Great tips on card making, Eli! I’m getting into the Christmas spirit early, I’ve knocked out a few cards that only took a few minutes to assemble.  I used one 12″ Borderabilities® die template to make several cards.

First let me thank Design Team Member Debbie Seyer for her Poinsettia Card (click for details and instructions!), my inspiration for today’s post.

This is what I designed:

How are they similar? We both used the S7-016 Poinsettia Border Grand, and we both hand trimmed the border to use pieces of it. Debbie used all the pieces on one card, I used the pieces to make four cards.

My cards are made from these supplies: Spellbinders™ S7-016 Poinsettia Border Grand; S7-014 Classic Lace Border Grand; S5-019 Labels Eight; Fancy Pants Christmas Magic Chestnuts Roasting, Bough of Holly, and Yuletide Greetings; Clearsnap, Colorbox Dark Moss Fluid Chalk, Black Pigment Inks; JustRite Stampers Rectangle Block, Special Ocassions 95 pt, Times New Roman 50 pt; SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES by 3L, 3D Foam Squares, E-Z Runner; Brads; Black and Dark Red Cardstock.

First, cut/emboss one strip of Yuletide Greetings (green) and one strip of Bough of Holly (red) using the S7-016 Poinsettia Border Grand die template. Sand both borders to give them a distressed look (and to make it easier to see where to cut apart). With scissors, trim the green strip into four pieces and cut the poinsettia flowers from the red piece.

From the Chestnuts Roasting (light green), cut/emboss four S5-019 Labels Eight #4, sand the embossed ridge and ink the outside with Dark Moss ink.

Cut/emboss S7-014 Classic Lace Border Grand twice, with light green cardstock, ink the edges with Dark Moss ink.

These are the pieces, along with A2 sized dark red card base, and 4×5.25” black cardstock.

Spell out “Merry Christmas” with JustRite Stampers, and stamp with Black ink onto the labels, on the right side of the labels.

To assemble the flower piece, adhere the red flower directly on top of the green flower. The die template cuts the flower petals so they can be lifted, curled or otherwise altered.  Place three yellow brads in the center of the red poinsettia.

Flip the piece over and place 3D Foam Squares on each of the petals. Notice how the petals sit above the green background.  Use E-Z runner on the rest of the poinsettia piece, label and lace border. Assemble as shown.

I wish you a Merry start on your Christmas cards!

Beth

Happy Tuesday everyone!

We are also continuing to celebrate our blog hop with Tattered Angels. Today our host for the day is my good friend Debbie Seyer. Be sure to visit her blog, A Peak Into my Stamping Room, to see her amazing and glimmering project.

I could hardly contain myself on Saturday when I saw Margie’s post, Thinking Inside the Box. How adorable is that? I think we all know… Plus anyone who can add candy corns to a project is a winner in my book. Her inspiring project lead me to see what I could do to think inside and outside the box. So I created another container (inside the box), only this one is round (outside the box). Check it out!

I was trying to think of a way to make a container bottom that attached easily. Usually I think of die cutting a circle and snipping little slits about every ¼”. But this is what I came up with instead…

I gathered the following supplies: Wizard™, S4-114 Standard Circles LG, S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles LG, S7-017 On the Vine Border Grand, Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage Collection Classic Paper Designs, Core’dinations blue cardstock, Clearsnap ColorBox Cocoa Pigment Ink, Tattered Angels Turquoise Blue Glimmer Mist, Glue Dots Continuous Line, PVA glue.

I save “cereal board,” lightweight chipboard, from packaged foods to use in craft projects. This one just happened to be Mini Strawberry Newtons…yum. I cut S4-114 Standard Circles LG, #7, (counting #1 at the center) but did not emboss.

Then I cut S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles LG, #6 from Blue Core’dinations cardstock and didn’t emboss. I added glue to the colored side of the chipboard circle and placed it on the center of the S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles LG. (A little note: If using a wet glue, allow it to dry totally before embossing or, like me, you’ll have glue running out onto your mats…oops.)

