Lent Challenge and LAST DAY!!!!

Hi Stamping Friends!!!

This year during Lent, I've challenged myself to send a card every day for the 40 days of Lent. I'm kind of cheating a little because I don't send them every day. I make a weeks worth of cards and try and send them all out on Wednesday. I tried this challenge last year as well, but didn't make it all the way to the end. I'm doing much better this year! 

I've been sending a lot of Thank You cards. A few Birthday cards (I'm the worst at these!). And lots of Thinking of You/Hello cards.

Here is a Thank You card I made for all of the ladies that purchased from me at the Little Lambs Preschool Fundraiser:

Stamps: Petite Petals, Gorgeous Grunge, Express Yourself (hostess)

Paper: Peach Parfait (retired), Whisper White, Old Olive, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Petite Petals Punch, Bird Punch (leaves), Small Butterfly Punch, Rhinestone Jewels, Bitty Banner Framelits

Since I needed to make a lot of these, I wanted to keep the layout simple. I CASEd this card from one I saw online. Just changed up the colors a bit. I like to use up my retired card stock (and ribbon if possible) on projects like this because I'm not trying to "sell" or demonstrate anything. It's a great way for me to get rid of some of my extra stash and make room for new. ;) I no longer had the Peach Parfait stamp pad (I think I donated it to the Cambodia mission trip this summer) but I always keep the In-Color markers (they take up less space than the ink pads) so I used a marker to stamp the flowers.

Today is the LAST DAY for some awesome Stampin' Up Promotions!!

TODAY is the LAST DAY for SALE-A-BRATION!!!!!!

Visit my online store ASAP to place your order and earn FREE Stampin' Up! products!!

KRYSTAL'S ONLINE STAMPIN' UP! STORE

Today is the LAST DAY to earn FREE In-Color markers when you sign up for a monthly Paper Pumpkin membership!!!

Remember to designate Me, Krystal De Leeuw, as your Stampin' Up! demonstrator!!

PAPER PUMPKIN

I hope you all have a fabulous week!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

Saturday Stamping Super Hero #2

Hi Stamping Friends!!

It's Saturday which means it's time for another edition of:

SATURDAY STAMPING SUPER HEROES

This stamper is someone that I have CASED dozens of times. I absolutely LOVE her style. She creates simple, yet stylish cards that always have just the right amount of embellishments on them. Her name is Amy O'neill. Here are a couple of samples from her blog:

Here is a link to her blog:  AMY'S PAPER CRAFTS

And here is a link to her Pinterest boards: AMY O'NEILL

I haven't been able to find a Facebook page for her. Which is such a bummer, since that is my go-to social media place. But at the very least, go check out her blog and be inspired.

If you love Facebook as much as I do and want to see all of your favorite stamping Facebook pages all at once with the click of a button, here is a link to an awesome tutorial from Robin Merriman:

FINDING YOUR FAVORITES ON FACEBOOK

Check it out. It's a super easy tutorial to follow and will you actually see all of your FB fan pages. Facebook has some weird algorithm where they try and figure out what pages you like. By this they determine what shows up in your news feed. If you do not click "like" or make comments on posts, they will NOT show up in your news feed. So creating an "interest group" is a great way to see your favorite pages.

Of course if you just click "like" or comment on every post I make on my Krystal's Cards Facebook page, it wouldn't be an issue. ;)

Here is a link to my Facebook page:  KRYSTAL'S CARDS - STAMPIN UP!

And my Pinterest boards:  KRYSTAL'S CARDS 

Don't forget!!! Sale-A-Bration ends March 31st. That is this MONDAY!!!

Visit my online store to get your FREE products with every $50 purchase:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS ONLINE STORE

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you have a super awesome weekend and that you make time to STAMP!!!

Krystal

Hip Hip Hooray Good As Gold

Hi Stamping Friends!

