Convention 3-D Swap, Wine Bottle Cork Flower Tutorial

What an AMAZING trip!! Convention was as expected.... a BLAST!! Had a little bit of delay leaving Dulles...we boarded the plane...then got off the plane. We boarded the plane...then waited about an hour until we took off. Sitting next to my girlfriend and I sat the most well behaved baby ever!!! I feared that we would hear her cry the whole way...nope!! She and new mommy slept almost through the entire flight!!

We checked into our room at the Hotel Monaco and were greeted by our pet for the week. We named him/her 'Stamper'. (I know original huh?)

Almost too excited to sleep...we finally slept after giggling for about two hours!!

Our first day in SLC started off right!!! We had massages, got pedicures and our hair done.
If you are ever in the area of Salt Lake City...I recommend going to Sanctuary Day Spa. A few years ago we attended Convention with another member in my downline and we treated ourselves the same way. It has become a ritual...can't wait to go back!!
Of course we hit the town and shopped at both the Gateway...and new City Creek shopping malls. The weather was perfect~ 'hot' but you know that 'dry' heat?? It was horrible hearing that back home Virginia's heat index hit 113 degrees!!! Yikes!! Thank goodness that it has cooled off back home...not sure if I would have come back!!

Then the real fun began...

 We went to Riverton (Stampin' Up!'s Home Office). Toured the facility, but my camera died (Ahhhhh!) Thankful we had a nice maintenance man back at the hotel who gave me 4 fresh batteries!! (Yay!!)

Not sure what day this photo was taken, but we had to get a quick pic of main stage and the 25!!
Maybe we can pretend that this picture is for a big birthday celebration...and I'm turning 25??

Prize Patrol was handed out to more people than at any other Convention~

I was very happy that I won...but Stampin' Up! saved the best for last. The last 25 demonstrators who had not won anything yet received all of the stamps in the Holiday Catalog!! Can you imagine??

This is Anne and I all dressed up for Awards Night...

You know...after seeing all these pictures I am feeling really tall!! (LOL) I do have more pictures to share...if you are sick of seeing my silly face..and want some inspiration, you can join the room I created on Snapfish. Click here to join. 

Funny story~ I would love to share with you one more photo (but it's really bad!)
I walked the stage for the first time...to celebrate my 10th year as a demonstrator!! (Yay!!)
I was nervous...excited and proud!! I handed Anne my camera (showed her how to use it) and my cell phone. She too had both her camera and phone. However...trying to figure out my camera she missed it!! The two pictures she captured are blurry...and I look silly. Ahhhhhh!!! Seriously??
She felt terrible... don't worry I still love her!! What makes the story funny is when Bonnie Thurber was demonstrating some scrapbook/hybrid pages. She commented how important it is to preserve memories..to 'capture' the moment. She stated that it doesn't matter if you have the perfect picture...it's that you 'captured' the moment!! Anne and I both looked at each other and smiled!! Now those 'bad' photos are posted on Snapfish...go ahead check them out~ if you want a good laugh!


Okay... in a previous post I shared with you the swaps I made for Convention. Here is my 3-D swap.

The Wine Bottle Flower was a big hit and what else are you going to do with all those corks laying around?? I have received a few e-mails inquiring how it was made, so I decided to make a quick video to show how~

Let me know if you have any questions, or leave me a comment and let me know what you think!!

In closing...thanks Stampin' Up! for an incredible 'memorable' 10 years...looking forward to many more!!
BIG hugs,
Erin

Going to Convention~ Be the Difference!!

Today has arrived!! I'm 'Over the Moon' excited as I am heading to Salt Lake City, Utah. (Scream!!!!)
Over the next several days I will be attending Convention for Stampin' Up! along with 6000 other demonstrators!! Excited to see new things, creations and familiar faces!!
Reconnect with old friends and make some new ones!!
They as you already know are celebrating their 25th!!

I am also celebrating too... 10 years ago I decided to become a demonstrator!! Where has the time gone?? It's crazy!! I remember attending my first Stamp Camp...hooked ever since!

I am blessed to be able to go, along with my downline  Anne Butterfield. We are going to have a blast!!

I think for me the thing I love most about Stampin' Up! are the lasting friendships made...and our statement of the heart. It's so true!!

This years Convention theme is 'Be the Difference'. Say it to yourself...in your head or aloud. Doesn't it make you feel proud? Stand taller?? It does for me~ I can't wait till it begins. Tomorrow in S.L.C is a play day...heading to the spa, sightseeing and shopping before the real fun begins! I will be taking TONS of pictures and will post/share when I can.

Just wanted to quickly share with you the swaps I made. (Swaps are creations that make such as 3-D items, cards, card fronts..etc and you 'swap' with other demonstrators). I seriously waited until the last minute...wondering if I was going to make any. I didn't sign up for any organized swaps this year, then soon regretted it. I started thinking about all the cute things that Anne would be bringing home (she did decide WAY earlier to make swaps) and I would be jealous!!

So...she came over a few nights and over some laughs we created these beauties.

Here is the story...I knew I wanted to use cork (actually stamped cork inside mason jar lids) and use them for coasters...we'll save that for another post and time because since I waited too long, I could not find the lids I wanted in time. I know...shame on me!!

So I started searching the internet and came across this post where I saw a picture of these cute wine bottle cork flowers and my jaw hit the floor~ if you know me...then you know I like wine....and I have TONS of corks!!

The hardest part was after making 40 of them...yes 40~ my fingertips felt like they were going to bleed!! The end result was worth it. Hope whoever gets one will appreciate them!!
Here are close-ups:

This one is the 'white' wine flower (hee hee)

And the 'red'

You can imagine that I had a few more corks to use for future flowers when these were finished!!

These are the cards I made to swap...I only made 12 each. I can't make more than 10 normally of the same card because I go CRAZY!!

This first one I ran out of the Vintage Faceted Designer buttons (127555), so I replaced it with the largest Naturals Designer Buttons (127554). Which one do you like better??

I like them both and being originally from Rhode Island...I LOVE this stamp set By the Tide (129120 C).

This next card was a surprise...for me (sound strange??)

I have owned a sewing machine for a few years now...use it occasionally. I had never tried stitching paper though and always wanted to try~ here I gave it a go and LOVED the result!! It was easy and think it might be my next addiction...have you tried it??

Tip: I punched out the vellum butterflies using both the Bitty Butterfly punch (129406), Elegant Butterfly (127526). Then just added a small dab of 2-Way Glue (100425) to hold them in place while I stitched. 

I think I have also said this before...Summer Starfruit is my FAVORITE color!!

On to the next one~ I mentioned earlier that I wanted to use cork (like that was stamped??)

I found these cork sheets (8 1/2"x11") and stamped them with Staz-On (101406) and punched it with the new Artisan Label punch (130920) it cut like butter!! I love how we have so many sets that coordinate with punches and dies. Here I used the stamp set called Label Love (130622 C).

Lastly...and by this time my brain was fried, fingers bleeding and stress was taking over my body as I have been camping out in my studio (aka basement). I made this card~

Pretty simple...(it had to be!) LOL
I can't remember what this 'technique' is called at the moment...I told you my brain is fried!! But you use markers and color directly onto the clear block..spritz with water and flip it over and stamp onto your card stock..here I used Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, and Gumball Green. Over that I stamped the tree image from Serene Silhouettes (127324 C) with Staz-On. Then I added a piece of Vellum CS over that stamped with a sentiment from Lacy & Lovely (122887 C) embossed with black embossing powder.

Tip: I used just a dab of SNAIL (104332) in the top corners to hold the vellum. Very pleased that it didn't show through...no need for vellum tape!! I also cheated with the linen thread (104199)...wrapped it around the card a couple of times and secured it with tape on the back. Then added the button tied with a bow using a glue dot (103683).


That's it for me today~ see you in Salt Lake City!!

Stampin' hugs,
Erin

Spring really did 'SPRING'!!

You know that saying "Ask and you shall receive"? Well...you all know that I have been asking~ AND asking....for a LONG time and FINALLY!! This past weekend was beautiful and even though I was a wee bit under the weather...I really think it's just allergies. You just had to get out there to enjoy it!! Yesterday we did some work in the yard....until I thought my head was going to fly off from all my sneezing!! I shot this quick pic of the kids playing with the hose after a bike ride...they said they were hot and wanted to go in the sprinkler...are they crazy?? (Mine are the two on the right, Regan and Aiden)

Don't worry...I was a good mommy and said "no". Do allergies bother you?? A few years ago I suffered a little bit...not even enough to take anything for it. But not now...I am loving my Zyrtec. I suppose it's just another little love of aging....Ugh!

Last Friday I noticed that along our back fence the forsythia was beginning to bloom. I read in this month's Better Homes and Gardens 'Country Gardens' (Spring March 2013 Vol. 22, no.2) that you can force bloom by bringing blooming branches inside. It's a great article with lots of pictures for inspiration.Well...I was not that adventurous~ I bought some of the fake stuff. Don't judge me~ I have a serious BLACK thumb (maybe it's from Staz-On ink).
So since I love the bright 'yellow' so cheerful and bright...I bought forsythia.
Here is above our kitchen cabinets:

In the bathroom:

Family room:

and aren't these nests the cutest???

I think that even the fake stuff is making me sneeze~ perhaps I need to dust!!



So...now you know I had to incorporate some 'spring' Stampin' Up! style~


Here is a banner that I made...hard to tell from the pictures because the glitter is so shiny and pretty and elegant and sparkly and pretty...and well~ you get the idea!! (I love it!!)

Close-up:

I kept it fairly simple because all you need to see are the pretty sparkly letters!! I cut the banner using the Perfect Pennants Bigz L die(123126) and Soft Suede CS. Then I applied some Gesso on the edges to give it a white-washed look. Using the same die, I used the smaller pennant and the Tea for Two DSP (129311). For the letters I attached a piece of our Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (120805) to some Very Vanilla CS and cut the letters out using the Typeset Alphabet Bigz die (127553). Once they were cut out, peel off the protective film and press down into the glitter. Here I used the Champagne Glass glitter (120997). This is honestly the first time I used our Adhesive Sheets....shame on me!! They are awesome!! I didn't stop there...check this beauty out~

Isn't she pretty?? I used the Elegant Bird Bigz die (125593). I attached the wing to body with the antique brad and hot glued it to the wreath. The flowers were made using our Tea for Two Designer Fabric (129308). Click here for a link to a video that I made a few years ago on how to create the flowers. Very easy....so I made and extra one and stuck it to my lantern!

Next in the kitchen and speaking of easy....I added some of the same DSP to some battery lit candles and tied a strip of the fabric around one of them.

Lastly I have some lollies...or medallions to share. I love the colors of this paper...it didn't really make me want any tea (Remember it's called Tea for Two). Just a glass of wine~ or two to enjoy as I glance around my home and smile!!

These were both created using the Designer Rosette Bigz XL die (125594) for the larger one I cut the DSP down to 4" x 12" and it used 3 strips. The smaller Gumball Green one was made using (3) 3" x 11" pieces and trimming as needed from the score lines on the die. Decorated the fronts and attached them to a dowel...that I stained using a Stampin' sponge and Soft Suede ink. Found the glass marbles at a local craft store and voila!

Here are close-ups:

Hope it is warming up where you are...and if not~ make some 'spring' creations to make you smile!! Please let me know if you have any questions, or leave  me a comment and let me know what you think! Thanks!!

BIG stampin' hugs,
Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
website: www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

Valentine's Day Decor cont.

Good morning!! I was SO relieved that we didn't get any snow lastnight. They were calling for a couple of inches and we didn't get any flakes at all!! YAY!
Seems as though the last few weeks the kids have really lucked out ~ we have had cancellations, delays and momma was wanting to STAMP!!!

When they are home, things just don't get done around here as they should (wink). What that really means...is that momma becomes lazy and plays way too many computer games than I should.
Or I spend too much time on stamping blogs, Pinterest, Facebook and well...you know the deal!

Just a quick post on a few more Valentine's Day decorations I recently made.

This first one is a glass block that is filled with a strand of white lights.
I made one last year, click here for that example. These are fun, lots that you can do with them...and the the hole is already there for the wire!! (Found this one at Lowes)

Here is a close-up of the top:

A couple of new products are used here...LOVING the Artisan Embellishment kit (129328) shown on pg.10 in the mini catalog!!
Here is how I got started...

Looking at all the goodies that come in the kit...I became inspired.
First I decided that I wanted another banner made with the More Amore Specialty DSP (129309).
Here is the banner:

Bad photo...(I know)...took this one with my cell phone.
Here are hopefully some better ones...I think the lighting is distorting the colors.
Bad camera too, ugh!

This one is of the back (it's still pretty!)
Here is another of the front: (don't remember if I used the flash on this one or not)

'Be Mine' is what it reads.
Here is a close-up of 'Mine'

Pretty self-explanatory...Big Shot and the Perfect Pennants Bigz l die (123126)
If you look at the kit contents again...there are these adorable little roses attached to some floral wire. I didn't know what I wanted to do with them yet...and I still have lots of other embellishments too.

I knew that I wanted to try making paper roses...have you ever heard of coffee filter roses? That was where I started...and played for a day....an ENTIRE day and wasn't happy with any of them. Then I started all over and began searching tutorials and found this site. I basically 'CASED' her idea and voila~ these are made using the ornament punch!!

Here is what I did for the back:

I hope to do a quick video tomorrow...stay tuned!!

Now my shelf is finished!! Me gusta mucho!!

Please let me know if you have any questions, or leave me a comment and let me know what you think!!
Have a great day!
Stampin' hugs,
Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

Petal Cone Carrot!!

Hey there~ I am just loving the new Petal Cone die (121810)...I know I mentioned that I liked it in a previous post (where I made the ice cream cone card??) Well...there are just SO many reasons to buy this die~ it does SO much!! Sure this is a carrot, but as shown in the Occassions Mini Catalog, there were several more ways that it was decorated to make a great treat holder...it's a perfect size for a bunch of treats!! This is how it's opened...you just slide the button up the grosgrain ribbon..and ta-da!! Don't you just love the little bunny tail??

Angie Kennedy Juda has a great video tutorial on how this box was made: click here to watch.

Other details:

Stamp Sets: Forest Friends (113748), Something to Celebrate (hostess level 2: 121897 W, 121955 C)

Card Stock: Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Crumb Cake

Ink: Crumb Cake, Peach Parfait

Accessories: linen thread (104199), 1/8" Certainly Celery taffeta ribbon, 1/4" Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Springtime Vintage Big Designer Buttons (122301), dimensionals (104430), 1 3/4" scallop circle punch (119854), 1 3/8" circle punch (119860), Texture Plates Kit #4 (114531) and Mr. Big Shot!

I apologize for the blurry photo..I am in desperate need of a new camera~ my cheesy Kodak has seen enough...I accidentally dropped it a few weeks ago and since then it's been even worse (go figure!). I hope to get a new one before I go to Convention~ there will be so many pictures to take...anyone have any suggestions on a good 'point & shoot'?

Now...here is another cute and clever 'CASE' (copy and steal everything). This idea comes from Mary Fish who also shows a quick video on how to use the Petal Card Extra-Large punch (119273) to create a little box that is the perfect size for little Hershey kisses!! Wouldn't these be cute at the dinner table as place settings??

For the chick: I used Crumb Cake CS for the box and Whisper White 1" circle punch (119868) for the egg (then just cut zig-zag pattern for 'cracked' look. The Daffodil delight CS (chick body) was punched using the 3/4" x 15/16" oval punch (120908) from the Holiday Mini Carryover List and the wing, beak and eye is from the Two-Step Owl Extra-Large punch (118074). I then wrapped 1/8" Daffodil Delight ribbon around the box...cute huh??

For the bunny: I used Whisper White CS and the 3/4" circle punch (119873) for the head, the same oval punch noted above for the body and then for the ears I used 5-Petal Flower punch (119880)....then using the 2-way glue pen (100425) added the cute 'cotton tail'. Oh~ almost forgot...the whiskers were made with .7mm jewelry cord (attached on the back with mini glue dots). Wrapped this box with Certainly Celery 1/8" taffeta ribbon (119255).

Since I was on a roll and I really like these 'soft' colors for Easter~ I decided to make something for Home Decor: The letters were cut out with Mr. Big Shot and the Serif Essentials dies (113464). The bunny was made the same way as noted above...his butt is too cute!! The 'egg' behind the letter 'I' was embossed with clear embossing powder (hard to tell from photo). Now..notice the 'eggs' behind the 'S'? Those are also the SAME oval punch as noted above...so order yours now!! I love this one!

Other details:

Stamp Set: A Good Egg (114974)

Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Daffodil Delight, In Color DSP (hostess level 1 121028)

Ink: Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Brights Brads (119740), linen thread (104199), 1/8" Daffodil Delight taffeta ribbon (119254), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Clear Embossing Powder (109130), Bitty Buttons (118761), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309)

Here is another view to show the accordian way it folds:

Directions: Cut 1 piece of CS at 12" x 3" (score every 3"), then attach that to another piece that measures 9" x 3" and score that one too every 3". Decorate as desired!!

'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