Learn to Stamp and Scrap with Lynn Larson

Pinwheel Template

Many of you have been emailing me asking for the template for the pinwheels I featured on my blog Wednesday and Thursday.  Here it is!

Download pinwheel_template.pdf

Enjoy and don't forget to share your projects with me!

Lynn

Tutorial Tuesday - Handmade Pinwheel

Man, toss in a long weekend and I lose track of what day of the week it is:))  Are you ready for another Tutorial Tuesday?  Well...perhaps it is Wednesday, but I have an awesome tutorial no matter what day of the week it is!

First you will start off with a pattern like this one and cut it out.  The size of the pattern doesn't matter as you can make these any size you like.  The one that I used is about 5 1/2" square.

Next, you will attach your pattern to your double sided paper with Dotto removable adhesive and cut it out.  Flip your double sided paper over, adhere the pattern and cut it out again.  Be careful to keep the top of the pattern facing up when cutting out both pieces.  Just flip your paper over to get them in the right shape that you will need. 

Once both pieces are cut out, layer them on top of each other and put the pattern on top.  Be sure that the patterns match up and then punch a hole with the 1/8" handheld punch on the four sides and also in the middle of your pinwheel.

Next it is time to assemble the front accent of your pinwheel and attach a wire to hold it all together.  I punched out a Bashful Blue Scallop Circle, then a Whisper White Circle and added a Certainly Celery Button.  Center your button and using your paper piercing mat and tool, pierce holes through the paper using the button as a guide.  Add some wire through the button and the paper to hold them all together. 

Give the wire a twist on the back and then use it to go through the holes you just punched in the double sided paper.  You will need to put both of your layers of double sided paper together, matching up the patterns and pick up both layers of one of the side pieces and thread the wire through it.  Go to the next hole on the side and put it through the wire.  You will do this for all four sides before going through the center holes as shown here in the above photo.

Now you are ready to attach your pinwheel to your stick.  You could use wooden skewers, pencils or even straws for this purpose.  Be sure that you leave some room between the button front and the back of the pinwheel - about an inch or so before attaching it to your stick.  You may need to use a rubber band on the back, a mini glue dot or even some Crystal Effects to hold your wire in place on your stick. 

One final step is to fan out the two colored papers so your pinwheel looks like the one pictured below.  I would LOVE to see the creations you come up with after trying this tutorial.

Enjoy!

Lynn

Handmade Pinwheels using Designer Series Paper

Check out this cute Pinwheel made out of Designer Series paper.  Want more information on how to make one?  Check out my blog post tomorrow night with a tutorial on how to do just that.

I made these with my stamp group tonight at a Totally Hands-on Workshop.  That is a workshop where everyone gets to make the projects that I brought that day instead of watching me make 2 or 3 projects before they get to create a project with me.  Tonight, we made three projects and this is one project that everyone got to leave with.  Pretty cool, huh?

See you tomorrow night!

Lynn

Sharing from my Group Meeting

I have been meaning to share this card sample for a little while now.  It is from my monthly Stampin' Up! demonstrator group meeting.  One part of our meeting - and a very popular part at that - happens to be "sharing".  This is where we all bring samples of projects that we have been working on and show them off to the group.  This is a card sample that Ilene made that is just adorable. 

Ilene has been bringing some pretty fabulous projects to share with the group and this month she also taught our Make & Take project.  She gave us a list of supplies before the meeting and then at the meeting, Ilene showed us how to make the project she shared with us.  The project we made was an adorable card box.  I will be posting my sample of that box on another day.

If learning new ideas, creating fun projects and having a wonderful night out with friends is something you are interested in, contact me.  Right now is a great time to join our group!  During the month of May, the new demonstrator Starter Kit is only $159 (regularly priced at $199).  How wonderful would it be to have your own business, pay off some bills AND have fun while doing it?!  After nearly five years, I still can't believe I get paid to do this:))

Thanks for stopping by!

Lynn

Blooming with Love - In Color Combinations Card

Today I was playing around with my 2007-2008 "In Colors" from Stampin' Up! and came up with this color combination of Soft Sky, Blue Bayou and Certainly Celery. 

I stamped the image from the Blooming with Love stamp set with Jet Black Staz On ink and then used my aqua painter to watercolor the image using Soft Sky, Blue Bayou and Certainly Celery inks.  I squeeze the plastic on the top and bottom of the ink pad together to form a little smearing of ink on the lid of the ink pad.  I then use my aqua painter to pick up the ink and watercolor the image.

The strip of Blue Bayou cardstock on the front has three brads on both sides from the Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware Collection.  I used the paper piercing tool, the piercing guide and the mat from the Crafter's Tool Kit to poke the holes evenly on both sides of the strip of cardstock.

For the center piece of my card (my focal point), I used the ticket corner punch on both layers of cardstock to add a little more interest.  The image is attached with dimensionals to make it pop off the page.  In the bottom right corner, I stamped the word "Friend" from the Fundamental Phrases stamp set in Blue Bayou ink.

The patterned paper in the center is the Soft Sky Designer Prints paper.  I have to say that this is my all time favorite paper.  I just LOVE Soft Sky and will miss it terribly when it retires this July!

I hope you enjoyed today's card sample!

Lynn

Tart and Tangy Popsicle Cards

Well, I had to take my popsicle cards out of my bag before they completely melted all over my things:))

I thought I would share a few more of the samples I made with you.  Both of the samples to the right have Crystal Effects on the fruit to make them pop and add interest to my cards.

The orange flavored popsicle has an orange on the front that was inked up in So Saffron ink first and then rolled in Only Orange ink to get that two-toned effect.  The green card has the same done with Gable Green and Green Galore. 

Both of these samples have the edges sponged.  It is a little hard to see in this photo.

Here are two more samples.  I think the Chocolate Covered Strawberry flavored one is my favorite.  I had a hard time not 'really' taking a bite out of this card myself:))

The strawberry was inked up with Old Olive, Real Red and Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Markers.  I added Crystal Effects to only the chocolate part of the strawberry to make it look like a chocolate dipped strawberry. 

The cherry flavored popsicle has the cherries stamped on it, Crystal Effects added and then a touch of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter sprinked on top to make it sparkle.  I also added a little white gel pen on the part of the popsicle where the bite was taken out.

Have a GREAT Memorial Day Weekend!  I hope you all have three days off like I do.

Lynn

Popsicle Anyone?

Last night was my upline, Cheryl's group meeting and this is the "summer themed" swap card that I had made for the meeting. 

Unfortunately, I ended up not being able to get to the meeting and I have these cute little popsicle cards just melting in my bag...tee hee.

I was going to use the scratch 'n sniff technique on the lime on the front of my popsicle, but decided to just use Crystal Effects instead.  It makes the focal point of the lime just pop off my card.  I really like the way this turned out and boy was it quick to make.  I had seen a card made with popsicles on the front of it that inspired me to create a full popsicle card.  How "stinkin' cute"!

I am amazed at how much fun I am having with this Tart and Tangy stamp set.  Who would have thought that a $14.95 stamp set could bring so much excitement in your life!  I have certainly gotten my money's worth out of this stamp set.

Now, can someone point me to the beach? :))

Lynn

          

Look what Susan sent to me!

Do you know what I love most about stamping?  It is definitely all of the connections and friendships you make along the way.  I absolutely love it when my customers (more like friends, than customers really) send me photos or samples of their cards that they have made.

This card is a sympathy card from my "friend" Susan.  Susan shared another card using the Black Magic technique a few weeks ago.  This sample is one that she wanted to be bright and cheery.  This card is certainly bright and cheery, yet perfect as a sympathy card.

Susan tells me that the centers of the flowers are really more of an apricot color, but they scanned more green.

Thanks so much for sharing Susan!  I REALLY enjoy receiving your cards and like the friendship we have been forming through our love of stamping!

Lynn

Scallop Notes Swap Card

This is the card that I brought to the demo only shoebox swap last Friday.

I wanted to use the Scallop Notes from the Stampin' Up! catalog.  Scallop Notes have this fun scalloped edge and come in Very Vanilla, Soft Sky and Kraft.  They are 4 x 2 1/2" and come with matching envelopes.

I used Baroque Motifs stamp set for this design.  I stamped the background in River Rock, Soft Sky and River Rock for the medallion on the front.  Add a touch of River Rock Double Stitched ribbon and piercing the scallops and you have a nice quick and easy card.

Enjoy,

Lynn

Tutorial Tuesday - Flap Card

Are you ready for another Tutorial Tuesday?  I certainly am!  I am having a blast doing my tutorials for you each Tuesday.

This week I wanted to share a really cute Flap Card.  This is such an easy card to make and so darn adorable!

To start, you will need an  8 1/2 x 11" sheet of cardstock and some Designer Series Paper to coordinate.  Start by cutting your cardstock 3 1/2" X 11".

Once you have the paper cut, score it at 4 1/2" and again at 8 1/2".  Your cardstock will be scored in two large sections and one smaller section.  For the smaller section, you can round off the top edge by using the Coluzzle cutting system.  You could also round the corners of the flap with a corner rounder instead.  I happen to like the rounded flap created with the Coluzzle better myself.

Once that is done you can fold the large scored bottom piece up and the flap down.  You can make nice, crisp folds by using your bone folder.

You will need a 3 1/4 x 4" piece of Designer Series Paper for the bottom of your card  (the part that is under the flap).  I used the striped paper in my sample.

The next step is to add some accents to your piece.  I chose to use this flower cluster from Together Forever and add some Antique Brass Brads from the Hodgepodge Hardware Kit and the matching frame from the same kit.  I added some Chocolate Chip Twill Ribbon to go through the frame and to pick up the color of the card.  I also used my White Gel Pen to add a double row of faux stitching to add interest. 

For the inside of the card, I used a 3 1/4 x 4" liner of River Rock Cardstock to lighten it up and help aid in writing inside the card.

I hope you enjoyed this week's tutorial.  I will see you for another Tutorial Tuesday next week!

Lynn