2014 Stamping Year In Review

Hi Stamping Friends!!

I can't believe another year has flown by!! 2014 will be remembered as a year of change for our family... moving to a new city, oldest child going away to college, new schools, new friends. So much has happened!!

I thought it would be fun to look back at my stamping year and post a few of the highlights. Since it was such a busy year, I did not blog as much as I sometimes do. Nor did I take pictures of all of my projects. But that's okay. At least I pinned 63 pins to my 2014 Pinterest project board:

MY STAMPIN' UP! 2014 PROJECTS

My most re-pinned card of 2014: 

Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge, Petite Petals

Pin: Most re-pinned of 2014

Blog Post: Lent Challenge and LAST DAY!!

My least pinned card of 2014:

Stamps: A Round Array and Flower Shoppe

Pin: Least pinned card of 2014

Blog Post: I never blogged about this card. 

My most viewed blog post of 2014:

Stamps: Festival of Trees, Petite Pairs

Pin: Most viewed blog post of 2014

Blog Post: Festival of Trees on Girl's Night Out

My least viewed blog post of 2014 (maybe because I never pinned it until now!):

Pin: Least viewed blog post of 2014

Blog Post: Adhesive Tips and Tricks

My favorite card of 2014 (kind of hard to choose just one!):

Pin: My favorite card of 2014

Blog Post: Peek-A-Boo Easter Bunny

My least favorite card of 2014:

Can you say UGLY?!!

Pin: My least favorite card of 2014

Blog Post: Hip Hip Hooray Good As Gold

A few fun year-end facts:

I have been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for 8 years.

My career sales (NOT my earnings!) are $90,554.65.

My career recruits is 9.

My current downline is 1. (Don't you want to join my team?!)

My Stampin' Up! title is Sr. Supervisor.

I have been blogging for 6 years.

I have posted a total of 546 posts.

I posted 46 times in 2014.

My most viewed post of all time: CRAZY MAY

Number of people who follow my blog is 167.

I have 203 Pinterest boards with 21,705 pins and 29,627 followers (but these stats will most likely change before I hit the "publish" button on this post). :)

I have really enjoyed another year being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. This year had it's challenges with me moving away from my customer-friends and not being able to have my monthly stamp club (which I miss terribly!). But I'm trying new things and meeting new people and I look forward to another fabulous stamping year. Thanks so much joining me along the way. I pray you have an amazing 2015 filled with all the people and places you love and of course a little stamping mixed in. :)

Stay tuned for info about my upcoming January online "stamp class" and my real-life Tulare County stamp class happening on February 15th. I can't wait!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Krystal

The Newborn King

Hi Stamping Friends!!

I hope you all are enjoying your Christmas season. I have one more Christmas card I would like to share before the "big day". I've been a "collector" of things since I was about 10 years old. My first collection was keychains. I have no idea how it started, but my mom still has my collection somewhere in her garage. :) 

Besides "collecting" stamp supplies, I also specifically collect nativity stamp sets. That's why I could not pass up on buying The Newborn King stamp set.

Stamps: The Newborn King

Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder, Filigree embossing folder, Mosaic punch, Circle punches, Gold baker's twine, Rhinestone jewel, Dimensionals

Most folks don't consider purple as a Christmas color, but it a color of advent, so I love to use it on nativity cards. Gold and purple looks so "royal" to me. Perfect for a newborn King. ;)

Lots of new items have been added to the Year-End Closeout sale including current Holiday Catalog items. Be sure to visit my website and while you are there, check out this weeks deals. The Square Framelits and the Chalk Talk Framelits are both on sale this week!!

YEAR-END CLOSEOUT AND WEEKLY DEALS

I will be announcing lots of upcoming stamping classes soon so be sure to watch my Facebook page for up-to-date info and announcements:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS FACEBOOK

Thanks for stopping by!!

Merry Christmas!!

Krystal

Bright & Beautiful Card Kit Silver

Hi Stamping Friends!!!

I'm excited to share the final two cards in the Bright & Beautiful card kit. I always enjoy creating the cards for the kits. I hope you enjoy making them!!

Here is the first "silver" Bright & Beautiful card...

