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

CHANGING LEAVES - Stamping with Friends Blog Hop

CHANGING LEAVES

When my 9 year old granddaughter Natalie, came to visit with her family this week, she shyly told her mom, "I'm hungry for crafting."  That my friends, is music to this crafty grandmother's ears and heart!

We did some ink transferring which you see in the photo above.  I love to make water color prints with our Stampin' Up! inks and paper, so here's what I made.   Read to see Natalie's print that inspired me.

The basis for these prints is a Gel Plate - Amazon or any craft outlet store. 

If you've never used a Gel Plate, you should know that it is sticky, which is necessary.  I used fall colors of inks: Crushed Curry (yellow), Blueberry Bushel, Peach Pie (light orange), Old Olive (green), Real Red.   I lightly tapped, once or twice, at random angles, each of the ink pads in corners and the middle of the Gel Plate, sometimes overlapping the colors.  

I used the Changing Leaves stamps but here's how I made them into one stamp.   I left them on the clear firm cellophane, like our product Window Sheet, just the way they are packaged.  If you've already removed your Changing Leaves stamps, I suggest to mount them on a large block or a Window Sheet.  In my case, I just removed all the sentiment stamps and it was all set.

                                    

Next, carefully place your stamp on top of the inked Gel Plate.  To get an even print, you can place a piece of paper over it and roll your brayer up and down, and across.  

Now carefully lift off the stamps, making sure that to slide or smudge it. (If you do its ok, its art).  Set the stamp aside face up because you're going to use it for another print. 

Now place your Basic White paper on top of the image. Smooth with your hands, over every inch or use a brayer.   

Then carefully peel back from one corner and see your print.  Set that aside.

                                        

Place a new piece of paper on top of the inked stamp to transfer the remaining ink from stamp.

                                    

AND, place another piece of paper on the Gel Plate to transfer any remaining ink from it.

To review, when you ink the Gel Plate, and stamp an image onto it, the stamped images from the first print will be the color of the paper - in this case, white. The second print is the reverse as you are putting the paper directly on the inked stamp.  The third print is the remaining ink and stamped image left on the Gel Plate which is often very light but makes a perfect background.  The ideas are endless.  

There are alot of other techniques you can do with a Gel Plate.  You can transfer black and white photos from magazines, or your own from a black ink printer. You can make your own designs of paper with acrylic paints, but my colors of choice Stampin' Up! Inks, Basic White and Water Color Paper.

What would a Gel Plate print of Changing Leaves look like in a non-traditional color?  Or maybe through the eyes of a 9- year old artist?  See for yourself - here is the print that inspired my Blog Hop post today!  Thanks, Natalie!

Thanks for stopping by to see my fun with ink and  "Changing Leaves"  techniques.  Be Blessed! sb

Don't forget about Bonus Days in July (2024). With any order of $50 you will earn a $5 coupon to use in August.   To make cards like this you would choose a base color cardstock (24 sheets for $11.50 = 48 cards), Changing Leaves Bundle - stamps & Embossing Folder ($54), inks, and glue.  If you don't have a demonstrator, I'd love to tell you more about our coordinating products and how you can join to save 20% on your orders.  

Now click on the next link below to view the inspiration by crafters from around the world! 

    

 

 

Double Flap Card - Card Sketch 1 -24

    

CARD SKETCH 1 – 24 Double Flap Card inspired by Jan B, England

                                                

The card base is ¼ piece of cardstock. The left flap opens to reveal the right flap. The right flap opens to reveal the card base top layer with sentiment.

You are going to cut the base, the right flap and the left flap; score the two flaps; then glue the right flap and the left flap to the base before you add the layers. This is necessary so that the flap tabs are hidden under the layers.

Card Base 5 ½ x 4 ¼ Cardstock. Right Flap 4 ¼ x 3 ¾, scored at 5/8” on the long side. Left Flap 4 ¼ x 1 ¼, scored at 5/8” on short side. 

                                                

Center and glue the right flap on the right edge of the card base.

                            

Center and glue the left flap on the left edge of the card base.

                                                        

Cut & Glue the Base layer (See measurements for layers on the Card Sketch)

Cut & Glue right flap layer, 4 x 2 7/8.

