My Digital Studio.....

Oh me oh my! What fun am I having! I just barely got this new digital papercrafting program from Stampin' Up! (available to customers October 1st) and without any training I have already made up several digital scrapbook layouts. The first one I did in a 12X12 format... and is a quick layout using only a couple elements including DSP, a couple 'stamps' and some journalling. It was quick and easy and if I could get my ancient wide format printer to 'talk' to MDS, I would be even be happier. Still working on that. It's so easy to take an element and adjust it to the size, color, shape that will work for your own layout. this one is pretty basic but definately gets the point across.

The next layout I worked on is in the 5X5 format. In MDS, there are several sizes you can work with, and a variety of options on how to fill them from a blank, to a 'sketch' to already made pages where you just have to fill in the photos. The thing I like about the 5X5 size, is that I can print them on my regular home printer and then mat them up to 6X6 to fit in my Stampin' Up! albums.

The twins started Kindergarten this year and their teacher suggested they bring photos of favorite things etc instead of their toys and other things that could get lost. So of course being a paper crafter I had to take that one or two steps more and I made up 5X5 digital layouts. We spent the weekend camping and so I made a double layout that I can add to our scrapbook in a year album and each boy is going to take one side of the layout. Lots of pictures, some journalling. Everything I want in a layout... mounted up to 6X6 and in a page protector for them to take for show and tell. All about time management eh... Got this weekends layout accomplished and boys get something for show and tell. :) And using MDS, I made it in less than half an hour! Once I get more knowledge about the program I'm sure I will be even faster too. What a quick and easy way to get scrapbooking again!


I'm really getting excited about this program and I've barely even scratched the surface of what it can do. Calenders, greeting cards, and even electronic albums are just some of the other options. As a demo I will be taking an online course on the My Digital Studio so that I can help others have as much fun as I am.

My convention experience is coming to an end...

and What an experience it has been! I have met so many awesome people! Finally got to connect in real life with my SA Sistahs who I love and adore! Took some awesome classes with incredible speakers and even learned a bunch too. Took what seems like 1000 pictures of the fantabulous displays too! AND I won a prize! All my customers won't know what it is yet because its in the new mini... but I can't wait to show you! for my downline, I won a gift pack that included a signed copy handmade by one of the Gardener family of one of the new lockets and the Charming stamp set. So very cool! Love it!

So much new going on... the new My Digital Studio is coming! We should have an actual release date in a couple weeks, SU! has teamed up with Build a Bear with an entire collection of stamp sets, die cuts and as a Convention goer, I was able to purchase a SU! Build a Bear complete with a special stamp, a In Color Bow and his foot even says Stampin' Up! How cool is that!

Between the dancing at General Session, the running around taking pictures of displays, running to classes, hanging out with my Stampin' Addicts Sistahs and other members of the website (AND it was Great meeting so many of you at the Meet and Greet Friday night)and all the great swaps I received, Convention was both exciting and exhausting. It's 11:30pm right now and I am right toasted. It's been an incredible week and I am so glad I came down. And I can't wait for Convention 2010!!!!!! Going to be held in Salt Lake City August 4-7!

Oh and just a reminder... you too can come to Convention and experience Stampin' Up! to its fullest just by signing up to be a demo yourself. It's a great time to do that as we have a recruiting promotion going on to the end of August. For only $105... you have the opportunity to become a demo and receive the new in colors in innk and paper, a new set and the business supplies. OR for the full regular price of $269... you receive the regular kit PLUS the new in colors in ink and paper. Great time to join us! Lots of other benefits and perks so contact me to get even more info!

Well, I'm on the road again tomorrow morning so I best be getting some shut eye... hard to do with all the excitement running around in my head. I will be home Monday early evening all going well and I'll post the swaps that I made later in the week.

Deal of the Week for July 6-12th

Promotions Galore!

And one of the best is the recruiting promotion!



Contact me for more information about this great opportunity to join my team.

For my Queen of the Frozen North....

