In case you missed it, I just held a January Winter White Virtual Bootcamp! This 4 day bootcamp took place in my Maine craft room and wherever viewers were able to watch from. For example, on your couch in comfy pj’s, or in the break room at work. Isn’t the internet marvelous? And the best part…it was FREE.
All of those training videos from my January Winter White Virtual Bootcamp are out there for review. I made them bite-size, most are under 10 minutes each. Some of them may push 15 minutes, but the content is amazing. And we covered a large variety of subjects.
If you saw me in one of my blue Maine Stamper t-shirts, you knew it was time for another subject and another lesson. I placed all the information in Guide 3 of the Positive PaperCrafters FaceBook Page. After you watch a video, you have the the option to click “done” on it, so that you know which ones you still need to view. If you aren’t a member of the Positive PaperCrafters yet, what are you waiting for? Ask to join our private group today!
Julie Makson, The Maine Stamper
Day 1: White Paper
On the first day of the January Winter White Virtual Bootcamp, we covered different types of white paper. Did you know that there are lots of colors (or tones) of white. They are not all the same, and by lining some of them up, I proved that to be true.
There are also a lot of papers out there to do different jobs in our crafting world. Some of these are specialty papers. I talked about what they are and gave demos on how to use them. We also discussed how to store your scraps, and non-traditional white paper items.
For this Mother of Pearl Specialty Paper, you need Staz-On Ink for stamping.
Day 2: White Embossing Powder
Moving on to day 2 of the January Winter White Virtual Bootcamp, we took on White Embossing Powder and its important role in papercrafting. Of course, everyone knows that White Embossing Powder looks amazing on color cardstock. If you are putting that glossy white on black, it is simply stunning.
But, we also covered using it on Water Color Paper and 2 ways to add color inside the embossed image. I showed an emboss resist technique with White Embossing Powder. And, have you ever thought about embossing designer series paper or specialty paper? We did that too!
These gorgeous trees were made by embossing the stamped image in White Embossing Powder and sponging on ink with Sponge Daubers.
Day 3: White Embellishments
What is an embellishment? We covered that first on the third day of the January Winter White Virtual Bootcamp. And my list may have surprised some of you to think outside the box a little. It may be hard to throw something away that you once thought of as “trash” after you watch my video. Very crafty indeed!
We also learned about different ways to store embellishments (a very popular subject…organization ideas!). Choosing the right adhesive may be difficult, but I talked about that too. And if your embellishments are too white, lets add some color to them to match our projects. Lastly, where do you place embellishments? This video was eye-opening for anyone who struggles with this.
We learned about the Law of 3, using triangles for embellishment placement, and the Implied Path.
Day 4: Coloring With White
When you think of coloring, white is probably the last color to come to mind. Typically, the paper we are coloring on is already white. And there are not a lot of tools out there that can do the job, but we covered them in this January Winter White Virtual Bootcamp.
The White Chalk Marker saw a lot of screen time. There is so much we can do with this mighty marker! I also shared some information on the Whisper White Craft Ink Pad and Refill. And, the White Stampin’ Blend in not a white marker…we talked about what it is, and what it is not.
This technique provides a great wow factor! Stamp your image using a darker shade of ink than your cardstock. Then, fill in the “white” using a Blender Pen and Whisper White Craft Ink. My video shows you how!
My Personal Winter White Sale
To end my January Winter White Virtual Bootcamp, I am offering some amazing freebies with a qualifying order with me. Each of the freebie selections builds on the last, so if you have a $100 order (before shipping and tax) you will receive extra gifts from me in all 4 categories.
Sale-A-Bration is happening too, so this is the perfect time to beat the winter doldrums and get some free stamping products. Hurry, this offer ends on January 31, 2022. In order to take advantage of this special offer, do not order directly from my online store (you can view it to help you make your selections).
You must contact me directly so that I may place your order for you and pay for your FREE gifts. If you have any questions, just reach out! Hoping to see you in the Positive PaperCrafters Group Page soon for more fun, sharing and learning!
Have you seen the Sweet Little Boxes from the Sweet Talk Suite? They remind me of the boxes that Conversation Candy Hearts came in. But the best part is, you get to decorate them and fill them with whatever you like that fits!
With the Sweet Little Boxes, you can add food, since they are food safe. They are small in stature, measuring 3-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 5/8″. I think they would be perfect for chocolate coated candies or fruit flavored yums, but you get to decide for yourself.
Pre-Scored, Fold and Adhere
One of the things I like best about these adorable boxes is that they come pre-scored. To start, give each of the fold lines a good bend. Work with your box to see what it will look like once it is assembled. This is a lot like creating a pizza box, if you have ever seen that done!
Just make sure that before you remove the paper that exposes the included sticky tape, you have the box ready and in position. The bottom end flap tabs should be folded in. I find it easier to work with one side of tape at a time.
I cut my paper with my Paper Trimmer to 2-3/8 x 3-3/8″. If you cut 2 papers this size, you can decorate both the front and the back of the box. This is easier than trying to wrap the paper completely around the box, and just as effective without the hassle of all those corners to work around.
Now it is time to add the finishing touches to our Sweet Little Box. First, I wrapped about 20″ of Real Red Faux Linen Ribbon around my box and tied it in a bow. If you prefer to secure your ribbon, I suggest adding a couple of Mini Glue Dots beneath the ribbon on the front and back before you make your bow.
After I adhered my die cut heart to my tag, I added a small piece of Bakers Twine thru the small hole at the top of the tag. Then, I tied the twine around my red ribbon and trimmed the twine ends.
Sweet Little Choices
Now comes the hard part, deciding what to put into your Sweet Little Box. As you can see, they are quick and simple to create. And so much fun to decorate! For another easy sweet treat holder to gift away, click here.
If you are looking for any of the supplies used in this project, visit my online store anytime. These Sweet Little Boxes are handy for gift giving all year long, sweets are always in season!
It’s time for some sweet conversations! As the winter days move along, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. It is the perfect time to have that sweet conversation to let someone know you care.
Stamping and chocolate are two of my favorite things! You will find that these adorable Hershey Kiss holders are quick and easy to make. Plus, they are fun to give away. Whether you are filling a basket for a grab and go, or hand-delivering each one, your recipient will feel your love.
The Sweet Talk Designer Series Paper is the perfect collection of pinks, reds and purples for my project. But lets not stop at traditional colors! So Saffron, Granny Apple Green and Pool Party are featured too. Two of the sheets contain heart images that you can die-cut with the Sweet Heart Dies (or fussy cut if you do not have the dies or a die cutting machine). And this collection of paper works well for a decorative kiss holder too.
Kiss Holder Bliss
These Hershey Kiss holders are tiny treasures made from scraps of paper. For each base, I cut a 1 x 4″ piece of cardstock in colors of my choice, using my Paper Trimmer. Next, I scored each cardstock strip at 1″, 2″ and 3″,using the scoring blade on my Paper Trimmer. Lastly, I added Tombow Mulitpurpose Liquid Glue to one of the 1″ end pieces, and secured my holder into a triangle shape.
*Designer Tip: If you are using glue, hold and press the end pieces together for a short time while the glue partially sets. You can also use Mini Glue Dots or Tear & Tape instead.
From here, you simply decorate your kiss holder. Insert a Hershey Kiss (they will fit snugly, but that’s okay since you don’t want it to fall out accidentally), and gift away! But let’s take a look at some decorating options next…
Start With The Bases
The heart of our kiss holders is the base. While it is true that the base measurement will remain consistent (see above if you missed that part), we can certainly change up our base appearance.
Embossing Folders
For the most basic base, use plain cardstock. Let the decorative piece you add to the front be the star of the show. But also consider embossing your cardstock for added flair. Creating texture adds an entirely new dimension to your kiss holder.
When you emboss your kiss holders, consider the image size of your chosen embossing folder. Because the holder is essentially a collection of 1″ squares, you will want to use folders that leave smaller sized impressions. I used Star Crossed Embossing Folder (retired), Meadow Moments Embossing Folder and Checks & Dots Embossing Folder.
For a visual check, hold a 1 x 1″ piece of paper against your embossing folder. Whatever you see in that square is what will be seen on each side of the kiss holder. If you are happy with it, emboss away!
*Designer Tip: If you are embossing your cardstock, wait to score it after the embossing is complete. If you emboss it first the score lines will diminish, making if difficult to find the proper scoring location.
Sweet Talk Designer Series Paper I
Earlier I mentioned the amazing Sweet Talk Designer Series Paper. Consider using pretty pattern paper as your kiss holder base. Patterns always add great interest and variety, and they will work well for our kiss holder bases too. Keep in mind that DSP is a lighter weight paper than cardstock, and will tear easier. Score lightly to avoid ripped pieces.
Just like the embossing folder pattern, be careful choosing the design for your kiss holder. Again, consider how each 1″ square will look. I find it is better to use smaller, closer together patterns rather than larger or farther apart patterns. Below, the pattern on the left would not work well. The pattern on the right is perfect!
*Designer Tip: When cutting your designer series paper for the kiss holders, watch for orientation. You will want to see your pattern running down the 4″ length from top to bottom as pictured below.
Add Decorative Accents
The really fun part about creating these Hershey Kiss holders is adding on decorative accents. There are so many options to choose from. If you are crafting with kids and want to keep it simple, think about using store-bought stickers on plain cardstock bases.
If you are an avid crafter, get crafty! You may want to place 3-D items like mini layered flowers, buttons with ribbons or large gems onto your base. For my project, I focused on the universal symbol of love…hearts.
Sweet Talk Designer Series Paper, II
Sometimes, Stampin’ Up! designs paper that coordinates with their dies, which means you can skip the step of stamping and just die cut an awesome image. With the Sweet Talk Designer Series Paper, this is possible too. There are several different sizes of heart images (for the different sizes of dies in the Sweet Hearts Dies), so you need to line up your die to find the right image to cut with your die cutting machine.
*Designer Tip: To prep your chosen heart for die cutting, use your Paper Snips to cut into the designer series paper around the hearts you aren’t using yet. That way you will be able to use the other full hearts in the future. Don’t have a die cutting machine or dies? You can fussy cut the hearts with your Paper Snips too!
Stamping With White Cardstock
Similar to the look of the Sweet Talk Designer Series Paper, you can make your own hearts by stamping. I used the Sweet Conversations Stamp Set and a 2-step stamping technique for my hearts. Beginning with scraps of White Cardstock, I first stamped the words and outline in a darker ink color. Next, I stamped the filler heart in a lighter color.
*Designer Tip: Stamp the outline image first. It is so much easier to add the filler color as step 2. These stamps are designed to not line up exactly perfect, which makes it easier for beginner stampers.
Stamping With Color Cardstock
Maybe you are looking for more colorful hearts? Simply repeat the stamping steps from above but instead of using White Cardstock, replace it with solid color cardstock. For my color cardstock, I selected the lighter version of my chosen colors, in this case Pool Party, Blushing Bride and Highland Heather.
*Designer Tip: When using color cardstock, it is not necessary to add the filler color. I have examples of filled and unfilled hearts above, which do you prefer?
Once your bases are assembled and your decor pieces are finished, it is time to put them together. For my project, I only decorated one side (the front), but you could double your accents and decorate the back side too! Again, the combinations of possibilities are only limited to your imagination.
Here is a look at the finished Hershey Kiss holders using my hearts stamped on color cardstock with embossed cardstock bases in So Saffron, Pool Party and Highland Heather:
It Started With A Kiss…
Wouldn’t you agree that these sweet kiss holders are just the sweetest? If you need any of the products that I used in today’s project, pop over to my online store. (You will have to buy your Hershey Kisses elsewhere though!)
*Designer Tip: If you love chocolate as much as I do, purchase your Hershey Kisses in bulk. They somehow disappear during the creativity process!
Keep this project idea in mind for other occasions besides Valentine’s Day. A sweet treat turns any ordinary day into an extraordinary day, especially when home-made love is involved. Enjoy!