Cut & Glue the left flap layer 3 3/8 x 1.

                                                

Cut, punch or die cut the Center Piece to attach to the center

Lastly, Cut an inside layer, 4 x 2 7/8, out of white or similar pastel. Stamp your sentiment and glue directly under the right flap. I added this last – its easier to stamp first, glue second.  This is only shown as an ARROW on the Card Sketch as it is under the right flap.

Once you’ve made this Double Flap design, make it your own.  Decide to emboss the base or any of the layers; add a sentiment to the right flap, outside or inside. Add an image to the inside of the right flap; add ribbon or bling.   Make it your own design – its expected in cardmaking!

 

                                                     

                                                            

                                

I'm an independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator - that means that I save 20% on every purchase I make, in addition to any sales prices that customers receive.   That means that I belong to an awesome community of creative crafters, and that means that you can join the community too!   Become one of my team members, and during Jan & Feb, 2024, when you join you can choose a glass work space mat worth $60 for free.  Choose $125 of your choice of products for just $99, plus you get free shipping.  AND you never have to place another order OR if you do, you save 20%.   Click on this link www.cardconnoisseursb.stampin.net to check out the JOIN tab, and the new catalog and online exclusive products. View the projects I've made or contact me with any questions.  

Thanks for stopping by.   Follow me on Instagram card.connoisseur  and Card Connoisseur Susan Boback on Face Book.   Be Blessed!sb 

 

 

 

                                                                                  

Glowing Nativity

Glowing Nativity is is my own design - Susan Boback, Card Connoisseur. (Note that the spelling of this blog is different than my Face Book page, and Team name.)

  

I used Glow-in-the-dark papers (Fall Mini Catalog Sept - Dec 2023) to die cut the Nativity figures then attached them to a window sheet.   If you want to hang it in the window to collect the sun in the day, it will glow at night.  Don't let this card get covered up in your pile of Christmas cards!  You'll want to set it out to view the Glowing Nativity in the winter evenings.

DESIGN OPTION 1: make the clear lucite top layer that's removable to hang or 

DESIGN OPTION 2: leave it as the front of your card and stand it on a shelf so you can view it throughout the holiday season.

Click on any of these links to find: 

Products used in today's project at www.cardconnoisseursb.stampinup.net.  You can contact me there.

Click here to see today's video: Visit my Face Book page for a video on this project and weekly videos.  

Ask to join my private group at Card Connoisseurs - Card Making with Susan Boback over on Face Book.

Follow me on Instagram - card.connoisseur

Materials and Measurements:

Cardstock base is 5x7, Night of Navy

                                        

Inside Layer: Designer Papers, with star background for embossed sentiment 4 x 7.

(In the class project, I used Ivory paper, 4.5 x 5.5, for the sentiment layer because I thought the designer papers were too dark.) 

Top Layer of Paper: 5 x 8 1/2" O Holy Night paper or your choice of stars and sand.  (In class we added a piece of the desert sand design paper to a star background.   Use your choice of stars and desert design or however you view the surroundings of the Nativity.

                                        

Window Sheet or Lucite piece: 5 x 7. CAUTION: handle this with clean hands and as little as possible because fingerprints will show: use a soft glass cleaner cloth to remove them.  DO NOT touch the piece with glue on your fingertips as there's no way to remove it.  Scrubbing with a glue eraser does not work.

Glow-in-the-dark Paper: Make sure to place it in the light before using. You can "recharge" it if there's a shadow on any part of it.  Place upside right when die cutting or punching. Note that adding color with ink or marker does not permit the light to flow through that image.

                                                

Nativity dies

Ribbon to join the layers, 28". Fishing Line to hang the window sheet. 

Mini Glue Dots, white Dimensionals, liquid glue, paper punch, gold embossing powder, versa-mark ink, heat tool, paper trimmer, score tool.

Instructions:

Die cut the Nativity pieces from Glow in the Dark paper. (Or choose your own color cardstock if you don't have it) On the star/desert paper which will be the background, arrange your figures as you wish. Move the animals, wiseman, camel around till you have them where you want them. Set it aside. 

