Cheers to you from the Paper Crafts Crew

Welcome back to another week with the Crew - CHEERS!!

This week's card is clean and simple without a lot of frou-frou added. Sometimes there's just not enough hours in the day for all that fancy stuff and once in a while you just need a quick card. :)

I started off with a Pistachio Pudding Base and added a layer of Pistachio Pudding Designer Series Paper from the In Colours Paper Stack. This stack is such a great value! You get 40 sheets of double-sided high quality paper for just $26.95 - you won't find that at a big box store.

I cut a layer for my glasses using the Labels Collection Framelits, but thought it was missing something so I hand cut a layer Baked Brown Sugar DSP to put underneath it.

My glasses and greeting are both attached with Stampin' Dimensionals and I added just a couple of small Basic Rhinestones for a finishing touch.

Here's the sketch on which my card was based:

You can check out what the rest of the crew has been up to HERE.

What do you think?

STAMPS: Happy Hour
INK: Baked Brown Sugar and Crisp Cantaloupe
PAPERS: Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar and Pistachio Pudding Cardstock; Baked Brown Sugar and Pistachio Pudding DSP
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Framelits, Basic Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Are you ready to SALE-A-BRATE??

This is my SECOND post for today, so scroll down to see what else I've been up to!

Click on the above image to see the Sale-A-Bration Brochure

Today is the very first day of Sale-a-Bration! What will you order? Will it be the new Texture Boutique? Perfect for "on the go" embossing!

Will it be the Hip Hip Hooray Card Kit?

Whatever your favourite products are, you should order them because this is the one time each year where you get FREE product from the Sale-a-Bration brochure for EVERY $60 you order!

Maybe you want MORE than just $60 worth of your favourite goodies to get a FREE Sale-a-Bration product? No problem! Get your friends together and I'll be happy to host a private class for you in your home!

Or maybe (like me), you just want it all? Now is the PERFECT time to join my team! You'll get to choose $190 worth of product for you $125 starter kit. How awesome is THAT?

Just click on the image above to get started! You're going to LOVE being part of Team Canadian Blossoms! :)

Happy Stampin'!

UDI meets Pinterest!!

So I was checking out Pinterest last week...the other day...all the days in between...whatever! Don't judge me - LOL!

While I was on Pinterest, I saw a sketch that just jumped out at me and when I saw the Utah Divas International, I knew JUST what I wanted to do!

Here's the little peek that I shared on Facebook last week:

Don't you just LOVE all those layered flowers? Me too!

Our colours this week were:

which made me INFINITELY happier than Summer Starfruit!

With my ink, stamp set and paper in hand, I went a little nuts and created:

Those cascading flowers just made my whole life! I love them! SO much fun! If you're on the fence about coming to class on March 1st (Flower Frenzy), we'll be creating a card similar to this one (more or less) with cascading flowers...I love it THAT much! The best part? (at least for you) NO FUSSY CUTTING! Stampin' UP! has a coordinating punch that goes with the Petite Petals Stamp Set. And...at just $26.25 for the clear mount bundle, it's practically a steal!

Here's the inside:

I didn't, but you could certainly stamp a few flowers on the inside too!

You can check out what the other Divas have been up to HERE.

What do you think?

STAMPS: Petite Petals, Lots of Thanks

INK: Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush

PAPERS: Whisper White and Crisp Cantaloupe Cardstock; Crisp Cantaloupe and Coastal Cabana DSP

ACCESSORIES: Paper Piercing Kit, Ruffle Ribbon, Sponges, Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Merry MOJO Monday - Grab Your Shades!

Do you ever get this idea in your head that translates EXACTLY onto paper the way you saw it? That happened today and I couldn't be more pleased with the results!

I was standing in Chapters this morning, sort of thinking about the sketch, but not REALLY, if you know what I mean and this idea just came to me - it was so cool. "They" (whoever "they" are) say that things come to you when you just let your brain do the work and don't think about it too much. That's what happened this morning. Better grad your shades - this one has a LOT of bling!

With more than 25 (!!!) Basic Rhinestones, this is definitely one of those "I REALLY like you" cards, not to be given to just anyone.

