Thursday, December 19, 2013

Clearance Rack Blitz Continues

There are still lots of great finds available on the clearance rack - including holiday papers and ribbons from past years.  It's a great time to stock up for next year!  Here are some of my favorites:

Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper 126901 - Price$12.95 $5.19

Handmade Holidays Stitched Felt Ornaments 127832 - Price$4.95 $1.99

Holiday Stocking Bigz L Die 124098 - Price$32.95 $19.79


Happy crafting!!





Monday, November 4, 2013

Schedule Your Holiday Workshop Today!

I'm participating in a Book-A-Thon with Stampin' Up through the end of day tomorrow, November 5th, 2013.  If I am able to book three or more parties by tomorrow night, I will win a prize and I'd like to share that fun with you!

Email me directly or use the "Contact Carrie" form on the left to let me know you'd like to book a party by 9:00pm on Tuesday and I'll give you a grab bag of goodies valued at $25 at your party!!!

I'm happy to customize the event to meet the interests of you and your friends.  There are lots of fun projects we can do to prep for the holidays, including Holiday Cards, Gift-Card Holders, Cute & Easy Packaging, etc.

Hurry, the clock is ticking!

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Celebrate Stampin' Up!'s 25th Anniversary with a Sale on Stamps!

Through Monday, October 28th, enjoy 25% off of 25 great stamp sets!

Order them in my online store and enjoy 25% off through tomorrow night.  

Here are all the sets on sale at a glance:





Sunday, October 13, 2013

First YouTube Video! Stampin' Up! Card-Making 101 - Cutting Card Bases

I decided to jump into the world of video tutorials!  It took me awhile to figure out the setup and how get started, but it's actually not too bad!  I was definitely nervous while making this, which felt a little odd as I usually don't get too much stage fright.  I guess it's just going to take some practice.

As this is my first video, and most of my customers are fairly new stampers, I decided to go back to the way back and show how to make basic card bases.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Woo hoo! More pics of August's Emergency Card Kit Class


Eventbrite - Emergency Card Kit Class!

Visit my Upcoming Classes page for more info and/or click on the "Register Now" button above to sign up.  You must register for the class by Sunday, August 11 as I will need to order all the supplies for the awesome projects we'll be making





Saturday, August 3, 2013

New Color Kit Individual Markers for Sale - For a Limited Time! +Video Technique on Stampin' Write Markers

In the 2013-2014 annual catalog, Stampin' Up! offers the Stampin' Write Marker New Color Kit (item 130034, page 163) to help you update your Stampin' Write Markers Collection.  For a limited time, from June 26 until October 31, you can buy any of the new colors as a pack or individually!  Go ahead, fill in the missing pieces in your collection or buy the whole Stampin' Write Marker New Color Kit!

Stampin' Write Marker New Color Kit
 ITEM PRICE DESCRIPTION
 130034 $28.95Stampin' Write Marker New Color Kit
Bermuda Bay, Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Smoky Slate, Soft Sky, Wisteria Wonder
 131899 $3.50Bermuda Bay Stampin' Write Marker
 131265 $3.50Blushing Bride Stampin' Write Marker
 131902 $3.50Calypso Coral Stampin' Write Marker
 131901 $3.50Crushed Curry Stampin' Write Marker
 131905 $3.50Island Indigo Stampin' Write Marker
 131266 $3.50Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Write Marker
 131904 $3.50Pool Party Stampin' Write Marker
 131898 $3.50Smoky Slate Stampin' Write Marker
 131900 $3.50Soft Sky Stampin' Write Marker
 131903 $3.50Wisteria Wonder Stampin' Write Marker

Check out this great video by Emily Montoya from Stampin' Up on using your Stampin' Write Markers to create stamped images with multiple colors:

Friday, August 2, 2013

Mixed Bunch #3



I love the simplicity and clean lines of this card.  I enjoy making a card with simple components that comes together looking a little fancier than it really is. 

I gathered the inspiration for my color palette from a now-retired line of Designer Series Paper, More Amore.  This is a favorite starting place for me in card design - it's so easy to create a polished look with Stampin' Up! as all the materials color-coordinate.

How to copy (and I encourage you to do so!):
  1. Cut a piece of DSP (on sale now!). to 2" x 4.25"
  2. Choose two coordinating colors (I used Primrose Petals and Pool Party) from your DSP and one coordinating neutral (I used Very Vanilla).
  3. Feel free to mix-up your sentiment.  My "Happy Mother's Day" greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set that I use all the time for many occasions.  It has just about everything you need in it!  I stamped my banner on a scrap piece of very vanilla that measures 1/2" by 2 1/2".
  4. Don't forget to finish off your flower with an adorable embellishment!  Here I punched a tiny flower from our Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and adorned it with a Basic Pearl.
Stampin' Up! Supplies:
Stamps: Mixed Bunch Stamp Set (Wood-Mount 128442, Clear-Mount 125537), Teeny Tiny Wishes (Wood-Mount 128748, Clear-Mount 127802)
Paper: More Amore DSP (retired); Primrose Petals, Pool Party and Very Vanilla Cardstock
Ink: Primrose Petals and Pool Party
Punches: Blossom (125603), 3/4" Circle (119873), Itty Bitty Shapes punch Pack (118309)
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Punch Pack


Thursday, August 1, 2013

Paper Pumpkin Promotion!



Now through August 31, you can try out the fun new Paper Pumpkin kits from Stampin' Up for 1/2 price!  That's two months at $10, including shipping!  It's a steal of a deal and a super-cute (and easy) way to bring more crafting into your life.

Each month, you will receive an adorable red box filled with everything you need to create a quick and cute project. The kit's contents are a surprise each month, but your first kit comes with a free gift - a clear block that you can use with the stamps in all your future kits!

If you're curious about Paper Pumpkin, this is the perfect time to try it as you get two months for the price of one.  Join Now!

Here are some ideas of past surprise kits:



Offer Dates: July 18, 2013 -August 31, 2013
Offer Details: Use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL to join Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and pay only $10 a month* for the first two months.
*plus tax, where applicable. Shipping included!
The Fine Print:
  • For new subscribers only.
  • Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After receiving two month's worth, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.
  • You must click "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field when you sign up on the mypaperpumpkin.com website to take advantage of this promotion.
  • You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT).

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Mixed Bunch Thank You Note

I received this thank you note from my wonderful Up-line mentor, Patty Bennett.  Patty sent me this card before I became a demonstrator and was still taking classes and ordering through her.  I love the simplicity and over-all cute factor of this card.  I ended up up-cycling the card by trimming down the card front and mounting it on a new card-base (a trick I do a lot and encourage you all to do too!)


Tips:
  • Stamp your sentiment first so you're sure to have enough room for it and then stamp the background cascade of flowers in Summer Starfruit
  • Stamp the same flower again on a scrap piece of Whisper White cardstock in red and again in Gumball Green.  Punch out both flowers using the Blossom punch.  Snip off two of the Gumball Green petals for the "leaves."
  • Stamp the larger circle image on Whisper White and punch out using the 1" Circle Punch.  Assemble your flower layers using a coordinating brad.
Stampin' Up Supplies: (If you'd like to order any of the supplies for this card, please visit my online store)

Stamps: Mixed BunchStamp Set (Wood-Mount 128442, Clear-Mount 125537)
Paper: Whisper White Card Stock
Punches: Blossom (125603), 1" Circle Punch (119868)
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals

Mixed Bunch
 Mixed Bunch Stamp Set (Wood-Mount 128442, Clear-Mount 125537)

Monday, July 29, 2013

Free Project Kit - Now Through August 31

Through August 31, join Stampin' Up and receive a super-cute free project kit!  This is in addition to the $125 in product you receive for only $99 (plus FREE shipping!).  Depending on what kit you choose, that's up to $154.90 in wonderful paper-crafting goodness for $99.  

If you have a growing wish list, this is a great time to sign up and enjoy the savings.  If you'd like to turn Stampin' Up into a part-time business, that's awesome.  If you'd like to be a Hobby Demonstrator and receive 20% off all your orders, that's also awesome.

Contact me for more info or click here to join!


#1-3 are all in the brand new Holiday Catalog - please let me know if you do not yet have a copy and I'll send you one right away.

#4 is located on pages 158-159 of the 2013-2014 Idea Book & Catalog.  Here's what the Tag a Bag and Tag a Box bundles look like, so cute!!
 Tag a Box Bundle




Sunday, July 28, 2013

Buy 3, Get 1 FREE!

