Join My Stampin' Up! Team

It is a great time to join Stampin' Up! They are offering a limited time starter kit for $99!


















Not only do you get over $185 in product for joining, but there are many more benefits to being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator! Contact me for more information: csyvinski@centurylink.net or visit my website for more information!

Mini Purse!

I was going through my pictures and couldn't believe I didn't post this little creation! In January I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Stampin' Up!'s annual leadership conference in Nashville, Tennessee. This is a 3D swap I made with a get together with some of my friends from Stampin' Addicts!

Isn't it cute? It is a little purse that holds a couple 3D cards!

Supplies:
Card stock: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Very Vanilla Brad, 3/4 inch circle punch, 5/8 Inch Crochet Trim Victoria














Well, apparently I did not take pictures of the little cards I put inside! And that makes me sad, because they were cute! :(

Get Well Soon!

Hello! It's a soggy day in my neighborhood, but I guess I should be happy it is not snowing :)

This is a little card we are making at my class this weekend. It holds a tea bag and is perfect for someone that is under the weather! You can find the directions on how to make this at Stampin' Addicts! Here is a link to the challenge forum.

Stamps: Wellness Wishes
Card stock: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper
Ink: Black Staz On, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake and Real Red
Accessories: 1/8" Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Scoring Tool, Boho Blossoms punch, dimensionals.

Here is the inside:

Happy Birthday Stampin' Addicts!

This week a wonderful site that I am honored to be a part of celebrated it's birthday! Stampin' Addicts is a great positive place for Stampin' Up! fun and ideas and some of the best people are a part of that site!

Here's a link of some of the Festivities this week!

If you are looking for ides, Stampn' Addicts have some great challenges every week to get those creative juices flowing!

Here are a couple I participated in this week (click on links to go to site):

3D Challenge















Sketch Challenge




















And the Color Combo challenge that I host every week!

Go check out Stampin' Addicts to see more about these cards and to get some other great ideas!

Wicked Boo!

See, here is another great project to make with the Wicked Fun Specialty paper. Once you get past the fact that you are cutting into something so precious (lol) you can really do some fun stuff!

This is my Boo banner for Halloween.

Supplies:
Stamps: Wicked Cool
Card stock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Cajun Craze, Wicked Fun Specialty
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: 1 1/4 Striped Grosgrain Rich Razzleberry Ribbon; Glimmer Brads (awesome!); Two-Step Owl Extra Large punch; Serif Essentials Alphabet; Big Shot; Scallop Square Bigz Die; Real Red Chunky Glitter; Crystal Effects.

Are you ready for Halloween??

Here's another cute project. I just could not get this picture to turn out and I apologize, but it is a cute little project too!

Love this new candy wrapper die for the big shot! Such a cute treat for little work!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Wicked Cool
Card stock: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Wicked Fun Specialty
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Basic Black Satin Ribbon; Designer Label Punch; Decorative Label Punch; Big Shot; Candy Label Bigz die

Now I just need to fill it with candy and I've got a perfect treat for someone!

Wicked Fun!

Ohh, I just love this Halloween DSP in the current Idea Book and Catalog! It is wicked, really it is called Wicked Fun Specialty.

This is a Halloween card I created for my Halloween Class I am having next week. It is a 6x6 card.

Supplies:

Stamps: Wicked Cool
Card stock: Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White and Wicked Fun DSP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: 1 1/4 Striped Grosgrain Rich Razzleberry Ribbon; Basic Black Designer Buttons; Linen Thread; Curly Label Punch
Techniques: Distressing

So many fun projects can be made with this paper!

Lazy Sunday

I spent all day on the couch on Saturday under the weather and when I woke up on Sunday feeling better I decided I needed to stamp! My daughter thought that was a great idea so we went off to stamp together. She was having fun making cards for all her friends and I was having fun making gifts for my club members. We had an enjoyable morning! I'm glad we did this in the morning, because by the afternoon she was on the couch sick :(

Here is what she did:
She is learning how to write so she would ask me how to spell her friend's names. Aren't these so cute!

Mine aren't as cute, but it is my blog so I get to share :)


I made wish lists and little post it key chains for my new club members. The pens I purchased at convention. The directions for the post-it key chains can be found here. I used the new owl punch that I swore I would not purchase. Well, fortunately I saw the error in my ways and purchased it! That was a close call! LOL


I am so happy that my daughter loves stamping. I can't wait until she is old enough to scrapbook with me :) Actually, I take that back. I can wait. Time is going by too fast as it is!

Altoid Tin

Sorry about the blurry image! I had fun playing with more new product in the catalog! The paper flowers are white and you can die them! How fun is that? Then, of course, you can have any color flowers you want!!! COOL!

This was a tin I made for a convention swap! This would be great for a gift card or some little treats for a party favor! I put a few antique brads in them for my swap.


Stamps: Tiny Tags
Card stock: Elegant Soiree DSP (love it!)
Ink: Soft Suede and Baja Breeze
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Paper Daisies; Chantilly Crochet Trim, Mini Vintage Tags.

I just followed the directions in the catalog to color the flowers. You just add some reinker to water and let the flower soak for a moment then take out to dry. Easy!

Amour

I just love black and white! This is another new set in the catalog and it makes me want to visit Paris :)


Stamps: Artistic Etchings
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red
Card stock: Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Punch, Basic Black Satin Ribbon

After stamping sporadically on the Whisper White, I also sponged a little to fill in the blanks!

Concord Crush is Yummy!

I never thought I would be into vintage style for card making, but I am totally loving it! Stampin' Up!'s new catalog has some wonderful new products that I am super excited about! And there is more to come! ;)

This was a swap I did for convention and although it was time consuming (I had to cut out all those F's!) I love it!


Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Concord Crush
Card stock: Crumb Cake, Concord Crush
Accessories: Victoria Crochet Trim, Antique Brads, Modern Label Punch, Petal Card Punch, Basic Pearls

Don't you just love those Antique Brads and the Crochet Trim? Oh and the pearls! AHHHHHHH!

Convention Time Again!

Can you believe another year has passed? I just returned from another fun trip to Salt Lake City for Stampin' Up!'s annual convention and I had so much fun! I learned some fun new techniques that I can't wait to share with my customers and I had a blast with my friends! I've been waiting to share this swap because I didn't want to ruin the surprise, but here is what I did for a Christmas Card swap at Stampin Addicts meet and greet! Isn't it just so adorable? I was just so pleased with this card and anyone that signs up for my Christmas Card Class in October will get to make it!

Rag Quilt Purse

I am a purse freak! Really, ask my husband and he will tell you! I love purses. I swear I was born holding a purse! Anyway, imagine my delight when I realized I could combine two of my great loves . . . purses and Stampin' Up! Doesn't seem likely does it? Well that is what I thought until I saw what people were doing with fabric and their Big Shot Machine! Even though I found these creations all over the place, I never thought I could actually do it. I don't sew. I used a sewing machine once to make some VERY simple curtains and that was like 14 years ago! When I get a hole in clothing or a button falls off I throw it away! Anyway, in April I attended a Stampin' Up! Regional Seminar and got to hang out with some friends when I arrived! The plan was to hit a couple of scrapbook stores and quilt shops. While browsing the quilt shops I was talking to my friend Kim at Stichin n Stampin' about how much I love purses and I would love to make one of those Rag Quilt Purses that I see everywhere and she told me how easy it would be and gave me all kinds of advice on how to do it and what I would need to get started. I ended up buying some fabric. Upon returning home Kim was kind enough to send me some different varieties of batting to try! As usual, life got busy, the fabric began collecting dust and I didn't have hopes of ever getting to it! (I even talked my mom into giving me her old sewing machine that was collecting dust!) If you are still reading this, I bet you are wondering if I have a point, well I do :) Last weekend I decided to blow the dust off the fabric and sewing machine and make my first Rag Quilt Purse! As I said, I am not a sewer, so this took some trial and error and my sewing wasn't perfect, but, I love this purse!! I am using it and I have gotten more compliments on it than any other purse I've ever carried and I've only been carrying it for 3 days! So, you wanna see it???

What do you think? Pretty isn't it?! Of course purple is my favorite color. I watched the videos over at Chic' n Scratch and she does an awesome job of instructing you on how to make this!

News Flash! News Flash! News Flash! News Flash! News Flash!

Have you heard the latest news???? Stampin' Up! released a brand new catalog today and let me tell you it is BEAUTIFUL! I just can't tell you how excited I am about this catalog. The new colors are gorgeous! There are new accessories, new stamps, new ribbon! oh my! There is a link on the sidebar to the left, you can download a pdf of the catalog or you can go to my website and see it there! If you want to see it in person, come to my open house next week! You will also get to make a card using new product and see some of the new accessories. You can find more information on my website!

This new catalog has motivated me, so hopefully I will update my blog more :)

Oh my goodness, am I blogging?

I am, I am! I have been trying to get here and post, but something always gets in my way! Life is busy, but wonderful, so I can't complain there :) I am excited that winter is finally behind us and we can get on with spring and summer a/k/a Camping Season!

Last weekend I was able to attend the Stampin' Up! Regional Seminar in Milwaukee and got to spend time with some of my good friends and meet a few new friends! I also learned a lot of neat techniques and had just a great time!

I do have something to share with you today, I was in a secret Easter Bunny swap and this is one of the things I made my bunny, I am addicted to making these mini pizza boxes and have been playing around with different sizes. This one was big enough to hold 6x6 paper on the inside.

I used Old Olive for the Base, Sweet Pea DSP for the front, Chocolate Chip for the "E" and some Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon tied around the box. Two pretties flowers and some Chocolate chip Corduroy buttons finished it off. I thought it was cute!

Build A Bear

I was excited when I finally purchased the Build A Bear die and used it for some gifts I gave to my friend's kids for Christmas!


Supplies:

Ink: Real Red
Cardstock: Garden Green, Real Red, Close to Cocoa, Basic Black, Cameo Coral
Accessories: Big Shot Scallop Circle Die, Stampin' Up! Bear, Beary Essentials and Beary Girl Die, DSP from Country Living Holiday Kit from 2008, silver cord and Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon.

She is just beary cute, isn't she?



Then I had a couple of giftcards to give, so I made some adorable gift card holders for them. I used some CD folders I had. Yes, a little big for gift cards, but I really wanted to use the Build A Bear and it fit perfectly on these!


This is the outside.

Supplies:

Ink: Real Red
Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red, Close to Cocoa, Basic Black, Cameo Coral, Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot Scallop Circle Die, Stampin' Up! Bear, Beary Essentials and Beary Girl Die, DSP from Country Living Holiday Kit from 2008, snowflake punch, Old Olive Striped Ribbon.


Here is the inside:

Happy New Year!

Has it been another month already? Apparently time is going by faster than I think, which is bad because I feel like it is just flying! Anyway, I have lots of stuff to share, so hopefully I can get caught up on my blog :)

Here is a banner I made for my New Year's party, isn't it the cutest?:

It was a teeny bit time consuming putting it all together, but it was worth it in the end. The best part is I can use it every year by changing out the last pennant and making a new on for that year!

Supplies:

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot, Silver Cord, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Pennant Bixz XL Die



I used my Cricut for letters on this one, but Serif Essentials would have worked too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, I realize Thanksgiving was LAST week and my last post was a MONTH ago! Better late than never, right? It's the thought that counts, right? LOL I have been busy, busy, busy! Family, work, life, crafting, you know the drill! But I wanted to check in here and post something!!

These are a couple pictures from Thanksgiving day:

This is my Thankful banner that I created and showed you a while back. I hung it on the mantel over the fireplace! It looked so nice!












Next is my beautiful table! I spend as much time on my table as I do cooking!



















And a close up of the place setting:

The flowers are not real :( but I did fill the vase up with some shredded card stock to add some color!

I ran out of time to make the napkin rings, so I just tied a bow around the top of the napkin using Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon. It looked great and worked perfectly with these napkins!

It was a good day filled with good food and family. Hope your Thanksgiving was as blessed as mine!

Remember Me?

I am alive :) Just been incredibly busy this last month. And of course we are embarking on the holiday season so it will remain busy. Can you believe it is November? Seriously? What happened to June, July, August, September and October? This year has gone so fast!

Here is a card I made recently. I hadn't done a criss cross card in a while and I had some of this paper left that I didn't know what to do with. This is a bright card!

I have more projects to post soon!

Thankful Banner

This is the last of my fall projects...a Thankful Banner! I used 4x4 coasters to make these.

It was very hard to get it all together, so I took pictures of two letters at a time. This was probably the hardest one to come up with because I had to decorate every square! LOL

Supplies for Banner
Stamps: Autumn Harvest
Card stock: Elegant Eggplant, Soft Suede, Ruby Red, Always Artichoke, Autumn Traditions DSP
Ink: Staz On Black, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Serif Essentials Big Shot Die, Leaves Big Shot Die, Scallop Square Big Shot Die, Button Latte, Linen Thread, Watercolor Crayons, Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon, Vintage brads, 5 Petal flower punch.

Fall Class Projects

Here are some more of my fall class projects. These are for the table settings. For this class I am going to let everyone pick which projects they want do do and pay per project!


First up is the VERY simple napkin ring.
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Autumn Harvest DSP.
Accessories: Hemp Twine






Here is the place card:

Stamps: Autumn Harvest
Cardstock: Soft Suede; Whisper White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant; Dusty Durango; Crushed Curry; Soft Suede
Accessories: Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon, sponge dauber



Next is a party favor.
Stamps: Matchbox Messages
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Autumn Traditions DSP, Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, Whisper White
Ink: Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Sizzix Matchbox Die, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon, Linen Thread.


Now a centerpiece.

Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Soft Suede Ruby Red, Rich Razzleberry (oops, it was supposed to be Elegant Eggplant!); Autumn Traditions DSP
Accessories: Hemp Twine, Leaves Big Shot Die.