Tie One On: Fluttering Snowflakes

I created this card to show off as many of the snowflakes from the 2010 Holiday Mini catalog as possible.  

First I stamped snowflakes from the hostess set Northern Hearts on the Marina Mist card base in Whisper White ink.  (I know the card looks like Pacific Point, but the color got a little unbalanced in the photo.  Make your card any color you wish.)  Next I cut a 2" x 5-1/2" strip of Whisper White card stock, and ran it through the Big Shot with the Northern Flurries embossing folder.  I then sponged a bit of Marina Mist ink on the edges and the raised snowflakes using a Stampin' Sponge quarter.  After sticking the white strip down with Snail adhesive, I sprayed the card with Vanilla Smooch Spritz.  

Next I used the Northern Frost Big Shot decorative strip to die-cut little snowflakes.  I sprayed those with Vanilla Smooch Spritz also (in my handy-dandy Color Catcher!).  I then punched three squares out of Marina Mist card stock with my 1-3/8" square punch. Using a single strand of embroidery floss, I tied the snowflakes on to the punched squares by taping the ends of the embroidery floss to the back of the squares using regular office tape.  

Once the snowflakes were attached to the punched squares, I stuck the squares on to the rest of my card using Stampin' Dimensionals.  

The card is really quite sparkly, but unfortunately Smooch Spritz doesn't show up well in photographs.  The best part of the card, however, is the movement of the fluttering snowflakes, and that can never be captured in a still photo.  You'll just have to make one of these for yourself to see how fun it is to have a little movement on a card!  

Supplies: 

Card stock: Marina Mist (119682), Whisper White (100730)

Ink: Marina Mist Classic ink (119668), Whisper White Craft ink (101731)

Northern Hearts hostess stamp set (ask me how you can get this for free!)

Northern Flurries embossing folder (120902)

Northern Frost decorative strip (120901)

Big Shot (113439) and decorative strip cutting pads (113479)

1-3/8" square punch (119877)

Vanilla Smooch Spritz (118772)

Stampin' Sponge (101610)

Snail adhesive (104332)

Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Promotion!: Call me or visit my online store to order any of these supplies.  Only until November 30th, there is an Online Spectacular sale where you can shop items up to 50% off, plus free shipping off any order $150 or more!  But be sure to order through my online store - if you order off the main Stampin' Up! page you won't receive these customer benefits.  

Event!: Want to win this card (among others) as a free doorprize?  Come to our Stampin Up and Mary Kay Open House!  It will be this Saturday, December 5th, at my friend Kelly's house.  Please call or email me for directions

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Charly Bratt
Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator
(970) 206-9120
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
CharlysInkLink.StampinUp.net

November 2010 Newsletter - Open House!

Stampin' Up! and Mary Kay Open House 

Join me and my friend Kelly for an Open House filled with food, fashion, crafts, cosmetics, make-and-takes, samples, door prizes, gifts, and great ideas.  

Make a Christmas card, pick up a stocking stuffer, make a gift box, and shop for your friends, family, and maybe for yourself!  

Drop in at Kelly's house any time between 10:00am and 4:00pm on Dec. 4th.  (RSVPs appreciated but not required.)

Address: 2113 Constitution Ave, Fort Collins (near Stuart and Shields).  

I will be showing a sneak peek at the new mini catalog, and taking workshop bookings for Sale-A-Bration - the best Stampin' Up! sale of the whole year!  Between Christmas and Sale-A-Bration, you won't want to miss this Open House!  

Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack

Send some hand made cards this holiday season!  I guarantee, they will stand out from all the other store-bought cards your friends and family will receive.  Whoever receives your cards will know that you spent some of your precious time making a card just for them.  That will mean more than any holiday greeting.  

At this stamp-a-stack event we will be making 3 cards each of 4 designs, for a total of 12 cards.  The class fee will be $18.00, and includes instruction sheets so you can make more of these cards at home.  