It may be mid-January, but perhaps you have honeybees and springtime on your mind. I was so excited to use the Honeybee Home Bundle in my Make It Monday demonstration. If you would like to watch the step-by-step making-of video for this sweet-as-honey card, here is the link.
The Honeybee Home Bundle is new to the January-June 2022 Mini Catalog by Stampin’ Up!. When you purchase the bundle, you automatically save 10%. But if you prefer, you can order the stamp set or dies as separate items. Let’s take a look at them!
Honeybee Home Stamp Set
The Honeybee Home Stamp Set is a red rubber cling variety. There are 12 stamps, with 3 of the images as uniquely styled honeybees. This set also has 3 different styles of flowers for our lucky bees to visit. And the 6 sentiments have sweet scripty font and lovely things to say. Can you imagine the variety of colors you would use to make beautiful flowers using this stamp set?
Honeybee Blooms Dies
The Honeybee Blooms Dies coordinate perfectly with the Honeybee Home Stamp Set. You will be able to die cut each unique stamped honeybee with your die cutting machine. And of course, there is a die for each flower stamp image. In addition, you will receive 3 dies that cut silhouette flowers and greens (these dies do not coordinate with stamps). This die set boasts 9 total dies.
The embossed effect is subtle. If you add some ink with a sponge or Blending Brush, you will highlight the raised portions of paper. For the cards I completed using this technique, I used the Basic Patterns Decorative Masks, but any mask will work. To see additional ways to use decorative masks, click here.
Coloring With Blender Pens
Another technique used on this card was the one I colored my stamped flowers and honeybee with: Blender Pens. After stamping my images using Memento Black Ink, I added color to the images using my ink pads with blender pens. Now, I didn’t just grab ink from the foam pad itself…that would be a very dark ink application of color.
Instead, I squeezed my ink pad while it was in the closed position to get some ink to transfer from the foam side to the plastic cover opposite it. This is harder than it seems, but very necessary to get a good ink coloring application.
If you are having trouble getting the ink to transfer from one side to the next, try re-inking your ink pad. A juicy pad will share ink more readily. After successfully transferring ink, use the back of a plastic spoon to push the excess refill into the foam pad.
Bumblebee or Fresh Freesia?
One thing that I love to do is make an exact copy of my card in another color scheme. The original design called for Bumblebee Cardstock. But to mix it up, I pulled out some Fresh Freesia Cardstock and started over once filming was complete. Did you miss the cardmaking video how-to link? Click here to watch.
Notice that I used different masks on each card! A new color always brings fresh perspective…and in this case it brought Fresh Freesia as well. Which color scheme do you prefer? For more card ideas using Fresh Freesia, click here.
Your Honeybee Home Bundle
If you love these cards and need the supplies to create them, now is a great time to check out my online store. Sale-A-Bration is happening! With a qualifying order of the Honeybee Home Bundle (and an add-on item like the Playing With Patterns Resin Dots used on these cards), your order will qualify you for a FREE Sale-A-Bration selection. That’s right… a stamp set, some paper…you decide what your freebie will be.
But hurry, Sale-A-Bration ends on February 28, 2022. Don’t miss out on this honey of a sweet offer. You will soon be creating bee-utiful cards of your own!
Give a big “Hip Hip Hooray!” for the Light the Candles Kit! This is a beginner-friendly DIY birthday card kit that’ll make you want to party and eat cake at the same time!
You’ll get enough supplies to create 8 cards—4 each of 2 designs—and 8 coordinating envelopes with party-ready designs of birthday cake, candles, and all the wishes. The cards in this kit also make great invitations for a fun birthday bash!
If you order today you’ll be able to choose FREE exclusive reward stamp sets or other items with each $50 purchase as part of our Sale-a-Bration promotion.
If you shop with me this month (thank you ever so much!) and spend under $149.99 (before shipping and tax), please use the current host code for January: 7NXNR767 If your order totals over $150.00, do not use the host code above, you will earn Stampin’ Rewards for free products. Check out my blog for the Mainely Stamping Merits Program to earn your way to a free stamp set from me!
