Stamping With Blue Moon Creations

Butterflies!

This was the inspiration for today's project.  One evening this week, our lilac hedge was covered with Swallowtail butterflies!  Really cool.

This is the card I created. 

I knew I wanted to use fabric to create a thank you card for a customer who  recently purchased some of the Designer Fabric bundles from Stampin' Up!  I had been mulling it over for a couple of days, trying to decide what I wanted to do.  After I spent some time among the lilacs snapping photos of the butterflies, I immediately knew what I wanted to do for the card!  I cut butterflies out of scraps of Springtime Vintage Designer fabric using my Big Shot and Beautiful Butterflies die.  I applied glue using an Anywhere Glue stick to the back of the fabric to adhere it to the paper.  Very easy. 

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Kind Thanks

Ink: Melon Mambo

Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette

Accessories: Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die, Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric, Anywhere Glue Stick, pearls

 

 

 

Embossed Metal picture frame

One of my all-time favorite things to do with my Big Shot is to cut aluminum cans.  (for more information and an instructional video, please visit here)

I saw this idea in the recent edition of the Stampin' Success (one of the many great reasons to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator-great ideas delivered right to your mail box every month). 

I knew this project was right up my alley.  I created this frame as a thank you for my hostess at a recent SU! workshop.

I purchased an unfinished wooden frame at my local hobby store and painted it using black acrylic paint.

I cut open and straightened out a coke can and then ran it through my Big Shot in the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder.  Since the embossed piece was a little smaller than the 4x6 opening in the frame, I matted it to a piece of Rich Razzleberry card stock.

I stamped and cut out flowers from the Vintage Vogue stamp set.  I added a rhinestone to the centers of the flowers and popped them up on the frame using Dimensionals.

To create the "friend" tag, I punched out a scallop oval from the left over can.  I stamped the greeting using Rich Razzleberry ink and then embossed it with clear embossing powder so it would set and not smear.  It is also popped up using Dimensionals.

 

I think it turned out really cool!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Vintage Vogue

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Paper: Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Coca Cola can, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, wooden photo frame, black acrylic paint, scallop oval punch, clear embossing powder, heat tool, rhinestones, Dimensionals

I'm Sew Glad We Are Friends-Fabric Scalloped Envelope

One of my favorite uses for my Big Shot is to cut fabric covered pieces.  I love working with fabric, but do not necessarily like to sew.  The Big Shot allows me to use the fabrics I love without having to get out my sewing machine!

For this card, I used the fun Sweet Stitches Designer fabric found in the Occasions Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up!  To add weight to the fabric I always back it with a piece of card stock or light-weight cardboard. I cut a piece of card stock or cardboard and fabric large enough to fit the Scallop Envelope die.  Then, I glue the fabric to the backing using a Stampin' Up! Anywhere Glue Stick before running through the Big Shot.  I find the glue sticks are the best for adhering fabric to card stock.  I also find it easier to cut the fabric and backing at the same time, rather than cutting then separately and then trying to match them up.

I made this quick and easy card to send to a customer as a thank you for her recent purchase.  She is a seamstress, so I knew she would appreciate this cheery button fabric.

I used My Digital Studio to create the thank you note which tucks inside the envelope.

 

Supplies Used:

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, white card stock, computer paper

Accessories: Sew Stitches Designer Fabric, Big Shot, Scallop Envelop die, Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Anywhere Glue Stick, Early Espresso button and Linen Thread, My Digital Studio

Fabric Note Cards

Brrr, it has been cold the last few days!  They have been good stay inside and craft days.  Which is what I have been doing!  I created these fast and easy thank you note cards using scraps of  the new Designer Fabric by Stampin' Up! and my Big Shot. For these I used my Scallop Square Duo and 3" Circle dies.  Remember, you can cut out 8 layers of fabric at a time with the Big Shot. I used an Anywhere Glue Stick to adhere the fabric to the 3x3 note cards.  I find the Anywhere Glue Stick to be the best for adhering fabric to card stock.  Did you notice the Big Buttons?  I love working with these.  The button holes are nice and big so it is easy to get a needle and thread through them.  I can't stand "naked" buttons.