Stamps: Bright & Beautiful

Paper: Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer 

Ink: Silver Metallic

Accessories: Star Framelits, Lost Lagoon Stitched Satin Ribbon, Silver 1/8" Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewel, White Baker's Twine

Kit includes:

One Lost Lagoon card base with Whisper White card front already attached

One Silver Glimmer star

White Baker's Twine

Glue Dots

Rhinestones

Ribbons

Stamp sentiment on to Whisper White card front with silver metallic ink. Stamp two small stars on to Whisper White card stock (if you don't have silver metallic ink use a gray ink). Cut out stars using the star Framelits. Sandwich the white baker's twine between the two stars and attach them together (I used Glue Dots). Lay the small star "sandwich" in the middle of the star cutout in the card base. Attach the baker's twine on to the top of the star on the Whisper White card front. Trim the twine with scissors. Attach the Silver Glimmer star to the card front using a Glue Dot on the tip of each star point. Attach Rhinestone to the center of the small star. Tie Lost Lagoon ribbon to the top of your card. Tie silver ribbon on to center of Lost Lagoon ribbon. 

I love how the little star dangles in the center of this card. So fun!! It's not something you are going to find at your typical "big box" store aisle. That's what I love about creating handmade cards. All those extra special touches. This card would make a darling baby card. Just change up the sentiment.

And here is the last card in the Bright & Beautiful kit...

Stamps: Bright & Beautiful

Paper: Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Silver Glimmer, Moonlight DSP

Ink: Lost Lagoon

Accessories: Star Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Silver 1/8" Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewels, Dimensionals

Kit includes:

One Lost Lagoon card base

Two Whisper White card fronts

One medium Silver Glimmer star

One medium Basic Gray embossed star

One small Lost Lagoon star

One small Silver Glimmer star

One piece of Moonlight Designer Series Paper

Rhinestones

Ribbon

Attach Whisper White card front on to the Lost Lagoon card base. Glue the Moonlight DSP to the white card front. Stamp the "Season's Greetings" sentiment with Lost Lagoon ink on to the white card front. Stamp the star with Lost Lagoon and cut out with the Star Framelits. Attach all stars to the card front using Dimensionals. Add rhinestones and ribbon.

Here is a birthday version of this same card...

This "happy birthday" sentiment comes from the Sassy Salutations stamp set, but any birthday sentiment will work.

Now that that the December card club is all wrapped up (ha ha!), I'm looking forward to planning lots of exciting "stampy" things for the new year. I will be offering a new card kit in January, plus I will be announcing my Tulare County classes. And best of all... a new Occasions Catalog and the best Stampin' Up! promotion of the year-- -Sale-A-Bration!!!!! I will be having a Sale-A-Bration open house here in Oceanside and I hope to meet lots of new local stamp friends.

If you want up-to-the-minute stamping news, information and just plain fun, follow me on Facebook:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS FACEBOOK

You can also check out my Pinterest boards for lots of inspiration:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS PINTEREST

Hope you are enjoying yourself this Christmas season. I have a few more presents to buy and menus to figure out, but I plan on keeping Christmas as simple and joyful as possible. Have a wonderful weekend!

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

Bright & Beautiful Card Kit Gold

Hi Stamping Friends!!

First of all... Thank you to all of my customers who placed a qualifying order to receive a FREE Bright & Beautiful card kit from me. I appreciate you!! I finally mailed the kits yesterday. Phew!! Took a bit longer than I had expected. Plus the post office in December is C R A Z Y !!!! I also needed to take pictures for this blog post. Being the spoiled California girl that I am, I wasn't prepared to deal with the dark, rainy, cloudy weather (I like to use natural light). But I am so glad that we were able to enjoy a few days of rain. California needs it!

This post will feature two of the four cards from the kit. I will post the other two cards tomorrow. These two cards feature the Gold Glimmer paper.

Stamps: Bright & Beautiful

Paper: Whisper White, Gold Glimmer 

Ink: Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon 

Accessories: Stars Framelits, Lost Lagoon Stitched Satin Ribbon, Gold 1/8" Ribbon, Dimensionals

Kit includes:

One Whisper White card base

Two Whisper White card fronts

One large Gold Glimmer star

One small Gold Glimmer star

Ribbons

Stamp the sentiment with Lost Lagoon ink on to one of the Whisper White card fronts. Attach the Gold Glimmer star. Stamp two medium sized stars on to the second Whisper White sheet using Hello Honey ink and and cut them out using the Star Framelits. Gently bend one (only one!!) of the stars in half (you can use your Simply Scored Scoring Tool to ensure a straight crease) and layer it on top of the flat star (I used Fast Fuse), just attaching it on the crease so the second star kind of "folds-up". Attach the Hello Honey stars on to the Gold Glimmer star using Dimensionals. Attach the entire card front on to the Whisper White card base using Dimensionals. Layer the Lost Lagoon and Gold ribbons and tie them around the top of your card. Attach the small Gold Glimmer star using a Dimensional that you have cut to fit. Card one... DONE!!

On to card #2...

Stamps: Bright & Beautiful, Tag Talk (any sentiment will work)

Paper: Basic Gray, Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Gold Glimmer, Moonlight DSP

Ink: Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon

Accessories: Stars Framelits, Lucky Stars Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Star Punch, Label Bracket Punch, Hello Honey Stitched Satin Ribbon, White Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Gold Sequin Trim

Kit includes:

One Basic Gray card base

One embossed Lost Lagoon card front

One piece of Moonlight Designer Series Paper

One large Gold Glimmer star

One small Gold Glimmer star

Ribbons

(and hopefully one sheet of Whisper White card stock to stamp on even though it is not in the picture)

Attach the Lost Lagoon card front on to the Basic Gray card base. With Hello Honey ink, stamp one medium star and cut out with coordinating Star Framelit. Attach Hello Honey star on to Gold Glimmer star with Dimensionals. Attach ribbons to backside of Gold Glimmer star (I used Glue Dots). Using Dimensionals, add your embellished star to your card front. Don't forget to add your small Gold Glimmer star to the center with Dimensionals. Attach Moonlight DSP to bottom of card front. Stamp any sentiment and punch out with any shape punch you have (a small oval would look nice) or cut by hand if no punches are available.

What I love about this stamp set is even though it is considered a Christmas set, you can use it for other occasions as well. On the above card I used it for a birthday card. And here is the same card with a couple of changes...

Here I stamped the star using Basic Gray ink and created a graduation card. The star would also be great for a baby card. Sort of a "twinkle, twinkle little star" theme. The possibilities are endless! (well. not really. but close.)

I will be announcing my next card kit club in January so stay tuned!!!

If you want up-to-the-minute stamping news, information and just plain fun, follow me on Facebook:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS FACEBOOK

You can also check out my Pinterest boards for lots of inspiration:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS PINTEREST

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

How To... Mass Produce Cards

Hi Stamping Friends!!

I've been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator since 2006. I became a demonstrator simply for the discount. I had begun to make invitations for people and I was purchasing large quantities of card stock and ribbon. And no matter how hard I looked, I could not find better quality products than what I was buying from Stampin' Up! So I signed up and have not regretted it since!

Over the years I have made invitations for weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, 50th anniversaries, bachelorette parties, and teas. I've also created thousands (Yes. You read that correctly. I said THOUSANDS!) of Christmas cards. One Christmas alone I made over two thousand cards. Many of my customers ordered between two and three hundred cards each so it was easy to get into the thousands quickly. 

Needless to say, I have a little bit of experience in mass producing cards. And even though I purposefully stopped taking large orders, I still stamp between 30 and 40 cards each month. I thought you might like to get a glimpse in the process that works best for me.

Here is the card that I mass produced this month:

Stamps: The Newborn King

Paper: Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant, Gold Foil

Accessories: Itty Bitty Star Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Punches, Rhinestone Jewels, Vanilla Ribbon (retired)

The first thing to think about when making a large amount of cards is the design and layout. How much time do you have? Do you want something simple or fancy? I tend to go with simpler designs and techniques. I try to avoid time-consuming things like sponging and heat embossing. I do like to use embossing folders because I love the texture. It just didn't work with this design.

After deciding on the design, I score and cut the card bases:

Next I cut the card fronts and either emboss them or in this case, stamp them:

Next I stamp and punch out all the pieces for my embellishments. For very large orders, I would even pre-cut all of the ribbon. 

