Creativity With Stamps

Occasions Mini & Sale-A-Brations Swaps - Day 1

Here are the first two cards of this invitation-only swap I host 2 to 3 times a year. 

The groups of these swaps are smaller so that the quality of the creations can be outstanding.

This first Valentine themed card with the beautiful and perfect stitching is from Heidi King

This one is done with one of a few of my favorite new products and was created by Cindy Major

 

Come back soon to see more of these amazing swaps!!!

Sale-A-Bration & Pennant Parade Birthday Page

Today is the day!!!  The day that Sale-A-Bration begins with Stampin'Up!!!

You can click HERE to see the Sale-A-Bration catalog.

For those of you unfamiliar with Sale-A-Bration, here are all the details:

ORDERS INCLUDE MERCHANDISE FROM ALL ACTIVE CATALOGS AND CLEARANCE ITEMS

 

 

BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!

Take your stamping skills to the next level and SAVE up to 60% with the Sale-A-Bration Starter Kit Deal!   

• SAVE $50 on the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit (NOW $125).  Includes up to $340 in products and ships FREE.  Choose and customize either the Standard Starter Kit or Digital Starter Kit.
• SALE-A-BRATION STARTER KIT BONUS!  Receive your choice of either FREE Designer Series Paper (you pay for shipping) or a FREE My Digital Studio Download (no shipping charge) EVERY MONTH that you are active, from Feb. through Dec., 2012.  Up to a $120 value!

YOU CAN SEE SOME VIDEO SHOWCASING SOME TECHNIQUES USING THE ITEMS IN YOUR STARTER KIT HERE

TO JOIN, SIMPLY CLICK HERE AND THEN CLICK ON THE "JOIN NOW" ICON

I am so super excited with all the new  FREE items available in this 2012 Sale-A-Bration catalog.

On a side note, I recently finished a mini album for a girl at my church who just turned 16.  Some of us took her out for dinner and I took the opportunity to shoot some pictures with my new Nikon lens I got for Christmas.  I used a plethora of stamps and a paper collection I have had in my stash for 6 years (yes people, I am on a mission to use my stash this year).  Here is a picture of one of the page using the Pennant Parade stamp set.  I think this stamp set is one of the newer stamp sets that I really love and will keep for years and years.

 

I will be posting a few photos of a recent swap showcasing the sale-a-bration catalog as well as the Occasions Mini catalog in the next few posts so check back soon for some creative inspiration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mini Album with Beaded Binding

During the holidays, I made a special little mini album for a very dear friend of mine who visited me this past summer with her husband.  We managed to take quite a few pics so I made her a little album and decided to try a new binding technique using beads I had seen in a YouTube video.  Since I didn't have a lot of time, I made somthing pretty simple but nonetheless I really liked it:

Like I said before, I plan to use my stash of goodies on hand a lot more this year but I think I started doing this before the new year started because the only thing I had to go get for this album that I didn't have already were the beads.  It's so liberating to use my stash of papers and embellishments I have collected over the years. 

 

Occasions Mini & New 2012 Calendar

Today is the start of the brand new Occasions Mini catalog from Stampin'Up and it's filled with fabulous goodies to use in your crafts.

 

 

You can download the entire mini catalog HERE

or

you can see all the new products direcly on my online store HERE

 

I have had a chance to work in my studio and creating a few projects, one of which is a business card sized calendar.  I bought the calendar template HERE

The top photo shows all my wonderfully created little monthly pages.

Here are a few close ups:

I used some Stampin'Up stamps as well as stamps from other manufacturers.  The owls are from an old rub on sheet I had in my studio.

I really plan to spend a lot less on my crafts this year and use up my stash of goodies which is already pretty substantial (this is one of my new year's resolutions) so you will probably see a lot of other manufacturers in my posts from now on alongside Stampin'Up.

I do have a wish list for a Silhouette and Photoshop CS5 this year (along with a new !Phone) and I want to be a little more judicious in my spending for other things.

 

 

Happy New Year 2012, Gifts & Card

Just wanted to take a moment and wish all my blog readers a very Happy New Year 2012!!!

Has anyone made any new year's resolutions yet?  I had started making my list right before Thanksgiving and took a couple of months to reflect and plan on anything that I wanted to accomplish for the year 2012.  I know I have built up into slowing down since I had so many things going on in 2011 that I was not able to do any of them well half the time.

Ali Edwards is popular for the word of the year and I think mine is a tie between the word "change" and the word "family".  I definately want to keep my main focus on my family and health in 2012 which means taking a few things off my plate and starting a journal which also means  less time on the computer.

While I am busy making a little desk calendar and filling in my journal with my goals, I thought you guys might be interested in knowing what my Xmas gifts were this year and they ROCK!

First is an item I have been wanting for a couple of years...a brand new Nikon lens...this is what I ended up getting:

Nikon 18-200mm VR II AFS DX Lens

 

Before buying this wonderful item for my camera, I did a lot of research online and boy, did I find out that there are a lot of crooks out there trying to sell amazing lenses at really dirt cheap prices but that are not legitimate businesses and cheat people...thankfully, I was able to swerve over all these guys and bought my camera HERE .

These guys were really fast shippers and had really good customer service along with really good prices.

So another item I had been wanting was an orange handbag.  Ok, so orange handbags are kind of hard to find and I did find some good ones but then I ended up getting a really nice red one:

Mine is a Tuscan Red color and you can get the same one or a different color HERE

 

My last gift for myself was something that is making me jump for joy everytime I use it.  Here is a portable wireless polaroid printer that prints small photos and uses my bluetooth:

Polaroid CZA-20011B PoGo Instant Mobile Printer (Black)

(you need to get special polaroid film for this printer)

I got mine HERE and it's totally worth it!!!

No ink, no wires...just instant gratification.  Now I think I just need to get a portable wireless printer for 4X6 and 5X7 photos.

I might to a little video showcasing this wonderful little printer soon...

Now for the card, my hubby had his birthday in November which is probably one of my busiest month of the year but I did manage to create a birthday card for him...a super fast one again

All supplies Stampin'Up (too bad the picture does not capture the embossed glitter on top of the hearts)

Stamp Sets:  Fabulous Phrases, I (Heart) Hearts

 

 

 

Merry Christmas & Kiva

Weird title for a post right?  Well, I just have found this non-profit organization called Kiva with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty and I thought it would be best to share with you all.

Here's a link on what Kiva is and how it works:

http://www.kiva.org/about

and a little video that shows  you visually:

 

I also wanted to share a few little last minute creations I did for this year's Holiday Season.

Here is this year's Christmas Card:

This year's card features some non-traditional colors including one of my favorite Stampin'Up colors "Island Indigo'.  Also featured in this card are the "Welcome Christmas" and "Plant Hope" stamp sets

Here's some little boxes...the two in the back were made by me but the very cool one in the front was made and given to me by my dear friend Amy Corr

And lastly here is a card I made and put in my hubby's stocking

I seriously just used scraps I had on my desk for this card and I made it super quick.  The little drawing is a printout of a photo I saw on Pinterest.

 

Christmas Time @ Home

I think I am finally done with running around...I just need to wrap all the gifts and fill the stockings.

Wowzers!!! What a month...I have seen a lot of amazing December Daily albums out there and I just can not seem to fathom having time to take photos, journal and scrap on a daily basis in December...I don't know how these girls do it.

I have a few photos of a little winter village I was able to do this year with my Cricut Expressions machine

And here are photos of a little gift I wrapped using some recycled paper, ribbon, clothepin decorated with some patterned paper and a little trinket as well as a photo of a kusudama ball ornament I made using the help of another talented Stampin'Up demonstrator.

I am looking forward to spending some quiet time at home for a couple of days this Christmas.  My kids and hubby will be home until January 2nd and I am giddy with excitement.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

 

Craft Items - Stocking Gift Card Holders and Tags

These are the last samples of some items I sold at my local craft fairs...I am finally able to slow down and figure out the menu for Christmas...I think a nice Filet Mignon Roast will do.

TFL!!!

 

Craft Items - Itty Bitty Advent Trees

Here are the advent trees in a much smaller form.  These sold out quick!!!

 

 

I have finally finished all of my holiday shopping but I am still running around to birthday parties and Cub Scouts and Hip Hop rehearsal/show...the marathon never stops!!!

Quick update...Nearly 200 new Clearance Rack items are being added to the Online Stampin'Up Store at discounts up to 80 percent off retail--while supplies last! This is available until January 5th.

Click HERE  to see all the clearance items:

 

 

Craft Items - Big Advent Trees

I participated in a few craft fairs in the past couple of months and I thought I'd share some items in the next few posts.

I made some advent Christmas trees.  These are the big ones...they were a lot of fun to make but very time consuming.

TFL!!!

 

 

 

Give Thanks Wreath

Sorry for my lack of presence as of late here in blog land.  I have been involved in a few craft fairs, and my last one wil be this Thursday so I am actually looking forward to a change of pace...actually, the pace will change a lot since I have decided to not teach any local classes for the year of 2012. 

My kids are at an age where they like to be involved in quite a few activities so that they will be able to decide what to focus on when they are older and will have more homework.  My church calling also requires me to put in 4 hours a week most of the time and that is a lot for a full-time mom and Stampin'Up demonstrator.

My family and home and church calling have not been getting the best of me and I really would like to focus on them well so I have not choice but to take something off my plate.

I will still do workshops and create a few pdf/video tutorials.  I will also be able to finish off some creative projects so the blog land will not suffer.

Here is a wreath I finished this past Saturady and since Big Picture Classes have so graciously asked me to be one of their guest bloggers and do a project featuring ideas picked on Pinterest, I decided to make this project for their post.  Pinterest blows my mind with all the creative ideas and it helped me a lot in making this wreath. 

You can view a more descriptive post on the Big Picture blog HERE

So here are the supplies used for making this wreath:

Burlap (tan & cream), Muslin fabric, embroidery floss and leaf from my backyard (to make the leaf), Spice Cake Designer Fabric, Broadsheet Alphabet Stamp Set, Early Espresso Craft Ink, Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric, Dark Brown wool felt, styrofoam eggs, Sizzix #2 Circle Die, Sizzix Tasteful Trim die, Victoria Lace Trim, Twine, Dazzling Details

P.S.  Stay tuned for some holiday projects I made for the craft fairs!!!

 

Fall 2011 Mini Album Tutorial (For Sale)

THIS POST TO STAY AT THE TOP OF MY BLOG UNTIL NOVEMBER 25, 2011

It took me an entire day to figure out how to work everything out with setting my videos privately and to make room for them in my computer (my disk space was completely full and it took me 5 hours to clean everything out).  Anyway, it's all finally done.

You can also see an introductory video showing the interactive inside pages of this album on my previous post HERE

You can now purchase my Fall 2011 Mini Album Tutorial PDF instructions as well as my video instructions for $4.95 by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below:

 

 

Fall / Grateful Card Class in November

I am offering another local class in Lexington, MA on November 12th.

Here are the three fun and interactive cards that we will be making...all sorts of folds and techniques used here so you will learn a lot.

Here's one of them in action

November Workshop & Big Shot Promotion

Just wanted to take a moment to show you all a few photos of the projects I made for a workshop.  The hostess wanted me to feature the Big Shot so what better die than the Top Note Die and to stay with the theme of Fall.

Here are a few close up photos of each individual item

 

Did you know that all my hostesses get to keep all of the projects I make at the workshop?  Did you know that you can get the Big Shot for free this month if you join the Stampin'Up family?

Here is Shelli Gardner, the founder of Stampin'Up with a message about this month's promotion

 

 

If you've been looking for an opportunity to do what you love, while getting a 20 discount on your favorite products, now is the perfect time! During October, you'll get a FREE Big Shot (or $100 in free product) when you join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator.*

Use the Big Shot die-cutting machine and Stampin' Up!'s exclusive dies**  to create uniquely beautiful projects in a flash.

In addition, the new-demonstrator Starter Kit--a steal at just $175--contains over $345 worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies-everything you need to start your new business.

There are so many benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, including

• A 20 percent product discount!
• A free monthly issue of Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator-only magazine, Stampin' Success!
• Sneak peeks at brand-new products!
• Invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events!
• Regular get-togethers to stamp!
• Free access to an online community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples!
• Plus, access to an exclusive video and training for your new Big Shot!

What do I need to become a demonstrator?

Our Starter Kits, created exclusively for new demonstrators, contain Stampin' Up!

essentials you'll need to get started in your new business. You can choose between

the standard Starter Kit and the Digital+ Starter Kit. Both Starter Kits are customizable

allowing you to choose products that you want to run your business your way.

The standard Starter Kit includes Four complete stamp sets (including a clear-mount set and clear-mount block) A Stampin' Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge Assortment of Designer Series Paper and card stock White envelopes (40) Four Classic Stampin' Pads Two Stampin' Write markers VersaMark Pad Blender pen Whisper White 5/8" satin ribbon Textured embossing folder of choice One ink refill of your choice Adhesives Color Coach Cupcake Punch or one of your choice Stamping sponge Stampin' Mist Box of Idea Book & Catalogs Business forms and tools

or

The Digital+ Starter Kit includes

• My Digital Studio digital designing software
• His & Hers Digital Content Collection DVD
• One clear-mount stamp set (including a clear-mount block)
• Assortment of card stock
• Note cards and envelopes (20)
• Four Classic Stampin' Pads
• Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Brights Designer Buttons
• Always Bird Décor Elements and applicator
• Adhesives
• Blender Pen
• Stampin' Mist
• Box of Idea Book & Catalogs
• Business forms and tools

Choose the Starter Kit that best matches your stamping and paper-crafting interests, and

get over $340 of Stampin' Up!'s high-quality products for just $175.

Why join my team?  I offer monthly downline meetings, training, support, friendship, and

more!  Join on my website HERE

Fall 2011 Mini Album Preview

10-28-2011 UPDATE:  This mini album has a pdf and video tutorial for sale HERE

 

Been MIA for a while now since my kids after school activities have taken over my world.  I have added "personal driver" to my resume since that is what I do every weekday afternoon after homework time.

This is normally my busiest time of the year and with all the holidays coming up I have a number of requests for workshops and classes.  Not to mention I will be doing craft fairs in November and December and I have also been asked to be a guest blogger at Big Picture Scrapbooking next month (will be doing something really fun for that).

I am also in the process of finishing both written and video instructions for my Fall 2011 mini album.  I will teach a local class in Lexington, MA in November but I wanted to have the instructions and class available to anyone out there so be on the lookout for this either at the end of this week or beginning of next week. 

Here is a photo of the mini album

And here is a video showing you all the inside of this fun interactive album

 

 

So I have been creating up a storm even though I have not been posting anything.  Just know that even though I will not be having a lot of time to write frequent posts on my blog, when I do post, I will have something amazing to share with you all.

Stay tuned this week for a few projects I made at one of my last workshops....

 

Holiday Mini - Invitation Only Swap Cards (Day 4 - Christmas)

Here is the first batch of Christmas cards from the lastest swap.

Card created by Amy Corr (in the process of creating her own blog)

 

Card created by Jennifer Picard

Card created by Dannie Graves

Stay tuned for the second and final batch of Christmas cards....

Holiday Mini - Invitation Only Swap Cards (Day 5 / Final Day - Christmas)

As promised, here is the last batch of Christmas theme cards received from the latest swap...

 

Card created by Audrie Magno-Gordon

inside of Audrie's card

Card created by Connie Collins

Card created by Heather Klump

 

Holiday Mini - Invitation Only Swap Cards (Day 3 - Fall)

This is the last batch of Fall/Thanksgiving theme cards I received from my latest swap.

 

Card created by Melissa Huie

Card created by Twila Mooneyham

The next batch of cards will be in the theme of Christmas....see you next week!!!

Holiday Mini - Invitation Only Swap Cards (Day 2 - Fall)

Here are a few more cards from a recent swap.

 

Card created by Adriana Benitez

Card created by Cindy Major

Card created by Jenny Peterson

Web Cam 101 for Seniors - Cracks me up

Ok friends, this is not a paper crafted related or stamping related post but I saw this video today and I got such a good laugh out of it that I decided to share it with you all....

 

Holiday Mini - Invitation Only Swap Cards (Day 1 - Halloween)

A little while ago, I was a hostess for an invitation-only holiday mini / holiday swap.  The participants were some very talented Stampin'Up demonstrators and they included Artisan Award winners. I will start posting the swaps in the next few days.  Here is Day 1...these are all the cards featuring Halloween...which by the way, is arriving faster than I can blink.

Card by Heidi King (Artisan Award 2011 winner)

Card by Elizabeth Price

 

 

 

Holiday Mini 2011 Catalog Tour Video (Day 4 - Final Day)

Here is the last video featuring some items from the Stampin'Up holiday mini catalog.  Enjoy!!!

 

Holiday Mini 2011 Catalog Tour Video (Day 3)

Here's day 3 of the mini catalog tour.  Enjoy!!!

P.S.  I forgot to show one of the papers from the Holly Berry line...I will try to post a picture of that paper soon!!!

 

Holiday Mini 2011 Catalog Tour Video (Day 2)

Here's day two (2) featuring the Spice Cake line in the new Holiday Mini 2011 catalog.

 

 

Holiday Mini 2011 Catalog Tour Video (Day 1)

Stampin'Up just came out with the brand new Holiday Mini 2011 Catalog and it is an amazing little mini catalog!!!

Click here to see the entire catalog.

I will be doing a couple of videos giving you a little tour of some of the products featured in this mini catalog.  Here's is Day 1 of the catalog tour. Enjoy!!!

 

 

Recipe Box Class

WHAT: Paper crafting class showing you how to make a beautiful keepsake recipe box with dividers and a bonus project of a gift recipe card

WHEN:  Friday, September 30^th (7:00 PM – 9:30 PM)

WHERE:  My place (32 Parker Street / Lexington, MA)

COST: $45 (RSVP and Payment must be made by Saturday, September 10^th)

Note:  Cash/Checks or Paypal payments only

 

Here is what you will get:

 2 1/2 hours of full instructions (both written and personal one-on-one)

Full 12X12 paper pack (total of 12 pages to make box, recipe cards for yourself and/or friends)

Apron template (you will keep forever)

snacks/beverages

10 of my most coveted recipes

Finished recipe box (6” X 6.25” X 4.75”) with six recipe dividers and one beautiful matching recipe card made to be used as a gift recipe card

Cash/Checks must be made out to Laura Pinto-Nguyen and mailed to the following address:

32 Parker Street

Lexington, MA 02421

For Paypal Payments click on the "Buy Now" box below:

Dream Air Balloon - 3D Non/Winning Artisan Project

This is the last 3D project submitted for the 2011 Artisan Award.  I always wanted to make an air ballon out of paper and so I decided to give it a try and you know what?   It was a lot easier than expected but it sure was time consuming.

The actual balloon was made using a paper mache technique and those little sparkly circles covering the entire balloon were made by spraying the newsprint DSP with my custom made glimmery spritzers using classic ink reinkers.

I used a lot of seam binding all over this project and the basket was made by coving a plastic container I had found at Michaels with more newspring dsp.

Stamps:  Broadsheet Alphabet

Paper/Cardstock:  Newsprint DSP, shimmer white, pretty in pink, wild wasabi

Ink:  wild wasabi, tempting turquoise, so saffron, rich razzleberry (can't see this on this picture because it's on the other side of the balloon), basic black

Accessories: pom pom trim, dazzling diamonds, seam binding, white baker's twine, Fun Flowers Bigz Die, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1" circle punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch (small circle), fleurettes II (top and bottom of balloon as finishing touches)

Birthday Layout - Last Non-Winning Artisan Award Layout

This was the last layout I created for the 2011 Artisan Award. 

Stamp Sets:  Seeing Stars

Paper/Cardstock:  In Color DSP Paper Pack (retired), Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, whisper white, real red, Peach Parfait, very vanilla

Ink:  real red, versamark

Accessories:  In Color DSP Paper Pack (retired), white EP, melon mambo pom pom trim, top note bigz die, small star punch, toothpicks

 

Nature Cards - Non Winning Artisan Award Entries

These are the last two cards I made for the Artisan Award. 

 

Stamp Set:  Friends 24/7

Paper/Cardstock:  Sahara Sand, Poppy Parade, Woodland Walk DSP (retired)

Ink:  Versamark, early espresso, stampin'up markers for coloring

Accessories: white EP, Beautiful Wings Sizzlit Die, old olive taffeta ribbon, 3/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch

 

Stamp Set:  Just Believe, En Francais

Paper/Cardstock: whisper white, watercolor paper

Ink: crumb cake, melon mambo marker, old olive marker, tempting turquoise marker

Accessories: acrylic block for background, sticky tape, dazzling diamonds, victoria lace, baja breeze rosette, twine, water spritzer

 

There are more projects that I made for the Artisan Award and I will keep posting them!!!

 

Cousins Beach Layout - Non Winning Artisan Award Project

This is my second scrapbook page I made for the Artisan award.  It is an 8 1/2 X 11 page.  I always loved that picture and it was fun to scrapbook it with one of my all time favorite stamps Circle Circus.  Supplies used are all Stampin'Up.

Stamps:  Circle Circus

Ink:  Craft Basic Black

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, In Color DSP (retired)

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight Pom Pom Trim (retired), Vintage Type Rub Ons (retired), Soft Subtles buttons, Fancy Flower Punch, Timeless Type Die

Back from vacation and Origami Dress Video Tutorial

I am finally back home from a 4,000 mile road trip (taken in a two week time span). This vacation was simply amazing and fun and adventurous and also a bit tiring and it was all so worth it.  I really think we all needed a break from our responsibilities and worries.  However, I know that both my kids and I are also happy to be back home and continuing on from where we left off.

Kids now are in summer camp for 4 weeks so that I have time to organize myself before the madness with school, sports and other kids activities start again at the end of this month.

I turned 40 this past May and since I always had a dream to swim with a dolphin, I decided to include Discovery Cove in our vacation.  Discovery Cove is an amazing resort park in Orlando right by Sea World and my whole family and I got to have a 30 minute swim with a dolphin and then we swam with and touched sting rays and colorful fish.  Here are a few pics making one of my dreams come true:

I meant to have the origami dress vide tutorial done and uploaded before I left for vacation but my son got sick the day before we left and I spent most of the day at the doctor's office and pharmacy so that we could have everything straightened out before we headed out on our road trip.  By the way, he also got an ear infection right after he finished the antibiotics for the previous illness so I spent two weeks administering antibiotics about 4 times a day...that was a PAIN! 

All right....so here is the long awaited video tutorial:

 

 

 And here is a card I made with that little dress

 

I am in the process of organizing my studio so that it is more in sync with the way I work but I will keep posting other projects I entered for the Artisan Award.

Artisan Award Entries - Heart Layout & Tree Card

I've been busy getting ready for a long road trip with my family.  We will be visiting the coastal southeast states and are getting really excited to finally go on vacation...I think my whole family needs it!

I should have the video on the origami dress sometime this week, in the meantime, here is the first non-winning layout (I was inspired by Jennifer McGuire):

All those little punched out hearts were made by using one of the presto DSP and sponging it with three different inks...the entire sheet was then punched out.  Some of those hearts are attached directly to the crumb cake heart and others are popped up with dimensionals.  This is a photo of my kids...they are only 17 months apart and always together.

Stamps:  Cheep Talk

Cardstock/Paper:  Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Newsprint DSP, cherry cobbler, very vanilla, Presto Patterns DSP

Ink:  basick black, marina mist, baja breeze, bashful blue

Accessories:  Vintage Type Rub Ons, Antique Brad, hemp twine, Heart To Heart punch, Full Heart Punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlit Die

 

Here is my third non-winning card.  I wanted to use those awesome wood and cork sheets and make this card very earthy.

Stamps:  Thoughts & Prayers, Woodgrain

Paper/Cardstock:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Ink:  Early Espresso, Old Olive, Versamark

Accessories:  Vintage Trinkets, wood sheet, cork sheet, seam binding ribbon, Lots Of Tags Sizzlit Die, Scallop Oval Punch, 1 3/4 X 7/8 oval punch, clear ep, 3/16" corner punch

 

 

Artisan 3D Project - Altered Embroidery Hoop

I hope everyone here in the U.S.A. had a fabulous 4th of July!!!  We enjoyed the fireworks in Boston and they were by far the most amazing fireworks I have ever seen (and I have seen many). 

I am working on the video for the origami dresses..it's just a little tricky to find a time where I don't have my kids interrupting me for more than 15 minutes at a time and so I am trying to figure out how to get them involved in something so that I have at least an hour to set up the video camera, my supplies, my thoughts and then making the video.

Here is one of my 3D projects I made for the Artisan Award that did not win:

 

I picked up this cute embroidery hoop at Jo-Ann and used that pretty Sew Pretty Stampin'Up fabric that is now in the brand new 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.  I originally wanted to use a photo of me wearing my wedding dress since it was made from scratch in Italy from an awesome seamstress but then I realized that one of the rules for the entries was to not use a picture of ourselves.  My dear friend Giovanna from Sardinia came to the rescue when she told me that her dress too was made from scratch from a seamstress and amazingly enough her dress was from the same collection (different dresses but same collection) so she gave me permission to use a photo of her...I'm thinking about her often since she is going to have surgery on Monday and I am praying for her every night.

Stamps: Sew Sweet, digital broadsheet alphabet

Cardstock/Papers: Sew Sweet DSP, very vanilla

Ink:  basic black

Accessories:  Embroidery hoop, Fun Flowers Bigz Die, trinket crown, brights designer buttons, basic pearls, daffodil delight pom pom trim, vintage trinkets, sweet stitches designer fabric

Artisan Award Projects - Card#1 & #2

School is over for my little ones and they are home 24/7!  We are enjoying each other's company although I had to explain that mommy doesn't really get summer vacation and that I am not always "free" to just play around.  Both kids had pneumonia last week and since I never had any experience with it, I felt I needed to be there with them all the time to make sure they got better and played quiet games instead of bouncing off everywhere (which is something they are used to doing all the time).

Ok, so I was not one of the Artisan Award finalists and since the winners have already been announced through Stampin'Up, I have been told that it's safe for me to start posting my projects that were submitted for this award.  For my cards, I did not want to use lots of product since I wanted to show that one does not need to use the entire catalog to make a wow card.  So let's start with two cards:

I have been on a crumb cake kick and have been using it to make most of my latest projects, this particular card has crumb cake cardstock as its base.  I love photo cards and I made a birthday thank you card using only one stamp set ..."Short & Sweet" which thankfully is not retiring.  Here are all the supplies:

Stamps:  Short & Sweet

Cardstock/Papers:  Crumb Cake, In Color Designer Series Paper Pack,

Ink:  Basic Black

Accessories:  White Signo Pen, paper piercing tool & mat pack, 1 1/4" circle punch, basic pearls, dimensionals

 

This second card still uses only one stamp set and notice that I am still incorporating crumb cake in it.  I have been making more things using origami this year since my kids have shown interest in making anything origami.  I fell in love with these origami dresses and I know I had to incorporate them in one of my artisan award projects so I came up with this card.

Stamps:  Something To Celebrate (retired)

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, In Color Designer Series Paper Pack, Sew Sweet DSP

Ink:  Soft Suede

Accessories:  white baker's twine, dotted scallop ribbon border punch, 2way glue, dazzling diamonds, stampin' dimensionals

 

Stay tuned for more postings on my artisan award projects!!!

Fabulous Florets Gift Ensemble

Here are the two other projects I showed at my last workshop.  All using the beautiful Fabulous Florets stamp set.

 

I love doing gift ensembles and showing people the versatility of our stamps...card, gift box and scrapbook page all using one main stamp set...love it!!!

 

 

Stampin'Up 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog Retiring List

Yes, the time has come when some of our most coveted stamp sets and accessories will retire from the big Stampin'Up Idea Book & Catalog at the end of this month (June 2011).

NOTE:  All discounted items as well as all accessories will be available until the warehouse runs out and then they will be gone forever.  Regular retiring priced stamp sets are all available until the end of June.

Click on the images below to see all retiring items

Last Chance Discounted Products

 

Last Chance Accessories

 

Last Chance Definitely Decorative

 

Last Chance Clear-Mount Stamps

 

Last Chance Wood-Mount Stamps

 

Scrapbook Page in a Frame

Hope everyone has had a nice Memorial Day weekend!

I spent the weekend with the kiddos since hubby took a short trip to Florida for his sister's graduation and we had a ton of fun with all the nice weather we've been having....biking, hiking, eating ice cream watching Kung Fu Panda 2, getting our car wash and playing UNO...so fun!!!

Last week my friend Ellen hosted a workshop.  I normally do one scrapbook page using a photo or two that my hostess wants me to use but this time I turned my 8 1/2 X 11 layout into a frame.  This is Ellen's niece with a smile that just lights up everything around her.

 

All supplies Stampin'Up

Stamp Sets:  Fabulous Florets, Defining Alphabet, Woodgrain

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Crub Cake, Daffodil Delight

Ink:  Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Early Espresso

Accessories:  Dazzling Diamonds, Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

The journaling on the bottom of the photo was just something I created with my computer.

 

Little Spring Gift Card

Just wanted to do a quick post and show you guys a quick little gift card I made yesterday.  I made the central flower using glossy cardstock and sponging some daffodil delight and tangerine tango.  I then stamped the flower from the "Growing Green" stamp set with versamark and embossed it with winter white embossing powder.  I just used some little tids and bits I had lying around from previous projects to finish it all up.

I hope all the moms in the world had a really super nice Mother's Day!!!

Mini Album Class - Local

Since hubby announced that he will be travelling in May (just announced this to me this past Friday) I had to postpone my plans for my classes to June.

This will be a really intense and fun class packed with detailed instructions on how to make a Summer Interactive Mini Album that flips all over the place.  This album has so many flaps and pockets that it can really pack a lot of pictures and journaling.  Here are a few pics of the album:

And here is a short video that shows the interactive elements of the album:

The finished album measures 6 1/2 X 8 1/4.  It will feature the Beyond The Garden paper pack as well as the Fabulous Florets stamp set.

When:  Friday, June 3rd (7:30PM - 10PM)

Where: My Place (32 Parker Street / Lexington, MA)

Cost: $55 (includes all paper material and ribbons, instructions and a template; I am also providing all necessary adhesive)

RSPV & Payment due by May 13th

Level:  Intermediate (you need to be familiar with scrapbooking terms and know how to measure, cut and score paper)

NOTE:  Fiskars paper cutter with scoring blade will be helpful but if you do not have it then you must bring a regular paper cutter and scoring tool.

 

Click on the Buy Now button below to register

 

 

New Summer Mini 2011 Catalog & Video

Hello Everyone,

Did you miss me?!  I am finally able to get back into the blog world and share a little bit of my creativity and life.  It has been a few crazy weeks of creating up a storm in my studio for the Artisan Award, workshops and classes as well as having 9 fun days with my kids home from Spring Break.  My poor house got a bit neglected and decided I needed to also take a few days to make my home look like a real home before starting things up again with blogging and video tapings.

First and foremost, the new Stampin'Up Summer 2011 Mini Catalog is finally here!!!!

You can click HERE to see all its beautiful pages with new stamps, papers and accessories.

I just did a quick video featuring my most favorite paper packs of all time that is featured in this catalog...so here you go:

Come back tomorrow to see pics and another video on a brand new class that I will be teaching locally very soon!!!

 

 

 

More Craft Fair Covered Notebooks

So here are a couple of other altered notebooks I did for the Craft Fair

I used some retired papers and ribbon for this one and then that yummy Sense of Time stamp set

 

Used more retired papers and then the gorgeous striped rich razzleberry ribbon, victoria lace and goodies from the Occasions mini like the beveled windowpanes, vintage flower adornments and the Clearly For You stamp set

I am busy working making projects for the Artisan Award hosted by Stampin'Up! (they are due sometime next month...yikes!!!)

I just love being a Stampin'Up Demonstrator!!!

 

 

 

Corner Bookmark

This is a one of the few corner bookmarks I made for the local Spring Craft Fair last week.

 

I used the Woodland Walk DSP from Stampin'Up and the cute butterfly from the Bliss Stamp Set.  I also used some of my most coveted retired stuff from Stampin'Up like that striped ribbon and frame stamp...I'm telling you, these retired products never go out of style.

 

 

Thank You Stamp-A-Stack

I will be holding a Thank You Stamp-A-Stack Class this Friday night at my home.  Here are the cards and details for this class:

 

REGISTER HERE!!! 

(ALL LEVELS WELCOME!!!) 

 

DATE:

Friday, March 25, 2011

 

TIME:

7:30PM-9:30PM

 

LOCATION:

(32 Parker Street / Lexington, MA)

 

COST: $30 (includes 15 cards, envelopes and small refreshments as well as hands-on help and learning stamping techniques)

We will be making a total of 15 thank you cards (3 different kinds)

 Here are the techniques that we will be learning for this class:

 Dry embossing with the Big Shot

Heat Embossing

Watercoloring Technique with Markers

Watercoloring Technique with Watercolor Crayons

How to use your Spritzer Tool

RSVP/REGISTER BY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23RD!!!

 

NOTE:  You will need to bring your own dry scrapbooking adhesive.

 

 

Altered Notebook

Ok...done with the Craft Fair!  That was some work!!!   But I have to tell you that I loved every minute of it and I got a chance to meet a lot of new people.

Since I did this fair all by myself, I did not have tons and tons of goodies to sell but enough to fit in my 6ft. table.

I managed to do a few altered notebooks for the fair...here's a masculine one:

This notebook does feature a retired stamp set and also a few retired accessories but it also features the Bliss Stamp Set stamped multiple time with Basic Black ink on one of the Basic Grey pattern papers from the Neutral Designer Series Papers to create a cool background.

This is the full Bliss Stamp Set:

 

NOTE:  Remember that the Bliss Stamp Set if a free set if you place at least a $50 order and it's available only until March 31st!!!

To place an order either send me an e-mail at laura2471@yahoo.com or place an online order HERE

 

Hope you all had a very nice weekend!!!

 

Stylish Award & Spring Craft Fair

Sorry I have been missing for a week now but I had the kids home for 9 straight days due to winter break and I have also been getting ready for a couple of craft fairs...the first one is on March 19th so I am super busy crafting.  Here's one of the projects I am making for this fair.

On another topic, one of my most favorite artists and Stampin'Up demonstrators is Jamie Pierson.  She just blew me away when she sent me an e-mail telling me she nominated my blog with the "Stylish blog award".  It is such an honor to have one of my inspirational artists to tell me she likes my blog and my art as well.

 

When you receive this award you are to pay it forward and follow these rules:

1) Thank the person who gave the award and link it back to their blog.

2) Share 8 things about myself.

3) Pass this award to 8 other individuals that I have recently discovered.

4) Leave a comment so that they can pass along the recognition!

Ok, so here are a few random things about myself right now:

1.  I secretly want to go and live with Jamie Pierson in her gorgeous farm and learn all there is to know about having a farm and raising cows, and chickens, and horses and sheep...after that we would just stamp as storm!!!

2. I avoid medicine like the plague.  I will try to bear the pain as much as I can when I have headaches and PMS until I can not function before I reach out for a Tylenol (extra strength).

3.  I worked in the Corporate world for 7 years before quitting and getting my massage therapy license in New York.  I am looking forward to the day hubby tells me we are to stay put so that I can renew my license and practice massage therapy again (alongside my Stampin'Up business).

4. Parenting is one of my most challenging and rewarding jobs I have and will ever have.  (it's also the most tiring and the most fun job)

5.  I have too many interests and hobbies that I can not possibly master in one lifetime.  But my #1 wish is to see as much of the world as possible before I leave this earth.

6. I cry more easily than anyone I know.  If I see someone cry, even if it's someone I don't know, I start to cry myself.  I can not bear to see anyone sad.

7.  Love to cook but hate to clean. I have always been a messy (and lazy) person by nature and I work very hard everyday to go against that part of my nature.  It has gotten waaaaay better over the years.  (I made my poor mom miserable as a teenager because of this...sorry mom, will try to make up for it...promise!!!)

8.  I really have a hard time with Politics.  Don't like them, don't want to know about them and don't want to create them.

Here's the final step for this award...8 people I have recently discovered that have made my life a little brighter:

1. Kimberly Van Diepen (a creative stamper and a Stampin'Up demonstrator who always blows me away with her cards and stamped goodies...and not only is she talented but she is super super nice!!!)

2.  Jessica Jones (this woman can inspire me any day...did you see one of her latest post showcasing little origami mushrooms?  Too cute!!!)

3.  Ann Wood (love all her little magical hanging vintage boats.  One day I will buy one from her...like, when I am retired so I can afford one).

4. Brandi Wiggins-Cote'  (super creative, fun and talented Stampin'Up demonstrator;  her stuff always makes me smile!!!)

5.  Mrs. Jo-Ann Pullen-Louiseize (her work screams elegance and romance!!!)

6.  Marika Lemay  (my most favorite French Stampin'Up demonstrator.  I can stare at her work all day long!)

7.  Jessica Okui (be still my heart...chalkboard name tags and origami bows!!!)

8.  Bakerella  (this woman always makes me want something sweet...it's a good thing I have kids so I have an excuse to make so many little sugar treats)

I am going to work on my monthly newsletter tonight and tomorrow for my customers and after that I am going to keep on creating for the upcoming craft fairs.  I many not be able to blog as often as I have been until the end of this month....

One More Birthday Card

Here is another birthday card we made last month.  Used the Build Bold Cupcakes Sizzlit using the Big Shot for this one.

On a side note, my computer is getting some work done at the Apple store and I really hope I have it soon so that I can keep working on it.

Have a safe and memorable weekend!

 

Birthday Cards

Last month I held my very first class of the year....Birthday Stamp-A-Stack.  I was happy at how everything turned out.  Here is one of the cards that we made.  I made it so that it could be for either a boy or girl.  I just love that little fox from the Fox & Friends stamp set and I could stamp that Woodgrain background on anything.

Hope everyone is having a really nice week!!!

 

My Digital Studio Catalog

Stampin'Up has just come out with the brand new My Digital Studio catalog.  It features all of Stampin'Up digital goodies.  You do not need to have My Digital Studio (MDS) software to use the digital elements.  You can always use your Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.

Here is the catalog (click on the image below):

 

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!

This year, I decided to make the card for my hubby a little bit more simple yet I still used last year's three window format.

So you see that little origami heart in the center?  I made 20 of them with my son and we super sized them for my son's class valentines.  That took a while which brings me to another point...this post just took me 1/2 hour to do simply because my keyboard is not cooperating...I type a letter and it will type it 100 times so I hit escape and then hit delete and so then instead of the incorrect letters being deleted, it will delete my entire post.  Seriously this computer is making me swear up a storm so much so that I will just need to go to the Apple store this week and hope that they will only keep it for a day to get the darn thing fixed....so extremely annoyed right now!!! (what a waste of my @@@@???@@@ time)

 

Teacher Valentine Project

This week has been all about getting ready for Valentine's Day.  The kids both have parties in their respective classes and needed to have their Valentine cards ready by this past Friday.  They also asked me to do something for their teachers so here are the projects I made for them.

 

 

These cute decorations were inspired by one of my favorite artists and Stampin'Up demonstrator Kimberly VanDiepen.  I always love her style and this time it was no exception.  I hope the teachers like them as much as I did.