Stamp, Scrap & Create with Chris

I LOVE the Photopolymer Stamps!!

 

I purchased my first set when they were first introduced back in the Spring, and I have to admit, I was very skeptical.  I have tried clear stamps in the past, and have been very disappointed.  The stamps would never really cling to the blocks, and the stamped image was never crisp.  It was as if after I would ink the stamp, the ink would puddle on the stamp causing the image to look blurred.

I always thought that the only way to get a clear, crisp stamped image was with rubber.  I was thrilled when Stampin' Up!'s "clear stamps" were also rubber.  It was the best of both worlds!

When these new photopolymer stamps came out I was curious. I figured, since I am a demonstrator, I would give them a try so I could comment if any of my customers had questions.  Well, to say the least, I was very pleasantly surprised!!

These stamp beautifully!!  They really (I mean really) stick to the clear blocks!! Although some of the darker inks stained the stamps (no different that with rubber), they truly do remain clear!  They are also a perfect match for the new Firm Foam Ink Pads. I got the best stamped image when I used very light pressure when inking the stamp - the suggested way to use the Firm Foam!! Not to mention, you can really see where you are stamping!!

Check out the video above showcasing the new Photopolymer Stamps!

To view all of the Photopolymer Stamps available (and Stampin' Up! keeps adding sets!), go to my ONLINE STORE 24/7!

 

My Six Sided Sampler Friend

Six Sided Sampler is such a FUN new stamp set!! Not only do I love a stamp set with a coordinating punch or framlit, I also love a stamp set that makes it so easy to make man cards!

This stamp set is very versitile - male, female, neutral - you can do it all!!  Better yet, there is a Six Sided Sampler Bundle available that includes the stamp set and the punch.  When you purchase the bundle, you save 15%!!

Stamps:  Six Sided Sampler

Card Stock:  Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Epic Day This and That, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Pool Party

Ink:  Basic Gray

Accessories:  Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape, Punches - Hexagon, Word Window, Modern Label, Stampin' Dimensionals

To purchase your Six Sided Sampler, give me a call, email me, or shop my ONLINE STORE 24/7!!

Sign Up Now for February's Technique Class

Friday, February 15, 2013:  Technique Class

 **Class will be held at 9:30 AM and 6:30 PM - please indicate which class you'll be attending**

Class Fee:  $25 

Please RSVP and send payment no later than2/13/13 so that I can have your supplies ready. Payment is required to reserve your spot.  You can either click below to pay via PayPal, mail a check, or give me a call so I can send an invoice.

Please remember to bring your adhesive & paper snips to class.

 At February's Technique Class we'll learn 2 new techniques and a fun fold.  You'll make a card using each, and also add to our Technique Book!

Your class fee includes:  all the pre-cut card stock, envelopes, embellishments, and the stamps, tools and inks to make the projects.

 

Last Day of Online Extravaganza!

I just love plaid!!  Anything plaid!!  I have plaid accessories, shorts for the summer, home decor, I'd even wear plaid pants if I could get away with it!!

Sadly, I CAN'T, so I'll settle for Designer Series Paper!!

This project uses the Orchard Harvest DSP, and the Perfectly Preserved Bundle.  Such great, vibrant Fall colors, and the framelits make cards just so super easy to put together!

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved

Ink:  Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Raspberry Ripple

Card Stock:  Island Indigo, Early Espresso, Orchard Harvest DSP, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Framelits - Cannery Set, Apothecary Accents, Punches - Modern Label, Word Window, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals

DON'T FORGET - today is the LAST DAY of the ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA!!  Today there are some special 20% off doorbusters:

Wednesday, November 28, midnight - 11:50 PM (MT)

Page	Item	Description	Retail Price	24-Hour Sale Price
7	118941	Clear Block Bundle (Blocks A-I)	$66.95	$53.56
7	120279	Clear Block Storage Caddy	$16.95	$13.56
175	109127	Stack & Store Caddy	$34.95	$27.96

Get these specials now before they are gone!!  Give me a call, send me an email, or SHOP ONLINE to get yours today!!

 

Almost Turkey Day

So here we are, the last big push before Thanksgiving!  For some, it's a travel day, for others, it's a "cooking day".  I'm pretty lucky.  Our family is local, so we don't have to travel, and my brother and his partner host Thanksgiving, so I don't have to cook that much!

Since the family is pretty big, we each usually bring a dish or two, and we usually have the appetizers, meal & dessert covered.  I'm the "mashed potato person", so I'm in charge of that and the cranberry sauce.

So, in the weeks since the "superstorm", I've tried to be crazy organized so that I can get caught up on everything I didn't do when we we didn't have power.  I didn't want to face the craziness of the food store today, so I did my food shopping yesterday.  When I was unpacking my last bag, a thought suddenly occurred to me - 

I FORGOT TO BUY POTATOES!!

So back out I went, and NOW I am ready for the holiday!!

Although it has been a very difficult year for our family, I am so very thankful for them, and so many other things in my life this year!  I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving Day, and are surrounded by all that you are thankful for this year!

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Summer Starfruit

Card Stock:  Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Punches - Word Window, Modern Label, 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon - Summer Starfruit, Woodgrain Embossing Folder

P.S - these guys were in the yard late last week.  I guess they are just as messed up about the date as I am!!

Essential Thank You

So have you had a chance to check out the ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA yet? If not, click here to view all the items on sale at discounts of up to 50%!!

This is a great sale if you have any card makers, scrapbookers, or paper crafters on your holiday gift list.  And, if you have been toying with the idea of Digital Crafting, now is the perfect time - MDS2 is 50% off!

Of course, don't forget yourself when you are taking care of the paper crafters in your life!

Today's sample is another using the Quint-Essential Flower stamp.  I know I've said this before, but this is really one of my favorite stamps in the 2012 - 2013 Catalog.  I just love the versatility of the stamp, and how you can get many different looks just by using the one stamp, a couple different ink colors, and some punches!  I'm a really big fan of any stamp that has a coordinating punch or framelit!!

Stamps:  Quint-Essential Flower, Itty Bitty Banners

Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry

Card Stock:  Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Floral District DSP

Accessories:  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Punches - 2-3/8" Scallop, 1-3/4" Scallop, 1" Circle, 3/4" Circle, 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon - Daffodil Delight, Brights Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals.

If you have any questions about the ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA, or would like to place a holiday order, just give me a call, email me, or visit my ONLINE STORE anytime!

Happy Weekend to You

Ahhhh...the weekend is finally here!

Pretty much all of the last week has been spent catching up, and getting back on track after the "superstorm" and the subsequent power outage.  I really feel I need the weekend to really unwind!!  I totally plan on scrapbooking, catching up on my DVR, and relaxing!

Of course, I'm beginning to feel a little panicked about Holiday Shopping!  But I am going to take the weekend "off", then tackle that task next week!

This sample is made using one of m favorite Designer Series Papers in the 2012 - 2013 Catalog - International Bazaar.  I love the color combination. It's bright and exotic at the same time!

Stamps: Friendly Phrases

Ink:  Pacific Point

Card Stock:  Pacific Point, Whisper White, International Bazaar DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon - Daffodil Delight

Don't forget the ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA starts Monday and runs until Wednesday, November 28!!  So much is on sale, some up to 50% off!  And on Monday, November 19 & Wednesday, November 28, there are some really great "one day only" specials!!  Click here for all the information!!  

 

Thank You Preserves

As we slowly get back to normal here in Northern NJ, I have finally had the chance to get back to my stamping area and play with some of the new items I got before the Scrapbooking Getaway.

I just love, love, LOVE, all of the Framelits dies that we have now!!  I especially love the sets that coordinate with stamp sets!!  Not only are they fun to use, it makes cards easy & quick to put together!

Now what could possibly make them even better?  Purchase the bundles, and save 15%!!  Click here to see all the bundles available! 

This stamp set is one of my favorites from the Holiday 2012 Catalog.  Not only is it a really cute set, it can be used all year long!

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved

Ink:  Early Espresso, Raspberry Ripple, Lucky LImeade, More Mustard

Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, Orchard Harvest DSP

Accessories:  Cannery Framelits Dies, Punches - Word Window, Small Oval, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals

If you would like to give the Framelits Dies and coordinating sets a try for yourself, give me a call, email me, or visit my ONLINE STORE anytime!

Getting Back After the Superstorm

Wow - what a month it's been!!

I hope you are all safe & warm and, for those of you on the East Coast, recovering from Mother Nature's little "hissy fit"!

All things considered, we did well here.  We had no damage to our property, but to take a drive around town, there is devastation all over.  

We were, however, without power for 10 days!!  We did have a small generator running, but not big enough to power the whole house.  We were able to keep the refridgerator running, take hot showers, and had water for cooking, but we couldn't do any of those things at the same time!!

So when we finally did get power back, Thanksgiving came a couple of weeks early this year!  I am thankful that my wonderful husband is a lifelong camper, and we were able to make hot meals (and more importantly - hot coffee), and he took such awesome care of us.  I am so very proud of our daughters - they weathered BOTH storms like troopers (although, all three of us did finally break down and cry on day 10).

I, personally, may have been better able to deal with the power outage if I had been able to get into my craft room to STAMP!!  It's in the basement, and we couldn't light the area.  It was especially hard because I had just returned home from our AMAZING Fall Scrapbooking Getaway, and I was feeling so creative!  I just couldn't wait to stamp and scrap some more!!   Now that we finally have power, I'm cleaning and doing laundry!!  I will get down there this weekend for sure!!

As we all slowly return to normal, if there is anything I can do to help make your recovery a bit less stressful, please don't hesitate to call or email me!  I'm happy to help in any way I can!

A Festival of Prints

In the Holiday Catalog, there is a great DSP Paper Stack - Festival of Prints.  The sheets are 4-1/2" x 6-1/2", and are perfect for card making and mounting pictures for your scrapbooks.

Stamps:  Everything Eleanor, Curly Cute

Ink:  Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Cherry Cobbler

Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Festivval of Prints DSP

Accessories:  3/8" Ruffled Ribbon - Lucky Limeade, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals