Welcome to my all-new weekly challenge!  This challenge is called “Compose a Card!”  It is super fun, because each week on Tuesdays I will post a fun video with some super music and a card recipe JUST FOR YOU!  SO… with this challenge there are a couple of things all rolled into one for YOU…my WONDERFUL readers! 

This challenge will include:

A VIDEO 

SUPER FUN MUSIC TO INSPIRE YOU

AN INSPIRATION PICTURE INCORPORATING THE CHALLENGE COLORS 

A VIRTUAL RECIPE CARD -which includes: ALL CUTTING, COLOR and EMBELLISHMENTS

Fine Print- please read it all…it will only be once:

 I hope to make this not only inspirational, but so easy and fun for you to collect!    There are NO rules when it comes to how you sketch out your card or what inks you use, and you can use ANY elements or ANY stamp sets to create the style you want.  All you have to do is stay within the cutting recipe and colors.  This is a wonderful way to build up a library of card recipes for you!  Even though I use Papertrey Ink colors and terms, you may use any supplies you wish, just stay within the color and cutting parameters!  Since this was actually my first video I ever made (even though you saw my bow tutorial one first,) I had some problems rigging my camera…so it is a bit shaky at times–ESPECIALLY in the beginning.  Don’t worry…it is fixed for later!  Also…sorry if the Melon Berry in the recipe card looks REALLY  pink.  Something happened in the processing…I am not quite sure what.   I will work out all of the kinks for next week.

****** UPLOAD YOUR CREATIONS VIA THE COMMENTS SECTION.  MR. LINKY HATES WORDPRESS   AlSO, PLEASE UPLOAD YOUR URL TO THE ACTUAL POST,  NOT YOUR BLOG OR GALLERY HOMEPAGE **********  I will feature my faves from the week previous every Tuesday!

Stamps:  Tiny Treats: Valentines, Polka Dot Basics II

Paper: Kraft, Vintage Cream, Melon Berry

Ink: Dark Chocolate

Other: Copics E 11 & E 31, Melon Berry Vintage Button

We have been asked to create a project this month using our favorite stamp set.  What?  EVERY PaperTrey set I own is my favorite.  I am not even kidding when I say that.  So it was really hard to choose.  Of course, since I had my hand in designing First Fruits, I thought of that first.  I have been wanting to make a very special present for my daughter though, and it had to do with Christmas. 

So I decided to pick a set that  was my favorite Christmas set to work with this month.  I chose to make a project with the stamp set ”Believe”.  I still can’t get over that elegant Santa and the absolutely stunning tree in this set.  Along with the fact that the small images that can be held by Santa or used on their own are so beautifully simple.  I wanted to make a book of Christmas Carols, which I could share with my readers as well as my children.  I made this book of 13 arrangements for any instrument in C.  So that means Flute, Volin, Recorder, Piano etc..  I made easy to read chord symbols for the accompaniment of piano or guitar and all in the format of a 5×7 space, so you can easily prepare a book using your favorite PTI card stock!  I am including one large PDF of all of the arrangements so you may print them out and get ready to use it for your own gifts next year!  Also…keep reading, because I will be giving this set away to a lucky person who chooses to leave a comment of thanks in this post!

You may click on all pictures for full-size images.

I loved making this book for Sophie.  I know she will use it for many years to come.  Even though it surely didn’t need it for stability, I matted each white page of music printed on Stamper’s Select White onto a Pure Poppy, Kraft or True Black color backing, allowing only for a slight edge to show which I scalloped using my Fiskars cutting wheel.  Above each carol I chose one of the various smaller stamps in this set to highlight above each title.  Allowing me to color a bit with my copics.  This added a nice touch, but didn’t interfere with the music itself, which worked well.  I used Polka Dot Basics stamp set and Fresh Snow ink to create a sweet background image for the cover, which complimented the stitching in the true black grosgrain.  I knew I wanted to use black to match our ebony and ivory recorder.  I wanted to do the Santas using the True black card stock, so I stamped them in fresh snow ink and colored them in with a white and red prismacolor pencil.  For the inside cover page, I wanted to write Sophia a note in my own handwriting, so she knows how much she means to me.  A personal touch that can add so much in the way of history down the road.  I hope you enjoyed my project today, and will use the PDF to make your own book of carols for you or your children next Christmas, or earlier so they can practice! 