All the cards have been designed to use a minimum of supplies, so you can place a reasonable order and have the materials to make as many holiday cards as you need! 

50% off Starter Kit offer - only $87.50!

Buy all the supplies you need to make greeting cards, scrapbook pages, and gifts for the people you love.... all at an amazing price!  Get everything you see pictured here for only $87.50, with free shipping! Plus enjoy your demonstrator discount of 20% off your future purchases for the next three months.  

* Choose your stamp sets, ink colors, card stock colors, and more.  80% of the starter kit is customizable!

* Try out all the demonstrator privileges including an exclusive magazine, online demonstrator community, early announcements and preorders, discounts, and more!

* No strings attached!  You can drop being a demonstrator and keep the kit.

* Only available until Nov. 30th, so contact me right away!

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Calendar

Nov. 18 6:30: Bracelet Club meeting

Nov. 28 2:00: Holiday Stamp-a-Stack

Dec. 4: Brayer Class sign up

Dec. 4 10 - 4: Open House for SU! and MK

Dec. 11 2:00: Brayer Class

Dec. 9: Snowflake Ornament sign-up

Dec. 16 6:30 Bracelet Club meeting

Dec. 18 2:00: Snowflake Ornament Class

Dec. 19 2:00: Freestyle Stamping Club

Jan. 13: Mystery Hostess Event sign-up

Jan. 22 2:00: Mystery Hostess Event

Jan. 25 - Mar. 31 SALE-A-BRATION!!

Simply Adorned Bracelet Club

Make a personalized, totally unique charm bracelet for your mom, sister, or friend this holiday season.  Place an order for just a couple charms or the entire bracelet, and have it all ready by Christmas.  Email me photos of your favorite people to include them in your charms this month.  

November Class - Using the Brayer

I'll show you tips and techniques to take you from "what is a brayer?" to becoming a brayer goddess.  We will be making a card and also a photo background suitable as a gift.  Class fee is $17 and includes a brayer.  Please sign up by Dec. 4th so I can order your brayer in time.  

Stampin' Up! and Mary Kay Open House

Come to my friend Kelly's house for a look at some Mary Kay gift ideas, and also make Christmas cards and little gift boxes with Stampin' Up!  There will be food, make-and-takes, and door prizes!  2113 Constitution Ave Fort Collins, Dec. 4th 10am - 4pm

December Class - Snowflake Ornaments

Become the King of Bling!  We will be using the Big Shot to make snowflake ornaments, and I will show you several techniques to make them glitter.  Class fee is $12 and includes rhinestones and pearls.  Please sign up by Dec. 9th.

January - Mystery Hostess Event

Come make cards using the sneak peek stamp set "Sweet Summer".  We will also be looking at the Sale-A-Bration catalog as well as the new January mini catalog.  Anyone who places an order can earn Sale-A-Bration rewards, and is entered in the Mystery Hostess drawing to win the hostess gifts!  No class fee. 

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"Clean and Simple" Workshop

The Clean and Simple style can be cute, elegant, or sophisticated... but it's always fresh, and it always makes an impression.  

The key to this style is to be as careful as you can on every step.  Since there are so few elements in each simple design, every element has to look good. This may sound intimidating, but with a little care you'll find making these cards is easy and fun.  

Christmas is the perfect time to try the clean and simple style, because with fewer layers, steps, and materials, it's easier to produce 10 or 20 greeting cards to send to family. 

Call me today to book a workshop!  We will all make a couple cards together, and with what you'll learn you'll be able to make your own Christmas cards using this fast and simple style.  

Using the Brayer

Wouldn't this winter-themed photo background be a fantastic holiday gift, with your own family photo of course?  Come to my class and learn all the easy techniques that go into it! 

We will also make a couple of greeting cards to gain further practice with the brayer, and to experiment with the emboss resist technique.  

Go home with two holiday cards, one holiday gift, a brayer tool, and at least three new, easy techniques learned!  

Please contact me by Dec. 4th to reserve your spot and to order your brayer to use during the class.  

