Life Without Stampin' Up!

So now that I have made a decision to stop being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I feel like there is a small whole in my heart.  What do I do now?

I truly love making things, but I can't seem to find my niche.  I love this hobby of mine, even before I know I did.  In college, I toyed with the idea of being a photographer.  (I still LOVE the idea of a dark room).  When I got married, I made the wedding programs.  When I had my baby, I made the birth announcements.  When I found out my mom had died I stayed up all night crying and making 12x12 announcements to be placed in all four of the buildings that make up Riverdale Towers (where I was raised and where my parents lived until the end).

I prayed for a long time because I really thought that if you found something you loved, you could find SOME WAY to make money from it.  Maybe I was not meant to make money from it.  Maybe I was meant to be good at project management, at putting the pieces together for organizations to meet or exceed goals, to participate in the machine...but at home, in the quiet solitude of my craft room...I would create.

Well, look out world.  Here I is!

Love, peace and crafts.
Cas

Make Your Own Smash Book

So you may be saying, "What the devil is a Smash Book?"  A smash book is a journal you keep on any subject you want (or none at all), where you don't think about how it looks, you just "smash" down photos, magazine/newspaper clippings, receipts, ticket stubs, dried flowers...really anything that inspires.

You can make one on their favorite color where you smash down pics and things and journal about how each thing feels.  You may smash a journal on a vacation or perhaps things you want to do to fix up the house.  It's totally up to you.

So here's my challenge...make your own Smash Book!  Pick a topic (or don't) and then journal away.  Don't worry if it's sloppy, if things match...just slap and go.  Here is a video on how to make your own.  Post pics of what you do.

I made mine out of various sheets of double-sided sheets, and other papers I didn't know what to do with, but totally was in love with.  I am using mine to collapse the mound of mags I have down to a cute little idea book.  Pics to come.

Love, Peace and Crafts
Cas

Satmpin' Up! No More

After a lot of thought and prayer I have decided to hang up my Stampin' Up! hat for good. I absolutely love the company and it's products, but I am increasingly finding it difficult to stay with one brand.

Those who know me know I am a manic scrapper and with that comes a need to always stretch myself.

I will still keep blogging, but now expect to see a more varied view of crafting as I discover new things. Also, you will see videos on a bunch of new stuff I found.

I will always heart Stampin! Up! and it's products (still the best quality paper I've ever seen!) and will be someone's loyal customer but this birdie has for to fly.

To all my customers, thanks for the business. Contact me and I'll hook you up with a rockin' demonstrator near you.

Love and crafts,
Cas

How to make a Swing (or Flip) Card

New Envelope Pocket Page Tutorial

OK I totally LOOOVVEEE this page.  It makes ka-yoot pockets.  Check it out!

Monthly Challenges

Are you like me in that you are running into ruts with your crafting?  That you are making the same things over and over and feel like inspiration has left?  Well, I will start my own monthly challenges.  Each month I will issue a challenge which will either focus on a product or technique and ask that you join me in it.

Are you up for a challenge?  Check out my monthly challenge each month and see what's cooking.

Cas

Awesome Flip Flops

I made these ultra cool flip flops for my daughter and her cheer big-sis.  They LOVED them.  If you need instructions, give me a shout and I'll share.  If you just want some yourself, send me $10 via PayPal and its all yours in whatever colors you'd like.  :o)

Cas

Explosion Box with Stampin UP products

Flip-Flop Album - One of My All Time Fav Minis

YouTube Videos

Ok. So I had a lot of set backs and the universe is keeping me from posting video. So in the interim, I will be sharing some of the cool videos I found over the last few year. Almost all of the projects I will post I have made and am MORE than happy to help you make them too.

So stay tuned!
Cas

Have A Beary Good Time!

If your child is like mine, they LOVE Build-A-Bear.  However, hosting a Build-A-Bear Birthday party can be pricey and, with no food allowed in the store, makes it a "bear" to figure out how to transport kids from the party to the food.

How about hosting your next Build-A-Bear party at your own house.  Invite kids to bring their favorite bear to decorate, make a craft, have some cake and voila, you have a party.

You can buy a Build-A-Bear Party Kit which has the card, treat bag and party hat you see here PLUS coloring pages and treats (gummi bears! what else).  The package is $10 per kid ($6 per kid if you want just the raw materials - what a great way to spend time with your child getting ready for the party).

If you are interested in this kit, call me at 914.483.7464 or send me an email at cas_ramirez@yahoo.com and I'll get it to you.  Kits are made to order so please allow a couple of weeks for shipping.  Paypal and checks are accepted.

Order yours today.  :o)

Smells Like Valentine

This photo is from Stampin' With Susie. She did a beautiful job. To make this card extra special, I would use Stampin' Up!'s new scented embossing powders. That brings a "scratch and sniff" style aroma to things.

A Very Happy Birthday

Today is my niece's 12th birthday!  I am so excited (and a little scared) about my niece becoming a young lady.  In honor of her, I am posting this super cute card I got at a swap from Rhode Island Demonstrator Ellen Rappoport.  She used the Beautiful Wings Stampin' Up! Embosslits Die (item #118138) and the Top Note Stampin' Up! Bigz Die (Item #113463) to make this little beauty.  I love how you can just stick with one color and a neutral (whisper white or very vanilla) and get these results.

A Simple Thank You

Just a quick card I got at a swap from fellow Demonstrator Terry Rodriguez.  Too cute yet oh so simple.  One Stamp, one Punch, One piece of ribbon.  Awesome.

Have You Seen the New Occassions Mini Catalog?

Well, have you?  I went through it and there are soooo many new things for you to take a look at.  Over the next few weeks I will be sending you some info on what the new mini holds.

Like, this week I want to talk about the Love & Laughter Stamp Set.  Oh my goodness is this too cute for words or what?  If you are a twenty something to thirty something going to tons of weddings or if you are planning your own wedding and want to make snazy inexpensive wedding invitations and favors, this kit is for YOU!!

Can you imagine stamping this gown in Versa Mark, covering it in embossing powder that matches your wedding colors?  Que bueno!  Maybe you can emboss one of these images or sayings on our vellum card stock!  What the What?  Yeah I said it.  AWESOMENESS!!

As always, click on any of the links if you want to buy any of the products I mentioned and be sure to visit my online store at http://craftycassandra.stampinup.net.

Toodles

How Sale-a-bration Works

Sale a Bration means FREE GOODIES 

for customers, hostesses, new recruits & demonstrators!!

CUSTOMERS - HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:

1. Select a FREE GIFT from the Sale a Bration catalog 

2. For each $50 you purchase during Sale a Bration you get to choose a free gift! no limit!

 

When you spend $100, get TWO free Sale a Bration gifts! and so on.. no limit!

SOMETHING MAGICAL HAPPENS 

WHEN YOU SPEND $150

 

When you spend $150 you get THREE free Sale a Bration gifts PLUS the adorable FREE Sale a Bration Tote  PLUS!! $25 in free hostess dollars to spend in the catalog!

HOST A WORKSHOP AND GET MORE!!

SALE-A-BRATION ROCKS!!!!

Place your order and book your party today!

cas_ramirez@yahoo.com

Sale-A-Bration is HEEERREE!

cas_ramirez@yahoo.com
http://www.craftycassandra.stampinup.net

Seriously, You Haven't Signed up For My eNewsletter Yet?

Here is why you need to sign up:

1. You get a new catalog first!  As soon as it comes out.

2. I'll be eternally grateful.

3. You'll get tips on scrapping, card making and all things paper.

4. I promise I WILL be eternally grateful.

5. Product reviews and project ideas!  Say Word!

6. For signing up you'll get a 20% discount off of your next order.

7. You can sign up for my paid and free classes first!

8. I will totally be so grateful! I so will.

9. You will get me...I will coach you through any project you are trying to do.  I'll give you ideas, one-on-one coaching and even meet with you in person (or via Skype if you're far away)!

AND 10...Did I mention how grateful I will be?

So sign up today.

Cas

My Sparkly Valentine

I made this beautiful card in minutes and you can too! Here's what I used:

- 8 1/2 x 5 1/4" real red card stock (102482)
- 2 x 4" whisper white card stock (1007300
- 2 1/2 x 4 1/2" red glitter paper (121790)
- 4 x 5 1/4" well worn designer series paper (122359)
- 6 1/2" real red satin ribbon (117286)

Tools & Embellishments

Add caption

- Jewels Basic (119246)
- two way glue pen (100425)
- hearts punch (119881)
- dazzling diamonds (102023)

If you decide to make this card, send me a photo.  I'll place it on my blog!


Keep crafting!

Cas  :o)

Want the New Occassions Mini? It's Free!

Want me to mail you our new mini catalog?  Click here and I'll send you one!

Want to earn a full-color, HUGE, full of ideas catalog -- For FREEEEEEE?  Then host a party.  It's so easy.  It's a win-win-win scenario.

STEP 1: You invite friends over. - WIN!

STEP 2: Make a snack.  Hey, I'll even give it to you! WIN!!!

STEP 3: Have fun! BIG OLD WIN!!!

Contact me to set your workshop up today!