GIRL TIME HOLIDAY

 GIRL TIME HOLIDAY

The NOV 15 holiday season was a time that we had celebrated throughout our lives.  As a girl, I recall Mom baking and cooking, and Dad taking a day or 2 off from work. My 2 sisters and I got a bit of relaxed routine at home, like eating cereal for supper, instead of heavier meals of the everyday life in our family of five.

NOV 15 was the Opener, the beginning of the two-week Firearm Deer Season. Dad would be relishing time away with his pa, brother, and nephews. With Pa at the stove, the others would be walking through their land at sunrise and playing cribbage by lantern light at day’s end. The hopes of shooting a deer, fresh on their minds each day was their goal, but just as important was the camaraderie and reminiscing as only guys at camp could do.  But whether Dad was successful in the hunt or not, he always returned refreshed, happy to be home with his girls, and with the beginnings of a beard.   While Mom was happy to have Dad safely home, she was not a fan of his beard, but we knew he was (and it looked pretty good on him).

About twenty-five years ago, my husband thought I should hunt too.  I had been unofficially in training with the walks we took through our land during hunting seasons. My thought was that to really be a hunter, I had to have my own rifle, pants, jacket, boots, and deer blind.  I experienced hunting for a few years, though no horns adorn our walls from my efforts.  (Read “Opening Day” by Susan Boback, previously published in The Mining Journal, November 15, 2023)

Having also celebrated some 65+ deer seasons as the one remaining at home, longing for some girl time, like my mother, I looked forward to less meal preparation, and whatever I wanted to watch on TV or none at all; breakfast for supper, snacking, or just the peace and quiet of being at home alone. 

This week has been the baking and planning meals. Hunting supplies, license, clothes, tools, are not on my list of things to take care of.  And while he’s been planning his meals, I’m planning mine – no plan is my plan.   No plan for anything else either. Because somehow the excitement of these NOV 15 activities has lost its fervor for me.  I realize that the “girl-time” activities are no longer a once-a-year celebration for me. They don’t hold a special, “sought-after” feeling for me because I am engaging in nearly all of them throughout the year during a holiday of sorts called Retirement. 

The only activity on my “girl-time” list is to experience the quiet of being alone in the house.  I realize that others may not have this as a choice, and that someday it could be my daily routine that won’t be so enjoyable.  But for today, I am enjoying the quiet of being alone in the house during the 2024 NOV 15 holiday. SB 

OH MY STARS!

 

Oh My Stars!  Our Sept – Dec Mini Catalog features a Star punch, which inspired me to focus on stars for my 2024 Christmas cards, plus make a square box into a star shaped box.

Today’s Stamping with Friends - Inspiration from Around the World project is anything but a card.  These little boxes are so versatile.  They can be made from a square of paper, from 5 1/2 x 5 1/2" to 12 x 12".  I've used cardstock as well, but I think the weight of our Designer papers or scrapbook paper works the best.

Once you make the basic box which has 4 even sides, then the star-shaped box will come together easily.  I’ve included some of the cards I’ve made with the star at the end of this post.

The pattern for the 4-sided box is as follows:

Paper: 5 ½ x 5 ½ ” with the direction of the pattern going horizontally.

Score from the left ½ “ -  this will create a tab that’s used to attach the left to the right side to make the box.   

Then turn the paper to the right and score at 1” on the left.  This makes the tabs on the bottom of the box. 

                      

Cut out the bottom left ½” and angle the top and bottom of that ½” tab.

Glue the left 1/2" tab to the opposite section, making it a square box. Then fold the bottom tabs on top of each other and glue them together. 

Pinch in the 2 sides on top, and punch a hole through to attach a ribbon.

Add a ribbon, loop first as shown below. Pass the free ends up over the top of the box and through the loop.  Pull tight. 

Today’s Star Box is assembled exactly the same except each 1 1/4" section is 1”. The ¼” smaller creates one more 1” section in the 5 ½” piece so that when it folds together at the top, it creates a star. 

Use the same size paper as for the square box, a 5 ½” x 5 ½” piece; and score ½” from the left edge for the tab.  

