Starting a New Year

I really appreciate the patience everyone has had with me over the last couple of years while I was in recovery from a major health issue, replacing my home and all that entails, helping my son with renovations while preparing for a new family addition, and so on. In preparation for this new year, I am trying to plan more regular in person classes, and that will include more regular posts and uploads of projects. 

My first class had a few choices of calendar projects and Valentine cards. Many thanks go out to the wonderful demonstrators who share their project ideas where I could learn some great ideas and techniques. I used a lot of the designer series papers I had in my stash, stamps, inks, and so on. I did use the Sweet Jar bundle for the greeting cards as well as some current (Spotlight on Nature and Stylish Shapes) and retired dies.

The first Valentine Card was inspired by Connie Babbert.

5 ½” X 8 ½” Color Cardstock, score in landscape at 4 ¼”

5 ¼” X 4” White cardstock, emboss with corrugated 3D embossing folder

5 ¼” X 4” Color cardstock (inside)

5” X 3 ¾” White cardstock (inside)

3” X 3 ½” Designer Series Paper (DSP)

½” X 4” DSP

3/8” X 3” Color Cardstock

Stylish Shapes Square die cut from White Cardstock

Scrap DSP to punch jar

Gold foil to punch lid

Gems and any other embellishments desired

I used the Sweet Jar Bundle, Stylish Shapes Dies, and a retired DSP (use what you have). Check out the YouTube video for instructions and tips.

The second Valentine Card was inspired by Trevis Bossaller.

5 ½” X 4 ¼” Cardstock base

5 ¼” X 4” Designer Series Paper (DSP)

5 ¼” X 4” White Cardstock (for back, if desired)

3” X 6” Cardstock, score in landscape at 3”

2 ¾” X 2 ¾” DSP

2 ¾” X 2 ¾” White Cardstock (inside the 3” card)

2 ½” X 2 ½” White cardstock, die cut with Spotlight on Nature circle (X 2-one with lines around the circle and the other with the “dot & dash” holes around the edge)

2 ¾” X 2 ¾” DSP, die cut/punch with a circle that is slightly larger than the “dot & dash” Spotlight on Nature circle

Scrap white cardstock for stamping

Scrap foil paper (for jar lid)

Embellishments (ribbon bow/knot, gems, etc.)

I used the Sweet Jar bundle, Spotlight on Nature dies, and a retired DSP (use what you have). View the YouTube video for instructions and helpful hints.

The first calendar project creates a pocket for a notepad and was inspired by www.stampwithnellie.com. 

4 ¼” X 11” Cardstock, score in landscape at 4 ½”, 5 ¼”, 6” & 10 ½” (easel card base)

6” X 3 ¾” Cardstock, score in landscape at ½”, 1”, 5” & 5 ½”; then score in portrait at ½” & 1” (pocket)

4” X 4 ¼” Designer Series Paper (DSP)

3 ¾” X 2 ½” DSP

3 ¾” X 10 ½” Cardstock, score in landscape at 5 1/8” & 5 3/8” (to create a cover for the notepad)

3 ½” X 5” DSP (to decorate cover)

Scrap Cardstock for stamping and die cutting/punching sentiment

Scrap DSP/Labels to create sentiment on notepad

Small notepad (you may need to resize the pocket, cover, and cover DSP for the size of notepad you get)

Calendar pages (approximately 3 ½” wide X 2 ¼” tall)

I used a larger notepad for the in person class, so the photo is of a smaller measurement than I listed here. Below is a diagram to help with scoring, folding and cutting the pocket:

View the instructions in the YouTube video.

The second calendar project created a standing tower displaying all of the months inspired by Kelly Acheson.

8 ½” X 11” Cardstock, score in portrait at 4” & 8” (X 2)

3 ¼” X 2 ½” Cardstock for calendar page mats (X 12)

10 ¾” X 3 ½” Designer Series Paper (X 4)

Scraps of cardstock for stamping, die cutting, punching, etc.

(To add more stability, cut cardboard that comes with DSP to 3” X 10 ½” (X 4) and adhere inside the tower before assembling with additional cardstock cut at 3 ¾” X 10 ¾” (X 4) to cover those pieces.) This was a tip shared by Debbie Henderson in her version. 

Check out the YouTube video for instructions and helpful tips.

I hope that you enjoyed these projects and they will inspire you to create projects of your own.