My Sweet Valentine!

My FAVORITE day is here...Happy Valentine's Day Friends!

I absolutely adore this day and I enjoy spreading a little love around.

One of the things that I have done for the past few years is make Jamison's Valentine's for her school friends.  I love being able to add a little personal touch to her treats.

This year I put fun size M&M's in little jewelry baggies and just added a little label.  Jamison and I punched out hearts to add as an embellishment and then I simply stamped the sentiment.  Lastly, Jamison signed the back and we were done.  So simple!

I hope her friends enjoy the treats as much as I enjoyed making them :)

Wordless Wednesday - A Sneak Peak @ My Shop

Everyone Needs a Motivating Friend

This is my Lyndsey.  Do you have those friends who know you well and know when to give you a swift kick in the butt and who read your blog posts, like this one, and push you to put your words into action...that is Lyndsey.  I love her!

Yesterday she came over to take pictures for my header.  She got some amazing shots and I cannot wait to get them and create the new header.  She is an amazing photographer...she has such an eye for it and the determination to learn to photograph well.

She also helped me figure out how to take pictures of my cards so that I can get my etsy shop up and running (you know, the one I have been talking about forever, but still have not done!).

Typically, I take shots of my cards on my dining table because that is where I make them.  Lyndsey showed me that if I take pictures of them in the kitchen that I would have better lighting...and she is so right.  She also explained that since my table has an orange/brown tone that those colors would reflect onto my shots...ohhhhh.  Look at what she showed me:

I love the way it turned out and now that she has shown me I will be able to take some great shots for my shop!

I also have to add that I got the idea of putting a piece of card stock behind the card from Heidi.

The Craft Fair Survivors

I wanted to share with you a few of the cards I had for sale at my bust of a Craft Fair:

 This first card is a CASE (Copy And Share Everything) from one of my stamping blogging buddies Heidi (you can see her card here).  Heidi is actually the person who attracted me to Stampin Up! because I would always see her cute cards and wondered how to make them.

For this card I used:

Paper:  Real Red & Old Olive card stock, Summer Picnic DSP (retired, but still a fav)

Stamp set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Real Red

Same card, slightly different:

Paper:  Poppy Parade & Peach Parfait, Sunny Garden DSP

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes 

Ink:  Chocolate Chip 

 

 I got this idea for a card from a sketch that I saw online.

I used:

Paper:  Peach Parfait card stock & Sunny Garden DSP

Stamp Set:  Word Play (I received this stamp set for free for getting a recruit within the first few months becoming a demonstrator).

Ink:  Poppy Parade

 

Finally, here's a card that I've made before (shown in this post), but this time I added another color and another layer.

I used: 

Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip, & Pink Pirouette card stock

Stamp Set:  Pocket Silhouettes

Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip, & Pink Pirouette

Happy Stamping :)

Mi Casa Es Su Casa!

This past weekend I hosted an Open House.  I'm debating about whether or not to continue my roll as a Stampin Up! demonstrator, but there are a few things I want to try before making that decision...the Open House was one of them.  I emailed friends and put a message out on Facebook to try and get guests.

It didn't turn out how I had hoped, but it was still a great time because I truly got to enjoy the people who were there.  5 of my friends stopped by and it was fun showing them all of my "toys" and showing them how to make a simple card.

I didn't take any pictures during the Open House, but here's my set-up:

 I set up a table that had catalogs, information about joining a Hostess Club and a few other things...

...including cards ready for sale...each divided into different categories like Thinking of You, Thank You & Birthday.  I have some leftover that I'll be able to use at an upcoming craft show that I'm participating in at Jamison's school.

 I also made these little cards showing each one of SU's Color Collections.  I will be able to use these at my upcoming craft fair.

 Here's how the table was set up...a sheet of Grid Paper and a card kit for each person.  I set out different stamp sets and inks for people to try.

Here's the card I created for everyone to make.  I used my newest paper Peach Parfait and my favorite DSP, Sunny Garden.

So there you have it...my first Open House :)

Kelli's Krafts - Animal Party!

The other day Jamison and I made a card for a friend of mine (it's Jamison's best friend's mom) who recently had a birthday.  We decided to use my Fox & Friends stamp set since Tasha's LOVES animals.  We used the colors Marina Mist, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, and Pumpkin Pie.  I cut out the paper (oh, how I love layers) and Jamison actually stamped all of the images and the sentiment (it's from a retired set).  Did she do a great job?

And layers are so easy and really add to a card.  All I did was take the measurements of the card (5 1/2 x 4 1/4) and decrease each layer by 1/4.  Simple :)

Happy Stamping!

Kelli's Krafts - Sending Christmas Joy

I wanted to show you the cards that I sent out for Christmas.  I will say that I will start earlier next year so I'm not crunched for time. This year I copied the idea from my friend Rachael and made a few different styles.  I liked having some variety this year and will probably always make a few different styles each year.  Here are the few that I came up with (and I also made the cards that I posted about here):

I used my Candy Cane DSP, Real Red cardstock, Garden Green cardstock, Paisley Prints stamp set, Christmas Greetings stamp set and a retired set for all of my cards.  Some of the cards were very simple and a few took a little more cutting...but all worth it :)

Kelli's Krafts - A Little Gift Tag (& a Peek)

My friend Lyndsey and her mom always give door prizes at their cookie exchange (they serve food too AND provide the boxes for our cookies...they are pretty swell).  This year Lyndsey asked if I would make her some cards to be used one of the door prizes.  Make some cards...why certainly!  I decided to make up a bundle of 3x3 gift cards because they are super easy and so nice to add to any gift.
 

I made a few with a Christmas theme.  I just used some of my Candy Cane DSP (which I believe is now out of stock!) for the front.

 

I stamped a little message on the inside.

 

I also included Welcome Baby cards...one for a girl, one for a boy.  These are always great to add to a shower gift.  I used Butterfly Prints for the image and Short & Sweet for the sentiment.

I also included these that I made for the craft fair a few months back.  I had some retired paper and ribbon and I came up with these.  The sentiment is from a previous mini catalog and the butterfly is from the set Hello Again.

They were a hit and the person who won them loved them (and ordered another stack!).  They are a quick and easy way to either send with a gift or send as a gift.

And here's a little peek into the chaos of Christmas card making.

Next week I'll show you the final results...they go out today!!!

Kelli's Krafts - Krunch Time!

I am down to the wire finishing up my Christmas cards so I haven't had any time to make any other cards.  After they are done I will have much more time to play...but right now it's down to business :)

Happy Stamping!

Kelli's Krafts - O Christmas Tree and A Recipe

I rhymed!  I wanted to share with you the card that the guests made at my most recent workshop.  Since it was in November, I decided to have everyone make a Christmas card.  Here's what I came up with:

I used Garden Green and Real Red card stock as well as Candy Cane Christmas Designer Series Paper.  I used Garden Green as the base of my card and then lined it with a piece of Real Read (the measurements of the GG are 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 and the measurements for the RR are 5 1/4 x 4).  Along the bottom I adhered a piece of the DSP (approx measurements are 2 1/2 x 4).  I used Paisley Prints for my image (love this set, found in SU's Holiday Mini catalog) and Teeny Tiny Wishes for my sentiment.  I stamped the image and sentiment on Whisper White card stock (approx measurements 2x3) and framed it with a piece of Garden Green card stock (approx measurements 2 1/4 x 3 1/4).

 

Here's a close up of the image...I love the details.

There you have a quick and easy way to say Merry Christmas.  It really is not too late to make Christmas cards...or New Years cards :)

Now...here's the recipe for the cake I pictured here yesterday.

5-Flavor Pound Cake

2 sticks butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

3 cups sugar

1 cup milk

5 eggs, well beaten

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp each...vanilla, lemon, almond, rum & coconut

Beat butter, shortening & sugar
Add eggs, milk & baking powder, stir
Gradually add flour
Add flavors, stir
Grease bundt pan & lightly shower with flour
Pour batter into pan

Bake at 325 for 1 1/4 hours (checking every 5 minutes during the last 15 minutes).  You know the cake is done when you poke it with a toothpick and the toothpick comes out clean.
Remove cake from pan and cool on plate.

