FUN & FANCY FOLDS, Telescoping Circle Thank You Kitty Card...

Yesterday, I shared three Fun & Fancy Fold Cards for the SUDSOL Blog Tour.  Today the fun continues with a Telescoping Circle Card.   You can find a FREE full tutorial for this card at the end of the post.

If you noticed, yesterday's cards all had a different seasonal feel - Fall, Summer, Spring.  By rights, this one should have had a winter feel and I had originally designed a snowman card for this card.  However, I changed my mind and decided a needed another shot of sunny summer before it was over!  And what better way than with some of the yummy Caribbean shades of our new In Colors and one of the Summer Mini stamp sets, Touch of Kindness, leaving us in less than 2 weeks.  Hope you enjoy it...

TELESCOPING CIRCLE THANK YOU KITTY SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Touch of Kindness (W#123201 $21.95, C#123203 $16.95), Tagtastic (Hostess or Stampin' Rewards)
• Card Stock – Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
• Ink – Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Markers
• Ribbon – Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (#122977, $9.95)
• Punches – 2-3/8" Scallop Circle (#118874 $16.95), 1-3/4" Circle (#119850 $16.95)
• Accessories – Gold Brads (#104337, $5.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die (#113468, $19.95), 3-1/2" Circle Die (#121811 $17.95), 3" Circle Die (#122125, $17.95), Paper Piercer & Mat

TELESCOPING CIRCLE CARD TUTORIAL:
Click pictures to enlarge (on blog)

1. Begin with three nested circles. For mine, I used the following:

• Bottom: Scallop Circle Die, 3-1/2” Circle Die
• Middle: 3-1/2” Circle Die, 3” Circle Die
• Top: 3” Circle Die, 2-1/2” Circle Punch (not for this card)

The bottom and middle circles need to be flat, so that the card will stay together when closed and not catch when opening.

2. Stamp images and assemble each of your circle layers.

3. Lay the middle layer UPSIDE DOWN on top of the bottom layer. Pierce through both layers at the top. Insert a brad through both layers and secure behind the bottom layer.

4. Swing the card open so that the middle layer is right side up above the bottom piece (also right side up).

5. Lay the top piece UPSIDE DOWN on top of the middle piece. Pierce through both layers at the top as shown. Insert a brad through both layers and secure behind the middle circle.

6. Open up the card so that all three layers are in a row, smallest to largest. They should also now all be right side up.

7. Place a loop of ribbon behind the top layer. Pierce through the very top of the top layer and the ribbon loop. Insert a brad and secure behind the ribbon layer.

8. Your card is now complete. Fold it all back up to look like this.

The ribbon loop allows the recipient to “pull” the card open. Look back at the top of the post to see the card open.

SUDSOL BLOG TOUR, Fabulous Fun & Fancy Folds...

I am SO excited to be participating in the SUDSOL Blog Tour #6!  SUDSOL (Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing On Line) is an online community of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators.  I have only been a member of SUDSOL since the beginning of the year, but I love all the fabulous resources available to me and I use it almost every day!  Their Creative Library has an extensive samples gallery, video tutorials, patterns and templates.  Members also have access to lots of great business articles, forms and class outlines.

I know that many of my readers are Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  If you are a demonstrator and are not already of member of SUDSOL, please consider taking advantage of the FREE two-week trial.  Just CLICK HERE.  Once you sign up for your FREE trial, be sure to stop by my gallery:  MarieStamps.  You will find the patterns for all of my Fancy Fold cards in the Patterns Library as well:  Twisted Easel Card,  Center Step Card,  Diamond Fold Card.  Check it out today!

The idea of the SUDSOL Blog Tour is not to do "Art Show" quality projects.  Instead, the group likes projects that are easily demonstratable at workshops and classes.  These are the type of projects that demonstrators find most useful.  Towards that end, my projects show different fold techniques, while keeping the designs very simple.  I hope you enjoy my projects!