 Heat Emboss in Gold your Nativity Sentiment, then glue to base, making sure to allow at least 2 inches that overlaps the top. Score & fold the top 1 1/2".   Fold it over the card base, as shown in the photo below.

Clean any embossing powder, versa-mark ink or glue off your hands and work surface.  

                                                 

Punch two holes on the top of the card base and through the stars layer that are at least 1/2" down and 1 1/2" in from the edges. Punch separately if necessary to punch through the thicknesses, lining up the layers so they are exact. 

With clean fingertips, lay out your Nativity design on the Window Sheet. Use minimum glue dots to attach each die cut to the window sheet. CAUTION: once a die cut is attached, it cannot be removed WITHOUT leaving a mark.    Add a dimensional to the camel to "pop" it up, so he stands out from the others.

                                            

Once the Nativity die cuts are attached, punch two holes in the top of the Window Sheet in the identical spots the card base and paper layers are.

Assemble your Glowing Nativity: 

Bottom layer: Navy card base with sentiment piece, which you've glued on.  Punch two holes at the top. 

Middle/Star Layer: no stamping or Embossing is done on this layer - it is the background scene for the Window Sheet Nativity. Punch two holes identically places over the bottom layer.

Top Layer/Window Sheet: layer this on top of the other two. Punched holes identically placed as the other two layers.

Thread a piece of coordinating ribbon  through the holes, then tie in a knot or bow above the card.  If you plan to hang the Window Sheet Nativity separately, then attach a piece of linen thread or fishing line to it separately.  Include a note that the Glowing Nativity can be detached and hung separately. 

                                                          

Attach this note with the cards you send or give:

This is a Glowing Nativity. Make sure to set it in the daylight to capture the light, then display it in the evening darkness, one of two ways:

1)     Leave as is, hang or stand; or  Separate the Lucite layer and hang 

Display & enjoy the Message of Christmas 

This is a simple project with a few very particular pieces.  I hope you will enjoy making one and sharing the Good News of Christmas in a unique and "glowing" way.

Have a Blessed Holiday Season!     Thanks for stopping by.  Be creative and blessed!sb

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I've been paper crafting nearly my whole life.  I have found the creative community of Stampin' Up! to include not only beautifully coordinate products, but near and far friendships which are part of the creativity that makes this craft fun.  I like to believe that we are cheering up the world, one card at a time every time we put one in the mail, whether it be to a new neighbor or to someone I haven't met who needs encouragement.

If these are your interests and values, consider joining my team - Card Connoisseurs.   You have great options each quarter.  In January you can buy a starter kit for $99 but it includes $125 of everything YOU choose, free shipping and an amazing newly designed glass mat for painting, embossing and creative work.  You can join to go further in the business, or join just to enjoy the products and a 20% discount through your first full quarter of the year. And if you decide not to take advantage of this and other options for just demonstrators, you can end it there because there's no responsibility to me or to Stampin' Up!

Find my WHY I JOINED, NEW Catalog information, products, projects & ideas I've done, and so much fun information at www.cardconnoisseurSB.stampinupnet.

Lighting The Way

                                                                              Version 1

                                                                                 Version 2

I don't have a name for this card design.

I got the idea when I thought of this lantern lighting up the camp site on the many camping trips I've been on.  I knew the Supple Shimmer paper (not in the current catalog - 2023) could appear as sparkly as the stars on a clear summer night.   

Have you ever gazed into a warm summer sky at night and saw the magnitude of God's creation?  The stars and moon can be so enchanting.

Its the beginning of camping season here, May 31, the beginning of the summer fun season.  Since we have such long winters, and this past winter was a doozy, camping and doing anything outdoors even in our own back yard, is like being on a vacation.............at least for me, here in the Upper Great Lakes.

Version 1 has a belt/belly band attached on top  of the lantern that keeps the card folded until you slide it off. The "light" of the lantern is added with alcohol markers on a piece of  Window Sheet that makes the belt/belly band.

Version #2 has Designer Papers added, and the lantern sits farther down so it keeps the card shut until you lift it up, and the "light" of the lantern is yellow cardstock. 

I'll show you both versions, and as always, you can make it your own design.  

Here's the supplies, which are Stampin' Up! products, found Here with the latest cataogs and so much more.  

