Nope not my last post! & some blog candy for you!

Written by Cristena on 11 May, 2013 · 3 Comments

I am sure that most of you have heard that I am no longer a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. I would like to make one thing very clear right now… it is not because I am mad at Stampin’ Up! and I am not going to say they suck or anything like that. I still love them very much.

I just didn’t feel that I had the room to grow with Stampin’ Up! the way that I had always dreamed of growing. I am with another company now called A Muse Studio and I have grown much faster with them then I had with Stampin’ Up! in the last 7 years. That is not to say that it is same for you in your area. This was a personal thing. Plus with the new company I can do what I have always wanted and that is get certified for being a copics instructor. I have always loved copics and wanted to learn more about them and use them more. But since Stampin’ Up! doesn’t sell them I didn’t see it as a good business choice. Well A Muse Studio does sell them, so WOOHOO guess what I have been playing with!

Stampin’ Up! was very wonderful to me and helped me personally in many ways. One was helping me with my agoraphobia and getting through that so that I could actually leave my house. Granted I still have a lot of issues with it, but not as bad as I used to be and I am so very very thankful to them for that. I always will be. I miss Stampin’ Up! but I miss more of the friends and groups and events … that is about all that I miss.

My business wasn’t going where I wanted it to go with Stampin’ Up! and since this is the new catalog coming out this next month I figured that this was a good time to change. Plus I lost a lot of inventory so if I am going to build things back up might as well do it with the new company :)

The new company A Muse Studio is actually local to me here in the Seattle, Washington area. It is a lot of fun having them so close by and I have already made small relationships with them and with others through them. I am having a great time so far.

I will contintue to post on this blog with retired stamp sets more than likely because I didn’t get rid of everything that I had that was Stampin’ Up!

I hope that you will come and see my new site A Muse for inspiration I even have some blog candy up there for you today!!!

So here is the deal on those of you who want this awesome Stamp set for some blog candy!!! It is called “Kindred Sprits” from A Muse Studio

You can see the deets on how to win one of these sets (I have 2 to give away!)
over at my new site. You will even have more than one chance to win this wonderful and very pretty stamp set!!!

I hope you will join me on my new adventure!

Inky Hugs

Cristena

More late on Easter

Written by Cristena on 21 April, 2013 · 2 Comments

So ever since my kids saw the movie “Rise of the Guardians” they think the easter bunny just colors and hides the eggs. So I was able to make their easter baskets right in front of them without sneaking around this year. It was AWESOME! Stephen actually picked everything out for his basket that he wanted.

Both of their baskets are made completely 100% from Stampin’ Up! product … well except for the thread, heat bond, and hot glue gun :) But the fabric, ribbon (retired) and buttons are all from Stampin’ Up! even the glitter on Meadow’s flower.

I have to say that they loved them! It was even Stephens suggestion to cover a corner that didn’t get sewn all the way with a bow and hot glue gun. He said his basket had a tail like the easter bunny now :) Meadow loved hers… she had to show it to everyone that came over and a few people even wanted to take it home with them. Everything was done with my scallop tote tutorial just on a larger scale. I measured everything out to be 8 x 8 for each square. The ribbon is all hot glued on – there was no way you were going to get me to sew that on! haha!

I hope you enjoy the pictures :) you can also see them in the idea gallery

Inky hugs,

Cristena

Little late on Easter…

Written by Cristena on 20 April, 2013 · 1 Comment

yeah I know these photos are a little late… however they are still great if you just change out the stamp sets :) You can use these great little boxes that i learned how to make from Becky Roberts. I made the ones with flowers for my mother in law and sister in law. Along with the matching card…. which it looks as if I forgot to take a photo of, so I will have to make another one and take a picture for you all. :)

the bunny rabbit ones were made for Stephen’s classmates for Easter. We had fun making them with a lotta help from my friend Rhiannon. She did all the coloring (she is awesome at it!) and i did all the assembly work. We had more than enough of these done in one afternoon/evening… lol

These little cuties are made with the matchbox die from the big shot Then there is a little easel made that you glue on top of the box. When i find the directions again i will share them with you… or you can find them on Becki’s site as well. She has them on there for free.

I hope you like these lovely little boxes :)

Inky Hugs,

Cristena

Stephen’s birthday – Spongebob Stampin’ Up! Style

Written by Cristena on 11 April, 2013 · 2 Comments

So, if you read below in the whirlwind of life happening…. my son Stephen turned 7 years old. He is SO EXCITED! It is his first birthday party that is exciting because it’s just not family coming! He is in Kindergarten this year so he gets to have his “guy friends” and one of the girls he is sweet on come to his party. Stephen was even sweet enough to ask a couple of extra girls that his sister likes in his class so that she will have fun too. I thought that was the sweetest thing ever!

While these were not his invites (I will show you those later.. these are pretty cute so I had to show these first…haha) But these were his thank you cards. It was so funny because I WANTED to do these for his invites since he wanted to all Spongebob Square Pants stuff at his party… but NOOOOOO he had to use the Stamp set ” I Dig You” LOL

So to get the background for Spongebob to look “spongy” I used bubble wrap… yep just used the brayer and Daffodil Delight Classic Ink to ink up the bubble wrap… then pressed it on Daffodil Delight card stock. :) easy peasy!

His tie is : Real Red Card Stock , Word Window Punch

His pants : Soft Suede Card Stock, Basic Black Card Stock – to get the lines right I cheated and used some of those crazy scissors that have the 4 blades on them… hehe… same goes for the eye lashes :) no the black card stock is not woven through I used a two way glue pen to just glue them on.

His shirt: Whisper White Card Stock , and to get the collar for his shirt to work nice I just trimmed off 2 of the points from the large star punch we used to have.. sorry yeah retired :( but just basically a triangle

His mouth: that is freehand drawn… sorry and his teeth are just two pieces of whisper white card stock that I cut free hand too. But I did use our Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker to make the mouth black ;) does that count for something? haha!

His nose is the Word Window punch stuck on with a mini glue dot

His eyes: Whisper White Card Stock cut with the 1 1/4″ circle punch, Tempting Turquoise Card Stock cut with the 3/4″ circle punch, Basic Black Card Stock cut with the circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack… sorry can’t remember the size that is right now. Then a White Gel Pen for a little in the eyes to make them come to live. They look pretty plain if you don’t have that white part in the black. I used some Stampin Dimensionals to pop the eyes up.

I also added 3 Daffodil Delight punched out circles to his face for some more texture. I used the same circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack for that as well.

I hope that you like Stephen’s thank you cards. He was very proud of them…. This was also the day his sister broke her arm… geesh! What a DAY!

Kinda Sad….

Written by Cristena on 11 April, 2013 · Leave a Comment

But I don’t really use them that much anymore… well my crayons I do! I LOVE THEM!!! so I will be getting some of these as well. You can never have enough crayons. specially if your kids know how to use them… Love that too!

Due to unforeseen problems with our supplier for Watercolor Wonder Crayons and Watercolor Pencils, Stampin Up! has decided to discontinue these two products.

Watercolor Pencils ( item 101879) and Watercolor Wonder Crayons Brights collection (Item 119804) will no longer be available, effective immediately. sorry :(

Now for the Good News!!! We still have the remaining collections of the Watercolor Wonder Crayons available to order. The Subtles (item 119802), Neutrals (item 119805), and Regals (item 119803) Collections are only available while supplies last… while that is some what bad news… it is still good ;)

Get them before they are gone!!! (you know I will be .. hehe)

EXCITING NEWS! & Some Blog Candy!

Written by Cristena on 11 April, 2013 · 14 Comments

I know I have been missing in action for a while. Things have been very, very busy for a while. First there is my blog business…. that has been going very well! Thank you all! Then my daughter broke her arm.. My son had his 7th birthday … Easter… I have been having stomach issues again… and well life just kind of threw up on me.. :( did I miss anything??? I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU for all of you that stick with me through life. Funny how the saying is true… “I love my computer all my friends are in it!” haha! :)

But you know what is nice about being missing in action for a while???? I get to do BLOG CANDY!!! WOOOHOO!!! and I get to tell you about some exciting new news!!! POOL PARTY IS STAYING FOREVER!!!!!!! WOOHOOOOOOO!!!! we all know that is my FAVORITE COLOR IN THE WHOLE STAMPIN’ UP WORLD! Well it is staying for as long as they dont do a color refresh for a while :) It is being kept in the Soft Subtles family! I AM SO EXCITED! You know… that is the color of my office right???

Well here is some news… blog candy information is at the bottom… and I will give you a couple more posts today!

Stampin’ Up! is refreshing their color line for 2013-2014!

With one exception, the “new” colors are familiar – they are In Colors from years past. The exception is what promises to be a beautiful new shade of grey called Smoky Slate! This will be a great addition to the Neutral Collection.

Some remaining colors have changed color families!

So, beginning TODAY, all retiring/discontinued color products (i.e. ink, paper, ribbon, accessories, etc.) will be available only while supplies last. What is your favorite retiring color? I know I will be sad to say good-bye to More Mustard. So I am going to buy as much as I can!! That is like one of the perfect fall colors – but I know Crushed Curry will fit in nice too.

Which RETURNING color are YOU most excited about?

Leave me a comment and you just might win that ink pad when it is available for purchase for FREE!

Aviary ~ Sweet Stop SSS198

Written by Cristena on 21 February, 2013 · 4 Comments

20130217_203110 I have not used this stamp set in a while and thought that it was perfect for the challenge for The Sweet Stop SSS198 even though I think I flipped this sketch every which way but loose…haha!

I really wanted to use this ribbon even though it is retired it is my fave ribbon no matter the color. I hope Stampin’ Up! brings it back one way or another sometime in the future. But I had to flip the sketch to make the bow work for me.

It has been so nice to be able to sketches again for a while! I love The Sweet Stop sketches because they are always so inspiring!

I know you cant see it very well in the photo but I used the new Honeycomb Textured Impressions Folder for the Daffodil Delight card stock in the background. Of course I had to use the Curly Cute stamp set with my favorite Stampin’ Up! “Happy Birthday” sentiment stamp.

I hope that you like the card. I had a great time making it!

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UDI Challenge UDISC228

Written by Cristena on 20 February, 2013 · 2 Comments

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This was a fun card to make I am very happy to join in on the UDI challenge this week. I think this is my first time joining in. If its not it has been a while because I don’t remember at all…lol

I wanted to try out the new Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper to see if you could sponge it if it would come out like a resist.. and sure enough it did! and knowing me I am probably a little late on the take too…haha!

but this card made me think a little of my downline Kellie she is really into Steam Punk. But then it also made me think of a beauitful Chinese kimono that the women wear. I think they are so pretty. I guess the center of the Stampin’ Up! “I Am” Stamp set is what made me think of Kellie. I also

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used Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink to sponge the DSP. The cardstock is Basic Black , Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla. I colored the stamp using Cherry Cobbler and Basic Black Stampin’ Write Markers.

The Big Shot came in handy as well for the texture of the Basic Black flag under the stamped image. I used the Vintage Wallpaper Textured impressions folder. I also used the Label Collection Framelits for the stamped image.

Then last but not least I had to add a little bit of bling with some Basic Jewel Rhinestones.

I hope you enjoy the card and have a very blessed day!

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So Sweet

Written by Cristena on 19 February, 2013 · 4 Comments

A couple of weeks ago I had a birthday party for my husband. My sweet downline Kellie came in and handed me a card…. so of course I was getting ready to tell her Jake was in the kitchen .. yet it had MY name on the envelope… I am sure I had that puzzled look on my face because she said “its for you” haha! or at least I think that is what she said I was still in shock.

Kellie was so wonderful she gave me a card that was thanking her for encouraging her. Well today I had such a horrible day with people that I just wanted to crawl into a hole. Then I had a nice conversation with my friend Meg that said I was wonderful… she even sent me a picture that said “I am wonderful” “Meg says so!” that I was told to print out and hang up all over my house :) I love her for that! Then I saw Kellie’s card and that made me feel a little better as well. It is funny how you can have so many people that love and care about you, yet you find just a couple that say rude things or act shockingly inappropriate that bring you down and want you to just give up on what you are doing.

So thank you to the Megs, Kellies, and Jakes out there that make everything feel better.

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June Cleaver Watch Out!

Written by Cristena on 18 February, 2013 · 4 Comments

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I am loving this new Stampin’ Up! All Dressed Up stamp set and framelit set! However I keep looking at it and all I can seem to think about is June Cleaver from “Leave it to Beaver” remember that show? I loved that show! Taught me all about those Eddie Haskell of the world! lol

I also love this Polka Dot Parade DSP so I have a feeling I will be making a lot of these cards. Now the one thing you may not realize what it is, is I saved a TON of the Blush textured card stock. Which I am glad that I did now so i can use it for the necklines in these dresses. I amazingly enough didn’t use one stamp set for this whole card! It is nothing but the Big Shot and the framelit dies. I did use the Perfect Polka Dots textured impressions folder as well on the Whisper White card stock and used a TON of dimensionals. But I just love the way that it came out!

This is the card that we made this last weekend at my monthly card class and I believe this was the favorite card!

CristenaSiggy