Card from Demonstrator BBQ

Ingredients:
Stamp: Happy Everything
Cardstock: Pixie Pink, Kaliediscope Designer Series Paper
Ink: Tempting Turquoise
Other: Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, heart punch, movers & shapers die, and movers & shapers heart magnet, Big Shot, dimensionals

This is one of the cards all the girls in my downline made at the BBQ we had on Monday evening. It was great to have so many of them here. We chatted, ate, stamped and gushed over all my convention swaps. I gave each person a reusable Stampin' Up! bag as a thank you for being a part of my team, the Yurinkin' Stamp Addicts.

This particular card was made using the movers and shapers Bigz XL die. Isn't it cute how the hearts overlap? I wouldn't have thought of this on my own. It was just one of the many things I learned at our national convention earlier this month. However, I did adapt it so that you didn't have to just place the hearts on the inside of the card. I cut a piece of pixie pink cardstock 4 x 5 1/4", placed dimensionals on the corners and then attached it to the inside front of the card. The punched out hearts are then placed on the attached cardstock and you can write any message you want on the inside because the hearts aren't in the way. It always give it a mini shadow box effect. I like how it turned out.

I also thought posting it today would be appropriate because I'm getting a weekend away with my honey, just him and I. No kids, no stress, no work. Just the two of us. So I probably won't be posting tomorrow but I will be back to post on Monday.

I will be doing a ribbon share and will explain all the details then. It will include the wide striped grosgrain ribbon (chocolate, olive, pumpkin & black) and all of the polka dot ribbons (the six in-color's and the real red). Watch for more info.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Another crazy day in the Yurkanin household. Can you say Calgon take me away? That's how I'm feeling about now. I was at the doctor's with Jonah today and he has strep throat. So he is on another antibiotic. Plus just still working on all that needs to be done when a teenager has a car accident. I'm looking forward to this weekend's getaway with my beau. Just him and I. I can't wait.


Enough about my life, only because I want to escape from it right now. So on to something you really come here for, stamping. This card was one I designed for a shoebox swap I attended at convention that was hosted by Dawn Rapsas (our #1 Demonstrator for the year. Yeah Dawn) We needed to make 30 of these in advance and then take supplies all cut and ready to go for 26 people to create it there that night. Not that I want fall here yet because summer just arrived a few weeks ago but I love the fall leaves and the colors on this card. The tearing of the edges of the cardstock definitely adds to the "feel" of fall, in my opinion.

Ingredients for this card:
Stamps: Falling Leaves & Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, & Ruby Red
Paper: Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy & Ruby Red
Other: Gold Brads, Jumbo Wheel Handle & Navy Grosgrain Ribbon

Have a great day!

I know I have be absent this week a bit and I'm really sorry for that. It has been a little hectic here since we went to the beach for the weekend. On the way home (we were about an hour from home) my phone rings and it's Brittney's boyfriend (with sirens in the background) calling to tell me Brittney was in a car accident. He was 2 vehicles behind her and saw the whole thing happen. Chris did a great job in handling the situation and stayed calm and tried not to get me too upset. I was really impressed with how he handled the whole situation. Anyway she was taken by ambulance to the ER because her neck and wrist hurt and she couldn't breathe very well. She is okay, no lasting effects and we were home by 2:00 am (not bad for a hosptial visit). She sprained her neck and wrist and basically had an anxiety attack (probably because she was afraid of me. lol). Her car isn't completely totaled but it needs some work. Thank God for my Dad. He's going to fix the car for us so it will only cost us for the parts and not labor. We dropped collision on her car last month (go figure). But with her not having a car, I now get to be a taxi for her again and she started college on Monday so I've been taking her back and forth and to follow up doctor's visits.

Plus I've been doing all the regular things like getting Jonah and Noah ready for school and getting ready for the Stamp a Stash that was tonight. Noah got to tour the new building today and he's a bit nervous about it but I'm sure he will do fine. Jonah goes on Monday to learn more about his big day.

Enough about that, I just wanted to remind you that there's only 5 days left of the great special on the starter kit. For only $85.00 you can join my team, the Yurinkin' Stamp Addicts and the Stampin' Up! family. As an extra bonus, I will give each person that signs on a set of the new In-Color markers for FREE.

