Stampin' and Scrappin' With Kristin

Crazy for Cupcakes

Here's a card my Die Cut Divas made last night.  What's a Die Cut Diva?  Die Cut Divas are the members of my exclusive club for anyone who has purchased the Big Shot from me!  They get to attend a FREE class every month and make a few projects using the Big Shot.  I love these classes because they challenge me to find new ways to use my Big Shot!  Tune in Saturday for another project my Divas made on Wednesday!

To make this card, we used the Decorative Accents Big Shot Die.  We cut the swirl out of a Sticky Page.  They're found on page 180 of the current catalog.  They are a 12x12 sheet of sticky.  You can create your own sticky cuts using the sheets.  Or, you can cover one of our chipboard albums using them.  Ever since the catalog came out in January, I've wanted to run them through my Big Shot.  Here it is - April - and I'm just now doing it!  Darn wedding.  I cut down the Decorative Accent and then glittered it up with turquoise glitter from the Fine Cosmo Glitter collection.

Here are all of the supplies I used to make this 5x5 card:

• Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp Set
• Short & Sweet Stamp Set
• Rainbow Sherbet DSP
• Whisper White Card Stock
• Tempting Turquoise Card Stock
• Green Galore Card Stock
• Tempting Turquoise Marker
• Apricot Appeal Marker
• Green Galore Marker
• Jet Black Stazon Ink
• Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink
• Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon
• Fine Cosmo Glitter
• Decorative Accents Bigz Die
• Big Shot
• Dimensionals

That's Funny Birthday Card

This past weekend was my father-in-law's birthday.  My husband's family gets very excited when they open one of my homemade cards.  So, I felt a bit of pressure.

I had Jaron's color challenge still sitting in the back of my head when I sat down to design this card (and the scraps still sitting on the craft table), so I used them!  When I made the card for Jaron's Color Challenge on Friday, I remember thinking that it was a good color scheme for a masculine card - maybe because Jaron is male.  Dunno.

But, here's what I came up with.  Mike always buys humorous cards when he goes shopping.  Therefore, I wanted something with a sense of humor - yet homemade.  I think I accomplished that!  I found this stamp set in the "That's Funny" Stamp Set.  Whoo Hoo...I used another new stamp set off of my shelves!  I stamped the image in Jet Black Stazon then colored it with my Taken With Teal, Old Olive, Summer Sun, and Barely Banana markers.  I added some "bling" with my Ice Square Brads.  I turned them on their points to coordinate with the textured diamond background I made with my Texturz plates on the Whisper White Card Stock.

Candy Jar

Mike loves pickles.  He finished off a pickle jar this week on the same day that I decided I wanted a candy jar for my desk at work.  So, I decided to alter his empty jar.  I loved it because it had ridges.  The only problem?  It's about 14 inches around.  Stampin' Up! paper is only 12 inches wide, right?  Ah ha!  No problem!  If you turn the paper so that it's a diamond, you can actually create a 3x14 inch strip!  You waste a ton of paper - or create really big triangular scraps, but it works!  I have an 18" cutter, so cutting the paper isn't a problem. 

I had some extra supplies sitting around from last week's stamp club, so I decided to go with Basic Gray, Walk in the Park DSP, Baja Breeze Ribbon, then cut some letters out of Basic Gray Card Stock using my Sizzix Big Shot and Go-Go Boots Alphabet.  Very simple, quick, and will look lovely filled with chocolate!

Le Jardin Botanique

I love Stampin' Up! stamps!  I became a demonstrator because I wanted it all!!!  But, it's sad, I rarely get to use all of them before they retire.  So, I'm working hard to stamp my way through my stamps.  Today's card was made using two of them:  Le Jardin Botanique and Lexicon of Leaves.  They are both on page 101 of the catalog.  The flower image is from Le Jardin Botanique.  The fabulous "Thanks" sentiment is from Lexicon of Leaves.  We have tons of "Thanks" stamps - but I LOVE THIS ONE!

I stamped the flower image with Basic Brown Classic Ink.  I added a bit of color using blender pens and Baja Breeze and Close to Cocoa Classic Ink.  I layered Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, and Whisper White Card Stock.  I also added a button from the Button Latte collection and some ribbon from the Valet Ribbon Originals. 

Want to see my shelves of "current" stamps?  I took a quick picture.  How do I organize them?  By size.  Not exactly the most efficient method of organization, but it does take the least amount of space.

What Have I Been Up To?