Today I have the last cards we created at my Hip Hip Hooray card class. Each stamper recieved the Hip Hip Hooray card kit, the Petite Petal Bundle, and Pearls. Since the total came to $50+, they also received a Good As Gold Sale-A-Bration card kit. Thus bringing their card total to 28!!

This is a great little card kit. I had fun changing it up a bit. Other products I used:

Banner Blast stamp set and matching bunch

Petite Petals stamp set and matching punch

Perfect Pennants stamp set and matching Framelits

Starburst Framelits

Don't forget… SALE-A-BRATION ENDS MONDAY MARCH 31!!!

Visit my online store ASAP to place your order!!

KRYSTAL'S CARDS ONLINE STAMPIN' UP! STORE

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

Hip Hip Hooray Hello and Thank You

Hi Stamping Friends!

Today I want to share more cards we created at my Hip Hip Hooray card class. These cards are the "hello" and "thank you" cards. Birthday cards are great, but sometimes it's fun to send a card to someone "just because". Birthday cards are somewhat expected. But "hello" or "thinking of you" cards are like little surprises that show up in your mailbox. I'm way better at sending "surprise" cards. I'm terrible at sending birthday cards. Birthday cards have a deadline. A certain date that they need to be mailed by. That's just stress I can't handle sometimes. A "hello" card has no strings attached. :)

The cute, swirly "thanks" sentiment comes with the Hip Hip Hooray card kit.

The banner "hello" is from the Perfect Pennants set.

The other "hello" sentiment is from the Four You set.

The flower is part of the Petite Petals stamp set with matching punch.

The Hip Hip Hooray kit is an easy way to have 20 great cards ready to mail in time.

Visit my online store to purchase yours today:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS ONLINE STORE

Like my Facebook page for up-to-date Stampin' Up! announcements:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS FACEBOOK PAGE

Follow my boards on Pinterest for all kinds of stamping inspiration:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS PINTERST BOARDS

Don't forget to shop this week and take advantage of Stampin' Up's biggest promotion of the year… SALE-A-BRATION!!! Choose one free Sale-A-Bration product with every $50 purchase! Hurry! Sale ends March 31st.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

Hip Hip Hooray!

Hi Stamping Friends!!

A few weeks ago I had a card class using the Hip Hip Hooray card kit. I had a total of 10 gals come. I held two back-to-back sessions with 5 at each session. It was perfect because everyone could sit at my kitchen table and no one was relegated to the flimsy "card" table. We had such a great time. It was wonderful to see some stampers I hadn't seen in quite a while.

The class consisted of a total of 28 cards. Which most of the gals had to finish at home. Who can stamp and assemble that many cards in just 3 hours when there is so much visiting going on?! I will share the cards throughout this week.


These first cards are the "birthday" cards that we created.

The "Hip Hip Hooray" and "Just For You" sentiment come with the Hip Hip Hooray Kit. Some other stamps I used for these cards:

Perfect Pennants (Make A Wish)

Perfect Blend (coffee cup)

Petite Petals (flower)

I also used the Cupcake Punch, some retired grosgrain ribbon, and pearl jewels. But the rest of the accessories are all part of the Hip Hip Hooray Kit. The kit is awesome because it comes with everything you need to create 20 cards. It even comes with picture instructions to make all the cards. I chose 10 of my favorite layouts and made 2 cards of each one. I had to get creative using the card stock sticker pieces, as you don't get two of everything. But it made it easier for me than making all 20 diferent cards. And I liked some layouts better than others. And I LOVE the quality and prints of the card bases. They are super thick and the envelopes are just as amazing.

At my class, each attendee received the Hip Hip Hooray Kit plus the Petite Petals stamp set and matching punch which qualified them to recieve the Good As Gold Sale-A-Bration card kit. That is how they ended up making 28 cards. :)

On Wednesday I'll share all of the "thank you" and "hello" cards and on Friday I'll share all of the Good As Gold cards.

Don't forget that Sale-A-Bration ends in one short week so you still have time to place your order!!

Visit my online store today:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS ONLINE STORE

And stop by my Facebook page:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS FACEBOOK

And check out my Pinterest boards:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS PINTEREST BOARDS

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great week!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

Saturday Stamping Super Hero #1

Hi Stamping Friends!!

Many of my stamping friends have asked me where I get my stamping creativity from.  I can not tell a lie. I get all of my stamping fabulousness from other Stampin' Up! demos. :) Before a class or club, I scour the internet for ideas and layouts. Then I borrow, steal, CASE, and tweak their ideas into something that works for me.

I thought it would be fun to share with you, all of the amazing Stampin' Up! demos that I stalk. I call them my Stamping Super Heros. Someday I would love to meet them in real life. But for now I consider them my "pretend stamping friends". :) I use to follow their blogs only, but now I follow them on Facebook and Pinterest as well.

Without further adieu, here is the first SATURDAY STAMPING SUPER HERO:

ERICA CERWIN

Isn't she amazing?!

You can follow her blog here: PINK BUCKAROO DESIGNS

Here Facebook Fan Page here: PINK BUCKAROO DESIGNS - STAMPIN' UP!

And her Pinterest boards are here: ERICA CERWIN

I follow her on all three forms of social medai, but my go to place first is always Facebook. Last month, another Stamping Super Hero posted a super informational way on how to follow your favorite Facebook pages and make sure you actually get to see what they post. Facebook is mean. They only like to post the "popular" stuff in your Newsfeed. You miss a lot of stuff if you do not put your "liked" pages into Interest groups.

Here is Robin Merriman with her very easy, very informational (with pictures!) post on:

HOW TO FIND YOUR FAVORITES ON FACEBOOK

Remember, it's not enough just to "like" the Facebook page itself. You also need to "like" the posts and pictures, and you need to leave comments on the posts. Then Facebook will know that you really LIKE that particular page and might let it show up in your Newsfeed. But I prefer to check out my Stamping Super Hero Interest group. Then I get to see all of my favorite 110 Super Stamping Heros all in the same place. :)

If you want to follow me on other social media besides my blog, here are my links:

Facebook: KRYSTAL'S CARDS - STAMPIN UP!

Pinterest: KRYSTAL'S CARDS

Are you stamping this weekend? I have a project started that I hope to be able to finish. It's part of my ongoing Lent Challenge. To send one card everyday during Lent. (Okay, so I kind of sort of cheat because I send 7 or more cards once a week, but let's not get legalistic here!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

Petal Parade Sale-A-Bration

HI Stamping Friends!!

I can't believe Sale-A-Bration is almost over!! It really is my most favorite stamping time of the year. It's when I feel most motivated to stamp and have classes. It must be because the holiday rush is over and our family is "between sports" (water polo is a fall sport and swimming is a spring sport so not much going on during February and March!). So I actually have time to play with my stamps!!

Like every year, I ended up loving everything in the Sale-A-Bration brochure. At first I wasn't sure about the Sweet Sorbet DSP (the photos do NOT do it justice!) but then I finally had it in my hands and I can't stop using it!! I still have to make my Heartfelt Banner Kit, but it is sitting out in my stamp area so I hope to get to it this weekend.

Here is the third card we made at last Sunday's stamp club. It uses almost all Sale-A-Bration products.

Stamps: Petal Parade, Express Yourself (Hostess)

Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White, Pistachio Pudding, Sweet Sorbet DSP (SAB)

Accessories: Sweet Sorbet Accessories Pack, Circle Punches, Scallop Topper Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Adorning Accents Edgelits, BItty Banners Framelits, Rhinestone Jewels

I just love the "spring" look of this card. Soft and pretty. It would make a great Easter card or even a Mother's Day card. Hmmm… I may have to change the sentiment. :)

If you haven't had a chance to shop and earn your FREE Sale-A-Bration products, hurry over to my online store. Don't forget to check out the Weekly Specials and the Clearance Rack.

KRYSTAL'S CARDS ONLINE STORE

Be sure to "like" my Krystal's Cards Facebook page to get all the latest Stampin' Up! news and inspiration.

KRYSTAL'S CARDS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

And if you are looking for lots, and lots, and LOTS of Stampin' Up! ideas and tutorials, be sure to follow Krystal's Cards on Pinterest. I have over 15,000 pins and 22,000 followers!!

KRYSTAL'S CARDS PINTEREST BOARDS

Be sure to stop back by this weekend. I will be sharing the Facebook Fan Pages of my Stamping Super Heros. And I'll give you a tip on how you can organize your favorite pages on Facebook.

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

Hello There Hexagon Hive

Hi Stamping Friends!!

Here is another card we made at Sunday's stamp club. I think this one was my favorite of the day. I combined a bunch of different ideas I saw on the web and came up with this:

Stamps: Hardwood, Flower Shoppe (Crisp Cantaloupe ink), Petite Petals (Calypso Coral ink), Happy Day (sentiment)

Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Pistachio Pudding

Accessories: Hexagon Hive Thinlit, Pansy Punch, Petite Petals Punch, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Little Leaves Sizzlet, Sweet Sorbet Accessories, Gold Sequin Trim, Natural Chevron Ribbon

We used White Craft ink to stamp the Hardwood stamp onto the Crumb Cake card base. Make sure you leave plenty of time for it to dry. I love the soft look of it. I can't wait to use my Hardwood stamp for other projects. I've seen some amazing things done with it. I love that this layout is so versatile. By changing up the sentiment, you could easily use it for any occasion. I needed a few sympathy cards, so I used the Blessings From Heaven stamp set to create four of these:

The only difference besides the sentiment is I eliminated the baker's twine and added the Gold Foil petite butterfly instead. Now I just need to head to the mailbox with these and get them sent.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

Best of 25 Years!!!

Hi Stamping Friends!!

Last January Stampin' Up! started celebrating their 25 year anniversary by coming out with a new stamp set every month. They are the "Best of" Stampin' Up! sets. And they are only available until the end of March!!

Here is all 12 of the sets:

I purchased the Best of Birthdays set when it first came out and thought I would devote an entire class around the set. I designed one card and then it sat on my shelf until this past week when I realized that I hadn't showcased any of the "Best of" sets with my stamp club!! So I dusted off my card and stamp set and used it as layout for a new design.

Here is the card we created yesterday:

Stamps: Best of Birthdays

Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla, Gold Foil, Sweet Sorbet (SAB)

Accessories: Label Framelit, Pennant Framelits, Oval Punch, Designer Frames EF, Beautifully Baroque EF, Butterfly Punches, Pearl Jewels, Gold Baker's Twine, Dimensionals

The gals loved this card. This one is getting sent for my 40 day Lent Challenge to a sweet lady from our church who turned 89 yesterday.

Here is the original card I made eons ago. It must have been about a year ago because it uses last years Sale-A-Bration DSP!!

I can't decide which one I like better. What about you? Which one do you prefer? It's kind of fun to play around with color and see how much it changes the look of a card.

Don't forget to check out the entire collection of "Best of" stamp sets at my online store:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS ONLINE STORE

Just click the SHOP button on the top right corner. And then type in BEST OF in the store search. Plus, if you decide to make a purchase now, you can still take advantage of our Sale-A-Bration promotion. Just spend $50 and earn FREE products!!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

Simply Fabulous Challenge

Hi Stamping Friends!!

At our January stamp club, I presented my gals with a challenge (which some of them deemed "homework"). :) I gave each of them pieces to the Simply Fabulous Simply Sent card kit and asked them to take it home and do anything they wanted with it. I got texts throughout the month asking me what the "rules" were, of which there were no rules except BE CREATIVE!!

In February only one of my stampers (my most favorite in all the world), Irene, came to class with her "homework" finished (and dumb me I forgot to take a pic of her card!) She did a great job creating a beautiful birthday card with a red and pink theme.

Here is the card I did for the challenge:

Stamps: Mr. and Mrs. (single stamp)

Paper: Basic Black, Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla, (the laser cut lattice piece comes from the Simply Fabulous card kit)

Accessories: Simply Fabulous card kit, Fancy Fan EF, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Black EP, Rhinestone Jewels, Black Satin Ribbon (retired)

I created this card for a wedding I am invited to tomorrow. The bride (the daughter of a dear friend) wanted a very elegant black and white theme with touches of gold. I love how this turned out. 

I hope my stampers see how easy it is to use any of the Simply Sent card kits to help jump start a stamping idea. Sometimes you just need a little inspiration. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

Little Lambs Workshop Card #2

Hi Stamping Friends!

Today I have another card from my Little Lambs fundraiser workshop. I actually have two cards. One card is the card the gals got to stamp, and the other was the one I demoed. I wanted to show them how quick and simple it is to make a cute card and then how easy it is to add a few little extras to really jazz it up.

This first card is the card the gals got to make at the workshop:

Stamps: Perfectly Penned, Flower Shoppe

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Primrose Petals, retired DSP

Accessories: Oval Framelit, Pansy Punch, Butterfy Punch

One reason this card is super easy is because it only uses one color of ink.

Here is the card I "jazzed" up a bit with extra accessories:

Stamps: Perfectly Pennned, Flower Shoppe

Paper: Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Primrose Petals, retired DSP

Accessories: Oval Framelits, Pansy Punch, Butterfly Punch, Decorative Dots EF (SAB), Primrose Stitched Ribbon, Pearl Jewels

Needless to say, I sold tons of Flower Shoppe Bundles. This stamp set and matching punch are so great. The make any card come together easily. They really sell themselves! I love all of the coordinating products Stampin' Up! offers. I guess I'm just a matchy-matchy kind of girl. Or for those of you who grew up in the 70's… I have a Garanimals kind of style. :)

Don't forget!! Sale-A-Bration ends March 31st so place your orders ASAP. Don't miss out on these great freebies!! Visit my online store to place your order:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS ONLINE STORE

And if you want to try stamping but don't have time to figure out what to stamp, have Stampin' Up! do the work for you!! Join Paper Pumpkin and get a monthly stamp kit mailed directly to you. And if you sign up before the end of March you will get a FREE set of markers!!!

PAPER PUMPKIN

Just remember to choose me as your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

Little Lambs Workshop

Hi Stamping Friends!

Last Saturday I had the priveledge of putting on a workshop for the Little Lambs Preschool fundraiser event in Exeter. Each year in April they host a large scrapbook event where they give out tons of amazing raffle prizes. Karen, the super sweet gal in charge of the event, thought it would be great if we had a workshop prior to the fundraiser so they could earn hostess rewards and use them to purchase prizes. All of the gals who come to their monthly crop graciously allowed me to demonstrate a few cards. 


Here is one of the cards I demonstrated and one that the gals got to stamp.

Stamps: Wildflower Meadow, Trust God

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White

Accessories: Wildflower EF, Modern Label Punch, Petite Petals Punch, Rhinestone Jewels, Pretty In Pink Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

The most exciting news was when it was all said and done, they earned $110 in hostess rewards for the fundraiser!!!! Thanks so much ladies for letting me crash your regular party. And thanks too for purchasing Stampin' Up! products form me. I had a wonderful time!

If you would like to host a workshop in your home with your friends, now through March 31 is a great time. You earn extra hostess rewards during Sale-A-Bration. Contact me so we can set up the perfect time and day.

Don't forget to shop my online store to take of advantage of the fabulous Sale-A-Bration promotion!!

KRYSTAL'S CARDS ONLINE

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal