Top Note Purse

A year ago I made some Top Note Purses for my sisters and Mom as a gift for our sister weekend. They enjoyed them so much that they placed orders with me so that they could have some on hand for a small gift to give as a "thank you" or "thinking of you". So I thought maybe I should make up some for the craft sale, and even though they are one of the pricier items ($3.00 empty) they sold very well. They hold perfectly a small Russell Stover candy box, but many of the ladies liked them to hold any small gift like jewelry. I like to use up my retired designer paper for my craft sale items and I really like the way that these turned out. I can't remember who came up with this idea originally, but I have seen it on many sites.

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Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Another Challenge

Stampin' Up!'s new incentive trip is to DISNEY WORLD in 2012!! I am all over this challenge!!! I will have to work very hard for this next year to bring in the sales and sign up some new recruits to earn a FREE trip for 2 to Disney World in 2012. Because of the incentive trip, Stampin' Up! issued a challenge for all demonstrators to create a project with a Disney theme, download it into our Stampin' Connection, and then 5 lucky demonstrators will win a FREE stamp set. I decided to go to work on this challenge, knowing full well I would not win, but it was fun to participate anyway. I decided to make this scrapbook page and use some of the photos we took last year when the family all went to Disney World. It was fun seeing it all again through the eyes of Tyler and Gracie




Using the Build a Bear dies and my Big Shot I could make a "Tyler" and a "Gracie" bear to adorn my page.

Now for the winners of the contest...Not even knowing the results yet, I had copied the ideas I saw as they came into the Stampin' Connection.
This card by Patricia Santoso, had I known my little nephew was having a Toy Story birthday party I would have sent him a card like this one. And this one of Goofy was one I made a while back and sent it to my grown up nephew for his 40th birthday. It was designed by Candice Anderson. All the winners had great ideas, and there were many more that really could have won if they were awarding more than 5 demonstrators, but that's okay - I hope to meet them all at Disney World in 2012. Want to help me reach my goal?? How about signing on to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!! You can see we have so much fun in the RED HOT STAMPERS and you could be a part of this fun, fun group as well as Christi's Creative Crew!!

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Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Lookie what I got!!

Lookie what I got in the mail Friday!!!

My new (used) MAC!!

And Look!! It came in this handy dandy red protective carry bag. How FUN!!


I am learning the Mac way so I have to adjust to the new changes and learn a few things in how it works, but I am happy to have a computer that doesn't shut down on me right in the middle of a project. Thanks to my sister, Lynette, who sold me her MAC so she could get an IPAD. I am posting this blog straight from my new computer!!

And Lookie what else I got in the mail last week...

Thanks Glenda! This is our newest challenge for the RED HOT STAMPERS for the month of October. The challenge is for us to use one (or more) of the Stampin' Up! punches and create something other than what that punch was intended for. For example, Glenda used the Two step Owl Punch to make the little ghost and the little alien as well as the owl. I am loving this cute card and I love this challenge too, because you all know how much I love to use the punches. Stay tuned to see what I decide to make with the punches.

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Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Celebrating Jessica

Last Saturday was Jessica's birthday, but we weren't able to celebrate due to the craft sale Sue and I were involved in on Saturday - which was a HUGE hit BTW - until tonight. She picked out her menu of lasagne, garlic bread, salad - and Jeff is making a blueberry cheesecake - YUMMO! So I thought I would share some pictures of Jessica's bridal shower from last weekend.

This is Jessica with her two Mom's!! And here she is with her little sister, Bonnie, and her mom, Ruth.

Even the youngest young ladies were invited to join us. This is Gracie (who is THRILLED to be getting Jessica as her auntie) and Sylvia.




This is the cake that I made -even though we used it more as a centerpiece. My sisters did a great job preparing salads and desserts for everyone to enjoy.




A great stash of gifts for Jeff and Jessica starting out their life together.

The first gift opened and most interesting gift was from cousin Sara Jo, who lives in Nova Scotia, who sent this "Smitten Mitten" for Jeff and Jess. It consists of two single gloves and then one "pouch" with two openings. You each put a hand in an opening and then you can hold hands while still keeping your hands warm. My sisters, Vicky and Lynette, modeled it for everyone and we all got a huge laugh. When Jeff came at the very end Jess couldn't wait to show it to him. He declared "I'm liking this!" It will be perfect for all their walks on cool days.

And this is me with our daughter, Julie, and our granddaughter, Gracie.

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Whoo's Thinking of You?

