Stamp Camp goodies!!

This past Friday I hosted  a Chinese New Year/Valentine themed 'Stamp Camp' and we had a BLAST!! As a demonstrator it takes time to think of what projects you want to show, getting the supplies ready...cleaning the house (LOL) and I usually try to provide something light and tasty to eat...I made Oriental Chicken Salad With Crunchy Ramen Noodles, and it's delicious..thinking about it is making my mouth water!! I just wanted to share the recipe because it's quick and easy to prepare.

This little robot was inspired from one I saw in a Better Homes & Gardens Scrapbooks Etc. (Feb. 2011) magazine...you know you should never throw these babies out!! I started looking through it the other day(rather than buying a newer issue and low and behold there are TONS of ideas. This one I liked because you could alter it to make it any size you want, here it's just a standard card front but it could easily be made into a card.

Here are some details:
The base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4", layered with a piece that measures 5 1/4" x 4". That piece was spritzed with water and embossed using a texturz plate (this one is retired). Spraying your CS with water gives a much deeper impression...try it!! I then used a sponge and Whisper White Craft ink and rubbed over the words to really make it POP!
Robot
Head: 1 " square punch, the eyelids and mouth were made using the owl punch and attached with 2-way glue pen
Body: wrap desired candy with a belly band of DSP
Arms & Legs: cut desired length and run through crimper
Hands & Feet: circle punches and cut in half

The last thing I did was spray the entire thing with Champage Mist shimmer paint.

This next card uses one of the exclusive sets you can earn from SAB...it's called Elementary Elegance. I LOVE how trendy this set is, the keys and crowns you see all over th place from jewelry to home decor and now...stamps!!

This card also uses the new pleated satin ribbon found in the Occasions Mini (125571). Pretty easy card to make, the Basic Black CS was embossed using the Stripes embossing folder (123128). The stamp set coordinates with the Curly Label punch (119851) so I stamped the main image with Basic Black, then chose my words, stamped them also with black onto Sahara Sand CS and punched it out and that piece was popped up using a dimensional. Added a rhinestone to the crown, and sprayed the entire front with Silver Foil Smooch Spritz (118771). Voila!!

This last card was basically a CASE (copy and steal everything) from this card here. I loved it, and she shows a quick photo tutorial if you are interested in how to make the scallop circle die into a card..which also still fits into an envelope (yay!!). This set is so fun!!

Who wouldn't love getting a card that they can actually play with??

The Maze game pieces come in a pack of 4 (124332) for only $2.50...love it!!

Here is the inside greeting:

Since we had fortune cookies for dessert, we also made a cute little paper fortune cookie. I am going to make a video tutorial showing how simple and easy it is and you can use them for any holiday..not just Valentine's. I will post that over the weekend. So stay tuned!!

Let me know if you have any questions!!

Valentine's Day Home Decor..'SAB' style!

Now you know by now that Stampin' Up!'s promotion Sale-a-Bration (SAB) has officially begun...hooray!! Who doesn't love earning FREE and EXCLUSIVE goodies!!!

This FABULOUS promotion runs until  March 31, 2012.

1. Contact me today to schedule your workshop or check my upcoming scheduled events by going to http://www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net/

*If you have not received your copy of the SAB mini catalog and the new Occasions mini catalog in your mailbox from me (and you have ordered from me this year) then the mailman ate it. So just let me know so I can send you another one. If you have not ordered or seen me in the past year and would like to have one, just reply back and tell me! Be sure to include your current mailing address so I can get it to the right place.

If you are unaware of how this promotion works, then let me just fill you in quickly:
For every $50 spent (before tax, S&H) you may choose a FREE product from the Sale-a-Bration mini catalog. There are some exclusive sets, My Digital Studio downloads, and even sets from the Idea Book & Catalog too.

Place a qualifying $150 workshop and in addition you can earn a FREE tote. Please note, that the tote is not for online orders, please e-mail me your order and I'll place the order for you to ensure that you receive it!!