Where were my posts last week?  Well, I've been busy.  VERY busy!!!  I'm starting a Wedding Invitation Design Business.  When the girls at work saw my wedding invitations, they told me that I "missed my calling".  I told them....oh no I didn't, I'm just trying to catch up with it!  I chose a name for my company over a year ago.  It's something that's always sat on my back burner.  BUT, after planning everything for my own wedding, I'm launching it on May 9th!

So, on top of designing my projects for classes and my blog, I've been busy making samples for my first bridal show.  I also made 250 sample cards to be placed in each of the brides' gift bags at the show.  I also put together a door prize - including 40 handstamped Thank You cards, a scrapbook it, and one of the fabulous Mini Note Kits in the back of the catalog.

What do 250 cards look like?  I'll give you a peek....  Want to see the final design?  Well, you'll have to attend the bridal show!  It's on May 9th from 10am - 3pm.  It's being held at the First Church of the Nazarene in Vineland, NJ.  There are over 45 vendors, food tasting, fashion show, and ME!  They have a really awesome building and have put a lot of hard work into the show.

Below is the door prize all of the brides can register to win!

Mommy & Me Scrapbook Page

Last week's stamp club hostess requested a "Mommy & Me" page.  She has a son, but others in the stamp club have girls.  So, the challenge was on!  Design a page that was masculine, yet not too masculine.  Of course I also wanted to use products out of the mini catalog.  So, here's what I came up with.

I used one of my favorite stampin' techniques on this page.  I stamped the letters out of the Jumbo Outline Alphabet in Basic Gray then colored them with my Versamarker to give them a slightly darker color than the card stock on which they were stamped.

I also used the new Basic Jumbo Grommets.  Have you seen how you use these?

Step 1:  Punch a hole where you'll want your grommet using a 1/2" Circle Punch
Step 2:  Insert the grommet
Step 3:  Tap the prongs of the grommet down using the hammer in the Crafter's Toolkit

Supplies used in the scrapbook page were:

• Walk in the Park DSP (Mini Catalog)
• Basic Gray Card Stock
• Baja Breeze Card Stock
• So Saffron Card Stock
• Whisper White Card Stock
• 1/2" Circle Punch
• 1 3/8" Circle Punch
• 1 3/4" Circle Punch
• Scallop Edge Punch
• Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
• Jumbo Outline Alphabet
• Stamp-a-Ma-Jig
• Versamarker

Jaron's Color Combination Color Challenge #1

I have never participated in a color challenge before, but one of my favorite stampers is Jaron.  I've gotten to know him through various Stampin' Up! events.  He worked for Stampin' Up! and would present some fun - and always entertaining - projects.  He no longer works for Stampin' Up!, but I still enjoy keeping in touch with him through his blog.

Anyway, when I woke this morning, I saw that he's starting some color challenges.  This one inspired me for several reasons:

• A - it's Jaron!
• B - it includes Soft Sky!
• C - What the heck would Soft Sky, Taken With Teal, and Old Olive look like together?

Recently I've been stuck on Olive.  You know I love Soft Sky, so I ran off to my craft room to see what they looked like together.  I LOVE IT! 

Just the other day I was looking for a stamp set to include in a door prize for an upcoming event (more about that in a future post).  I came across the stamp set called Garden Greetings.  It didn't sound familiar to me.  It was in my box of things to sell at a yard sale.  It was purple.  Therefore, I figured it was some sort of retired Sale-a-Bration set or Hostess Set, but it didn't look familiar.  So, I started to research.  Low and behold, it's a current stamp set!  It's in the catalog for purchase now!  Thank goodness I found it before I tried to sell it at a yard sale!

The other day I was cleaning off my stamp shelves - trying to only reduce the pile to current sets.  I must have seen that it was purple, unassembled, and unfamiliar - and thrown it in a box.  How sad!  I love this set!  So, it was still sitting on my classroom table and screamed at me!

I stamped the large flower images on Whisper White Card Stock using Soft Sky Classic Ink (retired).  I then stamped some of the smaller flowers in Taken With Teal and Old Olive.  I cut them out and adhered them with dimensionals.  I then added lots of layers of Soft Sky, Taken With Teal, and Old Olive card stock.  I added some Old Olive Wide Grosgrain Ribbon and Voila!  My first color challenge card!

Want to see a picture of Jaron and I?  Here's one that was taken at the Philadelphia Regional back in 2007.