1 - 4 1/4 x 8 1/2" piece of Basic Black cardstock

1 - 4 1/4 x 3 1/2" piece of sparkly cardstock, for under the lantern

2 - 4 1/4 x 1" strips of white for inside

1 - 12 x 1" piece of Window Sheet for Version 1

2 - 4 x 1 1/2" pieces of coordinating DSP (Designer Series Paper) for front of Version 2

Lantern and firefly dies - Lighting Your Way set

Pieces of black or silver, and yellow for lantern, lantern "light" and firefly

Daffodil Yellow Stampin' Blend (alcohol marker)

Sentiments: Thanks for Brightening my Day  from Special Moments stamp set

Wishing you the Brightest Birthday from Cheerful Daisies stamp set, OR the sentiments that go with the Stamps/Lantern set - Lighting Your Way

Version 1:  

                                            

With a 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" piece of Basic Black cardstock, score @ 1 1/2" on each end. 

Starting with the inside, attach the sparkly paper to the inside, centering between the top and bottom score lines.  Next, take the two white pieces, and stamp your sentiment either for the top piece or the bottom piece before you glue them on.   Then glue one on top of the inside, above the sparkly paper and one below the sparkly paper.   

Die cut your lantern out of black or silver; and the firefly out of black and yellow.  Attach lantern to the outside, top about 1/2" from edge so that it just meets the bottom edge.   (Refer to the photo above for placement.)

With the 12" Window Sheet, score it firmly at 2 1/2" and 5 1/2" and wrap it around the card, so that the score lines match up with the top fold and bottom fold.   Use a piece of clear Scotch tape to fasten the ends to each other, but do not tape it to the card.  

Focus on the area that is directly over the "light" of the lantern, then take your alcohol marker (water based ink markers will rub off) and color in the "light" only.  This clear belt piece will hold the card closed until you slide it off.  (Belt/Belly band shown above to the left of the card. Refer to the finished card, Version 1 above, for the placement of the yellow "light" with marker.)

You may decide to add a 4 x 5 1/4" piece of light cardstock to the back, (under the belt) to write your message or sign your name.

                                        

Version 2:

With a 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" piece of Basic Black cardstock, score @ 1 3/4" on each end. This is one of  the differences between Version 1 and Version 2.   

Attach the pieces of sparkly paper and white layers with sentiments, as in Version 1.   

To add Designer or themed papers to the front of the card, cut 2 that are 4 x 1 1/2" and attach, as shown above. 

Die cut the lantern out of basic black or silver cardstock; one out of yellow; and one piece of Window Sheet that is about the size of the lantern without the stand. You'll need this piece of window sheet to attach the yellow cut outs that represent the "light".

Its hard to explain. But the purpose of the Window Sheet here is to have something solid to attach the yellow "light" sections to, since you're not gluing the lantern to the card base.  

See the reverse side of the lantern in the photo above. I glued  the Window Sheet piece to the yellow lantern, then with the cut out pieces of the yellow, I glued them to the Window sheet as I fit them into place on the top side of the lantern.  I hope that is clearer than mud.  You'll have to play around with it till you get it.  Its not hard, just fine pieces of layers.

Attach the Lantern on the top flap, about 1/2" from the edge, so that the bottom of the lantern overlaps the bottom flap of the front of the card.   This is the other difference from Version 1.  It should overlap the bottom flap about 1/2 inch. 

Die cut the firefly (optional) to attach as in Version I.  If you don't plan to add the firefly, you could center the lantern in the middle instead of off to the left. 

Add a light colored cardstock on the back for signature, 4 x 5 1/4. 

And that's it!   Make it a thank you or a happy birthday or any other sentiment you feel goes with "Lighting the Way" with lantern light. 

Please leave a comment or feel free to share your version of these cards.   I hope you'll go over to my Face Book group page Card Connoisseurs - Card Making with Susan Boback, and join, then post your version of this project. 

Visit my website to see the latest projects, current catalog, and your opportunity to save 20% on orders placed with me as your Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, www.cardconnoisseursb.stampinup.net

I love paper crafting - being creative and sharing a "handmade hug" with others.   Thanks for stopping by!  Be Blessed!sb