July Card Kit of the Month

I am pleased to present July's card kit of the month:



Each month I offer a new card kit for your purchase. This kit will include all the consumable supplies (card stock, ribbon, etc.) to make 12 copies of this card. As an added bonus, when you purchase this card kit, you'll receive detailed instructions for not only this card, but 3 other card designs you can create using the supplies in your kit!

With the purchase of this card kit, you'll receive 15% off the following stamp sets:

A Beautiful Thing ($18.95 $16.10 with the purchase of this kit; pg. 62; 110797)

Celebrate Everything ($17.95 $15.25 with the purchase of this kit; pg. 142; 109525)

For more information about purchasing the July Card Kit, visit my Upcoming Events page. To join the card kit club, see my Clubs page.

Happy Stamping!
-Cari

Recipe Box

Today, one of my dear friends (and SU! customers), Camilla, is getting married. I really didn't think I could be boring and go to Target to buy what's actually on her registry (although that is what I wish more people had done for my wedding last summer... :-) ), so I set out a few days ago to find the perfect stamping project to make for her. I came across several posts on SUDSOL raving about these stationary boxes, originally designed by Jackie Topa (see her blog for the original Stationary Box). I really liked the idea of these boxes, but I wasn't sure that such a box would work best for a wedding gift.

So I started thinking about all of the cool gifts I got for my wedding, and remembered that one of my favorite gifts was a Recipe Box from my mom. She spent weeks making 6" x 6" scrapbook pages that had recipes on them. Instead of putting them in an album, she decorated this cute box and put them all inside (it looked much prettier when she gave it to me--it has been well-loved!).



I have also LOVED the recipe box pictured on page 105 of the SU! Spring/Summer 2008 Collection ever since I first saw the new catalog. Then it hit me! I decided I would alter Jackie's original idea and make a Recipe Box inspired by both the gift from my mom and the SU! catalog recipe box! Perfect!

Here is a picture of the box:



Then once you open it, it unfolds:



Jackie's Stationary Box had a pad of paper, a pen and an envelope for stamps on the inside cover. I didn't think any of those necessarily went with a Recipe Box, so I decided to put a nice chart of common kitchen conversions. I'm always wishing I had one of these in my kitchen to glance at instead of having to go to the internet to look it up every time!



The little flower borders I stamped in Old Olive ink, then colored in a few of the flowers with a Versa-marker. It really added a nice touch.

I included a few of my husband and my favorite recipes. I printed them out on River Rock card stock and mounted on Old Olive. I then placed each recipe inside one of Stampin' Up!'s clear envelopes to protect them. I get really messy when I cook, so I figured a little extra protection wouldn't hurt :-)



I then made dividers from the white cardboard that comes at the back of each pack of Designer Series paper. They're the perfect weight to make a nice divider. I really liked the tabs SU! used in their Recipe Box, but since I didn't have the "From the Kitchen of" set, I kinda copied the general idea of the stamps and printed them from the computer on Old Olive card stock. I punched them out with a 1-1/4" circle punch and mounted on 1-3/8" circles of River Rock card stock. I then mounted these circles on the middles of some old On Board chipboard flowers I had lying around.







I had a blast making this box! If you want the pattern for the box, visit Jackie Topa's blog. I altered it a little to fit what I needed, so if you need help with that let me know!

Stamp Set: Embrace Life
Colors: River Rock, Old Olive, Whisper White

Happy Stamping!
-Cari

Calendar of Events

I have been searching and searching and SEARCHING for a calendar to post on my blog of all my upcoming events. The only ones I could find would not let me post to future dates, etc. Today, I finally found a way to post a calendar of events for you to see.

If you scroll down on the right-hand side of the page, there is a picture of my calendar. You can click there and it will take you to my "Upcoming Events" page. Otherwise, you can always just click on the "Upcoming Events" tab at the top of the page.

I was just really proud of myself for figuring this out and wanted to make sure that you all knew about my new calendar! Thanks for looking!

Happy Stamping!
-Cari

Creative Combos

Yay! I found a new fun color combo today! I realized recently that I am really bad about using the same old color combos every time I go to make something. For example, I was on a Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Real Red kick for a LONG time. I was happy with the new color combo I tried yesterday, so I decided I'd search out a new color combo for today. I went to my mom's upline's (Annette Bogue's) blog and found this crazy color combo that I would have NEVER tried on my own. I love it!!



Whisper White (I never make white cards!), Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal (another color that I almost never use), Purely Pomegranate, and Green Galore. I also tilted the mat! That's right! I titled it! I'm really stepping out of the box today! The front of the card is cut about 1-1/2" short, so the scalloped edge is the edge of the front of the card (the card opens from the scallop edge--if that makes sense). Anyway, I really love this card, and I'm planning to send it to my little sister who is in Florida for the summer. I'm sure she'll like it too :-)

Happy Stamping!
-Cari

A Summer Thank-You

I came across this fun color combo in Stampin' Up!'s monthly business publication, Stampin' Success. This publication comes automatically (and exclusively) to all Stampin' Up! demonstrators--just another one of the many perks that come with being a demonstrator with Stampin' Up!



Colors: Cameo Coral, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal
Stamp Sets: Holiday Blitz (retiring 8/10/08), Polka Dots & Paisley (retiring 8/10/08)
Accessories: 1" circle punch, 1/4" Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig



I used Stampin' Dimensionals to accent the "thank you" circle. This card was very simple and fun to make. Sit down and try it today!

Happy Stamping!
-Cari

More Simply Scrappin' Kit Leftovers

Well, I had a few more minutes today to whip out a couple more cards from my leftovers from last weekend's mini-crop with my mom.

This card I made from the leftovers from the Summer Days Simply Scrappin' Kit. My "You & Me" page from my previous post was the scrapbook page I made with this kit. This card actually opens vertically from the center. The part that is covered in the striped designer series paper unfolds up, and the bottom part where "Thanks" is stamped unfolds down.



This card I made from the leftovers from the Almost Home Simply Scrappin' Kit. My "Ancient Mayan Ruins" page was also from this kit.



Happy Stamping!
-Cari

Simply Scrappin' Kit Leftovers

On Tuesday, I posted about Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scrappin' Kits. Not only do these make AMAZING scrapbook pages (see my post from Tuesday), but the leftovers make fast and easy cards. No need to waste all that coordinating paper and stickers!

I was a little short on time today, so I only got to make 2 cards. This one I made from leftovers from the "Tie the Knot" Simply Scrappin' Kit. I used this kit to make most of my wedding album. I realize that I haven't posted pictures of my wedding album yet. Maybe I'll get those up sometime...



This card I made from leftovers from the "Creative License" (Level 1 hostess gift from the Fall/Winter 2007 Collection) Simply Scrappin' Kit:



Happy Stamping!
-Cari

Where Do Retired Stamp Sets Go?

It's here--The Spring/Summer 2008 Collection retiring stamp set list! At the end of each catalog season (June and December), Stampin' Up! retires some stamp sets from the current catalog to make room for new stamp sets. It is a very exciting time of the year as you have one last chance to buy the retiring stamp sets, and you get to look forward to the unveiling of many new stamp sets!

Click here to download the retired list in numerical order (by catalog page number).
Click here to download the retired list in alphabetical order.

I'm willing to bet that there are at least a few of these retiring stamp sets that you just can't do without! Take a minute today to sit down and make sure you have all of these sets that you want. After August 10, you won't have another chance to get these sets!

Happy Stamping!
-Cari

Scrapbooking Weekend

As you all know, I spent this past weekend at home scrapbooking with my mom. We had such a good time! We didn't get much done (surprise, surprise...), but we had tons of fun talking, eating, & scrapbooking...who could ask for anything more!?

For those of you who receive my monthly Stampin' Up! newsletter, I included an article this month about scrapbooking and Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scrappin' kits. **If you don't receive my monthly newsletter, click on "contact me" above and let me know! I'd be happy to put you on the mailing list**

I realized that I've never shared with you all my scrapbooking creations. I actually started out as a scrapbooker, but I'm not very good at it. Then I found Stampin' Up! and their Simply Scrappin' Kits, and now I LOVE IT! Here are a few pages I've done using current Stampin' Up! Simply Scrappin' Kits:

This page was created using the Home Again Simply Scrappin' Kit:







This page was created using the Summer Days Simply Scrappin' Kit:







This page was created using the Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit (retired--from the Fall-Winter Collection 2007).







These kits are an amazing deal as I could make about two 12" x 12" double-page layouts, plus have plenty of leftovers to make some cards. I didn't get any cards made from my leftovers in these kits yet, but I'll work on those and post them as soon as I have them done.

Let me know if you're interested in purchasing a Simply Scrappin' kit to try. They are so easy to use, and (if you're like me) you'll love how everything coordinates! Try one today!

Happy Stamping!
-Cari

Get Inspired!

I am so excited because I get to spend this weekend with my mom in Topeka just scrapbooking together. It's been a while since I just got to spend some quality time with her, so I'm really looking forward to the weekend! With that being said, I will not post again until Monday...so here is your challenge for the weekend:

Find a card shown somewhere on my blog (either here, on the creative inspiration page, or on the gallery page) and either copy it directly, or "be inspired" to create something new. Even if you keep the same layout and stamps but change the colors--that's being inspired!

Once you've created your card (or 3-D project...or scrapbook page...or home decor...or...) take a picture and email it to me! I'd love to see what you come up with!

In case you're a little intimidated, use this simple design for your card:



Of course mine is pink (I haven't done pink in a while) and sparkly (who can make a pink card without sparkles!?).



Hope you have a great weekend! Happy Stamping!
-Cari

Monochromatic

Here is a simple refreshing card inspired (once again) by Dannie Graves.



I used Old Olive and River Rock along with the Beautiful Thing stamp set. The card itself is 5-1/4" x 5-1/4", and each square is 2" x 2". The floral background is from the Bali Breeze Designer Series Paper.



One of the things I love most about River Rock card stock is its "chameleon-like" abilities :-) When I put it with a blue, like Blue Bayou, it looks very sand-colored, but when I pair it with a green, like Old Olive, it looks green. I love that it almost never looks the same on two different projects. I'll be sad to see it go in August...but I feel quite confident that Stampin' Up!'s new In-Colors will be even better!

Happy Stamping!
-Cari

Pinwheel Tutorial

As promised, here is the tutorial for the pinwheels I used on my garland:



1. Cut a piece of double-sided Designer Series Paper into a square (I used 4" x 4"). Mark the center with the pencil.



2. Using the paper snips, cut about halfway from the corner to the center. Do this on each corner:





3. Place a Pop-Up Glue Dot over the center mark. Fold every other section over and stick the corner to the glue dot:



4. Finally, stamp your image and punch out. Layer the 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" circle punches on top of the scallop circle punch. Place a second Pop-Up Glue Dot on top of the folded-in corners and place the scallop circle image on top.





Option 2: Rhinestone Brad

For this option, instead of using pop-up glue dots and a stamped image in the center, we'll use a rhinestone brad.



1. Poke a hole in the center of the Designer Series Paper square with the paper-piercing tool. Cut all the corners the same as before (#2 above). Using the paper-piercing tool, punch a hole in every other section near the corner.



2. Starting with one corner, poke the brad through the hole, then move to the next corner and do the same.



3. Finally, poke the brad through middle hole and spread the prongs to hold it in place. Voila!




Happy Stamping!
-Cari

It's Summer!

...almost :) It's hot at least, and I was getting tired of the Spring Garland on my front door, so I thought I'd make something new!




This fun little garland only took me about 20 minutes from start to finish. Unfortunately, it's almost 11p now (because Ben & I are hooked on Lost and we had to finish the season 3 finale!), so I'll do my best to post a tutorial for these easy little pinwheels tomorrow!



Happy Stamping!
-Cari

Father's Day

I 100% CASE'd this card from Lesly on her amazing blog. It was the inspiration for the card I posted yesterday, Dream Big.

I absolutely LOVE the color combo for this card: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, and River Rock. I think they work really well for both the Boho themed stamp sets and, of course, dads :-) Even though there's a flower on this card, I think it turned out pretty "manly."

Don't forget that Sunday, June 15th is Father's Day!

Happy Stamping!
-Cari

Dream Big

In the Stars is a set that is available in the Occasions Mini catalog (now good until June 30th!). I love it because it offers something a little different than normal--stars. And of course the set pairs perfectly with the star punch! Like me, Stampin' Up! loves to color- and shape-coordinate everything! Many images in Stampin' Up! sets (especially those that are specifically a circle or a square) fit inside our circle or square punches so that it is easy for you to center your images and cut perfectly-sized and perfectly layered shapes. Could life get any better? I submit that it cannot! :)

I stamped the large star image from the In the Stars stamp set and then punched it out with the large star punch.



I specifically cut out the star so that you could still read the "Dream Big" words on the star. I love that saying and thought it fit well with the saying included in the stamp set, "May all your dreams come true."

Happy Stamping!
-Cari

More Dannie Graves Inspiration

Here's Dannie's original design posted on SUDSOL:



And my creation:



In case you'd like to get in on some of this amazing Dannie Graves inspiration, visit her blog at www.danniesdesigns.typepad.com

Happy Stamping!
-Cari

Chalkboard Technique

Here's another example of what you can do with the Stampin' Pastels:



Using the pastels on dark paper is called the Chalkboard Technique. Visit Beate Johns' tutorial for more information!