Back to School Gifts

So... I made these about a month ago as a gift for the principal at my son's elementary school. My intention was for her to pass them out to the staff at the school. She was so happy with them that she saved them for a special event that was planned with the school staff. I stacked the m&m's so that the colors would mirror the apple that I had stamped on the tag.

All suplies are Stampin' Up!, except the m&m's.

Stamps: Apple Blossoms (retired hostess set)
Paper: Whisper White and Chocolate Chip Cardstock
Ink: Chocolate Chp, Real Red and Garden Green Markers
Ribbon: Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine and Real Red/White Polka Dot Ribbon (retired)
Other: 1x8 Cello Bags, Dimensionals, Circle Punch and Scallop Circle Punch

Have a great day!

-Christel

Club Projects from May

Here are the projects that my club members made in May. This card is a total CASE of Annette Stewart's card, here. I just fell in love with it and couldn't see any way to make it better, so I copied it! The box is inspired by a project that was shown in last years Idea Book & Catalog.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Box:
Box from craft store
Paper: Baja Breeze and Pear Pizzaz
Stamp Set: Notably Ornate
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Whisper White Baker's Twine, Sticky Sheets, 5/8" Satin Ribbon in Whisper White

Card:
Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper White and Paisley Petals DSP
Stamp Sets: Four Frames and Artistic Etchings
Ink: Early Espresso, Saraha Sand and Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Decorative Label Punch, Wallpaper Embossing Folder and Stampin' Dimensionals

Have a great day!

-Christel

Smarties for Ian's Teacher

I have seen the "Thanks for making me a Smartie" gifts for teachers for years and wanted to make one for Ian's teacher as an end of the year gift. It was a great year, and I can't imagine a better fit for Ian (or me) than Mrs. Logan. I'm trying to remember what this jar is from, maybe it was a jelly jar. I have my husband well trained at this point, if he sees an empty jar on the counter he asks me if I am planning on saving it.

I printed the sentiment on my printer, here are the rest of the details (all supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamps: Artistic Etchings
Paper: Love Letter DSP

Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Ribbon: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding and Linen Thread

Have a great day!

-Christel

Summer Stuff and Convention

The day school got out, we traveled back East to visit family and friends. We stayed in the Outer Banks, North Carolina for a week and Pennsylvania for just over a week. Here are a few photos from that trip:

Ella, Ian and Addison with their Aunt Kristy (above)

Nightly view from our three-level porch (above)

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (above)

The Phillies game with Josh, Ian, me and Josh's dad, Barry (above)


Next was Stampin' Up!'s annual convention in Salt Lake City, UT and it was a blast! Convention was super fun, but I have to say that what really made it for me was the group of ladies that were with me. Julie, Theresa, Heidi, Maria and Maureen were honestly the best travel buddies anyone could have. I laughed so much while we were together, it was like a workout (kind of). Here's a picture of our group... check out those awesome lanyards that Julie made for us with Stampin' Up!'s fabric
!



I am going to try to blog more often (yeah, I know... I've said that before). Wish me luck!

-Christel

Sneak Peek for Saturday's Class

Heidi and I are teaming up this Saturday (5/7/2011) for a class. The class cost is $15 for 6 cards with an option to add the 8x10 shadowbox frame for an additional $15. If you cannot make it the day of the class, we are offering a "kit" of the class for $25. We still have two spots available for Saturday, let me know right away if you would like to join us.

So, without further ado, here are the frames and the sneak peeks of the cards...

I hope you're having a great weekend!

-Christel

A gift for a friend

I have a good friend who is going through some health problems right now. She is so blessed with an amazing family and friends who have been helping take care of her and her family while she is being treated. Meals have been coming three times a week, and I wanted to make her some thank you cards in case she wanted to send something to someone. She loved the card that we made at our club meeting last month, so I did something very similar. I made a dozen cards with decorated envelopes for her, all twelve are a little different. I wanted to make a tag to put on the bag in place of a card from me to her. I LOVE the Fun Flowers Die, I can't wait to get it. My amazing friend let me use hers to make all of these flowers, thanks Heidi!

All supplies used are Stampin' Up!

Stamp Sets: Bliss (2011 SAB) and Thank You Kindly on the cards, Just Believe, Sanded Background and Thoughts and Prayers on the tag
Paper: Crumb Cake and Springtime Vintage DSP
Ink: Old Olive, Early Espresso, Chocolate Chip marker (usd with Spritzer Tool) and Crumb Cake (used with dauber on the "frame" of the card)
Accessories: Vintage Brads, Sponge Dauber, Spritzing Tool, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Basic Parls, Certainly Celery 1-1/4" Stripped Ribbon, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder and the Big Shot (of course)

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

-Christel

One more Valentine's Day project...

I made these m&m candy sticks for a crop that I was involved in at the end of January. I filled half of the bags with regular m&m's and the other half with peanut butter m&m's. My friend Heidi has a soft spot for the peanut butter m&m's. Until recently I had never even tried them.

I really love making these little bags, they always impress the recipient, yet they are so easy to put together. I am working on some for Easter to send to my kid's classes. I will post them as soon as I have them completed.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Cute by the Inch (current hostess set)
Ink: Early Espresso and Real Red (marker)
Paper: Whisper White and Red Glimmer Paper
Other: 1x8 bags from GT Bag, 1/16" circle hole punch, 1-1/4 square punch, scallop square extra-large punch and crochet thread

Have a great day.

Christel

Grab Bag Contents

I just wanted to share what I got in my $15 Grab Bag from Stampin' Up! today. I think it is a great deal and will make it very easy to throw together some cards quickly. Most of what I received in my Grab Bag was from the 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book and Catalog. Here's what I received:

1. It's about You Simply Sent Card Elements and More - I received the paper, envelopes and die cuts that came with this kit

2. Sending Happy Thoughts Simply Sent - I received the envelopes, paper, zig-zag twill tape and dazzling diamonds that came with this kit

3. No One Like You Simply Sent - I received the envelopes, paper and buttons that came with this kit

4. Thankful Thinking Simply Sent Card Elements - I received the full sheets of CS that came with this kit

5. Rock Star Simply Sent Card Elements - I received the ribbon that came with this kit (5 yards of each)

6. Flower Fusion Too Accents & Elements. I am super excited about this

7. A portion of the Black Gingham Ribbon, this was pre-cut but I haven't found the kit it came from

I am very happy with what I received for $15. Sorry that the picture is not great, it's super windy here today, so I couldn't take the photo outside.

Have a great day.

Christel

Grab a bag of Stampin' Up! products!

Beginning April 1, and continuing while supplies last, you will be able to purchase special "grab bags" from Stampin' Up! These grab bags come in three sizes: the $5, the $10 and the $15 grab bag. Each bag will contain a variety of discontinued products that could include a combination of the following: ribbons, Accents and Elements, chipboard, Designer Series Paper and Simply Sent Kit components. Grab bags will not contain stamp sets or tools. Please keep the following in mind:

• Grab bags can only be placed on demonstrator orders or in the Online Store.


• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in the grab bag special offer.


• There is no limit to the number of grab bags a customer may purchase; however, grab bag items are only available while supplies last.


• All grab bag sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.


• Not all grab bags will be unique.

The $5 grab bag will include at least $20 worth of discontinued product.

The $10 grab bag will include at least $40 worth of discontinued product.

The $15 grab bag will include at least $60 worth of discontinued product.

You can view the entire Clearance Rack ( including the grab bags) here. Please contact me to order.

Have a great day!

-Christel

My Valentine Banner

I know it's April, but I haven't blogged in so long I need to catch up on posting some projects. As the title suggests, this is a banner that I created for Valentine's Day this year. This was also the project that my club members did in January. My club members were very happy with the way it turned out. I really love ALL of the paper in the Love Letters DSP (Designer Series Paper) pack. I am definitely going to stock up on that one before it retires in June. I hope you are enjoying some of my "oldies".

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Paper: Love Letter DSP, First Edition DSP and Red Glimmer Paper

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Chipboard Sheets, Dazzling Diamonds, Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Basic Black 1/8 Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Basic Rhinestones and Sending Love Epoxy Brads (retired)

Tools: Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die, Serif Essentials Alpha Die, Crystal Effects, Mini Glue Dots, Heart to Heart Punch, Cropadile and MS score board

Have a great day!

Christel

Valentine Gift

Here is the gift that I made for my husband for Valentine's Day this year. We had some family photos taken between Christmas and New Year's and there were a few shots of Josh and I that were really good. Those of you who have (younger) children will understand when I say that I don't remember the last time I had a great picture of just my husband and I. We have three kids, have been married for 13 years and I am still amazed at how blessed I am to have him as my partner and best friend. Mushy enough for you? So, now for the details...

Love Letter DSP

Basic Pearls

Basic Black Cardstock

8x8 shadow box frame

wool felt

Have a great day!

Christel

I'm posting, can you believe it?

I know, you thought I fell off the face of the earth. Well, I was just busy and blogging is not my #1 priority. I am going to try to do better, not sure exactly how often that will be. I am posting a card that my "club girls" made a week and a half ago. The flower is made out of fabric that I "starched" with a mixture of water and Crystal Effects. What can't you do with Crystal Effects? We also made a pin cushion jar out of a canning jar. Everyone loved both of the projects.

All supplies used are Stampin' Up!

Stamp Sets: Bliss (current SAB) and Thank You Kindly Paper: Crumb Cake Ink: Kiwi Kiss (retired), Not Quite Navy Chocolate Chip marker (usd with Spritzer Tool) and Crumb Cake (used with dauber on the "frame" of the card) Accessories: Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric, Springtime Vintage Big Designer Buttons (Pear Pizzazz), Framed Tulips Embossing Folder and the Big Shot (of course) Thanks for looking and have a great day!

-Christel