More Birthday Cards

A sweet gal dropped by last night with SIX birthday cards to add to my stash to give to the military. What I really love is how she added a special note in each of the cards. Thank you so much Mary for the cute, cute cards.... Your name will go into the blog candy drawing SIX times!!


If you want to see the original blog entry click HERE to find out how you can still get in on this great blog candy deal and help out the plea for sending birthday cards for the military men and women to send home to their families and loved ones.

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!

February Cakes

Three cakes that I made during February...



A basic 9 x 13 with Roses.


Mickey Mouse for a little guy (brother to the gal who had the lady bug cake last month)



Oh, yeah, this is a repeat, but if they like something from my blog or my cake album then I can just go with that. I guess "Russ" is a veteran and they wanted to go with a Patriotic theme.

I wonder what will March bring?

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!

Jackpot

Thursdays mailbox delivery - I hit the JACKPOT!! I received a package with TEN cards all ready to be sent to the military




I love how Linda sent a variety of cards for men, women and even kids. She even went the extra mile and sent envelopes as well. Thanks Linda! Your name will go in the drawing 10 times!

There is still time to send in your cards for the military and get your name in for the blog candy drawing. Click HERE for the original post and all the details.

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!

My First Birthday Card Has Arrived!

Yeah!! I received my very FIRST birthday card!! And isn't it beautiful!!

This beautiful card came from my friend, and fellow demonstrator, Sara. Sara is new to the Red Hot Stampers and she does absolutely beautiful work on her cards. I just love meeting new stamping friends!! Thanks Sara! Your name is going in the drawing for the blog candy!

If you want to check out Sara's blog click HERE to link to her site.

It has been a week since I first posted my blog candy offer and Birthday Card plea for the military men and women. You can see the original post HERE, but in a nut shell I have asked you all to send me a hand made birthday card that I am packing up and sending to the deployed military men and women for them to use to send to their loved ones. I have all the information on the original post - so head on over there to get the details.

You have just 8 more mailing days to get your cards here to be in time for the March 6 drawing.

And look at this other really fun card I got from my friend Marla. Marla is in my down line and participated in the recent swap.


Marla and I are also on the committee for our women's retreat for our church and one favor we made for this this years retreat left us with a ton of these Yoyo Yellow 1 3/8" circles so Marla put them to good use on her swap card. I love how she combined a retired wheel (Chocolate Chip) with a new stamp set (Eat Chocolate - Occasions Mini) and some cute punch art to make a darling card.

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!

Crayon Resist Tecnique

Click HERE to see the great blog candy offer that ends March 6th!

This particular technique was one I learned years ago, then was re-introduced to it in one of Glenda's classes last year. I've been wanting to teach it at a technique's class so was glad when I saw this idea on the Stampin' Connection using one of the new stamp sets from the Occasions Mini called Easter Blossoms. This, too, fit right into the Emboss Resist theme for this months techniques class


MENU:
SS: Easter Blossoms, All Holidays
CS: Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Glossy White, Spring Time Vintage DSP
INK: Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Staz On Black
Accessories: Tulip Border EF, Big Shot, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Sponges
Technique: Double bow tying, Crayon Resist
Inspired By: Selene Kempton

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!

Wax Paper Resist Technique

Click HERE to see the great blog candy offer that ends March 6th!

This technique was another one I first saw on France Martin's blog.
Called Wax Paper Resist Technique. Since I had an Emboss Resist theme going for this months Technique Class I thought this fit very well into the theme.


MENU:
SS: Elements of Style, Bring On The Cake
CS: Old Olive, Night of Navy, Glossy White, WW
INK: Pacific Point, Old Olive
Accessories: Wax Paper, Iron, Brayer, Organza Ribbon, Dimensionals
Inspired By: France Martin and ?. I can't remember who I saw this layout by, but I'm lovin' the look.

I wanted to give another try with different colors. France used the neutral colors and I really liked that look, but wanted to try a different stamp, and am really happy with the outcome.

I heat embossed the Buffalo using Black Craft Ink and Clear Embossing Powder onto Very Vanilla cardstock, Sponged the edges, and added ribbon and an Antique Brad.

MENU:
SS: In Wilderness
CS: Soft Suede, Basic Black, Glossy White, Very Vanilla
INK: Soft Suede

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi

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Paint Swatch Technique w/Emboss Resist

Click HERE to see the great blog candy offer that ends March 6th.

What a fun technique. I first saw this on France Martins blog, but then I saw it pop up in several other blogs so I wanted to give it a try and teach it to the ladies at this months techniques class.



MENU:
SS: Bliss (Sale A Bration FREE stamp set w/ $50 purchase)
CS: Cherry Cobbler, WW, Glossy White
INK: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Ruby Red, Cherry Cobbler, Versa Mark
Accessories: Tulip Border EF, Big Shot, White EP, Heat tool, Sponges

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!

Red Hot Challenge

Click HERE to see the great blog candy offer that ends March 6th.

Glenda sent us our most recent Red Hot Challenge which was to choose a layout in one of the current catalogs (Idea Catalog, Occasions Mini, Sale A Bration), and then make a card (or scrapbook page) using a layout featured in the catalog, but using a different stamp set, colors, etc. So if you own the Main Idea Catalog you can look on page 160 to see the layout that I patterned my card after.





Inside I just had to add row of colorful bird eggs.

MENU:
SS: Nature Walk (Occasions Mini)
CS: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Old Olive
INK: Soft Suede, So Saffron, Baja Breeze (inside eggs also include Regal Rose and Cherry Cobbler)
Accessories: Color Coach - helps me to choose my coordinating colors, Finial Press EF, Big Shot, Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, Sponge
Punches: Modern Label, XL Bird

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi Pin It Now!

February Stamp A Stack Part 4

Don't forget to check out the blog candy offer...see below...

The final two cards we made at this months Stamp A Stack...



MENU:
SS: Punch Bunch (Sale A Bration FREE stamp set), On Your Birthday
CS: Marina Mist, WW, Chocolate Chip
INK: Chocolate Chip, Markers: Chocolate Chip and Marina Mist
Accessories: Big Shot, Two Tags Die, WW Taffeta Ribbon, Vintage Wallpaper EF
Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle
Inspired By: Leann Greff


This card shows how you can use Stampin' Ups! tremendously beautiful fabric on your cards which match all our papers and inks - no guess work on colors when you use Stampin' Up! products

MENU:
SS: Something to Celebrate (hostess level 2 Stamp set from the Occasions Mini)
CS: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, Springtime Vintage DSP
INK: Rose Red
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Sprngtime Vintage Fabric, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Fabric Adhesive, Basic Pearls, 1/8" Old Olive Ribbon
Inspired By Mercedes Weber
Technique: Using Fabric on your card

Click HERE to see the great Blog Candy Offer going on through March 6th

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!

February Stamp A Stack Part 3

Don't forget to check out the blog candy offer...see below

Two more cards we made at this months Stamp A Stack Classes


MENU:
SS: Silhouette Sentiments - Hostess Level 1
CS: Pink Pirouette, WW
INK: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Pretty In Pink (Markers)
Accessories: Basic Pearls, White Organza Ribbon
Punches: Scallop Border
Inspired By: Lisa Young



On this card the ladies learned how to make the ruffled effect with the Seam Binding (can be done with any ribbon)

MENU:
SS: Bliss - Sale A Bration FREE stamp set (with $50 purchase)
CS: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Neutrals DSP
INK: Early Espresso
Accessories: Vintage Wallpaper EF, Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Red Line Sticky Tape, Dimensionals
Punches: 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle
Inspired By: Leadership Conference

Click HERE to see the great Blog Candy Offer going on through March 6th

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!

