Do you have the creativity of a warthog? - Charly's Ink Link April 2011

Are You Creative?

 

Does it matter?  I don't care if you have the creativity of a warthog, you still have the ability to make a beautiful gift.  

Whether you want to give a thoughtful card, or share your photos and memories with your children, if you have two hands with opposable thumbs you can make these things.  

Stampin' Up! provides stamps so you never have to draw, Designer Series paper so you never have to try to put your own colors together, and the most fabulous and easy-to-use tools.  

Hundreds of blogs and websites exist to give you ideas, layouts, designs, and technique tutorials.  

But most of all, putting it all together is my job.  I am your personal coach when it comes to papercrafting, and I am awesome at what I do.  

So I dare you to be the least creative person on earth.  I can help you make projects you will be proud to give away - and your recipients will be touched to receive.  It's not about how creative you can be.  It's about making someone happy with your hand made, beautiful, greeting cards and scrapbook pages.  

Easter and Mother's Day Class

Join me on the 23rd at 2:00pm at my house to make six simple cards.  For April we will be using the paper Elegant Soiree, with its spring-like colors of earthy browns and cheerful blues.  Perfect for Easter, Mother's Day, birthdays, "get well", or just "thinking of you", these cards will be great to have on hand.  

While these cards look sophisticated, they are really very simple to put together.  Class fee is only $15 for 6 different cards, or place a catalog order of $25 or more and the class will be free.  Please contact me by 4/14 to reserve your spot.  

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Calendar

Apr. 14: Easter & Mother's Day class sign-up

Apr. 14 6:30: Simply Adorned Bracelet Club

Apr. 23 2:00: Easter & Mother's Day Class

Apr. 24 2:00: Freestyle Stamping Club

May 19 Congrats and Condolences sign-up

May 19 6:30: Simply Adorned Bracelet Club

May 28 2:00: Congrats and Condolences class

May 29 2:00: Freestyle Stamping Club

June 16 Summertime and Picnics sign-up

June 16 6:30: Simply Adorned Bracelet Club

June 25 2:00: Summertime and Picnics class

June 26 2:00: Freestyle Stamping Club

Simply Adorned Bracelet Club

Make a personalized, totally unique charm bracelet for yourself or for a gift.  Buy one charm each month, or buy the entire bracelet at once, it's up to you.  Order your charms ahead of time, then come to our club meetings to use my supplies and ideas.  What is more fun than friends, crafts, and jewelry?

Freestyle Stamping Club

Come to my Freestyle Stamping Club to give yourself a little crafting time and stamp with friends.  I will provide ink, some stamp sets, basic tools, and I will have paper packs available for $5.00.  Or bring your own materials, any brand.  There is no fee, and everyone is invited!  Please RSVP.   

April - Easter and Mother's Day Class

Come make six pretty and elegant cards which can be used for a variety of occasions - including Easter or Mother's Day.  Class fee will be $15.00, or place a $25 catalog order and the class will be free.  Please sign up by April 14th to reserve your spot.  

May - Congratulations and Condolences

We all need cards for both happy and sad events.  In this class we will make six cards, including wedding cards, new baby cards, and condolences cards.  Please sign up by May 19th so supplies can be prepared.  Class fee will be $15 or a $25 catalog order.  

June - Summertime and Picnics class

This month we will make four different 12"x12" scrapbook pages with a summertime theme.  Each layout will be easily reproducible with other stamps and papers, so make four pages in class and  more at home.  I will also talk about scrapbooking for non-scrappers.  Class fee will be $15 or a $25 catalog order.  Please sign up by June 16th so I can order your supplies. 

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May Baskets

Celebrate May Day this year by surprising others with these cute May baskets.  These little baskets are perfect for holding a handful of treats and leaving anonymously on co-workers' desks or neighbors' front porches.  

This month book me for a private class and I will show you and your friends how to make this adorable basket and a matching card.  These would also be perfect for a wedding or party favors.  