Here is the link for the full PDF file of Christmas Carols.  christmas-carols 

(I chose to put my book in alphabetical order.  The order of the songs are alphabetical in the PDF file.) 

Also, here are some projects I have done previosly with this set:

Leave a comment of thanks for this post by 12 midnight EST, and one name will be chosen to recieve a complimentary “Believe” set straight from the warehouse!  The winners will be announced on Nichole’s Blog  HERE after 12pm EST time Feb.2nd!

Also, You won’t want to miss what the other senior design team members have in store for you today!  Go see!

Heather Nichols

Lauren Meader

Lisa Johnson

Michelle Wooderson

Also, the release team is having blog candy as well…today you have to go and visit everyone!!

Debbie Olson

Genevieve Cassady

Dawn McVey

Niki Estes

Betsy Veldman

Melissa Phillips

Stamps: Believe, Polka Dot Basics, Fresh Alphabet

Paper: Pure Poppy, True Black, Kraft, Stamper’s Select White

Ink: True Black, Fresh Snow, Ripe Avocado

Ribbon: True Black Stitched Grosgrain

Other: Wood board Book Covers and Rings (Bind-it-All), Fiskars Rotary Paper Cutter (Scalloped Wheel)

 COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THE BLOG CANDY.  THANKS SO MUCH!

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12×12 Butterfly Wall Template

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A Tin Tent Template: Author: K. Rebecca Oehlers

Popcorn Box Printable Template: Template found.

Wedding Program ~ Courtesy of: Maren Montalbano

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Small Trapezoid Box. Mirkwood Designs

Inchie  Children’s Pendant K. Rebecca Oehlers

Box for 4 1/4 size cards. Courtesy of Tracy Schultz

3×3 Card Box

Perfect Box for Gifting. Courtesy of Lauren Meader

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Paper Purse Pattern. Courtesy of SCS.

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Origami Boxes. Courtesy of K. Werner Designs

Triangle Cone Template Mirkwood Designs

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Triangle Box Tutorial.

2,5,7,10 Box. Coutresy of: Jenn Balcer

Coaster Picture Holder Tutorial. Author:

Coaster Picture Holder K.  Rebecca Oehlers

Beaded Pen Box Tutorial Author: K. Rebecca Oehlers

I recently had a friend /colleague graduate from music school.  The music degree colors for the tassles are pink.  I feel kind of bad for the guys who have to wear this, but oh well.  She isn’t a guy so I am sure it won’t matter.  I have known her since she was 12, and now I am working with her  on a regular basis.  So this box will hold a nice gift card for her.  So…here is the box.  I originally thought I would use the other side as the front, but when I made that detail on the flap, I thought it made a nice focal point.  So I switched my plans.  This box is nice and versatile that way.  I hope you like the design of it and try it yourself!

Back of Box:

Click on thumbnail to view template and instructions.

CUT PAPER: 8 1/4 x 101/4

Score long side @ top: 3, 4 3/4, 7 3/4, 9 1/2

Score short Side @ top: 2, 5, 6 1/4, 7 1/4

Cut as shown in picture.

Stamps: Kitchen Sink“Three Step Graduation”, “Plaid Plus”

Paper: SU! Basic Black, SU! Whisper White, SU! going gray.  Ink: SU! Going Gray, Pallete Black, PTI Berry Sorbet

Tutorial:

how-to-get-started-using-microsoft-digital-image-software

I made this box enclosure and stamped a whole scene around the tin, so the recipient would feel extra special.  This way, after removing the tin, they could keep the box on their dresser and maybe use it to collect photos of their prized catch inside!  Maybe a tin full of photos!!  Here are the measurements and instructions for the box:
Cut cardstock 11 x 7 1/2. With the 11 inch side at the top score at 1″,4 3/4″, 5 1/2″
Turn paper. With the 7 1/2 inch side at the top score at 1 ” and 6 1/2″to meet the other score line. Then stamp as desired. You will have leftover paper at the top so you can cut it or trim it as you wish depending on the look you want. Hope you enjoy this!

Stamps: PTI Pond Life, PTI Simple Alphabet
Cardstock: PTI Stampers Select White
Ink: Close to Cocoa SU!., Old Olive SU!, Bashful Blue SU!, SO Saffron SU!
Prismacolor pencils and gamsol
Other: Windowed Tin Papertrey Ink

Here is a flower box I printed out from a template I found. I will leave the template at the end of the post so you can use it as well. You will need to use two sheets of 8.5 x 11 cardstock since the box is in two pieces and then put together. I used groovy guava from SU!. After I assembled the box, I used one of the stamps from Kitchen Sink’s “Background and Borders” set and stamped it along the bottom. To finish the elegant look off, I then took some Groovy Guava stiched grosgrain and used it to tailor the edges of the box, as well as around the top edge. This gives a nice finished look to the box. I then used my cropadile and punch two holes in each side, threading ribbon in for the handle. For the finishing tough, I used a ribbon slider and made a bow to give it a focal point. I hope you try this fantastic template!! It is such a nice size for pocorn or a bouquet! I even got a small flower pot to fit inside!

Come back tonight when I annouce the winner of the very special blog candy for “Simple Things” TONIGHT! The contest is STILL open! Just see the post below!!

Popcorn Box Template

This lovely Wedding program was made by my new friend Maren, who I met while singing with The Crossing Choir.  We got talking about our hobbies and things and when I told her how much I loved paper crafts she was eager to show me her wedding program, as her and her new husband , Ray,  have only been married for just over a year now.  I was extremely impressed and asked her if I could feature it on my blog, to which she agreed.  It is a very simple yet striking design, and I just love how when held together by a large brad, it makes “page turnings” completely silent!  Only a musician could be thinking about things like that! I also love the shimmery cardstock she used.  It is a nice compliment to the black ink.  They were married in Hawaii and at first, Maren was thinking about wanting to do a peacock theme for her wedding.  The program certainly would have accompanied a them like that nicely.  well it turns out that during the ceremony, a peacock walked across the lawn!!  Wow.  Maren has been kind enough to offer the template she has made for this project on her blog which is HERE.  So go visit her and tell her a big thanks and what you think!  I really love how she has the program broken down into such nice categories to make a very full fan.  Here are the categories she has for each fan fold:

1. Their Names and date, time, place
2. Ceremony (lists prelude music, seating of the Mothers, processional)
3. Rememberances and Acknowledgements
4. Wedding Vows, Ring exchange
5. Wedding Party
6. Ushers, Officiant, Special thanks
7. Traditions (they did a Lei exchange)
8. About the Music: Maren explained some of the pieces as well as explaining why she chose NOT to sing in her ceremony.
9. about the music: continuation.

 Here are some wedding pictures with some of Maren’s friends!

INTRODUCING….THE ACRYLIC PAPERWEIGHT!!  Specially manufactured by Maria Colosimo at Kitchen Sink Stamps as a request from me to go along with the other great acrylic blocks we love so much.  This beautiful oval paperweight is flat on both sides so it is easy to alter and gives you a lot of versatility in ways that you can use it!  The block is only $4.95!!  This project is also accompanied by two beautiful new stamp sets from Kitchen Sink that are being released today along with some fabulous Easter sets.  These new sets, “Mix it Up Monograms and Alphabet” and  “Playful Ovals” that coordinate well with nestabilities and your Giga Marvy oval punches.   What can YOU do with this paperweight?  Let me know and you could win a free one!  Please comment below and share your thoughts!!  I would love to see what you come up with and may just try it myself!  I will pick one winner on Wednesday at 11am and you will receive an oval from me and the new “Honey Bunny” stamp set from Kitchen Sink!  I hope you enjoy this lovely project!

