Gift Certificate GIVE AWAY. . .

CutCardStock BLOG GIVEAWAY

CutCardStock.com will be giving away 3 Gift Certificates to our On-Line Store on  Monday, August 8, 2011   Leave a comment or two to be entered and you could win one of the following prizes:

1st place: $30 Gift Certificate

2nd Place:  $25 Gift Certificate 

3rd Place:  $20 Gift Certificate

To be entered in the drawing for the GIFT CERTIFICATE GIVEAWAY:

1.  Leave a comment on this post. If you could leave a way of contacting you along with the comment, that would be helpful for us in contacting the winners; otherwise, be sure to check back on Monday, August 8 2011,  to see if you are the winner..  

2.  Ways to mulitply your chances to win the drawing:

-- Post on your blog, facebook, or other site about this GIVEAWAY!  Then come back and leave another comment linking to your post.

--Sign up for our Email Newsletter and come back and comment that you are now receiving our newsletter.

--Follow the CutCardStock Blog and comment that you are now following our blog.

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BE SURE TO CHECK BACK ON Monday, August 8, 2011 to see the winner!

It's almost that time....

Back to School?  It's sneaking up on us!  The office supply stores are starting Back-to-School sales already! 

I always like to start a new school year off right with a small goodie and card for my son's teacher.  For this project, I wanted to showcase a spotlight stamping technique which is pretty neat.  This technique allows you to color a smaller portion of your image to highlight that part of the image.

Supplies:

8 ½ x 11 Pop Tones Cardstock in Sour Apple and Red Hot

8 ½ x 11 Curious Metallic in Cryogen White

Stamp Set (I used Taylored Expressions Teacher Desk Cuppie and Close to My Heart’s In the Month of August set)

Inks (I used CTMH Tulip, Versa Mark Watermark and Memento Black Tuxedo)

Markers ( I used Copic G02, G05, YG11, YG13, BG13, BG15, Y26, Y28, R24, R27, E37 and N3)

2” circle punch (I used Fiskars Round and Round Large punch)

1 ¼” circle punch (I used CTMH)

Ribbon, brads and button

3D Foam tape

Glue dots

Baker’s Twine

Step One: 

Cut 8 ½ x 11 POP TONES Sour Apple Cardstock to 8 ½ x 5 ½.  Score to create a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card.  Using Versa Mark ink, randomly stamp card front with image.  (Apple from CTMH’s  In the Month of August stamp set). 

Step Two:

Cut 3 x 3 square from 8 ½ x 11 Cryogen White Cardstock.  Cut 3 ¼ x 3 ¼ square from Red Hot cardstock.   Stamp image on White Cardstock.  Stamp sentiment on White Cardstock using Tuxedo Black ink.  Mat to Red Hot cardstock.

Step Three: 

Using another piece of Cryogen White large enough for your stamped image, re-stamp the image using Tuxedo Black Ink.  Color the portion of the image you’d like to highlight.   Punch out using large circle punch.  If necessary, color in missed portions of the image.

Step Four:  Using  3D foam tape, adhere colored circle over stamped image.

Step Five:  Cut ribbon to about 5 ¾”  Adhere to center of card, trim excess.

Step Six:  Using piercing tool or pushpin, pierce three holes in the lower left corner of the card.  Place and set brads in the holes. 

Step Seven: Using Cryogen White cardstock and Tulip Ink, stamp image and punch out using 1 ¼” punch.  Adhere to lower right corner of the card.  Adhere a red button with bakers twine if desired.

Happy Stamping!
Katherine



Keeping It Simple

It may be easy to get carried away with details and embellishments, but sometimes simple is just the statement to make.  Here's how I created a simple, yet stylish card in just a few easy steps.

Supplies

• Curious Metallic Cryogen White cardstock, 4 ¼ x 11 (scored at 5.5” for card base) and 5 x 3 ¼ 
• Flame Stardream Metallic cardstock, 4 ¼ x 5
• Small stamp (one that can easily be repeated for an all-over pattern)(I used the butterfly from American Crafts “Terrace” set)
• Scalloped edge punch
• Matching ribbon
• Ink to match Flame cardstock (I used Stampin’ Up Pumpkin Pie)
•  Adhesives, including dimensional

      Steps

Using the small stamp and ink, create a random pattern on the 5 x 3¼ piece of Cryogen white cardstock.  For a natural look, rotate the image randomly and stamp off the edge of the cardstock.

Create a scalloped edge on both sides of the Flame cardstock using the border punch.  Center and attach the scalloped piece to the card base using your favorite adhesive.

Tie a bow or knot around the stamped piece and then add it to the front of the card using dimensional adhesive.

You’ve got a simple, all-occasion card.  Turn this idea into a great gift by creating a set of cards to share with a special friend!  Simply change the color combo used on the ink and ribbon and repeat the simple steps above.  Don’t forget to include the envelopes!