February Stamp A Stack Part 2

Two more cards we made at this months Stamp A Stack



MENU
SS: Eat Chocolate - Occasions Mini
CS: Pink Pirouette, WW, Early Espresso
Markers: Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots EF, Early Espresso 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals
Punches: Fancy Label, 2 1/2" Circle
Inspired By: Jackie Bolhuis



MENU:
SS: Build A Blossom - Occasions Mini, Teeny Tiny Wishes
CS: Pear Pizzazz, WW, Pretty In Pink
INK: Old Olive, Regal Rose
Accessories: Framed Tulip EF, Button, Basic Rhinestones (could also use Basic Pearls), Dimensionals
Punches: Blossom Petal
Inspired By: Kim Jenkins

Click HERE to see the fabulous Blog Candy Deal going on now through March 6th

Have a Blessed Day

Christi Pin It Now!

February Stamp A Stack Part 1

These are two of the cards we are making at this months Stamp A Stack Class. If you live in the Hudsonville area and want to sign up for classes there is still room for tonight or Saturday mornings classes.



MENU:
SS: Plane and Simple - Occasions Mini
CS: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
INK: Early Espresso, Old Olive
Accessories: Distressing Tool, Square Lattice EF, Crystal Effects (on the lens of the goggles)
Inspired By: France Martin



MENU:
SS: Birthday Bakery (Hostess Level 1 Stamp Set)
Host a workshop with a minimum $150 and you can earn this stamp set FREE along with $15 in FREE merchandise!!!
CS: Poppy Parade, WW, Soft Suede, Bashful Blue
INK: Staz on Black, Markers
Accessories: Brads, Square Lattice EF
Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, Word Window, Modern Label, Eyelet Border

Don't forget to scroll down to yesterday's blog to check out the great Blog Candy offer!!

Have a Blessed Day

Christi Pin It Now!

It's My Birthday and I'll give away Blog Candy if I want to!

Hello everyone! In just 2 short weeks, on March 2nd, yours truly will be celebrating a birthday and I would love to have my mailbox flooded with handmade birthday cards and greetings! Wouldn't that be fun!

So, I've decided to offer some very special blog candy for one lucky, random winner. All the cards will be eventually donated and sent over seas to deployed servicemen and women, who will be able to send them back to loved ones for their birthdays. So please do not write a greeting to me on the inside of the card. If you would like to send a personal birthday greeting to me (which would thrill me to pieces), please write it on a post-it note or separate piece of paper and tuck it inside the card. That way, I'll get to enjoy, and keep your greeting, and still pass the beautiful, handmade cards onto our military personnel. I would love to be able to ship off a box of 200 or more birthday cards to our military personnel and you can help me in reaching that goal!

The creator of every card I receive will be entered in a random drawing for the following FABULOUSO Blog Candy which will include the following items - Playful Pieces Clear Mount Hostess Level Three Stamp Set (this set has so many pieces it needs to be stored in 2 DVD cases!); Clear Acrylic Blocks A, B, & C; and a Scallop Trim Border Punch.

Can we do it? Of course we can!!!! Remember the goal is to receive at least 200 cards which can be sent to out to our military personnel. I can't wait to see all the great cards that you'll be sending my way, knowing they will be shared with military personnel and their families!

Here's the rules:
1. Create a hand-made birthday card. Supplies do not need to be limited to Stampin' Up! products, (although you know how I love to see those Stampin' Up! supplies used on cards.) A personal greeting to me (if you wish to include one) should be on a separate piece of paper, not written on the card. Also on that separate piece of paper, include your name, address and e-mail address.
2. Mail your card to Christi Waite, 3832 Black Creek Dr., Hudsonville, MI, 49426. Cards must be postmarked by March 2nd.
3. Leave a comment on my blog (any post) to let me know your card is coming in the mail.
4. I will share pictures of some of my favorites on my blog throughout March. Once I photograph them and enter the creators name in the drawing, the cards will be packed-up and sent to the military personnel.
5. On Sunday, March 6th, the lucky Blog Candy Winner will be announced and their card featured on my blog. The winner will be chosen from a random drawing (names will be drawn out of a bowl by my husband). Each card received represents one chance in the drawing. If you send multiple cards, you will have multiple chances in the drawing.
6. Also on March 6th, I will announce the total number of cards that were received and that will be sent to the military personnel. I will also report from time to time the number of cards being received.
7. Entries can be sent from anywhere in the world and not limited to residents of the US.

This is going to be so much fun! It's a win-win situation! I will get lots of wonderful mail and birthday greetings in my box (maybe I better warn my mail carrier!), you will get a chance to win a fabulous Blog Candy Package and possibly have your card featured on my blog, and military families will receive hand-made greetings from their loved ones serving our country! Fabulous! I can't wait to see your card!

So - on to the Blog Candy...

These are the items that the lucky winner will receive from me, but seriously - the real winners will be the service men and women and their loved ones who get to receive one of your beautiful hand made cards.

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!

Look What I Found On My Table Yesterday Morning!!

My sweet hubby surprised me with a Valentine treat yesterday. Now I tell you this is a BIG thing because, you see, Valentine's Day is also his birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE!) so for him to honor me on Valentine's Day is GREAT!!

At night we went to Panera Bread for a quick dinner then saw a movie - another HUGE treat because it just isn't something we spend our time or money on regularly.

This little teddy is so VERY SOFT! I just had to squeeze him right away. I love surprise treats like this!! I'm thinking this little guy might just find his way in a special spot on the middle of our bed each morning as a reminder of how much my sweetie loves me.

I hope Dale had as good a birthday as I had a Valentine's Day!!

And I hope you all had a SWEET Valentine's Day too!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Happy Valentines Day!

This is the Valentine Card that I made to give to my hubby this year. He is such a handy guy and readily uses his talents for many people, especially me. He definitely has the gift of helps, and I am so thankful for his gift and knowledge of so many things.


LOVE YA BABE! Happy Valentines Day!!

MENU:
SS: Totally Tools, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Sanded Background
CS: Chocolate Chip, Pacific Point, Very Vanilla
INK: Chocolate Chip, Basic Black Marker, Bashful Blue
Accessories: "screw" Brads (local craft store), Paper Piercer
Technique: Paper to Stamp
Inspired By: Robyn Larsen

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Robot Love

This is the Valentine Card I made for our Grandson, Tyler. I thought Tyler would especially like it because the body of the Robot is made using a Hershey Mini candy bar



MENU:
SS: NONE
CS: Real Red, Peach Parfait, Basic Gray, DSP: Play Date, Red Glitter
INK: NONE
Punches: 1/2" Circle, 1" Circle, 1 1/4" square, Small Heart
Accessories: Paper Crimper, Google Eyes (found at your local craft store), Rub on's (one of the free ones that Demonstrators got in their first order in January...I love free stuff)
Thanks To: Phyllis Johnson

This is the card I am giving our daughter, Julie and her husband Jeremy...


MENU:
SS: Button Bear, Bow Bear (both retired)
CS: Cherry Cobbler, WW, Cherry Cobbler DSP
INK: Cherry Cobbler, Markers
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, WW Taffeta Ribbon, Crimper, Sponge,
Thanks To: Shelly Meeks

And you may remember this card I made a while back to match Gracie's cute shirt:


Notice the little tree of hearts on her shirt



So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Valentine Moose

Charlie came to Auntie's house after Christmas with his new Moose winter cap. Isn't he so cute!



It was my inspiration for this Valentine card for my parents...

So nice to be able to say that after 64 years of marriage they can still say they are in love with one another. What a blessing !!!

MENU:
SS: Things I Love
CS: WW, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Basic Black
INK: WW Craft, Crumb Cake (I sponged the edges of the antlers)
Accessories: XL 2 Step Owl Punch, Large Oval and Scallop Oval Punches, Scallop Circle Punch, Black Marker, Dimensionals,
Heart is hand cut.
Inspired By: Lynn Pratt

Here's another 3D Valentine card...
I made this one for my sweet Melina



MENU:
SS: Teeny Tiny Wishes, I (Heart) Hearts
CS: Real Red, Basic Black, WW, DSP: Play Date
INK: Real Red
Punches: Small Heart, Modern Label, Scallop Edge Border
Accessories: Heart Brad (retired), 1/8" Black Ribbon, Smarties candy, Red line sticky tape, Black marker
Inspired By: Lisa Young

Click HERE to order Stampin' Up! products from me!

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!

XOXO

These cards were inspired by Carey Payette who first designed it on her My Digital Studio (MDS) program. Once she got it how she wanted it she was able to create it by hand. These cards made their way to a few of the college girls that I encourage monthly. The question is...will they tear the card apart to get to the candy? There is a serrated X behind the Treat Cup so they can get the candy out with ease.


If you are one of those computer kind of people you might be interested in the My Digital Studio program you can buy from Stampin' Up! (#118108 $79.95) They also have regular downloads available keeping you right up to date on the new stamps, paper and accessories that Stampin' Up! offers for a VERY reasonable price.

Click HERE if you want to place a purchase at my on line site.

Another Valentine I absolutely LOVE was inspired by the Stampin' Connection. Can't remember the exact demonstrator who first came up with this idea, but isn't it cute! I thought it made a great card to send to someone who lived a distance from me - kind of like a "from my home to yours" type of card.

MENU:
SS: All Holidays
CS: Naturals Ivory, Pear Pizzazz, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold
INK: Soft Suede, Real Red
Accessories: Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, 1" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Petals A Plenty EF, Big Shot, Textures Plate: Wood grain, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!

Valentine Treats

These Valentine Treats were featured in last years Stampin' Success Magazine, but I never got to make them until this year, and now this stamp set (Whoo's Your Valentine?) is retired - sorry.


I found these big round suckers for .50 cents at a local store, and then I saw them for .75 cents at another store so I was glad I got the better deal. I bought all their red ones thinking it looked better than seeing a blue or green one through the window. They are held together by glue dots, but I'm finding they don't stay closed good so I will have to revamp them just a bit.

Another Valentine treat (inspired by Marie Shaunghnessy) (SCS) was these cute Heart Treat Cup Lollipops, and uses the stamp set called Sweetheart.


I have made more Valentine Treats than I have people to hand them out to, but they are just so much fun to make!!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Red Hot Swap

Last night was our down line meeting at Glenda's and some of the gals participated in an Occasions Mini Swap. This was one of the larger swaps so it makes it extra fun to see all the ideas. Some of the ladies couldn't get their cards done in time for the meeting so will mail those out later, but these are the cards that were swapped last night

Julie's card... using Build A Blossom stamp set



Sue's card...Clearly For You Stamp Set




Penny's card...Button Button Stamp Set and the new Button Sizzlit Die




Sara's card...Blossom Petals Punch - Sara shows how she didn't have to use the Build a Blossom Stamp Set to create a beautiful flower with the Blossom Petals Punch.



Marlane's card...

Sorry I can't remember who made this cute Valentine card using the Filled With Love Stamp Set


Glenda's Card...Plane and Simple Stamp Set...


Rachel's card... Using Mother Of Mine single stamp



And my card...Create A Cupcake Stamp Set with the Build a Cupcake XL Punch


And I couldn't resist making cupcakes to match the card for a special treat for the ladies.
It was a perfect theme for the "Cake Lady"


Several of these ladies it was their very first Red Hot Swap and I think they all did an amazing job. We should be receiving the remainder of the cards by mail some day soon and I plan to share those with you as well.

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!

Kids Valentines

These are a couple of the cards I made for the cute little guys that I watch each week.


This card was inspired by Jackie Topa who always gives me great inspiration on new ways to use my punches.

Punches Used: Circle - variety of sizes, Modern Label (119849), Heart to Heart (#119881), Scallop Oval (#119856), Ticket Corner Small (#119867), 1 3/4"x7/8" oval (#119855),
1 3/8"x 5/8" Oval (#119863)
Dies Used: Oval Scallop Frame


And this card was inspired by Lynn Pratt who also has very creative ideas. I just couldn't resist making this hugging teddy bear for little Caleb who is the best hugger EVER! - such a sweet little guy.

Punches Used: Heart to Heart (#119881), 2" x 1-3/8" XL Oval (#119859), Circles - variety of sizes

Dies Used: Scallop Circle #2 (#113469)

If you want to purchase any of the punches or dies used on these cards click HERE.

Have a Blessed Day!

Christi Pin It Now!