Tuesday, December 31, 2013

I'm still here!


Hello friends! Long time, no post!!! Sooo sorry. Christmas is a crazy time for all of us ... Throw in the flu and having to care for three sick kids means my blog was a wee but neglected.

I was on the couch from Boxing Day until yesterday! Thankfully Pinterest kept me entertained. That and 47 episodes on the PVR of Ellen!! (Seriously .. 47!). 


I have a chest cold and a fever that will not end! The kids all caught a cold and traded off getting the stomach flu too! Thankfully Arturo was not sick. He had to work all break but for the better. At least he's healthy! God willing he won't be sick next week when I'm in Texas for Stampin' Up!'s Leadership conference! 

I got back in my studio last night to do 28 cards for an organized swap I signed up for. I have to get them in the mail today. I'll photograph and post soon ... But here is a peek ... 
It's my first organized wow swap. I'm excited to see what wow cards I get back. And I'm a bit nervous! Hope my cards are enough wow!

Next I have an organized swap I signed up for at leadership. Hope this weekend to tackle those. 

And if course the dreaded Christmas take down. The worst part of the holidays. Am I really in Texas next week?!? Yikes!! 

Happy new year friends! All my love as 2013 closes and we welcome 2014! 

Have a creative day! 

Krista  

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Friday, December 20, 2013

Christmas Party Decor

Monthly stamp clubs are the bread and butter of my business. I truly love my stamp club ladies. I get to see them every month and build friendships. We have so much fun and the only way to end the year together is with a party! In December I transform the studio and decorate in Stampin' Up! style.


My party must haves ... linens, a center piece, party decor and of course, party favors! 

The center piece ... I had some electric candles nestled in red festive burlap stuff (I think that is the technical term!).  The metal stars were created using Stampin' Up! foil sheets. This was technique was showcased in a previous blog post, click here!
The mason jars are the project that my stamp clubs created at this event. You will have to check out my blog post for these, click here!

 Party favors ... I wrapped a Turtle for each guest and placed it on their plate. Layered below each plate was a 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" sheet of Cherry Cobbler card stock for a pop of festive color.



Party Decor ... I whipped up a banner. And I mean whipped up! I had some Cherry cobbler card stock laying on my desk and a bunch of scraps and accessories from Christmas cards I have been creating.





Each club member brings a treat to share and we sit down together to eat and visit. We also do a Christmas gift exchange. It is a Chinese gift exchange style and we all bring a $10 wrapped gift. The gifts that come always so super great! We have a blast and enjoy the night. If that is not enough, when we are done, we clear the table and create two special projects. The mason jar above was one of the projects this year. The second was a Christmas gift box using our wood-mount stamp cases. Click here to read my blog about that project!

I hope you have been inspired to add a little Stampin' Up! party decor to your Christmas party!

Thanks for visiting! Have a creative day!

Krista Frattin

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Thursday, December 19, 2013

Christmas mini album give away

This month I was asked to support a friend (and customers) photography business, Fotojenick'z Photography, with a prize for her 12 days of Christmas giveaway. Being a hard working local Momma, I am always happy to help other hard working local Momma's! 

Thinking that their audience may not be crafty, I had to find something to give that would work for all. Back in October I blogged about my Christmas mini album that I designed. Mini albums are simply my fave! They are quirky, organic and simple! Perfect for the scrapbook beginner or the advanced crafter! 


When it comes to mini albums there are no rules. You can journal, add photo's, fasten in keepsakes and record your holiday memories any way you like. 

Take a peek at some of the interior pages ...





The album will be pre-made and completely ready for the lucky Fotojenick'z Photography winner! It will come with a set of our Season of Style Designer Washi Tape. Perfect to quickly tape in those photographs and keepsakes. 

Season of Style Designer Washi Tape
I am excited to share this album and hope that it inspires you!

Thanks for visiting! Have a creative day!

Krista Frattin
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Christmas Mason Jar Snow Globe

Yesterday I blogged about the special project that my monthly stamp clubs create in December to wrap up our stampin' year. My lucky customers actually create two projects each year end. I love to do something new and exciting and, of course, with a little wow! This year the second creation was a Christmas Mason Jar. 






Mason Jars are all the rage right now. When I sat down to design this project I simply started with an empty mason jar and waited for inspiration to strike. I have already done these classes with mason jars:
   * treat containers
   * pen/ pencil holder
   * jar filled with note cards

I searched Pinterest for ideas and I noticed a number if mason jars used to create snow globes (which I loved). The catch was that I wanted to use Stampin' Up! supplies to fill and decorate the jar. Being that paper and water do not mix I knew I had to find another solution. This sparked my "dry" mason jar snow globe. I designed the jar above and was over the moon happy with it. 

December stamp clubs not only get cool projects to do ... but ... we also end the year with a Christmas celebration! (I will blog tomorrow about the party and the Stampin' Up! decor). I used these Christmas Mason Jars as part of the party decorations. When I set them out I had the idea to add an electric tea-light. They looked amazing!


A photographer I am not ... I wish this photo could show you the gentle glow of the tea-light in the mason jar. I can tell you that it was a hit! My stamp clubs loved it up!

I had a number of club customers make multiples to give as hostess gifts, give to friends & co-workers and to line them up on their fire place mantle. 

The best part of this project is that it takes just a few moments to create. Not to mention that mason jars are fairly inexpensive!

Here are some DIY Christmas Mason Jar tips!:
  ~ I used 1L Bernardin Mason Jars ... I liked the size and the picture on the jar
               (I am not a fan of the jars with fruit and veggies on them)
  ~ Use a Crop-a-dile to punch two holes in the top of the metal mason jar lid. Hang your snowflake from the lid with bakers twine and tread through these holes to hang.
  ~ The 2-1/2" circle punch fits the lid of the mason jar perfectly! 
  ~ Dump glitter in the bottom of the jar for extra sparkle!
  ~ The burlap twine on the jar is the 1-1/4" burlap ribbon, just frayed! All you need to do is cut up the length of the ribbon on one side to remove the seamed edge. Pull the ribbon from one end and it will unravel the length of the ribbon.
  ~ Bend the back of the brad over and hot glue to the ribbon


Thanks for visiting! Have a creative day!

Krista Frattin

Christmas Mason Jar Stampin' Supply list
Paper:
Silver Glimmer Paper   124005   $5.95
Whipser White Card Stock   100730   $9.25

Stamps:
Festive Flurry Stamp Set
   Clear    131781   $36.95
   Wood   131778   $48.95
En Francais   
   Clear   127790   $16.95
   Wood   128562   $21.95

Ink:
Smoky Slate   131179   $7.25

Tools:
Festive Flurry Framelits Dies   132193   $30.95
2-1/2" Circle Punch   120906   $22.95

Accessories:
Whisper White Bakers Twine   124262   $3.95
1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon   132140   $9.95
1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Very Vanilla   120999   $9.50
Antique Brads   117273    $7.50
Gold & Silver Stampin' Glitter   132205   $9.95
Stampin' Glitter, Dazzling Diamonds   102023   $5.50

Note: All prices shown above do not include shipping & taxes.


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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Christmas Gift Box with Wood Stamp Case

In December my Monthly Stamp Clubs make a special project to celebrate the Holidays and wrap up our Stampin' year. When my downline, Tonya Barich, brought over a project to show me I was instantly inspired to create these for our club.

This year Stampin' Up! changed our wood-mount stamp cases. The new cases are a clear "VCR tape" style case. They are the same size as the clear-mount stamp cases, which makes storage and display all matchy-matchy. 



Stampin' Up! also sells these cases empty. You can convert all your old style wood-mount cases to the new style ... or you can get your craft on and create something with them!
They are available in two sizes and both come in a package of 4:
Full (7-1/2"x5-1/2")   127551   $8.95
Half (3-3/4"x5-1/2")   127552   $5.95


We used the Full size cases to create these Christmas boxes:



I cut the Designer Series Paper to 11" x 7". It is simply slipped in the case jacket. We embellished the box with a snowflake and some ribbon (see supply list below).

What can you use these boxes for??
  * Store Christmas Cards you have received
  * Store Christmas Photos, Wrap Photos for a gift
  * Store Christmas Keepsakes, Santa Letters, etc.
  * Wrap a small Christmas gift
  * Hold Christmas Baking for a perfect gift!
  
My customers just loved these! I used mine to give my Zumba instructor my home made butter tarts for a Holiday treat. 

What would you use these for? Any other great ideas you want to share?? 

Thanks for visiting! Have a creative day!

Krista Frattin

Shop on-line 24-7 CLICK HERE!

Check out the pre-boxing week Stampin' Up! sale CLICK HERE!

Christmas Box Supply List:
Paper:
Winter Frost Designer Series Paper   132341   $15.95
Foil Sheets, Silver   132178   $5.95
Whipser White Card Stock   100730   $9.25

Stamps:
Festive Flurry Stamp Set
   Clear    131781   $36.95
   Wood   131778   $48.95
Endless Wishes - sold out

Ink:
Pool Party Classic Ink pad   126982   $7.25

Tools:
Festive Flurry Framelits Dies   132193   $30.95
Word Window Punch   119857   $21.95
Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing Folder   132175   $9.95

Accessories:
Vintage Faceted Buttons   127555   $7.95
Whisper White Bakers Twine   124262   $3.95
Ruffle Stretch Trim Ribbon, Coastal Cabana   130024   $12.50

Note: All prices shown above do not include shipping & taxes.

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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

weekly deal - Pre-Boxing Week Sale!

Out latest weekly deal has arrived! Save on your Stampin' Up! favorites from our 2013 Holiday Catalogue. Think of it as our pre boxing week sale!


Get them now before they are gone forever! The current Holiday Catalogue is only available until January 2, 2013. Products are available for a limited time only and will be retired. 

If you would like to combine your order with mine, please email me by December 20th at noon. 
You can shop on-line 24/7 CLICK HERE!

Have a creative day!

Krista Frattin
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Friday, December 13, 2013

Christmas Scrapbook Layout

My monthly stamp clubs have the choice to create two cards or complete a double 12x12 scrapbook layout. The cards and scrapbook layouts match. This allows me to teach them a technique and prep the materials at the same time. It is then their choice what they create. 

I posted yesterday our Painters Tape Technique Christmas Cards. These scrapbook layouts are the matching projects from our November stamp club.









If you are in the Edmonton area I have spots open in my monthly stamp clubs. All groups start fresh in January and run on Tuesday and Wednesday nights! Join us for only a $25 monthly Stampin' Up! product purchase! Contact me, I would love to give you more information.

Check out my blog post about the Painters Tape Technique CLICK HERE.
Read my project supply list CLICK HERE.

I hope you have a creative day! Thanks for reading!

Krista Frattin 
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Thursday, December 12, 2013

Painters Tape Christmas Cards

This year I am digging the white Christmas theme. We renovated our house this year and lightened up all the paint colors and decor. Maybe that is my inspiration. In November my stamp clubs worked on white and gold make and takes. Take a peek ...


Merry Star Card

Merry Pocket Card

Our technique focus this month was the painters tape technique. If you are a Pinterest junkie, like myself, you may have pinned this technique already. It is very straight forward and is a great background technique. We used Gold Encore Ink to do this technique. 


Here are is a step by step picture guide to the painters tape technique:
You will need your Encore Ink pad or Classic Stampin Pad
and a roll of green painters tape.
Put your painters tape over the open ink pad and press it into the pad
When you pull it off the ink should transfer to the tape
Lay the tape over the card stock and rub it
Gently pull the tape off of the card stock
Ta-da! There you go!

On our Merry Pocket Card we busted out the sewing machine to sew little velum pockets. My stampers were a little stressed about this idea. A few gave it a shot and did the sewing.  Because I love them and never want any stressing at stamping events, I sewed most of them for them. They were a cute little festive touch to this card. We filled them with punched circles of foil sheets and glimmer paper. You can't help but shake the card when you pick it up!

Tune in tomorrow to see the coordinating scrapbook club projects created using these two techniques! 

Thanks for visiting my blog! Have a creative ... and Merry ... day!! 

Krista Frattin


Stampin' Supply list for these two cards: 
Stamp Sets:
Christmas Star   134813   $11.95
Georgeous Grunge   
   130517  clear  $21.95
   130514  wood  $30.95
Endless wishes ** no longer available **

Card Stock:
Whitsper White   100730   $9.25
Vellum   101856   $7.95
Gold foil sheets   132622   $5.95
Brushed gold card stock   102935   $9.95
Red glimmer paper   121790   $5.95

Ink:
Gold Encore Ink Pad   132141   $12.95
Cherry Cobbler   126966   $7.25

Tools:
Big Shot die cutting machine   113439   $122.95
Expressions thinlit dies   132171   $30.95
Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack   118309   $22.95
1/2" Circle Punch   229869   $7.95

Embellishments:
Washi Tape (Season of style)   132155   $6.50
Vintage faceted buttons   127555   $7.95
Whisper White Bakers Twine   124262   $3.95

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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Weekly deal & Clearance rack blitz

Check out the new 
Stampin' Up! weekly deals:
Available December 10 - December 16, 2013



Plus! The clearance rack was loaded with piles of retrired Stampin' Up! merchandise today. Shop at up to 80% off!!! Click here! Shop early for the best selection. Products are available while supplies last.

Some of my favorites:


color spritzer tool $5.19 sale price

frost white shimmer paint $2.39 sale price

googlie eyes $0.99 sale price

holiday collection die $14.99 sale price

ornament punch  $10.19 sale price

stocking die $19.79 sale price

mitten punch $6.59 sale price

Have a creative day!

Krista Frattin
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