It's Been Awhile (Updated)

I know it's been awhile since my last crafting post, but it's been pretty busy for me recently.  Thanksgiving, my sons second birthday and now Christmas have just taken up too much of my time.  I received my first demonstrator order this week and am dying to try out my new products.  Things on my list:

• Making cookies using our new Sweet Pressed Cookie stamp sets Check for post about this
• My sons Mickey Mouse thank you cards for his bday Working on these today
• Birthday cards for a few bdays coming up the rest of this month Mostly done with these, but one more today
• Xmas cards (I know it's getting late, so this is on top of my list) Blog post about these
• Classes for the upcoming year, including embossing and Valentine's treat cups Changed to offering only one class at first since I'm new to classes.  Working on Valentine's class this weekend.  Check out my sidebar and previous post for information about that class.
• Open house items Still deciding on these
• Valentine craft fair I'm attending at the end of January Working on this weekend

I'm starting to feel overwhelmed and WAY behind already just looking at my list.  I guess I can only take it one item at a time.  So, hopefully I will have a bunch of new posts soon to share.  Thanks for baring with me!  Off to craft I go!

Feels good to cross off two items off that list, but still seems like I have a lot to do.  I guess I'm 99% done with the bday cards but just need to make one more for my mother-in-laws bday that was yesterday but we're celebrating Sunday.  After today I will have three crossed off my list and hopefully 4 with my sons thank you cards.  Those shouldn't take me too long.  All that will be left is my class and Valentine's craft fair since I still haven't figured out my Open House yet.  I'm hoping this weekend to get a lot more accomplished since we're not doing anything for New Year's this year but having a relaxing day and night at home.  I should have a lot of time on my hands.  Until another post when I can cross more of those items off my list! 

Everyone have a happy and safe New Year!

Holiday Mini Carryover Items

Stampin' Up has released what items will be carried over from the Holiday mini catalog.  This means these items will be available to order even when the catalog is over January 3rd, which is this upcoming Tuesday.  I wanted to let my customers know so if you don't see something you love from the mini catalog being carried over to make sure you order by January 3rd because you won't be able to order anymore after that.

Take a look at the following link to see the items that will still be available to order from the Holiday Mini Catalog. 

Carryover Holiday Mini Catalog

I am very happy to see the items they will be carrying over.  Love the glimmer paper and dazzling details.  What items are you happy to see stay but am upset to see go?

Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps

As soon as I saw that Stampin' Up created stamps to make cookies, I had to have them.  I'm not the biggest baker but these just looked too cute not to have!  Plus what a great way to promote my business during workshops, classes and other events with hand stamped cookies!!
 
I used the one recipe included when you order the cookie stamps.  It wasn't the greatest but I had left over icing from my sons birthday party that I used to make the cookies even better.  I know next time to have icing ready if I use the same recipe.  It comes with another recipe that I will have to try one of these days to let you know my thoughts.

If you haven't seen these stamps, just feast your eyes on these below...aren't they just the cutest?!!

Cookie stamps ready for action!
 

You use a round wood mount to put the silicone base on than stamp your cookie!  That's all it takes



Ingredients to make recipe (minus salt cause I forgot in picture)

Cookies pressed with Stamp...how simple is that!

Cookies pressed and ready for the oven

Snowflake cookie after baking

Heart pressed after baking

Added icing that will add some flavor!




In the upcoming Occassions mini catalog starting January 4th, 2012, there will be three more cookie stamp sets introduced that you will just have to have if you love these holiday ones. Stay tuned for those shortly after the new year!  I cannot wait to introduce them to you in my upcoming classes!

Christmas Cards

I know this is long overdue, but I actually didn't send my cards out this year until the Friday before Christmas. I obviously didn't have very good time management this holiday season! Maybe a new year's resolution for the upcoming year :)

I created this easy and simple card because I had a bunch to send and not a whole lot of time. It turned out to be very cute though and could easily be in my next year's holiday workshops, classes and stamp-a-stack. I created two different versions cause I could only do the same thing so many times. Plus I wanted to see what changing the colors would do to the card. So here's the two versions of my Xmas cards this year.







