Our Snowman House Class

Just a few pictures of our class last night. We made these wonderful, cute Snowman Houses. We did not have enough time to make the cards that go into the house. But it was a learning experience for all of us. Everyone went home with instructions so they could make them at home also. I also posted a picture of our money holders. These are a cute gift this holiday (if you are giving cash). They came out really nice. Enjoy the pic's

December Monthly Club

December 8th we will have our club night. We will be making 6 note cards and a snowman house for the cards to store in. Everyone will receive a class handout to take home and make many more if you wish.

I've had to change the dates of the Hostess of the month. Let me explain. I wanted to give everyone a chance to order from the new catalog (hostess benefits). It is the same as the previous post...just extended by 1 month:

Nadine, Arlyne, Donna, Nola, Christine, Nellie, Sandy. I will save my (May) date if we have someone who joins us, or if our January hostess (Nadine) may still have to pick from the Fall/Winter catalog. This all depends on the NEW CATALOG. I'm also sure that my Upline Nola will forfit her month and move down the line. We begin in January with Nadine, then February with Arlyne, followed by Donna in March 09.

I've posted pics of our December class project. Here are some pictures of my first craft fair. It was a little slow there, but every vendor seemed to be slow as well. It was a good start, it gave me an idea of how fairs operate.

November Class Night

Like I said I would be keeping better updates on my blog. Our November class night we made shaker cards and small ornament package decorations. Arlyne did the demo for the package ornaments. What a nice job she did. I will post her instructions. Arlyne also showed us a product called "flower soft". I will post the link here as well. She made a wonderful card using this product. Check it out.

http://www.flower-soft.co.uk/exec.php/product/CategoryListing/67/

Nadine presented us with a shaker card. I also have the instructions that I will post. Donna made the suggestion of posting what we do in class, so we can refer back to it. The shaker card was quick and easy to make. What was so wonderful about her shaker card is that the white glitter made it look like "fresh snow fall". What a great idea. Last month we did a Gel Card, and that is when Nadine said I made something similar using glitter.

Nola who is my Upline has joined us as well. It is great to have her here as support for me. What is so great is that everyone is so talented. Nadine was a former SU Demo. She has so many ideas for us as well as for me. Her suggestions for a business stand point are great. I often think "where did she learn that", Arlyne is a wonderful crafter, she is up to date on all the new products and she keeps us all in the loop with new ideas. I love when she brings us something she makes. Everytime...I just "WOWED". Donna also is a very talented crafter. Arlyne and Donna have been crafting together for a very long time. Donna and Arlyne go to several craft weekends all around MASS, NH. Nellie is an Creative Memories Demo/Consultant. She has been crafting for a long time as well. She will be also helping us with scrapbooking ideas. Sandy is another long time crafter, she is very talented as well. She likes to try new 3-D ideas all the time, which is great for me! I think that her strong hold is Iris Folding. She had made some wonderful projects using this technique.

Hostess benefit schedule is posted: I had Joe pick names from my basket, so here it is:

Nadine-December

Arlyne-January

Donna-February

Nola-March

Christine-April..(I will keep mine open, just incase we have a new addition to our group)

Nellie-May

Sandy-June

OK...I'm going to do better!!

I'm going to do better keeping up with my blog. My Upline Nola Burkhard has a blog now, and I really have to do better. I will be taking pictures of our groups monthly projects and pictures of our group. Last month...Arlyne and Nadine did not like the little baskets we made, but they did like the "gel" card. This month Nadine will be showing us a "shaker card" and Arlyne will be showing us how to make an ornament. I can't wait to see what they come up with. I promise...I'll have pictures :) Donna and I enjoyed making the baskets, I loved them as well. I'll upload one this week...they came out cute.
Customer appreciation night is this Wednesday the 5th. It is free! Come an enjoy making some gift tags for all your holiday packages.
On November is our monthly class...don't forget!

Another Card SNEEK PEAK AT NEW HOSTESS SETS

I thought I'd post these cards I did for a huge swap. It was 14+1 for each stamp set. So I did a total of 30 cards...I just wanted to offer a sneak peek into the new Hostess sets from Stampin Up. They are wonderful. I used watercolor pencils and the Stampin Up Markers. It was a lot of work. Tell me what you think?

Our August 1st Card Swap + Swap Hostess Benefits

There is still time to join in. There is one more spot left. It is still 1 week away till August 1st. This is a sample of the card I am doing for the August card swap. I've used the new Stampin Up In Colors and the new Bella Rose Designer Series Paper. A little ribbon (NVR) and the Faux Diamonds technique on the cut out heartsWe did this technique for our July class. This stamps set is the "always" set in the catalog on page 57 in the current catalog. The CS (cardstock) I used was Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette (just a sneak peak of the new incolors).

For anyone interested in joining up for our 9/15/08 card swap. I will have the directions posted soon. I'd like to first see if anyone is interested in hosting the late summer swap. Please email me and let me know. We also have the 11/1/08 swap as well. So it will be first email, first hostess. Second email, second hostess. I'm also posting this on our Yahoo group, just incase anyone there may want to join in on the fun.

Being a Hostess:
Being a hostess only means that you decide the card swap, you decide the theme, you decide the papers, embellishments. Just send me your specifications and I'll get the swap posted (so all can participate...let's make it NVR). You will receive all the swaps and you will sort and return all the swaps. Being hostess that is where you see (+1) in the Quantity) you will receive the extra card from everyone as a "thank you" for hostessing. I also try to send the hostess a little "gift", like a few embellishments (let's say...5 eyelets, some pieces of ribbon, etc.) It keep the fun going and the work the hostess is doing get recognized.

OK...thats all for now.

Card Swap Instructions

Instruction for Card Swaps (General Instructions)...Every Hostess is different, Please...always read the swap directions to find out what the hostess is looking for.

Card Swap Instructions and Clarifications:

1. Card size will be what is called an A2. This is an 8 ½ x 11 cardstock piece of paper cut in half. Final size will be 4.25 x 5.5 (4 ¼ x 5 ½).
2. A card front for our group is 4 x 5.25 (4 x 5 ¼). Normally a card front is (4 ¼ x 5 ½). I personally like the layer the smaller card front offers. So that’s why I do it this way.
3. Layers: means using cardstock to layer. An example of layering would be:
4 x 4 piece of CS (cardstock)
3 x 3 piece of DSP (designer series paper..or printed paper)
2 x 2 piece of CS
Do you see how this is going?
4. Embellishments: they are eyelets, brads, ribbon, glitter, stickers, etc.
5. NVR: means NO VENDOR REQUIREMENT. So in simple terms, you don’t have to use Stampin Up embellishments for your cards.
6. Quality CS: This means (quality card stock). For me it is using Stampin Up cardstock. There really is a difference from Stampin Up and CS that you get at Joann’s or Michael’s. Trust me…you can feel the difference.
7. DSP: Means (designer series paper) Which is any kind. I’d prefer either Stampin Up or Creative Memories. If paper is not specified in the directions of the card swap…than NVR (no vendor requirement) or any kind of DSP or CS can be used. Just look at the hostess instructions.
8. Mailing swaps for long distance participants or anyone who finds it easier. You can either mail your swap to the Hostess: address is provided in the swap directions. For mailing…here is how it goes. The postage it costs to send the swap to your hostess is the same amount you should include in the package back to yourself. Really all you are doing is a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope). I always include just 2 extra 42 cent stamps (just incase) there is not enough postage. There are different zones in the USA and sometimes the return is just slightly higher. Your hostess will always return extra postage back to you if it is not needed.

Card Swap Update

Hi Girls,
We need a few more girls to join our card swap. I know some received packets in the mail and some via email. Please consider joining. You'll see how many different cards you will have to give to friends and family...and you did not spend $5 to $6 at the card shop. You won't be sorry you joined this swap.

I will be posting pictures from our class on Wednesday night. So please log on and take a look on Friday.

Have a great week girls. Hope to see you all on Wednesday.

Christine

Emergency Card Kits

I've started working on emergency card kits. I've been caught on several occassions "with out a card". So I've started making quick kits to end this problem. I used Stampin Up "flowers for you" designer series paper and accented with glitter and ribbon. They are perfect for all occassion. All I have to do is add my message on the inside. These were very quick to make. If you would like a tutorial...just let me know and I'll send one along.

Please consider joining our card swap. You can receive cards just like this one and start your own Emergency Cards.

Please email me for more information!

New Card Ideas for a Summer Treat or just Simply Done

Here are some card ideas that I thought you would be interested in. The first card was done for a Black and White card swap I was recently involved in. I kept it simple, yet elegant. I did do a technique class in April on this technique. If you would like instructions on this card...just email me.

My second card was created for a meeting my Up-line was hosting on Thursday evening. This was not my idea. This came from a girl I saw on another site, her name is (BUGSTERMOM). I have to give credit where credit is due!! For my meeting I did the "make and take" for the evening. This was so simple to do. I thought I would also show this card just incase anyone is planning a summer time birthday party or a family outing. These are great project for the kids to make...right off the bat I'm thinking about: Tammy G, Cathleen H, Aimee F, Nadine C, Traci C, Becca S, Annabelle M. If you need instructions...email me.

