Stampin' and Scrappin' With Kristin

Happy Leap Day!

As you probably know, today is Leap Day!  What are you going to do with your extra day?  Will it include stamping? 

I've put together a special promotion - just for today!  I will be holding a drawing for a $29 gift certificate!  To be entered in the drawing, simply place an order with me today (Wednesday, February 29th) for $29 or more.  But, it gets better than that, you will be entered into the drawing once for every $29 you spend.  For example, if you spend $58, you'll be entered into the drawing twice AND you can receive a free Sale-a-Bration item of your choice!  There's no limit to the number of FREE Sale-a-Bration items or entries you can earn!

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A Fun Saturday in Columbus!

This past weekend I flew to Columbus, Ohio for one of Stampin' Up!'s Regional Conferences.  They only hold a half dozen or so a year all over the country and I try to attend at least one.  I usually attend one the day after Leadership, but I've learned that I'm too exhausted from Leadership to attend a Regional and usually .  The second-to-last regional of the 2011/2012 year was held in Columbus.  I have several demonstrator friends and non-demonstrator friends who live around Columbus, so I quickly registered and booked a flight!

I didn't take a ton of photos since I didn't even pack a camera.  But, I did snap a few with my iPhone so I have a few to share.

I flew in on Friday night and met up with my good friend, Mary Ellen, and her family for the conference.  I enjoyed meeting her mom, aunt, and cousin.  It was a relaxing conference.  The majority of the morning was spent "My Way".  I visited some demo booths, made BOTH make & take projects, checked out the swaps & displays, and visited with some of my friends.  I received some GREAT tips from Georgia.

It's rare for me to make Make & Takes at a conference anymore.  I'd so much rather relax and visit.  But, these were a little complex and used templates that I did not have at home.  So I decided it was probably a good idea to suck it up and make them.  I'm so glad I did!  They're adorable.  They make me want to use the kite stamp set - whatever it's called!  Pathetic, I know.

After the conference, I had dinner with my bestest friend - and my matron-of-honor - Stefanie.  We hadn't seen each other since my wedding (almost 3 years ago).  It was wonderful to catch up.

Yesterday I had a relaxing day that was all about me.  I'd booked a hotel at the Easton Town Center because it looked like pretty neat shopping mall.  I spent the majority of the afternoon checking it out.  I was smart, I packed my Founder's Circle tote from a couple of years ago in my suitcase so I'd have an extra bag for my purchases.  

The first card is just so cute.  I love some of the tricks they used on this card.  The corners were rounded using a circle punch.  I knew this technique, but I don't often remember to do it.  I love curved corners!!!  The petals and leaf on this card were made by stamping the polka dot kite and punching it out.  SO CUTE! 

The second card is SO fun.  It's got a wheel that you can turn and different kites show up in the window!  I don't think I'll be recreating this one any time soon, but it's fun to look at!

 

The Pooping Butterfly

Yes.  You read that right.  That's the unofficial name of this card.  If you read my post from yesterday, you probably read that I've been posting cards on Facebook as I've been designing them in hopes of getting feedback.  This is another card I recently created but was unsure about the pink rhinestones.  The questions I presented to my Facebook friends - does it look like the butterfly is pooping rhinestones? In the end, I removed the rhinestones - only due to the fact that I didn't have enough to go around for the large workshop where we made this card.

Several people wanted to know how I made my glittery butterfly pink.  I came up with this all by myself - although, I've heard other people saw it posted on Splitcoast - so I guess it wasn't original.  But, it is original to me if I didn't read that post, right?!?!  I rarely go on Splitcoast anymore.  ANYWAY...I mixed up a concoction of reinker and rubbing alcohol.  I used the same proportions of reinker to rubbing alcohol as I do when I'm mixing shimmer paint and rubbing alcohol.  On this card I spritzed Regal Rose - yes, it does look more like Blushing Bride.  But, the reinker dries lighter and I didn't want to soak my silver glimmer paper.  Some people dye their glimmer paper using an aqua painter.  I think my spritzing technique is quicker and less messy. 

This is important - YOU WILL DESTROY YOUR PUNCHES IF YOU USE YOUR PUNCHES WITH SILVER GLIMMER PAPER.  There.  I said it.  You've been warned.  HOWEVER, with that said, if you carefully peel off the back layer of the glimmer paper (it's not hard to do - especially if your paper is still damp from spritzing) your shapes punch much easier.  Now, I've only punched about 25 of these glittery guys with my brand new Blossom punch.  I'm not sure what the long-term effect will be if you were to punch hundreds even with the "thinned" glimmer paper.  I do know that I destroyed my stocking punch at Christmas before learning to peel the backing (thanks Janis for the tip).  I purchased a new stocking punch before they retired. 

The rest of the supplies are:  Island Indigo Classic Ink, Neutrals Buttons, Baja Breeze Ribbon, Whisper White CS, Blushing Bride CS, Twitterpated DSP, 3/8" Blushing Bride Pleated Satin Ribbon, Blossom Punch, pink rhinestones (from the Blossom Builders Kit on page 18 of the Occasions Mini Catalog).

Columbus Regional Swap Card

This past weekend I sat down to design another swap card for an upcoming Stampin' Up! Regional Conference in Columbus, Ohio this coming Saturday.  I had a rough time getting started but apparently came up with a winner based upon my Facebook feedback! 

I've started posting cards during my design process if I'm not entirely in love with the design.  This is the second attempt to design this card.  I posted my first attempt on Facebook and got lots of constructive criticism - all about things that I wasn't a fan of.  So, I went back to the drawing board and came up with this.  I was completely overwhelmed by the feedback my friends provided. 

Many people thought the background was embossed.  Nope!  I inked up the Sunflower background stamp using a VERY well-inked Jet Black StazOn Ink Pad.  I stamped the image on Basic Gray Card Stock layered over Basic Black and Daffodil Delight Card Stock.

I cut out the Daffodil Delight label using the new Framelits in the Occasions Mini.  I then embossed the frame.  I lightly brayered Basic Black Classic Ink over the raised edges of the frame (I'll be cursing myself all week for this design element).  I used one of my favorite Sale-a-Bration stamp sets - Elementary Elegance to stamp the sentiment and birds.  I punched them with the Extra Large Oval Punch.  I added some texture with the 1-1/4" Basic Gray Striped Grosgrain ribbon (cut in half and frayed).

Diva Day

This past Saturday I hosted my quarterly Diva Day for my top achieving demonstrators.  Each Diva Day/Night includes a home-cooked meal and stamping!  However, this one also involved cooking lessons!  Lynn has been asking for YEARS for lessons on how to make my Chicken Pot Pie.  If you'd like to read about how I make it, you can click here and scroll down to the post from January 4th. 

After lunch, they got to stamp a few projects using some brand new stamp sets.  Today's card was created using the Everything Eleanor stamp set.  This stamp set will be available for purchase in June when the next big catalog comes out!  This card was cased from one that was created by Debra Daam.  She had posted it on our demonstrator website.  I love how she incorporated a hat pin!!!  I've been trying to work those things into a card for awhile now.

The Lunch Club

At the beginning of this year, several of us at my "office job" created a "Lunch Club" in an effort to save money and be more healthy.  The rules are simple.  Every Wednesday plus one other weekday, you must pack your lunch!  If you don't pack your lunch, you must put a dollar in the jar.  It was my job to decorate and bring in the jar.

Well, last month went quick with a 2-week vacation followed by a week of Open House prep.  I finally sat down this past Monday night to decorate our jar.  I knew I wanted to use the new framelits and ribbon.  Here's what I came up with! 

I watercolored the flowers using my Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, and Lucky Limeade markers and a Blender Pen.  I stamped the image first then cut it with the coordinating framelit.  I also cut a larger frame out of the new SAB DSP.  That layer hides the ends of the ribbon.  I used the Daffodil 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain, Chocolate Chip Satin, and Victoria Lace Trim.

You'll notice that there's already $6 in the jar.  That would be MY contribution so far to the lunch club.

What happens when the jar is full?  We're treating ourselves to lunch or ice cream!  At this rate, it won't take too long!

Stamp Sorority Swaps

It felt like it had been ages since I'd gotten together with the gals in my downline.  But, it had only really been a month (a month with a couple of holidays and a lot of traveling).  I was so excited to see them all and share with them all of the exciting news, updates, and swaps from Leadership!  At each and every downline meeting we swap cards and we learn a couple of techniques.  We have a swap contest, door prizes, and share inspiration! 

The first card was the winner of our swap contest and designed by Darlene K!

Here are the remainder of the Stamp Sorority January swap cards:
Gail's Card:

My Card (inspired by Mary Fish):

Lynn's Card:

Hallie's Card:

Patty Jo's Card:

Jane's Card:

Claire's Diva Night

Last week Claire invited a group of wonderful women (and demonstrators) over for dinner and stamping.  She made us a yummy Mexican feast that included homemade guacamole, turkey tacos, spinach enchiladas, rice, beans and a Chocolate/Orange Mexican cake.  As usual, everything was great!  I don't get to stamp with my Pennsylvania demonstrator friends that often since I don't regularly attend Claire's meetings.  It is always nice to see so many new faces at Diva Night - I knew all of the gals, but for many it was their first Diva Night (at least their first when I was there). I enjoyed celebrating everyone's accomplishments and hearing about the events they have scheduled over the next few months.

Following dinner, Claire designed a couple of Make & Takes for us.  NO ONE likes to sit next to me when we stamp.  I must finish first.  I don't share well.  I make everyone nervous.  And they love tormenting me every moment!  Gina, for one, always chooses to sit as far away from me as possible.  She's admitted that she waits for me to choose my seat first and then sits at the opposite corner. 

The first Make & Take was this adorable pouch made using the Fancy Favor Box Die for the Big Shot.  It was inspired by a swap we both received from Missy Shipman at Founder's Circle.  I never took the time to figure out how it was made - but it amazed me.  And, it's SO SIMPLE to make!  This will be a future Die Cut Diva project!

Next up was a pouch that Claire designed that was made using the Labels Collection Framelits.  She's stuffed the pouch with some adorable, coordinating 3x3 Love Notes.