Inside saying that I just love with Season's Greetings on front

 Here's what I used:

Cardstock: Whisper White
                   Real Red
                   Garden Green

Ink: Real Red
        Garden Green

Stamp Sets: Stitched Stockings from 2011 Holiday Mini
                   Many Merry Messages

Supplies: Clear Block for stocking stamps
                Big Shot
                Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder from 2011 Holiday Mini
                Stocking Builder Punch from 2011 Holiday Mini (which will NOT be carried over so get it before January 3rd if you love this punch!)
                Glimmer Brads in Real Red and Garden Green
                Paper Piercing Tool
                Mat Stack
                Snail Adhesive

That's all it takes to make this simple but beautiful card.  Let me know what you think by leaving a comment.

Princess Birthday Card

I came up with doing a princess card for one of my dearest friends daughters' first birthday.  They (or should I say she) loves Disney and princesses so I wanted something that my friend would love as well.  I found an idea through craftycow.com and CASE'd it.  (For those out in the non crafting world CASE means Copy And Share Everything)

I took the idea and created my own princess though and I have to brag just a little because I think she looks absolutely adorable.  I am dying to try to make more of these as well as some other princess I found online.  I have 2 boys so I'll have to figure out a good home the princesses can go to!

Here's the picture and let me know what you think

The full card

Close up

Paper: In Colors: Wisteria Wonder for base
                             Calypso Coral for princess and candle
                             Pool Party for cupcake icing
            Early Expresso for hair and cupcake bottom
            Daffodil Delight for flame

Stamp Set: Create a Cupcake: flower on base, happy birthday saying, and cupake

Ink: Versamark, Calypso Coral

Punches: 1" circle punch, Word Window, Heart to Heart, Scallop Oval, Owl Builder, Petite Pennants Builder, Cupcake Builder

I free hand cut the flame and used Basic Black Write Marker to draw her face.

Like I said I'm absolutely loving this card.  Only improvement I'm going to make is to try to make her a little bit bigger since the cupcake seems too big but still think it came out great!

Clearance Rack Blitz

Clearance Rack Blitz

Nearly 200 new Clearance Rack items are being added to the Online Store at discounts up to
80% off retail--while supplies last!

• The Clearance Rack Blitz includes old-body style punches and many retired die cuts!
• You don't want to miss out on the great deals on ribbon and accessories, many for $2 or under!

• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion as long as placed through my Online Store.

• Orders can include non-clearance items as well.
• Qualifying Clearance Rack orders are eligible for hostess benefits/stampin rewards that will give you free items!!
• Clearance Rack Blitz items are only available while supplies last so don't delay!

And remember, for every $50 of merchandise that you purchase, you will get my Valentine's tutorial emailed to you for FREE until the end of February!
Just go onto my SU site:http://brittnysmith.stampinup.net
and click on Shop Now under Products at the top of the page.

Sweet Treat Cups Class

Sweet Centers Card Treats

It’s fun to celebrate the sweet people in our lives just in time for Valentine's Day!

You can share your love on Valentine’s Day or anytime of the year with these extra sweet cards. Fill the Treat Cups with small candy, punched hearts, mini toys or even jewelry, like our Simply Adorned charms. Join me and you’ll have a sweet time learning how to make these cards and matchbook treat and you’ll have the perfect cards for the special guys, children and girlfriends in your life. 

Contact me today at brittnycreatest@gmail.com to learn more.  

DATE: Friday, Feb 3rd from 7-10 OR Saturday, February 4th from 6-9

*Light refreshments and snacks will be served

COST: 3 Options (Must PREPAY with all options located on right sidebar)

 Option A: $10 which includes all supplies during the class
 Option B: $30 which includes supplies during the class as well as the Sweet Centers stamp set (ordered ahead of time) that you can use during the class as well as the PDF directions to take home with you.
 Option C: $50 which includes everything from Option B as well as the 1-3/4" circle punch that will also be featured during the class to take home with you.
 

LOCATION: My Home in Castle Shannon (I will give you the address once I have received your payment.

RSVP with date you want and your PAYMENT by January 20th to reserve your spot.  Only 10 spots available so don't delay! Make payments using paypal on the right sidebar. 

These projects showcase the fun and unique Treat Cups, Sweet Centers stamp set, and I {Love} Love Jumbo Stampin’ Around Wheel. The variety of masculine, feminine, and child designs make them perfect for all your loved ones. Have fun adding treats to your projects – your friends and family will thank you for the special touch!  I look forward to crafting with you!

*If you are unable to attend and would still like the PDF, you can purchase this for $5 using the paypal PDF option or get it FREE with a minimum of $50 order placed through my online store HERE until the end of February.

Shelli on Today!

Shelli Gardner was on the Today Show this morning promoting the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamp sets and donating to the toy drive.  These are a great tool to have in your kitchen just in time for your holiday baking.  Stop by my online shop to order yours by Dec. 14th to guarantee delivery by Christmas!  They would also make a great gift to anyone on your list who loves to bake cookies!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Online Extravaganza is Here!!!

Stampin' Up is kicking off the holiday shopping season with their online extravaganza!  There are some great deals that you won't want to miss out on.  If you were thinking of placing an order, now's the time to do it and include some items at discounted prices.  Perfect for those crafters in your family you need gifts for!

Check out a list of the items and their discounted prices HERE.

When you are ready to start shopping, head over to MY STORE to start saving now!  The prices will be discounted once you enter them into your basket.

There are 2 items discounted ONLY for the first 24 hours, so hurry and take advantage of these items.  The Simply Scored and the Simply Pressed Cookie Stamps won't last long at these prices!!  Happy online shopping!

Minnie Mouse

I have been wanting to recreate my cards that I made on My Digital Studio using my paper supplies.  I finally had the chance and have to admit that I'm LOVING this card.  I've never really been a huge Minnie Mouse fan, but since my son has gotten into The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse I've grown to love all the characters.  Well, one of my close friends out in San Diego (miss you so much Jodi) has 2 daughters and loves everything to do with Mickey Mouse.  Her daughters' birthdays are coming up in December and I wanted to make something that they as well as their mom would appreciate.  I just love how this card turned out.  I wish I could take credit for the creation but I cased it from inpirationink.com.  She created a Mickey Mouse card so I changed the colors to make it a Minnie Mouse!  I'm very pleased with the bow which truly makes it Minnie Mouse!



Close up of the card

This card used the color combo of Rose Red, Daffodil Delight and Early Expresso.  I punched out Minnie using the 1 3/4'' Circle Punch and 1 3/8'' Circle Punch for the two ears.

I did heat embossing for the first time on this card too.  I have always seen cards and wanted to try it but just never had the tools or guts to try it.  So I made myself try it and have fallen in love with embossing.  I want to emboss everything now!  What a neat thing to add to your cards.  So the polka dot background and her bow are embossed using Stampin' Up's Heat Tool and White Embossing Powder.  (If you want to learn how to heat emboss contact me for a class!)  The Happy Birthday is taken from the Bring on the Cake stamp set and was stamped using Early Expresso ink pad.  I used Daffodil Delight cardstock and folded at different spots and popped them up using Stampin' Dimensionals.  This technique makes the paper look more like ribbon since I didn't have daffodil delight ribbon on hand.  After embossing the cardstock, I used the 1 3/8'' Square Punch to make the triangles.  I connected the bow to the ear with a Rose Red mini brad.

Being a Stampin' Up Demonstrator is Great!

I love being a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  There are so many great perks when you join.  Not only do you get 20% discount on every order you make, but you can also use the business as a tool to make a little extra cash if you wish.

What I absolutely love is our monthly demonstrator magazines that we receive.  There are SO many great ideas to help you grow your business and projects just to make as a crafter.  You cannot receive these unless you are a demonstrator.  I received this in the mail Friday and there is a flower box that I'm dying to make for some holiday gifts for family members.  I can access the supplies and directions needed to make this project on our demonstrator only website too.  So I have noted what I need and will be adding these supplies to my first demonstrator order in December.  Stay tuned for a future post once I have this project created.

The other thing that I just have to brag about being a Stampin' Up demonstrator is that we receive the catalogs at least a month in advance and then get to preorder the supplies from that catalog a month before it is released to customers.  That gives us the opportunity to create projects for workshops to increase sales for that catalog.  I just received my Occassions mini catalog that will begin in January and have to admit that I can't wait to preorder in December and start creating projects to share in January!  It will be hard not to share it before than but there are some great items you will just have to wait to see but it will be worth it!

Oh how I love the perks of being a Stampin' Up demonstrator!  Click on join me on the left to learn more and join my team!  I look forward to sharing my crafting love with you and having you apart of my growing business.

Happy Birthday!

I just wanted to dedicate this blog post to my husband (even though he never reads this blog!)  He is turning 28 today and I love it!  That just means he's getting one year closer to 30 when I can tease him like he's been teasing me for the last couple of months.  I love him to death and can't wait to spoil him tonight after work.  Here's the card I made for him that I slipped into his biology book so hopefully he sees it when he's in class to cheer him up just a little!  It's hard making cards for men sometimes when all you want to do is bling it out and make it fabulous like us girls!

Not sure why I can't flip this the right way through blogger because it's the right way on my computer.



Close up of the card

This card used color combo Night of Navy, Old Olive and Cajun Craze.  My husband is a HUGE Notre Dame fan so I tried to incorporate the green since that is his favorite color.  I used Builder Wheel Birthday and Candle Crazy using Old Olive ink pad.  The number stamp is from the Bring on the Cake stamp set using Old Olive ink pad.  I colored in the numbers 2 and 8 using my Cajun Craze Stampin' Write Marker.  I stamped the Birthday from the Bring on the Cake stamp set using my Craft White Ink pad.

Online Extravaganza!

I have some exciting news from Stampin' Up!

Starting next week, Monday November 21, Stampin' Up will be having their annual online sale to kick of the holiday shopping season.  This sale will run through Wednesday, November 30th.

What do you need to do?  Log onto my website at brittnysmith.stampinup.net on Monday to take advantage of great savings, like FREE digital downloads valued at $40 when you buy My Digital Studio Express, 60 percent off select Designer Fabrics, and 30 percent off an exclusive ribbon bundle!


In addition, there will be two items on sale for 24 hours only (November 21, 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM [MT])-so make sure you don't miss the first 24 hours of Online Extravaganza!

Email me with your email so I can send you an e-card as a reminder to check out my store starting Monday, November 21st!

Thank You Card

 This was a card I did at a previous workshop.  Something simple but it was a WOW card!  We used Cherry Cobbler and Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Markers to color the stamp in the Just Believe set.  I love doing this technique because you can personal the stamp how you want it to look.  I stamped the happy birthday from the same set using Cherry Cobbler ink pad.  We also used Versamark to stamp the circle image from the Just Believe set onto the Early Expresso cardstock.  We tied a piece of Very Vanilla 1/4'' Grosgrain Ribbon around the White and Cherry Cobbler cardstock.  This was a simple but great card to demonstrate at my workshop to show the ladies how versatile and easy our supplies are to make a card.  I also wanted to demonstrate a card that they could use for any occasion.  All they would have to is change the saying.

I wanted to make a thank you card for the secretary at my new job for all of the help she gave me when I first started.  She was such a sweetheart introducing me to everyone and truly making me feel welcome to the building.  I decided to take that workshop card and add to it.  I used the same techniques from the above card.  I than punched the Whisper White cardstock using the Eyelet Border punch and layered it over the Cherry Cobbler cardstock.  I die cut Rose Red cardstock using the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Dies and the Sizzix Big Shot.  I adhered the butterflies onto the card using Stampin' Dimensionals to add depth to the card.  I stamped thank you from the Just Believe stamp set using the Cherry Cobbler ink pad.  Here's the outcome.

I also stamped the envelope with the circle stamp from the Just Believe set with Cherry Cobbler ink.  Added a little extra touch to the card that I loved.  Here's a picture of the envelope with the card.

This would be a great card to demonstrate in a workshop or class to show simple to a more complicated card.  I would also add heat embossing with the versamark circles as well as adding depth with the flowers by cutting out a second set to adhere on top of the flowers.  I'm hoping to do this in my beginners and intermediate classes starting next year!

My Digital Studio Cards

My sons birthday is coming up on Dec 2nd.  He has become obsessed with Mickey Mouse which isn't a bad thing in my opinion! ;)  So we are having a Mickey Mouse themed birthday party.  I wanted to create invitations around his theme.  I am going to create them using my paper supplies but I wanted to see what they looked like using My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up.  I figured doing it this way would make the process a lot easier because I would have already figured out the style of the card.  I also cased it from here.  It was so simple to create using My Digital Studio (MDS) is why I just absolutely love our software.  So here's the card.

Front 

Inside

I also wanted to try to make a Minnie Mouse version of this same card.  Again, it was so simple to create it with MDS.  Even though I'm not a pink person, I absolutely love this card.  I'm looking forward to making the cards that will be posted in a future post, so stay tuned!





First Card

I have been dying to make my first card using my starter kit since I received it last week.  Unfortunately with two small kids and Halloween, I didn't have time.  I finally took some time last night to make a birthday card for my sister-in-law.  Talk about waiting until the last minute since her birthday is Friday and it needs to be mailed to Bellingham, WA!  It was probably a good thing though because it got my butt in gear to do some crafting!

I have to admit that I am in love with this card.  I just love how it turned out and I pretty much made it from scratch.  I know there are probably thousands of cards out there that look very similar to mine but I just played around with my supplies to get it to look like this.  The reason I chose this design was because of the saying.  The cupcake and saying are from the Create a Cupcake set.  The saying says, "It's not about how many candles you blow out but how many cupcakes you get!"  Because of that I knew I wanted as many cupcakes that I could get on my card.  So with my design I could fit 3.

I chose the color combination of Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise, and Old Olive from the Brights collection. I think the colors just look fabulous together and they pop really well on this card. I ran the tangerine tango cardstock through my Big Shot using the Square Lattice textured impressions embossing folders. I stamped the cupcakes with all three colors to mix and match. I punched out the cupcakes using the Cupcake Builder punch. I tied the Old Olive ribbon around the card front. I used Tempting Turquoise designer series paper to mount the cupcakes on and popped the middle cupcake up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Here's a close up of the cupcakes.

The best thing about this card is that it was made only using supplies from my starter kit.  I was a demonstrator about a year ago and had to stop due to financial hardship with having a second child and husband getting out of the military.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it work.  Needless to say, I have a bunch of other Stampin' Up supplies.  But I wanted to show that you can make gorgeous cards by only using what's given to you when you Join My Team!  It's a great time to join but only until Friday because you can receive a FREE Big Shot or $100 in FREE merchandise.  Check out that promotion here.

I will keep this card in my arsenal of designs to use again because I love it so much, plus it's very easy to recreate.  The next time I will use embossing powder on the icing of the cupcake to make that pop a little more!  Just a suggestion if anyone tries this card.

Shop with Me!

I just had to write a big THANK YOU to my upline Jen for providing me with the adorable shopping cart badge on my right hand side.  I have seen this on a few blogs and searched and searched for it, but could never find it.  She happened to have it and was kind enough to send me the link for my blog.  She also got it from a very kind person's blog Debbi's Designs.  Not sure what her blog link is but do a search since she's the creator.  I also want to send you to my upline's blog since she's the best!  Check her work out at Stamp with Jeni.  Being a demonstrator is the best because we all have each other's backs and are willing to help each other's business grow!  I love Stampin' Up!!

FREE Downloads

I hope everyone got their FREE downloads from My Digital Studio for National Digital Srapbooking Day!  I just downloaded mine and look forward to creating some projects with them.  Please share any pictures or blog posts for your creations with the new FREE downloads.

Blog Header

Check out my new header and let me know what you think.  It was created solely using My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up.  I love this software!

Blog Signature

I have been using my Sunday to learn how to edit my blog a little more.  I have been meaning to personalize my blog more and more.  I ordered My Digital Studio and realized how much I can do with this software.  I have been very happy I added it to my starter kit.  It's great!!  The first thing to note about my new blog is my signature at the end of each post from now on.  I hope you like it.  It was created all through My Digital Studio.  Leave a comment to let me know what you think.  Stay tuned for my new blog header to come shortly (at least I hope!)

Monthly Projects

I updated my sidebar with the monthly projects and promotions for November.  When you click on the projects you will be taken to the site to see the supplies needed to make the project.  The promotions will take you directly to my demonstrator site.  Just wanted everyone to know.  Happy crafting!

Starter Kit

I received my starter kit yesterday!  Unfortunately with it being Halloween and having 2 small boys to go trick-or-treating with, I did not have time to do anything with it but take the supplies out of the box.  I cannot wait to make my first project using my starter kit.  I took a picture of everything and will post a little later.  Stay tuned for my first project with my supplies!

Boom, Boom Ain't It Great to Be a Hostess!! Boom, Boom

This promotion made me think of that song.  A great time to host a workshop through me!  Check out the following flyer to see the benefits of hosting a workshop now until Dec. 15th!  Contact me immediately to set up your date.

Dates: November 1-December 15, 2011

Details

Hostesses will receive an additional $35 in free Stampin' Up! products when you hold a workshop totaling $350 or more (excluding tax and shipping)! This is in addition to all the other benefits you already get as a Stampin' Up! hostess.

Things to Remember
•Only customer, hostess, and workshop order types qualify for this promotion. Online orders do not qualify. Contact me if you'd like me to submit the order for you.
•Orders must be $350 or more to qualify.
•Orders larger than $350 are not eligible for additional hostess free merchandise dollars. For example, a $700 workshop does not receive $70 in additional dollars. All orders over $350 always receive $35 in additional free hostess dollars.
•Hostesses may use their additional $35 in free merchandise on any catalog/mini catalog products.

Women's Day Advertisement

Check out Women's Day magazine holiday supplement for a Stampin' Up advertisement in stores now.  In this advertisement Stampin' Up directs readers to a unique web address that contains instructions for making the Christmas Stocking project featured in the advertisement, along with a link to a special offer designed to help new customers connect with a demonstrator through online ordering. They have Christmas Keepsake Boxes (item#129024) left over from a previous recruiting promotion, and thought these would be perfect to help new customers get engaged in paper crafting in time for the holidays! While the Christmas Keepsake Box will be available to anyone from now until December 31, the offer is primarily designed as an incentive for new customers who respond to this advertisement.  Check out Women's Day magazine to see the ad and get the web address if you are a new customer!

Digital Scrapbooking Day

Details: Stampin' Up is hosting an online event to promote digital scrapbooking.  If you have My Digital Studio software than make sure to mark your calendars for this event.  There will be FREE never before seen downloads that you can add to your Studio software and new projects all weekend long.  You can access the free downloads on My Digital Studio November 4-7th after competing a brief survey.  This is an event you won't want to miss if you are a digital scrapbooker.  If you aren't, check it out and see if it's something you want to start.  My Digital Studio offers some great tools to create all sorts of projects.  You can order My Digital Studio from my website by clicking here.  I can't wait to see what Stampin' Up has to offer during this event!!

Coming Back Soon!

Hello to anyone who still reads this blog. I have not updated this blog since June of last year. Wow! I guess my main excuse is that I stopped being a Stampin' Up demonstrator. I just couldn't find the time with being pregnant than having a new born to host events than couldn't afford to buy the product on my own each quarter with 2 small kids under 2. But things have settled down in my life and I am looking into rejoining this month. I absolutely love crafting and want to get back into hosting Stampin' Up events since I love their products and want to share my passion with others. So check back soon after I've rejoined with my first order and event. Thanks for following!!