HERE IS THE DIFFERENCE:  score 1” across the remainder of the piece, instead of 1 1/4".  Turn and score 1” on the bottom for the tabs.

Then follow the same steps for the square box:  make the 1/2" tab on the left and the 1" tabs on the bottom.  

Cut out the 1/2" bottom right, and angle the top and bottom of the tab. Angle the bottom tabs. Glue the left tab to the right side of the paper, then fold the bottom tabs on top of each other to make the bottom of the box. 

Follow the remaining directions on each photo below: 

I've made many, many of these boxes.  We first made them for the ladies of my church for Valentines Day - "You are loved".  I've made them for Gifties which I hand out in the community, and card class events.  They are easily put together, small or large, and are perfect for using your pieces of 12x12 papers. I love the smiles people give when you surprise them with a little treat!

 

OH MY STARS - the box that looks like a star - was inspired by Claire Ottaway, an independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator like me. 

Here are some of my star-inspired 2024 Christmas cards. 

Inside

Thanks for hopping along.  Now click the next link to see more creativity from around the world! 

I love paper and color!   If you'd like to see the latest Stampin' Up! products, click here.  Each month, there are 2 new kits available, and "online exclusive" products quarterly that aren't in any of the catalogs.   Whether you are a stamper and love ink; or get excited about 3D projects like my star box today; mass produce cards to sell or donate, or you make scrapbooks, I'd love to share my ideas with you.  Check out my Face Book page - Card Connoisseur Susan Boback or follow me on Instagram - card.connoisseur. 

If you'd like to know more about how to get a 20% or more discount, I'd love to tell you about it.  Learn my "why" at www.cardconnoisseursb.stampinupnet. Thanks for stopping by! Go Get Creative! sb 

Desktop Calendar

 

WELCOME TO WORLD CARD MAKING DAY – 2024! 

Desk Top Calendar – this project is mailable and makes a great gift! Make sure to order your calendars early, link below.

Here are the three choices we offered:

 

 

The map of our geographical region - the Upper Peninsula of Michigan - was the most popular.  The U.P. = Yoop or Yoopers. We are very proud of the community spirit and caring, helpful nature of our people.

I've chosen the Splendid Autumn papers for you today. 

You can craft along with Stampin' Up! by clicking on this link, World Card Making Day. 

Our own event for World Card Making Day 2024 is at our local library. Four of the members of my in-person class have joined me again this year to demonstrate projects and craft together. I'm so pleased that our public library has welcomed us to share our love of card making - that's our goal today - to share what we love - paper crafting while in community with others. 

*    In 2021, we were offered a space, free of charge, to host our first WCMD afternoon

*    In 2022, we hosted our event, including lunch, at our newly built senior center

*    In 2023, we invited the community to join us at the new bakery's shared space

*    In 2024, we'll be at our public library, Leverton Community Room. View photos from today's event on my Facebook page - Card Connoisseur Susan Boback.

Desktop Calendar

The measurements are written for 12" cardstock, but you could use an 11 1/2" piece and adjust the 1" difference in your score lines. (I have not included those measurements)

Here is the desk top calendar I received last year as a gift from a fellow team member, Susan L.  

Calendar Base measures: 12 x 5 ½”.  Choose white or a color to coordinate with your theme. Stampin' Up! carries 12x12 in white and colors - here's the link, 12x12 cardstock

Score:  on the 12” side, from the left, and working across to the right side: score at ½”, 2”, 3 ½”, 7 ¾”.   That leaves you with a 4 ¼” section on the far right, which is the main section of the calendar.

Fold:  each scored section. The ½” end piece is the “tab” that attaches the left to the right end to form a triangle with a pleat in the bottom. Glue the ½” section to the opposite end, then fold the 2” section in so that it makes a stand for the calendar. 

Front Layers:

Solid Cardstock:  4” x 5 ¼” Pecan Pie color cardstock is my choice to coordinate with this paper

Background layer: 5” x 3 ¾” This is the Splendid Autumn Designer Series Paper

To add a border layer, as in the daisy example above, cut a piece of contrasting paper at 1” x 5” and layer it on according to your design.