The size is kinda cool too - 3 ½" x 5 ½" - so you're gonna need a custom envy. No problem! You've got the Envelope Punch Board, right?

Guess what I was MOST excited about? It's a little silly, I'll admit, but still. When you create the envy, the lines end up STRAIGHT! Most of the Stampin' UP! Designer Series paper has straight lines, but this one has diagonal lines...which means if you create an envelope using the punchboard, your lines end up straight - WOOHOO!!

Also, because this particular paper is specialty paper, it's white on the inside - bonus!

I finished off the inside with a simple piece of Whisper White cardstock matted on the Winter Frost DSP.

Just a note: While the Designer Series Paper is retired, the stamp sets I used are still available! You won't see them in any catalogue, but you can absolutely still order them from me.

Here's the sketch:

What do you think?

STAMPS: Ornament Keepsakes, More Merry Messages
INK: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Smoky Slate
PAPERS: Whisper White and Smoky Slate Cardstock; Winter Frost DSP (retired)
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Framelits, Envelope Punch Board, Basic Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Happy Shield for the Pals Paper Arts

Or...alternate working title...OK, seriously cut it out and tell me where you got that!

I know, I know...it's driving you NUTS!!!

As of today's card, I've used all but ONE stamp from the "mystery" stamp set. The good news is, there's just one stamp left for me to use. The bad news is, you're going to have to wait till THURSDAY for the full reveal...I know - MEAN! LOL!

Today's card features Crisp Cantaloupe, Coastal Cabana and Strawberry Slush. I decided to play along with Pals Paper Arts and this week's challenge was a sketch.

My base is Crisp Cantaloupe with layers of the DSP and some Strawberry Slush.


What do you think?

STAMPS: ???
INK: Coastal Cabana and Versamark
PAPERS: Crisp Cantaloupe, Coastal Cabana and Strawberry Slush Cardstock; Crisp Cantaloupe and Strawberry Slush DSP.
ACCESSORIES: Markers. Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Mojo Owl - Oh, Thanks!

Or...alternate working title...no really, where'd you get that?

I did a (VERY) informal poll on my Facebook Page last week regarding the Mojo Monday sketch and how I NEVER get to it on a Monday. The truth of the matter is, I schedule a LOT of my blog posts at least a few days in advance, or in the case of the Fishy Friday series, WEEKS in advance. My informal poll asked "Let's say you could see the Mojo Monday card on an ACTUAL Monday, but had to wait till later in the day - would that be OK? Or do you prefer to visit my blog first thing in the morning?" The response was that it pretty much didn't matter as long you got to see my work.

So...today's Mojo Monday is the one from January 20th, but starting THIS Monday (January 27th), my goal is to get the Mojo Monday card done ON the Monday the sketch is released. This means you'll still get to see my creation, but it'll be later in the day.

With all of that being said...today's card starts off with the same colours/DSP I used yesterday (I create in batches, it was out).

My base is Crumb Cake with a layer of Whisper White and Fresh Prints DSP. Yep! More sponging! I added a layer of Coastal Cabana and more Fresh Prints DSP. Under the Coastal Cabana is a piece of punched and sponged Crumb Cake Cardstock.

For the image panel, I punched out a 2 ½" circle and then stamped the image and sentiment. I know! I always say stamp first punch second, but in this case I wanted to know just how much space I had. It worked out pretty good! To mat my image/sentiment piece, I used my Big Shot and Circle Framelits.

The inside sports a little surprise - RIBBON!!

We always think to put ribbon on the front of our cards, but I thought I'd switch it up a bit and add ribbon to the inside. How fun! What do you think?


STAMPS: ???
INK: Crumb Cake and Coastal Cabana
PAPERS: Whisper White, Crumb Cake and Coastal Cabana Cardstock; Fresh Prints DSP
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Framelits, Ruffle Ribbon, Marker, Stampin' Dimensionals


Happy Stampin'!

Fresh Friday!

Or...alternate working title...where'd you get that?

My card today is a square one (4 ¼" sq.). I started off with a regular Coastal Cabana A2 card, but the banner I cut was too small, so I cut the card...you know, rather than walk all the way across the room (about 10 ft!) to recut another banner - LOL!

I added a layer of sponged and pierced Whisper White and then a layer of Fresh Prints DSP to the card base.

My banner is also Fresh Prints DSP matted with Crumb Cake and Coastal Cabana, also sponged. I tied a length of Whisper White Baker's Twine around it before adhering it to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.

My flower was hand cut after being stamped with Crumb Cake onto Whisper White and the sentiment was stamped on Whisper White with Coastal Cabana and then punched using the large oval. More sponging, of course!

The inside is a layer of Whisper White (sponged AND doodled!) with leftover strips of Fresh Prints DSP from the front of the card.

What do you think?

STAMPS: ???
INK: Crumb Cake and Coastal Cabana
PAPERS: Whisper White, Crumb Cake and Coastal Cabana Cardstock; Fresh Prints DSP
ACCESSORIES: Baker's Twine, Piercing Mats/Tools, Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Wanna Swap??

One of the highlights of each major Stampin' UP! event I attend is what I've started to affectionately call "The Lyssa Swap".

Lyssa is an AWESOME Stampin' UP! demonstrator and a dear, dear friend. We only see each other once or twice a year, but it's always a great time!

"The Lyssa Swap" is one you don't want to miss if you're a Stampin' UP! demonstrator attending a major event (Leadership or Convention) as it's ALWAYS top notch!

Here's the card I created:

My base is Very Vanilla and then I added a piece of Tangerine Tango. My sentiment is stamped and layered on Coastal Cabana. The Designer Series Paper is from the Retro Fresh pack that's now available in the Occasions Catalogue.

And do you see that fat baker's twine? It's in the Sale-A-Bration brochure! It comes in three colours (Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe and Summer Starfruit and it's all packaged up together with some printed, adhesive-backed cork - SO CUTE!!

Sale-A-Bration starts on January 28th and it's better than EVER this year!

You'll want to come to my next class on February 1st where you'll be able to see the brochure, some of the goodies and take part in our Thank You card class.


What do you think?

STAMPS: Perfect Pennants
INK: Coastal Cabana
PAPERS: Very Vanilla, Coastal Cabana and Tangerine Tango Cardstock; Retro Fresh DSP
ACCESSORIES: Baker's Twine (SAB), Basic Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Paper Crafts Crew - Love!

Welcome back to another week with the Paper Crafts Crew!

Have you ever created a card that was SO. STINKIN'. CUTE. you were beside yourself with excitement?

For me, this may well be that card!

I had a Real Red card base sitting out from my creating with the Fresh Prints Stack, so that was my jumping off point.

I wanted to do something a little different than a standard fold, so for today's card, I went with a gate fold. In my next newsletter, I'll be sharing step by step directions on how to achieve the gate fold, so you'll want to be sure to sign up for that if you're not already on my mailing list (there's a sign up box on the right sidebar).

Once I had the card base and Designer Series Paper selected, I worked on the the little cluster of "bits" (as I like to call them) and found (what I think) is the perfect combination!

And here's the inside:

You can check out what the rest of the crew has been up to HERE. And don't worry! If you want to replicate this card for Valentine's Day, my newsletter usually goes out on the first Tuesday of the month, so you'll have plenty of time!

Oh! And don't you know, I took some liberties with the sketch *grin*

What do you think?

STAMPS: Language of Love
INK: Real Red
PAPERS: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette and Real Red Cardstock; Fresh Prints DSP
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Tell me Tuesday!

This is my second post for today, so please scroll down to see what else I've been up to!

BLUSHING BRIDE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Price: $7.25 $5.44	EPIC DAY THIS AND THAT DESIGNER WASHI TAPE Price: $6.50 $4.88	EXTRA-LARGE OVAL PUNCH Price: $22.95 $17.21	REASONS I HEART YOU SWATCHBOOK TEMPLATE - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Price: $13.95 $8.37
SCALLOP TRIM BORDER PUNCH Price: $20.95 $15.71	SHAKER FRAMES Price: $5.95 $4.46	STAMPIN' WRITE MARKER NEW COLOR KIT Price: $37.95 $28.46	VINTAGE FACETED DESIGNER BUTTONS Price: $7.95 $5.96

The latest MDS download

Utah meets Fresh!

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know how much Summer Starfruit is NOT one of my favourite colours. In fact, yes, I'm STILL working on the original pack of paper that I ordered back in May of 2012. There's not much of it left (thank goodness!) and it retires at the end of May (thank goodness again!).

Knowing all of that, you can just imagine my dismay when I saw this:

Yep! Smack in the middle...Summer Starfruit. *sigh*

I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to combine those three colours, so I thought and played...and came up with this:

The base is Summer Starfruit (my last ½ sheet - now I just have ¼ sheets and scraps left) and then I followed the Freshly Made Sketch for the next layer (Very Vanilla and Summer Starfruit DSP).

My nod to Pool Party is the layer behind the sentiment as well as the sentiment itself. I added just a touch of Crisp Cantaloupe by using the bakers twine that's in the Sale-A-Bration brochure (which starts in just a few short days!!). The stamped, adhesive cork flower comes in the kit with the bakers twine (how cool is THAT?)

What do you think?

STAMPS: Lots of Thanks

INK: Pool Party

PAPERS: Very Vanilla, Pool Party and Summer Starfruit Cardstock; Soho Subway DSP

ACCESSORIES: Baker Twine, Adhesive Cork, Stampin' Dimenstionals

Happy Stampin'!

It's FRESH!!

I just love it when you see a card layout that would have never crossed your mind and then it TOTALLY inspires you (in fact, I used the same sketch for tomorrow's card too!)

I started off with a Bermuda Bay card base (it's there, under all those layers!) and then added a layer of Whisper White and Pool Party.

My Designer Series Paper panel has layers of Crushed Curry and more Whisper White.

To create the flower, I used a trick from the lovely Patty Bennett, then I polled some stamping friends and we decided that a pearl was the way to go for the centre of the flower. I'm sure you'll agree!

My sentiment was stamped in Pool Party on Whisper White and then layered on another piece of Pool Party Cardstock. It was attached with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Better hand deliver this one! With SIX layers of cardstock/DSP, I'm thinking it'll require extra postage.

And guess what?? If you're already signed up for class on February 1st, you'll be pleased to know this is one of the cards we'll be creating! If you HAVEN'T signed up (WHAT???), tomorrow is the last day for early bird pricing! Also, if you order the stamp set from me (Lots of Thanks), I'll knock $5 off your class fee! It's win-win-win! An awesome class, a versatile stamp set AND a discount!

What do you think?


STAMPS: Lots of Thanks
INK: Pool Party
PAPERS: Whisper White, Pool Party and Crushed Curry Cardstock; Watercolour Wonder DPS
ACCESSORIES: Punches, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

I hate to be a bother...

...but here's the deal:

It's all about the goodies. What goodies you ask? Well, free markers for you (that's a $19.95 value) and even more free goodies for me, but I need your help.

First, let me tell you that the free goodies I get will REALLY be for you, because let's face it, I have enough stuff already!

Here's where you come in:

While I was away at Leadership, Stampin' UP! issued a challenge to its demonstrators. The challenge was simple: sign up more Paper Pumpkin customers. Because everyone likes a reward, we were offered the following:

• 2 new Paper Pumpkin customers (I have one already - YAY!) = $100 grab bag for FREE!
• 7 new Paper Pumpkin customer = $500 grab bag for FREE!

Awesome, right? Again, I need your help! If I get two new Paper Pumpkin customers, they'll each get $50 worth of goodies. But...if I get SEVEN new Paper Pumpkin, they'll each get nearly $75 worth of goodies. For FREE. How AMAZING is that??

All you need to do is click on the image at the top of this post and then select me, Christyne Richardson, as your demonstrator. As soon as I see your name on my Paper Pumpkin list, I'll add you to the list of customers getting FREE product!

But what if you get MORE than 7 new Paper Pumpkin customers, Christyne? Not to worry! I have more that enough extra FREE product to share the wealth!

While you'll get FREE markers as long as you sign up before February 10th, 2014, the free goodies offer ONLY applies until January 25th, 2014

Don't just sit there! Go sign up!!

Inspired at Leadership

I took LOTS of pictures at Leadership because there was SO much to see! One of my favourite parts of Leadership is the display boards. This year they were stamped by the Artisan Team and they did a WONDERFUL job!

Here's a card I created the day after I got home:

I made it for my honey, because he DOES make me happy and besides...I missed him!! He thought it was very cute!

The Designer Series Paper is from the Fresh Prints Paper Stack in the Occasions Catalogue. I wouldn't have thought to put Real Red and Coastal Cabana together, but it works and I really like it!

I can see using this combo often! :)

I started off with a base of Very Vanilla and added a layer of Baked Brown Sugar.

Then I added a layer of the DSP and along with a layer of Real Red which was tied with Linen Thread. Here's a tip. You can cut each piece of the DSP in the stack in half and it's JUST the right size for the centre of the card because it's exactly one inch smaller all around. Two cards from ONE piece of DSP. SCORE!


What do you think?

STAMPS: Perfect Pennants
INK: Real Red
PAPERS: Very Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar and Real Red Cardstock; Fresh Prints DSP
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Framelits, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Fishy Friday - You & Me

Today marks the last week of my Fishy Friday Cards? Are you sad? Don't be! I have something else planned and I think it's going to be a LOT of fun!! See if you can guess what it is from today's card. :)

I started off with a base of Coastal Cabana, but I wanted to do something a little different, so I grabbed my Circle Card Thinlits and followed Patty's tutorial video on how to make the card longer.

I *tried* to line up the Designer Series Paper but wasn't quite successful in getting it perfectly lined up. I gave it a valiant effort though and I think it turned out pretty good!

There's lots of space in the card for writing so I think I'll give it to my hubby for our "date-o-versary" next month. Yes, we celebrate the day we started dating. Yes, it's a little silly. Yes, we're ok with that. :) This year marks our 28th date-o-versary. Yes, I know I don't look that old. *giggle*. All the space will allow for a whole lot of MUSH!

What do you think?

STAMPS: Fishin' Around, Perfect Pennants
INK: Black Staz-ON, Baked Brown Sugar
PAPERS: Very Vanilla and Coastal Cabana Cardstock; Retro Fresh DSP
ACCESSORIES: Watercolour Pens, Dazzling Diamonds, 2-way glue, Basic Rhinestones, Big Shot, Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

You should know by now...

...that I never actually GET to complete the Mojo Monday on an actual Monday. So it stands to reason that I'm showing you the Mojo Monday card on a Thursday. At least you get to see it, right?

The MOJO Monday sketch was pretty simple this week, so of course I had to dress it up with extra layers. Check it out:

My base is Coastal Cabana and I added a layer of Fresh Prints Designer Paper. That paper stack is just so darn cute! I love all the fun colours and patterns in it!

It took me a while to figure out the right colour combination for the the "You and Me" and heart images. Lots of scrap paper was used, but I'm happy I persevered and love the way it turned out.

And what about that ribbon? I love that you can shape it around things and because it's ruffled you don't end up with extra thickness behind the layer. Perfect!

This would be such a cute Valentine's Day card, don't you think?

Look at THIS:

See that splatter? I learned a new trick!! You'll want to come to class on February 1st, where we'll be making Thank You cards and I'll be showing you this new technique that I picked up at Leadership. SO much fun!

What do you think?

STAMPS: Perfect Pennants
INK: Real Red, Coastal Cabana
PAPERS: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana and Real Red Cardstock; Fresh Prints DSP
ACCESSORIES: Coastal Cabana Ruffled Stretch Trim, Big Shot, Hearts Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Who doesn't love FREE!!

This is my second post for today, so scroll down to see what else I've been up to!

Yes, FREE. You really did read that right! If you sign up for my Paper Pumpkin between NOW and February 10th, 2014, you'll receive a FREE package of the 2012-2014 In Colour markers in your starter kit.

Your starter kit also includes a "D" Acrylic block which is the size you'll need to complete your Paper Pumpkin projects each month.

Paper Pumpkin ships RIGHT to your door with shipping INCLUDED in the $24.95 price.

Having just returned from Leadership, I can say with absolute certainty that you don't want to miss out on this because our Paper Pumpkin kits are new and improved and you're going to LOVE THEM!!

Be sure to choose me as your demonstrator for added benefits (these are a surprise!)

Happy Stampin'!