In addtion, if you decide to sign up to become a demonstrator during this promotion then you can choose to have a FREE pack of Designer Series Paper each and every month OR choose a FREE Digital Download..it's your choice and those savings add up!! You can sign-up on my website at http://www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net/ and click the 'Join Now' tab. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Here are some samples to get you inspired for Valentine's Day and all of these products were made with ONE pack of Everyday Enchantment DSP...I love this paper, it's so shabby chic! I have earned several packs of this beautiful paper and can't wait to make more goodies, so stay tuned!! Yes...that does mean I have spent alot (hee hee!!)

Very simple, quick and easy and the hubby helped me figure out how to hang the hearts, I thought they would also look cute over a window or hung on a branch? Here is a close-up:

Here is a glass block that I bought at Lowes and I think that this little guy will get decorated seasonally...won't that be cute?? I put a 10-count strand of lights inside and the picture really doesn't do it justice...it's so pretty IRL. Here is what it looks from the back:


All of these projects came together pretty quickly because of the Big Shot and dies...I LOVE our new Framelits, these used the Hearts Collection (125599). Shhhh....there are even more designs coming out too!! I am SO excited!

I also used another new product in the Occasions Mini Catalog...the scented embossing powder (pg. 35)...remember how we had to make 'scratch-n-sniff' cards with  clear embossing powder and Kool-Aid?? Well...this is already done for you. You can smell it immediatly after you remove the lid of the powder. I embossed the angel and tag on the glass light and on the hanging hearts below the 'love always' tag. I used the vanilla (125590) and it's faint but elegant. Not sure how long the scent lasts...but it's pretty cool so far!!

Here is a close-up:

This banner was fun~ or maybe I should say funny...I cut the pennants and then the hardest part was trying to figure out in what order did they look best...since I used only 1 piece of DSP per pennant I wanted the other side to be 'pretty' too!! So...after a couple glasses of wine and a fun little game that my daughter Regan and I came up with, this is how it ended up. She would hold the small pennants, I had the large ones...we then took turns like playing cards and layed each one down making sure that we liked the colors on both sides and that it matched the previous one (guess you had to be there) . We both agreed that we liked it..then it was off to decorate and we LOVED it finished and hung! Here is the other side:

Here is a close-up view of these cute little accordian flowers..these are so fun to make. We now have a die that makes these too!!! Thank-you Stampin' Up!

Additional Supplies Used
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip CS (for all the letters), silver glimmer paper (124005)
Accessories: small heart punch (117193), full heart punch 119883), glue dots (103683), sticky strip (104294), curly label punch (119851), linen thread (104199), Victoria Lace trim (118481), Neutrals Buttons (119743), crop-a-dile (108362),  Simply Scored (122334), Perfect Pennants die (123126), Serif Essentials alphabet die (113464), 3/4" circle punch 119873), 2 3/8" scallop circle punch (118874)

As always, if you have any questions... let me know!!

Stampin' hugs~ Erin

Vantine's Heart Wreath Tutorial

Here is what I made over the weekend~
It uses the new fabric called Twitterpated (125412) found in the current Occasions Mini Catalog.

Saturday I dedicated my time to watching football. I was glued to the game Saturday night..what a victory!! I am originally from Rhode Island and a big HUGE Patriots fan... so I am very happy!! It took days, seriously I mean DAYS to take down all of the Christmas decorations around the house and I was SO not in the mood to do it~ it's so much work. It's all been put away and I'm focused on the next little holiday...Valentine's Day!!

Here is the finished photo of the one I made for the tutorial: (see link below)
While watching the games yesterday I made this heart wreath, since today is MLK and the banks are closed (and I work at a bank  at BB&T) I felt that it was time I made a video tutorial..so here you go!! The kids are home from school today too...they were so funny trying to be quiet while filming...you can't see in the video but Aiden is walking behind me on his tippy-toes trying not to laugh!! Silly kids!!

Here is the tutorial:
Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions!!

Stampin' hugs~
Erin

Happy New Year!!!

Shame shame...everyone knows my name!! Looking back at my last post I am not really sure where exactly to begin...sheesh!!Bats??? Halloween?? Where has the time gone??
Obviously we are now into the new year...welcome 2012!!
Happy New Year to you all!!