So for $85, you can start your own business or just take advantage of a discount on the best stamping products available. You will receive a pack of assorted 8 in-color 1/2 x 11 cardstock, a pack of white 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock, the 6 in-color pads, and a stamp set valued at $28.95. Plus you will get all the business supplies you need. The picture above shows all you will get with the discounted kit.

If available, I am holding an event tomorrow evening (Thursday, August 27) at 6:30 PM that will help you get any answers you may have about the great Stampin' Up! opportunity. Contact me at dryurkanin@comcast.net for more information.

I will post tomorrow about the great demonstrator gathering here at my home on Monday evening, along with a picture or two of projects each person made while here.

Have a great night (what's left of it).

Well, yesterday I didn't get a chance to post anything because we were travelling to the beach and I just ran out of time before we headed out in the morning. So I thought I better post quickly today before we went back to the beach for the day. The waves are pretty intense this weekend because of the "Bill" heading up the coast, but the boys say it's some of the best boogie boarding they have done in a long time. We were just happy it wasn't raining when we got here. We were pleasantly surprised when we got to the beach and saw we had prime real estate to choice from, not many people were silly enough to go the the beach on an overcast, rainy day, but we were and we had a great time.

To go along with our trip, I decided this whale card (that Jonah wanted me to make, geez, I wonder why Jonah wanted a whale card? lol) It's a pretty quick and easy card to put together. Not much stamping involved thanks to Stampin' Up!'s great Designer Series Papers. You gotta love them because you get awesome cards with minimal effort when you don't have a lot of time to create.

Ingredients for the Whale Card:
Stamp Set: Animal Stories

Cardstock: So Saffron, Old Olive, Whisper White, & Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Other: Tall Tales Designer Series Paper

Enjoy your day, whatever and wherever you may be doing it. We will enjoy our day in the sand, sun and water.

With all of the downpours we are having today I decided we all needed a little pick me up so that's where today's card comes in.

Bright and cheery days ahead. That's what I feel when I look at this card. It is so "perky." Can a card really be perky? Anyway, I think it can be a great pick me up card.

It uses the in-colors for this year, melon mambo, crushed curry, and bermuda bay. The flower stamp is colored with the in-color markers and then stamped three times onto the white cardstock. The stamp set is so cute, I only used stamps that are found in the set, it's called Hello Again.

Try to stay dry and definitely drive safely out there today. I know I will as I head off to tonight's workshop. I'm really looking forward to seeing the ladies and sharing with them some new ideas. This is one of the cards I'll be demoing tonight.

Isn't this box the cutest thing? If you bake for the holidays these boxes would be a perfect size to put some of your baked goods in for friends, family or neighbors. If you don't bake, they are still good to package those small gifts that you don't know what to do with. The recepient will be very excited to see what's inside because your packaging is so pretty. These boxes are in the 2009-2010 catalog, pre-assembled and ready to be filled with goodies of all sorts. It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas, it's just too bad that all I do is think early and not really act on any of those thoughts. I guess I work better under pressure (or is that only because that's all I know?)

I've been in the stamp room all afternoon creating some cute cards and projects so I will have more to share with you. You will be seeing those creations over the next few days.

Have a stamp happy day!

Another convention make n take. These cute Christmas tags were all made at convention using the new Stampin' Exclusive Big Shot Die: Two Tags (p 198 Item # 11595). Isn't it the cutest? You can make these tags in any color combination you'd like and for any occasion. They are great to attach to a gift bag. The long tag with the scalloped edge works wonderfully with our scallop punch (p 187 Item # 109043). The stamps used on these particular tags are from the Sweet Season stamp set (p29 Item # 116471).

Enjoy another beautiful day with the ones you love. I know I've be enjoying the past two days with my boys by swimming in our pool and playing pool games with them.

Just for Kids Growing Up Button Promotion

Now through August 31, spend $35 on stamp sets from the Growing Up section of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog (pages 74-90) and receive a FREE package of Designer buttons--a $7.95 value! Stampin' Around Wheels are not part of the eligible products to qualify for the this promotion.

Eligible buttons are listed below

Latte Buttons
Item # 114333


Sherbet Buttons
Item # 116312



Playground Buttons
Item # 116313

You can place your online order at www.rachelyurkanin.stampinup.net or you can call or email me your order. Imagine how much fun you will have creating with your new Growing Up stamps and buttons.

Just for Kids Growth Chart Promotion

Just for Kids and the Kid in You! Promotion from Stampin' Up!

During August and September, Stampin' Up! is celebrating kids, and we've got a great deal for the young and the young at heart.

From August 1 - September 30 only, get the exclusive Decor Elements Growth Chart - plus, receive a free applicator tool!

The growth charth (Item # 117519) is $24.95 (plus shipping and tax) is taken with teal, old olive and chocolate chip.

What an attractive way to keep track your your child's (grandchildren or any other children in your life) growth throughout the years.

Hope everyone is enjoying this awesome weather we are having. I'm sure some will say it's too hot but I'm loving it. Before you know it, it will be snowing up here on the mountain. It took a long time to get here this year but I sure hope it stays for awhile.

This is a cute little box we made during Make n Takes at convention. I love the new little set Hello and it's matching wheel. This box is great to hold a small gift or even a gift card will fit inside of it. Notice the notched side to make it easier to get the lid off the box. It was done using the 1" circle punch, you just place the paper halfway into the punch to get the half circle. I'll post directions later for anyone for may want to try to make one.

Remember to take time to enjoy the day! Make it a great one.

I know it's only August and I'm sharing a Christmas card with you but is it ever too early to begin thinking about Christmas cards? Now thinking and making are two different things. I often think very early about making my Christmas cards but often wait to the last minute to complete them and send them out. Afterall, if it's postmarked by December 24th then it went out for Christmas. Besides, I want to give everyone something to look forward to after Christmas so a card arriving the week between Christmas and New Year's is just the thing. So do you start making your's now or are you a last minute person like me?

This is another card we made at convention. It was a quick and easy card to make and it provides enough "punch" to look really impressive. If you are making a lot of cards that need to be sent out this one is good. Of course, it has some cutting but no coloring involved so I think it's a great one. When you are stamping your cards don't forget to embellish the envelope to make it just as nice on the outside as it is on the inside.

Here is the "ingredient list" for this card:
Sweet Season and Tree Trimmings stamp sets
Kraft and Very Vanilla cardstock
Real red, garden green, and chocolate chip ink
Real red 3/4" polka dot ribbon, clear rhinestone brad, dimensionals

This is one of the many make n take projects we made at convention last week. I will share more of them with you over the next few days. The Stampin' Up! staff kept telling us to be sure to stamp everything first and then we would be able to assemble later because there were an awful lot of projects this time. They were worried we wouldn't have time to finish everything. Well, guess what, your's truly, in her true fashion finished each project (completely assembled) with 20 minutes to spare. How's that for some fast stampin'? Not everyone there was able to do that. But I kept telling everyone at my table that I'm strictly business at first. I'll do all my stamping now and talk later. It worked.

I really liked this card because it was bright, cheerful, and easy to do. I didn't need to read any directions, I just looked at the picture and went to town.

This is a project I made for one of the convention 3D swaps I joined. I had first envisioned a mini scrapbook but this is what I ended up with. Funny how that works. It's a mini accordian file keeper (great for coupons or receipts). I covered rectangular coasters with the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP on both sides (used different sides of the paper for the inside to add more interest). I then came up with a patter to fit this particular coaster. It wasn't too difficult to figure out. I then used the daisy die for the Big Shot to die cut the flowers for the front. I made 30 of these and they were all a little different depending on the paper I used from the pack, but the beauty is they all coordinated with each other.

This was one of the two cards created at this week's punch class on Tuesday. It was very simple and easy to make using only 3 of Stampin' Up! punches. Plus, the star punch, simply because I couldn't resist it. Honestly, doesn't a spaceship/UFO need stars while flying in outer space? I love the look of the itty bitty backgrounds stamps stamped in silver on the night of navy cardstock. It really makes it looks like a whole universe is out there. Of course, the stars and the spaceship/UFO are all on dimensionals. They are my favorite thing afterall. : )

Well, I have finally taken the plunge and created a blog. I hope to share my passion for stamping, scrapping, and creating homemade gifts with all of you. It will be an interesting ride that I hope you will all join along the way.