Gift Card Exploding Box

Hello Stampers!

I'd like to share with you an exploding box I've done altered to fit a gift card!

I got the idea for this box based on one that was offered in a magazine. The owner of a local scrapbooking store shared the idea with me and I did my best to recreate the box. The directions weren't very easy to follow, and some of the demonsions were very off!

So I took notes as I attempted to make my own version and will be posting a tutorial I've created so that you too can make this box, but without the bumps I hit. :)

The sample in the magazine used bugs and such on strips of transparancy sheets. I attempted to duplicate this with flowers, but I was not entirely happy with the results.

You can see, based on the shadows from my pictures how some of the flowers kind of float. I may attempt this box again and try another approach with the transparancy strips to see if I can come up with something I'm happy with. For now, my tutorial will leave the decorating of the insides to you, but I will share the information from the magazine article in case you would like to try this for yourself. If you figure it out, I'd love it if you shared. :)

I decided to use this box for my cousin's upcoming 18th birthday, after completing this adorable box, I stepped away for a few minutes to call my sister to discuss plans for the party.

When I returned, one of my kitties decided to leave his own mark on the box. I guess he wanted to leave his own birthday wish. :) Thankfully he gnawed in such a way that I was able to fix the tips and my cousin loved the box.

This box used the Tropical Party and Island Oasis DSP from the Summer mini Catalog. The Summer Mini is good through August 31st so head on over to my online shop and order yours today!

I hope you enjoyed this share! Please be sure to check back soon for the tutorial to make your own Gift Card Exploding Box!

~Raberta Gannon
Sacramento, CA

Chic Fleece Flower Pins - Stampin' Up!

Hello fellow stampers!

Today I'm sharing with you an adorable flower pin I made on Friday using our Stampin' Up! Big Shot, the Circle #2 and Island Floral die-cuts.

Isn't it cute? I can just see making a bunch of these for my neices! It was really easy to make and I plan to make more of these in a few weeks when I replenish my supplies.

For this pin, the SU! products used were the Big Shot (#113439), Standard Cutting Pads (which come with the machine), Circles #2 die-cut (#114526) and the Island Floral die-cut (#118871). I used the Summer Sun corduroy button, however I'm sad to say this line is retiring. Be sure to visit my online store to see if there are any left! But don't worry, in just 8 days the new catty will be released and I'm sure you'll be happy with some of the new offerings!!

Would you like to make you're own flower pin? Well then, check out this great tutorial by Tami White!

Last Chance List for 2009 posted

Its June 1st and that means its time for us to prepare to say goodbye to stamp sets and accessories to make room for all the new and wonderful things that Stampin' Up! will be adding to their new Catalog! The 2010-2011

Please take a moment to visit the Last Chance Page for all the latest information. The retiring accessories list will be updating daily and all items will be removed from the Online Store as supplies run out.

Welcome to Inkabella!

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to really work on my business this year. I have to admit that I haven't been moving very fast the first half of the year, but then I've had a lot going on. My husband and I are in the process of adopting my cousin. My uncle is no longer able to care for his children and so rather than letting him go into the foster system, my husband and I decided to take him in. We hadn't planned on children for at least another year so this is a big life changer for us.

I have great plans for the 2nd half of the year, even though Convention is not one of them. My cousin needs us right now and so its much better that I stay home this year and settle him in.

To start things off, I decided to name my "company" Inkabella and registered the domain, Inkabella.com. Unfortunately, the blogger name was already taken, so for the blog I went with Inkabella Designs. Until I decide how I wish to utilize my new domain, it will point here, to my blog.

I look forward to sharing many ideas and creating some lasting friendships as we explore the wonderful world of Crafts and all that Stampin' Up! has to offer!