The additional cardstock colors I used in my card set are:  Azalea, Amethyst and Lagoon… all from the Stardream Metallic collection at CutCardStock.

Party Animal Card

This fun card can be adapted for any occasion, and it can even be a gift card holder!

Supplies:

 8 ½ x 11 Pop Tones cardstock (I used Blue Raspberry as the card, Sweet Tooth for the stamped pieces, and Grape Jelly for the slide-out section). 

Stamps and Inks (I used Close to My Heart’s Black and Sunset inks and Party Animal Acrylix stamp set)

9 ½ x 7 ½” patterned paper (I used CTMH’s Hooligans paper)

Adhesive- I used Tombow, pop dots and liquid glue

Ribbon – about 5”

1 ¼” circle punch (I used Close to My Heart’s)

Stapler

Other embellishments as desired – (I used a chipboard number, flock, adhesive glitter dots)

Step 1:

Score the cardstock you’ve chosen for your card on the 3 ½” and 7 ½” marks on the 11” side.  Using bone folder, crease folds well.

Step 2:

Mark the center of  one side of the middle panel of the card.  Position a 1 ¼” circle punch centered on the mark.  Punch a semi-circle from the middle panel. 

Step 3.  Folding one side in at a time, use the center panel as a guide to punch semi-circles on the other two panels.  ** NOTE** Please do one panel at a time.  If you try to punch all three sides at once, you could damage your punch!

Step 4:  Adhere the edges and one end of the card together.  Use the bone folder to ensure all edges line up neatly. 

Step 5:  Adhere patterned paper to the card base.  I wrapped the paper around the card first and used my bone folder to make crisp score lines. 

Step 6:  Cut a 3 ½” x 7 ½” piece of complementary cardstock for your pull-out part of the card.

Step 7:  Stamp images on a 3” x 5” piece of neutral cardstock as desired.  I used 2 way glue to add flock to the monster images (which makes them fuzzy!)  I also stamped the image and used a pop dot to give it dimension.

Step 8:  Adhere stamped images to a 3 ¼”x 5 ¼” mat, then adhere to card front.  Embellish as desired.  Attach the ribbon, folded in half, by stapling the ribbon to the back of your pull out section.    You can use glue dots to hold a gift card onto the pull-out section, if desired. 

Hope you enjoyed this fun project!  Both Sweet Tooth and Blue Raspberry PopTones Cardstock is on sale now at CutCardstock!

Happy Stamping!

Katherine

Pop Tone Makes The Difference

Fancy edged & vintage chic

Another square card, using the same patterned paper line (Hometown Summer) as the whimsical watermelon card shown earlier (July 8), but choosing another array of Pop Tone's brilliantly colored card stock.  This time the card has a shabby chic, vintage look but still uses a patterned paper from the Hometown Summer collection by Pink Paislee.  A Black Licorice base and Red Hot accents add a yummy touch to this card.

The wrinkly ribbon and bow was created by wetting and then wringing (i.e., wrinkling) chalk white seam binding, and then letting it air dry.  The bow itself was created by wrapping one end three times around my four fingers, laying the wound bundle onto the table and tying the center with a bit of red baker's twine.  I pulled apart the loops to form a "messy" bow then strung it through the holes in the center tag.  To finish the bow as a centerpiece, I added a stack of buttons and a piece of sheer black ribbon for interest.

Step 1

Step 2

Lots of POP on this card!

The fancy edge of the card front was created by using a Grand Nestabilities Labels Four die.  This is really a simple technique with these awesome new dies.  Cut your desired card base from Black Licorice Pop Tone card stock, score it in the center, then place one end/edge under the curves of the die and the rest of the card base on top of the die (off of the cutting edge of the die).  Run this through a Big Shot cutting machine (or the like) and the end result is this fancy edge.  Follow the same process with the same size dies on the patterned paper to give yourself a coordinating layer -- just slide the patterned layer up a teensy bit and adhere to the card base.  Viola!

Spellbinder's dies used

Covering the inside of the card allows for it to show through on the front, so make sure it's a good contrast.  It's always nice to work with double sided patterned paper -- it gives you a nice contrast automatically!  I added the sentiment by printing it on Whipped Cream Pop Tone card stock and then using the Lacey Oval Nestabilities die to cut the pretty shape.  If you keep the die on the tag after cutting it and gently blot a bit of distress ink around the inner edge, you get that aged look around the sentiment.  Add some foam squares to the back of the tag for dimension.

Interior

 Remember, get your Pop Tone card stock while it's on sale and hot, hot, HOT!

Summer Treat Tag

With the abundance in the garden this summer, I have lots of plans to share pies and breads with friends and neighbors.  I like to "kick it up a notch" by adding a little crafty tag to make it more personal.  Here's how I created a belly band style tag for my Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with Crumb Topping....

