Card Swaps

I think I've mentioned before that I am part of a group of demonstrators that swaps cards periodically. This lets us get a variety of samples to show our customers without having to purchase all of the stamp sets. Our group is called Quality Control Swappers or QC Swappers. The ladies in this group do fantastic work and I'm very honored to be included with them! Anyway, here are two cards I made recently for a "New Catalog Set" card swap for this group.

This first card uses A Good Friend stamp set found on page 91 in the current catalog. I am not a bird person (ask me about the time I found myself in Lorikeet Landing in San Deigo), but I just LOVE this bird in the stamp set. I also bought the coordinating set Cheep Talk on page 90.

I took the color combination from the Rainbow Sherbert designer paper--Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal, Green Galore, and Gable Green. This is such a fun, happy combination! I used my Big Shot Texturz plates to give some texture to the popped up wing.

Recipe
Stamp Sets: Good Friend, Wow Flowers (sentiment)
Paper: Rainbow Sherbet DP, Apricot Appeal, Gable Green, Whisper White
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Big Shot Texturz SU BG 1, Large Oval punch, Apricot Appeal grosgrain ribbon, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, Cutter Kit


This second card uses the Lots of Thoughts stamp set. This is a set we've needed for a long time! No one likes having to make Sympathy cards, but there are times that we all need them. I fell in love with the tree in this set the minute I saw it. I was so very excited to see that we had a matching Decor Element. I haven't had a chance to put it up, but will share a picture once I do.

Recipe:
Stamp Set: Lots of Thoughts
Paper: Chocolate Chip Patterns DP, Sage Shadow, Kraft, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip (craft and classic), Sage Shadow
Accessories: Iridescent Ice EP, Heat Tool, Kraft Tafetta Ribbon, Large Oval punch, Eyelet Border punch, 5/16 Neutral Brads, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

Glitter Windows

Have you ever made a Glitter Window card? This was the first card technique I ever tried when I first started stamping. Below is the actual card I made over 4 years ago. I had just started stamping. It is a very simple, easy card--but definitely not my style now! :O)

The Glitter Window is made by adding a piece of clear packaging tape to the back and then sprinkling Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on top. While working on some cards the other day, I decided to give Glitter Windows another try. Here are two that I made:

This first card uses the Big Shot Snowflake die. The rest of the card is very simple because the snowflake window is so huge! I love that the Baja Breeze background shows through the window and gives a nice color to it.

This second card is made using two punches--the Scallop Circle and the Snowburst punch. I saw another card like this one and thought it was such a neat take on the glitter window.

Glitter Window Technique:
1. Use a punch or die or paper cutter to make some type of window in the base of your card.
2. Add packaging tape to the back of the cardstock so that the sticky of the tape is on front.
3. Sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds to the sticky side and brush off excess.
4. Finish your card as you like!

Class by Email: Sweet Stems Faux Silk Purse & Cards Set

I've had quite a few of you ask if I would be offering a class for the Valentine treat box and cards that I shared the other day. Well, I will not be doing an in-home class, but I will offer you the chance to get the directions in a Class by Email format. This means that you will receive a file with step by step directions to make the project. The directions will feature the colors and paper you see above. This Class by Email features the Faux Silk technique. Included in the file are step by step directions to complete the technique.

Option #1: Place a an order of $35 or more (before shipping and tax) from now until March 31 and get the directions for FREE. You can place your order through my online store or directly with me. Club orders/SSW orders do not count. Once your order is placed, I will email you the 20 page step by step instruction file, complete with lots of pictures.

Here is a sample of the direction sheet:

Main products you will need to complete project as shown: Sweet Stems stamp set, Raspberry Tart designer paper, Wide Oval Punch, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Markers--Cameo Coral, Real Red, Pretty in Pink. Find the full list of products at the end of this post. Keep in mind that you can substitute what you have on hand like I did for the teachers' gifts in my previous post.

Option #2: You can purchase the 20 page instruction file for only $7. You can use the Buy Now button below to purchase this option. Once payment is received, I will email you the file.

ETA: The Paypal link is working now! Thanks to those of you who let me know it wasn't working!

ETA #2: Okay, I'm not sure what is going on with the Buy Now Paypal link. It is supposed to take you to a checkout screen that will allow you to use your Paypal account (if you have one) or pay with a credit card, but it seems some of you are having trouble with it. If it doesn't work for you, you can use Paypal to send the payment to me by using my email address: carriestamps@aol.com or email me and I can send an invoice through Paypal. Sorry for the trouble!

Price Options

Regular Price $7.00 Clubbers $5.00

This Class by Email is not available to Demonstrators.
If you wish to have more information, please contact me directly.

This Class by Email is available now until March 31.

Full List of Products Used:

Stamps
• Sweet Stems
(113726; Set of 4)
• Kind Thanks
(111700; Set of 4)

Paper
• 102544 Card Stock – 8 ½” x 11” – Rose Red
• 100475 Card Stock – 8 ½” x 11” – Cameo Coral
• 101650 Card Stock – 8 ½” x 11” – Very Vanilla
• 111353 Card Stock – 8 ½” x 11” – Kiwi Kiss
• 100459 Card Stock – 8 ½” x 11” – Pretty in Pink
• 113975 Designer Series Paper – 12” x 12” – Raspberry Tart

Ink
• 101179 Classic Ink – Basic Black
• 111835 Classic Ink – Kiwi Kiss
• 102283 Classic Ink – VersaMark Ink
• 105216 Classic Ink – Pumpkin Pie
• 100074 Stampin’ Write Marker – Cameo Coral
• 100052 Stampin’ Write Marker – Real Red
• 100045 Stampin’ Write Marker – Pretty in Pink

Stampin’ Up! Accessories
• 111879 Satin Ribbon – Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla
• 104045 Anywhere Glue Stick
• 104430 Stampin’ Dimensionals
• 104331 SNAIL Refill
• 104294 Sticky Strip
• 103683 Mini Glue Dots
• 107300 Medium Envelopes – Very Vanilla
• 103954 Aqua Painter
• 108362 Crop-A-Dile
• 112082 Wide Oval Punch
• 109047 3/16” Corner Rounder Punch
Adhesive, scissors and paper trimmer

Non Stampin' Up! Products Used
• Velcro™ Dot w/ sticky backing
• Tissue Paper (gift wrap) - White

Valentine Treats for Kyle's Teachers

The night before Kyle's little Valentine exchange at school, I stayed up late working on his teachers' gifts. I decided to make this adorable accordion box and set of matching cards. I used the Candy Lane designer series paper and the Sweet Stems stamp set. I included envelopes, of course, and a little cello bag of Hershey Kisses.

I just love the Sweet Stems stamp set. We will be using it in my Stamp-a-Stack on the 24th. I still have spots available, so let me know if you'd like to join us.

Yummy!

This is a super quick project that uses the Top Note die for the Big Shot. I found this idea on Dawn Griffith's blog and fell in love with it because of its simplicity. The stamped image you see is from the Yummy stamp set found in the Sale-a-Bration catalog. You can earn it as well as 5 other items for free with each $50 order from now until March 31. If you haven't see the catalog, check out the pink catalog to the right.


I took the above idea and came up with this idea for Kyle's school Valentines. He stamped them himself and wrote his name on the back of all 22 of them! I stamped the greeting and the ants to help him out. I was surprised at how quickly he did them. I thought we would need 2 days, but we finished in a little over an hour, I think.

A few of them have some shadow stamping (tapping the stamp a couple of times or dropping the stamp) and quite a few inky fingerprints. This one actually has the greeting in the top right, where as most of them had the greeting in the bottom right. I had planned on using mini glue dots to attach the Hersey kisses, but they wouldn't work. I had to use Sticky Strip instead.

February Newsletter Valentine Project

Here is an easy little Valentine treat you can make super quickly! This treat holder holds a little cello bag of candy. I used my new candy obsession---Sweethearts.

1. Cut a Real Red piece of cardstock to 3 1/4 x 8 1/2.
2. Score at 1, 4 1/2, and 5".
3. Use Scallop Edge punch to scallop the edge of the 1" section.
4. Stamp this piece as you wish.
5. Cut a small cello bag to 3 3/8".
6. Fill the bag with candy (you don't want it to be too full!).
7. Place the bag inside your pouch so that the open end is near the crease of the 1" flap.
8. Close the pouch and use your Crop-a-dile or hole punch to punch two holes in center of the 1" section---these punched holes will go through all layers--bag included.
9. Use ribbon to tie the pouch closed.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Happy Heart Day
Inks: Real Red, markers
Paper: Real Red, More Mustard, Whisper White
Other: Crop-a-dile, White grosgrain ribbon, Iridescent Ice embossing powder, Versamark, heat tool, Scallop Edge punch

Candy Heart Purse

This is another project the ladies made at my Valentine Treats Class. It uses one clear envelope, a velcro dot and Coluzzle ovals. Easy and so cute! If I had a daughter, this is what she would be passing out for Valentine's Day!

1. Use Coluzzle to cut a large oval from cardstock and the next size oval from Designer Paper.
2. Adhere to ovals together and fold along the long side.
3. Use Crop-a-dile or hole punch to punch two holes along crease for your ribbon handle.
4. Tie a 10” piece of ribbon through the holes.
5. Use a bone folder to make sharp creases on the clear envelope flap. Fold up the bottom of the envelope so that it touches the flap creases—use bone folder to get a sharp crease.
6. Apply a strip of Sticky Strip at the top back of your envelope pouch. Adhere it to the inside of the cardstock oval at the crease.
7. Insert candy of your choice in the envelope. Fold up the bottom.
8. Adhere a Velcro dot to the inside flap of your cardstock oval and close your purse. When you are ready to give this as a gift, you can pull of the envelope flap covering and close the “bag.”
9. Decorate as you wish.

Scrapbooking Part 2

Okay, here is my 2nd layout for this week. These pictures are also from a few years ago. We bought some goldfish right before Christmas one year. Kyle has always loved animals and he loved watching the fish swim around. As you can see, Minnie the cat like them, too! Kent was dismayed that the fish lasted as long as they did. He got a bit tired of changing and cleaning the tank!

