Crafting with a Toddler: Father's Day Cards

Now that the Booger is a little bit older, I can "successfully" papercraft with her. I love it, and so does she. She loves to paint, fingerpaint, and even stamp. I have to hide my stamps from her sometimes. Luckily, right now she is at a phase where she is content tapping a stamp on a closed stamp pad. My days are limited though. She's going to realize soon that there is no ink coming from a closed stamp pad.

These past few days we have been working on Father Days cards. Why make four cards when the Booger only has one daddy? Well, she has three grandpas too and we want to send them some love as well. The above picture features her creations. She painted on construction paper and then we put some Father Day themed foam stickers. When we were done, she was so proud of her cards that she wanted to give it to her daddy right then and there. She doesn't have the concept of wait down very well yet.  

The whole crafting with a toddler process is interesting. It's almost like trying to juggle, but we're getting it down. It's hard to realize that in order to encourage her creativity, I have to just let her do things for herself, and she wants it this way too. If you have a toddler, do you craft with him or her? If so, what is your experience?

Happy Stampin'!
~Cita

The Booger proudly showing off one of her Father's Day cards.

She realized that she liked the star foam stickers and started to pick them off the cards and stick them on her shirt.

 

Decorating herself with star foam stickers. She also decorated my face.

Convention on My Mind

Convention is on my mind. 

This year, for my birthday gift (and Mother's day and wedding anniversary), my husband agreed to pay for and send me to the wonderful Stampin' Up! convention in July. (This means he also agreed to watch our little booger for the duration of convention too. Now that is love.)

One of my favorite parts of convention is the make-and-take session. In previous years, there has only been one M&T session; however, this year, they are featuring three M&T sessions. I organized my schedule to have a M&T session on each day of convention. I am super excited about these sessions and am looking forward to sharing with you what we make.

 

Convention is definitely a must-go-to event this year. July 18-21 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Join my team of demonstrators and join us for an amazing week (almost) of stamping, fun, and adventures on the town. (I also love SLC. It's such a beautiful city!) Check out my website to learn more about becoming a demonstrator, which you can do for just $99!!

~Cita

Convention 2011 make and take.

Convention 2011 make and take. This was my favorite. 

Introducing the 2012-2013 Catalog!

It's beautiful! It's amazing! And it's finally here! Click here to check out the new catalog and then head on over to my website to place your order.
 ~Cita

New Catalog Sneak Peak - Summer Smooches

Stampin' Up! sure knows how to tease us. :) During the month of April (April 1- April 30), you get a chance to purchase select items from the Summer Smooches suite, which will be featured in the upcoming new catalog. There's something for everyone. My personal favorite it the Petite Purse Bigz L Die for the Big Shot.

Head on over to my website to make your Summer Smooches purchases.  

Item	Description	Price
125495	Bright Blossoms Wood-Mount Set	$16.95
125497	Bright Blossoms Clear-Mount Set	$12.95
125409	Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper	$10.95
125583	Daffodil Delight 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon	$6.95
125411	Summer Smooches Designer Fabric	$9.95
125589	Summer Smooches Fabric Designer Brads*	$6.95
125626	Summer Smooches Décor Stencil*	$7.95
125606	Petite Purse Bigz L Die	$32.95
129919	Summer Smooches Photobook Template	$17.95
129601	Summer Smooches Digital Kit	$9.95

*Exclusive to the Summer Smooches Special Offer; will not be available in the 2012-2013 catalog

Product Details:

• Designer Series Paper coordinating colors: Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry.
• Designer Fabric coordinating colors: Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango.
• Fabric Designer Brads: 24 pieces, 8 ea. of 3 designs.
• Summer Smooches Photobook Template and Digital Kit are My Digital Studio downloads.

Five Layers Later

Oh, the things you learn as a demonstrator. Last year, a fellow Ladybug Stamper and I held a Birthday stamp-a-stack class. During this class, participants make 20 birthday cards - five cards of four designs. This was one of the designs from last year. I was very proud of this card, and many thought it was quite beautiful. BUT (there's that but), it took forever to make! After the class, my Ladybug Stamper commented that there were technically five layers on this card. Oooopps. So, if you are a demostrator reading this blog, take it from me, don't offer a stamp-a-stack class with a five-layered card. I had to help some of the participants make this card, and some didn't even finish their stack that night.

Like I said, though, I'm proud of this card, and I wanted to share it with you. Maybe it'll inspire you. :)

~Cita 

LadyBug Ink Night Show-and-Tell

January's Ladybug Ink night was a good one. Several of the Ladybugs were fresh from the Stampin' Up! Leadership conference and came back with lots of eye candy and great ideas. I was super excited about their samples and wanted to share. Here's a few of my favorite samples that were on display at the latest Ladybug Ink meeting.

This was a 3-Minute demo. I love the colors and the simplicity of this card.

A 3-Minute demo from Ruth.

Amber's 3-Minute demo. I love how she layered the scallops. Such a simple yet beautiful card.

Another 3-Minute demo. Check out the beautiful flower.

Sample from Leadership.

Another sample from Leadership.

Isn't this cute! You can put some loose leaf tea or a tea bag in the little box for a simple gift.

I love the layered heart.

The colors on this box are beautiful. I love how the marina mist and Old Olive mesh so well.

This is a very cute ad simple box.

This is a MDS hybrid project. The saying is designed in MDS and printed out. Then they added the embellishments in the upper left-hand corner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a beautiful scrapbook page they did at Leadership. 

 

If you are interested in joining the Ladybug Stampers and attending these fun-filled and inspiring meetings, contact me. Right now, you can join Stampin' Up! for just $125. It's a great deal that will come with lasting friendships and amazing benefits.

Happy Stampin'
~Cita

Happiness and Love

Love is in the air!

Actually, love is always in the air in my household, but this time of year typically brings out all the lovey dovey items out onto the shelves and into the hands of many loved ones. This time of year also brings out my lovey stamps. I made this card for a Valentine's themed swap a few months ago, but I intentionally made it to where this card doesn't have to be used as a Valentine's card. If you are like me, I like to remind my husband that I love him on many other days other than Valentine's Day.

Stampin' Cita Tips:

• Color Scheme: Concord Crush, Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, and Blushing Bride
• Stamp Set: Easy Events, Fabulous Phrases 
• Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers, Blushing Bride 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Flirtatious Specialty DSP, Simply Scored, Whisper White embossing powder, Embossing Tool
• Score the edges of the Wisteria Wonder cardstock at 1/8" and 1/4" on each side. This gives the cardstock a framed appearance. Don't adhere your Wisteria Wonder cardstock to the Whisper White cardstock until all the elements are placed on the cardstock.
• Punch circles from the Flirtatious DSP using the circles punches listed in the Accessories bullet.  
• Ink only the image on the birds stamp from the Easy Events stamp set. Use your Stampin' Write markers to color the image. Punch out the birds image using the Decorative Label punch and then sponge Wisteria Wonder around the edges. Use a Stampin' Dimensional to adhere the birds on top of the circles.
• Tie a knot in a piece of 6" Blushing Bride 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon. Wrap it around the Wisteria Wonder cardstock and use tape to adhere it to the back of the cardstock. 
• Stamp your greetings from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set in Whisper White Craft ink. Add Whisper white embossing powder and heat emboss. I found that the words popped out better when embossed and added a nice texture to the card. 
• Finally, when all elements are placed on the Wisteria Wonder cardstock you can adhere it to the Whisper White cardstock.

Hope you find Love and Happiness this Valentine's Day and every day!

Happy Stampin'!
~Cita

Sale-A-Bration 2012!!!

Dude!!! How could I have dared to forget to post about Sale-a-Bration?!?!?!?!
(Because I'm a bad blogger, that's why, but whatever....)

Anyways, next to Christmas, it's the most happiest time of the year, Stampin' Up! Sale-a-Bration, an amazing time where you can get lots and lots and LOTS of stuff for free. Yes, free. And I'm not talking about rinkity dinkinty stuff. I'm talking about full-blown beautiful and exclusive stamp sets.

Click here to check out the Sale-a-Bration catalog. 

Here's how Sale-a-Bration works:

Buy and get free stuff. Choose a free Sale-a-Bration product for every $50 (before shipping and taxes) you spend. This year, you can choose from a variety of stamp sets and accessories, as well as catalog stamp sets, digital content CDs, designer fabric, buttons, and embossing folders.

Host a workshop and get more free stuff. If you host a workshop with $400 in sales, you can get a FREE hostess bundle that includes the Fresh Vintage stamp set, the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, and the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack. Additionally, if you host a workshop with at least $150, you will get a free Stampin' Up! shopping tote!

 Join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator and get free stuff for the rest of 2012!  First of all, during Sale-a-Bration you can join Stampin' Up! for just $125. Second, when you join during Sale-a-Bration you get a FREE package of Designer Series Paper or a digital download every month for the rest of 2012. Tell me that is not awesome!

Sale-a-Bration is the time to start Stampin' Up! Contact me if you would like to place an order, host a workshop, or join my team!

Happy Sale-a-Bration!

~Cita

List of Awesomeness: Occasions Mini Catalog

Here's a list of my favorite items from the Occasions Mini Catalog. If you fall in love with any of these items, head on over to my website and make your purchase.

