March Christmas Card 2

Today's card is a little non-traditional in its colors for Christmas  -  but I LOVE IT!!!  It has my favorite color - yellow  - and I think that is perfect for this card.  Yellow is such a happy color and the saying is so happy - that how can you go wrong.

The Cherry strip is stamped over and over with the "Mingle all the Way" saying to give it a cool muted background affect.  We used markers to color in just a few of the design elements - and then popped up the banner layers on dimensionals.  I really think it's a fun card for the holidays!! ~Maureen

Zavian Turns 5

So last week we celebrated this sweet baby's "5th Birthday"  -  I can hardly believe it.  My grandson Zavian is 5 years old.

I made him this cute wild about you and was so proud of myself thinking I'd gotten him a alligator gift card to go with it, until he informed me I was wrong - it is a dinosaur gift card.  Oh well - I tried!!

Here he is with his cake (and baby brother) - what a sweetheart and cutie!  We love you so much - thanks for letting us celebrate with you.

~Gramma

March Christmas Cards

I really do love my Christmas card stamp camps and this month was no different.  Had a pretty full house - and the cards were lots of fun.  Having these each month makes it easy to have your cards all ready for the holidays and actually be ahead of the game.  So here is the sneak peek I provided of the first card we made. 

And here's the entire card  -  I gave a few options for the sentiment - so this one is "Season's Greetings."  But no matter which sentiment - it's a great card.

I especially like the sparkle of the gems.  I go through so many of those gems each month - it's crazy!! Guess I like the BLING!!
Stop back soon to see card 2. ~Maureen

Fun with Merry Christmas

Here's my second card from last month's Christmas Card Class.  I had tons of this DSP left from the Holiday Mini - so decided to punch a bunch of circles and layer them to make this fun and kinda funky design for a card.  It uses the 'Sassy Salutations' stamp set that just shouts "FUN" all on it's own.

The circles are just several different sizes of DSP and cardstock taped onto the card overlapping.  To finish it we stamped the verse layered it on Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso and popped all of that up on dimensionals.  Then added a few pearls to give it a little pizzazz.  This is very easy card - that can use up a lot of those scraps you have laying around.  Let me know what you think!  See you soon. ~Maureen

Do You believe????

Well I do - I believe in the magic of Christmas!  I LOVE Christmas - which is just one of the reasons I start my Christmas Card making in January.  Here's a sneak peek of one of the two cards we'll be making this Sunday.  Full details can be found in my March 14th post below.  If you live in So. Cal. and want to join us - just message me to sign up

Come .... be part of the Magic!! ~Maureen
Note: this card will be made with discontinued stamps.  But here are the rest of the products I used that are current.

Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50

Medium Whisper White Envelopes

$6.50

Soft Sky 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon

$6.95

Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments

$4.95

Christmas Cards February

Finally getting around to posting my Christmas Cards from February - as you know I do two designs each month January through November - customers do five each of those two cards and when Christmas rolls around - they are READY!!  So here is my first design that was inspired by a beautiful card by Kay Kalthoff - what I really loved from her card was the sponging of the blue behind the branches - so here is what I came up with.    Christmas cards are sometimes difficult, since SU does not have a lot for Christmas available throughout the year - so I do sometimes use discontinued products for this group.

This card is made with the Ornamental Pines set - so beautiful - I could not wait to work with this set when it came out.  It starts with a Crumb Cake Base, Early Espresso layer and then I sponged the blue around the top and side.  After that the branches were stamped with Garden Green, pine cones and verse with Chocolate Chip and then added the sprinkling of gems.

You can see that there were two verse choices - I try to do this as much as possible - have a traditional Christmas verse and then also an alternative that is more just seasonal or wintery.  I think that makes more customers comfortable to make the cards.  So - my next Christmas Card class is this Sunday - if you're in our area - plan to come join me - full details in my March 14th post below!!  ~See you soon and think Christmas - Maureen
Items used besides the stamp set -

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Medium Crumb Cake Envelopes

$6.50

Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments

$4.95

If you're in So. Cal. - Come stamp with me and wear your green!!

Looking for a bit O’the Luck of the Irish – then plan to stamp with me this month – wear GREEN to any event this month and get a PRIZE!

*Please request address if needed when you sign up for events.

March Stamping Opportunities with Maureen

NOTE: Every stamping event includes everything you need to make your projects.  You only need to bring yourself and your payment unless otherwise noted in the event information.  I’ll hold as many events as I can until we move out of state.  After that they will be quarterly.  So I hope you can come join me!  Thank you!

~*~*~*~

Sunday, March 22, 2015  ~ 7:00 – 9:30 PM

Christmas in March -  Cards Class

Maureen’s Home in Simi Valley*

Cost: $25 or get the Stamp Camp FREE with a $60 merchandise purchase at the event. - PLUS you'll get one FREE Sale-a-bration product with every $50 purchase - it's a win-win-win – Stamp camp - Merchandise - Free product!  This will be my last class this month with the Sale-a-braiton option so don’t miss it!

IT’s ALREADY MARCH - DON'T MISS OUT THIS YEAR - BE READY FOR NEXT CHRISTMAS WITH HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS CARDS!!  

Think how great it will feel to have those cards done and ready to go.

This has been a very popular Monthly Stamp Camp for the past several years.   We will make 10 wonderful Christmas cards (5 each of 2 different designs).  If you do not do Christmas cards and would like an alternative winter or holiday design - let me know at time of sign-up.

This stamp camp is fun and easy for all crafting levels.  Light refreshments will be served. No additional purchase required.   All materials needed are provided by me!  Doorprize drawing!

Limit 10. Must RSVP to hold your spot.  Class must be 1/2 full to avoid cancellation - sooooooo - what are you waiting for?  Sign up now and join the fun!

~*~*~*~

Tuesday, March 24, 2015 ~ 7:00 – 9:30 PM

Crazy Stamping Lady’s Night Out Card-making Party!! 

Maureen’s Home in Simi Valley*

Cost: $15 or get the Stamp Camp FREE with a $35 merchandise purchase at the event. PLUS you'll get one FREE Sale-a-bration product if you purchase $50 - it's a win-win-win - Stamp camp - Merchandise - Free product!

We'll make 6 cards - 3 each of 2 cute designs using exclusive Stampin’ Up! sets and embellishments ONLY!    

 This stamp camp is fun and easy for all crafting levels.  Light refreshments, coffee, tea and wine served.  No additional purchase required.   All materials to make cards provided.  Doorprize drawing!

Limit 10.  Must RSVP to hold your spot.  Class must be ½ full to avoid cancellation – so grab a friend and come make something wonderful!

~*~*~*~*~

Thursday, March 26, 2015 ~ 11:00 – 3:00 PM
It’s ALL about the FUN!! Opportunity Night
Maureen’s Home in Simi Valley*

COME LEARN ABOUT WHAT STAMPIN’ UP! can OFFER YOU!

DON'T MISS IT – this is truly a way to get the Luck O’The Irish – find out what it means to be a Crazy Stamping Lady as well as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator! 

Whether you’d just like to get a discount, sign-up to attend convention, increase your crafting skills or make this a business opportunity – you won’t want to miss this event.  I’ll have refreshments, a fun game where you can win prizes, an adorable project for all to make, and the chance to ask questions – in fact – bring your questions written down as they’ll help you win those prizes!! 

Wear GREEN for that special gift from me.  I promise –no pressure – just FUN – because that is my stamping motto. But signing up with no further commitment is a great way to get some great Stampin' Up! product at the BEST price ever.  Be sure to RSVP though so I have enough refreshments and projects!!  Bring a FRIEND* who might be interested and get another free goodie!  Please request address if needed when you sign up. 

If you do join by March 31, 2015 you'll receive one of these two bonus options!

*Stamp Camp/Class/Club Cancellation Policy - PLEASE READ TILL END OF POLICY!! If you cancel your reservation at least 48 hours in advance of the event there will be no cost to you. If you cancel within that 48 hours I will try and place someone from the waiting and if that works there will be no charge to you; otherwise you will be responsible for the class fee (If a stamp camp - you will receive the material packet with pictures (by email or on my blog) to make your projects.)  Stamping may not be done for you, so you may need to adjust the project slightly using what stamps you have available. Or you can choose to purchase the purchase requirement for the event in merchandise from Heidi or Maureen. If no purchase requirement is listed for the specific event, you must purchase 2 1/2 times the cost of the class/stamp camp/event or pay for the event. If event is cancelled by me - full refund will be given of any pre-payment. All events must be half-full to avoid possible cancellation. Check your emails to be sure events have not been cancelled.

NOTE: If a different cancellation date is listed in event description it supersedes this policy.

** must be 18 years or older to attend this event

Maureen Rauchfuss ~ the Crazy Stamping Lady

Blog: www.crazystampinglady.blogspot.com *  Website: www.stampingwithmaureen.stampinup.net  *  Phone: 805/404-8183

Email: crazystampinglady@gmail.com

Making the most of my time....

During my last open house I had some down times and didn't just want to waste time - so I pulled out a few pads, a punch, some gems and one of my all time favorite sets -Kinda Eclectic..  You just cannot go wrong with this set.   First I finished up a set of thank you note cards - they came together so quickly.

Here's a close-up of just one of them.

Next I grabbed another set of verses and made some more cards with an extra layer of color.

And here is a close up of one of those.  These were so fun and easy to make and I really love them. 

Not bad for putting together in a little down time.  What do you think??  ~Maureen

One Sheet Wonder technique...

So below is the technique card I gave the ladies at our last club - it is blurry to read - so here is what it says -

One Sheet Wonder (OSW) -

Designer Series paper or a Stamped sheet of Cardstock

template to cut up to put on cards (there are many different templates on Pinterest if you search)

Cut paper or cardstock up according to template and use to complete a series of coordinating cards.  Easy peasy and great results.  

And then I took pictures of the cards we'd make so they could make more later.  (See yesterday's post for a close-up of each).

Here's the grid I used if you want to duplicate the cards.  Each Soft Suede layer was 1/4" larger than the DSP piece.  The card bases are Soft Suede 5.5x8.5" folded in half and the Saraha Sand layer on each is 5.25x4" run through the Chevron embossing folder.

I had a couple ladies who could not be there - so I made up their cards for them.  So quick, so easy - so cute!!

Try it - you'll like it!  ~Maureen
For products I used - see my last post - below!