Obviously there were a couple of holidays in there that seem as though I passed right over~ trust me I didn't...like many of you I fought the crowds shopping....spent way more $$ than I should have (smile)...baked-baked and baked some more~ yes John did help (o.k. he probably cooked more than I did) and in addition I caught the lovely 'common' cold. In a nutshell that is about it, I did enjoy a wonderful visit with my mother (she is living in Tuscon, AZ). Spent some time with my brother, his wife Karolina and their BEAUTIFUL cute little monster Kaia...my niece is about to turn 2 and I assisted in giving her a bath~ it was SO much fun!! I miss the kids (mine) when they were that age, they grow so quickly it's hard to believe...my 'baby' just turned 10!! His birthday was in December too...so there is another holiday that occurred since my last post...this girl has been BUSY!!

Since I feel guilty about not sharing some recent projects here are just a few...I know that the holidays have past...but maybe they will inspire you for next season..or change out the theme to make it apply to what you need!
This first beauty is a 5x7 frame that I made (without the glass). I picked up the frame at Hobby Lobby...OMG...I had heard of this store...but where I live there weren't any stores...guess what???
We have one now here in Winchester and it's GRAND!!

RecipeStamp Set: Pines & Poinsettias (123762 W, 123764 C) and Comfort & Joy (124175 W, 120753 C)
Card Stock: Cherry Cobler, Very Vanilla, Holly Berry Bouquet DSP (124004), First Edition Specialty DSP (121878)
Ink: Cherry Cobler, Early Espresso
Accessories: Chantilly Crochet Trim (118480),  linen thread, Regals buttons, Scallop Trim Border punch (118402), 2 3/8" scallop circle punch (118874), champagne mist shimmer paint (116806), vintage trinkets (118764), large tag punch (119876) and Simply Scored (122334)

I LOVE making these little ol' lollies...with our new Simply Scored tool..it's EASY!!


This past Convention I joined a 12x12 Calendar swap. The way it worked out was great~ in a group of 12, each participant chooses a month and designs (2) 12x12 pages that 'resemble' that month. Here was what I received from another Stampin' Up! Demonstrator~ Wendy Halverson...it's beautiful!!

It inspired me along with art work that was shown in a recent Stampin' Success (a publication for SU! demo's).  I told you it's a BEAUTY!!

Here is the month I created for January: 

Hard to tell from the photo but on the Marina Mist 12x12 piece there are sponged snowflakes in Marina Mist ink that were created from the negative image of the Sizzix Snowflake #2 die (113460). Embossed snowflakes from the Northern Flurry embossing folder (120902) on the Poppy Parade CS. I used the stamp set Season of Friendship (111776 W). The bird and tree were stamped onto Whisper White CS covered with a piece of vellum CS. On the vellum I stamped/embossed snowflake with Dazzling Diamonds EP. It's so much prettier IRL (in real life) because I sprayed Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (118772) ALL over!!

All of the months received were awesome, makes a great gift as a completed scrapbook!!

Here is the Christmas card that I made, different layout and I like the way it came out...pretty easy to mass produce and since the card base is one layer it doesn't use a ton of CS.

Card Recipe
Stamp Set: Christmas Lodge (123767 W, 123769 C)
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, vellum CS and Frostwood Lodge DSP (124002)
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: silver brads, chocolate chip taffeta
 ribbon and Silver Foil Smooch Spritz (118771)

Here is a view of how it opens:

Now on to the New Year~ and of course the Occasions Mini Catalog click the link to view the catalog online and let me know if you would like me to mail you an actual copy of the catalog. There are TONS of goodies inside..from new fabric with coordinating accessories (oh so pretty!) to AMAZING dies for the Big Shot...just wait until you see for yourself!! I have already placed my order...the box has arrived and this weekend I'm diggin' in!! So stay tuned!!

Remember that this year's Stampin' Up! HUGE promotion 'Sale-a-Bration' begins soon (January 24th!!!) Call me today to reserve a date for your Workshop with friends & family, where you the hostess earns FREE product and your guests can too!!
Until next time~ happy stampin'!
~Erin

It's a bird! It's a plane...no it's a bat!!

I first saw this bat here on Shelli's blog~ she had demo'ed it at a recent Regional event and it immediatly went into my fav's.

I finally got around to making them...honestly I was thinking that they were going to be a bit difficult...NOT!!

Using the Big Shot with the Petal Cone die (121810) and the Perfect Pennants die (123126) made it a breeze...so I made a couple of them and hung them on a branch that I spray painted black. It's hung with some fishing line on my curtain rod~ began thinking that it might be something I keep up through the holidays...picture a white branch with cute little handmade ornaments!! Right now they are empty but I plan on adding some sweet little treats as a Halloween gift to our neigbors.
If you don't have a Big Shot yet....there seriously has never been a better time to join Stampin' Up!...until October 31st...you can earn one FREE!!! Just click the promotional flyer on the right for more info.

This card shown was featured in a previous post...but since it wanted to be on our piano...and it didn't want to be lonely I made it a friend by covering a battery operated candle with matching Frightful Sight DSP (122351) and voila!! Here is a close-up:

Here is a banner that I made in about 10 minutes or less...seriously!! I used the same Frightful Sight DSP and the Perfect Pennants die (123126). Punched out letters with the Serif Essentials Alphabet die (113464).

The other side says 'WICKED'.....because I love witches and these little witch legs in my dining room are the cutest!!

Here I have covered three of our Decor Blocks (116829) in Pick Your Poison DSP (124001). The blocks are shown on pg. 181 in the Idea Book & Catalog. These were totally an inspiration from another demonstrator Donna Hill (thanks Donna!!). You get 4 smooth, MDF natural wood 3" blocks per package for only $9.95. I love these little guys...you could decorate them for all 4 seasons and turn them as needed or stack em'...B-A-B-Y would be cute for a baby shower...the possibilities are endless!!
I also just covered the candles with the same DSP...easy peasy!!

Here is a close-up:

I had mentioned that I had a 'really' cool Halloween card to share with you?? Well...don't worry...it's coming. I am actually in the process of making a video to show how it works...stay tuned!!

Here is one cute and simple idea for a quick treat~ 

I used our new Cellophane Bags (124134), some candy corn and made a tag. Then I just stuck it onto printed Whisper White CS with some glue dots.
Check out this site for lots of cute 'poop' poems..below is the one I used.
Pumkin Poop
I started to carve a pumpkin
With my carving knife and scoop,
But the pumpkin got so scared
That he took a little poop!
It looked so cute and funny
Just like a candy treat,
So I'm sharing it with you now
Because you are so sweet!

I think that might be it for Halloween decorations and ideas...need to get started on some Fall/Winter goodies~ Christmas will be here before you know it..isn't that crazy??

Do you all make your own cards for the holidays?? Leave a comment and let me know what are your traditions...past and present. In the last few years I have not mailed out any hand-made cards (I know...terrible huh??) One year I made about 50 or so and never even mailed them!!
Not the case this year...I have recently found my 'Stampin' Mojo' and the fingers are constantly inky!!

So stay tuned for continued inspiration and let me know if you have any questions!!
Happy Stampin'
~Erin

Apples, Leaves and Cajun Chicken pasta~ read on!!

So the other day I was in a mood to cook up somthin' good...where did I turn?? I ended up online checking out one of my favorites sites: the pioneer woman...ever heard of her?? If not..then I suggest you check it out now...well maybe after you enjoy reading this post. 

This is what I made~ YUM!!

It's called Cajun Chicken Pasta and my friends~ it was SO good!! Posting this picture is making me drool!
I seriously think that everything she makes is out of this world and well worth the mess in the kitchen!
The rules around here are: If you cook...you don't clean!!

Okay now on to some stampin'~ it's why your here right??

I promised some Halloween goodies and first and foremost..I don't want to disapoint anyone~

Here is our Simply Adorned jewelry...pg. 200 in the Idea Book & Catalog...at my next Stamp Camp we be making a total of 5 charm inserts for the 1"x 1 1/4" charm. I wanted to showcase how easy it is to change up the charms for any season or holiday..so here's Halloween's example (I'll post the others in a later post).

Here is the back:
I used the 24" chain (116800) and rectangle charm (116798) along with one of the trinket keys from a set of 4 (121892) and a black crystal bauble (121011).

Here is the bracelet:

The inserts were stamped and I LOVE how our new Pewter embossing powder (124114) matches PERFECTLY!!

Here is the other side of the bracelet:
Please note: If you have a nickel allergy these are a no go~ sorry!! However...these embellishments look GREAT on cards and other crafts!!
Please let me know if you have additional questions on the Simply Adorned collection.

Now on to more goodies..

It's fall right?? So do you think of Apples and Leaves?? Me too!!

This card features my newest favorite stamp set called Countryside(116998 W, 120495 C) this is a GREAT set for when you are needing more 'manly' cards. I came across so many great creations on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ but this is the card that I decided on for my inspiration...I needed one that didn't involve too much coloring because yup it's a Stamp Camp card...so the highlights on the truck were easy...Poppy Parade marker (119801) for the apples (these markers are a set of 5 for the 2010-2012 In Color Markers) and some white chalk (Stampin' Pastels 120962)~ LOVE IT!!
Card Details
Stamp Set: Countryside (116998 W, 120495 C),Woodgrain Background (117100 W), Tiny Tags (
Card Stock: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Poppy Parade
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers (Poppy Parade and Early Espresso), Stampin' Pastels (120962), Jewelry Tag punch (117190), Vintage Trinkets (118764), Frost White Shimmer Paint (116854), Early Espresso 1/8" taffeta ribbon (119959), Color Spritzer tool (107066)

This next card came to me so quickly...don't you love it when that happens?? I have been off work the past four days  and the ideas and have been flowin'..what do they call it?? Stampin' Mojo??
Again a great 'man' card if needed, but I don't know...it's pretty too!! The insides of both cards I have left blank because I don't know which sentiment I want to use yet...but they will probably both use stamps from Curly and Cute (117014 W, 120510 C).  This is the first time I have used this denim ribbon...where has it been all my life?? Oh yeah~my stampin' closet!! I love it~ it really does look and feel like blue jeans!!

Here is a close-up:
I knew that I wanted to use a stick...plane and simple a stick...so I ventured outside in the rain and stood under a big ol' Oak tree to look for some small dry twigs...I quickly learned I was under attack..squirrels in the tree were dropping acorns all over the place!!

Now check this out...
'BABY' acorns...aren't these the cutest things you have ever seen?? My mind is now racing on what crafty thing I can do with these little guys!!

Card Details
Stamp Set: French Foliage (120845 W, 121166 C)
Card Stock: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze
Ink: Soft Suede,  Versamark pad (102283)
Accessories: sponges (101610), blue denim jean ribbon (125053), mini vintage tags (118763), heat tool (100005), pewter embossing powder (124114), champagne mist shimmer paint (116806) and a twig!
That's it for today, thanks for stopping by!!
Happy Stampin'
~Erin

'Boo'!! Did I scare you??

Here is what is hanging above my stampin' desk~ totally inspired by Kimberly's beautiful creation shown here...mine is nowhere close to her beauty but it makes me smile!! I love this DSP called Frightful Sight(122351). I think I have gone through two packs already...the colors are just awesome for Halloween and the polka dotted background pages can be used for so many things besides Halloween.

Here is a close-up of what I did to two of the spiders...
did you notice that this little guy only has 6 legs?? I think that may have been an oversight~ he still looks like a creepy little spider!! I took a small piece of our White Baker's Twine (124262) and un-twisted it to get just one string. Poked a hole in the CS and taped it from the back. It's also secured under the CS at the top to make it look like he's just hangin' around.

Using the same DSP I made a Halloween card too. I also grabbed some of the sparkly Glimmer Paper (124005) in silver~ this paper is BEAUTIFUL!!!

The card base is Cajun Craze CS, embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder (117335). Added some Basic Black 5/8" satin ribbon (117285). I embossed the greeting using the Scaredy Cat stamp set (122555 W, 122557 C) with Basic Black Craft ink (102192) and clear embossing powder (109130)...stamped it again onto Whisper White CS, cut the little ghost out and stuck him on with a dimensional (104430).

Here is a close-up of the little ghost~

Lastly, here is a cute little 3-D item for you.

Inside the witch's hat is a small Reeses cup. This idea came from Wendy (I think like 3 years ago!!). I tweaked mine just a bit~ but you'll get the idea. The bottom of mine uses the 2 1/2" circle punch (120906).

The Halloween card, witch hat and the 'Give Thanks' Diorama card in this post are the goodies that were created for my last Stamp Camp. Over the weekend I will be posting some more Halloween goodies including 3-D treats, home decor and a really cool Halloween card!! Stay tuned!!

Have a great day!

~Erin