Stampin' and Scrappin' With Kristin

Petal Cone Die

Today I'm working on some projects for my Die Cut Divas!  My group of divas is REALLY growing - it's so exciting!  I'm welcoming several new divas this month!  This is one of the projects they'll be making.  One of my downline members, Kristin Allcorn, demonstrated fun 3d projects at our Spring Fling event.  I didn't get too much time to watch the demonstrations but this particular project just stuck with me.  Shelli demonstrated a similar project on stage at Leadership in January.  I modified the punched pieces just slightly from Kristin's.

Don't you LOVE the red glitter paper in the Occasions Mini Catalog?  Hey Stampin' Up!  WE WANT MORE GLITTER PAPER - IN MORE COLORS!!!  I would love to use this on my Christmas projects this year.  Think Stampin' Up! is listening?!?!?  I'll definitely be telling them that we want more!  I've heard you say it, too!  Stampin' Up! is great and does pay attention to what we tell them.  But, just in case they have other ideas, STOCK UP NOW!  This paper will be GONE after the Occasions Mini is gone at the end of April.  There ya go, you've been warned!

I made this box using the Petal Cone Die in my Big Shot.  The Petal Cone Die is also in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I punched a 1" Circle window in one of the sides and adhered a window sheet inside.

I stamped the sentiment from the Eat Chocolate Stamp Set (Occasions Mini).  I used my Early Espresso Ink Pad to ink up the chocolate piece only.  I then used my Real Red Marker to color the words.  I stamped it on some Very Vanilla Card Stock, punched it out with my 2" x 1-3/8" Oval Punch and layered it over a Basic Black piece of Card Stock that I punched out with my Designer Label Punch and embellished with some pearls.  Whew!  I cut a 16" length of Basic Black Striped Grosgrain ribbon, pulled it up, and secured it with a strip of Chantilly Lace Trim.  I did not glue the ribbon at all.  I tucked inside some Hershey Kisses.

March Downline Swap Contest

Last night was our monthly downline meeting.  We had a wonderful turnout and just about everyone made swaps.  And, let me tell you, they were ALL AWESOME!  But, the winner this month was this card made by Gail Guenther.  Gail signed up to be a demonstrator last fall and is quickly building a great business with Stampin' Up! 

On Monday Gail posted that her dog, Cinnamon, ate her swaps!!  OH NO!  So, she sat down and recreated them all over again - and we're grateful!  Apparently after she made her second batch, she put them in her car and locked the door! 

Gail used the new products that YOU can purchase in April.  The Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper and the Four Frames Stamp Set are just a couple of sneak peeks of some of the new things that are coming in the next Idea Book & Catalog which comes out in July.  Trust me, if you own the Designer Label Punch, you'll want this stamp set!

Big Shot

I recently had a customer tell me that her Big Shot had broken.  Because she had purchased it over a year earlier, she thought she was out of luck in getting it replaced.  I probably would have thought the same thing if I had bought mine at a "big box craft store".  And, to be honest, I thought she was out of luck as well - boy, was I wrong!  But, lucky for her, she bought her Big Shot from me and Stampin' Up!

Last weekend while Max was here, we were chatting about the situation.  I wasn't asking because Max is a SAM and I thought she could help.  I was merely chatting about the fact that I had a customer whose Big Shot had broken and her husband had attempted to fix it by taking it all apart.  HOWEVER, Max quickly told me that the Big Shot has a THREE YEAR WARRANTY and Stampin' Up! and Sizzix will replace it.  REALLY?  I IMMEDIATELY contacted my customer to let her know!  Needless to say, my customer was OVER-THE-MOON excited!  But, there was one catch....her Big Shot was still in pieces (thank goodness she didn't throw it away).  Stampin' Up! didn't quite know what to think about that one!  But, because they are a WONDERFUL company, they said they would still exchange it - even in pieces!  NOW, I don't expect them to take back every Big Shot that is in pieces!!!  So, please don't go taking your Big Shots apart!!!  Just call me (or the demonstrator who sold you your Big Shot) if something breaks!  The new Big Shot was sitting on my doorstep less than 48 hours later!!!  WOW!  But, before I package up the broken Big Shot to send back to Stampin' Up!, I had to take a photo of her broken Big Shot to share with you! 

Many times customers tell me that they are considering purchasing a Big Shot.  They tell me that they have their 40% off coupon to their local "big box craft store".  So, why should they buy it from me?  WELL, I can give you a variety of reasons:

1 - Will your Big Box Craft Store help you learn how to use it?  No.
2 - I offer a FREE class EVERY MONTH to all of my customers who purchase a Big Shot from me where we make 3 projects - a $15 value (at least).  So, after attending a few of these, you've made up for the fact that you could have saved a few dollars at the store.  And, there is NO LIMIT on the number of classes you get to attend!
3 - FREE STAMPS!  Yes!  Purchase a Big Shot during Sale-a-Bration and you'll earn two free stamp sets.  Add a few more things to your order and you could even qualify for hostess benefits!
4 - SERIOUSLY, would your "big box craft store" exchange your Big Shot if you took it to them in the condition of the Big Shot in this photo....15 months after you purchased it....WITHOUT a receipt???

I LOVE Stampin' Up!  Want to purchase a Big Shot (or anything else)?  Simply click here to shop online or give me a call (856-503-7459).  I'll be happy to have you join my Die Cut Divas!

MDS Monday - Sale-a-Bration!

This week's challenge over on the UDI blog was to create a card in MDS using the digital content you can get for free with SAB.  The first thing that came to mind was a card we recently made at Rose's workshop using all SAB products.  I knew it would be fun to recreate in MDS!  I love that you can get ALL of the SAB items for free on the Digital Content CD with just one $50 purchase!

For this card, I used the Ice Cream Parlor DSP and buttons to make the fun circles!  I simply added a few circle punches and a scallop circle punch to my card and filled them with DSP.  Unlike working with paper, I love that you can zoom in or our to make the DSP patterns larger or smaller.  I then "stamped" the sentiment and the flower from the So Happy For You Stamp Set.

Want to see what this card looks like using paper?  Here's the original card that I made for Rose's workshop earlier this month!  If you have the opportunity to earn the digital content CD, you'll love it because you will NEVER run out of this fun, festive DSP!  Don't forget, you only have four days left to cash in on our favorite sale of the year!  Click here to shop online now!

Want to see what the rest of the design team came up with this week?  Hop on over to the UDI blog and check them out!

Introducing April's Two on Tuesday Cards

I wanted to remind you of my newest class series:  Two on Tuesday. These classes are fun because you get to make eight cards (four of each of the two displayed here) and have a nice selection of cards onhand for your card-giving needs for the next month! I always have lots of sentiments available that will work with these cards so you can customize them!

These cards were made using some products I've never used in a class!  The card on the left uses some Designer Series Paper that you can purchase in April - it's a sneak peek from the next big catalog.  The card on the right uses a stamp set in the Occasions Mini Catalog - Clearly For You!  I completely forgot about this adorable set until I opened the card from Max last week!

One of my customers, Deanna, had a great idea when she attended one of my classes recently - she brought a list of all of the upcoming events she had coming up so she could make sure she left with cards she knew she would use.  What a great idea! 

All of the supplies to make these cards are included in your registration fee.  If you'd like to attend, you may register online using the form below.  Or, feel free to e-mail me (kristinkortonick@yahoo.com) if you'd prefer to pay by check.

Event Registration Online for April Two on Tuesday powered by Eventbrite

Easter Blossoms - Basket of Eggs

Have you ever wished that you took a picture of a card you wanted to case?  Have you ever thought, "Oh, I'll remember that idea"?  Well, that happened to me last weekend while I was designing my projects for my Easter Blossoms Class.  When I feature a stamp set in a class, I try to use all of the stamps in the set.  If you remember from my post on Wednesday, my favorite image in this set is the branch.  I'd actually never used the egg.  But, I had to - that's my rule!  I figured I'd cut the eggs out and put the them in a basket.  But, how do you make the basket?!?!?  Several samples at Spring Fling (including one by Karen Barber) featured a card with eggs in a basket.  But, for the life of me, I couldn't remember how they'd made the basket.  Why didn't I take a photo?!?!?!!?  Max was here and watched me struggle.  She was even surfing the internet for ideas. Finally, I came up with this simple idea.  I cut a rectangle of Crumb Cake Card Stock, rounded two of the corners, embossed it with the Lattice Folder, and used some ribbon as the handle (Max's idea).  Let  me tell you, it's AWESOME to have another demonstrator with you when you're designing projects for a class and are stuck for an idea!  Thanks Max!

Fabric Fridays and a FREE Simply Adorned Class

Today's post is doing double-duty.  First off, it's Fabric Friday!  And, secondly, it's advertising a FREE class! 

