Hooray It's Your Day and Creative Blog Hop

Hello Crafty People!

To those of you who are following the Creative Blog Hop, welcome, and thank you for visiting! I was asked by Lisa Tyndall to participate in this hop and I thought it sounded like fun because its different in that you don't go in a circle! She is also a very talented and sweet lady, so make sure you check her out at www.lisatstamps.blogspot.com if you haven't just come from there.

Today I wanted to show you a little more of what I demonstrated last week at the My Stamping Friends event that I attended. OK...my mission was to show you what ELSE you could create with one of the 5 kits Stampin' Up! has featured in the Occasions Catalog. I chose the "Hooray It's Your Day" kit because it's designed for making birthday cards and I think birthday cards are a) the best type of card to go rogue with-they should be created to suit the person for whom they are intended, and b) something that is very EASY to change up just a bit, so there's no re-creating the wheel.

So here's what the kit is INTENDED to create...TWENTY (5 each of 4 designs) super cute, fun, embellished cards, with envelopes. Guess what: all the supplies needed to make these little beauties are included! Easy peasy, right?

Well, what if you don't want to make all 20 of the cards? I made one of each design, and then went to town with the rest of the supplies from the kit. Here is one of the cards I came up with, using a few simple add-ons like linen thread and the Stacked with Love designer series paper stack. I also used the Big Shot and the Alphabet Press embossing folder to add a little interest to the Pumpkin Pie piece.

I used the coordinating stamp set and one of the star clips from the kit, plus a bit of linen thread messily wrapped and stuck down behind the sentiment banner. (This messy wrapping of thread/twine and sticking it down in what appears to be a random manner seems to be quite the trending technique. I've seen it done quite a lot, but this was my first attempt.)

For this Hop I need to answer the four questions below….so here goes!

  
1. What are you working on?  I’m working on projects for a fundraiser crop at my kids' elementary school that is coming up in a couple weeks. I provide a make and take project and also usually create a home decor art piece to be raffled off. I attend the crop every year, though I always get more socializing than scrapbooking done. LOL

2.  How does your work differ from others in your genre? Well, truthfully, it probably doesn't. I create what I am inspired to create, and that inspiration can come from anywhere...a magazine photo, Pinterest, I even once created a card set that looked like a tshirt my daughter was wearing that day.

3.  Why do you create what you do? It may sound selfish, but I create for ME. Creating makes me happy, and is one way that I take care of myself, which enables me to take care of everyone else! (I am married to an angel, and have 4 amazing kiddos and without crafting, I wouldn't have my sanity! Hence, the blog name!) I do also love to create something that will make another person smile, or empower THEM to use crafting to bring a little extra happiness into their own life. CREATE. SHARE. EMPOWER. REPEAT. 

4. How does your creative process work? I am a very big fan of the whole CASE idea which you may remember reading about on Lisa's blog. Copy And Share Everything!  I often struggle with coming up with an idea on my own so I will re-create one or more projects I have seen or heard about until my creative juices get flowing. Then the next few projects are usually a little closer to "original" work. That's another reason I like the kits we offer...it gives you a jumping off point, but still allows you the freedom to stray whenever you get ready.

So, to keep the hop going, I will nominate two people who will post next week. You should head over to each of their blogs now and subscribe, and then you'll have the next link on the blog hop delivered right to you as soon as they post...like clues in a scavenger hunt!

First, I nominate Rose-Ellen Eastman whom I met when she hosted her first Stampin' Up! style Regional Event a little over a year ago. She and I are alike in that (I suspect) creating is how she also manages to keep herself in the right state of mind for handling the any challenges AND blessings that are always being thrown her way. You can find more information on her and see all her beautiful work by clicking HERE to head over to her site, My Stamping Friends. 

My second nominee, I met on the very same day as I met Rose-Ellen, although I had been a follower of hers for quite some time before and didn't realize until that day that she and Rose-Ellen were best buds. Small world, right? So please also show some love to Michelle Suit by clicking HERE to visit her site, Suitably Stamped. P.S. If you love Disney, OR punch art, or heaven forbid DISNEY PUNCH ART, you might wanna pack a lunch before clicking that link! She does some unbelievable things with punches!

Well, I hope you made it to the end of this much-longer-than-usual post. Thanks for stopping by!



Ready to order? Go to www.angelakhan.stampinup.net
Have questions? Email me at sakina716@gmail.com

Ctrl+Alt+Del: A Blog Reboot!

