A Shout Out!

From Adriel:

I don't want to turn our blog into a place just to feature all kinds of other Etsy sellers, because let's be honest, our followers began following us because they like to see what we're up to! That being said, an occasional shout out about another Etsy seller can be justified given certain variables. How do we decide this, you ask? I'm not really sure that there's a formula, but here's a couple of reasons I thought of that would make a shout out justified:

1. The wares in the shop are so wonderful, that it would be selfish not to let someone else know about the shop! =D

2. The wares in the shop can be incorporated into our craft, and may possibly be of interest to other crafters/artists. (Again, shouldn't keep this to ourselves!) =D

Can you tell I really want to share another Etsy shop with you? I'm trying to find excuses to! LOL!

The Etsy shop I'd like to share with you is called Flowery Bliss. They have a cute little shop, but what I was most excited to find were their crochet flowers. If you're a card maker, you've seen people put these little crochet flowers on cards and use them for embellishing. You've probably also seen the price of these things through retail stores and such! "Yah... um, I think I can live without that..." That's why I was so excited to find this store with their large assortment of these darling little crochet flowers at a VERY reasonable price! I just had to share it... couldn't keep it to myself AND the wares incorporate with my craft and they just might with yours as well, so again, HAD to share... it would be selfish of me not to! heehee! I think it's safe to say that this shop meets ALL the requirements for a shout out!

Don't worry... I'm not being paid to tell you about them or anything, I just think they deserved a shout out! Very cute shop, very cute product... save some for us!!! ;-)

The Last Tea Bag Book

From Heidi..Here's my last share of tea bag books...although, after Adriel's post on photography I'm a little shy at posting my photographs. My disclaimer is that I haven't visited the blogsite that Adriel posted...I will, but I've already got my photos ready to post. So view these as my BEFORE photos (haha).

I used the Ruffle Edge Technique that came from Jan Tinklenberg on this tea book. I must say that gathering fabric is a whole lot easier than gathering paper. I really like how the ruffle turned out, but I haven't decided whether or not I enjoyed the technique...I got a little frustrated with it, so I have to factor that in, as to whether it's something I want to do a lot of. I haven't tried it again, so it's obviously not one of those things that I really loved doing.

If you'd like to try it, here's brief instructions on how to do it.

(Supplies - Crimper, 1"x12" strip of DS paper, Scallop Edge Punch, Sticky Strip, CS oval, circle, or other shape...and patience!)

-Use a 1"x12" strip of DS paper and scallop punched one long edge of the strip.

-Run the scalloped strip through the crimper.

-Place sticky strip on the backside of a CS shape, to which the ruffle will be attached. Don't try and make the sticky strip nice and smooth, it will look bumpy, especially if you're going around a circle or oval shape.

-Peel off the sticky strip backing on your CS.

-Start pleating your scalloped, crimped DS strip of paper and as the tutorial I used says, "Start sticking..." and adhering your pleated sections onto the sticky strip of your CS back.

-Continue to pleat and gather evenly the DS strip, keeping it nice and even all the way around your CS shape until you come to the end. Simply trim off the excess.

If you try this, let me know how it turned out for you and if you came up with any "tricks" to evenly sticking it on the CS. Thanks again for visiting us!

Brayered In-Color Top-Note Card

From Heidi...
I've had a lot of ideas that I've been wanting to get to, but haven't had the time. This afternoon I was finally able to play around with some of the new In-Colors. I thought brayering would be a fun challenge to use to try out a few of the colors together and see how they looked. I also got to use Adriel's Big Shot, so that was fun, too. This is what I came up with.
I love SU's new Soft Suede CS. I lightly sponged the outside top-note frame with black which gave the brown an almost leathery look...kind of cool. I'd seen a tutorial on how to make your own Dew Drops, so I tried that out and ended up putting several on this card. I really like how all the colors look together, I'm looking forward to playing with the other colors. Fun, fun, fun!

Here's the supplies I used:
Ink:
Dusty Durango (Brayering)
Rich Razzleberry (Brayering)
Pretty in Pink (Brayering)
Old Olive (Brayering)
Basic Black (for stamping greeting and sponging leaves and frame)

Stamp Set:
Sincere Salutations


CS:
Soft Suede
Kraft for card base


Accessories:
Big Shot: Top Note; Birds and Blooms
Dew Drops
Brayer
Sponge

Sideoats & Scribbles Weekly Challenge #2

From Adriel:

If you've been following our blog for awhile, you probably know that I'm a sucker for an occasional challenge, and if you know anything about Generation Y, they like challenges... I learned that at a corporate road show recently that Gary and I went to for Tropical Smoothie Cafe... and, back to the challenge. Right, so I like to participate in challenges every now and then, depending on how much time I have and if I feel like it (rambling again!)... I found this new challenge on sideoatsandscribbles through kwerner's blog that is a great challenge! Lisa has a tutorial each week on how to make your pictures look better. Then, you make a card and use her tutorial to make the picture look better and you submit your before and after. The day I found the challenge, I had just finished a card with white in it (that was one of the requirements for entering this week), so I already had a card made and had taken pictures of it. Sooooo, here's the pics:

BEFORE

Totally gloomy and dull and lifeless... I even hate sharing it because it's so ugly! Can someone say "Blah!" ... thank you! =P

Let's move on, shall we?

AFTER
It's better... I can't say that I'm completely satisfied with it, but it's much better than the first! Whew! =)

And just for the fun of it...
I added a bit more brightness and contrast to the "After". This one is my favorite. =)

Anyway, go visit Lisa's blog and check out her AMAZING photography and her tutorials. I'm sure you'll see an improvement in your pictures just by following her first 2 tips! =)
Have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by and joining us for another creative discovery.

Edited to add that I forgot to add my Stampin' Up! copyright text to my images... sorry! All stamped images and DS paper are copyright Stampin' Up!. =)

Another Set of Gift Tags

From Adriel:



I'm showing off these gift tags today. Cute, huh? =D

A couple of weeks ago, I found a YouTube video for making the shabby flowers with the scallop circle punch. I showed you that one already... if you missed the post, click HERE for my tutorial and a link to the video. Anyway, I found another video the same day (or the day after) on making handmade lollipop flowers. I'd love to share the video, but YouTube wasn't working when I wrote this post... I will have to add the link later. =)

UPDATE: YouTube started working but the video I watched is now private! WHAAAT? Anyway, found this video that is not nearly as good, but it will give you an idea of what to do along with my tips at the bottom! =) View video HERE.

Here's what I ended up doing to make my lollipop flowers: Instead of cutting circles out by hand, I just used 3 different sizes of circle punches. I did distress the edges of each circle with scissors... I don't have a distressing tool at the moment. I crumpled up each circle so it looks really distressed! Then, I applied ink to the edges of each circle. I used Chocolate Chip ink to distress the edges instead of the circles instead of white paint. I used Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive to attach the layers together. All I had available was a spray bottle with water, so I spritzed each flower lightly (very lightly) and then "molded" each layer how I wanted it. Once it dries, it's very stiff so the flower keeps its shape very well. I added half-pearls to the center of each flower and attached my flowers with pop-up glue dots to my gift tags. =)


Thanks for stopping by!

Yart Finds

From Adriel:

A lot of Etsy shops have some great sales going on... here's just a few great deals I found:

Beautiful earrings from mrsfatface:

A cute bag from BeckyKayDesigns:

Pretty Lampwork Discs from LindenAvenueDesigns:

Fun Fiesta Earrings from julylamoon:

Lovely 8x10 Photograph from eyefulAren't all of these Yart finds AWESOME?!?! That's all I've got for now, but there's a TON more Yart items on Etsy... just visit Etsy and search for "yart". You'll get tons of items to check out!

Yart Sale Day #2

We are participating in the Yart Sale on Etsy that began on June 10th and runs through the weekend, ending June 14th.

We've got a special section in our shop with a bunch of items that are discounted... some up to 40% off!! Here's just a few items that are on sale right now... there's a bunch more HERE.

Take a look:

Cute Circle Note Cards, Set of 5, only $5!!

Handmade Greeting Cards, like this one, for $1.75 each!

File Folder Organizers, only $20... discount of $5!!

Lots more in our shop and we plan on adding more Yart items as the sale progresses!

Another Tea Bag Book

From Heidi...
Here's another tea bag book that I made a few weeks ago. This is one of my favorites. I like the soft blue and the weathered vintage look. I sanded the edges of the DS paper and used tearing and inking the edges to distress parts of the flower centerpiece. This is SU's "Bella Birds" DS paper. Hope you're having a great start to your week!

Yart Sale on Etsy!

We are participating in the Yart Sale on Etsy sponsored by Team ESST, June 10-14. We've got a special Yart Sale section with discounted items HERE. Be sure to check it out and also all the great deals that other Etsy shops are doing for the Yart Sale! You don't want to miss it!

Some other shops that are participating in the Yart Sale for you to check out:

Delight Designs

MBW Photography

Erika Price Designs

Blueberry Cream

KreatedbyKarina

AJ's Country Cottage

June SAS: Technique Focus on Heat Embossing

Here are the beautiful cards we plan on making at this month's Technique Focus Stamp-a-Stack. Our technique focus will be on heat embossing and we will also be doing a color focus of black, white and gray. As you can see, these cards are classy!

Technique Focus Stamp-a-Stack

Tuesday, June 16th

At Heidi's house in Chandler

(directions given after registering)

3 cards for $10

Two times to choose from:

1pm - 3pm

7pm - 9pm

The evening class is almost full, so if you're interested in joining us in the evening, sign up soon! You can email us at twohappystampers@gmail.com to let us know you are interested in coming or if you have any questions about our classes. Hope to see you there!

Shabby Flower Tutorial

From Adriel:

This tutorial is featured in our newsletter this month. I wanted to share it on our blog as well! I saw the original idea for this on a YouTube video that you can view HERE if you like. But if you'd like step-by-step written directions, here you go!

Supplies:
1 - 3”x3” piece of card stock
2 - 3”x3” pieces of designer series paper
Scallop Circle punch
Rhinestone brad
Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive
Small silk flower (or paper flower)
Scissors
Paper piercer (not shown in supply photo)

Step 1: Punch out a scallop circle out of each piece of DS paper and card stock.


Step 2: On the two DS paper scallop circles cut a slit at each scallop.


Step 3: Crumple the DS paper scallop circles in hand until desired look is achieved. Scallop circles should be nice and crumpled. The more crumpled, the more “shabby” the flower will look.

Step 4: Use adhesive to attached scallop circles one on top of the other, starting with the card stock on the bottom.

Step 5: Pierce the center of the flower with a paper piercer or a needle.

Step 6: Put the silk flower in middle of flower and attach the rhinestone brad through the middle, through all the layers of the flower. Flower is now completed and ready to use on a project.

Here's some gift tags that I showed you guys last week that I made using the shabby flowers... TONS of fun, right?!?! I sold these tags this weekend at a vendor fair we did over the weekend. I ended up stringing thin black ribbon with white polka dots through them. Didn't get a picture of them with the ribbon before they sold, but they were even more fun with the ribbon added! I ended up using smaller paper flowers instead of the silk flower and used a button in the middle instead of a rhinestone brad.

Hope you enjoyed looking! Try the tutorial out and see if it's easy to follow or not. Let me know! =D

June Creative Card Kit

June Creative Card Kit

2 Designs - 10 Cards w/ Envelopes

$15.00 + $2.50 S&H

Are you one of those people that likes creating, but finding the time to go to classes is difficult? Or maybe you like the convenience of pre-cut and pre-designed projects? We've got what you're looking for! We've put together a special card kit for this month with cards designed around the "Fifth Avenue Floral" stamp set from Stampin' Up!. Of course, any type of floral stamp set will work with the card designs, so use whatever you have on hand!

The cost of this kit is $15.00 + $2.50 S&H for 10 cards, envelopes included! There are 2 designs in the card kit. You will receive pre-cut and pre-scored materials for 10 cards, 5 of each design. Detailed instructions with pictures will be included, along with envelopes.

Below is a list of supplies that you will receive in your card kit:

5 pieces Pink Pirouette CS

5 pieces Basic Gray CS

5 pieces Whisper White CS

5 pieces Basic Gray CS

5 pieces So Saffron CS

5 Brocade Blue CS Scallop Oval punched shapes
5 Whisper White CS Large Oval punched shapes
5 (8 inch) lengths Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon
5 pieces Kiwi Kiss CS
15 pieces Urban Garden DS paper

5 pieces Basic Gray CS

5 pieces Whisper White CS

10 Pewter brads
10 white envelopes
Detailed instructions

To complete the cards as shown, you will need the following products which are not included in the kit. Of course you can use your own supplies and stamps that you have on hand.

Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set #113734 $24.95
Mini Note Kit #116209 $9.95
All Holidays stamp set #114916 $34.95
SNAIL Adhesive #104332 $6.95
Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430 $3.95
1/16” hole punch #101227 $8.95 (or a paper piercer of some sort)
Baja Breeze classic ink pad #111833 $5.95
Basic Gray classic ink pad #109120 $5.95
Kiwi Kiss classic ink pad #111835 $5.95
Pink Pirouette classic ink pad #111838 $5.95
Brocade Blue classic ink pad #101102 $5.95
So Saffron classic ink pad #105213 $5.95
VersaMark Pad #102283 $7.50
Sponges #101610 $3.50 OR Sponge Daubers #102892 $10.95
Scissors

Here are some options for you in regard to the Creative Card Kit for June:

1. Purchase our card kit for $15 (tax included) + $2.50 S&H by clicking on the button below:

2. Purchase $50 or more of the additional products listed above on or before June 30th and we will send you the card kit ABSOLUTELY FREE! Simply go to Heidi's website: http://www.heidiscorner.stampinup.net/ and click on the "Shop Now" button on the website to order your additional products. After you have placed your order online, send us an email at twohappystampers@gmail.com for a confirmation about your card kit.

3. Want the directions for these cards to use with your own supplies or even to demo with your own customers? No problem! The directions are available for $4 (tax included) and will be emailed to you once you have made your purchase. Purchase the directions by clicking the button below:

This kit and the corresponding offers are only available for the month of June! Order on or before June 30th to have your kit and additional products shipped out by July 10th. Also, if you have any questions regarding this kit and offers, please email us at twohappystampers@gmail.com.

Fun with Embossing

From Adriel:

I saw a card on SplitCoast a couple of weeks ago and loved it! Click HERE to see the card I CASEd.


As you can see, I pretty much copied it almost exactly!! I loved it, like I said! HA! =D
I'm still getting used to my Big Shot and when I did this, I didn't get a very good impression with the embossing plates. I have since learned that if you put a couple more layers in the sandwich, the impression is much better, and I have tried it and it does work! =)

After looking at my first card, I decided it would make more sense to have a butterfly on flowers, so I used my Birds & Blooms Sizzlet dies to make flowers and then embossed them.



I made the butterfly by folding card stock in half and cutting out the shape and unfolding it and then applying pastels onto it. I adhered it to the card with a glue dot. =)

Anway, enjoyed myself! =D

Rockabilly Tea Book

From Heidi...Time to get back onboard and start sharing some of the fun stuff we've been working on. I've been working on pictures I've taken over the last few weeks, so now I can share them with you. Here's a tea book that I think is really fun and edgy. I used SU's Rockabilly DS paper (which I see is being retired) using the black stripe and Kiwi Kiss polka dot. These are a lot of fun to make! Thanks for looking.

Recipe:

Rockabilly DS paper

Lavendar Lace

Stamp Set:

Darling Dots

Ink:

Lavendar Lace

Old Olive

Accessories:

Black brads

Black eyelets

dimensionals

Ribbon

Sticky strip

1"circle punch

hand punch

Just letting you know...

that there's some AWESOME blog candy being given away on Melissa's blog!! She's giving away a Sizzix Big Shot! Wow! Check out how to enter her blog candy giveaway HERE!

Check out our June Newsletter

Hi everyone...
Adriel published our newsletter this month and we've got it up and ready for you to view. She did a great job! Included in this month's newsletter is our SAS dates, Project date, new card kit, all the Stampin' Up! promotions for this month, and our "From the Craft Room" project for you to try out. Click below or scroll down to our "Newsletter" button to read all that's coming up this month. Enjoy and have a great day!