And all the others wondering why I haven't been posting on my blog. A combination of starting a new job, spring/summer, and a total lack of mojo has produced, well nothing. Nothing that I can post here... I am getting Mojo back, however its all for swaps that I will be doing at Stampin' Up Convention in just over 4 weeks! Woo hoo!!!!!!!! I can not wait to meet all my SU Sistahs and all the others from stampinaddicts.com! If you are going to Convention, and haven't signed up for the SA Meet and Greet Friday night, then check out the thread at stampinaddicts.com and join us. Going to be a great time!

So, I will start back with posting soon. Final meeting for clubs this upcoming Monday and I will get that project up too. And then I have new clubs starting September and running for 5 months only. We even miss December so if you are thinking about joining us for a once a month stamping evening and purchasing commitment, give me a shout. Space for 2 more only.

Thanks Brandi for reminding me that I do have a blog :)

Parade of Papers!

A bunch of talented Stampin' Up! Demonstrators on a relatively new stamping website http://www.stampinaddicts.com/ have got together and are exploring the Designer Series Papers that Stampin' Up! offers. Each one has picked a different paper and has created 3-5 different projects including scrapbook layouts, cards, 3d projects. It started last night at midnight and will run through Sunday. I'm only on the 4th blog and am just stunned at the talent and creativeness these demonstrators are displaying. Here is a link to the 4th blog http://burninrubber-anotherstampblog.blogspot.com/. She's using the DSP Sweet Slumber.

Come check us out!

May is Scrapbooking Month

And to celebrate, Stampin' Up! is helping us out with several promotions

1. Buy three packs of Designer Series paper (including our Specialty Designer Series paper) or 12" x 12" textured card stock, and get one FREE!
2. Buy a sneak peek stamp set from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog--Jumble Alphabet (set of 52; double-mounted)--at a 20 percent discount.
3) You can become a demonstrator for just $99 by purchasing the Scrapbooking Demonstrator Kit! This offer is for a limited time only, so if you've been thinking about becoming a demonstrator to supplement your income and/or take advantage of a great discount, now's the time to sign up. Feel free to contact me for more information or you can also check out my Demonstrator Site and get more info at http://kristablackmore.stampinup.net

I'm a Stampin' Up! grandma!

About a month ago, I was contacted through my Demonstrator Business Website by Alyson who was looking for information on signing up to become a Demo. The end all of that conversation was she did join up during SAB and her Starter kit which was already a great deal, was 15% off and she got an additional set for free!

SAB is now over but another Recruiting promo is still on which is the ability to split your Starter Kit payment into 3 payments. This is on until the end of April so if you are being held back by the financial start up costs, please contact me so I can give you more information.

So how does that make me a SU! Grandma? Well, Alyson held her first workshop last week and one lady who attended decided to sign up to get the 20% instant income/discount that all demos receive. Particularly since on your first order over $200, you receive an additional 10% instant income/discount!

One of the great things about SU! is the ability to be as active or business minded as you like. As long as you make your quarterly minimums to stay active, SU! doesn't care if you only buy for yourself for the discount or you try to find customers and hostesses and try to actually make money.

As your upline, I will spend several hours with you over the course of the first several weeks, one on one with training and advice. Both through email, phone and in person. Once you are set up and have the basics down, I am always available to help answer questions or figure something out and as well I will have bi-monthly downline meetings where we will learn, educate, share and get our fingers inky. The next meeting is to be May 12th at 9:30am.

If you have any questions about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demo, please contact me by phone or email. It's a great way to either get a discount on your own paper craft purchases or to earn some money.

Day 3 and the reveal!

I was spoiled by my secret sister Brandi! Thank-you so very much Brandi!!!!!!! LOVE everything! And holy cow you spoiled me big time and got me things I probably never would of bought but can't wait to try! Todays present was a very cool card with a reflection technique (which one did you do?) and how did you do the color wash? ) With a very nice long note which I appreciate from the bottom of my heart.

