Stampin' and Scrappin' With Kristin

Designer Cuts - Cards & Envelopes

In yesterday's post, I talked about the popularity of the Designer Cuts Cards & Envelopes in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  To be honest, I'm not usually excited about this type of product.  And, based on your comments at my open house, neither are you.  BUT, once I made a couple of cards with them - and once you saw the cards, I know you loved them (and ordered them)!

When you order them, you get 8 Very Vanilla cards - 4 of each of the 2 designs.  They're completely pre-cut.  You don't even have to punch out the little pieces.  They come with 8 blushing bride envelopes.  The quality is exactly as you would expect from SU. The words that are stamped on the cards are from the new Loving Thoughts stamp set pictured on page 15 of the Occasions Mini Catalog.

To make the card on the far left, I actually cut the front of the card off of the back and layered it on a Blushing Bride card base using Dimensionals.  I placed some random pearls in some of the flowers.  This is a card that you'll make in my Wedding Class later this spring.  I think this was everyone's favorite.  But, I loved just how easy these cards were to put together.  They're great when you're in a pinch and need a card at the last minute.

Fabulous Open House

Did you miss my open house last Saturday?  I had SO much fun and my house was never empty for the entire 6 hours!  People were here from 12:55 straight through to 7:25.  I LOVED visiting with so many of my customers - who've become wonderful friends over the years.  It warmed my heart to watch them visit with each other - many of whom would have NEVER met each other had it not been for my classes.  I always get a little choked up when I see how stamping a little card has impacted so many lives.  It was SO wonderful.  I believe over 30 people stopped by throughout the course of the day based upon the number of cards that were made and the number of door prize slips completed - but I know not everyone filled out a slip or created a card - so it's hard to tell exactly how many popped in.

As usual, I waited until the last minute to do just about everything.  I stayed up until 4:30 creating samples and Make & Takes.  I did a little baking, but was afraid it wasn't going to be enough food.  I had a brainstorm - it's Girl Scout Cookie time!  I just HOPED (for maybe the first time ever) that the girls would be out at our local grocery store selling cookies.  I always say that I'll buy at least 1 box of cookies from every girl who asks.  I have to support them!  How can you say no to a little girl selling CHOCOLATE cookies?!?!?  When I pulled up, I could see them - I was so happy (and relieved) that I'd be able to execute my plan.  The mother slowly explained each variety (inside I knew I was going to buy quite a few boxes).  When she was done, I told her that I'd take one them and one of them and one of them and one of them and one of them.  She couldn't believe I wanted 5 boxes (which I really didn't think was a lot).  I explained that I was putting together a buffet of Girl Scout Cookies for an Open House - and everyone seemed to like it.  I posted a picture on Facebook and got tons of fun comments.

Okay...enough about cookies, I thought I'd share some of the displays that were up around the house.  I decided to bring the Sale-a-Bration and Occasions Mini Catalogs to life - and I think it was a GREAT idea!  Everyone loved being able to touch, see, and use the new products.  Between cards, embellishments, and new dies, it's nice to be able to actually see them in person.  Besides, the products made up for the fact that I didn't have as many samples as I would have liked!  This first display is on top of the Grand Piano in my living room.  It is a selection of Occasions Mini products.  If you look closely, you can see a couple of cards on the left hand side - they're made with the Designer Cuts Cards & Envelopes set pictured on Page 9 of the Occasions Mini.  It totally AMAZED me how popular these were!  I'll be posting them tomorrow - so stay tuned.  I sold TONS of those kits.  And, I love them a lot so I might have to stock up on a few more myself.  LOVE LOVE LOVE them!

My next display was dedicated to Sale-a-Bration.  I pulled out just about every item that is available for FREE during Sale-a-Bration.  The display board in the background was filled with swaps I'd received earlier this month at Leadership that featured SAB products (mostly the gorgeous DSP that everyone loves)!!!  I love the new Sale-a-Bration catalog, but even I JUST discovered some products that I didn't realize were free during Sale-a-Bration because of the way they were pictured.  I didn't realize you have TWO choices of embossing folders!

I also had a table (my piano bench) which was filled with the new Big Shot items - Framelits, Edgelits, Embosslits, dies, and folders!  I also had a Big Shot out and available to show how they all worked.  LOTS of people picked up the new framelits.  There was plenty to look at!  Over 100 card samples were on display!  Almost everyone remembered to bring their camera to snap photos of the cards.  I loved the variety of swaps I received at Leadership - but there were a couple that were definitely favorites.  THANK YOU for everyone who swapped with me!!!

My third, large display was of Valentine's Day cards and other cards that didn't really fit into specific categories.  This was set up on my TV stand. 

Finally, I mentioned earlier that there was a drawing for a door prize.  I just laughed and laughed when I saw whose name I pulled.  It was a particular person who had asked what I was giving away the night before at a workshop.  If you know me, you know that I don't plan those sorts of things ahead!  In fact, as I type this, I still haven't figured out what to give her!  But, CONGRATS to Patty Jo for winning the door prize.  Trust me, by the time this posts, I'll have figured it out - so you can't influence me!!!  If you didn't make it on Saturday, I hope that you can stop by my next open house which is tentatively scheduled for June 16th - my New Catalog Launch Party!!!  

P.S. I Love You

Here's the second card I designed for Suzie's workshop.  This meets her requirements for Valentine's Day and a new technique.  I showed the gals how to dye the Silver Glimmer Paper from the Holiday Mini Catalog - which, by the way, is still available for purchase!

I struggled with this card - and I'm still not 100% in love with it.  I mixed a random assortment of products together from different product suites in the Occasions Mini Catalog, byut I think they work together.  The DSP is from the Sweet Shop DSP.  The little button is from the Twitterpated Designer Buttons.  The stamp set is P.S. I Love You.  By the way, I would recommend picking up this stamp set in clear mount.

To dye the glimmer paper, I mixed a solution of rubbing alcohol and reinker.  I actually used Regal Rose reinker for this solution - the same portions as I've shown you for the shimmer paint.  I spritzed the solution.  It dried relatively quickly - and dries a bit lighter which is why I chose Regal Rose.

Sale-a-Bration Easter Card

I had a workshop last night with some of my favorite customers.  The hostess had some VERY specific requests:  Easter Card, Sale-a-Bration DSP, Valentine's Day Card, and a new technique!  I had to squeeze that into two cards.  New techniques always stress me out when I'm stamping with customers who have been stamping for decades longer than me. How can I possibly show them something that's new?!?!?!

This card met two of her requests:  Easter and it uses the Everyday Enchantment (FREE SAB) DSP.  I used a layout I saw over on Mary Fish's blog.  You may know that I visit Mary's blog quite often when I'm looking to break out of my normal design rut.  I especially liked her design because it incorporated TWO SAB products.  Do you know what the second is (other than the DSP)?  The set of Designer Frames embossing folders.  They are one of the Big Catalog products you can choose for free during SAB.  I LOVE these frames, but I'm always frustrated because we don't have anything (at least I thought) that cut them out.  Well, look how nicely the oval dots fits inside of the Labels Framelit!!!  You'll be seeing me do this more often!!!

You're My Type

I have to admit, the new "You're My Type" stamp set was not a stamp set that caught my eye when I browsed the Occasions Mini Catalog.  It did nothing for me.  I had no desire to buy it.....until I went to Leadership.  Those stinkin' swaps!!!  I saw SO MANY cute and adorable cards made using this stamp set.  So, would you believe that THIS was the very first card I made when I returned from Leaderhip???  (Yes, I owned it because I buy EVERYTHING for just this very reason!)

I designed this card for my stamp club.  It was inspired by two different cards I saw at Leadership.  First, the color combo was inspired by a swap that I received from one of my Founder's Circle buddies, Cindy Baughman.  The layout was inspired by one of the cards that a demosntrator submitted for the card contest.  She/he made it using Red and Black.  Unfortunately, I don't know who made it.  I'll give you credit if it was yours - e-mail me! 

When I was showing my stamp club members the card, I asked how many of them had this stamp set on their wish list - no surprise to me, no one had it on their list, either!  I'm pleased to report that two of them now own it!!

Leadership Gifts

It's a tradition at any Stampin' Up! event to make small gifts for roommates and friends.  I made quite a few of these little boxes featuring several Sale-a-Bration products which you can earn for free from now until March 31st!!!  Like my swaps, the supplies for these had to go on my cruise and be packed away in my suitcase for a week and assembled when I got to Texas.  I didn't make a prototype before I left.  In fact, I designed them in my head only a few hours before we left for the airport for the trip!  I hoped that I could turn it into something.  In fact, I wasn't even sure how many I was going to need - so I brought plenty of supplies with me!  I also hoped that I could find some filler for the boxes on my travels so that I would have one less thing to pack!

The box itself was cut using the Petal Cone Die.  I punched a 1-1/4" in circle in one side of the box and used a window sheet to create a window.  I also found that the larger Scallop Square from the Scallop Squares Duo Die made a nice base for the box - granted, I'm not entirely sure how you get the candy out of the box once it's assembled.  I knew that would be an issue from the beginning - but it wasn't my issue!!!  Ha Ha!!!  The recipients can figure that one out!

The paper used is the Everyday Enchantment DSP you can earn for FREE during Sale-a-Bration with a $50 purchase.  The Lucky Limeade and Calypso Coral ribbon in the bow is also one of the products you can earn for free during Sale-a-Bration.  I am TOTALLY in love with these color combinations.  And, yes, I do remember saying I wasn't a fan of the Calypso Coral just two short months ago. 

I filled the boxes with taffy that I found in a little candy shop in Fredericksburg, Texas the week of Leadership.  If you're ever near Austin or San Antonio, make sure you stop by Fredericksburg.  It's an adorable little town - and I definitely helped the local economy there!!!

Leadership Conference Check-In Day

Greetings from beautiful, sunny, and warm San Antonio!!!  Have you missed me?  If you're a friend of mine on Facebook, you've probably seen that I've been doing a bit of traveling.  I left home on the 7th to head to Houston.  I hopped on a cruise ship out of Galveston with Mike on the 8th.  We cruised to Key West, the Bahamas, and the Gulf of Mexico.  We got back on Sunday.  Mike flew home and I headed northwest to the Texas Hill Country where I spent a restful 3 days at the Horseshoe Bay Resort.  This morning I drove an easy 90 minutes south to San Antonio where I met up with SO MANY of my Stampin' Up! friends.

As you've probably noticed, I haven't done much stamping.  Before leaving on this trip, I quickly designed a swap, cut supplies, and threw everything in my luggage.  I'm thrilled that I successfully remembered EVERYTHING!  I completed 90 swaps last night up in the Hill Country.  I'm hoping to swap them all for fabulous samples that I'll have on display at next weekend's open house.  The card to the right is my swap card for 2012 Leadership!  I know I cased the layout.  I believe it was a layout I cased from Diana Gibbs about a year ago.

Here are the ingredients I used to make this card:  Triple Treat Flower Stamp Set (FREE during SAB), Love & Laughter Stamp Set (Occasions Mini), Everyday Enchantment DSP (FREE during SAB), Soft Suede CS, Very Vanilla CS, Lucky Limeade CS, Calypso Coral Classic Ink, Pool Party Classic Ink, Lucky Limeade Classic Ink, Soft Suede 1-1/4" Striped Ribbon (cut in half and frayed), Scallop Edge Punch, Fancy Flower Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch.

I also successfully created gifts for some of my friends this year!  You'll just have to tune in later in the week to see them!

After arriving in San Antonio, I quickly walked over to the convention center and picked up "The Bag".  It's gorgeous this year - new fabric?!?!?  It's got a pocket inside and the red fabric is an outside pocket.  I love this tote bag!!!

I swapped cards with a few ladies and then ran into a few friends (Michelle Zindorf, Judy Garza, and Barbara Vogt) who invited me along to go to lunch.  We ate at Texas Land & Cattle which is right on the Riverwalk.  I'm so glad I ran into them - because they're friends and we ate at a yummy restaurant.  BUT, they also told me that I had to go back to Make & Takes and pick up my gift!  WHAT?!?!?!  I missed something?!!?!?  They showed me that there was a coordinating organizer and CHOCOLATE at our seats!  I had only picked up the supplies to take home - I seriously don't stamp well with others and will make everything at home - hopefully in time for the open house.

So, after lunch, I obviously had to go back and pick up the gift that I missed.  Thanks ladies for letting me know that I'd missed out

I'm now chilling in the hotel room and waiting for Heather and Claire to arrive.  Unfortunately, they're a little delayed but shouldn't miss out on too much!   Check out the view of the Riverwalk I have from my 28th floor balcony!  Gorgeous, huh?  Well, I'm going to rest up!  We're headed to Manager's Reception and have been watching them decorate the theater little-by-little all day!

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!  Our family enjoyed many holiday gatherings and LOTS of tasty food (maybe too much). 

However, my favorite part of a new year is the release of a new Mini Catalog!!!  You should have received your mini catalog in the mail last month!  If not, you can view the products here.  Several of you have commented, e-mailed, and even texted me when you received the catalog to tell me how much you loved it.  One of you in particular has asked me repeatedly (since September) when you can order the "tea set" that I received at Founder's Circle.  TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

I've also published my Winter/Spring class listing.  Samples and registration will be available at my Occasions Mini Catalog Open House on Saturday, January 28th!

Secret Santa Gift

Last night about a dozen of demonstrators on my team gathered at my home for our annual Christmas Party.  It was an enjoyable evening filled with food, sharing, and creativity.  Most of the participants took part in a Secret Santa gift exchange.  The rules were very "loose" with the only restriction being that it should include SU supplies in some way.  Every single one of the projects was gorgeous.  All of the items were some sort of home decor.  Several of the gals made ornaments.  Some were glittery balls, one was heat embossed, and one made using chipboard.  Lynn made a beautiful fabric tray filled with brownies.  Hallie made everyone little Santa favors.  Patty Jo made an adorable night light that she stamped images from one of my all-time favorite stamp sets.  Darlene made a gorgeous wreath inspired by the one in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  And, I made this wooden sign. 

To make the sign, I took a piece of scrap wood and painted it.  I cut letters and butterflies using my Big Shot out of some DSP that you'll be able to earn for FREE during Sale-a-Bration next year!  I "tacked" the letters down using some SNAIL - only to hold them in place.  I then painted a coat of Mod Podge over the top of the sign to seal the letters.  I embellished the sign with some of the FREE brads you can also earn during SAB next year.  I cut the "legs" off of the brads and attached them to the middle of the butterflies using my hot glue gun.  I'm really pleased with the results and see lots of possibilities! 

Check Out the Clearance Rack!!!

Nearly 200 new Clearance Rack items are being added to the Online Store at discounts up to 80 percent off retail--while supplies last!  Stock up between now and January 5th on some really great deals!

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