Ribbon: 7” plus a 3” piece to tie around. I've used the Natural Tones Linen Thread, but use any fibers that coordinate with your design.

Assemble by adding the twine to the main layer.  Attach around to the back on each side with Tear & Tape (double sided tape). Pull it tight, but not so tight that the paper bends.  Tie a short piece to the twine and twist the fibers to fray them.

Position your calendar on the layer, leaving some space for the design to be seen.

Attach to the solid color cardstock layer, then attach it to the calendar base.   

Alternative print - you could use a 4x6" landscape view photo in place of the patterned paper, by trimming 3/4" off of one end; or a child's artwork. 

Now you have the date right in front of you in your craft room or anywhere you need a beautiful reminder.   This desk calendar does fold for mailing - check the thickness for additional postage.

Calendar source: Vippies Designs @ vippies.com OR for a slightly larger calendar, TayloredExpressions.

View the latest catalogs and promotions by clicking the link on this page.  Go Get Creative!

Thanks for stopping by! Now hop over to see the next creative design!sb

COLOR COMBO

Today's challenge for our Blog Hop - Stamping with Friends - 

Inspiration from Around the World is a:

Did you ever wonder what the world would look like if our leaves were not just yellow or green or fall reds and oranges?  How about pink leaves or blue leaves or pink & blue leaves. Sometimes my artful creations in paper crafting are realistic, but today my card is bringing all these colors together!

I'm the Card Connoisseurs Susan Boback.  I love ink and adding color.  This is a fairly easy project and while its not new, it has been quite popular in 2024. 

You are inking the background which is EMbossed - raised above - the leaves design. 

I used the Stampin' Write makers to color the leaves by hand in four of these colors.

If you're new to the markers of Stampin' Up!, the Stampin' Write are water-based and can also be spritzed with water, used for watercolor techniques, and will wash off tools and skin and most clothing if washed in cold water right away.  The Stampin' Blends are alcohol based and more permanent. If you want to spritz them, it'll have to be with rubbing alcohol, and they do not wash off of clothing, or skin or tools unless you use an alcohol wipe or other cleaner. 

As shown above, color the leaves in any of these colors:  Shy Shamrock green, Flirty Flamingo pink, Fresh Freesia lavendar, Blueberry Bushel blue, and then I added Crushed Curry yellow.  Since I don't use these colors together, I found this quite a challenge. But when I saw this as art -   and it didn't have to be realistic - it became fun to meet this challenge!

Choose an Embossing Folder with a deep imprint AND a lot of background space - I used Changing Leaves Hybrid Embossing Folder   (Please note that if a product says "Currently unavailable" on our Stampin' Up! website, it is back ordered - check back again) 

Emboss on White cardstock - Basic White

Turn over the cardstock so you are using the DEbossed side: that's where the leaf images are lower than the background.

Add any non-traditional color to the images, staying in the lines. Do this quickly - this is not a color by number picture that should be exactly perfect but more abstract art.  

Open a full-size ink pad - which I found works the best, as opposed to the small "spot" square pads -  and hold it in your hand face down. I used Shade Spruce green.

Press lightly at first and drag the ink pad across the print, applying slightly more pressure to the background areas. 

Try not to stop in the middle of the print - you don't want to get the lines from the end of the ink pad. 

Turn the print sideways and drag the ink pad across the print again.

Now you've added ink to the background which makes the leaves colors pop out.

Trim your print and mount it on a bright background. I used Blueberry Bushel, one of the five colors and also one of my favorite blues.   

Add a sentiment like "Wishing you the brightest birthday" from Cheerful Daisies stamps, or leave without and use for just about any occasion.   Make a double bow of silver trim to attach under the tag.

To discover more about these colors and products, shop our Fall Mini Catalog, link at the top of the page. You can join my team and get a 20% discount each time you order, visit here www.cardconnoisseursb.stampinup.net  Thanks for stopping by! sb

Now hop over to the next blog and see more creativity using these five colors!