Hello Crafty People!

I hope this post finds you all well and warm (it's certainly NOT warm where I am at!).  I wanted to share with all of you some of the amazingly amazing (yes, that must be a phrase now, because I have a stamp that says it!) things I've been doing lately.

Last week, 1600 demonstrators shared and celebrated together as we had the last Leadership Conference as we know it.  Bittersweet, because I have loved Leadership the last two years I have gone, but very exciting as we transition into a new schedule which will still allow for all of the fun and excitement, learning and growing, and of course fabulous stamping that Stampin' Up! has been doing for 27 years.  We had a PHENOMENAL keynote speaker who actually lives in my area and shared some really pertinent information on how we (and others) should and do view what we do as Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  Stay tuned for more info on the many things I learned and enjoyed about #Leadership2015.

So....next up!  I was so honored to be asked by my friend Rose-Ellen Eastman to be a main stage presenter at her Northern Virginia Stampin' Up! Style Regional Event this past Saturday, and I just have to say,  IT. WAS. AWESOME!!  I was pretty nervous because I've never presented in front of 50 people, and I didn't rehearse my presentation, but in the end, no tomatoes were thrown, so it's all good!

Me presenting on stage for the first time ever!  #MyStampingFriends #ScrappinForSanity

Showing other projects that can be made with the supplies in the "Hooray It's Your Day Kit"- you can make a TON of stuff from that kit!

Now, I'm not going to show you EVERYTHING we did....I'll share that next week, but I did want to show you SOMETHING crafty.  This is a frame I made using the Sheltering Tree stamp set as a gift for Rose-Ellen (and I made one for her side-kick/#1 helper/partner in crime Michelle Suit), just because these ladies are so awesome.

#ScrappinForSanity

Supplies Used:

• Stamps:  Sheltering Tree
• Cardstock:  Baked Brown Sugar, Very Vanilla
• Ink:  Early Espresso, Baked Brown Sugar, Memento Tuxedo Black, Real Red, Pear Pizzazz, Sahara Sand, Crushed Curry, Garden Green, Tangelo Twist, Cajun Craze, Soft Sky, Pistachio Pudding,Wild Wasabi
• Accessories:  Sweet Taffy DSP, Burlap Ribbon, Candy Dots Brights, Basic Jewels Rhinestones, Frosted Sequins, Stampin Dimensionals, Sticky Strip (to hold the pleated burlap onto the frame)

OK, that's all for today!  Please remember to subscribe if you haven't already, and also to jump over and "like" my business page on Facebook (also called Scrappin' For Sanity)...I don't wanna give away any secrets or anything, but there just might be some FREE STUFF given away pretty soon.  Just sayin'... 

Ready to order? Go to www.angelakhan.stampinup.net
Have questions? Email me at sakina716@gmail.com

Challenge #231 Back to School- Teacher Gifts

Hey there crafty people!

I hope everyone's having a good school year so far!  I now have a sophomore in high school, one in 8th grade, a 2nd grader, and my last one started preschool!  So, a few hours of empty house most days, but more teacher to make gifts for...so it all works out!

So this challenge is all about the teacher gifts or other Back To School projects you've been creating.  My share for you today is my 2nd grader's teacher gift.  She got the same teacher my (now) 8th grader had for 2nd grade, so I already know she's fabulous!

While school supply shopping, I found something I have never in 11 years of school shopping seen-half size composition notebooks!  And they're not just smaller size....they were like someone cut the composition notebook in half across the middle and used the top and bottom separately!  So cute!  I knew immediately I had to alter them.  I usually also make my kids' teachers a stack of note cards with envelopes that they can use to communicate with parents in the first weeks of school.  So I put the covered notepad, the cards, envelopes, and a matching pen all together in a cello bag and wrapped it with ribbon.  Perfect!

Don't forget you can always check the LNS Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the design team has cooked up and to upload your sample so we can all admire it!

As always, thanks for looking!

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Yummy (retired), Happy Day, Letter It Alphabet (retired), Gorgeous Grunge
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Staz On Jet Black, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Coastal Cabana
Accessories:  Big Shot, Mosaic Embossing Folder, Oval Accent Bigz Clear Die, Deco Label Framelits, Artisan Label Punch, Modern Medley DSP, Horizontal Slot Punch (retired), Glimmer Brads (neutral), Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon (retired), White Baker's Twine, Notecards and Envelopes





Ready to order? Go to www.angelakhan.stampinup.net
Have questions? Email me at sakina716@gmail.com

Challenge 230 - Summer Time!

