Just a few Scraps....

Hey everyone! I've been working so hard on the layouts for my Scrappin' Simplified classes this week, that I forgot to post anything to the blog! Sorry about that - but hopefully, this layout will make up for it!

I love this page so, so much, even before I put the picture of Emma on it. :)
It is actually a CASE of a page from the New Idea Book and Catalog. The original 12 x 12 page is found on page 111.

Well, I needed to improvise a few things, but the general feel is still the same. See, you don't always have to re-invent the wheel to get something beautiful!

I started with a 12 x 12 base of Certainly Celery cardstock and layered it up with Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Kraft Patterns and Urban Garden Designer Series Paper. The ribbon strips are Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain and Certainly Celery Narrow Grosgrain.

I stamped the letters with Well-Worn Alphabet in Baja Breeze ink on Baja cardstock and cut them out. The "O" is layered with a Chocolate Chip Felt Flower from Flower Fusion Too and a half-pearl from the Pretties kit. The flowers in the corner are stamped once in Old Olive and then stamped again with Baja Breeze on Whisper White Cardstock and cut out. They are popped up on dimensionals.

This layout is great because it gives you plenty of room to journal or add supporting photos. If you are coming to class this week, this is one of the layouts you'll be creating! Hope you are looking forward to it!
Happy Wednesday
~~Robin

Hit Me With Your BIG SHOT!

I know, it's supposed to be BEST SHOT for all you Pat Benatar fans out there, but I have yet another project with the Sizzix Big Shot to share with you.

And before I go any further, if YOU are in my BIG SHOTS Club, YOU will be making a set of these note cards at one of our club classes this fall! And did I mention that the first three classes are FREE when you invest in my Big Shot Starter Kit offer? Check out the entire offer in my post from last week then give me a call to let me answer your questions, ok? You will LOVE your Big Shot, I promise!

This cute note card was made with the Top Note Die (SU! exclusive) for all three pieces of paper and cardstock used. I chose Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango and some of that yummy Hawaii Papaya Designer Series Paper. The accent ribbon is Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain simply tied around the front panel of the card. My greeting comes from the Fresh Cut Stamp Set.

I made a set of these note cards for my Mom for her birthday last week and she loved them! I knew then that I had a hit on my hands and decided that my Big Shot gals needed to make them too!

Have a great week, everyone!
TTFN!
~~Robin

Blogger's Challenge #63 - Color Challenge

Put your sunglasses on for this one!~ It's a doozy!

When I first pulled out these colors to work with, I wanted to call our challenge Mom, Lisa and ask her "What were you thinking, girlfriend!?" Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss. But then I realized that I had used these colors together myself for one of my convention swaps posted here.

So, not wanting to eat my words, I just pulled out some cardstock and got to work.

Today, this color combo just screamed PARTY - so I pulled out my NEW Party Hearty Stamp Set and a 3D sample that I'd received at convention. A fellow stamper, Rachel Marsh from Illinois, was in a 3D project swap with me and she did these super cute "Birthday in a Box" projects. She made a box out of cardstock and filled it with a Hostess Cupcake, a birthday candle and a box of decorated matches.

Well, I got really excited about making my own version of this great idea, especially when I realized that I'd have to go over to Safeway and buy a box of Hostess Chocolate Cupcakes to, you know, make it "real"! So, I ran over there after dinner so I could, ahem, include one in my picture. But did you know that Safeway doesn't SELL Hostess Chocolate Cupcakes?! They don't even sell Twinkies for pete's sake! They do sell those silly 100 Calorie Muffin packs, but how can you celebrate a Birthday on only 100 calories?! It's a travesty, but I digress.........

The box bottom is simply Pacific Point cardstock cut at 8 1/2 square and scored at 2 1/2" all around. Then the corners are scored on the diagonal. It's all folded up on the inside and I used Sticky Strip and staples to finish the construction.

The lid was a little tricky because the measurements I had on the project sheet didn't work out, so I'm gonna play with it a little and do this at a class sometime this fall. As you can see, I did use Tangerine Tango cardstock for the lid which I stamped on with matching ink. I also used the NEW Scalloped Edge punch all around. It still needed "something" so I added the Kiwi Kiss cardstock strip as an underlayer. A White Gel Pen finished off the lid.

The ribbon is the new Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain and I tied the tag to it with Red Hemp Twine - a perfect match!

Most fun was the cupcake embellishment! I stamped it twice, cut them out and mounted the frosting on dimensionals. Then using my Crystal Effects and some retired Bold Brights Beads I place the sprinkles on top. I just used the sewing needle from my Crafter's Tool Kit. Worked like a charm! The Scallop Punch and 1 3/8" Circle Punch were used for the background and again I just added some White Gel Pen for pop.

Hope you like it and it makes you feel festive for the weekend! Be sure to check out all the other Blogger's Challenge players by using the link on my sidebar.

Now, gotta find me some cupcakes!
~~Robin

Branching Out....Combining Two Challenges!

Call it peer pressure, call it stamper's envy, call it CRAZY - but - I've decided to try some additional challenges along with my weekly Blogger's Challenge!

I sat down to stamp today and had NO Mojo! None, nada, kaput! So, I hemmed and hawed and checked my e-mail about 6 times, but you guys weren't talkin', so I had to go and stamp something. Hummph.

There are a few blogs I check frequently and one of them is my fab friend in Massachusetts - Selene. Her blog is on my sidebar to the left - Hi Selene! She has decided to start doing a sketch challenge on her blog and remembering that, I began there. (Click here to view the original sketch) I did turn the sketch a 1/4 turn for my card.

Then I needed colors! Well, over on another blog I discovered called www.colorthrowdown.blogspot.com they had posted this Color Combination Challenge

So, working with Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose and Baja Breeze. I got to work. Now, to be perfectly honest, I'm not really sure I like the final result of my toil today - yes, I said toil. I told you I had NO Mojo today! But, anyway, here it is for the world to see and I guess since it took me 2 HOURS to finish it, I'll link it back to the challenges to see if anyone else likes it too.

First I stamped the large flower with Regal Rose ink on to Regal Rose cardstock for a background and once on the Very Vanilla for my focal piece. Next I constructed the side panel with cardstock layers. I stamped on Vanilla with the Gratitude Definition using Close to Cocoa ink. I overstamped it with 2 smaller flowers in Regal Rose and Baja Breeze. Then I distressed the panel by crumpling it over and over.

Now, I have to go on record here, I was not taking out my creative frustration on that poor piece of paper! I was really trying to give it a distressed look - at least that's my story and I'm stickin' too it!

So once it was rumpled enough, I patted my Kiwi Kiss ink pad on the surface to add some more color. I layered everything up, yes, there are 7 layers on this baby! Then added the felt flower and rhinestone brad. The sentiment was stamped last because I knew if I messed up and it was crooked, I'd have a reason to throw it away!

Here are the supplies I used: Stamp Sets: Eastern Blooms, Define Your Life, Pocket Silhouettes
Cardstock: Regal Rose, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla
Inks: Same plus Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Horizontal Slot Punch, Rhinestone Ice Brads, Flower Fusion Too and Kiwi Kiss Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. But, please be kind. This stamper can't take it today! :)
~~Robin

Announcing - the Big Shots Club!

It's finally time - I can offer you the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine! So, here we go - I've had mine for a month now and I'm in LOVE! You will love it too and I've created a Special Club and a Special Deal just for my clients and hostesses! Here are the details:

Robin’s Big Shots Club – Special Offer – Thru September 30th

Purchase the BIG shot Special Edition Starter kit for $195.95 (savings of almost $10 if purchased separately!)
and receive a FREE Die of Your Choice – my gift to you! ($19.95 Value)
Plus you will receive a FREE Hostess ONLY Level 1 stamp set ($20.00 Value)
PLUS $20.00 in FREE product of your choice from the new catalog!
Plus, become a member of my Big Shots Club and receive 3 FREE classes (total value $45) to learn all the ins and outs of the Big Shot and create some fabulous projects that you will simply love.

