Petal Potpourri Class Final Card

Hi Stamping Friends!

Well I'm off! Headed down the 5 freeway for my first ever "on the road" stamping class!! Just wanted to share the fifth and final card we will be making on Sunday.

Stamps: Petal Potpourri, Crazy About You

Paper: Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Best Year Ever DSP (SAB)

Ink: Crushed Curry, Coastal Cabana

Accessories: Hexagon Hive Thinlit, Flower Medallion Punch, Petite Petals Punch, Sale-A-Bration Ribbon and Button, Rhinestone Jewels, Dimensionals

For the flower, I stamped two flowers with Crushed Curry, cut the petals to separate them, then curled up the edges with a bone folder. Lastly, I layered them with Dimensionals. Also, the entire Hexagon Hive cut-out is attached with Dimesionals to give added depth. I love how it all turned out!!

I have a bunch more projects to share, but didn't have time to take amy pictures yet, so they will have to wait until next week. It sure has been a fun week getting ready for this class!! I hope I have everything!

If you are interested in receiving a FREE card kit in the mail from me, join my February Online Stamp Class featuring the Celebrate You stamp set. Find out all the details on this blog post: CELEBRATE TODAY

I hope to see you again next week.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp something!

Krystal

Crazy About You Card Class #4

Hi Stamping Friends!!

I have two more cards I want to share with you from my upcoming Petal Potpourri card class. I have everything packed and ready to go for this class. I hope!! I hate showing up to a class and realizing I left something at home. Especially when home will be 300 miles away this time!! Thankfully I have plenty of stampin' friends in the Tulare/Visalia area that can help me out if I do forget something.

Stamps: Crazy About You

Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe, Whisper White

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories: Flower Medallion Punch, Lovely Lace EF, White Organza Ribbon, Pearls

I stamped three of the flower images and then "fussy" cut out two layers (the bottom layer I punched out using the Flower Medallion punch) and layered them using Dimensionals.

I'm really happy with how this card turned out. I think it's the white background. So crisp and clean. Love all the different sentiment you can make with the Crazy About You stamp set. Dozens and dozens of different combinations of words. I like this general saying "Happy For You" because it can work for all sorts of occasions; wedding, new baby, birthday, anniversary, new job, graduation, engagement. Can you think of anymore?

Tomorrow I will be sharing the last card for this class. I also have a couple of cards to share from a workshop I'm doing and a couple of other projects to blog about. But I probably won't be able to share them with you until next week when I get home because I will be staying at my mom and dad's for the next few days AND THEY DO NOT HAVE INTERNET!!! I know. Hard to believe. And the cell service they have out in the country stinks!! It's even hard to send and receive texts. You need to go out into the middle of the yard to make sure it goes through. Dark Ages I tell ya. ;)

I hope you have an awesome Thursday!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp something!

Krystal

Petal Potpourri Class Prep Tips and Tricks

Hi Stamping Friends!!

Today I'm going to share a little about how I prepare for my stamping classes. I've been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator since 2006 and I've tried all different ways of offering classes. I finally found one model that works best for me.

When I host a stamp class, I revolve the entire class around a specific stamp set or sets and possibly a matching punch or other tool. I used to simple charge a fee for the class and let everyone use my "stuff". I no longer do that. I also do not charge a class "fee". To join the class, you simply need to purchase the required supplies using a designated Hostess Code. As a demonstrator, my goal is to sell Stampin' Up! products, not card kits.

For this class, stampers were required to purchase the Petal Potpourri stamp set and matching Flower Medallion punch which is currently being sold as a bundle in the Occasions Catalog on page 23. The clear mount bundle is $31.25. They also had to purchase the Crazy About You stamp set on page 31 of the Occasions Catalog. It was their choice if they wanted to purchase the bundle with the Hello You Thinlits. The Thinlits were not a required purchase. The photopolymer stamp set is $24.95. So each stamper had to purchase a minimum of $56.20 of supplies to come to the class. If someone had previously purchased one or both stamp sets and still wanted to come to the class, they would just need to make any purchase of $56.20 using the Hostess Code and they too could attend the class.

