Creative Cards & Crops

Solutions for Busy People and Frugal Living - handmade cards!

Do you like to send handmade cards?

Are you busy?

Are you watching your budget?

If any of these are true, then this class is for you!  With the Create & Keep Simply Sent Card Kits, you can enjoy the personal touch of handmade cards, even if you don't have a lot of time. 

Join me and make 10 All-occasion cards in a coordinating box with dividers.

You'll be amazed how quickly you can create beautiful cards and keep them organized in style for later!

 Contact me today at Malinda@CreativeCardsAndCrops.com to join the celebration!

DATE: Saturday, March 3rd
TIME: 5:00 - 8:00 pm
COST: $30
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 21
LOCATION:      Ryland Heights Community Center
                      10145 Decoursey Pike
                      Ryland Heights, KY 41015

**Can't attend in person, purchase all materials with complete Step-by-step direction and they will be mailed directly to you! 

Click below to purchase this class using safe and secure Paypal!

 

Class Options

Onsite Class $30.00 USD Class by Mail (includes Shipping) $30.00 USD

Homemade Valintines for You to Make Yourself!

Don't forget to signup for this class, it promises to be a Sweet time of Fun!

You will receive complete step by step instructions that you can take with you, so you can create these again and again!

Just click the "buy now" button below to reserve your spot now!  Reservations close on Saturday!

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Sweet Centers Card Treats

Handmade Valentine Class


It’s fun to celebrate the sweet people in our lives!
 
You can share your love on Valentine’s Day or anytime of the year with these extra sweet cards. Fill the Treat Cups with small candy, punched hearts, mini toys or even jewelry, like our Simply Adorned charms. Join me and you’ll have a sweet time making these cards and matchbook treat and you’ll have the perfect cards for the special guys, children and girlfriends in your life.

When - Saturday, February 4, 6-9pm
Where - Ryland Heights Community Center (Hwy 177 - Decoursey Pike)
Cost - $25
 
Sign up today to reserve your spot. Bring a friend and share the love!
I take payment using Paypal - it's safe, convenient and fast! 
Click below to Register!

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March Class is scheduled for Saturday March 10th!  Save the Date!

If there is anything I can do to help you with your stamping and scrapbooking - please do not hesitate to contact me!

Stampingly,
Malinda

Thursday's Technique: Watercolor Painting with Ink

Watercolor painting is the perfect technique to use with stamps.  It is easy to do and very quick.  When using watercolor, there are a couple things to remember:

Always use Watercolor Paper – watercolor paper resists buckling when wet – ever get a drop of water on a card or scrapbook page?  Then you know that this is rather important! 

Always use StazOn Ink – this ink permanent, doesn’t need to be heat set and is perfect for water-coloring.

Here’s a couple options you can use to watercolor with stampin’ Up! Classic Stampin' Pad.

1. Dip the tip of a blender pen on to the corner of a Stampin' Pastel, then apply to the stamped image
   - OR -
2. Brush the tip of a Blender Pen, Aqua Painter, or wet watercolor paint brush directly on the tip of a Watercolor Wonder Crayon, then apply color to the stamped image
   - OR -
3. Dip the tip of a Blender Pen, Aqua Painter, or wet watercolor paint brush into the ink on the lid of a Classic Stampin' Pad (just press the closed lid of a Classic Stampin' Pad down against the ink pad, creating a small pool of color in the lid; then open the lid)
   - OR -
4. Outline a section of the stamped image with a Watercolor Wonder Crayon or Watercolor Pencil, then use a Blender Pen, Aqua Painter, or wet watercolor paint brush to pull color where desired.
   

 QUICK TIP:  For more saturated colors, watercolor with Classic ink refills.

To purchase any of these items you need for watercolor - click the product link and be connected to my online store.

How to Plan a Scrapbook Layout

Scrapbooking is so fun and so many people say they want to try to scrap book their photos and memories!  But I hear this question alot, "Where do I begin?".  Scrapbooking can be very overwhelming - I remember how I was when I was a beginner, so I understand where the frustration and even hesitation comes from.

If you are just beginning to scrapbook, or even if you are a seasoned scrapbooker who is starting a new project and wants a jump start - here are some tips and ideas to help you on your way...

• Gather your photos!  If you are brand new, download the photos in your camera and go to the most recent event.  At this time of year it vacation, water park fun or maybe just lounging by the pool.  Print them out!
• Select your photos.  Narrow down your group of photos by selecting the best one out of shots that are similar and put aside the ones where someone has their eyes closed, is cut out or maybe just plain goofy looking!  Try to end up with a group of 4-8 photos.
• Arrange your photos on a 12 x 12 page (or 2 if you plan to do a 2-page spread).  If you need help, use sketches.  I'll have some samples coming soon on my blog - so check back!
• Once you have your layout planned, select your paper.  Pull one main color our of your photos, and make that your dominant color.  Use one or two accent colors to enhance your photos, but don't use the accent colors too much or it will distract from your photos.  If you use patterned paper, use it sparingly or in a way that won't compete with your photos.
• Choose a title.  Sometimes your title can be "functional", like "Christmas Morning" or "Johnny Turns 2", but get creative sometimes.  Use songs titles or lyrics or a play on words for some fun titles.  When I get stuck for a title, I grab the book, The Ultimate Guide to the Perfect Word.
• Journaling, journaling, journaling.  This is the most important part and the one most forgotten.  I know how it goes; I have done it too.  You get so excited to be "done" with a layout, and you just want to move on to the next one, so you skip the journaling.  DON'T DO IT!!!  Just take 10 more minutes and write down the story.  You can do it!  Even if it's just the names of the people in the photos and the date.
• Embellish!!!  As a reward for getting the story down, now you get to accessorize!  Add some embellishments - ribbon, buttons, brads, eyelets, rub-ons, bling, you name it!!  Just don't go overboard - remember it's about the photos.

Congratulations!  You have just completed a scrapbook page!!  How do you feel???? 

If you want to learn more about scrapbook layouts and other creative crafting, signup for my newletter on the sidebar - it's quick and easy!

Can You Thread a Sewing Machine?

Today is National Joke Day! So in honor I found this "kids say the darndest things" story!  I love the comparison - it's so true for today's generation! 

My granddaughter came to spend a few weeks with
me, and I decided to teach her to sew. After I had gone
through a lengthy explanation of how to thread the
machine, she stepped back, put her hands on her hips,
and said in disbelief, “You mean you can do all that,
but you can’t operate my Game Boy?”

I love this!  so in honor of this "joke" - use your sewing machine to do some stitching on a card or scrapbook page.

Enjoy!

Color Your World and Your Creative Projects

Color experts have developed some practical principles for using colors harmoniously.   
Und 
erstanding a few of these basics will help you create your own color combinations. Some of these basics are described in the PDF below. Color is well founded in science, but it is also largely subjective. Understanding color principles will help you make informed decisions about color; however, remember that your creations are personal, and it’s important for you to be happy with the results.

Click here to read a short article on color coordination basics and then GO FOR IT!!!

Would you like to order the Stampin' Up! Color coach?  Call (859-635-6411)or email me and we can get you started coloring your World!

Stampingly,

Malinda

 

New To Stamping? Here's where to begin!

Are you new to stamping? Wondering what Stampin' Up! is? Saying "I'm not creative!"?

I remember all too well how overwhelmed I was with all the choices there were when I first attended a Stampin' Up! workshop!  As a matter of fact, at the first Stampin' Up! workshop I attended, there were so many stamps and supplies to choose from that didn't know where to start! So I grabbed the "sale" flyer and bought something from that simple page. But the first thing I did when I got home was look through that catalog from cover to cover and I was hooked!

As always, I am here to help you so below is a list of beginning stamper's m"must haves"!!

• Colored Card Stock - Stampin' Up! card stock is recognized in the paper crafting industry as being the best quality (and I totally agree). The color goes through all layers of paper. We offer a Getting Started Collection of 2 sheets of each of the basic colors (120954) for only $6.95. This will give you an idea of which colors you like to use. Then you can reorder those colors in larger quantities.
• Very Vanilla (101650, $8.50/40 sheets) or Whisper White (100730, $8.50/40 sheets) Card Stock - Choose either an ivory toned basic color or white on which to stamp your images.
• Inks - Basic Black Classic Stamp Pad (101179, $5.95) for stamping images you will be coloring
• Brights Collection Stampin' Write Markers (119702, $28.95) to color in images and for coloring directly onto the rubber stamp for stamping an image in a color other than black
• Paper Cutter (104152, $24.95) While you can measure, draw a line and cut along the line with scissors to get a straight line, you will find this paper cutter to make the job much easier and more consistent! Generally the 8 1/2" x 11" card stock is cut in half to make a piece 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". This is then folded in half to make the base for your card.
• Whisper White (107301, $6.50/40) or Very Vanilla (107300, $6.50/40) Medium Envelopes - After taking the time to hand make that special card, you will want to send it in one of our fine quality envelopes. Choose Whisper White or Very Vanilla depending on which basic white card stock you chose.
• Stamp set of your choice
• Adhesive of your choice

There are many embellishments you can choose to add like ribbon, glitter, self-adhesive pearls or crystals and brads; but the above list gives you everything you need to start stamping.

Are you not quite sure you want to dive into stamping with both feet? Do you want to just test the waters? Then I suggest you purchase one of our Simply Sent kts shown on pages 192 or 193 of our 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog.  These kits offer a variety of basic themes, so it's easy to create cards for any occaision. Then just add the adhesive of your choice. No need to cut anything!  These are ready to assemble and send!  Very Impressive!

If you are ready to give rubber stamping a try, either email me with your order or visit my online store to place your order. I am always available to help you get started and answer any questions you might have. Don't hesitate to ask!

Enjoy!

The Top 3 Benefits of Being On My Mailing List!

Do you know what you get when you subscrib to my mailing list?       Lots of great scrapbooking and stamping information that everyone wants to know and more!  But here are the top 3 reasons: 

1. Never miss hearing about promotions, classes and  crops designed just with you in mind!!  Do you know what the August Promotion from Stampin' Up! will be? You will hear about it in my August Newsletter!
2. Receive Free card samples and scrapbook layouts with all the supplies needed and step-by-step directions to complete the sample!
   
   
3. Special gifts for you!  Periodically I send out a special class or tutorial FREE ONLY to my newsletter subscribers.

So you won't want to miss a thing!  So sign up now before it's too late to receive all this information for August - Fill in your name, email and.... if you would like a free catalog, your phone number!! 

Can't wait to hear from you!!!

Stampingly,

Malinda

 

 

 

 

Stamping for a Cause - Breast Cancer Research

As part of our Making a Difference program, Stampin' Up! is proud to partner with The Breast Cancer  Research Foundation® (BCRF) in the Strength & Hope Campaign. 

From May 1-August 31, 2011, Stampin' Up! will donate $2* from the sale of each Strength & Hope Set and Digital Kit to BCRF.

Description	Wood-Mount Item	Wood-Mount Price	Clear-Mount Item	Clear-Mount Price
Strength & Hope	118100	$17.95	123660	$13.95
Force & Espoir (French)	123665	$17.95	123667	$13.95
Fortaleza y Esperanza (Spanish)	123670	$17.95	123672	$13.95

A Strength & Hope Digital Kit (item 124475) is also available that includes a four-piece stamp brush set, 12 Designer Series Papers, and 10 embellishment pieces for $9.95.

Contact me today to order this beautiful set and support BCRF as they work find a cure for breast cancer! Or shop now in my Online Store.

*Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from this purchase to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. BCRF is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide. For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

Scrapbook Event for Charity - Join the fun!

Interested in scrapbooking?  How about these scrapbookers who scrapbooked for charity?  See this special News story below. Scrapp-book makers get creative for charity

By Jesse Chaney News-Tribune Staff Writer Brush News-Tribune Posted:03/09/2011 01:00:00 AM MST

With chests filled with photo albums, stickers and other  supplies, nearly 25 women made their way to the Carroll Building in Brush on Saturday for the Zeta Xi sorority’s public scrap-booking event for charity. The sixth-annual charity crop gave the participating women a chance to win prizes and attend a variety of workshops with other scrap-book enthusiasts in the area. “It went really well,” said Zeta Xi member Colleen Muhr. “I think almost everybody walked away with a door prize or a goodie.” Participants were able to bring their own materials from home or purchase them from the three on-site vendors, which led the scrap-book workshops. The owner of Creative Memories led a demonstration of scrap-booking tools, and the owners of Stampin’ Up and Close to My Heart both taught workshops on making specialty greeting cards. The event netted $722, which will benefit a variety of local charities. The proceeds came from admission fees and the sale of various goodies made by the Zeta Xi members. Much of the money will benefit the Pay it Forward Program, which gives fourth-grade students from Beaver Valley Elementary School the opportunity to donate funds to a charity of their choice. The students donated the funds they received last year to the residents of Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, who used it to purchase backpacks and supplies for local students who needed them. The sorority also plans to use a portion of the funds to pay for local eighth-grade students to take an educational trip to Washington, D.C. Within the last year, the organization has purchased supplies for local nursing homes, gloves, hats and coats for local students, and utilities for local residents struggling to pay their bills. The sorority also helped sponsor Brush High School Student Hailey Craton’s mission trip to Guatemala, where she helped build and repair the facilities at a school.

Would you be interested in hosting an event like this?  Call me and I will be glad to determine if we can put one together in the Cincinnati Tri-state Area!  Call me Today at 859-635-6411 or email me at Malinda@CreativeCardsandCrops.com