Take a look and tell me what you think!

Stampin' Up! New IN COLORS for August 11

Hi Girls,
Take a look at this blog for Stampin' Up! new IN COLORS for the Fall Catalog:
www.dostamping.typepad.com
She did a wonderful job with color comparisons.

I will be posting some projects in the morning. It's getting late.

Christine

Link to the retired list

Here is a link to the retired list. I'll also be posting a fun card that I case'd on SCS. I'll be posting that card/invitation or even a magnet for your refrigerator.
Here is the retired list link.
http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Retired_Lists_0608_US_N.pdf
You may also visit my web site at:
http://www.stampingandscrapbooking.stampinup.net/
Please read up on some of the technique classes. I'll be posting some projects here and on my web page.
Have a great Holiday Weekend
Christine

Stampin Up Retired List Special and Coupon

I'm offering a special to my past Stampin Up customers, my technique class members and NEW customers.
The special is 10% off any stamp set on the retired list. I'm also offering a $5.00 coupon to use in the catalog or along with the retired list special.
If you have questions or need the retired list and the coupon, please email me at chrisysaulnier@comcast.net. or visit my web page at www.stampingandscrapbooking.stampinup.net.
Our group is located in the Merrimack Valley. We would love for you to join us. We have monthly technique classes, we participate in card swaps. Lots of fun going on in our group.
I'm currently planning classes for the fall and holiday season. I planning lots of projects for holiday gift giving.

New Classes

Sorry...It's been a while. In June we had our ribbon class. Everyone had a great time. There is so much going on in July. I hope you can attend some classes.

July 16th is our monthly class. We will be doing "faux diamonds" and "glitter" on chipboard. Class will be from 6-8pm. It's a Wednesday evening.

July 19th I'll be hosting a Stamp a Stack. We will be using the Fresh Cuts stamp set and note cards. Class is $25.00. Everything is done for you....all you have to do is attend. You will make 12 Fresh Cut note cards, and a tutorial to take home with you. This is an RSVP by 6/29/08. If you plan on attending, please remember to let me know at chrisysaulnier@comcast.net. This is a Saturday morning. This should take about 3 1/2 hours to complete.

Arlyne was our June Hostess. She will be picking out here hostess benefits soon. Nadine is our July Hostess. Come to the classes and you can be a hostess too.

I will be better at keeping up with this site. Please email me if you are interested in a card swap. It would be great fun for us in the Merrimack Valley.

National Scrapbooking Day

For national scrapbooking day, I attended a scrapbooking afternoon at a Creative Memories Consultants home. I also went shopping at a local Scrapbook store in NH. I had a wonderful day, except for the fact that it's been raining for 2 days. Please keep checking on the up-coming swap in June. I'll keep you posted on both sites. To keep checking go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/merrimackvalleystampers
Please read up on the swap and plan to join. I'd love to have you.
I'd also like for you all to be thinking about being a HOSTESS for our swaps. Think about it.

April 16th Clipboard Class

Our first class went off without a hitch. The clipboards were wonderful. The girls did a wonderful job. Our second class is May 8th. Lets see what the second group comes up with. In class we also did a technique called "easy glittering". Wonderful and so easy. If you missed the first clipboard class...there is still time to join the second group.

Clipboard Class

Our Clipboard class is April 16 and the second date is May 8th. This clipboard class is easy and fun to do. While we are waiting for the paint to dry...I'll be showing you a simple scrapbook page layout and a card. We will be using the same papers and concept, just doing two different techniques.
I also will be giving homework for June :)

Card Class

Hi Girls,

Card Class was wonderful. Everyone seemed to enjoy. We did simple layering, and went into a more complex card using faux silk (tissue) and also added stitching. We also used a pretties kit to make a simple but elegant card.

Next month (May) we will be working on an altered clipboard. This will be lots of fun. Also we will begin swapping! This is a new adventure. I can't wait to see what everyone creates! :)

Moving forward

We are just getting started on hosting swaps and challenges. In May we will host our first card swap. I've also just finished our Yahoo group. It's a private group where the group exchange ideas and swaps with each other.

It's so exciting to see the group progress. This weeks club we will focus on three different techniques.

layering w/ds paper
tissue w/faux stitching
3-D

Last month or late January we made a "birthday book". It was a great idea, and so much fun!

Baby Steps

WOW! Girls...this is the beginning of some great fun, ideas, and conversation. I'm just beginning, so keep watchine!