The first card I have for you is also the easiest fold.  It is a Twisted Easel Card.  It again uses one of my favorite new stamps, the Sunflower.  I just love the fine lines in this image.  The sentiment, from the Hostess set Faith in Nature, seemed a natural fit with the Sunflower.  And I had to include some of the yummy new Scallop Dots Ribbon - my favorite from the new catalog!

NATURAL SUNFLOWER TWISTED EASEL CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Sunflower (#123606,  $17.95), Faith in Nature (Hostess)
• Card Stock – More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory
• Ink – More Mustard Classic, More Mustard & Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Markers
• Ribbon – Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots (#124142, $7.95)
• Punches – Ticket Corner (#119867 $6.95)
• Accessories – Antique Brads (#117273, $5.95)
• Tools – Paper Trimmer with Scoring Blade, Paper Piercer & Mat, Sponge Daubers

You can find general directions HERE, but demonstrators trying out SUDSOL, can see my full tutorial with pictures HERE.

The second card is a Center Step Card.   For this card, I used the new Sweets for the Sweet stamp set.  It is such a cute set.  I stamped and cut out two different pinwheels.  Then I assembled them with Stampin' Dimensionals between each layer and the card.  The Just Add Cake DSP is the perfect touch of fun for this whimsical card. 

FANTASTIC PINWHEEL PARADE CENTER FOLD CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Sweets for the Sweet (W#122510 $25.95, C#122512 $18.95), Perfect Words (Hostess or Stampin' Rewards)
• Card Stock – Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Just Add Cake DSP
• Ink – Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, So Saffron Classic, Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker
• Punches – Modern Label (#119849, $16.95)
• Accessories – Silver Brads (#104336, $6.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Paper Trimmer with Scoring Blade, Big Shot, Ovals Die (#114525, $15.95), Punch Windows Movers & Shapers Dies (#115953, $29.95), Piercer & Mat, Sponge Daubers

You can find my tutorial for the Center Step Card here:  Love Birds 60th Anniversary Center Step Card and my full pdf tutorial on SUDSOL HERE.

The third card is a Diamond Fold Card.  This card is a little more complicated in the scoring and folding, but once you have done one or two, you will find it quite easy.  You hold it flat when inserting it into the envelope.  When the recipient pulls the card from the envelope, it "explodes" up.  For this card, I used the very popular Flirtatious Specialty DSP and Delicate Doilies Stamp Set from the new catty along with the new Melon Mambo Embossing Powder. 

Here is a picture of how it looks flat (before embellishing):

DARLING DOILY DIAMOND FOLD CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Delicate Doilies (W#122590 $21.95, C#122592 $16.95)
• Card Stock – Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Flirtatious Specialty DSP
• Ink – Wisteria Wonder Classic, VersaMark
• Accessories – Basic Pearls Jewel Accents (#119247, $4.95), Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss Powder (#123223, $4.75)
• Tools – Paper Trimmer with Scoring Blade, Heat Tool, Ruler, Sponge Daubers

You can find my full pdf tutorial with pictures on SUDSOL HERE.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a fourth fun fold card, a Telescoping Circle Card!  I will have the full tutorial for that card tomorrow as well.  I hope you enjoyed my Fun & Fancy Fold Cards!

UPCOMING SUDSOL BLOG TOUR REMINDER...

Just wanted to let everyone know to be sure to check back on my blog on Tuesday, August 16th for the SUDSOL Blog Tour!  This is the first blog tour I have participated in and I am very excited to share my projects with you!

I have been on vacation for the last couple of weeks and will only be home a few days next week before I am out of town again for the Charlotte Regional, so I haven't had many new projects to share.  But, I will have 3 Fun & Fancy Fold Cards for you for the Blog Tour!  Plus, I will share a bonus one for you on Wednesday.   Don't miss out!

NEW AUGUST MY DIGITAL STUDIO DIGITAL DOWNLOADS...

Five new digital downloads were released this week including five new stamp brush sets and the Tickets & Tags Kit shown at left!  Check out the PDF for more details, and then head over to my Digital Designing Store to get yours today!  Please contact me if you have any questions about My Digital Studio.  I will be happy to help you!

PLEASE NOTE:  You don't have to have My Digital Studio to use our digital images.  You can download them as .jpgs or .pngs to use in any digital graphics/photo/scrapbooking software (ex. Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, Jasc Paint Shop Pro or Ulead Photo Impact, Microsoft Office programs like Word, Publisher, etc.).  Remember that if you are purchasing only digital images, there are NO shipping charges!

UPDATES ON DAUBER CASES & RIBBON SHARES...

Whew!  It's been a crazy busy few weeks!  And only getting crazier!  I finally got the last of the dauber cases and ribbon shares out that have been ordered so far.  That was one full van load to the Post Office!  You may still order Dauber Cases or take part in the Ribbon Share.  I am thinking of expanding the ribbon shares to another with new colors in other styles, if there is any interest.  Let me know what you think!  For more info, check out these posts:  Dauber Cases  and/or  Ribbon Share

Also, I received calls and emails from a few people that are having difficulties with their purchase of the Dauber Case Templates.  There was a problem with the PayPal button and I had to change it.  If you wish to purchase the Dauber Case Templates, please don't use the button from the emailed post.  Use the button from the actual post on my blog:  Dauber Case Templates.  Also, after your purchase is complete, PayPal should take you directly to the page to download the templates.  If for some reason it does not, please email me for the files using the email address you used for payment.  Thank you so much for purchasing with me.  I greatly appreciate your business!

CREATIVE CREW, Sunflower Sunset Framed Art...

Today I have my DSP/Color Focus entry for August's Creative Crew Challenges on Splitcoaststampers.com.  I chose to use So Saffron, Poppy Parade, Early Espresso and Whisper White from the colors from the Pocket of Posies DSP.  I wanted to make a piece of framed art and usually I make complex pieces, but this time, I decided to make a very quick and simple one that anyone could easily replicate.  I used an inexpensive frame from the dollar store.

The Sunflower stamp is one of my favorites from the new catalog.  It is perfect for backgrounds, but this time, it gets to be the star of the show!  To create the picture, I brayed So Saffron ink onto Whisper White card stock.  Then I sponged Poppy Parade in some areas.  I used the Color Spritzer to add Early Espresso color accents and allowed it to dry for a bit.  Then I stamped the Sunflower with VersaMark and heat embossed it with White Embossing Powder.  Finally I added the sentiment from the Perfect Words Hostess stamp set.  I loved the "you inspire me" phrase.  It makes for the perfect gift for a friend!

If you'd like to play along with this challenge, here is the info:

CCREW0811DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM – DSP/Color Focus: Pocketful of Posies designer papers (122354), or the following colors: baja breeze, daffodil delight, early espresso, night of navy, pear pizzazz, poppy parade, rich razzleberry, so saffron, soft suede, whisper white. If you have the DSP feel free to use it, if you don't choose any 3 of these colors and make a friendship project—remember, sisters can also be friends!

SUNFLOWER SUNSET FRAMED ART SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Sunflower (#123606,  $17.95), Perfect Words (Hostess or Stampin' Rewards)
• Card Stock – Whisper White
• Ink – VersaMark, So Saffron, Poppy Parade Classic, Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker
• Accessories – White Stampin' Emboss Powder (#109132, $4.75)
• Tools – Brayer, Color Spritzer, Stampin' Sponges

TAX-FREE WEEKEND IN VIRGINIA...

BEGINS TOMORROW, Friday, August 5...

The state of Virginia is having a sales tax holiday for school supplies up to $20.00 per item August 5 – 7.  Because school supply items are included in this sales tax holiday, the below list of items will be tax free during the holiday period.  Please note that you must place your order on my Stampin' Up! website or via email or phone with me during the tax holiday period in order to receive these items tax free.  Don't miss out on this limited-time benefit!  

The following items are tax-exempt during the Virginia sales tax holiday:

Item #	Description	Price
100425	2-Way Glue Pen	$3.50
104332	SNAIL Adhesive	$6.95
104331	SNAIL Adhesive Refill	$4.50
103305	Dotto	$12.95
100902	Dotto Refill	$6.50
104045	Anywhere Glue Stick	$3.95
104294	Sticky Strip	$6.95
104430	Stampin' Dimensionals	$3.95
103683	Mini Glue Dots	$4.95
103579	Paper Snips	$9.95
103179	Craft & Rubber Scissors	$19.95
101879	Watercolor Pencils	$19.95
105021	White Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen	$3.95
102845	Blender Pens (3)	$9.95
Various	Stampin’ Write Markers (individual)	$3.50
119801	Many Marvelous Markers In Color 2010-2012 (5)	$14.95
123002	Many Marvelous Markers In Color 2011-2013 (5)	$14.95
119802	Watercolor Wonder Crayons Subtles (10)	$16.95
119803	Watercolor Wonder Crayons Regals (10)	$16.95
119804	Watercolor Wonder Crayons Brights (10)	$16.95
119805	Watercolor Wonder Crayons Neutrals (10)	$3.50
105394	Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler	$3.50
110755	Multipurpose Liquid Glue	$3.95

Other states may be having similar tax-free weekends this weekend as well. Stampin' Up! only notifies us of our home state tax holidays.  However, you would still get any applicable tax savings on your order.  

CREATIVE CREW, Sisters & Friends Scrapbook Page...

Today I have my entry for August's Creative Crew Scrapbook Focus Challenge.  This challenge called for making a friendship page.  I chose a picture I happened to take of my daughters during a family trip to DC.   They had spent many years as sibling rivals to say the least.  As adults, they have become friends and when they got up from the museum stairs and spontaneously walked off arm in arm, I just had to get a quick pic.  My younger daugher, Colleen, loved it so much that she framed the photo.  So, of course, I had to use it for my friendship page!  Hope you enjoy it!

If you would like to play along with the challenge, here is the info:

CCREW0811SF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM – Scrapbooking Focus: Make a friendship page. Stampin Up! has so many wonderful words and images that celebrate friendship – use one of these images on your scrapbook page.

SHAUGHNESSY SISTERS & FRIENDS SCRAPBOOK PAGE MDS DOWNLOADS LIST:

• Digital Downloads – Vintage Overlays, Vintage Vogue, Punch Bunch
• Shapes – Top Not, Circle Punch
• Colors – Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, Whisper White, Going Gray, Basic Gray, Black, New In Color Patterns DSP
• Accessories –  Basic Pearls, Baja Breeze Button Bouquet, Stitching
• Fonts – Ephesis, Papyrus

AUGUST DIGITAL DOWNLOADS ARE HERE...

Seven new digital downloads were released this week including five new stamp brush sets, a Convention Photo kit and the exclusive Convention 8"x 8" Photobook Template Designer shown at left!  Although  designed for demonstrators who went to Convention, this photobook has adorable Designer Series Papers, embellishments and stamps perfect for any occasion.  Check out the PDF for more details, and then head over to my Digital Designing Store to get yours today!  Please contact me if you have any questions about My Digital Studio.  I will be happy to help you!

PLEASE NOTE:  You don't have to have My Digital Studio to use our digital images.  You can download them as .jpgs or .pngs to use in any digital graphics/photo/scrapbooking software (ex. Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, Jasc Paint Shop Pro or Ulead Photo Impact, Microsoft Office programs like Word, Publisher, etc.).  Remember that if you are purchasing only digital images, there are NO shipping charges!

BUY 3, GET 1 FREE DESIGNER SERIES PAPER!...

During August, you get a FREE package of Designer Series Paper when you buy three!  Use this limited-time offer to stock up on all your favorites, including brand-new designs from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.  CLICK HERE to see all the great DSPs included in the offer!

Promotion Details:

• Orders may be placed on any order type (customer, workshop, or online).
• There is no limit to the number of free packages of Designer Series Paper you can earn.
• Specialty Designer Series Paper and Hostess Designer Series Paper are not part of this promotion and cannot be redeemed through this offer.
• Promotion ends Wednesday, August 31, 2011; 11:50 PM (MT)