Crystal and Akiko

Stampin Up! Refill Inks/Alcohol Inks

I picked up this technique from Jennifer McGuire's blog....she is super fan-tab-ulous!  She was the very first blog I ever came across 2 years ago and I became immediately addicted to what she had to say.  She has the perfect tips about EVERYTHING!  Totally suggest you check her out.

This video shows you how to use Stampin Up's refill inks on a project and you can also do the same thing with Tim Holtz's alcohol inks.  I picked up my Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Applicator and Blending Solution from Michaels with my coupon, you can also get these from Scrapbook.com.  The white glossy paper is from Stampin Up! and works PERFECTLY with this technique.  Now I'm dying to get a hold of more ink refills....just one of the million items on my list...tee hee..I think we're all guilty of this?  If not, pretend, it'll make me feel better....haha =)

 
SUPPLIES
Paper (Stampin Up!):  Glossy White, Bermuda Bay and Whisper White
Stamps (Stampin Up!):  Baroque Motifs and French Filigree
Inks (Stampin Up!):  Versamark, Basic Black Classic, Rich Razzleberry Ink Refill and Melon Mambo Ink Refill
Other:  Black Twine and Clear Embossing Powder from Stampin Up!, Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Applicator and Blending Solution, Button from Dollarama and Prima Flower

 
SUPPLIES
Paper (Stampin Up!):  Glossy White and Melon Mambo
Stamps (Stampin Up!):  Baroque Motifs and Whimsical Words
Inks (Stampin Up!):  Basic Black Classic, Bermuda Bay Ink Refill and Crushed Curry Ink Refill
Punch (Stampin Up!):  Heart to Heart
Other:  Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Applicator and Blending Solution, Pearls from Dollarama

STAMPIN' UP! HOW TO VIDEO: CUPCAKE CARD

CRAFT CLASS EXTRAVAGANZA!!

Crystal and I had a very successful craft class today. Thank you to all who came and had a crafty good time! Here are a few pics of the class in action:

 

 And Now, the How to Video!

This card was a lot of fun to create. Its actually quite simple, and uses a lot of neat techniques. Have fun!

 

 

Tools Used:

Paper:

Stampin Up! Rose Red, Taken With Teal, Whisper White, Sahara Sand, and Thoroughly Modern Designer Paper 

Ink:

Stampin Up! Rose Red Marker, Basic Black Classic Ink

Stamps:

Stampin' Up! Whimsical Words, On a Pedestal, Level 3 Hostess
 
 Embellies:

Martha Stewart Turqoise glitter

Ribbon from Michaels

Tools:

Stampin Up! Spritzer, paper crimper
 

How-to Video & 2 Giveaways...what?!

Exciting, exciting...I love giving away things!  I am giving away a FREE BLOCKHEAD over at my 2some Dance blog.  What is a blockhead?????  Swing over to my other blog to find out =)

Aaaaaand......Akiko will be announcing the winner of our OTHER GIVEAWAY we're doing right here on this blog on Thursday morning...so leave us some love..xoxo

YAAAY!!!  How-to video time!  I was going crazy with constantly wrapping my hair pins in elastic bands and well....da da da daaaa....a solution.  I had a couple of left over tins from these ice breaker candies I love to eat and, well, voila! 

Okay...I'm soooo running to catch the rest of Canada vs Germany....COME ON BOYS, I believe!!!!  Wohoooo

 

How to Video: Tie-Dye Brayering Technique

Creativity works in mysterious ways....

So all Day yesterday I was trying to figure out my 3D project for our upcoming craft class, and I was not having much luck. :( So I decided to put it away and work on my video. I was playing with my brayer trying to find something new and cool to do with it, and I discovered a new technique WHILE CLEANING IT!

I am so uber excited for this technique.....your gonna LOVE IT. I gasped with delight when I tried it out!

I used:

Stampin' Up! In color inks - bermuda bay, melon mambo and rich razzleberry and craft white ink with clear embossing powder

SU cardstock - whisper white, taken with teal

SU block stamp - sanded

brayer, wet wipe, prima flower and button

How-to Video: Brayering with Embossing Folders

First I want to start off with how kind the snow gods have been to us this year.  I mean...I seriously don't think we've EVER had a mild winter.  Can you believe we went from shoveling our snow 3 - 4 times a week for 2 -3 months in 2009 to a 2010 winter filled with ZERO shoveling, am I dreaming?!  Well, definately not complaining, I think Toronto finally deserves a lil' break, especially when we had the poopiest summer of all time in 2009...tee hee 

The weather has me so pumped that I did this for you tonight =)  A how-to video on brayering with embossing folders using Stampin Up! products...whaaat!  I used this technique on 35 - 40 swaps I made for Laura Robinson's Megameeting this past January.  Akiko got me crazy hooked on my brayer, have you seen her video's?  Get's me so pumped, ha!  I came up with this technique about a month ago but who knows, I'm sure someone out there has probably already beaten me to it...sniff sniff  N e who, it's new to me =)...enjoy and drop me a line, we still have a GIVEAWAY going on ya know.  We bribe people to talk to us.....HAHAHAHA

 
RECIPE:
Paper (Stampin Up!):  Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Whisper White & Basic Black
Ink (Stampin Up!):  Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry & Versamark
Stamps (Stampin Up!):  French Filigree & Kind and Caring Thoughts (Hostess Level 3)
Other (Stampin Up!): Black Embossing Powder, Simple Flower Embosslit Die & Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder
 

Wedding Invitation How-to Video: Part 1

The Creative process of Invitation MADNESS

Well, for those of you who don't  know, I am making my own invites. I am sooooo uber excited about them because I LOVE the design that I created. (Although measuring was the WORST - Crystal and I had a serious blonde moment when we were trying to figure that out....of course, before she went brunette. Lets just say that math and I don't mix very well ;))

So I just wanted to share a bit about the process of making these invites, in case you are getting married as well and need some ideas for your invites :)

I used Damask paper from Michaels (tip: wait until it goes on sale for %30 off - you have to make a few trips, but you save a lot in the end)

Stampin' Up! Cardstock in Taken with Teal

Stampin' Up! Top Note Die Cut

Ribbon from Michaels that was the closest match to Rich Razzleberry

Printed Portion of Invitation was designed by myself and my fiance Corey

Here are the measurements:

Length (Open): 12" - Score at 5 6/8"

width: 4 1/2"

Pocket length: 3 1/4"

Pocket Width: 6"

The inserts you can make any size, depending on how many inserts you want and how many layers of paper you want.

 

How-to Video: Altered Gum Pack Valentine Treat Notes

I'M BACK!!!!  Oh wow....my event kicked my boo-tay and pooped me out...my body was screaming for some sleep but I kept going and going and...well....ended up getting sick <sniff sniff>.  Finally had time yesterday to catch up on the zee's so was feeling quite energized for you today...SO energized I did a how-to video for you =)

Here's how it all began.  Yesterday I was in my car, blowing my nose and thinking of something different I could make for my hubby this year for Valentines. I love doing the coupon thang - you know? - "This coupon entitles you to a foot massage" ohhhh yeah, I would sooooo love to get that one!  As I was chompin' on some Trident gum, it POPPED into my head like a bubble gum splat and BAM here it is......

 
RECIPE
Paper:  Stampin Up! Whisper White, Stampin Up! Bermuda Bay & Dollarama Designer Paper
Ink:  Bermuda Bay Pad & Basic Black Marker
Cricut Cartridge:  Wild Card
Punch:  3/4" Circle
Other:  Stampin Up! Pastels, Stampin Up! Dimensionals, Stampin Up! Sponge, Michaels ribbon, Trident Splash Gum, Tin Foil and Candy Hearts

Waiting for my event pics from the photographer so I can share them with you...can't wait - YEE HA!!

How-to Video: Valentines Milk Carton

Stampin' Up! has a mini milk carton die cut for the Big Shot, but in all seriousness-ness, it's just as easy to cut and score your own which is what I did.  BUT...to make it even easier & FREE for you, I threw together a template for ya to print here Download Mini Milk Carton Template...I luv u guys...how could I not ;)

Here's my vid on how after a skip, hop and a jump it all came together...haha...such dancer talk!  Then I popped in some scrumptious hershey hugz & kisses....after somehow a few miraculously ended up in my mouth...haha...and I'll be giving this sweet treat to my cutie-pah-tootie =)  All though, I'm pretty sure they'll all end up in my tummy once he opens it....ohhhh how i luv me some chocolate!

  RECIPE
Paper (Stampin Up!):  Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron & Whisper White
Stamps (Stampin Up!):  Love You Much
Inks (Stampin Up!):  Basic Black Classic Ink Pad & Real Red Marker
Punches (Stampin Up!):  Scallop Circle and 1 1/4 Circle
Other (Stampin Up!):  Petals-a-plenty embossing folder, Sticky Strips and Dollarama mini valentine clothes pin

Back to 2some Dance work....it's this weekend can you believe it!!!!! ahhhhh.....

Froggie Sweet Treats Valentines Card

I was SOOOO excited for those sweet treat cups to arrive from Stampin' Up! and was really happy with the way it turned out.  I made this cute frog card for our Valentine's Craft Class, we had soooo much fun with everyone and I think everyone squeeled like a little girl just as I did when they saw their froggies come to life...haha  We really have THE BEST girls that come to our classes....xoxo ladies!

Now, of course I had to share my how-to video with my favourite bloggers =)  Let me know if there was any squeeling going on...hehe

RECIPE
Paper (Stampin Up!):  Chocolate Chip, Glorious Green, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Real Red, Mellow Moss, Basic Black & So Saffron Designer Series
Stamps (Stampin Up!):  French Filigree, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Holidays & Wishes and Love You Much
Inks (Stampin Up!):  Chocolate Chip, Glorious Green & Basic Black Marker
Punches (Stampin Up!):  Large Oval, 1 3/4" Circle, 1" Circle, 1/2" Circle, 1/4" Circle (standard hole punch), Curly Label, Trio Flower and Heart to Heart
Other:  Stampin Up! Pastels, Stampin Up! Sweet Treat Cups, yummy Butter Cream Pie Jelly Bellies

Was feeling poopy yesterday but THANK GOD I'm back to normal...I love socializing and can't wait to get outta the house again.  Off to work!  tah tah 4 now.

How-to Video: Brayering Technique #3 - Texture

So I am officially hooked on the brayer. There is so much you can do with it! In this video I show how using a brayer and elastics can create stunning images. Please post your comments and let me know what you think!