Birthday Invitation

My best friend came down from Maryland to work on special bday invites for her grandmother who is turning 90 this year!

She wanted something pretty and very pink, so this is what we came up with (excuse the label on top of the personal info -- I figured she didn't want the address & phone # of her brother given out!):

Not stamping related

Ok, so this post is not going to be stamping related. . . you are forewarned! : )

I just wanted to share something I learned about from Thrifty Mommy's blog. It's the Grocery Game. It's AMAZING!!! Basically, the site publishes a list of the sales combined with coupons (start saving your Sunday coupon packs) so that you save at least 50% at the grocery store (sometimes you actually get items for FREE). I was really skeptical b/c I didn't think spending money to save money made sense. (It's $1 for the 1st 4 weeks, then $10 for the next 8 weeks.)

I believed that shopping at Super Walmart was the only way to save money on groceries. But I finally decided to give it a try & now I'm shopping at Giant (they have lists for lots of stores in each state). This is my second week -- yesterday I saved $74!!

Here's the breakdown:
Total BEFORE discounts/coupons: $153
Total AFTER discounts/coupons: $79 -- YES, really!!

So, if you add my 1st week's totals, I have spent $154 in two weeks for $260 worth of groceries!! This includes toiletries, diapers, paper towels, etc. AND food! And honestly, I could just buy diapers, milk & bread for the next 3-4 weeks and we'd have MORE than enough food. You should see my freezer -- it's INSANE how much food is in there! I'm stockpiling right now, so I'm spending about $80-90/week. Eventually, I will be spending only $50-60/wk for all FIVE of us!

If you are skeptical about this idea of The Grocery Game (like I was) -- just save your coupon packs from the paper for the next 4 weeks. Then sign up for the $1 trial. I PROMISE you that even the first week you will be SHOCKED at how much you are saving -- and this would work for any size family. It only takes me 20 min each Sunday to choose the items I want from the list online & print it, then find my coupons (they tell you where to find each coupon). I would not do this if it involved any more time than that! And FYI -- I'm now meal planning around what I get on sale.

Here's one example of a great deal I got yesterday:
The 12 pack of Bounty paper towels is normally $12.99. It was on sale for $10.99, and I had a $2 off coupon. Because I spent $25+ on Proctor & Gamble products, I got a $7 coupon off my next grocery total. If you break it down, that means I only spent $1.99 for all those paper towels!

If you do sign up, please use my email address (kellybstampin@yahoo.com) in the referral box b/c I can earn free weeks.

So although it wasn't stamping related, now I have more money to spend on stamps!!!

WAY too long since my last post!

I'm so sorry it's been so long since my last post. I guess saying things have been hectic doesn't really sound legit, huh? I'll try my best to keep up with blogging since I rely on some of my fave bloggers for ideas! Enough talking, it's time for some new projects:

This was a card I sent to my cousin & his wife for their new baby girl. I just *love* making baby cards!

This is one of my Stamps in the Mail projects. After following the tutorial on www.splitcoaststampers.com, I created one for my SITM ladies. Basically, you use a smooth edge can opener to open the *bottom* of a can with a pop top lid. Then you clean it, decorate it, fill it, and seal it back up! It's a super fun way to give cash as a gift.

If you are interested in getting several projects sent to your door each month (including the supplies needed to make the projects), make sure to email me for more info: kellybstampin@yahoo.com.

Long Pocket Notes

My sister ordered some fun cards for her fiance this Christmas, and this is what I came up with:















I sent them to her without sayings inside because she wanted to make her own. (She wanted to make really funny, sarcastic & possibly inappropriate-for-this-blog sayings for the insides -- ha ha!)

Contest . . .

I know this isn't stamping related, but I'm a sucker for a contest!A Cowboy’s Wife is having a contest on her food blog! You can win a Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer and she’ll ship anywhere so everyone is eligible!

Long pocket notes

For some reason, when I take the picture, the colors aren't coming out quite right. This card is purely pomegranate, basic black & Cutie Pie DS paper. I also used Priceless, Hugs & Wishes, and Label Classics stamp sets.

I think this size card is a lot of fun to make and a bit more unique to send. Hopefully I'll be able to stamp some more this afternoon so I have even more samples for you!

Froggie card

I found a sheet of oval punch art ideas (by Lorrie Reibin) and decided to play around with the frog tonight. This is the card I made:

I'm surprised that this didn't take that long to make, considering how many different punches are used.

Supplies: Large & small oval punches; horizontal slot punch; 1/2" and 1 3/8" circle punches; scallop punch; narrow celery grosgrain ribbon; Hugs & Wishes stamp set; basic black journaler & basic black ink pad.

Scrapbooking!

Today I completed a scrapbook! This is a major accomplishment for me as most of my scrapbooks are only half finished.
Using SU's 6"X6" black (faux) leather album, I created a special scrapbook of all of the Christmas cards and photos our family received this year.


The above photo is one of the inside layouts. All the pictures I used were from Christmas cards. I then cut out the signatures or the printed names from the cards to include.

I've decided that this will be my tradition every January -- to take the Christmas cards and photos and scrap them. My husband thinks it's a great idea, but we'll see if I actually do this in 2009!

Supplies: album, Simply Scrappin' kit (retired X-mas 2007), black cardstock



This is another scrapbook I (almost) finished (just have to do the journaling):
I can't believe what can be made from just a few paper bags and some odds & ends supplies! I had fun making this, and my daughter *loves* to sit and "read" it. (She's five now.)

Supplies: 3 paper bags; assorted SU ribbon; rhinestone brad; lg & sm oval punches; prima flower; scallop punch; DS paper; Pretty in Pink & Regal Rose cardstock; tab punch; broken pencil & rubberband (for holding book together); Hugs & Wishes stamp set; basic black ink.

Baby Girls

I know so many people having baby girls recently! I made two of this card for 2 fellow moms:

New Website!!

Stampin' Up has redesigned our demonstrator websites with all sorts of new features. Please take a moment to check it out here:

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/kellybstampin

SITM Round 3

I promised one image from Round 3's SITM (Stamps In The Mail) and here it is:
Every participant will make this calendar, along with at least 8 other fun & fresh projects when committing to Round 3 of SITM. Participants will also receive a stamp set, ink pad, markers, and many other great Stampin' Up! accessories.

Sorry, I won't post directions or specifics on this particular project, as it's exclusive to my SITM program. But, I will tell you that it was inspired by Beate Johns' calendar tutorial on www.splitcoaststampers.com.

If you'd like to sign up, please contact me at kellybstampin@yahoo.com OR post a comment here with at least your email address. All the details of this fun 3 month program where you get a COMPLETE kit of projects delivered to your door can be found here.

Stampin' Up demos:
If you are interested in obtaining all of the color directions and consumables for this project, I have made a SU demo only kit available for only $35. This includes 3 months of EVERYTHING the customers will receive except for the SU products that you can buy as a demo (stamp sets, ink pads, etc.). Demos who participate are encouraged to use the exact projects (or modify as necessary) with their own customers and downline! (This is a great value, as I have increased the value of the consumables this round.)

Stamps In The Mail Round 3 is here!!

Finally, after many of you have asked when we are starting Round 3, I have the information for you! (Check back Sunday for a picture of one of the projects.)

Stamps in the mail Round 3:

• Each month, you will receive all the supplies and directions to make a minimum of 3 projects (more if people prepay).
  
• Cost is $35/month, but if you prepay for all 3 months via paypal ($105 to kellybstampin@yahoo.com), you will receive a FREE package of designer series paper -- your choice ($9.95 value!).
  
• Deadline to pay/prepay is January 17th!!
• Your first monthly kit will be shipped via priority Feb 1st.
• If you'd like the NEW 2008 Spring/Summer Catalog in your first kit, please add just $5 to your first payment.
  

Some of the products you will receive this round are:

• *NEW* rub ons
• *NEW* stamp set
• 1 ink pad
  
• 2 markers

Your monthly fee also covers the cost of

• Consumables: cardstock, paper, misc. accessories and supplies, envelopes
• Shipping & handling
• Color printing of directions
  

The projects we will make include:

• Desk calendar
• Pop top can
• Candy holder
• Valentine (swing card)
• Recipe card
• Tunnel card
• Easter/spring candy holder
• Artwork to frame
• Clear box with cards

Depending on the number of participants who prepay,
we may be able to make a few more projects, so spread the word!!

Watercolor Wonder

This card is actually a gift certificate one of hubby's coworkers purchased for his wife as a Christmas gift:

When my hubby told me he used my watercolor Wonder Crayons to actually paint the small portrait for the card, I was amazed! I thought he had used his "special" artist paints (for those of you who don't know, my hubby is a USMC combat artist; for more info on that, go here). With just Soft Subtles & Rich Regals crayons and a watercolor brush, he created the small portrait. (The small portrait is just a sample for the recipient. Hubby will paint a larger painting in oil of photos yet to be taken.)

Christmas Gifts

It's 12:30am and I just finished packaging hubby's gifts for coworkers/friends.

Inside, there's a container of homemade cocoa, homemade oreo fudge, and homemade no-bake chocolate peanut butter cookies. mmmmmm..........

I tied everything with silver cord and made special tags. For the cocoa containers, I used Starbucks frap bottles (ran through the dishwasher and decorated with SU papers/ribbon). FYI: SU satin ribbon is SO gorgeous. The pictures certainly do NOT do the ribbon justice.

I added snowflake ornaments that I personalized with the year. I also used the gifts tags I made here and attached them in little envelopes. I hope they like their treats!

Here's some close ups:

Boy birthday cards

I usually dread making cards for boys or men because I don't think I have many sets that are masculine. But the Voila chef with a bday cake seemed to work and the Outlaw paper was great, too! On the star card, I used Heat & Stick powder and brown flocking to create a fuzzy star. It's difficult to tell in the picture, but it feels so cool when you run your hand over it!

Mary Kay cards

A Mary Kay representative ordered a bunch of this card to give to her unit members. We placed a silver heart cookie cutter on top, placed it inside a cello bag & tied a wide celery grosgrain ribbon around it. I also attached little matching tags using the tag punches. Inside the card, it reads, you are the heart of our unit. On the back of the card, she had me attach a recipe called "Mary Kay Wham Bam Cookies"!

Supplies: Glossy White, Real Red, Wild Wasabi & Pretty in Pink cardstock; Real Red ink; Short & Sweet and Priceless stamp sets

Ornaments

I just love Christmas! I love to make things, and at this time of year, I have so many people to make things for! : )

I made the blue ornament by cutting apart an ornament garland I found at the Dollar Store. (It's so great because the ornament is plastic, but looks like a nice glass ball!) I used white stazon to stamp the snowflakes (they turned light blue) and a silver pen to write the person's name. I hot glued the silver top back on after slid a navy organdy ribbon through. Then I placed it inside a clear envelope and made a quick tag.

The silver tin ornament was given to me by a fellow stamper. Isn't it cool?? I need to make some of those, too.

Organization is on its way!

I have been working all afternoon on my office/craft room. This is what I've accomplished so far . . .More pictures will follow in a later post. I still have to go through one big box of things and organize the big IKEA shelves (the 16 cube shelf).

Stamped Presents

Tis the season . . . . . . to give gifts wrapped in Stampin' Up paper!


This is the stamped candle we made in our Christmas Gifts class last month.

Directions:
1. Stamp images on tissue paper (I used plain white).
2. Cut out images and lightly glue (I used SU glue stick) to candle.
3. Wrap candle & attached images with wax paper.
4. Using heat gun, work all the way around the candle until the images melt into the candle.
5. Peel off wax paper & you're finished!

Next month, we will be making a LOVE frame for Valentine's Day. If you would like to reserve a space in this class, please email me at kellybstampin@yahoo.com. (All of my classes are $15 and take place in my home in Fredericksburg.)

Bye - bye Letterpress & so many more. . .

2007 Retired List

Say goodbye to many of your favorite stamp sets. Click on the link above to check out the list in alphabetical order. Then, you can go to the online catalog to see images of the stamp sets here: online catalog.

If you have something on this list, please contact me ASAP so we can order it before it's gone forever!

My personal favorite that's being retired is Letterpress Alphabet. Here's a project I made with the set:
Supplies: retired Christmas designer series paper, Naturals Vanilla cardstock, Vintage Violet (retired) & Creamy Caramel ink, sponge, Vintage Violet stitched ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware, Script background stamp, Letterpress Alpha (retiring( stamp, Small Script, All Year Cheer I & Everyday Flexible Phrases stamp sets, horizontal slot punch, frame

(This is a CASE from SCS member girl3boys0. You can see her project here.)