Stamps: Petal Potpourri, Crazy About You

Paper: Calypso Coral, Sahara Sand, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Best Year Ever DSP (SAB)

Ink: Sahara Sand

Accessories: Flower Medallion Punch, Bow Builder Punch, Hello You Thinlits

Each stamper will receive a card kit that contains enough supplies to create 10 cards, 2 each of 5 different designs. Kits include cut and embossed card stock, DSP, ribbon, and other embellishments like buttons and rhinestones or pearls. I also include cut sheets of Whisper White card stock to stamp on. I put all the necessary supplies for individual cards in sandwich sized ziploc bags from the dollar store. Then I put all 5 baggies in a larger "gift" bag. Stampers need to bring their stamps, (and punch if it was required), scissors, adhesive, and liquid glue. I supply Glue Dots and Dimensionals.

I set up "stations" for each card. Each station has a sample card (enclosed in a clear envelope for safe keeping) and the necessary inks and additional punches/tools needed. Stampers rotate from station to station making their cards using the supplies in their bags. I do not write up instruction sheets since I am right there to answer any questions. Most stampers are able to figure out how to make the card simply by looking at the sample project. If a certain step is more difficult, I will explain it to everyone before the class begins.

Stamps: Petal Potpourri

Paper: Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Best Year Ever DSP (SAB)

Ink: Calypso Coral, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Flower Medallion Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch, Hello You Thinlits, Hexagon Hive EF, Calypso Chevron Ribbon, Coastal Cabana Ribbon (SAB), Pearl Jewel


Designing the cards is fun and hard at the same time. I like the cards to be pretty, so people are interested in coming to the class. But they also need to be semi-simple so my stampers can finish them. I browse various stamp websites and Pinterest boards for ideas and then adapt them to my needs.

Stamping 10 cards can take a few hours. Even if some steps are done for you.  I also have to be careful about what inks I use. I only have one set of inks, so I need to watch that I don't use the same ink color on multiple cards. Otherwise there tends to be stampers waiting their turn and it takes longer. This get really tricky when you are also using a certain DSP to design around. Sometimes I end up borrowing ink pads from other stampers.

I also do as much prep work ahead of time as possible. I pre-cut all my ribbon and I pre-emboss as much card stock as I can. I also cut as many die-cuts out as possible. For this class I pre-cut all of the Hello You Thinlit words. For smaller groups I let them use the Big Shot for certain projects. But again, I only have one Big Shot and I don't like to have a big line of people waiting.

When doing a larger class, I usually use a room at a church. This requires me to do a lot of planning and packing. I usually pack as I go. Grabbing inks and tools and putting them in a bag so I have everything I need to take along to the class. It all takes quite a bit of thinking ahead.

I've also done classes that revolve around certain techniques and or themes, like all birthday cards. But my favorite is still the classes using a specific stamp set. It gives customers plenty of ideas on how they can use that stamp set again.

All in all, I really enjoy hosting classes. I like spending time with other stampers. I enjoy seeing them create together and visit with one another. It always reminds me of an old-fashioned quilting bee. But instead of bonding over fabric, needle, and thread, we get to use stamp, ink, and card stock.

I'm really looking forward to Sunday!! Can't wait to see my stampers again!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Stamp something!
Krystal

Petal Potpourri Tulare Class Birthday Card #3

Hi Stamping Friends!!

Only one week left for you to purchase your supplies and RSVP to my Tulare Best. Day. Ever. card class happening on February 15th. Check out this blog post with all the information about how you can participate in the class: BEST. DAY. EVER.


Here is another one of the cards that we will be making that day...

Stamps: Petal Potpourri, Crazy About You

Paper: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Best Year Ever DSP

Accessories: Hello You Thinlits, Bow Builder Punch, Flower Medallion Punch, SAB Ribbon

Not sure I like the ribbon placement on this card, but I'm just kinda over it. I do like how the Petal Potpourri lacy flower looks as a border though. Very fun way to use this stamp set.

Don't forget... on the same day the Petal Potpourri card class will be held, I will also be offering a Occasions Catalog Projects class. Purchase the Hello Life Kit and/or the Perpetual Calendar Kit, bring them with you to class. I will have all of the stamps and inks available for you to finish your projects. That's why it will be the Best. Day. Ever. Two stamping classes in one day!!!

I am really looking forward to seeing all of my Tulare County stamp friends!!!

Here are all the important links:

STAMPIN' UP! WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

PINTEREST

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday. 

Stamp something!

Krystal

Petal Potpourri Tulare Class Thanks Card

Hi Stamping Friends!!

I am having a blast designing cards for my upcoming classes. I miss designing for my monthly card club, so this has been a real treat for me. If you are interested in coming to my Tulare classes on February 15th, visit this blog post for more info... BEST. DAY. EVER.

Stamps: Petal Potpourri

Paper: Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Best Year Ever DSP

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Hello You Thinlits, Flower Medallion Punch, Best Year Ever Ribbon, Calypso Coral Chevron Ribbon, Honeycomb EF, Large Pearl (retired)

The class will be featuring the Petal Potpourri stamp set, Flower Medallion Punch, and Crazy About You stamp set. I've also been adding the Hello You Framelits to the cards even though those are not a required class purchase. 

If you do buy the Hello You Framelits, there is a great tip floating around the internet about how to use them. I would credit the original Stampin' Up! demonstrator who "discovered" this trick, but I'm not sure who found it first. There have been all kinds of gals sharing it, so I'm going to share it too...

Create a Big Shot "sandwich" using an unscented dryer sheet, card stock, wax paper, and your Thinlit die (in that order). Sandwich it all between two clear plastic plates and run it through your Big Shot using your magnetic platform. Works like a charm. 

I used to despise intricate and detailed Thinlits because the card stock would get stuck inside the die or it would stick to the plastic plate and would tear trying to pry it off. Not anymore!! Can't wait to try it on my new Butterfly Thinlits!! A BIG thank you to the inventor of this little tip. And thanks for sharing it!

If you do not live in the Tulare County area and cannot attend the class, there is always Option B which is available anywhere in the U.S.

Visit my blog post for more details on my January Online Class: GROOVY LOVE

To purchase your class supplies, visit my Stampin' Up! online store: KRYSTAL DE LEEUW

For more Stampin' Up! fun and info, visit my Facebook page: KRYSTAL'S CARDS - OCEANSIDE

For more inspiration using the Petal Potpourri and Crazy About You stamp sets, visit my Pinterest Board: JANUARY 2015 CARD CLASS

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

Petal Potpourri Tulare Class Card #1

Hi Stamping Friends!!

I wanted to share one of the cards we will be creating at my Tulare County Class on February 15th. Details on how to RSVP to the class and reserve your seat can be found here:
BEST. DAY. EVER.

Stamps: Petal Potpourri, Crazy About You

Paper: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral, Best Year Ever DSP (SAB)

Accessories: Large Polka Dot EF, Banner Framelits, Flower Medallion Punch, Hello You Thinlits, Best Year Ever Ribbon and Button (SAB)

If you live in the Tulare County area and would like to attend this class, just go to my online Stampin' Up! store and purchase the Petal Potpourri Bundle #138877 (page 23) and the Crazy About You stamp set #137137 (page 31) from the Occasions Catalog using Hostess Code: WMPESJHQ by January 27th and you reserved your seat! On the day of class please bring your own adhesive and clear blocks and we will create 10 fabulous cards together!! So easy!!

When I'm designing cards I often hem and haw until a card looks just right. That's what happened with this card. I had it finished for a couple days and even took a picture, but it just wasn't right. I decided to change the ribbon color and BOOM! It was perfect! Here is what the card looked like with the other color ribbon:

The Calypso ribbon looks so much better. It gives the card some POP. It also follows the "rule of threes". The ribbon is Calypso. The flower is Calypso. And the "you" is Calypso. Now everything is nice and balanced in my world.

A ribbon is an easy thing to "fix". I currently have another card I finished that just doesn't look right yet. But that one I'm just going to have to start over with because the elements I want to change are glued down. Hope I have time today so I can share with you on Friday.

If you would like to purchase your Tulare Class stamp sets, visit my Stampin' Up! website: KRYSTAL DE LEEUW

If you want up-to-the-minute stamping fun and news, follow me on Facebook:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS

There is still time to join my January Online Stamp Class featuring the Groovy Love stamp set. It's super easy. Go to my online Stampin' Up! store and purchase the stamp set and coordinating Sweetheart punch using Hostess Code: WMPESJHQ by January 27th and I will send you a fabulous card kit featuring four cards using the Groovy Love stamp set!! More details can be found here: GROOVY LOVE

Hope you have a fabulous day. And hopefully there is some stamping involved!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal