Kool K-Cup Kaddy

I am one lucky gal.
Did you know that I am blessed to have two Keurig Coffee Brewers in my house? Yep, one in the kitchen and one in the studio.
Good coffee is always just a few steps away! ha!

I also have been spending a little more than a little time on Pinterest lately. Which means that I actually have to MAKE some of the projects I've been pinning like a fiend!
And I have - remember the Sweethearts Topiary?
And the Sweet Sale-A-Bration Note Tote?
Yep, both ideas found on Pinterest.

Well, here's another one that I found and LOVED because of my coffee obsession and I've put my own spin on it:

Whoa! You say - that's cool! Yep, just what I said when I saw it at the end of January. I even made one for one of my February Hostesses and the first gal that booked from her party.
Proving that Pinterest is really useful and not just a time waster!

The original design/template for this K-Cup Caddy came from Lori Tecler, a stamp artist in California. Her design was originally for a 2 K-Cup holder, but I thought it would be cute to make it a foursome! Here's the link to her original template - K-Cup Caddy Template

Here's another look at my design for this cute caddy:

I used the Sweet Shop Specialty Designer Series Paper and Pool Party Cardstock as my starting point. I added some Lucky Limeade Ruffled Grosgrain Ribbon for an accent and punched the handle with my Modern Label Punch.
(if you do this double caddy, be sure to only punch through one side at a time so you don't risk damaging your punch!)

Here's a close up of my embellishment:

I used the Morning Cup stamp set and colored the cup images with Stampin' Write Markers in Pool Party, Lucky Limeade and Wisteria Wonder. The image was punched out with my 1 3/4" Circle Punch and edged with my 2 Way Glue Pen and some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. It's popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals over a piece of the textured polka-dot paper from the Sweet Shop pack. I punched it out with my Fancy Flower Punch. The whole piece was added to the front of the caddy with more Stampin' Dimensionals.

Now, I KNOW you want to make one of these too - so here's a few of the products I used to create mine:

#119850 1 3/4" Circle Punch $16.95

#118073 Fancy Flower Punch $16.95

#125408 Sweet Shop Specialty Designer Series Paper $12.95

#120489 Morning Cup Stamp Set (clear mount) $16.95

You can find all these products and everything else I used for this project in my Online Stampin' Store. It's open 24/7 so it's convenient for you!

Have fun making your Kook K-Cup Kaddy! I think I'm gonna go make another Kup of Koffee!!
Happy Stampin',
~~Robin

Place your order for all your Stampin' Up! Supplies at this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right to get started!

A CASE for Sale-A-Bration

Sometimes you come across a card that is just so simply lovely, you know you have to make it yourself. That's the case with the card I'm sharing today.
Here, take a look:

I received a beautiful card from my friend and GoDiva Swap Group member Barbara Dondero in a special Sale-A-Bration card swap. It was just so soft and lovely that I had to recreate it for my clients. The only difference with my card is that I left off the tiny butterflies that were on her original.

The card base here is Peach Parfait - which incidentally will be retiring at the end of May with the 4 other 2010-11 In Colors. The card's colors were taken from this gorgeous Designer Series Paper - Everyday Enchantment - which is part of the FREE Sale-A-Bration offerings. Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze and Peach Parfait, so soft and pretty.

The stamp set is also part of Sale-A-Bration. It's called Fresh Vintage and is FREE like the Designer Paper with any $50 order!

Barbara and I both used the new Edgelits and the co-ordinating Adorning Accents Embossing Folder with the Big Shot to create the layered look on the card front. The focal image was stamped with Peach Parfait ink and I added the mini Basic Pearls to finish it off.
This is such a sweet notecard, it would be welcome in anyone's mailbox with a friendly message from you!

Remember, you have only until March 31st to receive FREE Sale-A-Bration products! You can visit my Online Stampin' Store at any time to place your order and you'll be able to choose your FREE product(s) there too for each $50 you spend. Don't miss out on this special, limited time promotion!

Happy stampin' today!
~~Robin

Place your order for Stampin' Up! Supplies at this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right corner to get started shopping!

My Digital Studio - Learning to Love It!

I know you all think that I've been off doing just the skating Mom thing this past three days - but hold on! I've been playing with my laptop, designing a scrapbook with My Digital Studio!