--
Charly Bratt
Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator
(970) 206-9120
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
CharlysInkLink.StampinUp.net

Amazing Deal - $310 in supplies for $87.50??!!??!!

Here's an early Black Friday deal for you - buy $310 worth of business and crafting supplies for $87.50!  If you've been wanting to stock up on stamping supplies, or get started in the stamping hobby, now is the perfect time! 

For $87.50 you will receive this Starter Kit:

• 3 wood-mount stamp sets
• 1 clear-mount set with a clear block
• 1 Stampin' Around wheel with an ink cartridge and handle
• 1 ink refill
• 2 card stock packs
• 1 Patterns Designer Series paper stack
• 4 Classic ink pads
• 1 VersaMark ink pad
• 2 Stampin' Write markers
• Ribbon
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Stampin' Scrub
• Stampin' Mist
• Stamping sponge
• SNAIL adhesive
• Blender pen
• Decor Elements piece with applicator
• 8 Idea Book and Catalogs
• Business supplies, forms, and tools

Many supplies are customizable so you can choose your favorite stamp sets (within a certain dollar amount), ink colors, marker colors, etc.

As well as getting all these great supplies in the kit, you also will have demonstrator privileges for 3 months, including the 20% off discount, a demonstrator magazine filled with techniques and ideas, access to the Stampin' Connection website, and much more. 

Question: If I buy this starter kit, do I have to make Stampin' Up! my career and start selling?
Answer: No!  There is no obligation for you to hold a single workshop or sell a single item.  However, if you enjoy the 20% discount, you might want to collect a few orders from your friends so you can make the $300 minimum every 3 months to keep your demonstrator privileges.  

Q: Do my own orders count towards the quarterly minimum?
A: Yes!  Many stamp fans can easily spend $100 on themselves every month, and they wouldn't need to collect any orders from anyone else.  However, your friends may want to place an order and get in on the fun too! 

Q: If I don't make the $300 quarterly minimum what penalties will I face?
A: None!  The only downside is you stop getting your 20% discount, magazine, and other demonstrator privileges. 

Q: Can I keep my starter kit if I get dropped as a demonstrator?
A: Yes of course!

Q: So what strings are attached?
A: You have to pay $87.50!  That's just about it.  Call me if you have specific questions.

Q: How long do I have to think about it? 
A: Not long!  This offer expires on Nov. 30th, so call me today!  You can also sign up online at CharlysInkLink.StampinUp.net. 

--
Charly Bratt
Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator
(970) 206-9120
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
CharlysInkLink.StampinUp.net

Clean and Simple, take two

Here is my second attempt at the clean and simple style, by following a card layout from the blog Clean and Simple Stamping.  I really enjoyed how the simple layout let the embossed stamps take the spotlight.  I'm not 100% satisfied with how I executed the layout... but the card makes me smile every time I look at it, so it must be a success anyway.  :) 

Card stock: Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black Craft; Silver Encore; Real Red; Versamark
Stamps: Every Little Bit; Loads of Love
Accessories: Clear embossing powder; Embossing Buddy; Heat tool. 

--
Charly Bratt
Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator
(970) 206-9120
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com

Clean and Simple Style

There are many different stamping styles, one of the more popular styles right now is "clean and simple".  I admire the look very much, but I seem to always be making things more complicated and layered than the clean and simple look. 

Recently I started following the blog "Clean and Simple Stamping", and I've been trying my hand at a couple different layouts.  I'll share one with you today, and another one tomorrow. 

Card stock: Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Stamp: Short & Sweet
Accessories: Northern Frost die, Owl punch (for the small circle), Pearl accents, mini glue dots, stampin' dimensionals. 

A note about clean and simple cards - they're not as easy to mass-produce as I thought they would be.  Because there are so few elements, each element has to be perfectly made and perfectly assembled.  Therefore, what looks like a card which can be thrown together quickly, in reality is a card which requires a little time and attention. 

However, the effect is totally worth it.  I may have to make all my Christmas cards clean and simple cards this year! 

--
Charly Bratt
Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator
(970) 206-9120
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com

The Present Card - PPSAS11b

Christmas Cards for Beginners: 

The Present Card (PPSAS11b)

Send a completely different kind of Christmas card this year - a hand made one!  With surprising elements like ribbon, a button, and a separate tag, this card will stand out from all the other 2-dimensional cards your friends will receive.  And best of all, this card is simple to make, and extremely cute.  

This card was designed to use a minimum of supplies.  Each paper pack includes enough paper and card stock to make 8 cards (of this design), with materials left over for another project.  

If you have ever done any paper crafting you may already have most of these supplies.  If you don't, you'll love getting some basic tools!

Specialty Tools for this project: 

Christmas themed paper pack (Candy Cane Christmas used here) - $5.00

Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon - 109034 - $4.95

Candy Cane Big designer buttons - 121718 - $8.95

Four The Holidays stamp set - 116921 - $13.95

white embroidery floss

Large Tag Punch (optional) - 119866 - $16.95

A Cute Christmas stamp set (optional) - 120825 - $25.95

Basic Tools for this project: 

Paper Cutter - 104152 - $24.95

Bone Folder - 102300 - $6.95

Basic Black Classic ink - 101179 - $5.95

Medium Whisper White Envelopes - 107301 - $6.50

Snail adhesive - 104332 - $6.95

Sticky Strip - 104294 - $6.95

Scotch tape

a needle and white thread

a thimble (optional)

1/16 Inch Handheld Circle Punch (optional) - 101227 - $8.95

Stamp-a-ma-jig (optional) - 101049 - $11.95

Personalized name stamp (optional) - 115600 - $18.95

Directions: 

1)  Prepare the card bases: Each paper pack will include six 8-1/2" x 11" sheets of card stock, 4 colored and 2 white.  Choose the 4 colors you want to use.  Place each sheet on the paper cutter horizontally and cut in half.  That will give you 8 sheets measuring 5-1/2" x 8-1/2".  Fold each of those sheets in half and crease the folds with your bone folder.  You should now have 8 card bases measuring 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".

2) Cut the presents: Each paper pack will include eight 6" x 6" sheets, six of designer series paper and two of textured card stock.  From each of those sheets, cut a 5" x 3-3/4" rectangle.  Next take a 6" length of ribbon and stretch it across the present, wrap the ends around the back and tape the ribbon to the present using Scotch tape.  Repeat with a 4-3/4" length of ribbon going around the present in the opposite direction.  Adhere the present to the card base using Snail adhesive.  

3)  Make the bows: First wrap a few stitches of white embroidery floss through the big button to give the button a finished look.  Next cut three 6" lengths of ribbon.  Put about a 1/4" of Snail adhesive at one end of the ribbon and stick the other end of the ribbon to that, making a circle.  Next put another 1/4" of Snail on the end of the ribbon inside the circle and push the top of the circle on to that, making a flat bow with no ends.  Repeat with the other two lengths of ribbon.  

Hold all three flat bows together so they form a star.  With a needle and white thread, stitch through all layers two times.  Add the big button, and stitch the big button to the bow.  Once the bow and button is secure, attach the bow to the present with Sticky Strip adhesive.  

4) Add the tag: If you have a tag punch, punch a tag out of the off-cuts from the designer paper or the textured card stock.  If you don't have a tag punch, cut a long rectangle from the off-cuts and fold it in half to make a mini-card.  (You may need to add a layer of white paper to the inside of the mini card to make your greeting show up.)  Either stamp or hand write a cute Christmas greeting.  Punch a small hole with a hand held punch or a thumbtack.  Run some white embroidery floss through the hole and tie the tag around the button.  

5) Stamp the holiday greeting: Choose your greeting from the "Four the Holidays" set.  Ink it with Basic Black ink and stamp it inside the card.  To ensure perfect placement, use a Stamp-a-ma-jig.  (Click here for a video on how to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig.)  

6) Finish your card: If you have a personalized name stamp, sign your creation by using your stamp on the back of the card.  (If you choose to make greeting cards to sell, you must use a name stamp or another copyright stamp for copyright reasons.  If you are giving your cards away for free, it is not necessary.)  

Congratulations!  You have just made your own Christmas cards!  If you need more than 8 cards, buy another paper pack.  Once you have all right right tools, you can make as many cards as you need!  

November '10 - Candy Cane Christmas - PPSAS11a

Christmas Cards for Beginners:

The Ornament Card (PPSAS11a)

Don't be frightened of Christmas cards!  You can turn a boring chore into a fun family tradition.  Instead of sending discount cards this year, make your own cards and imagine how impressed your family will be when they open your envelope.  

Even if you don't have a single piece of paper crafting equipment, these cards take a minimum of supplies.  Each paper pack holds enough card stock and paper to make 12 greeting cards (of this design), and the only specialized tools you'll need are the ornament punch and the holiday greeting stamp set.  

If you have ever done any paper crafting you may already have most of these supplies.  If you don't, you'll love getting some basic tools!  

Specialty Tools for this project: 

Christmas themed paper pack (any style) - $5.00

Four The Holidays stamp set - 116921 - $13.95

Ornament Punch - 119847 - $16.95

Basic Tools for this project: 

Paper Cutter - 104152 - $24.95

Bone Folder - 102300 - $6.95

Basic Black Classic ink - 101179 - $5.95

Stampin' Dimensionals - 104430 - $3.95

Medium Whisper White Envelopes - 107301 - $6.50

A ruler for marking

Stampin' Write Journaler (optional) - 105394 - $3.50

Stamp-a-ma-jig (optional) - 101049 - $11.95

Personalized name stamp (optional) - 115600 - $18.95

Directions: 

1)  Prepare the card bases: Each paper pack will include six 8-1/2" x 11" sheets of card stock, 4 colored and 2 white.  Place each sheet on the paper cutter horizontally and cut in half.  That will give you will give you 12 sheets measuring 5-1/2" x 8-1/2".  Fold each of those sheets in half and crease the folds with your bone folder.  You should now have 12 card bases measuring 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".  

2) Create the scored frame on all of the card fronts:  Remove the cutting blade from the paper cutter and replace with the black scoring blade.  Place your opened card base on the paper cutter horizontally, and score from top to bottom at the 1/2" mark and the 3-3/4" mark.  Now place the card base in the paper cutter vertically, and score from the edge to the fold at the 1/2" mark and the 5" mark.  

3) Stamp your greeting: Choose your greeting from the "Four the Holidays" set.  Ink it with Basic Black ink and stamp it just above the bottom score line, centered within the frame.  To ensure perfect placement, use a Stamp-a-ma-jig.  (Click here for a video on how to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig.)  

4) Punch your ornaments: first select the three patterns you want to use together which best compliment the color of your card base.  Turn your punch over and slide your paper in while looking through the punch hole.  Move the paper around to select the best section of the pattern to punch out.  Also aim to punch your ornaments near each other and near the edge of the paper to avoid waste.  

5) Arrange your ornaments and draw the strings: Place your ornaments on the card base, within the scored frame, and arrange to your liking.  With a black pen, place a dot just above each ornament to mark where the ornament string should go.  Remove the punched ornaments and use a ruler to draw the strings.  Then adhere the ornaments to the card using stampin' dimensionals.

6) Finish your card: If desired, stamp another holiday greeting on the inside of the card, or just write your own greeting.  If you have a personalized name stamp, sign your creation by using your stamp on the back of the card.  (If you choose to make greeting cards to sell, you must use a name stamp or another copyright stamp for copyright reasons.  If you are giving your cards away for free, it is not necessary.)  

Congratulations!  You have just made your own Christmas cards!  If you need more than 12 cards, buy another paper pack in a different design.  Once you have all right right tools, you can make as many cards as you need!