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

My Second Video Tutorial!!

Yes...finally I made another video tutorial!! I can't believe that it took me as long as it did...but it's here!! Thanks so much for your patience!! In a previous post I shared with you some fabric rosette rings that I made (click here for the post). I had promised to make a video showing how, so today I pulled out our newest fabric from the Occasions Mini Catalog and went to work.

Above you will see the three designs you get from ordering our Springtime Vintage fabric (121817)...they are so much prettier in person. In addition there are some really cute ideas from Stampin' Up! that use this fabric. Click here for a PDF that you can download and use. (There are really cute ideas on there...can't wait to try them myself!!) Promise me you will not laugh...I hope to get better the more I practice...and I am already getting started on the next one!! Hint: Also uses our fabric and great for Valentine's Day gifts!! So here is a close-up picture of the ring (sorry it's a bit blurry...and that my hand is so pale and hmmm...I desperatly need a manicure!!) LOL! But otherwise...enjoy my video!!

Happy New Year!! Filled with Love Promotion!!

Happy New Year folks!! I have been telling myself to post, post, post something...anything on this blog and never found that I had the time!! I then decided to wait until the new year, so here we are~ a few days later.... ta da!! I had decided to wait until today's date (January 4th) since it's also when the Occasions Mini Catalog is available to order from!! Have you seen it?? You can download the online version by clicking the catalog at the right (or the link created in the text). If you would like me to send you a copy in the mail just send me an e-mail with your address!! All I can say is WOW!! It's hard to pick a favorite item, there are 'sew' many to choose from! There are these stamp sets called Sew Suite (121933 W, 122009 C) and Button Button (122026 W, 122040 C) and a jumbo wheel called In Stitches (121946) and FABRIC to match~ I would say that these goodies are my latest favorites from the 'Oh Sew' Suite Collection (pg. 32).

Here is a project I made using the some of our newest fabric called Sweet Stitches (121818). I cut the fabric using the Big Shot and Scallop Square die (115950) and adhered it to the plate using 3-M spray adhesive. I took another picture to show the plate..the edges are raised and will make a great 'catch all' in my craft area...especially for our new Designer Buttons!! Now...on the top of this post I added a picture of the Filled with Love Promotion (Dec. 17th-Jan. 24th). With this bundle (available in either clear or wood-mount) you will receive the Filled with Love stamp set and the Love Patterns DSP PLUS a pack of Bitty Buttons...so contact me today to order your bundle and get filled with love~and bitty buttons!! Or shop 24/7 on my website.

Happy Stampin'~ Erin

The BIG day is almost here...

I can't believe how quickly the holiday season is approaching. I spent two weeks recently in AZ visiting my mom...and WOW I miss the weather!! The above photo was the ugliest day...and isn't it ironic that there was a rainbow? We were sitting at her kitchen window and a few clouds quickly rolled in..and it spit about 6 drops of rain! Almost everyday I was able to go out and enjoy the sunshine and warmth. You would think it's difficult to get ready for the holidays when it's so sunny and warm (mid 70's) but you could fell the magic of 'CHRIST'mas in the air. She has a lovely church and I attended mass with her twice and enjoyed a fabulous luncheon. Tomorrow I will share a delicious recipe called Tamale Pie~ YUM! Everyone brought a dish to share and there were several receipes I jotted down (so stay tuned for others!). It was great meeting all of her friends and I now know how she has been able to live there while her husband has been working from southern CA for the past 3 1/2 years. During my visit she received wonderful news that he would be coming back mid January to stay! He works for Raytheon and had been transferred and now is able to come home...so yay for mom!! I helped mom decorate for Christmas and I brought with me our Deck the Halls fabric (121716)...she is 'sew' crafty and I knew she would help me get creative and make something festive.

Here is what I made...(with Mom's help!!)

I know....just BEAUTIFUL!! Just wait...we will have more fabric that coordinates with stamps and accessories in the next Occasions Mini catalog!! I just might have to head back to AZ for some more 'sew' cute crafts!!

Here are a few close up pictures...I was completely WOWED!

She has the lates and greatest Bernina machine that is OUT of this world... 'Dear Santa' (wink wink)~LOL!

Cute huh?? I think the coolest part was watching the magic happen right before my eyes. These pictures show it best...I was unfamiliar with this technique or material called 'free standing lace' or FSL. The material that looks like plastic allows the machine to stitch the programmed design and 'create' the lace image, when you are done all you do is rinse the completed ornament under water and it dissolves...it was SO cool!! Here is right before it was rinsed...this is where I was just blown away and ready to pour a glass of wine and celebrate my/mom's clever creation!! I ended up making three: one for each of the kids back home!!

Here is Aiden's (snowflake).

Regan will receive the angel.

Last but not least, my oldest Tyler will get the tree.

Now...before you nod off to sleep...there is one more thing I would like to share with you in this evening's post. I hate that I have not posted anything since I left...meant to do some blog work while I was away..but it's easier on my own computer and the only way I was able to take photos was with my cell phone...so I apologize if the photos are not very clear, but atleast you get the idea!!

This upcoming Saturday (Dec. 18th) is my Holiday Open House and I have a TON planned. SNEAK PEAK: This is one of the cards that will be part of the days 'Make & Takes'!!

This card is BEAUTIFUL in person...hard to see the shimmer from photo~ but it's indeed a beauty!!

The picture on the right shows how it opens.

Card details:

Stamp Set: Serene Snowflakes (115438), All Holidays (114916)

Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Night of Navy, Brushed Gold

Accessories: Antique Brads (117273), Sponge Daubers (102892),Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806), Extra Large Decorative Label punch (120907), 1/16" handheld punch (101227).

You will be able pick and choose the creations you would like to recreate. If you live in the area, please stop by!! You can enter in door prize drawings, make cards, ornaments and more!! There will be stamp sets and accessories available for purchase along with handmade treats and other handmade gifts. If you have any questions give me a buzz (540) 667-3799. Or email stampingwitherin@yahoo.com .

So be sure to check my Stampin' Up! website for upcoming scheduled events and to purchase any of the products you have seen here!! Happy Stampin' & Brrrrrr stay warm!! ~Erin

Remind you of something??

It's basically the wreath from the cover of the Holiday Mini-Catalog!! So...in an earlier post I had mentioned that fabric was SO not my friend...seriously I am not joking!! So I really can't believe that I made this!! I had tons of help from my friend and downline Anne (thanks Anne!!). She made one using the Candy Cane Christmas fabric (121715). This one uses our Deck the Halls fabric (121716) it just matched my home decor so much more...and it is now hung in my newly painted bathroom in our basement~ LOVE IT!! It will be there to stay forever and ever!! Here is a close up of the flower embellishments:

Instructions on how to make this wreath and a bunch more cute projects come with the fabric so make sure you hang on to your instruction sheet. Now...I can normally follow instructions but I have to admit that in making the yo-yo flowers I had some difficulty...but it was probably just that I wanted it to be PERFECT and I am new at sewing...so I ended up going to YouTube and searched several 'how-to' videos and wound up ordering a a product called the Yo-Yo Maker made by Clover~ Sew easy !! I know I will be ordering some more sizes and shapes in the future because Stampin' Up! will have more fabric coming in the next catalogs....Shhhhh!!! Isn't that excited??? Just wait until you see the next Occasions Mini Catalog...its going to 'freak your freak out'!

Speaking of fabric...here is a cute little card I made using a scrap piece I had laying around...and I didn't even need to sew it!! All I did was placed a strip of sticky strip and stuck the fabric on scrunching it up as I went along. Now the card I took a picture of at an angle to show how it was scored: start with a standard card 4 1/4" x 11". Fold in half as you normally would, then score a 1/4" up from that center fold and down a 1/4" from the center. Mountain/Valley fold to create a gap in your card to hold a little treat:

The greeting inside is one of our personalized stamps: I love these because if there is a saying you love or a special nickname for a loved one...you can have Stampin' Up! design what you want!! The candy I just attached with two glue dots.

Remaining card details:

Card Stock: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso

Stamp Set: Tags Till Christmas (120847 W) (121169 C)

Access: Decorative Label punch (120907)Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (120175), Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons (121002), linen thread (104199), stampin' write markers.

Happy Stampin'~Erin

I did it!!

So yesterday I attended my downline's Holiday Open House...she did a great job and had different stations set up for cards, walnut pumpkins, fabric...and more!! Anne...you are the best and did a FABULOUS job!

So..as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator we get a nifty little magazine called Stampin' Success and it's filled with tons of ideas and techniques (new ones EVERY month!!). For the month of November I knew immediately that I wanted to re-create a shirt that they had made using the Big Shot and the Flower Folds die (115970) (my absolute favorite!!) The key is to have a material that is 95% cotton/ 5% spandex so when it's cut the fabric starts to curl. You sew on your flowers and ta-da!!

She also loved the embellished shirt and made one like the day after seeing it in Stampin' Success..then when she showed me?? I BEGGED her to show me how...paper is my friend (not so much fabric...but I'm learning!!) I have two other ones I am working on and will post those when finished. Here is a close up of the frillies!!

Cute huh?? Now one thing I CAN do with our new fabric (since it doesn't require any sewing) is make cute little rings~ I made a ring for her as a 'thank-you' and also one for her newest recruit Jean!! I hope to get a video together on how easy these are...great for the holidays. The cute little box was made using the Big Shot and the Matchbox die (114890). Jazzed it up a bit with the coordinating Deck the Halls DSP (120810), Victoria crochet trim (118481), Vintage Trinkets (118764) and added a 'hand-made' tag with the Tiny Tags stamp set (118592 C) (118091 W) and jewelry tag punch (117190).

Sometime next week I should have the tutorial complete. In the meantime let me know if you have any questions!! Thanks and Happy Stampin'~Erin