Say WHAT??
Yes, it's true - I'm slowly but surely coming into the digital age and learning to love the possibilities of Digital Designing.
Plus, it's really the only easy way to be creative while I'm on a long road trip.
Where else am I going to get many hours one-way of mostly uninterrupted time in front of the computer learning this fantastic program??
Nowhere, so I'm taking advantage of it.

I decided to start with a pre-designed 12" x 12" photo book template - Downtown Grunge, which I downloaded from my Stampin' Up! website. We'd had a fantastic time at the end of our Alaska trip last May, spending three days in Seattle, exploring the city for the first time ever. So I chose that small event as the focus of this scrapbook.
I've always felt that when I'm scrapbooking an event, it's best to keep it to a narrow focus anyway so you don't get overwhelmed with the project.

Believe it or not - My Digital Studio NOVICE that I am - I managed to complete 10 pages of this 24 page scrapbook in the 6 hours I worked on it in the car. If that sounds like a lot, understand that I'm truly a novice with most aspects of this program. The more I do on it though, the more I feel competent with it and the more I'm enjoying it.

So, here's a peek at my album - this is page 3:

I was able to create a Custom Background paper with one of my photos of the Space Needle. It made a great backdrop for some photos of us at the top. The photo blocks and digital tape came from the embellishments included in the Downtown Grunge Photobook Template. I used the Delight in the Day stamp brush set for the title and I took the journaling lines and brackets from other downloads - can't remember which ones now!
My plan is to write my journaling in the book when it comes - I really prefer to hand journal, but that's just me.
I really love how this page turned out and I can't WAIT to finish the book and get it printed! I'm planning to print one for Mark's mother too for Mother's Day since she enjoyed the trip with us.

So, what do you think? Do you think it's cool? I'd love your feedback.
Don't forget either that you can now download a FREE 30 Day trial of My Digital Studio from my Stampin' Up! website Products Page. You'll have full access to the basic program and many downloads, all the available downloads for purchase plus the professional printing services as well for a full 30 days. If you like it, you can choose to purchase the program by download in two different configurations. It's a great opportunity to try it out if you're not sure or a scaredy-cat like me.
Trust me, if I can do it - YOU can do it!

Happy Scrappin' and Stampin'!~~Robin

Place your order for Stampin' Up! Supplies at this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right corner to get started!

Downton Abbey Blues - and a Card

So, I've recently discovered the BBC period drama "Downton Abbey".
DON'T tell me anything about the second season! I will plug my ears and do the "lalalalala" thing to drown you out.
Mark and I have been watching Season One on Netflix and we are 13 minutes into the LAST episode! We had to turn it off last night because Emma and her science fair project weren't getting along.

Yes, we turned it off right after Matthew finds out that Lady Grantham is pregnant! That sure puts a kink in his inheritance chances NOW, doesn't it! Grrrr......it's KILLING me to not watch it today while Mark is at work. But we'll have to wait until after skating tonight to find out how the season ends. I'm hoping I don't turn to chocolate to console me today.
Especially since today is face the scale day at Weight Watchers.
Maybe I'll wait and get a cupcake while Emma is at skating...

Or maybe I'll just stamp something.

Here's something I stamped for my February card classes:

It's actually a CASE of a card by one of my GoDivas swap group members, Glenda Travelstead. She had done this card in a different color combination, but I loved the idea of using Island Indigo, Pink Pirouette and Rich Razzleberry together. It's like a glimpse of spring for me.

The card is a pretty simple one, I used the small floral spray from the Bordering on Romance stamp set to stamp a tone on tone background on the Island Indigo card base.
The next layer is a strip of Pink Pirouette cardstock that was stamped with the large floral spray from that set in Rich Razzleberry. Like Glenda, I used my Crimper Tool to ruffle the cardstock and trimmed out a triangle from the bottom with my Paper Snips to make a flag. A little Dazzling Diamonds Glitter was added to the flowers then it was attached to the card front with SNAIL.

The next layer is a piece of Whisper White cardstock that I stamped with an image from Apothecary Art in Basic Black ink. I used my Labels Framelits to cut it out with the Big Shot then colored it in with Stampin' Write Markers. I used the same color combo as the card, adding in Wild Wasabi for the green leaves. A piece of Island Indigo Ruffled Grosgrain Ribbon was added around the center and then the layer was popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals and adhered to the card front.

The greeting was simply done on Whisper White and punched out with the Large Oval Punch. I layered it on a piece of Pink Pirouette punched out with the Scalloped Oval Punch. More Stampin' Dimensionals popped it up on the card front to finish it off.
The inside has a simple white panel stamped with the large floral spray stamp in Rich Razzleberry.

Kind of reminds you of an English garden doesn't it??
Sigh, there I go again - thinking of that addictive Downton Abbey!!
But I know you understand.....

Have a wonderful day stampers - go stamp something fun and think of England!
~~Robin

Sweet Sale-A-Bration Note Tote

**Post Update! I didn't anticipate the requests for the template for this project. I've added a link to the .pdf file on Google Docs in the description below! Thanks for the response!

So, how was your holiday weekend??
Mine was very full and very fun and even very relaxing!

Friday night, we took Emma to see Sherlock Holmes - Game of Shadows at the 2nd run theater. Mark and I had seen it back in December on a date night, but she really wanted to see it so since it was at the cheap theater, we decided to go.
We absolutely LOVE to go to the movies, but we absolutely HATE to pay for the way overpriced tickets and concessions. When we go to a big chain, we use discount coupons and go to matinees. We joined the theater "club" and earn points to use on tickets and popcorn, and have sometimes been known to bring in a few snacks in my purse. Gotta save some $$ somehow, right??
Anyway, about 2 years ago, we discovered a discount 2nd run theater near our local college campus and it's awesome! Tickets and popcorn every day are just $4! Tuesdays are $2 for movies! That means for less than the price of regular theaters tickets only, we can all three see the movie and eat popcorn with a soda. That gets a "Two Thumbs Up" in my book!
By the way, Sherlock Holmes was FANTASTIC! Great story, fast paced, really well acted. We loved it!

On Saturday, I held my first Open Studio Stamp Time and had 5 wonderful ladies here stampin' and using My Digital Studio and having a ball. Check out the photo at the bottom of this post. Susie was trying to make friends with Jean. It was pretty funny.
This event is going to be a regular occurance on my calendar, so check out my Events page for the next one!

Sunday was my monthly Trinity Design Stampers Team meeting. I welcomed 15 of my downline team and one guest into the studio for a fun three hours of stamping and business sharing. I love having my team together - we share so much fun together and everyone comes away with ideas and inspiration for all aspects of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Here's the project I created for them all to complete. It's a sweet little note tote that uses some of our awesome Sale-A-Bration products!

The tote is made of Peach Parfait cardstock and is decorated with the Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper that's only available for FREE with a $50 order through March 31st. The ribbon is Baja Breeze Seam Binding and is accented with one of the Sale-A-Bration Printed Brads that's available in set with 2 rolls of lovely organdy ribbon. Yep, that's also FREE with any $50 order!
The template for this project can be found at this link here: Robin's Note Tote Project

Here's a photo of the back of the tote:

I used the Decorative Label Punch to create the handle space. It was punched through the layered cardstock and designer paper.
Here's a close up of the little 3" x 3" love notes and envelopes:

I used the Fresh Vintage stamp set that is yet another FREE selection with any $50 purchase through March 31st!
Confetti White cardstock, Baja Breeze, Peach Parfait and Crumb Cake ink and two punches - Postage Stamp and Word Window completed these lovely cards.
Want to know the best part??
If you like this stamp set, designer paper and brad, you can earn ALL three of these products FREE in a special bundle for Hostesses between now and March 31st!
That's in addition to all your other Hostess Freebies too!
It's such a fantastic deal - I'd love to work with you on a fun party so you can have these goodies to play with!
Just contact me via e-mail at stampwithrobin@yahoo.com
or through my website at www.robinstamps4u.stampinup.net to find a date on my calendar that's perfect for you!
But don't wait too long, my calendar is pretty full and we only have until the end of March to schedule it!

Susie thinks its a dog-gone good idea! haha!

Susie and Jean

Happy Stampin' everyone!
~~Robin

Place your order for Stampin' Up! Supplies at this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right corner to get started!

Hearts Aren't Just for Valentine's Day!

I {heart} hearts all year long!
It's so fun getting them in e-mails and text messages and my daughter recently taught me to do the hand hearts:
That was the easy part - taking the photo with my iPhone was the hard part! haha!

So for my recent Stampin' Fools party, I designed this fun un-Valentine card using the embossed hearts paper from the Sweet Shop Specialty Designer Paper pack.

The card is a great combo of lots of heart things including the greeting!
I used a color combo of Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade and Whisper White. The card base was embossed with the hearts folder from the Adorning Accents set. I tied some White Organza Ribbon around the card front and knotted it on the side.

Poppy Parade cardstock was used to cut the Scalloped Square layer out with the Scalloped Square Duo Die and my Big Shot. It's layered with a square of Calypso Coral, then a square of the embossed hearts paper.
The heart focal image was stamped from the P.S. I Love You stamp set in Poppy Parade ink on Whisper White cardstock. I punched it out with the Full Heart Punch and edged it with my 2 Way Glue Pen and some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. It's popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals to make it stand out.
I stamped the greeting on another scrap of Whisper White using stamps from the same set and punched it out with the Modern Label Punch. After adding a single Basic Rhinestone Jewel, I attached it to the card front with a dimensional.

The inside of the card was simply stamped with a Poppy Parade heart on a panel of Whisper White.
You could use this card for many different occasions for anyone you {heart}!

Speaking of hearts, here's a photo of what my awesome husband gifted me with for Valentine's Day!

I'd seen it on Pinterest and he saw me repinning it to my Eye Candy board, so he contacted the artist through her ETSY store and ordered it!
Yeah, he's a keeper!
It's a sterling silver heart locket filled with Cobalt Blue Sea Glass (another one of my favorite things!). The chain on mine is different, a little dressier, and I {heart} it so much!

Well, I'm off here now - gotta get ready for my Open Studio Stamp Time tomorrow and my Trinity Design Stampers Team meeting on Sunday. Just hoping it doesn't snow too much so we don't have to postpone it!

Happy Friday!
~~Robin

Place your order for Stampin' Up! supplies at this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right corner to get started shopping!

Simple Songbird Tile

If you're anything like me, you have a lot of pieces for unfinished projects laying around. I have all the best intentions when I order something or make an 'amazing' find in a store. You know what I mean - you get a brilliant flash of inspiration that compels you to 'Add to Cart' the very thing you need to make that project in your head a reality.
Yeah, if you're crafty at all I know it's happened to you at least once.
And then reality hits.

Your perfect idea, your recently purchased 'finishing touch', your blank canvas just sits there staring at you because you either don't have the time or don't make the time to even get started on that brilliant idea that caused you to separate your money from your wallet.
Yeah, you know.

So recently, I discovered a small item - just a drop in the bucket really - and determined to just do something with it.
It's this Chocolate Songbird Decor Element that oh, by the way, retired in the last catalog.

I had a few tiles left over from this project HERE and decided that I could simply rub the decor element piece on to one of them. I added about a yard of the Marina Mist Striped Grosgrain ribbon in a big floppy bow and called it done.

Now, won't this cute little 6" x 6" tile look lovely sitting on my mantel this spring? Yep, I think so too.

You know, there's a bunch of smaller sized Decor Elements in our catalog this year. A lot of them will fit on a 6" x 6" tile or even a bit larger size. I encourage you to check them out. You can create a similar quick and easy project for your mantel or bookshelf or even as a gift, in just a few minutes.

Promise me something though?
Don't buy it and then stick it on a shelf or in a cabinet or closet.
Just do it.

And hey, if you're looking for a solution to the TIME excuse, map out 4 hours on your calendar this Saturday (2/18 from 10 am - 2 pm) and head on over to my studio for some Open Studio Stamp Time.
You bring your unfinished projects, ideas and your consumable supplies and you can have full access to my tools, stamps, inks and what's left of my pea brain to pick.
I'll have some snacks, drinks and chocolate to keep you going and it's all for just $5. Or Free with a $30 order.
RSVP to let me know you're coming and I'll make sure you have table space especially for you!

Happy stampin!
~~Robin

Place your order for Stampin' Up! Supplies AND Decor Elements at this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right corner to get started!