Buy 3 Get 1 Free!

Now through July 31, buy 3 packs of select Designer Series Paper, get one free!  That's a savings of $10.95!

Here's a cute way to use up little scraps of DSP - make them into a fun banner:


Tips:
  • Cut out multiple banner shapes at once by stacking strips and lining up in corner of square punch.  This takes a little practice, but once you get it down, it's a fast way to cut the banners
  • Lightly sand the Core'dinations cardstock to bring out the lighter color.
  • Use a glue dot to adhere the little knot of ribbon.


Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Banner Greetings Hostess Set (Wood-Mount 129711, Clear-Mount 129714)
Paper: Quatrefancy DSP (130141), Pool Party Core'Dinations, Island Indigo Cardstock
Ink: Island Indigo Classic Stamp Pad
Accessories:  Mosaic Embossing Folder, Big Shot machine, Daffodil Delight 1/4" Stitched Ribbon, Glue Dots

Banner Greetings
Banner Greetings Hostess Set (Wood-Mount 129711, Clear-Mount 129714)


Saturday, July 27, 2013

Mixed Bunch

I love this stamp set!  It's one of the very first sets I purchased and I have used it a bunch. (Pun intended).  It's great for creating focal points as well as backgrounds and it coordinates perfectly with the Blossom Punch, making is super easy to cut out the flower shape.  I'll be featuring some samples made with this set over the coming days, so stay tuned!

Crafty Carrie's Tips:
  • Stamp larger images first and fill in the empty space with the smaller stamps
  • Feel free to practice your placement on a piece of scrap-paper before stamping on your cardstock
  • Each layer is 1/4" smaller than the last which means that Real Red is cut to 4"x 5.25" and Whisper White is cut to 3.75" x 5"
  • Easily mix up the message with any one of the great sentiments in Teeny Tiny Wishes.  This card would be great for birthdays and thank-you cards too.

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Mixed Bunch Stamp Set (Wood-Mount 128442, Clear-Mount 125537), Teeny Tiny Wishes (Wood-Mount 128748, Clear-Mount 127802)
Paper: Pool Party, Real Red & Whisper White Cardstock
Punches: Modern Label (119849), Word Window (119857)
Accessories: Pool Party Ribbon (retired), Stampin' Dimensionals

Mixed Bunch
Mixed Bunch Stamp Set (Wood-Mount 128442, Clear-Mount 125537)
Teeny Tiny Wishes
Teeny Tiny Wishes (Wood-Mount 128748, Clear-Mount 127802)


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Sunday, July 7, 2013

The end of Google Reader...

I am morning the loss this week of my tried and true blog reader from Google.  Why Google decided to do away with my favorite procrastination tool way to stay informed of important crafting trends, I may never know.  After a very quick Google search, it looks like most of the blogosphere is switching to Feedly.com to track their blogs and stay on top of all the amazingness on the web.

The loss of Google Reader may not turn out to not be as devastating as I had feared.  So far, I'm really enjoying Feedly's user interface and I like that I can see more of the blog from my reader (with Google's reader I almost always had to open the blog in another window if I really wanted to read it look at the pictures.)

I have added a button the right-hand side of my page for you to subscribe to my blog using Feedly.  Let me know if you've found another blog reader you prefer and I'll investigate adding a button for it as well.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Crafting with Friends

I'm pretty sure there is no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than hanging out with girlfriends and creating together.  I've done a lot of crafts over the years, but one of the things I love the most about card-making is how (relatively) quickly you can make something cute to brighten someone's day.

Here's a picture from a recent gathering:


We made cards featuring products from the new catalog, and I love how my friend Veronica added her own twist to the Christmas card.  I'm generally drawn to pretty traditional color combos, but I absolutely love what Veronica came up with.  See my sample on the left and her interpretation on the right:


I'd love for you to come craft with me!  See my upcoming classes page or host your own private class and earn free products!  Contact me for more info.

Monday, June 24, 2013

It's a... Baby!!!

