Stampin' and Scrappin' With Kristin

Stamp Sorority Make & Take

Last week I shared the card I swapped at my monthly downline meeting.  Today's card was the Make & Take.  It will probably also be a Die Cut Diva project tomorrow night. 

At last weekend's retreat I brought my computer to blog, scrapbook, e-mail, and surf Pinterest!  I stumbled across this card by Linda Cullen on Pinterest.  I changed it up for the Make & Take to incorporate the Summer Smooches Fabric Brads which are only available during the month of April.  I just love the bright colors!  And, adding the brad ties all of the colors together (Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, and Rich Razzleberry.

I adhered the strips to the Whisper White card base.  My strips are 3/4" wide and varying lengths.  After they were adhered, I ran the card through my Big Shot with the Flower Garden embossing folder.  I never would have thought to do that!  So simple!!!

Introducing the Petite Purse

Just another sneak peek of a new product that will be available on April 1st.  And, I'm pretty sure my Die Cut Divas will be making this next week, too!!!  Wouldn't these be ADORABLE as little favors?  They're super easy to make!  I embellished mine with a White Gel Pen, a Daffodil Delight Scallop punch, and a Summer Smooches Fabric Brad (also available April 1st). 

Secret Santa Gift

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

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

Halloween Divas - Part 2

Here's the second project my Die Cut Divas made this month.  It's an adorable treat holder inspired by Shelli.  She created this project for one of Stampin' Up!s Regional Conferences.  As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be a Die Cut Diva project!  I know many of them already own the Petal Cone Die.  And, I love to show them new and fun ways to use products they already own - and throw in a few they don't!!! 

The body of the bat was made using the Petal Cone Die.  I cut off the "flaps" and cut a semi-circle on two of the sides to create the pointy ears.  The wings, according to Shelli, were created using the Perfect Pennant Die.  I used the largest pennant on the Die then took out three semi-circles from the bottom of each wing using a circle punch.  I used the new Simply Scored tool to score the top of the pennant to glue onto the body.  The wings were also embossed using the Spiderweb Embossing Folder.  And, like Shelli, I stamped and embossed bats from the Wicked Cool Stamp Set all over the body.  I punched 1/2" circles for the eyes and put some glimmer brads through the middle.  I created fangs using the Pennant Punch.  The mouth was drawn using a white gel pen.  I created a handle using narrow Basic Black Grosgrain ribbon.  And, I created some filler using narrow strips of Frightful Sight DSP.  My husband thought this guy was REALLY cute when he saw it!  WOO HOO!!!

Christmas Door Prizes

I wanted to share with you a couple of door prizes I made the other day for a workshop.  I'm not sure I'll be making them quite like this again, but they sure were cute!  They were inspired by some things I saw/received at convention.  First, the belly band around the door prize was inspired by the gift I received from Mary Ellen.  However, I made it glittery because I saw a glittery strip somewhere else at convention.  And, I don't remember where.  It just stuck with me.

The box was made using the Matchbox Die in the Big Shot.  The card stock is Garden Green and I used window sheets to make the sleeve.  The belly band is Real Red Glimmer Paper.  And, to hold it all together ('cause I didn't trust the adhesive with the glitter), I tied around some Garden Green Narrow Grosgrain ribbon.  I'm THRILLED we now have Garden Green ribbon! 

And did you see those cute little bells?  They're a sneak peek from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  You're gonna love them.  I actually took some Baker's Twine, separated the fibers and used a single strand to tie them onto the box.  Um.  Not again.  I'll find regular thread!

Fun With Big Shot Backgrounds

The new Idea Book & Catalog had several fun, new ways to add texture to your projects.  This month my Die Cut Divas got to play with each of them and learn a few new twists.  Did you know that the "Die Cut Divas" are a group of my customers who get to attend a FREE class EVERY MONTH???  Yup!  Any customer of mine who has purchased a Big Shot from me automatically becomes a Die Cut Diva and can attend these classes.  How cool is that?  Want to be a Die Cut Diva too?  Click here to purchase your Big Shot now!

Fancy Fan Letterpress

First, I designed a vintage card that uses the new Fancy Fan letterpress plate that was inspired by some of Mary Ellen's convention cards.  I inked up the letterpress plate using Very Vanilla Craft Ink and ran it through my Big Shot with some Wisteria Wonder Card Stock.  The letterpress doesn't really press into the card stock like it would Stampin' Up!s watercolor paper, but it still makes a nice background!  I also used the Designer Frames to emboss the Concord Crush layer.  The stamps are from the Kindness Matters and Tiny Tags Stamp Sets.  I layered up some Wisteria Wonder and lace ribbons.  I attached the tag with a Vintage Trinket.  To add an extra special finishing touch, I sprayed some Champagne Mist shimmer paint (mixed with rubbing alcohol) over the entire card.

Houndstooth Embossing Folder

The next card was inspired by two things:  Lady Gaga on The View on Monday and a conversation I had with one of my customers on Monday evening.  Suzie was explaining to me how a local college came to have their colors!  Apparently Rowan University was built on an old sunflower field!  So, between the sunflowers and the colors and Lady Gaga's houndstooth outfit, this card came to be!

I ran Whisper White Card Stock through the Big Shot with the Houndstooth Embossing Folder.  I then gently brayered Early Espresso Classic Ink over the raised design.  The flower was made using the Flower, Daisies #2 Die and the Blossom Petals Builder Punch.  The sentiment is from the Tagtastic Hostess Stamp Set.

Stripes Embossing Folder

The final card my Die Cut Divas made this week used the Stripes Embossing Folder.  I don't think you can really tell in this photo, but I ran it through the Big Shot twice.  I ran it through to make the stripes then I turned the card stock a 1/4 of a turn and ran it through again.  This made a woven look in the background.  You probably can guess where the inspiration came from on this card - my shoebox swap card.  I used Pool Party, Island Indigo, and Lucky Limeade on the card with the Raining Flowers and Petite Pairs Stamp Sets.

Fabric Friday - Quilt Block Swap - Part 2

Last Friday I posted the raw materials for a quilt block swap in which I'm participating.  It's taken everything in me to hold this post until this Friday!  I wanted to share them with you as soon as they were finished!  They only took THREE trips to my local quilt shop and to a Big Box store for the backing and batting.  Whew! 

Want to know what I used to make these???  A LOT of Big Shot Dies!!!  That was one of the requirements.  Here they are:

- Tasteful Trim Die (stems)
- Leaves #2 Die (leaves)
- Flower Folds Die (flowers)
- Penant Die (scallop circle on large flower)
- Scallop Circle #2 Die (scallop circle on small flower)
- Circles #2 Die (circles in center of flowers)
- Beautiful Butterflies Die (butterflies)
- 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon
- Springtime Vintage Designer Big Buttons (Occasions Mini Catalog) - only available until April 30th!
- Sweet Stitches Designer Big Buttons (Occasions Mini Catalog) - only available until April 30th!

I had to make 9 of these blocks.  So, I snapped a quick photo of all of them before I popped them in the box to mail off to the swap host.  I can't wait to see all of the blocks I get back!!!

Fabric Friday - Quilt Block Swap - Part 1

It's Fabric Friday!  And, guess what?  I'm actually playing with fabric!  Unfortunately I don't have a finished project to share just yet - that will be posted NEXT Friday.  But, I thought I'd tease you with the supplies.  First, I'll back up a bit.  Quite a few months ago (back in January), I signed up to participate in a Quilt Block Swap.  What's a Quilt Block Swap?  It's just like a card swap, but we're making Quilt Blocks!  Thankfully, I only need to make 9!  But, there were some guidelines....they MUST use Big Shot Dies.  They didn't need to use SU fabric.  My first choice would have been to use Springtime Vintage but I don't have much on hand and it's a little late to be ordering it!  So, I ventured out to my local Quilt Shop.  I'd never been there but I used to pass it every night on my way home from work.  I checked them out online and saw that they opened at 10am.  I figured they could help.

Before heading out this morning, I sat down and tried to come up with a layout.  Mine looks more like a card front than a quilt, but I guess that's because I make cards - not quilts!  I cut some pieces of fabric that I did have on hand in the pieces I wanted to use so that I could show the shop owner what I had in mind.  I walked into the store as they were opening and was immediately in love with the colors and patterns.  Fabric is just like paper, isn't it?  I spread my cut fabric samples on the counter and the shop owner was excited about what I had planned and promised me I wasn't biting off more than I could chew (these need to be done in under a week).  She gave me some ideas and let me wander.  She was trying to steer me towards fat quarters - there was even a "sale bin".  But, after being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for close to 5 years, I had no idea how to pair them together!  The colors didn't match in the sale bin.  But, she did have bolts of fabric in coordinating colors grouped together.  So, I told her I couldn't work with the fat quarters.  I needed to use the "families".  Why doesn't everything in the world come in nice coordinated packs and sets like Stampin' Up!  I was drawn to one group and we started pulling out fabric and tried to make it work.  I walked out of the store with a pile of fat quarters from the sale bin and fabric for my quilt blocks.

After a quick lunch of leftovers, I quickly started cutting into the fabric.  I cut one piece wrong (but recovered).  And, the one pattern that wasn't part of the "set" that we threw in was just too bright.  So, back I went to the shop!  She was excited to see my project coming together but could see I was struggling with the one.  We quickly found a replacement and I was on my way.  I've got it planned out, but wanted to take a quick picture of the raw materials before I cut them to pieces.  Check back next week to see how I made out!

Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper

Have you seen the new Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper?  It's a special Sneak Peek from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog that comes out in July.  But, you can buy it in April!  I have a ton of this paper on hand and decided to blow through a lot of it at my stamp club tonight.  Some of my fellow Philly Inkers pointed out a set of cards that Meg Loven recently created for one of her classes.  I was stuck for a project idea so I decided hers would be perfect since I was trying to figure out a way to incorporate the new DSP in a project for my club. 

I tweaked it just a bit since I'm already using the Four Frames Stamp Set on another project tonight.  My gals are making a little gift set of three of the cards in one of the Skinny Silver Tins that are still available on the Clearance Rack.  The tins are available (while supplies last) for only $2.99 for a pack of 5!  How awesome is that deal!??!?  That's less than 60 cents per tin!!!  If you've never checked out the Clearance Rack, what are you waiting for?  There are LOTS of awesome deals to be had on retired products!  Stampin' Up! adds new products to the rack all of the time!

Fun Flowers Pot

Each month every Stampin' Up! demonstrator receives a complimentary copy of Stampin' Success Magazine in the mail.  Each issue is packed full of stamping and business inspiration.  My favorites are always the ones that come out around the time a new mini catalog is released because they showcase the new products.  In last month's issue, a GORGEOUS flower pot was pictured on one of the pages. I immediately knew I wanted to try to make it.

While I was at out shopping last weekend for pillow gifts for my incentive trip, I came across some cute flower pots that I thought I could decorate in some way.  The first I used as a flower pot - inspired by the one in last month's Stampin' Success magazine.  My inspiration actually had leaves glued up and around the edges of the pot - I skipped those.  And, my pot was larger so I doubled the number of flowers.  My flowers are Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, and Daffodil Delight.  I cut them with the Fun Flowers Die and embossed them using the Polka Dot and Lattice embossing folders.  The centers of the smaller flowers didn't turn out exactly as I  hoped, but I like them anyway.  I took a 1-3/4" circle punch and punched out a piece of card stock. I then adhered Brights Buttons to the centers of each flower using Glue Dots.

Using my paper snips, I spiral cut each center then curled them up.  I used a 8-1/2"x11" sheet of Crumb Cake Card Stock that I cut into narrow strips and ran through my crimper (yes, I finally found it) to make the "potting soil/grass".  To embellish the tin, I frayed some 1-1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon (Daffodil Delight) and tied it around the pot.  Somehow I needed to tie in the Summer Mini Catalog - since this project was ultimately created to be a sample at next month's open house.  So, I punched the "thanks" sentiment from the Pretty Postage Stamp Set and adhered it to a piece of Melon Mambo that I'd punched with the large tag punch.  And I used my favorite new accessory - White Baker's Twine - to tie the tag to my pot!

Summer Mini Sneak Peek - Triple Layer Punches!!!

One of the best perks of being a demonstrator is the ability to pre-order products before customers can!  I have a BIG weekend getaway coming up this weekend with a couple of my top demonstrators.  I wanted to be sure I had new stuff to play with!  I wish I could take a photo of the box when it arrived yesterday, but I'm not allowed to show photos of the actual products until May 1st.  My absolute favorite new tools in the next Summer Mini Catalog are the two layering punches!  You've just got to see these punches to fully understand the POWER!  I used the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch to make this card.  You'll see LOTS of scrapbook pages and cards and projects that use these shapes.  But, you can make out the three different shapes this punch creates.  First, it punches the full background piece - best seen on the Certainly Celery "flower" on the left hand side.  Then you move a switch and it punches a border and smaller "flower" - best seen on the Plum/Baja "flower" in the bottom left hand corner.  Then you move a switch and it punches out a petal flower in the middle of the smaller layer - best seen in the bottom right-hand corner.  YES!  You get ALL of these shapes out of ONE PUNCH!  There are some tips I learned when punching:

1 - DO NOT hold your punch up in the air (like you normally do) when punching.  It WILL NOT punch!  You NEED to set the punch on the table and punch.
2 - Get used to the fact that it doesn't feel like it's punching when you're punching the full, large flower.  You barely feel like you're pushing down, but it's punching!  The more complex the image, the farther down the punch will compress.
3 - Keep your scraps!!!  I punched each of these in the various colors and had fun piecing them together.

I used a color combo from one of the thank you cards I made for Kara last week:  Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Early Espresso, and Sahara Sand.  Kara and Kathleen (and me) loved this color combo!  I was excited to use it again.

There are a couple of other sneak peeks on this card.  Can you find them?  Recognize that stamp set?  Nope, I didn't think so!  It's one of six sentiments that will be part of a NEW stamp set called "Happy Greetings".  I even have a class that features this stamp set on my calendar in June!  The other sneak peek...can you find it?  Is that white thread?!?!?  YES!!!  I'm TIRED of linen thread.  Stampin' Up! has a new collection of baker's twine coming out.  This one was pure white.  LOVE IT!!!

Here's a list of everything I used on this card (hopefully I get it all):

Ink:  Baja Breeze, Perfect Plum, Early Espresso
Stamps:  Happy Greetings, Dot Dot Dot, and A to Z
Punches:  Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer, 3/4" Circle, 1" Circle, 1/2" Circle, 1/16" Circle, Corner Rounder
Card Stock:  Perfect Plum, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, and Old Olive
Accessories:  Pearls, Subtles Buttons, Brights Buttons, Big Shot, Lattice Folder, Polka Dot Folder, White Baker's Twine

Fabric Friday - Embossed Fabric

I wanted to share another project my Die Cut Divas are making this month.  And this card uses a layer of Springtime Vintage Fabric! 

You probably can't tell in this photo (at least I can't) but I embossed the fabric using my Big Shot!  I used the Big Shot Fabric Adhesive Roll to adhere a piece of the fabric to a piece of Very Vanilla Card Stock.  I then cut both with the Top Note Die in the Big Shot and then ran it back through with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder to texturize it!  I layered it over a full Very Vanilla Top Note.  I stamped the sentiment from Word Play (love this set) in Not Quite Navy Ink.  I embellished with some Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Baja Breeze Andornments, tiny butterflies using the Butterfly Embosslit, and pearls.  After the card was put together, I grabbed my Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint/Rubbing Alcohol Mix and spritzed the entire card....and then regretted it!  I think I should have just spritzed the Top Note piece....not the entire card.  But, there it is! 

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.

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!

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.

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?

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!

Introducing Fabric Fridays!

Welcome to my newest blog series - Fabric Fridays!  Each Friday I will be bringing you a project that features Stampin' Up! fabric!  (I probably should have saved yesterday's card for next week!)  This is a REAL challenge for me since I don't sew.  So, I'm sure you'll see my sewing skills improve (hopefully) over the weeks to come!

This first card was inspired by a card that Shelli showed on stage last year at convention.  I was designing projects last Tuesday and I needed a card that incorporated sewing.  So, I Googled ideas!  I came across someone's blog who was sharing her convention photos.  I missed most of Shelli's fabric presentation last year because I was back stage getting ready for one of my presentations. 

I changed my card just a bit.  Shelli's included several hand-cut elements that I thought would be too time-consuming.  And, Shelli's card didn't have a puffy heart - her's was just a flat fabric heart.  The idea to make the heart puffy came from one of my newer customers, Susan, who was here for a class.  And, thank you Susan, because my stamp club loved it!

Did you know the fabric from the Holiday Mini is still available for purchase?  Well, you're in luck, it is available!  That's where this fabric came from.  To make the heart, I cut two hearts out of the fabric using my Big Shot and the Hearts & Brackets Die.  I also cut a piece of white fleece to use as batting.  I then hand-stitched the heart using pretty wide stitches.  I punched a scallop circle layer out of the First Edition Specialty DSP and glued it behind the heart.  I also punched an Antique Brad through the top of the heart. Believe it or not, I glued the heart to the card using SNAIL and it hasn't fallen off yet!  I've also included a close-up of the heart along with a complete list of the supplies we used to make this card.  I hope you'll check back every Friday for a fun fabric project!

• Notably Ornate Stamp Set
• Artistic Etchings Stamp Set
• Basic Black Classic Ink
• Cherry Cobbler Card Stock
• Crumb Cake Card Stock
• First Edition Specialty DSP
• Victoria Crochet Trim
• Antique Brads
• Scallop Circle Punch
• Scallop Oval Punch
• 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch
• Paper Piercing Tool
• Mat Pack
• Big Shot
• Hearts & Brackets Die
• Needle
• Thread
• Deck the Halls Designer Fabric
• Fleece

Springtime Vintage Quilt Card

Sorry I'm a bit late at posting today - technical issues.  BUT, never fear, your card is here!  This is a card I designed for my stamp club.  I love this group of women.  They actually approached ME several years ago saying they wanted to start a club.  And, now I eagerly look forward to the third Tuesday of every month!  This group all knew each other long before I met them!  I've seen weddings, babies, and graduations!  So, because they've welcomed me into their lives, I like to try to design projects I know they'll love while trying to teach them something new.  This month's hostess didn't request anything specific this month.  But, her mom is in the club and is a quilter.  And I mean she's a SERIOUS quilter.  She has been requesting to "sew on cards" for over a year now.  Definitely out of my comfort zone.  But, I was determined to fulfill that request this month since her daughter hadn't asked for anything specific....which ties in nicely to a new series I'm starting on my blog.  Check back on Friday for that!

Today's card does not include sewing.  But, it sure looks like a quilt!  In fact, my quilter fell in love with this card right away!  It features the Springtime Vintage DSP.  Here's how we made it...

First, I cut a Sizzix Multipurpose Adhesive sheet to 4" x 5" (found in the Occasions Mini Catalog).  I actually used the backing of the adhesive sheet for the back of the quilt!  We peeled off the top layer of the sheet - the one with the words.  We then arranged 20, 1" x 1" squares of Sprintime Vintage DSP to the adhesive sheet.  My recommendation is to lay out your pattern before you start gluing.  Because I knew that the squares were exactly the size of the adhesive sheet, we started adhering them from the corner of the adhesive sheet.

After all of the squares were down, we used the Top Note Die in the Big Shot to cut out the "quilt".  Next, we ran the "quilt" back through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Embossing folder to give it a more quilted look.  Tip:  make sure you cut your top note before embossing.  Otherwise you'll only flatten the embossing if you try to cut it out second!!!

We adhered the quilt to some Not Quite Navy Card Stock (5-1/8" x 3-7/8"), Very Vanilla Card Stock (5-1/4" x 4"), and a Crumb Cake Card Stock base (5-1/2" x 8-1/2").  We stamped the Enjoy sentiment from the You're a Gem stamp set (in the Occasions Mini Catalog) in Rose Red and punched them out.  We embellished the card using some of the Rose Red Vintage Flower Adornments (also in the Occasions Mini Catalog) and some lace ribbon.

A Romantic Valentine?

I am back from Hawaii!  Did you even know I was gone?  I hope not - I scheduled blog posts to show up daily so you wouldn't miss me.  I got home last night and am back to work already!  I have a workshop tonight - and in true "Kristin Style", hadn't planned a thing before I left! 

My hostess had some very specific requests for the projects she wanted to work on.  She wanted a Romantic Valentine.  What on earth does that mean?!?!!?!?!?  Seriously.  Does "romantic" mean the same thing to everyone?  Right now, to me, that means something frilly and feminine. Hopefully Suzie likes this one!

Because I was running short on time, I turned to CASEing my friends' cards!!!  I remembered seeing a card awhile back on a Tiffany Bauer's blog.  You can click on the link to see her original card.  Well, since vintagey (is that a word?) is more Vanilla than White (at least in my opinion), I had to change up the colors. 

What do you think?  Did I accomplish a Romantic Valentine Card? 

Here are the supplies I used to make this card:

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (8-1/2" x 5-1/2")
• Blushing Bride Card Stock (4" x 5-1/4")
• Rose Red Card Stock (4" x 7/8" & 2-1/2" x 2-1/2")
• Springtime Vintage DSP (4" x 3/4")
• Victoria Lace Ribbon
• Heart of Hearts Embosslit (I totally forgot we sell this thing until I saw it on Tiffany's card)
• Framed Tulips Embossing Folder
• Big Shot
• Small Vanilla Rosette
• Three Little Words Stamp Set (you can get it for FREE during SAB)
• Rose Red Classic Ink

Eat Chocolate!

One note before I get to today's project....I'm heading off to Nashville, TN today to go to the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference!  I'm SO excited!  Stampin' Up! has changed the agenda around this year and it is SUPER-PACKED with fun!  And, for the first time ever, I'm eligible to attend "Manager's Reception".  I'm typing this a few days ago - it was Sunday morning.  As I type, the weather is predicting more snow.  I'm a bit worried that my flight will be delayed and I won't get to Nashville in time to check in for Manager's Reception.  It's always a BIG surprise!  One year they took them to Universal Studios.  Another year they went to a Polo Match.  Last year was a Rodeo.  What do you think we'll be doing in Nashville?!?!?  The theme is "A Night Out in Nashville".  Hmmmm....well, stay tuned to hear what we end up doing.  I DO know that we get a free stamp set (woo hoo).  And, I've heard that we've never seen the stamp set - maybe from the Summer Mini?  Maybe from the next big catalog?  I can't wait!!  I'll be posting more updates over the next few days.

Okay...so back to why the title of today's post is "Eat Chocolate".  Well, that's the name of the stamp set I used to make this yummy card.  Last November I participated in a swap with some other Founder's Circle achievers using the products we had received as part of Founder's Circle.  You may remember me posting mine here.  Well, I received a similar stack of adorable projects.  I was cleaning out my craft room when I stumbled across them last Saturday night.  I was looking forward to an easy-to-duplicate card that was also postal-friendly and found Shelly May's card (shown at the end of this post in Rich Razzleberry).  I decided to make mine with Early Espresso and Marina Mist.  Hers had some ruffly ribbon - which I love, but I didn't think the post office would love it. 

Here are the supplies I used to make my cards:

• Eat Chocolate Stamp Set (121931 or 122006)
• Early Espresso Classic Ink
• Marina Mist Card Stock
• Early Espresso Card Stock
• Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Subtles DSP Stack
• 1-3/4" Circle Punch (119850)
• 2-3/8" Scallop Oval Punch (currently unavailable to order)
• Small Heart Punch (117193)
• Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die (120893)

You can purchase any or ALL of these products at any time on my website - click here to shop now!

And, as promised, here's Shelly May's original card....

Valentine Banner

I didn't leave the house this past weekend....and I loved it!  The snow kept me inside, but I also was getting caught up on some much needed stamping!  I'll be showing you more projects over the next few days. 

This banner was inspired by the banner that I made here with my Die Cut Divas.  Everyone seemed to love it.  Well, one of my divas was over for my January class last week and mentioned she was making love banners.  Thanks for the idea, Suzie!  What a great idea!  I'm not sure what hers looks like, but I decided to make my own!

I used the color choices from the Occasions Mini Catalog in the Love Impressions Specialty DSP"  Pink Pirouette, Real Red, and Basic Gray.  LOVE this combo!

So, how did I make it?  I cut squares of chipboard and Red Glimmer Paper (121790) in 3.5x3.5, adhered them together with the Sizzix Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (120805), then ran them through my Big Shot with my Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die (120903) which is still available from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

I cut layering background pieces out of Whisper White card stock and the Pink Pirouette DSP from the combo.  What's that?  You're wondering where that is?  Well, the swatch in the catalog doesn't show it, but the "All You Need in Love" swatch has about 8 inches of fabulous heavy-weight pink pirouette over the sentiment.  Also look for those little hearts on a project sometime soon as well.  So, if you're not a scrapbooker, you can still use this paper!

I cut the letters with my Big Shot as well with my most favorite alphabet, Simple Letters (115960).  I should have used my multipurpose adhesive as well for the letters, but I was lazy and used glue dots.  I must have used a few thousand glue dots this weekend!  I then embellished with a punched glittery heart and some basic pearls. 

I assembled the final project with some Pretty-in-Pink 1-1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon and my hot glue gun.

January Die Cut Divas

I wanted to share a project my Die Cut Divas made this month.  It uses one of the new dies in the Occasions Mini Catalog - Fun Flowers.  It's a Bigz die so it will cut paper, fabric, tin, chipboard, and over 60 other materials!  We used paper to decorate a box.  The box was inspired by a gift I received from my friend and demonstrator, Kristin Allcorn.  She used a box that was on the Clearance Rack awhile ago.  I just loved it so much, I thought my girls would like to make one, too!

We cut two of each of the flowers in the die and used the three largest.  The flowers were cut from Pink Pirouette Card Stock.  We sponged some Rose Red Classic Ink on the edges of the petals.  Then we spritzed the petals and crumpled them to make them more "fluffy".

I think there are all sorts of possibilities for this flower! 

Here's a photo of the box my friend, Kristin, made.

Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week Five

Friday gets here quicker and quicker each week it seems!  But, I was ready for today's project!  If you attended my Die Cut Divas class this month, you were lucky enough to make this adorable banner absolutely FREE!  Yes, hard to believe, isn't it?  But, my Die Cut Divas get to attend a class every month for free.  Usually they make three projects, but this month they only made this one.  It was a bit more involved than the usual projects.  How do you become a Die Cut Diva?  Easy!  Just buy a Big Shot from me!  It's that simple.  Do you already own a Big Shot?  No problem, you're welcome to join, too, but I ask that you pay a small materials fee.

So, onto how we made this banner!

• I cut chipboard pieces into 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" squares.  This enabled me to get one banner out of our chipboard sheets.  The excess was used on the letters.
• Because I was preparing supplies for twelve banners, I glued an entire sheet of 9-3/4" x 9-3/4" Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper to a 9-3/4" x 9-3/4" Sizzix Adhesive sheet.  I then ran it through my paper cutter to cut the squares down to 3-1/4" x 3-1/4".  Does that make any sense?  I ended up with DSP stickers!
• I repeated that step with each of the four patterns of DSP. 
• I then cut 1-1/2" x 2-1/2" rectangles of chipboard out of the excess created in the first step. 
• And, similar to the DSP, I adhered a sheet of card stock to a Sizzix Adhesive sheet and cut the card stock into 1-1/2" x 2-1/2" rectangles in Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, and Early Espresso. 
• That was my pre-work!

When my Divas arrived, they did the following:

• They carefully cut scallop squares out of the new Scallop Square Due Die in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  It was a tight squeeze, but it definitely worked!  They then cut their letters out of the Alphabet Simple Numbers die.
• They adhered the letters to the scallop squares using Tombo Multi-Purpose Adhesive.
• Next, because they are Divas, I simply put out an assortment of coordinating embellishments so they could customize their banners.  But, do you know what?  I think they all copied mine!  (I'm flattered because that means they approved!)
• For the "N", I ran a strip of Snail (yes, Snail) down the left side of the scallop and bunched some of the Always Artichoke Seam Binding (in the Holiday Mini) and trimmed up my edges.
• For the "O", I took an Always Artichoke button (in the Holiday Mini) and tied Linen Thread through the holes and tied a bow.  I attached mine with Glue Dots, but some of the girls used the Tombo Multi-Purpose Adhesive.
• For the "E", I actually decorated the background first because the "e" is over the trim.  I cut a piece of Cherry Cobbler Card Stock using the Ribbon Punch.  I then wrapped more Linen Thread around the square twice before making a bow.  To finish the edges, I snipped the Cherry Cobbler with my paper snips as close as I could after it was glued to the square.  I then took a sanding block and smoothed the edges.
• For the "L", I simply adhered three of the Basic Pearls - I think I used the large ones.  I also took a small piece of the Victoria Lace Trim and glued it to the back.
• Finally, to string them all together, we laid our finished squares out on top of some Early Espresso Striped Ribbon to figure out spacing.  We then took a hot glue gun and adhered the squares to the ribbon.  We left a loop at the top - I used a HUGE O-Ring as a hook on mine.  Some didn't glue the top until they got home if they wanted to use something else.

Everyone who has seen this banner seems to like it.  And, as much as I was worried, my Divas didn't complain that they only made one project.  This is one I hope that they'll proudly display for years to come!

Letterpress!

I know I shared my first letterpress card with you earlier this month.  Here's another card I made for the Open House.  I inked up just one "love" with a sponge dauber and some Real Red Craft Ink.  In the closeup you can see I hit a couple of other letters without realizing it.  BUT, I love how this looks.  I didn't want to embellish it at all so you could fully enjoy the letterpress effect!

 

2010 Founder's Circle Swap Card!

I'm thrilled that I can finally share this card with EVERYONE!  Here's the swap card I made for this year's Founder's Circle Retreat.  I made 136 cards plus an additional 64 for the Baltimore Regional!  So, if you're a demonstrator and you're attending the Saturday Baltimore regional, maybe you'll swap with me and get one!

When I designed this, I underestimated just how time-consuming this card really was!  I've cut back on one of the time-consuming steps, but it still took a LONG time to make!

It actually took 20 packs of Designer Series paper to make this card.  And, it took 7 rolls of ribbon (and there's not even a bow)!  So, this wasn't exactly inexpensive.  Granted, I could have used different patterns from the DSP pack to make the scallops, but I wanted them to match!  Oh, and the original design included heat embossing the scalloped sentiment.  And, since I'm making a total of 200 cards, that would be 400 heat embossed pieces!  Thank you, Claire, for talking me out of it!

Here's what I used to make this card:

• Perfect Punches Stamp Set
• Old Olive Classic Ink
• Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink
• Old Olive Card Stock
• Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Cherry Cobbler Card Stock
• Jolly Holiday DSP
• Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
• Tasteful Trim Die
• Big Shot
• 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch
• 1-3/8" Circle Punch
• Victoria Lace Ribbon

Today is another fun-packed day at Founder's Circle!  This afternoon we have a final event - that's about all I know.  But, they're usually spectacular.  Tonight a group of us is heading over to Tuacahn to see a show!  And, sadly, tomorrow we fly home.

BOO!

My friend, Andrea, hosted a workshop for me last weekend, too.  She wanted a Halloween theme and requested a 3D item!  Here's what I designed for her.  I think it's SO stinkin' cute.  And, all of the workshop guests loved making fun expressions with those little eyes.

I simply took some of the Wicked Fun DSP and adhered it to a piece of chipboard of the same size.  I used the new Sizzix Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to adhere the DSP to the chipboard - super simple (I've been saying that a lot recently).  We then ran it through the Big Shot using the Top Note die.  I just love how the perforation shows up when you cut chipboard!

We cut the letters out of the SU Simple Letters Alphabet.  But, to make life easy (again) we used the Sizzix Multipurpose sheets.  This time, I adhered an entire sheet of card stock to the adhesive sheet and cut it into squares.  We ran it through the Big Shot and they only had to peel off the backing to adhere it to their chipboard hanging.  Are you following that?  I'm a better demonstrator than I am describer!

We used the 3/4" circle and 1/2" circle punches to make the eyes.  We used our Crop-a-Dile to punch some holes, inserted Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets, and used Basic Black Grosgrain ribbon to create the hanger.  Oh, and we punched some bats!

FYI....I'm still in Utah, so feel free to click here to see everything I've been up to and have planned over the next few days.

Christmas Simplicity

Yes, I know...I've been posting a lot of Christmas cards recently.  Why?  Because I'm sharing my Founder's Circle Swap rejects!  This one is so simple, I just LOVE it.  Why did I reject it?  It's too pricey - and maybe a bit TOO simple.  See that button?  That's the culprit.  I need to make 135 cards for Founder's Circle!  And this girl is not buying 40ish packs of buttons so they all match!  But, I still LOVE this card.  You could certainly use Cherry Cobbler from the Regals, Early Espresso from the Neutrals, Vanilla might even work.  BUT, I'm a matchy matchy kinda girl and all of my swaps have to match.  Therefore, this one gets rejected and you get to reap the reward!  Maybe you'll receive one in the mail this holiday season - I'm not ditching this card entirely!

So, where did that scallop trim come from you ask?  Ah ha!  That's a sneak peek!!!  It's cut using the BRAND SPANKIN' NEW Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die in the Big Shot!!!  FUN!  I also have the new FABRIC that would be fun to cut with that die, but I haven't been able to bring myself to cut my fabric.  SU only let me pre-order one pack and I can't cut into something unless I have a backup!  What if I screw it up?  I can't order another until September 1st - and that's like 3 weeks away!!!  I'm sure I'll break down as the month draws to a close  Stop laughing!  You know you do it too! 

Here are ALL of the supplies to make this stylishly simple card (sorry, I'm kinda goofy tonight):

• Christmas Greetings Stamp Set (one of my absolute FAVORITE Christmas stamps)
• Jolly Holiday DSP
• Old Olive Card Stock
• Cherry Cobbler Card Stock
• Victoria Ribbon (YUM)
• Brights Buttons (in Old Olive)
• Linen Thread
• Early Espresso Classic Ink
• Big Shot
• Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die

More Christmas?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas?  Well, so it seems!  I just had a second customer this weekend request a Christmas-themed project.  She's more of a scrapbooker than a card maker.  So, she requested a scrapbook page for her workshop.  She wanted to see how stamps could be incorporated into scrapbooking.  She commented several times that punches make quick, affordable, and easy embellishments!  I asked if she had a theme - Christmas was her answer!  Okay, so here we go!

This is the third scrapbook page I've made this month - that's gotta be a new record for me!!!  I love the way this one turned out.

I knew I wanted to use the new Jolly Holiday DSP.  I only had one pack on hand so I had to figure out a way to get 6 of these scrapbook pages (plus my sample) out of a pack.  No problem!!!  I barely made a dent!  I love using the DSP because it pulls together all of my colors:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla.  I stamped some "Simple Snowflakes" in Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler and tried my hardest to punch them out with my snowflake punch.  It's getting really hard to use.  Is yours?  Someone at convention this year mentioned that EKSuccess - the company that makes our punches - redesigned the body style to allow for more intricate shapes.  So, I'm anxious to order the snowflake punch in the new body style to see if it makes a difference.  I also used the new Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch and tucked a strip under my journaling box.  I love the more delicate scallop this punch creates.  Finally, I cut out the year (I chose 2009 because I'm SO far behind on my scrapbooking) using thick window sheets.  I love the subtle numbers on the page.  I adhered them to the page using my 2-way glue pen which dries clear.  I added a Cherry Cobbler button.  Voila!  My page is adorable, don't ya think?

August Die Cut Divas

Last night was the first of my three Die Cut Divas classes for this month.  It was REALLY hard for me to come up with projects this week.  I was SO inspired by SO many of the Big Shot dies and raw materials coming out in the Holiday Mini.  And, I didn't receive my pre-order in time to design projects for August.  It's okay, though.  There is SO much in the next Holiday Mini that it's going to take all four months for me to just scratch the surface with the new goodies!

So, when I was stuck, I turned to PaperCrafts magazine this month for inspiration.  I jumped for joy when it arrived in my mailbox on Tuesday!  This month's edition is packed full of cute ideas - many using SU products!  Both cards pictured here are cased from cards in PaperCrafts.  The Halloween card uses the wood sheets that SU sells and bats punched from the new Bat Punch.  The cards the girls made last night look a teeny bit different.  I let them play with some of my new Holiday Mini goodies.  They added some bling to their bats using the new self-adhesive black rhinestone jewel things.  See, they're so new I don't even know what they're called!!! 

The basket was a project I've had in mind for a couple of months.  I love the Basket from the Basket and Blooms die embossed with that texturey folder from the Occasions Mini.  Oh my gosh...the real product names are escaping me! 

