BeeBug Creations

Sizzix is the SUO Challenge

Yes, when I use my Big Shot, I usually create texture and embellishments for cards.  However, for the SUO Challenge of "Anything Sizzix" I decided I wanted to create a 3-D item.  This project went together in a snap, and I think it would be a cute item to use at a wedding or baby shower.  I'm imagining it filled with candies for each guest.

There is NO stamping on this project...and only uses two Big Shot accessories:  Perfect Pennants Bigz L and Scallop Square Bigz Clear.  There was one other tool I used and that was the Scallop Edge Border punch.  Paper and card stock used were: Melon Mambo and Sunshine and Sprinkles designer paper.  The ribbon embellishment was Old Olive 3/8" Organdy Striped Ribbon.

Here's one more photo shot from a "straight on" angle. 

I think this also looks like a flower pot and would look cute with flowers "planted" in it (without the handle).

Well, there you have my project made with anything Sizzix.  Now it's your turn to use your Big Shot and share your project with SUO Challenges.  See you there!!

Photopolymer Stamp Set Product Review

As I mentioned yesterday, today I'd be sharing another project I created using Stampin' Up's! new Designer Typeset Photopolymer Stamp Set.  This stamp set is GREAT to use for customizing cards and projects!!  Here's something I created to give to my son and his girlfriend for Easter.  (I'm planning to fill them with M & M's.)

Along with the project, I also promised a review of the new Photopolymer stamp set.  Photopolymer stamps are the NEWEST Stampin' Up! product and they are completely clear, allowing for perfect placement on your project. The stamps are extremely sticky, allowing them to cling tightly to stamping blocks.  The material stamps are made of has been age tested and Stampin' Up! says they won't turn yellow or cloudy over time.

Okay, so that's all the "sales talk" from Stampin' Up! regarding their new product offering.  But, how do they stamp in the REAL WORLD??  My answer is that they work FANTASTICALLY WELL!!!  Before becoming a demonstrator, I tried other company's clear stamps and got disappointing results. Not so with these new stamps from Stampin' Up!

These stamps:

1. Did NOT have ink bead up when first inked!!  (Stampin' Up! states that these new clear stamps and the firm foam ink pads are perfectly meant for each other.)  I tried them on both the old and new Stampin' Up! pads.  The stamps inked with very little effort on the new firm foam pads.  If using the old style pads, they inked well but took more effort to ensure good ink coverage.
2. Made it easy to see where the stamped image would appear on the project!  Because they are completely clear it is easy to see through to where the image will be stamped.  Also, I could actually see the ink release onto the card stock I was stamping on.
3. Left well stamped impressions.  I pressed firmly, but not very hard, and was left with a great image when I lifted the stamp from the paper.
4. Are a great way to create personalized projects!  When I first looked at the stamp set, my thoughts were "big deal".  After I received my set in the mail and started working with it my thoughts changed to "this is great...a way I can make my projects personal!!"  

A couple more thoughts: 

When I first took the stamps out of the package, I was met with a rather strong oder.  It seemed to be a chemical smell and might have been from being closed up.  Several days after opening the package and leaving the stamps out to air, the oder is still there, but certainly not as strong.

Stampin' Up! recommends cleaning your stamps right away after use, which I did.  However, I noticed that some of the stamps still have a faint ink stain on them. 

The stamps stuck great to the blocks while stamping.  However, when trying to do a thorough job cleaning them with my Stamp-n-Scrub, some of the alphabet letters had a tendancy to come off the block.  Maybe I cleaned them too vigorously, but noticed that after cleaning one or two of the letters and having them release while scrubbing, the clear stamping block developed a film on it (from the Stampin' Mist used for scrubbing) which made it more difficult for the next stamps to stick.  Next time I would make sure to have a cleaning cloth right there to clean off the blocks.

The stamp set comes in a clear plastic wrapper.  I immediately transferred the entire stamp sheet into one of the plastic stamp cases that Stampin' Up! sells to make for easier storage.

So, I give the new Photopolymer Stampin' Up! stamps a double thumbs up!!  This new stamp style will offer unique, fun designs and provide more versatile options that may not be found in the traditional wood- and clear-mount stamp options.

Interested in ordering the Designer Typeset Photopolymer stamp set to try for yourself?  It can be ordered here, in my online store.

If you have other questions I can answer about this stamp set, feel free to leave it in the comments area and I'll send a response.

Thanks for stopping and have fun stampin' it up!

 

Hershey Nugget Candy Jars

I'm hosting a drop-in event this evening for those customers who live nearby and here's the project available for them to create.

Around Christmas time I created some of these to sell at the craft fairs that I participated in.  The response was so positive, I decided to update to spring colors and give my customers a chance to create them as well.  Drop by my home today, from 3pm to 7pm, and create some candy jars to give as gifts.  The cost to create each jar is $1.50 and includes the Hershey Nuggets.

Here's what's needed to create these adorable jars: Perfectly Preserved stamp set (126690 W, 126692 C), Cannery Set Framelits Die (127822) (use with Big Shot), Itty Bitty Banners stamp set (126255 W, 126257 C), Large Oval Punch (119855), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267) (use with Big Shot), Whisper White or Very Vanilla card stock, Designer Paper of your choice (I used Sunshine & Sprinkles 126922) and ribbon of choice (I used Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon 119257)

You can always shop my online store to order the products needed for this project. 

Looking forward to seeing you this evening!

Have fun stampin' it up!

SUOC Kid Fun

Today's SUO challenge was to make something with a "kid" theme.  Well, I had a "leftover" trick or treat sparkle image sitting in my work area, and decided to build a project around that, and here's the result.

Summary of project details:  Fancy Favor box cut out on the Big Shot using Tangerine Tango  card stock, Howlstooth and Scaringbone designer paper used for front of box, hole punched with 2 3/8" circle punch, sentiment from Wacky Wishes hostess set-embossed with black embossing powder (Whisper White card stock edges sponged with Basic Gray ink), Tricky Treats image stamped in Basic Black onto Whisper White card stock - sparkle added with Multi-Purpose Adhesive sheets and Dazzling Diamonds, Curly Label punch used to punch stamped image, 1/2" Striped Satin ribbon for the bow.

This project was an extra fun one to create. I enjoyed hosting fellow SUO Design Team member Pam Staples at my home for an evening of crafting fun. She was in the Twin Cities visiting family and it worked out for us to fit in some stamping time, allowing the opportunity to create our projects for this challenge together in my craft studio. I really had fun chatting with Pam while we worked together!  So glad you could come by!!

Now it's YOUR turn.  Create a "kid-friendly" card or project and share it with us at SUO Challenges.  And, make sure to check out all the other great design team member "kid friendly" projects as well.

Have fun stampin' it up!

Boxes or Bags for SUOC

The SUO challenge has gone out for boxes and bags of ANY type.  Here's my project.

My box was made with the Two Tags die and Big Shot.  I used a strip of the Orchard Harvest designer paper as an accent.  To me, this particular paper design reminds me of picnics and picnic baskets.

Wouldn't this be a cute way to thank someone for something special they have done for you?

Now it's your turn.  Upload photos of the bags or boxes you create to SUO Challenges.  Looking forward to seeing what you create!

Printed Petals gift tag

Sometimes you want a tie on tag for a gift and that's the project I have for you today.  It's my last project using the Printed Petals stamp set.

I made a Gumball Green circle cut-out using the Perfect Pennants Bigz L die.  I then stamped the scallop image from the Printed Petals set using Gumball Green ink and punched with the 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch.  A flower was stamped using Daffodil Delight ink and then fussy cut and attached to the center of the scallop circle.  A self-adhesive pearl was put in the center.  The ribbon tie is made from Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon.  I also put a blank Whisper White scallop circle on the back to write on.

There you have it.  I hope you've enjoyed the projects that I've shared this month that have been created with the Printed Petals stamp set.  If you'd be interested in adding this set to your collection, head on over to my store and order the wood mount here or the clear mount here.

Have fun stampin' it up!

SUO Feature a Photo Challenge

Whew! This SUO Challenge was a tough one for me.  I wanted to do something other than a scrapbook page...but really wasn't interested in featuring a photo on a card.  The other day I took a photo of our beautiful garden hollyhock and decided that was the photo I wanted to use...but how exactly?? 

Then it came to me. Another passion of mine is reading.  Why not make a bookmark to let me enjoy the beauty of my garden, even in the middle of winter?!  That's exactly what I did!!

Details:  Colors are Melon Mambo and Gumball Green.  I used the Herringbone Technique for the lower half of the bookmark and then used the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder to add some texture. (Unfortunately I ran it through so that the textured side is on the back!! Oh well, it won't affect the use.)  I rounded the corners with the 3/16" Corner Punch and then added the photo matted with Gumball Green card stock.

That's it for my Feature a Photo project for the SUO Challenges.  How about you, how would you feature a photo?  Create your project and share it with us at SUO Challenges.

Cascading Flowers Card for 90th Birthday

Tomorrow we will be having a family birthday celebration for my mother-in-law, who turns 90 today!!  A special birthday milestone like that deserves an extra-special birthday card, and that's just what I created. This card stands up on its own when it folds out like an accordian, and it's called a cascading card.  I'm excited to share this with her.

Happy Birthday Alice!

Have fun stampin' it up!

At the Fair Today!

I'm enjoying the day at the local Dakota County Fair.  I'm in my uplines' Stampin' Up! booth from 10am to 4pm today, enjoying visiting with all those who stop by.  If you live in the local area and are planning to attend the fair today, make sure to stop by to say "Hi!"  I'll have a gift for you if you are a local customer or mention this post. 

Aren't these pencil boxes the cutest ever?!!  They are for sale today at the fair.

 

That's all for today folks!  Have fun stampin it up!

SUOC - Special Thank You

Today's SU Only Challenge was to create a "stepped up" thank you note.  Well, in my world, a stepped up thank you would also include a small token of my appreciation, so I decided to create a gift bag to hold my gift.

I've been seeing all sorts of dressed up brown lunch bags and decided to try my hand at creating one.  I literally "took a page (or two) out of the book" for this project...the SU book (catalog) I mean.

I found my inspiration on pages 188 (heart design) and 190 (bag inspiration).  This was simple to create, but doesn't appear that way.

Here's what I used:  Hearts Framelits (two largest sizes), Bitty Banners Framelits, Fashionable Hearts Embosslits, Itty Bitty Banners and Fabulous Phrases stamp sets, and sponging.  Colors: Tempting Turquoise, Gumball Green (and ribbon), Daffodil Delight (and seam binding).

I feel gratitude is one of the most important attitudes to possess.  Saying "thanks" to others is a way of life for me.  What about you?  What "thanks" card do you want to take to the next level and share at SUO Challenges?  I look forward to seeing your projects!!

Have fun stampin' it up!