For Glaze

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tsp each...vanilla, lemon, almond, rum & coconut

In saucepan combine ingredients & bring to boil
Stir until sugar is melted
Poke holes in cake with toothpick & pour glaze on top (Rondell likes to do this while the cake is still warm).


Enjoy (and be prepared for your family to ask you to make it again)!!!

Kelli's Krafts - What a Deal!!!

Stampin' Up! just announced an amazing offer (now through November 30)...its Demonstrator starter kit for 50% off (click the image above for more information).  So, for $87.50 you can get $310 worth of product.  You really can't beat this offer if you've been thinking of becoming a demonstrator, whether it be to meet new people and teach them all about the wonderful world of stamping or you want to get in on the discount that is offered.  

Here's what's inside the kit (you can choose the starter kit or start + digital):

If you want to sign up, simply go to my website (here) and get started by clicking on 'Start Your Own Business.' 

Kelli's Krafts - Let's Talk Christmas Cards

Yes Friends, it is that time to really be thinking of Christmas cards, especially if you're going to make them.  "Make my Christmas cards...what Kelli, are you crazy?"  Well maybe a little, but I still think you can make Christmas cards without being overwhelmed.  I thought I'd give you a few tips on how to make Christmas card making simple and smooth.


Here's the card I made last year (and please excuse the terrible picture) and I'll use it as the example as I go over the tips:
 

•  Plan your card...make a sketch or find a card that you want to CASE (Copy And Share Everything).  There are places where you can find sketches of cards as wells as samples of cards you can CASE.  Or if you find a Stampin Up! stamp set that you really like, look in the Stampin Up! catalog or the SU website for examples.
• Once you know what card you are going to make figure out your measurements and write them down.  This will help you create the card step-by-step over time.  For example, in the above card I knew the measurements for the snowflake paper so I was able to cut out as many as I needed at one time.
• Which leads me to doing your cards step-by-step.  Over a few days just take a little bit of time and prepare each piece of your card.  For the above card I took one night to cut the base of the card (which is taking a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of card stock and cutting it in half to make two bases for a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 card).  Another night I cut out the next layer and another night I stamped the sentiment, punched it out and layered it.  Finally, you put all of the pieces together and that's it...in just a few evenings you're done!  No, seriously.
• One major tip is to make sure you have plenty of adhesive.  I make sure I have plenty of Snail before I start.
• Remember to have a system to keep all of your pieces together...I talked about that a little here last year along with pictures of some of my step-by-step process. 
• Turn on some Christmas music and have your favorite drink while you work (though you may not want to have the drink too close to your work because that could be a disaster waiting to happen...or am I the only clumsy one?).
• Enjoy!!!

Here's the stamp set I'm using this year (well, the tree from the set) and I can't wait to start building :)  I'll keep you posted.

Happy Stamping!

Kelli's Krafts - A Simple Thank You

Good morning!  I know these posts are supposed to be on Tuesdays but I had some technical difficulties with my computer yesterday.

I made thank you notes for Jamison to fill out for people who gave her gifts for her birthday.  I decided to just do note cards instead of a full card and it worked out really well.  I've shown you where I've made note cards before (here).  Here's how they turned out:

I chose Daffodil Delight and Real Red for my colors.  I used my new stamp set Fox & Friends for my image of the giraffe.  Giraffes are Jamison's favorite animal so this set was perfect.  I stamped the sentiment from my go-to set Short & Sweet...why do I love this set you ask...because it has almost everything I need to say, the sentiments are in a pretty font, plus it comes with cute little images that can be used to create a background or just add a little accent.

  After I finished the card Jamison was able to write a sweet message to each person.

Here's a close up of the image.  I'm really working on taking better pictures of my cards and trying to take good close up/detailed pictures...but that's another post for another day. 

Happy Stamping!

Kelli's Krafts - It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!!!

I have been in a little stamping slump BUT I plan on getting my groove back this week as I prepare for an upcoming workshop.  I have a few ideas swirling around in my head...one of them being Christmas cards and gifts.  It is really about that time to start thinking about cards, especially if you want to make them.  Well Stampin Up! announced this new offer for holiday kits...simple kits to make cards or gifts for loved ones.  We all love simple right?  Check it out here.  If you'd like to order send me an email or go straight to my site (http://kelliskrafts.stampinup.net) to order online.

Happy Stamping.

Kelli's Krafts - A Fall Wedding Celebration

One of my co-workers is getting married on Saturday and today we are throwing her a shower.  I made a card for all of us to sign.  Here's the card:

Since her wedding is in the Fall she is going with a Fall color theme...even her dress has red in it (I can't wait to see pictures!), so I made the card using Fall colors...Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie and Wild Wasabi.  I used my favorite Designer Series Paper...Sunny Garden.  I punched out the sentiment (retired) with my Curly Label Punch and also added some hearts with my Heart to Heart Punch.

 I wanted to kind of imitate what her bouquet is going to look like, so I used Bouquet Bunches (retired) and stamped the flowers with Pumpkin Pie and Poppy Parade.


This makes me more and more excited that it's Fall!

Kelli's Krafts

Sadly, I haven't been making cards as much as I would like to lately and when I do I forget to take a picture.  I will plan better this week and have something for you next Tuesday.  In the meantime, stop by stampinup.com to check out its newest products in its Holiday Mini, including Halloween items as well as Christmas stamps (because we all know that Christmas is just around the corner).

Also, SU's clearance rack has over 200 items...some items up to 80% off!!!  I saw some Pumpkin Pie Designer Series Paper that I must grab right away.

Happy Stamping!

Kelli's Krafts - With Sympathy

I recently made this card for someone whose mother passed away.  Because it was a sympathy card I decided to use softer colors...Marina Mist and Daffodil Delight.  I used Watercolor Trio for the images and Teeny Tiny Wishes for the Sentiment.  Teeny Tiny Wishes really is a great go-to set because it has practically any sentiment that you will need...something you need when making a quick card.

Kelli's Krafts - Congrats Are In Order

I finished the cards for my second order over the weekend and I thought I'd share one of them with you today.  The order was for congratulation cards and I went with cheery colors and images.  Here is one of the cards that I made:

 

I used Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi for my colors and Silhouette Sentiments (a hostess set that you can earn by hosting a workshop!) for the images.  For the sentiment I used a retired set (I don't remember the name...it was a gift from my friend Jaydee) and I punched it out using my Modern Label Punch (I love this punch!).  I also popped up the sentiment using SU's stampin' dimensionals  

And there you have a very simple way to tell someone 'congrats.'

Kelli's Krafts - Just A Little Info

I know that I don't have a card to share with you today but I did want to tell you about this great deal that Stampin Up! has going on right now if you sign up to be a demonstrator...you get this:

You can read more about this offer here, but basically if you sign up to be a demonstrator (like me!) between now and October 18 you will receive this Greenhouse Gala craft tote for free (while supplies last).

Think of all of the things you could carry (especially after using your discount!). If you'd like to take SU up on its offer send me and email...kelliskrafts@yahoo.com

Happy Stamping!

Kelli's Krafts - My First Craft Event

I know I've already told you the results of my craft fair but I wanted to show you some pictures from the event:

It was a Back to School Bash for a local elementary school. They went all out...there were games, bounce houses, ponies, food, and even a band. I'm sure it was a big success for the school.

They took kids around the neighborhood on this bus. It looked like a lot of fun.

My mom was there and she sold soap that her co-worker makes.

Here's my price sign. I am so proud of it. Since it was a back to school event I used a school digital scrapbook kit to do the letters and the embellishments. While I love paper scrapbooking, I love using the digital kits to make things like this.

I made a variety of cards...Birthday, Thinking of You, Thank You, Sympathy, and For the Teacher. I put them in individual baskets with labels. I used lunch bags, that I stamped with a little butterfly, to put the cards in when people purchased them.

Here's also a close up of the labels. I saw something like these here (it's a great organizing blog) and I thought they were perfect. I simply layered some SU cardstock and Designer Series paper and then printed out the out the words I needed for each label. I (and by "I" I mean Rondell) took them to be laminated (one day I will invest in a laminating machine!).

So there you have it...my first event! While it wasn't what I'd hoped for it was still a good experience.

Next week I'll be back to show you a fun Halloween (yes, Halloween) card :)