'Spring Rings'

Hi there!! Lots to fill you in on~ I had a fabulous Stamp Camp this past Friday!! Here are the rings that we made along with the two cards in my previous post.

Since Mother's Day is just around the corner these would be a great idea for a handmade gift!!

We used the Big Shot and Matchbox Die (114890) for the gift using Marina Mist textured CS and wrapped a belly band around the box with Springtime Vintage DSP (121782) andVictoria crochet trim (118481). Added a cute little tag using the Jewelry tag punch (117190) and Tiny Tags (118091 W, 118592 C) stamp set. Attach with a safety pin from the Vintage Trinkets (118764) and voila!

Here are the other colors of Adornments (121879) featured in the Occassions Mini Catalog. They make great embellishments to you paper crafts too!! Glue them onto your next card or scrapbook page for some instant beauty!! You get 24 pieces (8 ea. of 3 colors) for only $5.95 US!!

Now...this past Saturday was so much fun!! I enjoyed the afternoon with several other demonstrators from the Northern Va area in Manassas for a 'Shoebox' swap~ it was SO much fun!! It was an event hosted by Kimberly Van Diepen and Robin Merriman . This was the first quarterly swap so in about 3 months or so...there will be another!! This event is open to all NOVA demonstrators so if you are considering becoming a demonstrator don't wait and join the fun today!! You can sign-up online by clicking 'Join Now' on my website.

Where's Erin?? Can you find me in the photo??

Here I am with one of my my downline gals Wendy~ "hi" Wendy!! We had a great time catching up, learning new techniques, enjoyed some fabulous food and of course there was LOTS of stamping!!

This is the card I came up with for the swap: It uses a new stamp set that will available April 1st called Hope & Strength...it's a BEAUTIFUL set so be sure to check back on the 1st for more inspiration using it. This card uses another 'sneak-peak' item... any guesses?? It's new DSP that will be featured in the next 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog..and it's all gorgeous!! Sometimes when I see our DSP I want it in drapery, furniture and more...shoot...I would probably eat it I like it so much!! The center glass marble is actually a removeable magnet and in tomorrow's post I will show a photo tutorial on how easy it was to make!!

In addition to being able to purchase the stamp set there is a new promotion that will begin April 1st called 'Spring is Blossoming' that will enable you to earn this DSP for FREE!! Stay tuned for more details (that will be posted April 1st).

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Stampin' hugs~ Erin

Happy Spring!!

Yippee!! It's SPRING~ and when I see robins begin to appear in February I get goosebumps all over. For that reason alone I would have to say that they are probably one of my favorite birds. This stamp set that I used on this card is called Nature Walk (121925 W) (121997 C) from the current Occasions Mini Catalog. I LOVE this set..and you could color this bird to be a bunch of different species!! Here is a close-up photo: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

It matches the DSP that I have used here called Botanical Gazette (121783). Okay...wanna know a little secret?? I have 'owned' our Watercolor Paper (105019) for years...and have NEVER used it!! Not sure why...I had always found that our regualr card stock had worked fine...until I tried it!! What a difference it made~ I'm thrilled with the result.

Note: You need to use Staz-On ink if you are watercoloring or do what I did and emboss the image!! I first stamped the bird image with Versamark, then Chocolate Chip and then you stamp and emboss with clear embossing powder.

Other card details:

Stamp Set: Something to Celebrate (Hostess level 2 from Occasions Mini), Sanded Background Stamp (109294)

Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Watercolor Paper, Poppy Parade (almost typed Poopy Parade LOL)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Poppy Parade, More Mustard, Crumb Cake and Versamark pad

Accessories: sponge daubers (102892), Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806), Blender Pens (102845), heat tool (100005), clear embossing powder (109130), basic pearls (119247), decorative label punch (120907), 1/2" Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon (122332), dimensionals (104430), glue dots (103683), cutter kit (106958)

So...you think that card used lots of goodies?? This one does too:

Isn't it cute?? It uses the new Petal Cone die from the Occasions Mini...I pretty much 'CASED' this card except for one of the sized circles that B.J. Peters had used. The one she made was for an invitation which I thought was the SO clever...you can use this for 'scoops' of reasons...happy birthday, congrats... or even after someone has a tonsillectomy?? You get the idea...add a gift card from Cold Stone Creamery~ Mmmmm!

I did have to use our 5 1/2" square envelopes (107289) for it to fit nicely.

The inside card slides out of the cone, here is a close-up of what is says~

Card details:

Stamp Set: Birthday Bakery (Hostess level 1) (117034W), (120115 C), Sock Monkey Accessories (111552)

Card Stock: Whisper White, Regal Rose, Crumb Cake, Red Glitter paper

Ink: Crumb Cake, Regal Rose, Basic Black Accessories: sponges (101610), 3/4" circle punch, 1/8" Certainly Celery ribbon (119255), dimensionals (104430), glue dots (103683), scallop edge border punch (119882), Backgrounds 1 texturz plates (114512), sticky strip (104294), Stampin' pastels (120962), 3" Originals Circle die (122125), 3 1/2" Originals Circle die (121811), Bigz L die Petal Cone (121810)

I am loving the new Petal Cone die...have you seen it used as a carrot to hold Easter treats or as a take-out box?? There are endless options with this die...it is a total MUST have!!

Please contact me if you have any questions on any of the projects you see here and remember that there are only a few days left to take advatage of the 'Sale-a-Bration' promotion~ it ends March 31st!! It is also one of the best times to join Stampin' Up!, I would be so happy to have you become a part of our group even if you join for just the discount!! In the beginning that was why I decided to join and now it has become a HUGE part of my life!!

These two cards are actually the cards that you can make if you attend my next Stamp Camp (March 25th). Click here to see event details. So if you are in the area and interested in coming, please let me know!!

Tomorrow I will post the ring that will also be made with a matching gift box. Unti then~have a great night!!

~Erin

A Day of Blogging Silence

Today March 18th, I will be observing a day of blogging silence along with my fellow bloggers. If you are as touched by the news of the devestation in Japan as I am, then please participate and pass on the word. Donate and help. You can donate at http://www.forjapanwithlove.com or you can donate to your local Red Cross.

Happy St. Patty's!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Here is a quick and easy little shamrock that I made using Garden Green CS. In real life it actually looks like piece of glass!!

Directions: Punch out 3 hearts from the Heart to Heart extra large punch (119881)and the stem from the Two-step Bird extra large punch (117191). I adhered them to a 3/4 circle punch (119873) using a 2-way glue pen (100425). Now comes the fun part~ apply 2-way glue to the entire piece and drench in glitter (I happened to have Stampin' Up!'s WAY old green glitter...it's probably from over 5 years ago!)

Tip: I have heard that you can die the dazzling diamond glitter using classic dye re-inkers) Sounds cool~ I just haven't tried it yet...but I'm sure you could search 'how-to'.

Then when that's dry you will cover the entire shamrock with a thin layer of Crystal Effects (101055). I stuck mine on to a hairclip with some hot-glue and voila!! I have asked my 11 year old daughter to assist me in showing how I made the bracelet in the previous post. Please let me know if you have any questions!! I think she did a great job!! Tomorrow I will be back to posting some cards~ I hope you all have a very Happy and Lucky St. Patrick's Day!! ~Erin

Just a quick post today to share something funny~ As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I am able to be part of an exclusive sight from Stampin' Up! called Stampin' Connection and it's great...it connects demos from all over the world. Full of information from Business Tips, Techniques, Ideas/Inspiration and SO much more!! Today I came across a photo that someone had posted and it made me laugh~ She mentioned that she was recently at a stampin' event and they didn't have a knife...but she did have our Tearing Edge!!

Now be honest...great idea huh?? Have you ever used one of these?? I own one and haven't used it in awhile...might have to wipe the dust off and put it to use...cards or bread!!

Now here is a quick and cute project. I used the Marina Mist 1 1/4"striped grosgrain (119772) and Spring Vintage fabric (121817) along with the Circles # 2 die (114526 ). Added an Antique brad (117273), velcro and voila!

Here is the back:

Tomorrow I will post a video on how this came together...could easily be adapted to any occasion..my daughter asked me if I would make her one with St. Patty's day fabric...I said YOU can....it's easy! So stay tuned~ they are so cute!!

Have a great day!!

~Erin

Luck O' the Irish Flowers

Today I went grocery shopping and bought the goodies for March 17th!! My kids actually love corned beef and cabbage...I love it so much that I'm not quite sure why I don't make it more often...but at least I do once a year!!

Last night during dinner I noticed that the kids were ready for St. Pat's~ they were drinking green milk!! Good ol' food coloring...one year we even died our little dog!!

Here are some pins and hair clips that were made using some St. Patty's fabric and the Flower Folds die (115970). My friend Jean (and downline) recently attended a craft fair and I made some for her to sell. Here is a picture of the back:

I have since made TONS more in other patterns, I will share those in another post. If you are interested in purchasing any, please let me know by commenting or contacting me via e-mai stampingwitherin@yahoo.com and please specify if you would like it as a pin, headband or hairclip. They are $5 each. Thanks and have a great day!!

~Erin

Feelin' Lucky??

You know...I thought I was done with hearts....until I realized they are perfect for making shamrocks!! This is one of the cards that we will be making at tonight's Stamp Camp. It uses the full heart extra large punch (119883). I then embossed them using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder (117335). The stem was created with the branch from the two-step bird extra-large punch (117191). There are not a ton of St. Patrick's stamps in the catalog..but this is a must AND it's only $6.95~ Lucky Shamrock (121939) (found on the last page of the Occassions Mini). here I embossed it in gold and punched it out with the 1/34" circle punch (119850). The background DSP is from Woodland Walk (117389)~ went perfectly with the Garden Green and Wild Wasabi CS. Added some brushed gold CS, clear square button w/ linen thread and Whisper White 3/8 taffeta ribbon (109070). Here is a close-up:

BONUS!! Attendees who place an order will be entered into a drawing to win a brand new heart punch!!!

Now..this is actually a favorite of mine~ years ago I remember seeing a card very similar. The DSP was made to look like wallpaper and there were his & her towels....cute huh?? The Mr. & Mrs. stamp is from All Holidays (114916) and the 'B' (you could use any initial for the newlyweds!) is from Lovely Letters Alphabet (115030). I tried to get a close-up picture to see the 'wainscotting' which was created by scoring the CS!!

I used the same DSP collection (Woodland Walk).

Here is the inside:

A friend of mine thought this would be so cute for a bridal shower...with the towels?? Then we started thinking..."Oh, you could even use the new sound cards that you decorate and the sound could be running water from the shower!!"

For now...this is enough~ had to keep it simple enough for Stamp Camp tonight :)

Thanks for stopping by and if you like what you see~ leave me a comment!!

Take care and happy' stampin'!

~Erin

Long Overdue...

I'm alive...not to worry!! It seems that for over a month now I have caught everything out there...I am SO sick of being sick!!

I have some goodies to share with you~ last Friday I was supposed to have a Stamp Camp but had to reschedule since I wasn't feeling well. So tomorrow is the day~if you live close by be sure to check my calendar for upcoming events. I have mentioned that whoever is wearing some green will get a special treat from me. This is a shamrock cookie cutter that will be given to guests that are sportin' the green. Here is a close-up:

Supplies used:

Stamp Set: Lucky Shamrock (121939)

Card Stock: Whisper White, Garden Green, Basic Black

Accessories: Linen Thread, Paper Piercer Tool, black gingham ribbon, 2 3/8" Extra-Large Scallop punch, 1 3/8" circle punch

Here is a 3-D item that we will be making using the ever so delicious Hershey Nuggets...I wonder how much of a $ increase Hershey and other chocolate treat companies have made since being used by all us 'paper-crafters' ?? Here yummy....but boring~ right??

Now...here she is all made up into a cute little purse!! Almost too pretty to open up and eat!! I used the Ice Cream Parlor Paper pack that I earned FREE from the SAB promotion....remember there are only about 4 weeks left to earn fabulous FREE goodies!! (Sale-a-Bration Promotion ends March 31st). Here is a close-up picture, I followed a tutorial found here for the nuggets. The flower was punched out using the Boho Blossoms Extra large punch (119858) and secured with a brad from the Brights collection (119740). If you have any questions please ask or leave a comment!!

This card was so easy to do...and SO cool~ I was wondering how to get the embossed image using our fabric...thought about using starch or wetting it etc. But then voila~ I came across some blogs that featured this technique!! Not sure what it's called...or if it even has a name..if you know what it's called please enlighten me and leave a comment!! I am SO thankful for the all the amazing talent out there!!

Directions: Cut your fabric of choice (here I used our Springtime Vintage-121817 and the new Fun Flowers die 121812). Apply the fabric to CS of choice using our gluestick (104045). Emboss as you would plain CS with embossing folder of choice.

That's it...pretty simple! Here is the inside of the blue one.

We will also be making two other cards that I will share with you tomorrow. Until then...happy stampin'!!

~Erin