Be Creative With Nicole

I love handmade embellishments! by Nicole Tugrul

I have been away from blogging for awhile, but I've been keeping up with the trends by keeping up with my favorite Yahoo Group, Late Night Stampers.  (To join, click on the owl in the sidebar.)  One of the things I've seen everyone doing is handmade flowers using different techniques.  I tried some out last month and I am finally getting a chance to share them with you.  I tried one of each of the styles I've seen floating around. I hope you like them, because I had a lot of fun making them!

I used the scallop border punch for this flower.  The great tutorial I used for this was from Ilina Crouse and you can find it here. (Thanks Ilina..I LOVE your Blog!)

This flower is a combo of a couple different styles.  The bottom flower is done with DSP fan folded and the ends glued together to form a flower.  I saw this in Stampin' Success.  The top flower goes back to my ribbon flower days.  I just carefully pulled the stitching from one side of the double stitched ribbon to make the ribbon gather (that's why I chose this ribbon...less work for me!).  I topped the flower off with a button.  I got lucky and had a button to match the base color of the flower..I didn't plan this project out at all..I was just playing around and it turned out ok!

This last flower is super simple.  I punched a bunch of scallop circles and scrunched them up.  I opened them up, used my paper piercing tool to put a hole in the middle of each, and joined them together with a brad.  Once they were joined together, I adjusted each piece to give the right dimension.

Well, that's all for now.  Thanks for looking, I have other ideas in the works, so check back again! 

If it doesn't move..stamp it!

Nicole Tugrul

Your Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Animal Stories

I found a great tutorial last week for a larger size matchbox on Kelly Lunceford's blog.  I have been wanting to try it out and finally got a chance today.  Since I have babies on the brain (I'm due in 4 weeks..hopefully he'll arrive a little sooner), I made a baby gift out of it using the new Animal Stories set that is in the new 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog.

I used the Tall Tales DSP for the outside of the box and So Saffron for the base.  The  final measurements are 3 inches wide by 6 1/4 inches long, so it can hold quite a bit.  As you'll see in the picture below, I made a little bath set out of it. 

This idea for a larger matchbox is so versatile.  I have a ton of ideas going through my head for the holidays, teachers gifts, etc. that can be done with this great box.  To make one of your own, go to Kelly's beautiful blog HERE and check out her tutorial.

I hope you enjoyed this little project as much as I did!  I'm sure there will be more boxes to show in the future, stop back for more!

If it doesn't move..stamp it!
Nicole Tugrul
Your Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Desk Set "Goodies"

Yesterday I posted the desk set I made for my Mother-in-Law for Mother's Day.  Today I am posting the "goodies" I made to go in the three drawers.

I made seven 3x3 cards using the same Enchante DSP as the desk set.  I added in a pen also decorated with the Enchante DSP, postage stamps, 2 small incentive stamps, and  two containers that I put paper clips in.  The containers have flowers made from the scallop circle punch, and two retired flower punches with a rhinestone brad in the center.

Here is a view of the drawers full of their "goodies".  I think it turned out well, I am looking forward to seeing what my Mother-in-Law thinks of it!

Thanks for checking out my blog!  Please visit again!

If it doesn't move...stamp it!!

Nicole Tugrul
Your Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Desk Top Set

This is the cutest project!! It is a desk set that was designed by Becky Roberts who always has the greatest of ideas.  I bought this tutorial from her and for my first try I decided to make a set for my Mother-in-Law for Mother's Day.  I used a set of retired DSP that she really loved (Enchante from the Winter Mini Catalog 06/07). I've held onto it for quite awhile in anticipation of making something for her.  The basic design is a set of three magazine holders put together and decorated to hold the standard 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 card.  The bottom is a set of three drawers that you can put all kinds of goodies in. The coolest thing is, Becky designed this so you can do as you please.  If you want 2 drawers then you can or you can do 4 drawers and so on.  I plan on making some decorated pens, 3x3 cards and a set of monogramed note cards to go in the drawers.  I will probably add a page of postage stamps so the desk set is fully stocked.

Here are some more pictures to show more details.  I did change the drawers to have a drawer pull with ribbon, Becky used the corduroy brads and I do not have any. 

Here is a close up of the ribbon drawer pulls.  I used the large eyelets and threaded ribbon through, using sticky strip to secure the ribbon to the inside of the drawer.  It works really well, easily opens the drawers.

Here are the pieces of the set, they are not attached unless you want them to be.  I chose tofollow Becky's design and leave the set as 2 pieces instead of taping them together with sticky strip.

Here are the cards I made to go in the magazine holders, I did 6 total with different greetings.  I used the retired Carte Postal, the new Great Friend set and Dreams du Jour.

I hope you liked this project.  I will post the goodies I make to go in the drawers.  I am also going to try and make a desk set centered around a Simply Scrappin' Kit.  To get the directions to make your own desk set, you can go to Becky Robert's Blog and purchase the tutorial for a very resonable $3.95.  You can get to her blog by the link I've added on my side bar or click on her name throughout this post.

Thanks for looking at my project, I hope you liked it!!

If it doesn't move..stamp it!!!

Nicole Tugrul

Your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Mother's Day Flower

A couple weeks ago I saw a very cute idea on Kerin's Blog for a 3D flower pot.  She has a great video tutorial on how to make it, so be sure to go to her blog and check it out.  I decided to CASE the idea and make it into a cute treat for Mother's Day.

I used DSP and the Big Shot to make my flowers.  I put candy in cellophane bags with ribbon and a tag.  I was really excited when I found buttermints in a cute checkerboard wrapper at the party store.  They are a perfect match to the Bella Rose DSP.  I used Hershey's Nuggets in the other flower pot. 

I really enjoyed this project, it was very easy to make.  Thanks for looking!  Come back again!

If it doesn't move...stamp it!!

Nicole Tugrul
Your Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Teacher Gifts

The talk on LNS the other day was all about teacher gifts.  It just so happened that the subject was of interest to me due to the Extreme Home Party that I am preparing for.  I have a couple of ideas, one of which I have finished and will share today.  Last fall when school supplies were abundant I purchased a bunch of paper clips and different office items in a bunch of bright colors.  I thought that teachers can always use paperclips and push pins so I found some cute little containers and put together some useful teacher gifts.

Each baggie has 2 containers with paper clips and push pins.  I put a flower on the top to add a decorative touch.  There is also a 3x3 Thank You card included, you will see that in the picture below.

This idea is fun yet simple.  I hope they sell well at the Extreme Home Party, we'll see what happens!  Thank you for stopping by, check back for the next cute teacher gift I've got planned.

If it doesn't move...stamp it!!

Nicole Tugrul
Your Indepedent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Pixie Stix Flowers

  This a a really cute idea that I modified for Spring.  Awhile back I saw on SCS an idea for a Halloween Treat using pixie stix.  I changed mine to flowers to add a splash of color to the table at the Extreme Home Party I'm doing next week.  This is a very simple project, however it can get time consuming if you do a huge amount like I did (160 stix!). 



This picture is just HALF of the pixie stix flowers that I made. I also have another tin full of purple and red ones that are almost complete.



This is what each looks like close up.  I used the scallop circle punch, the 1 3/8 circle punch, a retired flower punch and the retired 1/4 circle punch to build my flower.  This is a great way to use up all the scraps of paper you save.

I hope you enjoyed this idea, it would be great to use for kid's parties or to give out at school.  Be sure to check back tomorrow, I've got another great project lined up!

If it doesn't move...stamp it!

Nicole Tugrul
Your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

I'm up and running!

 

Today I finally got the chance to make something!!  It has been since the fall since I've had time to make anything, and I have really missed my stamping!  I got some new supplies and tried out something new. 
For an Extreme Home Party that I have coming up next month, I am getting started on some new projects.  This first one is inspired by Melissa Stout.  She has a tutorial on her blog for the Lip Balm Holder and I made it today..super easy.  I used the new Matchbox Die Cut and the set Great Friend for the front.  On the inside (see below)  I used another stamp set from the new Occasions Mini, Matchbox Messages. 

This is such a nice little gift, perfect for teachers, friends, or whomever you want to give a little thanks to.  I hope you enjoyed this project, I'm off to think about what to do tomorrow!

If it doesn't move...stamp it!!

Nicole Tugrul
Your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator