Fold Cards

Happy New Year's Eve everyone!! I wanted to do a post as we close out 2013. 

Having officially run out of steam and card ideas, my upline Maureen posted a card on her blog (click here to check out Maureen's awesome blog) for a card with folds.  She found this card on the very talented Kelly Gettlefinger's web site (click here for a peek) and I decided that I wanted to try it.  Using my stack of Designer Series paper, I played around with this card, and made a vertical and horizontal version of it. 

The cute "psst" sentiment comes from the new Happy Watercolor stamp set, which will be in the Occasions catalog that comes out on January 3rd.

The inside of the card has a pocket and a blank note card for you to write on.

On this card, I sealed the pocket on the front and put an image over it.

There is a pocket on the inside for the sentiment.

These cards were so simple to make and I love how they turned out.

Happy New Year to everyone. Here's too a prosperous and successful 2014.  I'll be unveiling a new project shortly (nope, has nothing to do with a card) so check back soon!!

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone is enjoying their time with family and friends today and realizing the real 'reason for the season'.  I've taken a few days off from blogging to enjoy time with my family, baking, cooking and visiting.  I'll be back with some new ideas from Stampin Up's new Occasions and Sale-A-Bration catalogs.

Merry Christmas and many blessings to you all!!

Last Minute Gifts...

Are you all ready for Christmas? For a first time in...ever (lol), I have to say that I am.  I need to pick up 2 Wawa gift cards and I'll be all ready to start wrapping and cooking and baking and ENJOYING the holidays!!  A friend of mine, who wasn't quite as ready as I am, asked me if I could help her out with some gifts for her friends.  We thought and thought and came up with the idea of a set of note cards, as well as some Christmas tags and a post it note holder (since I had so many left).  I let her know there is a way to stamp on a pillar candle and thought that would be a nice addition to the card set.  But, she wasn't able to find any really descent pillar candles at a reasonable price.  Instead, we found jar candles and here is the finished product!

I have been waiting a while to post these, in case any of her friends read this blog.  My friend was so pleased with how these came out and I hope that her friends will like them as well.  As always, I really enjoyed making these cards!!

My Christmas Cards

I have had so many friends ask me if I was making my Christmas cards this year.  The answer to that is...well, I was planning to!

Time for a confession, I LOVE Snowmen!! I have 10 Snowmen that I put out every Christmas, not to mention all the snow men on my tree.  I still have some snowmen ornaments on my tree that my aunt made for me when I was a little girl.  My favorite Christmas cartoon was "Frosty the Snowman", and the close 2nd was How the Grinch Stole Christmas (that's a whole other story).  So, while surfing the net, I came across this ADORABLE Snowman card on Dawn's Stampin Studio Web-site http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/dawns_stampin_studio/2013/10/pop-up-slider-christmas-card-video-.html


Dawn has the best ideas and she even offers a video of instructions.  So I made a couple of these...and ran out of steam!! I thought to myself, there is NO WAY I will be able to make 30 of these!!  WHAT TO DO!!

Well, we got snow 2 days last week here.  I left work early one day (schools were closed) and as I left my office, I was awestruck with the beauty of the snow on the trees..

I liked this so much, I went to Shutterfly and made a card using this photo (cropping out the hood of my car of course). So, I was still able to be creative and "make" my own cards.  I cheated a little, but I think I'm going to love the finished product!!

Wishing You....

Don't you just love these gift boxes?  They are part of the Wishing You stamp set, which is in the current Holiday Catalog.  I try to buy sets that I can use for other projects and although this one is for Christmas (see my previous post), it can be used for any occasion.  I cased this layout from Mary Fish at Stampin Pretty.  Look at what she did to make this into a birthday card:

By using the colors Midnight Muse. Crushed Curry and Early Espresso, this card has been turned into a colorful Birthday Card.  Love these colors!!

Gorgeous Grunge Cards

I bought the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set, and wondered what in the world I would do with it.  I played around with it over the weekend and made a couple of cards.

 

 I received a pre-view of the Spring 2014 Occasions catalog, which will be available to everyone on January 2nd.  There are some adorable stamp sets and paper.  I'll be previewing some projects from the catalog, hopefully before January 2nd.  

Stampin Up! Weekly Deals

Stampin Up!! Weekly deals...!!



Gift Ideas

Here are couple of great gift ideas or stocking stuffers (or nice to keep for yourself too)!!

This is a set of Thank you cards, made with the Truly Grateful stamp set.  The note cards measure 5 x 3 1/2.

I used the Envelope Punch board and created a file folder from the Season of Style designer series paper. Inside each file folder is a set of 5 handmade Christmas tags.

Both of these items are listed for sale in my Etsy store.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/CardsandMorebyTrish?ref=ss_profile

Thanks for stopping by!!

A Better Day.....

Hello Everyone!! I am feeling MUCH better today!! I listed all of the leftover items I made for the vendor fair on my Etsy page (http://www.etsy.com/shop/CardsandMorebyTrish?ref=search_shop_redirect) and I'll be taking some to work.

While I was watching one of my favorite movies last night,  "The Devil Wears Prada", I took a peek at Splitcoaststampers.com and got some ideas for Christmas cards.  I bought the "Wishing You" stamp set (#131748 wood, #131751 clear) and Season of Style designer series paper (#132340) and wanted to challenge myself to see how many cards I could make using this set and paper.  I thought I'll tackle this first thing Sunday morning, but something hit me and I worked on them last night.  And 45 minutes later, I had these:

Of course, I'm still tweaking them and adding and taking away from them, but I really like them.  I also made another file folder card with my envelope punch board:

Oh, and here are a couple photos of the post it note holders that are now for sale in my Etsy store:

All packaged and ready to give as gifts.  Thanks for stopping by!

The Day After...

Well, my first and now only craft/vendor fair is done.  I think there were more vendors than buyers.  I didn't sell a thing, but I met some really great people. It was quite an experience, but I have to admit, I'm a little bummed that I didn't sell a thing. Special thanks as always to my darling hubby, who was there to help me set up and pack it all up.  Always encouraging me to just try and see what happens.  Even today, when I feel kind of mopey he says - just wait until you get your first order.  He is awesome!  And to my baby boy, who also came and helped with the set -up (and scoped out all the goodies), thanks for taking time from the XBox to help your mom.

Here is a picture of me (and Chris is in the background.  This was in the beginning, so this is my nervous look.

Hopefully, I'll feel better tomorrow and will post something. I did start a couple cards tonight, but I'm just not in the mood to finish.  I think I'll have a glass of wine and relax.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stampin Up Holiday Sale

Hi Everyone!! I'm taking a break from posting anything until after the Vendor Fair (which is tomorrow).  I'm totally exhausted with the preparations for that,  but I wanted everyone to know that Stampin Up is having a 50% off sale!! Lots of great items are on sale.  If you wish to place an order, please go to my web site  to place your order.  http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/triciapollard/promotions.  The sale ends on December 20th, so place your order while supplies last.

There are also some weekly deals going on.  These prices are good until November 25th:

I'll be back on Sunday with some photos from the Vendor Fair.  Wish me luck!!!

Paper Pumpkin and Everyday Occasions Card Making Kit

Do you love cards and think, I could never make anything myself?  Would you like to get in touch with your creative side?  Stampin Up! offers two products just for you!

The Paper Pumpkin is a kit that will be delivered to your door.  Once a month, you will receive a kit that includes card stock, envelopes, a stamp set, ink pad and all the embelishments you need to make an adorable card.  Use the instructions or show your own creativity.  The cost is $19.95 and you can cancel at any time.  Projects may include mini scrapbook albums or other creative projects.


How would you like to have cards on hand for any occasion?  Why go to the store when a birthday, graduation, wedding or even a time for expressing gratitude comes up? The Everyday Occasions Cardmaking Kit puts cards for all of those events right at your fingertips! The kit contains everything you need (minus adhesive and scissors) to create 20 beautiful cards for almost any occasion, and it comes in a beautiful box to store them in.

Interested in either (or both) of these? Visit my web-stie, www.triciapollard.stampinup.net for more details and to order on line!!

Vendor Fair Countdown

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  I spent mine preparing for the Vendor Fair I signed up for.  It's this Friday and I will be so happy when it is over.  I'm not sure I'll ever do another one again.  I was a busy bee all weekend preparing for it. 

Friday night, I decided that I needed something geared towards men. I have floral book marks and post it note holders, but what about something more masculine?  Since I didn't have time to make any cards and since I have a son, I thought about stocking stuffers.  I googled book marks for boys and found these adorable owl bookmarks on large paper clips.  As luck would have it, this idea uses Stampin Up's! Owl Builder punch. I bought the punch because I was in LOVE with the little heart that came with the punch. I never had a project in mind for an owl, until now....

I love how these came out and hopefully they will sell.  I'm pricing them at $3 (I hate pricing stuff).  This was a pretty tedious project!!

Thanks for looking.  Have a great day!!

Gift Idea - This and That Journal

Happy Friday Everyone!!

Back in the spring (I think) Stampin Up had an offer introducting the new Epic Day, This and That Journal.  It is a blank journal, filled with the Epic Day Designer series paper.  It was offered in a bundle that came with the paper, stickers, washi tape and a rotary stamp.  I don't journal, although I probably should, but I just had to buy this.

Now, jump ahead 5 months.  The journal was sitting at the bottom of the drawer that holds my stamp sets.  So were the stickers and the paper had never been touched.  I love the paper and didn't want to use it.  Since it's clear to me I'm not going to journal (if I was, wouldn't I have used this by now?), I decided to decorate it and give it as a gift.

Truth be told, I had a ton of fun decorating this journal and adding ribbon to it.  I also made a coordinating book mark to go with it.  So this gift is all ready for my friend for Christmas (can't say which friend, I do want there to be some element of surprise).  So.... here is my decorated journal:

I really love how this came out. I showed it to a co-worker and she ordered one for her daughter.  With that being said, if anyone would like to order a book, please contact me.  The cost of the decorated journal and book mark will be $15.  They all will be a little different, but this is the basic color scheme.

Thanks for stopping by!

Ready for a quick Christmas Craft?  Try the

Pop & Place Holiday Gift Tags

Stampin Up's! new Pop & Place Holiday Gift Tags come in a booklet of 70+ tags in five paper designs, 2 pages of each design--created from our existing punch and die shapes.

There are a few different options  depending on your needs:


Purchase the tags for $9.95
Purchase the tags and stamp set for $19.95
Purchase the bundle (tag book, stamp set, clear block and ink pad) for $24.95

This is a quick and creative way to make adorable tags for your Christmas and Holiday gift giving.  


Visit my web-site  www.triciapollard.stampinup.net for more details and a video!!

Festive Flurry Ornament Kit

Add a little festive flare to your holiday decorating with Stampin Up's new Festive Flurry Ornament Kit! Top presents, embellish cards, create a wintery garland, or trim the tree. How you use them is up to you!
The kit includes everything you need (minus adhesive) to create 10 snowflakes, including

• 10 feet of Soft Sky Ribbon
• Printed cardstock - die cut and scored, ready to be assembled (Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Whisper White Cardstock and Silver Glimmer Paper)
• Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels (40)

	Product name:	Item #:	Price:
	Festive Flurry Ornament Kit	135813	$14.95					Order while supplies last!! www.triciapollard.stampinup.net

Fall Crafts

I spent Saturday with my dear friend and upline Maureen.  The rest of our group couldn't make it, so we got to chat and craft and chat some more.  I saw this on Maureen's desk and just had to have one of my own, so we made this adorable pumpkin!! Super easy project!

This pumpkin was made with 4 strips of cardboard, which was stamped and sponged. 



The leaves on the top were made with the Big Shot leaves framelits and various ribbon and twine.  The sentiment Truly Grateful, comes from the Truly Grateful stamp set in the Holiday Catalog.  Love this pumpkin!



I made this adorable file folder card with the multi-purpose Envelope Punch board.  I plan to use this layout to make Christmas cards. 

Wouldn't this be an adorable invitation for a birthday or baby shower?  Incredibly easy and incredibly cute!!

The Craft Explosion or Something like it....

I have finally started preparing for a Vendor Fair that I will be participating in on November 22nd.  I should say, I think I'm participating.  It took me a few weeks to figure out WHAT exactly I was going to do, but I think I narrowed it down to a few attainable things that I can create between now and then. 

I was searching for something cute, quick and EASY!! I found clipboard post-it note holders, which I posted a few days ago.  Last night, I came across these, which come with a pen.

 

I think these are so cute!! I amazed myself that mine came out so nice (yes, she did that!! LOL).   I'm going to make a few for co-workers and friends.  I'm always looking for post it notes and its nice that there is a pen with it.  I bought the colored gel pens from Staples (12 in a pack all different colors), so each note pad will coordinate with the matching pen.  I want to give a shout out to Dawn Griffith, (dawnsstampingthoughs.com) for posting the video on her blog with detailed instructions!!! I wouldn't have been able to do this without her!! Thanks Dawn!! 

I also found these ADORABLE book marks.  I love these!!  I plan to give these as gifts to my fellow avid reader friends (and make a few for my own use)!! These are great for the person who has everything, and they are pretty!!!

I also played around with a new technique I found - the starburst. I have been looking at this and reading about it and finally decided to try it.  I really like it!

I don't know what greeting I will put on this card, maybe a thinking of you, but the beauty of it is that it could be pretty much for anything and for anyone!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Halloween!!

Well, can anyone believe that today is Halloween? I'm having a hard time believing that we are at the end of October and day light saving time starts this weekend!  Today also marks the end of all things Halloween for another year.  Heavy sigh- I love all things Halloween.

Anyway, it is now time to prepare for...dare I say it...Christmas.  I'm always on the look out for cute craft ideas to be used as Teacher gifts or for co-workers. I found these adorable mini-clipboards and I will be making these.  These are great stocking stuffers as well.  These clip boards will hold a 3x3 post it note pad and will be in an assortment of colors.  I will be selling these for $3 each.

If you see anything on line that you would like to purchase, please reach out to me at triciap39@yahoo.com!

If there are cards you like, they are sold individually for $2 each.  A set of 5 all occasion cards is $7 and a set of 10 is $15.  Cards make wonderful Christmas presents!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Card Assortment

I wanted to share a few of the cards I've made recently, as part of an assortment of blank cards for a friend and birthday cards for my husband.