January Cakes

During January I was hired to make three different cakes. You may have seen this one I made for Melina, one of my day care girls who loves cows.



The second cake was for a gal in my stamping group whose little girl was having Lady Bug Birthday.

It is just like the one I made for our grand daughter, Gracie, with just a few changes in color.
Click HERE if you want to see Gracie and her cake.

The third cake was this past weekend for Senator Bill Huizenga'a birthday celebration...

Over 4" tall and nearly 5# of icing - YUMMOLA!!!

Bill's wife wanted a fun printed greeting - NO SCRIPT - so when I was working on cards I came across this stampfrom our Cherry Chats retired stamp set - so I used that as my inspiration for the greeting.
Who said Stampin' Up! was only for making cards!!??!!

Perhaps you remember his primary cake I made last year...click HERE to see that one.

I never know what each month will bring for cake orders, but I was honored by each one who asked me to make something special for their special days.

Christi Pin It Now!

Faux Leather Technique

This is the final technique that we did at this months Techniques Class, and this technique is one I learned from Glenda and I think it is a great addition to a masculine card.



Click HERE to see Glenda's tutorial video on how to use Fun Foam (found at your local craft store) to give your card a Faux Leather look.

MENU:
SS: In Wilderness, Teeny Tiny Wishes
CS: Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory
INK: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Square Lattice EF, Big Shot, Sponge, Brads
Punches: Word Window, Modern Label

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Stamping on Tiles

This is another one of the techniques we did at this months Techniques class. I've seen others do this and they always look so nice. Before I got into stamping and techniques at this level I just figured it was too difficult, but boy, was I wrong. These are super duper simple - they just take a few steps.


You can see that one of them turned out much more muted than the other, but I kind of like the difference.



We also glued a piece of cork on the back to protect the surface it sits on.

These tiles are the basic tiles you find at your local home improvement store and are quite reasonably priced. Can't you just picture a set of four all tied up in a pretty bow?

MENU:
SS: Nature Walk (new in the Occasions Mini - available through April 30th.), EnFrancais Back ground stamp
INK: Brown Staz on, Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi, Soft Suede Marker, Night of Navy Marker
Accessories: A super strong glue - I used E600
How To: After Stamping, bake in 250 degree oven for 20 minutes, Cool. Once cooled, spray with a clear acrylic finishing spray. After that is completely dry, adhere cork to bottom. Now isn't that easy???

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Shadow Box Card

This Shadow Box Card is one we made at our Techniques Class this week. I saw this on Dawn Griffith's blog and thought it was a great way to showcase one of our Level 1 Hostess stamp sets that you can earn FREE when you host a Minimum $150.00 workshop.

You can either hold this workshop in my home or you can turn it into a "book" party - gathering orders from friends without the obligation of an evening out. Both these type have been very successful with my clients.

Here is another shadow box card I made for my friend Laura for Valentines Day using the Love You Much Stamp Set #113756 $

You can find the tutorial how to make these fun Shadow Box Cards on Split Coast Stampers by clicking HERE.

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Elements of Style Birthday

Oh My Goodness! I am sooooo low on feminine birthday cards I need to get busy and stock up. This is a good thing though, since my humongous order last fall pretty much depleted my stock.

This card was a two day process as I stamped and colored it in and then put Crystal Effects over the flowers and leaves and had to let it dry over night. In the morning it was dry enough to use a sponge and rub Pretty in Pink Ink over the entire front. I used a Staz On Brown Ink (even though Stampin' Up! no longer sells it) so nothing would smear when I water colored or sponged.

I love it! a great one layer card that will require no extra postage to ship, and yet it is very elegant.

MENU:
SS: Elements of Style, Water Color Trio
CS: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla
INK: Brown Staz On, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Water Color Crayons, Aqua painter, Crystal Effects, Sponge
Thanks To:Emily LaBonte

So For Now..

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Blog Changes

I am so thankful for my daughter, Julie, who is so talented on the computer and is self taught in creating and maintaining blogs. I have asked her countless times to help me with new things that I want to incorporate on this blog. Thanks Julie!!



Some new things you will notice on the side bar is the new Occasions Mini and the Sale A Bration flyer. You can click on any of these to view that catalog, mini, or flyer. Just a reminder that during Sale A Bration (January 25- March 31) if you place a $50 order you will receive a FREE stamp set or item from the Sale A Bration flyer.

If you order from me I will send you a Frequent Stamper Token. Once you have accumulated 10 FST's you will receive one FREE stamp set AND you can add your name to my 50/50 board. What is a 50/50 board? It is a poster board with 50 numbered squares. For every $50 you spend (before shipping and tax) you get to write your name in a square. Once the board is filled a number will randomly be picked and the winner will receive $50 FREE Stampin' Up! product from me.

I also now have a Stampin' Up! blog at christiwaite.stampinup.net where you can go and place an order on line from me. Julie is still working on creating a "button" for me that will be more visible for you, but right now there is the ever-so-small "click here to shop on line" right under our family blog (the Waite Estate) "button".

Also check out the new icons for three project ideas for February that you may wish to try out for yourself. When you click on the project ideas it will give you a list of all you will need to create that project.

So here is a beautiful card made by Glenda as an inspiration using some of the new stamps and accessories from the Occasions Mini...


Isn't this just beautiful!! She used the stamp set Baby Blossoms #121927 (wood mount) #122000 (clear mount) and Bring On The Cake #121899 (wood mount) #121958 (clear mount), The Designer Paper is called Springtime Vintage #121782. The rose Adornments #121879 and the Rose Red Seam Binding #121884 (pg 16 Occasions Mini - available in a variety of colors) set this card a step above. I think it is absolutely gorgeous! Now you can see why I enjoy being in Glenda's stamp group - she is a great inspiration for making beautiful cards.

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Thank You with a Kiss

For my customers who placed an order with me this month, this will be the Thank You note that they will receive.



I love how the Hershey Kiss Candy fits perfectly in the hole of the O.

Inside:

MENU:
SS: Filled With Love
CS: WW, Filled With Love DSP, Early Espresso
INK: Real Red
Accessories: Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (looks real pretty with the satin ribbon as well), Eyelet Border Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Glue dot to attach the Hershey Kiss
Thanks To: Brenda Quintana

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

January Stamp A Stack Part 4

The last two cards we made at this months Stamp A Stack

Always good to have a baby card in the mix and I wanted to use the new Petal Card XL Double Punch to make the little envelopes. I have also used this punch to create fun little boxes.



MENU:
SS: So Cute, A Word For You
CS: WW, Pear Pizzazz, Nursery Suite DSP
INK: Staz On Black
Accessories: Petal Card XL Double Punch, WW Taffeta, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch
Thanks To: Deann Oliver



Change up the colors and you could have a cute Valentine Card!

MENU:
SS: Pun Fun
CS: WW, Marina Mist
INK: Staz On Black, Marina Mist Marker
Accessories: 5/8" Marina Mist Ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch, Tulip Border EF (NEW!), Two Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds.
Thanks To: Darlene Cope

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

January Stamp A Stack Part 3

Two of the cards that we made this month...


MENU:
SS: Totally Tools, It's Your Birthday
CS: Chocolate Chip, WW, Crumb Cake
INK: Basic Black, Basic Gray and Chocolate Chip Markers,
Accessories: 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Paper Piercer, Brads, Dimensionals, Perfect Dots EF, Big Shot.
Thanks to: Glenda - this is one of the cards we made at one of her Stamp A Stacks.


MENU:
SS: Vintage Vogue, Thoughts and Prayers
CS: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, WW
INK: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Punches: Large Oval, Scallop Oval, Perfect Dots EF, Big Shot, Sponge, Dimensionals, Basic Pearls
Thanks To: Dawn Griffith

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

January Stamp A Stack Part 2

Two more cards we made at this months Stamp A Stack




MENU:
SS:Circle Circus, Teeny Tiny Wishes
CS: Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake
INK: Crumb Cake
Accessories: Square Lattice EF, Big Shot, Variety of circle punches, large oval punches, taffeta ribbon, dimensionals, Sponge
Thanks To: Paula K Goff



You just got to love how the stamp set coordinates with the cupcake punch!!

MENU:
SS: Build A Cupcake (new Stamp set in the Occasions Mini)
CS: WW, Early Espresso, Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery
INK: Early Espresso, Pretty In Pink
Accessories: 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Build A Cupcake Punch, Dimensionals
Thanks To: Dawn Griffith

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

January Stamp A Stack Part 1

This month's Stamp A Stack classes were a little later than normal because of the Leadership Conference, but I am back and was ready to dive right back in to classes. Actually I prepared this months cards before I left so I wouldn't be too overwhelmed when I got home.

These are the two Valentine cards we made at this months Stamp A Stack

If you are loving the ingredients to this card you can purchase the Stamp Set and the Paper Pack and receive the Bitty Buttons FREE - offer expires on January 24th so hurry to get your order in.

MENU:
SS: Filled With Love
CS: WW, Pretty In Pink, Real Red, Love Patterns DSP
INK: Real Red, Old Olive
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Certainly Celery 1/8" Ribbon, Bitty Button, Linen Thread, Small Heart Punch
Thanks To: Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Web Site



MENU:
SS: Seasonal Sentiments, I Heart Hearts, Confetti
CS: WW, Pretty In Pink, Blush Blossom
INK: Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Pretty In Pink, Black Craft
Accessories: Elegant Lines EF, Big Shot, Pretty In Pink 5/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Clear EP, Heat Tool
Thanks To: Gretchen Barron

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Happy Retirement

A dear friend, and mentor of mine, is finally able to retire after many years of productive service in the nursing field. She is an amazing and special lady. She and her husband are wonderful mentors to my husband and I, and we are thrilled to join in the open house festivities to celebrate her years of service. Mary Jayne's plans for her retirement: more service - it is just in her God given gift to serve others. One of her gifts of service is her desire to teach her grand daughters how to sew, so when I saw this card idea come across using the new Button Button stamp set I knew it was the right one to use for her card. I am hoping to make up some fun goodies using the Sew Suite Designer Fabric, but since it won't be here in time for the open house I will just have to gift her later.



MENU:
SS: Button Button, Teeny Tiny Wishes
CS: Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizzazz, Tempting Turquoise, WW
INK: same as cardstock
Accessories: Rich Regals Buttons, 1/8" WW ribbon
Punches: Eyelet Border, Word Window, Modern Label
Thanks To: Stephanie Uzee

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Baby Thank You's

I made a bunch of these baby thank you's up to give as a gift for the next baby shower I go to. Our church gives a baby shower for all first time mothers and many times this is what I give as a gift.... OR....

I could just save them in hopes of some day soon being able to say I am going to be a Gramma again! HMMM...what to do, what to do?

Actually this might just be a good gift to give to... Charlie's mommy! you see, Charlie is going to be a big brother this summer. More babies for Auntie Christi to watch!! More babies just means "job security" for me!!!






MENU:
SS: none
CS: WW, Crushed Curry (retired)
INK: none
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, THANKS Embosslit Die, Lil' Paws Embosslit Die, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon (retired), Slit Punch, 1/4" (standard size) hole punch.

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

My Grand Kids

On Monday when the grand kids came after school I had the opportunity to help Tyler with his Awana project. He had to locate five different cities from different countries on the world map and write them in his book and then he needed to answer the question "does God love all the people in all these different countries?" Of course Tyler answered "yes" - then came..."How do you know?" He thought about it a minute, but then remembered one of the first verses he memorized ... John 3:16...For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." Isn't it wonderful that the most important verse is the one they learn first?!!!!!!

Gracie was wishing she had brought her Cubbie book so Gramma could help her with her Awana verse for the week. So Gracie was very excited to come over to Gramma's yesterday with her "homework". She needed to take this plain snowman, decorate it up with a variety of items and then show it today at 'Show and Tell'. She has to be able to tell what all the items are so I hope after all our embellishments she will be able to tell her classmates what all we used to make it look like this...

Buttons and Rhinestones for eyes, Pumpkin Pie Cardstock embossed with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder for his carrot nose, Marina Mist Stripe Ribbon, Sparkly Pom poms for his buttons, Glittter Yarn for the snow, Silver Snowflake Brads for the snowflakes.

Thank you to Mommy who watched the babies so Gramma could help Gracie with her project.

So For Now..

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Leadership

A few months ago I met a new friend who had found me through my blog. Julie and I have been corresponding via emails and phone calls and decided to go to Leadership and room together. We could tell through our conversations that we would hit it off and become lasting friends.

Glenda, being the great gal that she is,


gifted both Julie and I with this cute little tote filled with fun goodies right down to an M&M tin filled with my favorite candy! Now how did she know?? (HEHE) See the tag she attached? We used that to attach to our bag so we could identify our bags from the rest of the bags that all the demonstrators got.


Wednesday night Glenda and I went to the Managers Reception which was so totally fun. Our destination was a secret, but when we were waiting in line to leave they handed out these fun cowboy, er girl, hats.

Once I put mine on it didn't come off because I didn't want to be caught with "hat hair". Our final destination: The Wild Horse Saloon, for a great dinner, line dancing and country music. Not my favorite style, but it was a fun experience. When we came back we were given a FREE stamp set that isn't even released yet so I can't post it, but I am sure you will see it in the future. We also received our bags that night, we didn't even have to wait in line the next day like we thought. However we did wait with Julie while she picked up hers.


Inside was a bunch of fun stamper treats.... a couple pins and a pen, our booklet with info for the conference, a lanyard for our name tag, but I decided to use the Lanyard that Glenda made for us with a purple fun foam daisy when Marla, Rachel and I went to Regionals in Cincinnati, and I got tons of compliments on it. Several ladies even asked if they could take a picture of it.

One HUGE highlight for me was seeing so many demonstrators that I have admired and whose blogs I check out on a regular basis.


Here I am with Dawn Griffith - an amazing Demonstrator and fun gal.

This is me with Sandy Hancock from Udderly Awesome web site. We were at the same restaurant for lunch on Thursday and I asked if she minded taking her picture with me. What a sweet lady she is.

Glenda got to have her picture taken with a celebrity too...

TEHE...I am so glad that I had the chance to go to Leadership and for the last minute boost so I could attend the Manager's reception.

At the end of the conference we were told that the demonstrators who attended Leadership would be able to give away one FREE Standard Starter Kit. Of course there ARE guidelines, they would be crazy not to, but what a great deal! If you live in my area and would like to sign on as a demo under Christi's Creative Crew (C3) please contact me soon as it has to be postmarked by Friday January 21st. Contact me and I will give you the heads up on the guidelines.

So for now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Leadership Make and Takes

On Friday evening of the Leadership Conference we were given this box full of our Make and Takes

From this kit (and using all the supplies on the table) we created these projects...

This very pretty Brooch made with the Springtime Vintage Fabric from the Occasions Mini. It also features the Beveled Windowpanes, the FunFlowers Bigz L Die, Clearly For You Stamp Set, and the Trinket Keys



This is an empty Clear Mount Stamp Case made over to be a note pad holder or you could make it into a small photo album - really if you just put your imagination to work I bet you could come up with a dozen ideas. Isn't it pretty made with the Botanical Gazette Designer Paper?!



This is the card and envelope we made using the Clearly For You Stamp Set. It also features the Petal Card Punch, and a paper Crimper.



We also made three inserts for the Simply Adorned 1 1/2" x 2" Charm. All of them used the Clearly For You Stamp Set (that we were given FREE!) and then you can see the Trinket Key on the first one, and using 5/8" Black Satin Ribbon for the 'chain'. The second photo shows the Simply Adorned 24" chain with Seam Binding woven through it. There is another Trinket Key and a Vanilla Pearl Bauble (available in the Occasions Mini) attached to the chain as well. The insert with the birds is intended for a lace 'chain' that also has several other ribbons tied to it. It looks very Vintage all put together.

I'm sure to share a bunch more in the days ahead about the fun time at Leadership so...

Stay Tuned!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Hostess Appreciation Night 2011

Last week I had a HOSTESS APPRECIATION NIGHT for all the ladies who had a workshop with me in 2010. To qualify to come to the Hostess Appreciation Night they had to have had a workshop in their home or mine or they could do a "book" party, but to qualify this way they needed at least one order besides their own order on the workshop.
10 ladies qualified and 9 were able to attend.
What fun we had!!! (and three signed up to have another workshop this year!)

The ladies made over a gift bag to carry their goodies home in


plus they made this cute mini candy bar holder that I saw on Dawn Griffith's blog

and then they made this beautiful portfolio with 6 matching cards.

They could add whatever sentiment they wanted to each card and the front or they could make a bunch of sentiments up and put them in this little baggie so they could give it as a gift and the receiver could add whichever sentiment worked best for her card giving.
Thanks to...Naomi Ball for her card layout idea, but I can't remember where I first saw the portfolio tutorial. I have used it several times with a variety of stamps.

My space is tight but the ladies don't seem to mind, they just enjoy being together.



Virgina is one of the ladies who signed on to be a demonstrator last year and she is doing a GREAT job!!

We played a game to see how well the ladies knew their Stampin' Up! catalog and idea book, and a lot of prizes were given away for things like ... Highest Sales...Most Guests...Most Bookings, etc.

What a joy it is to be with these wonderful ladies each month. I am so very thankful to be doing something that I truly enjoy.

So sign up now to have a workshop with me in my home or yours or you can do a "book" party and you will qualify to come to next years Hostess Appreciation Night.

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!