Each month I send a Thinking of You card to the shut in's at church - so in the spirit of Fall and maybe a taste of Halloween I chose to make this card to send to them in October. Of course, you notice I love the owl punch and he has been REAL popular on many blogs.




MENU:
SS: Curly Cute
CS: Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black, WW, Soft Suede
INK: Basic Black
Accessories: Punches - two step XL Owl , two step XL Bird, Bat, 2 3/8" Circle
Thanks to: Terri Walker for this card idea. I am sure they will love it.

So For Now...
Happy Stamping!!
Christi Pin It Now!

Just Like Gramma

Our grandson, Tyler, had to decorate his journal for school so my daughter sent me these photos to show how he did. I think he takes right after his gramma with crafting!! Great job, Tyler!!!

So For Now!!!

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Happy Birthday, Jessica!!

What a joy it is to wish our new (almost) daughter-in-law a Happy Birthday!! Only two more weeks and she will officially be ours!! A gal I know used to always call her mother-in-law, her mother-in-love, and I really like that. It shows the bond they shared and that they were related through love, not just the law, so perhaps Jessica will be our daughter-in-love. We love you Jess! Have a great day!!

This is the card I chose to send Jess – I thought it fit in with the scheme of the wedding. This isn’t exactly a sunflower, but it’s as close as I got.

MENU:
SS: Inspired By Nature, Sincere Salutations
CS: Soft Suede, Crushed Curry (retired), Old Olive, Very Vanilla
INK: Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Old Olive (markers)
Accessories: Scoring blade for the faux tile look, Scallop Border Punch, Scallop Oval and Large Oval punches, Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Happy Birthday, Glenda!!

Today is Glenda’s birthday!! You have heard mention her several times as being the BEST upline EVER!! Glenda has earned a couple incentive trips through Stampin’ Up! and one of those was a trip to Hawaii!! Not only did she get to go there FREE with other Stampin’ Up Demonstrators, she also gets to tag along with her husband when he goes there on business. So Glenda is a Hawaii veteran. That’s why I chose to send her this card I made using the Fresh Cuts Notes and the Island Oasis DSP, and the Tropical Party Stamp Set. How sad that they did not carry over the stamp set and paper into the Catalog and Idea Book. I love all the bright colors, don’t you!

Have a great birthday, Glenda, you deserve it!!

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Craft Sale preview

In 2 days we have our first craft sale at Zeeland Christian Schools. (Hope to see you there!) Am I ready? Who knows…., but over the Labor Day weekend when I had no outside plans except to have fun in my crafting space I was able to put together these fun hand sanitizers to sell at the craft sale.

Side view. Sorry about the washed out look in the photo.

MENU:

SS: Holiday Best (retired hostess set), Priceless
CS: Retired DSP, Basic Black, WW
INK: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black
Accessories: Non SU spider punch, Large and scallop oval punches, Scallop Circle Punch. You can’t tell by this photo but I embossed the scallop circle with the Square Lattice EF, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

So For Now…

Happy Crafting!!

Christi

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Tennis Anyone??

One of my favorite sports is tennis. Tennis? Really?? Yes, really!! Our son, Jeff, played tennis from third grade all the way through his senior year in high school where he was second singles. We enjoyed taking him to tournaments in the summer and driving him to the indoor tennis courts in the winter months before school so he could practice. He still loves the game and could beat his dad on a regular basis until Dale had to give it up due to the knee and shoulder injuries. (good excuse, right!?)

One of the gals from our church is headed to college on a tennis scholarship and I couldn’t resist making this cute card by Pamela Findlay to wish her a good season. I’m sure it will be much different and even more difficult in college than it was in high school, but Jenna helped her high school team go into a winning season so I expect she will do a great job!!

Good Luck, Jenna!!

I used all the wonderful punches that Stampin’ Up has to create this fun card.

1/2” and 1 3/4” Circle, Oval Scallop, Large and Small Ovals, Boho Blossom, Modern Label, Small and Large Tag (visor/glasses)

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Thank You’s

If you place an order with me this month, this is the thank you note that you will receive in your order bag.

This is a 4 1/4” square card. A bit bigger than I normally use for my order thank you’s but this one was so cute I couldn’t pass it up. It used the new stamp set called Just Believe and the XL two step Bird Punch. The colors I used are Sahara Sand, Soft Suede and Rich Razzleberry with the bird punched from Daffodil Delight.

Thank you to: Kristen Moore for this great idea.

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Let It Snow!!!???

Craft Season is right on the horizon, and what we have found is that people LOVE snowmen!! so here are a couple snowman themed craft sale items that will be found at our table this fall. Hope you can come see us at one of them.

Zeeland Christian Schools: September 25th
Grandville High School: October 16th
Kenowa Hills, Walker: October 23rd
Hudsonville High School: November 20th

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Visions of Hawaii

My Friend Sue is celebrating her birthday today!!! She has have several opportunities to vacation in Hawaii so when I saw this card front at our combined Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator’s garage sale I knew I had to get it so I could make it over for her. I attached the front to a card base and added my birthday greetings. I couldn’t come up with a verse that said anything about Hawaii :) so I think I will just have to put “A Friend Loves At All Times” Proverbs 17:17. Which is what our friendship truly is. I love you Sue!! Happy Birthday!!

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Bridal Shower Card

Yesterday I shared with you the Bridal Shower Invitations that I made for Jessica’s shower that my sisters are giving her, so now I will show you the card that I made to go with the gift I am giving her. I hope she likes it!!




The Designer Paper I used for the dress is the retired Brides Designer Paper – very appropriate don’t you think!!

For the sky I used mostly Bashful Blue but I put a smidge of Marina Mist in it too.

For the Grass I used mostly Certainly Celery, but I added some Pear Pizzazz as well.




The Flowers are punched from the Boho Blossom Punch and the leaves are from the Two Step XL Bird Punch.




Check out the toile under skirt and the garter belt!!

You just gotta love the Build A Bear Dies!! Thanks goes to Cathy Snipes for this cute idea.

So For Now…
Happy Stamping!!
Christi Pin It Now!

Bridal Shower Invitations

Tomorrow is the Bridal shower my sisters are giving for Jessica, and this is the invitation that I made for it.
I love the colors that Jeff and Jess chose for their wedding – brown and burnt orange. Of course with Stampin’ Up! you can’t just call your paper brown and orange – so I used Chocolate Chip and Really Rust. If you could see this in person you would see the way it glistens from spritzing the front with our Champagne Shimmer Paint – so elegant!





MENU:
SS: Fifth Avenue Floral, Sincere Salutations
CS: WW, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Vellum
INK: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Manhattan Embossing Folder, Flower Fusion Sizzlit, Rhinestone Brad, Lots Of Tags 2 Sizzlit, Top Note Die, BIG SHOT, Corner Rounder, Organza Ribbon, Sponge, Dimensional, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint




Tyler loved pitching in to help crank out the Top Note using Gramma’s BIG SHOT. It really was a big help because this card has a LOT of layers, but it is just perfect for this special occasion. I will post photos later but not right away, as I am headed for a weekend with my mom and sisters after the shower is done. Have a great weekend everyone - I know I will!!


So For Now…
Happy Stamping!!
Christi Pin It Now!

Stamp A Stack part 2

These are the last four cards we made at this months Stamp A Stack Class

With Halloween being the next “holiday” I thought it would be fun to make one Halloween card. Can’t say I get too many requests for Halloween cards, but I like to send them to my daycare kids and then there are friends and, and, and,… well, you get the idea. Why make cards and not send them, right?! Don’t you think this little spider made from punches is cute???

MENU:
SS: Sweet Centers
CS: Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz, Vellum, Basic Black, WW
INK: Basic Black, WW Craft
Accessories: Spider Web EF, Big Shot, Punches: 1/2”, 3/4”, 1 1/4”, 1 3/8”,
1 3/4” Circles, Bat, Sponge, Dimensionals, 2 way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds
Thank You to: http://thoughtsthatstick.blogspot.com

From Halloween straight to Christmas!! This card was designed by my friend Sue who is also in my downline. Thanks Sue for letting me use your design for our class this month!

MENU:
SS: Come To Bethlehem
CS: Night of Navy, Shimmer Gold, WW
INK: Night of Navy
Accessories: Rhinestone, Organza Ribbon

This stamp set is still one of my favorites and it is a Hostess level 1 stamp set so you can earn this one FREE with a minimum workshop of $150.00 plus you get $15 in FREE merchandise of your choice! What a great deal!!

MENU:
SS: Because I Care
CS: Very Vanilla, Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi
INK: Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist (markers)
Accessories: Scallop Oval Punch, Marina Mist 1/8” Ribbon, Dimensionals, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Big Shot. Optional: I spritzed this card front with Champagne Shimmer Paint.
Thank you to: Sharon Field at http://createdbyu.blogspot.com

I love adding a baby card into the mix!
MENU:
SS: Baby Bundle
CS: Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery,
INK: Markers: same as paper plus Daffodil Delight and Blushing Bride
Accessories: Early Espresso 1/4” grosgrain ribbon, 3/4” and 1” circle punches, Scallop Border Punch
Thank You to: www.splitcoaststampers.com website

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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STAMP A STACK part 1

I will show you four of the cards we made at this months STAMP A STACK class…

MENU:
SS: Fast And Fabulous – Hostess level 2 stamp set – you can earn this one FREE with a $300 workshop along with $35.00 in FREE merchandise of your choice.
How about booking a workshop with me soon!!!
CS: Marina Mist, WW,
INK: Basic Gray, Marina Mist and a Pear Pizzazz marker
Accessories: Crimper, Large and Scallop Oval Punches
Thank you to: Mrs. Ocean – Splitcoast Stampers

MENU:
SS: Dot, Dot, Dot, Upsy Daisy,
CS: Crumb Cake, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz
INK: Concord Crush, Craft WW
Accessories: Little Leave Sizzlit, Big Shot, large brads
Thank you to: Karin Menghini – http://twofriendsstamping.typepad.com

MENU:
SS: Lovely As A Tree, Thoughts and Prayers
CS: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Naturals White
INK: Early Espresso, River Rock, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Early Espresso taffeta ribbon, Color Spritzer Tool, Sponges, Dimensionals.
Thank you to: Marilyn at http://mystamphabit.blogspot.com

This card came directly from the Stampin’ Up! Catalog and Idea Book page 214. There are so many great ideas in this catalog – it is not just for purchasing, so never throw them away when they retire because there are so many great layout ideas you can use.

MENU:
SS: Word Play
CS: Baja Breeze (so thankful this color is back in our lineup), WW
INK: Soft Suede
Accessories: Elegant Lines EF, 1 3/4” Circle Punch, 2 way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Linen Thread, Certainly Celery 5/8” Satin Ribbon

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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BEEP BEEP!! Have a Happy Birthday!!

One of the BEST things about being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator is all the wonderful new friends I have made while holding classes. One of the gals, Jackie, Had a birthday a few days ago, and when I noticed that she drove the cutest little VW Bug vehicle I knew I had to make this card for her. Thanks to a blog called 'Created By U', where I ‘gleaned’ this idea from.

HOW FUN!! Another card made using our great punches!!!

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Charlie and Friends

When I say “Charlie and Friends” it makes me think of the fun stamp set called Fox And Friends. Just so I don’t do a post without a card I will show you two cards I made using the Fox and Friends stamp set awhile back.

I just love the little monkey especially, he makes me giggle. Maybe because sometimes it just feels like a zoo around here.

All the new kids at Auntie’s have had their first days so here are all the new friends that Charlie will have as playmates…

Aiden, the BIG boy in the group is a kindergartener so mostly I will get him to and from school, but on his ‘off’ school days he will be with me all day. He loves to craft, I found out, and he is a big help with the little ones. He is also a BIG talker – so I guess that will keep me on my toes.

Here is Aiden with Caleb – 8 months old, and Charlie – on the go – he’s just a blur sometimes!!

Charlie and Caleb – what a sweet, content little boy. Still not crawling, so I can put him down and he just sits there, content to play with whatever is in his reach.

Charlie and Parker – 15 months old. Parker gives Charlie a run for his money because he over powers him and we have many tears, but we will soften up Parker and toughen up Charlie.

Parker is the nephew to the very first little boy I took care of when I decided to be a license day care provider. His Uncle Kyle came to Auntie’s when he was just one year old, and now Kyle is 15 years old and has a drivers permit. Can it really be??

This is the sweet girl in the bunch of all the boys. 2 1/2 year old Julia came her first day complete with her baby doll and stroller – oh yeah! right up my alley, Julia. Of course, who wanted to play with that stroller all day? The BOYS!!!

And don’t forget Elijah, the itty bitty baby in the bunch. I do not have all these newbies at one time, mind you. They are all part time except for Charlie so the mix is just right. I am glad Gracie will come on some of her days off to help me wean off my grandchildren going to school. Did you check out Julie’s blog? She posted two days in a row about the kids first days at school. Go ahead, check them out, they are the two cutest grandkids EVER!!! – Proud Gramma here!! Julie’s link is on the sidebar of this blog.

Christi

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