The Fabulousness that is the BIG SHOT

Did you know that there are over 50 different "approved" materials you can cut in the Big Shot die cutting machine??

Thick corkboard Thick chipboard (59 mil) Colored magnet Ruffle board Paper wood Balsa wood (3/32") Bass wood (1/16") Metal mesh Aluminum (.016) Tin (.008) Adhesive and non-adhesive mat board Drawer liner Shelf liner Vinyl Static cling vinyl Shrink film Fine sandpaper Clear acetate (20 mil) Vellum Card stock Patterned paper Flocked paper Contact paper Textured paper Metallic paper Linen paper Suede paper Embossed metallic paper Basketball embossed paper

Faux alligator textured paper Self-adhesive glitter paper Fabric Canvas Iron-on fabric Soft plush fabric Burlap Velvet Corduroy Lace Heavyweight denim Terry cloth Funky fur Thin leather Quilt batting Warm & natural batting Fusible fleece Self-adhesive craft metal Self-adhesive cork Self-adhesive foam Self-adhesive magnet Self-adhesive felt Adhesive and non-adhesive rubber Pop up sponge Poly foam 100% pure beeswax (cut with parchment paper on top & bottom of beeswax.)

Pretty cool, huh? The most popular thing in the Stampin' Up! world right now is actually cutting fabric with the Big Shot... using regular quilting cotton, you can cut 7 or 8 layers at a time!! Think of the possibilites for appliques, using alphabets to personalise names or monograms, or just perfectly die cutting your squares. Did you know that we also sell vinyl sheets, so you can cut your own trendy wall clings? Its pretty fun to think of all the cool things you can make, and its pretty easy to make multiple items for gifts too. 


Here are the instructions for a quilt square from Stampin' Up!:

• Sizzix Big Shot
• 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die
• Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die
• Background fabric (two 10" x 10" squares)
• 10" x 10" square 100% cotton batting
• Ric-rac (6")
• Sewing machine and thread
   

Instructions

1. Die cut four pieces of fabric using Big Shot and 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die. Round off hard edges.
2. Die cut two large scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die.
3. Die cut one small scallop circle using Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die.
4. Insert cotton batting between two squares of background fabric and sew together using sewing machine and thread.
5. Sew four flower petals (from 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die) to square. Fold large scallop circle in half and adhere to bottom of flower petals.
6. Fold small scallop circle in half, then fold over part way to create one gather. Adhere to bottom of flower using sewing machine and thread.
7. Adhere ric-rac stem to square using sewing machine and thread.
8. Create leaf by cutting large scallop circle in half, then folding inner edge, and sewing each half on square.
9. Wash and dry to give shabby-chic look.

Haiti Relief

There are just a few days left to participate in Stampin′ Up!’s Haitian relief efforts! Until February 28, 2010, Stampin′ Up! is setting aside $2 from the sale of select stamp sets to be donated to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. So far, demonstrators around the world have sold 11,895 sets, which equates to over $20,000 to be donated to this fund--but don’t stop now! You still have six days left to participate in this effort and join other Stampin′ Up! demonstrators in making a difference in lives of those who continue to suffer in Haiti.

Product Name	Item #	Price
I {Heart} Hearts - clear-mount  (block D recommended)	118571	$24.95
I {Heart} Hearts - wood-mount	117010	$35.95

New paper bag scrapbook

Just in time for Spring, here is a bright and cheery girly scrapbook. It is for sale in my store if you are interested in purchasing it. I also do custom scrapbooks as well!

the cover, with room to add a title or name

 

first 2 page spread

 

pages 3 and 4

pages 5 and 6

pages 7 and 8, with a tag and pocket

 The last 2 pages

The back, with the inner pocket pages pulled partway out. They can be pulled out completely, and photos or journalling added on both sides.

swap cards!

These are the cards I made to send out for my upline's swap. We usually try to do a swap for each of our meetings; its such a great way to get fresh ideas. I'll be sure to keep you guys posted about the cards I recieve in return; I know they will be inspirational.

• Soft Suede, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, and Whisper White cardstock
• Basic Black Ink
• Picture This level one hostess stamp set
• Designer Series Paper from Simply Scrappin’ Sunny Day kit
• Accessories: Pretties kit, Sweet Pea stitched felt
• Tools: scallop trim border punch, round tab punch, and Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

A tisket, a tasket....

...a paper Easter basket! I'm preparing for my upcoming springtime worshop, but I can't decide which basket we should make. So I decided to make a poll: please vote which one you like best. Keep in mind these are only my first-try prototypes, and I was using my scrap paper up, instead of the beautiful designer paper I am hoarding keeping safe for our workshop. We will add some butterfly and/or flower accents to whichever one we decide to make. I actually did a bit of a lovey-dovey theme, since I made them up on Valentine's Day!
The first one is made from four mini diecut envelopes, and has pewter jumbo brads in the side, which the ribbon handle is threaded through.

The second one is a top note bag, rather than a basket, but I thought it was really cute. It uses 2 top note die cus on each side, with a cut down red paper bag in the centre. The handles are cut with the oval punch.

Lastly we have a basic basket made from a single 6x6 scored and cut peice of paper, with the handle attached by some rhinestone brads.

So... whaddya think?

My Stampin' Up! Anniversary Giveaway - CONTEST CLOSED

February 16th is the day one year ago that I officially became a demonstrator! You can too, it is worth is just for the starter kit, because you can pick out the stamp sets and supplies that YOU like best... plus if you sign up during Saleabration you get yet another free set (anything from the catalogue, that's up a value of up to $60!!!) and I will personally also give you another free Saleabration set of your choice! I don't have a downline yet, but I would love to help you on your crafty journey as my first recruit! I've been stamping for as long as I can remember, and going to Stampin' Up! workshops for about 10 years, as long as they have been in Canada. I would love to hold downline meetings, and bring you to my upline's meetings and swaps, as well as lots of goodies and personal support. The value of the Starter Kit-- valued at over $430, is a steal for only $269!

There are 3 ways that people use their "demonstrator status". One is a hobby demonstrator, where you are just in it for the discount, perks, and starter kit goodies. The other is a casual demonstrator, where you mostly do it as a hobby, but you do occasional workshops (that's me!). Then there are career demonstrators, who do it for the income, and work really hard to book lots of workshop, sell kits, and maximise their potentional. Great for stay-at-home moms! The most important part, and the company motto, is to "share what you love!" It makes selling easy when you regularly use and love the products.There is also a special new digital starter kit, that includes the My Digital Studio software, in addition to the regular supplies. And during Saleabration, the digital starter kit is 15% off!

Basically in order to keep your discount and stay "active," you need to sell $400 of product per quarter. That is less than the average sales at an at-home customer workshop, or you can spend that much personally, which is only $50 per paycheque, and it goes a long way when you add your discount! I love the demo community, both live and online as well. They are so supportive and inspirational. I look forward to the monthly demo magazine as well, which is full of encouragement and ideas. If you become inactive, there is no penalty, you just don't get your discount anymore, and they do give you an extra chance to boost your sales the next quarter after the one where you didn't quite make it.

Okay, enough blathering, but I just wanted to put it out there... I would love for you to join my team! As my personal THANK YOU to my supporters, friends, and readers, and I am doing a giveaway!! These are the goodies I am giving away:

• scallop border punch
• beautiful blue ink pad
• 6x6 designer paper pack
• package of 3 handmade cards

That is 4 chances to win something super fabulous to inspire your Springtime crafting. All you have to do is comment on this post, and tell me what is your all-time favourite, can't-live-without, crafting tool or accessory! I will leave it open until Sunday night, and do the draw on Monday February 22. You can enter once every day. Open only to North Americans, sorry to my International friends! As an extra special bonus, because I am sooo generous and love you guys so much, any orders put in this week before the draw get FREE SHIPPING! Yay! Just email me what you would like (check out the online catalogues in my sidebar) at everrocks@gmail.com. I take credit cards, cash, paypal, and cheques. Thanks for a fun year, and here's to many more!

First Valentine

For Liam's first Valentine's day, I really wanted to make everyone some old-school style little cards, but I also wanted to include his photo, since he is so darn cute. Because I was making so many, I decided to do a design in photoshop and print it out at Wal-mart. I fit 2 cards on a 4x6, so it was very economical. I just cut out some orange cardstoc and rounded the corners, then added a love stamp on the back. Piece of cake! I also stamped on the envelope as well. I think they turned out pretty cute for how easy they were.

Quick and Easy Valentines

Sometimes it is nice to hand make a heartfelt card... but other times you have to make 50 classroom valentines and the last day is tomorrow! Storebought cards are boring, and printing them out is just as easy. Here is a round up of my favourite free valentine printables:
 
1. Lollipop covers with a spot for a photo.

2, These cards are sweet and simple and won't destroy your ink cartridge

3 & 4. Nice to see rocket and cowboy valentines that arent so feminine; not that we don't love glitter around here!

5. I like these ones too, because I sure love a good pun. 

Now how about some more grown-up style printables:

6. Adult humour cards

7. A more sedated, vintage valentine

And if you are feeling especially adventurous:

8&9. printable paper bags here and here

10. perfect match matchbox

11. valentine popcorn treat bag topper

Sometimes when you are making a card for a quy, it can be hard to make it masculine. The best way is to stay far far away from the embellishments, with a quick and easy non-stamping type card. This is a one layer postcard I made for my brother-in-law Tyson's graduation from music production school. We had a suprise family dinner in his honour, and I thought it would be nice to make him some brownies and a card as a little gift. This is a blue card, with a red cardstock layer run through the cuttlebug with the polka dot embossing folder. Then I just cut out a pic of the babycakes, and added a hand cut word balloon and a hand drawn border. Easy peasy!

Ribbon layering

So.... this card is MUCH cuter in real life then how it turned out photographed, but I already gave it away, so I can't try again! I used the scallop punch on pink cardstock, then a layer of designer paper, then a layer of chocolate chip satin ribbon (which is available ON CLEARANCE right now while supplies last!! email me if you would like some). The sentiment is inked in chocolate chip, and the heart has some dazzling diamonds glitter added on with the 2-way glue pen. The highlight of the card though, is the folded ribbon. You glue a bit down, fold it over, glue that down, then fold it over, so you are glueing on the top and bottom of the ribbon as you fold it.

Okay... its hard to explain, so you should join my stamp club so I can just show you! This was our second project last month. I like it because it would make a good valentine, but can be used as a year-round card too. The stamp is from a new hostess set in the Occasions mini catty, called Picture This. I love it!

And another SU! note: I put in a big Saleabration order at about 11pm on Feb first, and I got my shipping confirmation at noon-ish the next morning!! Wow, usually it takes a day or two to get orders together. I can't wait to get my new toys!