Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Clearance Rack

Don't you love finding a great deal on a clearance rack in the store? I know I do.

Well, Stampin' Up! knows we all love a good deal and they have launched a new Clearance Rack section of the on-line shopping store. All items you find on the clearance rack are retired/discontinued. You will find that most clearance rack products are marked at substantially reduced prices. This is not a short term promotion through Stampin' Up! but rather a new, regular Stampin' Up! feature. Items will constantly be changing and many may sell out quickly so it's always a great spot to stop when you are ordering online. I absolutely love this new feature!

CLICK HERE and then click on the SHOP NOW button (located in top right corner).
Look for the CLEARANCE RACK on the left side bar of the on-line store.

CUSTOMER QUESTIONS? EMAIL ME.

Happy Shopping!

Sharing Cards from Demonstrator Shoebox Swap

Below you will find a few of the cards that I made on Saturday at the Demonstrator Shoebox Swap hosted by Dawn Rapsas in New Jersey. I had so much fun, I can't wait for the next one in November. I always come home with some great ideas that are ready to go for a class or two of my own.


The above sample was created by Dawn Rapsas. She used the textures die to emboss the polka dots on the pretty in pink cardstock. She also used the flower folds die to create the main focal point. I love the pinks and browns in this card.

The above card was also shared by Dawn Rapsas. She again used the big shot to die cut the large scallop as well as embossing the scallop with an impressions die. This card is so pretty. I love all of the white gel pen "stitching" around each layer. It really finished off the card.


And finally, this card was also shared by Dawn Rapsas. She really spoiled us at this event. She used the lattice bigz die and the flower fold die to create this card. I really like the simplicity of this card as well as the colors. The black really makes the bermuda bay pop.
I will be sharing more samples in the next few days. I think tomorrow I will share the halloween cards that were made on Saturday.
Have a wonderful day.
Remember you can always shop online for any of the products I have used on any of the samples.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Opps, forgot the link!

Hello friends,

I just wanted to post a quick link to the Sisters in Stamping blog so you can easily find the rest of the awesome projects the other sisters made for Friday's Fabulous Challenge. Told you it was a crazy week. I was so out of it I forgot the link. I realized late last night while I was at a great Stampin' Up! Demonstrator shoebox swap in New Jersey. Don't worry I'll be sharing those projects with you over the next few days.

Anyway, go HERE to find the rest of the projects for Friday's Challenge.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Another Fabulous Friday

Welcome to another fabulous Friday. I can't believe it's Friday again. Although I utterly exhausted from a crazy week of school and running around until 10:00 PM or later each night, therefore glad that it is. I'm looking forward to this weekend and getting some R & R time. I have a workshop tonight and then I get to stamp with some awesome demonstrators tomorrow for a shoebox swap. I only have to come up with one idea and then I get to stamp 20 different projects. Woohoo. And best of all on Sunday, there is NO AGENDA. That means sleep in, loaf around and do whatever I want. I can't wait.

Anyway now onto this week's project. The stampin' sister's decided this week's focus was going to be shimmer paint.


I decided to use one of the new sets from the Occasions mini catalog with the Platinum Shimmer Paint. I started by brushing the shimmer paint on textured rich razzleberry cardstock. I then used the shimmer paint directly on the bird stamp and stamped it above the holly branch. For one final touch, I touched the distressed edges of the white cardstock with the platinum shimmer paint to bring it all together. It's hard to get a great picture that captures the beauty of the paint but in real life it's looks great. I was going for the antiqued look and I decided that it worked for me. Guess I need to go humble myself now.

The colors used were rich razzleberry and old olive.

Have a Fabulous Friday and a Wonderful Weekend.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

For All You Do


This is to each and every one of my customers and downline. Thank you so much for all you do for me with my Stampin' Up! Business. I truly appreciate being your demonstrator and upline and hope that I can help you when necessary.

The card uses the stamp set For All You Do and that's why I want to dedicate this posting to each of you.

I used the in-colors,crushed curry, melon mambo, and rich razzleberry on this card. I like the look of designer paper that I created with the small flower stamp from the set in the three colors that were used on the card. I stamped the medium and large flower, cut them out and then layered them together with an off-set look before putting a brad in the center. And of course the flowers are attached to the card with dimensionals. I know you already knew that, though.

I hope you have a great day. My days have been long and busy but I am making it through the student teaching experience. Hope to see you soon.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Things I love....

This group of mini 3x3 notecards was made using the Things I love Stamp set. Aren't they just darling? I made these cards at convention back in August. I was so excited to get this set because I love chocolate, shoes and shopping. How did they know that this set was just for me? lol



I really like the mellon mambo, chocolate chip and bermuda bay together. They are really easy, fun cards to make. They are great little cards to attach to a gift or just to tell someone you are thinking of them.
It also makes a great gift if you package them together in a cello bag with a topper like the picture above.

Why don't you try your own 3x3 cards?

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Even Kids Love Stampin' Up!

Isn't he the cutest little thing? Look how proud he is of his newly created crayon/marker/pencil or whatever else can fit inside box. Of course, I may be a bit biased.
I was making the project for yesterday, the bucket with the snowflakes using the Big Shot, when Jonah decided he wanted to make one too. So I veered him in the direction of Build a Bear and he went to town making his own bear. He picked out his own colors of felt for his bear and the bear's clothes. Then we needed to find something the bear would fit on, so up to the stashes of alterable items in the stamp room. He really liked the idea of the pencil box and couldn't wait to get his bear on the front to fill the inside up with his goodies.
I think one day he will be a demonstrator. He's my great helper and is always around when I have a class waiting to get his hands on all the stamps and supplies. Guess what he wants to be for Halloween..... He wants to be a UPS man that delivers Stampin' Up! boxes. I thought it was the cutest thing. Obviously, he has seen a few boxes being delivered over the years. Daddy says I have him brainwashed. I disagree, but of course I love it.
Have a Super Saturday.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Fabulous Friday

Welcome to another Fabulous Friday. I've been looking forward to Friday all week because I loved what I was making for this week's challenge, plus I have two days off of school and no getting up early. What can be better than that?

This week for the Sisters in Stamping Blog the design team's challenge was to use the treat cups that are in the mini catalog. They coordinate beautifully with the Sweet Centers stamp set but I wanted to use it in a little different way and decided to use the snowman thank you stamp that is also found in the Holiday mini catalog. Look at all those snowman waiting to be picked out of the bucket. Aren't they adorable?



Each of the snowman were stamped in basic black ink. I cut the center with the words out before I mounted the stamp and placed them on the other side. This way I could use just the snowman without having to go through a lot of masking. If I want to stamp the words inside the snowman for a thank you card all I have to do is use the stampamajig to line it up. After they were all stamped I cut them out. The hats and scarves were then colored in using the Stampin' write markers. I made them all different colors and colored them each a little differently. Some have both the hat, scarf, and the polka dots colored, others just have the hat and scarf and some just have the polka dots colored. I had a lot of fun coloring these snowman.




Once the snowman were cut out I punched a hole in the center of the snowman's upper body using the 1 3/4" punch (works perfectly with the treat cups). They are filled with miniature marshmallows. Tic tacs, buttons, glitter or any other small item would also be cute inside. For the back, to keep the marshmallows inside the treat cup, I cut a 2 1/2" square and drew a 1 3/4" circle (I used a template I punched) in the center of the square. To open the treat easier I used the perforator tool from the cutter kit in the circle of the square piece of cardstock. Now it will be easier to pull out the goodies.

To decorate the metal bucket I die cut snowflakes using the Big Shot and the snowflake Bigz Die. The snowflakes are then hot glued onto the bucket and I just put a white satin ribbon on each side of the handle. I thought the bucket was a cute way to display all the snowman together. Great way to package them up for a gift.