I chose a paper from the Crafty Secrets paper packs and left it a full 6″. If you want your container to be shorter than that, trim it down. I rolled the paper into a tube and adhered it with Glue Dots, Continuous Line, just crossing over the ends at 1/8″.

I embossed the bottom by using a regular embossing sandwich:

• White Master Mat
• Container bottom with chipboard down on the Mat (this is the important part)
• Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat

I folded up all the scallops to fit the tube inside of them.

I added a generous line of glue just to the inside of the scallops and fit the cylinder into them. Working around the bottom edge, I placed one hand inside the tube for support and the other on the scallops to make sure the glue held. I worked my way around until they were all well adhered. This is the most tedious part of the process but is worth the effort.

I embellished the container with S7-017 On the Vine Border Grand die template by I cutting/embossing blue cardstock with the W-026 Grand Cut Mat Kit. Then I inked through the die template as a stencil with Clearsnap ColorBox Cocoa Pigment Ink.

If you want to see a little demonstration on how to cut the Borderabilities® Grand, check out this video from Stacey. If you don’t have the W-026 Grand Cut Mat Kit, go to 1:50 on the meter to see the section showing how to cut using the mats that came with your machine.

I added the S7-017 One the Vine Border Grand to the container. The fun little bonus was that it fit perfectly. I was able to hook the two ends together. Using PVA glue, I added small touches of glue around the piece and then added dimension to it by curving the leaves and stems that were not glued down.

As a final touch, I sprayed it with Turquoise Blue Glimmer Mist. Finito!

Since I used only cardstock on the sides of the container, it is not super strong. I could probably reinforce the item by using an additional piece of cardstock, simply glued to the original OR I could use some more light weight chipboard. Well, whatever you choose to do, have fun and see what you can create.

Eli

Stress-busting and happy dancing, now if we could only figure out how to bottle and sell those! Somehow, we’ve been able to put them in a package and send it off to Rhodeen of Converse Texas, USA.  Oh, and we’ve added a few other tidbits to the package, like these:

S4-233 Labels Nine

S7-016 Poinsettia Borderabilities Grand

“I cannot believe it, this has been such a stressful week with my family. You made my day Spellbinders™~ I can’t thank you enough! I am so happy and in awe of so many wonderful dies. I can’t wait to play with all of them. If you could see my face, it is doing the happy dance right now! I love all your artists, especially Sherry~ Thank you again, Rhodeen”

Glad to be of service, Rhodeen!  Thank you for visiting Debbie Seyer’s CHA Blog Frenzy and entering the contest!

Don’t forget to visit Jennifer Davis today, and then Keri Lee Sereika tomorrow, you can find an quick introduction and link to their blogs right here!  You could win a stress-bustin’ happy dancin’ package too!

You also have until August 10th to enter the Pendant Project Contest!

Have a wonderful day!

Beth

Many thanks to Debbie Seyer for her beautiful cards she created with S4-233 Labels Nine die template! Great idea on placing the frame in a different position and the shaker box feature! Remember to enter our Frenzy contest by sending in an email by July 19th (11:59 PM EST). The email link is in Debbie’s blog!

Design Team Member Lesa Rapp will be using today’s reveal, S4-230 Labels Six to make her wonderful creation to inspire us with!

Do you have a scrap room or a scrap area?
I have my own room! When my kids all took over the basement, I snagged the room. It is approximately 10 x 15 and all mine! I want to redo the floor and paint. But for now, I am slowly getting IKEA items to get it organized. I love my kitchen unit - the drawers are amazing and it is so pretty. I just got myself an Expedit shelf unit and I love it as well. It is so nice having a place where I can just shut the door if I want.

Are you a messy crafter or an organized crafter?
Unfortunately I am messy. I stamp and work with paper and make a big old mess. When it gets hard to move around, I clean it up and start over. I am working on that one :0)

Your favorite color combination to work with?
I love pink and brown! I was only blessed with one girl and I think as I get older, my girly side is coming out!

