Stamp, Stitch & Swizzle Stix

Let's Try This Again..

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and sometimes I find myself strapped for inexpensive but, charming gifts. This is a project that I used to do all the time when my now teenage babies were well, babies. Sometimes I would find a cute pair of printed pants on sale without the matching top, problem solved. Sometimes I wanted a personalized gift, flowers on a pillowcase or a cute baby onesie, problem solved. These projects were done by stamping on Iron On Transfer Paper and ironing it unto the fabric. We've always been able to stamp directly on fabric but, I haven't always like the result. I wanted something more vibrant with a sharper image. That's when I thought about the Iron On paper used for computer printers.

Here's what you'll need:

Stamps:  I {Heart} Hearts stamp set #117010 $26.95w, #118571 $18.95c

Ink:Calypso Coral Classic Ink #122939 $5.95, Real Red Classic Ink #103133 $5.95, Pretty in Pink Classic Ink #100459 $6.95, Poppy Parade Classic Ink #119782, $5.95, Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink #119669 $5.95 

Miscellaneous: Fabric Transfer paper for LIGHT fabrics. I used Avery brand for Ink Jet printers. Shop around, you can get it less expensive & fewer sheets at different stores.

White t-shirt or other mostly cotton fabric. It has to be able to take a high heat setting on your iron to make the transfer. I bought this Toddler Girl  5T t-shirt at Wal-mart for $3.88

Ironing board & Iron

Start by measuring the area where you want the transfer to be located and cut your transfer paper to this size. In this case I used a 3 1/2" x 5"

 

 

 

  

Stamp your layout on a piece of scratch paper first. This way you can get the design right. Where you want place objects and what colors look good next to each other.

Important Note: Words don't work because they'll transfer backwards!

 

 

 

 Once you've perfected your creation it's time to do it all again, BACKWARDS! You'll have to stamp it in the exact opposite layout so that when you flip it over to iron it on, it will come out the way you designed it. See the important note above.

I normally position the scratch sample right above the transfer paper and stamp it all in the opposite layout.

 

 

 

 

  

 

Cut your Iron-On paper as close to the image as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Position your image where you want it placed on the shirt.

Then hold your breath and try not to get distracted for the next step. This is where I'm "trying it again". If you're wondering what I'm talking about, you can read  laugh at me here.

  

 

Iron it on according to the package instructions. Don't follow my instructions because you'll likely burn it like me!

 

 

 

 

Peel the transfer paper off according to the package instructions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voila! You're done! So cute!

 Now, go make yourself a cocktail to celebrate your creativity.

P.S. This washes really well without a dryer. And no bleach of course. (thanks Donna!)

 

 

 

 

Designer Cut Cards

I love, LOVE the Designer Cut Cards from Stampin' Up! The detail is beautiful and the image is crisp and clean. This card was made straight out of the package but, you can also cut out the images and design your own cards or crafts. I'll have more samples coming up soon. 

Supplies:

Cardstock: Designer Cuts Cards & Envelopes Set #125414 $9.95/8, Rose Red cardstock #102544 $6.95, Very Vanilla cardstock #101650, $8.50

Ink: Rose Red Classic Ink #101778 $5.95

Stamps: Artistic Etchings #118517w $18.95, #120573c $14.95

Accessories: Scallop Oval Punch #119856 $16.95, Large Oval Punch #119855 $15.95, 1/2" Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon #121884 $6.95/10yds, Basic Rhinestones #119246 $4.95/150, Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz #125580 $4.95

On another note, I'm taking a class today from another instructor besides me. I'm so excited to complete the projecs and I can't wait to show you. I'm always happiest when I'm creating and designing. How 'bout you?

I Can Blog Again! Yipee!

I just hate it when I have so much to say and no one to listen to me. Hahaha! I'm hoping my Typepad issues are resolved now and you get to read my exciting happenings. It's going to be short and sweet today because I have some fun projects planned for you and I have to finish making them, photo editing and posting.

How about this? A snazzy pocket calendar cover. I made these for all my downline that went to the San Antonio Regional Event with me last week. I try to hand make something for all my ladies who go to training. I thought these were great if I may say so myself. 

 

These are super easy to make. You'll need to get the pocket calendars that have a plastic cover on them. They are usually 3 1/2" x 6". I found these at Target in the $1 bins. Slide the calendar out of the plastic cover and go to town decorating it. Just go ahead and use their same cover, adhere your paper over it. If you take off their cover, you have to then find a way to staple your cover to the whole book. My stapler isn't long enough, maybe yours is..

These are the calendars I'm talking about. (Yeah, I know the year is wrong on this calendar, it's the one I used for the sample photo. Not the one I gifted)

I got my cover idea from the Sale-A-Bration catalog that's out right now. Have you gotten yours? If not, let me know and I'll get one in the mail to you. Otherwise you can see one here.

 

 

 

This is the project I cased my cover from. They used it on a notepad. It would make a really pretty card too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This product suite is called Everyday Enchantment. The Designer Series Paper matches the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack which make for the perfect accents. Did you know you can get these products free with a $50 order?

 

Here's a supply list of other items you'll need

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies:

Cardstock: Everyday Enchantment #126154 $Free!, Very Vanilla #101650 $8.50, Poppy Parade cardstock #119793 $6.95

Stamps: Fresh Vintage Stamp Set #125115w, #125117c $Free!,

Ink: Lucky Limeade Marker, Pool Party Marker #123002 $14.95 (5 In Color Markers), Poppy Parade Marker, Peach Parfait Marker #119801 $14.95 (5 In Color Markers), VersaMark #102283 $7.50

Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack #127279 $Free!, Labels Collection Framelits Dies #125598 $26.95 (includes 6 different sizes of dies), Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Dies $114507 $21.95 (includes 4 sizes), Clear Embossing Powder #109130 $4.75, Heat Tool #100005 $29.95, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine #113439 $99.95, Dimensionals #104430 $3.95

 

It's Been That Kinda Day

I give up. Typepad just isn't going to let me post today with any photos. Check back tomorrow.

This Family Rocks, Sale-A-Bration Starts!

While waiting to check in for Regionals this past weekend, we met a man and his son who were registered and checking into Regional also! I asked them if they were demonstrators and they said "no" but they had planned on attending with their wife/mother. She happened to get sick and couldn't attend at the last minute but her sweet husband and son went to pick up their Make & Take packets to take home to her. They also stayed to take notes for her and lots of pictures. Hats off to these awesome guys!

Sale-A-Bration starts tomorrow and I can't wait. There are so many awesome products in the Sale-A-Bration catalog and I want all of them! Do you know what Sale-A-Bration is? For each $50 you order, you get to choose an item from the SAB catty. If you host a party and sales are over $150 you earn a free tote and if sales soar over $400, you get the tote, a package of Designer Series Paper and a Ribbon and Brad Pack. What if you've been thinking about joining (or rejoining) Stampin' Up!? We've got something special for you too! If you join during SAB, the starter kit price is reduced to $125 (Reg. $175) and you will get a FREE 12" x 12" Designer Paper Pack or Digital Download every month for the rest of the year! And you can switch your choices each month. One month the paper pack, the next month a digital download. How cool is that?! If you'd like to learn more, I'd love to chat with you. I need more people on my team!

For your stampin' pleasure...

Supplies:

Cardstock: Blushing Bride CS #119796, $6.95, Twitterpated Designer Series Paper #125406, $10.95, Very Vanilla CS #101650, $8.50, Designer Cuts Cards & Envelopes set #125414, $9.95

Ink:    Blushing Bride #119786, $5.95, Chocolate Chip #100908, $5.95

Stamps: Bordering on Romance #125480(w) $27.95, #125482(c) $21.95, Sincere Salutations #115068 $23.95

Accessories: Blushing Bride 3/*" Pleated Satin Ribbon #125570, $6.95, Basic Pearl Jewels #119247 #4.95, Extra Large Oval Punch #119859 $16.95

Sale-A-Bration Idea!

Purchase the Twitterpated designer paper, the Designer Cuts Cards, the clear Bordering on Romance Stamp Set, the Pleated Ribbon and the Pearl Jewels and you qualify for a free Sale-A-Bration product!

Visit my website here

 

Leadership & Regionals

What an awesome weekend I've had. Not just because I got a 5 day break from mommyhood or because I got to play with 1300+ stampin' friends but, because I realize how much I love Stampin' Up! My calling to create with stamps, ink, paper & now fabric has brought into my life friendships that I value most highly and a love that only good girlfriends can have. Even if I've only met someone once or twice, I feel real love and joy when I "hug their neck*"  and they hug me me back. More about this in a minute.

If you follow me on Pintrest you might have seen that I pinned this clever Iphone 4 cover a while back. When I saw it, I knew that I had to make one for my downline that were going to with me to Leadership. So I used our Twitterpated fabric and made a phone cover for them.

I found the clip thingy at Hobby Lobby and the crochet flowers are Stampin' Up!'s from a while back. The button is also from the Twitterpated suite. If you'd like instructions, visit my pintrest site (click on the link at the top of the blog post and click on her photo)> Her instructions are very clear and concise. I thought about re-writing her instructions but, why re-invent the wheel?

As I was talking about Stampin' Friends earlier, these are two friends that I've made over the years that always make me feel loved just by the "hug around my neck".

My friend, Lydia Fielder from Understand Blue. This girl can make me laugh out loud and spray soda out my nose when I'm alone in my house. I always wish I had one more day at convention, leadership or whatever to spend just with her. She always "hugs my neck" and screams when she sees me. Don't you wisth everyone screamed with delight when they saw you? It makes me feel special. I love her. You  should read her blog. She's funny, funny and very creative!

 

 

  

My other friend, Michelle Zindorf. She is like Stampin' Up! Royalty. I met her on my Alaskan Cruise that we earned through Stampin' Up! We were fishing buddies. Ever since then she's always been so genuinely happy to see me and makes a point to say "hi" to me. Her creativity is fantastic and she's well known, in the stampin' world. I can't believe she remembers who I am because she's so "famous". I love her for that!

 

 

 So much more to show you. I'll be posting a photo of our January club projects next. Come back tomorrow for more.

* "hug yer neck or hug around yer neck", that's a Southern phrase ;-)

Leadership-Day 3

Another great day at leadership. It's always so inspiring to hear other demonstrators share how they run their businesses, what works for them and what doesn't. Of all the companies I've worked for in the "real world", this company continues to fill me with enthusiasm because of their willingness to share, inspire, encourage and reward. I wish all companies had the same work ethic that Stampin' Up! does. The work place would be so much more enjoyable. Don't you agree?

After a long day, my friends and I had cocktails, ate dinner and went for a Ghost Tour of San Antonio. It was fun but, we're all exhausted now so this post will be short.  Tomorrow is Regional Training. We'll be doing more learning, stamping and swapping.

I promise to fill you in on more Leadership details tomorrow. Lot's of exciting news and promotions to share. In the meantime enjoy these photos.

These are work stations set up around the Gathering Place that give us the opportunity to try out new products. These are ladies trying out the new Diagonal Simply Scored. Someone from Stampin' Up! is always there to help and answer questions.

 

 

 

 

Another station set up to try the new Framelits and Edgelits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When demonstrations take place on the Main Stage, the projects are hung up in the Gathering Place to be seen up close. This is just one of the demonstration samples from Main Stage today.

Yeah, I know. The cards are kinda hard to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You gotta love a company who encourages you to work in "your" way. This is the 2012 Leadership theme, My Way. Chad Richards, our Chief Information Officer played with the theme by ending the conference "his way". He rode out on a Harley!

 

 

 

 

Rows and rows of sample cards. This is a new way that Stampin' Up! displayed card samples this year. These are all the cards that demonstrators brought to give to SU! as samples. I kinda like the style idea.

Leadership-Day 2

You know its going to be a good day when it starts with SWAG. Okay not exactly "starts", but it did come before lunch. Three times! The day started out with a presentation of our theme "My Way". Company leaders spoke to the fact that Stampin' Up! is a company that embraces individuality and uniqueness (is that a real word?). If you have a way that you like to tailor your business, and its within company guidelines, then you are entitled AND encouraged to run your business Your Way or "My Way". Then Shelley came out and welcomed us and gave away FREE STUFF. Yeah!  Here's a photo of all the SWAG we got this morning. Stamps, catalogs, rhinestones and pearls, Oh MY!!!

Some exciting announcments were made today. I know I'm not the first to report this so I feel comfortable blogging about it. Stampin' Up! has listened to its demonstrators about the frequency, size and timing of the mini catalogs vs. the big catalog. So, they have unveiled a new plan to change the size of the big catalog from approx 240 pages to 208 pages and to eliminate 1 of the mini catalogs so that we only have 2 mini's a year. The mini's will have a longer sales period and have more seasonal merchandise. The Summer Mini Catalog is the one being eliminated because the sales are slower for that publication because it overlaps with realease of the new big Catalog. The big catalog will end May 31st and the new catalog will debut on June 1. This is a month earlier than previous years.

We also want to be able to give away catalogs to more customers so the price of a case of catalogs will be decreasing substantially. Yeah! As a demonstrator, we can afford to GIVE a catalog to everyone at a party and anyone we meet. Yippee! 

Other exciting news? A new DIAGONAL Simply Scored! Wow! It's an overlay that will fit right over the Simply Scored but will have grooves that run on the diagonal instead of vertically. The overlay will exactly match up to the measurements printed on the Simply Scored so you don't have to guess where the 1", 1/4", etc ... Look, look, exciting stuff! The overlay will sale for $11.95 and is available March 1. Demonstrators can preorder 1 on February 20th.

Enough shop talk, here's some pictures of the gorgeous displays, happy hour and hanging out in our hotel room.

Beautiful quilt and pillow made with the Dresden Plate Big Shot Die 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manager's Reception SWAG

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hanging out in our hotel room.

Rhonda & Tricia

 

 

 

 

Dinner on the River Walk

Leadership, Day 1

Yeah! We're here and all checked into the hotel and the conference. Let's get the important stuff out of the way. Like, what do our Leadership bags look like, Cuteness PLUSSSSSS!!!! The small folder is an extra treat for us. It's the perfect foldervsize to stuff with notes, paper and business cards. I'm loving it and want to make one when I get home. I hope they provide a pattern or instructions for it. This fabric must also be a sneak peak of new fabric coming on-line. It's not one of our current designs but it is so fresh and bright that I can't wait to get my hands on it.

I didn't have time to complete the Make & Takes so I don't have pictures of those yet. I'll have them tomorrow maybe. My Second In Command Upline, Sharon Armstrong gave all her attending downline these great padded computer sleeves and a matching composition notebook. I also had gifts for my attending downline. You'll see that later.

Remember I showed you the Managers Reception invitation a few days back? Tonight we got to see the Chinese acrobat show and it was fantastic. Here's some pictures to enjoy. I'll post more tomorrow. Good night friends.

Contraband Baby Banner

I love all things Stampin' Up! but yes, I also have a wandering eye. For contraband craft items! Hempf! What where you thinking?

Any who, my darling husband was hosting a baby shower for one of his employees, Paul (and his wife),  and he asked me where he could order balloons in baby colors. After we discussed why he was doing this "job" and not his A.A. (long story) I offered to help him host this little pachanga (spanglish for party). Of course I couldn't just go to the party store and purchase baby shower decorations. Nooooo, I wanted it to be special since it's for my husband's employee, another man. After all, he was letting his "feminine" side show and I wanted to make sure he made us feminines look good.

I shot out the door to Hobby Lobby and found some beautiful fabric in a coral color (the baby room color, my DH got this info for me), found some contrasting color for the baby name and some embellishments for the pennants. Then using my super-duper Big Shot and the Pennant Die from last year's catalog I made the most adorable fabric banner.

The photo doesn't look so great because I forgot to take a photo with my camera so my husband took one for me with his cell phone.

I used my Cricut to cut out the letters for the baby's name, Eva Mae and attached them with our Big Shot Fabric Adhesive.

I attached various embellishments with E6000 glue (man! you can get high on that stuff!) and I used Crystal Effects to attach the pearls because it has a little tiny applicator tip that lets me make a thin line.

So sweet. I makes me wish I still had babies at home. This big flower was in the middle separating the first and middle name.

I should mention that I did purchase balloons for the shower but after working for several hours on this project late Sunday night and early Monday morning, my DH asked me, "Why can't you be like other wives and just buy something at the store?"   Ahem, he just doesn't get it.

I'm heading down to San Antonio early Wednesday morning to attend Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference and Regional Event. I'm really looking forward to it. Check back with me everyday and I'll keep you posted on announcements, photos and prizes.