April Creative Crew Challenges and Samples

It's that time to unveil the new challenges and your inspiration for the April Creative Crew submissions on SplitCoastStampers.  The challenges this month were once again fantastic, and very doable.

All we ask is that you try to keep your projects at least 95% Stampin' Up! (SU)  If you are 100% SU then please use SUO as one of your keywords, if you are using a little contraband (non SU) then please also use the SUM keyword.

And lastly you definitely want to put in CreativeCrew as one of your keywords so we can find your creations.  If you have any questions you can always contact me or one of the other Creative Crew Design Team members for guidance or assistance

Well what are you waiting for - here are this months challenges, does as many or as little as you want :)  Just participate and break out your stamping supplies!!!


April 2011 Focus/Creativity sampler:
Celebrating April Showers by Al Jolson!

Life is not a highway strewn with flowers,
Still it holds a goodly share of bliss,
When the sun gives way to April showers,
Here is the point you should never miss.

Though April showers may come your way,
They bring the flowers that bloom in May.
So if it's raining, have no regrets,
Because it isn't raining rain, you know, It's raining violets,
And where you see clouds upon the hills,
You soon will see crowds of daffodils,
So keep on looking for a blue bird, And list'ning for his song,
Whenever April showers come along.

CCREW0411CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - Catalog Focus: * Punches *
We all know that SU! punches rock, so this month punch us up some flowers, butterflies, birds, and bugs! You don't have to make actual punch art, but show us what your punches can do!
View more details HERE on this Bunny Card

A total CASE (copy and share everything), see where the original idea came from by clicking on the picture.

CCREW0411DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - DSP/Color Focus:
When you see Bluebirds you know spring is here! So use this very blue color combo: Pacific Point, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand. Which also happens to be the colors of the Blueberry Crisp DSP!
More details HERE

Well those colors screamed winter to me - not spring :)

CCREW0411HF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - Holiday/Seasonal Focus: * Mother Ocean *
The rain fills our Oceans with the lovely water that balances life here on earth. So in honor of Mother Ocean let's do some watercoloring! Break out your aquapainter and your inks, crayons, pencils, and blender pens! Show us watercoloring at it's best.

I didn't do a project for this, because frankly I stink at Watercoloring!!  But I may try it sometime during the month - only time will tell, however, please be sure to click HERE to check out everyone else projects. 

CCREW0411SF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - SB Inspiration Focus: * NO DSP! *
Yep you have to use stamps and make your own background for your pages this month. Other than that, it's a free for all!
More details HERE

Created in MDS

If you want any further details of my projects just click on the link above the project and it will take you to my gallery on SplitCoastStampers.
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My New Area

This is the right side of the new room, the leftside will be for our other business - that's why no photos here of that side :)

I have room in the middle to set up my 6 foot table so I can have others over to play

The white table is not permanent just a way to house some stuff till I figure out everything
And I think you can see my rolling Cardstock cart behind it, (again that's why it's not permanent just works for now till I get all the other business stuff moved in too)

The shelves work great back to back, still have 1 empty one for all my stamp sets and other accessories

Pretty Cool place for my cricut, this is a box built over our sump pump with a removable lid. But I put in my request so I could put my cricut on it and now it finally has a home and can always be accessible, now to just get a rolling chair so I can roll from desk to cricut!
Will probably put a peg board above the cricut too, to hold the mats, and other supplies

I think this will be the setup, at least for now for the desk, and will probably put up some rails on the short wall next to window for my punches, currently in desk drawer, need to make an Ikea Run though

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An exciting day today as SCS unveils the new SU Creative Crew

For the past month I have kept a little secret.  But today is the day the Stampin' Up! Creative Crew is unveiled on SplitcoastStampers.com. Each month the crew is challenged to make 4 projects with a certain focus.  I will be on the Creative Crew January - April along with a few partners in crime.

I think the staff did a great job choosing the Creative Crew and believe me when you see what they have come up with for the huge January unveiling you will be as amazed as I am by their work.

You can view all of the projects by clicking HERE.  However, you can view my submissions immediately I will be posting each submission in a separate blog listing.

I chose to do all 4 of my entries in My Digital Studio.  I am so in love with this program that Stampin' Up! has produced, and it's truly amazing all of the capabilities it has.  You just have to be willing to play around a bit and not be afraid of it.

Shop with Me 24/7 to purchase My Digital Studio (MDS)

January 2011 Creative Crew "Catalog Focus"

Since I have not taken the opportunity to preorder from the new Occasions or Sale-A-Bration catalogs, I chose to use My Digital Studio (MDS) and some of the downloads made available from those catalogs to present you with the first Challenge give to us.

So without further adieu here goes nothing!
It's easy to make great pages when you have a willing subject that needs to be scrapped.

You can view all of the details for this page in the Creative Crew gallery on Splitcoaststampers.com or by clicking HERE to go directly to the page in My Gallery

Thanks for Looking!!

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Creative Crew, Challenge #2, Designer Series Paper/Color Focus

For the second challenge the Creative Crew was presented with we needed to either use the Love Letter DSP or a combination of Basic Black, Very Vanilla, and Riding Hood Red.  It's definitely a striking combo!!

Once again I looked to My Digital Studio to complete this challenge, and came up with this great card.  I think it's fantastic and it's almost too easy, and did I mention no mess to clean up either when you are done???

You can view all of the details at SplitCoastStampers.com by clicking HERE.  The "mirror image" is what really made this card happen, that and I just love the look of the Textured Cardstock and those new little Vintage Flowers are just awesome.

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Challenge #3 - Holiday Seasonal Focus - Wow em with Hearts

Ok, I know I sound like a broken record, but with MDS I made this happen.  The biggest reason I love using My Digital Studio (MDS) is

1. I can still keep track of my little ones
2. There is no mess to clean up
3. If I make a mistake, I can remove the object and restart with no waste
4. I can save, change, and edit at will
5. I can choose to print the item or send it electronically
6. It's a great way to share with everyone my projects
7. Downloads are way cheaper than buying stamps
8. I don't have glitter all over the house or in my hair

I am sure there are more reasons, and I will continue to add to those reasons as I explore and use it more or can think of something since I am working on coffee #3 right now, it was a long night :)

Ok back to the project, I almost forgot to add it!!

This challenge was to focus on Hearts, whether it was with punches, stamp sets, Dies, etc.

Well MDS has lots of hearts already in the program, in the form of Designer Series Paper (DSP)," Punches" and "stamps."  Stamps in MDS are referred to as brush sets and they are pretty forgiving as far as sizing goes so when you go to print they do not appear distorted if you have chosen to enlarge or shrink the stamp.

Again view all details on how I made this page come together HERE

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Challenge #4, the last one, What I Love About You

Our last focus was a scrapbook page focus, and it was to share about something I love and why.
Well I adore my family and doing what I can to make every day special, but even more so I love ensuring that the special days become extra special.  Fortunately, my husband and I make a great team and we can generally pull off something really fabulous.

So here ya go

Again view full details HERE

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It's your turn to play, I've shown you Mine, I want to see yours!

Now that you have seen my projects I encourage you to play along with us and start using those goodies.  You may want to do only 1 challenge or all 4, I just want you to start the New Year off using your stash!!
And remember, I am hear to provide you with inspiration, guidance, assistance and kudos.

Here's an explanation on how to use keywords when uploading your creations to splitcoaststampers.

The Creative Crew gallery will be generated by KEYWORDS so it is very important to remember to use them. It is easiest to just copy and paste the keywords as they are shown in each challenge to ensure they end up in the right galleries.

Each month we will have four challenges based on suggestions from demos, from the catalog, or from featured products, etc, these will be called "Focus Categories" for the purpose of these challenges. The main "focus categories" will be: Catalog Focus, DSP/Color Coach/Color Focus, Holiday/Seasonal Focus, Scrapbook Inspiration Focus 

The keywords chosen were based upon what the gallery needs to populate each month. It will seem like there is a lot of keywords, (which is why I suggest just copy & pasting when playing along  ) so I will try to explain what each one does for populating the gallery. 

CCREW(month)(year)(Category Focus) = Gallery projects directly related to individual challenges. Example = CCREW0111CF
CreativeCrew = Populates the entire CC Gallery
SUO = Stampin Up Only - use this if everything on the project came from SU!
SUM = Stampin Up Mainly or Mostly - use this you have an obvious product that isn't from SU (such as Copics, embossing folders, die cuts, contraband DSP, etc)

Here are the keywords you want to use to play along for January when you upload to splitcoaststampers.com, my suggestion is to just copy and paste the line, and either choose SUO or SUM depending on your supply usage.   Be aware "creativecrew" is 1 word, and you want to separate your keywords by commas.  You can view the challenge details on each of my blog listings that showcase that particular challenge, feel free to ask me if you need clarification on anything.  I will try to be as specific as possible

CCREW0111CF, Creativecrew, SUO or SUM  (Catalog Focus)

(Spring Showcase using any Spring 2011 Occasions or 2011 SAB product)

CCREW0111DF, Creativecrew, SUO or SUM  (DSP/Color Focus)

(Love Letter DSP or color combo of: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, and Riding Hood Red)

CCREW0111HF, Creativecrew, SUO or SUM  (Holiday/Seasonal Focus)

(Show me your SU-Stampin' Up! Heart - punch, sizzlets/dies, stamp sets, etc.  Wow me with your hearts!))

CCREW0111SF, Creativecrew, SUO or SUM  (Scrapbook-SB Inspiration Focus)

(What I Love About You - spouses, children, pets, parents, friends, ice cream, stamps, etc - something you love and why.)

Ok you get the gist - now start playing!!!!
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Retired Items already Reserved

The following items have already been spoken for!!!
You can click on the Heading to go directly to the listing


WHEELS & PUNCHES:

- Double Circle Punch
- Slit Punch

STAMP SETS: 

-  For a friend stamp set  

-  Crazy for Christmas

-  Trim the Tree 

-  Deck the Halls
-  Comfort Food
-  Event Full
-  Year Round Fun II 

MARKERS, INKPADS, REINKERS:

- Marker: Lavender Lace    

- Marker: Pink Passion  
- Marker: Really Rust

RIBBONS:

- Old Olive: striped Grosgrain
- Pumpkin Pie: Striped Grosgrain
- Bashful Blue: Striped Grosgrain
- Real Red: Striped Grosgrain
- So Saffron: Striped Grosgrain
- Pretty in Pink: Striped Grosgrain      

- Brocade Blue: 5/8" Grosgrain
- Regal Rose: 5/8" Grosgrain
- Bravo Burgundy: 5/8" Grosgrain
- Chocolate Chip: 5/8" Grosgrain

CARDSTOCK:



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Open House / Huge Retirement Sale July 11

 Hopefully you have received your invite to my Open House this Sunday on July 11.  I am putting on a huge Stampin' Up! retirement sale in conjunction with it.


As mentioned in your invite, this is how it will work


When you purchase one or more of my retired SU Items you will receive that same amount in credit towards items in the new 2010-2011 Catalog.


For example you purchase a $20 retired stamp set, you then get to choose $20 in product from the new catalog, which gives you that stampset for free!!!


Because I expect high demand on the products, I am posting this early so that any of my out of towners may participate as well.  All items will be on a first come first serve basis, so if you call out my XYZ stamp and Blank Blank InkPad they are yours and will be available to pick up once I receive your new catalog order.


This may take a couple of posts as I am selling off retired inkpads, markers, reinkers, ribbons by the yard, cardstock and stampsets.


To see all of the stampsets for sale please click HERE to view them in my Picasa Gallery 

Stamp Set	Price	Condition
A Beautiful Thing	$  21	Mounted
A Greeting for all Reasons	$  29	Mounted
Best Yet	$  15	Mounted
Birthday Greetings	$  28	Partial Mount
Bitty Birthday	$  13	Mounted
Christmas Gift Tags	$  27	Mounted
Classic Pickups	$  23	Mounted
Comfort Food	$  15	SOLD
Crazy For Christmas	$  20	SOLD
Deck the Halls	$  25	SOLD
Eventful	$  15	SOLD
For a Friend	$  15	SOLD
Game Night	$  21	Mounted
Greetings Galore	$   29	Mounted
Halloween Backgrounds	$  12	Mounted
Halloween Frights	$  15	Mounted
Holiday Best	$  15	Partial Mount
Holiday Blocks	$  20	Mounted
Holiday Collections	$  15	Partial Mount
Hugs & Wishes	$  18	Mounted
Itty Bitty Borders	$  13	Mounted
Life's Special Moments	$  23	Mounted
Live Like you Mean It	$  15	Mounted
Nursery Nescessities	$  30	Mounted

Patterned Pines	$  15	Mounted
Petite Patterns	$  12	Mounted
Polka Dot Punches	$  15	Unmounted
Polka Dots & Paisley	$  19	Mounted
Riveting	$  20	Partial Mount
Say it Simply	$  12	Partial Mount
Scene in a Garden	$  22	Unmounted
Season Sketches	$  29	Partial Mount
Serene Spring	$  20	Unmounted
Sketch a Party	$  25	Partial Mount
Snow Buddies	$  22	Unmounted
Sprinkles	$  15	Mounted
Starring You	$  14	Mounted
Trick or Treat	$  12	Mounted
Trim The Tree	$  25	SOLD
Vertical Greetings	$  20	Mounted
Very Thankful	$  15	Partial Mount
Very Versatile	$  25	Unmounted
Warm Words	$  21	Mounted
Wings of Friendship	$  22	Unmounted
Wishes Awash	$  20	Partial Mount
Year After Year	$  31	Mounted
Year Round Fun II	$  29	SOLD
Zoofari	$  21	Mounted

If you have any questions regarding the condition of a stamp set please contact me
stampinc@gmail.com

Open House - Ribbons Listing

I have also packaged up much of my retired ribbon as well.  Some are in yards and some are in feet depending on how much I had.  Regardless of whether it's in feet or yards you will receive plenty to do multiple projects with.  Stampin' Up! Ribbon is truly the best and an absolute great value!!!

 You can view the ribbons HERE

Style	Color	Amount	Qty	Price Each
1" Double Stitched Grosgrain	Rose Red	2 Yards	2	$2.00
1" Double Stitched Grosgrain	Bashful Blue	2 Yards	2	$2.00
1/2" Striped Grosgrain	Bashful Blue	2 Yards	2	$1.50
1/2" Striped Grosgrain	Pumpkin Pie	2 Yards	1	$1.50
1/2" Striped Grosgrain	Pumpkin Pie	5 Yards	1	$4.00
1/2" Striped Grosgrain	Real Red	2 Yards	2	$1.50
1/2" Striped Grosgrain	Old Olive	2 Yards	2	$1.50
1/2" Striped Grosgrain	Pretty in Pink	2 Yards	2	$1.50
1/2" Striped Grosgrain	So Saffron	2 Yards	2	$1.50
1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain	Rich Razzleberry	5 Yards	2	$3.50
1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain	Bermuda Bay	5 Yards	1	$3.50
1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain	Soft Suede	5 Feet	2	$1.00
1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain	Crushed Curry	5 yards	1	$3.50
1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain	Dusty Durango	5 Feet	2	$1.00
1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain	Melon Mambo	5 Yards	2	$3.50
Gingham Ribbon	Red	5 Yards	1	$2.50
1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon	Chocolate Chip	5 yards	2	$1.75
1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon	Tempting Turquoise	5 yards	2	$1.75
1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon	Mellow Moss	5 yards	1	$1.75
1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon	Elegant Eggplant	5 yards	1	$1.75
1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon	Apricot Appeal	5 Feet	1	$0.50
1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon	Brocade Blue	5 yards	3	$1.75
1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon	Handsome Hunter	5 Yards	4	$1.75
1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon	Bravo Burgundy	5 Yards	3	$1.75
1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon	Apricot Appeal	5 yards	1	$1.75
Wide Organdy (7/8" Wide)	Navy	5 Yards	2	$1.25
Wide Organdy (7/8" Wide)	Celery	2 Yards	3	$0.50
Wide Organdy (7/8" Wide)	Brocade Blue	2 Yards	3	$0.50
Wide Organdy (7/8" Wide)	Black	2 Yards	1	$0.50
Wide Organdy (7/8" Wide)	Ivory	2 Yards	1	$0.50
Wide Organdy (7/8" Wide)	Lavendar	2 Yards	1	$0.50
Wide Organdy (7/8" Wide)	Dark Green	2 Yards	1	$0.50
Narrow Organdy (3/8")	Ivory	5 Yards	4	$1.00
5/8" Grosgrain	Brocade Blue	5 Feet	1	$1.00
5/8" Grosgrain	Regal Rose	5 Feet	1	$1.00
5/8" Grosgrain	Chocolate Chip	5 Feet	1	$1.00
5/8" Grosgrain	Bravo Burgundy	5 Feet	1	$1.00
Double Stiched Ribbon	Blue Bayou	5 Yards	2	$3.00
Rope Twine	White	5 Yards	2	$2.50
Stiched Grosgrain	Cranberry Crisp	5 Yards	1	$2.75

Shop with Me 24/7 to purchase all supplies used in this project.

Cardstock For Sale

All Cardstock will be sold in 8.5x11" sheets
When you click on the link below, please be sure to view in Full Screen Mode to see colors, qty available and pricing

Stampin Up Retired Items for Sale Cardstock

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Markers Reinkers and Inkpads For Sale

Stampin Up Retired Items for Sale Markers Inkpads Reinkers
Please be sure to view the above link in Fullscreen Mode to see all that is available, you will also see there are multiple pages to view, so be sure to scroll to the bottom and view the "next" page.
I would like to sell these items as a group, however, if you already have the inkpad and just want the reinker or maker that is fine too.
InkPads: $6
Marker: $3
Reinker: $3
Shop with Me 24/7 to purchase all supplies used in this project.

Open House Wheels and Punches

You can view the Wheels and Punches for sale HERE

PUNCHES

Name	Price
Horizontal Slot	$      6.00
Double Circle	$      6.00
Slit	$      6.00
Snowflake	$    10.00
Notched Corner	$    10.00
Paper Piercing	$    15.00
Spring Bouquet	$    15.00

WHEELS

Type	Name	Price	Condition
Regular Stampin' Around	Wings and Things	$6.00	Like New
Regular Stampin' Around	Happy Jacks	$6.00	Like New
Regular Stampin' Around	Snowflakes	$6.00	Like New
Regular Stampin' Around	Springtime	$6.00	Like New
Regular Stampin' Around	Hugs & Kisses	$6.00	Like New
Regular Stampin' Around	Whirly-Twirly	$6.00	Like New
Regular Stampin' Around	Watercolor Joy	$6.00	Like New

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3 More for May

The Makenzy pages were for two challenges, a sketch challenge and a Variety challenge hosted on SCS, you can view my gallery there for more details.

This page was for the VSBN "Hell's Kitchen" Challenge, you can check it out by clicking on the challenge title.

All 3 pages done with MDS, the presto patterns overlays are so cool!!!

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One More

Thanks to two semi-cooperative girls today I have been able to create some scrap pages in MDS. Yeah it feels so good to do this!!


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More MDS

Having a great time creating and playing with MDS today, all pages are done using sketches on SCS.


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Maci Talking - VSBN

For "The Apprentice" challenge from VSBN weekend. Had to use the provided sketch to put this page together.
You can find all of the challenge details here

Used MDS to complete this page. The My Sweet Pea add-on is great, as well as all of the other great things that come with the program!
And for the Month of May in honor of National Scrapbooking Month when you purchase MDS (My Digital Studio) from Stampin' Up! you will receive your choice of designer brads for free. Check out the Shop With Me link below to see the full details of this special :)


Shop with Me 24/7 to purchase all supplies used in this project.