Bookmarks and a Pretty Bag

When I was bundling up everything for my colleagues (for our team building event), I decided to make one more little gift. We often receive physical (not digital) books to read for work, so I made each lady a bookmark. I created them in three colors: pink, purple, and blue.

The colors are actually more vibrant in person, but they didn't photograph well. I cut 2" x 6" strips of Neenah Desert Storm and used the Stampin' Up Fancy Tag Topper Punch. Next, I stamped the "Behind Every Successful Woman" (Riley & Co.) sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. Finally, I stamped the "Sweet Cluster" stamp (Altenew) on the top and bottom of the bookmarks. I colored the flowers with Copics, added matching, patterned paper to the back (to make them sturdy, not shown), and added a white tassel. 

I needed to put everything into bags for each lady, so I can drop them on doorsteps tomorrow. I wanted to make the bags as pretty as possible, so I grabbed Kraft gift bags (10" tall) and stenciled them with the Peony Bouquet Stencil (Simon Says Stamp). I used Wilted Violet and Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide Inks. To add a little more interest, I used a white gel pen to color in the dots in the center of each flower.

I'm so excited to do these project with my colleagues!!

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card:

• Fancy Tag Topper Punch (Stampin' Up)
• "Behind Every Successful Woman" cling stamp (Riley & Co.)
• "Sweet Cluster" mini stamp set (Altenew)
• Peony Bouquet Stencil (Simon Says Stamp)
  

Other supplies:

• Neenah Desert Storm paper
  
• Copic markers (various)
  
• Double-sided tape / tape runner
  
• White tassels
• White Sakura Gelly Roll Pen
• Distress Oxides: Wilted Violet and Picked Raspberry
• Kraft gift bags (10.5" x 8" x 4.25")
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
  

I hope you're having a fabulous day!

Valentine Card Kits

Last year, my boss asked me to create a team building event for our department retreat. I created cardmaking kits, and brought a huge box of embellishments, and everyone made two finished cards. Everyone loved the projects, and several people said it was the best part of the retreat! I'm also playing along with the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Layer It Up.

This year, my boss asked me to plan the event again, so I'm sticking to what I know. We're going to meet via Zoom (due to COVID), so I'm creating kits for each person. Everyone will make a "designer handbag" gift bag, a slimline card, themed for a Valentine or birthday, AND an A2-sized Valentine card. Last year, the team building element that was most successful was the time we spent playing with embellishments, creating our own designs, and then sharing our creations. I decided to replicate that as much as possible, even though we won't be in the same building.

Everyone will have all of the elements (plus a few more) and can either copy one of these designs or mix-and-match to create their own. 

Every participant (and yes, they're all women) will receive one of the kits below, and the kit includes all of the flowers, black and white die-cut hearts, three different papers, other embellishments, pearls, and foam squares (to pop something up).

This is what the kits look like. Each kit also includes a bottle of Ranger Multi-Medium Matte and a tape runner (not shown).

There are three backing papers they can use: a white-and-champagne shimmery checkered pattern, a black-and-white checkered pattern (not shown), or a blue plaid. I cut shimmery white and shiny black Hearts Entwined (My Favorite Things) for each kit. There are a ton of embellishments included from the Simple Stories: Simple Vintage My Valentine - Bits and Pieces ephemera pack. I was luck enough to pick up half a dozen of those packs for $1 each last year, so I had enough to fill all of the kits with identical pieces.

Here's an angled view of the cards, as the white-and-champagne shimmery checkered pattern doesn't photograph well from above:

I'm so excited to do this project with my colleagues!!

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card:

• Hearts Entwined Die-Namics (My Favorite Things)
  

Other supplies:

• Simple Stories: Simple Vintage My Valentine - Bits and Pieces (ephemera pack)
• Patterned cardstock (various)
  
• Double-sided tape (Scor-tape)
• Ranger Multi-Medium Matte 
• Tape Runner
  
• Foam squares 
• White pearls (flat back)
  

Have a happy heart-filled day!

Slimline Floral Valentine or Birthday Card

Last year, my boss asked me to create a team building event for our department retreat. I created cardmaking kits, and brought a huge box of embellishments, and everyone made two finished cards. Everyone loved the projects, and several people said it was the best part of the retreat! I'm also playing along with the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Layer It Up.

This year, my boss asked me to plan the event again, so I'm sticking to what I know. We're going to meet via Zoom (due to COVID), so I'm creating kits for each person. Everyone will make a "designer handbag" gift bag and a slimline card, themed for a Valentine or birthday. I've been working on the card kits for a week and a half, and they're finally done!

Every participant (and yes, they're all women) will receive one of the kits below, and the kit includes all of the elements needed to make one of these cards. She can choose which one to make, or mix and match elements, as the plaid layers (red or white) are separate, both die-cut and glittered sentiments are included, etc.

This is what the kits look like. Each kit also includes a bottle of Ranger Multi-Medium Matte and a tape runner (not shown).

These kits/cards were a LOT of work. It took me three days just to color the flowers (with Copics) and fussy cut them! I cut card bases, black cardstock panels, two plaid layers (red and white) for each person, red and white layers for INSIDE the cards, and then the sentiments (love you and happy birthday for each person). For the red "love you" sentiment, I also covered it with Sparkle n' Sprinkle Fire Engine Red Glitter, which took me another day. The Happy Birthday sentiment is die-cut from Silver Mirri Paper, which is beautifully sparkly (but a pain in the tuchus to carefully remove all of those fine, curly letters). Each kit also includes a small bag of the red flat-back pearls for embellishment.

Here's a close-up of the "love you" card:

It's hard to tell in the photo, but the sentiments are SO SPARKLY! I'm so excited to do this project with my colleagues!!

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card:

• Tall Flowers stamp set (Pink & Main)
• Plaid Slimline Die (Pink & Main)
• Lots of Love die (My Favorite Things)
• All About You die (My Favorite Things)
• Hand-Lettered Happy Birthday die (My Favorite Things)
• Fancy Slimline Scalloped dies (Kat Scrappiness) - NOT SHOWN, used for the inside layers
  

Other supplies:

• Black, white, and Poppy Parade cardstock (Stampin' Up)
  
• Double-sided tape (Scor-tape)
• Ranger Multi-Medium Matte 
• Tape Runner
  
• Silver Mirri Paper
• Sparkle n' Sprinkle Fire Engine Red Glitter
• Zig Glue Pen
• Copic markers (various)
• Red pearls (flat back)
  

Have a fabulous day!

Designer Handbag Gift Bags

Last year, my boss asked me to create a team building event for our department retreat. I created cardmaking kits, and brought a huge box of embellishments, and everyone made two finished cards. Everyone loved the projects, and several people said it was the best part of the retreat! I'm also playing along with the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Use a New Product. (I just got the handbag die set and had never used any of these papers before, either.)

This year, my boss asked me to plan the event again, so I'm sticking to what I know. We're going to meet via Zoom (due to COVID), so I'm creating kits for each person. Everyone will make 2 cards (one regular and one slimline) and one "designer handbag" gift bag. I've been working on the gift bag kits for a week, and they're finally done!

Isn't this bag so stinking cute?!? I made it using the Concord & 9th Weekender Handbag Die Set and used My Favorite Things papers (Roses All Over Pastel Paper Pack). 

This is what the kits look like:

The handbags are partially assembled, with double-sided tape on the pieces that need to be attached. Each person will curl and attach the straps, finish the bag 3D construction, and add the cute little bag charms. I'm also including a bag of candy (GOOD candy!) they can use to fill the bag and give it to someone they love.

If you'd like to know how the bags were constructed, I recommend viewing the video on Concord & 9th's product page.

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card:

• Weekender Handbag Die Set (Concord & 9th)
  

Other supplies:

• Black cardstock (Stampin' Up)
  
• Roses All Over Pastel Paper Pack (My Favorite Things)
  
• Double-sided tape (Scor-tape)
• Ranger Multi-Medium Matte 
• Paper Rose Silver Cardstock
  

Have a wonderful day!