This is a great time to host a class, since hostesses can earn a beautiful set of products for free!  With the Spring is Blossoming promotion, earn both the stamps and the papers shown here for free if total orders equal $350 or more.  Call me to book your private class today!

Color Challenge

It's April - Happy Birthday to me and all my other April birthday friends! This month I chose a color combination which looks bright, happy, and energetic.   Try making a project using Concord Crush, So Saffron, and Pear Pizzazz.

Here's a tip- always keep some white ribbon on hand, like this 5/8" organza ribbon (item #114319). When you need ribbon of a specific color, just dye the ribbon by rubbing it on a Classic ink pad, or color it with Stampin' Up! markers (shown here). Concord Crush ribbon is available, but I don't have any so I made my own using this method. 

Technique Challenge

Birthdays, baby showers, and weddings are all good excuses to have cake.  Now you can have this cake and eat one too!  These mini cakes are fun as gifts, party favors, or table decor.  They are made with an LED tea light, scraps of paper, and a 1-3/4" scallop circle punch.  They can be ornate like this wedding cake, or quick and easy like the birthday cake.  

Tip: If you want to make a lot of cakes, I suggest using a Simply Scrappin' kit.  With patterned paper and matching decorative borders you can decorate an LED cake in a snap.  To make the center hole, use a hand held hole puncher and punch several holes as close to the center as you can, to make one larger, centered hole.  Ask me to demonstrate! 

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! 

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

July 2010 Newsletter - Christmas in July

Christmas in July

The best time to make Christmas cards is when the weather is hot and the drinks are cold.   Come to my July 17th class and make 30 cards quickly and easily using the brand-new Simply Scrappin' kit "Christmas Cheer".  

Make your cards now with no holiday stress, and they'll be finished and ready when you want them on December 1st.  Everyone on your Christmas list will love receiving special hand-made cards which are unlike anything they've seen in the stores.  You'll love how fun they are to make with the self-adhesive die cuts, designer paper, and quality Stampin' Up! designs.  This year's Christmas colors of Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Marina Mist, and Very Vanilla are beautiful and stylish.

Bring your friends and we'll have a Christmas in July card-making party!  If you can't make the date, just find 3 friends who also want to make cards and we'll schedule a private class, either at your house or at mine.  

The new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog is here!  

See the newest colors, designs, tools, and ideas!  I am absolutely in love with the colors which are available this year, and it seems like there is a new stamp set on almost every page of the catalog.  This year we have clear-mount stamps, a new punch design, new storage solutions, new accessories... there is so much, you'll just have to get a catalog for yourself.  Even if you aren't looking to buy much, you'll love the ideas on every page.  The catalog is a $10 value, but you can get one for free by hosting a workshop!

I am especially thrilled with the new Getting Started collection.  This is a set of 12 colors which are versatile enough to be used for any occasion, and which look good together in almost any combination.  Instead of buying ink and card stock in individual packages, or as a collection of Brights, Subtles, etc., try the Getting Started collection of ink spots and card stock.

Featured Project for July

July's card is a quick and easy design, just perfect for when you need to restock your stash of handmade cards.  Use different sentiments to make cards for every occasion.  This example features Greenhouse Gala paper from the new catalog.  Would you like to make this card, plus receive the new catalog for free?  Host a workshop with your friends!

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Calendar

July 8: Christmas Cards sign-up 

July 17 2:00: Christmas Cards in July

July 18 2:00: Freestyle Stamping Club

Aug. 5: Mini Scrapbook sign-up 

Aug. 14 2:00: Mini Scrapbook class

Aug. 15 2:00: Freestyle Stamping Club

Sept. 9: Scrap Card class sign up

Sept. 18 2:00: Scrap Card class

Sept. 19 2:00: Freestyle Stamping Club

Freestyle Stamping Club

Come to my Freestyle Stamping Club to give yourself a little crafting time and stamp with friends.  I will provide ink, some stamp sets, basic tools, and I will have paper packs available for $5.00.  Any of my current customers are welcome to come - if you have purchased $15 or more from me from the Stampin' Up! catalog in the past 3 months, then you are one of my current customers.

July Class - Christmas Cards in July

Finish all your hand-made Christmas cards now, and be stress-free and prepared when the holidays come around again.  We'll be making 30 cards for $30, using the new holiday Simply Scrappin' kit.  Please sign up by July 8th.

August - Flip-Open Mini Scrapbook

This 5"x 6" flip-open mini scrapbook is a breeze to make with one of our Simply Scrappin' kits.  With 14 pages this unconventional scrapbook has a lot of room for pictures and journaling.  Class fee is $18.  Please sign up by Aug. 5th. 

September Class - Scrap Cards

Scrapbooks can be big, intimidating projects, but scrap cards (cards with photos and journaling) can be made in a snap!  Come learn to make 3 scrap card designs.  Class fee is $9.  Please sign up by Sept. 9th.  

Super Summer Sale

For every $50 you spend on Stampin' Up! catalog purchases, I will give you a free Classic Stampin' Pad in your choice of the new colors!  

Also, for every new customer you bring me who signs up for my mailing list, I will give you a coupon for $5 off your next catalog purchase!  

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What have you been doing this year?   Wouldn't you like to share your family news, along with all your pictures, with your family and friends?  Send a family newsletter!  Some people send newsletters now during the summer break; others wait and send a Christmas letter.  Either way, your distant family would love to see photos and hear the latest on your family.  In this age of Facebook and email, sending a real letter means twice as much.   How to write a family newsletter:  Most importantly, write like you're talking on the telephone.  Don't write in the third person like the butler is writing the letter for you.  Instead say, "The kids and I went to the beach", or "I've just started a new project".  Devote one paragraph to each family member and one paragraph to each major event.  Keep it simple.	Easily add photos, text, background patterns, mats and layers, or other elements.  My Digital Studio has the most intuitive interface I've ever used.
Pictures are worth 1,000 words.  Make sure you include many good-sized photographs.  Consider designing your newsletter a little like this one, with photos and captions down the side of your block of text.  If you don't have much to write, add more photos.  Design the back side of your letter with nothing but extra-large photos and captions.  Write all your captions first - it will change what you write in your letter.   Think about layouts. You don't have to be an experienced scrapbooker to lay out text and photos for your family newsletter.  First plan how much you want to write.  Will it take up most of a page or just three paragraphs?  Then arrange your photographs accordingly.  You could have a few smallish photos down one side, or many photos across the top, bottom, and both sides.  If you're using My Digital Studio, artist-designed templates and layouts are available for you to use directly or as inspiration.	Some software does too much and you need to be a professional to use it.  Other software doesn't do enough.  Buy the right program for the job -  My Digital Studio.
Make it easy.   You might be thinking that writing a family newsletter is just too hard, or you don't have the time.  I admit, with the wrong software it can be a frustrating, time consuming project.  But with the right software you can put together a letter in just one afternoon!  For example, every month I send out "Charly's Ink Link" newsletters with different backgrounds, photos, and embellishments.  I can put it all together quickly, since I'm using My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up!   Take care of Christmas in July.   The winter holidays are stressful enough.  Why not prepare for them this summer when you have some extra time?  Buy My Digital Studio now, and check out the amazing templates and fun designs which come with the program.  Experiment by putting together a first-draft letter and your photos of the year so far, and then you'll be able to finish up your holiday letter in November, stress-free.   Family newsletters are only the beginning.   My Digital Studio is perfect for family newsletters, but of course that's not all it does.  It's a digital scrapbooking and card making program, and it comes pre-loaded with backgrounds, photo layouts, punches and shapes, digital stamps, images, embellishments, and templates.  Use it to print out a professional quality last-minute birthday card, or show off your vacation photos using the artist-designed scrapbook templates.   There is so much you can do with this program, you'll just have to schedule a meeting with me so I can give you a tour.  Invite your friends and make it a party!  Everyone will take home a sample.	With My Digital Studio you can start creating the same day you install your software.  You won't need to take a class or buy a book, just start experimenting and see how easy it is.

June 2010 Newsletter - Masculine Cards

Masculine Cards

Come to this stamp-a-stack class and make 9 masculine themed cards in 3 designs. Get ready for Father's Day and summer birthdays! Mix and match sentiments to make any combination of Father's Day cards, birthday cards, "thinking of you" cards, or blank cards. 

We'll be tying ties, playing with brads, buttons, and staples, and using my new Big Shot machine.  You won't want to miss it! 

Date: June 12 

Time: 2:00pm

Place: Charly's house

Class fee: $18.00

More info: CharlysInkLink@gmail.com or (970)206-9120

"Get the Scoop" Party and Open House

Come for the ice cream, stay for the sneak peak!  I will be serving ice cream cones and giving away door prizes while you make cards, shop my Stampin' Up! garage sale, and "get the scoop" on the new Idea Book and Catalog for 2010-2011.  I will be taking pre-orders for the new products, and reserving free copies of the new catalog for anyone who schedules a workshop for July or August.  You won't want to miss getting hands-on with the newest stamps and products.  Come early to get the best deals at my Stampin' Up! garage sale!

June Featured Card

Have you seen the new Presto Patterns paper in the Summer Mini catalog?  These specialty designer papers come with a pattern in a resist ink.  That means when you cover the paper in colored ink, the resist pattern shows through.  In this example the resist is in a diamond pattern, and I rolled on the Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry colors with a brayer.  

Want to give it a try yourself?  Book a workshop with me and you and all your friends can make this card (or a similar one) for free!  Email me at CharlysInkLink@gmail.com for more information.  

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CALENDAR

June  9: Masculine Cards sign-up 

June 12 2:00: Masculine Cards class

June 13 2:00: Freestyle Stamping Club

June 19 1 - 4: "Get The Scoop" party

July 8: Christmas Cards sign-up 

July 17 2:00: Christmas Cards in July

July 18 2:00: Freestyle Stamping Club

Aug. 5: Mini Scrapbook sign-up 

Aug. 14 2:00: Mini Scrapbook class

Aug. 15 2:00: Freestyle Stamping Club

Freestyle Stamping Club

Come to my Freestyle Stamping Club to give yourself a little crafting time and stamp with friends.  I will provide ink, some stamp sets, basic tools, and I will have paper packs available for $5.00.  Any of my current customers are welcome to come - if you have purchased $15 or more from me from the Stampin' Up! catalog in the past 3 months, then you are one of my current customers.

June Class - Masculine Cards

Father's Day is right around the corner.  Make the men in your life handmade cards with strong images, colors, and designs.  We will make 9 cards in 3 designs.  Class fee is $18.00.  

"Get The Scoop" Party and Open House

Ice cream, door prizes, and make-and-take cards are just the beginning!  Shop my Stampin' Up! garage sale to get retiring stamps and great deals.  "Get the scoop" on new products, place pre-orders, and reserve your copy of the new catalog by signing up to host a workshop.   

July Class - Christmas Cards in July

Finish all your hand-made Christmas cards now, and be stress-free and prepared when the holidays come around again.  We'll be making 30 cards for $30, using the new holiday Simply Scrappin' kit.  Please sign up by July 8th.

August - Flip-Open Mini Scrapbook

This 5"x 6" flip-open mini scrapbook is a breeze to make with one of our Simply Scrappin' kits.  With 14 pages, this unconventional scrapbook has a lot of room for pictures and journaling.  Class fee is $18.  Please sign up by Aug. 5th. 

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Super-Mini Scrapbooking as Jewelry

What does a scrapbooker wear as jewelry?  Tiny scrapbook pages of course!  Here I've created super-mini pages, which are still recognizable as scrapbook layouts, in my 1" x 1-1/4" Simply Adorned necklace pendant.    

Can you call these scrapbook pages if they don't contain any photographs?  I think you can.  The art of scrapbooking has evolved far enough so that a design can still be recognized as a scrapbook page, even without photographs.  To me, you can call a design a scrapbook page if it contains these elements: 

1) a layout design

2) one or more focal images

3) journaling

4) background paper or a background pattern

5) matting/layers

6) (optional) multiple textures - such as embossing, textured card stock, paper piercing, etc.

7) (optional) multiple materials - such as ribbon, rhinestones, twine, glitter, beads, etc.

The challenge with super-mini pages is, of course, to find images small enough to be proportional in a page which is only 1" x 1-1/4".  Thankfully, Stampin' Up! solved my problem with their new set "Itty Bitty Bits".  I also used the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack to make tiny circles and flowers.  

But there are more images you can use besides the one set.  I've successfully used tiny details found in larger stamps.  Look with new eyes at all your stamps.  Don't forget your Stampin' Around wheels!  Also consider cutting out small images from designer series paper, or even shrinking images using My Digital Studio.  

Making tiny scrapbook pages using materials intended for 12"x12" pages takes ingenuity, creativity, and inventiveness.  Give it a try!  You may find yourself with a whole new hobby.  And if you wear your new pages in a Simply Adorned necklace pendant, you'll find yourself with a whole new jewelry wardrobe too!  

Supplies: 

Simply Adorned 1" x 1-1/4" charm (#116798) 

Simply Adorned 24" chain (#116800)

Itty Bitty Bits (#117056)

Rough Type (#118659)

Punched Posies (#118535)

Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (#118309)

Scallop Trim border punch (#118402)

Travel Journal designer series paper (#117156)

Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#119976)

Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (#118772)

Stampin' Emboss powder: clear, white (#109130 and #109132)

Basic Black Stampin' Write journaler (#105394)

Big Shot machine (#113439)

Heat Tool (#100005)

cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, 

So Saffron, Whisper White

ink: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Versamark, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Bashful Blue

Charly Bratt

Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

CharlysInkLink@gmail.com

CharlysInkLink@blogspot.com

Click here to download this newsletter

March Featured Card

This month's card is a beautiful pastel collection of flowers, leaves, and paisleys, showcasing up to four patterns of the Shades of Spring designer series paper.

The featured card for March is perfect for Easter, a "new baby" card, or a Spring themed birthday or "thinking of you" card.
 
Aren't these colors and patterns just perfect for overcoming the winter blues? Not only are these cards fun to make, but they bring a bit of Spring sunshine to whomever you send one.


Contact me to book a workshop, and you and all of your friends can each make one of these cards for free. Remember that Sale-A-Bration ends March 31st, so don't miss out on the biggest sales event of the year! Earn a free stamp set for every $50 you spend, or for hosting a workshop, or for joining Stampin' Up!
 
Charly Bratt
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
http://charlysinklink.blogspot.com
http://www.charlysinklink.stampinup.net

February Featured Card

I love the pink and red glittery Valentine's Day projects I've been working on, but for the second half of February I thought I'd focus on something more subdued. The featured card for February is made with the Nouveau Chic designer series paper, which is so beautiful it's hard to choose which patterns to use.

This "happy birthday" card uses the Happy Moments stamp set, available for free as a Sale-A-Bration reward. The scalloped trim border punch is also a Sale-A-Bration reward, although it will be available in June with the new catalog.

If you would like to make this card call me and book a workshop. Get together with your friends, have a fun afternoon, and take home a handmade card!

 
Charly Bratt
CharlysInkLink@gmail.com
http://charlysinklink.blogspot.com/
http://www.charlysinklink.stampinup.net/