Wedding Card Envelope

Like my post yesterday being able to finally have a reason to make a card that I've always wanted to; I have always wanted to decorate my envelopes but never have.  I was always afraid that the mail wouldn't accept the envelope and it would be ruined.  And usually when I pass out cards I don't waste an envelope unless it's necessary to have the card hidden.

Since I knew that I wouldn't be mailing this card and had a reason to keep the card hidden, gave me the reasons I needed to decorate the envelope finally!!

Closed

Opened

Card with outside envelope

I used the same stamp set as I did with the card Baroque Motif.  I love how people use the Designer Series Paper on the inside of envelopes so I wanted to incorporate that.  My intention was to cut along the top flap so you only see the DSP when it's opened but loved how this looked when I left some showing.  I just rounded the corners to match the flap.  Finally, I had to figure out how to close it, since I covered the seal with DSP.  I saw this technique at Regional and was so happy I remembered it.  I think it just adds such a cute touch to the card and allows the recipient to unwind the twine so the envelope isn't ruined!

Here's how to do it: Punch 2 hears with the Small Heart Punch than a adhere to envelope with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Add Rhinestones to the center and cut some Bakers Twine (I used white) and wind around hearts to close the envelope.

Simple but I love how this envelope turned out to go with my wedding card.  I might just have to do this more often now that I love the added touch the decorated envelope gives my handmade cards.

Wedding Card

My husband's cousin is getting married today and was so excited because gave me an excuse to make this card.

I have seen this card done so many times and have always wanted to do my own version but never had a reason to.  So as soon as we got the invitation, I was already planning this card out in my head months in advance.  If you can't tell her colors are pink.  I just love how this card turned out with the pop of pink behind the hearts.  I have to admit this is one of my favorite designs for a card and I can't wait to make more (which will happen at the end of April when my husband's Aunt and Uncle get married!!)

Here are the supplies to make this card:

Card stock: Melon Mambo
                   Basic Black
                   Whisper White
                   Melon Mambo Designer Series Paper

Stamp Set: Baroque Motifs #113490 $27.95

Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink Pad

Accessories: Basic Black 1/2 Inch Scallop Polka Ribbon
                     Basic Black 1/4 Inch Grosgrain Ribbon
                     Silver Mini Brads
                     Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents
        Tools: Big Shot
                   Paper Snips
                   Paper Cutter
                   Backgrounds 1 Stampin' Up! Texturz Plates used for embossing hearts and whisper white card stock
                    Hearts Collection Framelits Dies
       Punches: Scallop Oval
                       Large Oval
                       Small Oval
                       Scallop Trim Corner
                       Full Heart
        Adhesives: Snail
                          Stampin' Dimensionals

Leave a comment or email me if you have any questions about this card.  You can place an online order 24/7 through my site www.brittnysmith.stampinup.net to get any or all of these supplies.

Busy, Busy, Busy

This past weekend was so busy for me that I've been neglecting my blog.  I don't like when I do that cause I enjoy being able to share my projects with whoever reads this.

Saturday my sister hosted a Stampin' Up! party with her friends.  We decided to show how to decorate candles using our supplies.  It went great and there was definitely that WOW moment when I demonstrated how easy it was and the finished project.  Everyone got to make 2 tea lights and 2 small candles to take home with them.  The girls seemed to have a great time and saw the creative side come out of all of them.  We got over a $500 order so my sister received $80 to spend on FREE items along with 2 items at 50% off.  I was so happy for her because she helped me out so much!  If you are in and around the Pittsburgh, PA area and would like to host your own party with your family and friends, please contact me to schedule your date!  You could receive some great FREE product just like my sister.

Here's a picture of all the ladies hard at work ;)

I wish I had taken pictures of their candles because they were all so cute but I got busy with orders and forgot.  This party has led me to have my own class on decorating candles in April so I will have pictures when I figure out all the details.

Sunday I participated in a local craft fair at a fire hall.  I didn't do too well selling any crafts but hopefully got a few leads.  There were 2 very nice ladies who were just starting with another company (that I had never heard of before so maybe a newer craft company) that are interested in attending my classes.  I also got someone who might want to join my team, so keeping my fingers crossed.  I swear when someone gives you the slightest bit of interest in recruiting to your team, it's like a kid opening presents during Christmas.  It's such a rush of excitement I can't even describe it.  I'll keep you updated if something comes from that.

After doing this fair I've decided that I'm going to start really using fairs as a promotion for my business.  I'm still going to sell cards and maybe some left over crafts that I have for various reasons, but I'm not going to go out of my way to create things just for the fair.  I really want to try to get new customers and recruits instead.  My sister and I have been discussing about starting a portfolio of pictures and ideas for events like bday parties, weddings, showers, etc and start going there with my business.  I would LOVE to provide favors, invitations, thank you notes, etc for events like that for clients.  So that's how I'm going to do my business "My Way!"  I have another fair at the end of April so we'll see how it goes.

Sorry for the lack of creation in this post, but I wanted to update everyone why I've been MIA.  I have lots of cards and other projects to update you in the next week.