Supplies Used:

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso

Accessories: Sweet Stitches and Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric, Sweet Stitches Designer Big Buttons, Big Shot, Scallop Square Duo and 3" Circle dies, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dots, Anywhere Glue Stick

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Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric # 121818 #9.95

Sweet Stitches Designer Big Buttons #122302 $8.95

Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric #121817 $9.95

Candy Cane Christmas Coasters

We had such a great time at the Fabric Ornaments Class this weekend!

As a small thank you gift, I made each of our guests a Candy Cane Christmas fabric coaster.

This was one of those "oops" moments.  I read the directions for the fabric coasters found in the "Designer Fabric Projects" booklet that comes with each Designer Fabric assortment.  The instructions are for a Deck the Halls with a Pennant Die Christmas tree coaster.  I read through the supply list and thought, perfect, I have everything I need.  The only problem is that I misread the part about what scallop die is needed.  I read it as calling for the Scallop Square Duo die, when in fact, you need the Scallop Square Bigz die which I don't have but will be ordering soon!  Not a big deal other than the Bigz die is well, bigger.  And the Christmas tree cut out of the pennant die is way too big for even the largest scallop square found on the Duo die.  So, onto plan B!  Instead, I made a smaller coaster using the Candy Cane Christmas fabric and a small heart die. I added various buttons and brads that I had in my stash.  I think they came out really cute. I also think these would make perfect Christmas, or hostess gifts!

 A couple of tips:  At first I used the iron on fusible webbing to attach the cotton batting to the heart and then the heart to the coaster.  What a mess!  I now have fusible webbing/cotton batting stuck to the bottom of my iron.  So, onto plan B.  I got out my fabric glue and brushed it on to the back of the fabric and cotton batting.  This was much easier and cleaner, and I didn't have to mess with the iron, damp press cloth etc etc etc.

Layer the cotton batting between two pieces of fabric (right sides out) and run through the Big Shot together.  Same with the cotton batting and hearts.  Remember, the Big Shot will allow you to cut through up to 8 layers of fabric at once!

You can hand stitch the squares together if you don't have a sewing machine.  You can also hand stitch the heart or other applique rather than using fabric glue or fusible webbing like I did with the coaster below.  This gives the coaster a more homespun country look.

I used my Crop-a-dile to punch the holes for the brads in the hearts (yay Crop-a-dile!) 

Supplies Used:

Candy Cane Christmas fabric, cotton batting (purchased at a Big Box store), fabric glue, Crop-a-dile, Big Shot, Scallop Squares Duo die, Sizzix Heart die (not SU)

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Tea Towels-Using the Big Shot and various dies

I love using my Big Shot and assorted dies to cut out shapes from scraps of fabric for various projects. My latest project was to decorate these tea towels using the Beautiful Butterflies, Leaves #2 and Flower Layer #3 dies.  I bundled them up, wrapped a pretty bow around them and gave them to the hostess at my recent workshop.

Three Seasons Tea Towels

Beautiful Butterflies:

Leaves #2:

 

Flower Layers #3:

Decorating these tea towels is so easy.

You need:

-bleached cotton tea towels-I purchased a pack of 5 from Walmart for 5.99

-fusible webbing-I used Wonder Under

-iron

-press cloth

-scraps of fabric-I used cotton

-Big Shot and various dies

Cut fabric to size to fit the die shapes you are cutting out. Apply fusible webbing to the wrong side of the fabric using an iron.  Be sure to follow the instructions given on the fusible webbing packaging.

Lay fabric on top of die and run through Big Shot.

Peel off backing of webbing and iron cut piece onto tea towel.

Flower Folds Felt Flowers

Isn't this a cheery and bright bouquet of felt flowers?  Reminds me of spring and warmer temps!

 

These flowers are so easy to make too.

Supplies needed:

-Flower template or die to cut out flowers.  I used my Big Shot  die cutting machine and Flower Folds die (don't forget the extended cutting pad).

-felt

-a hole punch that will cut through 4 layers of felt.  I used my Crop-A-Dile.  It cuts through the layers like butter!

