May Technique Class - Travel/Father's Day Journal

Our May technique class is scheduled for this evening, May 21, at 7:00 PM.  We still have room, email me right away to join us.  Plus, those who have been to previous classes will get to see our new laminate floors!  A sneak peek is in the photo on the right.  They turned out great.  Next, we tackle the family room carpet. 

We will be using the new Briefcase Board Books to create a fun squash book.  These books are great for either a travel journal or Father's Day gift.  For detailed squash book directions, visit Splitcoast Stampers.  For this project, you will need:

• Stamp Sets:  In a Word, Sentimental Journey, and Totally Tool (if you prefer a Father's Day theme for your book)
• Designers Series Papers:  Travel Journal
• Card Stock:  Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green
• Stampin Pad:  Night of Navy, Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie 
• Accessories:  Circle Designer Brads
• Tools:  Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sanding Blocks, Sponge Daubers, Bone Folder
• Other:  Velcro

As I mentioned, Splitcoast offers a tutorial for squash books that will help with the paper folds, just follow the link if you need additional details.  Start by embellishing the outside cover of the book, the briefcase board book.  You will use two "pages" from the board book for each squash book you make.  The briefcase board books replace the coasters in the Splitcoast tutorial.  I traced punched out the book covers and then traced them on the Night of Navy and pieces of the Travel Journal Designer Series Paper.  Cut to size and make sure each properly covers the book. It may be necessary to use a stencil knife to cut out the opening around the handle.  Before adhering to the board book, use a sponge dauber to add Night of Navy to the edges.  You can heat set with your embossing gun or air dry.  Once dry, cover the book with the card stock and designer series paper.  In my photo, you'll notice that I punched the holes in the paper.  This is not necessary and should not be done for this book since you do not need to bind the book using the holes.  I wanted to create a suede look for outside of my suitcase so I brushed the card stock with my sanding block in one direction and then in the opposite direction.  This makes it feel like suede.

Now for the "squash" part.  Cut three pieces of Bashful Blue card stock to 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 inch square.  Score each piece at 3 1/4" vertically and horizontally, creating four equal squares.  Then score on just one diagonal.  Fold on the score lines with the 3 1/4" scores folded in the same direction and then fold the diagonal in the opposite direction.  Repeat for each piece of Bashful Blue.  Stamp the background as desired.

Place one piece with the diagonal fold pointing down, facing you like a diamond.  Add Sticky Strip to the two complete diamonds to the left and right of center.  With the diagonal fold pointing up, adhere a second piece to the first (lining up the two side diamonds.  Repeat with the third cardstock.  This is steps 10-12 of the Splitcoast Tutorial.  Then fold the inside pages of the book; squash so that it is a square. 

Apply Sticky Strip to both sides of the book.  Adhere the front and back covers to the pages.  Embellish pages with designer series papers, stamps and add your photos.  Cut a 1 x 12 inch strip of Chocolate Chip.  Add a brad to one end and wrap around the closed book through the handles.  Close with velcro.  You can also add a luggage tag with a sentiment inside.

Father's Day Variation:  Use the Totally Tools stamp set and make the case look more like a tool box. 

Remember, there is still time to join us!  Email if you'd like to come!  The cost is $10 for supplies.

God Bless and Happy Stampin!
Charity

April Technique Class - Photo Album Purse

It's time to register for our monthly Technique Class, Photo Album Purses.  Our class will be April 16 at 7:00 PM.  This photo album purse is from a tutorial provided on the Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator website.  As I've previously mentioned, one of my favorite perks of being a demonstrator is access to all the great ideas from other demonstrators and Stampin' Up!®.   This project was designed by Francine Yee who also credits Gretchen Barron and Janine Tinklenberg for inspiration.  Francine did such a fine job, my only modifications were stamp sets and colors. 

This album will make a great Mother's Day gift or any gift for any occasion!  It closes for presentation using velcro.  When open, your photos are displayed while a fun butterfly hides the velcro closure.  There is also a pocket which holds a pull out card which you can use to add a sentiment, journaling or more photos.

On Friday, April 16, we will be using:

• Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper
• Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence, and Whisper White card stocks
• Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry and Orchid Opulence Classic Stampin' Pads
• Assorted Embellishments, Punches and Big Shot Dies

If you'd like to attend this class, please email me.  The workshop fee is $10 and you should bring some photos to include in your album.  Also, to help keep the class moving as smoothly as possible, please bring your own paper snips and Snail Adhesive.

As always, if you place an order or book a show, you will recieve a discount on your class fee.

God Bless and Happy Stampin'!

Charity

March Technique Class - Mini Purses

Our March Technique Class is coming up.  We will be making mini-purses.  These purses are perfect for small goodies or gifts.  They also make great hostess appreciation gifts- fill them with your favorite chocolates, a small scented candle or sample size lotions to make a fun gift.

We will be making two purses.  One is a faux alligator matchbox clutch purse.  The second is a handbag using the Sweet Pea DSP hounds tooth style print.  Our technique class will be on March 19th at 6:00 PM.  RSVP soon as space is filling up.  The workshop fee is $5 to cover materials.  I will be serving some light refreshments. 

I got this matchbox design and idea from another demonstrator, Francine Yee (who credits Gretchen Barron with inspiration).  Francine contributed the matchbox purse to a Stampin' Up!® workshop challenge.  The second purse is a scaled down version of a purse from a demonstrator here in Washington.  We did the larger version at a demonstrator meeting and I scaled it down.  Unfortuneately, I can't find my original instruction sheet to credit the original artist!  If it is you, email me and let me know.  If you know who it is, email me and let me know! 

Both these projects are great examples of how Stampin' Up! makes it easy to be a demonstrator.  We have a wealth of information available to us and lots of fellow demonstrators sharing their ideas with us.  If you are thinking of becoming a demonstrator but are worried about where you will get ideas and inspiration, you need not worry, there are plenty of ideas available to you.

I hope you can make it to this class!  If you are not already on my mailing list for classes, email me to RSVP.

God Bless and Happy Stampin'!
Charity

Reminder... RSVP for the February Technique Class

Our technique class is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 19 at 6 PM.  We will be making photo cubes using CD jewel cases and Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper (not shown in the photo).  These make great gifts or a fun candy dish for your desk at work. 

Workshop fee is $10, $5 with any purchase over $50 or when booking a workshop. All orders of $50 or more are eligible for Sale-A-Bration benefits!

There are still a few spaces available around the craft table!  Email me today to reserve your spot. 

If you can not make it to the class, you can also purchase a kit which will include all papers and CD cases, you just have to provide the stamps and the photos.  Kits can be delivered locally or mailed, shipping will be added to the $10 for all kits that I ship.  Payment can be made via paypal.

God Bless and Happy Stampin'!
Charity