 

Open House Make & Takes

I just realized that I never posted the cards that everyone had the opportunity to make at last Saturday's Open House.  They had the opportunity to make 2 fairly easy cards.  They have to be easy because I'm rarely in the classroom to demonstrate what they'll be making.  I wanted one of the cards to feature all Sale-a-Bration products and another to feature the new Blossom Punch and coordinating Mixed Bunch Stamp Set.

The Mixed Bunch card features the new Twitterpated DSP pictured on page 13 of the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The colors in this card are Riding Hood Red and Baja Breeze.  I haven't realy touched Riding Hood Red since Cherry Cobbler was introduced.  Thank you Twitterpated for pushing me to use it again.  I love how I'm using it in a completely different way.  It's now a spring color?!?!  Wow.  Thanks!  I also used my 1" Circle Punch to punch out the center of the flower and stamped a sentiment from Curly Cute in Riding Hood Red ink.

The second card was inspired by DawnOlchefske.  I love her clean style.  It uses the new Everyday Enchantment DSP from the Sale-a-Bration catalog, Calypso Coral Everyday Enchantment ribbon, and the Outlined Occasions Stamp Set.  Cute, huh?  I LOVED seeing all of the variations that everyone made of this card.  A few copied it exactly.  While others arranged their postage stamp squares in a variety of different layouts.  Some layered their butterflies.  And some flipped the DSP to add color.  I wish I had a camera to take photos of everyone's variations. 

Framelit Pouches

I made a bunch of these last week.  They were inspired by a project that Shelli (I think) demonstrated on stage at Leadership earlier this month.  I used colors inspired by the Twitterpated suite of products in the Occasions Mini.

I used the 2nd largest of the Labels Framelits to cut 2 pieces out of Blushing Bride Card Stock.  I then used my Simply Scored to score at 3-1/2" to create a base.  I adhered the two together (does that make any sense?).  I inserted some Reeses Hearts in a small cello bag.  I then punched through the bag and two Blushing Bride layers using my Crop-a-Dile and inserted some Pear Pizzazz ribbon.

I embellished with some of brand new Large Pearl Basic Jewels.  Did you even notice them in the new catalog?  Warning - I doubt they're postal friendly - at all!  But, they're great for projects like these or hand-delivered cards.  I cut another frame out of some Twitterpated DSP.  I stamped the For You image in Blushing Bride and Riding Hood Red from the Apothecary Art Stamp Set - it coordinates perfectly with the framelits.  I love that you can stamp the images and cut them out!  I chose to cut out the Blushing Bride image with the framelit and I punched the Riding Hood Red center using my 1" Circle Punch.

Hilton Head!

It's official!  I just earned a free vacation for 2 to Hilton Head Island later this fall!  THANK YOU to all of my downline members and customers who helped me achieve it. 

This is the first year that Stampin' Up! has offered us TWO different trips and has made it easier to earn them.  The second trip is the GRAND VACATION to Fiji.  Quite a few of my friends have already earned Fiji and I can't wait to join them. Unfortunately, we are only permitted to attend one.  And, yes, I will be choosing Fiji over Hilton Head.

However, The Hilton Head trip is VERY nice and I will be sad to give it up - three nights at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, pillow gifts, and tons of fun and relaxation.

Many of you have seen the Fiji tracking system I have in my classroom - a FIJI Water Bottle that is slowly being filled with a deep blue water as I get closer.  It's now officially more than 3/4 of the way full.  Thank you!  Stay tuned for the big announcement when I earn it!

Attic Boutique Treat Box

I absolutely love how this box turned out.  I made it as Suzie's hostess gift for her workshop last week.  The idea to cut a window in the lid of one of the Kraft Gift Boxes using one of the framelits popped into my head earlier in the week.  So, I decided to give it a try.

It took some finagling, but I got it to work.  You have to fold the box so that it's only as thin as the lid.  When I was running it through the Big Shot I was SO worried that I'd destroy the box - but it worked.  And, if you do it right, you can even get a debossed edge around the window (the picture below shows the debossed edge better than the finished picture).

I then adhered a 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" window sheet to the inside of the lid.  When I closed it, I realized I'd need to cut the flaps off, too!  Otherwise, you'd only see the flaps through the window!  I adhered some Attic Boutique DSP around the edges of the box.  I tied the box up with some Daffodil Delight Striped Ribbon.  Since this is a thank you gift for Suzie for hosting a workshop, it needed a tag.  I cut a smaller tag using the piece I cut out of the lid!  I stamped an image and sentiment from the Rue Des Fleurs stamp set and punched it out using the largest oval punch.  I attached the tag using a small pin from the Vintage Trinkets I added a couple of tiny pearls and spritzed some champagne glitter mist over the entire box. 

Are you wondering what I tucked inside the box?  Well, I know Suzie LOVES her ribbon.  So, I gave her a roll of the Blushing Bride 3/4" Pleated Satin Ribbon!  I hid it under some shredded paper since the writing on the ribbon package was kinda ugly!

Try My Digital Studio For FREE!!!

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