Owl??? Where????

Who said the owl punch is only used for owls?  Not I. I didn't know what else it could be used for but I was sure someone out there would come up with another use for it.  Lo and behold, that's just what happened and I used two of the ideas for one of the projects for Septemeber's punch class. 

Don't you just love the little "kids" dressed up as a ghost and an alien for Halloween?  They both use the owl punch upside down with the little feet cut off.  Aren't they just adorable?

I also embossed the base of the card using the great new embossing Spider Web folder.  Also used the Wicked Fun Specialty Designer Series Paper for some quick accents.  Then I added a bat using the bat punch just to finish it off.

Short post today.  Off to finish getting ready for the Baltimore regional seminar this Saturday.  Stampin' Up! has asked me to do a Workshop Wow presentation. I'm so excited, I can hardly wait.  I will share my presentation with you after the event. I promise.

What a sweet deal for you!

Today at Sisters in Stamping we are celebrating our one year anniversary.  So in honor of that we are doing some blog candy. What is that?  Well you will need to head on over to the Sisters in Stamping blog and leave us a message about what you like about our blog. Or what you would like to see on our blog as far as technique, ideas, or products.

This is just one of the stamp sets we are offering for this week's celebration.  It's the Birthday Bakery Hostess set in clear mount. We will be giving away 4 different stamps sets, so be sure to go leave us a comment.  It's easy to do, so what are you waiting for?  Hurry on over and tell us what you like.

Next week the Sisters will be creating some fun treats using the new Bigz Candy wrapper die.

Upcoming Classes and a Card

Tag Along for Ronald McDonald House: Friday, September 24, 2010


• At this class we will be using this years Ronald McDonald House charities set, Tag Alongs. The cost of the class includes your choice of wood or clear mounted set. $2.00 from the purchase of each set will go to Ronald McDonald House charities.
• Make 8 cards for yourself (4 designs, 2 of each) and make 2 cards for the Scranton Ronald McDonald House.
• Cost: $30.00 for wood mounted Tag Alongs Set
$25.00 for clear mounted Tag Alongs Set (you will need to bring your own clear block (D) for this class if you select clear mount
• The above cost includes all supplies to complete the cards and envelopes. All you need to bring is your own snail adhesive.
• Registration Deadline: TODAY: September 21, 2010


Stamp-A-Stash: Thursday, September 30, 2010 – 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. We will be making fall, Halloween, and thinking of you/thank you cards.
• 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 28, 2010

This was a card I made and sent to anyone who placed an order through me in July.  I used the new in-color Poppy Parade and the new Just Believe set to create clean and simple looking thank you cards.  Sending monthly cards is a new program I have started for this 2010-2011 Catalog year.  So every month you place an order, you will receive a little surprise in your mailbox.  How cool is that?  I know many that have already received them let me know right away and are thrilled when they open the mailbox and see a hand stamped card waiting for them.  One said her mailbox is bringing her smiles.  Of course, that made me smile.  I'm glad you are enjoying them.  Makes me want to make more.

Remember, I said a "Wheely" good Friday?

Well it's time. I'm sure you guessed what I meant by that, right?  Over at Sisters in Stamping our challenge this week was to use the new wheels in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  (Remember if you didn't get your copy yet, let me know and I'll get one to you).

I personally like the wheels, they are quick and easy, now that's my kind of crafting.  That's the patient side of me. LOL Anyway, for my project I used the new builder wheels (page 35 in the mini) Little Cardinals, Little Christmas and Little Ornaments to make a sweet little treat bag.

The bags are also from the holiday mini catalog.  They are called mini lunch sacks.  They even have the fabulous scallop top already done for you so all you need to do is stamp and embellish.  Yippee!!!!

I wheeled using basic black ink and then colored in the cardinals and ornaments using real red, garden green, pacific point, and daffodil delight Stampin' Write markers.  I also used the white gel pen for the snow and to accent some of the ornaments.  I must say that's what really made the bag.  Before the gel pen it was just okay, but after everything seemed to pop more.

Once I was finished I folded over the top of the bag and used the white gel pen to put circles in the center of each scallop.  To hold the bag closed I used Real Red 3/8" taffeta ribbon. It is just around the bag and tied in a knot.

Don't forget to stop by the Sisters in Stamping blog to see what the other sisters did with their wheels.  And next week, we have some BLOG CANDY to give away so be sure to come back.

Favorite?? Do you mean one?? Ugh!!!!!!!