-glue gun

-ball shaped lollipops

Here's how:

Cut two large, one medium and one small flowers out of felt.  Layer them, rotating the flowers for variety. Punch a hole in the middle for the lollipop stick using a hole punch or Crop-A-dile.  To hold the lollipop in place, apply a small amount of hot glue to the under side of the flower at the base of the lollipop.  Add a piece of ribbon and stamped tag if desired.  That's it.  So simple and these make great little gifts for any occasion.

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Fabric Pins

I had scraps of this fun fabric and thought I'd make pins to wear on my new bright red micro suede jacket that I received as a Christmas gift!  Again, I used my Big Shot and Flowers Layers #3 die to cut out the fabric.  I used Crystal Effects to attach the flowers together, the pin back on the back side as well as the button.  No sewing!!  Love it! 

The buttons came from a collection that my mother had given me years ago.  She gave me a small wooden box filled with various buttons that she had removed from pieces of clothing she had worn in her teens and early 20's.  I enjoyed sorting through them and really like that I have found a special use for them.

I wore this pin on my new jacket for a night on the town with my husband as we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary.  We went to see the moving Avatar and had a delicious dinner at a new restaurant.  I had a lot of compliments on the pin!

 

 

 

Purple Hearts-using the Big Shot to cut fabric

Here are two more gift cards I created using my Big Shot, hearts die and scrap fabric.  Very quick and easy and so much fun!  These make me smile, but then I'm a sucker for purple!

 

 

 

Shades of Purple-Fabric circles and flowers cut using the Big Shot

I have said many, many times that I love working with fabric.  But, I don't like to sew.  One of many reasons why I love my Big Shot is that it cuts through fabric (up to 8 layers) with ease allowing me to craft with all the fabulous colors and textures of fabric without the sewing part.

I made these cards using scraps of purple fabric and buttons I had in my stash.  Purple is my favorite color, so that seems to be the most prevalent color in my collection! 

Just a little history of the fabric: The flowered purple and blue fabric is left over from when I made the valances that hang in my craft studio.  The satin fabric is left over from when I was making lavender-filled sachets and the two tone purple fabrics are left over from one of the many fabric ornaments I made for Christmas.

I experimented adding starch to the cut pieces before assembly.  I think the starch gives you a much crisper fabric piece.  I also used fabric glue to attach the fabric to the card stock.  Regular Snail or Mono adhesive does not work.

For the larger card, I attached all the circles together using a rhinestone in the center of the smallest circle.  I used my paper piercing tool to pierce a hole first.

For one of the smaller cards I sewed the button to the fabric.  On the other, I used Crystal Effects to attach it after cutting off the shank so it would lay flat.

Supplies Used:

Big Shot, Circles #2 and Flower Layers #3 dies 

Big Shot Quilted Purses!

My fabulous Upline Tammy Fite, made this quilted purse for me using her Big Shot and Scallop Square die!  The Big Shot reduces much of the prep time for fabric projects by cutting through 8 layers of fabric at a time with ease!  Isn't that so cool?  Quilting and other sewing projects has just gotten easier for seamstresses and non seamstresses alike!

Here is the inside of Tammy's creation:

For a very detailed how to video tutorial, please visit Angie Kennedy Juda's blog site

I'm headed to the fabric store!  Thank you Tammy for giving me this beautiful gift! 

Embossed cards and purse tote

Christmas is now over, and I can share this project with you.  This was our Christmas gift to my Stepmother, Corlene.  I am not giving away any Christmas secrets by sharing it with you now!

I wanted to create 6 simple, yet elegant cards for Corlene.  There is nothing simpler than using the Big Shot and the various embossing folders by Stampin' Up!  They add such a great texture to any project, and I knew Corlene would like the look and the feel of these cards. I also made it easy on myself by using only the six In Colors card stock, ink and polka dot ribbon: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay and Soft Suede. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Card 1:Dusty Durango and Petals A Plenty embossing folder

Card 2: Rich Razzleberry and Elegant Bouquet embossing folder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Card 3: Melon Mambo and Finial Press embossing folder

Card 4: Bermuda Bay and Manhattan Flower embossing folder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Card 5: Crushed Curry and Manhattan Flower embossing folder

Card 6: Soft Suede and Petals A Plenty embossing folder

 

Thanks to Patty Bennett at PattyStamps for her great tutorial on the purse tote. The timing was perfect as I was looking for a pattern I could use to hold these 6 cards and envelopes.  Here is the finished purse tote.

It's hard to tell from the photo, but the front and back of the tote are textured also.  I used the Damask Texturz Plate and the Big Shot.

Snowman Soup, Fabric Top Note Die

I recently held a workshop and made 12 packets of Snowman Soup as gifts for my guests.  What is Snowman Soup you ask?  It is a fun recipe using a packet of hot chocolate, mini marshmallows (they are in the packet of hot chocolate) and a peppermint candy cane as a stir stick.  The recipe is at the end of this post.

One of the best things I like about the Big Shot and coordinating dies is that you can cut fabric.  I've had this pretty circle fabric in my stash for awhile.  I originally purchased this fabric because I saw some of Stampin' Up!'s 48+ colors! (More Mustard, Real Red, Ballet Blue, So Saffron, Old Olive, Basic Black...  Ok, you get the point. Stampin' Up! colors are everywhere!) 

I cut a piece of 5 1/2 x 4 1/4" white card stock and a piece of the circle fabric to match.  I applied Stampin' Up! Anywhere Glue Stick to the card stock, laid the fabric on top, then ran it through my Big Shot using the Top Note die. After filling the cello bag with the packet of hot chocolate, candy cane and recipe, I folded the Top Note in half, put it on top of the bag and tied a ribbon around it.  Very simple.

 

Snowman Soup

I was told you’ve been good this year

I’m always glad to hear it.

With freezing weather drawing near

You’ll need to warm the spirit.

So here’s a little snowman soup

Complete with stirring stick.

Just add hot water, slip it slow

It’s sure to do the trick!

Strawberry Fabric Scallop Envelope Card

 

One of my favorite things to do is to browse through fabric stores.  I like to run my hand over the bolts of fabric, feeling the different textures.  And I love all the different colors and patterns.  But I'm not a big fan of sewing. I have found a way to work with fabrics but without the sewing part using my Big Shot.  Attach a piece of fabric to a piece of card stock and run through your Big Shot.  This is still one of my favorite ways to use the Big Shot. It is so easy and there is a limitless supply of fun fabrics to work with.  I found this summery strawberry fabric at Hobby Lobby and couldn't resist.  I knew it would go great with the Tart and Tangy stamp set from Stampin' Up!

Supplies used:

Stamp Set: Tart and Tangy and Sweet Serendipity (retiring)

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Envelope die, fabric from Hobby Lobby

Want to learn how to use the Big Shot?  Please join me for a Big Shot Class, Monday, July 13 at 7:00 pm.  Cost is $5.00.  We will make 3 projects using the Big Shot!  RSVP July 10, 2009 blumoon@comcast.net

Fabric Scallop Envelope Easter Card

I found this cute fabric at Hobby Lobby, and I had to make one of my fabric scallop envelope cards just in time for Easter.  The stamp set is Good Egg.  This one makes me smile!

 

 

Stamp Set: Good Egg

Ink: Black Stazon, Stampin' Up! markers

Paper: Pink Passion, Green Galore, Barely Banana

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Envelope Bigz Die,Polka Dot Texturz Plate, Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds

Fabric Scallop Envelopes using the Big Shot

I recently rummaged through my fabric scraps and created these cards for the January Stamp Club card swap.  I love being able to cut shapes out of fabric using my Big Shot.  I love working with fabric, but I'm not real keen on the idea of sewing.  So, the Big Shot is perfect for me!

Stamp Set: Bella's Blooms

 

 

 

Top Note Fabric and York Peppermint Pattie Workshop Gifts

 

These were gifts I gave for workshop guests this week.

Stamps: Love You Much

Ink: Basic Black

Card stock: Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Candy Lane Designer Paper

Accessories: Top Note Bigz Die, Big Shot, 1/4" and scallop punches, Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon, fabric and York Peppermint Patties- Yummm!