Libby Fens, Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Libby Fens offering original and creative paper crafting projects. I host monthly Card Buffets, specialty classes and weekly inspiration for card making.

Note Tag Punch

Lovely Little Mother’s Day

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Silly title I suppose. It’s because I used the April Paper Pumpkin kit, Lovely Little Wreath. Well, the stamp set that came with it to stamp this –

libbystamps, stampin up, Lovely Little Wreath, Wildflower Fields DSP, Sale-a-Bration 2016, Note tag Punch, Mother's Day

Just a lovely little card!

I had a request to create a quick card that could be mass-produced. This seemed to fit the bill.

libbystamps, stampin up, Lovely Little Wreath, Wildflower Fields DSP, Sale-a-Bration 2016, Note tag Punch, Mother's Day

I started with our Note Cards & Envelopes. These are a must have to make quick cards when you need them.

Then it’s a piece of 3 x 4 DSP cut on the diagonal, you can get 12 fronts from one 12 x 12 piece of DSP! I adhered it to the card front leaving space on the sides but not the top and bottom to create the opening in the middle.

libbystamps, stampin up, Lovely Little Wreath, Wildflower Fields DSP, Sale-a-Bration 2016, Note tag Punch, Mother's Day

The sentiment is stamped and punched with the soon-to-be retiring Note Tag Punch. Oh, and, I guess the Banner Punch is leaving too. Sad face.

Anyway, I whipped this up in less than five minutes, start to finish. I’m going to give it to my mom later today for Mother’s Day!

I’d love to hear what you think – it’s good ‘card-carma’, especially if you are going to ‘pin’ this.

Happy Stampin’
Libby

May Blogging Friends Blog Hop

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Welcome to the May edition of the Blogging Friends Blog Hop!

Blogging Friends Icon

This month our focus is on retiring products. Our favorite retiring products. Grab some coffee and get ready to pin some great things! And, grab the tissues too…..and, check your fun spending money as well – some things you may really need after hopping around with us.

If you are new to Stampin’ Up, every year before the new catalog comes out, items retire. First and foremost, In-Colors, paper, ink, markers, ribbon…..we all know it. We all expect it. We even grumble and hoard because of it.

I wanted to maximize what I showed. So, I made this adorable Fry Container. Yes, the die and the Corrugated Paper its made from are retiring. And, the Spiral Flower, leaves (Bird Builder), Tag, Scallop Circle and ribbon – retiring, all of them. Whew.

libbystamps, stampin up, Blogging Friends Blog Hop, 2014-2016 In Color, Spiral Flower Die, Fry Box, Bird Builder Punch, Note Tag Punch, Something to Say Stamp Set, Perpetual Birthday Calendar,

Now, what’s in the Fry Container? Cards! Mini cards! Five of them –

libbystamps, stampin up, Blogging Friends Blog Hop, 2014-2016 In Color, Spiral Flower Die, Fry Box, Bird Builder Punch, Note Tag Punch, Something to Say Stamp Set, Perpetual Birthday Calendar, Let’s take a closer look at each of the cards and what went into making them.

libbystamps, stampin up, Blogging Friends Blog Hop, 2014-2016 In Color, Spiral Flower Die, Fry Box, Bird Builder Punch, Note Tag Punch, Something to Say Stamp Set, Perpetual Birthday Calendar,

I made these all monochromatic. One per retiring color.

libbystamps, stampin up, Blogging Friends Blog Hop, 2014-2016 In Color, Spiral Flower Die, Fry Box, Bird Builder Punch, Note Tag Punch, Something to Say Stamp Set, Perpetual Birthday Calendar,

The Note Tag I used earlier on the box front.

libbystamps, stampin up, Blogging Friends Blog Hop, 2014-2016 In Color, Spiral Flower Die, Fry Box, Bird Builder Punch, Note Tag Punch, Something to Say Stamp Set, Perpetual Birthday Calendar,

The Washi Tape along each tag, it’s in a set of all five colors. Retiring, but, hey it’s on sale!

libbystamps, stampin up, Blogging Friends Blog Hop, 2014-2016 In Color, Spiral Flower Die, Fry Box, Bird Builder Punch, Note Tag Punch, Something to Say Stamp Set, Perpetual Birthday Calendar,

The stamps I used on each card tag front is from Something To Say. It’s a fabulous set because it has inside greetings too! Few sets have that. You gets lots for your money.

libbystamps, stampin up, Blogging Friends Blog Hop, 2014-2016 In Color, Spiral Flower Die, Fry Box, Bird Builder Punch, Note Tag Punch, Something to Say Stamp Set, Perpetual Birthday Calendar,

The background stamping on all the cards is from Perpetual Birthday Calendar – a very nice underrated set. It’s so versatile! Sadly, retiring as well.

