Demo Swaps

I have such a great group of ladies that are my upline.  I get so much inspiration from them that when one of them hosts a demonstrator swap, I jump at the opportunity.  Here's what I came up with for this time.

The swap required anything from the new 2012-2013 catalog, nothing retired.  I wanted to use some of the new products myself so I knew this was a perfect opportunity.  We had to make 11 swaps and this took me some time because it required a lot of runs through my Big Shot but I think it was worth it.  I love the color combinations and how this card turned out.  What do you think?

All 11 ready to be shipped out!

I saw a neat technique done by Mary Director called layered stamping.  If you look closely at my flowers, you can see that it looks like the stamped flowers match up on the white layers; hence layered stamping!  It's a neat technique and love how it makes the flowers flow together.

I didn't put a sentiment as I thought it could go for a bunch of different occasions.  I figured the person who has it and uses it could add their own if they feel it needs one.

Supplies needed to make this card:

Card Stock: Whisper White

                     Marina Mist

                     Summer Starfruit (new in color)

Stamp Set: Everything Eleanor (new to 2012-2013 catalog)

Ink: Summer Starfruit

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon

                      Basic Pearls Jewel Accents

          Tools: Big Shot

                      Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die

                      Floral Frames Framelits Die

                      Boho Blossoms Punch

      Adhesive: Snail

                       Mini Glue Dots

                       Stampin' Dimensionals

Special Events Cookie Stamps

Here is the newest cookie stamps called Special Events that are in the new 2012-2013 catalog.

These are the three stamps that you get when you order these stamps.  You also receive the wooden handle to interchange these rubber stamps along with a sugar and shortbread cookie recipe.

These have become my go to food item when I am going to a party or having a Stampin' Up! event myself.  I always make cookies to stamp on and people seem to love the image that comes out on the cookies.  They are so much fun and easy to use as well.  I'm looking forward to making red, white and blue cookies using the star stamp for our upcoming fourth of July parties in the coming weeks.

Here are examples of the newest Special Events cookie press stamps that I had at my open house.

I tried different sugars for decorations. If you want to achieve this affect on the cookies, pour the colored sugar into the stamp, flatten the cookie dough on top of the stamp than carefully flip the dough onto the cookie sheet and finish pressing the stamp into the dough. I just love how the sugar adds such a nice touch to the stamps.

You can order these new cookie stamps through my site www.brittnysmith.stampinup.net



Ice Cream Card

I had my open house last weekend and created this card to go with the ice cream social for the make and take.  It's very simple and just think it's so cute.  I love the colors which are all new 2012-2014 in colors.  Can you name them?

I wanted to show how you can take a simple card like this and "step it up" as we Stampin' Up! demonstrators like to call it!  I changed/added four things on this card to "step it up."  Can you figure out what I changed from the simple card?

• I used the new Finishing Touches Edgelits Die on the ends of the designer series paper and white card stock. (This counts as 1 and 2)
• I embossed the midnight muse card stock using the new Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.
• I added the cherry on top from the Cupcake Punch.

This didn't take much longer to do these extra steps but what a difference those little things make to your card.  So when you feel like your cards need something else to make it "pop," just think of "stepping up" what you already have on your card!

2012 Open House

This past weekend I had my open house for the new catalog.  It was an ice cream social.  I had a lot of fun preparing everything for the event.  Here are some pictures.

Catalogs and promotion table

Sweet pressed sugar cookies using the newest stamps

Ice cream and toppings ready for the guests

I created these banners on the stick and spoon to identify the toppings and not mix up the spoons.  They were created using the newest framelits called Bitty Banners

My boys eating their ice cream!



Make and take table



Make and take card





Cupcake Birthday Card

I made the following card for a girls 4th birthday.

I just absolutely love how this card turned out.  I've tried a new technique that I've seen all over the place but never tried it called faux quilting.  My upline Jeni Szmyd actually introduced it to me and I've been dying to try it out. (Click on her name to see her version of a card using this technique.)

This technique uses the Big Shot and the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder.  Cut out the shapes you want than adhere onto the card stock.  Finally run the card stock through the Big shot and folder and wah-lah, you've created a pretty cool looking quilting background.

I've added a few more circles to add a little more dimension to the card.  Love this technique and the possibilities are endless so I'm looking forward to using this on more of my cards.

The other new thing about this card is the green card stock and ribbon.  This is one of the new in-colors called Gumball Green.  Love this color and how cute is that new ribbon?  You can order that ribbon in all of the new 2012-2014 in colors.

Supplies needed to make this card:

Card Stock: Melon Mambo
                    So Saffron
                    Whisper White
                    Gumball Green

Stamp Set: Easy Events (I did not use the "happy birthday" saying under the cupcake)

Ink: Gumball Green Classic Ink Pad
        So Saffron Marker
        Melon Mambo Marker
        Gumball Green Marker

Accessories: Basic Rhinestones
                     Dazzling Details
                     Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon
         Tools: various sized Circle punches
                     1-3/4" Scallop Circle punch
                     Sizzix Big Shot
                     Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder
         Adhesives: Snail
                            Mini Glue Dots
                            Stampin' Dimensionals

*Stay tuned for a video tutorial on how to make this card next week*

New Ink Pads with Shannon West

The following video is a great example of how to use the new ink firm foam pads instead of the old felt pads.

Q and A

	Q&A Q: I love receiving cards in the mail. Any suggestions on how to remember to send cards for any occasion? A: That is a great question! We all love the art of making cards, but sometimes it’s hard for any of us to remember special occasions, write a note to a friend, or even let go of a favorite card! (Yeah, we’ve all been there!) We’ve all seen ideas that sounded great and then when you think about it you know it will fit in your life or you think to yourself sarcastically “yeah, that’ll happen”! So, I’ve got a suggestion that will work for planners and those whose schedules are loose. Here are a couple of tried-and-true tips that will put you at the top of the thoughtful friend list! Plan a Moment If you are a planner, you’ll love this tip. Plan a time into your schedule each week for writing cards. Now this doesn’t have to be a big event; even 15 minutes that you can take to reach out to those you care about is great. I recommend stamping a whole stack of cards - they don’t have to be specific to the person, and keeping them on hand so that you can quickly add a note and get it in the mail. As much as we love the art of stamping, the true magic comes when you share that connection with someone else. Start by checking your calendar to see who has birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc. coming up. Next, take a few moments to reflect on your week. Who touched your life this week in a way that makes you grateful or who could use the pick-me-up of a thoughtful note? Now write a couple lines - it doesn’t have to be a lot for someone to know that you care. Grab a Moment If the idea of planning a time to sit down makes you crazy, then don’t! Make a "to go" card center that you can use to write notes when you have a moment and the mood strikes you. Our clear-mount stamp cases are ideal. Just add a bit of your favorite Designer Series Paper under the cover and fill the case with a couple of cards, envelopes, a pen, and stamps. Now drop it in your purse or your car. Next time you are waiting for an appointment, sitting in the carpool line, hanging out at a kids sporting event, taking a lunch break at work, or whenever it is you have a minute, you can open your card case, write a quick note, add the address and stamp, and drop it into the mail. It is easy, fast, convenient, and a thoughtful way to make the most of those little moments. Take a Photo If you are like most stampers, you are afflicted with the “I can’t let it go” bug. You know the feeling - you love a card, want to remember a technique, plan to re-create more just like it, so you hold onto the card instead of sending it. Stop it! Cards are meant to be shared! But you can still keep the look, idea, and reminder by snapping a quick photo with your camera or cell phone. Save the photos in a file for card ideas or several files by stamp set, occasion, techniques, whatever it was that made you love the card. Now keep the photo and share the joy of the card by sending it and everyone wins! Share the Magic Unlike email that gets buried and forgotten, a hand-stamped card is a physical reminder to those that receive it that you thought of them, that you care, and that they are special. So hand-deliver or mail a card today. You’ll love the feeling you get from giving, and you’ll brighten someone’s day in a very special way.
© CraftyPerson Production. Images © Stampin' Up!

Take the Cake

During June, new demonstrators not only get to choose the products for their fully customizable Starter Kit, they'll also get products from the brand-new Patio Party Suite for FREE, including the Make a Cake Set, Patio Party Designer Series Paper, and the Patio Party Digital Collection DVD! That's up to $48 in additional FREE products!

Page	Item	Description	Retail Value
44	126740	Make a Cake Set (wood-mount)*	$14.95
44	126742	Make a Cake Set (clear-mount)*	$11.95
165	126916	Patio Party Designer Series Paper	$10.95
199	127215	Patio Party Digital Collection DVD	$22.95

*Choose wood- or clear-mount; clear-mount set does not include clear blocks

This is a great time to join my team and become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I love being apart of this company and there are so many great benefits of being a demonstrator.  I love ordering my products at a 20% discount, plus getting the catalogs and ordering before anyone else can.  The added income I can bring in for my family is also great!  These are just a few of the reasons I am so happy to call myself a Stampin' Up! independent demonstrator.  If you are interested in joining me on this great adventure, contact me at brittnycreates@gmail.com or start today by heading to http://brittnysmith.stampinup.net and click "Join the Fun."  You will be taken through the process of becoming a demonstrator yourself and joining my team!!