Check out the online Brochure HERE

Here is what comes in your Special Editon Starter kit:

Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (brochure page 2)
Multipurpose Platform and Standard Cutting Pads (included with the machine)
2 Stampin’ Up! Exclusive BigzTM Dies (Scallop Envelope and Top Note, brochure page 3 )
1 Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Sizzlits 4-Pack (Birds & Blooms, brochure page 3)
1 Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Decorative Strip (Join in the Cheer, brochure page 4)
Decorative Strip Cutting Pads and Extended Spacer Platform (brochure page 2)

Plus

1 FREE die (Valued at $19.95)
FREE Hostess only stamp set level 1
$20.00 in FREE product of your choice to spend in the catalog
3 FREE Big Shots Club Classes! (valued at $45 total!)
You Pay only $229.50 for over $310.00 in fabulous products, tools, personal class instruction and projects!
This special offer is only good through me, your personal demonstrator. You may use your credit card (Visa, MC or Discover).

Contact me if you are interested in a layaway plan. (6 weeks max.)

I’ve owned a Sizzix Die Cutter for years now, but the NEW Big Shot just puts my old one to shame. I’ve loved using it these past few weeks and the projects I’ve been able to create so far only skim the surface of what this machine can do. Please contact me if you want more info and ideas. I’m happy to share why I think this is a terrific purchase for any crafter. This beauty will cut through over 50 different materials including, paper, plastic, metals, cork and wood sheets. In a word, it's AMAZING!

Be sure to click on the link to the online brochure!

~~Robin

Wow! I've received an Award!

My wonderful stamper friend, Amy Caraluzzi surprised me by giving me the "I LOVE Your Blog" award! Amy is an amazing stamper and is part of my "Go-Divas" swap group. I'm sure you've checked out her link in my sidebar before, but if not, check it out now: http://amycara.blogspot.com/

This is only the 2nd blog award I've been given and I'm just thrilled and grateful! Thanks for making my day Amy - you rock!

Now, this award comes with an assignment. I have to do the following:

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from (see the link above)

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Put links of those blogs on yours

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you have nominated.

Here are my selections in no particular order:

Gretchen Barron at http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Patti Chesky at http://atouchfromtheheart.blogspot.com/

Nancy Riley at http://stampinat6213.blogspot.com/

Patty Bennett at http://pattystamps.typepad.com/pattys_stamping_spot/

Selene Kempton at http://stampinfunwithselene.blogspot.com/

Makeesha Byl at http://www.makeeshabyl.com.au/

Stefanie Summerer at http://stampwithstef.blogspot.com/

I hope you take a minute and check out these great, creative ladies! They inspire me in different ways everyday!

~~Robin

5th Grade Already - where has the time gone?

Just look at her - isn't she beautiful? I can't believe it was 5 years ago that we first walked Emma to Kindergarten. Now she's my big 5th grader!

I know, a lot of you have teens and recent graduates. You 've already told me that this is just the beginning. The heartstrings get pulled that much harder the older they get. She will probably drive me crazy when she's a teen, but for now, she's still my baby and I can't believe how she's grown.

I count my blessings everyday that I am in a job that I can be at home and be the Mom and Wife I need to be. Stampin' Up! is more than just a company that I work for, its been a great opportunity that was perfect for our family's needs. Emma tells me often that she is glad that I work from home "just in case something happens" and she has to come home. She recognizes even at 10 that if we were a traditional family of today, I'd not always be available for her.

I know how important every minute is and how precious time is to us. And I don't want to miss anything life brings our way. I plan to enjoy this ride all the way!

Thanks to all of you who support me in my business, because all of you, clients and teammates alike make it possible for me to live my dream. You are the best!

Stamped blessings!

~~Robin