Road conditions and a safe venue have made postponing today's class necessary. All-day-long snow makes plowing of our roads iffy and intermittent so.......... please plan on Thursday, February 24th, 1-4 p.m., My Country Loft. Everything is ready to go!!!!
Tomorrow's Library Class is also 'iffy', but I'll make that announcement tomorrow.
In the meantime, after some shoveling, I can stamp stamp stamp today. Woohoo!
Nine mommies gathered at my daughter's home on Saturday afternoon to have an afternoon of creative relaxation without children.
They received Stampin' Up!'s Candy Countdown Calendar Kit (item #120926, Holiday Mini, p. 34) as the main 'ingredient' of the class. In the kit are:
Step one was punching out all the pieces:
And then, with the Sanding Blocks provided, Step 2 was smoothing off all of the 'dit-dits' or 'pokey-outies' that were on the side of the various shapes. You know, the little bits that held them on to the printed sheets.
Then the real fun began as they put each day's box together (keeping the box flat yet), some with, some without, embellishments. In addition to the Candy Countdown Calendar Kit, provided with the class were:
I used the colors used in the Kit: Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Garden Green and Real Red.
Also provided was a list of family activity ideas to place on cards (rather than candy--or in addition to candy) placed inside each box. As your children grow older you can switch out some of the ideas to make the new ideas more age appropriate. I suggest maybe writing the ideas on a small (1-1/2" x 2") sticky note and placing it on the inside of the die cut cards provided.
Finished, unfolded boxes:
Be sure to click on the photo for a larger view.
And what's a 6-year old grandson (Austin) to do after everyone's gone???? Construct of course.
If you're ready now to make your own Candy Countdown Calendars to start your family tradition, let me know. I'm here to help you get the necessary supplies. (Click on my name below to be taken to my Stampin' Up! store or send me an email.) Order through me and I'll send you my compiled list of over 40 family activities. Basically you'll need:
Imagine some beautiful greenery as a background to these hanging boxes. Greenery wasn't out of the garage rafters before Halloween!
The rest is in the kit. You could set your finished boxes along a (long) mantel, hanging on your tree, streaming down the staircase railing, strung across a window.......wherever works for your home and life style.
"My" gals really enjoyed this project on Saturday and I hope I've inspired you to make this Calendar Kit for your family.
Update: February 1, 2010, 8.30 p.m. (CA time)
OH MY! OH MY! OH MY!
My new favorite punch, the Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch is on backorder until March 8th.
So.......I am going to reduce the cost of the class from $33 to $20 and I will pre-punch all the pieces. Hopefully, when you see how versatile this punch is, you'll consider purchasing your own after March 8th.
The PayPal button below has been changed to reflect the new $20 fee.
FEBRUARY! It always does take me a month to recover from the holidays. Actually I'm not quite there yet but I'm moving forward with my stampin' for sure. (We still have Christmas décor to return to the attic!)
Here's a larger than normal preview of February's stampin' class.
Believe it or not, these card all use the new Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch. This punch is just so darned cool! You'll be amazed at the things you can do with this little bird. :) You learn a new trick with each card. There is no box for the card.......just a darned cute 'belly-band' that you'll see at the class.
The class also uses the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack, a new concept in a Stampin' Up! catalog. The Sweet Pea Stack, 2 each of 24 double-sided 12" x 12" Designer Series Papers, can be found on page 33 of the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog.
This class will be offered to my Mi Wuk and Dublin area stampers. I'm also working on a To-Go Kit but I need to assure myself that I'm in compliance of Stampin' Up!'s rules before doing so and making an announcement.
MI WUK VILLAGE
February 17th
1-4 p.m.
Fee: $33
Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch included
RSVP by February 10th so I can have supplies in the class room on time
You can pay via check or prepay right here:
Our annual Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack will take place in My Country Loft on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 (changed from Wednesday November 18th). Each participant will be making 20 cards, 4 each of 5 designs of their choice. You can check out the designs here. I hope you'll be able to join us.
If you are 'in my area', meaning the Dublin/Tri-Valley area, Sonora, or near highways 108, 120, or 49 (Tuolumne/Calaveras/Stanislaus Counties please), I would be delighted to present this class to you as well. Just send me an email and we'll talk and plan.
Ho Ho Ho and I look forward to seeing you and stamping with you.
This past Wednesday I offered a class in My Country Loft here in Mi Wuk Village, that was just full of movement. Each card had some type of unexpected movement to it. The cards weren't difficult at all but you did have to follow precise steps to make them.
Here are the first two:
Looking above, the tab on this card should really say PUSH. When you do push, the flap you see below pops up just like magic! You can put a wallet sized photo, a party invitation, a greeting..........whatever you like on this pop-up-flap.
And here's the second:
You canNOT image how hard this SIMPLE card has been for me in the past. Well, score and cut properly and it's really quite easy!!! I actually amazed myself with success. You can again place a photo or a greeting on the Certainly Celery panel below. As shown above, the card will fit into a regular A-2 envelope, the standard size sold by Stampin' Up!.
I will be posting instructions on these two cards (and those that follow tomorrow) next week. I'm away from home (babysitting yesterday and today and doing my first My Digital Studio class tonight) right now, returning home on Monday.
Have you ever wonder where in the world Mi Wuk Village is located? Well, it truly is a wide spot in the road, about 15 miles northeast of Sonora California in the California Motherlode. It's also about 39 "crow" miles from Yosemite National Park. That equates to an almost 2 hour drive however. :) We're in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, about 4500 feet elevation. So, now you know.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
I wanted my downline to feel they got their 'money's worth' for the drive they had to make for the weekend so I presented 5 projects that used new Stampin' Up! products or new ideas.
The first project, a Tri-Fold Shutter Card, proved to be more of a challenge for them than I expected. But I wanted each participant to totally create their own card. I showed them my prototype which uses Sahara Sand cardstock and Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper as well as the Bigz Flower Daisies #2 die and the Upsy Daisy stamp set:
And then I asked them to select a basic card stock and some Designer Series Paper from what I had on hand. It took them a bit of time to make their selections and then get going on their cards and embellishments.
This is Dannie's card, made with Real Red card stock, Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper, Snowflake and Ornament punches:
Janet's uses To the Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper, Baja Breeze (retired) card stock, Inspired by Nature stamp set, Flower Burst Embosslit and the Big Shot Die Cut Machine:
Christy used So Saffron card stock, (retired) Slumber Party Speciality Designer Series Paper, the Bold Cupcake Sizzlet 4-pack dies, crimper, Boho Blossoms punch, Crystal Effects, Chunky Sprinkles glitter, and a half-pearl from the Pretties Kit:
Somehow I missed getting a photo of Linda's card but I'll post it as soon as she sends it to me.
How do you make this card you ask?
Card stock: 10-1/2" x 5-1/2". In landscape orientation score in from the left side at 1-3/4" and 3-1/2". Then turn the paper around and score in the same measurements from the opposite end. Next CUT 1-1/2" down from the top edge and 1-1/2" up from the bottom edge being very sure to cut between the first and last score marks. Crease according to the creases you see on the cards above. If you crease a score line to make a mountain fold (forward) on one horizontal row, the same score line will make a valley fold (back) on the next row.
I'll be along with another of our projects tomorrow. Thanks for checking in. ;)
This past week was a major prep and clean up week that totally captured my time and imagination. I've been prepping for classes, doing research, cleaning (ugh) my stamp room (fun) in readiness for a downline retreat this past weekend.
Left to right: Janet, Dannie, Blythe, Linda, Christy
My downline and I are quite wide-spread geographically so this retreat presented an opportunity for everyone to actually meet each other, as well as stamp together and share ideas for a day and a half. Now I have some stampin' ideas to share!
These are our swaps:
Janice mailed her beautiful card since she wasn't able to attend:
She used Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper, Bordering Blue card stock, Iridescent Ice embossing powder, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads and Filigree Designer Brads.
Christy's card:
Christy used the For all You Do stamp set, Cottage Wall Designer Series paper, Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White cardstocks. It show the 'kissing' technique on the right flower and Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the left flower.
Dannie's card:
Dannie used the Frame Oval Scallop Bigz Die, Cottage Wall Designer Series paper, Kind & Caring Level 3 Hostess stamp set, VersaMark stamp pad and Clear Embossing Powder.
Janet's 'card':
This mega cute little 'purse' holds 3" x 4" composition notebook. I'll share the pattern in a few days. Please stay tuned.
Linda's card:
Linda used the Just Buzzin' By stamp set, Eyelet Border punch, Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo cardstocks and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.
And finally, my card:
I used the Berry Christmas stamp set (2009 Holiday Mini catalog), Whisper White and Real Red card stocks, the Textured Impressions Folder: Petals-a-Plenty (Holiday Mini) , Big Shot Die Cut Machine, and Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (Holiday Mini), and a sponge dauber.
I love the new Shimmer Paints, especially the Champagne Mist, which is the most translucent of the 3 that are offered. The others are Frost White which is somewhat translucent and Platinum which seems to be quite opaque. I'll be using and showing you those in a week or so.
Tomorrow I'll be showing you the first of our five projects. See you then I hope.
Don’t you just love summer? It seems like the time of year when we tend to kick
back and relax, and get together more often with friends and family. Now you
can freshen up your summer-gift giving with this adorable set of 4 thank you
cards in a custom-designed 5” x 5” note tote. Make a bunch of them, and you’ll
never be caught without a cute hostess gift to give, or a thank you card to
send. In this class you will make 1 note tote & 4 fresh cuts note cards.
Date: Monday, June 23, 2008
Time: 1-4 p.m. (will probably run over just a bit)
Cost: $23
Location: My Country Loft, 24133 Lama Hisum Road, Mi Wuk Village
Please email me to sign up for this class: (blythek@mac.com)
Supply List
•Stamps: Fresh Cuts
•Paper: Fresh Cuts die-cut notes, Soft Sky 12” x 12” designer paper (DP),
Blue Bayou DP; Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Blush Blossom & Groovy Guava
8 ½” x 11” CS
•Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink Pad, Whisper White Craft ink refill,
Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Blush Blossom, Groovy Guava Classic ink
•Adhesives: Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive, 2-way glue pen, mini
glue dots, Snail adhesive.
•Accessories: Paper trimmer with scoring blade, paper snips, 3/16”corner
rounder punch, 5-petal flower punch, paper piercer with foam mat,
Crop-a-Dile (or alternately 1/8” handheld circle punch), embossing buddy,
white EP, heat tool, Blue Bayou double-stitched ribbon, whisper white
taffeta ribbon, silver brads, stampin’ sponge, Stamp-a-ma-jig (optional)
Now I know some of you are definitely farther away than Mi Wuk. IF
you are interested in a Class-To-Go, please let me know. I'll be glad to
figure out the specifics. Please look over the over the supply list, letting me
know what you have on hand and what I'll need to prep for you. Cost will be
around $35.00. It's a beautiful tote and card set so I can just imagine that
some of you will really want to have your own! And what a great gift. I look
forward to hearing from you!
I thought I'd give you a little preview of the cards we'll be making at our April 12th class in Dublin. We'll be using Stampin' Up!'s Confetti Simply Scrappin' Kit (p. 174, 109610, $19.95) to make these 8 cards. There will be abundant supplies left to make another identical set of 8 cards plus supplies to make even more cards or create several 12 x 12 scrapbooking pages.
Of course, until the class, I don't want to reveal the entire cards! There's also a very eye-catching, clever case for these cards so.....try not to miss out. BUT, if you must miss the class, I will be creating an Emergency Birthday Card Kit TO GO. The price will be the same as for the class, $30, plus postage. All supplies included of course. The "Add to Cart" link below sends you to PayPal where you can pay for your TO GO Kit. I figured out the 'how to'! You do not need your own PayPal account---just follow the prompts to pay from your checking account or via a credit card.
The inspiration for this Emergency Birthday Card Kit came from the sample display boards at Stampin' Up!'s Oakland Regional Seminar in February and my very talented downline, Dannie Graves, who adapted some of the cards from the Regional. You can see her cards (and more) on her blog.
Purse & Card Set
This card set makes a great gift for a friend, teacher, family
or co-worker. The cards can be used for thank you,
congratulations or all-occasion. What a thoughtful gift!
In this April class* we will be working with two new products
from the Occasions Mini Collection 2008: Styled Silver
Hodgepodge Hardware and the Die-cut Blooms.
The Die-cut Blooms are a must-have this spring. It's easy to
create one-of-a-kind blossoms using these Die-Cut Blooms.
They're die cut, so they're so simple to use: just punch them
out from the sheet and you're ready to go. You can do anything
with them that you'd do with regular card stock: you can stamp
on them, emboss them, or watercolor them. You can combine them
with the images from our A Perfect Day Rub-Ons for a beautiful
effect.
When you purchase the Die-cut Blooms you will receive 1 sheet
each of 4 colors: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and
Real Red. That's way over 100 three-dimensional embellishments.
Besides the products I used in my sample we also have the
following products that will coordinate perfectly:Occasions Mini Collection
2008
Summer Picnic Designer Series
Paper (111355)pg 16
A Perfect Day Rub-ons (111277)
pg 15
Old Olive Poly-Twill Ribbon
(111324) pg 11
Spring-Summer Collections 2008
5-Petal Flower Punch (109041)
pg 180
Three for You Punch Box (109227)
pg 181
Olive Press Designer Series Paper
(110750) pg 171
Pumpkin Pie Prints Designer Series
Paper (109170) pg 171
Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (110714) pg 191
Red Bead Duo (110731) pg 192
Occasions Mini Collection 2008 will only be available from
March 1-May 2008. All stamp sets in this mini collection are die
cut. That means no trimming is required! Assembling these stamps
takes only seconds. They are only available during the Mini
Collection campaign and will (most likely) not be sold again.
Products Used:
Stamps
- Sincere Salutations
(105156; Set of 8)
- Die-cut Blooms
(111376; 4 12x12 Sheets; Occasions Mini Collection 2008)
Paper
- Old Olive
- Pumpkin Pie
- Rose Red
- Taken with Teal
- Tempting Turquoise
- Bali Breeze Designer Series Paper
Ink
- Classic Stampin' Pad - Old Olive
- Classic Stampin' Pad - Pumpkin Pie
- Classic Stampin' Pad - Rose Red
- Classic Stampin' Pad - Taken with Teal
Stampin' Up! Accessories
- Punch - 5-Petal Flower
- Punch - Boho Blossoms
- Bead Duo - Orange Duo
- Sticky Strip or Mini Glue Dots
- Crystal Effects
- Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive
- SNAIL Adhesive
- Stampin' Dimensionals
- Envelopes - Medium Whisper White (5/set)
- Bone Folder
- Paper Trimmer w/ scoring blade
- Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Pumpkin Pie
*This class will be held on April 16, 2008 in Mi Wuk and May 10, 2008
in Dublin. I look forward to seeing you there. Thanks for
checking out my blog today. ~Blythe