Hey there crafty people!

For this challenge, we were asked to create a project that "screams summer"....and nothing screams summer to me like bright colors and GINGHAM!!  So here it is!  

Challenge 230 - Summer Time

Please don't forget to check out the LNS Challenge Blog for samples and inspiration, and to upload your creation once you're finished...we'd love to have you play along!  As always, thanks for stopping by, and I'd love to hear your comments!

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Lots of Thanks

Cardstock:  Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Ink:  Melon Mambo

Accessories:  Gingham Garden DSP, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Daffodil Delight Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals, Candy Dots (HAVE I MENTIONED, I AM IN LOVE WITH THESE THINGS?!)

Ready to order? Go to www.angelakhan.stampinup.net
Have questions? Email me at sakina716@gmail.com

Challenge 229 - Specialty Paper

Hey there crafty people!

Challenge 229 - Specialty Paper

So, the challenge is to use specialty paper - DSP, Vellum, Window Sheets, Glimmer Paper...whatever speaks to ya!  My card for you today is a little bit autumn...my favorite season...and it is modeled after one I did for a swap I participated in at Convention this year.  I thought the concept and the use of the window sheet in this way was really clever.  I put that together with a couple tried and true techniques that I haven't personally used in a while...so it truly was a challenge for me.  After stamping the larger leaf inside and out, I stamped the image onto a sticky note and cut it out.  I then used the sticky note copy as a mask to cover the large leaf while I stamped both layers of the smaller leaf.  As you can see, I also used the rock and roll technique on the inside of both leaves.  I think this is the perfect stamp set to use that technique for, as it just gives such a great look to the leaves.   I'd love to hear what you think!

Don't forget-as always, you can check out the LNS Challenge Blog for samples and inspiration, and upload your own sample once you've finished.  We'd love to have you play along!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Gently Falling, Thoroughly Thankful (retired)

Cardstock:  Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Garden Green, Soft Suede, Early Espresso

Accessories:  Crushed Curry Chevron Ribbon, Sweater Weather DSP, Basic Jewels Pearls, Large Pearls, Clear Window Sheets (acetate)

Ready to order? Go to www.angelakhan.stampinup.net
Have questions? Email me at sakina716@gmail.com

Eid Mubarek! (almost)

Hey there Crafty People!

Today's share is a card I made to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, one of the major holidays my family celebrates.  It also fits in with the current LNS Challenge-Fancy Folds...if you haven't played along yet, there's still time!

Pop on over to the LNS Challenge Blog to get some fabulous inspiration and upload your creations!

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Come to Bethlehem

Cardstock:  Garden Green, Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold

Ink:  VersaMark

Accessories:  Big Shot, Chevron Embossing Folder, Gold Embossing Powder, Mocha Morning DSP (retired), Basic Jewels Pearls

Ready to order? Go to www.angelakhan.stampinup.net
Have questions? Email me at sakina716@gmail.com

Back from Convention and LNS Challenge 228!

Hey there crafty people!

It's been a whirlwind summer so far with kids out of school, camps, family vacation, and Convention (which is Mommy's annual no-kids vacation!) but now I'm home and have tons of things to share with you!  You'll hopefully be seeing lots of posts from me in the coming weeks as I try to keep you informed about all the specials that are going on right now, the events I have coming up, and all the new products that are coming out!  So, please bear with me, I promise, I'm not just trying to flood your inbox!

OK.....on to the current (well, semi-current) LNS Challenge!  I was supposed to have posted some time ago, but it seems my philosophy lately has been leaning toward "better late than never", so here goes.  Don't forget to go here to check out what the other design team members have done, and upload your sample when you've finished.  We'd love to have you play along!

Challenge 228 - Fancy Folds

The fold on this card is not super fancy, but the card is!  This was a card I made at a shoe box swap I joined at the last minute at Convention.  Some of you may know Miss Pesci (Michelle Lyon) from around the blogosphere...and she hosted the cutest shoe box swap while we were in Salt Lake City.  This was actually her project that we all created, and I love it.  As you can see from the second pic, the card holds a gift card inside!  Sneaky and cute!  And I just love all the bling!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Festive Flurry, That's the Ticket, Sweet Essentials

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Coastal Cabana

Ink:  Coastal Cabana

Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Festive Flurry Framelits, Winter Frost Specialty DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper, Ticket Punch, 3/4" circle punch, White Organza Ribbon, Frosted Finishes Embellishments, Basic Jewels Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals

Ok...stay tuned for more updates, and as always, thanks for stopping by!

Ready to order? Go to www.angelakhan.stampinup.net
Have questions? Email me at sakina716@gmail.com

Challenge 225 - Party Time!

Hey there Crafty People!

This week's challenge is all about the PAR-TAY!  We want to see your party projects...invitations, decorations, thank yous, whatever you've created for your special events!

To check out the awesome projects the rest of the design team has created, and to upload your own projects, click HERE to visit the LNS Challenge site!

The project I have for you today is a bundle of the stuff I've created and printed for my son's birthday party.  I used the Under Construction Birthday Ensemble Digital Download that came out a while back.  

(Here's the stock photo)

Since my little guy is turning 4, and I'm not sure how much longer he'll be into cars and trucks and digging in the dirt, I thought this was a perfect time to use it.  The ensemble comes with a TON of stuff that you can just add your party info to and print.  Decorations, including banner pieces, water bottle labels, treat containers, candy bar wrappers and signs for things like the "Gift Loading Zone" are all included as well as the invitation template, a thank you postcard template, a HUGE stamp set, and more...all coordinating!  I haven't cut out the banner pieces and other decorations yet, so I am just showing you the invites and thank yous (inside and out...front and back).

If you haven't tried My Digital Studio yet, don't forget, you can always get a 30 day free trial from my website!  Just click HERE to get started today!  Plus, don't forget-until June 15th, there's a 25% discount on all print products...so whatever you decide to create, you can print it for less!  

During your 30 day free trial, you have access to:

full design and print capabilities

ALL of the Stampin' Up! colors-current and not-so-current (NOTHING EVER RETIRES IN MDS!)

ready-made card, photo book, subway art, home decor and other templates

stamp sets

punches

designer paper

embellishments, and more!  

I love to use it for laying out my projects so I don't cut up a whole package of paper before I figure out exactly what I want to make. 

Ok...as always, thanks for looking!  Comments and suggestions welcome!

Ready to order? Go to www.angelakhan.stampinup.net
Have questions? Email me at sakina716@gmail.com

Challenge 224 - Father's Day & Masculine Cards

Hello again Crafty People!

Remember my Father's Day frame from last week?  Well, as promised, here's the coordinating card!  My crafty ladies created both the frame and the card together in this week's class, and walked away with a ready-to-gift something special for their husband or dad.  We had a lot of fun!

Today's share is also for the Late Night Stampers Challenge!  We want to see all your Father's Day and masculine projects!  Cards, Scrapbook Pages, whatever you've created for the guys in your life!

To check out what the design team has created to inspire you, and to upload your creations, just click HERE to check out the LNS Challenge site.  Can't wait to see what you've come up with!  As always, thanks for looking!  Comments and suggestions welcome!

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  The Open Sea, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock:  Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler

Ink:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse

Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice TIEF, Neutrals DSP Stack, 2012-2014 In Color DSP Stack, Decorative Label Punch, Natural Trim Ribbon, 1 1/4" circle Punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Ready to order? Go to www.angelakhan.stampinup.net
Have questions? Email me at sakina716@gmail.com

Apothecary Accents Window

Hey there crafty people!

Today's share is a card I CASEd from the new catalog and am using as my swap card for a team meeting this week.  I loved the idea of cutting the window in the front of the card and putting the flower on the inside. I tried a variety of different creative techniques with my punches before it occurred to me that on of my all-time favorite Framelits would work perfectly!  I find that I do that sometimes...I try to do something creative and by the time I get done trying all these different ways to think outside the box, it turns out, the simplest way was the best.  There are also some new In-Colors showcased here...hope you like it!  As always...thanks for looking.  Comments and suggestions welcome!

Supplies Used: (supplies in RED are available starting Friday, May 31, 2013)
Stamps:  Perfectly Penned, En Francais
Cardstock:  Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Early Espresso
Accessories:  Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits, 7/8" scallop circle punch, Bird Builder Punch, Mini Brads, Very Vintage Buttons, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dots


Ready to order? Go to www.angelakhan.stampinup.net
Have questions? Email me at sakina716@gmail.com