1. Framelits Dies. My Big Shot just got a lot busier with these new dies. You can place these dies on your cardstock or paper, allowing you to strategically cut. You can layer dies inside each other to cut frames or cut single images for accents or layering. Each collection comes with 6 dies in a plastic envelope for easy storage. Hearts Collection (125599, $26.95) Labels Collection (125598, $26.95)

2. Edgelits Dies. Another great addition for the Big Shot! These dies cut unique card edges and can be strategically placed before you cut. I also think these will be great for adding a little shizam to envelope flaps.
Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies (125595, $9.95)

3. Cherry Cobble Dazzling Details. Just in time to add a "little" glitter to all your valentines! Cherry Cobbler is such a great color. (125585, $2.50)

4. Bordering on Romance Stamp Set. You don't think Stampin' Up! would introduct amazing new product without coordinating stamp sets? This stamp set is not only beautiful, it coordinates with the new edgelit dies. This is a perfect set for spring.  (wood, 125480, $27.95) (clear, 125482, $21.95)

5. Twitterpated Product Suite. This is such an awesome suite that includes the Bordering on Romance set as well designer series paper with a wistful pattern,  designer series fabric, swatchbook desinger template for MDS, desginer buttons, and new 3/8" pleated satin ribbon. The ribbon is available in pear pizzazz, riding hood red, blushing bride, and baja breeze.

6. Tea Shoppe stamp set. My stamp collection will be complete with this elegant stamp set that includes a friendly quote from Lousia May Alcott and a fourished tea cup. I may have to host a tea party just to have a firm excuse to use this set. (wood, 125545, $34.95) (clear, 125547, $27.95)

7. Rue Des Fleurs. I will most likely acquire this stamp set just because it has a beautiful trumpet stamp. I play trumpet and you don't see trumpet stamps everyday. (wood, 125485, $29.95) (clear, 125487, $23.95)

8. Scented Stampin' Emboss Powder. Yes, it says scented. Now you can take your cards to the next sensory level. Powder is available in Vanilla, Melon, and Cherry.

9. Occasions Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps. Time for the next round of images for cookies! The new designs for the cookie stamps include a bunny, clover, and and a flower.
Occasions, 127081, $16.95

10. Create and Keep Simply Sent Kit. This beautiful Simply Sent kit features everything to make 10 cards and  a box with dividers to organize the cards.
(122380, $14.95)

The Joys of Simply Sent Kits

 Have you ever heard of Stampin' Up!'s Simply Sent kits? If so, have you every tried them?

I've been a demonstrator for three years, and I've always stuck my nose up at the Simply Sent kits. I thought they were for beginners and took the fun out of completely designing your own cards. Sure, they are good for beginner stampers, but they don't take the fun out designing or making cards. 

I received the Great Day Simply Sent kit when I went to the Stampin' Up! convention this past year. Because I got it for free, and because they challenged us, I decided to do a class based on the Simply Sent kits. And it was amazing. And I had so much fun. And I fell in love with the Simply Sent kits. They are amazing.

So if you are looking for a quick way to make handmade cards, or if you are looking for a place to begin in your stamping endeavors, start with a Simply Sent Kit. You can find these kits on pages 192-193 of the Idea Book and Catalog. Contact me for more information of if you have any questions.

~Cita

This card is made from the Everyday Elegance Simply Sent Kit and it's corresponding Everyday Wishes stamp set. To add a little more to the card I stamped a little teddy bear and mounted it on a few scallops in a different color.

This card is also made from the Everyday Elegance Simply Sent Kit and the Everyday Wishes stamp set embellished with a handmade flower.

Hello New Occasions Mini Catalog

 It's here! Happy New Year to you! The Occasions Mini Catalog is making its public debut! It's a great one too! Click here to start browsing and then head on over to my website to make your purchases. Enjoy!

Happy Stampin'

~Cita

Happy New Year!!

 

Happy 2012!!!

Whether you are just stopping by or regularly follow my blog, I want to thank you and wish you a wonderful and blessed 2012. May it be filled with adventure, family, happiness, and most importantly....stamping! 

With love, 

Stampin Cita (Carmelita)

Christmas Samples from Regionals (Part 2)

Here are more amazing Christmas-related swaps from the Albuquerque Stampin' Up! regional.

Isn't this beautiful! I love the colors and the embossing.

Yes, this Christmas card does feature the color black.

I love punch art, and this person did a great job on the penguin.

Two awesome sets from the Holiday Mini. I love how the punched scallop is also dry embossed.

It's a door! When I first saw this card, I didn't realize it.

Happy Stampin',
~Cita

Christmas Samples from Regionals (Part 1)

At the Stampin' Up! Albuquerque regional in October, I had the opportunity to swap with some amazing demonstrators from all over the place. I haven't posted many of these swaps, but in the Christmas spirit, I decided to post the Christmas swaps I received. There were some good ones. 

Glitter paper is awesome!

I think this was my favorite Christmas card swap. It's so simple and elegant and the Snowflake Swirled stamp set is dear to my heart.

The ornament stamps along with the ornament punch are great to have.

This card is such an inspiration. I have this set, Pines and Poinsettias, but have been at a loss of what to do with it. This card has changed that mentality.

Isn't this a fun card? This card makes me want to go play in the little pile of snow in my front yard. 

~Cita