Happy New Year! I have another sneak peek project for you with a revamp of an old project. Back in November 2017 I created an easel card complete with Post-It® Note pad and calendar. I thought it was time to update it using new products from the 2019 Occasions Catalogue. The new Gingham Gala suite is simply perfect for this.

SIMPLE EASEL STAND

The assembly of the easel stand is quite straightforward. I used a 4-1/4″ x 11″ Grapefruit Grove Card base, scored and folded on the long side at 5-1/2″ and 8-1/4″.

The standing panel is 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ and the two large pieces of Grapefuit Grove Gingham Gala DSP are 4″ x 5-1/4″. I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) to attach the DSP to the inside of the card base (on the larger section). The second piece of DSP was fixed to the separate panel, then the bottom half of the panel was attached to the other end of the easel on the outside.

Next I cut some Sparkle Glimmer Paper 1/4″ longer and wider than the calendar. Then I cut some Grapefruit Grove Card for the mat underneath (1/2″ longer and wider than the calendar). Before layering everything together I stapled a loop of ribbon to the side of the card mat. This would hold my mini mechanical pencil. Then I fixed the Glimmer Paper onto the card mat with Tear & Tape Adhesive.

Finally using Stampin’ Dimensionals I attached the calendar to the Glimmer Paper and then to the easel.

*I’ve not found a supplier of mini calendars based in Canada so mine were sent to me by my daughter in the UK. My best advice is to check your local craft store or do an online search for a supplier close to your location or who can ship to you.

If you’re not familiar with easel cards, here’s my original project video from 2017. Obviously it uses products that are now retired, but the assembly process is the same.

JUST A NOTE

Next I took a 3″ x 4″ piece of the Grapefruit Grove Gingham Gala DSP and placed it on the Post-It Note pad. I wrapped the excess DSP around the top of the pad and secured it on the back with liquid glue.

More liquid glue was used to fix the pad to a 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ piece of Grapefruit Grove Card. Then I added the pad to the bottom section of the easel with liquid glue.

Now all I needed was the Butterfly Gala Stamp Set.

Using Tuxedo Black ink I began by stamping the ‘a little note’ sentiment onto some Whisper White Card. Then I punched it out using the Starburst Punch and fixed it to the notepad cover with liquid glue.

FLUTTERING BUTTERFLIES

Next I chose one of the four different butterfly designs and stamped it twice onto Thick Whisper White Card using Rich Razzleberry ink.

I coloured the large and small butterflies by simply stamping solid the wing images over the top of the outlines. I used Balmy Blue ink for both the small and large butterflies, but ‘stamped off’ onto scrap paper to get the lighter colour for the lower wings.

There are two sizes of butterfly bodies in the Butterfly Gala Stamp Set and I added these to the butterflies next using Tuxedo Black ink. Then I punched out the butterflies using the coordinating Butterfly Duet Punch.

I was now ready to attach my butterflies to the easel but I had one last bit of stamping to do. As well as two butterfly bodies, the stamp set also includes two sizes of antennae. So I worked out where I was going to attach my butterflies, moved them out of the way and then stamped the antennae directly onto the DSP with tuxedo black ink. Then I folded the butterfly wings up, added a line of liquid glue down the back of the fold and attached the butterflies to the easel.

Finally my project was complete.

I love the clean and fresh look of the colours and images in the Gingham Gala suite. Just what I need as I sit here watching the next winter storm roll in. Spring can’t come soon enough for me.

So now there’s only one more day of sneak peeks left. I hope you’ll be able to join me tomorrow when I’ll have a masculine project for you.

UPDATED FOR 2020

Since I published this project I created a new version of my easel calendar for 2020 using Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper. You’ll find that project in my blog post Updating my easel calendar.

GINGHAM GALA SUITE

The Gingham Gala suite starts with the Butterfly Gala Photopolymer Stamp Set with 13 images and 5 sentiments. Actually there are 17 images, but the butterflies come two to a stamp (one large and one small).

This makes perfect sense when you look at the coordinating Butterfly Duet Punch. You stamp the twin butterfly image once and then they’re perfectly spaced to punch them in one go. Talk about a time and sanity-saver.

Then there’s the gingham part of the suite. That comes as 40 sheets of 6″ x 6″ Gingham Gala Designer Series Paper (DSP). On one side is a check that is a smidge under 1/4″, and on the reverse the check is about 1/16″. I used the larger check for the main panels and the smaller one for the notepad cover. There’s 8 double-sided sheets in Balmy Blue, Daffodil Delight, Grapefruit Grove, Highland Heather and Lemon Lime Twist, all paired with Whisper White.

To hold the pencil on my project I used some of the new Whisper White 5/8″ Flax Ribbon. I must admit that I was surprised at how soft this ribbon feels, and it ties lovely bows. You can also take it apart and use the individual threads for added interest on your projects.

Finally there’s some Gingham Gala Adhesive-Backed Sequins, that I didn’t use on my project. The pack contains 250 sequins, 25 each of round and flower shapes in each of the 5 colours.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – You’ll be able to purchase the stamp set and punch separately starting January 3rd when the 2019 Occasions Catalogue goes live. You will also be able to them using a single bundle item number. Ordering the stamp set and die this way will save you 10% off so if you want both it’s your best option.