Mon 8 Feb 2010

Third Grade Valentines

Posted by Yapha under Cards, Kids, Valentine's Day
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The third grade teachers came to me for some ideas for a project their students could make at their Valentine’s Day party. We tossed some ideas around, and decided on having each child make two 3″x 3″ mini cards – one for each of their parents. I put together a supply order for them, and because of Sale-a-Bration and Stampin’ Up’s generous hostess benefits, they managed to get four free stamps sets with their order! We decided to stick with Real Red, Pretty in Pink, and Basic Black as our ink colors, combined with Real Red or Pretty in Pink as their card base. They will be encouraged to use their own creativity to create their cards, but I put together a few samples to get their juices flowing.

Here they each are individually:

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Whimsical Words
Ink: Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Stamps: A Happy Heart
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White

Stamps: A Happy Heart, Sprinkles
Ink: Real Red, Pretty in Pink
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Whimsical Words
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, A Happy Heart
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Stamps: You & Moi
Ink: Real Red, Pretty in Pink
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White

I can’t wait to see what cards the kids come up with!

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Sun 7 Feb 2010

New Puppy!

Posted by Yapha under My Digital Studio, Scrapbooking
[10] Comments

Yesterday was super exciting and exhausting as we finally got to meet and take home our new Great Dane puppy! His registered AKC name will be Echo v. Evans Hijack My Heart, but we are calling him Jack. His mother Annie is a champion, and his father Humphrey is only  points away from being a champion as well. We’re hoping that Jack will follow in their footsteps. In the meantime, we are enjoying his adorable puppy self. Eve has wanted to do nothing other than snuggle him since before we even got him! She was so excited when he fell asleep in her lap last night, that I just had to take a picture. It seemed to be the perfect picture to use for both the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge and the Pals Paper Arts Challenge.

I did it in My Digital Studio, of course, while the puppy is sleeping beneath my legs. One more good thing about My Digital Studio — no small pieces for the puppy to chew on! This is an 8″x8″ page. I figure it’s never too early to start on the scrapbook!

If you are in the Los Angeles area and would like one-on-one lessons in My Digital Studio, please contact me for more information.

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Fri 5 Feb 2010

I Fancy You

Posted by Yapha under Cards, Valentine's Day
[2] Comments

Here is another card that could be used as a Valentine if you would like, but could be used for many other occasions as well. It uses the super cute Love Bandit stamp set. I used the Stampin’ Write Markers to color the parts of the stamp differently, and then colored the squirrel in as well.

Stamps: Love Bandit
Ink: Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Old Olive, Going Grey
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad
Other: Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch

We made this card at my faculty card making class, and I have to tell you there is a learning curve with these new punches. (A big shout out to Amy who did it perfectly on her second try!) Luckily, Stampin’ Up has come out with a great video to use these punches.

Stamping 411 also has a size guide, showing you what size paper you need to get the punches to come out evenly as well. It takes a little practice, but it is worth it!

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Wed 3 Feb 2010

New Buttons and Brads!

Posted by Yapha under My Digital Studio
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Get ready to accessorize your digital projects with two new digital downloads for My Digital Studio! The Sending Love epoxy brads and the Corduroy Buttons digital downloads are perfect for adding depth and dimension to your digital projects. Of course they coordinate perfectly with other exclusive Stampin′ Up! papers, designs, and colors.

The Sending Love expoxy brads come in three colors — Pretty in Pink, Real Red, and Chocolate Chip.

120169 Sending Love Epoxy Brads $1.95

The Corduroy Buttons come in three styles and five colors — Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, and Basic Gray.

120170 Corduroy Buttons $3.95

You know what the best thing about the digital buttons and brads? You can use them on as many projects as you want and never run out! I love that! No hoarding necessary! You can order this now and download them immediately! Visit my website and click on shop now!

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Tue 2 Feb 2010

Classic Valentine

Posted by Yapha under Cards, Valentine's Day
[2] Comments

Here’s an oldie but a goodie! I pulled out my Loads of Love set to make a fun Valentine with my after-school kids club. They love coloring, so this one was great for them. Sometimes you just have to go back to the classics.

Stamps: Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories
Ink: StazOn Black, Real Red, Bermuda Bay, Basic Grey
Paper: Real Red, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White
Other: 1 1/4″ Circle Punch, 1 3/8″ Circle Punch, Crop-a-Dile, Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Big Shot, Aqua Painter

I varied the colors of the hearts by using different amounts of ink on my Aqua Painter. I really like the combination of Real Red and Bermuda Bay. It is so striking!

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Mon 1 Feb 2010

School Valentines

Posted by Yapha under Valentine's Day
[5] Comments

We got the notice a few weeks ago. “Please send 50 Valentines to school with your children, unlabeled, signed with their name.” I’ve given Eve the option each year, whether she wants to buy her Valentines or make them. In past years, Eve has wanted to buy store-bought Valentines, usually princess ones. This year however, she decided she wanted to make them. She liked thet idea of lollipop holders. So we looked through all of my Valentine-related stamp sets, and she settled on the cute image of two birds from the Love You Much stamp set.

We made up a sample, then got down to business yesterday afternoon. The whole family helped (well, except for Biscuit). I cut and stamped, Eve colored and signed, Steve glued and punched, and we all threaded the lollipops through. We managed to put together all 50 in less than 2 hours yesterday afternoon!

Here is our final result:

Stamps: Love You Much
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White
Other: Watercolor Pencils, Crop-a-Dile

And here is a look at all 50 together. Pretty impressive, if I do say so myself!

Steve punched the holes with the Crop-a-Dile. I asked him how he liked it, since I personally think it is an amazing punch. His reply? “It’s smooth! Like driving a Ferrari…”

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Sun 31 Jan 2010

Decor Elements Tree

Posted by Yapha under Decor Elements, Home Decor
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I love the Thoughts & Prayers Tree. I love it as a stamp and I love it even more as a Decor Element vinyl design! I have put up three of these trees so far — one at Applewild School Library, one at Paula’s house, and one at my parents’ house. But I’ve never had one of my very own. And now I do! We put up one in our living room, and I have to tell you, it looks fantastic! And it’s great for California, because you don’t have to worry about a huge piece of art falling down in an earthquake.

Remember, this comes in 6 pieces, so we started out slowly. Here’s a look at it partially up:

Here is the finished tree, right behind our couch:

My husband really liked the quote that was with it in the catalog, so added that too. We separated the birds from the quote for a more balanced look. Here’s a close-up of our end result:

I love seeing this in the living room! Here’s what it looks like:

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Sat 30 Jan 2010

Back to the Challenges!

Posted by Yapha under Build-a-Bear, Cards, Valentine's Day
[11] Comments

January has been just a crazy busy month and I have gotten away from doing the weekly challenges that I enjoy so much. So I decided to jump back in with a splash and do not one, not two, but three challenges at the same time! I am combining Cindy’s Friday Funday Challenge (the theme is Friendship) with the sketch challenge from Stamping 411 and the color challenge from ColorQ.

I decided to make a sweet boy valentine with the Build-a-Bear stamp set. Did you know there is a special going on with all of Stampin’ Up’s Build-a-Bear products right now? For every $20 spent on products from the Build-A-Bear Workshop Collection, you will receive a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase at any Build-A-Bear Workshop store. This offer is valid through April 30, and the coupons are good through December 31, 2010. Now is a great time to purchase the Build-a-Bear stamp sets and dies!

Stamps: Bear Best Friends, Beary Best Times
Ink: StazOn Black, Stampin’ Write Markers (Real Red, Taken with Teal, Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel)
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Pad
Other: Real Red 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Soft Subtles Brads (Bashful Blue), Stampin’ Dimensionals

It’s hard to tell from the picture, but his little Valentine is stamped on Bashful Blue cardrstock, cut out, and popped up on a Dimensional. I think it turned out cute! Perfect for my 5-year-old nephew!

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Fri 29 Jan 2010

Three Years Ago Today

Posted by Yapha under Specials
1 Comment

Three years ago today I became a Stampin’ Up demonstrator! I can’t believe that it has only been three years, it is such a big part of my life! I can’t imagine not knowing all of the fabulous friends that I have made through it, or not having the joy in my life that I feel when I watch people create their own cards for the first time. Not to mention the great stress reliever and mental health break that creating something with my hands gives me. Sometimes you just need to color!

I signed up during Sale-a-Bration three years ago because it was an amazing deal, and since it is once again Sale-a-Bration, you can also get an amazing deal! Both starter kit options are 15% off PLUS you can pick any additional stamp set out of the catalog (up to $47.95) FOR FREE! This really is too good a deal to pass up. Before I go into details about these fabulous deals, I’d like to share with you some of the reasons I love being a Stampin’ Up demonstrator!

  • I get to purchase all of Stampin’ Up’s fabulous products at 20% off (and sometimes more!)
  • I can earn the money I need to support my stamping habit, and not take money out of the family budget.
  • I have a really fun way to earn more money for both extras and necessities.
  • I have numerous opportunities to earn free stamps from Stampin’ Up. (A free alphabet just arrived today!)
  • I get to see new products first, and have a chance to buy them earlier than the general public. Sometimes they are only available to demonstrators!
  • I have made amazing friends through Stampin’ Up — both other demonstrators and people I’ve met through workshops and classes. It was a huge support system for me when moving across the country!
  • I have the “me” time that everyone needs so desperately.
  • It’s my business, and I can work it as much or as little as I want.

Do any of these resonant with you? Or do you just want a really good deal on some great products? Here are the two Starter Kit options:

Regular Starter Kit

Regular Price: $199 (over $335 value!) – now only $169!
The standard Starter Kit include:

  • Five stamp sets
  • A Stampin’ Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge
  • Stampin’ Pastels
  • Card stock
  • Eastern Blooms Décor Elements and applicator tool
  • Five Classic Stampin’ Pads
  • VersaMark Pad
  • Stampin’ Scrub and Mist
  • Blender pens
  • SNAIL
  • Business forms and tools

Digital+ Starter Kit

Stampin’ Up has introduced a Digital+ Starter Kit. That’s right, you can sign up to be a demonstrator with an exclusive Starter Kit that includes My Digital Studio, in addition to stamps, inks, and accessories.
Digital+ Starter Kit Price: Regularly $185 (over $295 value!) – now only $157!

Digital+ Starter Kit Contents:

  • My Digital Studio software suite
  • Two stamp sets (Party Hearty, Petal Pizzazz)
  • Whisper White card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″)
  • Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″)
  • Four Classic Stampin’ Pads (Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise)
  • Four Stampin’ Write markers (Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red)
  • Chocolate Chip 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon
  • Real Red 1″ double-stitched grosgrain ribbon
  • Button Latte Designer buttons
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Mini Glue Dots
  • SNAIL Adhesive
  • Business supplies (product catalogs, order forms, training DVD and other supplies)

The stamps, ink, and paper in both of these kits can be customized to your liking with items of equal value. For more information on becoming a demonstrator, please visit my website.

Signing up has never been easier! You can do it right through my website.  You’ll need to use my special password, which is SUwithYapha. Please let me know if you have any questions. I am so happy that I made this decision!

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Thu 28 Jan 2010

Embosslit Valentine

Posted by Yapha under Cards, Valentine's Day
1 Comment

I saw this valentine made by Joan and I knew immediately that I had to make one of my own. It is spectacularly gorgeous! I am making it with my faculty card-making class after school today, and I can’t wait! It looks hard, but between the Big Shot and the punches, it comes together very easily.

Stamps: Well Scripted
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper
Other: Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Full Heart Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Big Shot

Isn’t it gorgeous? There is glitter embedded in the paper! I love it!

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