Belly Band Treat Tag by Amber Lawrence

Supplies:

•  Stardream Metallic Crystal cardstock, size depends on die cut
• Laquer Metallic cardstock, 2 strips 1 x 12” each
• Stamps and die of your choice, I am using Everyday Treats from PaperTreyInk
• Tiny hole punch
• Brads
• Ink

Steps:

Cut your die design from the Stardream Metallic Crystal cardstock.  Stamp the image on the die cut.

Attach the two 1 x 12” strips, one on each side using the hole punch and brads.  This creates a band that will wrap around your goodies.  Mine is long to wrap around a pie, but adjust the length of your bands based on how wide your goodies are.

Wrap the crafty label around your treats and give to a special someone!  This would be super cute around some zucchini bread, a square carrot cake or any other tasty summer treat!

Save 10% off all METALLIC Envelopes using Coupon

Save 10% off all Metallic Envelopes

Save 10% off all Metallic Envelopes this week only! Enter the following Coupon code at Checkout to receive your savings: METALLIC offer good July 11-July 17, 2011 Save on all Stardream Metallic & Curious Metallic Envelopes by using the above coupon code at CutCardStock.

Square Up Some Summer Fun

I'm back with another Hip 2B Square project...a simple summer birthday card!  I truly love working with Cut Card Stock's square envelopes, and especially like the casual look of the Brown Bag line.  Today I've made a 5.25" square birthday card for my friend Kristin and will tuck it inside Cut Card Stock's Brown Bag 5.5" square envelope.  This simple and cheerful card is made with Pink Paislee's new line aptly called Hometown Summer, featuring adorable papers and chipboard pops, banners and punch outs.


I focused on the subtle pinks and greens, as well as the juicy watermelon theme, to create this square card.  The most important thing to remember when starting this type of project is that, while your square envelope may be 5.5" square, your card needs to be slightly smaller to fit nicely inside the envelope!  I've had a few Oops because I forgot to take this into consideration!  You might even notice (barely, I hope) the 1/4" score mark just below the actual fold of this card!


The rounded corners give a softer, more playful tone to the card, as well as the dimension that's added by mounting elements with foam tape.  This Hometown Summer line can be paired with several of Cut Card Stock's Pop Tone colors like Gum Drop Green, Cotton Candy or even Wild Cherry -- and it's all ON SALE this month so stock up!  Enjoy your summer and happy scrapping!

Concertina Press: Nautical and Vintage inspired Stationery

Cuttlefish Invitation Suite Sample - click to visit my shop - printed on Savoy 100% 118lb paper, with Poptone French envelopes, using antique natuical illustrations

Ye Olde Cape Cod Set of 8 folded notes - Neenah Classic linen 

Hi! I'm Ruth, the designer behind Concertina Press, specializing in wedding invitations and customized personal stationery featuring antique engravings. Living in Cape Cod, Massachusetts (where the pilgirms first landed!) my taste definitely leans toward the nautical, but I also have a soft spot for gorgeous botanical illustrations as well.

I do almost all of my printing with just a few products - Savoy 100% Cotton 118lb stock, which is elemental chlorine free and tree free, French's Pop Tones cardstock, and envelopes, made right here in the USA, and Neenah classic linen cardstock and envelopes.

Environmentally responsible companies are important to me, so having options for tree-free or recycled papers is important.

Floating Jellyfish Wedding invitation - Printed on 100% Cotton Savoy paper, Basis Envelope

I've been using Cut Cardstock as my main supplier since I started my business this past spring.

There are several things I really like about Cut Cardstock, in comparison to other cardstock suppliers I've tried.

• They offer small quantities of cut cardstock from the Michigan-based hydroelectric mill French Paper Company. I love to use it for layering and paper sculptures (but I will say, I wish CC would carry the 100lb too!). I also love French Paper Co. envelopes.
• They package their items with re-sealable bags, perfect for the humid climate I live in, so my envelopes don't stick together and my paper doesn't warp.
• Fast Shipping! It usually only takes me 3 days to receive my paper over here in Massachusetts, even if I use the "Free Shipping" (for orders over $125) option, where some companies might skimp and send my package via donkey to save on money.
• The cut stock is true to size! I HATE not being able to get true 5"x7" paper because it messes up borderless printing, but cut cardstock comes through
• Sometimes my orders are packaged by someone named "Ruth"- great name!

Narwhal Notes! Set of 10 printed on Neenah linen paper

If you'd like to read more about what I've been up to, you can visit my Concertina Press blog (where I host giveaways of my stationery!), Facebook Page or online shop - actually I have two online shops - I have an Etsy shop too!

Thanks again to Cut Cardstock for allowing me to feature my shop on your blog! Readers, don't hesitate to contact me with any questions either by commenting on my blog or following the "contact me" link in my online shop.

- Ruth

Concertina Press Sationery & Invitations
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