Stampin' with Kristin

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.

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!

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.

Convention Bag Tag

I thought I'd share with you my convention bag tag!  I made this cute little tag so I could easily identify my convention bag from all of the others - since there will be thousands of us with the same bag!

I covered pieces of raw chipboard with various patterns of Cottage Wall DSP - adhering them together with Tombo Multi-Purpose adhesive.  I then ran them through my Big Shot using the Top Note and Butterflies dies.  I cut some coordinating letters using the Stampin' Up! exclusive Simple Letters Alphabet and Timeless Type Alphabet Junior Letters and Numbers Sizzlits out of Rich Razzleberry card stock.  I popped a Jumbo Eyelet through the top and looped some Old Olive Wide Grosgrain ribbon through for a tie.  Finally, I adhered some half-pearls from the Pretties kit to the butterfly using Crystal Effects.

Good Friend Swaps and Box

I've been enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon.  I've gotten all kinds of stamping done so far!  So, check back this week - I promise to be posting several times throughout the week.  First I wanted to share my swaps for Monday's downline meeting with you.

The challenge for myself for this card was to use a brand new stamp set.  That was tricky - most of my stamp sets aren't arriving until this Friday - I was holding my orders to cash in on Sale-a-Bration!  The rest of my stamp sets are wedding-themed.  But, this guy was the set I received for free at Leadership! 

I attended a stamping class last Thursday for demonstrators only.  We made several cute cards and projects.  One of the projects, a 3D project, featured the Good Friend Stamp Set, Good Morning Sunshine Paper, and the So Tweet Chipboard.  They all coordinate nicely.  We made this adorable box as one of the projects.  It was sitting on my table as I was designing my swap cards.  So, it was my inspiration for this card!

So, onto the card.  I used Pacific Point Classic Ink, Summer Sun Classic Ink, and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink.  I stamped the images on Whisper White Card Stock layered on Summer Sun and Pacific Point.  I used my Stamp-a-Ma-Jig to make sure the images lined up perfectly!  I then tied Pacific Point and Chocolate Chip Ribbon.  Both Mike and his daughter, Jessica, thought it was a cute card!  I hope the Philly Inkers like it too when I swap with them Monday night.

PJ Party

We had SO much fun last night at my Holiday Ornaments and Tags Pajama Party.  Due to the fact that my life is completely insane, I never had a chance to make up samples....which was probably a good thing!  Why?  Well, the four of us "cased" and shared and modified the ideas that everyone else came up with.  I was SO tired (I got up at 4:30am to shop), but I didn't want the evening to end.  I was sad when I started seeing the end of my kit. 

My ornaments are now all displayed on my Classroom Christmas Tree.  I also made a handful of gift tags which will be proudly displayed under my Living Room Tree...once I get the presents wrapped!  The options you have with the Country Living Kit are almost endless.  Sad you missed out?  Don't worry...you can still order your kit which includes everything you need to make these ornaments!!  The only thing I added were some beads and pearls from the Pretties Kit.

Click here to order yours online today (click the Shop Now button on my Stampin' Up! page).  The easiest way to find this kit is to enter item number 114447 in the Search Box - or look under the Specials Section.

Want to see some of my tags and ornaments up close?  No problem!  Click on the images to view them larger.

Blog Candy Winner and a New Class

Thank you EVERYONE for such uplifting comments on my blog yesterday!  I have decided that blog comments are better than therapy.  Granted, I've never tried therapy, but your comments were so inspiring and heart-warming - I can't believe anything would be better!

I will try to respond to your comments over the next couple of days.  I'll definitely try to incorporate some, if not all, of your feedback/suggestions over the next weeks and months ahead.  The winner of the blog candy is:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

10	

Timestamp: 2008-08-27 10:51:17 UTC

Winning Name:  Allison P.

Allison said:  Hi Kristin, I love your website! Your postings from the convention were really good and I enjoyed checking them out everyday! Keep the new ideas coming!

I was going to say, send me an e-mail with your mailing address, but I can give you the free stamps when I see you next!!!  E-mail me if you'd like them sooner.  Congrats!

I'm also introducing a class that's been on my calendar for awhile.  But, last night I finally sat down and made the sample.  I just love the way it turned out.  What do you think?  I had some excellent pictures to work with - they are of my brother's wedding a few years ago.  They got married in October and the colors worked REALLY well with the Haiku DSP.  And, Brooke, my sister-in-law, even got to experience some of the design phase - and provided lots of helpful feedback.  She came over to scrapbook last night.  I really enjoyed being crafty with her!!!

You can make your own home decor with me in September.  I will also be offering it as an in-the-mail kit!  So, if you're located in another part of the country, you can make one too!!!  If you're attending in person, you'll get to play with the new Sizzix Big Shot...if you're taking it in the mail, I'll be doing the work for you!  The Class Page lists everything that is included in the class.  I am not pre-cutting the paper this time so that you can customize your wallhanging to work with your photos and theme.

But, let me tell you a little about this one - I cut out the leaves with the new Sizzix Big Shot.  I ran a sheet of the Board Basics through the Big Shot to make my own chipboard embellishments!  I then cut the card stock using the same die and got a perfect layer over top!  No more trimming with a hobby blade!!!  I distressed the leaves a bit using my Stipple Brush (boy, am I glad they didn't retire).  I stamped a small sentiment with To Have & To Hold Stamp Set.  I was also excited to play with some of the new ribbon.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the So Saffron Poly Twill!  And, I love that we have Old Olive in Narrow AND Wide Grosgrains now too!!!  You want to make one, don't you???  Well hop on over and register!