Monday, November 30, 2020

Team swaps - showing highlights of the upcoming catalog

When a new catalog comes out, we each select a stamp set and make 10 cards, one for each swap participant.  This provides each of us with ideas (we all craft differently) and with samples for our customers and blogs.





Here's my swap... I used the new Amazing Kit.  I love kits and my customers do too.  There are different types of kits and this kit has supplies for 16 cards and the stamp set is extra.

I loved the kit.  I made it exactly as instructed (how NOT like me!). Here are a few close ups of each card.





I think if I recreated some of these cards my layout would not be quite to linear.

I loved all the gold foil accents, vellum, the twine and thought it was fun to put together and created cards that I will enjoy sending out.


Having said all that... I felt a bit "lame" using a kit and not designing my own cards! So I thought I'd add in this notecard as an extra swap!


It uses the new Art Gallery paper with a gold acetate overlay.  The overlay matches up with the paper. It's really a great look!  I added matching ribbon and the greeting is from "Many Messages", 1 stamp set and 1 big die gives you 19 fun sentiments.  



When I'm able to I'll add in more from the catalog and the catalog samples. Stay tuned this week for lots of fun ideas from my team mates as their swaps arrive in my mailbox!


happy crafting, MaryKate

A "beary" special Paper Pumpkin - make 12 full size Teddy Bear cards!


Paper Pumpkin is a fun crafting kit - you can buy 1 or subscribe (and if you subscribe you can easily hit "pause".  For $23 - including a stamp set, ink, block (your first kit) and all project supplies, it's a fun creative escape for you - or to share a creative experience with friends and family.  



December’s Paper Pumpkin kit includes enough supplies to create 12 cute and cuddly bear-themed cards. The kit also includes 12 coordinating envelopes.


To receive the kit, you must subscribe by 10 December.  


This month’s kit offers a warm way to send a socially-distanced bear hug to friends and family, near or far. New subscribers will adore the easy opportunity to reach out to their loved ones in need of extra encouragement after a beary tough year!


Click here for subscribing options


Happy to answer any questions... you can reach me at MaryKate@MaryKateScott.com


Happy creating, MaryKate

Poinsettia cards in non-traditional colors

I love these Poinsettia dies! Today I'm showing you a few non-traditional holiday colors and fewer greetings on the front (but big greetings inside!)


This one has a layer of Seaside Spray 4 x 5 1/4 and 2 top layers - a Whisper White 3 3/4 x 5 and a layer of the vellum also 3 3/4 x 5. 



The whisper white layer really helps the vellum to keep the white snowy look. 
You'll see that I added in silver foil die cuts (the dies have a scoring aspect so the leaves look textured).

I add the wider silver ribbon along with the blue gems.


Here are the dies (I confess, I bought only the dies, not the stamps!)
I love how the dies layer. 

Below is the Stampin up version in more traditional colors. 


I wanted to show you a close up of the leaves, ribbon, gems and vellum


I created 2 looks.  The left is also Seaside Spray but no Whisper White layer.
So the vellum shows but in a different look.
These cards are great vertical or horizontal.


A closer look side-by-side so you can see the difference with the white layer.
Do you have a preference?


Here are a few more photos.
This one shows the vertical greeting using the Holly set, stamped in Seaside.


This is a vertical greeting using the really big greeting stamps with Peace, Joy, and Bright



And finally... wow, these leaves are really pretty and it's surprising how quickly it is to create cards.



These stamps and dies are part of the Aug - Dec Mini Stampin Up catalog. We'll find out if any sets and dies will carry... usually not much carries over and they retired on Jan 2nd. If you love these dies I wouldn't wait... I can imagine many people will scour eBay or other sites next year looking for a retired set!!

My online shop is always open, just click on the cart (top right of this site) and by using the host code, I can promise you a nice gift will come to you in the mail!

Happy stamping, happy holidays
MaryKate

Friday, November 27, 2020

A "Tiffany" Box - how to make a custom sized box the easy way!

Our team holiday party includes a gift exchange - the gift can only be $1-$2 but the packaging needs to be gorgeous!


Here's my present to my "secret stampin sister"!

I made the base and lid, then I wrapped ribbon around the lid only, securing the ribbon to the inside lid. Then to make it pretty I added an extra piece of the Coastal Cabana to cover the attached ribbon - see the 3rd photo.

I hope it looks like a Tiffany box! It's easy to make a custom box.  Just measure your item eg if your item is 4 x 5 and you want your box to be just a bit bigger.  

If you want the base of the box to be 1" deep you add 1" (for both sides of the box) to the side that is 4" (total 6") and to the other side at 5" (total 7"). Cut you paper 5" x 7".  Take a 1/16 off 2 connecting sides. Now score on all 4 sides at 1"

For the lid, I want the lid to be not as deep as the base so just 1/2" so it's 1/2" for both sides plus 4 (total 5") and then 1/2 both sides for the 5" side (total 6"), so I cut my lid 5 x 6 and score on all 4 side at 1/2"

If you want to see a few other boxes with other measurements click here to see smaller gift card size boxes

Or if you are a video learner here's a great video click here for the video

Or email me for a "custom size box worksheet" to make the math easy! I'm at MaryKate@MaryKateScott.com

I love the look of Coastal Cabana cardstock and white ribbon with the silver edge! So simple but so elegant!

Really, anything is a gift if it's wrapped up gorgeously!

Happy creating, MaryKate

Monday, November 23, 2020

Adding Sparkle and a 24 hour sale Nov 24th only! The Annual Catalog is on Sale!

Quick announcements: I'll be live today Monday Nov 23 at 5pm on my Facebook Page SipCraftCare (vs the usual Tuesday at 5pm) with packaging that sparkles!




tomorrow!
I'll add the video link here on "adding sparkles".


And there's a great 24 hour sale tomorrow Nov 24 - almost all of the annual catalog is on sale 10% off. If you use this host code, happy-bling will be coming your way! Host code QNN622WF

Do you have gifts on your list like kits, the Boho Medley, or just want to stock up? Tomorrow Nov 24 is the perfect day!

If your shopping list is more than $50 please reach out to me so I can help you select your choice of free items! cell 207 431 0317 or MaryKate@MaryKateScott.com

Happy shopping, MaryKate

Friday, November 20, 2020

A flurry of Snowflake Splendor greeting cards

I went to a class last weekend and had so much fun!  We played with the new Snowflake stamp set and made these fun cards.  I used a few alternative greetings so I could use these outside of the upcoming holiday season!

Here's the collection with close up photos below.




Love the colors of this one with Highland Heather (light purple), the snowflake shapes are cut with dies.  And then I stamped in the matching Highland Heather ink. 


I love how the die cuts line up with the snowflakes on the designer paper.


This card has the background dry embossed with the folder (the paper is pressed through a folder taking on the shapes of snowflakes).  The snowflakes were make by creating watercolor paper and die cutting the snowflakes.


 I added a few of the snowflake adhesives, along with a strip of pattern paper and the greeting.
Pretty 1/8" navy ribbon adds to the greeting!


And a close up below of the embossed paper and snowflakes.

This one is my favorite and it's the simplest!! It's stamping with different sized and pattern snowflakes in 3 colors Highland Heather, Pool Party and Night of Navy - with a few added snowflake sequins.  


The pool party sheer ribbon and the greeting make it pop. It would be easy to make 10+ of these fun notecards!!



The balloon card is fun, I forget that I own this fun punch! Can you see the ribbon trim on the edge of the card? It's showing just half the ribbon with the sparkly edge and it's just the right amount of sparkle!


And the collection!


These cards were designed by Susan Morrison of 207ColorfulCreations!  She has such an eye for detail and color.  

If you like the set - or want the set or dies or the embossing folder it's all in my online store - but hold off a few days, on Nov 24 the store will be 10% off (so it's as if you are getting free shipping!) Such a great time to shop for stamps, dies, paper, inks, kits!  Just a few more days....


Happy stamping MaryKate




Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Boho Medley - how to make a Hawaiian Shirt Greeting Card

This is origami, no glue needed! The card fits into a regular envelope.  


Instructions below or click here for the video (if you want to skip to the shirt go to 4min 40sec) 

click here for the quick video

My husband Charlie wears a lot of Hawaiian shirts and has one for "evening wear" "lunch" "yard work" all occasions really!  Here's his closet, shhh don't tell I posted this!!  






1.    Select 2 pieces of the Hawaiian paper, cut 1 to 4 ½ x 6 and the other 6 x 6. Overlap the paper by ½” so you have a piece finished at 6 x 10

2.    Fold in the sides so they meet in the middle, your piece is now 3 x 10” (long and skinny)

3.    Fold the top of this piece to the back at about ¾” (this will be the collar)

4.    Now bring the back to the front so you can see the collar; I started about 1 ¾” down from the top of the collar

5.    Create a space for your greeting (it’s not that big!) by folding back the lower sides (at the bottom) see photo, I started about 4 ¼” from the bottom

6.    Now fold the bottom up and tuck it into the collar.

7.    Unfold and insert a greeting on the Vanilla piece cut 2 ½ x 4

8.    Fold the shirt closed.

9.    Add some flowers for buttons.  Decorate your vanilla envelope with matching design paper (cut 5 ½ x 2), trimmed to the envelope

I used the Boho Medley paper!  Such a great Medley (stamps, dies, die cuts, designer paper, 2 rolls of ribbon, embossing paper, the flower "button" embellishments) a fabulous gift for yourself or a crafty friend. Purchase this in my online store and I'll send you a tutorial with 15 projects and a kit of supplies all cut and prepped for you to make 6 of these projects.


I hope you get one for yourself, I've loved playing with this fun set.  And if you are a team member, don't hesitate to send me an email MaryKate@MaryKateScott.com to get your free copy of this tutorial - a great team member perk!  With your discount this medley is $52.50.  If you are interested in the discount, tutorial or have questions, don't hesitate to reach out!


Happy stamping, MaryKate




Friday, November 13, 2020

The Advent Calendar Box

 I'm so happy this advent box is a returning favorite. We had a lot of fun with this last year and I'll be getting it out with my other Christmas decorations soon!


This year I turned the boxes around and cut a piece of the scenery paper from Trimming the Town.  I cut it 10 x 10, and then into 25 squares 2x2".  You can see the boxes have a half-circle cut out on 2 sides.






This is how the designers created it -- but there are so many ways to decorate it (even without numbers or without Christmas paper!)  It would be a fun jewelry box!




I think I might add some snowflake embellishments to the one I made with Trimming the Town!


Click here to see a link on the original box 


These advent boxes are $30 for the kit, you get the 25 boxes, the large box (boxes are made) and lots of paper and trimmings to decorate the box.  My online store is always open! 


Happy crafting, MaryKate



Thursday, November 5, 2020

OnStage@Home - today is the day!

 It's so fun to gather as a group and see new products, learn new techniques, hear from demonstrators and see new creativity!  That's OnStage, our semi-annual get-together where we see a new catalog and new products.  Today is the day!!  While we are virtual, we have fun plans all set and ready.

My team each gets a "SWAG" bag with useful and fun things for their experience.  I made these early as we are attending virtually with very small (2-3 people) in many locations.  And as they all have them I can now show you!




Here's a photo of everything inside the bag. Lots of goodies! The greeting "you got this" is from the Stamp Set "Ridiculously Awesome" and I love it, these big greetings are so fun and versatile.


This a goal sheet - we have a great sale that is called Sale-A-Bration and this sheet gives us each a bit of inspiration to set a goal. Goals could be "book time with my favorite people to stamp with", or bringing in new team members. We are all different so we have different goals.


I love our Floral notebooks... what a happy site, a fresh clean notebook ready for ideas and inspiration! And who doesn't need a new sparkly pen :)


We have a bingo game going - yes virtually!  As different things are announced or showcased we can check them off our bingo card.  Of course I don't know what will be announced, so it's a surprise for all of us.  Bingo squares include things like "free giveaway for all attendees"  "the join offer includes a tool" or "a new masculine stamp set is showcased". I'll update you on how this game goes!!


A card for my lovely team members


A box with some candy and treats to keep our energy high! Do you love the paper? I used the Ornate Garden as for me this floral paper has a fun fall vibe to it. 


And a surprise below... my team members have to guess what very useful gift this is :) I'll tell you on Friday what these items are for.


And this photo was taken at OnStage last year in Hartford. It's so hard to believe that 1 year ago it was all so different.  We will have fun this year and make great memories!


Stay tuned, next week we can share some of what we hear and learn!

Happy stamping! MaryKate



Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Susan's Silver Elite Celebration!

My amazing and talented teammate Susan Morrison earned Silver Elite. This is a very big promotion at Stampin Up.  I'm so proud of all she has achieved. She has built a truly wonderful team!








A big celebration, special gift and card were essential!


I thought she would love the Boho Medley - this includes stamps, dies, matching paper and ribbon, lovely die cuts and all in a great presentation box!  


I wanted to make a special card for her.  I used the Rooted in Nature for the sentiment, embossed in silver.  I created a wash with the water painters and the Misty Moonlight ink and then created several mats.

Watercolor paper 4 x 2 3/4

Misty Moonlight 4 1/8 x 2 7/8

Vanilla 4 1/4 x 3

Misty Moonlight 5 1/4 x 4

Card base 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 


Inside I embossed the greeting in silver.  Be strong, be happy, be you!  Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.   


So fun to celebrate our fabulous teammate! 
Congratulations Susan!!