We {Heart} Our Hostesses

During June and July, hostesses who hold a minimum $450 workshop will receive an additional $50 in hostess FREE merchandise dollars

For example:

Your Hostess' Party Sales: $450*

Regular Hostess Benefits: $65 plus 1 item 50% off

Additional Hostess Benefit: $50

Total Hostess Benefits: $115 plus 1 item 50% off

*Excluding tax and shipping

This is a great time to host your own party so you can get lots of those items you want from the new catalog for FREE! All you have to do is invite your family and friends to your home and I do the rest. I have a bunch of June and July dates available if you are in the Pittsburgh, PA area and would like to host your own party contact me at brittnycreates@gmail.com.

If you are not in the Pittsburgh area and would like to earn FREE product, you can request to do a catalog party. I'll send you catalogs and all you have to do is collect orders from your family and friends. I'll place the order and you receive the FREE products! Contact me at brittnycreates@gmail.com if you are interested in having a catalog party.

My First Video!

I finally got the courage to create my first video. It's nothing creative, just an introduction and catalog tour. I was surprisingly not as nervous as I thought I would be filming myself and talking on camera. There were definitely some hiccups (having to switch from my phone to normal camera back to my phone) which affected the quality. I enjoyed editing and putting the video all together so I know that I will enjoy creating videos for you.  So, I hope you enjoy it and leave me a comment with your thoughts.  I plan to feature techniques and projects on my videos in the near future so subscribe to my YouTube channel Brittny Creates to know when I post videos.

Last Chance

DON'T FORGET

Today is the last day to buy any of the retiring items from the catalog.  That includes tons of stamps, accessories and the decor elements.  These items will not be available after today!  So place your order through my site http://brittnysmith.stampinup.net  Remember to check the clearance rack as there are products there with a great discount.

But the exciting news is that starting tomorrow, June 1st, I will be able to show you the new catalog and all of the wonderful new products!  I am working on my very first video tutorial that will feature the catalog that I will hopefully have for you live tomorrow!  I'm excited about trying this new part of my business for those out there that are unable to attend my classes and parties.  We'll see how it goes.

Weekend

I didn't do any crafting this weekend.  My husband is going to school full time and working as a waiter.  We don't get many days that we get to do things as a family.  When we do, we try to take full advantage of those days.  He actually had Sunday and Monday off!  I wanted to start getting things ready for my open house, but I didn't want to waste this time with my husband and boys.  We had a great weekend with family and friends picnicking, playing and watching fireworks.  I was so happy that I didn't miss out on anything while crafting.  I am definitely itching to craft tonight though, especially after boys go to bed and I wait for Dave to get home from work.  I will hopefully have some more samples this week.

I hope everyone had a nice, long weekend and enjoyed the time with your family and friends.  Thank you to all those who are serving and have served in the past.  A BIG thank you goes out to my husband who served 9 years for our wonderful country.  I couldn't be prouder to call you my husband!

Here's a picture from the weekend of my boys having fun!

Don't Miss Out!

There's only ONE more week to get all of your items off the retired list that you have been thinking about getting.

Click HERE to see a list of the retiring stamps



Click HERE to see a list of retiring accessories. If you see an X in the last column, it means the item is sold out and NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Click HERE to see a list of the retiring decor elements.  There are currently no items unavailable but keep a look out the closer to May 31st you get for items to be sold out.

Place your order through my site www.brittnysmith.stampinup.net than click on products, "Shop Now."  Remember you have until Thursday, May 31st to place your order.  Make sure to check the discounted retiring products for some of those items at a great price.  Contact me with any questions or problems.

 

Birthday Card

This has to be one of my favorite birthday cards I have made in a LONG time.  I just love everything about it.  I love the colors to this, the layout, the flowers, the texture, etc.  I got my inspiration from Mary aka Muffin's Mama on Splitcoast Stampers.  I changed and added things that would fit my style and supplies.  I actually don't want to give it away.  Ever have that problem?  My solution is to make 2 than I can keep one for myself!!

Here are the supplies needed to make this card:

Card Stock: Rose Red
                     Daffodil Delight Designer Series Paper Patterns Pack
                     Early Espresso
                     Whisper White

Ink: Early Espresso Ink Pad
        Rose Red Marker
        Daffodil Delight Marker

Stamp Set: Bring on the Cake

Accessories: Basic Rhinestones
                      Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Polka Ribbon
                      3/16" Brads - Brights Collection (Daffodil Delight)
        Tools: Big Shot
                   Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die

Boho Blossoms Punch                    Paper Piercer                    Mat Pack          Adhesives: Snail                             Stampin' Dimensionals

Grape Cookies

Pinterest is the best because you can find SO many great ideas that you probably never would have known about or thought of yourself.  I saw a great recipe for jello cookies that will work great with our Sweet Pressed Cookie stamp sets on Pinterest and found the recipe courtesy of iheartnaptime.com here.

The best thing about these cookies other than the great color is that they actually taste like the flavor.  I tried grape since my husband is a fan of grape flavored everything and he was going to be the one testing them out the most!  I really wish you could jump into the computer to taste these cookies.  They are delicious!  I was so happy to find that they worked with the cookie stamps and they tasted good!

If you print out the recipe to use with Stampin' Up!'s Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps like I did, please note:

1. Omit the baking powder so the cookies don't rise during baking and ruin your stamped image.
2. The recipe calls for 4 different flavors but I wanted to try just one.  I added 4 Tbs. of the grape jello into the batter and saved the rest to roll the dough into.
3. The recipe mentions "you might need to add food coloring" but the color really doesn't pop until you DO add the food coloring.  I followed the box recommendations for purple to get the color that I liked.
4. Mix the rest of the grape jello mix with about 2 Tbs. of sugar than roll the dough balls in the sugar mix before putting onto cookie sheet.
5. Press your cookie stamp into the doughs.  The sugar "should" prevent the dough from sticking onto the cookie stamp.  If not, clean your stamp before pressing into next dough.  If you don't like how your stamp turns out on the cookie, just roll into ball and try again!

I am so excited to try these with all the different flavors of jello.  Next on my list is Strawberry since that is MY favorite!!

Boy Graduation Cap and Gown

My husband's cousin graduated from Slippery Rock last weekend and he asked me to make a card.  I have seen this done so many times and has been on my wish list for a long time.  I was so happy to get to make this card finally!  This is a boy graduation card, but I am going to make a girl one as a sample even though I don't have anyone to give it to.  They are so cute and want to show how it can be done for a girl as well.

I chose the colors because Slippery Rock is green and white.  Once I figured out what I wanted it to look like, this is a simple but neat graduation card that can be customized for whatever school colors.

Here are the supplies needed to make this card:

Card Stock: Basic Black
                    Garden Green
                    Whisper White

Ink: Garden Green

Stamp Set: Well Scripted (from 2010 Occasions catalog)

Accessories: White Baker's Twine
                      Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon (retiring May 31st)
                      Silver Mini Brad (retiring)
          Adhesive: Snail
                           Stampin' Dimensionals

*Special Note: I don't like to use supplies that are not available to order because don't you just hate when you see something you want so bad and it's no longer available to order. So I try to avoid that feeling by using only current product. Unfortunately, I don't have a nice "congratulations" stamp like this from the retired stamp set so I just had to use it. I'm sorry if this makes anyone angry that you can't get this stamp anymore.

Mini Thank You Cards

A few months ago, my sister hosted a Stampin' Up! party.  I wanted to give the guests who placed an order that night a little thank you card.  I left it blank inside so they could use it again and had my sister place inside their bags with the rest of the order.

I was going through my pictures and realized that I hadn't written about these.  These are simple 3x3 note cards that I just had to share.  This was my first time making these small cards and have to say they are so cute and easy to make that I'm looking forward to making more.

I am sad that this stamp Triple Treat Flower is retiring since I had just gotten it free during Sale-a-bration.  I should have realized it was too good to be true ;)

Here are the supplies to make this card:

Card Stock: Tempting Turquoise
                    Rich Razzleberry
                     Pumpkin Pie

Stamp Sets: Triple Treat Flower (retiring May 31st)
                    Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Tempting Turquoise
        Pumpkin Pie
        Versamark

Accessories: Brights Designer Buttons
                     Early Espresso Baker's Twine
        Punches: Fancy Flower
       Adhesive: Snail
                        Mini Glue Dots
                        Stampin' Dimensionals

Head to my store HERE to buy any/all of these supplies to make these cards.