern Label Punch (p 183), 3/4" Circle Punch (p184), Basic Pearl Jewels (p 175), Stampin' Dimensionals (p 177), Snail Adhesive (p 177), Sticky Strip (p 177)

Page numbers are from the 2012-2013 Catalog
Except those marked with a * which can be found in the 2012 Holiday Catalog

Let it Snow?

Hi Everyone,

Well, it may not be cold enough to snow, but the temperature here in Northglenn is about 20 degrees cooler today than yesterday.  This started me thinking about the fact that it is mid August and snow has a habit of showing up here in Colorado when you least expect it. Thankfully it is usually gone again as quickly as it arrived, but it got me thinking about snowmen and how much I love these cute little guys.
So I thought I would share with you a card that we created recently at my Christmas in July card class.  I love the color combination of Island Indigo with Pool Party, two of the 2011-2013 In Colors, and it seemed like the perfect combination for a snowman card.
This frosty card features one of the snowmen from the stamp set, Snow Much Fun, and I think that is a pretty accurate description of this stamp set.  You can't help but smile when you create with these stamps.

Our snow friend was "watercolored" with a blender pen and ink and I added some sparkle to him with Dazzling Diamonds. The Silver Glimmer paper border and Island Indigo 3/8" Ruffled ribbon accent dress up this fun Christmas card.
I hope you enjoy this sweet snowman Christmas card and I hope it inspires you to create your own Christmas cards ready for the holidays.

Until Next Time.
Happy Stamping,
Tricia Butts
http://www.triciabutts.stampinup.net

Recipe: (products are all Stampin' Up!)
Stamp Set: Snow Much Fun (p15)
Inks: Stazon Jet Black (p157), Classic Pool Party (p152), Island Indigo (p152), Basic Grey  (p156) & Pumpkin Pie (p153)
Cardstock: Pool Party (p152), Island Indigo (p152), Naturals White (p160), Silver Glimmer Paper (p160)
Accessories: Sizzix Big Shot(p186), Argyle Embossing Folder (p189), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (p183), Blender Pen (p178), Dazzling Diamonds (p158), Island Indigo 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (p172), Snail Adhesive (p177), Stampin' Dimensionals (p177)

New Challenges - Exploring the world of ATC's

Hi Everyone,

Over the summer I have been expanding my creative horizons, trying new techniques and new formats of art with Stampin' Up! products.
It all started when I joined a yahoo group called VC Rocks for the summer and started participating in their challenges and swaps to help me get out of the slump I had fallen into.  Let me tell you, it has been a wonderful experience and I have created more cards and projects in the last two months than I had in the past 6 months.
One of the swaps I participated in was an ATC swap. Now you maybe asking, what is an ATC?
ATC stands for Artist Trading Card and it is like the art version of a baseball or sports card. Artists create these cards featuring their artwork and trade it with other artists.  There is a specific size requirement necessary to qualify as an ATC.  The card size required is 2.5" x 3.5".
Now I had first heard about ATC's during my decorative painting days, several years ago, but I found it difficult to paint small enough to do justice to my small canvas.  However, I have discovered that in my new medium of papercrafting using stamps and ink, the challenge was both enjoyable and satisfying. 
After auditioning several different ideas, this is the design I came up with featuring the stamp set, Creative Elements, one of my new favorite stamp sets.

Now the swap required me to create 11 identical ATC's (I created 12 so that I would have one to keep) to send to the Swap Organizer and in return I received back 10 different ATC's cards from the other participants. Below is a photo of 4 of the ATC cards I created for the swap.
I love the new In Color, Primrose Petal, that I used for the flower image.  The new foam ink pad provided wonderful coverage and was a dream to stamp with. Don't you just love the cute little blue butterfly created with the Beautiful Wings Embosslit and embellished with a sparkling rhinestone for a little bling.

All in all, this was a wonderful experience and it was great to stretch myself to creating on a smaller size. I am looking forward to exploring the world of ATC's further in the future. Call me crazy, but wouldn't this look fantastic as a business card. Just add your details on the back and it would definitely grab people's attention when you hand them out. They would also make a great focal point on a card front or as an element on a scrapbook page. The opportunities are endless.
I hope my journey into the world of ATC's will inspire you to create something new and challenging.

Until Next Time.
Happy Stamping,
Tricia Butts
http://www.triciabutts.stampinup.net


Recipe:
Stamp Sets:
Creative Elements (p126), Language of Friendship (p74)
Classic Inks: Primrose Petal (p152), Lucky Limeade (p152), Soft Suede (p156)
Cardstock: Whisper White (p156), Bashful Blue (p154)
Accessories: Sizzix Big Shot (p186), Beautiful Wings Embosslit (p188), Designer Frames Folders (p188), Extra Large Oval Punch (p184), Sponge Daubers (p179), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (p175), Snail Adhesive (p177), Stampin' Dimensionals (p177).

Exciting Fabric Sale!

Hi Everyone,

I just had to stop by and let you all know about a great sale that Stampin' Up! is offering on its discontinued fabric. Only while supplies last, you can purchase select discontinued fabric for just 99 cents. Yes, you read correctly, I said 99 cents.  That is a huge savings and there is no limit to the quantity you can purchase.

Here is a list of the available fabric designs:

Item	Description	Price
121716	Deck the Halls Designer Fabric	$0.99
121715	Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric	$0.99
121817	Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric	$0.99
121818	Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric	$0.99

To see a sample of the fabric, click here to view a PDF file.
The best way to place your order to take advantage of this amazing sale, is to visit my Online Store here, to avoid missing out. Don't forget to check out the other incredible savings available in the Clearance Rack.
Please contact me if you have any questions.

Until Next Time,
Happy Stamping,
Tricia Butts
http://www.triciabutts.stampinup.net

Shop Now!

2012 SU Holiday Catalog is here!

Hi Everyone,

How many of you have started your Holiday projects? If you haven't, don't panic because Stampin' Up! has just launched its 2012 Holiday Catalog and it is full of incredible new products that will help you create fun and fabulous projects to help you avoid the holiday stress.
This Holiday catalog is bigger and better than before with new products that will coordinate to make planning your projects so much easier. Exclusive new Sizzix Framelits  with coordinating stamp sets, Core'dinations Cardstock in select Stampin' Up! colors, beautiful Designer Series Paper packs with coordinating embellishments are just a few of the highlights. Plus, Stampin' Up! recognizes that our customers lead busy lives, so they are offering wonderful bundles and kits to save you time without skimping on quality, while providing value to suit your budget.
To view the 2012 Holiday Catalog just click the icon in my Sidebar or Click the link below to download your free digital copy:

Click Here

Over the upcoming weeks, I will be sharing projects and ideas featuring products from the Holiday Catalog and the new 2012-2013 Catalog. 

Please contact me if you have any questions or you would like to place an order.  Don't forget, you can also visit my Online Store 24/7 to place your order.

Until Next Time.

Happy Stamping,

Tricia Butts

http://www.triciabutts.stampinup.net

Visit My Facebook Page & "Like" it for Updates & Ideas:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/TriciaStampingCreations

Back to the Land of Blogging

Hi Everyone,

Well, it has been awhile since I updated my blog and so much has happened since then. The summer is coming to an end, sadly, which means my 4 children are going back to school in a few weeks and Fall will be just around the corner.
While I am busy with back to school activities, I am looking forward to getting back to blogging on a regular basis and filling you in on all the incredible new things going on at Stampin' Up!  In addition, I will be sharing card and project ideas as well as upcoming classes and promotions to get you inspired and keep you informed.
With Halloween around the corner, Thanksgiving on the horizon and Christmas less than 5 months away, I am looking forward to providing useful and creative ideas to help you get ready for the upcoming Holiday Season so that you can avoid the last minute stress and enjoy the holidays with your family.
I hope you will join me.
Until Next Time.
Happy Stamping,
Tricia Butts
http://www.triciabutts.stampinup.net

Join me on Facebook & "Like" my Page for updates & ideas:
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