I did staple the tags together with a piece of In-Color Thick Baker’s Twine. It was from last years Sale-a-Bration. I adhered these with Dimensionals to the 2 x 3 cards.

libbystamps, stampin up, Blogging Friends Blog Hop, 2014-2016 In Color, Spiral Flower Die, Fry Box, Bird Builder Punch, Note Tag Punch, Something to Say Stamp Set, Perpetual Birthday Calendar, A WONDERFUL gift set showing some favorite, must have ,retiring Stampin’ Up products. Wouldn’t you agree? Scroll to the top and leave me a comment – it’s good ‘card-carma’!!

Then, hop on over to see what the others favor.

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Or, click on the names below to check out the others and their favorites –

  Crystal Komara
  Anna Masciovecchio
Libby Fens – you are here!
 Anne Power
Mary Blocher
 Danica Ferrante
 Deborah Smart
 Jessica Mink
Jodi Horsley
Leanne Johnson
Michelle Clark
Lorene Yoshimura-Tanigawa
Mary Ann Rossiter
Tammy Gill
Rick Adkins
Lisa Reber
Happy Stampin’
Libby

Botanical Mother’s Day

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I had a fabulous Card Buffet this past weekend! We all so much fun!

One of the popular cards on the Buffet was this one –

libbystamps, stampin' up, Card Buffet, Botanical Builder Framelits, All About Everything, #allabouteverything, Paper Pumpkin

A demonstrator friend of mine, Sherri, recently made this at one of her classes. I loved it!! She got her idea from Sharon Burkert. I just had to ‘try’ it. I didn’t see any instructions on her site, so I had to figure it out myself!

After several attempts to get the border symmetrical – yes, I had trouble with it – lots of trouble………I did finally get it!

After I did, I though, I have to create a pattern for my stampers to follow. If not, we’re going to have lots of wasted card stock. So, I came up with this –

libbystamps, stampin' up, Card Buffet, Botanical Builder Framelits, All About Everything, #allabouteverything, Paper Pumpkin, pattern

It’s placement instructions for the die so it’s comes out (relatively) symmetrical. The front of the pattern creates the left side.

libbystamps, stampin' up, Card Buffet, Botanical Builder Framelits, All About Everything, #allabouteverything, Paper Pumpkin, pattern

Opening and flipping the card creates the right side. And, yes, I wrote on my framelit with a sharpie. It needed to be simple and clear what to do.

I love to give my customers tips to make using items like this way better for them. ‘Cause if they don’t know how to use them – it’s a waste of money for them.

libbystamps, stampin' up, Card Buffet, Botanical Builder Framelits, All About Everything, #allabouteverything, Paper Pumpkin

Admittedly, I did not like this framelit from the set at all. But, I loved the way this card turned out.

libbystamps, stampin' up, Card Buffet, Botanical Builder Framelits, All About Everything, #allabouteverything, Paper Pumpkin

The red flower is cut from the same framelit set. The Mother’s Day sentiment came from the April Paper Pumpkin kit.

It was pretty easy and everyone loved the ease of the directions. Wahoo!!!

Stay tuned to see more of the fabulous cards from my April Card Buffet.

You should leave a comment too – because it’s good ‘card-carma’!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

Gratitude Journal Box Tutorial

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If you attended my October Card Buffet, or you saw my posting yesterday for the Blogging Friends Blog Hop, then you saw this –

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Leaflets Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, Tiny Treat Boxes, gratitude journal, gratitude box

It’s a nifty decorated box resembling an acorn.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Leaflets Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, Tiny Treat Boxes, gratitude journal, gratitude box

But, when you open it, it’s whats inside that is the greatest part.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Leaflets Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, Tiny Treat Boxes, gratitude journal, gratitude box

It’s a 15 page accordion style mini  journal. Enough space for 30 entries.

Here is how I made it. I took one of our Tiny Treat Boxes and removed the lid and flap portions.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Leaflets Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, Tiny Treat Boxes, gratitude journal, gratitude box

I made a new lid out of Early Espresso measuring 4 x 4, scored at 7/8 on all four sides. I also cut an additional piece 2 x 2, with no score lines.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Leaflets Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, Tiny Treat Boxes, gratitude journal, gratitude box

I took my scissors and made a hole in the center of the lid. Nothing fancy, ribbon will be threaded through it later. I also trimmed the lid portion. At this point I ran my original sample through the Big Shot with the Decorative Dots Embossing Folder.

After embossing, add Tear & Tape Adhesive to the box lid and the 2 x 2 square. (FYI, I have the Tear & Tape placed wrong in the picture.)

Make your lid.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Leaflets Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, Tiny Treat Boxes, gratitude journal, gratitude box

Take a 4 inch piece of ribbon and run it through the hole. On the inside, tape it open.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Leaflets Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, Tiny Treat Boxes, gratitude journal, gratitude box

Insert the 2 x 2 piece inside the top to secure the ribbon and finish it off neatly.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Leaflets Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, Tiny Treat Boxes, gratitude journal, gratitude box

At this point you can decorate the lid however you’d like. (My sample here was not embossed.)

I added a few leaves and a punched sentiment all tied off with 1/8 gold ribbon.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Leaflets Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, Tiny Treat Boxes, gratitude journal, gratitude box

For the accordion insert, I scored a whole sheet of card stock every 1 3/4. (You will end up with a 1/2 inch piece at the end that you use to secure each strip together.) Cut strips at 1 3/4.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Leaflets Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, Tiny Treat Boxes, gratitude journal, gratitude box

I used 2 long strips, plus a small strip of 3 solid squares to make 15 squares, 30 entries.( Sorry, picture isn’t clear on the score lines.)

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Leaflets Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, Tiny Treat Boxes, gratitude journal, gratitude box

Accordion fold the strips. Adhere the three strips together on the 1/2 strip using Tear & Tape.

Decorate. I used the in color washi tape that was on the Weekly Deals a few weeks ago. It was perfect because there are 5 colors and 30 squares, each color repeats 3 times. I tore off about an inch so it could wrap from front to back.

I stamped ‘grateful’ and ‘thankful’ randomly on the front and back of the small squares.

It folds nicely into the box.

I am grateful for my wonderful, faithful customers and the lovely blogging ladies I’ve been sharing creative projects with for the past couple of months.

Questions, comments, compliments are always great to read!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

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November Blogging Friends Blog Hop

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Welcome to the second monthly Blogging Friends Blog Hop!

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Please join us the first of every month to see what wonderful things we have created!

Since Thanksgiving is in just a few short weeks, I created this to share –

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Blogging Friends Blog Hop, Fall table setting, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Leaflets Framelits, Tiny Treat Boxes, Square Pillow Box Thinlits, Note Tag Punch, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, gratitude journal

It’s a silverware holder and a little acorn box.

The acorn box looks simple at first, but when you peek inside the little box –

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Blogging Friends Blog Hop, Fall table setting, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Leaflets Framelits, Tiny Treat Boxes, Square Pillow Box Thinlits, Note Tag Punch, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, gratitude journal

……and pull out what is contained –

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Blogging Friends Blog Hop, Fall table setting, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Leaflets Framelits, Tiny Treat Boxes, Square Pillow Box Thinlits, Note Tag Punch, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, gratitude journal

It’s a 30 day gratitude journal!

This makes a lovely table place card decoration, don’t you think?

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Blogging Friends Blog Hop, Fall table setting, Lighthearted Leaves Stamp Set, Endless Thanks Stamp Set, Leaflets Framelits, Tiny Treat Boxes, Square Pillow Box Thinlits, Note Tag Punch, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, 2014-2016 In Color Washi Tape, gratitude journal

I hope I have inspired you! Check here to see how I created this sweet little box.

Please leave a comment. Then, hop on over to the next person on the list –

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Or, click on the name below to check out the others on the list –

  Crystal Komara
  Lisa Kmiec
  Anna Masciovecchio
  Chris Pochatek
 Libby Fens – you are here!
 Anne Power
Mary Blocher
 Danica Ferrante
 Deborah Smart
 Jessica Mink
 Jodi Horsley
Happy Stampin’
Libby

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12 Treats for Halloween, Treat 9

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Some treats are quick. Some are not.

Some are meant to be given away and trashed immediately. Some are meant to be treasured for a little while longer.

This one today falls in the keep category.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, A Little Something Stamp Set, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Kraft Tag a Bag Gift Bag, Happy Haunting DSP, Note Tag Punch, Spider Web Doilies, Halloween treats

Aren’t these nice?

And, take a peek when you pull the inside card out –

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, A Little Something Stamp Set, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Kraft Tag a Bag Gift Bag, Happy Haunting DSP, Note Tag Punch, Spider Web Doilies, Halloween treats

Best of both worlds.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, A Little Something Stamp Set, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Kraft Tag a Bag Gift Bag, Happy Haunting DSP, Note Tag Punch, Spider Web Doilies, Halloween treats

These were easy to create. I used our Kraft Tag a Bag Gift Bags and folded them in half. The rest is just using scraps to decorate the treat holder. I reversed them for fun and interest.

Go make a treat and make someones day!

Happy Halloweenin’
Libby

Tag Punch Pumpkins

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Whew. It’s September. Already.

Monday night was our Team Meeting. We always have a swap. I already made other Christmas swaps, but, at the last-minute I whipped up these adorable pumpkins for fall. Yes, two swaps!