She also made a darling chipboard coaster calender tied together with a ring that is vanilla colored (did it come that way or did you paint it?) Of course all the months are in French which is oh so cool! I really need to practice up on my French skills before August And finally a nifty box filled with 4 cards. Love that background stamp... what one is it? and the boots keep calling my name too! Love what you do with them. The envies are Open end envies are they? WE must only carry them in white now... oh so cute!!!! Love how the lid drops down on the box.

Sure do appreciate our friendship and can't wait to give you a huge hug in August!

Secret Sister Day 2!

And I was even more spoiled!!!!!!!!!!!


Day two I opened up to find a darling little wood box... images stamped on the side.. purdy DSP on top with die cuts on top with jumbo eyelets and jumbo brads inside. I totally have to get those jumbo brads! They rock! ribbon wrapped around with the super jumbo brad on the latch. Totally cool! And would of been so awesome on its own, but when I opened the box.. there was a FULL SET of Chunky Essentials Glitter which I've NEVER had or used! Holy cowsers! I'm going to have to learn how to use glitter!!!!!!!! ITs' so amazing! Even the containers are decorated of course! It totally rocks!!!!!!

Secret Sister Swap Time!

One of the reasons I've been so quiet on the blog lately is I'm been working like crazy on a variety of projects that I haven't been able to post yet. One included a Secret Sister swap which is for 3 days of projects/gifts to be opened three consecutive days before Easter. So today is day one :) Here is a collage of all the gifts in the very cool tin that they all came packaged in... and all the gifts! Wow! look at them all! And this morning I allowed my twins to open up day 1 goodies for me since there was 2 of them. The first package had a very nummy treat of Guylian chocolate easter eggs in a little cello bag topped with the exclusive Stampin' Up! Top Note diecut. oh can't wait to break into those! The second gift is even cooler! It's a credit card sized hinged tin with a mini accordian scrapbook attached to that little ribbon pull tab. It's all ready to go with pictures of the twins! Just have to print them out now :) It's decorated with one of the new brads (have to get them now!) and I think they are the new felt flowers too.. talk about enabling with a gift! I actually have some of these tins too and hadn't got to making something up for them so its very exciting!
Stay tuned for day 2!

March's Technique projects

These are the projects that the clubs this month got to learn and produce.


The 3D project this month I found 2 sizes of binder clips at Staples and we decorated them up into a chipboard notepad and a photo holder/placecard holder using the DSP (designer series paper) Good Morning Sunshine (page 160 of the S&S IBC)

The technique focus was faux metal and heat embossing which we produced both on the one card. We also used the largest flower from the Pretties Kit (page 175 of the S&S IBC) and the new Texturz plates from Stampin' Up! which are exclusive to Stampin' Up! and only available through your demo or shopping online through your demo's website for preferred pricing.

If you would like to learn projects and techniques like this, feel free to contact me by email or phone for more information on clubs and classes.

Soccer Family!

The twins have signed up for soccer that starts in a week. Supposed to be done outdoors but as we still have a fair amount of snow, particularly for this time of the year, the fields are closed and we are playing indoor.

I made this card for their soccer coach who we already know. I started by laying post-it notes along the bottom with a torn edge and sponging on grass and then reversing the mask for the sky. Then I sponged over the grass 'snow' using whisper white craft ink. And then using stazon and markers, put together two young men in matching clothes with a soccer ball from the sets All in the Family and AitF accessories. Too cute! The blurb is stamped with the Calender alpha set and punched out with the large oval and wide oval... kind of makes a soccer ball shape and color.. if you use your imagination. the background was done with the soccer ball and basic black just stamping all over.

New Home for SU demos and customers

I am extremely fortunate to be a part of a group of Stampin' Up! demos from all over North America who not only love to create but love to chat. One of our group formed a new home for us to hang out on, post our creations, educate and share with each other. The natural progression of that has gone on to form Stampin' Addicts! Great group, incredible talent! So come check out the gallery as we build it, the forums for stamping chat, challenges and a host of other excitement all based on Stampin' Up! products!

Come join me at http://www.stampinaddicts.com/

And yet another card...

I'm on a roll... making really what I think are cool cards... but with embellishments that I don't have enough to use for technique club. Also using a lot of black and white currently. oh well.. great samples for my chalkboard! This uses the Texturz Plates too from Stampin' Up! and from the Hodge Podge Hardware in the Styled Silver and the matching punch. Love how everything matches and goes together so nicely :) The stamp sets are the SAB Polka Dot Punches and Friends 24-7 from the new Spring and Summer catty. Using it as a anniversary card here with the saying inside of "Here for You"


There is also this one too... using one of the large flowers from the Pretties Kit, faux metal embossing, matching brads, the texturz plates, circle punches and the lovely taffeta ribbon! The color is actually quite off in this... the blue is the Not Quite Navy from the Earth Elements Liner. Stamp sets are Polka Dot Punches from the SAB choices again and En Francais; my current favorite background stamp.

Call or email me to find out more on how to get Polka Dot Punches or other SAB choices for free!

Technique Night

The upcoming March 2nd technique night is going to feature 'faux metal'. We will be using two different embossing methods.

Here are a couple sample cards.. one I made for Valentines Day for DH and doesn't use all current product.. and the other one is one we will be making along with another project I haven't finished up with yet. They both use the new texturz plates with the SU! exclussive designs too! Really liking these! Embossing is slightly subtle than other dry embossing techniques I've tried but definately noticable. Enjoy!

Cupid Day 3!!!

What a lucky girl I am!!!!! Thanks so much Erin for the wonderful gifts you made for me. Again it was wrapped in a beautiful Towel with a heart. And inside was a nifty box with a clear cutout lid filled with chocolate! LOVE all the chocolate in todays gift! She also included 4 tags made with the exclusive to SU! die "Top Note"... hung with my new favorite 'ribbon' the cord from the past Holidays Mini! I don't usually buy that kind of thing until it makes the main catty but its so awesome I had to. Also in the box holding Hershey Kisses was a darling acetate box. AND a very cool flip fold card where the main panel opens independently. Going to have to figure these out and do a class for them :) Here are a couple pictures :) Thank-you so very much Erin for the most enjoyable 3 days of presents.

Secret Cupid Day 1 and 2!

I belong to a group of SU demos who at Christmas got together and did 12 days of Secret Elves. It looked like so much fun and incredible talent coming from this group that when they announced a Secret Cupid for 3 days, I was on it! I will post my projects that I made tomorrow after she opens the last one, but I must say, she seems to be enjoying my gifts a lot.

And I am loving the gifts I am receiving! Here is what my package looks like after I opened the box. They each have a heart shaped tag with the Day 1, 2 and 3 on them so that I know which to open. All are wrapped in beautiful Valentines themed towels as well:) It had arrived a couple of days early and was so hard to actually wait to open it. But the kids and I are both having a lot of fun and not only do I get the surprise of opening, but it sure fun to share it with both my boys and the ladies in my group.


Day one we got to open yesterday, February 12th. The boys and I were so excited and it was a great way to get them dressed and fed with minimal fuss..lol. I opened it to find a darling scallop envie box which is made with 2 envies and a strip of paper joining them. Inside is this darling clear heart filled with sweet smelling bath heart flakes. Going to be so nice to soak in the tub with these floating about. Maybe even tomorrow night


Day 2 was to be opened this morning and in it I found a project that I've been meaning to do myself and just haven't got around to. It's a chipboard coaster wall hanging made with chipboard letters and a heart spellign the word LOVE. LOVE it! And its with one of my fav DSP Bella Rose too! Here is a picture of Ethan (who actually has a heart stamped on his chest over his heart from when he was making Valentines cards yesterday... ) holding it up for me.


Tomorrow is Day 3 and our reveal date :) Can't wait!

Congrats for twins...

This is for the parents of prem twins.. a boy/girl set. It's probably my favorite baby card... just came together so nicely :)

Stamps: flannel Background (retired), Nursery Necessities
Ink: pretty in pink, bashful blue, close to cocoa,
Paper: Naturals white, vellum paper, bashful blue, pretty in pink, close to cocoa
Accessories: small and large oval punch, word window punch,large star punch, corner rounder punch, large hole handheld punch, glue dots, pink and blue gingham ribbon (retired)

Spring and Summer '09 Product Shares

A product share is where you sign up for as many spots as you would like and get a wide variety of products for a fraction of the price it would cost if you were to get full packages of everything. It’s a great way to try all the new products in the Spring and Summer 2009 Catalog and Idea Book without spending a bundle. I have put together 3 bundles of different types, however if you are interested in other bundle option, feel free to ask and I will come up with more options. Once a share fills up, I will submit it and open up another share of that product line. The shares can not be combined with club orders. Call or email me to sign up and arrange payment for any of the following shares.

Ribbon Share

You will receive 1 yard each of the following beautiful brand new ribbons
Dress Up all 3 ribbons in So Saffron, Whisper White and Riding Hood Red
From Pig Tails both ribbons in Kiwi Kiss and Pumpkin Pie
From Valet all 3 ribbons in Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip and Basic Black
Also the new 5/8” Organza ribbon in whisper White

The cost for this share is $21.00

Accessories Share

This is a share for a variety of all brand new buttons, brads, rhinestones and Fleurettes. The cost per share is $18. To buy a pack of each would cost you $145 plus shipping and taxes.

1 button each in two sizes and one brad ~ Cord Buttons in Chocolate Chip
1 button each in two sizes and one brad ~ Cord Button in Summer Sun
1 crocheted flower each in 3 sizes ~ Fleurettes
1 button each of 10 types ~ Button Latte
1 each of 4 colors ~ Jumbo Brads in 5/16”
1 each of 4 colors ~ Jumbo Brads in 5/8”
7 each of 3 sizes ~ Clear Rhinestone Brads

Designer Series Paper Share

You will receive a 6X6 piece of all 6 designs of the following brand new sets. If you sign up for 2 shares, you will receive a 12X6 piece. Sign up for 4 shares, you receive a 12X12 or full sheet (which halves the cost of buying full packs.) The two share option is great for scrapbookers looking to build borders and page elements out of our beautiful paper. There is also a new specialty paper line in the DSP which is textured, cover-weight card stock and you will be receiving all 4 lines of that.
Cost per share is $28. Cost if you were to buy package of each is $228 plus shipping and tax.

Rockabilly Specialty (printed gloss design)
Parisian Breeze Specialty (textured cover-weight card stock)
To the Nines Specialty (textured cover-weight card stock)
Sweet Slumber Specialty (textured cover-weight card stock)

Jack Pot
Bella Birds
Pink Flamingo
Good Morning Sunshine
Bella Blue
Flock Together
Tea Party
Raspberry Tart

Card Buffet Classes

Want to make handmade cards? Not sure you have the time or ability to design your own? I can help you with that with a Card Buffet class.Put together at least 10 cards at your leisure for all occasions. Everything is organized and cut for you; You just need to stamp and adhere everything together. Even includes a matching envelope. A great way to fill up your card organizer that you made in the other class!

Cost: For 10 cards and envelopes $25
additional cards and envelopes are $2 a piece at the same session

Dates and times: 3rd monday of every month at 7pm starting February2009
and the third Thursday of every month at 915am

Card Organizer Box Class

Using one of Stampin' Up! Forget-me-not Keeper boxes, we are going to decorate and attach monthly decorated calendar tabs into a convenient decorated box. This class is the start of a monthly class that will not only help you get organized in sending all those cards you forget to send, but subsequent classes will help to fill the box with a variety of cards such as birthday, thank-you, sympathy, thinking of you and a variety of others.

The first class has two price points... one if you just want to come and make one box and take it home, you will spend $45.

If you think you would like to make more boxes and calendars including 2 to take home (one for you and one for a gift?), then for a total including taxes of $150, you will receive:

the three stamp sets needed to remake the project and other calendars,
an entire 16 pages of Designer Series Paper only available during SAB,
10 yards each of matching SAB ribbon,
a pack of Soft Subtles cardstock,
one pack of Sahara Sand cardstock
and 2 ink pads of your choice,
2 Forget-me-Not Keepers

PLUS the three hour class learning how to put these great organizers together. That is a savings of over $40 just in product!!

I will have samples available for viewing on here toward end of January.

Dates currently offered:

Saturday February 14th at 930am - 1230 pm (registration and payment due by February 2nd at latest)
and
Friday March 6, 7 - 10pm (registration and payment due by February 14th at the latest)

If these time slots do not work for you, please contact me to discuss alternate dates.

Space is limited so please sign up early!

Happy Birthday to my little sister!

This is a card organizer that the template came from SCS. I rolled using "It's Beautiful" jumbo wheel in silver Encore ink across the front and back cover as well as each inside folder page for the main decoration. Printed on Pretty in Pink the birthday calender and sponged the edges. Came together fairly quickly for my first attempt at this. Quick embellishment with the five petal flower punch from SU and a brad in the center. Bound with the BIA

I am going to fill it with at least one card for one month.. I have until January 15th when she arrives in town. Planning on using some of these cards for a card buffet in February too so double good for me.

Remake to be current

As much as i love Buckaroo Blue.. it is no longer available to purchase so for my club I remade the card using Baja Breeze. I was quite surprised that it is just as pretty although I had to change the blurb into chocolate chip as it was too light and not visible within the card colors. Should of used the SAMJ as well to position the blurb better. I really do like this card as its quick, easy on the hands (read no cutting or blade work which I love...lol) and quick pretty.

BTW, this blogging I can see can be very addicting. However it is forcing me to not only be productive in my craft room, but take pictures of things I make before I give them away. One of my goals is to take a picture of every card I give, and in the 'notes' section of the properties to write in there who I have given the card to so that I don't duplicate give. Something about a handmade card that says you should only give a specific card to a person once right? :D

Happy New Year 2009!

Wow, who would of thought that an entire year could of flown by as fast as this past one. Don't know if its because I'm getting older/more mature ;) or if its because of the kids and all our various activities making the days fly by. For whatever reason, its gone, and a new one is starting! I hope your new year is full of health, happiness, friends and family all behaving :)

So, I've had some time to play in my studio today. Been needing another batch of thank-you cards and came up with this one. It uses a layering of ink technique that I haven't tried before as well as inking up some sets that hadn't even been mounted yet. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Love blue and chocolate together... sure do miss using this particular blue. My fondest hope is to see 'in colors' back one day.

Sets: Flight of the Butterfly, Baroque Motifs,
En Francais
Ink: sahara sand, chocolate chip, buckaroo blue
paper: buckaroo blue and natural white



My other larger project is this Happy New Year card. My Club members will be receiving this at the next get together as the Christmas card that I made for friends and family this year, they wanted to learn back in November. Since I didn't get to another Christmas card for them, I decided to use a not yet available set from the new Spring and Summer IB&C available January 18th to give them a little teaser. The card itself is a lift of a SCS design Rhondag changed up slightly. Loved the original! And really like my version.

Stamps: Just Buzzin' By, Holidays and Wishes, and jumbo wheel - It's Beautiful
ink: pacific point, stazon black, markers close to cocoa, more mustard and creamy caramel
paper: whisper white, creamy caramel, pacific point

Some of my cards the bees all have wings that I used a versamarker and iridescent ice on them which looks really pretty and brings out the bees. However, its really hard to heat emboss bees after you've cut the little suckers out. so note to self, emboss bees after you color and before you cut.

Thanks for looking :)