Fall Packaging

Last night I finished putting together one of the new Perfect Presentation templates - Tall Gable Box.  I went with the PTI Falling Leaves set and made a box to compliment the card I made {here}.

The box is all tied up with a button and leaf garland. I made sure to tie the bow thru one handle so that the box will open without untying the garland.
I can just envision this box filled with pecan shortbread or pumpkin cookies - both make great sweet fall treats!  Now that I am thinking about these cookies I am probably going to have to make a batch soon - so yummy and I can not get the thought out of my head :>).

This template is available in formats for cutting machines and pdf.  I own the Cricut, but I went the pdf route on this one since I was away from most of my crafting supplies at the time.  The Tall Gable is mostly straight lines, so the majority of the cutting was done with my paper cutter, which made it very easy.  
Be sure to visit the rest of the Design Team who will have templates to share throughout the week:  Leigh Ann Baird, Kerri Michaud, Terri Moore, Alyssa Scritchfield, Rebecca Jensen, & Chris Olsen.
Plus, I am putting this one in for the Paper Player's Challenge this week - Anything Goes - gotta love that type of challenge :>)
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Template - Tall Gable (Perfect Presentation), Stamp - Falling Leaves (PTI), CS - Terracotta Tile & Ocean Tides (PTI), Cream (SU), twine (PTI), Ink - Really Rust, Blue Bayou, More Mustard, Cranberry Crisp and Chocolate Chip (SU) and Versamark, paper bag (my kitchen :~) ), punch - scallop border, cutters - Oval cutter (Creative Memories) and buttons - Ocean Tides (PTI).

Perfect Presentation Release Day!

Have you been anxiously awaiting new Perfect Presentation packaging templates and cut files?  Today is the day...head on over to the Wild Flower Patch Store.
Birthday celebration coming up?  Check out the Mini Cake Stand!
Need a taller package?  Check out the Tall Gable! 
There are new cut files too, including pennant flags & banners and label frames.
The owner of Perfect Presentation, Leigh Ann, is such a sweetie, not only because she asked me to be on the Perfect Presentation DT, but also because she is just plain ole sweet.  Must be the southern charm :>)  Thanks for having me on the team!!! 
I was away, so I did not have time to play with the new templates and cut files.  So instead, of showcasing the fab new templates I am sharing one of my first Perfect Presentation projects - it is still one of my faves using the My Little Bag template! 

I will have new Perfect Presentation eye candy to share very soon, so be sure to stop back.  Plus, the rest of the Design Team will have projects this week:  Leigh Ann Baird, Kerri Michaud, Terri Moore, Alyssa Scritchfield, Rebecca Jensen, & Chris Olsen.
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Template - Perfect Presentation My Little Bag, CS - SU White, black and Pink, Stamp - LPS Katie Cupcake, Ink - SU Basic Black, Embossing Folder - CB Swirl, Black Copic marker, Ribbon - stash, Star Dust Stickles, and hole punch, plus velcro to hold the flap shut.

Papertrey August Blog Hop Challenge

The PTI August Blog Hop challenge is to create a project using a paper bag.  I love tree stamps, so when I saw the latest from Heather I had to have it!  It immediately makes me think of fall, so it was the first thing I grabbed when I saw the blog hop challenge.  I started out making a gift bag, but then decided to cut it all up and turn it into a fall card!  Sometimes you just have to go where the inspiration takes you!  In addition to the leaf stamped paper bag layer, I ran a piece thru the crimper to add extra texture to the mat.

Have fun hopping around and checking out all the paper bag creations!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamp - Falling Leaves (PTI), CS - Terracotta Tile & Ocean Tides (PTI), Cream (SU), twine (PTI), Ink - Really Rust, Blue Bayou, More Mustard, Cranberry Crisp and Chocolate Chip (SU), paper bag (my kitchen :~) ), crimper, Die - Labels 1 (Nestabilities), punches - corner rounder & scallop border.

August Viva La Verve

Have you ever seen the weekly Viva la Verve challenges on SCS?  I have always wanted to play along and since August seems to be the "month of Verve", well it seemed like the time to join in!
Each Friday, Amber posts a sketch and choice of inspiration photos based on a room in a house.  This month, the inspiration rooms are the master bedroom.  In general, for all the inspiration photos I was drawn to the textures and white, white, white.  I went for simple with clean lines and embossing on all 4 cards. 
Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - Up, Up & Away and Blue Skies (Verve), CS - SU & PTI, Dies - Button Cutups (TCP), Embossing Folders Swiss Dots, Paisley, circles (Cuttlebug) & Argyle (Sizzix), PP - lots of different ones (let me know if you want to know a particular one).

Where Did All My Paper Go?

I was busy in June and July, creating baby shower invites, favors, and thank you cards...

I was inspired by shower invitations that I saw on Heather Nichols' blog.  Since I was making so many identical cards I wanted the invite to be simple, plus, the assembly line was myself and 2 non-card makers :>).  I did all the printing, stitching and cutting at home, so that all we had to do was glue on the scallops, stamp the bear, and put on the bear's belly.  The bear's belly is done with paper and a dimensional to avoid trying to send buttons thru the mail.

The favors were made with the template "Squared" from Perfect Presentation.  I got the idea from Alyssa who made baby blocks.  The box was easy to assemble, with just one strip of tape holding it together. 

Have I mentioned recently how much I love my Cricut???  It came in so handy to cut out all the scallops and templates.  The scallop square is an svg I found here.  The scallops on the invite were created with the Just Because cartridge.  Fortunately when it came time to make the favors a couple of stampers joined in the assembly line fun because there was a lot more gluing.  We went with a real button for the belly on the favors.  I printed out a "You're so Beary Sweet" for the back, then filled with M&Ms and topped with a bow.
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp - Baby Button Bits (PTI), PP - Dots (BoBunny), CS - Kraft and Whisper White (SU), Ink - Blue Brocade (SU), Template - Squared (Perfect Presentation), Buttons - Pure Poppy (PTI), Twine (PTI), Punches - Corner Rounder & Circle, Cricut - Just Because Cartridge and Scallop Square , and Ribbon (Offray).

Need a Keeper?

 I went on a "Keeper" craze just recently.  I wanted packaging to dress up gifts and went with Perfect Presentation's "It's a Keeper".
For my first "Keeper", I made a box to hold welcome gifts for baby.  

I took my Cricut and increased both the width and depth of the keeper to make it big enough to hold 2 outfits and 4 baby toys.  (Yep, I changed the size - Leigh Ann should be proud of me!) 

 For my second keeper, I was looking for something to hold 3 full size bottles of hand soap.  I increased the width just a bit on this one, added some ribbon, button, twine and ta da...

Super simple, super fun and it made these ordinary gifts the "perfect presents".    Plus, these would make the "perfect" card gift set holder...hmmm :>)
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Template- It's a Keeper (Perfect Presentation),  PP - #1 SEI and #2 SU, CS - SU, Buttons - #1 PTI and #2 stash, and Ribbon/twine - #2 stash.

Older and Wiser But Still Cute

I have been pulling out the LPS Flyin' on By set quite a bit, but have yet to use the owl and he is a cutie! 

This card is for the latest Embellish Magazine challenge, which is to make a quirky, cutesy, clean card using the colors Sea Foam, Peach, Vanilla and Kraft.  I combined that with the Little Paper Shop blog challenge to use stitching, by adding a simple row of stitches on the top and bottom.
Cute, clean and perhaps the clouds can be interpreted as quirky?
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - Swirl and Flyin' On By (LPS), Up Up & Away (Verve), CS - Kraft and Vanilla (SU), Ink - (SU), Embroidery Floss and Buttons (PTI).

More Vervalicious Cards

Today I have 3 more cards to share that will be added to my Verve gift card set which I shared yesterday.  I took advantage of  some fab-u-lous sketches out there and went to work.  I originally wanted the Blue Skies set because of the cute note paper stamp, but I honestly have not gotten past these butterflies.

First up is a card based on this week’s Paper Player’s sketch challenge #11.

 
Next is a card based on this week’s Card Pattern’s sketch #77.

 

Last, but certainly not least, is one based on this week’s Card Positioning System sketch #180.

 

I am almost done, now I need to get working on a box to hold these all…

Smiles,

Julie

Details:  Stamps - Blue Skies and Thankful Accents (Verve), PP - Retired SU DSP, CS - Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, and Bashful Blue (SU), Ink - Always Artichoke (SU), Buttons (PTI), Embossing Folders - Swirls (Cuttlebug), embroidery floss and thread, plus a ton of dimensionals.

Vervalicious Card Set

It's Verve release time and this month Verve is celebrating it's 3rd anniversary with Anni-VERVE-sary Sketch Challenges!  It has been awhile since I found time to play along with a Verve release challenge, but the timing was right and who wouldn't love the chance to win the entire new release?!?!!!

I decided to pull out some old SU designer paper (translation - give BasicGrey a rest and use up something from my neglected stash) and went to work creating 5 coordinating cards.  I am using this as the perfect opportunity to put together a gift set because B-days and the holidays are fast approaching (I might actually not be last minute this year)! 

Be sure to visit SCS and the Verve blog for pics of each sketch so you can play along (you have until Friday 8/20 at 6 pm EST).

Now, 5 cards is a start, but 8 really sounds like a much better # for a set and what about something to put it in?  Stay tuned!

Smiles,

Julie
Details:  Stamps - Blue Skies and Thankful Accents (Verve), PP - Retired SU DSP, CS - Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, and Bashful Blue (SU), Ink - Always Artichoke (SU), Buttons (PTI), Embossing Folders - Swirls (Cuttlebug), embroidery floss and thread, plus a ton of dimensionals.

My First Card

Amy Tsuruta is challenging us...to repost the first card we posted on our blog.  Well, I have been away and have not made anything new this past week, so this was the perfect challenge for today.

My card is not that old.  I started blogging May 2009, just over a year ago.  Who would have thought I would be blogging...it was really all by chance.  I went to SCS to case a card and came across a caption that mentioned visiting a blog.  I was one of those who just peeked in the gallery and rarely left comments.  Honestly, I did not even know what a blog was at that time.  It was Jen del Muro's blog that I came across and I was inspired, blown away and amazed that paper crafting could be soooo incredibly different than what I was seeing at home parties.  I then took part in Stamping Out Alzheimers and had so much fun - I got very little sleep that week, because I was stamping during every free minute.  I felt like my cards were getting better, so I took the plunge and created my own blog. 
Many of my friends who started out paper crafting with me have given it up, so my blogging buddies keep me going!!!!  We all share the same love and some would say obsession with paper crafts.  I consider so many of you friends, I appreciate every single comment and uplifting message you leave.  I could seriously gush on and on.  Sooooooo THANK YOU, for stopping by!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Smiles,
Julie

Flyin' By in Pink

Hi there everyone!  Today's card is all about the colors, a bird, and a sketch from Allison.

I started off with the latest sketch from Allison, which is this week's challenge on the Little Paper Shop Blog.  Yes, I am missing those vertical strips, but sometimes, sketches are just inspiration, right?  Let's pretend that some of the vertical circle stripes are the strips :>)
Then I pulled in Embellish Magazine's challenge, which is to combine the colors pink, brown, and green, plus feature birds.

Plus, did you notice that shabby ribbon?  That was my find for last week from Prairie Bird Boutique.  I figured I might as well jump on the latest trend & who doesn't love ribbon that is supposed to be wrinkled?!?!  If you saw the way I store my ribbon, you would understand!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - Behind the Scenes and Flyin' By (LPS), CS - PTI & SU, Ink - SU, and Ribbon - He Brought Me Roses (Prairie Bird Boutique).

Clean & Simple Christmas

I keep seeing Christmas cards out there in blog land.  Normally, I am a Last Minute kinda gal, so November is typically Christmas card time.  I was inspired however when I saw the Paper Player's color challenge (Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla) and then this week's Card Positioning System sketch #179 caught my eye.  Keeping it super clean and simple, this is what I put together.

Well, after making that card I decided, it was such a quick card that it would be perfect for a gift set and so easy to switch up the colors.  When I make gift sets I really try to stay away from too much layering or thick embellies so CAS is the way to go!

Now I honestly only made 1 card so far because I am out of white paper!!!  I guess that means I need to go to my scraps until I order more.  I will share where all my white paper went later this week...

Did you see that Laurel Seabrook is giving away some fab candy?  I have been checking out Laurel's blog ever since she joined Sketch Girl as a guest designer.  I typically visit and get caught up whenever she uses one of the Sketch Girl sketches.  Well, since Sketch Girl has been on summer vacation I have missed seeing Laurel's happy creations!!!  Just pop on over to Laurel's blog{here}, read all the deets and become a follower like I finally did yesterday.
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Card 1 - Stamp- Holiday Tree (PTI), Ink - Chocolate Chip (SU), LadyBug (Momento), CS - Kraft (SU) and Twine (PTI).  Card 2 - Stamp - Holiday Tree & Everyday Button Bits (sentiment) (PTI), Ink - Always Artichoke & Elegant Eggplant (SU), CS - White (PTI) and Embroidery Floss.

You Say it's Your Birthday

so Happy Birthday to Amy!!!
Are you 1, are you 2, are you 3, are you 4, ....
Today is Amy Tsuruta's Birthday, she has that fabbie blog that I am sure you have seen and drooled over - Tsuruta Designs.  Yep, she is the one constantly amazing us with her creations!  Not to mention that fact that she is a good blogger, you know, the ones who actually post almost everyday and are always leaving a little lovin' on all our blogs.  Be sure to hop over to her blog and leave her a little Birthday cheer!!!
To celebrate I have a card to share and I am sure you will not have trouble guessing what type...a Birthday Card, of course.  When I think of Amy, the first things that come to mind are banners, patterned paper, paper piecing, and sewing.  Yes, I had to incorporate all 4! 

My card is for The Cat's Pajamas Tuesday challenge to use the new cutups (aka dies) - well, I went shopping after I went hopping last month and made my first TCP purchase.  In addition to the Buttons Die, I also picked up the "new to me" set You Say It's Your Birthday and some of the new felt too. The button die has several sized buttons all in one, so after finishing the banner, I used the leftover felt buttons to create a scallop border at the bottom of my card.  The banner was created by cutting out diamonds and folding each in half around a piece of twine, and then I sewed on a felt button in between each.
The challenge this week over at Crazy for Challenges is cupcakes, so the cupcake banner fits right in :~)
The LO is based on sketch #76 from Card Patterns - it's a basic sketch that I embellished on just a bit.

A huge thanks to Yvonne Yam, Do More with Less, she is the sweetie who organized this virtual party.  So as you are blurfing around today, don't be surprised if you see more B-day wishes being sent Amy's way!  Happy, happy, happy day!  Let's all celebrate and eat a piece of cake!!!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamp - You Say It's Your Birthday (TCP), Die - Buttons (TCP), Felt - Seeing Red & Green with Envy (TCP), PP - Green at Heart (Basic Grey), CS - SU & PTI, Ink - Basic Black & Chocolate Chip (SU), Tim Holtz Distress Ink Antique Linen (Ranger),  Stickles - Star Dust (Ranger), and Twine (PTI).

Chirp Up

This week's challenge on the Little Paper Shop blog is a cheery color combo - Bright Pink, Bright Blue and Brown - I think Pam must have selected these colors :~)  So when you have cheer to work with, why not make a "Chirp Up" card?

The layout is based on the latest Card Pattern's sketch, #75 another goodie!

Enjoy the rest of your week!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamp - Swirls (LPS), CS - GKD & PTI, Ink - Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal and Rose Red (SU), Button (PTI), Embossing Folder - Swirls (Cuttlebug), and Ribbon stash.

Anni-Verve-sary Blog Hop

Welcome to the Anni-VERVE-sary Blog Hop! Verve turns 3 today and we’re celebrating with a hop, hop, hop! If you've already been hopping along, you arrived here from Kerri's Blog. If not, head on over to Julee's Blog (owner of Verve), for all the info on how to win prizes (after all, what's a party without presents?), and to start hopping from the beginning. If there's a hiccup along the hop, you can always head to the Master Hop List to get the full list of links.

My card uses Verve's new set Blue Skies.  The butterflies are fast becoming a fave of mine. I sewed before embossing, layered my PP strip on wide ribbon, and sponged a bit with Old Olive ink on all the Vanilla.
Once you have a card you need just a little something to go along with it. 

My favorite thing to do is create a gift set by making a coordinating little box/bag to hold a bit of candy or a gift card.  Perfect to have on hand for a quick gift, but I admit, I never seem to have any ready to go because I am using the sets as soon as I make them! 

Thanks for hopping by! Now it's time to hop on over to Jen P’s blog (who also happens to be my sister!), for a little more Verve-y goodness.
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - Blue Skies & So Happy (Verve), Template - My Little Bag (Perfect Presentation), PP - Oliver (BasicGrey), CS - Very Vanilla, Old Olive and Blue (SU), Ink - Old Olive & Night of Navy (SU), Ribbon (stash), Embossing Folder - Swiss Dots (Cuttlebug), Die - Nestabilities Labels 1 (Spellbinders), Dimensionals, and Button & Twine (PTI).