See the batch of them –

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, stampin, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Work of Art Stamp Set, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Note Tag Punch, Natural & Old Olive Two-Tone Trim, Mossy Meadow 3/8 Satin Stitched Ribbon, Pumpkins, treat holder

Here are more pictures –

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, stampin, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Work of Art Stamp Set, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Note Tag Punch, Natural & Old Olive Two-Tone Trim, Mossy Meadow 3/8 Satin Stitched Ribbon, Pumpkins, treat holder

These are SO easy to make.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, stampin, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Work of Art Stamp Set, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Note Tag Punch, Natural & Old Olive Two-Tone Trim, Mossy Meadow 3/8 Satin Stitched Ribbon, Pumpkins, treat holder

Start with two 2×9 strips of card stock.

Score at 1 1/2,  3 1/2,  5/1/2, and 7 1/2.

Stamp as you like.

Punch each end with the Scallop Tag Topper Punch.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, stampin, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Work of Art Stamp Set, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Note Tag Punch, Natural & Old Olive Two-Tone Trim, Mossy Meadow 3/8 Satin Stitched Ribbon, Pumpkins, treat holder

Adhere the middle section. Fold your score lines like so.

Fill with a treat if you’d like.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, stampin, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Work of Art Stamp Set, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Note Tag Punch, Natural & Old Olive Two-Tone Trim, Mossy Meadow 3/8 Satin Stitched Ribbon, Pumpkins, treat holder

Take your ribbon and knot the end. Pull it up through the slit in each side.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, stampin, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Work of Art Stamp Set, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Note Tag Punch, Natural & Old Olive Two-Tone Trim, Mossy Meadow 3/8 Satin Stitched Ribbon, Pumpkins, treat holder

The last one will stay secure.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, stampin, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Work of Art Stamp Set, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Note Tag Punch, Natural & Old Olive Two-Tone Trim, Mossy Meadow 3/8 Satin Stitched Ribbon, Pumpkins, treat holder

Quite simple and just way too easy! I made all 12 of these in less than an hour. Start to finish.

Go make a treat or card and make someones day!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

Special Today

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Another share today from the Card Buffet.

Just something fun for someone special. You know those people!

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, stampinup, Card Buffet, Garden in Bloom Stamp Set, English Garden DSP, Note Tag Punch, Hello Honey 3/8 Satin Stitched Ribbon,

Who wouldn’t feel special receiving this?

This was an easy card! The DSP was one piece cut in half and just flipped over! No guess-work on the matching!

I love to create cards like this and show how easy it is to create cards in a flash or on the fly!

So, go make, or buy, a card and make someones day!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

Great Gift Card Enclosure

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Starting Sunday off with a share from my Christmas Gift Card Class. If you saw my Saturday post, this was front and center in the group picture.

It seems gift cards are so popular today. The holders that usually come with gift cards are nothing special at all. So, if you are giving a gift card, why not make it special?

This one is real simple –

libbystamps, Christmas, gift card holder, Gift Card Enclosure Pack, Circles Framelit Collection, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Tag Topper Scallop Punch, Trim the Tree DSP Stack

Minimal decorating. Big impact.

It uses those Gift Card Enclosure Pack in the catalog that you have most likely overlooked or forgotten about. I used 2 circles cut in half, leaving the natural look showing –

libbystamps, Christmas, gift card holder, Gift Card Enclosure Pack, Circles Framelit Collection, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Note Tag Punch, Tag Topper Scallop Punch, Trim the Tree DSP Stack

I added a tag with ribbon and done! This retired stretchy ribbon works great here!

Dimensions for my back tag here are (slightly less than) 2 x  2 7/8. The Tag Topper Scalloped Punch makes a perfect border for that cute new Tag Punch in the Holiday Mini.

These cards come pre-slit to just pop you gift card of choice right into.

Well, off to a great, quick start, you think?

Happy Stampin’
Libby

Good to the Last Bite

· 2 Comments

Monday. Monday. Monday.

If you were able to find some good candy deals in the Sunday paper for Halloween, I have just the item to put them in.

At my October Card Buffet one of the items was a two for one. The one item was a treat holder that resembled a candy corn, the other was this –

libbystamps, Halloween treats, Merry Everything, Note Tag Punch, Petal Cone Die, Raven 1/2 Inch Lace Trim, Witches Brew DSP

Isn’t this little ‘coffin’ adorbs? It was made from the Petal Cone Die that is still available on the Clearance Rack! That’s why I decided to show it in my class.

I cut off a little on the bottom and squared off the top to resemble a coffin! The DSP and the Ribbon was also on the Clearance Rack too.

The stamped and punched image are from the current Holiday Mini. It’s a bundle! What a nice combination I thought – the vampire and the coffin!!

Not sure why I did not make these in the past??

If you have any questions, please let me know. I’d love to help you make these.

Happy Stampin’
Libby

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