The Crew Quarters

I'm working on displays today for the Walnut Ridge Business Expo on Tuesday.  I'll have a Stampin'Up! booth showing our great Starter Kit and hopefully share the opportunity to become a Stampin'Up! Demonstrator.  Laura Diamond will be there with me, so stop by between noon and 4:00pm to say hello.  I'll post photos later this week.  If you need directions, check my events for more details.  

I've also adjusted my comments option, so you don't have to have a google account.  Feel free to leave a comment.  

Today is day 1 of the Delightful Decorations week long Showcase.  Stampin' Up! has had this stamp set and the coordinating punch for a little while, but it's one of my favorites and very versatile to boot!.  This first card is an easy fun fold "Explosion Card."  

Here is the card closed.  I'm using the new Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

This is the card partially open, so you can see how it "explodes" up when open.  Notice the ornaments are stamped with Versamark, then heat embossing with Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso Embossing Powder  (OOPS!  I thought we still carried this, but see we don't have it in the catalog.  You can substituted with Gold, Wasabi or Pewter EP).  The Cherry Cobbler ornament also has several of the smallest pearls from the Pearls Basic Jewels packet.  

This is the card fully opened.  Plenty of room on the back to write a message.  Although it looks a little complicated, it's really a snap.  I've included the directions below.

(I promise to write bigger next time)

Instructions:

Cut a piece of card stock 4" x 12".  Score (on your Simply Scored Tool) along the long side at 2", 4", 8" and 10".  Add the Diagonal Score Plate to your Simply Scored Tool, then score diagonally at 2" and 6".  Turn it around so the opposite long side is now at the top, then score diagonally again at 2" and 6".  This will give you the above photo.  Fold and crease along the straight score lines like a valley (inward).  Fold and crease the diagonal lines like a mountain (outward).  Push in the outside panels and shown in the second photo, then close everything and crease again with your bone folder.  Voila!

The 2 pieces of DSP on the outside panels are 1-7/8" wide by 3-7/8" high.  To make the 2 triangle pieces, cut a 3-1/2" square of DSP then cut diagonally to make 2 larger triangles, then cut one of those in half.  The center Gumball Green Square is a 2-1/2" square.  It's embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots EF.

Supplies:

Cherry Cobbler 12" x 12" Card Stock 124272
Gumball Green Card Stock  126840
Very Vanilla Card Stock  101650
Candlelight Christmas Special Designer Series Paper  126901
Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder 122949
Heat Tool  129053
VersaMark Pad  102283
Cherry Cobbler Ink  126966
Simply Scored Tool  122334
Simply Scored Diagonal Plate  125586
Baker's Twine  Cherry Cobbler  123125  and Early Espresso  123124
Big Shot  113439
Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder  117335
Pearls Basic Jewels  119247

Here's a look at the Delightful Decorations Stamp Set and the Ornament Punch:

Delightful Decorations Clear-Mount Stamp Set	127787
Price: $16.95
Make the holidays a little brighter with cards, gifts, tags and decorations made with the Delightful Decorations stamp set! No matter what you want to make, this set can help you make it.Set Quantity: 7 Wood Mount set      Price: $21.95      116517 Ornament Punch 119847 Price: $16.95 Punches are a quick and easy way to add interest, dimension, and color to your cards, tags, and scrapbook pages. You can glue punched shapes directly onto your projects or layer a sheet of card stock that has been punched over a coordinating card stock for a reverse effect. ■ New, sleeker body style ■ Larger surface area offers precise cutting and leverage ■ Locks to store

Here's a couple of Christmas Card shares from our Christmas in July card swap.  This first card is from Reta Daugherty.

She used the Open Sleigh stamp set #126460.  Notice the glittery detail on the sleigh?  Reta added some great detail with the  new Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon in Real Red and some Rhinestone Basic Jewels.  This would be a great card to duplicate for your holiday card needs.  

The second card is from Laura Diamond.  It was one of my favorites and had great details.  

Laura used the new Scentsational Season stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog and the coordination Holiday Collection Framelits Dies.  You can now purchase these in a bundle for savings!!!  She used the White Gel Pen to draw the lines on the gingerbread men and then colored some of our Rhinestone Basic Jewels with red sharpies for the buttons.

I loved how she used the new Mitten Builder Punch to make pot holders (#127824). The cookie sheet was made from Brushed Silver Card Stock.