Stampin' Up! Celebrate Today Coastal Coral

Hi Stamping Friends!!

On Saturday I finally mailed out my Celebrate Today card kits to everyone who joined my February Online Stamp Class. Today I'm going to share two cards from the kit. These cards were CASEd from cards I saw on the internet.


Celebrate Today Coastal Coral #1

Stamps: Celebrate Today

Paper: Crushed Curry, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Best Year Ever DSP (SAB)

Ink: Calypso Coral, Soft Suede

Accessories: Balloon Framelits, Cupcake Builder Punch (clouds), Large Scallop Edgelit, Delicate Designs EF, Best Year Ever Coral Ribbon

Be sure to stamp the basket first using Soft Suede ink. Use one of the cutout balloons to use as a template to make sure you have the correct position.

Glue the Best Year Ever DSP (with your stamped basket on it) onto the Crushed Curry card base. Glue the Wild Wasabi "grass" to the DSP. Make your balloon.

I made the air balloon by cutting out four balloons, folding them in half, and gluing them together. Here are a few pics...

Attach the balloon to your card using Dimensionals.

Stamp the "Celebrate" sentiment on to Whisper White cardstock. Hand cut the banner. Attach the "clouds" using Dimensionals. Tie the ribbon. DONE!

Celebrate Today Coastal Coral #2

Stamps: Celebrate Today

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

Ink: Crushed Curry, Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana

Accessories: Balloon Framelits, Crushed Curry Baker's Twine

Cut out balloons from the Crushed Curry and Calypso Coral cardstock using the balloon Framelit. Stamp the balloons with the polka dot stamp in coordinating ink colors.

When using photopolymer stamps, you get a better stamped image if you stamp onto a cushioned surface, like our Stampin' Pierce Mat. Be aware that if you do stamp on the mat and get ink on the mat, the ink will not dry. Cover your mat with grid paper before you stamp. It will help you from getting ink everywhere. Ask me how I know. ;)

Using regular tape, attach the Crushed Curry Baker's Twine to each balloon making sure to wrap the twine around the "neck" of the balloon.

When you have your balloons ready, layer them on the Coastal Cabana card base. The bottom two balloons are glued onto the card base and the top three balloons are attached with Dimensionals. The balloons should be sticking out over the edges of your card base. The card should look like this...

Flip your card over and using a scissors, trim off the sides and tops of the balloons using your card base as your straight edge.

Bring all of your strings together and attach them to each other with a glue dot. Make a bow with the baker's twine and attach it with a glue dot.

Stamp your sentiment using Coastal Cabana ink on to your card base. Using Coastal Cabana ink, stamp the flags onto Whisper White cardstock. Cut out the flags with the matching Framelit. Attach using Dimensionals.

Sidenote: Even if you did not purchase the Celebrate Today stamp set and matching Balloon Framelits, but you made a qualifying purchase using the appropriate Hostess Code, you will receive a card kit. The kits are versatile enough that you can use them in a variety of ways with a variety of stamp sets. Be creative!! I would love to see what you come up with. :)

I hope this all makes sense!! If not, email or text me your questions and I will try and answer them as best as I can.

Tomorrow I will have the other two cards from the kit to share.

Thanks for stopping by!

STAMP SOMETHING!

Krystal

UPDATE!! March Online Stamp Class - Sheltering Tree Stampin' Up!

Hi Stamping Friends!!

Because the Butterfly Bascis bundle is currently not orderable, I've changed my March Online Stamp Class to the Sheltering Tree stamp set.

Stamps: Sheltering Tree

Paper: Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding, Whisper White

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding, Mossy Meadow

Accessories: Decorative Dots EF, Burlap Ribbon, Twine (retired)

This card was CASEd from one done by Wendy Weixler. Mine is a little simpler. I was trying to keep it more masculine looking.

I love the Burlap Ribbon, but sometimes it's too large for what I need. For this card I just used my scissors to trim it thinner.

Here are the details of my March Online Stamp Class featuring the Sheltering Tree stamp set:

From now through March 20th, purchase the Sheltering Tree stamp set AND the Hardwood Background stamp from my Stampin' Up! website using the Hostess Code: PM2XM9RC and receive a FREE card kit from me featuring both stamp sets.