Let's start with Fabric Friday.  Do you see the fabric in this picture?  You may have to look closely.  I've used some of the Springtime Vintage fabric to embellish the chain on the right!  I've torn it into narrow stips and tied it through the chain!  Fun, huh?  You may remember this project from Leadership back in January.  It was one of the Make & Takes.  The charm in the middle is the one I wear most often.  It always gets lots of compliments.  And, I always love telling people - "Shelli made it!"  Yes, it was one of the pillow gifts from Founder's Circle last year.  The charm on the left was the very first charm I ever made.

Wouldn't you like to have one or all three of these?  I'm offering my first ever Simply Adorned class absolutely FREE!  You are welcome to attend any of the three sessions for this class.  You can make as many inserts as you'd like!  I will have lots of samples on hand in all of the sizes for you to use as inspiration.  You will have the opportunity at the class to purchase any of the charms, baubles, trinkets, chains, or other products to use for yourself or to give as gifts!  These would make the perfect Mother's Day Gift!  AND, it gets better, every person who orders at the class will be placed in a drawing for the Hostess Benefits!

Online event registration for Simply Adorned powered by Eventbrite

Thank You Darlene!

One of my customers, Darlene, recently asked if I would donate some Stampin' Up! products for a Basket Bingo Fundraiser.  I quickly said yes!  You may remember I cased one of Darlene's cards here.  Darlene is a very talented stamper.  I just love some of the ideas she comes up with.  There's another photo of one of her cards trapped on my camera that I keep meaning to case as well!

Anyway, to say thank you for supporting their fundraiser, Darlene sent me this card (and a note)!  I just LOVE how she made the window!  The white center piece is actually a window, not a layer on top.  Now, I'm just guessing here, but I'm thinking she used the Clearlit to make this window (or some other non-Stampin' Up! product).  I just thought this card was beautiful!  And, several of you have seen it in person and I know you also agree!

Thanks Darlene!!!

Easter Blossoms - Shades of Blue

Have you ever owned a stamp set that you just couldn't put down?  It seems like a lot of you are with me on this one!  I just can't stop using Easter Blossoms!  Last Sunday I offered a class that featured this stamp set.  This is one of the cards we made. 

There's a funny story behind this card.  Back in January when I was designing the projects for my Occasions Mini Classes, I turned to Stampin' Connection (an online resource for Stampin' Up! demonstrators).  I found a card that I thought I'd case.  I cut the supplies, turned to my stamp shelves, and found that I had not ordered the stamp set!  So, that quickly put an end to the projects for the class until I ordered the stamp set!  Well, literally months went by and I managed to not lose the paper I'd cut!  However, I couldn't remember what the original looked like or who even created it.  I thought I remembered the branch.  So, Saturday night only a few hours before the class was set to begin, I sat down and created this card.

I stamped the branch (my favorite stamp in the set) in Not Quite Navy Classic Ink.  I then used my blender pen to pull the color from the outline into the flowers.  It's a fun watercoloring trick I was recently re-introduced to by my upline, Claire Lawrence!  I also stamped the sentiment in Not Quite Navy Classic Ink. If you look closely at the image (or click on the photo to enlarge), you will notice I put small self-adhesive pearls in the centers of many of the flowers.  This was something I added later.  I just thought it needed a little something extra!

The rest of the supplies I used to make this card are:  Very Vanilla Card Stock, Baja Breeze Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Card Stock, Springtime Vintage DSP, Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Self-Adhesive Pearls, Big Shot, Scallop Circles #2 Die, and the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder.

Clearly For You

Okay, will you let me create one more post about last weekend's Spring Fling?  I hope so because I'm doin' it anyway!

Remember how I mentioned that I was still holding a class when Max had to leave for the airport on Sunday?  Well, after the class was over, I came into my craft room (where Max was staying for the weekend), and I found an envelope sitting on my desk.  Tears immediately formed in my eyes.  Max had made me a card!  And, I absolutely love this card!  (Thanks Max!)  It's not something I would have come up with on my own.  And, when I saw it, I remembered her asking me if I'd ever tried stamping on the First Edition DSP.  No, I hadn't.  To be honest, I couldn't imagine how that even looked good.  WOW.  I was wrong. 

Max used the Clearly For You stamp set (one we all received for FREE from Stampin' Up! at the Leadership Conference earlier this year).  It looks like she's stamped in Concord Crush and Always Artichoke.  Hmmm...new color combo, too!  It looks like she's also used her Spritzer tool to spritz Concord Crush marker over it as well then crumpled and tore the edges to distress it.  LOVE IT!!!

I also never would have layered those two punches together, but I love it, too!  So, Max, I'm gonna hang this card on my metal white boards in my craft room....right next to the picture of you and the other SAMs!!!  Thank you SO very much!

MDS Monday - Ooops!

SO....here it is, MDS Monday, and I failed to create a card for the UDI MDS Monday Design team.  All weekend long, I kept thinking about it.  Max tells me the challenge was to create something with flowers.  Easy enough, right?  This week, I just ran out of time.  (And, this weekend Max was sleeping in the room where my MDS computer lives!)

BUT, I found a two cards I knew you'd love.  But, there's a test.  Can you tell which of these cards was made using MDS???  The answer will be at the end of my blog...

I want to start off by saying that I didn't create either of these beautiful cards.  They are both cards that I received as pity swaps at Spring Fling.  What's a pity swap?  Well, that's when someone takes pity on you and swaps with you when you have nothing to swap in return!

The card on the left was created by Tara Gupta.  The card on the right was created by Chris Lauth.  Both of these ladies are in my sideline.  Both of these cards have been embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  So, at first glance they appear (and feel) the same.  And, to be honest, when I first saw the hybrid MDS card, I had no idea it was created using MDS!  Even in person it was that decieving.

Give up?  The card on the left was created using MDS!!!  Did you get it right?  Tara created the top layer - which is the gray background and the three butterflies.  That's a FLAT (except for the embossing) sheet of paper that she printed at home!  She tore the bottom, mounted it on some Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, and Real Red Card Stock then embellished with some seam binding, a safety pin, and a small tag.  LOVE IT!

The card on the right was one of the winners of the Spring Fling swap contest.  She tells me it was easy, but it looks like a lot of work to me!  It certainly gives me an idea for the quilt block swap I signed up for in April.  Chris embellished with some self-adhesive rhinestones and stamped a sentiment from the So Happy For You SAB stamp set.

Be sure to pop on over to the UDI site to see more MDS creations today - and I promise to be back next week with my card for their challenge!

 

One Amazing Spring Fling Weekend

Miss me?  Want to see what's been keeping me off of my blog?  I've been planning "Spring Fling" with my fellow demonstrator, Claire Lawrence!  It's the first time Claire and I have held an event like this!  And it was worth every second of the hours we spent planning!

We wanted to offer a day where Stampin' Up! demonstrators and their customers could come together to learn some stamping techniques, hear from long time demonstrators, hear from a Stampin' Up! employee (and demonstrator), stamp, swap, and make new friends.  And, I think (hope) we succeeded! 

But, Spring Fling started hours earlier for me - around 4:30pm on Friday!  I had the pleasure of picking up our guest speaker, Maxine Conrad, from the airport!  Max is a demonstrator.  But, she also works for Stampin' Up!  In fact, she works directly with the top demonstrators in the company (which includes Claire and I).  She's able to bring an interesting perspective since she knows first-hand what it is to be a demonstrator while knowing what goes on behind the scenes within Stampin' Up!  She's the first and only Stampin' Up! employee to earn the incentive trip.  She's even been one of the Top 100 demonstrators in the US!

After picking up Max from the airport, we drove over to Claire's house in Philadelphia because two of our other guests were staying with Claire.  Just shortly after we arrived, Karen Barber and Michelle Zindorf pulled up!  Karen Barber is actually Claire's aunt!  And Karen and Michelle have become very good friends through stamping.  So, the five of us (along with Claire's sister/Karen's niece) headed off to yummy Thai dinner.

The next morning was the actual Spring Fling event.  Max was a trooper!  She got up at 6am with me to get ready and head over to the venue.  But, she, of course, was still on Mountain Time and it really felt like 4am to her!  The event started with an hour of swapping and demonstrations from four of our own demonstrators.

We heard from our uplines - Karen Barber and Tina Rosenkrans (the demonstrators WE signed up through), Max told some great stories, shared some fantastic tips, and inspired us all for the next 90 minutes.  One demonstrator in attendance said she's not a note-taker, but took four pages of notes based upon the valuable information Max had to share!  Then it was time for everyone to get up and move around and STAMP!

Every attendee had the opportunity to stamp with Karen as she showed them some of her wonderful watercoloring techniques.  She also shared her FABULOUS White Gel Pen trick.  WOW!  So easy and SO great!  AND, many people watched in awe as she demonstrated how to tie those GORGEOUS bows she puts on her cards. 

In addition to the watercoloring, the attendees also made an alterned notebook, a scrapbook page, and a "Color Book" that gave them a sample of each color of cardstock in the current Stampin' Up! collection - a valuable tool for a demonstrator OR a customer.  It's adorable AND functional!

After lunch, another one of our demonstrators, Beverly, presented a quick demonstration of My Digital Studio!  She gave us some great tips that I'd never heard before!  It's amazing how powerful that piece of software really is!  Tina and Max both shared some more before it was time for more stamping! 

After all of the door prizes were handed out, after all of the winning swap designers had been recognized, and after everyone was totally exhausted from a crazy few hours of Make & Takes, we said our goodbyes to the attendees.  But, my Spring Fling weekend wasn't over yet!  Claire, Max, Tina, Karen, Michelle, and I all had dinner reservations at an adorable restaurant in Elmer.  (I think Max got to try almost every restaurant in Elmer this weekend!)  The service was a little on the slow side (okay, maybe a lot), but at least we had great company for our three hour dinner!  It's not every day that I get to enjoy a dinner with every single one of my uplines!  In fact, I think I can only remember one other time that the four of us (Tina, Karen, Claire, and I) were all together at once!  And, it was an added bonus to have Michelle and Max there, too!  We shared so many funny stories. 

But, we weren't done yet!  I had a class today and I hadn't designed the projects!!!  Max wasn't leaving until later in the afternoon so she was able to sit with me and helped provide feedback on the projects.  And, of course I cut extra paper so she could make them, too!  Unfortunately, I had to say goodbye to Max here at the house while Mike ran her to the airport. 

I'm already looking forward to our next couple of events this summer and fall.  Although, I do need a break!  But, never fear, I will be stamping A LOT over the next few weeks now that this event is behind me. 

Before I sign off, I know there are a few people who like to borrow photos from my blog (you know who you are), so I thought I'd share a few more from the day!!!

Sneak Peek: Travel Log

This past Monday was our second wedding anniversary!  And, I thought that I should probably make my husband a card.  I'm SO bad about giving cards.  I ALWAYS have been.  I know, it doesn't make sense.  My husband is SO thoughtful and romantic.  For our first anniversary last year, he went to my favorite restaurant and bought me some gift certificates.  You're probably thinking - that's nice but not so special.  Well, do you know WHY he went to that particular restaurant (other than the fact that it's a favorite)?  He remembered that they still issue PAPER gift certificates!  And, the traditional gift for the first annivesary is paper!

Anyway, I wanted to make him something romantic but masculine.  Glittery hearts were out.  So, I started to think about this journey that we've been on together.  We've experienced quite a bit in the past couple of years; and we love to travel.  We've been to Hawaii twice, Puerto Rico and the Southern Carribean, Arizona, Utah, Virginia, Las Vegas ,and various other little trips.  We've already got a trip to Alaska this spring and a vacation in Disney World next May on the books!  We love exploring and experiencing new places.  Our marriage has certainly been an adventure.  And that's when I realized which stamp set I'd use to make Mike's anniversary card - Travel Log.  You've never seen this one before.  It'll be coming out in the Summer Mini Catalog in May.  Stampin' Up! gave it to us in Nashville back in January.  It kinda seemed appropriate!  To be honest, I didn't like this stamp set when I initially saw it.  But, it's kinda workin' for me now.

Happy Anniversary, my love!

Extreme Skateboard!

At one of my workshops last weekend, my hostess challenged me to a theme for which I don't often create:  Cards For Teenage Boys!  YIKES!  Well, I decided to design last Friday morning/afternoon - when I had 110% of my stampin' mojo!  I guess it had been building up last week while I was sick on the couch.  I'm pretty pleased with this card.  It has a couple of techniques.  It certainly screams "Teenage Boy".  And, there's NO RIBBON!  That's tough for me.  I'm sure you've NEVER seen me use these stamps!  But, it's a perfect card for Sale-a-Bration because you can earn Extreme Skateboard for FREE this month!

Here's how we made this card...First, we textured some roof sheathing (is that how you spell that?).  I picked it up at my local hardware store months ago for my Die Cut Divas.  I ran it through the Big Shot using the Texturz Plates.  It required a couple of shims, but it works!  It cuts down easily using the SU Tabletop Cutter.

Next, I cut out a 3" Circle (in Not Quite Navy) using my Big Shot and the new 3" Circle Die.  I stamped my skateboarder in Versamark and heat embossed him with Silver Embossing Powder to match my roof sheathing!  But, the card needed something extra and buttons and ribbon and scallops weren't gonna cut it.  So, I pulled out my Extreme Elements stamp set.  I rarely use this stamp set when stamping.  However, I "pull it out" a lot when using My Digital Studio.  I added some subtle elements on the Riding Hood Red layer using Riding Hood Red Ink.  And, I added some "splotches" on the Crumb Cake card base using Crumb Cake ink.

But, I was really stuck when it came to the sentiment.  I have NO teenage boy-style words.  There are a few in the catalog, but I don't own them.  I know, hard to believe.  And, the one thing I had that could work just wasn't going to fit.  So, I pulled out Fundamental Phrases - another set I haven't used in ages - and purposefully stamped "Happy" and "Birthday" slanted.  What do you think?

MDS Monday - It's Not Easy Being Green

In honor of St Patrick's Day, our challenge over on the Utah Divas International Blog was to create a green card!  This card started off looking entirely different!  But, I'm pleased with the outcome.  The thing I love most about MDS is that you can download additional elements IMMEDIATELY if you need them.  For example, I did not own any St Patrick's Day sentiments.  Well, I hit my online store, downloaded this guy and had it seconds later in MDS to use!  No waiting a week for Mr. Brown!!!  And, seriously....95 cents?!?!?  Come on!  The digital downloads are SO affordable!

I'm LOVING the Leadership paper.  That's where the Kiwi Kiss layer came from (at least I think it's Kiwi Kiss).  I believe they're supposed to be plus signs since the theme of Leadership was "+One".  However, I like to think it looks like I ran it through the Big Shot and embossed it!

Want to see what everyone else created???  Hop on over to the Utah Divas Blog and check it out!!!

Something NEW!

Guess what's coming in April!??!?  NEW products!!!  You have the chance to purchase two BEAUTIFUL products that will be included in the new Idea Book & Catalog that comes out in July.  That's right!  Stampin' Up! thought you deserved something new and didn't want you to wait!  AND, what's even better - all of my April hostesses will receive BOTH of these products on top of their regular hostess benefits when they hold a qualifying party!  Do you want to cash in???  I still have plenty of dates on my calendar if you'd like to host a party and get LOTS of free stuff!

What ARE the two products?  Well, I can't post photos of the actual products until April.  But, I can show you a sample of a card that I made using the products.  This card was actually designed by Stampin' Up!  I love that they give demonstrators ideas as soon as they release the products. 

So, the first product is a four-stamp set that coordinates with the Designer Label Punch.  Let me tell you, if you own that punch (and most of you do because it's been on and off of backorder since its release last September), you will NEED this stamp set!  Yes, I really mean NEED.  It's GORGEOUS and flexible and you will want it as soon as you see it!  All four stamps coordinate perfectly inside of the punch.  The second product is this luscious designer series paper!  OOOHHH...the patterns are unlike anything I've seen Stampin' Up! offer before.  What a great offering!  But, I'll be honest.  Some of the colors were hard to match.  I'm wondering if they are a sneak peek of new colors to come?!?!?  Guess we won't know that until July!  But, the paper is still totally usable with our current colors!  I paired it with some River Rock (I forgot we even had that color until this paper came out), Cherry Cobbler, and Marina Mist.  WOW!!!  I know, this little strip of paper doesn't even begin to show you what the rest of the paper looks like.

The stamp set will cost $15.95(c) or $20.95(w).  The DSP will cost $9.95.  But, why buy them?  You can get them FREE on top of the regular hostess benefits when you host a qualifying workshop of $350 or more in April.  OR, if you want to place a $350 order in April all by yourself, you can get these for free too!

A Birthday Sale-a-Bration!

Here's another (free) product that I don't think I've shown you at all - the Ice Cream Parlor DSP and buttons.  I tore my house apart yesterday morning looking for the remnants of this DSP and was thrilled when I found it.  How fun is this card?  I used this layout a year or so ago and decided it was time to ressurect it.  What do you think?  I used an assortment of circle punches  (3/4", 1", 1-1/4", and 1-3/8"), the DSP, and some coordinating card stock to make the focal point(s).  It's kinda hard to tell from this photo, but I embossed the Daffodil and Mambo circles with my Big Shot and the Polka Dot embossing folder.  I thought it added some texture to the card.  I popped a couple of the circles up with dimensionals.  And, I added a single button from the Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon & Button Pack as a final embellishment.  The sentiment comes from the So Happy For You stamp set which is also FREE during Sale-a-Bration!

Fabric Friday - Fabric Brads

Okay, I admit, this card is a stretch for my Fabric Fridays!  BUT, I've been fighting the worst cold all week long.  I haven't even left the house since Tuesday afternoon.  (That's my secret to lowering my gas bill - don't go anywhere!)  I didn't even stamp for a few of the days.  To give you an example, on Wednesday I received a box full of some goodies that you'll be able to buy next month (you've never seen them before - they're from the next BIG catalog!!!)  BUT, I was SO sick that the box sat on my back porch for HOURS before I got up the energy to go and get them.  Yup.  That sick!  I attempted to make something with them on Wednesday night but didn't get very far - I took the paper out of the packaging and assembled a four-stamp set.  I decided that the best course of action (considering my schedule for the rest of March) was to just sit on the couch and rest.  But, now I'm making up for lost time!!!  Look out!  Over the next few days I'll be posting the fruits of my labor!  TYou see, I woke up this morning at 3:30am with the worst coughing fit.  I couldn't get back to sleep.  My mind was racing with everything that Claire and I have to do for next weekend's HUGE Spring Fling event.  So, instead of torturing myself (and listening to my husband snore), I decided to stamp.  I must be feeling better, right? 

Now that I've shared too much information, let's move on to today's card.  Many of you have asked when I was going to do something with the Build-a-Blossom Stamp Set and Blossoms Punch.  Well, to be honest with you, they don't excite me!  Sure, I've seen cute projects, but they just weren't lighting my fire.  However, one of my hostesses this weekend specifically requested the card on page 5 of the Occasions Mini Catalog.  At least the design work was pretty much done!  I decided to tweak the colors and use the Sew Suite line of products as my inspiration.  I chose to use the Sweet Stitched Fabric Designer Brads for the center of my flower.  I changed the colors to Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi.  As a demonstrator, I love that the brads are all the same size - making it easy to design a card!  So, there ya go - my Fabric Friday project - Fabric Covered Brads!!!  Does that count?  I kept the card a Mother's Day Card and stamped the sentiment from my favorite hostess set (at least today) - Something to Celebrate.

Be sure to check out my blog over the next few days - cards will post!  I promise they will be there because I'm going to be scheduling them next!

Diva Night

Oh what a fun evening we had last night!  Claire drove down from Philly to reward me and seven of my downline members for our outstanding performance last quarter!  She calls it "Diva Night".  And, boy, are we (me) Divas!!!  Claire picked up REAL Philly Cheese Steaks for dinner and I provided an ice cream sundae bar for dessert.  It was SO much fun walking through the grocery store picking out ice cream toppings!  I didn't look at price tags or nutrional information once!  Between dinner and dessert, Claire designed some adorable projects for us to make - they were projects from a recent Faux Aligator class she's been teaching recently!  They are SO much better in person!  No worries, I'll have them out on display for awhile!

Here are some additional photos of the night (I remembered to take photos - woo hoo!):

Claire's describing how to make the projects - look at the smiles on those faces!  It's a rare occasion that we, as demonstrators, get to sit back and let someone else do the designing!  So, it's a REAL treat!  Thanks momma Claire!

Megan and April working on their projects!

Annie, Stephanie, and Lynn stamping the hearts out! 

April, Kristin (version 2), and Jill.  You'll notice that Kristin REALLY loves sticking her tongue out.  What's up with that?!?!?  By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTIN!!!!

Momma Claire sitting back and relaxing!  THANKS CLAIRE!!!!!

Diving in for some ice cream!

Check out the size of that sundae!!!

Megan and her sundae.

MDS Monday - Punch Page

This week's challenge over on the Utah Divas International blog was to create a card or scrapbook page that incorporated punches.  I came across this adorable photo of my brother and sister-in-law at their wedding several years ago.  Aren't they adorable?

I used punches to create the hearts and curly label.  I filled the red hearts with patterned paper and the black and white punches with plain color. 

You know me, clean and simple.  Want to see what everyone else created?  Hop on over to the Utah Divas Blog and check them out!

Spring 12-Hour Crop!

I'm so excited to announce another 12-hour crop day coming this Spring!  Do you ever wish you could just get out of the house, hang out with your girlfriends, and scrapbook all day long without any interruption?  Well, maybe you should sign up to attend our next crop day!  They're TONS of fun.

What's a crop day?  It's a 12-hour event where you can scrapbook, craft, visit, sleep, or whatever else you feel like doing!  We provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  All attendees who register early receive a goody bag full of Stampin' Up! products.  And, there are door prizes as well!

We have a wonderful well-lit location where you won't feel cramped.  If you want to learn more and register, simply click here to read all about it!

Springtime Vintage Prayer

I had the pleasure of stamping with two of my Die Cut Divas this afternoon - Charlotte and Darlene.  I love them both.  And, Darlene always brings me a stack of cards that she's created.  She's EXTREMELY talented.  Three of her cards jumped right out and me!  So, I immediately grabbed my camera to take photos.  This is the first one.  I tried to "step it up a notch" but I'm not entirely sure that my tweaking actually improved on Darlene's original design!  I think I like hers better.

Some of the stamps she used aren't Stampin' Up! (or they're retired).  And hers worked PERFECTLY with the Springtime Vintage DSP.  I used the branch from Easter Blossoms and the sentiment from Thoughts & Prayers.  I also looped up the Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon (which Darlene didn't do).  Darlene actually hand-cut one of the flowers out of the DSP to use as an embellishment on her Designer Label Punch.  I chose to use one of the satin rosettes.  I think I like hers better.  But, my rosette matches my ribbon.  What a great layout! 

AND...what's even better???  This card will work PERFECTLY into April's promotion!!!  You'll want to stay tuned for that - a new stamp set and DSP that will totally work with this layout!  So, you'll definitely be seeing a version of this card in my April workshops!  (Oh, and April hostesses?  You can get the new stamp set and DSP for FREE on top of your regular hostess benefits in April.)

Dozens of Door Prizes

Wow!  What a fun day today has been!  I decided that I was going to sit down and make 30 door prizes for my March workshops!  Unfortunately, door prizes are the last thing I usually think of when preparing for a workshop - so they're usually the thing that gets "cheated".  But not this month (and hopefully every month after March). 

If you're coming to one of my workshops in March - one of these could be yours.  And, if you're hosting a workshop in March, one of these IS yours!  My hostesses ALWAYS win a door prize on top of whatever gift they also receive from me.

These are made using the Petal Cone Die in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  It's the same die I used to make the basket yesterday.  WOW!  Was that a hit!  I had seven Die Cut Divas show up last night and I think this die is now on EVERYONE'S wish list (they're not too thrilled with me)!  Ha Ha!

I cut the box from Baja Breeze Card Stock and stamped the small flower image from Bliss (free during Sale-a-Bration).  I cut the scalloped flaps out of Very Vanilla.  Sticky strip works best to glue it all together.  There are a variety of ways to seal the box.  The one I like best (because it takes care of decorating the top) is to punch two holes in the scalloped flaps, lace some Rose Red Seam Binding through, and tie a pretty bow.  It's easy to open and close as well.  I may decide to add a tag later.  I still think the top looks a little bare. 

What's inside?  Well, I can't give away all of my secrets!!!  You'll just have to be a lucky guest at one of my March workshops to see!!!

March Die Cut Diva Projects

Tonight and Friday my Die Cut Divas are coming over to make some FREE projects!  Yes, that's right!  Each month, anyone who has purchased the Big Shot from me is welcome to come over and make some free projects using the Big Shot.

The first project is a cute Easter basket made with the Petal Cone Die found in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  Second, they're learning how to make a square frame using the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  And, finally, they're making a St. Patrick's Day card that was inspired by a card one of my demonstrators, Lynn Fones, swapped last week at our downline meeting.  I hope they enjoy them!

Brayered Easter Blossoms

Last week one of my hostesses specifically requested to learn how to do the "Reflection Technique".  I don't even know if that's the actual name of the technique.  And, to be honest, I've been scared of the technique for years.  But, there I was, the morning of the workshop, and I needed to create a card.

I had expressed my anxiety to one of my demonstrators and she told me that all I had to do was stamp on the imaging sheet of the Stamp-a-ma-jig, flip it over, and run my brayer over the image.  Sounded easy enough!  And, it was!  Never in a million years would I consider doing this at a workshop.  But, something in my brain misfired when Andrea asked, and I agreed to do it.  She booked the workshop MONTHS ago and I was secretly hoping she'd forget.  She didn't.  But, do you know what?  It was OKAY!  Everyone's card turned out great!  And, there were 5 women who were stamping for the first or second time!

So, here is the card I demonstrated!

I stamped the girl in Basic Black Classic Ink on Very Vanilla Cardstock.  I then used my markers (Regal Rose and Early Espresso - I think) and colored the branch.  Next I stamped the girl in Basic Black Classic Ink on my imaging sheet, turned it upside down, lined it up with the image I previously stamped, then rolled an uninked brayer over the sheet to make sure the ink was transfered.  It worked!

Next, I used my brayer to make the pond in Baja Breeze Classic Ink.  I used the Michelle Zindorf technique of starting off of the page and rolling towards the middle so that the bottom is darker than the top.  I repeated this step over and over until I had the shade of water that I desired.  I made some ripples in the pond using my White Gel Pen.

Using my sponge daubers, I added some Certainly Celery Classic Ink as grass and Daffodil Delight Classic Ink in the sky.  I finished it off by adding a sentiment.  I recommended to my workshop that they position the sentiment wherever they needed to hide something they weren't happy with!