I just love how versatile the new mix it up monograms & alphabet set is!  There are THREE different sizes of the entire alphabet!!  How versatile!!  See how that “B” in THAT size oval fits so perfectly in that spot on the paper!  It looks like it was printed that way!  All of the ovals fit in the nestabilities!!

How did I do it?

With this classic paperweight, I prepared the stamped image and adhered it to the patterned paper.  I used crystal effects and liberally applied it to the block.  With the crystal effects applied I put the block down onto the applied paper and swished it around until the air bubbles came out and had a towel handy for any seepage that happened to spill out of the sides.  You must work quickly.  If you happen to get a fingerprint on the front of the blog because your hands are messy with crystal effects, do not worry.  Ultra Clean seems to magically take these marks away!  Just put some onto a tissue and give it a good rub.  This should work well, as it did for me.  Just try and clean it off in a timely matter and don’t let it sit for too long, just in case.  As always, if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.

Supplies:

Stamps: Kitchen Sink “Playful Ovals”, “Mix it Up Monograms and Alphabet”  

Ink: Black stazon    

Paper: American crafts, PTI white CS

Ribbon: American Crafts, pearls dyed with crystal effects and re-inkers

How did I do it?

In the following technique I used a foam brush to apply the crystal effects just to the outer scallops of the piece in even limited strokes so it would not leave streaks when adhering to the block itself.  lining it up very carefully I smoothed it out with my fingers gently but quickly along the edges.  If any crystal effects or glossy accents gets oozed out a little, you can carefully spray a little ultra clean on a towel and it will take it off!! 

Supplies:

Stamps: Kitchen Sink “Mix it Up Monograms and Alphabet” , “Playful Ovals”, “Never a loss 4 words”

Paper: River Rock, Whisper White SU! CS

Ink:  River Rock SU! , White Chalk ink, white gel pen, clear glaze pen

Ribbon: River Rock SU! stitched grosgrain

In this picture, I added stamping to already beautiful patterned paper by American Crafts.  This gives it a nice tough and helps incorporate and lift the color black that I wanted to add.  Once again, the little oval goes a long way in bringing the pattern together and giving yourself a place to add a beautiful initial. 

Here is a lovely door hanger for a baby girls room.  It is so nice using these monograms because of the size differences.  Very appropriate in how it looks for a nice classic monogram look.  I employed the same technique of applying the crystal effects to the block on this.  When you are finished, you can finish off the back of the block using the same patterned paper or a coordinating paper.  Try using velvet paper.  It is so soft and wonderful. 

On Wednesday when I annouce the winner of the oval and stamps, I will also show you a more masculine paperweight suitable for a male boss using the small diamonds found in the “Playful Ovals” set.  And just as a surprise…

MELINDA BREIN…You TOTALLY guessed what this project would be!!  For that my friend…you are going to get a free paperweight to play with from me!!  I will need you snail mail address which you can e-mail to me at oehlers@verizon.net  This is what Melinda wrote:

I think it is a paperweight made out of one of those clear acrylic blocks you have!!! (which reminds me I still don’t have any …. and they are sooooo cool) Ok, that’s my guess – Melinda

I used the “striped serenity” paper on this star.  It uses an 81/2 x 11 piece of paper for this template, so  you will have leftovers of your 12×12 sheet to make a card for someone if you give this as a gift.  After printing out the template, take each square and on the white side where your marks should be,  sponge Papertrey “Spring Moss” ink on the back using a dauber.  Then take your craft knife and cut along the lines making slits. 

1) Take the inner most slits and bring them in towards each other (adhere with double sided tape, I used redline)

2) Take the next pieces and pull them the opposite way and bring them together.

repeat in opposite ways until you are finished.  When you did that to each of the six squares you can put them together at the base using glue dots.  I then used a medium sized eyelet and thread PTI Spring Moss twill through it to hang it.  A beautiful project for beautiful papers.

Template: star_template_sm.pdf

Please take a look at Lisa Johnson’s blog.  She has a cute “Treat a Lope” tuorial.