I'm offering this class on Friday and Sunday afternoons this week.  There's still room!  If you've purchased a Big Shot from me, you can attend for FREE!!!  Otherwise, you're welcome to attend for $10.  Please e-mail me if you'd like to attend!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I made these adorable flower pots as center pieces for the WHS Crop earlier in the month.  I loved these cute little flowers!  I saw the idea online and fell in love instantly!  They're SUPER easy and affordable!  The flowers are made using the Big Shot and the Flower Folds Die.  The center of the flower was made using the scallop circle punch.  I cut the scallop circle between two of the scallops to the middle of the circle then overlapped two of the scallops - adhering it with Sticky Strip.  I used a sponge dauber and So Saffron Classic Ink to add the shading.  I picked up the cute teracotta pots at my local craft store for 89 cents!!!  I adhered flowers to those green stake things you find in the floral department of the craft store using my hot glue gun.  Super Fast!  Super Easy!  Super Cute!

Don't forget to cash in on my "Sail Away Special" - place your Online Order today and receive a gift certificate from me for 10% of your order amount!

Die Cut Birthday

Wow!  It must be birthday week or something!  I just realized that's the theme of a lot of my cards recently.  Today's card is one of the projects this month's Die Cut Divas are making.  I can honestly say that I don't think I've ever used these dies from the Big Bold Cupcake Sizzlits pack.  I thought the Island Oasis DSP was very festive and used it on this card!  I love how the sprinkles coordinate with the polka dots on the DSP.  I used Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, and So Saffron.  I cut the icing out of Shimmery White Card Stock to make it appear just a bit more frosted.  Do I have too many colors going on at once here?  I couldn't decide!

Summer Mini Sneak Peek

Are you ready for another new sneak peek?  Unfortunately, you have to wait to buy this one.  But, I can still share the card.  This stamp set and Impressions Folder will be in the Summer Mini Catalog that comes out in 28 days...but who's counting???  I'm in love with Turquoise and Pumpkin these days.  It's such a bright and sunny color combo!  I hope you like it, becuase I'll probably be using it....a lot!

I stamped the bicycle image from the Pedaling Past Stamp Set in Jet Black Stazon Ink.  I colored it with my Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, and Basic Gray markers.  I could have watercolored it, but I wanted it to be crisp and bright!  I colored the Thank You image from the same set with my Pumpkin Pie and Tempting Turquoise markers.  It's not exactly straight (I know) but I didn't want to color another bike!  I wanted to move onto another project!!!

I added some Tempting Turquoise ribbon and little Flower Brads as embellishments.

The Pumpkin Pie layer was embossed using the Big Shot and the BRAND NEW Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  This is a MUST HAVE if you have a Big Shot!  LOVE the nice, deep, crisp texture it makes!

Want to see more Sneak Peeks?  I'm planning to have an assortment of samples on display at the Woodstown High School Crop Day on April 17th.  Or, you can wait until my Summer Mini Open House on May 15th!

Wedding Scrapbook Page

I made this scrapbook page a couple of weeks ago for a workshop.  The guests made a page using different colors, but I'm completely stuck on Kraft and Not Quite Navy and I wanted to show them how you could use the same layout various ways.  Does this layout look familiar?  It should.  It looks a lot like the one on page 26 of the Occasions Mini catalog. 

Mike and I fell in love with the 5x7 photo featured on this page so much that it became the photo we included on all of our wedding thank you cards.  And, yes, if you're wondering, Mike and I sent them out last week....only 351 days after the wedding.  I had a year, right?

Here are the supplies I used to create this page:

• Vintage Vogue Stamp Set (OM)
• Like-O-Meter Stamp Set (OM)
• Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel (OM)
• Jumbo Handle
• Kraft Card Stock
• Night of Navy Card Stock
• Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Soft Suede Card Stock
• Night of Navy Classic Ink
• Versamark Ink
• Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon (OM)
• Latte Designer Buttons
• Vintage Brads
• Big Shot
• 1" Circle Punch
• Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (OM)

March Die Cut Diva Projects

OMG!!!  I'm SO excited about this month's Die Cut Diva projects!!!!  Since I'm trying to cover St Patrick's Day AND Easter this month, I had a hard time choosing only three to show.  And, one had to be a card.  The bunny card was inspired by a card I'd seen on a FABULOUS website called "Stampin' Connection" designed by Marlene Caravello.  What's Stampin' Connection?  I'd love to send you the link, but it's a website that only Stampin' Up! Demonstrators can access.  Demonstrators can post project ideas, video tutorials, and there's an online forum as well.  It's a great resource packed full of ideas.  Accessing Stampin' Connection is just one of the benefits I enjoy as a demonstrator.

The leprechaun box is my most recent box-of-the-month designed by BJ Peters.  He was super fun to make.

And, finally, the little bird house arrived in my mailbox today!  Each week I get a newsletter from the SAM department at Stampin' Up! with some ideas.  This birdhouse was inspired by Amanda Caughlin.  Recognize the birdhouse?  It's made using the brand new Milk Carton Die in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Do you want to make these projects for FREE???  You can become a Die Cut Diva too.  Anyone who purchases the Big Shot from me gets to attend a class each month where they get to make three cute projects!  Already own a Big Shot, you may also attend for $10.  Please contact me (kristinfuller@aol.com or 856-503-7459) for more information and to RSVP for my March class!

Big Shot Magnet Video Tutorial

I was snowed in yesterday and around 5pm I finally got myself into my classroom to start stamping!  I decided to sit down and make my hostess gifts for the month of March.  I made a version of these same gifts for my February hostesses and they were a hit!  Here are the supplies I used to make these hostess gifts:

• Silver Skinny Tin (available in the Clearance Rack of my Stampin' Up! website)
• Sweet Pea DSP Stack
• Sweet Pea Stitched Felt
• Whisper White Card Stock
• Old Olive Textured Card Stock
• Top Note Die
• Beautiful Butterfly Die
• Timeless Type Sizzlit Alphabet
• Big Shot

And now, for the video!!! 

Bridal Shower Card

A friend of mine is getting married on Valentine's Day and her shower was yesterday.  Unfortunately, I couldn't attend but I still wanted to give her something!  I'm bummed that I didn't get to see what she thought of my card.  I love how it turned out.  It was inspired by the card at the bottom of this post.  It was a swap card I received at Leadership from Kathy Alt.  I must admit, her swap was one of my favorites this year!  So, when it came time to make a shower card, I just HAD to case hers!  Maybe I should have saved it for the wedding.

The bride's colors are retired Stampin' Up! colors - Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red.  I had just a bit of it laying around!  I'm actually embarrassed to say just how much!  It was easy to replicate the card using her colors.  But, I must admit, I don't think I'd be making a stack of these as swaps, but I'm certainly glad Kathy did!

Here are the supplies I used on my card:

• Whimsical Words Stamp Set (SAB)
• Riding Hood Red Classic Ink (Retired)
• Pink Pirouette Card Stock (Retired)
• Riding Hood Red Card Stock (Retired)
• Whisper White Card Stock
• Basic Black Card Stock
• Bride Specialty Paper
• Pinking Hearts Border Punch (SAB)
• Full Heart Punch
• Big Shot
• Extended Cutting Pads
• Movers & Shapers Die
• Punch Windows Magnetic Movers and Shapers
• Whisper White Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon
• Pretties Kit

As promised, here's Kathy's original swap card...

Mega Gift Card Holder!!!

There are about a dozen of us that work together at my client.  I've grown really close to the gang.  I will miss them when my project is over.  Every year they give our supervisor an assortment of gift cards.  Last year they hung them on a small tree.  This year they wanted to frame them.  I was SO excited!  I quickly volunteered to decorate each of the 4x6 spots.  I had just finished my Merry Moments Frame back in December.  Everyone who saw it LOVED it. Did you miss it?  Here's a link to view the post.  No worries, if you want to make your own, all of the supplies are still available for purchase.

Not everyone in our group celebrates Christmas, so I had to keep the gift card holder generic.  I think I used every snowflake and snowman on my shelves!  Here are all of the supplies I used to make the frame:

• Simple Snowflake Stamp
• Merriment Stamp
• Merry & Bright Stamp Set (retired)
• Warm Words Stamp Set
• Four The Holidays (2009 Holiday Mini)
• Two Cool Dudes Stamp Set
• Holiday Lineup Stamp Set
• Serene Snowflaks Stamp Set (2009 Holiday Mini)
• Christmas Punch Hostess Stamp Set
• Bashful Blue Classic Ink
• Night of Navy Classic Ink
• Silver Encore Ink
• Bashful Blue Card Stock
• Night of Navy Card Stock
• Shimmery White Card Stock
• Silver Card Stock
• Big Shot
• #2 Snowflake Die
• Snowflake #9 Sizzlit
• Big Shot
• Night of Navy Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon
• Bashful Blue Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon
• Whisper White Satin Ribbon
• Bashful Blue Satin Ribbon (OccMini)
• Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon
• Small Tag Punch
• Tag Punch
• 1 1/4" Circle Punch
• 1 3/8" Circle Punch
• Scallop Circle Punch
• Large Oval Punch
• Scallop Oval Punch
• Boho Blossoms Punch
• 1/16" Circle Punch
• Snowflake Punch
• Self-Adhesive Rhinestones - Eggcellent Eggs Kit (OccMini)
• Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads

January Die Cut Diva Projects

Each month a group of ladies who have all purchased the Big Shot from me get together and make three adorable projects.  This month was fun because of the new catalog!  I must confess that all three of these projects were inspired from someone else. 

First up, the snowman box.  We make an adorable box every month.  This box was designed by fellow demonstrator, BJ Peters.

Next was an adorable card inspired by my sideline, Ilina Crouse.  She is SO very talented.  She made several cute cards where she punched out hearts and put paper or ribbon behind them.  I loved the idea and had to incorporate it.  The Sending Love Specialty DSP is peeking through the hearts on my card.  I also used the brand new Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder for the background.  It's a great addition to our Impressions Folder collection!

Finally, my Die Cut Divas made a card inspired by a MJ Albright card.  She used different colors and the Impressions Folder used above.  But, I cased the idea, layout, and the butterfly idea.  These butterflies were made using the brand new Beautiful Wings Embosslit.  This is a MUST HAVE Embosslit for anyone with a Die-Cutting machine...Big Shot or not!  She layered them with a half pearl on top.  I used the teeny tiny Epoxy brads in the Occasions Mini.  The paper is actually the DSP pack from the SAB catalog!  I love how this one turned out!  And what colors did I use?  Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, and Chocolate Chip.  I LOVE Melon Mambo and Pretty in Pink together!!!

 

Sweet Pea Sympathy

I had to make a sympathy card this week.  Those are the least fun to make.  I turned to my new, favorite designer paper and found a completely different print/color combo yet!  I know you'll just love the Sweet Pea DSP Stack!!! 

This card came together in no time!  I cut out a couple of butterflies and a tag using the Big Shot, stamped a sentiment from the best sympathy card set we offer - Thoughts & Prayers, and assembled!  The hard part was writing the inside!

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

• Thoughts & Prayers Stamp Set
• Sweet Pea DSP Stack (OccMini)
• Lots of Tags Label 2 Sizzlit
• Beautiful Butterlifes Bigz Die
• Linen Thread
• So Saffron Card Stock
• Whisper White card Stock
• Pretty-in-Pink Card Stock
• Wide Oval Punch

I'm at Leadership Today....you can check out my Leadership section to see what I've been up to:

Daily Agenda	This Year's Swap:	Wednesday: Day 1 Highlights
Thursday: Day 2 Highlights	Friday: Day 3 Highlights	Saturday (Regional): Day 4 Highlights

2009 Christmas Card....one of them...

Today I'm sitting in my classroom cursing myself!!!  Why?  I'm working on one of the designs for my holiday cards.  I'm NOT GOOD at "assembly line".  I'm making 60 of this particular design.  I have 25 done.  These are TIME CONSUMING!!!  Who in their right mind would heat emboss the Medallion???  ME!!! 

I also sent out 100 My Digital Studio cards last week.  And, since I'm married, I have a feeling that 60 of thsi one just isn't going to be enough to go to everyone else.  SO, there will probably be a third card.  So, yes, if you're counting, I'm sending out around 200 cards this year.  The post office LOVES me - especially this card - it requires extra postage.

Back to today's card.  I cased it from leezil on Splitcoast.  I was creating a card for my stamp club last month when I ran across this card.  I LOVED IT so it also became my Christmas Card this year.  But, it didn't make much sense to buy 30 simply scrappin' kits.  So, I made my own scallop center. 

ANYWAY, mine wasn't easy.  I used the 3-3/8 inch Medallion Circle die to make my scalloped circle.  However, if you own this die, you know that we don't sell a nesting circle to go inside.  So, I whipped out my Circle Cutter Plus and cut a 3 inch circle out of whisper white card stock.

Next, I showed the card to Mike without the "Merry Christmas".  He thought it needed to say "Merry Christmas" somewhere.  And, he wanted it "stacked".  Well, we don't sell one that works well with this card.  So, I had to make my own.  Using my Real Red marker, I stamped the Merry and the Christmas separately.  The stamp came from the "A Christmas Cardinal" stamp set.

My card measures 5.25x5.25.  The base is actually Real Red Textured Card Stock.  I had a TON of it sitting around from a bulk buy last year.  I then layered a whisper white and old olive layer.  I heat embossed the Medallion with Versamark and White Embossing Powder.  I finished it off with just a little narrow Real Red Grosgrain ribbon.

What do you think???

12 Days of Holiday Sales

Between now and December 22nd, you can save on select Big Shot Dies and raw vinyl!  Click Here to shop online!

Build-a-Bear Workshop Parties

Last week I hosted my first of two Build-a-Bear Workshop parties.  My second one is tonight!  We had a great time!  Everyone had a chance to watch the new Holly & Hal movie and then make a couple of projects.  I think everyone had fun playing with the Build-a-Bear products. 

We made two projects.  The first used the stamp sets.  They watercolored the bears with a blender pen and watercolor crayons.  But, I think they most loved playing with the Big Shot Dies!  I pulled out my scrap bin and let them design their own bears.  I know how much I loved playing with the bears.

I wanted to share with you some of the photos I took...sorry if they're not great, I lost my camera for about a week!  I took these with my iPhone.

 

 

And here are just a few of the cards they made.  I LOVE their creativity!!!

This first card was made by Bonnie.  I love her use of the Christmas Cocoa patterned paper to make the clothes and accents!  I also love the rhinestone brads.  She's adorable!
 

This next card was Jane's.  Check out the details!  I LOVE the baseball bat.  How'd she do that?  That's the Word Window punch shaped to look like a baseball bat.  She then drew the woodgrain using the blender pens and watercolor crayons (I think).

 

Finally is Suzie's!  Isn't this little ballerina adorable?  She used the Snowflake Punch to make the skirt.

Christmas Tri-Shutter Card

One of my hostesses recently asked me to do a tri-fold card at her workshop.  And here's what I came up with.  I went to Splitcoast for the tutorial and cased GrammaM's card.  I liked the way she used the Top Note for the front.  I wanted to keep it as basic as I could....for a Tri-Shutter card!

Here are the supplies I used:

• Real Red Textured 12x12 Card Stock
• Real Red Card Stock
• Merry Moments DSP
• Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit
• Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Real Red Classic Ink
• Garden Green Classic Ink
• Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
• 1/16" Circle Punch
• Real Red Corduroy Buttons (Occasions Mini Sneak Peek - I couldn't help myself)
• Many Merry Messages Stamp Set
• Season of Joy Stamp Set
• Big Shot
• Top Note Die
• Stampin' Sponges

Merry Moments Frame

Each year Stampin' Up! selects a handful of demonstrators to win an Artisan Award.  Any demonstrator can enter.  But, only a few are chosen out of hundreds who submit fantastic cards, scrapbook pages, and 3D projects. 

Throughout the year, the Artisan Award winners create projects to inspire us.  I'm always amazed at what they come up with.  Just recently some new projects were posted for demonstrators.  One immediately caught my eye.  It was a framed home decor item made by Fran Sabad.  I immediately set out looking for a similar frame so that I could recreate it.  I failed miserably at locating her exact frame, but I think I like the one I found even better!  Fran's frame had seven openings.  Mine had eight.  I was very uncreative and copied (or at least tried to) her rectangles exactly as she created.  I only had to create one.  No, I won't tell you which one - but it's definitely my least favorite of the eight!  I cannot wait to display this in my home this holiday season!

The majority of the components are from the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit and the Merry Moments DSP.  Other accessories used were:

• Real Red Wide Grosgrain Ribbon
• Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon
• #2 Snowflake Die
• Big Shot
• 1 1/4" Square Punch
• Dimensionals
• Scallop Edge Punch
• Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware

Now, since I CASEd most of this project, it came together quickly.  Would you believe that I made it in under an hour!  My husband couldn't believe it when I carried it out of my classroom this evening.  The hardest part might have been prying open all of those little metal things that hold the glass in place.  By the way, I removed the glass since I used ribbon and hardware.  Besides, I broke one of the panes taking it out of the frame!!!  But, what I love is that I can easily change out the pictures in the frame throughout the year.

Build-a-Bear Fest!

Get ready for a Build-a-Bear fest!  Today I'm demonstrating the Build-a-Bear products to a group of about 120 demonstrators at our Fall Fest event!  It's a fabulous event where demonstrators from all over the Northeast...and then some...get together to stamp, swap, share, inspire, create, and chat!  It's SO much fun.  At today's event, we're lucky enough to have TWO fabulous demonstrators from Ohio demonstrate and teach us some stamping techniques - Karen Barber (my "grandma" in the SU family) and Michelle Zindorf (one of my "aunts" in the SU family) - both stamping "royalty"!

I thought I'd give you a sneak peek of one of the projects I've made to display.  It was inspired by a project shown at convention.  It's a dress-up bear game.  I've cut lots of clothes and accessories out of DSP and magnet sheets.  It's SO simple to make magnets with your Big Shot.  I found self-adhesive sheets online.  I just cut the DSP and the magnet sheet to the size I needed, adhered the DSP to the magnet, then ran it through the Big Shot! I placed a circular magnet to the back of a couple of SU containers.  One is for boys clothes.  One is for girls clothes.  It keeps them all nice and organized.

(Side note....I made this project at 1am on Friday morning.  When decorating the tin I was very focused on choosing colors that coordinated with the teal tin.  Apparently I forgot the tin was teal when I dressed my bear!  What was I thinking???  Olive Sweater???  Oh gosh!  It's still cute, though!

I used an empty Hodgepodge Hardware box as the case (thanks, Tina, for the idea).  It's the perfect travel-size companion!  I decorated the box - and turned it into a purse (inspired by a convention project from a few years back).  I think the result is absolutely adorable.

I'll be sharing more of the projects over the next few days.  But, let me tell you....these little guys are ADDICTIVE!!!  I couldn't stop cutting out little bears - trying to find new ways to use their accessories.  

Thankful Decor Blocks

I LOVE the wooden blocks in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I've also fallen completely in LOVE with the Autumn Meadows DSP in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I joke that I thought the paper was the "ugliest in the catalog" based upon the teeny tiny swatches in the catty.  But, when you look at the paper in person, it's absolutely GORGEOUS!

Inspired by the blocks in the catalog, I made my own vinyl letters for these blocks using some raw Chocolate Chip vinyl, my Big Shot, and the Serif Essentials Alphabet.  I just LOVE the result!

Make Your Own!!!

Do you want to make your own set of Thankful blocks???  No problem!  I've scheduled a class where you can make your own set for $35.  It is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28th at 7pm.  Email me to register!

The class fee includes:

• 2 Sets of Wooden (3"x3") Decor Blocks (Holiday Mini Catalog)
• 1/2 Pack of Autumn Meadows DSP - you'll have leftover paper to keep for future projects
• 1 Anywhere Glue Stick
• Chocolate Chip Vinyl (you'll receive pre-cut letters if you order the "in-the-mail" kit)

Can't attend or live too far?  No problem!  I'm able to offer this class in the mail!  Your kit will include all of the supplies listed above plus step-by-step instructions.  I recommend that you provide your own hobby blade and sanding block to trim off any excess paper from the blocks, if necessary.  Classes will ship via USPS Priority Mail.  Total cost, including postage is $45.  Simply use the PayPal link below to order yours today!  Kits will ship the last week of October.  Or, feel free to e-mail me with other questions.

Wandering Words - Holiday Mini Swaps

Okay, okay....I guess the weekend is over...time to get back to work!!!

At our monthly downline meeting this month, a dozen or so of us are swapping cards made using stamp sets from the new Holiday Mini Catalog.  What's a downline meeting you ask?  It's our monthly demonstrator get-together!  I hate calling them meetings, because they're too fun for that boring title!  We chat, swap cards, stamp, and share ideas...oh yeah, and eat!  This month they've asked ME to conduct a "mock workshop".  I hope they know what they're asking for!!!  Do you want to see me conduct a workshop?  Contact me - I would love to do one for you and your friends!

Anyway...I was SO in love with this card that I just couldn't wait to share it online!!!  It's inspired by a couple of cards I've seen on other blogs and some techniques we learned at convention!

Let me tell you about my leaf!  First, I cut the maple leaf out of a 2.5" x 2.5" square of wood using my Big Shot and Leaves #2 die.  I LOVE the wood sheets in the Big Catalog.  And, you can get at least 10 leaves out of 1 sheet.

Next, I sponged some coordinating classic ink over the leaf using sponge daubers.  I used More Mustard and Close to Cocoa on this project.

Finally, I sponged just a wee bit of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint along the edges of the leaf over the Close to Cocoa ink.  This stuff goes a LONG way!!!  They gave us some tips at convention this year.  They suggested dropping a little bit of the paint into the container's cap.  You then pick up just a bit of the paint with your sponge dauber - which conveniently fits perfectly inside the cap!

I thought the glittery edge made the leaf look like it was kissed by morning dew!

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

• Wandering Words Stamp Set (Holiday Mini)
• Woodgrain Background Stamp
• Close to Cocoa Classic Ink
• Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (Holiday Mini)
• Versamark Ink
• Autumn Meadow DSP (Holiday Mini)
• Close to Cocoa Card Stock
• More Mustard Card Stock
• Taken With Teal Card Stock
• Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Texture Cuts Wood Sheets
• Masterpiece Ribbon Originals
• Scallop Edge Punch
• Sponge Daubers