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Many of you guessed correctly about the stamp sets that were used in yesterday’s project!  Here are the details of our newest sets being released on November 15th…

-A new version of Borders & Corners that includes 3 circles that coordinate with the extra jumbo circle scalloped punch 3 squares that coordinate with the super jumbo square scalloped punch.  (Five of the borders are already included in our existing sets, one is brand new.) If you have been waiting to try Borders & Corners, but didn’t know what to start with, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for!  They are specially sized for MONOGRAMS!  The set also included many words that you an use to integrate the monograms into your projects, like the "Bridal Shower" detail in yesterday’s project.

-TWO monogram alphabet sets, sized to fit in the new Borders & Corners collection described above.   Both sets are uppercase only and $15 each.

-And of course, last but not least, the Spiral Bouquet set that we originally intended to release last month.

One of the fun things about stamping is having the ability to integrate it with other crafts or hobbies that are of interest to you.  I have dabbled a little in beading and enjoy it immensely.  I thought that it would be fun to combine this with our new monogram stamp sets!

First, I knew I wanted to create a monogram charm.  I pulled out one of my old favorites, polyshrink.  The translucent is my personal favorite.  It shrinks nicely and has a nice & smooth matte finish when complete.  I stamped the border & monogram with Palette Noir.

I then punched it out with the 1-3/8 inch standard circle punch.  I used a 1/4-inch punch to add a hole suitable for stringing later on.  (I like to be sure to always use the 1/4-inch hole punch for this purpose, because the hole shrinks too!)  I then shrunk the charm with my heat gun.  I like to keep a stamp block handy to press the polyshrink when it is done to be sure that it is perfectly flat.

I then made my bracelet and added the monogram charm with a small jump ring. 

If you have never done any beading before, there are a plethora of amazing websites that offer great tutorials.  Beading is surprisingly very easy and you can use many of your stamping skills when choosing the color, scale & design of your jewelery.  Here are a few places you may want to check out…

Beadage

Fire Mountain Gems & Beads

123 Bead!

After I completed my bracelet, I decided that it needed to have some coordinating gift wrap!  I figured a tin would be the perfect container to start with.  I chose the 8oz. square clear top tin.  First I wanted to create an insert to help showcase the bracelet.  I traced the rim of the tin bottom onto white cardstock.  I used our Stamper’s Select white cardstock because of it’s superior weight.  I knew it would stand up well inside the tin.

I then traced just INSIDE the line with a stylus (You want to be sure to do it slightly smaller, or else it will not fit in the tin).  I trimmed the cardstock down to 1-inch from the line on all four sides.

I used scissors and cut slits from the outside edge to the scored line around each of the four corners.  I also rounded the corners, maintaining the 1-inch perimeter from the scored line.

I folded all of the tabs inward and inserted them into the base of my tin.  If you use a heavy-weight cardstock, there is no need for any adhesive or additional support in the center.  It will just stand on it’s own!

It created the perfect base to showcase my bracelet.  If you wanted to, you could also punch holes in this base to insert the ends of your jewelery, allowing your central charm to be the star of the show!

After that was completed, I thought the best way to embellish the tin would be to create a box band that could easily slide off and on.  I started by creating my patterned paper with a leaf stamp from Spiral Bouquet.  I found that Versafine Black was the best ink for this particular stamp.  I achieved a really solid, dense black image with it.  (I also used the small double circle stamp from Borders & Corners Rectangle).

I wanted to add a little detail to the edges of the band, so I drew two lines, closely spaced, on either side of the strip.  A ruler and a good quality black pen, like the pigment ink Multi-Liner from Copic, make quick work of this task.

I wrapped the band around my tin along with some black satin ribbon.  As a final touch, I stamped the same border stamp & monogram, punched it out with a 1-1/4 inch circle punch and matted it with the extra jumbo circle scallop punch.

I think this would make a beautiful gift for anyone this holiday season!  Did you notice the monogram on the set in particular today?  Yes, this set will be a special gift for ME.  I just love getting presents!  *wink*

See you tomorrow for some more fun sneak peeks!!!

SUPPLIES:

Ink- Versafine Onyx Black, Palette Noir

Stamps- Papertrey Ink

Paper- Stamper’s Select White from Papertrey, Beetle Black from Bazzill

Other- black satin ribbon from Offray (Wal-Mart), extra-jumbo scalloped circle punch from Marvy, 8oz. square clear top tin, beads & findings from Hobby Lobby, polyshrink from Lucky Squirrel