Welcome to another Fabulous Friday posting. This week at Sisters in Stamping we had to pick our favorite new stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog and make something with it.  Sounds easy???? Well, it definitely isn't an easy task if you have seen that catalog.  It's GREAT!!!!!! Which makes it very difficult to pinpoint one set as your favorite.

I mean look at the adorable Fang-tastic set for cute Halloween treats.  Then there is the so realistic looking leaf prints in the French Folliage set. And the new Bingo sets....just awesome.  So many possibilities with that.  Then the very cute, A Cute Christmas set with the whimsical trees, stockings, and mittens to name a few. And the fun accessory set, Season of Hugs, that compliments the Build A Bear line.  Those are just a few of the many, many great stamps in the new mini.  See, not easy!

But alas, I had to choose just one.  And it really didn't take me long to pick one that was my ultimate favorite simply because it has a lot of sentimental value to me.  I picked the Jolly Old Saint Nick set.  Why? you ask. Well, when I first looked through the catalog that one stood out because of the great big Santa face that is winking at me.

That image reminded me of a decoration my Mom would hang on a door or in a window every year at Christmas. Remember when most decorations were those thin cardboard pieces?  So it brought me right back to my childhood and all the memories of the wonderful Christmases my Mom was sure my sister and I always had.  Lots of traditions. Christmas Eve dinner (lots of Polish traditional food), driving around looking at lights, new pajamas on Christmas Eve, cookies, cookies, and more cookies (all homemade) and of course the presents we opened on Christmas morning. Mom always tried so hard to get us what we wanted. Remember the year Cabbage Patch Dolls were the "it" thing to have?  Well, she managed to get us each one even though lines were tremendously long and not very many dolls at any store.  Fights even broke out in some stores because they were in such demand. But it didn't stop her, we each had our doll under the tree.

So this card is for my Mom.  I love you, Mom.   She's no longer with us. It's been almost 16 years since she left us but I still hold many of her traditions dear to my heart and carry them on for my children.  See why I couldn't help but make a card with this image?  It just spoke to me in a way that no other set ever has.

Now that I'm done being all emotional. (Thanks for bearing with me)  Here is all that I used to create this card.

Jolly Old Saint Nick   

Candy Cane Designer Series Paper  

Real Red Cardstock

Whisper White Cardstock

Basic Black Classic Pad

Blush Blossom Marker

Real Red Marker

Bashful Blue Marker (on his eye)

Tombo Multipurpose Adhesive (to apply the glass glitter)

Silver Glass Glitter  

Tinsel Trim Silver  (threaded through the button)

Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons

Mini Glue Dots (to hold the button)

Dimensionals (did you think I forgot them?)

Thanks for stopping by again.  Next week at Sisters in Stamping we are going to be having a "wheely" good time so be sure to come back.

September Stamping Classes

**Stampin’ Classes**

By Rachel Yurkanin – Stampin Up! Demonstrator

570-689-5371 Email: dryurkanin@comcast.net

Website: www.rachelyurkanin.stampinup.net

Gather your friends for a night of fun while you earn free stamps and supplies. Book your Fall workshop today. We can do any theme you would like, Christmas, Fall/Halloween, Party. These would include ideas for cards, invites, favors, decorations, etc.

September 2010 Classes

Let’s Get Punchy Class: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 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 Class: Thursday, September 16, 2010 6:30 PM

• Make 2 12x12 two page spreads. We will be making pages that can be used for a variety of occasions.
• Cost is $15.00 for this class. You will need to bring your own adhesive.
• Payment and Registration Deadline: September 13, 2010

Big Shot Club, Sunday, September 19, 2010 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.

Tag Along for Ronald McDonald House: Friday, September 24, 2010

• At this class we will be using this years Ronald McDonald House charities set, Tag Alongs. The cost of the class includes your choice of wood or clear mounted set. $2.00 from the purchase of each set will go to Ronald McDonald House charities.
• Make 8 cards for yourself (4 designs, 2 of each) and make 2 cards for the Scranton Ronald McDonald House.
• Cost: $30.00 for wood mounted Tag Alongs Set
$25.00 for clear mounted Tag Alongs Set (you will need to bring your own clear block (D) for this class if you select clear mount
• The above cost includes all supplies to complete the cards and envelopes. All you need to bring is your own snail adhesive.
• Registration Deadline: September 21, 2010

Stamp-A-Stash: Thursday, September 30, 2010 – 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. We will be making fall, Halloween, and thinking of you/thank you cards.
• 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 28, 2010

Back to School, Already?

Can you believe it? I was NOT ready for my boys to head back to school this year.  The summer went by just too fast and I don't even know why.  But alas, they had to start the new school year this past Monday.  Neither one of them were ready.  Noah especially dislikes the 6 am wake-up and Jonah just hates waking up early (even though he doesn't have to get up until 8 am).  Needless to say mornings here at the Yurkanin homestead just aren't full of smiles.  Here are some pictures I took of them that dreadful first morning. Notice the thrilled looks on their faces.

I have more for you, I know you didn't come to just see pictures of my kids.  Today at Sisters in Stamping we are doing Back to School/Teacher Gifts.  So began the mission, what do I do?  After several different ideas swirling around in my head I settled on a project that was shared with us at convention.  The one demonstrated there was different than mine. It was more girly and focused on reading.

Using one of Stampin' Up!'s file folders (#117170), I scored and made an accordian type keeper for some memories for Jonah from first grade. The above photo is the outside of the keeper whe it is all folder and the belly band is around it to hold it closed. You don't have to "untie" the ribbon.  It is attached to the belly band which easily slidesoff the bottom of the holder.  I also used the playdate quick accents (#117172) and the playdate Designer Series paper (#117168) to complete this project.

Here is the inside of the folder.  There is an insert in each "pocket."  The first pocket is for the first day of school.  I will attach a photo and do some journaling to remember this special day.  Each insert has a piece from the quick accents on top to label them.  The first one says, hello.  The second one says, friends.  The third one says, stuff.  And the last one says, goodbye.  I will use each one to journal and attach a photo or two to coordinate with the tab title throughout the year.

Just a full shot of what the insert looks like.

Then I also decorated a gusseted envelope to hold some more memorabilia for Jonah's first grade experience.

Don't forget to head over to the Sisters in Stamping blog to see the projects the other sisters created.  Have a great Labor Day weekend.

Clearance Rack

Have you checked out Stampin' Up!'s Clearance Rack.  There are many, many great items that recently retired on there to purchase at up to 60% catalog prices.  Head over to my website to check it out. You won't want to miss the great savings opportunity.

New Mini Catalog and Great Promotion for New Demonstrators

Have you checked out the new Holiday Mini Catalog?  It's jam packed with so many new and exciting products.  I will be using a lot of the items in the mini over the next few months.  I'm so thrilled with it.  If you haven't received your copy of the mini contact me and I will get one off to you.  In the meantime, you can click on the link in the left hand column of my blog to see the PDF of it.

My wish list was huge when I got it in my hands.  I'm so glad that I am a demonstrator and receive 20% off every Stampin' Up! item I purchase. If you have a huge wishlist and would like to receive a discount on the products you buy join my team, the Yurinkin' Stamp Addicts.  With the purchase of the starter kit (that you can customize) this month you will receive this great tote for FREE.  It matches the Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper in the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog.

I got one at convention. Another perk of being a demonstrator.  I use mine for workshops and love it. It's large enough that the center hold 12x12 paper with a lot of room to spare for other goodies.  I can take all my materials for 4 projects in this tote.  There are a lot of pockets all around the outside.  This item is only available to new demonstrators.

There are 2 different kits.  The standard starter kit is a great bargain that has a value over $370 and you can customize it to your liking. I would love to get together with you to discuss why you would be a great candidate.

Today's share is nothing made by me. It was made by one of the Yurinkin' Stamp Addicts (that's the name of my team) team members, Lucia Behler.  She made the cute table centerpiece for our annual summer team barbeque.  I was the lucky recipient because the BBQ is always at my home.  This is a well looked forward to event by all my team members.  We eat, we stamp, we share ideas and just have fun.  The BBQ is held in August, after convention, so they all want to come a see what swaps I got, goodies from Momemto mall and just to hear all the great convention stories.  It's been a couple years since I had any team members travel to Utah with me for convention for various reasons but I'm hoping next year a few will be able to attend. Right, girls?

Lucia used punches to make a grill for a belly band of sorts that went around the pail.  She filled it with peanuts and it was a huge hit.  I really like how she used a swirl stamp to make it look like some smoke is coming off the grill.  Can you just smell the food grilling?

Remember you can create so many things with your stamping supplies. Think outside the box and your options are unlimited.

Have a great day.  Remember to come back tomorrow for Fabulous Friday.