Vellum Butterflies

I am completely addicted to cutting and embossing vellum with my Big Shot!  I've moved on to vellum butterflies.  It all started with a favor box I saw in Creating Keepsakes this month...you remember my post from 2 days ago?  Then I received a swap from one of my fellow demonstrators, Melanie Robson.  She layered a vellum butterfly all "glittered up" over another butterfly of the same size.  So, I took these two ideas and morphed them.  I glittered up a vellum butterfly using Versamark, Heat & Stick Powder, and Dazzling Diamonds.  I then adhered it to a whisper white butterfly using glue dots.  Then I took some silver cord and tied it around the butterfly to make a body, head, and antenna.

Here are all of the supplies I used on this card:

• Oval All Stamp Set (Mini Catalog)
• Rose Red Classic Ink
• Scallop Oval Punch (Mini Catalog)
• Large Oval Punch
• Whisper White Satin Ribbon (Mini Catalog)
• Dimensionals
• Glue Dots
• Silver Cord (retired)
• Bigz Beautiful Butterflies Die
• Sizzix Big Shot
• Pink Pirouette Card Stock
• Kiwi Kiss Card Stock
• Whisper White Card Stock
• Rose Red Card Stock

Summer Love Tin Kit

I'm not usually a fan of rub-ons, but I do LOVE the Summer Love Rub-Ons in the Mini Catalog.  I've put together a special kit just for you that features them!  The kit includes enough supplies to make TWO gifts!  Keep one and give one away!

Your kit will include:

• 1 Package Summer Love Rub-Ons (contains 2 sheets)
• 2 Silver Skinny Tins
• 8 Note Cards with Envelopes
• 2 Yards Regal Rose Wide Grosgrain Ribbon
• 1 Yard Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon
• Color Instruction Sheet including photos of sample designs

Kit Cost:  $30 (includes Priority Mail Shipping to addresses in the US)

Order your kit by Wednesday, May 6.  I will be mailing kits on Friday, May 15th.

UPDATE:  I've just learned that the Summer Love Rub-Ons are on backorder as of April 21st.  Therefore, I cannot order the supplies for this kit.  As soon as I have an update, I will re-offer this as a kit.

 

Great Friend

Did you know that during the month of April, when you spend $40 on products out of the Mini Catalog, you can receive a free item from page 208 in the Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog?  It's not hard to do since the Mini Catalog is packed full of fabulous products this spring.  There are great new rub-ons, fabulous corduroy buttons, window sheets, and stamp sets...of course.  I've used several of those products on this card!

• Great Friend Stamp Set (Mini Catalog)
• Clearly Thanks Printed Window Sheets (Mini Catalog)
• Scallop Oval Punch (Mini Catalog)
• Hemp Twine
• Whisper White Card Stock
• Summer Sun Card Stock
• Old Olive Card Stock
• Chocolate Chip Card Stock
• Kraft Card Stock
• Large Oval Punch
• Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
• Summer Sun Classic Ink

Now, the trick to using window sheets is to hide the adhesive.  Now that the card is assembled, there would have been lots of places to hide the adhesive, but I chose to strategically place glue dots behind some of the leaves.  Can you see them? 

I hand-cut the butterfly using my paper snips.  My butterfly needed a body and antenna, so after seeing an idea in this month's Creating Keepsakes Magazine, I tied some hemp twine around my butterfly.  The knot became his head, and the tails of the knot became antenna!  I wish I could take credit for that creative idea!

Friends 24-7

As an independent demonstrator for Stampin' Up!, I receive monthly magazines full of ideas, business-tips, and inspiration (oh, and sneak peeks).  I flipped through one of them recently and fell in love with one of the cards!  I quickly pulled out all of the supplies to make it.  Everyone I've showed it to has said the same thing - it's nice, but it's not your style!  You know why?  'Cause there's no ribbon!  Who knows - but I love this card.

What I love most about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator are the friendships I've made along the way.  I have SO many friends now, I'm truly blessed.  I have friends all over the country.  I have friends right around the corner - none of which I would have known had I never picked up a rubber stamp.  So, the sentiment on this card speaks to me - "The Happiest business in the world is that of making Friends". 

Here are the supplies I used to make this card:

• Friends 24-7 Stamp Set
• Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
• Appriocot Appeal Classic Ink
• Certainly Celery Classic Ink
• Pumpkin Pie Card Stock
• Certainly Celery Card Stock
• Chocolate Chip Card Stock
• Confetti White Card Stock
• Button Latte Assortment
• Crafter's Tool Kit

Album-in-a-Night Bonus Class!

Did you know that May is National Scrapbooking Month?  I'm offering a special bonus scrapbooking class in May in celebration of scrapbooking month!

In this class you will make 20, 6x6 scrapbook pages featuring some of the supplies from the Sunshine Garden Simply Scrappin' Kit.  This kit is so adorable in colors of Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, and Old Olive.  When you get home, you simply have to add your own photos - and some journaling and you're done!  The photo above shows a sampling of the pages you will make in this class.

Saturday, May 2nd - 6pm - Register Online or e-mail me to reserve your spot!

Materials Fee:  $25  (That's $1.25 per page!)

Long Distance Option

Can't attend the class but want to make your own scrapbook?  Use the PayPal button below to purchase your kit!  Kits will be mailed Saturday, May 2nd via Priority Mail. 

Long Distance Materials Fee (including shipping):  $30

Pillow Box Favors

I just love making little boxes these days!  I was sitting at work the other day and I got the idea to fill a trifle bowl full of pillow box favors.  How cute would they look?  So, when I got home, I pulled out a pack of Sweet Always DSP and some coordinating ribbon.  You can get 48 coordinating boxes out of a package of DSP! 

Have you ever seen how expensive little favor boxes can be if you purchase them in a store?  These little guys cost around 58 cents each - including DSP, ribbon, sticky strip, shipping, and NJ sales tax.  That's not bad at all!!!

Each box is 1/4 sheet of DSP and 14 inches of wide grosgrain ribbon.  I fit 24 pillow boxes into my Pampered Chef trifle bowl over there on the right.  I decorated the bowl with some Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon.  Now I'm in the mood to throw a party!

And the Winner Is.....

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

4

Timestamp: 2009-04-11 12:12:31 UTC

Congratulations Stacey!  You were the 4th person to leave a post.  Please e-mail me at kristinfuller@aol.com your mailing address and I'll get your blog candy right out to you!!!

Stacey said:  "I can't believe you haven't taken a huge break after all your wedding creations and all the work you put into them and the wedding! I loved that you shared everything a little bit at a time. :)
My favorite technique right now is Sparkly Stained Glass. The new pretty SU glitter begs to be used and it is such a beautiful finished product that it's worth the time. Happy Easter!"

Thank you everyone for your comments.  I loved hearing about all of your favorite techniques!  I'm also flattered that many of you found me through my wedding invitations and keep coming back!!! 

My favorite technique varies from day to day, but I love coloring on my stamps with markers to create a multi-color image.  So simple!

Blog Candy and Technique Day!

It's been awhile since I've given out Blog Candy!  So, there's no better time than now!  It includes:

• Echoes of Kindness Level 2 Hostess Stamp Set
• Soft Subtles Buttons
• 10 Yards of Certainly Celery Poly Twill Ribbon
• 10 Yards of So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon

To enter to win this fabulous blog candy, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post including any fabulous comments about me - or your favorite stamping technique!

I will randomly pick one of the commenters on Saturday morning!  So, be sure to check back tomorrow to see if you're a winner!

Why am I asking for your favorite stamping technique?  I'm posting the details of the fourth installment of my Technique Day classes today!  You can click here to learn more about my Technique Day classes, or simply use the links below to register for one of the sessions!

Thursday, June 11th - 6:00pm - Register Online

Saturday, June 13th - 1:00pm - Register Online

Sunday, June 14th - 1:00pm - Register Online

Saturday, June 20th - 1:00pm - Register Online

Cute & Cuddly Baby Card

Oh my gosh!  I think half of the women I know are pregnant!  Okay...maybe that's an exaggeration, but sometimes it feels that way!  I've been working on some projects that I can't post online so I haven't had a chance to stamp anything new that is postable.  That's when I realized I'd never shown you this card!  It was for my husband's (now my) cousin's baby shower - a week before the wedding!  No wonder I forgot to blog it.  It's impressive that I remembered to make a card!!!

Anyway, I LOVE this card.  I think it's because it has an insane number of layers of paper - and ribbon (there's three)!  And, I love all of the textures between card stock, DSP, ribbon, and vellum.  It was definitely a hit!  But, I'm setting the bar high with my husband's family!  They're going to be expecting over-the-top cards all of the time!

Here are the supplies I used to make this card:

• Pink Pirouette Card Stock
• Close to Cocoa Card Stock
• Chocolate Chip Card Stock
• Candy Lane DSP
• Card Stock Vellum
• Cute & Cuddly Stamp Set
• Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write Marker
• Close to Cocoa Stampin' Write Marker
• Corner Rounder
• Scallop Square Punch
• Eyelet Border Punch
• 1-1/4 " Pink Pirouette Grosgrain Ribbon
• 1" Chocolate Chip Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
• Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon

Wacky Wednesdays Are Back!

I've found that there is no better inspiration than stamping with friends.  So, on the third Wednesday of every month I am opening my Stamp and Scrap Classroom to you for only $10 per person.  The next Wacky Wednesday is next week!  Feel free to bring whatever projects and materials you'd like.  Plan to stamp your heart out.  You are welcome to use my punches, my stamps, and my Big Shot!!!

Beverages and light snacks will be provided.  You're also welcome to bring your own.

The classroom will be open from 6:30pm to 10pm.  Use the links below to reserve your spot today!

Here are the upcoming dates:

• April 15, 2009 (Date Change)
• May 20, 2009
• June 17, 2009

Friends 24-7

Have you seen this stamp set in the catalog?  I didn't realize I'd even bought it until I had seen a beautiful card in a stamping magazine that Stampin' Up! sends to demonstrators monthly.  The card was not my style - my husband even admitted that when he saw it.  But, I love it.  So, that's why it came to mind when I was seeking out a sentiment for today's card.

A fellow demonstrator of mine was having a ribbon emergency the other day.  I was glad to come to the rescue.  But, how can you send another demonstrator ribbon without a hand-stamped card?  Well, I can never pull a card off of my shelves to send to anyone.  I have to make them their own special card.  But, I admit, it was 10pm and I didn't have a lot of time.  So I whipped out this card.  It is SO insanely quick and simple, yet turns out so elegant because of the card stock vellum.  Ever since I used it on my wedding programs, I'm drawn to card stock vellum and this Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Die.  I'd like to think I was the first person to think of this, but I'm sure I wasn't.  But, to be honest, I did come up with it on my own - without seeing it online first!

Anyway, I ran a layer of card stock vellum through my Big Shot with the Textured Impression Die.  It's great because it's easy to hide adhesive on this card.  I ran a strip of Snail behind the ribbon and strategically placed Glue Dots around the edges of the flowers.  I then layered it over Whisper White, Certainly Celery, and So Saffron Card Stock.  Like I said, I found the sentiment in the "Friends 24-7" stamp set and stamped it in Certainly Celery.  I tied some of the old So Saffron Wide Grosgrain Ribbon left over from Sale-a-Bration around the card.  LOVE IT!!!  Hope you do to!

Big Shot Easter Favors

Here are a couple of last-minute of Easter Favor ideas!  Apparently I'm hosting Easter dinner this year.  It's not too bad, there will only be 12 of us.  I love setting a table!  And, with all of these fabulous new Big Shot Box Dies, I don't know what to do with myself....especially since I'm totally in love with the thick window sheets in the Mini Catalog!!!  It just amazes me that I can create a box out of plastic!  It's the little things...ya know!

ANYWAY, back to the favor ideas.  The first is my favorite - maybe because it's inspired by my wedding favors or because it holds a lot of chocolate.  I used the Box #2 Die - my favorite - out of a Window Sheet.  Warning...if you want to have 100 favors, you will need to order 20 pounds of M&Ms!  I thought I'd have a bunch left over after making mine....I was wrong!  I only had a sandwich-sized baggie.

After I cut my box out of the window sheet, assembled it, and filled it with M&Ms, I tied some of the old Sale-a-Bration Certainly Celery Poly-Twill ribbon around it.  You could easily use any ribbon.  I then punched out a tag using the Stampin' Up! exclusive Lots of Tags Sizzlits in Certainly Celery.  I layered some Tea Party DSP which was laying around from the other day - punched from the large oval punch.  Then, finally, I stamped "Happy Easter" from the "A Good Egg" stamp set in Lovely Lilac.  There I go with that purple again!!!  What's gotten into me???

The next favor is made using the BRAND NEW Matchbox Die found in the Mini Catalog.  I'm lovin' this thing too!  There are so many possibilities!  Oh, and yes, I'm also using Window Sheets!!!

First, I cut the box out of Certainly Celery card stock.  It's really easy to assemble....once you get the hang of it!!!  Believe it or not, it uses no adhesive!!!  Crazy, huh? 

Anyway, I filled this little guy with M&Ms...far fewer that the box above.  I love the band that goes around it - also cut and scored with the same Matchbox Die.  But, before I put it together, I punched a window using the Curly Label Punch.  I then cut a small square out of the Printed Window Sheets to keep those little M&Ms from falling out.  I tied some Regal Rose Wide Grosgrain Ribbon around it, stamped "hoppy easter" from the "An Egg-cellent Easter" stamp set (also in the Mini) in Regal Rose, and punched it out using the Word Window.

Did you know that there's a promotion going on in April?  For every $40 you spend out of the Mini Catalog, you can choose an item from the "Under $10" page of the Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog!  Yes!  You bet I'm stocking up on Window Sheets this month!!!

Here's one final picture of our cute little matchbox partially opened.  How cute?!?!?!

Tea Party - Scrapbook Sessions

Have you read about my upcoming Scrapbook Sessions Series?  I'm offering a scrapbook class every month.  Each month will use a different collection of the Designer Series Paper.  This month's selection is Tea Party.  If you aren't able to attend the class, or would like to purchase a long-distance option, please e-mail me - kristinfuller@aol.com - for details.

In each class, you will make three, two-page scrapbook spreads.  Here is an example of one of them.

 

As I was creating this page, I was wondering - what on earth was I thinking when I selected this particular DSP collection.  If you know me, you know I am not a fan of pastels.  And, you probably realize by now that purple is my least favorite color.  Heck, I couldn't tell you which purple is which in the SU color family if my life depended on it.  How terrible is that?  What kind of demonstrator am I?  Oh well.  I'm sure you'll forgive me.

Anyway, these classes offer you a chance to get caught up on your scrapbooking.  Imagine, if you attend every month, you'll have 36, 2-page spreads complete in a year!  WOW!  Maybe I'll get caught up right along with you. 

Baby Shower Card

My friends Julie and Brandon are having a baby!  Yesterday was their baby shower.  I wanted to share with you the adorable card I made for them.  It uses tons of new Stampin' Up! tools - the Texturz Plates and the Circle Cutter!

I cut the Baja Breeze scallop using the Circle Scallop #2 Die.  I used the circle cutter to cut the Barely Banana circle.  Then I used the Circles #2 Die to cut the Whisper White Circle.  I'm falling in love with the circle cutter.  Once you get the hang of it, it's a piece of cake.  The trick is holding it down steady and using enough adhesive to hold down your card stock.  Anyway....back to the card.  I used the exclusive Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates to emboss the polka dots in the background of the top layer of Whisper White.

The teddy bear image comes from Cute & Cuddly.  I stamped him in Close to Cocoa and colored him in with my ink and a blender pen using Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel.  I stamped the Welcome Baby sentiment from the Short and Sweet stamp set.  I love that little versatile thing!  Finally, I tied some Baja Breeze ribbon around the botton and voila!  A cute card!

I popped up several of the layers using dimensionals - especially between the top layer of Whisper White and the Whisper White card base.  I took a side-view photo so you could get a better idea of the dimensions.

Enjoy!

Stampin' Up in Hawaii on my Honeymoon

Most of you know that I got married last month.  And, most of you know that I was on Stampin' Up!s incentive trip to Hawaii as well.  It was a FABULOUS honeymoon!  When you earn an incentive trip from Stampin' Up!, they spoil you!!!  Stampin' Up! left gifts in our hotel room every night.  I was always so anxious to see what little package might be sitting on our bed when we turned in for the night.  I was never disappointed.

Mike and I enjoyed a wonderful week on Oahu and Kauai for the first week of the trip.  We met up with Stampin' Up! in Kona on the Big Island at the start of our second week.   We were greeted with floral leis as we boarded our bus to travel north to our resort.  The resort, The Hilton Waikoloa Village, was huge.   After unpacking, we headed down to a Welcome Reception hosted by Stampin' Up!  We were greeted with fruity beverages and shell necklaces/leis.  We enjoyed a sushi buffet, a pasta buffet, lots of fruit, cheese, and other yummy dishes.  It was fun reconnecting with lots of old friends and meeting new ones.

During our first full day at the resort, Stampin' Up! treated us to a fantastic buffet breakfast.  After breakfast we headed in to General Session where we enjoyed seeing highlights from former Stampin' Up! trips.  Then the fun began - SU always shares sneak peeks of coming products - including the upcoming In Colors.  No, I will not be sharing any details!  We were sworn to secrecy!  The products were SO new, that the new ink pads didn't even have labels! 

Mike and I then spent the afternoon swimming with dolphins!  It was so much FUN!  We even invested in the video - which has inspired us both to go on a diet!  My friends Claire and Farrell and their son, Elihu, joined us for a dinner at the hotel's Chinese Restaurant.  But, the best part of the day was seeing our first gift!!!  Mike and I BOTH received fabulous bags!  Mine coordinates perfectly with the travel wallet I received before departing last month.  Everyone loves them!  Mike started using his immediately.

Day 2 started early.  We headed off to an all-day tour of the Big Island.  The main attraction - volcanos!  But, we also got to see Sea Turtles on Black Sand Beaches, tasted yummy baked goods, visited a beautiful waterfall, and enjoyed gorgeous scenery.

After a week and a half of really fabulous meals, we decided we were in the mood for something familiar - so we headed out to Macaroni Grill.  We rode the hotel shuttle down to a small shopping area on the resort.  But when we returned to the room, we found this neat package filled with island treats!  I hated to open it, but it didn't take me long to dive in!

The third day was a free day for us.  Mike rented a car and checked out some ruins and a park.  I met up with Claire and other demonstrators for the Make and Take Session.  The Make and Takes this year were great!!!  Stampin' Up! gave us a TON of free product - five ink pads, marker, container of brads, stamp set, sticky strip, and all of the supplies for several projects - all packaged in a fun island basket.  I'll probably be offering the projects as a class in the future - but we have to wait until the new catalog comes out to use some new products!

In the afternoon, Mike and I took the car and checked out Kona and did some shopping.  I can't believe how inexpensive pearls were on the islands!  I think I purchased them in every color imaginable!  I think Mike was bored of jewelry stores!!!  I hate to say it, but we headed back to Macaroni Grill for dinner that night!  And, boy, am I glad we did!  I ran into Pam Morgan - from Stampin' Up!  She had with her the new in color card stock!  I got to touch them and examine them!  The colors we saw on the screen during the General Session were not the colors I held in my hand!  You're gonna love them!  I'll be getting my hands on them in June.  But, as usual, the highlight of my day was going back to the room for my gift!  Tonight the gift was a festive sarong!

Thursday was our final, full day on the island.  We chose to relax by the lagoon.  We got up early to secure a cabana.  Shelli and her family were camped out right behind us.  The thing I loved most about the incentive trip was the intimacy.  416 of us earned the trip, but not all attended.  With friends and family, around 900 of us were at the resort.  But, Shelli and the rest of the SU employees took time whenever they saw us to chat.

Dinner our last night was a fun - even if a little too windy - luau!  We sat with a really fun group of people!  They kept us laughing all night long!  The food was never-ending!  And the show was incredible - especially the fire!!!  But, I still raced back to the room to check out the last gift!  They left us a beautiful, handmade necklace.  It was fun seeing them around the next day!

Man, I want to earn the Incentive Trip every year - and so does Mike!!!  He was asking me on day 2 of the trip about how to earn next year's!!!

New Window Sheets

Have you had a chance to check out all of the new products in the Occasions Mini Catalog?  One of my favorite items are the new Window Sheets.  The other night I decided to play with the window sheets with my Big Shot.  I had no idea how thick "20 mil" really was.  But, oh my gosh!!!  This stuff is THICK and REALLY COOL!!!  I'm gonna have to stock up - and really hope that it lands in the regular catalog for years to come.

Inspired by the picture on Page 10 of the mini catalog, I made a box with the "Box #2" Die.  Of course the Big Shot sliced and scored it beautifully!  To decorate the box, I whipped out the new multi-color, Summer Love Rub-Ons (also in the new mini).  The rubbed on very easily.  I then tied some Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon around the box.  SO SIMPLE!

I packed the box full of little 3x3 love notes.  Inspired by the color scheme of the rub-ons, I used Basic Gray and Very Vanilla for the card bases.  I decorated the love notes with more rub-ons and coordinating ribbon.

Here's a full list of all of the supplies I used on this project:

• Summer Love Rub-Ons (114620)
• Window Sheets Thick (114324)
• Basic Gray Card Stock (108692)
• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Box #2 Die (114518)
• Sizzix Big Shot (113439)
• Very Versatile Stamp Set (113806)
• Basic Gray Classic Ink (109120)
• Kiwi Kiss Classic Ink (111835)
• Cameo Coral Classic Ink (103035)
• Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon (111879)
• Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon (109064)
• Valet Ribbon Originals (114318)

Stamp-a-Stack Reminder

This weekend and next I'm offering four Stamp-a-Stack Classes.  There is still room left in three of them!  Here is just one of the card designs class attendees will get to make.

When you attend, you will get to make 12 cards - 4 of each of 3 designs.  You can also choose to purchase envelopes.

Use the links below to register online!

• Friday, April 3rd - 7pm - Register Online
• Sunday, April 5th - 2pm - Register Online
• Thursday, April 9th - 7pm - SOLD OUT (please e-mail me if you want to be placed on a waiting list)
• Saturday, April 11th - 2pm - Register Online

Do you want to host your own Stamp-a-Stack for you and your friends?  I'll be happy to schedule a special date at my house or yours!  Drop me an e-mail or call me at 856-503-7459 to arrange a date!

Sunshine Garden Mini Scrapbook Class

UPDATE:  This class is closed.  Kits are being mailed on Monday, April 6th.  If you are interested in ordering the kit, please e-mail me at kristinfuller@aol.com

Isn't this little scrapbook adorable?  It's a 5x5 scrapbook with 10 pages - 2 of which are pockets with pull-out tabs.  It's perfect for to capture memories of a special event, person, group of friends, or anything else you heart desires!  (Click on images below to view a larger, clearer image.)

What will you receive in your kit?

• Pre-cut, pre-scored cardstock used to "build" your scrapbook
• Extra coordinating cardstock for layering, mounting photos, or for journaling
• A 6x12 sheet of coordinating die-cut, self-adhesive embellishments from the Sunshine Garden Simply Scrappin' Kit
• A 6x12 sheet of patterned paper with various patterns to layer and embellish your pages
• Step-by-Step instructions with color photos showing you how to assemble your scrapbook

What do you need to supply?

• Your favorite Dry Adhesive - Stampin' Up! SNAIL is my favorite
• Stampin' Up! Sticky Strip - used to build the foundation of your scrapbook
• 12x12 Paper Trimmer - used to crop photos and trim patterned paper
• Scissors

How much does it cost?  $25 - includes shipping to addresses in USA.

When will I receive my kit?  Orders must be placed by Friday, April 3rd.  All Scrapbook Kits will be shipped via First Class Mail on Saturday, April 4th!

My Wedding Pictures

Okay, okay....here they are!  Or at least some of them!  To view all of our photographer's photos, click here.  But, here's a sampling - including some of the favors and place cards I haven't yet posted.  Enjoy!!!

 

Here's a sample of the place cards.  They were the inspiration to the programs.  I embossed vellum card stock using the Big Shot!  It's layered over Soft Sky, Whisper White, and Chocolate Chip.  I also used the Big Shot to make the Chocolate Chip frame around the names.  They stood up in those cute wine cork holders - most people didn't realize they were part of the place card.  But, once word got out, they were scooped up quickly!!!
 

I love the photo of our favors.  A professional takes such a better picture than I ever could!  I used the Big Shot to make the box out of Chocolate Chip Card Stock.  I wrapped retired Soft Sky Ribbon around the box and used a label from the Big Shot and the Large Oval Punch to make the labels.  Custom M&Ms were placed inside!
 

Here's a peek at the detail on our cake.  I thought it looked like Soft Sky DSP!  If you remember, back in December, Mike and I went down to Charm City Cakes in Baltimore (made popular by Food Network).  I gave them samples of Soft Sky Card Stock and they matched the colors perfectly!  But, in this photo you can also see the candles I decorated with Soft Sky DSP and narrow chocolate chip ribbon.  Each person got one.
 

Here's a full photo of our cake.  It was SO GOOD!!!  The flowers on the cake are the really impressive part.  They're made of sugar and have an insane amount of detail.  My favorite part just might be the chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon wrapped around each tier! 

I LOVED my flowers.  Here's a close-up of one of the girl's bouquets.  I thought the hydrangeas coordinated with Soft Sky so well.

 

Take a close look at the middle of our gift table - that's not a gift.  That's our box for cards.  My mother found the white box for a couple of bucks at a Party Supply Store.  I applied a Decor Element in Chocolate Chip around the corner - totally coordinated with the programs, wine lists, menus, and place cards.  I wonder if anyone noticed!
 

Our reception was in a log cabin with a loft.  Here's a look down onto one of the tables.  They had brown overlays accented with light blue.  Our chairs also had brown "ribbon" wrapped around each.