Sheltering Tree on page 22 of the Occasions Catalog

#137163 $24.95

Hardwood Background on page 175 of the "Big" Catalog

#133035 $13.95

If you already have either of these stamp sets, then simply place a qualifying order of any products of your choice in the amount of $38.90 from my Stampin' Up! website using the Hostess Code: PM2XM9RC by March 20th and you can still receive the FREE card kit.

I'm really excited to design the cards for this class!! If you would like to see sneak peeks of my stamping projects, then make sure you "like" my Stampin' Up! Facebook page:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS OCEANSIDE

To see lots of other Sheltering Tree inspiration, visit my Pinterest board:

STAMPIN' UP! SHELTERING TREE

And I finally caved and started an Instagram account. Look for me:

krystals_cards

I would love to connect with you no matter what's your favorite form of social media!!!

If you have any questions about the March Online Stamp Class or any stamping topic, just email me: krystalscards(at)sbcglobal(dot)net.

Thanks for stopping by!

STAMP SOMETHING!!

Krystal

Stampin' Up! Thank You Watercolor Notecards

Hi Stamping Friends!!

I need lots of thank you cards every month. Last month I was so busy preparing for my "on the road" classes, that my thank you cards kind of snuck up on me. Since I needed 20 cards fast, I decided to get a head start and use a pack of retired Watercolor Notecards.

I love that Stampin' Up! offers card kits and matching stamps. Because sometimes you just need easy. :)

Here are the five different notecards, straight form the package:

To keep things simple, I chose one sentiment from the Lots of Thanks stamp set and stamped it with Early Espresso ink on all of the cards:

I also stamped a swirl from the Everything Eleanor stamp set with Wild Wasabi ink on some of the cards:

After adding some punches, ribbons, and rhinestones I was finished! Here are the five different cards:

Super quick and easy!! My designs were inspired from others I had seen on the internet. Even though you can no longer purchase the Watercolor Notecards, Stampin' Up! does offer many fabulous card kits on pages 196 through 198 of the catalog. Go check them out!! They are so handy to have on hand when you need a card fast!!

I've been doing lots of stamping this week, just haven't done the blogging thing. If you want to keep up with my "everyday" stamping, find me on Facebook:

Krystal's Cards - Oceanside

I also just started a Stampin' Up! Instagram account: krystals_cards. Would love to have you "follow" me!!!

Found out just a couple of days ago that the Butterfly Basics bundle is not orderable at this time. I'm considering changing this month's online stamp class. I will have details coming soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a beautiful weekend.

STAMP SOMETHING!!

Krystal

March 2015 Online Stamp Class - Butterfly Basics Bundle

Hi Stamping Friends!!

Can you believe it's March already?! We've had some beautiful spring rains the last few days here in North County and today is a glorious, sunny day. A new month means a new Online Stamp Class. This month I will be featuring the Butterfly Basics Bundle.

Order the Butterfly Basics Bundle #138865 featured on page 26 of the Occasions Catalog at my Stampin' Up! website using the Hostess Code: PM2XM9RC between now and March 20th and I will send you a FREE card kit featuring the Butterfly Basics stamp set and matching Butterflies Thinlits Dies.

If you have already purchased the Butterfly Basics Bundle you can still join the class and receive the card kit for FREE. Just place a qualifying order for a minimum amount of $41.50 at my Stampin' Up! website using the Hostess Code: PM2XM9RC during the above dates and I will mail you the FREE Butterfly Basics card kit.

Don't forget that Sale-A-Bration promotion is still going on. Spend $50 and receive FREE Stampin' Up! products!! And Stampin' Up! has added four BRAND NEW Sale-A-Bration products for the month of March!!!

I love the For Being You stamp set. But that vellum is so beautiful. Not sure what I should pick first!!

To view more amazing ideas using the Butterfly Basics stamp set and matching Thinlits dies, visit my Pinterest board:

BUTTERFLY BASICS

For lots of stamping fun and tips, "like" my Stampin' Up! Facebook page:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS - OCEANSIDE

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp something!

Krystal

Why I make cards...

Hi Stamping Friends!!

Today's post is a little different. I'm not so much sharing a card (but I am) as sharing my thoughts behind why I continue to make cards after all these years.

Yesterday I got to open some happy mail from my sister:

(Sorry. No stamp info.)

I could tell by the bumps in the envelope that it was going to be "pretty" mail. I couldn't wait to tear it open! And I was right. It's beautiful. It instantly brought a smile to my face. Then I opened it up to read the inside. What she wrote gave me another huge smile (and a little water to my eyes).

All a card really is, is little scraps of paper and bits of ribbon, mixed with ink and glue. But the biggest part of sending a card is the heart that goes along with it. And I could feel my sister's love laying right their in my hands.

Off and on through the years I've struggled with this "hobby". Am I wasting time? Spending too much money? Being selfish?

And now that I am a "pastor's wife", I struggle with "my ministry". How are you reaching others for Christ? What are you doing to further God's Kingdom? What is your purpose? Shouldn't you be sharing the Gospel instead of playing with paper?!

BLEH!!!!!

But today as I walk-praying, I really felt God gave me the thumbs-up on my creative passion. I felt a strong peace about my "hobby". Because it's not just a hobby to me. It's also my ministry. It's the way I get to share a little love with others. To bring a smile to their day. To congratulate or thanks them. To let them know that I'm lifting them up in prayer. It's me doing life alongside them. Sharing in their joys and sorrows.

Thankfully we have all been created differently. Our creative God has placed different talents, abilities, and passions in all of us. Our goal is to use those passions for God's glory. And I believe in my heart that when I send a simple card in the mail, the love of God shines through all those bits of paper and ink.

So I will continue to play with paper. And I will continue to follow God's leading in my life. And I appreciate you walking along this colorful, creative path with me.

Romans 12:15

"Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying."

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp something!

Krystal

The Reverse Lent Challenge

Hi Stamping Friends!!

Are you observing Ash Wednesday today? We don't attend an Ash Wednesday service, but we do discuss the tradition with our kids. Growing up, we did not observe Lent in the traditional sense of "giving something up" (It's not part of our churches practices). But over the years, I've been drawn to the spiritual exercise that takes place for 40 days before Resurrection Sunday.

Last year I happened upon Karen Ehman's blog post regarding the Reverse Lent Challenge. She offered up the same challenge this year. You can read all about it on her blog HERE. The gist of the challenge is to touch 40 lives during the 40 days of Lent. She gives 5 ideas of how you can accomplish the task. I prefer her first suggestion:

1. Jot a note.

Jot a quick note each day to one person in your life. To make it easy, purchase some simple note cards and stamps. Go ahead and place the stamps on the envelopes along with your return address. Place the pile of notecards on your nightstand or next to your favorite chair in the living room. Have your addresses handy. Each morning upon arising or every night just before bed, write a special message to someone. Or if you are a television watcher, do it during the commercials. At the end of Lent you will have made 40 souls smile.

Last night I finished up 5 cards that were leftover from a workshop I had recently done.

Stamps: Petal Potpourri, Blessed by God

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Whisper White, Soft Suede

Accessories: Daffodil Delight Seam Binding, Flower Medallion Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Spring Flowers EF

TIP: I used the watercolor looking flower in the Petal Potpourri stamp set to create leaves for my flower.

Last year I did not send one card every day. Sometimes I would send 2 or 5 at a time. But I did touch 40 lives over the 40 days and that's what matters to me. I plan on taking the same flexible approach this year. I do not need to guilt myself out of continuing the challenge just because I miss a day or two.

Will you take on the challenge too? Imagine if we all decide to bring a smile to 40 people in the next 40 days. How beautiful would that be?!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp Something!!

Krystal

Krystal's Cards Goes On The Road

Hi Stamping Friends!!

I just got home yesterday from my first ever "On The Road" stamping weekend and I had a blast!! Some of you know that our family moved last July about 4 hours away from our family and friends. Moving is never easy, but the world wide web does make it easier to stay connected. By it's not easy to stamp together over the internet. Since the kids had a four day weekend I thought it would be fun to take my stamp class "on the road".

On Saturday (Valentine's Day) I had a workshop for Phyllis and my newest team member, Robin. We had four ladies join us to make cards. Here are the cards we made:

Stamps: One Tag Fits All

Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer, Stacked With Love DSP

Accessories: Note Tag Punch, Sweetheart Punch, Happy Hearts EF

Stamps: Petal Potpourri, Simply Wonderful (SAB)

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Whisper White, Soft Suede

Accessories: Daffodil Delight Seam Binding, Scallop Circle Punch, Spring Flowers EF, Flower Medallion Punch, Decorative Label Punch

Then on Sunday I held my Petal Potpourri/Crazy About You class. I've already posted all the cards here on my blog, so here are a few quick pics of some of me very favorite stampers:

Now it's time to put away all of this weekend's supplies and start making my "Lent Challenge" cards.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Stamp something!

Krystal

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