Your favorite Spellbinders™ piece you made so far?
I think my flower pot card. Although my Spellbinders™ final project made with dies we were sent comes in pretty close as a second project.

Your favorite music or TV programs while creating?
My TV died. I have an iPod in a docking system that I play mostly. My favorite music is anything Brad Paisley. I have been to four of his concerts and I never tire of listening to him.

Here are some of Lesa’s favorite Spellbinders™ pieces!

Sherry Cheever did a wonderful job about snow that some of us are getting chills! Thank you, Sherry, on all those inspirational projects made with S4-222 Create-A-Flake One and S4-224 Snowflake Border Petite! Remember to enter our Blog Frenzy contest by sending in an email by July 18th (11:59 PM EST) - the link is on Sherry’s blog!

On Day Ten, we have Design Team Member Debbie Seyer revealing our newest one, S4-233 Labels Nine die template.

Do you have a scrap room or a scrap area?
I have this nice little corner of my basement. My husband, Keith, fixed it up with cabinets and a small counter (where my Wizard™ sits) plus room for extra tables and my computer.

Are you a messy crafter or an organized crafter?
I am an extremely messy crafter. I usually have my kids help me clean up all the bits of cardstock, glitter, etc. every couple of weeks. My supplies are pretty well organized. At least, I know where they are!

Favorite color combinations to work with?
I love the Pink/Brown color combo and variations of it! I use it a lot and just love those colors together.

Are you an altered arts, scrapbook or card kinda gal?
I am definitely a card kinda gal. I love to make cards and find it’s the easiest part of my design team projects to fulfill!

Who is your favorite promotional partner?
I actually have two favorites. My Mind’s Eye is one. I just love the beautiful patterned papers. It’s all so colorful and easy to work with. I like Core’dinations cardstock. It is such a unique product to work with. I love all the different looks you can get with it when sanding, embossing or distressing.

Just some of Debbie’s most recent creations!

Yes, that’s right! Spellbinders is doing it again, and it’s bigger and its better than before! You didn’t think we could stop with the new Pendant Collection did you? Oh no! We’ve got 17 more new Spellbinders products to reveal from July 9 – 22, 2009. And we want to share them with you!

Each day we will direct you to one of our talented Designer’s blogs where you will be introduced to our latest and greatest Spellbinders Die Templates. Enter to win by sending an email to the address listed in the blog. Daily winners will be chosen randomly from eligible entries. But wait, there’s more!

This time the prize is progressive! On Day 1, we give away the Day 1 release. On Day 2 we give away the Day 1 and Day 2 releases! The prizes grow each and every day for 14 days!! By entering each day from each blog, you become eligible to win the Grand Prize… COMPLETE set of CHA Summer 2009 Die Templates and Impressabilities releases, a total of 29 products with a retail value of more than $560.00!!

Check out this line up of talented Designers on the dates noted and then enter for your chance to win:

7/9 Debbie Olson

7/10 Michelle Wooderson

7/11 Karen Hunsaker

7//12 Kazan Clark

7/13 Linda Duke

7/14 Heidi Blankenship

7/15 Kimberly Crawford

7/16 Julie Overby

7/17 Sherry Cheever

7/18 Debbie Seyer

7/19 Lesa Rapp

7/20 Becca Feeken

7/21 Jennifer Davis

7/22 Keri Lee Sereika

Remember to stop here each day as we will introduce our featured Designer and provide a link to her blog. Subscribe to the Spellbinders Blog here to get the daily posts emailed to you, and don’t miss out on a single thing!

See the entire line of Spellbinders products on the Spellbinders’ website.

Official Rules

Any participant wishing to be included in the daily drawing for the Spellbinders CHA Blog Frenzy give-away must adhere to all of the following rules. We are happy to welcome US and international blog guests for this Frenzy.

To enter each drawing on sneak peeks between July 9 and July 22, visit the reveal blog and click on the contest link to reveal an e-mail window. In the subject line of the e-mail, enter the die template name being revealed. Each blog reveal will remain open for 48 hours. Only 1 entry per blog is allowed and participant must use the same email address daily to be considered for grand prize entry, no exceptions. Please consider whether you will have access to the same e-mail address from July 9th through July 22nd and plan accordingly.

After the entry deadline is reached, Spellbinders will randomly pick one entry from each Blog Frenzy reveal as stated in the “Rules”. Winner will be contacted by e-mail within 24 hours of the contest deadline. Winner will have 72 hours to reply to that e-mail to claim the prize. If Winner fails to respond within 72 hours, a new name will be drawn for said prize. Winner will receive the new die templates being revealed on the specific daily blog post they are entering.

Entrants visiting all 14 Spellbinders CHA Blog Frenzy Reveals and correctly entering their information into the separate drawings, as described below, will automatically be entered into a GRAND PRIZE give away of a full set of the CHA Summer 2009 die templates and Impressabilities releases, 29 products, with a retail value of $561.71.

Spellbinders Design Team members and employees are not eligible for drawings.

Any participant wishing to be automatically entered into the drawing for the CHA Blog Frenzy Grand Prize must enter all 14 blog reveals and follow all the above rules.
Please note:
*Spellbinders will only use email information to contact the winner.
*Spellbinders will not share this email address with any other parties.
*Spellbinders will not use this email information for advertisements or communications
other than to contact the winner.
*If you wish to be included in further communications from Spellbinders, please go to their homepage SpellbindersPaperArts.com and sign up for their newsletter.

For more Spellbinders new product release information go to New Products
If you have any questions regarding the contest, send an e-mail to ContestQuestions .

Here we are on the brink of Mothers Day and I get to share with you some projects made with Mom in mind,  by our fabulous 2009 Design Team.

To start us off, Karen Hunsaker made this candle and card with S4-163 Daisy Borderability Petite. We saw this the other day, but it’s worth a second look. I love that the envelope flap is embossed, and the edge of the card is cut and embossed, as well as the wrap for the candle.

Debbie Seyer’s card unfolds to 4 panels for Mom and she’s sure to cherish it. Debbie cut and embossed S4-111 Classic Scallop Ovals Large, S4-145 Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles Small, S4-138 Petite Ovals Large, S4-169 Labels Small, S4-072 Flower Creations, S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles Large, and S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles Small to make this gorgeous tribute to her Mom.

Karen Taylor’s scrapbook layout was made for her daughter. I love how she combined S4-072 Flower Creations, S4-109 Flower Creations 3, and the S7-014 Grand 12″ Classic Lace Border.

Kimberly Crawford’s floral card celebrates Spring, surely that’s Mom’s favorite season.  Kimberly combined S3-147 Labels Trio, S4-114 Standard Circle Large, and S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles Large.

Julie Overby will score seconds of dessert with this adorable card! S4-190 Labels Four is so versatile, and S4-072 Flower Creations work so well with S4-198 Flourish Accents.

Kazan Clark’s Mum will be thrilled to get this card, here is Kazan’s interpretation of S4- Labels Four.

Designer Linda Duke shares this keepsake box just for mom’s treasures. Linda’s works her magic with the S4-159 Nested Flowers, S4-157 Sunflower Set One (for the leaves), S4-125 Classic Scalloped Ovals Small.

Linda’s mini book is something Mom will treasure. When assembled, Mom has a beautiful tribute to her patience, love and dedication.   S4-072 Flower Creations, S3-004 Symbology, S3-033 Cameo and Brooch, S4-142 Long Classic Rectangles Large,  S4-131 Classic Scalloped Rectangle Small, S4-116 Standard Circles Small, S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circle Small.

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Everyone at Spellbinders’ Paper Arts wishes you, your Mom, and those that are like a Mother to you a Happy Mothers Day.  We love you, Mom!

Beth