Mobile upload

This post has no crafting content but Im just so excited that I had to share. My husband and I switched phones from iphone to Samsung. We did this because we don't have any other apple products but I use Google for a lot of things. Samsung is Google based so it was just a better fit for me. I couldn't believe I was actually giving up the iphone but I couldn't be happier with my new phone. We went with the newest Samsung from at&t. Those commercials where they ask if its a phone or tablet is the one we got. It is BIG for a phone but I love how big the screen is for so many reason. So this post is coming from my new phone!  I'm hoping using my phone will allow me to post my projects more often since I won't need to download pictures to my computer first.  Keeping my fingers crossed!  Now I just have to figure out how to get my signature to end my blog. Thanks for reading.

Sweet Pressed Snickerdoodle Cookies

If you are not aware of Stampin' Up's sweet pressed cookie stamp sets than you are missing out!  These are the cutest silicone stamps that allow you to add a stamped image onto your cookies.  It's so simple you won't even believe it.  Each set comes with 3 different designs.

Occasions

Holidays, orange is pumpkin face that you can't see

A sugar and shortbread cookie recipes come with the set when you order them.  I just had to find other cookies that would work with these because I can only take sugar or shortbread so much!  I found someone had tried snickerdoodle and it worked.  I just had to try and wanted to take pictures of each step to show you how easy using these cookie stamps really are.

I found the cookie recipe here.  All you have to do is omit the baking soda from your snickerdoodle recipe if you are using these cookie stamps.  The cookies will not expand during baking without the baking soda which keeps the image on the cookie.

Here's how to make these snickerdoodle cookies:

1. Make your snickerdoodle recipe without baking soda.  Allow dough to cool in fridge four about 30 minutes.  This will help prevent the cookie dough from sticking to your stamp

2. Using cookie scooper, place about 2 inch ball and roll sugar and cinnamon mix on ball

3. Line up on cookie sheet

4. Choose image to use and place on wooden handle

5. Trying to center the handle on the ball, begin to press down

6. Using even pressure, push down until the dough is right at the edge of the stamp all the way around.

7. Than use your fingers to gently remove stamp around the cookie.

8. Switch handle with another stamp

9. Repeat steps 5 through 7.

10. Switch stamps and repeat steps 5 through 7

10. Bake cookies according to recipe (my oven isn't the best so I can't give you an exact time)



11. Pull out cookies and cool

 The pictures after baking aren't the best but hopefully you can see the image come out on each cookie.  I think the flowers came out the best.  I just absolutely love these cookie stamps and can't wait to see what ones Stampin' Up! comes out with next.

 

 

March Class

I had such a nice time teaching my class on Saturday.  I'm learning more and more every time that I do these.  I'll show you up close pictures of each project. 

This box holds A LOT of candy!  I sent each guest home with some chocolate and 2 snickerdoodle cookies!

Flowers attached to handle of box

Window Card

Embossed flower on inside of card

If you want to know how I made these projects you can place a minimum $50 order (before shipping and taxes) online or in person than I will email you the Word or PDF tutorial.  The tutorial features step by step instructions and pictures to help you create these projects using the Mixed Bunch stamp set.  To see a full list of supplies needed to make these projects check out my previous post HERE

The other thing that I just have to share about this class are the snickerdoodles that I made.  I read on stampin connection (which is a demonstrator only site; another great perk about Stampin' Up!) a snickerdoodle recipe to try with the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamp sets.  I absolutely LOVE snickerdoodles and my class was the perfect time to try them so I could send home extras with the ladies.  They turned out great (minus a bunch that were burnt due to my awful oven but I could rant for hours about that)  I left out the baking soda from the recipe which is what you need to do if you are using the Sweet Pressed Cookie stamp sets in order for the stamp image to come out after baking.  I stamped the cookie before baking with all 3 images and here's what they came out to look like:

The first image is the bunny, the middle is the shamrock and the third is the flower.  A little hard to tell in the picture but the flower came out the best but the other ones are just as cute in person.  I was just happy to find another recipe beside sugar that would work with these cookie stamps.  I will post directions on how to make these cookies on another post.

My next cookies will be peanut butter that I've heard will work too.  If you know anything about me, you know how much I love peanut butter so I'm REALLY dying to try these!

We Have a Winner!

I am happy to announce that Linda has won my March tutorial for FREE by leaving a comment on my blog for my 100th post!  Congrats Linda and I will be emailing you the tutorial to make these projects.

If you would like my March tutorial to make the Mixed Bunch cards and box we made in my class on Saturday than place a minimum of $50 order (before shipping and taxes) online or in person and I will email you the tutorial for FREE!  Along with this tutorial you will get FREE Sale-a-bration products for every $50 you spend.  You have until the end of March to take advantage of these 2 offers.

Head to my store at www.brittnysmith.stampinup.net.  Click on the Products tab than Shop Now to begin shopping now.  You can find the supplies needed to make these projects from my previous post HERE

March Tutorial

Yesterday was my 100th post and I am giving my March class tutorial away for FREE.  For you chance to win this, leave me a comment by Friday at midnight.  Tell me anything you love about Stampin' Up or my blog.  I will announce the winner Saturday who than will be emailed the Word or PDF file.

You can still get this month's tutorial FREE if you do not win this contest by placing an online order or order in person at one of my March events.  To qualify for the FREE tutorial, you need to place a minimum $50 order (before shipping and taxes) by the end of the month.  You can do so at my site: www.brittnysmith.stampinup.net if you cannot attend any of my March events to order in person.  After you place your order I will email the Word or PDF documents that will include step by step picture instructions on how to make each project.  This offer is valid for any orders placed during the month of March.

The tutorial will include how to make these 3 cards and box:

Supplies needed to make the projects:

Stamp set: Mixed Bunch (#125535 wood mount, #125537 clear-mount)

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight #119683
                   Pumpkin Pie #105117
                   Pool Party #122924
                   Lucky Limeade #122926
                   Whisper White #100730
                   Vellum #101856

Ink: Classic Daffodil Delight Ink Pad#119667
        Classic Pumpkin Pie Ink Pad #105216
        Craft Whisper White Ink Pad #101731
        Stampin' Write Pumpkin Pie Marker #105115
        Stampin' Write Pool Party Marker #123002
        Stampin' Write Basic Black Marker #100082

Accessories: Dazzling Details #124117
                     Stampin' Emboss Powder - White #101932
                     Stampin' Emboss Powder - Iridescent Ice #101930
                    3/8" Taffeta Ribbon - Whisper White #109070
                     Medium Envelopes - Whisper White #107301
                     Sponge Dauber #102892
         Tools:  Heat Tool #100005
                     Stamp-a-ma-jig #101049
                     Simply Scored Scoring Tool #122334
                     Paper Snips #103579
                     Paper Cutter #104152
              Punches: Blossom #125603
                              Word Window #119857
                              3/4" Circle #119873
                              1/2" Circle #119869
         Adhesives: SNAIL Adhesive #104332
                           Mini Glue Dots #103683
                           Stampin' Dimensionals #104430
                           Sticky Strip #104294

REMEMBER: Sale-a-bration ends at the end of this month too.  If you have not earned any of the FREE supplies from the Sale-a-bration catalog you are going to want to place your order before it's too late.  I absolutely love the Designer Series Paper that you can get for FREE with a $50 order.  You earn a FREE item of your choice from the Sale-a-bration catalog with every $50 you spend (before shipping and taxes).

So, if you place a minimum $50 order through my site (www.brittnysmith.stampinup.net) or in person, you will receive a FREE Sale-a-braion item as well as my tutorial FREE!!!  This is a great time to place your order so don't delay!  You have until March 31 to take advantage of this offer.

100th Post!

I can't believe I'm at my 100th post!  I'm not sure weather to truly count this as 100 since I stopped when I couldn't stay a demonstrator than restarted about a year after.  Either way, according to blogger this is #100!  I absolutely love blogging and being able to share my passion for Stampin' Up with the world!

I have a special treat for my 100th post.  I am having a spring class this upcoming Saturday.  We will be making 3 cards and a box with the Mixed Bunch stamp set in the Occasions mini catalog.  I have to say this is a favorite stamp set of mine along with P.S. I Love You from that catalog.  Here's a preview of the flowers the guests will learn how to make.

I have the tutorial for all the projects from my upcoming class that I would like to give away FREE!  Usually I only give them to the guests when they have paid for the class or when someone places an online order.  I guess I'm feeling extra generous because I've made it this far and you are still reading my blog posts after 99 previous posts!

If you would like a chance to win the FREE tutorial, all you have to do is leave me a comment.  I would love to hear what your favorite Stampin' Up product is, what you love about Stampin' Up, what you enjoy reading about from my blog; anything positive will earn you an entry into this FREE giveaway.  You have until Friday night at midnight to leave a comment.

I appreciate you visiting my blog and reading my posts.  It's great to be able to share my creations with you!  I will announce the winner Saturday morning and the winner will be emailed the tutorial.  Note: If you would like the tutorial in word instead of PDF I can provide that to the winner.

Good Luck!

Simply Scored Diagonal Plate

I am happy to announce the all-new Simply Scored Diagonal Plate, perfect for creating envelopes, boxes, and more! It’s the must-have companion to your Simply Scored scoring tool.

Item #125586 and only $11.95.

Take a look at this video to see how easy it is to use:




Product Features

• Sits on top of the Simply Scored base
• Held securely in place by rubber pads on back of the plate
• Has etched grooves every 1/8"
• Can score any size card stock up to 12" x 12"
• Includes instructions for creating common envelope sizes
• Coordinating products included
  • Simply Scored (item 122334)
  • Simply Scored Place Markers (item 125625)
  • Simply Scored Stylus (item 125624)
  • Bone Folder (item 102300)

You can order this item through my online store at www.brittnysmith.stampinup.net under products and "Shop Now."  This is a great tool to make your custom made gifts and envelopes A LOT easier!