Now I have all of the pieces of my card ready for assembly:

As you can see in the above pic, I stamped and punched the nativity scene and layered it onto the gold foil scallop so it would be ready to be attached to the card.

When I have all my pieces ready, I begin putting the cards together a la assembly line style. This means that I attach all of the card fronts onto the card bases, first. Then I add the bigger embellishments. In this case, I added both of the circle elements. Finally, I add my "pretty" finishing touches which typically are rhinestones and ribbons.

When mass producing you also need to consider your adhesive choices. Are you in a hurry? Are you trying to save money? Do you need a strong holding or fast drying adhesive? Answers to these questions will determine which adhesive you choose. In this case, I was in a hurry and was not worried about cost. I used Fast Fuse to attach my card front on to my base. I used glue to attach my nativity scene to my gold scallop. I used Dimensionals to attach both circle elements. And finally, I used Glue Dots to attach my gold star. Thankfully the Stampin' Up! rhinestone jewels already have adhesive on the backs so that was an easy choice.

I ended up with 41 cards. People always ask me how long it takes to make a card and I've never been able to answer them. I rarely sit down and just "make a card". I get out card stock and ribbon for inspiration. Then I browse the internet for design ideas. Etc. Same for mass producing. I have no idea how long it took to make these because I easily interrupt myself. I stamp standing up so I give my legs a break every so often. Plus there is always kids, and laundry, and house distractions. But I did start these one day and finish them the next if that gives you a general idea. :)

Anywhoo!! I hope you enjoyed this little how to. And I hope it gave you a few ideas on how to streamline the process of making a ton of cards at one time. But I hope you never have to make 300 of the same card. Ever. Because by the time you are done you will think it is the ugliest card you have ever created. Ever. 

If you haven't already, please go and "like" my Facebook page. I need more followers so Facebook doesn't get rid of little ol me... KRYSTAL'S CARDS

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

How To... Stamp Names with Photopolymer Stamps

Hi Stamping Friends!!

Taralyn's water polo team chooses a "secret sister" during the season. On game days they give each other little gifts. We've never done this before, so the first time I just put together a small cello bag filled with candy and attached a small tag...

Apparently I'm the "cheap" mom because Taralyn came home with a full bottle of Gatorade, some Goldfish crackers and one of her favorite candies!! Lesson learned. Looks like I need to up my game. So I went to Target and bought every item on the "secret sisters" favorites list.

And since a tiny cello bag was not going to cut it, I decided to stamp on a large brown paper lunch sack. So here is a little tutorial on how to stamp names using Stampin' Up! Photopolymer stamps.

I used the Epic Alphabet stamp set...

Here is what the sheets of Photopolymer stamps look like...

The first thing I did was remove the letters I needed and lined them up on my grid paper with the "stamp" side down and the side that "sticks" to the clear block facing up.

I know it looks like I don't know how to spell, but that's because "scotty" has two t's and you only get one t in the set. So I was just creating space to come back later and stamp the extra t.

Next I placed my clear block on to the line of letters and "stuck" them to my clear block. (Photopolymer stamps are so sticky that this is very easy to do and none of the letters fall off).

Next, I removed the r stamp and inked up my "personalized name stamp".

After stamping the partial name, I came back with a single t and filled in the missing letter.

Then I added some stars that come with the Epic Alphabet set and the #yougotthis sentiment from the @SoSocial stamp set. (The "seriously" sentiment came from an old Paper Pumpkin kit)

I finished it off with a bag topper made from some extremely old, retired DSP. Trying to use up those scraps don't ya know. ;)

If I had created this for an adult, or if it was a one time deal kinda gift, I would have gotten much more "over-the-top" with my stamping and bag topper decorating. But we are talking high school girls here. It's going to end up in the trash or the bottom of their backpack anyway. So cest la vie. Let's keep it simple. And besides, it's whats inside that really matters in this case. And this time I was in the know and I filled that sucker up with all kinds of snacks. I'm not going to be the "cheap" mom any more!! ;)

Only a few days left to join my December $25 Club!! For more info, visit this blog post...

BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL

Or email me at krystalscards(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Happy Stamping!!

Krystal

Bright & Beautiful Virtual Stamp Club

Hi Stamping Friends!!

I hope you all are enjoying the Christmas season. We decorated our tree last week Sunday. We have an artificial tree because of allergies, which means we can enjoy our tree for a very long time!! While packing this summer, I had a difficult time trying to decide which Christmas decorations to take and which ones to store. I wish I would have taken more and stored less!!

But I can always make some pretty paper Christmas decorations too. ;)

Here is a card I made using the December $25 Club featured stamp set: Bright & Beautiful

Stamps: Bright & Beautiful

Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Star Framelits, Itty Bitty Star Punch, Gold Satin Ribbon, Star EF, Rhinestone Jewels

I love to see purple during the Christmas season because it is the color of Advent in the church calendar. I'm not exactly sure how red and green became the standard Christmas colors, but I like to mix it up a bit. And the Eggplant and Gold color combo is very elegant.

If you are interested in receiving a FREE card kit featuring the Bright & Beautiful stamp set, visit my blog for more details: 

DECEMBER $25 CLUB

Do you still have any crafty friends or family on your Christmas list? Then make it a Stampin' Up! Christmas!! Right now there are tons of fabulous Stampin' Up! products on sale at our Year-End Closeout Sale. Visit my website to place your order:

KRYSTAL DE LEEUW

Not sure what your crafty person on your list needs? Don't want to give them another circle punch? Then give them a subscription to My Paper Pumpkin and let them craft every month!! There are many subscription options to choose from.

Visit My Paper Pumpkin today to sign up. And when you do, make sure to designate me as your Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

And last but not least... I received the Occasions Catalog and the Sale-A-Bration Catalog last week and I am in love!!! They are both amazing. I'm not sure what to order first!! 

The sale date for both catalogs begins on January 6th and I can't wait!! I have lots of ideas for Virtual Stamp Clubs and even a Tulare County Stamp Camp. I will give you details after the holidays so your brain doesn't get bombarded by too much stamping goodness.

For up-to-the-minute fun stamping news and information, please follow me on Facebook!!

KRYSTAL'S CARDS

If you made it to the end of this extra long post... THANKS for hanging in there!!!

I hope you have a blessed week and find time to enjoy the beauty of the season.

Happy Stamping!

Krystal

December 2014 $25 Club: Bright & Beautiful

Hi Stamping Friends!!

I had so much fun creating the card kits for my Festival of Trees November $25 Club that I decided to do another $25 Club during the month of December!!

Here's how it works...

Go to my website between December 1st through December 14th and place a minimum order of $25 using the Hostess Code:

GCUYCQNS

And I will mail a FREE card kit featuring the Bright & Beautiful stamp set and coordinating Star Framelits to every customer who has placed a $25 order with me. 

It is very important that you use the Hostess Code when placing your order. 

The card kits will contain all the necessary supplies to make four cards. You will just need adhesive. Per Stampin' Up! regulations I can not stamp anything for you. All stamping must be done by YOU!! :)

You do not need to purchase the Bright & Beautiful stamp set or Star Framelits in order to be eligible for the FREE card kit. You only need to make a $25 purchase using the above Hostess Code. But since the card kit will be based on this set it might be a great idea.

The Bright & Beautiful stamp set is featured on page 25 of the Holiday Catalog. The product number for the clear stamp set is 135029 $24.95. The Star Framelits are featured on page 231 of the Annual Catalog. Their product number is 133723 $26.95.

Another way to receive a FREE card kit in the mail is to place your own $150 order without using the Hostess Code. By placing your own $150 order you are eligible for Hostess Benefits and can earn Host Dollars to purchase any Stampin' Up! items in the catalog.

I set up a Bright & Beautiful board on Pinterest with lots of fabulous stamping inspiration:

BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL

Visit my website between now and December 14th to place your $25 order and receive your FREE Bright & Beautiful card kit in the mail:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS

For lots of up-to-date Stampin' Up! news, information and just plain fun, "like" my Facebook fan page:

KRYSTAL'S CARDS - STAMPIN' UP

Remember, there is still one day left to take advantage of some amazing deals with the Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza. Visit my online store to place your order.

If you have any questions, you can call or text me: 559.303.2633

Or email me at krystalscards(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Happy Stamping!

Krystal