I used the Big Shot swirly die like I did for the Little Mermaid layout I posted a while back. Have I told you that I LOVE my Big Shot? I do.

Scrapbooking Part 1

I have vowed to do more of my own scrapbooking this year, so I am going to try to post a Scrapbooking layout each week. I won't promise, though! :)

My goal this year is to finish all of 2008, even though I have plenty of earlier photos I'd like to scrap. Well, just recently I veered off course and have started scrapping photos from 2 and 3 years ago. This is what I'll be sharing with you today and tomorrow.

Every good scrapper knows that you are supposed to journal your pages. Your supposed to tell the story that your photos can't tell. To be honest, I'm horrible about journaling. It's not that I don't write well or can't come up with something to say, but rather, I just don't take the time to do it! I know, I know---bad demonstrator! I will work on this. I do still plan to journal this page, though!

I have recently fallen in love with making punched art images. I have been a doing Stampin' Up! for over 4 years and have rarely bought anything that isn't SU! I find that photos I have of characters or very specific events are hard for me to scrap if I don't have matching stamps. So, I have now discovered how awesome it is to be able to make almost anything with our fabulous punches! Aren't the Sesame Street characters adorable?! I love them!

Scrapbooking Club

This is the layout that my club will be making this month. It uses the Love You Much stamp set and the Candy Lane designer paper.

If you are looking to make scrapbooking easier, you will want to join one of my Scrappin' Clubs! Each month, you will meet at my house to make a 12x12 layout like this. You will also swap layouts with your club members each month. This means that each person will make a two-page layout and duplicate it for every member in the group. Each month you will go home with up to 7 two-page layouts that only need your pictures to complete them. It is much easier to replicate a layout 6 times than coming up with 6 different layouts!

I have spots available for a Monday night Scrappin' Club. This club will meet on the 2nd Mondays of the month beginning in April. You will take turns one month to receive the Hostess Benefits---at least $15 to spend and a level 1 Hostess-only stamp set. I am also starting a waiting list for an additional night, but will need 6 people to get it started. Let me know if you are interested!

Stay tuned over the next few days for additional Scrapbooking samples!

Ordering Online Tips

More of you are starting to place online orders through my website, so I want to be sure that your experience is easy and that you are getting everything you can earn with those online orders.

1. To order online, go to my website---www.carrieclary.stampinup.net. Click on the SHOP NOW button at the top right.
2. You can browse by New Products, stamp sets, embellishments, tools, etc.
3. When you see an item, you click on it to get more information on it and to view the "Add to Bag" button.
4. You can place an order and still receive the Hostess Benefits--called Stampin' Rewards for online ordering--- with an order of $150 or more.

Current Specials to Consider:
1. From now until April 30, any online order through my website will receive a free Idea Book & Catalog automatically with your order.
2. From now until March 31, you can earn a free Sale-a-Bration reward with each $50 spent. Once you have your merchandise entered, you will need to enter the product numbers for each of your free SAB rewards on the same screen.

At the bottom of your Shopping Bag page, you will see a Special Offer Box (see pic below) that will show which offers you qualify for . If you earn Sale-a-bration rewards, you need to enter the item number of the reward you choose.
First time users will need to set up a user account with a password. The next time you order, you will just enter the email address you used and your password.

Sale-a-Bration is here!

February 1 - March 31, 2009

The most wonderful time of the stampin' year is here----Sale-a-Bration! What is so great about it, you ask? During Sale-a-Bration, EVERYONE can earn something for FREE, not just hostesses!

This year the Sale-a-Bration rewards include 4 different stamp sets, a special combo of ribbon, and a 16 sheet Designer Paper pack. You can view the SAB brochure by clicking here or looking to the right under Current Catalogs. It is the pink catalog!

There are 3 ways you can earn some free stuff:

1. For each $50 order (before shipping and tax), you can choose 1 of 6 SAB rewards absolutely FREE! There is no limit to the number you can earn. Spend $100, get 2 rewards. Spend $150, get 3, etc.

2. When you host a Stampin' Party, you will receive one choice for each $300 in sales from your party. This is an excellent time to be a hostess because everyone likes free stuff, and most people who order will be sure to hit the $50 mark so that they can get a free reward. This makes your party sales higher and earns you more free stuff!

3. Join the Stampin' Up! family to become a demonstrator like me. Anyone who signs up during SAB, will get to choose 1 stamp set from the current catalog (value of up to $47.95) for free. Plus, get 15% off the regular $199 price of the Starter Kit--that's $335 worth of products for only $169!

And, when you choose to join my team, I will offer you a chance to earn up to $30 in free merchandise. You'll get $15 in free stuff once your paperwork is processed. When you promote to Senior Associate, I'll give you another $15 in free merchandise! Look to the right under "Special Download Forms" for my FAQ about Being a Demonstrator that may answer any questions you might have.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

Click on the picture below to view the list of included items in the Starter Kit!