Remember to check out the Sisters in Stamping Blog here to see other ideas from Debbie, Jacque, and Karla using the treat cups.

Have a fabulous Friday.





Thursday, September 17, 2009


Today's card is a very easy and quick Christmas card idea. Not too much work involved in this one. It uses the soft suede in-color of cardstock, polka dot ribbon, and ink. The stamp sets are the Many Merry Messages and Tree Trimmings. Of course, I stamped the ornaments on scrap paper and then cut them out and popped them up with a dimensional or two but to save even more time you can stamp them flat on the white paper and be done. With a card like this, there is no reason not to be able to make and send some Christmas cards to friends and family. Don't forget you can easily change the color and make the cards in multiple colors.

Update on student teaching.
It's going pretty well except for being uttlerly exhausted at 5:00 PM everyday. Yesterday, I ended up laying down for a half hour and felt so much better thanks to a second wind. I may have to do that everyday. lol
After the commotion of the first two days (having to move the classroom to a temporary classroom) yesterday went much better. There was more control in the class and more teaching happening. I think the best part is being to see Jonah once in a while by surprise. I really miss my little man and didn't realize how much it was until I saw him in the hall and he came to give me a hug. It was the highlight of my day.

Have a wonderful Thursday.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Skating By


Today, I'm just skating by quickly to say hello and share a quick sample with you. This was a card I created for a swap for my team, the Yurinkin' Stamp Addicts. My son, Noah, loves his skateboard, so I just had to have the new shilouette of the skater stamp when I saw it. I designed this card with him in mind. He loves red and black so I started with those colors and let the creative juices flow. I decided to create a template to mimic a "half pipe" (that's the black thing the skater is on for all you non-skaters out there) because Noah keeps asking for one for our yard so he can skate on it. I laid the template over the area I didn't want colored and then I used a sponge to ink the black staz-on all over the rest of the glossy cardstock.

I love the saying, especially for children of Noah's age. I want him to be himself and be proud of that. It's so true no one is more qualified to be you than you are.

Have a wonderful day.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Coffee Time


Today's card is a fun card I've created with last year's (retired) in color's. You can easily swap the colors out and create this card with your favorite colors. I personally love the "coffee stained" cardstock. The set, Sip by Sip (114303), is still availabe but you won't find it in the catalog, it is on the dormant list. I thought this would be a good card for today because I think I'm going to need a lot of caffeine to get me through today at school.

Yesterday was my first day of student teaching and one of the first things I experienced was that we (my co-op teacher and I) have to move the classroom today because they are replacing the rug and putting in tile. I think I'm going to experience it all in the next few months. Yesterday was a good day though and I do look forward to going back today and see what it brings.
Funny story for you. Jonah is in kindergarten at the school I'm student teaching 1st grade at. Both grades were outside in the afternoon and I thought he didn't notice me at all. Made me feel good though because I felt he was really enjoying himself and was okay. When the kindergarten class was going in he came up to me and gave me a hug. So when I got him at the end of the day, I said to him, "You were having so much fun you didn't even see Mommy outside." His response, "I saw you Mommy, I just didn't want to see you. I was having too much fun." I felt the love. lol Honestly though I'm glad he's loving school that much.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Party Time

Today's card is similar to a card I recieved at convention as a swap. I love the "fun" vibes you get from this card. It's bright and cheery and screams birthday celebration. I changed a few things up, like the ribbon, added the candle and layered a greeting.

This card uses the top note die. I used 1" squares of the Rich Razzleberry to fill a sheet of cardstock and then ran that through the Big Shot to cut it out.

Have a great Sunday! I'm trying to get things all in order here on the home front because tomorrow is the big day. I begin my student teaching. Wish me luck. I'll be sure to tell you all about it throughout the next few months. I'll be there until early December.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Another Delightful Decorations


This card uses all the same colors and stamp sets as yesterday's Christmas gift tag pouch. I added a texture plate design using the Big Shot on the background of the Old Olive cardstock.

Even added some bling to the Crushed Curry ornament. It's a fire rhinestone round brad. The "string" on the ornament is Stampin' Up!'s white grosgrain ribbon. And of course, the ornaments are on dimensionals to make them stand out a little bit. This was a quick card that I was able to make 28 of them for a swap I was participating in.
Speaking of Christmas cards, make a note on your calendar:
October 3, 2009, I am holding a Christmas Card Class at the Throop Civic Center in honor of World Card Making Day.
The class is beginning at 2:00 PM.
Every person in attendance will make 12 cards with a Christmas theme and matching envelopes. There will be 6 different designs and you will make 2 of each design.
Registration fee is $25.00 per person.
There will be door prizes and a free hand-stamped gift for all in attendance.
Email me to reserve your spot.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Fabulous Friday


It's fabulous friday already. Time for more stampin' with my "sister's" This week we were focusing on the Delightful Decorations set from the Holiday Mini Catalog and the coordinating wheel, punch and rub-on's. It's never too early to begin thinking in terms of Christmas projects. The projects are great this week. Be sure to check out the Sisters in Stamping Blog to see what Debbie, Jacque, and Karla have created using these products too.

I created a pouch using a 6 x6 page protector to hold Christmas tags. This is really easy to make and would be great to give as gifts to teachers, neighbors, or anyone else for that matter. It can also be converted into tags for all occasions. Your possibilities are endless.

The page protector is lined with a 6x6 sheet of old olive cardstock. The topper is a 6x6 sheet of real red cardstock folded in half and attached on the back side of the old olive using snail adhesive. Both pieces were wheeled with the Sparkle & Shine matching wheel in versamark ink. I also used the scallop edge punch on the topper. The greeting from Many Merry Messages is embossed in silver to coordinate with strings on the ornaments. To dress up the topper a bit more, I stamped the other 3 ornament stamps in old olive, real red, and crushed curry. They are attached with dimensionals (becuase they are my favorite thing).

I then used whisper white cardstock to stamp the ornament tag in old olive, real red, and crushed curry. These colors look great together, in my not so humble opinion. I used the Ornament punch to punch out each tag. Finally, I punched a hole in the top of each ornament and used the silver cording for the tags string.

If you would like to make this and need any supplies you can order online at my website or email me at dryrukanin@comcast.net and I can place the order for you.

Hope you enjoy this project and have a wonderful day.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Ribbon Split Opportunity

Hello Stamping Friends,

I am offering a ribbon split with two of the types of ribbon Stampin' Up! is currently carrying. The ribbon split is an opportunity for you to get small amounts all the colors of the ribbon (in a particular category) without having to purchase each 15 yards spool of ribbon yourself.

With the ribbon split you will get 3 yards of ribbon in each color offered. I am offering the ribbon split for the Polka Dot Ribbons (pictured above and also to include the real red polka dot ribbon) and the 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon (picture to come tomorrow).

You can choose to join one or both of the groups, it's up to you.

If you choose the polka dot ribbon, the cost is $20.00 for each spot you would like.

If you choose the 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon, the cost is $16.00 for each spot you would like.

If you choose to be in both groups, the cost is $36.00 for each spot you would like.

The ribbons can be found on pages 182 and 183 in the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog, which can be found HERE.

I will close the ribbon spilt orders by September 21, 2009. So call or email me your wishes to be included in this great opportunity.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

My Digital Studio - So Easy!

Well, I finally got it. I'm so excited. I "created" these two pages in a matter of minutes. You are going to absolutely love the My Digital Studio. It is available to customers on October 1st. It is available to demonstrators, NOW!

You can create several different size pages for scrapbooks (both individual pages or a bound book), calendars, and your own greeting cards.


The above page was enhanced a little bit by me. I added the two punched hearts which I was able to fill in to make it the color I wanted. I also added the three buttons to the bottom right hand corner. I didn't even read any directions. Just opened up the program and started playing. There's so much that can be done and I can't wait to play with it more.


The page with the boys holding the donuts was only a matter of "dropping" a photo into it. The rest was done already by the program. There are templates that you can just add your pictures to but if you want to be really "creative" you can open up a blank template and create your own.

This program is great for all ages and all levels of scrapbookers. If you never thought you would scrapbook because you thought it was too much work than this program is for you. Imagine the possibilities..........

Sunday, September 6, 2009

September Class Schedule

**Stampin’ Classes**By Rachel Yurkanin – Stampin Up! Demonstrator
570-689-5371


Don't forget to book your workshop today. I have some openings now through November. We can do a them workshop, such as, Halloween, Fall, or Christmas. Your choice.
Current Stampin’ Up! special for hostesses: Receive any item (except the My Digital Studio) for $10 with a workshop totaling $250 in sales or more. That’s in addition to all the other great benefits you receive.

September Classes

Let’s Get Punchy Class: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 6:30 PM
Make 2 different 6x6 pages and 2 cards of characters/things using Stampin’ Up! Punches. The pages and cards will use the same characters/things.
This class will be offered on the second Tuesday of every month.
Cost: $25.00 for the first month (this includes a 6x6 album to place your pages in for future reference). Every other month after the first will be $10.00. This fee includes all supplies to complete the pages and the cards. All you need to bring is your own snail adhesive.

Scrapbook in a Day: Saturday, September 12, 2009 2:00 PM
· Using a simply scrappin’ kit make a scrapbook in an afternoon. Have lots of pictures that need some scrapbooking? Then you will certainly want to come to this class. It would even make a great Christmas gift for Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles or friends. You will select a simply scrappin’ kit of your choice from pages 164-167 in the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog. Any supplies not used in class you will be able to take home with you and use on other projects.
· Cost: $35.00 for this class. You will need to bring your own adhesive.
· Firm Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 8, 2009


Scrapbook Class: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 6:30 PM
· Make 2 12x12 two page spreads. Themes for this month will be Beach and a back to school theme.
· Cost is $15.00 for this class. You will need to bring your own adhesive.
· Payment and Registration Deadline: September 13, 2009


Big Shot Club, Sunday, September 20, 2009 2:00 PM

Do you love the big shot but can’t justify the expense all at once? Well, I have the perfect club for you. Read on for all the details.

As a part of this club you are in essence purchasing a big shot and some accessories for it using a layaway plan.
This club will run for 4 months and be $46 a month.
At the end of the club you will have your own big shot machine, one die ($21.95), the Stampin’ Up! Texture plates ($11.95), one embosslit ($11.95) and one sizzlit 4 pack ($19.95).
This is plenty of supplies to have a lot of fun playing with your new big shot at the end of the club.
Each month we will meet and I will share 3 projects with you (that you will make as well) using the big shot. By the end of the club you will know how to work all the great tools that are available for the Big Shot. We won’t be using just paper either. I will show you several different materials that work wonderfully with the Big Shot.
If you are unable to attend the make n take session, you can still join this club. I will make the projects for you and get them to you. So this is a club for everyone.
Plus as a club member you will receive $15 credit and a level 1 hostess gift. Isn’t this a sweet deal?
If you already own the Big Shot you are welcome to attend the class for $10 per month.
Stamp-A-Stash: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 – 6:30 PM
Make 12 cards: 3 designs, 4 of each design. Great way to build your card collection so you won’t be caught without a card for the next special occasion.
Cost: $20.00 – Includes all supplies to complete the cards and envelopes. All you need to bring is your own snail adhesive.
Registration Deadline: September 27, 2009
Stamp-A-Stash: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 – 6:30 PM
Make 12 cards: 3 designs, 4 of each design. Great way to build your card collection so you won’t be caught without a card for the next special occasion.
Cost: $20.00 – Includes all supplies to complete the cards and envelopes. All you need to bring is your own snail adhesive.
Registration Deadline: September 27, 2009

Friday, September 4, 2009

First Fabulous Friday

Hello Stamping Friends,

I'm so excited to announce a new blog that I am a part of. It's the Sisters In Stamping Blog. I met the three wonderful ladies at Stampin' Up!'s National Convention this year and was honored when they asked me to be a part of the design team. We are going to focus on different Stampin' Up! stamps sets and products each Friday. Be sure to check out the blog and subscribe so you won't miss out on any fabulous projects. We each have shared a little about ourselves over the past few days, so be sure to read the introductions so you can get to know each of us.

This is the first week and we decided to focus on the Build a Bear Product line from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I bought a few of the Big Shot dies from that line and this is the card I came up with for this challenge. I am absolutely pleased with the results. So much so that I am going to be giving this card (don't worry, I'll have to make another for me to keep) to Jonah's kindergarten teacher on the first day of school, next Tuesday as a looking forward to working together for Jonah this year. Doesn't it just scream grade school?

I personally am very excited about the Build a Bear (BAB) line because my kids love to make the bears when we are away. Plus there are so many possibilities on what can be done with them. For example, think, birthday parties and magnet dress up bears to name a few. Great teaching tool for younger children by focusing on certain colors and counting. Hours and hours of fun for all ages. Here's the best part of all, this product line will carry over to the new catalog next year as well. Since I heard that news, I can't wait to get the rest of the Big Shot dies that go along with the line. There are Halloween and Christmas dies as well. They are the next ones I'm getting, definitely.

Remember to hope on over to the Sisters In Stamping Blog to see 3 more ideas using the Build a Bear stamps, dies, and paper.

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red, Yoyo Yellow, & Brilliant Blue
Ink: Creamy Caramel
Markers: Basic Black & Close to Cocoa
Big Shot Dies: Bigz Bear Die, Beary Essentials Bigz Die, & Beary Boy Sizzlits
Other: Dimensionals, Linen Thread, & Sponge Dauber

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Medallion, My Favorite

I think this is my most current favorite Stampin' Up! stamp. You know that changes often. It's the Medallion, which is the size of a background stamp. It's such a nice stamp which let's you get a lot of different looks with minimal effort. Change the layout a bit or change the colors and you can go from having a "fun" card like this one to a more elegant card in seconds. I have been using this card at workshops for the past 2 weeks and everyone loves it. As of right now, this stamp is Stampin' Up!'s #1 selling stamp set. What does that tell you? If you don't have it, you're going to want to get it because it's going to be a classic.

Notice the center of this card is frosty looking. Well, that's done by using Stampin' Up!'s new shimmer paint (found in the Occasions Mini Catalog) which is available now. It's a lot of fun to play with. I'll be sure to share more projects with you using it. For this project, I inked up the stamp and then used a sponge with some shimmer paint on it to sponge the center of the stamp before stamping it onto the cardstock so it shimmers. There's more techniques to come.

Ingredients:
Stamp: Medallion Background
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Other: Dimensionals, Jumbo Grommet, Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon, Stampin Sponge, & Frost White Shimmer Paint

Tuesday, September 1, 2009


Okay, now I hope everyone that knows me really well is seated as they are reading this. This was a swap card I made for convention. I made 96 of these. Yes, that's 96 cards that are "watercolored" using ink pads and blender pens. Can you believe that? I usually don't like to color but I wanted to use this particular stamp (because I love snowmen) from the More the Merrier stamp set, so I just had to do it.
The majority of the card was rather simple layering and I only used 2 stamps, the greeting was from Many Merry Messages. The colors are handsome hunter, bravo burgundy and whisper white. I used dusty durango for the carrot noses. The snowmen are stamped in Stazon Black ink and the greeting is in white craft ink. I particulary like the white that frames the handsome hunter. It's a nice, clean, crisp card. I hope you enjoy.