Well, I goofed and posted my excitement about being a new auntie on my Facebook page today before my sister had spread the news outside of our immediate family. My enthusiasm is understandable but it really should have been my sister's news to share. So while the cat's out of the bag on that bit of news, I won't share the gender just yet until I have full permission.  Let me tell you though, I'm a wee bit excited about this auntie business, and it's hard not to shout the good news from the rooftop!

For her baby shower last month, I wanted to make some cute, yet modern invitations.  I CASE'd this design from Dawn Olchefske and added my own twist.  I think they turned out super-cute!




Here's my Stampin' Recipe, feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Stamp Sets: Embellished Events (Wood-Mount 126495; Clear-Mount 126497) Teeny Tiny Wishes (Wood-Mount 128748; Clear-Mount 127802)
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Summer Starfruit 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (126846), Vintage Trinkets (118764)
Tools: Dots Textured Embossing Folder (117335), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)




Sunday, June 23, 2013

Free Card Kits!!

I spent some time this weekend assembling the free card kits for my New Catalog Party next Sunday and I think they turned out super cute!


Each kit contains more than enough coordinating Designer Series Paper, coordinating cardstock and envelopes to make six cards.  And because I was having so much fun, I threw in a couple of coordinating accessories and embellishments to make some super-cute projects!

Would you like a free card kit of your own??  All you have to do is RSVP by Monday, June 24 and attend my New Catalog Party on Sunday, June 30.

 Click here to RSVP so I can make sure to have enough kits!



Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Top Ten Favorite New Products- #10

Over the next ten posts, I'll be revealing the items I'm most excited about in the new catalog.  It's not easy to whittle the list down to ten!

#10 - Timeless Talk Stamp Set  -- I love the old-timey charm of this stamp set.  I adore the sample set of note-cards made with this set shown on page 18 of the new catalog!  I cannot wait to get my hands on this set and make up a bunch of sweet cards to have on hand.


Timeless Talk

Page 19, $22.95 (wood mount 126605) - $16.95 (clear mount 126607)

Don't forget to register for my upcoming New Catalog Party on June 30.  Here are the details in case you missed them:

Sunday, June 30 2013, 1:00pm-3:30pm  -- New Catalog Party!!
  • FREE! For every guest that RSVPs and comes to my open house, I will be giving you a *free* card kit!  Plus, for every $50 you spend, you can pick out an additional free card kit!
  • FREE! Every guest will receive a copy of the new new Idea Book & Catalog full of amazing project ideas and inspirations as well as tons of exciting new products!
  • FREE MAKE & TAKE PROJECT! I'll have a super cute project for all guests to make using some of the awesome new products from the catalog.
Please RSVP by Sunday, June 23 so I know how many free kits and projects to make up!  Click here to register

The party will be held at my house in San Leandro unless I get an overwhelming response in which case I will  find a larger space to hold the party. I will send you my address after you register.



Sunday, June 16, 2013

New Catalog Party!

I'm so excited to have set up a place to share my paper-crafting excitement!!  Paper crafts have pretty much taken over both my spare time and any available surface in my cottage.  It's alright, I'd rather be surrounded by creativity than devoid of it.

While the internet is a wonderful place to share ideas and inspire creativity, I also love to craft in real time and face to face.  That being said, I have some upcoming opportunities to craft together in the Bay Area coming up:

Sunday, June 30 2013, 1:00pm-3:30pm  -- New Catalog Party!!
  • FREE! For every guest that RSVPs and comes to my open house, I will be giving you a *free* card kit!  Plus, for every $50 you spend, you can pick out an additional free card kit!
  • FREE! Every guest will receive a copy of the new new Idea Book & Catalog full of amazing project ideas and inspirations as well as tons of exciting new products!
  • FREE MAKE & TAKE PROJECT! I'll have a super cute project for all guests to make using some of the awesome new products from the catalog.
Please RSVP by Sunday, June 23 so I know how many free kits and projects to make up!  Click here to register

The party will be held at my house in San Leandro unless I get an overwhelming response in which case I will  find a larger space to hold the party. I will send you my address after you register.

Here's a sneak peak at what we'll be making!



Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Banner Greetings (Hostess Set 2013-2014 Catalog)
Paper: Quatrefancy Specialty Designer Series Paper, Pool Party Core'dinations Cardstock, Island Indigo Cardstock
Ink: Island Indigo
Ribbon: Daffodil Delight 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon