Trinkets

I did a little playing today. I love this new Stampin' Up! stamp set, holiday trinkets. It's pure and simple stamping. I live the stylized images. I stamped each image on a whisper white square and then stamped again on scrap whisper white. I then cut around each image and popped them up on stampin' dimensionals. The designer paper is from the Washington Apple paper pack.

Corie asked to see the scrapbook pages Nicholas did yesterday. I decided to start him out on 6 x 6 pages because they are quick and simple. One photo per page usually. He picked out the colors with a little guidance from mom. He picked out his own title and stamped it all himself. He sponged around the edges of the first page. This was my kids' first flight ever so they were pretty excited!

We all went out to dinner as a family last night at Axel's Bonfire. I love this restaurant. Such yummy food and decor! This was the first time we took the whole family there. We usually don't do anything more adventurous than Perkins with the boys but we decided to splurge and everyone had a great time! A little funny story-
My husband wore his really rust button down shirt. It turns out the staff at Bonfire have new uniforms and they are really rust button down shirts! A pretty random color if you ask me. My husband looked liked he worked there! LOL! I told him to go up to the bar and ask for drinks like he was a waiter. hehehe.

It's the last day of summer tomorrow for my kids. Then it's back to school and back to routines. I think we are all ready for it. Happy Labor Day!

Scrappin' and Stampin'

I started a new guy out in scrapbooking today. My son, Nicholas, has been wanting to learn how to scrapbook. When he wants to I'm busy, and when I have time he's not interested. We finally were in sync today. He decided he wanted to make a scrapbook of our California vacation that we took last fall. We kept it pretty simple. He mostly stamped the title on each page, photo matted, and just a few embellishments. After 3 pages he was done. I told him we could pick it up another time. Who knows when that will be next with school starting Tuesday.

I spent a chunk of today cleaning up my craft room. It's not nearly done but I did make a dent. I'm trying to get more organized. My old 12 x 12 paper storage is no longer working for me so I ordered some 12 x 12 paper trays online. I am waiting on them. In the meantime, my whole room could use an overhaul. Things are piling up everywhere. My goal is to get it all neat and tidy so I can finally take a picture of my craft room to post for everyone. My husband custom built countertops, cabinets, and shelving for me. He finished it just before Christmas and then I had to sort of shove everything back in because we were hosting Christmas for my large family. It's never been organized and clean since. It seems I'm always working on something and the mess begins again.

I was also working on some of my class on the go kits to mail out on Tuesday. I did manage to make a new card too. This one uses a technique I haven't used for awhile called spotlighting. I stamped the tableau of terror folks on whisper white cardstock and punched a portion of them out with my 1 3/4" circle punch. I then stamped them again on my Big shot Top Note die. I cut on the perforation on the white one and backed it with a black one. Then I punched holes on each side with my slot punch and threaded the 5/8" wide olive grosgrain ribbon through. The Really Rust cardstock is stamped with my Sanded background stamp and mounted on basic black cardstock.

We stayed in town for this Labor Day weekend so I'm planning on doing some more stamping tomorrow. Stop back to see what I have been up to!

blog awards

I received a couple of blog awards recently. The first is the Brillante blog award from Shawn of What's Happening in My Life. She's a fellow Minnesotan so you gotta love that! I'm supposed to tag 7 people but I received this award awhile back from Marilyn so I'm not going to tag anyone.

The second award is I Love your blog award from Julie of Special Craft Mom of 4 Julie is a super sweet blogging friend and as you may be able to tell a mom of four and a crafter like me. I appreciate this sward Julie! Right back at ya!

I'm supposed to nominate 7 other blogs. I can't pick just 7 so I'm not even going to try. I love getting these awards but I hate picking nominees. It's hard to keep track of who already received the award, who you want to give the awards to, to make sure you don't leave anyone out, maybe someone doesn't want to get tagged..... you get the picture!

Thanks ladies and have a great day!

Eastern Branch

I CASED(copy and share everthing) from Paula of Inking Addict. Here is her original card. I changed some of the colors and added a little library clip to the edge of the ovals. This is going to be one of the make-n-takes for the party tomorrow night. I hope they like it!

I'm still here!

I haven't had time to post anything new for a bit. I taught my stationary set class on Monday, I'm getting ready for a party tomorrow night and I took my daughter to the Minnesota State Fair yesterday. I have also done some stamping but I can't show you yet. I will it with you soon though.

Speaking of the Minnesota State Fair, it was a great time! The weather was gorgeous-sunny, low humidity and not too hot. My neighbor Diane and I took our 14 year old daughters, Taylor and Rebecca to the State Fair and then to the concert, Paramour. They had 3 opening acts before they came on around 9:15. It was general admission standing. Ugh! We got into the concert about 5:45. Our feet and legs ached so bad after walking all day and then standing all night. It was worth it though, to see how excited our daughters were to see their favorite band.

I hope to be back later with something new to show you.

Party Daisies

I used a sketch from Julie of the Verve Visual design team. There is a challenge going on on SCS with their design team on Thursdays. I moved the circle around on the sketch because I needed it on the other side. I used a color combo from the the Color Combo document. You can find it on the right side of my blog under Stampin' Up! links. I once again used a piece from the Stampin' Up! exclusive baskets and blooms Sizzix die cut. This will be available to everyone on Sept.2. The sunburst looking piece is the bottom of the basket.

Recipe:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Not Quite Navy
Paper: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Prints pack level 1 hostess
Other: Silver brads, 1 3/4" circle punch, baskets and blooms sizzix die cut, stampin' dimensionals

I'm going to try to get the kids in for haircuts today. That's one of my last tasks on the back to school list. Only week left of summer vacation! They are all off to new schools. I think we are all looking forward to the change.

Playing with new stamps!

I had a little bit of time to play with my new stamps today. I started with a couple of sketches from the Poetic Artistry blog. I did a little housekeeping on my blog today and created a list of a few blogs where you can find card and scrapbook sketches. There is a link to all of the past sketches from Poetic Artistry on it. Their sketches are fabulous!

Halloween card recipe:
Stamps: Tasty Sweet
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Old Olive and Basic Black stampin' write markers
Paper: Basic Grey, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie,Ghostly Greetings designer paper
Other: 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, circle scallop punch, stampin' dimensionals, earth elements buttons

Christmas Card recipe:
Stamps: Holiday Trinkets, Sincere Saluations
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Taken with Teal
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, Taken with Teal
Other: 1/2" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Baskets and Blooms Big Shot die cut, stampin' dimensionals, crystal effects, dazzling diamonds glitter, Kiwi Kiss ribbon

I took my boys shopping for hoodies for school today. Just when I think I'm done school shopping there's something more. My 10 year old thinks he's too old(and too cool) for Children's Place. That makes me sad cuz their clothes are cute and affordable. He's a little dude too so he definitely still fits in their clothes. I think he just doesn't like their name - Children's Place. LOL.

We only have 1 1/2 weeks of summer left. I'm not sure where it went. We still need to get back to school haircuts and a few odds and ends but otherwise, we are pretty well ready for school.
Other:

Cupcake Birthday

Most of you know that I'm cuckoo for cupcakes. That's why when I saw this new stamp set in the Fall/Winter Stampin' Up! catalog it was first on my list! This is a card for my friend, Kristina. Her birthday is actually tomorrow. She shares it with her daughter, Mallory, so she often doesn't get a celebration of her own. We surprised her early yesterday with a little party at her house.

Recipe:
Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes(that's me!)
Ink: Jetblack Stazon,tempting turqoise, regal rose, certainly celery
Paper: Sweet Always designer paper, Pink Pirouette, Whisper white, chocolate chip
Other: ticket corner punch, stampin' dimensionals, bling from Michaels, dazzling diamonds glitter

Halloween Bunch

As soon as I saw this group of spooks in the new Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter catty I knew I had to have them. They were on my first order that came last week. I stamped them with Jetblack Stazon on watercolor paper and colored them in with my Stampin' Write markers. Do you see how there are no streaks when you color the markers on watercolor paper?

Recipe:
Stamps: Tableau of Terror, Arachnophobia wheel
Ink: Jetblack Stazon
Paper: Basic Grey, watercolor paper, old olive, eggplant envy
Other: Photo corner punch, paper piercer, silver brads, stampin' dimensionals, markers

Stationery Boxes

I'm not sure who originally came up with these stationery boxes but aren't these the cutest? I am teaching a class on these on Monday, August 25. If you are interested in coming e-mail me at krhopperstad@juno.com. If you can't make it that night or you don't live local I am offering this class on the go. You can choose either the fruit stationery set or the cupcake stationery set. The cost is $25.

I used the Tart and Tangy on the first set. I am so happy this fruit set and the picnic paper made the new catalog! The second stationery set was made with the crazy for cupcakes stamp set and the Sweet Always paper. A match made in heaven!

Thanks for stopping by! I have been too busy to blog. I have been watching the Olympics. So inspiring! I always get a kick out of watching these finely honed athletes accomplish unthinkable feats while I'm plopped comfy on my couch! LOL!
I had a two day Stampin' Up! open house, a scrapbook club, and back to school stuff with the kids. Life's busy! Stampin' is near and dear to my heart so I will never be away for too long!

Father's Day Scrapbook Page

I used Tamara's Sketch challenge 57 to make this Father's day scrapbook page. This is for my scrapbook club. I added a second page so we can have a page spread. I used my new Bigshot diecutting system to make the journaling piece. It's a Stampin' Up! exclusive Sizzix die. I have just started to use my new Big Shot. This is going to be such fun to play with!

Recipe:
Stamps: Wanted, Short Order Alphabet
Ink: Basic Black craft ink, Chocolate Chip craft ink
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa
Other: Big Shot label die, arrow punch, crop-a-dile, jumbo pewter eyelets, natural hemp, stampin' dimensionals, word window punch

Cute Convention Swaps!

These are some of the card swaps I received at convention. Didn't I get some good ones?! The first two are from a very talented demonstrator named Laura Mellinger. She was in a Wow card swap with me. I love her work! I don't have names on the rest of the 3. Sorry I can't name you. If it's your card let me know so I can credit you! Aren't those window cards adorable? They are made with a new hostess set. The last card is a clear card. Isn't it gorgeous?!

A funny story about the sock monkey card. I was waiting in line at convention to use the restroom. I saw a lady swap the sock monkey card with someone else in the bathroom(we demonstrators will swap just about anywhere!). I LOVED this sock monkey card so I hurried back to my table and came back with my swaps. I stood(stalked) outside of the bathroom ready to swap for the sock monkey card. I stopped one lady coming out of the bathroom and asked her to swap. Oops! Wrong woman. Well, of course I swapped anyway. I started getting worried thinking I missed her or I wouldn't recognize her. Then a few more ladies came out and I found the lady with the sock monkey card. I was so pleased to get one of these cards! She probably thought I was a little crazy! That's the lengths us crazy demonstrator ladies will go through to track down a card we love!

Thanks for stopping by today. Today is the second day of my New Catalog Open House. I had a great day yesterday and look forward to seeing some more ladies tonight! The catalog is so awesome - I'm very proud to show it off!

Sunshine Butterflies

Flight of the Butterfly - that's what this stamp set is called. It sounds a little dramatic for a bunch of pretty butterflies flitting about doesn't it? LOL! I really like how this color combo looks together. So happy and light! This is going to be one of the make-n-takes at my open house tomorrow. If you want more information click here.

Recipe:
Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly
Ink: Tango Tangerine, So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie
Paper: Whisper White, So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss, Tango Tangerine
Other: scallop edge punch, ticket corner punch, 1"circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, pumpkin pie grosgrain ribbon, stampin' dimensionals

Pick a Tulip

At the Stampin' Up! convention there are always tons and tons of boards with card and scrapbook samples that were sent in by other demonstrators. I saw a tulip card made with the pick a petal stamp set. I couldn't wait to get home and make my version of the pick a tulip card and here it is! The bottom of the tulip has the Snow Blossom punch peeking out in kiwi kiss cardstock.

Recipe:
Stamps: Pick a Petal, Short and Sweet
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Riding Hood Red, Basic Black
Paper: Bella Rose designer paper, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Tempting Turquoise
Other: Silver brads, photo corner punch, paper piercer, Snow Blossom punch, scallop edge punch, small and large oval punches, stampin' dimensionals

New stuff

This was sketch challenge 55 from Tamara's sketch blog. I used one of the new stamp sets, Flight of the Butterfly, that I got at convention. It is two step stamping but the polka dots were really easy to line up with the body of the butterfly. The shadow was stamped in Kiwi Kiss and the dots were stamped in Pacific Point. I really wanted the coordinating ribbon. That will be on my first order next week.

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point
Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Bella Rose designer paper, Pacific Point
Other: Vanilla taffeta ribbon, stampin' dimensionals

Blog Awards

I was awarded a couple of blog awards by some good blogging friends. The first one is the Brillante Blog Award that was given to me by Marilyn. Marilyn is a very upbeat and positive blogger with some cute projects to boot! Check out her blog here.

The second award is from Gabby of Confessions of a Stamper. It's the BFF Gold Card. Gabby is a sassy, funny, and very talented blogger. Go check her stuff out here.

Thank you so much for these awards ladies. I am supposed to tag some others but I think these have made the rounds of blogland. I'm a little late in getting these posted. I really do appreciate the tags Marilyn and Gabby! I may be forgetting another tag but with convention and all I have lost track. I'm sorry if I have forgotten someone.

Have a wonderful stamping kinda day!

Convention Make-n-Takes

These were the make-n-takes we did at the Stampin' Up! convention. My favorite is the pink and brown notebox with the big pink ribbon flower. I really liked all of them though. They were fun to make!

I'm trying to settle back into a routine at home. There are so many new things happening with Stampin' Up! Our new online ordering system will be introduced this fall. It will make placing orders even more convenient. Our home decor elements is now available. Click on the link on the right hand side of my blog under Stampin' Up! links to take a peek. And the big news at convention was that Stampin' Up! will start to carry the Sizzix Big shot this September! We will have the die cutting machine along with lots of dies and some that are Stampin' Up! exclusives! I couldn't be more excited about this!!!

I'm baaaaack!

Hi Ladies! Did you miss me? I hope my postings while I was gone kept you happy. Convention was an absolute blast! I had so much fun and feel sooooo inspired! I will be posting our make-n-take projects tomorrow. This is a picture of me on stage for my 5 year anniversary. I'm the one on the left. On the right is Diana. Hi Diana! She came to convention alone and set by me and my downline the first day. We invited her to have lunch with us and then we all went on our way to classes. We didn't find Diana again during convention. I met a couple of good blogging friends while at convention. I got to meet Alex and Angie! I randomly ran into both ladies during convention. It was so fun to meet you ladies face-to-face!!!

I have lots of news to share with you about convention but that will have to wait until tomorrow. I just flew in today and I have been spending the rest of today with my family, unpacking, doing laundry and going through my swaps. It was a lot of fun at convention but it is so good to be back home. I'll check in with you tomorrow.

Another sketch challenge

This was based on another sketch challenge. Right now I can't remember from where.
The base is Kraft cardstock. I used Fabulous Flowers and the Bella Rose Designer paper. This is a square 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 card. I don't do this size very often but it's fun to do every now and then.

This card is based off of this sketch by Jenn of KiyomiKrafts. I just loved her owl card and knew it would make a good card design. The papers are from the Bella Rose designer paper. I hope you aren't getting too sick of this paper. I think it's just gorgeous! The cupcakes are from the Holiday Blitz stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by today. I'm coming home from convention today. I can't wait to share more new stuff with you!!! Don't forget about my New Catalog Open House Next weekend. See here for the details.

It's a challenge

Last week I got kind of sick of mass producing swap cards for convention so I took some time out to try a bunch of challenge cards. It's fun to try different sketches and other challenges out.

Did you know if you color with markers on watercolor paper it wont leave coloring lines? This is another color combo I got from the new Stampin' Up! In Color color combination. Check it out on the right hand side of my blog under Stampin' Up! links.

Recipe:
Stamps: Doodle This, Zoofari, Celebrate Everything
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Not Quite Navy
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip,Watercolor Paper
Other: Felt Flowers, Boho Blossom Punch, 1/4" circle punch, silver brads, 5/8" wide chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch